USA > Iowa > Van Buren County > The history of Van Buren County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c, a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest, history of Iowa &c > Part 58
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A story is told of Lorenzo Ellis. He went to Des Moines in an early day to purchase a grindstone. He bound it to his back and started home. He wandered around until lost, and did not find his way home for ten days.
In " Tyler's time," the Rev. Delazon Smith was sent to Ecuador as Com- mercial Agent, at a salary of $8 per day and expenses. He was called home several times, but could never be induced to come until the Government stopped his salary. This circumstance earned him the nom de plume of " Lost Smith," or " Tyler's Lost Minister."
As an interesting incident, it may be well to mention that Keosauqua has paid in hard cash $25,000 for railroad schemes, the consummation of which was never known.
MILLING INTERESTS.
It has been mentioned elsewhere that, in 1837, Dunken, Weatherly & King built a saw-mill. Prior to 1839, the people had been obliged to go thirty-five miles to get their milling done. In 1839, the company in question added a small run of buhrs to their mill and began grinding corn. In 1842 or 1843, a flour-mill was erected by William Hadden, Beesucker & McGuire. The mill
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
finally run into the hands of McGuire, and he sold it to J. J. Kinersly and Elisha Cutler in February, 1849. Cutler died in July of that year, and Kin- ersly became sole proprietor. He improved it in 1850, and. in 1852, put up an additional building at a cost of $5,000, the improvement embracing a saw- mill, carding machine, turning-lathes, and circular saws. In 1854, the State commenced making improvements along the river. A lock and part of a dam were built. In February, 1857, the ice-gorge knocked the mills from their foundations, and they floated down the stream. The State improvement was abandoned in 1858, and, in 1860, Mr. Kinersly began the erection of his pres- ent mill, which was completed in February, 1862.
Mr. Kinersly has now in process of building a new twelve-foot dam. The water-power at this point is highly valuable, there being a fall of twelve feet in the river, commencing above Pittsburg.
There was a steam saw-mill put up in 1845 by Johnson & Brown. The former died, and, in 1854, the structure was torn down.
There was a pottery established here in 1846. It was run five or six years and closed out. Dr. Strickland started one in 1871, which, after two or three years, shared the fate of its former sister-pottery.
McNeal & St. John had a plow-factory here in 1865, and they operated it until 1870, when it was closed.
THE BRIDGE.
Keosauqua has a bridge. It was commenced in February, 1873, and com- pleted by October 1, 1873, at a cost of $45,000.
The bridge has 4 spans of 153 feet each, making the total length of the superstructure 612 feet. There are 3 piers and 2 abutments. The distance from low-water mark to the floor of the bridge is 32 feet. The arches are 17 feet high. The bridge is built to accommodate 2,000 pounds to the lineal foot, using one-fourth the entire capacity.
THE LODGES.
Keosauqua Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F., was organized July 22, 1845. It was the first Lodge in the county and third in the State. The organizers were W. H. Mauro, N. G .; David Roroer, V. G .; Richard Mansly, William Gar- rett. Petitioners-Frank Bridgeman, J. Johnson, B. P. Marlow, J. J. Kin- ersly, George Montague.
The Degree of Rebekah was introduced into the Lodge in the summer of 1852.
The present officers of the Lodge are Lee R. Merideth, N. G .; J. C. Mc- Crary, B. T. ; M. O. Ketchum, Sec. ; J. H. Duffield, F. S .; Solon Nourse, Treas.
There is a benevolent feature of the Lodge worth mentioning. During thirty years, there has been paid in $10,000, and the contributions for relief have been generous.
In 1845, a literary organization was started. and the effort supplied the Lodge with a library. The movers in this direction were George A. Chitten- den, Judge Wright, J. P. Howell, Judge Knapp, J. H. Bonney, Charles Bald- win, H. M. Shelby and J. J. Kinersly.
The Lodge now numbers eighty members, and has property valued at $2,500.
There is a Grange in the county of Van Buren, with thirty branch granges. There is a membership of 1,511. The society was organized in 1872.
The date of dispensation of the Keosauqua Lodge, No. 10, A., F. & A. M., was 1845, and, in 1846, the charter was granted.
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
The charter officers were: James Shepherd. W. M .: Isaac Reed. S. W .: Frederick Hancock. J. W .: John Carnes. Tiler and Treasurer : Moses Big- ford. Noble Barron. James H. Boon. Master Masons.
This Lodge was second in the county until the charter of the Farmington Lodge. No. 9. was surrendered. which places Keosauqua Lodge first on the roll.
The Lodge possesses the charred remains of Black Hawk's sword. The lodge-building was burned November 24. 1871. and the charter was destroyed. A new charter was granted the following year.
The present officers of the Lodge are : Stephen D. Fellows. W. M .: James Shepherd. S. W .: Robert Dolburg. J. W .: H. G. Miller. Secretary : Joshua S. Sloan. Treasurer : John Varner. S. D .: Abe Wilkin. J. D .: J. J. Kinersly. Tiler.
Knights Templar Lodge. Eli Chanau. No. 28. was chartered in October. 1575. It was constituted February 4. 1876. The grand officers were : O. P. Waters. G. C .: Robert F. Bower. T. G .: John C. Parish. D. G. C. The first appointed officers were : Robert L. Clark. E. C .: George C. Gebhardt. Gen. The present officers are : I. D. Pergrin. C. G .: R. Lea. S. W .: Abe Wilkin. J. W .: O. B. Brown. P .: L. L. Therme. Treasurer: C. A. Gleckler. Recorder. A dispensation was originally issued for Moore Chapter. No. 23. at Farm- ington. July 18. 1857. but. before the charter was granted. the Order was moved to Keosauqua, and a charter granted September S. 1859. The charter officers were: George C. Gebhardt. H. P .: James Shepherd. King: Henry King. S. The present officers are: Benjamin Johnston, H. P .: James S. Shepherd. King : D. C. Beaman. S. The membership of the Lodge is forty- three.
SOUTH KEOSACQUA
was laid out February 19. 1840. by James Hall. proprietor. Nothing ever came of the town. except a few dwelling-houses.
PLEASANT HILL.
Just across the bridge from Keosauqua. lies the hamlet of Pleasant Hill. with perhaps one hundred dwellers. It was laid out March 20. 1850. by John Purdom. There is a hotel and blacksmith-shop there. Also. the Christian Church. erected in 1866. and one small schoolhouse. There was once a store in the town.
FARMINGTON.
Farmington was laid out in 1539 by Henry Bateman. At this village. the county seat was first located. and two sessions of court were held.
At that time. the .. Jail " for the holding of prisoners was a stump to which prisoners were chained. Finally. an 8x10 pine Jail was put up. The story goes that. once upon a time. a man was incarcerated here who worked a pecul- iar escape. He lifted the Jail on his shoulders by getting under the rafters and carrying it to a trench or hollow. over which he set the building. and then crawled out by way of the hollow.
The early settlers here were Jesse Wright. John Petra. T. J. Wright. Col. Davidson. Rhodes Westcoat. O. Tower. O. Stoddard. Daniel Jewett. James Alfrey. Jonas Denny. Bill Jordan. John Maxwell. Crit. Forquraen. Able Garland and John Fretwell.
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
.
James Burns was here in that early day, and kept the first hotel, and James F. Death had the first mill here, and in the county as well.
Jacob Alfrey, a son of James and Maggie Alfrey, was the first child born at Farmington.
A Mr. Williams, a stranger in the county, was the first one to die at Farm- ington. At that time, there were no coffins in this part of the county. and the death of Mr. Williams compelled the pioneers to make a rude coffin of linn puncheons.
William Brattin and Miss Croxwell were the first couple married at Farm- ington.
Dr. Miles was the first physician.
The first Justice of the Peace was Henry Bateman.
Dr. R. D. Barton was the first Postmaster. and for a time kept the office in his hat.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
The population of Farmington is about one thousand inhabitants. It is an incorporated city, having become so during the General Assembly of the Iowa Legislature in 1846-47. The first election of officers was held on the second Saturday of March, 1847. Henry Benson was elected Mavor. The Alder- men were Festus Dunning, H. D. Swasey, Jehu Stewart and James Craig.
The present city government consists of A. J. Shaw, Mayor; John Whit- ten, Register ; William Goodin. Treasurer ; George Miller. Marshal, and J. T. Cross, William Bank, Busiel Boyer and James Carr, Aldermen. Henry Ben- son and A. J. Shaw are Justices of the Peace.
Farmington to-day supports one printing office. four dry goods stores. two drug stores, three grocery stores, three millinery establishments, three hotels, one livery stable. three commission and two agricultural houses. two agencies, three hardware stores. one harness-shop. three wagon-shops. two blacksmith- shops, one cigar manufactory, two shoe-shops. two furniture houses, one grist- mill and one saw-mill. The place supports three lawyers, five physicians and two Justices of the Peace.
THE MANUFACTURES.
The noticable branch of manufacturing done here is the Farmington Wagon and Carriage Works, owned by Lewis Burg. Mr. Burg learned his trade and then worked seven years, during which time he saved $1,400. With that he- erected a shop 20x40 and started with three hands. That was in 1865. and in the following fall. he built a new shop. and the year after that, he added to it and employed seven hands. His business has grown until his works cover one- quarter of a block. He employs sixteen to eighteen hands, and makes 250 wagons and 40 buggies each year.
V
The Burlington & Southwestern Railroad Company have a portion of their shops here, and employ from ten to twelve hands.
In the spring of 1844. James F. Death put up the first steam flour-mill in the place. That was soon closed and, in the year of 1852, Week & Stoddard built a new mill. This was run until 1866. when the ice-gorge carried it down the stream. Joseph Dickey then built one. and operated it until. 1875. when S. M. Hurd & Son bought it and built the Diamond Mill. They run it until April, 1878. when C. A. Gleckler purchased it. The capacity of this mill is 200 bushels in twelve hours.
THE LODGES.
The first meeting held for the organization of a Masonic Lodge at this place. was in the Gault House. then kept by F. Brock. The charter was granted
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
January 8, 1846, and the Order called Farmington Lodge, No. 9. The charter members were J. W. Creal, Lewis Teuischer, C. G. Dibble, T. Heaight. The officers under the charter were J. W. Baker, W. M .; T. S. Crooks, S. W .; M. A. Britton, J. W .; Ira Babcock. Treas .; R. D. Barton, Sec .: Silas Salsbury, S. D .: Alfred Forbes, J. D .; A. Collingswood, Steward, and O. Tower, Tiler.
The charter was surrendered on Wednesday, June 4, 1851. Since that time, No. 9 has remained blank.
On the same day as surrendered, the Grand Lodge granted a charter for Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 27, to be located at Farmington. The following were officers under the new charter: Lewis Teuischer, W. M .; R. D. Barton, S. W .: Samuel Sehreve, J. W .; H. H. Slaughter, Treas .; C. F. Schramm, Sec .: George W. Ringler, S. D .; William R. Osmond, J. D .; Hiram Bolton, Tiler. George Schramm and George Johnston were Master Masons. The present officers are G. W. Good, W. M .; John Whitten, S. W .; James Moreland, J. W .: J. A. Campbell, Sec .; William Gooden, Treas .; George Beason, S. D .: John Mackleroy, J. D .; J. C. Martin, Tiler.
Wildey Lodge, No. 17, I. O. O. F. was organized by R. W. G. M. Gar- ner. The charter was granted August 8, 1858. The charter officers were : A. W. Sweet. N. G .; R. H. Wyman, V. G. ; J. C. Elbert, Secretary ; J. H. Bell, Treasurer. It is at present officered by Linden H. Cooley, N. G. ; J. A. Campbell, V. G .; Bunyan Turton, Secretary, and Daniel Texter, Treasurer.
The Encampment .- On July 8. 1852, Farmington Encampment, No. 8, I. O. O. F. was instituted at this place by J. M. Tuttle, M. II. Cooley, C. H. King, George Green, James Myers, R. D. Barton, Joseph A. Smith, O. H. Brewer and John Folz. The charter officers were : J. M. Tuttle, C. P. ; J. A. Smith, S. W. ; M. H. Cooley, H. P .: R. D. Barton, J. W. ; C. H. King, G. J. ; J. Folz, S. ; O. H. Folz, Scribe : J. Myers, Treasurer.
September 1, 1875, the Order was re-instituted, and, on October 20, of the same year, a new charter was granted, with the following officers : Herman Black, G. P .; William Ganes, G. S. The charter members were C. A. Gleck- Jer, J. A. Campbell, George Whittally, B. F. Hill, D. E. Millard, E. H. Wiek- ersham and M. H. Cooley. On December 18, 1877, proceedings for the removal of the Encampment to Bonaparte were commenced, and, on February 5. 1878, the object was consummated, and the Encampment taken to Bonaparte, Lodge. No. 22, I. O. O. F .; W. W. Entler and Samuel Spurgeon were the committee on removal.
Farmington has a small lodge of Good Templars, that was organized in June, 1876.
THE CHURCHES.
The first minister who preached at Farmington was Richard Jones. He had a house on the island, where he held forth for a considerable time. He
belonged to the Christian order.
There are now five denominations at Farmington, the first formed being the Congregational. An extract from the record of the Church, says :
" On Sunday, June 14, A. D. 1840, several individuals convened at the house of M. A. Britton, Esq., who were desirous of forming themselves into a church in Farmington. Present, Rev. Asa Turner, of Denmark, and the Rev. Clark, of Fort Madison. Rev. W. F. Barnes was chosen elerk, pro tem. Whereupon the following persons gave in their names as favorable to the object of the present meeting, viz .: John Penwell, and Ellen, his wife, from the Pres- byterian Church in Rushville, Ohio ; W. F. Barns, from the Congregational Church at Warlane, Ill., and Maria M., his wife, from the Presbyterian Church
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
at Maysville, Ky .; A. J. Houghton, of the Congregational Church at Berlin, Mass. ; John C. White, from the Congregational Church Mission Institute, near Quincy, Ill. ; Edward T. Colton, and Mary, his wife, from the Congre- gational Church at Quincy, Ill. ; Eli Millard, and Phœbe, his wife, from the Congregational Church at Manchester, Conn., and Marcia Colton."
The denomination built their church in 1848. Rev. Harvey Adams served as their Pastor from 1843 to November 11, 1866. The society have 181 mem- bers. They are without a minister now.
The Baptist society of Farmington was organized Saturday, August 28, 184], at 2 o'clock P. M., by Elder Daniel Jewett. The society struggled along, meeting at the houses of the Church members until 1851 and 1852, when they erected a church, the Pastor of which was Rev. W. H. Turton. The present Pastor is Rev. William Young, assisted by Rev. Mr. Turton.
The German Methodist society of this place was organized in 1853, by Rev. H. Ellback, and a church was erected, and dedicated the last Sunday in May, 1855. The Rev. William Cuppen is present Pastor.
In 1862, the German Lutherans, under the leadership of Rev. Oswald Mer- bitz, organized a society and built a church. The society is still in a prosperous condition.
The Catholic Church of Farmington was built in 1863-64. Rev. Father Hayes was first Pastor, and has been succeeded by three or four clergymen, until Father O'Brien was assigned to the charge. He continues at Farmington at present.
In 1875, the society of the Latter Day-Saints was formed by Rev. James McKiernan and has continued since that time.
The Methodist society of Farmington was formed as early as 1840. In 1845, a church was erected, which has served the worshipers since.
THE SCHOOL.
Prior to the building of the public schoolhouse, in 1870, the city of Farm- ington educated her children in rented houses and other places of convenience. There is no record of who the first teacher was, or where the school was kept. In 1866. the district became independent. The schoolhouse cost $10,000 and is used as a graded institution. The first teacher in the house was L. M. Moores.
Among the early legislative records is found the following bill, incorporating the first high school or academy ever instituted in the county. The appearance of this document will doubtless serve to refresh the memories of some of the early settlers of Farmington, and may serve to stimulate research for school records among the members of the Pioneer Association.
AN ACT to incorporate the Farmington Academy and High School.
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Iowa' That there shall be established in the town of Farmington, in Van Buren County, an institution of learning to be known and designated as the " Farmington Academy and High School," and by that name may sue and be sued, contract and be contracted with, use a common seal, purchase, receive by gift or devise, hold, control, enjoy, sell and convey, any property, real, personal or mixed, for the use and benefit of said institution.
SEC. 2. The design of the institution hereby created is declared to be for the instruction of youth in the arts and sciences, and to advance learning and sound morals, by the establishment of good schools, procuring competent teachers, a library, scientifie instruments and apparatus, and the collection of cabinets of minerals, plants, etc. .
SEC. 3. Festus Dunning. Russel Smith, Jonas Houghton, O. Town and H. G. Stewart are constituted Trustees of said Academy and High School, a majority of whom shall be a quorum, open books and receive subscriptions to the stock of said institution, elect their successors and make and ordain all needful by-laws, rules and regulations.
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
SEC. 4. The Trustees may divide the capital stock into as many shares as they deem fit, setting out the ownership of each share upon the books of Trustees and stockholders, each share being $5.
SEC. 5. All books, maps, medals, scientific apparatus, cabinets of minerals, plants and curiosities belonging to said corporation shall be forever free and exempt from taxation by the laws of this Territory.
SEC. 6. That any future Legislature may amend, alter or repeal this act.
SEC. 7. This act to take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
Approved January 27, 1844.
INCIDENTAL AND ACCIDENTAL.
There was an ice-freshet at this point in 1832, when the water stood four feet over the territory now occupied by the village of Farmington. The overflow extended as far north as Bonaparte.
The high water of 1851 did not seriously affect this village.
In the winter of 1866, Farmington was bothered with an ice-gorge, which commenced at Athens and extended up the river five miles. The flow of the tide did considerable damage. Meek & Stoddard's flour-mill was washed away, and also a number of small houses between Front street and the river.
About ten years ago, occurred the only murder that ever happened at Farmington. A prisoner named Cockley shot and killed Constable Feuste- maker, while the latter was in the performance of his duty transferring the prisoner to the Jail for a thieving offense. Cockley made his escape and was never found.
In the autumn of 1874, occurred the only fire of note ever happening at Farmington. The flames licked up the stores of L. L. Therme & Son, drugs ; Charles Doeling, cigar manufacturer ; Charles Kessler, dry goods ; George Perry, hardware; Will Gooden, groceries. The Masonic lodge-room, in the third story of Therme's building, was also destroyed. The loss caused was $20,000, on which there was a partial insurance. The fire is supposed to have originated from a lamp explosion.
BONAPARTE.
The village of Bonaparte was commenced in the year 1837, by Messrs. Meek & Sons and Dr. R. N. Cresap, whose initiatory step embraced the build- ing of a dam across the Des Moines River. The early settlers, whose presence was marked by the year in question, were P. R. Rice, Joseph Rabb, Erwin Wilson, David Sewell, Lewis Christian and William Welch. A few cabins were built about the wild country, and from the rude hut-town the place has grown until the din of machinery and clang of the mills is heard by 1,200 people, who constitute the present population of the place.
This population support four dry goods stores, two drug stores, four grocery stores, one harness-shop, one jewelry house, two boot and shoe stores, one cloth- ing house, one general store, three millinery establishments, two furniture stores,. three tailor-shops, two commission houses, two agricultural marts, two butcher- shops, two hotels, and a photograph establishment ; while the following branches of manufacturing also thrive : a woolen-mill, wagon-factory, brick-yard, pottery, blacksmith-shop, flouring-mill, saw-mill and glove-factory. There is one printing office in the place; also, three churches, one schoolhouse, Masonic and Odd Fellows' Halls and a livery firm. There are four physicians and two Justices of the Peace in the place.
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HISTORY OF VAN BUREN COUNTY.
The following legislative enactment will be read with interest by the people who first settled near Bonaparte :
AN ACT to authorize William Merk & Sons to erect u dam across the Des Moines River.
SECTION 1. Be it enucted by the Council und House of Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, That William Meek & Sons be, and they are hereby authorized to construct a dam across the Des Moines River, in Van Buren County, in said Territory, between Sections 8 and 17, in Township 68 North, Range 8 west of the fifth principal meridian, which said dam shall not exceed three feet in height above common low-water mark, and shall contain a convenient lock, not less than one hundred and thirty feet in length and thirty-five feet in width, for the passage of steam, keel and flat boats, rafts and other water-craft, provided said water-craft will bear two tons burthen.
SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of the persons authorized in the preceding section of this act to build said dam, at all times to keep the lock in the same in good repair, and they shall, at all reasonable times, pass any water-craft above-mentioned, through, free from toll, without any unnecessary delay. And any person who shall be unnecessarily detained, shall be entitled to recover of said owners double the amount of damages they shall prove to have sustained by reason of such detention.
SEC. 3. Any person who shall destroy or in anywise injure either said dam or lock, shall be deemed to have committed a trespass, and shall be liable accordingly. And any person who shall willfully or maliciously destroy or injure said lock or dam shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined treble the amount of damages the owners may have sustained, or be imprisoned, at the discretion of the court.
SEC. 4. Nothing herein contained in this act shall anthorize the individuals named in this act, their heirs or assigns, to enter upon and flow the lands of any person, without the consent of such person ; and they shall remove all such nuisances as may be occasioned by the erection of said dam, which may endanger the health of the vicinity.
SEC. 5. The Legislature of this Territory (or State) may at any time alter or amend this act so as to provide for the navigation of said river.
SEC. 6. The dam and lock specified in the first section of this act shall be completed · within three years from the Ist day of May next.
SEC. 7. The right of constructing and continuing the aforesaid dam and lock across the Des Moines River shall be vested in the said William Meek & Sons for the term of fifty years from the Ist day of May next.
SEC. 8. This act to take effect from and after its passage.
Approved January 17, 1839.
John Bundy and William Meek, Sr .. are both credited with having kept the first store in the village. Dr. R. N. Cresap kept the first hotel. The first blacksmith was R. B. Willoughby, and Hamilton Kearns was the first wagon- maker.
Jackson Myers is said to have started the first flouring-mill, although William Meek & Sons put up one in 1844, which served until the fall of 1878, when Robert Meek & Brothers erected a new one, at a cost of $15,000. The struct- ure is of brick, size 40x50 and four stories in height. The mill has six runs of buhrs.
Meek & Brothers also erected a saw-mill in 1860, which has run since that time.
The manufacturing interests of this place are nearly all centered in the woolen-mill, and manufacturing has received a healthy start, and the life instilled into this branch of industry at the beginning, instead of growing less, has been fanned into a noticeable flame, which spreads with the tread of time.
One of the most extensive and successful woolen-factories of the State is situated at Bonaparte. It was built in the summer of 1853, by William Meek & Sons, who run it at a paying rate until 1863, when it was burned down, caus- ing the firm a loss of $20,000.
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