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 60
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" The town was located by N. B. Seeley, and surveyed, platted and recorded by William Hutton, County Surveyor, in 1840. At this time, the U. S. Sur- veyor had just finished his work, and the corners and subdivisions were readily found.
" We lived the first two years in a little cabin opposite Smith's mill. In the winter of 1840-41, my wife taught school in our cabin six hours each day. while I was absent cutting timber for feneing and for building a home. I look back on those two years as the happiest spent time of our lives ; hope was strong and bright within, and physical vigor perfect.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
"In the spring of 1841. there were ferried across the Walnut two barrels of Illinois whisky. These arrivals were succeeded by more of the same spiritual character for about fifteen years.
" In the year 1841, the patriarch who dealt in the spiritual articles afore- said built the house now occupied by Uncle Holden. The building now oecu- pied by F. O. Carpenter, and the one where the widow of Thomas Connelly now lives, were also built the same year.
" In the same year, John Hannon, who was a skilled bricklayer, stonecut- ter and mason, also took up his abode here. He and Seeley blasted a prairie bowlder, and by much hard and constant labor made therefrom a set of buhr- stones, which ground excellent corn-meal and very fair flour. This was indeed an eventful era in the lives of the settlers here, as previously they had to go a great distance, most frequently to the Mississippi River, in order to reach a mill. But after a few years this mill was discontinued on account of a defect- ive dam and lack of water.
"One most important character of this period I must not omit-the Metho- dist circuit-rider, who has done so much for religion and humanity, who defied the elements and the hardships of this new country, and dispensed the bread of life to the hardy pioncer, men of culture as they were, counting comfort and ease as dust compared to the happiness of saving souls. Elders Rathbone and Hayden were among the first of these, and labored here in 1841. The former now resides at Marion. Both were men of culture, urbane in manners and never weary in doing good.
" In July, 1842, the house now owned and occupied by N. M. Everhart. Esq., was erected by myself. It was for some years the largest house in the county. We occupied it before completion, and passed with only a cooking- stove the severest winter experienced in our lives. I feel confident that the few old settlers remaining will never forget the winter of 1842-43.
" I think it was in the fall of 1841 that the first court was held in the county, being in a log Court House in Edinburg, not far from the present county Poor House. All who attended court then went prepared to camp out and do their own cooking. The United States Marshal attended to the paying of jurors, which was about all the coin that came into the territory for six years. Wheat was then the common medium of barter and exchange. We always had uncommon lively and jolly times in attendance at court then among some very remarkable and sage worthies, some of whom I shall have occa- sion to mention hereafter. Judge Wilson, of Dubuque, officiated, always com- ing with gun and dogs to enjoy a little shooting as well as to attend to his graver (legal) duties. But the most remarkable person at that time was Unele Francis Sibbalds, an Irishman, with all the odd, racy and peculiar character- istics of his countrymen. He lived at that time just over the town line. in what is now Hale Township. If his conduct and character were singular. his appearance was no less so. He talked with the richest brogue, ardent in his friendship as in his hatred, illiterate, but warm-hearted and outspoken. In short, there was so much unison between us that we were warm friends as long as he lived. Previous to coming to Iowa, he had committed matrimony with an elderly Yankee lady-a school-marm, sometimes called old maid-a lady very peculiar, as such ladies generally are, but of fair literary attainments for that day, and of high moral and religious character, and who was justly rever- enced and respected by her husband. I wish, for the sake of truth, it were possible for me to give a clear and accurate personal description of Uncle Sib- balds, but nothing I can say will do him justice ! A man of medium size.
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with rather a worn appearance, indicating hard labor and exposure to the elements, rather past his prime, but on first sight all these were swallowed up and lost sight of in viewing his mouth ; so vast, yawning and capacious was it, that when opened. it extended nearly from ear to ear ! Not less remarkable than the nose of the Grand Duke of Choss Johannisberger, only it was in this case his mouth instead of his nose, and unfortunately being somewhat deaf. he kept it open more than was safe or expedient, in order to hear better. And this brings to mind a good joke they got on him while at court in Edinburg. One of the lawyers, an unusually small but carefully-dressed gentleman-in short, a perfect little Petit Maitre-being called for by the Judge, everybody hunting for and nobody able to find him, the precious time of the court wasted, an awful pause pervading the court room, a wag had the temerity to tell Ilis Honor he believed old Uncle Sibbalds had greased and swallowed him, as he (Sibbalds) had told him over an hour ago that he felt quite hungry ! The court room rang with laughter, Judge, jury and all, and, as bad luck would have it, the little lawyer coming in at that moment, and ignorant of the cause. little dreaming that he was partly the subject of it, served only to add to the uproar to such a degree that it could not be stopped. The Sheriff had to elear the house, and all business came to a stand for the rest of the forenoon. If I should live centuries, I can never forget the scene. The little lawyer stupefied with amazement and anger and outraged dignity, and Uncle Sibbalds grinning wider and more ghastly than before. In the midst of the uproar, another wag coolly suggested, ' If that had actually happened, the good man had got more law in his belly than all the other lawyers had in their heads.' And this remark did not tend to lessen the noise and shouting, but rather to increase it. " At the time I am now attempting to describe, indeed during the decade from 1840 to 1850, intemperance ruled with despotic sway the early settlements of Iowa, and yet there prevailed a far more friendly spirit than now.
" We exchanged frequent and friendly visits with Denson, where Massillon now is, and ten miles below, near Toronto, with Samuel Solesby, of Pioneer Grove ; Capt. S. P. Higginson, of Mariner's Grove, near Tipton ; with Col. Preston, Mayor McKean, and others, of Marion. Neighbors were then few and far off, but kind and true, and selfishness little known or practiced.
" As I am a very modest man, I dislike extremely having to speak of my- self so often, but the thread of the narrative would be broken did I not do it.
" It was deemed necessary, at that time, to elect a Justice of the Peace in 1841, and, although never having any aspirations for office, I was elected to that dignity almost without opposition. This was strange indeed, as I was, perhaps, almost the only Whig in the village of Rome. Being what I was, a deadly foe to whisky, and never bending the pliant knee to Baal, it was some- what strange that I was elected to the office. With these preliminary remarks let us go on. The portrait of old Ben. Smith rises now on my mental vision, in all its native deformity !
"Fancy, if you can, an animal on two legs, in the shape of fat and swol- len limbs, suffering much from asthma and gout ; a man, flat, flaccid and flabby. misshapen, unwieldy in form, with a head and face on top of it that completely baffles description : The hair white and erect, like hogs' bristles, the face rosy and rubicund, the nose studded with divers blooming pimples, the eyes twink- ling like a sow's when contemplating mischief, and with thick, sensual lips.
"This patriarch had a large family of sons and daughters, was a widower, and depended on his children for support, and also on the profits of a whisky saloon, with cards and dice in his own house. Every Saturday night the orgies
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
were celebrated in the old house where uncle Holden now lives, till the small hours of the morning; genial spirits from the surrounding country coming in from a long distance to aid and assist the aged patriarch in condueting them ; John Royal playing the fiddle with unwearied assiduity and tenacity, and all went merry as a marriage bell, unless it was diversified with a slight bit of a fight, with perhaps an eye badly bunged up and closed for the time being. or a thumb partly bit off ! But these little incidents only served to add variety and raciness to the scene, and never for a moment stopped the general hilarity. But enough ! Let us for the present draw the veil of pity and of charity over this mortifying and disgusting portrait. And let it serve as a warning, a beacon- light to all now coming on the stage of action, to avoid drunkenness and sin- fulness of all kinds, if they wish to live useful and happy lives.
" The question naturally arises, what became of poor old Uncle Ben ? The answer to it is a sad one indeed. After setting a baleful, blighting influence and example here for eight consecutive years, he started, in the spring of 1849. to revisit the scenes of his childhood in Western New York, and subsequently died miserably of cholera, on board a boat on the Upper Ohio, among strangers, with no friend to smoothe his dying pillow.
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" I remarked that I was elected Justice of the Peace. I held my first court in the log cabin opposite the present mill, in the fall of 1841, Uncle Ben Smith being the plaintiff, and another most worthy sage, very partial to whisky (whom we will not name as he still lives here), was the defendant. The cause of action was a very grave and knotty one, and which would have puzzled the wisdom of Solomon himself. viz., a pumpkin ! These two sages had gardens adjoining, and Uncle Ben's vines, as pumpkin-vines will sometimes, ran through the fence into the adjoining lot and bore the best pumpkins in the said lot, with not one only but several large inviting looking pumpkins-more than defendant could stand, doubtless thinking (and with good reason) that the said pumpkins belonged to him. Be this as it may, he appropriated the largest one he could find to his own use, hence the suit. There were at that day many (in common parlance ealled pettifoggers, a phrase I always disliked) attorneys at law. There were two of pre-eminently brilliant qualifications and parts, who left their many competitors far in the rear, and who were generally pitted against each other, as they both resided in Fairview Precinet, viz., Uncle Clement Russell and Hon. John Leonard. Law cost something in those days, as it does in the present. It was then as now-l-a-w law, with a c-l-a-w elaw. If you are fond of pure vexation and sweet procrastination, you are just in a situation to enjoy a suit at law. It was probably owing to this faet, viz., the great expense of this luxury, that induced both parties at this, my first court. to attend to it themselves, and being (as they both were) well stimulated and fortified with whisky, they fancied themselves perfectly grounded in law, and able to go on with it. The case, as you see at a glance, was a preplexing and knotty one. There was much to be said on both sides, and both equally plausible. Knowing this as I did, and dreading the torrents of eloquence apparently without end, and not being overstocked with patience. I resolved when the court was called to cut the Gordian knot which none could untie. With that peculiarly persuasive. winning, bland tone and manner which all who know me know to be innately mine, I remarked to them that we were emphat- ically, in this new country, a band of brothers; that nothing was so pleasing to the Great Father of us all as brotherly love and harmony, and. over and above this consideration, nothing conduced so much to our temporal welfare as
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John Russell
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
harmony, etc .; told them what an insignificant thing it was to go to law about -a pumpkin, nothing else ; the great difficulty attending a correct solution of the case, inherent in its very nature; and, concluding, in my judgment there was no cause of action, adding, at the same time, I should give up my fees and hoped they would all do so likewise. Had they not been both of them pretty drunk (Uncle Ben always feeling rich in that condition) I doubt but my eloquence would have been wasted on them. As it was, they yielded to my advice, shook hands, took a rousing snort of whisky all around, the court adjourned and the hostile sages were soon after seen engaged in a sociable game of cards with the hospitable whiskey jug within easy reach of them. and to complete and perfect the harmony, John Royal took his fiddle and struck up a jig or Highland fling, and mirth, hilarity and good feeling prevailed all around-Uncle Ben's four lusty and strapping daughters, always ready to trip it on the light fantastic toe, found partners ready to their hand, and they kept it up as usual until the small hours of the morning, no King on his throne richer, happier, or more inde- pendent than Uncle Ben.
" After the disposition of the case spoken of, I felt as if a mountain was lifted from my back, and being released from the onerous duties incumbent on me, I went about my usual avocations, receiving the congratulations of my friends at the issue. Uncle Sibbalds himself grinning all the time, with evident symptoms of uncommon satisfaction ! I wish to add, that in that early day when a lawsuit was to come off. all other business for the time being came to a halt ; no one could forego the intense delight of attending and drinking in wisdom from the lips of the legal oracles of the day, as well as from the jug ! Some of the richest scenes I ever went through with occurred afterward, at courts held in the north room of our new house, the carpenter's bench and tools being there at the time. At one suit, Mrs. C. got dinner for twenty men. A lawsuit, like raising a barn, could not go on without a large crowd attending ; and lubricated. as it always was, with whisky, how could all help going on secundem artem. As a matter of course, it conld not. But I crave pardon of my readers for taking up so much of their valuable time. * * * *
" I have taken much pains to ascertain who was the first white settler in this county, and from the best information I could obtain, I am satisfied Hugh Bowen was the man, that beautiful tract of country in Richland Town- ship being named after him. I recollect well his telling me he was in the Black Hawk war, and that, only a few years after, he came into this county, probably in 1836. Perhaps a few of the salient points of his character may may prove interesting to the reader of to-day.
" Ile was a bachelor at this time, in his prime, erect as an Indian and clad in buckskin like one: of great energy and rare simplicity of character. He was onr first Sheriff, serving in that capacity for many years, and, if I should add, the best the county ever had, it need cause no blush to mantle the cheeks of his worthy successors. He was a noble specimen of a Western man, untainted by the vices, and entirely free from all the silken disguises subterfuges and hypocrisies which prevail in old settled countries, and in those grades of society miscalled civilized. refined, fashionable, etc .; undaunted and fearless as a lion in the discharge of his duty ; simple and confiding as a child, in all the little suavities and amenities of life, and illy prepared to guard against the advances of the well-dressed fancy-man, black-leg. gambler of the present day.
" After many years' absence in the then Far West, he concluded to visit "once more his native State, Ohio, when the first railroad from the East reached
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
the Father of Waters. Although traveling with a friend. and cautioned again and again against pickpockets, he was rifled of some $40 or 850. all he had. long before he got to the end of his journey. On obtaining the first view of that monstrum horrendum. a locomotive engine, his wonder and amazement were unbounded ! Fearful that the train might start without him (instinct with life and power, more than human as it was), he insisted on sleeping (camping,, in the cars all night ! I have not met him for many long years, and regret to add, the last I heard of him he was at Denver, Colo., much reduced in circum- stances. He was Sheriff of this county many years in succession.
" It is highly probable that other portions of the county kept pace with those already named in its early settlement, but of this I cannot speak posi- tively, being, like most of the early settlers, dependent on my days' work for my daily bread, and never leaving home unless on matters of urgent business. " The county, in 1839-40. was divided into four road districts, viz : Bowen's Prairie was No. 1; Buffalo Fork, No. 2; Walnut Fork, No. 3, and Farm Creek No. 4, with a Supervisor in each district, to keep the roads in order. * * *
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" The first saw and grist mills in the county were erected by George Wal- worth, on the Buffalo Fork of the Wapsipinicon in 1838, (where, at a later day, the Messrs. Fisher erected spacious mills), and were in full blast when I came here, in 1840. I met the gentleman late in the fall of 1840, at the house of my brother i- law, N. B. Seeley. and, from that time until he left the county, somne five or six years, we were always on the most cordial and friendly terms. Ile was the first Representative in the Territorial Legislature at Iowa City, with other counties attached (Cedar and Linn, I think), and served in that capacity many years with great acceptance to his constituents. He was a bachelor, his sister keeping house with him, and a man in strong contrast to all and every- thing around him. He was then in his prime, and a finer looking man I have seldom, if ever, met. He was. in manner, appearance, dress and address. emphatically a gentleman, as I understand that term, viz., it is inborn, not infused ; it springs spontaneously from the heart. In other words, a man may be a gentleman without being a Christian, but a true Christian must be a gen- tleman. Warm-hearted. cordial. hospitable, public-spirited, he possessed the faculty of adapting himself to all kinds and classes of men, and was the soul, the life, of every crowd he chanced to mingle with. He possessed, in a high degree, that rare and beautiful combination, termed suariter in modo, cum for- titer in re, and. as I often thought, was perfectly out of his element in a new county. We have had many good times together at his house and at mine, and. when heleft us, I felt we had lost a man the county and State could ill afford to spare. It was with deep and profound grief I heard of his sudden and untimely death, in Texas, many years ago, The high respect and ardent friendship I cherished for the man, the grateful sense I shall always feel for his kindness and hospi- tality to me personally, over and above his public services to the county and the Territory, would not permit me to pass him by with a more brief or less eulo- gistic notice. He has taken his last long journey whither we all are so rapidly following."
OLIN IN 1879.
1
Olin, named after D. A. Olin, General Superintendent of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, is beautifully located on the west bank of the Wapsipinicon River. upon the central portion of Section 13 in Rome Town- ship. It was first called Elkford, then Walnut Fork, afterward Rome, and
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
now Olin. It is an important shipping-point on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, containing a population of about seven hundred inhabitants. It is surrounded by a beautiful rolling prairie, occupied by a thrifty farming com- munity. It has a good grist-mill, a woolen-mill, prosperous schools and churches, and the Olin College has recently been organized and incorporated. and will soon have a commodious and comfortable college building. A public library and reading-room are contemplated. The city of Olin was incorpo- rated in 1878. The following are the city officers : Mayor, N. Barnhard ; Recorder, H. Jeffries ; Treasurer, Samuel Easterly. Council-J. A. White, J. W. Jamison, James Dayton, C. L. Porter, W. H. Dicus, William Scoles. The Council are strictly temperate men.
There are four church organizations-Methodist, Baptist, United Brethren and Advent. The Methodist denomination has a commodions church edifice. The Baptists and Advents hold services in the public-school building. The Pastor of the Methodist Church is Rev. J. Hurrell. None of the other denom- inations have a settled Pastor.
The public school contains three departments-Primary, Intermediate and Grammar, and has a very good school building. The teachers are as follows : C. F. McGrew, Principal and Instructor in the Grammar Department; Miss P. Robinson, Intermediate Department : Miss L. Holmes, Primary Department.
The College was organized September 1, 1878; incorporated August 1, 1879. Its pupilage for the first year was forty-eight. Of its pupils, nine received certificates from the County Superintendent.
The Trustees are as follows : A. J. Dalby, President; C. L. Porter, Sec- retary ; N. M. Everhart, Treasurer : John Merritt, D. R. Carpenter, Andrew Coppess, John M. Rummel. W. V. Field, J. B. Ingersoll, J. A. White, J. W. Jamison, L. K. Rese. J. Scoles. J. Whitmore, Jonathan Easterly, F. S. Dunk- lee, C. H. Derr, John Hess, Jacob Starry, William Gordon.
There will be three distinct courses of study -- Preparatory, Scientific and Classical. The first college class proper will be organized at the commence- ment of the fall term, and it is desirable that those who contemplate a three-years' course with diploma. should be present at that time. Music, instrumental and vocal. will be taught to those who desire it.
The studies taught in the various courses are : Fundamental-Reading, Spelling, Writing, Grammar. United States History, Drawing, Rhetoric. Logic, Elocution, Mental and Moral Science, Theory and Practice of Teach- ing, Constitution of the United States. Mathematics-Arithmetic, Book- Keeping, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Surveying, Conic Sections, Calculus. Natural Sciences-Geography, Geology, Mineralogy, Physiology, Botany, Natural History, Astronomy. Languages-Greek, Latin, French and German. Music-Vocal and Instrumental.
C. L. Porter, A. M., Principal (biographical sketch elsewhere), is a grad- uate of Amherst College, has been a professional teacher for sixteen years, and is thoroughly recommended by the State Superintendent and others. Miss Laura J. Hendy, teacher of music, is a skillful teacher of the piano and organ. The teacher of the Preparatory Department has not yet been selected. Other teachers and professors will be added as occasion may require. The Bible is the corner-stone of this institution.
Tuition, per quarter of twelve weeks, $6. Fee for incidental expenses, per quarter, 50 cents. Tuition in Preparatory Department, per quarter. $3. Instrumental music, per twenty-four lessons, $S. Tuition payable quarterly upon admission.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
The College occupies at present the largest hall in town, is handsomely seated, and is comfortable and convenient. Board can be obtained in private families at 82.50 to 83 per werk. Preparations are being made to erect a large stone building in the spring of 1880.
SOCIETIES.
Of these there are four : Masons, Odd Fellows, United Workmen and the Olin Temperance League.
Ancient Landmark Lodge, No. 200, A., F. & A. M., was organized November 20, 1866. It was chartered by the Grand Lodge June 5. 1867. The first officers were: Eli Walker. W. M .; Westley Southwick, S. W .: Andrew Coppess. J. W .: D. E. Rummel, See .; Timothy Stivers, Treas .; N. B. Connor, S. D .; G. W. Miller, J. D .; R. J. Anderson, Tiler. The Lodge has a membership of forty-eight, owns a good hall, very well furnished. and has a small fund at interest. The present officers are: I. B. Southwick, W. M .; W. J. Merritt, S. W .; G. W. Miller, J. W .; W. Southwick, Sec .: C. II. Derr, Treas .; H. B. Harrison, S. D .; C. W. B. Derr, J. D .; J. T. Gilman, Tiler. The Lodge has lost two members by death.
The Olin Lodge, I. O. O. F., was organized February 3. 1876. . The fol- lowing were the first officers elected : George Stivers. N. G .; E. R. Sealls, V. G .; L. K. Rose, Treas .; J. W. Jamison, Rec. Sec .; G. H. Mason, Per. Sec. The present officers are as follows: V. Slife, N. G .; J. F. Butters, V. G .; S. P. Slife, Rec. Sec .; G. H. Mason. Treas.
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