The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 57

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1004

USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,. > Part 57

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).

Ancient Order of United Workmen, Montezuma Lodge, No. 64-Or- ganized May 1, 1876. Present membership, forty-six. Present officers:

*Murdered in the year 1865, at Virginia City, Nevada.

518

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

O. W. Fauquer, P. M. W .; A. F. Rayburn, M. W .; J. P. Hassha, F .; L. H. Boydston, O .; O. L. Roseman, Recorder; J. L. Rodgers, Financier; C. R. Clark, Receiver; L. J. Gude, Guide; Fred Schultz, I. W .; J. H. Lorenzen, O. W .: J. C. Tribbitt, W. E. Vest, Medical Examiners.

Loyal Orange Institution, Charity Lodge, No. 152-Meets in Odd Fel- lows' Hall. Membership, sixteen. It was instituted in 1869. There are three lodges of this order in Poweshiek county, said to be the only Or- angemen's lodges in the State of Iowa. There are two lodges in Scott township. The present officers of Charity Lodge are: J. W. Rodgers, W. M .; C. R. Hicks, D. M .; J. F. Schultz, Treasurer; F. S. Johnson, Secretary. Mr. Johnson died September 27, 1880, and the next day was buried with the honors of the order.

Central Iowa District Fair-Located at Montezuma, Iowa. The arti- cles of incorporation are dated September 24, 1880. The territory em- braced is Poweshiek, Jasper, Mahaska, Keokuk, and Iowa counties. The objects are stated in Article 4:

"This association is formed for the establishment, maintenance, and management of a fair, and for the improvement of agriculture, stock, man- ufactures, mechanics, and household arts."

MONTEZUMA REPUBLICAN.

The Montezuma Republican is the oldest newspaper in the county, hav- ing been established in the spring of 1856, by John Cassidy. In 1857 A. M. Cowing became editor and proprietor, and before the close of the year disposed of a half interest to Albert Head, issuing the paper under the firm name of Cowing & Head. In 1859 Mr. Cowing retired, and S. F. Cooper became the senior partner of the firm. Cooper & Head sold the property to F. T. Campbell, in 1862. The same year, Mr. Camp- bell enlisted as a soldier, and went to the front, to assist in crushing the Rebellion, and left J. B. Besack in charge of the paper. In 1863, for a short time, a Mr. Springer was associated with Mr. Besack in its publication. In 1864 W. C. Condit became a partner of Mr. Besack, and the same year became sole proprietor. The next year he sold out to O. H. P. Grove and a Mr. Pike, who published it under the firm name of Grove & Pike. In 1866 F. E. Spering became the proprietor, but the next year Mr. O. H. P. Grove repurchased a half interest, and later in the year Mr. Pike again became Mr. Grove's partner, Mr. Spering retiring. J. W. Dalby pur- chased Mr. Pike's interest in 1868, and for a year the paper was issued by Grove & Dalby. The following year (1869) S. W. Grove purchased Mr. Dalby's interest, and the firm name became O. H. P. Grove & Bro. In

519

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

1870 Jno. W. Cheshire entered the firm as third partner, and the paper for that year was issued by O. H. P. Grove, S. W. Grove, and Jno. W. Cheshire, under firm name-Republican Printing Company. The follow- ing year (1871) the paper was purchased by Rev. Wmn. Remsburgh and S. W. Grove, who, in the spring of 1872, sold out the establishment to Jno. W. Cheshire. Mr. Cheshire was editor and proprietor up to the time of his death, which occurred September 5th, 1877. After his death, his sons, Thos. A. Cheshire and M. F. Cheshire, purchased the property of the Cheshire estate, and have since issued the paper under the firm name of Cheshire Bros.

During all these years the Republican has advocated the principles of the Republican party, and has maintained the lead in circulation and influ- ence. When taking charge of the paper, Mr. T. A. Cheshire published the following introductory:

"With this issue of the Republican, the undersigned becomes sole edi- tor and proprietor. In assuming control of an influential journal, which the people of Poweshiek county have long patronized, and learned to re- spect, we cannot help feeling a lack of ability to fitly and fully fill the po- sition. The duties and responsibilities are many, while the rewards are correspondingly few. To be the editor of a newspaper so long and firmly established, and consequently so widely distributed and circulated, as the Republican, is to be placed where the most intense application is demanded and the most incessant labor required. No person 'constitutionally tired ' can ever meet with success as an editor. It takes the hardest kind of hard work. We assume these duties with a determination to give them all our time and attention, and will, therefore, be compelled to lay aside (regret- fully) our law books, until our mission as an editor is at an end. The Republican is now in its twenty-first year, has a large list of subscribers, and is doing a good, paying business. It has steadily grown in favor with the people of Poweshiek county, during the management of its late editor, Jno. W. Cheshire, and it will be our highest ambition to maintain, and, if possible, increase, its circulation, business, and influence. To do this, we must receive aid and encouragement from its patrons and readers. We consequently respectfully solicit your co-operation and assistance in sus- taining and building up a paper which can be made second to no country weekly in Iowa. We have first class publishing facilities; we have an enlightened and intelligent people, and are located at the county seat of one of the best counties in Iowa. It will be our endeavor to publish a paper that no voter or tax-payer in Poweshiek county can do without. Our facilites for furnishing news of local interest are not excelled, if

520

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

equaled, and we will always be on the alert to see that nothing of import- ance escapes our notice."

POWESHIEK COUNTY DEMOCRAT.

Lon H. Boydston, editor and proprietor. The Poweshiek County Dem- ocrat was established in April, 1877, the first issue appearing on Saturday, April 7. Sherman & Boydston were the proprietors then. November 17, 1877, John T. Sherman retired from the Democrat and established the In- dependent at Grinnell. L. H. Boydston became editor and proprietor of the paper, and still remains in that position. Up to the fall of 1880 it was the only Democratic newspaper in the county; has a large and increas- ing circulation, being one of the best local papers in Poweshiek county. It has proved the only Democratic newspaper ever successfully run in the county; several futile attempts having been made before to publish one. Nothing but the indomitable pluck and push of the present proprie- tor could have made the Democrat a success, as all the "odds" were against the project, and he has now the proud satisfaction of seeing his paper on a paying basis, with a bright future ahead.

GRINNELL TOWNSHIP.

What is now known as Grinnell township is situated on the west side of Poweshiek county, Iowa, in township No. 80, range 16 west, and com- prises an area of 36 square miles. Originally it was a part of Washington township, which then extended the whole length of the county from north to south. It took distinct form and name March 6, 1855, being named in honor of Mr. J. B. Grinnell, one of its prominent settlers.

The land is generally quite level, though a portion of the southwest sec- tions are timbered and considerably broken. There were over one thou- sand sugar-maple trees on the farm of Mr. Lattimer. Before the township was organized with its present limits, Mr. P. S. Pearce was elected justice of the peace, and, for a time, was the only justice in the county, the justice in Jackson township having resigned. The first trustees were, D. D. Prosser and William McNabb. The election was held in 1849, at the house of David McDonald. Sugar Grove was the name of the first post- office.

Nathaniel J. Lattimer came from Jasper county, formerly from Illinois, in February, 1848, and settled in the southwest part of this township. D. M. Rutledge came with Mr. Lattimer and they both settled, at the same time, on section 31, Grinnell township. Mr. Smith Cox came from Linn

521

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

Grove and settled on section 32. Mr. P. S. Pearce came and settled, in April, 1848, on section 32.

The first marriage was J. M. Campbell to Catharine Pearce, the cere- mony being performed by Justice of the Peace R. C. Carpenter in Jan- uary, 1854, at the cabin of the bride's father

The first death was that of a Dr. King, accidentally shot while drawing a gun from the hind part of a wagon, in the spring of 1851. He was from Illinois and was on his way to California with a company of emigrants. His remains were interred in what was afterward known as the Pearce burying ground.

Dr. Thomas Holyoke, from Des Moines, was the first regular physician. He practiced medicine, having a very extensive business for nearly a quar- ter of a century, and died February 10, 1877.

The first [minister of the gospel who held public services in the town- ship was a Rev. Mr. John Crill, of the Methodist denomination, and came from Keokuk county. He preached several sermons in the cabin of Mr. P. S. Pearce, and was paid by the neighbors in turnips and pumpkins.

The first school was taught by Elizabeth Sylvester in 1850. She was paid a slight compensation and boarded around the district, a certain num- ber of nights to each scholar. The first school-house was built of logs, by the neighbors, on section 32, in 1850, on land owned by Mr. P. S. Pearce.

The first piece of home-made cloth was a piece of cotton jeans, by Mrs. P. S. Pearce.

Supplies were obtained from a long distance, and during the winter of 1848 and 1849 the settlers, together with their domestic animals, suffered intensely from hunger, there being a great snow which completely ob- structed the roads. The snow commenced falling on December 9, 1848, and covered the ground to the depth of ten inches, and, again, the night before Christmas, another snow, ten inches deep, came, until the snow lay thirty inches deep all over the ground, then a rain, with freezing, forming a sharp crust. The settlers exhausted all their provisions. Starvation stared them in the face. The settlers held a counsel at Mr. Pearce's house, and it was resolved to fit out Mr. Pearce with snow-shoes and send him to Newton for the necessaries of life. Accordingly, a pair of snow-shoes were made from thin lind boards and upon them Mr. P. S. Pearce made the trip. He returned in two days with twenty-four pounds of coffee and to- bacco and one pint of whisky. Then there was another council held to devise means to prevent their stock from starving. The plan devised was to have Mr. D. M. Rutledge take his oxen and drive them ahead to break the crust, then a span of horses would follow and so break a road to Lynnville, where

522

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

they could obtain corn for their starving animals. One day was consumed in the attempt. They drove about a mile and the poor animals' legs were bleeding from the wounds made by the sharp ice. They could go no far- ther, and, with considerable difficulty, returned. Then the men took old sacks and made leggins for their horses for they would certainly die of star- vation if they remained inactive. The next day after preparation, they made another attempt. They had driven less than a half mile when the leggins were hanging in shreds, and the legs of the horses were so badly cut up that they made a trail of blood on the snow. Mr. Rutledge, after viewing the situation for a moment, turned to Mr. Pearce and said: "Gosh dang it! we can't go any further." They returned. The next day Mr. Pearce set out on foot for Lynnville on snow-shoes, to arouse the settlement there and obtain, if possible, aid in breaking a road. That night rain com- menced falling and softened the hard crust, and after eight days from the first attempt, the road was broken through to Lynnville, and their provis- ions for man and beast replenished.

In February, 1849, while hunting, Mr. P. S. Pearce found at least forty wild hogs frozen to death at Blue Point. In 1851 there was continual rain nearly all summer and the whole country was flooded.

The township was organized, not with present boundaries, March 6, 1855, and the first election thereafter was April 2, 1855, at the house of G. W. Chambers. The judges of the election were: L. H. Marsh, Sumner Bixby and Anor Scott. Clerks of election: L. H. Phelps and J. B. Woodward. There were twenty voters, as follows: Amos Bixby, Thomas Holyoke, Anor Scott, William Carlton, Samuel Harris, Arnold Sherman, J. B. Grin- nell, John T. Hayes, J. B. Woodward, Abram Whitcomb, Samuel Bixby, Demas Thomas, L. H. Marsh, L. W. Carlton, Henry Lawrence, E. S. Bart- lett, Benoni Howard, Seldin G. Page, L. C. Phelps, G. W. Chambers. Eight of above named persons are still living in our midst. The officers elected were:

Trustees-L. H. Marsh, Samuel Bixby, Anor Scott. Township Clerk-Abram Whitcomb. Assessor-Henry Lawrence. Justices-D. Thomas, G. W. Chambers.

Constable-J. B. Woodward.

Every vote was for prohibition. At the election held in November 120 votes were cast, Fremont electors having 105 and Buchanan electors 4 votes. The township now casts 726 votes.

The only post-office or trading point in the township is the city of Grin-

523

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

nell, and much of the early history of the township is given in connection with the history of that city.

The present population of Grinnell township, including the corporation of Grinnell, according to the United States census of 1880, is 3,299; that of the township, outside the city, 882. So many improvements and changes have occurred within the last ten years that it is difficult from the present standpoint to conceive what it was in earlier days.

The farms are exceedingly productive and the facilities for transporta- tion are near at hand. Corn, wheat, oats and other grains and fruits are raised in abundance. Crops are seldom known to fail here. Cattle, hogs, horses and sheep are raised for exportation. The fences are about one-half barb wire, and the other half includes board fence, hedge, and rail fence. Educational advantages are good and well improved. There are nine sub- school districts. The valuation of real estate in the township for 1879 was $282,589; personalty, $73,238.

CITY OF GRINNELL.

We shall endeavor in this sketch of the history of the city of Grinnell, to give a comprehensive, though not extensive, review of the first settle- ment, growth and present condition.

Many of its present inhabitants were among those who saw the founding of the colony, aided in shaping its career, and have since actively attended its progress. The time has been so short and the advancement so great that its history seems like the vision of a single night. The changes that the short space of twenty-six years have wrought are marvelous. The large and beautiful homes, the tall and branching shade trees, the substantial business blocks, the churches of stone and wood, the Iowa College, the ex- cellent public schools, the great railroad corporations, the beautiful park, the streets and walks, the business enterprises and wealth, the intelligence and culture of the citizens and the character the town sustains in general, all springing up from the treeless, trackless prairie within the short space of a quarter of a century, have now became the pride and joy, not only of those who reside within its immediate bounds, but of the State at large. Those who know its history so well that the most observant and inquisitive histo- rical pen could not bring to the mind a single unheard-of incident or exper- ience, nor present an old one in a new light, will not prize highly what is- so familiar, but posterity will have a deep interest in any facts with which their fathers were in association.

Whatever may have seemed to influence subsequent action, or whatever may have been the supposed cause of this town becoming so desirable for

524

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

residence, there could have been no more potent principle than that it com- menced right. Industry, religion, temperance and anti-slavery were the prominent features of the principle that actuated the early settlers, as will be noticed in the fact that those very things have borne most satisfactory fruit in the years that followed.

In speaking thus of the little city of Grinnell, we are, at the same time, :aware that our noble State of Iowa contains many other good towns, and that the fertile soil, the sunny skies, the fruitful seasons, the advantages of culture and the smiles of Providence are blessings enjoyed in every clime; but to the same extent and degree exceedingly few examples can be cited. .Grinnell is, most emphatically, a representative town, but that it is, in all respects, a model we shall not pretend to maintain. However, it certainly is much easier, with its good qualities in mind, to frame an ideal model than taking most other cities of the same size as our basis.

The early settlers were mostly from New England, and from the high- est grade of society. Hon. J. B. Grinnell, the founder of the colony, and from whom the township and city derive their name, was a Congregation- alist minister, and a native of Maine. Dr. Thomas Holyoke, whose influ- ence and worth in shaping the destinies of the colony can hardly be overes- timated, was also a native of Maine. Reverend Homer Hamlin came from Wellington, Ohio. In March, 1854, the colony was organized with chris- tianity and education as the chief corner-stone. Rev. J. B. Grinnell and some others had fostered the plan for some time, till at length they deter- mined to locate in Iowa or Missouri. After visiting Missouri and com- paring the prospects of church and educational privileges in a slave State, with those offered in a free State, and becoming informed of the fertility of the prairie and the proposed location of railroads, it was decided to come here.

On the eighth of March, 1854, Rev. J. B. Grinnell, Dr. Thomas Hol- yoke Rev. Homer Hamlin and Mr. Henry M. Hamilton met at the Park House in Iowa City and made preparations to locate the colony seventy miles west of that city. The three former gentlemen, in company with the railroad surveyor, Mr. A. J. Cassidy, proceeded at once by team to Latti- mer's Grove, a stage station about three and one-half miles southwest from the present site of Grinnell. Mr. Hamilton returned East to give infor- mation to others desiring to come, and to correspond with those actually on the ground.

When Mr. Grinnell and party arrived at Lattimer's Grove there were only a few rude cabins built with logs in the vicinity. The prairie which was selected for the colony was without a tree and without a mark of civili-

525

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

sation. It was a gentle rolling prairie, the water-shed between Iowa River on the east and Skunk River on the west, at an elevation of about 400 feet above the Mississippi River at Davenport.

The custom had been for settlers to locate in or near the timber which skirts the streams and often covers the breaks and rough land. But the wisdom of Mr. Grinnell is evinced in the fact that he chose the fertile prairie, which for all farming purposes is far superior to any other land. The Rock Island Railroad had not reached Davenport, but the line had been surveyed so far west that its ultimate completion to the Missouri River was relied upon.

After inspecting the location Mr. Grinnell returned to Iowa City and entered in his own name 6,000 acres in township No. 80, range 16 west.

New-comers were now frequent, and the colony rapidly increased in num- bers. They built several log huts for the temporary accommodation of those who joined them.

In May of the same year the site for the town was laid out into lots 75 feet by 165, with the principal business street 100 feet wide and all others 80 feet wide. The park was at that time set apart, as was also the lots on the north side of Fourth Avenue, for church and school.

In June the building known as the "Long Home" was erected to accom- modate travelers, and provide temporary shelter for new colonists. It was called " long home" because of its length. It had something the appear- ance of a corn-crib, and protected its inmates from rain and snow in about the same way. Soon after this another building was erected in which Mr. Anor Scott opened a store, and although no large amount of trading was done, yet it encouraged the colonists and gave the town the appearance of thrift.

The first store was a little booth, constructed with rails and branches of trees. The goods were brought in a wagon from Iowa City by Henry Hill and Henry Lawrence. The doorway was a small hole through which the proprietor crawled to get the goods and hand them out to customers.

The next was a grout building for a hotel, and was kept by Mr. George Chambers. The same building, with additions, is the present Hawkeye House,

The spirit of church and school could not long remain obscure, accord- ingly a suitable house, 16x24, for the religious services and school was erected. Miss Lucy Bixby taught the first school, and Rev. J. B. Grinnell preached for the colonists.

It is worthy of notice that not a sabbath has passed since they came with- out some public religious service.

526

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

The Congregationalist Church, as is noticed in connection with the spe- cial history of that church, was organized in April, 1865.

Whenever any town lots were sold it was provided in the deed that the title would revert to J. B. Grinnell if any liquor was sold on the premises; and this has been a most salutary means for controlling the liquor traffic.

The first child born in Grinnell was Frederick Samuel Holyoke, a son of Dr. Holyoke, born in April, 1855, and died before the year closed.

The first death was that of Mr. Hall, in 1854. He was an aged man, and had recently come to the colony.

The first marriage is said to have been that of Mr. Henry Hill to Miss Susan N. Harris, a sister of Dr. E. H. Harris.

The first permanent frame residence was built by Dr. Holyoke, and occu- pied by himself.

In the fall of 1855 a school-house 40x40 and two stories high was erected.

The post-office was established here in August, 1836. The names of the postmasters will be given hereafter.

In June, 1856, the Congregational Association of Iowa met here. Dr. Tappan, from Maine, who was present, said: "I find here what I did not expect to find, a New England colony, as it were taken up by the roots and transplanted on the prairies of Iowa."

On the 2d day of April, 1857, the citizens laid the foundation of Grinnell University, which afterward became Iowa College. Its history is given in another place.

The progress of the colony was slow, but steady, for the first eight years. The building material, as also most of their other supplies, was transported by wagon from the nearest railroad point, which was Davenport, one hun- dred and twenty miles away. The Mississippi and Missouri River Rail- road, as the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific was then called, was com- pleted to Grinnell in July, 1863. The land which had heretofore remained unsold now found a ready sale, and for a distance of ten miles nearly every farm became occupied before the year 1866.

January 26, 1865, Mr. J. B. Grinnell regularly platted the town, and a petition was sent to the County Court for the purpose of incorporating said town, as the following from the Recorder's books will show:

"At the January term of 1865 the County Court of Poweshiek county, Iowa, a petition was presented signed by seventy-five citizens of the town- ship of Grinnell, asking for an incorporation of said town. On the 28th of April, 1865, the County Judge of said county granted said petition, and authorized an organization. On the 10th of the following July a notice was given for an election of Mayor, Recorder and five Trustees, said elec-

P.D. Burton

529

HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.

tion to be held on Friday, July 21, 1865, at which the following persons were elected, to-wit:

For Mayor-Samuel Cooper.

For Recorder-W. W. Sutherland.

For Trustees-S. F. Pruyn, L. C. Phelps, S. N. Bartlett, Stillman Needham, C. G. Carmichael.

The above-named officers qualified before J. Eastman, Esq., on the 25th of July, 1865."

The following is a list of City Mayors and Recorders from the incorpora- tion to the present time:

MAYORS.

RECORDERS.

1865

Samuel Cooper.

W. W. Sutherland.

1866

Samuel Cooper John Carney.

1867

Charles G. Carmichael John Carney.

1868

Charles G. Carmichael

John Carney.

1869

H. G. Little

Matt. Phelps.

1870

H. G. Little

Matt. Phelps.

1871.

H. G. Little

Matt. Phelps.

1872

H. G. Little

J. P. Lyman.

1873

L. C. Phelps J. P. Lyman.

L. C. Phelps J. P. Lyman. 1874

1875 G. M. Hatch

J. Delahoyde.

1876

G. M. Hatch J. Delahoyde.

S. H. Herrick. J. Delahoyde. 1877.

1878.

C. H. Spencer. J. Delahoyde.

1879.

C. H. Spencer J. Delahoyde.

1880. J. B. Grinnell

J. Delahoyde.

Assessor-J. P. Clement.

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.

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 57

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1004

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1004