USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 74
USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 74
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Platt Beard and Julia A. Reid were married June 17, 1852, by Thos. A. Minard, J. P. Julius Nelson and Lucy Whaley were married July 17, 1852, by C. J. White, J. P. Nelson Shattuck and Philena O'Connel Oct. 20, 1852, by Minard. Scott Shattuck and Elizabeth Inman Nov. 13, 1853, by Sewell Goodridge, ex- officio county judge.
Thos. A. Minard and C. J. White were the first justices of the peace in Makee township. Minard went to Kansas, where he be- came speaker of her first free-state legislature. He died in Den- ver but a few years since.
One of the first blacksmiths was Herbert Bailey, who built a little shop on the premises now owned by Wm. Ward; but there were two or three here in the fall of 1853.
The first physician in the village was one Burnham, although Dr. Flint was then on the Ridge. He (Burnham) made an assault upon Judge Williams, and shortly after left the country.
The pioneer lawyer was John J. Shaw, who came up from Lansing after the county seat was relocated in 1853. He was fol- lowed the same year by L. O. Hatch, and the next spring by John T. Clark, who had been out here the previous fall and returned to York state for his family.
From 1854 few towns in the west had a more steady, healthy and prosperous growth, and in 1856 it increased rapidly in popula- tion and business, the excellent farming country around filling up and furnishing her tradesmen with a wholesome retail business. The town flourished finely through the panic and hard times of '58 and '59, while the great majority of western villages were at a standstill or decreasing. Her growth was necessarily slow during and following the war, when this community made its full share of the tremendous sacrifice called for to preserve our union, but her course was ever upward and onward; and when it became necessary to take steps to preserve her prestige among the towns of the county, almost the entire community put aside all petty personal jealousies, and putting their united efforts in the en- deavor, succeeded in establishing for themselves railroad commu- nication with the outside world, in 1877, thereby placing the town and surrounding country in the way of a more prosperous career than they had ever enjoyed. In the village the "boom " was most apparent, builders and mechanics had far more than they could do; and .in two years the population was increased nearly 50 per cent, being 1,310 in September, 1879. In the country the failure of the wheat crop in the years since then has caused the advantages to be partially lost sight of, but they are no less real.
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HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
In the summer of 1877 Earle and Opfer put up the largest busi- ness block in town, a three-story brick, 62x70 feet. In September C. O. Howard began the erection of a grain elevator, to have a ca- pacity of 25,000 bushels, and began receiving grain Oct. 23, four days before the locomotive reached town. Five hundred bushels were stored that day, eight hundred the next, and on the 27th, the day the road was completed, two thousand, and the elevator was filled before the side-track was in readiness to ship it. J. B. Minert and H. F. Opfer erected another elevator that fall. Hem- enway, Barclay & Co. opened a lumber yard, and a second one was establisned the next season. The following summer many sub- stantial brick stores were erected, as well as a great many dwell- ings; and building has been active ever since. January 1st, 1880, there were counted up fifty-four dwellings and thirty-six business buildings-some of the latter comprising several stores each- built since the advent of the railroad, a little over two years, the total improvements footing up about $154,000, in that time.
The forty acres granted by G. C. Shattuck was actually sur- veyed in May, 1853; and in the fall was platted, which original plat was admitted to record Dec. 1st of that year.
Scott Shattuck's first addition, on the southwest of the original plat, was laid out Dec. 22, 1854. Pitt Shattuck's addition, on the west of the original plat, surveyed in May, '55, and admitted to record June 1, '57. Armstrong's addition, on the north side of Main street, west of Pitt Shattuck's, was acknowledged by R. C. and M. A. Armstrong July 17, '57. Delafield's addition, includ- ing all of west town and north beyond W. Spencer's present resi- dence, was made by Edward and Julia Floyd Delafield, by Walter, July 19, '58. Scott Shattuck's second addition, to the south of the original plat, and his third addition, including the southwest part of town, were acknowledged Dec. 10, '59. Pottle's addition, along the east side of the original plat, was made by W. R. Pot- tle, S. Miller, D. D. Doe and I. H. Hedge, and admitted to record Sept. 2,1861. Scott Shattuck's fourth addition, between his sec- ond and third, and including the grounds where the depot stands, was admitted of record Sept. 24, '68; and Hersey's addition-the extreme southern portion of town -- by A. J. and M. A. Hersey, May 27, 1878, or immediately following the advent of the railroad.
The town has never become incorporated, although the attempt was twice made. The first election for this purpose was held Feb. 29, 1876, and resulted in 114 votes against the proposed measure and 98 in favor. The question was a second time sub- mittee to a vote Oct. 25, 1878, resulting as follows : Against, 134; for, 108.
The population of the village is now, 1882, estimated at about 1,500. In 1860 it was about 500.
678
HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
NAME.
It has been said that the name Waukon (or Wawkon, as it was invariably spelled in the fifties), was that of a Winnebago chief, commonly known as "John Wawkon," and was given to this village by John Haney, Jr., at the time the county seat was lo- cated here. Some have supposed, however, that it was in honor of another chief, Wachon-Decorah, after whom Decorah was named, and which we find translated in some places as "The White Crow," the prefix "Wachon," or " Wakon," apparently being a distinguishing title of greatness or power. He had lost an eye, and was usually known as "One-eyed Decori," his name be- ing variously spelled in those days, other forms being " Decorrie," " De-Kauray,""" De-Corie," "Decoria," "Decari," and " De- corra." Wawkon-or some form of that word-seems to have been of somewhat common occurrence among the Winnebagoes, with whom it would appear to have signified "thunder," as we find the signatures to a treaty of Feb. 27, 1855, to be as follows : " Wawkon chaw-hoo-no-kaw, or Little Thunder," and "Wawkon- chaw-koo-kaw, The Coming Thunder." Among the Sioux it was also in use, and signified " spirit," as, " Minne-Waukon, Spirit Lake," etc. As the Sioux and Winnebagoes are both branches of the great Dakota family it is natural this term should have similar significance with each. Capt. Jonathan Carver in 1766 gave his name to a cave of amazing depth near St. Anthony, which he writes was called by the Indians, " Wakon-tubi." or " Wakan-tipi." And in another document it is related that " the Dakotas, seeing a Frenchman shoot a turkey, called his gun 'maza wakan-de."" And attached to a treaty June 3, 1825, we find " Wacan-da-ga- tun-ga, or Great Doctor." In Tuttle's History of Iowa we find " Wah-con-chaw-kaw " was a "big Indian." Another Winne- bago chief often alluded to was " Whirling Thunder," which would not be inaptly derived from our cyclones. From all of which it would seem that among the Indians the term from which Waukon is derived originally signified something great and powerful, or supernatural. For some of the above facts we are indebted to A. M. May, who unearthed them from the archives of the Wisconsin State Historical Society.
In the Lansing Intelligencer, July 1853, a visit from the vener- able chief "Wawkon," is recorded, he having encamped near town with over one hundred of his braves. He was then described as being over one hundred years old, and as having "a white head and scarred face." And in tne Waukon Standard of March 12, 1868, we find that "John Waukon, a son of the distinguished Indian in honor of whom this village was named, was in town the other day. Heis physically a fine specimen of the red man, stand- ing five feet eleven inches in his moccasins, slim and straight as an arrow, with broad shoulders and deep chest." Among other
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HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
documents in his possession was a parchment given to his father, bearing the signature of John Quincy Adams, certifying that his father, 'a distinguished warrior and speaker,' had visited the seat of government, held friendly council with the President, and as- sured him of the desire of the Winnebagoes to preserve perpetual friendship with the whites." What became of the old original John we do not know, as his death has been reported at different places and dates; but it seems that he has numerous descendants. Our townsman G. W. Hays, who was in business at Lansing thirty years since, while in that city within the past year was ac- costed by an old Indian who recognized him and introduced him- self as "John Waukon." He was a river hand and said he had two brothers, one of whom was still living in Dakota, and all of them were "Johns." Being asked what had become of his father he said "he died at Prairie du Chien twenty years ago."
POSTOFFICE.
A postoffice was first established at Waukon in the early fall of 1853, with Scott Shattuck as postmaster. He was succeeded by L. T. Woodcock, and he by W. Beale, who served in that capacity from 1856 to '59, when R. C. Armstrong was appointed. The latter served but a year or two, having met with the misfortune of finding one morning that the valuables in his office had disap- peared during the night. The brunt of this misfortune fell upon his bondsmen, as he departed from the county; and he was succeeded by one H. Stroud, a shoemaker, in the latterpart of '60 or in' 61. Stroud was postmaster but a short time, and was followed by E. L. Bab- bitt, who in turn was succeeded by L. G. Calkins, in 1862, who held the office during 1863. During most of his term, however, L. M. Bearce was his deputy, and virtually postmaster, Calkins having but little to do with the office. From 1864 up to 1871 Wm. R. Pottle was the incumbent, and during his term, in July 1870, it was made a money order office. Mr. Pottle died in March, 1872. In January 1871 Mrs. E. E. Stevens succeeded to the of- fice, which she continued to hold until succeeded by the present incumbent, D. W. Reed, July 1, 1879. It is now one of the ten Presidential offices in this Congressional District, and has four daily mails, viz: railroad, Lansing, Postville, Decorah; two tri- weekly: McGregor, and Lansing via Village Creek; and two semi- weekly: Dorchester and Hardin.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in Makee townsip was taught by L. W. Hersey, in the winter of 1852-3, in a little log house built by Azel Pratt on Makee Ridge, an almost entirely New England settle- ment. The following winter F. M. Clark taught in the same building, with such pupils as John and Hersey Pratt, Lib. Bearce, etc. The next summer-'54-the Makee school house was built,
680
HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
a good sized frame building with a steeple, which still stands in good preservation and is used for the same purpose. So far as we have been able to ascertain it was the first school house built in Makee township. In 1853 or '54 D. D. Doe taught a school in a log hut just east of town; but the first school in Waukon was taught by L. O. Hatch, and we give the circumstances as we ob- tained them from him:
" In the summer of 1854 Mr. John Israel and myself united in buying from the county, at $15 each, four lots on the hill just east of the premises now owned by Dr. Barnes. On these lots, in the fall of that year, with a little help from Charley Jenkins, we built with our own hands a small frame dwelling house-the fourth frame building erected in Waukon. As winter approached we found ourselves with a school district duly organized, embrac- ing several families in and about Waukon, but no school house and no teacher. Our house aforesaid being nearly finished it was rented as a school house for the winter of 1854-5, and I was em- ployed as the teacher. I was paid $15 or $18 per month, and "boarded around' in the families of such men as Samuel Hues- tis, Robert Isted, John A. Townsend, James Maxwell, and others. I had had considerable experience as a teacher, but I was never in a school made up of brighter or better pupils than those that gath- ered around me on long, rude benches that winter, among whom I may mention the names of Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Judge Granger, Mrs. John Griffin, Fred. Clark, and Ichabod Isted."
We may add that this house was surrounded by a rail fence, said to have been the first fence in town of any description.
In 1855 this school district purchased Lots 2, 3, 4 and 5, in block 5, Scott Shattuck's addition, and erected thereon a substan- tial frame school house, 27x40 feet in size, Wm. Ramsdall being the carpenter. It was all in one room except cloak rooms at the north end, but later it was divided into two rooms when the school was first graded under two teachers. This old school building served as a place for public gatherings of all kinds for several years, until Hersey's hall was finished in the large building south of the Mason House. It was occupied by traveling pano- ramas, magic lantern exhibitions, etc., and once or more did the county agricultural society have its fair on the premises. Es- pecially will the lyceums be remembered by the old residents, with the concerts by the old glee club, and other interesting entertain- ments by home talent-to say nothing of the singing schools. The earliest meetings of the religious denominations were also held there, before they were able to erect places of worship. Af- ter the school district purchased its present school building and grounds, the old school house was sold to O. S. Hathaway, who in November, 1868, moved it down onto West street, and converted it into a wagon shop, where it stands to-day, used for the same same purpose by M. Heiser. We find no record of school officers
681
HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
previous to 1859, in which year Moses Hancock was president; C. J. White, vice-president; A. G. Howard, secretary, and W. K. McFarland, treasurer.
Nov. 8, 1862, the independent district of Waukon was erected, comprising all of sub-district No. 8 in Makee township; the s. } of section 25, s. e. ¿ section 26, n. e. ¿ section 35, and all of section 36 in Union Prairie; and section 6, and w. ¿ section 5, in Jefferson township. The first election of school officers of this independent district was held Nov. 29, 1862, resulting as follows: W. K. McFarland, president; E. B. Lyons, vice-president; J. R. Brown, secretary, and Jacob Shew, treasurer. Directors: J. B. Plank, one year; A. A. Griffith, two years, (Mr. Griffith now a noted elocu- tionist of Chicago,) and J. W. Pennington, three years. The in- dependent district was formed with a view to effect a transfer of the Allamakee college building to the district, in which to estab- lish a graded school, and in December a committee was appointed to wait upon Prof. Loughran with that purpose. In February, 1863, a proposition of Prof. Loughran was rejected, and an at- tempt was made to secure the new court house, then standing va-
cant. At the regular meeting, March 9, D. W. Adams was elected president; Moses Hancock, vice-president; C. W. Walker, secretary, and I. H. Hedge, treasurer. Since that year the officers of the board have been as follows:
President-A. J. Hersey, 1864-66; L. O. Hatch, 1866-7; Martin Stone, 1867-9; C. T. Granger, 1869-73; John Goodykoontz, 1873- 6; A. L. Grippen, 1876; H. H. Stilwell, 1876-9; M. Stone, 1879- 80; J. W. Pratt, 1880-1; John Hall, 1881-2, present incumbent.
Treasurer- John Goodykoontz, 1864-73; L. W. Hersey, 1873- 82, present incumbent.
Secretary -- Robert Isted, 1864-5; T. C. Ransom, 1865-7; C. T. Granger, 1867-8; J. W. Pratt, 1868-74; A. J. Rodgers, 1874-82; E. M. Hancock, Sept., '82.
The present board of directors comprise John Hall, J. W. Pratt, H. H. Stilwell, D. W. Reed, M. B. Hendrick, and Martin Stone.
In the fall of 1864 an arrangement was made whereby Martin Stone was to teach the more advanced pupils of the school, in the College building, which had passed into his hands, and a similar arrangement was made the following year. In 1866 he sold the property to Thos. A. Cutler, who taught the school there the fol- lowing winter. In 1867 the District purchased the College prop- erty of Cutler for $4,000, and afterward sold the property in Shattuck's addition to various parties. In 1881 the school build- ing was improved by putting in furnace, heating and ventilating apparatus ..
Since 1867 the principals of the Waukon graded school have been: Charles F. Steveus, 1867-8; Miss Mary E. Post, spring term '68; A. M. May, 1868-69; Miss Hattie Keeler, spring term 169; Charles Cressey, 1869-70; J. H. Carroll, 1870-71; J. Laugh-
682
HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
ran, 1871-76; D. Judson, 1876-81; S. A. Harper, 1881-83. The present corps of subordinate teachers are: Miss Florence Belden, assistant principal; Miss Ida Grimes, 21 intermediate; Miss Lizzie Spaulding, 1st intermediate; Miss Anna B. Hall, 2d primary; Mrs. J. C. Crawford, 1st primary.
In 1863 the number of school age in the district was, males, 139; females, 168; total, 307. In 1882 it is, males, 227; females, 245; total, 472; with an attendance in school of something over 300.
Allamakee College .- March 6, 1859, J. C. Armstrong, J. B. Plank, C. J. White, Walter Delafield, M. G. Belden, R. C. Arm- strong, James Maxwell, Jacob Shew, Benj. H. Bailey, Joseph Savoie, T. J. Goodykoontz, William S. Cooke, John Chapman and Lewis H. Clark, associated themselves together in a corpora- tion to be known as the "Allamakee Association," to be under the supervision of the Colesburg Presbytery of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, for the purpose of erecting suitable buildings for the advancement of scientific and religious learning, to be known as the Waukon Seminary. Out of this grew the Allamakee Col- lege, an agreement being made the same year with Rev. J. Lough- ran, A. M., formerly president of Waynesburg College, Pennsyl- vania, for the erection and maintenance of a college on the fol- lowing plan: A number of citizens stipulated to draw, in his favor, their promissary notes, each for $125, payable in one year, for which they each received a certificate of scholarship, guaran- teeing the tuition of one student for five years in the institution, to commence when the building should be finished. At the end of the five years the title of the property was to pass to Mr. Loughran in full ownership, being paid for by said scholarships. To carry out this plan the stockholders selected R. C. Armstrong, Robert Isted. Walter Delafield, A. M. Haslip, L. G. Calkins, A. H. Hersey, W. R. Pottle, Jacob Shew and Jacob Plank, as "Trus-
tees of Allamakee College." Walter Delafield donated the whole of block 19, in his addition, comprising two acres on the sightliest spot in town, as the site of the building; and the trustees erected a three-story brick edifice, 47x64 feet, the heights of the stories being 11, 13 and 83 feet respectively. This was done in 1861, though the building was not finished for occupancy until the spring of '62. That fall there were ninety pupils in attendance, the whole number of students entitled to tuition on scholarships being but forty-eight.
Meanwhile Prof. Loughran had opened what was called the Waukon High School, Oct. 3, 1859, in the C. P. church, and con- ducted the same successfully for three years, or until the college building was completed. During that time he was assisted by J. C. Loughran, G. H. Brock, W. W. Likens, Mrs. Jennie Calkins, Mrs. Jennie Loughran, and Miss Pennoyer. Also by Prof. A. A. Griffith, elocutionist.
683
HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
The financial success of the college plan was not such as hoped for, and May 15, 1863, a corporation styled the Allamakee Colle- giate Institute, was formed for the purpose of cancelling the in- debtedness against the Allamakee College, and perpetuating the institution. In the same year the property was purchased by Mar- tin Stone, who sold it in 1866 to Thomas A. Cutler, and he to the Independent District of Waukon in 1867.
Waukon Seminary .- In July, 1876, Prof. Loughran bought the old German Presbyterian church building and removed it to his premises on Worcester street, where in September following he opened an institution of learning entitled as above, well supplied with maps, charts, chemical and philosophical apparatus, and more especially for the purpose of preparing students for teaching, or for a college course. Prof. Loughran had devoted a long and active life to the interests of education, and was exceedingly well qualified for instructing in the higher branches. His seminary is still in a flourishing condition.
CHURCHES.
Baptist .- On the 17th of June 1854 a number of members of this denomination met at the dwelling of Azel Pratt, on Makee Ridge, for the purpose of organizing a church. C. J. White was chosen moderator and Azel Pratt clerk, and it was voted to receive the members present, viz: Azel Pratt and wife, John G. Pratt, Lathrop Abbot and wife, Miles Nichols and wife, C. J. White, and Phoebe Hersey. These nine members received the right hand of fellowship by Elder James Scofield, and the name of Allamakee Baptist Church was adopted, of which John G. Pratt was chosen clerk. Jan. 20, 1855, Azel Pratt and Isaac D. Lambert were chosen as deacons. The first baptisms were on July 29th, 1855, when the rite was administered by Elder Schofield to the following candidates: F. G. Pratt and his wife Orillah' Pratt, Frances E. Hersey, Harriet E. Hersey, Mary Ann Hersey, Mary M. Pratt, and Phoebe Bearce. In May 1856, Elder Samuel Hill, jr. first performed the baptismal rite according to the record. During these years the church membership rapidly in- creased by letter and baptism, and public worship was held in the Makee school house. In 1857 Rev. L. M. Newell was secured as pastor, and covenant meetings were held at Waukon and the Ma- kee school house alternately, and in the next spring, 1858, the church assembled in Waukon, holding meetings in the school house. In 1860 services were held in the M. E. church every fourth Sunday. Rev. C. D. Farnsworth was with the church after Rev. Newell. In 1866 Rev. D. S. Starr was employed to preach a part of the time. In 1868 a frame church was built on the north side of Pleasant street, in which services were held for the first time Jan. 17, '69, by Rev. D. S. Starr, who was in April fol- lowing employed as regular pastor. Since then the several pastors.
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HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY.
have been L. L. Frick 1870-71; Geo. M. Adams 1872-3; John M. Wedgwood 1873-78; F. N. Eldridge 1878-81; M. H. Perry 1881-2, Robert Smith 1882, present pastor.
In the spring of 1871 the church purchased their present brick edifice, which they dedicated on the 5th of March. In the fall of 1872 it was supplied with a heating furnace in the basement; and in the spring of '76 a baptistery was put in. The frame church on Pleasant street was purchased by A. H. and Augustin e Hersey and remodeled into a place of residence. The present church officers are: Trustees, Sam'l Peck, A. H. Howard, W. L. F. Brayton; Deacon, Sam'l Peck; Clerk, J. W. Pratt; Treasurer, L. W. Hersey. The church membership is fifty-seven. There is a flourishing Sunday School, of which J. L. Pratt is superintend- ent. The choir, under the leadership of J. W. Pratt for many years, is one of the best in northern Iowa.
Methodist .- The M. E. church of Waukon was organized as early as 1854, but we find no record of the first members, the first stewards and trustees, or who first preached to this organization. A Methodist divine by name of Wm. Sweet held services in Ma- kee and Union Prairie in 1853 and '54, and doubtless did some of the earliest work in this church. In 1855 the Trustees were W. R. Pottle, E. B. Lyons, Thomas Feeley Edwin J. Raymond and John Israel. April 30th, 1855, the church purchased the corner lot on Allamakee and Worcester streets, now the property of J. H. Hale; but on March 24th, '59, the town growing more towards the west, they purchased lots 1 and 2, block 14, Dellafield's addi- tion, where the parsonage now stands, and afterwards sold the former property. The same year a good-sized frame church was erected on the new purchase. Previous to the completion of this, the society held services a part of the time in the C. Presbyterian church. This year, 1859, the Trustees were W. R. Pottle, E. J. Raymond, E. B. Lyons, Thos. Feeley, H. R. Pierce, Moses Wood and C. Bean; and the Stewards were D. Jaquis, A. Pinney, John Reed, S. Hamler, D. Miller, and J. W. Flint. April 20, 1867, the society purchased their present lot on the corner of Pitt and Wor- cester, and moved the church building thereon that year; erecting the parsonage on the upper lots the same season. Work on the present brick edifice was begun in May 1869, but it was not finish- until late in '71, being first occupied on Christmas evening, Decem- ber 25th. It was formally dedicated on Sunday, February 18th, 1872, the sermon on the occasion being preached by Rev. A. B. Kendig of Cedar Rapids. Presiding Elder Wm. Smith was also present. In May '72 the old frame church was sold to C. S. Stil- well, who moved it to the corner of Armstrong and Court streets and remodeled it into his present residence. The church has been heated by furnace since 1878; and other improvements made in the last two years. The present membership is about 160. . The Sunday School numbers about a hundred, with A. T. Still-
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