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 54
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1347-130
Thomas Murray, Republican
1217
Mr. Austin.
1
Hugh Snodgrass
1
F. J. M. Wonser.
1
Scattering.
1
Treasurer.
L. B. Blinn, Republican.
2595-2593
J. W. Hockett, Democrat.
1
Geo. W. Blair.
2
W. A. Sharp.
1
Lyman Cany
2
Auditor.
R. G. McIntire, Republican
1305
John Skrable, Democrat.
1334
R. M. McIntire.
All couuted
R. J. McIntire. .
for
R. G. Mclutirc.
McIntire.
Superintendent.
II. A. Brown, Republican
1581 -- 570
D. K. Thomas, Democrat.
1011
Mr. Thomas.
1
Mr. Kenny.
1
Surveyor.
W. H. Holstead, Republican.
2588-2587
Thomas McKennar ...
1
Coroner.
J. C. Kendrick, Republican
1472-526
S Thompson
946
J. S. Kendrick.
98
S. J. Haller
1
Scattering.
4
Supervisor.
Roger M. Tenney, Republican
1317-227
Robert Irwin, Democrat.
1090
24
446
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Roger N. Tenney. 43
R. Tenney 7
R. E. Tenney 22
Leander Clark.
1
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1878.
Secretary of State.
John A. T. IInIl, Republican.
1760 -- 540
E. M. Farnsworth, Democrat
1220
Auditor of State.
Buren R. Sherman, Republican
1776 -- 1142
G. V. Swearingen, Democrat.
634
J. Eiboeck, Greenback.
572
Treasurer of State.
George W. Bemis, Republican
1754-536
M. L. Devin, Democrat.
1218
J Eiboeck.
1
Register of State Land Office.
James K. Powers, Republican ...
1761-547
M Farrington, Democrat.
1214
Attorney General.
Jolın F. McJunkin, Republican.
1758-1114
C. H. Jackson, Democrat.
644
John Gibbon, Greenback.
574
J. II. Rothrock.
1
Jutge of Supreme Court.
James HI. Rothrock, Republican
1815 -- 649
J. C Knapp, Democrat.
1166
Clerk of Supreme Court.
Edward J. Holmes, Republican.
.1758-539
Alexander Runyon, Demoerat
1219
Reporter of Supreme Court.
John S. Runnells, Republican
1753-1104
G. W. Rutherford, Democrat
649
John B Elliott.
571
Representative in Congress.
Rush Clark, Republican
1754-595
George Carter, Democrat.
1159
Timothy Brown.
66
District Judge.
John Shane, Republican
2260-1575
John Miller, Demoerat.
685
Scattering.
5
District Attorney.
Milo P. Smith, Republican
2323-1670
A. R. Sterrett, Democrat.
653
J. Dysart.
1
Clerk of District and ('ircuit Courts.
('. J Stevens, Republican
182-1-1284
James McClung, Democrat
536
J. W. Shaler
540
J. C. Stevens
66
Mr. Evans.
5
Recorder.
.J. B. M Bishop, Republican
1841-1267
A. Bywaters.
562
W. B. Gillespie.
574
Supervisors.
Joseph Dysart, Republican
1743-1115
A E. Stewart.
628
O. Gravatt.
600
Jonab Ilowe.
1
Shalt the number of Supervisors be increased to Fire.
Against.
1091-671
Fur.
420
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1879.
Gorernor.
John II. Gear, Republican
2278 -- 1412
II. 11 Trimble, Democrat ..
866
Daniel Campbell, Greenback
475
D. R. Dungan.
51
Scattering.
2
Lieutenant Governor.
Frank T. Campbell. Republican
2324-1460
J. A O. Yeoman, Democrat. . .
867
M. 11. Moore, Greenback.
472
H. U. Withington.
1
Judge of the Supreme Court.
Joseph M. Beck, Republican
2335-1464
Reuben Noble, Democrat.
871
M HI Jones, Greenback
4:1
M. H. Moore.
1
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Carl W. Von Coellen, Republican. . . 2298-1429
Erwin Baker, Democrat
869
J. A. Nash, Greenback
508
M HI. Jones.
1
H. Black.
1
Representative in Congress.
Wm. G. Thompson, Republican.
.2358-1051
Wm. Thompson.
1
Mr. Thompson.
1
W. H. Calhoun, Democrat ..
1277
Representative in General Assembly.
Geo. R Struble, Republican
2304-1032
W. G. Malin, Greenback
1272
Scattering.
9
Auditor.
R G MeIntire, Republie.in
2369-1067
447
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
M. Bunker, Democrat
1302
R. E. Austin
1
Treasurer.
L. B. Blinn, Republican
3603 --- 3597
Scattering
6
Sheriff.
J. C. Fitzgerald, Republican
2052 --- 458
R. E. Austin, Democrat.
1594
Mr. Austin
10
Robert Austin
1
Rob. Austin.
1
R Austin. .
1
John Fitzgerald.
3
Mr. Fitzgerald.
2
County Superintendent.
A. H. Sterrett, Republican
2059-479
W. H. Black, Democrat
1580
Mr. Sterrett.
4
A. Sterrett.
1
W. Black
5
Mr. Black.
5
Wm. Black.
4
Scattering.
3
County Surveyor.
W. H. Holstead, Republican
341-2331
Scattering.
10
Coroner.
J. C. Kendrick, Republican.
2294-924
B. Thompson, Democrat.
1370
Scattering.
4
Supervisors.
11. 11. Withington, Republican.
.2123-805
11 Withington
168
WV. O. Pond, Democrat.
1318
Scattering.
4
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1880.
President.
James A. Garfield, Republican. .
.2712-612
Winfield S. Hancock, Democrat.
1096
Silas Sears.
25
James B. Weaver, Greenback.
193
Secretary of State.
John A. T. llull.
.2713-1617
A. B. Keith.
1096
George M Walker.
193
Auditor of State.
William V. Lucas
2713-1617
C. J. Barker.
1096
G V. Swearengen.
193
Treasurer of State.
Edwin H. Conger.
2714-1619
Martin Blinn
1095
Matthew Farrington.
193
Register of State Land Office.
James K. Powers, Republican.
2713-1617
D Dougherty, Democrat.
1096
Thomas Hooker, Greenback ..
193
Attorney General.
Smith McPherson, Republican.
2713-1617
C. A. Clark, Democrat.
1096
W. A. Spurrier, Greenback.
193
Representative in Congress.
Wm. G. Thompson. Republican.
2711-1626
R. E. Austin, Democrat. .
1085
A. F. Palmer, Greenback,
194
Circuit Judge.
Christian Hedges, Republican
2717-2707
W. C. Salsbury, Democrat
10
G. W. Ealy ..
1
Proposition to amend the Constitution.
For
1653-1242
Against
411
Shall there be a Convention to revise the Constitution
For.
1722-1092
Against.
630
Clerk of the District and Circuit Courts.
S. C. Leland, Republican.
2528-1372
J. S. Hopkins, Democrat ...
1156
John Hopkins, Greenback.
183
Scattering,
5
County Recorder.
T. E. Warren, Republican.
2632-1332
L. F. Ilammitt, Democrat.
1300
I. Hammitt.
3
Mr. Hammitt.'
1
Scattering.
2
Supervisors.
A. Z. Rawson, Republican
.2625-1329
WVm. Cory, Democrat.
1296
V. Ilurt ..
1
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1881.
Governor.
Buren R. Sherman, Republican
1393-823
L. G. Kinne, Democrat ..
570
D. M. Clark, Greenback.
176
Wm. Johnston.
1
Lieutenant-Governor.
Orlando H. Manning, Republican .. ..
.1439 -- 951
448
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
James M. Walker, Democrat
488
G. M. Walker ..
32
James M. Holland. 178
John M. Kent ..
1
Judge of Supreme Court.
Austin Adams, Republican.
1442-982
11. 1. Hendershott, Democrat.
460
W. W. Williamson, Greenback
234
Jacob W. Rogers.
I
Superintendent Public Instruction.
John W Akers, Republican.
1496-1036
Walter II. Butler, Democrat.
460
Mrs. A M. Swain, Greenback.
174
S. N. Fellows
1
J. Hammond.
1
Andrew Jackson.
1
Senator.
A. N. Poyneer, Republican
1442-991
Joel Stewart, Democrat.
454
W. B King, Greenback
222
Scattering
7
Representative.
G R. Struble, Republican
1377 -- 874
Andrew Jackson, Democrat.
503
James McClung, Greenback
221
Scattering
4
County Auditor.
R. G. Melntire, Republican
1589-1400
Wm. Flint. Democrat.
189
Arthur Sewall
9
Scattering.
4
County Treasurer.
Lyman Cary, Republican.
1502-1048
Turner Forker, Democrat.
454
M. Mudgett, Greenback.
167
L. B. Blinn. .
1
Scattering.
4
Sheriff.
J. C. Fitzgerald, Republican
1475-1001
II. L. Wilson, Democrat ..
474
R. P. Fitzgerald, Greenback.
181
County Superintendent.
J P. Hendricks, Republican.
1270-937
Mrs. E. M Bull, Democrat.
332
T. E. Mann, Greenback
204
Wm. Black.
12
A. Il Sterrett.
Se uttering.
10
County Surreyor.
W. H. Holstead, Republican.
1565-1068
B. F, Moreland, Democrat.
497
Scattering.
13
Coroner.
C. Il. Myers, Republican.
1436-939
Dr. S. Thompson, Democrat.
497
Dr. B. Bull, Greenback.
182
Scattering
2
Superrisor.
B. Smith, Republican.
1465-975
O. Gravatt, Democrat.
490
lIiram Winders, Greenback.
174
Scattering.
2
SPECIAL ELECTION, JUNE, 1882
For the adoption of the Prohibitory
Amendment
.2244-767
Against
1477
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1882.
Secretary of State.
John A. T. Hull, Republican.
2033-663
T. O. Walker, Democrat ..
1370
W. J. Gaston, Greenback
216
Auditor of State.
John L. Brown, Republican.
.2033-662
Wms Thompson, Democrat.
1371
G. A. Wyant, Greenback
276
Treasurer of State.
Edwin H. Conger, Republican.
.2033-666
John Foley, Democrat.
1367
George Derr, Greenback.
216
N. Jobnston.
1
Attorney General.
Smith McPherson, Republican.
2033-662
J. 1I. Bremerman, Democrat
1371
J. II. Rice, Greenback.
216
Judge of Supreme Court.
William 11. Seevers, Republican.
2033-662
Charles E. Bronson, Democrat.
1371
M. 11. Jones, Greenback
215
Clerk of the Supreme Court.
Gilbert B. Pray, Republican
2032-661
JI. F. Bonarden, Democrat.
1371
E. N. Clark, Greenback.
216
Scattering.
J
Reporter of Supreme Court.
Ezra C. Ebersole, Republican.
2049-695
L. A. Palmer, Democrat.
1354
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
449
J. H. Williamson, Greenback.
215
Scattering.
3
Representative in Congress.
James Wilson, Republican.
1978 -- 561
Ben T. Frederick, Democrat.
1417
David Platner, Greenback.
194
foroner.
Judge of District Court.
J. C. Kendrick, Republican.
2013-2010
James D. Giffin, Republican.
2032-662
Geo. W. Ball, Democrat,
1370
H. B. Fraser, Greenback.
216
District Attorney.
Milton Remley.
2032-447
J. H. Preston
1585
Clerk of District and f'ircuit Courts.
S. C. Leland, Republican.
2070-814
James Fowler, Democrat
1256
Against.
702
·
CHAPTER XIII.
NATIONAL, STATE AND COUNTY REPRESENTATION.
While unworthy men, at times, may force themselves into office, it cannot but be acknowledged that the great body of office-holders of the country are truly rep- resentative men-men of positive force and character. They are of the number that build up and strengthen a town, a county, or a State. In this chapter, as far as possible, is given sketches of all who have served Tama county in the Nation, State or county. Some of the sketches are imperfect, but it is not the fault of the his- torian that they are not more complete. Some of the parties have passed away, leaving no record from which a sketch conld be obtained, while others have left the county, and their present places of resi- denee are unknown.
D. F. Mahone, Greenback.
226
Scattering.
3
County Recorder.
T. E. Warren, Republican
2061-756
Gust. Reichman, Democrat.
1305
G. T. Ward, Greenback ..
238
Scattering.
3
Supervisor.
Joseph Dysart, Republican
2045-775
Silas Sears, Democrat ..
1270
W. G. Malin, Greenback.
271
Shall the number of Supervisors be increased to Fire.
For
913-211
CONGRESSIONAL.
Tama county became a part of the Second Congressional District. on its or- ganization, and was represented in the 33d Congress from 1853 to 1855 by John P. Cook, of Davenport. Mr. Cook was a native of the State of New York, and in 1836 came west to Davenport. He was elected a member of Congress as a Whig, and held the views of that party until its dissolution. On the breaking up of the Whig party he affiliated with the Demo- cratie party, the principles of which he labored earnestly to sustain and promul- gate, even to the end of his days. His life has been one of great energy and industry. He was by natural instinct a true Western man-a wide awake, thoroughly active
450
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
pioneer, who never saw the time when he could lay aside the business harness, and, to all appearances, never wanted to. As a lawyer he had few superiors; was always ready, fluent, and an able advocate, and with these qualities were combined energy, taet and industry; and for years past, and up to the day of his demise, no law firm in the northwest has stood in better repute than that broken by his death. Mr. Cook died at Davenport April 17, 1872.
James Thorington, of Davenport, was the next Representative in Congress from the Second District. He was not a man of extraordinary ability, but was a good pohtician and wire-puller. Ile is now a consul in one of the South American States. Ile was a Republican,
Timothy Davis, of Elkader, Clayton county, next served the District from 1857 to 1859, or in the 35th Congress.
William Vandever, of Dubuque, was elected a member of the 36th Congress, and re-elected to the 37th. William Van- dever is a native of Maryland. In 1839 he came west, loeating in Roek Island, where he remained until 1821, when he moved to Dubuque. In 1855 he formed a partnership with Ben W. Samnels, of Dubuque, in the practice of law. In 1858 he was elected a member of the 36th Congress. Ile made a useful member of that body. While serving his second term, he abandoned his seat in Congress, returned home and raised the 9th Iowa infantry, of which he was made Colonel. In 1862 he was promoted a Brigadier- General, and at the elose of the war was brevetted Major-General. Since the close of the war he has had several impor- tant publie positions. He still lives in
Dubuque. By the census of 1862 Iowa was entitled to six Representatives in Congress, and on the State being re-dis- trieted Tama connty became a part of the Fourth Distriet. The first Representative of this district was Josiah B. Grinnell, who was elected in the fall of 1862, and served through the 38th Congress. . In 1864 he was re-elected a member of the 39th Congress.
J. B. Grinnell's paternal ancestors were Huguenots, who, after the revocation of ediet of Nantes, escaped from France to Wales, and thenee emigrated to Rhode Island in 1710 ; his grandfather settling in the wilderness of Vermont. Josiah was born in New Haven, Vermont, in 1822, and was left an orphan a the age of ten years. Under the roof of his guardian he fitted himself to teach school at the age of sixteen, and then prepared for and entered the Oneida College, New York, from which he graduated, subsequently receiv- ing at Middlebury College, Vermont, the honorary degree of A. M. Ile then grad- uated in theology at Auburn, N. Y., was ordained to the ministry in the Congrega- tional Church, and commeneed preaching at Union Village, N. Y., where he remained three years. Ile then filled the pulpit for four years in Washington and New York cities, and in 1854 determined upon moving west and establishing a colony. In May, 1854, by appointment, he met a number who wished to join him in the enterprise at Iowa City, and a site was selected, where the present city of Grinnell is located. Mr. Grinnell did much toward the building up of that place and it was named in honor of him ; he gaye a large amount toward the found-
451
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
ing of the University, and in many other ways has been very publio spirited. In Congress, Mr. Grinnell was an advocate of a protective tariff. lle was a strong partisan, and upon one occasion, he had a bitter controversy upon the floor of the Ilouse with General Rousseau, of Ken- tucky, and was attacked by him with a cane in consequence ; for which Rousseau was censured at the bar of the House, and before his death asked and received par- don of his injured colleague. Mr. Grinnell still makes his home in the town bearing his name.
William Loughridge, of Oskaloosa, was the next Representative in Congress from the 4th District. He was elected in the fall of 1866, as a member of the 40th Con- gress, was re-elected in 1868, and served through the 40th and 41st Congress. Ile still lives in Oskaloosa, and is a fine law- yer. Ile was from Ohio.
Madison M. Waldon, of Centreville, succeeded Loughridge as Representative, having been elected in the fall of 1870, for the 42d Congress and served one term. It was during this term that the famous "salary grab," that has been used so much for political purposes, was made. Mr. Wal- don received his "grab" from the Govern- ment, and divided it among the various counties in his district, by donating it to their school funds. Tama county received her share, and the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution to the effect that "believing the partaker in unjust gains is as bad as the principal, we herewith instruct the Auditor to return said dona- tion, amounting to $236.65, preferring to trust in Providence and our own efforts for the education of our children rather
than to dishonest gains however obtained."
This it seems did not suit the public, and the Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion of Iowa was appealed to, and from him it went to the Attorney General, whose interpretation of the law was as follows:
"It is immaterial whether the Board of Supervisors of your county are, or are not satisfied with the action of Mr. Waldon, in donating a portion of the "back-pay steal" to the Temporary School Fund. After the donation has been made, and the money donated has become a part and parcel of the common fund, there is no legal way of disposing of it, except to appropriate it to the purposes which the law directs. Any other disposition is ille- gal, no matter by whom made or directed, and renders the persons making such ille- gal disposition individually responsible for the money."
In 1870 it was found the population of the State had increased to a number en- titling it to nine representatives in Con- gress, and in the re-districting, Tama county became a part of the Fifth District, which embraced the counties of Tama, Johnson, Iowa, Poweshiek, Marshall, Ben- ton and Linn. In the fall of 1872, James Wilson of Tama county, was elected to first represent this district. Two years later he was re-elected and ably served through the 43rd and 44th Congress. He is generally known as "Tama Jim Wilson," to distinguish him from U. S. Senator Wilson.
Rush Clark, of Iowa City, was the suc- cessor of James Wilson, being elected in the fall of 1876. In 1878 he was re-elected, and served until he died, in Washington while on duty. Rush Clark was a native
452
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
of Pennsylvania, born in 1834. He was educated at Jefferson College, and gradu- ated when eighteen years of age. In the spring of 1853 he removed to Iowa, and was admitted to the bar at Iowa City, where he lived until his death. He was at one time Speaker of the Lower House of the General Assembly of Iowa, and has several times represented his county in that body. He was a self made man in every respect. As a public speaker, he was eloquent, earnest and convincing ; as an official, courteous, kind and obliging ; he was known as a man of sterling integ- rity, decided character and untiring energy.
In the fall of 1879, William G. Thomp- son, of Marion, Linn county, was elected to fill the vacancy, and in 1880 was re- elected a member of the 47th Congress. HIe was born in Butler county, Pennsyl- vania, January 17th, 1830, and is of High- land Scotch descent. In 1853, he was admitted to the bar, and in November, the month following his examination, he started for lowa, and located in Marion, where he still lives. He opened an office without delay, and had a good practice almost from the start. In 1855, and 1856, he was in the State Senate, the youngest member ever in that body. He was for eight years prosecuting attorney of this district. He still lives in Marion, engaged in the practice of his profession, and is considered as being among the most able orators in Central Iowa.
In the fall of 1862, after a heated can- vass, the Republican and Democratie can- didates ran so nearly equal that it resulted in a contest between them for the seat, which, as yet, has not been settled. The candidates were James Wilson, of Tama
county, on the Republican ticket, and Benjamin Frederick, of Marshalltown, on the Democratic.
LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR.
Joseph Dysart, of Tama county, was elected Lieutenant-Governor of Iowa in the fall of 1873, on the same ticket with Gov. C. C. Carpenter. He performed the duties of the high office in a most efficient manner; as presiding officer of the Senate, he left a record of which he may well feel proud ; his dignified and courteous bear- ing, his parliamentary knowledge and abil- ity, and the thorough impartiality of his rulings, will long be remembered by those with whom he was associated. He has since been prominently urged by his host of friends as a candidate for Governor.
July 8th, 1820, was .Joseph Dysart's birth- day. The greater part of the first twenty years of his life was passed on his father's farm, situated on an elevated plateau, known as "Eden Hill," north of Juniata river, in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. The uppermost of his boyhood aspirations, was to obtain a thorough education. To aid him to attain the coveted end, in the fall of 1831, his parents engaged a super- annuated teacher, a graduate of Dublin University, in Ireland, named James Mar- tin, to act as tutor to their family; with this learned gentleman, he studied Latin and the English branches required, as ante- cedent to a college course, 'till the spring of 1834. The free-school system was inau- gurated in the Keystone State that year. Its advantages were embraced for five years thereafter. Glowing descriptions of the fertility of the soil of the Territory of Iowa, and the salubriety of its climate, were found in the newspapers of that day.
Juillet
ElEbersole.
455
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The western fever took hold of him, as it did most of the young men of the east, who indulged visions of the bright future. Provided with means sufficient to purchase a section of government land, in October of 1839, he started for what was then styled the far west. The land sales opened on the 15th of November. ' Shortly after that date, he reached Burlington, where thousands of speculators and land-seekers for homes had congregated. The first settlers, denominated "squatters," appre- hensive their claims would be bought from under them by greedy land sharks, had petitioned President Van Buren to post- pone the sales three years, to enable them to make money to pay for their selected homesteads. An order came agreeable to their wishes. Thus, he was disappointed in securing the desired basis for a large farm, near Mt. Pleasant, in Henry county. In company with a Mr. Thomas Isett, then a land agent, subsequently a wealthy bank- er, he went across the county to Muscatine. It was then an insignificant plain. The ap- proach of winter warned him to enter upon his home-bound journey. Twelve miles above that embryo city, he passed the Mississippi in a skiff, slung his valise over his shoulders and set out to traverse the great states of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, on foot. The day before Christmas, he reached his destination, having averaged nearly 40 miles per day. This long pedes- trian trip, gave him an insight into the condition of the west, that could have been acquired in no other way. He saw it as it was, and not as silly tourists or interested land owners had represented it. The incon- veniences and palpable hardships, the inhabitants then encountered, convinced
him that years had to elapse before it could be the scene of many of the comforts of life. He therefore, concluded to strive to get the mental training, so ardently longed for, while growing up to manhood. Midway of the summer of 1840, he pro- posed to his father to take as his share of his estate, funds enough to bear his ex- penses through a course in Dickinson College, at Carlisle, in his native State. On the 15th of September, he entered the preparatory school, and graduated on the 10th of July 1845. On a merit roll, extend- ing over the four years in the College proper, he was accorded the speaking of the valedictory of his class, numbering 43, when Freshmen, and 22, when they received their diplomas. IIe never missed a recitation, or failed in any duty assigned. On the recommendation of the Faculty, he was chosen principal of the Hillsboro Male Academy, on the eastern shore of Maryland. Malarial fever, followed by the tertian ague, disgusted him with that otherwise delightful locality. At that era, in the Gulf States, high wages were paid to teachers competent enough to pre- pare the sons of the rich for the higher Institutions of learning. Attraeted by such inducements and impelled by a desire to see that sunny region, in January 1847, he went to Mississippi. Through the influ- ence of Bishop R. Payne of the M. E. South, to whom he had letters, he procured a situation to instruct the children of half a score of wealthy planters, in Monroe county, of that State, at a good salary. Nearly all these large slave-holders moved the next winter, to Aberdeen, the county seat. They persuaded the teacher that succeeded in pleasing, to go with them and
25
456
1
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY. .
establish an independent classical school in that city of over 5,000 inhabitants. In January, 1851, he was elected Principal of the Aberdeen Małe Academy, which posi- tion he filled, to the satisfaction of the patrons and Trustees, until the middle of May, 1853, when he resigned to go with his family to Lee county, Illinois, where some years previous, he had purchased a half section of prairie. During the balance of that year, and the two succeeding, he devoted his energies exelnsively to farm- ing. The extension of the Chieago N. W. R. R. to the Father of Waters, made land in the Rock river valley quite valuable. With the intention of practicing law, which he had studied, while teaching, and had been admitted to the bar, in Missis- sippi, he sold his farm, and in April, 1856, moved to Vinton, Benton county, Iowa. The slavery agitation then began to be in- tense. The Republican party the year before had gained control of this State under Gov. Grimes. The subject of this sketch had seen slavery in all its deformi- ties, and so ingrained in his mind was the hatred of it, that he welcomed the oppor- tunity to engage in the contest, which he felt would terminate only with its extin- guishment. To help show up its enormi- ties, he bought a half interest in the Vinton Eagle. During 1856, and part of 1857, he edited its political columns. At the Repub- lican county convention, in August of that year, he was nominated unanimously for County Judge. His opponent, Hon. Samuel, was the incumbent. Despite of the pat- ronage he wielded, and the fact that the usual Democratic majority exceeded 300, Douglas had barely fifty of a margin. The present school law of this State was adopt-
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