USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 31
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The one is a romping, dark brunette, As fickle and gay as any coquette; She glides along by the western plains, And changes her bed every time it rains; Witching as any dark-eyed houri, This romping, wild brunette Missouri.
The other is placid, mild and fair, With a gentle, sylph-like, quiet air, And a voice as sweet as a soft guitar; She moves along the meadows and parks Where naiads play Folian harpe- Nor ever goes by fits and starts- No fickle coquette of the city, But gentle, constant Mississippi.
I love the wild and dark brunette Because she is a gay coquette; Her, too, I love, of quiet air, Because she's gentle, true and fair. The land of my birth, on the east and the west, Embraced by these is doubly blest- "Tis hard to tell which I love best.
is an account of the past history of the most favored and prosperous 1 thus embraced which we desire in the following pages to chronicle. catering upon the work before us we have not underestimated the diffi- and importance of the task. The chief difficulty lies in the fact that rents to be treated, while having to do with the past are so inti. y interwoven with the present that they are properly a part of it. The " of history as a general thing deals wholly with the affairs of past ations and his aim is to pause when he arrives at that realm bounded D memory of men now living; the whole field of our investigation lies ide of that boundary line, as there are many who will doubtless peruse rok who from the first have witnessed, and taken part in the events all attempt to relate.
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
The year 1843 is usually given as the date of the first settlement of the county, although part of it was not open for settlement until two years later.
Assuming that date to be the beginning of the history proper, there have elapsed but thirty-seven years; and many who came at that time of shortly afterward, still live in our midst. And such, while they have grown prematurely old in body by reason of the hardships and privations incident upon a life of more than ordinary activity and trial. have not grown old in spirit. Each one of such knows the history of the county and, be it said with due reverence for their hoary heads and bended forms, each one knows that history better than any one else. Such readers are very uncharitable critics, and a work of this kind absolutely accurate in all its details and particulars, were it within the scope of human possibility to make such & work, would undoubtedly be pronounced, by many well meaning and honest persons, faultly and untrustworthy. This results from the fact that thirty years, though not a long period in the history of the world, is a long time in the life of an individual. Events occurring at that length of time in the past we think we know perfectly well when the fact is we know them very imperfectly. This is proved and illustrated by the reluctancy and hests- tion manifested invariably by old settlers when called upon to give the de- tails of some early transaction; the old settler usually hesitates before giv- ing a date and after having finally settled down upon the year and the month when a certain event occurred, will probably hunt you up in lees than a day and request the privilege of correcting the date. In the mean- time you have found another old settler who was an eye-witness of the act in question and the date he will give you does not correspond with the first date nor the corrected date as given by the first old settler.
We have noticed the same uncertainty with regard to other details of a particular transaction; such, for instance, as an early election, whether Mr. Jones was the successful or the defeated candidate, and with regard to an altercation whether Smith or Brown was the aggressor. There is at this time living in an adjoining county a noble old gray-headed man whose pio- neer feet trod close in the tracks of the receding aboriginies; he has held many offices of honor and trust and although life has lost none of its charms he would rather die than utter an untruthful word or commit a dis- honorable deed. It appeared from the official record that an early day be had held the office of county surveyor and the fact having been made public by publication in a work of this character, he sought out the writer and informed him that the statement was incorrect; that not he but a cer- tain Mr. W. has been elected to the position named at the time mentioned. He clung tenaciously to his position and refused to recede from it even when the poll-book was produced confirming the statement of the writer. To this day the old gentleman firmly believes that Mr. W., and not himself was. county surveyor in 1849, although in addition to the evidence of the poll- book is evidence of the county plat-book, where are certified over his sig- nature the surveys of at least three different towns. There are some marked exceptions, but as a rule the memory of the old settler is not trust- worthy; his ideas of the general outlines are usually comparatively correct but no one who has the grace to put the proper estimate upon his mental faculties when impaired by age and weakened by the many infirmities of years will trust it in the arbitrament of questions of particulars and details. The stranger who comes into the county with none of the information
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
h those possess who have resided here for years works at a great disad- ge in many respects. He does not at first know whom to interview or e to find the custodians of important records. However, he possesses great advantage which more than makes up for this; he enters upon his with an unbiased mind; he has no friends to reward and no enemies mish; his mind is not preoccupied and prejudged by reports which have incidentally come into his possession while transacting the ordi- affairs of business; and when in addition to this he is a person whose 1688 it is to collect statements and weigh facts of history, he is much r qualified for the task, and to discriminate between statements seem- ' of equal weight, than those who either immediately or remotely are ested parties and whose regular employment lies in other fields of in- y. This is true even though the former be a total stranger and the r have become familiar with men and things by many years of inter- e and acquaintanceship. He is the best judge and best juror who is ly unacquainted with both plaintiff and defendant, and he is best qual- o arbitrate between conflicting facts of history who comes to the task out that bias which is the price one must pay for acquaintanceship and iarity. The best history of France was written by an Englishman, the most authentic account of American institutions was written by a chman; and it remained for an American to write the only authentic ry of the Dutch Republic.
e American people are much given to reading, but the character of natter read is such that, with regard to a large proportion of them, it truthfully be said that " truth is stranger than fiction." Especially is the case in respect to those facts of local history belonging to their own echate county and neighborhood. This is perhaps not so much the fault e people as a neglect on the part of the book publishers. Books, as a are made to sell, and in order that a book may have a large sale, its er must be of such a general character as to be applicable to general ir than special conditions-to the Nation and State, rather than to the ty and township. Thus it is that no histories heretofore published in to matters relating to county and neighborhood affairs, for such s, in order to have a sale over a large section of country must, neces- 7, be very voluminous and contain much matter of no interest to the r. After having given a synopsis of the history of the State and the bwest, which is as brief as could well be, and contains nothing except is absolutely necessary for a proper understanding of the circum- es and conditions bearing upon the settlement of the county, we are prepared to enter upon the history of the county proper.
le physical features of the county will first claim our attention, then a ber of pages devoted to the subject of Indians and Indian affairs. The ry of Marion county cannot be written withont frequent allusions to unfortunate race of people who originally owned the soil, and who, the first settlement of the county even to the present time, make oc- nal visits to the hunting-grounds and burial places of their forefathers. apter on the Indian affairs of the county will be given, not only be- it comes within the legitimate scope of the work, but also becanse ing in the whole realm of literature is more fascinating to the common nge reader than narratives of this kind; and although this chapter will tless contain many things old as well as new, there are few of our ons who would desire to have it omitted. We shall then speak of the
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
first settlers, treating of them as accurately, definitely and fully as war- ranted by the facts at our disposal, giving the date when each one came to the county, from what State or country, and where now located, if living. In connection with the few first settlers we shall aim to speak of many leading citizens who have come more recently, and on the concluding pages of the book will be found a biographical directory, the value of which will increase with years. Pioneer times will then be described and inci- dents related showing the trials and triumphs of the pioneer settler. Them county organization, political affairs, newspapers, railroads, schools, etc. Finally, a soldier's record, and a history of cities, towns and townships in detail.
The compiler of a history of a county has a task which may seem to be comparatively easy, and the facts which come within the legitimate scope of the work may appear commonplace when compared with national events; the narration of the peaceful events attending the conquests of industry as " Westward the course of empire takes its way" may seem tame when con- trasted with accounts of battles and sieges. Nevertheless, the faithful gath- ering and the truthful narration of facts bearing upon the early settlement of this county and the dangers, hardships and privations encountered by the early pioneers engaged in advancing the standard of civilization is a work of no small magnitude and the facts thus narrated are such as may challenge the admiration and arouse the sympathy of the reader though they have nothing to do with feats of arms.
THE NAME.
It has been intimated by one that there is nothing in a name, but a name sometimes means a great deal. In this case itindicates the character of the people who settled the county, and have given to it its distinctive characteristics.
Names are sometimes given to towns and countries by accident; some- times they originate in the childish caprice of some one individual, whose dictate, by reason of some real or imaginary superiority, is law. However, in this instance, the county and its chief city did not receive a name by accident; neither did it originate in the childish caprice of one man, but the christening took place after mature deliberation and by general con- sent.
In naming the first counties of Iowa, three several plans were adopted: Dubuque was named in honor of Julien Dubuque, the first white settler; Scott was named in honor of the most distinguished military chieftain of the day; and Des Moines received its name from the leading river of the State. As new counties were formed the names of distinguished Indian chiefs were applied to them; thus we have Keokuk, Mahaska, Wapello, Poweshiek, Appanoose, etc. The Mexican War closed about the time many connties of central Iowa were organized. The Democratic party in the na- tion which favored the war was also largely in the majority in the State, and the war spirit, which had taken possession of nearly every one, and which entered into all kinds of conversation and official deliberations, left its impress particularly on the General Assembly of the Territory and young State of Iowa. In the organization of at least fifteen counties the names of battle-fields and distinguished generals of the Mexican War were perpetuated.
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
The question of the acquisition of Texas, and the conseqnent declaration of war with Mexico, was the chief isene in the presidential campaign of 1844. The party in favor of this measure nominated as their candidate James K. Polk, who was triumphantly elected. The party cry during that campaign was " Polk and Dallas," and as commander-in-chief of the army of the United States Polk was not only the standard-bearer of the Demo- cratic party, but the central figure of the Mexican.campaign. It was, there- fore, to be expected and altogether consistent with the general tendency of affairs for the Legislature of the Territory in session right in the midst of the Mexican campaign to select as a name for the county which was to be the future capital of the State and the center of population, wealth and in- finence, the name of the standard-bearer in the preliminary campaign and the central figure in the subsequent contest. It was also very proper that the name Dallas, which had been associated with that of Polk during the campaign in question, should be given to the county immediately west. Whether or not the policy of naming counties after illustrious politicians and famous generals and battle-fields be a good one or not, it has, neverthe- less, been followed to a greater or less extent in the various States through- out the Union, and in none more than Iowa. Such being the tendency, there was somewhat of a contest in the selection of a name for this county. Some were in favor of giving it a name which would aid in preserving the memory of the race of people who were declining toward the western hori- zon, and if we mistake not, the name Kish-ke-kosh, that of a most remark- able savage of whom we shall hereafter speak more fully, was for a time applied to that portion of country now known as Marion county. Others were in favor of honoring the incoming race rather than the outgoing, and many names were suggested, some of foreigners, and others of native Americans. It is said that the name was chosen by a self constituted con- vention of settlers who met at the house of Nathan Bass in the spring of 1845. L. W. Babbitt, George Gillaspy, Renben Mathews, Homer Math- ewa, David T. Durham, Nathan Bass, Joseph Drouillard, John Williams, Levi Bainbridge, Isaac N. Crum, Simon Drouillard, John W. Alley, and others, constituted the convention. These settlers, of course, could not name the county; all they could do was to suggest a name for the Legisla- ture to adopt. This meeting met for other purposes also, but the choosing of a name for the new county seems to have been the leading object of the meeting. Several names were suggested, such as Nebraska, Pulaski, Center, etc. It is said that finally Mr. Bainbridge proposed the name of Marion, and the proposition met with so much favor that it was unan- imously adopted.
The name of Francis Marion is scarcely less familiar to the American people than that of Washington. The character of that illustrious Revolu- tionary patriot is even more fascinating to the masses than that of the Father of his Conntry. The average boy upon getting a book entitled the life of Francis Marion, find's in the hero of that work his ne plus ultra. Not only to the boy but to the full-grown man, and especially to the ad- ventursome, self-denying pioneer, has Marion always been a favorite char- seter: he was a favorite of such because his trials and hardships were akin to theirs; and as a representative of that type of American citizens who first made the conquest of this favored country was the choice of the name
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
most appropriate, for in their heroism, patient endurance of hardships, and unswerving elevation to principle were the pioneers of the county vertiable Francis Marions in their own humble sphere. How much the career of the county may have been affected by the name we shall never know but the fact reinains that Marion was the favorite character among the early settlers, and that the progress and development of the county has been largely due to the exercise of the same energy and self-denial which the distinguished general practiced while engaged in deeds which in a certain sense were grander, though by no means more honorable. It is not practicable at this place to give anything like a life of this illustrious chief- tian in whose honor the county was named. A few facts only, such as every school-boy should know, will be given.
Gen. Francis Marion was born in South Carolina in 1732, and died in 1795. He had a very meager education, and his first military experience was as a volunteer in the Indian expedition against the Cherokees. He en- tered the service of the colonists during the Revolutionary War, the first office he held being that of captain. For efficient service he was promoted from time to time until he arrived at the rank of brigadier-general. It was while holding this office that he performed the most efficient service for his country. In speaking of his career, the historian says:
" It is impossible to pursue in detail the progress of so eager a chieftain, in a career marked by so great a variety of actions and resource. Even popular tradition fails to follow him. His camp at Snow's Island, his potato feast to the British officer, his quiet humor when dealing with both friend and foe, his perpetual vigilance and sudden movements have all en- tered into the legends of the country. Though Snow's Island, a natural fortress of swamps was his favorite hiding-place yet he had other retreats in almost every swamp of Carolina. His food was chiefly potatoes and corn; his only drink was vinegar and water; for months he slept without a blanket and marched without a hat; and he trained his followers to his own habit of cheerful endurance. He disciplined in his style of warfare many young officers who proved in time worthy of their master."
After the close of the war Gen. Marion was elected to the State Senate and was also a member of the State convention called to form a constitu- tion for his native State. Upon leaving the service of his native country he returned to the avocation of a farmer almost in abject poverty. Such were some of the acts which rendered Francis Marion one of the most noted men of his day, and such were some of the characteristics of the man whom the early settlers thought worthy of honoring when they named the county.
The great popularity of the name is fully attested by the fact that seven- teen different counties in the United States have received it, besides many important cities.
In this list of seventeen counties, as given in Appleton's Enclycopedia, Marion county, Iowa, is the fourteenth in the order in which they are given, but it is second in respect to population and wealth, Marion county, Indiana, which contains Indianapolis, the capital city of the State, alone exceeding it in population and wealth.
So much for the name, concerning which all of our readers would not wish to know less.
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
CHAPTER II.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
Situation -- Extent-Surface -- Rivers-Timber-Climate -- Prairies-Soils- Geology-Econo- mic Geology-Coal-Building Stone-Clays-Springs-Springs and Well Water.
MARION county is situated south and east of the center of the State. Accurately speaking it is about fifty miles south and a very little east of the geographical center of the State.
The town of State Center, a station on the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, in Marshall county, is probably very near the geographical center of the State. The city of Des Moines, some thirty miles northwest from Knoxville, is probably more nearly in the center of wealth and population than any other city in the State.
Numbering by counties, it is in the third tier from the south boundary of the State, in the seventh tier from the north boundary, the fifth from the cast and the sixth from the west. Knoxville is abont 52 miles from the Missouri State line, 108 miles west of the Mississippi River, 150 miles past of the Missouri River and about the same distance from the Min- Desota State line.
Its latitude is a little more that 41 degrees, being nearly the same as that of New York City; its longitude is abont ninety-three degrees west of Greenwich, and about sixteen degrees west of the National Capital.
It is bounded on the north by Jasper county, on the east by Mahaska, on the south by Monroe and Lucas, and on the west by Warren and Polk. It is generally considered that Warren county alone bounds Marion on the west, but the fact is that about one mile of the western boundary touches on Polk. This came about as follows: When Polk county was organized the people of Fort Des Moines, who were in the majority, were anxious to have the seat of justice located at that place. Fort Des Moines was conse- quently sonth of the center of the county, and as this was urged as an o b- jection to its becoming the county seat the friends of Fort Des Moines suc- ceeded in having the north tier of townships taken from Warren and attached to Polk.
In 1852 the people of Warren petitioned the Legislature to restore the territory which properly belonged to them. This was resisted by Doctor Hull, then representing Polk county in the State Senate, and who lived on the disputed ground in the southeast part of the county, just north of the Des Moines River. A compromise was effected, whereby it was provided that all of that part of the disputed territory which lay north of the Des Moines River, should continue to be a part of Polk, and thus the matter stands yet.
Marion county is composed of congressional townships 74, 75, 76 and 77, of ranges 18, 19, 20 and 21.
The county is in the shape of a square, or as nearly so as it was possible to make it in the original surveys. Were these surveys strictly accurate, the county would be exactly twenty-four miles each way, and would em- brace five hundred and seventy-six square miles, or three hundred and sixty-eight thousand six hundred and forty acres. As it is the area is some- what larger.
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HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
The county is now subdivided into fifteen different townships as follows: Clay, Dallas, Franklin, Indiana, Knoxville, Lake Prairie, Liberty, Perry, Pleasant Grove, Polk, Red Rock, Summit, Swan, Union and Washington. Of these six coincide with their corresponding congressional townships; they are as follows: Liberty, Indiana, Washington, Dallas and Summit. Three of the civil townships are larger than the corresponding congressional townships; they are Knoxville, Lake Prairie and Clay. The remaining civil townships are smaller than congressional townships, Perry being the smallest; Knoxville township is the largest, containing about one hundred sections or over two and a half congressional townships. Lake Prairie, comes next in size, it containing about seventy-eight sections or over two congressional townships. These two townships, Knoxville and Lake Prairie contain nearly one third of the area of the county and almost half of the population.
The county at one time was divided into civil townships whose bonnda- ries differed materially from the present arrangement. The present subdivis- ion of the county is of comparatively modern origin, and natural bounda- ries, such as rivers, were considered rather than the arbitrary lines laid down in the original government surveys. The boundaries of civil townships are subject to frequent changes, but in Marion county it would seem that the boundary lines of civil townships have been subjected to fewer vicissitudes than is usually the case.
Upon studying the history of the county one is soon impressed by the fact that the people are less whimsical and more conservative than in the average county of the State, and the fact appears in the arrangement of civil townships which have suffered fewer changes than is usual. Such changes as have been made will be more fully discussed at the proper place.
Part of the townships have regular and well-defined boundaries, while the larger number of them have irregular and ill-defined boundaries. This is due to the fact that in many cases the boundary lines consist of the ir- regular and changeable channels of rivers and sunaller streams. Owing to the fact that bridges, however numerous they may be, do not furnish con- venient and ready means of communication between the people of a town- ship lying partly on both sides of a stream, this arrangement is probably the best subdivision of the county into civil townships which could be made, although in many respects the plan of constituting each congressional town- ship into a civil township has its advantages.
These streams of water, while they present many obstacles in the way of settlement and improvement, and are continually suggesting problems over which the county dignitaries may perspire and cogitate are at the same time of incalculable benefit to the country. They will be described at the appropriate place.
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