USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 35
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The first will probated was the will of James Hatfield, deceased, on the 27th day of November, 1854, in County Court, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
The first letters of Administration were issued to Nathaniel E. llorton, October 23rd, 1854. Amos llatfield was the first guardian appointed by the County Court on November 29th 1854.
The first longe of " Free and Accepted Masons " was organized at Indiantown. Their dispensation was received August 4, 1867. Their charter was received June 2, 1858, and called " Polar Star Lodge, No. 115." The charter members were W. C. Salsbury, W. M .; Charles Gray, Jr., S. W .; S. Cronk, J. W. It was named by Judge Salsbury.
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264
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Prior to the latter part of 1883, the pioneers traveling through this region usually followed trails, paths, kept the set- ting sun straight ahead and followed any other devise to keep in the right direction. On July 1, 1853, a State Road was laid out by the Legislature, running from Marengo to Fort Dodge through the southern part of Tama county. During the year fol- lowing (1854) a mail route was established from Merengo to Marietta, in Marshall county along this road. Prior to this, in the summer of 1853 a post office had been established with James HI. Hollen as post master. In January, 1854, a post office was established at Kinnesaw, with An_ thony Wilkinson as post master, his com- mission bearing the date of February 27, 1854. These-the State road, mail route and post offices-were the first established in the county. They gave material aid to the settlers, and seemed in a degree to be a connecting link between their east- ern homes and the Far West.
In August, 1853, the A. D. Stephen's and Hardin county road was located.
In December of the same year a State road running from A. D. Stephen's place to Indiantown was located running north from the Iowa river, and with the streams temporarily bridged proved a great benefit to the country.
Early in 1854, a road was located from J. II. Hollen's place, near the Iowa river running northwesterly to James Laugh lins house in Carlton township.
On the 30th of May, 1854, the Black Hawk and Toledo road was located by way of Toledo and Buckingham to Black Hawk county.
On the 15th of July, the same year, a
road from Bruner's mill in Toledo town- ship to Salt Creek, was located and opened. On July 29, 1855, a road from Vinton to Newton by way of Toledo was located, and others followed rapidly, showing that Tama county pioneers had the determina- tion, energy and enterprise to carry it through, and to have the county open to travel and free communication.
THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN TAMA COUNTY.
Buckingham township has the honor of passing into history as the first to celebrate the anniversary of American Independ- ence. It took place in 1853, and was en- tered into with a zeal and patriotism which has never since been surpassed. Probably no celebration sinee that time in Tama county has been more thoroughly enjoyed, and at that time, all being socially equal, the brotherhood and common interest of human beings was felt and illustrated in a way that made the occasion doubly happy.
The most important workers in the movement to inaugurate the celebration, were, Col. John Connell, J. C. Wood, J. P. Wood and Wesley A. Daniels. A sub- seription paper was started, which was signed by about twenty persons subscrib- ing in all, the amount of $9.75 ! The col- leetor of this subscription was Joshua C. Wood, and the list is still in his hands. The preamble is in the hand-writing of John Connell, and is in a good state of preservation, but the names signed are fast being obliterated. One name, remember- ed as that of Alvah L. Dean, cannot be distinguished at all, and those of L. E. Wood and Joseph Connell can barely be read. John Connell and J. C. Wood went to Cedar Rapids and procured the neces-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
sary eatables, as that was the nearest point where provisions could be obtained. It was the intention to have the celebration begin in the morning of July 4, 1853, but the day before a heavy rain came and the streams were swollen to unusual propor- tions, so that it was with difficulty that those who attended, reached the place to open the ceremonies in the afternoon and many were prevented from coming. About seventy-five persons were present, and had it not been for the high water, it is said that nearly the whole county would have been in attendance. Swings were put up which furnished amusement for the young people ; some good singing enjoyed and the balance of the afternoon spent in social talk and having a pleasant visit. Several short speeches were made but no
oration. In the evening a fine supper was prepared, which the assemblage greatly enjoyed, and the feast to this day, is often spoken of as being the best the partici- pants ever ate. After this they all return- ed to their homes, feeling that the day had been well spent.
In 1854 a celebration was held at Ver, milya's Grove, near the present site of Tama City. It was very largely attended, there being about 500 persons present. Orations were delivered by Alfred Phil- lips and Rev. Mr. Petefish. A table 200 feet long was spread and all were fed in royal style. A notable feature was ice water, the ice having been furnished by .J. C. Vermilya. No liquor was on the .ground and not a drunken man was seen.
CHAPTER V.
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
For a few years prior to the organiza- tion of Tama county, the territory now comprising it was attached to Benton for civil and judicial purposes. On the 10th of March, 1853, the voters of Tama coun- ty presented a petition to the County Judge of Benton asking for a separate organiza- tion. This was granted and the county effected a temporary organization by the election of the following named officers:
Tallman Chase, County Judge; David D Appelgate, Clerk of Courts; Norman L. Osborn, Sheriff; John Huston, Prosecu- ting Attorney; Wesley A. Daniels, County Surveyor; David F. Bruner and Anthony Wilkinson received an equal number of votes for School Fund Commissioner, but Noah Myers received the appointment. This election was held on the first Monday of May 1853, and as the organization was
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
merely temporary, many of the officers did not qualify.
The next and first regular election was held on the first Monday in August. 1853, and the following officers were elected: County Judge, John C. Vermilya; Treas- urer and Recorder, John Ross; Coroner, Franklin Davis; Surveyor, W. A. Daniel; Sheriff, Norman L. Osborn. This set the governmental wheels of the county in motion, and their busy hum has since con- tinned without interruption. The details of matters pertaining to organization, elec- tions and county officers, will be found elsewhere in this volume.
In early days the mode of county gov- ernment differed very much from that of the present day. The executive depart- ment was vested in what was termed a "County Court," which exercised the same jursidiction and had the same powers which are now held by the County Board of Supervisors, and in addition to this had jurisdiction in all cases of a civil nature which now come before the Circuit Court, together with probate and marriage license matters. The court consisted of the County Judge, Sheriff and a Clerk. The former had all the authority and the two latter, when they acted at all, were assistants. Thus the office of County Judge was one of much importance.
ACTS OF THE COUNTY COURT.
On the organization of Tama county it comprised three townships-Howard, In- dian Village and Buckingham. Each of these townships was organized by order of the County Judge of Benton county.
The qualified electors of Howard town- ship met at the house of Rezin A. Red- man, and organized the township, the
boundary lines of which were as follows : Begining at the southwest corner of township 82, north of range 15 west, thence to the northwest corner of town- ship 84, north of range 15 west, thence east to the north east corner of township 84, north of range 13 west, thenee south to the southeast corner of township 82, north of range 13 west, thence to the place of beginning.
Indian Village township was organized at the house of Eli W. Daily. Its boun- dary lines were as follows, as described in the records of the County Court : " Con- taining the west tier of Congressional townships in said county, which is town- ship 82, north of range 16 west, and township 83, north of range 16 west, township 84, north of range 16 west, township 85, north of range 16 west, and township 86, north of range 16 west."
The qualified electors of Buckingham township met at the house of N. L. Os- born, and organized the township, which was bounded as follows :- " Beginning at the southwest corner of township 85, north of range 15 west, thence north to the northwest corner of township 86, north of range 15 west, thenee east to the south- east corner of said county, thence south along said county line to the southeast cor- ner of township 85, north of range 13 west, thence west to the place of begin- ning."
The first session of county court was held at the house of John Huston, in In- dian Village township in - 1853. Tallman Chase who had been elected county judge, had failed to qualify, and this term was presided over by the prose cuting attorney, John Iluston.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The first term of the county court, pre- sided over by Judge Vermilya, was held at the house of the Judge in October, 1853. At this time the officers of the county made settlement with the county judge. The record is as follows :-
Fees received by County Judge. $ 2 10
Fees received by Clerk .. 3 35
Fees received by Recorder and Treas-
urer.
Due County Judge for salary. 10 40
Due Clerk for five month's salary 17 40
Due Recorder and Treasurer for five months salary. 19 50
Warrants No. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were issued in favor of David Bruner for services ren- dered in assessing Howard township. The amount issued was for $19 50.
The third record made by the County Judge was the report of the commission- ers to locate the county seat, of which mention is made elsewhere in this work.
At the April term, 1854, the county of- ficers again made settlement, the record of which is as follows:
Fees received by the County Judge for last quarter. $5 15
Fees received by Clerk for last quarter .. 2 60
Fees received by Recorder and Treasurer for last quarter 37 00
Balance due County Judge for last quar-
ter. 7 35
Balance Clerk for last quarter. 9 90
At this term a warrant was issued to the Sheriff for the organization of the following named townships.
Cariton township to contain all of In- dian Village township that lies north of the Iowa river, its first election to he held at the house of William Murtz on the first Monday in April, 1854.
Richland township to contain all of Iloward township that lies south of the Iowa
River, the first election to be held at the house of Aluson P. Rich on the first Mon- day in April, 1854.
Salt Creek township to contain all of Iloward township that lies east of the west line of range 15 west and north of the Iowa river, the first election to be held at the house of Levi Marshes, on the first Monday in April 1854.
At the August term, 1854, settlement was made by the county officers, showing the following amounts :
Fees received by county Judge for last quarter. $8 85
Fees received by Clerk for last quarter .. 3 20
Fees received by Treasurer and Recorder for last quarter. .. 37 90
Salary due county Judge. 16 58
Coutingent expenses of county Judges allowed by Prosecuting attorney 75 00
Clerk's salary.
16 58
Treasurer and Recorder's salary.
16 58
Prosecuting Attorney 9 00
On the 5th day of February, 1856, the county Court met and received the petition of a number of the citizens of Bueking- ham township, for its division and the creation of a new township. The prayer of the petitioners was granted and a township was organized comprising Congressional township 86, north of range 13 west of the 5th principal meridian, 10 be known as Geneseo township.
At the same term the townships of Co- lumbia, Otter creek, and Toledo were formed. The township of Columbia was formed from the township of Richland and was made to comprise Con- gressional township 82, north of range 15, and that portion of township 83 range 15, that lies on the south side of the Iowa river. Otter Creek township was formed from Howard township and was made to
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
comprise all of Congressional township 83, north of range 14, and that portion of town- ship 82, range 14, that lies on the north side of the Iowa river. Toledo township was also formed from Iloward and made to comprise that part of Congressional town- ship 83, range 15, lying north of the Iowa river. Howard township, thus divided, as described upon the record "shall em- brace only the congressional townships 84, range 15, and township 84, range 14, and no more, and be hereafter bounded by the said lines, bounding said Congressional township and no more and no less."
The election for Howard township was ordered to be held at the house of Benja- min Hammit ; in Otter Creek township at the house of A. Tompkins; in Geneseo at the house of Nathaniel Spencer; in Columbia at the house of Joshua Burley.
On the second of October, 1854, by order of the County County, a proposition was submitted to the people "For or Against the Distraining of Sheep and Swine from running at large in the county from and after April 1st, 1855." The vote was canvassed by John C. Vermilya, County Judge, Zachariah T. Shugart and Benjamin Hammit, and it was decided that " ninety votes were cast for Distrain- ing, and forty-nine votes east against Dis- training." Therefore it is presumed they were "Distrained."
The first case of pauperism in Tama County was that of Charles Potter's fam- ily. It seems that Potter had deserted his family, leaving them destitute. The County Court ordered that the property he had left be used for the sustenance of the deserted family. This record bears the date of March 5, 1856, at which time
Alfred Phillips is acting in the eapacity of ex-offiee County Judge.
At a term of County Court held upon the 10th day of M rch, 1856, the town- ship of Salt Creek was divided and that of York was formed, as embracing town- ship 84, range 13, and township 83, range 13. Notice was given to James R. Graham to call the first election at his house on the first Monday in April, 1856, and organize the new township. A pe- tition was presented to the Judge on the 22nd of March, 1856, to again consolidate the townships, but he refused to comply with the request.
Judge Vermilya, at a session held on the first day of May, 1856, appointed John H. Myers as agent of the county for one year to sell liquors for medicinal, mechani- cal and sacramental purposes. The record adds " subject to revocation for cause or at my pleasure ; annual salary of agent shall be-dollars."
At the same term the boundaries of the townships of Salt Creek and York, were slightly changed.
At the July term, in 1856, a settlement was made with the county officials and it appears from the records that, for the quarter ending July 7th, they had received salaries as follows :
John C. Vermilya, County Judge, of. 4 50
D. D. Applegate, Clerk of Courts, 59 35 G. G. Staley, Treasurer and Recorder, . .
166 25 Salarly due Judge over what had been
received. .. 45 50
Balance due county from Clerk, 9 35
Staley,
1.6 25
Due Prosecuting Attorney for salary, 20 00
Due Sheriff for salary, 5 00
Then followed receipts from the various officers.
269
HIISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
On the 9th of August, 1856, it appeared to the Judge that the removal of the agent for selling intoxication liquors in the Vil- lage of Toledo, would be a benefit to the citizens, and he therefore revoked the license he had given to John H. Myers, and appointed Ira J. Wilkins, of Toledo township, in his stead.
The labors of the year 1857 were opened by the county court in session on the fifth of January, at which the usual settlement with the county officers was made.
At the March term in 1857, the town- ship of Crystal was formed by the division of Buckingham; and Carroll was formed by the division of lloward. A warrant was issued to J. S. Bishop to organize Crystal, and one to Nathan Fisher to organize Carroll.
The Judge fixed the bonds of various officers as follows: County Treasurer, $10,000; Sheriff, $10,000; Justices of the ยท Peace, $1,000; Constables, $1,000.
During September of this year the name of John C. Vermilya drops from sight, Leander Clark taking his place, signing the records as county Judge.
In December 1857, the county Judge ordered that the School Fund Commisioner file a bond in addition to what had been filed in the amount of $17,000, the former amount not being deemed sufficent. L. S. Frederick was Commissioner at this time.
On the 12th of February 1858, James Thorington, of Davenport was appointed special agent to select the swamp lands belonging to this county.
About the same time, the entry being dated March Ist, the township of Bnek- ingham was divided and Perry township was set off and ordered organized the
warrant for calling the first election being issned to J. W. Southwick. The meeting was duly held on the first Monday in April 1858, at the store occupied by Geo. W. Free, Jr , in the village of West Union, and an organization was permanently effected.
The boundaries of the townships of Toledo, Columbia, Richland and Otter Creek were also slightly changed. Carl- ton was divided and Spring Creek town- ship created. A warrant was issued to G. M. Finch commanding him to call the first election of the new township at the house of William B. King.
At a session of the county Court on March 3, 1859, the county Judge, ordered that the following proposition be submit- ted to the legal voters of Tama county, viz: "Shall the county Judge in behalf of said county issue county bonds to the amount of $40,000 to draw interest at the rate of six per cent per annum, as a dona- tion to the lowa State Agricultural College and Model Farm, and the Board of Equal- ization of Tama county be authorized to levy upon taxable property of said county . two and one-half mills upon the dollar of the valuation thereof, annually until an amount sufficient to liquidate said bonds and int rest shall be raised; the first levy to be made at the meeting of said board for the levy of ordinary taxes in the year 1859, all to be done expressly on the con- dition that the said "Iowa State Agricul- tural College and Model Farm" shall be located in Tama county."
The election was duly held and resulted in there being 444 votes in favor of the proposition and 195 against it. The offer, however, was not liberal enough and Story
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
county secured the college.
The following entry appears upon the record under the date of May 19th 1859, and explains itself.
"To the Hon. Leander Clark, County Judge of Tama county: This is to certify that at a meeting of the Presidents of the several township school districts in Tama county, the County Superintendents were allowed the sum of $100 by the said board of Presidents for the year ending April 5th, 1859.
Signed, / W. C. SALSBURY, Chairman, S T. A. GRAHAM, Sce'y.
At the July term of 1859 the matter of settlement with the various county officials again eame up, and the following entry was made as to their salaries for the quar- ter ending July 4th, 1859, viz:
County Judge had Received. $ 2 35
Couuty Clerk had Received .. 8 45
County Treasurer aud Recorder R'c'd ... 123 90 Salary due Judge above what he had
Received. 97 65
Salary due Sheriff. 10 00
Due County from Clerk. 28 45
Due County frou Treas. and Recorder 23 90
Then follows the receipts from the officers.
It will be noticed that often a long time elapses between the date of the extracts given. The balance of the time was spent in routine work, such as the issuance of marriage licences, attending to petitions, and like matters of no especial interest.
In the winter of 1859-60, the General Assembly passed an act which was duly signed by the Governor changing the mode of government in the various counties in the State, and creating the county Board of Supervisors. This body took charge of nearly all of the business formerly attend- ed to by the Judge of the County Court
The office of County Judge, however, was continued until 1869, that officer having only jurisdiction in probate matters and the issuance of marriage licenses. Noth- ing of note transpired and a list of the various gentlemen who held the office of County Judge, will be found in connec- tion with the chapter upon National, State and County Representation, where sketch- es of each will also appear.
In the new system-the Board of Super- visors-consisted of one member from each township.
ACTS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
Pursuant to law, the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held on the 7th day of January, 1861, at the court house in Toledo. It was organized by appoint- ing Jonathan Peterson, temporary chair- man. The various townships were repre. sented by the following gentlemen-their respective townships and terms being marked opposite their names :
Anthony Bricker, 1 year. Indian Village
Wesley A. Daniel, 2 years. Buckingham
2 years. Richland
Wm. Gallagher, Jr., 1 year. Howard
B. A. Ilall. 2 years. . Toledo
Robison, Johnston, 2 years .. Highland
Lucius Kibbe, 2 years . Carroll
A. C. Marston,
1 year. Spring Creek
G. G. Mason, 1 year. . Oneida
M. Mitchell, 1 year Otter Creek
Janathan Peterson,
1 year. Carlton
S. C. Rogers,
2 years . Crystal
P. L. Sherman,
1 year Geneseo
J. W. Southwick,
1 year. . Perry
T. S. Talmuage,
1 year. Clark
Isaac Toland,
2 years Columbia
James A. Willy
2 years. Salt Creek
L. B. Dresser,
2 years . York
The board proceeded to the election of
a permanent chairman which resulted in the choice of P. L. Sherman, he receiving
T. Forker,
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
ten votes and Jonathan Peterson seven. Committees were appointed to draft rules for the government of the body and order of business.
At the same session the board appropri- ated the sum of $104, for the support of the poor persons and paupers already on the county for the six months ending July Ist, 1861.
On the 11th of January, 1861, the com- mittee appointed to investigate the school fund matter reported as follows:
"We, your committee appointed to ex- amine into the affairs of the School Fund beg leave to make the following report: Having examined the books and papers connected with the said School Fund we find the reports of the officers correct. We also ascertain that there are three thousand and two hundred acres of land belonging to the said fund, the sales of which have been declared fraudulent. We also ascertain that there are 960 acres of these lands on which the payments have been made and patents issued. We there- fore recommend that the sales of these lands on which the patents have been issned, be considered legal, and that here after taxes be levied on the same."
A. BRICKER, G. G. MASON, Committee. T. S. TALMAGE,
On the 5th of June, 1861, Spring Creek township was divided, and a new civil township under the name of Lincoln, was created. A warrant was issued to Joseph Preseott, commanding him to call the first election at his house.
During this term Judge Leander Clark presented his resignation as County Judge, and it being referred to a committee, was
reported on as follows :
" WHEREAS, Leander Clark, our county judge, has handed in his resignation, to take effect as soon as his successor shall be appointed and qualify, therefore,
Resolved, That we believe it due to Le- ander Clark to acknowledge our obliga- tions, and that of our constituents, for the faithful and impartial manner in which he has performed his duties.
Resolved, That while we believe it would be for the interest of the county that the Judge should continue in service ; at the same time, in accordance with his desire, we reluctantly grant his request ;
Resolved, That considering the legal ability, business tact and stability of many of our citizens, we trust we shall be able to fill the vacancy thus occasioned by one who will not disappoint the expectations of our constituents.
S. C. ROGERS, ( Signed ) J. PETERSON, B. A. HALL,
Committee.
The following day John Allen was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy.
The matter of appropriating money for the purchase of a poor farm came up at this meeting, but was defeated.
The excitement of the war began over- spreading the country about this time, and Tama county was not long in officially taking the right position.
Under the date of June 8, 1861, the Board of Supervisors unanimously adopt- ed the following resolution, which was presented by W. A. Daniels :
" WHEREAS, The time has come when every patriot should show his devotion to the Government in a way that cannot be misunderstood, and as it is the duty of
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