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 43
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In the campaign of 1878 there was a combination of the Democrats with the Greenback Labor Party, on County, Judicial, Congressional and State tickets, which caused a dissatisfaction in the latter party, and resulted in the success of the Republicans.
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
343
STATISTICS.
The following are the votes cast for presidency in Mahaska since 1852:
1852. Pierce, 541; Scott, 599; Hale, 45.
1856. Buchanan, 940; Freemont, 1,224; Fillmore, 268.
1860. Lincoln, 1,640; Douglas, 1,332.
1864. Lincoln, 1,836; McClellan, 954.
1868. Grant, 2,646; Seymour, 1,511.
1872. Grant, 2,532; Greeley, 1,176; O'Connor, 75.
1876. Hayes, 3,218; Tilden, 1,701; Cooper, 338.
In 1876 the following is an abstract of the official vote:
NAMES OF CANDIDATES.
No. Votes.
NAMES OF CANDIDATES.
No. Votes.
Presidential Electors at large.
Judge Supreme Court.
JOHN VAN VALKENBURG.
3218
WILLIAM H. SEEVERS
WILLIAM P. HEPBURN.
3218
Walter I. Hayes.
Daniel F'. Miller
1701
John P. Irish.
1686
Supreme Judge -- Vacancy 1879.
Porte C. Welch.
328
JAMES H. ROTHROCK.
3215
A. M. Dawley.
338
William Graham.
1697
District Electors, 6th District.
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
W. O. CROSBY T. B. Perry J. W. Murphy
3216 1690
CARL W. VON COELLN J. A. Nash. 332
3214
340
Secretary of State.
E. S. SAMPSON.
3167
JOSIAH T. YOUNG ..
3217
H. B. Hendershott.
1838
John H. Stubenrauch.
1703
James Mathews.
... 4
A. Macready.
338
D. M. Conley. 169
Auditor of State.
H. H. Trimble.
.1
BUREN R. SHERMAN
3219 1698
L. C. BLANCHARD. 3224
Leonard Brown.
332
D. P. Stubbs. 1730
Treasurer of State.
Representative.
GEORGE W. BEMIS
JOHN DODDS.
3168 1711
George C. Fry
332
Register of State Land Office.
DAVID SECOR. N. C. Ridenour Geo. M. Walker
3217 1697
332
Recorder.
Attorney General.
WILLIAM R. COWAN John A. Proudfit. 2013
3199
JOHN F. MCJUNKIN. J. C. Cook.
3218 1701
Board of Supervisors.
Supreme Judge -- Cole Vacancy.
SAMUEL GILMORE 3202
WILLIAM H. SEEVERS. Walter I. Hayes
2876 |G. B. McFall.
2010
1600
Circuit Judge.
William Groneweg
Wesley Jones.
3219 1698
Dr. J. A. Lucy.
Clerk of Court.
3210 D. R. MOORE. Geo. L. Shinnick. 1985
Representative in Congress.
3209 1644
Republicans in SMALL CAPITALS; Democrats in Italics; Greenbackers in Roman type. Republican majority 1522; Republican gain over vote on Governor in 1875, 906.
344
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
OFFICIAL VOTE
OF MAHASKA COUNTY AT GENERAL ELECTION HELD OCTOBER 9, 1877.
NAMES OF CANDIDATES.
Cedar.
Harrison.
Des Moines.
Jefferson.
Scott.
Oskaloosa.
White Oak.
Monroe.
Adams.
Madison.
Black Oak.
Richland.
Prairie.
Union.
P. Grove.
Total.
Majorities.
Governor.
JOHN H. GEAR.
101
109
61
45
73
555
91
95
100
78
70
86
194
99
66 2327
737
John P. Irish
89
38
16
55
33
290
96
88
54
18
34
100
65
42
68|1086
D. P. Stubbs.
12
43
154
55
83
339
18
20
30
36
74
75
30
32
10 1011
*Elias Jessup.
17
31
4
21
5
361
2
8
6
31
5
7
82
13
3
596
Lieut. Governor.
FRANK T. CAMPBELL ...
111
134
61
53
76
880
92
104
104
102
76
97
263
115
70 2338 1255
W. C. James
90
37
16
64
30
299
96
88
50
19
35
100
64
27
68 1083
A. Macready
18
50
158
59
87
379
21
18
36
41
72
75
39
45
10 1108
Judge Sup. Court.
110
134
61
53
76
873
92
104
104
102
76
97
268
116
70 2336 1251
H. E. J. Boardman
90
37
16
64
30
302
96
90
50
19
35
100
64
24
68 1085
John Porter ...
19
50
158
59
87
383
21
16
36
42
72
75
40
45
10 1114
Sup. Public Instruc'n.
109
132
60
53
77
822
92
103
103
102
77
95
262
116
70 2273 1185
90
37
16
64
30
303
96
91
50
19
35
100
64
25
68 1088
S. T. Ballard.
20
52
158
59
86
394
21
16
36
41
71
75
39
46
10 1124
Representatives.
102
124
65
53
71
688
88
95
89
75
71
93
256
112
69 2051
498
J. R. NICHOL.
101
111
51
51
79
733
90
102
84
90
76
95
211
106
70 2050
B. V. Seevers.
106
73
31
69
40
58J
100
97
68
35
38
107
91
50
68 1553
Mahlon Slanton.
58
76
156
67
91
518
31
33
69
85
71
83
97
57
16 1508
G. W. Houver
9
33
153
66
77
307
17
10
24
34
102
86
17
25
23
983
Auditor.
D. H. LESUER
114
68
52
63
729
82
100
99
84
70
99
265
103
70 2099
tGeo. A. Ross
106
167
117
128
815
127
110
91
79
112
172
108
84
78 2411
312
Treasurer.
J. H. FRY .
98
116
61
38
63
745
87
100
106
87
68
96
256
131
66 2148
tJohn R. Barnes
118
100
174
138
129
798
118
107
84
74
113
173
113
52
74 2365
247
Sheriff.
99
114
51
45
75
756
82
104
121
114
62
95
276
128
59 2181
833
T. J. Shipley
108
71
36
80
18
520
87
88
45
16
6
102
66
26
79.1348
I. N. Leidy.
35
145
50
98
270
15
21
34
115
75
29
42
9
951
Supt. Com. Schools.
57
114
60
52
64
877
90
95
102
90
76
97
263
118
67 2222
+J. C. Williams ..
155
101
175
123
127
674
117
109
85
72
106
175
109
67
78 2273
51
Member of Board.
110
132
65
49
71
860
92
104
105
100
76
96
266
114
70 2310 1173
A. L. Shangle ..
92
31
11
64
30
286
95
90
49
20
34
103
75
29
67|1076
W. J. McFall ...
18
50
159
60
93
411
20
15
36
42
73
73
32
44
11 1137
Coroner.
J. M. BYERS.
110
124
61
53
75
832
90
105
104
102
76
96
115
70 2281 1050
J. P. Gruwell.
91
36
16
64
30
271
93
50
19
34
99
25
68
959
David Evans ...
19
52
158
55
88
418
23
102
36
42
72
70
40
46
10 1231
Surveyor.
103
112
65
51
78
819
88
107
89
40
75
89
234
108
69
1812
tSamuel Thompson. Court House Vote.
117
101
170
124
116
732
120
101
96
123
107
172
137
77
79 2237
245
For bonds and tax.
8
5
61
6
12
760
49
12
13
10
23
13
19
4
989
Against bonds and tax
202
189
123
157
167
527
153
173
153
99)
147
228
255
161
132 2876 1887
Republicans in SMALL CAPITALS. Greenbackers in Italics. Democrats in Roman type.
*Prohibition ticket.
+On hotlı Democratic and Greenback tickets.
Scattering votes were cast as follows: H. W. Maxwell for Governor, 1 vote in Richland; E. Baker for Supt. Public Instruction, 1 vote in Adams; Fred Nelson for Lieut. Governor, 6 votes in Prairie; E. B. Kephart for Supt. Public Instruction, 6 votes in Prairie and 8 in Oskaloosa; N. R. Hook for Representative, 2 votes in White Oak; A. L. Shangle for Auditor, 1 vote in Richland; H. R. Kendig for Treasurer, 1 vote in Pleasant Grove; J. W. Johnson for Coroner, 8 votes in Oskaloosa; S. T. Ballard for Supt Common Schools, 1 vote in Cedar.
RAILROADS.
CENTRAL RAILROAD OF IOWA.
As early as 1858 the subject of a north and south line through Central Iowa was agitated, and the project was canvassed by Hon. J. B. Grinnell and others. At this early day the wealth of coal deposits in this section was recognized, as well as the demand for fuel among the railroads about to be built in Minnesota and Northern Iowa. But the rebellion breaking
CARL VON COELLN.
G. H. Cullison ..
H. W. GLEASON.
497
101 117
MARQUIS BARR ..
9
4
J. W. JOHNSON ...
E. W. MYRICK .
268 63
A. F. TRACY ......
JAMES G. DAY ...
e
347
IIISTORY OF MANASKA COUNTY.
ont, this project slumbered along with hundreds of other northern enter- prises. In 1864 a Quaker named David Morgan (who had come from Ten- nessee to New Sharon), with a limited number following, formed an incor- poration with headquarters at Oskaloosa, under the name of Iowa Central Railroad Company. This company was organized at New Sharon, January 5, 1865, with the following officers: Dayid Morgan, president; A. C. Will- iams, vice-president; Z. T. Fisher, secretary; Wm. T. Smith, treasurer. Di- rectors: David Morgan, H. P. Pickerell, W. T. Smith, W. H. Seevers, Daniel Anderson, A. C. Williams, Peter Melendy, Z. T. Fisher and Renben Mickel. After a few meetings Mr. Fisher resigned his secretaryship, and Judge Thompson, of Oskaloosa, was elected to that office, which he filled for a long time. During the year 1865 a railroad convention of several counties was called in Oskaloosa to consider the mutual interests of the different delega- tions. The question was discussed by delegates from Monroe, Tama, Black Hawk, Appanoose and Poweshiek counties, and it was generally resolved to be the interest of this section to lend its aid to the Iowa Central Company, al- ready formed. Thus encouraged, President Morgan threw the first spade- fnl of dirt near Cedar Falls, and at the same time let twenty miles of grad- ing. This grading has never been occupied by the company, as the loca- tion of the road was afterward changed to pass through Marshall county on account of the indifferent aid of the Black Hawk and Tama county citizens. At the January meeting of 1866 Win. T. Smith was elected president, and to his enterprise and push the citizens of Mahaska county are largely in- debted for the lowa Central road. This gentleman held meetings in varions school honses, churches and court houses, in company with others, through the various counties, and private subscriptions were secured to a surprising amount. Mahaska county contributed upward of $130,000 in local sub- scriptions. June, 1866, grading was commenced at the State line, and with one foot in Iowa and the other in Missouri, he threw the first shovelful of dirt on the southern part of the road. Under Mr. Smith's administration a large amount of grading was done, and the road began to attract consid- erable attention. At the end of two years Mr. Smith was succeeded by Jno. White, who resigned in two or three weeks, leaving vice-president Melendy in charge of the road. From this time on until the election of Judge Seevers, the project was at a stand-still. With Judge Seevers' election the enterprise revived, but all efforts to get responsible parties to iron and run the road were without avail. Finally a consolidation was effected, through President Gilman, with the Iowa River R. R. Co., under the name of Central Railroad of Iowa. The work of the road was then pushed for- ward with all possible speed, and on February 4, 1871, the road was com- pleted from Albia (about thirty miles north of the State line) to Mason City, owa. This is the present extent of the road (July, 1878). The last spike vas driven February 4, 1871, near the bridge across North Skunk river, and the ceremony is thus described by the Oskaloosa Herald:
The last rail was down and a polished spike, represented as that famous last spike, of which all have read and all longed to hear, was driven. At 5:15 o'clock President Gilman took the sledge to which was attached the telegraph wire, and handed it to F. W. H. Shef- field. president of the construction company, who struck the spike a fine lick and surrendered the sledge to Judge Seevers, who swung it around, to the great risk of all bystanders, hit the nail a lively whack that would have done credit to any Irishman on the line, and then tried to play "shenanigan " and get another lick at it, but after several ineffectual attempts to hit it, gave up to Hon. G. M. Woodbury. He was followed by Hon. J. B. Grinnell, who spotted it after a trial or two, and then President Gilman took the hammer and drove home the
22
348
HISTORY OF MAIIASKA COUNTY.
spike amid cheers, shouts, screeches of five locomotives, music, etc. The spike was driven about thirty feet this side of the county line.
Though the Central Railroad has done a good business, it has shared a disastrous financial state in common with most new western roads, and is now in the hands of a receiver. The first receiver appointed was D. N. Pickering, about 1875; succeeded by J. B. Grinnell, and more recently by H. L. Morrill, appointed during the present year (1878). Mr. Morrill now manages the road pending an appeal before the U. S. Supreme Court, after the decision of which the probabilities are that the road will be secured in the interest of the bondholders.
CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND AND PACIFIC.
The terminns of this branch was for a considerable time at Sigourney. In the summer of 1875 Superintendent Riddle proposed to the citizens of Oskaloosa that the company would build the road to that place immediately if the citizens would furnish the right of way and raise the sum of $20,000. This was done by local subscription, and the trains were running to Oska- loosa in February, 1876. The road extends across the county through townships range 75 north, and is now completed to Knoxville.
KEOKUK AND DES MOINES.
This road was built through the southwestern part of Mahaska county, up the valley of the Muchakinock, during the summer of 1864. It had been completed from Keokuk as far as Eddyville for some years previous, and was in that day known as the Keokuk, Des Moines and Minnesota Railroad Company. This was changed to that of the Des Moines Valley Railroad Company, and several years since, to that of the Keokuk and Des Moines Railroad Company.
This road has a station at Beacon, two and one-half miles southwest of Oskaloosa, and for several years this was the only railroad station near the county seat, a fact which has long been a source of regret, not only to the friends of the road, but likewise to the citizens of Oskaloosa. It will be remembered that it was, and has been, a question of a good deal of interest why the road was not built through Oskaloosa, and we will endeavor to answer the same.
During the legislature of 1863-4 Geo. W. McCrary, of Keokuk, was chairman of the railroad committee in the Senate, and B. S. Merriam, of the same place, was chairman of the railroad committee in the House. The building of the Des Moines road was largely in the interest of Keokuk, and as that was the only road pressing legislative aid during that session, the influence of the Gate City was very considerable. While the road was under the name of the K., D. M. & M. R. R., the men who furnished the capital and really owned the road, were Gilman & Son, of New York City. As has been already mentioned, the road was completed to Eddyville pre- vious to 1864. At this session of the legislature it was the desire of the company to secure such legislation as would secure them such a title to certain lands, granted them by the state, that they might raise capital by mortgaging the same, and continue the building of the road. These lands were certain alternate sections along the Des Moines river which had been
349
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
granted by Congress to the Des Moines River Improvement Company, but in the failure of which company were transferred to the K. D. M. & M. R. R., on condition of their assuming certain claims of the improve- ment company. These lands were within ten miles of the Des Moines river, for the most part, though certain indemnity lands were also granted to the company in some of the northern connties of the State. The grade being easy up the Des Moines, and their lands being located there, it was to the interest of the company, or rather to Gilman & Son, to build along the high water mark of the river. Messrs. Reid & Kilbourne, of Keokuk, were the western managers and builders of the road. They acted, however, under instructions from Gilman & Son. While the proposed bill was being shaped in the room of the Senate committee, a very decided opposi- tion was developed by the Mahaska county delegation, and others, who wished the road to pass through Oskaloosa. Mahaska county was repre- sented by Judge Crookham, and Poweshiek and Iowa counties by M. E. Cutts, who gave his influence in favor of Oskaloosa. These gentlemen, while they favored the grant, and wanted to see the road built, determined to fight the bill in order to foree the road through Oskaloosa and away from the Des Moines. A correspondence with Gilman & Son gained the consent of those gentlemen to build the road up Muchakinock creek to the present town of Beacon, and then back to the Des Moines river, mak- ing about a mile greater distance, this to be done with the understanding that Oskaloosa, or the Keokuk men who favored the Oskaloosa route on ac- count of its additional trade, would pay the additional cost, being about $13,000. McCrary introduced his bill providing the road should be built up the valley of the Des Moines, with the private understanding that the friends of Oskaloosa would introduce an amendment in accordance with Gilman & Son's proposition. An amendment was introduced through the agency of Judge Crookham, and presented by senator Clarkson providing that the road should pass within one-half mile of the square in Oskaloosa. After considerable wrangling the bill passed the Senate on a vote of 33 to 9. It went down to the House. The chairman of the House committee put it in his pocket and refused to report it to that body, he being on the other side of the question. The objection urged by Gilman against the Oskaloosa route was that they would be troubled by the prairie snows, some of the Iowa roads having expended great amounts of money in clear- ing their tracks the previous winter. The main reason, however, was to enhance the value of his own lands along the river. The railroad men de- clared that if the Oskaloosa amendment was insisted npon, they would build forty miles of road up the river bank during the next summer, with- out legislation, and leave Oskaloosa out in the cold altogether. At this stage a lobby of Oskaloosa citizens was summoned to the capital. The case was laid before them, and it was finally decided to agree to a bill pro- viding that the road should be built up the valley of the Muchakinock to the point on that stream nearest Oskaloosa, where a station should be located, and from there it was expected the road would turn back to the Des Moines.
In 1860 a company was organized in Oskaloosa under the name of Ma- haska County Railroad Company, for the purpose of building a road from Eddyville to Oskaloosa, and the road was graded, partly bridged and ties furnished.
In 1864 the K., D. M. R. R. built upon this grade to Beacon, and have
350
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
since occupied it, while the Mahaska county company are still whistling for their pay. An offer of some thousands of dollars bonus from Pella relieved Mr. Gilman of his alarm in respect to prairie snows, and instead of passing from Beacon back to the Des Moines river the road does not again enter the valley until it reaches Des Moines city.
June 13, 1864, the road was leased to Messrs. Reid, Leighton, Perry, & Kilbourne, of Keokuk, who conducted it as lessees for a number of years. In 1874 the road between Keokuk and Des Moines was bought in the in- terest of the first mortgage bondholders for $1,175,000, and called the Keokuk & Des Moines Railroad Company. During the present year a lease of the road has been perfected by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Company, which will run it as a branch.
It is hoped that the crossing of the two branches of this company near Oskaloosa, may be of very material benefit to the town, which it will be if the company decide to locate shops here, which there are strong reasons for their doing.
MAHASKA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Mahaska is pre-eminently an agricultural county, and great interest is taken in everything that belongs to the society which encourages the farmer in his work, brings him in contact with his neighbor, gratities his pride, affords him opportunity to display the fruits of his industry and to study the successes and experiments of others.
The first meeting, having in view the formation of a county society, was an assemblage of farmers in the court house in answer to a call in the Os- kaloosa Herald, meeting on the 15th of March, 1852. Of this meeting P. Loughridge was chosen president, and T. F. Seevers, secretary. The matter was pretty thoroughly discussed, and it was the sense of the meeting that it would be for the best interest of Mahaska county agriculturists to unite into a permanent organization. For this purpose a committee of five were appointed to draft a constitution. The committee was composed of the following gentlemen: E. W. Eastman, Andrew Williams, Jno. S. Walker, T. F. Seevers and A. M. Galer.
At an adjourned meeting held at the same place on March 27th, the com- mittee reported a constitution for the "Mahaska County Agricultural So- ciety," and articles of incorporation which were adopted. Of this organ- ization the first officers as elected at this meeting were: President, P. Loughridge; Vice Presidents, Jolin Bond and C. N. Smith; Secretary, Thos. F. Seevers; and Treasurer, Andrew Williams. The society adjourned until June 12th, when a meeting was held at which it was decided to hold a fair at Oskaloosa on the 23d day of October, 1852. The officers elected for the ensuing year were: President, P. Loughridge; Vice Presidents, C. N. Smith and T. Cox; Secretary, Thos. F. Seevers; Treasurer, M. T. Wil- liams. Board of Managers was composed of E. W. Eastman, Alfred See- vers, W. Lawrence, H. Dobyns, J. F. Moore, and Dr. Nichol. In a short time a premium list was advertised which would not compare very favora- bly with one of 1878, but which offered premiums to the amount of $140, for various agricultural exhibits. The fair was held as appointed, and was located, we are informed, in the public square. Some of the more delicate articles were exhibited in the court house, and the stock was tied along a rail fence in Mark's lots, about the locality of G. II. Baugh's present res-
351
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
.
idence. At this time the fair received no assistance from the State. The first county fair, under the law, was probably held in 1856, and in conse- quence the fair for 1878 is called the 23d annual exhibition, being in fact, however, the twenty-seventh.
Twice has Oskaloosa had the state fair, being in 1858 and 1859. It will be remembered that at that time there was not a railroad in Mahaska county and the facilities for reaching Oskaloosa from different points in the state was not what it now is. The year preceeding the fair of 1858 had been a disastrous one. Crops had not succeeded very well and the country was only convalescing from the financial sick-bed of 1857. The fair was held on the Mahaska county fair grounds, then consisting of about twenty acres, and including a part of the present society grounds. There was a good attendance and a very general intererst manifested. The pre- vious season of almost continual rain had deprived exhibitors the expected pleasure of making a display which should excel previous years. The re- ceipts were $2,843 and the premiums paid were $1,612. It is interesting to compare these figures with those of the state and county fairs of 1876, as showing the wonderful agricultural growth of the country and the grow- ing interest in agricultural exhibits.
In the state fair of 1876 the receipts were $13.657; premiums paid were $9,020. being about 500 per cent in advance of eighteen years previous. Mahaska county fair receipts for the centennial year were $4,300, and amount of premiums paid $3,000, or nearly double that of the state fair in 1858. In the latter not a single entry of thoroughbred cattle was made from Mahaska county. There are now some hundreds of short horns owned by Mahaska county farmers, and quite a number of them thorough- breds. Among those who have interested themselves in raising the grade of cattle on Mahaska prairies might be mentioned E. H. McCann, A. Lewis, and James Bridges, in Monroe township; HI. H. Prine, W. T. Smith, S. L. Pomeroy, and Chas. Hutchinson, in Oskaloosa township; W. A. Bryan and James McIntosh, of Prairie township; and N. Cone, of Jeffer- son. Each of these gentlemen has a fine herd of cattle, and through their enterprise a finer line of stock is being distributed throughout the county. Attention is mostly given to short horns, though some Jerseys and Devons are to be found. Messrs. Smith and Prine had a cattle sale on the fair grounds in 1877, which was largely attended.
The agricultural society abandoned the old articles of incorporation in 1873. On December 30th, of that year, was incorporated what was called the Mahaska Agricultural Association, but this society met with financial reverses, and a new organization, a joint stock company, was organized and incorporated February 9th, 1874, under the name and title of Mahaska County Agricultural Society. This is the present organization and has a capital stock paid up of $10,000, with privilege of increasing to $40,000. The society is now on a good financial basis and out of debt. Moreover, the articles of incorporation provide that no indebtedness shall be incurred beyond $5,000, which insures its secure footing financially, if the provision is not violated. The first officers of the present incorporation were James W. McMullen, President; Henry H. Prine, Vice President; Samuel Ingles, Treasurer; John H. Green, Secretary.
The grounds of the society are located upon a gentle eminence on the northwest portion of the Oskaloosa plat, and contain about thirty acres. They are enclosed by a substantial board fence, and are easy of access from
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
the city. They contain an excellent half mile track, well drained and wide enough for six sulkys abreast. The society is able to offer facilities for speed trials second to no county in the west. The Fine Art Hall is in the shape of a Greek cross, and is ample in accommodation for any prob- able exhibit for years to come. The amphitheater will comfortably seat two thousand persons. For the fair of 1878 the society offers nearly $4,000 in premiums, and approaches the state fair in its speed list, $1,700 being offered for the coming fair. It is no exaggeration to say that Mahaska county holds a fair second to no county in the State, save that of Scott, where larger premiums are offered, and larger receipts are realized.
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