The history of Appanoose 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, Part 46

Author: Western Historical Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 626


USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > The history of Appanoose 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 > Part 46


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


The next meeting was held as designated. A constitution was presented and adopted, after which the following paid the membership fee : Elias Conger, William Monroe, Asa Dudley, Harvey Tannahill, James McKehan, John Wil- mington, Michael Caldwell, J. P. Anderson, James Wells, F. A. Stevens, D. T. Stevens, J. G. Brown, W. S. Henderson, Amos Harris, Hiram Summers, Solo- mon Walker, B. S. Packard, J. H. Parker, James Childers, James Galbraith.


James Wells was chosen President : Asa Dudley, Vice President ; Amos Harris, Secretary ; Harvey Tannehill, Treasurer. The Township Committee- men chosen were : Center-J. Delay, H. S. Stone, G. W. Perkins ; Union -Dr Udell; Washington-E. Taylor;, Wells-James Wells ; Caldwell-F. A. Stevens; Pleasant-J. H. B. Armstrong; Shoal Creek-Dr. Hall; Johns-John Bland ; Independence-D. Stooley ; Chariton-Mr. Macon ; Taylor-S. M. Andrews.


One or two meetings were afterward held, resulting in the holding of a fair near Centerville, on the 5th of October. The premiums awarded were: B. Adamson, best boar; H. S. Thomas, yearling heifer; Mr. Abel, second best heifer ; James Wells, yearling bull; James Galbraith, cow; Mr. Abel, second best cow ; Valentine Tripp, best bull-calf; Mr. Abel, second best ; Valentine Tripp, best bull ; D. Scott, second best ; Thomas Tresser, best yoke of oxen ; H. S. Thomas, second best ; James Wells, best cow ; H. S. Thomas, second best; J. H. B. Armstrong, best mule-team ; Isaac Grigsby, second best ; George Abell, best butter; Mr. Brazille, second best; M. O. Guinn, best boots ; Silas Jump, best colt two years old ; William Brazille, second best; D.


397


HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.


T. Stevens, best colt three years old ; H. S. Thomas, best yearling mare-colt ; Gilbert McFoy, second best ; G. R. Mors, best yearling horse-colt; William second best ; O. Harrow, best horse-colt ; Simpson Cupp, second best ; George Abel, best mare colt; J. C. Wright, second best ; H. S. Thomas, best stallion ; Isaac Gregory, second best ; J. H. B. Armstrong, best brood-mare; James Wells, second best ; John Wright, buggy horse ; R. Memnon, matched team ; J. Con- ger, best draft-horse; B. Burdam, second best. The total amount of awards was $33.50.


The above organization would seem to have been abandoned, for no meeting was held till September 6, 1856, when a new society was formed, with forty members. The old constitution was adopted with some modifications. George Abel was chosen President; Joseph Delay, Vice President ; J. S. Wakefield, Secretary ; H. Tannehill, Treasurer. The fair was appointed for the 3d of October. The Committee on Stock was composed of Joseph Delay, R. P. Wil- son, Woodford Jones ; on grain, W. H. Clark, George Abel, Thomas Holoway ; on poultry and domestic products, A. Dudley, B. Adams, W. S. Henderson ; on mechanical products, Joseph R. Morse, W. H. Brazille, J. S. Wakefield ; Marshal of the Day, L. Bland. There appear to have been only seventeen entries. Seven copies of the Iowa Farmer were awarded, and seven certifi- cates-presumably diplomas.


Sixty-three entries were made at the fair of 1857, among which were some apples by George W. Perkins, and two samples of sorghum molasses, by other parties. There is nothing to show who took premiums. The Treasurer reported in July, 1858, that he had paid premiums at this fair to the amount of $25.75.


At the annual meeting in July, 1858, Benjamin Adamson was elected Pres - ident ; William E. Callen, Secretary ; J. F. Stratton, Treasurer. September 25. a new constitution was adopted, which was signed by 121 citizens. The fair was appointed to be held October 13, and sixteen committees were appointed. Ninety-six entries were made.


March 12, 1859, the society engaged fair grounds of Judge Dudley, near Centerville, and selected a committee to make arrangements for fencing the same. The fair for the year was fixed for the first Thursday in October. There were 229 entries this year, a gain of over double on the preceding year.


March 3, 1860, the Committe on Grounds were continued, with instructions to complete the work, and to issue membership certificates in payment of labor. August 11, it was decided to build a floral-hall and a judges' stand. The num- ber of entries at the fair in the fall of this year was 225.


January 26, 1861, a committee was appointed to ascertain what could be done toward buying a permanent site for fair grounds


The officers of the twentieth annual fair, which was held September 4-6, 1878, were as follows : J. B. Gedney, President ; A. R. Henderson, Vice Pres- ident; F. M. Saunders, Secretary ; William Evans, Treasurer. Directors- Isaac Fuller, Bellair Township; D. M. Monroe, Center Township; J. K. Boyles, W. T. Ogle, Centerville Incorporation ; Jacob Knapp, Chariton Township ; T. B. Maring, Caldwell Township; James Hamilton, Douglas Township ; Isaac Wilson, Franklin Township ; H. K. Showalter, Independence Township ; Jacob Conn, Johns Township; M. A. Houlshouser, Lincoln Township ; J. C. Mc- Donald, Pleasant Township ; S. P. Hays, Sharon Township ; Joseph Andrews, Taylor Township; J. F. Hicks, Union Township; J. B. Morrison, Udell Township; J. W. White, Washington Township; George Wolfe, Wells Town- ship; William Harris, Walnut Township; August Post, Moulton Incorporation. Superintendents of Classes-Superintendent on horses and mules, David Cole-


398


HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.


man ; Superintendent on cattle, G. M. Teegarden ; Superintendent on sheep and hogs, William Ellis; Superintendent on grain and vegetables, James Hughes ; Superintendent of Hall, D. L. Strickler ; Chief Marshal, A. R. Hen- derson ; Assistant Marshals, Isaac Streepy and Peter Koontz.


PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY.


This Order, designed as an educational force, and, also, as a means for pro- moting the material condition of the greatest industry of our great country, had a rapid growth in Appanoose County soon after its first inception. The Order arrived at its greatest strength in this county in 1874, when there were about fourteen chartered granges.


When the existence of the Order became known, a pretty numerous class, not strictly eligible to it privileges, sought and obtained admission therein. These folks were of several kinds. Some had been unfortunate as farmers, and hailed the grange movement as a means for bolstering their credit through fraternal feeling, and looked forward to a day when their brethren would sign their notes simply because they were members of the same Order. Others had been suppressed candidates in the political parties with which they had acted, and believed they could lead the guileless farmer whithersoever they would choose. Others again, whose ideas were numerous enough, but lacking in practicability, yet really well-intentioned at heart, recognized the educational feature of the grange as a means for ventilating their crude and visionary schemes, and thereby, in their own opinion, setting the world to revolving according to a better system. One thing all these people possessed in common, and that was glibness of tongue; while your average farmer is generally a reticent fellow, slow of speech, but by his solitary habits of work is enabled to solve problems of society and business relations in a more satisfactory and certain way than the clever fellows who rushed in to instruct him with untried methods of finance, politics and sometimes religion.


The silent class could not help becoming disgusted with all this clamor in their ears about matters that they already understood, and their self appointed apostles found the guileless granger quite able to comprehend their selfish ends. It is to the introduction of this alien and disturbing class that the Order all over Iowa has apparently deteriorated. In Appanoose County the subordinate granges now in existence do not exceed three or four, and the membership in these is much reduced.


It is hoped and believed by the true friends and supporters of the Order, that a revival will soon come, and that a better basis will be established, whereby it will be enabled to take the place its founders designed, as an educating vital force in every community, a place where a better system of agriculture will be taught, where farmers' sons and daughters will be imbued with a feeling of love for the calling in which they have been reared, and where true communism shall be practiced-that love for our fellow-men which draws forth contributions from the prosperous to aid those who suffer from hunger, cold, or the ravages of pestilence.


Brief as has been the history of the Order, there is much to commend in what has been accomplished.


In the early months of 1874, when the distress-word was passed from the' destitute settlers in the northern counties asking for help for the hundreds who had lost their crops by the ravaging locusts, none gave more effectual or speedy


399


HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.


help than the Patrons in this and adjoining counties. And when the cry was repeated from the West, in the following year, with the intensity of despair, car-load after car-load of grain, meat and clothing was sent to feed and clothe the destitute homesteaders of Nebraska and Kansas, and large sums of money. In these contributions, the farmers of Appanoose County were conspicuous by the magnitude and frequency of their donations, only seeking to help their brethren in distress.


I pray thee, then, Write me as one who loves his fellow-men,"


exclaimed Ben Adhem, and the farmers of Iowa, during those two winters, sought no other recompense than this; but in the last day it is certain that their names will be enrolled among those who hold accumulated property as a trust for the benefit of humanity as well as for themselves.


September 27, 1873, the members of the Order in the county had a grand celebration at Centerville, at which time addresses were made by Col. Earlywine, Rev. Mr. Clark, Elder Sevey, J. A. Pierson, J. L. Hughes, and Mansel Hughes.


October 25, the following Granges were reported, with their membership, to the Master of the County Grange: Rehoboth, 42 members; Hickory, 29; Concord, 20; Bellair, 29; Buncombe, 28; Philadelphia, 19; Hibbsville, 40; Golden Rule, 66; Caldwell, 31; Antioch, 40; Nashville, 33; Washington, 31 ; Iowa and Maple Grove were in existence, but had not reported.


EDUCATIONAL.


The first schools taught in Appanoose County were private or subscription schools. Their accommodations, as may be readily supposed, were not good. Sometimes they were taught in small log houses erected for the purpose. Stoves and such heating apparatus as are in use now were unknown. A mud-and-stick chimney in one end of the building, with earthen hearth, with a fire-place wide enough and deep enough to take in a four-foot back log, and smaller wood to match, served for warming purposes in winter and a kind of conservatory in summer. For windows, part of a log was cut out in either side, and may be a few panes of eight-by-ten glass set in, or, just as likely as not, the aperture would be covered over with greased paper. Writing benches were made of wide planks, or, may be, puncheons resting on pins or arms driven into two- inch auger-holes bored into the logs beneath the windows. Seats were made out of thick planks or puncheons ; flooring was made out of the same kind of stuff. Everything was rude and plain ; but many of America's greatest men have gone out of just such schoolhouses to grapple with the world and make a name for themselves, and names that came to be honor to their country. In other cases, private rooms and parts of private houses were utilized as school- houses ; but the furniture was just as plain.


But all these things are changed now. A log schoolhouse in Iowa is a rarity. Their places are filled with handsome frame or brick structures. The rude furniture has also given way, and the old school-books, the " Popular Reader," "English Reader " (the finest literary compilation ever known in American schools), and " Webster's Elementary Spelling-Book," are superseded by others of greater pretensions. The old spelling-classes and spelling- matches have followed the old schoolhouses, until they are remembered only in name.


400


HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.


Of her school system, Iowa can justly boast. It has sent out a large number of representative men whose names are familiar to the nation as they are in the histories of the counties and neighborhoods in which they once lived. While the State has extended such fostering care to the interests of education, the several counties have been no less zealous and watchful in the management of this vital interest; and Appanoose County forms no exception to the rule The schoolhouses and their furnishings are in full keeping with the spirit of the law that provides for their maintenance and support. The teachers rank high among the other thousands of teachers in the State, and the several County Superintendents, since the office of Superintendent was made a part of the school system, have been chosen with especial reference to their fitness for the position.


The various persons who have filled the office of County Superintendent in this county have been J. J. Cummins, 1858; Rev. James Shields, 1859; Henry Hakes, 1863; J. K. Morey, 1865 (died early in 1864, the vacancy being filled by T. M. Fee) ; M. M. Walden, 1866 ; L. N. Judd, 1867 (vacancy filled by Matthew Berington); Thomas Wentworth, 1868; D. T. Monroe, 1870; G. C. Goodenough, 1871; G. W. Taylor, 1873; J. W. Cary, 1875.


Mr. Cary, the efficient Superintendent, had this to say in his report to the State Superintendent for 1877 :


Our normal institutes have been a success. Attendance large. The attendance thereon should be compulsory. Re-examinations should be indiscriminately enforced. We have many hard-working and worthy teachers. A large number attend school part of the year. Of the one hundred and forty-four enrolled at our county normal, forty attended, not as teachers, but as students seeking superior drill. Five small schoolhouses built within the two years ; four on improved plans; all too small. A fine two-story schoolhouse-three rooms-two commodious entrance-rooms or wardrobes; one may be used as a recitation-room, if needed ; cost, $3,000; built at Cincinnati. Several townships have put a price on the different grades of certificates. The holding intact the teachers' fund is not understood, nor is the dividing of it done in accord- ance with the law. The school year should begin September 15. The six months required by law can then be put in and closed with annual report. Have tried to secure a uniformity in methods of teaching. Teachers' associations are popular. The District Secretaries have been prompt with their reports. The Treasurers have given trouble, delaying reports, and in the incorrectness of them. The Treasurer's office should be disposed of; the County Treasurer is sufficient. The majority of the independent districts, formed from subdistricts, have been a great source of trouble. A consolidation should take place at once. I have had trouble to keep officers to do the business; could not get a subdirector in some places. Our director plan needs remodeling. Fewer school officers would be a blessing. The Moulton Normal and High School -a part of the public school-is a success, and a power for good in the county. Many teachers are spending spare weeks at this school.


The success of county supervisiou demands some good standard of qualification for the office, and a different method of election.


The following statistical information is obtained from the same source :


1876.


1877.


Number of district townships


13


13


Number of independent districts.


29


29


Number of subdistricts ...


92


93


Number of ungraded schools ..


119


117


Number of graded schools.


2


5


Average duration of school, months.


6.50


6.21


Number of male teachers.


92


98


Number of female teachers.


117


111


Average compensation per month to male teachers.


$36 00 $32 03


Average compensation per month, to female teachers.


26 55


29 89


Number of male pupils between 5 and 21 years of age.


3,745


3,731


Number of female pupils between 5 and 21 years of age.


3,444


3,358


Number of pupils enrolled.


5,930


5,660


Total average attendance.


1,616


3,332


Average cost of tuition per month per scholar.


$3 08


$1 33


Number of frame schoolhouses


108


115


401


HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.


1876.


1877.


Number of brick schoolhouses


3


3


Number of stone schoolhouses


2


..


Number of log schoolhouses.


2


Value of schoolhouses


$76,478$82,595


Value of apparatus


1,088


1,568


SCHOOLHOUSE FUND.


On hand at last report


2,224 32


Received from district tax.


7,565 54


Received from other sources


1,309 09


Total debits


11,098 95


Paid for schoolhouses and school sites


5,705 87


Paid for libraries and apparatus


4,058 40


On hand


1,334 68


Total credit.


11,098 95


CONTINGENT FUND, 1877.


On hand at last report.


$ 2,452 15


Received from district tax


6,552 14


Received from other sources.


406 87


Total debit.


9,411 16


Paid for rent of schoolhouses


218 26


Paid for repairing schoolhouses.


2,367 16


Paid for fuel


1,869 21


Paid secretaries


410 35


Paid treasurers ..


310 41


Paid for records, dictionaries and apparatus


165 26


Paid for other purposes ..


831 68


On hand


3,238 83


Total credit.


9,411 16


TEACHER'S FUND, 1877.


On hand at last report


$ 8,556 49


Received from district tax


20,523 88


Received from semi-annual apportionment


8,565 21


Received from other sources.


75 77


Total debit


37,721 35


Paid teachers since last report


27.533 68


On hand ..


10,187 67


Total credit.


37,721 35


LIST OF COUNTY OFFICERS.


Commissioners .- 1846-Reuben Riggs, George W. Perkins, J. B. Pack- ard; 1847-Jesse Wood, Ephraim Sears, George W. Perkins; 1848-same ; 1849-George W. Perkins, Jesse Wood, Albird Thompson ; 1850-George W. Perkins, Henry Callen, Jesse Wood.


County Judge .- 1851-Reuben Riggs; 1854-Amos Harris; 1855-H. Tannehill ; 1857-James Galbraith (continued as Judge of Probate in 1862) ; 1866-S. M. Moore.


Commissioners' Clerk .- 1846-J. F. Stratton; 1847-Reuben Riggs ; 1848-J. J. Jackson; 1849-J. F. Stratton.


Assessor .- 1846-Jonathan Scott.


Surveyor .- 1-46-J. F. Stratton; 1862-E. D. Skinner; 1868-J. J. Wall; 1876-A. N. Minor ; 1878-Cyrus Kerr.


Drainage Commissioner .- 1857-W. S. Henderson.


Clerk District Court .- 1846-J. F. Stratton ; 1847-William S. Manson ; 1854-John L. Armstrong ; 1856-J. F. Stratton; 1861-David C. Camp- bell ; 1867-K. P. Morrison ; 1871-Walter S. Johnson ; 1877-Noah M. Scott.


Paid on bonds and interest


402


HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.


Treasurer .- 1846-Jesse Wood; 1847-Thomas G. Manson ; 1849-Da- vid Glass; 1851-Nelson W. Gibbs; 1853-John Overstreet; 1855-A. J. Morrison ; 1856-James Hughes; 1866-G. S. Stansberry ; 1868-C. W. Bowen ; 1872-William Evans; 1874-George W. Teegarden ; 1876-Will- iam Evans.


Sheriff .- 1846-Jackson Perjue; 1851-George W. Swearingen ; 1855- James Ewing ; 1858-William Ferren ; 1860-John Banks; 1866-Henry H. Wright ; 1876-B. F. Silknetter; 1878-R. B. Carson.


Prosecuting Attorney .- 1847-Reuben Riggs; 1848-Henry Allen ; 1852-H. Tannehill ; 1855 -- Asa Dudley.


Judge of Probate .- 1846-Benjamin Spooner; 1847-S. F. Wadlington ; 1849-James Wells; 1850-Albird Thompson ; 1851-Reuben Riggs (ex offi- cio) ; 1854-Amos Harris; 1855-H. Tannehill; 1857-James Galbraith ; 1866-S. M. Moore. In 1870, the office was merged into that of Auditor, and the Probate business was transferred to the newly-created Circuit Court.


Board of Supervisors .- 1861-Joseph McGowen, James B. Beale, Will- iam McDaniel, E. D. Skinner, E. Glass, H. S. Rogers, Henry Morlan, James S. Wakefield, Edward J. Gault, Robert P. Wilson, William B. Packard, Joseph Armstrong, C. B. Miller (Chairman), E. F. Horton, James May, L. C. Dud- ley ; 1862-William McDaniel, Joseph McGowen, E. D. Skinner, H. S. Rog- ers, Robert P. Wilson, L. C. Dudley, T. J. Dillon, William Swiney, Joseph Armstrong, James S. Wakefield (Chairman), William B. Packard, James Huff- man, T. J. Rogers, John N. Dunbar, George W. Wise, J. K. Boyles, David Groom; 1863-James S. Wakefield (Chairman), John N. Dunbar, J. K. Boyles, David Groom, James Huffman, William B. Packard, T. J. Rogers, George W. Wise, George Gollaher, Robert Kester, J. R. P. Garrison, Reuben Denney, A. E. Carson, Joseph McGowen, R. P. Wilson, Govy Wade, L. C. Dudley ; 1864-L. C Dudley (Chairman), Joseph McGowen, J. R. P. Garri- son, Reuben Denney, Govy Wade, R. P. Wilson, Jesse M. Ellis, John Hud- son, Phineas Porter, I. A. Brannon, L. M. Andrews, John Lynch, James Huff- man, John N. Dunbar, James May; 1865-James May (Chairman), J. M. Ellis, Henry Kearsey, John Hudson, Phineas Porter, I. A. Brannon, L. M. Andrews, John Lynch, James Huffman, James May, John N. Dunbar, Nathan R. Earlywine, William McDaniel, D. F. Stevens, E. O. Smith, Joseph Bland, John V. Creswell, W. T. Wade; 1866-T. M. Fee (Chairman), Joseph Bland, I. A. Brannon, John V. Cresswell, J. N. Dunbar, William Dougherty, J. M. Hoffman, Henry Kear- sey, Noah Lantz, W. A. McDaniel, A. C. Reynolds, D. T. Stevens, E. O. Smith, W. T. Wade, J. S. Wakefield, George Wolf, G. W. Wyckoff; 1867- G. W. Wyckoff (Chairman), I. A. Brannon, E. J. Brown, William Crow, John V. Cresswell, William Dougherty, J. N. Dunbar, Robert Goldsberry, Horatio White, Caleb Wentworth, James Hutchinson, Noah Lantz, Joseph Morris, A. C. Reynolds, E. O. Smith, James S. Wakefield, George Wolf; 1868-G. W. Wyckoff (Chairman), E. J. Brown, J. V. Cresswell. John N. Dunbar, James Hutchinson, Noah Lantz, Joseph Morris, E. O. Smith, Caleb Wentworth, I. A. Brannon, Horatio White, George Wolf, L. M. Andrews, J. A. Pierson, D. W. Hardman, F. H. Shenkwiler; 1869-E. J. Brown (Chairman), Caleb Wentworth, Noah Lantz, G. W. Boston, William Evans, Alfred Hiatt, E. O. Smith, R. E. Davidson, J. A. Pierson, G. W. Jackson, G. W. Wyckoff, I. A. Brannon, S. M. Andrews, James Hicks, D. W. Hardman, George Wolf; 1870- E. J. Brown (Chairman), G. W. Boston, J. N. Dunbar, R. E. Davison, Will- iam Evans, Alfred Hiatt, J. F. Hicks, D. W. Hardman, John Hudson, M. A. Holshouser, Noah Lantz, E. O. Smith, G. S. Stansberry, J. M. True, G. W.


403


HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.


Taylor, C. Wentworth ; 1871-G. M. Teegarden (Chairman), J. B. Gedney, J. G. West; 1872 -- J. W. Moore, J. B. Gedney, G. M. Teegarden (Chair- man); 1873-J. W. Moore (Chairman), J. B. Gedney, G. M. Teegarden ; 1874-J. W. Moore (Chairman), J. B. Gedney, R. K. Johnson; 1875-J. B. Gedney (Chairman), R. K. Johnson, W. S. Llewellyn; 1876-J. B. Gedney (Chairman), R. K. Johnson, W. S. Llewellyn; 1877 -- Claudius B. Miller (Chairman), W. S. Llewellyn, R. K. Johnson; 1878-G. B. Miller (Chair- man), W. S. Llewellyn, J. L. Earnest.


Recorder .- (The office of Recorder was separated from that of Treasurer in 1865.) 1865-S. M. Moore; 1869-E. C. Haynes ; 1873-J. B. Wright ; 1877-Thomas H. Morris.


Auditor .- (In 1869, the office of Clerk of the Board of Supervisors was abolished, and the office of Auditor created in its stead.) In 1870, B. A. Ogle became Auditor; 1874-John B. Maring.


County Superintendent .- J. J. Cummins, 1858; Rev. James Shields, 1859; Henry Hakes, 1863; J. K. Morey, 1865 (died before qualifying, and vacancy filled by T. M. Fee; M. M. Walden, 1866; L. N. Judd, 1867 (vacancy filled by Matthew Berrington); Thomas Wentworth, 1868; D. T. Monroe, 1870; G. C. Goodenough, 1871; G. W. Taylor, 1873; J. W. Cary, 1875.


WAR HISTORY.


If there is any one thing more than another of which the people of the Northern States have reason to be proud, it is of the record they made during the dark and bloody days when red-handed rebellion raised its hideous head and threatened the life of the nation. When the war was forced upon the country, the people were quietly pursuing the even tenor of their ways, doing whatever their hands found to do-working the mines, making farms or culti- vating those already made, erecting homes, founding cities and towns, building shops and manufactories-in short, the country was alive with industry and hopes for the future. The people were just recovering from the depression and losses incident to the financial panic of 1857. The future looked bright and promising, and the industrious and patriotic sons and daughters of the Free States were buoyant with hope, looking forward to the perfecting of new plans for the insurement of comfort and competence in their declining years ; they little heeded the mutterings and threatenings of treason's children in the Slave States of the South. True sons and descendants of the heroes of the " times that tried men's souls "-the struggle for American Independence-they never dreamed that there was even one so base as to dare attempt the destruction of the Union of their fathers-a government baptized with the best blood the world ever knew. While immediately surrounded with peace and tranquillity, they paid but little attention to the rumored plots and plans of those who lived and grew rich from the sweat and toil, blood and flesh, of others-aye, even trafficking in the offspring of their own loins. Nevertheless, the war came, with all its attendant horrors.




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.