USA > Iowa > Cedar County > The history of Cedar County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. : a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 64
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Mr. William C. Long, or " Long Bill Long," as he is often called, (on account of his height) and family now reside in Tipton.
Jasper Scott dicd in Iowa Township. His son George is a resident of Ata- lissa ; two other sons, William and Jasper, are in California, while John was killed by the Indians in Oregon.
THE COURTS.
The following is related by Asa Gregg, an old settler of West Liberty, Mus- catine County, in his " Personal Reminiscences :"
The courts were not what some of us had been accustomed to, but they were the best remedy and protection we had, unless we should resort to that unmerciful despot-Judge Lynch-which,
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N Eldredge CLARENCE
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
happily for us, we never did. We did not at that early time pay much attention to county lines, for we had but two counties in the Territory-Dubuque and Des Moines-and we did not know or care where the line between them was. In the Summer of 1837, Wm. A. Clark and the writer were summoned to appear before his honor, Robert G. Roberts, a Justice of the Peace, who lived near where John Lewis, of Iowa Township, Cedar County, now lives, as jurors in a suit brought by a Mr. Hare against McConnell, to recover possession of a claim which he alleged the defendant had jumped ; and the writer's recollection of that case will serve to show the reader something of the kind of justice meted out at that day. After the calling of the case, we found we had two jurors from near where Tipton now is, one from the forks of the Iowa and Cedar Rivers, and one from east of Moscow-an attorney from near Dubuque, and one from Bloomington, now Musca- tine. The formality of impaneling the jury was gone through with, the witnesses called and examined, and the case was argued by the counsel, and the court proceeded to charge the jury in something like the following speech :
" Gentlemen of the Jury : You have heard the testimony in this case and argument of counsel. With the evidence the court has nothing to do, and as to questions of law you are as competent to judge as this court. I will, therefore, proceed to instruct you in your duty as jurors." And the court stood up and said : " The jury will rise ;" and we obeyed, feeling very much as if we were convicted of some crime and were to be sentenced. The court, with great dignity, proceeded : " You will go hence in a body, to the apartment prepared for you under the charge of a bailiff, and there remain without food or drink, and you are not to speak to any person nor allow any one to speak to you, except the officer in charge, and he only to ask if you have agreed upon a verdict, and you to answer yes or no; and when you have agreed upon a verdict, and not until then, you will return into court in a body where we will be happy to receive you. Gentlemen, you are now in the custody of the bailiff." So, we were prisoners, and our keeper was Alexan- der Ross, the man who afterward so brutally murdered an Indian at Moscow, and is mentioned elsewhere in these pages. He marched us in single file along a cow path to a pen about 8x10, covered with prairie hay, with unmistakable evidence that its last occupant had been a horse. Ross being the brother-in-law of the defendant, and, no doubt, anxious to know how the jury stood, deposited himself inside by the door, saying: "Now, gentlemen, make up you minds - quick, for it is getting late, and who the - wants to stay here all night ?" Our member from the forks of the river replied : "Yes, hurry up, men, by - I have made up my mind, and I'll be - if I don't lay here and rot before I'll change it !" Some of us felt a little delicacy about expressing our opinion with Ross as an auditor, and remonstrated with him, but he swore that we were in his charge and by -- he would do as he pleased. So we were forced to speak out, and soon found three for the plaintiff and one for the defendant, the two others saying they would go with the rest of us when we agreed. Ross and his friend from the forks arguing and swearing for their friend, the defendant, and the three arguing as earnestly the other side ; thus it became dark and soon commenced raining and our roof began to leak Until the rain drove them away our prison was surrounded by McConnell's friends, and we were offered all the whisky we would drink, but three of us knowing from whence it came, indignantly refused it. Thus the time passed away, Ross and his friend covertly and openly abusing us for our stubborn- ness, until we were wet through, for it rained as hard inside as out, and we could not keep our tallow dip lit. At length, about 1 o'clock, it became intolerable, and we sent word to the court that there was no prospect of agreeing, and insisting upon returning into court, which request was very reluctantly granted, and after a long parley we were discharged.
The hardships and privations voluntarily borne by the early pioneers who, in much less time than they could have even imagined, have transformed the wild lands of savages into the peaceful, happy homes of to-day, are matters never to be forgotten. To give a full idea of the condition at that time would embrace much more space than can be devoted to it. The best of houses then consisted of mud-plastered logs; cold and hunger were their most frequent visitors.
Stables were then made by setting posts in the ground, laying some poles and brush on them and covering them with prairie hay, which proved much better for shedding water than English grasses Most of the farmers who began in this way now have commodious houses and barns and well tilled farms, as the result of their patient labor of years.
Prairie breaking was then usually done by four or five yoke of oxen hitched to a plow which would turn a 2-foot furrow, and in this way about two acres were broken per day. Many settlers who could not afford both horses and oxen, used the latter for traveling as well as farm work. For several years after the Friends commenced holding religious meetings, there were more oxen than horses
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
driven to the meeting places. There was a great deal of warm-hearted friend- ship, happiness and brotherly feeling in those early days, which is still largely retained.
The first settlers were much annoyed by a gang of desperadoes who had members and abettors in this vieinity, who stole horses, made and passed eoun- terfeit money, etc. Prominent among them were Areh and John Caruthers and Joseph Leverieh, known as the old " Bogus Coon," who lived near Moseow and boasted that they could make money that would pass in the Land Offiee. They were onee arrested and their dies taken by the eivil authorities. By a writ of replevin, they obtained them and left the country to try their skill in some other new locality.
The settlers were not as fearful of the Indians as they were of these des- peradoes.
In the Winter of 1838-39, a young man left three yoke of oxen with Rev. Thomas Odle, in Museatine County. Squires and the Stoutenburg brothers were believed to have stolen then and, on seareh, two were found, having been killed and dressed, while the others were recovered. The gang was arrested, examined before Esquire William Green and bound over to Court in the sum of $200 each. Squires soon after (1840) gave up his residence in that vicinity.
In the Fall of 1839, the Stoutenburgs left, but James Stoutenburg alias James Case returned in the Spring of 1840, after a plow whieli had been stolen and hidden in the woods. After threatening personal injury to Samuel Tarr, who had bought their elaim and had possession of the plow, "Case " left, but was followed by the settlers and overtaken at Conlogue's house, north of Iowa City. They left him in the woods, tied to a tree, with John Dillon, one of their strongest and most determined citizens, and it is their firm opinion that " Case " received a thorough whipping. He was never afterward seen in that vieinity.
The land sales for that part of the county on the west side of Cedar River occurred May 18, 1840, when there were about twenty families living there- all of them in what is now Iowa Township.
A elaim regulation was enacted whereby settlers might elaim a quarter see- tion each of prairie and timber. Clement Squires ignored this "settler's law," and claimed more land than was allowed, eighty aeres of which was elaimed by John Dillon. E. A. Gray was appointed by the settlers to attend the land sales at Dubuque, in 1840, and bid in all the land selected and elaimed by the set- tlers. Mr. Squires also attended the sales, armed with two pistols, a bowie knife and eane gun, and swore he would shoot any man who bid against him. Before the sale commenced, an athletic German remarked mysteriously to Mr. Gray, "Stranger, you 'tend to your pizness, und ve'll 'tend to ours." When the land whieli Squires unfairly claimed was offered, he and Mr. Gray both bid at the same time. The German, who was standing elose beliind Squires, imme- diately picked him up, threw him over his head, and the dense erowd kept him moving over their heads for several rods. When he landed in the rear, he was without weapons and was neither prepared nor inelined to shoot any one. The Sheriff then ended the controversy by taking Squires into custody and march- ing him away.
In the Spring of 1840, Iowa Township was organized. At that time it embraced all of Cedar County west of theriver. Robert G. Roberts, E. A. Gray and Thomas Lingle were appointed to hold an election, which was accord- ingly held at Mr. Lingle's house. Only twenty-two votes were polled. E. A. Gray and A. G. Smith were elected Justices of the Peace. Robert G. Roberts
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
was elected County Commissioner from this township. Mr. Roberts was quite prominent among the early pioneers, being the first Territorial Representative. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1793, and died in January 1849. Mrs. Rob- erts now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Ziba Howard, in Gower Township.
Dr. Elisha Henry moved from Rochester to Pedee in 1840.
Among other early settlers, before 1846, were - Thompson, who lived on the west lialf of the southwest quarter of Section 4; Leonard Recd, who set- tled on the north part of Section 9, about 1841, where he lived until his death ; George Billman lived on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 32; he afterward moved to Lee County; William Hoch, who settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 16, in 1840; Mr. Hoch was a French- man, educated at a naval academy, and was at one time an aid-de-camp to Na- poleon Bonaparte : he spoke sixteen different languages, and wrote twelve; he was much respected by his neighbors; he died about fourteen years ago. Alex. Hines settled on the north part of Section 28, Township 79. In the Spring of 1846, William Lewis lived upon the west half of the northeast quarter of Sec- tion 8, and his son John lived on the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 4; the former died in the Fall of 1877. Elisha Schooley settled on the north part of Sections 5 and 6; he now lives at Holland, Iowa. Jesse Bowersock settled in the same township, and Moses V. Butler settled on the southeast quarter of Section 6; Mr. Butler afterward moved to Gower Town- ship, and to Springdale Township in 1853, where he now resides. David Allen was also a resident of Iowa Township at that time.
The settlements then became so rapid that however gladly it would be made, a detailed account of them is beyond the limits of this work.
In an early day, Mr. Gray did the gunsmithing for the surrounding country, and added to it blacksmithing until Charles Stutzman opened a shop at Roch- ester. A brother-in-law of Mr. Stutzman, Phillip Vance, afterward opened a blacksmith shop in Pedee. A shop was continued there by James Coleman and others.
John Doty settled on his present farm in 1840.
The first store was opened by Jesse Bowersock, but was transferred to Springdale after a few years.
A post office was first established near the timber, with Elisha Henry as Postmaster, but on his moving to Oregon, the office was moved to its present location, in Pedee, with Stephen Toney as Postmaster. When the mail route was established between Davenport and Iowa City, the office was placed in charge of Mrs. Burnett.
After Mr. Bowersock, stores were continued at Pedee by Amos Merrill, John Lewis, Alex. Moore, George Scott and the present merchants, James H. Robinson (also Postmaster there for many years) and Evan Bowersock.
The early settlers handled but very little money. For many years dressed pork delivered in Muscatine would bring only from $1.25 to $2.50 per hundred pounds ; wheat from 25 to 50 cents per bushel ; corn from 8 to 15 cents per bushel ; milch cows from $8 to $10; work oxen from $20 to $30 pcr yoke.
Prospecting for silver ore was indulged in to some extent in this township a few years since. Some assayists reported a slight trace of silver in the ore, while others reported $160 per ton.
There is no mill or factory of any kind in the township.
The cause of temperance has, from an early day, received the earnest atten- tion of many prominent citizens of the township. In fact, the residents of the three townships on the west side of the river are deeply interested in this cause,
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
and July 24, 1876, an organization was effected to prosecute all persons who might violate the liquor law within that territory, with Thomas James, Presi- dent, Lawrie Tatum, Vice President and Caleb Wickersham, Secretary.
In 1871 or 1872, an association was formed to operate against the spread of Frce Masonry, by using every possible influence against that institution.
There are eight independent School Districts in the township, each manag- ing its own public school.
RELIGIOUS.
The first religious organization was the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was organized in 1846. At present and for several years, their meetings have been held in a district school house in the north part of the township.
The Missionary Baptists organized a church in 1847 which, however, con- tinued only two years.
The Friends organization of Springdale was held for one year (about 1850), at the house of Lawrie Tatum, but since that time, members of that denomina- tion attend meetings at Springdale.
Pleasant Hill congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, is located at Pedee. It was organized with fourteen members in December, 1849. In the Winter of 1866-67, Rev. R. A. Ferguson held a protracted meeting, by which the church received an accession of 112 members. Their present mem- bership is about fifty-fivc. Their church building, 32x48 fect, was erected in 1857, one mile south of Pedee.
The Frec-Will Baptists organized the Bethel Church in June, 1867. They have a good frame mecting house, 30x45 fect, situated in the timber, a mile or two below the Rochester ferry. Their membership is about sixty.
The Cumberland Presbyterians organized the Union Valley Church in March, 1871. with twenty-three members. They have now about thirty-five members. Rev. Milo Hobart was Pastor there and at Pleasant Hill in 1876. They have a good frame meeting house about 30x50 feet, handsomely finished.
Sabbath schools have been held by all the churches in the township, and for some years there have been one or two Sabbath School Conventions each year, in which there is a union and harmonious action of the various schools.
FAIRVIEW.
The settlement in Fairfield Township was first made by John Walker, who came from Pennsylvania in 1852, and opened up the farm now owned by Henry Geesman, and built a small frame house, into which he moved in the Spring of 1853. Although this was the first settlemeut on the prairie, there had long been inhabitants along the edge of the timber, among whom were Benjamin Green, who still resides in this vicinity, William Denney (who died in 1877), with his father who settled in 1843; in the same year came Harvey Parr, Cal- vin Parr, James Parr, of whom che latter is dead; William Parr, since deccased, and his sons, of whom Jolin resides in Louden; Jesse Bradshaw, deceased, with his sons and daughters; Mr. Rone, deceased, his son Samuel, deceased, and daughters, now Mrs. Barlien and Mrs. Clayton; Corry Hoskins, and John S. Mardis, who settled here in the Spring of 1853.
Mr. Walker sold his farm some years since to Mr. Geesman, and moved to Louden, where he now resides. When the Lyons Iowa Central Railroad was surveyed, Mr. Walker erected a large house on his farm, near the line surveyed, as a hotel, and laid out a village, which was named Carlisle, after Carlisle, Penn. Soon after, he induced Mr. Bridger to open a small store there, and John Bar- insky established a blacksmith shop.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
The post office had been kept at the house of Alvin Thayer, and called " Rosette," afterward Nathan Allen was Postmaster. At the time the village was established, the office was moved northi, to the house of Abraham Appler, and to Mr. Bridger's store, when it was opened, although the name "Rosette " was retained. The office was supplied from Tipton. Cyrus Pritchard was the next Postmaster; then William Stephens, under whom the office was discon- tinued.
A branch railroad from Carlisle to Cedar Rapids was contemplated, and the former village promised to become a town of some size. Lots were sold, and a carpenter settled there, but, like Goldsmith's "Deserted Village "-
now the sounds of population fail, No busy murmurs fluctuate the gale, No busy steps the grass-grown footway tread, But all the blooming flush of life is fled.
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Our only Master grasps the whole domain, And half a tillage stints the smiling plain."
In April, 1853, Mr. Geiger entered his present farm and moved to it in October of that year. Being single, he boarded with Mr. Walker, and taught school in a log house on Henry Conrad's farm, which he rented, and into which he moved the next Spring.
In June, 1853, Adam Lichtenwalter entered his farm, and built there in the Fall of that ycar, with his family, including his sons Abraham, John, Will- iam, Emanuel, Samuel and Solomon, all of whom are yet living in this county.
January, 1854, John Tivis became the fourth settler, with his family, on the prairie, on the land where he now lives. Mr. Tivis built a double log house, each part being 16 feet square. In the same year, George Garner and the two John Hechts (Sr. and Jr.), came and moved in with Mr. Tivis. They soon after settled on their respective farms. In the near vicinity, Henry Wharton set- tled in 1853; also, Alvin Thayer, Mr. Barrett and Mr. Cushman.
School had been taught before that of Mr. Geiger, by James Huff. In 1855, a frame school house was erected near where the church now stands, and was first taught by Jacob Geiger. In 1867, this building was moved half a mile southwest, and a new one built southeast, on the southwest corner of the north- west quarter of Section 21. This is now taught by W. G. Geiger.
The first religious services were held in the house rented for school purposes by Mr. Geiger, by a Protestant Methodist preacher. 4 Rev. Mr. Bolton after- ward held services in Mr. Tivis' house, and Sabbath school was held in Mr. Lichtenwalter's house, where, also, Elder Martin Baker preached occasionally . The first organization was effected about 1855 by the Church of God demon- ination, in the former residence of John Hecht, by Daniel Wertz. preacher. John Walker, Messrs. Hecht, Garner and Schlagenhaupt were among the first. members. Rev. Wertz was followed by Revs. Logan, Murray, Joseph Kepford, John Hickernel and others, of whom the last named officiated during the erec- tion of the church. Succeeding him, were Revs. Holmes, Wilson, Charles Evans, Boucher, Wilson, Miller, the present Pastor, and others.
The United Brethren Church was organized at a very early day, Martin G. Miller being their first Pastor. He preached in Adam Lichtenwalter's house. Following him, were Revs. Newman, C. F. Bowers, Kauffman, Snyder, Crow- ell, Sutton, J. H. Albert, Roberts, the present Pastor, and others.
In 1868, the two denominations built a Union Church on the northwest. corner of the northeast quarter of Section 20. Services are held alternately, and a Union Sabbatlı school is in operation.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
The Lutheran Church was organized June 15, 1867, at the school house, by Rev. D. S. Altman. In 1868. under the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Huber, a church was erected, at a cost of $2,000, on the southwest corner of Section 17. The first Elders were Jacob Stockslager and Jacob Geiger; Deacons, Nicholas Monts and Gust. Haagensen. Following, as Pastors, were Rev. J. W. Hender- son, as supply ; Rev. B. S. Hyman, Rev. E. S. Reese, Rev. R. H. Nye, the present Pastor. A Sabbath school has been in operation since the erection of the church, with William Thomas as first Superintendent. The present pre- siding officer is W. G. W. Geiger.
The present church membership is twenty-eight. Preaching is held regu- larly every alternate Sabbath. William Hart and Jacob Geiger, Elders ; Joseph Smith, Deacon.
INLAND.
The earliest residents in this vicinity were James Posten and family, after whom the timber received the name of Posten's Grove. He settled July 8, 1836, on the farm now owned by George Francey, Sections 1 and 12, Township 80, Range 1, west 5th P. M., and built a cabin near the section line. A few years later, Charles Posten came and setted near his brother, where he afterward died. Mr. James Posten now lives with his sons in Taylor County, Iowa, and with his daughter, Mrs. Jack Parker, in Scott County. Mr. Posten was one of the first settlers in the county.
In 1839, J. C. Hallock, afterward of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, was induced by J. P. Cook, to settle on the old territorial road, between Davenport and Marion, and open a tavern for the accommodation of passing travelers, on the present farm of John Ackerman. The latter, with his father, was also among the earliest settlers. They settled on the farm, now owned by Mr. Drake, in 1838. Thomas Murray settled on the farm now owned by Henry Moore. He, together with John Ackerman, went to California, renting his farm to S. McClelland, with his sons Samuel and John, who now live in Springfield Township. On the death of his father, John Ackerman returned and is now a resident of Inland Township.
Thomas Curtis came, in 1850, to the farm now owned by him, having moved West, to Cook County, Illinois, in 1835. Mr. Curtis was the first set- tler at the village of Inland, and his original log house is still standing, south of his present residence. He kept a public house and established a wagon shop.
Marketing was then done at Davenport, thirty miles distant. Mail was received from Big Rock, where George Goddard was Postmaster. J. C. Hallock afterward secured an office at his house. The second Postmaster was Mr. Tucker, then Reuben Bauchman, E. L. Bassett and A. E. Young, who has officiated for many years. In 1856, Mr. Young opened a store at Inland, where he has continued in business to the present time-twenty-two years.
About 1867, Wallace Willey built a store room at Inland and a grocery was opened by Andrew Sparks and Wallace Willey. Mr. Willey afterward sold his interest to Mr. Sparks and erected another store room, where he opened a boot and shoe shop. Mr. Spark's store has been closed out and the other store was con- tinued by James Marks for some time, as a general store, but has been discon- tinued and the building sold to Mr. Uhland, who opened a grocery store, but soon transferred it to Thomas Flater.
The first blacksmith shop was opened by Wallace Willey, three-eighths of a mile from Inland and was afterward rented to John Bond who discontinued it.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
Jack Ferguson built the first shop at Inland, and John M. Treadwell built another, which is still in operation, in connection with a wagon shop, by Frank Seitz. Albert Allay operated a wagon shop there for several years.
The first tavern or inn was kept by M. Willey, wlio settled at Inland in 1850, and is now continued by C. M. Willey. Mr. Willey, who settled in 1850, was a prominent resident of Inland for many years. The first physician was Dr. P. B. Clark, now of Tabor, Iowa, who came about 1858, and sold his practice to Dr. N. B. Cotton, in 1874, who is now in practice there.
A photograph gallery has been established at Inland by W. A. Young, but is not now in operation.
SCHOOLS.
Instruction was first given to the children of the pioneers in private houses. In the Winter of 1849-50, a log school house, sixteen feet square, with a win- dow having four small panes of glass, was built near the site of Nicholas Agnew's residence.
School was first taught here by William Henry, a student of law. The Summer school was taught by Mrs. Hard; and the Winter term again by Mr. Henry. The school broke up under his management, and the next teacher was Celinda Parker.
In 1853 or 1854, a school house was erected on the site of the present school, in which C. A. Pound and Abbie Bass taught in 1856.
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