USA > Iowa > Fayette County > The history of Fayette County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 66
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Present membership, twenty-nine.
CLERMONT. [Clermont Township.]
The first settler in Clermont, or Township 95, Section 7, who claimed the water power, as Wanzer did at Otter Creek, was -- Delaplaine, who made a claim where Clermont now stands, in 1848, and built a cabin.
In 1849, Carlton & Thompson, a mill firm at Elkader, came to the Turkey River at the point where Clermont now stands, and bought the claim of -- Delaplaine (including Sections 33 and 34). Carlton & Thompson let the building contract to C. D. Carlton and Charles Sawyer, who moved here in June, 1849 (the latter with his family), and built two log houses on what is now Block 24, in Clermont, being the first houses in the township, after Delaplaine's rude claim cabin. Small workshops and store rooms were put up from time to time, which were made necessary by the building of the mill. Mr. Carlton opened the first stock of goods in the Fall of 1849. In 1850, Edwin 'Stedman, John Hendershott, Chancy Leverich, with their families, and J. B. Hough and Andrew Martin, came and settled in the vicinity of Clermont. On the arrival of Mr. Stedman and his wife, it was thought that a school must be the next thing, and accordingly one of the log workshops was vacated and converted into a school room, Mrs. Stedman being the teacher. Like all new settlements, this one used its school house for all public gatherings. In it, Rev. H. S Brunson delivered the first sermon in 1851. Mr. Brunson came here to build a hotel, and commenced it in 1850 and '51, but after having built about half of what is now the Clermont or Brown's Hotel, he left ; the hotel was finished by the mill company, and opened to the public by Mr. C. D. Carlton in 1851 or '52.
The first death in the township, so far as can now be ascertained, was a little daughter of Mr. Nutting, who settled about two miles above the mills, in the Spring of 1850. Two little girls, sisters, found some wild parsnips, and were poisoned by eating them, one of whom died.
The first marriages were Abel Nutting and Mrs. Bevins, Robert Freeman and Julia Cole. Dates not known. Edward Carlton was the first birth, born in February, 1850.
FIRST DROWNING.
In the Summer of 1851, Washington Sawyer and his brother Aaron attempted to cross the river just above the mill dam at Clermont, or were row- ing down the stream near the shore. Washington, who was rowing the boat, looked around and saw that his head and an overhanging tree were about to come in contact. Whether his head struck the tree or not is not known, but by a sudden movement to avoid the blow, the boat was upset and the two brothers were precipitated into the rushing waters. Aaron struck out and reached the
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
shore, but Washington, says an eye witness, made no effort save to grasp the boat and float with it calmly down the river, until it was swept over the dam, sending his body beneath the foaming waters of the river, and his soul to meet its Master. His body was not recovered for several days, but was finally dis- covered in a deep pool some distance below the dam.
As soon as the saw-mill was completed, in 1850-51, it was supplied with logs by the settlers, who procured the necessaries of life by cutting timber and haul- ing it to the mill.
The township of Clermont was first created by the County Commissioners of Fayette County in 1850, but the little settlement had been previously so named, and the post office was also called Clermont.
The early election records are lost, if any were ever made. The first Jus- tice of the Peace was Charles Sawyer, who was elected by the town of Pleasant Valley, composed of Townships 94 and 95, Range 7, in 1850. The first elec- tion in Clermont Township, of which tradition remains, was in November, 1850, or April, 1851. At this election, which was held at the house of Charles Sawyer, there were nine voters, among whom were Charles Sawyer, E. D. Carl- ton, Edwin Stedman, John Hendershott, Andrew Martin and J. B. Hough. Sawyer's coffee pot was used for a ballot box on that occasion, and he was elected Township Clerk, Edwin Stedman and J. B. Hough, Justices of the Peace.
The first lawsuit in Clermont was a case of trespass, tried before J. B. Hough, Justice of the Peace. Mr. Stephens' cattle, it was alleged, had broken into Mr. Johnson's enclosure and destroyed some hay and straw, and Johnson sued for damage. Mr. Peck, of Garnavillo, appeared as the plaintiff's attor- ney, and William McClintock, of West Union, appeared for the defense. Judgment for plaintiff.
About 1851 or '52, the town of Clermont was laid out by Thompson & Carlton, proprietors, but the plat was not recorded until 1855, when Mr. Thompson, having purchased Mr. Carlton's interest, decided to call it Norway, and so filed it for record.
This was not satisfactory to the people, who could not be induced to aban- don their old and favorite name of Clermont. Mr. Thompson at last became satisfied that the name of Norway would not be accepted by the people, and he consented to abandon the name of Norway, and it was changed to Clermont by act of the General Assembly, approved July 15, 1856, and re-surveyed by Andris Brandt, civil engineer, and the town plat of Clermont recorded Febru- ary 16, 1859, John Thompson, proprietor.
In 1854, John Thompson erected a brick flouring-mill, having engaged his men in McGregor, who walked out with their wheel-barrows from McGregor, and manufactured the brick of which the mill is built.
CELEBRATION.
The 4th of July, 1859, was celebrated at Clermont in grand style, in the grove near town. The services were opened with prayer by the Chaplain of the Day, Mr. Cobb ; John Thompson was President of the Day ; the Declara- tion of Independence was read by Mr. Lane; oration by Mr. French. After the services at the grove, the procession re-formed and marched to the new brick block, where the table was laden with all the good things obtainable. About 500 people took dinner, after which they repaired to Union Hall, where the regular toasts were read by Mr. Larrabee, after which was supper and the whole interspersed with music.
529
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
POLITICAL RECORD.
Clermont was incorporated August 16, 1875. The first Mayor was H. G. Clark ; Trustees, C. W. D. Lathrop, Edwin Stedman, Alex. Mckinley, John Crowe and J. P. Blackett ; Recorder, W. M. Newell ; Treasurer, Edwin Sted- man. The first ordinance passed was entitled " An ordinance licensing saloons, billiard tables, etc." Ordinance No. 2, " An ordinance regulating public shows, menageries, circuses, concerts and theatrical exhibitions."
For 1876, Mayor, G. E. Dibble ; Trustees, E. Stedman, L. Goodrich, John Crowe, Alex. Mckinley and J. P. Blackett ; Recorder, G. A. Appelman ; Treasurer, W. A. Wickham.
For 1877, Mayor, G. E. Dibble ; Trustees, Edwin Stedman, David Baker, Lyman Goodrich, Philip Pfannmillen and G. A. Appelman ; Recorder, James Blackett ; Treasurer, W. A. Wickham.
For 1878, Mayor, G. A. Appelman ; Trustees, E. Stedman, L. Goodrich, E. Jogerst, D. Baker, M. M. Wood ; Recorder, F. P. Harold; Treasurer, W. A. Wickham.
SCHOOLS.
As before stated, the first school was taught by Mrs. Stedman in 1850. In 1852, the district purchased of Albert Palmer his old cabin on Vine street, near the river, in which school was taught until 1854, when a brick school house was erected on the site the present one occupies.
The Independent School District of Clermont was formed in 1860, and in 1867-68, the old school building was taken down and a new one erected, being a graded school, in which Prof. F. Wood was the first Principal. The present Principal is J. A. Burch.
RELIGIOUS.
St. Peter's Church .- This church was organized in 1856, and built a small frame church, on what is now Block 40, the same year. The dedicatory ser- vices were conducted by Bishop Loras, and their wants were thereafter supplied by Father Richard Nagle for about twelve years. Rev. J. J. Quigly then preached once a month for one year, when Rev. John Smith came as the first resident Pastor. In 1870, the society commenced a parsonage, but did not finish it until 1872. It cost $5,000. Rev. M. O. Carroll succeeded Father Smith in December, 1872, remaining until the latter part of 1875. Rev. E. O'Sullivan, the present Pastor, took charge in 1876. The society is now (1878) about commencing a new church edifice 45x90, to cost $8,000. Sunday school is held every alternate Sabbath. Connected with this church, there was organ- ized St. Peter's Total Abstinence Society, which lasted about two years, but is now extinct. John Crowe was President.
The Presbyterian Church was organized February 28, 1859. Its first Deacons were Alexander Fay, Ebenezer Hyde and A. G. Collins. First Trus- tees, E. Stedman, E. D. Button and A. J. Collins. These Trustees purchased Lots 10, 11 and 12, of Block 7, and built the church, which was dedicated October 11, 1863, by Rev. Charles R. French, who remained about ten years. Rev. Dickey preached for a short time, but the society, by death and removal. became so small, that of late no services have been held.
Church of the Savior, Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church, was incorporated April 2, 1866, with the following Vestrymen : James P. Blackett, D. D. Sanders, J. N. Dennis, C. W. D. Lathrop and R. V. Appelman. The church was built in 1866-7, and dedicated by Bishop Lee, from Davenport.
530
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The Baptist Church was organized in 1875 ; services were held by Rev. J. B. Edmonson. Their present wants are supplied by M. H. Perry, from West Union every other week. They have no church building as yet.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Clermont was organized in 1856, by Rev. J. M. Rankin, Rev. H. Brunson, Presiding Elder. The members of the first class were G. G. Brainard (Class Leader), A. D. Miller (Local Preacher). H. N. Brainard, S. D. Brainard, E. Thompson and M. Miller. The successive Pastors were as follows: Rev. F. C. Mather, 1858; J. Fawcett, 1859 ; W. E. McCormick, 1860-61; William Cobb, 1862; R. Ricker, 1863-4 and '65 ; Isaac Newton, 1866; S. Knickerbocker, 1867-8; B. F. Taylor, 1869-70 ; S. L. Garrison, 1871-2; P. E. Miller, 1873-4; J. S. Ward, 1875-6 and '67 ; F. E. Brush, 1878.
December 14, 1865, a meeting of the members was held to consider the propriety of building a church edifice. May 26, 1866, the society adopted Articles of Incorporation, and elected a Board of Trustees as follows : William Blackett, James Brown, J. S. Rubert, E. Thompson, A. Flemming, O. G. Brainard and F. S. Palmer. The corner stone of the church was laid June 4, 1866, P. E. Brown officiating, assisted by Revs. J. Gould, I. Newton and H. S. Church. The walls of the building were laid up during that year, and then work was suspended for want of means. In 1873, the contract to finish the building was awarded to S. S. Steel, and the church was completed and dedi- cated November 9, 1873, by Rev. J. W. Clinton. The total cost of the church, including the site and furnishing was $5,432.94.
The society since its house was erected has been and still is in a flourishing condition.
MASONIC.
Clermont Lodge, U. D., A., F. ยง A. M .- The dispensation of Clermont Lodge, A., F. & A. M., was granted by J. R. Hastrock, Grand Master, on the- 18th day of April, 1860. The petitioners were Charles Sawyer, R. B. Ap- pelman, P. G. Wright, J. B. Hough, D. D. Sanders, A. D. Miller, Orrin. Hough, Thos. Alvey, Wm. Alvey. The first officers elected, U. D., were : Charles Sawyer, W. M .; R. B. Appelman, S. W .; P. G. Wright, J. W .; Orrin Hough, Treasurer ; A. D. Miller, Secretary ; J. B. Hough, S. D .; Wm. Alvey, J. D .; Thos. Alvey, Tiler.
The charter of Clermont Lodge, No. 160, was granted June 5, 1862. Charles Sawyer, W. M .; R. B. Appelman, S. W .; P. G. Wright, J. W., and other charter members. First officers under charter, the above, and J. P. Cal- vin, Treasurer ; D. D. Sanders, Secretary ; J. B. Hough, S. D .; John Miller, J. D .; A. D. Miller, Tiler. The present officers are : C. W. D. Lathrop, W. M .; E. M. Callender, S. W .; T. H. Whiting, J. W .; W. A. Wickham, Treas- urer ; O. P. Miller, Secretary.
The Lodge has always been in good condition. Now numbers over 60 mem- bers. Only two members have died-Bro. Ball, in the Summer of 1863, and H. E. Wipert, in 1874. The Lodge has a fine hall, well fitted up, and is in a thriving condition.
Clermont Chapter, No. 62, was organized May 5, 1871. Charter members -B. H. Hinkley, J. P. Blackett, R. B. Appelman, D. G. Goodrich, George W. Irwin, C. W. D. Lathrop, R. S. Dickenson, R. S. Barclay, C. F. Weck, Peter Nicklaus. Its first officers were : B. H. Hinkley, H. P .; J. P. Blackett, K .; R. B. Appelman, Scribe; C. F. Weck, Treasurer ; D. G. Goodrich, Secre-
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
tary ; R. S. Barclay, Tiler. Present officers are : J. P. Blackett, H. P .; T. H. Whitney, K .; C. F. Weck, Scribe; G. F. Mitchell, Secretary ; W. A. Wickham, Treasurer ; H. H. Thompson, Tiler.
I. O. OF O. F.
Clermont Lodge, No. 134, I. O. of O. F., was organized January 11, 1876, and the following were its charter members : H. A. Windon, W. C. Lewis, George D. Beaton, John J. Hopper, E. T. Smith, Henry Wilmott, B. W. Branch, W. A. Wickham. Its first officers were : W. C. Lewis, N. G .; Henry Wil- mott, V. G .; H. A. Windon, R. S .; C. W. Ehrlich, P. S .; W. A. Wickham, Treasurer. The present officers are: H. C. Warner, N. G .; E. W. Appelman, V. G .; E. H. Whiting, R. S .; B. W. Branch, P. S .; W. A. Wickham, Treas.
Brick City Lodge, No. 81, A. O. U. W., organized August 14, 1876, with following charter members : H. C. Warner, C. B. Nickols, Paul Ellings, V. K. Gass, G. F. Mitchell, C. W. D. Lathrop, F. P. Harold, M. C. Payne, W. A. Wickham, Amos Longfield, D. H. Whiting, C. F. Weck, John J. Hopper, J. P. Calvin, William Putnam, H. A. Windon. The first officers were: H. C. Warner, P. M. W .; T. H. Whiting, M. W .; V. K. Gass, F .; F. P. Harold, 0 .; D. E. Baker, Rec .; H. H. Windon, F .; G. F. Mitchell, Recorder; C. W. D. Lathrop, Guide. Present officers are as follows : C. W. D. Lathrop, P. M. W .; W. H. Wickham, M. W .; B. F. Dibble, F .; A. Longfield, O .; D. E. Baker, R .; F. P. Harold, Financier ; F. H. Whiting, Recorder ; H. C. War- ner, Guide.
ELDORADO.
(Dover Township 95, Range 8.)
The town of Eldorado, located on the northwest quarter of Section 18, Township 95, Range 8, was originally owned by Eli Elrod. In the Spring of 1850, Mr. Elrod and J. L. Carson built a saw-mill on the Turkey River at that point, and in 1851, Mr. Elrod erected a flouring-mill.
November 5, 1852, the town was laid out; Eli Elrod, Rachel Elrod, James Anderson, Marinda Anderson, Thomas Woodle and Rachel Woodle, proprietors. The plat was filed for record January 6, 1853. Again filed for record May 6, 1865.
The first permanent settlement in the township, says L. Clark, Esq., was made on Section 22, by Lewis Kerr, who came with his family in 1848. He was also accompanied by his mother, sister and two brothers, John and Thomas. Kerr erected a log cabin-the first in the township-immediately after the removal of the Indians. During the same year, Eliff Johnson located here, and John Downey broke the first prairie in the township, after the departure of the Indians, on Section 32, but sold his claim soon after to Jacob Rosier. Geo. M. Rosier and William M. Rosier located near Jacob.
In June and July, 1849, Benjamin Iliff built a log house on Section 7. George Morrison, who lived on Section 12, Township 95, Range 9, Auburn, claimed a portion of Section 7. John Turner, E. Pence, D. F. Soward and Eli Elrod came in 1849. Jacob Hoover settled on Section 29. About the same time, Rev. Harvey S. Brunson and Elisha Hartsough located on Section 33, and Mr. L. Clark, from Pennsylvania, commenced making improvements on Section 6.
In 1850, R. B. Kincaid, Lemuel Iliff, Nelson Graham, Alexander Mussel- man and Jacob K. Rosier settled, with their families, on Section 7, on and near
532
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
the present site of Eldorado. D. Elrod and James Iliff came about the same time. In 1851, Thomas Kincaid, John Webb, William Edgar, James George, James Anderson, Bertle Osalson, Rev. Mr. Greenup and others came to the new settlement. About 1852, William H. Scott settled in the southeastern part of the town ; and near him, settled, probably about the same time, A. J. Sherman, R. R. Nutting and David Thompson. John Barnes and Mr. Ropes, an old gentleman from New Hampshire, became residents of Dover Township, and Mr. Ropes' son, C. B. Ropes, came in 1855 and settled on Section 9. Among those who settled in this township at an early day were William Kent, Ashur Simar, V. Anderson, William Andress, C. T. Sabol, Halver Paulsen, H. B. Hoyt, William Robinson, C. B. Howe and Samuel Rich.
Township 95, Range 8, was set apart and established as a political township by the County Commissioners of Fayette County October, 1850. Judges of Election appointed, Jacob Hoover, Benjamin Iliff and Eli Elrod ; voting place, house of Eli Elrod ; election, third Monday in November, 1850.
The first election in the township was held, says Mr. Clark, in Elrod's grist- mill, in the Fall of 1851. The records are lost; but it is remembered that Benjamin Iliff was elected Justice of the Peace; L. Clark, Clerk, and Alexan- der Musselman, Constable. As the County Commissioners ordered elections to be held on the third Monday of November, 1850, for the organization of the township, erected by the Board in October, it is more than probable that this fact escaped Mr. Clark's recollection, and that the officers above named were elected in November, 1850, instead of "Fall of 1851." In 1851, it is likely that the election was held in the mill.
Rev. John Hindman, a Methodist Episcopal minister, held the first religious services in the town and township, at the house of Benjamin Iliff. October 29, 1849; and, in 1850, a Sunday school was organized by Eli Elrod, at Iliff's cabin.
James A. Iliff, born April 13, 1850, was the first white child born in the township.
The first wedding was in December, 1849, at the cabin of Lewis Kerr. The happy couple were Eliff Johnson and Miss Polly Kerr. Gabriel Long, Esq., of West Union, officiated on the occasion. Mr. Kerr's cabin was not very " high-posted ;" 'Squire Long was about six feet six inches long, and, as he stood erect, his head was "up stairs," where the ceremony was repeated, while the parties stood below on the first floor.
The first to be called to " cross the dark river" was Mrs. Alvina, wife of Benjamin Iliff, who died November 15, 1850.
The mills having been built and the town laid out in 1852 and 1853, 'Squire Iliff opened the first store in Eldorado, and the post office was established, with Benjamin Iliff, Postmaster.
The first school was opened in the Summer of 1851, by Sarah Stafford, in a log cabin in District No. 1, Section 32. The first school house in the town- ship was built of logs, in District No. 1, near Jacob Hoover's, on Section 32, in which the first school was taught, in the Summer of 1852, by Miss Burdett.
The first blacksmith in Eldorado was Ole Larson, but the date of the first music of his anvil is not remembered.
The first bridge across the Turkey in the township, at Eldorado, was built by subscription in 1855. An iron bridge was flung across the river at this point in 1870.
Deer were plenty in the vicinity of Eldorado until 1856-7. During that Winter the snow was very deep, and, as the animals were easily approached by the hunters, the most of them were killed.
533
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The first school house in Eldorado was built in 1854, in School District No. 2.
The first church was erected by the United Brethren Society in 1859. The carpenters were A. B. Kirkpatrick and W. L. Wells, and the lumber was sawed by John N. Kirkpatrick. This building was taken apart and removed to Auburn several years ago.
A Norwegian was drowned in the mill dam at Eldorado, in the Spring of 1858. Mr. Clark had crossed the river in a skiff on some errand, and had left it unfastened on the bank. The Norwegian entered the boat with a little girl, whom he persuaded to accompany him. Getting into the current, he became frightened as the boat neared the dam and jumped out, hoping to catch hold of the frame of the saw-mill, which he missed. He was carried over the dam and nearly to the lower dam before he sank. The little girl seated herself in the bottom of the boat and was carried over the dam also, the boat keeping its balance and shipping very little water. She was rescued in a few minutes, none of the worse for her dangerous boat ride.
June 28, 1874, three boys-Isaac, son of Eliff Johnson, and Willie and Jamie, sons of Mr. Coffin-were drowned in the Turkey River, four miles east of Eldorado, while bathing. They were on a sand-bar, the edge of which was about perpendicular, over which they all walked, and, none being able to swim, they all perished within a few feet of each other.
The steam saw-mill now owned by Abram Geiler was built in 1853, by Newton, Walcott & Towner.
Walcott did not bring his family. Mrs. Newton and Mrs. Towner wore Bloomer dresses, and the fashion of the women's dresses earned for the little settlement the name of "Bloomertown," by which it was known for miles around.
German Lutheran Church .- The society of this name was first formed at Eldorado, about 1858, the first missionary work being done by Rev. Mr. Cab- erly, who was followed by Rev. Messrs. Deinderfer and Fogle. Rev. S. F. Meyer took charge of the society in 1871, and during his pastorate the house of worship was built, in 1872, at a cost of about $1,500. Its size is 28x42 feet. It was dedicated November 30, 1872, Rev. Mr. Meyer officiating. Rev. Mr. Blessin is the present Pastor. The society has about 30 members.
A grammar school is taught by Rev. Mr. Blessin in a building near the church, erected for the purpose.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first sermon preached in this township was by Rev. John Hinman, in 1849, and the presumption is that a class was organized at Eldorado in the Winter of 1849-50.
The church was built in 1869, under the care of James George, Richard Dewey, James Young, George K. Eckert and Thomas Kincaid, and cost about $1,800. The building was dedicated January 2, 1871, Rev. William Smith, Presiding Elder, delivering the sermon. The Pastor is Rev. Mr. Rogers. Trustees-James George, William Oberdorf, Andrew Reed, James Young and Samuel Dewey.
Lewis Thompson is Superintendent of the Sabbath school, which has an average attendance of about 70 pupils. This Sabbath school has been organ- ized about seventeen years and has met every Sunday since it was first formed, except on a few extraordinary occasions, when the building was needed for other purposes.
April 3, 1868, Eldorado Lo lge, I. O. of G. T., was organized, with 30 members. J. W. Springstead was the first W. C. T., and Mrs. Ann Young, W. V. T.
534
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Late in February, 1876, Lars Quas, a Norwegian, of Dover, was found almost dead between the house of his father-in-law, Coben Saboe, and home. He had ridden a mule, and was found hanging by his clothes from a fence stake. Two bottles, partly filled with alcohol, indicated that he had been intoxicated and had ridden the mule so that he was caught by the fence stake, and that he was unable to free himself. He died a few minutes after he was found.
The view of Eldorado from the south is charming in the extreme. The bluffs on the south side are quite pronounced. The Turkey flows though the middle of a level valley, in which the town is located, which is well sheltered from winter winds. The rise on the north side of the river is much more gentle. The "Vale of Avoca " would need to touch up its surroundings with great care to surpass the beauty of this little valley.
The southern half of Dover Township is mainly covered with timber, some of the white oaks being three feet in diameter. The Turkey River, already a considerable stream, flows tranquilly down the valley, entering on Section 18, and leaving the township from Section 27. The scenery along the river is very beautiful. The stream is a little irregular in its course, for it runs fifteen miles in trying to get out of the township.
A considerable portion of the population is foreign-German and Norwe- gian. Each nationality has a church-both Lutheran.
Burnham & Granger own an excellent flouring-mill on Section 25.
Dutton's Cave and Soward's, of which more extended mention is made elsewhere, are in the southeastern part.
The assessed valuation of Dover, in 1875, was greater than any other township in Fayette County, West Union excepted.
AUBURN. (Town and Township.)
The early days of Auburn, as described by an old settler, were character- istic of the snap and stir of 1856. Being on one of the main thoroughfares from Dubuque to St. Paul, the town was as ambitious and important, in the estimation of its people, as Chicago itself. Here the whole countryside would gather to swap horses, exchange slang, litigate, drink, and sometimes fight.
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