USA > Iowa > Polk County > Pioneers of Polk County, Iowa, and reminiscences of early days, Vol. II > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
In 1842, he came to Iowa, stopping at Fort Madison, where he started a furniture shop, which soon after was destroyed by fire. He started again, and again his shop went up in flames. Added to his misfortune, he was prostrated with severe and dangerous illness, but the good people of the town, with the proverbial kindliness and good-fellowship of the pioneer, appreciating his energy and sterling qualities, generously cared for him during his confinement, and offered assistance to rehabilitate his business, for all of which he was exceedingly grateful, but his independent spirit was too strong to accept charity.
He then went to New Orleans, where he remained a short time, when a longing for his old home led him back to Philadelphia, where he disembarked from a sea vessel with one dollar in his pocket. He started in business again, but it was a losing game, and early in 1848, he turned his face westward, stopping at Saint Louis, where he got a contract job. While there, he learend of "the future Capital of Iowa," and came to see it. So well was he pleased he made a claim for one-half section of land in the southwestern part of what is now Delaware Township, on the east branch of Four Mile Creek. He also purchased, for thirty dollars, two lots on Walnut Street, now occupied by the Harris-Emery Company's store. He went back to Saint Louis, finished his contract job, pur- chased some material for cabinet work, returned to Fort Des Moines, October First, and opened a small shop on the west side of
269
270
PIONEERS OF POLK COUNTY, IOWA
the Court House Square, and there he made the first furniture made in Des Moines. But it was too far out-the center of busi- ness and trade was all on Second Street, toward 'Coon River, and soon after, he purchased a lot on Third Street, where the Harbach Building is, built a log cabin, and started the first furniture store and cabinet maker's shop in the town. His push and energy secured him a good patronage, and his sales extended over a large area. In homes at Iowa City to-day can be found some furniture of his making. He used to say that he made all the coffins used within twenty-five miles of his shop.
The times were hard, but such was his faith in the future, he took advantage of the low price of real estate, and invested every surplus dollar he could get in it, for he had the sagacity to see ahead. October Thirtieth, 1848, he entered the claim he had made with two land warrants. Subsequently, he added two hundred and forty acres more, which became his home farm. The county rec- ords are frequently paged with entries of his purchases. He relieved "Tom" McMullin, "Jim" Campbell, and others who had overloaded themselves with more town lots than they could carry or pay for. In later years, telling of some of his purchases, he said that, early in 1849, Campbell came to his shop one day and wanted to buy a bedstead-must have one. He had no money, but he could put up some town lots. He selected a bedstead the price of which was eight dollars, costing less than five dollars, for which he offered two lots at the corner of Eighth and Walnut. Conrad didn't want them at any price; they were too far out. It ran along several days, when Mrs. Campbell came and urged him to make the trade, as she had no bed to sleep on.
"But," said Conrad, "I declined. I told her the lots were too far off ; they were of no use for business, but she said, 'O, the town may grow sometime, and you can fence them in and use them for a cowyard.' I shook my head. Finally, she went to my wife with a hard tale about having to sleep on the floor, so, between them, I gave it up, and told Mrs. Campbell to come and get the bedstead. I charged profit and loss with five dollars, and let it go at that."
Several versions of that trade have been given from time to time, but this is the only authentic one. Reinking built a small
271
CONRAD D. REINKING
brick house on the lots, which he lived in for a time, and subse- quently built the structure now known as Reinking Block.
In 1849, he became a victim of the California gold fever. The continuous cavalcade, day after day, of gold-seekers, east and west as far as the eye could reach, and the fabulous tales of gold finds, overpowered him. He turned his shop over to J. E. Jewett, a law- yer, and, with Isaac Cooper, a wagon and four yoke of oxen, joined the procession, landing four months later, toil-worn and weary, in that Eldorado, where he remained until the Spring of 1851, when he returned with nearly one thousand dollars as the net result of his venture, but with health greatly impaired. He at once returned to his shop and resumed a business which gave evidence that Jewett was a much better lawyer than cabinet maker, where he continued until 1855, when, with shattered health, he sold to the Harbachs and went to his farm, having, in 1851, taken a helpmate.
At the April election, in 1852, he was elected a member of the first Council of the Town of Fort Des Moines, a body of men of good sense and sound judgment, who, without precedents or expe- rience-there were no junketings to other cities to get pointers, they had no money-laid the foundation of the civic government of what has come to be a city noted for its refinement, good govern- ment, schools and churches. They had to devise and formulate measures for a Treasurer, Recorder, Marshal, and make police regulations. Their meetings were held in the old first Court House, lighted with a tallow "dip" stuck in the neck of a bottle. They received no pay for their services. The Council consisted of the Reverend Father Bird, President ; Jesse Dicks, stove dealer ; C. D. Reinking, cabinet maker; P. M. Casady, lawyer-he had not got to be a Judge; William T. Marvin, proprietor of the Marvin House; Hoyt Sherman, Postmaster, and R. W. Sypher, merchant. J. K. Dollar was elected Recorder, but not liking the job, resigned, and W. A. Galbraith, a grain merchant, was put in his place. "Sammy" Gray, the first plasterer in the town, was made Treas- urer, and Alex. Bowers, Marshal. He subsequently became United States Marshal. Of them all, Judge Casady is the only one living .*
*Judge Casady died August 31, 1908.
272
PIONEERS OF POLK COUNTY, IOWA
The Council served one year, the people evidencing a very sin- gular appreciation of their gratuitous, philanthropic labor, by not electing one of them to the next Council.
Reinking was always active in promoting the interest of farm- ers. He set apart and furnished a room in his block for the free use of the Farmers' Exchange, an organization formed to promote the sale and exchange of farm products-a kind of market, where farmers could have recorded with the Secretary what they had to sell, which was at once listed on a bulletin board so that purchasers could make a selection. Subsequently, a Farmers' Club was organ- ized, with headquarters and monthly meetings at that Exchange. The whole arrangement was of great benefit to the farmers of Polk County.
In 1883, he built a fine brick residence on East Grand Avenue, and there made his home during his life.
Socially, he was a kind neighbor, and a good citizen ; charitable toward worthy objects; of positive temperament, and firm in his convictions. There was never any ambiguity in his expressed thought or action. He was not a hero-worshiper. Honesty and sterling integrity were marked characteristic traits, which won the most implicit confidence and trust in business circles. He was a stockholder in the old First Savings Bank, a Director in the Citi- zens' National Bank, a Director in the People's Bank, and for many years Vice-President and Director of the Polk County Sav- ings Bank, and, on the decease of Judge Wright, was tendered the presidency, but declined. He was one of the oldest and most active members of the Masonic fraternity, donating largely to its funds. He was also one of the oldest members of the Order of Odd Fel- lows in the city.
Politically, he was a Whig, but, under all conditions and cir- cumstances, an Anti-Monopolist. His antagonism to monopolies was the dominant trait in his character. The destruction of the Standard Oil Company, and its burial beyond the possibility of resurrection, would have given him extreme satisfaction. He was active in political affairs, and many times tendered a nomination for important offices, but he would have none of them.
273
CONRAD D. REINKING
Religiously, he was not a member of any sectarian denomina- tion. His creed was, "The Fatherhood of God, and Brotherhood of Man."
February Seventeenth, 1907.
VOL. II-(18).
i .
HARRISON LYON
A CONSPICUOUS personage in the early days of the county, and one of the most portentous boosters of Des Moines, was Harrison Lyon.
Born in Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana, October Sixteenth, 1811, he passed the years of his youth with his parents, his father, Jonathan Lyon, having settled there at an early day, when South- ern Indiana was a wilderness. Subsequently, he removed to Washington County, and, being an enterprising, active man, was soon recognized by the people as suitable to take charge of public affairs, and was elected Clerk of the District Court. He served through several terms with marked ability, and to the satisfaction of the public and his many friends. He was also an active business man, and became one of the wealthiest of the county.
Harrison, during his minority, acquired the best education the common schools of that day afforded. Arriving at manhood, he engaged in farming and milling, and, like his father, soon became another of the leading men of the county.
In 1851, he disposed of all his property there and came to Fort Des Moines. It was the year, says Leonard Brown, the poet laure- ate of that day, which
"Brought the mighty flood of water-
When poured down the floods from heaven
Till the river was a mammoth, Swallowing all the vegetation,
Trees and everything before it- Reaching over all the bottoms-
Climbing higher up the hillsides
Than it ever had before climbed- Moving with tremendous fury, Irresistible and vengeful."
275
276
PIONEERS OF POLK COUNTY, IOWA
The East Side bottoms were strewn with debris, uprooted trees, wrecks of houses, and farm implements. The landscape was not very attractive to a stranger seeking a new home, but his good sense and business sagacity prompted him to stay. Selecting the highest point he could find, for safety from inundation, he pur- chased of Benjamin Coffeen four hundred acres, on part of which now stands the Capitol and State Historical Building. The land was covered with timber and underbrush so dense it was nearly impossible to get through it-in fact, a party of young women, in attempting to do so, got lost and wandered helplessly about for several hours, until rescued by anxious, searching friends, who found them where what is now Franklin Park, then a slough and frog pond, and favorite resting-place and feeding-ground for wild ducks when making their migratory flights north and south.
There were but two or three log cabins on the bottoms on the east side of the river-the bottoms being divided into farms-and Lyon rented a small house on the West Side. He then cleared a space on his land near what is now the corner of East Thirteenth and Walker, and built a log cabin, in which he made his home.
In 1853, he cleared another part of his four hundred aeres, where the Capitol stands, and at a point near the northwest corner of the present edifice, erected a fine cottage for himself and family, intending it to be his future home.
When he came here, the removal of the Capitol of the state to a more central location was a topic of general discussion. The General Assembly took up the subject, when immediately arose an intense rivalry between Fort Des Moines, Oskaloosa, Marshall- town, Cedar Rapids, and other localities. The question hung fire through four sessions of the General Assembly, but through the influence and persistent effort of Judge Casady, Colonel "Tom" Baker, Doctor A. Y. Hull, "Uncle Jimmy" Jordan, Alfred M. Lyon, Doctor W. P. Davis, representatives in the General Assem- bly from Polk County; Barlow Granger, Hoyt Sherman, Colonel J. M. Griffith, "Uncle Tommy" Mitchell, R. L. Tidrick, and other citizens, Polk County was selected, in January, 1855. In the meantime, a strife arose as to where in the county the site was to be. Doctor T. K. Brooks had started a town about two miles east
277
HARRISON LYON
of The Fort, "Uncle Jerry" Church another farther down the river, and John Saylor had his booming town of Saylorville, all expectant rivals. They had secured the insertion in the law of a clause that the site for the Seat of Government "be within two miles of the junction of Des Moines and Raccoon rivers." That let in Doctor Brooks and "Unele Jerry" with their embryo cities. Commissioners were appointed by the General Assembly to make the selection of a site. The Commissioners delayed their coming several months, and before their arrival, Brooks and "Uncle Jerry" withdrew from the contest, which left it to the east and west sides of the Des Moines River. Then arose a contest which was vigorous, bitter and acrimonious, engendering a strife which continued for more than forty years.
Harrison Lyon, as an inducement to locate the Capitol on the East Side, offered to donate ten aeres, Doctor Brooks and W. A. Scott offered another tract which is now known as Governor's Square, as a site for the Governor's mansion.
Colonel J. A. Williamson and T. A. Walker offered another tract on East Walker Street, known as State Square.
W. A. Scott, or Alex., as everybody called him, offered another tract of forty acres, which embraced a part of the south half of the Capitol Grounds, and the block whereon is now the Soldiers' Monu- ment, and further agreed to erect a State House and donate it to the state.
The East Side won, and so soon as the site was fixed, deeds were made April Twenty-ninth, 1856, and recorded for the four several tracts. A Building Association was formed by Scott, who was the prime mover, a three-story substantial brick building was erected, which, for twenty years, during the most notable epoch in the history of the state, was occupied by the state officers, Supreme Court, and General Assembly. Around its walls cluster memories of heart-stirring scenes and notable events. When the new Capitol was ready for occupancy, the old was left to the ele- ments, tramps and bats, until it went up in flames.
In May, 1856, Lyon having given to the state his cottage-home grounds, an exceedingly liberal, seldom equaled, donation, he plat- ted forty acres, making wide streets and alleys, which is now
278
PIONEERS OF POLK COUNTY, IOWA
known as Lyon's Addition to the city, and in 1857, built a large, two-story frame house on the south half of Block Five, on Keokuk Street (now Grand Avenue), which for many years was known as the Lyon homestead. He surrounded it with trees and shrubbery, and it was deemed one of the finest residences on the east side of the river. In 1896, the entire half block was sold to the state, the house moved to East Tweltfh Street, and is now occupied by two of his daughters. On the old site stands the State Historical Build- ing, which my good friend, Charles Aldrich, thinks is the best thing on earth.
Very soon after his arrival, Lyon, in addition to the four hun- dred acres purchased of Coffeen, bought six hundred and forty near where the State Fair Grounds are, two hundred on what is now West Grand Avenue, where are the finest residences in the city, and several hundred acres near Sioux City. Such was his judgment and perspicacity, he never made a mistake in an invest- ment. He was a keen observer of human nature and passing events. Nothing escaped his observation. A close reader of the world's doings, he was always posted on public affairs of his own country.
Socially, he was of quiet demeanor, affable, genial in tempera- ment, companionable, a good neighbor, public-spirited, liberal, ever ready to render aid to all laudable enterprises. Besides his gener- ous donation to the state, he gave the lots and built, at Ninth and Grand Avenue, the first schoolhouse on the East Side. In that schoolhouse was organized the first Class of the Methodist Church, known as Wesley Chapel, and the Reverend E. M. H. Fleming, then of the Monroe Circuit, preached therein.
During the war period, Lyon contributed largely to the soldiers' relief fund, to furnish supplies for the "boys in blue," and was one of their most active and zealous supporters. He was loved and respected by all who knew him. Though his name is not yet emblazoned on lofty and costly edifices, it is indelibly impressed on the foundation stones, the school, the church, the home, upon which a civic structure has been built, ennobling and attractive.
Religiously, he was not a churchman, but in 1857, he donated a lot and contributed liberally to the funds for building the First
279
HARRISON LYON
Methodist Church, on the East Side, for many years known as Wesley Chapel, of which his wife was an active and beloved member.
Politically, Lyon was a firm disciple of General Andrew Jack- son, but took no part in politics. If he voted at all, it was the Democratic ticket, but after 1859, Democratic votes didn't avail anything in Polk County.
He deceased March 20, 1885.
March Third, 1907.
CHARLES GOOD
CHARLES GOOD
A NOTABLE character among the pioneers was Charles Good, or "Uncle Charley," as those who knew him best called him. He was one of the most widely known men in Polk County, and the least known, his eccentricities giving him great publicity, quite contrary to every element of his nature.
He was born on a farm in Coshocton County, Ohio, November Twenty-eighth, 1803. His parents were very, very poor. The suffering and deprivation enforced by poverty during his childhood days made a deep impression upon him, and early he resolved to place himself beyond its reach if industry, firmness of purpose, and good health could accomplish it.
When sixteen years old, he learned the trade of blacksmith, and worked fifteen years at the anvil and forge. He removed to Logan, Ohio, where he built the first brick building in the town. It was two stories high. On the lower floor, he kept a general store. The upper floor was used for a schoolroom.
In 1847, he concluded the Western country afforded a better opportunity for business, and starting overland in a buggy with a man named Jewett, he came, by the way of Burlington, to Fort Des Moines. and spent some time prospecting for a permanent loca- tion. He visited Monroe City, the "future Capital of the state," which the Legislative Commission of Quakers had located in Jas- per County, where he found a splendid array of stakes set for lots, streets, boulevards. parks, etc .. but no water within three miles, and the nearest house of a settler six miles away. He did not think it a good place for investment. He finally decided to cast his lot at The Fort, though it was but a mere hamlet, with little to attract a stranger.
While he was thus prospecting, his wife sickened and died. There were no railroads nor telegraphs, the mails were slow and far between, preventing communication with him, and he knew
281
282
PIONEERS OF POLK COUNTY, IOWA'
nothing of his loss until he arrived at Portsmouth, near his home, and found she had been buried out of his sight.
In 1849, he married again, and with his family and spring wagon, drawn by two horses, he came back to The Fort, took a log cabin at the corner of Second and Elm streets, and started in the grocery and drug business, the grocery being on the same lot with his cabin. Later, he started a bakery on Second, just north of Market. Among his special customers were the Indians. They came into the store one at a time, Indian fashion. The first one would make his purchase, go out and tip another, who would fol- low and repeat the process. Thus they kept it up until the very last one filed in and out. Some of them were pretty good judges of pastry. They were always orderly and quite friendly. It was a novelty with "Uncle Charley," yet they were Indians, all the same, and a little uncertain.
Later, he built a two-story building on Second Street between Vine and Market. The lower floor was used as a merchandise and drug store; the upper floor for religious meetings.
I don't think he was ever suspected by anybody of being very worldly-minded, given to fashion, or faddish, but while he was selling drugs, a hair-dye agent came along one day, and, after exploiting its superior virtues, he stimulated "Uncle Charley's" vanity a little, by caressing that patriarchal beard, familiar to old- timers, and suggesting that as it was getting a little gray around the edges, it would look much better if dyed with his incomparable, non-tellable preparation, and restored to its original color. "Uncle Charley" yielded to his persuasiveness, and the whiskers were duly doped.
It so happened that a few days after, he started for Dayton, Ohio, to attend a very important meeting of his church people, who were very plain, zealous, religious folk. When he got there, his whiskers had changed to a sky-blue. A faithful brother church member, seeing them, reproached him rather sharply for showing such evidence of pride and vanity. So chagrined and mortified was "Charley," he whetted up his pocket knife-he had no use for a razor-and cut them off clean. No agent ever had a chance to say "hair dye" to him again.
283
CHARLES GOOD
Considering the time, he possessed a good knowledge of drugs and medicines, was well read in the United States Pharmacopoeia and United States Dispensatory. He had a private book of for- mulæ, originated by himself, from which he compounded and sold a liniment and cholera cure for many years. There was a big demand for cholera cure in the early Fifties all over the West. I remember going one day with my uncle, a physician, in Michigan, to see some cholera patients in the country. Of nearly a dozen he had visited the day before, he found all but one or two had died since he left them. The streets in Chicago were crowded with carts carrying away the dead.
In 1855, a law went into effect prohibiting the sale of spirituous liquors, except by an agent appointed for the entire county, by the County Judge, and then sold only for medical, mechanical, and sacramental purposes. Doctor D. V. Cole was appointed the agent for Polk County. Officers were detailed to enforce the law. Sev- eral seizures were made. One day, officers swooped down on a room north of "Charley's" drug store, where they found forty bar- rels of high wines, which he had just purchased in Cincinnati for a vinegar company, to be made into vinegar.
The barrels were rolled down on 'Coon Bottoms, and set up on end in an imposing row. A large crowd quickly gathered to see what was up. Brandt, whose "front" name is Isaac, the well- known apostle of Father Matthew, and a Big Sachem of the Good Templars, happened to be at Perkins' store, next door to Good's, doing some trading, and he joined in to witness the onslaught. When the officer's sledge smashed in the head of a barrel, the spir- its flew in all directions, and Isaac got his share of it. When it was all over, Isaac went home, and one of his little tots climbed into his lap to greet him, but soon, with a sniff or two, backed off, and said: "Papa, where have you been; I smell something like whiskey."
The seizure was the talk of the town, and troubled Good consid- erably, as the contraband stuff was found on his premises, though it was not his. On the records of the County Judge is an entry that, "James Stanton, Constable, be allowed seventeen dollars and thirty-five cents for prosecuting, draying, stowing, handling,
284
PIONEERS OF POLK COUNTY, IOWA
beheading, and burning forty barrels of red-eye belonging to the Des Moines, Polk County, Vinegar Association."
Good was one of the most optimistic men in Des Moines respect- ing its growth and prosperity. He firmly believed-and often said-that it had more real merit, and natural resources, than any other town in the Middle West, but he was often greatly displeased with the unbusiness-like, disjointed system of its municipal govern- ment. He verified his faith by early investments in town lots, tim- ber and farm land. He purchased the block on what is now Grand Avenue, from Second to the river, and on Second, built a two-story residence for a home, where he resided during his life. His wife deceased in 1863, and it was lovingly cared for for twenty-three years by his youngest daughter, now the wife of Doctor C. Nyse wander.
Subsequently, he purchased the old German Methodist Church building, on Locust Street, moved it to the corner of Second Street and Grand Avenue, repaired and fitted it up for a Mission Sunday School and other religious purposes.
On the eastern portion of the block, near the river, he planted an orchard, in which were apples, grapes, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, crab trees and berries, an overweaning temptation to the "small boy," and a source of trouble to "Charley."
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.