USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek county with biographical sketches of its eminent men > Part 5
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Elijah Middlebrook was elected Sheriff, by 20 majority, over James S. VanPelt.
Nelson Burdick was elected Recorder and Treasurer, over Wm. F. Kimball, by 73 majority. Mr. Burdick filled the office acceptably. He was continued in office until 1859.
Wm. Painter was elected Drainage Commissioner.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
CHAPTER VI.
POLITICAL HISTORY.
Levi Bullis-Sixth Election-Ezekiel E. Cooley-Eighth Election- Fudge Reed Holds Over-Ninth Election- Winneshiek's First Sena- tor - Hon. F. T. Atkins-First Special Election-G. N. Holway- f. E. Simpson -Hon. H. C. Bulis-The County Supervisor System -Hon. G. R. Willett-A. K. Bailey-Hon. Knudt Berg-Hon. M. N. Johnson.
The second chapter of the political history of the county commences with the spring election of 1854. At this age of the county, office began to be worth striving for. The county had increased wonderfully in population and wealth, and the force and energy of its hardy sons was fast developing its resources-so much so that it could afford to pay its public servants well for their services. At least, such is a logical suppo- sition, as office-seekers were ever numerous and willing to serve the public. In May, of this year, came to the county and settled at its capital, a young lawyer, just in his prime, who for many years afterward wielded a strong political influence in county affairs.
Levi Bullis was born April 5, 1828, in West Plattsburg, New York. He lived in Plattsburg until 26 years of age, and there acquired his education. He early attended the Balston Springs Law School, and acquired a legal education. In 1853 Mr. Bullis left his old home and came to Illinois, where he remained about a year, when he was induced, by the flattering reports he received from Averill, an old schoolmate, to emigrate from there to Iowa. He reached Decorah May, 1854, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession. The first week after his arrival he tried a case and won it. Mr. Bullis was elected one of the original members of the Board of Supervisors in 1860. Although active in politics in the county, yet this is the only office he was ever elected to. It was his friends that he worked for in politics, and not himself, and not unfrequently have they succeeded through his instrumentality. Mr. Bullis is characterized with a rough exterior and a warm heart. He has aided more young men to position, and placed them on the road to success, than perhaps any other man in the county. He was married in 1864 to Abbie R. Dibble, of Whitehall, New York.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
The many political contests that followed that of 1854 were waged by two parties known as the Bullis and Cooley factions. The parties were named thus because their recognized leaders were respectively Levi Bullis and E. E. Cooley. Many rich incidents could be told that took place in the contest that ensued under the dictatorship of these men.
At the sixth election, held in August, 1854, there were 262 votes cast for the office of State Representative, of which number James D. Mckay received 194, and his opponent, Wm. H. Morrison, 68. James D. Mckay was declared elected.
Aaron Newell was elected Clerk of the District Court over Daniel Carrier.
Albert B. Webber was elected Prosecuting Attorney over Calvin Farnsworth.
The newly-elected Prosecuting Attorney failed to qualify. The County Judge appointed Dryden Smith to fill the vacancy, and he, too, resigned. J. T. Atkins was appointed, accepted, and served through the term.
In the seventh political contest held in the county, April, 1855, a vote was taken on the prohibitory liquor law. The result stood as follows: for the law, 167; and against it, 169.
Hon. E. E. Cooley was elected Prosecuting Attorney, over Levi Bullis, J. B. Onstine and William Bailey.
Ezekiel E. Cooley was born in Victory, Cayuga County, New York, Jan. 12, 1827. He received an academic education, and at the age of 17 commenced teaching school, which occupation he followed five years. In 1847 he emigrated to Kentucky, where he taught, and read law with Judge Trimble, and was admitted to the bar in 1849. He returned to New York, and from there emigrated to Decorah, in October, 1854, where he has ever since continued the practice of his profession, with an exception of one year spent in the army.
In 1857 he was elected member of the first Legislature, under the new state constitution, and served with marked ability. He was appointed postmaster of Decorah, in 1861, and held the office until he resigned, in 1863. In September, 1864, President Lincoln appointed him commis- sary of subsistence, with the rank of Captain of cavalry. He was brevetted Major for meritorious conduct, and was honorably discharged in November, 1865. In 1868 and 1870, he was warmly supported by the Republicans of his county for the nomination to Congress, but the other counties of his district carried the majority for his competitor.
Mr. Cooley was married at Dubuque, in 1865, to Miss Jane'M. Rhodes, then of that city.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
In the legal profession Mr. Cooley has few peers in Northern Iowa, and few have made themselves a better public and private record. He has ever had the interest of his city and county at heart, and has been identified with many of the enterprises that have proved beneficial to the community in which he has so long resided.
The eighth election was held on the 6th of August, 1855, and resulted in the choice of the following persons to fill the respective county offices :
In this election there were no less than five candidates for the office of County Judge. The canvassing board returned the following count : Joseph Gibbons had 205 votes for the office, while his opponents in the race had the following number of votes respectively : J. T. Atkins, 195; William Painter, 10; David Reed, 9, and N. Otis I.
Joseph Gibbons received 10 more votes for the office than were cast for J. T. Atkins. But Jas. B. Cutler, in behalf of himself and others, contested the election. A court was formed to hear the case, Judge Reed presiding, with C. L. Childs and J. D. Jenkins assisting, by choice of the parties. A hot contest ensued ; no less than twenty-seven witnesses be- ing examined. The case was this : the trustees of Bloomfield township had changed the voting place from Moneek to Castalia, without giving the required legal notice. Thirteen persons were found who testified that they went to Moneek, as usual, to vote, and not hearing of the change, were unable to do so. They also swore that if they had voted it would have been in favor of J. T. Atkins as County Judge. The lawyers were heard, of course, and the whole case was gone over most profoundly. That an informality existed in the vote of that township was quite clear. Its effect upon the entire vote was the main question. We at this day would decide promptly, that at most only the vote of Bloomfield town- ship should have been thrown out. The court decided to set aside the entire election, as to Judge, and no one was declared elected. One of the assistants has since explained, that instead of being satisfied with this, there were some who " cussed the court like pizen," because they did not declare the entire election void. The result was to continue Judge Reed in office for two years more, during which time he built and left as his legacy, the (for the times) splendid court house, which is only now becoming too cramped for public use. .
L. Butler resigned the office of Liquor Agent on the 26th of June, 1856, to which office he had previously been appointed. The duties of this officer were to superintend the sale of liquors in the county, that is,
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIER COUNTY.
to see that no one trafficked in liquors except those who sold it for medicinal purposes.
Butler's resignation was accepted, and H. C. Bulis appointed to fill the vacancy, on the 30th of June, 1856. This office was discontinued at the expiration of his term.
The tenth election was held in August, 1856.
L. W. Griswold was elected Prosecuting Attorney, over S. A. Tupper.
Nathaniel Otis was elected Clerk of the District Court, over D. H. Hughes and G. W. Esty. Previous to this election the county had been organized into eleven voting precincts.
This election gave to Winneshiek County her first senatorial officer, in the person of J. T. Atkins.
At this date Winneshiek county was but a portion of the 34th Sen- atorial District, which was composed of the following counties : Win- neshiek, Allamakee, Howard, Floyd and Mitchell. The total vote of this entire senatorial district was 2,331, of which number J. T. Atkins received 1,599, as against 716 for Edward Ellis, his opponent.
J. T. Atkins was born in Phillipstown, Worcester County, Mass., April 4, 1811. The early part of his life was spent in the Eastern States, where he followed steamboating as a vocation during the season when navigation was open, and taught school during the winter months. He received a common school education. Mr. Atkins immigrated to Indiana in 1835, where he commenced a real estate brokerage business. In 1851 there was much talk of the " new purchase " a part of which was Win- neshiek county. The Judge contracted the fever, and came to Winne- shiek County, Jowa, in the autumn of that year. Here he resumed his old business, that of land speculating, and also practiced law for several years, but not being a resident at the county seat, he concluded to abandon his.profession and give his attention solely to his speculations.
October 19, 1854, he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney and Enroll- ing Officer, by Gov. Kirkwood. He was elected County Judge, at one time, but failed to qualify. In 1867 he was chosen to represent this county in the State Legislature.
The first special election was held on the roth of October, 1856. The question at stake was whether the county should vote $100,000 in aid of the Northwestern Railroad. There were 926 votes cast in favor of it, and 505 against.
The eleventh election was held in April, 1857, in which contest James B. Smith was elected to the office of Sheriff. George N. Holway was elected to the office of County Assessor.
6
42
HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
George .N. Holway was born in Sandwich, Mass., September 29, 1826. He received his education at Sandwich and Providence. He immigrated to Iowa in 1852, and made a permanent settlement at Hesper. He soon afterward became identified with the political affairs of the county. He was first elected County Assessor. He has been elected to the office of Treasurer, Supervisor and County Superintendent. In 1859 Mr. G. N. Holway was a candidate against Judge D. H. Hughes and L. D. Griswold. In this election he was barely defeated. Mr. Holway has done more, perhaps, than any other citizen, for the advancement of the educational interests of the county . The election of 1859 is noted as having been the most exciting political fight that ever disturbed the quiet of Winneshiek County. It was a struggle between the Cooley and Bullis factions for the supremacy. It was a bitter personal fight, and the atmosphere was laden with abusive per- sonal attacks and vituperation.
James E. Simpson was elected to the office of Drainage Commissioner.
James E. Simpson was born in New York City, August 10, 1833. He received his education in the public schools of that State. He immi- grated to Allamakee County in 1855. In that county he was engaged in teaching school and surveying until the summer of 1856, when he moved to Decorah, and that winter taught the public school of the latter place. That spring he was appointed Deputy County Surveyor, in which position he continued as Deputy and County Surveyor until 1860. In 1860 he was appointed Deputy Clerk under S. W. Paul. He was elected County Superintendent in 1861, which office he resigned to enter the United States service. He enlisted in Co. G, Twelfth Iowa Volunteers. He was made Orderly Sergeant, and promoted to Second Lieutenant. He resigned his lieutenancy during the summer of 1862, on account of ill health. On his return home he again resumed the office of County Superintendent. In 1863 he was appointed Deputy Provost Marshal of Winneshiek County, which office he filled until he was mustered out of the service in 1865. In 1866 he was appointed United States Revenue Inspector of the Third lowa District. It 1868 he was retained as one of the twenty-five United States Revenue Agents, and remained in the service until September, 1876. He was married to Mary A. Rankin, of Frankville, in July, 1860.
L. W. Griswold resigned the office of Prosecuting Attorney July 11, 1857. Dryden Smith was appointed to fill the office made vacant by Griswold's resignation, July 21, 1857, and was elected as Prosecuting
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
Attorney in the October election, 1857. The following winter. this office was abolished.
The next election was held August, 1857, at which there were 894 votes cast for County Judge. L. W. Griswold was the successful candidate for this office over S. A. Tupper.
J. B. Smith was re-elected Sheriff over E. M. Farnsworth.
Nelson Burdick was re-elected Recorder and Treasurer over J. Oleson. L. W. Ludlow was elected County Surveyor over David Gorsuch.
Amos Hoag was elected Coroner over George Cooney.
There were 345 majority for the new State Constitution.
In the October election following, E. E. Cooley was elected State Representative by a majority of 512, over Wm. F. Kimball.
Dryden Smith was elected Prosecuting Attorney by 481 majority over S. A. Tupper.
Dryden Smith was an Indianian. He early came to the county, and figured quite prominently in political affairs.
The spring election of 1858 was held on the 14th of April. The only county officer elected in this contest was that of Superintendent of Public Instruction. It was the first officer of this character elected in the county, and H. C. Bulis was the man on whom this honor was con- ferred by the people.
Hon. H. C. Bulis was born in Chazy, Clinton County, New York, on the 14th of November, 1830 He studied medicine in Vermont, with Dr. A. C. Butler, and graduated at the Vermont Medical College, Woodstock, Vt. He came to Winneshiek County a young man, in October, 1854, and taught the first month of the second term of school that was taught in the village.
Politically the doctor was a strong Clay Whig, and latterly as ardent a Republican. Previous to his being elected County Superintendent he had been appointed commissioner for the sale of intoxicating liquors, by Judge Reed. At the expiration of his term this office was discontinued. He was next elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, and was made its president. In 1865 he was elected State Senator, and served his constituency four years in this capacity, during which time he was elected a trustee of the Iowa State University.
In 1869 he was returned to the State Senate. He served one year of his second term, during which time he was elected President pro tem. by the House of Representatives.
In 1871, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of the State. His thorough knowledge of parliamentary rules peculiarly fitted him for this
R. Pa.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
new responsibility. He discharged the duties of this office honorably, efficiently and faithfully.
In August, 1876, he was appointed by President Grant a member of the Indian Commission, whose duty it was to' treat with the Sioux Indians for the purchase of the Black Hills territory. Dr. Bulis was absent five months on this mission. The object of the commission was, nnally, successfully accomplished.
In the October election of 1858, there were 1,305 votes polled for Clerk of the District Court. S. W. Paul was declared elected to the office, over K. K. Buckman, by 190 majority.
James E. Simpson was elected County Surveyor, over David Gorsuch. In the elections of 1859, the following officers were elected :
Erick Anderson, Sheriff; S. W. Matteson, Clerk; T. W. Burdick, Recorder and Treasurer; A. K. Averill, County Surveyor; John R. Howard, Coroner; W. F. Coleman, County Superintendent of Public Instruction.
In the fall election of 1860, which took place on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November, S. W. Matteson was re-elected Clerk of the District Court.
In 1860 the County Supervisor system took the place of the County Judge regime, each organized township being represented in the Board by one representative. In 1870 this gave place, in turn, to what is really the commissioner system, but the officers were still called super- visors.
The following persons have filled these offices since that date: M. S. Drury, G. C. Winship and A. Arneson, elected in 1870. M. S. Drury was re-elected in 1872, and the number of members being increased to five, F. G. Hale and C. Sydow were elected at the same time.
F. Brittian was elected in 1873. Charles Meyers and G. C. Win- ship re-elected in 1874.
Peter Morton and Turner Callendar were elected in 1875, and H. Giesing was appointed to fill vacancy caused by the death of Charles Meyers.
In 1861 the following persons were elected to fill the various county offices :
M. V. Burdick, State Senator.
W. H. Baker and Ole Nelson, State Representatives.
Erick Anderson, re-elected Sheriff.
S. W. Matteson, re-elected clerk of the District Court.
T. W. Burdick, re-elected Treasurer and Recorder.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
E. Baldwin, elected County Surveyor, which office he held continu- ously until 1869, being re-elected in 1863-5-7.
C. McKay, Coroner, which office he held until 1871, being re-elected in 1865-7-9.
In 1862 the following offices were filled by election and appointment :
S. W. Matteson, re-elected Clerk of the District Court, and re-elected in 1864.
H. C. Bulis, appointed County Superintendent.
J. M. Wedgwood elected County Superintendent October, 1862 ; re-elected in 1863-5-7-9.
T. W. Burdick resigned the Treasurership to enlist in the United States army, in 1862, and G. R. Willett was appointed to fill the vacancy made by the resignation.
Following is a list of the names of the men who have been elected to the office of State Senator :
H. C. Bulis, in 1865 ; re-elected in 1869; Dr. Bulis resigned in 1871.
Hon. G. R. Willett was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of H. C. Bulis, and was again elected to the office for four years in 1873.
Hon. G. R. Willett was born in Lacadie, Province of Quebec, No- vember 11, 1826. Though born in Canada, yet both his parents were Americans. He spent the early part of his life in Canada, and received his education there. He studied law at Champlain, New York, and graduated at the Albany Law School. He was admitted to the bar in that city in 1856. He practiced law in Champlain until 1857, when he came west and settled in Decorah. He raised the first company of volunteers to fight for the Union, namely, Company D, Third Iowa Infantry. He was wounded in the knee in 1861, which so disabled him that he was obliged to resign and return home. In 1864 he was elected County Judge. During the winter of 1874 he was elected President pro tem. of the Senate. He was Chairman of the Committee on Con- stitutional Amendments, and during the session of 1875 he was Chair- man of the Judiciary Committee. He was also a member of the Com- mittee on Railroads, Insurance and Judicial Districts. From 1868 to 1872 he was President of the Winneshiek Woolen Manufacturing Com- pany. He was married at the age of 21 to Miss Alinda C. Kellogg, in Champlain, New York. Mr. Willett has occupied many high posi- tions within the gift of the people, and has always discharged his trust honorably and faithfully. His legal ability is recognized abroad as well
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
as at home. As evidence of this fact, the reader is referred to his appointment as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
The following persons have been elected to represent the county in the State Legislature :
Knudt Bergh and Warren Danforth, 1871.
Knudt Bergh was born in Norway, and came to America when a boy, with his father, and settled in Highland township. Mr. Bergh early ap- preciated the value of an education, and strove with all his energy to attain the high place he afterward reached in educational circles. An adopted citizen, he became an American in all that the name implies. He was an exemplary man, and revered by all who knew him. In the legislative halls of the state he served his county with fairness and ability.
Mr. Bergh was a graduate of the University of St. Louis. He after- ward became one of the professors in the Norwegian Lutheran College. His health failed him, and in 1873 he visited his native country, where he died of consumption, on the 16th of June, 1875, at Eide, Hardanger, Norway.
H. B. Williams, elected in 1864, to fill vacancy caused by the death of Ole Nelsen.
James B. Brown and H. B. Williams were elected in 1865.
H. B. Williams and J. T. Atkins were elected 1867.
H. B. Williams and O. A. Lomen were elected in 1869.
Warren Danforth and John DeCow, 1873.
Warren Danforth and M. N. Johnson, 1875.
M. N. Johnson, born in Racine County, Wisconsin, March 3, 1850, immigrated to Winneshiek County, Iowa, the same spring. He attended the public schools, fitted himself for college at the Upper Iowa Univer- sity, and graduated in class '73, at the Iowa State University. He also graduated in the law class of '76, at the same institution. He entered politics in the fall of 1875, and was elected by the Republicans to the the State Legislature. He was elected Presidential elector in 1876.
The following persons have filled the office of Sheriff :
A. S. Skofstadt, elected 1867.
Knudt Thompson, elected 1869, and re-elected in 1871.
C. H. Hitchcock, elected 1873.
J. H. Womeldorf, elected 1875.
Dan Lawrence was elected Clerk of the District Court in 1866.
M. P. Hathway succeeded D. Lawrence, in 1868.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
S. E. Tubbs succeeded M. P. Hathway, in 1870, and was re-elected in 1872.
A. W. Brownell was elected in 1874.
F. B. Hutchinson succeeded A. W. Brownell, in 1876.
The following persons have filled the office of County Treasurer for Winneshiek County :
A. K. Bailey, 1863.
G. N. Holway, 1865 and 1867.
G. T. Lomen, 1869 and 1871.
Edwin Klove, 1873, 1875, 1876.
A. K. Bailey was born Nov. 18, 1835, in Wales, New York. Wesley Bailey, his father, through his abolition principles, became pub- lisher of a newspaper, with the avowed object of doing his share towards educating public opinion in the interests of the downtrodden slave.
A. K. Bailey, at thirteen years of age, entered his father's office as an apprentice. He acquired a thorough knowledge of the printer's trade, which has since proved invaluable to him as a publisher. He came to Decorah in March, 1860, and commenced the publication of the Re- publican, April 5, 1860, in partnership with his father. Mr. Bailey, as County Treasurer gave universal satisfaction, and filled his office with credit to himself and the county. In 1868, he was appointed Post- master of Decorah, which official position he has ever since filled with efficiency. His position as publisher has compelled him to take an active part in politics. Mr. Bailey has many warm friends and some bitter enemies. His enemies, generally, are those who have been thwarted in political schemes. He is an honest, sympathetic, generous and benevolent christian. Mr. Bailey is a politician, not a schemer, and a man of strong character, whose word is its worth in gold.
In 1864, the Recorder's office was separated from the Treasurer's, and that same year John E. Powers was elected as the first independent Recorder. He was re-elected, 1866.
Cyrus Mckay was elected Recorder in 1868, 1870 and 1871.
Chas. Steen succeeded C. McKay, in 1874, and was re-elected in 1876.
Henry Toye was elected County Superintendent in 1871.
G. N. Holway succeeded H. Toye, in 1873.
Nels Kessey was elected County Superintendent in 1875.
W. C. Adsit was elected Surveyor in 1869, 1871, 1873.
J. L. Cameron was elected in 1875.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
F. W. Knox was elected Coroner in 1871; A. C. Ferran in 1873, and A. H. Fannon, 1875.
The political contest of 1876 deserves more than a mere mention in a work of this character. A complete history of this campaign, so far as participated in by Winneshiek County alone, would be sufficient to make a neat volume. The political campaign of 1876 gave to Winne- shiek her first member in the National House of Representatives. This event alone entitles the Centennial political struggle to more than a passing notice.
The honored son on whom this distinction was bestowed was Hon. T. W. Burdick. The office sought the man, and not the man the office. Unknown to him, his friends in the County Convention nominated him as Winneshiek's favorite for Congressional honors, and sent a solid dele- gation to the Congressional Convention, instructed to vote for T. W. Burdick. The Congressional Convention was held at McGregor, Sep- tember 6, 1876. Mr. Burdick went into the Convention supported by only the nineteen delegates sent from Winneshiek County, but these nineteen stood by him, first and last, until, on the twenty-second ballot, the unanimous vote of the Convention gave him the nomination for Congress, amidst cheers and great excitement. Two years before a Democrat had been elected to Congress, and the district was known to be close. The contest that followed was perhaps the fiercest ever waged in the district.
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