USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Taylor County, Constitution of the United States, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 50
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agent may at any time nominate or request; but in no case shall the county be responsible for the faithfulness of such agent, or for any costs or expense thereof.
" By order of the board,
" D. W. HAMBLIN, Chairman. " E. T. SMITH, Clerk.
" American Emigrant Company, by their agent,
"F. C. D. MCKAY."
Supervisor Litteen moved to accept and sign the aforesaid contract, and the board being advised in the premises, ordered that said contract be and the same is hereby accepted and signed by the parties.
Before the contract was fully ratified the supervisors appointed a special committee to investigate the matter a little further. His duties performed, the report was made, and while evidently without much point, and no bear- ing on the original contract, gave at least the semblance of caution to the final acceptance of the agent's proposition. The committee reported the following in the September session, 1863:
Comes now the special committee on swamp land and reports as follows; to-wit,
"We, the special committee, do hereby make the following report; to-wit,
"That we do hereby authorize our clerk to comply with the request of the American Em- igrant Company, of Hartford, Connecticut, on the following conditions :
"First. That he cause to be made and executed the deed conveying on the part of Taylor county the swamp lands of said county to the company aforesaid.
" Second. That he keep the deed to said lands in his possession until the aforesaid com- pany shall have paid the sum of nine hundred dollars for the use and benefit of Taylor county; and provided further, that our clerk do keep in his possession the deed so made until they shall have mortgaged to Taylor county the lands so conveyed to them; then, and not before, to give up the deed to said company.
" JAMES GARTSIDE."
Thus the contract of sale was fully made and indorsed. Almost imme- diately after accepting the report of the committee last above given, the board of supervisors proceeded to convey the land in question. The doc- ument making such conveyance and the conditions pertaining thereto are here annexed :
WHEREAS, The American Emigrant Company has requested this county to convey to the trustees of said company, in trust for said company, the swamp and overflowed lands of said county, and the indemnity claim of the county on the United States, the same which has been contracted to be sold to said company by a written agreement between the county and the company, bearing' date the 2d day of September, A. D. 1862, and which is now on file in the office of the clerk of the District Court of said county; and,
WHEREAS, The said company does not ask such conveyance except upon such condition that the land and property so conveyed shall be fully mortgaged back to the county to secure to the county the fulfillment by the company of all the terms and conditions of the said writ- ten agreement. Therefore, it is
454
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
Resolved, That this board does now grant, sell and convey to the trustees of said company' as requested, the land and property hereinafter mentioned and described in the form follow- ing; that is to say :
This indenture, made the eighth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, between the county of Taylor, in the State of Iowa, of the first part, and Andrew J. Hammond, John Hooker and Henry K. W. Welch, all of the city of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, trustees, and in trust for the American Emigrant Company, bearing date the second day of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and now on file in the office of the clerk of the District Court of said county, has sold to said company all the swamp and overflowed lands of said county, and all the claim of said county on the United States for or on account of such of said swamp or over- flowed lands as have been sold for cash or located with warrants, or scrip, by or under the authority of the United States, since the swamp land grant (so-called).
Now, therefore, in pursuance of said agreement, in writing, and in consideration of the sum of one thousand and eight hundred dollars, to the said party of the first part paid by said company, the said party of the first part doth hereby sell, assign, transfer and quit- claim to the parties of the second part, as such trustees as aforesaid, all and singular the lands and real estate hereinafter mentioned and described, the same being situated in the said county of Taylor.
DESCRIPTION.
Sect'n.
Twp.
R'nge.
Acres.
DESCRIPTION.
Sect'n.
Twp.
R'nge.
5 Acres.
fraction
31|67 34 125
n hf se.
26|68 34| 80
e hf se
30 67 34
62.50
nw nw
25 68 34
40
sw se.
30 67 34
40
ne nw.
25 68 34
40
w hf nw
29 67 34
80
ne sw.
24 68 34
40
s hf ne.
20 67:34
80
nw ne.
24 68 34
40
n hf ne
20 67 34
80
ne ne
24 68 34
40
se nw.
20 67 34
40
nw se.
24 68 34
40
ne sw.
20 67 34
40
«fraction
35 67 35
125
nw se.
20 67 34
40
w hf se
26 67 35
80
sw se.
20 67 34
40
ne ne .
26 67 35
40
e hf se
17 67 34
80
e hf se
23 67 35
80
w hf se.
17 67 34
80
w hf nw
24 67 35
80
s hf sw.
67 34
80
ne nw
24 67 35
40
9 67 34
40
sw se
18 67 34
40
9,67 34
40
SW SW.
7 67 34
40
3 67 34
40
se sw
7 67 34
40
3 67.34
40
nw se.
3,67 34
40
w hf ne
7 67 34
80
se nw
3,67 34
40
ne se
6 67|34
40
3 67|34
40
nw se
28 67 32
40
sw ne.
3 67134
40
sw ne.
3.67 32
40
se ne.
3 67|34
40
ne se
8 67 32
40
ne ne
3 67 34 40
se se
28|67 32
40
ne ne .
34|68|34| 40
se ne .
28 67 32
40
nw ne
34 68 34
40
ne ne .
28 67 32
40
sw ne.
34 68,34
40
nw nw.
28 67 32
40
se ne.
34 68 34
40
nw nw
27 67 32
40
se ne.
6 67 34
40
nw se.
27 67 32
40
ne ne
6 67 34
40
ne ne
27 67 32
40
w hf nw
5 67 34
80
22 67 32
40
w hf sw
32 68 34
80
ne se .
22 67 32
40
w hf nw.
32 68 34
80
sw se .
22 67 32
40
w hf sw
29 68|34
80
nw se.
22 67 32
40
w hf nw
29 68 34 80
se sw
22 67 32
40
se se. .
20 68 34 40
ne sw
22,67 32 40
s hf nw
20 68'34 80
SW SW.
22 67|32
40
ne nw
13 67 35 40
9,67 34
80
nw nw
ne ne
SW SW .
nw sw
7 67 34 40
ne nw.
nw ne
se se.
shf ne
455
, HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
DESCRIPTION.
Sect'n.
Twp.
R'nge.
Acres.
DESCRIPTION.
Sect'n.
Twp.
&R'nge.
Acres.
ne nw.
|20|68|34| 40
nw sw
22|67|32
e hf ne
17 68|34 40
se ne .
22 67 32
40
SW SW.
9 68 34
40
ne ne .
22 67 32
40
fraction
34 67
35|125
sw ne.
22 67 32
40
34 67 35 e hf ne 34 67 135 se se. 15 67|32 40 -se sw . [27 67 35 40 sw se 15 67 32 40 sw se . 27 67,35 40 nw nw. 23 67 32 40 -n se. 27 67 35| 40 sw nw 23 67 32 40 c w hf ne 27 67 35 80 ne nw ne sw 27 67 85 40 SW SW. se sw . 22 67 35 40 se sw 14 67 32 40 ne sw. 22 67 35 40 sw se 14 67 32 40 e hf nw 22|67 35, 80 nw se. 14 67 32 40 w hf sw. 22 67 35 80 ne se 14 67 32 40 w hf nw 22 67 35 80 SW SW. 14 67 32 40 SW . 15 67.35 160 ne sw. 14 67 32 40 nw . 15 67 35 160 se nw. 14 67.32 40 sw se 28 67 35 40 ne nw . 14 67 32 40 sw se 34|68 34 40 sw ne. 14 67 32 40 se se. 34 68 34 40 ne ne 14 67 32 40 ne se 134 68 34 40 se ne 14 67 32 40 nw se. 134 68|34 40 nw ne. 14 67 32 40 w hf nw 32 68 34 80 se se. 11 67 32| 40 w hf ne 32 68 34 80 ne se 11 67 32 40 s hf se 26 68 34 80 se ne 11 7|32 40 ne ne . 11 67 32 40 sw se. 10 67 35 40 1 67 32| 40 10 67 35 40 se sw 1 67 32 40 nw se. 10 67 35 40 nw sw 1 67 32 40 nw .. 10 67 35 160 ne sw. 1 67 32 40 w hf ne. 10 67 351 80 1 67 32 40 se sw. 3 67 35| 40 se nw. 1|67 32 40 40 ne sw 3 67|35 40 ne nw 1 67:32 40 sw se. 3 67 35 40 ne nw. 12/67 32 40 se se. 3.67 35 3 67 35 40 40 SW SW. 12 67 32 ne se. 3 67 35 40 se n. 12,67|32 40 nw sw. 3 67 35 40 nw sw. 12;67 32 40 se nw . 3 67:35 40 ne sw . 12 67.32 40 n fr nw 3 67|35 35 SW SW. 12 67 32 40 nw ne .. 3.67 35 35 35 13 67.32 40 sw se. 34 67 35 35 nw ne. 12 67|32 40 34 67 35 35 1:67 32 40 me nw. 34 67 35 35 nw se. 1 67.32 40 -se nw. 346 7 35 35 ne se. 1 67 32 40 -sw nw. 34|67 35 35 nw ne. 1 67 32 40 ne sw 34 67 35 35 ne ne. 1 67 32 40 nw SW. 134 67:35 35 se ne. 1 67 32 40 se sw. 34 67 35 35 35 se se. 36 67 32 40 nw ne. 27 67 35 sw se. 36 67|32 40 sw ne. 27 67 35 35 ne se. 36 67.32 40 nw se. 27 67 35 35 nw se. 36167|32 40 sw .se. 27 67 35 35 se ne. 36,67 32 40 se nw. 27 67 35 35 ne · ne. 36 67 32 40 ne sw. 67|35 35 nw ne. 36,67 32 40 se sw 22 68 35 SW SW. 29 67 32 40 sw ne. 22 68|35 40 se se . 30 67 33 40 nw se. 22 68|35 40 sw se. 30 67 33 40 ne nw. 22 68 35 40 se sw. ... 30 67 331 40 se nw .. 22 68 351 40 sw ne. 36|67|32 40 ne nw. - se sw . 67 32 40 nw ne. 27 67 35 35 40 nw nw 13 67 32 40 sw ne. 34|67 35 sw ne. nw se. 67 35 40 nw nw 1|67 32 nw nw 12 67 32 40 40 nw se. SW SW ne sw sw nw. SW SW . 23 67 32 14 67 32 40 40 nw ne 22 67 32 40 27 67 35 35 sw se. 456 HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY. DESCRIPTION. Sect'n. Twp. R'nge. Acres. DESCRIPTION. Sect'n. &c Twp. R'nge. Acres. ne sw. 130|67133| 40 ne sw. [22|68|35 40 se nw. 30|67 33 40 se se . 22 68 351 40 -ne nw. 30 67 33 40 nw nw 22 68|35 40 ne sw 32 68 33 40 Sw. . 15 68 35 160 sw ne. 32:68 133 40 sw nw 15 68 35 40 nw ne 32/68 133 40 ne se. 15 68:35 40 sw se. 29 68 33 40 sw se. 15 68,35 40 sw nw 28 68 33 40 ne nw. 15 68|35 40 ne nw. 28 68 133 40 nw nw. 15 68 35 40 ne ne. 21 68 33 40 se nw 15 68:35 40 ne ne. 8.68 33 40 se se. 9 68:35 40 se ne. 8 68 33 40 ne se. 68|35 40 nw ne. 8 68:33 40 se ne. 9 68 35 40 sw ne. 8.68 33 40 ne ne. 9 68 35 40 nw sw. 8 68 33 40 SW SW 10 68|35 40 SW SW 3 68 33 40 nw sw. 10 68 35| 40 se se. 5.68 33 40 sw nw 10 68 35 40 SW SW. 4 68 33 40 nw nw. 10 68 35 40 nw sw 4 68|33 40 ne nw. 10 68 35 40 sw nw. 4 68.33 40 SW .. 3 68 35 123 nw nw. 4,68 33 40 sw se. 4,68 35 63 ne nw. 4 68 33 40 sw se 3 68/35| 61 nw ne. 1 68 33 40 SW SW. 35 69 35 40 ne ne. 4 68 33 40 se sw. |35 69 35 40 se sw. 10 67|35 40 sw se. 35 69|3 40 nw se. 35|69|35 40 ne sw. 25 69 35| 40 ne se. 35.69 35 40 se nw 25,69|35| 40 ne sw. 35 69 35 40 sw ne. 25 69 35 40 sw ne. 35 69|35 40 se . . 24 69 35 160 se ne. 35 69 35 40 nw nie. 24 69 35 40 ne ne. 35 69|35 40 sw ne. 24 69 35! 40 nw nw 36 69 35 40 se nw. 24 69 35 40 ne nw. 36 69 35 40 nw nw 24 69 35 40 sw nw. 36 69 35 40 ne nw. 24 69 35 40 SW SW 25 69|35| 40 s12 SW 13 69|35 80 It is hereby declared to be an express condition of this grant, that in case said county at this time has not obtained a perfect title in fee to any of said lands, that any interest, claim or title thereto the county may hereafter acquire under or by virtue of the swamp land grant aforesaid, shall inure to the benefit of the party of the second part, without any further or subsequent conveyance thereof, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding. It is also a like condition of this conveyance that in case any lands are included in the fore- going descriptions which were not, or are not contracted to be sold by said company in and by said agreement in writing, so on file as aforesaid, the same are reserved and excepted from the effect and operation of this conveyance, and are not intended herein or hereby to be conveyed; and all lands reserved from the inoperation of the said agreement in writing are reserved from the effect and operation of this conveyance. And the said party of the first part doth further covenant and agree that all the lands within the said county that may at any time be duly selected as swamp or overflowed lands, and all such lands as may not be included in this conveyance, if any, the party of the first part will at any time convey by deed similar to this conveyance, at the request of the American Emi- grant Company, to the said company, its trustees or its assigns. That any proceeds of said claim on the United States, if any proceeds shall be received, the party of the first part will at any time, on like request, assign and transfer in separate or more convenient form to said com- pany, its trustees, or its assigns, and any land that shall be located under, or by any scrip, so called, which may be obtained on said claim, the party of the first part will convey in like 457 HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY. form to said company, or their trustees, or assigns, on reasonable request so to do. The party of the second part takes this grant subject to all the provisions of the act of Congress, of Sep- tember 28, 1850, and especially release the State of Iowa and the said county from all liabil- ity for releasing said lands. Given under the hands of the board of supervisors of Taylor county. By order of the board of supervisors. D. W. HAMBLIN, Chairman. JOSIAH LITTEER. J. B. CAMPBELL .. JOHN McLEAN, THOMAS COBB. JAMES GARTSIDE. JESSE ORME. OLIVER JENKS. VINCENT BEALL. ASA COBB. WILLIAM G. MERIDETH. E. T. SMITH, Clerk of Board of Supervisors. STATE OF IOWA, TAYLOR COUNTY. S ss. On this 8th day of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, personally came before me, the undersigned, a notary public in and for the county and State aforesaid, the said D. W. Hamblin, Thomas Cobb, Vincent Beall, Josiah Litteer, James Gartside, Asa Cobb, J. B. Campbell, Jesse Orme, Oliver Jenks, John McLean, W. G. Mer- ideth, supervisors, and E. T. Smith, clerk of the board of supervisors of said county, person- ally to me known to be the identical persons whose names are affixed to the foregoing conveyance as grantors, and who executed it, and personally acknowledged said instrument of conveyance to be their voluntary act and deed as the board of supervisors of this county of Taylor. In testimony whereof, witness my hand and notarial seal. Done in Bedford, Taylor county, Iowa, the day and year last above written. [SEAL.] S. J. HALL, Notary Public. And so passed from the control of the county many thousands of acres of its best lands. True the officials had eyes to see and ears to hear, but these did not prevent a sale from which the county has realized comparatively nothing. THE TIMBER ACT. EXEMPTIONS IN TAYLOR COUNTY. The Twelfth General Assembly of Iowa passed what is known as "The Timber Act." Under this law, trees cultivated and planted within the State, the trees not being more than twelve feet apart, and kept in healthy and growing condition, exempt one hundred dollars per acre from taxation upon the owner's assessment for ten years after each acre is planted. On 458 HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY. each acre of fruit trees fifty dollars are exempted, and for five years after the putting out of each acre. Taylor county enjoys the benefits accruing from this act. Under it the sum of eighty-two thousand five hundred and seventy-five dollars have been realized from taxation upon the last assessment. Thus it may be seen that those farmers who have adorned their premises with forests, and added fine orchards to the comforts and enjoyments of living, are aided by the State legislation. And it is just that this should be the case. The only regret is, that more have not made themselves worthy the State's bounty for industry and thrift. But, aside from tax exemptions, every farmer should plant trees. He should sow his place wild with them, to speak strongly In the years to come these trees will be forests, gigantic in stature, and crowded with a foliage ample for an artist's canvas-grand and beautiful enough for his loftiest conceptions. Trees are beautiful. Nothing on God's green earth is more so. And they will be needed in Taylor county. Tim- ber is not plentiful, and God's setting-the trees that nodded their emerald plumage to the pioneers, will soon be gone. This question of forests is an important one which farmers have not sufficiently considered. It is never too late to commence a work that has long been neglected. Just now is the time to begin a reform that will mark a new and more prosperous era for Taylor county. Plant trees. Nurserymen, and practical tree-growers, will take pleasure in naming to any one the kinds that are best adapted to this clime and its wants. Trees furnish the precious home with protection from the blasts of storms and tornadoes. In the winter they shield the stock, from which the farmer's wealth comes, from biting winds and hurricanes of snows. In the summer time they break the torrid days that smell of the equator, and make grateful yourself and your beasts. It is a fortune to a farmer-a forest is, in and of itself. And a large, well cultivated orchard makes glad its owner's heart, the hearts of all his kinship, the community in general, and especially the mischievous boys who accidentally stumble upon it while scouring the neighborhood in search of watermelon-patches. Plant trees. Plant orchards. Make of your homes and your county a paradise, and God will bless you and yours with prosperity and happiness. TAX LEVIES MADE BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR THE YEAR 1881. At the September session of the board of Supervisors, 1881 the following tax levies were made for the year: Railroad commissioners' tax (C., B. & Q. R. R. Co.), $79.63; State fund, 2 mills on the dollar; county fund, 3} 459 HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY. mills on the dollar; school, 1 mill on the dollar; bridge fund, 2} mills on the dollar; poor fund, ¿ mill on the dollar. The following local levies were made as certified to the board by the township authorities: Teachers' S. House Cont'gt. fund. fund. fund. General Twp. Board of Health. M'ls M'ls M'ls M'ls M'ls M'ls M'ls Bedford corporation. 81% 712 11% 3 2 Bedford township. 812 712 115 5 Lenox corporation. 1212 7 512 212 4 Lenox independent. 1212 7 512 5 . ... Conway corporation. 612 612 2 . . . Conway independent. 612 61/2 2 5 Benton township .. 41/2 2 5 Clayton township. 31% 10 21/2 4 1 Dallas township. 614 512 314 5 1/4 Subdistrict 8 Dallas township (excess). 2 612 2 5 Grove township. 915 21/2 5 Grant township. 634 224 4 1 ... Holt township. 41/2 5 Jackson township 412 312 3 5 3 4 5 Marshall township 9 31/2 31/2 5 Nodaway township. 6 31 3 3 1 Polk township. 6 212 412 12 Platte township. 812 4 5 15 . . Washington township .. 412 11/2 5 Part of section 6 Washington township attached to Dal- las. INDEPENDENT DISTRICTS. Buchanan 7 11/2 Hawleyville. 5 3 Antioch. 61/2 21/2 Chenoweth Grove. 7 734 174 Fairview. . 6 . .. . Gravel Point. 7 1 2 Holt 51% 11/2 ... . Holt Center. 7 31/ 31/2 . .. . Lincoln. 9 . . ... Mt. Pleasant. 61/2 Winterset. 412 41/2 . . Big Springs 6 2 . Hope. .. 6 2 . Mormontown 11 4 . Platteville. . . 8 2 2 Platte River. 1 · · . ... Works. 2 . .... . . · . . . . Gay township. 71% .. Jefferson township . Ross township. 7 3 4 41/2 6 5 2 . . . 2 14 Mason township .. fund. fund. Road City . . . 460 HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY. FIFTH REGIMENT I. N. G. COMPANY I. One among the first in Iowa to take advantage of the State militia law was Taylor county. Chief in the movement were P. C. King, county treas- urer, W. F. Evans, at that time auditor, and now editor of the Bedford Argus, C. W. Connett, M. V. Gray, and J. S. Faith. W. F. Evans was elected captain of the company, and P. C. King first lieutenant. In 1880 Lieutenant King was chosen to the lieutenant-colo- nelcy of the regiment, and C. W. Connett was elected first lieutenant of company I, in his stead. T. H. Morgan was the company's second lieu- tenant-a position that he resigned in August, 1881. Being the nominee of the Republican party for sheriff, with success assured, he was unable to attend to the duties of his position. During the month of August, 1881, Captain W. F. Evans was elected major of the regiment by a majority that was no greater than was deserv- ing. In the war that conquered treason he was one of its brightest heroes. In 1879, at a soldiers' reunion, while making it a success, to which he had devoted weeks of time, and money unstintedly, his right arm and hand were fearfully mutilated by the premature discharge of a cannon. The regimental quartermaster is also furnished by Bedford in the person of O. B. Thompson, who has won success in every department of business that he has undertaken. Saturday night, September 10, 1881, company I held an election to fill the vacancies occasioned by resignations, and its roster is now as follows: Captain-C. W. Connett. First Lieutenant-M. V. Gray. Second Lieutenant -- J. S. Faith. First Sergeant-N. C. Galway. Second Sergeant-A. T. Charry. Third Sergeant-G. E. De Long. Fourth Sergeant-W. W. Morey. Fifth Sergeant-J. M. Mills. First Corporal-Roscoe Golding. Second Corporal-H. C. Cady. Third Corporal-W. J. Jordan. Fourth Corporal-Thomas Taylor. Musicians-Amos Jarvis and A. M. Goldsbury. 461 HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY. Privates-John McDaniels, W. Willion, A. M. Mahaffey, W. M. Mc- Quinstow, C. H. Newell, J. W. Nausler, F. E. Parker, J. T. Parks, I. W. Parker, A. R. Queen, James Rhinehart, H. F. Shroub, B. C. Stearns, H. C. Swander, Robert Smith, Charles Scipio, J. W. Turner, M. C. Turner, A. R. Walker, H. D. Zollman, John Hodge, Smith Adams, John A. Brown, F. J. Brobst, G. W. Brookover, J. A. Canon, Albert Craig, J. W. Combs, Jr., Henry Congdon, Benjamin Cobb, Sherman Combs, Adelbert Eighmey, D. A. Fisher, L. B. Freeman, B. C. Freeman, F. L. Freeman, J. M. Green, J. S. Golding, W. Hayden, C. Harriott, W. E. Lavey, J. H. Lewis, Frank Lewis, R. W. Medford, Fred. Mullen and T. H. Morgan. L. P. Ormsly, of Bedford, is the regiment's commissary sergeant. Company I meets and drills regularly. It is nicely uniformed and equipped, and has the reputation of being the handsomest and best appear- ing company in the regiment. THE METHODIST CHURCH IN TAYLOR COUNTY. The first attempt to hold religious worship in a public congregation in Taylor county was in the winter of 1849-50, when there were less than forty souls resident within its limits. On this occasion the minister failed to put in an appearance, but the assembled people, not being disposed to be wholly disappointed, sent off a few miles for an instrument made of a large gourd, called it a fiddle, and danced to its music all night. Who the minister was, or with what denomination he was connected is not now pos- itively known. In 1851 the population had increased so as to attract the attention of the Methodist Church, the advance-guard of which was ever ready to be on the frontier, facing its dangers and enduring its hardships, and Rev. Wm. Rector was sent by the elder of the Des Moines district, Rev. John Hayden, to establish preaching places and organize societies wherever practicable, calling the charge Page and Taylor Mission. He did his work well, and at the next session of the Iowa Conference reported thirty members. Rev. Samuel Farlow succeeded Mr. Rector in the fall of 1852, but having to travel some four hundred miles after receiving his appointment, he did not arrive with his family until the 2d of November. Finding no house for his family he had to build, and erected the first dwelling on the town plat of Clarinda, without remitting the duties of his mission. By the blessing of God upon the labors of these two men, the foundation of Methodism was strongly laid in the Page and Taylor Mission, which embraced all the set- tlements from the Tarkio in Page county to the West Grand River in Ring- 462 HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY. gold county, and from the Missouri State line into the edge of Adams county. In 1856 a portion of this territory was set off forming the Cla- rinda circuit, with the settlements in Montgomery county attached, and the name changed to Taylor Mission, Rev. Isaac Kelly, pastor. In 1859 a further reduction was made, the name changed to Bedford, Rev. James S. Rand, pastor, who reported 170 members with 170 on probation at the close of the year. The old Page and Taylor Mission was now lost from the records of the church, the Bedford and other circuits formed from it, until now in 1881 the old territory embraces, in whole or in part, the following charges: Bedford, Bedford Circuit, Brooks, Clarinda, Conway, Hawleyville, Lenox, Memory, Mormontown and Tarkio. The work of these thirty years, 1851-1881 -- in its grand results, by the blessings of God, more than rivals the mythical wonders of Aladdin's lamp. In 1861 the Methodist Church stood alone, with a membership of thirty; now, she has a mem- bership within the same territory of about two thousand, and the efficient aid of numerous other churches, some of them strong, wealthy societies, in " spreading scriptural holiness over these lands." Then, she had not a place in which to worship God, only as furnished by the early settlers in their cabins, and not a dwelling for her ministry; now, she has about thirty thousand dollars invested in church buildings and parsonages, with the ground on which they stand. Then, in 1852-3, the preacher in charge of the old Page and Taylor Mis- sion, in addition to his pastoral duties, erected his own dwelling, made rails in the winter, and mowed grass for hay in the summer, with such other work as he could command, sometimes packing a grist of corn on his back to mill to procure bread for his family, while at the same time his wife, of blessed memory, long since taken home to paradise, in addition to her do- mestic cares, taught school in her own house to aid her husband in provid- ing for their household, and that he might preach the everlasting gospel; now, his successors have beautiful homes in which to dwell, and splendid churches in which to preach, and their constituency (including a few of the old "immortal thirty") will raise in 1881 near if not more than ten thou- sand dollars in salaries, and for the benevolent agencies of the church. Need help finding more records? 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