USA > Iowa > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &t., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest etc > Part 41
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Railroads stretch in various directions across the county, affording facilities for transportation that were so much desired a quarter of a century ago. Vil- lages have sprung up upon these lines of traffic, and added to the market value of the lands in their vicinity.
Timber, which was so highly prized when first the region was sought out, now ranks far below the open prairie lands in point of value. Modern invent- ive genius has found a way to meet the requirements of the day for fences, and coal is rapidly becoming an article of general use as fuel. Hence it is found that groves are prized more for the sake of their protective qualities, than for the intrinsic worth of their products.
Where formerly the settlers were compelled to traverse the country for flour and provisions, consuming days in the tedious journey, are now busy mills, which supply the local needs of the communities. Great jobbing houses in Cedar Rapids satisfy not merely the demands of county retailers, but send their agents throughout the Northwest, and extend their trade circles to remote sec- tions of the country. At the metropolis of the county the superb water power
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
is improved by enterprising men, and manfacturing business is conducted on a large and profitable scale.
It is no longer necessary to rely upon the uncertain visits of friends to a distant post office for infrequent mails, for the system of postal delivery reaches to the farthest limits of the country, and the rapid transit of news matter is an established affair, accepted without surprise or even a second thought. Slow wagon trains of immigrants are seen no more, unless it be in the case of those who form the floating element of society. In such exceptional instances, the sight of the jaded teams provokes comments of pity from all beholders.
Thirty years ago, there were few papers received by the settlers, and these few came from other and older localities, while now the press of Linn ranks high among the uncounted host of publications. Daily and weekly issues are scattered broadcast over the region, carrying news from the Earth's four quar- ters, and enabling the pioneers, even, to read the transactions of Church and State simultaneously with the denizens of the great cities of the nation. The telegraphic wires bring to their doors tidings from commercial marts, and tell them when and how best to dispose of the enormous products of factory and farm. Banking institutions of solid worth exist, and monetary matters are conducted on as large a scale as in many an Eastern city. Social clubs and amusement societies relieve the routine of business after the approved methods of cosmopolitans. Secret societies flourish, and celebrate their mystic rites in richly-appointed lodge rooms, and hold honored rank among the general bodies of their respective crafts.
The social world is as brilliant in its state and cultured in its character as that which graces the salons of the capitals of the East. Wealth and refine- ment are evidenced in the bearing of the people. The honest housewife of the olden times may look with distrust upon the grander display at civil ceremonies, but cannot stay the tide as it sets toward the obliteration of simple habits. There may be much truth in the often-repeated assurance that " girls were worth more in the early days" if the estimate of excellence is based upon physical prowess and domestic "faculty ; " but it must be remembered that each generation plays its separate part in the drama of life. As the poet writes of individuals.
" All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players, They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts."
so is society constructed upon a plan that places each succeeding division in a role different from that which preceded it. The standard by which to measure woman's might to-day is not that which tests her qualities as a pioneer, but, rather, that which proves the use she has made of the advantages of the present.
It would be as just to condemn the young man of to-day because he is not drilled in woodcraft and able to read the marks of Nature like the red man. The fathers who paved the way for the introduction of modern ideas needed, perforce, to know the signs by which the Indian chief governed the warriors of his band ; but those symbols are obsolete now, and would lumber the mind with useless information.
The man whose genius introduced the principles of mechanics in the work- ing of farms signed the last pages of the first volume of the history of the pioneers, and inaugurated a new era from which the present power of man must be calculated. The farmer who tills a thousand acres now is surely no weaker than he whose limit was a hundred in the "good old days." Yet the muscular development has not increased during the half century past. It is
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
mind, not matter, which governs, and the tendency of this age, which is truly termed the mechanical, is to produce maximum results from minimum forces. The laborious method of planting and harvesting by hand has given way to the more praiseworthy plan of employing mechanical devices in the work.
Linn County ranks her neighboring counties in just the degree that the intelligence of her people has progressed. The end is far away, for the improve- ments over the original settlement are insignificant compared with the capabili- ties of her men and the possibilities of her resources. Nature has lavished unbounded wealth upon her, and it remains for man to extract it from the earth. The farms are inexhaustible in productive qualities, if rightly culti- vated. The rivers within the reach of manufacturers are, as yet, barely employed. The future promises much more marked changes in every branch of trade and commerce, and there remains for man a glorious harvest of results.
The farming interest is not the only one which will be forced with greater activity in the progress of events. Cedar Rapids has already reached a point where retrogression appears to be impossible. Certainly it is so if the spirit of improvement which now prevails does not flag. It is within the grasp of man to secure for Linn County the largest and most thriving inland city in the State, with possibly one exception. If this does not prove a true prediction, the blame will belong to those who have now the opportunity to accomplish it, and no sane man feels disposed to doubt the substantiality of the leading citi- zens of the "Valley City.'
Beautiful for situation, rich in material wealth, peopled by energetic men, and abounding in an atmosphere of heathful mental vigor, the county of Linn is destined to become a leading county in the Northwest, as it is to-day a lead- ing county in the State. The responsible duty of developing it is intrusted to good men and true, and the dawn of the nineteenth century will behold in this lovely region a source of constant pride.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.
The establishment of Linn County antedates the creation of the independ- ent organization of Iowa. While this vast and fertile region was yet a part of the Governmental Territory of Wisconsin, a bill was passed by the Legislature, at its second session, which began November, 1837, defining the geographical boundaries of this county.
The name was chosen in honor of the distinguished Senator from Missouri, Hon. Lewis F. Linn, who served in the United States Senate from 1833 to 1843.
The Territory of Iowa was created by act of Congress, approved June 12, 1838. Among the bills passed at the first session of the Legislature of 1838-9 was the following, which is :
AN Acr to organize the County of Linn, and establish the Seat of Justice thereof.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, That the county of Linn beand the same is hereby organized from and after the 10th June next, and the inhabitants of said county be entitled to all the rights and privileges to which, by law, the inhabitants of other organized counties of this Territory are entitled, and the said county shall be a part of the Third Judicial District, and the District Court shall be held at the seat of justice of said county, or such other place as may be provided until the seat of justice is established.
SEC. 2. That Richard Knott, Lyman Dillon and Benjamin Nye be and they are hereby appointed Commissioners to locate the seat of justice in said county, and shall meet at the house of William Abbe, on the first Monday of March next, in said county, and shall proceed forth- with to examine and locate a suitable place for the seat of justice of said county, having par- ticular reference to the convenience of the county and healthfulness of the location
D
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
SEC. 3. The Commissioners, or a majority of them, shall, within ten days after their meet- ing at the aforesaid place, make out and certify to the Governor of this Territory, under their hands and seals, a certificate containing a particular description of the situation of the location selected for the aforesaid county seat ; and on the receipt of such certificate, the Governor shall issue his proclamation affirming and declaring the said location to be the seat of justice of said county of Linn.
SEC. 4. The Commissioners aforesaid shall, before they enter upon their duties, severally take and subscribe an oath before some person legally authorized to administer the same, viz. : I, -, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am not, either directly or indirectly, interested in the location of the seat of justice of Linn County, nor do I own any property in lands, or any claims, within the said county of Linn. So help me God. (Signed) A. B., Etc.
SEC. 5. If, at any time within one year thereafter, it shall be shown that the said Commis- sioners, or any of them, received any present, gratuity, fee or reward in any form other than that allowed by law, or before the expiration of six months after the Governor's proclamation, declaring the said seat of justice permanent, become interested in said town or any lands in its immediate vicinity, the Commissioner or Commissoners shall, upon conviction thereof by indict- ment in the District Court of the county in which he or they may reside, be guilty of a high misdemeanor, and be forever disqualified to vote at any election or to hold any office of trust or profit within this Territory.
SEC. 6. The Commissioners aforesaid shall receive, upon making out their certificate of the location of the seat of justice of said county, each two dollars per day, and also three dollars for every twenty miles going and returning from their respective homes.
Approved January 15, 1839.
Of the three Commissioners named in the foregoing bill, only two (Messrs. Knott and Nye) accepted the trust. The locators met at the house of William Abbe, on Abbe's Creek, in what is now known as Franklin Township.
The Commissioners proceeded with their work and chose the site of the town of Marion as the proper locality for the county seat. At that time, the region west of a narrow strip of territory on the east side of the county was a wilderness. There had been a claim located north of the chosen site, but where Marion now stands nothing had been done toward reclaiming the lands from a state of native wildness.
Crude lines were run by the Commissioners, merely for the purpose of guiding themselves; for no survey of the county had been made by the Govern- ment. The stake set by them was afterward found to be but a few rods divergent from the calculated point.
It was thus that the county seat was located, early in the year 1839. The report of the Commissioners to the Governor of the Territory announced the completion of their work, and Gov. Lucas proclaimed the county of Linn duly established.
For election purposes the new county was attached to the district composed of Cedar, Johnson and Jones. The first polling precinct was located at West- port, which was near the present town of Bertram. This hamlet was supposed to be very near the geographical center of the county, owing to unavoidable ignorance in regard to the boundary lines, and was regarded by the projector, Israel Mitchell, as the future county seat of Linn.
At the first election, held October, 1838, the entire county composed one precinct, and thirty-two ballots were cast for candidates for legislative honors. Charles Whittlesey was chosen to represent this district in the Council, and Robert G. Roberts to represent it in the House. No other officers were bal- loted for.
The first election for county officers was held in August, 1839, at which time three Commissioners were chosen to act as fiscal agents of the county. The voting was done at Westport, and resulted in the choice of Samuel C. Stewart, Peter McRoberts and Luman M. Strong. This commission was invested with very nearly the same powers as those now possessed by the Board of Supervisors.
359
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The first meeting of the Commission began Sept. 9, 1839, at the county seat, then unnamed, at the house of James W. Willis, north of the village site. The full Board was in attendance. Hosea W. Gray was Sheriff and ex officio Clerk of the Board. From the original records are taken copious extracts, the first day's proceedings being given entire :
The Board proceeded to the appointment of a Clerk. Thereupon it was ordered that John C. Berry be and is hereby appointed to the office of Clerk of the Board of Linn County Com- missioners.
Ordered, That the county seat of Linn County be and is hereby called and shall hereafter be known and designated by the name of Marion.
The name was chosen in honor of Gen. Marion of Revolutionary fame.
At the next day's session, Andrew J. McKean and William H. Smith were. appointed Constables for the county. Jonas Martin was appointed Supervisor of Road District No. 1, commencing at Marion, thence east on the Marion and Davenport road to the crossing of Big Creek, and all the lands east of Marion and west of Big Creek were included in the district.
Sheriff Gray was authorized to contract with the Sheriff of Muscatine County for the safe keeping of one Samuel Clews, who was the first man to require the services of the Sheriff in the capacity of guardian. The Sheriff was also instructed to borrow necessary funds to pay for the support of said Clews.
The Board held monthly sessions. At the October term, the county was divided into three election precincts as follows : One at William Abbe's, to be known as the " Sugar Grove Precinct," with William Abbe, John Cole and John McAfferty, Judges ; one at Marion, with James W. Bassett, Henry Thomp- son and Rufus H. Lucore, Judges ; one at Michael Green's, and named after him, with Michael Green, James Cummings and Bartimeas McGonigle, Judges.
Ross McCloud was appointed County Surveyor, and ordered to make a sur- vey to ascertain the location of the county seat and report October 21st. This work Mr. McCloud performed by running the line on the west side of Cedar County to the northwest corner thereof, thence due north six miles, thence east, after having ascertained the variation of the north line of the town, to a point twelve miles into Linn County. Subsequently it was determined that the east and west line established was nearly accurate, varying but a few rods, which afterward caused the necessity of adding a parcel of land to the town plat, known as Greene & Gray's addition. The north and south line was correct.
October 9th, the Board ordered an advertisement of the proposed erection of a jail building.
Woodbridge & Thompson were given a license to sell foreign and domestic merchandise upon payment of fifteen dollars into the county treasury.
November 13th, David A. Woodbridge was appointed Fiscal Agent of the Board, to superintend the laying off and marketing of town lots in Marion. The title of the land on which Marion was located was vested in the County Board by purchase from the Government, and was to be sold for the benefit of the county. The tract consisted of two fractional eighty acre parcels. At this session, the County Surveyor was ordered to lay off the village plat, and the Clerk ordered to post written notices of the forthcoming sale of lots.
Andrew J. Mckean was appointed County Assessor January 7, 1840.
360
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Subjoined is a transcript of the first ferry rates established in the county. The ferry was across the Cedar River, at the now obliterated place of Ivanhoe. The list was recorded January 8, 1840:
For each carriage and two horses, or oxen and driver. $0 50
For each additional horse or ox. 12}
For single horse and carriage. 377
For rider or driver. 25
For each footman
12}
For each head of loose cattle.
For each sheep or hog.
For each cart or carriage, with the usual team .. 374
123 3
For freight or tonnage, regulated by the hundred or by the trip, all under 1,000 pounds, per 100. 4
All over 1,000 pounds, per each load or trip. (The owner of the property loading and unloading.)
50
On the 9th of January, 1840, the Board ordered that the county jail should be erected on Lot 2, Block 36, Marion plat; and at the same meeting, Lots 2 and 3, Block 28, were reserved as a Court House site. The contract for build- ing the jail was awarded to William Abbe and Asher Edgarton, for $635, the building to be finished by the 1st of May. The first moneys raised by sale of lots were applied on this contract.
Hiram Beales was appointed Assessor, vice A. J. McKean, resigned.
Luman M. Strong was licensed to retail spirituous liquors, on payment of $6.00, until April, 1840. At the April term, the license was extended for one year, on payment of $50.00.
At the April session, 1840, the Board defined and created School District No. 1, which was all lands and people residing within three miles' radius of the village of Marion.
The fourth election precinct was established at the house of Charles T. Dor- sey, and called the " Southwest Precinct "-Charles T. Dorsey and Jacob Chreps, Judges.
Among the entries, under date of July 8, 1840, is the following :
The Court ordered that a certain colored boy, viz., Theodius Linn, be bound out to serve Hiram Beales, of Linn County, for the term of three years and two months. Said boy is to serve said Beales faithfully and industriously, at any kind of labor suitable for a boy of his age to perform. And said Beales, on his part, hath agreed to provide for said boy suitable and wholesome food and clothing, to keep him decent and comfortable, and to send said boy to a good English common school eight months during the aforesaid term of three years and two months, and to guard him as much as possible from all immoral company and conduct. Said Beales is to provide for said boy, in sickness or in health, as the case may be. And the age of said boy is now supposed to be near 12 years, and will be 15 at the expiration of the time with said Beales.
The first Court House was ordered by the Board, at the July term, 1840.
The Clerk reported that the first assessment roll exhibited, as the amount of taxes due, the sum of $738.60.
At the April term, 1841, the Board provided for the erection of the Court House, on the lot already mentioned. George W. Gray appears to have been the chief contractor and builder.
Thomas W. Campbell, the first Treasurer, makes the following showing, in his earliest report, dated January, 1841 :
Treasurer stands charged, as per receipts on fines, to the
amount of .. $40 00
Also, as per receipts for ferry license. 6 75
Also, on retail license .. 174 50
Also, on revenue tax of 1840. 737 60
Treasurer Dr. to amount total.
$958 85
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The Treasurer produces orders, the amount of which is placed to his credit and canceled. .$557 293 Treasurer's commission on above payment .. 16 71}
Treasurer's Cr. by account total 574 002
Leaving balance of. $384 844
At the July session, 1841, the county was divided into three Commissioner Districts, the Commissioners having been chosen by popular vote theretofore. The townships of Washington and Fayette composed District No. 1; Franklin and Brown, No. 2; and Marion and Putnam, No. 3.
The assessment roll for 1841 was as follows :
Territorial County Tax, as per assessment. $782 76
Delinquent List of 1840, with 7 per cent. 165 793
Territorial Tax 20 08
Total $968 63}
The rate of tax for 1842 was regulated at five mills on the dollar on all taxable property, and one dollar on all polls assessed, and an additional sum of one-fourth mill on the dollar, which was a Territorial tax for the year 1842.
ESTABLISHMENT OF TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
At the July session, 1840, the Board of Commissioners began to discuss the question of township organizations. A vote of the county was ordered at the next election, to determine the voice of the people. The election took place in August of that year, and resulted favorably to the project. Below is given a list of the townships to date, in the order of their admission :
Marion, established January, 1841 ; Franklin, January, 1841; Washing- ton, January, 1841; Fayette, January, 1841 ; Putnam, January, 1841; Brown, July, 1841; Linn, January, 1843; Rapids, February, 1843; Otter Creek, January, 1844; Buffalo, January, 1848; Maine, January, 1848; Monroe, March, 1849 ; Spring Grove, March, 1853; Clinton, March, 1854 ; Jackson, March, 1855; College, February, 1858; Bertram, March, 1858; Bowlder, August, 1858 ; Fairfax, September, 1858; Grant, January, 1872.
FISCAL MANAGEMENT.
The original system of government continued in force from the establish- ment of the county to the year 1851, at which time the Court of Commission- ers was superseded, by act of the Legislature, by what was called the County Judge plan. In this single officer was vested the degree of authority possessed by the three Commissioners.
The first Judge chosen was Hon. N. W. Isbell, elected August 16, 1851. This court continued in existence for nearly ten years, when it gave way, by order of the Legislature, to the Supervisor system of control. One member of this Board was selected from each township. The first Board met at Marion, January 7, 1861, and the following members responded to the roll call :
Perry Oxley, Bertram ; J. Whitney, Bowlder ; William Carbee, Brown ; Joseph Story, Buffalo ; D. M. Smith, Clinton ; J. W. Henderson, College ; Philip Moody, Fairfax ; William Hayzlett, Franklin ; L. W. Johnson, Fayette; J. Blodgett, Jackson ; W. L. Miller, Linn; S. T. Buxton, Maine ; A. J. Two- good, Marion ; Daniel Albaugh, Monroe ; J. H. Mason, Otter Creek ; Wiley Fitz, Putnam ; John Weare, Rapids ; J. H. Fairchild, Spring Grove; C. Gil- christ, Washington.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
In 1871, the system of government was again changed, a board of three Supervisors at large taking the place of township representation. The first board under this arrangement consisted of Joseph Whitney, William Ure and R. P. Rose.
One year later, the county was divided into three districts, from which Super- visors are elected, instead of by general vote of townships. The first Super- visors thus elected were : First District-James Yuill ; Second District- Daniel Travis; Third District-M. M. Crookshanks. At the date of this writing, the last named plan is still in vogue.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Commissioners .- Samuel C. Stewart, Peter McRoberts, Luman M. Strong, 1839; E. T. Lewis, B. McGonigle, S. C. Stewart, 1842; E. T. Lewis, Oliver Day, B. McGonigle, 1843; Oliver Day, E. T. Lewis, W. B. Davis, 1844; W. B. Davis, Andrew Safely, 1846; Andrew Safely, Benjmin Waterhouse, Samuel Hendrickson, 1847 ; S. Hendrickson, Andrew Safely, Johnson Hill, 1850; A. Safely, Johnson Hill, William A. Thomas, 1851.
Judges Second Circuit, Eighth Judicial District .- Sylvanus Yates, 1869; John McKean, 1873.
Judges Eighth Judicial District Court .- Joseph D. Williams, 1840; Thomas S. Wilson, 1846; James P. Carlton, 1847; William Smyth, 1853; Isaac Cook, 1857; William E. Miller, 1859; Norman W. Isbell, 1862; C. H. Conklin, 1864; N. M. Hubbard, 1866; James H. Rothrock, 1867; John Shane, 1872.
Two of the Supreme Court Judges were from Linn County : Hon. George Greene and Hon. Norman W. Isbell.
County Judges .- N. W. Isbell, J. M. Berry, Daniel Lothian, Johnston Elliott and A. B. Dumont.
Commissioners' Clerks .- John C. Berry, Porter W. Earl, Elijah Evans and Alpheus Brown.
Clerks of Circuit and District Courts .- S. H. Tryon, 1839 ; John C. Berry, 1840; Porter W. Earl, 1847; Hosea W. Gray, 1849; James M. Berry, 1851; A. J. McKean, 1854 ; J. L. Crawford, 1873.
Sheriffs .- Hosea W. Gray, 1840; Ambrose Harlan, 1844; Samuel W. Durham, 1846 ; Ambrose Harlan, 1848 ; Vincent Beall, 1850 ; Samuel Brazel- ton, 1853; Levi H. Mason, 1855; Thomas J. McKean, 1860; William W. Smith, 1861; O. O. Stanchfield, 1862; Hiel Hale, 1866; John G. Hayzlett, 1868 ; G. D. Gillilan, 1874 ; David Carskaddon, 1877.
Auditors .- A. B. Dumont, 1869 ; John P. Coulter, 1870 ; Samuel Daniels, 1876.
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