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 69
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Apollo Commandery, No. 26, was instituted December 2, 1875, under a charter issued by O. P. Waters, R. E. G. C. of the State of Iowa. Charter members, J. T. Hamilton, B. F. Howland, Frank J. Upton, James Morton, G. L. Stearns, J. O. Baxter, William Flanigan, J. M. Terry, J. C. Adams, T. B. Emerson, G. S. Pettit, A. C. Atherton, E. F. Gage, James Huff, A. G. Hancock, James Jensen, J. S. McClure and H. C. Farr. First officers : J. T. Hamilton, E. C .; B. F. Howland, Gen .; Frank J. Upton, C. G .; James Morton, Prelate; C. W. Eaton, Treasurer ; George L. Stearns, Recorder ; J. O. Baxter, S. W .; William Flanigan, J. W .; J. M. Terry, S. B .; J. C. Adams, Sword Bearer; T. B. Emerson, Warden; G. S. Pettit, Sentinel. Pres- ent officers : James Morton, E. C .; B. F. Howland, Gen .; J. O. Baxter, C. G .; G. R. Skinner, Prelate; G. W. Bever, Treasurer; George L. Stearns, Recorder ; William Flanigan, S. W .; C. W. Eaton, J. W .; W. H. Thompson, S. B .; T. B. Emerson, Sword Bearer; J. L. Billian, Warder; G. S. Pettit, Sentinel. Membership, forty-one.
Trowel Chapter, No. 49, was organized March 16, 1869, under a dispensa- tion from Pitkin C. Wright, H. P. of the State of Iowa. The first officers were: J. L. Enos, H. P. ; C. P. Gilkinson, K .; William Walker, Scribe. Present officers-J. T. Hamilton, H. P .; G. S. Stearns, K .; J. M. Olmstead, Scribe ; George M. Bever, Treasurer , W. H. Smause, Secretary ; J. O. Baxter, C. H. ; T. M. Gibberson, P. S .; F. T. Eaton, R. A. C .; William Elsom, M. 3d V. ; H. Bennett, M. 2d V .; W. J. Crister, M. 1st V .; G. S. Pettit, Guard. The writer was not enabled to secure the date of the charter, nor names of charter members.
Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 141, I. O. O. F., was organized May 16, 1866, under a dispensation from J. J. Edginton, G. M. of the State of Iowa. First officers-A. A. Lindley, N. G .; C. Fordyce, V. G .; J. M. Henderson, Secre- tary ; J. A. Harding, Treasurer ; H. Robinson, R. S .; D. Denlinger, L. S .; W. H. Thompson, I. G. ; A. Moody, Warden. Charter was granted the society in October of the same year, to the following petitioners : John Hard- ing, A. A. Lindley, Calwell Fordyce, Harrison Robinson, Alfred Moody, John W. Henderson, and David Denlinger. Present officers-Charles Weare, N. G .; John Bryon, V. G. ; James M. Haines, Recording Secretary, C. Fordyce, Per- manent Secretary ; W. H. Thompson, Treasurer ; Charles McKee, R. S. ; John Krebbs, L. S .; Dan Anderson, Conductor ; Willis Vance, Warden. Membership, 65.
Mozart Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F., organized December 8, 1867. The Charter members were: B. Beyer, C. Magnus, S. Adelsheim, P. Seicts, J. Barthel, C. Barthel, L. A. Michaelson, F. Hirshetein and A. Brash. The charter was issued October 18, 1870. First officers-B. Beyer, N. G .; C. Magnus, V. G .; S. Adelsheim, Treasurer; P. Seicts, Secretary. Present officers : Mr. Bashaw, N. G .; W. Oehlenan, V. G .; J. Petsowitzki, Secre- tary ; M. Ottmar, Treasurer. Membership, 26.
Lone Star Lodge, No. 1, Royal Knights of the Mystic Circle, organized August 7, 1872. Charter members-F. T. Eaton, Willis Vance, Frank Rams- dell, Walter Clark, J. M. Fellbaum, James Johnston, C. M. Ramsdell. First officers : F. T. Eaton, R. H. H. P .; Willis Vance, R. K .; F. R. Ramsdell, R.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
P .; Walter Clark, Secretary ; J. M. Fellbaum, Treasurer and Steward. Pres- ent officers : J. L. Enos, R. H. H. P .; Charles Greene, R. K .; Daniel Ander- son, R. P .; Dell Currier, Guard : Moses Deering, Secretary. Membership, 81.
Home Rebekha Lodge, No. 79, organized October 19, 1876. Charter mem- bers-E. K. Fassett, Stephen Skinner, D. H. Richards, C. L. Stout, C. For- dyce, S. C. Pantland, N. D. Ingraham, S. Adelsheim, J. M. Patten, Maggie Patten, B. Adelsheim, Kate Fordyce, Mary A. Fassett, Mary C. Pentland, Lucy Ellen Sparks, Sarah T. Ingraham, Annie Egermeyer, Mary Finke, Amanda Austin, Wensel Shyranch, James M. Haines, Jacob Egermeyer, Thos. Bashan, R. A. Austin, Charles Finke, M. Ottmar, W. H. Thompson. First officers-S. Adelsheim, N. G .; M. C. Patten, V. G .; James Haines, Secretary ; D. H. Richards, Treasurer ; J. M. Patten, Warden ; S. Ingraham, I. G .; C. L. Stout, Conductor ; C. Fordyce and S. C. Pantland, Supporters. Present officers-Kate Fordyce, N. G .; Mrs. John Bryon, V. G .; Stephen Skinner, Secretary ; Louisa Sayles, Treasurer. Membership, 26.
Linn Encampment was organized May 26, 1870. First officers-Calwell Fordyce, H. P .; C. R. Sternaman, S. W .; J. W. Smith, J. W .; John A. Hard- ing, Scribe ; William Richmond, Treasurer; S. P. Richmond, Guide; B. Byer, First W .; John Richmer, Second W .; Philo Sherwood, Third W .; Philip Seitz, I. G .; A. J. Rebur, F. G. of Tent ; T. A. Michaelson, S. G. of T. Charter was granted October 19, 1870. Charter members : Calwell Fordyce, S. R. Sternaman, A. J. Rebur, S. P. Richmond, S. Adelsheim, Philo Sher- wood, John Pichner, A. A. Lindley, C. Magnus, J. W. Smith, William Rich- mond and John A. Harking. Present officers : S. Skinner, C. P .; J. M. Haines, H. P .; John Wilber, Secretary ; S. J. Knox, S. W .; C. Fordyce, Treasurer.
Crescent Lodge, No. 25, A., F. & A. M., was instituted June 3, 1851, as Cedar Rapids Lodge, No. 25. The first officers and charter members were : W. D. McCord, M. W. G. M .; George Greene, W. M .; John Vardee, S. W .; Isaac Cook, J. W. At just what period the name of the Lodge was changed, the records do not show; but the prevailing opinion among those who have endeavored to get at the exact date, was that it was some time in 1861 or 1862. The present officers of the Lodge are as follows : J. O. Baxter, W. M. ; James Huff, S. W .; T. L. Stearns, J. W .; J. W. Henderson, Treasurer ; Henry Bennett, Secretary ; Samuel Kinggold, Chaplain; C. L. Mullen, S. D .; G. H. Beck, J. D .; R. T. Jones, S. S .; H. C. Morehead, J. S .; G. S. Pettit, Tiler.
Linn Lodge, No. 121, A. O. U. W., was instituted May 28, 1877. The charter members numbered twenty-three, and were as follows : B. E. Burtis, T. Listenwalter, P. L. Broeksmit, L. A. Jeffries, C. P. Emerson, S. S. Dor- wart, James Morton, J. O. Baxter, A. K. Rettenburg, W. O. McClain, G. W. Noble, W. Flanigan, B. F. Parker, A. J. Mallahan, M. O. Cameron, J. B. Doudna, J. White, D. Carrell, W. D. Leach, M. Ottmar, J. M. Ristine, G. R. Skinner, O. C. L. Jones. First officers-B. E. Burtis, P. M. W .; G. R. Skinner, M. W. ; J. O. Baxter, F .; F. Listenwalter, O .; G. Noble, Recorder ; C. P. Emerson, Financier; W. Flanigan, Receiver; S. S. Dorwart, Guide ; W. O. McClain, I. W .; M. O. Cameron, O. W. Present officers-B. E. Burtis, P. M. W .; F. Listenwalter, M. W .; E. O. Soule, F .; J.C. Fox, O .; James Huff, Recorder ; S. A. Bein, Financier; William Flanigan, Recorder ; W. O. McClain, Guide ; A. Irwin, I. W .; G. M. Summons, O. W. The society occupies a finely-furnished hall in Weinnig & Schaeffer's Block, on Iowa avenue. At the time of its dedication, Mayor Young, of Marion, and Rev. Mr. Fawcett,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
of Cedar Rapids, delivered the addresses. A banquet was held at the Grand Hotel. The Marion Order came down and assisted in the dedication. Present membership, 55.
UNION CLUB.
This association was organized September 27, 1877. It is composed of the leading young men of the city, and has for its object the promotion of social and literary culture. The Club Rooms are located in Union Bank Block, corner Washington street and Iowa avenue, affording a commanding view of the city and surroundings. The reading room is neatly carpeted and adorned with pictures, and upon its tables can be found the leading magazines and periodicals of the day. The billiard room is handsomely fitted up with one of Brunswick & Balke's best Monarch tables.
Here the young men are afforded an opportunity to spend their leisure hours in reading the best literature of the day, and in engaging in social pastimes, freed from the evil tendencies surrounding public resorts. The object is com- mendable, and the Union Club supplies a want long felt by the young men of Cedar Rapids.
The following are the officers : President, W. K. Taylor ; Vice President, H. Bennett ; Secretary, John P. Swisher ; Treasurer, E. A. Chorles.
THE CITY.
Socially, as well as commercially, Cedar Rapids is a desirable place of residence. Its streets are shaded with wide-spreading trees; its homes, in many instances, are adorned with the beautiful and tasteful works of modern decorative art ; and its society is such as might naturally be expected to exist in the midst of wealth intelligently employed. Comfort is the prevailing im- pression imparted to a casual observer ; and refinement, even luxury, evidently is no foreign element in the life of the citizens of this delightful city.
The churches are well sustained. Some of them are exceedingly fine in architectural design and appointment. The pulpits are supplied by men of more than ordinary ability and eloquence.
The schools are maintained in liberal style, and afford ample facilities for the preparatory education of youth. Those who are seeking a place of resi- dence will find no better locality than this in which to settle, if they desire educational advantages.
Of the business interests and possibilities, ample mention has already been made in this volume.
The city is well governed, and presents a clean, tidy appearance, that is grateful to the eye. Its business streets are handsomely constructed, and filled with blocks of substantial edifices. Its hotels are more than ordinarily good.
As a whole, the city of Cedar Rapids is desirable as a permanent home, in every sense by which a practical business man or an educated gentleman of leisure naturally judges of the qualities of a town. It is unquestionably destined to become a populous center of trade, but at the same time will never sacrifice its more enjoyable characteristics in the pursuit of wealth.
A LEGEND OF CEDAR RAPIDS.
The following pleasantly wrought legend, composed in its present form by a gentleman of Cedar Rapids, finds a proper lodgment in this volume :
There's a legend from of old- Indian prophecy 'tis called- Whence it came or where 'twas told Age or race does not unfold.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Borne upon the pregnant breeze, Growing in the blissful air, Breathed in every breath with ease, Mortals thus inhaled it there :
" In the fullness of time, with wings, shall come An angel race from the rising sun ;
Myriad in numbers, like light in their thought ; Time shall not end till their destiny's wrought, And peace and prosperity with them shall reign."
Thus sachems, chiefs and peoples taught, As yearly to this quiet ford, Each annual pilgrimage, they brought Their tribes to spend their festival.
A joyous thought to every will ; To mark the spot, the link to hold, From the pure stream each took a shell, As on yon shore their mound will tell .*
There is a city in the West, Sitting on a pleasant stream ; Rippling waters soothe its breast, Peaceful commerce is its theme.
The Aztecs, on the landing of Cortez, thought he was an angel, come agreeable to an ancient prediction of their priests.
A geologic work of repute refers to the collection of shells in mounds as the work of a former people in observance of their religious rites.
MARION.
For six years after the Black Hawk war, there was not a human habitation within the boundaries of Marion Township. The virgin soil was yet unbroken, and the site of the city yet undisturbed by the hands of civilization. An oc- casional band of Musquakies, or Sauk and Fox Indians, encamped at the groves as they journeyed to and from trading points and hunting grounds.
After peace with the Indians had been restored, the interrupted current of immigration was resumed, and began to fill up the valleys of Eastern Iowa, entering Linn County from the southeast. Not until the Spring of 1838 did the white settlers come as far as Marion to plant claim-stakes and build rude log huts, with a view to residence.
William K. Farnsworth took up a claim adjoining the town on the south, at Isbell's Grove, in 1838, and was probably the first actual settler, although other claims had been taken by persons living further east ; among these were those of James, Preston and Prior Scott, who claimed a large amount of land just east of the village site. Soon after the county seat was located, there came Luman M. Strong, who located north of the west part of the town ; James W. Bassitt, adjoining him on the west; Rufus H. Lucore, two miles west ; John C. Berry, two and one-half miles north. Soon after, James W. Willis settled north of the east part of the town ; Hosea W. Gray, who settled about August 20, 1838, and moved to Marion in the Spring of 1839; George W. Gray settled adjoining on the south ; John Margrave, one-half mile northwest ; Aaron Moriarty, one mile up Indian Creek ; James and Henderson Smith settled on the Kemp place, three miles north; James H. Blackman, adjoining on the northeast ; Samuel Ross, his mother and several brothers, adjoining the Willis place, now the E. A. Vaughn place; Henry Thompson erected a mill three miles south. The
*In Col. May's lot, on the west bank of Cedar River, is the mound of shells, now partially removed.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
southwest and west, being timber, was taken up only in smaller parcels for tim- ber. Ephraim T. Lewis, one of the Second County Commissioners, and A. B. Mason settled between Marion and Cedar Rapids, and were the first settlers in that direction. All of these came in during 1839. In the Fall of 1839, the Brodies and Leverichs settled two miles northwest of the town.
Among other early residents, were Norris Cone, who settled a few miles south, but now resides in town; Norman, George and John Ives, three miles east, where the two former still live, while the latter now resides in Marion ; Ira Wilson, three miles east, with his sons, George W., now in town, Ira G., on the farm, and John S. near the old place ; W. L. Winter and wife settled on Dry Creek in 1842. Mr. Winter was a public-spirited man ; active in securing railroads and mills.
The early days were times of great trial. At first, it was necessary to go to Rochester or Muscatine to trade and get mail. Prairie fires often swept away a house or stack. The creeks were not bridged, and the roads were few, yet grain had to be hauled to Muscatine. Many oxen were used to open up the farms.
As stated in the General History, Marion was located as the county seat by a special Board of Commissioners appointed by the Territorial Legislature in the Spring of 1839.
The first official act of the County Commissioners, after perfecting their organization, September 9, 1839, was to name the county seat "Marion," in honor of Gen. Francis Marion.
In November, 1839, the Board appointed David A. Woodbridge to superin- tend laying out the town of Marion and the sale of its lots, and at the same time, Ross McCloud, County Surveyor, was ordered to proceed to lay out the town. The Commissioners' Clerk was instructed to advertise the sale of lots to take place on December 6, 1839.
Accordingly, the survey of Marion was made December 2, 1839, by Ross McCloud, assisted by H. W. Gray and A. J. McKean, chain carriers, Elisha Kemp, stake driver, and Ira Wilson, flagman, under the direction of David A. Woodbridge, Agent, on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 6, Township 83 north, Range 6, and the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 1, Township 83, Range 7 west of the Fifth Principal Meridian, with blocks 250 feet square, lots, 60x120 feet, alleys, 10 feet. The lots on which the court buildings now stand were reserved for public use.
August 26, 1842, Gray & Greene's Addition was made on north side of town, being the space which the first surveyed north line varied from the proper section line, as afterward established by the general survey.
The land on which the county seat was located belonged to the Government, though it was included in the claim of Luman M. Strong. It was entered by Ephraim T. Lewis, Bartimeas McGonigle and Oliver Day, County Commis- sioners, on February 20, 1840.
The house of Mr. L. M. Strong, then without the town plat, but now included, was the first to be built. It was erected on the Center Point road, in 1839, and occupied by Mr. Strong as a tavern. It is now known as the old Martindale house.
In the same year, Henry Thompson and David A. Woodbridge built the second house, a frame structure, then north of the town plat, near the site of the late residence of H. P. Elliott, subsequently removed, and now used as a blacksmith shop. About the same time, these men built the first store, a log shanty, in the rear of Mrs. W. L. Winter's residence.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
In relation to the first store, the Commissioners' Record says :
Ordered, That Woodbridge & Thompson be allowed a license to vend and retail foreign mer- chandise, at their store in Marion, for one year from the 9th day of October, 1839.
Wm. H., a brother of David Woodbridge, came with him. The latter built a small house in 1839, in the northern part of the town, which is now nearly opposite Mckean's book store.
In March, 1840, Addison Daniels came to Marion on horseback from Iowa City, seeking a location in the Western country. He found there a broad prairie covered with tall wild grass-not a house, not a tree within the "city limits." The outlook for merchandising was not very favorable, yet Mr. Dan- iels courageously set out for Muscatine, and thence to St. Louis, where he pur- chased a stock of goods and returned with them to Marion. On his arrival, he found the house which he had contracted for with Hosea W. Gray completed, and he immediately opened his small stock of goods therein.
It is an unusual fact that Mr. Daniels has remained in business to the pres- ent time, thirty-eight years, having been associated with his brothers during a great portion of the time. and is now one of Marion's wealthy, substantial citizens.
The old building in which Mr. Daniels first commenced business was twenty by twenty-two feet in size, and cost about $75. This log house, sided with sawed lumber, is still standing on the west side of Market street, near Main, and is occupied as the shoe shop of J G. Ross. This was the fourth house in Marion, those previous being George Greene's house, built on Main, west of Market street ; Joseph W. Bigger's house, where Dr. Bardwell now lives ; and the first frame house in town, built by Joseph W. Bigger for L. D. Phillips as an hotel, and known as the American House, on the site of the Newhall House. Here within a year Mr. Phillips opened a stock of groceries. After eight or ten years, Mr. Phillips moved to Mineral Point, Wis., where he has become a prominent citizen.
In the same Spring, O. S. Hall built, just north of Mr. Daniels' first store, a story and a half frame building, where he opened the Iowa House. He died in 1846, and the hotel was continued by his wife and son, O. S. Hall, Jr., until 1871. The building in which they began the hotel business is now occupied by the bakery of C. Domer.
In the same Spring the old log jail was built on the site of the Court House. The first prisoner was installed within it for horse stealing before the logs had been laid higher than his shoulders. The Court House was built at the same time. This building was purchased by O. S. Hall, in 1845, for use as a Methodist Church, and is now occupied by the grocery and restaurant of O. S. Hall, Jr.
S. D. Thompson came in the Fall of 1840, and has been in Marion, more or less, to the present time.
In that year, Woodbridge & Thompson moved their store down on to Main street.
Porter W. Earl was the first painter in Marion, 1840.
In the Spring of 1840, Hiram Beales built and operated a saw-mill, proba- bly the first in the county, a half mile west of Marion. " Uncle Richard" Thomas, now living in Marion, soon became a partner.
In 1840 came George Patterson, who yet remains a citizen of Marion. He built a house in that year, and was followed in the next year by his brother, Wm. J. Patterson, who built the frame store building now known as the " Regu- lator," in which Robert and Magnus Holmes opened a stock of goods. Seven
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
years later, Charles Nye became a partner of Robert Holmes ; afterward Henry Ristine purchased Mr. Nye's interest, and, successively, Charles Carter replaced Mr. Ristine. Mr. Carter died in 1856, and the firm ceased in 1857, Mr. Holmes becoming connected with the Marion Register.
Brazilla Johnson, an original genius, established Marion's first saloon, in 1840, opposite the "Phillips House." His log cabin was so primitive that he was compelled to offer an occasional reward for goods which the boys stole at night by reaching through the chinks between the logs. If gun caps were in- quired for, he would reply, " Just out, but have got some good flints." "Have you any salt ?" "No, but I've got some excellent mackerel brine."
Religious services were first held under a roof in the Court House. Out- door meetings were held as early as the Summer of '40.
In 1841, the first school house was built by subscription, near the site of the Prairie Hotel, on Main street. It then stood alone on the open prairie, and school was first taught there by Mr. Higby. Religious services were also con- ducted there by Rev. Mr. Emerson. A Methodist society was organized, and in the next year, Rev. Mr. Rankin, of the Presbyterian Church, held services there.
The county officers and other in-coniers soon erected houses, and Marion began to assume the form and dignity of a village.
The first post office was established in 1839, at the house of Luman M. Strong. Soon after arrival, Mr. Daniels assumed the office of Postmaster, and, in turn, transferred it to John Zunbro, who, with Mr. Hoops. established the next store after that of Robert Holmes, in 1841. In 1843, Harvey Gillett, of Muscatine, opened a store at Marion, under the management of O. H. Lovett. About 1846, G. W. Gray engaged in a general merchandise business.
The first brick building was built by Wm. H. Woodbridge (Ambrose Har- land, mason), as a residence, regardless of the town plat, on the northern part of Marion street, in 1842. It is now known as the Berry House. Here the land sales were held soon after it was built. In the following year, Wm. H. Woodbridge (known as "Democ," because of his strong Democratic sentiments) built a second brick building on Meridian street, south of Main, now owned by A. Daniels & Co. With similar disregard to streets, he began the founda- tion for this house diagonally to the lines of the block, but was persuaded to wheel into line with civilization.
Among the physicians, Drs. S. H. Tryon, F. W. Tailor and James Cum- mins were first to settle at Marion. In 1841, they were followed by Drs. Leonard Bardwell, C. W. Phelps and Magnus Holmes. In 1842, came Dr. Henry Ristine, who has practiced in the county to the present time, and is now located at Cedar Rapids. Drs. Darkin, J. M. Fanning, Crummey Reynolds, T. S. Bardwell and many others entered into practice afterward.
The first attorneys were George Greene, afterward of the Supreme Bench of Iowa, now of Cedar Rapids, who came to the county in 1839, and taught school at Ivanhoe ; and Julius E. Sanford, who died at Dubuque. They came to Mar- ion in the Spring of 1840, and were followed in the same year by John Huber, afterward of Cedar County, and A. L. Roach, afterward of the Supreme Bench of Indiana. Next came Reuben A. Riley and Col. I. M. Preston, who has been a practitioner of Marion since 1842, has filled many legal offices, and dis- charged the duties of State Representative and Senator with credit and honor; Judge Isbell, deceased, of the Supreme Bench, whose family still reside here ; Judge Smyth, who began practice in 1845 and continued until his death, acting as Member of Congress and in other official capacities ; Maj. Wm. G. Thomp-
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
son opened his office in Marion in the Winter of 1853-4, and he also has been honored with many of the worthy positions within the gift of the Iowa people, including those of Representative and Senator ; J. C. Davis, a resident of Marion since 1853, and practitioner since 1863; J. B. Young, who has prac- ticed at the bar in Marion since 1853, having filled the positions of County Judge, Representative, Senator and United States Pension Agent.
Among the members of the honored bar of Marion not yet mentioned are J. D. Giffen, Daniel Lothian, N. B. Allen, John Mitchell, Alex. Campbell, Henry Sutherland, T. Mentzer, Charles Woods and G. A. Gray.
From 1845 to 1855, public attention having been attracted by the rich and fertile soil and other natural advantages of Iowa, and immigration consequently directed hither, the embryotic towns of the State became rapidly populated. Marion increased in size as fast as any of her neighbors, save the Capital- Iowa City-and there was every prospect that it would be favored with a rail- road in 1854; but, to the disappointment of all, this railroad scheme failed. The hard times of 1857-8 set in, another railroad was completed to a neighboring town in the county, and the progress of Marion was arrested. In the Spring of 1855, the population was estimated to be from 1,400 to 1,500.
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