USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, and representative citizens > Part 6
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the next morning he was brought into the pres- ence of 60 armed men, and then notice was served on him to depart at once, and to not re- turn until he was wanted. Mr. Woolard was a man of sense and departed. This closed the incident.
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
An Act was passed, approved1 February 13. 1844, by the Governor, to organize the county of Wapello, and Joseph B. Davis, of Wash- ington county, John H. Randolph. of Henry county, and Solomon Jackson, of Lee county, were appointed commissioners to locate the county-seat. James M. Peck was appointed under the Act as sheriff, until a regular election was held, and it was made his duty to organize the county. Paul C. Jeffries was the first judge of probate, Joseph Hayne was the first elected sheriff. and Thomas Foster was treas- urer. The first case presented to the Court of Probate was that in the matter of the estate of
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Thomas Crawford, deceased, -William Craw- ford was appointed administrator and his bond was approved. The first guardian of minors appointed by the probate judge was Joseph Melntire, guardian of Daniel, James and John Murphy, May 10, 1845. The first will filed was that of William B. Woody, dated Octo- ber 11. 1846, and filed by the widow, Frances Woody, sole executrix. December 7, 1846.
MARRIAGE RECORD.
The first license issned was in favor of the marriage of Andrew Crawford and Mary Ann Montgomery, dated March 15, 1844. The in- tended bride was a minor, under the guard- ianship of Peter Walker. The couple were mar- ried March 15, 1844, by R. R. Jones, justice of the peace. at the house of Peter Walker. The groom was nineteen, and the bride six- teen years of age.
The second marriage license was that of Dr. C. W. Phelps and Elizabeth C. Weaver, sister of General Weaver, of Bloomfield: the third, that of John P. Scott and Elvira A. cember 2; James Stephens to Mary Ann Har- Weir. The latter marriage was solemnized at row. December 18; James D. Iluffstetter to Eliza Ann White, December 30. Agency City, by Rev. Benjamin A. Spaulding, April 17. 1844. The authority possessed by Mr. Spaulding was filed at this time, and con- sisted of a license issued by the clerk of the District Court of Jefferson county, Iowa.
On the 28th of August, 1844, the certificate of ordination, issued by Bishop Morris, of the Methodist Episcopal church, August 20. 1841, proclaiming Thomas M. Kirkpatrick a fully consecrated elder in the said Methodist Epis-
copal church, was filed with the clerk of Wa- pello county. This was to establish Mr Kirk- patrick's authority to solemnize marriages. . 1 similar document was filed by Rev. Robert Long, of the Christian church, on the 9th day of November, 1844.
During the first year of the county's exist- ence, the following marriage license were granted: George Nelson to Isabella Frances Hackney. November 9: Seth Ogg to Rebecca 11. Melntire, April 28: David Glass to Eliza Jane Hall, June 19: Joseph Melutire to Mrs. Sarah Murphy, July 2: William Carter to Mary Jane Lewis, August 21; William F. Bay to Nancy J. Kirkpatrick, September 5: Alexander Kitterman to Elsie Linch, Septem- ber 24; James S. Baker to Tamas Overman, September 28: Thomas J. Linnard to Julina Lambert, September 30; Melville 11. Talbott to Elizabeth Rouse, October 4: James K. Fisher to Sarah McCall. October 5: Charles Wallace to Cynthia M. Ross, October 9; George Howlet to Sarah Wilson. Novem- ber 7: William Parker to Lavinia Boyce. De-
On the 24th of April, 1845, Rev. John Pardoe filed his certificate of ordination as a Methodist Protestant clergyman. November 26th. Rev. Joseph Ackerman filed his certificate of authority to solemnize marriages, having his ordination papers issued by Bishop Roberts, of the Methodist Episcopal church. The papers were dated at Terre Haute, Indiana, October 10, 1841. Thirty-six marriage licenses were
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
issued out of the clerk's office of Wapello county during the year 1845.
DISTRICT COURT.
In almost every case the original record of the District Court in Wapello county consist's ! of eight sheets of foolscap paper, stitched to- gether to form a book. The following self- explanatory records are taken literally from the record book. We quote :
And now, on this day, to-wit. the sixteenth day of Sep- tember, A. D. 1844, the day on which, according to law, the District Court of the United States, within and for said county of Wapello and Territory of Iowa, was to have begun, and its first or September term, at the court house in said county, there being no judge present, the time for commencement of said Court is adjourned until 9 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Tuesday morning, 9 o'clock, / September 17, A. D. 1844. S
And now, on this day there yet being no judge present, the time for the commencement of said conrt is further adjourned until tomorrow morning.
And now, on this day, to-wit, Wednesday, 18th Septem- ber, 1844, being the adjourned day for the beginning of the September term of the District Court of the United States, for the county of Wapello and Territory of Iowa, Present the Hon. Charles Mason, Judge, etc.
The following proceedings were had, to- wit :
And now, on this day, to-wit, the 18th day of Septem- ber. A. D. 1841, the venire which had been returned on the 16th inst., by Joseph Hayne, Sheriff of said county. being examined by the Court, it is ascertained the following- named persons have been duly summoned to serve as grand jurors to this Conrt, to-wit:
LIST OF FIRST GRAND JURY.
James Weir, George W. Knight. Seth Ogg, Robert H. Ivers, Thomas Pendleton, Henry Smith, William Brinn, Lewis F. Temple, John Humphreys, Martin Fisher, Paul C.
Jeffries, John Fuller, Finley Lindsey, William Prichell. William C. McIntire, John Clark, James K. Boggs, John Kirkpatrick, John Murray, Isam Garrett, Shaunon Hackney, l'hilaster Lee and Thomas Wright, five of whom, to-wit: Robert H. Ivers, Martin Fisher, John Fuller, John Clark and John Kirkpatrick, on being called answered not.
The court ordered the sheriff to complete the panel, whereupon William A. Winsell, Pe- ter Barnett. Richard Fisher and Jacob Hack- ney were added to the list. James Weir was appointed foreman. George B. Warden was appointed bailiff, and proceeded to take the | grand jury under his charge.
The first case of record was that of "Josiah Smart. Agent, etc., who sues for the use of S. S. Phelps vs. Elias Orton." This was a land-claim case, and was dismissed, with costs assessed against the defendant to the amount of $7.4214. The next case. James C. Ramsey vs. John R. and W. S. Wright, assumpsit. Damages claimed $57. Case compromised by the parties, with costs ou defendants, stated at the sum of $5.371/2. The third case was John McCoy vs. William Flood, assumpsit; damages, $100. Case withdrawn by plaintiff, with costs on him to the amount of $5.6212. The next three cases were: John F. Myers vs. Charles F. Harrow: James Foster vs. Charles F. Harrow ; and Hugh George vs. Jesse C. Weeks. Each dismissed at cost of plaintiff.
The first naturalization papers were issued September 19. 1844. to John Wall and George Wall, subjects of Great Britain.
The first indictment presented by the grand
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jury was against Joseph S. Hendricks, for larceny. The defendant was discharged.
The first divorce case was on a change of venue from Jefferson county between Mary
Kinzie and John Kinzie. Bill granted by de- fault. The first divorce granted to parties within the county was in the case of Amanda Hulin vs. Jra Hulin.
CHAPTER VIII
COUNTY SEAT LOCATED.
THE TOWN WAS FIRST NAMED LOUISVILLE, BUT INDIAN INFLUENCE PREVAILED, AND IT WAS CHANGED TO OTTUMWA-BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS-BUSINESS AT THE FIRST SESSION OF THE BOARD-THE TOWN OF OTTUMWA FROM THE BEGINNING --- PEN PICTURES.
THIE COUNTY SE.AT.
The commissoiners located the county seat at the Appanoose Rapids, and very near the geographical center of the county, which fact had been ascertained by a random line that was run westward from Jefferson county in the fall of 1842 or the winter of 1843, by John Arrowsmith, under the direction of a company of promoters, who could see far enough into the future to know that a prosperous town would soon be built 'as the county seat of a good county. So soon as the location was made these men made a claim to the lands, and immediately organ- ized the Appanoose Rapids Company to facili- tate operations. So, on the 20th day of May, 1843. J. R. McBeth, Uriah Biggs, John Lewis, Thomas D. Evans, Paul C. Jeffries, Hugh George. David Glass, Sewell Kenny. William Dewey and Milton Jamison met on the site
and formed a company according to law. Cer- tain lot's were donated to the county for build- ing purposes. The town was laid out, the company bound itself to erect a court house, the small expenses were paid, a public sale of lots was arranged for July 4, 1844, and in this way the town was born, which was first named Louisville,-but the name would not stick. The more appropriate Indian name of Ottumwa would arise from time to time until it was finally accepted. The name "Ottumwa" signifies "Swift Water," to which the suffix "noc" was sometimes applied, which means simply the place of swift water. This is the interpretation of the name as rendered by Mr. Smart, who was then the honest and intel- ligent interpreter for General Street, and may be accepted as absolutely correct. There are other versions, among them "Strong Will" or "Perseverance," but this is a fanciful ren- dering. We prefer to take the interpretation
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of Mr. Smart, who was familiar with the In- dian language.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS- - ITS ORGANIZATION AND PROCEEDINGS.
The first building used for the sessions of the commissioners' court was a very ordi- nary log cabin, one story high, built of rough, unhewn logs, chinked with sticks and clay. and covered with clapboards. It was situated between Fourth and Fifth streets, about where the postoffice building now stands. The first meeting of the board was "held at Louisville, the county seat of Wapello county, en Mon- day, the 20th day of May, 1844. The county commissioners were as follows: Lewis F. Temple, James M. Montgomery and Charles F. Harrow. Charles Overman was appointed clerk. In August, 1844. John C. Evans, John B. Gray and James B. Wright were elected. In 1845-46 the board consisted of John C. Evans, James B. Wright and Henry Smith. In 1846 the clerk's office was filled by James C. Tolman. In 1847 the board consisted of Henry Smith, Charles Dudley and James B. Wright. A. J. Redenbaugh was clerk. In 1848 James B. Wright, Charles Dudley and Nathaniel Bell were commissioners and .A. J. Redenbaugh, clerk. In 1850 Charles Dudley, Nathaniel Bell and Samuel Gilliland were commissioners and .A. J. Redenbaugh. clerk. The last meeting of the board, before it was dissolved by the act creating the county judge system, was held July 20. 1851, at which Nathaniel Bell, Samuel Gilliland and Gideon
Myers officiated. Mr. Redenbangh was the last clerk. A roster of the succeeding county officers is published elsewhere.
The first business transacted at the May, 1844. session, was to grant a license to David Glass to keep a grocery "in Ottumwa." This shows that the name Ottumwa was insisted upon by the settlers, although the official name was then Louisville, by reason of the act of the locating commissioners, who named it in honor of Louisville, Kentucky. Washington township was organized at the first meeting. Pleasant, Competine, Columbia, Center, Dahil- onega, Richland and Adams townships were created at the June session, or see me meet- ing. J. P. Eddy was granted a ferry license at the July session authorizing him to establish a ferry at Eddyville. This was the first ferry in the county, duly legalized. The prices per- mitted to be charged were: Footman. 044 cents; man and horse, 1834 cents; two horses and wagon, 3712 cents: four horse, and wagen, 50 cents; cattle. 4 cents; hogs, 2 cents. In July, Henry Smith & Com- pany were authorized to construct a dam across the Des Moines River on section 27, township 71. range 12, where Eldon now stands. A tax of five mills on the dollar was authorized, and a poll tax of 50 cents. . jail was ordered to be built on the east end of lot 130, block 11. in Louisville, but definite action was postponed. A free ferry was or- dlered across the river at Louisville, provided the Appanoose Rapids Company sustained one-half of the expense of the building and maintenance of the same.
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At the April term. 1845, Anderson Cox was granted permission to establish a ferry across the Des Moines River, one and a quar- ter miles above Louisville. At the May term. 1845, the board agreed upon the specifications for the erection of a jail, the previous action having resulted in nothing. A two-story hewed-log building was agreed upon. W. W. Chapman was acting as attorney for the coun- ty in 1845. At the August session the board ordered that the names of Francis M. Harrow and Robert W. Ramsey be stricken from the mill and dam charter, and that the company proposing to build a mill at Louisville be al- lowed until March, 1847, to do so. The orig- inal charter was granted by the board of Jef- ferson county, while this county was attached thereto, September, 1843, to Francis M. Har- row, Robert W. Ramsey, David Armstrong and Joel Myers & Company. The board of Wapello county approved of the charter at the August meeting, as aforesaid, with the change of names shown above. The jail contract was finally awarded to David Armstrong, at this meeting, for $2,000. The site chosen was lot 140, block II. The first official recogni- tion of the name Ottumwa was made Novem- ber, 1845, by the board. Before that date "Louisville" and "Ottumwa" were both used.
Polk and Keokuk townships were created in April. 1846. In that year a court house was built on the corner of Market and Third streets, of wood, 24 feet square, two stories high, the lower story being used for the ses- sions of the court, for religious meetings on Sundays and as a school-house when court
1
was not in session. The second story was divided into three rooms, occupied by the clerk of the court, the county treasurer and the county recorder. When the brick court house was built on the site now occupied by the present magnificent building, the old one was sold to the Christian church and after- ward transferred to W. C. Grimes, who used it as a wagon factory until it was destroyed by fire on the 22nd of October, 1872.
In January, 1848, D. F. Gaylord and Levi Reeve were authorized to fit up a ferry across the river, at Ottumwa, to continue twelve years. The petition praying for the incorporation of Ottumwa was presented to the board in Jan- uary. 1851. An election, in accordance with the prayer, was ordered to be held February 8, 1851.
THE TOWN LATER ON-PEN PICTURES.
In the year 1846, A. C. Leighton, who is now known as an old settler, but who was but a small boy at that time, came with his father and mother to Ottumwa; he was old enough. however, to receive vivid impressions of the little town on the borders of the great wilder- ness that then extended westward from this point to the Pacific Ocean. He remembers that when his father's family came here, Cass Hendershott was a babe in his mother's arms, six weeks old. There were then about 25 houses of all descriptions in the town, among which were two dry-goods stores and one wet grocery (saloon). There was a log house where the First Methodist Episcopal church
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now stands, on the corner of Fourth and Mar- and Jefferson streets, in a log house. There were no buildings on the south side of Main street from Green to Market. There was a mill yard near there. There were three small frame buildings on the south side of Main street between Green and Market. Where the Centennial building now stands there was a small "Tavern" kept by a Mr. Sharp. There was nothing more on the north side of Main street until the ground was reached where the St. Louis Store now is ; here was a frame build- ing occupied by John T. Baldwin as a general store. About where the Hammond building now stands, there was a log hotel established by David Hall, and then by his wife, "Aunt Becky." Seth Richards had a store in a log house a little east of where Charles Bachman's jewelry store is now. D. F. Gaylord had a grocery store where the west half of Bert Phil- lip's new store now is. There was a house above Washington street, about where the Dr. Hawkins property is; it was owned by a lau - yer, whose name was James Baker ; he went to Missouri and became rich, through transactions ket streets, and another log house on the oppo- site side of the street, where the Christian Science church is located ; there was a copious spring of water and a clump of trees on this ground. There was a log house on the corner of the square where the Public Library build- ing is being erected, near the court house. These were all the houses that were on Fourth street. On Fifth street there was a frame house, owned by Judge Paul C. Jeffries, which afterwards became the site for the Hendershott residence, and is now the site for the residence of T. D. Foster. There was a log house on Fifth street, where Senator Waterman's resi- dence is now. There was a log house on the corner of Market and Second streets, the ground now occupied by the Leighton block Joseph Hayne had a house on the Gillaspy property, northeast corner of Green and Second streets. John W. Ross had a house on the ground now occupied by W. B. Bonnifieldl' residence. S. S. Norris (the deacon ) had a frame house on the southwest corner of College and Second streets. Tay Sinnamon had a on St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad stock. house where T. II. Pickler's grocery is now lo- Charles F. Harrow lived on a high point. in cated. There was a brick-yard near there. a double log house, with a porch, above where Charley Blake's father was out of town-he General Iledrick's residence was located. Paris Caldwell lived out of town, on the place where he died ; he had made his claim there when the country was first settled. was located in a house now occupied by the Caster House. On the northeast corner of College and Second streets, there lived a man by the name of Lyons, in a small frame house.
On the southwest corner of College and Main streets, there was an old-fashioned tan- yard, with vats and a bark mill. James C. store is located. School was taught there so as Tolman lived on the southeast corner of Main
The court house, which has already been alluded to, and described, was located where the J. W. Edgerly & Company wholesale drug
not to conflict with terms of court. The first
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
school was taught by Miss Ann Norris, after- ward widow of Rev. B. A. Spakling, a man eminent for piety and good citizenship.
There was a log stable, where the city hall now is. There was a two-story frame dwelling where Harper & Melntire's wholesale house now is ; the building was occupied by the father of Joseph Myers, and by Thomas C. Coffin. The mill was at the foot of Market street; it was a steam saw and grist mill. The town company gave the mill company some lots. You hear it referred to as the "mill donation."
Dr. C. C. Warden was the only physician who practiced medicine here until about 1851. when he engaged in the dry-goods business with Joseph Leighton, father of A. C. Leigh- ton ; Joseph Leighton was elected county treas- urer: Dr. Warden then carried on the mer- cantile business in his own name.
It is to Dr. Warden's credit that while he was on the board of county supervisors he sold the miserable old county poor farm and pur- chased the new one. In 1848, R. 11. Warden, brother of the Doctor. came to Ottumwa and was prominently identified with the city and its business interests until his death, which took place July 13, 1900.
The following were residents of Ottumwa in 1846: Dr. C. C. Warden. Albert Mudge, S. S. Norris, H. B. Hendershott. Paul C. Jeff- ries. Benjamin Jeffries, D. F. Gaylord, Joseph Hayne, Thomas J. Devin, Joseph Leighton. David Armstrong, John Bran- denburg. Tay Sinnamon, John W. Ross, Reuben Ross, Cap. Ross, Peter Barnett, Will- iam Lewis, John Harkens, George D. Hack-
1
worth, A. G. Redeubaugh, George May, William H. Bromfield, John T. Baldwin, Grau, H. P. Graves, C. F. Blake, Bela White. These were about all the legal voters of the town; there were a few young men who drifted in and out but made no permanent residence in the town. Among those who came then or soon afterward were Seth Ogg, William McIntire and Michael Tullis.
From a series of papers published in the Democrat, in 1876. from the pen of J. W. Norris, the appearance of the town was quite primitive in 1845. Mr. Norris says: "No streets had been opened. Paths run across lots, every which way, like they were made by cows going to pasture. Indian wickinps were scattered over the bluff, a cluster of them being on the lot where we now live ( corner of College and Second streets )."
PROGRESS RECORDED.
The Courier of October 6, 1848, mentions that the enterprising contractors now carry the mail three times a week from Keokuk, and in 1849 the same paper says that building in Ot- tumwa was very brisk, but retarded by scarcity of lumber. Breadstuffs were scarce, on ac- count of the difficulties in getting the grain ground. Steamboats now began to arrive, bringing in freight and carrying out grain. The steamer "Revenue Cutter" arrived early in April, 1849. The water was high, and an excursion party boarded the vessel here and went up to Eddyville.
On November 23. 1849, a lyceum was or-
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ganized with Rev. B. A. Spaulding, president ; H. B. Hendershott, vice-president ; Bertrand Jones, recording secretary; J. W. Norris, cor- responding secretary; R. H. Warden, treas- urer ; and Joseph Leighton, librarian.
It will be news to many of the present gen- eration that such a project as a plank road was agitated. In February, 1850, a meeting was held in Ottumwa to discuss the construction of a plank road to meet the Burlington and Mount Pleasant plank road at Mount Pleas- ant. U'riah Biggs was president of the meet- ing: Thomas Ping and John C. Evans, vice- presidents ; and Bertrand Jones, secretary. A committee was appointed to represent the coun- ty at a plank road convention at Mount Pleas- ant on the 27th of February, said committee consisting of J. W. Norris, J. D. Devin. H. B. Hendershott, J. C. Ramsey, Thomas Ping. F. Newell, J. H. D. Street. S. M. Wright. J. H. Flint, Gideon Myers, B. Boydston, Bertrand Jones, Joseph Hayne. J. M. Peck, Dr. Yoe- mans, Uriah Biggs, G. B. Savery, Dr. . A. D. Wood, W. S. Carter. Dr. James Nosler, Madi- son Wellman. J. G. Baker, D. P. Inskeep. E. G. Mckinney, W. G. Martindale. . \. Ingra- ham. Andrew Major. William M. Dunlap ard Joshua Marshall. Ottumwa subscribed $8 .- 700 and Agency City and Ashland. $4.500. The project, however, was abandoned as rail- road interests began to crowd out such make- shifts as plank roads. The only plank road built in the State was one from Keokuk, point- ing in this direction about 15 miles. This stretch of road was maintained as late as 1854.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The court house is one of the finest west of the Missisippi River; it was built at a cost of $135,000. The postoffice was erected by the government at a cost of about $50,000. The Y. M. C. A. buikling is a handsome struc- ture : the high school was built at a cost of $75,000. There are several church buildings that are creditable in style of architecture. among which are the two Presbyterian churches: the Swedish Lutheran: Church of the Sacred Heart ( Roman Catholic) ; First Methodist ; and First Congregational.
STREET CARS, ELECTRIC LIGHTS AND STEAM HEATING.
The first electric light seen in Ottumwa was about the year 1882, which was produced by an isolated plant installed in Pallister Brothers' store. In the year 1886 the (t- tumwa Electric Light Company was organ- ized, which was later absorbed by the present plant, now known as the Ottumwa Electric Light & Steam Company. This company now operates the city and commercial lights, the street car line and the steam heating plant. During the past year they have installed mod- ern apparatus for lighting, using what is known as the Hartford system of street light- ing, with enclosed alternating lamps, and have a capacity for 8,000 incandescent lamps. The power plant consists of 1,000 horse-power en- gine capacity, 1,300 horse-power in boilers and
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
electrical units of 1,000 horse-power. They operate seven and one-half miles of track and run eight cars regularly,-they have a total of 18 cars ; the maximum grade is 10 per cent. A large amount of power is distributed to manufacturing plants. The company oper- ates about three miles of steam main. The officers of the company are: J. H. Merrill, president ; J. B. Sax, secretary : J. W. Garner, treasurer. This is distinctly an Ottumwa in- stitution, the stock being owned by Ottumwa parties.
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