USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > The history of Des Moines county, Iowa, containing a history of the country, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers > Part 47
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In 1844, of John Ripley, M. W. Robinson and Luke Palmer.
403
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
In October, 1844, the Board was made up of Luke Palmer, M. W. Robin- son and Gordon McCanley, with John R. Woods as Clerk.
August, 1845, Daniel Haskell succeeded Luke Palmer, and the Board stood : Messrs. Robinson, McCanley and Haskell. The Clerk, John R. Woods, died August 10, and Samuel D. Colburn was appointed to the office on the 12th of that month.
August, 1846, R. W. Dolbee was appointed Clerk. The Board remained unchanged till August, 1847, at which time it stood : Daniel Haskell, M. W. Robinson and B. M. Clark, with William M. Wallbridge, Clerk.
At the April session, 1848, the original township of Yellow Springs was divided as follows : Township 72, Range 1, and all that part of Town 72, Range 2, which lies east of the section line dividing Sections 32, 33, 29, 28, 20, 21, 16, 17, 8, 9, 5 and 4 was stricken off of the original township, and known as Huron Township.
In 1848, the Board stood : M. W. Robinson, B. W. Clark, W. F. Cool- baugh.
In 1849 it stood : B. W. Clark, W. F. Coolbaugh, Levi Hager. From April until October, Charles Mason served instead of Mr. Coolbaugh.
October, 1850, the Board was composed of but two members, Levi Hager and William G. Hackett. William M. Wallbridge was Clerk until 1851.
THE COUNTY COURT.
On the 1st day of September, 1851, the County Judge system succeeded the original Commissioner system. Hon. Charles Mason, Judge. The first business transacted by him was the issuance of a marriage license to James H. Taylor and Miss Amelia J. Gibban. Seven licenses were issued in succes- sion.
The Clerk of the District Court was ex-officio Clerk of the County Court. O. C. Wightman was Clerk.
Prosecuting Attorney David Rorer was, by virtue of his office, authorized to act as County Judge during Judge Mason's absence.
August, 1852, Hon. O. C. Wightman became County Judge, and Denise Denise, Clerk.
August, 1855, Hon. Thomas W. Newman became County Judge.
August, 1857, Hon O. C. Wightman was elected Judge.
SUPERVISOR SYSTEM.
In 1861, the County Court was abolished by act of the General Assembly, and a law passed providing for a Board of Supervisors, one from each township. From that date until the plan was again changed, the Board was composed of the following members :
1861-Thomas Hedge, Burlington ; John Sawyer, Augusta; S. Hebard, Danville; G. W. Marchand, Flint River; James Bruce, Yellow Springs ; Franklin Wilcox, Union ; Charles M. Garman, Jackson ; the foregoing were chosen for one year. J. P. Sunderland, Burlington ; Alexander W. Gordon, Benton ; G. W. Smith, Franklin ; J. S. Dolbee, Huron ; Samuel Packwood, Pleasant Grove ; Edward Enkee, Washington. The last six were chosen for two years ; F. Wilcox, Chairman.
1862-James Bruce, Chairman ; Edward Enkee, A. W. Gordon, C. M. Garman, Thomas Hedge, C. Hughes, S. Hebard, L. Lefforge, H. W. Mc- Cormick, Samuel Packwood, J. C. Rankin, John Sawyer, J. P. Sunderland. ·
404
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
1863-James Bruce, Chairman ; L. Lefforge, Thomas Hedge, John Sawyer, S. Hebard, S. Packwood, C. Hughes, H. W. McCormick, C. Garman, C. H. Snelson, John Penny, T. L. Parsons, S. D. Coonrod.
1864-John Penny, Chairman; W. H. Cartwright, J. Clark, S. D. Coon- rod, M. Gladden, C. Hughes, L. Lefforge, H. W. McCormick, W. D. Mc Cash, T. L. Parsons, John Sawyer, C. H. Snelson, M. C. Long.
1865-William D. McCash, Chairman ; W. H. Cartwright, Justus Clark, M. Gladden, C. M. Garman, C. Hughes, R. C. Kendall, H. W. McCormick, J. R. Kline, J. W. Orr, J. C. Rankin, J. Sawyer, C. H. Snelson.
1866-W. D. McCash, Chairman ; John Bryson, W. H. Cartwright, J. Clark. E. N. Delashmett, R. B. Foster, C. M. Garman, John Inghram, R. C. Kendall, J. R. Kline, J. W. Orr, James C. Rankin, C. H. Snelson.
1867-W. D. McCash, Chairman ; J. Clark, J. Burkholder, J. Bryson, W. H. Cartwright, R. B. Foster, John Inghram, J. R. Kline, J. C. Rankin, A. J. Smith, E. Woodward, R. C. Kendall, John Ballard.
1868-John Inghram, Chairman; John Burkholder, John Bryson, John Ballard, Justus Clark, F. Heizer, R. C. Kendall, H. Metzger, J. C. Rankin, A. J. Smith, B. Van Dyke, W. Wolverton, E. Jones.
1869-John Inghram, Chairman; John Bryson, John Burkholder, F. Heizer, E. Jackson, H. Metzger, Thomas Sheridan, Samuel Smith, A. P. Snel- son, N. P. Sunderland, B. Van Dyke, W. Wolverton, A. S. Yohe.
1870-J. L. Backus, Chairman ; Thomas A. Barnes, J. Burkholder, R. B. Foster, Robert Grimes. Nathan Huston, Christian Mathes, William C. Moore, Thomas Sheridan, Samuel Smith, A. P. Snelson. N. P. Sunderland, A. S. Yohe.
THE SUPERVISOR PLAN AGAIN MODIFIED.
In 1870, the Board was reduced from thirteen to three members. A vote was taken upon the question of making the number five, but the people chose the smaller number. The roster is given :
1870-Thomas Hedge, Sr., R. B. Foster, James Bruce.
1871-Same.
1872-Thomas Hedge, James Bruce, J. J. McMaken.
1873-J. J. McMaken, Thomas Hedge, W. Lynch.
1874-J. J. McMaken, William Lynch, George Robertson.
1875-George Robertson, William Lynch, D. Melcher.
1876-George Robertson, D. Melcher, W. P. Willard, who was appointed to fill vacancy caused by resignation of Mr. Lynch.
1877-George Robertson, D. Melcher, F. A. Tiedemann.
1878-Thomas French, D. Melcher, F. A. Tiedemann.
PROBATE RECORDS.
The first probate records are dated April 16, 1835. John Whitaker, Judge.
The original entry was made under the laws of Michigan Territory, in the matter of the estate of Peter Williams, deceased. John Wagoner was granted letters of administration on that estate, the deceased having died intestate. The inventory of the estate showed property valued at $693.182.
The first will admitted to probate, was that of Joshua Palen, filed Decem- ber 31, 1835.
THE MARRIAGE RECORDS.
The first marriage license recorded was issued to Jonathan Donnel and Miss Lydian Wright, on the 18th of March, 1835, by W. R. Ross, Clerk. The
405
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
ceremony was performed on the 22d day of March, by John Baker, one of the first Justices of the Peace.
Rev. John H. Ruble, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was the first, clergyman who filed a certificate of his authority to solemnize marriage in Des Moines County. It was dated September 13, 1835, and was signed by Bishop R. R. Roberts. The document was filed October 30, 1835, by W. R. Ross.
There were thirty-four licenses granted under the laws of Michigan, and eighty-nine under the laws of Wisconsin.
Judges of Probate-1835, John Whitaker; 1837, Robert Cock; 1840, Charles Madera ; 1842, John W. Webber; 1846, O. H. W. Stull; 1847, J. P. Wightman. In 1851, the probate business passed into the hands of the County Judge, who continued to exercise the duties of that office until the establishment of the Circuit Court, in 1869. The County Judgeship, as a business office, ceased to exist in 1860, upon the establishment of the Super- visor system of government. I In 1860, Judge O. C. Wightman was in pos- session of the office. In 1861, H. C. Ohrt was elected; in 1865, John C. Power; in 1868, Emory S. Huston. The last was legislated out of office.
DES MOINES COUNTY LEGISLATORS.
Under the Territory, the list was :
Council .- 1838, Arthur Inghram, Robert Ralston, George Hepner ; 1839, the same; 1840, J. C. Hawkins; 1841, Shepherd Leffler, elected to fill vacancy, and re-elected to the four remaining sessions.
House-1838, James W. Grimes, George Temple, V. B. Delashmutt, Thomas Blair, George H. Beeler ; 1839, William R. Ross, Shepherd Leffler, L. N. English, Isaac Fleenor, Joseph C. Hawkins ; 1840, Shepherd Leffler, M. D. Browning, Alfred Hebard, Robert Avery, David Hendershott ; 1841, Alfred Hebard, Isaac Leffler, David E. Blair, George Hepner, James M. Mor- gan ; 1842, David E. Blair, George Hepner, James M. Morgan, who was elected Speaker, Abner Hackleman, David J. Sales ; 1843, Alfred Hebard, Abner Hackleman, James W. Grimes, John Johnson, John D. Wright; 1845, James M. Morgan, John Johnson, E. W. Davis, George Chandler, Richard Noble. Mr. Morgan was again elected Speaker. 1845, December session, James M. Morgan, John D. Wright, John Ripley, A. McMichael, Joshua Holland.
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTIONS.
The Representatives in first Constitutional Convention, which convened at Iowa City, October 7, 1844, and lasted until November 1, were : James Clarke, Henry Robinson, John D. Wright, Shepherd Leffler, Andrew Hooten, Enos Lowe, John Ripley and George Hepner.
The Constitution adopted by this Convention was rejected by the people, at an election held on the 4th day of August, 1845, there being 7,235 votes cast for its adoption and 7,656 against its adoption.
The second Constitutional Convention met at Iowa City, May 4, 1846. Des Moines County was then represented by Enos Lowe, Shepherd Leffler and G. W. Bowie. The Constitution adopted by this body was sanctioned by the people at an election held on the 3d day of August, 1846, there being 9,492 votes in its favor, to 9,036 votes against it. This Constitution was presented to Congress in December, 1846, and, on the 28th day of the same month, an act was passed by that body for the admission of Iowa into the Union. The first election for State officers was held on the 26th day of October, 1846, in
406
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
anticipation of the act of Congress, pursuant to a proclamation of Gov. James Clarke, when Ansel Briggs, of Jackson County, was elected Governor ; Elisha Cutter, Jr., Secretary of State ; Joseph T. Fales, Auditor; and Morgan Reno, Treasurer.
The third Constitutional Convention was held at Iowa City January 19, 1857. Des Moines County was represented by J. C. Hall and M. W. Robin- son. The Constitution adopted by this Convention was sanctioned by the peo- ple at an election held on the 3d day of August, 1857, there being 40,311 votes cast for, and but 38,681 votes against the change. The Constitution took effect September 3, 1857.
STATE LEGISLATORS.
Under the State Constitution, the legislators from Des Moines County have been :
Senate .- 1846, M. D. Browning, S. Fullinwider ; 1848, M. D. Browning, Alfred S. Fear; 1850, George Hepner, Enos Lowe; 1852, M. D. Browning, George Hepner ; 1854 and extra session in July, M. D. Browning, William F. Coolbaugh ; 1856, W. F. Coolbaugh, Lyman Cook ; 185<, same; 1860, W. F. Coolbaugh ; 1862, John G. Foote; 1864, same ; 1866, Fitz Henry Warren ; 1868, Charles L. Matthies ; 1870, Charles Beardsley; 1872, same; 1874, J. W. Williams; 1876, same; 1878, John Patterson.
House .- 1846, Alfred Hebard, D. E. Blair, G. W. Bowie, Joshua Holland ; 1848, T. L. Sargeant, George Davidson, John Penny, J. L. Corse ; 1850, Will- iam Harper, George Temple, M. W. Robinson ; 1852, James W. Grimes, Jus- tus Clark, W. Seymour, J. W. Williams ; 1854, T. L. Sargeant, J. L. Corse, J. Tracy, G. S. Albright ; 1856, Thomas J. R. Perry, J. W. Williams, E. D. Rand ; 1858, Justus Clark, W. H. Clune; D. N. Sprague for Des Moines and Louisa ; 1860, J. Clark, M. W. Robinson, J. C. Hall; 1862, J. W. Williams, Franklin Wilcox. Calvin J. Jackson ; 1864, J. J. MeMaken, James Bruce ; 1866, J. W. Williams, C. B. Darwin, S. A. Flanders; 1868, Robert Allen, A. G. Adams ; 1870, Thomas J. Sater, William Harper; 1872, John H. Gear, B. J. Hall ; 1874, J. H. Gear, William Lamme; 1876, J. H. Gear, William Lynch ; 1878, W. Seymour, M. Kopp.
For roster of State and Congressional officers, see general history.
OFFICIAL ROSTER.
The perfection of the official roster of Des Moines County is attended with considerable difficulty, because of the absence of all positive records prior to 1852. The subjoined lists have been made up with care from the several vol- umes of miscellaneous records in the Clerk's and Auditor's offices, and may be relied upon as accurate, in nearly, if not quite, all cases. Some of the earlier officers-as School Fund Commissioner and Collector, under the old law -are omitted, since full lists of incumbents cannot be given. The offices of Treasurer and Recorder were generally held by the same person, np to the year 1864. The matter is rather clouded, however, in this county, and as ample explanation is given of the duality as could be ascertained. The Recorder's books do not show the names of the incumbents. It is only from the casual mention of changes, made in the old Commissioners' records, that we are able to be as precise as we are. We give the offices not appearing in the foregoing pages :
Treasurers and Recorders .- 1835, William R. Ross ; 1838, Thornton B. Bayless ; 1840, Charles Neally ; 1841, John Johnson ; 1842, Henry Moore ; 1844, George Blickhahn ; 1848, J. F. Tallent; 1850, J. W. Webber ; 1853,
407
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
Charles Madera ; 1854, Jacob Arrick ; 1855, James P. Chapman ; 1857, John A. Ripley ; 1861, W. B. Remey. The offices of Treasurer and Recorder were, in most counties, held by the same person until 1864; but there are certain conflicting entries here on the minute-book of the County Commissioners. For example, in 1840, we find that John M. Garrigus was Recorder, and in 1842, William B. Remey is spoken of as holding the office ; while the Treasurer's books show that Mr. Moore was Treasurer. Further on, we find that Presley Dunlap was Recorder, and that he resigned in 1846. The Board appointed Henry Moore to fill his place. From that time on there is no mention of the officers' names until the register of 1852. Then the two offices were made distinct.
Treasurers .- W. B. Remey retained the office ; 1867, William Horner ; 1875, A. C. Hutchinson.
Recorders .- 1864, Samuel Pollock ; 1874, Fisher Morrison.
Auditors .- This office was created in 1868, and the first officer took his desk in 1869. Emory S. Huston ; 1871, T. J. Copp.
Surveyors .- Robert Avery was the first Surveyor, but we cannot give a full list from the expiration of his term. He held the office several years. In 1853, William Thompson was elected ; 1854, Joseph K. Scott ; 1857, T. L. Sar- geant ; 1859, A. McMichael ; 1861, Oliver Hall; 1863, C. Handler ; 1868, W. H. Gillespie ; 1873, R. C. Waddle ; 1875, John Naw.
·Superintendents of Public Instruction .- 1854, James D. Eads; 1857, M. L. Fisher : 1858, R. J. Graff ; 1859, William Harper; 1861, W. Gregg, Jr .; 1863, William Harper ; 1865, J. K. Mc Collough ; 1867, T. J. Trulock ; 1871, T. B. Snyder ; 1875, E. Burris ; 1877, John Paisley.
School Fund Commissioner .- 1852, William H. Manro.
Coroners .- 1855, John Kirkpatrick ; 1857, Jacob Weider ; 1859, William Thompson ; 1861, Jacob Weider ; 1865, S. B. Burge; 1867, W. A. Haw ; 1873, Jacob Weider ; 1875, F. Brydolf; 1877, Jacob Weider.
Drainage Commissioners .- 1853, J. W. Williams ; 1859,FR. S. Wilson ; 1861, C. M. Garman ; 1863, J. W. Williams ; 1871, John W. Orr ; 1873, Hugh L. Creighton ; 1875, J. W. Orr; 1877, J. W. Williams.
POPULATION.
The population of Des Moines County, from 1836 to 1875, as shown by the several census reports, is given below :
1836 (original county, comprising one-half of Iowa)
6,257
1838 (under Territorial division ).
4,605
1840.
5,546
1844
9,109
1846.
9,391
1847 (State)
10,071
1849.
11,649
1850
12,914
1851
14,488
1852.
12,575
1854
16,700
1856
20,198
1859
.20,781
1860
19,611
1863
21,213 1865
19,894 1867.
.23,444 1869
.25,989
1870
27,256
1873
.34,691
1875
35,106
F
408
IIISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
The population of 1875 is here given in detail, showing the number returned at that date :
WHITE POPULATION.
COLORED POPULATION.
NAMES OF TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS AND CITIES.
Number of Families.
Male.
Female.
Total.
Male.
Female.
Total.
Total Population.
Augusta
244
679
623
1302
1
1
1303
Burlington
534
1416
1376
2792
11
6
17
2809
Danville
280
799
741
1540
2
1
3
1543
Flint River.
243
699
627
1326
10
6
16
1842
Franklin.
165
464
397
861
861
Jackson
26
84
64
148
148
Pleasant Grove ..
209
538
508
1046
1
1
1047
Union.
271
751
697
1448
5
3
8
1456
Washington.
182
536
462
998
1
1
999
Yellow Springs
335
798
828
1626
1626
Tota
2839
7777
7295
15072
29
18
47
15119
Burlington, city of, C. II.
First Ward
885
2688
2905
5593
25
26
51
5644
66
Second Ward
321
1127
998
2125
29
19
48
2173
66
Third Ward.
540
1867
1735
3602
60
50
110
3712
Fourth Ward.
349
1183
1163
2346
11
18
29
2375
66
Fifth Ward
244
858
876
1734
13
18
31
1765
Sixth Ward
482
1097
1131
22:28
4
8
12
2240
Seventh
434'
1026
1033
2059
10
9
19
2078
Total of city
3255
9846
9841
19687
152
148
300
19987
Total of county.
6094
17623
17136 34759
181
166
347
35106
The population of Burlington has largely increased since 1875, and is now estimated at 25,000 and upward.
VALUATION OF COUNTY IN 1878.
Auditor T. J. Copp reported to the Auditor of State the following valuation of property in Des Moines County for 1878 :
Lands
$3,584,510
Town property.
3,659,125
Personal
1,682,529
Railroad
358,133
Total valuation.
$9,284,297
Total tax levied
310,343
STATISTICAL ITEMS.
The country west of the bluff lands of the river is exceedingly fine. The county is well watered and well timbered. It is a county rich in natural advantages.
In a State which might be made the granary of the nation, and which has the capacity of producing breadstuffs sufficient to feed the people of the United States, if a system of cultivation equivalent to that of many of the countries of Europe were to be inaugurated, one unconsciously falls into the habit of accept-
108
287
250
537
. .
537
Benton.
...
1448
1448
Huron.
242
726
722
409
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
ing marvels in the form of development with a sang froid which none but Amer- icans can exhibit. An invention which is destined to revolutionize methods and expand capabilities in almost an infinite degree, produces a momentary ripple on the surface of society, and then is accepted with a practical estimate of its applicability to the machinery already employed.
In no quarter of the inhabited globe is this spirit of progressiveness more manifest than here in Iowa. We are willing to go even further than that, and honestly affirm, after a careful investigation into the characteristics of the people of this State, which the work of preparing a detailed history peculiarly enables . us to prosecute, that no section of Iowa evinces a more marked air of intelli- gent industry than does the rich county of Des Moines.
That the reader may fully understand the present high state of improve- ment attained by this county, a summary of its products is given, as shown by the census reports of 1856, 1866 and 1875. The early history will be more fully appreciated if one has in mind the greatness of the work accomplished within the past half-century.
In 1856, there were 79,833 acres of improved land in the county ; 14,599 of which were devoted to spring wheat, yielding a crop of 154,839 bushels ; 4,198 acres of winter wheat, yielding 66,270 bushels; 10,660 acres of oats, yielding 359,938 bushels ; 30,033 acres of corn, yielding 1,456,491 bushels ; 514 acres of potatoes, yielding 64,493 bushels.
The hog crop was : 32,375 head sold ; value, $214,160. The cattle sold were valued at $114,680, being 4,801 head.
The dairy product was 206,026 pounds of butter and 24,551 pounds of cheese.
Domestic manufactures were valued at $11,810; general manufactures at $241,176. Wool clip, 20,056 pounds.
In 1866, the census showed the products to have been : Spring wheat, 10,916 acres, yielding 116,760 bushels ; 4,789 acres winter wheat, yielding 43,235 bushels; 8,349 acres oats, yielding 249,752 bushels ; 47,028 acres corn, yielding 1,547,549 bushels; 1,144 acres rye, yielding 14,554 bushels; 720 acres barley, yielding 15,534 bushels; 418 acres sorghum, yielding 37,729 gallons ; 19,377 acres tame grasses, yielding 19,121 tons and 887 bushels grass- seed ; 410 acres potatoes, yielding 40,374 bushels. There were 1,767 bushels of sweet-potatoes and 2,096 bushels of onions raised. There were, besides the foregoing, 4,667 acres in other crops.
There were 114,152 fruit-trees in bearing.
The hog crop was 38,600 head ; cattle, 17,459 head ; sheep, 26,278 head. There were 365,453 pounds of butter and 3,025 pounds of cheese made.
The assessed valuation of property was 256,846 acres at $12.54 per acre. Value of town lots and farms, $5,234,926 ; personal property, $2,504,524 ; total valuation of county, $7,739,450.
In 1875, there were 143,665 acres of improved land ; 58,168 of unimproved land. Spring wheat, 10,615 acres, yielding 113,396 bushels; winter wheat, 8,688 acres, yielding 117,310 bushels ; corn, 102,924 acres, yielding 2,307,938 bushels ; rye, 539 acres, yielding 5,499 bushels ; oats, 9,242 acres, yielding 287,392 bushels; barley, 196 acres, yielding 3,400 bushels ; buckwheat, 157 acres, yielding 2,843 bushels ; 1,647 acres potatoes, yielding 160,235 bushels. There were 14,235 gallons of sorghum made ; 16,484 tons of tame grass cut, and 3,027 bushels of hay-seed gathered.
There were 132,557 apple-trees in bearing, which yielded 129,996 bushels. The fruit yield was good.
410
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
There were 39,978 head of hogs returned, 1,734 of which were blooded. From 7.409 milch cows, 464,483 pounds of butter and 4,397 pounds of cheese were made. There were, besides, 219,344 gallons of milk sold.
EDUCATIONAL.
While the question of how to get a living was the foremost one in the minds of the pioneers, the less direct though none the less important one of how to educate their children was not overlooked. Almost cotemporaneous with their own dwellings, they began the building of such schoolhouses as they could, crude and primitive in the extreme, for such only would their appliances admit, and put together without regard to externals.
These same pioneer schoolhouses will, in the future, be a theme for the artist-quite equal in every way to those supplied by the peasantry in the old world, with their quaint, simple fashions and unperverted lives. The eye of the connoisseur delights in those realistic representations of still life-the white- haired old grandfather, whose toil of years has only brought him his cottage and bit of land; the still hard-working "gude wife," with bent body and withered but cheerful old face ; the next generation just in the prime of labor, rough, uncouth, and content to have for recreation a pipe and a mug of ale ; and the children with rosy cheeks and stout limbs, dressed in veritable costumes their grandmothers wore before them. And no wonder such a picture pleases and charms the jaded senses of the worn-out worldling. But even that is not more fresh and unaccustomed than his log shanty, with its one small room, a window of but few panes of glass, and possibly a dirt floor; and with rough- hewn benches ranged round the walls for seats, over which the pupil made a fine gymnastic flourish whenever he felt it necessary to reach his teacher, with his forefinger firmly planted on the knotty word or sum that puzzled him.
These are the picturesque features for the artist's pencil. And what " learn- ing " there was must have been a "dangerous thing," for it was certainly " little ;" the grading was far from exact ; the system was a kind of hit-or-miss affair ; but, nevertheless, it was " school," and from the first there was a deeply- rooted prejudice among the Iowa settlers in favor of schools. School for week- days and a meeting-house for Sunday ! this same little pen of a house served two purposes. And could anything except the groves themselves-" God's first temples "-be nearer to nature as a tabernacle than was this, where some chance circuit preacher would have for his congregation every man, woman and child in the entire settlement ? None of those hypercritical listeners there, you may be sure, who gange the preacher by his "intellectuality," his " magnetism " or his " culture." It was the Word preached-welcome, pure and life-giving always-and not the preacher, which these listeners crowded to hear. If he but had the good Methodist zeal, then he was sure of devout hearcrs. He did not need to have " traveled," except upon his lone circuit over the prairie ; nor did he feel it necessary to use his pulpit in the interest of politics-if he knew his Bible he was qualified ; nor did his flock feel called upon to put their hands into their pockets and contribute toward sending their Pastor on a summer vacation to the sea-side or to Europe. All these improvements have come in with better churches and more advanced ways of thinking. That was the old way, and a direct contrast to the new.
Now, nothing which the architect's taste can devise is too good for school- house or for church. Look at the plenitude of tidy, commodious buildings in every county, and not designed for double service. either, but dedicated solely to the use of the schoolma'am, who hereabouts is thoroughly skilled in her pro-
411
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
fession. She has had, aside from such education as her means have enabled her to obtain, good practical drill in the normal institutes. She not only knows her text-books, but she knows how to teach. And then, the ingeniously-devised school-book, in which every point of information is adjusted to such a nicety that they are rather works of art and books of entertainment than but the dull means to a desired end.
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