USA > Iowa > Marshall County > The History of Marshall County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 57
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Now, nothing which the architect's taste can devise is too good for school house or for church. Look at the plenitude of tidy, commodious buildings in every county, and not designed for double service, either, but dedicated solely to the use of the school ma'am, who hereabouts is thoroughly skilled in her profession. She has had, aside from such education as her means have enabled her to obtain, good practical drill in the normal institutes. She not only knows her text books, but she knows how to teach. And then the ingeniously devised school books, in which every point of information is adjusted to such a nicety that they are rather works of art and books of entertainment than but the dull means to a desired end.
The little flocks of children who run along the country roads in their bare feet and sun-bonnets, and chip hats, do not have to squirm and twist their uneasy legs all day over a page in the English reader which they cannot understand. They begin their morning's work with a chorus, which puts them all in good humor to start with. Then they come to time classes at a tinkle of the bell ; they are entertained and diverted as well as instructed at every step. Before there is any possibility of restlessness, they go through a five-minutes round of calisthenics which puts a wholesome quietus upon their muscles and their mis- chief. Wise play is so mixed with teaching that they never really discover which is which until they find themselves ready to teach school themselves in turn.
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
This is the ease of the present compared with the labor of the past. And in this way is the generality of education secured. The ways are smoothed, the tediousness beguiled and the deprivation supplanted by an affluence of aids.
In 1854, Gov. Grimes, in his inaugural message, said : " The safety and perpetuity of our Republican institutions depend upon the diffusion of intelligence among the masses of the people. The statistics of the penitentiaries and almis- houses throughout the country show that education is the best preventive of crime. They show also that the prevention of these evils is much less expensive than the punishment of the one and the relief of the other."
So, with all our new, fangled methods, our ornamental, well-ventilated and well-furnished school houses, our accomplished instructors with modern notions, we are not extravagant. We are simply taking from the expenses of crime and pauperism and putting it into enduring and beautiful shape. We are helping to sustain the government by rearing up in every town and in every country neighborhood a generation of enlightened and intelligent people, cosmopolitan in the sense of schools, if not in that wider cosmopolitanism which comes alone from actual contact with the great world.
Abstract of the County Superintendent's last annual report, being for the year 1877 :
Number of district townships.
12
Number of independent districts
53
Number of sub-districts ..
87
Number of ungraded schools.
135
Number of graded schools
6
Average number of months taught
7.20
Number of male teachers employed.
122
Number of female teachers employed.
140
Average compensation per month, males.
$42 91
Average compensation per month, females
33 86
Number of persons between the ages of 5 and 21 years in the county : Males.
Females
Total number enrolled in county.
5,625
Number of frame school houses
128
Number of brick school houses.
15
Value of school houses.
$1,301 85
Value of apparatus.
25 31
Number of volumes in libraries.
6.2
Total amount of money received from all sources for school purposes ... $23,773 19
MARSHALLTOWN.
The pride of Marshall County centers in its county seat and business metrop- olis. The prevailing sentiment is that of progress. Men of energy control the interests of the city, and bend all their faculties to the purposes of improv- ing the institutions already founded, and of developing the resources which, as yet, have but fairly begun to be considered.
Marshalltown is in its infancy. estimating the age of the city by the natural endurance of towns founded upon as substantial a basis as this. The men who surveyed the wild lands, and struck the first blows in the name of civilization, still dwell within the limits or occupy homesteads adjoining the city which their enterprise has created. Not even one generation has passed away since the initial stake was driven into the virgin soil. The marvelous growth of town
3,677
Average cost of tuition per month for cach pupil.
$1 83
Number of stone school houses
4,022
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
and county since the beginning of the second half of the century, tends to pro- duce an erroneous impression in the minds of observers, and invests the place with fictitious agedness. The serious contemplation of facts alone is capable of removing the false sense of time thus engendered, and exhibiting, in all its real magnitude, the advancement actually made.
In appearance, the city of Marshalltown resembles many an eastern locality whose origin dates far back into the past, and around which cluster memories of generations gone. It is difficult for those who are accustomed to regard a town of the dimensions of this as aged, to accept the veracity of these records. There is none of the atmosphere of newness about Marshalltown which marks the majority of Western places; but there is a more stable air, such as is breathed in with every inspiration drawn in the streets of a New York or New England city. The smell of freshly cut pine, or the appearance of newly turned sod, which characterizes the greater number of Iowa business centers, is here noticeable for its conspicuous absence. Yet, there is none of the sleepi-
ness of the Eastern prototypes of Marshalltown. Where the similarity ceases, the line of demarkation is distinctly drawn. There are some towns in the East which hold their own with the western cities, but such are noted for many miles about, and are the cynosure of neighboring eyes. In the ambitious and grow- ing West, the success of a town is the rule, rather than the exception, and therefore creates less agitation or comment. Still, there is a frank recognition of prosperity on all sides, when such honor is merited; and that deference is paid to Marshalltown with almost unanimous accord. It is in poor taste to praise one place at the expense of others, we know; but such a genuine senti- ment of satisfaction with the town has seized upon us, through no volition of our own, during our somewhat prolonged stay here, that we are forced to accord to Marshalltown the palm as a delightful place of residence, as well as a point of undoubted business prosperity in the future. And this opinion is formed after a pretty general acquaintance in the State.
The geographical location of Marshalltown is admirable. The elevation of the land upon which it stands is sufficient to afford pure air, thorough ventila- tion and freedom from malaria. There are no stagnant waters in the vicinity. Healthfulness and beauty are characteristics of the natural site, and if they are not fully realized, it is man's fault alone.
The first location was made under the pre-emption law, in May, 1851, by Henry Anson. The season was noted for the remarkably high water. Mr. Anson built his pre-emption cabin on what is now Main street, near First avenue, May 25th of that year, and remained here about one month. He then went to Dubuque and filed his papers.
The cabin thus erected was the joint work of Isaac Myers and William Asher, who assisted Mr. Anson in the labor of making his claim. When the first log house was put up, the region for several miles about was an unbroken prairie, dotted with beautiful groves and watered by running streams.
Mr. Anson came to this county on horseback. for the swollen condition of the streams and sloughs prevented the passage of wagons.
At the time of his coming to Marshall County, Mr. Anson had for "neighbors," that is, within a radius of several miles, the pioneers on Linn and Timber Creeks, and those who had gone north of Linn to the Minerva Creek settlement. He was at no loss for elbow room.
During his travels, Mr. Anson had seen the beautiful town of Marshall, Michigan, and such pleasant recollections clung to him of his sojourn in the valley of the Kalamazoo that he determined to name this region Marshall, in
468
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
honor thereof. The resemblance between these localities was, and still is, very striking. The appropriateness of the name will be admitted, since the county had already been designated Marshall.
Mr. Anson had left his relatives in Bureau County, Illinois, when he started out on a prospecting tour, and thither he repaired when his pre-emption was effected.
William Ralls had made a squatter's claim on the lands immediately north of Anson's site, and it was the latter's desire to induce his brothers-in-law, John A. Kelley and Wells S. Rice, to locate thereon, or near him. To that end, Mr. Anson made the trip to Illinois, as before stated, during the Winter of 1851-52. The mission was successful, but Mr. Anson had to return before the others were ready to start. He was in hopes of finding the Mississippi in a passable con- dition, but was disappointed in that calculation, and did not effect a crossing until he reached New Buffalo. This long journey on horseback consumed so much time that he did not reach his cabin in Marshall until in the Spring. The very day he reached his destination he was joyfully surprised to see his two brothers-in-law drive up to the cabin. The meeting was one which can better be imagined than described.
Anson purchased Ralls' claim for $400, or thereabouts, and transferred it to Kelley. The latter did not find the outlook so pleasing as he imagined, and in the Winter of 1852, sold his claim to John Childs. Mr. K. returned to Illi- nois the following Spring.
Mrs. Anson's family was the first to locate on the site of Marshall. Henry, Elizabeth R .. Horace, Almira (now Mrs. William Walters), and Emily (now Mrs. Haviland), constituted the pioneer band. The settlement was made in the Spring of 1852.
The family mansion was built of logs and stood just east of the town plat, but was afterward removed to the west side of Center street, south of where the City Bank block now stands, in 1853.
There was need of a store in such a thriving little town, and, although the village existed only in the mind of Mr. Anson, Mr. Rice put up a grout build- ing and prepared to open a store. The edifice was not much of a palace, but it was good enough for the times, and stood where the Willard House now stands. next door east of the Boardman House.
In the Fall of 1852, the third stock of goods ever purchased for the Mar- shall market was bought in St. Louis, by Mr. Rice, and landed at Keokuk. The water was so high that the stock could not be shipped overland at once, and in the Winter of 1852-53, Mr. Anson hauled the goods, via Oskaloosa, to their destination.
There was a hogshead of sugar that proved too much for the team, and it was dumped off some distance from the store, by the side of the road. The country was so honest in those days, that no trouble was experienced from thieves, and there the sugar remained until it was gradually taken to the store, as occasion required.
The first birth occurred before the town was surveyed. Adrian C. Anson, son of Henry Anson, was born April 17, 1852.
The first death occurred Aug. 10, 1853, the deceased being a daughter of Silas Chorn.
The first weddings were Miles Rice to Miss E. Anson, and Horace Anson to Miss E. Smith, both being solemnized at once.
The village of Marshall was surveyed on the northwest quarter of the north- east quarter and northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 35, and
469
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
southeast quarter of the southwest quarter and southwest quarter of the south- east quarter of Section 26, Town 84 north, Range 18 west. This was the Anson claim, which lays south of the present Main street, and the John Childs claim, which adjoins it on the north.
There have been numerous additions to the village and city plat from time to time, but all these are matters of plain record and need not be specially referred to here.
The survey was made in August, 1853, and was recorded on the 15th of that month.
Mr. Childs traded and sold his entire interest to Reuben H. Webster soon after the survey.
Mr. Childs had put up a log cabin in the edge of the timber, on his prop- erty, and after the village was laid out, he moved the building to the north side of Main street. He lived in it while the first frame house was in process of construction, in the Summer and Fall of 1853.
Mr. Anson bought this house before it was completed, and finished it for his own residence. It was in this building that the first regular window sash in town was placed. The building still stands and is used by Mr. Lacey as a grocery store.
The first school in the vicinity was taught by Neri Hoxie, in a log building just west of the town site, in the Winter of 1853-4.
The hrst ministers were Solomon Dunton, the pioneer missionary, whose name figures so conspicuously in the annals of this county, and Mr. Armstrong. The former came to this region when there was no Marshalltown.
The first year of the existence of the village was such a one as almost every new town experiences, and was marked by a healthy development. although by no special incidents of an important character.
In 1854, Greenleaf M. Woodbury chose Marshall as his future home. The presence of a man of his power and vigor of character was at once felt. He inaugurated measures of permanent value, and at that early day exerted a wide influence upon the susceptible community.
The little hamlet recognized the leadership thus quietly assumed by Mr. Woodbury, and when within a year he set in motion his mill upon the river, north of the town, he was regarded as one of the governing spirits of the place. Throughout his residence in Marshall County, Mr. Woodbury worked for the advancement of the region, and his name is connected with railroad enterprises, schools and other public interests in a manner equal, if not supe- rior, to that of any citizen. This passing tribute is paid here, but a more fitting mention of his deeds is recorded in almost every event of moment which is elaborated within the covers of this volume.
The first hotel was opened by L. D. Anson, who named his place of enter- tainment the Marshall House, in 1854-5.
Dr. Bissell was the first physician.
In 1854, the agitation over the county seat question kept Marshall in a state of turmoil. This subject is exhaustively treated in a special chapter, and need not be duplicated in this sketch.
The name of Marshall became a confusing one, as there was a post office elsewhere in the State bearing a similar title. The people, therefore, changed the name of the place to that of
MARSHALLTOWN.
The first post office was established in 1854, with Wells S. Rice, as Postmaster.
470
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
In 1856, George Glick came to Marshalltown and associated with E. Willi- grod in business, occupying the frame building on the corner of Main and First streets. In 1856, Mr. Glick succeeded Mr. Rice as Postmaster. Dur- ing the years of his incumbency until 1860, the mail service was primitive enough. The only means of carrying it was by team, and during high-water season the pouches were frequently soaked through.
The office of Postmaster has since then been held by HI. D. Ranney, M. Rosenbaum, E. N. Chapin, J. E. Page, Elliot Shurtz, and again by E. N. Chapin, who is the present incumbent.
The first painter in Marshalltown was Daniel Kelley, and of him Mr. Glick relates the following incident which is illustrative of the feeling which pervaded the town at that time. Kelley noticed that there was a change in the old firm by the entrance of Mr. Glick into partnership with Mr. Willigrod. The firm advertised their business by a sign placed across the sidewalk, from a post in front of the building. A day or two after the advent of Glick, Kelley came up with a ladder and paint-pot and quietly erased the name of the former part- ner without saying a word to the members of the firm. The next day he came again and painted the word "Glick " where it belonged on the sign. While he was thus engaged, the gentleman whose name he was taking such freedom with accosted him and said: "Kelley, who told you to do that ?" "No one." responded the painter. "Well, you may never get your pay for the work." said Mr. G. "I don't care about that," answered the painter, "but while I stay here I propose to have the signs right."
E. C. Holcomb was the first tinsmith.
Those were social days. A dance was quietly gotten up, and Smith, the village fiddler, was often called upon to help the night through. Ladies dressed in calico and men in corresponding garb, but all were happy and contented, if we may judge by the stories told us now. The little parties used to last until eleven o'clock in the evening, and the participants were never weary from fashionable dissipation.
The Postmaster might drive dull care away by getting up a foot-race, now and then, with some fleet young Indian ; and if he did, no one seemed shocked, but all turned out and watched the sport.
In 1856, there were but 821 families in the entire county, with 2.411 male, and 2,040 female residents, and social lines were not drawn as strictly as they are now.
In 1858, the first newspaper was published in the village, and from the first issue we have made a compilation of items, as reminders of the past.
In Vol. I, No. 1, of the Marshall County Times, dated Oct. 14, 1858, we find the following announcement in the local column : "The first agricultural fair ever held in this county, commences in this town to-day, and lasts for three days," and then it goes on to urge the farmers and mechanics to do credit to. themselves by an appropriate display in their respective lines of business. It proceeds further to say, that "election has just passed off at this place, with con- siderable excitement over the township ticket," with the following result : Trustees, W. H. Bibb, 39 majority ; Alonzo Butler, 38 majority ; Joseph H. Smith, 25 majority. Assessor, R. A. Taylor, 45 majority. Town Clerk, II. D. Ranney, 68 majority. Justices, N. F. Ycamans, 61 majority ; H. H. Nash, 46 majority. Supervisors, District No. 1, S. Brooks, 18 majority ; No. 2, Samuel Dwight, 1 majority ; No. 3, L. Pierson, 9 majority. From election it moves to the first hard frost of the season, Oct. 6, which had effectually killed vegetation, without, however, much injuring the corn. From frost to sugar
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
cane, and we are told that a large amount has been raised in the county the past season, and that Henry Anson, Esq., has a number of acres of fine quality. Moreover, he is having a crushing mill made at the foundry of Chester Heald, "and it is expected that sugar-making will go off by steam in a few days."
Further on, we learn that the citizens of the village of La Fayette have changed the name of their town to Albion, a change every way for the better, since the town has heretofore been called by one name, and the post office by another, which has been the cause of a good deal of confusion.
In an editorial, we are told that at last "the monster feat is accomplished ! We are tied-the New World-to sweet auld Ireland by a rope of metal. The electric currents have danced over the wires in the dark depths of the ocean, and man has sent his thought a voyager from continent to continent. Wild was the joy through the land, when rulers of the two great nations of the earth ex- changed their congratulations over the successful accomplishment of the bold experiment. A few more messages came, and then it was silent ; no more the railway of thought, but a mere useless rope cumbering the bottom of the ocean. We know not the difficulty, whether it can be remedied or not. We hope for the best. though we hear gloomy rumors of breakings and partings in mid-ocean." That grave fear was very speedily dispelled, and one smiles now to remember how short a time ago one of our most fixed and indisputable agencies, was but a vague uncertain experiment.
Then comes a congratulation of the improvements going on in the town. Many buildings are going up of a tasteful and substantial character. Among them are the new residences of H. C. Henderson, Esq., and J. M. Sherwood. Esq., Dr. Statler and H. Dargitz, which "will be ornaments to the place, and monuments to the good sense and taste of the gentlemen above named." Then we are informed that an independent military company has been lately formed which is called the "Bowen Guards," in honor of Gen. Bowen. of Iowa City. "The company numbers some forty-five men, and they make a fine appearance as we have seen them on drill in the Court House." And, as the editor is one of the number, he infers that "in the course of a few weeks, said company will be able to do some pretty tall fighting if it should be necessary, and they could'nt run." Then the organization of a lodge of Good Templars is alluded to, which has "a respectable number of members."
From temperance the editor launches out into astronomy, with the following : "This strange visitor (the comet) from the unfathomed void of the universe, is yet with us, and we have grown so familiar with his cometship as to think he is no great shakes after all-all shine, shimmer and gas-not half so good a world to live in, or raise corn on as this much-abused but solid old earth ! As to what a comet is, the knowing ones appear wonderfully to disagree. and as every- one appears to be guessing about it, we being something of a Yankee, will guess too. From all the information we can get, we come to the following guess : That the period of this comet in its orbit is about 300 years. That its first appearance in the heavens of which we have any account, was in the tenth century of the Christian era, the next in the thirteenth, the next in the sixteenth, and its appearance at the present in the nineteeth century. By some its period is supposed to be thirty years only, and that we may look for its reappearance in 1889 or 1890. There is one thing pretty certain, that the most learned as- tronomers know but little about these wandering gentry, or what purpose they fill in the machinery of the universe. We hope, however, that they will steer clear of this little earth of ours, for, notwithstanding the assertion of savants to the contrary, we fear the result of such a collision would be serious."
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HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
The comet disposed of, we take a sip at the leader, which outlines the future policy of the paper, and find that it intends to be " zealous and firm without fanaticism ; determined, but not revolutionary," in its support of the Repub- lican party ; that, "believing the welfare of the whole community depends upon the success and prosperity of the farmer," each week will have a portion of the paper devoted to agricultural interests. Turning to that column, we are con- founded with the assertion that women should learn to milk, and with some rules as to farm work in October.
From the news and editorial matter we turn to the advertising columns, and find the name of . Henry C. Henderson, Attorney and Counselor at Law" heading the first column, and following close upon that, a " professional notice" by Dr. Statler and Dr. Taylor, tendering their medical services to the residents of Marshalltown. A few Iowa City advertisements intervene, and then comes the eard of "Timothy Brown, Attorney and Counselor at Law, Real Estate Agent, Taxes paid, Abstracts furnished, and Foreign Collections attended to promptly. La Fayette, Marshall County, Iowa." Directly under this is a similar card from Thomas J. Wilson, also of La Fayette. William P. Hep- burn's name, with the same announcement, follows, but he is located at Mar- shall. After "Win. Bremner, County Surveyor for Marshall County," Iowa City. Muscatine, Davenport and Rock Island notices fill the column, until at the very end we find two lines, "Hardware and Queensware of every kind and quality at Willigrod's." On the next page we are confronted the first thing with "For Sale-A house and lot, very cheap. Enquire of E. Willigrod. Then six Sheriff's sales; and heading the third page we find " Drugs and Med- icines, George Glick." Underneath is the dissolution notice of the partner- ship between Gliek and Willigrod. Further on is a "Take Notice" that all persons indebted to the above firm are requested "to come to the scratch and save costs." Cooper & White, of La Fayette, head their dry goods advertise- ment with a display announcement of "The High School Located at La Fay- ette !" This is twice repeated in the same issue, as, indeed, are all of the other advertisements, the fourth page being an exact duplicate of the third, with the exception of the reading matter.
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