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 52
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the condition of the great States north west of the Ohio to the Pacific to-day, had no railroads ever traversed their length and breadth? Instead of these great States being able to help feed the people of other nations, as they do now, they would be able to do scarcely more than feed themselves, because the population would be scattered over the vast wild domain in settlements, and with no railroad facilities, it would matter but little how much they produced from the soil, it would avail them nothing beyond their own con- sumption, they having no means of transportation to market their surplus. But the railroads have filled up the great West, with producers of agricul- tural products, and thus augmented a surplus production, which to-day feeds the hungry people of Ireland at less cost, including the long inland and ocean transportation, than she can produce her food, under her present ten- ancy system. The high rents demanded by the landlords from the ten- antry, together with the great cost of fertilizing the soil every year to make it productive-from two to three dollars per acre-make a bushel of grain grown in that country cost the consumer there considerable more than a bushel does exported from the great West of this country.
While these efforts on the part of the new Western States and the railroad companies, with the liberal scope of the public domain awarded them as subsidies in aid of their important public enterprises did much to develop the agricultural interests of the West, yet, the great impetus given to west- ern emigration was the enactment of the homestead law of 1862, by which a vast expanse of the finest territory the sun ever shone upon was thrown open to the occupation for actual settlers free from the cost of purchase. Prior to this enactment-1841-the general government had fixed the price of the public domain at the low sum of one dollar and a quarter per acre, allowing a preemption of a hundred and sixty acre tract to persons who would occupy and cultivate them; thus placing the public lands within the reach of all, as an inducemement for their occupation for agricultural pur- poses. While this liberal enactment produced a wonderful stimulus to emigration, it was slight in comparrison to that produced by the enact- ment of the homestead law.
Subsequent to the Louisiana purchase of 1803; the acquisition of the ter- ritory from Mexico, as the result of the war with that country in 1847; and the settlement of the boundary dispute between this country and Great Britian, the public domain, outside of the original thirteen States, embraced 1,446,716,072 acres, exclusive of Alaska. From this vast area, all the States and Territories since the " original thirteen " have been created. Of this public domain, large grants have been given to railroad companies in aid of their enterprises across it; to soldiers, as bounty for military services; to
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agricultural colleges, and State universities; for Indian reservations, and other purposes. Adding to these enormous grants the large mountainous and sterile portions and these States and Territories, and yet, their arable scope of land exceeds that of any other nation on the globe. It can but thus be seen that the preemption and homestead laws created by the general government were wise and fruitful measures in the development of the great agricultural interests which this country so preeminently enjoys to- day.
Another effectual cause which has produced the agricultural thrift of this country, beyond that of any other nation, is found in the fact that those who engage in this industry, own the soil they till. Under the old feudal system, and under the present tenantry system of the old countries, the tillers of the soil are either hired by, or the lessees of its owners, who never enjoy, nor hardly dream of such a thing as proprietorship therein. The fact that in this country the labor of the agriculturists is performed by them- selves upon their own broad acres, stimulates them with self-interest and a true consciousness of its dignity. There is no country under the sun in which the effect of these incentives has been so great and contributed so largely to the development and aggrandizement of its agricultural industry as in the United States.
Cooperation has been another important means for the advancement of our agricultural interests through the means of societies, fairs, publications, colleges, and finally the bureau of agriculture, under the control of the gen- eral government at Washington City. The first organization for the promo- tion of the agricultural interests of this country was perfected in Philadel- phia, in 1784, the "Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of Agriculture." The next society was formed in New York in 1791; the next one in Massa- chusetts in 1792, and a short period later one was formed in South Carolina. The conception of the work and scope of these societies was quite new at this time, as the formation of similar ones had but recently taken place in the mother land. Their membership was slim and their practical and effi- cient working was but slightly comprehended by those who conceived their utility, though much interest was manifested in the subject which they were organized to promote. Washington was among those interested, and while he was president he became a member of the Philadelphia society. In his correspondence with prominent agriculturists of England, who had been foremost in the organization of societies in that country, he had caught the inspiration which augmented his efforts in every direction which would promote the agricultural interests of his country. Adams and Jefferson, like Washington, were large and practical farmers, and they suggested to
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him, at that early day, the idea of the formation of a national organization established and fostered by the general government. But Washington con- ceived the organization of smaller and local societies as a prerequisite to larger ones, which idea prevailed. The first incorporated local society was formed in Augusta, Maine, in 1800, which was then in the State of Massa- chusetts. However, an unincorporated-a voluntary society of the hus- bandmen of Middlesex county, Massachusetts, was organized as early as 1794, and was incorporated in 1803. These organizations, county, district and State, continued to be formed, though slowly, and with no very prolific results, during most of the first half of the present century. However, from about 1840 to 1850, the organization of county and State societies was rapid, and much interest was manifested in their work; and since the latter date their formations have been so general that there is now scarcely a county in all the agricultural portions of the United States in which they do not exist.
The first "fair " held in this country by an agricultural society was in Washington City, the national capital, in 1804, through the suggestion of the commissioner of patents, and under the control of the municipal au- thorities of that place. This had its effect-created a stimulus among the farmers of that day and section of the country, so much so, that the next year premiums were offered to the amount of one hundred dollars, for the best products of the soil, and best live stock. Massachusetts followed next with a fair held at Brighton, in 1816, at which premiums were awarded, and a plowing match, with oxen, enlivened the occasion. Annual fairs soon became quite a general feature of the agricultural societies of the country, and since 1850 they have been, and are, the leading feature of them, at which the farmers and citizens come together with their productions, where comparisons are made, an interchange of ideas are had, and experiences are given as to this or that result, all of which are valnable in inciting emula- tion and suggesting new ideas through which improvemements may be made, and their industry thereby became more profitable.
During the past fifty years there have been formed societies throughout the country in the interest and for the special advancement of various branches of our great agricultural industry. Among these are horticultural societies, the first of which was organized in 1829; pomological societies, dairymen's societies, wool-growers', cattle and horse-breeding societies, poul- try and bee-keeper's associations, and others of similar character have grown into existence very generally within the past thirty years, and have accom- plished much in the development of those special interests for which they were formed, by enlightening those devoted to them as to the best methods
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to be observed in their operations. All these have added largely to the in- telligence and dignity of the general agricultural industry of the country. The statistical records of the agricultural department at Washington show that in 1868 there were nearly fourteen hundred of these organizations in existence throughout the country; and since which time the number has largely increased as the newer portions of the country have developed and given room for them.
Another organization in the interest of the husbandman, formed in 1867, was that of the "Patrons of Husbandry," otherwise known as the "Grangers." This organization was the conception of an educated Scotchman, Wm. Saun- ders, who had charge of the gardens and conservatories of the agricultural department at Washington, and from whom the writer learned the facts which gave existence to this movement. After the war a large majority of the farmers of the West found themselves embarrassed in one way or an- other, which had involved their farms and caused the outlook of prosperity to be overclouded with gloom. The remunerating profits derived from the products of their farms, as the wages of their toil, were meager and dis- couraging, the main cause of which they attributed to the unjust and bur- densome exactions of the railroad companies in their charges for the transportrtion of their produce to market. Mr. Saunders, understanding the power of organization already illustrated in various forms, conceived the idea that the agriculturists of the country, especially of the great West, might alleviate their embarrassment in a great degree, and protect them- selves from increasing hardships in this respect, by an organization some- what similar to those of the Masons and Odd Fellows. The result was an association which the projectors called the "Patrons of Husbandry," each organization being termed a " grange." A national grange was organized at Washington'City in December, 1867, with William Saunders as its mas- ter, and through that others were formed, though slowly at first, until in 1874 the number of granges reached eleven thousand, including several State granges; and at the close of 1875, the total number throughout the country reached some thirty thousand, with a membership of about 2,500,- 000! This was its climax. The announced objects of this secret order were for the development of a higher social and intellectual culture among the agricultural and producing classes of the country, through music and the dissemination of a class of literature instructive in the line of their pursuits, and cultivating in the higher and broader sphere of general cul- ture. These advantages were introduced into the granges, of which the wives of the members were admitted members, and doubtless did innch to develop the higher tastes and dignify their pursuit. Another object of the
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grange was to do away with the services of middle men in both buying and selling the products of their industry. This was, to quite a large extent, accomplished through agencies of their own to deal directly with shippers and other legitimate purchasers, thereby realizing better prices for their products. Similar cooperation in other directions was resorted to, through which the farmers purchased their household effects, farming implements and machinery, and merchandise, at a large saving to them which soon in- creased their profits, paid their debts, and placed them in a more prosper- ous condition than before.
But there seemed another drawback to the prosperity of the Western farmers, of which they complained bitterly, and which, in 1873, brought the grangers of Iowa, as in some other Western States, to the front, demanding protection through legislative enactment 'against the excessive burdens which it was claimed the railroad companies were imposing upon them, not only in the exorbitant rates which they exacted for the transportation of their products to market, but also because of the discrimination of the rail- roads against them, as local shippers, in favor of middle men as through shippers. While they did not enter the political arena openly, they con- centrated their influence and strength upon candidates for the legislature who would subserve their interests in the enactment of legislation whichi would regulate these grievous exactions of the railroads-restrict them to rates of transportation more favorable to the direct farming interest. In this they succeeded in Iowa, as they did also in Wisconsin and Illinois. This legislation was resisted by the railroads upon the grounds of its, unconstitutionality; that it interfered with their vested charter rights, and thus took from them the control of their private property. These ques- tions were taken into the State courts, and from thence into the United States courts, and they were finally decided by the Supreme Court of the United States, in 1876, in a test case taken from and based upon the Wis- consin "granger law," which affirmed the constitutionality of these laws, and the right of the States to control the railroads constructed and operat- ing within their limits as public beneficiaries. This settled the status of railroads, as common carriers, in this country, and fully defined their rela- tions and obligations to the public. The effect of this decision was, doubt- less, healthful, because it settled an agitation; it restored the State to the the confidence of capital, in whatever direction it might seek investment. It gave a fresh impetus in the construction of railroads, which are more powerful agencies in the regulating and reducing the rates of charges for transportation, by way of competition, than all legislative enactments. Besides the moral effect of this decision upon the railroad interests was
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conducive of good; it brought into subjection a somewhat arrogant spirit of independence, begotten of corporate power and capital, through which the agricultural interests of the West can demand concessions when this power of independence becomes oppressive, knowing that they are supported by the edict of the highest judicial tribunal in the land.
Among other influences which have done much to develop and dignify the agricultural interests of this country are its schools, its literature, and the agricultural bureau of the general government.
It has been thoroughly demonstrated that agriculture is a science, to a greater or less extent, as much as any other industry. This proposition being true, education in the science of agriculture is as important as any other branch of human effort. As noted farther back in this chapter, the farmer, until shortly prior to the present century, regarded agriculture as scarcely more than the gathering, for human necessity, whatever the soil would yield him through its natural forces. The questions which enter vegetable production-soil, vegetation, weather, chemistry, etc .- had never been studied by him, questions of vital importance to his pursuit. Neither observation nor experience had given him much insight into it; and much less had the light of science illumined the course of his toil. However, the latter glimmered faintly in this country for nearly a century before the Amer- ican agriculturists were led to see the importance of its application to their industry-the basis of all others-and to provide methods through which it might award them grand results. And, too, the old world was but slightly in advance of the new, in this respect. But, finally, these methods came, through a system of special educational advantages offered by agricultural schools; and, outside of Germany, this country is unequaled to-day in the superior advantages and grand results which these educational means have produced.
The first agricultural schools established in Europe were in 1799. Two were in Germany-one at Celle, in Hanover, the other at Kruman, Bohe- mia; and one in Switzerland, near Berne. In 1811 the foundation of such a school was formed in Saxony, which, in 1830, became an agricultural college. The greatest of these schools in Europe was formed in 1818, at Hohenhiem, near Stuttgart; and another of similar character was estab- lished in Pomerania, in 1835. There are now about one hundred and fifty schools and colleges devoted to the interests of agriculture in Germany, alone; while there are but two of any importance in Great Britain-one at Chichester, founded in 1840, and at Dublin, of later existence. France has one agricultural college, at Versailles, besides a number of smaller schools in various portions of the republic.
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In the United States the first agricultural school was established in 1844, in connection with the Oberlin College, Ohio; and in 1855 an independent agricultural college was established at Cleveland, Ohio, to which the agri- cultural endowment was transferred from Oberlin. A chair of agriculture was established in the University of Georgia, which was supported by a personal bequest of $20,000. An agricultural department was attached to Amherst College by the State of Massachusetts in 1855. However, in 1852 a charter was obtained for the establishment of an independent agricultural college, which was to be endowed with funds donated by towns, counties and individuals. The organization was made in 1855, and in 1860 the in- stitution was opened, but the war caused it to close after a brief period of operation. Michigan was the first to establish, and continue in actual operation, an independent State agricultural college through legisla- tive enactment, and under State control; connected with it is a farm of 676 acres. This institution went into operation in 1857, and its total cost to the State was $109,000. In 1859 a " Farmers' High School of Pennsyl- vania " was established in Center county of that State, and in 1862 its name was changed to the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania. In 1858 Iowa took the first step in establishing her State Agricultural College, and got it in operation in 1859, on a moderate scale, with the moderate legislative ap- propriation of $10,000. Subsequent State appropriations for buildings and other purposes, together with a congressional grant of 180,000 acres of land, were made, which has enabled the institution to become one of the first in the country. In 1862 Congress granted to each State 30,000 acres of public land for each representative in Congress, for the maintenance of agricultural and mechanical colleges. Up to 1876 all the States, except Nevada, had accepted this grant, and where a State agricultural college or other industrial school existed, it was the recipient of it. In other States agricultural departments were established in connection with their State universities, as in Kentucky, and New York, at Cornell; though in the for- mer case the grant was subsequently separated from the university, and the State purchased "Ashland," the historic home and farm of Henry Clay, near Lexington, on which a separate school was opened in 1866. In other States where no institution already existed to which such school could be connected, colleges were directly established, which availed themselves of this grant which was so generously made for the benefit of agriculture in its highest interests. In the centennial year, 1876, there were forty-one of these industrial colleges in the United States, with 463 professors, and 3,703 students. Since then the attendance at these schools has largely in- creased, and the benefits which the agricultural interests of this country
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have derived from them in disseminating broader ideas and a higher cul- ture in the science of this industry, has added dignity to the labor which engages toiling millions.
While the agricultural literature of the country has done much to ad- vance the interests of this great industry, it has not been the exclusive cause of the wonderful development of the agricultural science. This liter- ature was rather an outgrowth of that development. In fact this country had but very little of this class of literature until about 1830. However, about the middle of the last century, Jared Eliot, of Connecticut, published several papers relating to the condition of husbandry in this country, which were valuable to his generation; but they had a limited circulation. Also the first agricultural societies of the country, those of Philadelphia, Massa- chusetts and New York, published thir transactions, which were valuable for their time. Those of Massachusetts were published in 1796. The first purely agricultural periodical published in the United States was the Amer- ican Farmer, started in Baltimore in 1819, and which became widely cir- culated, and led the way to the very beneficial achievements which this class of literature has since accomplished among the agriculturists of this country. It has well-nigh, if not quite, dispelled the early day and crude idea that " book farming " was a fiction, that science had nothing to do with it. The Agricultural Intelligencer soon followed, from Boston, but its ex- istence was very brief. However, in 1822, a new venture took place-the New England Farmer-which has been successfully continued to the pres- ent day, though in 1846 it was revived from a temporary death, and ap- peared in weekly and monthly editions. Soon after this New England pub- lication was under way the New York Farmer made its appearance. In 1831 Luther Tucker, an old and widely known producer of agricultural litera- ture, started the Genesee Farmer, at Rochester, New York, which became a widely circulated and valuable periodical to the farmers of the country. In 1833 the Cultivator was founded at Albany, New York, by Judge Buel, which lived until 1839, when it was consolidated with the Genesee Farmer. The present widely circulated and influential American Agricul- turist was founded in 1842, and to-day is the leading periodical of the coun- try devoted to its general agricultural interests. Among the other agri- cultural publications of the United States are the Maine Farmer, the Ru- ral New Yorker, founded, and for a number of its first years, published at Rochester, New York, and now exists in New York City, the Country Gentleman, the Ohio Farmer, the Michigan Farmer, the Wisconsin Farmer, the Northwestern Farmer, the Prairie Farmer, the Western
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Rural, besides in this State are the Iowa Homestead, the Western Farmer and Stock Journal, and others of similar character.
Thus it will be seen that the agricultural interests of this country could not otherwise than have been greatly promoted through the intelligence and advanced ideas which its periodical literature has disseminated among those engaged and interested in this industry. Besides, during the past fifty years a large number of books have been written upon various agricultural top- ics, both general and special. Among the earliest of this class of writers in this country was Andrew Jackson Downing-who was widely known in this relation as " Jack Downing"-who contributed much in this way upon matters of general, special and scientific interest. And, too, the reports of the various agricultural societies of the country, and of the agricultural bureau at Washington-all containing able and valuable papers of a scien- tific character upon many matters of interest, have enlarged the sphere of thought, of skill and of practice in this important field of American in- dustry.
Prior to 1830 agriculture in England was but little more of a science than it was in this country, though Lord Bacon's philosophy was applied to it by ripe minds, as early as the eighteenth century, such as Lord Kames, Sir John Sinclair, Jero Tull, and others, which induced William Pitt, in 1793, to found a national board of agriculture. A similar governmental provision for the promotion of this industry was considered in this country about the same time, but did not ripen into formulation until 1839, when the country was awakened by the necessity of having imported several million dollars' . worth of bread-stuffs to supply the actual needs of the people. This fact was convincing evidence to the country that there was something wrong- that agriculture was seriously languishing through the exhaustion of the soil, because of unintelligent management. Relief from this condition of affairs was demanded, and found through the suggestion of prominent minds that the general government make an appropriation, to be expended by the com- missioner of patents, for the "collation of agricultural statistics, investiga- tions for promoting agriculture and rural economy, and the procurement of seeds and cuttings for gratuitous distribution among the farmers." Henry L. Ellsworth was then commissioner of patents, at whose suggestion Congress ap- propriated one thousand dollars for this purpose that year, 1839. For each of the next years until 1845, two thousand dollars were appropriated; then three thousand dollars; and from 1847 this appropriation was gradually increased each year, until 1862, when it was sixty thousand dollars! Prior to this year-from 1839 to 1862-this work was preformed by a clerk in the patent- office, under the direction of the commissioner of patents, and in 1854, the
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