USA > Iowa > Wapello County > The history of Wapello 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 > Part 63
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The Government had allowed Mr. Eddy, as an Indian trader, to lay claim to a whole section of land-640 acres. This land, or a greater share of it, he used for farming purposes, until the year 1843, when he laid off 160 acres of the grant and called it the basis of a town. The name he appropriated was his own, adding only the " ville" to it. The land he now occupied was originally the domain of the Hardfish Indians, and this home of theirs had been known as their "farm" or "village," both names applying. The village embraced Section 6, Township 73, Range 15. It lies in the corners of Wapello, Monroe and Mahaska Counties.
Mr. Eddy remained at the new-born town until 1844, when he left for St. Louis, where he lived until death. A daughter still remains there. And the establishment of the ville materially ended his town labors, for with that his ambition seems to have been satisfied. However, he did content himself with the ways of the place long enough to have the honor of being first Postmaster at that junction, thrust upon him ; also, to have built the first frame school- house, or that and free church and town hall combined, the wreck of which still remains, and tells to the stroller-by that it was there the first rudiments of education were taught the young of Eddyville ; there the first song-praises and prayers went up, and the germs of political fervor, budding within the breasts of aspiring politicians, there first blossomed into the speeches of party advo- cates. All that is left of the schoolhouse is a tottering frame and a few boards, but they tell the tale, and seem to hold up to reverence the very name of him whose liberality and public spirit prompted him to strike a blow in the interest of education, morality and politics. Mr. Eddy also established the first store, which he managed until shortly before he left, when he was succeeded by E. D.
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Fish, to whom Mr. Eddy sold his stock of merchandise. Richard Butcher, one of the first settlers, and one of Mr. Eddy's hired help, having been on the farm with him six months, and after that clerked for him in the store, also started a store in 1846, in company with William Cox, and in opposition to the Fish establishment.
The town was, by this time, beginning to thrive. The 1,000 Indians whom the new-comers had found so quietly smoking their pipes of peace, had, on May 1, 1843, been removed, bag and baggage, to a belt of country near Des Moines, by order of the Government ; and when the red men loaded their ponies with their rude goods and gods, and wandered toward the sundown, the population of Eddyville, by this time, increased to ten families, said in unison : " We are left to ourselves. Let us make of this a great city, and vie with our neighboring towns." And it was thus that Ottumwa and Eddyville, for a long time, did wrestle for supremacy, until the former got the strongest hip-lock and tumbled its neighbor over.
Feeling its importance and need of law, Eddyville called an election in the old schoolhouse, on April 18, 1844, and elected three Commissioners to repre- sent the upper corner of the county. Their names were James M. Montgom- ery, Lewis F. Temple and Charles F. Harrow. And these began to legislate.
A one-horse mail, once a week, had, since the little log Indian trading-house was first established, been toted into town from Agency City, Adam Cline hold- ing the reins of the horse. This slow way of doing things was finally, in 1848, improved by the Rev. Mr. Post, a Baptist man of the Lord, who, with an eye to business, hitched up two horses to a "jugger," and twice a week enabled the inhabitants to send letters to and hear from their loved ones " back in the States." A large coach subsequently increased the delivery of mail to three times a week, and finally the iron horse, that went screeching through town for the first time in the year 1860, enabled the people to receive letters once or twice a day.
Many things began to happen by this time. Strangers came to town and settled, and the country about began to take on the air of civilization. There are but five of the survivors of '43 now living at Eddyville. Mrs. Walter Clement, Mrs. Nicholas Scribner, Mr. J. H. Benedict, Mr. Richard Butcher and Mr. J. T. Wiley. Mr. Benedict came to Eddyville in the spring of '43, and settled for a brief time on a farm about four miles above town, where he built a saw-mill, the first one in that part of the country. Mr. Benedict had come from New York State, landing in Chicago July 4, 1827, when there were but two white families there-Indian Agent Wolcott and his father-in-law Kenzie-and had finally come to his future home, full of hope and youthful fire, and so aroused the confidence of the people that they conferred upon him the honor of making him the first Justice of the Peace of the place. He married the first couple (1845), James Wilson and Catharine Steele. He had the first suit before him. It was a civil suit between two farmers, Crane and a neighbor, over a disputed claim. This was in 1844. The Court was held in a rough log cabin, but served the purpose very well. The first lawyer-one who represented one of the parties to the suit-was Homer D. Ives. " He was a shrewd, sharp young lawyer," says Mr. Benedict. The first grand jury room was a log cabin, built square and with but a small door for exit, a blanket serv- ing to keep inquisitive noses from poking in. Mr. Benedict was one of the first jurymen. In 1847, the town had increased to twenty families, and Mr. Benedict moved in and built, at a cost of $2,500, a saw and grist mill, the first of the kind in this part of the country. Here the lumber for the school-
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house was sawed-the mill's first work. After that he took in as partner J. E. Vance. The flour-mill still stands. By this time the town contained a number of men who since have added more or less to making up its history. These men were J. T. Wiley, Nicholas Scribner, Walter Clement, Billy Dunlap, B. H. Palmer, David Campbell, Robert Akins, James Amos, Richard Butcher, Dr. Fish, Milton Fish, W. T. Caldwell, Dr. James Nosler, Dr. Ross, Homer D. Ives, William Cox, Martin Tucker, John B Gray, Joseph Roberts and R. W. Boyd.
Martin Tucker kept the first hotel. The building had been formerly an Indian wigwam. This was about 1843 or 1844. Nicholas Scribner and William Dunlap soon followed in the train.
The first physician was Dr. Ross, in 1843, and Dr. Fish came in 1845; Dr. Nosler in 1846.
The first blacksmithing business was done by J. W. Caldwell and J. T. Wiley, copartners in business.
There was a little sensation in 1843, when a steamboat puffed up the river as far as Des Moines with a load of soldiers. In 1849, the first flatboat built at Eddyville was run to St. Louis, under command of a Mr. Carnes. Thus says Mr. Benedict. Mr. Butcher says the first was in 1847, by A. J. Davis.
Eddyville, in the spring of 1849, sent some of her citizens in the race for wealth over the alkali deserts of Nebraska to the Golden State. On account of the California travel, a franchise was asked of the Board of Commissioners to build a ferry over the Des Moines River, from Eddyville to the Chariton track, or road, which led right on from the main street in the village of Eddy- ville. This was given July 2, 1849. Prices of produce rose all over Central Iowa to high figures ; corn was as high as $2 per bushel. Every house was a hotel, and beds were at a premium. Even the soft side of a board was con- sidered worth something to a tired traveler.
The first child born was to the family of J. W. Caldwell. He was named George. Clara, also a child of J. W. Caldwell, was the first soul whose light flickered out in this newly-settled wilderness.
Walter Clement has the honor of being the first surveyor ; also the first school-teacher.
John M. Fish was the pioneer lumber-yard man, beginning in 1860. In 1863, he started the first bank in Eddyville.
Joseph Perry was the earliest wagon-maker in this part of the country, beginning his labors in 1853.
The earliest recollection of the "oldest inhabitant" reverts to the Pottery, started in 1847 by J. M. McNamee, who run it four years and then quit.
A plow-factory was put in operation by Thurbaugh & Phillips in 1856, and after various changes for twenty years, it collapsed in 1876.
The year of 1858 was a rainy one. This discouraged farmers a good deal. The heaviest rains came, too, in harvest, so much so that wheat molded before it was ready for the mill, and the result was the bread made from it was both moldy and sticky. Rivers were high, bridges went sailing off, fences were washed away, and many a farmer wished the seventh year could be left out of the calendar. According to old Hard Fish, the Indian Chief, " Every seventh year, big rain."
A woolen-mill was built in 1851 by James Brady, the wheels and spindles being kept in motion by ox-power. Benedict & Vance came to the conclusion, in 1855, that they would not be less enterprising than the other men, and they started in. Mr. Benedict also put into motion a mill in 1858; took in as &
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partner Mr. Wilmot, in 1862 to 1866 ; and in 1867, Mr. Stanley put up a new mill, which John M. Fish took in 1873, and run until 1877, when it died.
The Eddyville bridge was built in 1855 and 1856, at a contract price of $30,000. The enterprise is an incorporated one, and officered by President, James Nosler ; Treasurer, S. A. Welch ; Secretary, Elijah Quillen ; Directors, H. H. Williams, J. T. Wiley, Joseph Roberts, Sr., and Mary Ives. The cor- poration bears the name of The Eddyville Bridge Company.
Away back in 1849, the little town of Eddyville could with pride and truthfulness boast of much intelligence and literary cultivation. There was in that year an enterprise organized under the title of the Eddyville Mutual Insti- tute. This association met weekly for the sake of mind-improvement, the duty of some one of the members being at each meeting to deliver a written or oral lecture upon some moral or scientific subject, and devote the hours to general literary discussions. The originators of this association were Homer D. Ives, Rev. Mr. Hitchcock, Dr. Fish, R. W. Boyd, W. H. Dunlap, Walter Clement, H. H. Williams, W. M. Alison, Robert Coles and W. H. Cross. The society continued its labors until 1855 or 1856, when it went out of existence, and the neat little library that had been collected was scattered.
THE PRESS.
The history of the press is always interesting ; and especially when it dates back to the days of few commodities and the dependence upon local events alone to fill its columns ; for there were no wires in the olden days to flash the intelligence of the land instantaneously to a neighboring people, but only the lapse of time sufficed to bear across the country the latest news of some event happening, perchance, a six-month back. And thus it was that the country editor labored with disadvantages and fought with fate for the earliest news a month or more old. J. W. Norris started the Eddyville Free Press, the first number being published Thursday, August 11, 1853. This was the earliest newspaper publication in the town. "We rest upon the broad shoulders of the community," was the commencement of an article in the first number, headed " Introductory and Explanatory." "Being a Neutral Press," continues the essay, " claiming perfect freedom from the peculiar influence of those parties and sects which so universally divide and interest the community, we cannot expect the cordial and exclusive support and sympathy of any one, but, never- theless, shall be expected to please all and offend none-a most difficult task, and one which renders us as liable to encounter the stern and critical eye of suspicion and distrust as the more desirable one of sympathy and support."
In a review, the same paper said : "We cannot state positively, but we think we may safely estimate the business transactions of Eddyville for the season just expiring (1853) at $100,000; a large sum, it is true, for an interior town of its age, and for the number of our business houses. But we believe it to be very near the truth." And the sanguine manner in which the facts are related would lead one to conclude that the statement was true. Because, men in those days were more conscientious than now ; then, a mere farthing would not tip the scale from an honest level to a cunning, devising, dishonest bend.
The management of Mr. Norris was followed by J. V. Meeker. B. H. Palmer, publisher and proprietor, and William H. Alison, editor, three years later, 1856, changed the paper to the Commercial. This was run three years, and discontinued. A paper called the Observer was next run by J. T. Cooke, for about three months, date uncertain. Melick & McConnell, in 1862, started the Star ; published it for about three years, and sold it to Charles Sherman.
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Shortly after that, he discontinued the paper. In 1868, Melick & Bitner started the Independent, which did not live long. Mr. Straight bought the old material, and, in 1868, started the Des Moines Valley Gazette. Then Major John Wilcox bought in with him, and in two or three years Mr. Straight resigned. Mr. Wilcox conducted the paper until 1872 or 1873, when he dis- continued it. In February, 1869, Mr. W. L. Palmer, a son of the journalist B. H. Palmer, established the Advertiser, a weekly Republican publication, which is still ably conducted. An opposition sheet, Democratic in principle, was born June 3, 1875, with W. A. Faust, editor, and J. T. Sherman, publisher. It was christened the Advance. In the fall of 1876, the politics of the paper was shifted to suit the complexion of the Greenback party. Mr. Faust retired, and A. Cross became identified with Mr. Sherman, and worked along until November, 1876, when a fire destroyed the office, and the paper was discon- tinued.
CITY ELECTIONS AND OFFICERS.
The first village election was held on Monday, May 1, 1857. The result was: For Mayor, Dr. F. H. Buck ; Recorder, E. L. Smith ; Treasurer, F. R. Manning; Marshal, Benjamin S. Slemmons. And, by the way, there is an anecdote connected with the first term of these gentlemen's office. A bogus inaugural address was gotten up and published as having originated with the Mayor. It was addressed: "Fellow-citizens and Members of the Council." It started out by saying : "I behold the city fathers assembled in solemn con- clave, with proud and stately dignity, and with corpulent abdomen slightly protruding, to pass an ordinance to prohibit male animals running at large.' The calaboose had been previously burned, and to this the "address" referred. " They (the crowd) could but stand idly around and behold, and say sic transit gloria calaboose. And the perpetrator of the foul deed is allowed to go unpunished, because the law requires catching before hanging."
" I would earnestly recommend that your early attention be directed to the repeal of that obnoxious law."
The author of the alleged "address " proved to be Mr. R. W. Boyd. Treasurer Manning became offended at it-not seriously, however, and the matter was recorded among the happenings that were.
The calaboose had been burned by some one who, it was supposed, had taken offense at the jail law, having been confined there. One Scott Steel was tried before R. W. Boyd, then Justice of the Peace; but there not being suf- ficient evidence to hold him, the prisoner was discharged. The calaboose was rebuilt in 1859.
About this time, the Pike's Peak mining excitement broke out, and a num- ber of adventurers left for the hills. All returned within a short time, no richer for their journey.
The present city officers are these: Mayor, W. C. Ross ; Recorder, Isaac Riggs ; Trustees, W. M. McPherrin, William Cowley, C. A. Spelman, J. W. Wilkins, T. H. Shane; Marshal, R. D. Hall; Treasurer, Richard Butcher ; Committees-Finance, William Cowley, T. H. Shane, J. W. Wilkins ; Claims, J. W. Wilkins, T. H. Shane, W. M. McPherrin ; Public Improvement, W. M. McPherrin, C. A. Spelman, William Cowley ; Petitions and Memorials, W. M. McPherrin, William Cowley, C. A. Spelman.
THE CHURCHES.
In the early days, the itinerant minister was a feature as much as was the doctor with his jaded horse and saddle-bags, and the first permanent
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minister was the Rev. Mr. Kirkpatrick, a Methodist, who came to town in 1844.
Barring the church put up by Mr. Eddy, the Methodist Church, in 1848, was the first one built. It was a common structure, and stood until 1862, when it was replaced by a new brick one, at a cost of $4,000. The society at pres- ent are in a prosperous condition, the fold numbering 125 members. The Rev. William G. Wilson is the present Pastor.
In 1844, Rev. B. A. Spaulding, a Congregationalist, came here and worked along until 1849, when the Rev. Mr. Hitchcock was ushered into prominent notice through his untiring efforts in sucuring funds to build a Congregational house of worship. This structure was sold to the Baptists in 1859, and in 1862 the Congregationalist erected a new church, at a cost of $3,600. At present the society has no Pastor.
The Rev. J. G. Schafer, a Lutheran, began his labors in this field in 1844, and, by 1855, the society had erected a church, which, a year or two after, was sold to the Presbyterians. The first minister in charge of the latter denomina- tion was the Rev. Mr. Holliday. This Church has no available record other than that mentioned in these few lines.
The Baptist Society was first organized under the Rev. Mr. Post, already mentioned, and who kept up the interest in that denomination for a time, and a year or two from 1844, removed to Pella, as American agent for a German colony, at which place he died. The Baptists now worship in the Presbyterian Church. They have no Pastor.
The Christian Church is one of modern origin. They have no regular Pastor.
The Roman Catholic Church is not large, yet its faithful few have plodded on for fifteen or twenty years, and still continue faithful under their Pastor, Father Feeley.
THE LODGES.
The I. O. O. F. Lodge was chartered July 5, 1850, its members then being John Cline, Dr. Warner, Dr. Buck, William H. Dunlap and Walter Cross. The charter and all the records were burned December 6, 1873, and in Octo- ber, 1874, a new charter was granted. The membership of the Lodge is sixty- eight.
Eddyville Lodge, No. 74, A., F. g. A. M. was organized June 5, 1856, the charter members being William Thompson, W. M .; Thomas Ogden, D. W. Corwin, Henry Graves and James Sherrod. The charter was burned Decem- ber 6, 1873, and renewed soon after. The present officers are : William Cow- ley, W. M .; S. M. Epperson, S. W .; C. S. Smith, J. W .; William McPherrin, Treasurer ; T. H. Shane, Secretary ; James Farley, S. D .; L. H. Briggs, J. D .; William Thompson, Tiler.
The Temperance Reform Club of this place was organized in the winter of 1878. Its membership is large. The officers are : President, R. W. Boyd ; Vice Presidents, J. C. French, Mrs. Dr. Sloan, Mrs. S. M. Epperson ; Secre- tary, D. W. Ward ; Treasurer, A. W. Riggs.
The Liberal League was organized in 1877, with the following officers : President, W. M. McPherrin ; Vice President, C. N. Smith ; Secretary, W. W. Scott ; Treasurer, James Cowley ; Executive Committee, R. W. Boyd, W. P. Brodrick, G. W. Chamberlin.
One of the most notable societies is that of the Eddyville Musical Associa- ation. Its ranks embrace some excellent musical talent. It is officered as below, having reached the anniversary of its second birthday : President, C. A.
J.G. Hutchison OTTUMWA
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Spelman ; Vice President, William Van Ness ; Secretary and Treasurer, F. W. Fais ; Conductor, William Plough ; First Organist, Carrie Boyd; Second Organist, Della Mosby ; First Soprano, Grace Edwards; First Alto, Della Mosby ; First Tenor, William Burns ; First Bass, T. H. Shane.
THE SCHOOLS.
The records of the Eddyville schools, back of the year 1873, have been destroyed by fire, and a great deal of the information gained in this direction was from the memory of the citizens. It is recorded that, August 25, 1858, a school meeting of Columbia Township was held, at which were present: Peter Knox, T. C. Ogden and Daniel Zollars. The township then comprised one dis- trict, divided into subdistricts. This system run along until 1872, when there was a change in the election of Directors-three being substituted in place of two; and, although no record is made, it is thought that the independent dis- trict rule was first applied in this year.
In 1867. the Board issued ten bonds, of $1,000 each, payable one every year until all should be canceled. This step was the first one taken toward building a new schoolhouse ; and, coupling the borrowed funds with some loose change already on hand, the district set about putting up a fine building, at a cost of $18,000. The size of this is 64x50 feet, three stories and basement. The material is brick.
The present School Board comprises the following officers : President, John Leggett ; Secretary, A. W. Riggs; Treasurer, S. T. Caldwell; William Scha- fer, A. Trotter, A. M. Lafferty, W. M. McPherrin, J. W. Mosby.
So much for records. But Mrs. Walter Clement says her recollection runs back of 1858 ; and the piece of information she gives is priceless, inasmuch as she is the only known person who remembers the facts relative to Eddyville school matters not recorded. This lady says that her husband, Walter Clement, together with Heman Snow, Dr. Nosler, James Workman and David Campbell, comprised the first Board of Officers and Directors ; that being in 1844 or 1845. Mr. Clement was Secretary, and Mr. Snow was Treasurer. This man- agement continued for a long time, but how long is not certain. Probably, however, until after 1855, with few changes.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
The main work being done here by machinery is that confined to the flouring-mills. Messrs. Fish, Witkins & Co. now occupy the old Benedict Steam-Power Mill, which has a capacity for grinding twenty-five barrels of flour per day.
The Riggs & Spilman Mill, built in 1865, at a cost of $8,000, grinds 145 bushels of grain every twenty-four hours, by the aid of steam-power.
In 1867, a company composed of John M. Fish, Robert Cooper and George Bliss & Co., built the Star Mills at a cost of $29,000. The capacity of this mill is 100 barrels every ten hours, steam-power. It is a magnificent brick structure, one of the largest in this part of the country.
One of the enterprises of the past is the large porkhouse started in 1865 by Manning & Caldwell. It passed through various hands, and finally died in 1875.
There is also the B. Walz Brewery, a fine building put up in 1868. There were formerly two breweries, but in one the clang of the machinery is no longer heard.
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY.
MONUMENTAL.
In honor to the memory of the fallen soldiers, a monument was erected here in 1866, at a cost of $500. The names thereon recorded are these: Gabriel Dennis, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry ; David Dennis, do. ; Charles A. Michael, do. ; Homer C, Gibhs, do .; James McDonell, do .; John Scott, Seventh do .; Courtland Brown, do. ; Charles Gardner, do .; Benjamin F. Crispin, do .; William L. Myrick, Forty-seventh do .; Noyes Chesman, Thirty-sixth do .; Thomas G. Robb, do. ; Michael Kerfman, do .; William Martin, do .; Robert B. Miller, do. ; Capt. T. B. Hale, do .; Louis Myers, do .; James Matton, do .; W. P. Shipley, do .; C. L. Ladd, do .; C. Moulton, do. ; Samuel Houghs, do .; D. Gushwa, do ; William McKissie, do .; Thomas McKissie, Sixth do .; Will- iam Bradley, do. ; Thomas Fullerton, do. ; Robert Fullerton, Eighth do. ; Jus- tice Stauber, Eleventh do. ; John Pickrell, Tenth do .; A. C. Field, Seventh do. ; John Marshall, Fourth do .; W. Woodruff, Seventh do .; I. Cumpson, Thirty-sixth do. ; Levi Matthews, Eleventh do .; George Noe, Seventh do .; William H. McGonagal, do .; A. Morton, do .; J. Burgoine, do. ; J. Barber, do .; Z. Pike, do .; James Secret, do. : John Secret, do .; S. A. Warner, do .; Thomas Reed, Thirty-sixth do .; Charles Andrews, do .; G. W. Nicely, do. ; Peter Stuber, do .; H. C. Lyman, do .; H. M. Lyman, do .; A. W. Lyman, do. ; Henry C. Gordon, Eighth do .; William R. Ross, Forty-seventh do .; William N. Mayers, Thirty-sixth do .; Albert Barnard, Twenty-third do. ; N. B. Gordon, Twenty-second do. ; Thomas R. Robb, Eighth do. ; P. W. Baker, Thirteenth do. ; John Walters, do. ; J. F. Watkins, Thirty-third do. ; William Warner, Thirty-sixth do. ; Charles Starkey, Seventeenth do. ; H. Warner, Sev- enth do .; Jacob Brown, Fifteenth U. S. ; Isaac Stanley, Twenty-fifth O. B .; William Heacock, Fourth Cavalry ; Thomas P. Gray, Third do. ; James Jordan, Seventh do. ; Hiram D. Wolf, Eighth do. ; Henry C. Wolf, do. ; John McDole, do. ; Secretary J. C. Stoddard, Fifty-sixth U. S. C. I.
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