USA > Iowa > Keokuk County > The history of Keokuk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. : a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 43
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Th. Skillman # 8
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
shall only have power to dispose of their own lands and woods, with all the appurtenances of said town, to grant lots, and to make such orders as may concern the well-ordering of their own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the General Court.'
"They might also (says Mr. Haines), impose fines of not more than twenty shillings, and 'choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the highways, and the like.
"Evidently this enactment relieved the general court of a mass of mu- nicipal details, without any danger to the power of that body in controling general measures of public policy.
"Probably also a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt for the control of their own home concerns.
"The New England Colonies were first governed by a 'general court,' or legislature, composed of a governor and a small council, which court con- sisted of the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders.
"They made laws, ordered their execution by officers, tried and decided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, and, in fact, did all the public business of the colony.
"Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the first constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639; and the plan of town- ship organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficiency and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent people, became universal throughout New England, and went westward with the emigrants from New England into New York, Ohio, and other Western States."
Thus we find that the valuable system of county, township and town organizations had been thoroughly tried and proven long before there was need of adopting it in Iowa, or any of the broad region west of the Missis- sippi river. But as the new country soon began to be opened, and as eastern people continued to move westward across the mighty river, and form thick settlements along its western shore, the Territory and State and county and township and town organizations soon followed in quick suc- cession, and those different systems became more or less modified and im- proved, accordingly as deemed necessary by the experience and judgment and demands of the people, until they have arrived at the present stage of advancement and efficiency.
In the settlement of the Territory of Iowa the legislature began by or- ganizing counties on the Misssissippi. . As each new county was formed it was made to include, under legal jurisdiction, all the country bordering west of it, and required to grant to the occidental settlers electoral priv- ileges and an equal share in the county government with those who prop- erly lived in the geographical limit of the county. The counties first or- ganized along the eastern border of this State were given, for a short time, jurisdiction over the lands and settlements adjoining each on the west, until these different localities became sufficiently settled to support organizations of their own; and finally, at the first session of the legislature, after the Indians sold out, the newly acquired territory, including all northwestern Iowa, was laid off into counties, provisions were made for their respective organizations when the proper time should arrive, and these were severally named.
22
340
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Thus Keokuk and Mahaska counties were originally attached to Wash- ington county for judicial, revenue and election purposes.
On the 17th day of February, 1843, an act was passed by the legisla- ture of the Territory of Iowa defining the boundaries of certain counties, and designating each by name; among these were Keokuk and Mahaska counties. The writer is unable to designate the man or the committee who gave the name to this county, but it is quite evident that a generous dispo- sition to perpetuate the memory of the Indian chief of the land existed among the members of the legislature, as no less than seven other coun- ties were established at the same time bearing aboriginal titles. With a single exception, these counties all bear their original names, and it was probably on account of a lack of euphony that afterward induced the leg- islature to change the name of Kish-ke-kosh county to that of Monroe county.
On the 5th day of February, 1844, an act was passed by the Territorial legislature which provided for the organization of the two counties, Keo- kuk and Mahaska. ยท
The Hon. Thomas Baker, afterward of California, was then representa- tive from Washington county, and upon him properly devolved all matters pertaining to the interests of this county. Several efforts were made to in- duce him to draft a bill locating the seat of justice at certain points in the county, the points, however, all being within the southeastern part of the county.
The following extract of a letter to Mr. Baker from Mr. Lawson B. Hughes, may serve to show some of the interest and anxiety manifested at that time:
" BRIGHTON, Jan. 2, 1844.
" Hon. Thomas Baker:
" DEAR SIR :- The citizens of Keokuk county wish to have a law enacted authorizing them to vote for some particular point or place whereby the county-seat may be located. I believe, sir, that there will be at least eight out of every ten in the county go for such a law, and are anxious that you will do all you can in effecting such a law .. The Rock Creek country, the Blue Point country, and north of the main river, together with the inhabi- tants in the forks and north of the north fork to at least twelve miles from the Washington line west, will go for it. The place or point that is con- templated to make the location is exactly in the northwest corner of the southeast township, making it six miles from the south part of the county and six miles from the east line. I will be glad if you will go in for the law; and in organizing the county, have it organized and the election to take place in April, and then if this law is enacted, giving the location of the county-seat to the people, let that election be the 1st of May. If any one point does not get a majority of the entire vote on the first ballot, let there be a second election between the two highest points."
It is quite probable that, had such a law been passed, the location would have been voted to Richland, then more generally designated " Frogtown."
Said act providing for the organization of the county, appointed three commissioners, whose duty it was to select the county-seat. They were John Stewart and Dr. George H. Stone, of Washington county, and Samuel Shuffleton, of Jefferson county. Of these men, Mr. Stewart was an unas- suming farmer living on English river, in the north part of the county, but
341
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
a man of rather more than ordinary energy and good sense, and scrupulously honest and correct in all his transactions with his neighbors.
Mr. Shuffleton resided in Fairfield, was a practicing lawyer of very fair ability and might have been a star in his profession but for the wreck to which strong drink was evidently hastening him. He was called "Shuf" for short and was regarded as a good, clever fellow, with whom might gen- erally be found on his jaunt from one court to another the requisite to "wood up." Even while making the tour of the county for the location, a pocket-flask was his constant companion. He has long since fallen a victim to the cup.
With Dr. Stone the early settlers were more intimately acquainted than with either of the other two commissioners. He lived in Washington and practiced medicine. He was a thoroughly educated physician and surgeon, and for a number of years acted in the latter capacity on board a vessel of the United States navy. Whether natural or acquired, his gait and appearance bore marks of youthful training at the military academy of West Point. He was rather reserved in conversation unless to his friends, and possessed a keen sense of honor and integrity and heartily despised baseness or dishon- esty in the smallest measure. Perhaps once in twelve months, or it might not be so frequently, or yet it might be more frequently, the Doctor in- dulged in a "spree." This would usually last about a week, and during such time all business was suspended and for most part he was shut up in his dwelling with his family.
It may be said that the location of Sigourney was made by Dr. Stone; for although Mr. Stewart fully concurred with him, yet the former actually suggested and made the location. Mr. Shuffleton did not concur in the lo- cation, but dissented in writing.
The name also was the choice of the Doctor. He had always been a great admirer of the writings of Mrs. Sigourney, and no doubt observed their moral influence and salutary effects in his young family, although he, himself, might sometimes feel rebuked when with her pen she spared not the sin of profanity.
After examination of full five days, said commissioners on the 10th day of May, 1844, fixed the location of Sigourney.
In the same legislative act organizing the county, the late Harvey Ste- vens, Sr., was commissioned as sheriff, and shortly after, the Hon. S. A. James was appointed clerk of the District Court, by the judge thereof.
Upon the latter officer devolved the duty of organizing the county, by fixing the places of election for county officers, the number of justices and constables to be elected, etc.
There were six places appointed for holding this election. These places, with the names of the judges appointed to conduct the election, were as follows:
At the house of L. J. Smith, in the town of Richland; judges, Joseph R. Edwards, William Lewis, Jeremiah Brown.
At the house of John W. Snelson; judges, Amos Holloway, J. W. Snel- son, Joseph Kellum.
At the house of John Crill; judges, John Crill, Sr., Thomas Hicklin, John Hasty.
At the house of William Hutton; judges, William Hutton, William Stin- son, Richard Dickerson.
342
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
At the house of John Troxel; judges, John Troxel, Joseph B. Casterline, James Lewman.
At the house of Wesley Goss; judges, William Grimsley, Thomas Hen- derson, John Shockley.
At the house of William Martin; judges, Joseph Hillery, George Hath- horn, Joab Bennett.
The following are the names of the county officers elected at this elec- tion :
County Commissioners-Jeremiah Hollingsworth, James M. Smith, Enos- Darnell. Judge of Probate-John M. Waters. County Treasurer-Wil- liam H. Brown. County Surveyor-Samuel E. McCracken. County As- sessor-Andrew Ogden. County Sheriff-Geo. W. Hayes. County Re- corder-A. P. Tannahill. Clerk of Board of County Commissioners- Edom Shugart.
This election, it is hardly necessary to say, had nothing of the nature of a political contest. The object was simply to organize the county, and po- litical differences had not yet appeared in the county. But very soon there came a change.
The citizens were then generally quiet, industrious and peaceable with one another. Occasional differences and disputes arose, which, in the main, were soon overlooked, or forgotten on account of their necessary and mutual dependence for aid and convenience, as well as for common defense in their pioneer homes.
Dissensions and enmities, however began to creep in gradually, as the settlement progressed, and continued to increase in working mischief very much in proportion as the settlement became more independently situated and more exclusive in their devotion to self-interest and advancement.
This unwelcome spirit of dissension began to manifest itself to the pub- lic most clearly, perhaps, about the time the proclamation of the organiz- ing sheriff announced the organization of the county, which would create numerous offices to be filled from the ranks of first voters.
These offices, during the first term, of course, presented no great induce- ment for being very eagerly sought after so far as salary was concerned; but then they afforded positions of influence and preference, and they might, in the near future, prove very convenient stepping-stones to more lucrative and influential positions; beside, it was no mean thing to be elected to fill the first offices created in the new county. In this regard they afforded considerable inducement for being sought after by those who were at all inclined toward official distinction, and they called forth numer- ous aspirants. .
At that time as well as now, doubtless, there was a good per cent of worthy, influential citizens who, so far as their own desire for official posi- tion were concerned, were entirely disinterested in the political canvass. These persons sought no such positions for themselves, and would not accept one if offered. Public applause and criticism were not at all coveted by them. Nevertheless they were as deeply interested in the welfare of the county as any other citizens, and had a decided preference for those who should receive their votes. They desired to entrust the county government to efficient trustworthy men, who were willing to assume the responsibility, and capable of conducting it in an efficient and capable manner, while they themselves were content to engage in some other department of the county's progress, more congenial to their tastes and dispositions. On the
343
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
other hand, there were always enough of those who would accept these official positions-more or less reluctantly or cheerfully-if duly elected, or urged a little to fill them; so that it was soon found the various offices were not sufficient to give each of the aspirants a position. Evidently some of these must gain the honored distinction, while others must be left out, part of whom, doubtless, would be disappointed not a little over their defeat.
Who, then, of these various aspirants, were the best qualified to fill these several positions? Who had the most deserved claim on the public sup- port? Who were the shrewdest political tricksters and wire-pullers? Who, of all the number, could wield tlie most extended and effective influence, either by honorable or, it may be, by unfair means in securing the majority vote. These, and many other questions of similar character, would quite naturally arise, even in the minds of early settlers, as the memorable first election day drew near, when they must each receive a decisive answer at the ballot-box.
This was the first, or what was called the organizing election. It was held in April, 1844, and some of the officers then elected, held their offices only until the regular election, which occurred the following August.
About the 1st of March, 1844, S. A. James, the county clerk, set about organizing the county as required by law; and until a county-seat should be located, fixed liis place of business at a point called Western City, or Newton. This was about three miles north of Richland, and consisted of a log school-house, a tenant cabin, and a number of stakes driven into the ground. The proprietor, Mr. Joseph R. Edwards, resided on his farm in the immediate vicinity of the village. At his house the clerk was fed and lodged, and it may be recorded for the benefit of epicureans and others, that his landlady was an excellent woman of Scotch descent, claiming the blood of Sir William Wallace, and who could present a meal to the com- plete satisfaction of a hungry traveler or a sojourning invalid.
A general law of the territory required clerks' offices to be lield at the county-seat, so that soon after the filing of the location in the clerk's office, Mr. James, gathering the county papers and the statutes of Iowa in one hand, and a bundle of old clothes and his cane in the other, took up liis line of march for Sigourney.
The county commissioners learning that the seat of justice was located upon a spot where no court-house stood, hastened to convene at Richland, and on the 15th day of May, 1844, passed the following orders:
"Ordered by the Board that in consequence of receiving the petition of eighty citizens of Keokuk county, asking the Board to defer any proceed- ings with regard to the location of the seat of justice of Keokuk county; they, therefore, in compliance with said petition, defer any proceedings with regard to the county-seat at this time."
" Ordered by the Board that suitable rooms be provided in the town of Richland for holding the first term of the District Court in, and for Keo- kuk county."
The " suitable rooms," if any, which were provided in accordance with the order of the county commissioners, were not honored by the presence
344
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
of the judge, the place where the first District Court was held being the cabin erected in Sigourney by Mr. James; Judge Williams presided. The court was not in session over three hours. No jury was impaneled and no cases tried. Four aliens were naturalized and two law students were ad- mitted to the bar, one of these being S. Harned, afterward most intimately identified with the interests of the county and. now everywhere in the county known as Judge Harned. This was on the 1st day of July, 1844. After transacting the business just referred to, the court adjourned into. the country for dinner.
In the latter part of the same month in which the first session of the District Court was held, the county commissioners, finding that Judge Wil- liams ignored their "orders " and did not avail himself of their " suitable rooms " in Richland, met, and very properly ordered their own official re- moval to Sigourney.
ELECTION PRECINCTS.
The first division of the county into eight election precincts was made May 14, 1844, as follows:
Richland Precinct was all of township 74, range 10, lying south of Skunk river, and elections to be held in the town of Richland.
Rock Creek Precinct was all of township 74, range 11, lying south of Skunk river, and elections to be held at the house of John Troxel.
Steady Run Precinct was all of township 74, range 12, lying south of Skunk river, and elections to be held at the house of Enos Darnell.
Sugar Creek Precinct was all of township 74, range 13, lying south of Skunk river, and elections to be held at the house of Joseph Hillery.
Ridge Precinct was all lying between the Skunk rivers in the county, and elections to be held at the house of Benjamin F. Chastain.
Goss Precinct was all of township 74, range 10, north of Skunk river, and townships 75, 76, 77, range 10, and elections to be held at the house of Wesley Goss.
German Precinct was all north of Skunk river in townships 75, 76, 77, range 11, and east halves of townships 75, 76, 77, range 12, and elections to be held at the house of James Rosecrans.
Cedar Creek Precinct was all north of Skunk river in townships 75, 76, 77, range 13, and west halves of townships 75, 76, 77, range 12, and elec- tions to be held at the house of John Crill, Sr.
The county machinery now being set in motion, everything was ready for the
FIRST REGULAR ELECTION.
This was held on August 5, 1844. The following is the official vote for German precinct, which included, among other territory, all of what is now Sigourney township, and Ridge precinct, which included all the territory between the two Skunk rivers. The vote as given is from the original poll-books.
345
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
GERMAN PRECINCT.
Poll-book of an election held at the house of James Rosecrans, in Ger- man precinct, Keokuk county, on the 5th day of August, 1844, James Rosecrans, Casper Klett and Alexander Smith, judges, and S. A. James and M. G. Driskell, clerks, being duly sworn as the law directs, previous to their entering upon the duties of their respective offices.
Names of voters .- A. P. Moody, Jacob Shaver, Robert Linder, A. Clem- ons, Andrew Strosser, Jacob Goodheart, Joel Landers, M. G. Driskell, Christopher Crawford, Henry Coleman, Richard Snakenberg, Henry Bevins, James Rosecrans, Casper Klett, Samuel Smith, Alexander Smith, S. A. James, William Smith, Albert Smith, Wesley Smith.
Tally sheet of votes cast at an election of county officers, held at the res- idence of James Rosecrans, German precinct, Keokuk county, on the first Monday, the 5th day of August, 1814:
Delegate to Convention.
Richard Quinton 14
William Tingle 1
County Commissioners.
Wm. Grimsley . 20
Alex. Smith . . 19 Edwin Stanfield 1 Judge of Probate. Joseph Kellum 18
County Treasurer.
A. P. Moody . 20
Commissioners' Clerk.
Edom Shugart. 7
County Surveyor.
O. T. Ragland. 20
Sheriff. Harvey Stevens, Jr. 20
Coroner.
Henry Keith. 20
Recorder of Deeds.
Jacob Shaver 20
Inspector of Weights and
Measures. Jacob Shaver 20
Justices of the Peace.
James Rosecrans 13
A. P. Moody 12
Constables.
M. G. Driskell 12
Henry Colman
12
Subscribed to this is the certificate of the result of the election and the oaths of the judges and clerks of the election.
RIDGE PRECINCT.
Poll-book of an election held at the residence of Benjamin F. Chastain, in Ridge precinct, Keokuk county, on the first Monday of August, 1844, Daniel Stout, Sr., and Obadiah Tharp, Judges, and J. B. Whisler and Joseph Kellum, clerks, being duly sworn, as the law directs, previous to their entering upon the duties of their respective offices.
Names of voters .-- Amos Hollaway, J. B. Whisler, William W. McGrew, Samuel E. McCracken, John Borough, William Trueblood, David Stout, Jr., Daniel Conner, George Wimer, Jesse Stout, James M. Mitts, Jesse B. Mitts, Jesse H. Marshall, John Stout, William Shaver, Joseph Kellum, James McGrew, I. G. DeMent, John Cox, David Stout, B. F. Chastain, Obadiah Tharp.
Tally sheet of the votes cast at election for county officers, held at the residence of B. F. Chastain, Ridge precinct, Keokuk county, on the first Monday of August, 1844:
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Delegate to Convention.
Richard Quinton 3
William Tingle. 18
County Commissioners.
O. Tharp .. 17
Elias Whetstone 18
Andrew Taylor 14
Alex. Smith 4
William Tinsley 1
Joel Bennett . . 2
Judge of Probate.
John W. Snelson 8
Joseph Kellum 3
John W. Waters 8
County Treasurer.
Nathan Ruth . 9
William W. Brown 9
Alex Moody . 1
Commissioners' Clerk.
Edom Shugart. 21
County Surveyor.
S. E. McCracken 16
O. T. Ragland. 5
Subscribed to this, as before, is the certificate of the result of the elec- tion and the oaths of the juages and clerks of the election.
FIRST COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
The first board of county commissioners, consisting of Jeremiah Hol- lingsworth, James M. Smith and Enos Darnell, who were elected at the special election in April, 1844, met at Richland on the 24th day of April of the same year.
The following is the record of their first official act:
"TERRITORY OF IOWA, { " KEOKUK COUNTY.
Special Term, April 24th, 1844.
" A meeting of the board of commissioners being called at the house of James M. Smith for a special purpose.
" Present, James M. Smith and Jeremiah Hollingsworth.
" As the office of county assessor had become vacant on account of Andrew Ogden failing to comply with the requisitions of the law in due time, the board therefore proceeded to appoint Mr. Andrew Ogden county assessor in and for the county of Keokuk, Territory of Iowa, until his successor shall be duly elected and qualified to office. The board then adjourned until the 13th day of May following.
" Attest: EDOM SHUGART, JAMES M. SMITH.
" Clerk of the Board. JEREMIAH HOLLINGSWORTH."
Harvey Stevens 1
Coroner.
James M. Mitts . 15
William Bristow 3
Henry Keith 1
Recorder of Deeds.
B. F. Chastain 5
Edom Shugart 13
Jacob Shaver. 1
Justices of the Peace. Jacob Wimer 7
Jesse H. Marshall 15
Isaac G. Dement. 12
Constables.
George Wimer 11
James M. Harmon
10
J. W. Snelson
1
Sheriff.
G. M. Holliday 14
G. W. Hayes. 7
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
The next meeting of the board was held at the same place, on the 13th of May, the same year, all the board being present, and among other things empowered their clerk, Edom Shugart, to borrow the sum of fifty dollars to purchase the following named books and stationery:
" For the commissioners'clerk : one minute book, worth $4.00; one es- tray book, worth $1.50; one road book, worth 50 cents.
"For the county recorder: one personal property record, worth $3.00; one real property record, worth $10.00.
" For the judge of probate: one minute book, worth $4.00; one record book, worth $4.00.
" For the clerk of the district court: one minute book, worth $3.00; one docket book, worth $4.00; one judgment book, worth, $4.00; one cost book, worth $4.00; one sheriff's return book, worth $1.00; one marriage license book, worth 50 cents. For stationery, $3.00; total, $50.00. "
On the next day, however, the board reconsidered this order, and re- duced the amount to $30.00.
The board also districted the county into eighteen road districts, and ap- pointed a supervisor in each one, as follows:
District No. 1, William B. Smith; No. 2, John Lafferty; No. 3, Joseph . R. Edwards; No. 4, G. M. Holliday; No. 5, James Lewman; No. 6, Rich- ard Dickerson; No. 7, David P. Helm; No. 8, Madison Mitts; No. 9, Obadiah Tharp; No. 10, John Baker; No. 12, A. P. Moody; No. 13, James Rosecrans; No. 14, John Hasty; Nos. 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 were composed of the present townships of Lafayette, Prairie, Adams, English River and Liberty, and the board having no knowledge of any person liv- ing in any of these road districts, the appointments were not made.
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