USA > Iowa > Boone County > The history of Boone County, Iowa, containing biographical sketches war records of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of the Northwest, history of Iowa, map of Boone county etc. > Part 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
We have now come to the period of the county's history when the peo- ple became very evenly divided on political questions. A new town in the meantime springs up, whose population, to a large extent, is composed of people from the great commercial centers of the east. They came to erect buildings, establish business and make money; but while they are not profes- sional politicians they nevertheless vote on election days and a large majority of them are Republicans. The first substantial victory for the republican party in Boone county was in the fall of 1867. The result of the vote on State senator will afford a good idea of the political complexion of the county at that time. It should be remembered, however, that I. J. Mitchell, the Republican nominee, was an old resident of the county, and by reason of his personal popularity carried more than the legitimate strength of the party. The vote was as follows: I. J. Mitchell, 1,088; A. J. Roberts, 866.
At the presidential election of 1868, Grant received 1,362 votes, and Seymour 995. In 1871, Carpenter, the Republican nominee, received 1,250 votes, and Knapp the Democratic candidate, received 878. In 1872, Josiah T. Young received 1,421 votes for secretary of State, and E. A. Guilbert received 858. In 1876 the vote on president was as follow: Hayes, 2,018; Tilden, 1,305; Cooper, 178. For governor in 1877, Gear received 1,612 votes, Irish, 981, and Stubbs, 466. At the election for governor last fall, 1879, the vote was as follows: Gear, 1,833; Trimble, 1,001; Campbell, 556. It will be seen from the foregoing that thus far the Greenback party of Boone county has not attained snch formidable proportions as in certain counties further south.
Notwithstanding the fact that Gear received a majority of 276 over both his competitors, and 832 over the Democratic canditate, owing to local causes the Democratic candidates for county officers were elected. The following is an abstract of the election for county officers in 1879:
402
TABLE, Showing the official canvass of the vote cast at the general election, of October,. 1879.
Represent'tive | Auditor.
Treasurer.
Sheriff.
liSc'l Sup.
Surveyor.
Coroner.
Board Sup'rs|To fill vacancy
TOWNSHIPS.
Jennings.
Lansing.
Scattering.
Pitman.
Boyd.
Epperson.
Williams.
Scattering.
Zenor.
Webb.
Montgomery.
Scattering.
Thomas.
Chambers.
Mullinix.
Wood.
Doran.
Speer.
Scattering.
Johnson.
Carlson.
Scattering.
Bremmer-
Scattering.
Amaqua ... ..
581
43
601
411
511
501
51
46
4
51
58
431
581
43|
50
49|
1
581
431
Beaver. ..
·
43
44
34.
49
17
67
29
50
8
47
36.
51
39
48
28
59
39
.
Boone. .
400
236
265
371
323|
314
156
393
86
316
318
393
243
377
260
3
377
264
372
265
Boonesboro ..
193
183
126
250
139
234|
91
229;
50
1
85
288
165
201
160
214
179| 197
181|
193
Cass. . .
28
43
26
451
12
59
18
51
1
35
34
25
46
46
190
60
30
41!
89
24
3
Colfax ...
87
29
27
91
61
64
45
60
13
49
66
86
32
44
66
52|
.
143
Dodge ....
77
140
1
76
142
78. 141
69
141
7 ....
71
146
76
142
75
141
76
40. . . .
76
.
Douglas .. . . .
79
651
67
77
79
65
48
70
2
23
72
71
77
67
75
67
72
73 ·
80!
62
. . ..
Garden .. .
126
25
120
30
112
331
103
30
7
51
90
121
30
120
31
121
30!
122
28
·
Grant ..
84
6
80
10|
76
13
78
7
5
74
12
80
10
80
10| .. ..
65
22
80
10
...
Harrison
33
461
17
70
41
38
19
50
18
23
62
36
51
36
511
35
51|
59
27 .
. .
Jackson. . .
108
81
1
96,
100
103
90
132
48
11!
4
95
97
114
82|
107
89
108
89|.
108
.
·
Marcy. . .
134|
196
120
. 214
89|
241
96.
213
21|
100j
220
120j
212
125!
207
75
259[. . ..
122
208
Peoples.
70
56
52
741
17
105
391
55
31 !.
76
49
43
82
1
52
72
1
20|
101
69
57
. .
Pilot Mound.
54
17 .....
55
17|
46
24
48
22
....
·
91 .
84
71;f
89
70 ....
88
70 ....
49|
93
89
70
Union . ..
89
70
88
71
53|
95
..
2
62
71
12|
2
55
90|
781
69|
.
..
.
148| 134
116 169
150|134 .
Yell. . .
151| 133 ...
1921
891
991
1821
129 135
191.
137
13911
·
Total ... //190911465/
2/11551/1839111488/18581
2||1295/17391 304/ 3011144911878111797115871
1|11757/1617
4111575118001
1||1859115151
4
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
.
95
52 .
501
98
92
531
. .
82
59
1
Worth. ..
. .
....
..
.
·
·
·
..
..
·
39
27
54
18
51
19 .
45
24|
53!
18
· ...
....
.
..
82
68
...
....
71
82
68
...
..
...
..
..
·
87
...
....
....
·
...
...
·
..
..
.
·
·
.
...
. ..
....
.
.
.
..
.
...
.
· ..
46
man.
Dyer.
50| 37
·
..
23 74
Scattering.
69
146 138
....
403
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
The following official directory gives an almost full and an accurate list of the county officers of Boone county since the first organization. Owing to the reprenensible carlessness of the clerk of the board of supervisors, it is impossible to give an accurate list of the county officials for the years of 1862, 1863 and 1864. It will be remembered, in consulting this directory, that the dates have reference to the time of election, the persons named as- suming the duty of their respective offices on the first Monday of January following. It is also noted that in the election of October, 1878, T. R. Gilda and J. W. Bremmerman, candidates for county supervisor, received each the same number of votes, and, not appearing to cast lots, the retire- ing member of the board held over, by reason of his successor not qualify- ing.
1850.
County Commissioners-Jesse Hull, John Boyles, James Corbin. Com- missioners' Clerk-Reuben S. Clark. Clerk of District Court-John M. Wane. Sheriff-Samuel H. Bowers. Surveyor-Thomas Sparks. Treas- urer and Recorder-John M. Crooks. Coroner-James Hull. Inspector of Weights and Measures-S. C. Wood. Prosecuting Attorney-Wesley C. Hull. Probate Judge-David Hamilton.
1851.
County Judge-Samuel B. McCall. Treasurer and Recorder-Reuben S. Clark. Sheriff-James W. Lacy. Surveyor-S. C. Wood. Coroner- James Turner. Prosecuting Attorney-Timothy Wilson.
1852.
Prosecuting Attorney-Lewis Kinney. Clerk of Court-J. K. Detrick. Road Supervisor-John Rose.
1853.
Recorder and Treasurer-L. J. Dunn. Sheriff-P. Chitwood. Surveyor -S. C. Wood. Coroner-W. L. Pilcher.
1854.
County Judge-J. B. Montgomery. Clerk of Courts-Reuben S. Clark. Prosecuting Attorney-James Corbin.
1855.
County Judge-John B. Montgomery. Treasurer and Recorder-C. W. Hamilton. Sheriff-P. Chitwood. Coroner-James Lacy. Surveyor- S. C. Wood.
1856.
Clerk of Court-Reuben S. Clark. Prosecuting Attorney-V. R. L. Large.
404
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
1857.
County Judge-Samuel B. McCall. Treasurer and Recorder-C. W. Hamilton. Sheriff-William Holmes. Coroner-Michael Myers. Sur- veyor-S. C. Wood.
1858.
Clerk of Court-Reuben S. Clark.
1859.
Representative-C. Beal. County Judge-J. B. Montgomery. Treasur- rer and Recorder-C. W. Hamilton. Superintendent of Schools-C. W. Williams. Sheriff-William Holmes. Surveyor-L. Regan. Coroner- West Myers.
1860.
Clerk of Court-James Chapman.
1861.
Representative-A. L. Speer. County Judge-J. B. Montgomery. Treasurer and Recorder-C. W. Hamilton. Sheriff-G. B. Redman. Coroner-Joseph Barnes. Surveyor -L. Regan. Superintendent of Schools-Levi Emmerson.
1862 and 1863 and 1864.
No record made by the clerk.
1865.
Representative-W. K. Martin. Treasurer-J. B. Hulbert. County Judge-S. B. Mitchell. Sheriff-G. W. Crooks. Superintendent of Schools -W. T. Harlan. Surveyor-L. Regan.
1866.
Clerk of Courts-H. R. Wilson.
1867.
Representative-Jackson Orr. County Judge-M. M. King. Treasurer George E. Jones. Sheriff-G. W. Crooks. Surveyor-J. B. Torbert. Superintendent of Schools-H. Selby. Coroner-Lewis Davis.
1868.
Clerk of Court-H. R. Wilson. Recorder-A. J. Barkley.
405
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
1869.
Representative-John F. Hopkins. Treasurer-A. Downing. Auditor -W. C. Harrah. Sheriff-G. W. Crooks. Superintendent of Schools-A. E. Simmons.
1870.
Clerk of Court-Philip Livingstone. Recorder-James Brett. County Commissioners-Z. J. Vontres, Levi Colvin, S. R. Page.
1871.
Representative-C. J. A. Erickson. Auditor-W. C. Harrah. Treas- urer-J. R. Epperson. Sheriff-G. W. Crooks. Superintendent of Schools-T. P. Coin. Supervisor-Jesse Goble.
1872.
Clerk of court-Phillip Livingstone. Recorder-J. F. Brett. Super- visor-Charles Weston.
1873.
Representative-W. L. Defore. Auditor-L. L. Sawyer. Treasurer- George E. Jones. Sheriff-J. B. Hurlbert. Supervisor-John Smyth. Superintendent of Schools-T. P. Coin.
1874.
Clerk of Court-Phillip Livingstone. Recorder-J. F. Brett. Super- visor-D. F. Goodykoons.
1875.
Representative- - Colvin. Auditor-John A. Head. Treasurer- Snell. Sheriff- Canfield. Superintendent of Schools -- Cutler. Supervisor- Bagwell.
1876.
Clerk of Court-James Hazlett. Recorder-Matt. Webb. Treasurer- Geo. E. Jones. Supervisor-P. V. Farley.
1877.
Representative-Geo. W. Crooks. Auditor-J. A. Head. Treasurer --- W. S. Colvin. Sheriff-S. S. Webb. Superintendent of Schools-G. W. Lloyd. Supervisor-A. Joice.
1878.
Clerk of Court-James Hazlett. Recorder-C. A. Ebersole.
406
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
1879.
Representative-J. H. Jennings. Auditor-T. S. Boyd. Treasurer- J. T. S. Williams. Sheriff-S. S. Webb. Superintendent of Schools-J. H. Chambers. Supervisors-Abel Carlson and W. R. Dyer.
CHAPTER VIII.
RAILROADS, NEWSPAPERS, SCHOOLS.
ONE of the first and greatest difficulties which presented itself to the early settlers of lowa was the want of suitable means of communication with the great money centers and commercial emporiums of the East. In fact it was often urged, and not without reason, by persons living in the seaboard states, that by reason of the great distance from market, Iowa could never become an agricultural state, and that the great variety and abundance of its natural resources must forever remain in an undeveloped condition. Considering the condition of affairs at the time Boone county was first settled, these objections were well taken. At that time not a rail- road had yet entered Chicago, and there was scarcely a thought in the minds of the people here of such a thing ever reaching the wilds of the West lying beyond the Mississippi; and, if thought of, people had no con- ception of the immense cost involved in building railroads, or of what a revolution a railroad and telegraph through here would cause in the pro- gress of the country. Then there were less than five thousand miles of railroad in the United States, and not a mile of track laid this side of Ohio. Now that there are over one hundred thousand miles of railway in the United States, over three thousand. in Iowa alone, and depots and side-tracks at our very doors, it is impossible to realize the condition of affairs in this country thirty years ago. It was not only thought impossible to secure railway communication with the East, but for many years it was thonght that the bridging of the Mississippi river could never be accomplished. Thus it was that the opening up of water communication was first agi- tated. It was supposed that by means of locks and dams the Des Moines river could be made navigable, and even prior to the time the first settle- ment was made in Boone county, overtures were made to the national Con- gress for appropriations for the purpose of improving the Des Moines river. A large grant of lands for that purpose was made by Congress in 1846, and approved by the President on the 8th of August, same year. A further account of this grant, the deplorable failure of the proposed im- provements and the unfortunate complications which grew out of it, will be given in another chapter. In mentioning the matter at this place, we only do it to show that in early days the idea of railroad communication never entered into the plans of the first settlers.
It was not many years, however, till Chicago began to loom up out of the low and maismatic marshes which bordered on the shores of Lake Michigan, and various lines of railway were projected and completed to that rapidly built city. Not only were lines of railway constructed into that city, but they soon found their way out from the city and extended westward across the prairies of Illinois. As these roads began to near the Mississippi river the people of Iowa began to view the question of com- munication and transportation in a new light. The improvement of the
407
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
Des Moines promising nothing but failure and the roads from the East stretching themselves out ready to embrace the State, the people of Iowa turned their backs on the Des Moines river as a medium of communica- tion and reached forth their hands toward the railroads.
The first piece of railroad iron was laid in Iowa at or near high water mark on the bank of the Misissippi river at Davenport, in May, 1857, and the same year the track was completed to Iowa City, a distance of fifty-four miles. This was the signal for the general agitation of railroad questions all over the State, and little else was thought of or talked about of a public nature except this all important matter. Although numerous lines were projected and some surveyed, it soon became evident to the people that the roads already projected and new ones talked of, could not and would not be built without very material aid from the people whom they would particularly benefit, or else from the State whose general resources would thereby be the more rapidly and effectually developed. Consequently when the representatives of the people took their next departure for the national capitol they carried with them numerously signed petitions ask- ing for a grant of public lands to aid in the construction of railroads. Owing to the influence of these petitions, the influence of senators and representatives from this State, and a series of trades and promises with and to other congressmen and senators whose constituents wanted rail- roads, the desired grants were finally made. The act granting these lands was approved May 15, 1856. This grant was to aid in the construction of four several lines of railway to cross the State from east to west, and among others to aid in completing a road known as the Iowa Central Air Line Railroad, which was to cross the State as near as practicable on the forty-second parallel. The grant to said road consisted of 735,997.80 acres of land. The Iowa Central Air Line road for some reason did not take advantage of the grant, and the land was regranted to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad, which was essentially the same line of the Air Line road, and which is now known as the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. This being the first road to be built through Boone county and at present the chief reliance of the people of the county, and at the same time one of the best equipped and most ably managed roads of the coun- try, demands as full, accurate and detailed account as the limits of this work will warrant; and more particularly will be noticed the part which the county in its corporate capacity and the people individually performed in the construction of the road.
As has already been remarked, the grant of lands was approved May 15, 1856; the land granted to the Iowa Central Air Line road was regranted to the Cedar Rapids & Missouri Railroad some years afterward. Before the railroad company could come into possession of the lands, it was necessary for the corporation to locate the road, have made a map showing the exact location and route of the road and deposit said map in the General Land Office at Washington. In 1864, and after a portion of the line in the east part of the State had been completed, the following act of Congress was passed and approved :
" An act to amend an act entitled 'An act making a grant of land to the State of Iowa in alternate sections to aid in the construction of certain railroads in said State.' Approved May 15, 1856."
By this act the Cedar Rapids & Missouri Railroad was allowed to modify or change the location of the uncompleted portion of its line, as shown by
408
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
the map then on file at the land office, so as to secure a better and more expeditious line to the Missouri river. It will be seen that the reason given by the railroad company for demanding the right to alter the location of their line was " to secure a better and more expeditions line to the Mis- souri river.". The real object in the company wanting this privilege was to make the location of the line uncertain and thereby be enabled to extort from the various counties in the vicinity of the proposed line, and from in- dividuals owning property in towns along the proposed line, subsidies in the way of lands, depot sites, right of way, money, notes, labor, or anything else, whereby the company might build the road without any expense to themselves. After having secured this special legislation, certain influen- tial citizens of Boonsboro and other parts of Boone county received letters from John I. Blair and W. W. Walker, two gentlemen who, to a very great extent, constituted the Cedar Rapids & Missouri Railroad Company, to meet them in Cedar Rapids in order to consult relative to the proposed location of their line of railroad through the county and connty seat of Boone county. These gentlemen accepted the invitation and held an in- terview with Messrs. Blair and Walker, wherein it was developed that in order to secure the railroad through Boone county it would be necessary for the county to donate to the railroad company all of its available swamp lands and swamp land funds; and in order for the people of Boonesboro to secure the road and have a depot contiguous thereunto, they would have to donate to the railroad company twenty acres of depot grounds, right of way through the county and ten thousand dollars in money.
The gentlemen who had represented Boone county and Boonesboro at the Cedar Rapids conference returned and the requirements of the railroad were made known. So anxious were the people for a railroad that at that time they would have made any sacrifice, even to the extent of giving up their homes, in order to secure a road. The board of supervisors were in- duced to make the following contract:
" This contract, made and entered into between the county of Boone, in the State of Iowa, party of the first part, and the Cedar Rapids and Mis- souri Railroad Company, party of the second part, witnesseth:
"That the said party of the first part, in consideration of the sum of one dollar, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, and of the stipulations herinafter mentioned, and for the purpose of making or aiding in making the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad through the county of Boone, has this day bargained and sold, and by these presents does bargain and sell, to the parties of the second part, all and singular the interests, rights, privi- leges and powers which the county of Boone has or may hereafter acquire in and to the swamp lands and funds which may be received from the sale of said lands, or as indemnity for lands heretofore sold by the general go - ernment under the several acts of Congress and of the State of Iowa in re- lation to such lands, so far as same pertain to or are applicable to such swamp land and swamp land funds in said county of Boone hereby intend- ing to place fully at the disposal of said party of the second part all the said lands and money or scrip or notes, or other obligations received in lieu of such lands, whether now at the disposal of said county or hereafter ac- cruing to said county under any law or laws of Congress or of the State of Iowa, which are now in force or may hereafter be enacted in relation to said swamp land and swamp land funds, as full as the same now are or hereafter may be at the disposal or under the control of said county.
byt Ericson
411
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
" Provided, however, that this grant is made subject to the conditions imposed by law in relation to such swamp lands and swamp land funds, and that the title to the same shall not be delivered to the said party of the second part until at least ten miles of said road westerly from the east line of said county is completed and put in operation in said county of Boone, except that the money now on hand, or that may hereafter be received by said county, may at any time be paid to the said party of the second part by order of the board of supervisors, to be used by the said party of the second part as the work progresses, but only in the construction of said road in said county.
" Provided, further, that if the ten miles of the said road westerly from the east line of said county is not completed and put in operation in said county on or before the first day of January, 1866. then, and in that case, this contract shall become null and void, but not otherwise.
"It is, however, agreed between said parties when said road is completed as aforesaid, or in respect of the moneys and notes on hand, or that may be received during the progress of said work, as . the work progresses in said county the same shall be conveyed, assigned, paid over and delivered to said party of the second part, to which end the said party of the first part hereby agrees and covenants with the said party of the second part shall be entitled to the same under this contract any and all deeds, releases, as- signments so as fully to carry out the object and intent of this contract. And the said party of the second part agrees to carry out all the legal con- tracts heretofore made by said county for the sale of any of said swamp lands upon terms and conditions agreed upon between the county and said purchasers.
"It is also agreed and understood that said party of the first part may reserve in the even numbered sections a sufficient number of acres of said swamp lands, not exceeding three sections, or 1920 acres, to satisfy the swamp land warrants now ontstanding in said county, one-half of said three sections to be selected by said county, and the other half by said company.
"It is further agreed that any indebtedness of the county of Boone to the swamp land fund, to the said county of Boone shall be and is hereby balanced and canceled.
"And the said party of the second part hereby accepts the said grant, subject to all the provisions of the act of Congress of September 28, 1850, and hereby expressly releases the State of Iowa and the county of Boone from all liability for reclaiming said lands.
"This contract is to be and become of full force and effect, to be binding on said parties hereto according to the true meaning and intent thereof, from and after the same shall be satisfied by a vote of the people of said county as in such cases made and provided for by law.
"THOMAS SPARKS, "President of Board of Supervisors. "JAMES CHAPMAN, "Clerk. "W. W. WALKER,
"For Cedar Rapids and Missouri R. R."
26
412
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
As soon as practicable this proposition was submitted to a vote of the people of the county, and by them was ratified. Arrangements of a similar kind were made with other counties along the line, and the road was com- pleted westward very rapidly, and by 1865 had extended into Boone county. Some grading had been done along the line beyond Boonesboro, and ties had already been delivered along the roadbed. At that juncture Messrs. Blair and Walker manifested some dissatisfaction at the conduct of the people of Boonesboro because the entire amount of their subsidy had not been raised, and during a visit to the latter place it was agreed that the subsidy of Boonesboro should consist of seven thousand dollars, an addi- tional amount of land beside the twenty acres already secured, for depot grounds, and the right of way across the county. In a few weeks, Blair again returned and held a conference with a committee appointed by the citizens of Boonesboro. All the conditions of the contract had been ful- filled with the exception of twelve hundred dollars of the subsidy, which consisting of notes were not regarded as negotiable. Blair insisted that John A. McFarland should endorse these notes; McFarland refused; where- upon Blair informed the committee that he would give the people of Boones- boro three days to fix the matter, and if in that time the matter was not satisfactorily arranged he would make other arrangements.
In order to understand what those other arrangements were it will be necessary to return and notice other influences which were at work.
A. B. Holcomb, a gentleman before referred to, had, as early as 1856, conceived the notion that when the railroad should be built across the county that it would deflect from its course a few miles east of Boonesboro and from thence take a southwestern direction down the valley of Honey creek; that a depot would be established at the point of deflection and Boonesboro being thus left at too great a distance from the station, a new town would spring up. He accordingly got possession of a tract of land near where he conjectured that the depot would be established. A man by the name of Keeler, who embraced Holcomb's plans, erected a frame build- ing, designed for a hotel, near where the depot is now located. Another man by the name of Beal also secured an interest in land adjoining the place where Holcomb had established his prospective depot. To show what Holcomb's ideas were as early as 1856 and how nearly his prophecies were fulfilled, we quote again from one of his letters written at that time to a relative in Connecticut:
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.