USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 17
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In the carly summer of 1843. J. F. Stratton, who had selected his claim in what is now Pleasant township, and built a cabin, returned to this county, his future home, accompanied by his brother, Joseph. Mr. Stratton did not set- tle on the claim selected in 1841, however, being fearful that in the survey of the land and its further division, the claim might be found in slave-holding Missouri. Having an intense repugnance to the "peculiar institution" of the south, he decided to take no chances and, relinguishing his claim in Pleasant township as it is now known, he took up another one in sections 2 and 10, town- ship 09 (U'dell), range 16. and with the assistance of his brother, built a cabin on the land, in which he installed his family, leaving Joseph in charge while he went back to Missouri for his wife and children.
J. B. Packard was a settler in the county in 1843 and chose a tract of land in what is now Sharon township. The same year George W. Perkins selected a home in Center township and at once began preparing the ground for a nursery. About the same time James Manson located within the present limits of Bellair township.
That portion of the county which makes up Udell township was good to look upon to the eyes of John W. Clancy. William Money, John and William Crow and Samuel and Stephen Trimble. These pioneers settled here in 1843 and soon others came to join them.
160
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
The first persons to settle in what is now known as Washington township were William Bratton, James Wright and Jehiel Troxell. They were among the number who came about 1843, soon after the "purchase" was thrown open for settlement.
The Packards, Josiah B., William, B. 1 .. and E. A., took up claims in 1843 along the Chariton river, in the timber which later was called Packard's Grove. John Overstreet came at the same time and located in the same part of the county.
William Manson, Thomas Wilcox and Thomas G. Manson made their claims in the vicinity of a little stream subsequently called Manson's branch. They immediately began improving their farms, but it was not until 1844 that they brought their families from Lee county, Illinois, to their Iowa homes.
FIRST WEDDING IN THE COUNTY
In July. 1844, before the county had been organized, William Wells, son of the pioneer. Colonel James Wells, was married to Mahala Cooksey, daughter of William Cooksey. For this ceremony, no minister of the gospel was avail- able to solemnize it, nor were there a judge or justice of the peace. If every settler in the county had been invited to be present, all could easily have been provided for. There were no local officials. and a justice of the peace over the border in Missouri, was called upon and no doubt performed his duties in a manner entirely to the satisfaction of all concerned.
THE FIRST BIRTIJ
As before related, Elizabeth, daughter of Ewen Kirby, was the first white child born in Appanoose county. Her birth occurred in the fall of 1838. The second birth of a white child is believed to have been that of William Shauver, Jr .. son of the man who had charge of the Wells' mill. Young Shauver came into the world in 1842 and. in April. 1843. F. A. Stevens and wife became the parents of a daughter, whom they named Elizabeth.
THE FIRST DENTII
The first death of a white person in the county was probably that of an unknown man, who was found not far from the Kirkendall cabin. by Colonel James Wells in 1842. The body of the man, when discovered, was in a sitting posture, leaning against a tree, with the head bent forward. Upon investigation. a hole was noticed in the unfortunate's head. where a rifle ball had penetrated and entered the brain. One hand held an open memorandum book and be- neath the other was a pencil, which had evidently dropped from it to the ground. The book entries resembled the notes of one who had been looking up claims, but as the township lines had not been laid, this seemed inexplicable. Undoubt- edly the man had come to his death by the hands of an enemy, but who the murderer was has ever remained a mystery. The body was given decent burial.
m
BASE BALL ENTHUSIASTS IN CENTERVILLE
SCENE IN GLEN HAGAN PARK, CENTERVILLE
161
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
FIRST LAND ENTRIES AND FIRST DEED RECORDED
Andrew Trussell was the first person to make an entry of land in Appanoose county. He located the northwest quarter of section 1, township 70, range 10 in 1847, for which he paid cash, and received his patent from the government Feb- ruary 1, 1848. Seven or eight other entries were made the same year in township 70, range 10, and many more in 1848 and 1849. The reason for this was that the range in which this township was situated was the only one in Appanoose county then open to entry, the other not being subject to entry until in 1850. Again the vexed boundary question was in the way. The rest of the county had been sur- veyed and the civil divisions defined some two or three years, but entries were delayed until the question was settled for all time. Entries were made in the months of January and February. 1850, and by the end of 1800 the last scat- tering tracts were taken.
The first deed recorded in the county was presented by James Shields. The grantors in the deed were Jesse Wood, George W. Perkins and Albird Thompson, who, as the board of county commissioners, conveyed to Shields, lots 9 and 6, in range 4. block 1, in the town of Centerville, for the sum of $30. The deed was dated February 12. 1850. The price of that same lot is now up into the thousands of dollars.
FIRST MILLS
The first mill of any description built in AAppanoose county was the one put up by Colonel James Wells on his claim in section 16, Wells township, in 1841. One of the first necessities of the pioneer was lumber, with which to build shel- ters for his family and live stock and the man who had a sawmill was of more than ordinary importance. While most of the houses were built of logs, window and door casings and doors were indispensable, so that a sawmill would be built as soon as possible. As settlers became more numerous, mills were erected in various portions of the county and it was not long before the log cabin gave way to the frame house, and the family that lived in one was considered more blessed than the common run of settlers.
From the minute book of the clerk of the board of commissioners it is deter- mined that a mill was erected near the first bridge that was built over the Chari- ton river. This mill was on the state road from Bloomfield to Centerville.
The first fouring mill erected in the county was put up by J. F. Stratton in 1845. It was the crudest structure of its kind imaginable. "The lower frame consisted of a bee-gum, in which was fitted a small boulder as a bed stone. An- other boulder was dressed to fit above, and a spindle attached, on the top of which was fastened a crank. A small box above served as a hopper." This ingenious and simple contrivance enabled the family to grind their wheat, corn and buck- wheat. Mr. Stratton took great pains in cleaning his grain, so that his flour and corn meal were of as good quality as any to be obtained at the mill in Bonaparte or over in Missouri. This soon became known to Mr. Stratton's neighbors and many of them had their grain ground by him. After doing splendid service (for the times) for the Strattons . and their neighbors, the mill found its way into a pottery at Sharon, where it was long used for grinding clay.
Colonel Jame- Wells, the first permanent settler, erected a flouring mill in 111-11
162
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Wells township, about the year 1845. With this mill and that of Mr. Stratton. the early families in the county were vastly benefited. Before their advent "going to mill" was an event of no little importance and much hardship and inconvenience were connected therewith. Distances to the nearest mills were fifty and seventy- five miles, and to make the journey and back often required a week's time, for it was never certain when the grist could be ground after it reached the mill. There were very apt to be others ahead of it and each grist had to take its turn. Consequently, the man on horseback, with his sack of grain, would quite fre- quently be compelled to wait from one to two and three days before his turn came to have it ground. In the meantime the family at home had to subsist on cracked corn and other stuff equally as primitive. A sawmill was erected in Centerville early in the '4os and by 1850 it had been supplied with machinery for grinding grain. In the same year a sawmill was built in Franklin township by James Hibbs and by the year 1856 he had in operation a flouring mill.
THE CIRCUIT RIDER
In all probability, the first religious meeting held in this county was at the house of J. F. Stratton, in Udell township. On December 15, 1844, two minis- ters of the Baptist faith, Elders Post and Thompson, stopped with him and gath- ering in the neighbors, they preached the gospel to a group of God-fearing men and women, whose numbers had not gained sufficient strength to warrant them in organizing a church society. Four weeks later, one of the elders held a meet- ing at the home of Mr. Camp, who lived near the site of the present village of Unionville.
After he got his family housed and his farm in running order. William S. Manson. a deeply religious man, preached occasionally at his own home, where his neighbors gathered, or at the houses of those who were desirous of hearing. the "Word." The first sermon, preached at the home of Mr. Manson, was by a Methodist clergyman, in the spring of 1845. In 1847 a Methodist class was organized.
The first Sabbath school in Appanoose county, is said to have been organized by C. H. Howell, at his store in Centerville, in 1847. Not long thereafter. the First Presbyterian church of Centerville was organized and for many years Mr. ITowell was one of its elders and clerk of the church. About the year 1846, a Baptist society was formed a little distance west of Centerville.
THE PIONEER STORE
In a log cabin erected by Spencer F. Wadlington in 1846, and situated a little northeast of where the city of Centerville now stands, was opened for business the first store in Appanoose county. The stock was of a variety to suit the needs and purses of settlers in a new country and did not take up any great amount of space. Being a bachelor. Mr. Wadlington slept in the store. his bed being com- posed of bearskins and the pillow a bundle of coonskins. To economize, he did his own cooking. It is stated that the first year's sales of this store in the wilder- ness were a dozen pairs of coarse shoes, half a dozen of calico dress patterns. about that number of bolts of brown muslin, a few coarse casinettes, a sack of
163
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
coffee and a few other groceries. From this small beginning Squire Wadling- ton "got his start" in the county and eventually became an extensive farmer and stock dealer. He was the first mayor of Centerville, was probate judge, justice of the peace and deputy clerk. He held other offices and was a man of import- ance in his day. The death of this noted pioneer occurred on Monday, Novem- ber 4. 1878. lle was in many respects a type of the true Kentuckian-truthful and often generous. He was a Mason, was a member of Jackson lodge, and was buried in the fraternity, in a spot selected by himself, near his house in Independ- enre township. Squire Wadlington was eccentric in character, but for all that he was trusted and respected.
CELEBRATION OF THE NATION'S BIRTHDAY
The first celebration of the 4th of July in this county was at Centerville. in 1851. On that day, although the sky was dark with clouds and the ground soaked with rain, a procession was formed on the public square, headed by a fife and drum corps, the latter being thrummed by B. F. Packard, but the name of the lifer has not been obtainable. The jollifyers marched to a grove near town, and there dis- cussed juicy steaks of a beef that had been barbequed. Addresses were made by Amos Harris. James Wright and others, after the Declaration of Independence had been read, and the eagle screamed triumphantly.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES
The first agricultural society in the county was organized in 1855. A prelim- inary meeting for the purpose of ascertaining the sense of the people relative to the enterprise was held in the latter part of April of that year, the presiding offi- cer being A. S. Stone and Amos Harris, secretary. An adjourned meeting. on the first Saturday in June, followed, at which time F. A. Stevens, W. W. Cottle. Reuben Riggs, James Galbraith and Amos Harris were chosen to prepare articles of incorporation. At a third meeting a constitution and set of by-laws were pre- sented and adopted and then the following named persons paid membership fees : Elias Conger, William Monroe, Asa Dudley, Harvey Tannehill, James McKee- han. John Wilmington, Michael Caldwell, J. P. Anderson, James Wells, F. .. Stevens. D. T. Stevens, J. G. Brown. W. S. Henderson, Amos Harris, Hiram Summers, Solomon Walker. B. S. Packard. J. H. Parker, James Childers, James Galbraith. The presidency of the association fell to the lot of James Wells. Asa Dudley was chosen vice president ; Amos Harris, secretary ; Harvey Tannehill. treasurer. The township committeemen were: Dr. Nathan Udell. Union: E. Taylor, Washington ; James Wells, Wells; J. Delay, H. S. Stone, G. W. Perkins. Center ; F. A. Stevens, Caldwell : J. 11. B. Armstrong, Pleasant : Dr. Hall, Shoal Creek ; John Bland, Johns; D. Stooley, Independence; Mr. Macon, Chariton ; S. M. Andrews, Taylor.
The first fair held by the association, which took the title of the Appanoose County Agricultural Society, was on the 5th day of October. 1855. near Center- ville. There were a large number of exhibits and the meet was quite generously attended. Those winning premiums were : B. Adamson, best boar : H. S. Thomas, yearling heifer : Mr. Abel, second best heifer ; James Wells, yearling bull ; James
161
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Galbraith, cow ; Mr. Abel, second best cow; Valentine Tripp, best bull calf ; Mr. Abel, second best ; Valentine Tripp, best bull; D. Scott, second best ; Thomas Tresser, best yoke of oxen : H. S. Thomas, second best; James Wells, best cow; S. Thomas. second best ; J. H. B. Armstrong, best mule team; Isaac Grigsby, sec- ond best : George Abel, best butter; Mr. Breazeale, second; M. O. Quinn, best boots : Silas Jump, best two-year colt ; William Breazeale, second; D. T. Stevens, best colt, three years old; H. S. Thomas, best yearling mare colt ; Gilbert McFoy, second; G. R. Mors, best yearling horse colt ; O. Harrow, best horse colt ; Simp- son Cupp. second; II. S. Thomas, best stallion : Isaac Gregory, second : J. H. B. Armstrong, best brood mare; James Wells, second; John Wright, buggy horse ; R. Memnon, matched team: J. Conger, draft horse; B. Burdam, second. The total amount of premiums was $33.50.
No fair was held by this organization in 1856 or at any other time, and it is prestimed the society disbanded. Another one, however, was organized in Sep- tember, 1856, with forty members, and the constitution of the former society was adopted. George Abel was the president; J. S. Wakefield, secretary; Har- vey Tannehill, treasurer. A fair was held, but there were only seventeen entries.
.At the meet of 1857 there were sixty-three entries. George W. Perkins exhibited some fine apples and samples of sorghum molasses were entered by tw, other persons. The premiums paid amounted to $25.75. Fairs were held for a number of years and then interest lagged to that extent that the association dis- integrated and the grounds, which were southeast of the Burlington depot, were sold and later cut up into city lots.
Another fair association was organized in the county in the 80s and fitted up beautiful grounds northeast of the city and close to the corporation line. Here were held some interesting gatherings of the community, but like its predecessors. the association failed to impress the people sufficiently with its annual programs and about five years ago the last fair was held in Appanoose county.
FARMERS INSTITUTES
The farmers' institute has come to stay and meets with the commendation of both men and women. AAnnual meetings are held in the fall or winter, and exhibits of farm products are attractions that appeal to many. But the main features of the institute are the lectures of men versed in the science of farming and stock- raising, who are employed to address the gatherings and instruct the farmer how best to cultivate his land. in order to reach the highest results. The state takes a hand in making the farmers' institute interesting and profitable, by appropriat- ing funds to be applied to their support, and each year the institute is becoming more popular and becoming of greater interest. not only to the tiller of the soil, but also the business and professional man.
THE "GRANGERS"
The Patrons of Husbandry was an order that sprang up among the farming communities of the United States in the early ";o> and arrived at its greate-t strength in Appanoose county in the year of 1874. The object of the organiza- tion was to make of its tenets an educational force, as a means for promoting the material condition of the great industry of farming.
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
The order became of great help to members in distress and contributed large . sums of money to those who had become practically helpless through loss of crops, their hollings and other disasters. "Grangers" had their stores and ware- houses for the purpose of heading off the "middleman" and for a while the movement was successful. But roguery crept into the foll and financial scandals were the results. From year to year the ranks of the "Grangers" became weaker and weaker, until today the "Granger" organization has practically ceased to exist in many parts of the country.
On September 27. 1873, when the order in Appanoose was blossoming into vigor and strength, its members held a big celebration at Centerville, where they were addressed by Colonel Earlywine, Rev. Clark, Elder Sevey. J. A. Pierson, J. I. Hughes and Mansel Hughes, and in the following month the establishment of granges was reported as follows: Rehobeth, Hickory, Concord, Bellair. Bun- combe. Philadelphia, Hibbsville, Golden Rule, Caldwell, Antioch, Nashville, Wash- ington, Iowa, and Maple Grove. Others were organized later on and the grange flourished, only to wither and perish in the course of time.
THE COUNTY INFIRMARY
Every community has its poor and indigent people, unable or indisposed to care properly for themselves. A duty devolves on the taxpayer to provide for them. not only under the unwritten law but by statutory provisions. . At first the "poor" of Appanoose county were "farmed out" to individuals, who were paid a certain stipend for taking care of their charges, but soon different methods became imperative and in 1867, the board of supervisors appointed from its mem- bers a committee of three to choose a suitable site for a "poor farm," the cost not to exceed $4.000. The committee, in the line of its duties, viewed several tracts of land within a radius of eight miles from Centerville and finally fixed upon the land owned by W. C. Ewing, situated on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 32. in Bellair township, about six miles southwest of Centerville. The land was secured by the board and the deed was executed and delivered on the 16th day of March, 1867. Possession was given the following November.
The residence was prepared for its unfortunate ( ?) guests and other improve- ments were made. In 1878, a new building, 14 x 28 feet. was erected and the old Ewing house repaired. Since then changes of a progressive nature have taken place on the farm and the county's charges have been well provided for.
FINANCIM. PROGRESS
On the 7th day of October, 1846, Jesse Wood, collector and treasurer of the newly organized bailiwick of Appanoose, reported to the board of county com- missioners that the total valuation of all property in the county, subject to taxa- tion, amounted to $24.055, on which the levy was Saungy, divided as follows:
Territorial 18.20
Poll
54.50
School
73.0,
Total
. $145.70
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Of the above amount the commissioners had abated $23.09; Treasurer Wood collected, in orders, $88.55 of the county tax and $35.96 school tax. The sum of $37.94 was reported as delinquent.
That was sixty-six years ago and as compared with the history of communi- ties in a foreign county, it is a short space of time, when one takes into considera- tion the newness and rawness of the state of lowa in 1846 and brings to mind what small means the first settlers possessed, many of them with scarcely a dollar in money, few articles of furniture, some without beasts of burden or live stock of any kind, and that these hardy and courageous men and women came into a wilder- ness, devoid of habitations or any comforts of life, that they went manfully to work and first erected the crudest of log cabins, many of them without doors, windows or floors, and then, as best they could with the means at hand. breaking the virgin soil to receive the grain and produce a crop. Certain it was that from these small beginnings was produced this rich and growing community and in the comparatively short space of three score years and six the taxable property of the county has grown in value from a few thousands of dollars to millions. Compare the foregoing table with the one that follows and then rejoice in the thought that as descendants of the Appanoose pioneers you have been left a heritage, through their brawn, courage and privations, that is a blessing ever to be kept in mind and that those who made it possible should never be forgotten by the beneficiaries :
ACTUAL ASSESSED VALUE OF REAL ESTATE 1911
Actual value
Township
No. of Acres Actual value
of Lots
Bellair
15,387
S 604,076
S 56,774
Caldwell
2.4,126
623.273
Chariton
14.385
387.844
IO,145
Douglas
13,862
368,881
Franklin
20,999
600,392
Independence
22,584
570.596
.
Johns
2.4.366
962,038
39.412
Lincoln
13.797
557,420
23.930
Pleasant
23,689
570,238
Sharon
15.072
455.351
Taylor
17.304
529.287
1.725
Udell
16,848
586,236
50,956
Union
16,420
387,614
Vermilion
17.402
650.352
Walnut
20.543
549,740
IO,372
Washington
21,841
813.908
Wells
23,816
755.992
5.390
Centerville town
846
75,210
2,400,251
Cincinnati
734
38,428
211,224
Exline
560
40.468
125.468
Moravia
512
27.424
199.724
Moulton
240
19,632
390,736
167
HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Mystic
1.478
62,738
295,664
Rathbun
3
36
35,148
L'dell
105
11,220
25,612
Numa
1 38
28,151
80,639
Total
.327.086
$10.282.545
$4.039,170
ACTUAL VALUE OF PERSONM. PROPERTY 1911
Number
Value
Colts in county one and two years old
2,609
$ 155.165
Horses three years old and over
7.384
711,868
Stallions
83
18,913
Mules and asses over one year old.
1,107
100,257
Heifers one and two years old.
4.570
80,446
Cows
9.755
274,455
Steers one and two years old.
7,228
195.556
Steers three years old.
241
8,579
Bulls
448
12,80!
Cattle in feeding
938
39.039
Swine over six months
9.184
77,812
Sheep and goals
13.300
47.250
Vehicles excluding automobiles
1.213
36,862
Household goods
36,956
Moneys and credits
1.465,091
Merchandise
546,711
Capital employed in manufacture.
41.372
Other personal property
125.670
CHAPTER IX
THE CIVIL WAR AND APPANOOSHE'S PART IN THE CONFLICT- SENDS MANY MEN TO THE FRONT TO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY-BASHOR POST GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC-THE SOLDIERS MONUMENT-COMPANY E. FIFTIETH REGIMENT MATIONML. GUARDS IN THE SPANISHI-AMERICAN WAR-THE ARMORY
THE REBELLION OF THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
John Brown, who declared and honestly believed himself chosen of the Lord to strike the shackles from the southern slave, was hanged on the gallows at Charlestown, near Harper's Ferry, Virginia, on the 20 day of December, 1859. as a penalty for his misguided attempt to cause an uprising of the blacks in the vicinity of Harper's Ferry, where he and his small band of followers had forcibly taken possession of the United States arsenal. This event caused a furor of excitement in the south and events that made for internecine strife and the bloodiest civil war on record were hastened at a furious speed toward Fort Sum- ter, where the shot was fired that echoed its baleful significance throughout the hills and vales of Christendom. The walls of Fort Sumter were battered by the rebel guns at Charleston, South Carolina, by the would-be assassins of the Union on the morning of April 12. 1861, and in twenty-four hours thereafter news of the world-momentous action had reached every accessible corner of the United States. In the south the portentous message was generally received with boister- ous demonstrations of joy and the belief on the part of the masses that the day would soon come for their deliverance from the "northern yoke" and that their "peculiar institution" was to be perpetuated under the constitution and laws of a new confederacy of states. In the north a different feeling possessed the peo- ple. The firing on Fort Sumter was looked upon with anger and sadness, and the determination was at once formed to upholdl the integrity of the Union and the perpetuity of its institutions. It was then that Abraham Lincoln began his great work of preserving the Union.
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