USA > Iowa > Washington County > The history of Washington County, Iowa, its cities, towns, and c., a biographical directory of its citizens > Part 36
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
a drift, which the receding waters of the Tiber had permitted them to pre- empt.
One of the advantages pertaining to a residence in a new country, and the one possibly least appreciated, is the fact that we can go back to the first beginnings. We are thus enabled, not only to trace results to their canses, but also to grasp the facts which have contributed to form and mould these causes. We observe that a State or county has attained a certain position, and we at once try to trace ont the reasons for this position in its early settlement and surroundings, in the class of men by whom it was peopled, and in the many chances and changes which have wronght ont re- sults in all the recorded deeds of mankind. In the history of Washington county, we may trace its early settlers to their homes in the Eastern States and in the countries of the Old World. We may follow the course of the hardy woodman of the "Buckeye" or the "Hoosier" State on his way west to "grow up with the country," trusting only to his strong arm and his willing heart to work out his ambition of a home for himself and wife, and a competence for his children. Yet again, we may see the path worn by the Missonrian in his new experience in a land which to him was a land of progress, far in advance of that southern soil upon which he had made his temporary home, in his effort to adapt himself to new conditions. We may see here the growth which came with knowledge, and the progress which grew upon him with progress around him, and how his better side developed. The pride of Kentucky blood, or the vain glorying of the. Virginia F. F. V.'s, was here seen in an early day only to be mod- ified in its advent from the erncible of democracy when servitude was eliminated from the solution. Yet others have been animated with the impulse to "move on," after making themselves a part of the commu- nity, and have songhit the newer parts of the extreme West, where civilization had not penetrated, or returned to their native soil. We shall find little of that distinctive New England character which has con- tribnted so many men and wonien to other portions of our State and the West, but we shall find many an industrious native of Germany or the British Isles, and a few of the industrions and economical French-all of whom have contributed to modify types of men already existing here. With confidence that general results will prove that there is much of good in everything, and that a justice almost poetic has been meted out to the faults and follies, to the foibles and the virtues of the early settlers of this county, we may now enter upon their story.
As before stated, a portion of Washington county was thrown open for settlement by the Black Hawk treaty, but no settlement was made till 1836. Adam Ritchey and John Black undoubtedly were the first white men who visited Washington county with a view of permanently settling there.
In 1835 these two gentlemen crossed over from Illinois for the purpose of exploring the newly acquired territory, with a view of selecting a permanent home. In their exploring tour they came into the present bounds of Washington county. A portion of country bordering on Crooked creek, in the southeast part of the connty impressed them as being a goodly heritage.
They returned to their homes in Illinois late in the fall of 1835, and gave a flattering account of the " promised land" which they had spied ont. They described the beautiful rolling rivers, the productive soil with its lux- uriant crop of tall yellow grass waving in the autumn breeze, and pointed
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out with rapture the prosperous homes which would soon be found scattered over these undulating prairies. The effect of these glowing accounts of the present, and pleasing prospects of the future was that two brothers of Ritchey, Matthew and Thomas, a neighbor by the name of Humphrey, and some others began to arrange their affairs preparatory to emigrating to this country. Early in the following year, Mr. Ritchey, in company with the persons just named, set out for the new country. The weather being very cold they had no difficulty in crossing the Mississippi river, as the ice furnished a safe bridge across the stream. Arriving at the place before sc- lected by Ritchiey they explored the neighborhood and were favorably im- pressed with what they saw. Claims were staked out and some little im- provements made, when all but Adam Ritchey returned to their homes in Illinois. The latter gentleman remained behind to carry forward the im- provements already begun. He erected a rnde cabin on the north side of Crooked creek, near where the road leading from Crawfordsville sonth crosses that stream. Owing to exposure and over-exertion, he soon was compelled to desist from his labors by reason of a severe attack of malarial fever, from the effects of which he lay prostrate in his cabin for several days. It requires no vivid imagination to draw a picture of this brave pio- neer lying prone in his rude and hastily improvised hut, far from the farth- est bounds of civilization, with no one to administer to his wants, and with scarcely any of the necessities of life, wrestling with a painful malady. Thanks to a vigorous constitution, and through the humane treatment re- ceived from some Indians, he soon recovered so as to be able to return to his friends in Illinois. In May, having fully regained his health, he re- turned to his claim, accompanied by his son Matthew, a boy fifteen years old, and a daughter by the name of Sarah, aged thirteen. The presence of these children proved to be valuable, not only as company but as helpers in founding a new home on the prairies. The boy could manage a team, and the girl could attend to the duties of housekeeping in the little cabin by the creek, while Mr. Ritchey himself could devote his whole time and energies to the more ardnous labors of felling trees and making rails. Lonely as must have been his stay, even under these circumstances, it must have formed a pleasing contrast to his former experience, when, unattended and alone, he was struggling with a fever in this, his far off home on the prairies. The boy and girl, although far away from any one of a like age for associates, found much in their surroundings to occupy their attention and drive away the tedium of the long summer days. The girl, now ad- vanced to full grown womanhood, doubtless frequently looks back to those days when she was the first and only representative of her sex in the county, as among the happiest in her life. She still resides in the county, and, as the wife of Mr. S. McCulley, she is respected by hundreds of intimate friends and honored by hundreds of others who have never seen her.
Mr. Ritchey fenced a portion of his claim, planted a crop of corn, and near the end of July returned to Illinois to bring the rest of his family to the Iowa home. He immediately returned with his entire family and be- came permanently located on his claim early in October. Black also re- turned and settled just across the line in Henry county, and thus became a neighbor of his former companion. A short account of these two pioneers would not be amiss. They had emigrated from the East to Warren county, Illinois, at an early day, Ritchey coming from Pennsylvania. They were well-to-do farmers, but at the prospect of a new treaty whereby a large
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
tract of new country would be thrown open for settlement, they determined to take time by the forelock and prospect the country before it was open for settlement. They started on foot from Moumonth and arriving at the Mis- sissippi river they crossed in a skiff and pursned their tour of exploration north and west. They visited varions localities in the bounds of the pro- posed new purchase, now included in the bounds of Cedar, Johnson and Washington connties. The entire trip was made on foot and occupied be- tween six weeks and two months. . Nothing of importance occurred in their journey, and, although they frequently met witli roving bands of In- dians, they were not molested.
After living for some one or two years on the claim before described, Ritchey sold liis claim to Matthew Morehead, and chose a new location further down the river, just across the county line. Here he erected a mill in 1839, which was the first mill erected in that region of country. He died at the latter place some time in 1848. Black resided on his original claim for a number of years, and during the Mormon excitement he was converted to that faith, and upon the removal of the Mormons to Utah fol- lowed them. Mr. Black, on coming to the country was accompanied by a son, Cloakey Black, who still resides in the county.
In 1837 Matthew Morehead, with his family, came to the county; he purchased Adam Ritchey's claim, as before remarked, where lie resided un- til the time of his death, several years ago. His widow, Mrs. Eliza Morehead, still resides at the old homestead. About the same time Thomas Caldwell ยท came; he was accompanied by two boys and a girl. After erecting a cabin and making some improvements on his claim, he and his three children re- turned to Illinois, and the next year the whole family came back and settled permanently in the county. When the lands were offered for sale, Cald- well, not having money to enter his claim sold it and removed to Des Moines county.
The same year Jolin Maley and a Mr. Drake settled on the land now owned by Mr. Maxwell. Mr. Maley died inany years ago; Drake removed to Lonisa county, where he still lived at last accounts. Still later the same year Thomas Baker and Henry Osborn with their families came. Osborn settled some six miles further up the creek on the north side, and some time after a family by the name of Herald settled there also. The only timber in the neighborhood was in the vicinity of the Osborn settlement, and this sometimes was called Osborn's Point.
The first settlement, however, which was made in the vicinity of Craw- fordsville, being the first in the county, considerable importance attaches to it for this reason, and at that place were the first events which form no small part in the warp and woof of the staple of history. There occurred the first marriage, solemnized by Adam Ritchey, probably the first justice of the peace commissioned for the county by the Governor of the Territory. The couple were John Hulock and Nancy Goble, and the wedding occurred on a bright Sunday morning early in the year 1837. Here also occurred the first birth, during the same year, that of Isabelle Ritchey, a danghter of Adam Ritchey. The first school-house was on the claim of Thomas Baker and was taught by Martha J. Crawford; she was followed by Martha Junkin. This was in 1840, the settlers prior to that time sending their children to a school taught across the line in Henry county, by a Miss Smith, from New England.
In the spring of 1836 Richard Moore, of Putnam county, Indiana, came
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
to Washington county and took a claim in what is now Washington town- ship, in section 33. The claim was marked ont according to the require- ments necessary to hold the land for six months, viz: the boundaries of the timber land were marked by blazing a certain number of the trees, while the boundary lines on the prairie were designated by stakes driven into the ground. Twenty acres were also broken and fenced. Mr. Moore was accompanied by his two sons, Amos and Thaddeus, and a son-in-law by the name of John C. Maulsby. Each of these also took claims, bnt made no improvement upon them, simply marking them out according to the pre- scribed rules, and intending to begin the work of permanent improvement in the near future. They all then returned to Indiana and soon completed their arrangements to remove to Iowa. The same fall they all returned, accompanied by others. Richard Moore's family consisted of his wife, Rebecca Moore, five sons namned respectively, Amos E., Thaddeus, William, Jesse and Richard, Jr., two daughters by the name of Rebecca and Aver- ila. Mr. Maulsby was accompanied by his wife. In addition to these there were in the party John Mosteller and wife, George Baxter and Wil- liam Hunter. Richard Moore's claim consisted of the southeast quarter of section 33 and eiglity acres in section 34; Amos Moore's claim was the same now . owned by James Luney; Thaddeus Moore located a claim which is now the property of Jolin C. Malin; Manlsby took the claim where Michael Wilson now lives; Mosteller took a claim in the north part of Marion township; William Moore took a claim near by, which he transferred to an older brother, James Moore, who came later in the fall. They were all well-to-do farmers in Putnam county, Indiana, Mr. Richard Moore having a good farm all paid for, and in comfortable circumstances. They brought with them furniture and household goods, stock of all kinds, including four yoke of oxen, a number of horses, young cattle, sheep, hogs, chickens, etc. Upon arriving at their claims they camped and immediately set about the task of inaking prairie hay for the use of the stock during the winter and erecting cabins to shelter themselves. Richard Moore's house was a double log cabin, one story high, roofed with clapboards and floored with puncheons, split out of oak trees. Along about Christmas a heavy snow storm set in, after which the weather turned very cold. The stock, having no shelter, wandered off in the night and a number of them perished before they were found.
An Indian village, before described, was near the settlement and the In- dians were very friendly, doing all in their power to make the whites feel at home. These Indians belonged to Poweshiek's band, and the chief, Wapello, was a frequent gnest at the cabins of the settlers.
The winter, however, was a very severe one and the Indians suffered much. To make matters worse, the government, for some reason, neglected to pay them their annuities, which were due in March. As a result of this the Indians began to manifest an ill-feeling against the settlers. One night, early in April, 1837, Wapello stayed over night with Mr. Moore, and dur- ing a conversation concerning the grievances he said that the government agents had not paid their annuities, and, besides this, Baker had settled so near their village that his stock was a source of great trouble, and further, that he had fully determined that Baker must leave, and that a number of the tribe would dislodge him from his claim on the following day. Wapello told Mr. Moore that he need not be uneasy as the Indians would not dis- turb him. The next day Baker was driven from his claim and his cabin
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
burned. Abont one week after Baker was driven from his claim, Thaddens and William Moore were hanling rails when an Indian came riding up to them and said that they would have to leave. The young men said they would not leave, that all their stock, farming implements, and household goods were there, and they could not leave. The Indian was very much ex- cited and seemed determined to have the boys quit their work. Seeing that the boys were not inclined to obey, the Indian took his blanket and en- deavored to frighten the oxen and finally succeeded in starting them to- ward the house. The young men and the Indian arriving at the cabin, Mr. Richard Moore was informed of the diffienlty and made acquainted, for the first time, of the intention of the Indians. He and the Indian discussed the matter for some time, and presently three or four more Indians came. up and the number was augmented from time to time till they numbered twenty-five or thirty. They were painted just as if about to go on the war- path; were armed with clubs and seemed much excited. No violence was done to Mr. Moore or any of the family, but the Indians seemed determined, and threatened to commit violence if their demands were not immediately complied with. After remonstrating with the Indians for some time, Mr. Moore conelnded that it would be hazardons to remain on his elaim; he therefore, told them that he would leave, which promise seemed to quiet them, and they assisted the settlers to get their things ready prepara- tory to starting. The Moores, with their family, and Maulsby having loaded as much of their effects upon the wagons as possible, set out on their return trip. Mosteller had returned to Indiana some time previous, he having remained in Iowa but three or four weeks. The Moores and Malusby retired into Henry county and settled in the neighborhood of new- London. Here they remained until 1839, when the Indians having been removed further west, and not liking their claim in Henry county, returned to their old claim in Washington county. Richard Moore found his claim comparatively in good shape, the cabin had not been disturbed, and what feneing he had done was thrown down in some places but not otherwise damaged. The claim which James Moore had taken was in the meantime jumped by a man by the name of Powers, and he took a new claim across the creek in Marion township. Richard Moore continued to reside on his claim until the time of his death, which occurred in 1853; his wife, Rebecca Moore, also died many years ago. Amos E. Moore and William Moore still reside in the same locality where they first settled, on section 33. Thaddeus first removed to Wisconsin, where he lived a num -. ber of years; leaving Wisconsin he returned to this county, where he re- mained a short time and then went to California. He now resides in Da- kota. None of his sisters now reside in the county; some of them are dead and others have moved away.
Amos Moore and William Moore have doubtless lived longer upon their claims than any other persons in the county, and in this respect are the old- est settlers in the county.
The historian experiences no difficulty in ascertaining the date of battles and sieges, the discovery of continents and the coronation of kings, for by common consent these are important events, worthy of a place in the mem- ory of men then living, who transmit the same to their children. The date of a settlement on the frontier, however, is not deemed so important, and is sometimes forgotten by the parties themselves.
As near as can be determined, in 1837 David Goble and family, consist-
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HISTORY OF WASHIINGTON COUNTY.
ing of four sons, one danghter. and a young man by the name of Oliver Sweet, came to this county. Mr. Goble pitched his tent on the northwest quarter of section 28, township 75, range 6. The first dwelling in which the Gobles dwelt was literally a tent, and consisted of poles driven into the ground, with blankets linng up at the sides and poles covered with blankets for a roof. Some time afterward they built a log house, which was the first one erected in Oregon township. Mr. Goble afterward became one of the most prominent citizens of the county, and was intimately connected with schemes for the development of the material resources of the county. Mr. Goble was very fond of hunting and trapping; in the winter especially did he follow these diversions. He trapped all along the rivers and streams of the county, and often made long journeys up the Iowa river, where otters were plenty. He and Renben B. Davis, who subsequently settled on Davis creek, in Iowa township, often went together on these trapping excursions, which frequently proved to be very profitable.
A short time after coming to the county Mr. Goble built a double log honse. Those of our readers who have seen the remains of pioneer im- provements need not be told what a double log house was: It consisted of two separate and distinct cabins built about eight feet apart with gables adjoining. When the roof was put on it was extended over the space be- tween the two buildings, and this was formed an entry, which, with very little extra expense, furnished a great deal of extra room for storing all kinds of household goods, farming implements, and occasionally afforded shelter for stock in bad weather. Such a building was the Goble mansion, and in the west room of the building was held the first court. Simpson Goble, a son of David Goble, who still resides in the county, in Ainsworth, says that he helped to lay ont the town of Astoria, which was the first county- seat, and located about one mile northeast of his father's house. Three men from Mount Pleasant, by the name of Hill, Randolph and Hughes were the proprietors, and erected a double log house intended for a court house, but their anticipations were never realized. He says, further, that at the session of court held at his father's honse the writing was done in- doors, court was held under some big trees north of the house and he fur- nished watermelons to the judge, lawyers and jury, and received nothing in pay except a silver ten cent piece, presented to him by Francis Springer, then of Lonisa county, and more recently of Burlington. There was a post-office established at this place in early days, and Mr. Goble was post inaster. Some later John Potts started a store in Astoria, and the post- office was removed there. Mr. Goble sold his farm to a Methodist preacher by the name of Walker and removed to Kansas, where he died in 1855. As before remarked, Simpson Goble, his son, who came with him when he set- tled in the county, still resides in Ainsworth. His mother died at Ains- worth in 1863. David Goble, Jr., a brother of Simpson, emigrated to Ore- gon years ago, where he now resides. Harrison, another brother, moved to Kansas, where he now lives. A sister by the name of Nancy, who also came with the rest of the family to the county, married John Hulock in 1837. The ceremony was performed by Adam Ritchey, J. P., and was probably one of the first marriages in the county; she died some years ago. George Goble, another brother, still resides near Ainsworth, in this county. At the time Baker was driven from his claim the Indians sent word to the Gobles to leave also, but they were never disturbed.
Shortly after the Ritcheys settled in the southeast part of the county,
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
and prior to 1840, three persons by the name of Neal-Joseph, John and Thomas-settled in the same neighborhood. The former died July 7, 1878, the other two still reside in the vicinity of Crawfordsville. John Neal built the first house on the present site of that town.
Shortly after Adam Ritchey settled on his claim near the present site of Crawfordsville two men by the name of Milo Holcomb and John B. Bil- lock came from Monmouth, Illinois, and settled sonth of the Ritchey set- tlement on Crooked creek, at a place which for a long time was known as "Hoosier Bend." They established a trading post and from the first car- ried on quite a business with the Indians. In May 1838, Mr. Holcomb returned to Monmouth, where he married Rachel Jackson, and returned with his bride in June. When Mr. IIolcomb and his wife returned the Indians turned out en masse to welcome the pale-faced squaw, which was probably the first time they had seen a white woman.
Soon after his marriage Milo Holcomb and his partner, Mr. Bullock, began the erection of a mill on Crooked creek; this mill was always known as the Holcomb mill, and was probably the first one erected in Washington county. Shortly after the completion of the mill Bullock died, and the business of the firm thereafter was carried on by Holcomb alone.
In 1839 John Jackson, the father of Mrs. Holcomb came from Mon- month, Illinois. He stopped with Holcomb and framed a honse, which he hanled to the present site of Washington and put np. This was the first two-story frame honse erected in the county. Milo Holcomb died in 1840, and his wife removed to Washington, and resided with her father until 1843, when she married Mr. Dudley Buck, and removed to Keokuk county, where she still lives. Mr. Jackson was drowned in Skunk river, near Pickerel's mill, on the 3d of September, 1840. IIe was deputy sheriff at the time, and had gone from Washington to that part of the county on some official business. His business calling him across the river he em- ployed a man by the name of Blair to ferry him across in a skiff. They passed over safely but on the return trip Blair, not exercising the proper cantion allowed his skiff to float too near the dam, and it was carried over and both occupants were drowned. It was several days before the body of Mr. Jackson was found, and that of Mr. Blair was not seenred for some three weeks, when it was discovered floating in the river near the present site of Merrimac in Jefferson county. Mr. Holcomb died in November of the same year and John J. Jackson, a son of John Jackson, and brother of Mrs. Holcomb, who was one of the first postmasters of Washington, was drowned while bathing in the river not far from the place where his father had been carried over the dam four years previons. Mr. Holcomb was the first sheriff of the county, and was the most active and enterprising man in the county in early days. He and Bullock carried on the first store in the county. The firm began doing business here in 1837. On the death of Bullock in 1838 he took charge of the entire business, including the management of the mill, which had just been completed, and attending to the duties of his office as county sheriff. The store was located near the mill. The stock consisted of general merchandise and was the main trading point for all the settlers then living in the county as well as those who lived across the line in Henry and Jefferson counties. Mrs. Holcomb, now Mrs. Buck, of Sigourney, still has in her possession the books in which the accounts of the firm were kept. The writer had the privilege a short time since of examining these books, which were certainly remarkable for their
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