USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 8
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
"About four o'clock on that same election day in April, 1851, there appeared a grizzled trapper at Fort Atkinson, with a wet, dripping, lame horse, and told a weird tale of how he had lost some poll books while crossing a stream, and nearly lost his life. Had it not been for the exertions of his horse he would have been drowned in the quicksands, and he did not know where the poll books had been washed to, or where they were. He was of the human flotsam and jet- sam of those days, disappeared, and was never afterward heard of, either in Decorah or in this county.
"The county seat election had engendered ill feelings, and left scars that seemingly would not heal, and Decorah's fight was not yet over. Freeport, which had been settled by men of enterprise, knowing of the soreness of the disgruntled ones, saw an opportunity to obtain their aid, and surely expected to change the location of the county seat to that place.
"By the old law, in order to get a vote on the question of the relocation of the county seat, it was necessary to obtain an act of Legislature, authorizing such vote.
"At the election in the fall of 1854 the adherents of Freeport forced the issue on the election of the member of the Legislature. Decorah had a candidate and Freeport was represented by Hon. James D. McKay, who was overwhelm- ingly elected, and the friends of that locality were consequently jubilant. During the 1854-5 session of the Iowa Legislature Claiborn Day had occasion to visit Des Moines, and spent the time there during the session. He had good friends in the Legislature, among others the late Judge Ruben Noble, and before the session was over he had become personally acquainted with every member of the House and Senate. While it did not appear that he was endeavoring to work any member, his apartments were always open to all the influential mem- bers who cared to resort with their kindred spirits. Oyster suppers were the rule, with something on the side for those with a chronic thirst, to while away the time and drive dull care away after the arduous labors of the day. Someone would start something, sometimes the stakes were high and sometimes low, to suit the financial conditions of those engaged. It was near the end of the session when the residents of Freeport, becoming uneasy about the situation, sent a delegation consisting of B. O. Dahly and A. P. Leach to Des Moines to do missionary work for their cause. The speaking member of the delegation not being advised of the temperament of the members, or the conditions existing, made a red hot, stereotyped temperance oration, which did not find favor with the members, and acted as a wet blanket upon the river statesmen.
"When the vote was called and recorded it showed a large majority against ordering an election to change the county seat from Decorah. You can imagine the surprise, chagrin and disappointment of the member from Winneshiek county ! He was, in fact, a broken-hearted politican, with no excuse to offer to his con- stituents. However, a bill was passed to meet this and other similar cases, where there had been frequent strife elsewhere in the state, which authorized a relocation on petition of a majority of the electors, the number of voters at the proceding election being taken as a basis.
"In February, 1856, the Freeport adherents, smarting under the Legislature defeat, presented to Judge David Reed a petition for an election, signed by a majority of the previous election which showed 420 voters.
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"It was known that Judge Reed was a firm friend of Decorah, an honest man with a good idea of right and wrong, to which might be added the qualifica- tions of a good fellow, much more than a familiarity with Blackstone or Kent. "To meet this petition, a remonstrance was formulated, which, after it had been signed by all the friends of Decorah that could be reached through the local pride, promises, bribes or cajolery, was taken by Day to Fort Atkinson, where there was a resident, at that time, who was expert with the pen ( said to be a Canadian), who made signatures thereon for a part of the day and most of the night, signing all the names he could think of, in different colored inks, many copied from 'Wild Cat' bills, others from bank notes, old deeds, or bonds, with occasionally an inscription from a tombstone in Northern New York or Canada. When completed the remonstrance contained about 800 names written on fools- eap paper, pasted together at the ends, making a very imposing roll nearly forty feet in length. History states that Wm. Painter was offered the flattering and honorable position of presenting the remonstrance, and swearing, so far as he knew, the signers were residents of the county. And, so far as he knew, they were, without a doubt. It is history, too, that the case was argued, Levi Bullis appearing for the petitioners and E. E. Cooley appearing for the remon- strants.
"After the arguments were heard, Judge Reed carefully examined the peti- tion for an election. On being handed the remonstrance he commenced to unroll and examine the signatures of his neighbors and friends that were familiar to him, with more in sight, and kept unrolling until he reached the wall of the room, and then had to turn. After a mature deliberation the learned Judge decided that the 'remonstrance appeared to have a large majority, almost two to one, I shouldl judge, and 1 therefore decide to grant no election."
"Freeport. ever tenacious, was not satisfied and again in July of the same year appeared with another petition, asking for the election, which was met by the same tactics as on the previous occasion, and suffered the same fate, and the matter was finally settled on a writ of certiorari by the decision of Judge Mur- dock, of the District Court, affirming' the decision of the county court.
"The following year the building of the Court House was commenced, and this contest was forever ended."
Decorah has since remained in undisputed possession of the county seat, but not without being given a scare by Calmar in 1898, when a proposition was placed before the people to vote funds to erect a new courthouse. Calmar citizens subscribed $25,000 to build a courthouse if the county seat was trans- ferred to their town, but the proposition failed to get a vote. It has always been contended by the knowing ones that Calmar's activity at that time started as a joke. However that may be, it was not so regarded by a majority of those out- side the two towns most vitally interested.
With the organization of the county completed there naturally followed a sub-division into townships. This was not done at once, however. The first (lection after the organizing election was held in April, 1852, and by order of court the polling places were designated as follows:
Precinct No. 1, at house of Wm. Day, Decorah.
Precinct No. 2, at house of Francis Rogers, Lewiston.
Precinct No. 3, at the house of John DeCou, Moneek.
ICE CAVE, DECORAIL
DUNNING'S SPRING, DECORAH
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Referring to Alexander's History of Winneshiek County, we find that in July following "the division line between precincts 2 and 3 was changed and made to run between ranges 7 and 8," thus throwing, as the record says, one more tier of townships into the third precinct. From this I infer that the third precinct originally consisted of what is now known as Bloomfield and Frankville town- ships, and was six miles wide, east and west, and twelve long. Precinct No. 2 covered three times as much territory, and was eighteen miles wide, and twelve long. This left all the remainder of the county in precinct No. I. March I, 1853, the latter was so divided up as to make what is now Canoe, Bluffton and Orleans townships, with the townships north of them, precinct No. 4. February 5, 1854, what are now Military and Springfield were divided from Washington (now named for the first time) and created township (not precinct) No. 5.
"March 6, 1854, township 98, range 7, was separated from 'Decorah Pre- cinct,' and was called township No. 6. It is now known as Glenwood.
"March II, 1855, 'Burr Oak Precinct' was divided, and the entire tier on the north line of the county was called Burr Oak. The remaining part of the pre- cinct was named Canoe. At the same session of the county court, township 99, range 10, was set off and given the name of Pilot Grove.
"On the tax list of 1855, proper names are given to each of these precincts. Precinct No. I had become Decorah, Glenwood, Canoe, Burr Oak and Pilot Grove; township No. 2 appears as Bloomfield and Summit ( now Frankville), and No. 3 had been divided into Military and Washington ; but no record other than I have quoted appears upon the court minutes as to these and subsequent changes. According to the tax lists, in 1856 Pleasant township took its name and place, in 1858 Summit had become Frankville, and Pilot Grove, Orleans ; Springfield had been separated from Military, Calmar and Sumner from Wash- ington, and Hesper and Fremont from Burr Oak. In 1860 Madison was taken from Decorah, and Highland divided from Pleasant; and in 1862 the symmetry of all the townships was completed by the division of Lincoln from Sumner, and Jackson from Washington.'
It will be noted that the early designation of these townships was by pre- cinct number. The records do not disclose the use of names for townships until 1854.
CHAPTER VI
POLITICS AND POLITICIANS
With the organization of the county perfected, and the location of the county seat disposed of-temporarily at least -- the thoughts of the settlers turned to county officers, and an election was called to be held on August 4, 1851. Alex- ander's History says that "according to the best information obtainable a well attended caucus was held in the log cabin of Nelson Johnson, in the southern corner of Decorah township." That the settlers lined up on opposing sides is shown by the fact that there was a contest for each office with the result that -- David Reed was chosen county judge over J. R. Morse. George Bachel defeated James F. Moore for sheriff. Francis Rogers won out for supervisor over William Vail. John W. Kline defeated R. G. Nuvland for surveyor. Daniel Kuykendahl was elected recorder and treasurer over Philip Morse. E. W. Aldrich defeated D. Bender for coroner.
A total of eighty-two votes were cast and the election was conducted by Isaac Underhill, F. Joseph Huber and Joseph Brown, who served as judges.
While he was elected for a term of two years, through a chain of circum- stances related below, Judge Reed continued in office until 1855. In 1853 Joseph Gibbons and J. T. Atkins were candidates for the judgeship. On the face of the returns Gibbons had ten majority, but friends of Atkins contested the election and the case was heard before Judge Reed. The testimony disclosed that the trustees of Bloomfield township changed the polling place from Moneek to Castalia without giving proper notice. Thirteen voters testified that they went to Moneek to vote and, not having been advised of the change, were deprived of their right, adding that they would have voted for Atkins. In place of throwing out the vote of Bloomfield township. Judge Reed set aside the election of judge, declaring no one elected. As Judge Reed was elected to serve until his successor was elected and qualified, no vacancy was created,-hence he continued in office until after the next regular election, which was in the fall of 1855.
It is not disclosed why a full compliment of officers was not elected in August, 1851, but it seems from the records that it was not until April, 1852. that the offices of School Fund Commissioner and Clerk of Courts were filled by the election of N. S. Gilbert and W. F. Kimball, the defeated candidates
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIER COUNTY
being John McKay and James B. Schenck. In the same election James B. Chase was elected Coroner over Wm. Painter. A total of iSo votes were cast.
It is related in Alexander's History that "at first the amount that the officers received on their salaries depended on the amount of fees received; for from the first the Judge. Clerk and Treasurer were accustomed to meet at stated intervals, each reporting the fees he had received, and then the money would be divided between them. The Treasurer would also report the cash in the Treasury, which would be divided with equal impartiality ; then County Judge Reed would issue county warrants to each one for the balance found due. . 1s soon as taxes were levied and collected this system ceased."
In the August election of 1852 M. B. Derrick was elected Clerk of District Court, James D. MeKay was elected Prosecuting Attorney and 11. K. Averill, Surveyor. One hundred and fifty votes were cast.
In April, 1853, the fourth election occurred, with 224 votes cast. Aaron Newell was elected Clerk ; N. S. Gilbert, Treasurer and Recorder ; H. K. Averill, Surveyor ; J. F. Moore, Drainage Commissioner ; A. H. Fannon, Coroner.
The semi-yearly elections during the first three years showed peculiar fluctua- tions in vote as is noted by a falling off of fifty-one between April and August, 1853. In the latter contest 173 votes were cast. N. S. Gilbert was re-elected Treasurer and Recorder, and Elijah Middlebrook, Surveyor, without opposition. James F. Moore was elected Sheriff but failed to qualify, and Judge Reed declared the office vacant and appointed W'm. F. Kimball. Samuel Kendall was elected Coroner.
The April election of 1854 witnessed several changes in the personnel of county officers. John McKay was re-elected School Fund Commissioner, James Van Pelt was defeated for sheriff by Elijah Middlebrook, Nelson Burdick was elected Treasurer and Recorder over Wm. F. Kimball, and Wm. Painter was chosen Drainage Commissioner.
James D. McKay, who had been elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1852, was clected as member of the lower house of the lowa Legislature in August. 1854. Albert B. Webber was elected to fill the attorneyship, but he failed to qualify. Dryden Smith, appointed to fill vacancy, resigned, and J. F. Atkins accepted appointment and served out the term.
Readers of to-day need not think that the discussion of prohibition is a thing of recent development. The principal feature of the contest in Winne- shick county in the election of April, 1855, was this same question of prohibition, and the anti-prohibition adherents only won out by the meagre majority of two. the vote standing 169 against and 167 for prohibition.
This same contest witnessed the introduction of two young attorneys into the political life of the county-men who were subsequently to become important factors in the public life of the community. In May, 1854, Levi Bullis came to Decorah. lle was a native of Plattsburg. New York, and beside being endowed with a good education he possessed the fighting spirit of the successful lawyer. In October of the same year another New Yorker, Ezekiel E. Cooley also found Decorah a goodly place to locate. He, too, was well educated, and though no less a fighter than Mr. Bullis, his manner was in marked contrast, being smooth and polished, whereas his fellow lawyer was more of the rough and ready type. Both were candidates for Prosecuting Attorney in this election, Mr. Cooley being
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returned a winner. Mr. Cooley subsequently served the county in the Legislature, being elected in 1857. He was appointed judge of the Tenth Judicial district by Governor Gear in 1879, was re-elected in 1880 for one term, and again in the ninties was elected Judge of the Thirteenth District, serving with great credit. He was also postmaster of Decorah in 1861-63.
Mr. Bullis never achieved but one success as a candidate for office, being elected as a member of the first Board of Supervisors in 1860, but as a lawyer he won a wide following and enjoyed the patronage of a large clientage.
What has hitherto been called the eighth election, but in fact was the ninth, was held August 6th, 1855. Nelson Burdick was re-elected Treasurer and Recorder ; James Van Pelt, Surveyor, and Philip Morse, Coroner. On the Ist of April following Aaron Newell resigned and Nathaniel Otis succeeded him by appointment as Clerk of the district court.
But one office was voted on at the spring election in 1856, and J. E. B. Morgan was elected School Fund Commissioner in a field of four contestants. There were 816 votes cast, showing that the county was sustaining a healthy growth in population. The abolishment of the office of School Fund Commis- sioner during Mr. Morgan's term eliminated it from politics, but there were enough other offices to make elections exceedingly interesting.
Another office that was abolished along about this time was that of liquor agent. It was the duty of this officer to see that traffic in liquors was confined strictly to sales for medicinal purposes. L. Butler, who held the office, resigned on June 26, 1856, and Dr. H. C. Bullis filled out the unexpired term. The office was then discontinued.
The election of August, 1856, was an important one to Winneshiek county as it marked her break into the ranks of senatorial representation. The county was a portion of the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial district composed of Allamakee, Floyd, Howard, Mitchell, and Winneshiek. The total vote enrolled was 2,331 and J. T. Atkins, who has been nominated by the republicans, was elected by a majority of 883 votes, or 167 more than the total vote of his opponent, Edward Ellis. L. W. Griswold was elected Prosecuting Attorney and Nathaniel Otis was re-elected Clerk of district court in a three-cornered fight, his opponents being D. H. Hughes and G. W. Esty.
The first special election in the county was held on October 10, 1856, when a proposal to vote $100,000 to aid in the construction of the Northwestern rail- road was carried by a vote of 926 to 505. The road was never built.
At the election held in April, 1857. James B. Smith was elected sheriff, George N. Holway, County Assessor, and James E. Simpson, Drainage Com- missioner.
In July, 1857, L. W. Griswold resigned as Prosecuting Attorney and Dryden Smith was appointed to fill the vacancy. In the election of August following he was elected for a full term, but the office was abolished during the succeeding winter. The reason for Mr. Griswold's resignation is seen in his candidacy for the office of County Judge. He was elected over J. A. Tupper who had also been his unsuccessful opponent in the attorneyship contest of the year previous. In this election Nelson Burdick was re-elected Recorder and Treasurer for the third term, L. W. Ludlow was chosen County Surveyor, and Amos Hoag, Coroner.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
With the creation of the office of county superintendent of public instruction the schools were placed on a more substantial footing. Dr. H. C. Bullis was elected to fill the office for the term beginning immediately after the election of April 14, 1858. This was the forerunner of a long public service in which Dr. Bullis was chosen to occupy various positions of importance and trust. In 1865 he was elected to the Iowa Senate and served four years. In 1871 he was elected Lieutenant Governor. President Grant in 1876 appointed him a member of the commission that negotiated the purchase of the Black Hills territory from the Sioux Indians; in 1880 he was elected Mayor of Decorah, serving two terms, and he was postmaster of Decorah under Benjamin Harrison's admin- istration.
In the election of October, 1858, over 1,300 votes were cast, which would indicate a population of between 6,000 and 7,000 people in the county. S. W. Paul was elected clerk of district court, and J. E. Simpson, county surveyor.
The successful candidates in the elections of 1859 were Erick Anderson, sheriff: S. W. Mattison, clerk: T. W. Burdick, recorder and treasurer; H. K. Averill. surveyor ; John R. Howard, coroner : W. F. Coleman, county super- intendent. In November, 1860, S. W. Mattison was re-elected clerk of district court. Up to and including the year 1860 the county judge had the direction of the expenditure of much of the county money and also performed the duties of county auditor. In this year the administration of county affairs was placed in the hands of a board of supervisors composed of one member from each town- ship. This body organized in January, 1861, while the county court was retained to handle probate and similar matters. The records show that the county court continued until January 1. 1869, when it was superceded by the circuit court system. Between January 1, 1860, and the discontinuance of the office the fol- lowing served as county judges: 1860-61, D. H. Hughes; 1862-1863, John DeCou; 1864-1867, G. R. Willett; 1868, E. Cutler. Mr. Cutler, upon retiring for the judgeship became ex-officio county auditor and was subsequently re- elected twice.
With the election of 1860 there came a regularity in service in the county offices that permits a record that is more concise than the foregoing.
COUNTY AUDITORS
Beginning with E. Cutler the record reads as follows: E. Cutler, 1869 to 1873: H1. A. Biglow. 1873 to 1875: F. G. Hale, 1875 to 1881: T. E. Egge, 1881 to 1885: J. W. Daubney, 1885 to 1893: O. C. Johnson, 1893 to 1899; F. A. Masters, 1899 to 1905: 1. Linnevold, 1905 to 1911; E. W. Christopher. 1911 to 1912. W. R. Shea, elected in November, 1912, and entered upon his duties January 1, 1913.
CLERKS OF COURT
S. W. Mattison, who first election brought him into office January 1. 1860, served until 1867. Dan Lawrence, 1867 to 1869; M. P. Hathaway, 1869 to 1871 ; S. E. Tubbs, 1871 to 1875: A. W. Brownell. 1875 to 1877; E. B. Hutchinson. 1877 to 1881; M. W. Harden, 1881 to 1884; N. H. Nelson, 1884 to 1891; E.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
D. Field, 1891 to 1893; Henry Elvidge, 1893 to 1899; A. L. Haakenson, 1899 to 1905; S. E. Brickner, 1905 to 1911. Olai Kallivang, elected in November, 1910, re-elected in 1912, now serving his second term.
SHERIFFS
Erick Anderson, elected in 1859, served until 1863. He was succeeded by the following : Armund Arneson, 1863 to 1867; A. S. Skofstad, 1867 to 1869; Knut Thompson, 1869 to 1873; C. H. Hitchcock, 1873 to 1875; J. H. Womeldorf, 1875 to 1879; DeWitt C. Moore, 1879 to December 8, 1881. H. M. Langland appointed December 8, 1881, to fill vacancy ; elected in November, 1882, again in 1883, 1885 and 1887. O. N. Norgard, 1890 to 1894; Clarence Christen, 1894 to 1902; George Mizener, 1902 to 1907; T. J. Qualley, 1907 to 1913. L. J. Flemming, elected in November, 1912, began service January 1, 1913.
TREASURERS
T. W. Burdick elected in 1860 and re-elected in 1861, resigned in 1862 to enlist in the army, and was succeeded by appointment by G. R. Willett who filled out the term. Then followed: A. K. Bailey, 1863 to 1865; G. N. Holway, 1865 to 1869; G. T. Lommen, 1869 to 1873; Edwin Klove, 1873 to 1882; N. H. Adams, 1882 to 1884; C. E. Meader, 1884 to fall of 1887; A. W. Brownell, elected to fill vacancy in 1887 and for full term, re-elected in 1889; Henry Yager, 1892 to 1894; L. B. Whitney, 1894 to 1898; W. O. Nordheim, 1898 to 1902; E. R. Haines, 1902 to 1908. G. Jorgenson entered upon his first term January 1, 1908, re-elected in 1910 and 1912. Now serving his third term.
RECORDERS
Up to 1864 the Recorder's duties were performed by the County Treasurer. In that year the two offices were separated and John E. Powers was elected as Recorder. He was re-elected in 1866 and served until January 1, 1869, the suc- cessors being as follows: Cyrus Mckay, 1869 to 1875; Chas. Steen, 1875 to 1878: Wm. Fannon, 1878 to 1883; M. A. Harmon, 1883 to 1889; T. F. Auch- moody, 1889 to 1897; N. N. Quandahl, 1897 to 1899; C. H. Lawrence, 1899 to 1905 ; H. S. Stinson, 1905 to 1911 ; Allen Wise elected in November, 1910, entered upon his duties January 1, 1911, re-elected in November, 1912.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS
As mentioned in a preceding portion of this chapter Dr. H. C. Bullis was the first County Superintendent of schools. There succeeded him : J. M. Wedge- wood, 1864 to 1872; Henry T. Toye, 1872 to 1874; G. N. Holway, 1874 to 1876; Nels Kessy, 1876 to 1882; J. A. Klein, 1882 to 1884; Dan Shea, 1884 to 1890; H: L. Coffeen, 1890 to 1896; G. O. Haugen, 1896 to 1900; E. J. Hook, 1900 to 1909; S. Reque, 1909 to 1913; H. E. Miller, 1913-now serving first term. The 35th General Assembly made this office appointive on a basis of qualification.
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COUNTY SURVEYORS
James E. Simpson, elected in 1859, served until January 1. 1862. E. Baldwin, 1862 to 1870; W. C. Adsit, 1870 to 1876; J. L. Cameron. 1876 to 1880: R. B. Caldwell, 1880 to 1882: J. L. Cameron. 1882 to 1896; C. E. Schenck, 1896 to November 1, 1905; F. E. Cratsenberg, appointed to fill vacancy November 14. 1905, resigned in April, 1906. Elected in November. 1906, and again in 1908, serving until September 1, 1910, when he resigned. H. L. Coffeen appointed April 12, 1906, to fill vacancy, served until January 7, 1907. W. M. Lee, appointed September 10, 1910, to fill vacancy; elected for full term beginning January 1. 1911, in November, 1910. The office was abolished during his term. Mr. Lee has since served by appointment as County Engineer, the title by which the surveyor is now known.
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