USA > Iowa > Jackson County > The history of Jackson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion history of the Northwest, history of Iowa miscellaneous matters, &c > Part 50
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During this same court, James Churchman, Esq., and Col. Cox retired one evening on the second floor of the hotel, in a bedroom through which a stove-pipe
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passed from the room below. They had both been drinking quite heavily before retiring, and were in a condition to sleep quite deeply. The boys, who were aching for some fun, ascended to the loft an hour or so after they had retired, and woke the slumbering heroes. They told them they had both had a chill and the fever was coming on, so they must be careful lest they would take cold, and commenced piling on the blankets. The muddled heads of the sleepers did not "take in " the situation, and they proved quite as credulous as their tormentors could wish. A good fire was kindled below, and kept up for some hours. The boys brought hot tea and whisky toddy to keep the sufferers warm, and had the satisfaction of giving them as complete a sweat bath as any hydropathic doctor ever prescribed. It is not necessary to add that the follow- ing morning found Cox and Churchman in a tolerably sober condition.
COURT RESOLUTIONS.
At the April term of the District Court, held in April, 1841, Hon. T. S. Wilson presiding, the following appears on the court record :
The death of the present Chief Magistrate of the United States being known, on motion of Henry Hopkins, Esquire, the Court ordered the following preamble and resolutions to be spread upon the records of the Court :
Whereas, The Court and bar have received with feelings of deep regret the melancholy intelligence of the death of the venerable Chief Magistrate of the United States, Gen. William Henry Harrison, and, believing that we, in common with those States, should express the feel- ings of every American citizen for an event which has deprived the people of their chief ruler, therefore,
Resolved, That the death of the President of the United States, placed in the executive chair by the voice of the American people, is an event calling for their manly sympathy and regret.
Resolved, That on this occasion all party feelings are laid aside, and with one feeling and one voice we accord to our departed chief all that is great and noble in the human character, while the history of the nation shows forth in bold relief his devotion to his country, to univer- sal freedom, and to the rights of man.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION.
In 1850, Mrs. Luther Teeple, of Jackson County, started on a visit to her relatives in Canada. She took with her her little daughter, some eight or more years old. As they were passing along in the crowded streets of Chicago, the little girl, by chance, lost sight of her mother, a circumstance which was unnoticed by the latter for a moment. As soon as Mrs. Tecple discovered the absence of her little onc, she retraced lier steps, but the child had mingled with the crowd and was nowhere to be found. Streets were scarched, the police were notified and every effort was made to discover the lost child, but in vain. The broken-hearted mother proceeded to Canada without her little one, writing to her husband to come to Chicago and continue the search, which he did for some time, advertising the lost child in the papers, but all in vain. He was obliged to return home without his daughter.
Six years rolled around and no tidings of the lost one. Hope had given place to despair, and the uncertainty of life had given probability to the sup- position that the child was dead. One day in April, 1856, Mr. Teeple and family were astonished by the appearance of a bright-eyed youth in boy's cloth- ing, appearing at their door and calling out " Father!" The head of the family was much surprised, not recognizing the little stranger, who, on inquiry, proved to be his long-lost daughter, who had made her escape in this disguise.
The child's story was, that when she became lost from her mother, she hurried along the street to " catch up with her," as she said, but was, probably,
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every moment becoming farther separated. In the evening, she was taken by a policeman to an asylum for orphans, where she was kept about three years, when she was bound out to some family by whom she was ill-treated. Some kind-hearted neighbor learning of her troubles and what she could remember of her history, determined, if possible, to return her to her parents. She could remember Bellevue, and that her father's home was within a day's drive. Of course, she had not forgotten her parents' names. Her new-found friends dis- guised her in boy's clothes to assist her in making her escape, and furnished the necessary means to send her to Bellevue, where she would probably learn the whereabouts of her parents. When she arrived there, she was directed to Judge D. F. Spurr, who was at that time County Judge, and who at once pro- videdher with a conveyance and thus restored hier to the arms of her parents.
A DISTRESSING ACCIDENT.
One of the most unfortunate casualties in the history of Jackson County occurred on the Fair grounds, September 10, 1868, during the County Fair. Of this, the Sentinel gives the following account :
" It seems that Mr. Royce and Mr. Nelson Rhodes, of this city, were upon the race-track trying the speed of some of their horses, the former in a sulky, the latter in a two-horse buggy ; and in passing each other, they unfortunately came in collision, breaking a wheel of the buggy in which Mr. Rhodes was seated in company with a young lady of this city, Miss Hattie Barnes, throw- ing them both violently to the ground, and so seriously bruising the young lady about the head that she was picked up in a senseless condition. The team then started down the track frantic with fright, knocking down everything which came in their way until they dashed into a small frame booth, utterly demolish- ing it. Unfortunately, it happened to be full of women and children at the time, and when the wreck was cleared away it was found that nearly all of them were injured more or less. Mrs. George Paine, daughter of D. S. Haight, and Miss Amelia Raymond were taken from the wreck in an unconscious condition, and carried to their homes. Mrs. Paine, although badly hurt, is now out of danger, but Miss Raymond was so badly crushed that she lingered until Friday morning, when death terminated her sufferings."
MONMOUTH'S CENTENNIAL.
July 4, 1876, Monmouth enjoyed a centennial of no mean degree, when compared with the size of the place. It did not rival the big show at Phila- delphia, yet it was a celebration worthy of record in the history of its people.
The procession, an important part of every celebration, was headed by the Maquoketa Rural Band, followed by Gen. and Lady Washington, with other ladies of 1776; then thirty-eight young ladies of 1876; then came the citizens.
The oration of the day was delivered by Rev. W. S. Burnett, and was followed by a centennial history of Monmouth Township. A dinner, prepared by the Methodist ladies, followed with toasts and responses as supplementary dessert. A procession of the burlesque company called Filibusters closed the fun of the afternoon. The evening was made glorious by a fine display of fireworks.
From Mr. Milner's history we make the following quotation : " We find that the first settlers in the township were three brothers, Wallace, Solomon and Gabriel Pence. They arrived here May 15, 1836. Not a human being was here then
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with whom they might take counsel, but liking the aspect the country presented, they resolved to make this their future home. They broke forty-five acres, the first sod ever turned in the township, planted sod-corn, and started to Illinois to bring their families. They returned the following spring, and have made Monmouth Township their abiding-place ever since. 'Uncle Sol,' as he is familiarly called, is one of the most prominent characters of all the country round about, and these first settlers have more than grown with the country in influence, position and wealth.
" On returning to Illinois, the Pences met a few families journeying west- ward, they knew not whither. On entering into conversation with them, and the Pences giving them glowing descriptions of the country, their steps were directed here.
" On the 4th of July, 1836, might have been seen, near the dusk of eve, at what is known as Morehead's Ford, these five weary and worn families, pre- paring to camp for the night. Their leader was Mr. Scott, and the remaining families were the Beerses, Reddens, Pingrys and Perkinses. They had traveled from the far east, and on the description of the Pences had come to the Western paradise to gain for themselves, and perpetuate to their progeny, a home. The possessions of each family were a yoke of oxen and an ox-cart, with scanty provisions. Poor in purse, they were well stocked with Yankee grit, which ordained these men, with their families, as fit persons to settle this unpopu- lated region. The land had not yet been surveyed, and there were no roads, ferries or bridges. Their only companions were the wolf, the panther and the bounding deer, with a few stragglers of the red men. Their nearest market, mill and post office was at Dubuque. Their subsistence came mostly from the chase, or hook and line. At one time, their provisions became nearly exhausted, and the men, leaving their families alone in the wilderness to the protection of God, started for Dubuque. Their route lay over fallen timber, through dismal swamps and an almost impenetrable forest. Their only guide was the sun by day and the pole-star at night. Their road they picked and blazed, that they might have a guide by which to return. After eight days of weariness, they returned with provisions, and were welcomed by starving families. The route blazed on this occasion afterward became a part of the military highway of the country.
" The first marriage in the township was celebrated in the spring of 1838, being the nuptials of Calvin Perkins and a Miss Scott.
" Beer was the first and mightiest Nimrod of the township, and of his exploits much is said. In honor of him did the beautiful Beer Creek take its name.
"In 1837, emigration began to pour rapidly into the township. At this time came R. Luncheon, Henry Sutton and Mr. Sebern, all natives of Olden- burg, Germany. Mr. Sebern has since died but the other two remain. In poverty did they come to our township, but by perseverance, prudence and eternal vigilance they have amassed fine fortunes. ,Mr. Luncheon is the oldest bachelor in the township, having now arrived at the age of seventy-three. When asked why he never married, he replied, 'When I was young I did not have the time, and when I grew older, I got out of the notion.' Mr. Lubben, although now sixty-six years of age, did not take the precaution to provide him- self with a helpmeet until eighteen years ago. Now a faithful wife and four laughing children make merry his sunset of life. Messrs. Luncheon and Lub- ben assisted the Government Surveyors in laying off the township into sections. We find the township to have been organized in 1841.
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"The first schoolhouse was erected in that year. It was built of logs. Each man worked on it when he could and as long as he could spare the time. The first schoolmaster was Othniel Preston.
"The first minister of the Gospel who preached in the township, was Elder Hoffman, of the United Brethren Church. He came in 1841.
"The first church constructed in the township was the beautiful stone building erected by the Catholics in the town of Fremont, in the year 1864, of which the Rev. Father Spacek was Pastor. The first Protestant church built in the township was the Baptist Church in Monmouth, dedicated in 1872, of which Rev. H. Holmes was Pastor.
"The first post office established in the township was located at the present site of Mill Rock, in the year 1846, of which Mr. J. B. Cobb was Postmaster, and the name Cobb was given to the office. It was supplied by a weekly mail from Muscatine, by way of Tipton, Cobb and Canton, thence to Dubuque. During Mr. Cobb's term of office, and through his recommendation, two other offices were established in our locality, viz., Burgess, in Clinton County, and Pierce-now Wyoming-in Jones County. * * *
"Mill Rock is the oldest town in the township, but since the debut of the Midland road it has done but little in the way of improvement. It contains the first grist-mill and blacksmith-shop established in the township, both by the Slopers, in 1847.
"In 1861, when civil war burst upon us, Monmouth Township rushed boldly to the front and showed her devotion to the flag that had given her birth and protection, by giving some of her noblest sons and richest blood to save its sacred folds. Many of them are not with us to-day, but lie quietly sleeping at Champion Hills, Pea Ridge and Antietam. We shall not forget them to-day, as their gallant deeds form a most important part of our history. I find there to have been thirty-seven volunteers who responded to the three years' call of President Lincoln. Of these, three veteranized in the service. C. H. Townsend, one of the number, had served under Gen. Taylor in the Mexican war. Of the one hundred-day men, there were sixteen from the township, of whom D. A. Waterman was commissioned Second Lieutenant. Thus Mon- mouth Township furnished in all fifty-three men to help crush out the rebellion. "The township has figured conspicuously in the halls of our State capitol. Thither have gone from our township three Representatives and one Senator. Hon. Jacob Hershberger was the first, who was a member of the Lower House of the Ninth General Assembly. Hon. L. W. Stuart represented the county in the Senate one term, and was a member of the House of Representatives in the Sixteenth General Assembly. * * * *
"But forty years have elapsed since the Pence brothers found our township an infant in swaddling clothes, and to-day she stands in full vigor grown. Other townships may show greater wealth and population, but with its advan- tages, none can exhibit a more rapid development or make more interesting the pages of history than it does. God grant that each young American now liv- ing within its limits may strive as did their ancestors, to leave to posterity a rich legacy and noble birthright. If lic does, when the iron pen of the histo- rian comes to record his achievements, it can be said of each and all, as we do most. heartily of our ancestors who so nobly endured life's hardships, 'Well done.'"
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
FAIRFIELD'S CENTENNIAL.
It was resolved in Fairfield Township in 1876, that the citizens should have a Fourth of July celebration commensurate with the importance of the one hun- dredth anniversary of our independence, and that the audience might enjoy a retrospective look into the past history of the township three of the oldest living citizens were appointed a committee to prepare a historical sketch. This commit- tee was composed of John Holroyd, David Blakesley and William Reed. We quote as follows :
"What is known as Fairfield Township is No. 84 north, Range 4 east of the Fifth Principal Meridian. The surveying was let by contract to Col. Thomas Cox, and subdivided into sections by Surveyor John McDonald, in 1837. Under the Territorial government the east half of it was attached to Van Buren Township for political purposes. The first Justice of the Peace was Ephraim Nevil and the first Constable Enoch Nevil. The name Fairfield was nominated by Benjamin T. Hull.
"John Cox was the first settler; his log cabin was put up by Hugh Neiper and Alexander Frazier; in the same year, Leonard, Joseph and Morris Hillyard and Ephraim Nevil moved with their families into the northeastern part of the township. The first wedding was that of William Watkins and the Widow Max- well, whose husband was killed in the Bellevue war. Maggie Cox was the first child in the township, born in 1838. The first sermon was preached by Bishop Morris.
" The next settlement was made by John Holroyd, who died about one year ago. He left Liverpool April 1, 1840, the day of the Bellevue figlit and settled in the southeastern part of the township. After enduring the privations and hardships of a pioneer life, he suffered the loss of seven children and a nephew by a steamer explosion, when his family were coming to him from England.
"The third settlement was made by William Reed at the mouth of Rock Creek, in 1842.
" One soldier of the war of 1812 resides in the township, Puther Cleveland. Fairfield furnished two soldiers in the Mexican war, who were honorably dis- charged. About fifty of our citizens entered the rebellion during our late civil war. Of these nine were either killed or died in the service of their country, viz .: Hugh Carnahan, William F. Thompson, Harrison Day, Matt Fritz, Wel- come Martin, Cyrus W. McKee, Benjamin Jones, E. B. Cowing and William H. Dougherty.'
RAILROADS.
The struggle of Jackson County, and especially of Maquoketa, for a rail- road, was a long and discouraging one. In this day of speculation and sub- sidies, we find the railroads moving in advance of the settlement of the country, and vast regions of wild land opened up to settlement by means of railroads penetrating the same. Not so in Eastern Iowa. Towns usually grew, groaned and struggled, bargained and held elections, and then waited patiently until the iron pathway with its rumbling freight did come.
The first prospective railroad in Jackson County was the Great Iowa Cen- tral Air-Line Railroad. This institution had a wonderful existence on paper. It was projected to connect with the Chicago & Dixon Air-Line, building, in 1854, from Chicago to Fulton City, Ill. The proposed line was to be built
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from Sabula west to the Missouri River, with a probable western terminus at Council Bluffs. Of this road, forty miles were to be within the limits of Jack- son County, and from the county was demanded a vote of $200,000 county bonds, bearing 8 per cent interest, and payable in twenty years, this amount to be invested by the county, in its corporate capacity, in stock of the Air-Line Road. The question of this subscription was submitted to the people June 5, 1854, and was defeated, owing to a disaffection in the northern part of the county, which was too far removed to be benefited by the railroad. Work began in about 1854, but was soon afterward suspended.
The question of making the following subscriptions was submitted to an election of Jackson County citizens November 4, 1856 :
First, $50,000 for a road from Bellevue to the county line at or near the junction of the Tete des Morts with the Mississippi River.
Second, to construct a road from Bellevue west to the western county line by way of Fulton, with a branch to Maquoketa, $170,000.
Third, $80,000 to the Iowa Central Air-Line route.
By a species of "log-rolling," giving a road to each part of the county, it was hoped that this proposition might win ; but it was defeated by a majority of 846.
About this same time, was granted to the Iowa Central Air-Line Railroad Company, by Congress, every alternate section not then occupied, throughout the entire length of the State, within six miles on either side of their proposed line, and, where already settled, all the unclaimed land on either side of the surveyed route within fifteen miles. By the terms of this grant, a branch was to be built from the main line to Lyons. This gave impetus to the project. Eager contractors advanced money and went to work, trusting the good fortune of the Company. On the line between Lyons and Maquoketa, thirty-five miles of road were graded, and the ties ready to be laid at the river, while $54,000 voted by Jones County were expended within its limits. Through the mis- management of S. S. Jones, President, as well as the Directors of the road, the project began to fail. Work was supended. The crash of 1857 came, and people were given time to reflect on the subject of railroads in general. The war followed, and nothing further was done for years.
About 1865, the creditors of the Iowa Central Air-Line Company sold out the road in the United States Court, in Dubuque. Platt Smith (as agent for contractors who had worked on the road, and who represented most of the Com- pany's creditors) bid in the road-bed and franchise at $20,000.
An attempt was then made by Smith, assisted by J. P. Eaton, to make a sale of the road. Negotiations were entered into with President Thompson, of the Western Union Railroad Company, who agreed to take the road-bed and pay therefor $20,000, paying $2,000 down and the remainder when he should have the iron laid to Maquoketa, which he agreed to do within three years. The $2,000 forfeit was paid. The stockholders of the Western Union Line, however, were not willing to come into Iowa, and, when the three years had elapsed, Mr. J. P. Eaton entered into negotiations with Platt Smith, as agent for the creditors, to secure the road for the benefit of Maquoketa.
For this purpose, Mr. Eaton organized the Mississippi, Maquoketa & North- western Railroad Company. This Company was incorporated July 18, 1868, by J. P. Eaton, T. E. Cannell, C. E. Shattuck, O. V. Schrader, J. E. Goode- now, P. Mitchell, J. Pangborn, H. Reigart, D. M. Hubbell, B. A. Spencer, William Current, Henry Knittle, S. D. Tubbs, G. W. Bettesworth, with a capital stock of $500,000, and whose object, as stated in their Articles of
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Incorporation, was to build a branch from the Mississippi River, or from the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, to Maquoketa.
The Mississippi, Maquoketa & North-Western Railroad Company secured the old road-bed and right of way for $18,000. They then asked of the citi- zens of Maquoketa and South Fork Townships to vote a tax of 5 per cent for the purpose of completing this road to Clinton, the people of Lyons and Clin- ton affecting to be enlisted in the cause. This question was voted upon in December, 1868, but was defeated by a majority of fifteen votes in Maquoketa Township and sixteen votes in South Fork. Hoping to overcome this small majority, a petition was circulated asking another vote on the same proposition in the following month, January, 1869, but the matter was again defeated. Private subscriptions were solicited, and $62,000 were secured. Then the question of a 3 per cent tax was submitted in these township, and carried by a majority of 128 in Maquoketa, and 136 in South Fork.
At this point, the people of Lyons halted. The Chicago & North-Western Railroad were offered the tax and subscription if they would build a "plug " from Lyons ; but the offer was declined. At a later day, it would have been eagerly accepted.
During the summer of 1869, the question of building a road out of Daven- port to De Witt, by the Davenport & St. Paul Company, was warmly talked of. Messrs. J. P. Eaton and S. D. Tubbs went to Davenport in the interests of Maquoketa. It was proposed that Davenport raise in subscription $160,000; De Witt, $60,000, and Maquoketa, $75,000. This latter amount, it was believed, would grade, bridge and tie the road from De Witt to Maquoketa, and it was agreed that if this were done, that the Davenport & St. Paul Company would put on the iron and rolling-stock.
At a meeting held September 27, 1869, in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Maquoketa, and addressed by Hiram Price, President of the Davenport & St. Paul Company, a committee was appointed, with J. P. Eaton as Chairman, to solicit subscriptions. In two days, this committee had $19,000, in one month $81,000. This insured the road. The contract for grading was let in October, and 20 per cent of stock immediately called for.
Thus suddenly the people of Clinton and Lyons and the railroad interests of these points discovered Davenport walking into their back dooryard, and, at that time would have been glad of the aid offered by Maquoketa a few months previous.
The Midland Company was organized with Col. Shaw as President, and J. P. Eaton and J. Pangborn as Directors from Maquoketa. The Midland Com- pany immediately purchased the road-bed of the Mississippi, Maquoketa & Northwestern Company for $18,000. (It should have been stated that the east sixty feet of this right of way, from Delmar to Maqnoketa, had been previously sold to the Davenport & St. Paul Company, leaving the west forty feet for the Midland.)
The Midland Company next bought five miles of iron, and the first spike, a brass one, was driven with ceremonies by President Shaw, W. J. Young, of Clinton, and Dr. Davis, of Lyons, August 13, 1870.
The first spike in the Davenport road had been driven by Mayor Donahue, of Davenport, about the middle of July. Then came a race to see which road would first bring a train into Maquoketa. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Company awakening to its interests, advanced to the Midland Company $55,000, and immediately the Chicago & North-Western Company supplied the Midland with money to refund the loan of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and, by
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