The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its., Part 42

Author: Western Historical Co , Western Historical Company
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 807

USA > Iowa > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its. > Part 42

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).

The appointment of R. R. Bedford to sell lots in De Witt is rescinded, and Robert C. Bourne and Elijah Buel are authorized to do the county real estate business.

At the April term, 1843, Benjamin Lake and Eli Goddard were appointed to meet with the Assessor at De Witt, to assist him in placing a valuation upon all property assessed by him.

The Clerk is directed to advertise in the Davenport Gazette for proposals to build a Court House.

At the July term, 1843, Benjamin Lake is allowed $5 for drawing plans for the proposed Court House.

The contracts were let for the building. William Lawton was the con- tractor " for the brick walls and gable ends of a Court House," for $900. He also contracted to do the plastering for $292.50, but, at a special term, August 25th, the order for building the Court House was rescinded.

Zebulon Metcalf was appointed Recorder to fill a vacancy.

Loring Wheeler was appointed to sell the lots in De Witt, but he is instructed " that no lot must be sold for less than $10."

The amount of the tax list for this year was $579.32.

Samuel Doolittle, having been elected to the office of Commissioner, took his seat at the January session, 1844. During this and subsequent sessions the usual routine business was done, but of no especial interest for a work of this character.

At the October session, 1844, the township of Bloomfield was organized. " Commencing at the line of Clinton County and running south nine miles, and commencing at the west line of range two east, and extending to the east line of range three east."

The election was ordered to be held at the house of R. Bagley.

A petition was also received from citizens of Liberty Township, asking that the south part of said township be erected into a new township, under the name of Rock Spring. It was ordered that Township 81 north, Range 1-east, be erected into a township to be called Spring Rock, and that the election be held at the house of Peter Goddard.

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

At the January session, 1845, orders were drawn to the amount of $58, to different parties, for fifty-eight wolf scalps, and for a number of years the records of the Board are quite largely devoted to " wolf-scalp reward " entries.

At this session the "license question " came up again, like "Banquo's ghost." The license for selling spirituous liquors was raised to $100, but, after a night's reflection, the Board rescinded this action and placed the license fee at the original figure, $25.

Samuel R. Murray had been appointed Probate Judge, but having died on October 6, 1845, J. S. Stowrs was appointed to fill the vacancy.

Lorenzo D. Dutton was appointed Assessor, George Churchill having failed to qualify.

The tax list of 1845 was $932.73.

At the January session, 1846, Mathew A. Harrington took his seat as one of the Commissioners.

In answer to a petition, all the inhabitants " west of Brophy's Creek, includ- ing Center Grove, be attached to the township of De Witt." At the April term, 1846, the township of Olive was divided. The new boundaries were as follows : " Beginning on the Waubesepinicon River one hundred and sixty rods west of range line dividing ranges two and three, and that the east part thereof be known as the township of Union."

The restriction upon the fiscal agent against his disposing of lots in De Witt at less than $10 per lot was rescinded.

At the July session, 1846, Lorenzo D. Dutton was allowed $42 for assessing the county. William E. Leffingwell was allowed $70 for his services as Prosecuting Attorney from December, 1845, to July 1, 1846, which would indicate that this office paid the munificent salary of $140 per annum.

Samuel Wick was allowed $16.82 for receiving and disbursing the county revenue.

At the August session, 1846, it was ordered that a tax of three mills on the dollar be levied for a school tax on all the real and personal property in the county. This is the first record of a school tax that appears, such schools as had been established having been supported by the private contributions or tuition fees of their patrons.

A petition was presented by citizens of Camanche praying that the county pay for 2,000 feet of plank, to build a bridge across Welch's Creek, but the Board declined to incur the expense.

At the January session, 1847, John Cotton took his seat as one of the Board, that body now consisting of George W. Harlan, M. A. Harrington and John Cotton, and John P. Soliss, Clerk.

James D. Bourne is allowed $80 as his Sheriff's fees from January 1, 1846, to January 1, 1847, and for posting notices for three elections and summoning grand and petit jurors for the October term of the District Court, which, as compared with the present allowances, would indicate that the criminal business was not large, or that the officials of that time were satisfied with quite reason- able, if not, indeed, meager fees for their services.

At this term, " wolf-scalp " business was flourishing.

A public sale of lots in De Witt is ordered to be held on the first Monday in February, 1847, " for cash, one-half payable in six months and one-half in twelve months from the day of sale."

A session of routine business was held in April, 1847, and Thomas F. But- terfield was the Clerk.

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At the July session the rate of taxation was fixed as follows : "Four mills for county purposes, two mills for State purposes, one mill for school purposes and twelve cents on a hundred dollars for road purposes."

At the October session, 1847, Daniel Smith took his seat as one of the Board, and Mr. Butterfield was continued as Clerk. L. D. Dutton was appointed agent for the sale of lots in De Witt at the public sale in February, " and that the moneys arising from the sale be applied on an order which he, the said Dutton, holds against the county in favor of Samuel Wicks, deceased."

The usual sessions were held during the year, and at the September term, 1848, R. R. Benedict became a member of the Board.

The regular sessions were held during the year, and the usual routine busi- ness transacted.

At the October session, 1849, Amasa Nims took his seat, the Board now being Daniel Smith, Amasa Nims and R. R. Benedict.

At the January session, 1850, a deed of Lots 1 and 2, in Block 31, in De Witt, was made to the Trustees of the Congregational Society, in consideration of $1, and that they should build & church edifice thereon. The deed was exe- cuted to E. B. Humiston and Mr. Goff, April 23, 1853.

At the same session, a deed was also ordered made to the Baptist and Christian Churches upon the same conditions, of Lots 4 and 5 in Block 14, and a frame building was erected thereon, and occupied as a Union Church, court-room and concert hall. It was thus occupied for many years.

At the July term, 1850, the matter of a new Court House is again agi- tated, and John Cotton, James D. Bourne and Thomas F. Butterfield were appointed a committee to build a Court House, and an appropriation of $2,000 is made, to be paid out of the county funds whenever the citizens of said county shall subscribe $1,500 to assist in building it. The building was to be 36 feet wide and 45 feet long; to be of brick with stone foundations. The $2,000 is to be paid in county orders of $20 each, one-fourth to be issued when the $1,500 is subscribed, one-fourth when the foundation is commenced, and the balance to be drawn as the committee shall see fit.

At the October session, 1850, the members of the Board are Amasa Nims, Boughton Roscoe and R. I. Jencks; Mr. Butterfield still acting as Clerk.

By an act of the Legislature of January 15, 1849, John M. Whitaker, of Van Buren County, William H. Morrison, of Dubuque County, and Robert Brown, of Jefferson County, were appointed agents to select the remaining school lands granted to the State of Iowa by the General Government, after which the Trustees of the several townships, in accordance with Section 1044 of the Code of Iowa, had proceeded to an examination and appraisement of these school lands. At the January session of the Board in 1851, numerous orders were issued to these Trustees for their services in viewing and allotting the school sections in the various townships.

At the April term, 1851, it was ordered that Township 83 north, Range 1 east, be cut off from all or any townships to which it may have been attached, and that it be called Sharon, and that the election be held at Abram Frank's.

That Township 82 north, Range 5 east, and the east half of Township 82 north, Range 4 east, and the northeast quarter of Township 81 north, Range 4 east, and all of Township 81 north, Range 5 east, which is north of Sections 19 and 20 and west of Brophy's Creek, and all north of Sections 16, 15, 14

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and 13 in said township, are set off as a township, to be called Center, and an election is to be held in June, at the house of Jacob Leppers.

The price of town lots does not seem to advance rapidly at the " seat of justice," notwithstanding the prospect of the erection of new county buildings and the permanent abiding of the county seat, as lots are selling at from $6 to $12 per lot.

At the July session, 1851, the rate of taxation is fixed as follows: For State purposes, 3 mills; for county purposes, 6 mills; poll tax, 50 cents ; school tax, 1 mill ; for road purposes. every person liable to pay a county poll tax shall pay $2, and 1 mill shall be levied for roads and bridges.

The final meeting of the Board of Commissioners was convened August 9, 1851, the commissioner system having been legislated out of existence, and their powers and duties vested in a County Judge.

Aylett R. Cotton had been elected as the first incumbent in this newly- created position, and organized his court on the 12th day of August, 1851.

The Court opened for business on the morning of the 13th, and the first proceeding was the issuance of a marriage license to Dr. A. L. Ankeny and Miss Valeria M. Perrin. Two days after a license was issued for the marriage of Joseph D. Fegan and Anna Potts.

James D. Bourne filed two bonds, one as Recorder and the other as Treasurer and Collector for Clinton County.

The bond of D. P. McDonald, as Sheriff, was also approved.

The Court ordered five lots in Block 9 to be deeded to S .- D. Golder for $40. These lots, it is said, have, at a subsequent period, had a market value of from $300 to $500 per lot.

From the following transaction, which is recorded as of January 26, 1852, a just idea may be gathered of the financial condition of the county at that date. A contract was made with E. Berold " for the construction of Maps and Plats for the county as required by the Code." The compensation was to be $90. Judge Cotton ordered that county warrants be issued to the amount of $100, and that they " be sold as opportunity may permit, at ninety cents on the dollar, to raise money to pay said E. Berold." As compared with the record of too many of the counties in this State, this is a most satisfactory showing, and indicates a degree of economy and honesty in the management of county affairs alike creditable to the heads and hearts of those to whose care the people had intrusted the public interests.

On February 27, 1852, a warrant was issued to Luther Teeple, a citizen of Sharon Township, authorizing the legal voters of that township to hold an election at the house of Luther Teeple, in said township, on Monday April 5, 1852, for the purpose of organizing that township, electing township officers, and voting for a School Fund Commissioner and a Judge for the Second Judicial District.

On the first day of March, 1852, action was had in relation to Center Township, on petition of W. E. Leffingwell, and the election ordered at the house of Jacob Leppers. The description of the township was as follows :

" Center Township consists of township 82 north, and the north two tiers of sections in township 81 north, range 5 east, and the east half and the north- west quarter of township 82 north, range 4 east."

CHANGE OF TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES.

On the 3d of April, 1852, the following important action was had in refer- ence to the boundaries of townships in the county. The number of townships

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had increased from the original six to twelve organized ones, at the time of this definition of boundaries :

" Whereas, the boundaries of the political townships in this county, by changes and alterations at different times heretofore made, have become uncer- tain and confused ; and whereas, some portions of the county have never been legally. attached to any township of which there can any record be found, it is therefore ordered by the Court that the boundaries of the several political townships in the county be established as follows :

" Camanche Township-Bounded as follows : Commencing on the Miss- issippi River, 160 rods south of the south line of Section 7 in Township 81 north, Range 7 east, of the Principal Meridian ; thence west to the range line between Ranges 6 and 7 east ; thence north to the northeast corner of Section 13 in Town- ship 81 north, Range 6 east; thence west to the northwest corner of same section ; thence north to the northeast corner of Section 11 in same Township; thence west to the range line between Ranges 5 and 6 east ; thence south to the northwest corner of Section 18 in Township 81 north, Range 6 east ; thence west to Brophy's Creek ; thence down said creek to the Waubesepinicon River ; thence down said river to the Mississippi River; thence up said Mississippi River to the place of beginning.

"Lyons Township-Commencing on the Mississippi River, two miles south of the north line of fractional Township 82, north of Range 7 east, being on the south line of the second tier of sections in that township, counting from the north side; thence west on section lines to the range-line between Ranges 5 and 6 east ; thence south on said range-line to the northwest corner of Section 7 in Township 81 north, Range 6 east, intersecting the north line of Camanche Township ; thence to the Mississippi River on the northern boundary of Camanche Township; thence up said river to the place of beginning.

" Elk River-Commencing on the Mississippi River at the northeast corner of Clinton County ; thence west on the north line of said county to the range- line between Ranges 5 and 6 east ; thence south on said range line to the north- west corner of Section 18, in Township 82 north, Range 6 east, being the northwest corner of Lyons Township; thence east on the north line of said township to the Mississippi River; thence up said river to the place of beginning.

" Deep Creek-Contains Township 83 north, Ranges 4 and 5 east, being therefore twelve miles in length, east and west, and six miles in width from north to south, and lying immediately west of Lyons Township.

" Bloomfield-Commencing at the northeast corner of Township 83 north, Range 3 east ; thence south nine miles; thence west twelve miles to the range- line between Ranges 1 and 2 east ; thence north nine miles to the northwest corner of Township 83 north, Range 2 east ; thence east twelve miles to the place of beginning.

" Sharon-Contains Township 83 north, Range 1 east of the Fifth Princi- pal Meridian.

" Liberty-Consists of Township 82 north, Range 1 east.

" Spring Rock-Contains all of Township 81 north, Range 1 east, lying west of the Waubesepinicon River.

" Olive-Commencing on the Waubesepinicon River 160 rods west of the range-line between Ranges 2 and 3 east; thence north to the south line of Bloom- field Township ; thence west on said line to the east line of Liberty ; thence south on said line to the northwest corner of Township 81 north, Range 2 east; thence west to the Waubesepinicon River ; thence down said river to the place of beginning.

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

" Union-Commencing on the Waubesepinicon River at the mouth of Silver Creek ; thence up said creek to the mouth of Clear Creek ; thence up said creek to the east line of Section 16, in Township 81 north, Range 3 east ; thence north to the northeast corner of said section ; thence west to the east line of Olive Township ; thence south on said township line, to the Waubese- pinicon River ; thence down said river to the place of beginning.

"De Witt-Commencing on the Waubesepinicon River at the mouth of Brophy's Creek ; thence up said creek to the south line of Section 8 in Town- ship 81 north, Range 5 east ; thence west to the range line between Ranges 4 and 5 east; thence north to the northeast corner of Township 81 north, Range 4 east ; thence west to the northeast corner of Section 4 in said township ; thence north to the northeast corner of Section 21, in Township 82 north, Range 4 east ; thence west to the northeast corner of Olive Township, being 160 rods west of the northwest corner of Section 19, in Township 82 north, Range 3 east; thence south to the north quarter-stake of Section 13, in Township 81 north, Range 2 east, being the northwest corner of Union Township; thence east to the northeast corner of Section 16, in Township 81 north, Range 3 east ; thence south to Clear Creek ; thence down said creek to Silver Creek ; thence down Silver Creek to the Waubesepinicon River; thence down said river to the place of beginning.

"Center-Shall consist of Township 82 north, Range 5 east; the north two tiers of sections in Township 81 north, in same range, and the east half and the northwest quarter of Township 82 north, Range 4 east."

"The above boundaries correspond with old boundaries as near as can be ascertained, with a few necessary alterations. A. R COTTON,

"County Judge Clinton County."

On the 27th of April, 1852, Sections 1, 2, 3, 12, and 13, in Township 81 north, Range 4 east, and Section 18 and so much of Section 17 as lies west of Brophy's Creek in Township 81 north, Range 5 east, was taken from De Witt and attached to Center Township.

On the 7th of September, 1852, land is donated to the Catholic society for a church site in De Witt, and, also, for $60 the ground for a cemetery is sold to the same society.

On November 1, 1852, the boundaries of De Witt Township are again changed. "The boundaries are to be altered in the following respect, and that it shall be as follows : Commencing where Clear Creek crosses the west line of Section 15, in Township 81 north, Range 3 east, it shall run thence south to the northwest corner of Section 22 in said township; thence east to the northeast corner of said Section 22; thence south on the section line to the Waubesepinicon River ; thence down said river to the mouth of Silver Creek, and that all land east of said boundary line, heretofore belonging to Olive Township, shall be attached to'De Witt Township."

On the 9th of April, 1853, a change was also made in the boundaries of Center and Deep Creek Townships, as follows :

Ordered, That the north half of Township 82 north, Range 4 east, be taken from Center Township and attached to Deep Creek Township.

This term of Court closed April 14, 1853, and Judge Cotton resigned, desiring to engage in the practice of his profession. By the provisions of the law the District Attorney became his successor to fill the vacancy. On the 16th of the same month, Court is opened by E. Graham, " Prosecuting Attorney and Acting County Judge," and A. R. Cotton, Prosecuting Attorney, the latter having been appointed to this position to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Graham's becoming County Judge.

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

From the frequency of the orders for delivery of deeds of town lots in De Witt, it is inferred that the " seat of justice " is enjoying a degree of prosperity hoped for, but long deferred. The deeding of lots, issuing of marriage licenses and the allowance of claims is for a time the principal business of the Court.

On the 23d of June, 1853, the contract for the building of a Court House is let to S. N. Bedford and T. P. and S. M. Butler, they being the lowest bid- ders. The building was to be 40x50 feet in size, with a front projection for a portico, walls of brick, the lower story to be nine feet in the clear, the upper story to be fourteen feet in the clear, and brick partition walls, " equal in style of mechanism and construction to the Scott County Court House." By the terms of the contract, it was to be completed by the first day of October, 1854. The contract price was $5,900. It was completed at or near the specified day, and the attention of county authorities of some other localities is called to the fact that only $50 were allowed the contractors for "extras." John Cotton, James D. Bourne and Thomas Butterfield had been appointed by Judge Graham to act in conjunction with him in superintending its building.

Previous to this time, the permanency of the location of the county seat at De Witt had been questioned. Strong opposition had been manifested against the erection of permanent buildings, and efforts had been made to obtain a vote of the people upon the question of a removal of the county seat. Both Lyons and Camanche were aspirants for the honor and profit of the removal. To this opposition may be attributed the failure of previous action, which has been noted in the abstract of Commissioners' proceedings upon the question of public buildings. But now, as the power to "provide suitable buildings " was vested in the County Judge without any vote of the people, Judge Graham proceeded, immediately after becoming Judge through a vacancy, to erect the buildings, and, as was then supposed, to permanently settle the vexed question of the location of the "seat of justice" of Clinton County. His action, of course, occasioned severe criticism from the friends of other localities.

On the 18th of March, 1854, an order was issued to A. D. Park, " a citi- zen of Henry Township," authorizing an election at the schoolhouse near Conrad Van Ness', on the first Monday in April, for the purpose of organizing that township and the election of officers. The boundaries were given as "Township 83 north, Range 4 east." In the May following, however, the name of this township was changed to Waterford ; in July, the Union Town- ship was named Orange. In the previous April, one tier of sections were taken off the south side of Bloomfield and attached to De Witt.

On the 2d of July, 1855, the boundaries of Spring Rock Township were ordered to be as follows : "Township 81 north, Range I east."

Judge Graham closed his official career August 15, 1855, and, on the same day, the record is resumed by Judge Daniel McNeil.

During the year 1855, a jail was built at the county seat. Scott & Quick were the contractors, and the contract price was $1,668.75.

At a session of the Court held February 11, 1856, another attempt was made to satisfactorily arrange the boundaries of the several townships in the county.

The boundaries of Bloomfield Township were fixed as follows :

" Beginning on the line between Jackson and Clinton Counties, at the northeast corner of Township 83 north, Range 3 east; thence west along the north line of said township, between the counties aforesaid, to the northwest corner of said Township 83 north, Range 3 east; thence south along the west line of said township, and along the west line of Township 82 north, Range 3

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east, between Ranges 2 and 3 east to the southwest corner of Section 7, in Township 82 north, Range 3 east ; thence east to the southeast corner of Sec- tion 12 in said Township 82 north, Range 3 east; thence north along the range line between Ranges 3 and 4 to the place of beginning.'

A new township was also organized, and called Brookfield, the bounda- ries of which were as follows :

" Beginning on the line between Jackson and Clinton Counties, at the northeast corner of Township 83 north, Range 2 east ; thence west along the north line of said township to the northwest corner of Township 83 north, Range 2 east ; thence south along the west side of said township, between Ranges 1 and 2 east, to the southwest corner of said township ; thence east along the south line of said township, between Townships 82 and 83 north, to the southeast corner of said Township 83 north, Range 2 east; thence north on the range line between Ranges 2 and 3 east to the place of beginning."

The first election was held on the first Monday in April, 1856, at Spark's schoolhouse.

A new township was also organized, and called Berlin. Its boundaries were as follows :

"Beginning at the northeast corner of Township 82 north, Range 2 east ; thence west along the township line between Townships 82 and 83 north to the northwest corner of Township 82 north, Range 2 east ; thence south along the range lines, between Ranges 1 and 2 east, to the southwest corner of Township 82 north, Range 2 east ; thence east along the township line, between Town- ships 81 and 82, to the southeast corner of said township; thence north along the line between Ranges 2 and 3 east to the place of beginning."

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The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its., Part 42

Author: Western Historical Co , Western Historical Company Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 807

Author: Western Historical Co , Western Historical Company
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 807