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 37
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During September the Board decided that at the next general election the ques- tion should be submitted to the legal voters of Tama county whether the Board of Supervisors should be authorized to offer and cause to be paid a bounty for the ex- termination of pocket gophers in Tama county.
On the ninth of September 1868, Mr. Willard offered the following resolution to the board, moving its adoption. It ex- plains itself :
" Resolved, That whereas, a child be- longing to Mr. Healy, of Spring creek, Tama county, lowa, was lost or kidnapped on or about the 2nd day of September, A. D., 1868, and whereas, report is being circu- lated that said child was kidnapped. Therefore resolved that the Clerk of this
board be authorized to offer a reward of five hundred dollars for the arrest of the kidnapper, and return of the child, and that said reward be published in the three county papers, for three consecutive weeks." (See chapter "Miscellaneous.")
At the September session Mr. Dysart moved to change the name of "Tama city township " to "Tama township." It was carried.
The ninth annual session of the board commenced January 4, 1869. A. Tomp- kins was chosen as temporary chairman. The members who were present are record- ed as being Messrs. C. Bratt, E. S. Beck- ley, Jos. Dysart, T. Forker, A. N. Poy- neer, Martin Leavens, B. A. Ilall, G. Jaqua, Jos. Powell, W. Rodgers, P. L. Sherman, A. Tompkins, Tenney, II. T. Willard, Jacob Loutzenheiser, J. S. Town- send, Jno. Flemming, C. Il. Baldwin, HI. L. Smith A. Wilkinson. P. L. Sherman, from Geneseo, was duly elected chairman, for the ensuing year.
At this session it was,
" Resolved, That in the opinion of this board the time has come to purchase a farm to be known as the "Poor Farm of Tama county.
During the same session J. R. Stewart, the county Superintendent presented a lengthy paper to the board, showing the condition of educational matters.
During this year the name of Thomas S. Free as Clerk of the board drops from sight, but reappears on the records as "Auditor."
The years work of 1870 was inaugu- rated by the board in the session com- mencing on January 3, 1870, M. Wilkin- son was chosen as temporary chairman.
283
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Messrs. Willard, Withington, Sapp, Sher- man and Staley, all took the necessary oath qualifying them as the newly-elected members of the board. B. A. Hall was elected permanent chairman.
Nothing of importance came before the board this year, their time being mostly occupied in routine work.
During the winter of 1869 and 1870 an act was passed by the General Assembly changing the mode of government from what had been practiced for a decade past. The board of Supervisors was to consist of three members from the county at large instead of one from each township. The new board was elected at the general election in the fall of 1870.
The new board first met on the second of January, 1871, and was composed of Leander Clark, G. Jaqua and A. N. P'oy- neer although at the opening of this ses- sion only Leander Clark and A. N. Poy- neer were present. The following day all were present and Leander Clark was elect- ed chairman for the ensuing year.
At the June session a resolution was presented to the board favoring the sub- mission of the question to the voters as to whether or no, there should be five supervisors. It was lost.
For 1872 the board consisted of A. N. Poyneer, G. Jaqua and John Ramsdell, the latter, having been elected in the fall of 1871 to succeed Mr. Clark. A. N. Poyneer was elected chairman for the en- suing year.
At the June session of this year it was Resolved, That the question be submit- ted to the legal voters of the county "whether or not the swamp lands, now owned by said county shall be sold and
the proceeds thercof be devoted to the purchase of a poor farm in and for said county of Tama."
In the fall of 1872 G. Jaqua was re- elected his own successor,. and when the board first met in January 1873, he ap- peared and took the oath. A. N. Poyneer was re-elected chairman for the year 1873.
At the June session the board passed the following rather significant resolution: " WHEREAS : The HIon. M. M. Walden has donated to the school fund of this county $236.65, as a part of the proceeds of what has been called the "salary -grab," therefore,
Resolved, That believing the partaker in unjust gains is as bad as the principal, we herewith instruct the Auditor to return said donation, preferring to trust in Prov- idence and our own efforts for the educa' tion of our children rather than to dis honest gains, however obtained.
For 1874 the board consisted of John Ramsdell, G. Jaqua, and S. W. Hutton, the 1 tter having been elected to succeed A. N. Poyneer. John Ramsdell was cho- sen chairman for the ensuing year.
The fifteenth annual meeting of the Board was commenced on January 4th, 1875, and the members were G. Jaqua, S. W. Hutton and J. II. Lauderdale. Mr. Lauderdale was the member-elect and he qualified and took his seat. G. Jaqua was elected chairman of the board for the ensuing year. Routine work occupied the attention of the board during this year.
The sixteenth annual session convened on January 3d 1876, the board being com- posed of S. W. Hutton, J. H. Lauderdale and Theo. Clark, the latter having been elected in the previous fall to succeed G.
284
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Jaqua, and the latter gentleman became Representative of Tama county in the General Assembly. S. W. Hutton was chosen chairman for the ensuing year.
A special meeting of the board was held in August, 1876, for the purpose of acting upon a petition of citizens of Chelsea and vicinity asking that a ditch drain and embankment be constructed from Long Point on the Iowa river south- easterly to Otter Creek. The scheme was defeated.
The board for 1877 was composed of .J. HI. Lauderdale, Theo. Clark and I. H. Withington, the latter named being the" incoming member. lle qualified at the opening of the January session and took his seat. Mr. Lauderdale was elected chairman for the ensuing year, Mr. Clark was in feeble health and was unable to at. tend the meetings of the board. On the 4th of December he resigned his office and Joseph Dysart was appointed to fill the place.
R. M. Tenny was elected Supervisor in the fall of 1877, and thus the board for 1878 was composed of H. H. Withington, Joseph Dysart and R. M. Tenny. Mr. Withington was elected chairman for the ensuing year.
At the Inne session it was resolved that the question be submitted to the people whether the Board of Supervisors should be increased to five members. It was sub- mitted at the ensuing general election and defeated.
The following was adopted on the same day:
"WHEREAS, It is uncertain what is the bounty for killing a wolf, lynx, swift or wild
cat, in this county. Therefore be it
Resolved, It be fixed at $2.00 per scalp in addition to the one dollar allowed by law."
For the year 1879, the board was com- posed of the same gentlemen as the year previous, Joseph Dysart having been elect- ed his own successor. H. H. Withington was elected chairman for the ensuing year.
The same board officiated in 1880, II. 11. Withington being re-elected.
In the fall of 1880 A. Z. Rawson was elected Supervisor to succeed R. M. Tenny. Thus for the year 1881, the board was composed of Joseph Dysart, Il. H. With- ington and A. Z. Rawson. H. H. With- ington was elected chairman for the en- suing year.
At the April session the Auditor pres- ented a certificate from the Secretary of the State showing length in miles, of the several railroads in Tama county, and the assessed value thereof as follows.
Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern (Pacific Division) 18 miles, assessed at $4,000 per mile.
Chicago & Northwestern, 25.38-100 miles, assessed at $10,575 per mile.
Toledo & Northwestern, 22.11-100 miles, assessed at $2,000 per mile.
In 1882, the board first met January 2, at the court house in Toledo, being composed of A. Z. Rawson, Il. 11. With- ington and B. Smith, the latter being the member-elect. H. H. Withington was elected chairman for the ensuing year.
The official bonds of the various officers were fixed as follows:
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
County Treasurer $100,000
County Auditor 10,000
Sheriff. 15,000
Coroner. 2,000
County Superintendent. 1,000
County Surveyor 1,000
The work of the year 1883 was inaugu- rated by a meeting January Ist. The board consisted of A. Z. Rawson, B. Smith and Joseph Dysart, the latter be- ing the new member.
Mr. Dysart presented a resolution which
was adopted at the January session, fixing the salary of the County auditor at $1200 per annum, sheriff $300 per annum exclu- sive of fees ; deputy clerk, deputy Audi- tor and deputy treasurer, each $50 per month.
At the general election in the fall of 1882, it was decided by the people that hereafter there should be five members of the Board of Supervisors.
CHAPTER VI.
OTIIER OFFICIAL MATTER.
In this connection are presented various official matters, which, although too brief to place in a chapter separately, are too important to be entirely ignored. The items have been gathered from records and from interviews with those familiar with such matter.
MATRIMONIAL.
This is a matter which often attracts attention when treated historically. In various lands the marriage rite is solem- nized in different ways and by different ceremonies ; in all, the acts of the con- tracting parties must be understood by each, and by the community in which they live as being a mutual agreement to hold the relations toward one another as man and wife. In this State a license has always been required ; or in lieu thereof, for a number of years, a couple could be
married by publishing their intentions through a public assembly, although in Iowa it was never practised to any great extent.
The first marriage that appears on the record books of the county was solemnized on August 14, 1853, more than thirty years ago. The parties were Miron Blod- gett and Sarah Cronk. They were mar- ried by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. It was the first marriage solemnized in the county subsequent to its organization.
In early days young men and maidens were not married in the grand style which usually characterizes marriages of the present time. They did not wait for riches to come before marriage, as is gen- erally the present custom, but married and lived in simple and comfortable style, and generally lived happily and gained
7
286
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
the respect of their neighbors by attend- ing to their own business. There were no " diamond weddings " in those days and the extravagance that often now attends the marriage ceremony was unheard of. The old folks were plain, economical and hospitable people, and the young folks were imbned with the same attributes that characterized their fathers and mothers. They were willing to commence house- keeping in a style corresponding with their means, trusting to the future for larger houses and more expensive furni- ture.
There are many rich anecdotes of the rustic marriages in early days, but where possible they are treated in connection with the history of the townships in, which they occurred. How, when the time came, the blushing and rosy maid, would drop her milk pails, throw off her apron and tying on her sun bonnet, clamber into the lumber box wagon, while "John " in his over-alls and farm boots would take up the whip, and the oxen would move off with the bridal procession to the "Squires " who did the " jining of the knot."
One of these anecdotes, which is not located and therefore cannot properly be placed in the townships, is here given. In an early day a young couple, fresh from the wilds of the frontier, sauntered into one of the pioneer villages, entered a store and, confronting the proprietor, told him that "they wanted to get married." " Why, " said the merchant, "I-I-can't do any marrying." "Well, if you can't, I'd like to know who can. We're goin' to get married, you bet" said the aspiring young bride-groom with a gushing look at the damsel at his side. "I tell you, " said
the merchant ; "you go over to the post- master, I think he can do the job for you." The young couple started off with great joy to find the man who could mar- ry them. They found the postmaster and told him that they had come to "git mar- ried. " This rather dazed the mail man and he told them " he couldn't marry." " But," says the bride-groom," the man over there in that store said you could, and I guess he ought to know. " " Well I guess he ought ; that's so, " said the post- master. "It seems to me that I've seen something about marrying somewhere in the instructions to postmasters. Yes, I guess that's all right. " Accordingly the couple were ranged in front of him and in the most approved style he pronounced them " Mr. and Mrs., as provided by the U. S. postal regulations. Go your way, keep your mouths shut and you'll be hap- py. " As they turned to leave, he remark- ed, "only a dollar a piece, please. "
The following is a list of all the mar- riages that occurred in the county for the first few years after organization, as taken from the record in the office of the Clerk of Court:
Miron Blodgett and Sarah Cronk, mar- ried on August 14, 1853, by John C. Ver- milya County Judge.
Granville Dennis and Elizabeth Jane Shephard December 4, 1853, by Rev. S. W. Ingham.
Fred L. Knot and Martha Taylor Octo. ber 16, 1853, by Rev. S. W. Ingham.
George Wier and Mary Jane Rush De- eember 25, 1853, by Judge J. C. Vermilya.
George MeChambers and Cordelia A. Lux, October, 16, 1853, by Robert Wilkin- son, Justice.
287
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The marriages during the year 1854, were as follows.
Solomon W. Ingham and Cynthia Tay- lor, January 28, by Andrew Coleman.
James W. Grant and Mary E. Wilkin- son, April 13, by Rev. S. Dunton.
. Jacob Bruner and Susan Ashby, April 16, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge. Alpheus Goodpaster and Mary Hill, April 29, by John Connell, J. P.
Wm. II. II. Hill and Sharlot IIelm, May 21. by John Connell, J. P.
Logan McChesney and Lucy A. Hancox, March 20, by A. Ladow Licentiate.
Martin S. Slate and Charlotte M. Dingey July 4, by Rev. Solomon Dunton.
Joseph Riddle and Mary Ann Yoste, September 3, by J. C. Vermilya, County Judge.
George W Voorhies and Carlista J. Dingee, September 27, by John C. Ver- milya, County Judge.
Mark Webh and Catharine Voorhies, September 27, 1854, by John C. Vermilya, Judge.
William T. Hollen and Sarah Bruner, September 17, by Benjamin Hammitt, J. P.
Joseph Davis and Rebecca Bruner, Sep- tember 17, by Benjamin llammitt.
James Gillen and Lydia Grover, Octo- ber 11, by J. C. Vermilya, County Judge.
George More and Mary Ann Howard, September 10, by N. B. Ilyatt, J. P.
Nathaniel E. Horton and Euniee Mary- ette Horton, October 26, by John Connell, J. P.
Wm. Blodgett and Veteria A. Ladow, August 22, by A. Ladow, Licentiate.
llugh Hammitt and Nancy Zehrung
December 17, by John C. Vermilya, Coun- ty Judge.
George Carter and Phebe Ann Cronk, December 25, by John Vermilya, Coun y Judge.
John Zehrung and Mary E. Connell, No- vember 26, by Rev. D. H. Petefish.
Joseph A. Brown and Margaret Hill, December 3, by Rev. D. II. Petefish.
The following is a list of the marriages for the year 1855, without going so par- ticularly into dates:
P. B. Ilill and R. Diee by Rev. D. H. Petefish.
William Blanchard and Sarah Wilkins, by N. B. Hiatt, J. P.
Jacob Yost and Sarah Ann Sparks, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
John Allman and Julia K. Voorhies, by Rev. Wm. Armstrong.
William Leach and Elvina IIelm by Tobias R. Shiner.
Harrison Wisehart and Elcy Ann Ap- pelgate by John C. Vermilya.
Angelo A. Myers and Nancy Ross, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
John Eakins and Sophyna L. Leonard, by John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
Elias 11. Price and Sarah Hatfield by Newton B. Hiatt, J. P.
P. L. Baldy and Asenith MeChesney, by John C. Vermilya.
Robert C'arter and Eliza Ross, by Judge Vermilya.
Truman Prindle and Emily M. Michael, by Judge Vermilya.
Hiram Piekett and Louisa E. Miner, by N. B. Hiatt, J. P.
David Ilunnewell and Katharine Myers by Judge Vermilya.
Newton Sanders and Mary MeDormand
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
by Geo S. Williams, J. P.
Elias Hatfield and Ellen S. Rich by Judge Vermilya.
Andrew J. Litell an 1 Ann Hammett by Judge Vermilya.
William Randall and Marintha Riccard by John C. Vermilya, County Judge.
Jacob C. Zehrung and Caroline. Gettis by Judge Vermilya.
Albert Keneday and Sibel Harris, by Judge J. C. Vermilya.
Robert Foster and Nancy Hunter, by Rev. W. N. Brown.
Reuben Huffman and Maria Zehrung, by Benjamin Hammitt.
Tyler Blake and Nancy J. Dairs, by Benjamin Hammitt, J. P.
Chas. T. Stewart and Mary A. Sadler, by Judge J. C. Vermilya.
Andrew Rorke and Sophia Earhurt, by Isaac Butler, J. P.
The list for 1856 materially increases as follows:
Newton F. Crosley and Rebecca J, Marvin.
Fredrick Frederich and Susanah Mitch- ell.
George Cook and Sarah House.
John D. Smith and Mary Mann.
Henry Wilson and Absila Boling. Benjamin Rush and Rebecca Corfman. Ephriam Jeffries and Catharine Ross. Jesse Hopkins and Rebecca Myers.
George. Wyvill and Nancy Southard.
Elijah T. Rust and Julia K. Edwards. James Pickett and Nancy Bennett.
William W. Davis and Eliza Jane Par- ker.
Cyrus Shelton and Mary Ann Southard. John HI. Carlton and Sarah Stoddard. John Newton and Martha Arbuthnot.
Adam Zehrung and Dorcas Denison.
Isaiah Hunnewell and Minerva Chase.
Martin Richardson and Elizabeth Mc- Pheters.
Ephriam A. Suthard and Elizabeth Jor- dan.
Alpheus Harworth and Elizabeth Fee.
Horace A. Hartshorn and Philida Kyle. Samuel Long and Eliza Early.
Henry C. Foster and Mary Jane Olthy.
John Bruebaker and Racheal Lamm.
J. S. Edmands and Malinda Shugart.
Francis M. Davis and Martha Jane Ap- p legate.
Charles Barnes and Harriet Hatfield.
Lorenzo R. Dobson and Mary Judge.
Jonas P. Wood and Margaret Connell.
Riley Haworth and Melissa J. Fisher. Mathias Travis and Rachael Davis.
Franeis Henry and Sarah Myers.
John Connell and Catharine Grabam. Rezin Overturf and Henrietta Byron. I. F. Drake and Rachael Overturf. Elias H. Bowens and Elizabeth Powell. T. J. Staley and E. J. Graham.
Alonzo Helm and Emily Recksten.
David Gillespie and Francis A. Har- man.
J. C. Wood and Elizabeth Kile.
W. M. Dunlap and Fannie A. Johnson.
Andrew IIanna and Sarah J. Bates.
Geo. W. Shiner and Jennette Leffler. Tiberius Donaldson and Emily A. Fay.
J. Williamson and Mary Richey.
J. L. Graham and A. Wood.
Samuel Walker and Arminda Paxon.
Andrew McPheters and Rachael Ab- bott.
The following table shows the number
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
of marriages contracted from 1853 to 1883 inelusive :
1853.
5
1869. 140
1854. 25
1870.
151
1855 27
1871.
134
1856. 45
1872. .. 125
1857.
.37
1873. .163
1858.
49
1874. 150
1859.
49
1875
181
1860.
50
1876. 195
1861
41
1877. 180
1862.
.44
1878 176
1863,
50
1879. 182
1864.
68
1880. 180
1865.
.80
1881.
224
1866
.124
1882. 204
1867
115
1883 to April 1st .. 67
1868
138
Total. .3,399
A glance at the foregoing figures shows conclusively that the matrimonial market is affected by the state of the times. In 1857 hard times set in and the marriage list de- creased in ratio. Again in 1874, banks suspended and a season of depression set in and fewer marri ges were contracted. The war too cansed a falling off in the member of marriages annually contract- ed, but in 1866, when the boys got home the market at once jumped back to and above its normal condition.
ABSTRACT OF ASSESMENTS FOR TAMA COUNTY, FOR THE YEAR 1882. No. of Aeres, exelusive of Town Property. 452,301 Value exclusive of Town Property .. $4 299,624
Total exemption for trees planted ... 102,516
Total after dedueting exemptions .. 4, 197,108
Aggregate value of Realty in towns. 551,073
Aggregate value of R. R. property. 380,840
Aggregate value of Personal Proper-
ty ineluding horses and eattle .... 1,400,573
Total valnation of Tama County .. 6,529,594
REALTY VALUE IN TOWNS AND CITIES.
Dysart. $47,344
Chelsea, 18, 052
Traer. 76,560
Toledo City 120,382
Tama City 202,364
Gladbrook 31,130
Garwin.
6,705
Montour.
29, 159
Other small towns 19,374
Total.
551,073
VALUATION OF LIVE STOCK.
No.
Val.
Cattle assessed in the county .. 31,917 $383,817
Horses
..
11,670
401,880
Mules
543 23,086
Sheep
4 €
3,043 3,376
Swine
37,115
98,223
Total valuation
$910 382
COUNTY BUILDINGS.
The first building really used for official purposes was the house of John C. Ver- milya, County Judge, which stood about one-half mile east of the present site of Tama City. It was a log building and- there was not room in it scarcely for a jury to sit. Judge Vermilya soon took proper steps for the erection of a court house, and the contract was let to T. A. Graham for the sum of $1,300. The court house was completed in the latter part of 1854, and was a commodious, two story frame building, which stood on lot 2, in block 5, Toledo. This building served the purpose until 1866, when it was sold.
During the year 1865, the people of Toledo agitated the question of a new court house, as it was realized that a larger one was needed. At a meeting held in Toledo, there was a Court House Associa- tion organized, with A. J. Free as secreta- ry ; and W. F. Johnston, W. II. Harrison,
6
290
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
D. D. Applegate, T. A. Graham, N. C. Wieting and G. R. Struble as trustees. The matter was settled and bids for the erection advertised for, upon plans and specifications submitted. P. B. MeCul- lough, of Toledo, was the successful bid- der, and he began the construction of the building. Ile failed to complete it, and 11. B. Belden agreed to finish it under the contract. The cost of the building was a trifle over $22,000, of which all but about $5,000 was paid by the association, and it was donated to the county. The building occupies a fine site, standing near the cen- tre of Toledo, in the Publie Park, and presents an elegant and imposing appear- anee. The grounds have been beautified by shade trees, which were planted years ago. The basement is of stone, the build- ing is of brick and is roofed with corru- gated iron. A large belfry surmounts the building. The first floor is divided into the county offices, the court room and office of the county superintendent occupy the upper story.
The county jail stands just northeast of the court house, and is a fine briek struet- ure 30 x 34 feet, two stories in heighth. It was erected in 1869, and was first occu- pied in 1870. The upper story contains six pleasant rooms and is occupied by the jailor or sheriff and family. The lower story, or jail proper, contains a large wrought iron eage, 22 x 25 feet, with sleeping apartments, for the close confine- ment of prisoners. The outer door lead- ing into the hall is also wrought iron, and the inner one is a grated door. The en- tire building is covered with a wrought iron roof.
TAMA COUNTY POOR FARM.
At the general election in 1875, the proposition of purchasing a poor farm and the erection of necessary buildings, was submitted to the voters of Tama county. It carried by a large majority, and the Board of Supervisors purchased of A. J. Wheaton, a traet of one hundred and fifty aeres in section two, township 83, range 15, for $6,750. The contract for remodeling and enlarging the building was awarded to the Tama Hydraulic and Builders' Association, for $4,084.65, while Kent and Conklin were the archi- tects.
The house is on a high elevation, a dry and healthy location ; it has been rebuilt and greatly enlarged, and various changes instituted. As the building appears from the road it is more suggestive of an East- ern suburban hotel, or something of that kind than a charitable institution. Its extreme length from north to south is 84 feet, its width varies, being, we believe, 24 feet and 34 feet. It is divided up into the rooms, kitchen, dining room, halls and bed rooms. It is so arranged that there are three different stair-eases lead- ing to the second story, so that in case of fire the upper story could be easily empti- ed of its occupants and contents, no mat- ter in what locality the fire might be. The furniture is plain and substantial, though neat. Near the kitchen is an excellent well and a large cistern in which a force pump has been placed for protection against conflagration. The farm is well stocked with implements, and everything seems to be in good, healthy condition. The place is under the charge of Mr. Abel Child, who with the assistance of his
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
amiable wife, seem to be the right people in the right places. It requires a peeu- liar disposition and manner to make a success of such an instituion, and Mr. and Mrs. Child seem to be possessed of that peculiarity.
There is a certain discipline required, which, while it is kind and gentle, must, at the same time, be strict enough to easily quell any refractory or perverse spirit which will at times show itself even under the most generous and favorable circum- stances.
Mr. Child keeps the farm in business like manner, and each month makes out duplicate reports, one copy of which is filed in the Auditor's office, while the other is preserved for reference, either for himself or any one that many be visiting.
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