USA > Iowa > Jones County > The history of Jones County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens history of the Northwest, history of Iowa > Part 37
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The first recorded meeting of the Commissioners' Court was held February 3. 1840. Their first act was to appoint Hugh Bowen Assessor in the place of Daniel Chaplin, who refused to serve.
George Mefford presented a petition for a certain county road.
It was ordered that the regular meeting of the Board should be held there- after at the house of Donald Sutherland and until further ordered.
The Commissioners mentioned above as locating the county seat made their report in favor of the northeast quarter of Section 36, Township 85, Range 3 west, where they laid out a town and named it Edinburg.
An act of Congress provided that, as each new county was organized, the United States Government would grant to the County Commissioners a quarter- section on which the county seat should be located. Accordingly, we find from the book of original entries, that on June 20, 1840, Thomas S. Denson and Charles P. Hutton, as Commissioners of Jones County, claimed the quarter- section above mentioned, being the northeast quarter of Section 36 in what is now Wayne Township. This was within half a mile of the geographical center of Jones County, and its central location was the argument which secured for it the honor of being the first seat of justice.
The day after Edinburg was laid out, Col. Thomas Cox, at the solicitation of J. D. Walworth, came to the present location of Anamosa and laid out a town which was called Dartmouth. This was never recorded, and of course came to naught.
The first tax levy was made July 6, 1840, being 5 mills on each dollar of tax- able property in the county of Jones, and a poll tax of 50 cents upon each voter.
We find that Nov. 5, 1840, Clement Russell paid into the county treasury $25, for the privilege of keeping a grocery.
To those who have not been upon the border, it may be a question why gro- cerymen in a new country should be so heavily taxed. The initiated will under- stand that a frontier grocery was simply a saloon of the lowest character, where whisky was the only article on sale, and which could be obtained at a reasonable price. in any quantity from a glassful to a barrel.
The census of 1838 revealed a population of 241. In 1840, this number had increased to 475.
ELECTION PRECINCTS.
At a meeting of the County Commissioners, July 6, 1840, Jones County was divided into four precinets for electoral purposes. as follows :
Walnut Precinct. comprising Townships 83 and 84, in Ranges 1, 2 and 3 west of the Fifth Principal Meridian.
Buffalo Fork Precinct, comprising Townships 83 and $4. Range + west.
Bowen Prairie Precinct, comprising Congressional Township 86, Ranges 2, 3 and 4, and Township 85, Ranges 3 and 4.
Farm Creek Precinct, comprising Township 85 and 86, Range 1. and Town- ship 85, Range 2.
.
329
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
The eivil partition of Jones County in 1840, might, therefore, be represented as follows :
86
BOWEN PRAIRIE.
FARM CREEK.
85
Meridian.
Fifth Principal
BUFFALO FORK.
WALNUT.
83
TOWNSHIPS
RANGES IV,
III,
1I,
I.
The Judges of Elections appointed at the time of organizing the precincts were :
For Bowen Prairie -- William Dalton, William Clark and Charles Johnson. Election to be held at the house of Joseph E. Green.
For Walnut -- Moses Garrison, Isaac H. Simpson and O. Cronkhite. Elec- tion to be held at the house of Norman Seeley.
For Buffalo Fork-John G. Joslin, Clement Russel and G. H. Ford. Election to be held at the house of Clement Russell.
For Farm Creek-Jacob Peet, Hezekiah Winchell and John E. Lovejoy. Election to be held at the house of Abraham Hostetter.
Bowen Prairie Precinct was made Road Distriet No. 1, with Franklin Dalbey, Supervisor: Buffalo, No. 2, with Clark Joslin, Supervisor ; Walnut, No. 3, with John Merritt, Supervisor, and Farm Creek, No. 4, with George Mefford as Supervisor.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION:
At the meeting of the County Commissioners' Court, July 5, 1842, it was rosolved to organize the county into townships, which should have their regu- lar township offieers and town government. The precincts were accordingly changed into townships, without altering the boundaries.
330
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
Rome was organized as a township July 5. 1842, with the same bounda- ries as Walnut Precinct, given above, the first township election to be held at the residence of N. B. Seeley.
Fairview was organized as a township July 5, 1842, with the same bounda- ries as Buffalo Fork Precinct, given above.
Washington was organized as a township July 5, 1842, with the same boundaries as Farm Creek Precinct, given above.
Richland was organized as a township July 5, 1842, with the same boun- daries as Bowen Prairie Precinct, given above.
Clay was organized as a township April 3, 1844. including what is now known as Wyoming. that part of the present township of Clay which is south of the Maquoketa River, all of Seoteli Grove Township south of the river. and a strip about one mile in width upon the eastern border of Wayne Township, extending north, through Monticello, until it touched the river. The first election was held at the house of John Sutherland.
Monticello was organized as a township June 10. 1847, from Richland Township, and included all of that town south of the Maquoketa River, being most of the territory now occupied by Monticello, Wayne, Cass and Castle Grove.
Greenfield was organized as a township with its present boundaries. being separated from Fairview, and corresponding to Congressional Township 83, Range 4.
The townships now known as Cass and Wayne were separated from Monti- eello and attached to Fairview April 21, 1848.
Hale was organized as a township in July. 1851, and ineluded the present towns of Hale and Oxford, which were on that date separated from Rome. The first township election was held at the house of Joseph Bumgarner.
Jackson was organized as a township in July, 1851, and included the present towns of Madison and Jackson, which were on that date separated from Rome. The first township election was held at the house of Chas. Beam.
Cass was separated from Fairfield and organized as a township, with its present boundaries, March 1, 1852. The first eleetion was at the house of W. J. Beaks.
Wyoming was separated from Clay Township February 8, 1854, and organ- ized, with its present boundaries, under the name of Pierce Township, which was, a couple of years later, changed to Wyoming. The first election was at the house of William Stuart.
Castle Grove was separated from Monticello and organized, with its present boundaries, January 1, 1855.
At the same date. Monticello Township was extended across the river to the northern boundary of the county, corresponding to its present boundary, and including what had formerly belonged to Richland Township.
Madison Township was organized, with its present boundaries, Jan. 1, 1855.
Scotch Grove was separated from Clay and organized as a township, with its present boundaries, in February, 1855. The first eleetion was held at a schoolhouse.
Oxford was separated from Ilale Township and organized, with its present boundaries, in March, 1555. The first election was at the house of John Bryan.
Wayne was set off from Fairview Township and organized, with its present boundaries, March 5, 1856. The first election was held at the house of O. G. Scrivens.
331
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
It will be observed that the last township was not formed until some six- teen years after the organization of the county, and that certain districts belonged, at different periods. to quite a number of different towns. Wayne Township. for instance, had belonged to Richland, Monticello and Fairview previous to its organization as an independent town. Each township now cor- responds to the Congressional numbering, rendering the political geography of the county as simple as a chessboard.
THE FIRST COURT.
The first court held in Jones County was presided over by Judge Thomas S. Wilson, and was in session at Edlinburg, the first county seat, March 22, 1841.
The grand jurors on that occasion were as follows : Moses Collins, Thomas Diekson, Charles Johnson, B. Beardsley, William Clark, Jackson Peak, Isaac H. Simpson, T. Crook, L. A. Simpson, Orvill Cronkhite, Joseph H. Merritt, S. I. Dunham, H. Winchell. I. Tate, M. Lupton, J. C. Raffety, David Kill- ham, A. Hostetter, John G. Joslin, G. H. Ford, Henry Booth, C. C. Reed, Ambrose Parsons.
The petit jurors were F. Dalbey, Joshua Johnson, G. B. Laughlin, Barrett Whittemore, J. E. Greene. Daniel Vanee, Richard Cleveland, I. Merritt, Moses Garrison, Alexander Stancy, Jacob Cornwall, Benjamin Chaplin, J. E. Love- joy, P. H. Turner, W. H. Jones, Alvin Winchell. Harry Hargodem. O. Delong, C. Russell, James Spencer, George II. Brown, Clark Joslin, Eli Brown, George H. Walworth.
The only indictment found by the grand jury is recorded as follows :
UNITED STATES vs. ROBERT SNOWDEN. )
Indietment for assault to commit great bodily injury. A true bill.
Two cases came up for hearing, both being by appeal from Justices' Courts. One was dismissed. and the other continued until the next session of court. The first court continued two days. The petit jury was not called.
The next court was held in September, 1841.
We find no record of a term of court from September, 1845. till May, 1847. During this time, the county seat was at Newport. In May, 1847, Judge Wilson presided at Edinburg, an l in September, 1847, at Lexington.
COMMISSIONERS' ACTS.
In April, 1841, we find 86 appropriated to Donald Sutherland for rent of rooms in which the County Board had held its meetings.
Henry Hopkins was the first Prosecuting Attorney. and was allowed 834 for his services, at the meeting of the Board in March. 1842.
October 3, 1942, was approved the Territorial road from Dubuque to Marion, on that portion of it which was included in Jones County. James Butler and P. Scott were the Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to view the same.
The first licensed ferry of which we have record was granted Adam Over- acker, across the Wapsipinicon at Newport. This license was for the consid- eration of 82. continued for one year from April 13. 1847. A two-horse vehicle was charged 25 cents ; one-horse, 12} cents ; footman, 62 cents, etc.
332
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
In order to fund the increasing floating indebtedness, and to maintain the county warrants as near par as possible, it was ordered, October 7, 1850, that the Clerk of Commissioners' Court issue bonds of the county, bearing 10 per cent interest, due in five years, the bonds to be for $50 cach, and not to exceed forty in number. These bonds were to be issued to any one who would present the Treasurer's receipt for the amount of their face.
In 1851-52, various State roads were surveyed and platted, among which were highways from Anamosa to Bellevne; Anamosa to Garnavillo ; Clayton County ; Cascade, by way of Canton, to Maquoketa ; Cascade to Garry Owen ; Denson's Ferry to the house of Thomas MeNally ; Anamosa to the Davenport and Marion road ; Anamosa to Camanche ; Fairview to Tipton.
COUNTY SEAT QUESTIONS.
Almost every Western county has found the location of a permanent seat of justice a vexatious problem. In this respect, Jones County has not been an exception.
The Commissioners appointed by the Legislature for the purpose of choos- ing a site for the county seat fixed upon a spot one-half mile north of the geographical center of the county, as has been elsewhere related. The town here laid out received the name of Edinburg. As yet, we cannot say with Burns :
" Edina! Scotia's darling seat ! All hail thy palaces and towers !"
The palaces and towers did not grow. The soil was obstinate. A quagmire was its only park ; the wild prairie its only scenery. A visitor thus describes it :
"Edinburg was a city of grass. Its streets run in all directions. In fact, it was all street. You could wander over its entire extent without getting sight of a single wall, brick, stone or wood. The earth below and the blue vault above were the only signs that the place was intended for human habita- tion ; and, as all cities require ornament of some kind, a bounteous nature had planted there and reared a few scattering trees. Such was Edinburg in the summer of 1840."
A log cabin was erected as a Court House, commodious in size for the sparse population of Jones County in that day, in which Judge Wilson dispensed the justice meted out to Territorial settlers by the Federal Court. In April, 1841, we find, by the Commissioners' record, that E. Sutherland was allowed $140 for building this primitive capitol building, and, a few months later, James Spencer appears as claimant for $50 on account of work done in rendering comfortable this same building.
Another log cabin was erected by William Hutton, who was, at that time, Commissioners' Clerk, as well as Clerk of the District Court. This cabin was occupied as a dry-goods store and grocery, especially the latter, which was stocked mostly with "corn juice." The store, not proving a profitable invest- ment, was soon abandoned, and the same enterprising Clerk erected a two-story frame hotel, where he might entertain the Judge, jury and witnesses by night after recording their doings by day. This hotel is said to have been furnished with nothing save a few chairs ; a sheet-iron parlor stove : the public table made of two rough boards laid lengthwise; and by way of night's lodging, a load or two of nice prairie hay, cut a few hours previously, and pitched into the upper windows.
333
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
Edinburg appears to have had no advantages over a dozen other places, save its central position. It manifested no signs of growth, and the people became rapidly dissatisfied. Other towns were growing up in the county, and it was but natural that the pioneers should prefer going to some settlement when they visited the county seat, instead of journeying out into the wilder- ness. No county officer made it his residence throughout the year. William Hutton, the Clerk, lived at Farm Creek. The Recorder was to be found at Fairview, and probate business received attention at Cascade. This state of affairs bred discontent. Nobody was satisfied, not even the county officers themselves. Finally, a petition was sent to the Legislature for relief, and a bill was passed in that body, providing that the Commissioners of Jones County should assemble and name two places to be voted upon by the citizens, deciding in that way their choice for county seat.
February 28, 1846, the Commissioners held a special meeting at the house of George G. Banghart for that purpose. By a species of playing into one another's hands, now commonly known as log-rolling, the Commissioners arranged matters to suit the individual preferences, and named the point now known as Newport, and a place adjoining Cascade, on the south side of the river. The latter was on the corner of the county, on the line, and between the two places. Newport received the majority of the votes. The result was viewed rather in the light of a joke. There was a solitary dwelling where Newport was to be laid out, the cabin of Adam Overacker.
May 11, 1846, the County Commissioners held their first meeting at the new seat of justice. The ground on which Newport was located was given to the county by Adam Overacker, being a ten-acre tract described as Lot 2, Sec- tion 33, Township 84, Range 3 west. Here the town was duly platted, and in July, at Sheriff's sale, twenty-eight lots were sold in behalf of the county. The proceeds of this sale aggregated $300.12, or an average of less than $11 per lot. The highest price paid was 826 by Levi Cronkhite.
Preparations were made here for the erection of a log court house, and some of the timbers were placed on the ground. but nothing was ever done toward its completion. The Commissioners rented a room from Adam Overacker for their meeting, and made arrangements with him to supply rooms to accommo- date the court at the proper season.
When Judge Wilson reached the spot, and found there was no place pre- pared for holding court, save in a room of the log shanty ; saw no other house in the vicinity. and nought in view save trees and waving prairie-grass, he got into his buggy and drove off to his home in Dubuque. No term of court was held during the time the county seat was at Newport. The result of the elec- tion which fixed upon Newport was generally looked upon as a joke. It satis- fied no one except Adam Overacker, and was much less suited to the needs of the county than Edinburg. As soon as possible, the assistance of the Legisla- ture was again called in, and privilege was granted by that body to vote for a county seat, according to their own inclinations. If this election should not show a majority for any one point, a second election should be held, in which the two places having the greatest number of votes in the first election should be the only oncs in the field.
On the first election, in the spring of 1847, five points were returned, viz .: Lex- ington, Newport, Rome, Monticello and Scotch Grove. No votes were given to Edinburg. Newport and Lexington stood highest, and in the second contest, about two weeks later, a victory resulted in favor of Lexington, whose name was after- ward changed by authority of Judge Wilson, of the District Court, to Anamosa.
334
IHISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
After the election, the Commissioners met June 10, 1847, at Edinburg. They adjourned till 7 o'clock, June 11, when they immediately took a recess to meet at 1 o'clock in the afternoon at Lexington. We might. therefore, say that this town became the county seat between 7 A. M. and 1 P. M .. June 11. 1847. The house of G. H. Ford was temporarily secured for court purposes and the transaction of county business.
Lexington had been surveyed by R. J. Cleveland June 18, 1546, with Mahan & Crockwell as proprietors. It was replatted. with provision for a pub- lic square, in June, 1847, by II. Mahan. John D. Crockwell and G. H. Ford, who, in accordance with a previous pledge, donated to the county of Jones fifty lots of the new town and a public square. Of these lots, forty-eight were sold at the July term of the Commissioners' Board, realizing to the county $725.
The contract for building a two-story frame court house was let to G. H. Ford at 8800. This building was 30x40 feet, and could not have been built at so low a price had it not been that most of the necessary material was already donated to the county. This court house was first occupied January 3, 1848.
Various attempts have been made in later years to remove the county scat from Anamosa to a more central locality.
In the vote of April 6, 1857, a contest was waged between Anamosa and Madison, with a result of 1,024 to 717 in favor of the former.
In the following year, an attempt to remove the seat of justice to the north- east quarter of Section 1. Jackson Township, failed of a majority by 33 votes. The ballot stood 1,278 to 1,245.
In October, 1874, the people were called upon to decide between Anamosa and Center Junction. The contest was a bitter one, and not without some fear on the part of the friends of Anamosa. The latter, however, were successful by a vote of 1,993 to 1,592.
The court house above mentioned, as built by G. H. Ford in 1847, was used by the county until 1864. Some brick offices had also been erected. which stood, with the court house, down in the part known as the " old town " of Anamosa. Though the old building did good service for the county for some eighteen years, yet it was not free from the gnawings of the "tooth of time." and we find, in the midwinter meeting of the Board of Supervisors, the following resolutions offered :
WHEREAS, Hf. C. Metcalf has generously offered to Jones County suitable rooms for county offices and a commolious hall in which to hold the District Court, for the terin of two years free of rent, with the privilege of using the same three years longer for such rent as the Board of Supervisors may see fit to allow, and
WHEREAS, The ruinous and dilapidatel condition of the building known as the Jones County Court House, now only renders it a fit habitation for bats and owls, and as we, the rep- Presentatives of Jones County, do not desire longer to dispute possession with a class of tenants whose claims are vastly superior to ours, therefore
Reso'red, That this Board accept said proposition and order a removal of the public records As soon as said Metcalf shall make to the county a lea-e of the aforesiil rooms, in accordance with the conditions above stated.
This resolution was finally adopted on the sixth day of the term, January, 1864. The old Court House was sold at auction November 15, 1864, to E. B. Alderman for $250, and was moved up town.
The rooms rented of Mr. Metcalf were occupied free of rent for two years, when they were leased at the rate of $250 per year. The county offices remained here until the full of 1871, when they were removed to their present location in Shaw's new block. The court room was removed to Lehmkuhl's Block in January, 1571, the hall in Metcalf's building being inadequate to
335
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
the needs of the county. For three years. the county rented the rooms oecu- pied by the county. During the time of the contest for the county seat between Center Junction and Anamosa, the latter city in its corporate capacity appro- priated $3,000 and private citizens subscribed 82,000 more, with which amount and 81,000 additional pledged. the entire second floor of Shaw's Block and the Auditor's office on the first floor were purchased and conveyed to the county of Jones, to belong to said county so long as they were occupied for county and court purposes. In the event that the county seat is removed from Anamosa, these rooms are to revert to their former owners, the city and citizens of Anamosa.
THE COUNTY JAIL.
Previous to the summer of 1864. Jones County was without a jail. Few of her people seemed to have a desire to occupy such a structure, and there was little need for one. In October, 1863, was submitted to the people the question of building a Court House and Jail, and was defeated by a vote of 1,348 to 650. In the following June, a petition was presented to the Board of Supervisors, asking an appropriation for the purpose of building a jail alone. The matter being referred to a committee, they presented a report recommend- ing "that the county appropriate the sum of $2 000 for said purpose, provided the grounds on which to build the same are donated and deeded in fee simple to the county. Said 82,000 to be expended as set forth in said petition, under the charge of a competent committee to be appointed by the Chairman of this Board, and that no part of the aforesaid 82,000 shall be drawn from the county, nor shall the contract for building said jail be let, until the said com- mittee certify to the Clerk of this Board that the citizens have subscribed and paid unito said committee the sum of $1,000, and that said committee proceed to select the grounds and erect said jail as soon as possible." The report was adopted, and Supervisors E. B. Alderman. T. O. Bishop and C. T. Lamson were appointed a committee to carry out the purpose of the report.
The present site was immediately seleeted, and at a meeting held in Ana- mosa June 13, 1864, 8620 was raised by subscription in about fifteen minutes. Several days later, the full amount necessary was contributed and the jail erected forthwith.
Jones County Jail is a two-story stone structure, about thirty feet square. and containing three strong and secure stone cells. The remainder of the building is occupied the jailer's apartment. A frame addition has likewise been added to enlarge the dwelling portion.
The prison accommodations of the present building are not commensurate with the needs of the county, and before many years the jail will from neces- sity be enlarged or its place supplied by a more commodious structure.
COUNTY AND LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS.
We present, as a matter of reference. a roster of the officials whom Jones County has been delighted to honor since its organization. This list was eom- piled with no small labor. and. in the absence of election records prior to 1852. is not quite complete ; but it can be relied upon, we believe, so far as we have ventured to give it.
The pioneers will remember that county affairs were first under the admin- istration of a board of three County Commissioners, viz .:
1839, Thomas S. Denson, Charles P. Ilutton and -
1840, Thomas S. Denson, Charles P. Hutton and H. G. Seely.
336
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
1841, Charles P. Hutton, H. G. Seely and Thomas S. Denson.
1842, H. G. Seely, George II. Brown and Charles P. Hutton.
1843, Ambrose Parsons, Charles P. Hutton and William Dalton.
1844, William Dalton. Adamı Kramar and Ambrose Parsons.
1845, William Dalton, George G. Banghart and Adam Kramar. 1846, Adam Kramar. M. II. Hutton and George G. Banghart.
1847, Washington Lamb, M. II. Hutton and George G. Banghart.
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