The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 62

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964

USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 62

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The new members thus elected were H. Markell, Alpheus Palmer and S. M. Langworthy. The Board elected their officers as follows : President, H. Markell ; Vice President, John R. Waller ; Secretary, H. S. Hetherington ; Treasurer, V. J. Williams.

The Association at present has no floating debt or outstanding bills. The only problem for solution at present is how to pay the interest on the mortgage debt, the running expenses incident to the Association, and eventually meet the principal when it becomes due.

With a population such as is embraced within twenty-five miles of Dubuque, with such grounds and improvements as the Association owns, the facilities for reaching the fair grounds, and the fact that over three hundred of our own citizens are stockholders, and, furthermore, considering the benefit derived from these annual or semi-annual gatherings to a city like Dubuque, there ought not to be any question as to the future of this institution.

517

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

The following is the assessment of real and personal property, by townships, in Dubuque County for the year 1879 :

ASSESSMENT ROLL OF DUBUQUE COUNTY FOR THE YEAR 1879.

CATTLE.

HORSES.

MULES.

SHEEP.

and Blocks.

Number.

Value.

Number.

Value.

Number.

Value.

Number.

Value.

Cascade

$193242

$250790

22720

$135439

$18070

1659

$11841

557

$8949

$985

391

$334

Center

140482

192245

22890

118180

1240

1269

5972

489

8216

462

322

286

Concord

182494

222735

22932

149841

2285

1490

9053

575

11042

450

353

Dodge

210846

286770

23090

175486

5953

1508

9081

586

9648

473

238

221

Iowa

162238

225510

23028

135925

1147

7066

- 390

6993

1000

331

335

Jefferson.

183381

257160

27059

141344

1858

11602

683

13910

940

384

394

Julien (outside) .. Liberty

241785

333590

17052

175386

18519

1135

7851

590

12616

275

507

509

Mosalem

103134

175845

19303

84032

425

1056

8360

326

6470

125

New Wine.

392454

453960

22525

223761

83477

1700

12638

722

13393

2205

339

Peru ...

106420

168980

16915

82110

880

6960

458

8700

Prairie Creek

226249

264720

22864

183399

1748

10987

654

13525

820

796

821

Table Mound

232570

274795

22833

166745

7385

1577

9216

499

8933

320

376

190

Taylor

257509

334815

22645

172145

34964

1510

12121

630

7662

705

146

Vernon

218305

290410

23004

175260

2380

1675

19010

637

10885

445

663

685

Whitewater

212549

229560

22559

145685

24397

1499

10190

608

11549

695

426

Washington

220240

238155

22780

187537

4249250

1018

9765

1169

23135

460

140

Total.

$7701071

$19696215 37732] $2592812 $4448345

25639 $180043

10579

$193028

514 $12912

6082|

#5652.

ASSESSMENT ROLL OF DUBUQUE COUNTY-Continued.

SWINE.

CARRIAGES AND VEHICLES.

Value of Merchandise.

Amount Employed in

Amount of Moneys

Amount of Taxable

Stocks and Shares in

Farming Utensils and

Unenumerated Prop-

Total Personal Prop-

erty.

Cascade

2984

$3786

$773

$5225

$880

$5892

$623

$425

$20

$39733.

Center

994

1005

650

4441

21062

Concord

2785

2792

765

5913

Dodge ..

3208

3232

2733

3999

Iowa ...

3298

3203

755

1425

188

9465

1436

42037

Julien (outside) ..

987

1218

1084

626

21456

1105

425

715

47880

Liberty

4236

3947

475

430

9833

385

37266

Mosalem

701

710

120

16836

225

33465

420

200

85316

Peru ...

365

500

100

250

6750

220

790

24310

Prairie Creek

4588

6464

442

1849

237

7705

Table Mound ....

1320

1492

889

1545

35675

58440

Taylor ..

3667

500

5195

266

19533

670

50400

Vernon

3246

3330

380

500

4635

395

400

40665

Whitewater

4247

5342

698

3505

570

8892

200

335

42467

Washington

2080

1638

298

14182

Julien (inside) ...

166

300

1373

27900

456350

109800

272900

74280

$195740

37900

96160 1304830

Total ..

46249

$49152

1806

$35077 $498556

$114322 $472752

$77464 $195740|

$40440,$99586 $1974724

TOWNS.

Number.

Value.

Number.

Value.

Manufactures.

and Credits.

Household

ture.

Incorporations.

Mechanics' Tools.

223

225.

Julien (inside). .

4249250

5243375

Acres.

Value.

Total Value of Lots

TOWNS.

Total Assessed Value.

Total Value as Equal-

ized.

252800

23122

130637

1434

10413

553

9636

1945

404

212

1476

7917

453

7766

617

erty.

18677

New Wine.

5066

4634

911

1000

1500

5216

26313

Jefferson.

2371

1892

2800

....

THE CITY OF DUBUQUE.

In a former portion of this work, the endeavor has been made to portray that period in the history of Dubuque when the initiatory steps were taken to found a colony and build a city-when the early settlement emerged from behind the clouds of disappointment and uncertainty, and took its place among the established evidences of Western progress.

It is now proposed to examine into a later period in the history of the same city, when, with resources greatly enlarged and territory extended by a brilliant

Furni-

30368

29407

42850

130

32703

167903

518

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

career of enterprise and industry, it has progressed toward a degree of perfection which invariably attends the exercise of these incentives. Such success, born of laudable ambition, may have excited the jealousy of neighbors, but it has not bred a mischievous policy nor nurtured the germs of domestic corruption which gradually culminate in dismemberment and decay.

The city is delightfully situated on the left bank of the Mississippi, 475 miles above St. Louis and 382 miles below St. Paul. It is located on an allu- vial plain about four miles long by one mile wide, with the Mississippi bluffs, which hug the river closely on the Dunleith side, here keeping at a respectful distance. The lower portion of the city is devoted to business, interspersed with numberless private residences, schools, parks and drives of superior beauty and excellence, the whole completing a picture harmonious and attractive.

The bluffs rise to the height of nearly two hundred feet west of the city, ascended by admirably graded and macadamized roadways, and adorned with private residences, gardens and resorts, the homes of wealth, intelligence and liberality. From the summits of these bluffs is spread out before the observer a landscape, rivaling in beauty and exquisite perfection the masterpieces of artists who touched but to improve. A range of hills bounds the western horizon, between which and the bluffs is a matchless panorama of groves, farms, gardens and gently rolling prairies. Nestling upon the bank of the river, the city quietly reposes, while the majestic Mississippi rolls onward, its mighty volume of waters gathered from all the vast country between the beau- tiful Itasca and Peosta, fifteen hundred miles, to pour them into the Gulf amid the cane fields and orange groves of tropic Louisiana. Across the river, the whistle of the locomotive is heard, anxious to begin the journey eastward, or to the ambitious city, far down to the south, on the banks of la belle riviere. Farther on are the green hills of Illinois and Wisconsin, while above them all stands historie Sinsinnewa Mound, looking down with a consciousness of dig- nity that comes with age and superiority. The scene is grand beyond descrip- tion, waking up emotions of the beautiful and sublime, and educating the heart to a reverence for nature and nature's God.

The longitude of Dubuque was fixed December 1, 1865. Prof. James C. Walton, of Ann Arbor, was the astronomer who aided Dr. Horr by tele- graphic signals to determine it, and this was done before the longitude of Chi- cago had been ascertained. The longitude of Dubuque in time is 6 hours 2 minutes, 39-3% seconds west from Greenwich ; in degrees it is 90 degrees 39 minutes, 50,7% seconds. The latitude of Dubuque is north 42 degrees 30 minutes, that parallel passing through Jackson Square.

The difference of time between Chicago and Dubuque is 12 minutes 14,3% seconds ; between Dubuque and Washington, 54 minutes 2815% seconds ; between Dubuque and New York, 1 hour 6 minutes 44176 seconds.

By summer of 1840, the population of the city had increased to upward of one thousand souls, united in one cause, laboring for one end, and accomplish- ing results which long since became " landmarks " on the great highway of local success. At this time Dubuque bore the appearance of a city. Business, to use a Westernism, was "booming; " improvements floated with the tide ; emigration was large, and all the accessories to prosperity conspired to aid in that behalf.

The business portion of the city was confined to Main street, between First and Third, and, though carried on mostly in log houses and frame shanties, protected from the extreme cold by weather boards, it had assumed, for those days, large proportions. But one brick building had up to this time been

Donation / ( DECEASED) DUBUQUE.

521

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

erected for commercial purposes. It was located on Main, between Third and Fourth, and occupied by Jesse P. Farley & Co., a firm still in existence. Most of the business was concluded during the day ; seller and buyer were accus- tomed to reach an understanding before the darkness came, " when no man can work," and, when night hovered down over the growing city, these establishments were closed, and the street was left to vacancy and darkness, interrupted, at long intervals, by the cheerful light of the inn and the flickering candle of the saloon, a guide-board leading miners and bacchanals in search of the cup that cheers. Occasionally, when the whistle of an approaching steamer announced the coming of settlers, travelers and what not, a passing excitement was inspired ; there was a hurrying into the darkness of the street, the feeling of one's way to the landing, and, after a publication of the latest news from " below," the number of passengers brought up, etc., the crowd dispersed to their homes and their haunts, and the street once more became as quiet and unevent- ful as a day in June.

Among the more prominent of the merchants who were established here in those days, and aided in procuring for Dubuque the reputation of being the most important "point" north of St. Louis, were : Emerson & Crider, John Thompson, better known under the euphonious pseudonym of "Jack " Thomp- son, E. M. Bissell & Co., William Myers, William Lawther, L. Longuemare & Brother, Quigley & Butterworth, Fassitt & Sherman, Jesse P. Farley & Co., G. A. Shannon & Co.

Drs. Andros, Stoddard, O'Hara, Charles Hutawa, John W. Finley and Ambrose Crane ministered remedies to frames diseased, and Timothy Mason supplied the opodeldoc, cholagogue and other pharmaceutical preparations con- tributed by science to the promotion of health and consequent peace of mind. Henry Simplot, Narcisse Nadeau, John Kreis, Patrick O'Mara, Morgan Cur- ran, John Shaffner and Baptiste Le Page were licensed to respond to the demands of thirsty topers. James Crawford, Timothy Davis, John V. Berry, James Churchman, Stephen Hempstead, M. M. Bainbridge, Edwin Reeves and other legal tacticians, pleaded the cause of innocence or denounced the demurrers' answers, sur-rebutters and sur-rejoinders of litigants without causes of action, while the Hon. T. S. Wilson adjudicated the law, and rendered judgment or certified the record to a court of appellate jurisdiction. Father Mazzuchelli, the Rev. Bastian, and other followers of the Divine Nazarene, who, far down in the vale of Galilee, preached peace on earth, good will to man, pointed the way to life eternal, united two souls with but a single thought, vis- ited the sick, comforted the widow and orphan, and consoled the dying, while Charles and Rufus Miller attended to the burial of the dead, whose mortal remains were laid beneath the turf in the Main street churchyard.

Amusements were of the more simple and unpretentious character, as com- pared with the class of entertainments which are to-day submitted for the commendation and applause of fastidious criticism. For the most part, balls and socials made up the complement of diversions indulged by the pioneers; yet these were conducted with that quality of dignity and decorum to be observed at the most distingue receptions of modern days. The glass of fashion was rarely consulted, according to the legends and chronicles of the times, yet brave men and fair women danced the happy hours away with all the pleasure and more of the abandon than that which is characteristic of the blue and gold editions of Terpsichore's devotees of later periods. Among the fair ladies who were prominent then were Miss Rachel Coriell, Miss Ann Gartrell (who subse- quently became Mrs. Charles Harbeson, now residing near Cincinnati), Misses

522

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

Lizzie Fales and Julia Bissell, who, on account of their beauty and substantial accomplishments, were the objective points, on festive evenings, toward whom sighing swains directed their addresses.

The nomadic gymnast, hurdle rider and other accompaniments of the arena, the Ethiopian serenader and theatrieal combination, rarely edified appreciative audienees with their feats, their melodies or their impersonations. No crushed tragedian provoked the mirthful at the expense of the intellectual, while the ballet, the opera, folly troupes and distinguished impressarios were among the " blessings " yet unborn.

Previous to this year, however, a company of young men with histrionic tendencies, led by George L. Nightingale, formed an amateur dramatic associa- tion, having their headquarters in rooms at a house near the corner of Main and Second streets, known as the " Shakspeare." Here they were wont to meet and reeite, rehearse, and redeem the tragie muse from forgetfulness, if not abso- lute and remediless oblivion. They were also accustomed to furnish the public with expositions of the arte dramatique, ineluding in their list and presenting to their patrons " England's Iron Days," "Pizarro," " Gretna Green," "The- Glory of Columbia," etc., for which tiekets could be procured, and seats in the upper tier retained, at the Shakspeare bar. But the histrions in time, from some eause, or combination of eauses, at this remote period inaeeessible to solu- tion, failed to survive many years, and, after seasons of doubt, finally collapsed, leaving the illustration of the modern standard drama to the genius and artistic excellence of future generations. The " Shakspeare " eeased to be classed among the resorts of intellectual amusements, but became a tap-room, and so continucd until the advance of enterprise and improvement compelled its loca- tion to yield preeedenee.

At this time, the hotels had become features of recommendation not only to strangers, but also to eitizens. These included the Washington House, at the corner of Fifth and Locust streets, of which Richard Plumbe was the boniface ; the Jefferson House, on First, between Main and Iowa streets, kept by Timothy Fanning, and the "Old " Bell tavern, on Main street, maintained by J. M. Harrison. This establishment subsequently beeame a boarding-house, the sign of which, in flaming colors, advised the arriving emigrant and pretentious pros- pector that George Cannon provided food for the hungry and lodgings for the weary.

If the business houses, with their gable ends shadowing the pavement, were the reverse of ornamental, architecturally speaking, the private residences pos- sessed little in that respect to add the spiee of variety to the surroundings. They were confined as a rule to the limits of Bluff, Iowa and cross streets, in number scarcely exceeding three hundred, built of log or frame, and with a plentiful laek of the eomforts to be found in those which line these thoroughfares to-day. This primitive landscape, however, was relieved of its tiresome inonot- ony by three briek houses, finished in the most elaborate style of the times, completed for occupation and taken possession of for residenee purposes during the years 1837 and 1838. One was ereeted by Leroy Jackson, and remains intaet on the spot of its origin, corner of Iowa and Eleventh streets. It was the first residenee in Dubuque County composed of material theretofore unem- ployed in this city. The second brick house stood at the southeast corner of Iowa and Twelfth streets, and was erected by James Langworthy in 1838. It was torn away years ago and the lot is occupied by a building now appro- priated to store purposes, and the third, located at the northeast corner of White and Fourteenth streets, by Edward Langworthy, completes the-

523

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

evidences of pioneer enterprise and pioneer elegance then submitted. This, too, enjoys a hale old age undisturbed. One year later, Samuel D. Dixon raised a two-story frame on the corner of Main and Tenth streets, which was regarded as an innovation upon the established custom by some, while the majority greeted its completion as indubitable testimony to the growth and development of the infant city. This also has survived the ravages of time, the contumely of man and the march of improvement.

The post office during this and for several subsequent years, divided the possession of a frame house at the corner of Seventh and Iowa streets, with a printing office. John King, ex-editor of the Dubuque Visitor, officiated as Postmaster, devoting his leisure moments, it is said, when not occupied with official duties, in formulating and educating public opinion through the agency of double-leaded editorials, contributed to the weekly press. The old building long since met the fate of useless appendages in large cities, being torn down to give place to a more extensive successor. Connelly's carriage factory, inclosed in the walls of a five-story brick, occupies the site, and the post office years ago transferred its base of operations to the imposing stone building, corner of Ninth and Locust streets.

The transportation facilities became more extended and convenient from the beginning of the decade indexed at 1840, and the comforts of travel were improved also. Stages communicated with towns to the interior of Illinois and Wisconsin, and steamers offered superior inducements to travelers between Dubuque and points south or east. The Omega, Amaranthe, Lynx, Otter, Glaucus, General Brock, Ione, and many other craft bearing the names and perpetuating the fame of distinguished public men, plied regularly between St. Louis and Dubuque, the former city being the base of supplies, making the round trip in about ten days, detention by accident excepted. The Brazil, commanded by Orrin Smith, cleared for Pittsburgh on days certain, and was a favorite boat for passengers hence to New York.

A charter of the city_of Dubuque, as recommended by the citizens through the Board of Town Trustees, having been approved by the Territorial Legisla- ture, was adopted for the city by popular vote on the 1st of March, 1841. It provided for the election of a Mayor and six Aldermen, constituting a City Council, and conferred upon that body the usual powers necessary to the estab- lishment and maintenance of a municipal government. An election was held according to the provisions contained therein, on the 5th day of April of the same year, resulting in the selection of C. H. Booth as Mayor, Jesse P. Farley, Charles Miller, Edward Langworthy, William W. Coriell, H. Simplot , and Timothy Fanning as Aldermen. Benjamin Rupert, who had served the Board of Trustees for two years as Clerk, was made Recorder, and the follow- ing officers were elected by the Council at its first meeting: B. F. Davis, Mar- shal and Collector; E. C. Dougherty, Assessor and Street Commissioner ; William Lawther, Treasurer; and Charles Miller, Weighmaster. A room was rented on Main street for the monthly meetings of the city legislature, at a weekly rental of fifty cents, and answered the purpose of a city hall for several years. In 1844, the Waples House was commenced, the first pretentious hotel in the county.

The history of the city, from this time until the close of nearly ten years afterward, is one of trial, trouble and vexation of spirit, with all that the terms imply. Galena, jealous of her rival, compelled Dubuque to struggle for exist- ence, and the complete supremacy of the latter over the former city to-day can be traced almost directly to the efforts necessarily employed to preserve its

524

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

vitality. Strange contrast was this condition of affairs, as compared with the opening months of 1840, when promise smiled in the horizon of the future. This was due to business depressions all over the country, in addition to the causes above cited ; but the inhabitants struggled manfully on against opposi- tions and Cassandra prognostications, with results which have not only attested their wisdom and pluck, but confirmed the truth of the proverb that perfect excellence is the heritage of great labor.

Between 1842 and 1845, the population increased slowly, and many who had designed establishing themselves in Dubuque, invested their capital else- where. As a consequence, improvements were proportionately tardy. Along toward 1843, William Lawther erected a three-story brick store on Main, between Third and Fourth streets, still standing, and now used as a depot for the sale of stoves and tinware by C. Mason. Emerson & Shields, successors to the firm of Emerson & Crider, put up a building of similar dimensions and material on the lot at present occupied by the Dubuque Opera House. During that period, the Centenary Methodist Church, corner of Seventh and Locust streets, was made ready for worship, the log jail safe for the immurement of refractory and felonious citizens, and the court house had been completed.

In the summer of 1845, the tide of emigration once more began to tend in this direction, slowly at first, but of a character the opposite of transient, as it afterward proved. Those who came identified themselves with the city and surrounding country. The ventures that had been made in other directions had not, it would seem, realized reasonable expectations. The commercial interests increased, and Dubuque was regarded as by no means the least prom- ising point north of St. Louis. Mining was prosecuted constantly and success- fully. Mineral and lead appreciated in value. The uncertainties that attended monetary affairs, growing out of the panic of 1837, were substituted for by a feeling of confidence which found expression in investments that yielded favor- able returns. Some improvements were projected, and a limited number com- pleted. Among those begun this year, was the Congregational church on Main street, near the corner of Ninth, upon which the town-clock tower was subsequently raised. This building suffered a rather checkered experience; being at times a house of worship, post office, concert hall and dry-goods pal- ace. While serving the latter purpose, on Saturday afternoon, May 25, 1872, the foundations were tapped by workmen preparing to lay the supports for an adjoining edifice, and the building fell with a terrible crash, causing the death of two unfortunates, and completing the irreparable destruction of the prem- ises-since rebuilt, however, and now a massive and pretentious brick block. No change was experienced in the municipal affairs, the same being conducted by a Mayor and Board of Aldermen, with the strictest regard to economy compatible with the public good. Schools were maintained by private enter- prise, there being no tax levied by the city for the erection of school buildings until 1849, when a tax of 2} mills on the dollar was called for, to be used in the construction of three schoolhouses, one in each of the three wards of which the city was then composed. The amount realized for this purpose at that time is stated to have been $1,396.59. Good order was enforced by means of a constabulary, that, according to the statements of men conversant with the facts, was in less demand than during previous or subsequent years, and the city was spared from conflagrations by the presence of a Fire Department com- posed of volunteers supplied with an inefficient engine, supported by a bucket brigade.

525

HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

Little of importance occurred during the ensuing year. The lucky exper- ience of the season previous, as to emigration, continued, but improvements were not effected with that rapidity and completeness characteristic of years immediately succeeding. Lands contiguous to the city, which had previously been reserved from sale by the Government, as mineral lands, were thrown upon the market by act of Congress, and sold in subdivisions of forty acres at $2.50 per acre. About this time farmers and settlers organized an associa- tion for maintaining claims pre-empted, and entering lands. George L. Night- ingale acted as agent, and, through the aid thus contributed, much of the land that had previously been held at sufferance was secured to its legitimate owners as also to settlers. In the summer of this year, Lucius H. and Edward Lang- worthy put up a brick block on Main, between Fifth and Sixth streets. The location may have been regarded as distant from the center of trade at that time, but their judgment has been approved for many years. It came into the market almost immediately upon its completion, and has been continuously occupied. Many improvements have since been made therein ; in brief, the block has been completely remodeled and reconstructed in the years that have gone glimmering, and is now used as a depot for the sale of furniture, burial cases and household wares. There were other buildings put up in the year 1846, but not of a character to merit special attention. Farming was carried on more extensively, and products of the soil began to seek sale outside the immediate vicinity in which they were cultivated.

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The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 62

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Number of Pages: 964

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964