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 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
l'orp. Thomas Forbush, e. May 18, Isol, wd. at Shiloh, disd. Sept. 5, 1862.
Fifth Infantry.
Col. Charles L. Matthies, com. lient, col. July 15, 1861, prmtd. col. May 23, 1862, brig. gen. Nov. 29, 1862, m. o. Aug., 1864.
First Sergt. Charles W. Chester, e. Sept. 14, 1861, m. o. Ang., 1864.
Eighth Infantry.
Vance, Jeremiah, e. Oct. 15, 1864, m. o. April 20, 1866. Shuler, Jacob, e. March 28, 1864, In. o. April 20, 1866.
Ninth Infantry.
Oats, James A., c. Nov. 15, 1864.
Tenth Infantry
Chaplain Wm. G. Kephart, com. Feb. 1, 1863, m. o. Aug. 15, 1865. Twelfth Infantry.
Adams, O. F., e. Oct. 5, 1861, wd. at Shiloh, m. o. Jan. 30, 1866.
Butts, J. 1I., e. Oct. 7, 1861, m. o. Jan. 20, 1866.
Sergt. John M. Clark, e. Sept. 20, 1861, wd. at Shiloh and Corinth, was in 1st Inf., m. o. Jan. 20, 1866.
Corp. II. W. Ross, e. Sept. 20, 1861, missing at battle of Shiloh, was in 1st Inf., m. o. Jan. 20, 1866.
Bumgardener, Wm., e. Oct. 18, 1861, disd. March 27, 1862, disab.
Burch, John W., e. Oct. 14, 1861, missing at Shiloh. Burch, Sylvester, e. Oct. 14, 1861, missing' at Shiloh.
Clark, Isaac G., e. Sept. 20, 1861, wd. at Shiloh.
Howard, Wm. C, e. Sept. 20, 1861, disd. Aug. 12, 1862, disab.
Ifill, Archibald, e. Sept. 20, 1861, died April 6, 1865, while on furlough.
Lewis, Thos. J., e. Sept. 25, 1861, missing at Shiloh. Martin, E. B., e. Oct. 21, 1861, disd. Ang. 25, '62, disab. Moore, Jas. W., e. Oct. 14, 1861, reported died Feb. 8, '62. Ross, Jesse II., e. Sept. 20, 1861, disd. April 16, '62, disab. Sartwell, Jos. O., e. Oct. 21, 1861, disd. Feb. 23, 1863. Morrison, Jos. J., m. o. Jan. 20, 1866.
Thirteenth Infantry.
Gabbert, C. R., e. Oct. 24, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865. Reif, Philip, e. Oct. 4, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865. Steele, Wm., e. Oct. 4, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865. Swank, Cyrus, e. Nov. 22, 1864, m. o. July 21, 1865.
Eighteenth Infantry. Davis, Chas., e. Jan. 19, 1864, m. o. July, 1865.
Nineteenth Infantry.
Surg. Philip Harvey, com. Aug. 18, 1862, m. o. June 1, 1863, appointed maj. and surg. U. S. V. June 29, '63. King, David A., e. Jan. 5, 1864, m. o. July 10, 1865. Lewis, Davis II., e. March 30, 1864, m. o. July 10, 1865 Montgomery, Henry, e. Jan. 4, 1864, m. o. July 10, 1865. Riley, A. J., e. Jan. 5, 1864, m. o. July 10, 1865. Spain, Wm., e. Jan. 4, 1864, m. o. July 10, 1865. Gibbs, Jas. B., e. Oct. 8, 1864, m. o. July 10, 1865. Stewart, Jos., e. Oct. 8, 1864, m. o. July 10, 1865. Campbell, W. P., e. Jan. 5, 1864, m. o. July 10, 1865.
Twenty-first Infantry.
HIellyer, Elijah, e. Dec. 25, 1863, m. o. July 15, 1865. Lyons, Cyrus N., e. Dec. 25, 1863, m. o. July 15, 1865.
Twenty-sixth Infantry.
Mason, John W., e. June 6, 1862, m. o. June 6, 1865.
Thirty-third Infantry. Wright, John, e. Ang. 25, 1864, m. o. July 17, 1865.
Thirty-fourth Infantry. (Consolidated with Thirty-eighth.)
Bays, Wm. M., e. June 29, 1864, m o. Ang. 15, 1865. Pearsey, Clas., e. Oct. 15, 1863, m. o. Aug. 15, 1865.
Thirty-sixth Infantry.
Morlan, Washington, e. Sept. 5, 1865, m. o. Aug. 24, 1865.
467
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
Forty-fourth Infantry.
Sergt. Arthur A. Blumer, e. May 4, 1864, m. o. Sept. 15, 1864.
Sixth Cavalry.
Second Lieut. Thomas J. Leavitt, com. Jan. 31, 1863, wd. by Indians at Whitestone Hills, D. T., died Sept. 4, 1863.
Burbridge, Henry, e. Sept. 20, 1862, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865. Dobbins, Jackson, c. Jan. 5, 1864, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.
Wallace, John J., e. Jan. 4, 1864, m. o. Oct. 17, 1865.
First lowa Infantry (A. D.)
Sergt. Daniel Jones, e. Sept. 9, 1863, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. Brocks, Wm., e. Sept. 15, 1863, died Jan. 1, 1864.
Cooper, David II., e. Sept. 25, 1863, died April 2, 1864, Helena, Ark.
Douglass, H., e. Sept. 10, 1863, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. Duun, Allen, e. Sept. 13, 1863, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. McKeel, Chas., e. Sept. 11, 1863, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. Montgomery, Jasper, e. Sept. 13, 1863, m. o Oct. 15, 1865. Porter, Jos., o. Sept. 10, 1863, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. Williams, -, e. Sept. 12, 1863, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. Willis, Richmond, e. Sept. 14, 1862, disd. June 24, 1865, disab.
Sixtieth U. S. Volunteers (A.D.)
Brown, Henry, e. Aug. 11, 1864, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. Brown, Wm. II., e. Aug. 18, 1864, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. Harris, Fred., e. Aug. 12, 1864, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. White, Henry, e. Aug. 11, 1864, m. o. Oct. 15, 1865. Alexander, Madison, e. Oct. 10, 1864.
Sixteenth Illinois Infantry.
Quinn, Dennis, e. May 24, 1861, trans. to 60th III. Hitl, John S., e. May 24, 1861. Jackson, Wm., e. May 24. 1861, vet. m. o. July 8, 1865. Mangold, John, May 24, 1861, vet. m. o. July 8, 1865. Haydon, Geo., May 24, 1861, vet. m. o. July 8, 1865, as sergt.
Adams, F. J., e. May 9, 1861, disd. June 18, 1862.
Forty-Second Illinois Infantry.
Herman, Peters, e. July 26, 1861, died Feb. 27, 1863, wds. H. L. Hayward, e. July 26, 1861, Ist sergt., m. o. Sept. 16, 1864, term expired.
Ambury, Wm., e. July 26, 1861, nı. o. Sept. 16, 1864. Copeley, Geo. W., e. July 26, 1861, disd. May 5, 1863, disab. Grace, Christian, e. July 26, 1861, m. o. Sept. 16, 1864.
Kelley, James, e. July 26, 1861, died in rebel prison Nov. 1863, wds.
Martin, Ephraim, e. July 26, 1861, died at Murfreesboro April 19, 1863. Miller, Wnt., e. July 26, 1861.
McGinley, Wm., e. July 26, 1861, died at St. Louis, Feb. 23, 1862.
Redgeley, John, e. July 26, 1861, m. o. Sept. 16, 1864.
Rhodes, Otho, e. July 26, 1861, vet. m. o. Dec. 16, 1865, as corp. Smith, John, e. July 26, 1861, disd. March 1, 1862, disab. Solvisburg, Christ, e. July 26, 1861, disd. July 14, 1862, disab. Weston, Geo., e. July 26, 1861.
Forty-Third Illinois Infantry.
IIertzler, Henry, e. Oct. 14, 1861, kld. at Shiloh. Kempholfner, Fred., e. Sept. 1, 1861, m. o. Dec. 16, 1864. Linneman, Ernst, e. Oct. 14, 1861, m. o. Dec. 16, 1864. Schrey, Christian, e. Sept. 1, 1861, m. o. Dec. 16, 1864. Volkner, V., e. Sept. 1, 1861, disd. July 12, 1862.
Forty-fourth Infantry.
Willem, Matthias, e. Sept. 1, 1861, vet., m. o. Sept. 25, '65.
Fiftieth Illinois Infantry.
Blind, Chas., e. Sept. 16, 1861, vet., m. o. July 13, 1865. Gordon, Richard, e. Sept. 16, 1861, sergt., m. o. Sept. 17, 1864, as private.
Latimer, George C., e. Nov. 1, 1861, sergt., m. o. Oct. 31, 1864, as private.
Fifty-seventh Illinois Infantry.
Hirt, George, e. Dec. 17, 1863, vet., m. o. July 7, 1865. Blender, Edw., e. Oct. 5, 1861, vet. Dec. 27, 1863, m. o. July 7, 1865.
Blender, David, e. Oct. 5, 1861, vet. Dec. 27, 1863, m. o· July 7, 1865, as corp.
Blender, IIafer, e. Oct. 5, 1861, vet. Dec. 27, 1863, m. o. July 7, 1865, as corp.
Conrad, Peter, e. Oct. 9, 1861, vet. Dec. 27, 1863, m. o. July 7, 1865, as corp.
Disque, F., e. Oct. 5, 1861, disd. July 11, 1862, disab. Geinger, Chas., e. Aug. 26, 1861, vet. Dec. 27, 1863, m. o. July 7, 1865.
Hirt, Geo., e. Oct. 10, 1861, trans.
Hirt, Chas., e. Oct. 10, 1861, disd. July 3, 1862.
Humberger, Chas. W., e. - , 1861, vet. Dec. 27, 1863, nı. o. July 7, 1865, as corp.
Hoebringer, Michael, e. Sept. 16, 1861.
Hatz, Emil, e. Dec. 13, 1861.
Ismert, Peter, e. Sept. 16, 1861, vet. Dec. 27, 1863. m. o. July 7, 1865.
Johnson, Frank B., e. Jan. 25, 1861, died.
Miller, Jacob, e. Sept. 2, 1861, disd. Sept. 11, 1862, disab. Ruby, Julius, e. Sept. 27, 1861, trans.
Saftig, Peter, e. Sept. 10, 1861, died at Keokuk.
Stanott, Jacob, e. Sept. 24, 1861, disd. July 3, 1862, disab. Schnittger, Fred., e. Sept. 8, 1861, vet., m. o. July 7, 1865. Steetman, Henry, e. Aug. 26, 1861, vet. Dec. 27, 1863, m.
o. July 7, 1865, as sergt.
Strumpe, Henry, e. - , 1861, vet. Dec. 27, 1863, m. o. July 7, 1865, as sergt. Stumpt, Joseph, e. Dec. 7, 1861. Schneider, Jos., e. Sept. 28, 1861, disd. July 3, 1862.
Schafer, Geo., e. Oct. 12, 1861.
Steempt, Henry, c. Sept. 28, 1861, vet., m. o. July 7, 1865. Tschudy, John U., e. Aug. 26, 1861, deserted Feb. 8, 1862. Vogler, F., e. Aug. 26, 1861.
Wagner, Chas., e. Oct. 23, 1861, disd. July 30, 1862. Wobeser, Chas., e. Oct. 26, 1861, disd. July 30, 1852, disal). Weber, E., e. Dec. 10, 1861, m. o, Jan. 23, 1865. Waltz, Bernhard, e. Aug. 26, 1861, m. o. Dec. 26, 1864. Weyand, Jolın, e. Sept. 21, 1861.
Zollikoffer, Chas., e. Sept. 28, 1861, disd. July 27, 1862. Zimmermann, Adam, e. Dec. 9, 1861, m. o. Sept. 25, 1864, wds. Zwicker, Chas., e. Nov. 12, 1861, disd. Aug. 16, 1862, wds. Zeller, Jacob, e. Sept. 18, 1861.
Cisna, Samuel, e. Nov. 29, 1861.
Fuller, David, e. Nov. 29, 1861.
Mozingo, Lewis, e. Nov. 29, 1861.
Solon, Simon, e. Nov. 29, 1861.
Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry.
Hinkles, John G., e. Sept. 27, 1861, disd. April 7, 1862' disab.
Ingersol, Arthur, e. Sept. 27, 1861, vet. Jan. 12, 1864, n. o. Dec. 8, 1865. Smith, Win. K., c. Sept. 27, 1861, disd. March 26, 1863, disab.
Sixty-second Illinois Infantry. Nicholson, Jonathan, e. Jan. 15, 1862, m. o. May 2, 1865.
Seventy-second Illinois Infantry. Felsing, Wm., e. Aug. 11, 1862, m. o. May 1, 1865, sergt.
Eleventh Illinois Cavalry.
Albertson, Andreas, e. Sept. 23, 1861, disd. March 27 1863, wds.
Hcins, John, e. Sept. 23, 1861, m. o. Dec. 20, 1864. Bork, Chas., e. Nov. 6, 1861, m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Barker, Wm., e. Nov. 1, 1861, vet., m. o. Sept. 30, 1865, as sergt.
Burns, Hugh, e. Nov. 1, 1861.
Burns, Patrick, e. Nov. 6, 1861, disd. Oct. 15, 1862, disab. Barnett, Tim., e. Nov. 6, 1861, disd. Nov. 13, 1862, disab. Dow, Henry, e. Dec. 20, 1861, disd. Jan. 28, 1862. disab. Foley, Michael, e. Nov. 1, 1861, died March 9, 1864. Gaus, Levi, e. Nov. 6, 1861.
Landragan, Matthew, e. Nov. 1, 1861, disd. Dec. 19, 1864. Murphy, Michael, e. Nov. 1, 1861, disd. Jan. 22, 1862. Martin, Samuel T., e. Nov. 6, 1861.
Martin, John, e. Nov. 6, 1861, died at Monmouth, III., March 6, 1862.
Murphy, Wm., e. Nov. 6, 1861, disd. Jan. 22, 1862. O'Neal, II. B., e. Nov. 6, 1861, disd. Dec. 19, 1864. Sebring, Wm., e. Nov. 6, 1861, m. o. Sept. 30, 1865. Shomboucher, John, e. Nov. 6, 1861. Tucker, Jas. M., e. Nov. 6, 1861, m. o. Sept. 30, 1865. Tinian, James, e. Nov. 6, 1861, sick at m. o.
468
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
Tobin, James, e. Nov. 6, 1861. William, D., e. Nov. 6, 1861, m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Weeman, E, e. Nov. 6, 1861, m. o. Sept. 30, 1865.
Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry. Fry, Henry, e. Nov. 8, 1861.
First illinois Artillery.
Fetrow, Daniel W., e. Ang. 17, 1862. Parkinson, Win., e. Jan. 28, 1862, disd. March 30, 1862, disab.
Second Illinois Artillery.
Davis, Benj., e. Ang. 5, 1864, m. o. Oct. 22, 1864. Davis, David, e. Aug. 5. 1864.
Fifteenth Missouri Infantry.
l'orp. Jacob Schenermann, e. Sept. 7, 1861, died at Rolla, Mo.
Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry. Hight, Wm. E., e. Dec. 26, 1861.
Third Missouri Cavalry.
Corp. Robt. M. Pollock, e. Oct. 15, 1861, disd. for disability.
Tenth Missouri Cavalry.
Sergt. Martin L. Root, e. Aug. 1, 1861.
First Nebraska Cavalry.
Corp. Lewis P. Wall, c. June 30, 1861, disd. Aug. 29, 1862.
Second Kansas Cavalry.
First Sergt. Clarence J. Williams, e. Oct. 2, 1861. Corp. John C. Nye, e. Oct. 2, 186]. Farrier Perrine Arnold, e. Oct. 2, 1861. Meeker, Chas. W., e. Oct. 1, 1861. Stockton, Thomas, e. Sept. 28, 1861.
BURLINGTON.
The history of the settlement of Burlington is unusually clear and free from vexatious questions, even for a Western city whose life covers but a generation or so. One takes comfort in declaring that the name of the first settler is known beyond peradventure, and that neither qualification nor argument is necessary to pave the way to statements concerning the early days.
Of course the reader understands that we refer solely to the actual occupa- tion of this site by bona fide white settlers, and not to any supposititious dwellers who may have found lodgment here any time between the era of the Mound Builders and the days when the American Fur Company grew rich off of the Indians. We speak of Burlington as a modern town, dating its origin at the proper year, 1833.
It is difficult to distinguish the early history of Burlington from the early history of Des Moines County, and part, in fact, cannot be separated from the rest without mutilating the whole. We have endeavored to avoid duplicating statements, but have not hesitated to use the same topic twice where it seemed really necessary to do so.
The legal life of settlement on the site of Burlington began June 1, 1833, but circumstances conspired to make the father of the town bold and venture- some enough to defy the law.
SIMPSON S. WHITE.
During the fall of 1829, Simpson S. White and Amzi Doolittle (as is asserted in the chapter on the settlement of the county) visited what afterward became the Black Hawk Purchase, in the capacity of workmen on the trading-post buildings. They then discovered the richness of this region, and selected a " town site," in anticipation of the day when lawful claims could be made.
As this statement differs from the generally published account, we concluded to make it only on the written authority of Mr. White himself. He is now living in Portland, Oregon, and thither a letter of inquiry was dispatched. In response we received a detailed history of his first days west of the Mississippi, and, for the benefit of posterity, that letter is here preserved.
THE FIRST CLAIM AND CABIN.
" In 1829," observes Mr. White, "the present site of Burlington was occu- pied by a branch of the American Fur Company, who had a trading-post with the Indians. In the summer of that year. Amzi Doolittle and S. S. White
469
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
were employed to put up an addition to the buildings at the post, and spent about three weeks in labor at that place. While thus engaged, they had fre- quent opportunities to explore the country around the post, and were enabled to select prospective claims. One of the strong tendencies among Western men at that early period, was the location of future town-sites. White and Doolittle were not exempt from the prevailing epidemic of speculation, and prosecuted their search for ' claims' with this thought in mind. The country was then Indian territory, with no immediate prospect of becoming public lands ; but the pioneers felt confident that so choice a locality could not long remain closed to the grasping hand of the white man. So they planned their claim, in anticipa- tion of the inevitable change, and attempted to take Time by the forelock.
" The period of waiting proved less extended than they had dared to hope, for. in 1832, the Black Hawk disaster sealed the fate of the decaying bands. The treaty was made September 21, 1832. Within one week after the signing of the document, or as soon as news reached the men, who were living in Illi- nois, S. S. White, Amzi Doolittle and M. M. McCarver came across the Mis- sissippi River and made claim to the lands on which the river-front of Burling- ton is now standing. A cabin was immediately erected. The claim commenced at the ravine, near the upper part of the bottom-lands and extended down the river one mile.
"THE FIRST FERRY-BOAT.
" While the cabin referred to was in process of erection, the pioneers em- ployed men on the east shore, to build a flatboat, for use as a ferry. Applica- tion was at once made to the County Court of Hancock County, Illinois, for license to maintain a public ferry across the Mississippi at this point, which was granted.
" THE SECOND BAND OF PIONEERS.
"Theodore Jennings located the land north of the original claim, and Ben- jamin Tucker and Isaac Crenshaw, that on the southwest thereof, during the fall of 1832. David Tothero built the second cabin in the region, and the first one away from the site of Burlington, southwest of town, some two miles or so. Before winter set in, twelve or fifteen families located in the surrounding country. The Smiths built cabins about two miles below 'town.'
"S. S. White moved his family into the 'company ' cabin in February, 1833. When he did so, the crude building was not finished. The floor was made of puncheons, or split logs ; there was no door hung, for sawed lumber could not be obtained ; and the home of the pioneer was exceedingly well ventilated. The nearest point where lumber could then be procured was St. Louis.
" The treaty with the Indians did not require them to give up possession of the lands until June 1, 1833; but no attention was given to that clause by the settlers. We did not feel that we were infringing on the rights of the Indians by making our claims, but complaint was made to the commanding officer at Rock Island, and a company of fifteen men was sent down to drive us off. We received notice of their purpose in time to move our effects across the river. The evening of the day on which we moved, the soldiers arrived. They were under the command of
"JEFFERSON DAVIS,
who became President of the 'late Confederate States.' He was then a Lieu- tenant in the army. As I afterward learned, the troops occupied our house over night, and in the morning set fire to the cabin. They then departed.
470
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
" The settlers from the surrounding country had taken refuge on the large island below our elaim.
" After getting my household goods across the river, I erected a cabin over them, leaving no opening to get in. My wife then went on a visit to her father in Warren County, Ill. I had two men employed at this time, who were cutting wood for boats, near where I built this cabin, and I deemed it prudent not to leave an opening by which the goods could be taken out, as I was obliged to be absent several days. On my return, about a week later, I found that the cabin had been robbed, and an attempt had been made to burn it down ; but the logs were green and would not take fire. The rascals had succeeded in burning merely the covering. The walls were still standing. This was in March, 1833. We then abandoned the place until the middle of May, when I returned to the west side of the river, bringing my family with me. As we had no house to move into, we built a camp, with rails, and covered it over. as best we could, with boards split out of logs. The next work under- taken was to build a cabin. Three weeks were consumed in getting the log house up, as the weather was so rainy and windy that we could do but little each day. Our goods were constantly wet, and my wife's clothing had to be dried by the fire, almost every morning, before she could dress.
" About this time, M. M. McCarver built a cabin near mine, and brought his family over. This was in June, 1833."
The statement explains away the confusion on the question of the visit of troops to the settlement. One account has it that White had two cabins destroved by the soldiers, while another report says that but one was burned. It is here shown that the first cabin erected on the site of Burlington was destroyed by Jeff Davis, and that the second cabin erected by White (but on the east shore) was destroyed by thieves. The conflict in statement is quite natural.
The second cabin erected by Mr. White, on the site of Burlington, stood on Front street, just below Sunderland's mills. It was afterward removed to Mr. Keeler's lot, near Hawkeye Bridge. The final disposition of the historic build- ing was ignominious enough, for it was torn down, and the logs which composed its walls were driven, as piles, into the embankment, near the spot on which it last stood.
By the foregoing letter it will be seen that the man rightfully entitled to the second place on the list of settlers is
MORTON M. M'CARVER.
This assertion is also made on the strength of the following information gained by personal interview with Dr. Ross. The latter was, in the summer of 1833, a single man. He said, in the interview already referred to:
" In July, 1833, I crossed the Mississippi River into Iowa, and landed a half-mile below the month of Flint River, where it empties into the former stream. The place was called Flint Hills, and extended five miles below the site of Burlington.
" Morton M. MeCarver and Simpson S. White were residing in cabins, about twenty feet apart, on the bank of the river, with a view to holding a claim extending from the mouth of Hawkeye Creek to the mouth of Flint River, and half a mile in width, it being the location of an old trading-post with the Indians. There was a root-house and a grave, the latter paled in, with a cross thereon, with the name of Maurice Blondeau inscribed upon the cross, on the margin of the river. Numerous trees were growing there, from the limbs of which depended canoes in which dead Indians were deposited."
471
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
Mr. Ross explored the country roundabout, and then returned to Quincy, Ill. He there employed some workmen to proceed to the new region, in com- pany with his aged father, and erect a cabin on the claim he had made. This claim was one mile long, north and south, by one-half mile wide, east and west, and lay immediately west of, and adjoining, the claims of White and McCarver. Upon this place, besides erecting the dwelling-house spoken of, Mr. Ross cleared land and sowed grass-seed ; built a cabin for religious exercises and day school, in the fall of 1833. The latter cabin was occupied during the winter of 1833-34 by the family of Mr. Phillips.
THE FIRST STORES.
In September, 1833, William R. Ross shipped a fine stock of goods to the new settlement, and almost simultaneously, Maj. Jeremiah Smith, Jr., shipped a similar general stock to the place. This was the beginning of the commer- cial industry of Burlington. Both of these men dealt largely with the Indians, in furs, etc.
We again quote from Mr. White's letter :
" During the summer of 1833 (September) a boat landed on the shore and began to discharge a quantity of goods. Upon going down to the boat, I learned that Dr. William R. Ross, of Quincy, Ill., had shipped a stock of mer- chandise to my care. I was much surprised, as I had received no notice of his intention, and had no building in which to store the goods from the weather. There was but one course to pursue, and that was to collect all the force at hand and build a cabin at once. The goods were left in an exposed condition for several days, with Indians about all the time.
"Shortly after Ross became established in business, Jeremiah Smith, Jr., and Daniel Strong located land on the prairie west of town. Smith caused us to lay off some lots, as he said he would purchase a lot if we would sell it to him. If we would not do that, he should occupy the ground anyway, as he had come to start in trade. If he could not do it peaceably, he would forcibly. It was not our intention to lay off a town until we had acquired a title, but the positive stand taken by Smith caused us to change our minds. Dr. Ross sur- veyed the front line of two blocks, which was all the survey made that year. Smith purchased a lot, built a house and commenced business that fall (1833).
"The same fall I purchased McCarver's interest in the town and ferry. McCarver went to Monmouth, where he remained for two years and then returned to Burlington.
"In the spring of 1834, John B. Gray came to Burlington and opened the first 'grocery' in the place. Subsequently, he associated with Samuel Stephens in mercantile business, and opened the third general store in Burlington. In the fall of 1834 or the spring of 1835, Jesse Webber began mercantile trade, and about the same time W. W. Chapman opened the first law office.
"During 1834, the town was surveyed and many lots sold. John S. David came this year. I purchased the claim of Theodore Jennings north of our location, and about that time made arrangements with William Morgan to hold and occupy that portion of our claim lying below what is now called Black Hawk Creek. He was to secure the title and give us one-half of the land. He resided there but a few months, however, and then sold out to Wood.
" In 1834, I put twenty acres of the Jennings' claim under cultivation, and continued to do so for two years.
"Jonathan Donnel and myself built the first saw-mill in Iowa, on Flint River, in 1835.
472
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
" In 1835-36, several mercantile houses were established, viz., Chase & Kimble, Dickenson Hedges and S. Benson. The next year, Robert Ralston and Kelly & Newhall opened stores.
" Amzi Doolittle did not become a resident of Burlington until 1833, at which time he moved his family there.
" March, 1836, David Rorer became a resident of Burlington-the second lawyer to locate in the place.
"John B. Gray first proposed the name of Burlington for the new town.
" The first tavern was kept by a man named Cooper.
" The Indian name of the region extending from the lower part of the high land up to the mouth of the Flint River, was Sho-ko-kon, meaning Flint Hills.
" Lyman Chase, Henry Moore and James Wells were our first carpenters, and Jeremiah White, plasterer."
It will be observed that a conflict of statement occurs concerning two or three claims of priority. The most noticeable is that of the Donnel mill. The Augusta people claim that Moffet's mill was built before Donnel's was, and we are of the opinion that they are right. Upon this question we are unable to get positive information.
The first tavern is said to have been kept in Doolittle's frame house ; but White asserts that a man named Cooper entertained before the erection of the frame, in the spring of 1834. If he did so, it was in a humble way.
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.