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 56
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Second Ward-John Siebel, S. E. Rhinehart. Third Ward-SR. W. Lacey, D. A. Hurst.
Fourth Ward-Jas. McQuiston, C. P. Searle.
J. A. Likens resigned May 14, 1870, immediately after his election, and was succeeded by J. W. Ocain, March 14, 1870: J. W. Ocain resigned July 11. 1870, succeed- ed G. W. Norton, July 16, 1870; G. W. Nor- ton resigned Nov. 30, 1870, succeeded by W. N. Buchanan. Dec. 1, 1870.
+Resigned Nov. 14, 1870; succeeded by J. Kelly Johnson. Nov. 21, 1870.
# Resigned Dec. 12, 1870; succeeded by W. H. Simmons.
§Resigned Nov. 21, 1870; succeeded by James Rhinehart, Dec. 12, 1870.
1871.
Mayor-Geo. H. Baugh.
Marshal-W. N. Buchanan.
Clerk -Frank Kelly.
Treasurer-S. H. Chapman.
Solicitor-J. Kelly Johnson.
Street Commissioner -- W. H. Sim- mons.
COUNCILMEN.
First Ward-L. D. Rounds, Henry Mattox.
Second Ward -* James A. Young, John Siebel.
Third Ward-D. A. Hurst, James Rhinehart.
Fourth Ward-H. C. Huntsman, Jas. McQuiston.
*Resigned Feb. 12, 1872.
1872.
Mayor-W, T. Smith.
Marshal-Wm. N. Buchanan.
Clerk-Frank Kelly.
Treasurer-W. A. Lindly.
Solicitor-J. Kelly Johnson.
Street Com .- W. H. Duke.
COUNCILMEN.
First Ward-D. H. LeSuer, L. D. Rounds.
Second Ward-W. H. Wray, E. M. Beatty.
Third Ward-B. R. Perdue, D. A. Hurst.
Fourth Ward-M. T. Williams, H. C. Huntsman.
1873.
Mayor-Geo. H. Bangh.
Marshal-Riley Jessup. Clerk-Frank Kelly. Treasurer-W. A. Lindly.
Solicitor-J. Kelly Johnson.
Street Commissioner - James Ocain.
466
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
COUNCILMEN.
First Ward -* John A. Kalback, D. H. LeSuer.
Second Ward-W. H. Wray, E. M. Beatty. Third Ward-D. A. Hurst, B. R. Perdue.
Fourth Ward-F. L. Downing, M. T. Williams.
*Resigned September 22, 1873; succeeded by L. K. Dutton October 13, 1873.
1874.
Mayor-Geo. H. Baugh.
Marshal-C. McCarty. Clerk-Geo. R. Lee.
Treasurer-W. A. Lindly.
Solicitor-J. Kelly Johnson. Street Com .- J. W. Ocain.
COUNCILMEN.
First Ward-M. P. Givens, L. K. Dutton.
Second Ward-Wm. Mattison, W. H. Wray.
Third Ward-B. R. Perdue, D. A. Hurst.
Fourth Ward-John H. Green, F. L. Downing.
*Resigned September 16, 1874; succeeded by J. B. McCurdy September 30, 1874.
1875.
Mayor-Geo. H. Baugh.
Marshal -* John Shaw.
Clerk-Geo. R. Lee. Treasurer-W. A. Lindly.
Solicitor-J. Kelly Johnson.
Street Commissioner-Wm. Staf- ford.
COUNCILMEN.
First Ward-L. A. Scott, M. P. Givens.
*Resigned July 12, 1875; succeeded by J. W. Gladden August 9, 1875.
Second Ward -Win. Mattison, David Evans.
Third Ward-C. Houtz, B. R. Perdne.
Fourth Ward-J. H. Green, Jas. Hurst.
1876.
Mayor-Geo. H. Baugh.
Marshal -* J. W. Gladden.
Clerk-Geo. R. Lee.
Treasurer-W. A. Lindly.
Solicitor-Ben McCoy.
Street Commissioner -- W. Wray.
COUNCILMEN.
First Ward-L. A. Scott, Jno. A. Shannon.
Second Ward-M. L. Levi, David Evans.
Third Ward-L. B. Ayres, C. Houtz.
Fourth Ward-James McCulloch, James Hurst.
*Resigned November 13, 1876; succeeded by T. J. Henderson.
1877.
Mayor .- Geo. H. Baugh.
Marshal .- T. J. Henderson.
Clerk .- Geo. R. Lee.
Treasurer .- W. A. Lindly.
Solicitor .- Benj. McCoy.
Street Commissioner .- W. Wray.
COUNCILMEN.
First Ward .- L. A. Scott, John A. Shannon.
Second Ward .- M. L. Levi, Da- vid Evans.
Third Ward .- L. B. Ayres, C. Houtz.
Fourth Ward .- James McCul- lough, James Hurst.
467
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
1878.
Mayor .- James A. Rice.
Marshal .- John Ream.
Clerk .- T. H. Green. Treasurer .- A. A. Kendig.
Solicitor .- F. M. Davenport.
Street Commissioner. - M. K. Edson.
COUNCILMEN.
First Ward .- John A. Shannon, L. A. Scott .*
Second Ward .- W. A. Rinker, Geo. Brown. Third Ward .- F. H. Loring, M. E. Cutts. Fourth Ward .- L. H. Hole, S. J. Dutton.
*Resigned June 10, 1878. Still vacant.
FIRES.
Four times in the history of the city has Oskaloosa been visited by the "fire fiend," in such a manner as to make his call a matter of distinct rec- ollection. The south side of the square has been twice visited, and the Phoenix Block has sprung from the ashes of two fires. The first of these occurred during the summer of 1863. It started in a two-story frame building, the first double story store ever built in Oskaloosa, where it is supposed some vagrants had taken lodging for the night and set fire to paper in the building from their pipes. Six frame buildings were burned. The principal losers were Win. T. Smith, M. T. Williams, J. B. Dixon and J. D. Shannon. Compared with the present value of business prop- erty of the city, the loss was small, amounting to only $3,000 or $4,000.
This block was soon afterward re-built, and was a considerable improve- ment over the frame row above mentioned. Part of the new block was known as the Knowlton Block. These buildings were again destroyed, shortly after midnight of January 20th, 1873, This fire originated in an unknown manner in the store room of Seevers & Gadd. The following is a list of the principal sufferers: J. B. Dixon, $5,500; Daniel Danielson, $6,500; Thompson & Beaman, $6,500; Masonic Hall, $6,500; Seevers & Gadd, $4,000; M. T. Williams, $1,000; J. H. Green & Co., $5,000; J. L. Pinkerton, $3,000; W. E. Vernon, $1,500; Shoemake & Wroughton, $1,000. By order of Win. T. Smith, Mayor, a number of frame buildings adjoining and fronting on the square were torn down, for which threats were made to sue the city for damages. But a wiser and more generous policy was pursued, viz: the erection of a fine row of business buildings along the entire south side of the square.
From this time the month of Jannary seems to have been the unfortu- nate month for Insurance companies and property holders in Oskaloosa. On the early morning of the 15th in the year 1874, an alarm was sounded from the northwest corner of the square. The origin of the blaze was again unknown. Four buildings were burned. Losses: A. M. Rodgers, $5,000; Boyer & Barnes, $3,000; H Price, $1,000; N. Dodge, $500; Levi Hambleton, $5,000; Louis Frank, $1,200; J. W. Faxon, $700. In a total loss of $17,000 there was only about $5,000 insurance.
The last big fire in Oskaloosa was on High street, January Stli, 1877, supposed to have started from a lamp explosion. The principal losses were J. P. Gruwell, building, $2,000; Gibbs Bros., building, $2,500; J. W. Hinesley, building, $1,000; Jasper Bates, house and contents, $1,500; Mattison Bros., building, $2,500; J. M. Orvis, stock, $2,000; Rice & Hinesley, stock, $2,500.
468
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
ARTESIAN WELL.
The need of some water supply for public purposes, has long been felt in the county seat. Some time about the year 1872, the question of sinking an artesian well in the center of the public square in Oskaloosa was seri- ously discussed. It was claimed by Oskaloosa citizens that this would be a benefit to the county as well as to the city, and application was made to the board of supervisors to secure their assistance in the project. This was so far successful as to secure the action of the board in passing a reso- lution appopriating, not to exceed $10,000, to that project, provided the city would bear an equal expense. D. W. Loring and Robert Seevers were appointed as commissioners to act with a similar appointment from the city council. Through some misunderstandings the partnership was not formed, and for a time the project was dropped. The State Geologist was consulted, and gave his written opinion in favor of the feasibility of ob- taining a good supply of water at a reasonable depth. The matter was finally taken in hands by the city alone, the county appropriation having been enjoined by grangers. Everything prospered until a depth of 900 feet had been reached, from which time bad management, carelessness and misfortune rendered the subject a by-word among all Oskaloosa citizens. The first trouble was the loss of tools. They were grappled for a long time without success -- the well caved in -- some scoundrel at one time dropped in a log chain and scantling-the work was abandoned. It was resumed by new contractors, Spangler, Marrs & Co., of Chicago, in November 1875, and was vigorously carried forward until March, 1876, when a depth of 2,500 feet was reported. This at an expense of near $25,000. This state of affairs-almost & mile into the depths of the earth and no flowing stream -- was discouraging. A disposition was manifested to accept a prop- osition of the contractors to try again down near Siebel's mill, but the pub- lic purse forbade. Unfortunately for the scientist, no record was kept of the strata passed through after the suspension of the work, pending the second contract. We give the strata for the first 1,200 feet. It will be noticed that a fine vein of coal underlies the city.
Depth. er Thickness.
5 5 feet black soil ·
38 33 feet joint clay.
41 3 feet sand and gravel. ... 50 9 feet blue clay
63 13 feet fire clay. .....
97 34 feet black slate. . ......
107 10 feet coal.
. . ....
12 foot sulphur
. ...
127 20 feet lime stone.
139 12 feet soap stone.
148 9 feet grey sand stone.
149 12 foot traces plumbago . . . 161 12 feet grey sand stone. . .. .
165 4 feet flint rock. .. . . .
180 15 feet lime stone. ...
189 9 feet sand stone ..
190 1 foot traces plumbago. ...
200 10 feet sand stone. . ...
Depth.
Thickness.
270 20 feet white slate.
230 10 feet porous rock.
610 330 feet lime stone.
720 110 feet slate
870 150 feet of hard limestone or Iowa marble susceptible of .very fine polish. .
970 100 feet very dark hard lime rock, with streaks of sand rock and mica. (Also some fossils at 935 ft .. .
977 7 feet hard gray sand stone.
982 5 feet gypsum and magnesia with streaks of hard sand shell.
997 15 feet feldspar.
1002 5 feet of porous sand rock
1076 to 1095 black slate.
1095 to 1115 blue slate.
1115 to 1140 lime rock. .... 250 50 feet black slate. . .
1140 to 1200 blue slate. .. ...
. . . . .
.
. . .
469
HISTORY OFMAHASKA COUNTY.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
The following are the present officers of Oskaloosa:
Mayor .- James a Rice. Marshal .- John Ream. Clerk .- T. II. Green. Treasurer .- A. A. Kendig. Solicitor .- F. M. Davenport.
Councilmen :
First Ward .- John A. Shannon, L. A. Scott .* Second Ward .- W. A. Rinker, George Brown. Third Ward .- F. H. Loring, M. E. Cutts. Fourth Ward .- L. A. Hole, S. J. Dutton.
*Resigned June 10, 1878. Still vacant.
The expenses of the city government last year, exclusive of sinking fund, was:
Salaries,
$ 1,610.56
Gas, . . . .
3,522.30
Improvements,
1,079.53
Merchandise.
120.06
Labor,. .
.
407.52
Costs, .
235.85
Fire Department,.
1,577.29
Miscellaneous,.
451.09
Total, $ 9,004.20
The city taxes collected by the city treasurer during the year 1877, was $9,782.
The assessed value of property, real and personal, for that year was $986,164 39.
The following is a comparative valuation, according to assessment, for five years.
Assessed Valuation, 1873, $ 776,722
1874,
816,990
1875,. 867,490
1876, 982,732
1877, . 986,164
The levy for 1878 is twelve mills, being two for sinking fund and ten for general fund.
The amount of receipts over running expenses, for 1877, was $3,432.51. The city's bonded indebtedness, July, 1878, is about $38,800, funded as follows:
Steam engine and hose (due in 1880-83). $ 5,800
Artesian well (due January 20, 1882). 12,000
Artesian Well and South Avenue (due in 1886-87) .. 21,000
470
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
These bonds are negotiable at par. They draw 10 per cent interest, pay- able semi-annually. Most of the bonds are held by eastern parties. It is probable that about two-thirds of the bonds can be paid when due, and the balance will be refunded.
There are in outstanding warrants on the city treasury, at above men- tioned date, about $3,450. These will all be paid by April 1, 1879.
Oskaloosa was supplied with gas in 1872, under contract with J. L. Pinkerton, who afterward disposed of his contract to the " Oskaloosa Gas Light Company." At first the gas was made from coal oil, but is now made of coal.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Oskaloosa Fire Department was organized in 1871, and now comprises three companies, as follows:
Oskaloosa Fire Company, No. 1 .- Consists of twenty-five members and is supplied with a steam fire engine of Cole Bros.' make, purchased by the city in July, 1873, and called " Long George." Belonging to this com- pany are two hose carts, 1,500 feet of good hose, and a hose tower.
Officers .- C. Woodruff, foreman; J. W. Lafollett, assistant foreman; Melvin Ream, second assistant foreman; W. H. Duke, Secretary; B. T. Dutton, Treasurer; H. Duke, hose foreman; W. B. Ingles, assistant hose foreman.
Company, No. 2 .-- Was first organized in August, 1873, and known as Defiance company, No. 2, but this company disbanded, and the present one was organized January 1, 1877, with a membership limited to fifteen mem- bers. This company has a small engine of Douglas' patent, called "Long Charlie." They have 250 feet of hose in good condition.
Officers .-- Rob't Carroll, foreman; Win. Waters, assistant foreman; Chas. Hoffman, Secretary; Wm. Owens, Treasurer.
Wide Awake Company, No. 3 .- Have a similar engine to No. 2, and same membership. This company was organized Angust, 1873. Meetings are held on last Thursday in each month. Have 200 feet of hose.
Officers .- H. P. Welker, foreman; C. D. Alexander, assistant foreman; H. K. Kemble, second assistant foreman; D. C. Waggoner, Secretary; J. A. Jones, Treasurer.
The chief of the fire department, elected for 1878, is F. L. Downing. The firemen are paid one dollar each per month for their services.
The water supply of Oskaloosa consists of four large cisterns and two large reservoirs. Of these latter one is near Seibel's mill, and the other in the north part of town near the woolen factory.
HOTELS.
As we have already stated, the first hotel in Oskaloosa was known as the "Canfield House," and kept by Win. D. Canfield. It was located on the ground where the Bashaw Livery Stable now stands.
Another primitive institution was the Oskaloosa House, which has fol- lowed the Canfield into a list of the times that were. In 1856-7 the "Needham House " was built just one block sonth of the square by David Needham. It has changed hands almost as many times as it has been years in existence, and is now known as the Burnett House. Mr. Willey is the proprietor.
newmcneill .
.
473
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
About 1872 the fine residence built by Mr. Roop, of which we have made mention elsewhere, was purchased and opened as a hotel by Jesse Thomas, and called the St. James. It has since had some half dozen proprietors, the last being Samuel Gossage, who shares quite largely the patronage of the public.
However, the pride of Oskaloosa hotels is the Downing House, which stands on the east side of the square. This was formerly called the Madi- son House, and was purchased by Major F. L. Downing in 1856. It had been kept by a man named Eastman previously, and was an old-fashioned frame tavern with the sign post ont in front, far enough from the door to allow the stage coaches to drive between it and the front door. The first months after the major's arrival in Oskaloosa were palmy days for land- lords. Every morning from two to fonr stages stopped for breakfast, and the traveling patronage was not only large but lucrative. The Major tells us that in fifteen months he made $6,000 from ten rooms. At one time during that period a railroad party came staging through Oskaloosa and stopped at the Madison House for the night. The party numbered twenty- nine, with Governor Dix at the head. Only half the number were ex- pected, and it became necessary to crowd matters. The Major had one large room, and he sent the stable-boys ont to the barn and had several ticks filled with straw for the emergency, and in this room fifteen weary railroad- ers slumbered that cold winter night on five straw ticks, three to a bed.
A bridal party stopping here in 1856 describes the "best room " in Os- kaloosa's best hotel as covered with a miserably worn rag carpet, contain- ing two beds, no washı stand, but instead, a wash bowl placed on a common chair, and by its side a sancer of soft soap!
Such accommodations are in lively contrast with the princely hotel built by Major Downing in 1874. At this time the Madison House was torn down. It consisted of seven different frame buildings grouped together, and was sold and moved away by piece-meal. The present Downing House is a three-story brick, sixty by one hundred and ten feet, and cost, furnished throughout, $+8,000.
Its completion was celebrated by a grand opening December 22, 1874, at which between three and four hundred invited guests were present. An elegant banquet was served in the dining room, and the whole closed with a grand ball in the City Hall.
The Downing enjoys the major portion of the transient custom, and has from thirty to forty regular boarders. Dennis Reagen, at the desk, has a smiling face for every new comer. His ubiquity is a seven days' wonder, and his power in entertaining guests is only excelled by a silhouette panto- mime.
SIEBEL & CO.'S MILLS.
These mills were built in West Oskaloosa partly in 1851, and partly in 1857. The grist mill was built in 1851 by Roop, Harbour & Co., and in the following year was acenpied as a grist mill and distillery. The build- ing now used as a woolen mill was built by Mr. Roop in 1857, and occupied in connection with his distillery as a whisky refinery. In 1865 these were sold to Messrs. Hambleton & McCurdy, who abolished the distillery and put the machinery for a woolen mill in the refinery building. The enter- prise then passed into the hands of Siebel & Co. in 1866, who are the pres- ent owners.
29
474
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
These gentlemen have three buildings, occupied as grist mill, woolen mill, and warehouse. The grist mill is a three-story frame, sixty-five feet square, containing three pairs of burrs, and grinding about two hundred bushels of wheat per day. This mill does what custom work is offered, but is engaged for the most part in the manufacture of flour for mercantile trade. Most of this is sold within the limits of Mahaska county.
- Just north of the grist mill is the engine house, containing a forty-horse power engine which turns the shafting of the grist mill, and of the woolen factory just beyond. The latter building is 110x133 feet in size, three sto- ries high. It contains two sets of woolen machinery, and during the past year manufactured goods from 45,000 pounds of wool. Some of this was made into fine cloths, but the greater portion into flannels, blankets and yarn, which are sold throughout the state.
In 1877 Siebel & Co. manufactured about five hundred pairs of blankets, thirty-five thousand yards of flannels, and eight thousand pounds of flannel yarn. Coal for fnel is obtained from neighboring banks, and the necessary water from a pond which the firm has made by excavation near the mills.
SCHOOLS.
As has been already stated, the first school in the vicinity of Oskaloosa, which also was the first in the county, was that taught by Miss Simira A. Hobbs, beginning in September, 1844, and taught in a pioneer school house, about two miles east of Oskaloosa public square.
In the following winter, school was kept by Samnel Caldwell, who has sometimes been erroneously credited with teaching the first school. This was just at the eastern edge of Oskaloosa town, in the house of A. G. Phil- lips, located near the present residence of Hon. M. E. Cutts.
In the summer of 1845 James Johnson taught in Levi Smith's house, on the south side of the square. In the fall of 1845 Miss Hobbs again taught in a log cabin, on the ground where the present M. E. parsonage stands. In the following winter, Mr. N. Bonham tanght school in John Cameron's house.
Where, when, and by whom the first public school was taught, is a ques- tion as deeply buried among varions traditions, and contradictions as the origin of the Mexican Aztecs, and after hearing a half dozen different accounts spread over as many different years, the historian can give perfect credence to none. There is a probability however, that it was taught in the old Cumberland Presbyterian church, but only a probability. Those we have mentioned above, were all subscription schools, and taught before the State of Iowa was organized.
The schools of Oskaloola were known as the first school district of Oska- loosa township, and the first school house erected by this district, was the brick building yet known as Gospel Ridge School House, and standing de- lapidated and vacant on the school lot in northeastern part of Oskaloosa. Here J. M. Loughridge was probably first principal.
About 1850, provision was made by the legislature for several Normal Schools in the State. It was enacted that in case of certain towns furnishing suitable buildings for the same, an allowance of $500 each per year would be made by the State for the support of a Normal School.
The location of a school was secured in Oskaloosa, and July 3, 1852, the corner stone of the Normal School building was laid, which was completed
475
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
about a year afterward. Geo. W. Drake and wife taught a private school there, for a time, but the Normal was never fairly established till the ap- propriation was withdrawn, and the building being mortgaged fell into the hands of Drake. In January, 1858, it was sold to the First School District of Oskaloosa township, and was used as a publie school building until after the Union school building was completed, when it was sold to Win. Burn- side who refitted it, and changed it to a double dwelling house. As such it is now occupied.
In the city election of 1859 the question of forming an Independent school distriet was submitted to the people, and decided in the affirmative. The first school board was composed of J. Y. Hopkins, president, H. How- ard, vice-president, James A. Young, secretary, John White, treasurer, J. M. Byers and John Montgomery, directors.
The costs of schools for 1860, being the first year they were under control of the Independent distriet, was $2,465.78.
The schools of Oskaloosa were first graded in 1864. A committee com- posed of Directors MeCarty and Kemble were appointed to report npon the matter of grading the schools and decided in favor of the grading sys- tem, and reported a course of study which was adopted. This course of study provided for a high school department, and as there was no room in the Gospel Ridge Normal School buildings for a high school, it became necessary to secure an additional building. Accordingly the First Presby- terian Church was rented for that purpose, and a high school established in the fall of 1864. At this time, nine months of school were provided for, and Joseph MeCarty, the first superintendent ever employed in Oskaloosa, entered upon his work for the year 1864-5. Ira O. Kemble was first prin- cipal of the high school.
In June, 1866, the block on which the high school building stands, was purchased for $1,000.
In November of the same year, the first public school for colored chil- dren, was started in a room belonging to Mr. J. F. Childs, and located on the Baptist church lot.
At a special election held in October, 1SGS, the proposition of issuing $30,000 bonds for the purpose of building a Union school house, was submit- ted to the people and lost. A similar question was again defeated in Novem- ber by a vote of 236 to 193. March, 1869, $15,000 bonds were voted for the completion of a high school building.
The plan of this building was by an architect from Des Moines, Foster by name, and upon his plans and specifications, bids were received for the erection of the same, which was let to Messrs. Foster Bros., of Des Moines, at a contract priee of $34,800. It was the intention to have a $30,000 building, but the plan was so satisfactory, that the board thought well to invest a few thousand dollars more, and had the usnal experience to find that the contract priee did not cover all expense, for the building with heat- ing apparatus and furniture complete, eost not mueh short of 850,000. It was completed in 1870, and has ever since been a just pride of the city. The building is three stories, surmonnted by a Mansard-roof. Has a base- ment in which is a steam heating apparatus, giving perfect satisfaction. In heating and ventilation-two very important items in school economy -the high school building at Oskaloosa is about as near the ideal as mater- ial things usually come. The building contains eleven rooms, nine of which are occupied as school rooms, and has a seating capacity of 525 pupils. It
476
HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
is but proper to mention that the first heating apparatus was a failure in this building, and the present success was the result of expense and exper- iment.
At the time of the building of this structure, the schools of this city"were held in the Gospel Ridge, and Normal buildings, in a small room known as Birge's office, and in the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The second and third of these buildings were sold in 1870.
In 1864, when the high school had been opened in the Presbyterian church, the building was leased for five years, but this was abandoned in 1868, and a lease was made of the Cumberland Presbyterian. To this church was built a temporary addition, 24x30 fect, which the school board also sold in 1870.
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