USA > Iowa > History of western Iowa, its settlement and growth. A comprehensive compilation of progressive events concerning the counties, cities, towns, and villages-biographical sketches of the pioneers and business men, with an authentic history of the state of Iowa > Part 9
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
The Commissioners met and commenced their labors on the 8th day of June, 1868, at Independence. The act under which they were appointed required them to select the most eligible and de- sirable location, of not less than 320 acres, within two miles of the City of Independence, that might be offered by the citizens free of charge to the State. Several such tracts were offered, but the Commissioners finally selected the south half of southwest quarter of Section 5; the north half of northeast quarter of Sec- tion 7; the north half of northwest quarter of Section 8, and the north half of northeast quarter of Section 8, all in Township 88 north, Range 9 west of the Fifth Principal Meridian. This loca- tion is on the west side of the Wapsipinicon River, and about a mile from its banks, and about the same distance from Indepen- dence.
The contract for erecting the building was awarded for $88,114. The contract was signed November 7, 1868, and work was at once commenced. The main buildings were constructed of dressed limestone, from the quarries at Anamosa and Farley. The base- ments are of the local granite worked from the immense boulders found in large quantities in this portion of the State.
In 1872, the building was so far completed that the Commis- sioners called the first meeting of the Trustees, on the 10th day of July of that year. The building was ready for occupancy April 21, 1873.
In 1877, the south wing was built, but was not completed ready for occupancy until the Spring or Summer of 1878.
Trustees, 1881 :- Erastus G. Morgan, Fort Dodge, President; Jed. Lake, Independence; Mrs. Jennie C. Mckinney, Decoralı; Lewis H. Smith, Algona; David Hammer, McGregor: A. Reynolds, M. D., Independence, Medical Superintendent; W. G. Donnan, In- dependence, Treasurer.
IOWA COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND.
Vinton, Benton County.
In August, 1852, Prof. Samuel Bacon, himself blind, estab- lished an Institution for the Instruction of the blind of Iowa, at Keokuk.
By act of the General Assembly, entitled, " An act to establish an Asylum for the Blind," approved January 18, 1853, the institu- tion was adopted by the State, removed to Iowa City, February 3d, and opened for the reception of pupils April 4, 1853, free to all the blind in the State.
76
HISTORY OF IOWA.
The Board of Trustees appointed Prof. Samuel Bacon, Principal; T. J. MeGittigen, Teacher of Music, and Mrs. Sarah K. Bacon, Matron. Twenty-three pupils were admitted during the first term.
In his first report, made in 1854, Prof. Bacon suggested that the name should be changed from "Asylum for the Blind," to that of " Institution for the Instruction of the Blind." This was done in 1855, when the General Assembly made an annual appropriation for the College of $55 per quarter for each pupil. This was subse- quently changed to $3,000 per annum, and a charge of $25 as an admission fee for each pupil, which sum, with the amounts real- ized from the sale of articles manufactured by the blind pupils, proved sufficient for the expenses of the institution during Mr. Bacon's administration.
On the 8th of May, 1858, the Trustees met at Vinton, and made arrangements for securing the donation of $5,000 made by the cit- izens of that town.
In June of that year a quarter section of land was donated for the College, by John W. O. Webb and others, and the Trustees adopted a plan for the erection of a suitable building. In 1860, the plan was modified, and the contract for enclosing let for $10,420.
In August, 1862, the building was so far completed that the goods and furniture of the institution were removed from Iowa City to Vinton, and early in October the School was opened there with twenty-four pupils.
Trustees, 1881 :- Clinton O. Harrington, Vinton; S. H. Watson, Vinton, Treasurer; J. F. White, Sidney; M. H. Westerbrook, Lyons; W. H. Leavitt, Waterloo; Jacob Springer. Watkins; Rev. Robert Carothers, Principal of the Institution, and Secretary of the Board.
INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.
Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County.
The Iowa Institution for the Deaf and Dumb was established at lowa City by an act of the General Assembly, approved January 24, 1855. The number of deaf mutes then in the State was 301; the number attending the Institution, 50.
A strong effort was made, in 1866, to remove this important in- stitution to Des Moines, but it was located permanently at Council Bluffs, and a building rented for its use. In 1868, Commissioners were appointed to locate a site for, and to superintend the erection of a new building, for which the Legislature appropriated $125,- 000 to commence the work of construction. The Commissioners selected ninety acres of land about two miles south of the city of Council Bluffs. The main building and one wing were completed October 1, 1870, and immediately occupied by the Institution. February 25, 1877, the main building and east wing were des- troyed by fire; and August 6th, following, the roof of the new
77
HISTORY OF IOWA.
west wing was blown off and the walls partially demolished by a tornado. At the time of the fire, about one hun- dred and fifty pupils were in attendance. After the fire, half the classes were dismissed and the number of scholars reduced to about seventy, and in a week or two the school was in running order.
Trustees, 1881 :- B. F. Clayton, Macedonia, President; J. H. Stubenrauch, Pella, Treasurer; Louis Weinstein, Burlington. Rev. A. Rogers, Superintendent.
SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOMES. Davenport, Cedar Falls, Glenwood.
The movement which culminated in the establishment of this beneficient institution was originated by Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, during the civil war of 1861-65. This noble and patriotic lady called a convention at Muscatine, on the 7th of October, 1863, for the purpose of devising measures for the support and educa- tion of the orphan children of the brave sons of Iowa, who had fallen in defense of national honor and integrity. So great was the public interest in the movement that there was a large repre- sentation from all parts of the State on the day named, and an association was organized called the Iowa State Orphan Asylum.
The first meeting of the Trustees was held February 14, 1864, in the Representative Hall, at Des Moines. Committees from both branches of the General Assembly were present and were in- vited to participate in their deliberations. Arrangements were made for raising funds.
At the next meeting, in Davenport, in March, 1864, the Trus- tees decided to commence operations at once, and a committee was appointed to lease a suitable building, solicit donations, and pro- cure suitable furniture. This committee secured a large brick building in Lawrence, Van Buren County, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mt. Pleasant, as Steward.
At the annual meeting, in Des Moines, in June, 1864, Mrs. C. B. Baldwin, Mrs. G. G. Wright, Mrs. Dr. Horton, Miss Mary E. Shelton and Mr. George Sherman, were appointed a committee to furnish the building and take all necessary steps for opening the " Home," and notice was given that at the next meeting of the Association, a motion would be made to change the name of the Institution to Iowa Orphans' Home.
The work of preparation was conducted so vigorously that on the 13th day of July following, the Executive Committee an- nounced that they were ready to receive the children. In three weeks twenty-one were admitted, and the number constantly in- creased, so that, in a little more than six months from the time
HISTORY OF IOWA.
of opening, there were seventy children admitted, and twenty more applications, which the Committee had not acted upon-all Orphans of Soldiers.
The " Home" was sustained by the voluntary contributions of the people, until 1866, when it was assumed by the State. In that year, the General Assembly provided for the location of several such "Homes" in the different counties, and which were estab- lished at Davenport, Scott County; Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, and at Glenwood, Mills County.
The Board of Trustees, elected by the General Assembly, had the oversight and management of the Soldiers' Orphans' Homes of the State, and consisted of one person from each county in which such Home was located, and one for the State at large, who held their offices two years, or until their successors were elected and qualified. An appropriation of $10 per month for each orphan actually supported was made by the General Assembly.
The Home in Cedar Falls was organized in 1865, and an old hotel building was fitted up for it. January, 1866, there were ninety-six inmates.
October 12, 1869, the Home was removed to a large brick build- ing, about two miles west of Cedar Falls, and was very prosperous for several years, but in 1876, the General Assembly established a State Normal School at Cedar Falls, and appropriated the build- ings and grounds for that purpose.
By "An act to provide for the organization and support of an asylum at Glenwood, in Mills County, for feeble minded children," approved March 17, 1876, the buildings and grounds used by the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place were appropriated for this. purpose. By another act, approved March 15, 1876, the soldiers' orphans, then at the Homes at Glenwood and Cedar Falls, were to be removed to the Home at Davenport within ninety days there- after, and the Board of Trustees of the Home were authorized to receive other indigent children into that institution, and provide for their education in industrial pursuits.
Trustees 1881 .- C. M. Holton, Iowa City; Seth P. Bryant, Da- venport; C. C. Horton, Muscatine. S. W. Pierce, Davenport, Su- perintendent.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL. Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County.
Chapter 129 of the laws of the Sixteenth General Assembly, in 1876, established a State Normal School at Cedar Falls, Black Hawk County, and required the Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home to turn over the property in their charge to the Directors of the new institution.
The Board of Directors met at Cedar Falls June 7, 1876, and duly organized. The Board of Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans'
79
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Home met at the same time for the purpose of turning over to the Directors the property of that institution, which was satisfactorily done and properly receipted for as required by law.
On the 12th of July, 1876, the Board again met, when executive and teachers' committees were appointed and their duties assigned. A Steward and a Matron were elected, and their respective duties defined.
The buildings and grounds were repaired and fitted up as well as the appropriation would admit, and the first term of school opened September 6, 1876, commencing with twenty-seven and closing with eighty-seven students.
Directors, 1881 :- C. C. Cory, Pella; E. H. Thayer, Clinton; G. S. Robinson, Storm Lake; N. W. Boyes, Dubuque; L. D. Lewel- ling, Mitchellville; J. J. Tollerton, Cedar Falls; E. Townsend, Cedar Falls, Treasurer.
ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE MINDED CHILDREN.
Glenwood, Mills County.
Chapter 152 of the laws of the Sixteenth General Assembly, ap- proved March 17, 1876, provided for the establishment of an asy- lum for feeble minded children at Glenwood, Mills County, and the buildings and the grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place were to be used for that purpose. The asylum was placed under the management of three Trustees, one at least of whom should be a resident of Mills County. Children between the ages of 7 and 18 years are admitted. Ten dollars per month for each child actually supported by the State was appropriated by the act, and $2,000 for salaries of officers and teachers for two years.
Hon. J. W. Cattell, of Polk County; A. J. Russell, of Mills County, and W. S. Robertson, were appointed Trustees, who held their first meeting at Glenwood, April 26, 1876. The Trustees found the house and farm which had been turned over to them in a shamefully dilapidated condition. The fences were broken down and the lumber destroyed or carried away; the windows broken, doors off their hinges, floors broken and filthy in the extreme, cel- lars reeking with offensive odors from decayed vegetables, a.id every conceivable variety of filth and garbage; drains obstructed, cisterns broken, pump demoralized, wind-mill broken, roof leaky, and the whole property in the worst possible condition. It was the first work of the Trustees to make the house tenable.
The Institution was opened September 1, 1876; the first pupil admitted September 4, and the school was organized September 10.
Trustees, 1881 :- Fred. O'Donnell, Dubuque; S. B. Thrall, Ot- tumwa; E. R. S. Woodrow, Glenwood: O. W. Archibald, M. D., Medical Superintendent.
80
HISTORY OF IOWA.
THE REFORM SCHOOL.
Eldora, Hardin County.
By "An act to establish and organize a State Reform School for Juvenile Offenders," approved March 31, 1868, the General Assem- bly established a State Reform School at Salem, Lee (Henry) County; provided for a Board of Trustees, to consist of one person from each Congressional District. For the purpose of immediately opening the school, the Trustees were directed to accept the prop- osition of the Trustees of White's Iowa Manual Labor Institute, at Salem, and lease, for not more than ten years, the lands, buildings, etc., of the Institute, and at once proceed to prepare for and open a reform school as a temporary establishment.
The contract for fitting up the buildings was let September 21, 1868, and on the 7th of October following, the first inmate was received from Jasper County. The law provided for the admission of children of both sexes under 18 years of age. In 1876, this was amended, so that they are now received at ages over 7 and under 16 years.
April 19, 1872, the Trustees were directed to make a permanent location for the school, and $45,000 was appropriated for the erec- tion of the necessary buildings. The Trustees were further di- rected, as soon as practicable, to organize a school for girls in the buildings where the boys were then kept.
The Trustees located the school at Eldora, Hardin County, and in the code of 1873, it is permanently located there by law.
The institution is managed by five Trustees, who are paid mile- age, but no compensation for their services.
The object is the reformation of children of both sexes, under the age of 16 and over 7 years of age; and the law requires that the Trustees shall require the boys and girls under their charge to be instructed in piety and morality, and in such branches of useful knowledge as are adapted to their age and capacity, and in some regular course of labor, either mechanical, manufacturing or agri- cultural, as is best suited to their age, strength, disposition and capacity, and as may seem best adapted to secure the reformation and future benefit of the boys and girls.
A boy or girl committed to the State Reform School is there kept, disciplined, instructed, employed and governed, under the di- rection of the Trustees, until he or she arrives at the age of major- ity, or is bound out, reformed or legally discharged. The binding out or discharge of a boy or girl as reformed, or having arrived at the age of majority, is a complete release from all penalties incurred by conviction of the crime for which he or she is committed.
Trustees, 1881 :- J. A. Parvin, Muscatine, President; W. J. Moir, Eldorado, Treasurer; W. G. Stewart, Dubuque: J. T. Moor-
81
HISTORY OF IOWA.
head, Ely; T. E. Corkhill, Mount Pleasant; B. J. Miles, Eldora, Superintendent. L. D. Lewelling is Superintendent of the Girl's Department, at Mitchellville, Polk County.
FISH HATCHING ESTABLISHMENT.
Near Anamosa, Jones County.
The Fifteenth General Assembly, in 1874, passed "An act to provide for the appointment of a Board of Fish Commissioners for the construction of Fishways for the protection and propagation of Fish," also, " an act to provide for furnishing the rivers, and lakes with fish and fish spawn." This act appropriated $3,000 for the purpose. In accordance with the provisions of the first act above mentioned, on the 9th of April, 1874, S. B. Evans of Ot- tumwa, Wapello County; B. F. Shaw of Jones County, and Charles A. Haines, of Black Hawk County, were appointed to be Fish Com- missioners by the Governor. These Commissioners met at Des Moines, May 10, 1874, and organized by the election of Mr. Evans, President; Mr. Shaw, Secretary and Superintendent, and Mr. Haines, Treasurer.
The State was partitioned into three districts or divisions to en- able the Commissioners to better superintend the construction of fish ways as required by law. At this meeting, the Superintend- ent was authorized to build a State Hatching House; to procure the spawn of valuable fish adapted to the waters of Iowa; hatch and prepare the young fish for distribution, and assist in putting them into the waters of the State.
In compliance with these instructions, Mr. Shaw at once com- menced work, and in the summer of 1874, erected a " State Hatch- ing House " near Anamosa, 20x40 feet, two stories; the second story being designed for a tenement; the first story being the "hatching room." The hatching troughs are supplied with water from a magnificent spring, four feet deep and about ten feet in diameter, affording an abundant and unfailing supply of pure running water. During the first year, from May 10, 1874, to May 10, 1875, the Com- missioners distributed within the State 100,000 Shad, 300,000 California Salmon, 10,000 Bass, 80,000 Penobscot (Maine) Salmon, 5,000 land-locked Salmon, 20,000 of other species.
By act approved March 10, 1876, the law was amended so that there should be one instead of three Fish Commissioners, and B. F. Shaw was appointed, and the Commissioner was authorized to pur- chase twenty acres of land, on which the State Hatching House was located near Anamosa.
In the fall of 1876, Commissioner Shaw gathered from the sloughs of the Mississippi, where they would have been destroyed. over a million and a half of small fish, which were distributed in the various rivers of the State and turned into the Mississippi.
82
HISTORY OF IOWA.
In 1875-6, 533,000 California Salmon, and in 1877, 303,500 Lake Trout were distributed in various rivers and lakes in the State. The experiment of stocking the small streams with brook trout is being tried, and 81,000 of the speckled beauties were distributed in 1877. In 1876, 100,000 young eels were distributed. These came from New York, and they are increasing rapidly.
A. A. Mosier, of Spirit Lake, was appointed Assistant Fish Com- missioner, by the Governor, under Chapter 156, Laws of 1880.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The grants of public lands made in the State of Iowa, for vari- ous purposes, are as follows:
1. The 500,000 Acre Grant.
2. The 16th Section Grant.
3. The Mortgage School Lands.
4. The University Grant
5. The Saline Grant.
6. The Des Moines River Grant.
7. The Des Moines River School Lands.
8. The Swamp Land Grant.
9. The Railroad Grant.
10. The Agricultural College Grant.
I. THE FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ACRE GRANT.
When the State was admitted into the Union, she became en- titled to 500,000 acres of land by virtue of an act of Congress, ap- proved September 4, 1841, which granted to each State therein specified 500,000 acres of public land for internal improvements; to each State admitted subsequently to the passage of the act, an amount of land which, with the amount that might have been granted to her as a Territory, would amount to 500,000 acres. All these lands were required to be selected within the limits of the State to which they were granted.
The Constitution of Iowa declares that the proceeds of this grant, together with all lands then granted or to be granted by Congress for the benefit of schools, shall constitute a perpetual fund for the support of schools throughout the State. By an act approved Jan- uary 15, 1849, the Legislature established a Board of School Fund Commissioners, and to that Board was confided the selection, care and sale of these lands for the benefit of the School Fund. Until 1855, these Commissioners were subordinate to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, but on the 15th of January of that year, they were clothed with exclusive authority in the management and sale of school lands. The office of School Fund Commissioner was abolished March 23, 1858, and that officer in each county was re- quired to transfer all papers to and make full settlement with the County Judge. By this act, County Judges and Township Trus- tees were made the agents of the State to control and sell the six-
83
HISTORY OF IOWA.
teenth sections; but no further provision was made for the sale of the 500,000 acre grant until April 3d, 1860, when the entire manage- ment of the school lands was committed to the Boards of Super- visors of the several counties.
II. THE SIXTEENTH SECTIONS.
By the provisions of the act of Congress admitting Iowa to the Union, there was granted to the new State the sixteenth section in every township, or where that section had been sold, other lands of like amount for the use of schools. The Constitution of the State provides that the proceeds arising from the sale of these sections shall constitute a part of the permanent school fund. The control and sale of these lands were vested in the School Fund Commissioners of the several counties until March 23, 1858, when they were transferred to the County Judges and Township Trus- tees, and were finally placed under the supervision of the County Boards of Supervisors in January, 1861.
III. THE MORTGAGE SCHOOL LANDS.
These do not belong to any of the grants of land proper. They are lands that have been mortgaged to the school fund, and became school lands when bid off by the State by virtue of a law passed in 1862. Under the provisions of the law regulating the manage- ment and investment of the permanent school fund, persons de- siring loans from that fund are required to secure the payment thereof with interest at ten per cent. per annum, by promissory notes endorsed by two good sureties and by mortgage on unincum- bered real estate, which must be situated in the county where the loan is made, and which must be valued by three appraisers. Mak- ing these loans and taking the required securities was made the duty of the County Auditor, who was required to report to the Board of Supervisors at each meeting thereof, all notes, mortgages and abstracts of title connected with the school fund, for examina- tion.
When default was made of payment of money so secured by mortgage, and no arrangement made for extension of time as the law provides, the Board of Supervisors were authorized to bring suit and prosecute it with diligence to secure said fund; and in ac- tion in favor of the county for the use of the school fund, an in- junction may issue without bonds, and in any such action, when service is made by publication, default and judgment may be en- tered and enforced without bonds. In case of sale of land on exe- cution founded on any such mortgage, the attorney of the board, or other person duly authorized, shall, on behalf of the State or county for the use of said fund, bid such sum as the interests of said fund may require, and if struck off to the State the land shall be held and disposed of as the other lands belonging to the fund.
84
HISTORY OF IOWA.
These lands are known as the Mortgage School Lands, and reports of them, including description and amount, are required to be made to the State Land Office.
IV. UNIVERSITY LANDS.
By act of Congress, July 20, 1840, a quantity of land, not ex- ceeding two entire townships, was reserved in the Territory of Iowa for the use and support of a university within said Territory when it should become a State. This land was to be located in tracts of not less than an entire section, and could be used for no other purpose than that designated in the grant. In an act sup- plemental to that for the admission of Iowa, March 3, 1845, the grant was renewed, and it was provided that the lands should be used "solely for the purpose of such university, in such manner as the Legislature may prescribe."
Under this grant there were set apart and approved by the Sec- retary of the Treasury, for the use of the State, the following lands.
ACRES.
In the Iowa City Land District, Feb. 29, 1849 20,150.49
In the Fairfield Land District, Oct. 17, 1849.
9,685.20
In the Iowa City Land District, Jan. 28, 1850. 2,571.81
In the Fairfield Land District, Sept. 10, 1850. 3,198.20
In the Dubuque Land District, May 19, 1852 10,552.24
Total 45,957.94
These lands were certified to the State November 19, 1859. The University lands are placed by law under the control and manage- ment of the Board of Trustees of the Iowa State University. Prior to 1865, there had been selected and located under 282 patents, 22,892 acres in sixteen counties, and 23,036 acres unpatented, making a total of 45,928 acres.
V. SALINE LANDS.
By act of Congress, approved March 3, 1845, the State of Iowa was granted the use of the salt springs within her limits, not ex- ceeding twelve. By a subsequent act, approved May 27, 1852, Congress granted the springs to the State in fee simple, together with six sections of land contiguous to each, to be disposed of as the Legislature might direct. In 1861, the proceeds of these lands then to be sold were constitutued a fund for founding and sup- porting a lunatic asylum, but no sales were made. In 1856, the proceeds of the saline lands were appropriated to the Insane Asylum, repealed in 1858. In 1860, the saline lands and funds were made a part of the permanent fund of the State University. These lands were located in Appanoose, Davis, Decatur, Lucas, Monroe, Van Buren and Wayne Counties.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.