USA > Iowa > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 78
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When the pioneers of Henry County first made settlement within its borders, there was no railroad west of Chicago, nor was there one reaching even to that city. Travel was made alone by ox or horse teams, most generally by the former, espec- ially if long distances were to be traversed. To. . remove for the East required long and extensive preparations, and the journey was one of continued toil and anxiety, and even danger. The route lay through a wild and rough country ; swamps and marshes were crossed with great exertion and fatigue; rivers were forded with difficulty and danger; nights were passed in the dense forests, with the earth for a couch and the trees and foliage for a shelter. Long, weary days and weeks of travel were endured, but finally their eyes were gladdened, and their hearts beat faster, when a vision of their future home burst upon them.
The first thing upon arrival was to set about building a cabin. While this was being done the
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family slept in the wagons or upon the grass. Trees of a suitable and uniform size were selected, felled and prepared for their places. The day for the raising was announced, and from far and near came other pioneers to assist in the labor. The structure went up a log at a time, those engaged in the labor stopping now and then to "wet their whistles," and soon it was ready for the clapboard roof, which was held on by huge weight poles. A door and a window were cut where the good wife directed, a chimney built, and the building was ready for its occupants. The space between the logs was filled with split sticks of wood called "chinks," and daubed over, both inside and out, with mortar made of clay. The floor was sometimes nothing more than earth tramped hard and smooth, but was com- monly made of puncheons or split logs, with the split side turned upward. The roof was made by gradually drawing in the top to the ridge pole, and on eross pieces laying the clapboards which be- ing several feet long, were held in place by weight poles, reaching the entire length of the cabin. For a fireplace a space was cut out of the wall on one side of the room, usually about six feet in length, and three sides were built of logs, making an offset in the wall. These were lined with stone, if con- venient, if not, then earth was used. The fine, or upper part of the chimney, was built of small split sticks, two and a half to three feet in length, car- ried a little above the roof and plastered over with clay, and when finished was called "cob and clay" chimney. The door space was also made by cut- ting an aperture of the required size in one side of the room, the door itself being made of clapboards secured by wooden pins to the cross pieces. The hinges were also of wood, while the fastening con- sisted of a wooden latch catching on a hook of the same material. To open the door from the outside, a strip of buckskin was tied to the lateh and drawn through a hole a few inches above the latch-bar, so that on pulling the string the latch was lifted from the eatch or hook, and the door was opened without any further trouble. To lock the door it was only necessary to pull the string through the hole to the inside. Here the family lived, and here the guest and wayfarer were made welcome. The living room was of good size, but to a large extent it was
also kitchen, bedroom, parlor and arsenal, with flitches of bacon and rings of dried pumpkins sus- pended from the rafters. These simple cabins were inhabited by a kind and true-hearted people. They were strangers to mock modesty, and the travelers seeking lodging for the night, or desirous of spend- ing a few days in the neighborhood, willing to accept the rude offerings, were always welcome, al- though how they were disposed of at night can scarcely be imagined.
The pioneers of Henry County were from many of the States of the Union. Before leaving their Eastern or Southern homes some of them had heard of what was in store for them in this "beautiful land." Others struck ont with the determination to go until they came to a section of country that would suit their varied tastes. A better country they could not have found, a country where Nature has scattered her choicest blessings with a liberal hand. With a plentiful supply of timber, with a prairie soil that " need only be tickled with a hoe to laugh with the harvest," the pioneers of Henry County made their claims, commenced their improvements, and prosperity attended them.
By the treaty with Black Hawk in 1832, at the close of the Black Hawk War, a portion of the ter- ritory now comprising the State of Iowa was thrown open for settlement. The county of Henry was a part of the territory acquired by that treaty. The treaty was made in September, 1832, but did not go into operation until June 1, 1833. A few venturesome spirits crossed the river near Burlington prior to that time, but were driven away by soldiers of the General Government from Rock Island. Scarcely had the last hour passed when many who had been anxiously waiting the time crossed over the Mississippi River and began to make their claims in what is now Des Moines County. Being permitted to claim as much as they could pay for, it was not long before all the choice land of that county was taken up, and those who came later were required to push on farther West, and in due time Henry County secured its first settler. To James Dawson the honor is given of making the first permanent location in this county. He staked ont a claim one and a half miles west of the site of Mt. Pleasant, in the spring of 1834. Ile was fol-
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lowed during that year by several other persons, among whom were Presley Saunders, Z. Wilbourne, W. B. Lusk and others. Mr. Saunders and Mr. Lusk are yet honored citizens of Henry County, and have not only lived to see the changes that have been made, but have been active participants in almost every enterprise that has been for the advancement or improvement of the county. At the time of the first settlement, Iowa formed a por- tion of Michigan Territory. Two years afterward the Territory of Wisconsin was organized and it then became a part of Wisconsin. Two years later lowa Territory was formed, and in 1846 it was ad- mitted into the union of States. The first settlers of Henry County were thus citizens of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. Presley Saunders relates that he had one child born in Michigan Territory, one in Wisconsin Territory, one in the Territory of
Iowa, and one in the State of lowa, all being born on the same quarter-section of land.
llenry County during the first few years settled up quite rapidly. Farms were opened, school- houses and churches were erected, mills were built, marriages solemnized, and births and deaths oc- curred. The first birth is supposed to have been that of T. S. Box, born near the site of Lowell, in Balti- more Township, in December, 1835. The first death was probably the result of an accident. In 1835 a man named Pullman was found dead near the site of the Hospital for the Insane, with his rifle by his side. Ile was from Indiana, and had been in this section but two or three months. The first marriage license was that granted to Presley Saunders and llnldah Bowen. The license was granted Dec. 17, 1836.
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ORGANIZATION.
NLY a short time elapsed after the first settlement was made before there was a popula- tion sufficient to justify or- ganization. The Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, in 1836, passed an act creating several counties, among which was that of Henry. Soon after the passage of the aet, steps were taken to perfect its organization. Officers were elected and entered upon the discharge of their duties. Robert Caulk, Samuel Brazelton and Geo. J. Sharp were the first County Commissioners elected. J. D. Payne was the first County Commissioners' Clerk, holding at the same time the office of Clerk of the Courts. John 11. Randolph was the first Re- corder, D. C. Ruberts, County Treasurer, John Biddle, Coroner, and Andrew Kennedy, Sheriff.
The first session of the County Commissioners' Court was held Jan. 16, 1837, and that body im- mediately went to work to put in order the govern- mental machinery of the county. The bonds of the various county officers were approved, roads were located, and steps taken for the erection of county buildings. On the 13th of February, 1837, it was ordered by the board "that the contract for building a court-house in Mt. Pleasant be let, and that the Supervisors receive sealed proposals on said contract." In May following the order was re- scinded, but on June 24 of the same year, it was re-enacted in the following terms: "Ordered the building of a court-house in the town of Mt. Pleas-
ant, on lot 2, block 10, of the following size, to-wit: 30x18 feet in size, and ten feet in height between the joists." For some cause the building was not completed until the fall of 1839, the builders being George W. Patterson, Levi Hagar and Everett Rogers. The jail, a square log building, 16x16 feet in size, was completed about the same time, John H. Randolph being the principal builder.
The first seal used by the Commissioners was a twenty-five cent silver piece impressed in wax.
The first road laid out by the board was from Mt. Pleasant to Rome, in the spring of 1837. The next was from Mt. Pleasant to New Baltimore. Others were soon established in all directions, and as in the olden time, all roads led to Rome, so it would appear from the proceedings of the board that all roads were to lead to Mt. Pleasant.
On the 2d of October, 1838, the first grand jury ever impaneled in the county was drawn. Those eomprising this jury were Jacob Burge, Absalom Cornelius, Hezekiah Lee, Samnel Wells, Zenoway Plunket, William I. Wossal, John S. Stephenson, Robert Simmons, Richard Stewart, Samuel S. Walker, Amos Lemmons, Lewis Watson, William Thrash, Payton Wilson, Sampson Smith, Elijah Breading, Samuel C. Smith, Thomas Leas, John M. Hanson, Lambeth Heath and William B. Lusk. Petit jurors were also chosen at the same time. The jury was composed of the following-named persons : Lewis F. Temple, John Hale, William Walters, David MeKnight, P. C. Tiffany, Alexander Hol- lingsworth, James Righey, William Faulkner, Peter Boyer, George Maflit, Jr., Daniel Sears, Joel C. Garretson, Larkin Johnson, Samuel Gearheart,
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Joseph Ingersol, Berry Jones, James Mitts, William M. Morrow, John T. Davis, Barney Bristine, S. E. Sweet, William Abernathey, E. Rogers and Ben- jamin Golson.
The county was governed by County Commis- sioners until 1851, when the law creating County Commissioners' Court was abolished, and the County Commissioners' powers were vested in the County Judge. During the existence of the County Com- naissioners' Court but little business was transacted of public interest, although a great amount of work was done. All the preliminary work in the organi- zation of the county, the laying out of the roads and the building of bridges, had to be superin- tended by them. As a general thing the work of the Commissioners was satisfactory to the county. From 1837 to 1851, the following named served as County Commissioners :
1837-Robert Caulk, Samuel Brazelton, George J. Sharp (part term), Claborn Jones (part term).
1838-Claborn Jones, Sr. (part term), Robert Caulk, Samuel Brazelton, Payton Wilson (part term).
1839-George W. Patterson, Samuel Brazelton, fleury Payne.
1810-Robert Caulk, Henry Payne, T. O. Wams- ley.
1811-Robert Caulk, T. O. Wamsley, Lewis F. Temple.
1812-Robert Caulk, Lewis F. Temple. William 11. Lyon.
1843-Robert Caulk, William 11. Lyon, Henry Swan.
1841-Robert Caulk, William H. Lyon, Edmund Archibald.
1845-Edmund Archibald, Robert Caulk, JJacob W. Payne.
1846-Jacob W. Payne, Edmund Archibald, Robert Caulk.
1817-Edmund Archibald, Jacob W. Payne, Robert Caulk.
1848-Edmund Archibald, Jacob W. Payne, Robert Miller.
1819-Benjamin Blodgett, Jacob W. Payne, Robert Miller.
1850-Benjamin Blodgett, Robert Miller, T. L. Ilunt.
In the winter of 1850 the General Assembly of the State passed an aet creating the office of County Judge. M. L. Edwards was the first to hold this position in Henry County. During his adminis- tration, license was granted to the Burlington & Mt. Pleasant Plank Road Company, and a proposi- tion was submitted to a vote of the people for the establishment of a county poor-house. At the April election, 1853, the vote was taken, resulting as follows: For poor-house, 702; against poor- house, 278. About this time the subject of a rail- road reaching from the Mississippi to the Missouri River, and passing through Henry County, was being agitated. The county was asked to subscribe to the capital stock of the county the sum of $100,000, and on the 2d of July, 1853, the County Judge issued an order for an election to be held on the first Monday in August of that year, for or against a subscription. The result of that vote was as follows: For subscription, 1181; against sub- scription, 445.
In August, 1855, while Mr. Edwards was still County Judge, a proposition was submitted to a vote of the people for or against subscribing $1,000 to the capital stock of the Keokuk, Mt. Pleasant & Muscatine Railroad.
The result of the vote was as follows: For sub- scription, 1,065; against subscription, 649. Bonds for the full amount were issued to the company, but the road was never built, and before the $1,000 had been paid the interest on the bonds had doubled the original amount, all of which had to be paid.
Judge Edwards served until Ang. 11, 1855, when he was succeeded by E. Killpatrick, who remained in ofllee until January, 1860. Ile was succeeded by W. 1. Warwick, who served until legislated out of office, in January, 1861.
In 1860 the General Assembly of the State passed an aet creating a Board of Supervisors, consisting of one Supervisor from each civil township. At the August election, 1860, the first Board of Super- visors for Henry County was chosen, and on the 5th of January, 1861, its first session was held. For the four following years the board had to grapple with issues growing out of the Civil War. Its rec- ord, during that time, was commendable, provisions being made for the aid of soldiers' families so far
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as the finances of the county would permit. This system of County Government, consisting of one Supervisor for each civil township, continued until 1870, during which time the following named served as members of the board :
1861-Pleasant Almond, A. Baxter, Joseph Brown, H. R. Lyons, J. W. Maynard, T. W. Wool- son, Jacob Luzadder, R. M. Pickle, E. B. Ratliffe, John M. Temple, John P'. West, A. L. Auld.
1862-Pleasant Almond, A. L. Auld, A. Baxter, J. Kauffman, S. M. Holland, A. R. Lyons, Jacob Luzadder, R. M. Pickle, E. B. Ratliffe, John M. Temple, Joseph Brown, Harpin Riggs, Caleb Russell.
1863-A. Baxter, J. C. Green, S. M. Holland, J. Kauffman, J. Luzadder, HI. R. Lyons, E. B. Ratliffe, 11. Riggs, S. Ross, C. Russell, J. L .. Waitman.
1864-P. Almond, J. C. Green, E. Kenyon, J. B. Cook, J. Kauffman, G. T. Auld, R. G. MeFar- land, 11. Riggs, S. Ross, E. B. Ratliffe, D. Pierson, J. 1 .. Waitman, Jacob Luzadder.
1865-P. Almond, G. T. Auld, O. H. P. Bu- chanan, J. B. Cook, J. C. Green, Thomas Grant, E. Kenyon, W. F. Jones, J. Kauffman, D. Pierson, J. L. Waitman, 11. Riggs, R. G. McFarland.
1866-R. Allen, J. B. Cook, William R. Crew, Thomas Grant, J. C. Green, W. G. Jones, J. Kauff- man, E. Kenyon, Robert Leeper, S. R. Nugen, J. W. Smith, C. Russell, O. HI. P. Buchanan.
1867-Reuben Allen, J. B. Cook, W. R. Crew, E. Kenyon, S. R. Nugen, C. Russell, J. W. Smith, O. H. P. Buchanan, Thomas Grant, J. C. Green, Jacob Kauffman, Robert Leeper, Samuel l'. Ratliffe.
1868-R. Allen, John Bangs, J. B. Cook, W. R. Crew, Thomas Grant, J. C. Green, W. A. Jessup, J. Kauffman, E. Kenyon, S. P. Ratliffe, C. Russell, J. W. Smith, O. H. P. Buchanan.
1869-0. Il. P. Buchanan, R. Allen, J. B. Cook, William R. Crew, J. C. Green, W. A. Coulter, E. Kenyon, J. L. Lessenger, William A. Jessup, John Bangs, C. W. Clark, L. D. McKinnen, C. Russell.
1870-O. H. P. Buchanan, James D. Spearman, J. B. Cook, Jesse Cook, J. C. Green, W. A. Coulter, E. Kenyon, C. Russell, M. Lyman, J. L. Lessinger, L. D. Mckinnen, C. W. Clark, W. A. Jessup.
The General Assembly of the State, having passed an amendatory act in regard to the Board of Super- visors at the annual election in the fall of 1870, a new Board of Supervisors was elected, consisting of three members elected from the county at large. The first meeting of the new board was held Jan. 2, 1871. This system has continued to the present time, and has probably been more satisfactory than that of the "one man power," the business being transacted by the County Judge, or that of a board, consisting of one Supervisor from each township. The following named have served as members of the board up to the present time:
1871-James B. Shaw, Jacob Kauffman, William R. Crew.
1872-James B. Shaw, William R. Crew, William Allen.
1873-W. R. Crew, William Allen, O. 11. P. Bu- chanan.
1874-O. HI. P. Buchanan, William Allen, Henry Dorland.
1875-W. R. Crew, George Hammond, George 11. Spahr.
1876-W. R. Crew, George Hammond, George H. Spahr.
1877-George Hammond, W. R. Crew, George H. Spahr.
1878-George Hammond, W. R. Crew, George 11. Spahr.
1879-C. W. Clark, George Hammond, George Il. Spalır.
1880-George Hammond, C. W. Clark, S. L. Steele.
1881-C. W. Clark, S. L. Steele, L. F. Willard. 1882-S. L. Steele, L. F. Willard, C. W. Clark. 1883-L. F. Willard, C. W. Clark, S. L. Steele. 1881-C. W. Clark, S. L. Steele, David Wallace. 1885-S. L. Steele, David Wallace, C. F. Spear- man.
1886-David Wallace, C. F. Spearman, Jacob Lane.
1887-C. F. Spearman, Jacob Lane, II. C. Weir. 1888-Jacob Lane, II. C. Weir, C. F. Spearman.
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HENRY COUNTY.
Courts and Bar.
A
T a very early day in the world's history it is found that crime was committed and courts of justice were established. Man, if left to himself, with physical power so to do, will encroach upon the rights of others; therefore in ev- ery well-regulated community, among the first acts is to proper- ly equip such courts as may be thought necessary to guard the rights of the whole body against those who may offend. Under the Territorial laws of Wisconsin and later of Iowa, there were instituted district and probate courts. After the admission of the latter into the Union changes were made from time to time in the method of administering justice as thought advisable by the General Assem- bly of the State.
The District Court.
HIE first term of the district court, and the first court ever held in Henry County, con- vened at Mt. Pleasant, April 14, 1837, with Ilon. David Irvin as Judge, W. W. Chapman, Dis- triet Attorney of the United States.
The first business transacted was the appointment of Jesse D. Payne as Clerk of the Court, who gave bond with John Il. Randolph and Benjamin S. Wharton as sureties.
A grand jury was empaneled, consisting of the
following named: Claybourne Jones, Sr., Samuel Heaton, Marshal Saunders, Clabourne W. Hughes, D. C. Ruberts, William M. Morrow, James McCoy, Keeland T. Maulden, Benjamin F. Hutton, Jacob Burge, Moses Shirley, Wilson Lowell, Thomas Clark, William King, David Mintes, James Willi- ford, Sr., George W. Lewis, Henry Snyder, Sr., Berry Jones, Lytle Hughes, John Il. Randolph, Presley Saunders and Warren L. Jenkins.
But little business was transacted at this term. The county was new, and its citizens were generally peaceable. John Mabee was arraigned before the court, pleaded guilty to assault and battery, and was fined $5 and cost. License was granted for the establishment of a ferry across Skunk River, and rates of ferriage established.
At the April term, 1839, Shadrach Scott was in- dicted and tried for assault with attempt to commit murder, but was acquitted.
At the March term, 18.10, the first divoree case was tried, Francis A. Forbs vs. Sarah N. Forbs. The prayer of the petitioner was granted.
The first case against one for the crime of horse- stealing was at the September term, 1840. Lemnel Green was indieted and tried for the stealing of "Que sorrel mare, the property of Robert Box." He was found guilty and sentenced to the peniten- tiary for the term of five years.
The first murder trial came upon a change of venue from Lee County. This was in March, 1843, It was the case of the United States against Edward Reilly. A verdiet of guilty of murder in the first degree was rendered, but was set aside by the
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Judge, and a new trial granted. At the September term, 1843, he was again tried, found guilty of manslaughter, and sentenced to the penitentiary for five years, and to pay a fine of $1,000.
On the organization of the State, in 1846, Henry County, with Des Moines, Lee and Louisa, com- prised the First District. George H. Williams, of Lee County, was the first Judge, serving from 1847 till 1852. He was succeeded by Ralph P. Lowe, of Lee County, who served till 1857, when he re- signed, and John W. Rankin was appointed to fill the vacancy, serving until the election of Thomas W. Claggett one month afterward.
Under the Constitution of 1857, the same coun- ties heretofore mentioned still continued to form the First District. Francis Springer, of Louisa County, was elected in 1858, re-elected in 1862 and 1866, but resigned in 1869, being succeeded by Joshua Tracy, of Des Moines County, who was appointed by the Governor, and elected to the office in 1870. Judge Tracy also resigned in 1874, and was succeeded by P. Henry Smyth, of Des Moines County, who served from April 25, 1874, till Sept. 25, 1874, when he resigned, and Thomas W. Newman, also of Des Moines County, was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy. He was elected a few weeks later, and served one term, being succeeded by A. H. Stutsman, of Des Moines County, who was elected in 1878, and re-elected in 1882, serv- ing till 1886.
The General Assembly of the State passing an act
for the re-organization of the districts, Henry County became a part of the Second District. At the annual election in October, 1886, H. C. Trav- erse, of Bloomfield, Charles Leggett, of Fairfield, and Dell Stuart, of Chariton, were elected Judges, there being three to each district.
Circuit Courts.
N 1868 an act was passed dividing each judic- ial district into two circuits. John B. Drayer was the first Circuit Judge for the circuit in which Henry County was placed. After continu- ing this system for eighteen years the General Assembly repealed the act, returning to the old dis- triet plan, but with three Judges for each district.
The Bar.
6 HE legal talent of Henry County has always compared favorably with other counties, and at the present time has among its rep- resentatives some who are the peer of any attorney in the State. In the fall of 1887 the following named comprised the bar of the county : R. Ambler & Son, T. A. Bereman, Jeffries & Withrow, Fred Hope, A. W. Kinkead, B. B. Lindley, John F. Leach, Mrs. Hannah M. Lyle, W. C. Howard, W. D. Leedham, T. M. McAdam, J. G. Newbold, Palmer & Palmer, J. T. Patch, George C. Van Allen, Woolson & Babb.
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Educational.
EXT to its religious interests, the educational interests of a community are the one by which a community may be properly judged. With re- spect to the latter Henry County will compare favor- ably with any county in the State. With a fine university, including a German college, an academy second to none, and public schools, the pride of its citizens, comparison may well be invited. The pioneers of the coun- ty little expected that so soon the beantiful country which they had selected for their future homes would be so abundantly supplied with the means of educating their children. To them great eredit is due for inaugur- ating so shortly after coming the educational sys- tem which has grown to be such a powerful factor for good as the splendid schools of to-day are.
lowa Wesleyan University.
T. PLEASANT is called the Athens of Iowa, and here is located one of the best known educational institutions of the Mississippi Valley, the lowa Wesleyan University. This school dates its origin from the winter of 1843-44, when the Territorial Legislature of lowa
passed a bill which was approved by the Govern- ment Feb. 15, 1844, granting a charter to the MIt. Pleasant Collegiate Institute. The institution thus incorporated was to be located within five miles of Mt. Pleasant, and was to be under the control of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At the first meeting of the Iowa Conference of that body, held at Iowa City Ang. 14, 1844, a memorial was presented from the Trustees of the institution asking recognition and patronage.
Steps were at once taken for the erection of a building, which was completed in 1846, and in 1849 the Conference appointed a board of control, consisting of the Presiding Elder of the Burlington District, and the preachers in charge of Burlington, New London, Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield. Like every other educational institution in the then New West, the Collegiate Institute was, with great difli- culty, made self-sustaining, or even kept running. In the report to the Conference in 1852, the Trus- tees said that during the preceding year the school had not been sustained. During that year, how- ever, Rev. James McDonald, A. M., was appointed by Bishop Ames, Principal of the Institute, but he resigned in about six months. Prof. James Harlan was then chosen Principal, and under his adminis- tration the school began an era of prosperity. In 1853 the Trustees reported an attendance of 100, and in 1854 it had still further increased to 218. A new building was constructed for this year for $15,000. In the winter following a university charter was secured, and James Harlan, A. M., was chosen its first President. Hle remained at the
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