USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 24
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 24
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Joseph Sullivan came to Wayne county from Whitley county, Kentucky, in the year 1840. He lived across the line in Missouri until 1856, when he moved back to Iowa. He was a native of Madison county, Kentucky, and was mar- ried to Narcissa Duncan, daughter of John Duncan. They had seven children. Thomas Duncan was also a native of Whitley county, Kentucky. He built the first house on the Missouri side in what was afterward called Lineville.
In March, 1858, the village of Lineville was formally platted and recorded at the County Recorder's office by Jo- seph Louett, and his wife, Henrietta. The territory then laid out was situated north of the state line.
Additions have since been made thereto, and the village now extends into the state of Missouri. It grew slowly, but steadily until the advent of the railroad in 1871 when it had between three and four hundred inhabitants. The place then received an impetus. In the year 1871 the citizens began talking about an incorporation and this was effected the next fall. The first meeting of the town council was held on the ninth day of December, 1891. The first officers of the town were: G. Taylor Wright, Mayor; C. R. Wright, Re- corder; J. A. Johnson, Assessor; E. R. Belville, Treasurer ; M. Collins, Street Commissioner; James Ferrel, Marshal; James Sullivan, Elijah Glendenning, A. W. Prather and J. S. Saylors, Trustees.
In 1872 the school district township levied and collected a tax amounting to six thousand dollars to build a school house, and one was built. This building was enlarged in 1883 by the addition of a wing, which cost four thousand dol- lars, and the entire house as it is cost about eight thousand dollars.
Lineville has the usual number of churches and church buildings and secret societies. In the way of improvement it has kept pace with the best towns in the county.
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OTHER TOWNS
Besides the four towns above described, there are a num- ber of other points in the county, such as Bethlehem in Wright township, New York in Union township, Benton- ville in Benton township, Lewisburg in Clay township, Promise City in South Fork township, several in Jackson township, Big Springs in Jefferson township, where there is a postoffice, a blacksmith shop and perhaps a small country store where farmers can procure many articles of necessity.
HUMESTON SCHOOLS
Humeston has had the reputation of maintaining better schools than any town of its size is the country. It seems that the early settlers in this town conceived the idea of building up a college town where their sons and daughters could be given a collegiate education at home instead of sending them away to other school towns to acquire such an education.
However, in their laudable scheme or plan to build up such a school, they made the very common mistake of con- cluding that such a school could be made self sustaining. Years ago, at the beginning of this enterprise, it would seem much more feasible than at the present time. Twenty-five years ago competent teachers could be employed at one-half the amount that they would cost today. Under the condi- tions existing when the school enthusiasts of Humeston un- dertook to found a school town, we can readily see how they were induced to believe that such a school would be self sustaining. They figured that Humeston and vicinity would furnish a certain number of students who would gladly pay the highest rate of tuition there rather than attempt to acquire an education at some distant school. In fact, view- ing the matter alone as a business proposition, they thought that they could well afford to pay a high rate of tuition to a home school, rather than pay such tuition to some foreign boarding house school. Then it was not difficult for them. without experience in the matter, to conclude that the income from such tuition to pay the actual cost of operating such a school, after the people of Humeston had by contributions
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paid for building an appropriate school building therefor. But they had made no provision for any increased cost in the operation of the school, or for repairs, and hence it was only a question of time when such increased cost in the operation of such a school would necessarily result in clos- ing its doors.
This was the result, and after trying to operate such a school for several years it has been abandoned, and they are compelled to go back to the high school. They have procured excellent teachers, and have an excellent high school and the people of Humeston certainly deserve great credit for their effort and sacrifices in attempting to found a permanent college.
Simpson college, located at Indianola, is an illustration of the difficulty of trying to build up a school by contribu- tions from the patrons thereof. Indianola and vicinity have for years struggled to maintain a college at that place, and notwithstanding the sacrifices that have been made by the people the existence of the institution has been doubtful at different times. They have taxed themselves and untiringly worked to keep this institution alive. But we are glad to be informed that they have probably secured endowments that will now render the enterprise permanent. This insti- tution has graduated hundreds of students. It has been controlled by the Methodist church and the probability now is that it has become a permanent institution.
TOWNSHIPS
Wayne county has an area of 337,920 acres of land, which was divided into 16 townships. That is, 12 full townships, each being six miles square, and having therein 36 sections, 640 acres of land each; and 4 smaller townships, each con- taining 24 sections, or 61,440 acres of land, making the total number of acres in the county amount to 337,920.
The following are the names of the townships, commenc- ing at the northeast corner of the county and proceeding west six miles, or sections, thence east six miles, or sections. and so on alternately, viz:
Union township, 70 N. R. 20; Richman township, 70 N. R. 23; Benton township, 69 N. R. 22; South Fork township. 69 N. R. 20; Jackson township, 68 N. R. 21; Jefferson town-
.
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ship, 68 N. R. 23; Clinton township, 67 N. R. 22; Washing- ton township, 70 N. R. 22; Clay township, 69 N. R. 23; Cory- don township, 69 N. R. 22; Walnut township, 68 N. R. 20; Warren township, 68 N. R. 22; Grand River township, 67 N. R. 23; Howard township, 67 N. R. 21; Monroe township, 67 N. R. 20.
Thus it is seen that Wayne county is larger than the ordi- nary county, having an additional strip of land on the south side thereof which contains 61,440 acres.
NAMING THE TOWNSHIPS
Daniel Payton, when county judge, divided Wayne county into fourteen townships. Judge Taylor afterwards cut off Warren from Jackson township, and organized How- ard and Clinton townships, making sixteen in all. Howard and Clinton were made from the old township of Medicine. Washington. Benton, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, Jefferson and Monroe townships were named after the well known states- men whose names they bear. Corydon was named by Judge Anderson in honor of his former home township in Indiana. and as hereinbefore stated, in pursuance of the result of a poker game, which gave him right to select such name. Rich- man township was named in honor of M. H. Richman, an old settler in the township. Richman tells a story about his hav- ing to cross the Chariton river early one morning, to obtain a brand from the cabin of Samuel Gunnison, with which to kindle a fire, in pioneer times. Walnut township was named after a creek of that name, which passes through it, and Grand River and South Fork are named for the same rea- son. Howard was christened by Judge Taylor in recogni- tion of Hon. Tilghman A. Howard of Indiana. Warren was named in remembrance of General Warren of Revolutionary fame. Wright was so called in honor of a pioneer named Greenwood Wright. Union is a common and favorite name for townships and counties.
AREA OF THE COUNTY
Wayne county adjoins the State of Missouri and is lo- cated about the center of the state east and west. It com- prises twelve full and four fractional congressional town-
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ships, and has an area of 525 square miles, and 337,920 acres. The general surface of the country is rolling. The soil is a deep rich loam derived from the drift, with a liberal mix- ture of vegetable mold, very productive, and adapted to the growth of corn, wheat, oats, rye, etc. The native prairie grass grew luxuriantly when the county was first settled. Tame grass, such as timothy, clover and blue grass, thrive equally well. Blue grass naturally follows the disappearance of timo- thy, by excessive pasturing. This grass is not fit for hay, but it is superior to any other kind or character of grass for pas- ture. Southern Iowa will produce blue grass equal to that of the famed blue grass region of Kentucky. As a late or winter pasture, it has no equal.
CHURCHES AND CHURCH BUILDINGS
It is interesting to note the establishment and growth of churches and church buildings in any new country on this continent. Whatever may be the belief or theory of the people in reference to Christianity, no person would like to found a home, or raise a family, in a locality where there were no churches. Persons may talk loudly concerning their theories or belief in regard to churches and the future, and vet when he or she approaches the proposition of founding a home for themselves and their children in a community where there are no churches, there is something within them that rebels against such a proposition.
We know that the Indians who first occupied this coun- try had their theories concerning a God and the future, and that in their crude way they paid homage to that God. While they did not provide houses of worship, vet they saw and worshiped the creator of the universe in the mountains, the rocks and the streams of the country. They saw God in every object of His creation. Soon after the advent of the white man, the pioneers of the country, there came a class of ministers seemingly impelled by some unseen force, who followed closely on the footsteps of the pioneer, and sought to implant and impress the teachings of Christianity upon the new community. They had no church buildings! "The Groves were God's First Temples," but the fact that a preacher had arrived at the settlement, and that he would preach at a certain time and place, would pass around the
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entire settlement like signals now sent by wireless telegraphy, and wagons drawn principally by oxen would carry the families of the settlement to the appointed place of worship. The first meeting would likely develop a leader, or leaders of churches, and result in the organization of a church. The difficulty that these early Christians met with in the found- ing and building up of churches, is the same obstacle that has always retarded the growth of churches, and that was the denominational prejudices existing among the people. While each one desired to contribute to this cause, yet each preferred a church of a certain denomination, and the result was the attempt to provide several church buildings and sev- eral ministers in and for a community that was not able to support more than one church. The settler who had been raised under the influences and teachings of the Methodist church, naturally preferred to aid that particular church, while the person who had been connected with, or whose preferences were in favor of the Baptist or Presbyterian church, naturally preferred to aid in providing a building and minister of that denomination. While pioneers inform us that the first settlers were liberal in their views on this question, yet such prejudices existed, and in the end resulted in the founding and growth of several churches in com- munities not able to support more than one church.
The extent and force of such prejudice is and always has been amazing. While the early settlers could and did waive it to a certain extent, yet it still lingered, and still exists, and its prejudicial effects are still visible. While Christians of all denominations agree upon the fundamental facts and principles of Christianity, yet the empty pews in the churches of today are in some degree attributable to this cause. "In union there is strength," and this is true in regard to churches, as it is in every other department of life.
There is one fact of great significance, which must be admitted by the most bitter enemy of Christianity. No earthly power has ever been able to exterminate it, where the seeds thereof have been sown. The bloody Herod, with all of his persecutions, nor the infamous Nero, with all of the power of the Roman government, was able to exterminate Christianity, or even murder the then comparatively few representatives of that faith. An unseen hand seems to have protected and cherished the church.
Church of Christ Baptist Church
Congregational Church Methodist Episcopal Church
A GROUP OF HUMESTON CHURCHES
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WAYNE COUNTY
Morgan Parr, a Baptist preacher, preached the first ser- mon in Corydon in the year 1852. The Baptist church, the oldest church in Corydon, was organized in 1854. Among its first members were J. W. Lancaster, John Ritchie, John Atkinson and Anna Miles. The first pastor of this church was a Mr. Sea, but he was there only a short time. The fol- lowing are the names of his successors, viz: Andrew Green, J. L. Cole, Martin Swallow, Martin Newell, Archy Spring and a Mr. Carpenter, who had charge of the church in 1885.
In the year 1868 they built a church house which cost about $2,000. In 1885 the membership of said church was about forty. The attendance at Sunday school was from fifty to sixty persons. Miss Theodosia Beal acted as its first superintendent. Afterwards C. G. Nelson acted as said superintendent.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
was organized as a mission in 1856, and in the following year of 1857 it purchased a partly finished church house from the United Brethren church.
The following are the names of the pastors who have since occupied said church, viz : B. F. Williams, Z. R. Piercy, Jacob Delay, W. F. Hestwood, W. F. Bartholomew, C. C. Mabee, H. C. Langley, Spooner T. D. Sween, B. Shisin, J. M. Baker, E. H. King, Fred Harris, D. Austin, J. D. Moore.
Its house of worship when new was considered the hand- somest church building then in Corydon. It was commenced in the autumn of 1882 and dedicated in July, 1883. Its cost was $7,000. Its membership in 1886 was about one hun- dred and fifty. J. S. Harlan acted as superintendent of its Sabbath school from about the year 1868 to 1886.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of Corydon was organized in the year 1857. In the year 1860 T. W. Riley purchased an unfinished building from the "Disciples Society," and presented it to the Presbyterian church. Rev. J. P. Bringle, formerly of Decatur county, was the first pastor of this church, and he continued to act as such pastor from its organization until 1882, when he re- signed. Since that date W. P. Braddock officiated as min-
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ister of this church in the summer of 1884. No services were held in this house in the year 1887. W. P. McCanahan acted as superintendent of the Sunday school at this church for several years.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
was organized in Corydon about the year 1857 and held occasional services in the court house until some time in the year 1858, when it built a frame church building in the northern part of town, at a cost of about two thousand two hundred dollars. The Rev. Leonard Proudfit acted as the pastor of this church from 1867 until 1884. The society was then so much decreased in membership and numerical strength that they ceased holding meetings.
THE POLITICAL INDEX OF WAYNE COUNTY
The following votes constitute a correct index to the polit- ical condition of the county since 1852.
1852.
Votes for the Scott electors 80
Votes for the Pierce electors. 85
1854.
Votes for Curtis and Bates. Gov., Dem 124
Votes for James W. Grimes, Whig 101
1855.
Votes for John Edwards for County Judge, Whig 212
Vote for J. C. Best for County Judge, Dem. 218
1856.
Buchanan electors, Dem. 355
Fremont electors, Rep 288
Filmore electors, Rep 176
1857.
Vote for Ralph P. Low for Gov., Rep 399
Vote for Ben McSamuels for Gov., Dem 396
1858.
Vote for John W. Jones, State Treas., Rep 432
Vote for S. L. Hatch, State Treas., Dem. 375
1859.
Vote for Samuel J. Kirkwood, Gov., Rep 521
Vote for A. C. Dodge, Gov., Dem 451
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WAYNE COUNTY
1860.
Vote for Lincoln Pres. Electors, Rep. 586
Vote for Breckenridge Electors, Dem. 482
Vote for Dang Electors, Dem. 8
1861.
Vote for Samuel J. Kirkwood, Gov., Rep. 549
Vote for Wm. H. Merritt, Gov., Dem. 474
1862.
Vote for James Wright, Sec. of State, Rep. 373
Vote for Richard Sylvester, Sec. of State, Dem. 375
1863.
Vote for W. M. Stone for Gov., Rep. 580
Vote for James M. Little, Gov., Dem. 481
1864.
Vote for Lincoln Pres. Electors, Rep 565
Vote for McClellan Electors, Dem. 384
1865.
Vote for W. M. Stone for Gov., Rep. 553
Vote for Thomas H. Benton, Gov., Dem. 516
1866.
Vote for Ed Wright, Sec. of State, Rep. 734
Vote for S. G. Van Anda, Sec. of State, Dem. 538
1867.
Vote for Samuel Merrill, Gov., Rep. 789
Vote for Charles Mason, Gov., Dem. 670
1868.
Vote for Grant Pres. Electors, Rep. 992
Vote for Seymour Electors, Dem. 683
1869.
Vote for Samuel Merrel, Gov., Rep. 905
Vote for George Gillespie, Gov., Dem. 598
1870.
Vote for Ed Wright, Sec. of State, Rep. 821
Vote for Charles Daer, Sec. of State, Dem. 629
1871.
Vote for Cyrus Carpenter, Gov., Rep. 814
Vote for Joseph C. Knapp, Gov., Dem. 606
1872.
Vote for Grant Electors, Rep. 1,118 . Vote for Greely Electors, Lib. Dem. 698
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WAYNE COUNTY
1873.
Vote for Cyrus C. Carpenter, Gov., Rep. 836
Vote for Jacob G. Vale, Gov., Dem. 590
1874.
Vote for Josiah T. Young, Sec. State, Rep. 832
Vote for David Margan, Sec. State, Dem. 651
1875.
Vote for Samuel J. Kirkwood, Gov., Rep 1,058
Vote for Sheppard Leffler, Gov., Demn. 940
1876.
Vote for Hays Pres. Electors, Rep. 1,478
Vote for Tilden Pres. Electors, Dem. 1,044
1877.
Vote for John H. Gear, Gov., Rep. 1,203
Vote for John P. Irish, Gov., Dem. 804
Vote for Elias Jessup, Gov., Prohib. 12
Vote for D. P. Stubbs, Gov. (G. B.) 1878 103
Vote for J. A. T. Hull, Sec. of State, Rep. 1,074
Vote for E. M. Fransworth, Sec. of State, Dem. 1,127
1879
Vote for John H. Gear, Gov., Rep. 1,466
Vote for H. H. Trimble, Gov., Dem. 896
Vote for Daniel Campbell, Gov. (G. B.) 40S
1880
Vote for Garfield Electors, Rep. 1,599
Vote for Hancock Electors, Dem. 1.020
Vote for Weaver Electors 315
The political status of Wayne county has been changeable and uncertain. In the first place it appears that a majority of the early settlers were democrats. While this was the general result of the elections up to the year of the war, 1860, vet during this period the democratic majority was not always stable-on account of local questions, and the formation of new issues and new parties, the republican party and other parties during this period frequently carried the county, and elected local officers.
The same is true of the republican party since 1866. While it is true that since that date the republican party has had a majority of the voters, yet on account of local questions, new issues and new parties, the republicans have failed to elect their candidates for at least one-half of the time. The returns
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WAYNE COUNTY
of the elections in this county present a singular political record. They show that during the first few years after the organization of the county a majority of the county officers were democratic, but this result does not seem to have been brought about by party politics. There was then no rigid party affiliations. There were no party bosses, and no candi- date depended alone upon his party votes. The personal popularity of the candidate had more to do with his election than his party had. In 1856, however, party lines, for some reason not apparent on the surface, were more strictly drawn, and for the next five years the nomination of a democrat was almost equivalent to his election. However, in the year 1863 the republicans, on a straight party vote, carried the county. This party continued in power until the year 1878, when a fusion was formed between the democrats and greenbackers, called the national party, and this fusion party carried the election by quite a large majority. For the next nine years the democratic party in the county decreased in numbers, and the new greenback party increased. This condition lasted until 1879, when the republican party elected its entire ticket over the combined fusion vote. The returns of this election showed that the democrats received 450 votes; the national party received 975 votes, and the republican party received 1,500 votes. Then in the election of 1880 the democrats gained, the greenbackers lost, and the fusion ticket was beaten by a very small republican majority. In 1881 the three parties had candidates in the field, but the republicans carried the election.
The elections of 1882 and 1883 were a drawn battle. Each party elected a part of the county officers. In 1885 the fusion- ists elected their county ticket. The highest majority was 143 in a total of 3,369 votes. The election in 1885 was carried by the republicans.
STATE SENATOR
The counties of Wayne and Lucas, of late years, con- stitute one senatorial district and it has regularly elected a republican senator for the last ten years.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WAYNE COUNTY THE PRESS OF WAYNE COUNTY
Wayne county has had more newspapers, or as many, perhaps as any county in the state. If we may judge from the numbers of papers the people must be great readers.
The following is a list of the different papers that have been published in the county at different times, to wit: The South Tier Democrat, The Corydon Monitor, The Wayne County Republican, The Corydon Times, The Times Re- publican, The Lineville Index, The News, The Lineville Tribune, The Seymour Sentinel, The Ensign, The Head Light, The Enterprise, The Lone Tree Press, The Corydon Democrat, The Humeston New Era, The Wayne County Teacher, The Humeston Independent. The South Tier Demo- crat was established at Corydon in 1858 by D. B. Cutler and A. O. Binkley. In 1861 it was transferred to Binkley, and afterwards Binkley and Morrett became the publishers thereof. These partners did not agree very well, and dur- ing a quarrel that occurred between them it was charged that Binkley had hidden some necessary part of the press, which operated to prevent the publication of the paper. Afterwards Binkley obtained possession of the office ma- terial, and during the latter part of the war he moved it to Princeton, Missouri. Afterwards in 1863 a joint stock company was organized at Corydon to publish a republican paper there. They bought a paper and moved it to Corydon. They employed one Charles H. Austin of Chariton to take charge of this new paper, which they called The Corydon Monitor. William Hartshorn was employed as editor of this new paper. He died in 1867 . His widow employed one Geo. Albertson to take charge of the editorial department of the paper. In August, 1871, E. E. Clark became the editor of this paper, and in the same year it was purchased by Martin Read and published by him for about one year. He then sold this paper to Lewis Miles and C. F. LeCompte. After- wards O. G. Allen purchased Miles' interest in the paper and early in 1874 the paper was removed to Allerton where it was published for eleven years under the name of the Wayne County Republican, with C. F. LeCompte as its sole pro- prietor. In 1875 Mr. LeCompte bought the interest of Mr. Allen in the paper. In the year 1875 The Corydon Times was established by S. W. Miles, a brother of Lewis Miles. In
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WAYNE COUNTY
September, 1877, Dotts and Walker assumed the control of this paper, but a year later the Times passed back into Mr. Miles' hands. In January, 1883, this paper was sold to Ted- ford and Miles. In December, 1884, the Times was consoli- dated with the Republican of Allerton and was called The Times Republican. Since that time W. M. Littell and C. F. LeCompte have been the publishers of this paper, C. F. Le- Compte being its editor and manager.
The Lineville Index was established by H. M. Belvel at Corydon and published as a republican paper until the autumn of 1872, when Mr. Belvel sold his subscription list to the Republican publishers. Mr. Belvel immediately thereafter started The Wayne County Liberal. After three issues of the paper, owing to the disastrous ending of the liberal move- ment, the name of the paper was changed to The News. After conducting this paper for about five years Mr. Belvel sold it to Samuel Wright, and he in 1877 published it as a greenback journal. Afterwards in May 1881 the paper was sold to the Allerton News Company. Since that time the News has been published at Allerton.
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