USA > Iowa > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its. > Part 69
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 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
The town was re-surveyed that year by August Brion, a French surveyor, who, in the absence of a chain, made his measurements with a grape-vine. In this old plat, also in the possession of Mr. Osborn, the original Osborn, Peck & Armstrong plat was adopted as to the blocks in the two ranges nearest the river, and the remainder of the 300 acres was laid off into lots varying from one to ten acres each. All the lots outside of the improved lots were
Digitized by Google
1
569
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
designated the " Hotchpotch," and were divided among the shareholders in proportion to their shares in the purse.
From all that we can gather, we judge that the growth and progress of Camanche was not rapid; but it rather retrograded, indeed, we might say decayed. In 1851, there came a revival of the hopes and anticipations of its citizens and a brightening of its prospects. At this time, all the buildings, including one pretentious structure of three stories in height, were built of pole frames, with clapboarding hewed or rived out of the timber, and with "shake" roofs, and even these buildings gave evidence of ruinous neglect.
1
The palmy days of Camanche were from 1851 to 1856. There was a larger volume of trade done here during those years than at any point in the county. Wheat, and other grains, pork, etc., were drawn to Camanche from long dis- tances for a market, and Maquoketa and other points equally distant found this their best market town. At this time, there were as many as ten or twelve dry goods stores here, besides numerous other lines represented. Burroughs, Prettyman & Pearsall were heavy traders, and large purchasers of produce as well as buyers and sellers of real estate. McIlvaine, Happer & Co., also did an extensive business of a similar character. Two large hotels were also kept, one by Wilson Mudgett and the other by Millard & Boyington, who also had an extensive livery stable in connection. The latter gentlemen had a sum- mary and somewhat energetic manner of dealing with genteel "dead-beats." On one occasion, a man of apparent means, and who represented himself as a capitalist in search of land investments, put up at their hostelry, and patron- ized the livery stable extensively while "land-hunting." After a time, they presented him with his bill, when he informed them that he had no money, but would give them a check. Boyington replied that he would give him a "check," and, leading him into the street, with a buggy whip gave him a thorough whipping. The capitalist was seen no more in these parts. .
Already the air was being stirred with discussions about great railroad enter- prises. The Legislature of Illinois, in this year, 1851, had chartered a railroad projected from Beloit, Wis., to Albany, Ill., which would demand a western exten- sion from Camanche. Another project was also inaugurated, called the Camanche, Albany & Mendota Railroad, but which was not pushed to any great extent.
The Camanche & Council Bluffs Railroad was the pet project in 1851 with the people of Albany and Camanche, as the extension of the Dixon Air Line, as it was afterward called, and the struggle between these two towns and Fulton and Lyons was very warm and spirited. The most strenuous efforts were made by both parties. Among the leading spirits in Albany were Gilbert Bucking- ham, John McIlvaine, Samuel Happer, and in Camanche, were Horace Anthony, Dr. Ireland, Martin Dunning, T. C. Dyer and others. A proposition had been made by parties, in the interest of the so-called Dixon Air Line, looking toward a western extension, provided sufficient aid was proffered by the people along the line; and the Mississippi crossing-point was believed to be hinging upon the amount of subscriptions obtained ; the largest pile to take the prize. The amount deemed necessary to secure the road at Camanche was $250,000. Of this amount, about $150,000 in subscriptions was obtained, and so sanguine were the people, that its success would pour wealth in upon them, many had subscribed more than their entire property, expecting to realize from the advance in real estate the amount of their subscription and a fortune beside. P. P. Mudgett, then a large land-owner, had pen in hand to add $100,000 to the subscription to bring it to the required amount, when his brother persuaded him to desist.
Digitized by Google
1
I
570
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
An amusing incident is related which will show the feverish state of the public pulse on this railroad matter. While the result of the negotiations between the rival localities was pending, Mr. Doolittle came up from the river landing in an excited state of mind and announced that the engineers of the Dixon Air Line were crossing the river for the purpose of making the survey from Fulton, locating the route and securing the right of way upon or near the proposed route of the Camanche & Council Bluffs Line to Iowa City, and that Mitchell had run his ferry-boat on a sandbar to impede their crossing. Excite- ment was intense, and, though it was near night, it was felt that something must be done at once, and it was decided that Dr. Ireland must start at the moment for Iowa City to do something, no one knew what, to circumvent them. The doctor said that his horse was tired, the roads were bad and he must have a fresh horse. Dame Aubrey at once tendered her favorite beast, and the doctor set out on his journey. At early morning, the engineers arrived at Miss Aubrey's hotel, and she at once recognized them as some stock men who had a herd of horses at Thomas Hatfield's, and were going out to see them. It is the tradition that Miss Aubrey made it decidedly warm for Mr. Doolittle, who had given currency to the rumor, and Dr. Ireland was ever after very reticent as to what action he took or as to the results of his mission to Iowa City.
A ferry was established, in 1840, between Camanche and Albany, by David and Samuel Mitchell, under license granted in Whiteside County, September 8, 1840, and also granted by the Commissioners of this county at their July session, 1841, and which was regularly run by horse-power until 1850, when a steam ferry-boat was purchased at Galena, Ill. This was succeeded by a larger and more commodious boat, built for the Messrs. Mitchell. Later, a Mr. Clay- borne purchased the interest of David Mitchell, and the new proprietors ran the ferry until the great tornado, in which the boat was destroyed. For some years since, only a skiff ferry has been maintained, until recently a horse ferry- boat has been put on. This ferry, in its palmy days, was extensively patron- ized, and was a great crossing-place for the emigrants into Iowa and the Far West. Had one of the several railroad projects been carried out, this ferry would have, without question, been supplanted by a bridge spanning the great river at this point, and Camanche and Albany would have been large and pros- perous cities to-day. In fact, such was the projected future event, and, in furtherance of it, a bridge company was organized in the interest of the Chi- cago, Camanche & Mendota Road, and a charter granted by the Legislatures of Illinois and Iowa. This charter was afterward secured by parties in the inter- est of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, under which the present bridge was built at Clinton.
There is no doubt that the citizens of Camanche made strenuous exertions to secure such railway and bridge connections; and we find that, at almost the first meeting of their City Council, after being incorporated, in 1857, action was taken to give aid to the "Great Western Railway." An election was called to vote upon the question of taking $50,000 stock in this enterprise, which was carried-ayes, 125; noes, none. This vote is significant. Evi- dently the adult male population was but about 125, and this stood unanimous for the tax, which would, if carried out, burden them with a per capita indebted- ness of $400. But the "Great Western " was not built. Aid was voted to other enterprises, but the combinations were against Camanche, and when the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Road became an established fact, leaving the plucky little city as a way station, instead of the terminus of a great railway, the hopes of her people were darkened. However, when the Southwestern project, in
Digitized by Google
-
571
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
these later years, promised them a direct line through their city, they again bravely came to the front and voted liberal aid to this enterprise. But this scheme " sleeps the sleep that knows no waking."
-
When the county of Clinton was organized. in 1840, Camanche was designated as the seat of justice, and, for a time, nearly the entire business of the county was done here, both judicial, political und commercial. But there were jealousies in other quarters, and the county seat was soon removed to " Van- denburg," which occurred in the fall of 1841.
THE FIRST SCHOOLS.
The first schools in Camanche were taught in rooms hired for the purpose in the private houses of different persons. The first school we believe to have been taught in 1838, by Miss Ann Eliza Thomas, who married Horace Root and emigrated to Oregon. She was succeeded by Mrs. Jane Mobbs, who was her sister. Next in the succession of instructresses to the young Camanches, was Mrs. Sarah Root, and she was followed by Hannah Marks, now Mrs. Rob- ert Hogle, of Lyons. These schools were supported by subscription, and our narrator remarked that the heaviest demands were made upon the old bachelors of the city, of which he then was one.
The first school supported wholly or in part by public money was taught by Mr. Banker, who came from Troy, N. Y. The school building in which he presided was a log house, which was put up as a claim-house, and was situated about one-half mile northwesterly from the village, on what is now the Bovard farm. This schoolhouse was used for some two years, and the pupils came for long distances in all the section around, as far west as the Wapsie, and north nearly to the present site of Clinton. In the winter of 1850, this school was taught by D. W. Millard, a brother of R. B. Millard, of Low Moor. A brick schoolhouse was then built, in 1851, in Camanche, which was used for school purposes and also for religious meetings during the early days until 1860, when it was totally destroyed in the great tornado. A new frame structure was soon after erected upon the site of the old one, which has since been enlarged to its present capacity. The present school building is a two-story frame building, about 30x40 feet in dimension, with an extensive wing on the west of about 20x30 feet, with a tower and bell, and is divided into four departments. The present corps of teachers are as follows : Mr. A. P. Barker, Principal ; Mr. George A. Smith, First Intermediate ; Mrs. John Wilson, Second Intermediate ; Miss Martha Seymour, Primary.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper in Camanche was the Camanche Chief, which was established in 1854 by Bates & Knapp. The firm was afterward changed to Bates, McCormick & Co. It had, however, a short life, and was succeeded, in 1856, by the Iowa Register, published for a brief period by N. G. Parker, who was succeeded by L. D. Bradley. This venture was of about one year's duration. In April, 1860, B. C. Galliday established the Camanche Repub- lican ; but, from all we can learn, this, too, was a short-lived enterprise. In May, 1866, S. J. Brown re-established the Camanche Chief, which he pub- lished until about November, of the same year, when he removed the office to Minnesota.
CHURCHES.
The information obtainable in reference to the churches of Camanche was somewhat meager. Of the early religious history we gather that Rev. O.
0
.
572
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Emerson, a pioneer home missionary, held religious services in the dwellings of the settlers at an early day. His headquarters were at De Witt. Barton H. Cartwright, who made his home in Jackson County, a Methodist circuit rider, is also recalled by the old settlers as one of the earliest of the pioneer preach- ers. As we remarked at the first, their services were held from house to house, wherever they could find an audience; then in the schoolhouses, until the erection of houses of worship.
The Methodists .- Camanche was at first a station on the Charleston (now Sabula) Circuit, which comprised Charleston, Lyons, De Witt and Camanche. Mr. Cartwright was the first preacher on the circuit, in 1840. Afterward, this was made a separate charge, and, in 1855, the people completed a brick church edifice, which cost $3,000. This was completely demolished in the tornado in June, 1860. In the fall of 1861, they dedicated a new house of worship, and which they now occupy. It is a frame building, with a seating capacity of about four hundred. This charge has recently been connected with the one at Low Moor, and the present Pastor is Rev. W. E. McCormac.
Baptist .- The Baptist Church of Camanche was organized in 1851. The following were the first members of this little band of Christians : Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thomas, Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas, R. B. Millard, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Davison, Mrs. Samuel Dannatt, and Mrs. Dr. L. D. Manning. In 1852, they erected the first church building in Camanche, a neat and comfortable frame edifice in which they worshiped until June, 1860, when it was destroyed by the tornado. They, however, at once proceeded to rebuild, and their new edifice was completed in the fall of the same year. Their present house of worship is a neat and commodious frame building. The present membership is 160. The present Pastor is Rev. Edward Jones.
Presbyterian .- A Presbyterian Church and society was organized in 1858, and Rev. George D. Young was settled as Pastor. In 1860, they built a church edifice, which they still occupy. Mr. Young remained with them until 1870, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Hanna, who supplied the pulpit for some two years. Since then no regular services have been maintained, the society, by death and removals, having become depleted. A Sunday school is main- tained, of which Oscar A. Anthony is Superintendent.
SOCIETIES.
Shekinah Lodge, No. 42, I. O. O. F., was organized September 22, 1852, and flourished until the tornado in 1860, when, for a time, it became extinct. On the 7th of September, 1874, it was re-organized. The charter members were A. B. Ireland, John Kahl, Robert Wilkes, Samuel F. Dillon, H. W. Smith, S. Hyman and M. H. Spooner. The present membership is about fifty. The present officers are : William Welch, N. G. ; J. B. Chamberlain, V. G .; W. S. Wallace, Secretary ; M. H. Spooner, Treasurer; H. W. Smith, Warden; George Waldorf, Conductor; L. R. Heilman, R. S .; S. F. Dillon, L. F .; H. Wendt, I. S.
In 1855, Camanche Lodge, No. 60, A., F. & A. M .; was instituted. The following were the charter members : Samuel Doolittle, John McLoskey, Amos W. Gordon, H. A. Hart, Lewis Birkhead, George W. Miller, Corley Tyler and A. M. Littig. Lewis Birkhead was the first Master of the Lodge; John McLoskey, S. W., and Samuel Doolittle, J. W. The Lodge is still in a pros- perous condition.
In 1857, Mt. Moriah Chapter of Royal Arch Masons was chartered. This was the first Chapter organized in this county, and for many years was the only
Digitized by le
-
573
-
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
one. In the tornado, their Hall was demolished, their furniture, jewels and charter blown away. They, however, continued their organization, and now occupy a hall in Dunning's Block. Their charter, which went away in the wind, was picked up by a farmer near Sterling, Ill., who not having "traveled in the East," did not know what his parchment indicated. He often exhibited the document as a relic of the cyclone. After some three years, a traveler, passing through the country, stopped for the night with this farmer. During the evening, the tornado being the subject of conversation, the host exhibited the charter. The stranger at once informed the possessor that he ought to return the parchment, which was done, and the original charter of the Chapter now hangs upon the wall of their lodge-room. The Tiler's jewel was also found, as we are informed, near Thompson, Ill. It came into the possession of a lady who had it metamorphosed into a silver shawl-pin. She was also informed as to where it belonged. and returned it, and it is now in the possession of the Chapter, an interesting relic of that terrible day.
Hope Lodge, No. 13, A. O. U. W., was organized January 22, 1875, and is a flourishing branch of this beneficiary brotherhood. The officers at present (1879) are as follows : C. C. Judd, P. M. W .; G. V. Vandever, M. W .; William Forsyth, F .; C. D. Manning, O .; Theodore Hoyt, Recorder; J. J. Anthony, Treasurer ; P. Muhs, Receiver ; A. Bailey, G .; B. H. Johuk, I. W .; W. H. Tallman, O. W .; C. D. Manning, Medical Examiner.
INCORPORATION.
The city of Camanche was incorporated by act of Legislature passed Janu- ary 28, 1857, with a special charter, and which act was to take effect after pub- lication in the lowa Register, published in Camanche, and the Clinton Mirror, published in Lyons. It was signed by James M. Grimes, Governor ; Samuel McFarland, Speaker of the House of Representatives; W. W. Hamilton, President of the Senate, and Elijah Sells, Secretary of State.
The charter was submitted to the people at an election held on the first. Monday in March, 1857, and was adopted.
An election of officers was held on the first Monday in April, at which Dr. A. B. Ireland was elected Mayor ; O. A. Anthony and Isaac Hess, Aldermen for the First Ward ; E. M. Ward and A. N. Lettig, Aldermen for the Second Ward ; S. Hyman was the first Recorder ; Samuel Doolittle, Treasurer; Rob- ert Miller, Marshal ; S. F. Dillon, Assessor.
The first meeting of the City Council was held April 22, 1857.
CITY OFFICERS.
The following is the list of city officers from date of incorporation until the present time, with the year during which they served :
Mayors .- A. B. Ireland, 1857; Thomas W. J. Long, 1858; A. B. Ire- land, 1859; William Botsford, 1860; S. F. Dillon, 1861; S. Hyman, 1863; George B. Young, 1864; E. G. Butcher, 1865; H. W. Smith, 1866; E. G. Butcher, 1867 and 1868; A. T. Anthony, 1869 and 1870 ; William R. Hart, 1871 to 1875; S. Hyman, 1876; J. H. Smith, 1877; R. B. Hoadley, 1878; John Hart, 1879.
It will be observed that no name appears for 1862. There is no record of any proceedings from September 4, 1861, to April 8, 1863. The disastrous tornado and the civil war had so decimated the men, and the entire engross- ment of all in these events had caused a neglect of lesser affairs, and the incum- bents of the previous year held over by common consent.
Digitized by Google
574
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Aldermen .- Oscar A. Anthony, Isaac Hess, E. M. Ward, A. N. Lettig, 1857 ; W. McQuigg, I. W. Wilcoxson, T. C. Dyer, 1858; John Berry, John E. Brooks, C. H. Weise, T. C. Else, S. F. Dillon, T. C. Dyer, 1859; James M. Redfield, William Sennett, William R. Hart, 1860; William H. Hoyt, Henry Gode, A. F. Ketchum, T. C. Dyer, 1861; A. Lillo, W. Beck, A. W. Lettig, 1863 ; Rosalvo Sage, William McQuigg, B. Bailey, 1864; C. H. Colwell, Henry Gode, James Neill, 1865; E. Greenough, A. Arp, James Gregwire, Hiram Leach, 1866; William E. Kernan, J. Henry Smith, S. F. Dillon, 1867 ; S. Hyman, A. H. Thompson, H. A. Seifert, 1868; Henry Tanner, J. H. Gosch, B. Bailey, 1869; H. Schlottman, J. D. Toy, H. A. Romahn. 1870; R. B. Hoadley, J. H. Smith, S. F. Dillon, 1871; H. Schlottman, A. Arp, A. A. Wagner, 1872 ; M. Palmer, J. H. Anthony, R. Wilkes, 1873; F. Hoyt, A. Arp, S. F. Dillon, 1874; W. R. Anthony, H. C. Gosch, A. A. Wagner, 1875; F. Landt, J. H. Smith, S. F. Dillon, 1876; William Ecker- man, W. H. Tallman, II. A. Romahn, 1877; John McLoskey, Thomas Butler, John Hart, 1878; J. H. Anthony, J. B. Finney, L. R. Heilman, 1879.
Recorders .- S. Hyman, 1857; H. W. Perkins, 1858; W. W. Pierce, 1859 ; P. C. McLean, 1860; R. J. Rickey, 1861; George B. Young, 1863; Oakley P. Lawton, 1864; W. R. Hart, 1865; George Tong, 1866; A. A. Wagner, 1867; H. C. Gosch, 1868; James Smoller, 1869 to 1873; H. C. Romahn, 1874 and 1875; B. F. Hatcher, 1876; S. K. Monroe, 1877; L. R. Heilman, 1878; W. H. Hoyt, 1879.
Treasurers .- Samuel Doolittle, 1857; O. A. Anthony, 1858; H. W. Perkins, 1859 ; S. Hyman, 1860; H. W. Lee, 1861; Martin Dunning, 1863 and 1864; J. G. Anthony, 1865 ; W. H. Hoyt, 1866; W. R. Hart, 1867 to 1870; William H. Tallman, 1871 to 1875; John Hart, 1876 and 1877 ; L. B. Chamberlain, 1878 : Miles Palmer, 1879.
A88e88078 .- S. F. Dillon, 1857; W. Sennett, 1858; Orange Still, 1859; . B. Barker, 1860; H. W. Lee, 1861 ; Orange Still, 1863; Charles Colwell. 1864 ; A. T. Anthony, 1865 and 1866; H. P. Hart, 1867; George Willis, 1868 to 1872 ; Frederick Horn, 1873 to 1879.
Marshals .- Robert Miller, 1857; F. Campbell, 1858; W. H. Day, 1859; B. Barker, 1860; J. S. Butler, 1861 ; Eli Lanning, 1863; Edward Lum, 1864 ; William Beck, 1865; E. C. Lum, 1866 ; J. S. Butler, 1867; Lewis Barker, 1868; J. S. Butler, 1869 to 1871; Alvin Bigelow, 1872; J. S. But- ler, 1873; James Prichart, 1874; S. J. Thomas, 1875; V. O. Wilcox, 1876 and 1877; William W. Skiff, 1878; A. L. Stringham, 1879.
Wharfmasters .- I. Stoutenburg, 1858; T. C. Dyer, 1859; William Bots- ford, 1860; E. G. Butcher, 1861; O. A. Anthony, 1863 ; Asa Perkins, 1864; A. T. Anthony, 1865; J. H. Mudgett, 1866; M. Romahn, 1867; John Brenkman, 1868; M. Romahn, 1869; P. G. Monroe, 1870; W. W. Skiff, 1871 and 1872; Peter Kruse, 1873 to 1875; A. J. Romahn, 1876; J. B. Wiley, 1877 ; P. G. Monroe, 1878; S. Hyman, 1879.
EARLY BUSINESS MEN.
Among the early business men of Camanche was Martin Dunning, of the firm of Dunning & Monroe, of Chicago. This firm were engaged in business in Chicago, but in 1836, Mr. Dunning came to Camanche, bringing with him a stock of goods, hauled by wagons, and opened business in a building erected by F. K. Peck. They did business for several years, and also erected the first grist-mill in the county, which was situated a short distance above Camanche.
Digitized by Google
Å
575
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
on Mill Creek. Mr. Dunning afterward engaged in banking, which he suc- cessfully conducted for many years. He retired from business, and died at his residence in Camanche in 1875.
Charles Darrow, in 1836, engaged in general merchandising in Camanche, and was soon afterward succeeded by MclIvaine, Happer & Co., who carried on the business, and also that of grain-buying, for many years.
Joseph W. Waldorf was among the pioneer merchants, and was one of the most enterprising men of the place. In 1858, he erected a large brick block, a part of which is still standing, a memento of his enterprise and also of the great tornado, in which it was sadly demoralized.
David Loy and John Smith kept hotels. Johnson Butler kept a livery stable. Dr. Manning was practicing medicine. E. M. Osborn was a cabinet- maker.
BURGLARIES.
An amusing story is told of the awakened fears of some burglarious persons who had entered Dunning & Monroe's store, in 1847. After securing such plunder as they desired, they left their compliments. in writing, upon the counter, with the facetious explanation of their reasons for not levying a heavier contribution upon these gentlemen, which was, "that the goods were marked so high that they could not dispose of them except at such a ruinous sacrifice that they feared it would break them up."
Mr. Dunning was also levied upon while engaged in banking, meeting with a heavy loss. During the night of August 9, 1866, his dwelling-house was entered by a party of masked men, who over-awed and bound every inmate. Mr. Dunning was then taken by a portion of the gang to his banking-house, and there compelled, under threats of his life, to unlock the safe and witness the robbery of its contents. The robbers secured between $8,000 and $9,000, and made their escape. Notwithstanding the most diligent efforts were made and continued for many months, no trace was ever discovered of the perpe- trators of the deed.
AN ECCENTRIC CHARACTER.
James Claiborne was an eccentric gentleman who lived at Camanche, and will be remembered by its old citizens. In 1842, under the Territorial Gov- ernment, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace. He imbibed the idea that this was a life-appointment, and he assumed to exercise the functions and pre- rogatives of this office for years after his judicial powers had ceased. His idiosyncrasy was humored by the waggish denizens of the town; and many mock trials, it is said, were conducted before him, over which he presided with great dignity, although his inability to collect his costs was always a source of much vexation to him. He went overland to California in 1849, and the tradition is, that when last heard from, he was holding a court at a camping- place of the train on the plains.
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.