USA > Iowa > Jackson County > Owen's Gazetteer and Directory of Jackson County, Iowa Containing a History of the County, a Commercial and Statistical Review of the Various Cities and Towns > Part 2
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TIMBER.
One of the chief products of this county are its immense groves of timber. About one-fourth of the area of the county is covered with timber of excellent growth, the larger bodies lying in the western and northern parts, and embracing all the
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22
JACKSON COUNTY DIRECTORY.
hardy varieties, including oak, maple, elm, linn, poplar, black and white walnut, hickory, cherry, cottonwood, with occasional groves of pine.
STREAMS.
The southern portion of the county is abundantly watered by the Maquoketa river, and its numerous tributaries. The North Fork of the Maquoketa enters the county at the line between Butler and Brandon townships, flows south-easterly until it joins the South Fork a short distance north of Maquoketa city. The South Fork enters the county at Canton, in Brandon town- ship, flows in a south-easterly direction, until it reaches the city of Maquoketa, when it makes a bend northward, and joins the North Fork, whence they both commingle in the Maquoketa river proper, which tends east until it flows into the Mississippi, a short distance north of Green Island.
POPULATION.
In 1837 the population of the county was 244, which had increased in 1874 to 22,284. According to the State Census taken that year, there were 4,144 dwellings; families, 4,183; entitled to vote, 4,652 ; foreigners, not naturalized, 591; num ber of militia, 2,871.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
There are at present :
School districts 156
Township districts 14
Independent districts 44
Sub districts 98
Number of children of school age
9,165
Males
4,724
Females
4,441
Number of schools. Graded
8
Ungraded.
135
Number of pupils.
7,100
Average attendance. 5,830
Number of teachers
255
Males
89
Females
166
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143
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Number of school houses
149
Frame
109
Brick
14
Stone
19
Log
7
Total value of school houses $149,793
Volumes in libraries 93
Value of appparatus. $2,585
At a meeting of teachers, held at Maquoketa on December 15th, 1877, a County Teachers' Association was organized ; constitution and by-laws were adopted, and officers elected : President, L. W. Haines, Nashville; Vice-President, Mrs. A. R. Darling, Miles ; Secretary, C. C. Dudley. Maquoketa; Treasurer, Miss Jennie Buttolph, Baldwin.
TAX LIST.
The total amount of the taxes levied in the county for 1877 was $128,091.35, itemized as follows :
State tax.
$ 9,688.02
Contingent.
$ 7,805.73
School tax.
4,844.01
County tax.
19,376.05
School houses
8,320.62
Road tax. 440.88
Teachers
30,442.69
Bridges. 14,532.03
Insane
14,532.03
Bond
4,844.01
The amounts levied in the respective townships in the county in the year named, and for the purposes enumerated, were as follows :
Maquoketa.
$ 5,512.10
Iowa
$ 7,675.58
Maquoketa City
17,427.70
Jackson.
4,609.27
Monmouth
7,972.41
Otter Creek 4,091.00
Andrew
844.45
Perry. 4,791.96
Bellevue City.
7,030.84
Prairie Spring 4,931.23
Bellevue Township.
6,248.23
Richland.
5,658.63
Brandon
4,739.81
South Fork.
5,734.02
Butler
3,344.17
Sabula
4,433.00
Fairfield.
4,824.30
Union
3,522.62
Farmer's Creek.
5,721.88
Tete des Morts.
4,585.93
Van Buren
9,713.26
Washington.
4,678.96
From the retiring County Auditor, A. J. House, we have secured the following figures concerning the condition of the county finances that may prove interesting to the tax payers :
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24
JACKSON COUNTY DIRECTORY.
Amount warrants on the county fund outstanding Jan. 1, 1877 ... $ 4,825.36 Amount issued during the year 1877 36,744.78
Total $41,570.14
Amount paid during the year. $34,863.08
Outstanding Jan. 1, 1878. 5,707.06
No. of warrants issued on county fund. 2,845
The bridge fund stands as follows:
Amount of warrants outstanding Jan. 1, 1877 $23,444.09
Amount of warrants issued during the year 1877 23,139.07
Total $46,583.19
Amount paid during the year 1877 13,965.17
Leaving unpaid Jan. 1. 32,617.45
In addition to the above payment of warrants in the bridge fund, there has been paid $363.84 of interest on the outstanding bridge orders. The number of bridge warrants issued during the year was 326.
The amount of warrants on the insane fund during the year 1877, amounted to $884.28. This sum did not include patients at insane hospitals, whose bills are paid by the Treasurer direct, and do not pass through the Auditor's office.
The account of the permanent school fund is as follows :
Cash on hand. $ 530.46
Amount due from Bryan estate 301.07
Amount of mortgages and notes 35,539.56
Amount of judgments 789.75
Total . $37,160.84
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
DAY & HOBART, DEALERS IN
-GAME. CIN.U
Agricultural Implements,
COAL, SALT, EXTRAS, CEMENT.
Manufacturers of Light and Heavy Wagons, Buggies, &c. Agents for the Meadow Lark Reaper and Mower, and Eureka Reaper. Blacksmithing.
PRESTON, IOWA.
ESTABLISHED 1871.
JOHN PETERS,
DEALER
IN
Shelf and Heavy Hardware,
FINE CUTLERY, IRON and STEEL, STOVES and TINWARE.
Blacksmith and Wagonmakers' Stock a Specialty. PRESTON, IOWA.
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
Centennial Hall.
New and Elegant.
Seating Capacity, 500; 145 Raised Seats ; Stage 25x40, with Fine Scenery ; Two Dressing Rooms, Etc.
FIELD & SUTHERLAND, Proprietors.
B. F. DeGEAR, Manager and Bill Poster.
MAQUOKETA. IOWA.
n
TINKER AROS.
BAKERY AND RESTAURANT
HEH
CITY BOOK STORE
F.E.OWEN ..
FIELD & SUTHERLAND, BAKERY AND RESTAURANT
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Crackers, Bread and Pastries.
OYSTERS AND FRUITS IN THEIR SEASONS.
MAIN STREET,
MAQUOKETA,
-
-
-
IOWA.
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CITY OF MAQUOKETA.
ITS PROGRESS, PROSPECTS AND RESOURCES.
SITUATION, EARLY SETTLEMENT, POPULATION, BUILD- ING IMPROVEMENTS, STATISTICS, EDUCA- TIONAL FACILITIES, &c.
Maquoketa, or "Timber City," the county seat of Jackson County, situated near the southern boundary and on the river of the same name, is the northern terminus of the Davenport & North-Western Railway (Maquoketa Branch), midway between Davenport and Dubuque, the two principal cities of Iowa.
In 1838, Mr. John E. Goodenow emigrated from Warren County, New York, crossed the Mississippi at Sabula, then called Charleston, and found a family located there of the name of Wood, with a son-in-law named Steen. In the spring of the same year Mr. Goodenow moved west until he came to the Forks of the Maquoketa, where the unusual fertility of the soil, as well as its many other natural advantages, induced him to choose this spot for his future residence.
Between here and Davenport there was only one family, named Wheeler, located at De Witt, and Mr. Goodenow, in company with an acquaintance named Bates, who was living with him, desiring to go to Davenport, had to drag a load of brush to break down the
HAMLEY is the Boss Grocery and Crockery Dealer of Maquoketa.
4
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A full Stock of DRY GOODS, - - at RICE'S, MAQUOKETA.
26
JACKSON COUNTY DIRECTORY.
grass, and thus leave a trail by which to return. At this time there was only one family between Maquoketa and Dubuque- a widow Mullin and her boys, and an old hermit-like fellow named Dixon, and only one tavern in Dubuque, and that built of logs, and two or three stores at which trading was done.
In 1842 the land excitement came to fever heat, and many towns sprang into existence (on paper), among others Bridge port, laid out by Col. Cox, about two miles and half from where Maquoketa now stands. Another named Lowell, but it was not until 1844, when Mr. Goodenow induced a man named Marr to open a general store, that this became the center around which congregated several families, who formed the neuclus of the future city of Maquoketa. In 1842, the first school house was erected of brick, manufactured for the purpose by Mr. Goodenow. In 1846 he also erected another large building, which became known as Goodenow's Hotel, or half-way house between Daven- port and Dubuque.
The first attempt at a school was in an old building, formerly used as a blacksmith shop, which by patching up with sods and mud, was rendered habitable. This was used until 1846, when Mr. Goodenow, having dedicated one of the most beauti- ful squares of ground in the city, a large and commodious brick building was erected and called "The Academy." Dr. Lake, at present an honored resident of the city, was the first teacher.
One of the early settlers was John Shaw, who purchased a claim of eighty acres in 1837, cornering where the Stephens stone block now stands, and who settled on it in 1841. He was one of the most active and energetic men of the place, and died in 1853. His family still reside in Maquoketa, and his son is editor of the Excelsior, one of the leading newspapers.
The first white child born within the corporate limits of the town was Wesley Nims, his birth occurring in 1840.
HAMLEY Sells for Cash. No bad Debts for others to Pay.
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Selz's celebrated hand-made and warranted Boots, at CANNELL'S.
SKETCH OF THE CITY OF MAQUOKETA. 27
The Rev. M. Salter was the first minister who preached, and his first discourse was delivered in 1839.
We herewith present a sketch written by Russell Perham, a worthy and esteemed citizen of Maquoketa, who has long been a resident of the place:
"In March 1838, or forty years ago the coming March, Mr. John E. Goodenow and Lyman Bates, of Warren county, New York, made the first permanent settlement in Maquoketa. They found a Mr. Phillips on a claim one mile north of town, on land now owned by the Sears Brothers, and S. Burleson, William Vosburgh, and Calvin Teeple. on claims six miles west of town, they having come in the year before, or in 1837. Of the latter, Mr. Burleson and Mr. Teeple still live on the lands then select- ed. Mr. Goodenow mnade a claim on the south-east corner of Main and Platt streets, and Mr. Bates of the land on which he now lives one and one-half miles south. Mr. Goodenow built a log cabin on the north-west corner of his claim, upon the ground on which Cohn's store now stands. This he resolved was to be the future home of himself and prospective family. Here he remained, making that home as comfortable as possible under the circumstances, until the latter part of the summer of 1839, when he returned to New York, and in September following married Miss Eliza Wright, and with her and Thomas Wright and wife, and Amasa Nims and wife, returned to this, the wild western home of his choice. About this time John Clark and Jonas, his brother, together with Z. Livermore, John Shaw, Charles, Wil- liam and Achilus Gordon, and A. Spaulding came into the neighborhood. Mr. Livermore made a claim on what is now the north-east corner of Main and Platte streets, Mr. Spaulding on the north-west corner, Mr. Shaw on the south-west corner, Mr. Goodenow already having the south-east corner. Each built their temporary home on their claims. John Clarke built a log house in the timber in the south-east portion, known as the Ar-
SPENCER & KNITTLE, Staple and Faucy Dry Goods, Maquoketa.
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Don't fail to go and see RICE'S Stock, when you are in Maquoketa.
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JACKSON COUNTY DIRECTORY.
nold place. Charles Gordon built a blacksmith shop on Mr. Livermore's claim, where the postoffice now stands, and a man by the name of Ab. Montgomery had made a claim and was living on the place now owned by J. Trout in the extreme south- western part of town. Thomas Wright took a claim three miles west of the town, and A. Nims located about four miles south. J. Pangborn had also located on the land where he now lives, on the corner of Main and West Summit streets. There were now eight or nine houses within a radius of two miles and a few more further out. A postoffice was established here in 1840, which was called after the name of the place, Springfield; but after Harrison's election to the Presidency, it was removed to Bridgeport, and there remained for about two years.
. " At the time of which we write, Iowa was a Territory of the Government of the United States. Its lands were not in market and were not put on sale until 1845, the year prior to its admis- sion as a State. This district, subject to entry at Dubuque, had been surveyed, and the settlers made their claims from this original survey under the auspices of a claim society composed of the first permanent settlers of Dubuque, Jackson and Clinton counties. The object of this society was to protect its members in a peaceable possession and enjoyment of their respective claims, against those who might come at a later date, covet and seek to deprive them by unfair means of their chosen homes. Each member, by the rules of the society, was allowed to claim and hold until the lands came into market, three hundred and twenty acres in a homestead.
" This society in its day was of great benefit to its members, inasmuch as its rules and regulations were the only law known, except the Territorial, which at that time was of but little ben- efit, for the reason that its executors were so remote and inac- cessible. Many an industrious and enterprising pioneer was compelled to appeal to it for protection against the encroach- ments of a worthless class of squatters, whose sole business was the securing and sale of the choice claims of the county. This
HAMLEY'S Prices on Groceries and Crockery can't be beat.
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SPENCER & KNITTLE, Ladies' and Children's Shoes, Maquoketa.
SKETCH OF THE CITY OF MAQUOKETA. 29
society when appealed to through its officers would gather en- masse, organize a court from its own members, hear the evidence in the case, notify the intruder of its findings, and unless its de. cision was voluntarily complied with, it was carried into effect by brave hearts and stout hands. This was the only security of the people at this time, and many of this worthless class of vagabonds were compelled to seek new tramping grounds or suffer the righteous indignation of the injured settlers.
"Under such circumstances was the first permanent settle- ment made here, and year after year new accessions were made to their numbers. About this time, 1840, it becoming apparent that a little business place must spring up in this vicinity, quite a rivalry was manifested as to its location. Some were in favor of Springfield, some of Bridgeport, and others of the place on which the Rockville mills now stand. The postoffice having been removed to Bridgeport that seemed to be the favored locality, and Jonas Clark got timber on the ground preparatory to the erection of a small store building at that point. At the same time Thomas Wright and Z. Livermore built a saw mill on the present site of the Rockville mills, where afterwards Mr. Wright built a wool-carding and cloth-dressing mill. Mr. Clark, changing his views as to location, removed his material, built the house now occupied by Mrs. S. D. Tubbs, and opened a store at that point, in which he did business for about two years. In the mean time Mr. Goodenow finding his little corn-cracker under his shed adjoining his cabin, and run by horse-power, was inadequate to the wants of the people, secured the claim on which McCloy's mill now stands, of Ab. Montgomery, at an ex- pense of $25, threw a dam across the stream, a portion of which is still standing, and built a mill, putting in his own corn-crack- ers. There being no bolts the people were obliged to use their flour, bran and all, unless they sifted it out by a mill seive. At this time there was no mill where bolted flour could be obtained, nearer than Sage's mill, on the little Maquoketa, six miles north of Dubuque.
Reynolds' Fine Ladies Shoes are the best. CANNELL keeps them.
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RICE'S Stock of Dry Goods and Millinery Surpasses all.
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JACKSON COUNTY DIRECTORY.
" As an illustration of the rustic manner in which many of the first settlers were obliged to live, we will mention the name of John Riggs, who located three miles south of town. He put up the body of a log house, covered it with poles laid crosswise, and piled prairie grass on top of these for a roof. He moved into this rude tenement and set up his stove, but where was his chimney to carry away the sinoke ? It would not do to build one through the grass covered roof for fear of fire. But a happy thought struck him-he would cut a hole through each of the four sides of his cabin and run the pipe out through these, chang- ing it from one to the other as the wind changed. This is not an isolated case, for very many of the early settlers occupied homes of no greater pretensions, and their diet was as simple as their homes were cheerless.
" In 1842 the postoffice at Bridgeport was re-located at Spring- field, J. E. Goodenow, postmaster, and the name of the office and place changed to Maquoketa, an Indian name. signifying ' Bear River.' Mr. John Shaw had finished off a room in his block house, located on the present site of Mrs. Shaw's brick dwelling house, and put in a small stock of goods. Maquoketa was now triumphant. She had a mill, a store, a postoffice and a blacksmith shop. Rockville and Bridgeport surrendered, and Jonas Clark, after a severe skirmish with his partner, over the question of removing their stock of goods to Maquoketa, in which revolvers were drawn, finally became master of the situa- tion and established himself on the corner of Main and Platt streets. Mr. Platt Smith about this time, bought the mill erect- ed by Mr. Goodenow, put in bolts, made bolted flour, and the wants of the people seemed almost satisfied. Thus matters moved on, new settlers came in, older ones broke their prairie, fenced their improvements and replaced their old cabins by new and more commodious ones built of hard wood.
"In 1847 David Sears and Pierce Mitchell came in with a stock of goods and opened their store in the building until re- cently occupied by Chas. E. Northrop as a cabinet wareroom.
HAMLEY Pays Cash for Butter and Eggs --- Remember that.
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RICE'S New York Store, Boss on Dry Goods and Notions.
SKETCH OF THE CITY OF MAQUOKETA.
31
Mr. Sears had been here a year or so prior to this and had bought for the firm of Sears & Munson quite a large tract of land just north of town. He now built a dam across the South Fork of the Maquoketa River about one mile north of the crossing of Main and Platt streets, and built a saw mill. He had platted and laid out a town at this point which he called Lowell, and brought on from Cincinnati fine lithograph maps of the projected town. Several of these lots were sold and afterwards built upon. He built for himself quite a fine brick dwelling and commenced the erection of a brick flouring mill, which was completed in the fall of 1849, and-called the Lowell Merchant Mills. Thomas Wright removed his cloth-dressing establishment to this place, and between this and the two mills this became quite a place of business. But in a few years this treacherous stream cut across lots above his mill, leaving it high and dry and in a dilapidated condition, when all the machinery was finally removed and the whole went to decay. Mr. Sears now had additional cause for damning the stream more essentially than ever before, for it had floated away his visions of wealth in his mills and projected town. A wag having passed the place a short time after the mill was demolished, remarked to a friend he met in regard to the general appearance of the place, said ' he saw a dam by a mill site, but saw no mill by a damn'd sight.'
"From 1849 to 1854 nothing of special interest occurred. The remaining Government lands in the vicinity, were mostly entered and undergoing improvements by permanent settlers of some means, and the town, keeping pace with the country trib- utary, increased in business importance. At this time the pro- ducts of the farm, which was chiefly wheat, found no ready market here, and farmers were compelled to go to Davenport, Camanche, Bellevue or Dubuque with it, and as a general thing, realized only about fifty cents per bushel for it, after spending two days in getting thirty to market.
" In the summer of 1854 the Iowa Central Air Line R. R. Co., was organized and received its charter, with S. S. Jones, of
CANNELL Sells Burt's Centennial Award Boots and Shoes.
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SPENCER & KNITTLE, Gents' Furnishing Goods, Maquoketa.
32
JACKSON COUNTY DIRECTORY.
St. Charles, Ill., as its President, and John E. Goodenow as our resident Director. Its eastern connections were located at Sabula, Lyons and Clinton, on the Mississippi River, to run thence westerly to Hauntown, forming a junction, and from there to Maquoketa. This project gave a new impetus and im- portance to us as a business point, and its improvement became more rapid and of a more substantial character. In 1856 the company received from Congress a grant of $12,000,000 worth of Government lands, on condition that the company complete the road to Maquoketa by January 1st, 1858. In September, 1857, the road bed was in such a state of forwardness as to com- mence laying the iron, and the parties who were to furnish it, were telegraphed to forward it. But at this inopportune moment the Ohio Trust Company, through whose credit it was to be fur- nished, failed, and the result was, the iron manufacturers re- fused to fill their contract and the whole scheme was defeated.
"In 1860 a project for navigating the Maquoketa river was started, and a steamboat was built expressly for that purpose ; but this, too, failed, and we were again disappointed.
"On September 3d, 1870, the Davenport & St. Paul R. R. .was completed from Davenport to this place, and the Iowa Mid- land from Clinton to Delmar, and on that day trains on each of these roads ran into Maquoketa for the first time: that on the Midland running in from Delmar on the Davenport track. This was a proud day for our citizens. What they had been so long striving for was at last accomplished, and Maquoketa from that day became the leading market place for a large section of country.
" The Davenport & North-Western Railway is now doing a vast and increasing business, under the efficient management of John E. Henry, Esq., and the thoroughly popular and gentle- manly General Ticket Agent, Mr. J. L. Kellogg. The passenger train is conducted under the supervision of that genial king of punchers, Mr. Charles Mitchell, whose attention to patrons and
T. E. CANNELL Pays the Highest cash Price for Hides, Pelts, &c.
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
A. J. HOUSE, ATTORNEY AT LAW
MAQUOKETA, IOWA.
KEGLER & WEINSCHENCK, GENERAL DEALERS IN
THRESHING MACHINES,
Reapers and Mowers, Cultivators, Plows, Wagons. BUGGIES, PUMPS, WIND MILLS, SEWING MACHINES, &C.
WILLIAM KEGLER. ANTON WKINSCHENCK.
BELLEVUE, IOWA.
FRANK ABENDS, DEALER IN GROCERIES & PROVISIONS.
Restaurant and Saloon in connection, with Choice Wines, Cigars, &c. YOUR CUSTOM RESPECTFULLY SOLICITED.
Front Street, BELLEVUE.
ROGERS & BROS.,
BLACKSMITHS &
HORSE-SHOERS.
Wagon and Carriage Iron Work.
REPAIRING OF ALL KINDS.
Pleasant, corner Olive Street, MAQUOKETA, IOWA.
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ADVERTISEMENTS.
BARNES BROS., MAQUOKETA
Foundry & Machine Shops
MANUFACTURERS OF
WROUGHT AND CAST IRON FENCES,
Mill and Bridge Work, Verandas, Balconies. Brackets, Stairs, Shutters, Gratings, Awning Irons, Tron Sash for Windows, Iron Columns, Counter Railing for Banks und Offices.
Also, the BARNES DEEP WELL AND FORCE PUMPS. Machinery Built, Rebuilt and Repaired. Plumbing, Gas and Water Pipe Fitting done to order.
MACHINE WORKS.
BARNES BROS.,
Manufacturers of
WIND MILLS,
And the Premium Steel Spring Stalk Cutter.
Also, Agts for Halliday's Wind Mills for Pumping and Power Purposes. WAGONS, CARRIAGES and BUGGIES TO ORDER. East Platt Street, - MAQUOKETA, IOWA.
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Best line of Millinery Goods to be found at RICE'S, Maquoketa.
SKETCH OF THE CITY OF MAQUOKETA. 33
fidelity to the interests of the Company has popularized him with all.
"In 1873 the county seat of .Jackson County was located here by the popular vote of the county, and this gave increased importance to the place, and from that day it has been the lead. ing business point in the county. Situated as it is, on the Maquoketa river, midway between five excellent water powers; having to the north, and extending many miles east and west, as heavy a body of as fine timber as grows in any country, con- sisting principally of white, red, yellow and black oak, maple, hickory, black walnut, butternut, basswood and cottonwood, with several other varieties ; while on the south, east and west, and extending for twenty miles or more, lies a prairie country as beautiful to look upon, and of as fine a quality of soil as the sun ever shone upon, and all under a good state of cultivation. With no competing business place within twenty miles, there is no reason why, under a just and liberal business policy by our business men, it should not maintain its supremacy in the future as it has in the past, and continue to be the center of trade for this rich and flourishing section of Iowa."
INCORPORATION.
On January 27th, 1857, Maquoketa was incorporated as a city, by a special act of the Legislature. The charter was published March 31st, 1857 and adopted on the 26th of April following. On the 4th day of May the first city officials were elected, and the city government was inaugurated three days afterwards, with John E. Goodenow, as Mayor; John Pope, Recorder; Z. Liv- ermore, Daniel Rhodes, A. Hall, J. N. Viall and P. Mitchell, Aldermen.
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