USA > Iowa > Clinton County > Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1 > Part 8
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1846-50-Loring Wheeler.
1850-52-William E. Leffingwell.
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CLINTON COUNTY, IOWA. For Cedar and Clinton Counties.
1852-54-William E. Leffingwell. 1854-56-Julius J. Mathews. For Clinton County.
1856-58 Julius J. Mathews. 1882-86-W. A. Cotton.
1858-62-George M. Davis.
1886-91-P. B. Wolfe.
1862-66-Norman Boardman.
1891-94-S. W. Gardiner.
1866-70-John Henry Smith. (To fill vacancy.)
1870-74-A. B. Ireland.
1894-98-L. A. Ellis.
1874-82-N. A. Merrell.
1898
-John L. Wilson.
TERRITORIAL REPRESENTATIVES.
Members of the Territorial Council for Scott and Clinton counties : 1838-43-Jonathan W. Parker. 1843-45-Robert Christie. 1845-46-Laurel Summers.
TERRITORIAL REPRESENTATIVES.
Scott and Clinton District.
1838-39-Laurel Summers, Jabez A. Burchard, Jr. 1839-41-Laurel Summers, Joseph M. Robertson. 1841-42-Joseph M. Robertson, James Grant.
Clinton District.
1842-43-Eli Goddard. 1843-45-John Brophy. 1845-46-Shubael Coy.
STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
1846-48-William E. Leffingwell. 1848-50-James D. Bourne. 1850-54-William G. Haun. 1854-56 Joseph H. Brown; George Smith, floating member from Ce- dar, Clinton and Scott counties. 1856-58- Charles H. Toll.
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CLINTON COUNTY, IOWA.
1858-60-Horace Anthony, Thomas Watts.
1860-62-Nathaniel B. Baker, George W. Parker.
1862-64-George W. Parker, John S. Maxwell.
1864-66-George W. Parker, Samuel G. Magill. 1866-68-B. R. Palmer, George W. Thorn.
1868-70-Charles G. Truesdell, Aylett R. Cotton, Charles E. Leffingwell. 1870-72-Aylett R. Cotton, Benjamin Spencer, Samuel H. Rogers. 1872-74-James Van Deventer, George Rule, N. A. Merrell. 1874-76-Edward Svendsen, Ebenezer Dorr, Henry Muhs.
1876-78-John A. Young, Edward H. Thayer, H. Horstman. 1878-80-A. A. Gardner, John A. Young. 1880-82-William Lake, L. B. Wadleigh. 1882-84-Dallas D. Ronck, Larkin Upton. 1884-86-N. A. Merrell, Larkin Upton. 1886-88-Edwart Hart, John Coleman.
1888-90-W. W. Buell, George M. Curtis. 1890-92-George S. Gardiner, Edwart Hart.
1892-94-Edwart Hart, Sr., Henry Harstman, Sr.
1894-96-C. L. Root, A. B. Correll. 1896-98-N. A. Merrell, J. L. Wilson. 1898-1900-F. P. McGinn, Anton Hausmann. 1900-02-F. P. McGinn, Anton Hausmann. 1902-04-C. Mordhorst, Raymond C. Langan. 1904-06-Raymond C. Langan, Thomas Carstensen. 1906-08-Albert W. Kendall, John L. Wolfe. 1908-10-Albert W. Kendall, John L. Wolfe.
RECORDERS.
1865-66-Dennis Whitney. 1891-94-F. J. Mclaughlin. 1895-96-Henry Gohlmann.
1867-70-Joseph D. Fegan.
1871-74-Henry F. Bowers. 1897-98-Charles Walls.
1875-78-Daniel Correll. 1899-1900- John G. McGrath.
1879-82-Thomas H. Ellis. 1901-02-B. F. Mattison.
1883-86-J. C. Hopkins. 1903-04-John G. McGrath.
1887-88-M. E. Jordan. 1905-06-B. F. Mattison.
1889-90-Ed. J. Saxton. 1907-11-W. H. McKenna.
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SHERIFFS.
1840-50-James D. Bourne.
1870-71-Thomas G. Ferreby.
1851-53-Hiram Brown. 1872-73-Charles H. Ingwersen.
1854-55-D. P. McDonald. 1874-75-Jacob H. Walliker.
1876-81-E. M. Purcell.
1856-57-R. H. Dawson (resigned March 14, 1857). 1882-85-William M. Desmond. 1886-89-Thomas J. Hudson. 1890-93-William M. Desmond. 1894-95-L. L. Ries.
1857-59-William H. Buchanan (elected at special elec- tion).
1860-61-Charles H. Toll.
1896-99-Thomas J. Hudson.
1862-65-George A. Griswold.
1900-06-Joseph E. Moran.
1866-69-Robert Hogle. 1907-11-T. J. Burke.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
1858-59-John Van Antwerp. 1874-75-Miss Lucy Curtis.
1860-61-Samuel S. Burdette (ap- 1876-77-Miss Kate Hudson.
pointed in place of P. 1878-83-M. J. Wilcox.
L. Hyde, elected in 1884-85-M. Luper. 1859, but refused to serve). 1890-93-J. Q. Jefferies.
1886-89-George B. Phelps.
1860-62-Isaac Baldwin.
1862-69-Richard J. Crouch.
1896-1900-G. U. Gordon.
1870-73-Roswell B. Millard.
1901-II-George E. Farrell.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
This office was created by the Legislature at its session of 1868. The first election was held at the general election following and the duties of the office began January 1, 1869. The then county judge became ex-officio auditor until the expiration of his term.
1869-George B. Young. 1888-89-A. H. Paddock.
1870-71-Kirke W. Wheeler. 1890-94-Fr. Dieckmann.
1872-75-John Pollock. 1895-96-D. O'C. McCarthy.
1876-79-A. A. Wagner. 1897-98-Fritz Horn.
1880-81-John J. Flournoy. 1899-1900-Lewis Rutenbeck.
1882-87-D. O'C. McCarthy. 1901-II-Frank W. Leedham.
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1894-95-Carl Schlabach.
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COUNTY JUDGES.
This office was discontinued in 1868, and the then county judge became, by law, incumbent of the new office of auditor.
1851-53-Aylett R. Cotton. 1860-63-John C. Polley.
1853-55-Edward Graham. 1864-65-Pitkin C. Wright.
1856-59-Daniel McNeil. 1866-68-George B. Young.
SCHOOL-FUND COMMISSIONERS.
This office was discontinued in 1858. 1848-R. R. Bedford.
1857-58-E. Graham. 1849-56-A. R. Bissell.
DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS.
This office was abolished in 1875.
1853-56-William Dinwoodie. 1867-69-William W. A. Huntington.
1857-60-James N. Miles. 1870-71 -- J. H. Noble.
1861-65-George W. Thorn. 1872-73-John Dawson.
1866-67-Charles L. Sherwood.
1874-75-J. R. Merrell.
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
This office was discontinued in 1887, and the office of county attorney superseded it.
1840-William J. A. Bradford. 1854-55-Thomas J. W. Long.
1841-James Thorington. 1856-57-William T. Graham.
1842-46-James Crawford. 1858-61-Henry O'Connor.
1847-E. S. Hewitt. 1862-78-Lyman A. Ellis.
1848-49-William L. Burge.
1879-83-H. H. Benson.
1850-52 -- Edward Graham.
1883-87-M. V. Gammon.
1853-Aylett R. Cotton.
COUNTY ATTORNEYS.
1887-88-Andrew Howat. 1903-04-W. J. Keefe. 1905-06-Ernest L. Miller .:
1889-94-A. R. McCoy. 1895-96-A. T. Wheeler. 1897-1902-Calvin H. George.
1907-11-W. J. Keefe.
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CLERKS OF THE COURT.
1840-41-Martin Dunning. 1875-80-W. Bruce Leffingwell.
1842-46-Loring Wheeler. 1881-82-A. H. Paddock.
1847-48-R. L. Westbrook. 1883-86 -- A. L. Schuyler. . 1849-53-S. H. Samuels. 1887-90 -- William Kreim.
1854-62-Loring Wheeler.
1891-94-D. R. Markham.
1863-66-William Familton.
1867-70-Noel B. Howard.
1871-74-Charles W. Chase.
1895 and present incumbent -John H. Edens, Jr.
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RECORDERS AND TREASURERS.
Until 1865 the offices of recorder and treasurer were combined in one incumbent. Those who held the combined offices are :
1840-42-James D. Bourne. 1857-59-James Allison (resigned
1843-Z. Metcalf. by request).
1844-46-Alexander Work.
1860-62-Stephen Lockwood (elect-
1847-R. R. Bedford. ed and then appointed
1848-52-Lyman Buck. 8 to fill Allison's term).
1853-56-Thomas F. Butterfield.
1863-65-Horace Anthony.
TREASURERS.
1866-69-Robert Williams. 1886-91-Virtus Lund.
1870-77-Edwin R. Lucas. 1892-99-Paul Lubbers.
1878-85-B. H. A. Henningsen. 1900-Charles A. Arlen.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
1840-47-Lyman Buck. 1848-52-Thomas Watts. 1853-T. E. Davidson. 1854-Roswell B. Millard. 1855-John O'Brien.
1856-Amos Matthews. 1857-George Lilly.
1858 James Runyon (appointed to fill vacancy caused by Lilly resigning). 1859-61-Thomas S. Flathers. 1862-71-Benjamin B. Hart. 1872-73-T. N. Boutelle. 1874-75-Benjamin B. Hart.
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1876-77-Allen Slack. 1878-81-Rollin G. Brown.
1882-83-Arthur Lillie.
1884-95-Rollin G. Brown. 1896-1901-August Schnell. 1902-Reuben C. Hart.
CORON ERS.
1853-57-E. M. Downs.
1878-83 -- Eliam Lukins.
1857-Joseph D. Fegan.
1884-85-William Fitzgerald.
1858-William B. Lamont (to fill vacancy).
1888-93-C. W. Meyers.
1858 H. W. Perkins.
1894-95-W. M. Sammis.
1859-62-James Harvey.
1896-97-W. F. Skelley.
1863-65-Asa Morgan.
1898-99-C. W. Meyers.
1866-67-Jacob Soy.
1900-02-Charles Osborne.
1868-69-Daniel McNeil.
1902-03-S. C. Hamilton.
1870-71-Charles H. Lothrop.
1904-06-J. D. Hullinger.
1872-75-John Mathews.
1907-11-C. F. Kellogg.
1876-77-Lyman P. Adams.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
From the organization of Clinton county until 1851, the management of the county was in the hands of a board of county commissioners, three in number, chosen by the people. The act organizing the county in January, 1840, appointed the commissioners and they were as follows: Elijah Buell. George Griswold and Robert C. Bourne. The next county commissioners were Robert C. Bourne, Eli Goddard and Elijah Buell. Mr. Bourne, hav- ing the highest number of votes cast, was declared elected for three years, Goddard for two years and Buell for one year.
The creation of the office of county judge (the "one-man power"), in 1851, abolished the county commissioner system and so obtained until the township system was established in 1860, when each township had a super- visor and the county judge's office was little more than an office to attend to probate matters.
The first meeting of the regular board of supervisors convened at De Witt, January 7, 1861. The board consisted of the following gentlemen : Berlin township, John A. Hyde; Bloomfield township, Robert Williams; Brookfield township, John S. Maxwell; Camanche township. J. V. Van Epps; Center township, J. Henry Smith; Clinton township, J. Van De Venter; Deep Creek
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CLINTON COUNTY, IOWA.
township, J. Mclellan; De Witt township, John F. Homer; Eden township, R. B. Millard; Elk River township, George A. Griswold; Hampshire town- ship, Elbert Hammond; Liberty township, James Cummings; Lyons town- ship, Norman Boardman; Olive township, James Vance; Orange township, A. S. Allison; Sharon township, Arthur Lillie; Spring Rock township, S. H. Rogers; Washington township, Patrick Lawler; Waterford township, John Crouch; Welton township, R. J. Crouch. Norman Boardman was elected chairman and Loring Wheeler, clerk of the board.
COUNTY SUPERVISORS.
During the existence of this supervisor system (one from each civil township) the following served in such capacity :
Berlin Township-1861, John Hyde; 1862, Alfred Warren (died in office and term filled out by Abram Correll) ; 1863-65, Abram Correll; 1866- 67, Thomas S. Flathers ; 1868-69, J. S. Risley; 1870, C. L. Sherwood.
Bloomfield Township-1861-62, Robert Williams; 1863-64, Amos Morse; 1865-66, Levi Kettle; 1867-70, Benjamin Spencer.
Brookfield Township-1861, John S. Maxwell (resigned; J. R. Twiss appointed) ; 1862-1870, Jacob L. Stamen.
Camanche Township-1861-62, J. V. Van Epps; 1863-64, Oscar A. Anthony ; 1865-66, A. B. Ireland; 1867-68, Horace Anthony ; 1869-70, Homer Carpenter.
Center Township-1861, J. Henry Smith; 1862, Rufus A. Traver; 1863- 68, John A. Young; 1869-70, Thomas Murphy.
Clinton Township-1861, James Van De Venter; 1862-63, G. A. Rog- ers; 1864-65, W. F. Coan; 1866-67, M. H. Tyrell; 1868-70, A. P. Hosford; and Charles H. Toll.
Deep Creek Township-1861, James McLellan (resigned; G. W. Davis appointed) ; 1862-64, Thomas Watts; 1865-66, Daniel Conrad; 1867-68, Thomas Watts; 1869-70, Darius Wilcox.
De Witt Township-1861, John F. Homer; 1862-63, Thomas F. Butter- field; 1864-67, Loring Wheeler; 1868-69, William Familton; 1870, Samuel Saddoris.
Eden Township-1861, R. B. Millard (resigned; Silas Freeman ap- pointed) ; 1862, Silas Freeman ; 1863-64, L. D. Winne; 1864-65, Benjamin Palmer ; 1866, E. R. Townsend; 1867, Enoch F. Byng; 1868, E. R. Town- send ; 1869-70, Henry Muhs.
Elk River Township-1861, George A. Griswold; 1862-63, John Lowry;
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1864-65, Thomas Calderwood; 1866-67, George A. Griswold; 1868-69, Hiram Polley ; 1870, Henry Ingwersen.
Hampshire Township-1861-65, Elbert Hammond; 1866, George B. Pearce; 1867-70, E. Albright.
Liberty Township-1861-62, James Cummings; 1863-64, James Devitt; 1865-70, George W. Thorn.
Lyons Township-1861, Norman Boardman; 1862-65, A. C. Root; 1866-67, Norman Boardman; 1868-69, David H. Scott; 1870, A. C. Root and D. H. Scott.
Olive Township-1861, James Vance; 1862-65, Leroy D. Dutton; 1866- 67, John A. Boyd; 1868-69, J. W. S. Robinson; 1870, William Scott.
Orange Township-1861-62, A. S. Allison; 1863-66, Hiram Brown; 1867-68, Archibald Buchanan; 1869-70, John R. Merrill.
Sharon Township-1861, Arthur Lillie; 1862-63, B. F. Monroe; 1864- 67, Steven Bennett ; 1868-69, A. C. Bligh; 1870, A. A. Gardner.
Spring Rock Township-1861, S. H. Rogers; 1862, James A. Hicks; 1863, C. E. Leffingwell, appointed; 1864-65, S. H. Templeton; 1866-67, N. M. Everhart; 1868-69, Jesse Stine; 1870, George Goddard.
Washington Township-1861-64, Patrick Lawler; 1865-68, Patrick Craney ; 1869-70, Patrick Lawler.
Waterford Township-1861-64, John Crouch; 1865-66, John Preffer; 1867-68, A. J. Albright; 1869-70, Henry Nurre.
Welton Township-1861, R. J. Crouch; 1862, N. N. Walrod; 1863-66, S. O. Webster; 1867-68, T. A. Maxson; 1869-70, A. G. Clement.
SUPERVISORS UNDER PRESENT SYSTEM.
The system of supervisors was originated in 1860, and from that year to 1870 there was one supervisor from each township, making a board of twenty members. In 1870 the change to the present method of a board of three mem- bers was made, and since then the boards for each year have been as follows:
1871-Jesse Stine, Carl H. Ingwersen, Charles H. Toll. 1872-Jesse Stine, Charles H. Toll, J. L. Stamen.
1873-Charles H. Toll, J. L. Stamen, John Shambaugh. 1874-J. L. Stamen, John Shambaugh, Francis Brogan. 1875-John Shambaugh, Francis Brogan, William Lake. 1876-William Lake, Henry Nurre, Arthur Lillie.
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(By an error in printing the ballots the wrong man was elected, it being the intention to vote for B. A. Lillie, a brother of Arthur. Arthur Lillie re- signed and B. A. Lillie was duly appointed and served during the year.)
1877-William Lake, Henry Nurre, Claus C. Ruus. 1878 Henry Nurre, Claus C. Ruus, William Lake.
1879-Claus C. Ruus, William Lake, Edward Svendsen.
1880-William Lake, Edward Svendsen, Claus C. Ruus.
1881-Edward Svendsen, Claus C. Ruus, L. T. Sloan. 1882-Claus C. Ruus, L. T. Sloan, Henry Nurre.
1883-Henry Nurre, L. N. Frazier, Henry Muhs (to fill vacancy).
1884-Henry Nurre, L. N. Frazier, Henry Muhs. 1885-L. N. Frazier, Henry Muhs, M. F. Quigley. 1886-Henry Muhs, M. F. Quigley, L. N. Frazier. 1887-M. F. Quigley, L. N. Frazier, Henry Muhs. 1888-L. N. Frazier, Henry Muhs, M. F. Quigley. 1889-Henry Muhs, M. F. Quigley, L. S. Harrington. 1890-M. F. Quigley, L. S. Harrington, Godber Hansen.
1891-L. S. Harrington, Godber Hansen, Michael Sullivan. 1892-Godber Hansen, Michael Sullivan, L. S. Harrington.
1893-Michael Sullivan, L. S. Harrington, Godber Hansen. 1894-L. S. Harrington, Godber Hansen, Claus C. Ruus. 1895-Godber Hansen, Claus C. Ruus, George D. Staggs. 1896-Claus C. Ruus, George D. Staggs, Peter B. Ingwersen. 1897-George D. Staggs, Peter B. Ingwersen, Claus C. Ruus. 1898-Peter B. Ingwersen, Claus C. Ruus, H. Hart.
1899-Claus C. Ruus, H. Hart, Hubert Burken.
1900-Hubert Burken, L. N. Frazier, Matthias Gohlmann (to fill va- cancy ).
1901-Hubert Burken, L. N. Frazier, Matthias Gohlmann. 1902-L. N. Frazier, Matthias Gohlmann, Hubert Burken.
1903-Matthias Gohlmann, Hubert Burken, George W. Mowry.
1904-Hubert Burken, George W. Mowry, Albert H. Stuedermann.
1905-George W. Mowry, Albert H. Steudermann, Thomas E. Hauke. 1906-Albert H. Steudermann, Thomas E. Hauke, Charles Mordhorst. 1907-Thomas E. Hauke, Charles Mordhorst, Albert H. Steudermann. 1908-Charles Mordhorst, Albert H. Steudermann, Thomas E. Hauke. 1909-Albert H. Steudermann, Thomas E. Hauke, Charles Mordhorst. 1910-Thomas E. Hauke, Charles Mordhorst, Frank Kearney.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX, AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
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1861-1865
UO GETTYSBURG
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT Erected to the memory of the Civil War Soldiers from Clinton, Iowa.
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CHAPTER VII.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY.
The bravery and true patriotism of any country is exhibited only in times of war. In peace, most citizens "stand up" for their native land; but only the true-hearted and self-sacrificing face the enemy against shot, shell and campaign hardship, even to enduring the horrible prison pen, of which Ander- sonville and Libby were, in the days of the Rebellion, the worst the earth has any record of. Clinton county, organized in 1840, was not well settled, as yet, hence its part in the Mexican war was not great, yet she had her soldiers in that conflict. The principal wars dealt with in this chapter will be the Civil war and the Spanish-American war.
THE CIVIL WAR.
Iowa, the first "free state" admitted into the Union from out the great Louisiana Purchase, saw the impending crisis coming in the political cam- paign of 1856, and more clearly in 1860, when Lincoln and Douglas were the chief standard-bearers for the two great parties, Democratic and Republican. Lincoln was successful and the pro-slavery element in the South decided that the time had come to disrupt this Union. Then it was that the fires of patriot- ism were kindled all along the line-in the North for what was there believed to be right, and in the South for what was held to be constitutional rights. But a nation half free and half slave could not longer stand. The Rebellion commenced at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, April 14, 1861, by the secession- ists firing on the fort and the flag of the Union.
The part taken in that long, bitter warfare was best told, so far as Clinton county was concerned. in an able article written in Allen's history of this county, published fourteen years after the strife of four years and more had been ended, when the states were united again and looked up to but one flag, the "Stars and Stripes." The article referred to is as follows :
For outburst of patriotism in the first rush to arms, for continued devo- tion in the protracted contest, for unfaltering confidence in the final results, for unfailing courage in darkest hours, and for patient endurance under severest sacrifices, the history of the North is a grand one; and the record made during the bloody days of the Rebellion a proud one.
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When the contest was forced upon the country, the people, so long at peace that the clash of arms had never been heard by the generation, were quietly pursuing their peaceful employment, making farms, or cultivating those already made, erecting homes, founding cities and towns, building shops and factories, or in the professions devoting mind and body to useful pursuits. The country was but just recovering in a degree from the depression and losses of the panic of 1857. The future was full of hope and promise. The threatened calamity, like the distant mutterings of a coming storm, was but a whisper. True patriots, the people of the North discredited the threats of the rebels, who were plotting the ruin of the best government the world has produced.
But when the flag fell, in April, 1861, from the battlements of Sumter, the North awoke. Dazed for a moment, like a giant suddenly aroused from deep slumber, it stood breathless; the next witnessed an outburst unparalleled in the annals of time. Scarce had the last click of the telegraph given the full tidings, and the call of our martyred President for seventy-five thousand men, than the quota was filled; and the night shades had scarce fallen before the regiments of men were moving toward the capital of the nation. Men and means were offered without stint. Patriotism thrilled and pulsated every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the college, the schoolhouse- every calling offered its best men, their lives and fortunes, in defense of the government's honor and its unity. Party lines for the time being were ignored. Bitter words, spoken in the heart of political contests, were for- given and forgotten; and, joining hands in a common cause, the masses of the people repeated the emphatic words of America's soldier statesman, "By the great Eternal, the Union must and shall be preserved."
The gauntlet thrown down in insolence by the misguided men of the South, was taken up in sorrow, but with a determined spirit of patriotism and love of country.
The belief that the war would be of short duration was soon dispelled, and the people were confronted with the dismal prospect of an internecine ' struggle, long, bloody and desperate. But the determination of the people was equal to the emergency. Call succeeded call, but to every demand came a ready response, until nearly three and a half millions of men had taken the field in answer to the demands of the government.
Of the sacrifices of life, of the treasures of wealth poured out before the old flag waved triumphantly over the whole Union, the people well know.
In this war the state of Iowa made a most glorious record. She was most nobly represented by her brave sons on every battlefield, and Clinton
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county responded to her country's call. Instantly upon the fall of the flag the county was aflame, and, until the last armed foe had surrendered, her gallant sons, by birth or adoption, were freely offering their lives in defense of the government they loved.
On the 15th of April President Lincoln issued his call for seventy-five thousand men, and three days later recruiting began in Clinton county in response to the call. Capt. H. P. Cox prepared a muster roll in Lyons, and Lieut. Thomas Snowden one in Clinton.
On Thursday evening, April 18th, a war meeting was held in Lyons which filled their largest hall to overflowing. It was presided over by Mayor Sam- uel G. Magill, and, as was expressed in the report of the Lyons Advocate, "The speech of the president was earnest, forcible and running over with patriotism." "The president took his seat amid deafening cheers of the assembled multitude, each one of whom seemed to be brimful of patriotism, as was the case also with a large number of ladies present. The portrait of Washington was brought into the room as the cheers for the chairman sub- sided, but, as the calm and placid face was placed above the seats occupied by the officers, a perfect furore of applause greeted it." Patriotic airs were sung, doubtless, with an expression and depth of feeling never before exper- ienced by those present. Speeches were made and appropriate resolutions adopted, and many expressed their willingness to "pledge their lives, their for- tunes and sacred honor" in the cause, if need be. On the next day, the proper muster rolls were prepared, and seventeen men enrolled their names upon them at once.
On the 19th of April, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held in Clin- ton, presided over by Mayor John C. Bucher, and Dennis Whitney, secretary. The lines of party were for the time obliterated, and the unanimous voice was that of patriotic sentiment. At the close of the meeting, nineteen men en- rolled themselves as volunteers to serve for three months or during the war, and sums of money were pledged for the expenses of equipping and furnish- ing needed supplies.
These men formed the nucleus for the first company raised in the county, and a week later its ranks were filled. The company was at first called the Clinton County Guards. The outburst of enthusiasm had spread throughout the state. Five companies had hurried to the rendezvous at Davenport. As yet but little system or methodical action had developed. The storm had burst suddenly. No provision for equipping and placing troops in the field had been made by the state, and the executive officers for the moment were be- wildered by the crisis with which they were confronted. In this emergency,
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CLINTON COUNTY, IOWA.
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the people sprang into the breach, and not only furnished the men, but also the material of war. On the 27th of April, the city council of Lyons appro- priated six hundred and fifty dollars to purchase the material with which to equip the Clinton County Guards. The women, to whom and their loyal sisters throughout the whole land the nation is ever a debtor for their un- selfish devotion, sacrifices, ministrations and prayers from the hour when the first shock came until the hour when the memory of the last fallen patriot had been embalmed in the sorrow-stricken heart of mother, wife, sister or lover, to the number of about fifty assembled, and, as expressed by the editor of the Advocate, "all with busy hands and devoted hearts were preparing garments for those who have volunteered to defend what these ladies love next to their Father in Heaven-the flag of their country. What hand can falter when the ladies of the land show such devotion to the cause? What heart will faint when encased in the uniform prepared by such hands, the seams of which may have been moistened by the tears of love-unbidden tears that the neces- sity should exist for such a work." Two weeks later a list of the names of eighty-seven ladies who had assisted in the work of preparing the uniforms of this company was published. This company soon went forward fully uni- formed in gray, trimmed with red, and joined the Second Iowa Infantry as Company I, June 5, 1861, with the following officers : Captain, H. P. Cox; first lieutenant, Noel B. Howard; second lieutenant, Thomas Snowden. The day previous to their departure, they were presented with an elegant silk flag by the ladies of Lyons.
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