USA > Iowa > Mahaska County > The history of Mahaska 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 > Part 40
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Jas. A. Young, 1872-resigned 1873.
T. R. Gilmore, 1874-present incumbent; term expires 1879.
REPRESENTATIVES. Jno. W. Smith, 1846-1848 (died). Wm. Edmundson was elected to fill vacancy, 1847-48.
Wm. Jacobs, 1848-1849.
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HISTORY OF MAIIASKA COUNTY.
Wm. Jacobs, R. R. Harbour, 1850-1851 (including Keokuk and Powe- shiek counties).
Wm. R. Ross, 1852-1853.
Samnel Coffin and M. T. Williams, 1854-1855.
R. M. Wilson and Jno. H. Fry, 1856-1857.
A. M. Cassiday and W. H. Seevers, 1858-1859. Mahlon Stanton and Thos. Barnes, 1860-1861.
M. T. Williams and Samnel G. Castor, 1862-1863.
J. N. H. Campbell and Ephiram Munsell, 1864-1865.
T. N. Barnes and S. G. Gary, 1866-1867.
Chas. Stanley and Thos. Ballinger, 1868-1869. Jno. F. Lacey and M. E. Cutts, 1870-1871.
L. F. Ellsworth and W. L. McAllister, 1872-1873.
Thos. C. Beach and Nelson Cone, 1874-1875.
Wm. H. Seevers and Hardin Tice, 1876-1877.
H. W. Gleason and Jno. R. Nichol, 1878-1879.
ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD.
STEPHEN B. SIELLEDAY.
Among those of the "illustrious dead" of Mahaska county we can scarcely sketch a more prominent career than that connected with the name of Stephen B. Shelleday. He came to the state in 1843, spent the first win- ter in Henry county, and the next year moved to Mahaska.
With Van B. Delashmutt, he represented Washington, Keokuk and Mahaska counties in the first constitutional convention, which convened at Iowa City, October 7, 1844. He was elected from these counties to the House of Representatives of the Seventh Territorial Assembly, met May 5, 1845, at Iowa City, and was re-elected to the Eighth Assembly, May 4, 1866. IIe served as a delegate from Mahaska county to the second consti- tutional convention, at the same place. In 1849, during President Taylor's administration, he was appointed U. S. Marshal for Iowa, which position he held for several years. He moved to Jasper county in 1849, and later served two terms in the Legislature, and was the first Speaker of the House after the capital was removed to Des Moines.
During the war he served about two years in the greybeard regiment, being promoted from the ranks to first lieutenant, Company C. He was found dead in the field on his farm in Jasper county, December 17, 1870, of heart disease, being nearly seventy years of age.
HIENRY C. LEIGHTON.
Occasionally we find a man who has been the pride of a community in his youth, a brother and friend to his neighbors in manhood, and venerated as a father in his old age, who, when in the fullness of years and honor has wrapped the "drapery of his couch about him, and lain down to pleas- ant dreams," an entire section of country sincerely mourns his loss, and experiences, in common with his kinsmen, the feeling of gennine affliction. But rare, very rare, is the case in which one so yonng as the subject of this sketch is so universally mourned as was Henry O. Leighton, who died January 31, 1878, at the age of thirty-five. We realize that the com-
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
munity which so honored him in his life and remembered him in death, will appreciate a sketch of his life in the History of Mahaska county.
Henry C. Leighton was born in Mt. Sterling, Ill., November 21, 1842, his parents removing to Oskaloosa in 1847. With only the common school education which has furnished equipment for some of the greatest jour- nalists of the country, he entered the Oskaloosa Herald office at seventeen years of age, in which he worked as a typo. In August, 1862, when not yet twenty years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company D., of the gallant Thirty-third Iowa Infantry, and soon took his place among those who manifested their love for the Union by facing the enemy's guns. Im- mediately after his enlistment he was appointed second corporal, and from there through the office of second to that of first lieutenant. As adjutant of his regiment he mustered out Angust 7, 1865, just three years after date of his enlistment.
Upon his return from the army he re-entered the Herald office as one of its proprietors, and from that time till the day of his death his devotion to his profession was most constant and untiring. He sacrificed to his paper, probably his life. Chivalrous in editorial debate, enterprising in manage- ment, first in every moral reform, his journalistic career made him the idol of his friends, the admired of his rivals and opponents.
In 1870 he was chosen chairman of the Republican Central committee of Mahaska county, and subsequently served two years as chairman of the State Central committee, and for his management received the encomiums of the press throughout the state. He was post-master at Oskaloosa at the time of his death.
As secretary of Triluminar Lodge in Oskaloosa, from 1872 to 1874; as Senior Warden from 1874 till 1876; from 1876 to 1877 as its Master, he grew in high esteem among his fellow Masons. He was Eminent Com- mander of De Payen's Commandery from 1874 to 1876.
His death at the date above mentioned was sudden and unexpected. The Herald issued just one week previously, January 24, was in part the work of his hands, and a copy of the same was fixed in their cold clasp under the coffin lid. Inside was a paper on which was written the following stanza:
The good alone are truly great, To him will virtue yield the prize, Who seeks to better man's estate, And renders earth a paradise.
A meeting of citizens, another of fellow-soldiers, his brother Sir Knights, and members of Lodge, hastened to assemble upon his death to do honor to his memory, and express sympathy to his family. The press of the en- tire state contained expressions of mourning and regret. But the tes- timony of esteem which surrounded his bier was the most tender and touching of all. No such a concourse ever before attended a Mahaska cit- izen to his grave. The secretary and auditor of state, and the lieutenant- governor, his fellow-editors from Keokuk, Des Moines, Ottumwa, Pella, Marshalltown, Knoxville, Albia, Eddyville, Montezuma, New Sharon and elsewhere, testified their mourning by their presence on the Monday, Feb- ruary 4, appointed for his funeral. Two hundred Sir Knights and four hundred Master Masons from various parts of the state assisted in the cer- emony at the open grave, including the recitation of the Lord's Prayer by the entire assembly, a service never to be forgotten by those present.
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
Thus did Iowa bury one of her representative men, and Iowa journalism lost one of its brightest ornaments.
BENJAMIN ROOP.
Every early settler of Mahaska will recognize this name as one of the county's earliest and most enterprising citizens. Mr. Roop came to Oska- loosa from Ohio in 1845, a poor man, but was in the prime of life. He was one of those individuals who seem to have been made business men. He was in various enterprises until about 1850, when he engaged in build- ing the Steam Flouring Mill now occupied in West Oskaloosa by Messrs. Seibel & Co. This establishment, however, was owned by the firm Roop, Harbour & Co., and was completed in 1852, at a cost of about $20,000. To the mill was attached a distillery, and to this source of revenue Mr. Roop was indebted for much of the money so generously spent for the benefit of those around him. About 1856 he built the building now used as the National House, for his residence, and occupied it abont ten years. Shortly after the building of his mill, the problem of fuel to furnish its power engaged his attention. He employed a man named Dascom to prospect for coal in the vicinity of the present town of Beacon, and there was first discovered by this agency a suitable vein for mining purposes. In 1861 he established a large grocery and liquor house in Colorado, and inaugurated the business of freighting produce across the Rocky Moun- tains. Once or twice per year trains of twelve to fifteen large wagons were started from Oskaloosa across the Plains. Every enterprise undertaken by Mr. Roop seemed to succeed by magic, until he engaged in building the Eureka Mills at Beacon. Built in 1865, when everything was at a high figure, furnished with the most splendid machinery, its distillery attach- ment interfered with by the government, the genius of Mr. Roop failed to save his business from financial disaster. With broken fortunes he re- moved in 1871 to Springfield, Missouri, and engaged in milling operations there, and with a reasonable degree of success. Death, however, soon over- took him, and January 25, 1872, he fell a sudden victim to apoplexy, at the age of seventy-two years.
Mr. Roop was one of the most public spirited men Mahaska county ever had, and to his liberality and business capacities many laborers have been indebted for good living and comfortable homes. The poor man never applied to Mr. Roop in vain, and he enjoyed one of the surest evidences of nobility of disposition, the esteem and affection of his employes.
JOHN R. NEEDIIAM.
This gentleman was a representative Mahaska citizen. Not brilliant and scintillating, seldom or never surprising his friends by any pyrotechnic display, he was one of those men who, like the silent forces of nature, did his life work without sound of trumpets, holding ever the calm and even tenor of his way, continually bringing to mind the truthful saying, " still waters flow deep." Mr. Needham lived a life among the early generation of Mahaska county, such as only true men can live, that of an unshaken friend, an uncompromising enemy of evil, an enterprising citizen and a christian gentleman.
He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, December 18, 1824. He entered public service quite young. His father being sheriff of the county while
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
he was yet a minor, his son John was appointed deputy. While serving in this capacity, he entered a law office as student, in Cambridge, Ohio, where he was admitted to practice.
Emigrating to Mahaska county in 1849, soon after his arrival he taught a three month's school in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. July 2d of the following summer he commenced the publication of the Herald, under the firm of Needham & MeNeely. He continued his interest in the paper until 1865, with such change of partners as we have noticed in the history of the Herald.
Mr. Needham was an original Whig, and was the first Whig senator ever elected from Mahaska county. His election occurred in August, 1852. Soon after his settlement in the county he engaged in the practice of law, and when he devoted his time to his profession enjoyed a good practice. In October, 1861, he was elected Lientenant-Governor of the state of Iowa, and took his seat in January, 1862, discharging the duties of his office with credit to himself, and honor to the state. At the close of the legislative session was passed the following resolution:
Resolred, That the Senate hereby tender to Lient. Governor Needham, their thanks for the able, dignified, courteous and impartial manner in which he discharged the duties of pre- siding officer during this session.
He was elected senator a second time, October, 1867, which office he held at the time of his decease. He was universally respected and lamented by his fellow senators, and the eulogies pronounced upon the occasion of his death are testimonials which few men earn. We will allow one of his fel- low legislators who knew him well, speak through these pages of his vir- tue of mind and heart.
Senator Dixon said: " After an acquaintance of twelve years, I can truly say it has been my fortune to know few such men. Affable and easy in his address, mild and unassuming in his manners, conscientious in every- thing he did and said, with a heart as tender as that of a child, to know him was but to love and respect. Honesty was his policy; but policy was not his honesty. To those of you who knew him, there is nothing strange about it, that he occupied so high a place in the affections and confidence of the people of his county and state. His constituents never had any fears about their interests while entrusted to his care.
"Senator Needham was a moral hero. He overcame evil with good. The pathway of his life he strewed with those jewels that do most adorn the human heart; he was God's noblest work-an honest man. Nothing I could say would add to the luster of his fame, or the endearment of his memory. His monuments are planted deeply in the hearts of those who knew him."
As an illustration of his ability and fairness as a parliamentarian, it might be stated that he was the only president of the Iowa Senate whose decision was never reversed.
As president of the Oskaloosa school board during several years, as mayor of the city in 1860 and 1861, as trustee during three years of the Iowa Insane Asylum, he discharged lesser public duties with a care, a kindness, and enterprise in keeping with his character and good name.
But, not alone in political life did Gov. Needham receive the suffrages of his fellow citizens, and the encomiums of his friends. To him belonged the two rarely united qualities, of good statesmanship and a practical chris-
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
tianity. He was an earnest worker in the M. E. Church, of which he was both officer and member, and in the Sunday school. As president for a time of the County S. S. Association, and as superintendent of the Sabbath school of his own church he was recognized as among the foremost of those engaged in the christian education of the youth.
Mr. Needham was an invalid for some fifteen years previous to his death, a fact which made his public services the more praiseworthy and remarka- ble. His disease was pulmonary consumption, from which his death occur- red July 9, 1868.
His widow, Evaline Houtz Needham, who had been the partner of his life since September 29, 1852, still survives him and lives in Oskaloosa, esteemed not alone on account of her own graces, but also in memory of him whose death she has not mourned alone.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SAMUEL A. RICE.
From the work on "Iowa Colonels and Regiments," by Captian A. A. Stuart, we draw the following sketch :
"Samuel A. Rice, who received his death wound at the battle of Jenkins Ferry is the most distinguished officer our gallant state has lost in the war of the rebellion. Sprung from the great middle class, without name or wealth, he had, at the age of thirty-five, attained such distinction as to make his death a national calamity.
"General Rice was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, January 27, 1828, but passed his boyhood in Belmont county, Ohio, where his parents removed when he was quite young. The death of his father when he was a lad, deprived him of the privileges of more than a common school education in his youth, and placed upon his shoulders, at an early age, the partial support of a family. Accordingly he engaged in boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, as the most remunerative employment, and as flat boat- man he made one or more trips to New Orleans."
Subsequently the enterprise of young Rice secured for him a college education. Defraying his own expenses he graduated at Union College, New York, in the literary department of the institution, and attended law school one year in the University.
Immediately removing to Iowa he first settled at Fairfield, where he practiced law and occasionally assisted in the editorial room of the Whig paper, at that point. In the fall of 1851 he removed to Oskaloosa.
His first public office in Mahaska county was that of prosecuting attorney, which office he filled with such ability as to pave the way to higher civil attainments. He was accordingly nominated and elected attorney-general of the State in 1856 when but twenty-eight years of age. Re-elected in 1858, the beginning of the war found him in just possession of the term, " one of the best lawyers of the state." He assisted in the organization of the Republi- can party in Mahaska county, and was formost in advocating the Republi- can principles.
Gen. Rice was commissioned Colonel of the 33d Regiment of Iowa In- fantry, on the 10th day of August, 1862, and late in November left with his regiment for St. Louis. Of the work of that regiment, and the com- mand of Col. Rice, we have occasion to speak more fully in the History of the 33d. He was commissioned brigadier-general August, 1863, a dis- tinction which he earned by his gallant conduct in the battle of Helena.
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
The early part of the battle of Jenkins' Ferry was a most trying one to our troops. Capt. Comstock was quite severely wounded in the midst of the engagement, and tells us that as Gen. Rice rode over the field, he dis- mounted and shook hands with the wounded men, and with tears in his eyes expressed both his sympathy and his fears that the day would be lost.
It was in the enemy's last and unsuccessful charge that Gen. Rice re- ceived the wound which resulted in his death. Riding down his left wing he was shot by a mnsket ball through the right foot, the ball passing under the instep just in front of the ankle and driving the buckle of the spur be- fore it.
He left Little Rock for his home in Iowa on the 18th day of May. For a considerable time after reaching his home, he supposed he was conva- lescing, but the virus of his wound had permeated his whole system, poisoning the vital fluids and putting his case beyond the reach of human aid. He died July 6, 1864.
The night before the general's death, Judge Loughridge, of Oskaloosa, his warm and tried friend, watched by his bedside. His pain seemed to be intense, making the night drag heavily, and as he turned restlessly in his bed, the judge inquired: "General, how do you feel now? Are you will- ing to die?" Looking up, and his eyes brightening, he replied: "I am ready. 'Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.' "
Of the many eulogies called forth by his death, we can give but two or three.
Captain Stuart says: " My admiration of the character of this noble man, I am unable to express. Few as able and deserving as he have been sacrificed to the Moloch of Slavery." An army companion: "But above all, and over all, stands the name of one, whom lowa will be proud to own, General Samuel A. Rice. I have never seen his equal, either on the field or in the camp."
"The general was kind-hearted and unassuming. He was scarcely with- out a smile upon his face, and no one could be embarrassed in his presence. Few promised him the success he met in the service. He was as successful with the sword as he had been in his civil profession. He was a noble ex- emplar of our Free State Chivalry."
EDUCATIONAL.
The schools of our county are sharing with the newsboys' bundle the title of " universities of the poor," and not only so, but they are in a large proportion the final educators of the rich. A close observation of the work- ing of the public schools shows that if the induction of facts be complete it could be demonstrated that, in fact, the public schools turn ont more better fitted for business and for usefulness than most of our colleges. The freedom and liberty of our public schools affords less room for the growth of effeminancy and pedantry; it educates the youth among the people, and not among a caste or class, and since the man or woman is called upon to do with a nation in which we, the people, are the only factor, the education which the common schools afford, especially where they are of the superior standard reached in Mahaska county do, fit their recipients for a sphere of usefulness nearer the public heart, that can be attained by private schools or academies.
Mahaska county educational affairs are in a flourishing condition. The
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contrast between the settlers school and the present accommodations has been marked. The puncheon floor and desks, and doorless aperture for entrance, have given place to more finished edifices, in some cases elegant ones, possibly not more thoroughly ventilated, but more comfortably so. Mahaska county teachers believe in interchange of thought, and in com- munity of effort. In few counties have institutes been so well attended and normals so well sustained. The profession of teaching has been made a study, and when other counties have reached the standard of Mahaska, it will cease to be a disputed point as to whether teaching is craft or profes- sion. The superintendent's examination grade is of such a standard that all applicants do not attain it. It will be noticed that 170 were refused during the past year, a showing which is creditable to the standing of those who have been successful.
The first teachers' institute was held in December, 1856, and a teachers' association was formed. This was before the office of county superintend- ent was created. The meeting was held in the Normal School Building, with Henry Thorndike as president, and Charles Ball as secretary. The lecturers appointed for next meeting were Geo. W. Drake, W. L. Johnson, and Henry Thorndike.
The first normal under the Iowa law was held in Oskaloosa in 1873, and has been continued from year to year since that time. The lecturer last year was Mr. H. H. Seerley, superintendent of the Oskaloosa schools, and he also condueted the Normal of 1878. The number in attendance at last Nor- mal was 271. Mr. J. C. Williams is the present county superintendent, and is endeavoring to secure a somewhat uniform course of study throngh- out the schools of the county.
The Iowa State Teacher's Association was in session at Oskaloosa, Au- gust, 22d, 23d, 24th, and 25th, 1865. The lecturers were O. Faville, State Superintendent, Prof. W. F. Phelps, of Minnesota, Prof. W. O. Hiekey, of Davenport, Hon. Newton Bateman, of Illinois. The association was not so complete a success as some later meetings have been, but yet was a time of profit to those in attendance.
A teachers' county library has recently been established in the office of the county superintendent. Three branch libraries are established at Fre- mont, Peoria, and New Sharon, where associations are formed, an initia- tion fee of $1.00 and annual dues of 50 cents, constituting a membership. Each branch is entitled to have on hand from the central library, one-half more books than members enrolled, and these books thus held in the branch are exchanged for a fresh supply from the superintendent's office. This library has only been in existence a short time, and is as yet an infant.
There are about 330 volumes in its possession, and something over 200 members.
There are three towns in the county which have a system of Graded Schools: Oskaloosa, New Sharon, and Beacon. These will be more fully described under the sketches of towns.
The following Normal Institutes have been held in Mahaska county since the passage of the state law giving assistance to the same:
YEAR. PLACE OF HOLDING. Oskaloosa.
CONDUCTOR. TEACHERS ATTENDING. 141.
1874.
Prof. J. W. Woody.
1875.
Prof. S. P. Lucy.
138.
1876.
Prof. Eldridge. 175,
1877.
Prof. H. H. Seerley. 271.
1878.
66 .. ..
240.
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
It should be noticed with pleasure by the citizens of the county that the attendance upon these Normals is quite large, and that the teachers are taking a decided interest in their work, determined to give their schools the benefit of all that can be attained by co-operation. That the teachers have led their patrons in this county in some cases is shown in a rather ludicrous manner by the following documents, which do not belong to the present decade, however:
A teacher was dismissed by the board after three days' trial in a certain district in this county, and four reasons were given in writing as the cause of dissatisfaction.
1. Doing away with oral spelling, and substituting therefor spelling on slates.
2. Requiring all the smaller children to have slates and pencils, and having them draw lines, letters, pictures, etc.
3. Would not teach the names of the twenty-six letters at first to the children.
4. Taking up too much time with the recitations, and asking too many questions on the lessons.
Verily, here is a modern Galileo and the inquisition. However, they gave the young man a good recommendation, and before a progressive school committee he could present no more creditable credentials than the above.
Not many years ago, in Union township, a school-master, finding he had about five different series of text books, and thinking the parents would not object to having old books exchanged for new ones, he requested a meeting of the patrons of the school, for the purpose of deciding what kind of books should be adopted. He received the following note from one fond "parient":
"Mister huffmier, I well inform you that we hav hairred you two teach the skool, and if you Can't teach My Childrin in the books that they bring, send them home and you goe two hell, where all of linken purps owt two be, and I will inform you that you are hairred two teach the skol, and you git the pay for hit, and I wont you two make your own fires and I want them that haint got noe books two stay at home and let my child's books alone.
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