p K7/f37 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM History 5'ees A r~w^' 'NrE RLIDf^ARY^L?L ^^^ urm Cornell University Library F 627W7 A37 History of Winneshiek and Allamaltee ooun olin 3 1924 028 872 871 The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028872871 HISTORY IE i 111 IOWA BY ¥/. E ALEXANDER. SIOUX CITT, IOWA: Western Publishing Company . I. c t; U K' I I I., I K'KAKY I\7^i J^^ CONTENTS. HISTORY OF IOWA. Page. DlSCOVBRT AND OcOUPATIOlsr 9 The Original Owners 18 Pike's Expedition 21 Indian Wars 23 Indian Purchases, Reserves and Treaties 32 The Spanish Grants 37 The Half-Breed Tract 39 Early Settlements 41 Tbhkitorial History 49 The Boundary Question 54 State Organization 59 Growth and Progress 65 Public Instittjtions 66 Agricultural College and Farm. . . 66 State University 67 State Historical Society 73 The Penitentiary 73 Public Institutions — Pag« Additional Penitentiary, 74 Iowa Hospital for the Insane 74 Hospital for the Insane 75 Iowa College for the Blind 76 Institution for the Deaf and Dumb 77 Soldiers' Orphans' Homes 77 State Normal School 79 Asylum for Feeble-Minded Chil- dren 79 The Reform School 80 Pish Hatching Establishment 81 The Public Lands 82 The Public Schools 100 Political Record 105 Territorial and State Officers 105 The Judiciary 107 Congressional Representation 108 War Record 110 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. CHAPTER I. First Settlement 118 First Birth 120 First Marriage 123 First Death 124 First Settlements, no longer existing. 120 First Public School and Teacher. . . .124 County Organization 125 First Assessment and Tax List 125 First Taxpayers and Settlers by Townships 126 CHAPTER II. The Winnebago Indians 133 Fort Atkinson 141 The Chiefs Winneshiek and Decorah.141 Indian Traders and Whisky Selling. 144 Bloody Tragedies 145 Indian Customs and Habits 147 CHAPTER III. Pioneer Life 152 Pioneer Women 153 An Indian Scare 165 Oddities of Bench and Bar 155 Interesting Reminiscences 158 CHAPTER IV. Review of Early History 169 County Organization and County Seat Contest 173 The'Day Family 171 Judge Reed 171 Lewiston, Moneek and Decorah 173 Pioneer Norwegians 185 Protecting Squatters' Rights 189 CHAPTER V. Political History 190 First Election and First Officers 191 Votes Cast in Successive Years 192 Voting Precincts 193 Division Into Townships 194 Successive County OflBcerg, Legisla- tors, etc 195 Political Contests and Representa- tive Men 195 Public Officers (continued) to Pres- ent Time 204 CHAPTER VI. Population 212 Court House and Jail 213 Poor House and Farm 214 Murder Trials 214 Railroad History 217 The County's Products 220 Educational and Literary 220 County Finances 221 Census of 1880 222 CHAPTER VII. The War for the Union 223 Decorah Guards 225 Co. H, Iowa Greyhounds 231 Co. G, Twelfth Iowa 232 Three More Companies 237 Co. D, Sixth Iowa Cavalry 289 CHAPTER VIII. Chronological Record of Events 239 C0NTBHT8. CHAPTER IX. Page History of Decorah 257 History of West Decorah 292 History of Preeport 292 Printing Establisliments 293 Pleasure Resorts 297 CHAPTER I. Page Townships and VUlages 299 Rivers and Railroads 322 Shape and Size of County 322 Geology, Products and Resources . . . 323 Climate, Soil and Scenery 324 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. CHAPTER I. Origin of County Name 326 Topography 327 Geology 828 Artesian Welh 339 CHAPTER II. Botany, Zoology and Entomologj-. . .340 Climate 347 Storms and Tornadoes 348 Agriculture, Live Stock, Manufac- tures 350 Statistical Information 351 CHAPTER III. The Aborigines 355 Archseology 357 Advent of the Whites 861 Early Settlements 361 County Organization and First Offi- cers 365 Taxable Property in 1849 367 Sketch of Father Lowery 868 Indian Missions 368 The Painted Rock 369 County Seat Elections 371 Sodom and Gomorrah 371 CHAPTER IV. First Entries of Government Lands . 372 First Importation of Lumber 372 First Grist Mill 372 First Postoifice.. 372 Interesting Reminiscences 372 First Official Seal S74 First Terms of Court 374 First Party Organization 376 Systems of County Management. . . .377 List of County Officers, Legislators, etc.^ from County Organization to Present Time 378 The Circuit Court 384 CHAPTER V. Earliest County Records 385 Township Organizations 389 History of Paint Creek Township. . .393 CHAPTER VI. The Villages of Allamakee County. 396 Lybrand 396 Lansing, Winfield, Waukon, Colum- bus 397 Hardin, Smithfield, PostvUle, Mil- ton, Ion, Rossville 398 Volney, Cleveland, Johnsonport, Al- lamaiee, Nezekaw 399 Chantry, Alton, Buckland, Manches- ter, New Albin, Myron 400 Dorchester, Lafayette, Paint Rock, Waterville, New' Galena 401 Wexford 403 Union City 404 CHAPTER VII. History of Post Township 404 History of Postville 410 Myron and Lybrand 415 CHAPTER VIII. Crimiaal Episodes 418 CHAPTER IX. County Seat Contests 429 CHAPTER X. County Buildings 438 Educational 440 Religious Organizations 446 Gospel Pioneers 447 Staiastics of Population, etc 449 Assessed Valuations 450 Political Statistics 450 CHAPTER XL War Record, Allamakee County Vol- unteers 451 CHAPTER XII. Chronological Record of Important Events, 463 Two Chief Towns of the Coun- ty 669 Chapter I.— Waukon 669 Chapter II. — Lansing 699 PREFACE, t 'he object of this work ia to place upon record, in a reliable manner and in a permanent form, whatever incidents of impoitance have transpired within the limits of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties since their first settlement. As preliminary to this, a brief History of Iowa is given, including an account of its discovery and occupation; its Indian tribes; a sketch of pre- territorial times; an outline of Iowa when a Territory; its State organization, growth and progress ; its public institutions, public lands and schools ; its polit- ical and war records. These facts are from the pen ot a well-known writer, and may be rehed upon as accurate. In the history of the Counties, facts and figures, incidents and reminis- cences, anecdotes and sketches, are given, with a variety and completeness, it is thought, commensurate to their importance. This has necessitated, on the part of the editorial staff, an appreciable quantity of persevering effort; but their labor has been cheered by the cordial assistance and good will of many friends to the enterprise in both Counties, to all of whom grateful acknowledg- ments are tendered. They have enabled us to give to the present generation a valuable reflex, it is believed, of the times and deeds of pioneer days;' and to erect to the pioneer men and women of Winneshiek and Allamakee Counties a merited and lasting monument. Novemher, 1882. W. E. 'A. History of Iowa, DISCOVERY AND OCCUPATION. The name Iowa is said to signify "Tlie Beautiful Land," and was applied to this magnificent and fruitful region by its ancient owners, to express their appreciation of its superiority of climate, soil and location. Prior to 1803, the Mississippi River was the extreme western boundary of the United States. All the great empire lying west of the "Father of Waters," from the Gulf of Mexico on the south, to British America on the north, and west- ward to the Pacific Ocean, was a Spanish province. A brief his- torical sketch of the discovery and occupation of this great em- pire by the Spanish and French governments will be a fitting introduction to the history of the young and thriving State of Iowa, which, until the commencement of the present century, was a part of the Spanish possessions in America. Early in the Spring of 1542, Ferdinand DeSoto discovered the mouth of the Mississippi River at the mouth of the Washita. After the sudden death of DeSoto, in May, of the same year, his followers built a small vessel, and in July, 1543, descended the great river to the Gulf of Mexico. In aceprdanee with the usage of nations, under which title to the soil was claimed by right of discovery, Spain, having con- quered Florida and discovered the Mississippi, claimed all the ter- ritory bordering on that river and the Gulf of Mexico. But it was also held by the European nations that, while discovery gave title, that title must be perfected by actual possession and occupa^- tion. Although Spain claimed the territory by right of first dis- covery, she mode no effort to occupy it; by no permanent settle- ment had she perfected and held her title, and therefore had for- feited it when, at a later period, the Lower Mississippi Valley was re-discovered and occupiedby France. The labors of the zealous French Jesuits of Canada in pene- trating the unknown region of the West, commencing in 1611, form a history of no ordinary interest, but have no particular con- nectionwith the scope of the present work, until in the fall of 1665. Pierre Claude Allouez, who had entered Lake Superior in Septem- ber, and sailed along the southern coast in search of copper, had arrived at the great village of the Chippewas at Chegoincegon. Here a grand council of some ten or twelve of the principal In- dian nations was held. The Pottawatomies of Lake Michigan, the Sacs and Foxes of the West, the Hurons from the North, the 10 HISTORY OF IOWA. Illinois from the South, and the Sioux from the land of the prairie and wild rice, were all assembled there. The Illinois told the story of their ancient glory, and about the noble river on the banks of which they dwelt. The Sioux also told their white brother of the same great river, and Allouez promised to the as- sembled tribes the protection of the French nation against all their enemies, native or foreign. The purpose of discovering the great river about which the In- dian nations had given such glowing accounts, appears to have originated with Marquette, in 1669. In the year previous, he and Claude Dablon had established the Mission of St. Mary's, the oldest white settlement within the present limits of the State of Michigan. Marquette was delayed in the execution of his great undertaking, and spent the interval in studying the language and habits of the Illinois Indians, among whom he expected to travel. About this time the French government had determined to ex- tend the Dominion of France to the extreme western borders of Canada. Nicholas Perrot was sent as the agent of the govern- ment to propose a grand council of the Indian nations, at St. Mary's. When Perrot reached Green Bay, he extended the invitation far and near; and, escorted by Pottawatomies, repaired on a mission of peace and friendship to the Miamis, who occupied the region about the present location of Chicago. In May, 1671, a great council of Indians gathered at the Falls of St. Mary, from all parts of the northwest, from the head waters of the St Lawrence, from the valley of the Mississippi and from the Red River of the North. Perrot met with them, and after grave con- sultation, formally announced to the assembled nations that their good French Father felt an abiding interest in their welfare, and had placed them all under the powerful protection of the French Government. Marquette, during that same year had gathered at Point St. Ignace the remnants of one branch of the Ilurons. This station, for a long series of years, was considered the key to the unknown West. The time was now auspicious for the consummation of Mar- quette's grand project. The successful termination of Perrot's mission, and the general friendliness of the native tribes, rendered the contemplated expedition much less perilous. But it was not until 1673 that the intrepid and enthusiastic priest was finally ready to depart on his daring and perilous journey to Jands never trod by white men. Having imploring the blessing of God upon his undertaking, on the 13th day of May, 1673, with Joliet and five Canadian-French voyageurs, or boatmen, he left the mission »on his daring journey. Ascending Green Bay and Fox River, these bold and enthusiastic pioneers of religion and discovery pro- ceeded until they reached a Miami and Kickapoo village, where HISTORY OF IOWA. 11 Marquette was delighted to find a "beautiful cross planted in the middle of the town, ornamented with white skins, red girdles and bows and arrows, which these good people had offered to the Great Manitou, or God, to thank Him for the pity He had bestowed on them during the winter, in having given them abundant chase." This was the extreme point beyond which the explorations of the French missionaries had not then extended. He called together the principal men of the village, and informed them that his companion, Joliet, had been sent by the French Governor of Canada to discover new countries, to be added to the dominion of France; but that he, himself, had been sent by the Most High God, to carry the glorious religion of the Cross; and assured his wondering hearers that on this mission he had no fear of death, to which he knew he would be exposed on his perilous journey. Obtaining the services of two Miami guides, to conduct his little band to the Wisconsin River, he left the hospitable Indians on the 10th of June. Conducting them across the portage, their Indian guides returned to their village, and the little party de- scended the Wisconsin, to the great river which had so long been so anxiously looked for, and boldly floated down its unknown waters. On the 25th of June, the explorers discovered indications of In- dians on the west bank of the river, and landed a little above the mouth of the river now known as Des Moines, and for the first time Europeans trod the soil of Iowa. Leaving the Canadians to guard the canoe, Marquette and Joliet boldly followed the trail in- to the interior for fourteen miles (some authorities say six), to an Jndian village situated on the banks of a river, and discovered two other villages, on the rising ground about half a league dis- tant. Their visit, while it created much astonishment, did not seem to be entirely unexpected, for there was a tradition or prophecy among the Indians that white visitors were to come to them. They were, therefore, received with great respect and hospitality, and were cordially tendered the calumet or pipe of peace. They were informed that this band was a part of the lUini nation, and that their village was called Monin-gou-ma or Moin- gona, which was the name of the river on which it stood. This, from its similarity of sound, Marquette corrupted into Des Moines (Monk's River), its present name. Here the voyagers remained six days, learning much of the manners and customs of their new friends. The new religion they boldly preached, and the authority of the King of France they proclaimed were received without hostility or remonstrance by their savage entertainers. On their departure, they were ac- companied to their canoes by the chiefs and hundreds of warriors. Marquette received from them the sacred calumet, the emblem of peace and safeguard among the nations, and re-embarked for the rest of his journey. 12 HISTOKT OF IOWA. In 1682, LaSalle descended the Missisippi to the Gulf of Mexic©. and in the name of the King of France took formal possession of all the immense region watered by the great river and its tributa- ries from its source to its mouth, and named it Louisiana, in honor of his master, Louis XIV. At the close of the seventeenth cen- tury, France claimed, by right of discovery and occupancy, the whole valley of the Mississippi and its tributaries, including Texas, as far as the Rio del Norte. ■ In 1719, Phillipe Francis Renault arrived in Illinois with two hundred miners and artisans. The war between France and Spain at this time rendered it extremely probable that the Mississippi Valley might become the theater of Spanish hostilities against the French settlements; to prevent this, as well as to extend French claims, a chain of forts was begun, to keep open the connection between the mouth and the sources of the Mississippi. Fort Or- leans, high up the Mississippi River, was built as an outpost in 1720. The Mississippi scheme was at the zenith of its power and glory in January, 1720, but the gigantic bubble collapsed more suddenly than it had been inflated, and the Company was de- clared hopelessly bankrupt in May following. France was impov- erished by it, both private and public credit was overthrown, capital- ists suddenly found themselves paupers, and labor was left without employment. The effect on the colony of Louisiana was disastrous. While this was going on in Lower Louisiana the region about the lakes was the theater of Indian hostilities, rendering the passage from Canada to Louisiana extremely dangerous for many years. The English had not only extended their Indian trade in- to the vicinity of the French settlements, hut through their friends, the Iroquois, had gained a marked ascendancy over the Foxes, a fierce and powerful tribe, of Iroquois descent, whom they incited to hostilities against the French. The Foxes began their hostilities with the siege of Detroit, in 1712, a siege which continued for nineteen consecutive days, and although the expe- dition resulted in diminishing their numbers and humbling their pride, yet it was not until after several successive campaigns, em- bodying the best military resources of New France, had been directed against them, that they were finally defeated at the great battles of Butte des Morts, and on the Wisconsin river, and driven west in 1746. The Company, having found that the cost of defending Louisi- ana exceeded the returns from its commerce, solicited leave to sur- render the Mississippi wilderness to the home government. Ac- cordingly, on the 10th of April, 1732, the jurisdiction and control over the commerce reverted to the Crown of France. The Com- pany had held possession of Louisiana fourteen years. In 1735, JBienville returned to assume command for the King. A glance at a few of the old French settlements will show the progress made in portions of Louisiana during the early part of HISTORY OF IOWA. 13 the eighteenth century. As early as 1705, traders and hunters had penetrated the fertile regions of the Wabash, and from this re- gion, at that early date, fifteen thousand hides and skins had been collected and sent to Mobile for the European market. In the year 1716, the French population on the Wabash kept up a lucrative commerce with Mobile by means of traders and voyageurs. The Ohio river was comparatively unknown. In 1746, agriculture on the Wabash had attained to greater prosperity than in any of the French settlements besides, and in that year six hundred barrels of flour were manufactured and shipped to New Orleans, together with considerable quantities of hay, pel- try, tallow and beeswax. In the Illinois country, also, considerable settlements had been made, so that, in 1730, they embraced one hundred and forty French families, about six hundred "converted Indians," and many traders and voyageurs. In 1753, the first actual conflict arose between Louisiana and the Atlantic colonies. From the earliest advent of the Jesuit fathers, up to the period of which we speak, the great ambition of the French had been, not alone to preserve their possessions in the West, but by every possible means to prevent the slightest at- tempt of the English, east of the mountains, to extend their set- tlepients towards the Mississippi. France was resolved on retain- ing possession of the great territory which her missionaries had discovered and revealed to the world. French commandants had avowed their intention of seizing every Englishman within the Ohio Valley. The colonies of Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia were most aifected by the encroachments of France in the extension of her dominion; and particularly in the great scheme of uniting Canada with Louisiana. To carry out this purpose the French had taken possession of a tract of country claimed by Virginia, and had commenced a line of forts extending from the lakes to the Ohio River. Virginia was not only alive to her own interests, but attentive to the vast importance of an immediate and effectual resistance on the part of all the English colonies to the actual and contemplated encroachments of the French. In 1753, Governor Dinwiddle, of Virginia, sent George Wash- ington, then a young man just twenty-one, to demand of the French commandant "a reason for invading British dominions while a solid peace subsisted." Washington met the French com- mandant, Gardeur de St. Pierre, on the head waters of the Alle- ghany, and having communicated to him the object of his jour- ney, received the insolent answer that the French would not dis- cuss the matter of right, but would make prisoners of every Englishman found trading on the Ohio audits waters. The coun- try, he said, belonged to the French, by virtue of the discoveries of LaSalle, and they would not withdraw from it. 14 HISTORY OF IOWA. In January, 1754, Washington returned to Virginia, and made his report to the Governor and Council. Forces were at once raised, and Washington, as Lieutenant Colonel, was dispatched at the head of a hundred and fifty men, to the forks of the Ohio, with orders to "finish the fort already begun there by the Ohio Company, and to make prisoners, kill or destroy all who inter- rupted the English settlements." On his march through the forests of Western Pennsylrania, Washington, through the aid of friendly Indians, discovered the French concealed among the rocks, and as they ran to seize their arms, ordered his men to fire upon them, at the same time, with his own musket, setting the example. An action lasting about a quarter of an hour ensued; ten of the Frenchmen were killed, among them Jumonville, the commander of the party, and twenty- one were made prisoners. The dead were scalped by the Indians, and the chief, bearing a tomahawk and a scalp, visited all the tribes of the Miamis, urging them to join the Six Nations and the English against the French. The French, however, were soon re-enforced and Col. Washington was compelled to return to Fort Necessity. Here, on the 3d day of July, De Villiers invested the fort with 600 French troops and 100 Indians. On the 4th, Wash- ington accepted terms of capitulation and the English garrison withdrew from the valley of the Ohio. This attack of Washington upon Jumonville aroused the indig- nation of France, and war was formally declared in May, 1756, and the "French and Indian War" devastated the colonies for several years. Montreal, Detroit, and all Canada were surrendered to the English, and on the 10th of February, 1763, by the treaty of Paris — which had been signed, though not formally ratified by the respective governments, on the 3d of November, 1762 — France relinquished to great Great Britain all that portion of the prov- ince of Louisiana lying oa the east side of the Mississippi, except the island and town of New Orleans. On the same day that the treaty of Paris was signed, France, by a secret treaty, ceded to Spain all her possessions on the west side of the Mississippi, includ- ing the whole country to the head waters of the Great River, and west to the Rocky Mountains, and the jurisdiction of France in America, which had lasted nearly a century, was ended. At the close of the Revolutionary war, by the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United States, the English Govern- ment ceded to the latter all the territory on the east side of the Mississippi River, and north of the thirty-first parallel of north latitude. At the same time. Great Britain ceded to Spain all the Floridas, comprising all the territory east of the Mississipi and south of the southern limits of the United States. At this time, therefore, the present State of Iowa was a part of the Spanish possessions in North America, as all the territory west HISTORY OF IOWA. 15 of the Mississippi River was under the dominion of Spain. That government also possessed all the territory of the Floridas east of the great river and south of the thirty-first parallel of north lati- tude. The Mississippi, therefore, so essential to the prosperity of the western portion of the United States, for the last three hun- dred miles of its course flowed wholly within the Spanish do- minions, and that government claimed the exclusive right to use and control it below the southern boundary of the United States. The free navigation of the Mississippi was a very important question during all the time that Louisiana remained a dependency of the Spanish Crown, and as the final settlement intimately affected the status of the then future State of Iowa, it will be interesting to trace its progress. The people of the United States occupied and exercised juris- diction over the entire eastern valley of the Mississippi, embrac- ing all the country drained by its eastern tributaries; they had a natural right, according to the accepted international law, to fol- low these rivers to the sea, and to the use of the Mississippi River accordingly, as the great natural channel of commerce. The river was not only necessary but absolutely indispensable to the pros- perity and growth of the western settlements then rapidly rising into commercial and political importance. They were situated in the heart of the great valley, and with wonderful expansive ener- gies and accumulating resources, it was very evident that no power on earth could deprive them of the free use of the river below them, only while their numbers were insufficient to enable them to maintain their right by force. Inevitably, therefore, immedi- ately after the ratification of the treaty of 1785, the Western people began to demand the free navigation of the Mississippi — not as a favor, but as a right. In 1786, both banks of the river, below the mouth of the Ohio, were occupied by Spain, and mili- tary posts on the east bank enforced her power to exact heavy du- ties on all imports by way of the river for the Ohio region. Every boat descending he river was forced to land and submit to the arbitrary revenue exactions of the Spanish authorities. Under the administration of Governor Miro, these rigorous exactions were somewhat relaxed from 1787 to 1790; but Spain held it as her right to make them. Taking advantage of the claim of the American people, that the Mississippi should be opened to them, in 1791, the Spanish Government concocted a scheme for the dis- membership of the Union. The plan was to induce the Western people to separate from the Eastern States by liberal land grants and extraordinary commercial privileges. Spanish emissaries, among the people of Ohio and Kentucky, informed them that the Spanish Government would grant them favorable commercial privileges, provided they would secede from the Federal Government east of the mountains. The Span- 16 HISTORY OF IOWA. ish Minister to the United States plainly declared to his confiden- tial correspondent that, unless the Western people would declare their independence and refuse to remain in the Union, Spain was determined nerer to grant the free navigation of the Missis- sippi. By the treaty of Madrid, October 20, 1795, however, Spain form- ally stipulated that the Mississippi River, from its source to the Gulf, for its entire width, should be free to American trade and commerce, and that the people of the United States should be permitted for three years to use the port of New Orleans as a port of deposit for their merchandise and produce, duty free. In November, 1801, the United States Government received, through Rufus Kingj its Minister at the Court of St. James, a copy of the treaty between Spain and France, signed at Madrid, March 21, 1801, by which the cession of Louisiana to France, made the previous autumn, was confirmed. The change offered a favorable opportunity to secure the just rights of the United States, in relation to the free navigation of the Mississippi, and ended the attempt to dismember the Union by an effort to secure an independent goverment west of the Alleghany Mountains. On the 7th day of January, 1803, the American House of Representatives adopted a resolution declaring their "un- alterable determination to maintain the boundaries and the rights of navigation and commerce through the River Mississippi as established by existing treaties." In the same month. President Jefferson nominated and the Sen- ate confirmed Robert R. Livingston and James Monroe as Envoys Plenipotentiary to the Court of France, and Charles Pincktiey and James Monroe to the Court of Spain, with plenary power to ne- gotiate treaties to effect the object enunciated by the popular branch of the National Legislature. These envoys were instructed to sficure, if possible, the cession of Florida and New Orleans, but it does not appear that Mr. Jefferson and his cabinet had any idea of purchasing that part of Louisiana lying on the west side of the Mississippi. In fact, on the 2d of March following, the instructions were sent to our Ministers, containing a plan which expressly left to France "all her territory on the west side of the Mississippi." Had these instructions been followed, it might have been that there would not have been any State of Iowa or, any other mem- ber of the glorious Union of States west of the "Father of Waters." In obedience to his instructions, however, Mr. Livingston broached this plan to M. Talleyrand, Napoleon's Prime Minister, when that courtly diplomatist quietly suggested to the American Minister that France might be willing to cede the whole French domain in North America to the United States, and asked how much the Federal Government would be willing to give for it. Livingston intima'ed that twenty millions of francs might be a HISTORY OF IOWA. 17 fair price. Talleyrand thouglii; that not enough, but asked the Americans to "think of it." A few days later, Napoleon, in an interview with Mr. Livingston, in effect informed the American Envoy that he had secured Louisiana in a contract with Spain for the purpose of turning it over to the United States for a mere nominal sum. He had been compelled to provide for the safety of that province by the treaty, and he was "anxious to give the United States a magnificent bargain for a mere trifle." The price proposed was one hundred and twenty-five million francs. This was subsequently modified to fifteen million dollars, and on this basis a treaty was negotiated, and was signed on the 30th day of April, 1803. This treaty was ratified by the Federal Government, and by act of Congress, approved October 31, 1803, the President of the United Stafes was authorized to take possession of the territory and provide for a temporary government. Accordingly, on the 20th day of September following, on behalf of the President, Gov. Clairborne and Gen. Wilkinson took possession of the Louisi- ana purchase, and raised the American flag over the newly ac- quired domain, at New Orleans. Spain, although it had by treaty ceded the province to France in 1801, still held quasi pos- session and at first objected to the transfer, but withdrew her op- position early in 1804. By this treaty, thus successfully consummated, and the peace- able withdrawal of Spain, the then infant nation of the New World extended its dominion west of the Mississippi to the Pa- cific Ocean, and north from the Gulf of Mexico to British America. If the original design of Jefferson's administration had been accomplished, the United States would have acquired only that portion of the French territory lying east of the Mississippi River, and while the American people would thus have acquired the free navigation of that great river, all of the vast and fertile empire on the west, so rich in its agricultural and inexhaustible mineral resources, would have remained under the domion of a foreign power. To Napoleon's desire to sell the whole of his North American possessions, and Livingston's act transcending his in- structions, which was acquiesced in after it was done, does Iowa owe her position as a part of the United States by the Louisiana purchase. By authority of an act of Congress, approved March 26, 1804, the newly acquired territory was, on the 1st day of October fol- lowing, divided: that part lying south of the 33d parallel of north latitude was called the Territory of Orleans, and all north of that parallel the District of Louisiana, which was placed under the authority of the officers of Indiana Territory, until July 4, 1805, when it was organized with territorial government of its own, and so remained until 1812, when the Territorj^ of Orleans 18 HISTOEY OF IOWA. became the State of Louisiana, and the name of the Territory of Louisiana was changed to Missouri. On the 4th of July, 1814, that part of the Missouri Territory comprising the present State of Arkansas, and the country to the westward was organized into the Arkansas Territory. On the 2d of March, 1821, the State of Misssouri, being a part of the territory of that name, was admitted to the Union. June 28, 1834, the territory west of the Mississippi River and north of Missouri, was made a part of the territory of Michigan; but two years later, on the 4th of July, 1836, Wisconsin Territory was erected, embracing within its limits the present States of Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. By act of Congress, approved June 12, 1838, the TERRITORY OF IOWA was erected, comprising, in addition to the present State, much the larger part of Minnesota, and extending north to the bound- ary of the British possessions. THE ORIGIN^AL OWNERS. Having traced the early history of the great empire lying west of the Mississippi, of which the State of Iowa constitutes a part, from the earliest discovery to the organization of the Territory of Iowa, it becomes necessary to give some history of the Indians of Iowa. According to the policy of the European nations, possession perfected title to any territory. We have seen that the country west of the Mississippi was first discovered by the Spaniards, but afterward, was visited and occupied by the French. It was ceded by France to Spain, and by Spain back to France again, and then was purchased and occupied by the United States. During all that time, it does not appear to have entered into the heads or hearts of the high contracting parties that the country they bought, sold and gave away was in the possession of a race of men who, al- though savage, owned the vast domain before Columbus first crossed the Atlantic. Having purchased the territory, the United States found it still in possession of its original owners, who had never been dispossessed; and it became necessary to purchase again what had already been bought before, or forcibly eject the occu- pants; therefore, the history of the Indian nations who occupied Iowa prior to and during its early settlement by the whites, be- comes an important chapter in the history of the State, that can- not be omitted. For more than one hundred years after Marquette and Joliet trod the virgin soil of Iowa, not a single settlement had been made or attempted; not even a trading post had been established. The whole country remained in the undisputed possession of the native tribes, who roamed at will over her beautiful and fertile prairies, hunted in her woods, fished in her streams, and often HISTORY OP IOWA. 19' poured out their life-blood in obstinately contested contests for supremacy. That this State so aptly styled "The Beautiful Land," had been the theater of numerous fierce and bloody struggles between rival nations, for possession of the favored re- gion, long before its settlement by civilized man, there is no room for doubt. In these savage wars, the weaker party, whether ag- gressive or defensive, was either exterminated or driven from their ancient hunting grounds. In 1673, when Marquette discovered Iowa, the lUini were a very powerful people, occupying a large portion of the State, but when the country was again visited by the whites, not a remnant of that once powerful tribe remained on the west side of the Mississippi, and Iowa was principally in the possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a war-like tribe which, originally two distinct nations, residing in New York and on the waters of the St. Lawrence, had gradually fought their way westward, and united, probably, after the Poxes had been driven out of the Fox River country, in 18J-6, and crossed the Mississippi. The death of Pontiac, a famous Sac chieftain, was made the pretext for war against the lUini, and a fierce and bloody struggle ensued, which continued until the Illinois were nearly destroyed and their hunting grounds possessed by thair victorious foes. The lowas also occupied a portion of the State for a time, in common with the Sacs, but they, too, were nearly destroyed by the Sacs and Foxes, and, in "The Beautiful Land," these natives met their equally war-like foes, the Northern Sioux, with whom they maintained a constant warfare for the possession of the country for many years. When the United States came in possession of the great valley of the Mississippi, by the Louisiana purchase, the Sacs and Foxes and lowas possessed the entire territory, now comprising the State of Iowa. The Sacs and Foxes, also, occupied the most of the State of Illinois. The Sacs had four principal villages, where most of them re- sided, viz.: Their largest and most important town — if an Indian village may be called such — and from which emanated most of the obstacles and difficulties encountered by the Government in the extinguishment of Indian titles to land in this region, was on Rock River, near Rock Island; another was on the east bank of the Mississippi, near the mouth of Henderson River; the third was at the head of the Des Moines Rapids, near the present site of Montrose, and the fourth was near the mouth of the Upper Iowa. The Foxes had three principal villages, viz.: One on the west side of the Mississippi, six miles above the rapids of Rock River; another about twelve miles from the river, in the rear of the Dubuque lead mines, and the third on Turkey River. The lowas, at one time identified with the Sacs, of Rock River, had withdrawn from them and become a separate tribe. Their 20 HISTOET OF IOWA. principal village was on the Des Moines River, in Van Buren County, on the site where lowaville now stands. Here the last great battle between the Sacs and Foxes and the lowas was fought, in which Black Hawk, then a young man, commanded one division of the attacking forces. The Sacs and Foxes, prior to the settlement of their village on Rock River, had a fierce conflict with the Winnebagoes, subdued them and took possession of their lands. Their village on Rock River, at one time, contained upward of sixty lodges, and was among the largest Indian villages on the continent. In 1825, the Secretary of War estimated the entire number of the Sacs and Foxes at 4,600 souls. Their village was situated in the immediate vicinity of the upper rapids of the Missisfeippi, where the beautiful and flourishing towns of Rock Island and Davenport are now situ- ated. The beautiful scenery of the island, the extensive prairies, dotted over with groves; the picturesque bluffs along the river banks, the rich and fertile soil, producing large crops of corn, squash and other vegetables, with little labor; the abundance of wild fruit, game, fish, and almost everything calculated to make it a delightful spot spot for an Indian village, which was found there, had made this place a favorite home of the Sacs, and se- cured for it the strong attachment and veneration of the whole nation. North of the hunting grounds of the Sacs and Foxes, were those of the Sioux, a fierce and warlike nation, who often disputed pos- session with their rivals in savage and bloody warfare. The pos- sessions of these tribes were mostly located in Minnesota, but ex- tended over a portion of Northern and Western Iowa to the Mis- souri River. Their descent from the north upon the hunting grounds of Iowa frequently brought them into collision with the Sacs and Foxes ; and after many a conflict and bloody struggle, a boundary line was established between them by the Government of the United States, in a treaty held at Prairie du Chien, in 1825. But this, instead of settling the difficulties, caused them to quar- rel all the more, in consequence of alleged trespasses upon each other's side of the line. These contests were kept up and became so unrelenting that, in 1830, Government bought of the respective tribes of the Sacs and Foxes, and the Sioux, a strip of land twenty miles in width, on both sides of the line, and thus throwing them forty miles apart by creating between them a "neutral ground," commanded them to cease their hostilities. Both the Sacs and Foxes and the Sioux, however, were allowed to fish and hunt on this ground unmolested, provided they did not interfere with each other on the United States territory. The Sacs and Foxes and the Sioux were deadly enemies, and neither let an opportunity to pun- ish the other pass unimproved. In April. 1852, a fight occurred between the Musquaka band of Sacs and Foxes and a band of Sioux, about six miles above Al- HISTORY OF IOWA. 21 gona, in Kossuth County, on the west side of the Des Moines River. The Sacs and Poxes were under the leadership Ko-ko-wah, a subordinate chief, and had gone up from their home in Tama County, by way of Clear Lake, to what was then the "neutr^ ground." At Clear Lake, Ko-ko-wah was informed that a party of Sioux were encamped on the west side of the East Pork of the Des Moines, and he determined to attack them. With sixty of his warriors, he started and arrived at a point on the east side of the river, about a mile above the Sioux encampment, in the night, and concealed themselves in a grove, where they were able to dis- cover the position and strength of their hereditary foes. The next morning, after many of the Sioux braves had left their camp on hunting tours, the vindictive Sacs and Poxes crossed the river and suddenly attacked the camp. The conflict was desperate for a short time, but the advantage was with the assailants, and the Sioux were routed. Sixteen of them, including some of their women and children, were killed, and a boy 14 years old was cap- tured. One of the Musquakas was shot in the breast by a squaw as they were rushing into the Sioux's camp. He started to run away, when the same brave squaw shot him through the body, at a distance of forty rods, and he fell dead. Three other Sac braves were killed. But few of the Sioux escaped. The victorious party hurriedly buried their own dead, leaving the dead Sioux above ground, and made their way home, with their captive, with all possible expedition. pike's EXPEDITION". Very soon after the acquisition of Louisiana the United States Government adopted measures for the exploration of the new ter- ritory, having in view the conciliation of the numerous tribes of Indians by whom it was possessed, and, also, the selection of proper sites for the establishment of military posts and trading stations. The Army of the West, Gen. James Wilkinson, com- manding, had its headquarters at St. Louis. Prom this post Cap- tains Lewis and Clarke, with a sufficient force, were detailed to ex- plore the unknown sources of the Missouri, and Lieut Zebulon M. Pike to ascend to the head waters of the Mississippi. Lieut. Pike, with one Sergeant, two Corporals and seventeen privates, left the military camp, near St. Louis, in a keel-boat, with four month's rations, on the 9th day of August, 1805. On the 20th of the same month, the expedition arrived within the present limit of Iowa, at the foot of the Des Moines Rapids, where Pike met Wil- liam Ewing, who had just been appointed Indian agent at this point, a Prench interpreter and four . chiefs and fifteen Sac and Pox warriors. At the head of the rapids, where Montrose is now situated, Pike held a council with the Indians, in which he addressed them substantially as follows: "Your great Pather, the President of ■22 HISTORY OF IOWA. the United States, wished to be more intimately acquainted with the situation and wants of the different nations of red people in our newly acquired territory of Louisiana, and has ordered the General to send a number of his warriors in different directions to take them by the hand and make such inquiries as might afford the satisfaction required." At the close of the council he presented the red men with some knives, whisky and tobacco. Pursuing his way up the river, he arrived, on the 23d of August, at what is supposed, from his description, to be the site of the pres- ent city of Burlington, which he selected as the location of a mili- tary post. He describes the place as being "on a hill, about forty miles above the iiiver de Moyne Rapids, on the west side of the river, in latitude about 41 degrees 21 minutes north. The channel of the river runs on that shore; the hill in front is about sixty feet perpendicular; nearly level on top; four hundred yards in the rear is a small prairie fit for gardening, and immediately under the hill is a limestone spring, sufficient for the consumption of a whole regiment." In addition to this description, which corresponds to Burlington, the spot is laid down on his map at a bend in the river a short distance below the mouth of the Henderson, which pours its waters into the Mississippi from Illinois. The fort was built at Fort Madison, but from the distance, latitude, description and map furnished by Pike, it could not have been the place selected by him, while all the circumstances corroborate the opinion that the place he selected was the spot where Burlington is now located, called by the early voyagers on the Mississippi, "Flint Hills." On the 24th, with one of his men, he went on shore on a hunt- ing expedition, and following a stream which they supposed to be a part of the Mississippi, they were led away from their course. Owing to the intense heat and tall grass, his two favorite dogs, which he had taken with him, became exhausted and he left them on the prairie, supposing that they would follow him as soon as they should get rested, and went on to overtake his boat. Reach- ing the river, he waited some time for his canine friends, but they did not come, and-as he deemed it inexjiedient to detain the boat longer, two of his men volunteered to go in pursuit of them, and he continued on his way up the river, expecting that the two men would soon overtake him. They lost their way, however, and for six days were without food, except a few morsels gathered from the stream, and might have perished had they not accidentally met a trader from St. Louis, who induced two Indians to take them up the river, and they overtook the boat at Dubuque. At Dubuque, Pike was cordially received by Julien Dubuque, a Frenchman, who held a mining claim under a grant from Spain. Dubuque had an old field piece and fired a salute in honor of the advent of the first Americans who had visited that part of the Territory. Dubuque, however, was not disposed to publish the HISTORY OF IOWA. 23 wealth of his mines, and the young and apparently inquisitive officer could obtain but little information from him. After leaving this place, Pike pursued his way up the river, but as he passed beyond the limits of the present State of Iowa, a detailed history of his explorations on the upper water of the Mis- sissippi more properly belongs to the history of another State. It is sufficient to say that on the site of Fort Snelliug, Minne- sota, at the mouth of the Minnesota River, Pike held a council with the Sioux, September 23, and obtained from them a grant of one hundred thousand acres of land. On the 8th of January, 1806, Pike arrived at a trading post belonging to the Northwest Com- pany, on Lake De Sable, in latitude iT^ . At this time the then powerful Northwest Company carried on their immense opera- tions from Hudson's Bay to the St. Lawrence; up that river on both sides, along the Great Lakes to the head of Lake Superior, thence to' the sources of the Red River of the North, and west to the Rocky Mountains, embracing within the scope 'of their opera- tions the entire Territory of Iowa. After successfully accom- plishing his mission, and performing a valuable service to Iowa and the whole Northwest, Pike returned to St. Louis, arriving there on the 30th of April, 1806. nS-DIAN WARS. The territory of Iowa, although it had been purchased by the United States, and was ostensibly in the possession of the Gov- ernment, was still occupied by the Indians, who claimed title to the soil by right of ownership and possession. Before it could be open to settlement by the whites, it was indispensible that the Indian title should be extinguished, and the original owners re- moved. The accomplishment of this purpose required the expen- diture of large sums of money and blood, and for a long series of years the frontier was disturbed by Indian wars, terminated re- peatedly by treaty, only to be renewed by some act of oppres- sion on the part of the whites, or some violation of treaty stipu- lation. As previously shown, at the time when the United States as- sumed the control of the country by virtue of the Louisiana pur- chase, nearly the whole state was in possession of the Sacs and Foxes, a powerful and warlike nation, who were not disposed to submit without a struggle to what they considered the encroach- ments of the pale faces. Among the most noted chiefs, and one whose restlessness and hatred of the Americans occasioned more trouble to the Govern- ment than any others of his tribe, was Black Hawk, who was born at the Sac village, on Rock river, in 1767. He was simply the chief of his own band of Sac warriors, but by his energy and am- bition he became the leading spirit of the united nation of Sacs and Foxes, and one of the prominent figures in the history of the 2t HISTOBT OF IOWA. country from 1804 until his death. In early manhood he attained some distinction as a fighting chief, having led campaigns against the Osages and other neighboring tribes. About the beginning of the present century he began to appear prominent in affairs on the Mississippi. Some historians have added to the statement that "it does not appear that he was ever a great general, or possessed any of the qualifications of a successful leader." If this was so his life was a marvel. How any man who had none of the quali- fications of a leader became so prominent as such, as he did, indi- cates either that he had some ability, or that his cotemporaries, both Indian and Anglo-Saxon, had less than he. He is said to have been the "victim of a narrow prejudice and bitter ill-will against the Americans" but the impartial historian must admit that if he was the enemy of the Americans, it was certainly not without some reason. It will be remembered that Spain did not give up possession of the country to France on its cession to the latter power, in 1801, but retained possession of it, and, by the authority of France, transferred it to the Uniced States, in 1804. Black Hawk and his band were in St. Louis at the time, and were invited to be present and witness the ceremonies of the transfer, but he refused the invi- tation, and it is but just to say that this refusal was caused proba- bly more from regret that the Indians were to be transferred from the jurisdiction of the Spanish authorities than from any 'special hatred toward the Americans. In his life he says: "I found many sad and gloomy faces because the United States were about to take possession of the town and country. Soon after the Americans came, I took my band and went to take leave of our Spanish father. The Americans came to see him also. Seeing them approach, we passed out of one door as they entered another, and immediately started in our canoes for our village, on Rock River, not liking the change any more than our friends appeared to at St. Louis. On arriving at our village, we gave the news that strange people had arrived at St. Louis, and that we should never see our Spanish father again. The information made all our people sorry." On the 3d day of November, 1804, a treaty was concluded be- tween William Henry Harrison, than Governor of Indiana Terri- tory, on behalf of the United States, and five chiefs of the Sac and Fox nation, by which the latter, in consideration of two thousand two hundred and thirty-four dollars' worth of goods then delivered, and a yearly annuity of one thousand dollars to be paid in goods at just cost; ceded to the United States all that land on the east side of the Mississippi, extending from a point opposite the Jefferson, in Missouri, to the Wisconsin River, embracing an area of over fifty- one millions of acres. To this treaty Black Hawk always objected and always refused to consider it binding upon his people. He asserted that the chiefs HISTOET OF IOWA. 25 or braves who made it had no authority to relinquish the title of the nation to any of the lands they held or occupied; and, more- over, that they had been sent to St. Louis on quite a different er- rand, namely, to get one of their people released, who had been imprisoned at St. Louis for killing a white man. The year following this treaty (1805), Lieutenant Zebulon M. Pike came up the river for the purpose of holding friendly coun- cils with the Indians and selecting sites for forts within the ter- ritory recently acquired from France by the United States. Lieu- tentant Pike seems to have been the first American whom Black Hawk ever met or had a personal interview with; and he was very much prepossessed in Pike's favor. He gives the following ac- count of his visit to Rock Island: "A boat came up the river with a young American chief and a small party of soldiers. We heard of them soon after they passed Salt River. Some of our young braves watched them every day, to see what sort of people he had on board. The boat at length arrived at Rock River, and the young chief came on shore with his interpreter, and made a speech and gave us some presents. We in turn presented them with meat and such other provisions as we had to spare. We were well pleased with the young chief. He gave us good advice, and said our American father would treat us well." The events which soon followed Pike's expedition were the erection of Fort Edwards, at what is now Warsaw, Illinois, and Fort Madison, on the site of the present town of that name, the latter being the first fort erected in Iowa. These movements occasioned great uneasiness among the Indians. When work was commenced on Fort Edwards, a delegation from their nation, headed by some of their chiefs, went down to see what the Americans were doing, and had an interview with the commander; after which they re- turned home apparently satisfied. In like manner, when Fort Madison was being erected, they sent down another delegation from a council of the nation held at Rock River. According to Black Hawk's account, the American chief told them that he was building a house for a trader who was coming to sell them goods cheap, and that the soldiers were coming to keep him company — a statement which Black Hawk says they distrusted at the time, believing that the fort was an encroachment upon their rights, and designed to aid in getting their lands away from them. It has been held by good American authorities, that the erection of Fort Madison at the point where it was located was a violation of the treaty of 1804. By the eleventh article of that treaty, the United States had a right to build a fort near the mouth of the Wisconsin River; by article six they had bound themselves "that if any citizen of the United States or any other white persons should form a settlement upon their lands, such intruders should forthwith be removed." Probably the authorities of the United 26 HISTOBT OP IOWA. States did not regard the establishment of military posts as coming properly within the'meaning of the term "settlement," as used in the treaty. At all events, they erected Fort Madison within the territory reserved to the Indians, who became very indignant. Not long after the fort was built, a party led by Black Hawk attempted its destruction. They sent spies to wateli the movements of the garrison, who ascertained that the soldiers were in the habit of marching out of the fort every morning and evening for parade, and the plan of the party was to conceal themselves near the fort, and attack and surprise them when they were outside. On the morning of the proposed day of attack, five soldiers came out and were fired upon by the Indians, two of them being killed. The Indians were too hasty in their movement, for the regular drill had not yet commenced. However, they kept up the attack for sev- eral days,, attempting the old Fox strategy of setting fire to the fort with blazing arrows; but finding their efforts unavailing they soon gave up and returned to Rock River. When war was declared between the United States and Great Britain, in 1812, Black Hawk and his band allied themselves with the British, partly because he was dazzled by their specious prom- ises, and more probably because they had been deceived by the Americans. Black Hawk himself declared that they were "forced into the war by being deceived." He narrates the circumstances as follows: "Several of the chiefs and head men of the Sacs and Foxes were called upon to go to Washington to see their Great Father. On their return, they related what had been said and done. They said the Great Father wished them, in the event of a war taking place with England, not to interfere on either side, but to remain neutral. He did not want our help, but wished us to hunt and support our families, and live in peace. He said that British traders would not be permitted to come on the Mississippi to furnish us with goods, but that we should be supplied with an American trader. Our chiefs then told him that the British trad- ers always gave them credit in the fall for guns, powder and goods, to enable us to hunt and clothe our families. He repeated that the traders at Fort Madison would have plenty of goods; that we should go there in the fall and he would supply us on credit, as the British traders had done." Black Hawk seems to have accepted of this proposition, and he and his people were very much pleased. Acting in good faith, they fitted out for their winter's hunt, and went to Fort Madison in high spirits to receive from the trader their outfit of supplies. But, after waiting some time, they were told by the trader that he would not trust them. It was in vain they pleaded the promise of their Great Father at Washington. The trader was inexorable; and, disappointed and crestfallen, they turned sadly toward their own village. "Few of us," says Black Hawk, "slept that night; all was gloom and discontent. In the morning a canoe was seen HISTORY OE IOWA. 27 ascending the river; it soon arrived, bearing an express, vrho brought intelligence that a British trader had landed at Rock Island with two boats loaded with goods, and requested us to come up immediately, because he had good news for us, and a variety of presents. The express presented us with tobacco, pipes and wam- pum. The news ran through our camp like fire on a prairie. Our lodges were soon taken down, and all started for Rock Island. Here ended all hopes of our remaining at peace, having been .forced into the war by being deceived." He joined the British, who flattered him, styled him "General Black Hawk," decked him with medals, excited his jealousies against the Americans, ^nd armed his band; but he met with de- feat and disappointment, and soon abandoned the service and came home. With all his skill and courage. Black Hawk was unable to lead all the Sacs and Foxes into hostilities to the United States. A portion of them, at the head of whom was Keokuk ("the Watch- ful Fox"), were disposed to abide by the treaty of 1804, and to cultivate friendly relations with the American people. Therefore, when Black Hawk and his band joined the fortunes of Great Britain, the rest of the natiin remained neutral, and, for protec- tion, organized, with Keokuk for their chief. This divided the nation into the "War and Peace Party." Black Hawk says he was informed, after he had gone to the .war, that the nation, which had been reduce! to so small a body lof fighting men, were unable to defend themselves in case the /Americans should attack them, and having all the old men and women and children belonging to warriors who had joined the British on their hands to provide for, a council was held, and it was agreed that Quash-qua-me (the Lance) and other chiefs, to- gether with the old men, women and children, and such others as ichose to accompany them, should go to St. Louis, and place them- selves under the American chief stationed there. They according- ly went down, and were received as the "friendly band" of the 'Sacs and Foxes, and were provided for and sent up the Missouri River. On Black Hawk's return from the British army, he says Keokuk was introduced to him as the war chief of the braves then in the village. He inquired how he had become chief, and was informed that their spies had seen a large armed force going to- ward Peoria, and fears were entertained of an attack upon the vil- lage; whereupon a council was held, which concluded to leave the village and cross over to the west side of the Mississippi. Keokuk had been standing at the door of the lodge where the council was held, not being allowed to enter on account of never having killed an enemy, where he remained until Wa-co-me came out. Keokuk asked permission to speak in the council, which Wa-co-me ob- tained for him. Keokuk then addressed the chiefs; he remon- vstrated against the desertion of the i^illage, their own homes and the 28 HISTOKT OP IOWA. graves of their fathers, and offered to defend the village. The council consented that he should be their w^ar chief. He mar- shaled his braves, sent out spies, and advanced on the trail leading to Peoria, but returned without seeing the enemy. The Ameri- cans did not disturb the village, and all were satisfied with the ap- pointment of Keokuk. Keokuk, like Black Hawk, was a descendant of the Sac branch of the nation, and was born on Rock River, in 1780. He was of a pacific disposition, but possessed the elements of true courage, and could fight, when occasion required, with a cool judgment and heroic energy. In his first battle, he encountered and killed a Sioux, which placed him in the rank of warriors, and he was honored with a public feast by his tribe in commemoration of the event. Keokuk has been described as an orator, entitled to rank with the most gifted of his race. In person, he was tall and of portly bearing; in his public speeches he displayed a commanding atti- tude and graceful gestures; he spoke rapidly, but his enunciation was clear, distinct and forcible; he culled his figures from the stores of nature, and based his arguments on skillful logic. Un- fortunately for the reputation of Keokuk as an orator, among white people, he was never able to obtain an interpreter who could claim even a slight acquaintance with philosophy. With one ex- ception only, his interpreters were unacquainted with the elements of their mother-tongue. Of this serious hindrance to his fame, Keokuk was well aware, and retained Frank Labershure, who had received a rudimental education in the French and English languages, until the latter broke down by dississipation and died. But during the meridian of his career among the white people, he was compelled to submit his speeches for translation to uneducated men, whose range of thought fell below the flights of a gifted mind, and the fine imagery drawn from nature was beyond their power of reproduction. He had sufiieient knowledge of the Eng- lish language to make him sensible of this bad rendering of his thought, and often a feelmg of mortification at the bungling efforts was depicted on his countenance while speaking. The proper place to form a correct estimate of his ability as an orator was in the Indian council, where he addressed himself exclusively to those who understood his language, and witness the electrical effect of his eloquence upon his audience. Keokuk seems to have possessed a more sober judgment, and to have had a more intelligent view of the great strength and re- sources of the United States, than his noted and restless cotem- porary. Black Hawk. He knew from the first that the reckless war which Black Hawk and his band had determined to carry on could result in nothing but defeat and disaster, and used every ar- gument against it. The large number of warriors whom he had dissuaded from following Black Hawk became, however, greatly HISTOBT ,0V IOWA. 29 excited with the war spirit after Stillman's defeat, and but for the signal tact displayed by Keokuk on that occasion, wquld have forced him to submit to their wishes in joing the rest of the war- riors in the field. A war-dance, was held, and Keokuk took part in it, seeming to be moved with the current of the rising storm. When the dance was over, he called the council to prepare for war. He made a speech, in which he admitted the justice of their complaints against the Americans. To seek redress was a noble aspiration of their nature. The blood of their brethren had been shed by the white man, and the spirits of their braves, slain in battle, called loudly for vengeance. "I am your chief," he said, "and it is my duty to lead you to battle, if, after fully considering the matter, you are determined to go. But before you decide on taking this important step, it is wise to inquire into the chances of success." He then portrayed to them the great power of the Ujiited States, against whom they would have to contend, that their chances of success was utterly hopeless. "But," said he, "if you do determine to go upon the war-path, I will agree to lead you, on one condition, viz.: that before we go, we will kill all our old men and our wives and children, to save them from a lingering death of starvation, and that every one of us determine to leave our homes on the other side of the Mississippi." This was a strong but truthful picture of the prospect before them, and was presented in such a forcible light as to cool their ai^or, and cause them to abandon the rash undertaking. But, during the war of 1832, it is now considered certain that small bands of Indians, from the west side of the Mississippi, made incursions into the white settlements, in the lead mining region, and committed some murders and depredations. When peace was declared between the United States and Eng- land, Black Hawk was required to make peace with the former, and entered into a treaty at Portage des Sioux, September 14, 1815, but did not "touch the goose-quill to it until May 13, 1816, when he smoked the pipe of peace with the great white chief," at St. Louis. This treaty was a renewal of the treaty of 1804, but Black Hawk declared he had been deceived; that he did not know that by signing the treaty he was giving away his village. This weighed upon his mind, already soured by previous disappointment and the irresistible encroachments of the whites; and when a few years later, he and his people were driven from their possessions by the military, he determined to return to the home of his fathers. it is also to be remarked that in 1816, by treaty with various tribes, the United States, relinquished to the Indians all the lands lying north of a line drawn from the southermost point of Lake Michigan west to the Mississippi, except a reservation five leagues square, on the Mississippi River, supposed then to be suflicient to include all the mineral lands on and adjacent to Fever River, and ope league square at the mouth of the Wisconsin River. 30 HISTORY OF IOWA, THE BLACK HAWK WAR. The immediate cause of the Indian outbreak in lc30 was the occupation of Black Hawk's village, on the Rock River, by the whites, during the absence of the chief and his braves on a hunt- ing expedition, on the west side of the Mississippi. When they returned they found their wigwams occupied by white families, and their own women and children were shelterless on the banks of the river. The Indians were indignant, and determined to re- possess their village at all hazards, and early in the spring of 1831 recrossed the Mississippi and menacingly took possession of their own cornfields and cabins. It may be well to remark here that it was expressly stipulated in the treaty of 1804, to which they at- tributed all their troubles, that the Indians should not be obliged to leave their lands until they were sold by the United States, and it does not appear that they occupied any lands other than those owned by the Government. If this was true, the Indians had good cause for indignation and complaint. But the whites, driven out in turn by the returning Indians, became so clamorous against' what they termed the encroachments of the natives, that Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, ordered Gen. Gaines to Rock Island with a^ military force to drive the Indians again from their homes to the west side of the Mississippi. Black Hawk says he did not intend to be provoked into war by anything less than the blood of some of his own people; in other words, that there would be no war unless it should be commenced by the pale faces. But it was said and probably thought by the military commanders along the fron- tier, that the Indians intended to unite in a general war against- the whites, from Rock River to the Mexican borders. But it does not appear that the hardv frontiersmen themselves had any fears, for their experience had been that, when well treated, their Indian neighbors were not dangerous. Black Hawk and his band had done no more than to attempt to repossess the old homes of which they had been deprived in their absence. No blood had been shed. Black Hawk and his chiefs tent a flag of truce, and a new treaty was. made, by which Black Hawk and his band agreed to remain for- ever on the Iowa side and never recross the river without the per- mission of the President or the Governor of Illinois. Whether the Indians clearly understood the terms of this treaty is uncer- tain. As was usual, the Indian traders had dictated terms on their behalf, and they had received a large amount of provisions, etc., from the Government, but it may well be doubted whether the Indians comprehended that, they could never revisit the graves of their fathers without violating their treaty. They undoubtedly thought that they had agreed never to recross the Mississippi with hostile intent. However this may be, on the 6th day of April, 1832, Black Hawk and his entire band, with their women and chil- dren, again recrossed the Mississippi in plain view of the garrison, of Fort Armstrong, and went up Rock River. Although this act HISTOKT OF IOWA. 31 was construed into an act of hostility by the military authorities, who declared that Black Hawk intended to recover his village, or the site where it stood, by force; yet it does not appear that he made any such attempt, nor did his appearance create any special alarm among the settlers. They knew that the Indians never went on the war-path encumbered with the old men, their women and their children. The Galenian, printed in Galena, of May 2d, 1832, says that Black Hawk was invited by the Prophet and had taken possession of a tract about forty miles up Rock River; but that he did not remain there long, but commenced his search up Rock River. Captain W. B. Green, who served in Captain Stevenson's company of mounted rangers, says that "Black Hawk and his band crossed the river with no hostile intent, but that his band had had bad luck in hunting during the previous winter, were actually in a starving condition, and had come over to spend the summer with a friendly tribe on the head waters of the Rock and Illinois Rivers, by invitation from their chief." Other old settlers who all agree that Black Hawk had no idea of fighting, say that he came back to the west side expecting to negotiate another treaty, and get a new supply of provisions. The most reasonable explanation of this movement, which resulted so disastrouly to Black Hawk and his starving people, is that, during the fall and winter of 1831-32, his people became deeply indebted to their favorite trader at Fort Armstrong (Rock Island), they had not been fortunate in hunting, and he was likely to lose heavily, as an Indian debt was outlawed in one year. If, therefore, the In- dians could be induced to come over, and the fears of the military could be sufficiently aroused to pursue them, another treaty could be negotiated, and from the payments from the Government the shrewd trader could get his pay. Just a week after Black Hawk crossed the river, on the 13th of April, 1832, George Davenport wrote to Gen. Atkinson: "I am informed that the British band of Sac Indians are determined to make war on the frontier settle- ments. * * * From every information that I have received, I am of the opinion that the intention of the British band of Sac Indians is to commit depredations on the inhabitants of the frontier." And yet, from the 6th day of April, until after Stillman's men commenced war by firing on the fiag of truce from Black Hawk, no murders nor depredations were committed by the British band of Sac Indians. It is not the purpose of this sketch to detail the incidents of the Black Hawk war of 1832, as ib pertains rather to the. history of the State of Illinois. It is sufficient to say that, after the dis- graceful affair at Stillman's Run, Black Hawk, concluding that the whites, refusing to treat with him, were determined to extermi- nate his people; determined to return to the Iowa side of the Mis- sissippi. He could not return by the way he came, for the army 32 HISTOET OF IOWA. was behind him, an army, too, that would sternly refuse to recog- nize the white flag of peace . His only course was to make his way northward and reach the Mississippi, if possible, before the troops could overtake him, and this he did; but, before he could get his women and children across the Wisconsin, he was overtaken, and a battle ensued. Here, again, he sued for peace, and, through his trusty Lieutenant, "the Prophet," the whites were plainly in- formed that the starving Indians did not wish to fight, but would return to the west side of the Mississippi, peaceably, if they could be permitted to do so. No attention was paid to this second effort to negotiate peace, and, as soon as supplies could be obtained, the pursuit was resumed, the flying Indians were overtaken again eight miles before they reached the mouth of the Bad Axe, and the slaughter (it should not be dignified by the name of battle) com- menced. Here, overcome by starvation and the victorious whites, his band was scattered, on the 2d day of August, 1832. Black Hawk escaped, but was brought into camp at Prairie du Chien by three Winnebagoes. He was confined in Jeffferson Barracks until the spring of 1833, when he was sent to Washington, arriving there April 22. On the 26th of April they were taken to Fortress Monroe, where they remained till the 4th of June, 1833, when orders were given for them to be liberated and returned to their own country. By order of the President, he was brought back to Iowa through the principal Eastern cities. Crowds flocked to see him all along his route, and he was very much flattered by the attentions he received. He lived among his people on the Iowa River till that reservation was sold, in 1836, when, with the rest of the Sacs and Foxes, he removed to the Des Moines Reservation, where he remained till his death, which occurred on the 3d of October, 1838. INDIAN PURCHASES, EESEEVES AND TEEATIES. At the close of the Black Hawk War, in 1832, a treaty was made, at a council held on the west bank of the Mississippi, where now stands the thriving city of Davenport, on grounds now occu- pied by the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad company, on the 21st day of September, 1832. At this council, the United States were represented by Gen. Winfield Scott and Gov. Rey- nolds, of Illinois. Keokuk, Pash-a-pa^ho and some thirty other chiefs and warriors of the Sac and Fox nation were present. By this treaty, the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States a strip of land on the eastern border of Iowa, fifty miles wide, from the northern boundary of Missouri to the mouth of the Upper Iowa River, containing about six million acres. The western line of the purchase was parallel with the Mississippi. In consideration of this cession, the United States Government stipulated to pay an- nually to the confederated tribes, for thirty consecutive years, twenty thousand dollars in specie, and to pay' the debts of the In- HISTORY OF IOWA. 33 dians at Rock Island, which had been aceumulatiiig for seventeen years, and amounted to fifty thousand dollars, due to Davenport & Farnham, Indian traders. The Government also generously do- nated to the Sac and Fox women and children, whose husbands ?ind fathers had fallen in the Black Hawk war, thirty-five beef cattle, twelve bushels of salt, thirty barrels of pork, fifty barrels of flour and six thousand bushels of corn. , This territory is known as the "Black Hawk Purchase." Al- though it was not the first portion of Iowa ceded to the United States by the Sacs and Foxes, it was the first opened to actual settlement by the tide of emigration that flowed across the Mis- sissippi as soon as the Indian title was extinguished. The treaty was ratified February 13, 1833, and took effect on the Ist of June following, when the Indians quietly removed from the ceded ter- ritory, and this fertile and beautiful region was opened to white settlers. By the terms of the treaty, out of the Black Hawk Purchase was reserved for the Sacs and Foxes 400 square miles of land situated on the Iowa River, and including within its limits Keo- kuk's village, on the right bank of that river. This tract was known as "Keokuk's Reserve," and was occupied by the Indians until 1836, when, by a treaty made in September between them and Gov. Dodge, of Wisconsin Territory, it was ceded to the United States. The council was held on the banks of the Mis- sissippi, above Davenport, and was the largest assemblage of the kind ever held by the Sacs and Foxes to treat for the sale of lands. About one thousand of their chiefs and braves were present, and Keokuk was their leading spirit and principal speaker on the occa- sion. By the terms of the treaty, the Sacs and Foxes were re- moved to another reservation on the Des Moines River, where an agency was established for them at what is now the towii of Agency City. Besides the Keokuk Reserve, the Government gave out of the Black Hawk Purchase to Antoine Le Claire, interpreter, in fee simple, one section of land opposite Rock Island, and another at the head of the first rapids above the island, on the Iowa side. This was the first land title granted by the United States to an in- dividual in Iowa. Soon after the removal of the Sacs and Foxes to their new reservation on the Des Moines River, Gen. Joseph M. Street was transferred from the agency of the Winnebagoes, at Prairie du Cbien, to establish an agency among them. A farm was selected, on which the necessary buildings were erected, including a com- fortable farm house for the agent and his family, at the expense of the Indian Fund. A salaried agent was employed to superintend the farm and dispose of the crops. Two mills were erected, one on Soap Creek, and the other on Sugar Creek. The latter was soon swept away by a flood, but the former remained and did good 3'4 HISTORY OF IOWA. service for many years. Connected with the agency were Joseph Smart and John Goodell, interpreters. The latter was intrepre- ter for Hard Fish's band. Three of the Indian chiefs, Keokuk^ Wapello and Appanoose, had each a large field improved, the twO' former on the right bank of the Des Moines, back from the river,, in what is now "Keokuk's Prairie," and the latter on the present, site of the city of Ottumwa. Among the traders connected with the agency were the Messrs. Ewing, from Ohio, and Phelps & Co., from Illinois, and also Mr. J. P. Eddy, who established his post at what is now the site of Eddyville. The Indians at this agency became idle and listless in the absence of their natural and wonted excitements, and many of them plunged into dissipation. Keokuk himself became dissipated in the latter years of his life, and it has been reported that he died of delirium tremens after his removal with his tribe to Kansas. In May, ISiS, most of the Indians were removed up the Des Moines River, above the temporary line of Red Rock, having ceded the remnant of their lands in Iowa, to the United States on the 21st of September, 1837, and on the 11th of October, 1842. By the terms of the latter treaty, they held possession of the "New Purchase" till the Autumn of 1845, when the most of them were removed to their reservation in Kansas, the balance being removed in the Spring of 1846. 1. Treatif with the Sioux. — Made July 19, 1815: ratified December 16, 1815. This treaty was made at Portage des Sioux, between the Sioux of Minnesota and Upper Iowa and the United States, by William Clark and Ninian Edwards. Commissioners, and was merely a treaty of peace and friendship on the part of those Indians toward the United States at the close of the war of 1812. 2. Treaty with the Sacs. — ^A similar treaty of peace was made at Portage des Sioux, between the United States and the Sacs, by William Clark, Ninian Edwards and Auguste Choteau, on the 13th of September, 1815, and ratified at the same date as the above. In tliis, the treaty of 1804 was re-affirmed, and the Sacs here represented promised for themselves and their bands to keep en- tirely separate from the Sacs of Rock River, who, under Black Hawk, had joined the British in the war just then closed. 3. Treaty with the Foxes. — A separate treaty of peace was made with the Foxes at Portage des Sioux, by the same Commissionars, on 14th of September, 1815, and ratified the same as the above, wherein the Foxes re-affirmed the treaty at St. Louis, of November 3, 1804, and' agreed to deliver up all their prisoners to the officer in command at Fort Clark, now Peoria, Illinois. I. Treaty with the lowas. — -A treaty of peace and mutual good will was made between the United States and the Iowa tribe of Indians, at Portage des Sioux, by the same Commissioners as above, on the 16th of September, 1816, at the close of the war with Great Britain, and ratified at the same date as the others. 5. Treaty tcith the Sacs at Rock River. — Made at St. Louis on the 13th of May, 1816, between the United States and the Sacs of Rook River, by the Com- missioners, William Clark, Ninian Edwards and Auguste Choteau, and ratified December 30, 1816. In this treaty, that of 1804 was re-established and con- firmed by twenty-two chiefs and head men of the Sacs of Rock River, and Black Hawk himself attached to it his signature, or, as he said, '•touched the goose quill . ' ' 6. Treaty of 1824.— On the 4th of August, 1824. a treaty was made between the United States and the Sacs and Foxes, in the city of Washington, by Wil- HISTORY OF IOWA. 35 liam Clark, Commissioner, wherein the Sac and Fox nation relinquished their title to all lands in Missouri, and that portion of the southeast corner of Iowa known as the "Half-Breed Tract" was set oif and reserved for the use of the half-breeds of the Sacs and Foxes, they holding title in the same manner as In- dians. Ratified January 18, 1825. 7. Treaty of August 19, 1825. — At this date a treaty was made by William Clark and Lewis Cass, at Prairie du Ciien, between the United States and the Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Menomonees, Winnebagoes and a portion of the Ottawas and Pottawatomies. In this treaty, in order to made peace between the contending tribes as to the limits ot their respective hunting grounds in Iowa, it was agreed that the United States Government should run a boundary line between the Sioux, on the north, and the Sacs and Foxes, on the south, as follows : Commencing at the mouth of the Upper Iowa River, on the west bank of the Mississippi, and ascending said Iowa River to its west fork; thence up the fork to its source; thence crossing the fork of Red Cedar River in a direct line to the second or upper fork of the Des Moines River; thence in a direct line to the lower fork of the Calumet River, and down that river to its junction with the Missouri River. 8. Treaty of 1830.— On the 15th of July, 1830, the confederate tribes of the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States a strip of country lying south of the above line, twenty miles in width, and extending along the line aforesaid from the Mississippi to the Des Moines River. The Sioux also, whose possessions were north of the line, ceded to the Government, in the same treaty, a like strip on the north side of the boundary. Thus the United States, at the ratifi- cation of this treaty, February 24, 1831, came into possession of a portion of Iowa forty miles wide, extending along the Clark and Cass line of 1825, from the Mississippi to the Pes Moines River. This territory was known as the "Neutral Ground," and the tribes on either side of the line were allowed to fish and hunt on it unmolested till it was made a Winnebago reservation, and the Winnebagoes were removed to it in 1841. 9. Treaty with the Sacs and Foxes and other Tribes. — At the same time of the above treaty respecting the "Neutral Ground" (July 15, 1830), the Sacs and Foxes, Western Sioux, Umahas, lowas and Missouris ceded to the United States a portion of the western slope of Iowa, the boundaries of which were defined as follows: Beginning at the upper fork of the Des Moines River, and passing the sources of the Little Sioux and Floyd Rivers, to the fork of the first creek that falls into the Big Sioux, or Calumet, on the east side; thence down said creek and the Calumet Riv;r to the Missouri River; thence down said Mis- souri River to the Missouri State line above the Kansas; thence along said line to the northwest corner of said State; thence to the high lands between the waters falling into the Missouri and Des Moines, passing to said high lands along the dividing ridge between the forks of the Grand River; thence along said high lands or ridge separating the waters of the Missouri from those of the Des Moines, to a point opposite the source of the Boyer River, and thence in a direct line to the upper fork of the Des Moines, the place of beginning. It was understood that the lands ceded and relinouished by this treaty were to be assigned and allotted, under the direction of the President of the United States, to the tribes then living thereon, or to such other tribes as the President might locate thereon, for hunting and other purposes. In consideration of three tracts of land ceded in this treaty, the United States agreed to pay to the Sacs three thousand dollars; to the Foxes, three thousand dollars; to the Sioux, two thousand dollars; to the Yankton and Santee bands of Sioux, three thousand dollars; to the Omahas, two thousand five hundred dollars; and to the Otoes and Missouris, two thousand five hundred dollars— to be paid annually for ten successive years. In addition to these annuities, the Government agreed to furr nish some of the tribes with blacksmiths and agricultural implements to the amount of two hundred dollars, at the expense of the United States, and to set 36 HISTORY OF IOWA. apart three thousand dollars annually for the education of the children of these tribes. It does not appear that any fort was erected in this territory prior to the erection of Fort Atkinson on the Neutral Ground, in 1840-1. This treaty was made by William Clark, Superintendent of Indian affairs, and Col. Wi'lloughby Morgan, of the United States First Infantry, and came into effect by proclamation, Febmary 24, 1831. 10. Treaty with the Winnehagoes. — Made at Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, September 15] 1882, by Gen. Winfield Scott and Hon. John Reynolds, Governor of Illinois . In this treaty the Winnebagoes ceded to the United States all their land lying on the east side of the Mississippi, and in part consideration therefor the United States gi'anted to the Winnebagoes, to be held as other Indian lands are held, that portion of Iowa known as the Neutral Ground. The exchange of the two tracts of country was to take place on or before the 1st day of June, 1883. In addition to the Neutral Ground, it was stipulated that the United States should give the Winnebagoes, beginning in September, 1883; and continuing for twenty-seven successive years, ten thousand dollars in specie, and establish a school among them, with a farm and garden, and provide other facilities for the education of their children, not to exceed in cost three thousand dollars a year, and to continue the same for twenty-seven successive years. Six agriculturists, twelve yoke of oxen and plows and other fanning tools weie to be suppUed by the Government. 11 . Treaty of 1832 with the Sacs and Foxes. — Already mentioned as the Black Hawk purchase. 12. Treaty of 1836 with the Sacs and Foxes, ceding Keokuk's Reserve to the United States; for which the Government stipulated to pay thirty thousand dollars, and an annuity of ten thousand dollars for ten successive years, together with other sums and debts of the Indians to various parties. 13. Treaty of 1837.— On the 21st of October, 1887, a treaty was inade at the city of Washington, between Carey A. Harris, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and the confederate tribes of Sacs and Foxes, ratified February 21 , 1838, where- in another slice of the soil of Iowa was obtained, described in the treaty as fol- lows : ' 'A tract of country containing 1,250,000 acres, lying west and adjoining the tract conveyed by them to the United States in the treaty of September 21, 1832. It is understood that the points of termination for the present cession shall be the northern and southern points of said tract, as fixed by the survey made under the authority of the United States, and that a line shall be drawn between them so as to intersect a line extended westwardly from the angle of said tract nearly opposite to Rock Island, as laid down in the above survey, so far as may be necessary to include the number of acres hereby ceded, which last mentioned line, it is estimated, will be about twenty-five miles." This piece of land was twenty-five miles wide in the middle, and ran off to a point at both ends, lying directly back of the Black Hawk Purchase, and of the the same length . 14. Treaty of Relinquishment. — At the same date as the above treaty, in the city of Washington, Carey A. Harris, Commissioner, the Sacs and Foxes ceded to the United States all their right and interest in the country lying south of the boundary line between the Sacs and Foxes and Sioux, as described in the treaty of August 19, 1825, and between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, the United States paying for the same one hundred and sixty thousand dollars. The Indians also gave up all claims and interests under the treaties previously made with them, for the satisfaction of which no appropriation had been made. 15. Treaty of 1842. — The last treaty was made with the Sacs and Foxes October 11, 1842; ratified March 23, 1843. It was made at the Sac and Fox agency (Agency City), by John Chambers, Commissioner on behalf of the United States. In this treaty the Sac and Fox Indians "ceded to the United States all their lands west of the Mississippi to which they had any claim or title." By the terms of this treaty they were to be removed from the country at the expiration of three years, and all who remained after that were to move at their own expense. Part of them were removed to Kansas in the fall of 1845, and the rest the spring following. HISTORY OF IOWA. 37 SPANISH GRANTS. While the territory now embraced in the State of Iowa was un- der Spanish rule as a part of its province of Louisiana, certain claims to and grants of land were made by the Spanish authori- ties, with which, in addition to the extinguishment of Indian titles, the United States had to deal. It is proper that these should be briefly reviewed: Dubuque. — On the 22d day of September, 1788, Julien Dubuque, a Frenchman, from Prairie du Chien, obtained from the Foxes a cession or lease of lands on the Mississippi River for mining pur- poses, on the site of the present city of Dubuque. Lead had been discovered here eight years before, in 1780, by the wife of Peosta Fox, a warrior, and Dubuque's claim embraced nearly all the lead bearing lands in that vicinity. He immediately took possession of his claim and commenced mining, at the same time making a set- tlement. The place became known as the "Spanish Miners," or, more commonly, "Dubuque's Lead Mines." In 1796, Dubuque filed a petition with Baron de Carondelet, the Spanish Governor of Louisiana, asking that the tract ceded to him by the Indians might be granted to him by pacent from the Spanish Government. In this petition Dubuque rather indefin- itely set forth the boundaries of his claim as "about seven leagues along the Mississippi River, and three leagues in width from the river," intending to include, as is supposed, the river front between the Little Maquoketa and the Tete des Mertz Riv- «rs, embracing more than twenty thousand acres. Carondelet granted the prayer of the petition, and the grant was subsequently confirmed by the Board of Land Commissioners of Louisiana. In October, 1804, Dubuque transferred the larger part of his ■claim to Auguste Choteau, of St. Louis, and on the 17th of May, 1805, he and Choteau jointly filed their claims with the Board of Commissioners. On the 20th of September, 1806, the Board de- cided in their favor, pronouncing the claim to be a regular Span- ish grant, made and completed prior to the 1st day of October, 1800, only one member, J. B. C. Lucas, dissenting. Dubuque died March 24, 1810. The Indians, understanding that the claim of Dubuque under their former act of cession was only a permit to occupy the tract and work the mines during his life, and that at his death they reverted to them, took possession and continued mining operations, and were sustained by the military authority of the United States, notwithstanding the decision of the Commissioners. When the Black Hawk purchase was con- summated, the Dubuque claim thus held by the Indians was ab- sorbed by the United States, as the Sacs and Foxes made no reser- vation of it in the treaty of 1832. The heirs of Choteau, however, were not disposed to relinquish their claim without a struggle. Late in 1832, they employed an 38 HISTORT OF IOWA. agent to look after their interests, and authorized him to lease the right to dig lead on the lands. The miners who commenced work under this agent were compelled by the military to abandon their operations, and one of the claimants went to Galena to institute legal proceedings, but found no court of competent jurisdiction, although he did bring an action for the recovery of a quantity of lead dug at Dubuque, for the purpose of testing the title. Being unable to identify the lead, however, he was non-suited. By act of Congress, approved July 2, 1836, the town of Dubuque was surveyed and platted. After lots had been sold and occupied by the purchasers, Henry Choteau brought an action of ejectment against Patrick Malony, who held land in Dubuque under a patent from the United States, for the recovery of seven undivided eighth parts of the Dubuque claim, as purchased by Auguste Choteau in 1804. The ease was tried in the District Court of the United States for the District of Iowa, and was decided adversely to the plaintiff. The case was carried to the Supreme Court of the United States on a writ of error, when it was heard at the December term, 1853, and the decision of the lower court was affirmed, the court holding that the permit from Carondelet was merely a lease, or permit to work the mines; that Dubuque asked, and the Gover- nor of Louisiana granted, nothing more than the "peaceable pos- session of certain lands obtained from the Indians; that Caron- dolet had no legal authority to make such a grant as claimed, and that, even if he had, this was but an ''inchoate and imperfect title." Girord. — In 1795, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Louisiana granted to Basil Girard five thousand eight hundred and sixty acres of land, in what is now Clayton County, known as the "Girard Tract." He occupied the land during the time that Iowa passed from Spain to France, and from France to the United States, in consideration of which the Federal Government granted a patent of the same to Girard in his own right. His heirs sold the whole tract to James H. Loekwood and Thomas P. Burnett, of Prairie du Chien, for three hundred dollars. Honori. — March 30, 1799, Zenon Trudeau, acting Lieutenant Governor of Upper Louisiana, granted to Louis Honori a tract of land on the site of the present town of Montrose, as follows: "It is permitted to Mr. Louis (Fresson) Honori, or Louis Honore Fes- son, to establish himself at the head of the rapids of the River Des Moines, and his establishment once formed, notice of it shall be given to the Governor General, in order to obtain for him a com- mission of a space sufficient to give value to such establishment, and at the same time to render it useful to the commerce of the peltries of this country, to watch the Indians and keep them in the fidelity which they owe to His Majesty." Honori took immediate possession of his claim, which he retained until 1805. While trading with the natives he became indebted HISTORY OF IOWA. 39 to Joseph Robedoux, who obtained an execution on which the property was sold May 13, 1803, and was purchased by the cred- itor. In these proceedings the property was described as being "about six leagues above the River Des Moines." Robedoux died soon after he purchased the property. Auguste Choteau, his ex- ecutor, disposed of the Honori Tract to Thomas F. Reddeck, in April, 1805, up to which time Honori continued to occupy it. The grant, as made by the Spanish Government, was a league square, but only one mile square was confirmed hy the United States. After the half-breeds sold their lands, in which the Honori grant was included, various claimants resorted to litigation in attempts to invalidate the title of the Reddeck heirs, but it was finally con- firmed by a decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1839, and is the oldest legal title to any land in the State of Iowa. THE HALF-BREED TRACT. Before any permament settlement had been made in the Terri- tory of Iowa, white adventurers, trappers and traders, many of whom were scattered along the Mississippi and its tributaries, as agents and eroployes of the American Fur Company, intermarried vrith the females of the Sac and Fox Indians, producing a race of half-breeds, whose number was never definitely ascertained. There were some respectable and excellent people among them, children of men of some refinement and education. For instance: Dr. Muir, a gentleman educated at Edinburgh, Scotland, a surgeon in the United States Army, stationed at a military post located on the present site of Warsaw, married an Indian woman and reared his family of three daughters in the city of Keokuk. Other ex- amples might be cited, but they are probably exceptions to the general rule, and the race is now nearly or quite extinct in Iowa. A treaty was made at Washington, August 4, 1824, between the Sacs and Foxes and the United States, by which that portion of Lee County was reserved to the half-breeds of those tribes, and which was afterwards known as "The Half-Breed Tract." This reservation is the triangular piece of land, containing about 119,- 000 acres, lying between the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers. It is bounded on the north by the prolongation of the northern line of Missouri. This line was intended to be a straight one, running due east, which would have caused it to strike the Miss- issipppi River at or below Montrose; but the surveyor who ran it took no notice of the change of the variation of the needle as he proceeded eastward, and, in consequence, tlie line he run was bent, deviating more and more to the northward of a direct line as he approached the Mississippi, so that it struck that river at the lower edge of the town of Fort Madison. "This erroneous line," says J'Udge Mason, "has been acquiesced in as well in fixing the north- 40 HISTORY OF IOWA. ern limit of the Half-Breed Tract as in determining the northern boundary line of the State of Missouri." The line thus run in- cluded in the reservation a portion of the lower part of the city of Fort Madison, and all of the present townships of Van Buren, Charleston, JefPerson, Des,.Moines, Montrose and Jackson. Under the treaty of 1824, the half-breeds had the right to oc- cupy the soil, but could not convey it, the reversion being reserved to the United States. But on the 30th day of Januarv, 1834, by act of Congress, this reversionary right was relinquished, and the half-breeds acquired the lands in fee simple. This was no sooner done than a horde of speculators rushed into buy land of the half- breed owners, and, in manv instances, a gun, a blanket, a pony or a few quarts of whisky was sufficient for the purchase of large estates. There was a deal of sharp practice on both sides; Indians would often claim ownership of land by virtue of being half-breeds, and had no difficulty in proving their mixed blood by the Indians, and they would then cheat the speculators by selling land to which they had no rightful title. On the other hand, speculators often claimed land in which they had no ownership. It was diamond cut diamond, until at last things became badly mixed. There was no authorized surveys and no boundary lines to claims, and, as a natural result, numerous conflifN"ESHIEK COUNTT. In the election of 1853 Joseph Gibbons and J. T. Atkins were candidates for the office. Gibbons received ten more votes than Atkins. Jas. B. Cutler, on behalf of himself and others, contest- ed the election; a court was found to hear the case, Judge Reed presiding, with C. L. Childs and J. D. Jenkins assisting by choice of the parties. A hot contest ensued, no less than twenty-seven witnesses being examined. The case was this: The trustees of Bloomfield township had changed the place of voting from Moneek to Castalia without giving the required legal notice. Thirteen persons testified that they went to Moneek as usual, to vote, and not hearing of the change were unable to do so. They also said that if they had voted it would have been in favor of J. T. Atkins as County Judge. The lawyers were heard, of course, and the whole case gone over most profoundly. That an informality existed in the vote of the township is quite clear; its effect upon the main vote was the question. We, at this day, would decide promptly, that at most only the vote of Bloomfield township should have been thrown out. The Court decided to set aside the entire election, as to Judge, and declared no one was elected. One 'of the assistants has explained to me that instead of being satisfied with this, there were some who 'cussed the Court like pizen,' because they did not declare the entire election void. The result was to continue Judge Reed in office for two years more, during which time he built and left as his legacy, the (for the times) splendid courthouse, which is only now becoming too cramped for public use. Information with regard to these first officers is not now readi- ly obtainable, and of some of them we can give nothing further than that they were elected aud held office as above stated. Geo. Bachel, the first sheriff, was for years an active, influential citizen of Jackson township, and died much respected, a year or two ago. Francis Rogers, the first supervisor, was one of the oldest resi- dents of the county, and was noted for the many litigations he had with his neighbors. Daniel Kuykendahl, the first recorder and treasurer, had his of- fice at his home, which was a log house situated under a bluff near a large spring, about a half a mile out of Freeport, on the Lansing road. The duties of his office at that time were not very arduous, and his mode of keeping the records was somewhat prim- itive. He had not even a decent desk at which to write. It was his custom to record his deeds, and then pigeon-hole them between the cracks in the logs. The number of votes cast at these early elections is one of the best indices of the incoming of early settlers, and a few words will give these data. At the first election there were, as has been stated, 82 votes cast; in April following, there were 180; in Aug- ust, 1852, 150; in April, 1853, 224; in 1854, 280; in 1855, 521; in HISTOET OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 193 1856, 816; in August, 1857, 894; in October, 1858, 1,288; in the Presidential election of 1860, 2,162. The increase since that time is indicated by the fact that in the Presidential election of 1880, 4,086 votes were cast. As previously noted, there were three points recognized at the very commencement as having claims to prominence in the coun- ty. These were Decorah, Lewiston and Moneek; Polls were held for each of these three first elections at these places only, and they were called precincts. It was not until 1854 that even a single name appears on the records to show that any other 'title than that of precinct was given to them. March 8th, 1852, it was ordered by the county court that elections should be held in the ensuing April, at the following places: In Precinct No. 1, at house of Wm. Day, Decorah. In Precinct No. 2, at house of Francis Rogers, Lewiston. In Precint No. 3, at house of John DeCow, Moneek. This is our only information as to the first division into what we have since known as townships. Their boundaries we can only infer from subsequent entries. In July, 1852, the division line between precincts 2 and 8 was changed, and made to run be- tween ranges 7 and 8, thus throwing, as the record says, one more tier of townships into the third precinct. From this I infer that the third precinct originally consisted of what is now known as Bloomfield and Frankville townships, and was six miles wide, east and west, and twehe long. Precinct No. 2 covered three times as much territory, and was eighteen miles wide, and twelve long. This left all the remainder of the county — now comprising twelve organized townships — in precinct No. 1. March 1, 1852, the latter was so divided up as to make what is now Canoe, Bluff- ton and Orleans townships, with the townships north of them, precinct No. 4. February 5, 1854, what are now Military and Springfield, were divided from Washington (now named for the first time) and created township (not precinct) No. 5. March 6, 1854, township 98, range 7, was separated from "De- corah Precinct," and was called township No. 6. It is now known as Glenwood. March 11, 1855, "Burr Oak Precinct" was divided, and the en- tire tier on the north line of the county was called Burr Oak. The remaining part of the precinct was named Canoe. At the same session of the county court, township 99, range 10, was set ofi" and given the name of Pilot Grove. On the tax list of 1855, proper names are given to ea'ch of those precincts. Precinct No. 1 had become Decorah, Glenwood, Canoe, Burr Oak and Pilot Grove; township No. 2 appears as Bloomfield and Summit (now Frankville), and No. 3 had been divided in- to Military and Washington; but no record other than I have quoted appears upon the court minutes as to these and subsequent changes. According to the tax lists, in 1856 Pleasant township 194 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. took its name and place; in 1858 Summit had become Frankville, and Pilot Grove, Orleans; Springfield had been separated from Military, Calmar and Sumner from Washington, and Hesper and Fremont from Burr Oak. In 1860 Madison was taken from Decorah, and Highland divided from Pleasant; and in 1862 the symmetry of all the townships was completed by the division of Lincoln from Sumner, and Jackson from Washington. The location of these different precincts, and more particularly of the twenty townships of the county after this final division, will be more fully understood by the following diagram, showing the positions of the townships of the county as they now stand, each township being six miles square: N. ^ Fremont. Burr Oak. Hesper. Highland. Orleans. Bluffton. Canoe. Pleasant. Lincoln Madison Decorah Glen wood. Sumner. Calmar. Springfield. Franklin ville. Jackson. Washington. Military. Bloomfield. ^ HISTORY OF WINl^ESHIEK COUNTY. 195 The city of Decorah is a little west of the centre of Decorah Township, while Freeport is about two and a half miles directly east of Decorah, and also in Decorah Township, about three- fourths of a mile from its eastern boundary. Calmar is near the southeastern part of Calmar Township. ConoTer being near the centre and Spillville in the western part of the same township. Fort Atkinson is toward the northwestern part, and Festina a little southeast of the centre of Washington Township, Ossian is about midway between the centre and ' northeastern part of Military Township. Ridgway is nearly two miles east of the centre of Lincoln Town- ship and Kendallyille and Plymouth Rock, respectively, toward the southwestern and southeastern parts of Freemont Township. The villages of Bluffton, Burr Oak, Hesper and Frankville are in the several townships of the same name. The positions of all these places will be seen by reference to a map of the county, but this data is given here as a matter of con- venience for reference in connection with the foregoing sketch of divisions of the county. The second election held in the county after a permanent organ- ization had been effected was April 5, 1852. The total number of votes polled at this election was 180. This election, as the records show, gave the county its first School Fund Commissioner and District Clerk. The successful parties who first bore the honors of these offices were, respectively, N. S. Gilbert and W. F. Kimball. Out of 180 ballots cast for School Fund Commis- sioner, N. S. Gilbert had 4 majority over his opponent, John D. McKay. There were 156 votes cast for the office of District Clerk, of which number W. F. Kimball received 88, and his oppo- nent, James B. Sehenck, 68. Kimball was declared elected by 20 majority. The vote for Coroner stood as follows: J. B. Chase had 66 votes, and his opponent, Wm. Painter, 44. James B. Chase was elected Coroner. At this election, for the first time, the new county helped elect a District Judge, and it showed its steadfast faith and high appreciation of Judge T. S. Wilson, by giving him 162 votes. At the third election, held in August, 1852, M. B. Derrick was chosen District Clerk by 15 majority. John D. McKay was elected Prosecuting Attorney by 29 ma- jority; and H. K. Averill was elected Surveyor. The fourth election was held in April, 1853, the following be- ing the officers elected: Aaron Newell, District Clerk — his opponents being W. F. Kimball and N. S. Gilbert. N. S. Gilbert, Treasurer and Recorder. H. K. Averill, County Surveyor. J. F. Moore, Drainage Commissioner. 196 HISTOHT OP WIN'N"ESHIEK COUNTY. Acles Haven Fannon, Coroner. Mr. Fannon, whose genial, jovial face is well remembered by the people of Decorah, and who was for successive years constable up to the time of his death, not very many months ago, was born in Wythe County, Virginia, April 17th, 1800. He settled at Freeport, Winneshiek County, in 1850, and laid out the town, and for several years engaged in tavern-keeping. He was the first mail contractor to carry the mails to Decorah. He contracted to carry the mails from Hardin to Decorah, from Decorah to Fort Atkinson, and from Lansing to Decorah. He was elected Coroner in 1875. At the election August 1st, 1853, 175 votes were cast. N. S. Gilbert was elected Recorder and Treasurer, without opposition, if we except three scattering votes. James F. Moore was declared elected Sheriff, over Lewis Eddy and A. H. Fannon. Elijah Middlebrook was elected County Surveyor. There was no opposition candidate for Surveyor. Samuel Kendall was elected Coroner. The newly elected Sheriff, James F. Moore, failed to qualify, and Judge Reed, therefore, declared the office vacant, and ap- pointed Wm. F. Kimball to fill it. Soon after the election, N. S. Gilbert suddenly left the coun- try, leaving the county without a Recorder and Treasurer. Judge Reed appointed Thos. I. Hazelett to fill the vacancy until another election. Of Mr. Gilbert, Spark's history, from which we largely gather the following records, till 1860, says: N. S. Gilbert, the second Recorder and Treasurer of the county, was an estimable young man, possessed of great energy. He was efficient, proud spirited, and decidedly the most shrewd man called iipon in early days to administer county aifairs; notwithstanding that he was freely accredited, with the possession of all these qual- ifications, the tongue of scandal, soon after his induction into office, rolled him about as a sweet morsel to its taste. Mr. Gilbert was not a defaulter, nor did he desert his office intentionally, although at the time he left this was the current report. The additional crime of eloping with a Mrs. Moore, the Sheriff's wife, was charged to his account, and it is true that the parties left Decorah together, and afterwards went to St. Louis and lived as man and wife; yet at the time of their leaving Decorah, it is plain that there was no criminal intent or previous arrangement. It was in tlie spring of the year, and Mr. Gilbert, instead of inten- tionally deserting his office, went on a journey to St. Louis to pur- chase goods. Mrs. Moore was on her way to friends in Wisconsin, and had started on the trip with the avowed purpose of leaving her husband. Mrs. Moore defended her course on the ground of ill treatment received at the hands of Mr. Moore. While at Lan- sing waiting for a steamer, they had occasion to hold a private conference, which was interpreted, by prying parties, as a crimi- HISTOKT OF WINiTESHIEK COUNTY. 197 nal intimacy. The report, at the time unfounded and untruthful, was freely circulated. Mr. Gilbert having compassion for the woman, and being ashamed to return to his home, took her under his charge. Things had come to such a crisis that they now resolved to elope, and did so, going to St. Louis. At the April election in 1854, John McKay was re-elected School Fund Commissioner, over I. I. Stewart. Elijah Middlebrook was elected Sheriff, by 20 majority, over James S. VanPelt. Nelson Burdick was elected Recorder and Treasurer, over Wm. F. Kimball, by 73 majority. Mr. Burdick tilled the ofSce accept- ably. He was continued in office until 1859. Wm. Painter was elected Drainage Commissioner. At the sixth election, held in August, 1854, there were 262' votes cast for the office of State Representative, of which number James D. McKay received 194, and his opponent, Wm. H. Morri- son, 68. James D. McKay was declared elected. Aaron Newell was elected Clerk of the District Court over Daniel Carrier. Albert B. Webber was elected Prosecuting Attorney over Calvin ■ Farnsworth. The newly elected Prosecuting Attorney failed to qualify. The County Judge appointed Dryden Smith to fill the vacancy, and he, too, resigned. J. T. Atkins was appointed, accepted and served through the term. In 1854 .James D. McKay (who had previously been Prosecu- ting Attorney) at a District Convention called at Waukon (the district then was composed of Allamakee and Winneshiek coun- ties), was nominated for Representative, and elected. In the leg- islature he favored the "Maine Liquor Law," which was adopted by the Iowa State Legislature. In this election he ran on the Republican ticket, which was successful, not only in the district, but throughout the state, so much so that the former power held by the Democrats was wrested from them. A Republican Gov- ernor was elected in the person of James W. Grimes, and a ma- jority secured on a joint ballot in the General Assembly. He was born in Livington county, New York, on the 24th of February, 1816. Until 16 years of age he was taught the common branches of an education by his father, when he was sent to the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, situated at Lima, New York, to be fitted for the ministry. He also studied law under James Butler, a cousin of Gen. Butler. At the age of 21 he became acquainted with Julia Stone, to whom he was married September, 1836. He im- migrated to Winneshiek County in October, 1851, and settled on the S. W. Q. of section 15, township 97, Range 7, where he still resides. He has served the public as Prosecuting Attorney and member of the Assembly. 198 HISTOET OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. In the seventh political contest held in the county, April, 1855, a vote was taken on the prohibitory liquor law. The result stood as follows: for the law, 167; and against it, 169. Hon. E. E. Cooley was elected Prosecuting Attorney, over Levi Bullis, J. B. Onstine and William Bailey. At this contest there came upon the stage as leading actors, two men who arrived here the previous year and who have been leaders in repeated political campaigns, some of them bitterly waged, and whom now stand in the front ranks as able attorneys as well as leading citizens of the county. They were Levi Bullis and Ezekiel E. Cooley. Mr. Bullis arrived here in May, 1854, and Mr. Cooley in October, of the same year. Of the political contests in which these gentlemen were lead- ers of the opposing parties, many amusing incidents might be told over, and some exciting ones. "Levi Bullis was born April 5, 1828, in West Plattsburg, New York. He lived in Plattsburg until 26 years of age. and there ac- quired his education. He early attended the Balston Springs Law School, and acquired a legal education. In 1853 Mr. Bullis left his old home and came to Illinois, where he remained about a year; when he was induced, by the flattering reports he received from Averill, an old schoolmate, to emigrate from there to Iowa. He reached Decorah May, 1854, and immediately commenced the practice of his profession. The first week after his arrival be tried a case and won it. Mr. Bullis was elected one of the original members of the Board of Supervisors in 1860. Although active in politics in the county, yet this is. the only office he was ever elected to. It was his friends that he worked for in politics, and not himself, and not unfrequently have they succeeded through his instrumentality. Mr. Bullis is characterized with a rough ex- terior and a warm heart. He has aided more young men to posi- tion, and placed them on the road to success, than perhaps any other man in the county. He was married in 1864 to Abbie' R. Dibble, of Whitehall, New York." Mr. Bullis stands high in his profession, and is well posted in matters in general, as well. He has a large and valuable library of general literature, besides his extensive law library; has an in- teresting family, and is a devoted husband and father; is true to his friends and has many warm ones. "Ezekiel E. Cooley was born in Victory, Cayuga county, New York, Jan. 12, 1827. He received an academic education, and at the age of 17 commenced teaching school, which occupation he followed five years. [In 1847 he emigrated to Kentucky, where he taught, and read law with Judge Trimble, and was admitted to the bar in 1849. He returned to New York, and from there emigrated to Decorah in October, 1854, where he has ever since continued the practice of his profession, with an exception of one year spent in the army. In 1857 he was elected member of the first Legislature, HISTOBY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 199 under the new State constitution, and served with marked ability. He was appointed postmaster at Decorah in 1861, and held the office until he resigned, in 1863. In September, 1864, President Lincoln appointed him commissary of subsistence, with the rank of Captain of cavalry. He was brevetted Major for meritorious conduct, and was honorably discharged in November, 1865. In 186& and 1870 he was warmly supported by the Republicans of his county for the nomination to Congress, but the other counties of his district carried the majority for his competitor. Mr. Cooley was married at Dubuque, in 1856, to Miss Jane M. Rhodes, then of that city. In the legal profession Mr. Cooley has few peers in Northern Iowa, and few have made themselves a better public and private record. He has ever had the interest of his city and county at heart, and has been identified with many of the enter- prises that have proved beneficial to the community in which he has so long resided." In the latter part of 1879 Mr. Cooley was appointed by Gover- nor Gear to the position of District Judge of the Tenth Judicial District, consisting of Winneshiek, Howard, Chickasaw, Fayette, Clayton and Allamakee counties, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Reuben Noble. In November, 1880, he was elected to the same position for the regular term of two years. He has a beautiful home, an unusually fine library, and his social and domestic relations are of the pleasantest. He has two sons, the elder of whom, C. M. Cooley, is married to the daughter of Rev. H. B. Woodworth, for a number of years pastor of the Congregational Church in Decorah, and now lives in Dakota. Previous to his election as Judge, Mr. Cooley was elected to and discharged the office of Mayor of Decorah for two successive terms, with honor to himself and credit to the city. The eighth election was held on the 6th of August, 1865. Nelson Burdick was elected Recorder and Treasurer, over N. Otis, by 102 majority. James Van Pelt was elected Surveyor, and Philip Morse, Coro- ner. In this election there were no less than five candidates for the office of County Judge. The canvassing board returned the fol- lowing count: Joseph Gibbons had 205 votes for the office, while his opponents in the race had the following number of votes re- spectively: J. T. Atkins, 195; William Painter, 10; David Reed, 9, and N. Otis, 1. An informality in this election caused it to be set aside, as far as Judge was concerned, and Mr. Reed was continued in office for another term of two years. The particulars are given in the pre- ceding chapter, introductory to the county seat contest. On the 1st of April Aaron Newell resigned the office of Clerk of the District Court, and Nathaniel Otis was appointed in his stead. '200 HISTOEY OF M'INNESHIEK COITN"TY. la the April election of 1856 there were 816 votes polled. The only officer elected was School Fund Commissioner. There were plenty of candidates in the field willing to assume the responsi- bilities of this ofBce, as the following list will show: J. E. B. Morgan, Elijah Middlebrook, J. P. McKinney and Thomas Bell. J. E. B. Morgan was elected to fill the office by forty-eight ma- jority. This office was discontinued during Morgan's term. L. Butler resigned the office of Liquor Agent on the 26th of June, 1856, to which office he had previously been appointed. The duties of this officer were to superintend the sale of liquors in the county, that is to see that no one trafficed in liquors except those who sold it for medicinal purposes. Butler's resignation was ac- cepted, and H. C. Bulls appointed to fill the vacancy, on the 30th of June, 1856. This office was discontinued at the expiration of his term. The tenth election was held in August, 1856. L. W. Griswold was elected Prosecuting A.ttorney, over S. A. Tupper. Nathaniel Otis was elected Clerk of the District Court, over S. D. H. Hughes and G. W. Esty. Previous to this election the county had been organized into eleven voting precincts. This election gave to Winneshiek County her first Senatorial officer, in the person of J. T. Atkins. At this date Winneshiek county was but a portion of the 34th Senatorial District, which was composed of the following counties: Winneshiek, Allama- kee, Howard, Floyd and Mitchell. The total vote of this en- tire Senatorial District was 2,331,of which number J. T. At- kins received 1,§99, as against 716 for Edward Ellis, his oppo- nent. J. T. Atkins was born in Phillipstown, Worcester County, Mass., April 4, 1811. The early part of his life was spent in the Eastern States, where he followed steamboating as a vocation during the season when navigation was open, and taught school during the winter months. He received a common school educa- tion. Mr. Atkins immigrated to Indiana in 1835, where he com- menced a real estate brokerage business. In 1851 there was much talk of the "new purchase," a part of which was Winneshiek County. The Judge contracted the fever, and came to Winne- shiek County, Iowa, in the autumn of that year. Here he re- ■ sumed his old business, that of land speculating, and also prac- ticed law for several years, but not being a resident at the county seat, he concluded to abandon his profession and give his atten- tion solely to his speculations. October 19, 1854, he was appoint- ed Prosecuting Attorney and Enrolling Officer, by Gov. Kirkwood. He was elected County Judge, at one time, but failed to qualify. In 1867 he was chosen to represent this county in the State Legis- lature. He has for some years past been a resident of Decorah. HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 201 The first special election was held on the 10th of October, 1856. The question at stake was whether the county should vote $100,000 in aid of the Northwestern Railroad. There were 926 votes cast in favor of it, and 505 against. The eleventh election was held in April, 1857, in which con- test James B. Smith was elected to the office of Sheriff. George N. Holway was elected to the ofSce of County Assessor. George N. Holway was born in Sandwich, Mass., September 29, 1826. He received his education at Sandwich and Providence. He immigrated to Iowa in 1852, and made a permanent settlement at Hesper. He soon afterward became indentified with the polit- ical affairs of the county. He was first elected County Assessor. He has been elected to the office of Treasurer, Supervisor ^nd County Superintendent. He is now (1882) engaged in mining in one of the western territories. James E. Simpson was elected to the office of Drainage Com- missioner. James E. Simpson was born in New York City, August 10, 1833. He received his education in the public schools of that State. He immigrated to Allamakee County in 1855. In that county he' was engaged in teaching school and surveying until the summer of 1856, when he moved to Decorah, and that winter taught the public school of the latter place. That spring he was appointed Deputy County Surveyor, in which position he con- tinued as Deputy and County Surveyor until 1860. In 1860 he was appointed Deputy Clerk under S. W. Paul. He was elected County Superintendent in 1861, which office he resigned to enter the United States service. He enlisted in Co. G, Twelfth Iowa Volunteers. He was made Orderly Sergeant, and promoted to Second Lieutenant. He resigned his lieutenancy during the sum- mer of 1862, on account of ill health. On his return home he again resumed the office of County Superintendent. In 1863 he was appointed Deputy Provost Marshal of Winneshiek County, which office he filled until mustered out of the service in 1865. In 1866 he was appointed United States Revenue Inspector of the Third Iowa District. In 1868 he was retained as one of the twenty-five United States Revenue Agents, and remained in the service until September, 1876. He was married to Mary A. Rank- in, of Frankville, in July, 1860. Mr. Simpson was, several years ago, appointed United States Revenue Collector for this district, with headquarters at Dubuque, to which place he thereupon removed, though socially as well as in property interests he is still identified with Decorah, L. W. Griswold resigned the office of Prosecuting Attorney, July 11, 1857. Dryden Smith was appointed to fill the office made vacant by Griswold's resignation, July 21, 1857, and was elected as Prosecuting Attorney in the October election, 1857. The fol- lowing winter this office was abolished. 202 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. The next election was held August, 1857, at which there were 894 votes cast for County Judge. L. W. Griswold was the suc- cessful candidate for this office over S. A. Tupper. J. B. Smith was re-elected Sheriff over E. M. Farnsworth. Nelson Burdick was re-elected Recorder and Treasurer over J. Oleson. L. W. Ludlow was elected County Surveyor over David Gorsuch. Amos Hoag was elected Coroner over George Cooney. There were 345 majority for the new State Constitution. In the October election following, E. E. Cooley was elected State Representative by a majority of 512, over William F. Kimball. Dryden Smith was elected Prosecuting Attorney by 481 major- ity, over S. A. Tupper. Dryden Smith was an Indianian. He early came to the county, and figured quite prominently in politi- cal affairs. The spring election of 1858 was held on the 14th of April. The only county officer elected in this contest was that of Superinten- dent of Public Instruction. It was the first office of this charac- ter elected in the county, and H. C. Bulis was the man on whom this honor was conferred by the people. Hon. H. C. Bulis was born in Chazy, Clinton County, New York, on the 14th of November, 1830. He studied medicine in Vermont, with Dr. A. C. Butler, and graduated at the Vermont Medical College, Woodstock, Vt. He came to Winneshiek coun- ty a young man, in October, 1854, and taught the first month of the second term of school that was taught in the village. Politi- cally, the doctor was a str6ng Clay Whig, and latterly as ardent a republican. Previous to his being elected County Superin- tendent he had been appointed commissioner for the sale of in- toxicating liquors, by Judge Reed. At the expiration of his term this office was discontinued. He was next elected a member of the Board of Supervisors, and was made its president. In 1865 he was elected State Senator, and served his constituency four years in this capacity, during which time he was elected a trustee of the Iowa State University. In 1869 he was returned to the State Senate. He served one year of his second term, dur- ing which time he was elected President pro tem. by the House of Representatives. In 1871, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of the State. His thorough knowledge of parliamentary rules pe- culiarly fitted him for this new responsibility. He discharged the duties of this office honorably, efficiently and faithfully. In August, 1876, he was appointed by President Grant a member of the Indian commission, whose duty it was to treat with the Sioux Indians for the purchase of the Black Hill sterritory. Dr. Bulis was absent five months on this mission. The object of the commission was, finally, successfully accomplished. HISTORY OF WINKESHIEK COUNTY. 203 Dr. Bulis, was elected to the oiEce of Mayor of Decorah, in 1880, holding that position for two successive terms, performing the duties with honor to himself and with credit and benefit to Decorah, of which he is ever an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, his wife being an active helper in every good work. In the October election of 1858, there were 1,305 votes polled for Clerk of the District Court. S. W. Paul was declared elected to the office, over K. K. Buckman, by 190 majority. J. E. Simpson was elected County Surveyor, over David Gorsuch. In the elections of 1869, the following officers were elected: Erick Anderson, Sheriff; S. W. Matteson, Clerk; T. W. Bur- dick, Recorder and Treasurer; A. K. Averill, County Surveyor; John^R. Howard, Coroner; W. F. Coleman, County Superinten- dent of Public Instruction. In the fall election of 1860, which took place on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November, S. W. Matteson was re-elec- ted Clerk of the District Court. With 1860 was inaugurated a change in the administration of County affairs, a Board of Supervisors, one from each organized township, taking the place of the County Judge in these matters, in January, 1861, although the County Court contiaued to exist for probate and some other matters till the foundation of the Circuit Court, referred to in succeeding pages. This Supervisor system gave place in 1870 to the County Com- missioner system, the officers still being termed, as they now are, Supervisors, of which there were three. In 1872 the number of Supervisors was increased to five, the County being divided into five districts — the number at present existing. And as the Courts of the county form a prominent part of its history, we here briefly trace their successive Judges, completing first the roll of County Judges till that office was abolished by the organization of the Circuit Court, about the close of the year 1868. COUNTY JUDGES. Our previous record shows that L. W. Griswold was elected County Judge in 1857. He held the office to January 1st, 1860. His successors were as follows: D. H. Hughes, who held the office two years, commencing Jan. 1st, 1860. Jno. DeCow, two years, commencing Jan. 1,1862. G. R. Willett, four years, commencing Jan. 1, 1864. E. Cutler assumed the office Jan. 1, 1868, and held it till the close of that year, when it gave place to the Circuit Court, (re- ferred to a little later), which attended to Probate business. The duties of the County Auditor had hitherto been performed by the County Judge, and Mr. Cutler therefore became County Auditor, ex-officio, to the end of his term and was then twice re-elected Auditor, as referred to hereafter. 13 204 HISTOKT OF WIN"JfESHIEK C0U2SrTY. DISTRICT AND CIECUIT COUETS. Winneshiek county is a part of the 10th judicial district, the balance of the district being comprised of Howard, Chickasaw, Fayette, Allamakee, and Clayton counties. The territories of the district and circuit courts coincide, or in other words, they have concurrent jurisdiction, in all the judicial districts throughout the State. The District Court exercises general and original jurisdiction, both civil and criminal, where not otherwise provided, and appel- late jurisdiction in all criminal matters; and it has a general su- pervision over all inferior courts and officers in all criminal cases, to prevent and correct abuses where no other remedy is provided. One district judge elected by the people, holds court alternately at each county seat at times specified by the district and circuit judges, and a clerk of the District Court, who is ex-officio clerk, also of the Circuit Court, is elected once in two years in each county. The Circuit Court exercises original jurisdiction concurrent with the District Court in all civil actions and special proceedings, and exclusive jurisdiction in all appeals and writs of error from inferior courts, tribunals and officers, and has a general super- vision thereof in all civil matters. All probate business is also done by the Circuit Court. For nearly seventeen years the District Court had charge of the business now transacted by both courts. But the business here, as well as in other districts of the State, became so great as to be bur- densome and cause delay; and the 12th General Assembly enacted a law signed April 3d, 1868, creating Circuit Judges, the act tak- ing effect Jan. 1st, 1869, except that the judges should be elected in November, 1868. The first term of District Court for this county was held in Decorah on Friday, the 8th day of July, 1852. Present — Hon. Thomas. S. Wilson, Judge; Geo. Bachel, Sheriff; and Wm. F. Kimball, Clerk; Eeuben Noble, B. W. Poor, Jno. McKay, and Jno. W. Ramine were admitted to practice as attorneys. They had previously been admitted to the bar in other States. Jno. D. McKay, on application and examination was admitted for the first time to practice as an attorney and counselor-at-law. The first grand jury empanneled consisted of the following named persons: Nathan S. Gilbert, foreman; Isaac Callendar, J. H. Gilliband, Omri Emery, Rupel Dean, D. W. Carrier, Henry Mc- Swain, Wm. Campbell, Levi Moore, Adam Heckart, Wm. Clark, Lewis Eddy, Dwight Kathburn, David Frazier and Philip Howe. Judge Wilson continued in office till the commencement of 1855, when Samuel S. Murdock, of Clayton Co., having been chosen at the regular election the latter part of the preceding year, took the bench and occupied it for a term of four years. The District Judges since that time — the opening of the year 1859 — have been: HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 205 Elias A. Williams of Clayton county, two terms, to 1867. Milo McGlathety, of Fayette County, two terms, to 1875. Reuben Noble, of Clayton County, held the first session of his first term in Feb., 1875. He was elected to a second term at the fall election of 1878, and held the office till the latter part of 1879, when he resigned. E. E. Cooley, of Decorah, was appointed by Gov. Gear to fill the vacancy till the election the following year. He took his seat in December, 1879. At the election in the fall of 1880, Mr. Cooley was chosen to fill the remainder of the unexpired term, and still occupies the bench. The first Circuit Court Judge was chosen at the election in November, 1868, his term commencing, according to the law pre- viously referred to, on the 1st of January, 1869. The Judge chosen was M. V. Burdick, who has been previously referred to in this history, and to him belongs the honor of being the first Circuit Judge of the Tenth District. He was an early resident of Decorah, and has been here much of the time since, though now living at Lansing, Allamakee County. He held the office for one term of four years. The second Circuit Judge was C. T. Granger, of Waukon, Allamakee County, who came upon the bench at the opening of the year 1873, for a term of four years. He was re-elected in the fall of 1876 for a second term, and again in 1880 for a third term, in which he is now serving. The preceding record of elections shows who were Clerks of Court for Winneshiek County up to 1860, when S. W. Matteson held the office. He was re-elected in 1861, again in 1862, and again in 1864. The following is the date of' election of Clerks of Court for this county since that time: Dan Lawrence in 1866. M. P. Hathaway in 1868. S. E. Tubbs in 1870 and 1872. A. W. Brownell in 1874. E. B. Hutchinson in 1876 and 1878. M. W. Harden in 1880, being the present incumbent. The important office of District Attorney for the Tenth Dis- trict has been held successively for the last two terms by Winne- shiek County men. Orlando J. Clark, elected in 1874, and whose term expired January 1st, 1879, was succeeded by the present in- cumbent, Cyrus Wellington, elected in the fall of 1878. STATE lEGISLATOES. Our State Senators since Dr. H. C. Bulls, with whom our pre- vious record leaves ofi^, have been: M. V. Burdick, elected in 1861. 206 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. H. C. Bulis, again elected in 1865; was re-elected 1869, and re- signed in 1871, when he was elected Lieutenant Governor of the State. Hon. G. R. Willett was chosen to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. Bulis, and was in 1873 re-electsd for a four years term. "Hon. G. R. Willett was born in Lacadie, Province of Quebec, November 11, 1826. Though born in Canada, yet both his pa- rents were Americans. He spent the early part of his life in Canada, and received his education there. He studied law at Champlain, New York, and graduated at the Albany Law School. He was admitted to the bar in that city in 1856. He practiced law in Champlain until 1857, when he came west and settled in De- corah. He raised the first company of volunteers to fight for the Union, namely, Company D, Third Iowa Infantry. He was wounded in the knee in 1861, which so disabled him that he was obliged to resign and return home. In 1864 he was elected County Judge. During the winter of 1874 he was elected President pro tern, of the Senate. He was Chairman of the Committee on Con- stitutional Amendments, and during the session of 1875 he was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He was also a member of the Committee on Railroads, Insurance and Judicial Districts. From 1868 to 1872 he was President of the Winneshiek Woolen Manufacturing Company. He was married at the age of 21 to Miss Alinda C. Kellogg, in Champlain, New York. Mr. Willett has occupied many high positions within the gift of the people, and has always discharged his trust honorably and faithfully. His legal ability is recognized abroad as well as well as at home. As evidence of this fact, the reader is referred to his appointment as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee." Mr. Willett and wife can now be reckoned as comparatively old residents, as they are among our most active, liberal and public- spirited ones. Their oldest son, Mahlon, is a successful minister to a church on the Pacific coast, while the second son, Norman, is a partner of his father in the law business, and reliable and successful. M. N. Johnson was elected in 1877. Mr. Johnson is a son of Nelson Johnson, an old pioneer previously referred to. He grad- uated at the State University in 1873, and at the law class there in 1876. He was elected State Representative in the fall of 1875, and a presidential elector in 1876. He is now in partnership with his younger brother in the law business in Decorah. H. A. Baker was elected in the fall of 1882. He is a promi- nent young business man of Ossian, popular, enterprising, and thriving. His present term will hold through the next session of the legislature — the winter of 1883-4. HISTOET OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 207 Since our record, closing with 1860, the following have been elected as State Representatives; the elections being for but one biennial session. W. H. Baker and Ole Nelson in 1861. Ole Nelson and James H. Brown in 1863. H. B. Williams was elected in 1864 to fill vacancy caused by the death of Ole Nelson. Jas. H. Brown and H. B. Williams, elected in 1865. H. B. Williams and J. T. Atkins, in 1867. H. B. Williams and 0. A. Lommen, in 1869. Knudt Berg and Warren Danforth, in 1871. Knudt Bergh was born in Norway, and came to America when a boy, with his father, and settled in Highland Township. Mr. Bergh early appreciated the value of an education, and strove with all his energy to attain the high place which he afterwards reached in educational circles. An adopted citizen, he became an Ameri- can in all that the name implies. He was an exemplary man, and revered by all who knew him." In the legislative halls of the State he served his county with fairness and ability. Mr. Bergh was a graduate. of the University of St. Louis. He afterward became one of the professors in the Norwegian Lutheran College. His health failed him, and in 1873 he visited his native country, where he died of consumption, on the 16th of June, 1875, at Eide. Hardanger, Norway.] Warren Danforth and Jno. DeCow in 1873. Warren Danforth and M. N. Johnson in 1875. H. A. Baker and H. C. Manning in 1877. H. A. Baker and Levi Hubbell in 1879. Levi Hubbell and D. 0. Aker in 1881. EEPEBSBNTATIVES IN CONGRESS. It was not till 1877 that the Representative in Congress for this district was chosen from Winneshiek County. From soon after the organization of the State to 1863, there were but two Con- gressional Districts in Iowa, and after that time till 1881, Winne- shiek County has been in the Third Congressional District, although the number of districts have been increased from time to time. Wm. B. Allison, of Dabuque, was our Representative from 1863 to 1871, and ceased to be Representative to become United State Senator, which position he now holds. W. G. Donnan, of Independence, was Representative to the Forty-second Congress — 1871 to 1873, and also to the Forty-third Congress— 1873 to 1875. For the Forty-fourth Congress — 1875 to 1877 — a Democrat; L. L. Ainsworth, of West Union, was elected by a very small raa- iority after a close contest; C. T. Granger, of Waukon, being his Republican opponent. 208 HISTORY OF winn: ESHIEK COUNTY. The Third Congressional District embraced the counties of Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette and Winneshiek. At the Congressional Convention held at McGregor Sept. 6, 1876, Theodore W. Burdick, of Decorah, who had not sought the office, went into the convention supported by nineteen dele- gates from the Winneshiek County Republican Convention, who stood by him through the Convention, until he was nominated on the 22d ballot. J. M. Griffith, of Dubuque, was his Dem- ocratic opponent, and the contest was a fierce one, intensi- fied by the fact that a Democrat had been elected for the pre- ceding term. Mr. Burdick was elected by a majority of 1,267, his own county leading the list of Republican counties by a majority of 1,265. He was a faithful and efficient working mem- ber of Congress, and at the close of the term positively declined a re-nomination. Since the previous biographical sketches in this volume have been put in the hands of the printer, it has been de- cided to give more complete sketches of prominent men. else- where in the volume, so that it will not be necessary to give them at length in the regular history, but the following from Andreas' Atlas of Iowa, published before Mr. Burdick's election, is worthy of reproduction here. "Theodore W. Burdick, cashier of the First National and Sav- ings Banks of Decorah, is a native of Pennsylvania, born Octo- ber 7, 1836. He removed with his parents to Winneishiek County at the age of 17, having previously acquired a good English edu- cation, his father having intended him for a collegate course at Oberlin. The removal to the west, however, interfered with that arrangement, and on their arrival at Decorah, in the spring of 1853, he was employed as the first school teacher in the place, the first school-house having just then been completed. The following spring his father was elected County Treasurer, and he took charge of the office and also that of County Recorder, discharging prac- tically the duties of both until he became of age, in 1857. At the next election following he was elected County Treasurer, and filled the office in a most faithful and satisfactory manner till 1862, when he resigned to enter the army. He was commissioned Cap- tain of Company D, Sixth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, in which ca- Eacity he served for three years — till 1865. Four brothers besides imself were in the army, and three of them lost their lives in their country's service. On his return from the army Mr. Burdick pur- chased an interest in the First National Bank of Decorah, of which he was elected Cashier in 1866. Since the war he has held no public office, but has devoted himself exclusively to business. Both in his public and private relations, for a period of over twenty years, since he became a citizen of Decorah, he has been noted as a gentleman of honor and integrity, of good business talents and irreproachable character." HIST0E1 OF -WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 209 Thomas UpdegrafF, of McGregor, was the Republican candidate for Congress in 1878, being nominated at McGregor (after a very- close fight for the nomination with D. N. Cooley, of Dubuque). Mr. Updegraff was elected October 8, 1878, receiving 12,596 votes in the district; Fred. O'Donnell, (Democrat), of Dubuque, receiv- ing 10,881, and Spangle (Greenback) receiving 5,338. Thomas Updegraff was re-elected November 2, 1880, his oppon- ents being W. G. Stewart, (democrat) and M. H. Moore (green- back), both of Dubuque. The vote was: Updegraff, 17,359; Stew- art, 13,969; Moore, 2,193. By the recent re-districting of the State, this county is in the Fourth Congressional District, embracing the counties of Alla- makee, Winneshiek, Howard, Mitchell, Clayton, Fayette, Chicka- saw and Floyd. Mr. Updegraff is a candidate for re-election with the probability of being returned for the third term. COUNTY OFFICERS RESUMED. TKEASUEERS AND RECOEDEKS. Our previous record shows T. W. Burdick as County Treasurer and Recorder in 1860. In 1861 he was re-elected. He' resigned his position in 1862 to enlist in the army, and G. R. Willet was appointed to fill the vacancy. The following were successively elected to the ofBce of the Treasurer, the Recorder's office being separated from it in 186 i: A. K. Bailey, in 1863. G. N. Holway, in 1865-7. G. T. Lommen, in 1869 and 1871. Edwin Klove, in 1873, 1875, 1877, and 1879; his fourth term expiring December 31st, 1881. N. H. Adams was elected in the fall of 1881, and on the 1st of January, 1882, assumed the duties of the office of Treasurer, which he now holds. in 1864, when the Recoider's office was separated from that of the Treasurer, Jno. E. Powers was elected Recorder, and was re-elected in 1866. Cyrus W. McKay was elected in 1868, 1870 and 1872. Chas. Stern in 1874 and in 1876. Mr. Stern died during his second term of office and Wm. M. Fannon was elected to fill the vacancy. Mr. Fannon was re-elected in 1878 and again in 1880. His term of office will expire with 1882. COUNTY STTPEEINTENDENTS. In 1864 or 1862, H. C. Bulls was appointed County Superinten- dent of Schools. 210 HISTORY OP WINNESHIEK COUNTY. I. M. Wedgewood was elected County Smperintendent of Schools in 1863, 1865, 1867 and 1869. Henry Toye was elected in 1871. G. N. Hoi way was elected in 1873. Nels Kessy in 1875, 1877 and 1879. J. A. Klien was elected in 1881, assuming the duties of office January 1, 1882. COUNTY SUKVEYOES. Taking up again the office of County Surveyor, we find E. Baldwin elected in 1861, 1863, 1865 and 1867. W. C. Adsit elected in 1869, 1871 and 1873. J. L. Cameron in 1875 and 1877. E. B. Collwell in 1879. J. L. Cameron in 1881, his term commencing January 1, 1882. SHEBIPFS. Sheriff Erick Anderson, previously mentioned as elected in 1859, was re-elected in 1861. Armund Arneson was elected in 1863, and again in 1865. A. S. Skofstadt was elected in 1867. Knudt Thompson in 1869 and 1871. C. H. Hitchcock in 1873. J. H. Womeldorf in 1875 and 1877. DeWitt C. Moore in 1879 and 1881. Soon after election in the fall of 1881, Mr. Moore resigned to accept the position of cashier of a bank at Grafton, Dakota, his resignation taking effect Dec. 8, 1881. H. M. Langland was thereupon appointed by the Board of Supervisors to fill the vacancy till the next election, which takes place in November, 1882. COUNTY AUDITORS. E. Cutler was elected County Judge in the fall of 1867, and assumed its duties Jan. 1, 1868. At the close of 1868, as already detailed, the newly created Circuit Court absorbed the duties of County Probate Court, and Mr. Cutler became County Auditor ex officio, retaining the Court duties pertaining to that branch of the office. He was re-elected County Auditor in the fall of 1869, and again in 1871. H. A. Bigelow was elected in 1873. P. S. Hale was elected in 1875, 1877, and 1879. T. E. Egge was elected in 1881 and entered upon his two years' term Jan. 1, 1882. COEONERS. John Howard — referred to in record prior to 1860 — was succeed- ed by the following coroners: HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTT. 211 C. McKay was elected in 1861, 1863, 1865, 1867, and 1869. F. W. Knox, elected in 1871. A. C. Ferren, in 1873. A. H. Fannon, in 1875. E. Mather, in 1877 ard 1879. W. F. Coleman, in 1881. COUSrXT SUPEKTISOES. Since 1870, when the County Commissioner system was adopted, by the county being divided into districts, and a Commissioner or Supervisor elected from each district, the Supervisors have been as follows: M. S. Drury, Geo. C. Winship and A. Arneson were elected in 1870, for terms varying so that a portion of them should be elected each year. M. S. Drury was re-elected in 1872, the other members being increased to five. F. G. Hale and C. Sydow were elected the same year. F. G. Brittain was elected in 1873. By the above change to five Supervisors, the districts embrace townships as follows: First District — Bloomfield, Military, Springfield, Frankville. Second District — Washington, Jackson, Sumner, Calmar. Third District — Lincoln, Bluffton, Orleans, Burr Oak, Fremont. Fourth District — Pleasant, Canoe, Hesper, Highland, Glen- wood. Fifth District — Decorah, Madison. The Supervisors in office at the commencement of 1874 were M. S. Drury, A. Arneson, Chas. Sydow, F. G. Hale and Geo. C. Winship. The following were elected from the several districts thereafter, the elections being for a regular term commencing the January following the election, except in case of removal, death, or resignation. Elected in 1874, Second District, Chas. Meyers; Fifth District, G. C. Winship. Elected in 1875, First District, Turner Calender; Third District, Peter Morton. Elected in 1876, Second District, H. Geisen, Fourth District, 0. W. Ellingson. Elected in 1877, Second District, A. W. Brownell; Fifth Dis- trict, Jacob Jewell. Elected in 1878, First District, Geo Merrill; Third District, S. G. Kendall. Elected in 1879, Fourth District, Nels Larson. Elected in 1880, First District, E. S. Lambert; Second District, A. W. Brownell; Third District, Almon Rice; Fifth District G. L. Wendling. Elected in 1881, Third District, R. Barnes; Fourth District, 0. T. Lommen. 212 HISTORY OF WINN-ESHIEK COUNTY. COUNTY OFFICEBS IN 1882. The present (1882) County Officers (besides the officers for this Judicial District — District Judge E. E. -Cooley, Circuit Judge C. T. Granger, and District Attorney Cyrus Wellington) are: Clerk of Courts— M. W. Harden; N. H. Nelson, Deputy. Auditor — T. E. Egge; J. W. Danbrey, deputy. Treasurer — N. H. Adams; C. E. Header, deputy. Recorder — Wm. M. Fannon; Wm. H. Fannon, deputy. Sheriff— H. M. Langland; W. P. Sanford, deputy. Superintendent of Schools — J. A. Klein. Surveyor — J. L. Cameron. Coroner — W. F. Coleman. The present Supervisors (1882) are as follows : First District — 0. T. Lommen. Second District — A. W. Brownell. Third District — R. Barnes. Fourth District — Nels Larsen. Fifth District' — Geo. L. Wendling. NEW JAIL. At the November election, 1876, a tax was voted for the erec- tion of a new County jail, the majority for the tax being ^90. The erection of a substantial brick building on the southeast corner of the Court House grounds was promptly commenced and duly completed, and improved steel cells put in. Besides being a handsome structure, it is the safest in this part of Iowa. It is re- ferred to elsewhere. CHAPTER VI. Population; Court House and Jail; Court House Grounds; Poor House and Farm; Murder Trials; Railroad History; Our Products; Educational and Literary; a Gratifying Exhibit; Good State of the County Finances; Census of 1880. By the United State census of 1880 the population of Winne- shiek County was 23,937. And yet up to the commencement of the previous year, the court house erected in the early days, with a jail and residence for the sheriff in the basement, was so good a building that it had done service for a little over thirty years, and now with a new jail, containing sheriff's residence, improve- ments made in the court house and enlargement of quarters of HISTORY OP WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 213 county officers, the latter building will answer the purpose for the county for some years yet. A few words about the county buildings : COUET HOUSE AND JAIL. The present Court House was commenced in 1857, a tax having been voted in 1 1856, and was completed in 1858. The courts previous to that time were sometimes held in rented rooms, — ■ though for a while at first in the log house of Wm. Day, and afterwards in Newell's Hall. The cost of the Court House build- ings, including the jail in the basement, was about $18,000. The land for the grounds was donated by Wm. Day and Wm. Paint- er^ and occupies one square, being bounded on the north by Main street, on the east by Winnebago street, on the south by Broad- way, and on the west by Court street. The Court House building has a basement of stone in which were originally the jail and sheriff's residence, and above this two stories of brick; the court room occupying the upper floor and the county offices the remain- dea of the building. After the erection of the new jail the basement was given up to the Recorder's office with a large fire-proof vault, the Clerk's office with also a fire-proof vault, and the office of the County Surveyor. The pffiees of the County Treasurer, Auditor, Sheriff, and County Superintendent, are now on the floor above. The court room is on the upper floor as originally constructed. In the fall of 1876, a county tax of $12,000, to be divided be- tween 1877 and 1878, was voted for the erection of a new jail, as stated at the close of the preceding chapter. The jail was com- menced and completed in 1878. It is a handsome brick building, two stories high, with stone basement and tin roof — size on the ground being 34^x56 feet. The Sheriff's residence is on the first floor and the jail proper on the second floor, provided with Pauley's patent steel cells, considered very secure and proof against jail breakers. The cost of building, with cells, etc., was — Jail building $5,434.25 P.J. Pauley's patent steel cells and corridors with sewer pipe and "water tank 6,097 00 200 barrel cistern 175 00 10 inch sewer pipe connecting with dry run 208 00 Total $11,114 25 There was also expended in 1878, on stone walls and terracing the Court House grounds, about $5,000. Much smaller amounts have since been expended in continuing the walls and terracing, and the work is mostly finished, except on the south side, where the excavating of Broadway by the city is not yet completed. The main front of the Court House is on the north side, the building being a little back of the centre of the grounds, and the jail at the southeast corner of the grounds. 214: HISTOET OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. With the outer wall there are five walls and terraces, covered with grassy lawn, presenting a beautiful appearance. The court house was, for that time, a magnificent building, and is still re- spectable looking, though a little ancient. Its position is com- manding, overlooking the city and surrounding valley, and will some of these days, no doubt, be the site of an imposing edifice. POOK HOUSE AND FAEM. The poor house and farm of Winneshiek County are located near the village of Freeport, on the southeast quarter of section 14, township 98, range 8 west, in Decorah township; the farm contains 130 acres. Sixty acres were purchased in 1866, and on it stood a large frame house; a brick house, barn and other build- ings have since been erected, and seventy acres of timber land purchased . MUEDEE TEIALS. Winneshiek County has had some half a dozen murders, or cases in which that crime was charged, the trial in the last case being still to come. Several of them have been exciting^ ones. The first trial for murder was held in 1861. The defendants were John Livengood and Delilah A. Telyea, wl;o were tried for the murder of Charles Telyea, the husband of Delilah A., in the October term of court, 1861, i)efore Judge Williams. When the charge was first made against the guilty parties, the grand jury failed to find an indictment, on the ground that the body of the murdered man had not been found; but the case was brought be- fore the next grand jury, who brought in a bill. Public opinion was strong against the accused, and great excitement prevailed. The public was agitated to such an extent over the matter that the defendants' attorneys sued for a change of venue, which was granted. The case was taken to Clayton County, where the par- ties were tried. Livengood was found guilty, and sentenced to the penitentiary for life; while Mrs. Telyea was acquitted, although public opinion generally considered her guilty. Livengood was par- doned out at the end of ten years, and is supposed to be now living somewhere in Northern Wisconsin. The next case to enlist attention, and set the public in a state of ferment was that of Charles D. Seeley, for the murder of Wm. McClintock, tried before Judge McGlatherty, February 11th, 1872. Seeley was convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to the penitentiary, at hard labor, for fifteen months. The third murder trial, and by far the most exciting, was that of Helen D. Stickles for the murder of her husband, J. P. Stickles, by poison. On January 4, 1876, John P. Stickles, to all appear- ances was enjoying perfect health. That afternoon he was sud- denly taken sick, and died within a few hours, with all the atten- HISTOET OB WIKNESHIEK COUNTY. 215 dant symptoms of poisoning by strychnine. The next morning as the news circulated from mouth to mouth, giving in detail the sudden and horrible death, the conviction was forced upon the community that either a fatal mistake had been made in adminis- tering medicine to the unfortunate man, or a wanton and terrible crime had been committed. A post-mortem examination was held, which served, to strengthen the previous theory that J. P. Stickles had died from poison. The stomach was sent to Chica- go for analysis. Dr. M. P. Hatfield, the chemist who made the analysis, sent back word that he had found strychnine. As a re- sult of the continual agitation of the question by the public, and the evidence produced, the Grand Jury, at its March session, 1876, indicted Helen D. Stickles for murder. The case came on for trial in the District Court, Judge Reuben Noble presiding, in June. The trial lasted nine days, during which time the excite- ment was intense and unabated. 0. J. Clark, Prosecuting Attor- torney, was aided by J. T. Clark in prosecuting the side of the State, while C. P. Brown and Cyrus Wellington made themselyes noted as criminal lawyers, by the ability with which they defend- ed the accused. It was one of the most stubbornly-contested trials ever held in the county. Public opinion very generally condemned Mrs. Stickles, but the jury disagreed, standing five for acquittal to seven for conviction. A change of venue was granted the accused, and the case was taken to Payette County for trial, where she was finally acquitted. She afterwards married Harry Shufelt who was an intimate friend of the family at the time of the death of Mr. Stickles, as well as of the accused at the time of the trial, and moved to the northeastern part of the State, where several years later she attempted suicide on account of be- ing scolded by her husband for too much hilarity; but the dose of poison was pumped out. On the 9th of July 1876, a fatal shooting encounter took place at the residence of Simeon Oleson. They had some supplies left over from the dth of July and concluded to have a bowery dance on Sunday evening; Andrew Throndson, who was not invited, attended; but it was a fatal visit to him. It seems that one or both of the parties to the affray had been drinking. As Thrond- son, whO; with some others, were shooting in a grove not far off, approached the house of Simeon Oleson, who with some others, went out|to meet him, it was charged that both parties shot at each- other. Throndson fell in the field where he stood, but the others thought that he meant to decoy them, or at least they did not go out there until the next morning, where the dead body of Throndson was found. Oleson was bound over for trial. At the first trial the jury disagreed, and at the second he was acquitted. The next murder case or affray resulting in death, occurred on the 21st of December, 1876. Four brothers, named Torfin, living not far from Locust Lane postoffice, which is near the northeast cor- 216 HISTOEY OF WINNESHIBK COUNTY. ner of Pleasant Township, were going home from Decorahin a sleigh, several other sleighs following along behind them. Some of the sleighs passed them, and in some way the parties got into a quar- rel. Peace was apparently soon restored, however, and they contin- ued on their way until the sleighs that were ahead of the Torfin brothers, reached a cross road where they halted; some of the men jumped out, and when the Torfins came up, wanted^to "settle this thing right here." Some of the Torfins jumped from their sleigh, and while walking about, Ed. Torfin was felled to the earth with a club. It was found that Helge Nelson struck the blow: Torfin sprang up and ran and got into his sleigh, drove home, and came down to his breakfast the next morning. The affray occurred on Thursday evening. Sunday morning he died. Nelson was arrested, tried, and sentenced to six months in the penitentiary. The last murder was committed on Sunday, June 4, 1882, and the trial has not yet taken place. We take the following particu- lars from the Decorah Journal, June 7. Peter Peterson Krogsund, a well-to-do farmer near the Peter Olson stone mill, in Glenwood township, will have no more trouble about his cattle trespassing; and Hans Hansen Skjerdahl, who rents a farm near there, will probably have a life time to re- pent the killing of his neighbor, whether that life is suddenly brought up at the end of a rope or spent in prison walls — or pos- sibly ended in some other way — who can tell. To state the case briefly, and not to try to prejudge it, or give evidence on either side that might prejudice it, as that will more properly came before a jury, it is as follows: Some years ago the deceased, Peter Peterson Krogsund, bought a farm, on which he lived up to the time of his death. After his purchase he was ordered to move back his fence, which was built before he owned it, and which it seems trespassed a little on the road. He thereupon removed his fence entirely, leaving his neigh- bors to look after their stock, as the stock law did not compel him to keep a fence. That seems to have been the beginning of ill- feeling. The recent trouble between the deceased and Hansen, the man who shot him, first commenced last fall, but has not been renewed again, particularly, it appears^ until recently, though Hansen pur- chased a revolver about a month ago. Two days before the shooting there was a little trouble about the deceased's stock getting on to Hansen's premises. Last Sun- day afternoon Krogsund's cattle came on to Hansen's place, when the latter shut them up and sent word by a girl to the owner. It does not appear that the cattle had done much damage. The deceased, who had the reputation of being quarrelsome, came to the field about sun down, and began to throw the bars down to get his cattle. Hansen was lying just a little behind the point of the bluff near the bars, and rose up and told K. not to HISTORY OF WIKNESHIEK COTJIfTT. 217 touclithe bars. The latter replied that he was going to have his cattle. He again ordered him not to touch the bars, and mean- while Hansen approached with his hands raised, in one of which he held a revolver. The deceased, it appears, then also approached Hansen, holding in his hands a light stick, which he raised as if to strike Hansen, who fired his revolver at close range, the bullet piercing the forehead of Krogsund, just above the left eye, caus- ing him to fall unconscious. He did not move afterward^ except some slight twitchings, and he died about midnight. Hansen says he shot in self-defense, and that he was struck a blow with the stick before he shot. The wounded man's brother says that no blow was struck, though the stick was raised. Two men on the bluff, about 15 rods distant, saw the stick raised and also saw Hansen approach with hands raised, but saw no blow struck. Hansen immediately gave himself up, waived examination, and is in jail for trial for murder, without bail. He is 23 years old and leaves a wife and child. Peterson, or Krogsund, was about 36 years old and also leaves a wife and child. A coroner's inquest was held on Monday, and a verdict rendered that the deceased came to his death by a bullet from a pistol in the hands of Hansen, We are informed that the revolver con- tained only the one charge. The scene of the tragedy was not far from the stone mill above referred to, and very near the famous cave in Glenwood township, about nine miles from Decorah. EAILEOAD HISTOET. For many years after the first settlement of the county, the pro- ducts of the country had to be transported to the river and goods brought back by team, McGregor being generally the trading point for several years before the railroad was extended in this di- rection. But the enterprising people demanded better transporta- tion. Speaking of these first things in railroad enterprise. Sparks' History says: In 1856 everything was booming. The abundant resources of a new country had reached a high state of development, money was plenty," and the prospects for the future bright. One thing alone seemed lacking to make the people perfectly satisfied with their condition — better facilities for transportation. The time had passed when the products of the county could be transported sixty miles to market by ox-tearas without suffering much incon- venience and loss. The time had come when a railroad was a necessity. The railroad fever was raging throughout the West, and far-seeing ones realized the immense value that would sweep in on iron rails, drawn by the iron horse. After a due amount of talk and agitation, the Northwestern Eailroad Company was formed. Decorah was its headquarters, but they took in promi- nent citizens of Clinton. John Thompson, of Clermont, became 218 HISTOET OP WINNESHIEK COUNTY. President; 0. C. Lee, a banker at McGregor, Secretary; W. P. Kimball, of Decorah, Treasurer; Eb. Baldwin, Chief Engineer, and E. E. Cooley, Attorney. With a mighty faith in the future, business men put down their names for stock by the thousand dollars' worth, and 180,000 of the capital was actually subscribed. Whether it all could have been paid for is another matter. With such a start as this, the company felt it could appeal to the public spirit of the people, and the county was asked to bond itself to the amount of |100,000. Strange as it may seem to later comers, who worked and toiled to gather together the few thou- sands which the railroad actually cost when it did come, the peo- ple enthusiastically came forward and voted aye. The bonds were printed after some delay, and were all ready to be formally signed, sealed and delivered, when the Supreme Court stamped the law under which the bonds were being put out, with the word "unconstitutional." The scheme collapsed, and the county was saved a burden of debt, which might have retarded its progress for all the years past, as well as scores to come. It is worthy of note that when the railroad did come to us it followed the line marked out by those pioneers, and proved that their plans were wise and far-sighted, if they were a dozen years ahead of the times. Several attempts were made before a railroad was finally built. The company to succeed was the McGregor Western. This com- pany was organized January 19, 1863. The commencement of the road was at North McGregor. Work was commenced in March, 1863, and in one year the road was in running order to Monona, fourteen and one-half miles. The work was completed to Postville in September, 1864, to Castalia in October, 1864, and to Conover in August, 1865. Decorah, at this date, had become a thriving inland city, well supported with newly started manufactories. Her citizens looked upon the road that was to pass them by with a covetous eye. Railroad connection, with river and lake transportation, was necessary to the future prosperity of the place. This was readily comprehended, and every effort was put forth by an energetic peo- ple to secure better transportation facilities. As a result, proposals were made to the managers of the McGregor Western Railway to build a branch line from Conover to Decorah, nine miles. The citizens of Decorah pledged themselves to furnish $40,000, as a bonus, provided the Company would build the nine miles of road, which the managers agreed to do. Nearly $18,000 was paid in by the people of Decorah, and, on the other hand, the road was graded and bridged, ready for the superstructure. But the main line having been leased to the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Com- pany, work on the branch was suspended in September, 1865. The road is now operated under the management of the Chica- .go, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, by which name it is HISTORT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 219 known. The brancli was completed to Decorah in September, 1869, in accordance with the agreement made by the company with the citizens of Decorah. The event was one of great im- portance to the capital city of the county. A day of celebration and rejoicing was given in honor of the event. Large crowds of people thronged to the city, and many availed themselves of the opportunity offered and made excursion trips to Conover and back. Hon. E. E. Cooley delivered an address, in which he ably set forth the great value the new railroad would be to Decorah and the surounding country. Several attempts have been made within the past few years to secure additional railroad facilities, the principal object being to se- cure competing lines, so as to obtain lower freights. On the 8th of August, 1879, the township of Decorah voted a four per cent, tax, to induce the river road from Clinton and Dubuque to LaCrosse, which was leased to and connected with the Chicago & Northwestern Railway — to extepd its Waukon narrow guage branch to Decorah. The townships of Frankville and Glen wood refused to vote the tax. But the railroad was graded to Decorah, and the laying of iron out of Waukon was commenced, when the river road was bought out by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company, and the enterprise stopped. There are indications that the latter company is about to widen the gauge of the Waukon branch to the regular standard, and per- haps extend it to Decorah, to give an easier grade to the river and accommodate the immense trade of its branches that meet at Cal- mar. As the road was not built as stipulated, Decorah escaped the payment of the tax, which had been voted. The above project for a connection with the Northwestern, having failed, another was attempted. On the 9th of November, 1881, the township of Decorah voted a five per cent, tax on con- dition that a railroad be built to the Mississippi river, at or about Lansing, Iowa. But a hoped for connection not having been se- cured, the upper Iowa and Mississippi railway, company — as the above company was called — had the proposed tax cancelled to give a choice for the enterprise mentioned below. This last enterprise was the proposed building of a railroad to connect with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway, at or near West Union or Clermont, This giving another south- ern and eastern connection by way of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific road (the backers of the B. C. R. & N). On the 4th day of April, 1882, Decorah Township voted a five per cent, tax for the continuation of this road, on condition that it be built by Sept., 1883, assurances being made that there was ample capital to con- struct the road. It cannot be told at the time of this writing whether the road will be built or not, as it could be done if nec- essary, if not actively commenced till the spring of 1883. A tax for this road was voted down in Military Township. 14 220 HISTORY OP WINNESHIEK COUNTY. Meanwhile there are prospects of a road being built across the northern part of the county. This proposed road is called the Minnesota, Iowa & Southwestern, and is intended to run from La Crosse, Wis., via Charles City, to Western Iowa. Taxes were voted for the proposed road in the fall of 1881, by Hesper, Burr Oak and Bluffton Townships, and the right-of-way is now being pur- chased (in the fall of 1882) over some portions of the line in this county. It was alleged that there was a technicality in the man- ner of ordering the vote in Bluffton Township which made it illegal, and a new election was ordered early in 1882. in which the project met with defeat. The tax has been ordered by the County Supervisors in accordance with the old vote in Bluffton ; it may be left to the courts to decide whether it shall be collected. Decorah will probably have another railroad connection before long, but just how soon is not yet determined. The continuation of ^he Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail- way from Conover, north to Ridgway and St. Paul, when Conover lost the "boom which had made it a busy, bustling little city; the continuation of the Iowa & Dakota division from Calmar west- ward to Fort Atkinson and beyond in 1869, and the recent com- pletion of the line between Calmar and Davenport, are matters to be referred to elsewhere, more especially in the sketches of the towns named. OL'E PRODUCTS. Since the county became settled, until the last five years, wheat has been the principal product, and though the larger portion of the wheat has been shipped in bulk, there are now in this county six mills devoted wholly or in part to the manufacture of flour for eastern markets, while sixteen more are devoted to custom work. The fine water powers with which the county abounds, give ample facilities for these and other manufactories. Within the past two or three years more attention has been given to dairying and stock raising, and this county promises to become, as it is well adapted to be, one of the finest in the coun- try for this purpose. Already its stock farms and its creameries have become famous. Of these and various other industries, the woolen mill, scale factory, paper mill, extensive stone quarries, etc., further mention will be found in our sketch of Decorah and other townships in the county. EDUCATIONAL AND LITERARY. In educational progress this county has kept well in the front. Besides the excellent public schools, there are private ones, promi- nent among which is the Decorah Institute, under the excellent management of Prof. Breckenridge, attracting a large attendance of pupils from abroad. This, as well as the Norwegian Lutheran HISTORY OF WINNBSHIEK COUNTY. 221 College, located at Deborah, with its fine, large building costing f 100,000, its nine professors, and its regular attendance of nearly two hundred students, are more particularly described in a follow- ing chapter giving the history of Decorah. The first newspaper in the county has already been mentioned. Decorah has had fully a score of them, and now has several Eng- glish and one Norwegian newspaper, besides the religious and literary periodicals issued by the Norwegian College publishing house. Calmar and Ossian have had successive ones which have failed, but they now have one each. These newspaper ventures will be mentioned more particularly in the sketches of the several towns. GRATIFYING SHOWING}. The following from the Decorah Republican gives a compre- hensive view of the growth and prosperity of the county, finan- cially, educationally and otherwise: The growth of Winneshiek County in wealth and evidences of material prosperity, has been steady and rapid. In 1852, the assessment of the county only represented an actual value in both real and personal property of f 81, 000, while our present assessments represents an actual value in round numbers of $15,500,000. In this are included 18,270 cattle over six months old, representing a cash value of f 310,000; 11,188 horses, representing a cash value of $884,000; and 23,567 swine, representing an actual value of $20,000. The total tax levied for the year 1880, for all purposes includ- ing State, County, School and Municipal, was $104,745.95 of which $36,456.28 was for the support of schools alone. The last annual report of the County Superintendent of Pilblic Schools showed that there was in the hands of different district treasurers in the county, school money to defray current expenses aggregat- ing nearly $30,000 The financial management of the county has always been con- servative. Such a thing as a bonded debt has never been per- mitted, and at no time in the history of the county has the float- ing debt been so large but that it was easily paid by ordinary financiering. There is now no debt whatever against the county, and settlers are not sought as a financial relief. On the contrary, we invite them to a home where all the early wants have been met and supplied. With no debt existing, the county possesses such requisities in the shape of public buildings and property as these: A substantial Court House, ample for the needs of the next twenty years; a good Poor House and farm for the support of its needy; and a jail—one of the best and safest in the state — for the restraint of the crimi- nal class. For the education of its children, there are already built 92 frame, 30 brick, and 14 stone school houses, ranging in 222 HISTORY OF •WIN1SE3HIEK COUNTY. value from a few hundred dollars up to $20,000. By an appraise- ment made last year, the total worth of these houses was esti- mated at $117,150. Of the original log structures, erected by the pioneers, but two remain. The streams of the county are spanned by bridges of all kinds, representing an actual outlay of nearly a quarter -million dollars. Thirty-eight of these are iron bridges, fourteen are stone-arch, four of combined iron and wood, and the remainder are substan- tial wooden superstructures upon solid stone abutments. , Of private buildings for public use an even better record can be made. The church buildings number nearly two score, or one to every 650 of population. Those of the Methodist denomination are most numerous, being a round dozen in number; but those of the Norwegian Lutherans (eight in number) are the largest and most costly. The Catholics have six structures, all large and fine buildings. The remainder are divided among the different sects, representing the Congregationalists, Friends, Episcopalians, Ad- ventists and Universalists. In a few cases, and only a few, a church debt exists, but of a trivial amount. This is the work of but little more than a quarter of a century. It is no longer a pioneer region. The foundations are all laid — and well laid — for a broad and intelligent civilization, and the full enjoyments of all the comforts and few of the deprivations of life in a land which, if not "flowing with milk and honey," is rich in all the elements of agricultural wealth. POPULATIOK. This review is fittingly supplemented with the following from the United States Census of Winneshiek county, for 1880: Bloomfield Township, including village of Castalia 1,010 *Castalia village 108 Bluffton township, including village of Bluffton 807 *Blufeton village 102 Burr Oak Township, including village of Burr Oak 826 *Burr Oak village 199 Calmar Township, including the foil Dwing places 2,043 *Gonover village 168 Calmar town , 617 *SpillTille village 340 Canoe Township 991 Decorah Township, including the following places 4,559 Decorah City, including West Decorah 3,524 Frankville Township, including village of FrankviUe 970 *Frankville village 158 Fremont Township, including village of Kendallville 692 *Kendallville village 75 Glenwood Township 1,190 Hesper Township, including village of Hesper 1,000 *Hesper village 212 Highland Township 782 Jackson Township 797 Lincoln Township , . . 992 HISTOEY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY, 223 Madison Township 781 Military Township, including town of Ossian 1,521 Ossian town 444 Orleans Township 636 Pleasant Township 929 Springfield Township 1,037 Sumner Township 863 Washington Township, including the following villages 1,509 *Festina village 127 *Forfc Atkinson village 435 Total 28,937 * Unincorporated villages . CHAPTER VIT. The War for the Union; Prompt Response to Calls; the First Company and its Glorious Becord; Battle of Shiloh; Surren- der of Vichshurg; Battle of Atlanta; Our Heroic Dead and Wounded; Other Companies from Winneshiek County; the March to the Sea; Gallant Deeds to the Final Battle of the War; the Wounded Living and the Martyred Dead. Winneshiek County may well remember with pride the patriot- ism of her devoted sons in the war for the Union. Immediately on the report of the attack of the rebels on Fort Sumter, men stood ready to respond to the call of the Government for troops, and within a week steps were taken, at a public meeting held at the Court House, to organize and offer a military company to the Government. That the people as well as officials of the county were prompt to encourage those who should step forward for their country's service, and care for the families they left behind, is shown by the following resolutions which were passed at the time by the County Board of Supervisors, and which were fully carried out: '■^Resolved, That under the present aspect of national affairs it is the duty of every community to do its share toward the de- fense of our common country. ^^Besolved, That it is the duty of the county to drill and cause to be equipped at least one company of men ; that in order to do so an appropriation by the county, enabling every person to aid in his due proportion in the common defense, is most just and equitable; that the men who risk their lives and spend their time should be provided with the means to be of service as soldiers, and that an appropriation made in pursuance hereof should have pre- cedence uf all other claims; therefore. 224 HISTORY OB WIKNESHIEK COUNTY. ^^ Resolved, That the county funds now in the hands of the treas- urer of Winneshiek County, be and the same are hereby appropri- ated, not exceeding the sum of $2,000 for the purpose of equipping the military company known as the 'Decorah Guard', and that the Clerk of the District Court be and he is hereby authorized to issue county warrants to Levi BuUis, D. H. Hughes and C. C. Tupper, who shall constitute a committee for the negotiation of said county warrants, and the purchase of said equipments, the said committee first giving bonds to said county, conditioned that the said appropriation be used for the purpose designed, faithfully and truly. '■'■Resolved, that the families of each member of the 'Decorah Guard' receive the following weekly allowance during their term of service, viz: Three dollars per week for the wife, and one dol- lar per week for each child, to the extent of three." Many of the actors in those stirring scenes are men from among us, while several who remained at home contributed these resolu- tions to Spark's History, and to it we shall be indebted for most of the remainder of this chapter. On the 20th of April, 1861, just six days after the booming of cannon, heard at Sumpter, had sounded the alarm of civil war, a meeting of the patriotic citizens of Winneshiek County, and Decorah in particular, was held in the Court House. It was held for the purpose of giving expression to the outraged feelings of a liberty-loving people at the atrocious stroke made against human freedom and American liberty, and to declare their adhesion to the old flag that waved from the Court House dome above them. The brave who died in the mountains of Arkansas, the marshes of Louisiana, the rocky fastnesses of Georgia, and the swamps of Carolina, are remembered less vividly by their old comrades as year by year passes away, and when this generation has gone there will be few to recall the names of the youthful heroes of Winneshiek County who faced fatigue and sickness, steel and ball, and died in the fierce front of battle, facing the foe, or fell victims to malarious diseases. But while their individual memo- ries will have perished, the cause for which they died, the cause for which they perished, the cause of liberty and humanity will remain, and future generations will derive fresh courage to struggle for the right from the glorious example of the citizen- soldiers who crushed the "Great Rebellion." It was Abraham Lincoln, our noble, martyred President, who said at Gettysburg, "The world will not long remember what we may say here, but they can never forget what we have done here." And it is a fitting thing that the custom of observance of May 30, of last year, as Decoration Day, has been established; a day when we can strew with flowers the graves of those who sleep in our cemeteries, and revive the memories of those who sleep in HISTORY OF WINU^ESHIEK COUifTT. 225 distant or unknown graves, holding the names of them all in grateful recollection, and rendering more precious the heritage they have transmitted to us and to our children. The meeting was called to order, and Capt. John H. Simpson made chairman. This distinction was paid the aged gentleman because of his efficiency in commanding and his co-operation with the first militia company ever organized in Decorah. Capt. John H. Simpson was born in Ganston, England, March 22, 1796, and died at Decorah, July 2, 1869. He had been a mem- ber of the Royal Life Guards (Body Guard of the King) and as one of the battalion, was on his way to the field when the battle of Waterloo was fought. In 1828 he came to America and set- tled in New York City. He came to Decorah in 1850, and here for thirteen years he lived an honest, blameless life. He was elected Captain of the Decorah Guards on the formation of the company in 1859. There are men yet living in Winneshiek County who remem- ber the memorable meeting over which he presided, and how his patriotism gave vent, in the greatest effort of his life, in a patri- otic speech that sent the blood tingling through the veins of every listener. In this speech he tendered the remainder of his life for the defense of his country, though the snows of 65 winters rested on his brow. He was not accepted. Younger men, with stronger sinews and harder muscles, volunteered their ser- vices. DECOEAH GUARDS. But one week intervened before there was a reorganization of the Decorah Guards, and men better fitted for the hardships of a soldier's life superceded the members of the original company. The Decorah Guards, as they originally were, uaderwent a com- plete transformation, only three of the old company being re- tained in the ranks of the new organization. The old officers re- signed, and new ones were elected. This was the first company of men in Winneshiek County to enlist in defence of the stars and stripes. They were men in the full vigor of life, men of sterling worth, the very fiower of our young county, as the fol- lowing summary of the company indicates : The oldest men in the company (two of them) were aged 36, one 34, one 32, one 31, one 30, one 29, two 28, three 27, three 26, six 25, eight 24, sev- en 23, ten 22, nine 21, nine 20, eleven 19, ten 18, making a total of officers and men of 85, with an average of 22 years, 8 months and 22 days. The company was known as the Decorah Guards, until mus- tered into the service; then they assumed the name of Company D, Third Regiment of Iowa Volunteer.^. The officers of the new company were: 226 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. Captain— G. R. Willett. First Lieutenant — Emilius I. Weiser. Second Lieutenant — Ole A. Anderson. Orderly Sergeant — Geo. McKay. Second" Sergeant — A. H. McMurtrie. Third Sergeant— C. W. Burdick. Fourth Sergeant — Robert Ray. First Corporal — E. M. Farnsworth. Second Corporal — Milton Ross. Third Corporal — Charles. P. Brown. Fourth Corporal — Joseph S. Neff. This company was enrolled in Winneshiek County, and ordered into quarters by the Governor of the State, May 21, 1861. The company left Decorah for Keokuk, their rendezvous. May 28, 1861, and was mustered into the United States service June 10, 1861. The date of the company's departure from Decorah for the scenes of war will remain a memorable one in the recollection of the hundreds of citizens who met on Court House Square to bid the boys a last iarwell. The ladies had prepared a beautiful flag, which was presented to the company by Miss Carrie McNair, whom I feel compelled to more than casually mention; and in or- der to do so I shall be obliged to digress from the main subject. Carrie McNair was born in Livingston County, N. Y., about the year 1832. She came to Decorah in the year 1860, at that period in our national existence whea the very atmosphere was deadened with treasonable imprecations against the Union, and when the cloud of rebellion had so spread its mammoth proportions as to nearly obscure the bright sunlight of freedom. Being a woman of strong emotional nature, a lover of liberty and union, she early indentified herself with the Union side of the controversy that then threatened a separation of states; consequently, out of respect and appreciation of her noble nature, and her sympathy with the Union, she was chosen, of all other women, better fitted to make the presentation. In 1862, following the many bloody battles, and not infrequent disastrous engagements. Miss McNair felt that there was need of her services in the crowded hospitals. With a heartfelt desire to render the Union any services in her power, and an anxiety and willingness to alleviate the sufferings of brave men who had fallen wounded in their country's cause, she became a nurse in a soldiers' hospital at St. Louis. She served in this capacity until the end of the war, and furnished aid and comfort to thousands of poor unfortunates. Following the presentation of the flag, there was a presentation of Bibles and Testaments. The scene was such as never had oc- cured before, and was solemn, impressive and trying. The Company, in vehicles, pursued their course to McGregor, and from thence to Keokuk, and from here, soon after, they were transported to scenes of active service, in Missouri. HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 227 The first hard fought battle that the Company engaged in was at Blue Mills, September 7, 1861, although previous to this they had been engaged in many hotly contested skirmishes. In the battle of Blue Mills the Unionists were driven back. Wm. B. Miller, of Company D, was killed in this engagement and Capt. Willett, Second Lieut. Ole Anderson, and private Wm. B. Heckert, was seriously wounded. Capt. Willet's wound occa^ sioned his resignation, and the promotion of Lieut. E. I. Weiser to the captaincy of the Company. Lieut Anderson fell, wounded in the temple, and was left on the field for dead. Company D having been obliged to retreat, he fell into the enemy's hands. His body was stripped of all its clothing but its pants, and he was robbed of everything by the rebels. The next day after the battle the rebels were obliged to retreat, and then Company D reclaimed his body. Lieut. An- derson lay unconcious three weeks, and it was a question for a long time afterwards whether he would survive or not. He en- tered the army a perfect athlete, and a perfect man, physicially and mentally, and to-day, from the efiect of that wound, incurred at the cost of duty and bravery, he is a mere wreck of his former self. As an officer he was efficient and brave to a fault. The battle of Shiloh, fought on the 6th and 7th of April, 1862, was the next great conflict in which Company D participated. Un- der the hottest fire and amid the most trying scenes. Company D behaved itself with coolness and bravery. After passing through that fiery ordeal, a summary of the loss it sustained showed the following: Killed — Edward Knapp, Hans H. Stenson, and Sam- uel D. Smith. Wounded — Capt. E. I. Weiser, Corp. J. H. Farber, Geo. H. Culver, Jas. S. Daskam, Hans Gulbrandson, Thos. Heath, Peter B. Hulverson, Knudt Knudson, Matthew Kellogg, Gilbert Knudson, Henry H. Sheldso, Geo. H. Kelley, John Jas. Fisher, Hiram S. Daskam. The battle of Hatchie, fought on the 5th of October, was the scene of the next hotly contested engagement in which Company D took an active part. The company lost the following: Wounded — Capt. E. I. Weiser,, Corp. C. C. Watson, Geo. Culver, Martin E. Oleson (mor- tally), and Martin Pepper. In the battle of Hatchie the second Captain of Company D was made incapable for active service by a rebel bullet. Captain E. I. Weiser was born in York, Pa., April 10, 1835, and emigrated from the place of his nativity to Decorah in 1856. Being possessed with a warm heart and a genial nature, and a patriotic love of country, the threats of war against the Union aroused his impulsive nature to a desire to make any sacrifice — hardship, suffering, even life itself — in his country's cause. As a result, when the first cry of a distressed country was heard, call- ing on her sons for protection against the assaults of traitors, 228 HisTOET or ■vvinneshiek county. Capt. E. I. Weiser was the first and foremost of her patriots in Winneshiek County to respond. Capt. E. I. Weiser was the first man to enlist from Winneshiek County in his country's service in the late civil war. He enlisted as a high private in Company D, and was elected first Lieutenant at the first election held by the company. Capt. E. I. Weiser participated in many warm skirmishes and two hard-foughtibattles. He was wounded at Shiloh; also at Hatchie, on the 5th of October, 1862. The wound he received at Hatchie disabled him from further active military service during the war. Eight months he was detained in the hospital by his wound, and seven of these eight months he was compelled to lie in one position — on his back. He was with his company one week while it was at Memphis. While here the boys of Company D presented him with a silver pitcher, as a mark of their regard and the appreciation they had for him as a soldier and com- mander. Capt. Weiser was brave, cool, efficient, and possessed all the noble attributes requisite in a successful commander. His physical disability is a glorious certificate of his bravery. Company D next went to Memphis where it remained six months, and from thence to Vicksburg. They were engaged in the siege of Vicksburg up to the date of its surrender. Vicksburg surrendered July 4, 1863. The white flag was raised on every fort at 9 A. M. on the 3d. The rebels sent out a flag of truce, and wished to surrender on conditions. Gen. Grant sent back word that nothing but an unconditional surrender would be accepted. On the 3d, when the white flags were hoisted, all firing ceased. The rebels came outside of -their works and held a sociable with our boys. On the 4th of July, at 10 A. m., the rebels marched outside of their works, were drawn up in a line, and stacked their arms, and promptly at 11 A. m. the stars and stripes proudly floated over the rebel works. In this siege, on the 26th of June, Thomas Kelly, of Company D, was mortally wounded. He lived about a week, having won, in dying, the honor of being the bravest among the brave. The Third regiment received orders on the 6th to take up their line of march for Black River, to look after Johns- ton, who, with a large force had been prowling in the rear. On the 12th of July, 1863, about 225 men of the Third Iowa, among which number were many of Company D, made an assault on rebel works, behind which were ensconsed about 10,000 of Johnston's men. The result of the assaultfwas a whirlwind of death. In the first volley fired by the enemy 125 out of the original 225 were almost instantly mowed down. There were about 800 men engaged, but 225 who ventured right into the jaws of this fiery hell. The commander in charge was immediate- ly relieved of command. HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNXT. 229 On the 7th of July Johnston evacuated Jackson, the scene of the last engagement, and here, in rebel hospitals, were found the wounded who had survived the disastrous charge of the 12th inst. Among the number was Lieut McMurtrie, who had both legs broken by rebel shots. His right leg had been wounded with a piece of shell, and • was so badly shattered that amputation was necessary. The left leg had been broken by a minie ball. It was found necessary, on the 21st of July, to remove the wounded to Vicksburg. The journey had to be made in ambu- lances. Lieutenant McMurtrie was among the unfortunates that had to submit to the removal. Words cannot express the suffering this trip entailed upon him in his weakened condi- tution. On the 23d he was placed on a hospital boat to be sent north, but died before the boat left the wharf, at 2 p. m., July 25, 1863. Lieut. McMurtrie was born at Homer, Michigan, June 30, 1837. He cam? to Iowa in 1856. He was promoted First Lieutenant of Company D, May 21, 1862. Lieut. McMurtrie was endowed with a great moral character, which lost none of its noble attributes by his army career. He died a brave soldier, lamented by his comrades in arms and all who knew him. C. W. Burdick was promoted First Lieutenant, to fill the va- cancy caused by Lieut. McMurtrie's death, which post of duty he held from that time until his three years enlistment had expired. At this time Lieut. Burdick was the only commissioned officer in the company. During three years' service, Lieut. Burdick was off duty but twelve days. He took an active part in every skirmish and battle in which his company was engaged, and was never touched by an enemy's fire. Few men, and I doubt if any, in Iowa can show a better record than this. The engagement at Jackson was the last of any note in which Company D took an active part. The time of enlistment of Com- pany D expired on the 10th of June, 1864. The Company was stationed at Kingston, Georgia. All that did not re-enlist, started home to be mustered out of the service. Many of the boys re- mained. At the memorable battle of Atlanta, fought July 22d, the Third Iowa literally fought itself to death. . The boys of the Third and Company D went into this battle with that Spartan valor that had characterized them, individually and collectively, in many a hard fought engagement. As the battle grew raging hot and desperate, a handful of our undaunted men, among whom were a remnant of Company D, gathered amidst the pelting shower of shot and shell, and there around our flag and banner they stood its guard in the most perilous mom- ents. The color-bearer, the bravest of the brave, relinquished his hold by death alone. Still the mass stood there fighting madly 230 HISTORY OF WISNESHIEK COUNTY. for its defence. Their number fast decreasing by death, their hopes began to fail, and as they surrendered themselves to the enemy, they tore the emblem of our nationality, and regimental designation, into pieces and into shreds, which concealed, they proudly brought back to us, untouched and unsoiled by impious and traitorous hands. COMPANY H — "lOWA GREY HOUNDS." Company H, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, was organized at Decorah, in the months of August and September, 1861, and was mustered into service at Dubuque, on the 24th of September, the same year. After remaining at Camp Union, Dubuque, until the middle of October, the Regiment was sent to St. Louis, and went into camp at Benton Barracks. A few weeks were passed in the usual rou- tine of camp duty, when the regiment was ordered to Pacific City, Missouri, and passed some little time in guarding railroads and arresting guerillas. During this time the regiment was perfecting its discipline; and the diseases incidental to the climate and season, joined to the hardships of camp life, were thinning the ranks of all men who were deficient in physicial vigor. When the expedition against Price was organized, the Ninth was ordered to RoUa, Mo., and after a week spent in camp at that place, started on the march for Springfield. The march was made in winter, and the crossing of the Gasconade, the roads knee-deep in mud, and the cold, inclement weather tested the endurance of the men, and when the regiment was placed in the advance, after the capture of Springfield, it earned its title, "The Iowa Grey- hounds," by marching 135 miles in four days in pursuit of Price. Company H received its "baptism of fire" at Pea Ridge, and the day before the fight marched forty miles on a half-pint of corn- meal to the man. It mustered fifty-two men when the fight opened; twenty-two were unwounded at the close of the struggle. On that field the boys, most of them beardless, who six months before were laboring on farms and in workshops, showed them- selves able to defeat the practiced riflemen of Missouri and Arkan- sas, the Rangers of Texas, and the trained regiments of Louisiana. The march across Arkansas, in the summer of 1862, followed the conflict at Pea Ridge. Some time was passed in camp Helena, and in December the regiment took part in the first attack on Vicksburg. The expedition up the dark Yazoo and its unfortu- nate results, were amply avenged at Arkansas Post, January 10, 1863. In all the operations that culminated in the capture of Vicks- burg the Ninth was actively engaged — from digging in the canal to storming rifie-pits and batteries. And in the charge on the 22d of May, Company H lost eighteen men killed and wounded out of a total twenty-six men in action, and of these nine were HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 231 killed on the field or mortally wounded. From Vicksburgto Jack- son, thence back to Vicksburg, up the river to Memphis, thence to Tuscumbia, where a severe conflict took place, then up the sides of Lookout Mountain, under the lead of Osterhaus, followed by a rapid pursuit of the routed f.oes, and the fight at Ringgold, is a brief outline of the work Company H took p^rt in during 1863. The majority of the company re-enlisted as veterans, and after their return from furlough the boys found themselves a part of the mighty host Sherman was about to lead "to the sea." For seventy days from the opening of this memorable campaign, members of Company H who participated in the operations, were constantly under fire, with perhaps slight intermission prior to the crossing of the Chattahoochee. The fights at Resaca, New Hope Church, Burnt Hickory and Kenesaw Mountain, showed the valor and discipline of the Ninth. On the 22d of July the Ninth was one of the [owa regiments that, under the eye of Sherman, recaptured the battery of DeGress, and drove the rebels, at the bayonets' point, from the entrenched line they had wrested from the loyalists. At Ezra's Church, on the 28th of July, and at Jonesboro, where the fate of Atlanta was decided, the boys of Company H were actively engaged . After the capture of Atlanta and the pursuit of Hood, who was left to the "tender mercies" of Thomas, the boys followed Sher- man to the sea, and Company H furnished its full quota of able and accomplished "bummers." From Savannah the company marched through the Carolinas, taking part in any "little un- pleasantness" that came in the way, and actively participating in the closing fight at Bentonville. After resting a few days at Raleigh, the regiment marched to Washington and took part in the "Grand Review," and was shortly after mustered out of the service at Louisville, Ky. That Company H did its whole duty, the following figures, ta- ken from the Adjutant General's Report, prove: Company H, 9tli Iowa — Total killed and wounded 53 Total killed and died of wounds 19 Company D, 3d Iowa — Total killed and wounded 33 Total killed and died of wounds 9 Company G, 12th Iowa — Total killed and wounded 9 Total killed and died of wounds 4 Company E, 38tli Iowa — Total killed and wounded Company K, 38tli Iowa — Total killed and wounded 1 Total killed and died of wounds 1 Company D, 38tli Iowa — Total killed and wounded 1 Total killed and died of wounds 1 The above table shows the extent of the loss sustained by Com- pany H in battle, as compared with the reported losses of the other companies organized in this county from the same cause. I do not think the above figures do full justice to Companies E, K 232 HISTORY OF WINKESHIEK COUKTT. and D, Thirty-Eighth Iowa, for no regiment organized in the country suffered to such an extent by disease. Stationed in local- ities whereto breathe the air was to inhale death, the boys of Com- pany E, D and K performed their- allotted duty, sustained by naught save the feeling of patriotism, and faced death uncheered by "the shout of yictory, the rapture of the strife." Died of disease: Company D, 3d Iowa, 10; Company H, 9th Iowa, 15; Company G. 12th Iowa, 17; Company E, 38th Iowa, 34; Company D, 38th Iowa, 37; Company K, 38th Iowa, 37. Company H, at the time it was mustered in, was commanded by M. A. Moore, who achieved no particular distinction. He re- signed in the spring of 1863, and was succeeded by 0. M. Bliss, who enlisted as a private and secured promotion by meritorious services. Capt. Bliss was as true a soldier as ever drew a sword. Brave, earnest and patriotic, he "dared to lead where any dared to follow." After facing death on twenty fields he died from in- juries received by a fall from his horse while acting as Major, af- ter the capture of Atlanta. J. H. Phillips succeeded to the cap- taincy, and commanded the company until its service was ended. In writing this brief sketch of the career of Company H, em- bracing a period of nearly four years, and services performed in eight States, from the Ozark Mountains to the Atlantic Ocean, a hundred incidents and memories crowd on the mind that space will not permit me to relate. Nearly sixteen years have elapsed since "we took the oath of muster with right hand raised to heav- en," and in looking back, the boys of Company H will instinctive- ly date their memory of army life from the bitter, persistent struggle in the wild ravines of the Ozark, where their first blood was shed. And during all subsequent campaigning, Pea Eidge was the standard whereby to measure the severity of the conflict. And the boys of the Ninth will ever remember, with proud grati- fication, the tribute their valor received from the ladies of Boston — a stand of colors emblazoned with the name of their fiercest battle. COMPANY G, TWELFTH IOWA. The third company raised in the county was one that became Company G, Twelfth Iowa. It was enrolled at Decorah in Sep- tember, 1861, ordered into quarters at Dubuque, September 30, and mustered into the United States service November 5, 1861. It was officered as follows: Captain — C. C. Tupper. First Lieutenant — L. D. Townsley. Second Lieutenant — J. F. Nickerson. Orderly Sergeant — J. E. Simpson. The company became a portion of the regiment from the date of its muster in, and from that time on until disbanded always acted well its part. Company G was noted in its regiment for its HISTOKT OF WINKESHIEK COUNTY. 233 excellent moral status and soldierly efficiency. It saw hard ser- vice, and took an active part in the following hotly-contected bat- tles: Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Jackson siege and capture, Brandon, Tupelo, Nashville, and Breatwood Hill. Besides these battles, the company did excellent service as skirmishers. The company early met with a severe loss in the death of its first captain, C. C. Tupper. Captain C. C. Tupper was born at Auburn, New York, Decem- ber 24, 1832, and came to Decorah in May, 1857. He had re- ceived a liberal education, and prior to taking a ^residence in Iowa had served as agent of the Associated Press and local manager of the telegraph offices at Buffalo and St. Louis. He was admitted to the bar soon after his arrival, but for a brief time edited the De- corah Journal, a Democratic newspaper. When the war broke out he took an active and intensely patriotic interest in every movement. Military life was always attractive to him, and he was unusually well versed in the manual of arms. He assisted in organizing the two companies from Winneshiek County that found place in the Third and Ninth regiments, and helped pre- pare them for the field. When it became evident that a third company must be drawn from the county, all eyes turned toward Captain Tupper to take its lead. Although of a frail constitution, and physically unfitted for the severe trials of army life, his patri- otism overrode all prudence, and he consented. The company was rapidly recruited, and assigned to the Twelfth Regiment of Iowa Volunteers. But Capt. Tupper's association with the com- pany was only a brief one. He was idolized by his men, beloved by all his associate officers, and thoroughly respected by his super- iors. But these could not protect and defend him from disease and death. While going from Dubuque to St. Louis with the regiment he caught a severe cold, and in six weeks died at Benton Barracks, in St. Louis, a victim of capilliary bronchitis. In his death the terrible evils of war was first brought directly home to the community of which he had been a member. He had been the leader in the best social circles, the active abettor of every public enterprise, and his death carried sadness and mourning to almost every, household in the county. Of friends who mourned his death there were scores upon scores; of enemies, none. The sad event narrated above necessitated the promotion of Lieut. L. D. Townsley to the captaincy of the company, which office he held until mustered out of the service, November 25, 1864. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, in which engagement he sustained a severe wound in the left arm, and suf- fered with the rest of his brother officers the hardships of prison life. After his exchange he was often employed in important de- tached duties, which he always filled with credit to himself and country. He served out his entire term of service, and is now re- siding in Chicago. 234 HISTOET OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. Lieut. J. F. Nickerson was made First Lieutenant, and was stunned at the battle of Fort Donelson with what was supposed to be a solid shot from the enemy's batteries. From this he never recovered, was sick and ill the morning of the Shiloh fight, but persisted in going out with his company to the front, was taken prisoner, and died in rebel prison at Montgomery, Ala., May 31, 1862. Kind but firm, a noble, brave man, beloved by his friends and all who knew him, a martyr to the cause. Orderly Sergeant J. E. Simpson was promoted to be Second Lieutenant, but resigned on account of ill-health in 1862, and is now living in Decorah. A. A. Burdick, Second Sergeant, was made Orderly and then First Lieutenant, and was killed at the battle of Tupelo, July 14, 1864. He was the Quartermaster of the regiment, and had been ■ordered to the rear with his train; but after seeing his wagons properly "parked" he came to the front, and volunteered to assist in bringing forward ammunition. While thus engaged he was struck by a shell and instantly killed. He died as a soldier would wish to die, with his face to the enemy and in the heat of battle. Lamented and mourned by all who knew him, no better man or braver soldier ever offered up his life that his country might be ■saved. Anton E. Anderson, Third Sergeant, became Second Lieutenant, served with credit to himself until mustered out, at expiration of term of service, December, 1864, and died at his farm, some years after the war, near Eldorado, Iowa. Robert A. Gibson, Fifth Sergeant, became Orderly Sergeant, March 27, 1863, was promoted to First Lieutenant December 2, 1864, became Captain of his company January 23, 1865, and for a time was Captain and Provost Marshal at Selma, Ala., and served ■with great credit to himself to the end of the war. He was then appointed Second Lieutenant in the regular army, and was killed by the accidental discharge of a pistol at Fort Randall in 1867. Jacob H. Womeldorf , First Corporal, became Fifth Sergeant, -was taken prisoner with his company at Shiloh; was held prisoner for some time, and suffered great hardships that so broke down his health as to compel him to return home in 1863. He was after- ward Sheriff of Winneshiek County. Nelson B. Burdick was Eighth Corporal, and but a youth at school when he went into the service. He contracted the measles at Benton Barracks, and was never well afterwards. He took part in the battles of Fort Henry, Donelson and Shiloh. Warm- hearted, generous towards all, he became a universal favorite. The hardships endured in rebel prisons were to much for his impaired irame. He reached home and died among his friends. "He has fougM his last battle; No sound can awake him to glory again." , p. . 1 .3 .^-*' r^ * ^'j} .^^--^.^W«;.-X>^ HISTOKT OS WIlfNESHIEK COUNTY. 237 John Steen, private, became Quartermaster Sergeant in 1864, and his whole term of service to the end was marked with ability and efficiency. Since the war he has held several positions of re- sponsibility and trust, and is now living at Fremont, Neb. The regiment was ordered to Davenport for final pay and dis- charge Jan. 25, 1866. THREE MORE COMPAmES. In 1863 Winneshiek County again came to the front and con- tributed, for the suppression of the rebellion, three companies in addition to the brave men she had before sent. The companies were, respectively, D, K, and E, and formed a part of the Thirty- Eighth Regiment. Henry A. Cleghorn was Captain of Company E. Company K was officered as follows: Captain — Samuel B. Califf. First Lieutenant^Levi Freeman. The officers of Company D were: Captain — George R. Humphreys. First Lieutenant — Newton Richards. Second Lieutenant — E. J. Barker. These companies were mustered into service at Camp Randall, Dubuque, Iowa. From here they were transferred to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., where they spent Christmas and New Years, 1863-4. They were next transferred to Fort Thompson, which they retained charge of nearly six months. The Thirty-Eighth Regiment was next transferred to the main forces then besieging Vicksburg. In this siege the Thirty- Eighth, including the three companies from Winneshiek County, formed the extreme left of the Union line. Their position was in the very heart of a malarious swamp, and here was contracted the germ of a disease which afterwards carried off these brave men by the hundreds. Within ten days after the surrender of Vicksburg the Thirty-Eighth was ordered to Yazoo City, on the Yazoo River. At Yazoo City the regiment remained about a week. While there the disease bred in the swamp opposite Vicks- burg began to break out, and many men died. The regiment re- turned to Vicksburg. They were next ordered to Port Hudson to aid in the subjugation of that place, but did not reach the scene of action until the stronghold had fallen. The Thirty- Eighth remained at Port Hudson about a month, and while here the disease contracted in the swamps broke out in all its viru- lence. So universal was the prostration of the soldiers, that dur- ing the month, there were on an average from three to fifteen only in the whole regiment that reported able for duty. Almost hourly the death of a companion in arms was announced to his sick and dying comrades. It was while lying here that the regi- ment met with its severest losses. Here it was they lost their belo^"ed Colonel. 15 238 HISTOaT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. D. H. Hughes was commissioned Colonel of the Thirty- Eighth Regiment by Gov. Samuel Kirkwood. He was born in Jefferson County, New York, September, 1831, and died Aug. 7, 1863. He died from the disease which carried almost universal death to his entire regiment. Col. Hughes graduated at the Al- bany Normal Institute in 1853. In 1854 he was employed on the Prairie Farmer, Chicago. He married Adaliza Matteson, in Waterlown, Jefferson County, N. Y., in March, 1855, and imme- diately thereafter came to Decorah, engaging in the practice of law. Col. Hughes was a man of commanding stature, fine pres- ence, the soul of honor, and became a lawyer of considerable re- 5ute. He was a Democrat in politics, but was elected County udge of Winneshiek County in the fall of 1859, notwithstand- ing the county then, as now, was of strong Hepublican complex- ion. He was the candidate of his party for State Senator in the fall of 1861, and only failed of an election of nine votes. The Colonel was a War Democrat from the outset, and pending the consideration of a petition of prominent Republicans and Demo- crats to become an independent candidate for Judge of the Dis- trict Court of the Tenth Judicial District, hearing the cry of his country for more troops, Judge Hughes promptly cast aside his political opportunity to enter upon a patriotic duty; and, warmly espousing her cause, made a stirring canvass of the county in that behalf, and thus drifted into the army. Col. Hughes, while stationed at New Madrid, was called to St. Louis as Judge Advocate in some trials then pending, and from his bearing on that occasion, and the ability he displayed, upon the conclusion of the trials the Court (and it was a Court of strangers to him, too) unanimously recommended his promotion to Brigadier-Greneral, which document, however, he would not al- low to go forward, alleging as a reason his brief experience as a military commander, and that there were already lives enough under his charge. Such was his modesty and noble character. Col. Hughes died respected and beloved by all his soldiers, and not more universal was the mourning in camp over the death of their commander than that of his host of friends at home. The Thirty-Eighth took their departure from Port Hudson for New Orleans, where they remained about three months. It was next transferred to Point Isabel, on the Rio Grande River. After leaving Port Hudson Company E was without a commissioned officer for nearly a year. The regiment was next sent to Browns- ville, Texas. While here Quartermaster T. R. Crandall was made Captain of Company E, and Walter Green was made its First Lieutenant. August, 186i, again found the regiment in New Orleans. From here it was sent to Morganzie Bend. While at Morganzie Bend the Thirty-Fourth and Thirty-Eighth were consolidated, and afterwards known as the Thirty-Fourth. The new regiment HISTOKT OF WINXESHIEK COUKTY. 239 numbered 1056 men. Company E, of Winneshiek, and Com- pany F, of Fayette, were likewise consolidated, and afterward known as Company K. Capt. Rogers, of Company F, and Lieu- tenant Green, were relieved of duty, and T. R. Crandall made Captain. H. T. Shumaker, of the original Company F, was made First Lieutenant, and 0. J. Clark made Second Lieutenant. Companies D and K were likewise consolidated. The Thirty- Fourth participated in the siege of Fort Gains and Fort Morgan, on Mobile Bay, and here it remained until these forts capitulated. The Thirty-Fourth was also present at the charge on Fort Fisher. The regiment was engaged in the last battle of the war, which was the taking of Fort Blakesly, the day before Lee's surrender. In this engagement, in just eighteen minutes, over 1,500 Union soldiers were slain and wounded. The regiment was mustered out of the service at Houston, Texas, but did not disband until it reached Davenport. COMPANY D, 6th IOWA CATALRT. Company D, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, was the last company donated to the Union cause by Winneshiek County. Although the men composing this company enlisted with the intention and expecta- tion of fighting rebels, they were transferred to other fields of duty — which was even more undesirable — that of fighting In- dians. The company was mustered into the United States ser- vice in February, 1863, with the following officers: Captain— T. W. Burdick. First Lieutenant — Sherman Page. Second Lieutenant — Timothy Finn. Orderly Sergeant — W. H. Fannon. The United States forces, in which was Company K, had several engagements with the Indians, each time coming out victorious, with great loss to the Indians and small loss to themselves. CHAPTER VIII. Record of Events from the First Settlement of Winneshiek County to the Present Time Chronologically Arranged. This chapter will be devoted largely to a brief review or chron- ology of prominent events in the history of the county, bringing them down to the present; omitting, however, the records of elec- tions and the officers elected in the county eachyear, as they are given for each successive year in Chapter V. We also omit some other things of which a regularly yearly record [is made in other 240 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. chapters, but ^ive a general chronological record of events of special prominence, going into details in matters not already des- cribed in other chapters. The Winnebago Indians, who occupied the territory now em- bracing Winneshiek County, when the white settlers first came in, and the Sacs and Foxes who precede the Winnebagoes, are sufficienty referred to in previous chapters of this volume. This chapter will take up the record from the time of the incoming of the whites. In 1840, Fort Atkinson was erected to provide headquarters for the supervision of the Winnebago Indians and to protect them from predatory bands from other tribes. The fort was commenced June 2, 1840. Details of its erection and history are given in the sketch of Fort Atkinson in another chapter. In June, 1842, Old Mission, about four miles southeast of Fort Atkinson, was established for the education of the Indians. In 1840 a government teamster froze to death between Joel Post's and Fort Atkinson. In 1841 Joel Post built the first log house at Postville, just out- side of our county limits. This cannot be properly received as the settlement of the county, but is given because of its close contiguity to us. The first events here briefly recorded, are generally given in more detail elsewhere in preceding or following chapters. June 6, 1841, the first white child, Mary Jane Tupper, was born at Fort Atkinson. In 1843, first grist mill, erected by Col. Thomas, of Old Mission. In 1846, Capt. E. V. Summer, afterwards General Summer, who commanded at the fort from the first, left to join the United States Army in the Mexican War, and Capt. James Morgan, of •Burlington, succeeded to the command of the infantry, and Capt. John Parker, of Dubuque, to the command of the cavalry. In 1847, Capt Morgan's company was mustered out, and Capt. Parker given charge of the fort till the Indians w^ere removed in 1848, In 1847, Gptlob and Gotleib Kruman and others are said to have come and settled near Fort Atkinson. Details are given else- where. There seems to be a little doubt about the exact date of their coming. In 1848 the Winnebago Indians were ordered removed, although some of them strayed back here, and the permanent settlement of the county commenced; for details of which, see earlier chap- ters and the township histories in succeeding chapters. Fort Atkinson was abandoned as a military post in 1848, but it remained m charge of the Government until 1853, when it was sold at auction. In 1849, first settlement of Decorah by Wm. Day and family — a notable event in county history. HISTORY OF WINlfESHIEK COUNTY. 241 Wm. Painter came here in 1849 and commenced running a small grist mill at the present site of the Spring Mill, or Dun- ning's mill, Decorah. First settlers at Moneek in July, 1849. The same year quite a number of other families settled in the county, as will be seen by records in first chapter. 1850. Settlements were made in what are now Decorah, Bloomfield, Springfield, Glenwood, Canoe, Pleasant, Madison, Frankville and Military townships. Burr Oak was probably settled at about the same time; for in the fall of 1851, Judge it. V. Burdick visited the place and found where the village of Burr Oak is now located, a hotel, a store. and a blacksmith shop. Judge Burdick also found, in 1850, at the present site of Spill- ville, Mr. Spillman to be the only settler; while at what is now Twin Springs or Festna, then, there was a saloon. The same year, 1850, the federal census was taken, showing a population of 570. First immigration of Norwegians took place this year. 1851. An act of the Legislature, organizing Winneshiek County, was approved Jan. 15, 1851. It appointed John L. Carson, Organiz- ing Sheriff, to assume duties March 1st. April 7, Decorah was elected to be the County Seat. [Interest- ing details of the fight with Moneek are given elsewhere.] In 1851, the first Post Office in the county, excepting those at Fort Atkinson and Old Mission, was established at Jamestown, in what is now Frankville township, James B. Cutler postmaster. His commission was dated Sept. 15, 1851. On Oct. 5, 1851, occurred the first marriage in the county — Johannes Evenson to Catharine Helen Anderson. Aug. 4, 1851, David Reed, who had cometothis county in 1848, was chosen County Judge, and held the position till 1855. Geo. Bachel, first CouHty Sheriff, and other county officers elec- ted, as recorded elsewhere. Hesper and Highland townships were settled this year. In Sept., 1851, the first County Court was opened at the log house of Wm. Day, Decorah. There being no business, it ad- journed to the first Monday in October, when the first marriage license was granted. The Heivly water power was improved by Mr. Painter and "Uncle Phillip" Morse, who arrived here in 1851, and built the saw mill, some of the ruins and the race which are to be seen be- tween the present Arlington House and the old stone grist mill. In July the first lawyer came to Decorah. 242 HISTORY OF WINKESHIEK COUNTY. This year also saw the first mercantile firm in Decorah, Aaron Newell and his partner, named Derrick. They opened their goods in the smoke house on the premises of the Winneshiek House, afterwards removed to a slab shanty, and soon built the first frame building in town — a store known as the Pioneer Store, which has since burned. It stood on the present site of the store of C. N. Goddard, on the southwest corner of Washington and Water Streets. This same year, 1851, came to Decorah the first minister of the gospel, Elder Bishop, preaching here monthly on a circuit de- scribed elsewhere. A few weeks afterwards a Congregational min- ister, A. M. Eastman, came and established monthly meetings at the log tavern. From these spring the Methodist and Congrega- tional churches of Decorah. The first mails came to Decorah in June, 1851. C. Day, post- master, and Lewis Harkins, mail carrier. 1852. Lincoln Township was settled during this year. At the April election 180 votes were cast in the county; at the August election 150. March 8, 1852, the County Court ordered elections to be held at three precincts; 1st, at the house of Wm. Day, Decorah; 2d, at the house of Francis Rogers, Lewisten, in the southwest part of the county; 3d, at the house of John DeCow, Moneek. For fur- her and later divisions of the county, see a preceding chapter. Moneek was surveyed and platted in January, but the plat was not recorded till November. The Pioneer Store building in Decorah commenced in 1851, was completed in 18o2, a public hall, known as Newell's Hall, be- ing in the second story. In August and September, there was built by Philip Morse, the first frame dwelling in Decorah, the one now occupied by Mr. Bonstell, not far from the Arlington House. The first term of District Court for this county was held in Decorah on Friday, July 9, 1852, Thos. S. Wilson, Judge. The first indictment found by the Grand Jury was against Francis Teabout, for gambling; the second against Philander S.Baker, for selling intoxicating liquors; the third was against James T. Moore, for gambling. Each were held to bail to the next term of court in the sum of $100.00. 1853. The number of votes cast in the county in April, 1853, was 224; and the number steadily increased in successive years, as will be seen by the record elsewhere. The present city of Decorah was surveyed and platted in Au- gust of this year. HISTOKY OF WIKN'ESHIEK COUNTY. 243 The village of Frankville was surveyed and platted in October. This year Ammon & Co. came to Decoraih and were the first to add steam power to our water power, finally resulting in their foundry, machine shop, and wagon manufactory. The government property at Fort Atkinson was this year sold at auction and Mr. Cooney, who was in 1852 appointed to take charge of the old fort and government buildings, found his "oc- cupation gone." In the winter of 1853-4 the first Bohemian settlers came in and settled not far from Fort Atkinson. To those settlers the present village of Spillville largely owes its existence. 1854. The village of Freeporfc was platted in May. The first building in Calmar was erected this year; and the vil- lage of Calmar was platted in November. The Decorah House was built this year, and also the Tremont House, which was burnt in 1857, and which stood on the site of the present Arlington House, Decorah. The famous Decorah hotel, the Winneshiek House, was built in 1854-5, and a part of it, rejuvenated and repaired, still remains as our popular hotel of the same name. 1855. Early this year Ossian was platted as a village, and the plat re- corded April 30th. . Decorah, which had become quite a village, received an addi- tional impetus by the Land Office being established here, the office being opened the day before Christmas, 1855. It was removed the following year, but much of the business which it brought remained. In the winter of 1855-6, there were nine banking houses in Decorah, two of which, the First National and the Winneshiek County Bank, are the outgrowth. 1856. This year witnessed the famous but unsuccessful fight of the then flourishing and enterprising village of Freeport to take the county seat from Decorah; this contest is told in detail elsewhere. A county loan of $6,000 was also voted this year to build a Court House at Decorah, the tax to be levied in the years 1857 and 1858. A special election was also held October 10, and the county voted $100,000 in bonds to aid in the building of the Northwest- ern Railroad; there being 926 votes case for the tax, and 505 against it. As the road was not built the county was not bur- dened with the tax. The year 1856 also gave the county its first newspaper, the De- corah Chronicle. It was edited and published by a man named 244 HISTORY OP WIN'JTESHIEK COUNTY. Tracy, but very soon Judge M. V. Burdiek became the editorial ■writer. It had its ups and downs, and the Decorah Republic of to-day may be considered as its successor, Wesley Bailey and son buying out the establishment, and issuing it as the Decorah Re- public, in 1860, and afterwards changing the name to Decorah Rejpuhlican^ published by A. K. Bailey & Brother. 1857. The Court House was commenced this year and finished the following year. It is fully described in a preceding chapter. This year witnessed the burning of the Tremont House, De- corah, then a well-known hotel. This year, also, Decorah became an organized town. A meeting for incorporation was held on the first Monday in April, and at the election of officers on the 30th of June, E. E. Cooley was chosen President. The Legislative act of incorporation was not passed till 1871. 1858. The plat of the village of Hesper — the township haying been first settled in 1851 — was recorded on the 25th of February, 1858, the plat having been drawn Dec. 27th of the preceding year. The township of Hesper was also organized in 1858. The county had grown so that the number of votes cast in Oc- tober of this year was 1,288. On the 18th of April, 1858, the first County Superintendent was elected. Dr. H. C. Bulls was chosen. 1859. A prominent historical event of this year was the resurrection, of the alleged bones of the famous Indian Chief Decorah, after whom the county seat was named. The grave was at the inter- section of Main and Winnebago streets, and must give place to travel necessitated by the growth of the thriving little city. The story of the removal is told in a preceding chapter. It was considered an important event, and observed with due solemnity. The bones were again resurrected in 1876, in order to improve the Court House grounds, and before their final interment some of the Indian relics found with them were stolen. The close of this year brings us up to the commencement of a de- cade which opened with some changes in the manner of county government, made necessary, or at least desirable, by the increase of population and the prospective growth and importance of the county. By the census of 1850, the population was 540, while it was now by the census taken in 1860 — the following year — 13,942. We will not, however, anticipate, but briefly note the important events as they occur. HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 245 1860. During this year a change was made in the management o£ county affairs, up to this time administered by the County Judge. A Board of Supervisors, consisting of one from each township, was elected, the change taking effect on the 1st of January, 1861. In April, 1860, the iirm of Bailey & Son. consistmg of Wesley Bailey and his son, Ansel K. Bailey, purchased the Decorah Re- public, succeeding B. F. Jones, as publishers of that paper. The first number under their management appeared April 13th. In the first issue are notices of Decorah's institutions as fol- lows: "Population of Decorah, estimated, from 1,600 to 2,000. It has a brass band, 17 stores, 3 harness shops, 6 blacksmiths, 6 cabinet makers, 3 wagon makers, 2 plow and horticultural imple- ment manufactories, 2 jewelers, 2 milliners, 2 tanneries, 1 lum- ber yard, 2 bakeries, 1 daguerreotype artist, 2 meat markets, 1 distillery, 1 brewery, 1 gunsmith, a dozen lawyers, 3 doctors, 1 dentist, 2 barbers, a Methodist church in their own building, and a Congregational church, holding services in the Court House, their church not yet being completed." Hesper has a literary society that meets one a week. May 3, five prisoners escape from the County Jail, one in for horse stealing, one for counterfeiting, and the others for minor offenses. April 29, the house of Postmaster Stanberg, of Calmar, was burned. May 18, Mr. McKinney left Fort Atkinson for Pikes Peak, with N. Otis, of Decorah. May 17, a Norwegian celebration of their national anniversary occurred at Peterson's trading post, B. 0. Dahly delivering the ad- dress. Postmaster Kimball, of Decorah, improves his post office and store. In June, the Landers residence on Broadway was commenced, also the Francis residence on Broadway, now owned by A. Bradish. Fourth of July was celebrated in Decorah, the orator being Douglas Leffingwell. By the census then being taken the population of Decorah township and city was given as follows: Population of Decorah 904 Population of West Decorah 315 Rest of township 706 Total 1,925 August 7th, Wm. Day died at the Winneshiek House, in the 69th year of his age. He came here in 1850, was a liberal, honest, public-spirited man. He built the first house, for some years the only hotel, and afterwards built the Winneshiek House. 246 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. August 30th, Fitz Henry Warren (Republican), spoke at De- corah. Judge Clark, of Dubuque, opposing him. The Congregational church of Decorah was in process of erec- tion this season. September 21st, County Fair was held in Decorah. October 5th, a daily mail was established between McGregor and Decorah. 1861. At the opening of the year, the Board of Supervisors, one from each township, in order that the terms of office might not expire at the same time, they cast lots to see which should hold office for one year, and which for two years. The result was as follows: For one year — Levi BuUis in place of Dan Lawrence, who was elected and resigned, for Decorah; J. Pagin, Frankville; J. T. Galby, Summer; I. West, Canoe; Gr. N. Hollo way, Hesper; J. G. Ackerson, Burr Oak; S. Christen, Madison; Lars T. Land, Calmar; Levan Wanless, Bluffton. For two years — W. H. Baker, Bloomfield; F. S. Northup, Glen wood; Ole Nelson, Pleasant; W. B. Chamberlin, Orleans; Ammon Ammundsor, Highland; D. E. Shelmadine, Fremont; M. J. Woolsey, Military; A. 0. Lommen, Springfield; Orville Jenni- son, Washington. G. N. HoUoway was elected President of the Board. March 3d, the remains of a Norwegian, named Tver Knudsen Jouen, were found near the foot of the bluff at the head of Trout Run. He started home from Decorah, drunk, on Christmas eve- ning. Going over the road past the cemetery, it is thought that he lost his way, rolled down the bluff and froze to death. The Decorah cemetery grounds were laid out this year. April 8th, a public meeting was held and the Decorah Guards organized, being the first company to enter the service in the war of the rebellion. The record of this and other companies from the county, will be found in a preceding chapter. June 14th, E. E. Cooley received the appointment as postmaster of Decorah, and took possession July 1st. June 11th, the County Supervisors voted $3.00 per week to each of the families of the Decorah Guards. June 17, L. Standring turned the first scraper full of dirt into the Decorah branch of the Northern Iowa Railroad. Gangs of men were set at work at Decorah, Calmar, Ossian and Monona, but the work was discontinued. July 4th, celebration at Decorah. with oration by Geo. A. Stephens. In July the plastering and mason work of the Congregational Church was completed. The Norwegian Lutheran Synod decided to build a college on the site selected in West Decorah. HISTORY OF WIKN^ESHIEK COUNTY, 247 August 22, Winneshiek Normal Institute incorporated; S. Page, Principal. September 27tli and 28tli, County Fair. November 17tli, Congregational Church, Decorah, dedicated, E. Adams pastor. The Livengood-Telyea murder trial commenced near the close of this year and continued into 1862. Particulars elsewhere in this volume. 1862. Fourth of July celebration in Decorah, Hon M. V. Burdick de- livering the oration. August 30th, saloon of Wm. Oleson, Decorah, burned, and George Gulbranson burned to death, and others badly injured. September 6th, Aaron Newell, an old resident, died. In September the Norwegian High School opened in Decorah being the nucleus of the future college. 1863. June 4th, work on the Norwegian Lutheran College commenced. The building to be 150x20 feet on the ground, and three stories high above the basement. Population of county by assessors returns in 1863, 15,035. Population of Decorah, 2,165. Fourth of July celebrated in Decorah; addresses by home talent. November 3d, Elisha Hurlbut, postmaster of Decorah, died. Joseph Hutchinson, assistant, continued in office until a successor was appointed. 1864. February 9th, J. R. Slack was appointed postmaster of Decorah, and took possession February 28th. Geo. W. Adams was appoint- ed his assistant. June 20th, the $40,000 necessary, secured, and engineers com- menced locating a railroad to Decorah. A grist mill was built by D. Addicken, and commenced running that year. June 30, corner-stone of the Norwegian College laid. Oct. 3, Capt J. R. Moore, Decorah, died suddenly in his bed. Oct. 12, celebration of the arrival of the railroad atCastalia. Oct. 22, the Catholics of Decorah occupied their new church. Dec. 22, Decorah gets a through mail from Chicago. 1865. March 20, flood in Dry Run did considerable damage. High waters in the river carried away the West Decorah bridge, and also the Freeport bridge. 248 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. April 8, a rousing celebration in Decorah of the taking of Richmond, in which enthusiasm extravagantly boiled over in wild and peculiar freaks. April 27, funeral services in Decorah, Castalia, and other places on the death of Lincoln. June 15, railroad completed to near Calmar. July 4, Fourth of July celebration at Decorah, Col. Henderson orator. July 20, railroad completed to Conover. September — , Methodist parsonage at Decorah completed. Oct. 15, dedication of the Norwegian Lutheran College, one wing four stories high, with basement^ being completed. Promi- nent Norwegians from all parts of the country were present. 1866. The Decorah public school building was built this year. April 1, Decorah post office removed to first floor of new brick building on Winnebago street, now occupied by Journal office April 5, greatest flood since 1859, carrying off numerous bridges and doing considerable damage in the county. July 4, celebrated in Decorah, M. V. Burdick andR. Swearingen orators. Nov. 1, great fire in Decorah; loss from $30,000 to $40,000, burning out Dennis &Hu]verson, P. S. Smout, Green & Morss, and others, also the office of the Winneshiek Register, established in 1866, Haislet Bros, proprietors. Nov. 11, County Supervisors bought the present Poor Farm of C. E. Dickerman. This year the railroad reached the site of Ridgeway, and gave it its first start. 1867. The new Masonic Hall, Decorah, dedicated. It was pronounced the best in Iowa. Jan. 30, Fremont House and barn burned. February 12, meeting to organize a fire company in Decorah. May 17, Norwegian celebration. Addresses by B. 0. Dahly, K. E. Burgh, 0. M. Lucken, and John Steen. May 27, Decorah graded school established. Oct. 3 and 4, County Pair held at Decorah. During this year the residences of E. E. Cooley, D. B. Ells- worth, Mrs. Hughes, and J. Hunter, and the Dickerman building, were erected or commenced. The telegraph line to Decorah was completed this year. Nov. 28, Rev. E. Adams preached his Thanksgiving sermon, entitled "The First things of Decorah." Dec. 6, Col. T. W. Higginson lectured in Decorah. HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 249 Near the close of the year 1867, B. Annundson established a Norwegian printing office in Decorah, printing several publica- tions for the college. A few years later he commenced the pub- lication of the Decorah Posten, which is the only Norwegian paper in Iowa, and has a very large circulation. 1868. Feb. 1, Decorah secures two mails a day. This winter Decorah secures a course of lectures by Frefl Doug- las, Theodore Tilton, Henry Vincent and E. P. Whipple, February 2, Norwegian M. E. Church on Washington Prai- rie dedicated. Feb. 18, John T. Stoneman lectures in Decorah on Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet. April, Decorah Democrat established. Bob Shurley, editor. May 17, Norwegian celebration; oration by Prof. Larsen. July 4, celebration at Decorah; Rev. Henderson, of Dubuque, orator. Oct. 7, 8 and 9, County Fair at Decorah. In 1868, by the creation of the Circuit Court as previously de- scribed, the County Court ceased to exist. The County Judge be- came ex officio County Auditor, the new state of things taking ef- fect June 1, 1869. 1869. On New Yeai's day Charles Magoffin fell over the bluff over- hanging the dugway, above the mill dam, Decorah. He was get- ting some cedar branches, and stepping on ice, slipped and fell down the bluff and was killed. Jan. 12, Oddfellows occupied their new hall in the Dickerman building, Decorah. March 15, paper mill company at Freeport organized. May 12, work commenced in earnest oa the Decorah branch of the railroad. May 9, depot and six grain warehouses at Ossian burned. June 7, A. K. Bailey appointed postmaster at Decorah. June 13, Kramer's store burned, and depot and Lambert's store at Castalia robbed. July 4, celebrated at Ossian and Hesper. July 12, Calmar is incorporated as a village of the second class Aug. 24, David Self was killed by his wagon tipping over into river, on the dugway, Decorah. He was thrown under the wagon; his wife and children escaped. Sept 15, first regular train ran into" Decorah. It was a day of celebration and rejoicing. Sept 22, 23 and 24, County Pair at Decorah. Oct. 28, Edgar Harden, son of H. J. Harden, was fatally stabbed at Burr Oak by Jasper Jewell, who became irritated by the badinage of a party of threshers, with whom he was working. 250 HISTORY OF WIKSTESHIEK COUNTY. Dec. 2, Beauseant Commandery of Knights Templar fully or- ganized and officers installed at Decorah with a grand parade, dis- play, etc. The Decorah Ventilator was established this year. This year the railroad reached Fort Atkinson, and the building of the new town commenced. 1870. In 1870 the old Supervisor system of one from each township gave place to the present system, except that at first there were but three Supervisors; but this was changed, in 1872, to five, the present number. InFebruaryS. S. Haislett bought E. C.Huntington's interest in the State Press newspaper, recently established at Decorah. In March woman's suffrage lectures were delivered in Decorah by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Mrs. H. C. Reed. A 4th of July accident occurs at Spillville by the premature ex- plosion of an anvil, by which four men were badly hurt. August 17, the publication of the Winneshiek Representative was commenced at Calmar by Bent Wood. Steyer's Hall, Decorah, was completed this year. 1871. Decorah had a lecture course for the winter of 1870 and 1871, among the lecturers being Lilian Edgerton and W. H. Milburn. February 2, a fire in Decorah destroys Goddard & Henry's store, the Howell and Heivly building occupied by P. S. Smout and Mrs. G. W. Adams' millinery store. February 24, by legislative enactment Decorah was incorporated a city of the second class. It first election was held March 6, 1871. The first mayor was Charles P. Allen. The other officers are given in a sketch of Decorah. May 17, Norwegian celebration at Decorah. County Fair in Decorah in September. The number of County Supervisors was increased from three to five, as at present. June 23, the Winneshiek Representative at Calmar suspended publication. Decorah celebrated the 4th of July; Mahlon Willet, orator. Sept. 6th, a homicide occurred in the evening in Frankville township. Wm. McClintock was scolding his nephew about some piece of mischief when a man, named Seeley, rode up and said: "Take one of your size." And in a quarrel that followed See- ley knocked McClintick down with a club. McClintock died three hours afterward. Seeley was held to bail in the sum of $1,000, and afterwards sent to the penitentiary. The County Fair was held at Decorah in September. The Decorah Democrat was discontinued, and the material taken to McGregor for a paper there. HISTORY OF WIKNESHIEK COUKTT. 251 1872. Jan. 17, old settlers of the county organize. March 27, Ole Bull comes to Decorah, gives two concerts and a mattinee, and is given a grand public reception by the people. July 4, Fort Atkinson celebrates, with W. H. Bennett as orator. Deborah celebrates, with Rev. Casabeer as orator and Mrs. H. Bottsford as reader. County Fair at Decorah, Sept. 17, 18, 19 and 20. 1873. The great storm and snow blockade commenced Jan. 7th, con- tinuing about a week. It was in this storm that Conductor Bob Jamieson organized a rescue party and went from .Calmar carrying provisions to passengers in a blockaded train a little south of Ridgeway. They made their way through the blinding storm by starting from one telegraph pole to another; the one ■who found the pole first shouting to the others. It was nearly two weeks before the blockade was finally lifted. Jan. 20, the new school house at Fort Atkinson was burned. Feb. 28, Andrew Johnson of Pleasant township, starting to go home from Decorah, drunk, froze to death on his way. March 12, W. N. Burdick, of Cresco, purchased half the inter- est in the Decorah Ventillator. May 17, Norwegian celebration at Decorah. Addresses by Rev. Larsen and L. Reque. June 7, Ole Bull again visited Decorah and gave a concert. Sept. 18, the district fair was held at Hesper. County fair was held at Decorah, Sept. 23, 24 and 26. 1874. March 31, death of C. H. Henry, of the firm of Goddard & Henry, Decorah. April 6, death of F. E. Ruth, of tjie firm of Ruth Bros., De- corah. May 24th, about this date the business part of Ridgway burned. Twenty-five buildings were destroyed and $50,000 worth of prop- erty. Fourth of July celebrated in Decorah. Rev. H. B. Wood- worth, pastor of Congregational Church, orator. July 31, new bridge over Iowa river at Decorah finished. Aug. 11, Decorah Independent started by Ed. Wood and S. S. Haislet. Aug. 13, corner stone of the M. E. Church laid. Sept. 11 and 12 State Line fair at Hesper. Sept. 15, 16, 17, county fair at Decorah. Oct. 8, H. H. Buck, of Decorah, committed suicide. Nov. 3, A. A. Aiken's Trot Run woolen factory burned. Greer S Hunter's mill was completed this month. 252 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. Dec. 2, final completion and dedication of one wing of the Nor- wegian College. Dec. 20, new M. E. Church, of Decorah, dedicated. Bishop Andrews, of Des Moines, presiding. In November, 1S74, Aiken & Woodruff, purchased the Winne- shiek Register, published at Decorah (which was the successor of the Decorah Ventillator,) of Geo. W. Haislet. In February, 1876, the Saturday Bee was published from the Register of&ce, and during the snow blockade about that time, and afterwards, at times when occasion demanded, it was issued daily. The present Decorah Journal, Henry Woodruff, editor and publisher, is the successor to the Register, having absorbed the Independent; the Bee also becoming a part of the Journal establishment. 1875. February 4th, a snow blockade continued several days. March 3d, Ole Anderson, who lived north of Hesper, going home from Decorah, froze his hands and feet. A suit against H. D. Lolberge followed, in which $6,000 damage was awarded Anderson's wife. March 31st, it was decided to erect a new Episcopal Church in Decorah this year. May 9, Rev. Father McNulty, pastor of the Catholic Church, Decorah, died. June 23, this night occured the great flood of Dry Run, sup- posed to have been caused by a water spout. Three small dwell- ings were carried away, and five bridges over Dry Run; Washing- ton Street bridge being the only one saved. All the bridges and much of the railroad track between Decorah and Conover were washed away. July 2, Presiding Elder Wm. Smith of the M. E. Church, died. July 7, County Supervisors provided for new iron bridges in various parts of the county. July 17, death of D. Addicken, of Decorah. July 19, death of Horace S. Weiser, of Decorah. September 21, 22, 28, State Line fair at Hesper. 1876. January 4, John B. Stickles died, it was supposed that he was poisoned. The famous murder trials resulting from his death, are recorded in previous chapters. January 9, Charles Meyers, Supervisor from Second district, died. January 31, J. Ellen Foster lectured at the Court House on temperance. March 3, first accident on the Decorah branch of the railroad. Train was ditched three miles from the city. Eleven persons were hurt, but none were killed. HISTORY OF WINN'ESHIEK COUNTY. 253 March 14, the new Episcopal Church at Decorah was dedicated. April 7, Peter Duffiii, an old settler, died. June 18, Luther Church, Decorah, was dedicated. June 6, alleged remains of Decorah, the Indian Chief, taken up, so as to improve the Court House grounds; they were re-interred inside the new wall. July 4, Centennial celebration at Decorah, with oration by H. B. Woodworth, and meeting of the old settlers in the afternoon. Oct. 10, 1876, Geo. W. Haislet, who had been engaged in var- ious newspaper enterprises in Decorah, Cresco, Lansing, Mc- Gregor, and lately for about a year at Dubuque, came back to Decorah and established the Decorah Radical, which he published till the time of his death in the spring of 1881, as recorded under that date. July 9, in Frankville township Simeon Oleson shot and killed Anderson Theonson, who came to a party uninvited. After two trials Oleson was acquitted. An account of the case is given in a preceding chapter. Sept. 6th, Capt. T. W. Burdick was nominated for Congress, being the first Representative from Winneshiek County, and was elected. Sept 19-21, Fair at Hesper. At the November election a $12,000 tax, divided between two years, was voted to build a new jail. Dec. 21, 1876, near Locust Lane, while several teams were on the way home from Decorah, a quarrel arose, and Helge Nelson struck Ed. Torfin a fatal blow on the head with a club. Nelson escaped with six months in the penitentiary. 1877. Feb. 1, a new hotel, the Arlington House, was opened at De- corah. . Lectures this month in Decorah by James M. Bailey, of the Danbury News, and Mong Chin Foo, followed by others. May 30, first observance of Decoration day, in Decorah. H. S. Henderson, orator, and C. Wellington, reader. June 8, death of Joseph Grinsell, station agent at Decorah, his body being found in an unoccupied house at Prairie du Chien. June 14, in the District Court Helge Nelson was convicted of manslaughter in killing Edwin Torfin, December 21, 1876. Par- ticulars are given in account of murder trials in this county. July 4, celebrated by old settlers, reunion at Weiser's grove. July, James Relf , a pioneer, died. July 4, Howard's livery stable, Decorah, burned, and othe prop- erty greatly endangered. This same month it was concluded to have an artesian well in Decorah. 16 254 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. July 31, Recorder Charles A. Steen, who was wounded at Get- tysburg, died in Decorah, aged 40 years, 11 months, and 1 day. Cyrus McKey was appointed to fill the vacancy until the next election. Oct., Fair held at Hesper. Oct. 18, a fire at Calmar burned four business houses, includ- ing McMullin's drug store, a shoe store, restaurant and saloon. Nov. 3, Charles Hartsing, of Castalia, one of the first settlers of Winneshiek County died, aged 65 years. Nov. 29, Adams' block, Decorah, burned, burning out Ben Bears' clothing store, Coleman & Toye's drug store, J. C. Meus- er's jewelry store, Newton's grocery, and some other tenants. Decorah had a lecture course the following winter with Gener- al Kilpatrick, Henry Watterson, Mrs. Livermore, and Will Carle- ton. 1878. Jan. 28, work on the artesian well, Decorah, stopped, it having reached a depth of 1,200 feet, and the water being 30 feet from the top. April 4, the Board of Supervisors having this spring provided for the construction of a new jail, contracted for Pauley's steel cells. April 11, plans for the new jail adopted, the site of which is located on the southeast corner of the court house grounds. July 1, contract awarded for building a new county jail, which was erected the same year. Sept, 17, 18, 19, fair at Hesper. Oct. 10, Harvey Benedict fell from the house of his brother, A. A. Benedict,^and was killed. Nov. 21, the body of H. A. Hegg, of Decorah, was found in the creek at the railroad bridge, near Standring's cut. The coro- ner's jury found that his death was caused by strychnine, and that it occurred before he fell into the water. The mystery of his death is not yet solved. 1879. February 15, Blue Ribbon movement organized by John W. Drew, in Decorah, and reform club established. May 17, Norwegian celebration; orations by Professors Sander, Veflen, and others. May 30, Decoration Day in Decorah; oration by H. B. Wood- worth. June 22, twenty-fifth anniversary of the Congregational Church of Decorah observed. July 4, celebration in Decorah, John T. Stoneman, orator. Celebrated at Ossian, Rev. Sherin, orator. HISTOET OF WINNESHIEK COUSTTT. 255 Aug. 7, Deeorah township voted a 4 per cent tax to induce the WaukoD narrow guage railroad, which was then leased to the Northwestern, to come to Deeorah. The road bed was graded, but the Milwaukee company bought it up — it did not come — and Deeorah saved its tax. Sept. — , Fair at Hesper this year. Nov. 12, Jannauschek, the actress, appeared at Deeorah. Dec. 1, Judge E. B. Cooley appointed to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Reuben Noble. Jane 13, the railroad depot at Conover burned. July 4, celebration at Hesper, Rev. H. B. Woodworth, orator. Ossian also celebrated. July 23, at the Peter Coogan school-house, three miles north of Deeorah, Willard Van Pelt shot George Rastetler through the side, the latter having been abusing and threatening Van Pelt. Both were young men. Van Pelt was arrested and held for trial, when he was finally fined |20 and costs. Rastetler's wound was at first thought to be dangerous, but he recovered. Aug. 19, Thomas Updegraff was unanimously re-nominated for Congress by the Republican Convention at McGregor, and was re-elected. Sept. 12, Henry Diers was stabbed by Mike Wholehan, whom he had ordered away from Addicken's brewery on Sunday. Diers' wound was thought to be fatal, but he recovered. Wholehan was held in $5,000 bail, and on trial was sentenced to one year and six months in the penitentiary. Sept. 16, 16 and 17, fair at Hesper. 1881. Feb. 13, Remenyi gave a concert in Deeorah. Feb. 18, meetings held in Deeorah to organize Citizens' Asso- ciation, which organization was afterwards effected. March 6, George W. Haislet, an old newspaper man and editor of the Deeorah Radical, died. The publication of the Radical was continued for about one year by Mrs. Haislet, and in the spring of 1882 was purchased by C. H. Craig, who changed its name to the Deeorah Pantagraph. March 11, Wm. Telford, an old settler of Deeorah, 51 years of age, fell dead at a fire at the foot of Pleasant Hill. March 28, James McConnell, an old resident of Bluffton, was killed by being thrown from his wagon on his way home from Deeorah. March 29, Chicago, Deeorah & Minnesota Railroad Company incorporated. April 1, Prof. Jacobson, of Luther College, died. M^y 11, the City Council of Deeorah voted to build water works, which were completed that year. 256 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNT T. May 30, Decoratiou day, Decorah. F. B. Daniels, of Dubuque, delivering the oration. F. E. Brush, pastor of the M. E. church, Decorah, delivered the address at the cemetery. June 10, observance at Prankville of the lOOth anniversary of Father Cutler's birthday. An account of the celebration will be found in our sketch of Frankville. August — , contract let for water works in Decorah. August 12, Decorah post office moved into its new building. September 20, 21 and 22, County Fair at Decorah. November 9, Decorah Township voted 9, five per cent, tax to the Upper Iowa & Mississippi Railroad Company, conditioned on its building a railroad to the Mississippi, at or about Lansing. The road was not built and the tax was forfeited. It is now stated that the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, who are widening the gauge to Waukon will continue the work to De- corah, thus giving them another outlet, via Calmar from the west, rather than to build a double track from Calmar to McGregor. Hesper, Burr Oak and Bluffton townships also voted taxes to a road running through them to be built from LaCrosse to the southwest through Charles City, and the right-of-way for the road is being secured. 1882. February 22, Decorah waterworks trial, parade and celebration. April 14, Decorah Township voted a five per cent, tax to a rail- road to connect with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, to be completed before September, 1883. Grading has been commenced. June 4, murder in Glenwood Township. Peter Peterson Krog- sund was shot and killed by Hans Hansen Skjerdahl. Particulars given in a preceding chapter. June 22, Decorah Drum Corps wins first prize at the State Military Encampment at Waterloo. The Decorah Light Guards also took a prize. June 27, prohibitory amendment adopted in Iowa. Vote of Winneshiek County was 1,411 for, 1,69(5 against the amend- ment. July 4, celebrated in Decorah, with oration by F. E. Brush, of Davenport. At Ossian, oration by T. J. Sullivan. It was also observed at Fort Atkinson. July 8, Turner Callender, an old resident of Frankville, died. He came to the county in 1849. Aug. 29, the Decorah Drum Corps wins a victory at the Inter- state Military Encampment at Dubuque, being victors over the Chicago Drum Corps, and winning the first prize of $500. Sept. 1, Decorah Drum Corps welcomed home with a grand re- ception at the Opera House. Address by E. E. Cooley. HISTORY OF WtNJS^ESHIEK COUNTY. 257 Sept. 12, 13, 14 and 15, County Fair in Decorah. A grand success; pronounced the best in this section of the country; and equal to many State Fairs. A magnificent display of cattle and other blooded stock. Receipts, 13,173.79. Measures are being taken to largely develop the extensive stone quarries around Decorah, and also to bring into market profit- ably its wonderful fossil limestone for which there is a large de- mand for ornamental purposes. CHAPTER IX. DECORAH. Decorah, the county seat of Winneshiek county, the beautiful and famous gem city of northeastern Iowa, naturally comes first in importance in mentioning the towns of the county. It is romantically located in the valley of the Upper Iowa River, and about two miles from the exact geographical center of the county. The Upper Iowa River, being supplied by large, never failing springs all along its course, has a continuous water-power as it traverses a valley of great fertility, and romantic and varied beauty. Into the river at Decorah and its suburbs, flow streams from both sides — generally of cool, spring water. The city is sheltered from the storms of winter and summer by high, wooded hills, usually sloping up from the valley, but in some places stand- ing out in precipices and rocky bluffs, which rise in tower-like masses, adding variety and charm to the picture. Though the hills surrounding Decorah are at their summits from 200 to 260 feet high — one of them thus giving a powerful head to Decorah's water works — the country about is reached by easy grades up the valleys by which the city is surrounded, and yet which are so circling, that the broad valley in which Decorah is located is fully protected, and seems surrounded by hills. From some of the caves in these hills issue streams of water larjge enough to operate flour mills with two run of stones. The most remarkable of these caves is known as Ice Cave. Its entrance is through an opening in a rocky bluff, overlooking the river and facing the city, about half a mile north of its business streets. In this cave ice forms in summer and melts away in win- ter, and many have been the theories and discussions by scientific men on the su bject. As you enter the cave you go several rods through its successive chambers, down steep slopes, and at the lower depths of the cave is found the chilly atmosphere from the rocks which, it may be, have during the winter accumulated so much frigidity that they retain it till well through the summer, and freeze the water that comes down through the crevices from 258 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. the hills above; but by the end of summer generally lose their coldness so that the ice melts away as winter comes, before a new store of freezing chilliness can be garnered up. However this may be the cave is a great wonder to multitudes of people. Another great wonder which has been more particularly de- veloped within a very few years, is the rich deposit of a fossilifer- ous rock, from whicli are obtained specimens of surpassing beauty. This region is a delight to geologists, who pronounce it one of the most wonderful in the country. Add to these and other attractions to be seen on every hand, the charming and romantic drives that lead out from Decorah, and the magnificent viewi that reward those who climb the hills, and it is no wonder that the new-comer is delighted. The changeful scenes are so variedly beautiful that even the old resi- dent never becomes tired of them. A visitor to Decorah a few years ago, in writing to an eastern periodical, thus expresses his or her appreciation: "We know of no locality where the picturesque, the roman- tic, the curious and the rural are so happily blended with the re- finements, the elegancies, and amenities of city life, as in De- corah; nor do we know of any place where persons suffering from overtaxed physical and mental energies, or from billions or pulmonary complaints, can find a more delightful locality for recuperation, recreation, and restoration to a vigorous health; nor are we surprised to learn that many from the east and south are beginning to make Decorah a place of resort. The health- fulness of the climate of northern Iowa, and the peculiar free- dom of Decorah from all malarial elements, makes her one of the best possible resorts for persons afflicted with the billious complaints of the south and the pulmonary diseases of the east." The continuous fall of the river as it seeks the Mississippi, in the valley hundreds of feet below, not only makes frequent water powers, but prevents ponds and sloughs, with their ma- larious influences, and the water of the large and small streams are unusually pure and sparkling. The principal part of Decorah is on one side of the Iowa River. A broad tongue of elevated land reaches out into the valley, and yet low enough to be protected by the surrounding hills. On the most elevated ridge of this tongue is Broadway with the Court House and most of the churches, and on Broadway and the streets that cross it and are parallel • to it are numerous pleasant resi- dences. Slightly elevated plateaus in other parts of the city also furnish sites for many delightful homes and grounds.' Across the river is the very pleasant suburb known as West Decorah. Quite a number of Decorah's thriving business men have their residences there. On an elevated plateau, overlooking HISTOET OF AVINU'ESHIEK COUNTY. 259 West Decorah, and a part of Decorah, stands, in the midst of ample and pleasant grounds, that important and imposing insti- tution of learning the Norwegian Luther College. But before we look at the institutions and business of Decorah, let us trace its history as far back as we can; and that is not far. For there are unwritten tales of centuries on centuries in the lim- itless remains of animal life in the fossil rocks', and impressive "sermons in stone" in the rocky treasures that are scattered almost everywhere beneath our feet as we explore the hills and valleys, but let us come back again to the history that has been, or perhaps can be, written. And how better can we take it up than in the words of Rev. E. Adams, for some years pastor of the Congregational church, De- corah, and afterwards State Agent for the Congregational Society. His Thanksgiving discourse, preached at the Methodist church, Decorah, November 28, 1867, was true to its title, "The First Things of Decorah," an extensive re-production from its pages will be of interest and permanent value. After appropriate and suggestive introductory remarks, Mr, Adams said: [Since the preceding paragraphs were prepared, it has seemed desirable, as a matter of record as well as for permanent preserva- tion in historical records, to give the Thanksgiving discourse of Mr. Adams entire, and it is therefore presented as follows:] THE FIRST THINGS OF DECOEAH. Text: 'A Syrian ready to perish was my Father.. — Deut. xxvii; 5th.' It is interesting and profitable to trace results to their begin- nings, especially if the results are great and the beginnings small. It serves to awaken gratitude and humility; sometimes to inspire new courage for the future. God was mindful of this in his dealings with His ancient people. That people, great and mighty. He raised up from a humble origin until established in the promised land. Here among the things which He appointed for them annually to observe was the Feast of Ingatherings, at which time they were to bring up to Jerusalem the first fruits of the harvest from all parts of the land, — every man with his own offer- ing. It was then that each was to appear with his basket of fruits upon his shoulder, to be given into the hand of the Priest, by whom it was to be set down before the altar of his God, and then he was to say: "A Syrian ready to perish was my Father." This was to remind him of the littleness of his people's origin, when one of his ancestors was a homeless wanderer and exposed to famine. Then he was to recount briefly the dealings of God with his nation through the past to the present, concluding thus: — "And now, behold, I have brought the first fruits of the land which Thou, 0, Lord, hast given me." There and thus was he to worship, and then, tarrying yet awhile in the city, as he choose, was he to rejoice in every good thing which the Lord had given 260 HISTORY OF WISNESHIEK COUNTY. him and his house, the Levite and the stranger. What a grand thanksgiving time that must have been; the whole city filled thus with grateful offerings and joyful hearts! Our Puritan fathers, not by any direct command from God, but as a natural result of their heartfelt dependence on Him, fell into very much the same way as, from year to year, when the annual harvests were gathered in, they set apart a day for special praise and thanks, in which, after the public assembly, were the joyous family gatherings of the children and children's children, at the old homestead, where in the midst of the bounties of God, there was good cheer, praise and prayer; and we may add, too, of frolic and glee — a portion in due season for old and young. Hence came Thanksgiving Day, now national, as we are called upon by the highest authority of the land to observe it. Thus are we convened to-day. The occasion naturally suggests to us a glance at our national origin^ — a brief reyiew of the course of Providence with us to the present time, till now there is spread out upon this continent a great and mighty people. Especially would it be proper to note the events, of the past year, the dis- coveries of science, or achievements of art, the development of our national resources, additions to our literature, the spread of education and religion, forgetting not the bounties of the harvest and such blessings as being found in the narrower circles of our domestic and private life, are particularly calculated to put us in sympathy with the spirit and object of the day. Many a topic here might be found, but not here will we linger to-day. We might again extend our vision abroad, and by contrast hold up the cause of national gratitude, setting the prosperous condition, on the whole, of our country, though troubled yet with the i)urdens and problems of a recent intestine war, with the unsettled condition of the European world: England dis- turbed by Fenian assemblies and Trade Unions; France lowered in the scale of her national greatness, with her people calling for more liberty, to be satisfied perhaps with a little more military glory; Prussia struggling for a united Germany; Spain with her internal corruption and weakness, and so on; each with something to an- noy; the balance of power as uncertain as ever; taxes in some cases enormously oppressive; business generally greatlj"- crippled; the world looking on, not knowing what a day may bring forth. Here, I say, we might turn, but why not dismiss to-day the outside world for, we will not say a selfish, but a narrower Tiew. If to us it is pleasant to trace the origin of things, particularly of things prosperous that have started recently from small be- ginnings; and if again this pleasure is greatly increased even to joy and gratitude to God, who in all things is to be acknowleged by the fact that the things passed in review are such as we HISTOKT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 261 have been familiar with, a part of, cr greatly interested in, why may we not find fitting employment for a few moments in so humble a theme as the history of our own town ? This, then. Christian friends and fellow-citizens is what I pro- pose to-day — a task that has been found easier in conception than execution. To write history is a difficult work — a strictly truth- ful history can never be written, for history when made is life, and this life can never be re-produced by the pencil or the pen — only imitations of it. The historian must gather such dry bones o£ dates, names and facts as come to hand, and clothe them with such semblance of life as he may. To write history, again, while the actors are still living must be, as you perceive, a delicate work. Expect not then too much ! be charitable. Overlook any omis- sions or inaccuracies that may at once appear to you — more fa- miliar as some of you are with the scenes reviewed then am I. It is only by snatches of time that materials have been gathered and arranged. More time and care, I have no doubt would bring to light things just as worthy of notice as those which will appear, and correct some that do appear. All I propose to do, all I can do, is to turn you back to the beginning of our town, to note a few of its first things — more particularly in a few of the first years of its history, which I trust will so present to us the past, the present and future, as to fill us with emotions becoming the day. We have to go hack but a brief period of time. Less than twenty years ago, as the sun rose in the east to look down upon this quiet valley, where now are our dwellings, these streets and gardens and farms, no hum of business broke in upon the stillness of the morning hour. The natural beauty of the landscape, ere marred by the white man's touch, must have been of exceeding loveliness. No won- der that for the red man here was one of his favorite haunts up- on the banks of this beautiful river, fed by its springs and trout brooks, its blufis now becoming so bare, then covered with their forest in which were the wild deer, the partridge and squirrel; these vales, now at times bare and dust-covered, filled with wav- ing grass, plum trees, fruits and flowers. No wonder, 1 say, that from the outside prairies the Indian trails centered here, along which these, our recent predecessors of a former race, in accord- ance with their simple patriarchal government, by their families and their tribes, came in here for the burial of their dead; hereto hunt and fish; aye, here, too, may we not say, according to their idea of the good and bad spirits above them, to worship also. Often upon these bluffs, as the hunter's a.rrow, or in later times, the rifle missed its mark, has he cast upon the ground a bit torn from his blanket, or plucked a bed from his wampum, or scattered a portion of his ammunition, as an offering to appease the Spirit, through whose displeasure the failure had come, or to avert it in future. Here, often, no doubt, were the games and 262 HISTORY OF VmsTKESHIEK COUNTY. sports of the young; here, too, lamentations and sorrows, even as in later times, in burial scenes, as some old warrior, chief, maiden, or child, was called to depart. And here, thanksgivings, too, — doubtless feasts of rejoicing at success of hunting parties, or vic- tory in bloody strife. Yes, up to within the brief space of twenty years ago, this beautiful valley was all full of life, primitive life of nature and man. But now the scene is changed, and we are here! The process has been a rapid one. When and by whom was the the beginning of it ? Precisely what white man, as surveyor, or ranger, first looked in upon the home of his red brethren, with the infelt destiny of displacing or possessing, we are not able to say. But in the month of June, 1849, in the midst of the picture we have just sketched, though at the time somewhat faded out, yet with seventy-five or one hundred Indians gazing upon the specta- cle, their tents still standing, — with the graves of the dead scat- tered about where now run our streets and stand our dwellings, — in this month of June, 1849, could have been seen an ordinary emigrant wagon, with horses detached, and arrangements being made not for a night's camping merely, but a permanent stay. This of course, as everybody is aware, was what is known the coun- try around as the "Day Family," consisting then of nine persons; starting first from Tazewell County, Virgiria, the year previous, touching at Cassville, Wisconsin, then for a short time on a claim in the eastern part of the county, near John McKay's, thence to- this place. McGregor then was but a landing, but sel- dom landed at. What some of us have traveled as tlie old stage road, was but an Indian trail, with only two settlers upon it be- tween here and Monona, at what is now Frankville. Beyond this, westward, were but two white families, by the names of Reams and Button. The head of this Button family was suspected of horse-thieving, and was, at an early date visited on this business by a deputation of nine men from Linn County, anxious that justice should be extended, even to the farthest lim- its of the country then known. No evidence was really found against him; but upon the hint that his absence would be as good as his presence, he soon left, selling his claim to a man by the name of Johnson, of whom the farm was purchased by its present occupant, Mr. Jacob Jewell. • But to return to the inmates of our emigrant wagon. The first thing, was a covering for the head, and then more per- manent arrangements for the winter. A temporary cabin, 16x16, to serve ultimately as a stable, had already, by way of anticipa- tion, been partially erected by some members of the family who selected the site, and this was soon so far completed as to admit of moving in, and the same night was a tavern opened on the same premises, where from that day to this the hospitalities of the "Winneshiek House" have ever been extended. In that first sea- son, when by the presence of surveying parties, horse-thief hunt- HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUN'TT, 263 ers, or the rush of trayel on Indian trails (!) the accommodations within were somewhat straightened, the guests, in the mild even- ings of our autumnal climate, of course could find a welcome bed on the green grass, just outside, and ample space for horses as they stood tied to Indian stakes. No need then for the old sign, — "Room for Man and Beast;" — it was all room, and all the room there was was apparent to every one. Before winter, however, a more commodious building was erected, the main part 20x25, with a wing attached. This was made of logs, shingled, lathed and plastered, — really, for the time, quite an imposing structure. This is the building known as the ''old log house," and which made its disappearance but a few years since. In this connection it may be proper to say that the present •'Winneshiek House" was built in the years of 1854-5. The frame was hewed from the native timber, the lath and shingles obtained at Lansing, while the siding is of the pine that once skirted the banks of our river, got out at what was known as Car- ter's mill, at Plymouth Rock, Considering its size and the di£B- culty at the time of obtaining and collecting material, no wonder that it was two years in building; completed December 24, 1855. The "Deeorah House," as it was originally built, was finished prior to this in 1854, and since enlarged at different times to its present dimensions. An allusion to the "Tremont House," fin- ished in 1857, and burned last winter, (1867,) — gives us a glance at the hotel business among us; commenced in that first log house, though perhaps there is another that some one will say onght to be named — '■'The Central House." Almost coeval with this branch of business commenced another, which now appears in the history we have commenced. I allude to the improvements of our water powers. In the same season of 1849, there came a man with his family, who, the year previous, on an exploring tour through this region, had seen such visions of mill-wheels, mill-stones, of saw mills, turning -lathes, possibly of woolen-mills even, in connection with the curves of our river, and the adjacent springs that he had already made his claim and put up his cabin to the square — a man, who, endowed by nature with more than ordinary mechanical skill, has been following up his visions every since, one who is still frequently upon our streets, the fruits o£ whose labor all of us are reaping more or less, one of those by whom the world is more benefited than is by the world acknowledged. This man, as, of course, many of you know, was William Painter, a native of Green County, Ohio. His cabin was built upon the property known as the Butler property, nearly opposite the present machine shop, where, as the fruits of his labor, may now be seen the first well dug in town. In his family was the first birth, his son George Patten, born in the fall of 1849, in honor of which and also because he took the names of two sons of the Day familj-— George, Patten — he after- 264 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. wards had the present of a town lot. In his milling propensities Mr. Painter commenced immediately in 1849, and what is known as the iSpring or Dunning's mill, soon taking into company with him one Aldridge. He brought a small pair of buhrsfrom Cincin- nati, and set them running by the simplest of machinery possible, in a log mill about sixteen feet square, some of the remains of which are still to be seen. The Heivly power was in his claim, but he did not think it best to commence the improvement of this till his means should be more ample and the country better settled. This power, however, was not long to remain in waiting for soon there came to our town another, the third family, February, 1851, in which there was the same propensity for milling to which we have alluded as a kind of family trait, true to which the descen- dants of this family may still be seen threading our water courses in search of more powers yet to be improved; I allude now, of course, as many of you again know, to the "Morse Family," the respected father of which is still among us, whose cheerful face is often greeted with the familiar title of "■Uncle Philip.'''' He with his wife and two children moved in for a time with Mr. Painter, but soon built him a cabin on the back part of the lot on which the Tremont House stood. He built a year or two afterwards, in August and September, 1852, the first frame dwelling in town, which is still standing, and occupied at present by our fellow-citi- zen, Mr. Driggs (now occupied by Mr. Bonestell. — Eds), just west of the Tremont Stand. In his family was the first' marriage, as the records have it: Marbibd.— August 22, 1852, Henry T. Morse to Hannah C. Chase. John S. Morse, Minister. The Mr. Morse now living in Freeport. But we must not by these pleasing items be drawn down our thread of history too rapidly. In the same season that he came, thp the summer of '51, Mr. Morse bought of Mr. Painter a portion of the Heivly water-power and commenced the saw-mill now upon it, he and Mr. Painter building the dam and race together. Mr. Painter built, about the same time, a grist mill, the frame of which still stands within the walls enclosing the present building. About this time the Spring Mill was sold to its present owner, Mr. Dunning, whose family was the fourth in town. Thus com- menced and to the joint labor of these men — Wm. Painter. Philip Morse and E. Dunning — are we indebted for, the first beginnings by way of improving the abundant water-power with which we are favored, the value of which we do not yet begin to realize, but which is being developed from day to day. No doubt their labors at this early date had much to do in making this a point, as well as drawing hither other branches of manufacture, to which refer- ence may be made in due time. In the same year, July 3, 1851, the first lawyer made his ap- pearance, undertaking to walk out from Lansing, he got lost by the way and stopped the fifst night at a Norwegian's house six or HISTORY OF WIlfNESHIEK COUNTY. 265 eight miles east of this. Starting oa the next morning he came along about noon to the log tavern, and inquired the way to De- corah, rejoicing, no doubt, to be at his journey's end ere he had found it. His name was John B. Onstiue. The second of his profession that came was Dryden Smith; the third, A. B. Web- ber; the fourth, John L. Burton; the fifth, L. Bullis; the sixth, E. E. Cooley, who came October, 1854, — and so on. Mention has been made of houses being built. Of course there were carpenters here at this early date. The first in town was a man by the name of Stevens, who soon left for California, where he has since died. The second was our fellow-citizen Mr. William E. Taylor, who came in November, 1851. He bought the chest and tools of Mr. Stevens, the first brought to town — which chest and many of said tools are doing good service at the present day. The mercantile has ever been a prominent interest among us. This, too, was started at an early date in the summer of 1851, by Aaron Newell, with a partner by the name of Derrick. They opened their stock of goods — not a very large one; indeed, some say about a wheel-barrow full — in the smoke-house on the Win- neshiek premises. They soon moved for better accommodations to a kind of slab shanty until they could build a real frame build- ing, the first store, and the first frame building, in fact, built in town, advertised and known as the "Pioneer Store," at present owned and occupied by the firm of Goddard & Henry, and by them enlarged to its present dimensions. This was com- pleted in the summer of '52, and was for the time quite a build- ing, furnishing in the second story a public hall called Newell's Hall. Could we but have a few of all the transactions within that hall, of county courts, caucuses and, I am afraid, of dances, too, and all sorts of things, it would give us a pretty good clue to the early history of the times. [The old "Pioneer Store" building has since burned down, and a large brick building now stands upon the old site, occupied as a store by C. N. Goddard. — Eds.] In connection with law and commerce the Gospel soon came, in Septemper, 1851 in the person of a Methodist preacher, who prei- sented himself at the cabin of Uncle Philip Morse on the errand, as he said, of looking up the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Being assured that he had found them, he walked in. That night there was preaching and a class soon organized. This preacher was Elder Bishop, and made arrangements to preach monthly, taking in Lansing, Monona, and the country about in his circuit. A few weeks after, a Congregational minister, Mr. A. M. Eastman, made his appearance and established monthly meetings at the log tav- ern. Hence sprang the two first churches organized in town. Their subsequent history, the date of organization, the time of building theit houses of worship, etc., with a notice of other 266 HISTORY OF Wn!TNESHIEK COUNTY. churches since and more recently formed, would take us further down the line of history we are pursuing, and require more minuteness than time will permit to-day. While these things are going on, assuming shape, evidently, to make this quite a point, another event occurred which, of course, cannot be overlooked. It was in this season of 1851 that this was established as the county seat. As, in the minds of many respect- ing this county seat question, there is an impression that there are things curious, and yet no definite kaowledge about it, the re- cital of a few facts may not be amiss. In the winter of 1850 and 1851, the Legislature at Iowa City appointed JohnL. Carson organizing officer of the county. It was his duty to furnish poll books and assist the people in ap- pointed districts within the county in a lawful way to determine by vote where the county seat should be. Three places were ap- pointed for the casting of votes: — this place, Lewiston, at or near Fort Atkinson, and Moneek. The majority of voters were about Moneek, while the interests of Lewiston and Decorah were united upon Decorah. The day of election came. For some reason or other the people of Moneek failed of receiving, as they should, the requisite poll book A man was appointed, indeed, by the organizing officer to receive it, and it was understood that he was to give it to a certain other person, and that other person was to carry it to Moneek; but somehow there was a failure to con- nect — that other person never received it, and it was never car- ried. The people at Moneek being left to their own resources to get up a poll-book and conduct the election, it is not strange that they made some legal mistakes; a few illegal votes, too, were, doubtless, in their eagerness, cast, and yet they had among them, it is supposed, enough legal votes, if lawfully cast, to have secured their object. Their vote, however, was declared illegal and thrown out, which, of course, left Decorah duly elected. The whole number of votes cast was 63. As to that missing poll book; how it failed to connect; this, I believe, is a mystery never yet to the public satisfactorily explained. There were those that asserted, and doubtless believed, that it was all a trick by designing ones, that the people of Moneek might fall into mistakes, and get their Vote thrown out. As to the facts whether this was so or not, the historian of course has had no power to put any one on the stand, nor, in some cases, has he thought it modest to question too closely. These being the facts in the case, it is not to be wondered at that some were dissatisfied with the result of the election; and so, afterwards, as you are aware, there was an efibrt to remove the county seat thus located. This was in 1856. A law had just been passed by which the County Judge of any county was to submit the question of the county seat to the votes of the people on a petition therefor signed by a certain proportion of voters in the HISTORY OF WIKNESHIEK COUNTY. 267 county. In February, 1856, a petition signed by 400 was pre- sented to the Judge praying , an election to be ordered. At the same time a remonstrance was presented, signed by 800. Here arose a question. Was it the duty of the County Judge to order an election in favor of the petitioners regardless of the re- monstrance, or in case of a remonstrance — and that in the major- ity — was he to disregard the petition? Sides were taken, and law- yers employed. For a day and a half, as the case was argued before him, did the Judge carefully gather all possible light from the best legal talent of the day, finally deciding against the petitioners. No election was ordered. At the April election an unofficial vote was taken simply to show the sentiments of the people, which, as a matter of fact, was in favor of a removal — Freeport being the place named. In June another petition for an election, to be ordered by the Judge, was presented, and another remonstrance, also as before, two to one, followed by a like decision of the County Judge against the petitioners. The case was then referred to the District Court in July, — where, by the District Judge, the action of the County Judge was sustained. In April, 1856, a proposition was submitted to the County for a county loan of $6,000 to build a court house, which at this time carried, and so fixed the matter. In reference to these, there were those (among the dissatisfied, of course,) who talked of bribes and unfair dealing — in fine, of much irregularity generally; but here again is the weakness of the historian. He cannot give the real life, but must be content with bare outside facts. Some things, however, are very evident. The feeling must have been strong, and no pains spared on either side — especially that of the remonstrants. A petition of 400 and a remonstrance of 800, gives 1,200 voters. As a matter of fact, there were many voters who signed neither. This, according to the usual calcula- tion, would give to the county a population of at least about 8,000 people — more by half, as everybody knows than were then in it. There must have been remarkable diligence, not to say great skill, in finding signatures. Had a vote been ordered at the time, it is generally thought that the majority would have been for re- moval. And again, had there been a judge personally in favor of a removal, very likely (such is the weakness of human nature) an election would have been ordered, and Decorah's sceptre might have passed to Freeport. But how easy it is to slide down the lapse of time. We were in the year of 1851, — quite an eventful year. Let us see what we have: Three log cabins, one hotel; a lawyer and two merchants, partners in trade; with other families and persons that might be named, though the census would not be large; the water power beginning to be improved; regular preaching once a month by two different denominations, and a county seat, with of 268 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. course regular sessions of the county court — (an august body.) This year of 1851 is really the most interesting by way of the be- ginning of things among us, and we might dwell here entirely; but we will come down a few years later by a brief glance here and there at what is transpiring. In 1852 some new-comers are added, and new trades introduced. It was in this year that the first blacksmith shop was started by an old Californian, who burned his own coal in what is called *'Cruson's Hollow." He blew his bellows in a building now oc- cupied by Mr. Golz as a cabinet shop; and as he pounded his iron, was somewhat of a dealer in real estate, also. By him the whole block on which the Howell house stands, now the residence of Mr. Goddard, was purchased for |20. The block opposite, where is the residence of Mr. Horace Weiser, for fiO. A few additional frame dwellings there must have been at that time, though probably not many, as this blacksmith's wife was designated as the "woman that lives in the frame house." His name, as near as can be as- certained, was A. Bradish. He also carried on the tin trade, and had as a hired journeyman, one George C. Winship. It was in this year, too, as I think, that another very lucrative business was started, though it gives no pleasure to mention it. But we read that when the sons of God came to present them- selves before the Lord, Satan came also; and the historian must be faithful. About this time, down under the hill, in a kind of a spring house, near Day's spring, was a man, we will not call his name at this time, boasting that he had "the pure article" for sale, but it was afterwards ascertained that it had been well watered on its way to this place at Trout Run — a whisky fraud no doubt. This traffic soon crept up into daylight on Water street (which it has never fairly crossed, as it would seem), and was subsequently in the hands of one Gookins whose establishment not long afterward was destroyed, and the place for once cleared of liquors. This, however, was the resulb more of a quarrel among his patrons than a movement of reform among the people. The absence of the spirits was but temporary. To the place, though swept and gar- nished, they soon returned with at least seven others added, which have gone on increasing ever since. In justice to this, Gookins, however, it ought to be said that there is reason to believe that he became a better man, as some of us used to meet him in prayer- meetings, and as one interested in Sabbath schools. So in the history of this town, have some from time to time exchanged the business referred to for a better, and to as many as will do like- wise will we most heartily give the right hand of welcome. In 1853 the population increases. In this year Ammon & Co. came in; the first to add steam to our water power; the beginning of what is culminated, at last, in the present foundry and ma- chine shop — ^an' establishment no less useful than ornamental to HISTORY OV WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 269 the place. It was in this year that the town was first laid out, and original plat made ready for record August 17, 1853. The man is still living (Judge Price, of Clayton County) who claims the honor of suggesting the idea to the members of the Day family, while yet in the log house. The idea, however, was not entirely new to them, though by his encouragement, doubtless, their purpose was strengthened. He claims, too, the credit of suggesting the name Decorah, and tells how, after supper, he took a piece of chalk and marked out on the table how the town could be laid off, In 1854 the first school house was built; the same that now stands on the old site, recently changed in color and fenced for domestic uses. The first teacher employed yfas a young man in the greeness of his youth, fresh from Vermont, seeking a location for the practice of medicine. He had come in through Monona, and was greatly discouraged by the residents here, so far as the prospects of medical practice was concerned, but had the offer of the school at $30 per moiith, if he could pass examination. An examining committee was appointed and a day set for the ordeal. The day came, and with it one of the committee, who examined him, found him qualified, and gave him a certificate. He com- menced school, taught a month, flogged a child of one of the direc- tors, and raised quite an excitement in the district thereby. By this time his practice had commenced; he didn't care whether he taught or not. The result was, another man took the school off his hands and he devoted himself to his profession, which he had modestly followed ever since. His name was H. C. Bulls. The committee-man who examined him and gave him his certificate was Levi BuUis. The new teacher was Charlie Allen. That old certificate, by the way, the first ever given in the school, is still kept as a relic of the past; whether brought out in later times as evidence to the people of qualificatious for Senatorial honors, is not ascertained.* It would be interesting here from these beginnings, to trace the history of our educational institutions, the Select or High Schools we have had — good ones, too — ^not overlooking, of course, our Norwegian College, but more especiatly to trace the progress of our public school; how it was driven by winter's cold and *Tlie author of this discourse wishes to say that since its delivery a mistake has been discovered in this matter. The school house was built in the year previous, 1863, and a school taught in it by a young man who came with his father's family, in that year, from Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and settled at Freepert. After teaching that winter he was for four years th e acting Treasurer of the County until of age, when he was elected for three successive terms to fill that office, until in the war he served as Captain of Company D, 6th Iowa Cavalry; after which he became cashier in the First National Bank, where he may now.be found— Mr. T. W. Burdick. (he has also repre- sented bis district In Congress, as is noted elsewhere —Ede.) To him certainly some credit is due that since the organization of the county its Treasury has never suffered from a single embezzlement or fraud. Mr. Burdick shows his certificate, signed by Mr. H. K. Averill, and a list of his scholars, about forty-six in number, with the names of the parents. He says that he '-boarded 'round," taking in his rang'3 the families in Cruson's Hollow on the east, and the Moore and Child places on the west, and that such was the growth of trees and underbrush around the school house that one could hardly see it at four rods distance. 17 270 HISTORY OF WINITESHIEK COUIfTT. straightness of space, to sojourn for a while in basement rooms, sheltered beneath church eaves, as schools, often are; how taxes were first voted by the people for a $20,000 school house, generally about three attending the elections, till money accumulating ex- cited an interest among the lovers of education ! It would be in- teresting, I say, to follow the progress of these things, till, at last, we have such a building and such a school as we have, of which we have reason to be proud; but of this, time will not admit. At the close of this year — 1854 — let us see, if we can, how the town looks. Our three cabins of '51 have increased to quite a little village of fifteen or twenty buildings, counting hotels, stores, stables, shoJ)s and buildings of all kinds. On the other side of Dry Run, so-called, to the south and east, stands one now occupied by Dr. Bolles; on Broadway, two: the old school house and the one occupied by myself, though less in size then than now. The rest, a dozen or fifteen in number, were scattered along Water street, commencing with the old building, or a part of it, now occupied by Mr. Keyes for a carpenter shop, including some of the old buildings on the opposite side a little further up; then up to the hotel stands the Pioneer store, and so with a building here and there on one side of the street or other, up to the cabins of Mr. Painter and Morse, aforesaid. The population probably was about one hundred. At this time traces of Indian graves were not all obliterated; a half a dozen or so had indeed been leveled to prepare the site of the Winneshiek House, then building. However, a spot was marked, and still had traces by which it could be marked, right at the intersection of Winnebago and Main streets, between the old Norwegian College buildings and Lawyer Bullis' office, of a recent grave, said to be the resting place of Chief Decorah, from whom our town was named. Some present may recollect how, a few years afterwards, our bosoms swelled with respect for the old chief; with what reverence we exhumed his remains — how, in imagination, we beheld his noble form, as his skull, with its straight hlack hair was turned out by the spade ; with what pomp and ceremony it was planned to remove his remains to some suitable place, possibly a monument erected — till, in gathering necessary facts for the occasion, word came back to us that De- corah was a chief greatly respected by his tribe, an old man, con- siderably bent over, with one eye put out, and his hair very gray. His hair very gray! All but this could have been got along with, but somehow the poetry was gone! Enthusiam subsided! However, if in future years, by the lapse of time, this difficulty should be obliterated, and any desire should remain in any to erect a monument to the old chief, they can find his bones, or those of some other poor Indian, safely deposited in a rough box a few inches below the surface of the ground, close to the northeast corner of the court house yard. HISTORY OS W'INITESHIEK COUNTY. 271 But here, again, how easy to slip down among the things that we have don*, instead of keeping back in the past. I will detain you by an allusion to only one year more, that of 1855. . In this year ouf town made marked progress. Many new- comers were added, and many new kinds of business introduced; among them the Pioneer Harness Shop was opened by J. C. Spencer. The first livery stable started was by Clark Kenyon and C. E Dickerman. Said Dickerman also sold the first drugs, with an as- sortment of other things, such as could be turned to advantage; though the first regular drug store was opened the year after by E. I. Weiser & Bro. What gave the place an especial impetus in this year of 1855, was the establishment of the Laud Office for the Turkey Kiver Land District. The bill constituting this land district passed Congress in March, 1855, mainly by the, efforts of Gen. Jones, of Dubuque. What considerations any persons in Washington were to receive for getting the office here; how they somehow failed of getting what they expected, and displeased thereby, aided in removing the office early in 1856, need not be told. Nor need a detail of land office times here be entered upon. They must have been wild and curious times. The office was finally opened the day before Christma?, 1855; office hours from 9 to 12 each day. The town was crowded with adventurers from all parts of the country, with a rage for land almost barbar- ous. For two weeks, until some system was established, en- trance was gained to the office by brute force. He that could get his hand upon the handle of the door, and maintain his, position until office hours was first best. The entrance was by an outside stairway leading to the second story. The building used for the office still stands, occupied as a boarding house, one door east of the harness shop of Mr. Noble. The white paint but partially hides the old sign "U. S. Land Office." One night, with .the thermom- eter at thirty-five degrees below zero, a man stationed himself at midnight at the head of the stairs, and endured the bitter cold bravely for his chance. By morning both his feet were frosted, but still he held his ground. Awhile after daylight the crowd gathered behind him down the stairs and out into the street, passed up to him a warm breakfast and hot coffee in honor of his persistence, and good-naturedly cheered him to hold on, which he did. Sometimes these throngs would begin to gather by one o'clock p. m., and stand all night for the next day. At the same time in the rear of the building was another pair of stairs, and those within the ring could somehow get entrance to the office, and enter all the land they chose by paying the officials something. Head clerks in, this way received their hundreds of dollars for single night's works. This, too, was known. How this company of men ever got through the winter without continued conten- 272 HISTORY OF WIN^ifESHIEK COUXTY. tions and outbreaks, to sav nothing of tearing the office to the ground-, as they threatened to do, is indeed a wonder, especially when we are told, and we would not say it if we had not been told so, that the quantity of liquor used that winter was, by no means limited. It is also remarkable that during this time not a theft or robbery was known. This is the more so, as the amount of gold, or its equivalent then in town was almost incredible, some say not less than a half a million. In proof of this the man can be produced, and he then but a youth, who affirms that in pe- culiar circumstances he was constituted by acclamation chief treasurer to hold in safe keeping for the time being such effects as might be upon the persons of parties present. Belts filled with gold, packages of warrants, etc., were thrown together in a dry .goods box over which he was to stand guard until the equilib- rium of the assembly should be restored, the contents of which box counted out over $320,000. The circumstances alluded to I need not hint further than' to say that it was about Christmas, just as news came that the office was to be really opened. Such a young man, so Stand(r)ing in the esteem of his fellows for so- briety and honesty, deserves to prosper as a retired banker, in the honest calling of a farmer. We wish him a railroad close to his house! In this winter and spring of 1855-6, nine banking houses were in full operation, two of which remain, that of Weiser & Filbert, now Winneshiek County Bank, and one Easter, Cooley & Co., now First National Bank. Heavy stocks of goods were opened; the population and business had taken such a start that Decorah was the chief centre of trade for the whole region around about even for a hundred miles or more, especially north and west. When the Land Office was removed in 1856, some people and some things left with it, but many stayed. The town got a start, and it kept on growing — no railroad, indeed, yet, but still we live. I will follow down the history no farther. But you wfil allow me here to note one or two interesting and a few first things with which I have met that have failed to find a place in the history given. Wm. Painter ate water-melons that grew on a patch of ground at the lower end of town, in the street, near Mr. Keyes' carpenter shop, from seeds scattered by the Indians at a dance and feast held there. A. Bradish feasted on strawberries plucked upon the lot where he built his shop, now Mr. Golz's cabinet shop. To Dea. James Smith belongs the honor of making the first plow manufactured in town, in a blacksmith shop which he erec- ted, now used as a stable in the rear of Mr. Eckart's cabinet shop. He also ironed the first buggy made in town; the buggy was made by an enterprising Welshman, who came to town in 1854. He, like the first lawyer, walked out from Lansing to take a view, liked the prospects, and soon conimenced a business that took the HISTOET OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 273 shape of agricultural ware-rooms, on which is the name of "G. Phelps." The oldest cat in town probably is one called "Bob," it is thirteen years of age, whose kittenhood commenced in the mer- cantile life in the store of Dr. Green and Hazelett, in West Deco- rah, thence to the old Dickerman standi now the leather store of Mr. Cyrus Adams, thencfi to its present quarters, in the store next to the Post Office, with Father Green. With much wisdom from the past, with an amiable and serene old age, do they jog along in life together. Of the equine race, the oldest resident probably is one called "Dandy," brought , to this place in the energies of a six-year-old by Mr. Filbert, now owned by Iijr. Weiser, still powerful in his old age, a good moral horse, in one respect at least, never by his masters subjected to the infections of the race course — what we ' wish could be said of all horses. The first court was in the log tavern, Monday, September 1, 1851. Being no business, adjourned to October following. At this time the county revenues were 70 cents. Warrants issued fe.oo. The first mail entered town June, 1851 — in one letter, two newspapers — Lewis Harkins. mail carrier; C. Day, Post master. It is said in these days he carried the post office in his pocket. I have already mentioned the first well dug, the first birth, the first marriage. The first death was of a Mr. Chase, who died in the fall of 1852, buried, of course, where we used to bury our dead, in the brush on private property — we are almost ashamed to tell where and how — till the enterprise of Mr. James. E. Simpson, in 1861, gave us a cemetery. Thus, my friends, have I given you a few items of our early history. Some of you, doubtless, see mistakes and omissions. You will pardon these; I have given simply what I have met with my inquiries made at snatches of time. Allow me a few words in conclusion. Gratitude is due to God to-day for his kind and preserving care. Some of the earlier res- idents indeed, are no more. Of the Day family five have been taken: two sons, one in Oregon, and one in California; two daughters, one fourteen and the other a little older, dying while attending school at Madison, Wis. Father Day, we buried in the autumn of 1860; Aaron Newell, in 1862. And so might we mention others; but yet a goodly number of the older residents are still with us, and many not here are in other places. The goodness of God marks the scenes passed in review to-day. We should rejoice together in the continued thrift of our town. A railroad we expect, of course, in due time; but if disappointed in this let us remember our water powers and our manufactures, with other elements of growth peculiar to us. These let us in all ways encourage. All thanks here to the enterprise of our me- chanics. Then we have much brain power to be developed. Go 274 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. stand in our new school building and behold the process there daily going on of fusing nationalities in the crucible of intelli- gence and mental culture. Let facilities there be added for in- structions in the classics, the higher mathematics; for every- thing lower than the college, drawing into it the patronage of the country, while it gives increased .advantages to our own children, and more will come from this to give us prosperity and. character than one would at first suppose. Our cemetery I would be glad to see the property of an association, and not a private individual, and better improved as. it should be. Also a monument upon the court house square, or some other place, to the deceased soldiers of the county, as in every county there ought to be, and then with other things attended to that would naturally follow 1 would like to meet you, if God will, on other thanksgiving occasions, with humble thankfulness to our heav- enly Father, with social life, friendly feeling, intelligence, vir- tue, and piety growing among us, with continued blessings of God from year to year. By us precedents are being set, and customs established. We stand at the head of influences whose flow is to be as permanent as the river and the hills that enter into the beautiful scenery of our home. Let us be faithful to our trust. LATER HISTORY. Before proceeding with the sketch of Decorah and events fol- lowing those described in the discourse of Mr. Adams, it will be well to locate some of the buildings mentioned by him. The "Howell House" is the old frame building on the south- east corner of Water and Court sts., recently occupied as a tin shop in connection with the adjoining tin shop on Water street. Mr. Goddard now has a pleasant home on the slightly elevated plateau south of the C, M. & St. P. Ry. depot, where are the fine residences and grounds of Hon. T. W. Burdick, and Conduc- tor L. L. Cadwell, as well as those of Geo. Pennington, A. Tracy, P. A. Whalen, D. N. Hawley, Geo. Q. Gardner, Conductor J. W. Hogan, and others. The opposite corner on the same side of Water street, men- tioned as the residence of Horace S. Weiser, has just become the home of Dr. C. W. Amy, a brother of Mrs. Weiser, and his wife. Dr. Harriet Bottsford Amy. Mr. Weiser commenced his new resi- dence Off the southeast corner of Broadway and Grove streets, and diagonally opposite the elegant house and grounds of Judge E. E. Cooley, in the spring of 1872, and completed it in 1873. It is now occupied by his widow, Mrs. H. S. Weiser and family. The "Old Norwegian College buildings — occupied by them as a school and college before the building of the Norwegian Lutheran College — were what is now the St. Cloud Hotel, on the north- west corner of Main and Winnebago streets, and the residence HISTOBT OF WINIfESHIEK COUKTX. 275 just west of it on Main street, recently occupied by C. W. Bur- dick. The St. Cloud hotel has since been enlarged by a fourth story, counting the basement, in which is the dining room, kitchen, etc. 0. T. Hamre is its present landlord. "The Decorah House" was the large frame building standing on the southeast corner of Water and Washington streets and now occupied by several small branches of business. The "Central House" was a stone building which occupied the site where now stands Dakyn's livery stable, on the southwest corner of Washington and Main streets. The house spoken of as occupied by Dr. Bolles, stood over on the flat beyond the present Decorah public school building. "Cruson's Hollow" is the valley across the river through which flows the stream from the springs in A. C. Perren's place, Cru- son's notorious place being this side of Ferren's, near the site of the old brick yard. _ «• The first schoo^house, built in 1854, has given place to the present three-story brick building on the northwest corner of Winnebago and Vernon streets, built in the season of 1866, and so far completed that year, that the lower floor was occupied, the other floors being furnished and occupied soon afterward. The oldest horse mentioned — "Dandy," — the property of Mr. H. S. Weiser, was carefully cared for by Mrs. Weiser till it died in January, 1880. The Winneshiek House, built in 1854 by Wm. Day, whose death August 7, 1860, leaving a widow who is still living, more partic- ularly referred to in the chapter on County Chronology, has al- ways been a prominent and popular hotel, and its fame has extend- ed to other parts of the country. It was greatly enlarged and im- proved in the latter part of 1876 and early in 1877 magnificently furnished and re-opened Wednesday, April 18, 1877; Seibert's St. Paul band furnishing music for the occasion. Its handsome front looks down Washington Street, and its location is still a promi- nent and convenient one. Present landlord, A. J. McClaskey. Mr. Adams mentions the Tremont House, burned in the winter of 1867. Early in 1876 the project of building an up-town hotel on the Tremont site was agitated. It resulted in the erection of the fine three-story hotel building, known as the Arlington, costing about $16,000. It was opened in grand style February 1, 1877, and did a good business for some time, but was closed on the leav- ing of landlord Dow, and is now used as a boarding-house, of the Decorah Institute. One of the oldest but later hotels of Decorah was the Union House, on the south side of Water Street, below Washington Street, kept by Felix Curran, now a resident of Alexandra, Dakota. It was destroyed by fire on the night of November 28, 1879. 276 HISTORY OF WIKNESHIEK COUNTY. Besides the leading hotels, the Winneshiek House and the St. Cloud Hotel, Decorah, has the old popular farmer's hotel, the Stiles House, and several other smaller ones. The cemetery mentioned by Mr. Smith, thanks to the enterprise of J. E. Simpson and others, has become a large and beautiful resting place for the dead. Situated on the elevated rolling grounds south of the city, partly covered with a grove of young trees, is well laid out and kept in good 'order. But the very few recent graves testify to the healthfulness of the city. Mf. Adams refers to the solemn resurrection of the alleged re- mains of the Indian Chief Decorah, after which this city was named. This event, whjch took place August 4, 1859, and the second resurrection on the 6th of June, 1876, when the Court House grounds were graded in order to terrace them, are des- scribed at some length in a preceding chapter,' relating to the Winnebago Indijjjs. Judge M. V. Burdick asserts, however, that he has frequently seen the noted Indian chie"f since the time of such resurrection and re-interment. His name was Wachon-De- corah, and from him our neighboring town of Waukon also takes its name. He was more commonly known, however, as "one-eyed Decorah," from the fact of his having but one eye. Judge Bur- dick says that he must have been very old, as his form was much bent^ — a thing uncommon even with very aged Indians, or squaws, who have seen many years of toil. He died, according to Judge Burdick, in the winter of 1880-81, on an island in the Mississippi River, above Lansing, near the Wisconsin shore. The record of Decorah and her people in the war of the Rebel- lion is given in a previous chapter on the military history of the county. Her railroad history has also been given in that of the county and in the chronological history of events, and will be re- ferred to later in this volume so far as concerns the present. Many prominent events, including criminal trials, storms and floods, not recorded in county history, are noted in the chronological history of the county, and we will not repeat them here. But there are some things not specially noted that deserve a more extended men- tion than has been given them. On the first Monday in April, 1857, a meeting was held to in- corporate Decorah as a village. Resulting from this an election was held on the 30th of June, 1857, when E. E. Cooley was chosen President of the incorporated government. Decorah con- tinued as an incorporated town until 1871, the control of affairs being invested in a board of five aldermen or councilmen, elected from the town at large. Among its executive officers following Mr. Cooley, we find, W. F. Coleman, elected Mayor in March, 1861 ; again in 1862, and re- peatedly elected to that office till 1870. HISTORY OF AVINNESHIEK COUKTT. 277 « Early in 1-871 Decorah was incorporated as a city of the second class and divided into four wards, represented in the city council l)y two aldermen or councilmen from each ward. At the election held March 6th, 1871, the following oflBcers were elected: Mayor, Charles F. Allen; Clerk, G. W. Patterson; Treasurer, E. I. Weiser; City Attorney, E. E. Cooley; Marshal, John T. Baker; Aldermen, G. 0. Rusted, G. W. Adams, N. Burdick, John Greer, J. L. Pennington, A. D. Thomas, J. H. Montgomery, 0. J. Clark. We have had for Mayors since that time the following well- known residents of Decorah, elected as follows: Frank E. Baker, in March, 1873; Wm. H. Valleau, in March, 1875; and twice re-elected, holding the office for three years. E. E. Cooley, elected in March, 1878 and again in 1879; Dr. H. C. Bulls, elected in March, 1880, and again in 1881; Wm. H. Valleau, elected in March, 1882, and present incumbent. The following are the present officers (1882) of the Decorah city government: Mavor, Wm. H. Valleau; City Attorney, 0. J. Clark; City Clerk, W. R. Toye; Treasurer, George Q. Gardner; Assessor, Cyrus Adams; Street Commissioner, A. W. Bonstell; Marshal, Ed Bean; Night Watchman, John Wilson. The members of the City Council, elected for two years, one being chosen each year from each ward, are: 1st Ward, H. Engerbertson, Geo. L. Wendling; 2d Ward, E. P. Johnson, Wm. Jennisch; 3d Ward, R. B. Tuttle, John Curtin; 4th Ward, James Alex Leonard, J. H. Baker. In the chronological history of the county, several mentions are made of the Norwegian Lutheran College, erected on its large grounds, and commanding site in West Decorah, and its progress from commencement to completion. The college has thirty-two acres of rolling ground connected with it, and is an imposing edi- fice in the Norman-Gothic style of architecture, three stories in height, and costing $100,000. The main building and one wing were erected in 1865; the other wing, completing the original de- sign, fti 1874. This college was at first opened at LaCrosse, Wis., in 1861, was transferred to Decorah in 1862, and occupied what is now the St. Cloud Hotel, till 1865, when it moved into its pres- ent building. It began with eleven students in LaCrosse, had thirty-two on its commencement in Decorah, and eighty on en- trance into its present building. Now it has an average of from one hundred and fifty to two hundred students, often approaching the latter number. Its president is L. Larsen, an able and effi- cient one. It has nine professors which are selected from the ablest of the scholars and educators in Europe and America. The college and the cause of learning recently sustained a severe loss in the death of Prof. J. D. Jacobson, but in that case as in other vacancies, they are filled with the best men that can be found. The Norwegian Lutheran College is the representative institution of that nationality for this country and especially for the northwest. 278 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. Its pupils : are more particularly from Iowa,' Wisconsin and Minnesota. It is chiefly supported by contributions ' from Lutheran congregations. The college is not strictly theological — those who wish to study theology can be prepared in it to en- ter the Norwegian Lutheran Theological Seminary at Madison, "Wisconsin, or Concord College, a German Theological school, at St. Louis, Mo. The course of study embraces a preparatory de- partment and a full college course. Thirty dollars per year is charged for tuition, and |70 for board; but aid is afforded to stu- dents not able to pay their way. The college has its literary so- cieties and a library of several thousand volumes. The college choir is a popular institution with the people of the city, as is also its orchestra and its excellent cornet band, which has fur- nished music on many public holidays and celebrations in De- corah. The Decorah public school building has been previously re- ferred to in this chapter. It cost, exclusive of furniture, $20,000. It was thought to be ample for the educational wants of the city for years, but has become so crowded that additional room will have to be secured, as there are over 600 students enrolled this early in the school year; the enrollment last year was 688, and the number this year will probably be greater. This does not in- clude the West Decorah school. The school is divided into nine grades, in which all the branches from the primary to the High School course are taught. A new and advantageous feature is the system of special teachers for a particular branch in the var- ious departments, thus securing the benefit of special fitness for instruction in each study taught, instead of one teacher giving in- struction in all the studies in his or her department. The school possesses appropriate apparatus. A special High School depart- ment was established a few years ago, and the first class, nine in number, graduated in the latter part of June, 1881, with credit to themselves and the school, as did the class which followed them this year — 1882. • The following is the corps of teachers for the present school year, they all being so successful in their several departments as to be re-elected from the previous year: H. L. CofFeen, Principal; 'Misses Lou Hughes, Julia Curran, Mary Helgerson, Ada Bulls, Eva Benedict, M. B. Riley, Emma Shipley, Emma Telford. Susie Duffin and Mrs. M.. E. Jester. C. H. Valder, Teacher of Penmanship. The Board of Education, which has management of the schools, is as follows: E. Cutler, President; Joseph Hutchinson, W. F. Coleman, Geo. Q. Gardner, B. Annundson, Edwin Klove. In our chronological record will be seen mention of the Winne- shiek Normal Institute, with Sherman Page as principal. This in- stitution suspended during the war, Mr. Page taking a position in the army. It was afterward revived under his management for a HISTORY OF WINI^ESHIEK COUlfTT. 279 time; but Pedagogue Page soon removed to Austin, Minn., where he became somewhat famous as Judge Page, in the bitter unre- lenting warfare which he waged on political and professional ene- mies in Austin and elsewhere. But its place is filled by the De- corah Institute, under the management of Prof. J. Breckenridge, his assistant, J. W. ^Rich, and an efficient corps of assistants. The Decorah Institute was established by Prof. Breckenridge in September, 1874. It occupies the building formerly used by the M. E. Church, and is situated on Broadway, south of the Court House. The Arlington House is used as a boarding house where students obtain board at actual cost, it being amply fitted for the purpose, as well as for rooms for many of the students. The De- corah Institute draws pupils from adjoining counties and States. There were over 250 in attendance last year, and the number this year will probably be larger, as at the commencement of the school year there are are over 150. The Decorah Business College, under the charge of John R. Slack, an expei-ienced instructor and accountant, was established at about the same time and was conducted in connection with the Decorah Institute. It occupies the second floor of the brick builds ing on Water Street, opposite Stile's Hotel. The Catholics have a parochial school in connection with their church here, and the initiatory steps have been taken and a part of the funds raised for the building of a Sisters School, which will become an important educational institution of Decorah. The Norwegians also have a private school in the basement of the Norwegian Lutheran Church on Broadway with a good at- tendance. In 1875 a select school for young children, embracing some of the features of the Kindergarten system, was established by Mrs. S. K. Everett in the basement of the Congregational Church, and met with gratifying success, and continued for several years. Her ill health caiised the temporary suspension of the school, and it was taken up by others. Mrs. Ever.ett in the spring of 1881 ac- cepting a position as a teacher in the Iowa College for the blind, at Vinton, to which she was re-elected at the end of the school year, and served to the present summer, when she declined re- appointment on account of poor health and needed rest. The childrens' school here is continued, however, Mrs. J. Breckenridge, capably filling the vacancy for the. present. In musical talent and culture Decorah stands high, and is well supplied with amateur artists on voice and instrument.' The pres- ent summer has witnessed a revival in voice culture, through the work of Prof. E. C. Kilbourne, of Terre Haute, Ind., ahigly suc- cessful teacher of vocal and instrumental music, whose time of late has been specially given to voice culture in which he has rare ability and success, and who came here for a summer vaca- tion. The opportunity was improved, however, by singers and 280 HISTOET OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. students in music in Decorah and vicinity to take private lessons in voice culture, so that Prof . Kilbourne's time was fully occu- pied to the end of his vacation. A probably successful effort is being made to have him return next season and establish a sum- mer school in Decorah. Decorah is well supplied with churches. The largest is the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church on Broadway, adjoining the beautiful residence and grounds of Mrs. H. S . Weiser. It is built of brick, with stone trimmings, on a stone basement, and was erected in 1875-6, at a cost of |20,000. Rev. W. Brandt presides there very acceptably to a large congregation. The Methodist Church which took the place of their old wood- en building — the first church building in Decorah — is a fine large brick structure, trimmed with stone, costing about 113,000, and was erected in 1860, and dedicated December 20th. . It has had for its pastors men who have become prominent for eloquence and ability. Among them are Rev. H. W. Bennett, now of Du- buque, and in late years two young men. Rev. S. G. Smith, who is just finishing his third year as pastor of a prominent church in St. Paul, Minnesota, to become presiding elder there; and after him came Rev. P. E. Brush last year called to the leading M. E. Church of Davenport, Iowa. The pastor for the present year has been Rev. P. M. Robertson, an earnest preacher and worker. The Congregational Church, on the southeast corner of Broad- way and Court streets, built of brick with a high stone basement, was erected in 1860, at a cost of about $6,000. Previous to its erection meetings were held at the Court House. The first regu- lar pastor was Rev. W. A. Keith, who was here about a year, and lived at Freeport. In 1857 Rev. Ephriam Adams succeeded him, and remained till 1872, when" he was called to the position of State Agent for the Congregational Society in Iowa. He was fol- lowed by Rev. H. B. Woodworth, who became pastor in Septem- ber, 1872. He proved to be one of the ablest pulpit orators in the state, and his services were in demand on many public occasions. He was pastor of the church till the spring of 1882; except for about a year and a half's absence on account of ill-health, during which time Rev. J. P. Tainter, a young, but efficient and able worker occupied the pulpit; Mr. Tainter's services closing at the commencement of 1880. Mr. Woodworth gave in his final res- ignation early in 1882, and about the first of March went with his family, for the sake of his health, to a stock farm near Mt. Ver- non, Dakota! 18 miles beyond Mitchell. Not long after Mr. Woodworth's departure. Rev. A. Etheridge, of Marseilles, 111., was engaged to preach for six months, and proved an earnest and faithful laborer for the cause of Christianity. Rev. John Wil- lard, of Massachusetts, an able, eloquent and earnest pulpit ora- tor, and zealous and effectual in church and social work, is occu- pying the pulpit at this writing, and has the hearty sy^ipathyand HISTORY OP WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 281 co-operation of the people. [Since this chapter was written Rev. H. S. Church has been appointed pastor of the M. E. Church for the ensuing conference year, and J. W. Clinton is continued as presiding elder of the Decorah district.] The Catholic Church, a substantial stone building on lower Broadway, cost about $7,000, and was erected in 1865. The cause of that church is efiSciently served by the pastor. Rev. Father Garrahan. The Episcopals have a beautiful little church building on Broad- way, between the residences of C. E. Dickerman and W. H. Val- leau. It was erected in' 1876, at a cost of $5,000. Rector, Chas. A. Stroh; a zealous churchman and an earnest self-denying worker. The Christian Church occupies the old M. E. church building, and has no regular pastor. A German Methodist Church also oc- cupies an up-stairs room on upper Water Street. It will erect a church on the southwest corner of Main and Grove Streets. Decorah's banking institutions are established on a firm and re- liable basis, with abundant capital. They are as follows: The First National Bar^k established in 1854, under the firm name of Easton, Cooley & Co. It was one of the few banks that weathered the financial crisis of 1857. In 1870 it was changed to the firm of Wm. L. Easton & Son, the latter being Jas. H. Easton, who is now president; and under the National Banking act of 1864, became the First National Bank of Decorah. Its officers are: President, Jas. H. Easton; Vice-President, A. Bradish; Cashier, T. M. Burdick; Assistant Cashier, Geo. Q. Gard- ner; Teller, E. R. Baker; Book-keeper, Joseph Operud; Messenger, Frank Cutler. The Savings Bank of Decorah has its ofiBce in the same rooms with the First National Bank, and is in a prosperous condition. It was established in 1873. Its officers are: President, Jas. H. Easton; Vice-President, C. E. Dickerman; Cashier, T. W. Burdick. The Winneshiek County ■ Bank — Mrs. H. S. Weiser's — is the oldest bank in the'State that has had a continuous existence under the same name. It was established in 1855 by the late Horace S. Weiser and Thomas J. Filbert, who died quite a number of years before him. This bank was one of the two in Decorah that safely passed through the crisis of 1857. It was continued by Mr. Wiser until his death, and since that time by Mrs. Weiser, and Strong & Williams, administrators of the estate. Mr. Weiser, whose death occured July 19, 1875, was a [genial, public-spirited citizen, and did much to develop the resources of the county. His biography will be given with that of other Winneshiek County men in another part of this volume. The present ofGcers of the bank are: President, J. C. Strong; Cashier, J. M. Williams; Teller and Book-keeper, E. N. Holway. 282 HISTORY OF WINN"ESHIEK COUNTY. There are several other private banking houses and brokers and real estate office?. S. W. Matteson's broker and loan office is in the Dickerman block on Winnebago Street. Mr. Dickerman has his office in the same building. Henry Paine, whose beautiful home looks down upper Broad- way from the west, has a broker and insurance office in his build- ing on Washington Street, and is also a dealer in wagons, car- riages, etc. Geo. Phelps, a former resident of Deeorah, has this season set- tled here permanently, having purchased the spacious G. F. Fran- cis residence, and improved and fitted it up iu an elegant manner; he has opened a handsome banking office on Winnebago street, next to the St. Cloud Hotel. F. E. Fulton, who has also impor- tant interests at Grand Forks and Grafton, Dakota, and who pur- chased the pleasant residence of H. B. Woodworth, has an office in the Phelps building. C. W. Burdick's real estate and abstract office is two doors north of the Phelps' office, being next door to the postoffice. And speaking of postoffices, Deeorah now boasts of one of the most handsome and convenient to be found in any town of its size, the building being erected especially for that purpose in the spring of 1881. It is of brick, two stories high, on the west side of Winnebago street, between Water and Main streets. Be- ing on the south side of a broad alley, it gives opportunity for re- ceiving and delivering mails at the rear door. Going over the names of postmasters of Deeorah, as they ap- pear in county chronology, after C. Day, "who carried the post- office in his pocket," we find the familiar ones of A. Kimball, E. E. Cooley, and Elisha Hurlburt, who died November 3, 1863, and was succeeded by John R. Slack, who was appointed February 4, 1864. During Mr. Slack's term of office the postoffice was moved into the then new brick building on the east side of Winnebago street, near Main, now occupied by the Journal office, and con- tinued to occupy those quarters till moved across the street to its present location in August, 1881. On the 7th of June, 1869, An- sel K. Bailey, editor of the Deeorah Republican, was appointed postmaster, and continues in that position. It was under his ad- ministration that the present neat and commodious quarters were secured. C. W. Burdick consenting to erect a building and lease the lower floor to the Government for a moderate rent. The Western Union Telegraph Office is in the postoffice. A. S. Bailey, of the firm of Bailey & Bro., of the Republican being id charge. Decorah's telephona exchange, established in 1881 was origi- nally in the postoffice, but was removed to the adjoining office of C. W. Burdick. The water works system of Deeorah is admirable; the high bluifs about the city being particularly favorable therefor. The HISTORY OE WINIfESHIEK COUKTY. 283 water works were erected in 1881 at a cost of about $25,000, in- cluding reservoir, pump house, and machinery, street pipes, etc. The large reservoir is situated on the summit of the high bluff in the southwestern part of the city, not far from the river, being reached by the road running southward from Upper or West Broadway. The reservoir is over 200 feet higher than the busi- ness streets, and over 100 feet higher than the most elevated res- idence portion of the city; it is covered with a cone shaped roof. The pumping works are in the valley in the southwestern part of the city, and the water is obtained from a large well, fed from abun- dant hidden springs. At the firemen's parade and celebration of the completion of the water works, on February 22, by the force of pressure of the water in the reservoir a stream Was thrown over the top of the steeple of the Methodist Church on Upper Br.oadway, and also far above the Court House • A well drilled, efficient, and suitably equipped fire department as an auxiliary to the water works protects Decorah from fires. It consists of two hose companies and a hook and ladder company. The following are the officers of ihe department: Chief Engineer, R. F. B. Portman; First Assistant, W. A. Bonstell; Second Assistant, Jas Alex. Leonard; Foreman of Hook and Ladder Company ,5E. D. Field; Foreman of Hose Company No. 1, Geo. Hislop; Foreman of Hose Company No. 2, Geo. Q. Gardner. The military spirit is kept up and the city is honored by the Decorah Light Guards, under the efficient ' drill of their old com- mander, Capt. Geo. Q. Gardner, and the present one, W. E. Akers. They were winners of one of the prizes at the State military en- campment, June, 22,1882. The officers are: Captain, ■ W. E. Akers; First Lieutenant, E. R. Baker; Second Lieutenant, R. Reed, of the former members of the company Angus Johnson is Quar- termaster of the Second Brigade, I. N- G., with the rank of Cap- tain, and W. R. Toye is Quartermaster of the Fourth Regiment, with the rank of First Lieutenant. The Decorah Drum Corps has won national as well as State rep- utation. On the 22d of June, 1882, at the State military encamp- ment of the Iowa National Guards, at Waterloo, it was awarded the first prize as being the best- drum corps, Dubuque being its chief competitor. At the inter-state military encampment at Du buque, it was, on the 29th of August, awarded the first prize of $500, beating the Chicago Drum Corps. It is the Drum Corps of the Fourth Regiment Iowa National Guards, of which its leader, Frtok Cutler, is Drum Major. Of the secret societies, three are Masonic, viz: Great Lights Lodge, No. 181; A. F. & A. M.; King Soloman's Chapter, No. 35; Royal Arch Masons; and Beausant Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar. They have for several years occupied a fine hall on the upper floor of the First National Bank building, but are just now 284 HISTORY OF AVIKNESHIEK COUNTY. completing an elegant new assembly hall on the third floor of the next building east, specially fitted up for them, and have rooms for other business on the floor below. The Odd Fellows have Winneshiek Lodge, No. 58, 1. 0. 0. F., and Decorah Encampment, No. 39, which occupies the third floor over the Dickerman block. Nora Lodge, R. H. K. (Norwegian), has a hall on the third floor, over the Winneshiek County Bank. There are also branch lodges of the A. 0. U. W., Legion of Honor, and the V. A. S. fraternities, all mutual life insurance or- ganizations. The fact that Decorah has a large and well arranged Opera House, with well equipped stage, and fine scenery, has caused the city to be favored with numerous first-class entertainments. Among the noted musicial and dramatic stars who have visited Decorah, have been Ole Bull, Remenyi, and Camilla, the great violinists; Janauschek, the great tragedienne, and other famous actors, Litta, the celebrated vocalist, and other famous singers and companies; and in the lecture field, the most prominent. Stey- er's Opera House, a monument to the enterprise of Joseph Steyer, who is still its active manager, was erected in 1870, and was 44 feet front by 85 feet deep. It was enlarged in 1875 by a frontage of 22 feet, the new part running back 114 feet. On its enlarge- ment it was entirely re-fitted, a circular gallery put in, and a suc- cession of raised seats beneath tHe gallery. New stage fiyniture and scenery by the best artists were provided, and chairs put in for seats throughout the whole lower floor of the hall. Opera House block is an imposing three story brick building, situated on Water Street, next to the Winneshiek House, and looking down Washington Street. There are other public halls. Rudolph's Hall is neatly fitted up and furnished with fine and artistically painted stage scenery. Decorah has several important manufactories, and ample water power for more. Among the oldest of these is what has been re- cently known as the mill, foundry, and agricultural manufactory of Ammon, Scott & Co. The agricultural works were founded by John Ammon in 1853. John Greer afterwards joined the firm which became Ammon, Greer & Co., and the company, purchased in 1870 the mill of Henry Heivly, formerly known as the Painter Mill. Mr. Greer retired, and in 1870 Geo. W. Scott became a member of the firm, which became a joint stock company until it went out of business some two years ago. The flouring mill is now owned and run by Henry Heivly. The wagon making and agri- cultural department was wound up for the company, for the ben- eflt of stockholders, by Leonard Standring, who in years past has been prominent in banking and manufacturing enterprises in De- corah, and who now has a pleasant home and extensive farm near the railroad in its southwestern suburbs. These extensive agri- HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COHNTT. 285 cultural buildings on Upper Water street, are not now running, but will not, probably, long remain idle. Mr. Ammon is now in the milKng business in tne western part of the state, and Mr. Scott engaged in business in Minneapolis. John Greer, formerly of the above firm, in company with Jas. Hunter, erected, in 1874, the Ice Cave Flouring Mill in the lower part of the city, it having three run of stones and costing $40,- 000. This mill has recenty been purchased by John Lawler and Peter Doyle, who are interested in the C, M. & St. P. Ry., and the track of that road is now being extended down to their mill to accommodate, their extensive shipments, as well as to the ex- tensive stone quarries on the river bank beyond. Mr. Greer re- mains in charge of the mill, and Mr. Hunter is still a resident of Decorah. The extensive building of the Decorah Woolen Mill, on the bank of the river or Upper Water street, was built in 1867 by the Decorah Woolen Mill Company, and cost with machinery f 35,200. Its stock was owned largely by Englishmen, of whom there are many residing in the county, and are enterprising and public-spirited, generally bringing with them a good deal of cap- ital. The Woolen Mill was managed for a considerable number of years by Capt. W. T. Baker, still a resident of this city, and was sold recently by Capt. Lloyd, a son-in-law of Capt. Baker, who had recently acquired the chief ownership, to Lawler & Doyle, owners of the Greer & Hunter Mill. The Woolen Mill has recently been leased for five years by John E. .Duncan, who has repaired and improved the machinery, and will run it to its full capacity. The Trout Run Woolen Mill, erected in 1866-7, at the head of Trout Run, where that large stream issues from a cave at the foot of the bluff, was the first woolen mill in the county, ..and did an extensive business. It was burned in November, 1874. A prominent pioneer in early business enterprises was Diedrich Addicken. He was born in Oldenberg, Germany, Nov. 5, 1824; came to America in 1855, settling in Clayton County, and in 1857 came to Decorah where he built what has been known as the old brewery near the old stone mill, April, 1865, he commenced to build what is now the Addicken mill, brewery, and residence property on the Iowa River just above the city, about a mile from the prominent business center. He was an energetic, popular, and generous man, and his death, July 17, 1875, caused by being thrown from a wagon, the fall breaking his leg, was a shock to the people generally. The business was continued by Mrs. Ad- dicken until her recent death, assisted by her daughter, who with competent assistants has had charge since that time, and has been successfully and prosperously conducted. The machinery of these establishments :s ran by water power from Union Springs, near- ly a mile above. 18 286 HISTORY OF WISIfESHIEK COUKTT. Other prominent flouring mills in Decorah are the Tavener Mills, on the Iowa Eiver, half a mile above the Addicken settle- ment. And in addition to the Heivly and Greer & Hunter Mills recently mentioned, the Trout Run Mill, at the mouth of Trout Run, and propelled by the water-power of that stream, where it flows into the river about a mile below the city. Benedict & Mott are proprieters of the West Run Mill. Among other manufacturing enterprises are the wagon and car- riage works of Jennisch & Wendling, who do a large business; the wagon shop of McKay & Bergeson ; the extensive steam bakery of Joseph Hutchinson, which has custom through ,a large territory; the planing mill of L. R. Fish, and a considerable number of smaller establishments. Among other recently established manufacturing enterprises, is the Scale Factory, at what is known as Union Springs, a little more than a mile west of the city.. In the spring of 1880, T. E. Gaston, in company with H. Heivly, began the erection of a large and commodious building for the purpose of manufacturing scales. It was completed the following September, and the first set of scales was turned out October 15, 1880. The machinery used in this factory is of the latest style, has all the modern improvements, and is run by a water-power 22-horse strong, the water being fur- nished by a spring near the factory, and gives them 17^ feet head. They employ from 15 to 20 men, and turn out from 3,000 to 4,000 scales a year. The quality of the scales is second to none manu- factured in the United States, being built after the pattern of the Fairbank's scales. Mr. T. E. Gaston is the efficient manager, and thoroughly understands the business, he personally superintends both the manufacture and sale, the latter extending through Iowa, Minnesota and Dakota. The business of egg packing was commenced in Decorah by A. W. Grow, a number of years ago, and within the past two years has grown into such proportions as to necessitate the erection of a large building especidly for the business, and its enjargement last year. Mr. Grow s egg packing house is situated on Washington Street, south of the railroad. He packs yearly about 260,000 doz- ens of eggs, making about 3,500 barrels •and twenty-four car loads. When it is considered that each fegg has to be handled, and the bad ones picked out, it will be seen that there is considerable work in the business, especially in the busy season. But Mr. Grow has found money in it. He has now purchased the H. H. Hoen paper warehouse property adjoining him on Washington Street, with a frontage of 100 feet on the railroad track, to use as a storage room, and as a cooper shop to manufacture barrels for his egg packing house, and for a coal yard, etc. The past two or three years has seen the development of a new industry in the county. Grain growing has partially given place HISTORY OF WINfTESHIEK COUNTY. 287 to dairying and stock raising, thus varying the products of the soil, and that, too, in a most desirable manner. In this connection the new system of butter making has added greatly to the dairy pro- ducts, as our dairy butter commands the very highest price in the eastern markets. The Ice Cave Creamery, located in the eastern part of the city, and owned and operated by Wm. Beard & Sons, was the pioneer in the creamery movement in this county. It collects cream from farms nearly all over the county, having within this past year es- tablished branch creameries at Fort Atkinson and Hesper. The Ice Cave Creamery, of Decorah, which is the largest of the trio, is in itself the largest in the state, and in the world. It is operat-. ed by steam, and has systematic machinery for operating it both summer and winter. The total product of the Ice Cave Creamery for sixty days, commencing June 3, 1882, was 192,361 pounds of butter, being on an average of 3,206 pounds a day. The largest product for one day was 4,955 pounds on July 13th, and the next largest 4,870 pounds. Another creamery, known as Decorah Creamery; has been es- tablished in Decorah the present season. It is 'located in the Klein brewery building across the river in the northern part of the city. It is operated by P. S. Smout, and power furnished from the large spring at Spring Mill, just beyond it. Pure cold water is furnished from an immense spring that flows into the building, and underground vaults leading from the cream- ery into the bluff, make it admirably adapted for creamery pur- poses. Nearly 1,000 pounds of butter are made per day by this creamery. This creamery business has caused further development of the inventive genius of P. S. Smout, of Decorah, who produced his patent refrigerant milk can, which is adapted to private dairies as well as for those who sell cream to the creameries; It is meet- ing with immense sale through this and other states. The result has been the building up of a large manufacturing business by Smout & Hoy, in Decorah, principally to manufacture these cans, and incidentally for the making of Smout's cream carriers. The abundant supply' of excellent stone for building purposes to be found in our quarries has been a matter of local knowledge for years, and stones that have been used in our business blocks for twenty-four years, still kave the. marks of the chisel as plain as when they were hewn, and show no sign of perishability. But it was not until very recently that public attention was called to our mineral treasure. Within the past year many car-loads have been shipped to different points by D. B. Ellsworth and others; and now Norman Willett, son of Judge G. R. Willett, having purchased Chase & Pinkham's quarry and works, and thirty acres of land, including the old Spring Mill on the north side of the river, and leased some other quarries, is putting in extensive stone 288 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. and sawing machinery which will be run b}' the water power above the mill — formerly Dunning's Mill — which will run a gang of thirty saws which will cut a block of stone ten feet long and about five and a half feet wide and thick at the rate of 4 to 6 inches per hour. Other quarries will be more extensively worked and as the railroad track, as elsewhere referred to, is to be extend- ed to the quarries, this source of wealth and prosperity to the city will be very great, as the supply is inexhaustible. Experts who have examined it pronounce it even superior to the famed Anamosa stone in solidity and durability; and, as to the color of our stone, it is durable and lasting. For decorative purposes the Decorah stone. is far superior. It will take on the highest possi- ble polish — which the Anamosa stone will not. Its fossil ledges, which are abundant, are wonderful, and marvelously beautiful. They are rich masses of fossilized animal life in past ages of the w6rld. Prof. Gunning, of Boston, one of the best geologists of the day, says that nowhere in the United States is there to be found a stone that equals these fossil ledges in revelations given of the past. For intrinsic beauty he places it abovfe the famous red stone of California — perhaps the most costly material used by artists for decorative purposes . A slab of this stone can be seen at the stamp window of the Decorah postofSe. Other more beau- tiful specimens have been made into paper weights and other orn- aments, and into table tops and books — and what a volume of un- written history these books contain — by M. Steyer, W. H. Spencer, and other workers in stone in Decorah. Prof. E. C. Kilbourne.in his short stay here,was enthusiastic over the treasures not only found in quarries, but in the pavements on which we tread, and the ditches along the streets. He gathered and polished a splen- did collection of rare mineral beauties, some of them small, rare and exquisite enough for settings for pins or watch charms; others perfectly formed fossils of which geology tells us ; and still others that were masses of various remains which, the rubbish be- ing removed, stood out in wonderful distinctness and perfectness. The subject is almost inexhaustible. But enough has been said; suffice it that utility, durability and beauty exist in the high- est degree in this stone, and its development is but just com- mencing. The railroad history of Decorah has been given in that of the county in a preceding chapter. Ever since the completion of the branch of the 0. M. & St. P. road from Conover to Decorah, in September, 1869, its business has far exceeded expectations. It is suggested by those who are supposed to know, that these nine miles pay far better than any other nine miles on the road. The three elevators at Decorah have done a very large business, re- ceipts at times being nearly ten thousand bushels per day. And though the partial change from grain to stock raising and dairy- ing has correspondingly changed the character of shipments, those HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 289 from Decorah for July and August, 1882, will compare favorably with the enormous wheat shipments seven or eight years ago, and outstrip any year since that time. But be it remembered that th& difference in value between butter and beef cattle, and the same bulk in wheat, is greatly in favor of the former. The last day's shipments from Decorah of which we have record at the time of writing, consisted of ten cars, and none of them live stock. Since the above was sent to the printer, ground has been pur- chased and a handsome passenger depot will be speedily built on Water street, just as it reaches Dry Run. It will closely adjoin the business part of the city and be less than two squares from the Winneshiek House and Opera House. The old passenger depot will be used for freight. Work is rapidly progressing on the ex- tension of the track of the C. M. & St. P. Railway down to the Greer & Hunter mill, and will be completed this fall; a sidetrack will also probably be laid to the stone quarries this season. In our county history a reference is made to the extension of the Postville branch of the B. C. R. & N. Railway to Decorah. Work upon that extension has been commenced, and though the time given for its completion in the voting of a five per cent tax by Decorah does not expire till September, 1883, the road may be finished to Decorah before the close of this season ; and it means not only another line to the south and east, but also an extension northward to another connection with St. Paul, uniting the lum- ber regions with the coal regions of Iowa. The Citizens' Association, designed to promote the interests of the city and county, was organized in Decorah early in 1882. The Chicago, Decorah and Minnesota Railway Co., was an out- growth of the above association ; and its purpose to secure addition- al railroad facilities seems in a fair way to speedy accomplishment. ■ There is also a well-founded belief that the C. M. & St. P. 'Rail- way will continue their road from Waukon to Decorah on their road-bed already graded, and thus secure another outlet for the northern and western roads which meet at Calmar, and avoid the heavy grade between Calmar and McGregor, even if this road does not also build another extension northward from Decorah. The business of the C. M. & St. P. Railway at Decorah is in charge of F. H. Merrill, a capable and popular official. The dray and omnibus line is well conducted by Greer & Protheroe, successors to Jamieson & Greer — Bob Jamieson, the popular old-time conductor on the branch having removed to fields further west. They run the omnibus for the Winneshiek House, while the St. Cleud has an omnibus of its own. The United States Express Co. has an office which was for vears in charge of Albert Fewell, an excellent oiEcer, who re- signed on account of ill-health, and now lives on his suburban farm, just south of the city. His place is capably filled by I. N. Morrill, an experienced express man. 290 HISTORY OF WISNESHIBK COUKTT. A fair indication of the growth of Decorah is its post-office bus- iness, which is steadily on the increase. Let us look at it for the past four years. The total receipts of the office each year, exclusive of the money order business were: 1878, |6,102.74; 1879, $6,467.76; 1880, 16,762.45; 1881, $6,810.92. For the first half of 1882 the business amounted to $3,963.55, and the business for the last half of the year will be larger, so that the total receipts of 1882 will probably exceed $8,000. The paper mill of J. R. Booth, of Decorah, located at Preeport, in Decorah Township,. can be reckoned as a Decorah institution. It was originally started by the Winneshiek Paper Co., and was afterward operated by Henry H. Horn, and by Henry Paine. It was purchased in the spring of 1880 by J. R. Booth, an experienced and successful manufacturer, and is doing a large business. The mill is run by water power from the Upper Iowa River, and em- ploys twenty hands. Its product is straw wrapping paper, of which it is making a nice article. It manufactures about three and a half tons of paper per day, and consumes from 1500 to 1800 tons of straw per year. It is an important branch of man- ufacture to the people, as well as to our business interests. The paper mill is connected with Decorah by telephone. The Decorah Packing House, originally built by G. F. Francis, who has done much to build up Decorah, in residences as well as business houses, has of late been operated by a stock com- pany. It does a large business and is a source of wealth to the city and county, besides a convenience to the people in improving the market for hogs. Mr. Francis still makes Decorah his family home; though now absent in Dakota during the summer and fall. In stock raising, Winneshiek County is rapidly advancing to the front. The collection of cattle at the recent county fair in' Decorah, was a superb one. Herds from this county also won the first premiums at fairs in adjacent counties, as well as at the Min- neapolis Exposition. Decorah is represented in this line by Sam- uel Aiken's stock farm and magnificent herd of Holsteins; by the Hesper Stock Farm, by Geo. Q. Gardner, of Decorah, and by other smaller herds. The Decorah Driving Park, with large grounds, on which are held the annual fairs of the County Agricultural Society, has a fine and well used track. Thanks to the enterprise of C. C. Bates. The extensive seed and hide store of N. H. Adams, present County Treasurer, does a very large business purchasing products from a large territory, extending into adjoining counties. Jas. Alex. Leonard, a comparatively new comer, and proprietor of an extensive book store, news stand, and circulating library, has shown his faith in the city by buying his store building, the one adjoining it on the south, and a pleasant residence on Broad- way. HISTOKY OE WINKESHIEK COUNTY. 291 Among the jewelry firms is the old resident, S. T. Wilson, who keeps an excellent eating house and fruit stand. The Decorah Green House, near the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul depot, a well-kept establishment with a choice and extensive collection of flowers and plants, is a bower of beauty as well as a great corivenience to the people here and in surrounding towns. Decorah has had her fires, but of late years destructive ones have been very rare. A prominent one was on what has become noted as Ben. Bear's corner. The old Adams building on the southwest corner of Water and Winnebago streets, was destroyed by fire on Thanksgiving Day, 1877, and Ben. Bear, who came here in 1876, was burnt out as well as some other smaller establish- ments mentioned in chronological history. The fine new Adams block of brick and stone was erected in 1878, and in November of that year Ben. Bear re-occupied it with a very heavy stock of clothing and furnishing goods. His business has continued to steadily increase each successive year. Space will not permit mention of the numerous business houses of Decorah, but we will enumerate a few old established firms and recent changes to which the attention of the historian has been called: The "Pioneer Store" of C. N. Goddard, referred to else- where; the old dry goods houses of Oleson & Thompson, S. W. Landers & Son, Mcflenry& Allison; and L. F. Nelson, general merchant, who has recently erected a new building; and former- ly, the dry goods firms of Boy'ce & Wilson, R. F. Gibson, now justice of the peace, and some others who have retired from busi- ness, their places being supplied by K. I. Hangen, P. H. Whal- en, Iver Larsen, Lee & Johnson, and others. In grocery stores, George Pennington, continues the old establishment of Penning- ton & Fewell. D. B. Dennis is "still on Deck." P. J. Enright holds the fort. B. Holcomb & Son occupy the old Ammon & Scott store, and numerous other grocers and general merchants keep the people from starving. B. 0. Dahly, who moved up from Freeport and established the Emporium of Fashion for the ladies, still keeps up his large establishment, Among the . liverymen John Gurtin continues worthy of the old reputation of Curtin Bros.' Stable, his brother and partner, M. Curtin, having died the present year. Among the comparative new-comers is A. W. Hay- ward, who occupies the Boyce & Wilson store, Mr. Wilson still residing here. Mr. Hayward has the finest and largest store in this part of the country. W. L. Easton continues active as proprietor of the Opera House Clothing Store and merchant tail- oring establishment, and J. H. Mackenstadt is still kept busy with custom work 'at his old stand. The Day brothers, first settlers of Decorah, have an extensive lumber yard, and E. J. Riley super- intends another for the Flemming Bros., of McGregor. The old hardware firm of Ruth Bros, still exists, and that of Finn Bros, is continued by Finn & Noble, while the Gulickson hardware store 292 HISTOKT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. is continued by Hoyt & Hinman. The Weiser, Montgomery & Eudolph and Solberg's drug stores still compound medicines, while J. J. Klopp's drug store has been here long enough to be almost an "old residenter." Among prominent business men and firms of olden time Dr. J. M. Green, A. Howell, D. B. Ellsworth, Daniel Lawrence, E. F. Gibson, Henry Heivly, and C. E. Dickerman have residences on Upper Broadway, and S. W. Matteson, J. G. Morse and B. B. Green in that neighborhood. But we forbear further personal mention at this place. IN ames of old residents come up so rapidly, as do those of prominent firms now doing business here. Decorah has her share of professional men, and of more than average abili- ty. As biographies of prominent men of this city are to appear later in this volume, we leave further personal mention to the writers of those sketches. A quite prominent and successful institution ia its day was the Mississippi Valley Insurance Company, located at Decorah. H. S. Weiser was its first president and after him Leonard Standring. J. C. Strong was secretary, and managed the business during most of its life, and to its close. It was organized in 1864, and closed up its business early in 1875. It was a fire and lightning insurance company, and paid all its losses promptly. When it went out of business it cancelled and paid back premiums, and paid to stockholders a dividend of 25 per cent. WEST DECOEAH. West Decorah is properly a part of Decorah, and only separated from it by the river, over which are fine bridges, the whole form- ing a beautiful city of about four thousand inhabitants. Yet, West Decorah, which has some five hundred inhabitants is incor- porated as a town. It is the site of Luther College, and the homes of several prominent Decorah business men. Among these residences are the elegant home of J. J. Marsh, an extensive deal- er in agricultural machinery, and C. W. Burdick, of the real es- tate and abstract office. It was incorporated in 1879. The follow- ing are its present officers: Mayor, G. W. G. Sawyer; Councilmen, C. W. Burdick, Fred Hencke, J. J. Marsh, J. H. Mackenstadt, N. P. Chase, Oren Hall; Treasurer, J. Bandeau; Recorder, J. Fannon; Marshal, Frank Betts. The prominent store is that of Fred Hencke, who also has an extensive pop manufactory. Dan. Shaw is principal of its public schools. FREEPOET. This little village, so prominent in the county seat contest, des- cribed in County History, is on the Upper Iowa River in the east- ern part of Decorah township, about two miles from Decorah in HISrORT OF WIKSTESHIEK COUNTY. 293 a'straight line, and three miles by road. It is on the grade of the proposed railroad extension from Waukon to Decorah, and on the daily stage route between these two places. It has a new Methodist Church with regular services, the paper mill of J. R. Booth, a postoffice and store kept by A. A. Snyder, and the county poor house and farm. It has also several other small business enterprises, and a population of about 150. When Freeport finally lost all hope of securing the county seat, most of Freeport's business came to Decorah, and soon after the families of the Burdicks, the Fannons, and B. 0. Dahly, and others. It was a good site for a town, being in a broad and fertile valley, and having a good water power. PRINTING ESTABLISHMENTS. Various newspaper enterprises are mentioned in the previous pages of the history of the county. It would be difficult to give a complete record of the twenty-five that have had their existence in as many years, and we will not attempt to repeat it here; but briefly mention the printing establishments now in Decorah, and those of which they are the legitimate successors; and as the pub- lishers are, in virtue of their offices, the recorders in their history of the newspapers of the county, we give a few personal facts in regard to them as a convenience for future reference: In 1856, one Tracy issued the prospectus of the Decorah Chroni- ele, and in due time that paper appeared. Judge M. V. Burdick was for a time its anonymous editor. Its successor is the present Decorah Bepuhlican. It has had the names of Chronicle, Gazette Republic and Bepuhlican, there being sometimes, in early days, suspensions of publication, with exchanges of names of proprietors. It was the Decorah Republic when purchased in 1860 by Wesley Bailey & Son, who came here from New York, where they had been thoroughly educated in the newspaper business. In March, 1866 the name was changed to Decorah Republican; the proprie- torship was also changed to A. K. Bailey & Bros., the father re- tiring, and now a resident of Decorah. A. K. Bailey, editor, is also postmaster, and his partner brother, A. S. Bailey, manager of the Western Union telegraph office, and assistant postmaster. Ansel K. Bailey was born at Wales, Erie Co., N. Y., Nov. 15, 1835. He removed to Utica, N. Y., in 1842, where he received a common school education. When between 12 and 13 years of age he entered his father's printing office. He gave his note for a newspaper office in Utica the day he became of age, and has been engaged in newspaper work ever since — a period of more than a quarter of a century. In March, 1860 he came to Decorah, having with his father bought the only newspaper office in the place, some two months before his removal. His father had been here in the September previous, and the purchase was made by correspondence. He was elected Treasurer of the county in 1863, and served one 294 HISTUKT OF WIIflfiESHIEK COUNTY. term, from 1864 to 1865, declining a re-election. Four years later the appointment as postmaster was made by President Grant, which. office he has held without contest ever since. Editorial and official position, and acquaintance with the people of the county, have made him a serviceable agent of his party, and more than half the time he has been the chairman of the Republi- can central committee serving in that capacity in each of the last four Presidential campaigns. In this position he has been subject to sharp criticism, which, however, has neither damaged his char- acter nor soured a temper that is usually equable and genial. His opponents have frequently been warm personal friends and the contests have usually ended with the close of a campaign. No one probably, has less desire than he to be a political boss. In social and religious life he has been active and prominent, and a useful and exemplary member of society. For fifteen years he was superintendent of the Congregational Sabbath School, and is now serving the 18bh and 19th years in that capacity. He was married at Utica, N. Y.. in 1859, to Miss Sarah Higham. They have had five children, four of which are living. Their residence is on Vernon' street, about one square west of the public school building. The Republican has steam power and a well-equipped job printing office, and occupies the second floor .of the new postoffice building on Winnebago street. It recently showed its enterprise by printing a daily during the County Fair in Decorah. A. S. Bailey, of the above paper and telegraph manager, has been the main stand-by of the popular Decorah Amateurs. He has decided dramatic ability, excelling especially in comedy. He was married several years ago at Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Mary The next oldest paper in Decorah is the present Decorah Jour- Wolcott, a deservedly popular favorite in Decorah society. nal^ counting it as identical with its legitimate predecessor. The Winneshiek Register was foundedjby G. W. Haislet in 1866; in No- vember the office was destroyed by fire. A new office was pur- chased on time, and in the spring of 1869 the paper was compelled to suspend. August 25, 1869, he re-issued his paper under the name of Register & Ventilator, afterwards dropping the first half of the name. Several years later W. N. Burdiek became a part- ner with Haislet, and soon bought him out entirely, and in 1874 was sole proprietor, and changed the name Ventilator to Winne- shiek Register. In November, 1874, Mr. Burdiek sold out to A. A. Aiken and Henry Woodruff. C. H. Fullerton soon after be- coming a member of the firm for a time. Mr. Burdiek is now publisher fthe Postville Review. Early in February, 1875 the Saturday Bee was issued as an extra from the office of the Register, and during the February snow blockade, and on other special oc- casions — the Bee was issued daily, or as [often as occurences de- manded. In the latter part of 1875 the Register establishment HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNIY. 295 absorbed the Independent (which was started by Ed. Wood and S. S. Haislet in the summer of 1874), the combined paper taking the name Independent-Begister. In January, 1876, Mr. Aiken sold out ^ his interest, Henry Woodruff becoming editor and manager of the Bee, which continued without change till January, 1879, Ed. Wood taking the Independent Register, and soon dropping the word Register from the name. About the first of June, 1876, Mr. Wood sold out and gave place to J. F. Meagher, who, in the latter part of July, "stepped down and out," the present proprie- tors of the Decorah Journal becoming its purchaser, and its sub- scription list was united with that of the Bee. In January, 1879, the regular publication of the weekly Decora Journal commenced, it being virtually the successor of the old Register a,ni Independent, and the Bee office soon dropped its separate character and became part of the Journal establishment. Henry Woodruff, the editor and publisher, was born at Vienna, Trumbull County, Ohio, Oc- tober 20, 1836. He learned the printer's trade, commencing at he age of 15, in the office of the Anti-Slavery Bugle, at Salem, Ohio, then a center of western abolitionists, of which the Bugle was the organ, Abby Kelley and S. C. Foster, Wm. Loyd Garrison, Parker Tillsbury,the Burleighs and the venerable and quaint colored female lecturer. Sojourner Truth, who is still living, often making that town their western headquarters, and lecturing there. He after- wards worked at his trade at Warren Ohio, and graduated at the High School there, having lived for a time at Talmadge, Ohio, and from there he went to Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio, since removed to Cleveland and known as Western Reserve University, from which he graduated in 1865, being meanwhile ' four months in the Union army, and was married in Hudson, September 17, 1865, to Miss Cordelia Kilbourne. He lived for a short time at Geneseo, N. Y,, and also at Cleveland, 0., and in July, 1867, went to St. Paul, Minn., where he at once became ed- itorially connected with the Daily Press. He was one of the prize speakers and the poet of his class, but has since made no effort in the way of rhyming, except to accept the invitation in 1873, to deliver the Alumni\poem at Western Reserve College commence- ment, at Hudson, in June, on the occasion of the late President Garfield's address to the college societies, and to twice read the an- nual poems before the Minnesota State Editorial Association. He remained at his editorial work at St. Paul, excepting an interval of a year and a half, as editor of a paper in Stillwater, until he came to Decorah with bis family about December 1, 1874. Their residence is on the northwest corner of Broadway and Grove Streets. They have three children. The Journal office is now situated on the first floor of the brick building on the east side of Winnebago Street, near Main, vacated by the postoffice in 1881. It made arrangements some two years ago with the Luther College Pu Wishing House, just across Main Street, to run its Cylinder 296 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTT. Press by steam, and has since had its newspaper Press work done there. It has a job office, press, etc, in its own office, from which is also issued the monthly Home Journal, which has a large cir- culation. The other English printing office in Decorah is that of the De- corah Pantagrajoh, successor to the Decorah Radical. Geo. W. Haislet, after leaving the Register office, went to Cresco, where he published a paper for a time, and in August, 1875, came back to Decorah and started another Ventilator., but soon suspended pub- lication and went to Dubuque, where he continued in the news- paper business. In the fall of 1876 he came back to Decorah, and on October 10th commenced the ^blication of the Decorah Radi- cal., which he continued till his death, March 6, 1881. The Radi- cal was continued by Mrs. Haislet, Judge M. V. Burdick conduc- ting it for a time. It was purchased April, 1882, by C. H. Craig, who changed its name to the Decorah Pantagraph; and is its present publisher. It does not run a job office and has its news- paper press work done at the Fasten office which is near at hand. Mr. Craig was born in Albany, N. Y., November 20, 1856, and re- ceived his education in the public schools there. He came west to Sioux Falls, Dakota, in April, 1878; became connected with the newspapers, and remained there until he came to Decorah in April of the present year. He is at present unmarried, but the deserved- ly happy lot of a Benedict is predicted for him by his friends. The Decorah Fasten is the only Norwegian paper in Iowa. B. Annundsen, the publisher, came to Decorah in 1867 and started a printing office. He established the Fasten in September, 1874; it was then a small four page sheet, 18x24 inches; subscription price 50c. a year. The first month the •subscription list grew to 1,200. In 1875 the paper was enlarged to 22x32 inches, subscription price 11.10. In 1876 its size was 24x36; in 1877, 24x38; and in 1878 it was enlarged to its present size, 29x40, being in large four-page form; price, $1.10. Its present circulation is over 7,000. It is independent in all things and owns to be a purely "literary and family newspaper. B. Annundsen, the persevering and energetic proprietor, was born, at Skien, l^orway, in 1844. He came to America in 1864, and to Decorah in 1867, as already stated. He has a family, and his residence is on east Main street. The publishing hoiise of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod has grown to be a very important one. Besides printing the several Norwegian newspapers and magazines, it does a large book-pub- lishing business and has complete book-binding and stereotyping departments. Its regular periodicals are the Kirketidende, a church weekly, and the Opbyggelsesblad, a church monthly, and Fer Hjemmet, a semi-monthly for the family. It is now engaged in printing from its stereotype plates a large edition of the New Testament in the Norwegian language. It is also extensively en- gaged in the publication of Norwegian religious and school books, HISTORY OF WINNESHIEE COUJSTTY. 297 and has several presses and other machinery run by a powerful steam engine. The publishing establishment is on Main street, near Winnebago, and its retail department on the corner of Win- nebago and Main streets, next door to the Journal office. It em- ploys more than twenty hands, and its business is rapidly increas- ing, as it has for its field all parts of the United States where Nor- wegians have located. Its manager, J . L. Lee, who was born in Christiana, Norway, in 1835, was educated there, came to Amer- ica in 1852, and to Decorah in 1872. He became manager of the business in 1877, and to him its success is largely due. The resi- dence of Mr. Lee and family is in West Decorah. The extent of the newspaper business in Decorah may be judged from the fact that during the three months ending with Septem- ber, 1882, the Decorah postoffice mailed 13,825 pounds of news- papers, or nearly seven tons, for which the government secured a revenue of $208.62. PLEASURE RESORTS. Decorah and its suburbs abound in charming, extended, and beautiful views, and romantic places of resort for the summer vis- tor; and within the limits of the township are many more. The wonderful Ice Cave, about half a mile north of the busines p^'t of the city, has been mentioned in the opening part of this chapter. From the bluff above it, one of the finest views of Decorah can be had. About a half a mile west of it, a few rods up a romantic val- ley is "Spring Mill," where a large stream of water pours out of a cave in the bluff, about 100 feet high, while it is fully another hundred feet to the top of the overhanging blufi', fi;om which a magnificent view of city and valley is gained. About half a mile east of Ice Cave, a romantic valley leads up to A. C. Ferren's grounds, where two large springs, clear and cold, mate a favorite place for picnics, and the home of. some beautiful trout, which Mr. Ferren has raised. Coming back to the bank of the river, a gradual ascent towards the east leads up to the top of the perpen- dicular, rocky bluff, from which is a beautiful view of the city and valley abore, and the river below- — lying apparently at your feet — the whole presenting an extraordinary picture. From Pleasant Hill, southeast of the city, and ffom the hill at the head of Wash- ington street, other fine views of city and valley can be had. About two miles south the immense spring or underground river, forming Trout Run, comes out from a mamoth rock at the foot of a bluff, winds around a grassy slope where stands the residence of Prof. Seevers, while in the foreground, tall, rocky pillars and per- pendicular bluffs overlook the beautiful valley for miles below. There are also delightful picnic grounds at Union Springs, near the scale factory, referred to in this chapter. Several large springs of pure cold water flow out from the bluff at all seasons of the year, while close at hand are grassy lawns and refreshing shade 298 HISTORY OF WI2Sr]S'£SHIEK COUNTT. from the heat of summer. But there are delightful rambles in- side the limits of the city. Only a few rods from Upper Broad- way, just beyond the beautiful residence of Henry Paine, is the shady summit of the precipitous bl.uff overhanging the river and "dugWay" road to Addicben mill and Union Springs.. Here the eye takes in a view of West Decorah, Luther College, and the broad expanse of river and valley. And yet not half has been told. The eye of the rambler is greeted with continual surprise. In speaking of places of resort it is convenient just here to re- fer to some noted ones in other parts of the county. A drive to Bluffton, about twelve miles northwest of Decorah, where immense rocky bluffs overlook the river, takes one through some of the wildest and most romantic scenery on the Upper Iowa River. In the southern part of Burr Oak township, a few miles from Bluff- ton, is the well-known "Cold Spring," where a stream of water sufficient to turn a mill flows from the mouth of a cave, under a towering bluff 100 feet high. In the cave is a lake about 100 feet long by forty feet wide, the top of the cave rising in a high arch as it recedes from the entrance. Again, about eight miles from Decorah, on a cross-road between the Waukon and Frankville roads, near the Peter Oleson flour mill, in Glenwood township, is another large cave. The entrance is low and narrow, and a boat and torch are necessary to explore the cave. Once in, there is plenty of room, and water that will float a boat through a narrow channel that seems to be a quarter of a mile long, and further if one cares to go. In some places the ceiling is in plain sight and at others invisible in the darkness. Another cave, as large as a good-sized mercantile salesroom, can be found on the Coleman farm, abou j six miles up the Iowa River. The caves and springs in this county on and near the Waukoii road, are frequently visited by picnic parties from Wau- kon. There are other caves that might be mentioned. But we will close by saying that it will amply repay any one to visit the large and beautiful grounds of Col. J. W. Taylor, about six miles west of the city; where art has combined with nature to make nature look still more varied and beautiful, and where frequent surprises greet the eye as one drives through avenues lined with evergreens, succeeded by flow^s, solitary woods, bright and velvety openings in the forest, and finally reaches the cozy, unique log cabin of the , proprietor, beyond which a bridle path leads down past a precipitous bluff to the bed of a beautiful stream, where are abundant springs, grassy slopes and green fields beyond. A PAETIIJ'G WORD. Decorah has good reason for pride in its large, handsome and substantial business blocks, as well as its beautiful residences. Its court house, and handsome, substantial new jail, have been de- HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. 299 scribed in the chapters of county history. The elevated portion of the court house grounds is very nearly in the center of the city; their beautiful terraced slopes at once attract attention, and from them the eye looks down on a beautiful city, spreading out across a broad valley, and the grand, encircling hills which surround and protect it. May it attain the growth that its natural advantages entitle it to, and the public spirit of its citizens make it quick to utilize and make the most of those advantages, and use all for the promotion of its natural, as well as moral and social welfare. CHAPTER X. Townships and Villages of the County; General Remarks; Rivera and Railroads; Shape and Size of County; Its Geology, Pro- ducts, and Resources; Healthy Climate; Rich Soil and Beautiful Scenery. The general history of the settlement and development of Win- neshiek County, as well as its chronological history, has embraced to a great extent that of its several townships and villages, and in the biographical sketches toward the end of this volume. The history of Decorah has also been to a large extent that of the county at large. But there are many things that pertain speci- ally to the townships and villages, and separate mention of them will be of interest. As a matter of convenience, the townships are taken up by tiers, commencing with the northern tier, and the western township of that tier. fiCemont township and the tillages of kendallville and plymouth kock. Fremont township is in the extreme northwest corner of the county. Positively who was the first settler is not decided. A. C. Hitchcock, afterwards deputy sheriff, and Wm. Finfield and wife came there in 1854. There' wei'e probably earlier settlers, for Rev. Ephraim Adams, in his Thanksgiving discourse, said that the siding for the Winneshiek House, which was built in 1854-5, was got out at what was known as Carter's Mill, at .Plymouth Rock. Fremont township for several years belonged to Burr Oak precinct. In August, 1856, an election was ordered to es- tablish Fremont township, and was carried. The first township officers were: Justice of the Peace, Joseph Eddy; Town Clerk, Wm. F. Das- kam; Constable, C. Parmalee; Trustees, DeWitt Brady, J. P. Johnson, D. E. Shelmadine. 300 HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY. The population of the township by the census of 1880, was 692. There are two postoffices at two small villages in the township — Kendallville and Plymouth Rock. The village of Kendallville, which by the census of 1880 con- tained 75 inhabitants, is on the southwest side of the Upper Iowa River, is two and a half miles from the west line, and three-quar- ters of a mile from the south line of the township. It was origi- nally called "Enterprise," and was located on the claim of Mr. Shelmadine. S. G. Kendall came to this county from Mississippi in 1860, commenced the erection of a flour mill and other im- provements, and started the mill in operation in 1862; the village from that time was called Kendallville, and the postoffice was changed to this place from Twin Springs, one mile north; the plat of Kendallville was recorded September 9th, 1874. George Potter was the first postmaster. The first store was kept by David Bennett. A Grange hall was built January, 1868, two 'stories high, 20x50 feet, is still conducted by the society of Pat- rons of Husbandry, and is one of the few lodges in the state in a flourishing condition. The mill passed from Mr. Kendall's hands to Mr. Lawler, of Prairie du Chien, and from him to John Mc- Hugh, of Cresco, who still owns it. Kendallville has two stores, one by J. L. Daskam, the postmaster, and one by R. Barnes; J. H. Stockman has a blacksmith shop. It is 21 miles from Decorah and eight from Cresco, with which it connects by a tri-weekly mail. The extensive Kendallville stock farm of John McHugh is located near here. Plymouth Rock village and post office is within half-a-mile of the south [line of Fremont township, and 1^ miles from the east line. It was platted in September, 1855^' and the plat recorded January 15, 1856. The siding for the Winneshiek House, built in 1854-5, was obtained from what was known as Carter's Mill, at Plymouth Rock. It has a population of about 30, and is about 19 miles from Decorah, and 10 from Cresco. It has a tri-weekl y mail. G. V. Puntney, postmaster, runs the flour mill; L. Wan- less has a general store. BURR OAK TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE. Burr Oak is the second from the west in the northern tier of townships. Geo. V. Puntney, now of Plymouth Rock, settled on section 30, in 1851. "Burr Oak Precinct" for several years em- braced all the northern tier of townships. For its several divis- ions, see County History. Burr Oak village is on Silver Creek, near the center of the eastern side of the township, and about three-fourths of a mile from its eastern line. It was platted by S. Middlebrook, May 16, and plat recorded July 14, 1855. Sam- uel S. Belding was proprietor of the town plat; Manning's addition was recorded October 15, 1856. By the census of 1880, Burr Oak >>5 > Ot— It-HiTDOOSiOi-H I— I I— IT-H C^t-HCNt-Hi— I T— (I— I •d98Tlg ■sm'^o ^'B9w •sappj ■sasiojj POAV JO spuno J 830:^^:^0 j JO s[8i{sng Aa^JT'Bg JO sjeqsng •H81 ^P p9^saAii3H g;'GO JO s[3i{sna: •H8T til pa^saAJ^H luoQ JO s|9t[sng •pn-B^; paAOid -mj saJioy jo 'o^ o Eh o H iO-rhGOC<]':DOOO:ii— iiOO00C00S CCiaOC— COOC— lOi— ii— iOS(M»iOOOfM'<^COiO ^1— iCO-^CCKMiOiOiOtMOCX'-'^'a^COCM-^CO coc— iociTH-ii— looo:lOOOl^:)coc'OlO<:^a^--r-Oi— cs n u =3 5^ c3 ca.B 3,3 c3 o cs n hk. ■a :oP-i_o S d a S en ^"S'a cS uOiOi— iiOO ■TOOOO'MCOr-1— lO •>— it— cMcDf— (■-^ooir-cOior--t-oocoo:>o:ia5 t-» ':Dc^ocoascDcoc750-^coLocDco^-*-l—^ Icxi Oq i-Hi— li— I COCMCMi— iCDCOCOC^G^i— ICOCM "^ ^ HISTOEY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTS. 353 In 1880 the amount exempt from taxation in Allamakee County on account of fruit and forest trees planted was 17,250. LIVE STOCK I2S" ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Year. Horses. Cattle Sheep. Swine. 1867 4864 6897 7610 7921 7365 15132 14686 19652 16408 17708 11657 5697 7372 4055 4774 *24956 1873 tll027 1875 19770 1880 22939 1882 17760 *A11 ages. fOver six months old. ABSTRACT OF CENSUS OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY FOK 1875- MANUEACTUEES. Number of engines Horse power Number of wheels Horse power Average number of hands employed in 1874. Tons of pig and scrap iron consumed. 7 156 16 240 199 250 Cubic feet"of wood consumed 3,539,274 Pounds of Wool 27,020 Pounds of leather 8,000 Bushels of wheat 280,000 Bushels of com 10,400 Bushels of barley 7,000 Value of goods made in 1874 $745,072 AGEICULTURAL SOCIETY. Agreeable to a notice signed by Geo. C. Shattuck, John Ray- mond, D. H. Gilbert, John A. Townsend, Thos. A. Minard and Eobert Isted, a meeting was held at Waukon, on the 7th day of June, 1853, of which John Raymond was President and Joel Baker Secretary, and which resulted in the formation of the "Allamakee County Agricultural and Mechanical Society." The first officers of the society were: President — John A. Wakefield. Vice Presidents— Robert Isted, John Laughlin, Wm. C. Thompson. Recording Secretary — J.J. Shaw. Corresponding Secretary — John Haney, Jr. Treasurer — A. J. Hersey. The original roll showed a membership of eighteen persons, as oUows: John Raymond, John S. Clark, Robert Isted, M. B. Lyons, John A. Wakefield, Reuben Smith, C. W. Cutler, Absalom Thorn- burg, L. S. Pratt, M. Lashman, G. C. Shattuck, D. H. Gilbert, J. M. Cusiing, Ezra Reed, A. J. Hersey, Scott Shattuck, Austin Smith, John Haney, Jr. We quote from Judge Dean: 354 HISTORY OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. "June 23d at a meeting of the directors it was voted that there be a County Fair at Waukon on the 13th of November. At this Fair Ezra Reed and G. C. Shattuck took premiums on sheep. Robert Isted, John M. Gushing, and Shattuck, took premiums on swine. Patrick Keenan,' John Raymond, D. H. Gilbert, Robert Isted, and Abraham Bush, took premiums on cattle. Jehial Johnson, J. B. Cutler, Moses Shaft, G. C. Shattuck, took premiums on vegetables. L. Abbott took premium on wheat. Moses Shaft on corn. John A. Wakefield on best ten acres of corn. Benja- min Beard, L. Abbott, Mrs. L. T. Woodcock, Mrs. J. A. Townsend, Mrs. J. M. Cushing, and Mrs. Prescott, took premiums on house- hold products. This was the first Agricultural Society or Fair ever held in the County, and for those early days was a grand suc- cess, although held on the open prairie." The following year D. W. Adams was elected President of the society. Although we have no record of the old society at hand to refer to, we know that for several years quite successful Fairs were held, for those days. At the suggestion of Mr. Adams and John Plank, Sr., a meet- ing was held at Waukon Jan. 8th, 1868, for the purpose of re- organizing a County Agricultural Society, which was successfully accomplished, and this organization has held a County Fair each year since then, nearly all of which have been successful ones, and the society is prosperous. At that meeting the following ofiicers were elected: President, John Haney, Jr.; Vice President, John Plank, Sr.; Secretary, D. W. Adams; Treasurer, Charles Paulk. Directors — Center township, John Stillman; Pairview, D. F. Spaulding; Franklin, Selden Candee; French Creek, Porter Bel- lows; Hanover, Hans G. Hanson; Iowa, A. B. Hays; Jefferson, C. D. Beeman; Lafayette, W. Smith; Lansing, G. Kerndt; Lin- ton, Harvey Miner; Ludlow, Thos. Feely; Makee, C. 0. Howard; Paint Creek, John Smeby; Post, W. H. Carithers; Taylor, James Carrigan; Union City, Benj. Ratcliffe; Union Prairie, A. L. Grip- pen; Waterloo, W. Robinson. It was decided to purchase grounds adjoining Waukon, and each director was made an agent for the sale of life and annual membership tickets to accomplish this. The present fair grounds, comprising seventeen acres, admir- ably adapted to the purpose, were purchased and paid for, inclosed by an eight foot tight board fence, and a half mile track made within the inclosure, at the following cost: Cost of grounds $ 800 00 Labor and material 634 60 Lumber, etc 684 88 Total cost 12,129 48 HISTOKT OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 355 On which, after paying all the premiums of the first fair in full, there was at the annual meeting in January, 1869, a remain- ing debt of only $483.58 unprovided for. In the autumn of 1869 the society erected a new hall, 39 by 60 feet, and made considerable other improvements, at an expense of f 560, and still further reduced its debt. The society has con- tinued to make improvements upon its grounds from time to time, including an addition to the exhibition hall in 1881, It is now almost entirely out of debt, and is one of the most flourish- ing societies of its kind in a wide region around. The present officers of the society are : President— W. C. Earle. Vice-President — H. G. Grattan. Treasurer — A. E. Robbins. Secretary — H. A. Rodgers. Directors — John Johnson, Center; Eugene Perry, Fairview; C. P. Newell, Franklin; J. Doughterty, French Creek; H. G. Han- son, Hanover; A. B. Hays, Iowa; T. B. Wiley, Jefferson; An- drew Sandry, Lansing; E. D. Tisdale, Lafayette; Robt. Hender- son, Linton; Simon Opfer, Sr., Ludlow; J. A. Townsend, Makee; R. Sencebaugh, Paint Creek; W. H. Carithers, Post; Robert Banks, Taylor; B> Ratcliffe, Union City; T. W. David, Union Prairie; A. P. Dille, Waterloo. CHAPTER III. General History; the Aborigines; Archmology; Advent of the Whites; Early Settlements; County Organization; First County Officers; Taxable Property in 1849; Sketch of Father Lowrey; Indian Missions; The Painted Rock; County Seat Elections; Sodom and Gomorrah. The great Dakota or Sioux family of American Indians, whose proper domain is the vast central prairies between tne Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, from east to west, and stretch- ing from the Saskatchewan on the north to the Red River, of Texas, occupied the territory in which Allamakee county is in- cluded, when the white man first set foot on Iowa soil, in 1673. They are remotely allied, in language, to the Wyandotte-Iroquois family of the East. At the time of the advent of the white man, the Winnebagoes ("Puans" of the Canadians), a division of this powerful Dakota tamily, formed their eas'^ern outpost, and lived on the western shore of Lake Michigan, and about the waters of Winnebago 356 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUXTY. Lake and Green Bay, Wisconsin. This tribe was the parent stock of the Omahas, lowas, Kansas, Quappas,'or Arkansas, and Osages. They took up arms with the French in the Franco-English wars, and with the English in the Revolution and war of 1812. The Sacs and Foxes, originally separate tribes, were at one time neighbors of the Winnebagoes in Wisconsin, but had united their numbers in one band, and removed to and occupied a large por- tion of Illinois, and the eastern part of Iowa, south of the upper Iowa river. By the treaty of 1825 this river was made the divid- ing line between the Sioux on the north and the Sacs and Foxes (now considered as one tribe) on the south. But owing to fre- quent collisions between these tribes, in their hunting expeditions, the favorite hunting grounds being a bone of contention, the Government, in 1830, assembled them in council and established "the neutral ground," a strip of territory forty miles in width from north to south, with the upper Iowa as its center, extending westwardly from the Mississippi to the upper valley of the Des Moines river. Thus nearly the whole of what is now Allamakee county was included in the neutral ground, which was considered on of the yery best of hunting grounds, and upon which either tribe was permitted to hunt at pleasure, without interfer- ence from the other. At the close of the Black Hawk war, in 1832, in which the Winnebagoes took no active part, but were rather friendly to the whites, a treaty was made whereby this neutral ground was to become their reservation, and in consideration of the surrender of their lands in Wisconsin they were to be allowed large annuities from the government, which also undertook to supply them with agricultural implements and teach them the art of tilling the soil, hoping to induce them thereby to abandon their wild and idle ways and become civilized; a hope which proved fallacious. This treaty, (or another made near that time,) was proclaimed Feb. 13, 1833, and by its terms — as recently found by A. M. May in a vol- ume of Indian treaties in the library of the, Wisconsin State His- torical Society — defined the boundaries of the reservation as fol- lows: Beginning at a point on the west bank of the Mississippi river, twenty miles above the mouth of the Upper Iowa, thence west to Red Cedar Creek (the head-waters of the Cedar River), thence south forty miles, thence east to the Mississippi, thence north to place of beginning. This grant was to take effect June 1st, 1833, provided that by that time they should leave their old reservation and settle upon this. The eastern portion of this neu- tral ground was soon occupied, and a mission school and farm was established by the government on the north side of the Yellow River in 1834, of which we shall have more to say further along. By another treaty proclaimed June 16, 1838, the Indians re- linquished their right to occupy the eastern portion of this tract HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 357 of land, except for huntiEg, and agreed to move, in eight months after the ratification of said treaty, to the western part of the neutral ground, which was done in 1839 or '40. This was the oc- casion of the abandonment of the Yellow River mission, and the establishment, in 1840, of the Fort Atkinson mission on the Tur- key River in Winneshiek County. By a treaty made Oct. 18, 1846, and proclaimed Feb. 4, 1847, the Winnebagoes ceded and sold to the United States all their right, title, and interest in this neutral ground; and in June, 1848, they were removed to the upper Mississippi, north of the St. Peter's (or Minnesota) River. By a series of treaties they have since been removed no less than four times, occupying reserva- tions in various parts of Minnesota and Dakota, and now live upon the Omaha reservation in Nebraska, where they are said to be prospering. The love for their old haunts, however, was hard to overcome, and year after year they returned in small parties to their old hunting ground's on the banks of the Mississippi. And although time and again were these scattered parties gathered together by squads of U. S. troops and taken to their reservation, there are still quite a number who continue to inhabit the islands of the river along our county border, subsisting upon fish and game. AECHAEOLOGY. The banks of some of our streams bear the marks of having been the home of a numerous people many centuries in the past, but of what race they were is a mystery hard to solve. Especially are there in the valley of the Upper Iowa numerous mounds, but of the acts and scenes which were taking place in this beautiful val- ley in the age in which they were constructed we may imagine, though probably never know. That it is an interesting subject for investigation is felt by all; and the following extracts from an account of explorations made in 1875, are worthy of a place here. The article was written by Dr. W. W. Ranney, of Lans- ing, who was accompanied in his investigations by Judge Mur- dock, of Garnavillo, and others of Lansing: "The mound in which our excavations were made is situated on the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section thir- ty-six, township one hundred, range five, west of principal merid- ian (or the southeast corner of Union City township), or about one nundred feet above the Iowa River bottom. It is not in the form of the burial mounds, or tumuli, but forms a circle, the cir- cumference of which is seven hundred feet. The ridge, or eleva- tion, averages about twenty-five feet in width, leaving a circular inclosure 210 feet in diameter. The height of the ridge or mound is about three to four feet from the surface of the ground. "On opening it we discovered pieces of broken pottery made of a bluish clay and partially pulverized mussel shells; stones, show- 368 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. ing evidence of having been used for hearths, or supports for the earthen vessels while being used for cooking food; collections of fish scales, bones of buffalo, deer, badger, bear, fish and birds, but no evidence whatever of human bones. The long, or marrow bones of all animals were found broken or split, supposed to have been done for the purpose of extracting the marrow for food, which circumstance is also noted in the Kjokkommoddings, or kitchen middings, of Denmark. One peculiarity noticed by Mr. Hemenway was that each of us digging in different localities found the ornamentation of the pottery dissimilar. For instance, all Mr. Haney found was ornamented with horizontal circular rings; all the Judge found was ornamented with zig-zag lines with dots in the angles. All that we found had perpendicular lines like a muskmelon, etc. This was finally accounted for by the supposi- tion that each family had its own particular method of ornamen- tation, by which they recognized their property. "These vessels were quite capacious, the diameter of one having been fourteen inches at the mouth, (or as large as a ten pound tobacco pail). About one and three-quarter inches below the mouth they abruptly widened out about six inches all aroiind, making the largest diameter twenty six inches. "Taking occasion to remark to the Judge that we had found no bottoms to the vessels, set him to thinking, and the result was that he decided that the bottoms had been rounded in such a manner that they never tipped over, but let them be set down as they might they oscillated till they finally, when still, sit in an upright position. For the purpose of handling, the vessels were pro- vided with handles on two opposite sides similar to our jug'handles. "Besides the before-mentioned articles. Col. Johnston found a thin strip of copper two inches long by three-quarters wide, and and we found an ornament of the same material, triangular in form, one inch wide at the base, and one and one-half inches from base to apex, the form being the same as the face of a flat iron, the center being perforated to attach some additional ornament, and the apex also, to attach a string to fasten in the ear. "Now the question arises, when, how and for what purpose was this mound built. Was it a burial ground, a fort or a village? At first the Judge thought the former, Mr. James Haney the second, and we took the last proposition. To say when, is imposs- ible; the time has been long, long ago, as we have evidence by the decay of the bones and shells. Why it was built? We think it the remains of a village. That the huts or wigwams were built in a circle, and the piles of burnt stone we unearthed each repre- sented a hearth in a hut, on which the pottery set while cooking, and around each of which a separate family warmed and fed them- selves. We think with Mr. H. that each family had a separate distinct mark on their vessels by which they were known from their neighbors in the next hut or wigwam. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 359 "We think that the bones found show no evidence of human bones, and consequently it could not be used for a burial ground. Another evidence lies in the fact that all the bones are broken to obtain the marrov\r. The scales and bones of fish and animals, the charcoal, ashes and burnt hearth-stones all point conclusively to the fact that this was their abode. The central enclosure was used for their games, dancing and pleasure, or perhaps in case of attack from wild beasts or their fellow men, as a place for the aged, the young and the women to flee to while the warrior met their encroachments outside the circle of dwellings. Add to this the fact forty rods south of this village we find some eighty-three burial mounds or tumuli, out of which we procured parts of hu- man skeletons, and nothing else, with the long bones entire, and we are convinced of the fact that this was once a town filled with people, enjoying the pleasures of families and all knit together as one tribe of people." Commenting on the above, Mr. J. G. Ratcliffe, for many . years a resident of that valley, and a close observer of those mounds, wrote in 1875: "These remains extend up the Iowa Kiver, from near New Albin, for a distance of at least twenty miles, and consist of sites of ancient villages or forts; tumuli or burial grounds; lookout or signal stations on the tops of the bluff's; and rude Hieroglyph- ics; these last consisting of men on horseback, buffalos, pecul- iar circular figures, etc., being now mostly obliterated through the agency of the weather, the friable nature of the rock (potsdam sandstone) and rude boys. "Of the village or forts: these consist of circular (in one case only triangular) enclosures or embankments of earth and stone. They were located generally at intervals of a couple of miles apart on the benches or second bottoms of the valley, bat some- times (as was the case with one on a farm formerly owned by me) were down on the river flat. The enclosures were generally from seventy-five to one hundred yards in diameter. The embankments being now about twenty-five to thirty feet in width and two or three in height, were originally, I think, much higher, and prob- ably built of sods, serving the purposes of a modern stockade as a means of defence against enemies, and high enough for a sup- port for one end of their tent poles, while at the base on the inside were their kitchen hearths, whereon was cooked the spoils of the chase, the embankment warding off the inclement storms to which the climate is subject. "In exploring these embankments we found (in addition to the pottery, bones, fish scales, etc., mentioned as found by Judge Murdock and party) large stone mortars and pestles, for grinding corn, two or three kinds of stone axes, celts, etc.; also numerous flint and chert arrow heads, and skinning instruments. These mortars are about fourteen inches in diameter and about five 23 360 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. inclies in thickness, hollowed out like a soup plate, hand made, from a hard syenite stone, but sometimes from a common sand- stone. The pestles are of three kinds and the most common kind are about the size of, and almost identical in shape with a large sized biscuit, being about three and a half inches in diam- eter by ore and three quarter inches in depth, can be readily clutched in the hand, and are worn off very smooth by constant abrasion; these are quite numerous. Another kind is similar to a common potato masher, except that the handle is a little larger and shorter, the whole instrument being eight or nine inches in length. Also one of a shape between these two with grooves for the fingers. This kind is very scarce. I have never known of but one being found here. "The stone axes, celts, etc, are crude instruments when com- pared with ours; and yet they are crude in material more than in workmanship. There is a symmetry of form and a proportion of materials to the work to be done which invites our admiration, and suggests the question 'whether the civilized men of the present day placed in the same situation and with the same materials and tools could or would do any better'. The stone ax is much the size and shape of one of our axes with the steel worn away and blunted. Jnstead of an eye there is a groove cut around the head of the ax, around which the handle was withed. The Sioux In- dians of the present day withe their handles on in this manner with strips of green rawhide, which on drying makes a firm and elastic handle. The material with v?hich these axes were made is a very tough kind of porphyritic granite or green stone and is not found nearer than the Lake Superior region and the Canadas. , "Mr. John Haney informed me sometime since that many years ago, when he and his brothers first started their mill, that they very successfully used one of these wedges or celts of this material for a mill pick for dressing the buhr stones. The stone celts and skinning instruments are similar to the axes except that with the same cutting edge they have the top part rounded off to grasp Vfith the hand or sink into a club. Some of these are quite diminuitive; I have some specimens that are not over two and a half inches in length, while others are as large as a blacksmith's sledge. An- other specie of skinning instrument is a large flat stake; one of these found on the Iowa is about six inches in length by four and one-half in breadth, and three-fourths of an inch in thickness, and resembles very much one described in Harper's Magazine for Sep- tember, 1875. "A year or two ago a band of wandering Winnebagoes happened along the Iowa, fishing and begging as is their wont. The atten- tion of one of the old men was called to an old village site and he was asked what it was. He replied an Indian garden. His know- ledge of this subject was coextensive with that of one of the same tribe to whom I showed a large mastodon bone, which was ex- HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COOKTT, 361 humed near New Albin in grading the railroad. On asking him to what animal it belonged he answered "buffalo," that being the largest animal of which he had any knowledge. "Before leaving the subject of these forts or village sites, I would say in this connection that on a trip over on the Kickapoo River in Wisconsin, last year, I found them quite numerous, and of peculiar shape. The engineer of the Narrow Gauge Railroad there surveyed and platted some of them, when to his surprise he found them take the shapes of a bear, birds and other animals, showing artistic design in their construction." THE ADVENT OF THE WHITE MAK. The first permanent settlement within the boundaries of Alla- makee County of which we have any record was at the old Gov- ernment Indian Mission in Fairview township, which wasopened in 1835 with Rev. David Lowrey and Col. Thomas in charge. The building was erected the previous year; and as early as 1828 a de- tail of men from Ft. Crawford (Prairie du Chien, which place was settled by Indian traders more than a century before) had built a saw mill on the Yellow River a short distance below this point to get out lumber for building purposes at the Fort. In- deed, it would have been strange if this region had not been well traversed by white hunters and trappers for many years previous to this time; and it is said that somewhere along our river border a white man had established his home as early as 1818, but had after a time abandoned it. Of this the writer has nothing authen- tic, however, and the earliest individual or private settlement of which we have knowledge was by one Henry Johnson, at the mouth of Paint Creek, about the year 1837 — and this was the origin of "Johnsonport." The third settlement was made by Mr. Joel Post and his wife, Zerniah, in 1841, they establishing a half way house of entertain- ment on the military road, between Ft. Crawford and Ft. Atkin- son. Their place was in the extreme southwest corner of the county, and is now the thriving town of Postville. Mrs. Post is still living in that place, and her memory register preserves the names of many distinguished guests who have enjoyed the hos- pitality of her home. Among these may be mentioned Capt. N. Lyon, Lt. Alfred Pleasanton, Gen. Sumner, and other officers who afterwards became noted. From this time on there seem to have been no other settle- ments made until the Indians were removed in 1848, although portions of the county were explored in 1847. When Reuben Smith located on Yellow River, in June, 1849, he reports that there were seven or eight settlers then near Mr. Post's. In 1848 Patrick Keenan and Richard Cassiday settled in Makee township, and William Garrison and John Haney at Lansing. 362 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUKXY. In 1849 there were many new settlements made in various parts of the county, including those of Geo. C. Shattuck at Wau- kon, W. C. Thompson in Lafayette, some parties along Yellow- River and others to the north of the Iowa, so that in the latter part of this year the population was enumerated and reported at 277. When Mr. Shattuck located at Waukon his nearest post office was Monona, just over the line in Clayton County. The only one in this county at that time was at Postville, established in January of that year. From an interesting sketch of the early settlement of the coun- ty, prepared by G. M. Dean and read before the Early Settlers' Association, of Makee township, in January, 1880, we make the following extract, as showing very clearly the condition of things in those days: "In 1834 the United States, through its military authorities at Port Crawford, Prairie du Chien, built on what is now section 19, township 96, range 3, called Fairview township, in this county, a mission school and farm. At this time Col. Zachary Taylor, af- terwards President of the United States, commanded the post, and Jefferson Davis, since President of the so-called Southern Confed- eracy, was on duty there as Lieutenant. General Street was In- dian agent; all the agents at that time being army officers, and the Indians being under the control of the Secretary of War. The mission was for the purpose of civilizing and christianizing the Indians, and was opened in the spring of 1835 with the Rev. David Lowrey, a Presbyterian in faith, as school teacher, and Col. Thomas as farmer. But the effort to make good farmers, schol- ars or christians out of these wandering tribes proved abortive, and poor 'Lo' remained as before, 'a child of nature,' content to dress in breech-clout and leggins, lay around the sloughs aad streams, and make the squaws provide for the family. "After their removal, the government having no more use for the Mission, put it on the market and sold it to Thomas C. Lin- ton, who occupied it as a farm a few years and sold it to Ira Per- ry, and on the death of Mr. Perry in 1868 it became the property of his son, Eugene Perry, the present owner. The building is a large two-story stone house, the chimney of which was taken for a 'witness tree' when the Government survey of public lands was made at a later day. It is still standing in a good state of pre- servation, and has sheltered the families of its respective owners up to this date. "This house has become historic in many respects. It is one of the very prominent land-marks in the history of the development of Allamakee County, and we earnestly hope its owners will let it stand as long as grass grows or water runs, and thus preserve to those who may come after us at least one |thing that may be considered venerable. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 363 "In the fall and winter of 1849 there were only three dwelling houses in the valley of the Yellow River. The Old Mission, called at this time the Linton House, the house of Mr. John S. Clark, on section fourteen in Franklin township, and the house of Reuhen Smith on section eleven in Post township. "It is a very difficult matter for us, who live in Allamakee County to-day, to conceive of the condition of things in the Mississippi Valley when this old Mission waii first huilt in 1834, and it is still more difficult for the writer to convey a clear idea of it. "There was at that time no Allamakee County, no Clayton County, no Winneshiek County, and in fact no Territory organi- zation, but simply a wilderness waste. In 1836, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota was taken from Michigan and made 'Wisconsin Ter- ritory', and lo^nra soon after divided all of her territory lying west of the Mississippi River into two counties, to-wit: Dubuque County and Des Moines County, the dividing lines being at the foot of Rock Island. "The Indian tribes roamed over this whole region, and Jefferson Barracks, a military post about eight miles below St. Louis, Mis- souri, was headquarters for the military operations of the Mississ- ippi Valley. Just think of it! This valley knew no railroads, no telegraphs and a very large per cent, of its present inhabitants were not then born. The military post at Prairie du Chien had been established and when they wanted to utilize the resources of this wild region about them, they detailed soldiers for the work, and in 1828, being in want of lumber, they sent a part of the gar- rison over to Yellow River, and built a saw mill about two miles below what is now the old Mission House, the remains of which was burned down in 1839. "In 1840, one Jesse Danley built a saw mill on the river about one mile below the Mission, but the floods came and took the dam asvay, and the proprietor meeting with one mishap after another, finally abandoned it, and in time it was torn down. "The town of Johnsonsport, at the mouth of Paint Creek, was named after a soldier who served out his time at the Prairie, and was discharged and paid off in 1837. Now this man, Johnson be- ing fond of Indian women, took several of them for wives, and spent his time between hanging around the post and living among the tribes, and finally settled near the river bank, somewhere be- tween what is now Harper's Ferry and North McGregor. Some of our old residents still remember him and speak of him as Squaw Johnson, but he has been dead several years, and the writer has no knowledge of his descendants, if he left any. "In 1839, Hiram Francis and family came from Prririe du Chien to the old Mission in the employ of the Government, and remained there until it ceased to be a Mission, and from him we learn that 364 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. his duties were to issue daily rations to such Indians as were fed at that place, and that in Noyemher, 1840, the last of them were re- moved to the Turkey River, and the school closed. "In 1841, there lived at the Mission Mr. and Mrs. Jaeob Ryner- son, and there was born unto them a son, and this was thought to be the first white child born in the county. "The earliest settlers in what is now Makee and Union Prairie townships, came in overland from the south, through Clayton County, there being no town then where Lansing is now. In conversation with the late Elias ToplifF, when he' was a citizen among us, he related to me that while living in Clayton County he, with several others, started out to hunt land on which to make a home; that they followed an Indian trail north across the Yellow River and on to the Iowa River somewhere, where the party camped over night and caught and cooked a splendid mess of speckled trout. He thought they traveled across what is now the prairie on which Waukon stands, but could not positively identify their old route,for at that time the country traveled over was in a state of nature, and there was not a white man to be seen on the trip after leaving the settlements of Clayton County. In the morning they retraced their steps and returned to Clayton county again, not finding a single foot of land that suited them. My recollection now is that the Judge located this tiip in 1847. "The first white settlers in Makee township were Patrick Keenan and his brother-in-law, Mr. Richard Cassiday. They lived together, and in October, 1848 settled on Makee Ridge, where they grubbed out and broke up about three acres of land, built a log cabin, and in 1849 abandoned it and made themselves farms ia Jefferson township, where they lived until they passed on to "the better country." Mr. Keenan was the first man in the county, of his nationality, ever made an American citizen through the naturalization law, the court at the time being held at Columbus , on the Mifsis-ippi river.* He died in March, 1878, leaving a large and respectable family and a handsome property, and was buried at Cherry Mound. Mr. Cassiday died in 1879 and was buried at the same place. "In the spring of 1849 there was born to Mr. and Mrs. Cassiday a daughter, Margaret, now Mrs. Murphy, living in McGregor, and she was the first white child born in Jefferson township." "In 1850 there was a small pair of buhrs near Decorah for grinding, but no bolt attached, and our settlers from this locality with their ox teams hauled their little grists up there; but soon after (summer of 1850) one Ellis put in a small pair of buhrs, without bolt, on Paint Creek, just around the bend below where Waterville now stands. The remains of this first mill in the county still stand in that place. * * * * *We think Mr. Dean slightly in error here, as the date of this transaction was July, 1849, when there was no settlement at (Uoliimbus. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNT'S. 365 "In the winter of 1848 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the organization of the county, and appointed Thomas C. Linton, who owned the old mission property, as organizing sheriff; and as this countj"^ then belonged to Clayton County it required^ him to appear at her county seat, file his bond, take the oath of office, and make due returns of his doings thereto. We have been un- able to find any written record of that organizing election, and after much inquiry by correspondence and otherwise have through the kindness of Mr. -J. S. Deremo of Fairview township, obtained the particulars as he gathered them the past week from Mr. Moses Van Sickle, one of the participants in that election. It was held under the call of Mr. Linton, at his house, in August, 1849, about fifteen votes being cast, and resulted in the election of the following persons: "County Commissioners — Thomas Van Sickle, Daniel G. Beck, Thos. B. Twiford. "County Clerk — James Haney. "Recorder — Stephen Holcomb. "School Fund Commissioner — Moses Van Sickle. "Treasurer— Elias Topliffi "SherifF^Lester W. Hays. "Thomas Van Sickle died in Nebraska about 1878. Daniel G. Beek died in Missouri about 1866. Thos. B. Twiford moved to Minnesota and was the founder of the town of Chatfield. James Haney lives at this time in Wisconsin. Stephen Holcomb died at the Mission about 1851. Moses Van Sickle is living at this date in Fairview township. Elias ToplifF died in Waukon in 1860. Thomas C. Linton lives in Oregon. "Lester W. Hays Was for several years before his death a county charge, living sometimes at the county farm, and some- times in Fairview township where he had a little log hut hardly high enough to stand erect in, nor large enough to aiford room for many visitors; and being about eighty years old and too in- firm to labor, he was allowed from the poor fund the pittance of one dollar per week, and this with the charity of kind neighbors kept life in the old man until last Christmas night, the coldest night of the year, when the mercury ran down to thirty-three degrees below zero, he perished. The next morning some of the neighbors went to the hut and found the old man lying on his rude cot, with legs and arms frozen. The county furnished a coffin, and poor Hays is no more. 'Rattle his bones over the stones, For he's but apauperwhoEj nobody owns.' "This election gave the County a legal and working existence. In 1849 she had two hundred and seventy-seven white inhabitants, men, women and children. "The county records of those early times as left by the commis- sioners, are either lost, mislaid, or were made in so transient a 366 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. manner as to preclude their being handed down to posterity, and so much as we have gathered has been obtained from other official records, the personal recollection of our early settlers, and has taken much time and labor, and as the years roll on these items of early history are more and more difficult to obtain in consequence of the death, removal or incapacity through age or infirmity of the parties participating in them. "From Elias ToplifF I learned that the first tax list was put into his hands for collection ; that the gross amount of it was about ninety dollars; that he traveled all through the eastern part of the county to collect, and that after doing his best, collecting about one half of the list and making his returns to the Commis- sioners, they charged up to him the uncollected portion and took it from his compensation as Treasurer." In a carefully preserved copy of the North Iowa Journal, pub lished at Waukon, in the summer of 1860, we find a sketch of the previous history of the county, from which we shall find occasion to make a few extracts. In regard to the County organization we find: The county was organized by an act of the Legislature, approved January 15, 1849, and taking effect March 6th, 1849. Thomas C. Linton was appointed organizing Sheriff; the first election being held by the order of the Sheriff on the first Wed- nesday of April, 1849. The officers elected were: County Commissioners— James M. Sumner and Joseph W. Holmes. Sheriff — Lester W. Hays. Clerk Commissioners' Court — D. G. Beck. Clerk of District Court — Stephen Holcomb. The officers elect qualified at the house of Thomas C. Linton, April 10th, 1849. The second election was held the first Monday of August, 1849, and the following officers were elected: County Commissioners — James M. Sumner, Thomas A. Van- Sickle and Daniel G. Beck. Clerk of Commissioners' Court — Gr. A. Warner. Sheriff— L. W. Hays. Treasurer and Recorder and Collector — Elias Topliff. County Surveyor — James M. Sumner. Judge of Probate Court — Stephen Holcomb. Inspector of Weights and Measures — G. A. Warner. Coroner — C. P. Williams. It will be seen that there is a discrepancy between this account and that in Judge Dean's paper, as regard the time of the first election and the lists of officers elected thereat. We are inclined to take the Journal account to be authoritative, for the reason that it was published week after week for several months in suc- cession, apparently without question, and that at a time only elev- HISTOKY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTT. 367 en years after the events narrated ; and further, we have reason to believe that the facts there stated were gleaned at the time from a sketch of the county history, prepared bj' Mr. Dean while County Judge in 1859, a copy of which was deposited in the corner stone of the Waukon Court House after being read to the people there assembled to witness that ceremony. The original has been miss- ing for many a year, as Mr. Dean tells us. On the other hand, the account as it appears in his later narrative is based largely up- on the recollections of individuals, after a lapse of over thirty years, and no matter how honest their intentions are, it is quite likely they have erred by means of the incidents of two or more elections becoming intermingled in their memory. The sketch we last quoted then continues: "On the first Monday of August, 1851, Elias ToplifF was elected County Judge, succeeding the County Commissioners; he served as Judge until August 25, 1857, when George M. Dean was elected. In 1859, J. A. Townsend was elected, and is now acting Judge. "James M. Sumner was elected Recorder and Treasurer in 1851. Since then the following gentlemen have served the county in that capacity: T. C. Linton, J. J. Shaw, L. 0. Hatch and Elias Topliff, the present ofiScer. "In August, 1861, Leonard B. Hodges was elected Clerk of the District Court. Lewis Hersey and C. J. White has since served. C. J. White is the present Clerk. At the same election Wm. C. Thompson was chosen Sheriff. John Laughlin succeeded him and John A. Townsend next served for two successive terms in that office. Wm. C. Thompson was again elected in 1859, and is now the acting Sheriff. "In August, 1856, James Brysou was elected as a Representative to the Legislature. "In 1857, G. W. Gray was chosen a member of the Legislature, J. B. Suttor, County Assessor; G. W. Gray, Drainage Commission- er; W. W. Hungerford, Surveyor; M. F. Luark, Coroner, and G. W. Camp, Prosecuting Attorney. "In 1858, J. W. Merrill was chosen Drainage Commissioner; C. J. White, Clerk of the District Court; F. W. Nottingham. Coro- ner, and J. W. Flint, Superintendent of Common Schools. "In 1859, Charles Paulk was chosen a member of the Legisla- ture; G. L. Miller, Drainage Commissioner; John Ryan, Surveyor; J. W. Granger, Coroner, and R. C. Armstrong, Superintendent of Common Schools. "The above list comprises the principal officers since the organ- ization of the county. The records previous to 1856 are very in- complete, and we were unable to learn the dates of the elections of the various officers. "The total amount of taxable property in the county was: In 1849, $1,729; in 1851, $8,299; in 1854, 1700,794; in 1857, $1,827,- 766; in 1859, $1,967,899. 368 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. We have said that when the Indian Mission was established on Yellow River, it was placed in charge of Father Lowrey, a man ex- ceedingly well adapted to the duties pertaining thereto. He was well known many years after in this part of the country and great- ly admired. David Lowrey, D. D., was born in Logan County, Kentucky, January 20, 1796. His parents were worthy members of the Presbyterian Church, but, like many other good people, were en- trusted with little of this world's treasury. The widowed mother died when he was only a little over two years old, leaving him a penniless and friendless orphan. He was bound out to a family that, in course of time became very reckless and intemperate ; but at a Cumberland Presbyterian camp meeting, held near his residence, he solemnly consecrated his heart and his life to God. This event happened when he was eighteen years of age. Shortly after his conversion he became a candidate for the ministry, under the care of Logan Presbytery, and his proficiency and usefulness were so great that he was soon licensed and ordained to the work of the ministry. On the 16th of December, 1830, he began the publication in Princeton, Kentucky, of the "■Beligious and Literary Intelligen- cery It was a weekly journal, ably edited, and was the first pa- per published under the auspices of that church. To him, there- fore, belongs the honor of being the father of Cumberland Pres- byterian journalism. Some years afterward he was editor of the '■'Cumberland Presbyterian,^'' then published in Nashville, Tennes- see. ■ In addition to his editorial duties he had the pastorate of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Nashville, which was then in its infancy; and for his year's labor he received, as compensation, the astonishing sum of. owe wagon load of corn in the shuckl In the year, 1832, under the administration of his friend. Pres- ident Jackson, he received the appointment of teacher to the Win- nebago Indians. He arrived at Prairie du Chien with his family in the month of November, of the above year. Shortly after his arrival he organized a "Military Church," and here was spread the first communion table in the Northwest. Early in the spring of 1833, a council of Winnebago chiefs was called for the purpose of deliberating in reference to Mr. Lowrey 's work. He made a brief stateinent of his object and plans, and then called for expressions from the various chiefs who were present. After brief speeches from others, Waukon rose up, and thus delivered his sentiments: "The Winnebagoes are asleep, and it will be wrong to awake them; they are red men ■ and all the white man's soap and water cannot make them white." The result of the council, however, was favorable, and Mr. Low- rey entered on his work. In 1840 the Yellow River mission was abandoned and the prop- erty sold by the government to Thos. C. Linton. At this time the Fort Atkinson mission was established and the Indians who HISTOHY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNT-y. 369 had heretofore received their annuities at Yellow River were thenceforth paid off at this post until they were removed to Min- nesota in 1848. Besides the attempt to teach the red men how to till the soil successfully, their children were taught to read and write (or some of them were who would learn), and the girls were also instructed in sewing, cutting garments, etc. Rev. Lowrey was transferred to this Fort Atkinson charge (as was also farmer Thomas), and remained with the Winnebagoes the greater part of the time, until about 1861 or 1862, when the tribe was moved west of the Missouri River. At the close of the late civil war he removed from St. Cloud, Minnesota, where he was then living, to Clayton County, Iowa, near the scene of his early labors with the • Indians. Some years prior to his death he removed to Pierce City, Mo., where he died in January, 1877, leaving an aged wife. He had two sons, both of whom he outlived. As before stated, the Old Mission became the property of T. C. Linton about 1840; but we iiad it was transferred to the school laiids from the government, and then contracted from the school fund by Mr. Linton in 1854. He sold it to Ira Perry in 1855. John Linton, a native of Kentucky, came to the mission in 1837 and remained some time. He died at Garnavillo in 1878. Before the territory of Iowa was organized, the Legislature of Wisconsin passed an act, in December, 1837, establishing Clayton County, which was then attached to Dubuque County for judicial purposes. In the following spring the Governor of Wisconsin territory appointed the first sheriff of Clayton County, and 'the first term of court was held, and the first election. For judicial and election purposes this region of country, as well as all of what is now the state of Minnesota, was at that time attached to Clayton. In 1838 — June 3d — all of Iowa and most of Minnesota' was formed into the Territory of Iowa. And on December 28, 1846, Iowa was admitted as the 29th State of the United States. During the first session of the General Assembly of Iowa, in the winter of 1846-47, an act was passed defining the boundaries of several counties, among them Allamakee, which placed it with- in its present limits. Previous to this time the northern boundary of. Clayton county was identical with the southern line of the neutral ground of 1830 — a line that begun on the bank of the Mississippi twenty miles below the mouth of the Iowa, and ex- tended in a west-southwest direction something over twenty miles; thence southerly about nine miles to the Turkey river; thence westerly again. On Newhall's map of Iowa, published in 1841, and apparently gotten up with the utmost care, this line is dis- tinctly laid down as the northern boundary of Clayton and Fayette counties. And this brings us to the question of the "Painted Rock," on Section 3, in Fairview township. On the face of a bold cliff, facing the river, and some half way up the bluff, was at some time 370 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. painted the figure of an animal and the word "Tiger," with some names and other symbols. Judge Murdock said the painting was there in 1843, and looked ancient at that time; and, as far as we have been able to ascertain, the question of when or why it was put there, or by whom, has ever been a matter of speculation without a satisfactory answer. From various facts it is very evi- dent that this was the point at which the southern boundary line of the '"neutral ground" of 1830 touched the river, one of the proofs of which is as follows: At the session of the County Commissioners of Clayton County, held April ith, 1844, the boundaries of various election precincts were defined, and one precinct was established as follows: "Yellow River precinct (No. 4), commencing at the Painted Rock on the Mississippi River; thence down said river to the corner of township ninety-five, range three, west of the fifth principal meridian; thence down said river two miles, thence due west on section line west side of township ninety-five, range four, west; thence north to the neu- tral line; thence following said line to the place of commencing, at Painted Rock." This fact being established, what more reasonable to suppose than that the authorities at Prairie du Chien should cause this prominent clifi" — this natural "bulletin-board" as it were — to be so plainly marked as to desig- nate the boundary line in a manner not to be mistaken by the natives; and what more natural than that the subordinates who performed the duty should decorate the rock with representations of wild animals and strange figures, the more readily to attract the attention of the Sioux hunting expeditions as they descended the river in their canoes and warn them that they had reached the limit of the hunting grounds permitted to them. Neither is it strange that they should take the opportunity of placing their own names where they might become famous, though they have long since become illegible. The only wonder is that some enter- prising patent nostrum vendor was not on the spot to make his words immortal. In the election precinct above described, "the house of Thomas C. Linton, on Yellow River", was designated as the place for hold- ing the elections. So that undoubtedly the first election in the present boundaries of this county was held at that place long be- fore the organizing election of 1849. From this it will be seen, too, that the Old Mission was not established within the boundary line of the Winnebago reservation, but a couple of miles to the south of that boundary, and in Dubuque County — after 1837 in Clayton County. In the second General Assembly an act was passed organizing the county of Allamakee, and approved by Gov. Ansel Briggs — the first state governor — Jan. 15, 1849. Under this act the first election was held — as heretofore stated. Commissioners were al- so appointed to locate the county seat of said county. And they HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COONTY. 371 performed their duty by selecting a location in Jefferson town- ship, about a mile and a half northwest of the present village of Rossville, on the road from there to Waukon, near the Pettit place. It has ever since been known as "The Old Stake." In April, 1851, the people of Allamakee County voted upon the following three points for the county seat, viz: Vailsville, on Paint Rock Prairie (now Harper's Ferry), "Smith's Place, sec. 12," in Post township, and Columbus, at the mouth of Village Creek in Lansing township. As neither point received a majority an- other vote was taken on the first Monday in May following, be- tween Columbus and Smith's Mill, resulting in a small majority — 14 it is said — for Columbus. We have no means of ascertain- ing the number of votes cast; neither do we know how many polling places there were in the county at that time; but if we are not mistaken Reuben Smith's place (one of the contesting points) was one of these. He stated in the fall of 1877 that a county seat election in '51 was held in a log cabin of his, and that voters came there from a distance of many miles, of whom he re- membered Shattuck and Bush from what is now Makee, among others. Since that time no less than nine more county seat elections have been held, which will be spoken of more at length in their appropriate chapter. To return to some of the earlier incidents of the county's set- tlement and history. About 1840 or '41 a trading post was es- tablished near what is now Monona, just off the reservation, by one Jones, who sought to replenish his treasury by supplying the Indians with "fire water." Another individual byname of Thorn instituted a like concern near by, and by a happy application of the eternal fitness of things these institutions were called "Sodom" and "Gomorrah" in the vernacular of those days. One of the re- sults of their establishment was probably the first murder in our county, the particulars of which we find in the Decorah Republi- can, in 1875, substantially as follows: A party of Indians were living on a tributary of the Yellow River (thought to be Hickory Creek) four or five miles from Monona. An old Indian visited Jones den at Sodom, and as many a pale face has done since then traded all his worldly effects for whisky, even to the blanket from his shoulders. On his way to his lodge he died from exposure and cold. The next morning his son found his body naked and frozen in the snow. Thirsting for vengeance, he visited the whisky den at Gomorrah and shot the first white man he saw, it happening to be an inoffensive man named Riley. The young Indian was cap- tured by a detachment of troops under Judge D. S. Wilson of Dubuque, then a Lieutenant at Ft. Atkinson, but before the time for his trial he escaped and was never recaptured. 372 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTS. CHAPTER IV. First Entries of Government Lands; First Importation of Lum- ber; First Grist Mill; First Postofflce; Interesting Remin- iscences; First Official Seal; First Terms of Court and List of Grand Jurors; First Party Organization; Systems of County Management ; List of County Officers; State Senatorship and Representatives from Date of Organization to Present Time; the Circuit Court. Although the Indian title was extinguished, and the county was open to settlement in 1848, the lands were not put upon the market until about the first of October, 1850. The earliest entry of Government land we have found upon the records is that of the southeast quarter southeast quarter section 19, and three for- ties in section 30, all in Paint Creek Township, to Geo. Watkins, October, 7, 1850. In 1851 or '52, Porter Bellows located in the valley of the Upper Iowa, and a few years later erected a grist mill near the mouth of French Creek, known as the McMillan Mill. In Jane, 1851, G. W. Carver came to Lansing with a stock of lum-i ber, the first in the County. He furnished the lumber for the first buildings erected on Makee Ridge. We believe he became the pioneer settler on Portland Prairie, north of the Iowa, in May, 1852. He made large claims of school lands under the State laws, and held the same until it reverted to the Government, as the Commissioner had selected too much land for school purposes. His claims were in litigation from 1858 until 1872, when by special act of the Legislature he was awarded $3,000 damages. Wm. Werhan came into the county in 1851, and in company with P. M. Gilson erected a grist mill on the Yellow River, in Franklin township, in 1854. The first postoffice is thought to have been the one established at Postville in January, '49. A postoffice was established at Lansing in the summer of 1849. A postoffice was early established at the Eells place, but the date of establishment is unknown. This was on the road from Lansing to Decorah, and a popular stopping place for travelers between these points. The first physician in the central portion of the county was J. W. Flint, who located on Makee Ridge in '52 or '53. From some interesting reminiscences contributed to the Waukon Standard., in 1877, by D. B. Raymond, we make some quotations that here find their appropriate place. "Standing on the Lansing Ridge about six or eight miles out from the river and looking over the valley of Village Creek and HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 373 to the north where the ridges and ravines with their rippling streams are lost in the view, toward the Upper Iowa River, I think it is as romantic as any view ever beheld by the writer; the more so, as my first view was when not a living white man had a house in this region save what I call to mind in these papers. I believe that I am correct when I say that Mr. John A. Wakefield was the first who put up a dwelling on the ridge out from Lans- ing; at least we found him ensconsed in a good house with some improvements at our first advent there (1852). He was a man of considerable avoirdupois and went by the title of Colonel or Ma- jor. He had a great desire for prominence and office, and was subject to many hard hits from competitors. As he often gloried in his valorous deeds in the war with Blackhawk; the keen, cut- ting sarcasm of J. W. Remine, the Lansing lawyer, and some others, drove the old Colonel almost to frenzy on some occasions. As he was indeed a pioneer, he sold out. and moved to Nebraska in the summer of 1854. He was quite enterprising in improvements, and had a water-ram in operation several rods below his house to force the water from a nice spring to his dwelling, which was con- sidered a great luxury on the ridge; as every one reading these lines that knows Lansing Ridge will bear me witness that it is a dry expanse, the elevation carrying the traveler many feet above some good springs on either side. Thus my memory reverts to the many draughts of cool water from the pipe at the Colonel's place and can only think of him as a true benefactor. "The next dwelling out from Col. Wakefield's was, I think, Mr. Judson Hersey's, where we found this true Yankee behind a count- er selling goods to the passing emigrants. The first impression of this man was lasting, and can only think of him as a genial gentleman with genuine enterprise. I regard him as the pioneer merchant of Makee and all the country west from Lansing at that time. "The settlement formed in 1852 by the Herseys and Pratts at the western termination of Lansing Ridge was at that time a prominent place, as it was characterized by great enterprise, but ■when the commissioners drove the stake for the future county seat, the enterprising residents of Makee, like a flock of sheep, followed the bell weather to Waukon and became pioneers in building up this beautiful village within plain view of the first scenes of their labors. "As we approached the level country eighteen or twenty miles west from the river — I say level because near the river the bluffs and ravines were so unlike what I was used to in Ohio that the country at the head of the streams running back from the river .was to my mind level, although it was all rolling and interspersed with miniature ridges and ravines — when we reached Union Prai- rie after traveling through two or more miles of "openings" from Hersey's store, what a beautiful scene was presented to view! The 374 HISTOEY OF ALLAMAKEE COUJS^TY. open prairie gently rolling like waves of the sea, all covered with grass, apparently as even as a floor; the frequent flutter of prai- rie chickens as they rose from the wagon path; and the bright crimson waves of the sun towards evening glittering over the waving grass; such a sight can never be seen again in the same place and under the same circumstances. In my mind I can see it now; but years have wrought many changes." Mr. Raymond was of the opinion that the name of Village Creek was taken from the great number of Indian villages at one time located along its beautiful valley. In the year 1853 Jesse M. Rose built, probably, the first grist mill, with bolt, in Allamakee and Winneshiek counties. It was located on Village Creek, where the village of that name now is, in the western edge of Lafayette township. Farmers brought their grists to this mill from Winneshiek County and from over the line in Minnesota; and it is said even from Clayton County. It did a large business, running day and night, only being delayed in order to make repairs. Azee Pratt and other Makee carpenters assisted in its construction. Mr, Rose went west about 1875. The first newspaper published in the county was the Intelligen- cer, at Lansing, by Wm. H. Sumner. The first number was is- sued Nov. 23, 1852. The first seal used by the county court is now in the possession of J. A. Townsend. Mr. Dean describes it as follows: Instead of the convenient and handsome seal of the present day, it was a piece of brass with the proper inscription cut thereon, and was used by making a rail fast at one end to something solid, then placing the seal upon the paper on a desk at the proper distance; then the rail was laid across the seal and the County Judge got his leg over the other end of the rail and soused it down a few times and the impression was made on the paper." The first term of District Court for the county was opened at Columbus, then the county seat, on Monday, July 12, 1852. Hon. Thos. S. Wilson, of Dubuque, Judge; Leonard B. Hodges, Clerk, and Wm. C. Thompson, Sheriff. The following named persons were empaneled as the First Grand Jury: Wm. H. Morrison, Foreman; Edward Eells, John Clark, H. R. Ellis, R. Woodward, Jesse M. Rose, W. W. Willson, Darius Bennett, G. A. Warner, Hedry Botsford, Tremain Stoddard, Wm. Smith, A. J. Ellis, Jere- miah Clark, T. A. Winsted. The Petit Jury consisted of Reuben Smith, A. W. Hoag, B. D. Clark, David Miller, John Stull, Charles R. Hoag, A. L. Barron, Thos. Cosgrove, and H. M. Willson. The first term held in Waukon was set for Monday, June 6, 1853; but we find from the record that "The presiding Judge in order to give time for the preparation of a suitable place at Wau-« kon, the newly selected county seat, by written order, directed the court to be adjourned till to-morrow." June 7th, there was HISTOKY 0? ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 375 no business, and the court was again adjourned one day. W. C. Thompson was Sheriff, and R. Ottman, Deputy Clerk, acted in the absence of his superior, L. B. Hodges. Much delay in the business of the court was occasioned by the fact of jurors and witnesses having been summoned to appear at Columbus. On the 8th, "the Sheriff returned into court with the Grand Jury," and thejcourt was opened. Judge Thos. S. Wilson, of Du- buque, presiding. From old files of the Lansing Intelligencer, we find that he arrived at Lansing on the 7th, on the steamer, West Point, and on the following morning (Wednesday) formally opened the term at the Court House, in Waukon (then spelled Wawkon invariably). That building is described as being a "new log cabin, small and rather inconvenient, but, considering that the official whose duty it was to provide suitable accommodations (evidently referring to Judge Topliff) for the transaction of public business had refused to do so, and that the structure was erected by private enterprise, as good as could be expected." This diffi- culty arose from the unwillingness of Judge Topliff and Hodges, who were interested in the town site of Columbus, to surrendar the county seat from that place, and the matter was brought into court at that term, as will be narrated in the chapter of county seat matters. L. B. Hodges, Clerk of the County Court and acting Clerk of the District Court, not appearing at his post, the Sheriff" was dis- patched in pursuit of him, and he was brought into court. He immediately resigned his office, and no action was had in refer- ence to him, as the resignation was considered satisfactory. L. W. Hersey was appointed County Clerk in his stead. The court was adjourned, after disposing of some forty-five cases, to the 8th of October. The county lots at Waukon were offered for sale by County Judge Topliff, on the 6th of September. Each had been appraised and the price fixed. One-fourth of the purchase money was re- quired in hand, the balance in twelve months. The county gave a bond for deed, the property being "school lands." At an election held on the first day of August, 1853, the several townships cast the following ballots: Lansing 46 Lafayette 44 Makee '. 47 Union Prairie 36 Jefferson ' 19 Post ; 36 Ludlow 22 Linton 32 Paint Creek 25 Franklin 21 Union City *. 8 Taylor 15 34 376 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. It will be seen that but two-thirds of the eventual number of townships then possessed an organization, and the dates of organ- izing some of these it is now impossible to ascertain. The first record we find of a formal organization in this county of the followers of a designated political faith bears date, Decem- ber 10, 1833, when the following notice was circulated. Tothe Democratic Voters of Allamakee County. — Fellow Citizens: You are hereby notified that a meeting will be held at Waukon on Saturday, Dec 24, 1853, for the purpose of taking into consid- eration the propriety of an immediate organization of the Demo- cratic party in our county. Also for the further purpose of ap- pointing delegates to the State Convention, etc. W. C. Thompson, ) Jas. W. Flint, [ Com., etc. M. B. Lyons, ) At this meeting Edward Eells was chosen Chairman and C. J. White, Secretary, and it was ''''Resolved, That the Democrats of the county of Allamakee ought to and hereby do organize themselves into a regular politi- cal party, according to the time-honored usages of the same, both in the State and nation, and as auxiliary thereto." The central committee consisted of Archa Whaley, Reuben Sencebaugh, Wm. H. Morrison, Edward Eells and A. J. Hersey> The township committees were — Union City — Geo. Spence, Wm. Dennison, Gr. W. Carver. Lansing — Richard Luckins, A. J. Tillotson, Jas. P. Hughes. Lafayette — W. C. Thompson, R. Ottman, 0. S. Conkey. Makee — C. Paulk, T. Minard, Aug. Hersey. Union Prairie — J. E. S. Morgan, Lorin Eells, George Merrill. Ludlow — E. Reed, Luther Howes, Henry Beaver. Jefferson — W. S. Ross, Henry Coffman, H. Burgess. Paint Creek — Andrew Mitchell, Thos. Anderson, Geo. Watkins. Taylor — David Harper, Michael Dignan, Otto Langfield. Linton — Allen Scott, L. W. Hays, Henry Johnson. Franklin — John Brisco, Austin Smith, John S. Clark. Post — James Arnold, Reuben Smith. Wm. H. Morrison, S. A. Tupper and J. W. Flint were appoint- ed delegates to the State Convention. The convention thereupon "resolved" to authorize the central committee to fix the ratio of representation; "that we have undi- minished confidence in the administration of the general govern- ment, and will continue to give our undivided support;" the state government "merits our approbation and continued confidence;" our senators, "for their uniform attachment to Democratic prin- ciples, are entitled to the cordial support of every true Democrat," and the "gratitude, influence and support of every true friend of western interest," etc. HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 377 In view of the heated political events of after dajs, we reprint, in full, the comments of the editor of the Mirror upon the fore- going record. He wrote: "We have more than once expressed our views in regard to par- tj organizations in this new country. We consider them impo- litic, and with this view we must condemn the one noticed above, and we believe the majority of the people will coincide with us. And in making these remarks we do not infringe upon the strict line of neutrality we have adopted. These objections we should apply to the organization of any party here." COUNTT OFFICERS, ETC. From the organization of the county, in the spring of 1849, to August, 1851, the management of county aifairs was vested in a board of three commissioners, chosen by the people, and recog- nized as the Board of County Commissioners. The system of county management originated in Virginia, whose early settlers soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in fefeling, liv- ing apart in almost baronial magnificence on their own estates, and owning the laboring pait of the population. The county or- ganization, where a few influential men managed the whole busi- ness of the community, was, moreover, consonant with their rec- ollections or traditions of the dignities of the landed aristocracv of England, in their descent from whom the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. This system spread from Virginia through the South, and into some of the northern states.-- In 1851 a County Court was created (see Code of Iowa, 1851, chap. 15J. The act creating this Court gave the County Judge jurisdiction of probate aifairs, and clothed him with all the pow- ers previously exercised by the Board of County Commissioners. In short, it legislated the Commissioners out of existence. On the 22d of March, 1860, the Legislature passed an act "cre- ating a Board of Supervisors, and defining their duties." (Rev. of Iowa, p. 48). This law went into effect July 4, 1860, and pro- vided for the election of one Supervisor from each civil township. When assembled together for the transaction of county business, these town representatives were known as the Board of County Supervisors. The township system had its origin in Massachus- etts, and date backs to 1635. The first legal enactment concern- ing this system provided that, whereas, "particular towns have many things which concern only themselves, and the ordering of their own affairs, /and disposing of business in their own town," therefore "the freemen of every town, or the major part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their own lands and wards, with all the appurtenances of said towns, to grant lots, and to make such orders as may concern the well-ordering of their own towns, and not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the General Court." They might also impose fines of not more 378 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COPNTV. than twenty shillings, and "choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the highway, and the like." Evident- ly this enactment relieved the General Court of a mass of muni- cipal details, without any danger to the powers of that; body in controlling general measures of public policy. Probably, also,, a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt for the control of their own home concerns. Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the first constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639, and the plan of township organization became universal throughout New England, and came westward with the emigrants from New Eng- land into New York, Ohio and other western states. There being a large New England element among the population of Iowa, it is fair to presume that their influence secured the adoption of this system in Iowa, as created in the act already quoted. It seems, however, that the township system did not continue in general favor with the people of the State. Objections were made that the body was unwieldy and expensive, and that the thinly populated townships, wielded an undue proportion of power in the Board compared with their actual voting strength, and in 1871, the system was so modified as to vest the powers of the former Board in a body to be composed of three or fi.ve Super- visors (Code, Title IV, Chapter 2). From the time of this law going into effect, the affairs of this county have been under the control of a BoarJof Supervisors consisting of three members, one of whom is elected annually, at the general election, for a terra of three years.^^ With these preliminary remarks we present as complete a list of our county officers, from the organization of the county to the present time, as it is possible to produce at this day, it being .borne in mind that the early records are very incomplete and unsatis- factory in this point: County Commissioners — James M. Sumner, Joseph W. Holmes, 1849 (April election). Augwst election, 1849, James M. Sumner, Thomas A. Van Sickle, Daniel G. Beck. Whether any others served as Commissioners before the system gave way to that of a County Judge in 1851, we have been unable to ascertain. Clerk of Commissioners' Court — Daniel G. Beck, 1849; Grove A. Warner, '49 to '51. Clerk of District Court— Stephen Holcomb, 1849-50; Thos. B. Twiford, 1850-51; Leonard B. Hodges, 1851-53; Lewis W. Her- sey, 1853-56; C. J. White, 1856-64; J. G. Orr, 1864-66; Giles P. Ellis, 1866-68; John W. Pratt, 1868-T4; H. 0. Dayton, 1874-80; L. M. Bearce, 1880-82. Sheriff— Lester W. Hays, 1849-51; William C. Thompson, 1851-58; John Laughlin, 1853-55; John A. Townsend, 1835-59; W. C. Thompson again, 1859-61; James Palmer, 1861-65; J. A. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 379 Townsend again, 1865-67; Robert Bathan, 1867-71; Jas. Palmer again, 1871-73; Geo. Hewit, 1873-81; Chris. A. Leithold, 1881-82, and present incumbent. Recorder and Treasurer — Elias Topliff, 1849-61; James M. Sumner, 1851-52; James Bell, 1852-53; Thos. C. Linton, 1853; John J. Shaw, 1853-55; L. 0. Hatch, 1855-57; Elias Topliff, 1857-60; A. H. Houghton, 1860-61; L. H. Howe, 1861— died sum- mer of '63; James Duffy, appointed to fill vacancy, 1863; Mich- ael Healy elected 1863-65. Judge of Probate Court — Stephen Holcomb, 1849 — . Inspector of Weights and Measures — Gr. A. Warner, 1849 — ; in January session of Board of Supervisors, 1863, on motion, L. H. Howe was appointed Sealer of Weights and Measures for Alla- makee County. Coroner— C. P. Williams, 1849—; M. F. Luark, 1857-58; F. W. Nottingham, 1858-59. J. W. Granger, 1859-61; John Ryan, 1861-63; John Farrell, 1863-65; David Harper, 1865-66; Fred Bartheld, 1866-67; J. Farrell, 1867-69; A. G. Collins, 1869-71; L. B. Adams, 1871-73; W. D. Morgan, 1873-75; John Farrell, 1875 -77; D. H. Bowen, 1877-81; W. D. Morgan, 1881-2, present in- cumbent. Surveyor — James M. Sumner, 1849. Between this date and 1857, L. B. Hodges, S. P.' Hicks, John M. Gushing, Joel Dayton, and H. 0. Dayton. W. W. Hungerford, 1857-59; John Ryan, 1859-61; H. 0. Dayton, 1861-65; Henry Dayton, 1865-69; John G. Ratcliffe. 1869-71; H. 0. Dayton again, 1871-74; James Mc- Ananey, 1874-77; A. R. Prescott, 1877-79; Harvey B. Miner, 1879-82, and present incumbent. ProsecutingjAttorney. — John W. Remine appointed in Novem- ber, 1851, to "serve until his successor be duly qualified after the April election of 1852;" Sewell Goodridge, 1852-54; John T. Clark, 1854, resigned June 30, 1857; Geo. W. Camp, appointed July 2, 1857, an4 elected that fall. Sthool Fund Commissioner. — Wm. F. Ross, 1851, until the ofiice was discontinued in 1858. County Judge.— Elias Topliff, 1851 to 1857; Geo. M. Dean, 1857-59; John A. Townsend, 1859-61; 0. S. Conkey, 1861-67; M. B. Hendrick, 1867 to '68, when the office of County Judge was discontinued and Judge Hendrick became ex-officio Auditor until the close of his term, December 31, 1869. Drainage Commissioner. — A. J. Hersey, 1853 — ; G. W. Gray, 1857-58; J. W. Merrill, 1858-59; Geo. L. Miller, 1859-69. Superintendent of Schools. — This office was established in 1858, and J. W. Flint was elected that year. In 1859 R. C. Armstrong- was elected, and served until he departed in 1861; J. Loughran ap- pointed 1861; A. H. Houghton in 1861-62; John 0. Havens, 1863; T. C. Ransom, 1863-65; Theo. Nachtwey, 1865-69; Lenthel Eells, 1869-71; Thos. F. Healy, 1871-73, died May 31st, and the Board 380 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTT. of Supervisors appointed John W. Hinclion, who was elected at the following election, October, 1873, and served until September 23, 1876, when he resigned and L. Eells was appointed, elected at the next election to fill vacancy; J. Loughran elected 1877-79; Amos Row, 1879-81; Lenthel Eells again elected in 1881, and the present incumbent. Treasurer.— M. Healy, 1865-67; H. H. Stilwell, 1867-69; James Dufiy, 1869-73; John Ryan, 1873-77; George H. Bryant, 1877-82, and present incumbent. Recorder.— Patrick Ryder, 1865-68; D. W. Reed, 1868-78; Ed. D. Purdy, 1878-82. Auditor. — The office of County Auditor was created by act of Leg- islature at its session of 1868, and the duties of the office began January 1st, 1869, and were performed by the ex-County Judge the first year; M. B. Hendrick, 1869-71; W. C. Thompson, 1871- 79; Samuel R. Thompson, 1879-82, and present incumbent. County Supervisors — The first meeting of the Board of Super- visors convened at Waukon on January 7, 1861. In accordance with the new system the following persons were elected as Super- visors from the respective townships: Center, W. Bacon; Fairview, P. O'Malley; Franklin, Selden Candee; French Creek, Hugh Riley; Hanover, Erick EUefson; Iowa, Martin Moore: Jefferson, Geo. N. Burger; Lafayette, James Duncan; Lansing, G. Kerndt; Linton, Wm. Mosher; Ludlow, Isaac Greer; Makee, Moses Hancock; Paint Creek, James Bryson; Post, Wm. H. Carithers; Taylor, Michael Healy; Union City, J. Everett; Union Prairie, John Goodykoontz; Waterloo, A. Schwartzhoff. Moses Hancock was elected chairman. During the existence of this system of township representation, which continued until December 31, 1870, the townships were represented as shown by the following record: Center— W. Bacon, 1861; P. B. Hale, 1862-64; Adam Cavers, 1864-67; P. Soderstrom, 1867-70. Fairview— Peter O'Malley, 1861-65; Nicholas Drumm, 1866-67; J. S. Deremo, 1868-69; P. O'Malley, 1870. Franklin— Selden Candee, 1861-66; D. W. Lyons. 1867-68, D. Dickerson, 1869; S. Candee, 1870. French Creek— Hugh Riley, 1861-66; Porter Bellows, 1867-68; Hugh Riley, 1869-70'. Hanover — Erick EUefson, 1861-66; John C. Barr (appointed), 1866; Oscar F. Ferris, 1867-68; Hans G. Hanson, 1869; W. H. Reid, 1869-70. Iowa— Martin Moore, 1861-63; William Cox (appointed), 1863- 65; Michael Gabbett, 1866-69; Martin Moore, 1870. Jefferson— Geo. N. Burger, 1861-65; Robert Bathan, 1866-67; H. S. Cooper, 1868; James Bryson, 1869-70. Lafayette — James Duncan, 1&61-65; Philip Byrne, 1866; H. 0. Dayton, 1867; P. Farley, 1868-70, HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUlfTT. 381 Lansing— Gustav Kerndt, 1861-61; C. J. White; 1865-66; G. Kerndt, 1867-69; John Haney, Jr., 1870. Linton-Wm. Moshier, 1861; JohnB. Sutter, 1862-64; N. Davis, 1865; H. H. Stilwell, 1865-67; Jeremiah Leas, 1868-70. . Ludlow— Isaac Greer, 1861-63; P. G.Wright, 1864-65; Thomas Peeley, 1866-68; Jas. C. Smith, 1868-69; Wm. J. Jones, 1870. Makee — Moses Hancock, 1861-62; Sidney Burlingame, 1863; L. M. Bearce (appointed), 1863-64; Richard Wilber (appointed), 1865-66; D. W. Adams (appointed upon Wilber's resignation, September), 1866-69; H. H. Stilwell, 1870. Paint Creek — James Bryson, 1861; James Duffey, 1862-63; Reu- ben Sencebaugh (appointed), 1863; Wm. S. Cooke, 1864; T. M. Van Horn (appointed), 1864-65; James R. Conway, 1865-67; Hans 'Smeby, 1868-70. Post— Wm. 'H. Carithers, 1861-63; S. Mclrthur, 1864; E. Higby, 1865; Wm. H. Carithers (appointed), 1865-67; S. F. Goodykoontz, 1868-70. Taylor — Michael Healey, 1861—63; John Ryan (appointed), 1864-66; Bernard Finegan, 1867-68; Michael Barry, 1869t-70. Union City— Josiah Everett, 1861-62; Wm. Yeoman, 1863-64; Josiah Everett, Jr., 1866; John. Gilchrist (appointed), 1866; Wm. Yeoman, 1867-70. Union Prairie— John Goodykoontz, 1861-63; G. P. Eells, 1864- e6; A. L. Grippen, 1867; John Goodykoontz, 1868; A. J., Eells, 1869; G. P. Eells, 1870. Waterloo— A. Schwartzhoff, 1861-62; T. C. Smith, 1863-66; S. H. Haines (appointed), 1866-70. During the existence of this system the following named mem- bers were each president of the body, in this order: Moses Hancock, Makee, 1861. Michael Healy, Taylor, 1862 and '63. P. G. Wright, Ludlow, 1864 and '65. C. J. White, Lansing, 1866. D. W. Adams, Makee, 1867, '68 and '69. G. P. Eells, Union Prairie, 1870. By the change of system in 1870 to that of three supervisors, now in vogue, the new Board was to organize in January, 1871, since when it has been composed of the following: 1871 — Thomas H. Barnes, Chairman, Gustav Kerndt, Selden Candee. 1872— T. H. Barnes, Chairman, G. Kerndt, T. C. Smith. In June Mr. Kerndt tendered his resignation on account of poor health, and Abner Wood was appointed to fill the vacancy. 1873— T. H. Barnes, Chairman, T. C. Smith, Martin Moore. 1874— T. C. Smithi Chairman, H. S. Cooper, Martin Moore. 1875 — Martin Moore, Chairman, H. S. Cooper, Henry Bensch. 1876 — H. S. Cooper, Chairman, Henry Bensch, Robt. Craw- ford. 1877 — Henry Bensch, Chairman, Robert Crawford, Joseph Schwartzhoff. 382, HISTOEY OF ALLAMAKEE COUKTT. 1878 — Rolert [Crawford, Chairman, Joseph Schwartzhoff, Gil- bert Satrang. 1879 — Joseph SchwartzofF, Chaiiman, Gilbert Satrang, N. J. Beedy. .1880— Gilbert Satrang, Chairman, N. J. Beedy, E. A. Blum. 1881— N. J . Beedy, Chairman, E. A. Blum, Gilbert Satrang. 1882— E. A. Blum, Chairman, G. Satrang, N. J. Beedy. STATE LEGLSLATCEE — SEl^ATE. In the Third General Assembly of- the State Legislature, which convened at Iowa City, December 2, 1850, and adjourned Feb. 5^ 1851, Dubuque, Clayton, Delaware, Buchanan, Black Hawk, Winneshiek and Allamakee, forming one Senatorial District, were represented by John G. Shields and Warner Lewi?, of whom the latter was elected in 1850 for four years. In the Senate of the Fourth General Assembly, 1852-3, Du- btique, Delaware, Buchanan, Black Hawk, Grundy, Butler, Brem- er, Clayton, Fayette, Allamakee, Winneshiek, Howard, Mitchell, Floyd, and Chickasaw, were represented by John G. Shields, War- ner Lewis, and Maturin L. Fisher. Fifth General Assemby, 1854-5, the district was composed of the same counties, represented by Wm. W. Hamilton, Maturin L. Fisher, and John G. Shields. 1856-7, Sixth General Assembly, Allamakee, Winneshiek, How- ard, Chickasaw, Mitchell, Floyd, Worth, Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Winnebago, Bancroft, and Kossuth, composed the Thirty-Fourth Senatorial District, whose Senator was Jeremiah T. Atkins, of Winneshiek. 1868-9, the same. 1860-2, Allamakee and Winneshiek composed the 39th Sena- torial District, and were represented in that body by George W. Gray, the first State Senator from this county, during the Eighth and Ninth General Assemblies. 1864 — Jan. 11 to March 8 — Tenth General Assembly, Allama- kee was the 40th District, Senator Geo. W. Gray. 1866 — Jan. 8 to April 3, Eleventh General Assembly, this was the 41st District, Charles Paulk, elected to fill the vacancy. , 1867 to 1871— 12th and 13th General Assemblies, L. E. Fel- lows. 1871 to 1879— 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th General Assemblies, Samuel H. Kinne. 1879-82— 18th and 19th General Assemblies, H. Nielander, the present incumbent. HOUSE. In the Third General Assembly, 1850—51, Clayton, Fayette, Winneshiek and Allamakee were represented by Eliphalet Price. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUKTT. 383 In the Fourth General Assembly, 1852—53, Clayton, Fayette, Winneshiek, Allamakee, Howard, Mitchell, Floyd and Chickasaw, were represented by Edwin Montgomery and John Garber. In the Fifth General Assembly, 1854—56, first district, composed of Allamakee and Winneshiek, James D. McKay, of the latter county. In 1856—7, Sixth General Assembly, Allamakee was the forty- fifth district, represented by James Bryson, the first member of the House from this county. In 1858, January 11th to March 23, Seventh General Assembly, this was the First District again, and our member Geo. W. Gray. In 1860—61, two sessions Eighth General Assembly, Allamakee, Fifty-sixth District, Chas. Paulk. In 1862, two sessions Ninth General Assembly, Allamakee the Fifty-first District, represented by Joseph Burton. In 1864, January 11th to March 29th, Tenth General Assembly, the Fiftieth District, Chas. Paulk again. In 1866, January 8th to April 3d, Eleventh General Assembly, two representatives, P. G. right and L. E. Fellows. In 1868, Twelfth General Assembly, Pierce G. Wright and Geo. E. Miller. 1870— Thirteenth— Allamakee, 52d District, P. G. Wright and D. Dickerson. 1872 — Fourteenth General General Assembly, Henry Dayton and Andrew Landry. 1874 — Fifteenth — Allamakee, the 60th District, Henry Dayton. 1876 — Sixteenth — Luther Brown. 1878 — Seventeenth — Benjamin Ratclifie. 1880— Eighteenth— Allamakee, the 64th District, Thos, H. Barnes. , 1882— Nineteenth General Assembly, W. C. Earle. DISTRICT COURT. Judges — 1847 to 1882 — Second Judicial District, State of Iowa, after this county was added in 1847, comprised the counties of Buchanan, Cedar, Clayton, Clinton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jackson, Jones, Muscatine, Scott, Allamakee and Winneshiek. Judge James Grant_, commissjpned November 15, 1847, to May 8, 1852, when Judge Thomas S. Wilson qualified, who remained Judge of this District till after Allamakee was withdrawn to help form the — Tenth Judicial District, created iu 1855, comprised Allamakee, Cerro Gerdo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Floyd, Howard, Mitch- ell, Winneshiek and Worth. Judge Samuel Murdock, of Clay- ton county, 1856 to 1858. With the exception of Cerro Gerdo and Worth, and the addition of Bremer and Butler,, this territory became the Tenth Judicial District under the present constitution in 1858. In 1858 Elias H. Williams, of Clayton county, was 384 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. elected Judge, and served until Mile McGlathery, of Fayette county was elected in 1866. The counties of Bremer, Butler, Floyd and Mitchell were detached in 1864, but remained connected with this district (except for election purposes) until January, 1865. Judge McGlathery served from 1867 to 1874 inclusive. Judge Eeuben Noble 1875 to November, 1879, when he resigned and the Governor appointed in his stead Ezekiel E. Cooley, who was elected at the general election in 1880, and is still upon the bench. District Attorneys, 1858 to 1882. — At the October election, 1858, Milo McGlathery was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Tenth Judicial District, and re-elected in 1862. In 1866 L. 0. Hatch was elected to this position, but resigned in 1868, and Charles T. Granger was appointed his successor. At the general election in 1869 Mr. Granger was chosen to continue in the posi- tion, to fill out the unexpired portion of the term until the close of 1870, and at the election of that year he was re-elected. In 1872 he was elected Circuit Judge, thus creating a vacancy in the ofBce of District Attorney, which was filled by the appointment of Orlando J. Clark, and the appointment was ratified at the next general election, in 1873. In 1874 Mr. Clark was re-elected for the full term, and at the close of the year 1878 was succeeded by the present incumbent, Cyrus Wellington . CIRCUIT COURT. The Circuit Court was established by act of Legislature in 1868. Each Judicial District in the State was by the act divided into two circuits, in each of which, at the general election in November, 1868, a Circuit Judge was elected for four years. In this, the First Circuit of the Tenth Judicial\District, comprising Allamakee, Winneskiek and Howard, Martin V. Burdick was elected Judge; and in the Second Circuit Benjamin T. Hunt. The division into two circuits was found unnecessary, and the two were consolidated. The Circuit Court has concurrent jurisdiction with the District Court, except as to criminal business, and has exclusive jurisdiction as to probate matters. In 1872 Charles T. Granger was elected to succeed Judge Burdick, and by re-election in 1876 and again in 1880 is the present incumbent. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. ' 385 CHAPTER V. Earliest County Record; First Marriage Record.; First Records of County Court; First County Warrants; First Statement of Treasurer and Collector's Accounts; Miscellaneous Orders and Warrants; Court House Contracts; Ferry Licenses; Township Organizations; History of Paint Creek Township. As we have said, there remains . not the scratch of a pen re- lating to the oflBcial acts of the old County Commissioners of this county, and there is no election record previous to the year 1856. In view of these facts it will be seen that the task was no easy one to prepare the foregoing list of officers, and a great deal of time and labor have been given to it. Taking one fact (of no importance in itself) from one source and another, and so on, and combining or comparing them, we can form very accurate con- clusions in many cases, and we believe this list will be found quite useful for future reference. The very earliest record we have been able to find in the county offices is in a book of naturalization of aliens, and is as follows: "State of Iowa, Allamakee County: "Be it remembered that on the 9th day of July, A. D. 1849, Patrick Keenan, an alien, has this day filed in this office his declara- tion to become a bona fide citizen of the United States, took and subscribed an oath required by law. Stepheit Holcomb. Clerk of the District Court. There is nothing whatever to indicate in what part of the county the office of the clerk was situated, but it is supposed to have Jjeen at the old mission, or in that vicinity. The first marriage record is as follows: "Be it remembered that upon the 23d day of November, A. D. 1849, that a license was issued from this office authorizing any person qualified by law to solemnize a marriage between Elias J. Topliff and Anna Reed. Stephen^ Holcomb, "Clerk of the District Court." "This certifies that on the 6th day of December, A. D., 1849, 1, Grove A. Warner, a Justice of the Peace, united the above named Elias J. Topliff, aged 22 years, and Anna Reed, aged 18 years, in the holy bonds of matrimony. Witness my hand at Allamakee county this 6th day of December, A. D. 1849. Grove A. Warner, Justice of the Peace. 386 HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. After these early specimens there appears nothing of interest^ except similar documents, until we come down to the time of the- establishment of the County Court, in 1851, the very first records of which we find to be the following: '•Minutes of the County Court commenced and held in the town of Columbus, the 18th of September, 1851, by Elias Top- lifF, County Judge. "It appearing to the Court that no tax has been levied for the year 1851, it is therefore ordered by the Court that the following tax be levied and collected to-wit: "For State revenue 3 mills on a dollar, and for poll tax 50 cents; for county tax, 6 mills on a dollar; for tax for support of schools, IJ mills; road poll tax, $2; road property tax, 1^ mills." At the October term, 1851, an order was made for a special election, to take place Nov. 18, to decide whether a tax be levied to raise |250 for the purchase of suitable books for the use of the county, and a county seal. At such special election all vacancies in the several township offices were to be filled. But no civil townships had been organized at that date, as near as we can as- certain. At the November term, on motion of A. J. Ellis, W. C. Thompson was appointed a commissioner to view the location of "Road No, 2," proposed to be established from near Thompson's place in Lafayette southwesterly, "crossing Paint Creek at Riley Ellis' grist mill, thence southward to W. F. Rosses on the divide between Paint Creek and Yellow River, thence on the nearest and most practical route to Esquire Sutter's, south of said Yellow Riv- er, thence southward to county line between Allamakee and Clay- ton counties," and report to the Court. Mr. Thompson reported unfavorably at the following January term, and another route was eventually adopted. It was while on this prospecting tour, and not expecting to meet any white inhabitants except at ' the points mentioned, that Mr. Thompson ran across Reuben Sence- baugh, who had erected a log hut and was hard at work making a "clearing" in the heavy timber. He staid over night with him, and tried to persuade his host to abandon his attempt to make a farm in the woods and take a claim on the prairie where there was an immense "clearing" already prepared by nature, but Mr. Sencebaugh was too used to a woody country to act upon his ad- vice. He also discovered J. C. Smith, over in the Yellow River valley; and relates how pleasant it was to meet a white man in those days when the settlements were so scattered. At the December term, 1851, Thos. B. Twif ord was appointed to view proposed road No. 3, "from Columbus up the valley of Vil- lage Creek to Geo. C. Shattuck's, and thence to the Winne- shiek County line, near James Cutler's." Ezra Reid was appointed to view a proposed road from a point at or near where the State road from Paint Rock to Fort Atkin- HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COtJKTY. 387 son crossed the west line of the county, to school house in Ezra Reid's district, thence [northerly to intersect the Lansing road. County warrant No. 1 was issued December 2, 1851, in favor of Lester W. Hayes, for services as sheriff in summoning Grand and Petit Jury. Warrant No. 2 was issued to Wm. M. and Jas. C. Smith for laying out a road "from opposite Monona to the old county seat, in June 18 0," and "two days clerk of election in Franklin Town- ship on the first Monday in May, 1851." 0. S. Conkey gave bond as deputy sheriff under L. W. Hayes. At the January term, 1852, the county officers presented their accounts and were allowed pay as follows : E. Topliff, County Judge, to January 1, 1852 $58 77 Jas. M. Summer, Recorder 58 77 Thos. B. Twiford, District Clerk (tor seven months) 64 92 J. W. Remine, Prosecuting Attorney : 15 00 Jas M. Summer, account as County Commissioner. . : 15 00 Jas. M. Sumner produced a statement ofjiis accounts as Treas- urer and Collector as follows: Whole Amount Charged. State tax $195 23 County tax 497 96 School tax 97 61 Road tax 527 61 Amount Collected to this Time. State , $ 97 21 €ounty 232 43 School .- 48 60 Road 96 60 Report filed for thorough examination at the next March term. At the April (1852) term, we find a warrant was issued to 0. S. Conkey for services as Deputy County Recorder. D. W. Low resigned as Deputy Assessor May 7th; John Sutter appointed Deputy Assessor by Sheriff Hayes. June term, ordered that Columbus town lots be advertised for sale, on the terms, one-third down, balance in one year, and the proceeds be applied to the erection of suitable county buildings at that place, then the county seat. At the July term the county officials, it appears, found them- selves entitled to a small increase of back pay, as follows: "It appearing from the census returns of 1851 which have re- cently been produced by the Sheriff that the population of this county on the first day of August, 1851, was 1117, it was ad- judged by this Court that the salaried county officers were entitled to receive |200 per annum instead of $150 as had been hitherto supposed; consequently it is ordered that they be permitted to draw upon the county for as much as will bring their salaries to the legal allowance of $200 per annum. 388 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUN'TY. At the August term T. B. Twiford was appointed deputy As- sessor by Sheriif Thompson. Who was the County Assessor at this time we have been unable to ascertain. We find several ref- erences to a deputy Assessor, and at the July term, 1853, "Asses- sors all present but those of Taylor, Fayette, and Paint Creek townships." In the election register we find that John B. Sut- ter was elected County Assessor at the April election, 1857; but this is the only record in any shape, of such an election. September 14th, 1852, "petitions were presented by P. P. Cady, John S. Clark, Benjamin Clark and Thos. B. Twiford, asking to be discharged from their liability on the official bond of James M. Sumner, as Recorder and Treasurer of Allamakee County, and the Court being satisfied that the petitioners had good ground of ap- prehension, ordered that a notice be served on the said James M. Sumner requiring him to file new bonds by the 25th day of Sept. inst., or his ofiice would be declared vacated." What these grounds of apprehension were will sufficiently appear from the fact that one of the very first indictments found by the first grand jury, at the first term of District Court, at Columbus, July 12th, 1852, was against Jas. M. Sumner, for wilfully neglecting and re- fusing to make report, etc., and it was ordered that process issue against defendant, returnable at next term of court. On the 23d of September Sumner saw fit to resign his office, and the vacancy was shortly after filled by the appointment of James Bell, who held the office but a few months and at a later year went to Tennessee, and has not been heard from since the war that we know of. On the 26th day of November, 1852, an order was made that notices should be issued as follows: "Notice is hereby given that a contract for building a court house on the County square of Allamakee county, in the village of Columbus, in said county, will be let to the lowest bidder on the fifteenth day of December next, at ten o'clock, at my office in said village. Approved securities will be required for the faithful performance of said contract. Sealed proposals will be received until that day. Any person wishing said contract will be furnish- ed with a plan and specifications of said building by calling at my office. "Given under my hand this 26th day of November, A. D., 1852. [Signed] Elias Toplife, County Judge." On the day specified the contract was let to Thos. B. Twiford, with W. C. Thompson and J. M. Eose as security, his being the lowest bid with security. The amount of the contract is not stated. The following spring the county seat was located at Waukon, as elsewhere narrated, and to accommodate the District Court, which was to sit in June, the residents of that place put up a HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 389 temporary court house in the shape of a small log cabin, in which the court was held. And at the September term of the County Court for that year a contract was made for a new court house, as follows: "On this 6th day of September, A. B. 1853, being the day (by previous arrangement) for entering into a contract for putting up a county building, the proposition of William Ramsdall being the lowest bid, it was ordered by the court (by said Ramsdall giv- ing sufficient security) that the said William Ramsdall should have the contract, which contract was entered into for the amount of three hundred and twenty-five dollars." This was the first of the two small frame buildings on the east side of Allamakee street, the second of which was byilt along- side of it in 1857. About this time the town lots of Waukon were offered for sale. At this term a license was granted to Wm. C. Thompson to establish and run a ferry between a point on the west side of the Mississippi river, generally known as the "Red House Landing," (in the south part of Section 22, Fairview township), and the east side of said river, at or near Prairie du Chien. October 2d a license was granted to Jas. Brookman to ferry across the Iowa river on the southeast quarter of section 15, township 100, range 4. TOWNSHIPS. The county records are very incomplete as to the organization of the civil townships, and in some instances further light is thrown on the subject by consulting the township records. The substance of all we have been able to ascertain in the limited time at our disposal will be found as follows: Post Township was organized in 1851. At the February — 1852 — term of the County Court, Judge Top- liff, a petition was presented praying for the organization of the township of Lansing and defining its boundaries. At the March term, 1852, a petition was presented for the or- ganization of the township of Makee, and in accordance there- with a commission was issued to Israel Devine to call an organiz- ing election on the first Monday in April following. At the same term a commission was issued to Ezra Reid to call an election for the organization of Ludlow township. Also a commission to call an election on the first day in April Union Prairie township for its organization. The court record fails to give the name of the party to whom the commission was issued, but by those who recollect the circumstances it is said to have been Geo. Merrill. A commission was issued to Ensign Chilson to organize Union City township, by an election on the first Monday in April. 390 HISTOKY or ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Lafayette township was bounded and commission issued L. W. Low, to call an organizing election at the house ot Thos. B. Twi- f ord on the first Monday in April. At the April term, 1852, a petition for the organization of township ^Q, range 4, was rejected "for reasons too numerous to mention." The course of Paint Creek was ofScially recognized as the di- vision line between Linton and Taylor. A petition for the divis- ion of Linton township was rejected. In the record of the July term there appears a beginning of an entry as follows: "Bunker Hill Township." No township of that name was ever organized, but the uncompleted entry sug- gests that an attempt was made to organize Linton under that name. At the December term, 1853, we find that boundaries were es- tablished for the following townships: Linton, Taylor, Paint Creek, Jefferson, Franklin and Post. AH these townships had held elections previous to this date however, as we have returns from each of the twelve so far meiitioned, at the county election of Aug. 1st, 1853, but no account of election of township ofii- cers. At the March term, 1855, the boundaries of Hanover township were defined, and a warrant issued to Marshall Cass to organize. Fairview bounded and ordered to be organized, same term. Iowa township the sanie, and warrant issued. May 7, 1855, the name of Paint Creek township was changed to Waterville; but two years later, March 2, 1857, it was again changed to Paint Creek, upon petition of its citizens. At the March, 1856, term of county court an order was issued for the organization of what is now Center township, under the name of Village Creek. 0. Deremo was the organizing officer, and "the first election was held at the house of Eric Sund, 8th of April, 1856. Ofiicers chosen as follows: Trustees, E. Sund, C. J. Drake, Thomas Gordan; Clerk, A. Drake; Assessor, 0. Dere- mo. Justices of the. Peace, Thomas Smith, A. Drake." According to Mr. Deremo, who has taken pains to investigate and look up these matters, the following are some of the "first things" of Center township: "The first funeral was that of Jos. Reynolds, a soldier of the war of 1812. The sermon was preached by Mr. Howard. He en- tered the N. W. and S. W. sec. 33, and was buried thereon. "The first church was built by the Lntherans; it was commenced in 1857 and finished some years later, and stood where the east church now stands. "The first school meeting was held at the house of E. Howard, May 14th, 1855, J. Reed, was secretary. "The first school was taught in the winter of 1855-56 by Miss. L. Stillman. The school-house was a log building situated in what is now sub-district No. 4. ^^^^^Awp^ HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 393 '•The first frame house was built by a man named Streeter, on the farm now owned by P. Swenson, in 1850 or 1851." French Creek and Waterloo townships were also ordered to be organized during the March term of 1856; and these make up the list of the eighteen townships in Allamakee county. HISTORY OF PAINT CREEK TOWNSHIP. The following history of Paint Creek township, prepared by John S. Bryson, will be of interest in this connection, and it is to be regretted that no similar sketches of the other townships have ever been written. "On the morning of the 8th of May, 1850, James Bryson and family arrived at what was then called McGregor's landing, now the city of McGregor, with teams and baggage, and at once started for Garnavillo, the county seat of Clayton county, seeking a home. After resting here two days they, in company with part of Robert Moore's family, who had made a claim on Paint Creek, started for Allamakee county, following the trail via what is now Monona, then called Sodom in consequence of its whisky trade with the Indians, then down Hickory creek to Clark's ford, on the Yellow river, then north to the "old stake" in Jefferson town- ship, now the farm owned by Elias Pettit and a short distance east of his house, and down on to Paint creek, where they camped May 11th, 1850. "Mr. Bryson located on Sections 17 and 18 where Thomas and Robert Moore, and John Ghraim had made claims about nine months previous, while the Indians were yet camped there for their winter's hunt, this being a favorite hunting and camping place for them. They were gone when the Bryson family came in, but the skeletons of their wigwams remained, and the brands and ashes of their camp fires showed that the aew settlers occu- pied as they departed. "Five of the wigwams or teepees stood close by the finest spring on Paint Creek. This spring was covered with a blanket of moss from two to six inches thick, showing that it had been a camping spot for a long time, and the wild deer dare not come to eat the moss, but they did the winter following. We cleared the most of this off the-head of the springs and the water boiled up from ten to twelve inches, flowing over the beautiful green moss as clear as crystal and as cold as if it came through a mountain of ice. "We found here many flint arrow heads, two tomahawks or hatchets, one dead Indian pony and many buffalo and elk horns. "The Indians had for years dug up the wild sod in the valley in patches and raised a crop of what might be called 'squaw corn', but we broke the first sod on what is now Paint Creek, on the 15th of May, 18.50. 35 39i HISTOKT OF ALLAMAKEE COUl^TY. "The Government put the land into market at one dollar and a quarter per acre about the first of October following, and found us with more claimed than we had money to pay for, but Mr. Wm. H. Morrison, who lived near the mouth of the creek, having been appointed as agent to select a portion of the 500,000 acres granted by the General Government to Iowa for school purposes, came around and we entered our claim as school land; this helped us as well as many more poor settlers by giving us time to get the money and make our payments without submitting to the ex- tortions of the land sharks as the settlers called those who specu- lated in land and reaped a rich harvest, at the expense of the hard working pioneer. "In the summer of 1850, a large number of Norwegians came in from Wisconsin and settled on the prairie north of the creek among w^hom were Swen Enderson Hesla, Ole 0. Storla, Ole Grimsgaart, T^homas Anderson, Lars Knudtson, Nels Tolfson, Ole Severson, Bennett Harmonson, who lived in their canvas covered wagons until they could build something to get into, and the most of these families are well-to-do farmers in Paint Creek to-day. Theodore and William Moose and Wm. McCoy came in about the same time. James R. Conway, Reuben Sencebaugh, and oth- ers came in very soon after and settled on the south side of the creek. In the summer of 1850 a family named Ellis, from Linn County, Iowa, came m and selected mill sites on the creek at what is now Beumer's mill, and one of them, Riley Ellis, located a mile site just around the bend below Waterville, known as Peter Iver- son's mill, when he put a pair of two foot French buhr mill- stone on a few logs built over the creek, which were kept running all winter cracking corn for all who came. The buhrs stood out of doors all winter and the next spring — 1852 — they were inclosed and a small bolt made of book muslin was attached for making buckwheat flour. Then we lived sumptuously, substituting buck- wheat cakes and wild honey for our former diet of pork and corn dodger, and people came from all quarters with their little grists, and in all sorts of conveyances, some from what is now Waukon, some from the Iowa River. It was here I first saw Scott Shat- tuck, late from California, and when I first saw him he held in one hand a piece of raw pickled pork and corn dodger, and in the other hand a large knife with which he was cutting alternate slices of each for his luncheon. This was the first grist mill ever built in the county, if it had capacity enough to be called a mill. I run this mill the most of the time the first eight months. Not long after this Nathaniel Beebe commenced getting out timber for what is now known as the Waterville mill, and later Colonel Spooner and Mr. Carpenter came in and joined him, and the mill was built and started in the winter of 185i and 1855. They also opened a store in the spring of 1855 near the mill. In HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 395 the spring of 1851, Thomas B. Twiford, of county seat notoriety, and Wni. McCoy, built the Thomas Ellis saw mill above where Beumer's mill now stands, and it did a good business until 1860. "By this time many settlers had come in, the Norwegians gen- erally settling on the north side of the creek, the Irish on the south side, with a few Americans and other nationalities sprinkled in'and among them, but the large per cent, of settlers were of for- eign birth.. "The county records fail to show when the township was organ- ized by the election of township officers, but there is an entry in them, dated December term, 1353, as follows: 'Paint Creek Township was organized so as to conform to the congressional township of town ninety-seyen, lange four. The Trustees gave the township its present name, and the township recordsfsliow the first election to be held in Eiley Ellis' mill, where the corn cracker was, August, 1852, James Bryson, George Watkins, and Reuben Sencebaugh being judges of election, and William McCoy and Thomas Q. Ellis were the clerks. The Trustees appointed William McCoy, Township Clerk. These are the earliest dates our records show. "The first election was held on the first Tuesday in November, 1852, and was the presidential election. The third election was on the fourth of April, 1853, and is the first record I find of the elec- tion of township officers, being for Trustees: James Bryson, An- drew Mitchell and Reuben Sencebaugh; for Township Clerk, Wm. McCoy; for Assessor, James Bryson; for Constables. John Bryson and John Stull; for Justices of the Peace, James Bryson and Reuben Sencebaugh. At this election there were cast for county seat, fifty-eight votes, of which Columbus had forty-nine and Waukon nine. The trustees held two meetings in the win- ter of 1852—3, one to appraise and divide section sixteen, and the other to divide the township into road districts, doing this work so well that the district remains the same to this date. "In 1856 Mr. James Beebe built a large frame hotel in Water- ville, capable of accommodating all the guests that a town of one thousand inhabitants would furnish, but it failed for want of patronage, and its builder is now in New Mexico. In 1857 was organized in this hotel the Prairie du Chien & Mankato Railroad Company, with the Hon John T. Clark, now of Postville, for President. The object of this company was to build a railroad from the Mississippi at Johnsonsport, connecting there with the railroad from Prairie du Chien, and running up the -creek to Waukon, thence west to Calmar and on to Austin and Mankato, Minnesota. Engineer Wm. W. Hungerford was the active nran in the enterprise, and devotei considerable time to it, making surveys and locating the line from the starting point on the river to the State line in Howard County. Most of the resident right- 396 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. of- way on the entire line was secured, and about forty thousand dollars in sabseriptions and donations to the capital stock, the de- sign being to donate this to the railroad company running into Prairie du Chien if they would extend their line across the river and cover the route. The enterprise failed, the extension being made via Bloody Run and Monona, in Clayton County. "In the spring of 1857, Spoaner and Beebe started at Waterville the first tannery ever built in the county. They purchasA a recipe for tanning with japonica, using it with hot liquor, thus tanning the' hides in a few days so that they could put them on the market and get returns very much quicker then by the old way of tan-bark and cold water. They run their business about two years, but not proving profitable they abandoned it." CHAPTER VI. The Villages of Allamakee County; Lybrand, Lansing, Wivfield, Waukon, Columbus, Hardin. Smithfield, Postville, Milton, Vil- lage Creek, Ion, Eossville, Volney, Cleveland, Johnsonsport, Al- lamakee, Nezekaw, Chantry, Alton, Buckland, Manchester, New Albin, Myron, Dorchester, Lafayette, Paint Bock, Waterville, New Galena, Wexford, Union City. Lybrand. — The first platted town in the county, was founded by Jacob Lybrand, who came from West Union in the spring of 1850 or 1851. It is located on section 15, Post Township, and was platted May 3, 1851, from a survey made April 1st by S. P. Hicks, Deputy County Surveyor. Hiram Jones and Jacob Ly- brand were the owners of the land, and their acknowledgment was taken before Elias Topliff, Justice of the Peace. Being on the main traveled road between McGregor's Landing and Decorah, it soon became a place of considerable importance for those days. Mr. Lybrand opened a store, and a post office was established there in 1851, but was discontinued a few years later. The old "double trail" to the Indian "Decorah village" ran through this settlement from "Hickory Creek" at Hardin, and crossed the Yel- low River at what was called "the dry sink," from near which one of the mainly traveled branches diverged towards the north, pass- ing west of Waukon and extending to two Indian villages in the Iowa valley near the mouth of French Creek. Mr. Lybrand was a bachelor, of ■ somewhat eccentric habits, and was widely known as a remarkably honest and conscientious man. He remained here HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 397 a few years when he removed to Minnesota and located a town which he named St. Nicholas, on Lake Albert Lea. The town of Albert Lea got the start of his place, however, for county seat, and he went to Alexandria, that state, from which he was driven by the Indian outbreak of 1862, and returned to Allamakee and Fayette counties for a couple of years. Again going to Minne- sota, he located the town of Red Wood Falls, but finally re- turned toAlexandria, where he died Jan. 21, 1875, upwards of seventy years of age. Lansing — Was the second village surveyed and platted, in 1851, * John Haney and Horace- H. Houghton proprietors. The records declare that the plat was filed Jan 7, 1852, and acknowledged not until Dec. ^30, 1852, but this is generally conceded to be an error, and that the latter date should be '51. Winfield — This name passed out of existence about the year '60, it being changed to Harper's Ferry, by an act of the Legislature. It was platted May 8, 1852, by Wm. H. Hall and Dre-den W. H. Howard, before W. F. Ross, Justice of the Peace. This was one of the places voted on for county seat in 1851, under the name of Vailsville. At one time it promised to become a place of no little importance, a secondary chancel of the Mississippi, or large slough — Harper's Slough^permitting large steamers to land there except in very low water. The site is one of the finest along the river, being a level plateau above high water mark, ex- tending back nearly a mile to the foot of the bluffs and three miles up and down the river. It is still a good village, to-day, with a popluation of about a hundred and fifty. Waukon — The original town plat was filed for record December 3, 1853, by the county, as the county seat — which it is to-day. Columbus — The next in order, was also formerly an important town in prospective, and enjoyed the distinction of being the county seat about two years, from 1851 to 1853. A few little old buildings, out of repair, comprise all that remains of its original glory. Its location is on the south side of the mouth of Village Creek, and there is but little room for a town. It is sometimes called Capoli. Leonard B. Hodges, Thomas B. Twiford, and Aaron Chesebro, had it surveyed and platted June 30, 1852. Elias Topliff also had a proprietary interest in the place at one time. North Capoli is on the north of the creek and adjoins South Lansing. It was platted April 16, 1860, by Elias Topliff and J. M. Rose, "Trustees of the Columbus Land Company No. 1." Twiford and Jones, Alex McGregor, and others of McGregor's Landing, we believe, were the original locators of this village site and landing. L. B. Hodges and a man by name of Carpenter opened a land office here at an early day. Hodges is now (or was recently) Commissioner of Forestry of the State of Minnesota, and has also, we believe, had charge of the setting out of trees along the line of the Northern Pacific railroad. Twiford went to Min- ^ 398 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. nesota, where he located and laid out the town of Chatfield, and . became quite Well to do, but lost his wealth in the crisis of 1857, and is now in Kansas. Hardin — Is located (the original plat) partly in this county and partly in Clayton. The owners at the time of platting — January 9, 186i — were Leonard B. Hodges, in Allamakee, and Joseph and Almirah Collins, over the line. This was a point of some note for a number of years prior to this date, it being one of the four post offices in Allamakee County in 1851, the others being Post- ville, Lansing and Tom Corwin (later Johnsonsport). The post- master at that date was L. B. Hodges. Additions were platted in 1856, Hardin Cente:^;; in 1857, East Hardin, and in 1859; but were mostly vacated, and the village is no larger now than thirty year3 ago. There was at one time a large .«team grist mill here, located on the Clayton side of the line. Smithfield. — N. W. \, Sec. 24, in Franklin township. Platted February 11, 1854; acknowledged before John R. Wilson, J. P., by Wm. M. and Sarah Smith, and Austin and Harriet Smith. This is the site of one of the many excellent mills along the course of Yellow river. Postville. — Was not platted until June 1, 1853, although its settlement dates from 1841, as before stated. The proprietors of the town plat were Mrs. Zeruiah and George S. Hayward. Milton. — On Section 18, Lafayette township, was laid out by Jesse M. Rose, December 7, 1854. He it was who here built the first flouring mill in the county, in 1853. Afterwards, in March, 1857, Mr. Rose had another tract of land, lying to the east of Milton, divided into lots and blocks, and named it after the stream —Village Creek. In the latter year, also, September 7, Eldridge and Marilda Howard (Mr. Howard was a Methodist divine) platted a tract of land adjoining the original town plat of Milton on the north, and called it Howard Center. All three surveys are now spoken of as one town. Village Creek, which was the name of the postoffice when established there about 1857. An effort was made to have it called Milton, but there was already an office of that name in the State. Hon. L. E. Fellows, now of Lansing, was the first postmaster. Its population in 1880 was only 167, but it is an important manufacturing community, possessing sev- eral flouring mills and a woolen mill, which will be alluded to under the head of manufactures. Ion. — In Linton township, was surveyed and platted by D. W. Adams, January 1, 1855, for Sewall Goodridge, Chas. W. Cutter and Abram J. Kennison. Population in 1880 was fifty-five. This place was sometimes called Bunker Hill. RossvUle. — The first settlement here was made in 1850 or 1851 by Wm. F. Ross. It was laid out May 31, 1855, by David and Catherine E. Skinner, Wm. F. and Sarah I. Ross, Elias and Mary A. Hatfield, in accordance with survey made by Joel Dayton, HISTOHY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 399 county surveyor. May 15, and acknowledged before Jackson Mitcliell, J. P. This village was at one time an aspirant for county seat honors, but failing therein its prospects were blighted. A steam saw-mill was among its notable features in the early days. There are now three church buildings — Baptist, Presbyte- rian and Methodist, — a good school-house, hotel, and two stores. Volney — On the eastern line of Franklin township was laid out by Samuel and Margaret Biggs, February 13th, 1856, in accord- ance with a survey made the previous October. Thos. Crawford, J. P., took the acknowledgment. We have not been able to ascertain the date of its first settlement. The Volney flouring mills have always been among the best in the county. Popula- tion in 1880, 93. Cleveland. — In the extreme southeastern corner of Post town- ship, is one of the places that existed only in prospective, though the land was laid out in town lots March 3, 1856, by James M. and Marie Ann Arnold, who settled there about 1850, or '51. It is near Reuben Smith's location of '49. John Laughlin was the Justice before whom they acknowledged. Johnsonsport — At the mouth of Paint Creek, was the earliest steamboat landing in the county and is supposed to be the place of the first permanent settlement outside of the Old Mission, the circumstances of which have been related in another place. Of course it was an important point in the early days, though but few houses were ever erected there. In 1851 there was a postoffiee at this point called "Tom Corwin," with Armstrong Glover as postmaster. It was laid out as a town April 3, 1856, by Henry and Mary Johnson, Armstrong and Emily Glover, Geo. L. and Ann Miller, Wm. F. and S. 1. Ross, Michael and Mary Clark, and M. Rafter. Geo. L. Miller, J. P. This was on the N. fr \ of sec- tion 15, Fairview township, and was surveyed by Joel Dayton, County Surveyor. Allamakee — Lay to the north of and adjoining Johnsonsport, on fractions 5 and 6, section 10, and was platted in February, 1858, by Wm. W. Hungerford, County Surveyor. The later postofEce •of Allamakee was some two milep further down the river. After the settlement of Lansing, Columbus and Harper's Ferry, this point dwindled into insignifigance, and with the exception of a time when it was brought to notice as the river end of the mythi- cal Prairie du Chien and Mankato Railroad, remained in that condition until the construction of the Waukon and Mississippi Railroad, in 1877, again brought it into prominence, but its origin- al names are now lost in the postoffiee of "Waukon Junction." Nezekaiv — Is one of those mythical towns whose very site is ut- terly unknown to a majority of our inhabitants, and whose name is almost forgotten except when discovered on the map. It existed (only on paper) to the south of the mouth of the Yellow River, on fractions 3 and 4, section 34, Fairview Township. It was laid 4:00 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. I out December 12, 1856, by Chester N. Case, I. N. Bull, Lawrence Case, F. I. Miller, H. L. Dousman, B. W, Brisbois, Preston Lod- ■wick, and F. C. Miller. Chantry — Is another of the old town sites that have almost faded from the memory of all except those who are familiar with the records. It was laid out by Augustus French, Aug. 24, 1857, on the northeast fraction of section 12, Lafayette Township, five or six miles below Lansing, and doubtless had hopes of one time be- coming a useful and perhaps important river point. Alton--ls, still another of the hopeful young villages of the fif- ties, which are nearly forgotten. Its situation was in the Iowa valley, on section 1 in French Creek Township, near the mouth of the stream of that name. It was platted Jan. 5, 1858, by W. W. and Nancy Woodmansee. Buckland — Is the site of Buckland Mills, and is located on the Yellow River, very near the center of Linton Township. Laid out April 28, 1858, by Austin and Harriet L. Smith, John and Lucy. Davis, and Asa and Cordelia Candee; acknowledged before James H. Stafford, J. P. The town plat was vacated May 10th, 1881. Manchester — Is known as Manchester Mills, in the northwest corner of Franklin Township, on the south half, northwest quar- ter, southwest quarter section 6, and is so near to Cleveland that the names are used interchangeably. The plat bears date of May 10, 1859; surveyed by Joel Dayton in '56; and is acknowl- edged by Peter M. and Judith Gilson, before Trumbull Granger, Justice of the Peace. New Alhin. — The youngest town in the county, had a popula- tion in 1880 of 423. Its location, on the banks of a large slough just south of the Minnesota State line, is well adapted for a large town, being high and level ground, and only its distance from the main channel of the river prevented its becoming such, as it has a large section of fertile farming and dairy lands, through the northern portion of the county, naturally tributary to its market. It owes its origin to the building of the Dubuque & Minnesota Railroad, in 1872, being laid off into blocks and lots in November of that year by J. A. Rhomberg, J. K. Graves, S. H. Kinne, Hily Ross, and administratrix of John Ross. The New Albin Herald^ a six-column folio sheet, was estab- lished about June 1st, 1873, by Dr. J. I. Taylor, who placed his son, James E. Taylor, in immediate charge of it as a publisher, The following year it was discontinued, and the Spectator, an eight page paper, was established by B. S. Kilbourne, who con- tinued its publication until May, 1879, when he removed his office material to a new town in the West. Myron. — Is situated on the Yellow River, in ■ Post Township, near the north line, and dates its platted existence only from May 8, 1873, although it is an old-time settlement and far more en- HISTOKT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 401 titled to be styled a village than many of the mythical towns so- called. It has possessed a large and excellent flouring mill for many years; also a store, postoffice, blacksmith shop, etc. Dorchester. — The site of Haines' Mill, on Waterloo Creek, in ' the eastern part of Waterloo township, was settled early in the fifties, but was not platted until Norember 27, 1873, the proprie- tors being S. H: and Elsie T. Haines. It is quite a business-like community, with a population of 101, according to the last census. Lafayette — Was a settlement on the river, in the township of that name, a short distance above Chantry. The first comer was one Gordon, in 1850. It was a good boat landing, and at one time possessed two stores and a large steam saw-mill; but if the land was laid oif into lots it was never platted. In 1857 the saw-mill was changed to a grist-njill by Kinyon & Amsden, and in 1859, we believe, was called Foot's Mills. At this date no settlement to amount to anything exists there. Paint Rock — Was another river point that "was to be," on Har- per's Channel, in Fairview township, section 3, near the Taylor line. At an early day (probably in 1850) Wm. H. Morrison, at one time School Fund Commissioner, brought a small stock of goods and the inevitable barrel of whisky to this point, where he built a small house and started a store. His building has disap- peared, and there is but one house there at this time. Mr. Morri- son afterward went to California, where he died insane. Waterville. — A thriving village of 75 or 100 inhabitants, on Paint Creek, fourteen miles from Waukon and nine from the river. The first settlements in the neighborhood were made in 1850. In 1854 the Waterville mill was erected by Nathaniel Beebe, and the same year Col. J. Spooner came and bought land, and the following winter or spring purchased a part interest in the mill, which was then completed and put into operation. Col. Spooner returned to the East in the fall of 1854; but in May,, 1855, came on again with a stock of goods and started a store, in which he was joined by Daniel P. Carpenter. In 1856 James Beebe built a large frame hotel, the outlook at that time being very promising for the future growth of the place, possessing, as- it does, three of as good water-powers as can be found anywhere in the valley. Here was organized the old "Prairie du Chien & Mankato Railroad Company." After the collapse of this enter- prise the many natural advantages of this village site were lost sight of, until its growth was renewed upon the construction of the W. & M. Railroad in 1877, since when there have been sev- eral substantial stores and a grain warehouse erected, and it is- now a live little market town, the only railroad station between Waukon and the Junction. Although laid off into lots and streets at an early day, it has never been platted. New Galena. — The old village of this name was situated on the north side of the Iowa River, in Hanover Township, at the mouth 402 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY of Waterloo Creek, and nearly opposite the mouth of Mineral Creek, which comes in from the south, through what was at one time supposed to be a rich lead region; hence the name of the creek and settlement. The land in which it was situated was bought of the government by Peter Lander, J'uly 1, 1852, who sold it to Phineas Weston, of South Bend, Ind., June 22, 1853. In 1856 one A. C. Tichenor discovered what he supposed to be paying quantities of lead, in the valley of Mineral Creek, and not having sufficient means of his own to carry out his plans, went to New York City to get men of capital interested, stopping in Indiana to see Phineas Weston, the owner of the land, with whom it is supposed he made satisfactory arrangements for opening a mine. In New York he succeeded almost immediately in inter- esting one Jas. T. Moulton, who laid the matter before another party of some means, A.ug. F. Lee, and together they proceeded to act in the matter. Mr. Lee came on with Tichenor, looked ov- er the ground, procured specimens of the ore and had it tested, and everything proving satisfactory Moulton and his son Arthur came on with all the necessary materials and laborers and pro- ceeded to erect buildings. Among others, they built a large store, which was filled with a huge stock of goods purchased in New York by F. M. Clark, who had accompanied Tichenor east for that purpose, and who clerked for Moulton & Lee until the fol- lowing January. At one time the company had as many as a hundred men in their employ. The village site was laid off into lots and streets, and some of the lots were sold at good round prices; but it was never platted. The village at its best comprised some eight or ten houses, but they have disappeared, and at this time the land where the town stood is one of the best farms in the Iowa valley, and is owned by Levi Green, who purchased it from the creditors of the lead mining company. Some of the buildings were moved oflF, and others left to fall to pieces. Among the latter was a large stone barn which stood until a couple years ago or so, a monument of the New Galena folly. But to return to the mining operations. The company pene- trated the side of the bluffs on Mineral Creek and took out ore in such quantities that they felt warranted in erecting a smelting furnace, which was done some fifteen rods south of the bridge which was built at a later day, and smelted a considerable quan- tity of ore — how much we cannot tell — but it did not pay. The ore was mostly in the shape of floats, but they kept on, hoping to strike a paying "lead," In this they were disappointed however, as no well defined lead was developed, and the store part of the venture was the only thing about it that paid. In the spring of 1857, Tichenor had run through what little means he had invest- ed in the concern, and Moulton and Lee, disappointed in their bright expectations, were inclined to blame him for the result of the enterprise, and so cast him off. The elder Moulton took to HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 403 drink; and sometime in the course of a j'ear the whole thing col- lapsed under the stress of circumstances. The creditors got what they could out of the property, and we believe Moulton and Lee returned to the east. Tichenor, it seems, could not give up the idea of getting riches out of a mine, and sought the mines of the west. Only a year or two ago he was heard of in connection with a fraudulant mining concern, shares of stock in which he had sold to the extent of 120,000 or $30,000, and having been dis- covered in his game, had skipped out. Among our county records we find the "Articles of Association of the New Galena Lead Mining and Real Estate Company," en- tered into on the 18th day of August, 1857, and to continue twen- ty years with the right of renewal. "James Thorington, James T. Moulton, J. Arthur Moulton, Aug. F. Lee, Wm. L. Easton, Leonard Standring, Warren Ballon, James I. Gilbert, Grant Telford, Milo C. Fuller, Alanson H. Barnes, D. B. Defendorf, L. B. Defendorf, S. H. Kerfoot, James L. McLean, Robt. L. McClelland, Horatio Hill, Solomon Good- rich, E. E. Cooley, and their associates, and such persons as may hereafter become stockholders in the Company by these articles incorporated," formed themselves into a body corporate under the name and style above mentioned, "for the purpose," the document goes on to say, "of mining, smelting, and manufacturing lead, and for the purpose of acquiring, by purchase or otherwise, any lands in the State of Iowa, or any other State or Territory in the United States; and for laying out such lands into towns or vil- lages, additions to town or villages, and disposing of the same at private or public sale; and also for engaging in internal improve- ments, munufactures, agriculture and commerce, and in any or all financial or monied operations not inconsistent with the laws of the State of Iowa," etc., etc. The document further provides that the capital stock shall consist of $200,000, of |20 a share, with power to increase to not exceed $500,000. The principal place of business was to be the village of New Galena; and "the directors shall cause semi-annual dividends to be declared out of the profits of the Company." About how many dividends were declared may be readily imagined. We believe this company did continue to operate the diggings for a time, but they were finally abandoned entirely. The diggings mentioned by Prof. Hall as located on the southwest quarter of Sec. 13, 99, 6, were doubtless the ones operated by this Company; the. land is now owned by the Fitzgeralds. The first lead taken out was probably near by the smelting furnace. Wexford — By right of priority of settlement, this community, situated in the southern portion of Lafayelte Township, some three miles from the Mississippi, on Priest Cooley (or creek), should have been mentioned earlier in the list of villages, having been settled in 1851. In the spring of that year Father Thomas 404 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE CODN"TT. Hare, the first Catholic Missionary in the county, came here di- rect from Ireland, and with material said to have been brought from Dubuque, erected a frame church, supposed to have been the first church built in the county, and called the place Wexford. This church, we understand, was built at Father Hare's own ex- pense. In earlier life he had been a missionary in Virginia, but had returned to Ireland. He was independent of the Bishop, and operated on his own responsibility. His field of operations reached over a wide extent of country. He was a genial and influential man, and drew to this county a large immigration of his country- men, who settled around him at this point. Union City — Is the name of a settlement on the north side of the Iowa, above the mouth of French Creek, which was to have been platted as a village and so gave its name to the township in which it is located. It was never laid out, or, if it was it was never platted and entered oh record. CHAPTER VII. History of Post Township; Location; Early Settlements; Vill- ages; War Record, Miscellaneous Incidents and Reminiscences. BY A. R. PRBSCOTT. "Our fathers to their graves have gone, Their strife is past — their triumph won, But sterner trials wait the race Which rises in their honored place." — Whittier. Post Township occupies Congressional Township No. 96 north, range 6, west of 5th principal meridian: is the southwest corner township of Allamakee County, Iowa, and contains 22,491 acres. The surface is undulating, and in the northern part, bluify. Yellow River runs easterly through the entire township, some- what north of the middle sections, and is formed from two branches, oae coming from the northwest through sections 6 and 7, the other from the southwest through section 18, meeting on the southwest corner of section 8, and almost immediately disap- pearing in the lose limestone formation of its bed, running under- ground for about two miles, then suddenly gushing out at the foot of the bluff, in one huge spring, on the northwest quarter of section 3. Thence onward, the river is rapid, clear, and in its descent affording numerous mill sites, and from the influx of other HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUKTY. -iOS large springs, very characteristic of this valley, scarcely freezes in winter. The south bank is skirted by a belt of heavy forest, ex- tending completely through and beyond the township lines, in width about one and a half to two miles. On the river bluffs pine was found in considerable quantities, though long since con- verted into early buildings. The belt of forest on the south of the river consists of the best varieties of oak, vralnut, butternut, ash, hickory, maple, with basswood and poplar, and though more than thirty years have passed since the vphite man's ax began its destruction, the same forest still furnishes its regular supply of fire wood and building materials, and in much greater quantities as time passes, than at the first settlement of the country. The north bank of the river affords but little forest in this township; local groves of small timber and scattering oaks and hickory trees, ■with the heaviest portion on section 8, constituting the amount on the north side. The soil on the north is a stiff yellow or light clay subsoil, with a top of thin — but very rich — black loam, which has pro- duced the best specimens of spring wheat grown in the west. Con- siderable alluvial bottom lands lie along the river of excessive rich- ness, producing the largest crops of all kinds raised in this lati- tude, including sweet potatoes. One species of the old forestry seems nearly annihilated — -the bee tree. In early days so frequently was this variety felled, that every settler, up to about 1853, of common enterprise had his bar- rel of honey as a part of his winter food supply, and as many as two hundred pounds were frequently taken from one tree in Yel- low River woods. The sugar tree still yields its crop as of yore — in considerable qtiantities. In these woods, beats, wolves, panthers and wild cats were nu- merous in the early days, and red deer fairly fiocked ou the prairies up to about 1857, when in that winter a deep snow and thick crust prevented them from traveling, and they fell easy victims to the hunter. This snow and crust prevailing over the entire north- west, deer were almost totally annihilated, as but very few have been seen since. Bear hunting was a favorite pastime up to about 1854, when the last town hunt, in October, culminated in a law suit against sonie outsiders who happened to be "in at the death" of a wounded bear, and who had the bear skinned and the 400 pounds of meat di- vided and quietly taken away before the regular hunters arrived on the ground to dispatch him. The cause was tried before John Laughlin,'j. P. Hon. John T. Clark, attorney, for plaintiffs (the regular hunters), and James & J. D. McKay for defendants. Car- ried to District Court, then to State Supreme' Court, and finally decided adverse to plaintiffs. The settlement of Post township, by permanent white people, was begun by Joel Post, a millwright from Caughnawauga, Cat- 406 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. taraugus county, New York, who obtained permission to occupy the government "log shanty" or "half-way house," built by the United State troops half-way between Fort Crawford, Wisconsin, and Fort Atkinson, Iowa. The document has been preserved, and reads as follows: "Joel Post is hereby granted the privilege of occupying the house and stable, belonging to the public, on the military road from Fort Crawford to Turkey River (I. T.) during the pleasure of Gen. Brooke, or the commanding officer at Fort Crawford. "The said Joel Post has permision to make such additions to house and stable as he thinks proper, and the use of the buildings are to be always open, free of charge to the use of the public; a supply of wood for the use of one fire is also to be furnished free of charge. The said Post will also be required to take charge of and be responsible for all public property placed under his charge at that place. "The privilege of cutting a sufficient supply of hay for the use of the public, at the nearest point at that place, is reserved; and the said Post has the privilege of cutting what wood and timber, for building and fuel, as he may find necessary for his own use and travelers. He has also the privilege of breaking ground and planting, and is always to be subject to the orders of the com- manding officers at Fort Crawford. "It is hereby further contracted by the said Post that he is not to keep spirituous liquors in his house, on any pretense whatever; neither is he to sell liquors, either directly or "indirectly, to In- dians or United States soldiers, under the penalty of being im- mediately removed; and, farther, that he is not to trade with the Indians, unless by permission from the Indian Agent. It is also stated that the said Post may build nearer to the spring, as being more convenient, but at the same time must be responsible for the public buildings now erected, and also all other public property placed under his charge. "George M. Brooke, "Brev. Brig.-Gen. Com'g 1st Dept. W. Div. "Fort Crawford, January 12th, 1841. "I, Joel Post; do hereby bind myself to observe the above order, in all respects, under all the penalties prescribed. Joel Post." Fort Crawford, January 12th, 1841. Witness: John Robertson, Thos. Buyber. Note. — The power reserved by the commanding officer of Fort Crawford, in the above instrument, is also to be held by the com- manding officer at Turkey River, when a senior officer to that at FOrt Crawford. The document is not a model in grammar or punctuation, but is given above precisely as written and punctuated. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 407 The "shanty" then consisted of a log house, 16x20 feet, and a log stable sometyhat larger, and was located about sixtj rods east from the one-fourth post, on north side of Section 33. The occu- pation of the family was a kind of hotel keeping, and the promise of good business in this line was the chief inducement for Mr. Post to risk himself so far from civilization. But the business grew, and proved both profitable and pleasant, and increased so fast that in the next winter Mr. Post and one Richard Only built a more commodious and hotel-like house, which on completion af- forded comfortable quarters for Government and military ofBcers, Government teamsters, etc., and proved quite remumerative for about two years, when these teamsters, who were mostly from Ill- inois, planed a scheme to cheat Mr. Post out of their unpaid bills; it being the custom for them to pay their bills on their return from Fort Atkinson, where they were paid for their services. They did this by constructing a new road, or route, which could be traveled by unloaded teams, across the bend of the road; begin- ning near the southwest corner of Section 33, and keeping near the county line. They could thus pass by the "half way unseen, avoiding the "north bend" and the hotel bill at once. This new "cut off ' received the name of "Sucker Chute," these new devel- opments led to a removal of the "Half Way House" to the west end of "Sucker Chute" by special permission of the commanding officer of the military department, then Major Edwin V. Sumner, in June, 1843. This house proved a nucleus, around which set- tlements were made, and travelers found a quiet home and resting place, and Postville, a local habitation, and a name. A number of the men who have since become famous in the civil and military history of the country, were accustomed to visit this house and partake of its cheer, among whom are the names of H. M. Rice of Minnesota; Dousman and Bisbois; of Wisconsin; the late John Haney, and son John, Jr., of Lansing, Iowa; Capt. Nathaniel Lyon E. V. Sumner, Patterson; Capts. Miller, Schuyler, Hamilton and Lieut. Alfred Pleasanton, all since Generals, high in command and fame in the military history of our country. A story is told by Mrs. Post of the first appearance of Lieutenant Pleasanton at her house in 1844 or 1845, She describes him as a very pleasant young man, of a keen sharp eye, restless when not employed, al- ways driving his own business with great energy. Coming to the Half Way House in a horse and buggy, he said to the hostler, "give the horse his rations which you will find in the buggy." Quite a goodly number of people at dinner were surprised by the appearance of the son of Erin, of the barn, with: ''■If yes plaze, misther Li/tenant, will I bees after fading yer nag ivid the banes, or thejoork or thim square crackers first ?^' The Commissary instead of Quartermaster had put up the Lieu- tenant's rations, and feed for man instead of horse. The Lieuten- ant explained and the company enjoyed a smile with him. -408 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE rOUNTY. Settlements of a permanent nature began as soon as the lauds were surveyed and the Indians removed, which took place in the fall of 1847. The first one was 'Squire Crossly, from Galena, 111., who settled on section 32, half a mile west of Mr. Post's, in June; the next one, Josiah Reed, from Ohio, half a mile west of Crossly, in October; John Reed, on section 30; Thomas Newberry, north- west quarter of section 28, all in 1847. A number had also set- tled over the line in Clayton County, so that in the summer of 1848 a school was started with twenty scholars in one of the chamber rooms at Mr. Post's by a Mrs. Quinn. The first religious services were also held at Mr. Post's, by Rev. Eldridge Howard, a M. E. preacher, in June, 1848, and later by •one Stevens, a Presbyterian. The principal settlers of 1848 were Henry Noble and Elias Topliff, both locating in October or November on section 30. A school was taught at Mr. Post's in the winter of 1848 and '49 by a Mr. Bliss. On New Year's day, 1849, was held the first social party in the new settlement, at the "Half Way House," by Mr. Post. Having spent eight years in frontier life with few neighbors, the time had come when all should meet and learn the names and ways of men and women, who were to build up the new community with him. It is related that every settler within eight miles was present, the most of them bringing their wives, and in not a few cases the whole family appeared at the New Years feast. Sev- eral uniforms were present, and the repast was spoken of as one of luxury and bountiful to excess. The festivities were kept up by the few youngsters to a late hour, and at that gathering an en- gagement was ma e which resulted in the first wedding ever cele- brated in Allamakee County, viz: Elias J. Topliff and Anna Reed, married December 6th, 1849, by Grove A. Warner, Justice of the Peace. A postoffice was established in the same month of January, called Postville, and Joel Post appointed postmaster. He, however, dy^ _ ing on the 24th of the same month, never knew of the appoint- ment, as it did not arrive for some days after his decease. Several settlers arrived in 1849 whose aames and locations are as follows: James H. Penny, a soldier just discharged, on sec- tion 16; Reuben Smith, section 11; Thomas Newberry, on section 28; Constantino Hughes, section 12; William Callender, section 9; Hiram Jones, section 15; Moses Hostetler, also on section 15; Anderson Amos, section 14. In 1850 came David W. Lyons, a Presbyterian clergyman, to section JL6; Alexander J. Breedlove and Thomas Saucer on section 25; John Minert to section 21; James Mather, section 16; Wm. Fewell and Charles Bowman, on section 23; Jeremiah Prescott and Truman Stoddard, on section 36; also S. P. Hicks, L. R. Herrick, John Clark, Anderson Few- •ell, on section 34; David Jemison on section 28; Wm. H. Carith- HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 409 ers on section 10; P. F. Schwartz, on section 3; Jacob Lybrand, on section 10; In 1851 came P. P. Cady to section 36; Asa Chudle to section 10; John Laughlin to section 27; Sylvester Dennis bought M. Hostetler, on section 15. In 1852 came N. J. Beedy, to section 35; Samuel Dobson, section 22; and many others. Post Township was organized by the county board in 1851, ac- cording to the memory of the oldest settlers, but there are no records of officers elected that year. The election in April, 1852, was held in a blacksmith shop near the house of Chas. Bowman. Thirty-one votes were cast, and Reuben Smith, Chas. Bowman, and A. J. Breedlove were chosen trustees; Jas. C. Thompson, township clerk; John Laughlin, Justice of the Peace; Anderson Amos, constable. The next record is that of November 4, 1856, when ninety-four votes were polled. The records from this election are perfect. P. P. Cady was township clerk, and procured a book at his own ex- pense, hunting over all the papers of the several officers, in vain for complete records. Much that is valuable, is lost to the com- piler from the absence of such important items, compelling us to rely upon the memory of the few early settlers left among us, and whose memory, at the lapse of thirty years, will disagree, thus rendering all attemps at exactness abortive. At the November election, 1860, W. H. Carithers was chosen as first township supervisor on the county Board ; Timothy Stiles, Township Clerk; P. P. Cady and Emery Higbey, Justices; James Patterson and Stephen Thibodo, Constables. The year 1861 was eventful as changing the future prospects of so many families in our land, and was felt largely in Post Town- ship, when, with a population entirely rural, it furnished more than forty men to the Union Army, distributed and named as follows: Company K, 1st Iowa Cavalry — Charles T. Prescott 1st (enlist- ment in the township), Moses A. BoUman, Moses Early, Benton Bowman, Ed. Hanan, John S. Post, Stephen Harris, David M. Minert, Wm. H. Saucer. Company I, 9th Iowa Infantry — John S. Mather, 'Squire Math- er, Geo. S. Rice. Company B, 12th Iowa Infantry — Wm. Maynard, Elias Repp, Chas. Russell, Stephen Thibodo. Company B, 13th Iowa Infantry — Jesse P. Prescott, Elza San- ders, David Vickery, Julian D. Miller. Company B, 21st Iowa Infantry — Wm. T. Hays. Company A, 27th Iowa Infantry — Caleb I. Bishop, Daniel Cole, Warren Clough, Elisha Curry, Saul Dobson, Theodore Granger, C. C. Marston, Darius C. Mather, Meredith McGee, Calvin McMul- len, Hiram Hawkins, Andrew J. Patterson, James Patterson, War- ren R. Reed, Truman Stoddard, Geo. W. ToplifiF, John Pixler, A. L. Stiles, Alonzo Thornton. Company — , 38th Iowa Infantry — John L. Johnson. 36 ilO HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Co. I, Enginieer Regt. Mo. Vols.— A. R. Prescott, William R. Johnson, John P. Jones, George W. Wheeler, William Harris. Co. B, 18fch Mo. Infantry.— Dennis A. Harden. Fifteen of these perished on the field of battle or hospital, and hut few of the others are whole and sound. They returned to their homes to begin where they left off — at the plow, bench, store or shop. POSTVILLE VILLAGE. General A. C. Dodge, when Senator of Iowa, recommended that a postoffice be established at the "half-way house," on the Mili- tary road in Clayton county, Iowa, to be called Postville, and that Joel Post be appointed the postmaster; dated January 19th, 1849. Elijah Stevenson, however, was the first postmaster, as Joel Post died January 24th, 1849. A store was opened in 1851 by Josiah D. Reed & Co. The village plat consisted of four blocks of eight lots each, 4x8 rods, and was laid out at the crossing of the Mili- tary road, with the west line of section 33, by S. P. Hicks, county surveyor, in June, 1853. A blacksmith shop was started by one Draper, in 1851, but busi- ness did not increase till 1855. A few dwellings had been built, when James Roll succeeded Draper in the "smithy," and also built a small frame hotel. Samuel J. Russell succeeded Reed & Co. in the store in 1856. The new and commodious "National Hotel" was completed by Mrs. Post in 1857. H. B. Hazelton put in a stock of goods in 1859. Webster & Stevenson succeeded S. J. Russell in 1863. Several dwellings and trade shops had been built on the main street (i. e., the old military road.) Stores had been enlarged and repaired. Business received a fresh impetus by the building of the Mc- Gregor Western Railway, and its completion to this place, the first arrival of a train taking place on the 8th day of August, 1864. The landing of freight and mails began on the first day of Sep- tember, 1864. At once the place put on new airs. An addition of 100 acres was laid out in lots by Mrs. Post, John Lawler, Joe Reynolds and J. T. Stoneman. A station house was soon erected, and John S. Grohe, agept, began business for the railroad. A large and commodious grain elevator was built by Lawler & Reynolds at a cost of $26,000, 50x90 feet, with seventeen bins; ■ whole capacity, 51,000 bushels. Boiler and engine room, 16x24; boiler, 20-horse power. Aggregate pay roll of employes, $500 per month. Finished about September l-5th, 1864. E. D. Holton and Hall Roberts put in an extensive stock of merchandise near the elevator. Other merchants and trades people who located in Postville since that time, may be mentioned, as C. VanHooser, National Hotel; James Perry and Leithold & Poesch, merchants; A. W. McDonald, harness maker, in 1865. HISTORY OP ALLAMAKEE COUNl^. • 411 Passing over the events of a few years, which v«^ere prosperous ones for the township, we mention that in 1871 the assessed value of the total amount of property was $255,026. The village had increased to correspond with the rural districts. The Northeastern Iowa Agricultural Society, was organized here in March, 1871, embracing four counties, banded together for the mutual improvement of all branches of industry. The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway Company began business on the Milwaukee division of their road in Post- ville, about September 5, 1872, James Perry, agent. The village was incorporated March 11, 1873 — John S. Mott, Mayor; A. P. Abbott. C. P. Darling, J. N.Leithold, J.H. Sanders, Trustees; D. T. Smithwest, Recorder. Hall Roberts purchased one-third of the Lawler & Reynolds ele- vator in 1875. The company (known as Hall Roberts & Co.) han- dled one hundred and eighty-five thousand bushels of grain the same year. W. S. and Hall Roberts started the PostvilleBank also this year . SCHOOLS AKD SCHOOL HOUSES. The township has built thirteen school houses, distributed on the several sections, as follows: The first, on the east side of Sec- tion 36, was built of oak logs, 16x22, in the fall of 1849, mainly by the efiforts of Leonard B. Hodges, of Hardin, who also taught the first school there. The last school in the house was taught by Wm Larrabee, of Clermont. Second, also of oak logs, was bnilt in 1852, near the southeast corner of Section 28.^ Third, called "West Grove," was the first frame school house in the township, built in 1854, near the northeast corner of Section 22, and was removed in 1860 to Section 24. Fourth, "PostvilleSub. District," a frame, built in the south- west corner of Section 33, in 1858. Fifth, "Lybrand," a frame built in 1860, on the north side of the northwest quarter of Section 15. Sixth, "Minert," a frame, built in 1862, near the southeast cor- ner of Section 3, to replace the log house. No. 2. Seventh, a frame built in 1864, on the west side of Section 20. Eighth, a frame built in 1865, near the center of Section 35. Ninth, frame built in 1865, on Section 31. Tenth, frame on south line of Section 5. Eleventh, "Myron," frame, built on a lot in village in lc70. Twelfth, frame, built in 1873, at the east end of Reuben Smith's bridge, across Yellow River, near the northeast corner of Section 11. Thirteenth, "Postville High School," built of brick; is two stories high, with basement, rooms for five grades. The district has lately purchased the Baptist church property, which gives ' ad- 412 . HISTORY OF ALL\MAKEB COUNTY. clitioual room, and bettei" facilities for teaching the larsje and steadily increa-iing number of scholars which it is necessary to provide for. SUNDAY SCHOOLS. The first Sunday-school of Post Township was organized in the first log school-house of the township, in the Hardin district, in 1852, and the school was kept up as "Hardin Union Sabbath School," with a few winter omissions to 1872, when it was divided among the several religious societies in Hardin village. The second was organized in the old log house of the Postville school district in 1854, by J. C. Marston, who was first superin- tendent. This school was also kept up with a few omissions in winter, to the year 1869, in Postville, when, becoming very large, it was also divided by Congregational, Methodist and Free Will. Baptist Societies, October 9, 1869. They have been conducted with great success by the two socie- ties first mentioned, the two schools numbering three hundred in the village in 1882. A large and interesting Sunday-school is also held at the U. B., or Bethel Church, organized in 1869. CHURCHES. As before stated, the first religious services ever held in Post township were held in June, 1848, by the Methodists, who organ- ized a class in December, 1850, at the house of Henry Noble, who, was class leader. Meetings were held by the class in the house of John Minert in 1852-53, known as the West Grove appointment. Meetings were also held with other classes, which were organized as settlers' houses offered opportunity, until school-houses were built. In 1856 a class was formed at the house of F. Higby, Esq., . in Postville, where meetings, were held with little intermission till 1858, when the class occupied the new school house, with reg- ular preadhirig, alternating with the Congregational Society. The pastors were: Mann, Asbaugh, Bronson, Bishop, Newton, Church- ill, Stout, F. K. Miller, Wm. Lease. This pa,stor began regular service in Postville, October, 1859, to October, 1861; B. Holcorab, two years; B. C. Barnes, two years. During this term a parson- age was built, and Postville became the head of the circuit, with appointments at Frankville, Castalia and Red School house. Rev. Wm. Young, 1865-66; then B. F. Taylor, J. E. Fitch, two years; Rev. G. L. Garrison, three years. During this pastorate a church edifice was built. The corner stone was laid with elaborate cere- mony July 4th, 1872, was completed, furnished and dedicated February 16th, 1873; cost f4,500. Church membership, 58; on, firobation, 9. Condition of the church at this time was spiritually ow; prayer and class meetings neglected. Rev. Jason L. Paine took charge in October, 1873, and soon after increased interest HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 413 was manifest in the society. Rev. John Dolph in charge from September 1875 to 1878. During this term a revival occurred in the community, and twenty-nine members were added to the church. Rev. Geo. W. Pratt served as pastor three years, and thirty-eight members were received in 1879. Present pastor, 1882, Rev. H. E. Warner. The First Congregational Church, of Postcille was organized April 5, 1856, by Samuel Russell and Lucy P. Russell, of Second Congre- gational Church, Rockford, 111. John Moir and Deborah, his wife, and Geo. Kerr, of the Congregational Church, of Roscoe, 111., with -Mrs. Anna Orr, of the Presbyterian Church of Tyrone, N. Y. John Moir was chosen deacon and S. J. Russell, scribe. Rev. D. B. David- son, of Monona, Iowa, was engaged to preach alternate Sundays, and the Lord's Supper was celebrated. Afterward, worship was held in the old Post dwellmg, the house of Mr. Russell, the school house at Springfield, and the school house in the village as soon as com- pleted, which was in 1858 — members were received from time to time, and on March 9, 1865, preliminary steps were taken to build a house of worship. An association was formed and incorporated, the trustees being John Moir, S. J. Russell, D. W. C. Rowley, Oliver Mackey and Geo. Kerr. At a meeting held June 9, 1865, it was resolved to build a frame edifice 36x48 feet, on lots 1 and 2, block 23, in Postville. Among the subscribers to the building fund are noticed the names of Geo. G. Greene, Wm. Green, S. Conover, E. D. Holton, Hall and W. S. Roberts, John Lawler, P«P. Elmen- dorff, John T. Stoneman, Samuel Merrill (since Governor of Iowa), Wm. B. Strong, J. N. Gilchrist, J. L. Dearborn, ex-Gover- nor Wm. Bross, of Chicago, Illinois. The church was finished and dedicated on September 12, 1867. Rev. C. R. French was supply, but the association being somewhat crippled in the expense of building, the house was rented to the M. E. Society, to April, 1868, when Mr. J. L. Atkinson, of the Chicago Theological Seminary, began regular services. Church membership thirty-eight. The pastors were in succession, Rev. Wm. H. Barrows, Rev. Geo. F. Bronson, Rev. C. A. Marshall, Rev. J. A. Hoyt, Rev. L. P. Matthews. During this pastorate a revival occurred, and twenty- five members were received. Rev. Horace H. Robbins, of Musca- tine, Iowa, filled the pulpit from July 1, 1878, to May 1, 1880. During this pastor's term thirty-three members were added — the the house of worship repaired, a lecture room built, grounds fenced and other improvements made. Rev. A> S. Houston, of Denmark, Iowa, a vacation term of four months — Rev. C. S. New- hall, to June 25, 1882. Rev. A. F. Loomis, of Dixon, Illinois, present supply. The Free-Will Baptist Society was organized in 1865. A house of worship was built in 1866; dedicated in 1867. The principal workers were Martin Boardman, H. B. Hazelton, Jona- than Ellis and Geo. W. Hanks. Rev. N. R. George was first pastor. 414 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Services were kept up, with some omissions, to 1880, and after some efforts to recuperate, it was decided to sell the property with the house of worship to the school district of Postville, which was accomplished in May, 1882. United Brethren. — A society of United Brethren was organized in 1868, and a house of worship built in 1869 at the center of the northwest quarter of section 23, of wood frame, Avell finished, called "Bethel Church." Services are held continually; member- ship not large. German Lutheran. — This society was formed in the spring of 1872, and a house of worship built by subscription in the same year. The principal workers were Conrad Thoma, Jacob Leni, E. Rucktas- sel, Fred. Thoma, Carl Schultz, Leithod Bros, and Carl Knodt. The first pastor was Andrew Johnson, a German. Services have been held irregularly, and a school in German kept by some of the pastors. The society was incorporated January 16th, 1880; R. A. T. Meyer, secretary. Membership in 1880: Church, 25; Associa- tion, 48; total, 73. Membership in 1882: Church, 67; Associa- tion, 57; total, 124. Catholic. — A house of worship was built in 1872 at a cost of $2,500; size, 34x60 feet; wood. It is but little used. NEWSPAPEES. The Postville Revieiv was established, as its first number indi- cates, March- 19th,. 1873, by F. M. McCormack, a typo of De- corah, lowS. The paper took good rank from the start; Republi- can in politics, with an independent turn. It was sold to W. N. Burdick, late of the Cresco (Iowa) Times. The Review has a large and wide circulation, and seems a permanent fixture in Post- ville. The District Post is the title of a new paper started August 17, 1882, by M. C. Mead, late of- the Holland Gazette, (Grundy County, Iowa,) and is devoted to the interest of the Greenbackers. LAWYERS. T. C. Ransom, a native of Hartland, Conn., removed from Har- din, Iowa, where he had practiced some years, to Postville, and opened his office May 9th, 1868. Removed to Forest City, Iowa, in October, in 1870. Simeon S. Powers, a native of Chautauqua County, New York, also removed his office here from Hardin, Iowa, and formed a partnership with T. C. Ransom in May, 1870. He still con- tinues business; has built up an extensive practice, has late- ly taken his son, L. M. Powers, as a partner, who with a copy clerk are all busily employed. Burling & Stowe. Fred.S. Burling and Herman A. Stowe came from West Union, Iowa, locating in Postville, July 10th, 1872. They have succeeded in building a fair practice on a good foundation. HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 415 Hon. John T. Clark, one of Allamakee County's war horses 'in law, established an office in Postville in 1880. Does a good business, and is the principal Justice of the Peace in this locality. PHTSICIAlfS. Luther Brown, a hospital steward of the regular army and, graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ills., located in Post- ville in May, 1866. He has a large and lucrative practice. Was a member of the lower house of the 16th General Assembly, la., in 1876. John S. Green caiiie from Hardin, Iowa, where he had praticed since 1854, locating in Postville in March, 1867. Has a large practice. His son, J. E. Green, graduate of Iowa Medical Col- lege has lately began business in company with the father. John Shepherd, an apothecary of training in Scotland, gradu- ate of Iowa City Medical College, began practice in Postville Still practices. Others of the profession have temporarily practiced in Postville. Mention might be made of the names of some: S. Riddle, in 1858 to '62; Linert, 1864-65; W. Y. Houghton, 1874; B. E. Brockhansen,1873 and'74; J. Hanson, 1880-'81. » OTHER VILLAGES IIT THE TOWlfSHIP. Lyhrand. — This place was originally settled by Jacob Lybrand, and a plat of a few acres laid out, and a post office established in 1851, and was in 1853 quite a village. Mr. Lybrand kept a good stock of goods, as did Hiram Jones in 1853 and '54. There were milliner stores, boot and shoe stores. John D. Cooper came in 1854, and started to build a hotel of stone, of large pro- portions, which was but half finished, when sold to Elisha Har- ris in the fall of 1854, who made a farm of the whole Lybrand property; completely absorbing the last in 1856. Since then shops and stores luive become barns and sheds, for produce and farm stopk. The Great Hotel" finished by Mr. Harris, was to- tally destroyed by a tornado, Sept. 21st, 1881. Myron. — The village of Myron, so. named for F. Myron Swartz, son of P. F. Swartz, the first settler, was begun at the time of the removal of the Lybrand postoffice, when Elisha Harris re- signed as postmaster. It was then removed to Mr. Swartz's house and P. F. Swartz appointed postmaster of Myron, in 1869. R. T. Burnham moved his flouring mill from Hardin to Myron in 1865. S. F. Goodykoontz, of Waukon, purchased half the property in 1866, and had a plat laid out near the center of section 3. D. D. Hendricks started a store in 1867. Some building was done, a few dwellings put up, but the trade is dull, the mill only doing any business. The excellent water-power here should be an induce- ment to further enterprise. 416 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Cleveland was started in 1856, near the southeast corner of sec- tion 1, but lived only a few years. Jas. Arnold and P. M. Gilson were the original proprietors. COKKET BAND. This band was organized in May, 1873. The instruments were purchased by a subscription of citizens and distributed to mem- bers as follows: James Perry, leader, E. h. cornet; Joseph B. Reed, 2d E. h. cornet; S. S. Powers, B. h. cornet; J. V. Allen, 2d Bb cornet; H. E. Bab- cock, E. h. alto; A. W. McDoneld, 2d E. h. alto; H. P. Dawes, B. h. tenor; E. D. Stiles, 2d B. h. tenor; A. R. Prescott, baritone; T. H. Symms, tuba; J. W. Sh'eehy, snare drum; Joe C.Dow, bass drum and cymbals. In the course of a few years many changes had taken place, by removals mostly, and in 1880 a re-organization was necessary. The present esprit du corps may be mentioned as: , D. E. Harrington, E. b. cornet and leader; E. H. Putnam, 2d E. b. cornet; L. M. Powers, B. b. cornet; Stephen Spoo, 2d B. b. cornet; J. A. Enke, E. b. alto solo; P. Deitzler, E. b. alto; Joe Bencher, 2d E. b. alto; A. C. Tatro, B. b. tenor; Jacob Meyer, 2d B. b. tenor; Joseph Ni(Jiolai, baritone; G. Staadt, tuba; J. W. Sheehy, snare drum; J. K. Phillips, bass drum. They are well uniformed, and are prepared to compete with any band in the State. MILITARY. Company D, 4th Regiifient I. N. G. was enrolled March 16th, 1880. Mustered into service by Capt. E. B. Bascomb, of Lans- ing, Iowa, the same day. An election for officers was immedi- ately held, and James Perry elected Captain; A. R. Prescott, 1st Lieut; Joseph B. Reed, 2d Lieut. H. P. Dawes was 1st Sergt.; Loren M. Powers, 2d Sergt; J. J. Beedy, 3d Sergt.; Arthur F. Marston, 4th Sergt.; *Ed. H. Putman, 5th Sergt.; Wm. F. Owen, 1st Corporal; Frank Orr, 2d Corporal; Elbert D. Stiles, 3d Corporal; D. Henry Laughlin, 4th Corporal. Musicians — *Dennis Hardin, Jas. Sheehy. Privates^Joseph Anderson, George Bellows, C. I. Bishop, J. Cole, Edgar Clough, James Doyle, Chas. Gordon,'JohnH. Grif- fin, Ben. S. Gulic, Fred E. Haines, James Hogan, John Mc- Ghee, James McGhee, Chas. T. Makepeace, George Mc Williams, Dennis Murphy, Lyman Newton, John O'Brien, Darius Orr, Ellison Orr, Lyman Patterson, John K. Phillips, Timothy Per- ry, Fred Rathman, John Redhead, Lincoln Redhead, Henry J. Reusch, John S. Roll, James T. Shepherd, Wm. Shepherd, Stephen Spoo, *Alonzo L. Stiles, Lamotte Taylor, Otis^Van Vel- zer, Hugh Wheeler, N. E. Wells, Geo. W. White, Henry Wells. *VeteraiiB. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 417 POSTMASTERS. Elijah Stevenson, '49 to '51. James Stevenson '51 to 53. Jo- siah b. Keed, '53 to '56. Emery Higbey, '56 to '59. H. B. Hazelton, '59 to '63. G. F. Webster, '63 to '65. Warren Stiles, Sept. 2, '65, to June 30, '66. John Moir, Jr., July 1st, '66, to Dec. 31, '77. A. R. Prescott from Jan. 1, 1878. Money order office since 1870. SECRET SOCIETIES. A. F. & A. If.— Lodge designated '-Brotherly Love", No. 204; Charteredin June, 1866. First W. M., G. P. Webster. Present W. M., S. S. Powers. Membership, 43. I. O: 0. i^.— Lodge designated "Postville," No. 266. Instituted December, 1873. H. P. Dawes first N. G. Present N. G., Jacob Meyer. Membership, 39. A. 0. U. TT.— Chartered and designated "Noble," No. 51, of Iowa. Present M. W., T. B. Easton. Membership, 28. ^ Eclipse No. 96. loiva Legion of Honor. — Chartered 1879. Present membership, 25, Hall Roberts, president. Post Collegium, No. 52, V. A. S. Fraternity. — Instituted May 1882. H. A. Stowe, rector. Membership, 33. James Perry, scribe. POSTVILLE BUSINESS DIRECTORY, 1882. Mayor, Norman J. Beedy; Recorder, B. F. Taylor. Attorneys: Burling & Stowe, John T. Clark, S. S. Powers. Insurance Agents : F. S. Burling, H.Dawes, 0. E. Omley, S. S. Powers. Postmaster, Alva R. Prescott. Agent C, M. & St. P. R. R., James F. Wilson. Agent B., C. R. & N. R. R., James Perry. Newspapers, Postville Review, District Post. Jewelers — J. H. Gray, J. Glines Lumber — J. S. Mott. Hardware and tinware — Matthew Beucher, Mott & McAdam, H. Stone. Drugs, medicines and books — Bayless, Douglass & Co., Anton Staadt. Restaurants — Edward Sheehy, John Thoma. Wagon makers — Meyer & Hecker. Agricultural implements — C. A. Leithold, Kemmerer, Lamb & Co. Pumps and windmills — A. F. Marston. Carpenters— C. P. Darling, H. P. Dawes, T. M. Miller, J. W. Sheehy, H. B. Taylor, E. E. Wilson. Hotels — "Commercial," J. M. Lisher; "Burlington," Burhans Bros. Painters — J. B. Reed, E. H. Putnam, Taylor, Phillip Deitzler. Photographer — B. F. Taylor. 418 HISTOKT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 9 Cornet Band — D'Estaing Harrington, Leader; Gottfried, Staadt, Secretary. General merchandise — John A. Finney, Luhman & Sanders, F. W. Eoberts, Skelton & McEwen, Ward & Meyer. Clothing — D. Osterdock. Fruit and confectionery — Peter Miller, John Moir, Jr. Bakery — Peter Miller. Blacksmiths — Myer & Hecker, E. Parsons, G. W. Stafford. Shoemakers — Wm. Grans, J. B. Schmidt, A. Stockman. Cabinet makers and furniture dealers — T. B. Easton, August Koevening, A. W. McDaneld. Machine and repair shop — Dresser & Fairehild. Harness makers — -J. A. Euke, H. W. Meyer. Milliners and dressmakers — Canfield & Jones, Duff & Cross, Viola Hunter. Barber— J. K. Phillips. Company D, 4th Regiment, I. N. G. — James Perry, Captain. • CHAPTER Vlil. Criminal Episodes; The Gorman Eobbery; '■'■Borrowing" Horses; Assassination of Cunningham; Murder of Barney Leavy; The Minert Murder; '■'■Shoving the Queer;" An Uncle Murders His Nephew; a Postville Burglary; Fatal Stabbing Affray; A De- faulting Postmaster; Shooting of Matt. Beuscher; Other Fa- tal Affrays, Burglaries, Assaults, etc. We have already stated that the first term of District Court held in this county was at Columbus in July, 1852, Judge Wil- son presiding, though we have reason to believe that Judge Grant appeared and tried cases in vacation prior to that date, in 1850, or '51. Previous to 1849 we were attached to Clayton County for judicial purposes. At the November term, 1853, at Wau- kon, numerous bills were found by the grand jury against parties for assault and battery, gambling and betting, keeping gambling house, selling liquor, etc. In nearly every case the defendant was ordered to be arrested and held in $200 bonds; and at a later term they were nearly, or quite all of them discharged. Nov. 9, 1853, Elias Topliffwas indicted for official misdemeanor in the exercise of his official duties, as County Judge, arising, it is presumed, from the county seat controversy. He took a change of venue to Winneshiek County, and the case was dismissed. The first criminal action brought to trial was on the 9th of November, 1853, "The State of Iowa vs. Grove A. Warner and HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COVSTY. 419 • James A. Davis," upon an indictment for robbery. The defend- ants lived at or near Merrian's Ford (now Myron), and Warner bad served as clerk of the old "Commissioners' Court," was a Justice of the Peace, and we believe a shoemaker by trade. It seems that Thos. and Jerry Gorman came into possession of some $600 or $700, and in considering where to place it for safety against the time they should have occasion to use it, one of them consulted Justice Warner. That night — or some night shortly after — the Gormans were robbed of 'all they had about them, which happened to be only about $60, they having found a depos- itory for the main portion of their funds. Warner skipped out, and two years later his bondsmen were mulcted in default of his appearance. Davis stood trial, was convicted of "robbery in the first degree," and sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years. S. Goodridge was prosecuting attorney, and John Laughlin, of Post, Sheriff. Since that day our county has been cursed with her share of criminals, though it has never been her lot to witness an execu- tion. It is impossible to give anything like a full list of the crimes that have been brought to public notice within our borders; but a brief reference to the worst and more prominent of them seems called for in a work of this character. There was at one time a great demand in this .westerii country for "borrowed" horses; and so great was the apparent demand that it was found necessary in this county, as well as in many others, to sometimes send out armed patrols to search the country for those who did the borrowing, that is in cases, of course, where it was done without leave. We cannot say that actual lynching was ever practiced, but certain it is that some parties were badly scared; and it is also certain that more than one desperate char- acter was arrested and brought to justice by them, and others in- formed that another part of the country would doubtless prove more conducive to their health. We regret that we have not the data from which to cite instances, but there are doubtless those still living who might write an interesting chapter on this subject. The first case of horse stealing we have run across in our re- searches is that of David Clark, examined in Lansing in Decem- ber, 1858, and committed to the Decorah jail. His plan was said to be, after stealing an animal, to run him off and sell him, and then lie about until he got a chance to poison the horse to destroy the evidence. The grand jury found a bill against him May 25, 1859, but before he could be brought to trial he escaped from jail by nearly killing the jailer, and was never recaptured. A remarkable case was that of Wm. Presho, a most desperate character, who was arrested for stealing horses from the livery in Waukon, we believe, in the spring of 1865. His trial came off at Lansing in June following, and on the 17th of that month he was found guilty and sentenced to two years in ihe Fort Madison 420 HISTORY OP ALLAMAKEE COTJlfTT • penitentiary. Sheriff Palmer started down river with him aboard a stern wheel steamer, taking along one Dr. Hall, a man well known and kighly respected, a? an assistant. Late one evening Hall accompanied Presho to the stern of the boat, and both dis- appeared. As soon as they were missed a search was made, but neither was found, and the theory received credence for several years that both were drowned, as it was supposed that Presho had attempted to drown his guard and had gone down with him, being handcuffed at the time. Presho afterward turned up alive and sound, and his version of the affair is said to be, that after knocking Hall insensible and throwing him into the river (Hall was rather slight, while the prisoner was powerful and an excellent swimmer) he jumped over and supported himself upon a board close by the wheel, where he was concealed by a projection above and escaped discovery in the darkness when the search was made, and when the boat made her next landing he dropped into the water and got safely to the shore. Be that as it may, he escaped, and was again at his old tricks. Stealing a valuable horse somewhere in the central part of the State, he run the animal off into Minnesota and entered it in a race. The owner followed in search, passing through Waukon, and it is said discovered his horse just as it was coming victorious from the race course, having won the purse. Seeking the pretended owner, he demanded how he came by the animal, and Presho answered that he had a bill of sale which he would produce if he would accompany him to his hotel. The man did so, accompanying Presho to his room, where the latter went coolly to his trunk and taking a revolver in each hand confronted the rightful owner of the horse, declaring "there is my bill of sale, d you!" He then cleared out, but was pursued, and swam the Minnesota river, while several shots were fired at him from the shore he had just left. He was never apprehended, we believe, but has been seen several times since then; and it is said he ran a stock farm for several years in Nebraska or Kansas. One of the earliest murders in the county, of which we have any account, occurred in Linton township in 1863 or 1864, the particulars being substantially as follows. It appears that a diffi- culty of long standing existed between one Grirard Riley and a neighbor named Cunningham, and finally Riley assassinated him, lying in wait in a wood, as he passed by. The murderer had made due preparations for the awful deed, loading his gun and firing on the unsuspecting man from the rear, at a time when he least of all expected to meet his deadly enemy. He had carefully saddled a horse, and as soon as the deed was committed made good his escape from the county, and was never heard of afterward until in the winter of 1874 and 1875, when Sheriff Hewitt received a letter from one John O'Toole, at Lexington, Ky., to the effect that if he would come to Lexington he (O'Toole) would point out to him a man named Girard Riley, who committed a murder in Lin- HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 421 ton township some eleven years previous. Acting upon the re- quest of O'Toole, the Sheriff procured from Gov. Carpenter, of this State, a requisition on the Governor of Kentucky, aimed with which he started for Lexington, and was soon in communication with the writer of the letter. Judge of the indignation and astonishment of the official, when O'Toole doggedly refused to point out the whereabouts of the man, or to give any information whatever about him, unless Mr. Hewitt would pay him in cash $300. His claims were based upon a statement to the effect that he had been Riley's neighbor and friend; that he was perfectly familiar with all the circumstances and facts of the tragedy; that he was shortly afterward in communication with the murderer, and finally both settled in Kentucky. There O'Toole loaned Riley $300 to start in business. This sum he demanded back from Riley, but the fellow coolly informed his benefactor and friend that ail his property was in his wife's name; that O'Toole could not make him pay it, and he refused point blank to return the money. Determined to seek revenge, he told Riley that he would yet be even with him ; and in due time the letter to Sheriff Hewitt was written, and that official summoned. He stated that Riley was living under an assumed name, and was in good circum- stances; that all he (O'Toole) wanted was the borrowed money, and if that was forthcoming he would at once deliver him up. The Sheriff refused to comply with this demand, but consulted with the Sheriff of Lexington County, and put him in possession of all the facts ; and with the promise of all the assistance in the power of that official the case still rests. Perhaps the most foul murder ever perpetrated in the county was that of Barney Leavy by Charles O'Neill, on Lansing Ridge, in 1860, the circumstances being as follows: Leavy was a teamster between Lansing and Decorah, and much of the time put up at Marsden's, on the Ridge. O'Neill lived not far from there ou the same road. One Sunday a young man by the name of Hughes, somewhat intoxicated, was driving back and forth along the road, and stopped with a companion at Mauch's brewery for a glass of beer, where he met Leavy and got into an altercation with him, both being in 8, mood to indulge in pugilism. One or two Sundays after this occurrence it was being talked over at Mauch's, when Leavy, in the presence of O'Neill, declared he could whip Hughes; whereupon O'Neill, who was an old friend of you ig Hughes' father, with whom he had chummed in California, resented his language and hot words passed between them. At a later hour, after they had left the brewery, Leavy whipped O'Neill, who then went home and armed himself with a knife and gun, but apparently concluding that the knife would do the work the best, secreted the latter under the fence. He then proceeded to a point on the road where he knew Leavy would pass, and which was darker than elsewhere, the trees at that time 422 HISTORY OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. meeting overhead from either side, and lay in wait behind a large stump until his victim had passed, when he sprang upon him from hehind and accomplished his work. We may add that Hughes, Sr., father of the young man above alluded to, had also killed a man, in Lansing we believe, some years earlier; but he died of cholera before he was brought to trial. At the December term of the District Court O'Neill was in- dicted for murder in the first degree. In June following his trial took place; he was found guilty of murder in the second degree, and on the 23d of that month was sentenced to the penitentiary at Fort Madison for life. He was still living at last accounts, but was completely broken down and failing, having become quite aged and decrepid. Another horrible murder occurred on Yellow River in September, 1867, but the murderer escaped the gallows, which would in all probability have been his end had he come to trial. The circum- stances were these: John Minert and Wm. H. Stafford were neighbors; thejEormer, a well-to-do and respected citizen, owning a mill dam which he was raising and improving. Stafford, a good enough neighbor when sober, was brutal and savage when in li- quor, and had threatened Minert sh6uld he raise the cfem, as it would overflow some of his land. He came upon Minert with an ax, and without a word from either cut his head open, killing him almost instantly. He then fled the country. Sheriff Townsend immediately offered a reward of $1,000 for his apprehension, and Gov. Merrill afterwards $500. The Board of Supervisors refused to endorse Townsend's reward and it was withdrawn. At a sub- sequent session the offer of 11,000 was made by the Board. A man named Wesley Smith, living near Postville, had been post- ing himself as to Stafford's whereabouts, and as soon as an amount was offered suflicient to pay him for the risk set to work to bring him to justice. Letters were being received quite freely by Staf- ford's family, who were still on Yellow River, from Minnesota. It was discovered that these letters were remailed by friends of the family in Minnesota, and by intercepting them his where- abouts was ascertained to be in Arkansas. Smith, with an assist- ant, went to Arkansas and arrested him, and brought him as far as Memphis, where the prisoner discovered his guard dozing and escaped'from the boat. His hands were shackled at the time, but no trace of him was found. In March, 1862, a press for printing counterfeit money was found in Whaley's mill pond, on Village Creek. It was deposited in the court house at Waukon, where it remained until February, 1868, when it was sold for old iron. Jas. K. Rinehart and Geo. Rose were arrested for passing coun- terfeit money in the spring of 1868 and lodged in jail at Waukon, On the morning of May 28th Rinehart was found to have escaped by digging through a number of thick plank and the brick wall HISTOEY OF ALLAMAKEE COUUTY. 423 his companion having been bailed out a day or two previous. He was recaptured in August and returned to his quarters. The case against Rose was finally dismissed for want of evidence. If v?e are not mistaken Rinehart again escaped, but got into the Wiscon- sin penitentiary where he is said to have died. In November, 1870, Anderson Amos was convicted, at Du- buque, of passing counterfeit money, and sentenced to fifteen years. At the same time Douglas was sentenced for eight years, and others had narrow escapes from implication. In January, 1869, Frank May shot his nephew, Charles May, dead, at their place on the Iowa near New Galena, they having had some dispute as to the division of the crops. The murderer declared it was done in self-defense, but nevertheless took him- self out of the country, it was supposed. About the first of Oc- tober following some unknown person attempted to take the life of James May, brother of the one killed the previous winter, firing at him a charge of buckshot, which, however, did not take effect in a vital pait. The assassin was supposed to be the missing uncle who we believe was never apprehended. On the night of July 30, 1869, a man who gave his name as Fredrick Shaffer, broke into the Kelley House at Postville, but being discovered fired at Mr. Kelley, who returned the fire, break- ing Shaffer's thigh, near the body. He was lodged in the county jail; but in November he escaped by digging down and under the foundation wall — "gophered" out — and upon a horse he stole, ot which was stolen for him, he rode to near Monona and took the train for Chicago. There he was arrested in December for a burglary committed at Beloit, Wisconsin, the summer before, and recognized as an old offender by name of Frank Leonard with many aliases. His career, as narrated in a Chicago paper, includ- ed a robbery in Michigan, burglary in Juneau, Wisconsin, a bank robbery at Nashville, Tennessee, and burglary and shooting at Dubuque. In each of these cases he had been arrested, some- times escaping from custody, and again being released upon re- vealing the whereabouts of his "swag," or serving his term. He had also engaged in bounty jumping during the war. In his Be- loit affair he was arrested but escaped by shooting and wounding two of&cers. The last heard from he was sent to the Wisconsin penitentiary for five years in March, 1871, for crime in that State. January 20, 1872, John Martinson fatally stabbed Christian Hanson at a dance in Lansing. Martinson fled the country, but in July of the following year, 1873, he was arrested in Chicago, brought to Lansing for examination, and lodged in the Waukon jail. At the next December term of the District Court he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years in the pen- itentiary, but received a pardon about September, 1876. In December, 1872, F. H. Bartlett plead guilty to the larceny of a horse, and received two years in the penitentiarv. 424 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. In October, 1873, Ghas. Van Hooser, in a misunderstanding at Postville, knocked J. N. TopliiFdown with a club. In June, 1874, he was convicted of assault with intent to commit great bodily in- jury, and fined f 200 and costs. June, 1874, James Gillman plead guilty to larceny and received six months in the penitentiary. In 1874, were developed the facts of the defalcation of J. G. Orr, of Lansing, who left the country and his whereabouts are not known to this day. It seems that in his official capacity of post master of that place, he had defrauded the Government to the tune of $3,000 — or not far from that sum — and as collector of Lansing City and township had appropriated as much more be- Jonging to the county, and Lansing incorporation, making a grand total sum of $6,000. The affair created quite a stir at the time, of course, and his bondsmen have good reason to ever bear it in mind, as they were called upon to settle Orr's delinquencies, though we believe the settlement was made as easy for them as possible, the full amount of the deficiencies not being exacted. On the night of May 17, 1875, at a Turn-fest ball in Post- ville, a quarrel occurred, during which Matt. Beuscher was shot in the sifie and not expected to live. D. B. Tapper, a young man, whose parents were in good circumstances and lived near Monona, was arrested, with one Joseph Ingalls, and bail fixed at fl5,000 and |500 respectively, pending the result of the shooting. Beuscher recovered; Ingalls we believe was discharged from custody; Tapper was brought to trial in December, 1875, convicted of assault with intent to commit great bodily injury and paid a fine of $200. In April, 1876, T. C. Smith's store at Dorchester was burglar- ized, for which one Charles Thompson was arrested at Calmar in Winneshiek County. In June following he was convicted of bur- glary and sentenced to one year at hard labor in the peniten- tiary. Dec. 21, 1876, Andway Torfin, who lived on the Iowa River in Hanover township, while returning home from Decorah with others, got into an altercation near Locust Lane with a party of Winneshiek Norwegians, one of whom gave Torfin a blow upon the head with a sled stake, from the effects of which he died three days later. Three of the party were arrested, only one of whom was hdd, Helge Nelson by name, and in June following he was convicted of manslaughter. April 20, 1877, at Lansing, Andrew Soderlin, a Swede, and Mathew Carey, Irish, had a quarrel, during which the latter struck the former, who retaliated with a stake from a wagon, striking such a blow over Carey's head that he died after but a few hours. Soderlin was arrested, and at the June term indicted for manslaughter, but was acquitted on the grounds that the blow was in self-defense. "l. s ^' ' ■: "^ -■ fe-: ' °^'''f^% Patrick Keenan HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 427 A case of assault occurred in Center township May 7, 1877, -which attracted a great deal of attention, the victim being a res- pectable young lady of that township, who had been engaged to one Olaf T. Engebretson, a young fellow about twenty, but her parents knowing him to be a shiftless, worthless fel- low, had induced her to cast him off and ref usehis attentions. Monday morning Miss — was to commence teaching in the neighborhood, and as she went to her school Enge- bretson was seen with a shot gun, apparently going to in- tercept her, but she arrived at the school house before him. Fol- lowing her up he rapped at the door, there being but a few small children present, and as she appeared in the door-way he grabbed hold of her, declaring that as they were about to part forever he wanted a "farewell kiss," and attempted to bite off her nose, in which he was nearly successful, lacerating that member so as to horribly disfigure her face. He then disappeared, and all efforts of the Sheriff to find him were fruitless, until the following Friday when he put in an appearance at Harper's Ferry, where he was arrested and taken to Waukon. Waiving examination he was re- leased upon $300 bail to appear at the next term of District Court. Early in July he again invaded Miss — 's school- room, flourished a revolver and badly frightened both teacher and pupils, but the opportune arrival of a director prevented any mi^ chief. Failing to appear at the November Court, he was re-a^ rested in April following, and convicted of assault with intent to commit great bodily injury, receiving a sentence of one year in the county jail. A shooting affray occurred in a Lansing saloon July 5th, 1878, the saloon keeper, Philip Bieber, killing a man named Seiple. Bieber was arrested and gave bail in $2,000. When his trial came on he plead guilty of assault wi jh intent to commit great bodily injury, and escaped with a judgment of $50 and costs. A fatal affray occurred in Waterville October 20, 1878. James G. Savage was an experienced railroad hand and section boss on the narrow gauge. He was an intelligent, well disposed man, and peaceable when sober; but the demon of intemperance had gained the mastery of him, and he was given to indulgence in "regular sprees," at which times he was an ugly customer, as liquor made him wild and quarrelsome. In the few months preceding he had figured prominently in numerous fights and one serious stabbing affray. In company with several congenial spir- its, Sunday morning, Savage went down to Johnsonsport by hand- car and procured liquor, returning to Waterville in the afternoon considerably intoxicated . In this condition his party went to the Adams House, a tavern kept by Ed. Neudeck, and called for liquor. They were refused, whereupon Savage proceeded to de- molish things generally, throwing bottles, glasses, etc., out of doors, and treating the "boys" all around. They afterwards went 27 4r28 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUIfTT. out, and returning about dusk, found the doors locked, and Neu- deck warned them to keep away, and that he would shoot them if they forced an entrance. Regardless of this in his drunken bra- vado, Savage kicked in the door, and as he did so Neudeck fired one barrel of his shot-gun, the charge not taking effect, and im- mediately fired again as Savage pressed forward to seize the gun, whereupon the unfortunate man fell to the floor, and Neudeck in the excitement slipped away. Neudeck was a man of more than ordinary intelligence and ability, a miller by trade, who came from Clayton county the preceding fall. The next day he presented himself to the Sheriff at Waukon, and was lodged in jail. At the next November term of the District Court he was acquitted, on the ground of self-defense. In March, 1880, Daniel McLoud, of Linton township, was ar- rested upon a charge of rape, the victim being his own daughter, only fourteen years of age. At the May term of court he was convicted, and sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary. Early on the morning of August 24, 1879, two burglars went through the office and safe of the mill company — Hemenway, Barclay & Co., at Lansing; first overpowering the night watch- man, R. G. Edwards, whom they beat nearly to death and left • bound and gagged, and in an insensible condition; They blew the safe open with powder, but for all their trouble obtained scarcely itty dollars. They then joined their companion who was await- iag them with a skiff, and escaped At first it was supposed there were four men in the transaction, and a party of that number were arrested below McGregor in a skiff the next day, but proved to be not the ones wanted. Two ot the burglars, Charles Wood, alias "Pittsburg Kid", and Frank Lucas, were captured at La- Crosse two or three davs later, with tools in their possession and checks of the firm. Wood owned up the crime, and tried. to ex- onerate Lucas from any participation in the affair, further than rowing the burglars to the scene and away again, claiming that his companion was one James White, alias "Sandy," or "Red;" and this one was arrested at Lansing shortly after. They were all placed m the Decorah jail to await the next term of the district court, our county jail not being sufficiently secure. It was ascertained from Wood, or the "Kid" as he was generally called, that he was one of the parties who burglarized two or three stores in Waukon the previous spring; and it was evident he was a hardened criminal and skillful cracksman, besides being much older in years than his looks would imply. The three had been in the Decorah jail but a short time, when . they one night made an unsuccessful at- tempt to overpower the Sheriff and escape. November 12th fol- lowing, indictments were filed against them, and the "Kid" at first plead guilty with the view of being sent to the reform school, but the law fixing the age of admission to that institution at un- der sixteen years, the plea was witherawn. That night they en- HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 429 deavered to gopher out of the county jail, But were discovered and their plans frustrated. The "Kid" had his trial at this term, and received sixteen years in the penitentiary. The cases of the oth- ers were continued, and they remauded to the Decorah jail, from which they escaped on the evening of January 22d following, by sawing off a bar to a window. Lucas, and another prisoner by name of Bernard, were re-captured in the Yellow River timber, not far from Myron on the following evening, but White got clear off and has not since been heard of to our knowledge. Lu- cas, trial came on in May, 1880, when he was convicted and sen- tenced to twelve years. On an appeal to the Supreme Court, a new trial was granted, which took place in May, I88I, with the same result — a sentence of twelve years, less the time already served. CHARTER IX. County Seat Contests; Selecting the " Old Stake;" The First Elec- tion; Second Election, Columbus Carries the Day; Lansing vs. Columbus; a Commission Selects Waukon; Commissioners' De- cision Ratified at the Polls; Other Rival Claimants; Waukon Again Ahead; Lansing Once More in the Fight; Waukon Wins; Another Election, and Re-Locations of County Seat, this Time at '•'The Point;'" A New Election, and an Appeal to the Courts; Waukon Finally Wins a Conclusive Victory; Interestinq^and Exciting Episodes. The county seat contests since the organization of the county- form an important feature of its history;, but at times they created so much excitement and bitter sectional feeling that it is a delicate matter to treat of them even now in such a manner as would seem to all parties strictly impartial. Of course the loca- tion of the seat of county government at any place was consid- ered to be a great advantage, and numerous villages, which can now hardly be called villages, at one time or other each had high hopes of securing a prestige thereby that would establish their prosperity on a permanent basis. They who entertained these hopes were doomed to disappointment, however, and when the contest was narrowed down to the principal towns of the county, the other sections turned in on one side or the other, according as they were moved by feelings of local advantage, public weal, or disappointment and revenge, and the contest between Lansing and Waukon was prolonged an^ bitter, until repeated decisions by the public voice settled it permpuently in favor of the latter place. 430 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEK COUNTY. • In January, 1849, at the time of passing the act for the organi- zation of Allamakee county, the General Assembly appointed three commissioners, viz.: Wm. Linton, John Francis and James Jones, to select a suitable location for the future county seat, and, as we have previously stated, they fixed upon a point in Jefferson town- ship, since known as "The Old Stake." This selection was prac- tically useless, however, as points of more importance were at- tracting attention, and at the April election of 1851 the ques- tion was submitted to a vote of the people, the contesting points being Vailsville (now Harper's Ferry), Reuben Smith's place on the Yellow River, in Post township, and Columbus, on the Missis- sippi. This election resulted in no choice, neither place receiving a majority of the votes cast, and another was ordered for the first Monday in May. Vailsville being out of the contest at the elec- tion, Columbus received a small majority and became the county seat. About this time there existed a spirit of rivalry between Lans- ing and Colum'bus,, which developed into a jealousy on the part of Lansing (which had become an aspiring little town) toward her next door neighbor, and induced her to attempt to deprive Colum- bus of her honors and the advantages accompanying them. Al- though Columbus had really no natural advantage which would entitle her to the county seat, except that of a boat landing, her proprietors and their friends were too powerful to warrant a direct issue, and so Lansing resorted to strategy, and urged the propriety of a re-location of the county seat at the geographical center of the county. Of course the settlers in the western por- tion were nothing loth to enter into this movement, and a meet- ing was held at Ezra Reid's, in Ludlow township, December 4, 1852, to consider the matter. Edward Eells was selected as chair- man of the meeting, and John W. Remine, of Lansing, and C. J. White, of Makee, were secretaries. The result was that the General Assembly was petitioned to have another point designated as the future eftunty seat of the county. In January, 1853, the Legislature granted the petition, and for the purpose of selecting such point, appointed a commission consisting of Clement Cof&n, of Delaware County, John S. Lewis of Clayton County, and Den- nis A. Mahony, of Dubuque. The third section of the act estab- lishing this commission, reads as follows: "Said commissioners shall locate the county seat of the county aforesaid as tnear the geographical center as a due regard- for the present and prospective interests of the county shall appear to them just and proper; they shall, also, be influenced by the com- parative eligibility of locations, and the convenience of water, roads and building materials as also by the comparative facilities of acquiring for said county suitlble building lots, or blocks, if the county seat should be located by them on private property." HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 431 The cominissi.oners were directed to meet at Columbus, then the county seat, on the first Monday in March; and they performed their duty by selecting the point where Waukon now is, forty acres of land being donated by Geo. C. Shattuck for county purposes. The decision of the commissioners was submitted to a vote of the people at the following April election, in 1853, and after an exciting contest was ratified by a two-thirds vote. That the re-location of the county seat at Waukon was not ac- cepted by the proprietors and friends of Columbus without a strug- gle, may be imagined. At the first term of District Court held at Waukon in June, 1853, Hon. Thos. S. Wilson, Judge, the mat- ter was at once brought up, arid we quote from an old file of the Lansing Intelligencer relating to it, as follows: "A motion was made by Ben. M. Samuels, Esq., who appeared on behalf of the proprietors of Columbus, to adjourn the Court to that place. The grounds stated for this motion were: first, that the law providing for the re-location of the county seat, was un- constitutional, relying in support of the position, on the 10th ar- ticle of the Constitution of the United States, wherein it is de- clared that 'no State shall pass any law impairing the obligation of contracts.' It was argued that the proprietors of Columbus, by deeding to the county two acres of land under the act of 1851, providing for the location of the county seat of Allamakee County, • thereby made a contract with the county, and that the Legislature had no right to pass a subsequent act providing for a re-location. It was further argued that the town of Columbus was a close cor- poration and had acquired a substantial legal interest in the county seat, and that the Legislature, in passing the original act for the location of the county seat, had an eye to the permanent benefit of the town of Columbus. The act of 1851, authorizing the people to vote on the question, declares that 'the point receiving the largest number of votes shall be and remain the permanent seat of justice, of said Allamakee County, provided that the owner or owners of such town or point, shall, within ten days after the result of said election has been declared, make and execute to the Board of Commissioners of said county, a satisfactory and suffi- cient deed for at least two acres of land in said point.' Consider- able emphasis and reliance were placed on the word 'permanent,' which appears in the clause quoted, and it was argued that inas- much as the word appeared in the act, the Legislature had thereby forestalled all subsequent action with regard to the matter. The other objections which were made, more particularly pertained to the action of the County Judge, who, it is well known, had re- fused to discharge any of the duties enjoined on him by the act of the Legislature. Some other reasons, of minor importance, were adduced, but the foregoing were' the most noticeable. Mr. Samuels made quite a pathetic oration in behalf of Columbus (as a close cor- poration), and spoke in a very affecting manner of her alleged rights. 432 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTT. "The motion was opposed by John W. Remine, Esq., of Lans- ing, and Jas. Burt, Esq., of Dubuque. "The court overruled the motion, and gave at length, and in a very plain and clear manner his reasons. As to the objections on account of the unconstitutionality of the act, he said, that the town of Columbus had, in law, acquired no interest in the matter of the county seat, that no contract existed between the proprie- tors of the town and the county. "With regard to the word 'permanent,' which appears in the act of 1851, he said that the Legislature did not by that word in- tend to make the act immutably durable — that even if the Legis- lature had so intended, it was an excess of legislation and, con- sequently, void. The Legislature could not pass a law and make it impossible to change or repeal the same by subsequent legislation. "He further said that the duties required of the county Judge in the act, providing for the re-location of the county seat, were not discretionary. The District Court could compel the County Judge by mandamus to perform the duties required of him in the act — that if he refused to re-convey the land and lots spoken of in the act, to the proprietors of Columbus, he could be compelled." At the March term of the County Court, 1856, a petition was presented, praying that the question of removal. of the county seat from Waukon to Rossville be submitted to the people, and • John T. Clark, prosecuting attorney and eoc-officio county judge, decided that the question should be so submitted at the April elec- tion. A similar petition was also presented in favor Whaley & Topliff's Mill, in Center township, and wa^ likewise granted. This made a triangular contest, and Waukon receiv.d a large majority over both the other points, the vote being: Waukon, 617, Whaley & Topliff's Mill, 314; Rossville, 144. Early in 1859 a petition was circulated by Lansing for submit- ting the question of removing the county seat to that place, and her citizens offered to donate suitable lots (Park Block) and erect a court house thereon to cost $8,000. At the same time $5,000 was offered by Waukon to aid in the erection of county buildings at that place. A meeting was held at the latter place and a com- mittee appointed, consisting of A. J. Hersey, John T. Clark, L. 0. Hatch, W. S. Cooke, A. Hersey, L. T. Woodcock, W. W. Hunger- ford, J. C. Smith and Jehial Johnson, to select an. eligible point on the Mississippi, other than Lansing, through which Waukon might transact her shipping business. At a later meeting the com- mittee reported that there was no owe point to which they could in good faith pledge their entire support, but suggested that Columbus was the nearest and most accessible point at which to transact river business, provided she would furnish the necessary facilities; and that Johnsonsport was the best point for the transaction of railroad business, provided she would furnish ferry-boat connection with HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 43S the railroad at Prairie du Ohien, and other facilities. On March 7th the petition was presented to the County Judge (Gr. M. Dean) by S. H. Kinne. A motion was made by John T. Clark that the petition be dis- missed on the ground that the Court had no power to order an election in April, as the April election had been repealed. Messrs. Clark and Hatch argued the question for the dismissal aud G. W. Camp aud L. H. Howe on the part of Lansing. Judge Dean reserved his decision until the following morning, when he granted the petition and ordered an election to be held on the 4th day of April. The contest was a hot one. It was originated by the most honored and influential citizens of Lansing; and all the means at their command were used on both sides to win the public favor. On the part of Lansing, John Haney and H. W. Hough- ton entered into bonds to the amount of $15,000 to guarantee the use of Park Block to the county as long as the county seat should remain in Lansing, and a number of her best citizens gave similar bonds for $16,000 that in case the county seat should be removed to Lansing they would expend $8,000 in the erection of public buildings on said block, to be the property of the county so long as the county seat should remain at that place. While on the part of Waukon, seventeen of her most substantial men bound themselves in the sum of $10,000 that in case the county seat should remain where it then was the citizens of Wauko* would pay $5,000, to be expended in the erection of county buildings on the land already owned by the county at that place. The verdict of the people was in favor of Waukon by a majority of 420. Waukon 1,248; Lansing, 828. Regarding this result as the end of controversy, and as evidence of the wish of the people that our donation should be used for the purpose for which it was offered, the County Judge, on the 2d of August, 1859, let a contract for the erection of a permanent court house (including a jail), at a cost of thirteen thousand six hundred and fifty-five dollars, five thousand dollars of which sum was paid by a transfer of the pro- ceeds of the Waukon bond, and the remainder of which was paid by the county. The contractors were J. W. Pratt and C. W' Jenkins, and the building was erected and completed during the years 1860-61 . Again, on the 3d day of December, 1860, a petition was pre- sented to the County Court, Judge John A. Townsend, praying for the re- location of the county seat at the point between Lan- sing and Capoli, and an plection was ordered, in accordance therewith, on the 8th day of April, 1861. This time one of the _ points raised was the legality of the contract for the erection of the county building at Waukon without first submitting it to a vote of the people, but this was virtually set at rest by the follow- ing correspondence: 434 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Waukon, Jan. 19, 186.1. M. McGlathery, District Attorney of the Tenth Judicial District: SiE — Enclosed you will find a copy of a contract made Aug. 2d, 1859, bylhe County Judge of Allamakee County, for the erection of county buildings, the contractor's bill for work under the con- tract, and copy of submission by the County Judge to the people of the question of appropriating the swamp lands for the erection of buildings made Sept. 6th, 1859, which said appropriation was approved by the people at the October election, 1859. Please to favor the Board of Supervisors with an official opinion respecting the legality of the contract, and particularly the power of the County Judge to enter into a contract at that time for the . erection of buildings, at that cost, without first submitting the question of erecting the buildings to a vote of the people; or, in other words, is the county legally bound to pay for buildings erected under that contract. Also an opinion whether it is the duty of this Board to issue warrants to the contractors for the payment of their bill out of the ordinary county funds (provided the contract be legal), or whether the contractors are limited by that vote to the swamp lands for their pay. You will observe that the submission of ap- propriation was made to the people after the contract was execut- ed. As a matter of fact there are no swamp land funds in the treasury, nor are there likely to be soon, by which to pay the bills, nor is there any question raised as to the correctness of the bills or the estimates. Please remit by mail your official opinion on the above points at your earliest convenience. Very respectfully, M. Hancock, Chairman Board Supervisors of Allamakee County, Iowa. West UmoN, January 39, 1861. M. Hancock, Esq., Chairman Board Supervisors Allamakee Co.: Sir — Yours of January 19th, with enclosed contract between the county and Jenkins & Pratt, together with election notice, is at hand. At the time the contract was made the County Judge had the power to enter into a contract for building a court house and jail, and there was no law in force requiring him to submit the proposition to the people of the county. The contract is made in the name of the county and it is bound by it. This question is fully settled by the supreme court in case of State ex rel Brook vs Napier 7 Iowa, 425. 2. By act of January 25, 1856, where swamp lands could not be redeemed, counties could apply the proceeds of said lands to the erection of county buildings, provided the question is first submitted to the people. The swamp lands themselves can only be appropriated as provided by the act of 1853. The submission to the people was done after the contract was made, and it formed HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUKTT. 435 no part of the contract, "but was done for the purpose of avoiding' heavy taxes, and the county is responsible to the contractors with- out any regard to the swamp lands, as far as I am able to judge from the papers now before me. Yours respectfully, MiLO McGrLATHEET, District Attorney. However, a certain effect remained, which, together with the combination of Columbus with Lansing, a bond entered into by their people to erect a court house at "The Point," without ex- pense to the county, and the disaffection of Kossville people resulted in a re-location by a vote of 1,257 for the Point, against 1,231 for Waukon — a majority of 26 votes, aaid the county records and furniture were immediately removed to that place. Believing that this combination of circumstances would not operate a second time; the people of Waukon the same year cir- culated a petition for the removal of the object of controversy to the new building at Waukon, and it was presented to the Board of Supervisors, October 14, 1861, and another election or- dered to be held in April, 1862. Again was the ground hotly contested, and again was "The Point" victorious by a majority of 22 — that place receiving 1332, against 1310 for Waukon. Once more, in 1864, Waukon decided to make an effort to re- gain the seat of justice, and the contest waxed hotter than ever before. At this time there was a project to build a railroad up the valley of Paint Creek, by the Prairie du Chien and Cedar Valley K. R. company, and a great deal of sport was made of this "paper railroad" on the part of Lansing people, who declared it to be an electioneering dodge to make votes for Waukon. In June the Board of Supervisors ordered an election to be held at the time of the general election, November 8th. Again the fight was very close, and when the Board met to canvas the re- turns, the result was found to depend upon Franklin tp., from which no record of the vote had been received, so the canvass was made without it, giving the Point a majority of 69 — 1205 for the Point, and 1136 for Waukon, and the matter was carried into the District Court, E. H. Williams, Judge. The Point took a change of venue to Delaware County, and when the decision there was rendered adversely to their interests, appealed to the Supreme Court, by which it was not decided until 1867, when it was adjudged that Waukon was rightfully the county seat, and the records were once more removed to that place, where they have since remained. Pending this decision, in June, 1866, occurred the attempted removal of the records from Lansing by Sheriff Townsend and a posse of about thirty men from Waukon, which created a great deal of excitement at the time, as well as amusement for those who participated, and has since been a prolific topic of go(?d- natured raillery. After the case had been heard before the Dis- 436 HISTOEf OF ALLAMAfiEE COtJKTt. trict Court for Delaware County, decision ^as rendered in favor of Waukon, and a writ of mandamus issued, ordering the Board to count the vote of Franklin township — the returns having been ob- tained — giving Waukon a majority of 23 votes. Whereupon the board appointed Sheriff Townsend as a committee to remove the records, which he proceeded to do. Meantime Lansing had taken an appeal to the Supreme Court, a writ of supersedeas was issued and served upon the Board June 7th, only eight out of the eighteen members accepting such service, however. The Sheriff received no orders countermanding his authority to remove the records, and early on the morning of June 9th the "raid" was made. We copy porti'ons of an account we find in the Lansing Mirror of June 12, 1866, omitting severe personal allusions. Some statements were of course somewhat colored to suit the excite- ment of the occasion, and the local feeling: "On Saturday morning last, about the hour of eight, the sheriff of Allamakee county, a resident of the village of Waukon, fol- lowed by a picked posse of Waukon men, entered the courthouse at this place and attempted to remove perforce, without a shadow of authority, the county records to the above 7x9 village. So quietly and stealthily did the band of raiders approach the build- ing that none of the officers were aware of their close proximity until Townsend hurriedly entered and passed from office to office, informing them that he was after the county records, * * and set his gang to cleaning out the several offices, not even giv- ing the officials warning or time to pack up the documents in their possession. Teams were in waiting at the front door of the court house, and in the twinkling of an eye the most important records were loaded up and the teams put in motion for Waukon. Little or no resistance was made by the county officers, with the exception of Treasurer Healey, * * who was assaulted by one of the raiders, a brave officer, who during the late rebel- lion rose to the position of Colonel. The treasurer repelled the assault, and with his fist wounded the valorous colonel in the short ribs. * * Fifteen minutes had hardly elapsed after the departure of the robbers, until the road leading in the direction of Milton was thronged with our citizens, who were in for a little sport and the recapture of the records. "The Lansing boys overhauled the teams in the vicinity of Milton. Mr. Darwin Shaw in the meantime had captured a horse near the road, and in hot haste rode into Milton and informed the citizens of that village what was on the tapis. They turned out en masse, and when the advance team made its appearance they halted it, and out came the contents of the wagon in less time than it takes to write this sentence. * * Several of the Waukon men showed fight, but they soon came to the con- clusion that 'discretion was the better part of valor,' and desisted from perpetrating summary punishment upon their pursuers. The HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUKTT. 437 stolen dbcumeats were recovered, placed in the Lansing wagons, and returned to their respective offices in the court house at Lansing. "Cheer after cheer rent the air when the hoys returned. They were enthusiastically received by the citizens Hats were thrown skyward, handkerchiefs were waved, and lager quaffed. Quiet is again restored and the county seat remains at Lansing." In August, 1868, S. V. Shaw, Israel Bequette, and J. M. Rose published a notice that 'at the next September session of the Board of Supervisors, a petition would be presented asking that another election be ordered between Lansing and Waukon. The Board met on the first Monday in Septernber, and it was con- cluded that all the business necessary to be done might be transacted in a short session, as owing to the pressure of "fall work," etc., it was the wish of some of the members to be at home. Accordingly a committee on school tax levy labored a good share of that night to prepare their report, and Tuesday forenoon the remaining business was transacted and the Board adjourned sine die, by a vote of 12 to 3, three members being ab- sent. Later in the day the Lansing petitioners put in an appear- ance, but the Board having adjourned no election could be ordered that year. Early in the spring of 1869 the contest was reopened and waxed warm from the start. A petition for an election was widely cir- culated,, as was a remonstrance to the same, and each party charged the other with obtaining many illegal signatures. At the June session of the Board, on the first day, the petition was presented and referred to a committee, and on the following day the re- monstrance appeared and was also referred, and was found to out- number the petition by 86 names — 2122 on the remonstrance and 2036 on the petition. A majority report of the committee was made by D. Dickerson, J. S. Deremo, Jeremiah Leas, and S. F. Goodykoontz, stating their belief that a large number of signers to the petition had also signed the remonstrance, which would swell the majority of the latter over the petition by 150 to 200 names, and therefore recommended that no election be ordered. A minority report by Gr. Kerndt, S. H. Haines and William Yeoman, was also submitted, representing it as their belief that the peti- tion contained a majority of the names of the legal voters of the county, and that they were in favor of allowing ihe people to ex- press themselves at the polls. After some close work the minor- ity report was adopted and an election ordered by a vote of ten to eight. One recourse was left to the Waukon managers, and proceeding to Decorah they laid the matter before Judge M. V. Burdick, who granted an injunction restraining the Board from taking any fur- ther steps towards holding such election, until permission should be granted. In the District Court a petition was filed asking for a writ of certiorari, commanding the Board to certify to said 438 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Court a .record of its proceedings relating to the county seat, which was granted, and a special term appointed for July 7th for a hearing in said case. At the time appointed the case was heard and judgment rendered annulling and setting aside the order of the Board for an election. The defendant appealed, but after the election the previous decision was affirmed, at McGregor. Mean- while, when the Circuit Court sat, in July, the injunction was dissolved and the election was held as ordered, October 5th, re- sulting in a majority of 254 for Waukon — 1,544 to 1,290. After this decisive quietus, there was a lull in the county seat war for six years, when, at the June session of the Board, 1875, a petition was presented containing 1,906 names, and another election was duly ordered to be held at the general election in October. During this summer was begun the construction of the Waukon and Mississippi Railroad. Realizing that it was "now or never" with her, Lansing massed her forces for the final con- flict, and the campaign was pushed vigorously on both sides, re- sulting in the largest vote ever cast in the county, and a majori- ty of 340 in favor of Waukon, shje receiving 2,145 against 1,805 for Lansing. It is said that the reason for this large vote was the importation of Winneshiek county voters on the west, and Wisconsin voters and river men on the east. CHAPTER X. County Buildings; Educational: County School Statistics; Normal Institutes; Religious Organizations; Gospel Pioneers; Statistics of Population, etc.; Assessed Valuations; Political Statistics. We regret that limited space will prevent our presenting a chapter descriptive of the bridges, dykes and roads of the county. Their history would make an interesting volume of itself, and is necessarily debarred from this work. Of the buildings, the court house at Waukon was erected dur- ing 1859 and 1860, and completed in 1861, by Chas. W. Jenkins and John W. Pratt, to whom the contract was let, in 1859, by the County Judge, George M. Dean. Its cost was $13,655, ot which $5,000 was contributed by citizens of Waukon. As originally built, the rear portion of the first fioor was occupied by a jail, with six cells; but this proved so inadequate for the secure reten- tion of prisoners, and the county officers requiring additional room, it was finally removed altogether, and for the past few years criminals awaiting trial have been sent to the Decorah jail. Previous to the building of the Court House they were con- fined in the Clayton County jail at Garnavillo. In 1870 two large HISTOKT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 439 fire-proof vaults were built in the Court House, at an expense of f 2,000 or more, for the use of the Treasurer's and Recorders offi- ces — that of the former being also supplied with a burglar-proof safe, with a Yale time lock. In 1881, similar vaults were put in for the safe keeping of the records in the Auditor's and Clerk's ofBces. In 1882 the building was repaired throughout, repainted, and is about to be arranged for heating by Ruttan furnaces in the basement. After the county seat was removed to The Point, in 1861, a Court House was erected there — in the same year — of stone, some- what smaller than the one at Waukon, and without a jail. It was built by the citizens of Lansing without expense to the county, in accordance with their bond to so do in case the county seat should be located there; but it has not been used foj: county pur- poses since 1867. The land was donated by Haney & Houghton and J. M. Rose. Col. Guilbert and Geo. W. Hays were the build- ing committee who prosecuted the work, the total cost of which was not far from $5,000. The County Poor Farm comprises the southeast quarter of sec- tion 8, Makee township, four miles north by east of Waukon, and was purchased of Joseph Burton, October 22, 1866, for $4,000. There was a large and substantial frame building on the place, which was built by Mr. Burton in 1856, with hard wood timber and matched siding. It was 29x37 feet, with one L 14x16 and another about 15 feet square. After its purchase by the county it was raised from a story and a half to two full stories in height, and the upper portion finished off. On the evening of January 23, 1880, this house was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of some $2,000, as there was no insurance. A temporary building was immediately erected for the accomoda- tion of the inmates until the present substantial brick structure was erected in 1881. It is 38x40 feet, two stories, each ten feet in the clear, with cellars under all, and is heated by furnace in the basement. Its total cost was about $5,000. Contractors: John Griffin for the wood-work, Samuel Peck for stone an^ brick- work. It was built from the proceeds of a special tax of one mill on a dollar, voted by the people of the county at the general election of 1880. In 1874 the question of a special tax, for the purpose of build- ing a county jail, was submitted to the voters of the county, and defeated by an overwhelming vote. In 1880 a similar question was voted down by a majority of 735. In 1881 the question was again submitted, as follows: "Shall the coupon bonds of the county, in the sum of $10,000, be issued, upon which to borrow money to be used in erecting a jail in and for said county at the county seat? Said bonds to be i.ssued in denominations of not less than $100 or more than $500 each, and to bear interest at the rate of not more than 7 per cent. 440 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. per annum, payable annually on the 1st of May of each year; the bonds to be issued of the date of May 1st, 1882. Said bonds to be made to become due: $2,000 on May 1st, 1883; $2,000 on Mav 1st, 1884; $3,000 on May 1st, 1885, and $3,000 on May 1st, 1886, and to be payable, principal and interest, at the office of the County Treasurer; and none of said bonds to be sold or exchanged by the county for less than their face value, with all interest ac- crued on them at the date , of sale or exchange. And shall a special tax of one mill on the dollar be levied on the taxable property of the county for the year 1882, and for each succeed- ing year thereafter until a sufficient sum is raised from said levies to pay said bonds with all accruing interest?" This proposition was adopted by a majority of 129 votes, and in the spring of 1882 contracts were awarded as follows: Stone- work, brick-work a&d excavations, to Samuel Peck & Son, for $3,000; carpenter's work, tinner's work and painting, to A. J. Kodgers, for $3,000; cell-work, window guards, iron doors, etc., to-Diebold Safe and Lock Company, for $3,400. Afterwards a contract for heating furnace was let to the Ruttan Furnace Company, through A. J. Kodgers, for about $600. The building is now in course of erection, and promises to be one of the best of its class in North- ern Iowa. It is of brick, stone and iron, 74x33 feet in extreme; the jail part will be one-story of 17 feet, with iron roof entirely fire-proof; the part for the sheriff's residence two stories of 10 feet each. The location is on the county square in Waukon, a short distance south of the court house. EDUCATIOITAL. The early comers into this county were largely from New England and other portions of the east, where good school facili- ties were enjoyed; and bringing with them their love for and be- lief in the absolute [necessity of education, the establishment of free public schools was one of the first things they looked to after getting comfortably housed in their new home. To Postville we believe belongs the honor of possessing the first public school in the coi»nty, established there in the summer of 1848. The first school house was built near Hardin in 1849. In the central por- tion of the county the first school was undoubtedly that taught by L. W. Hersey, in the winter of 1852 and 1853, in a log cabin built by Deacon Azel Pratt for a dwelling in the fall of 1850. The first public school in Lansing was begun in February, 1853. The first in Waukon in the early winter next following, taught by L. 0. Hatch. Previous to this D. D. Doe taught in Makee Township just east of Waukon. Quite early in the fifties, Reuben Smitn built a small school house on his place in Yellow River, and em- ployed a teacher to instruct his children, probably admitting those of his neighbors to the benefit of the school also. The first pub- lic school in Smith's district was taught by C. T. Granger (now Circuit Judge) in the winter of 1854-5. HISTOET 01' ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 441 An examination of the following figures, compiled from reports of the County Superintendents for various years, will give a bet- ter idea of the condition of educational matters in our county than anything else we could here lay before the reader. In 1867 there were 6,083 persons between the ages or five and twenty-one years. In 1873, 7,511; in 1875; 7,705; in 1877, 8,450; in 1880, 7,927; in 1881, 7,520, distributed among the various school districts as follows: IJISTUICTS. CO I^ Oh in 11 Village Creek. 12 Praine , 13 Wexford 14 Russell ,... 16 Laf. Center 16 " No. 7 17 Lansing No 1.. 18 •' " 2.. 19 " " 3.. 20 " " 4.. 21 " " 5.. 22 " •• 6.. 23 Linton 24 Ludlow 25 Lycurgus 26 Howard 27Makee 28Paulk 29 Hanson 30 Fan 31 Elk 32 Waukon 33Storla 34 Ness 35 Cross Roads... 36 Paint 37 Cherry Mound. 38Dah] 39 North West... 40 Grimsgard . 41 Evergreen 1 Center 379 2Pairview 198 3 Franklin 273 4 Hardin 58 5 French Creek 271 6 Hanover 192 7Iowa 129 SNewAlbin 153 9 Jefferson 407 lOCapoli 60 — 145 55 48 61 72 41 749 106 86 65 50 84 276 403 116 65 64 35 45 27 41 470 30 76 65 56 52 59 55 62 351 ■ s el H (D ^ Ph 62 86 82 86 67 60 65 99 76 66 85 73 71 90 80 71 68 66 80 54 80 60 76 88 68 70 70 91 66 100 78 98 77 71 77 80 77 75 65 63 86 DISTIJICTS 44 42 Lybrand 46 43 West Grove 60 44 Minert 60 46 Woodland 45 46 Myron 52 47 Empire 18 48 South Grove 54 49Postville 54 50 Highland 50 51 Mound City..: 68 62 Climax 42 63 Little Paint 41 64 St. Joseph 40 65 Harpers' Ferry 51 66 Excelsior 41 57 Spring Brook 66 58 Paint Rock 50 59 Wheatland 70, 60 Harmony 6l|61 English Bench 65: 62 Clear Creek 60 63 Union 45 64 Colunibia 48 65Eells 47 66 No, 2 44 67 Pleasant Ridge 68 South West 69 Helming 70 West Ridge 71 Emmet 72 No. 8 73 Dorchester 74 New Galena 76 Vosse Vagen 76 Washington 77 Waterloo Ridge 78 Bergen Monona Junction. . . . For the County 44 62 47 37 47 51 40 37 54 46 46 84 60 44 77 p4»o 4 32 30 32 28 28 20 260 42 88 37 32 28 76 64 SO 38 64 49 67 49 33 38 47 38 44 67 42 23 41 34 102 44 84 49 74 44 24 CD 7620 90 88 90 62 90 93 60 95 62 100 65 71 96 77 50 66 90 47 73 81 82 66 58 69 84 73 66 70 78 73 63 69 90 64 82 64 90 74 Ph 75 47 50 65 43 60 58 53 60 47 53 41 52 70 55 50 40 47 31 52 65 70 •55 61 72 66 32 50 55 63 66 40 26 44 45 45 61 52 4i2 HISTORY OF ALLA.MAKEE COUNTY. In 18S1 there were seventy-eight school districts in the county, and one hundred and forty-seyen teachers were required to supply all the schools, of whom the nativity was as follows: On Atlantic Ocean. Canada Connecticut. '. England Germany. Indiana , Illinoia Iowa Ireland Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri New York Nova Scotia Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee , Vermont West Virginia Wisconsin Male Female 1 ' 3 3 1 1 1 2 1 • 1 1 3 18 62 1 1 2 1 1 3 1 2 2 3 5 1 8 3 1 1 1 1 1 11 The following statement shows the more interesting o£ our county school statistics compared for the years 1873, 1877, and 1881: 1873 ■ 1877 1881 Ungraded schools 114 3 117 7.06 61 125 $38.88 $27.59 5502 '!72 ii? $75,285 'i28 6.90 86 161 $35.12 $21.60 6326 3432 1.37 95 4 7 22 128 $87,918 $2,182 122 _ The Waukon Baptist Church was organized June 17, 1854, on Makee Ridge. The Waukon M. E. Church was organized the same year, 1854.' The Waukon Catholic Church was established, northwest of that town, about the year 1855. The German Presbyterian Church of Waukon (now of Ludlow,) organized Aug. 11, 1856. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Waukon, in 1857. The Mount Hope Presbyterian Church, of Union City Town- •ship, was organized by Rev. Joseph Adams and J. W. Crawford, in June, 1858; It was supplied in its earlier years by Dr. A. H. Houghton, of Lansing; and by Rev. Frothingham (then of Cale- donia, Minnesota, we believe), and Rev. Herndon. The German Zion Evangelical Church of Columbus Ridge, is a flourishing organization. In July, 1873, they dedicated a, fine new frame church, costing $1,000, and all paid for. Rev. L. Schuerer was pastor of the church at that time. There are four Norwegian Lutheran Churches in the county, of which two are in Paint Creek, one in Lansing, and one at Fa- grie Prairie. In 1877, the latest statistics we have at hand, thej* HISTOfiT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 449 comprised a total membership of 998, of which east Paint Creek church had 423, west Paint Cieek church 433, Lansing 61, and Fa- grie Prairie 81. The Lycurgus Catholic Church, on Lansing Ridge, is also a large and flourishing body, under the charge of Father Slattery. They have possessed a large stone church for many years, which was greatly enlarged by an addition erected, we believe, in 1879, or 1880. STATISTICS OF POPULATIOlir, ETC. The population of Allamakee County at diiferent periods since its organization has been as follows: 18i9 227 1850 777 1851 l;^.00 1?52 , 2000 1854 4266 1856 7709 1859 10843 1860 12237 1863 13465 1865 13957 1867 16003 1869 16766 1870 .• 17868 1873 18304 1875 19168 1880 .....; 19791 By townships its population was: TowKSHip OK Town. 1860 le67 1870 1048 630 850 791 550 347 1015 1120 2519 175S 712 1038 1784 871 1141 1223 1875| 1880 Center 620 270 752 436 355 164 102Ci 814 1197 892 586 794 668 442 ■ 284 1053 1024 2443 1537 476 773 1624 1184 492 846 751 531 683 971 1250 3144 2280 786 1015 1813 809 1120 1531 712 932 405 854 .860 1080 Fairview 558 Franklin 8^8 French Creek " 7fi1 Hanover ^ 602 Iowa 787 Jefferson 1135 Lafayette 1161 Lansing (including town) ' 2723 Lansing (town) ^ 1811 Linton ' 660 638 1425 743 Ludlow 1001 Makee (including Waukon) 2205 Waukon ' 1350 Paint Creek ' 859 769 1108 1007 1158 Post (incluaing Postville) i Postville i ! 1550 732 Taylor * :806 33l 72a m 91^ 425 .865 624 863 578 9121 747 876 Union City ' 680 Union Prairie 1017 Waterloo. 856 Total 12237 16003 17868 19168 19791 450 HISTOKT OB ALLAMAKEE COUNT T. NATIVITY OF POPULATION. 1S10 181S Number bom in Iowa, 6,774 8,654 Born in United States but not in Iowa, 4.991 4,685 Born in foreign countries, * 6,103 4,959 Born of foreign parentag;, 11,800 6,548 Who.se father only was foreign born 667 306 Whose mother only was foreign born 332 120 The following figures are iuteresting for comparison: 1867 1875 Number of dwellings 2,762 3,339 Number of voters, 8,081 3,663 Number of mi itia, 1,998 2,866 Foreigners not naturalized, , . , 493 329 In 1857 the number of miles of railroad in operation was 5, in 1872 it was 41, and in 1880 it was 65. ASSESSED VALUATIONS. Tear Lands and Town Lota Personal Prop- erty Railroad Prop- erty Total Value 1867 1875 1880 $1,781,368 1.997„307 2.1^7,970 $701,231 580.311 620,943 1 155,583 169,197 $2,482,599 2,733,202 3,138,110 ABSTRACT OP VOTES FOR GOVERNOR. August 5, 1850, the County first voted on the Governorship, since when the votes have been as follows: • • 1850 1854 1857 1859 1861 1863 1865 1867 1869 1871 1873 1875 1877 Stephen Hempstead. James W. Grimes . . Kalph P. Lowe Samuel J. Kirkwood Samuel J. Kirkwook Wm. M. Stone Wm. M. Stone Samuel Merrill Samuel Merrill Cyrus C. Carpenter. . Cyrus C. Carpenter. . Samuel J. Kirkwood John H. (rear 30 299 543 743 955 997 1004 1216 1485 1257 1049 18:!3 1547 J. L. Thompson . Curtis Bates B. M. Samuels .. A. C.Dodge W. H. Merritt. . . J. M. Tuttle T. H. Benton, Jr O. Mason G. Gillaspy J. C. Knapp J. G. Vale Shepard Leffler.. John P. Irish ea o H 27 197 574 1025 990 1343 1290 1307 143 1368 1536 2157 1640 57 496 1117 176S 1945 2340 2294 252S 2920 2620 2585 3994 3196 (Scattering, 1875, 4, 1877. 109). 1879— J. H. Gear. 1795, H. U. Trimble, 1584; Daniel Campbell, 206; scatter^ ing, 2— total vote, 3587. 1881— Buren R. Shei-man, 1355; L. G. Kinne, 1258; D. M. Clark, 254— total vote, 2867. HISTOEY OF AIiLAMAKEB COUNTT. 451 ABSTRACT OF VOTES FOK PEESIDBNT. Allamakee County first voted for Presidential candidates in November, 1852. The vote at the several elections has been as follows: 1852 1856 »1860 1864 186^ 1872 1876 1880 Scott . . . . Fremont. Lincoln. . Lincoln . . Grant • ^rant ... Ha3'es Garfield . , 142; Pierce . 6:;0 1185 1337 1543 1455 1709 183S Buchanan . Douglas . . . McClellan. Seymour . . Greeley. . . Tilden . . . . Hancock.. 123 500 1161 1363 1403 1:^84 1646 1.531 Fillmore ?S Bell 9 3<) Weaver 338 *Breckenridge, 5. CHAPTER XI. War Record; Allamakee County Volunteers; Fifth, Twelfth and Twenty-Seventh Infantry; First, Sixth and Ninth Cavalry; Outline of Operations; Volunteer Roster of Allamakee County. The principal regiments of Iowa State troops in which Allama* kee County volunteers served, were the 5th, 12th and 27th In- fantry, and the 1st, 6th, and 9th Cavalry. A brief outline of their operations is given below. The Fifth Regiment was mustered into the service in July, 1861, at Burlington, whence it went to Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, in August, and spent the fall and most of the winter at various points in Missouri. In February, 1862, it was sent south- ward, and took part in the operations at New Madrid, Island No. 10, luka, Corinth, Vicksburg, Jackson, Champion Hills, and Mis- sion Ridge. At the expiration of its three years' term of service it was disbanded, the veterans being tranferred to the Fifth Iowa Cavalry. The Twelfth Regiment was organized at Camp Union, Dubu- que, in October and November, 1861, mustered into the service November 25, 1861, and shortly after went to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where it remained until January 27, 1862, when it were ordered south. It immediately went to the front, under General Grant, with the force that caused the evacuation of Ft. Henry, and thence to Ft. Donelson where it was the first time in action, February 12, 13 and 14, 1862. In the first day's fight at Shiloh, April 6, 1862, they were allowed to be surrounded, having had no orders to fall back, and after several hours desperate fighting were obliged to surrender, at 6 o'clock p. m., 16 men being killed and 98 wounded, among the latter being Col. Woods, severely. About 452 HlSTOErT OF ALLAMAKEE COUKTY. * 400 were captured, aod remained over six months in rebel prisons before they were paroled. Those who were not captured were im- mediately reorganized as Companies E and K of the "Union Brig- ade," and took a prominent part in the siege of Corinth, and in the battle of Corinth, in October following. About the first of April, 1863, the Regiment was reorganized at Benton Bar- racks, and immediately reported to General Grant in the field near Vicksburg. On December 25th, 1863, the regiment re- enlisted as veterans, and served until mustered out Janu- ary 18, 1866, at Memphis, when they were ordered to Davenport for final pay and discharge, January 25th. The regiment partici- pated in twenty-five engagements, viz: Port Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, battle of Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Jackson (siege and capture), Brandon, White River, Tupelo, Nashville, Brentwood Hills, Spanish Fort, besides twelve skirmishes at dif- ferent dates. It was under fire 112 days, and marched 2,670 miles. Total miles traveled, 13,809. The total number of casu- alities was 582, of which 95 were killed in action or mortally wounded, 217 died of disease, 22 died of disease caused by wounds, 247 discharged for disability and wounds, and one dismissal. The Twenty-seventh Regiment was mustered into service at Camp Franklin, Dubuque, October 3, 1862. Companies A, B and I were largely recruited in this county. The regiment was first ordered into Northern Minnesota to superintend the payment of friendly Indians in that region, and thence to Cairo, 111'., thence to Mississippi, thence to Tennessee, thence into Arkansas, doing duty most of the year 1863 as provost guards, train guards and picket guards, except in September, when it assisted in the cap- ture of Little Rock. March 10, 1864, the regiment moved from Vicksburg to take part in the Red River expedition, and assisted in the capture of Fort De Russey, March 14. At Pleasant Hill, April 9, the regiment came out with the following casualties: Killed in action, 4; wounded, 70; missing, 14. In October and November, 1864, was in pursuit of Price through Missouri, and thence moved to Nashville, Tenn. Thence in February and March, 1865, to Cairo, New Orleans, and into Alabama, participating in the capture of Mobile, and in July to Vicksburg, St. Louis, and Clinton, la., where they were mustered out August 7, 1865, having marched over 3,000 miles, and traveled by steamboat and rail over 10,000 miles, [ts principal engagements were in the Red River expedition — Pleasant Hill and Old Oaks — Ditch Bayou, Ark., Cane Creek, Tupelo, Old Town Creek, Nashville, and Fort Blakely. Of the service performed by the cavalry it is difficult to give a .connected sketch, so much of it being by detached companies. The First Regiment operated in Missouri and Arkansas during 1862, doing good service against Quantrell and other guerrillas, and participating in the batths of Clear Creek, Prairie Grove, etc. Daring 1863 it was engaged in hot work in Arkansas a great deal HISTOBY OF ALLAMAKEE COtHNTY. 453 of the time, making an excellent record. In 1864 the veterans were in Arkansas and Missouri, constantly scouting and skirmish- ing with guerrilla bands, participating in the campaign against Price and the battle at Boonville. In 1863 the regiment operated against Forrest in Tennessee and Mississippi, and went to Texas that summer. On the 19th of February, 1866, they left Austin, Texas, for Davenport, where they were discharged and paid off, in March. The Sixth Cavalry was mustered in at Davenport early in 1863, and participated in several compaigns under Gen. Sully against the Indians in Dakota. They were mustered out at Sioux City October 17, 1865. The Ninth was mustered in November 30, 1863, at Davenport, and proceeded to St. Louis, where it remained until May, 1864, when it was transported to Duvall's Bluff, Ark., and the re- mainder of that year performed scouting, foraging and garrison service in that vicinity, with frequent engagements with guerrilla bands. The service during 1865 was similar, until the cessation of hostilities, when the companies were assigned stations at ^ ari- ous points. The regiment was mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., in February, 1866. The total number of men furnished by Allamakee county dur- ing the war was about eight hundred, or two hundred more than her quota. A complete list of them it is impossible to prepare at this day. The following is as nearly full and correct a roster as we have been able to make it from a thorough search of the Ad- jutant General's reports, and consultation with those best posted in the matter. It numbers 805, but contains some repetitions be- cause of the transfer of some men from one organization to an- other, and possibly contains a few names that belong to other counties. On the other hand, there are numerous omissions that cannot be supplied from any records we can obtain: VOLUNTEER ROSTER OP ALAMAKEE COUNTY. [Abbreviation: — d, died; k, killed; j)ro, promoted.] THIRD INFANTRY. Co. C.—May, 1861. Wm. S. Orr, k, Atlantic, July 21, '64. Hiram L. Wait. Geo. W. Smith. J as Fulton, d, Macon, Ga, Sept. 29, '62. Reuben Dinger, d, March, '64. FIFTH INFANTRY. Co. I. Richard Barrett. Co. K. Geo. H. Stevens, Capt., d. Port Hud- E. B. Bascom, Capt. Bon. '63. Stephen W. Smith, 2nd Lieut., k, at ^ Chas. A. Comstock, Capt. luka, '62. 454 HISTORY OF ALLAMA.KEB CODNTT. Samuel A. Cooper. Davis Googins. J. S. Gardner, k, Vicksburg. C. E. Walrath. W. W. Woodmansee. J. W. Austin. A. B. Travis. Cyrus Miner. Christian Bartslie. Louis Brewer. C. G. Beeler. G. W. Botsford. C. M. Chery. J. W. Cowles. Henry Papka, d, Jefferson City. Henry Pope. Nathaniel Philbrick. Wm. T. Powell. M. D. Rublee. Chas. H. Lercreuce. H. D. Spaulding. J. Sheidecker, k, luka, '62. S. C. Thomas. Henry Fry. W. Presho. J. A. Fosdick. Jacob Ryder. NIKTH Nelson Clark. Chas V. Clark, d, Dec. 29, '63. David Dewey. S. H. Davis. Homer Ellis, k, Tuka, '63. John W. Holly. J. W. Hudson. Joel. C. Hall. John J. Caugh. Nicholas Klees. Paul M. Krohn. W. E. Lytle, d, luka, '62. Jas. W Manson, d, Memphis, '64. A. J. Ovle. M. T. Sparks. Wm. F. Stirts, k, Champion Hill, '63 Michael Shindler. John W. Smith. Andrew Soil. David D. Terrill. Newton B. Terrill. Edwin Taylor. J. Wampler, d, Otterville, Mo. Wm. E. Gardner. C. G. Beeles. Chas. Rannish. INFANTRY. Edward Ryan, Hans Simenson, Wm. A. Uentley, Elias Randall, Hugh K. Phillips, ¥ranklin Morgan, Hiram Clark, d. Oct., John S. Mather, Squire Mather, '63. Co.E. Franz Warner. Co.H. W. PhiUipg, Cant. Samuel Barr, Joseph Lament, Jacob Olesen, Garret Purcell, James S. Smith, L. W. Green, James M. Barr, Co. I. George S, Rice, John Gemmell, d. Misa., '63. TWELFTH Co W. C. Earle. Capt., Col. Tlst A. D. Lyman H. Merrill, 1st Lieut., d. rebel prison., Montgomery, May 29, 1862. J. H. Borger, 1st. Lieut. John D. Cole, 2d Lieut., 1st Lieut. Vet. R. C. J. D. Spaulding, Stephen Thibodo, John Upstrom, George I bach, Wm. P. Winter, Elisha J. White, George Bailey, L. D. Bearce, INFANTRY. . C. Elias Repp, Daniel Harbaugh, d Macon, Oct. 18, '68. J. P. Jackson, 1st Lieut. Watson' R. Hanscom, Captain. Hubbard Goodrich, Frank E. Hancock, d. Annapobs, Oct. 27. '62. Adam Decker, Cornelius Denny, John Dowling, Isaac Edwards, , Matthias Englehorn, ' .p<^ George Ettle, John Feidt, HISTOET OV ALLAMAKEE COUNTT. 455 J. B. Beisel, d. '65. Wesley B. Bort, Madison J. Koe, d. Macon, '62, H. R. Andrews, O.F. Adams, Gustavus Brock, John L. Bryant, d. Macon, '62. , JosiahH. Butts, George Calico, d. St. Louis, '62. L. B. Churchill, Henry Jones, Charles King, d, Macon, '62, Frank Klees, » Henry Kuck, d. Macon, '62. Hans Knudtson, Aslak Larsen, August Lene, k. Tupelo, '64. Edward Lewis, 'Wm. F. Maynard, d. Vicksburg, 63, Hugh McCabe, Frank Mc Kay, Bryan McGuire, Jasper J. Miner, d. St. Louis, '61, Frederick Monk, Alonzo Noyes, Gharles H. Noyes, d. Macon. '62. Joseph Scott, d. St Louis, '61, Joseph Starts, John J. Sdllman, k, Donelson Feb 13, 1862. Enud Thronsen, d. Atlanta, '62, Jesse Thayer, Robert W ampler, Isaac Woodmansee, William M. White, d. Macon, '62. Edwin W. Wood. Stephen Wood, C. elevens, d. Macon, '62, Geo. Candee, Erick Erickson, Kennel Larson, James McDonald, Francis A. Wmter, k. Tupelo, '64, Bufus B Winter, A. L. Bamhart, d, Memphis '64. Horatio Birnum, Oviatt D. Burlingame, Memt J. Burt, B. Oleson, Levi Plank, Co A. C. BushneU, A. L. Brown, D. W. Rted, Major 12th Regt. John McElvain. Jacob M. Husted, d. Memphis, '64. D. Shuburne. Co.F. Abram S. Heitcher, Co. a. S. M.N. Fladmark. Henry S. Fry, B. Ferguson, D F. Goodykoontz, Hir^im Hawkins, John Hughes, I. B. S. Isted D. P. Jennings, Ole Olesen, Charles C. Ogan, Edwin R. Perry, d. Annapolis, Not. 20, '62. James W. Patterson, d. Memphis, '64. Ira E. Peck, d. Macon, '62. Simeon Peck, d. Macon, '62. Charles E. Bowe, Al J. Rogers, Sergeant-Major. Charles Russell, Thomas Stack, d. St. Louis, 62. Richard B. Sargent, Carson Smith, John Sohn, d. Paducab, '62. Peter Sjodin, Richard Schiffhauer. William Steeker, Robert Bathen, Samuel Kieven, d. Macon, 62. John Olse n, James McClintock, ,W. F. Sanner, Thomas Dowling, R. G. Pratt, C. S. Smith, A, K. Bort, Edwm T. Greenup, d. Memphis, '64. Stephen H. Greenup. Lawrence Hannon, d. Cairo, '64, Knud Iversoii, George F. Nye, d. Nov. 16, '63. M. H. Pratt, Jacob Beisel, P. Bowe, Wm. L. Bailey, Jo. H. Huestis, Hans Kuudson, Ansel B. Mann, » Orin E. Peck, d. Memphis, '64, John P. Peck. Lewis Johnson. F. H. Bartlett, . C. 456 HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE. COUNTY. John Devine, John Turlton Henry C. Merriam, Daniel Fagan. Co. I. John W. Milled, d. Memphis, Co. K. Frank Keizer Isaac Mickey, Henry Waldruif. '64. Co. not Given D. A. Walcott, d. Taladego '65. TWENTY-SEVENTH INFANTET. James I Gilbert, Colonel. Charles A. Comstock, Adjutant. David N. Bordwell, Chaplain. P. J. Harrington, Sergt-Major. Darius C. Mather, Fife-Major. Co. A. A. M. Haslip, Captain, d. Montgomery July 3, '65. Jedediah N. Granger, 1st Lieut., Capt. Wm. H. Tuttle, W. D. Harden, 2d Lieut. Reuben K. HaU Charles O. Thompson James Patterson, d Jackson, Tenn. '63 Charles M Bailey, John W. Pratt, 1st Lieut., Austin Kimberly, James D. Maltbie, Thomas McLenan F B R Kussell, d. Tupelo, '64. John J Beedy. Allen Blanchard Truman Stoddard, George W. Allen, C Adams, d. Cairo '63. John D. Adams, d. Cairo, '62. Wm. Bamoble, Samuel Do': son, d. Cairo '62. Richard Gates Lucius Green D. Gardoer Washington Gill Henry Hill Hiram Hawkins J Y Hawthorn Wm Hawthorn Wm V Ingalls Melvin E Mann C C Marston, d Jackson, Tenn, '64 W H Morrison CMcMuUen Linus Maxam Milton D Miller, d Memphis, '64 C F Mitchell Wm J M Her WmT Merrian k Old Town Creek '64 Jas W McClasky, d Memphis '65 Meredith McGee James A Lyons, 2d Lieut. C. S. Richardson, d. Jackson, Tenn. April 12, '68. Wm Crane James W Blacker Hezekiah Biggs C J Bishop Albert N Bond James Briar Henry Baker E C Ballard Elisha Cuney Alex F Cooksey d Memphis '64 Charles N Colbarn Wm S Connor, k Yellow Bayou '64 Daniel Cole John Chapman Reuben Daniels S G Dodge T B Douglas Joseph Damoh Warren Baird, d Little Rock '63 John Pixley W S Raymond E B Raymond Charles Rumph, Lieut. A D Remain Ryder John E Randall Ezra W Reed George W Sherman Alonzo D Stiles Daniel H Shaff Wm B Slick Wm Shroda L M Schriber Charles W Schriber Wm Shortreed E M Stephens Joseph B Smith Wm A Stewart W H Thornburg Geo W Toplitt', d Jackson, Tenn, '63 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE CODKTY. 457 Jas R Newcomb Wm Niblock Hiram Ogg James Osborn, d Memphis, '64 JefiFerson Osborne, d Dubuque '62 A J Patterson Junius Patterson, d Memphis '63 6 B Pratt, d April 17 '65, Wm J Savoie, d Bed River, '6i S. W. Hemenway Capt. Theo. Groezinger, 1st Lt. Samuel 0. Smith, 2d Lt., Capt. Robt. H. Williams. Robt. Baender. J. T. Robinson. John Corell, 1st Lt. Julius Nelson. Levi Donnor, d. Wis., Nov., '63. J. D. Harrington. Roan C. May. Jas. Ruth, Capt. Co. P. 6th Cav. Wm. J. Hutson, 2d Lt. Geo. W. Griswold, d, Wis., Jan., G. W. Hartshorn. John Dignan. Robt. Fennel. Ole Anderson. T. A. Anderson. John Alcorn. Isaac Alcorn. Wm. Bates. S. W. Bates. G. Berdell, d, Jackson, Tenn. N. Betsinger. H. Bots&rd. Dason Barnes, d, Jan., '63. Wm . Burnham. Jas. H. May. A. B. Marshall. George Melton. John S. Monk. John Moyer, d, at Memphis, '63. R. D. MoKnight. C. H. Maxwell. Nelson Milks, d, Memphis, '64. John Myers. D. Obert. Peter Oleson. Edmund Peacock. Walter J. PfaflF. A. Peterson, d, Nashville, '64. . Milton T. Reed, d, Jackson, Tenn, Erail Roese . Wm. Roese. Richard Roese. P. Rupreoht. Phineas Smith. S. Skjurscn. Alonzo Thornton Jefferson P Thorp, d Vicksburg '64 David R Walker Wm Wheeler d Prairie du Chien, '65 Charles Cole d Memphis '64 Lemuel Pratt Wm H Crouch Edward Conner Elijah Perry, d Memphis, '61 Co. B. Elisha Bennett. George Burgess. W. G. CopijemoU. Peter Conner, d, Memphis, '64. George Cornwall. Stephen Dobbs. C. R. Dodds. Frisbie Davis. Augustus Eck. Joseph Green. John Ginther. Geo. B. Goble. Richard Griffin. '65. Peter Griffin. E. J. Hutson, d, Jackson, TenA., '63. N. D. Hutson. H. P. Harding, d, Ft. Snelling, Dec '6* John Hermanson. S. J. Hartshorn. Joseph Hawes. Pulaski Hughes. Hans Hanson, d, Cairo, Dec, '62. Thos. B. Hall. Robt. S. Jackson. John Kohr. Jas. Langford. George McKee . John Syres. Andrew Soderstrom. John Strohm, Wm. S. Sims, 2d Lt., d, Aug., '65. John Pharp. ' Isaac Wightman. Wm. H. Harrison. Franklin Melton. J. W. Osgood, d, Bayou CotUle Apr '64 Geo. H. Rose. C. W. Sells, d. Jeff. Barracks, '64. Daniel H. Wolcott. Ole G. Anderson. E. Churchill. John Churchill, d, Memphis, '64. '63. William Dubois. Job Ellsworth, d, Memphis, '64. Peter Hector. Francis B. Hale, d, Memphis, '64. Andrew Hector. Wm. E. Jackson. J. Nielson, d, Memphis, '^. 468 HIBTOBT OF ALLAMAKEE CODNTT. Chris. Schneider. Oscar Obert, d, La., '64. Fred Schulze. John A. Peterson. Wm. Schulze. T. Koonshurg, d, Columbus, Ky., Emil Stangier. M. Anderson. H. Strong:, d, Lansing, Jan., '64. Aretus W. Butler. William Strong. Wm. E. Gardner. F. F. Sturtevant. Anion Iverson. Wilhelm Schmidt. Thomas C. Medary. John Brannan. Frederick Price. Erick Iverson Perry Reed.'d, Louisville, '65 Co. C. Alden E. Wolcott. James Barnes. Wm. Barnes. Co. E. Waxren Clough. M. N. Hancock. W. R. Reed. Co.F. Harvey Sargent. Alex Wandle. Co.H. Walter F.Rich. C. M. Stockwell. '64. B. S. Stockwell. Co. I. Geo. R. Miller. Capt. Frank H. Robbins, 2d Lieut. Edwin A. Sherbum, 1st Lieut., Capt. John A. Pool Thos. B. Wiley James Bryson J. H. Boom Henry Geesen S. W. Moody, d, Memphis, '62 Prank Holman B. Gillett Jesse Burgess Jackson McClintock Jared Brown, d, Jackson, Term., '63 A. E. Colegrove Thos. W. David Geo. Harvey Seth Craig Michael Casey Elias Dubes Harvey Bells Tiffany Eells, d, Jackson, '63 Daniel Bells J. S. Fuller Chris. Fopsum Henry Gast L. Haskell, d, Jackson, Tenn., '63 P. Hulverson Hans Johnson J. S.Mitchell A. McClintock J. G. Moore, d, Jackson, Tenn., '63 J. L. Mattock B. McClintock J. P. Oglevie A. B. Conner H. U. Pettit W. J. Pardee, k. Pleasant HID, '64 Martin Battle Lewis S. Beall Alex Bryson Jas. Beall, d, Columbus, Ky., '64 Henry Case Calvin H. Beall, d Chas. Beeumer, d, Jackson, Tenn., '63 Solomon Babesck J. N. Barlow T. J. Coffman Samuel Craig, k. Pleasant Hill, La. Gardner Clough Jas. H. Coffman Wm. T. Stull James Stanley, d, Memphis, '63 David M. Scott Jas. Skipworth A. Sawvell Alfred Smith Daniel Tracy A. Tannehill, d Jeff Barracks, '65 C. N. Wheeler Geo. Watkins A. P. Beeman, d, Apnl 3, '64 Frank Clark Jas. McClintock Robt B.Noble H. L. Lewis, k, Old Town Creek, '64 David Dial Lorenz Poesch L. W. Scott Lewis Lpwis Daniel H. Wolcott Alden E. Wolcott HIBTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COXJNTT. 459 J . N. Pettit L. A. Powell, d, Jackson, '63 E. Peabody, d, Jackson. '63 J. Pinkerton, d, MemphiB, '62 Chas. T. Granger, Capt Theo. C. Granger Peter Lewis S. S. Robineon J. Henry Robbina, d, Darenport, Oliver A. Ross Co. K Asa Bradway H. M. Harris '64 Jerome Callahan A. Granabam THIETY-EIGHTH INFANTIIT. Co. A. Kichard Hardy. Neil McCafiFrey FIRST CAVALRY. Co. A. Byron Pettit, d, Memphia, '64. Thos. H. Barnes, 1st Lieut., Capt. James Russell, 2d Lieut., Capt. Jas. Chambers A. J. Case W. W. Carpenter, let Lieut Alex. Graham Chas. A. Granger Samuel Jameson. Alex. McClasky D. M. Minert Samuel Harris E. W. Hurlbut Geo. Lewis. Frank Pease Lewis Reid H. 0. Burger John Douglass D. T. Durbon Hiram H. Mayne Leonidas Ogg Chas. E. Roe C. A. Robey Elias Reynolds B. G. Stanley Allison Adams, d. Little Rock, '64 John Post, d, PostviUe Peter Chambers Geo. McClasky John Crawford Cornelius Miller J. W. Kinsley Washington McNutt Wm. H. Saucer Co. K. Jas. Wood, d Forsyth. Mo., '63 John Israpl Chas Anderson B. K. Collins Daniel Cheadle, d, on way home Barron Edwards Robt E. Granger, k, Arkansas, '63 Morris Granger John L. Gardnor J. M. Truman John A. Bailey C. G. Carpenter, k, Centraha, '64 D. P. Jennings B. B. Rathbume • Hiram Hackenburg P. J. Howard Geo. M . Josyln, d, Little Rock, '64 Geo. K. Masiker Jesse B . Shelhamer JpssG Th3.VGl* Walter H. Wheeler, d, Little Rock, '64 Wm. Servoss, d, Helena, Ark., '64 Geo. Ehll, d, Little Rock, '64 Albert Burgess, k, Austin, Tex., '65 Stephen Harris Moses Bellman Jas. Lyons (2d Lt. Co. A. 27th Inf) Albert Lyons Filley Geo. Robinson Palmer Dobson Samuel Stillions Francis A. Doray John Blein Co. M. John M. Smith Company Unknown. Chas. P. Crocker. 460 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COONTT. SIXTH CAVALRY. Co. F. Scott Shattuck, Capt. Jas. Ruth, 1st Lt., Capt. A. H. MoKallor, 2d Lt. Samuel C. Gibba. S. S. Parnham. Andrew Baldwin. Henry A. Post. M. V. Beede. Edward Ruth. Patrick Downes. Wm. Fitzgerald. S. C. Marsh. Fred Legler. d, Dakota, '6-t. Samuel C. Carr. L. Callendar. George Bchsten. John Ehnes. Patrick Ford. F. F. Oilman. Patrick Healy. Ben. Howard. Alfred Jarvis . Christopher Potter. J. R. Pritchard. Chas. H. Raymond. Anton Steimer. Lewis Speicher. C. M. D. Wagner, k, White Stone, Dakota, '63. John Williamson. J. Mobley. , (Jeorge Bellows. Leander Ferris. John Bones. Wm. J. Ruth. A. M. Kaufman. Chr. Dundee, d, Dakota, '65. B. A. Allen. JohnT. Beetem Chas. L. Beetem Rush Bellows Chas. H. Bellows H. E. Braymin D. A. Blake, d, Dakota, '65. A. J. Butts Jas. S. Bingay Jas. TJ. Baker Hiram Booth John KHllay George W. Miller M. McFadden Chas. Merrill. Wm. MaxweU. Wm. Monk'. Andre Oleson . JohnF. Pitt Philip I. Pierce. Joseph H . Strain W. H. Sammon L. P. Stillman John Toole Jas. Thompson S. Eells, d, Davenport, '62 R. Wier, d, Davenport, '62 A. Burgess, d, Dakota Joseph Hartley John Hartley John Ruth, d, Dakota, '65 J. Mobley. Co. K. Elijah O. Esty. Co. Unknown. Wm. Co wen. Thos. H. Dodd Hardin Jarvis Robert Winn, d, Dakota Chauncey McCoy James H. Milks Job D. Milks NINTH CAVALRY. Co. E. George M. Dean, Capt Albert H. Peck, 2d Lt., 1st Lt Grandison Able John Griffin J. K. Rinehait Simeon Smith, d, Duvall'a Bluff, '62 Jas. W. Smith John T. Rinehart Carl Schultze, d, Jefferson Barracks, '64 Daniel Sires John Stillions, d, Duvall's Bluff, '64 John W. Smith Aaron Scranton, d, St. Louis, '64. . Van Valkenburg Wm. H. Williams ■ Gideon Franklin, d, Austin, Ark., '64 David G. Wilson, d, St. Louis, 64(?)'' HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 461 Philip Bailey Jess(! F. Becker F.'E. Clough )/■ J, K. Engelhom ^ George C. Halsey Orin C. Halsey George Hackenburg Neils Knudtson John H. Kinning, d, Duvall's Bluff '64 Adam Lingerielt J. A. Morehead Nelson B. Mann Henry Wilson Edward Ryan Henry B . Able Joseph Kappes Chas. Williamson Dagle Dagle George J. Pettit D. B. Roderick Samuel L. Rush Russell K. Ross Simon Simonson, d, Austin, Louis Schultze '64 Co. F. Samuel J . Davis, 2d Lieut Geo. R. Peacock Peter Banks Geo. VV. Barker, d, St. Louis, Ono Clark Philip Cullens Josiah Curran Thos. Carey Orin Deremo T. Engebretson John P. Quinlan Thomas Hall 1st Lieut. H. Ingebritson (dec^d) Peter D. Hanser T. Johnson, d. Little Rook, '65 '64 Geo. W. Krohn W. W. Lampman, d, St. Louis, Michael Mahony Harmon Martin John Nelson Tollef Oleson, Sr. ToDef Oleson, Jr., Frank Peterson '64 d, Duvall's Bluff, '64 John V. Hazlett Co. Unknown. Hans Anderson, d, Keokuk, :64 EKGINEEE EEGIIIENT OF THE WEST Co. I. A. R. Prescott(pro2dLt., Co. F) Wm. Dickson Wm. R. Johnson Wm. Harris JohnF Jones, d, Commerce, Mo., '62 Geo. W. Wheeler TWENTY-SEVENTTH MISSOURI INFANTRY. H. Schierholz, Sergt. Major. NINETEENTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY John McKenzie, Co. H Albert Stone, Co. H THIRTY-SIXTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY E. W. Pratt Lieut. Co. K. PIFTY-BIGBITH ILLINOIS INFANTRY . Benj. H. Howard, Co. D. SEVENTY-FOURTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY. Job Blanchaid, Musician. NINETY-FIFTH ILLINOIS INFANTRY Noah H. Pratt, Co. I, (pro 2d Lieut., 48th U. S. A. D.) 126th ILLINOIS INFANTRY Wm. B. Smith. SECOND WISCONSIN INFANTRY. Franklin F. Forrest, Co. B. Geo. Krohn, Co. H 39 THIRD WISCONSIN INFANTRY Henry Moyer, Co. H 462 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. SIXTH WISCONSIN INFANTRY. P. F. Gulberg, Co. C. L. M. Nelson, Co. C. FIFTEENTH WISCONSIN INrANTEY. Hans A. Lageson, Company B. FORTY-NINTH WISCONSIN INFANTRY. H. H. Haskin, Co. K. DeU J. Clark, Co. F. SEVENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY. LouisJohnson, k, Tupelo, 1864. SECOND KANSAS CAVALRY. John Eckerscn, k, Sulphur Springs, Wm. Walker, k, Walden, Arkansas, 1864. 1863. » ELEVENTH OHIO BATTERY. John Ettle, k, luka, September 19, 1862. UNITED STATES ARMY. Jas. W. Manson, Hospital Steward, d, L. Brown, Hospital Steward. Memphis, Tennessee, July, 1864 . TWELFTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY. John Kelly SIXTEENTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY. J. B. Reed D. W. Douglass C. H. Arnold. James M. Lisher Daniel Eyan TTios. Hancock Erastus Cheadle, k, Murfreesboro, '63 Charles Page, k, Murfreesboro, '63. Samuel B. Bobbins, d, Columbus, Ky., Coleman Snuff, k, Atlanta, '64. Jan. 20, '63. Gilson, k, Peach Tree Creek, Hiram Smith, k, Murfreesboro, '63. Tennessee. Amos Brainard, k, Murfreesboro, '63. Henry E. Johnson, d, Nashville, '62. James Dorsey, k, Murfreesboro, '63. ' John M. Oleson, d, rebel prison, '63. Miller, k, Murfreesboro, '63. James Crawley, d, rebel prison, '64. Thomas Oleson, k, Murfreesboro, '63. George Smith, d. Fort Ontario, N. Y. Lemuel Palmer, k, Murfreesboro, '63. Geerge Schroda. SEVENTY-FIRST UNITED STATES INFANTRY. J. W. Earle,. 1st Lieut., Reg. Q. M. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 46 CHAPTER XII. Chronology: List of the More Important Events in the History of Allamakee County, in the Order of their Occurrence. 1825. Upper Iowa River .=!Outhern boundary of Sioux. 1828. First saw mill, on Yellow River. 1830. Neutral ground established. 1832. Winnebago Reservation. 1834. Old Indian Mission built. 1835. Mission School and Farm established. 1837. First settler at Johnsonsport about this time. 1840. Old Mission abandoned. 1841. First white child born at Old Mission. " Joel Post located at Postville. " First murder, caused by whisky. 1847. Act passed defining county boundaries. " Winnebago treaty relinquishing Neutral Ground. 1848. First school, at Postville. " First settlers at Lansing. 1849. County organized by act of Legislature, January 15. " First postofiSce established, at Postville. County Seat at "The Old Stake." " First election, in April. " First settler at Waukon, July. " First school house built, at Hardin. 1850. First grist mill, at Waterville. 1851. First county seat election, April. " Second county seat election, May. " First church built, at Wexford. 1852. First District Court, Columbus, July 12. " First newspaper, at Lansing, November 23. 1853. County seat located at Waukon, March. " Third county seat election, April. " First County Agricultural Society, June 7. " First flouring mill built, at Village Creek. " First criminal trial in District Court, November. 9. " County Democratic organization, December 24. 1856. Fourth county seat election, April. " Mining at New Galena. " -7. Winter of the crust. 1857. Prairie du Chien & Mankato R. R. Co. organized. 1859. Fifth county seat election, April 4. " Contract for court house at Waukon let, August 2. 1861. Sixth county seat election, April 8. " Court house at Waukon completed. 46i HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY 1861 Court house at Lansing erected. 1862. Seventh county seat election, April. 1864. McGregor Western Eailroad built. " Eighth county seat election, November 8. 1866. County seat "raid," June 9. " Poor Farm bought, October 22. 1867. County seat question decided for Waukon. 1868. Present Agricultural Society organized, January 8. 1869. Ninth county seat election, October 5. 1872. B., C. R. & N. R.R. built. " River Railroad built. 1875. Tenth county seat election, October. 1877. Waukon & Mississippi R. R. built. 1880. High water in Mississippi, June. 1881. Poor House built. 1882. Jail built. Biographical Department. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Armstrong & Alexander — these two young and energetic busi- ness men established their business, which is known as the Chicago Clothing House, in 1879, and now carry a stock of $8,000 to $10,000. Levi Armstrong was born in Kentucky, January, 1819. In 1864 the family removed to Linn Co., Iowa, where the subject of this sketch received a good education at Cornell College. He commenced mercantile life by clerking, which he followed until March, 1879, when he engaged in his present business. He was married in April, 1875, to Anna McLaury, and now has two chil- dren, Nettie and Edwin. R. J. Alexander was born in Linn Co., Iowa in 1852. Subse- quently the family removed to Cedar Co. He was educated at Cornell College, and in 1876 commenced mercantile life as clerk, and continued as such until 1879, when he formed the partner- ship with Mr. Armstrong. . Andrew Anderson, P. 0. Elon; farmer, sec. 33; son of Andrew and Christine Anderson; ^born in 1824 in Sweden, emigrated to the U. S. in 1858, locating in Rock Island Co., Ills., till the fall of 1854, when he came to Allamakee County, Iowa, locating on the farm he still owns, now containing 176 acres, well improved and worth $4,000. He married Miss Sophia Palmgren in 1859, she'was also a native of Sweden. They have four children, John A.,iPeter A., Mary S. and Samuel C. He is. a member of the Baptist Church. P. J. Amquest (deceased) was a native of'Stockholm, Sweden, who emigrated to the U. S. in 1856, and- settled in Makee tp., Allamakee Co.,' where he worked at the tailor's trade np to the time of his death, which took place in L>ecember, 1863. He left a wife and four children. N. J. Amquest, son of P. J. and Cecelia Amquest, was born in 1859, received a good common school education, and in 1878 com- menced mercantile life as clerk for C. D. Buman, whom he served until Dec, 1881, subsequently clerked for L- Clark. Ole G. Anderson, P. 0. Elon; farmer, sec. 29, brother of An- drew Anderson, born in Sweden, July 12, 1832. His mother died when he was but a boy, and in 1854 himself and father came to America and located in this township, where his father died in 466 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 1872. During the late rebellion he enlisted in Co. B, 27th Iowa Inf. in March, 1864, the company being immediately taken to the front, where they participated in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., and Fort Blakely, Ala., they being about the closing up of the war. In the fall of 1865 he was transferred to the 12th Infantry, Co.B, and discharged in January, 1866, at Davenport. He married Miss Betsy Eastman, August 10, 1867; they have but one son, David, having lost six children, five of whom died in the spring of 1882, from diptheria, August I., Clara E., Amy E., Effie Gr., Bertie M., Huldah having died previously. Mr. A. owns a farm of 182 acres, worth f25 per acre. He is a member of the Baptist Church. Andrew E. .Ammundson, P. 0. Elon; farmer, sec. 4; son of Erick and Cornelia Ammundson; born in 1847 in Norway. His parents emigrated to the U. S. in 1851, locating in Rock Co., Wis. In the fall of 1853 they came to this county, locating in Center tp., where they still reside. Mr. A. was married to Miss Agnes Shaugor in 1873. She was born in Lafayette county, ■Wis.; they have two children, Gundy Maud and Anna A. Mr. A. has served his tp. as secretay of school board, sub-director, etc. He is a member of the Lutheran church. A. T. Anderson, P. 0. Dalby; farmer, sec. 2; son of Thomas and Arabjor Anderson, was born in this Co. in 1851, was reared on his father's farm with the exception of the time he attended school and was engaged in teaching. He was some three years in attendance at the Lutheran College, Decorah. He married Miss Oline Smeby in June 1877. She was also born in this Co. They have two children, Olaf and Theodore. Mr. A. owns a farm of 158| acres, valued at |35 per acre. He is the present tp. clerk, which office he has filled seven years, and is a member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran church. Thomas Anderson, P. 0. Dalby; farmer, sec. 12; owns 440 acres of land, valued at |25 per acre. He was born Dec. 15, 1820, in Norway. In early life he learned the tailor's trade, at which he worked mostly till he came to the U. S., which was in the spring of 1846, locating in Rock Co., Wis., where he was married in May, 1850, to Miss Emily Christianson, and the same year came to Allamakee. Co., la., locating on a part of his present farm, he be- ing one of the earliest settlers of the tp. His children are An- drew T., Knudt, Lena and Mary. He has lost three, Christian, Betsey and Sarah. Mr. A. has served as trustee of his township several terms, and is a member of the Norwegian Evangelical Lu- theran Church. Charles Arklay, P. 0. Waukon; farmer, sec. 34; owns 120 acres of land, valued at $iO per acre. He was born in Fifeshire, Scot- land, in 1815; learned the carpenter and joiner's trade in early life, which business he followed for many years. He was married to Miss Emily Murray in 1841, and in 1851 they emigrated to the U. S., stopping in New York City till 185f>, when he came to this ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 467 county and purchased the farm upon which he still resides. His children are William, Emily and Margaret. Mr. A. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Charles Amann, proprietor Germania House, was born in Ger- many in 1849, and came to America in 1872, and settled in Troy, N. ^. In 1875 he came to Lansing and engaged in brewing until 1882, when he engaged in his present business. He married Carrie Christ, also a native of "Germany; they have three chil- dren, Ernest, Eugene and Lena. Dudley W. Adams, horticulturist, was born in Winchendon, Mass., November 30, 1831. His father was a lumberman and lost his life from an accident in the woods when the son was but four years old. His mother gave him a careful home training and an ordinary district schooling, -^ith the addition of an academic course before maturity, which he assisted to secure by intervals of teaching. With the attainment of his majority came the de- velopment of a malady all too common in that region, and a se- vere cough admonished him to leave his native state and the dan- gers of its climate. Accordingly, one day in September, 1853, he might have been seen (had there been any in the country as wit- nesses) "hoofing it" from the port of Lansing eighteen miles to the capitol of Allamakee County in company with L. T. Wood- cock. Reaching the upland near Adams' present residence, the pilgrims ran across Scott Shattuck and Tom Minard cutting a road through the hazel-brush, and upon inquiring the way to Waukon they were directed to cast their eyes to the westward where two log huts were in sight and informed that these constituted the object of their pilgrimage. One of these huts was the pioneer residence of Geo. Shattuck, and the other the "seat of justice" of Allamakee County. As might have been expected of young men in their circumstances they were somewhat taken aback, and doubtless showed it; but going bravely to work they at once began preparations for the erection of a frame store and dwelling, which is now the National House on Main street. The lumber was all oak and was hauled from Smith's mill on Yellow River, where it was sawed out by Austin Smith. A stock of goods was opened in this building the same fall. The first sale of mer- chandise in Waukon, was by Mr. Adams, a pair of boots to Ezra Reed, Jr., from the stock while it lay in Scott Shattuck's new frame hotel (now George Mauch's residence) awaiting the com- pletion of the store. He also took out the first letter from the first mail received at Waukon, it being one he himself had written while east after the goods, addressed to his partner, Mr. Wood- cock. Meanwhile Mr. Adams had taken up 200 acres of govern- ment land, of which he still owns 120, forty acres of which are now occupied with orchards in bearing. From 1853 the growth of the community was rapid, and Mr. Adams found many ways in which to occupy his time to advantage, and proved himself a 468 ALLAMAKEE COTTNTT BIOGRAPHIES. most valuable acquisition to the pioneer settlement. His services as surveyor were sought far and wide, and two years later he was made assessor, continuing to serve as such by successive re-elec- tions for about ten years. In 1854 he was also chosen as Presi- dent of the County Agricultural Society, organized in 1853, and nearly all the time from that day to this has been connected with the society in one capacity or another. In the fall of 1854 also, in company with Ed. Whitney, he began the erection of the firs and only steam saw mill here, which was completed the f ol- lowingtspring and continued in successful operation for many years. It was burned down in '50 or '5.7, after which he disposed of his interest therein, although the mill was re-built. In 1856 Mr. Adams entered upon the work of horticulture, in which he always found great pleasure, and in after years the "Iron Clad Nursery" of Waukon became famous for its success where others failed. There were ten or fifteen other nurseries sta ted in Alla- makee County at about this time, noij one of which proved profit- able, and all were abandoned amid the almost universal opinion that fruit could not be grown in northern Iowa. During the 20 years he continued in this business, however, Mr. Adams established the fact beyond a doubt [that it can be very successful, with judicious selection and proper management, and points with just pride to his achievements in this direction under the adverse circumstances of climate and public opinion. For instance, in 1871, at an exhi- bition of the State Horticultural Society (of which, by the way, he was for five years the Secretary), be took the sweepstake prize, with one hundred varieties, for the best and largest display of apples. Again, at the State Fair in 1879, he took the sweepstakes with 172 varieties of apples. About 1858, Mr. Adams was chosen chairman of the County Board of Equalization. Again, in '65 or '66, he accepted an appointment to a place on the Board of County Supervisors, to fill a vacancy, not without reluctance, how- ever, as at that time there was the thankless task to undertake of building up the county finances, which were in a very bad way, county warrants at that time selling at only 45 per cent. The board was evenly divided politically, and to complicate matters and add to the responsibility of the situation it was also divided equally on the then strongly local feeling between Lansing and Waukon on the county seat question. Upon the expiration of his short term Mr. Adams was elected to represent his township again, was chosen Chairman of the Board; and on his re-election as a member, two years later, was again selected as chairman, without a dissenting vote. It is but justice to add that during these times he represented the interests of his constituents in local matters most successfully; and it was not long ere careful manage- ment and economy restored the full credit of the county, which has ever since been maintained In 1869 the first brick block in Waukon was erected, Mr. Adams being a part owner in this, as in ^'t^ a-^^t^c^c^ ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 469 the first frame store in the village. Together with his neighbors, in 1869, Mr. Adams effected the organization of Waukon Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, the third in the State. He discharged the duties of Master, Overseer, Lecturer, and Secretary of this grange, at various times, and upon the perfection of a State or- ganization in 1872, he was elected Master of that for a term of two years, in the middle of which he was made Master of the National Grange, whereupon he tendered his resignation to the State Grange, then comprising over one thousand members representing eight hundred subordinate granges which he had or- ganized, a fact which serves to illustrate the energy and zeal of the man who was called upon to preside over the national body. At that time there were but about l,20p subordinate granges in the United States, but at the expiration of his term of three years there were nearly 23,000 granges spread over nearly all the States and Territories. His industry and tact are still fur- ther exemplified in his persistent advocacy of the establishment of rail communication with the outside world for Waukon, by the Paint Creek route; his active -participation in the organization of the company; and, upon his election as its president in 1875, his energetic propulsion of the work to a successful realization of the hopes of the community during the twenty years preceding. Of late years Mr. Adams has passed his winters 'in a home he has es- tablished in sunny Florida, where he made his first purchase of land in 1875. In Jan., 1876, he re-engaged in his favorite occu- pation of horticulture in his winter home by setting out a small grove of orange trees. Now he is the fortunate possessor of about a thousand acres in that state, of which 37 acres are in orange grove. Mr. Adams was married Jan. 31, 1856, to Miss Hannah Huestis, who has been an able co-laborer in his horticul- tural avocations, and an associate in his honors, having occu- pied the position of Ceres in the National and State Granges, as well as various ofBces in the gift of her home subordinate grange. John Bakewell (deceased), whose portrait appears elsewhere, was born in Worcestershire, England, in 1820. When he was K' thirty-four years of age he emigrated to America. The first year he spent in the eastern portion of the U. S., and then came to Illinois, where he lived until January, 1850, when he came to Allamakee Co., immediately procured lands and engaged in farm- ing, which he continued until the time of his death, which oc- cured April 29, 1879. His first year in Allamakee was a rather unfortunate one, as he lost the greater part of his stock by their straying away the first winter, and he was unable to recover them until the following fall; but by hard work and good management he became one of the wealthiest farmers of Allamakee Co., and highly respected by all who knew him. He married Sarah A. Hunt 470 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. the same year he left England. She was also born in England. They have seven children, who have all reached maturity, and who are well situated, financially. Samuel Baumann, P. 0., Lansing, was born in Switzerland in 1828, came to America in 1851 and settled in Lansing, and is qow engaged in farming and burning lime. He married Christine Sideler in 1858, and they have twelve children. J. D. Brennan, merchant. Village Creek, is a native of Allama- kee Co., and son of Eugene Brennan, one of the old settlers of the township. Mr. B. was born in. 1855, received a good educa- tion, and taught school until engaging in his present business in 1882. In July of the same year, D. J., a younger brother, became a partner in the business.. Mr. B. was married in 1880 to Miss Mary J. Mooney, of Lafayette tp., they have one son, Eugene. F. Barthold, Village Creek, born in Germany in 1828, came to America in 1847, and settled in Ohio; thence to Iowa in 1854, set- tling in Linton tp., moved to Lafayette' tp. in 1859, and located at Village Creek. Mr. B. has held the ofBce of Justice of the Peace for fifteen years. In 1852 he married Miss Summermann, of Cleveland, 0. ; they have six children living. Hilon Belden, blacksmith, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1829. At the age of thirteen he commenced work at his trade with his father. In 1853 he was married to Miss Mary Quick. In 1856 he came west, and after residing two years in Fillmore Co., Minn., came in 1858 to Waukon. He followed farming three years, when he again resumed his trade, and has since continued the same. The children are Florence, Cora, Kate and Julia. Wm. Burton (deceased), farmer, was born in Rhode Island in 1813. Came to Makee tp. in 1853, and bought a farm of 80 acres on Makee Ridge, 3^ miles from Waukon. The following year he brought on his family, comprising the following children: Theo-. dore W ., Lewis, and Fred A., the two latter of whom are now liv- ing. In 1868 he became a resident of Waukon, where he re- mained until his death, 1879. Mr. Burton was married in 1837 to Miss Marcella Nicholas, who was born in Rhode Island in 1815, and still resides in Waukon. Peter Beiber, farmer, sec. 29, Makee; P. 0. Waukon; a native of France, born November 3, 1835, emigrated with his parents to the U. S. in 1854. He first lived at Freeport, 111., eleven months, then came to Allamakee Co., and settled in Center tp. Here he worked at the blacksmith trade for several years, and Dec. 26, 1865, was married to Sophia Krumme. In 1868 he purchased a farm and commenced tilling the soil ; removed to his present farm in 1874. The children are Sophia, Lena, Emma, Katie, Peter and Philip. D. H. Bowen, M. D. This promising young physician was born in Green Co., Wis.,, in 1850. His youth was spent in rural life, during which time he received an academic education, also ALLAMAKEE COTJifTT BIOGRAPHIES. 471 taught school, and at the age of 22 turned his attention to the study of medicine, first reading with Dr. R. Broughton, of Brod- head. He subsequently entered the Rush Medical College, where he graduated in Feb., 1876. He then came to Allamakee Co., where he practiced until 1880; then attended a course of lectures, and in the fall of said year came to Waukon, and has since been in partnership with Dr. J. B. Mattoon. Dr. Bowen was married in Feb., 1877, to Miss Hettie Burns. They have one child, Albert Sidney. L. 0. Bearce, dealer in harness, etc., is one of the early pio- neers and prominent business men. He was born in Maine in 1840, and in 1852 came to Allamakee Co., and lived on a farm until fourteen years of age, when he commenced work at the shoemaker's trade. This he followed three years, when he turned his attention to harness making. In 1864 he formed a partner- ship with G. H. McClasky, and has since been engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness, saddles, etc., being associated with several different 'partners at different intervals until January, 1882, since which time he has conducted the business alone. Mr. Bearce was married in 1871 to Miss Fannie E. Hall, of Evansville, Ind. They have two children, Leslie R. and Roger. C. D. Beeman is known by all as one of the leading business men of .Allamakee Co. He established his present business in November, 1874, erected his large and commodious store building (which is located in the west part of Waukon) in 1879 at a cost of $5,000, and now carries a stock of general merchandise to the amount of $18,000. Mr. B. was born in Madison Co., Vermont, in 1827, came to Allamakee Co. in 1849, and settled in Jefferson tp., where he was engaged in farming until he engaged in his present business. Oct. 6, 1853, he married Sarah A. Martindale, a native of New Hampshire. The children are C. M., C. A., Irvin, Fred L., and Bertha. T. H. Barnes, M. D., a pioneer physician of 1855, is a native of the Buckeye State, where he was born in 1832. He was reared on a farm until the age of 20, when he turned his atten- tion to medicine, graduating at the Iowa State University in 1855, He then settled in Allamakee Co., and has since been a citizen of said county, ■with the exception of a few months, when he re- sided in Clayton Co. In 1861 he organized Co. K, 5th Iowa, which was the first company of Allamakee Co.; and in July, 1861, Co. K, 1st Cav., with which he served until Dec. 16, 1864, when he resigned on account of physical disability, and was mustered out with the rank of captain. He then returned to Waukon, and has since continued his profession. He has also spent some time and considerable money in experimental farming. In 1881 he built the first silo for the State of Iowa, which he has proved a success. He has also represented his district in the legislature one term. 472 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. Dr. Barnes was married in 1854 to Miss Julia A. Orr, who died in 1859, leaving one daughter. In 1862 he married Marion E. Ferris, and now has one son and two daughters. John M. Barthell, farmer, sec. 19, Makee tp.; P. 0. Waukon; a pioneer of Winneshiek Co., and at present one of the most prominent farmers of A-llamakee Co. He was born in Germany in 1830, emigrated to the U. H- in 1848, and lived in Rensellaer Co., N. Y., until 1851. He then came to Iowa and settled in Glenwood tp., Winneshiek Co. In 1856 he was married to Miss Martha Page. He then continued farming in said county until 1866, since which he has resided in Allamakee Co., and now owns over one thousand acres of land. The children are Sarah, John and Jonathan (the two latter being twins), Anna, (now Mrs. Louis Steinbach), Charley, George, Michael, Minnie and Bennie. James Bentley, one of the oldest resident preachers, was born in England m 1816, emigrated to the U. S. in 1842, and soon entered Jubilee College, near Peoria, where he was ordained as an Episcopal minister in 1847. His first parish was at Warsaw, 111. In the spring of 1857 he came to Iowa and located in Allamakee Co. He was the first preacher at Lansing. In 1859 he founded the Waukon parish, of which he had charge for many years. Rev. Bentley has been for a number of years in the employ of the American S. S. Union, first as district agent, then as State agent of Iowa, and afterwards as State agent for Kansas. He is at present missionary-at-large in Allamakee Co. He was married in 1850 to Miss Cox, and they have two children, Henry J., of Waukon, and William C, of New York City. Chas. I3arnard, proprietor Waukon Nursery. This well known gentleman was born on the Isle of Wight, and on the farm now occupied by Queen Victoria's summer residence; but when he was about eighteen months old his parents (Thomas and Mary Bar- nard) emigrated to the U. S. and settled on Wheeling Island, in the Ohio river. Here Thos. Barnard started a nursery, and soon commenced teaching his son the rudiments of fruit growing. About 15 years subsequently the family removed to Belmont Co., Ohio, and then run a market garden for the city of Wheeling. Here the subject of this sketch, in 1845, was married to Miss M. Balderston, who died in 1856, leaving three children, Mary G., now Mrs. W. R. Hanscom, of Monona Co., la.; Emma J., now Mrs. R. 0. Manson, of Sibley, la., and Chas. 0., of Monona Co., la. In 1857 Mr. Barnard was married to Narcissa P. Newport, and in 1865 removed to Iowa and settled in Waukon, where he at once engaged in the nursery business. In 1868 his wife died, leaving two children, Thomas N. of Miles City, M. T., and Elizabeth. In 1869 he married Deborah D. Spaulding. Mr. B. having spent his entire life in growing trees and fruit, is one of the best posted men to be found in his line of business. He is what may be called a strictly practical ALLAMAKEE COUXTT BIOGRAPHIES. 473 man. His views differ greatly from most nursery men, but his success proves that his judgment is in the main correct. He does not believe in pruning trees, and to substantiate his belief he can show many trees in his nursery which have b'een allowed to grow according to the dictates of nature's laws. He has a Concord grape vine planted in 1863, but which for two years was trampled down by cattle, since which time it has been cared for by Mr. B., and although it has never been touched by a pruning knife, or fertilized, it now has five branches, each forty feet in length. It has stood the weather at 44 degrees below zero, and for a number of years has grown from 200 to 1,000 pounds of grapes annually. He now has about twenty-five acres of nursery, and the largest stock of fruit and ornamental trees in this section. H. J. Bentley, dealer in jewelry, watches, clocks, etc., was born in Freeport, Illinois, in 1853. He came to this county in 1858 with his father (Jas. Bentley, whose biography appears elsewhere). He married Jennie Reed, a native of New York. They have one son. L. M. Bearce, Clerk of the Courts, was born in Maine in 1837. He removed from there to Massachusetts, thence in 1852 to Iowa, and settled near Waukon in this county. He .subsequently en- gaged in the mercantile business in Waukon. In 1880 he was elected to his present position. He married Maria Israel, a native of Pennsylvania. They have two children, a son and daughter. George H. Bryant, County Treasurer, was born in Otsego coun- ty, N. Y., in 1837, came west in 1863, and located in Lansing, and for five years was employed as clerk. He subsequently en- gaged in the boot and shoe trade, which he continued until elect- ed to his present position. He married Martha Dennis, a native of Indiana. They have one son and three daughters. James W. Burhans, of the firm of Burhans Brothers, proprie-* etors of the Burlington House, Postville, was born in Nov., 1824, in New York, came to Rock County, Wisconsin, in 1845, remain- ing till 1865, when he returned to New York, and in 1868 moved to Camden, Missouri, where he engaged in farming six years; af- ter which, in company with a brother, he engaged in general mer- chandising. In the winter of 1882 he came to Postville and en- gaged as above. He married Miss Mary M. Davis, of New York, in 184&. She died in Missouri in 1873, leaving one daughter, Ella E. J. H. Burhans, of the firm of Burhans Bros., proprietors of the Burlington House, Postville, was born in 1831, in Otsego Co., N. Y.; emigrated with parents to Rock Co., Wis., in 1845, from there to Ossian, Winneshiek Co., lo., in 1855, and in April, 1857, moved to Clayton Co., the roads being blocked with snow, it hav- ing been a very severe winter. In the fall of 1862 he enlisted in Co. L, 6th lo. Cav. Their operations were confined to the north- west, protecting the frontier from the Indians. He was discharged 474 ALLAMAKEE COUKTY BIOGKAPHIES. in October, 1865, returned home, and was mostly eiigaged work- ing at his trade, carpenter and joiner. In .1876 he came to Post- ville, still following his trade. In the winter of 1882 he pur- chased the Burlington House in company with his brother, J. W. Burhans. He married Sarah A. D. — , a native of Connecti- cut, in 1854; they have one son, John D. Mr. B. is a member of the Masonic Order. M. Beucher, Postville, dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware, also proprietor of billiard hall; born in 1830 in Germany, emi- grated to the U. S. in Aug. 1854, and located in Allamakee Co., following farming for nine years; the a came to Postville and en- gaged in brewing beer, continuing four years, after which he en- gaged in his present business. He married Miss Louisa Koevenig, a native of Germany, in 1861; they have one son, Joseph. Mr. B. is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and A. 0. U. W. H. T. Ballman, P. 0. Postville; farmer, sec. 8; owns a farm of 270 acres, valued at |25 per acre. He was liorn in Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1835, his j)arents emigrating to this county in 1855, re- maing here till their death. His father died in 1870, and mother in 1874. Mr. B. was married to Miss Adaline V. Minert in 1859. She was born in Indiana. Their children are Benjamin P., Emma L., Daniel G., Lillie E., Henry S., Jennie A. and Harry B. They have lost two, Alice L., and Charles E. He is a member of the M. E. church. W. N". Burdick, editor and publisher of Review, was born in New York in 1837, and in 1839 his parents immigrated to Kane Co., 111.; thence to West Union, Fayette Co., lo., in 1862, where he followed farming till 1856, when he engaged in a printing office at Decorah, and subsequently at Cresco for a short time, when he »again resumed farming for two years, and then engaged in the mercantile business. He served as postmaster at Cresco nearly seven years. In 1873 he purchased an interest in the Winne- shiek Register, at Decorah, and soon after the whole interest. In 1875 he sold out and purchased the Review, at Postville. He mar- ried Amy E. Halsted in 1860. She was born in Ohio. They have three children, Edward L., Albert E. and Arthur S. They have lost two sons. N. J. Beedy, mayor of Postville. was born in New York in 1826; learned the carpenter and joiner trade in early life, emi- grated to Winnebago Co., 111., in 1850, and in 1852 to Allamakee Co., la., engaging in farming and working at his trade. In 1865 he came to Postville and engaged in the grain and produce busi- ness till the spring of 1881, when he retired from active business. He has served as councilman, and is now serving his second term as mayor and county supervisor. He married Mary E. Barnes, of New York, in 1850. She died in 1867. He was again married to Lucy Hall, also a native of New York, in Nov., 1869. He has ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 475 three children by his first marriage, Fred., Ida M. and Carrie P., and one by his second marriage, Mabel. He is a member of the A. 0. U. W. " Charles C. Blumm, postoffice, Rossville, dealer in general mer- chandise and manufacturer of harness, was born in Germany, April 29th, 1848, near the River Rhine. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1850, stopping at Toledo, Ohio, where his father died of cholera in 1854. The following year, 1855, the family came to this county, locating at Rossville. In 1865 he went to Prairie du Chien and engaged to learn the harnessmaker's trade, working at that till the latter part of 1866, when he re- turned to Rossville and opened a harness shop, continuing but a short time, when he closed out his business and spent about a year traveling and wonking at journey work. He returned to Rossville and purchased the homestead of his mother and again opened a harness shop, soon after adding groceries, and, in 1873, dry goods. In December, 1876, he formed a co-partnership with Jas. M. Ross, adding drugs, which continued till February, 1880, when he purchased Mr. Ross' interest. He was married to Miss Mary Sencebaugh, May 30th, 1875. She was a native of West Virginia. Their children are Charles A. and Daisy P. They have lost one son, Robert H. Mr. Blumm is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. W. H. Burtis, retired farmer, postoffice, Rossville, son of Hen- ry and Mary Burtis; was born October 11, 1825, in the district of Prince Edwards, Canada. He learned the shoemaker's trade in early life, at which he worked principally, till 1847, when he came to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade during the winters, and farmed during the summer. In the fall of 1859, he went to Lake County, Illinois, where he -remained till 1868, when he came to Allamakee County, Iowa, stopping in Ludlow town- ship till 1876, he came to Rossville, where he now resides. He was married to Miss Louisa Ross, October 6, 1869. She is a sister of 0. A. Ross, and was born in Pennsylvania. Mr. Burtis owns a farm of 120 acres three miles from Rossville, also seven acres within the village of Rossville; his wife also owns a farm of 80 acres some three miles from Rossville. Jeptha Beebe, postoffice, Waukon ; farmer, section 8; son of Hezekiah and Sarah Beebe; born in Chemung County, New York. His parents moved to La Grange County, Indiana, in 1837. In 1850 he emigrated to Crawford County, Wisconsin, where he en- gaged in lumbering till in 1853, he came to Allamakee Coun- ty, Iowa, locating at Waterville, and purchased the corn cracker mill of Riley Ellis, to which he added a saw mill the same year. His brother, N. A. Beebe, building a grist mill in 1854. Soon after it was completed, he became a partner in the grist mill^ with his brother, but soon sold his interest to Mr. J. Spooner, continuing the saw mill till the fall of 1857, when he sold out to 476 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. his brother, N. A. Beebe, and purchased a farm two miles and a half west of Rossville. Soon after he engaged' as contractor of a stage line, from Prairie dii Chien, Wisconsin, to Chatfield, Min- nesota. The route being discontinued in 1858 by order of James Buchanan, through the Postmaster Genera], which left him with a large amount of stage property on his hands which he then took to Kansas, and securing another stage line soon after traded his interest for a steam saw mill, some fifteen miles south from To- peka, which took fire and was burned in 1860 with quite an amount of lumber and logs, all being a total loss. He re-built the mill and sold to other parties, and came back to Allamakee Coun- ty and rented the saw mill at Waterville one year; then rented a farm near Rossville for one year, and then bought a saw mill on Yellow River, which he ran till 1867, thett sold out and turned his attention to farming. In the spring of 1869 he purchased his present farm. Mr. B., upon his return from Kansas to this county, found himself $3,700 in debt, all of which he has paid. He was married to Miss Mary A. CofFman, in 1854. She was also a native of Pennsylvania. They have six children: William E., Henry H., Leon E., Laura M., "^Edith A. and Edna E., and have lost two — Lottie S. and Alden S. Mr. Beebe has served as Jus- tice of the Peace in his township and is a Greenbacker in politics. James Briar. P. 0. Rossville; farmer, sec. 27; son of James and Margaret Briar; born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in 1839, where he remained till, in 1856, he came to Iowa, stopping in the northern part of this township. In August, 1862, he enlisted in .Co. A, 27th la. Inf., participating in most of the battles in which the company was engaged, till the close of the war. He then re- turned home, and was married the same year to Miss Sarah Gates. She was born in Decatur Co., Ind.; they have seven children: Wm. H., Samuel D., Joseph A., Julia A., James E., Charles S. and Delia M., and have lost one daughter, Eliza. Mr. B. moved to his present farm of 160 acres in 1876. It is a good farm, well im- proved, with good buildings upon it, and worth $iO per acre. John C. Beedy, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec-. 13; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. He was born in 1835 in Piscata- quis Co., Me. In 1850 he went to Natic, Mass., where he com- menced learning the shoemaker's trade, continuing about a year, after which he was engaged on the sea in vessels doing a coast trade up as far as Nova Scotia, during summers, and at his trade during winters. In 1857 he immigrated to Iowa and located in Makee tp., this county, and in 1862 came on to his present farm. He married Miss Angle Gaslin, of Maine, in 1857. She died in 1876, leaving him with a family of seven children. The children are: Arthur, Leroy, Edgar, Angie, Cora, Nellie and Albert. He was again married to Mary Ryan, 1878, by whom he has three children: Lizzie, John and William. He is a member of the L 0. 0. F. ALLAMAKEE COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 477 Willard Bacon, P. 0. Village Creek, farmer, sec. 22; son of John and Betsey Bacon; born in Orange Co., Vfc.; learned the carpenter and joiner's trade in early life; went to Massachusetts in 1843, where he engaged in. house building for three years; then engaged in railroad bridge building for several different com- panies, and was for six years in the employ of the N. Y. & N. H. B,. R. Co. In 1855 he came to Allamakee Co., la., and p»rchased his present farm of 140 acres, at the head of one of the branches of Village Greek, it being mostly bottom land, and very produc- tive, and upon which he has good buildings, pleasantly situated and sheltered from the winds. Mr. B. was married to Miss Har- riet Poore, of Vermont. • They have three childreen: Idelia, whose husband's name is Aldrich; Wilhimena and Hattie. James Bryson, of Jefferson tp., was born in Perthshire, Scot- land, Aug., 1802. Has always been a prominent man wherever he lived. Was an elder in the Presbyterian church in Scotland, as also in Connecticut, where he located, after four years in Canada. In his native country his occupation was running a linen factory, and after coming to America was overseer of woolen mills. Set- tled in Paint Creek tp. in 1850, where he held various township offices, and represented that and Jefferson tp. in the Board of Supervisors at different times. Was the first' representative from Allamakee Co. in the State Legislature. He was a man of firm and just character, and in his prime took an active part in reforms. W^as a strong Abolitionist, and a personal friend of John B. Gough and others. In 1824 he married Miss Margaret Scott, who died in 1873, at Rossville. She was of an exceedingly good family, had received a tery liberal education, and was a remarkable woman. When they came to this country they had four children living: Elizabeth (now dead), Isabel, John S. and Jane. Four children were born after reaching this country: William, died before the war; James, of Chicago; Alexander, of Ackley; and Margaret, who married John Henderson. James and Alexander were in Co. 1, 27th Regt. lo. V ols. John S. Bryson, farmer, sec. 17, born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1831, and was brought to Canada West in 1836 by his parents who removed to Connecticut in 1840, where he received his first six months schooling, and was put to carding and spinning in a woolen factory of which his father was overseer. The family came west to Wisconsin in 1849, but returned east to York State, whence they came to Iowa in 1850, and located here on the 11th day of May of that year; and on the 15th of the same month John assisted in breaking the first sod in what is now Paint Creek township, where he now owns 240 acres. Later in the summer the first grist mill in Allamakee Co. — a simple corn-cracker — was put in about four miles below Mr. Bryson's place, and he run this most of the time during the first eight months. At the first election of Township Officers in April, 1853, Mr. Bryson was elect- so 478 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. ed constable, and has since served four years as township clerk. Was also secretary of his school district for sometime; and has enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his neighbors to such a de- gree that he has at various times been appointed to such trusts as administrator of estates, guardian, trustee, etc. Mr. Brysoh was one of the real pioneers of Paint Creek tp., and has been closely identified with its history. Mr. Bryson was married Jan. 11, 1865, to Miss Tilde 0. Rema, a native of Norway, whose family settled in this township the same year with the Brysons. They have five children, Marget S., Tilde L., James, Ida Gr. and John E. Fred A. Burton, grain buyer, born in Ehode Island in 1851, came to Iowa and to Makee tp. in 1854, and became a resident in Waukon in 1868. Mr. Burton was engaged for several years in buying grain in the markets at Lansing and Postville in this county, and in DeSoto, Wis., as well as at his home in Waukon. In September, 1880 he assumed charge of A. &T. McMichael's grain elevator at Waterville, where he has since been constantly employed. Henry Bensch, carpenter and builder, was born ia Prussia in 1832, came to America in 1852 and settled in Galena, Ills., where he remained until 1855. He then removed to Lansing and since then has been engaged in the above business. He has been a member of the County Board three years, and has also been over- seer of the poor for the past ten years. ■ He married Lena Fry, of Guttenburg, Germany; they have eight children, Julia, Henry G., John, Edward, Cha,rles, Emma, Matilda, Mary. Edward Boeckh was born in Baden, Germany, in 1827. He came to the U. S. in 1848, and settled in NeSv York, where he lived until 1854, he then removed to Dubuque, and in 1857, came to Lansing.' In 1868 he erected a large foundry and machine shop, of which he has been a part owner. He married Paulina Kemdt, also of Germany, they have five, children, Louisa, Herman, Julius, Edward and Mina. Mr. B. has been alderman five years, and is at present a member of the school board. Theo. Brockhausen was born in Detmold, Princedom Lippe, Germany, in 1833. He came to the U. S. in 1861, and in 1864, settled at Lansing, and has since been a member of the firm of Nielander & Brockhausen. During the severe winter of 1866 he was mail carrier from Lansing to Prairie du Chien, and from Lansing to Portland Prairie. He was married in 1863 to Miss Mary Schierholz. E. B. Bascomb, proprietor of livery and feed barn, was born m Newport N. H. in 1833. He came to Iowa in April, 1855, and located at Lansing, and was engaged in contracting and building until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Co. K, 5th Iowa Infantry, being the first man to enlist from Lansing. He was in a number of battles, some of the prominent ones be- ing Booneville, Island No. 10, New Madrid, Corinth, seige of ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. ■ Corinth, luka, Fort Gibson, battle of- Vicksburg, Mission Rii and others. He served until the close of the war, and retur] to Lansing and embarked in the lumber trade. He sold business in 1871 to his partner, Mr. S. 0. Smith, and for so time there after was contracting with the railroad company, has since been in various businesses, buying and selling grain f live stock, and for several year.s was a dealer in drugs and mf cines. In 1881 he purchased his present stock of livery Huffschmidt and continues to manage the same. He married 1855 Miss Mary Rogers, who was born in Goshen, N. H.; tl have two children, Mary E. and Ada. Philip Bockfiuger, part proprietor of wagon and carriage i tory, was born in Froechweiler Alsace, Germany, in 1831. learned the trade of wagon maker in Niederbron, and in 18 came to America, and his first location was in Cincinnati, 01 thence to Galena, Ills., and in 1856 he came to Lansing and tablished his present business in company with Mr. Boeckeme They are extensive manufacturers of wagons, plows, etc., the b iness amounting to about $50,000 annually. They employ ab thirty men. Mr. B. was married to Magdalaua Wetzel, also Germany; they have seven children. Englehart Bartheld, P. 0. Lansing; farmer, sec. 2; son of Hei and Elizabeth Bartheld, born February 18, 1833, in Germa emigrated to the U. S. in 1853, stoppin ^vv' it h friends atClevela Ohio; worked at the carpenter and joiner business. In 1855 came to Allamakee Co., still continuing to work at his trade m of the time. He married Miss Elizabeth Englehorn in 1858, was also a native of Germany. He purchased his present farm 1859, and moved onto it in 1861. He now owns 200 acres, v improved and conveniently and pleasantly located. Mr. B.'s cl dren are Julius, Lizzy, Katie, Fred and Englehart. He has ser as assessor and trustee of his township several years, and to the tire satisfaction of his many friends. He is a member of the 0. U. W. Richard Buggy, blacksmith, is a native of Ireland; born in 18 came with his parents to the U. S. in 185i, and settled at Iv Haven, Conn., where he learned his trade, and in 1862 was n ried to Miss Ellen Sullivan. In May, 1866, he came to Ic and settled at Waukon, but subsequently traveled over a gi part of the west and northwest. He was also in the employ Holohan & Buggy for several years. In Sept., 1877, he ope: his present business and has since been doing a blacksm: wagon and general repair works. He has eight children, Nel Maria, Richard, Edwin, John, Charlie, Eliza and Michael. 480 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGBAPHIES. he was engaged in mining until the spring of 1856, when he moved to his present farm. He was married Dec. 13, 1838, to Miss Katie Allen, who died Feb. 24, 1881. He has four children living, James M., Samuel S., Robert and Mary A., and has lost by death four, Thompson, Elon, Jennette and Catharine. Mr. B. is a member of the M.E. Church. ' Henry Carter, merchant, firm of Dougherty & Carter, dealers in boots and shoes and gents' furnishing goods. The subject of this sketch emigrated from Germany, where he was born in 1849, to the U. S. in 1870. He came direct to Allamakee Co., and worked at farming until 1878, at which time, in partnership with M. W. Eaton, he engaged in the boot and shoe business, which they continued until June, 1881, under the firm name of Carter & Eaton. During this time the firm also owned a one-half interest in an elevator. In June, 1881, Mr. Carter exchanged his interest in the elevator for his partner's interest in the boot and shoe busi- ness, associated J. F. Dougherty as partner, and has-since con- tinued as Dougherty & Carter. He was married May 5, 1881, to Miss Louisa Luedeking. W. H. Carithers, P. 0. Myron, farmer, sec. 10, owns a farm of 600 acres. He was born in Washington, W. Va., in 1824, where he remained till 1851, when he came to Iowa and purchased a part of his present farm, and the same year was married to Miss Eliza- beth Smith, daughter of Reuben Smith, deceased, and located on his farm. Mr. Smith was one of the early pioneers, having come to this county in 1849, and located about one mile east from Mr. C.'s place. He died in August, 1881, leaving a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. Mr. C. has, by strict economy and in- dustry, become the owner of one of the best farms in his township. They have three children, Jennie, Mary and Carrie. .Andrew Christiansen, sec. 15, P. 0. Village Creek, farmer, was born in Norway, Dec. 30, 1826; received a thorough education in his native language preparing him for teaching, in which he en- gaged some years before coming to the U. S., in 1857. He lo- cated in Dane Co., Wis., where he taught school one year, after which he came to Allamakee county, la.; taught school the first, two years, then turned his attention to farming; located on his present farm in 1870, which contains 160 acres, valued at |3,500. He married Miss Maggie Olson in Dec, 1859; they have ten children: Betsy M., Olof C., Thea. B., Louisa J., Albert L., Tilda A., Caroline 0., Wm. T., Carl A. and Ida E.; and have lost two: Adolph and Albert. Mr. C. has served his township as trus- tee and collector, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. J. R. Conway, P. 0. Rossville, farmer, sec. 29; born July 17, 1820 in County Roscommon, Ireland. In 1843 he was married to Miss Rose Gordon, and the same year emigrated to the United States locating in Baltimore, Md., where he re- mained till 1847; then removed to Cincinnati, 0., and engaged ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 481 on board a Lower Mississippi steamer as deck-hand; after- wards fiUina; different stations up to second mate; which posi- tion he occupied during the terrible cholera scourge in 1849. He was then running up Red River, often going on shore between stations to bury the dead, which were mostly negroes, sometimes eight or ten in one grave. In 1850 he moved his family to Du- buque, and came to Allamakee Co.; and located the S. E. J of Sec. 29, of his present farm. In December of the same year he moved his family on to it, and commenced improving. For the first four years thereafter he was engaged on the Upper Mississippi river, running up as far as Fort Snelling,. during the summers, and spending the winters at home. Served as first mate part of the time. Mr. C. has, by energy, industry and economy, added to his first tract of land, till he now has 600- acres well improved, and one of the best farms in the township. His children are: Dorn- nick, John, James, William, Owen, Mary A., Ellen and Rose. They have lost one son, Matthew M. E. N. Clark, P. 0. Postville, farmer, sec. 21; owns 420 acres of land, valued at |40 per acre; son of M. D. and Delilah Clark; was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1838, his parents emigrating to Saginaw, Mich., in 1841, engaging in the lumbering business till in 1848, when they moved to Linn Co., lo. At the breaking out of the rebellion, in June, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 6th la. Inf., serving till the close of the war. He participated in the battles at Pittsburg Landing, Black River and the siege and capture of Vicks- burg; returned home in 1865, soon after moving to Delaware Co., lo., having secured a government contract for a mail and state route between Postville and Dyersville, which he run four years; after which he moved to this county. Mr. C. was first married to Miss Martha Reed, in 1860, by whom he had four children: Mary D., Elmer C, Ulysses G. and Minnie C. His wife died in 1869, and he was again married to Mrs. Lucy Clark, widow of J. W. Clark, and daughter of Calvin Dresser, -in 1871. His wife has three children by her first marriage: Franklin, Charles and Calvin D. Mr. C. is a member of the A. 0. U. W. John T. Clark, Attorney, Postville, is a native of Madison Co., N. Y., being born in 1811; received his early education in the common schools; followed agricultural pursuits till in 1843, commenced [reading law under the precept'orship of Timothy Jenkins, of Oneida Co., N. Y., and subsequently with Thos. Flandreau of that [same county, where he was admitted to the bar^in 1851. In the fall of 1853 he emigrated to Iowa, locating in Waukon,. there being but two frame dwellings, he building the third. He remained there following his profession until Dec, 1859, when he removed to Decorah and established a law office in company with his son, Orlando J. Clark. While there he was extensively interested in real estate at Fort Atkinsoji, owning 160 acres of land upon which most of the town was plat- 4:82 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGEAPHIES. ted. Ill 1874 he returned to .Waukon where he remained till in June, 1880, he came to Postville and opened a law office. Mr. Clark was married to Miss Elizabeth Blakeslee, of N. Y., in 1833. His children are Orlando J., now a practicing attorney of Decorah, Frederick M., Charles B., Sarah E., Emma, Adelh'ert J., Alvin and Florence. All his sons served their country during the war of the rebellion. Mr. Clark served as one of the delegates in the Constitutional Convention of 1857 at Iowa City, also as Prose- cuting Attorney for Allamakee Co. for several years. H. S. Cooper, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 21, was born in Franklin Co., Vermont, in 1824. His father, Martin Cooper, moved into Addison Co. in 1826, where the subject of this sketch was raised. In 1849 he emigrated to this county, purchasing from the Goverment 360 acres of land in this tp., there then being but three or four families in the tp. all of whom had come in the same year. There were at that time but very few settlers in any of the ad- joining tps., the people having to endure many hardships and pri- vations always incident to the settling of a new country. He was married to Miss Eliza Gilbert in 1852, by whom he had eight chil- dren, Franklin, Martin, Mary, Orpha, Winfield, Augusta, Edwin and George. He was again married to Mrs. Hannah M. Pratt, whose maiden name was Geesey. Her first husband serving his country during the rebellion in Co. A, 27th Iowa inf., till the close of the war, returning home, but soon after dying in 18&5. Mr. Cooper owns a farm of 440 acres, well improved and one of the best farms in the tp. A. E. Colegrove, miller and farmer, Fairview township; born in Tompkins County, New York, in 1830, reared in the milling business, and in 1860 moved to Iowa, and engaged in his present business at Bunker Hill, now called Ion. In 1862 he enlisted in Company I, 27th Iowa Volunteers; at the close of the war he re- turned to his present location. Unfortunately, he is nearly blind, having left the service in that condition. His home is pleasantly situated on the Yellow River, 10 miles northwest of McGregor, Iowa. T. L. Carrolls, one of the proprietors of the Village Creek wool- en mills, was born in Pennsylvania in 1851, was reared in the mercantile business, and came west in 1870; engaged in his pres- ent business in 1871, his father at that time being one of the firm of Howard, Carrolls & Ratclifie. Mr. Carrolls has the management of the mills, which manufacture fine grades of woolen, such as blankets, yarns,. flannels and cassimeres, and employs fifteen oper- atives. Mr. C. was appointed postmaster in 1879. He married Miss Nellie E. Howard in 1873; they have three children. Dorr, Ray and Rex. H. Clauson, P. 0. Dorchester, farmer, sec. 17; owns 180 acres valued at $25 per acre; was born Dec 6, 1843, in Norway, came to the U. S. with his parents jn 1854, and in 1862 enlisted in Co. B, ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGBAPHIES. 483 16th U. S. I.; participated in the battles of Stone River, Chicka- mauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, and other engagements. He married Christy Mathiason, Dec. 22, 1865; they have five chil- dren, Mary, John E., Clara, Oscar and Martin, and have lost by death seven children. Mr. Clauson is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has acceptably filled various positions of public trust. Axel P. Dille, son of Peter and Christine Dille, P. 0. Dorches- ter, Waterloo tp, sec. 16, owns a farm of 200 acres, valued at $25 per acre; was born in Norway, Dec. 23, 1841, and came with his parents to America in 1857, and to his present farm in April, 1859. His brother Abraham served in Co. B, 27th Iowa Infantry, and died at Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Dille married Sarah E. Snaghoel, Jan. 13, 1862, and they have four children living, Peter Anna, Abraham and Martin, having lost five by death — two named Peter, two named Emma, and Axel. Mr. D. has served as justice of the peace and as assessor ten years, and was an enumerator of the last U. S. census. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Geo. M. Dean, dealer in agricultural implements, Waukon, was born in South Glastenburg, Conn., Feb. 22, 1825, and was brought up to the business of manufacturing cotton goods. In the spring of 1850 came to Quincy, 111., bringing the necessary machinery with him from New England, and built and operated the first cot- ton factory with power ever built in Illinois. In the fall of 1853 he bought a farm in Allamakee Co., on sec. 23, Union Prairie tp. In 1857 was elected county judge, and served as such until Jan. 1, 1860. During his official term as county judge he built the combined court house and jail at Waukon. In 1863 was ap- pointed by the governor of Iowa as draft commissioner of Alla- makee Co. The same year he recruited a company of 100 men for three years, or during the war, and Nov. 30, 1863, was mus- tered into the service with them as captain of Co. E, 9th lo. Cav. Vol., serving as such until the close of the war, when they w^ere mustered out at Little Rock, Ark., in 1866. The same year he located in business in Waukon. Was a charter member of both the Lansing and Waukon Lodges A. P. & A. M. Upon the erec- tion of a telegraph line to Waukon he happened to receive the first commercial dispatch sent over the line. Oct. 26, 1851, Mr. Dean was married to Jane E. Hollister, and has children living. John DeLacy was born in Canada in 1851, his parents being James and Catherine DeLacy, and his gr9,nd parents Patrick and Elizabeth DeLacy and Timothy and Margaret Tiernej, all of whom are living at this writing (June 15, 1882.) John came to the U. S. with his parents in 1859, and soon commenced work at the shoemaker's trade, which he has since followed. He was married in 1875 to Miss Alice McG , and they have four sons: Chas. J., John B., R. J. and Bert. 484 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. Jacob DorrmanD, dealer in clothing, gents' furnishing goods and merchant tailoring, was born in AltlusBeim, Baden, Germany, in 1835. He learned the trade of tailor at Heidelberg, Germany, and served four years in the army as company's tailor. In 1866 he came to America, located in Lansing, and started business as above. He married Margaret Engelhorn, also a native of Ger- many. They have five children living: John, Minnie, Katie, Louisa and Emma. J. W. Davis, physician and surgeon; son of Jesse L. and Vien- na T. Davis; was bom in Indiana in 1837; when he was 10 years of age his parents removed to Washington, D. C, where he grew to manhood. He attended the Georgetown university, and grad- uated in the class of '60. The following year he enlisted in the United States Army, as surgeon for the 6tli Ind. Regiment, the first regiment enrolled for the rebellion of '61. He served until 1864, when he came to Lansing, Iowa, and has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Orsemas Deremo, section 32, postofiice Elon; physician and farmer; son of Joseph and Rebecca Deremo; was born April 14, 1825, in St. Lawrence County, New York; received his educa- tion at the common schools, in which he was engaged as a teach- er many years. In 1852 he commenced the study of medicine under the instruction of a brolher, who was a practicing physi- cian in Canada, also under a Dr. Skinner, till the fall of 1854, when he emigrated to Allamakee County, Iowa, locating in Cen- ter township. The following winter he taught the first school in Thomas Anderson's district, of Paint Creek township, commenced the practice of medicine upon his arrival here, which he has con- tinued to the present time. Dr. D. organized the township upon an order from Judge E. Topliff, the spring of 1856, and had the hon- or of selecting the name of Center, the first election being held April 8th, 1856, Dr. D. being elected the first assessor, and has served in some official capacity in his township nearly all the time since, being secretary of the school board at the present time. He was married to Miss Catharine Wilder, March 16th, 1843, by 0. N. Fish, Esq.,^ of DeKalb township, St. Lawrence County, N. Y. His wife was born Nov. 28, 1825, in Trenton, New Jersey. Their children are Charles W., Alvy F., Orrin C, Jay L., Alice 0., Vesta B., Thalus Q., Orsemas W., Harvey L. and Minnie L. Dr. D. owns a farm of 80 acres on section 32, valued at $25 per acre. William Dunn, postoffice Rossville, owns 106 acres of land val- ued at $30 per acre. He was born in what was then known as Virginia, but now West Virginia, Monongahela County, in 1817, and was reared as a farmer. He was married to Miss Verlinda Warman in 1840. She died in 1843. He was again married to Miss Mary McShane in 1846. He emigrated to Iowa, 1851, stopping in Clayton County till the spring of 1852, when he lo- . ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 4:85» cated on his present farm, it then being a wilderness inhabited by wild animals, game, etc. He had two children by his first wife, Temperance and infant, deceased; and by his second wife six children, Isabel M., Dorcas, Jane S., Virginia, Leroy and Martlia, the two latter deceased. Charles Drewes, sec. 7, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, owns 237| acres of land valued at 140 per acre. He was born Sept. 29, 1829, in Germany, where he remained till, the spring of 1852, when he emi- grated to the U. S., arriving in this Co. the 12th of June, and was married the 28th of June to Miss Hermina Rumpf , who was born in Oldenburg, Germany. Shortly after his marriage he located in Makee tp, where he remained till in 1869, when he came on to his present farm. Mr D. is a thorough-going, enterprising farmer, as the appearance of his farm and improvements indicates. His children are Charles, Willie, Anna, Theodore, Daniel, Louis, Henry and Paul. He is a member of the German Reformed Church.- William Dalton, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 22; was born in Penobscot, Maine, in 1834, his parents moving to New Brunswick when he was about six years old, While there he commenced learning the ship carpenter's trade, and when about seventeen years old, came to Chicago, Ills,, and worked at his trade there about a year; thence to Grand Haven, Mich., remaining some eight or ten months, after which he went to Green Bay, Wis., where he engaged in lumbering till 1857, when he came to Alla- makee Go. and located on his present farm, which now contains 425 acres, with good improvements and pleasantly situated. His wife's name was N. Toole. She was born in New Brunswick. They have seven children, Mary, Elzabeth, Alice, Edward, Celia, Lyman, Nettie, and have lost three, William, Catharine and Charles. Mr. D. is a member of the A. F. & A. M..and A. 0. U. W. Robert Douglas, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 25; owns 120 acres of land in his home farm, and 11 acres of timber; son of David and Catherine Douglas, and was born in Scotland in 1849. his parents emigrated to the U. S. in 1854, stopping first in Lake Co., Ills., and in 1856 came to this county. His father died in Aug., 1869. Robert is the youngest^of a family of six children. His mother keeps house for him. He makes a specialty of raising fine blooded horses. Calvin Dresser, farmer, Po&tville, owns 320 acres of land ad- joining the town, valued at $50 per acre; also a third interest in the drug firm of Bayless, Douglass & Co., and a half interest in the building; also half interest in the building occupied by Mr. Bayless, at Elkader. Mr. D. was born in Canada, near Montreal, in 1813. In 1836 he emigrated to Champaign Co., Ohio, where lie remained till 1855, when he came to Iowa, locating on apart of the farm he still owns. He was married to Miss Sallie Hawkins, a native of N. H., in 1832. They have eleven children: Francis, 486 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. Hiram, Alonzo, Jolin, Lucy, Mehitable, Sarah J., Harriet, Lydia, Arvilla and Rosilla, and have lost one son, Charles. Mr. Dresser is one of the substantial farmers of his township, having by care- ful management and industry accumulated a handsome property. Charles Deering, Forest Mill P. 0., farmer; owns 172 acres of land, valued at f 1,800. He was born in Prussia in 1834, and in the spring of 1869 emigrated to the TJ. S., stopping in Northern Michigan, on Late Superior, where he engaged in the employ of a Smelting Co., burning charcoal, till 1874, when, in company with his brother-in law, Mr. Roffman, he came to Allamakee Co. and purchased the farm upon which they are still living. He married Miss Caroline Blenk in 1863; they have five' children, Laura, Frank, Minnie, Hattie and Charles. Mr. D. is a member of the M. E. church. John Drake, sec. 22, P. 0. Village Creek, farmer; son pi. Stephen and.Rachael Drake, was born Feb. 23, 1834, near St. Catherines, Canada, his parents moving to Steuben Co., N". Y., in 1838, where his father was engaged in farming and lumbering, in which he was also engaged. In 1863 he went to Grand Traverse, Mich., where he followed lumbering till in 1874, when he came on to his present farm, which now consists of 160| acres, worth $3,500. He married Miss Sarah Curley in Michigan, in 1867. She was born near Morrisburg, Canada. They have five children: Frank, Lewis, Jennie, Charles and Clarence. Mr. D. has served his town- ship as trustee and clerk, and is the present assessor. James A. Deremore, postoffice Village Creek, proprietor of the Upper Village Creek Mills; son of Abraham and J ulia A. Deremore; was born March 5th, 1854, in Green County, Wisconsin. His parents moved to this county in 1855, first stopping on a farm a short time; then took charge of the Village Creek mills for about six years, after which he located on a farm northeast of Waukon several years, and is now located on a farm about one mile east of Waukon. The Upper Village Creek mills with 40 acres of land came into his father's hands in 1880, he purchasing them in 1881. The mills have ample water power, contain three run of buhrs, are fitted up with the modern improvements, and does first-class work. He makes a specialty of custom and mer- chant work. Dayton & Dayton are one of the leading law firms, and it or- ganized in 1871. Henry Dayton, the senior member, was born in Saratoga County, New York, in 1836; came to Iowa in 1859, but soon went to Arkansas, where he remained until July, 1861, when he returned to Iowa and in 1862 settled at Lansing; fol- lowed surveying until 1871. He then removed to Waukon, and has since followed law practice. Mr. Dayton has been county surveyor, and was during two terms member of the legislature. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary M. Wilcox, a native of N. Y.; they have one son and one daughter. J. F. Dayton, the jun- ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 487 ior member of the firm, is a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., born jn 1849; came to Waukon in 1873, and lias since been a member of the law firm of Dayton & Dayton. He was married in 1876 to Miss Laura Hewitt. J. F. Dougherty, merchant firm of Dougherty & Carter, was born in the city of Philadelphia, Penn., in 1855. In 1856 the family came to Iowa and settled in Allamakee County. His par- ents, James and Bridget Dougherty, are natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the United States in about 1850, and the subject of the sketch was reared on a farm until May 6, 1878, when he entered the store of W. C. Earle, where he clerked one year; then formed a partnership with J. F. Ronayne and engaged in the boot and shoe business. In 1881 the firm dissolved, and Mr. Dougherty associated himself with Mr. Carter, and the firm is now doing a very fine business in boots, shoes, gents' furnishing goods, etc. A. C. Doehler, proprietor of the Centennial Mills, was born in this state in 1861; his parents came to this county when he was a small boy, where he has been engaged in milling with his father. In 1881 he took charge of the present mill, which has a capacity of 8,000 barrels per year. W. C. Earle, M. D., stands conspicious both on account of his force of character and success in business, and to him Waukon owes its f prosperity more than to any other individual. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1833 ; but while he was yet an infant his parents removed to their former home in Mass. Here he received an academic education, and in 1854 helped his brother on the survey of the P. Ft. W. & C. R. R. In 1855 he came to Waukon and engaged in the manufacture of luniber. Subsequently he ad- ded a flouring mill to his steam saw mill. In Oct., 1861, he showed his patriotism by enlisting in Co. B, 12th Iowa, of which he was chosen captain, and remained in the service of his country until the close of the conflict, when he was mustered out as colonel of the 70th U. S. Colored Regiment. He then returned to Waukon, but the following winter attended lectures at the Rush Medical College, of Chicago; subsequently he attended the Jefferson Medi- cal College, of Philadelphia, where he graduated in 1867, since which time he has practiced medicine at Waukon. He also does a very extensive business in general merchandise. 'The block in which his store is located was built by him in 1878, at a cost of $15,000, and he now owns two-thirds of the same. In 1879 he built the Oak Leaf creamery. He was the prime mover in building the W. & M. R. R., and spending more money in the adventure than any other one man, and in 1882 represented his district in the Legislature of Iowa. Mr. Earle was married Jan. 1, 1862, to Miss Ellen A. Hodge, daughter of Dr. Q. H. Hedge. The chil- dren are Minnie, now Mrs. G. C. Hemenway, and Charlotte. _^,^ „ ALLAMAKEE CpBNTX 5BI0GKAPH1£S. ,< ^ L. Eells, County Superintend&nt, was born in Pennsylvania, July67l841, and came with his parents to Union Prairie tp, Alla- makee Co. in 1851. He was educated at the schools of Waukon, and at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College of Milwaukee, Wis. At the age of 20 he commenced teaching, and is now scry- ing his third term as County Superintendent of Schools. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary Potter, daughter of Geo. 0. and E. A. Potter, of Waukon. The children are E. L. and Harry. M. W. Eaton, dealer in live stock, grain, etc. Among the good natured people of Waukon the subject of this sketch ranks first. He is a native of the Badger State, born in Green Co. in 1862; came with his parents to Allamakee Co. in 1857. Here he was reared on a farm, and received a good, common school education. In the fall of 1877 he engaged in the boot and shoe business with Henry Carter, with whom he continued until June, 1881, since which time he has been engaged in his present business, having previously owned one-fourth interest in the elevator of which he now owns one-half. He was married in May, 1879, to Miss Ella Minert, and now has two children, Nellie and Dora. Mr. Eaton also owns a farm of 160 acres in Union Prairie tp. Daniel Ettel, sec. 1. P. 0. Waukon, farmer, owns 105 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. Pie was born in 1823 in Germany, on the banks of the Uhine. His parents, emigrated to the U. S. in 1830, locating at Pittsburg, Pa., where he was married in 1843 to Miss Matilda Gifford, a native of Pennsylvania. In 1845 he moved to Ohio, stopping near Bucyrus, where he engaged in farm- ing and brick making till 1855, when he came to Allamakee Co., locating on his present farm. They have live children: George, Mary B., William G., Charles and Nellie. His son George is at home assisting in running the farm. He was married to Miss Rosina Shattuck, daughter of Luman Shattuck, in November, 1867. Their children are Daniel and Matilda. Mr. E. is a mem- ber of the M. E. church. G. P. Eells, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 26; son of Edward and Anna Eells; was borii in Oneida Co., N. Y.,in 1829. His parents moved to Ashtabula Co., 0., in 1830, where they remained till in 1835, when they moved to Crawford Co., Pa., and from there to ■this county in 1851, they being among the pioneers of Union Prairie tp. His father was appointed postmaster of Union Prairie P. 0. in 1852, which he held till his death, in 1859, after which it was moved to Loren Eells', half mile west, where it remained till it was discontinued in 1868. Mr. E. was married to Miss Louisa Ross, of Pennsylvania, in 1859. They have four children; Ella H., Aadrew B., Charley and Madge, and have lost one son, Willie. Mr. E. owns in the county, with his brother Andrew J., 240 acres of land, it being one of the best farms in the township, well watered and improved. His brother A. was married to Lu- cinda Ross. Mr. E. is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 489 Jonathan Ellis, farmer, P. 0. Postville; owns a farm of 185 acres, of the value of ^8,500; is one of the pioneers of the county, having come from Champaign county, Ohio, in 1854, lo- cating on the farm he still owns. Mr. E. was born in Middleton, N. H., his parents moving into Canada about 100 miles east from Montreal, when he was quite small. There he remained till in 1843, when he moved to Champaign Co., 0. He was married to Miss Rosetta Hawkins, of Canada, in 1834. She died in 1873, and he was again married to Mrs. Lydia A. Kelly, in 1875. She is also a native of N. H. Mr. E. has one son, Hollis, by his first wife, having lost two daughters, Roxana and Elsina; by his sec- ond marriage he has two daughters, Girty R. and J. Pearl. He is a member of the Pree-Will Baptist church: John Elliott, ■ of Paint Creek tp., is a native of County Fer- m'augh, Ireland; came to America in. 1847, and sett^ in Canada. In 1852, with his brother Robert, he moved to Iowa; the follow- ing year his father and brother James came, to Iowa, and all pur- chased farms adjoining where Mr. E. now lives. Mr. E., Sr., died Feb., 1873, aged 86 years. The subject of this sketch has by hard labor accumulated a farm of 320 acres, with as good build- ings as there are in the township . He married Eliza Glynn in j. 1857. Mrs. E. is a native of County Kildare, Ireland. Their /children are Mary, Elizabeth and Robert F. -^* John Engelhorn was born in Baden, Germany, in 18|^. His ' early life was spent in the leading cities of Germany, employed '' as a carpenter and millwright_5 In 1852 he came to America, landing in New OrlMns.'lDr June of the same year he settled f' on his present farm, where he erected a house with poles, brush \ and a small amount of lumber. In 1854 he married Annie Bar- \ .tell, of Winneshiek County. They have one son. Prof. H. T. ' Engelhorn, now the proprietor of two different business colleges/ in Montana Territory. ~- ^ H. F. Fellows, attorney at law, was born in Vermont in 1849; came west in 1873 and located in Lansing. He graduated at the state university of Iowa City in the class of '74, and immediately began practice in Lansing, which he continued until -1880, when he removed to Waukon. He married Hattie Ratcliffe, a native of Virginia. James Fitzgerald, postoffice Waukon; farmer, section 10; son of Philip and Bridget Fitzgerald; born in County Wexford, Ire- land, in 1819; emigrated to the United States in 1840, stopping at Cincinnati, Ohio, remaining in that county (Hamilton) till 1848, when he came to Dubuque County, Iowa. He purchased some land in Washington township, making some improvement upon it, and selling it in 1854; then came to Allamakee coun- ty, purchasing a part of his present farm. He now owns 340 acres worth $20 pei acre. He was married to Anastasia Brown in 1854. She died in 1858, and he again married Bridget 490 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGKAPHIES. Moore ia 1859. His children by his first wife were Thomas and Philip, and by his second wife, Peter, Jane, James, Mary, John, Frank and Alice. Mr. F. is a thorough and practical farmer, as the appearance of his farm indicates, and is a member of the Catholic Church. G. H. Fagre, postoffice Lansing; farmer, section 9; born No- vember 22, 1819, in Norway; emigrated to the United States in 1851, coming direct to Allamakee County and locating^ upon his present farm. He married Catharine L. Hendrickson, of Nor- way, in 1845; they have six children living, Martin, Casper, Al- bert, Thorvold G., Lena and Carrie. Mr. F. has taken great interest in educating his children, three of whom graduated at the Lutheran College at Decorah, one of whom is a Lutheran minister and now located at Portland, Maine. One son, Hans, who was a book keeper for a lumbering firm in Michigan, died August 10th, 1881. Thorvold G. remains at home and assists in carrying on the farm, which is one of the best in the township, containing 200 acres and well improved. The family are members of the Lutheran Church. S. B. Finney, farmer, section 32; postoffice Postville; son of Ki. A. and E. S. Finney; born in Essex County, New York, in 1844, where he remained till in 1866 he came to Allamakee coun- ty, his parents following two years later. He was married to Miss Marcia M. Root in November, 1869, she being also a native of Es- sex County, New York. She died in 1872. He was again mar- ried to Miss Ella M. Bike, a native of Pennsylvania, in 1874, by whom he has two children, Ross L. and Elmira E., having lost one daughter by his first wife. Mr. F. owns a farm of 200 acres with first-class improvements upon it, and convenient to Post- ville, where he has good church and school privileges; is a mem-' bar of the M. E. Church and a zealous worker in the Sabbath schools; is also a member of A. 0. U. W. and V. A. S. L. E. Fellows, attorney, is a native of Vt., and was born August 22, 1834, his parents being Hubbard and Mary Ann Fellows. L: E. Fellows lived with his parents on a farm, re- ceived an academic education, and in 1857 came to Allamakee county. Here he served as clerk in county offices, at the same time studying law. He was admitted to the bar May 29, 1863, and has since given his entire attention to the profession. Mr. Fel- lows is a democrat in polities, was elected to the lower house of the State Legislature, serving two years, and subsequently to the Senate, serving four years. He has been one of the trustees of the Iowa Hospital for the Insane, at Mount Pleasant, since July 4, 1872, and a Trustee of the Upper Iowa University since 1880. He was married in 1861, to Miss Mary S. Reed, daughter of John Reed, of Waukon; the children are, Wilson R., Albert M., Lura F., Mary F., Ella S., Roger L., Jennie, and Liberty E. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 491 Henry Froelick, farmer, was born in Germany, in 1830, and came to America in 1850, settled in Cleveland, Ohio, and was an employe in the car shops. In 1859 he came to Iowa and located on his present farm. ■ He has been twice married, first to Mar- garette Regier, in 1854, who died in 1873; again, in 1880, to Mrs. S. Semonds, of Lansing. Mr. F. is President of the Allamakee Farmers' Insurance Company. L. Ferris, farmer, P. 0. "New Albin; born in Westchester county, N. Y., in 1831. He came to Iowa in 1857, and in the spring of 1858 settled on his present farm. He has been Justice of the Peace eighteen years, and has held all the different township offices. He has been twice married; his second wife was Annie M. Calla- han. He enlisted in Co. F., 6th la. Cav., in 1864, and served until the close of the war. Judge C. T. Granger stands conspicious as a self-made man. His ancestors on his father's side were of English descent, and his mother was a native of N. Y.. He was born in Monroe Co., of the Empire State, in 1835. In 1837 the family removed to Ohio, where a few years subsequently the mother died, leaving four children of whom C. T. is the youngest. In 1848 the family re- moved to 111., where young Granger helped till the soil and re- ceived a few. weeks schooling. In 1854 he was married to Miss Sarah H. Warner, came to Allamakee Co., and the following win- ter taught school in Franklin tp. The next winter he formed a partnership with Mr. Gilson, for the purpose of erecting a saw mill near the present site of the Forest Mills, but before the mill was completed he sold his interest to his partner and returned to Illinois, engaged in farming, which he followed about two years. He then turned his attention to the study of law, which he pur- sued by borrowing books; also taught school. In the spring of 1860 he again came to Allamakee Co., entered the law office of Hatch & Wilber, of Waukon, and in a few months was admitted to the bar. He then removed to Mitchell Co., but as there was but little law business at that time, he again resumed teaching. In June, 1862, his wife died, and in A^lgust, 1862, he enlisted in Co. K, 27th Iowa, of which he was chosen captain and served as such until mustered out of service August 8, 1865. He then returned to Mitchell Co., but in a few months, at the request of Mr. Hatch, his preceptor, he came to Waukon and was a member of the law firm of Hatch & Granger until Jan. 1, 1869, at which date he was appointed District Attorney, viceL. 0. Hatch, resigned; and served as such four years, during which time, in the fall of 1872, he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court, and is now serving his third term. On the 1st day of February, 1880, in partnership with L. W. Hersey and G. W. Stoddard, he organized the Waukon Bank, and has since been President of the same. His public career shows that he is held highly in the estimation of all who know him, and therefore his character requires no comment. Judge i92 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGBAPHIES. Granger is a member of the A. F. & A. M., at Waukon, and a member of the chapter at Lansing. He married his present wife, Miss Anna Maxwell, April 15, 1868, and has two children, Ula A. and RoUo S. A. Gordon, farmer, P. 0. Postville, owns a farm of 167 acres, 1^ miles from Postyille, worth $50 per acre. He was born in Can- ada in 1836, where he remained till 1856, when he came west, traveling through several of the western and southern states dur- ing the period from 1856 to 1861, when he located on his present farm. He was married to Nancy Hardin in 1860. She was born in Morgan Co., Ohio. They have eight children, Charles F., James A., Ellen M., Lizza A., Katie, Eobert B., Fred E. and Jes- sie G., and have lost one daughter, Hattie H. John Gilbert, P. 0. Myron, farmer, sec. 27; owns 83 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; son of William and Catharine Gil- bert; was born in McHenry Co., 111., in 18i5. His parents moved to this county in 1856, locating in Union Prairie tp.; returned to Illinois in 1860, remained till 1863 and then came back and lo- cated in this township, where they still reside, i. e., father and stepmother, his mother having died in Illinois in 1849. Mr. G. was married to Miss Celia Cochran Oct. 18, 1871. She was born in Wisconsin. Their children are Frank *W., George A. and Arthur J. They lost one daughter, Ruth. Mr. G. is a member of the Presbyterian church. L. W. Goodrich, farmer, sec. 33, P. 0. Myron; owns 204 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; son of Peter and Sarah Goodrich; was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., in 1824. His parents emigrated to Cook Co., 111., in 1836, locating twenty miles from Chicago, which contained but three or four stores at that time. In 1839 the family moved into Kane Co., where his mother died in 1848. In 1852 he emigrated to Allamakee Co., lo., locating on the farm upon which he still lives. He was married to Miss Susie A. Mer- riew in 1850. She is a native of Canada; they have four children, Lophelia, Stephen F., Ady J. and Henry L. Mr. G.'s father lives with him, and is well advanced in years, being in his 87th year. He served under Gen. Scott in the war of 1812, and was at the battle of Lundy's Lane. Mr. G. is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and has served his township as trustee several years. H. G. Grattan, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 10; owns a farm of 270 acres, pleasantly situated, and with first class improvements; is a son of Amos and Abbey Grattan; was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in 1826, his parents emigrating to Wisconsin in 1835, en- tering a claim of land upon which the city of Kenosha was sub- sequently located. At the age of 13 he engaged in the office of Kenosha Telegraph, then published by Sholes Bros., pioneer pub- lishers, in whose employ he continued some four years, after which he went to Janesville, Wis., in 1845, and became identified with the Janesville Gazette till 1848, when he established the Free- ALLAMAKEE COUITTT BIOGRAPHIES. ' 493 port Journal, continuing the publication till 1852. He then went to Mt. Carroll and established the Carroll Co. 'Republican, and was afterwards connected with the Sterling Gazette. In 1853 he dis- continued his connection in the newspaper business and engaged as salesman for John S. Wright in the agricultural implement business, which he continued till 1861, when he engaged as travel- ing salesman and collector for C. H. McCormick & Co., in whose employ he continued sixteen years, although moving his family to this county in 1865 and locating on his present farm. He also run the implement business in Waukon some four years. Mr. Gr. has been married three times, his first marriage being to Miss Jane Frank, of Wisconsin, in 1847, who died in 1849; his second in 1850 to Phoebe J. Tisdel, of Illinois, who died in 1865. In 1866 he was married %,o Mrs. Rosena Russell. By his first wife he has one son, Marion T; by his second wife, Orlando T. and Mary, hav- ing lost one daughter, Jane; and by his present wife he lias two children, John and Decorah. Mr. G. was postmaster of the Lud- low postoffice some twelve years, the office now being discon- tinued. He is at present one of the trustees of the Agricultural College, also a member of the A. F. & A. M. L. M. Getchell is known by all who have patronized him to be a first-class barber, who, with his assistant, has arranged the toilets of the people of Waukon since 1877. He was born in the State of Me , in 1854, and came with his parents to Buchanan county, lo., in 1863; received to academic education, and led a mercantile life until July, 1877, at which time he came to Waukon and en- gaged in his present business. On the 17th day of August, 1880, he was united in matrimony to Miss May E. Dean, daughter of Judge George M. Dean, of Waukon, and has one child, Clarence. E. B. Gibbs, the gentlemanly station and express agent at Waukon, was born in the Buckeye State, in 1856. In 1866 the family removed to 111., and in 1873 to lo., first stopping at Specht's Ferry one year, then removing to Harpers' Ferry, Alla^ makee county. Here the subject of this sketch followed railroad- ing until the completion of the W. & M. R. R., since which time he has had charge of the station at Waukon. He was married in 1875 to Miss Mila Zimmerman, of Potosi, Wis.; they have three children. Evy, Ella and Ruth. Mr. Gibbs is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Isaac Greer was born in the State of Ohio in 1829; came to lo. in 1853, and first settled in Linn county. In 1856 he came to Waukon, and in 1857 purchased land in Ludlow Tp., where he fol- lowed farming about eight years, after which he returned to Waukon and was engaged in mercantile life until 1882, in the spring of which year he engaged in drilling wells. He was mar- ried in 1851 to Miss A. C. Hatch. The children living are Edwin, Leander and Vesta. Mr. Greer is a member of the A. F. & A. M., A.O. U.W.. andV.A. S. 31 494 ■ ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGEAPHIES, E. S. Green, wagon maker, was born in N. Y., in 1819, resided in the St-ite until 1855. He then removed to 111., and in 1856 to lo.; lived in Winneshiek county seven years, then in Payette county until 1872, since which time he has been in the employ of Holahan & Buggy, of Waukon. He was married in 1844 to Miss L. Stowell, a native of N. Y. The children living are Lydia E., now Mrs. Edwin A. Kreamer, of West Union, and Charles M. Gaunitz Bros., grocers, Lansing. Herman, the elder brother, was born in Saxony, Germany, in lc48; in 1850 he came with his parents to America, and they first located in Indiana. In 1856 he removed to Iowa and settled in this county. Mr. G. was em- ployed as clerk for about twelve years previous to engaging in bus- iness here. Ferdinand, the junior member of the above firm, was born in Indiana in 1852, and was raised on a fai;m near Lansing. In May, 1882, he came to town and engaged in trade in com- pany with his brother. Matthew Glynn, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Linton township, is a native of County Kildare, Ireland; came to America in 1849, and settled in New York; thence to Iowa, and settled on his present farm. Mr. G. was for some time a teacher in Ireland as well as in this country. His family consists of himself, wife, and two sons. Theo. Groezinger was born in Germany, November 26, 1833. He first located in Ohio, thence in 1855 to Dubuque. In 1861 he enlisted in the United States service, serving four months; he re-enlisted in Company B, 27th Iowa, as first lieutenant, served one year and. was discharged on account of physical disability. He then engaged in the hardware business in company with John Ruth, which he continued about two years. He again went to Dubuque, where he remained seven years, since which time he has been in Lansing, insuring and collecting. He married Louise Schultz; they have seven children, Theodore, Emma, Frederick, Herman, Nanny, Gustave and Elsie. John Gilchrist, P, 0. French Creek, French Creek tp., sec. 34; son of John and Sarah Robinson Gilchrist; owns 212 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Ohio Co., Va., in 1820. In early life he learned the trade of book-binding at Wheeling, W. Va., and from 1841 to 1844 was engaged in the distributing department of the Wheeling postoffice. He next engaged in the grocery business, in which he principally remained until 1861, when he again entered the postoffice, remaining until the fall of 1864, when he came to his present farm. He was also in the postal service during the administration of President Polk. He married Elizabeth Singleton, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Singleton, April 15, 1847. Both of her parents are still living, her father having served in the war of 1812 under Capt. McLean. Mr. and Mrs. G. have two children, John J. and Thomas, and have lost one daughter, Sarah E., who died Aug. 2, 1870. Mr. G. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 495 has served as Justice of the Peace of his township, and is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Himself and Mr. Ratcliffe were the founders of the Presbyterian church in this neighborhood. The church edifice was built in 1872, the society having been organized in 1858 by Rev. Joseph Adams and the present pas- tor, Rev. W. M. Robinson. Alfred Green, farmer, P. 0. Dorchester; was born May 10th, 1810, Washington, New York; moved to Pennsylvania in 1835. In 1853 he came to Waterloo towjsliip, this county; thence to Houston county, Minn., where he remained until 1869, when he returned to this county. He married Hannah Winder, in 18i2, and has seven children living, Levi N., Eliza, Olive, Mary, Harriet, James and>Emily. They have lost two by death, Phoebe and Joseph. Rev. Levi N. Green, pastor of the M. E. Church at New Albion, Iowa, was born Jan. 1, 1843, in Crawford Co., Pa. He came to Iowa in 1853, locating in this Co. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. H. 9bh Iowa Infantry, and in 1864 again enlisted as a veteran. In 1872 he purchased his present farm of 385 acres in Hanover tp. He was married Oct. 6, 1874, to Alice Bulman, a native of Union Citytp. They have three children, Marian E., Emma G., and an infant. Rev. Green was admitted to the conference this year, aud assumed his charge at New Albion. Homer He wlet Hemeaway was born November 18, 1831, at West Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., of parentage descend- ed from English stock, which, however, had for several genera- tions, through some one hundred to one hundred and fifty yea7:s, resided in this country. Here he lived until 1851, working on the paternal acres and enjoying the advantages of a common school education, topped out with a few terms at the St. Lawrence University. What peculiar course of reasoning ever induced the forefathers of so clear-seeing a business man as Mr. Hemenway to go into so uninviting a region as the rough and thickly timbered country of northern New York, lying between the Adirondack mountains and Lake Ontario, we have never learned; probably, however, the same spirit of adventure that af- terward led him to seek his home, while yet comparatively a boy, still farther west. In his twentieth year, or, to be more exact, in May, 1850, he migrated to Freeport, Illinois, where, as has been customary from time immemorial with boys migrating from the east, he taught school, for, however, only one year, graduating from plying the birch into the insurance business, which he also followed for a single year, and then traveled (or, in more modern parlance, "drummed") for four years as agent of a manufacturing house, during which time he was doubtless prospecting for a new home, and finally, in the year 1856, settled down in Lansing, Allamakee county; thus, in Iowa, imitating the paternal example s^t him in 496 ALLAMAKEE COI NTT BIOGRAPHIES. New York, by taking the upper part of the most northerly county in the state. Here he engaged ^in the manufacture of farming implements, which business he conducted with energy and success for twelve years (adding to it as an employment for his idle moments, and to keep him out of mischief, a popular and paying insurance agency), selling out in 1868, to enter into the manufacture and sale of lumber, in which he has since been en- gaged with the same earnestness, industry, and success that has marked his whole career. He also served the people of Lans- ing as their postmaster for eight years, from 1861 to 1869; and also had something to do with collecting United States reyenue. In 1867, one year after settling in Lansing, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Gray, of Burlington, Iowa, a lady of rare ex- cellence of character, and one who in every difficulty has proven herself a wise counselor, as well as a true and unfailing friend. The result of their union has been seven children, four boys and three girls, of whom are now living two sons and three daugh- ters. Mr. Hemenway justly prides himself upon his masonic career, which commenced in Excelsior Lodge No. 97, at Freeport, Illin- ois, having been initiated into Masonry, January 3d, 1853. He is now a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Lansing; Si- loam Commandery No. 3, of Dubuque; and the Consistory at Ly- ons. He also served as Grand High Priest of Iowa from June 1, 1866, to October 16th, 1868. During the first year, while serving in this capacity, he re-established one and granted a dispensation to nine new Chapters. During the second year he founded seven new Chapters, besides doing much other valuable work. In personal appearance Mr. Hemenway is of somewhat more than average height, of stalwart proportions and fair complexion. While he may be hardly termed an orator, yet he compels atten- tion and wins assent to^his propositions by clearness and succinct- ness of reasoning. He is a man with great force of character, genial manners, and a rare capacity for making steadfast friends. Isaiah H. Hedge, M. D. was born in Maine in 1812, and came to Waukon in 1855, where he bought a town block and built the residence which has since been his home. He was in active practice here for twenty years, until his health failed in 1875, since when he has trav^ed much of the time for his health, and spends his winters in Florida. He was in the drug store with W. C. Earle for seven years prior to 1876. Dr. Hedge was married in 1840 to Miss Char- lotte Ayre, who was born in Maine in 1815, and died at Waukon in 1879. Their only child was Nellie A., now Mrs. W. C. Earle. John Holahan, painter, Waukon; born in Ireland in 1845 and came to this country in 1848. In the spring of 1858, he came from Chicago to Decorah where he remained ten years, after which he went to Dubuque, Davenport and other places. In the fall of 1 874 ALLAMAKEE COUXTT BIOGRAPHIES. 497 he cam 3 to Waukon, where he has since resided. Mr. Holahan was married in 1872 to Miss Francis L. Corbin, and has two children William A. and Mary. Abraham Hart, Postville, was born February 10, 1816, in Louden Co., Va. Emigrated to Morgan Co., Ohio in 1840, and from there to Allamakee Co. in 1854, locating on a part of the farm he still owns, having by industry and frugality saved means sufficient to add to his farm which was over two miles north of where he now lives, adjoining Postville. Mr. Hart now owns over 1,200 acres of land, valued at over $50,000, besides a half interest in a mill pro- perty at Myron, valued at $15,000. He married Mary Beal, of Ohio, in 1843, and has three children, Asa D., John B. and Lydia M. Mr. Hart is one of the solid men of the county, and is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity. S. E. Hesla, P. 0. Waterville, farmer; owns 340 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born July 10, 1825, in Norway, emi-- grated to the tJ. S.^ in the spring of 1845, locating in Rock Co., Wis. In the spring of 1850, he came to this county locating on his present farm. He married Ingebor Gorder, May 18, 1859, in Wis. They have nine children, Endre, Ragnild, Rosina, Bertha, Peter, Oscar, Caroline, Oline and Albert, and have lost two, Peter and Karn. Mr. H. has served as trustee of his tp. several years and is a member of the Lutheran Church. Tolef B. Hammundson. P. 0. Dalby, farmer, son of Bennett and Rachel Hammundson; was born in 1840 in Norway; emigrated with parents to the U. S. in 1846, locating in Rock Co., Wis. In 1850 they cam.e to this county, locating on the farm upon which he lives, which contains 160 acres valued at $30 per acre. His father died in 1873. He was married to Miss Rachel Olsen in 1873; they have eight children, Rachel, Louis, Isabel, Bennett, Hermann, Henry, Halvor and John. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Conrad Helming, farmer, section 33; son of Henry and Sophia Helming, was born in Westphalia, Germany, in 1832, and emi- grated to the U. S. in 1854, coming to Allamakee county, purchas- ing a part of his present farm, after which he went to Lincoln county. Mo., remaining there till in 1856, when he returned and commenced improving his farm, having made additions to the same until he now has 300 acres well improved, with good build- ings and all the conveniences of a pleasant home. Mr. H. is among the most intelligent and enterprising farmers of his township. He was married to Miss Frederica Carter in 1857. She was also born in Germany. They have five children living, George, Alex- ander, John, Thomas and Clara, and have lost two, Frederick and Albert. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Henry Harris, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, section 23; owns a farm of 200 acres, valued at $45 per acre: was born in Wales, Great Britain, in 1818; learned the shoemaker's trade in early life; emi- 498 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. grated to the U. S. in 1841, stopping in Oneida county, N. Y., where he followed his trade until the spring of 1851, when he came to this Co., purchasing the land he still owns. He preceded Mr. Eells some three or four months, getting out a crop that year, and selling that fall the first load of grain ever marketed in Lansing, it being oats, sold to a Mr. Gilbert, the first grain buyer there. Mr. H. made his home on Mr. Eells' farm for several years; was married to a Miss Ann Williamson in 1866, also a native of Wales, and has one daughter, Ida E. John Hogan, P. 0. Waukor;, farmer, section 16; owns 160 acres of land valued at |25 per acre; was born in Co. Wicklow, Ireland, in 1827 — the birthplace of Parnell, whom he well knew when a boy. In 1847 he shipped on board the sail vessel Ontario, coming to Charleston, S. C; then shipped as a sailor on board the steam- ship Isabel, a mail steamer plying between Charleston, Key West, Fla., and Havana, Cuba, where he continued nearly four years, when he went on the steamship Southern, running between Charleston and New York, remaining nearly three years, after which he went on the steamer Union, running from New York to Havre and Isle of Wight; and afterwards went on steamer Atlan- tic, which ran between New York and Liverpool, and again on steamship Marion, plying between New York and Charleston. In 1859 he left New York and came to Dubuque, lo., and shortly after came to this county and purchased 80 acres of his present farm, after which he went to Natchez, Miss., and engaged in the gas factory there, remaining till the spring of 1861, when he moved to his farm. At the close of the war he returned to Natchez and engaged in the gas factory again (leaving his family on the farm) continuing two years, and at intervals several times since. He was married to Miss Mary Murraj', in Brooklyn, N. Y. Their children are Thomas, John, Anna M., Elizabeth and Sarah ; they have lost two, Margaret and James. He is at present Trustee of Tp., this being the 7th year. He is a member of the Catholic church. James T.Hawthorne, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, section 25; owns 80 acres of land, valued at |25 per acre; son of John and Anna E. Hawthorne; born in Armah county, Scotland, in 1845. His parents started for America in 1847, coming via Gulf of St. Lawrence, and up the River St. Lawrence. His father and two brothers dying with ship fever while they were on the river, his mother, with the remainder of the family (six children) came on to Guernsey Co., Ohio, and fi-om there to. this Co., in 1853. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A., 27th to. Infty. He partici- pated in the battles of Pleasant Hill, La., where he was wounded, of Tupelo, Miss., Nashville, Tenn. and Mobile, Ala. At the close of the war he returned home and has since been engaged in farming. Luther Howes, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 1; owns a farm of 240 acres, valued at $45 per acre; is a native of Maine, where he ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGEAPHIES. 499 was born in 1823, the ITth of August; remained in his nativ6 State till 1844, when he went to Sheboygan Falls, Wis., engaged in lumbering, and the following year went into the pineries, where he continued in the same business until 1850, after which he spent some time in looking over the country, finally selecting the farm upon which he resides, and in 1851 located upon it; since which time it has been his home, except three years in California. He was married to Miss Mary Reed in 1849. She is a native of Cana- da. Mr. H. has served his township as treasurer and in other offices many years. G. W. Hanks, P. 0. Postville, farmer, sec. 35; owns a farm of 323 acres, pleasantly situated and well improved, worth $40 per acre; was born in Alleghany Co., N. Y., in 1834; his parents emi- grating the same year to Ohio, locating near Cleveland, where they remained till 1839, when they removed to Crawford Co., Pa. Mr. H. was married to Miss Mary A. Banister in 1856, and in 1859 came to Iowa, stopping in Clayton Co. until 1862, when he moved to his present farm in Allamakee Co. They have an adopted son, William J. William Harris, P. 0. Postville, farmer, sec. 34; owns 273 acres of land valued at $45 per acre; son of Elisha and Margaret Harris; Was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1817, coming with his parents to this county in 1854. He married Miss Charity McDonald, daughter of Duncan McDonald, in 1868. She was born in Wis- consin in 1849. They have four children, Herman, Bertha, Edith and Edna. George W. Harris, P. 0. Postville, farmer, sec. 27; owns 162 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; son of Elisha and Margaret Harris; was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, his parents emigrating to this county in 1854. He was married to Miss Ella Laughlin in May, 1873. She was born in this county. They have three children, Warner M., Ninie E. and Harold E. Mr. H. and wife are mem- bers of the United Brethren church. Elisha Harris, sec. 15, P. 0. Postville, farmer, was born in Mor- gan Co., Ohio, in 1819, remaining in that county till the spring of 1854, when he immigrated to Iowa, locating upon the farm where he still resides. By economy, energy and perseverance he has accumulated a handsome property, still owning 640 acres of land, after having given several hundred acres to his children. He was married to Miss Margaret Patterson in 1843, in Ohio, she being a native of that State,and born in 1827. They have ten children : Mary E., William, George W., James M., Jane M., Caroline, Delilah A., Margaret U., Samuel H. and Charles A. ; and have lost three Nancy, Elisha and Bertha M. H. S. Humphreys, proprietor of Biliard Hall and owner of Com- mercial House, Postville, was born in Ohio in 1836, in 1854 he moved to Jasper Co., lud., and in 1860 to Allamakee Co., Iowa, four miles from Postville, and in 1875 came into town and built the 500 ALLAMAKEE COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. Commercial House, which he run one year, then sold out and farmed three years; when he repurchased the hotel property, which he run one and one-half years in connection with the livery busi- ness. He then rented the property and en gaged in his present bus- iness. He married Miss Philia Haines in 1860. She was born in Ohio. They have five children, Alfred E., Ida M., Levi H., Jesse and Hiram. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. P. I. A. Harmon, farmer, Posfcville, owns a farm of 181 acres adjoin- ining the tp of Postville, valued at $50 per acre. He was born in Morgan Co., Ohio, in 1840. In 1867 he immigrated to Clinton Co., Iowa, where he remained, till 1870; then came to Allamakee Co. He was married to Lydia A. Shepherd in 1866. She died in No- vember 1878. Mr. H. was again married to Martha Ady in 1879; she was also a native of Ohio. He has one daughter by his first marriage, Effie M., and lost, three, Emmet G., Willie F. and Eva E. They all died within a period of tour months. By his second marriage he has two sons, Charles and John. Mr. H. is a member of the M. E. Church and the I. 0. 0. F. Jacob Haas was born in Germany in 1831, and came to the U. S. in 1854; settled at Lansing in 1856, and has since been engaged in the brewery business. He was married in 1858 to Cara Kerndt; she died in 1877, leaving two children, Emma and Theodore. In 18!78 he married Pauline Bensch, and now has one son, Oscar. S. H. Hazleton, was born in Tioga Co., Pa. Feb. 19, 1837; came to Lansing in 1856 and entered the store of G. W. Gray. In 1860 he engaged in general merchandise, and continued two years. In 1863 he entered the bank and is now a partner in the same. He has also been engaged in insurance since 1864, and has been a member of the firm of M.'McCormack & Co. since 1873. Mr. H. was married in 1859 to Miss Lydia L. Rockwell. They have four chil- dren living, Emma L., J. Maud, Lydia L. and Samuel H. P. A. Howe, proprietor of Lansing House, was born in Clay- ton Co., lo., in 1853; is a son of Henry E. and Mary A. Howe, natives of Mass. He went to Decorah in 1871, and was employed on dijfferent local newspapers as compositor. From there he went to Waukon, and in 1879 he came to Lansing. He runs a stage line from here to Decorah and keeps a livery and feed barn in connection with his hotel. He married Jennie A. Thompson, a native of Clayton County, and they have two children, Maud and Mattie. Eobt. Hufschmidt, city mayor, is a native of Germany, bom in 1844; learned milling and followed mercantile life at his native country until 1869. He then came to the U. S. and at once located at Lansing. Here he kept books for his brother, C. W. Hufschmidt, for three years. .He then commenced dealing in farming imple- ments, machinery and grain, and still continues the same. He is also agent for the St. Louis and St. Paul packet line. Mr. Huf- schmidt has become a very popular citizen, and is now serving ALLAMAKEE COUKTT BIOGRAPHIES. 501 his third term as city mayor. He is a member of the A. 0. U. W., I. L. of H. and the Turn Verein. Mr. H. married Miss Mary E. Geieger, of Cassville, Wisconsin, June 4, 1879, and has one daugh- ter, Elsie. C. 0. Howard, dealer in grain, seeds, lumber, etc. This enter- prising citizen and early settler was born in Maine, in 1840. He is a son of Azel and Lina Howard, who settled in Alla- makee County, in the fall of 1854. The subject of this sketch followed farming until 1875, when he removed to Waukon, and as soon as he felt certain that the W. & M. R. R. was going to be completed, he erected an elevator with a capacity of 25,000 bushels, filled it with wheat, and shipped the same during the fall of 1877. In June, 1880, he opened a lumber yard and has since continued the same. In the fall of 1877 he built a stock yard; which has since been in use by the railroad company. Mr. How- ard's village property, which consists of an elevator, lumber yard, fine residence, etc., located just north of the W. & M. R. R. de- pot, is conveniently arranged, and here he will probably spend the remainder of his life in that single blessedness which he now en- joys. E. M. Hancock, insurance; is a son of Moses Hancock. He was born in Winchendon, Mass., in 1850; was brought by his parents to Allamakee Co., in 1856. In 1868 he commenced work in the Standard office, where he learned the printer's trade, and in 1873 purchased a one-half interest in the office, which he held until 1882, when on account of his health he retired from the printing business and engaged in insurance. Mr. Hancock was married in November, 1881, to Miss Charlotte M. Wedgwood, daughter of Rev. John M. Wedgwood. E. K. Spencer, dealer in harness, etc., was born in Pennsylva- nia, in 1838; came to Decorah, Winneshiek Co.* in 1857. Here he learned his trade with his brother. In 1860 he went to Rice Co., Minnesota, where he was engaged in business until 1869, at which date he came to Waukon, and has since been engaged in the manufacture and sale of harness. Mr. S. was married in 1863 to Miss Lucy E. Story, and has three children, Alice E., Chester H. and Edward. John A. Hilmo, farmer, sec. 16, Makee tp., P. 0. Waukon; was born in Norway in 1859; was married in 1?53; emigrated to the U. S. in 1857; located where he now lives in 1867, and owns 216 acres of land. He has four children. L. W. Hersey, cashier of Waukon Bank, was born in Maine in 1826; came to Iowa in 1851, settled in this township, and for two years was engaged in farming. He then renioved to Wau- kon and embarked in the mercantile trade. In 1853 he was elected clerk of the courts, which position he held for three years. He married Miss B. A. Rayton, a native of New York. 602 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BI06KAPHIES. Holahan & Buggy. This well known firm takes the lead in amount of business transacted. The partnership of Holahan & Buggy was formed in 1863, at which time they commenced a small blacksmith business, with a capital of about $150; but being energetic and industrious, they soon increased their business by adding the manufacture of plows. and fanning mills, and continu- ing successful, in 1867 they added an agricultural implement busi- ness, and soon worked up such an extensive trade that for years their sales averaged $75,000 annually. When the project of building the W. & M. R. R. agitated the minds of the people of. Waukon, they also took an active part, first by taking $1,000 in stock; but this they increased from time to time until they owned about $21,000 worth, which was the largest amount owned by any one firm. Mr. Holahan also served as auditor of the railroad company one year. They are now doing the largest agricultural implement and machine business in the county; deal extensively in real estate, of which they own about $30,000 worth; loan money, buy notes, etc. James Holahan, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Ireland; born in Jan., 1838; came with his parents to the U. S. when twelve years of age, and lived in Connecticut until 1861, at which time he came to Iowa, living at Decorah abput two years, when he settled at Waukon. He is a painter by trade; a liberal in politics, but takes no interest more than to perform his duty as a citizen. His religion , Roman Catholic. He was married in April, 1867, to Miss Kate M. Fanalon, then of Waukon, but a native of Ireland. They have six children: W. H., Ellen M., John M., Morris F., Thomas and James. Michael Buggy, the junior member of the firm, was born in Ireland in 1840, came to the U. S. in 1854, and lived at New Haven, Conn., until 1862, during which time he learned the black- smith trade. He then came to Iowa and resided at Decorah until 1864, since which time he has resided at Waukon. He was mar- ried in February; 1862, to Miss Mary Ann O'Neil, then of Wau- kon, but a native of Boston, Mass.. They have six children: Mary A., John F., Richard, James, Willie and Michael. His re- ligion is the Roman Catholic. Gunder Hauson, farmer, sec. 22, Makee; P. 0. Waukon; one of the early settlers; is a native of Norway; born in 1822; learned the tailor's trade, and in 1849 emigrated to the U. S., and first settled at Delaware, Walworth Co., Wis. In 1852, in the employ of Mr. Phoenix, he started the nursery at Bloomington, 111. In 1854 he came to Allamakee Co., and in 1855 was married to Miss Kristi Knuedtson. He now owns 240 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre. His wife died Oct. 2, 1881, leaving eight children: Norman, Charley, Julia, Martin, Emma, Gilman, Clara and Albert. M. B. Hendrick, attorney, is one of the prominent men of the Co.; was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1837; came to Alia- ALLAH iKEE COUNIT BKGIAPHIES. 503 makee Co. in 1864, and located at Postville. In 1867 he was elect- ed county judge, and after the said office was abolished he served as auditor three years, since which time he has been doing a gen- eral law and collecting business, dealing in real estate, etc. Judge Hendrick was married in 1861 at Lyons, Mich., to Miss Amelia Gibson, and they now have five children, Theo., Thode, Maud and Max. Moses Hancock (deceased), an early settler, was born in Mass., in 1808. He-was married in 1832 to Miss S. L. Alger; resided in his native state until 1856, when he came to lo. and settled at Waukon. Here in partnership with L. T. Woodcock he engaged in merchandising. He subsequently made various changes in bus- iness, also held local office and figured as one of the prominent men. His death took place in June, 1872. His wife died in April, 1877. >-A. H. Houghton, M. D., Lansing; was born in Springfield, Vt., in 1801; was educated for the medical profession at Dartmouth College, and subsequently traveled through the South, practicing his profession in several southern states. In 1856 he settled at Lansing, and in December of the same year he married Miss Unie Barrows, of Conn., who was born in 1819. Mr. H. taught the first public school in Lansing, and in 1870 retired from the prac- tice of his profession, on account of declining health. He has served as county treasurer, county superintendent, and in other public offices. He has one son, Amasa Houghton, born Decem- ber 8, 1857, who was educated at a private school taught by his mother, and at the public schools of Lansing. In 1879 he en- gaged in business as a photographer, and November 10, 1879, mar- ried Miss Mary Irle. They have one son, Andrew A. A. B. Hays, farmer, P. 0. New Albin, was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1826, and was raised on a farm. He came to Lan- sing in 1854, and in 1858 he removed to his present farm, which contains 520 acres. He was married to Isabella Manderscheid in 1858. They have six children. William J., John W. (twins), George, Alfred, Jacob and Verona. John Haney (deceased), one of the owners of the town sits ,of Lansing, and the second settler of the town, was born in Penn. in 1798. In 1816 he emigrated to Ohio; from there he went to III., thence to Wis., and in 1848 he came to Lansing, and in company with Mr. 'Houghton, purchased 1400 acres of land, a portion of which is located in the town ,of Lansing. Mr. Haney was fore- most in every enterprise that was in any way connected with the prosperity of the town. He died in 1876, being 77 years old. William Han^y, P. 0. Lansing, was born in Ohio in 1824, his early life being spent in mercantile pursuits. In 1848 he came to Lansing with his father, and has been engaged in the milling bus- iness most of the time since. He has operated his present mill twenty-six years. 504: ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGEAPHIEg, Robert Henderson, farmer, Linion tp., bora in Ohio in 1834, and moved to Iowa in 1865, and although not an old settler, Mr. Henderson is one of the most influential and reliable men of Alla- makee Co., and is the owner of one of the best farms in Linton tp. He married Miss Jl. J. Capper, of Ohio, in I860. They have six children. J. N. Hancock, jeweler, Lansing,was born at Coventry, Eng., Nov. 29, 1820. At fourteen years of age he began a seven years' appren- ticeship at his trade, during which time he receivecF 11 per week, boarding and clothing himself. In 1842 he came to Summit Co., 0. He started for California via Cape Horn in 1849, but was taken sick in New York City with cholera, and in accordance with medical advice he went to England, remaining there four months, after which he returned to Ohio, and in 1850 again started for California by boat to St. Joseph, Mo; thence on foot across the plains. Being injured by a kick from a horse while en route, he was compelled to use crutches for a distance of 200 miles. He served as a cook for eighteen days at Fort Bridge, when the pro- visions being exhausted he continued his journey, having but six sea biscuits on which to maintain life from thence to Salt Lake, a distance of 113 miles, being compelled to walk with two canes. Being by this time able to do work he accepted employment as a tender of masons for eighteen days, for which service he received f 1.50 per day and board. Mr. H. then purchased 45 lbs of corn meal at 25 cents per lb.; 12 lbs of beef at 10 cents, and 2 lbs of tea, upon which meagre supply he subsisted for a journey of 800 miles to California, where he arrived a;bout Sept. 1st, 1850. In the fall of 1852 he went to Australia, going thence to Peru in 1853, having heard of rich gold mines there. The Peruvian government prohibiting prospecting, he crossed the isthmus and returned to the U. S., and soon came to Iowa, arriving at Lansing April 5, 1854, where he he purchased 240 acres of land, and on this erected what has since become known as the Four Mile House, where he kept tavern until 1859 . He then spent about six months in Philadelphia, Pa. In the fall of 1859 he settled at Lansing, where has since been engaged in his present business. He was engaged in the wheat business from 1867 to 1873.- In Nov., 1855, he was married to Miss Ella Simmons, of London, Eng. They have one son, Fremont W. He has several public positions of responsibility and trust. Michael Holvorson, farmer, P. 0. Hanover; is a son of John and Anna Hyla Holvorson. He was born April 10th, 1855, in this county. His parents came to America from Norway in 1851, stopped in Wisconsin until the spring of 1852, them moved to their present farm. They have six children living, Herman, Michael, Ma,tilda, Mary, Johanuah and John F. J. K. Hames, Jr., justice of the peace and collector; P. 0. Dorchester; was born Sept. 4, 1838, in Essex County, Massachu- ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGKAPHIES. 505 setts; immigrated to Galena, 111., in 1854,.where he was engaged as clerk in a wholesale store, remaining until 1856, when he came to Lansing, this county, and engaged in farming one year. He came to Dorchester in 1857 and engaged in the flouring mill un- til 1860, when he returned to Massachusetts, coming back to Ga- lena in 1861, and entering the county recorder's ofiice in Joe Daviess county. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. I), 45th 111. Vol. Infantry, and participated in the battles with Sherman on his march to the sea. In the fall of 1865, after being discharged, he returned to Galena, again entered the recorder's ofEce, remaining two years, and then accepted position as book-keeper in a general store at Augusta, Arkansas; returned to Galena in 1869, soon af- ter engaging as clerk in a store at Warren, 111., going thence back to Mass., and remaining there three years as book-keeper in a wholesale fish establishment. He then returned to Dorchester, where he has been occupied as collector for the past six years. He has also served as justice of the peace, and is at this writing (autumn, 1882) a candidate for the republican nomination for the office of county recorder. A. Jensvold, merchant, was born in Norway in 1841, and came directly to this township in the summer of 1866, but shortly af- terwards went to Winneshiek county, where he taught !Norweg- ian school near Locust Lane for nearly three years; attended the state normal school at Winona, Minn., nearly two years, and af- ter a term at the commercial college in LaCrosse, Wis., accepted the position of book-keeper in a wholesale drug house of that city, which he held for eight years. Returning to Waterville in 1879, he started in business in a small way, but it so increased and pros- pered that in 1881 he erected the substantial stone building he .now occupies. Was elected a member of Grimsgaard district school board; and for about two years has been the leader of a singing society, the Home Circle, holding weekly meetings. Mr. Jensvold was married in 1879 to Miss Julia Arneson, and has one child, a son. Charles Johnson, postofiQce, Waukon; farmer, section 28; owns 280 acres of land valued at $45 per acre, it being among the best farms in the township. ■ He was born in Norway in 1828, was reared upon -a farm; the last two years he spent in that country was in the army, being in the cavalry service. He emigrated to the United States in 1853, stopping in Winneshiek county, hav- ing but two cents upon his arrival there, but being possessed of a good physical constitution as well as economy, good judgment and perseverance, he has accumulated a handsome property. He moved to his present farm in 1867; was married to Miss Ellen Patterson in 1856. She is also a native of Norway. They have four children, whose names are Augusta, Peter, Joseph and Al- bert. Mr. J. is a member of the Lutheran Church. 506 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. J. J. Jennewine, section 22, postoffice, Waukon; farmer and stock dealer; son of Nicholas and Catharine Jennewine; born December 28th, 1878, in Prussia, served three years in the Prus- sian army, from 1849 to 1852. In the spring of 1853 he emigrat- ed to the United States, arriving at N. Y. the 7th of May, 1861, he enlisted in the 1st Virginia Cavalry. Upon the organization of the company he was elected 2d Lieutenant, and for meritorious conduct at the battle of Woodstock in the Shenandoah valley, he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He participated in the battle of Romania, Cedar Mountain, Kelly's Ford, Centerville, Fairfax Court House, Culpepper, etc. On account of physical disability he resigned his office in 1863 and returned home. He emigrated to Iowa in the spring of 1865, locating in Jefferson township upon his present farm of 120 acres, valued at $30 per acre. Mr. J. was married to Miss Loretta Burgess, in Va., March 24, 1857; they have eight children, Charles H., Robert N., John J., Sophia, Maggie M., Adelie M., Ella H. and Catharine. He is a member oftheLO.O. F. Mrs. Margaret N. A. Jaquis {nee Young), postoffice, Waukon; farmer, section 10. She was born in Park Co., Ind., in 1827, and was married to Daniel Jaquis in 1854. He was born in Es- sex County, N. Y., in 1818, and came to this county in 1851, be- ing among the pioneers of the county. He died a few years ago, leaving a farm, of 210 acres, which is carried on by Mrs. J. and her son John E., who was born on this farm in 1860. The oth- er children are Mary, Martha J. and Daniel E. Mrs. J. is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. J. P. Jackson, farmer, Lafayette tp., sec. 29; was born in Ohio in 1825, immigrated to Iowa in May, 1851, and settled in Taylor tp.; enlisted in 1861 in Co. B, 12th Iowa Infantry; veteranized in Dec, 1863, and served till June, 1866; was promoted from the ranks to the various companv offices, and discharged as 1st. Lieut. In Aug., 1862, was sent to Dubuque in the recruiting service, re- maining there until May, 1863, when he rejoined his regiment at Vieksburg, Miss., during the siege of that city. Mr. Jackson married Miss Mary McFadden in 1849. Their daughter Mary was the first white child born in Lafayette tp., and is now the wife of Herman Gaunitz, of Lansing. Mr. J. was the first clerk of the tp., and has held most of the tp. offices. Andrew Jacobson, farmer, P. 0. Waukon; owns a farm of 200 acres in section 9, valued at $20 per acre; was born in Norway, Oct. 12, 1829; came to the U. S. in 1851 and located in Dane Co., Wis., where he remained one and one-half years; then went to White Lake, Mich. Six months later he returned to Dane Co., Wis., and in 1856 came to this county. He married Julia Iver- son in April, 1851, and has ten children living, Carrie, George, ALLAMAKEE COUN.TT BIOGRAPHIES, 607 A. Grant. They have lost by death three, Hellena, Ivor, and El- mer L. John is studying law in Judge Cooley's ofHce at Deeorah, Iowa. George Kehr, liquor dealer, Lansing, was born in New York city .in 1854; came to this Co. with his parents in 1860; married Katie Luger, of Dubuque. He is a son of Peter Kehr, who is a native of Germany. Moritz Kerndt, merchant, Lansing, born in Germany, in 1830; came to the U. S. in 1862; in 1856 settled at Lansing, and has since been a member of the firm of G. Kerndt & Bros. He has been con- nected with banking since 1873, and is at present president of the Bank of Lansing. He was married in 1863 to Miss Mary Nimsgern. They have eight children. Knudt Knudtson, sec. 15, Makee tp., P. 0. Waukon, born in Norway in 1818, emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, and in 1851 settled on his present farm. He was married in 1852 to Cornelia Emmer- son. The children living are Cornelia, now Mrs. L. 0. Storle, of Moorehead, Minn.; Anna, now Mrs. Hans Johnson; Thomas and Charlie. Patrick Keenan, deceased, whose portrait adorns this work, was born in the county of Dublin, Ireland, in 1818. Emigrated to New Orleans, La., in 1844, where he remained about three years, including short stoppages at different points on the Lower Missis- sippi river. Early in 1847 he came north to Galena, 111., where he engaged in mining and prospecting, also spending some time at Dubuque. Upon first concluding to stop at Galena, he had re- turned to New Orleans and brought up his sister and her husband, R. Cassidy, to that place. In the fall of 1847 he came into this county, which was then inhabited only by the Indians; selected a claim where the County Poor Farm now is, and returned to Ga- lena. The following year he again came on, bringing his brother- in-law, Cassidy, with him, settled on his claim and began to im- prove it. In the spring of 18i9, while out hunting for his cattle, he found himself down on Paint Creek, in Jefferson tp., and be- ing very favorably impressed with the situation of the land on the creek, and the prairie adjoining on the south, he concluded to abandon his former claim and locate on this land in Jefferson tp.; and, having his ax with him, as was his usual custom, he "blazed" a few trees so as to readily find the place again, and upon returning home immediately made preparations to remove to his newly selected claim, which he did the same spring, accompanied by his brother-in-law's family, and they were the first settlers in he township. He laid claim to nearly a section of land, and afterwards purchased more in the south part of that township and in Franklin township. This same season he met with an adven- ture one day, . while down on the Yellow river, that showed the metal of the man. Being alone and unarmed, save with an ax, which he always carried' to mark his way, he was suddenly con- 508 ALLAMAKEE COUKTT BIOGEAPHIES. fronted by two large black bears, one of which raised upon its hind feet and advanced upon him. Although knowing nothing of the habits of the animal at the time, Mr. K. stood his ground, faced his bearship and brandished his ax, and the bears seeing no evidence of fear on his part, finally themselves became frightened and made off. Mr. Keenan was married in July, 1854, to Miss Catharine Scan- Ian, a native of Upper Canada, who was born in 1836. Their children are: Richard F., Wm. M., Patrick H., Maggie A., Thos. J., John A., Mary T., Charles L. and Clement G., having lost three, Johana, Joseph and Albert J. Mr. Keenan died March 14, 1878, honored by all who knew him. His remains were deposited in the Cherry Mound cemetery, four prominent clergymen assisting in the ceremonies, which were very impressive, and were attended by a large concourse of people from far and near. He was a man of good judgment, firm and determined in character, and throughout his residence in this county he figured prominently as one of her most influential citi- zens. He leaves an estate of 700 acres of the best land in the township, which is carried on by Mrs. K., it being superintended by her son Wm. They are introducing some very fine stock upon the farm, having recently purchased three head of yearlings past for $640. John Kelly, P. 0. Rossville, farmer: son of Daniel and Sarah Kelly; born in 1839, in Harrison Co., 0., where he remained till 1861, when he was married to Miss Jane Lewis, and the same year emigrated to Iowa, locating in Paint Creek tp., of this Co., from which place he came to his present farm in 1863. He owns 200 acres of land, worth about $7,000. They have seven chil- dren: Jessie, Ida, Orrie, Louie, Esther, John and Benner; and have lost one infant. Wm. M. Kelly, Paint Creek tp., was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, in 1833. In 1861 he came to Iowa and settled in Linton tp. In 1868 he removed to Rossville and engaged in the mercan- tile business. Two years later he went to Mason City, Iowa. In 1873 he returned to Rossville and again engaged in the mercantile business, and continued until 1878, when he located on his present farm. He has a family of eight childred, Levi, Daniel, Jessie, Alice, Nettie, Mary, Martha William H. and Fred. Hon. Andrew Landy, P. 0. Lansing, farmer, born in Switzerland in 1829. He was educated in his native country; attending two dif- ferent colleges, one being an agricultural one. In 1849 he came to America and settled in this county, where he has since resided, locating on his present farm in 1850. In 1871 he was chosen by the people to represent his county in the State Legislature, which position he held one terra. In 1852 he married Elizabeth Hirth, and they have ten children — five sons and five daughters. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 509 J. H. Lamoat, blacksmith, was born at Canton, N. Y., in Aug., 1834. At the age of 17 he commenced work at his trade, and in 1863 came west and located at Waukon. He was married in the spring of 1856 at Richford, Vt., to Miss Martha E. Hathaway, and they now have two sons, Chas. A. and Henry A. Hosa Low, hardware merchant, is found among the early settlers as well as prominent business men of Waukon. He is a native of Vt.; born in 1829. In 1836 tlie family came west, first stopping at Chicago, then removing to Wis., from which State Mr. Low came to Allamakee Co., settling at Waukon in 1858. Here he at once engaged in the hardware business, being a member of the firm of Low & Bean, and has pursued mercantile life in the hardware line most of the time since. Mr. Low, in 1859, was united in marriage to Miss Laura A. Stilinan, of N. Y., and now has two sons and two daughters, Frank, Mary, Fred, Josie. Gilbert C. Lyse, P. 0. Dalby, farmer, sec. 3; owns 260 acres of land valued at |25.00 per acre. He was born May 4, 1826, in Norway. In 1854 he emigrated to the U. S., coming .via New Orleans and up the Mississippi River to Columbus in Allamakee Co., Iowa, in July of that year. In 1856 he purchased land on sec. 15 of this tp., which he subsequently sold and came on to his present farm in 1858. He married Miss Caroline Eng- bretson in 1854. She died in 1870. He was again married to Mary Halversonin 1875; had one son by his first marriage — Christ, who is now engaged in the mercantile business at Brookings, D. T. The children by his second marriage are Caroline M., and Carl E. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Simon Ludeking, P. 0. Waukon; farmer, sec. 29; son of Simon and Charlotte Ludeking, was born in Prussia, Germany, in 1826, where he remained till the spring of 1854, when he emigrated to the U. S., stopping in Sheboygan Co., Wis., and in the spring of 1855 came to io. and located 80 acres of his present farm and commenced making improvements upon the same. The following winter he went to Lincoln Co., Mo., where he engaged in chopping cord wood for steamboats and the St. Louis market, continuing to work on his farm summers and in Missouri winters, till in 1858 he married Miss Mary Geesmeyer, of Mo. She was also born in Ger- many. He then came on to his farm, which by his industry and economy he has added to till he now has 280 acres well improved and among the best farms in the tp. He has a family of eight children, whose names are as follows; Louisa, Mene, Ulrich, Samuel, Henry, Gustaf, George and Thomas, and has lost one daughter, Lydia. Mr. L. is a member of the German Presbyterian church. J. M. Lisher, proprietor of the Commercial House and livery stable, Postville, was born in Ind., in 1844; his parents moved to McHenry Co., Ills., in 1846^ and in 1854 to Allamakee Co., Io., locating ten miles north of Waukon. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. 32 510 ALLAMAKEE COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. B., 2d Batallion, 16th U. S. Infty., and participated in the battles of Stone River, Prairieville and Chicamauga, at which latter he was captured Sept. 19th, 1863. He was first taken to Libby prison, and in Dec. following to Danville, and to Anderson ville in April 1864, weighing when received at the prison 184 lbs, and at the expiration of eleven months, when taken from there, only 90 lbs., which is a sufficient explanation of the treatment received. He was taken to Black River, near Yicksburg and paroled, sent to St. Louis, thence to Oswego, New York, and discharged, his discharge bearing date April 14, 1865. The following fall he returned to lo., and in 1874 engaged in the hotel business at Lansing, run- ning the livery business in connection. He was burned out in 1876, and in March, 1879, came to Postville and took charge of the Burlington House, and in Sept., 1881, took charge of the Com- mercial house, i He was married to Miss Mary Adams, a native of Indiana, in 1868. They have two children, Floyd C. and Myrtle M. Mr. L. is a member of the A. F. & A. M., L 0. 0. F. and A. 0. U. W. H. S. Luhman, of the firm of Luhman and Sanders, dealers in general merchandise, corner Tilden and Jiawber streets, was born in 1853, in Sheboygan Co., Wis. He came to Postville in 1873 and engaged as clerk for Roberts Brothers in a general store, and afterwards for.Skelton & Co., and in 1878 went to Bonnair, in Howard Co., and engaged in general merchandise till in the fall of 1881, when he came to Postville and engaged in the present firm. He married Miss Sarah Sanders, of Clayton Co., in 1880. Mr. L. is a member of the L 0. 0. F., and of the M. E. church. Matt. Leithold, dealer in clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, and gents' furnishing goods, also millinery, which latter is superintend- ed by his wife. He was born in 1846, in Bavaria, Germany. His parents emigrated to the U. S. in 1856, locating in Clayton Co., lo. He commenced clerking for Messrs. Peterson & Larson of McGregor in 1865, and in 1871 commenced general merchandising in Post- ville, under the firm name of Leithold Bros., and his present busi- ness in 1881. He married Elizabeth Osterdock in 1870. She was born in Clayton Co., lo., in 1852. They have five children, Lucy, Edward, Rialdo, Lillie and Florence, and lost one son in infancy. Mr. L. is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and A. 0. U W., also of the Lutheran church. Rev. D. W. Lyons, farmer and retired pastor of the Presby- terian church, owns about 800 acres of land, valued at $32,000; was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, in 1823; received his education at Franklin College, New Athens, 0., and the Western Theologi- cal College at Allegheny City, Pa., after which he served as pastor of the Presbyterian Church for many years, until com- pelled by ill-health to abandon the ministry; came to Allamakee Co., lo., in 1850, locating near Postville. He organized a Pres- byterian church at Postville in 1852, preaching the first sermon at ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGEAPHIHS. 511 the house of Mrs. Zaruiah Post. In 1856 he removed to Kansas City, Mo., serving as pastor of the Presbyterian church there one year when, on account of ill health, he comoienced traveling through southern Mo. and A.rkansas till in 1860, when he return- ed to Postville and engaged in real estate and general merchandis- ing. In 1870 he removed to Mason City, wherts he engaged in the same business in company with his son, William W. Lyons. In 1875 he removed to Des Moines and his son to Brooklyn, lo., where he engaged in the banking business, and subsequently opened a bank in Colfax. In 1880 Mr. Lyons returned to Post- ville. He was married to Sarah A. Wallace, of Ohio, 1840. She died in 1875 at Mason City. He was again married to Mrs. Elizabeth Marquis, a widow of the Rev. Robert Marquis, in 1880. Mr. Lyons has seven children by,his first marriage, William W., Mary A., Sophia J., Sarah E., Susan M., Carrie B. and EfBe M., and lost one son, Daniel M. By his second marriage he has one son, Charles R. J. R. Laughlin, farmer, P. 0. Postville, son of John and Jane Laughlin, who were born in Scotland and emigrated to the U. S. in 1835, locating first near Schenectady, J!^. Y., remaining there till in 1839, when they came to St. Joseph Co., Mich., where they lived till in 1842, they again moved to Wells Co., Ind., and in 1849 came to Allamakee county, lo., they being among the first settlers in Post tp. Mr. John Laughlm was among the leading and prominent men of the county, serving as Sheriff, also as Jus- tice of the Peace in his tp., several years. He was also one of the proprietors of the first platting of the town of Waukon. He died in September, 1862. The children living are John H., Elizabeth, Robert, Mary J., Ella and James R., the latter the sub- ject of this sketch, who was born in this county in 1852. He now ■carries on the hoine farm, consisting of 144 acres. He was mar- ried to Miss Jane Harris, daughter of Elisha Harris, in 1872. Mr. L. is a member of the U. B. church. Henry Lenz, P. 0. Lansing, farmer; son of Fred and Barbara >/"' Lenz, was born on his father's farm, where he still resides, Aug: 22, 1855. His parents came from Germany to this country in 1850, and located upon this farm, which contains 120 acres well improved. His father also owns a farm, of 160 acres, southwest of this a couple of miles. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the common schools and at Griniiell College. He was married to Miss Mary Gramelich, March 28, 1876. She was also born in this county. They have three children, Emma, Willie and Nettie. Mr. L. carries on his father's farm and is a member of the M. E. church. Frank Leithold, farmer, sec. 3, P. 0. Waukon; born in 1832 in Switzerland and emigrated to the U. S. in 1855, locating on 40 acres of his present farm, which by his economy and industry he has added to till he now has 200 acres with first-class improve- 512 ALLAMAKEE rOL'NTY BIOGRAPHIES. ments. He married Miss Anna Vile in 1860. She was born in England. They have six children, Catharine, Julia, Henry, Mar- garet, Albert and George, and have lost one infant. C. A. Leithold, sheriSf, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1850; came to America in 1856 with his parents, and settled in Clayton Co., Iowa. In 1872 he removed to Postville and engaged in merchandising until 1878, when he changed to that of agricultural implements. In 1881 he was elected to his present office. Jeremiah Leas, Linton tp., was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, in 1831, and was raised a farmer. In 1856 he came to Iowa and set- tled on his present farm of 320 acres, which is one of the best in his tp. He married Susanna Henderson, of Ohio, by whom he has nine children. J. B. Minert, son of John and Elizabeth Minert, was born in Post tp., Allamakee Co., March 4, 1853. In 1865 the family re- moved to Franklin tp. His father purchased a flouring mill, which he ran until 1867, when he was murdered. The subject of this sketch was married to Margaret J. Arkley, and in 1877 settled at Waukon, since which time he has been dealing in live stock. Their children are Louisa, Ella and James. M. A. McDonell, blacksmith, is a native of Canada West, and was born in 1839. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and in 1863 came|to the U. S., and first lived in Wis., from which State he came to Iowa, stopping at Lansing until 1876, at which date he came to Waukon, and has since been in the employ of Simmonsen & Peterson. In 1865 he was married to Ellen Foley. They have five children. J. B. Mattoon, M. D., is one of the pioneer physicians, ^d now the oldest resident physician in the two' counties comprising this work. He is a native'of Hamphire Co., Mass., born in 1814, and was a resident of the State till 18 years of age. He then re- moved to Paynesville, Ohio, entered the Willoughby College (now Cleveland Medical College), where he graduated in 1840. The next 14 years he practiced medicine in Crawford Co., Penn., when he concluded that he would seek his fortune in what was then called the "'far west," and"accordingly came to Iowa and settled at Freeport, Winneshiek Co., then a place of nearly 500 inhabitants, with the expectation of becoming the county seat. Here he fol- lowed his profession until 1867, since which time he has been lo- cated at Waukon. Dr. Mattoon was married in 1842 to Miss D. E. Heath, then of Crawford Co., Penn., but a native of N. Y. The children are Caroline, now Mrs. Levi Plank, of Nebraska City, Nebraska; Frank W., of Blue Springs, Neb.; Jacob B., of Sibley, Neb., and Eva D. He has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F. for forty years, and is also a member of the A. F. & A. M. Edward McGough, P. 0. Waukon; farmer, sec. 29; son of Barney and Catharine McGough; was born in Canada in 1839. His parents moved to Winnebago County, Illinois, when he was a ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 513 small boy, and in 1855 they came to Paint Greek tp., this Co., where his father still lives, his mother having died in 1868. Mr. M. was married to Miss Julia Hinchon, in 186-1. She was born in Ireland. They resided in Paint Creek tp. till 1876, when he moved to his present farm of 280 acres, which is well improved and among the best farms of the township. Their children are Birnet, James E., Thomas, John, Ella, Katie and Julia. He is a member of the Catholic Church. A. McMichael, dealer in grain, was born in Scotland in 1830. He came to America in 1814, and his first location was in Canada, near Toronto, where he was engaged in the mercantile trade. In 1860 he removed to La Cresent, Minnesota, and established busi- ness, dealing in grain and general merchandise; thence in 1861 to Brownsville, Minnesota, and continued in the same business. He removed to Lansing in 1876, where he still resides, and deals largely in grain, owning and running about fifteen warehouses and elevators. He was married to Margaret De Lorienier, and they have two children, Alexander and Bertha. Patrick McNaney, P. 0. Waukon; farmer, sec. 26; owns 200 acres of land valued at $40 per acre; was born in 1830 in County Monahan, Ireland, from which place he emigrated in 1847 to the U. S., stopping in Herkimer Co., N. Y., where he engaged to a farmer by the name Of Elias Pullman, for whom he worked eight years. He then started for the west and stopped in this county, engaging at farming, and purchased his present farm in 1862. He was married to Miss Johanna Cadiga in 1858. She was born in County Cork, Ireland. They have eight children, Dennis, Thomas, John, Joseph, James, Mary, Anna and Catharine; and have lost a son, David. Mr. M. is a member of the Catholic Church. George W. Miller, P. 0. Waukon; farmer, sec. 25; owns 309 acres of land valued at $20 per acre; son of David J. and Mary Miller; was born in Stark County, Ohio. In 1844 he came with his grandfather to Stephenson Co., Ills., his father and the family following in 1845, and to Clayton Co., lo., in 1848, and from there to this county in 1850. In 1860 he made a tour through Kansas, returned home, and in 1862 enlisted in Co. F, 6th lo. Cav., serv- in the northwest against the Indians. He was in several battles, among which were Whetstone Hills, Terres-Terres, Kill Deer Mountain, and was discharged in 1865; came to his present farm in 1870. He was married to Miss Cynthia Ogg in 1855; she was born in Maryland. They have seven children. Marquis C, Du- rand H , Hiram G., Dora G., Leonard L, Myrtie E. and Mary A.; and have lost one son, Bird. Sanford W. Miller, P. 0. Waukon; faimer, sec. 26; son of David J. and Mary Miller; was born in Stephenson Co., Ills., in 1847. His parents moving to Clayton County, Iowa, in 1848, and to this county in 1850. In 1867 Mr. M. started for southwest 514 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGEAPHIE?. Kansas, Texas and Indian Territory, where he remained in the employ of the government till 1870, when he returned home and purchased his present farm of 100 acres, valued at $30 per acre. He was married to Miss Nettie Cook in 1873; she was born in St. Joseph Co., Michigan. They have three children, Percy W., Pearl C. and Ray 0. They are members of the M. E. Church. John McGee, P. 0. Hardin, farmer, sec. 25, owns 280 acres of land valued at $35 per acre. He was born in Ross Co., Ohio, in 1810, his parents moved into Seneca Co. in 1822, and to Hancock Co. in 1824 where he remained till in 1854, when he emigrated to this Co., locating on the land lie still owns. Is one of thefpioneers of the Co. He married Miss Elizabeth McKennis in 1831. She was also a native of Ross Co., Ohio. They have seven children, Robert, Sarah, Mary A., Nancy, William, Meredith and Nelson, and have lost one daughter, Elizabeth. Mr. McGee is a member of the United Brethern church. James Mathers, farmer, sec. 26, owns 360 acres of land valued at $25 per acre. He was born in Union Co., Penn., in 1818, re- maining there till 1849, when he came to Ohio, stopping one year; then to Wis., where he remained but one year, then came to this Co. in 1851, entering his home farm from the Government. He was among the earliest pioneers. He was married to Miss Margaret Gray, of Penn., in 1849. They have two children, John W. and Emma J., and lost one son, George. He is a memlier of theM. E. church. Rudolph A. T. Meyer, of the firm of Ward & Meyer, dealers in general merchandise, Postville;was born in Germany in 1852. He was about one year old when his parents emigrated to the U. S., locating in Clayton Co., Iowa, where his early training was upon the farm, when not attending school. In Oct., 1875, he came to Postville, and in company with Mr. Ward engaged in his present business. He married Miss Bertha Bender, also a native of Ger- many, in 1876; her parents having come to the U. S. in 1865 and located in Allamakee Co. They have two children, Amanda B. and^ Rudolph T. A. Mr. Meyer is a member of the Lutheran church, also of the I. L. of H. Mrs. Lydia Martin, P. 0. Waterville, whose maiden name was Shearer, was born in Stark Co., Ohio, in 1828. Her mother died when she was quite young, after which she lived with an uncle and aunt, who removed to DeKalb Co., Ind., in 1842. While there she was married to Mr. David Martin, March 9, 1845. He was born in Penn. in 1813. In 1854 they emigrated to this Co., and located upon the farm where she now resides. Mr. Martin died July 28, 1878. Their children are Harriet, Minerva, Hiram H., Mary, Emily, John, Phoebe and Efiie; they lost trwo, Ellen and Lydia. There are 60 acres of land that belongs to the estate, val- ued at 120 per acre, which is yet undivided, but is superintended ALLAMAKEE COUlfTI BIOGRAPHIES. 515 by her SOU Hiram H., who was born Sept.. 23, 1850, in DeKalb Co., Ind., and was married to Miss Mary Thomas, of this Co., May 2, 1874. His children are David and Ella J. Peter Miller, proprietor of bakery and restaurant, Postville, was born on the Rhine, in Prussia, in 1856, and while there learned the bakery and confectionery business. In 1873 he emi- grated to the United States, stopping at Danville, Ky., where he was engaged in baking for ten months; then went to Columbus, Ohio, where he engaged in the same business for eighteen months, after which he went to Cincinnati and New Orleans, and back to Baton Rouge, where he stopped four months; then went to Chi- cago, 111., where he remained till the spring of 1878, when he came to Postville and established his present business. He mar- ried Miss Albertine Carmin in the fall of 1879. She was born in Oermany in 1859. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Oliver Mackey, P. 0. Postville, farmer; was born in Donegal, Ireland, in 1839; his parents emigrating to the U. S. in 1852, lo- cating in Philadelphia, Peun., where they still reside. In 1853, when but a boy, he came to Houston Co., Minn., where he re- mained two years, then came to Allamakee county, soon after purchasing the farm he still owns, of 167 acres, which is now worth |50 per acre. He married Miss Mary Laub in 1866. She was a native of Indiana and died in 1873. He was again married in 1875 to Ellen Mitchell, a native of Canada, and has one son by his first marriage, John, and by his second marriage three daugh- ters Mabel, Edna and Alta. W. A. Manger was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1832. He came to America in 1854, and his first location was in Galveston, Texas, where he worked at his trade. From there he went to St. Louis, Missouri. He subsequently changed his location several times, and in 1862 came to Lansing and established the furniture business. He has an extensive steam factory and employs from six to ten men in the manufacture of furniture. He has also a large and commodious building on the main business street of the city for the retail trade. He married Albine Bauer, a native of Germany. They have three sons. Otto, Richard and Albert. M. McCormack is a native of Scotland, born in 1843; came to the U. S. in 1862 and engaged in the grocery business in Orange County, New York. In 1868 he came to Iowa, in 1873 settled at Lansing, and has since been managing partner of the firm of M. McCormack & Co. He was married in 1872 to Miss Lucy Mor- rison; they have four children living. H. B. Miner, county surveyor for Allamakee county, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1840. When he was sixteen years of age he began teaching, which occupation he followed for some years. He came to Iowa in 1856, and in 1864 he married Hattie E. Boater, and they have three children, Frank, Cora, and Addie. 516 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGKAPHIES. John May (deceased), was born in Penn., in 1799. He came to Iowa in" 52 and settled in this coilnty where he lived until the time of his death, which occurred Jan. 23, 1862. He married Julia A. De Haven, of Ohio; their daughter, Mary J. Still-, lives on the old homestead. Alonzo M. May, editor, Waukon, was born at Scio, Alleghany County, New York, March 20, 1838. Moved with his parents to Will County, 111., in 1843, to Rock County, Wis., in 1845, and to Green Lake County, Wis., in 1851. Was brought up on a farm till 18 years of age. Prepared for college at Ripon, Wis., and graduated at Beloit College, Wis., in regular course in 1864. En- listed in a Wisconsin regiment in 1861, and again in 1864, serving several months under each enlistment. Went to New York City, completing a three years course in Union Theological Seminary in 1867, coming to Waukon the same fall as rector of St. Paul's Church,! continuing in such capacity several years. He was prin- cipal of the Waukon High School for the years 1868-9. April 9, 1868, he bought the Waukon Standard, with which he has since been connected. A history of the paper will be found in another place. He was admitted to the bar in 1871, but has never ac- tively engaged in the profession. For ten years succeeding 1871 he held the position of official court reporter in the District Court of the Tenth Judicial District of Iowa. July 26, 1865, he married Miss Augusta M. Hayward, at Beloit, Wis.; their children are: Frank Hayward, Anna Laura, Jessie Ella, Robert Bruce, Winnie, Paul Martin, Richard Langford and Marian — four boys and four girls. Wm. McLaughlin, farmer, P. 0. Dorchester; owns 420 acres of land in Hanover township, on section 4, which is valued at $20 per acre. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, Sept. 12, 1823; came to the U. S. in 1848, settling in Syracuse, N. Y. In 1851 he went to Chautauqua County, and engaged in railroading, and in 1856 came to this county. He married Hannah Garvin in 1848, who died in 1864, leaving three children, Patrick, Mary and Agnes. In 1869 he was married to Margaret Danaher. They have seven children, William, John, Thomas, Margaret, Catha- rine, Johanna and Silicia. Wra. Niblock, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 27; son of Robert and Isabel Niblock; was born in County Monahan, Ireland, in 1827, emigrated to U. S. in 1846, locating in Messer Co., Penn., till in 1847, he come to Rock Co., Wis., remaining but a short time, when he went to Green Co., remaining till in June, 1849, he came into Jefferson tp., of this Co., he being the second settler in thetp., Patrick Keenan being the first. Upon the call of his adopted country for help to sustain the Government during the great re- bellion, he enlisted in Co. A of the 27th Iowa Infantry in Aug., 1862. Participated in all the battles in which his dbmpany wa engaged, till the close of the war in 1865, when he returned home ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 517 to enjoy peace and the society of loved ones. He married Miss Margaret McKee April 14, 1846, in Ireland. Th»y have four children, David, Scott, Emnja and Elizabeth ; and have lost one, Isabel. Mr. N. is one of the pioneers of the county, and is a member of the Old Settlers' Association; owns 200 acres of land valued at $37 per acre. Patrick Norton, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, owns 180 acres of land valued at $40 per acre. He was born in 1811 in County Eoscom- mon, Ireland. In 1836 he emigrated to the U. S., locating near St. Albans, Vt., forking at farming and in a tannery some two years, then went to N. Y., near Schenectady, and engaged at work on the Erie Canal till 1840, wheti he went to Canada, remaining two or three years; thence to Rouse's Point, N. Y., where he was engaged in working on Goverment fortifications. In 1853 came to Allamakee Co, Iowa, and located on his present farm, it then being raw land, which by hard labor, economy and perseverance he has made it a well improved farm; .but he had the misfortune to lose his eye sight a few years ago. Thus in his declining years he is compelled to travel life's journey in the dark, but with the kind assistance of many friends. He was married to Miss Bridget Khodes in N. Y. in 1839. She was a native of County Mayo, Ireland; their children are Catharine, John, Mary, Maggie, William and Isabella; having lost two, Ellen and Anna. William, who carries on the farm, was born in 1852 at Rouse's Point, N. Y., and was married to Miss Mary A. Peck, a native of Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1879. They have two children, Francis and William. Hon. H. Nielander, senior member of the old and reliable firm of Nielander & Brockhausen, was born in Detmold, Princedom Lippe, Germany, in 1833. In 1851 he came to the U. S., and first located at Waupun, Wis. The next year he went to Galena, 111., and served as clerk in a general store. In 1854 he associated Theo. Brockhausen and Charles Shierh'olz as partners, came to Lansing and in the month of September established a general mer- chandise and grain business under the firm name of Nielander, Schierholz & Co. This firm continued with marked success until 1869, when Mr. Schierholz withdrew, and the firm became Nie- lander & Brockhausen. In 1872-3-4 the business of this firm amounted to one million ($1,000,000) annually. Mr. Nielander in politics first belonged to the Free-soil party, next he joined the Republican ranks, and remained there all through the war and until 1872. He then supported Horace Greeley, again returned to the fold as a liberal Republican. He has held numerous local offices at different intervals and in 1879 was elected State Senator of the Forty-first District, and is now serving in that capacity as the first Republican that ever represented the district. Mr. Nielander is a member of the A. F. & A. M., I. 0. 0. F and the Deutscher Verein. He was a stockholder in the First National Bank during its entire career, also served as its vice 618 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. president, and is at present a partner in the bank of Lansing, firm J. W. Thomas & Co. Mr. Nielander was also president of the Allamakee County Savings Bank, from 1873 until it went in- to voluntary liquidation. Thus it can be seen that Mr. Nielander is a man of extraordinary business ability. During his entire ca- reer he has always been careful to meet all obligations promptly, and he therefore has the highest confidence and esteem of his fel- lowmen. He was united in marriage in 1864 with Miss Augusta Schierholz, and they now have four children living, Augusta, Martha, Harry, and Herman. S. J. Nichols (deceased), was one of the pioneers who settled in Allamakee County in 1854, and followed farming in the town of Makee up to the time of his death, which took place in December, 1869. Mr. Nichols was known by all as a pure minded, honest and upright man, who always believed in doing unto others as he wished to be done by. He left a wife and four children to mourn his loss. S. J. Nichols, Jr., was born in the State of New York in 1850, came west with his parents, and now has charge of the estate of his father. He was married in 1881 to Miss Libbie Robertson. Chas. Nees, proprietor of hotel and store, P. 0. Lycurgus; a native of Germany; born in 1816, and was bred to the mercantile life. He emigrated to the United States in 1854, and for ten years was engaged in business at Dubuque, Iowa. He then came to Allamakee County and followed farming until 1870, when he engaged in his present business. Has been postmaster at Lycur- gus since 1872. He was married in 1859 to Wilhimeni S '-, a native of Germany. They have six children. T. Nachtwey, dealer in drugs and medicines, Lansing; born in Hanover, Germany, in 1833; came to the United States in 1859; was educated to his profession previous to coming to America. Was married on the day ' of his emigration to the United States, in 1859, to Miss Louisa Erp-Brockhausen. They have one daugh- ter, Elsa. Mr. N. has been mayor and county superintendent two terms each. H. F. Opfer, dealer in hardware, farming implements and ma- chinery. This enterprising young merchant is a son of Simon and Christena Opfer, and was born in Sheboygan County, Wis., in 1853. In 1865 he came with his parents to Iowa and settled in Allamakee County. Here he helped till the soil until 1870, at which time he entered the store of W . C. Earle, where he served as clerk for over six years. He now concluded to engage in busi- ness for himself , and in April, 1877, opened a hardware store. The year following he removed to his present location, and is meeting with marked success, carrying a stock of about $5,000. He also does an extensive business in farming implements and machinery. Mr. Opfer was married in 1879 to Miss Mary Hager, and now has two children, Elmer G. and Leonard J. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGKAPHIES. 519 Simon Opfer, farmer, sec. 22, Ludlow tp.; P. 0. Waykon; a native of Germany, born in 1822. In the fall of 1849 he was married to Christina Stuckman, and in 1851 emigrated to the U. S., and first settled in Sheboygan County, Wis. In 1865 he re- moved to Iowa and located in Allamakee County. Mr. Opfer has been quite successful in the accumulation of this world's goods, as he now owns 532 acres of land, a house and lot in Waukon, and ihe store now occupied by his son. The children are Simon and Henry F. James Orr, Postville, farmer; owns 280 acres of land valued at $50" per acre. He was born in Ireland in 1829, his parents emi- grating to the United States in 1834, locating in Schuyler county, N. Y. He received his education in the common schools and at the Plattsburg and Starkey serairaries; followed teaching several winters in New York and six terms since coming to Iowa. In 1855 he came to Allamakee County, Iowa. He married Miss M. A. Ellison, January 1st, 1856. She is a native of New York; they have seven children, Ellison J., Darius S., Frank M., Mary E., Jennie B., Carrie and Ollie. Mr. 0. has served in several im- portant positions in his tp., and is a prominent and influential citizen. A. G. Olson, P. 0. Lansing; farmer, sec. 21 ; son of Andrew and Bertha Olson; born December 19, 1830, in Sweden; emi- grated to the United States in 1853, stopping in Rock Island County, 111., till in 1854, when his parents also came from the old country, and they all came on to Allamakee County in a steamboat up the Mississippi River to Lansing. The cholera prevailed to a considerable extent on the vessel, from the effects of which his mother died soon after reaching here. Located in Center town- shipj there then being few families in the township. He was married to Miss Anna C. Lindburg, January 6, 1855; their chil- dren are Mary A., Albert G. and Ada E. Mr. 0. now owns near- ly 200 acres of land, mostly on the Village Creek bottom, which is considered far superior to the high lands. He is one of the en- terprising men of his township, having served his township in so me official capacity, most of the time since living in it, and is at present one of the trustees. J. L. Orre, dealer in hardware; was born in Norway in 1852. In 1854 the family emigrated to the U. S. and settled in Allamakee County. Here J. L. received a common school education and helped till the soil until 1873, at which tinle he entered the store of L. Olson, Lansing, for whom he clerked one year, then dealt in agricultural implements and machinery until July, 1879, when he removed to Waukon and established his present business; carries a stock of from |4,000 to $5,000. He -s^as married in 1876 to Mary Ann Hansen, and has two children, Herman and Tinka. L. Olson, farmer, was born in Norway in 1834. In 1854 he came to America and settled in Village Creek. He was engaged 520 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGBAPHIES. in the mercantile business in Lansing for a number of years, has also carried on the same business in Village Creek, and in 1882 settled on his present farm. He married Christina Carleson in 1856. Their children are, Carl, Albert, Leonard S., Elizabeth and Caroline. N. Plemling, dealer in clothing; boots, shoes and gent's furnish- ing goods, 'was born in Luxembourg Nov., 1854; emigrated to the U. S. in 1875; lived at LaCrosse, Wis., until July, 1876, at vrhich time he came to Waukon and commenced as merchant tailor. In March, 1879, he added a stock of clothing and continued until Sept., 1881, -when he removed to his present location, added boots and shoes and carries a stock of about $13,000. He was married at LaCrosse, Wis., April 26, 1875, to Miss Mary^Marson, a native of Luxumbourg. The children are Josephene, Emmel and Bertha, His religion is Roman Catholic. William Patterson, a native of Canada,' was' born in Julj'', 1843. He learned the mason trade, and in 1864 came to the U. S., first stopping in Mich., where he was married to Miss Ann Jordan. In 1865 he removed to Wisconsin, and in 1866 to Clayton Co., Iowa. Here he followed farming till 1877, at which time he came to Allamakee Co., and acted as superintendent of piling for the bridges of the W. & M. railroad. He has three children, Mar- garet J., Hannah H. and George. Holver Peterson, blacksmith, was born in Norway in 1841; learned the blacksmith's trade, and in 1869 emigrated to the U. S., first 'stopping at Lansing, but two months subsequently, moved to Waukon. Here he worked at his trade for C. P. Newell, until 1873, when he formed a partnership with H. Simonsen, as Simon- sen & Peterson . Mr. Peterson was married in July, 1869, to Miss C. Olsen. They have four children living, Willie, Adolph, Lena and Herman. Azel Pratt (deceased), carpenter and builder; was born at He- bron, Maine, in 1810. Came to this Co. in 1850 and opened a farm on Makee Ridge, where he built a little log cabin, a portion of which was occupied by his brother, Lemuel, from which to retail the first small lot of store goods ever brought to Makee tp. In 1856 he removed to Waukon where he continued to reside until his death, Feb. 19, 1881. He became a member of the Baptist church at nineteen years of age; was one of the leaders in organiz- ing a church at Waukon, and lived an active life in the faith. "Deacon Pratt" was one of the influential citizens, and a tireless worker, early and late. He was a charter member and first treas- urer of the "Old Settlers' Association," organized in 1879. Mr. Pratt married Mary Hersey in 1833. She was born in 1814 and died in 1881, preceding her husband to the grave by only thirteen days, and was a most, exemplary christian woman. They had seven children, Noah H., Marcellus H., Willie, Richmond G.» Emory W., Ella I. and James L. All of whom are living, except Willie, who died young. ALLAMAKEE COUlfTT BIOGRAPHIES. 521 James L. Pratt is a native of Makee tp., where he was born in 1856, near Waukon, which town has ever since been his home. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father, Azel Pratt. In 1873 he learned the printing trade at Postville which he has followed most of the time since. Was foreman of the Waukon Democrat office for nearly three years, until May, 1882. Has been superin- tendent of the Baptist Sunday School, since July, 1880. Mr. Pratt was married March 31, 1880, to Miss Edith F. Wedgwood, daughter of Rev. J. M. Wedgwood, of Rossville, and has one child, Ada Mary. Wm. W. Pardee, P.O. Rossville, proprietor of hotel; was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1817, remaining in his native Co. till after his marriage, which occurred in 1837, to Miss Mary C. Phillips, also a native of same county; moved to Rome, N. Y. in 1S38, and to Crawford Co., Pa., in 1839, where he remained till in 1854 he emigrated to Dane Co., Wis., and from there to Rossville in 1862, purchasing the hotel property which he still owns. They have four children living, Bela B., Emma, Josephine, and Corlin; lost two sons, Marcus J. and William J.,' who lost their lives in the defence of their country during the late Rebellion. The'firstwas a member of Co. A., 2d Wis. Infty, and was killed at the battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; the latter was a member of Co. I., 27th lo. Infty., and was killed at the battle of Pleasant Hill, La., April 9, 1864. Felix H. Plank, section 36, P. 0. Waukon; owns a farm of 160 acres, valued at $50 per acre; son of Jacob and Elizabeth Plank; was born in Carroll Co., Indiana, in 1848; his parents came to this Co. in 1854, locating on the land upon which he now lives, his father having left the farm in 1863 and moved into Waukon, where he still resides. F. H. is one of six children, the five others being Levi W., Anua,, Rena, Alice and Vashti, five having deceased — John, Daniel, Florence, Finis and Walter. F. H. was married to Miss Mary Robertson in 1874. She was born in Prince Edwards Islands. They have four children, D. G., Charles L., Lyle J., Howard L. Mrs. P. is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Mr. P. is republican in politics. John F. Pitt, P. 0. iWaukon, farmer and gardener, sec. 25; is a descendant of Sir William Pitt, and was born in Bristol, Eng- lanJ^ August 27th, 1828. His father, Richard Pitt, was fore- man in a soap and candle factory at Bristol, but died when the subject of this sketch was a small boy, his mother's death having preceded the father's some years, thus leaving John F. to be cared for by his grandfather Pitt. At the early age of eight years he was apprenticed in a soap and candle factory, in which business he was engaged during his minority, and principally till 1855, when he emigrated to the U. S., locating on section 25, of Union Prairie tp. In 1858 he sold most of his farm, retaining only 30 acres, valued at $3,000, which he uses for gardening pur- 522 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. poses. In 1862 Mr. P. enlisted in Co-. F., 6th lo. Cav., the regi- ment being employed in the defence of the frontier in the north- west. He participated in the battle of Whetstone Hills, against the Indians ; served two years in quartermaster's department, one winter at Davenport and one in Sioux City; was discharged in 1865. Mr. P. was first married in England, to Miss Celia Parker, in 1847. She died in 1879, and he was again married to Mrs. Mary Grayson, March 28, 1880. He has one daughter by his first marriage, Elizabeth A., now Cummings. Zeruih Post, a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y., was born in 1807. Her maiden name was Stevenson. She was married to Joel N. Post in 1831; he was a native of Vt. In 1836 they immigrated to Grreen Bay, Wis., remaining there till the summer of 1838, when they again started westward in a canoe down the Wisconsin River, being two weeks before they landed at Prairie du Chien. They located in Clayton Co., lo. In 1840 Mr. Post was selected by Gen. Brooks to take charge of a station known as the Half -Way House, on the military road between Prairie du Chien and Fort Atkinson, they first locating about one mile east from where she now lives. Subsequently Gen. Sumner granted them a permit to re-locate where the town of Postville now stands. At that time their nearest neighbor was twelve miles east, where the town of Monona now stands. Port Atkinson being 24 miles west, that be- ing the place where the Indians received their supplies from the Government. Their only neighbors from 1840 to 1848 were the Indians, who were removed during the latter year. In 1849 the postoffice was established and called Postville, Mr. Post being commissioned as postmaster, but before the commission arrived Mr.. Post died, leaving the duties of the postoffice to Mrs. Post's brother. After the death of her husband Mrs. Post purchased from the Government 480 acres of land, the . same beingthe land upon which they had located and partly improved, the town of Postville being located upon part of it. Mrs. Post has five chil- dren living: Joel N., now in Dakota; Mary Switzer, now in Cali- fornia; Margaret Sherwood, now in Minnesota; Lydia LaCook, in Colorado, and Lucy Roll, of Postville, but soon to leave for Mon- tana. She lost one son, John S., who died while in the service of his country during the late rebellion. J. W. Patterson, P. 0. Postville; farmer, sec. 21; owns 285 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; was born in Morgan county, Ohio, in 1826, where he remained till the spring of 1854, when he came to this county, locating on his present farm, it then be- ing raw laud, with no markets nearer than the Mississippi Riv- er. He was married to Miss Caroline E. Patton, of Ohio, in 1849; they have five children, Olive T., Mary A., William C, Lyman L. and Cynthia J. Mr. P. is a member of the A. F. & A. M . , also of the Congregational Church. ALLAMAKEE COUKTT BIOGKAPHIES. 523 S. C. Perry, farmer, P. 0. Postville; owns a farm of 215 acres valued at $30 per acre; was bora in Windom County, Conn, in 1828, where he lived till 1855, when he started for the west, first stopping in Houston County, Minnesota, and came to Allamakee County in 1865. He was married to Miss Mary Tryon in 1860. She was born in Wyoming County, New York. They have four children, Timothy, Retta, Ella and Edith, and have lost two, Mar- tha and Henry. S. S. Powers, attorney, Postville; born in the state of New York in 1836; commenced the study of law under the Hon. W. L. Sessions, of Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1857, and after- wards attended the Cleveland Law. School, where he graduated ia 1860, and the same year moved to Newton County, Ind., commen- cing the practice of his profession. In 1862 he came to Clayton Co., lo., and the following year to Hardin, Allamakee Co. In the spring of 1870 he came to Postville, where he still resides follow- ing his profession, his practice being principally in this and three adjoining counties. He married Miss Helen f^arrand, January 2, 1859; they have four children : Loren M., who is now attending the law department of the State University at Iowa City; Velma C, Grace H. and La Rue R. Mr. P. has served as mayor of Post- ville; also as W.-M. of the Masonic Lodge eight years, is a mem- ber of the A. 0. U. W., I. 0. 0. F. and the Methodist Episcopal Church. James Perry, agent B., C. R. & N. R. R. Co. at Postville, was born at Manchester, England, in 1S36, his parents emigrating to the United States in 1842, locating at Milwaukee, Wis., where they remained till 1854, when they located on a farm in Wau- kesha County, he remaining with them till the spring of 1862, when he went to Grand Rapi'ds, Michigan, in August of the same year enlisted in Co. A, 6th Mich. Cav., serving three years and participating in many battles, among which were the battle of the Wilderness, Five Forks, Appomattox Court House, and Get- tysburg. He was discharged in August, 1865, after which, during the same year, he came to Postville, lo., and enga-^ed as clerk in the office of the M. & W. R. R. Company, now the C, M. & St. P., where he remained till, in 1877, he took charge of the office of the B. 0. R. & N. Railroad Company. He was married to Sophia Stephens, a native of Scotland, in 1869, and has three children, M. J., Edgar J. and J. William. Mr. P. is a member of the Ma- sonic order, and also the A. 0. U. W. John A. Peterson, sec. 20, P. 0. Elon, farmer; born January 21,*1836; emigrated to the United States in 1851, stopping at Boston, working at shoemaking during the winters and fishing for mackerel during the summer. In 1857, he came to Rock Island, 111., about the time of the Mormon massacre at Mountain Meadow, which caused quite an excitement. The government was enlisting soldiers for the regular army, to go out there, and 524 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. he enlisted in Co. D, 6th U. S. Inf., and started by overland for Utah, where they stopped for a short time, soon pushing on to Benicia Barracks, Cal., remaining but a short time, when they were ordered to Mendocino, as headquarters for scouting expedi- tions against the Indians. During some of those excursions, aSid while in battle he was severely wounded by an Indian arrow pierc- ing his left breast and entering the lungs. Upon falling, he pulled the arrow from his body, the blood following in a stream. He soon became unconscious, and was picked up for dead by his comrades after the battle, but finding him yet alive, they carried him to camp, when by kind care and nursing he finally recovered. But being disabled so as to be unfit for duty, he was discharged in August, 1860, at Rock Island, 111. He then went to Chicago, where he had friends, and was married there in June, 1861, to Miss Anna S. Olson, immediately starting for Allamakee County. At first he worked at his trade,, but on 'account of his wound he was compelled to discontinue it. He then purchased 40 acres of land and commenced farming. In the spring of 1864 he enlisted in Co. B, 27th Inf., lo. Vol., went:south and participated in the battle of Tupelo, Miss., which . proving too hard for him, he was sent to the hospital at Memphis, and afterwards to. Jefferson Barracks, Mo., and to Davenport in May, 1864, and discharged. Jle then moved to Webster County, Iowa, remaining about a year, when he sold out and returned to Center tp., purchasing his present farm of 177 and one-half acres, which is now worth about $4,000.. Mr. P. has served as trustee of the township, and is at present serving his 11th year as justice of the peace. His children are Matilda C, Joshua A., Joel. A., Huldah E., Alma '0. and Jonathan A.; he has lost two children, John A. and Og- den 0. Mr. P. is a member of the Baptist Church. A. R. Prescott, P. M. Postville; born in Maine in 1834, his par- ents immigrated to Winnebago Co., 111., in 1846, and in the spring of 1852, he came to Allamakee Co., Iowa, his parents following in the fall. He engaged as clerk in a general store at McGregor in 1853; in 1864 in a surveying expedition in Minn., and in- 1855 went to Floyd Co., Iowa, where he was elected' County Surveyor in 1856. He followed teaching and surveying till in 1861, when he enlisted in Co. I of an engineer regiment of Missouri Volun- teers; was conductor of the gun car train on the Memphis and Charleston and Mobile and Ohio Railroads eighteen months; was mustered out in 1864 as 2d Lieut., returned to Allamakee Co., and farmed for two years; then came to Postville and engaged in the hardware business; sold out in 1879; was appointed postmaster in 1877; has served as County Surveyor one term, and as deputy twelve years; was also a candidate for representative in 1873; mar- ried Lydia A. Easton, of N. Y.,Nov. 1, 1865; they have three chil- dren, -Mabel, Sarah H. and Alba R.; have lost one daughter, Theodosia. 1 i Ci^'Uc^^^^^^ ^ ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BI03RAPHIES. 525 James Powers, of the firm of P. B. Manning & Co., dealers in agricultural implements, was born in Ireland in 1847, came to America in 1849 with his parents, and settled in Kentucky, where they remained seven years, and then came to Taylor tp., this Co., where the subject of this sketch was raised. He was married to Catharine Collins, a native of N. H.; they have three children, John, Edmund and Mary. Hon. Chas Paulk, whose portrait appears in this work, is a farmer in sec. 28, P. 0. Waukon; one of the early settlers and prom- inent men; is a native of Vermont, and was born July 19, 1809. He was reared in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where he received an academic education. In 1830 he entered the freshman class of Middleburg College, Vt., and graduated in 1834. He then taught in a classical and mathematical school at Genevia, N. Y. Subse- quently taught in Monroe Co., also studied law, and in 1837 was admitted to the bar. He then followed the legal profession until 1850, when he was attacked with the California gold fever, and so spent two years on the Pacific slope. On his return from Cali- fornia he came to Iowa and soon located where he now resides. He was a member of the Legislature in 1860-61, again in 1863, and in the fall of 1865 was elected to the State Senate. He was mar- ried in 1841 to Miss Harriet Leach, who died in July 1856, leaving two children. In Nov., 1857, he was again married to Miss Elle Conover. Politically, he is a Democrat. N. H. Pratt, carpenter, a pioneer of 1850, was born in Md. in 1834. In 1850 with his parents, Azel and Mary Pratt, four brothers and one sister, he came to Allamakee Co., and settled on sec. 18, Makee tp.. In 1854 he spent about six months at St. Anthony's Falls; then returned to Makee and continued farming until 1860. He then went to 111., and in 1862 enlisted in Co. I, 95th 111. Inf. Vol., and served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out as 2d Lieut of the 48th U. S. colored troops; since which time he has been at Waukon. From 1871 to 1878 he was engaged in the furniture business. He was married in Oct., 1856 to Miss Abbie F. Brayton. The children are Estella and Katie. Mr. Pratt is a member of the A. P. & A. M., I. 0. 0. F. and A. 0. U. W. H. H. Pope was born in County Waterford, Ireland, in 1833. When he was a young man he took charge of a vessel belonging to his father. During his term of office he visited all thepromi- nent seaports of Europe. The vessel of which he was in charge was lost near the island of Anticosta in St. Lawrence River. He then went back to Ireland, stayed a year and a half, and in 1852 came to America and settled in Allamakee County. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. K, 5th lo. Vol., remained in the service a year and three months, and was discharged on account of an old gunshot wound received in Italy in 1848; returned to this county and was engaged in carriage painting. In 1880 he went back to Ireland to 33 526 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGKAPHIES. settle the estate of his father. He now owns a large farm near Village Creek, devoted to raising fine stock. He married Nar- sessia Thompson in 1864. They have four children, Elizabeth, Thomas, Phillip and Frederick. John G. Ratcliffe, civil engineer, surveyor and bridge builder, was born in West Virginia in 1844, came with his parents to Al- lamakee County in 1858. Here he helped till the soil and educa- ted himself as a civil engineer. In 1867 he was married to Miss Kate Adams, then of Winneshiek County, but a native of La Payette, Ind. She died in the spring of 1869. In the fall of 1870 he married Miss Emma Knapp, of Woodstock, 111. In 1872 he published a map of Allamakee County. In 1873 he purchased an interest in the Village Creek Woolen Mills, and resided at that place until the spring of 1878, during which time — in the spring of 1875 — the property was destroyed by fire; but was soon re- built, and is now owned by Howard, Carrolls & Ratcliffe. He then removed to his present place of residence, located in the west part of town, where he owns 40 acres. Mr. R. has. for years made a study of the geological and physical features of the county, and has written and preserved much of its history. The children are John J., Mary A., Benj. W., Belle and Ruby K. F. H. Robbins, insurance. The subject of this sketch has fig- ured prominently in the business and public enterprises of Alla- makee County for many years. He was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1840, and in 1855 came west with his parents, first set- tling at Columbus, Allamakee County. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. I, 27th Inf., and served three years, when he was mustered out as 2d Lieut. April 1, 1866, he engaged in business with his brother, A. E. Robbins, with whom he continued until March 20, 1881. Mr. Robbins was actively engaged in the building of the W. & M. railroad, and is an earnest worker for the republican party. He was married April 14, 1867, to Miss Althea A. Pottle, daugh- ter of W. R. and Almeda A. Pottle, and now has two children, Jessie F. and Matal S. Mr. R. is a member of the A. F. & A. M., A. 0. U. W. and I. L. 0. H. Albert Rosa is a son of A. P. Rosa (deceased), who was a native of N. Y., married Rachel Patterson, and in 1848 came to Iowa. In 1851 he settled in Franklin tp., and proved a very successful farmer, accumulating a very large amount of land. His wife died in 1871 leaving seven sons and two daughters. He died in 1877. Albert who is the subject of this sketch, is the youngest of the children. He was born in the State of N. Y. in 1853, and cfime with his parents to Iowa, and in 1877 was married to Marv E. Schwartz. She died in April, 1880. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Rosa located at Waukon, and has since been dealing in grain. A. E. Robbins. druggist, one of Allamakee's early settlers and prominent business men, was born in Wyoming Co , N. Y., in 1838, came west with his parents in 1855 and settled at Columbus. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 527 In 1864 he became a partner of the firm of J. Goodykoontz & Co., of Waukon, and was engaged as such about one year. He then associated his brother, F. H. Robbins, as partner, purchased his former partner's interest, and continued a drug and grocery bus- iness" under the firm name of Robbins Bros, until 1881, at which time F. H. Robbins withdrew from business. The building now occupied by A. E. Robbins, was erected by Robbins Bros, in 1869, and is the oldest brick block in Waukon. Mr. Robbins has always been an active worker for the Republican party, took a very active part in securing the county seat at Waukon, and was one of the prime movers in building the W. & M. R. R., and when co/nplet- ed served as vice-president about two years. He was married in 1865 to Naoma M. Goodykoontz, and now has three sons. His father, Alvin Robbins, a blacksmith by trade, a native of Vt., who was married in the state of N. Y. to Miss Temperance Sloam, and in 1865 settled at Columbus, Allamakee Co., where he died in July, 1856, leaving a wife (since deceased), four sons and one daughter. Althearis J. Rodgers, contractor and builder, was born in Cana- da in 1841. Removed to Waukegan, 111., in 1843, and in October, 1856, came thence to Waukon, which lias since been his home. October 1, 1861, he enlisted as private in Co. B. 12th Iowa, Vols. and followed the fortunes of war with that veteran regiment until it was mustered out in Jan., 1866. Was Commissary Sergeant previous to and during their six months imprisonment in southern prison pens, following the battle of Shiloh. Was at various times detailed as clerk at regimental, brigade, and division headquarters; also served as clerk at court-martial, which duties, however, could not prevent his being with his company in the many hard fought battles in which they participated. In 1864, while at Mobile, he was promoted to Sergt. Major of the regiment. Upon returning from the war Mr. Rogers was employed in a cabinet shop in Wau- kon, but shortly after bought out his employer and conducted the business about two years, when he disposed of it to take up his present occupation, apd there are few if any of Waukon's sub- stantially built business blocks which do not show his supervision. His clerical abilities have called him to frequent service of that character in civil life also, and besides the secretaryship of various orders and associations, he served several years as Makee tp. clerk, many years as secretary of the Waukon School Board, and secre- tary of the Allamakee County Agricultural Society six years in succession, in which last two positions he is still retained. Upon the organization of a company of State militia in the spring of 1878, Mr. R. was made 2d Sergt. thereof, and in the following fall was elected captain, which position he held until he was elec- ted major of the 4th regiment, I. N.'G., in the summer of 1881. Mr. Rodgers was.married in 1866 to Miss Ella 1. Pratt, and they have had two children: Ada M., died in 1879, aged 8 years; and Buy A., born May 20, 1880. 528 ALLAMAKEE COUSTT BIOGEAPHIEg. John Ragan, P. 0. Waukon. farmer, sec. 22; owns 140 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; son of George and Jemima Ra- gan; was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1833, his parents removing to Warren County, in 1842, to Laporte Coijnty, Ind., in 1844, and from there to this county in 1855, a singular coinci- dence being that thev left Ohio and Indiana on his birtkday, the 15th of October. iTe married Miss Gracie Rankin in 1858. She was born in Chicago, 111., in 1840. They have six children, Ella A., Effie J., Gracie H., George W., Angle L. and Edith A.; and have lost one son, Herbert. Jarates Rankin, P. 0. Myron, farmer, sec. 27; owns a farm of 200 acres wiell improved; son of Wm. and Mary Rankin; was born in Scotland, in 1829. His father was a machinist and en- gineer. He emigrated with his family to the United States in 1832, stopping a short time in New York and Detroit, Michi- gan, from which latter place he came as engineer oil the steam- er Michigan to Chicago, 111., it being the first steamboat that came into Chicago, which was then a very small insignificant town, situated in a quagmire. His father, being a brass found- er, concluded to stop there and start a brass foundery, which he continued about ten years, then moved to a farm five miles north of Elgin, where they remained till in 1855, when thev came to this township, his father locating about two miles north, and he upon his present farm. His father died in 1879. Mr. R. was married to Miss Sarah Jones in 1860. She was a native of Wales. Their children are Mary, Ida, Nettie and William. Richard Ryan, P.O. Waukon, farmer, sec. 9; owns a farm of 360 acres valued at $15 per acre. He was born in 1818 in Coun- ty Tipperary, Ireland, where he remained till 1840, when he crossed the briny ocean to seek a new home in the far west. He first engaged at farm work in Massachusetts for three years, then went to Union Village, Connecticut, where he engaged in a fac- tory for a firm, Bartholomew & Warkison, for whom he worked nine years, after which he came to Cattaraugus Co., New York, remaining about a year, when he went to Dunkirk and engaged in railroading for about two years. He then came to Dubuque, Iowa, and engaged at the same business and quarrying stone for a couple of years, after which he came on to his present farm in 1856 and commenced improving it, having purchased a quarter section of it in 1848. He married Miss Mary Pogerty, of Boston, in 1840. They have seven children, Richard, Timothy, John, Henry, Thomas Margaret, and an adopted daughter, Mary. Mr. R. is one of the enterprising and thorough-goingjfarmers of his tp., and is a member of the Catholic Church, gf^ . B. P. Raymond, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 35;"" son of John and Christine Raymond; was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1847. His parents moved to this county in 1852, locating^upota the farm upon which he now resides, he being one of eight children, Edc ALLAMAKEE COUKTY BIOGRAPHIES. 529 win J., Wm. S., David B., John B., Ebenezer D., Atalissa M. and Harriet L. His father was a native of Connecticut, his mother of Ohio. His father died in January, 1878; his mother lives with him on a part of the homestead of 2i0 acres, which he now owns. He was united in marriage to Miss Isabella Ross in 1881. She being a native of this Co. and the daughter of H. G. Ross. Tollef 0. Rikansrud, P. 0. Elon; born in Norway, September 13, 1823; came to the tJnited States in 1855, coming to Allamakee Co. He married Miss Ragnild Oldstatter, in Dec, 1861. She was also born in 1823 in Norway; they have four children, Ole T., Sven, Olous and Engebreth. Mr. R. has taken special interest in educating his children, having sent Ole T. and Engebreth to the Lutheran College at Decorah three years. Ole T. has taught a district school two terms and designs to attend the State Normal School at Cedar Falls the ensuing fall. Mr. R. owns 120 acres in his home farm and 90 acres elsewhere. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Jacob Rupp, sec. 17, P. 0. Waukon; owas a farm of 210 acres, ' well improved and worth $iO per acre. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1833. In October, 1853, he shipped on board the sail vessel Harmonia, from' Havre for New York, where after a long and dangerous voyage they arrived in New York in the February following, having been eighty days on the water on account of severe storms, • and narrowly escaping shipwreck. He came on the same year to Monroe County, N. Y., and hired out to a farmer, for whom he worked eleven years and in 1865 rented a farm for one year, clearing fl,500. Thinking that would enable him to purchase a home in the west, in the spring of 1866 he came to Allamakee County, Iowa, and purchased a part of the farm he still owns. He was married to Miss Mary ^agle in 1868. She was also a native of Germany. They have eight children, Mary, Jacob, Louisa, Frank. Edward, Martha, Bertie and Sophia. Mr. R. is a member of the German Reformed Church. 0. A. Ross, P. 0. Rossville; farmer, section 25; son of Moses A. and Isabella Ross, was born in 1831, in Fayette Co., Pa.-, and came to this county in 1853, being among the pioneers of the tp. In August, 1862 hfe enlisted in Co. I., 27th lo. Infty, his first ser- vice being up to Fort Snelling, afterwards in the Indian country a short time, when the Company was taken to Cairo, 111., and thence to Jackson, Tenn., where he was discharged for disability in January, 1863, after which he returned home, and the following year, 1864, was married to Miss Louisa A. M. Blumm, a native of Germany. Their children are Harry A., Emily G. and Gilmore. Mr. R. has served his tp. as trustee, is also a member of the I 0. 0. F. He also owns a farm of 160 acres, worth $35 per acre, be- ing pleasantly and comfortably situated adjoining the village of Rossville. 630 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGEAPHIES. Edward Raddy, P. 0. Forest Mill; farmer, section 28; owns 80 acres of land, worth $3,000; was born in Ireland in 1825, emi- grated to the U. S. in 1847, and came to Rondeout, N. Y., where he stopped till the fall of 1849, when he went to New Orleans, stopping till the following; spring, then came to Louisville, Ky., and shortly after to Washington Co., Ind., where he worked on the New Albany & Salem Railroad about two years. He then went to Cleveland, Ohio, remaining a short time, and thence to lUyria, where he remained about nine months; thence to Lafayette, Ind., remainingduring the winter, and in the spring came via the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to McGregor, lo., which was in 1857. He came to Rossville, and worked for a time in the steam saw mill there, and afterwards at a saw mill on Yellow River. In the spring of 1860 he, like many others, caught the Pike's Peak fever; so he started down the Mississippi river and via Hannibal to St. Joe, Mo., and joined a company and went to Pike's Peak. He followed mining in that vicinity about two years, and then wen!; to the Idaho mines, to Yirginia City, to Helena, Mon., and the Blackfoot country, as it was called, in Washington Co., where he prospected, striking a claim which paid him about $2,000. He then concluded to return to the society of friends in old Allamakee coming via Denver and Omaha to his brother's, in this tp., in the- fall of 1863, The following spring he purchased his present farm for $1,800, and commenced farming. In Feb., 1865, he was mar- ried to Miss Bridget Henry, who died in Sept., 1878, and in Sept., 1880, he was again married to Hannah Burke. His. children by his first wife are Mary C, Margaret and Edward J., and by his second wife, Martin. Mrs. R. is a member of the Catholic church. C. A. Robey, P. 0. Rossville; farmer, section 32; son of Heze- kiah and Caroline Robey; was born Sept.!27th, 1844, in Mononga- hela Co., West Va., immigrated with his parents to this county in the spring of 1855 locating in Franklin tp. the following fall, where his mother still resides. In Feb., 1864, he enlisted in Co. K. 1st lo. Cav. Their service was mostly skirmishing in the southwest. He served under A. J. Smith and Gen. Custer; was mustered out in the'spring of 1866, returned home and was married May 13th, to Miss Isabel M. Dunn, daughter of William Dunn, and moved to his present farm of 106 acres, valued at $20 per acre. Their children are EJla W., Angie L., Harvey E., Mary E., Edward, William D. and Albert. They have lost one child, Caruie M. Mr. R. has served his township as assessor, tp. clerk and is at present justice of the peace. John Roffman, P. ^. Forest Mill; farmer, section 12; owns 145 acres of jl^nd, valued at $18 per acre. He was born in Prussia, in 1835; emigrated to the United States in 1871, coming in a sail vessel and being three months on the ocean and nearly starved, about 300 emigrants being on the AXLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 531 vessel. He first located in Northern Mich., near Lake Superior, where he was engaged in burning charcoal for a smelting company. In 1874 he came to Allamakee Co., lo., locating on the land he now owns. He was married in Prussia, in 1861, to Minnie Blenk. They have eight children, Bertha, Ella, Frank, Anna, John, Ida, Jane and Henry, and have lost one son, Albert, who died in Prus- sia. Julius Rieth, son of the late John Rieth, was born in Dubuque, i lo., in 1856, and was brought by the family to Lansing in 1857. Here he was bred to a mercantile life in his father's store. In 1877 he purchased the business and has since continued the same. Peter Reiser, farmer, P. 0. Lansing, was born in Switzerland in 1838. He came |to Iowa when he was 14 years of age. In 1862 he purchased his father's old homestead, and now has a farm of 280 acres well improved. He married in 1862 Catharine Marti, and they have six children, John H., George W., Julius E.^Emma, Barbara and Philip. C. A. Renzenhausen, dealer in general merchandise at Watson, Clayton Co.; also carries on a farm in company with his father. He was born in Lawrence Co., Ohio, in 1853, came to Iowa in 1863. His father is C. R. Renzenhausen, a native of Germany. David W. Reed, postmaster, Waukon; was born in Cortland, N. Y., April 2, 1841. Came to Iowa with his parents in April, 1855, to Center township, this Co., where his father, John Reed, pur- chased a farm on sec. 31, at one time owning 400 acres, of which one eighty is still owned by the subject of this sketch. In the fallof 1859he began attending the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, and from there in the fall of 1861, he enlisted as private in Co. C, 12th Iowa Vol. Infantry, and followed the fortunes of that regiment' during the war, being in all its engagements ex- cept those of the Red River expedition. By a wound received at Shiloh, at the time of the last attack made by the rebels Sunday afternoon, he escaped capture, with his regiment, but was left in the field in the rebel lines until they were driven back Monday afternoon. In April, 1863 he was promoted to the 2d lieutenan- cy, and was commissioned 1st Lieut. Dec. 14th following. From the spring of 1864 to Jan. 21, 1865, he was acting adjutant of the regiment, (and during which time he had a horse shot from under him at Tupelo), and at the latter date received a commission as captain of his company. The following spring was commissioned major by brevet in U. S. Volunteers, for gallant and meritorious services at the siege of Spanish Fort, to date from April 8 of that year — '65 — which brevet was recommended by Maj. Gens. A.J. "Smith and E. R. S. Canby, and Col. W. R. Marshall, of the 7th Minn., (afterward Governor of that State), commanding the bri- gade. Nov. 2, 1865 he was commissioned major of the 12th regi- ment; meanwhile he had acted as field oflicer — major — from the time of his commission as captain until his assignment as inspec- 532 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. tor on the staff of Gen. Hubbard. Was mustered out with the regiment at Memphis, Jan. 20, 1856; but afterwards was commis- sioned major by breyet for gallant, faithful and meritorious ser- vices during the war to date from muster out. In the spring of 1856, Major Reed entered the law oflSce of L. E. Fellows, at Lansing, and was admitted to the bar in 1868. During this time he was deputy revenue collector for this county, under Col. D. B. Henderson, of Dubuqtie. In the fall of 1868 he was elected to the office of County Recorder, and by four successive re- elections was kept in that position during the period of ten years, until Jan. 1, 1879. May 20, 1879, he was commissioned postmas- ter at Waukon, assuming the duties of the office July 1st. Upon entering the Recorder's office in 1869, he began the compilation of a set of abstracts of records and to-day possesses the only set in existence of great value. Mr. Reed was married Sept. 20, 1866, to Miss Ellen E. Manson, and has three children living, viz: Minnie *A., Milton E. and Gertrude M.; having lost two, Maud arid Leonard. Reuben Sencebaugh, P. 0. Rossville, farmer, sec. 32; owns a farm of 537 acres valued at |20 per acre. He was born January 20, 1811, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. His parents moved to Monongahela County, Virginia, in 1820. For several years pre- vious to coming to Iowa, he was engaged in the manufacturing of iron, and for some years as superintendent of a blast furnace, for the smelting of iron ore. He immigrated to Iowa in 1850, stop- ping in Clayton County till 1852. He then came on to his present farm, he being among the earliest settlers of the township. He married Catharine MeShane, of Va., November 9, 1837. She was born in 1815. They have eight children, Sarah, Margaret, Mary A., Francis, Almeda, Abraham, Clara and Dora. The youngest is now a student of the Iowa University, and will graduate the next term. His son Francis served his country in the late rebellion in Co. L, 5th lo. Cav. Mr. S. has served his tp. as justice of the peace. Gilbert Satrang, farmer, sec. 11, Paint Creek tp. was born in Norway, Dec. 5, 1831, and came to this country, to Michigan, in July, 1851, and afterwards to Wisconsin. In 1867 he came from Wisconsin to Iowa, and settled in Paint Creek township where he bought land upon which he has since resided. It was then bare prairie land, but is now surrounded and well sheltered with beau- tiful trees, making one of the pleasantest of homes. He now owns 200 acres of valuable land in this township. From his first resi- dence here Mr. Satrang has taken a position naturally among the prominent men, and has frequently been called to positions of trust and honor. For several years in succession he held the offi- ce of collector for his township, as he had also that of assessor; and was at one time was on the board of tp. trustees. In the fall of 1877 he was elected a member of the county board of supervis- ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 535 ors hj a large majority, for a term of three years. At its expira- tion in 1880 he was re-elected and is now serving his sixth con- secutive year in this responsible capacity. Mr. Satrang was mar- ried in 1855. His wife, Bergith, is also a native of Norway where she was born in 1836. They have six children living, viz: An- drea T., Christian 0., Carl A., Emma C, Albert I. and Ivar I. Christ Scheuning, P. 0. Waukon; farmer, sec. 28; owns 120' acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born October 10, 1829, Wurtemburg, Germany; emigrated to the United States in 1857, locating in Stevenson County, 111., where he remained till in 1869 he came to Allamakee County, Iowa, locating upon the farm upon which he still resides. He married Miss fflary Herman in 111. in 1858. She died in 1865 and he was again married to Nancy Wil- ber in 1866. His children by his first wife are Barbara, Fred- erick and Elizabeth, and by his second wife, one son, Albert. Wm. T. StuU, P. 0. Rossville, farmer, sec 26; son of John and Thankfull Stull; was bojn in 1819 in Payette Co., Pennsylvania, immigrated to Iowa in 1852, locating in this county, he being among the early settlers. Mr. S. enlisted in Co. I, 27th Inf., in August, 1862, serving till the close of the war in 1865. He par- ticipated in most all of the battles in which the company was en- gaged, ainong which were Pleasant Hill, La.; Yellow Bayou^ Nashville, Tennessee; also at the capture of Port Blakely, Spanish Fort, Mobile, Ala.; after which he was discharged and returned. Mr. S. was married to Miss Mary Rowan in 1847, in Pa. They have three children, Elijah, Fillmore and Laura, and have lost nine, John, Nathaniel, William, Luella J., Emma, Mary E., Charles S., Frank and David: most of whom died of diphtheria. Mr. S. owns a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres, valued at f25 per acre. Victor H. Stevens, merchant and station agent. This success- ful young business man was born in Connecticut in 1855; came t» Washington Prairie, Winneshiek County, in 1857; to Waukon in 1862; established himself in the mercantile business at Water- ville in the fall of 1877 with J. H. Hall, of Waukon, under the style of V. H. Stevens & Co., and the following year erected the large, substantial store building and residence which he now occu- pies. After various changes in the membership of the firm Mr. S. became the sole proprietor of the mercantile interest in the spring of 1881 ; and early in 1882 still further enlarged his opera- tions by the purchase of a hardware business established there in 1880. Previous to locating at Waterville Mr. Stevens was depu- ty postmaster at Waukon for several years. He also assisted in the surveys of the W. & M. R. R., and upon its completion to Waterville was appointed station agent, which position he still occupies, as well as agent for the Am. Express Co. In Decem- ber, 1878, Mr. Stephens was married to Miss Dily E. Hersey, and iias one chijd, Vera. 534 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. G. W. Sherman, P. 0. Waukon, farmer; son of Jno. S. and Polly Sherman; was born in 1834 in Erie Co., Penn., and immi- grated to Green Co., Wis., in 1855, remaining there till 1857, when he came to Allamakee Co., locating in Jefferson tp., on sec. 23., where he owns forty acres of first-class land, well improved. Aug. 8, 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 27th Iowa Inf. He was most of the time employed in the hospital, being nurse one and a half years, and hospital steward one year; was mustered out at the close of the war and returned home. He was married to Miss Catharine Round, of Wis., in 1857, by whom he has four children, Jessie D., Lena L., Mary E., Debbie L. Mrs. S. died Feb. 26, '73. He S. has served his tp. as 'trustee, assessor, and president of school board several years, and is also a member of the I. 0. 0. P. James Shaff, sec. 21, P. 0. Waukon, owns 200 acres of land valued at $85 per acre; was born in New Jersey in 1817, his parents moving to Canada when he was about a year old, remaining there but a short time, then moved to Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he re- mained till in 1837, when he went to Laporte Co., Ind., remaining there until in 185 1, he came to Allamakee Co. ; the family following the year after. They were among the pioneers Of the County. He was married to Miss Louisa Wood in 1858. She was a native of Portage Co., Ohio, and died in 1864. He was again married to Addie Wood, sister of his first wife, in 1866, has one daughter by his second marriage, Estella, and lost one son by his first wife, Charles. He is a member of the M. E. church. Louis K. Smith, farmer, sec. 1, P. 0. Waukon; son of J. C. and Mary J. Smith, his father being a native of Ohio and mother of Pennsylvania. They came to this Co. in 1849, locating at Volney, where the subject of this sketch was born in 1853. His father, in company with a man by the name of Austin Smith, who was a millwright, built a saw mill at Volney, it being among the first in the county. In 1855 his parents moved to Waukon and engaged in the hotel business for about a year, when his father traded it for a farm north of Waukon, which he ran a short time, then traded it for the Decorah House, in Decorah, which he ran three years, when he disposed of it and traded for the farm upon which Mr. S. now lives; but soon sold it and moved to Waukon. where he died in 1875, his wife following him two years later. His father was a member of the A. F. & A. M. The subject of this sketch received a fair education in the common schools, qualifying himself for a teacher, in which capacity he has had some experience. He was married to Miss Olive J. Holbrook, Dec. 1874. She was also a na- tive of this county. They have four children, Mabel, Lbuella, William and Louis K. Mr. S. purchased his present farm of 265 acres in 1880; it being one of the best farms in the tp. Bard Shefloe, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 5; owns 365 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in Norway in 1832, emigrat- ed to the U. S. in 1860, and the same year located in this Co. Mf. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGKAPHIES. 535 S. has by economy and industry accumulated a good farm, well improved. He was married to Miss Olein Kjelseth in 1862. She was also born in Norway. Xheir children are Joseph S., Os- car E., and Marcilla. Mr. S. is a member or the Lutheran church. Frank Steel, P. 0. Postville, farmer, sec. 34; owns 170 acres of land valued at $50 per acre. He was born in France in 1813, where he remained till in 1847, when he emigrated to the ,U. S., coming via New Orleans and up the Mississippi to Galena, HI., and located on a farm nine miles from there. In the fall of 1856 he came to this county and located on his present farm. He mar- ried Cathariue Kiser, of France, in 1842. They have three chil- dren, Barbara, Joseph and Christine. His son Joseph runs the farm. Joseph was married to Margaret Ryan in 1874; they have seven children, Francis, Joseph, John, Jane, Henry V., William and Catharine. Mr. S. is a member ot the Catholic church. Anton. Staadt, dealer in drugs, paints, oils, glass, wall paper, oil paintings, chromos, etc., Postville; was born in Prussia in 1821 near the River Rhine; was educated in Prussia, and at the high school of arts and manufactures in Paris, gaining a thorough knowledge of chemistry; was in that school three years, returned home and served as director in a glass factory. In 1851 he emi- grated to the United States, stoppiifg in a drug establishment in New York a few months, after which he came to Wisconsin, where he remained till the spring of 1853, when he came to Post town- ship, this county, purchasing a farm, upon which he remained till, in 1865, came to Postville and engaged in his present business. He married Miss Paulina Verver in thespringof 1851; they have one son, Godfrey, and has lost one, Anton, who died in Milwaukee, Dec. 16, 1871. Mr. L. is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Ed. Sheehy, proprietor of European restaurant; son of John and Bridget Sheehy; was born in 1847 in Salem, Mass. His father followed railroading, and when he was quite small went to Vt. and afterwards to New York, remaining but a short time, when he moved to Ohio, afterwards living in Mo., 111. and Iowa. In 1854 he came to Dubuque, and afterwards lived in Fayette and Clayton counties. He married Ellen Murphy in 1870. She was born in Ohio. Mr. S. came to Postville in 1870 and commenced his present business. They have four children, John E., James F., Mary E. ai!d Anna T., and have lost two, Michael J. and Catha- rine E. His father died January 2d, 1882. He is a member of the Catholic Church. • J. B. Schmidt, Postville, manufacturer and of dealer in boots and shoes; was born in 1835 in Germany, where he received his edu- cation and learned his trade. His parents both died when he was young, leaving him dependent upon relatives. In 1866 he emi- grated to the IJ. S., stopping at Galena, 111., he worked, at his trade there a short time and afterwards made a tour through lo.. 536 ALLAMAKEE CO0NTT BIOGKAPHIES. Mo., Col. and Neb., working at journey work at different cities of ,those states. He was married to Miss Mary Weiss, of Galena, 111., in 1868, after which he lived g,t Patch Grove, Grant Co., Wis., some three years, then came to Postville and established his pres- ent business. His wife died October 22, 1874, leaving him with three children: John B., Mary M. and Aurelia M. Mr. 'S. speaks German, French and English, and is a member of the Catholic Church. G. W. Stafford, blacksmith and dealer in pumps, wind mills, &c., Postville; was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1829. His parents immigrated to Cass County, Michigan, in 1835, and in 1839 to DeKalb Co., 111., where he remained till the spring of 1850, when he went to California via New Orleans and ocean steamer, re- maining there engaged in mining most of the time, also in gen- eral merchandising, and at his trade. Finally, on account of be- ing troubled with sciatic rheumatism, he was compelled to return to the states in 1869, coming via New York, and to Postville, lo., where he engaged in blacksmithing, brick making, etc., which lat- ter business he followed some three years, burning nearly three- quarter of a million of brick and putting up several brick build- ings, including the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was mar- ried to Miss Martha Perry, of .England, in 1870. They have four children, Nettie, Sarah, Georgiana and James, and have lost one, Mattiq. Mr. S. is a member of the M. E. Church and the 1. 0. 0. F. and A. 0. U. W. Edward Staadt, farmer, P. 0. Postville; owns a farm of 285 acres, valued at $9,000; was born in Prussia near the River Rhine in 1822; emigrated to the United States in 1853, stopping a short time at Sheboygan, Wis., but arriving the same year at Allama- kee County, Iowa, purchasing in the south part of Post tp. in company with his brother, Anton. He subsequently sold out and purchased his present farm in 1860. He was married to Miss Han- nah Mitchell, also a native of Germany, in 1860, and has four chil- dren, Charlotte, Carl W., John and Frederick. Bennett Swenson, farmer, P. 0. Waterville, owns 315 acres of land valued at $25 per acre, was born December 25, 1824, in Nor- way, emigrated to the U. S. in the spring of 1845, locating in Rock Co., Wis., In January 1850, he started for the gold regions of California: going via New York and ocean steamer around Cape Horn to San Francisco; and up the Sacramento River to Sacra- mento. He engaged in mining till in 1853; returned via the isthmus to New York, and by rail to Wisconsin. In 1854 he came to Allamakee Co., and located on his present farm. He mar- ried Augusta Thorson in October, 1854. She died Sept. 29, 1875, leaving him with six children, Sven, Thorson, Olaus, Andrew, Julia and Isabel. They have lost two, Andrew and Rosina. Mr. S. is a member of the Lutheran church. ALLAMAKEE COUNTI BIOGEAPHIES. 537 Albert G. Stewart, attorney, was born in Green Co., Wis., March 1, 1854, came to Waukon March 18, 1875, and entered the study of law with H. H. Stilwell. Was admiited to practice in October, 1876, and on the first of January following formed a partnership with C. S. Stilwell, which continued two years, when he purchased the interest of his partner. Was admitted to prac- tice in the U. S. Courts, at Dubuque, at the age of 24. In January, 1880, he received the appointment of Attorney for the County Board of Supervisors, a position to which he has since been twice- re- appointed, and which he still retains. That a young man of only 28, and hardly six years at the bar, should have built up for him- self, in this brief time, a law business said to be second to none in the county, is a fact well worthy of record. At the Republican County Convention, May, 1879, he was honored with an election as chairman of the County Central Committee, and conducted the campaign with marked success, resulting in 'his re-election for that position in 1880-81-82. In August, 1881, he was elected captain of Co. I, 4th Reg. Iowa National Guards, and with the same, per- sistent application which characterizes all his labors, succeeded in placing the company on such a footing that it easily secured the first award, of $100, for the best drilled company in the 2d Brigade, June 22, 1882. Mr. Stewart was married December 17, 1878, to Miss May I. Stone, and has two children, Albert M. and Wayne W. In 1880 he purchased the fine property in Waukon where he now resides. / Holver Simonsen,'blacksmith, of the firm of Simonsen & Peter- son. The subject of this sketch is a native qf Norway, born in 1846. In 1852 the family emigrated to the U. S., and settled near Decorah, Winneshiek Co., Iowa. Here young Simmonsen followed^ farming and in 1872 was married to Miss Gustava Larsen. In 1873 he removed to Waukon, and has since been a partner of the above named firm. He has three children living, Fredrich F., Olive C, and Hattie A. C. S. Stilwell, attorney, a native of Erie Co., N. Y., was born in 1838. In 1851 he came west and first settled in Rock Co., Wis., where he attended and taught school until 1865. He then came to Allamakee Co., and in 1868 settled at Waukon. Here he served as deputy county treasurer, justice of the peace, and read law un- til December, 1870, when he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been doing a general law and collection business. He was married in the fall of 1862 to Miss Elizabeth M. Bowen, a na- tive of Franklin Co., Pennsylvania. He has four sons and three daughters . W. H. Smith was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., in 1817, and when nine years of age removed with his parents to Ohio. Here in 1840 he was married to Wealthy Landon. In 1847 he removed to Wis., and in 1869 to lo., and located in Clayton Co. In 1867 his wife died, leaving one child, Ada, now Mrs. F. G. Hannahs, of 538 ALIAMAKBE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. o£ Chicago. In 1869 he married Sally Smith and removed to Woodbury Co. While there he suffered greatly by the grass- hoppers. In 1879 he came to Allamakee Co., and has since had charge of the county poor farm. H. H. Stillwell, attorney-at-law, was born in Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1841. He came west to Janesville. Wis., where he lived a few years, and in 1862 went to Stephenson Co., Ills., and two years later he moved to this Co. In 1867 he was elected to the position of county treasurer, and subsequently engaged in the practice of law. He married Eliza Bowen, a native of Va. They have two sons and one daughter. Hans Smeby, farmer, section 8; born in Norway in 1826. came to Wisconsin in 1850, to lo. in 1851, and s^tled where he now re- sides. Owns 440 acres of land. He was one of the earliest settlers of Paint Creek township, and has ever been one of her most prominent men. He represented this township on the County Board of Supervisors during 1868-69-70, until the new plan of but three supervisors went into effect. Mr. Smeby was mar- reid in the old country to Miss Helen Froslie, and has eight chil- dren living: Olaf, Martha, Ole. Oline, Eliza, Laura, Helen and Berths. Olaf married Marie Carlson in 1876, and is now pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran church, at Albert Lea, Minn. Martha married in 1877 to L. J. Aga, who also resides at Albert Lea. Oline married A. T. Andeison, of this township. Ole Smeby, deceased, was born in Norway in 1804; came to Wis. in 1849, and to Paint Creek in 1851, with %is first, third and fourth sons, Hans, Ole and John. Hans and John still live here. Ole, jr., died the year following their arrival. The second son. Hovel, preceded the others to this country, coming in 1848; was married in 1851 and died about 1864. His widow re-married and lives in Minnesota. Mr. Smeby died in Nov., 1875. His wife, Mary, was born in 1793, and died in January preceding her hus- band's death. /* Fred Schick, dealer in groceries and provisions, Lansing; was born in Germany, in 1836; came to New York, where he engaged in brewing, also groceries, etc at different intervals until 1856, when he came to Iowa, locating in Center township, Allamakee Co.. where he purchased 75 acres of land, which he f^med until 1862, when he removed to Lansing and engaged in the saloon business. In this business he continued exclusively until 1874, when he enlarged his building, adding a stock of groceries and provisions. He has been a member of the city council and school board. He married Miss Barbara Kehr, a native of Germany They have five children: Louis, Liaa, Mathilde, Louisa and Emily. Hans Simenson, farmer, P. 0. Hanover; owns 280' acres of land on section 21, valued at $15 per acre. He is a son of Ole and Anna Simenson, was born in Norway, August 9, 1840, and came with parents to America in 1851. They settled in Decorah tp., ALLAMAKEE COUKTT MOQKAIHIES. 539 Winneshiek Co., Iowa, where they remained until January, 1855, then moved to their present farm. His tather died October 15th, 1878. The subject of this sketch was married to Patrina Larson, in January, 1869; they have four children, Sarah A., Charles 0., Jane Louisa and Alfred L. Mr. S. has served as supervisor of tp., assessor, trustee, and as a member of school board. He enlisted in Co. H, 9th To. Inf., and served three years. He enlisted as a vet- eran in 1864, and was discharged in 1865. He was in a large number of important battles, and was with Sherman on his fam- ous march to the sea. Dr. T. C. Smith, postmaster, and dealer in general merchandise and drugs; was born April 1st, 1827, in Center Co., Pa.; removed to Stephenson Co., 111., in 1848; thence to Elizabeth, Joe Daviess County, in 1850, and engaged as clerk in a general store. In 1854 he went to Buena Vista, where he engaged in clerking until 1856, when he came to Dorchester and entered the employ of G. W. Hayes, whose business he purchased in company with J. M. Tart in the fall of 1858. This partnership continued until 1872, when Dr. Smith became sole proprietor. He carries a stock of from three to four thousand dollars in value. October 22d, 1852, be was married to Martha J. Tart, a native of Missouri. ' Mr. S. has been county supervisor, and has held various tp. offices. He has been postmaster since the office was established in 1856. Theodore Schwarzhoff, farmer, P. 0. Dorchester; owns about 600 acres of land on sec. 23, valued at |12 per acre; was born Feb. 28, 1836, in Germany. His father came to Dubuque, lo., in 1853, the family following in the spring of 1854, and in the spring of 1855 they came to the farm where he resides. His father died in 1866, his mother in 1874. He married Elizabeth Konig,- October 12,1866. She is a native of Illinois. . They have nine children, Bernard, Elizabeth, James, Caroline, Adolph, Lena, William ' Christine and Theodore. Mr. S. has served as assessor, trustee and justice of the peace. He is a member of the Catholic Church and is a greenbacker in politics. A. Schulte, farmer, P. 0. Dorchester; owns 355 acres of land valued at |18 per acre; was born in Germany, November 28, 1841; came to the U. S. in 1867, and to Dorchester via New York and Cincinnati. He rented the brewery at Dorchester for five years, and then moved upon his farm. He married Caroline Koenig, a native of Illinois, October 28, 1869, and they have six children, Sophia, Theodore, Clements, Eda, Bernard and Alla- wena. They have lost by death one child, Elizabeth. Mr. S. is a member of the Catholic Church. J. B. Schulte, P. 0. Dorchester, farmer, sec. 28; Waterloo tp.; owns 440 acres of land valued at $15 per acre; was born in Ger- many December 24, 1821; came to the U. S. in 1846, locating at St. Louis, Mo. In 1854 he came to Davenport, engaging in brick making, and in 1864, moved upon his present farm. He married ■540 ALLAMAKEE COUN'TT BIOGEAPHIE&. Teckla Oldemann, at St. Louis, in 1848. She died in 1849, and he subsequently married Mary A. Lakars, who died in 1863. In June, 1863, he married Mary Bald. He has three children by his second wife, Bennet, Mary and Anna; and two by his present wife, John A. and Henry. Christian Schwarzhoff, farmer, Waterloo tp.. Sec 27, P. 0. Dorchester; owns 329 acres of land valued at $20 per acre; was born in Germany July 27, 1830; came to the U. S, in 1854, stop- ping about six months near Dubuque, Iowa, and the following spring moved upon his present farm. He married Ellen Engelken, a native of Germany, in 1857, and they have seven children, Mary, Agnes, Anna, Elizabeth, Christian, Margaret and Hermon. Mr. -S. is a member of the Catholic church, and is independent on poli- tics. William Saddler, farmer; sec. 32, P. 0. French Creek; owns 370 acres of land valued at $20 per acre; was born in Cambridge- shire, England, May 27, 1830; came to the U. S. in 1851, locating at Maumee, Ohio. In the spring of 1852 he went to Gibson Co., Ind., and in 1856 came to this county. He married Mary Bulman, a native of England, January 15, 1856, and they have six children, James G., Mary E., William M., John B., James E., and Ada J. They have lost by death one daughter, Eliza A. Mr. S. is a member of the Presbyterian church. John A. Townsend, one of the • early pioneers who settled in Makee township in 1852, was born in the city of New York in 1819. He was left fatherless while yet an infant, and in a few years was taken by his mother to Nova Scotia. Here he received a, common school education, and in 1841 was married to Miss Ruth Huestis. In 1862 he came to Iowa and commenced farming. In 1855 he was elected sheriff and served two terms. He then served one term as county judge, and in 1865 was again elected sheriff and served one term. From 1874 to 1878 he was a member of the mercantile firm of Hail, Townsend & Jenkins, and retired from active business. The children are Lucinda, now Mrs. John Griffin; Emma, Herbert, Edwin, Ada, William, Estella, Dudley and Grace. Stephen Thibodo, agent for marble works; was born in Canada West in 1826, and emigrated to Michigan at the age of 18. Thence he came to Allamakee County in 1859, settled in Post township, and continued the occupation of farming. In 1872 he removed to Volney, where he resided until the spring of 1882 when he •came to his present place of residence in Waukon. He always voted the democratic ticket Until 1860, when he became an aboli- tionist and ardent supporter of Lincoln, continuing a republican till the close of the Hayes campaign in 1876 when he allied him- self with the greenback movement, with which he is still identi- fied, and is heart and soul with the temperance andother reforms. Mr. Thibodo was married in 1854 to Miss Mary Fuller, and has ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. Sil nine children living: John W., James S., Charles G., lola, Vira, Letta, Clara, May and Willie. John married Miss Mattie Egg- leston and lives in Cass Co. lola married John McGoon who lives in Waukou. J. W. Thomas was born in Missouri, November 7, 1831. In 1851 he came to Wisconsin and followed teaching. In 1853 he came to Lansing and served as clerk in the store of G. W. Gray until 1856, when he became a partner in the business. In 1861 the firm founded the first banking house of Lansing. And Mr. Thomas has been connected with banking up to the present time, and has been cashier for seventeen years. He has also been a member of the firm of M. McCormack & Co., since 1873. Mr. Thomas has been twice married. In 1855 to Miss Nancy J. Lem- en, who died in May, 1863, leaving two children, Geo. W., and Mattie; in Dec, 1864, to Anna M. Wier — they have four chil- dren, Ada, Frank, Benjamin and Anna. James M. Thomson, P. 0. Lansing; farmer and stock raiser; son of George and Elizabeth Thomson; was born in Dec, 1845, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His parents emigrated to the U. S. in the fall of 1854, locating in Lansing tp., Allamakee Co., where the subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer. Oct. 8th, 1862, he enlisted in Co. F., 6th lo., Cav. Their service was in the northwest, protecting the settlers from the murderous red men . He participated in all the battles in which his Co. was engaged. He was mustered out at Davenport in 1865, returned home, and in 1870 purchased a farm in Lansing tp., which he sold and moved to his present farm of 200 acres in 1879. His farm is first-class, having a beautiful spring of living water near his resi- dence, and removed from the wash of the high land to the bottom below. He married Miss Mary Gruber in 1875. She was born in Ohio. They have five- children: Elizabeth, Elsbeth, James W., Edward and Albert. He is a member of the A. 0. U. W., and Presbyterian church. J. C. Taylor, P. 0. Postville, proprietor of Fair Lawn Farm, consisting of 130 acres, valued at f50 per acre. He also makes a specialty in the breeding of Clydesdale and best stock of trotting horses. He is a native of Champaign county, Ohio, where he was born in 1845. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in Co. E., 95th Ohio Inf., serving three years. He participated in the battles and capture of Vicksburg, receiving a wound in his left arm; was at the battle of Richmond, Ky., where he was, taken prisoner, but soon paroled, and shortly after, an exchange of prisoners being effected, he returned to his regiment, after which he was trans- ferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. At the close of the war, in 1865, he returned home, remaining till in the spring of 1869, when he came to Allamakee Co., lo., locating north of Postville till in '76 he came on to his present farm. He was married to Miss Mary E. Harris, daughter of Elisha and Margaret Harris, Dec. 25, 1870. 34 542 • ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGKAPHIES. She was born in 1844 in Morgan Co., Ohio. They have three children; Nora S., Nova Zembla and Alta D., and have lost one daughter, Orie J. John Thoma, proprietor of billiard hall and restaurant, was born in Germany in 1851. His parents emigrated to the U. S. in 1855, locatingin Clayton Co., lo., and subsequently in Postville. Mr. T. followed farming till 1874, when he came to Postville and engaged in his present business. He married Anna Ruckdals in 1871; she was also born in Germany. They have four children, John, Anna, William and Fred. Mr. T. is a member of the A. F. &A. M;., andA. 0. U. W. A. L. Terrill, P. 0. Myron, is a farmer, and runs a threshing machine in the fall. He was born in 1839, in Mercer Co., Pa. His parents immigrated to this Co. in 1854, locating in Luellan Tp., his fatter dying there in 1870 and his mother in 1875. Joseph Taylor, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, section 13; owns 140 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; son of Abraham and Sarah Taylor; was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1824, his early life be- ing spent in one of the manufacturing houses in Leeds, where his father was foreman. He emigrated to the U. S. in 1842, stopping two years in Albany, N. . Y. ; then came to Boone Co., 111., re- maining but a short time, after which he located in Rock Co., Wis, where he remained till 1854; then came to Allamakee Co. locatingin Lafayette tp.; was engaged for three years in the woolen mills there, till they were burned; came on to his present farm in 1869. He was married to Martha Mickelson, a native of Norway, in 1850; they have six children, Frederick, Sarah, Alice, Florence, Effie, and Orin. Frank E. Teeple, sec. 11, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, owns 240 acres of land valued at $25 per acre, son of George and Annette Teeple; was born in Winneshiek Co., Iowa, in 1854. His parents came from N. Y. to Winneshiek Co. in 1851, and to Allamakee Co., in 1865, locating upon the farm upon which the subject of this sketch now lives. His father died in March, 1879, and his mother in 1878. His grandfather, M. G. Penfield, who resides with him, came to Allamakee Co. in 1853, and now owns a farm of 320 acres in Union Prairie tp. Mr. T. was married to Miss Lucinda Fuller in 1879. She was born in Winneshiek Co. They have two chil- dren, Angle and Cora. E. A. Tisdale, farmer, was born in Canada in 1826, came to Iowa in 1852, and- settled on his present farm of 200 acres. He was married to Henrietta A. Phipps in 1856. She was born in Otsego Co., N. Y. They have eight children, Rhoda M., Ida E., Louisa, John E., William, Alva, Norman and Nellie. James Vile, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 11; born in England in 1825, where he remained till in 1849, when he crossed the ocean, stopping two years in Canada; then went to N. Y., where he re- mained tiiri854, when became to this county and located on his ALLAMAKEE CODIfTY BIOGRAPHIES. 643 present farm, which now contains 200 acres, and is well improved, being among the best in the township. His wife's .maiden name was Alice Roach. She was also born in England. Their children ar-e Sarah A., John L. and Frank C, having lost one son, Walter R. Bevel Vanvelzer, P. 0. Postville, farmer,sec. 16; makes aspeci- alty of lime burning, stone quarrying, &c., having a splendid quarry on his farm of the best quality of stone. He was born in isyra- cuse, N. Y., in 1817, his early life being employed, in the salt works there, and on the Erie Canal. His parents came to Kane Co., Ill, in 1834, he following in 1835, stopping with a sister who lived in Chicago, where he made his home several vears; returned to N. Y. in 1840; was married to Miss P. Smith, 'March 9, 1845. She was a native of Canada. They commenced living in Queens- town, Canada, in 1849, remaining there two years; then came to Chicago, remaining there a short time; then went to Laporte, Ind.; thence to West Union, Iowa. He soon returned to Chic'ago. His wife died in 1853, after which he returned to N. Y., and was again married to Catharine Brougham, November, 14, 1854. He returned to Iowa, going to West Union and engaged in the hotel business, which he subsequently traded for a farm, which he final- ly lost. Mr. V. has had quite a checkered life of fortune and mis- fortune, has been engaged in the hotel business at McGregor, Prairfe du Chien, and the Four-Mile House, this side of McGregor, also farming near Monona and Howard counties, also in Clayton CS., near Postville. He moved to his present farm in 1869, and now owns 130 acres valued at f35 per acre. He has a fine orchard; s3- so a beautiful spring near his dwelling, which is a fine new striiS- ture, taking the place of the one that was burned two years ado. Mr. V.'s children by his first wife are W. Otis, Francis M., John ffi , Mary A., also Almira A. and America A.; the last two deceasM. Those by his second wife are Bartoe, Arma, Jennie, Lavenia, Bevel and Katie; two being deceased. , , Edward Winmer, restaurant; born in Germany in 1834; e{^- grated to the U. S. with his parents in 1848, and soon settledjijn La Fayette County, Wis. Four years subsequently the fai^y removed to Clayton County, To. Here he learned the shoenjf^- er's trade and followed the same until 1868; he, then wentff^ Chickasaw County, where he was engaged in a brewery until iPi?^, at which date he came to Allamakee County and carried Oftja grocery business at New Albion until 1879, since which time.f^e has been at Waukon. He was married in 1858 to Miss Fra^^jggs Boiler, a native of Germany; they have four children, August, Eddie, Louisa and Amelia. ajf F. W. Wagner, manufacturer and dealer in harness, sad^fl^, l^ whips, etc.; was born in Germany in 1833; came to Amerida-TO 1855 and settled in Cleveland, Ohio. He came to Lansing icon after, and in 1858 established his present business. He was Mfif- 544 ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. ried to Miss Margaret Weber, also a native of Germany; they have eight children: F. W., Lisette, Theo. H., Mary, Amelia, Bertha, Katie and Cornelia. John Wallace, sec. 12, P. 0. Waykon; veterinary surgeon and farmer; makes a specialty in the treatment of all diseases of horses. Mr. W. was born in Scotland in Oct., 1827; commenced the study and practice of veterinary surgery when quite young, paying particular attention to that all his life. He emigrated to the United States in 1850, stopping first near Elgin, Illinois, where he remained till in 1853, when he came to this county, stopping first in Union Prairie tp., and from there to this township in 1865, where he has a farm of 110 acres. He was married to Miss Eliza- beth Ruff, of Scotland, in 1847. She died in March, 1882, leav- ing him and seven children to mourn her loss. The children are Anna, William, Ella, Agnes, Margaret, Charles and George . Mr. W. is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, also A. F. & A. M. and A. 0. U. W. Thomas B. Wiley, P. 0. Rossville, farmer, section 23; son of Ernest and Eleanor Wiley; born in 1829 in Fayette Co., Pennsyl- vania; learned the blacksmithing trade in early life, at which he worked principally till he came to this county in 1857, having been married the year previous in Pa. to a Miss Rachel F. Miller. In the spring of 1860 he made a tour to Colorado, spending the sum- mer there. Mr. W. enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. I, 27th lo. Inf. The company was soon taken to Tennessee, where from exposure, he was taken sick, and the following February was dis- charged at Memphis for physical disability; after which he re- turned home. Mr. W. owns a farm of 80 acres, on section 23 of this township, which is valued at $40 per acre. They have two children, M. and A. Cunningham. Mr. W. is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and the Baptist Church. James P. Wilson, agent C, M. & St. P. R. R. C6., Postville; born in Ayreshire, Scotland, in 1844 ; his parents emigrated to the United States in 1850, locating at Pittsburg, Pa. While there his father engaged as one of the contractors on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad. Prom there they moved to Massillion, Ohio, where he remained till in 1862 he enlisted in Co. E, 104th Ohio Inf., serving three years, participating in the battles of Franklin, Tenn., Mill Springs, Ky., and Fort Mitchell. After receiving his discharge in 1865, he came to McGregor, Iowa, and engaged in the railroad office there, remaining till, in 1870, he tame to Postville and took charge of the station as agent for the C. M. & St. P. railroad company, which position he still holds. He was married to Miss Ella Caton in 1874. She is a native of New York, has one daughter, Clara. He is a member of the A. O.U. W. J. W. Ward, of the firm of W^ard & Meyer, dealers in general merchandise, Postville; born in Ky-in 1852. His father was a na- ALLAMAKEE COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 545 tive of Maine and his mother of Ky. They came to Iowa when he was a small hoy and located in Clayton Co. His early life was upon the farm. He was educated at the Hopkinton school in Delaware Co., Iowa, and followed teaching three winters prior to commencing his present business in the fall of 1875. The busi- ness of the firm is in a very prosperous condition. Their sales reaching about $50,000 per annum. Henry Webb, P. 0. Postville, farmer, owns 155 acres of land valued at $50 per acre; born in Livingstone Co., N. Y., in 1810; his parents immigrated to Washington Co., Wis., in 1846, and he to this county in 1865. He was married the same year to Miss Rozilla Dresser, daughter of Calvin and Sarah Dresser. Their children are Lucy A., Melina A., Ida J., Harmon D., Eva and Bertha. Mr. W. moved to his present farm in 1875. Martin G. Wood, P. 0. Waukon, farmer, sec. 14, son of Moses and Eliza wood; born in Wayne Co., N. Y., in 1835. In early life he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, although following farming. He was .married to Miss Elizabeth Stall, of N. Y., in 1867} they have one daughter, Carrie E. ; and have lost one, Delia A. Mr. W. enlisted in Co. D, 160th N. Y. Inf., in 1862. His service was principally in skirmishing in the southwest, Louisiana and Texas; was discharged in 1863, and the same fall came to this fcounty and purchased land, the family coming the year following. Mr. W. now owns 180 acres of land, also some village property in Fayette. His father lives with him, his mother having died in June, 1880. Wiecking Bros., manufacturers of cigars. H. W. Wiecking was born in Germany in 1850, came to America in 1870, and settled in N. Y.; thence to Indiana; in 1877 came to Lansing and engaged in his present business. He married Hulda Kerndt; and they have three children. H. R. Wiecking is also a native of Germany. He came to America in 1875, and became a partner of his brother. ^/^ C. C. Waechter, dealer in books and stationary, Lansing; was was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1824; came to the U. S. in 1852, stopping first at St. Louis, Mo.; came to Lansing in 1853, engaging in the grocery and feed business. In 1854 he purchased a farm in Center township, residing thereon until 1868. In 1858 he mar- ried Catherine Vogler, who died in 1867, leaving one daughter, Anna. John Ward, Deputy P. M. of Hanover postoffice, and farmer; son of James and Catherine Sweeney Ward; was born in County Fermanagh, Ireland, Aug. 15, 1820; received a liberal education in his native country, and with his parents came to the IT. S. in 1842, they locating at Somerville, near Boston, Mass. In 1846 he enlisted in Co. I.. 2d U. S. artillery, serving in Gen. Wool's division during the Mexican war, participating in several battles, including the capture of the City of Mexico. In 1852 he enlisted on board the U. S. sloop of war, Marion, engaged in the preven- 546 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. tion of the slave traffic from Africa to the U. S., their cruise be-' ing mostly on the western coast of Africa, serving a portion of the time as ship's clerk. In 1855 they returned to Norfolk, Va., he coming on to Washington, where he was discharged and then came home. In 1856 he came to Iowa, stopping in Glenwood tp.,. Winneshiek Co., until 1858^ when he came to Hanover tp., where he now owns a farm of 360 acres, valued at $20 per acre. Mr. Ward was married to Miss Bridget Ward in Ireland, in 1839. She died in the spring of 1849, and the following fall he was married to Miss Mary Ward, a cousin of his first wife. His children by his first wife are Wm. F., John and Alice, and by the second marriage, William, Ellen, Thomas, Mary, Patrick, Catherine and Anna. He has lost by death one son, James. Mr. Ward is at present justice of the peace of his tp., which office he has filled for twenty-two years. He has also served as clerk for eighteen years, and is the present deputy postmaster of Hanover postoffice. WINNESHIEK COUNTS. B. Anundsen, proprietor and publisher of the Decorah Fasten, is a native of Norway, was born in 1844; he learned the printer's, trade, and in 1864 emigrated to the United States, and soon settled in the city of LaCrosse, Wis. Here he continued his trade, and in the summer of 1867 established thg Ved Amen— signifying, "By the Fireside"— a semi-monthly sheet, and the first literary Norwegian paper in America. In 1868 he removed to Decorah, contiaHed the publication of said sheet, and in 1869 es- tablished the first book-bindery in Decorah. In 1870 he started the Fra Fjae-ent [og iVaer, a weekly newspaper. In 1871 he dis- continued his two papers and book-bindery, reduced his force of employes from thirteen to two,- and for three years simply did the printing for the Norwegian College. In September, 1874, he started the Decorah Posten, of which an account is given within the pages of this book, and is now publishing the same. Mr. Anundsen is a conscientious, reliable man, who believes in free thought on all subjects. He was married in 1865 to Miss Matilda Hoffstrom. They have had five children, two of whom are now living, Arthur and Fredrick. John Amy (deceased), was born in Bath, N. H., in 1788, but while yet a small child removed with his parents into Vermont. His father was a soldier in the revolutionary war. John Amy was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his only son, Dr. C. W. Amy, a soldier in the late rebellion. John Amy was married in WINNESHIEK COUNTY BI0GEAPHIE3. 547 1828 to Cynthia Smalley. In 1838 he removed to Ohio, and in 1857 to Iowa and settled' at Fort Atkinson. His death took place June 27th, 1864, leaving a wife and five children, all of wliom are residents of Decorah. Ellen S. is the wife of J. M. Williams, cashier of the Winneshiek County Bank. Jane C. is the wife of J. P. McKinney, an employe in the U. S. railway postal service; Aba C. is the wife of J. C. Strong, president of the above named bank, and Louise A. is the wife of the late H. S. Weiser, found- er of said bank. The only son is Dr. C. W. Amy. Deidrick Addicken (deceased) was born in the Grand Dukedom of Oldenburg, Germany, November 5, 1824. He came to America in 1855, and made his first home in Clayton Co., lo., where for two years he was a farmer. In 1857, he came to Decorah and built what has since been known as the old brewery, near the stone mill. In this he laid the foundation for the competency he afterwards acquired. About ten years subsequently he purchased the property he owned and occupied at the time of his death. There he gradually surrounded himself with buildings, which in themselves form a small village, and here he spent his remaining years in the double capacity of brewer and miller. His death took place in July, 1875, being caused by injuries received by a fall while in the act of getting out of his buggy. He left an in- valid wife, three daughters and one son. C. W. Amy, M. D., was born in Ohio in 1842. His parents were John Amy and Cyntha G. Smalley. He came with the family to Winneshiek county in 1857, but in 1860, although a mere boy, he concluded that ke wanted to see some of the western plains and mountains. He therefore went to Colorado, and in Dec, 1861, enlisted in Co. B, 2d Col. Vol. Inf., and was afterwards transferred to the cavalry service. Dr. Amy served his country faithfully as a soldier, participating in eight battles, besides nu- merous skirmishes, until he was mustered out of service in Decem- ber, 1864. He then returned to Winneshiek Co., and at different intervals taught school, and was also for several years traveling agent, at the same time gradually turning his attention to the study of medicine. In 1876 he came to Decorah and devoted his entire attention to study, with Dr. J. W. Curtis as preceptor. In 1877 he entered the Rush Medical College, where he took two regular and two adjunct courses, and graduated in February, 1879. He then located at Decorah as a practicing physician. In 1881 he took a practitioner's course at the above named college. March 28, 1881, Dr. Amy was united in marriage to Harriet A. Bottsford, M. D. She is a native of Vermont, born August 10, 1845, her parents being Martin and Charlotte Bottsford, both na- tives of the Green Mountain State, who settled in Canoe tp., Win- neshiek Co., in 1855. Harriet A. Bottsford was an uncommonly bright child, and at fourteen we find her in charge of a school as teacher. In 1864 she entered the normal department of the Iowa > 548 WIKSTESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. State University, from which she graduated in 1867. She then became a teacher in the higher department of the public schools of Decorah, and continued until 1873. While a teacher she also commenced the study of medicine, with Dr. H. C. Bulls as pre- ceptor. Soon after leaving the school-room as teacher, she en- tered the Woman's Medical College, of Pa., and graduated in the spring of 1876. She then spent one year at the Women's and Chil- dren's Hospital at Philadelphia, after which she was located at Chicago until 1879, and since then at Decorah. During her stay in Chicago she occupied the chair of materia medica and thera- peutics in the Women' Hospital Medical College, was visiting phy- sician at two dispensaries, and assistant of Prof. T. Davis Fitch in his synecological clinic in the above named college. She has one daughter. W. E. Akers, attorney. This promising young men is a son of J. M. and Harriet E. Akers, the former a native of Putnam Co., Ind.; and the latter of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. They were married at Woodstock, 111., in 1853. J. M. Akers, is a bla&k- smith by trade, and located at Decorah in 1855. Here he followed his trade for several years; subsequently had the mail contract be- tween Decorah and Austin, Minn. This was before the railroads were built, and the trip required four days. Mr, Akers afterwards purchased a farm near Plymouth Rock, Minn., and lived on the same about four years. He then resumed his trade, and followed the same at Bluffton until 1876, when he again returned to Decorah, since which time his business has been collecting and insuring. W. E. Akers, the oldest of the three children, was born in Cook Co., 111., in 1855. He was educated in the public schools of Decorah, and at the age of 16 commenced teaching. At the age of 19 he commenced the study of law, with Judge E. E. Cooley as precep- tor, and at the age of 21 was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been in constant practice, and is meeting with marked success. In 1876 Mr. Akers enlisted as a private in the Decorah Light Guards, now Co. G, 4th Iowa; March 5, 1879, he was elected 1st Lieut., and April 27, 1880, was promoted to the rank of Cap- tain. W. E. Akers is honest, ambitious and industrious, and among the young men of Winneskiek none has brighter pros- pects than he. In March, 1879, W. E. Akers married Miss Em- ma Draper, and they now have two children, Charles W. and an infant. Asa W. Adams, oldest resident photographer in Winneshiek Co. The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio in 1842. He was left motherless when but a small boy, and in 1853 he came with his father to lo., and lived with him in Allamakee Co., until he was 21 years of age. He then learned the art of photography at Mc- Gregor, and in 1865 located at Decorah, and has since been the leading photographer. In 1866 he married Miss Emma J. Fuller; they have three children, Leila A., Jennie and Willie. WIKNESHLEK COtTNTY BIOGEAPHIES. 549 George M. Anderson, farmer, owns 200 acres, 160 in Frankville tp. and 40 acres of timber in Glenwood tp. He was born in Drammen, Norway, in 1836, and came to this county with his parents in 1852. They settled in Frankville tp. His father pur- chased the government claim that Geo. M. now owns. George M. enlisted in 1862 at Decorah, in Co. E, 38th lo. Inf., and served 3 years during the rebellion. In the fall of 1865 the 88th was con- solidated with- the 34th. Previous to the consolidation he was promoted to corporal. He was in en-gagements at Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Fort Morgan and Mobile. At the termination of the war he returned to the farm , which he has owned and resided on ever since. It is fine prairie land, well improved and stocked, good residences and comfortable barns, etc. He was married in 1865 in Glenwood tp., to Miss Hanna Jacobsen, and they have six children. He has filled various offices of public trust in the tp., and is one of its leading citizens. His brother, Andrew M. An- derson, also enlisted during the war, in the 12th lo. Inf., Co. G; served a little over a year, and was killed by the explosion of a shell at the battle of Corinth, Miss., Oct. 1862. Joseph A. Adams, farmer, was born in Iowa Co., Wis., in 1854; came to this county with his parents in 1856. His father, Jos. Adams, first settled in the village of Frankville, was a Presbyterian preacher, and for several years preached there. He afterwards went into the mercantile business there, and in the spring of 1860 sold out the store and bought the farm, then only partly improved. It contains 280 acres in a solid body, except 40 acres of timber in Bloomfield tp. Joseph Adams, Sr., died March 6, 1871, since which time Joseph A., has controlled the farm and supported his widowed mother and sister. He has the farm well stocked and all improved, good residence and buildings; 12 head of horses on the farm, 5 head of cattle, and a large drove of hogs of good breeds. John G. Ackerson, farmer, and an old settler in Burr Oak tp., was born in«Compton, Bergen tp., N. Y., in 1816; and in 1833 went to Steuben Co., N. Y., and in 1844 to Ogle Co., 111., and from there in 1853 to lo., locating in this place. He bought 320 acres where he now resides at the government price, and has sold 80 acres, leaving him 240 acres, 200 acres being in Sees. 15 and 22, -sphere he resides, being good farm land, well improved, and 40 acres of timber in Sec. 34. There were not over a dozen settlers in the tp. when he first located here. He has filled vari- ous offices in the tp., and was a member of the county board of supervisors one term, having been elected in 1860. He married in 1853, McHenry Co., 111., Miss Ann Dickerson, and they have three children, John, Elizabeth and Maria. Erick Anderson, P. 0. Decorah, farmer, Springfield tp.. Sec. 1, was born in Norway Jan. 20, 1827, and emigrated to the U. S. in 1839. They first landed at Boston, Mass., and came via rail and 550 WINNESHIEK COUKTT BIOGRAPHIES. water to N-. y.; thence up the Hudson river to Albany, and by the Erie canal to Buffalo, where they embarked on board a steamer and came to Chicago, 111., which was then a small town. Here they located, remaining until 1845, when they moved toMe- Henry Co., Ills. The subject of this sketch was engaged as er- rand boy for the first four years; also served as cabin boy one season on board a steamer plying between Chicago and St. Joseph, Mich., and afterwards engaged in a newspaper office for two years, the same being the office of an abolition paper. He also spent one year at a seminary in Beloit, Wis. In 18i7 he went to Mus- kego. Wis., where was he engaged as compositor in the office of the Nordlyset (Northern Light), it being the first Norwegian paper published in the northwest, Mr. Anderson setting the type for the first number. In 1848 he went to Madison, Dane Co., and en- gaged at clerking in a general store. In 1850 he came to this county and entered some land in the south part of this tp., but engaged at clerking in a general store at Frankville, continuing two years, after which he moved to Ossian and engaged in general merchandise for about four years; then came on to his land re- maining till in the winter of 1860, and in 1861 he moved to De- corah, having been elected sheriff of the county the fall before. He was re-elected to the office in 1862, and at the expiration of this term he moved to his present farm, which now contains 265 acres, well improved and with good buildings. His farm is especially adapted to the raising of stock, with which he is well supplied. He is at present putting up a late improved mill for the manufacture of sorghum syrup; its capacity is 150 gallons per day. Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Anna Halvorson, Nov. 6, 1851; she died April 15, 1852. He was a^ain married to Miss Louisa Hanson, July 15, 1856. She died May 16, 1876, and he was again married Oct. 8, 1877, to Mrs. Mary Thompson, nee Opdahl. He had one daughter by the first marriage, Elizabeth A.; by the second marriage, Edgar, Albert, Henry, Lorenzo, William, Oscar and Louisa; and one son, Charles, by the la^ marriage. He is a member of the M. E. church. Anon Anderson, farmer. Sec. 36, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 1,080 acres of land valued at |25 per acre; was born in Norway in 1839; is the son of Ole and Carrie Anderson; emigrated from there to Boone Co.. 111.; lived there until he was 18 years old, when he settled in Winneshiek Co., la.; was married in 1861 to Carrie In- gebritson, a native of Norway, by whom he had six children, El- len, John, Albert, Ole, Anna and Anon. He was married to his second wife in 1874, Miss Sarah Tuck, a native of Buffalo, N. Y., and they have had four children: Mabel, who died at the age of three; Ethel, Freeman and Ray. Hon. Samuel Aiken, dealer in Holstein cattle and Hambleton- ian horses, was born in Barrett, Vermont, in 1834. When he was ten years old he went to Illinois; thence to Wisconsin, and WINKESHIEK COUNTr BIOGRAPHIES. 551 in 1854 he removed to Minnesota, locating near Sprinsc Grove, Houston County, where he engaged in farming. He was elected to represent the county in the legislative assembly of 1861-2, and in 1866 he was appointed enrolling clerk of the senate, which position he filled one term. In 1869 Mr. A. was again called upon to serve the people, and at this time was elected county treasurer of Houston county. At the expiration of his second term of office he came to Winneshiek County and settled on a farm near Trout Run. In 1880 he removed to his present resi- dence in the east and southern portion of Decorah, and engaged in business as before mentioned. He is a son of Samuel and Nancy Far'ewell Aiken, who were born in Vermont, but who are of Scotch descent. He was married to Elizabeth Burt, a native of Ohio; they have four children, Effie E., now Mrs. E. W. Holway; Wm. E., Ida A. and Grace A. E. T. Allen, justice of the peace and farmer, was born in Mont- gomery County, N. Y., in 1832, and is a son of Robert B. and Lydia Thayer Allen. In 1855 he came to Rock Co., Wisconsin, where he remained four years; he then went to California, re- maining a short time, and returned east as far as Virginia City, Nevada; from there he went to Idaho and Oregon, and followed teaming and mining until 1867, when he returned to N.Y. He soon after again moved to Wisconsin and engaged in the lumber business ; thence to Dubuque in the same business, and in 1868 came to this county and located at Ridgeway. He married Mary E. Griffith, also a native of N. Y., and they have three children, Nellie E., Robt. E. and Cora A. Mr. Allen was elected justice of the peace in 1868, and has held the position ever since. Hon. D. 0. Aaker, dealer in general merchandise grain and stock; also proprietor of Ridgeway Creamery; was born in Nor- way in 1839, and is a son of Ole Aaker. In 1848 he came with his parents to America, and located in Waukesha County, Wis., remaining there until ,1854, when they removed to this county, locating near Burr Oak Springs. In 1868 the subject of this sketch came to Ridgeway, and entered the lumber and grain trade. He subsequently sold his lumber yard, and has since in- creased his bjisiness to its present dimensions. In 1881 he was elected member of the legislative assembly, which position he still holds. He married Christena Ellefson, also a native of Norway, and their children are Lena, John, Theo., and Adolph Oscar. In 1862 Mr. A. enlisted in Company G, 12th Iowa Infantry, and served until 1866. Hon. Theodore W. Burdick, cashier First National bank, is a native of Penn., and was born at Evansburg, Crawford county, on the 7th day of Oct., 1836, his parents being Nelson and Almira Mason Burdick. His grandfather was Sheffield Burdick, of Wyoming Co., N. Y. and his great-gr.andfather was Adam Burdick, third son of Nathan Burdick, of Rhode Island, whose two sons 552 IVINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. bore a conspicuous part in the struggle for our national independ- ence. Nelson Burdick was born in the State of New York; re- moved from his native State to Crawford Co., Penn., and in 1852 immigrated to Iowa, and located at Preeport, on the site now occupied by the paper mill, but did not bring his family west until 1853. At that time the journey was made by railroad to Rock- ford, 111., thence by stage to Dubuque; thence by river to Lansing, and again by wagons to Freeport. Burdick soon became a popu- lar citizen, and in the spring of 1854 was appointed to fill a va- cancy in the Treasurer's and Recorder's ofiice, caused by the death of Thomas J. Hazlett, and was twice re-elected to the same. When the civil war broke out, he had five sons who were elligible to serve their country, all of whom enlisted, but only two returned from service, as three filled soldier's graves. Theodore W. is the oldest of the three living children. He early applied himself to his studies, so that at the age of 17 he was prepared to enter Oberlin College, Ohio, but came with his parents to Freeport in the spring of 1853. During the summer of that year a school house was completed at Decorah, and the following winter the subject of this sketch became the first teacher. In the spring of 1854 he entered the Treasurer's and Recorder's ofBce as deputy, under his father, having charge of the books as such until 1857, when he became of age, and as his father's term of office expired, the son, in compliance with the votes of the people, succeeded him, holding it until he resigned to enter the military service. In 1862 Mr. Burdick recruited Co. D, 6th lo. Cav., and in October was commissioned Captain of the same. Its field of operation was on the western frontier, and he participated in three battles with the Indians: White Stone Hills, Dakota, Tah-kah-o-kuta, near the line of Dakota and Montana; and Bad Lands, on the Little Missouri river. He served three years, when the regiment was mustered out. In the official reports Captain Burdict is hon- orably mentioned for gallant services on the field, and was recom- mended for promotion. In February, 1865, Mr. Burdick pur- chased an interest in the First National Bank of Decorah, and has since been its cashier. He is also an extensive dealer in real es- tate, in which business he has been quite successful. On the 6th of September, 1876, he received at the hands of the Republi- can party its unanimous and unsolicited nomination for Congress to represent the third district, and was elected by more than thir- teen hundred majority in a district which two years before had elected the Democratic nominee, and in 1875 had given a larger majority|for the Democratic candidate for Governor than the Demo- cratic Congressman had received. His opponent was Hon. J. M. Griffith, of Dubuque. Mr. Burdick's services in Congress were entirely acceptable to the people who elected him, and he again received assurance of the nommation, which, however, he declined, as his private business required all his care and attention. Mr. WINlfESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 553 Burdick was one of the incorporators of the Savings Bank of Decorah, and is now. and has been since its organization, its cashier and the custodian of its funds. He is a partner in the banking firm of Graves, Burdick & Co., of Estherville, Emmet Co., L). In December, 1858, he married Miss Nancy Graves, youngest daughter of Hon. Gaylord Graves, of Whitewater, Wis. She has had six children, five of whom are now living, Mary A., Emma, Harriet. Nelson A., and Weld T. Mr. Burdick is a con- scientious, reliable man, agreeable in manner, and does every- thinglwell that he undertakes. He is a member of the Congrega- tional church. > Henry C. Bulls, M. D., the oldest practicing physician of De- corah, was born at Chazy, Clinton County, N. Y., November 14, 1830. In Oct., 1854, Dr. Bulls immigrated to Decorah, and has practiced here since, except when discharging official duties out- side of his profession. When the law creating the office of coun- ty superintendent of public schools went into force, Dr. Bulis was the first man to assume its duties, and served three years. He subsequently vcas a member of the county board of supervisors, serving as the first president of the board, under what vras then termed the new system. In 1865 he was elected state senator, and by re-elections served six years, resigning in the middle of his second term to take the office of lieutenant-governor, to which the people had called him. While in the upper branch of the general assembly he was at one time chairman gi the committee on claims, and at another, of the committee on state university. He did especially good work on the latter committee; a warm friend of education, and being generous and broad in his views on the subject, he earnestly advocated the appropriation bills, and every measure calculated to advance the interests of the universi- ty. Part of the time, while in the senate, he served as president pro tem., and was in that positi'on when placed in the chair of lieu- tenant-governor. He has been a trustee and regent of the university; he was examining surgeon for pensions from 1865 to 1876, and subsequently president of the Iowa State Medical So- ciety. Dr. Bulis has' always been a republican, and as can be seen by this sketch much of the time since he has been in Iowa, he has been a favorite of the party. He has been very service- able, not to his party or state alone. On the 25th of August, 1876, he was appointed a member of the Sioux Indian Commis- sion, and aided essentially in forming, a few weeks later, the treaty with them by which they ceded the Black Hills, and granted the right of way to the same of three different routes. The ser- vices which the doctor rendered in securing this treaty can hardly be over-estimated, and is regarded as the crowning act of his life. On the 11th of September, 1854, he married Miss Laura A. Adams, of Champlain, New York. She died in 1861, leaving two children, Frank H. and Ada A. On the 17th of June, 1863, 55i WIKJS'ESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. he married Miss Harriet S. Adams, a sister of his first wife. The services which Dr. Bulis has rendered to the county, the state and the country will long keep his name in remembrance. In July, 1878, he was appointed special United States Indian Agent, but resigned the same after nine months. Chas. P. Brown, attorney, one of Winneshiek Co.'s prominent lawyers, is a native of Lynn, Mass. His father, Dr. W. B. Brown, was a brother of Gould Brown, the grammarian. The subject of this sketch was born in 1833. After completing his education at the Quaker school of Providence, he returned to Lynn, and being surrounded by boot and shoe manufacturers, he learned the shoemaker's trade, but in the fall of 1857 he went to Buffalo, N. Y., and commenced the study of law, with Hon. Eli Cook as preceptor, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar. He then went to Bellevue, Mich., and entered into a law partnership with M. S. Bracket, with whom he remained until 1865, in which year he came to lo., and located at Cedar Falls. In 1869 he came to Deco- rah. Here he was first associated as partner with J. G. Morse, subse- quently with C. Wellington, and since 1881 with R. F. B. Port- man. He was married in 1861 to Miss Vera Bracket, daughter of M.S. Bracket. Mr. Brown is a democrat, but has no political aspirations. The children are Martin W. and Jennie L. .Ben Bear, Centennial Clothing House. This enterprising young merchant is a native of Europe, born in 1853; emigrated to the U. S. in 1867, and located in the city of New York, where he served as clerk (without change of employers) until 1876. He then concluded to* seek his fortune in the "great west," and ac- cordingly came to Decorah, and at once commenced his present business, in a comparatively small way, however. In 1877 he sustained losses by fire, but immediately resumed business, and being a man of excellent business qualifications, and at the same time dealing squarely and honestly with his customers, his trade increased from time to time, so that he not only carries the largest stock of clothing, gent's furnishing goods, hats, caps, boots and shoes, but also does more business than any other clothing house within a radius of many miles of the city of Decorah. J. H. Baker was born in Oswego Co.. N. Y., in 1838; removed to Walworth Co., Wis., in 1844. In 1865 he came to lo., and first opened a meat market at Conover, and ran the same about three years. He' then came to Decorah, and in 1869 commenced deal- ing in grain, live stock, etc., and has since continued the same. He has also run a meat market since 1881. Mr. Baker was mar- ried at Prairie du Chien, Wis., in Sept., 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Flanders. They have three children living. N. A. Brekke is the only son of Andrew N. Brekke, who is a far- mer on Bee. 23, Madison M;p. He was born in Winneshiek Co. in 1857; was educated in the common schools and the Norwegian college of Decorah; followed farming until 1880, then entered WIJfKESHIEK COUXTT BI06KAPHIES. 555 into partnership with E. T. Weeks, engaged in groceries and pro- visions, and continued a member of the firm of Weeks & Brekke until March, 1882, when he withdrew from business, Michael J. Bolland was born in Irongiem, Norway, in 1829; came to this county in 1858, and settled in Hesper tp.; bought 160 acres of land southeast of the village of Hesper, which he still owns; lived there twenty years; then bought 258 acres where he now resides. It is principally fine prairie land, with a little brush land and forty acres of timber, and is well improved and well stocked. He has a fine residence and every arrangernent for comfort, and is within two miles of town. He was married in Norway in 1850 to Miss Marit Johnson. They have seven chil- dren, four deceased. Albert A. Benedict, P. 0. Decorah, firm of Benedict & Mott, proprietors of Trout Run Mills; son of Aden S. and Sarah Bene- dict; was born July 22, 1838, in Delaware Co., Ohio; his father died when he was about 4 years old. His mother was again mar- ried to Jonah Hole, in 1819, who was killed in 1862 by being thrown from a buggy by a frightened team. At the age of fifteen he engaged in a grist mill with a brother-in-law to learn the trade of a miller, in which he continued most of the time till in the fall of 1856, when he came to Winneshiek Co., la. He first en- gaged in a grist mill in Canoe tp., known as the Spring Water mill for about a year, after which he went to Hesper tp. and en- gaged in farming for two years, and then engaged in the assist- ance of a Mr. Tabor to start a steam grist mill in the town of Hesper; after which he was engaged in milling, carpenter work and attending school, till July 4, 1860, when he was married to a Miss Abbie A. Mott. He then carne on to a farm in Canoe tp., which he had previously purchased, and continued farming in connection with milling till in 1869, when he went to Clay Co., lo., taking a homestead near where Spencer now is, and the fol- lowing year built a grist mill at Spencer in company with G. D. Marcellus. In the spring of 1872, he returned to this county and purchased an interest in the BlufiFton mills, which he subsequently sold and came to Decorah and engaged in the stone mill of Am- mon Scott. In 187T, in company with his brother-in-law, J. W. Mott, he purchased the Trout Run mills, and in the spring of 1882 they purchased a farm of 440 acres above the mills three-fourths of a mile, upon which Mr. B. lives, superintending the farm, and his partner the mill. His children are: Oscar C, Allard E., Flor- ence A., Fred. E., Grace M. and Willard. Mr. B.'s mother, after the death of her second husband, came to this Co. to live with her children. She died in 1866. Mr. B.'s religion is that of the Friends. Henry I, Brichner, P. 0. Decorah, farmer; son of Henry and Elizabeth Brichner; was born Jan. 17, 1832, in York Co., Pa. When quite young his parents moved to Berkley Co,, W. Va. 556 WINHTESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES." In the fall of 1857 he immigrated to Decorah, and engaged at his trade, carpenter and joiner, till in 1869 came on to his present farm of 81 acres, which is well improved and worth $4j5 per acre. He also makes a specialty of bees, having about 50 swarms at present. He married Miss Julia Shank, in Va., Oct. 5, 1854; they have nine children, Laura V., John H., Edward G., Hattie N., Susan E., Joan J., Sidney E., Grace M. and Robert C, and have lost two, Albert P. and Charles W. He is a member of the M. E. church. J. R. Booth, P. 0. Decorah; proprietor of the Winneshiek Paper Mills at Freeport, was born in Montgomery County, New York, in 1827. His early life was spent in a woolen mill. In 1854 he came to Warren, Illinois, where he served as station agent for the I. C. R. R. Co., and afterwards at Galena and Be- loit, Wisconsin, at which latter place he subsequently engaged in the manufacturing of sash, doors, blinds, etc. In 1871 he estab- lished the firm of Booth, Hinman & Co., an extensive paper mill company, in which he continued until 1880, when he disposed of his interest there and came to Decorah, and purchased the Win- neshiek paper mills, which are now worth about $35,000. Mr. B. resides in Decorah, His present wife was Minerva Leonard, a na- tive of Roscoe, Illinois. He has two children, one by a former wife. H. A. Baker, of the firm of H. A. Baker & Bros., dealers in general merchandise, was born in, Crown Point, Essex County, N. Y., in 1842. He moved with his parents to Iowa in 1858. He was engaged for a time as clerk in McGregor, and in 1862 established himself in his present business at Ossian. , Mr. Baker has been state representative two terms, and in 1881 was elected state sena- tor. He married Eliza Webster, a native of Ind.; they have four sons. Hon. Benj. T. Barfoot, P. 0. Ridgeway; farmer, Section 19, Madison township; son of James and Jane {nee Purvis) Barfoot, his parents being of Scotch descent. He was born March Ilth, 1830, in Wayne County, Ohio. While he was quite young his parents moved to Holmes County, in the same state. In early life he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, at which he was engaged several years. In the spring of 1853 he came to this county, first locating at Freeport. In 1855 he moved to Decorah, continuing house building until 1868, when he moved to his pres- ent farm, having purchased the same in 1861. Mr. B. was very successful in the ]3ursuit of his trade, and has been equally so in farming, now owning 430 acres of land two miles southeast of Ridgeway, situated on a beautiful prairie commanding an exten- sive view of the country for miles around. He makes a specialty in stock, horses, hogs, etc., having some very fine Hambletonian horses. Mr. B. is a man of pleasant and agreeable social quali- fications being well informed in contemporaneous events, the A, R Leach WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 557 leading journals and literature of the da.y having a place in his li- brary. He has filled most of the offices of his township, also as- sisted in taking the United States of 1880, and the same year was a candidate for representative in the state legislature on the re- publican ticket, but was defeated on account of his known tem- perance proclivities, the free whisky and beer element being in the ascendancy m his district. He was married to Miss Jane Dohertv, of Ohio, April 25th, 1850. Their children are Andrew W., J." Scott, Louisa J., Cyrus F., Enos F., Albert F. and Mary A.; they have lost one daughter, Minerva. E. Blackmarr, retired farmer, was born in 1819, in Saratoga Co., N. Y. In 1835 he removed to Huron C6., Ohio, and was en- faged at farmingthere until 1850; he then moved to DeKalb Co., nd.; remained there three years; then caflne to lo., locating in this Co. In 1854 he bought land in Hesper tp., on what is known as Looking Glass Prairie. In the following year he moved to the village of Burr Oak, and conducted what was known as the Burr Oak House one" year; then returned to farming, which he con- tinued until he sold out in 1866, and again moved to Burr Oak and engaged in the mercantile business, carrying general stock. He remained in this business nine years, sold out in 1875 and re- tired from active business. Mr. B. was postmaster several years, has filled various offices in the tp., and is one of its most respected citizens. He was married in 1840 in Huron Co., Ohio, to Miss A. Washburn, and they have four children, Louisa, Byron, Oliette and Melvin. E. H. Betts, farmer, section 33; owns 80 acres of land valued at per acre; was born in Portage Co., Ohio, in 1830, where he lived until nineteen years of age, when he removed to 111. with his parents, remaining there until 1856, when he moved to Winne- shiek Co. His parents were Samuel and Mahala Betts. He was married in 1854 to Miss Olive E. Rogers, of Geauga Co., Ohio; they have three children: Arthur, now in Dakota; Evangie, and Clara H. Mr. Betts has been a member of the County Board two terms, and a justice of the peace several years. Richard Barnes, merchant and farmer, Fremont, was born in Addison Co., Vt., in 1827; remained on the farm of his parents until 1854, when he came to lo. and settled in this Co. The first year he resided in Decorah, and then came to this place, before the tp. was organized. He entered a quarter section of land, proved up and obtained patent; he owns now 230 acres in sections 23 and 27, including 50 acres of timber. He now rents the farm, which is well improved. He served on the County Board of Super- visors in 1865 and 1866, and was afterwards elected in the fall of 1881 to the same office on the Republican ticket. In 1873 he opened business in the building now occupied by J. S. Daskam, remained two years, then went back to the farm, and in the fall of 1880 returned to the village and bought the stock of merchandise 35 558 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. of D. A. Fifield, having already owned the building. He car- ries a good assortment of general merchandise, does a good busi- ness and owns residence and property in town, where he resides. He was married at Trumbull, Conn., to Mary M. Middlebrook, and has four children, Edward, Carrie, E. Frederick and Florence. Robert Burrows, farmer, BlufPton township; was born in Suf- folk, England, in 1824; came to the United States in 1836 with his parents, who settled in Monroe County, New York, and en- gaged in farming. In 1840 they moved to Canada West, now the province of Ontario, and engaged in farming for 12 years. Robert B. then came to Iowa and settled in this township and en- tered a claim on government land, improved the same and now owns 280 acres in sections 1 and 2, all under fence, mostly under cultivation, and well •stocked. He has built a good residence, barns, etc., on the southwest quarter of section 1. Hogen H. Barlo, farmer, P. 0. Decorah; owns 246 acres of land in section 34; was born in Norway Oct. 20tlj, 1842; immi- grated to the United St&tes in 1866 and located on his present farm. He was united in marriage with Ann Hogenson in March, 1867. Mr. B. is a member of the Lutheran Church. Levi G. Burton, farmer, Fremont township; was born in Crawford County, Penn., in 1838. In 1854 he came with his par- ants to this county. His father pi;e-empted 120 acres on the northeast of the village. He remained with his parents until 186^, when he enlisted, at Frankville, in Co. K, 38th lo. Inf., un- der Capt. Allen. They were afterwards consolidated with the 34th Iowa and served to the close of the war. He was at the siege of Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Fort Morgan, and the siege and as- sault of Blakely ; was mustered out with the regiment at Houston, Texas, August 15th, and discharged at Davenport, Iowa, Septem- ber 5th, 1865. He returned to this place and purchased the land he now owns and resides upon; has improved the same, erected a fine residence and substantial farm buildings, and has the farm well stocked with good graded cattle and hogs; has six head of hor- ses. He was married in 1867 at Decorah to Miss Lucetta J. Ken- dall, and they have three children. Alma May, Edna and Nellie. He was a member of the board of township trustees several years; and is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Cresco Lodge, No. 150. John and Benjamin Burton, his brothers, enlisted in Co. K, 38th lo. Inf. Benjamin died at Barancas, Florida, March 31st, 1865, in the service, and John returned from the war and was discharged at the same time as Levi G. Swen H. Borlog, P. 0. Decorah, farmer, section 1, Calmar tp.; owns 213 acres of land valued at 135 per acre; was born March 18th, 1830, in Norway, and came to the U. S. in 1854, first locat- ing in Dane County, Wisconsin, where he remained till in 1861 he came to this county and located on his present farm, in 1862. WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 559 Mr. Borlog was married to Miss Anna Nelson in 1860; they have eight children, Ole, Sarah, Jennie, Mary, Lena, Nora, Theodore and Ida. Mr. B. is a member of the Lutheran Church. Andrew Nelson Brekke, P. 0. Decorah, farmer, Sec. 23, Madi- son tp.; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; was born in Norway in 1834, and came with his parents to the U. S. in 1852; they located in Dane Co., Wis., remaining there to 1853, when he came to this Co., and located on his present farm. His mother died in 1852 in Wis.; his father is now living with him, and is at the advanced age of 86 years. Mr. Brekke was married to Miss Helen Thompson in 1852; they have one son, Nels A. D. C. Bacon, P. 0. Decorah, farmer. Sec. 2i, Madison tp.; owns 240 acres, valued at f40 per acre; was born March 18, 1828, in Litchfield Conn. In early life he learned the trade of plane mak- ing, which business he followed for many years, also carpenter and joiner work. In 1854 he came to lo., locating at Freeport, in this Co. He came on to his present farm in 1878. Mr. Bacon was married to Miss Rebecca Swift, June'25, 1855, in Connecticut. They have two children, William S. and Mary A. Mr. Bacon is a member of the Congregational church, and of the A. F. & A. M. Jacob Butz, farmer, owns 120 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; was born in Indiana in 1856, and is a son of Theobolt Butz; came west in 1866, and settled in this tp. He married Emma Reinhardt, who was born in Allamakee Co. They have one child, Edward. Lewis R. Brown, Sec. 8. Orleans tp.; son of Josiah and Susanna Brown, both born in N. Y.; was born in Jefferson Co., N. T., Feb. 8, 1834. In 1860 he came to Orleans tp., locating on his present farm, which now contains 628 acres, the probable value of which is $30 per acre. Mr. Brown also deals extensively in fine stock. He was married to Louise S. Chapin, also a native of Jefferson Co., N. Y.; they have two children, Henry C. and Susie E. ■ G-. R. Baker, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in 1851; is a son of W. H. and P. W. Baker; came to Iowa in 1859 with his parents, and settled in Bloomfield tp., re- ceiving his early education at the common schools, and subse- quently a course at the Ames Agricultural College. He was em- ployed as clerk at Ossian from 1871 to 1874, at which time he came to Ridgeway and engaged in business as above. He was mar- ried to Estella'BoUes, a native of this Co. They have two chil- dren, RoUin and Raymond. A. W. Brownell, farmer, owns 144 acres, section 17; joining the town of Fort Atkinson; was born in Rensalaer Co., N. Y., in 1831. In 1853 moved to Chillicothe, Ross Co., Ohio, engaged in the manufacture of lumber for two years; then moved to Wis near Madison and engaged at farming, and in 1863 came t Mitchell Co., lo., farming three years; then went back to Wis. 560 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOHEAPHIES. and remained two years; in 1868 came to Fort Atkinson and pur- chased property in town, and in 1877 bought the farm which he now owns. It is improved and fenced, having good buildings, etc. He was elected in the fall of 1874 Clerk of Courts of this Co., on the Democratic ticket, served one term; and in 1877 was elected Co. Supervisor on the same ticket, the county being large- ly Republican. Mr. B. was married in Ohio in 1854, to Miss Fer- nandez, who died in 3856. He afterwards married, in 1861,. at Leeds, Columbia Co., Wis., Miss A. K. Chilson, and they have five sons and one daughter. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. W. Becker, lumber dealer. Fort Atkinson, was born in Ger- many, in 1849, was educated there, and in the spring of 1868 came to the tJ. S.; settled first at Festina, in this Co., worked in the store of C. Dessel for one and one half years, then came to this place and engaged in the grocery business in the building now owned by J. C. Morris, jeweler. In 1874 he sold out and went into his present business. He bought eight town lots for the yards, has fenced them, carries about a $6,000 stock, has erected good, dry sheds, etc., and does a good business. He was married in 1873 at Festina, to Miss Barbara Huber, of this Co. A. Bernatz & Bros., proprietors Evergreen Flouring Mills, Ft. Atkinson. A. Bernatz, the senior member of the firm, is a native of Germany, and Geo. Bernatz, the junior member, of this coun- ty. Their parents came to the U. S. in 1849 and settled in Roch- ester, Ji). Y.; came to Prairie du Chien in 1852 and to McGregor in 1855, and engaged in the brewery business, which they sold and went to Smithfield, Allamakee County, and bought the flour- ing mills; from there they came to this county, bought the Ad- dicken flouring mills, on the Canoe River, northeast of Decorah, and run the same two years; then bought the Riceford mills at Houston, Minn., and also built a mill in Fillmore County, Minn., known as the Newburg mills, and the same year built the Chaska flouring mills, near Minneapolis. They sold their Minnesota mills and came to this place in 1875; had bought the Evergreen mills in the fall of 1874, and haye conducted the same lever since under the firm name of M. Bernatz & Son, until the fall of 1882, then under the above name. The mill is 40x50 feet, three stories and basement, situated on Turkey River; is fitted as a merchant mill and does merchant work only; has a capacity of 125 barrels; is fitted with five run of buhrs, one set of rollers, bran duster, puri- fier, and all the necessary machinery for a first-class mill, and fives employment to five men, besides the proprietors and coopers, t is probably the only mill in northern Iowa that runs steadily the year round as an exclusively merchant mill. Power is given with four Leffel water wheels, equal to 100-horse power. D. Bright, farmer, living on section 30. and owns 160 acres; was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1828; learned the trade of carpenter; came to Iowa in 1856, settling at Osage, Mitchell WINNESHIEK COUNTY BI0GBAPHIE8. 561 County, and lived there ten years, working at his trade; then came to this place and Moved onto his land, which he ' had bought ten years previously. He has now thoroughly improved it, having it all under fence, good baildings, etc., and well stocked. He has a fine herd of good grade cattle; eleven head of horses, among which are some fine Clydesdale half bloods. Mr. B. has filled many offices in the township, and is a leading and respected citi- zen. He married in November, 1852, in Pennsylvania, Miss Mary Bowers, and has five children living, William, Lauren, Low- ella, Frank and Bert. John Birtwistle, farmer, section 5, P. 0. Cresco;owns 118 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in England; is the fourth son of Edward and Priscilla Birtwistle; was married in 1855 to Miss Alice Grundy, a native of England. When he was 18 years of age he came to America; settled in Grundy County, Illinois, lived there two years, then moved to La Salle County, and after a residence of eight years there, came to Winneshiek County. He has three children living, Margaret E., JohnE. and William. Mr. B. was 'for a time employed by the government as a carpenter. Hon. Ezekiel E. Cooley stands conspicuous among the early representatives of the legal profession in the Tenth Judicial Dis- trict. He is a native of the Empire State, born in Victory, Cayu- ga Co., on the 12th of January, 18^. His parents were Ira A. Cooley and Lydia Chittenden Cooley. His father was a clergy- man of the Baptist denomination, who held pastorates after his son was born, at Hermon, St. Lawrence Co.;* Denmark, Lewis Co., and Brownsville, Jefferson Co. He died at the last named place in June, 1846. At the age of sixteen years the son entered the Black River Literary and Religious Institute, at Watertown, and at his father's demise was about to enter Hamilton College, but this bereavement thwarted all his plans. Two years prior to this date, while fitting for college, he commenced teaching, and in the summer of 1847 went to Cynthiana, Kentucky, to pursue this call- ing, arriving there with seven dollars in his pocket. Up to this date he had a hard struggle in procuring the knowledge which he then possessed, and which struggle was not ended; but he con- tinued to persevere, having the legal profession in view, and con- tinued teaching with a view to supplying himself with funds. Soon after reaching Kentucky he commenced studying law, with Judge Trimble as preceptor; was admitted to the bar in 1849, and in August of the same year returned to New York and took charge of a public school in Odgensburg. Not satisfied with his legal attainments, simultaneously with his commencing to teach, he read law, with Hon. A. B. James as preceptor, and on the 2d of September, 1850, was admitted to the bar of the State of New York. He commenced practice at Hermon; two years later he removed to Odgensburg, formed a partnership with George Mor- ris, and continued practice under the firm name of Morris & Coo- 562 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. ley until October, 1854, when he immigrated to Iowa and located at Becorah. At that date there were less than thi»ty families in the place, hut Mr. Cooley had the wisdom to see that it was a town of much proiniise, and a good opening for an ambitious young attor- ney, with a broad foundation of legal knowledge on which to builds In 1855 Mr. Cooley formed a partnership with W. L. Easton and L. Standring, for the purpose of carrying on the busi- ness of banking and real estate. This banking house proved eventually to be the "seed-corn" of the First National Bank of Decorah. No movenent calculated to benefit Decorah or the county has failed to receive the hearty support of Mr. Cooley. As early as 1856 he was one of the prominent men in organizing a railroad company called the Northwestern, of which he was made the attorney. The financial depression delayed this enterprise, but after repeated trials the road, under another name, reached Decorah in September, 1869. Upon the celebration of its com- pletion, Mr. Cooley was very appropriately made the orator for the occasion. Two years after he settled at Decorah, an efi'ort was made to remove the county seat to Freeport, three niiles east- ward, and but for the adroit efforts of Mr. Cooley and a few other persons, the project probably would have succeeded. Mr. Cooley^/ came to Decorah to practice law, and to make it a business for life. He has carried out his intentft)ns almost to the letter, and has at- tained eminence in his profession. The few offices he has held were urged upon him by the partiality of his friends. In the spring of 1855 he was elected prosecuting attorney, and served two years. When, in 1857, Decorah was incorporated, he was chosen president of its board of trustees; and in October- of the same year he was elected to the lower branch of the general assembly — the seventh — which was the first under the new con- stitution. Young as he was, and wholly inexperienced in legisla- tive matters, he was placed at the head of the committee on fed- eral relations. He was also on other important committees, such as judiciary, and township and county organization, doing valuable work on all of them, as well as on several select committees. In 1861 Mr. Cooley was appointed postmaster of Decorah, but re- signed at the end of two years. In September, 1864, President Lincoln appointed him commissary of subsistence in the volunteer service, with the rank of captain. He held this position until October, 1865, when he was breveted major for meritorious ser- vices, and received his discharge the following month. Twice his republican friends have presented his name before the district conventions for congressional nominations, but in both instances competing candidates bore off the palm, and he magnanimously took the stump and aided iii their election. In 1879 he resigned the office of mayor of Decorah to accept the appointment of judge of the Tenth Judicial District, and in Nov., 1880, was elected to the same position, and is still serving as such. Judge WINKESHIEK COUKTY BIOGRAPHIES. 563 Cooley has profound respect for' the Bible, is familiar with its teachings, and has aimed to live a blameless life, but has no church connections. He, like his sons, is a student. He loves the prac- tice of law, much better than politics, and still pursues its study with the relish and eagerness of. his younger days. Through his success he has obtained a competency, and has one of the most elegant and costly. residences in Decorah. Judge Cooley was mar- ried on the 18th of March., 1856, to Miss Jane M. Rhodes, of Dubuque, a lady of very fine talent as an amateur artist in oil colors. They have two sons^ both of whom are graduates of the literary departinent of the Michigan University. Ch-arles M., the elder, subsequent to graduating, studied law with his father; was admitted in September, 1879, arid was a member of the firm of Cooley, Fannon & Akers until 1882, when, on account of his health, he gave up practice, and is now engaged in stock farming in Da^ kota. He was married in August, 1880, to Miss Alice Woodruff, .daughter of Rev. H. B. Woodruff. Roger W., the younger, is now reading law .with W. E. Akers, Esq. W. F. Coleman, M. D., a pioneer physician and dentist of De- corah, was bornin Vermont in 1825. At the age of 18 he removed to Illinois, and served as clerk in mercantile pursuits until 1847. He then entered the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, and graduated in 1850. Dr. Coleman then located at McHenry, 111., and engaged in the practice of medicine and dentistry, at the same time having an interest with his brother in a general mer- cantile business. In 1857 Dr. Coleman located at Decorah, and in 1862 received a commission as assisting surgeon in the 17th lo. Inf., in which position he served until the spring of 1864, when he resigned on account of physical disability. Dr. Coleman then returned to Decorah, and as soon as his health permitted, resumed the duties of his profession, and has since continued the same, during which time he has been engaged in the drug business for about five years. Dr. Coleman was the first mayor of Decorah, having previously been president of the town; has also been city treasurer, and served two years as county superintendent. He is TJ. S. examining surgeon, and for sixteen years has been a physician on the board commissioners of in- sanity. Dr. Coleman was married in 1848 to Miss Jane E. Grout, a native of Canada West. They have eight children living: J. H., Viola A., (now Mrs. W. R. Toye), Frank M., A. L., Herbert D., Willard F., Louis and Adelbert. L. L. Cadwell, conductor, is a native of the Empire State, born at Binghamton, Brown Co., in 1838, his parents being Nathan and Eliza Cadwell, with whom he removed to Fox Lake. Wis, Mt. Cadwell iu 1859, married Miss Anna Johnson, of North Adams, Mass. In 1862 he accompanied his wife east, her health being impaired, and in the same year enlisted in Co. B, 2d N. T. Cav. This company formed a part of the Gulf Department, and 564 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. participated ia Gen. Banks' expedition up the Red river. Mr. Cadwell remained in the service until Dec, 1865, when he was mustered out as First Lieut. He then entered the employ of the C, M. & St. P. R. R., and still continues with the same. He has' been a resident of Winneshiek Co. "since 1867, and of Decorah since 1875. In 1876 Mr. Cadwell built the Decorah Green House, which, under the supervision of his wife, has become the leading green house for a large section of country around Decorah. Mr. Cadwell is a gentleman who is highly esteemed wherever known, and his home is one of the best in Decorah. He has one son, Herbert H. J. L. Cameron, county surveyor, is a native of Scotland, born in 1832. In 1835 the family emigrated to the United States and lived in western New York until 1844, then in Canada until 1852, when they removed to Wisconsin, from which state they came to Iowa and settled in Winneshiek County in 1859. The subject of this sketch was taught the art of surveying and civil engineering by his father, who was a graduate of Aberdeen University, of Scotland, and has therefore thus far in life made it his principal business. Mr. Cameron has been twice married : In 1860 to Miss C. W. Worth, who died in 1873, le^-ving five children, four of whom are now living. In 1878 to Mrs. M. E. Johnson, M. D., by which marriage he has one child. A. C. Chase, firm of Chase & Pinkham, stone sawing, etc.; was born in Vermont in 1852, and in 1858 with his parents, Charles and Savina Chase, came to Iowa and settled at Decorah. His early life was spent working in a flouring mill. In 1874 he went to Hamlin County, Dakota, and now owns property at that place. His present business was established in March, 1882, and bids fair to become a leading enterprise of Decorah. C. H. Craig, editor and publisher of the Decorah Pantagraph, was born at Albany, New York,' November 20, IBSG. He com- menced work at the printer's trade in the Albany Evening Jour- nal office in January, 1870. In 1878 he took Horace Greeley's advice and went to Sioux Falls, Dakota, where he was engaged on different papers until the spring of 1882. He then came to De- corah, purchased the Decorah Radical, changed the name to De- corah Pantagraph, and is now editing and publishing the same. Orlando J. Clark, attorney, is a son of J. T. Clark, and was born in New York in 1843. He came to Iowa in February, 1855, received a common school education, and enlisted in Co. E, 38th lo. Inf.; was afterwards transferred to Co. K, 34th lo., and served until the close of the war, when he was mustered out as second lieutenant. He then returned to Decorah, and in January, 1867, commenced reading law with his father as preceptor; in June, 1868, he was admitted to the bar, and has since been in constant practice. He has been district attorney six years, city mayor WINl^TESHIEK COUiJTT BIOQKAPHIBS. 665 one term, and is at present city attorney. Mr. Clark was married November 24;th, 1868, to Miss Stella McCurdy, and has one son and one daughter. Fitz William Cleveland, farmer, owns 120 acres of land, in- cluding 13 acres of timber. Mr. C. was born in Lake Co., 111., in 1814, and in 1845 his parents moved to Wis. In 1854 they moved to lo., locating in Winneshiek Co., on a government claim in Hesper tp. The farm he now owns and resides upon is a part of the original homestead. His father, Selby Cleveland, was a pioneer settler and died in March, 1876, his sons taking the farm at that time. Fitz W. was married in 1869, in Burr Oak tp., to Miss Sarah A. Gates, and they have two children. Josiah Callender, farmer, came to this Co. when a child, with his father, Isaac Callender, in 1848, who took a claim under the government, and was one of the first actual settlers in this part of the county and was a much respected citizen, and had held many offices of public trust in the county. He died on the 19th of March, 1882. His wife died two months before. The home farm, which contains about 260 acres, is conducted by Josiah Cal- lender, who was born in Wis., in 1846, two years previous to his parents' moving to this county. Mr. Callender is a member of Lodge No. 66, A. F. & A. M„ and was married in 1873 to Miss Vila E. Crouch, in Cherokee Co., Iowa, and has two children. Daniel Calkin, farmer, resides on and owns 100 acres of tillable land in section 20, Hesper tp., and also owns 20 acres of timber in Burr Oak tp. He was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in 1837, and in 1859 went to Whiting. Vt., and there learned the trade of carpen- ter and joiner. He enlisted in Sept., 1861, on the second call after the battle of Bull Run, in the 5th Vt. Infty., Co. F.; served three years; two years of the time was hospital steward, as he was un- able to serve in the field on account of serious illness during the first year. He was discharged in Sept., 1861, and returned to Vt. and remained until the spring of 1865, and then went to Wis. In the following fall he came to lo., located in Canoe tp., this Co., bought a farm there and resided thereon five years; then sold out and purchased a farm in section 30, Hesper tp., where he remained six years; then in 1876 purchased the farm he now resides on. It is thoroughly improved and is fine prairie land. He has built a fine brick residence and good barns and farm buildings, and has his farm well stocked. He has filled , various offices of trust in Canoe|and Hesper tps. He was. married in Oct., 1868, at Postville, lo., to Miss Esther M. Finney, and they have five children. L. M. Chase, P. 0. Freeport, steward of the County Poor Farm; was born in N. H. in 1833, where he remained till in 1853 he came to Iowa, stopping in Muscatine two years; then came to Winneshiek Co., locating in Canoe tp. In 1870 he moved into Clay Co., lo., where he remained till in 1876, when he returned to 566 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BI0GEA.PHIE3. Winneshiek Co., and in 1878 was appointed to his present position. His wife was Miss Mary Gove, a native of N. H. They have five children, Herbert. EHiston, Pliny, Lydia and Milton. Peter Coogan, P. 0. Decorah, farmer, Sec. 3; son of James and Catharine Coogan. He was born June 24, 1841, in Steuben Co., N. Y.; immigrated to lo. in the spring of 1859, locating in the southeast part of Allamakee Co., and the following fall came to Decorah. He first engaged as teamster, and subsequently farmed upon the Jacob Jewett farm, and on Washington Prairie one year. In 1866 he rented the farm he now owns, and at the close of two years he purchased it. He now owns 230 apres, valued at $85 per acre. He married Miss Elizabeth Headington, February 4th, 1865. She is a native of Ohio. They have two children, Cora H. and Laura N. M. J. Carter of the firm of Meyer & Carter, bankers; estab- lished business in Feb., 1880. They do a general banking busi- ness. Mr. Carter was born in Warren Co., Ohio, in 1852; came west with his parents July 4th,- 1856, and settled in Bloomfield tp., where 'he lived until 1874, when he engaged in clerking. He afterwards read law with |Gr. L. Faust, and was admitted to the bar in Jan., 1877. Mr. C. was deputy clerk of the courts two years; has also been mayor, treasurer and justice of the peace. He married Mattie B. Harvey, a native, of N. H., and has one son. J. H. Constantine, manufacturer and dealer in harness, sad- dles, whips, etc., was born in Waukesha, Wis., in 1855; came to lo. in 1875, and the following year located in Calmar and estab- lished his present business. He married Mary Benda, a native of Iowa. E. W. Constantine, proprietor of sample room; was born in Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1861; came to Calmar in 1877, and estab- lished his present business. He married Elizabeth Sullivan, who was born in McGregor. A. J. Cratsenberg, of the firm of Cratsenberg & Son, dealers in general merchandise. Burr Oak, was born in Denmark, Lewis Co., N. Y., 1830; lived in that county until 1864. He was in business dur- ing part of the time in Turin, in that county, at his trade as a har- nessmaker. He enlisted during the late war in Co.F, 186th N. Y. Vol. Inf., as sergeant of the Pioneer Corps, and served to the close of the war. He was with Gen. Meade at Stony Creek, the taking of Petersburg, and in North Carolina. He was discharged in 1865 near Alexandria, then returned to N. Y. and took a po- sition as foreman in a harness shop. In 1869 he came to lo. and settled in Burr Oak, and opened a harness shop, which he con- ducted three years and then quit the business. In the same build- ing he opened and established the hotel known as the American House, which he conducted until April, 1877. He then sold to Mr. Porter, its present occupant, and in the following spring he opened the store in partnership with his son. In the same year WINNESHIEK COCNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 567 he obtained his commissson as postmaster, succeeding George Kimball. He is also a commissioned notary public, receiving his commission in 1878. Mr. C. is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., and has filled every office in the lodge; is its present treasurer, has been representative to the Grand Lodge twice and district deputy twice, and is still a member of the Grand Lodge and Encamp- ment. He married in 1851, in N. Y., Miss Julia M. Phelps, of the same place, and they have four children, Alva A. Alma A., Ella L. and Frank E. Alva A., the oldest, is junior partner in the business, but resides in Madison, Wis. He is special agent for the State for the Continental Ins. Co., of N. Y., and was for- merly with Henry Paine, of Decorah, in the same business. He was married Dec. 29, 1880, to Miss Ida Bennett, of that place, and they have one child, Helen. ' Charles W. Cady, M. D. and druggist, was born in Saratoga Springs, New Yorlc, in 1846. His parents moved in 1851 to Mai- den, Massachusetts, and in 1857 to Owatonna, Steele County, Min- nesota. He resided with them until 1877, when he located at Burr Oat and established his present business and practice. The Doctor received his preparatory education at Owatonna, and in 1869 entered the Chicago University and went through the junior year; then left and commenced the study of medicine with. Drs. Case and Moorehead at. Owatonna, Minnesota, and in 1874 he en- tered the Bennett Eclectic Medical College of Chicago, and gradu- ated in 1877. He commenced practice at .Blooming Prairie, Min- nesota, remained there but a short time, then came to this place, and has established a lucrative and successful business and prac- tice. He was married in 1877 to Miss Elizabeth Turner, and they have one child, Ellen May. C. L. Christiansen Lein, Hesper township; owns 295 acres, in- cluding 50 acres timber, 70 acres of the land being in Canoe town- ship, the balance in Hesper township. Mr. Lein was born in 1841 at Hollingdahl, Norway, and came to the United States with his parents in 1852; lived one year in Dane County, Wisconsin; then came to this place, where he has since resided. He bought 280 acres of land in Baker County, Minnesota, in 1878. It is raw prairie and valued at $12 per acre. The home property is all un- der cultivation, thoroughly improved and well stocked. He has filled several offices of trust in the township, and served fivp years as justice of the peace. He was married in the fall of 1869 at this place to Miss Carrie Larson, and they have five children, Mary, Eliza, Christiania, Oliver and Helena. Elijah Clarke, farmer, Fremont township; owns 160 acres of land; was born in New York, iu 1808. In 1829 he went to Upper Canada, remaining there nine years, farming and lumbering; then moved to McHenry County, Illinois, and engaged in farming un- til 1853; then came to this county and bought a claim in what is now Hesper township; lived there two years; then came to this 568 WINlfESHIEK COTJUTT BIOGRAPHIES. place, and purchased the land he now owns, directly it came into market, and has now thoroughly improved the same. He was mar- ried in 1833 in Canada to Miss Lydia Belles, and has ten children. John Cizek, proprietor of wagon and blacksmith shop, Spill- ville; is a son of Wenzel and Anna Cizek; was born in Bohemia, in October, 1836; came with parents to America in 1865, and lo- cated in Racine County, Wisconsin, where he worked at his trade until 1863, when he removed to Dubuque, where he worked for A. A. Cooper. In 1864 he came to this place and established a blacksmithing business, aftei wards adding wagon manufactur- ing and a repairing branch. In 1857 he was married to Mary Zeman, also a native of Bohemia. They have five children, Jose- phine, William, Mary, John and Fanny, and have lost one by death, Emma. Chas. Crapser, section 28, Orleans township, P. 0. Cresco; was born in Duchess County, New York, in 1832; he is a son of Har- rison and Elizabeth Crapser. From New York he went to Ohio; thence to Will County, Illinois, and in 185i he removed to Con- over, where he remained one summer, when he again removed to his present farm of 320 acre?, which he valued at $35 per acre. He deals largely ia Holstein cattle, owning thirty thoroughbreds, nineteen of which are imported. He was married to Phoebe Catharine Kirk, a native of New Jersey; they have nine children, five sons and four daughters. John Cunningham, farmer, section 24; owns 240 acres of land valued atfSO per acre; was born in Scotland in 1848; is the old- est son of Adam and Sophia Cunningham. When he was six years of age he emigrated with his pareuts to America, and set- tled in St. Lawrence County, New York; remained there till 1863, when he moved to Minnesota, and after a year's residence there finally located in Winneshiek County, Iowa, and has been a resident of that county since. He was married in 1875, to Miss Lizzie Emslie, a native of Wis., and has one child, John. R. S. Chapman, dealer in drugs, stationery, fancy groceries, etc.. Fort Atkinson; was born in Chesterfield, N. H., in 1820. In 1832 his parents moved to Wayne County, Pennsylvania, re- maining but a short time; then went to New York, and in the spring of 1833 to Union County, Ohio; farmed there five years; then moved to La Payette, Medina County, Illinois. In 1845 he went to Jefferson County, Wisconsin^ remaining two years, and was in various other places, as a carpenter and millwright; in the spring of 1874 he came to Iowa and located at this place in Aug- ust, 1874, and bought the drug business of Chas. Adams in com- pany with his son-in-law. Dr. F. L. Bradley. Two years later they dissolved partnership, Bradley retiring, and Mr. Chapman carried business alone until 1880, when he again formed a part- ip with Mr. Bradley. They own the property; the building ' '13 5, and is filled with a complete stock. Mr. Chapman •WINJSTESHIEK COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 569 was married in September, 1843, at Lafayette, Ohio, to Miss Sal- lie E. Wallis, and they have one child, Mary E., now Mrs. Brad- ley. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Prank P. Chizek, dealer in general merchandise. Fort Atkinson; was born in Austria in 1855; he came to America with his parents in 1868; located in Chickasaw County; in 1876 moved to this county and engaged in farming. In 1870 Frank entered the em- ploy of G. Weaver, remained with him six yeavs, then clerked one year in the store of Peter Oleson, at Calmar, and in the spring of 1877 located here, and commenced business in partnership with H. H. Blodgett, dealing in general merchandise. They dissolved partnership in the spring of 1881, and he then opened business alone, bought the building he now occupies, refitted and extended it, and put in a new and complete stock of dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, groceries, glassware, crockery, etc., and is also agent for many makes of sewing tnachines. Mr. C. has established a fine business. He was married in the spring of 1876, at this place, to Miss Mary Macal, they have two children Johnnie and Ida. M. H. Culbert, farmer, section 4, P. 0. Cresco; owns 480 acres of land valued at |30 per acre; was born in Canada in 1836; is the eight son of Isaac and Elizabeth Culbert; came to Winneshiek County after a residence of nine years at Hesper; removed to Or- leans township in the year 1877; moved to Cresco, and resided there until 1881, when he moved on to the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1865 to Miss Hattie Lindsay, a native of Canada, and has three children, Sydney M., Harrison W. and Willie I E. Mr. Culbert has been township trustee for several years. The Day Family. — This family is the pioneer family of Deco- rah, having settled on the site now occupied by the Winneshiek House, in the month of June, 1849. William Day, the father of this family, was born in the State of Virginia. He was married in 1824 to Miss Elizabeth Thomp- son. In 1848 he removed with his family from his native State; came north, touching at Cassville, Wis.; then remained for a short time on a claim in the east part of Winneshiek Co.; thence to Decorah: Here he at once erected a log cabin, which soon be- came a convenient place for travelers to stop for refreshment and rest. In 1856 a frame building was erected, and called the Win- neshiek House, and as proprietor of this house he spent his re- maining days. His death took place August 7th, 1860. His wife, now familiarly known as Mother Day, still resides at the Winne- shiek House. She has had seven children, but only three were living at the death of Mr. Day. Those three are still residents of Decorah, and form what is known as the firm of Day Brothers. T hey came to Decorah with their parents, and since the death of t heir father have been associated in business . They were engaged- 570 WiNNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGKAPHIES. extensively in real estate, and dealt largely in live stock, produce, etc, until 1870, since wliicli time their principal business has been dealing in lumber. They now have lumber yards at Decorah and Cresco, and handle over three million feet of lumber an- nually. In 1877 they refitted the Winneshiek House, at a cost of about eight thousand dollars, and still own the same. Clayborn Day, the oldest of the three brothers, was born in 1825. He was the first postmaster of Decorah. In 1857 he mar- ried Miss Emma Porliman, daughter of Dr. William Porliman, of Decorah. John Day, the second oldest, was born in 1841. He was mar- ried in 1869 to Miss Elizabeth Noble, daughter of Judge Reuben Noble, of McGregor. They have two children, Noble and Floyd. . Richard Day, the youngest of the firm, was born in 1843. In 1870 he married Miss Sarah Atkins, daughter of Greorge Atkins, of Mason City. She difed in 1877, leaving two children, only one of .whom is now living, Eliza. Comments are unnecessary on the subjects of this sketch, a? they are known by all to be honest, upright and reliable men. D. B. Dennis, grocer, only son of Archie and Mary Dennis, na- tives of the State of N. Y., who settled in Winneshiek Co. in 1857. The former still resides at Decorah ; the latter died in 1879. D. B. Dennis wag born in N. Y., in 1838; came to Decorah in 1858; served as cl-erk in a mercantite business -about three years; then as deputy postmaster two and a half years. In 1863 he engaged in general merchandise, and continued until 1866, at which time his store was destroyed by fire. In the spring of 1869 he established his present business, and has since continued the same. Mr. Dennis was married in 1862 to Miss Anna J. Haggart. They have had two children, both deceased. B. 0. Dahly, the popular millinery merchant of Decorah, is a native of Norway. He was bom on the 1st day of December, 1824. His parents gave him a good common school education. In 1844 he emigrated to this country, and spent about nine years working as a mechanic in Chicago. His first venture in mercantile business was at Whitewater, Wis., where he carried on business nearly two years with indifferent success. In 1854 he came to Winneshiek Co., lo., and identified his interest for a time with the prospective town of Freeport; which, it was thought, had some prospect of becoming the seat of justice of the county. He erected a store, hotel, and other buildings; but the county seat being decided in favor of Decorah, Freeport declined; and Mr. Dahly, failing to see any prospect of success there, went to Minne- sota and started business both at Preston and Rushford, in Fill- more county. At the former place, the county seat, he erected a store, but he had hardly got started when the financial crisis of 1857 proved disastrous to his enterprises, and in the fall of that year he removed to Decorah. He was now without means, but WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 571 full of energy and determination to succeed in business somewhere. Fortunately his last situation was well chosen, for Decorah, hav- ing conducted business on a sound and reliable basis, was com- paratively prosperous throughout the panic, Here Mr. Dahly started a small millinery and fancy goods business, which, follow- ing with energy, tact and business enterprise, has proved a re- markable success. That small beginning has grown into one of the most extensive retail millinery establishments in the North- west. In getting this business started, Mr. Dahly owes much to his first wife, whose goodjtaste and practical acquaintance wi jh mil- linery rendered him valuable assistance. In 1858 he built a stone store east of the Winneshiek House, which he occupied with his business till 1856, when having |finished his present building he occupied it with the finest stock of goods ever opened in the place. He has continued to add to it from time to time, as the demands of trade have required. Here can be be found every- thing in the line of millinery, straw goods, ribbons, flowers, plumes, silk, velvets, fancy dress goods, cloakings, shawls and all sorts of furnishing articles for ladies, children and misses. None bu t a truly energetic business man could make it pay to carry so large a stock of this class of goods, outside of Chicago or Milwau- kee. Some idea of the business may be formed from the fact that sixteen persons are constantly employed in the store. Mr. Dahly is purely a Yankeeized Norwegian, and yet no man loves his native country better than he does. Whenever there is any celebration or anything connected with his former home, you will be sure to find him at the head of it. We cordially ask all who visit Decorah to call at B. 0. Dahly's emporium of fashion, and see for themselves if they do not say with us that it is the finest establishment they have seen west of the lakes. Mr. Dahly's first marriage was in Chicago, in 1848, to Miss Margaret Knud- son, of Milwaukee, who died in 1868, leaving one son. He was married the second time in Decorah, in 1871, to Miss Caroline Shuttleworth, and by this marriage also has one child. T. A. Dakyns, livery; was born in England in 1849. At the age of 19 years he entered the general postoflSce of England at London. In 1871 he came to the U. S. and soon settled on a farm of 240 acres in Burr Oak tp., Winneshiek Co. Here he re- sided about four years; then came to Decorah and built the De- corah Skating Eink. In July, 1881, he engaged in his present business in. partners hip with Frank Hughs, but soon became sole proprietor. J. W. Dawley, proprietor of Bluffton House, Bluffton; was born in Cataraugus Co., N. Y., in 1831; resided there until 1857, farming; then came to lo., settling on Franklin Prairie, Canoe tp., this county, and farmed there three years; then came to Bluffton tp. and fajmed four years, and afterwards moved to Calhoun Co., Mich., and engaged in lumbering; remained there one year, and 572 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGEAPIHES. returned to Bluffton, located in the village and engaged in farm- ing and teaming; and in April, 1881, opened the hotel, which is the only one in town and does a good business. He was married twice; first in 1851, in N. Y., to Miss Jane Dawley, who died in July, 1876, leaving seven children. He was afterwards married in March, 1879, at Burr Oak, to Mrs. Powers, nee Knowlton, by whom he has three children, Minnie, Mary and Albertus. The children of the first wife living are, Franklin, Elsie, Corydon and Margaret. John Daskam, farmer, Fremont tp.; owns 116 acres of lan^; was born in Chemung Co., N. Y., in 1830. In the spring of 1846 his parents moved to McHenry Co., 111.; resided there until 1853, then came to lo., settling in Hesper tp. In the fall of the fol- lowing year John came to this tp. and pre-empted 160 acres (which he since sold) joining the farm he lives on, which was pre- empted by his father a year later. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 38th lo. Inf., at Decorah, under Capt. Kirkup, and served with his regiment at Vicksburg, Yazoo City, and contracted a severe sick- ness at Vicksburg. The regiment went to Fort Hudson, and dur- ing twenty days they lost the colonel, one captain, two lieutenants and twenty privates from disease. At Carrollton, near New Or- leans, he was in hospital five months; then joined the regiment at Brownsville, Texas, and was at the siege of Fort Morgan. The regiment was then consolidated with the 34th lo., and marched to Blakeley and participated in the siege there for six days, and stormed the works; thence to Mobile and Selma, Ala.; thence to Houston, Tex. Thev were mustered out and discharged at Daven- port, Sept., 1865. lEe had been promoted sergeant soon after joining the 38th Regt. After the war he returned to this place, where he has ever since resided. The home farm is 111 acres, and is well improved; has good residence and farm buildings, good and productive orchard, and is well stocked. He also owns five acres of good timber. He was married in 1859, in this township, to Miss Susan Clarke; they have six children, E. G., Nettie, Wil- lie, Mabel, Addie and Edith. Mr. Daskam is a member of the P. of H., Kendall ville Lodge. Burg Irwin Dakyns, of Dakyns & Simpson, stock raisers and farmers, Burr Oak tp.; is a native of Worcestershire, Eng.; came to America in 1869, and located in this place; bought the land in the following fall, and fitted the same for stock purposes, espec- ially for sheep, of which they have a fine drove, principally of the Lincoln breed, many being thoroughbred; also a fine lot of good graded cattle and pure short horns, thoroughbred. The land is all under fence and well improved. . In Feb., 1882, Mr. D. formed a partnership with Mr. P. Simpson, a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, constituting the present firm. Eugene Daman, farmer, Sec. 26, has 260 acres of land, valued at |25 per acre; was born in McHenry county, 111., in 1851. At WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 573 the age of five years he moved with his parents to Winneshiek Co., lo., and has resided there since. He is the third son of George and Charlotte Daman; was married in 1878 to Elizabeth J. Wan- less, a native of Virginia, and has one son. Hon. Warren Danforth, farmer, Orleans township; owns 480 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born fin Saratoga County, New York, in 1829, and is a son of A. W. and Mary Danforth. When he was two years of age his parents removed to Jefferson County, New York, in which county Mr. Danforth grew to manhood, receiving a common school education. In 1861 he came west and located on his present farm. Although not an oface-seeker, Mr. D. has been elected to fill quite im- portant positions. In 1865 he was a member of the county board of supervisors, and has also been elected member of the State Legislature, which position he still holds. D. Dorn, of the firm of Ringeon & Dorn, grain dealers, was born in Courtland County, New York, in 1826; is a son of David and Joanna Dorn. When ten years of age his parents removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. In 1847 he went to Oregon, Dane County, Wisconsin, where he followed farming for a few years. In 1854 he removed to Chickasaw County, Iowa; thence to Conover, and in 1868 came to Ridgeway, and engaged ia his present business. He was married to Susan Robinson, a native of Ohio; they have six children, three sons and three daughters. J. S. Daskam, postmaster, and dealer in general merchandise, Kendallville; was bom in Chemung County, N. Y., in 1841. In 1846 his parents moved to McHenry County, Illinois and engaged at farming; came to this state in 1854 and located in Burr Oak township, and entered a quarter section of government land; he remained with his parents on the home farm until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted at Decorah in Co. D, 3d lo. Inf., under Captain Willetts, and served his term of three years and then re-enlisted as a veteran, and participated in several of the important battles during the war. He received a severe shot wound in the leg at Shiloh, and afterwards at Atlanta, July 21, 1864, he received a gun-shot wound in the left shoulder, which disabled him. He started to return home, and was obliged to lay up at the hospital at Madison, Wisconsin, and remained there un- til he received his discharge. May 28, 1865. He returned to Iowa and farmed two years in this township, and then bought land in Orleans township, and farmed there six years; he then sold it and purchased an interest in the business at this place with Mr. Fifield, whose interest he afterwards bought, and has since conducted the same himself. He owns the building and lot, carries a well select- ed stock of general merchandise, and has established a good busi- ness. He received his appointment as postmaster in 1876 to suc- ceed F. G. Hale, and still fills that position. He was married in 36 574 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 1865 in this township, to Miss Henrietta N. Eddy, and they have five children, Emma, Allyn, John, Alson and Frances. Hiram D. Daskam (brother) enlisted in April, 1861, in Co. D, 3d lo. Inf., under Capt. Willetts; was taken prisoner near Atlanta, Ga., after a three days' fight, and was imprisoned at Andersonville, and ex- perienced all the horrors of that notorious place. He escaped with others from the train when being transferred from there to Flor- ence, by jumping from the cars, but was captured by a picket guard they run on to in attempting to cross the North River. He was then taken to Wilmington, North Carolina, and from there was started again for Florence, and again succeeded in getting away, but was again recaptured and started for Charlotte, S. C. He again escaped^ was again recaptured, and on the return to Char- lotte once more escaped, this time succeeding in reaching the Un- ion lines. He received his discharge near Washington at the close of the war. He died near Muir, Ionia County, Michigan, in the winter of 1870, from disease contracted through his privations in the army. Erick P. Egge, farmer, owns 160 acres of tillable land in Frank- ville tp., and 40 acres of timber in Glenwood tp. He was born in 1826, near Christiana, Norway; was raised on a farm, and also learned the trade of carpenter; came to America in 1850, stopped one year in Wis., and then came to Frankville tp., this county, took a claim, and still resides on the same. He worked at his trade for some time to enable him to gain enough to properly commence faiming, as he was without capital. He is now one of the wealthiest citizens, has a fine residence, and everything has the appearance of elegance and comfort. He married in 1854, in this tp., Helen P. Egge, and has eight children. Chrystopher Anderson Estrem, postmaster, Woodside P. 0., in Frankville tp., and farmer; owns 160 acres; was born in Vaug, Norway, in 1819; followed the business of tailor there until 1848, when he came to the U. S.; stopped the first winter at Chicago, working at his trade; next moved to Wis.; remained there until 1850; then came to Winneshiek Co., lo., and took up the claim he now resides on. In 1876 was appointed postmaster, which office he still retains. He has filled the office of justice of the peace and many other minor offices in the tp. He was married in Wis- consin in 1850 to Miss Caroline Everson, and they have five chil- dren, four sons and one daughter. Christopher Evans, farmer, owns 220 acres, all tillable land ex- cept 80 of timber; was born in the District of Walders, Norway, in 1840; came to this country with his parents in 1850; lived one year in Wis.; thence came to lo. and located where he now re- sides. His father, Knud Evans, bought a school land grant, which is a portion of the farm, 80 acres also bought of M. B. Burdick, in 1878. The land is fine rolling prairie and mostly improved, is WIKITESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 575 well stocked, and has a good substantial residence, barns, etc. Mr. E. has filled many offices of trust in the tp. He was married in 1864, in this tp., to Miss Anna Brown, and they have two sons. 0. W. Emery, P. 0. Decorah, farmer. Sec. 17, Canoe tp.; son of Geo. R. and Sarah Willey Emery, was born Sept. 27, 1829, in Loraine Co., 0., When he was about four years old his parents moved to what is known as the Western Reserve, and in 1840 they came to Winnebago Co., 111. In 1849 he came to this county, locating near Decorah, and in 1850 came on to his present farm, which now contains 200 acres, well improved. He married Miss Martha Mclntyre, of N, Y., in July, 1853; have thirteen children: Omri L. I)., Aaron W. R., John M., Ezra D., Andrew W., Adda, Ida, Lilly, Esta, Ernest, George, Frank and Martha, and have lost two by death, Mary and Josiah B. John Elwick, Sec. 9, P. 0. Decorah; gardener and fruit raiser; was born in England in 1818, learning the business of gardening there. In 1852 he emigrated to the U. S., locating at Rockford, 111., remaining but a short time, when he went to Lawrence Co., Ohio, for a time, when he returned to Rockford, 111., remaining till in 1865, when he came to this county, and to his present loca- tion in 1869. He makes a specialty of gardening and the raising of small fruits. He also has a fine orchard and nursery. He mar- ried Mary Johns, also a native of England; they have eight chil- dren, Isabella, Mary, Thomas, William, Rtbert M., AnnaM., Jane, and an infant, not named. T. Enger, farmer. Sec. 35. P. 0. Decorah; son of A. and T. Enger; was born Nov. 30th, ,1886, in Norway; emigrated to the U.S. in 1854; purchased his land the same year, after which he worked by the month upon a farm for several years, and part of the time was engaged improving his own land. He married Miss Isabel Anderson March 15, 1873, since which time he has lived on his farm, which contains 160 acres, valued at $35 per acre. He is raising two children (relatives), their names are Christian Peter- son and Mene T. Gilbertson. Mr. Enger is a member of the Lu- theran church. Rev. Fr. Ehrenberger, pastor of St. Wenceslaus church, of Spillville, was born in Policka, Austria, in 1828. He received his education at the college of Litormjeil, and was prepared for the priesthood at Hradec; had charge of various churches for seventeen years, and in Nov. 1869, came to the U. S. and located at Rock Creek, Jefferson Co., Mo., where he remained until 1875; then came to Fort Atkinson, this county. He had charge of the church there for sixteen months, after which he went to Dubuque and officiated at St. Mary's church for two years; then returned to Fort Atkinson, and there remained until Aug., 18^, when he was appointed to his present pastorship. H. Engbretson was born in Norway in 1845; learned the black smith trade, and in 1864 emigrated to the U. S. He came direct 676 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. to Decorah, and in about six weeks enlisted in Co. G, 9th lo., and served until the close of the war. Mr. Engbretson then returned to Decorah and followed his trade until 1875, when he was obliged to abandon the same on account of physical disability, caused by exposure while in the U. S. service. He has since been dealing iu farm machinery. In 1866 Mr. E. returned to Norway, and was married to Miss jorgim S. Hauser, who died in Decorah in July, 1867. In 1872 he married Margaret Evenson. Mr. Eng- bretson is an active worker in the ranks of the republican party, and is at present a member of the city council. James H. Easton, president of the First National Bank of Deco- rah, stands conspicuous among the successful business men of the northwest. He is a son of the late William L. Easton, president of the Bank of Louville, N. Y., and therefore early in life was educated in banking and mercantile pursuits. In 1862 James H. Easton, then a young man, with a small amount of money, but a large stock of good judgment, enterprise and business activity for capital, "came to Decorah and took the management of the old Decorah Bank as sole proprietor — an institution well known by all early settlers in northern Iowa, which passed successfully through all the panics of stump-tail currency and war times, always ready to meet every call and pay one hundred cents on the dollar on demand. When the National Currency Act was passed, he converted the old Decorah Bank into the First National, be- coming its first and only president — an institution that has ever kept pace with the growth of the city and county, constantly in- creasing in capital and in the confidence of the community, under his management, until now it is everywhere :regarded one of the solid financial institutions of the west. The Savings Bank of Decorah is a natural outgrowth from the remarkable success of the First National, and to the prudence and conservative financial wisdom of its originator and president, Mr. Easton, is also due the high credit it enjoys. In 1869, when the railroad was pushing westward from Deco- rah, his quick judgment saw opportunities for his successes to re- peat themselves, and, in company with A. E. Bigelow, Esq., of New Hampton, he established the Chickasaw County Bank, under the firm name of Easton & Bigelow. This enterprise, from small beginnings, has proved no less a success than the First National of Decorah, now using a capital of nearly one hundred thousand dollars. The extension of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway to Forest City furnished another opening for his enterprise at that point, and |the Winnebago County Bank sprung into existence, with James H. Easton president, and J. F. Thompson, a rising young attorney, as cashier. Easton & Thompson are doing a large and prosperous business. History repeats itself. ■WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 577 While being so largely engaged in banting, it has not prevented his quick eye detecting the "opportunities" found only in the west for fortunes in real estate. He has always coupled the two, which naturally, in a new and growing country, go hand in hand — banking and real estate — and there is hardly a county in north- ern Iowa, along the railroad lines, but his name is a faijjiliar one on the books of titles to real estate, his acreage being numbered by thousands. Moniiments of his enterprise and public spirit are seen in the First National Bank building at Decorah, the Chickasaw County Bank, and the Winnebago County Bank — all models of beauty, elegance and safety, and schools of design in architecture. Mr. Easton was married in 1861 to Miss Mary N. Loy. T. E. Egge, county auditor, is a son of Erick G. and Berit J. Northrop Egge, both natives of Norway, who emigrated to the U. S. in 1850, and first settled in Dane Co., Wis. Here, in July, 1851, the subject of this sketch was born, and when he was but two years of age the family came to lo. and settled in Madison tp., Winneshiek Co. The son helped till the soil, and received a food common school education. Subsequently he taught until [arch 26, 1877, at which date he entered the county auditor's office and served as deputy until January 1, 1882, during which time, in the fall of 1881, he was elected to the office, which he now holds. At the election there were 2,497 votes cast, of which Mr. Egge received 1,699. Mr. Egge was also town clerk during 1880 and 1881. He was married May 19. 1880, to Lillie B. Lim- beck. William L. Easton, merchant tailor and dealer in ready made clothing, etc. The subject of this sketch is a son of William L. Easton, and was born at Louville, Lewis County, N. Y. He was bred to mercantile life in the store and banking house of his father. In the spring of 1865 he came to Decorah. He did not confine himself to any regular employment for a few years, but in 1868 formed a partnership with R. P. Gibson, and continued the same two years. Mr. Easton then established his present bus- iness. He was united in marriage in 1874 to Louisa Manville, of Watertown, N. Y. A. J. Eddy, sec. 8, Orleans township; was born in Grandisle County, Vt., in 1832. In 1852 he emigrated to California, where he remained four years; after which he returned to Vermont, and in 1856 came to Fremont township, this county, and located on a farm, remaining until 1868, when he removed to his present farm of 240 acres, which is valued at aboii,t $35 per acre. Mr. E. is a son of Clement and Eliza Eddy, the former a native of Connecti- cut, and Mr. Eddy was married to Rebecca Youngs, who is also a native of Grandisle County, Vermont; their children are Austin, Alice, Jennie, Florence, William and Mel via. They are members of the Congregational Church. 678 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BI06EAPHIES. D. B. Ellsworth, P. 0. Decorah; retired merchant; son of Benjamin and Roxana {nee Packard) Ellsworth; was born Janu- ary 10, 1822, in Lewis County, N. Y. His parents moved to Cattaraugus County in 1830, which was then considered "out west," his early occupation being on the farm, where he received but a common school education. On the 29th of March, 1848, he was married to Miss Amanda Denison, and the same year started for the west. He came to Galena, Illinois, and stopped with an uncle that season, and prospected in quest of a suitable place to commence business; and in 1849 he built a store building in Ar- gyle, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, in which he put a good stock of general merchandise, it being the first in the place. He con- tinued business there till the spring of 1855, when he sold out and came to Decorah, Iowa, the town then being in its in- fancy. The same year he opened up a general store in com- pany with Mr. A. A. Akin, and at the expiration of one year he bought out Mr. Akin, and continued the business alone until 1858. In 1859 he again engaged in general merchandise in com- pany with Mr. Landers, this partnership continuing until 1874, when he sold out his interest for the purpose of resting from the long confinement of the store. After being out about a year he again engaged in business with C. N. Goddard, continuing until 1879, when, on account of ill-health he retired from the business. Mr. Ellsworth's wife died in 1876, and he was again married to Mrs. Harriet Bennett Norton, widow of C. L. Norton, of Chau- tauqua County, New York. Mrs. Ellsworth has four children by her first marriage — Lauraette, Martin, Orinda and George 0. Mr. Ellsworth has one daughter by his first marriage, Florence, now the wife of Stephen A. Lothrop, of Boston, Mass. Mr. E. is at present engaged in running a stone quarry, just across the river, north of Decorah. He has some of the finest building stone in the country, which he is shipping to points on the C, M. & St. P. R. R., and some to eastern cities. Mr. Ellsworth has the honor of being an uncle of the justly famous Col. E. E. Ellsworth, whose martyrdom to the cause of his country at Ar- lington Heights in the early part of the rebellion, will never be forgotten by his patriotic countrymen. W. R. Emslie, farmer, section 25, P. 0. Cresco.; owns 200 acres of land valued at|30 per acre; was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1827; is the second son of Alexander and Elizabeth Emslie. At the age of 28 he left Scotland and came to Waukesha, Wis; stayed there fourteen years ; then removed to Winneshiek Co. in 1865. He was married at the age of 28 to Miss Ann Walker, a native of Scotland, and has ten children, Anna, Alexander, Elizabeth, Isabel, William, Ruth, Sarah, Susan, Lillie and John. Richard D. Evans, farmer, Washington tp.; owns 160 acres of land and resides on section 20; was borninMenonethshire, Wales, in 1834; came to America in May, 1856; lived a few years in WUfNESHIEK COXJlfTT BIOGRAPHIES. 579 Utica, N. Y., and learned the trade of mason; then came to Ic, located at Fort Atkinson, followed his trade ten years; then bought the farm he now owns; has thoroughly improved it, has it well stocked, all under fence, good buildings, etc. He was mar- ried in 1857, in N. Y., to Miss Jane Williams, and they have seven children, Evan, Edward, Laura, John, Mary, Matilda and Ida. E. E. Earl, farmer, section 9, P. 0. Cresco, owns 125 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1838; is the fourth son of Horace and Fanny Earl. At the age of 28 he removed with his family to Winneshiek Co., and has been a resident of that Co. ever since. He was married in 1866 to Miss Minnie Root, a native of N. Y. Mr. Earl has no children, except an adopted daughter, Delia Fanny. Mr. Earl has been tp. clerk five years, collector three terms, and assessor one term. John Finn was born in Ireland in 1836, his parents being Pat- rick and Bridget Finn. In 1848 the family sailed for the U. S . The father died on board ship, and the mother with her four children (two, John and Timothy, are still living), landed at New Orleans in February, 1849. As soon as navigation opened on the Mississippi she came up the river and settled at Galena, 111. Here the subject of this sketch commenced work at the tinner's trade; subsequently spent one year at St. Paul, Minn., and in the fall of 1855 came to Decorah; worked at his trade for other parties until 1860, since which time he has been in the hardware business, and is at present a member of the firm of Finn & Noble. Mr. Finn has been twice married — in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth Quinn, who died in 1877, after a lingering illness of seven years. She left six chil- dren. His second wife was Emily L. Lawton, a native of Conn. Mr. Finn is an active worker for the Democratic party, and takes a great interest in the education of his children. His three eldest daughters are graduates of St. Mary's Institute, at Prairie du Chien. William M. Fannon, county recorder, one of Winneshiek's early pioneers, was born in the State of Virginia in 1825, his pa- rents being A. H. and Mary E. Fannon, natives of Va., who set- tled at Freeport, Winneshiek Co., in 1849. The subject of this sketch located at Freeport in the spring of 1852, and was engaged in merchandizing until Oct., 1862, when he enlisted in Co. D, 6th lo. Cav., and served until after the close of the war, when he was mustered out as 2d Liejut. Mr. Fannon was postmaster at Free- poft for about fifteen years, and is now serving his third term as county recorder. I. S. Finney, P. 0. Decorah, farmer, Sec. 18, Canoe tp.; was born Aug. 5th, 1820, in Essex Co., N. Y. His parents, Anson and Esther Sheldon Finney, were also natives of N. Y. He was mar- ried to Miss Almira J. Nichols, daughter of Ezra and Polly Nich- ols, April 14, 1849. In the fall of 1865 they immigrated to this county, locating on his present farm. He was commissioned post- master of Canoe P. 0. June 22, 1868, which position he held till 580 WIXNESHIEK COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. the office was discontinued in 1872. He has also served as justice of the peace several jears. Their children are, Llewellyn C. and Minnehaha L., and they have lost one daughter, Alice E. 0. A. Foss, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, is a na- tive of Norway, and was horn in 1842. He learned the shoe- maker's trade, and in 1869 came to the U. S., and soon located at Decorah. Here he followed his trade in the employ of Gibbert Eustad, whom he subsequently bought out. His only sister, Ingre 0. Foss, came to the IT. S. in 1870, and now resides at Chicago. In 1871 he went to Chicago, where he remained until 1874, engaged in the shoe business. John Fredenburgh, Burr Oak, farmer. Sec. 6, Canoe tp.; son of Hezekiah and Catharine Fredenburgh; was born April 2, 1819, in N. J. His parents moved to Canada, near Niagara Falls, when he was quite young, where he remained till the fall of 1850, when he came to Winneshiek Co. and located a part of his present farm soon after. He now owns 200 acres, valued at $30 per acre. He married Miss Eliza Weeks, a native of 111., July 4, 1853. Their children are John C. and Ralph F. Mons K. Foss, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, sec. 34, Canoe tp.; son of Knudt and Susan Mickelson Foss; was born April 6, 1828, in Norway; emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, locating at Janesville, Wis., where he worked at the mason's trade, which he continued until 1851, in the spring of which year he started for California, where he remained till February, 1863, engaged in mining. He then returned via Isthmus and New Orleans and up the Missis- sippi river to Galena, Illinois. The same spring, in company with a cousin, he started from Dane County, Wisconsin, on foot, came to Decorah, and continued on to Minnesota, on a prospect- ingjtour for land. He finally purchased from the government 250 acres of land in Pleasant township, this county, and com- menced improving and making a home, which he sold out in the spring of 1866, moved to Vernon Co., Mo., and purchased a farm of 400 acres; but sickness of family caused him to return to old Winneshiek Co. the following fall, purchasing a part of his present farm, which now contains 360 acres valued at $12,000. He married Miss Agnes Fossum, November 15, 1853; they have five children, Lawrence, Caroline, Michael, Sophia and Julius, and have lost one daughter, Sophia. Mr. F. has served as assessor of his township, and is a live, energetic farmer. A. 0. Flaskerud, of the firm of S. H. Moen & Co., dealers in furniture, was born in this county in 1858, and became a member of the above firm in the spring of 1881. He married Ella Wangness, a native of Wis. Milo R. Farnsworth, farmer, sec. 3; owns 320 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born in New Vork in 1822; in 1844 removed to Woodford County, Illinois, where he lived four years, and again moved to Walworth County, Wisconsin, remain- WIKNESHIEK COUKTT BIOGEAPHIBS. 581 ing until 1868, when he removed to Winneshiek County, Iowa, and settled on his present farm. He is a son of Oliver and Nancy Parnsworth; his father is a native of Vermont, and his mother of New York. He married Lucy Pardee, a native of New York, in March, 1844, and has seven children, four sons and three daughters. The oldest, Byron, is living in Rock Co., Wiscon- sin; C. W. in Howard Co., Deette in Cresco, Mary in Cresco, Frank 0. at home, Chas. H. at home, Etta in this county, and are all married except Chas. A. H. Pinrow, J. P., Conover; was born in Norway, in 1843; was there employed as clerk, also engaged in buying grain. In 1864 he came to the U. S., stopping in Chicago, 111., and Pesh- tigo, Wisconsin, until 1865; then came to Conover, where he en- gaged for a time in clerking; then entered the mercantile busi- ness, in which he continued for about one year; then engaged in the grain business for three years, after which he became a farm- er. In 1867 he was married to Andrea Peterson, who died in May, 1880, leaving four children, Gustaf H., Caroline A., Emil K. and Otto A. He was again married July 1, 1881, to Martha Olsen. Mr. P. is a member of the Lutheran Church. Wm. Fallows, M. D., Fort Atkinson; was born in Manchester, England, 1839; came to America with his parents in 1846; set- tled in Dane County, Wisconsin, and engaged at farming. Wil- liam Fallows graduated at the Wisconsin State University, at Madison, in 1862, and in the fall of that year enlisted in the 12th Wis. Inf., Co. H, served with the regiment two years, was then commissioned 2d lieutenant in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, and served through the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, and in other important engagements; was discharged at Milwaukee in July, 1865, and returned home. In the fall of the same year he removed to Iowa and settled near Waucoma, Fayette County, farming and school teaching. In the fall of 1870 he attended Rush Medical College at Chicago, remained two years and gradu- ated in the spring of 1872; then located at this place and com- menced practice. He has met with good success and established a good practice. He was married in 1856 at Waucoma, Fayette County, to Miss Emily Dodd, and they have four children, Ernest' E., Nellie M., Flora M. and Clarence'W. Mr. P. is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Captain George Q. Gardner, assistant cashier of the First Na- tional Bank, was born in Madison Co-, 111., on the 21st of July, 1840. His father was Silas E. Gardner, whose ancestors bore a conspicuous part in the struggle for our national independence. Amon'g them are found Major Temple, who was killed at the bat- tle of Lundy's Lane, and 0. Plinn, who with his four sons, aided Col. Miller in taking the battery at said battle. His mother, Mariah D. Harrison, was a daughter of William and Mary Mc- Clure Harrison, the former a first cousin of Gen. William Henry 682 WIN'U'ESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. Harrison, and the latter the fifth white child born in the State of Kentucky. The subject of this sketch, while yet a small boy, re- moved with his parents into the State of Wis., where he received a common school education. When the civil war broke out Geo. Q. Gardner, then a young man twenty-one years of age, showed his patriotism by enlisting in the 5th Wis. Battery, Light Artil- lery, and was mustered in as 4th Lieut., but being a gallant sol- dier he was promoted from rank to rank, so that by the spring of 1863 he is found captain of the battery, and the second youngest officer with said rank in the artillery service of the western army. The field of operations of said battery was first with Gen. Pope 's army, during which time it participated in the taking of Islan d No. 10 and the siege of Corinth; then under Gen. Buell's com- mand it took an active part in the campaign against Bragg, in which the battle of Perry ville was fought; next under Gen. Rose- cranz it did good service in the battles of Stone river and Chicka- mauga; and last, but not least, it did efficient work under Gen. Sherman in the Atlanta campaign. During this last campaign Capt. Gardner was constantly in command, and for over one hun- dred days and nights under constant fire. In the official reports honorable, mention is frequently made of Capt. Gardner and the battery of which he had command. Capt. Gardner was never wounded, although he had some "close calls." At the battle of Stone River his horse was shot under him, the bullet cutting the stirrup strap of his saddle and passing through the heart of his horse, and during the Atlanta campaign he had his shirt collar removed by the aid of a musket ball. Capt. Gardner served his country faithfully as a soldier until the spring of 1865, when with regret he resigned on account of physical disability. He then returned to Wis. and accepted a position in the Provost Mar- shal's department of the Third Congressional District, in which he served until the fall of 1865. He then came to lo., and for one year was engaged in the mercantile business at Conover, at the end of which time he came to Decorah, and has since been in the First National Bank and a member of the firm of James H. Easton & Co., brokers and real estate dealers. He also owns a farm of 200 acres in Hesper tp., and has the same well stocked. Capt. Gardiner, believing that the State of lo. ought to have a well organized militia, which could be called upon to serve and protect the State at any time, organized, in 1876, the Decorah Light Guards, now Co. G., 4th lo. Inf., and was first Major and afterwards Lieut.-Colonel of the same; but as his business did not permit him to give it the care he thought it required, he resigned. When the city of Decorah became in need of a well organized fire department, Capt. Gardner again came to the front, and is now foreman of Hose Company No. 2, which he has well drilled and and able to do efficient work in case of need. The fact is, Capt. George Q. Gardner is always ready to lend a helping hand to any- Wli^iq'ESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 583 thing ttat tends to promote the welfare of his family, his State, or his country. He is genial, social, eminently warm-hearted, and full of good humor. His character is unblemished and unexcep- tional, and he is therefore surrounded by warm friends. He is a member of the school board, and takes active interest in education. He is city treasurer, and has been tendered county offices by both political parties, but has never accepted any, as he has not the time to attend to the duties of the same, neither does he wish to mingle in politics. Capt. Gardner was married in September, 1861, to Miss Carrie Humes, of Monroe, Wis., and they now have one daughter, Mabel. John Greer is a native of Montreal, Canada, and was born in 1832. He was reared on a farm, living with his father (his mother having died in 1835) until he became 21 years of age. He then went to Port Henry, Essex Co., N. Y., where for two years he was superintendent of an iron ore bed. In 1855 Mr. Greer came to lo., and May 18th settled at Decorah. Here he first com- menced work in a plow manufactory, and subsequently became a partner in the business. He continued in said business, also manu- facturing fanning mills, farming implements, &c., for about eleven years, after which he had an interest in the wagon factory until 1878. Mr. Greer then, in partnership with Jos. Hunter, erected the Ice Cave flouring mills, at a cost (including mill site, water power, &e.) of over $40,000. This mill has seven run of stone and two sets of rollers, and has manufactured over 40,000 barrels of flour annually. December 5, 1881, H. Greer became proprietor. John Greer, in 1857, married Miss Hannah Stringer, a native of Canada; they have six children. R. F. Greer is a native of Canada, and was born in 1839. He lived with his parents on a farm until he was twenty .one years of age. He then came to Decorah, followed farming one year, then blacksmithing, and in the fall of 1862 enlisted in Co. D.,6th lo. Cav., and served three years. After the war Mr. Greer returned to Decorah and followed farming about three years. He then drove dray for other parties, also spent two seasons on a home- stead in the west, and in 1873 formed a partnership with R. W. Jamieson, for the purpose of running a city dray line. Mr. Jamie- son subsequently withdrew. In 1880 J. W. Protheroe became a partner in the business, and now as Greer & Protheroe they are proprietors of the City 'Bus and Dray Line, which is an extensive and well paying business. Mr. Greer, in 1870 married Margaret Kennedy, a native of Canada. H. W. Garfield is a son of Ira and Lucinda Garfield, natives of New England, who settled in Winneshiek Co. in 1857. He was born in the State of Vermont in 1844, came to Iowa with his parents, and in 1862 enlisted in Co. E., 38th lo., but was not ac- cepted, on account of his age. In June, 1863 he enlisted in Co. H., 7th lo. Cav., was commissioned quartermaster's sergeant and 584 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. served three years and seventeen days, when he was mustered out as 1st Lieut. He then returned to Decorah, and in the spring of 1866 commenced dealing in grain, in which business he continued until 1877, since which time he has been in the employ of the C. M. & St. P R. R. Co. Mr. Garfield was married in 1869 to Miss Helen Van Pelt, and they now have four children . C. N. Goddard, a native of Rutland, Vermont, was born in 1835; came to Iowa with his parents in 1854, and in 1856 settled in Winneshiek County; served as clerk until 1860, when he en- gaged in business for himself. In 1862 he became a partner in the firm of Goddard, Henry & Hutchinson, subsequently God- dard & Henry. In 1874 the firm became Goddard «; Ellsworth, and so continued until 1880, since which time Mr. Goddard has continued the business alone, and now carries a stock of merchan- dise amounting to about f25,000. His present store he built in 1871; it is located on the site lormerly occupied by the first store of Decorah. Mr. Goddard was married in 1861 to Miss Jen- nie Richardson, then of Clayton County, Iowa, but a native of Vermont. The children are Harry, Clara, Herbert and Fred. A. W. Grow was born in the state of New York in January, 1842. He was reared on a farm; in 1862 enlisted in the 10th New York Heavy Artillery, and served with the same about nine months, when be was commissioned first lieutenant of the 6th U. S. Colored Regiment. Six months later he was promoted to the rank of captain, and served as such until November, 1865, when he was mustered out as major. After leaving the IJ. S. service he returned to Jefferson County, New York, and in 1866 com- menced buying eggs and preserving the same for winter use. The first year he put up twenty barrels. In 1872 he came to Decorah, and has since continued the same business in which he has met with marked success, increasing the same so that he now pre- serves about 4,000 barrels annually. Mr. Grow married in 1865 Miss Belle C ; they have one daughter, Minnie. Charles Golz was born in Prussia in 1823; learned cabinet making, and in 1853 came to the United States; was engaged in the furniture business at Davenport, Iowa, four years, since which time he has been in the same business at Decorah. He was mar- ried in his native country in 1847 to Miss Caroline Noske; they have five children, three sons and two daughters. Geo. Grob, baker, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1844 ; came to the U. S. in 1868, and first stopped at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Hermeni Bentz; removed to LeRoy, Minn., and in a few months came to lo., and settled at Decorah in February, 1869. Here he worked at his trade as baker for other parties until 1874, when he established his present business. The children are, George, Fred, Minnie; Emma and Ida. T. E. Gaston, manager of the Decorah scale works, was born in Beloit, Wis., in 1853. His father, N. B Gaston, is one of the WlKNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 585 pioneers of that city. In 1844 he established the Beloit Scale Works, of which he is still apart owner, being the senior member of the firm of N. B. Gaston & Son. The subject of this sketch WBs brought up in the city of Beloit, and naturally inclined to follow in the footsteps of his father, which he did by close appli- cation and hard work in his father's factory for a-number of years. He traveled in the west as salesman for the Beloit Scale Works, and in the spring of 1880 located permanently in Decorah and es- tablished the Decorah Scale Works. He married Emma Heivly, who was born in this Co. They have three children, Roy, Min- nie and Arthur Silas Gripman, P. 0. Decorah, farmer. Section 36. Canoe tp.; was born December 13th, 1813, in Saratoga Co., N. Y.; was mar- ried there to Mrs. Martha Gorton, whose maiden name was Havi- land, in 1840, after which he moved to Lenawee Co., Mich., and from there to this Co. in 1855, and in 1869 came on to his present farm. His children are, Richard, Rhoda, Eunice, Christopher, Samuel, Silas and Amy. His wife has three children by her for- mer marriage; their names are Charles, Zilpha and Hannah E. Richard was born in 1842, and is the present assessor of the tp.. Christopher was born in 1848 and Samuel in 1850. B. F. Giles, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Section 28, Canoe tp.; son of Samuel and Fanny Allen Giles; was born March 16, 1822, in Cayuga Co., N. Y; received his early education at the Auburn Academy; immigrated to McHenry Co., 111., in 1845; where he fol- lowed farming summers and teaching school winters. In 1848 he went into the southern States — Mississippi and Alabama, mostly — followed teaching school principally till in 1855 he came to Win- neshiek Co., locating on a part of his present farm, which he had previously purchased in 1851. He now owns 200 acres of land, well improved and worth $35 per acre; has served his tp. as justice of the peace, assessor, and tp. clerk for many years. He was married to Miss Caroline Russell, a native of Ills., Dec. 9th, 1855. Their children are, Edmund, Ellen, Clarence and Frank, and they have lost by death three. Amy, Fanny and an infant. Naroe Gilbertson, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, Section 10, Madison tp. ; owns- 600 acres of land, valued at |40 per acre; was born in January, 1832, in Norway; emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, first stopping in Rock Co., Wis., and subsequently at Beloit and thence to Kendall Co., 111. In 1851 he went to California by overland route; while there engaged in farming summers and mining win- ters. On his return he came to this Co., and located on his pres- ent farm. He married Miss Anna IJelgerson in 1869; their chil- dren are, Henry Otto, Mene, and Gilbert. Mr. G. is a member of the Lutheran church. H. B. George, proprietor of the George House, Calmar, Iowa, was born in England in 1815. He came with his parents to the United States in 1820, an d located in Massachusetts where he 586 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. lived until about 1852. He spent two years in Ohio, then came to Iowa and located at McGregor, where he engaged in the fur- niture business. In 1868 he removed to Ossian; thence two years later to Calmar, where he engaged in his present business. He married Adeline A. Dunham, a native of Vt., and has one son, Henry. C. W. Giesen, dealer in lumber, doors, sash, blinds, etc., was born in Prussia in 1848; came to America in 1854 with his par- ents and settled in Rossville, Allamakee County, Iowa. In 1865 ho moved to Conover and engaged in general merchandise and lumber business; remained there until 1874, then came to Cal- mar and established his present business. Mr. G. is the present mayor of Calmar, and has been a town trustee several times. He married Arnie C. Huber, a native of this county. She is a daugh- ter of F. J. Huber. They have three sons, Henry J., Frank H. and Charles W. Louis Groos, P. 0. Fort Atkinson; farmer, Sec. 33, Calmar tp.; son of John and Catharine Groos; was born in Germany, Decem- ber 25, 1825, emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, and located in Lake County, Ohio, where he remained two years then went to Trumbull County, and from there to this county in 1857, and lo- cated on his present farm which now contains 230 acres valued at 125 per acre. He was married Oct. 13, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Schafer, a native of Germany, born in 1824. They have seven children, Louis, Jr., John, George, Mary, Louisa, Elizabeth and Caroline. They have lost one son, Charles, who died May 4th, 1869. Mr. Groos and family are members of the Lutheran Church at Ft. Atkinson. Wesley M. Gibbs, farmer, Bluffton tp.; was born in Essex County, New York, in March, 1844, and moved with his par- ents to Iowa in 1863. They located in Decorah township and bought land, and he resided there with them until 1871, when he bought land here and has resided here ever since; owns 180 acres within a half mile of the village of Bluffton. The land is im- proved and under fence; 80 acres of the same is fine timber. The farm is well stocked and has good buildings. He is a prominent citizen and has filled several offices of trust in the township. He was married in 1868, in Freeport, to Miss Sarah J. Morse. Hans Gulbranson Melos, farmer, Bluffton tp.; was born in Nor- way in 1818; came to the U. S. in 1852 and settled in Decorah, Iowa; remained there two years, and then came to this township and entered land from the government, 100 acres, and has bought the rest since; now owns 500 acres in sections 18, 20 and 31. He resides in 18, where he has built a fine residence, barns, etc. This farm is well improved and stocked. He married in 1854 at De- corah, Miss Caroline Jensen, and has nine children, Gilbert, Joy, Hans, Ole, Gustav, Rachael, Carrie, Ann and Bertie. WINKESHIEK COUifTT BIOGRAPHIES. 587 Andrew Gilbertson, P. 0. Washington Prairie, farmer, Sec. 25, Glenwood tp.; owns a farm of 160 acres, valued at $40 per acre. He was born in 1836 in Norway; emigrated to the U. S. in 1852, locating in Columbia Co., Wis., and remaining till 1856, when he came to Winneshiek Co ., and located on his present farm. He was married to Miss Betsy E. Evenson, by whom he had three children, William, Clara and Matilda. His wife died in 1880. Mr. Gilbertson has served as trustee of his tp., school director, etc., and is a member of the Lutheran church. H. Gulbranson, dealer in harness and horse furnishing goods, was born in Norway in 1836; came to America in 1854, and set- tled in Decorah, where he remained until 1861, when he enlisted in Co. D, 3d la. Inf., and served four years and three months. He returned to Decorah and engaged in the harness trade, and in 1867, came to Ridgeway and entered business as above. He has been twice married, first to Carrie Anderson, who died in 1879, leaving three children, Ida, Fred and Mena; his second marriage was to Christena Peterson. John Greenhalgh, farmer, Sec. 9, P. 0. Cresco, owns 200 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; was born in Delaware in 1849; is the sixth son of William and Elizabeth Greenhalgh. He was married in 1873 to Susan Fuller, a native of New York. When eight years old he came to Winneshiek Co. with his parents, and has since resided in the county. In 1881 he purchase his father's old homestead, his father having removed to Cresco. W. B. Goocher, farmer, Sec. 14, P. 0. Cresco; owns 440 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; was born in Germany in the year 1828; is the second son of Martin and Catherine Goocher; in 1848 he came with his parents to America, and settled in Wis.; after staying there four years he went to 111. and lived there till 1855, when he came to lo. and settled in Winneshiek Co. Mr. Goocher was married in 1867 to Miss Mary A. Bootle, a native of Germany, and has three children, Henry W., George B. and Carrie. Nathan Griffin, wagon maker. Fort Atkinson, was born in Otselic, Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1839; learned his trade in North Brook- field, Madison Co., N. Y., with Fitch, Boone & Co., wagon manu- facturers. In 1863 he went into business at that place in part- nership with H. House, and conducted it two years; then was two years in the business in Chatauqua Co.; then two years in Ni- agara Co.; afterwards returned to Chatauqua Co.; and then came to Iowa, settling at Waucoma, Fayette Co., and engaged at farm- ing for three years. He owns 180 acres of land there, and has improved the same. He moved to this place in May, 1881, estab- lished his present business, and rents his farm; occupies a well fitted shop, and manufactures wagons and buggies; has established a good trade in repairing and manufacturing, having the only establishment of tke kind in town. 588 WliflfESHIEK COUKTY BIOGRAPIHES. Lawrence Glass, proprietor St. Cloud Flouring Mills, situated on Turkey River, is a native of Germany, came to America about the year 1851; and after remaining one year in Penn., he came to this county and engaged at farming. In 1878 he purchased the mills of A. Ames, and has since run the same. The mills are fitted for merchant work, and also does custom work; are 45x50 feet; four stories and basement, fitted with five run of burrs, bran dusters, purifiers and all the latest improvements and machinery necessary for patent process mills, use four Huston water wheels, and have fine water power; capacity 150 barrels per day. The mills are operated and managed by'his son, Charles Glass. They also own 350 acres near the mills, situated in Section 5 all improved and well stocked, fine large residence and other buildings; also own 75 acres in Calmar tp., which latter they rent; they have also 35 acres of timber, near West Union, Fayette Co., beside other real estate property. H. J. Hardin, farmer, was born in Clinton County, New York, in 1826, and followed the trade of blacksmith. In 1858 he came to Iowa, locating in the village of Burr Oak, this county. He bought town property and opened a shop, and followed his trade there until 1873; then bought the land in sections 26 and 35, there being 240 acres, where he still resides. It is well improved and stocked, with good residence and farm buildings. Mr. Hardin was a member of the county board of supervisors in 1861-2, having been elected on the republican ticket. He has also been assessor for several years in his township, and has filled various other offi- ces. He was married in New York- to his first wife, who is now dead, having left four children, and he afterwards married in 1872, at this place, Mrs. Atkinson {nee Wingale). The children of his first wife M. W. Hardin, who is county clerk; H. W. B. Hardin, Chloe and Lewes. F. G. Hale, junior member and manager of the firm of Rice & Hale, proprietors of the BlufPton' Mills; was born in Portage c, Ohio, 1846, and in 1866 came with his parents to this county. They located at Freeport, and for two years owned and ran the flouring mill there. They'then sold out and moved to Fremont township and engaged in farming near Plymouth Rock. In 1873 he quit farming, and engaged in business at Kendallville in the same township, with a stock of general merchandise. He re- mained in this business until the fall of 1875, when he was elect- ed county auditor on the republican ticket. He then closed out his business in time to enter upon his official duties in January, 1876. He was re-elected in 1877, and again in 1879. He had served three years previous to his election to the office of auditor as a member of the board of supervisors. At the expiration of his term of office he came to this place, having three years before bought, in partnership with Almon Rice, the mill property here. He purchased residence property and has resided here ever since. WINNESHIEK COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 589 conducting the business for the firm. The mill is located in the village of Bluffton, on the Upper Iowa River, on section 9. The main building is four stories, 40x40, and fitted for merchant work with three run of buhrs, and all modern appliances for the same, including bran duster, purifier, etc., for "new process mill," also an addition, originally a saw mill, and now fitted as the feed _ de- partment with one run of buhrs, and corn sheller, etc., for grind- ing feed. The water power is one of the finest on the river. The mill uses four Leffell water wheels and one Decorah patent water wheel, and is in charge of a practical miller of many years' ex- perience, Mr. R. B. Sharp. Mr. Hale owns a fine farm of 180 acres in Fremont and Orleans tps., besides his town property. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Burr Oak Lodge. He married in 1875 at Cresco, lo.. Miss Ida E. Maxon, and they have two chil- dren, Fred M. and Charles Leslie. C. A. Hiatt was born in Hamilton Co., lo., in 1854. His par- ents came to this Co. in 1856, located in Hesper tp., and lived on what is known as the Peterson farm. He lived in Minn, four years; then returned to Iowa and bought an 80 acre farm in sec. 15, where he now resides. The farm is well improved, and Mr. H. also farms part of his father-in-law's (E. E. Meeder's) land. He married, in February, 1880, Miss Meeder, and they have one child, Claude. John Hegg, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Section 2, Springfield tp., was born April 28, 1848, in Norway, and came with his parents to the U. S. in 1853, locating on section 1, this tp., where his father died Nov. 1st, 1861. Mr. Hegg was -married to Miss Sarah Vista Oct. 28th, 1871; their children are, Sophia C, Olaf, John, Gustav, and Louisa E. They have lost by death one son, Olaf. Mr. Hegg at present owns 172 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. He has also served his tp. as assessor and collector, and is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church . 0. T. Hamre, proprietor of the St. Cloud hotel, and livery barn, Decorah; also deals largely in agricultural implements, in com- pany with Henry Paine. Mr. Hamre was born in Norway Oct. 24th, 1837. In 1857 he came to the U. S., and his first location was in Winneshiek Co., where he engaged in farming until 1861, when he removed to Decorah and worked at the tailoring busi- ness, which he had learned before coming to America. From 1867 to 1872 he again farmed, and in the latter year took charge of the St. Cloud hotel, of which he is still proprietor. He mar- ried Miss Isabel Christianson December 26th, 1857. Jacob J. Hegg, farmer, P. 0. Decorah; owns 298 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born July 1st, 1832, in Bergenstift, Norway; came to the U. S. in 1856, and after visiting various cities located at Stoughton, Wis., where he remained until the spring of 1861, when he came to this Co., and settled in Madison tp. until coming to his present farm in 1863. In Dec, 1857, he 37 590 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGKAPHIES. was married to Betsy Thorison, and has six children, Betsy, Eliza, Anna, Jacob, Thomas and Nels. He is a member of the Luther- an church. J. H. Haug, dealer in dry goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots, shoes, hardware, drugs, patent medicines, etc., at Sprllville; was born in Switzerland, Dec. dth, 1848. He came to America in 1866, located in this town and engaged as clerk for his uncle, J. J. Haug. In 1871 he became a partner in his uncle's business, under the firm name of J.J. Haug & Co., which partnership con- tinued until 1876, when the business was purchased by himself and J. Meyer, and was so conducted for two years, when Mr. Haug became sole proprietor. He carries a complete stock, worth $15,000. Oct. 26th, 1&75 he was married to Mary Vogler, and has two children, Bertha and Louisa, they have lost one by death, Henry. Hon. Levi Hubbell, is a native of Conn., having been born in Fairfield Co., of that state, in 1826. He was a farmer boy, and his education to nineteen years of age was received ,at the public schools. He then spent two and one-half years at Oneida Insti- tute, Whitesboro, N. Y., of which Beriah Green, the noted abo- litionist, was president, and where Mr. Hubbell imbibed those political principles which have characterized all his later life. Leav- ing Whitesboro Mr. H. taught five years in Dutchess Co., New York, when he returned to his native state and established a school at Gaylor's Bridge, in the famed Housatonic v alley. In 1857 he removed to Bradford, Chickasaw Co., where he for three years was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1861 he settled up- on the farm he now occupies in the town of Frankville, Winne- shiek Co. Mr. H. has devoted his attention to agricultural inter- ests and pursuits, in which he has been remarkably successful. He early became interested in dairy enterprises and has now three large creameries in operation, conducted in accordance with the latest methods. In educational matters he is naturally earnest and progressive. Mr. Hubbell's age, natural ability, educatioji, and thorough business experience, secure for him a large influ- ence which has been wielded in behalf of wise legislation. He was married in 1860 to Miss Jane E. Witted, and has two sons, Wil- liam and George L. Mr. Hubbell has twice represented his dis- trict in the Legislature of Iowa. J. J. Haug, one of the proprietors of the Big Stone Mill at Spill ville; owns 1,500 acres of land; was born in Switzerland in 1832; came to the H. S. in 1854 and located on a farm near Spill- ville. In 1857 he entered the employ of Mr. Spillman, and two years later engaged in mercantile business. He secured a post- office at S. in 1860, and was the first postmaster. He sold a part of his business to John T. Galby in 1863, and the following year sold the entire stock to his partner and returned to his native country, where he spent about a year. He returned to Spillville, WINN'ESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 591 and agaitt engaged in business, continuing until 1868; was then re-appointed postmaster, which office he has since held. The mill was built in 186i by S. Morse, and Mr. H. purchased an interest in 1867. He has served as justice of the peace three years, and also as county supervisor three years. In 1859 he was married to Mrs. Anna B. Meyer, and has one son, Charles, and a step-daugh- ter, Bertha. He is a member of the Congregational Church at Ft. Atkinson. K. I. Haugen, dealer in general merchandise, is a native of Norway ; was born in 1850, and in 1869 came with his parents to the U. S. and settled in Minn. In 1870 he came to Decorah. Here he first served as clerk for C. Syverson, then worked in the county recorder's office a few months, at the end of which time he purchased the business of his former employer, and has since con- tinued the same. He was married in 1876 to Miss Louisa Bergan, who died in 1880. James Hoy is a son of Peter and Margaret McAnery Hoy, who settled in Decorah in 1854. He was born in 1856. At the age of 18 he commenced work at the the tinner's trade, and in the fall of 1880 engaged in business, and still continues the same. He is also a partner in the firm of P. S. Smout & Co. Mr. Hoy was married in January, 1882, to Miss Kate Hayes, daughter of W.m. H^es. Joseph Hutchinson, proprietor of D icorah Steam Bakery, was bom in Ireland in 1834; came with his parents to the U. S. in 1849, and lived in the state of Penn. until 1853, during which time he learned the trade of brick-laying. He then removed to Elgin, Illinois, and in 1857 came to Decorah. Here he had the contract for the brick work of the court house, and subsequently made the first brick in Decorah, and laid the same in the walls of the pioneer drug store. He established his present business in 1871, and now manufactures about $25,000 worth per year — prin- cipally crackers. Mr. H. was married in 1856 to Miss Ellen Be- han; they have nine children. C. P. Hiller, the pioneer furniture dealer of Winneshiek Co., is a native of Germany, born in 1832. After learning his trade, cab- inet making, he traveled over several of the German states, and in 1854 came to the U. S. He first stopped in Pennsylvania, but in 1855 came to Decorah and established his present business. He married in 1862 Miss Elizabeth Hinderman; they have seven chil- dren living, Carrie, Charley, Henry, John, Libbie, Edna and Maggie. Charles Hegner is a native of Germany; born in 1833, his par- ents being Carl and Mary Hegner. In 1849 the family emigrated to the United States and settled in the state of New York. Here Charles learned his trade, cabinet making, and. in about 1858 re- moved to Wisconsin. In 1866 he came to Decorah, worked at the carpenter's trade a few years, when he again resumed cabinet making, and in 1876 engaged in business. He now carries a very 691 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. large stock of the best furniture iii the city. Mr. Hegner was married December 21,1857, to Miss Minnie Bush, and they now have nine children, William, Carl, Herman, Earnst, Ida, Caro- line, Minnie, Emma and Robt. Fred Hencke is a native of Germany, born in 1832; came with his parents to the U. S. in 1850, and first settled at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Two years later the family came to Iowa and settled at Dubuque. In 1857 the subject of this sketch went to McGreg- or, where he was in the business of general merchandise until 1871, in which year he came to Decorah. Here he first engaged in the manufacture of soda water, and continued the same about five years, since which time he has given his entire attention to his grocery business, which he established in 1872. Mr. Hencke was married in 1857 to Miss Wilhelmini Puchert. The children are Fred and Ida. M. W. Hardin, Clerk of the Courts, is a son of H. J. and Ellen Hardin; was born in Clinton Co., N. Y., in 1851; came with his parents to Winneshiek Co. in 1867, and settled in Burr Oak tp. Here he was reared on a farm, and in 1877 entered the office of clerk of the courts and served as deputy 4 years, when he was elected to the office of deputy, which he now holds. D.N. Hawley is a native of Conn.; born in 1831 ; learned the carpenter's trade, and in 1856 came to Iowa and located at Free- port, Winneshiek Co. Here he formed a partnership with J. G. Tuttle, under the firm name of Tuttle & Hawley. This firm did the leading business in contracting and building for many years. It built the county court house at Decorah and many of the first business blocks in the city. Mr. Hawley has been twice married in the fall of 1866 to Miss Henriette Boothe, who died July 4th, 1865, and in the fall of 1866 to Franscillia Tuttle Burdick. Peter E.Haugen, was born in Norway in 1833. In 1842 the family emigrated to the U. S. and first settled near Beloit, Wis. The now famous Idaho Mineral Springs are located on the farm they then owned, and from its waters they drank for several years without knowing of their excellent qualities. In 1850 the family came to Decorah and purchased the old Indian trading post then held by J. C. Rice. The subject of this sketch was married in 1855 to Miss Guniel Allen, of Beloit, Wis., but a native of Nor- way. In 1865 he commenced dealing in agricultural implements and machinery, and did a very extensive business in that line un^ til 1882. In 1869 he built a warehouse and commenced dealing in grain. In 1876 he built elevator D. He now owns over 500 acres of land near Decorah, and nearly 1,000 acres in Minn. Mr. H. has four children living. E. W. Hoyt, managing partner of the firm of Hoyt & Hinman, hardware dealers, is a son of D. N. and M. A. Shotwell Hoyt, who are among the early pioneers of Winneshiek Co. E. W. Hoyt was born in Winneshiek Co., and has always been a resident WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 593 of Winneshiek Co., with the exception of a few years when the family resided in Emmet Co. He was reared on a farm, received a good common school education and subsequently taught school several terms. In 1877 he commenced mercantile life as clerk. In Feb., 1880, he became associated with C. H. Hinmanas partner, and established their present business, and as Mr. Hinman is a resident of Chicago, Mr. Hoyt has the entire management of the business. Mr. Hoyt was married Dec. 6, 1880 to Mrs. Alice Hoyt Bennett, daughter of T. M. Hoyt. B. Holcomb, firm of B. Holcomb & Son, dealers ia groceries, provisions, etc., is a native of New York, born June 10, 1811, He did not have very good opportunities for educating himself, but at the age of 21 he commenced teaching school, at the same time applying himself closely to his studies. This he continued for about twenty years, during which time he served as superin- tendent of Hamilton County, and subsequently as town superin- tendent in several different towns for a period of about ten years. He also served as local preacher in the M. E. Church for several years. In 1852 he removed to Illinois and joined the M. E. Con- ference. In 1854 he came to Iowa and contiaued preaching the gospel until 1864, when he was obliged to quit on account of a throat difficulty. He then lived four years on a farm, after which he came to Decorah, and for five years served as justice of the peace. In 1882 he engaged in his present business. Mr. Holcomb was married September 18, 1835, to Miss Elizabeth Weaver; they have two children living, Lewis and Charles L. Their second old- est son was killed at Atlanta, while in the U. S. service. Lewis Holcomb was born in 1836, and is a carpenter by trade lu 1861 he enlisted in Co. D, 16th lo., and served until August 1865. After the war he again resumed his trade. In 1874 he came to Decorah, and in 1879 engaged in mercantile business. He was married in 1865 to Miss Julia Remington, who died in 1874, leav- ing one daughter Delia. In 1881 he married Mrs. Delia McKay Hard, who has two children by her first marriage, Clara and Addie. Jacob Haas, farmer, section 5, Decorah; is a native of Ger- many, born in the state of Baden, July 16, 1834. He left his native country September 17, 1853, and arrived in N. Y. De- cember 1st following. He immediately went to Maryland, and learned the blacksmith trade, near Baltimore. In 1855 he went to Kentucky and two years later to Iowa. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. D, 6th lo. Cav., and served as farrier in the U. S. service two years and ten months. Mr. Haas then returned to Decorah, and has since been engaged in farming and saloon-keeping. In 1876 he purchased a meat market, which business is now owned and conducted by his son Charles. Mr. Haas, in January, 1857, mar- ried Miss Margaret Rice, and they now have nine children living, Charles, Matilda, now Mrs. John Stortz; Jacob, Henry, Caro- line, George, Maggie, Julius and Emma. 594 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGEAPHIES. Moses Hostetler, farmer, was born in Ohio in 1825, and resided there with his parents on the farm until 21 years of age; then went to Wisconsin, and in 1849 left there and came to Iowa and settled first in Allamakee County, which was very lightly settled, Indians still being in the county. He took a Government claim, but only lived there about two years, and then came to Winne- shiek Co. and purchased the home farm, where he now resides. He is one of the most extensive — if not the most extensive — far- mers in the county. Operating about 740 acres in Frankville tp.; also owns 50 acres of timber in Bloomfield tp., and twenty-five acres of timber in Allamakee County. He has fitted his farms thoroughly for stock of all kinds; has generally about 150 head of cattle for dairy and stock purposes; uses eight teams on the farm, and employs four men the year round, in addition to a great deal of day help. Mr. Hostetler is president of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Frankville, has filled several offices of public trust, and is one of the directors and active supporters of the county agricultural society; is a Master Mason and member of Lodge, No. 66, Frankville. He was married in 1847 in Wis., to Miss Mary Brant, and has one child. Peter R. Hanson, farmer; owns 119 acres, principally timber; was born in Burgen Staft, Norway, 1830, and was engaged in farming there. In 1849 he came to America and lived two years in Wisconsin; then came to Iowa, settling in this county, worked out on farms for a year or two, then bought the land he now re- sides upon. He cleared a considerable portion for cropping pur- poses, has a fine herd of cattle of good grades, hogs and good teams; has filled the office of road supervisor for several years in the tp. Anton 0. Hegg, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, sec. 35; son of Ole and Carrie Hanson; was born January 1, 1830, in Norway; emi- grated to the United States in 1854, and the same year purchased his farm, it being then unimproved. He has since added to his first purchase, till he now has 231 acres in the home farm, all well improved, and valued at $35 per acre. He also owns 160 acres of land in Mower Co., Minn. He married Miss G. Nelson in Nor- way, April 10, 1854; their children are Charlotte, Henrietta, Frederick, Oscar and Adolph. Mr. H. is a member of the Luth- eran church. Lars Hoganson, P. 0. Decorah, box 58; farmer, sec. 5, Madison tp.; owns 197 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born Feb- ruary 4, 1817, in Norway; emigrated to the U. S. in 1851, first stopping at Janesville, Wisconsin, about nine months; then went to Beloit, where be remained till in the spring of 1855 he came to Decorah and engaged in blacksmith in g, which he continued till 1866, when he came on to his present farm. He was married to Miss Martine Gulbranson in 1854, by whom he has two sons. WINNESHIEK COUNTY BI0GEAPHIE6. 595 Hans M., now in Trail Co., D. T., and Anton L., at home. Mr. H. has taken special care to give both his sons a good English education. Jacob Headingfcon, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, sec. 2 9, Canoe tp.; son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Headington; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, in 1833; came to this county in 1858, locating in this township, and to his present farm in 1869. He now owns 300 acres of land valued at $35 per acre. He was married to Miss Martha J. Powleson, a native of Ohio, in 1858; they have four children, William, John, Franklin and Elizabeth. George Hall, P. 0. Washington Prairie, farmer living on sec. 25, Glen wood tp.; owns a farm of 80 acres valued at $40 per acre; was born May 22, 1827, in Dutchess Co., N. Y. In the spring of 1858 he came to Iowa, first locating at Bradford, Chickasaw Co., where he was married to Miss Phoebe A. Hawes, Nov. 20, 1858. In 1863, after having the misfortune to have his house burned with all its contents, he came to this county on a visit, intending and designing to return east, but finally rented a farm near Wau- kon in Allamakee Co., and remained in that county till in 1866 he purchased his present farm, which is under first-class cultiva- tion and with a fine orchard of the best varieties of fruit grown in this latitude. Fosten 0. Haugen, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, sec. 36, Madison. tp.; owns 240 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born Aug. 9, 1830, in Norway; emigrated to the U. S. in 1855, located in Decorah and engaged working at his trade, carpenter and joiner, till 1865, when he came on to his present farm. He was married to Miss Inger Evenson in Norway, in Jan., 1855; they have three children, Betsy, Isabell A. and Anna, having lost two, Mary and Gertrude. Mr. Haugen has taken special interest in educa- ting his children , some of whom are teachers. Ole 0. Haugen, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, sec. 24, Madison tp,; owns 200 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born Novem- ber 26, 1826, in Norway and emigrated to the U. S. in 1865, lo- cating in Springfield township, this county, and came on to his present farm in 1868. He was married to Miss Mary Peterson in Norway in 1840; they have seven children, Ole, Peter, Nels, German, Thomas, Martin and Mary, and have lost two by death, both of whom were named Thomas. James S. Hickey, railroad agent, was born in Livingston Co., N. Y., in 1833; is a son of James and Dorotha Hickey. When he was 12 years of age he removed with his parents to Cuba, N. Y., where he remained three years; he subsequently learned the trade of printer, which he followed for about fourteen years, dur- ing which time he was in many different places, a short time in Flint, Mich. Thence to McGregor, and from there to Postville, as clerk in the Milwaukee railroad offices. In 1868 he came to Ridgeway and took charge of the railroad depot, which position 596 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. he still occupies. He married Mary A. Helmes, a native of Catta- raugus County, N. Y. They have two children, Eugene C. and Adele May. John Howard, farmer, sec. 27; owns 212| acres of land valued at |25 per acre; was born in Ireland in 1841; is the son of Owen and Mary Howard. At the age of 11 he came with his parents to America; resided for the next ten years in N. Y. and Penn. In 1861 he went to 111. In 1867 he was married to Maria Flem- ing, a native of Illinois; has three children, Eugene, Ellen and Edward. He has held the office of assessor one term. Mr. How- ard enlisted in the 95th 111. Inf. in 1862, at Marengo, McHenry Co., 111. He served his adopted country until the close of the war; participated in the siege of Vicksburg, where he was wounded on the 20th of June. He was honorablj^ discharged at Springfield, 111., in August, 1865. P. J. Huber & Bro., dealers in hardware and agricultural imple- ments. Fort Atkinson. P. J. Huber, the senior member of the firm, was born in Franklin Co., Ind., March 19, 1847. His parents came to this Co. in 1849, and were among its earliest settlers. They took a government claim, and still own and live on the same. In 1876 he bought the business and buildings of Fred Newman here, and carried on the business alone until the spring of 1881, when he took his brother, G. H. Huber, into partnership. They have a fine business; own three buildings and lots on which thejr conduct their business — one used as a hardware store, two stories, tin shop above and store below; another building for ware- house, and another for agricultural implements. They carry a full line of hardware, stoves, tinware, paints, oils, glass, etc., also all the leading manufactures of agricultural implements. John Hurley, farmer, Washington tp.; residing on Sec, 21, and owns 190 acres; was born in Ohio in 1829, and about 1843 his parents moved to northern Ind. He came to lo. in 1857, settled in this tp., bought 160 acres in Sec. 16, which he sold, and bought the farm he now resides on, which is thoroughly improved; has erected a fine stone residence and good barn. The farm is well- stocked. Mr. H. has a good herd of grade cattle, uses two teams on the farm, owns seven head of horses. He is a member of Hope Star lodge No. 316, A. P. and A. M., at Calmar. He was married in 1858, in this tp., to Miss Hendricks, and they have five children, Thomas, Catharine, Cynthia, John and Jessie. Hans P. Johnson, dealer in and manufacturer of harness, etc., was born in Norway in 184:7; came with his parents to the U. S. in 1858, and settled in Canoe tp., Winneshiek Co. In 1864 his father, Paul Johnson, was drafted into the H. S. service and never returned. Hans P. followed farming most of the time until 1881, when he established his present business. He was married in 1873 to Miss Rachael Olson. WINITESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 597 F. Jurgens is a native of Norway, born in 1855; emigrated with his sister Christianna, now Mrs. H. Halvorson, to the U. S. in 1872; came direct to lo., stopping in Clayton Co. until Oct.; then came to Winneshiek Co. Here he worked on a farm for three years; then came to Decorah and commenced mercantile life as clerk for R. Wilson. In Aug., 1879, he entered the store of A. W. Hayward, and has since been manager of the business. E. Jacobson, dealer in grain, live stock, etc.. was born in Nor- way in 1845. In 1848 the family came to the TJ. S. and first lived in Wis. In 1854 the family came to lo. and settled at Calmar. The subject of this sketch helped till the soil, with the exception of two winters, which he spent as clerk in a store, until 1865. He then commenced dealing in grain at Calmar. In 1869 he came to Decorah, and in partnership with Gilchrist & Co. engaged in his E resent business. Mr. Jacobson married Miss RachaelHove; they ave three children; John, Bernard and Minnie. Jacob Jewell, Sec. 9, Decorah tp.; P. 0. Decorah; farmer and stock raiser; son of Elihu and Anna Wymer Jewell, was born November 4th, 1825, in Knox County, Ohio, where his boyhood was spent alternately at the district school winters, and on the farm summers. He married Miss Emily Head- ington February 27, 1849, and the following spring moved to Wyandotte Co., where he was engaged in farming until the spring of 1850; he sold out, and started for the west, locating about two miles above where he now lives, remaining there a few years until he purchased 320 acres where he now resides. The land joins the corporation of West Decorah on the north. He owns alto- gether 914 acres, being mostly located on the Upper Iowa river bottom, making it one of the most desirable farms in the Co. for raising of stock, in which he is especially engaged, having some of the finest in the Co. Mr. J. is one of the live, energetic and suc- cessful farmers of the Co. ; he has served as a member of the board of supervisors of Winneshiek Co. His children are Benjamin A., John A. and Frank. He has lost two by death, Thomas N. and James W. Engebert Johnson, farmer, P. 0., Conover; owns 300 acres of land on Sec. 3; was born in Christiansans Stifte, Norway, Oct. 21, 1842; came to the U. S. in 1864 and located in Freeport, thence to his present farm in 1868. In Nov., 1866, he was married to Gertrude 0. Haugen, and has five children living, Peter, John, Ole, Christine and Andrene. He has lost two daughters by death. Eev. Abraham Jacobson, postoffice Decorah; owns 174 acres of land in Sec. 2, Springfield tp.; was born in Norway, Jan. 3, 1836; came with his parents to the U. S. in 1848, and located at Mus- kego. Wis. In 1850 thev came to this tp. and'located on Sec. 1. His father died Sept. 10, 1879. The subject of this sketch began attendance at the 111. State University, at Rockford, in the autumn of 1852, having accomplished about sixty miles of the journey on 598 WlNifESHIEK COUNTY BIOGEAPHIES. foot; there he remained until 1860, when he went to Chicago as pastor of the first M. E. Church; after one year returned home, and soon after went to Dakota as a missionary; thence, in 1862, to Quebec, Canada, as a missionary for one season. He then returned to this Co., and for three years was engaged in farming. In 1866 he went to St. Louis to attend the German Lutheran Concordia, and in 1868 went to Perry, Dane Co., Wis., as pastor of the church, and remained until 1878, when a cyclone passed over the town, destroying the church, injuring the parsonage and several other buildings; one man was killed within a few feet of Mr. J., and he himself was badly bruised. He then returned to his present home, and works as a missionary in the west. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Mary H. O'Connor, who died in 1861. Jan. 3, 1863, he was married to Nicoline Hig, and has nine children, Clara G., Mary H., Jacob 0., Signe A., Isaac M., Dayid L., Helga L., Abra- ham S. and Carl G. Mr. J. has served as assessor and member of the board of supervisors, and was also captain of the home guards during the late war. He is the owner of a bible published in 1672 at Nuremburg, Germany. James M. Lower, farmer, was born in Madison Co. Ind., in 1841, and in 1855 came to this Co. with his parents. After leaving the old homestead he bought the farm he now resides on, in 1871; it contains 82 acres, fine rolling prairie, is thoroughly improved, and is well stocked with horses, cattle, and as fine a drove of hogs as there is in the Co, They are his special pride, and show careful attention as well as fine stock; are principally Berkshire, with some Poland China. The place is well fitted for stock purposes, and is situated in one of the best parts of the Co. He was mar- ried in June, 1874, in Madison Co., Ind., to Miss Forkner, and thev have three children. j'as. Alex. Leonard, wholesale and retail dealer in books, station- ery, wall paper, musical instruments, etc.; is a native of the Em- pire state, having been born at Syracuse in 1840. He early in life turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and soon became a member of the firm of Wynkoops & Leonard. June 10, 1867, he was united in matrimony with Miss Julia Ives. In 1876 he came to Decorah, at once engaged in his present business, and although an entire stranger his excellent social and business qualifications soon gained the esteem of all, so that he is now recognized as one of the leading citizens of Decorah. He is at present an alderman of the city, but takes no interest in politics more than to perform his duty as a citizen. Mr. L. is also assistant engineer of the De- corah fire department. The children are Geo. I. and John L. H. M. Langland, County sheriff, was born in Norway in 1845, being the oldest son of M. and Gertrude Langland, 'who emi- grated to the U. S. in 1849; lived in Dane Co., Wis., until 1854, since which time they have resided in Pleasant tp., Winneshiek Co. The subject of this sketch was educated at Albion academy WINNESHIEK COUNTY BI0GEAPHIE3. 599 of D ane Co., Wis.; subsequently taught school one year, and in 1870 was appointed deputy sheriff of Winneshiek Co., and served four years. From 1875 to 1880 he was a member of the firm of Lee, Johnson & Co., dealers in general merchandise, Decorah, and in 1881 was appointed sheriff, vice D. C. Moore resigned. Mr. L. was married in 1876 to Miss Gertrude Iverson, who died in May, 1881. Iver Larson is a native of Norway, born in 1837; came to the U. S. in 1850, and in J851 to Winneshiek Co. Here he lived with his parents about ten years, and then attended school at St. Louis for about eighteen months, after which he clerked for Kerndt Bros., of Lansing, lo., until 1866. Mr. Larson then formed a partnership with Christ Aslesen, and was engaged in mer- cantile business at Brownsville, Minn., until 1878, since which time he has been at Decorah, where he now does a very large bus- iness in general merchandise. In 1866 he married Miss Anna Nel- son; they have one son and four daughters. F. C. Lennon is of Irish and Scotch descent, and was born in the city of Milwaukee, Wis., in 1845. In June, 1855, the family came to lo. and settled in Frankville tp., this Co. Here the sub- ject of this sketch helped till the soil, and received a good, com- mon school education, and at different mtervals taught school until 1876. He then came to Decorah, and has since been en- faged as collector for different parties; also deals in real estate. [r. Lennon is a good financier, and a man who does just as he agrees to do. Dec. 19, 1878, he married Miss Estelle Scott; they have two children, Hawley and Louisa. J. G. Lamm was born in the state of N. Y. in 1844. He came to Winneshiek Co. in 1868, and in 1869 engaged in the saloon bus- iness, which he still continues. Mr. Lamm was married in 1872 to Anna Weyland, and they now have five children, Joseph, Armena, Leo, Emuel and Laren. Christian Lower, one of the oldest and most popular citizens of Winneshiek Co., was born in Preble Co., Ohio, in 1814, and in the same year his parents moved to the then territory of Indiana. He lived with his parents in Wayne Co., Ind., until 1855, having taken unto himself a wife. Miss Barbara Hoover, he came to lo., and settled in Frankville tp., where he has resided ever since. He has been twice elected member of the county board of supervisors, and has served several years in the office of justice of the peace, in this tp. His farm contains 205 acres of fine land, and is all tillable, except 32 acres of timber, and is well stocked, fine Devonshire cattle being Mr. Lower's specialty, and in horses the Mambrino stock is his favorite. He has one thoroughbred of that stock, which is a magnificent animal. Mr. L. has arranged everything with a view to comfort and convenience. His pleasant residence is surrounded by a flourishing orchard, and a tine strong spring of 600 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPIHES. pure cold water flows within a few yards of the house. Mr. and Mrs. L. have raised a family of four sons, and have lost by death one daughter. Joseph Lennon, farmer, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1802; worJced on farm there until 1829; then came to the U. S., settled first in Essex Co., N. Y., and worked on a farm for a time; then went to Canada West, and in 1810 returned to the states, settling in Racine Co., Wis., and farming. In 1853 he came to lo., and located in Winneshiek Co., the farm of 80 acres he now resides on being a portion of the original claim, the balance of which he has given to his children. He has filled the ofiice of justice of the peace several years, and was for many years notary public. He was married in Ireland in April, 1828, to Miss Cath- erine Sherry; they have nine children living. C. J. Lundgrens, variety store and dealer in cigars and tobacco; was born in Sweden in 1829; came to America in 1852, and settled in New York. In 1857 he removed to Red Wing, Minn.; thence to Conover, and in 1872 came to Calmar and established his pres- ent business. He married Caroline Isaacson, also of Sweden; they have three children, Albert F., Mary Amelia and Carl Theodore. A. P. Leach, P. 0. Freeport; farmer. Sec. 13 — whose portrait appears in this work — is a son of David and Palmyra {nee Pardee) Leach, and was born Oct. 22, 1808, in Rensselaer Co., N. Y. In the year 1812 his parents moved to Chenango Co., which was then considered the far west, it being a wilderness and still inhabited by the red men. The subject of this sketch, at the age of 15, went to live with an uncle, who was a hatter at Canajoharie, at which business he worked till he was 21 years of age, when he returned to Chenango Co., and with his parents, the same year, 1829, moved to Chautauqua Co., where he soon after engaged in the manufacture of hats at the village of Stockton in said county, continuing till 1850, when he sold out and purchased a farm, and engaged in farming. In 1854 he sold his farm, and immigrated to lo., purch^asing 300 acres of land in the beautiful valley of Freeport, in Winneshiek Co., three miles below Decorah on the Upper Iowa river, and where he still resides. At that time there were but very few settlers in the county and less than half a dozen houses in the now flourishing city of Decorah. Many privations and inconveniences were incident to the pioneers of this county; no place of market nearer than the Mississippi river, forty miles away. Mr. L. is at present the only one of the early settlers in his immediate vicinity now here, some having moved away, and others passed to their long homes. Mr. L. has been one of the foremost enterprising farmers of his tp., as the appearance of his residence and the surroundings indicate — a view which may be seen in the Andreas State Atlas of lo. He now owns but 120 acres of land, worth |75 per acre, having disposed of 180 acres of his original purchase, for the purpose of reducing the labor and WINITESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 601 care incident to carrying on a large farm, although for a man of his age. he is possessed of remarkable strength of body and mind. Mr. Leach was married to Miss Elira King, of N. Y., in 1832. Their children are Antoinette, David, Maggie, Augusta, Willie and Minnie. N. B. Libbey, farmer. Sec. 32, P. 0. Cresco; owns MO acres land valued at $25 per acre ; was born in Maine in 1832 ; is the son of Elias and Mehitable Libbey, and was married in 1860 to Susan Jane Libbey, also of Maine. M. S. Lemon, farmer. Sec. 32, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 80 acres of land valued at $40 per acre; was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1840. When he was 21 years of age he came west and lo- cated in this Co. He was married in 1870 to Ellen Kittleson, a native of Wis. Mr. Lemon is the fourth son of James and Fanny Lemon, and has six children, Melerna, Cleara, Genie, Charles, James and Wilbur. He has been town clerk for several years. Moritz Lange, farmer, Bluffton tp., was born in Dresden, Ger- many, in 1824, of wealthy parents, and received a fine education at some of the best academies. When 17 years of age he entered the German army and served the regular term of six years. He became implicated in a rebellion there, and was obliged to leave ; his property was confiscated, and he dared not return. He came to America in 1848, and lived in New York, Albany and other cities in N. Y., and returned to the farm. He has filled various offices in the tp.; has been justice of the peace several terms, and still holds that office. He was married in N. Y. in 1852 to Miss Margaret Dawley, and has four children, Adelbert, George, Wil- liam and Charles. In 1854 he came to lo. and lived in Canoe tp., this Co., for some time, and then on Franklin Prairie; and in 1856 he came to this place, where he now resides and owns 80 acres, well improvad and stocked. In 1862 he enlisted at Bluffton in the 38th lo. Inf., Co. E, as corporal, under Capt. Cleghorn, served three years, and was in many of the important engagements. He was discharged at Houston, Texas, in 1865, and paid off in Davenport. J. A. Libbey, farmer, Sec. 32, P. 0. Cresco; owns 1200 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Maine in 1832; is the son of Ebenezer and Susan Libbey. At the age of 18 he went to N. H.; lived there seven years, and from there moved to Winne- shiek Co., lo. He was married in 1857 to Miss Buelah A. Stevens, a native of Great Falls, N. H., and has five children, Dora M., Milton 0., Etta F., Minnie A. and Walter R. He has held the office of township trustee one full term. His children are all liv- ing at home, except Dora M., who is mairied. J. A. Klein, county superintendent of schools, was born in Jef- ferson Co., Wis., in 1848, receiving his education at the State Normal school at Whitewater. He taught school at Jefferson two years, and at Fort Atkinson one year. In 1875 he came to lo., and 602 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOSKAPHIES. until 1881 was principal of the schools of Calmar. He was elected to the oiSce which he now holds in the fall of 1881. Mr. Klein married Miss Louise Klein August 19, 1880, and now has one ' daughter. J. J. Klopp, druggist, was born in Ohio in 1849; was educated at Notre Dame college, near South Bend, Ind. At the age of 16 he commenced keeping books at Cincinnati, and continued until he became of age. He then went to Leavenworth, Ind., and en- gaged in the drug business. Here, in 1876 he married Miss L. E. Ammon. In 1877 he came toDecorah. They have three children. Jens 0. Kalloway, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Sec. 21, Glenwood tp.; son of Ole J. and Christy Kalloway; was born May 31, 1844, in Bergensteft, Norway, and emigrated to the U. S. with his par- ents in 1862, first stopping in Crawford Co., Wis., and the follow- ing year came to this Co. and tp., where his father died in 1871. His mother is still living and is with the subject of this sketch, who located on his present farm in 1872. He was married to Miss Tilda Johnson, also of Norway, January 31, 1876; they have three children, Oli, John and an infant son. Mr. K. is a member of the Lutheran church. John Kennedy, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, Sec. 28; was born in Sherrington, Canada, in 1826, and emigrated to Decorah in 1856, and engaged in the manufacture of wagons, which he continued till 1871, when he came on to his present farm; was married to Miss Margaret Burrows in Canada — they have three children, Mary, William and Claudius. John B. Kaye, attorney at law, was born in England in 1841. He came to America with his parents in 1842, and settled in Md.; removed to Penn.; thence to Wis. in 1848, and located near Ge- neva, Walworth Co. In 1863 he went to Nevada, where he re- mained four years, and returned to Wis. He spent two years in Wis., Md. and Penn., and again went to Nev., where he remained until 1871. He studied law with J. A. Smith, of Geneva, Wis.; came to Iowa in 1872, was admitted to the bar at Decorah, and established practice at Calmar. He married Fannie Green, a native of Walworth Co., Wis. Their children are, Percy S., Mary Ger- trude, Alice, Edna and Sarah Eliza. John Knox, farmer, owns 120 acres of farm land and 10 acres of timber. Mr. Knox was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland in 1846. In 1855 he came to the U. S., spent that fall in New York; then came west, settling in this county. He worked on farms for about six years, then, having saved some money, bought the land he now owns; which he has thoroughly improved and well stocked. He was married in February, 1873, in Burr Oak tp., to Miss Mary E. Whalen, and they have three sons and one daughter. Rev. U. W. Koren, P. 0. Decorah; pastor of the Lutheran church in Springiield tp., located on Sec. 1; also has charge of three other churches in the vicinity, the aggregate cost of the four ■mNNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 603 cLurclies being $42,000 — his home church costing $17,000, with a very fine parsonage costing oyer $5,000, and very pleasantly sit- uated in a grove about sixty rods from the house. The Rev. Koren is also president of the N. E. L. Synod, the same being similar to the duties of bishops of the M. E. church, his jurisdic- tion extending over the territory -west of the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean. The subject of this sketch v/as born in Nor- way in 1826, and received a classical and theological education at the University of Christiana, where he completed the course and was ordained in 1853; and the same year, in answer to a call from the Lutheran church of the northwest, he immigrated to the U. S., coming direct to this Co. and located, where he still resides, the country then being very sparsely settled. He at once engaged in establishing churches, and entered upon a general missionary work, which extended over the counties of Clayton, Fayette, Chick- asaw, Howard, Winneshiek and Allamakee, lo., and Houston and Fillmore counties in Minn., which area of territory now contains about fifty churches and twenty pastorates. Rev. Koren was largely instrumental in the establishing of the commodious Luthe- ran college at Decorah; purchasing the land upon which it is located, and otherwise doing much toward securing the establish- ment of the college. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hysing, in Norway, on the 18th day of Aug., 1853; their children are Ahlert H.,.Johan, Paul, Wilhelm, Henriette, Carolina M., Elizabeth and Marie. Frank Kapinos, P. 0. Spillville; proprietor of saloon; son of John and Barbara Kapinos; was born in Bohemia, Austria, in Nov., 1847, and came with his parents to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1852. His father was engaged in the employ of the C. M. and St. P. R. R. Co., and was killed by a railroad accident near Mazoma- nie. Wis., in 1866. The subject of this sketch came to lo. in 1859, and engaged with his brother-in-law, John Elbling, at McGregor, in the manufacture of cigars. In 1859 he came to Spillville and engaged in his present business. He was married to Miss Lena Jarashin 1871 ;]they have six children, Caroline, Emma, Frank, Lena, Mary and Louisa. He is a member of the Catholic church. John J. Kovarik, teacher of the Catholic school, organist in the Catholic church and leader of the band at Spillville; was born in Bohemia in 1850; attended the college at Pisek for five years, and came to the U. S. with his parents in 1868. They located in this town, where the 'subject of this sketch engaged in teaching both the English and Bohemian languages. Feb. 15th, 1870, he was married to Elizabeth Riha, and has five children, Joseph, John, Cecelia, Elizabeth and 'Mary. Othmar Kapler, farmer and notary public, does a general con- veyancing business; P. 0. Spillville; owns 300 acres of land be- sides his homestead of two acres, and 40 acres of land in Fayette Co.; COi WINlfESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Nov. 15, 1840; came with his parents to the U. , S. in 1852, and located at Shepherdstown, Va. He removed to Wheeling the following year; thence to Cal^ houn Co., 111., in 1864, and the spring following came to this Co. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 21st lo. Inf.; participated in a large number of important battles, and was discharged at Clinton, lo.; returned home and engaged in the hardware business with George A. Purdy, which they conducted for one year; then Mr. K. sold to his partner and came to Spillville, where he opened a hotel and boarding house, which he ran until 1878. He has been notary public since 1866, and justice of the peace two years. He married Barbara Rachel; daughter of thfe first sheriff of this Co.; they have seven children, George R., Caroline, Rosa, Louisa, Regina, Anna and Frank. W. H. Klemme, lumber dealer, was born in Franklin Co., Ind., in 1849; is son of H. W. and Katherine Klemme. When he was 12 years of age his parents removed to this tp., where they have since resided. In 1871 he engaged in the dry goods business in company with Mr. Bolles. The following year he sold his inter- est in the dry goods business and entered the lumber trade, which he still continues. He was married to Augusta Bolles, also a na- tive of Ind.; they have one daughter, Nellie. Albert Kittleson, farmer, Sec. 15; owns 160 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in Norway in 1826; is a son of Charles Kittleson. He came to America in 1851, stopping in Wis. about two years; in 1853 he came to this Co. and in 1855 settled on his present farm. Mr. Kittleson has been one of the tp. trustees since the town was organized, and also assisted in organizing the tp. of Lincoln; he was instrumental in getting the Turkey river bridged in three different places, and has been a man of great value to the township in improving the public highways generally. He has been twice married, first to Anna Thompson, who died in 1865, leaving five children; his second marriage was to Emma Johnson, and they have one child. Howard A. Kinne, farmer. Sec. 13, P. 0. Cresco; owns 160 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in 1839 in Onon- daga Co., N. Y.; is the oldest son of Julius and Rachel Kinne; came west in 1860 and bought a -farm near Decorah, lo. In 1862 he enlisted, and after the war settled at Freeport, and made that his home until 1877, when he moved to Orleans tp., and has been a resident of that tp; since. Mr. Kinne was married in 1860 to Hannah Tobin, a native of N. Y. Mr. Kinne enlisted in 1862 in the 6th lo. Cav. (Col. Wilson), and saw active service in the north- western department, participated in the battle of Tah-kah-okaty, July 28, 1864, and the battle in the Bad Lands, August 8 and 9, 1864; was honorably discharged October 17, 1865. H. W. Masters, farmer, Burr Oak tp.; was born in 1844 in Steu-- ben Co., N. Y. He came to this state in 1864, and lived for three WINNESHIEK OOUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 605 years with his uncle, W. J. Masters, who came several years earlier. He then went back to N. Y. and married Miss Margaret Vosberg, of Schuyler"Co.,N. Y., and in the following year returned to lo. and bought the farm now owned by Ezra Weldon. He lived there about three years, then sold to Mr. Weldon, and in 1872 bought the place he now resides on, there being 120 acres situated in Sec. 9, well improved, good residence, etc., well stocked and all under fence. They have five children, Frank, Addie, Clar- ence, Jennie and Guy. Mr. Masters has filled various offices in the tp. ; has been justice of the peace two terms; is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., Burr Oak lodge; of the A. F. and A. M., Decorah lodge, and the R. A. M. B. M. Lein, dealer in general merchandise, was born in Norway in 1838, and was a tailor by trade; came to the U. S. in 1867, and spent the first summer in Allamakee Co., lo.; then moved to Hes- per, established busmess as tailor, and built up a good trade. After being there one year he bought property. In the summer of 1882 he added a new and complete stock of general merchandise and also conducts his tailoring business in the building belonging to Johnson Pike, located on the main street of the town. Mr. L. was married in 1860 in Norway to Miss Willmann, and they have three children. Hon. H. C. Manning, the only son of Alpha and Levina Man- ning, and partner in farming with his father, has served several terms as member of the board of supervisors, and was elected in the fall of 1879 on the republican ticket to represent this district in the 17th session of the State Legislature, and is one of this county's most prominent citizens. Alpha Manning, farmer, was born in Jan., 1812, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, came to the U. S. in Feb., 1857, and settled in this place. He had purchased the land three years previously; had been iu the mercantile business, also in manfacturing agricul- tural implements, plows, wagons, etc., and in farming. His land here is thoroughly improved, and is farmed and owned in partner- ship with his son, H. C. Manning. They own 370 acres, all in this tp., with good residence, barns, etc., and well stocked. Mr. Manning was married in 1837 in Canada East, to Miss Levina VanDrake, by whom he had five children. Mrs. Manning died in April, 1866, and he afterwards married in May, 1867, Mrs. Stork, (nee Van Drake.) John May, farmer and stock raiser and dealer. Burr Oak; one of the heaviest land owners and stock men in the Co.; come to this place in 1868 from W. Va. He had there followed business as a contractor and builder. He purchased large tracts of land, including land in Sees. 14, 23 and 2i, in all about 500 acres. The home farm is on Sees. 23 and 24, and the buildings, including the large and handsome stone and frame barns, and an elegant resi- dence, are in the village of Burr Oak. The barns and buildings S8 606 WtSrHTESHIEK COUNTY BIOGEAPHIES. used for stock axe the most complete and elaborate in fittings for their different purposes of any in the Co. They are well stocked, and were erected in 1877 at a cost of over $7,000, exclu- sive of cost of labor, and cover one village block. The residence, which is a handsome frame structure, is in the center of another block on a handsome elevation overlooking the pretty village. The farm land is all improved and is operated in partnership with his son, George May, and his soa-in-law, Peter Pfeiffer, the latter being the general manager and overseer. A. H. Header, Jr., dealer in general merchandise, Bluffton; was born in Hesper tp., this Co., in 1853, and resided with his parents on the farm until he was 22 years of age; then came to this place and, in partnership with S. H. Willetts, now of Burr Oak, erected the stone building he now occupies, and placed therein a stock of general merchandise. The partnership existed four years. He then bought his partner's interest, and has since run the same alone. The building is a fine stone structure, two stories, 24x60, the upper floor being used as a hall, the lower floor occupied with a fine line of goods, including boots and shoes, dry goods, grocer- ies, etc. The material was quarried in the town, there being an abundance of that material there. He was married in 1878 at this place, to Miss Fletcher, and they have two children, Gracie and Vera. Peter Meyer, P. 0. Calmar; farmer. Section 33, Calmar tp.; son of Sebastian and Catharine Meyer; was born Jan. 20, 1821, in Germany, and emigrated to the U. S. in 1846, stopping in Rich- mond, Va., about two years; then went to Wheeling, W. Va., and engaged at work in a rolling mill till 1854, when he went to Butler Co., Pa., and followed farming there. In 1854 he came to this Co. and located on his present farm, which now contains 200 acres valued at $35 per acre. He was married to Miss Barbara Schmitt June 19, 1849. She was born in Germany in 1828, and came to Pa. in 1833. They have eleven children, John, Catha- rine, Mary, ^ icholas, Joseph, Peter, Jacob, Barbara, Michael, Mar- garet and Louis. Mr. M. and family are members of the Catholic church. Peter McCaffrey, farmer, Bluffton tp.; was born in County Cavan, Province of Ulster, Ireland, in 1820 and came to America in the spring of 1850; remained in N. Y. four years engaged on railroad works and in farming, and in 1854 came to this place, being one of the pioneer settlers. He took the claim he now owns after he had been here a year or two; has thoroughly im- proved the same, and now owns 240 acres in Sections 11 and 12, 125 acres under cultivation and thoroughly improved, and the bal- ance second-growth timber. The farm is well stocked, has a good residence, barns, ets. Mr. McCaffrey has been one of the tp. trustees several years. He married in 1861, at Deeorah, Miss Mary Brady, and has ten children, Elizabeth, John, Rossana, Mar- garet, Ellen, Esther, James, Josephene, Clement and Catherine. WINWESHIEK COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 607 Capt. I. N< Morrill, express agent, was born in Vt. in 1833; his parents, John acd Betsy Pillsbury Morrill, are both natives of New England. He removed with them to Ohio when 12 years of age, and to Clayton Co., lo., in 1856. In May. 1857, ho went to Austin, Minn., and in 1861 enlisted in Co. K, 4th Minn. Inf. When the company was mustered in he was made first sergeant, but being a good soldier and commander, he rose from rank to rank, so that by January 10, 1864, he was commissioned captain. He was mustered out of service December 22, 1864. Capt. Mor- rill participated with honor in the following battles; siege or Cor- inth, luka, Corinth, Forty Hills, Eaymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, assault of Vipksburg, AUaloona and siege of Savanah. In his discharge he is spoken of as gentlemanly, brave in action, Srompt in the performance of his duties, and courteous to all. apt. Morrill, while in the U. S. service, purchased an interest in a mercantile business at McGregor, and held the same until 1866. He then entered the employ of the Merchants Union Express Co., and two years later the u. S. Express Co., and has since been in their employ. He has had charge of the office at Decorah since 1880. The captain was married at West Union, lo., in January, 1857, to Miss Mary F. Germond; they have one son, Harry. C. E. Meader was born in Ripley "Co., Ind., in 1839. In 1849 the family came to lo., and in the spring of 1850 located on Sec. 10, Hesper tp., Winneshiek Co., where the parents still resides Here the subject of this sketch helped till the soil until August, 1861, at which time he enlisted in Co. H, 9th lo. Inf., and served until Jan., 1865. He then returned to Winneshiek, Co., and for several years was engaged in various employments, such as keep- ing books, etc., etc. Prom 1875 to 1879 he had a one-half inter- est in the Bluffton Mills, and since 1878 has been deputy county treasurer. Mr. Meader was married in 1867 to Miss Rosa F. Blackmer, and they now have three children. F. H. Merrill was born in Lowell, Mass., April 13, 1848, his parents being Farnum and Elizabeth Remington Merrill, the for- mer a native of N. H., and a brother of S. S. Merrill, general manager of the C. M. and St. P. R. R. Co. F. H. Merrill received an academic education, and subsequently clerked for his brother, A. W. Merrill, at Lawrence, Mass. In 1871 he went to Milwau- kee, and commenced railroading. First he served as bill clerk, next as receipting clerk for the Prairie du Chien division, and sub- sequently for three years had charge of the freight on the north- em division. Mr. MerrilFs health having somewhat failed him, he next spent several years vnthout being engaged in any steady employment. During this time he took a sea voyage of about eighteen months, traveled in different parts of the U.S., and at different intervals served the C. M. and St. P. Co., surveying, run- ning baggage, handling wood and ties, etc., etc. In July, 1879, he came to Decorah, and has since had charge of the station as 608 IVINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. agent. Mr. Merrill is a member of the Beauseauiit commandery, and a gentleman who has the highest respect of all who know him. J. J. Marsh, dealer in agricultural implements and machinery, and one of the most successful business men in Decorah, is a na- tive of Onondaga Co., N. Y., and was born in 1837. When he was eight years of age, he removed with his parents to Lake Co., 111. Here he helped till the soil until 1853; he then learned wagon and carriage making at Waukegan. He subsequently, with several young men started for Pike s Peak, but upon reach- ing the Missouri river, they found that the tide of immigration was toward the east. The party therefore disbanded, and Mr. Marsh returned to Antioch, 111. In 1860 he went to Pike's Peak, spent what money he had, and returned to 111. in the fall. In 1861 he located at Decorah with but very little money, and scarcely enough household furniture necessary for housekeeping. But Mr. Marsh, being an industrious man, immediately formed a partnership with Mr. Greer, and engaged in the manufacture of plows, fanning mills, etc., and continued the same until 1863, since which time he has been in his present business, and has met with glowing success. His sales have exceeded |100,000 annually. Mr. Marsh resides in West Decorah, where he has a home supplied with all the requirements of the best social life. He was married in 1859 to Miss Addie Maltbey; they have four children, Willis C, Grace, Susie and Jo. J. H. Mackenstadt was born at Deapholtz, Germany, in 1841. At the age of 14 he went to the city of B , where he served a four years apprenticeship to learn the tailor's trade. In the spring of 1861 he came to the U. S., and stopped for a few months in the city of New York. He then came to Decorah and has since been in business as merchant tailor. Mr. Mackenstadt, in August, 1864, married Miss Janette Stephens; they have four children. J. G. Morss is a native of N. H., and was born in 1812, his father being Benj. Morss, and his mother Elizabeth Berry Morss, who had one son by her first marriage, this son being Hon. Na- thaniel S. Berry, ex-Governor of N. H. and now a resident of Milwaukee, Wis. J. G. Morss, at the age of 19, commenced the study of law, and in 1838 was admitted to the bar of Ohio. He then gave his entire attention to the legal profession in said state, until 1866, and met with marked success. He then came to De- corah. Here he continued the law practice, being a member of the firm of Morss & Brown until he retired from practice. He now deals in real estate, loans money, buys notes, etc. Mr. Morss was married in 1835 to Harriet S , and they now have three children, Eraalissa, now Mrs B. B. Greene; Edward B. and Helen, now Mrs. W. W. Leavitt. Mr. Morss has been city mayor and city attorney. WIiq'KESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 609 Helga N. Myrand, P. 0. Ridgewav; farmer Sec. 8, Madison tp.; owns a farm of 260 acres valued at $25 per acre; was born in Jan- uary, 1825, in Norway; came to the U. S. in 1841 with his mother, his father having previously died in Norway. They first located in Waukesha Co., Wis., where they remained till 1851, when they came to this Co. His mother died here in 1862. He was married to Miss Matilda Thompson in 1855; they have ten children. Nel- son, Thomas, John, Henry, Torge, Caroline, Anna, Isabel H., Tilda and Enjrie B. Mr. Myrand is a member of the Lutheran Church. J. W. Mott, P. 0. Decorah; a member of the firm of Benedict & Mott, proprietors of Trout Run mills; was born in Me. in 1847; parents immigrated to lo. in 1856, locating in Canoe tp., this Co. In 1870 he purchased a half interest in these mills, which were erected in 1865. They contain four run of buhrs, and have a capacity of 50 barrels per day. He married Bertha Christian ; their children are Roy, Wallace and Walter. J. D. McKay, farmer, was born near Rochester, N. Y., in 1815; received his education at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y.; studied law, read under James Butler, and was admitted to the bar. In 1851 he came to lo. and settled in Frankville tp., this Co., where he now resides; bought at that time, in partnership with his brother, 1,200 acres of land in this tp. and 300 acres in Allamakee Co. In 1852 he was admitted to the practice of law here; was examined under Judge Thos. F. Wilson, of Dubuque, and has continued in the profession ever since, and still attends cases in court, as well as attending to his farming interests. He has now only one quarter section, having disposed of the rest of the farm. Mr. McKay's farm is excellently adapted for a dairy and stock farm, and has some excellent grades of cattle, princi- pally Durhams. He was married in 1836 to Julia Stone, in N. Y., who died in March, 1864, leaving five children. In April, 1865, he married Catharine C. Todd, by whom he has three children. Two sons enlisted in the late war. Fitz James McKay, editor of the Star of the West, at New Oregon, Howard Co., lo., closed his office at the opening of the war, enlisted and served through the greater portion, and died in Camp Franklyn. G. W. McKay served through the war and was discharged at Little Rock, Ark., at the termination of hostilities. M. H. Merrill, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Sec. 9; son of Bethel and Polly Merrill; was born in Oneida Co., N. ~)L ., in 1830, where he remained until 1855, when he was married to Miss Sarah Hard- iman, and the same year started to look for a home in the far west. Being favorably impressed with the location of Decorah, it being then a very small town, he located there, and engaged in the lumber and grain business, which he continued until 1868, when he purchased his present farm of 175 acres, which is very pleas- antly situated three-fourths of a mile north of West Decorah, 610 WIITKESHIEK COtrS-TY BIOGRAPHIES. and is wor!;h from f7,000 to |8,000. Since moving on his farm, Mr. M. has been engaged in pork packing during winters in De- corah, and attending to the duties of the farm during summers. His children are Charles M., Nettie, Lamotte and William. Ezekiel E. Meeder, farmer, resides near the village of Hesper; was born in 1814 in Maine; was engaged in the lumber business until the fall of 1837; then went to Eipley Co., Ind., and worked at the trade of carpenter; remained there thirteen years, and in the fall of 1850 came to lo.; lived the first winter in Allamakee Co., and during the winter, with a man named Frazier, came to Winneshiek Co., and they cut logs for buildings, which they erected the following spring on places which they had selected. Having the material ready, they managed to find help enough within a radius of eight miles, to raise the logs, and in the same winter moved their families; with the help of those who moved their goods, they finished the buildings sufficiently well to give better shelter by putting in the rough roofs and cutting door.s, etc. That winter s experience was a rough one; no neighbors for miles around, and hard weather, leaky houses, plenty of Indians — not dangerous, but very disagreeable. They did not purchase land until two years later, as land was not in the market, and was not surveyed. Game was plenty; lots of deer, a few elk and partridges and prairie chickens in abundance. In June, 1853, land came in- to the market, and he purchased 1,000 acres at a little less than government prices, as he paid in warrants. He improved the same, and farmed it all for several years with the aid of his sons ; has since sold 170 acres, and the balance divided among his children, reserving only 360 acres adjoining the town. Mr. M. also owns 40 acres adjoining Chicago, on what is known as Washington Heights. He was married in 1836 in Maine to Miss Lydia Ann Felker, and they have seven children, six sons and one daughter. Charles McClintock, farmer, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1824. In 1836 his parents moved to northern Ind., where he also remained until their death. He then returned to Philadelphia, and was in mercantile business there, and also worked at his trade, which is that of a carpenter, until 1851; he spent that year on the lakes in the employ of the government. In the following year he came to this Co. and settled and bought land a mile north of where hs now resides; that place he sold and bought the present farm in 1869, which contains 100 acres of good, tillable land; he also owns 40 acres in Allamakee Co. He was married in 1856 in Frank- villetp. to Miss Nancy Hawks; they have eight children. A. H. Meeder, farmer, was born in Ind. in 1846, and is a son of E, E. and Lydia Meeder. When he became of age his father gave him the 80 acres he resides on, and he has thoroughly improved the same, and has since bought 55 acres more, which is all fine tillable land, located on what is known as Looking Glass Prairie. He has a fine residence and farm buildings, every arrangement for WIKNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 611 comfort and convenience, and has his farm well stocked. He was married in 1868 in this tp. to Miss Abbie Lamb, and they have two children. E. R. Miller, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, Sec. 36; son of Wm. P. and Chloe Howard Miller; was born Dec. 16, 1817, in Clinton Co., N. Y.; parents immigrated the following year to Clayton Co., lo., in 1871 he went to Lime Springs, Howard Co., and engaged in the livery business. On the 3d of July, 1873, he was married to Miss A. L. Gibbs, a native of Essex Co., N. Y. In 1874 he sold his livery stable, purchased a farm and engaged in farming till, in 1877, he sold out and moved to Lime Springs again. In 1878 he moved upon his present farm of 200 acres valued at $40 per acre. His children are Charles S., Edward A., Abbie C, Freddie W. and Estella M. He has lost by death one son, William. Mr. M. is a member of the Baptist church. William McLean, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, Sec. 34, Canoe tp.; son of John and Mary Adams McLean; born March 22, 1837, in Wayne Co., N. Y. In 1848 he came with his parents to McHenry Co., 111., where he remained till 1858, when he came to this Co., and in 1861 purchased a part of his present farm, which now con- sists of 108 acres. He was married to Miss Lovina Bulger Dec. 25, 1860; their children are George F., Clarence E., Nettie, Wil- liam and Theodore. Mr. M. also served in the 13th lo. Inf. from the fall of 1864 till July, 1865. William Mcintosh, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, Sec. 14, Madison tp.; owns a farm of 200 acres; son of James and Jennette Mcintosh; born Jan. 15, 1830, in Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he remained till the spring of 1855, when he came to Winneshiek Co., since which time this has been his home, with the exception of two years in Tama Co., lo., where he was engaged in running a saw mill. Being burned out he returned to this Co. He served in Co. H, 13th lo. Inf., from the fall of 1864 till July, 1865. He was married to Miss Mary C. Crawford, Dec. 24, 1862; they have two children, Mary J. and John A. J.; they have lost three, John, Mary J. and Addie J. Mr. Mcintosh is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Samuel McMuUen, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Sec. 19, Canoe tp.; son of Robert and Martha McMullen, natives of Ireland; was born Feb. 28th, 1849, in McHenry Co., 111., his parents moving from there to this Co. in 1853, locating on the farm upon which the subject of this sketch resides. His father died Jan. 10, 1879. The homestead contains 180 acres valued at $25 per acre, of which he has charge. His brother, James McMullen, on Sec. 18, of same tp., owns 95 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in McHenry Co., 111., and came to this Co. with the rest of the family. He was married to Miss Clara Wilson, April 26, 1866; they have five children, Robert H., Lucy, Lutetia, Leroy and Bessie. 612 WINSTESHIEK COUNTY BIOGEAPHIBS. C. 0. Maltby, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, Sec. 33, Canoe tp.; son of Alanson F. and Susan Burdick Maltby, was born May 15, 1838, in Portland Co., N. Y.; his parents moved to Kenosha Co., Wis., in 181:3, and in 181:9 to Lake Co., 111., where he remained till the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861. In Aug. of that year he enlisted in Co. F, 37tli 111. Inf., participated at the seige and cap- ture of Vicksburg, also at Pleasant Hill, La., and most of the battles in which his company were engaged; was mustered out at Chicago, 111., in Sept., 1864, and the same fall came to Allamakee Co., and located two miles north of Waukon. In Feb., 1870, he moved on to his present farm, which now contains 145 acres, worth $45 per acre. He was married to Miss Mary R. Gilbert May 22, 1859; she was also a native of N. Y. Their children' are Prank G. and Fanny R. Mr. M. has served as assessor of his tp. for eight years. James Marlow, P. 0. Decorah; retired farmer; was born in Knox Co., Ohio; was reared upon a farm, receiving his early education at the district schools, and when a young man commenced teach- ing in the common schools, which he followed several winters, at- tending to farming during the summers; was also engaged in mer- cantile business two years. Farming and out door exercise being more congenial to him, he abandoned merchandising, and devoted his attention to farming, buying and dealing in stock, etc. He was married to Miss Lorena White, in Ohio, in 1864, and the same year came to this Co., locating in Canoe tp., where he still owns about 700 acres, and elsewhere about 300 acres, besides a hand- some residence, where he lives in Decorah, valued at $6,000. His wife died Dec. 26, 1877, leaving four children; their names are James W., John A., Daisy L. and Ellen F. L. William Marlow, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Sec. 18, Canoe tp.; was born July 1, 1817, in Ohio Co., W. Va.; his parents, John and Elizabeth Marlow, moved to Knox Co., Ohio, when he was quite young. In 1848 he went into Wyandotte Co.; while there took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar; followed the practice of his profession to some extent, also served as sheriff of the Co. four years; immigrated to this Co. in 1865, and located on his present farm, which now contains 200 acres, valued at $50 per acre. He was married to Miss Mary E. Anderson, of Wyandotte Co., Ohio, in 1862. They have two daughters, Emma E. and Es- tella. Mr. M. is a member of the A. F. and A. M. E. G. Marlow, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Sec. 28, Canoe tp.; son of John and Elizabeth Headington Marlow; was born June 1, 1826, in Knox Co., Ohio. In 1848 he went to Wyandotte Co., of the same state, and engaged in general merchandising at Crawfords- ville for nearly five years, after which he engaged in farming, buy- ing and selling stock, etc. In the fall of 1857 he immigrated to Winneshiek Co., locating in Canoe tp. In 1859 he purchased a part of his present farm, now owning 868 acres, upon which he WINN^ESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 613 has first-class improvements, and makes a specialty of fine stock, thoroughbred horses, etc. He was married to Miss Martha A. Clark, of Ohio, March 14, 1852; they have three children, Jose- phine, Elnora and Charley, and have lost two by death, John S. and Chauncey. P. H. Mills, dealer in grain and live stock, was born in Orange Co., N. Y., in 1825. He came west in 1846, and located at White- water, Wis., where he remained until 1867, when he came to Ossian and engaged in the grain business. In 1874 he, in connec- tion with Bassett, Hunting & Co., built their large elevator. Mr. Mills was appointed postmaster under President Grant's adminis- tration, and still holds the office. He married S. E. Jennings, a native of N. Y., and has two children, Charles J. and Frank. L. A. Meyer, of the firm of Meyer & Carter, was born in this Co. in 1852. He is a son of Andrew Meyer, a native of Germany, who came to this country in 1836. L. A. Meyer engaged as clerk with McHenry & Allison of Decorah, in 1871; remained two years, then engaged with P. Olson of Calmar, and after two years became bookkeeper for W. J. Cremer, dealer in agricultural implements. He was engaged in the insurance business for one year previous to entering his present partnership. He married Caroline Holt- hous, a native of this county. Miller, Giesing & Co., manufacturers of wagons and sleighs, dealers in wagonmakers' and blacksmiths' stock, and agents for McCormick's and other firat-class farm implements; established business in 1865. H. Miller, of the above firm, was born in Ger- many in 1839. He came with his parents to America in 1843, and settled in N. Y., where he lived twenty-two years; then came to Calmar. He was engaged in business at Conover for a short time. He married Eliza Hintermann, a native of Switzerland, and has six children by a former marriage, Lizzie, Clara, Rudy, Emma, Minnie and William; and two by the present marriage, Elsie and an infant. Meyer & Dostal, dealers in general merchandise, established business in 1878. Jacob Meyer, of the above firm, was born in Switzerland in 1845. He came to America in 1866 and settled in Calmar; has since been engaged in business at Spill ville, where he remained seven years. He married Bertha Bindschaedler, a native of Switzerland. They have four children, Gustave A., Carl, Jacob and Louise. A. Dostal, of the above firm, was born in Austria in 1845. He came to America in 1855, and located at Davenport, lo. After two years he came to this Co. and was engaged in business at Spillville previous to coming to Calmar. He married Barbara Slepicka, also a native of Austria, and has one child, Emma Mary; Miller Bros., livery and feed stable. H. L. Miller, the senior member, was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., 1849; came to lo. in 1870, and located in Calmar. The first four years he worked at his trade, blacksmithing, and in 1874 established his present busi- 614 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. ness. He married Katie Miller, a native of St. Louis; they have two children, George Lewis and Frank Adam. Geo. Miller, junior member of the above firm, was born in the same county in N. Y., in 1852; he also came to Calmarin 1870. He married Annie Lockman, a native of Germany; they have three children, Ger- trude, Ida and Matilda. J.C.Mcintosh, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, Sec. 27, Madison tp.; owns 200 acres of land valued at |40 per acre; was born in Octo- ber, 1836, in Columbiana Co., Ohio, and came with his parents to this Co. in 1855, locating in this tp. In December, 1862, he en- listedin Co. B, 6th lo. Cav.; their service was in the northwest frontier against the Indians. He was mustered out at Sioux City in October, 1865. Mr. Mcintosh was married to Mrs. Carrie A. Mitchell, whose maiden name was Murray, April 10, 1866, and the same fall moved to Orleans tp., remaining till in January, 1876, when he moved to his present farm. They have six children, Ma- rion B., James S., Jennette B., Alexander H., Myra B. and Cle- ment H. Mr. Mcintosh has served as trustee of the tp., and is a member of the A. F. and A. M. Peter Morton, farmer, Sec. 13; has 240 acres of land valued at $40 per acre; was born in Scotland in 1836; is the second son of John and Jane Morton. When he was eight years old his parents came to America, and settled in Cataraugus Co. N. Y. In 1862 Mr. Morton came west and settled in Winneshiek Co., lo., and since that time has made that his home. He was married in 1862 to Miss Harriet Cooley, a native of Conn., and has three children, William, Claude and Laura. He has been tp. trustee and assessor several terms, and tp. collector, and has been a member of the board of supervisors. A. McMillan, furniture and undertaking, and justice of the peace. Fort Atkinson; was born in Glengary Co., Upper Canada in 1834. In 1857 he came to the U. S., and located at Fort At- kinson, there being here at that time only the fort and govern- ment buildings. He erected a flouring mill for Messrs. Tinkle & Clark, when he first came, and then established business as carpen- ter and builder. In 1874 he also established the furniture and undertaking business, which he conducts on Main street; owns the building, and carries a complete stock of furniture and under- taker's goods. In 1879 he was appointed justice of the peace to fill vacancy, and waS elected at the regular election of 1880 on the Republican ticket. He is the pioneer business man here. Mr. McMillan was married in 1860 at this place to Miss Etta Burns, and has two children, Mary and Maggi*. Holsten Nelson, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, Sec. 4, Springfield tp.; was born in Norway, Jan. 25, 1831, and emigrated to the U. S. in 1850, stopping at Port Washington, Wis.; engaged in the lumbering business there, and near Grand Haven, Mich., until the fall of 1855. He came to this Co. and located on his present farm in 1862, WOTiTESHIEK COXTNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 615 which now contains 245 acres, well improved and with good buildings. Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Rangnild Gudman- son, in Sept., 1853; they have ten children, Nels A., Andrew A., Cecil, Betsey, Ole, Isaac, Clara, AdaC, and Alice A.; lost two, Ed- win and Amelia. Mr, N. has served as trustee of this tp., and is a member of the Lutheran church. Torgui Nelson, farmer,'was bomj in Eastern Norway in 1847; came with his parents to this country in 1850; they settled in Dane Co.; Wis., and resided there four* years; then came to lo., and settled in Madison tp., this Co., where they still reside. In 1872 he left home, then came to Bluffton tp., and two years later bought the land he now resides on, there being 160 acres on Sec. 20, all improved and under fence, good residence, etc., and well stocked. He also owns 20 acres of timber on Sec. 2. He married in 1872, in this tp. Miss Caroline Christen, and has three children living, Stella, Theresa and Jessie Nellie. They lost two boys by death, Joseph Salve, aged eight months, and Charles Theodore, aged one year. Frank Nockels, proprietor of the brewery at Spillville, was born in Luxemburg, Germany, Aug. 26, 1838; there learned the brew- ing business, and in 1868 came to the U. S., and located at Dubu- que, where he was employed in a brewery. In 1865 he went to Cascade, where he remained one year; thence to Pestine, where he was employed by Mr. Gardner, until Oct., 1867; then came to Spillville and rented his present brewery for one year. He again went to Festine, and in company with Mr. Gardner, purchased a brewery, which they conducted until Jan., 1872, when Mr. N. came back to Spillville and purchased his present brewery which, was burned in 1878 and rebuilt the year following. In 1866 he was married to Caroline Badke, and has six children living, Anna, Peter, Matilda, George, Frank and Joseph; they have lost two by death, Willie and Frank. He is a member of the Catholic church. Donald Noble is a native of Scotland, born in 1835, his parents being William and J. Kennedy Noble, who emigrated to the U. S. in 1851, and lived in Ohio until 1855, in which year they set- tled in Winneshiek Co. Donald Noble learned the trade of har- ness making in Pittsburg, Penn., and in 1862 established business in Decorah, and has since continued the same. He has also been a member of the hardware firm of Finn & Noble since, March, 1881. Mr. Noble married Miss Elizabeth Proper in 1864. L. F. Nelson was born in Norway in 1848, came with his par- ents to the U. S. in 1856, and in 1858 to Winneshiek Co., locating in Glenwood tp. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Co. H, 13th U. S. Inf., and served five years and two months. He then came to Decorah and clerked in the postoffice nearly four years, since which time he has been doing a grocery business. Mr. Nelson was married in 1872 to Miss Hannah D. Drew. The children are Emma, Agnes, Charley and Louise. 616 WIKNESHIEK COTTNTY BIOGKAPHIES. Ole W. Nelson, farmer, was born io Bergen, Norway, in 1833; came to this country witk his parents in 1843; his father died in N. Y., three days after they landed. The rest then came on west as far as Chicago, being detained there several weeks on account of sickness. Another member of the family, a little sister, died; they then went to Dane Co., Wis., lived there eleven years, farm- ing; then came to Io., locating first in Conover tp., this Co.; bought land and farmed there eleven years; then sold out and moved to flesper tp. and bought the place they now live on. It was partially improved, and is now thoroughly improved. He built a fine residence and good farm buildings, and has the farm well stocked. He has filled many offices in the tp., is one of its leading citizens and most prominent men. Mr. Nelson was mar- ried in 185i in Madison tp., to Miss Aslang Evanson, and they have one child, a daughter, living, and four children deceased. His mother still resides with him. Andrew D. Nelson, farmer, owns and resides on 1-12 acres, Sec. li, Hesper tp., 30 acres of which is timber. Mr. Nelson was born in Norway in 1829, and was a farm laborer. He came to America in 1854; settled first in Lisbon, Kendall Co., 111., and lived there one year; then came to this Co. and bought land.one mile east of this, and cleared it of timber; sold it and bought, in 1868, the farm he now lives on; has thoroughly improved it, built a fine large stone residence and barn, there being four very fine quarries on his farm, from which he obtained the material. His farm is well stocked with good grade cattle, horses, etc. He was married in 1857 in this Co. to Miss Anna Nicholson; they have eight children. Jacob Nelson, P. 0. Ridgeway; farmer. Sec. 17, Madison tp.; owns 240 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born Novem- ber 8, 1817, in Norway, came to the U. S. in 1850, and located in Dane Co., Wis. In 1854 he came to this Co. He was married to Miss Thea Torgerson in Norway in 1842; she died in 1862, and he was again married, to Betsy Erickson, in 1866. His children by the first marriage are Anna, Mary, Torger, Nels, Helen, Jacob and John H., and by the second marriage, Theodore, Thea, Anton, Lewis and Albert. They have lost by death two infants. Mr. Nelson has served as trustee and assessor of his tp., and is a mem- ber of the Lutheran church. James Noble, P. 0. Conover; Sec. 4, Calmar tp. ; owns, in com- pany with his brother John, 365 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born Feb. 14, 1846, in Invernesshire, Scotland; his par- ents, William and Jemima Noble, came to the U. S. in 1851, first locating in Columbiana Co., Ohio, from which place they came to this Co. in 1855, locating upon the land now owned by the broth- ers. Their father died Aug. 7, 1870, and mother, Jan. 29, 1877. James was married to Miss Anna Hindermann May 16, 1878; she WINNESHIEK COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 617 was born in Switzerland; they have two children, William and an infant. John Noble was born in Aug., 1838, in Scotland; is un- married, and lives with his brother James. Ole Olson Qually, farmer. Sec. 14, Lincoln tp.; was born in Norway in 1829; is a son of Ole Olson; came to America in 1857, and located near Decorah; located on his present farm in 1876. He married Ada Thompson, also a native of Norway; they have eight children, Oliver, Thomas, Gilbert, Mary, Betsey, Lena, Mar- tha and Olof . Edward G. Opdahl, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Sec. 14, Springfield tp.; son of Knud and Mary Opdahl; was born in Norway, Oct. 21, 1844, and came with his parents to the TJ. S. in 1848, stopping in Dane Co., Wis., until the summer of 1850, when they came to this tp. in company with a few other families, who constituted the first settlers of the tp. Mr. Opdahl was married to Miss Nettie Christian Oct. 16, 1880. He now owns 165 acres of land valued at $40 per acre. He has also served as justice of the peace some thirteen years, and is at present trustee of the tp. He is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church. Herbrand Olsen, farmer, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 400 acres, of land; was born in Norway, in March, 1830! came to America in 1848, and located at Jefferson Prairie, Wis. He came to this Co. in 1852 and worked for Mr. Day; then returned to Wis. and re- mained one winter; then engaged in brick making at St. Paul, Minn., for three summers; then purchased his present farm, in 1857 he married Emily Johnson, and has six children living, Rachel, Carrie, Olena, Marg, Ole and John. They have lost two by death. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Erick R. Oleson, farmer, born in 1848 in Norway, came to America with his parents in 1850; resided in Wis. three years; then came to this state, settled in Glenwood tp., and bought the farm he now resides on. His father died in 1866, since which' ■time he has conducted the farm for his mother^ who still owns it. The farm is well stocked, and is situated in Sec. 29. P. Oleson, dealer in general merchandise, grain and live stock, was born in Norway in 1845, and came to lo. 1850 with his par- ents. He established his present business at Calmar in 1869, sells from $35,000 to $40,000 worth of goods per annum, and is the largest dealer in Calmar. He married Emma J. Oleson, a native of Norway; they have four children, Andrew, Dena, Annie and Eda. Butler Olsen, P. 0. Ridgeway, farmer. Sec. 20, Madison tp.; owns 175 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born Nov. 1, 1832, in Norway, and in 1855 emigrated to the TJ. S., stopping in Dane Co., Wis. one year. He then came to this Co. and located in Highland tp., where he remained till 1861, when he moved to his present farm. He was married to Miss Gertrude Hermanson 618 "WIKlTESHrEK COUITTT JilOGBAPHIES. in May, 1857; they have nine children, Ole, Samuel, Albert, El- ling, Gilbert, Helena, Anna, Ellen and Bertha. Mr. Olsen is a member of the Lutheran church. J. H. Porter, proprietor of the American House, Burr Oak, was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., in 1830, and was for several years pilot on the Alleghany river. In Feb. 1856, he moved to Free- port, 111., in the following spring came to lo., locating in this tp. He bought 80 acres of land in Sec. 17, improved the same, and lived there 13 years; then traded the farm for property in the vil- lage of Burr Oak, and 40 acres near town, which latter he traded for the hotel property, which he has owned and conducted ever since. It is situated on Main st., is the only hotel in town, and is well conducted, and is doing a good business; good stabling is connected with the house. Mr. Porter was married in 1854, in Penn., to Miss McLaughlin, and they have three children, Orin A., Melissa A., and Charles A. A. M. Perry, mail contractor and proprietor of stage line be- tween Canton, Minn., and Decorah, lo., was born in 1841, in Es- sex Co., N. Y.; lived in N. Y. until he was 14 years old; then went to Minn., then a territory. In 1856 he came to lo., and in 1860 enlisted at Decorah under Capt. M. A. Moore, in Co. H, 9th lo. Inf. He was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, in March, 1862, and was discharged on that account the following Nov. He returned home, and in 1863 was married at Bluffton to Calesta D. Knowlton; they have one daughter, Winnie, who resides in the village of Burr Oak. In Feb., 1864, he purchased the mail con- tract of Jno. M. Akers, from Decorah, to Austin, Minn., which he ran three years; then worked one year in the lightning rod and insurance business, and then bought the route and business of which he is now proprietor. Mr. Perry is a former landlord and proprietor of that old and well known hostelry, the Burr Oak House, he having run the same from 1868 to 1871. He is a mem- ber of the A. F. and A. M. John Pollitt, farmer, Burr Oak tp.; was born in Bury, Lanca- shire, England, in 1814, and was a mining engineer, and also en- gaged in farming; came to the U. S. in 1854, and located where he now resides. He bought about 1,100 acres of land at that time, at the government price, and has since sold about 500 acres and given 260 acres to his children, leaving himself 240, which he has finely improved and well stocked, with a large and com- fortable residence and good farm buildings. Mr. Pollitt is one of the oldest settlers in the tp., is one of its most respected citizens, and has for several years filled the office of justice of the peace. He was married in 1835 in England to Miss Holt, and they have six children living, Alice, Martha, Elizabeth, James, Edmund and William. John H. Pierce, farmer, and one of the leading citizens and old- settlers in Burr Oak tp., was born in the State of N. Y., Scho- WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 619 harie Co., in 1822; lived there until he was 19 years old, working on the river and canal and in the saw mill business, and in 1845 moved to McHenry Co., 111., where he engaged at farming; in Sept., 1854, he came to lo., locating at this place. He bought 160 acres of the government and has lived here ever since. He has bought other land since and now owns 160 acres where he lives and 80 acres in Fremont tp. He has owned other land some of which he has sold and other portions given to his sons. The land is thoroughly improved and under fence, with fine residence and large and handsome barns, with every convenience for stock and grain, etc. He was married in 1842 in Broom Co., N. Y., to Miss Vesta A. Hitchcock, and they have six children living. Daniel Price, farmer. Burr Oak tp.; was born in Broom Co., N. Y., in 1832, and in 1855 came to lo., settling first in Pleasant tp., this Co-. He bought land there and lived there 21 years, and then came to this tp. and bought the land he now owns, being 160 acres in Sec. 26, nearly all improved and under fence, with good buildings, etc., and well stocked. He was married in 1857 in Elli- ota, Minn,, to Miss Nancy Wise, and they have eight children, James, Lucy, Robert, Marion, Janey, Edward, George and David. Ole Pederson, farmer, Fremont tp.; owns 240 acres, 160 in home farm on Sec. 16, and 80 on the Iowa River on Sees. 17 and 20; was born in Norway, in 1824, and was a carpenter by trade. In 1851 he came to the U. S., and lived four years in Racine Co., Wis., engaged at his trade and in farming. In 1855 he went to Spirit Lake, Dickinson Co., lo., and bought a claim of 160 acres; remained there two years; then to Jackson Co., remained there two years, and from there came to this place and bought 160 acres and improved it, and has since added the rest. The land is all improved and under fence, good timber on the farm; has built a fine residence and large, comfortable barns. He has a good herd of fine grade cattle, a fine drove of Merino Sheep, six head of horses, and uses two teams. 4 The farm is thoroughly fitted for stock raising, and is one of the best in the tp. He was married in 1851 in Racine Co., Wis., to Miss Betsie Olesen, and they have one son, Ole 0. A. J. Payer, proprietor of the hotel at Spillville, was born near Pisa, Austria, in 1853; came to the U. S. with his parents in 1858 and located in Calmar tp. They moved to Decorah in 1868, where he learned the barber's trade; went to Calmar in 1876, where he followed his trade until moving to Spillville in the spring of 1882. July 11, 1876, he was married to Mary E. Stinek, who died July 28, 1878. She had one son, named Albert, who died thirteen days before his mother. Mr. P. was again married Sept. 21, 1880, to Elnora E. Mashek, and has one daughter, Mary. William Punteney, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Sec. 27, Canoe tp.; son of John and Ann Veary Punteney; was born April 16, i829, in Adams Co., Ohio, while his parents were moving from Monon- 620 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. gahela Co., W. Va., to Henry Co,, Ind., where he remained until 1855 he immigrated to Winneshiek Co., lo., locating on a quarter Sec. of his present farm, which now contains 411 acres. Mr. P. served in Co. A, 13th lo. Inf., from the fall of 1864 till July, 1865 ; participated in the battle of Wild's Cross Roads, near King- ston, N. C. He was married to Miss Sarah A. Bogue, Feb. 13, 1851; they have eight children, Frank B., Clinton B., Delbert B., Eva M., Ottoe L., Dora B., Lucy M. and Cora P. Mr. P. is a mem- ber of the A. F and A. M. Ole Patterson, P. 0. Washington Prairie, owns a farm on Sec. 25, Glenwood tp.; was born in Norway in 1825; in 1850 came with hie parents to the U. S., first stopping in Racine Co., Wis., and in the spring of 1851 came to this tp"; in 1855 located on his present farm. His mother died while they were crossing the ocean, and his father in the fall of 1879. Mr. Patterson married Miss Carrie Peterson, also a native . of Norway; their children are Peter, Amelia, Henry Cornelia, Olans, Maria, Carrie and Margaret. Mr. Patterson has served as justice of the peace and trustee of his tp., and is a member of the Lutheran church. Geo. Pennington, grocer, was born in Canada in 1839, but while he was yet an infant the family came to the TJ. S,, and after liv- ing at different intervals in Wis., 111. and Minn., came to lo., in 1858, and one year later settled in Winneshiek Co. In 1862 the the subject of this sketch enlisted in Co. M, 1st lo. Cav., and served until the spring of 1866. He then formed a partnership with A. W. Kramer and engaged in general merchandise. Three years subsequently their store and goods were destroyed by fire. Mr. Pennington then followed railroading at Ossian and Decorah four years; then ran a meat market at Decorah one year, since which time he has been in his present business. December 25, 1868, he married Miss A. M. Clark, and they now have two child- ren, Bertie and Georgie. R. P. B. Portman, attorney. This young attorney (a nephew of the present Viscount Portman), was born in England in 1851. At 12 years of age he entered the British navy and served in the same about four years, when he accidentally fell from the upper to the lower deck and thereby received such serious injuries as to necessitate his discharge soon afterwards. In 1872 he emigrated to the U. S., at once settled at Decorah and soon engaged in the foundry and machine business, being a member of the firm of Horn, Portman, Clive & Co., until 1876. He then commenced reading law with C. P. Brown as perceptor, and in 1878 was ad- mitted to the bar, and has since been engaged in collections and office work. In 1881 he associated himself in partnership with C. P. Brown, and is now a member of the law firm of Brown & Portman. He also owns 200 acres of real estate near the city of Decorah. Mr. Portman was married in 1878 to Caroline Stewart Warren (widow of the late Capt. S. H. Warren), and ~^tc^^i Md't^^'''' "/Z^UJ WISrSTBSHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 621 has one daughter, Frances C. Upon arriving and settling on American soil, he at once took measures for the acquirement of citizenship, and as soon as possible became a citizen. He has been connected with the Decorah fire department since its organization, and has been chief of the same since April, 1881. Geo. Phelps, capitalist. This successful business man is a na- tive of Wales, born in 1834; emigrated to the U.S. in 1851; lived near Chicago until 1854, in which year he settled in Decorah. He at once engaged in manufacturing, and built the first wagons and bilggies in Winneshiek Co. A few years subsequently he added a stock of carriage hardware, in which line he afterwards did a wholesale as well as retail business. He also dealt very heavily in farming implements and machinery, so that his business amounted to 1125,000 annually. This he continued until 1872, since which time he has been doing a brokerage business. He also owns large amounts of real estate in lo., Minn, and Dakota. Mr. Phelps has traveled over a great part of the U. S. and Europe, having crossed the Atlantic a great many times, and has resided about two years in Chicago. He is plain and unassuming in his manners, and always attends strictly to his own business. He has been twice married— in 1851 to Miss E. M. Smith, who died in Nov., 1860, leaving one son, S. G. D. Phelps, of Grand Porks, Dak.; in 1876 to Miss A. M. Evans. John. W. Protheroe, firm of Gear & Protheroe, city 'bus and dray line, Decorah ; is a son of Ira and Zilpha Protheroe, and was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1844. He came with his parents to Decorah in 1857. Mr. Protheroe was educated in the schools of Decorah, after which he followed railroading three years, since which time he has been in his present business. In 1873 he mar- ried Miss Ida M. Bary; they have two children, Katie and Grace. W. A. Pinkham, firm of Chase & Pinkham, was born in Erie Co., N. Y., in 1857, and removed with his parents to Fond du Lac, Wis. He commenced work at his trade as marble worker with his father, and afterwards worked in many of our large cities, and in 1881 settled at Decorah. Mr. Pinkham was married in 1878 to Miss Lulu Knotts. Osten Peterson, farmer, Hesper tp.; owns 320 acres fine tillable land and 60 acres of timber; was born in Hollingdahl Valley, Nor- way, in 1822, and was a dealer in stock and produce in a small way. In 1847 he came to America, and settled first in Wis.; lived three years in Rock Co.; then came to lo., locating in Alla- makee Co. in 1850. The Co. was then unsettled and destitute of cultivation; there were no farms in the Co. then of any account. He bought land about twelve miles from the Mississippi River; lived there four years; then sold it and bought land in Minn, just across the line; lived there ten years; sold out, moved across the line again and bought tvhere he now resides, one mile from the state line. He has thoroughly improved the farm, built a hand- 39 622 WINITESHIEK COUKTT BIOGEAPHIES. some residence and very large and handsome barn at a cost of about $4,000. His farm is well stocked and all under fence. Mr. P. was married in Wis. in 1849 to Miss Margaret Gulling, and they have a son and daughter. Lafayette Packard, blacksmith, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 1826; spent the earlier part of his life on a farm, and and learned his trade previous to coming to Frankville in July, 1856; established business here at once and found it good and profitable, as in those days there was a great deal of travel through to McGregor, the nearest shipping point, and Frankville was a great deal larger town than now, and the largest in the Co. Mr. P. has filled the office of justice of the peace for several years. He was married in N. Y. in May, 1853, to Miss Emelia Doty, and has six children living and three deceased. Ira Protheroe, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, Sec. 14, Decorah tp.; was born June 26, 1816, in Herkimer Co., N. Y. In 1843 he en- gaged in the hotel business at Castile, Wyoming Co., continuing several years; he then moved to Hume in Allegany Co., and en- gaged in the same business for about three years; then, removed to Waterville, in same Co., and again engaged in the same busi- ness about three years, after which he went to Belfast, same Co., and ran a hotel there about seven years. In the fall 1857 he came to lo., locating in Decorah, having bought a livery stock and opened up a livery business in company with the Curtin Bros. In Feb., 1858, he opened a hotel in what was known as the Tremont House (where the Arlington house now stands), continuing in the same till 1865, when he engaged in farming on his present farm, which now contains 206 acres, valued at $35 per acre. Mr. Pro- theroe was married to Miss Zilpha F. Williams, a native of Wyoming Co., N. Y. Their children are Mary, now the wife of Leonard Standing; Helen, wife of Charles Allison, and John W., proprietor of the Decorah 'bus and dray line. George V. Punteney, proprietor of Plymouth Rock Mills, Ply- mouth Rock, lo.; was born in Monongahela Co., Va., in Feb., 1820. In 1829 his parents moved to southeastern Ind. In 1851 Geo. V. came to lo., and settled in this Co., and commenced the erection of a saw mill for Beard & Cutler, on the Canoe river. In June, 1852, he moved to Cold Water, three miles east of this place, and took a claim. The land was not surveyed. In 1854 he married Mary E. Pridmore, at Garnavillo, Clayton Co., lo., and then moved on to his claim, which he entered at the land office when it came into mar- ket in 1858. Her had worked there three years previously on the Bluffton mills, being a millwright and carpenter by trade. He built a house on his claim and commenced clearing the land, and also built a saw mill and operated the same for three years and improved the farm. His wife died at that place in 1866, and in the same year he moved to Hardin Co., lo., and remained there five years; then returned to his farm here, but did not operate the WIKNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 623 mill, it beino; run down and out of repair. In May, 1876, lie moved to this place, having previously purchased an interest in the mill, which he now owns exclusively. The erection of the mill was commenced in 1852, the dam being built and saw mill established on government land, then not surveyed, and a few years later the flouring mill was built, and the saw mill discontinued, by Mat- tock & Kelly, who sold to Bean Bros., and eventually it came into the hands of the present owner, as he purchased an interest of them, and af tewards by process of law, the matter being in litiga- tion, obtained entire possession. The mill is 40x40 ft., and 40 ft. high, fitted with three run of buhrs and the latest machinery, and fitted for patent process flour — good water power, four Decorah patent water wheels, etc.; employs a competent miller, L. P. San- born, of many years experience, and does custom work. The farm, which Mr. P. still operates, is well stocked, and employs two teams; he owns six head of horses, besides good cattle and hogs. Mr. P. was married to his second wife. Miss Sarah Freeman, in 1873. The children of his first wife are Ladora J., Arthur C, Weldon V., Nellie C. and Charles Emmert; the last mentioned died in June, 1881. S. Pike was born in Clinton Co., N. Y., in 1831, and is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth Niles Pike; his parents being farmers, he was raised in that avocation. He entered the employ of the rail- road company at an early age, which he continued at intervals un- til the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, when he became in- terested in raising the 96th N. Y. regiment; he enrolled forty- two men, a greater number than any other man. He was taken sick soon after his regiment was enrolled, and was unable to ac- cept the position of captain, which had been previously offered him. In 1863 he came west, an^d located in Frankville, this Co., and began farming, which proved rather unsuccessful; he then removed to Calmar, again entering the employ of the railroad com- pany, and in. 1866 came to Ridgeway, still in the employ of the railroad company, a position which he held until 1870. Of Mr. Pike's ancestors his father's family are of Irish extraction, and his mother's of the old Anglo Saxon stock, his grandfathers on both sides being soldiers in the revolutionary war. Mr. Pike mart-ied Elizabeth B. Way, a native of Grand Isle Co., Vt.; they have but one child living, David Emmett, having lost their voungest son, Delbert. J. C. Rollins, farmer, Burr Oak tp.; born in St. Albans, Somer- set Co., Me., in 1826, and followed farming and lumbering. In 1848 he moved to Union, Rock Co., Wis., where he engaged in farming; remained there one year; thence to Adams Co., Wis., and two years later to Washara Co., Wis.; afterwards to Portage City, Wis., where he engaged in the livery and stage business for about three years, and then came to lo., settling where he now re- sides. He bought the land in the fall of 1864. The land was par- 624 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. tially improved, there being about 40 acres broken and a log house thereon. The land is now all improved, and in place of the log house is a fine residence. The other farm buildings are all of the highest order, including a fine large barn, which is well stocked with fine horses, Mr. Rollins making a specialty of horses, owning four full-blooded, pedigreed Normans, besides a large number of half-bloods, about 40 in all; also good graded cattle and fine Po- land and Berkshire hogs. Mr. R. is a member of Decorah Lodge, A. F. and A. M. He married in 1847, at St. Albans, Me., Miss Mary F. Tripp, and they have seven children, Olive I., Clayton E., Alvin, Franklin, Emma J., Edna'B. and Guy. Clayton E., his oldest son, owns 160 acres of land near his father's, the same be- ing improved and well stocked. Luther Reed, farmer, owning 300 acres in Hesper tp. and 23 acres of timber; was born in Allamakee Co., lo., in 1851. His parents located there in June, 1850, and bought land, and farmed there eleven years; the moved to Winneshiek Co. and bought this place, which is now owned in partnership with his father, and is all improved, well stocked and under fence, with good residence and barns. He was married Jan., 1875, in Allamakee Co., to Miss Celia M. Kellem; they have four children, Ezra G., Luther 0., Alma and Cora. W. C. Reed, farmer, Hesper tp.; was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, in 1835, and in 1843 came to the IJ. S. His parents located in Rock Co., Wis., remaining there until 1850; then came to Allamakee Co. He bought the farm he resides on in 1861. It was partially improved, and is now thoroughly so, and all under fence, with good residence, barns, etc., and well stocked. Mr. Reed is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. He was mar- ried in 1859 at Waukon, to Miss Phebe Knights; they have nine children, William H., Edgar, Franklyn, Charles, Isaac, Jesse, Emma, Ernest, Elsie. Bertie died in Dec. 1880, at four years of age. Almon Rice, farmer, Bluffton tp.; born in 1821, in Lewis Co., N. y.; was in the farming and mercajtile business at Parishville, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and in 1856 came to lo. and bought land in this Co. as an investment, and not with the intention of set- tling; but seeing immigratian heavy and prospects good, he re- mained until the following fall and established his citizenship tere, and after the election went back, and disposed of his prop- erty in the east, and in the spring of 1857 moved his family to this Co., and settled first in Orleans tp. on the tp. line on his land there, and afterwards moved across the line on to his land in this tp. He owns 490 acres in Bluffton tp. where he resides, and 510 in Orleans tp. The land is all improved and rented. He has a fine residence which cost him $3,000, where he resides with his son, William H. Mr. Rice is part owner with Mr. Hale of the Bluffton Mills, and is one of the heaviest real estate owners and WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 625 most proniiiient citizens of the Co. He has been twice a member of the board of county supervisors, first during the war, and ap- pointed to fill vacancy in 1880, and in the same fall was elected for the regular term on the republican ticket. He was married in 1845 in N. Y. to Miss Phebe Shumway, and has one son, Wil- liam H. "Walter Rathbarn, farmer and stock raiser, owrs 240 acres, all tillable land, except 40 acres timber, in Frankville tp.; was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1824, and moved with hi parents in 1842 to Winnebago Co., 111. In March, 1850, he came to Frank- ville tp., this Co., and took a claim at government land price, paying for the same in Mexican land warrants, which he bought at a discount, so the land only cost him about $1.00 per acre. Of the land, 160 acres was in the east part of the tp.; he sold it in 1853, and bought the farm he now resides on. It is fine rolling prairie, and very productive; he has a fine herd of good grade cattle, fine bred hogs, and has a handsome residence, barns and every con- venience and necessity for comfort. R. F. Rudolph, druggist, Deeorah; is a son of C. Rudolph, and was born in Wis. iu 1856; came with his parents to Deeorah. He was educated in the schools of tbe city, also taking a course at the business college of Milwaukee, where he graduated at the age of 16 years. Mr. Rudolph learned the drug business at McGregor, lo., and in 1872, in partnership with his father, engaged in his present business, and has since been managing partner of the firm of C. Rudolph & Son. He was married in 1879 to Miss Alice A. Stewart. D. A. Reed, blacksmith, was born in Ohio in 1830; in July, 1848," he oame with his parents to Winneshiek Co., and settled in Bloomfield tp. His father, David Reed, subsequently served as the first County Judge of Winneshiek Co., holding the office two terms. The subject of this sketch was reared as a farmer, and af- terwards ran machinery in steam mills until 1860. He then com- menced work at his trade, and has since continued the same; estab- lished his present business in 1867. Mr. Reed in 1850 married Miss Mary L. Topliff, daughter of Judge ToplifF, of Allamakee Co.; they have four children. C. Rudolph is a native of Germany, born in 1823; emigrated to the U. S. in 1853, and first located at St. Louis, Mo.; in 1854 he removed to Wis.; two years subsequently to Minn., and in 1259 came to lo. and settled at Deeorah, and has since been engaged in the saloon business. He built the Rudolph Block in 1869, a brick structure, 33x80 feet, three stories high besides basement. In 1872 he established the drug business of C. Rudolph & Son, and has since been a partner in the business. He was married in 1853 to Miss Fredericke Borchert. The children living are Anna, now Mrs. Albert Bagemill, Robert F., Edward, Amelia and Augusta. 626 WIUKESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. Hiram Rosa, farmer, Frankville tp.; was born iu Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1834; came to this place with his parents and brothers in 1850. He broke the first furrow on Washington prairie, where the family settled, and which is now a heavy settlement. He used seven yoke of cattle, and a plow that turned three feet of sod. The country was wild and new, the Winnebago Ihdians being here at that time, but were removed west soon after. He was mar- ried in this tp., Feb. 4, 1864, to Sarah Freer. The farm on which they reside is in Sec. 31, contains 106 acres, 90 acres fine, tillable land and about 16 acres of timber. He has thoroughly improved the place; has a residence second only to his brother Peter's, and of similar style, and surrounded by a beautiful garden, which shows great neatness and care. The farm is well stocked and thoroughly adapted for stock purposes. Theodore Rosa, farmer, Frankville tp. ; was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 4, 1838; owns part of the old homestead, the claim that was taken by his father when he first came to this Co., situ- ated in the northwest corner of Sec. 31, and containing 110 acres, all tillable land except 15 acres of timber, and all in Frankville tp. The land is thoroughly improved, with residence and barns, is thoroughly fitted and rented to tenants, as he does not farm himself. The Rosas were the most extensive farmers in this local- ity for years, and one season raised 10,070 bushels of wheat alone. Theodore Rosa is a member of the Masonic order, Lodge No. 66, Frankville. Ole P. Ruksvold, farmer and postmaster, Thoton P. 0.; owns 160 acres in Sec. 14, and 100 acres in Sec. 15; was born in Nor- way in 1832; was reared on a farm; came to the U. S. in 1853 and located in Wis., but only remained there two months; then came to Winneshiek Co., and bought a farm in Sec. 11, on which he lived several years, which he since sold to his brother in 1860, and then bought where he now resides. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. Gr, 12th lo. Inf., and served three years and two months. He received promotion to corporal at Pittsburg Landing, two days be- fore he was taken prisoner at Shiloh. The rebels took him with other prisoners to Mobile, Cahaba, and then to Macon, Ga., where he was kept about five months, and then to Jiil^^y Prison, where he was confined ten days and exchanged at Aiken's Landing, on the James River. He was then taken to Annapolis and afterwards to St. Louis, where the regiment was reorganized, and then went to Vicksburg in Feb., 1863, and went through the campaign with Sherman and Grant. He was wounded at Pleasant Hill, on the Red River, La., being shot in the thigh with buck shot, which he still carries with him as an unpleasant reminder of those interest- ing days. He was disharged at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 7, 1864, and returned to lo. and resumed farming. He is one of the oldest settlers and prominent citizens, and has been a member of the board of county supervisors two terms, besides having held many WINNESHIEK COUifTX BIOGRAPHIES. 627 township offices; is a republican in politics. Mr. R. was married in 1865 in this tp., to Miss Anna Gilbertson; they have eight children. During the war his farm was carried on by his younger brother, Anton P. Rucksvold, who now owns the farm in Sec. 11. He is a prominent citizen and has filled every office in the tp. ; was married in 1873 in this tp., to Miss Anna Amundson. Peter Rosa, farmer, Frankville tp.; one of the leading and most prominent citizens in the Co.; was born in Ulster Co., N. Y., April 17, 1831 ; his parents moved shortly after to near Auburn, Cay- uga Co., N. Y.; farmed there, and moved in 1847 to Clayton Co., lo., where they farmed three seasons, 'and in March, 1850, came to Winneshiek Co. and bought school lands. Peter took up a claim and opened the same, as well as helping his father, Abraham E. Rosa, with his farm, being about 1,000 acres, which he divided between his seven sons. He died August 12, 1877; his wife, Rachel Rosa, died June 19, 1871. The farm on which Peter Rosa resides is one of the handsomest and most attractive in that part of the county, is on Sec. 28, and is thoroughly improved. The residence is the finest farm residence in the neighborhood, is gothic in style of architecture, and cost over $8,000; is surrounded by a handsome garden, orchard and lawn, in which Mrs. Rosa takes especial pride, everything being the picture of neatness. With its neat and luxuriant surroundings, this is indeed a model country home. The farm is well stocked with a fine herd of good grade cattle, nine head of horses, and a large drove of fine hogs. Mr. R. has filled the office of justice of the peace several years in the tp., and is a member of the Masonic order, Frankville Lodge. He was married Dec. 10, 1867, at Postville, AUamake Co., to Cassin- dina Webster; they have one son, Webbie. J. S. Roome, physician and surgeon, was born in Canada in 1839. In 1863 he came to Mich, and entered the Ann Arbor med- ical institute, from which he graduated in the class of '66. He immediately came to Calmar and began the practice of his profes- sion. He married Gertrude Hilliard, who was born in Madison, Wis., and who died in 1878. They had one child, Toldie. Peter Roney, Sec. 23, P. 0. Decorah; farmer and dairyman; was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in 1841; came to this Co. in 1855, and engaged as a laborer on the farm he now owns, and which he pur- chased in 1875, since which time he has carried on the dairy busi- ness; furnishes milk to the citizens of Decorah. He keeps from thirty to thirty-five cows. Mr. R. was married to Miss Almira L. Gibbs, also a native of Essex Co., N. Y.; their children are Clara M., Minnie C, Charles H., Albert M., William E., Frank A. and John P. C. D. Roome, M. D., was born in Canada in 1843, and is a son of W. F. and Catherine Roome. He came to the U. S. in 1865, his first location being Oregon, Dane Co., Wis. He received his medical education at Ann Arbor, Mich., and Rush Medical Col- 628 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGEAPIHES. lege, of Chicago, graduating at the latter named place in the class of '71. In 1874 he came to Ridgeway and engaged in practice. He married Annie Irwin, also a native of Canada; they have one daughter, Maggie. M. Ringeon, of the firm of Ringeon & Dorn, grain dealers, was born in Norway in 1838; is a son of Severt and Annie Ringeon. In 1858 he came to America, and settled in Dane Co., Wis., and followed farming until 1861; he then returned to Norway, remain- ing two years and a half, and on his return to America he located at Conover, and engaged in the grain business, which he continued until 1868, when he removed to Ridgeway, and entered business as above. He was married to Martha Oleson, a native of Wis- consin; they have five children, four sons and one daughter. Ebenezer Rice, farmer. Sec. 13, P. 0. Cresco; has 160 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; was born in N. Y., in 1818. In 1857 left there and came to Winneshiek Co., lo., and has been a resi- dent of that Co. ever since. He is the fifth son of Ebenezer and Sarah Rice. Mr. Rice was married in 1848 to Miss Lvdia Pease, a native of N. Y., and has one son, 30 years of age, Charles H. Mr. Rice has been tp. trustee, and has held the office of justice of the peace. Enoch Robinsqn, farmer. Sec. 25, P. 0. Cresco; owns 360 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre, was born in 1815 in N. J.; is the oldest son of Joel and Hannah Robinson. When he was four years old his mother died, but his father survived his mother long enough to rear a large family by a second marriage. Mr. Robin- son, at his mother's death, was adopted by his uncle, and removed with him to Ohio, and lived there until 12 years old; then moved to Ind., and lived there for some time; then came to Allamakee Co., and after a residence of four years there came to Winneshiek Co. He was married in Ind. to Miss Eliza Fetterman, a native of Penn. Mrs. Robinson lived but a few years, and in 1858 Mr. Robinson married Mrs. Mary Green, a native of Penn. He has one child, a daughter, Emily Josephine. Steen Sandersen, Burr Oak; was born in Norway in 1815, came to America in 1846, settled first in Racine Co., Wis., and farmed there until 1869; then came to lo., settling at this place where he purchased a farm. It is situated on Sec. 10 and contains 235 acres, all improved except ten acres of timber. There are good build- ings, etc., and the farm is well stocked. It is operated by his sons. Mr. S. was married in Norway in 1845 to Miss Sarah Errickson, and they have two childern, Sander and Tolef. John Stead, farmer. Burr Oak tp.; owns 375 acres, including 15 acres of timber. He was born in Canada East, near the N. Y. state line, in 1823. In the fall of 1853 he came to theU. S., and settled in this place, purchasing 160 acres at that time at the government price, and has bought the rest at various times since. The land is thoroughly improved and all under fence. Eighty WOTiTESHIEK COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 629 acres of the land is farmed by his son, Robert F. Stead. The land is situated on Sees, li and 15. His residence, which is a hand- some brick building, and the barns, etc., are on Sec. 14. The place is well stocked. He was married in N. Y. in 1850, to Miss Mary A. Russell, and they have four children, Robert F., Edwin G., Hannah and Elizabeth. James Sharp, farmer, Burr Oak tp.; was born in Pocahontas Co., W. Va., in 1820, came to lo. in 1855, and settled first in Hes- per tp., this Co., where he lived eight years; thence to this place, bought land, and now owns 160 acres in Sec. 16, where he resides; also farms 155 acres in Sec. 15, which he formerly owned, and which now belongs to P. E. Truman. He was married in 1812 in W. Va., to Miss Rachel Moore, and they have eight children liv- ing, George, Robert, Martha, Jane, Luvena, Eddie and Prudie. George, the oldest son, assists his father in the management of the farm, and was born in W. Va. in 1843, and came to this Co. with his parents. He resides with his father, and was married in 1875 in this tp., to Miss Susannah Peacock; they have one son, Stewart. Knudt Salveson, farmer, Hesper tp. ; was born in Southern Nor- way in 1851, came to the U. S. with his parents in 1853, and set- tled in this tp. His father bought part of his land at government price, and also some of settlers. He thoroughly improved the same, and in 1878 the land came into the possession of its present owner. There is a good residence and barns. The farm is well stocked, and is fine level land. Mr. S. was married in 1876 in De- corah to Miss Anna Siverson, and they have one child. Salve. Engebret G. Soland, P. 0. Decorah; farmer. Sec. 1, Springfield tp.; was born in Norway in 1824, where he remained till 1842, when he emigrated to the U. S., first stopping in Racine Co., Wis., a short time, and thence to Kendall Co., 111. In 1851 he came to this Co. and in Feb., 1852, came to his present farm, which now contains nearly 700 acres, well improved and with first-class build- ings, and is one of the best farms in the Co. Mr. Soland was married to Miss Helen Clement in 1850. She died in Nov., 1879, leaving himself and two sons, Gilbert and Errick, to mourn her loss. Since the death of his wife he has divided the most of his farm between his two sons, and lives with his son Gilbert, who was married to Miss Magdalene Egge, April 25, 1878, and has one daughter, Ella B. Errick was married to Miss Henrietta Hegg, May 2i, 1880. D. E. Shelmidine, nurseryman and florist, proprietor of the "Kendalville Nursery;" was born in Courtland Co., N. Y., Dec. 9, 1817. In 1829 his parents moved to Oil Creek, Crawford Co., Penn., and went into the lumber business. In 1854, after the death of his father, he moved to lo., and arriving at this place he drove stakes, before the tp. was organized. He took the claim he now owns, proved upon the same, and obtained patent; sold the 630 WINlfESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. greater portion of the original claim, whicli was 160 acres, now owning only 33 acres, joining the village of Kendalville, and es- tablished the above named nursery thereon in 1872. There are ten acres of timber and the balance is laid out as the nursery. It is rich bottom land, and well fitted with choice nursery stock, in- cluding many varieties of apple trees, all varieties of Hybrids; also all varieties of small fruits, and shade and ornamental trees and evergreens. Mr. S. is doing an extensive business. He has a good barn and comfortable residence, which latter was erected in 1856, built of logs and boarded. He served one term of two years as member of the board of supervisors in 1861 and 1862. There was one member elected from each tp. in those days, and they received the handsome amount of $1.50 per day as remunera- tion, receiving pay in warrants worth 65 cents on the |1.00. He was married in 1844 in Penn., to Miss Sarah W, Hunter, who died June 24, 1878, at this place, leaving four children, Melinda, Ad- die, AUie and Edgar. Frank B. Snell, farmer, Bluffton tp.; was born in McKeen Co., Penn., in 1837. In the following year his parents moved to McHenry Co., 111., where they remained seventeen years; then came to lo., and settled where he now resides. They were among the earliest settlers. They bought government land and improved the same. The property now belongs to Frank B., and contains 125 acres, ten acres of which is timber, well improved, good stone residence, and well stocked. It is situated on the Upper Iowa river, on Sees. 4 and 5. He was married in 1863 in Hesper tp., to Miss Ann Mitchell, and has three children, Angeline, George and Maggie. John Stockman, farmer, Fremont tp.; owns 600 acres, 160 acres being in Howard Co., and the balance in this Co. and tp., on Sees. 31 and 32. He was born in Isle la Mott, Vt., 1833; worked in a quarry and on government work, etc., by day labor. In 1855 he came to lo. and bought land in Howard Co., and also pre-empted a quarter Sec. in this tp., and has since added the rest, which, with the exception of 50 acres of timber, is all improved, having good residences, barns, etc., and well stocked. Mr. Stockman is one of the most extensive farmers and land owners in the Co., and has ac- cumulated his property by hard work, having come to this state poor and worked for about ten years after coming here at day's work, before he could work his own land to advantage. He oper- ates all his land himself, and employs generally three men, and more in the busiest seasons. He has eighteen head of horses and uses five teams; owns 61 head of cattle and a large drove of hogs. Mr. S. has filled many ofiices of trust in the tp., and is a leading and respected citizen. He was married in 1854 in Vt., to Miss Sarah Eddy; their children are Sobrina, Mary, William, Winfield, Mattie and Lowena. WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOQRAPHIEJ. 631 Leonard Standring, Esq., is a native of Lowille, Lewis Co., N. Y., born on the 1st day of April, 1835. After receiving his edu- cation at the Lowille academy, he entered the Bank of Lowille at the age of 14, and remained in that situation six years. Thus at 20 years of age we find him with a broad foundation of useful knowledge and experience on which to build his future career. In Sept., 1855, Mr. Standring immigrated to lo., located at Deco- rah, and in the same year, in co-partnership with William L. Easton, former president of the Bank of Lowille, and E. E. Cooley, Esq., established the Decorah Bank. This banking house proved eventually to be the germ of the First National Bank. The year of the opening of this bank was noted in the history of Decorah as that of the establishment of the Turkey Kiver branch of the U. S. land office, in that place. It was a time of great ex- citement in land speculation; crowds of eager land-buyers gath- ered here from all the country around, and money poured in in almost fabulous quantities. The office was opened on Christmas day, 1855, and that occasion had caused a good deal of drinkmg and unusual hilarity on the part of the crowd; so much so as to make it necessary that a sober and trusty custodian should be selected to take care of the money and valuable papers in their possession. Mr. Standring was chosen to fulfill that arduous and responsible duty, but the question now arose, where should a safe deposit be found ? A dry goods box was obtained as the best sub- stitute, and into this the motley crowd began to empty their treas- ures — -warrants, money, belts of gold, shot-bags of coin — till all had been deposited; and over this Mr. Standring stood guard till the equilibrium of the crowd had been restored. Out of that box was counted the next morning over half a million dollars in money and warrants. This incident furnishes a good illustra- tion of the estimate placed upon Mr. Standring's integrity at that early day, when settlers in a new country were not always scrupu- lous 33 to the character of their acts. In 1859 Mr. Standring withdrew from the bank and the year following purchased forty acres of land near the city limits, and on account of his health commenced farming, which he continued for several years, and as he was very successful he added to his farm from time to time, so that he now owns over six hundred acres adjoining the city. In 1875 Mr. Standring purchased the assets of the Mississippi Valley Insurance Company, and paid off the stockholders. April 17, 1879, he was appointed the assignee of the firm of Ammon, Scott & Co., and has since been engaged as such. Mr. Standring, in all his public and private life, has maintained the reputation of a strictly honest and reliable man, who does precisely as he agrees. His home is furnished with the applicances and comforts of the best social life, and he has the highest respect of all who know him. He takes no interest in politics further than to per- form his duty as a citizen. Mr. Standring was united in marriage 632 WISTKESHIEK COU>.TY BIOGEAPHIES. to Miss Mary Frotheroe, of Decorah, on the 28th of October, 1858, and now has three daughters, Marv S., Nellie P., and Elsie. John R. Slack, principal of the Decorah Business College, was born in Ohio in 1824. He was educated at Jefferson College, of Chambersburg, Pa., after which he engaged with his father in the nursery and gardening business. At the age of 25 he com- menced book-keeping at Steubenville, his native town. In 1856 he came to To., and December 19, 1856, entered the Winneshiek County Bank, and was its book-keeper and cashier uutil the spring of 1874; during this time he also served as postmaster for five years. In the fall of 1874 he established the Decorah Busi- ness College, and has since conducted the same. lu 1875 he pub- lished a book entitled "Eationale and Practice of Book-keeping," and has since used the same in the college. Mr. Slack is an ex- pert accountant, and is often employed in that capacity. He was married July 24, 1858, to Miss Mariah A. Foley, a native of La Porte, Ind; they have nine children, John, James, Catherine, Hatton, Raphael, Paul, Edward, Leonard and Samuel. P. S. Smout. This enterprising gentleman is a native of Eng- land, and was born in 1839. When he was only two or three years old the famly emigrated to Canada, and in 1856 to Wis. Mr. Smout here engaged in the hardware business, which he continued until 1865, in which year he came to Decorah, and has since been pursuing the same business. In the spring of 1882 he rented the Klein & Johnson brewery, converted the same into a creamery, and is now running the same. He is also senior member of the firm of P. S. Smout & Co., manufacturers of creamery apparatus, etc. Mr. Smout has been twice married — in 1862 to Miss Mary Sloane, by whom he has one son. Frank F.; in 1880 to Amelia Seifert, by whom he has one son, Harry G. J. C. Strong, President Winneshiek County Bank. The sub- ject of this sketch is a native of the state of N. Y., and was born in 1832. In 1853 he came westward as far as Cleveland, Ohio, and in 1857 to lo. Upon arriving in the Hawkeye state, he soon set- tled at Fort Atkinson, and engaged in general merchandise. In 1862 he went back to his native state, and until 1865 was engaged in general merchandise at Yorkshire, Erie Co. He then returned to lo., and settled at Decorah. Here he speculated in grain, wool, etc., for one year. The next eight years he was employed as sec- retary of the Mississippi Valley Insurance Co. In the spring of 1875 Mr. Strong spent a few months east for the purpose of re- cruiting his health, which had been somewhat affected by his indoor confinement and close attention to business. At the death of H. S. Weiser, his brother-in-law, Mr. Strong and J. M. Wil- liams, in accordance with the will of the deceased, became the ex- ecutors of the estate, and Mr. Strong was chosen president of the ■VVINHTESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 633 banking house. Mr. Strong was married in 1857, at Cleveland, Ohio, to Abbie C. Amy, daughter of John and Cyntha G. Smalley Amy. The children are Harry A., John C. and R. L. Michael Steyer, was born in Germany in 1838; learned the trade of stone and marble worker in his native country; also traveled in Belgium and France. In 1867 he came to the U. S. to visit his brother, Joseph Steyer, but upon arriving at Decorah, was so well pleased with the place that he entered into business there. In 1876 he purchased a stone quarry at Decorah, and was the first man to make use of the Decorah fossil stone for monu- ments, etc. Mr. Steyer was married Jan. 2, 1868, to Miss Gelia Lamm, and they now have five children, K. Mary, P. George, J. Louis, Louisa and Lena. A. G. Seavy, painter, was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in 1830. In 1854 he married Miss Mary J. Brown, and two years later caine west and located at Decorah. In 1857 he went to Mower Co., Minn., purchased 160 acres of land and lived on the same about eighteen months. He then returned to lo., and lived in Howard Co. until 1870, in which year he returned to Decorah. His wife died the same year he returned to Decorah, leaving two children, Willie H. and Abbie J. In 1877 he married Mrs. Zilpha A. Wagar. In politics he is republican, and his religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church. R. Small, M. D., is a native of Scotland, born in 1828, but while he was yet an infant the family came to the U. S. and set- tled in Ohio. He received an academic education, and at the age of 20 commenced the study of medicine with Dr. L. D. Vickers, of Lexington, 0., as preceptor. In 1852 he entered the Ohio Medical College; in 1856 came to lo. and located at Ross ville, Al- lamakee Co. Subsequently he entered the University of Penn. and graduated in 1861. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. K, 1st 0. heavy artillery, and served until the spring of 1864, when he was mustered out to receive a contract as acting assista,nt surgeon, serving one year. He then again enlisted in the 91st 0. inf., and served until the close of the war. After the war Dr. Small re- turned to lo. and practiced medicine in Fayette Co. until 1868. He then spent several years as a traveling lecturer, and in opera- ting on diseases of the eye, also chronic diseases, &c., since which time he has been at Decorah. Dr. Small in 1853 married Miss Hattie McDow, by whom he has two children. In 1866 he mar- ried Henry ette Roe, by whom he has two children. Joseph Steyer is a native of Luxemburg, and was born in 1835. In 1852 he came to the U. S., and for several years traveled in different states, working at his trade, stone-cutting. In 1854 he leveled and laid the corner-stone of the bridge forming the aque- duct at Toledo, 0. This privilege was bestowed upon him be- cause he was the youngest man engaged on the work. In 1855 he laid the first cellar wall (laid in lime and mortar) in Lake City, 634 MaNNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. Minn . In 1861 he superintended the building of the bridge at Elkader, lo. He located at Decorah Feb. 8, 1865, and has since been in the saloon business, and has met with marked success. In 1868, accompanied by his wite, he took a trip to Europe. In 1870 he built the Steyer Opera House, and two years subsequently en- larged the same to its present size. The cost of this building was about 153,000. Mr. Steyer was married April 22, 1860, to Miss Mary Lamm. They have had two children, both deceased. Michael Sherry, farmer, owns 200 acres of tillable land and 10 acres of timber in Trankville tp., and 40 acres of timber in Grlen- wood tp.; is a native of Ireland, and came to the U. S. with his parents in 1853; settled first in DuPage Co., Ills., and in 1856 came to lo. His father, Michael Sherry, sr., purchased the farm at that time; he died in 1862, and Michael and his brother Hugh have since conducted the same. Their land is located in Sees. 16 and 17, and is fine rolling prairie, well improved, and with good, comfortable buildings. James Sherry, a brother, enlisted in the 117th Ills, inf., served three years in the rebellion, was impris- oned in Libby Prison, and died shortly after being released. "William H. Smith, dealer in general merchandise, Frankville, lo., was born in the city of New York in 1842; was educated there and remained until 1861, when he gratified his desire to come west, by accepting a position as clerk in the store of Frank Teabout. In 1868, in partnership with a Mr. Samons, he bought the store and business of his employer, and in 1872 bought the interest of his partner, and has conducted the business himself ever since. His success is the result of close attention to business and careful management. Besides his mercantile in- terests he has fine farm property; owns a farm of 260 acres near the village of Frankville, also a fine residence and property in town. Mr. Smith is W. M. of the A. F. & A. M. lodge at Frank- ville, which is one of the oldest in the state, being No. 66. He was married in 1871 at Frankville to Miss Ellen Cutler, of the same place, and they have two daughters. A. Snyder, P. M. of Freeport P. 0., dealer in general merchan- dise, was born in Ohio in 1835; his parents emigrated to Ind. in 1841, and to this Co. in 1857, locating at Freeport. Mr. S. fol- lowed farming principally until in 1879 he established his present business in connection with George Pennington, of Decorah. He married Miss C. M. Strayer, a native of Mo.; they have one child, D. A. Snyder. John Stortz, P. 0. Decorah; farmer; Sec. 33, Canoe tp.; son of Lorenz and Johanna Stortz; was born in Wirtemburg, Germany, Dec. 27, 1842; his parents emigrated to the U. S. in 1849, and located at Racine, Wis., and in the fall of 1859 came to this Co. and tp., where they still reside. He enlisted in Co. A, 16th U. S. inf., in Apr., 1862. He was with Sherman's army in his march to the sea, and was captured by the rebels at Atlanta, Ga., July WINKESHIEK COTJiirTT BIOGBAPHIES. 635 23, 1864, was immediately taken to Andersonville, where he was kept till the 10th of Sept., when he with several others was taken to Florence, S. C. While there he with four others escaped, but after being out a few days were all recaptured and taken to Golds- boro, where he again escaped with a companion, but they were pursued by the rebels with bloodhounds, and were overtaken near a stream; he preferring to take the chances in the water rather than face the hounds; so he leaped in and swam the river, never afterwards seeing or hearing of his companion. He was soon re- captured, but was still determined upon escaping, which he soon did, but was again recaptured through the perfidy of a colored man, to whom he had applied for assistance in getting something to eat. The negro, pretending to befriend them, went for some food, but instead brought his master with others, and they were again taken into captivity. But he soon escaped the fourth time and was again captured. Shortly afterwards he again escaped — • this being the fifth time— when he succeeded in reaching the Union lines at Strawberry Plains in Tenn. on the 22d of Decem- ber, 1864, and soon reached his regiment at Lookout Mountain, where he remained till in the spring of 1865 he was discharged, when he returned home. He married Miss Emily Headington, of Ohio, Oct. 2, 1871, and in the same fall he moved on to his pres- ent farm. He now owns 120 acres, valued at $40 per acre. Mr. S. is a thoroughgoing, enterprising farmer; his war record indi- cates a man of perseverance and energy. His children are Jennie E., Josephine, Ida M., James L., Emma D., Clement A., and an infant. George Sieh, P. 0. Conover; proprietor of St. Charles Hotel and livery; was born in Germany in 1847, and at the age of 19 came to America. At Chicago, Ills., he was engaged in the em- ploy of the C, B. & Q. R. R. Co. one year, after which he went out on the Union Pacific railroad, where he engaged in the sa- loon business at different points along the railroad to beyond Utah. In the fall of 1869 he returned and went to Prairie du Chien, Wis., remaining some three or four years there; went to Clayton, lo., remaining one year, and in 1874 was married to a Miss Louisa Christoph, of Prairie du Chien. The following year he came to Conover and purchased his present property. He also owns a building and lot at Spillville, worth $1,000. His children are Emma C, George and Louisa. They have lost by death one son. Mr. S. is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. at Ossian, lodge No. 177. E. P. Sandager, P. 0. Conover; farmer. Sec. 22; was born in Norway in 1826. In the spring of 1850 he shipped in a sail ves- sel for the U. S., and was nine weeks and three days making the trip to N. Y. He then came to BufPalo and via the great lakes to Milwaukee, Wis., thence by private conveyance to Winnesheik Co. in the fall of 1850, his brother Thore having preceded him 636 WIKIfESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. some three months with his father-in-law, T. Larson, who were the first settlers of Calmar tp., the subject of this sketch being the next. He first purchased 40 acres of land from the govern- ment, to which by economy, industry and perseverance he has added, until he now owns 900 acres, one of the best farms in the tp. He was married in 1855 to Miss Rena Guttermson, who came to this country in 1853. They have eight children, Peter, Gilbert, Andrew, Hans T., Gusta, Martha, Eliza and Emma, and lost one daughter, Eliza. Mr. S. has taken special care to give his children good educations, both in their native language and in English, and is a member of the Lutheran church. Charles Sydow, P. 0. Conover; dealer in grain, lumber, stock, etc; was born in Germany in 1833. He received a liberal educa- tion in his native language and was engaged as a clerk and ac- countant several years prior to coming to the U. S., which was in 1856. He first came to Milwaukee, Wis., where hehadfriends; remained there but a short time, first making a tour through many of the Southern states and Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. He then came to lo., stopping in Clayton Co., where he remained till the breaking out of the rebellion, and espousing the cause of the Union, in Aug., 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. D, 27th lo. inf., participating in most of the battles in which his company were engaged, and for meritorious conduct and bravery at the bat- tle of Pleasant Hill, La., he was promoted to the office of second lieutenant of his company; was mustered out at Clinton, lo., at the close of the war in 1865, after which he returned to Clayton Co. He was married to Miss Mary N. Klein, of Prairie du Chien, Wis., in 1867, and the same year came to Conover and engaged in his present business. Theirchildren are Bertie, Hedwig, Amelia, Clara, Otelia and Emma. Mr. S. has served as a member of the board of supervisors of his Co., was also elected the first recorder of the town of Conover, has served as justice of the peace, assessor, etc., and is a member of the Blue Lodge Chapter and Encampment of the Masonic order at Decorah. A. E. Stiles, of the firm of McEwen & Stiles, dealers in drugs, medicines, paints, oils, etc., was born in Allegany, N. .Y., in 1854, and came to Postville, lo., in 1855, with his parents, where he has since resided, with the exception of two years spent in Batavia, N. Y., learning the drug trade. He established his pres- ent business in 1879. John Scott, dealer in general merchandise, postmaster and agent forJU. S. Express Co., was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., in 1828. In 1846 he came to Racine Co., Wis., and in 1852 went to Cali- fornia, returning in 1860. Four years later he came to Calmar and established his present business. Mr. S. has been mayor several terms, and has held other offices of public trust. He mar- ried Helen M. Tower, also of Schoharie Co., N. Y.; they have one son, Starring C. WINNESHIEK COtTNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 637 S. A. Sutton, farmer, section 19, P. 0. Cresco;owns 157 acres»o£ land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in N. Y"., in 1845; is the oldest son of R. T. and Mary E. Sutton; resided in N. Y. until eleven years of age, when he removed with his parents to lo., lo- cating at Postville, where he stayed two years; then moved into H oward Co., and after a short stay there finally located in Winne- shiek Co. in 1875, and has been a resident of that County ever since. Schreiber & Foreman, dealers in general merchandise, Fort Atkinson. Mr. Schreiber, the senior member, is a native of this vicinity, and Mr. Foreman of Penn., the latter coming to this Co. in 1856. They had both been in the employ of W. Taylor, at Spillville, as clerks in the store; came to this place in 1876, and in partnership bought the building and stock of G. Weaver, who had established the business under the firm name of Weaver & Leaman, in 1870. The building is 24x62 ft., two stories, and they carry a complete line of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats and caps, crockery, etc. They have established an ex- tensive and lucrative business. Samuel Strous, farmer, Washington tp.; owns 280 acres of land in sections 17 and 18; was born in Somerset, Somerset Co., Penn., in 1830; his parents soon after moved to Ohio, and resided in New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas Co.; his father was a carpenter and joiner. They moved to Ogle Co., 111., in 1848 In April, 1850 he came to lo., and bought land in Jackson tp., this Co., and re- mained until 1864; then purchased this place, where he has re- sided ever since. He has thoroughly improved the farm, which is one of the finest in the tp. There are a good large {residence, barns, etc. The farm is well stocked; he has a few head of good grade cattle, eleven head of horses and colts, besides a fine drove of hogs. Mr. Strous is a popular citizen, and has filled many offi- ces or trust in tp. affairs. He is a member of Hope Stone Lodge, No. 316, A. F. & 4.. M. He was married in October, 1853, at Beloit, Wis., to Miss Mary Ann Hutchins, of Guilford, 111., and they have six children, Judson, Emma, Willis, Amasa, Annie and George. William H. Smith, Fort Atkinson; was born 1825, in Brown Co., N. Y. His parents moved to Medina Co., Ohio, in 1835. He there learned the trade of wagon-maker, and remained there until 1859, when he came to lo., located at this place, established business as a wagon-maker, and remained in business only four years, being obliged to discontinue on account of health, having suffered greatLy from hemorrhage of the lungs. He owns a com- fortable property in town, and is one of the town's first settlers; was postmaster four years; the office was near the old fort on the hill. He was married at Litchfield, Ohio, to Miss Lenora B. Still- man; they have three children, Sarah W., Edwin A. and Martha. F. 40 638 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. W. R. Toye is a native of Canada, and was born in 1853. He W9,s reared on a farm. In 1872 he came to Decorah, and for three years was engaged in teaching. He then formed a partnership with Dr. W. F. Coleman, and engaged in the drug business until 1877, when the store and stock were destroyed by fire. Mr. Toye is at present city clerk and justice of the peace. He was married in 1877 to Miss Viola Coleman, daughter of Dr. W. F. Coleman. 0. P. Thompson is a native of Norway, born in 1834, emigrated to the U. S., and first located in Clayton, lo.; followed farming one year, and then commenced mercantile life as clerk, and in 1863 he came to Decorah, and has since been a member of the firm of Olson & Thompson. Mr. Thompson was married in 1859 to Miss Thonete Simons. The children are Nellie, Edward, Charles, Albert and Fred. Charles Trzcinski, barber, hair dresser and manufacturer, whole- sale and retail dealer of ladies' hair goods. Mr. T. was born in Poland in 1851; came with his parents to the U. S., and settled at Washington, Wis., in 1854. Here he grew up and learned the barber's trade. He subsequently spent three years in Chicago, from which city he came to Decorah, in March, 1877. Mr. Trzcin- ski, in 1879, married Miss Jennie Zuckmayer; they have two children, John J. and Charles E. A. Tracy, retired; was born in Orange Co., Vt., March 7, 1820, received an academic education, taught school, and subsequently engaged in farming, making sheep breeding a specialty. In 1856 he moved to 111., and in 1858 to lo., settling in Sumner tp., Win- neshiek Co. Here Mr. Tracy followed farming. He owned over 600 Merino sheep, which formed the best flock in the Co. In 1875 his two sons, aged 20 and 27, were taken with scarlet fever and suddenly died. He therefore, two years later, left his farm and removed to Decorah. Mr. Tracy, in 1843, married Miss Phoebe Hutchinson, and they now have two daughters living, Adelaide and Emma, the latter now the wife of Louis Blodgett. Mr. Tracy is a republican in politics; has held local offices; also served as trustee of the State Agricultural College one term. Nils Tronson, farmer, Glenwood tp. ; owns 180 acres of tillable land and 30 acres of timber; was born in 1825, in Walders, Nor- way; came to the U. S. in 1848, and settled in Wis. In 1850 he came to lo., and bought 120 acres, where he now resides and has since bought 40 acres. The land is principally fine rolling prai- rie, with some good grass land; is well improved and well stocked. Mr. Tronson's wife died in July, 1878. Henry R. Thomas, farmer, section 19, P. 0. Decorah; owns 260 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre; was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., in 1831; came west in 1854 and located in Decorah. In 1858 he, in company with John Greer, started a plow factory for the purpose of manufacturing breaking plows. In 1868 Mr. Thomas sold his interest to Ammon, Greer & Co.; subsequently WINSESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 639 Ammon, Scott & Co., and purchased his present farm. He mar- ried Mary Bentley, a native of England; they have three children, Fred, Jessie and Stella. George Tyler, P. 0. Decorah; farmer, section 2; son of James and Lucy Bassett Tyler; vras born July 10, 1837, in the county of Kent, England; his parents emigrated to the U. S. in the fall of 1845, stopping at Cleveland, Ohio, and the following spring went to Columbus, where they remained till 1851; then came to Greene Co., Wis., and to this Co. in the fall of 1854, and in 1857 came into Decorah tp. He married Miss Lucy Weeks Nov. 9th, 1859. She was born in Lenawee Co., Mich., in 1838, and died Sept 27th, 1864, leaving two children, George W. and Mary. He was again married bo Miss RosannaE. Gillam, Feb. 5th, 18(59. The children by the second marriage are, Richard F., Hattie M., Albert and Lin a. A. D. Thomas, P. 0. Decorah; farmer; section 32, Canoe tp.; son of Jesse and Mary McCormick Thomas; was born March 29, 1831, in Erie Co., Pa. In 1855 he started for the west, coming through Mich., and stopping a short time at Pontiac and Kala- mazoo, and arriving at Volney, Allamakee Co., lo., the same year; remained in that Co. till 1859, when he c^me to Decorah and en- gaged in running a meat market, buying and shipping stock. In In 1876 he purchased his present farm, which contains 600 acres, valued at $30 per acre; he makes a spjcisilty of stock buying and shipping. He married Miss Alice Pollitt Dec. 4, 1861; she was born in Manchester, England; their children are James S., Regi- nald, Hall and Cecil; they have lost four. Alley, Sidney, Birney and an infant, James Tyler, P. 0. Decorah; retired farmer, section 2. He was born April 12, 1812, in the county of Kent, England; emi- grated to the U. S. in 1845, arriving at Cleveland, 0., in Nov., where he remained till the following spring, when he went to Columbus and engaged in farming near the city till in 1850, when he started for the west, stopping in Green Co., Wis., until 1853; then came to Winneshiek Co., first located on Col. J. W. Taylor's farm, in Canoe tp. In 1857 he purchased 320 acres of land in Decorah tp., on section 2, and moved on to it; has since disposed of all but 6J acres, upon which are his buildings, which he expects to retain as his homestead during his declining years. He was married to Miss Lucy Bassett, June 21, 1833, in England; they have six children, Eliza, James, George, Frederick, Richard and John, and have lost one son, William. 0. S. Thompson, P. M. of Spring water P. 0.; proprietor of Springwater Mills; also owns 60 acres of land in connection with the mill; is a son of Thomas 0. Anderson, and was born in Nor- way, Sept. 26, 1842; commenced working in a grist mill at the age of ten years, which , with the millwright business, he has fol- lowed most of the time since; emigrated to the U. S. in 1869, 640 WINKESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. first locating in Decorah, engaging in theWest Decorah Mills; afterwards assisted in building a grist mill some two miles above his present mill, which he ran about two years. In 1880 he pur- chased his present mill, located on the Canoe river, on section 24, Canoe tp. There is a good water power of ten feet head; at pres- ent three run of buhrs, and soon expects to add the fourth, with machinery to make new process and patent flour. Mr. Thompson was appointed postmaster in 1880; the office was established in 1860, as Aquilla Grove P. 0. Nathan G. Chase was the first P. M. Mr. T. married Miss Anna M. Anderson, in Norway; they have five children, Carrie, Thorwold, Andrew A., Mollie B. and Hannah, and have lost one son, Thorwold, who died while cross- ing the ocean. Ole Thompson, dealer in hardware, stoves, tinware, etc., estab- lished business in April, 1882. He was born in Norway in 1840; came to America in 1859 and settled in this Co. In 1866 he en- gaged in the hardware business in Decorah, where he remained until 1871. He came to Ossian in 1875, and engaged in the mer- cantile business, which he sold to E. Schoonmaker & Co.; then en- gaged in business as above. Mr. T. has been town collector, also clerk. He married Laura B. Thompson, a native of Norway, who came to America in 1855. They have two children, ThressaM. and Theodore E. Col. J. W. Taylor, P. 0. Decorah, was born Feb. 22, 1817, in Saratoga Co., N. Y. He is a son of Hon. Jno. W. Taylor and Jane {nee Hodges) Taylor, of N. Y. His father was quite a prom- inent anti-slavery politician of N. Y., first serving in the state legislature, and afterwards as member of Congress from N. Y. from 1812 to 1833, serving as speaker of the house two sessions. The subject of this sketch was educated at the high schools of his county, preparing himself for a full course at Union College, but abandoned his intentions in that direction and entered as clerk in one of the largest dry goods stores of Albany, N. Y., where he continued three years; after which he went to New York City, and was in one of the largest dry goods houses in the city for three years. Then, in 1838, in company with one of his chums at school, who had graduated at Union College, he started for the west to seek their fortunes in investing in real estate, coming through Ills., Wis., lo. and Minn.; operating in lands in Wis., stopping a year in Joliet, Ills., and afterwards at Rockford, mak- ing that city his home till 1856; then came^to Dubuque, and pur- chased 1,280 acres of land in Canoe tp., this Co., a Mr. James Kelly having made a claim in 1848 of a part of the tract which Mr. Taylor purchased. Mr. T. has disposed of most of his pos- sessions in Canoe tp., now owning but about 400 acres, which are well improved, have a large orchard and a beautiful avenue or driveway of a tnile from the south side of his farm, over half the distance being graded, and with a row of evergreens interspersed WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGEAPHIES. 641 with the most beautiful flowers and plants that are produced in this latitude on each side of the avenue. At the breaking out of the rebellion Mr. Taylor was appointed to the quartermaster s de- partment at Tipton, Mo., he being the second appointee, and af- terwards as chief of department in central Mo., the army of the Miss., and 14th army corps of the department of the Cumber- land; was also promoted to the position of lieut.-colonel on Gen. Rosencrans' staff, and was especially commended by Gen. Rosen- crans for his coolness, bravery and efficiencv at the battles of Stone River and Corinth. Aug. 17, 1863, he resigned his position in the army and came to Dubuque, remaining but a short time. In 1865 he built a large block house, very pleasantly arranged for a summer residence, and surrounded by a dense forest of pines and oaks, making a pleasant and romantic spot for a summer resi- dence and resort, himself and wife spending their summers here and winters with friends in eastern and southern cities. Mr. T. also has a fine park for elk, having some time ago quite a number, twelve of which he sent to King Victor Emmanuel a few years ago. He has at present but three. Mr. T. was married to Miss Jane P. Wadleigh, a native of N. H., at Albany, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1839. They have had six children, three of whom are living: Jno. W., now northwestern agent of Commercial Express at St. Paul, Minn., and James H., of the firm of Thos. T. Barr & Co., grocers, of New York City, and Ella T., widow of the late W. N. Goddard, of Utica, N. Y., Sarah, Charles and Anna being deceased. George Todd, farmer, Fremont tp.; owns 100 acres, 72^ in Sec. 14 and 24J in Sec 35, near Plymouth Rock. He was born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, in 1828, and was a weaver by trade; came to the U. S. in 1851, settled in Elgin, 111., and worked at the trade of mason and plasterer and at farming until 1856; then went to Toledo, Tama Co., lo., remaining about nine months, and returned to Elgin for six months; then came to this place and took a claim of 80 acres, all he could get at that time, and thoroughly im- proved it, and since bought the rest. He was married at Decorah in 1858 to Miss Richards. Christopher Todd, farmer; was born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, in 1833, came to America in 1852 and settled in Elgin, 111.; worked at the trade of harness maker there two years; then came to lo. and took a claim on the quarter section where he now resides. He worked at his trade at Preston and Decorah until the breaking out of the war; then enlisted in Sept., 1862, at Decorah, in Co. D, 38th lo. Inf., under Col. Hughes, and served fourteen months; was at the seige of and surrender of Vicksburg. He was discharged in the fall of 1863, on account of sickness, at Carlton, La.; then re- turned to lo. and built on his farm, and commenced improving it. It is now thoroughly improved, and all under fence, fine large 642 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BI06EAPHIES. residence, good farm buildings, etc. He was married in 1866 at Decorah, to Miss Jane Gorman, and they have one child, Martha Ella. Joseph Todd, carpenter and joiner, Decorah; was born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, in 1825, and was by trade a weaver. In 1849 went to Montreal, Canada, and two months after came to the states, locating -in Elgin, 111., where he remained three years, working at his trade; then to Tama Co., lo., two years, and from there to Decorah. He established business as a carpenter and also erected a sash and blind factory, which he operated until 1879. He has enjoyed a good run of work as a carpenter, and does coun- try work as well as town. He has a good residence property in Decorah, where he resides, also owns iO acres of improved land in Fremont tp., which he rents. He was married in 1851 at Elgin, 111., to Miss Mary J. Frizell, and has five children, May, Clarence, Grace, Edith and Mabel. James Todd, farmer, residing in Fremont tp.; was born in Co. Armagh, Ireland, June 22, 1821, and was by trade a weaver. In 1845 he came to America, and settled in Elgin, 111., where he worked in a machine shop and was also for some time employed as a mason. In 1856 he came to lo., and took the claim of 160 acres on which he now resides. He had purchased 80 acres of timber prior to his claim, and has bought 50 acres of land since. The land is improved thoroughly, and is one of the finest farms in the Co. ; has a fine residence, good, substantial farm buildings, barns, granaries, etc.; a large amount of stock, including a herd of good grade cattle, fine horses and fine breeds of hogs, etc. Mr. Todd has taken great pains to make the farm attractive as well as convenient, having planted innumerable trees of all descriptions, including evergreens, ornamental and shade trees, besides a fine orchard, and has the satisfaction of knowing that he has accumu- lated his property here, having commenced on a small scale. He is a man who is respected by every one, and has always been a prominent citizen, having filled many offices of trust in tp. and school affairs. His picture appears in this work. He was married in 1856 in Zanesville, Ohio, to Miss Boies, and has ten children living. Mrs. Martha Todd, the mother of the subject of this sketch, is the oldest lady in the county, being 95 years of age, and resides in this tp. with her daughter, Mrs. Robert Long. She came to lo. from 111. five years later than her son James, and has resided with her children ever since. Her husband died in 1835. Ole P. Tenold, farmer, P. 0. Calmar; owns 260 acres of laadin Sec. 24, Calmar tp., valued at $50 per acre. He was born in Ber- genstift, Norway, Oct. 17th, 1824, and came to the U. S. in 1844. He worked at his trade, that of shoemaking, in Chicago, and in 1853 removed to Rockford, Ills. In 1854 he came to this Co. and purchased a farm, worked at his trade two years in Calmar, and moved on to his present farm in 1867. In Nov., 1852, he was WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 643 married to Mary Johnson in Chicago; they have five children liv- ing, John, Andrew, Dianna, Josephine and Amelia; have lost five by death, Peter W., William, Edward, Laura and Betsey. Mr. T. has served as justice of the peace, township clerk, and has held other minor offices. He is a member of the Lutheran church. Geo. W. Tasker, farmer, Sec. 9, P. 0. Cresco; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in N. H. in 1814, and is the third son of Joseph and Bridget Tasker. He lived there un- til he was 25 years old, then went to N. Y., purchased land and remained 15 years; then removed to Clayton county, lo. After residing ten years in Clayton Co., he came to Winnesheik Co. in 1864; enlisted in 1864 in the 47th lo. Inf., under Col. Sanford, and was discharged in the same year. Frank Thomas, blacksmith. Ft. Atkinson, was born in Austria in 1852; came to America in July, 1869; had learned his trade in the old country; located first in La Crosse, Wis., where he lived two years; also lived in Caledonia, Minn., four years. In 1876 he came to lo. and settled here, where he has since remained. He has established a good business, owns a well fitted and convenient shop, also a fine residence fitted with every comfort, the result of his labors here; does a good business in shoeing, wagon, carriage and plow work. Capt. H. Tower, postmaster and dealer in general merchandise, Ft. Atkinson; was born in Rutland, N. Y., in 1827; in Dec, 1855, moved to Palmyra, Jefferson Co., Wis., and engaged in mer- cantile business. In April, 1864, he enlisted in the 40th Wis. Inf., as a one-hundred day man; he was elected second lieutenant of Co. G, and stationed at Memphis, Tenn. At the expiration of his time he returned to Wis., raised a volunteer company of 86 men in seven days, and took them to the front. He was made captain, and they were mustered in the 46th Wis. Inf., and con- stituted Co. E. He served to the close of the war, receiving final discharge Sept. 27, 1865. He then returned to Wis. and con- tinued in mercantile business as before until 1869, when he came to this place, and was among the first business men in the town, carrying a general stock of merchandise, which business he still continues. He was appointed deputy postmaster in 1868, and in the fall of 1870 received the appomtment of postmaster, which office he continues to fill. He owns, in partnership with his son- in-law, Ace Webster, 120 acres of land known as the Highland farm, and is also interested with him in the egg business. He was married Jan. 1st, 1850, at Clarendon, Vt., to Miss Polly B. Potter, and they have two children, Ida and Noel D. William B. Updegraifisa native of Jefferson Co., Ohio, and was born in 1822. In 1843 he came to Jackson Co., lo., but returned to Ohio on account of fever and ague. In 1846 he went to Sauk Co., Wis., and speculated in town property, etc. In 1850 he came to Decorah and located land but soon returned to Wis., and 644 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. remained until 1855, since which time he has been a resident of Winneshiek Co. His present business is dealing in real estate, etc. He owns about 500 acres in Winnesheik Co., and nearly 1,000 acres in Minn. Mr. Updegraff married in 1860 Miss Lydia M. Shear; they have four children. William H. Valleau, city mayor of Deeorah, is one of the most stirring and enterprising men in the state of lo. He was born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., on the 18th of Nov. 1848, his parents being John and Jane Hill Valleau, both natives of the Empire state. During his early years he received a fair education, but in 1864, although a mere boy, having a roving disposition, he concluded he would like to see something of this broad domain outside of his native state. He therefore went across the plains to the Rocky Mountains, where he spent one year in mining; then returned as far east as Neb., where he remained until 1869, at which date he went to Minn., and the year following came to lo., and located at Deeorah. At that time Mr. Valleau had but a very small amount of money, but he at once commenced dealing in grain, and being very successful he increased his business so that he soon ran elevators in eight different towns besides Deeo- rah, and for several years did a business amounting to $1,000,000 annually. He then became associated as partner with Frank Tea- bout, and under the firm name of Teabout & Valleau, did the most extensive business in the Northwest, running four large stores, six lumber yards and thirteen warehouses and elevators in lo. and Dak.; also dealt very extensively in live stock and cultivated 6,000 acres of land in Clay and O'Brien Co.'s lo. This business was carried on successfully until the hard winter of 1880-1, when, on account of the railroads being blockaded, business was at a standstill. They also lost 3,000 acres of good corn, which could not be gathered; 350 acres of broom-corn was destroyed by storms, and 400 head of cattle and 900 hogs perished. They therefore suspended busi- ness in May, 1881. Mr. Valleau, although but twelve years a citizen of Deeorah, has probably done as much to build up the city as any one man. Two elevators near the depot are monuments of his enterprise. The elegant furniture of the Winneshiek House was placed there by him, as he was landlord of the house for a short time after it was refitted in 1877, and many public en- terprises are marked by his handiwork. Mr. Valleau is a demo- crat in politics, and his popularity as a citizen is well established by the fact that he is now serving his fourth term as mayor of Deeorah, although his party is greatly in the minority. He is a man who greatly enjoys sport, such as hunting or fishing, but is a wide-awake, shrewd business man, easy to get acquainted with, and immediately makes friends wherever he goes. In 1869, at St. Charles, Minn., Mr. Valleau was united in matrimony to Miss Ella Giddings, daughter of David Giddings, and a relative of Joshua R. Giddings; they now have two children, John D. and William H., Jr. WINN'ESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 645 Nels L. Voiding, farmer, P. 0. Decorah; was born April 6, 1821, in Norway ; emigrated to the U. S. in 1853, purchased his home farm the same year, and has since added a farm near Ossian, making in all 408 acres which are worth $35 per acre. He mar- ried Miss Mary A. Bluarp in Norway Nov. 30, 1850 ; they have ten children, Ole, Lewis, Minnie, Henry, Clause, Nelson M., Bertha, Julius, Theodore and Martha 0., and have lost one daughter. Bertha M. His son Nelson M. has attended the Decorah Lutheran College five years. Mr. Voiding is a member of the Lutheran church. Horace Spangler Weiser, deceased, one of Decorah's early settlers and most valued citizens, was a native of Penn., having been born at York, on the 22d day of October, 1827. His parents were Charles Weiser, merchant and banker, and Anna Spangler Weiser, daugh- ter of General Spangler, a prominent citizen of Penn. fifty years ago. The subject of this sketch had excellent opportunities for mental culture when young; fitted for college at New Haven, Conn., and entered Yale in Sept., 1845, but was obliged to leave before completing his graduating course, on account of poor health. In 1850 he commenced the study of law in his native town, and in 1851 was admitted to the bar at York and began practice there in 1852. He was a great reader of the newspapers, became interested in the prospects of a young country beyond the Mississippi river, made a trip to lo., was pleased with the opening which Decorah, Winneshiek Co, presented, and here located in 1855. He immediately established a private bank, united with it the business of real estate and continued both branches until his de- mise. The Winneshiek County bank, which he started, and which became so popular and so eminently successful under his management, is still in operation, and is said to be the oldest bank continuing under its original name. In his business, to which he gave his undivided attention, Mr. Weiser was very ac- commodating; he would often before regular hours open his bank and remain open after hours, if by so doing he could oblige any person. Pew people were ever more attentive to their calling, or more punctual and prompt in the discharge of obligations.* So wedded was he to business that he paid little attention to politics, more than to vote, and more than once refused to accept office. He acted with the Democrats until the rebellion broke out, after that with the Republicans. Mr. Weiser was a communicant in the Protestant Episcopal church, and much of the time an officer in that body, and maintained an unblemished and exalted christian character. He was a member of the Blue Lodge in the Masonic fraternity, but ] arely met with the order. On the 14th day of July, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Louise M. Amy, daughter of John and Cynthia Smalley Amy. There are three children. Amy Spangler, Charles J", and Anna Louise, who became fatherless on the 19th day of July, 1875, while their mother was 646 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. absent from the State. Though not in good health for three or four years previous to his demise, Mr. Weiser was as well as usual on that day, was cheerful in the evening, retired at a late hour, and soon afterwards was found dead in his bed, the cause supposed to be apoplexy. Mr. Weiser early identified himself with the interests of his beautiful Iowa home, took pride in the growth and material progress of the place, now a city of nearly four thousand inhabitants, and lent his aid in every enterprise tending to develop the wealth of the Co. Few men more public spirited ever lived in Winneshiek Co., and no man here ever accumulated such a fortune. He was thoughtful and considerate, lenient to- ward his debtors, never taking advantage of their necessities; heedful of the wants of the poor and destitute; kindly in his feel- ings toward all; social and cheerful in his disposition; temperate in his habits; never visited places that tended to lower the morals of men, but always set a good example for the young. The death of no man in Winneshiek Co. was ever mourned by so many warm friends as that of Horace S. Weiser. A fine portrait of Mr. Weiser appears elsewhere in this work. Capt. E. I. Weiser was born in York, Pa., April 10, 1835, his parents being Samuel and Anna Mariah Ilgenfritz Weiser. At the age of sixteen he commenced work in a drugstore, and con- tinued this in his native state until 1856. He then immigrated to Iowa and soon established a drug business at Decorah. Being a man possessed of a warm heart and genial nature and a patriotic love of country, the threats of war against the Union aroused his impulsive nature to a desire to make any sacrifice, hardship, suf- fering, even life itself, in his country's cause. As a result, when the first cry of a distressed country was heard, calling on her sons for aid against the assaults of traitors, Capt. E.I. Weiser was the first and foremost of her many patriots in Winneshiek Co. to re- spond. Captain E. I. Weiser was the first man to enlist from the county in his country's service in the late civil war. He enlisted as a high private in Co. D, 3d lo., and was chosen first lieutenant by the company. He served his country faithfully, participating in many warm skirmishes and two hard-fought battles. He was wounded at Shiloh in the right knee; at Hatchie, Tenn., on the 5th of Oct., 1862, he was again wounded, this time in the right thigh, shattering the bone so badly that the surgeons declared amputation necessary; but to this Capt. Weiser objected, and the operation was therefore not performed. Eight months he was detained in the hospital by his wound, and seven of these eight months he was compelled to lie in one position, on his back. He did not recover sufficiently to again perform active military ser- vice. At Memphis he was one week with his company. While there the officers of the 3d lo. presented him with a silver pitcher as a mark of their regard and the appreciation they had for him as a soldier and commander. Upon returning from the service he WINNESHIEK COUNTT BIOGRAPHIES. 647 again resumed his labors in his drug business, and still continues the same. He was married in 1864 to Miss Mary L. Vonhoff, and has two children living, E. J. and S. V. H. Capt. E. I. Weiser, as a soldier, was brave, cool, efficient, and possessed all the noble attributes requisite in a successful commander; as a citizen, he is modest and unassuming in manners, successful in business, char- itable to his fellow men, and his character is beyond reproach. No man in Winneshiek Co. has more warm friends than Capt. E. I. Weiser. A. Wedgwood is a native of England, born in 1850, his father being the late Enoch Wedgwood, of the firm of Wedgwood & Co., Tunstall, England, manufacturers of crockery. The subject of this sketch came to the U. S. in 1872 on a pleasure trip, but upon reaching Decorah he w"as so well pleased with the city that he engaged in business, being a member of the firm of Horn, Port- man, Clive & Co., foundry and machine shop. In 1873 Mr. Wedg- wood married Miss Agnes Heivly. In 1874 he returned to Eng- land and remained until 1880, since which time he has resided at Decorah. He has four children living, Charlotte J., Agnes M., A. C. and Amy. J. M. Williams, cashier of the Winneshiek County Bank, was born in Columbia N. Y., June 21, 1826, his parents being Lyman and Mary Wilson Williams. In 1834 the family removed to Geauga Co. Ohio, then a timbered wilderness. The subject of this sketch receifed a good common school education, and subsequently taught school. He then went to Lake Co. and after clerking for about two years engaged in business with a man who furnished ex- perience but no capital. This business ended in failure, and in 1857 Mr. Williams came to lo., and for a few months was engaged in busi- ness at Ft. Atkinson. He then returned to Ohio and remained until 1861, when he again came to lo., and in partnership with J. C. Strong carried on a mercantile business until the fall of 1863. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Williams engaged in business alone, and continued until 1866. He then purchased a grist mill at Waukon, which proved to be a non-paying investment. In 1867 he located at Decorah, and for three years was proprietor of the Decorah House, after which he did collecting until 1874, when he entered the Winneshiek County Bank, and since the death of H. S. Weiser, has been its cashier. Mr. Williams was married in 1852 to Miss E. S. Amy, daughter of John Amy ; they have two children, C. J. and Nellie M. E. T. Week, dealer in groceries and provisions, was born inNor- way in 1846, came to the U. S. in 1866 and soon settled in Win- neshiek Co. He established his present business in 1877 ; he also owns 200 acres in Madison tp. valued at |30 per acre. Peter H. Whalen was born at Utica N. Y., in 1842, his parents being Thomas and Hannah Doyle Whalen ; the former died in 1849. In 1856 the mother with her six children (two of whom 648 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGEAPHIES. now fill soldiers' graves) immigrated to lo. and settled in French Creek tp., Allamakee Co. Peter H. Whalen came to Decorah in 1860 and was employed in a hotel for about four years. He then engaged in the mercantile business and has since continued the same. June 16, 1874, he married Miss Ellen C. Bunce '; they have two children, Mary C. and Anna C. S. T. Wilson was born in N. H. in Nov. 1845. At the age of eighteen years he went to Rutland, Vt., and learned the jeweler's trade. He subsequently spent a few months at North Hampton, Mass., from which place in 1868 he immigrated to lo., and first located at McGregor. In 1870 he came to Decorah, formed a part- nership with J. R. Bidwell, and as Bidwell & Wilson engaged in the jewelry business. In 1875 Mr. Wilson purchased his partner's inter- est and has since continued the business alone. In Jan., 1881, he added a restaurant to his place of business. Mr. Wilson was mar- ried July 1, 1870, to Miss Rosa M. Peterson ; they have two children Ina M. and Charles S. S. 0. Wilson, merchant tailor, was born in Norway in 1831, learned his trade, and in 1850 came to the U. S., first stopping in Chicago three years, then in Beloit, Wis., until 1855, since which time he has been at Decorah, and is therefore the oldest merchant tailor in the city. Mr. Wilson in 1854 married Miss Sarah Larsen; of seven children born unto them, only three are now living, Anna L., Emma Gr. and Clara 0. C. Wellington, attorney, came to Winneshiek Co. in 1859. In 1861 he enlisted in the U. S. service, and served three years and two months. He then resided in Fillmore Co., Minn., until 1867, when he again came to Winneshiek Co., and in 1870 located at Decorah. He was admitted to the bar iu 1871, and has since become one of the leading lawyers in this dis- trict. He is at present district attorney. Mr. Wellington was married in 1873 to Miss Gertrude G. Allen; they have one son and two daughters. Hon. George R. Willett, of Decorah, was born in Lacadia, Province of Quebec, Nov. 11, 1826. His parents were both Americans, though living in Canada at the time of his birth. He resided in Canada until 26 years of age, receiving his education un- der Rev. Joseph Braithwaite, a graduate of Oxford, England, and following manufacturing with his father and brother at Chambly, Province of Quebec. In 1855 he commenced the study of law at Champlain, N. Y., and after further reading and attending the law school at Albany, was admitted to the bar in that city in the winter of 1856-7. Returning to Champlain, he practiced till the fall of 1857, when he came west and settled at Decorah. Immediately on settling here he commenced the practice of his profession, which he has continued ever since, with the exception of a short time spent in the army during the rebellion. The first company in this section, namely, Co. D, 3d lo. Inf., was raised mainly through his instru- WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOSRAPHIES. 649 mentality. In the fall of 1861 he was disabled by a gunshot wound in the knee, and consequently resigned the commission of captain and came home. In 1864 he was elected Co. judge of Winneshiek Co., and held the office four years, till the expiration of 1868. In 1872 he was elected to the state legislature, for two years, to fill the unfinished term of Dr. Bulis and re-elected in 1873 for the full term of four years. During the winter of 1874 he was elected president ^ro^em., of the senate. He was chairman of the committee on constitutional amendments, and member of the committee on the judiciary, railroads, insurance and judicial dis- tricts. In local as well as general interests. Judge Willett has always been active and public spirited. From 1868 to 1872, he was president of the Winneshiek Woolen manufacturing com- pany. He was married at the age of 21 to Miss Olinda C. Kel- logg, in Champlain, N. Y., and has five children: Mahlon, now pastor of the Congregational church at Santa Cruz, Cal.; Norman, Oeorge, William and Ernest. The last named is now attending the college for the blind, having lost his sight by the accidental discharge of astiot-^un in 1878, and is thirteen years of age. John Johnson Wold, farmer, Hesper tp.; was born in Tron- geim, Norway, in 1832; came to America in 1853; settled first in Wis., and there worked on farms as laborer; was in Ills., Mo. and Minn, until 1859; then came to lo. and settled west of the village of Hesper, and bought 80 acres of unimproved land. He im- proved the same, and in -1877 sold it, and in the following year bought the farm he now resides on, and has it well improved, hav- ing good buildings, fine orchards, etc., and well stocked. Mr. Wold was married in Decorah to Miss Betsy Elling in 1859, and they have six children. Hon. H. B. Williams, farmer, owns 200 acres in Hesper tp., and 80 acres in Minn., joining on the north, making the farm in a solid body. Mr. Williams was born in Batavia, N. Y., in 1822, and in 1837 he and two brothers went to Mich.; lived there twenty years, in Ingham Co.; they together bought about 1,700 acres of land, and built a saw mill and flouring mill; later H. B. entered the mercantile business, and afterwards opened a law office and was admitted to the practice there, remaining in the same until 1857; then traveled through Dak., Neb. and lo., and in 1858 located in this tp., purchased land, and married in 1860 Miss Caroline Tabor, who died in June, 1881, leaving six children, three daughters and three sons. The farm is well improved, and is one of the finest in the Co.; in one especial feature it certainly is not equaled in the Co. and probably not in the state — that is the magnificent gardens, which clearly prove Mr. W . to be a land- scape gardner of more than ordinary ability and taste. He com- menced the work in 1869. The front garden is elegantly ar- ranged in circular double hedge, well trimmed and solid Dutch style, making a fine carriage driveway, with a center walk to the 650 WrNNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. house, and within the hedges are tastefully arranged every variety of evergreen, well trained and trimmed in all manner of designs and masses, showing elegant contrasts in shades, among which may be found junipers, arbor vitee, larches, pines of all varieties, many species of hemlock, dwarfed pines, and' Savon juniper — this latter a very rare variety — Scotch pine, and spruce pine from Vt., which is a rare and very different variety. He has also arranged in the rear and around the residence fine terraces and drives, the trees forming gracefully curved avenues, leading to and around a beautiful flower garden and kitchen garden, in which can be found every variety of flower, plant and vegetable; also a fine or- chard. The north terrace is especially beautiful, being almost entirely silver maples; the gardens have an east and south front. Mr. Williams is a popular man, and has been elected four times to represent his district in the state legislature — to the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th sessions. He is a member of the legal profession in this state, having been admitted when he first came, and has one of the finest libraries in the state. John S. Williams, farmer, was born in New London, Conn., in 1848. The home farm of 200 acres on which he resides was orig- inally bought in 1866 by his father, and in 1877 came into his possession; to which he has added more, owning in all 514 acres, all in Frankville tp. He has built a fine residence and barns, and has like his brother paid special attention to stock raising, especial- ly horses; has seven head of Normans, Messengers, and Clydesdales, good grade cattle, and Poland and Berkshire hogs. Mr. W. has filled several offices of trust in tp. and Co., has been for several years Justice of the Peace. He was married in December, 1879, to Laura McKay, of this tp., and has one .child. His brother, James P., enlisted in the 6th lo. Cav. and died at Fort Rice July 29th, 1865 ; he had enlisted for three years under Capt Burdick. Fordyce Worth, M. D„ druggist and P. M. of Hesper P. 0. was born in Vt. in 1831, and received his early education there. In 1848 he went to Mt. Gilead, Morrow Co., Ohio; was an apprentice in machine shops there two years; afterwards spent some time in Vt., Mass. and Upper Canada; and finally in the lumber trade in Wis., remaining in the same three years. In 1852 he commenced the study of medicine; in 1856 came to Winneshiek Co.; bought property in 1857, and three years later opened the establishment which he now owns, with a stock of general merchandise. In 1869 he attended Bennett Medical College, Chicago, graduated in 1870, and has remained in the practice ever since at Hesper, as well as conducting the business, which he changed to drugs in 1867, closing out his stock of general merchandise. He re- ceived the appointment of postmaster in Oct. 1872, succeeding W. C. Batly, who was the first postmaster. The office was establishe d in 1856, and was made a money order office in 1879. The Doctor is the only medical practitioner in the town, enjoys a large practice. WINKESHIEK (JOUNTT BIOGKAPHIES. 651 is deservedly popular, and has filled yarious offices. He is a mem- o£ the A. F. & A. M., Decorah Lodge No. 181, having been trans- ferred from Wankon Lodge. Dr. Worth was married in 1856, at Muscatine, lo., to Miss Keys, and they have two children, one son and one daughter. J. L. Webster, farmer, was born in Ind., 1829, and resided with his parents on a farm until 1855; then came to Prankville tp., this Co., among the first settlers of that part of the Co. He has owned several farms in the Co. and bought his present farm in 1870; it contains 160 acres of fine tillable land aiid 20 acres of timber. Mr. W. pays particular attention to the raising of fine horses; making specialties of Clydesdales and English draft; has a fine lot of cattle of good grades, Durham principally, also a good drove pure Poland-China hogs. Mr. Webster has filled many offices of public trust in his tp. He was married in this tp. in 1874 to Miss S. J. Letchford, of the same place, by whom he has* three children; he has seven children by his first wife (deceased). C. R. Williams, farmer, was born in New London, Conn., in 1839; lived there until 1855; parents then moved to Allamakee Co. and in the following summer to Winneshiek Co., and bought land. Mr. W. has owned the farm he now resides on since 1874; the whole farm contains 320 acres of good and improved land, and 40 acres of timber; he has thoroughly fitted the place for purposes of stock of all kinds; has a fine herd of thoroughbred Durhams and good grades, owns ten head of the finest horses in the Co. showing fine blood, of Norman, English draft and Morgan French stocks, and has a fine drove of Poland and Berkshire hogs. He employs two men on the farm. He was married in Jan., 1862, in Allamakee Co., to Miss Melvina A. Hubbell, and has one son and three daughters. S. S. Wade, farmer, owns 127 acres, including seven acres of timber. He was born in Bath Co., W. Va., in 1823. In 1855 he came to lo., locating in Burr Oak tp., this Co. He did not buy land until 1866, when he purchased the land he now owns. In the meantime he had spent one year in Kansas, and worked the balance of the time here, running breaking teams, etc. His land is now all iinproved and under fence, well stocked, with good buildings, etc. He has filled for several years, and still fills, the office of justice of the peace. Mr. W. was married in 1860 to Miss Mary Castle, of this place, and they have two children, James and Ellie. Henry Wingate, farmer, Hesper tp.; was born in Hemming- ford. Province of Quebec, Canada, in 1833, and resided there farming until 1859; came to the U. S., settling in Burr Oak tp., this Co. In 1875 he built a fine brick residence on his farm in Hesper tp., where he still resides, his farm being on the tp. line. The land is in this and Burr Oak tps. — 243 acres being in the home farm on the west line of Hesper and east line of Burr Oak 652 WIKlfESHIEK COUNTT BIOGKA.PHIBS. tps.; also owns 20 acres of timber in Burr Oak tp. and 160 acres in Murray Co., Minn. His farms are well stocked with fine stock, special attention being paid to fine horses, among which he has some fine Kentucky thoroughbred stock, and also Norman horses. He has also a fine drove of thoroughbred Cotswold and Leicester sheep. Mr. W. was married in 1856 at Hemmingford, Canada, to Miss Charity E. Wilsie, and they have four children, Clara A., Weston P., Elsie and Julia. Elisha Webb, farmer, Fremont tp.; owns 170 acres in Sees. 11 and 12; was born in Turner, Oxford Co., Me., in 1820; is a mason by trade and worked fifteen years in Bengal, Me.; came to lo. in 1854, settled in this tp., and bought the claim of a man named Co- burn, and ten acres adjoining. He is one of the earliest actual settlers. The land is all improved, good residence, barns, etc., and well stocked; has eight head of horses and uses two teams. He has been twice married, first to Sarah Flanders in Maine, 1846, who died in 1879, leaving three children, Winslow, Emery and Alden. He afterwards married, in 1880, Mary Craig, of Fill- more Co., Minn,, and they have two children, Ellen and Mary. Gr. T. Watros, farmer, Sec. 13, P. 0. Cresco; owns 600 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; was born in N. Y.; is the oldest son of Chester and Hannah Watros; when he was very young his pa- rents removed to Milwaukee, Wis., and he lived there until the year 1860, when he came to Winnesheik Co., lo. He was mar- ried in 1858 to Miss Elizabeth Sprague, a native of Vt., and has nine children, Viola H., Ella C, Anna A., Clarence J., Burton, Orville G., Roy and Rosalia. Mr. Watros has been tp. treasurer for five years. Ace Webster, station agent, was born in Palatine, Cook Co., 111., May 19, 1858. His parents came to Fayette Co., lo., in 1854, and located at Waucoma, where they still reside. He received his education there and at West Union, and in November, 1868, went to Calmar to learn telegraphy in the railroad office there, entered the employ of the company, remained until June, 1869, and in the fall of that year came to this place as operator. From here he went to Charles City in the same capacity; took charge of the station at Plymouth March 8, 1871, and on Oct. 20th of the same year was returned to this place to take charge of the station, where he has since remained. He is also express agent for the U. S. ex- press company, and is interested in many other businesses. He first established business with his father-in-law, Mr. Tower, in stock- raising, making the breeding of blooded hogs a specialty, in Poland China and Berkshire breeds. They bought for this pur- pose a farm of 120 acres near here, well improved and thoroughly fitted for stock purposes, and known as the Highland farm. They have now discontinued stock raising to a great extent, their other business being of greater importance, but still own the farm. Mr. Webster also owns 400 acres in Fayette Co., all thoroughly WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGSAPHIBS. 653 improved and valuable land. In partnership with his father he bought and shipped live stock from this point for several years, and has shipped for some years lately 70 to 80 cars a year. They now also buy and ship from Waucoma. At about the same time he commenced buying and shipping eggs, in partnership with Mr. Towers; they of late years ship about 200,000 dozen eggs per year, and have three men and teams on the road buying. Sept. 13, 1881, he bought the barn, livery business and stock of Mr. Lawrence at this place. The barn is 44x70 feet, and accommodates 25 horses. Mr. W. also buys and ships horses for the western market. In Feb., 1882, he bought the lumberyards and business at Waucoma of J. D. Burnside, and conducts it under the firm name of Webster Bros., having taken a younger brother in partnership. They bought, between March and Oct. 15, 1882, 90 cars of lumber. In September, 1882, he bought the Waucoma creamery of D. P. Moody, and it is run under the firm name of A. Webster & Co.; it employs three men in the creamery, and nine men and teams outside; the creamery is fitted with steam, new en- gine, and all the latest machinery necessary for a first-class es- tablishment. Mr. Webster is without doubt more extensively engaged in business than any one else in this section, all of the above businesses still running under his supervision, and he has twenty employes in various capacities all the time, and frequently a larger number. He owns, besides, some fine lots in this town, besides his elegant residence. He was married May 19, 1874, at Fort Atkinson, to Miss Ida A. Tower, and they have one son. Earl C, born in July, 1882. Mary A. Warburton, Sec. 5, P. 0. Cresco; widow of Rev. John Warburton; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; was born in England in 1815; is the second daughter of David and Mary A. Gibson; was married in 1843 to John Warburton, a na- tive of England; came to America in 1855, and settled in Grundy Co., III. After a residence of three years there they came to Win- neshiek Co. She has five children, Maria, Thomas, William, Phebe and John H. Mr. Warburton enlisted Dec. 13, 1862, in Co. D, 6th lo. Vol. Cav., served his country faithfully until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged at Davenport Oct. 17, 1865. A. R. Young, farmer, owns 860 acres in Washington tp.; was born inN. J. in 1824; when 13 years of age he went to Philadel- phia and worked in a boot and shoe factory until Oct., 1845, when he enlisted as a recruit in the regular army and was sent to New Orleans; thence to the Indian territory, then back to New Or- leans, to Texas, and afterwards to Mexico, where he served till June, 1848; then returned to New Orleans, and was sent to Jef- ferson Barracks, near St. Louis; in Oct., 1848, he was stationed at Fort Atkinson under Capt. Alexander, and remained until March, 1849. The post was evacuated Feb. 24, 1849, and he was left in 41 654 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. charge until after the government sale March 10, 1849; was then stationed at Ft. Crawford, Prairie du Chien, remained till April, and was then removed to Ft. Snelling, Minn.; was sent to Maren- go, To., on account of Indian troubles in May, 1850; then went to Ft. Dodge; in Aug., 1850, he received a furlough for the balance of his time, it having nearly expired, and received his final dis- charge in Oct., 1850. He then came to this place and comnienccd improving his land. It is thoroughly improved and well stocked, has a fine stone residence, erected in 1859 by Francis Rogers, father-in-law of Mr. Young- and nearly the oldest settler in the Co. He left in 1867 and settled in Wis. Mr. Young claims to be the second oldest settler in the Co. now living. He was married in 1849 at this place to Miss Mary Jane Rogers, and their children are John W., Frances, Grace Adela and Joseph. Jacob Zukmeyer, P. 0. Decorah, farmer. Sec. 9; son of George and Gertrude Zukmeyer, was born July 8th, 1832, in the city of Mentz, on the Rhine; received his education in his native city; in 1849 he espoused the cause of the German revolutionists, joined their army, was seriously wounded at the battle of Kircheim, and was taken to the hospital in Paris, where he finally recovered, but remained as an assistant in the hospital until 1854, when he emi- grated to the U. S., stopping a short time at New York and Chi- cago; then came on to Beloit, Wis., where he engaged in clerking in a boot and shoe store. In 1857 he came to Decorah, and en- . gaged as clerk in the employ of Ellsworth & Landers, continuing with them till the dissolution of the firm, and has been interested with Mr. Landers ever since; was district agent for the North- western Life Insurance Co., of Milwaukee, Wis., from 1862 to 1866, and is now local agent. Mr. Z. speaks five different lan- guages, which gives him a rare advantage in a business way, and which, coupled with a shrewd, energetic business tact, has en- abled him to acquire a handsome property. He now owns 640 acres of land in Winnesheik Co., 720 in Lyon Co., 80 in Howard Co., and 320 in Fillmore Co., Minn. He also owns a house and lot in West Decorah, valued at $5,000. He was married to Miss Sarah 0. Wilson, a native of Norway, at Beloit, Wis., May 27, 1856; they have three children, Jane, now wife of Charles Trcinski, of Decorah, and George S. and Albert 0. Mr. Z. is an attendant at the Congregational church, and his wife is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. 655 MISCELLANEOUS BIOGRAPHIES. WINNESHIEK COUNTY, G. D. Armstrong, farmer, Sec. 25, P. 0. Ridgeway; rents 400 acres of land; was born in N. Y. in 1825; is the oldest son of Na- thaniel and Polly Armstrong; left N. Y. in 1842, settled in Ills., stayed there twelve years, and then moved to Wis., where he lived four years; then came to Winneshiek Co. He married Mary Big- elow, a native of Ohio, and has five children, Exena, Leonard, Ga- briel, James and Lucy. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. G, 126th Ills. Vol. Inf., and served in the western department. After the siege of Vicksburg, he was sent to Little Rock, Ark., and was mustered out at Duyall's Blutf in 1865. Simon Broghamer, farmer. Sec. 18, P. 0. Locust Lane; owns 480 acres of land, valued at $18 per acre; was born in Germany in 1823; is the oldest son of Michael and Rosina Broghamer; left Germany in 1848, came to America and settled in Wis.; stayed there nine years, then came to Pleasant tp., Winneshiek Co., and has resided there since. He was married in 1849 to Miss Eliza- beth Stortz, a native of Germany, and has nine children, Mary, John, Joseph Charles, Henry, Michael, Frank, Johanna and Elizabeth. Nels Oleson Brenno, farmer. Sec. 9, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 284 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; was born in Norway in 1834; is the only son of Ole and Engie Nelson. When he was 20 years old he left Norway, came to America, lived in Chicago four years, and then came to Winneshiek Co., where he has since re- sided. He was married in 1875 to Miss Bertha Johnson, a native of Norway, and has two children, Ida and Ole J. Louis Bernet, farmer. Sec. 16, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in Ind. in 1848; is the fourth son of Martin and Lena Bernet; lived in Ind. until 1875, when he moved to Winneshiek Co., and has lived there since. He was married in 1872 to Miss Dora Rush, a native of Ind., and has one child, Anna E. Theobold Butz, farmer. Sec. 21, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 133 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in Germany in 1817; is the second son of Mathias and Angie Butz; left Germany in 1847, came to America and settled in Ind., where he lived 17 years; then came to Winneshiek Co., settled in Lincoln tp. in 1865, and has lived there since. He was married in 1842 to Miss Kate Icstine, a native of Germany, and has twelve children, Bar- bara, Francis, Mary, Joseph, Kate, John, Jacob, Henry, Carrie, William, Emma, and Sarah. Mr. Butz has been supervisor for several years. Daniel Blumenroeder, farmer, Sec. 28, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; was born in Germany in 656 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BI06KAPHIES. 1831; is the fifth son of Jacob and Margaret Blumenroeder. When he was 21 years of age he came to America, lived two years in Philadelphia, and then came west to Howard Co., lo., where he lived three years; then moved to Winneshiek Co., and settled on the farm where he now lives. He was married in 1863 to Miss Carolina A. Young, a native of Ind., and has three children, Anna M., Charles F. and Bosina T. John Beucher, farmer, section 5, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 170 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Germany in 1833; is the third son of Joseph and Catherine Beucher. At the age of 21 he left Germany, came to America, and settled in Galena, 111. After a residence there of some years he came to lo., and located in Allamakee Co., but in 1876 came to Winneshiek Co., and bought a farm in Lincoln tp., where he has resided since. He was married in 1860 to Miss Anna Werhan, a native of Germany, and has seven children, Julius, Henrietta, Emma, Netta, Mary, John and William. Hosea BuUard, farmer, P. 0. Ossian; was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1821; came to lo. in 1853 and bought several large tracts of land; returned to N. Y., and in 1856 removed to Winne- shiek Co., bringing his family here in the following year. He was engaged for fifteen years in the mercantile business in N. Y. Since his return to lo. he has been engaged in the real estate and loan business, and is an extensive and successful farmer. He married Miss Mary Smalley, of HI., in 1863. Barney Boyle, of Military tp., farmer; is a native of Canada; was born in 1828 and came to the U. S. in 1854, settled in this tp. and owns land in sections 16 and 17. Mr. Boyle was married in 1851 to Eliza McManus, and their children are, Charles, John, Thomas, James, Benjamin, Eliza, Joseph and Mary A. Jacob Cebera, farmer, section 30, Sumner tp.; owns 40 acres of land, valued at $15 per acre; was born in Bohemia in 1836; is the second son of Thomas and Mary Cebera. When he was 30 years of age he left Bohemia, came to America and lived in Chicago six years but in 1872 came to Winneshiek Co. and has lived there since. He was married in 1866 to Miss Anna Dolash, a na- tive of Bohemia, and has nine children, Thomas, Mary, Anna, Frank, Theresa, Amelia, Katie, Charlie and Stratka. Edward A. Clifford, farmer, section 25, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 160 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in 1850, in England; is the fourth son of Henry J. and Marian Clifford. When he was 19 years of age he left England, came to America, stayed one year in Canada and then came to Winneshiek Co., and located on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Clifford was mar- ried in 1874 to Miss Helen Milne, a native of Canada, and has three children, Marian M., aged 7 years; Helen E., aged 6 yeats, and Francis V., aged three years. Hamilton Campbell, Sr., Bloomfield tp», was born in County Tyrone, Ireland^ in 1802; came to America in 18261; returned- to WrKITESHIEK COUNTX BIOSRAPHIES. 657 Ireland in 1837 and married Sarah Campbell. They have six children, Robert, Mary, Hamilton, John, Sarah and Matilda. Hamilton Campbell, Jr., resides at home, and was married to Miss Abbie Angier in 1881. They have one son, J. Walter Campbell. William Creamer, Ossian, was born in Prussia in 1827; came to America in 1847, and settled in Wis. ; thence to Winneshiek Co. in 1852. He was married in 1867 to Pauline Hemker, of Wis. They have five children, John, William, Frank, Mary and Angus. James Cameron, Sec. 4, town 96, range 8, P. 0. Ossian; was born in New York City in 1832; came tp Wis. in 1843 with his parents; thence to lo. in 1854, and settled in Winneshiek Co. He married Emma E. Sawyer in 1860; they have two children — Elor- ence, the eldest, is the wife of Fred C. Clark. The son, J. Grant, lives with his parents. C. L. Daubersmith, miller, P. 0. Ridge way; was born in Ger- many in 1845; is the second son of Charles and Margrette Dauber- smith. When he was nine years of age he came to America with his parents and settled in Dodge Co., Wis. After a residence of two years there he came to Howard Co., lo., and lived there seven years; then spent some time in Canoe tp., but in 1868 set- tled in Lincoln tp., Winneshiek Co., built what is known as the Ridgeway mill, and has lived there since. He was married in 1867 to Miss Margaret Whiteman, a native of Mo., and has seven children, Charles, Emma, William, Amelia S., Gustive, Amanda A., and Lucy. Hon. J. DeCow, farmer, residing on Sec. 1 in Military tp., was born in Canada in 1824. He attended school until eighteen years of age, when he began teaching, which he continued for six years; then attended a University in Canada for two years. He then married Miss Mary DeCow, and in 1850 emigrated to lo., settled in Bloomfield tp., remained there until 1854, and in that year came to where he now resides. In 1855 he became a voter. He was elected justice of the peace in 1856, and in 1861 was elected county judge, which position he held several years. He has also filled many other county offices. In 1873 he was elected to the state legislature and served one term. The Judge has a fine farm sit- uated two miles northeast of Ossian, and is assisted in operating it by his youngest son. Walker. His other son. Ever is also a thrifty farmer in this tp. Hover Evenson Hoyme was born in Norway in 1818; came to America in 1848, located in Dane Co.,Wis., and engaged in black- smithing; remained there three years, then came to Winneshiek Co., and engaged in blacksmithing and farming. He owned 330 acres of land in Sees. 5 and 8, Pleasant tp. Mr. H. died in 1882, leaving a wife and five children. Henry Funke, farmer, Sec. 31, P. 0. Calmar; owns 98 acres of land, valued at $45 per acre; was born in Prussia in 1853; is the oldest son of Clements and Gertrude Funke; left Prussia in 1853 668 WIKNESHIBK COUNTY BIOGEAPIHES. with his parents, came to America, and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he still resides. He was married in 1878 to Miss Margaret Eggspuchler, a native of lo., and has three children, Maggie, Anna and Barbara. Michael Farrell, farmer. Sec. i, P. 0. Cresco; owns 147^ acres of land, valued at |20 per acre; was born in Ireland in 1816; is the oldest son of Richard and Elizabeth Farrell; came to America in 1848, settled in Boston, Mass., where he lived until 1866; then came to Winneshiek Co., and has been a resident of the Co. ever since. He was married in 1854 to Miss Julia Heegan, a native of Ireland, and has nine children, William, Edward, Richard, Julia D., Eliza M., Nellie C, Lilly M., Jennie D. and Edna M. Lorenz Falck, farmer. Sec. 20, P. 0. Calmar; owns 169 acres of land, valued at f 30 per acre; was born in France in 1846; is the oldest son of Lorenz and Sally Falck; left France with his parents in 1853, came to America and settled in Winneshiek Co., of which coun^ he has been a resident ever since. He was married in 1870 to Miss Molly Silox, a native of Pa., by whom he had five children, William, Caroline, Emma, Ida and Lizzie. His wife died in 1878, and he was married in 1879 to Miss Anna Falck, a native of lo. They have two children, Sophia and Fred. Herman Frerick, of Ossian, was born in Germany in 1822, emigrated to America in 1847, and settled in Wis., thence in 1854 to lo., settling where he now resides, in Military tp. He was married in 1851 to Kate Pieper; their children are, Herman, Louisa, Henry, Lewis, Clement, Kate, Williata, Joseph and Emma. C. Funk, farmer, of Military tp., was born in Prussia, in 1830, came to America in 1863 and settled in Winneshiek Co. in the spring of 1854. In 1852 he was married in Germany to Gertrude Fellerman, and they have nine children. Henry and William re- side in Springfield tp.; C. A. lives in Woodbury Co., lo.; Mary is the wife of Frank Dessel, of Ida Grove, Ida Co., lo.; Lizzie is mar- ried to Joseph Fusch, of Ida Grove, and the rest are living with their parents. John Fisher, P. 0. Ossian; was born in Rhode Island in 1812. He remained in New England until he was 21 years of age, when he moved to N. Y. and engaged in farming. In 1850 he moved to Wis., thence to lo. in 1856, and settled in this Co. and tp., and in 1867 settled iu the town of Ossian. Mr. Fisher has been married three times, and has had three sons. John Jr., the only one that arrived at manhood, was born July 4th, 1837, and died in California a few years ago. Mr. Fisher is the only member of the family living. He is a man of integrity, whose word is never questioned, and has many friends. He is a man of abundant means, and his declining years are made pleasant by the fruits of his labor. Jacob Gesell, farmer, section 29, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 291 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; was born in Germany in WINNESHIEK COUNTY WoaRAPHIES. 659 1818; is the second sou of Philip L. and Abalona Gesell. When he was 18 years of age he left Germany with his parents, came to America and settled in Franklin Co., Ind., where he lived 27 years ; then moved to Winneshiek Co., lo., and settled on the farm in Lincoln tp., where he now resides. . He was married in 1845 to Miss Magalena Juck, a native of Germany, and has nine children, Charles F., Christian L., John F., Philip J., Theodore J., Wm. A., Phillipene, Abbie, and Mary A. Mr. Gesell has been tp. trus- tee four years. Fred Glass, farmer, section 29, P. 0. Fort Atkinson; owns 320 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in 1858, in lo. Is the second son of Lawrence and Elizabeth Glass. Mr. Glass has lived on the farm where he now is since the spring of 1882. Ole Garden, farmer, section 21, P. 0. Calmar; owns 180 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in Norway in 1835; is the second son of Haldor and Gertrude Garden; left Norway in 1852,. came to America and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he has re- sided ever since. He was married in 1861 to Miss Anna Alven, a native of Norway, and has five children, Gertrude, Dena, Mary, Anna and Sophia. Erick Guttormson, farmer, section 21, P. 0. Decorah; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in Norway in 1822; is the eldest son of Guttorm and Anna Guttormson; came to America in 1857, located in Winneshiek Co., and has resided there since. He was married in 1856, to Miss Sarah Johnson, a native of Norway, and has six children, John, Andrew, Anna, Knudt, Mary and Julia. Peter A. Gunderson, farmer. Sec. 28, P. 0. Calmar; owns 160 acres of land valued at $40 per acre; was born in Norway in 1842; is the oldest son of Gunder and Helena Mathison; left Norway in 1866, came to America, settled in Winneshiek Co., and has resided there since. He was married in 1867 to Miss Margret Hanson, a native of Norway, and has five children, Henrietta, Gena, Adolph, Matilda and Ida. Halvor Garden, farmer. Sec. 3, P. 0. Decorah; owns 120 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Norway in 1828; is the oldest son of Haldor and Gertrude Garden ; left Norway in 1848, came to America and settled in Dane Co., Wig.; lived there two years, then moved to Winneshiek Co. He was married in 1854 to Miss Ingebor Opdahl, a native of Norway, and -has nine children, William H., Evan A., Jeanetta A., Emma C, Mary A., Anna E., Lilly E., Edward L. and Halvor B. He has held the offices of trustee and sub-director, and is local deacon in the Nor- wegian M. E. church. Edwin Hover, farmer. Sec. 5, P. 0. Locust Lane; owns 97^ acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in Norway in 1845; is the oldest son of Hover and Bertha Evenson; left Norway in 1848, came to America with his parents, and settled in Wis.; 660 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. stayed there three years, then came to Pleasant tp., Winneshiek Co., lo. and has resided there since. He was married in 1868 to Miss Bertha Christiansen, a native of Norway, and has fire children, Matilda B., Clara H., Henry E., Elmer C. and Alice. He has held the offices of assessor eight years, justice of the peace six years, and treasurer of the school board three years. Hendrick Hendrickson, farmer, Sec. 22, P. 0. Highlandville; owns 487 acres of land valued at |15 per acre; was horn in Nor- way in 1816; is the fourth son of Hendrick and Carrie Oleson; left Norway in 1845, came to America and settled in Wis.; re- mained there eight years, then came to Winneshiek Co., and has resided there since. He was married in 1843 to Miss Carrie Oleson, a native of Norway, by whom he had two children, Ole and Hendrick. His wife died in 1845, and he was married again in 1850 to Miss Anna Knudson, a native of Norway; they have six childred, Knudt, Jacob, Nels, Carrie, Ole and Sarah. Henry Halverson, farmer. Sec. 33, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 120 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Norway in 1845; is the only son of Halver and Asteri Helgason ; left Norway when quite young, came with his parents to America, and after a jesi- dence of seventeen years in Wis., moved to Winneshiek Co., lo. He -was married in 1876 to Miss Therbor Thirel, a native of Nor- way , and has three children, Anna J., Minnie L. and Henry M. Bernard Herold, farmer, Sec. 14, P. 0. Spillville; owns 315 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; was born in Germany in 1819; is the fifth son of Nick and Dorothy Herold. When he was 30 years of age he left Germany, came to America, and lived for a short time in Erie Co., N. Y., but soon left that place, and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he has lived ever since. He was married in 1842 to Miss Mary Seabold, a native of Germany, and has eleven children, Ragene, Henry, Lizabeth, Andrew, John, Katie, George, Joseph, Mena, Clemens and Anthony. Mr. Herold has been trustee and supervisor. John Herold, farmer. Sec. 14, P. 0. Spillville; owns 160 acres of land, valued at |20 per acre; was born in lo. in 1857; is the sixth son of Michael and Maggie Herold. The farm which Mr. Herold owns has been in the possession of the family for 29 years. John Huber, farmer, Sec. 22, P. 0. Spillville; owns 360 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in Ind. in 1837; is the sixth sort of Michael and Vursula Huber. When he was 18 years of age he left Ind., came to lo., and settled in Winneshiek Co., and has been a resident of the Co. since. He was married in 1863 to i/Liss Lany Hercoy, a native of Ind., and has nine children, An- thony, Joseph, William, Henry, Rosey, Johanna, Francis, John and Matilda. Mr. Huber has been township clerk, collector and trustee. D. M. Hoyt, farmer, Sec. 20, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 250 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; was born in 1831 in Conn.; is the WINKESHIEK COUKTT BIOGEAPHIES. 661 fifth son of Warren and Elizabeth Hoyt. When 22 years of age he came to Winneshiek Co., and after a residence of some years at Freeport and Decorah, moved to Lincoln tp., and settled on the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1855 to Miss Maria A. Shotwell, a native of Pa., and has eight children, Eugene W., Walter and Warren (twins), Effie, Ernest A., Fred A., Agnes and Alice (twins.) Adolph Ferdinand John Hillberg, proprietor of Ridgeway bil- liard hall, was born in Norway in 1827; is the fourth son of John and Andrena Hillberg. When he was 22 years of age he left Norway and traveled in Sweden, Denmark and Finland. He also visited Russia, and from there took passage for New Orleans; went from New Orleans to St. Louis, and after staying there five years went to Burlington, lo., where he lived two years; then went to Chicago, and made that city his home till the war of the rebellion broke out. He was married in 1873 to a Miss Buggea, a native of Norway, and has two children, Adelphina and Dorothy. He has been back to Norway three times, and the last time brought his wife with him. Mr. H. owns 85 acres of land in Howard Co., valued at $25 per acre. Capt. Hillberg served in the free corps in Norway for one year, having enlisted in 1848. He enlisted as a private in 1862, at Chicago, in the 82d Regt. 111. Vol. Inf., Col. Hecker commanding; went to Springfield, 111., and then to Washington, and took the field in Va.; was appointed first lieut. in Oct., 1862, by Gov. Yates, and in the following year was made capt. of the same Co.; served under Gen. Seigel until after the battle of Gettysburg, when he was transferred to the western de- partment, and accompanied Sherman in his march to the sea. He was honorably discharged at Chicago in 1865.- G. R. Humphrey, farmer, Sec. 4., P. 0. Cresco; owns 160 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in Dec, 1837; is the oldest son of J. W. and Lydia Humphrey. When 18 years of age he moved to lo., and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he has lived ever since. He was married in 1866 to Miss Belle R. Murray, a native of Ind., and has six children, Effie, Giles, Frank, Arthur, May and Fred. Mr. Humphrey enlisted in 1862 in the 38th lo., Vol. Inf.; went to St. Louis, and after the capture of New Madrid was ordered to Vicksburg. He partici- pated in the siege of Vicksburg, was at Yazoo City and Black River, then back to Vicksburg, then up to Port Hudson and Carrolton; the winter of 1863 and 1864 he stayed at Brownsville, Texas; then was at the siege of Ft. Morgan; thence to New Orleans, and from there to Donaldsonville, La. The regiment was finally con- solidated with the 34th lo. Inf.; was at Kendallsville, and then in the spring of 1865 went to Pensacola. He was at the siege of Ft. Blakeley, participated in the charge on the 9th, was at Selma, Alabama and at Mobile and was discharged at Houston, Tex., Aug. 15th, 1865. 662 WINNESHIEK COTTKTT BIOGBAPHIES. Charles Hartung, deceased, was a native of Mass.; came to 111. in 1840; Thence to lo. in 1855, and settled in Military tp., on the place where his daughter Mrs. Welch resides. He died in Nov., 1877, his wife having previously died, in 1876. James A. Hart, of Bloomfield tp.; is a native of Canada, born in 1832; came to III. in January, 1856; thence to lo. in 1856, and settled in Springfield tp.. remained there until 1865, when he set- tled in Bloomfield tp. He married Arosmond Price in 1857, who died in 1878. In 1881 Mr. Price was married to Mrs. McKenzie Hall, of Ossian. Ole HulversoD, of Military tp., is a native of Norway, was born in 1821, and came to America in 1848. He lived in Gal. and Wis. until 1864, when he settled at this place. His wife died in 1862, leaving two daughters, Thora and Engeabor. Theo. Holtey was born in Westphall, Russia, in 1826; came to America in 1854, and settled in Washington tp.,this Co. In 1858 he married Kate Sutelgte; they have seven children; Caroline, wife of William Eimess, of Washington tp.; Barney, Kate. Henry, Roman, Annie and William. Ole Johnson, farmer. Sec. 27, Pleasant tp., P. 0. Decorah; owns 197 acres of land valued at fl8 per acre; was born in Norway in 1826; is the only son of John and Ingebor Johnson; left Norway in 1856, came to America and settled in Winneshiek Co. He was married in 1854 to Miss Anna Christina, a native of Norway, and has two children, Henry and John. Tore Jorgenson, farmer, Sec. 20, P. 0. Calmar; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in Norway in 1845; is the oldest son of Jorgen and Carrie Toreson ; left Norway in 1866, came to America, and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he has resided since. He was married in 1880 to Miss Dora Anderson, a native of Norway, and has one child, Clara J. George Johnson, farmer. Sec. 1,P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 320 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in Norway in 1835; is the fourth son of John and Ella Johnson; left Norway when he was 16 years of age, came to America, and settled in Rock Co., Wis.,. where he lived ten years; then enlisted during the war. Af- ter the war was over he settled in Winneshiek Co., and has been a resident of the Co. since. He was married in 1865 to Miss Ra- chel Turgason, a native of Norway, and has seven children, John, Randena, Eliza, Steiner T., Kanute. Olavis, Amun and Otto B. He enlisted in 1861 in the 15th Wis. Vol. Inf., participated in the battle of Chattanooga, was with Gen. Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, and was finally discharged at Chattanooga in 1865. Mr. Johnson held the office of orderly sergeant. 0. Jogerson, farmer. Sec. 5, P. 0. Decorah; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; was born in Norway in 1827; is the oldest son of Joger and Ingre Oieson; left Norway in 1850, came to America and settled in Wis., remained there four years, then WIKNESHIEK COUKTT BIOGEAPHIES. 663 went to 111., where he remained one and one-half years; then went back to Wis., where he lived twelve years; then came to lo. and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he has resided ever since. He was married in 1848 to Ingre Peterson, a native of Norway, and has five children, Joseph, Ingre D., Oliver A., Carolina A. and Martin E. He has held the office of justice of the peace twelve years, has been collector two terms, assessor one term, andtp. trustee one term. John Kodelka, farmer. Sec. 30, P. 0. Spillville; owns 122 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; was born in Bohemia in 1842; is the second son of John and Anna Kodelka; came to America in 1863, and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he has since resided. He was married in 1876 to Miss Catherine Fencer, a native of Bohemia, and has three children, John, Jo. and Fanny. Philip Kratz, farmer, Sec. 29, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 160 acres of land, valued at |30 per acre; was born in 1820 in Germany; is the only son of J. Philip and Margaret Kratz. When he was 32 years of age he left Germany, came to America, and settled in Ind., where he lived seven years; then moved to lo., located in Winneshiek Co., and has lived there since. He was married in 1844 to Miss Margaret Gesell, a native of Germany, and has nine children, George, William, Philip, Hannah, Margrette, Michael and Kate (twins), Mary and Theobold. H. W. Klemme, farmer, section 28, P. 0. Ridgeway; has 198 acres of land valued at |20 per acre; was born in 1821 in Ger- many; is the second son of John F. and Charlotte Klemme. When he was sixteen years of age he came to America with his parents, settled in Franklin Co., Ind, and lived thefe till 1862, when he came to Winneshiek Co., where he has lived ever since. He was married in 1846 to Miss Anna K. Gesell, a native of Germany, and has 13 children, John P., Wm. H., J. Chas., JohnH., Anna K., John, Mary, Henry F., Christian, Jacob, Benjamin F., Joseph and Stephen. Haavor Knudson, farmer, section 29, P. 0. Calmar; owns 400 acres of land, valued at $35 per acre; was born in Norway in 1826, is the eldest son of Knudt and Anna Haavorson; left Norway in 1850, came to America and settled in Mich., where he lived two years; then went to Wis., where he resided five years, and then came to Winneshiek Co. He was married in 1861 to Miss Julia Torkaldatter, a native of Norway, and has nine children, Anna, Knudt, Segre, Christopher, Toleena, Andus, Mary, Theodore and Christina. He has held the offices of trustee, school director, &c. Matthias Kneeskern, farmer, section 25, P. 0. Ossian; owns 160 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in New York in 1813; is the oldest son of William and Maria Kneeskern; left New York in 1858, came to Winneshiek Co., and has resided here since. He was married in 1838 to Miss Sirlima Webster a native of New "iork. 664 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. Ole Larson, farmer, section 35, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 160 acres of land valued at |20 per acre; was born in Noiway in 1838; is the eldest son of Lars and Rachael Hanson. When he was 21 year's of age he left Norway, came to America with his parents, and settled in Winneshiek Co.; stopped for some time at Burr Oak Springs, but finally went to live with his father. At the end of seven years he settled on the farm where he lives at present. He was married in 1862 to Miss Betsy Halverson, a native of Nor- way, and has ten children, Oliver, Belle, Richard, Anna, Tilda, Lena, Lars, Betsy, Loesa and Ole. T. Lackman, farmer, section 21, P. 0. Ossian; owns 80 acres of land valued at $26 per acre; was born in Germany in 1833; is the second son of Theodore and Kate Lackman ; left Germany in 1857, came to America and settled in Wisconsin, and remained there two years; then came to Winneshiek Co. and has resided here since. He was married in 1859 to Miss Elizabeth Merrick, a na- tive of Prussia, and has eight children, John, Theodore, Gertrude, Christina, Josie, Francis. Lizzie and Clement. Ole T. Lomman, of Military tp., is a native of Norway: was born in 1844: came to America in 1851 and settled in Win- neshiek Co. He was elected County Commissioner in 1881. He was first married in 1872, his wife dying in 187(), and in 1881 he was again married to Anna M. Kloster, also a native of Germany. They have two children, Barbara M. and Tora Margaretta. Wenzel Lansing, deceased, late of Bloomfield tp., was born in Prussia in 1824, and came to America in 1848, and settled in Chi- cago; thence to Wis., where he remained until 1855; thence to this Co. In 1855 he married Gertrude Daldrup. He died in 1869, leaving a wife and five children, Mary, Nettie, Frank, Frederick and Lizzie. E. S. Lambert, of Bloomfield tp., is a native of Ind.; came to lo.,. in 1854, and settled on his present farm in 1855. He is a prominent citizen, and has filled various offices of trust in this tp. He married Esther Holcomb in 1855, and they have nine children living. L. P. Mason, Jr., residence and P. 0. Ridgway. Mr. Mason was born in Muscatine, lo. in 1858; is the third son of Lewis P. and Louisa A. Mason. When he was nine years of age he moved with his parents to Indianapolis, .Ind. ; left there in 1878, came to Cresco, lo., and after a stay of a few months went to Dakota, where he lived eighteen months; then came back to lo., and after a short stay at Cresco and New Hampton, finally came to Ridge- way and took charge of the Ridgeway creamery, owned by Galby & Aacer. He was married in 1881 to Miss Ella May Toft, a native of lo. Mr. Mason's father was a soldier in the war of the rebel- lion, and was killed in battle. C. A. Miller, farmer. Military tp.; is a native of N. Y., and was born in 1825; came west in 1855 and settled in this co. on his WINNESHIEK COUNTY BI0GEAPHIB3. 665 farm in Sec. 23. He married Miss Mary J. Freeman, of N. Y., in 1853. Mr. Freeman's parents reside with him. His father is 89 years of age, his mother 85 years, and they have been married 65 years. Andrew Meyer, farmer and capitalist, whose portrait appears elsewhere, was born in Loraine, France, Apr. 11, 1823. When 17 years of age he came to America, first living in New York for a period of three years. In 1843 he went to Cincinnati, and thence to Franklin Co., Ind., where he was married to Miss Eachael Becker, who emigrated from France in 1832. He remained in Ind. until March, 1849, when with his wife and daughter he came to lo., arriving in McGregor when there were not more than two houses in that town. Continuing his .journey, he came to Winne- shiek Co., locating in Washington tp., where he erected a cabin, in which his son George — the first white male born in Winneshiek CO. — was born. The nearest military point was Independence, his first trip thither consuming nine days. Contending against the diflBculties of pioneer life — for the first four years without a neighbor— he nevertheless remained to see prosperous settlements around him and to himself share the general prosperity, having now a handsome and commodious residence, large and valuable landed property, and ranking among the wealthiest and most re- spected farmers of northeastern lo. Mr. Meyers is a liberal minded and intelligent gentleman whose upright character and consistent habits of life have justly earned for him the esteem of all who know him. His children are all residents of lo.. save one, Mary, who is the wife of Joseph Creamer, of St. Paul. The children are: Mary, named above; George, who still resides on the homestead; Frances, now Mrs. Philip Huber, of Ft. Atkinson; Louis, in the banking business at Ossian; Mary Agnes, now Mrs. Hubert M. Kaut, of Lawler; Joseph and Peter, still living at home; Catherine, now Mrs. Nicholas Waggoner, of Washington tp., Car- oline F., now Mrs. Frank Dessel, of Ossian; Mary E., now Mrs. Theo. Heischer, .of Ossian. His daughter Barbara died Aug. 15, 1870, aged 19 years. Martin Novak, farmer. Sec. 7, P. 0. Spillville; owns 280 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was born in Bohemia in 1833; is the oldest son of John and Anna Novak. When he was 18 years of age he came to America with his family, settled in Calmar tp., and after a residence of five years moved to Sumner tp., of which he has been a resident ever since. He was married in 1861 to Miss Francis Zboal, a native of Bohemia, and has five children, Antho- ny, Thomas, Francis, Mathias and Gustave. He has been a mem- ber of the board of supervisors. Georg^ Oleson, farmer. Sec. 21, P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 200 acres of lamd, valued at $30 per acre; was born in Norway in 1833; is the fourth son of Ole and Margaret Jenson Kaasa. Wnen he was ten years of age he left Norway with hisi parents,, came to 666 WINNESHIEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. America, lived ia Chicago two years, and then went to Boone Co., 111., where he lived with Mr. George Williams, of that Co., four years; then went to Chicago, and made that city his home until 1869, when he came to lo., and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he still resides. He was married in 1860 to Miss, Sarah Anderson Esperette, a native of Norway, and has seven children, Ansof, Ella M., Edward F., Jepheme, AndrusW., Ida C, and Jens L. He has been tp. trustee and secretary of the school board. G. K. Opdahl, farmer. Sec. 14, P. 0. Decorah; owns 177 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was bom in Norway in 1841; is the oldest son of Knudt G. and Mary Opdahl; left Norway in 1848, came to America, and located in Dane Co., Wis., remained there two years, then came to Winneshiek Co. He was married in 1868 to Miss Mary Omlie, a native of Wis., and has three chil- dren, Martin K., Mary C, and Ida L. His wife died in 1879. A. W. Oleson, merchant, at Ossian, was born in Decorah, lo., Jan. 13, 1855, and was the first Norwegian child born in this Co. His parents settled there in 1853. Mr. Oleson clerked in Decorah until the spring of 1882, when he settled in Ossian, and entered business as above. G. W. Oxley, Bloomfield tp., was born in Ohio in 1824; came to lo. in 1854, and settled on his present farm on Sec. 5. Mr. 0. was married to Eliza J. Blue in 1848, and they have eight children. Anton Peterson, farmer, Decorah tp., Sec. 32; was born inNSr- way in 1844; is the second son of Peter and Carrie Peterson; left Norway in 1859, came to America, settled in Winneshiek Co., lo., and engaged in farming. Mr. P. was married in 1881 to Miss Mary Gilbertson, a native of lo. John Peterson was born in Sweden in 1827, and at the age of 9 he shipped as cabin boy on a Swedish vessel, and the next year went to Rio Janiero on a German vessel. During the year of 1838 the crew, with the exception of himself and another boy, died of yellow fever. Mr. Peterson was registered as an able sea- man when only 14 years old, and continued a seafaring life until 1857, during which time he visited all the principal ports of the old and new world. In 1858 he went to California and trav- eled through that state and Oregon until 1860. He then came to lo., and settled in Caimar, and in 1868 bought the farm he now owns, on Sec. 4, in Military tp. He was married in 1863 to Ber- tha Knuteson, and they have eight children. Mr. P. served in Co. G, 13th lo. Inf., during the rebellion. A. Pegg, M. D., is a native of Canada, and a graduate of the McGill University at Montreal, class of 1867. He practiced in Canada until 1877, when he came to lo. and located in Ossian, where he is now the leading physician and enjoys a large practice. Peter Reis, farmer, Sec. 30, P.O. Ridgeway; owns 140 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre; was horn in 1841 in Germany; is the third son of Charles and Margretta Reis. In the year 1870 he "WINNESHIEK COUKTT BIOGKAPHIES 667 came to America, settled in N. Y., and after a short stay there went to Ills., where he lived one year; then came to Howard Co., and worked for different persons until 1872, when he settled in Winneshiek Co. He was married in 1872 to Miss Carolina P. Gesell, a native of Ind., and has five children, Charles J., Her- memia A., Mactalena M., Mary E. and Peter F. Charles Rusk, farmer. Sec. 15, P. 0. Spillville; owns 170 acres of land, valued at $20 per acre; was born in Bohemia in 1843; is a son of Albert and Rosaria Rusk; was married in 1872 to Miss Kate Novak, a native of Bohemia, and has four children, Stura P., Lena R., Victoria and Charley. J. T. Shipley, postmaster, merchant and hotel keeper. Locust Lane, Pleasant tp., was born in Pa., in 1829; is the third son of Joseph and Sarah Shipley; left Pa. with his mother, when one year old, and settled in Delaware; remained there eight years, then went back to Pa. ; stayed there nine years, then came to Wis., where he remained two years; then went to California, where he lived four years; then came back to Wis., stayed there twenty years, and then came to lo., settled in Winneshiek Co., where he has since resided. He was married in 1857 to Miss Mary A. Desmond, and has eight children, Emma, Josie, Mary, J. R., Martha, James, Thomas and Lizzie. ' He was a sutler in the 20th Wis. Regt., one year. John J. Sherwin, farmer, Sec. 5, P. 0. Locust Lane; owns 60 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre; was born in Norway in 1841; is the second son of Jens and Bert Larson; left Norway in 1848, came to America, and located in Wis.; remained there one year, then came to Winneshiek Co., Pleasant tp. He was married in 1873 to Miss Isabella Hover, a native of lo., and has four chil- dren, Julius H., Berta S., Melwylna, and Alice. Jorgen Syverson, farmer, section 8, P. 0. Decorah; owns 148 acres of land valued at $35 per acre; was born in Norway in 1828; is the oldest son of Syver and Margret Jorgen; left Norway in 1853; came to America, settled in Wis., stayed in Wis. three years; then came to Winneshiek Co., where he now resides. He was married in 1859 to Miss Anna Nelson, a native of Norway, and has two children, Margret and Gilbert. Henry Schaitemantel, of Military tp., was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1820; came to America in 1848. and in 1852 settled where he now resides, where he owns a farm of about 600 acres. R. N. Sawyer, Ossian, hardware dealer and dealer in stock; is a native of Ohio; came to Wis. in 1839 with his parents, and thence to lo. in 1853, and engaged in farming until 1865, when he went into his present business. Ole Tpstenson, farmer, section 23, P. 0. Ossian; owns 310 acres of land valued at $25 per acre; was bom in Norway in 1817; is the eldest son of Tosten and Aasne Oleson; left Norway in 1847, came to America and located in Dane Co., Wis; stayed there three 668 WrNNESHTEK COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES. years, then came to Winneshiek Co. He was married in 1847 to Miss Ann Oleson, a native of Norway, and has three children, Abraham, Gabriel and Jacob. John Thomson, farmer, sec. 20. P. 0. Calmar; owns 170 acres of land valued at $30 per acre; was born in Norway in 1823; is the second son of Thomas and Ingebor Thomson; left Norway in 1850, came to America and settled in Winneshiek Co., where he now resides. He was married in 1850 to Miss Ingebor Mekkelson, a na- tive of Norway. J. V. Vance, farmer, Bloomfield tp., is a native of Ohio; came to lo. in 1856, and settled on hisfarm of 600 acres. He was mar- ried in 1853 to Miss M. M. Cooper. ■ Samuel Wise, farmer, section 16, P. 0. Locust Lane; owns 180 acres of land valued at 125 per acre: was born in Penn. in 1845; is the fourth son of Samuel and Phebe Wise; left Penn in 1852, came to Ills., stayed there two years, then came to Winneshiek Co., and has resided there since. He was married in 1868 to Miss Catharine Barth, a native of Ohio, and has eight children, Eosa- mond, Phebe, Flora, Isaiah, Julia, Elizabeth, Lucy and Daniel E. He has held the offices of constable and road supervisor. David Womeldorf, farmer, section 33, P. 0. Decorah; owns 149 J acres of land valued at $20 per acre; was born in Penn. in 1829; is the fourth son of Frederick and Barbara Womeldorf; left Penn. in 1844 and settled in 111. ; remained there eleven years, then came to Winneshiek Co., and settled in Pleas- ant tp., where he has since' resided. He was married in 1853 to Miss Mary A. Smith, a native of Penn., and has two children, Sarah A. and Lewis N. He has held the office of trustee one term and county Supervisor one term. C. W. Williams, of the firm of C._ W. Williams & Co., proprie- tor of Spring Hill Creamery, Military tp., one of the largest creameries in northern lo., settled in lo. in 1868, and came to Winneshiek Co., in 1881. John Bakewell, WAUKON AND LANSING The two Chief Towns of Allamakee County. [Expi^NATOBY Note. — ^Tlie history of Waukon aiid Lansing, which should more properly follow immediately after the general history of Allamakee Coun iy, necessarily appears in this ordte of 1 ooatiou, the MSS. having been received by the Fabllshera too late for earlier insertion. This arrange- ment, while in a measure out of harmony with the technical classification of the work, will be found to in nowise detract from the completeness of its historical value.— The Editob.] CHAPTER I. History of Waukon : Advent of Geo. C. Shattuck; Other Early Settlers; Beginning and Growth of the Embryo County Seat; Interesting Early Details; The First Court House; Additions to the Town Plat; Population; Origin of the Name " Waukon;" Religious and Educational Organisations; The Postoffice; The Local Press; Business Institutions; Railroad History; Orders and Societies; Military Company; Fires, Etc. la the month of July, 1849, Geo. C. Shattuck, then a man up- wards of three score years of age, built his camp fire on the prairie now occupied by the town of Waukon, while on a prospecting tour for a location. Concluding that the country was desirable in every respect, he staked his claim, cut and made hay to supply bis stock through the winter, and returned to Dubuque county, we believe, for his family. With them, he again drove on to this beautiful prairie in the afternoon of the second day of September, 1849, and laid the foundation for the thriving town that we see here to-day. He built a hay house for his family to occupy until he and his boys could erect a log house, which stood on the land now owned by Michael Deveny, southwest of the Episcopal church. It has disappeared within the last few years ; but in its day it was a hospitable "mansion" to the early comers, and was often filled to the utmost of its limited capacity. Mr. Shattuck was born September 9, 1787, where, we do not, know. He was a pioneer by nature, and it is said pitched his tent on the present site of Chicago when no one but Indians inhabited 43 670 HISTOET or ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. the spot. In October, 1870, at the age of eighty-three, he departed from us overland, driving his own horse team as when he came twenty-one years before, to make a new home in Missouri or Kansas. In 1875 he visited Waukon once again; and the follow- ing spring, April 6, 1876, he died at Plattville, Wis. The first white settlers in Makee township were Patrick Keenan and Richard Cassiday, who settled on Makee liidge in October 1848, but returned to Jeiierson township the following spring. The se- lection made by these men was on the land now owned by the county as a poor farm, and here Mr. Keenan built the first log house ever erected in Makee or Union Prairie townships, the re- mains of which still stand, or did recently, near a spring in the timber south of the Poor House. ^ In August, 1849, Prosser Whaley came in and made a claim on Sec. 32, and returned to Wisconsin for his family, bringing them here in September or October of that year. During the next six weeks he built the second house in the township, and it was a gen- eral stopping place for new comers for some time. All that re- mains of it is now the property of August Meyer. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Whalen raised a good crop of corn on a piece of land while Mr. Keenan broke up in 1848, the pioneer crop of the settle- ment. Mr. Whaley died in May 1866, but Mrs. Whaley is still living, a resident of Waukon. In these days Prairie du Chien was the trading point for the settlement, although there was a small grocery at Monona. As to the next early settlers we quote the following from Judge Dean: "In the spring of 1850 the following families came into the settlement, and perhaps others that we have failed to note: Seth Patterson, Darwin Patterson, Archa Whaley, William Niblock, James Gillett, Horace Gillett, Christopher McNutt, James Con- way, David Whaley, David Whaley, Jr., Richard Charles and Robert S. Stevenson, of whom the following settled in what is now Makee tp. "Archa Whaley on section 33, on the farm now owned by Mr. Bronsmeyer; Mr. Whaley now lives on Village Creek, and is the proprietor of Whaley's Mills. "Mr. Niblock on section 32, on which he built a loghouse near a spring, and near the south line of the farm, which is still stand- ing, but used of late years as a slaughter house. In the spring of 1851 he sold this claim to Thomas A. Minard, who sold to James Maxwell, who lived and died there, and it is known as the Max- well farm to-day. Mr. Niblock now lives in Jefferson tp. "David Whaley made a claim on section 20, but soon after sold it to C. J. White, and he to Mr. James Hall, who owns it to- day. Mr. Whaley, after selling this entered the land that is now the farm of Balser Fultz, just north of town, and after selling this emoved to Minnesota, where he died about 1867. David Whaley, _ HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUXTY. 671 Jr., made a claim near his father's, which he sold to Almarin Randall, and he to James Nicholls, and it is owned by Mrs. NichoUs to-day. Randall lives in Minnesota at this time. James Conway made a claim on section 28, where he still lives. "Robert Stevenson became a lawyer, married Mr. Geo. C. Shat- tuck's daughter, Minerva, and subsequently removed to Wisconsin and during the late war he was a private in Co. C, 2d Wis. Vols., and now fills and honors a soldier's grave on the bloody field of Antietaui. The following families made claims in Union Prairie: Seth Pat- terson and Darwin Patterson on section 23; each built a log house near a large spring that is the source of Patterson Creek, but at this writing there is nothing left to mark the spot but a mound of earth. The creek was named after them and still bears their name; it runs northwest and empties into the Iowa River in Hanover tp. Seth Patterson is dead, and Darwin is a merchant in Minne- sota. "Richard Charles made a claim on section 24, and built a log house near a spring that is the source of Village creek. This creek runs northeast and empties into the Mississippi river at Co- lumbus. This farm is now the property of Mr. James Reid, and his dwelling stands near the spot where the original log house stood. The present whereabouts of Mr. Charles are unknown to the writer. James Gillett made a claim on section 26, and, with his son Horace, and son-in-law McNutt, built a log house near the spring that is the source of Coon creek, which runs northwest and empties into the Iowa river in Winneshiek county. This claim afterwards became the property of Edward Eells, and is now owned by his sons A. J. and G. P. Eells. Of all these first fam- ilies in Union Prairie not one is living in the county to-day. " All these families spoken of in both townships came in pre- vious to June 1, and as the 4th of July approached the settlement decided that the day should be duly honored; so Mr. Niblock and Pitt Shattuck were detailed to prepare a liberty pole for the occa- sion, and on the 3d they cut a tall, straight young tree in the Paint creek timber, and hauled it to the head of Union Prairie, where it was erected by the men of the settlement, and on the next day, July 4th, 1850, the whole settlement, men, women and children, gathered around the pole where they listened to an oration from Darwin Patterson, Esq., delivered from the stump of a tree close by; after which they had their picnic dinner, and on this occasion Mr. Shattuck gave the prairie the name of ' Union.' All these exercises were carried on with much Fourth of July patriotism and sociality, and this was the first public picnic dinner, and the first Fourth of July celebration that history records in Makee or Union Prairie townships. " The main traveled road from the steamboat landing on the Mississippi river at Lansing, to Decorah, in Winneshiek county, 672 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. ran past this pole; and before this region was tapped by railroads it was a much traveled thoroughfare, and this pole stood for many years as a landmark, and was known far and wide. " In the fall of 1850 Azel Pratt and Lemuel Pratt came in, and settled on Makee ridge, Azel building a little log cabin south of the road near a spring on what is now the farm of Mr. John Kas- ser. In this they lived, and Lemuel having brought in a small stock of goods, they were opened out in the chamber, or up-stairs part of the house, and customers supplied therefrom. Thus Dea- con Pratt owned, the first building used as a store in Makee. " Lemuel Pratt entered the land where Michael McCrodeu now lives, and kept hotel there. The postoflSce for all the region round about was kept in his house, and he was the first postmas- ter in Makee township. In 1856 he sold out and moved to Minne- sota, where he now lives. "In the spring of 1851 Augustine andL. W. Hersey came in with a small stock of goods, purchased the remnant of the stock of Lemuel, and opened a small store in the dwelling house of Au- gustine on Makee ridge, now owned by G. Schellsmith. " In the spring of 1851 several families came into the settle- ment, among whom were Abraham Bush, David Bartly, Elijah Short, George Randall, Howard Hersey, John Pratt, Dr. Flint, the pioneer physician of the settlement, John A. Wakefield, and perhaps others, who settled in what is now Makee; and George Merrill, Henry Harris, John Harris, H. H. Horton, Francis Treat, John Ammon, Eells brothers, Moses Bush, John Bush, Wm. S. Conner and others, who settled in what is now Union Prairie; and the country began to present an appearance of age and pros- perity, but there was as yet, no Makee, Union Prairie or Waukon." :t: ^ ^ :f: H^ :t: H< "At the March term, 1852, of the County Court, held at Colum- bus, the legal voters in tp. 98, range 5, petitioned for organization as a civil township under the name of Makee. The Court granted the prayer of the petitioners and appointed Israel Devine as com- missioner to call an election for purposes of organization, which he did. The election was held in April following, in the log house on the C. J. White farm, and resulted in the election of a full set of town officers; but in consequence of scanty records and the faulty memory of the participants, we are left to guess who they were. We only know that John A. Wakefield was chosen constable, and in consequence of his refusing to serve, Sanford C. Marsh was appointed to fill the office." "Jan. 24, 1853, the Legislature of Iowa appointed three commis- sioners, to- wit: Clement C. Coffin of Delaware County, John S. Lewis, of Clayton Co., and Dennis A. Mahony, of Dubuque Co., to re-locate the county seat of Allamakee Co., and required them HISTOET OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 673 to meet at Columbus, the then county seat, about the first Monday in March following, take the oath of office and proceed to select a point for the new county seat as near the center of the county as was practicable. This they did, and in selecting the spot they took into consideration the place where the original liberty pole was planted at the head of TJnion Prairie, Makee Ridge and some other points, but the absence of water at those places made them objectionable. At this time there were several splendid springs bubbling out of the prairie sod where Waukon now stands, and Father Shattuck, then living here, offered to give the county forty acres of land for county seat purposes, if the commissioners would locate the county seat thereon. The stake was driven by them on the land thus donated, and the proposed town site was named at the time, the commissioners requesting John Haney, Jr., who was present and took an active part in the matter, to christen the spot. He having been a trader among the Indians, and having a good friend among them in the person of John Waukon, a chief of the Win- nebago tribe, gave it his name, and it has been called Waukon from that time. "The spot for the new county seat having been selected, it be- came subject to ratification or rejection by the legal voters of the county at the ensuing April election; and in order to create for the new location as favorable an impression as possible, a mass meeting was called at the selected spot two days before the elec- tion, and assembled near where the Episcopal church now stands. This was the largest white assemblage ever seen in the county, there being present nearly three hundred persons. The meeting was organized by electing John Raymond, of Union Prairie, presi- dent, and A. J. Hersey and Mr. Beeman secretaries. John A. Wakefield, who owned the farm on the Lansing Ridge that Hugh Norton now owns, and John W. Remine, a lawyer from Lansing, made speeches in favor of the new location ; and Thomas B. Twi- ford, of Columbus, the then county seat, against it, after which Father Shattuck drove on to the ground with a large supply of cooked provisions, among which were a plentiful supply of baked beans, and from the wagon fed the multitude of three hundred. "On the following Monday, April 4th, 1853, the voters of the County ratified the choice' of the Commissioners by a majority over Columbus of two hundred and forty-five votes, there being seven voting precincts in the County. "Waukon having now become the seat of justice, and there being a term the of District Court to be held in June following, some pro- vision must be made, and a proper place provided; so a purse of money and labor was raised, and a log cabin about ten feet by fourteen that belonged to Mr. Pilcher and stood near the place where Mrs. Cooler now lives, was purchased and moved to the new town site, and erected on or near the spot ^vhere the Mason House now 674 HISTOKT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. stands. This was the first court house ever built in the town. To this was attached a small board addition in the shape of a lean- to, for a grand jury room, and in this building the Hon. Thos. S. "Wilson of Dubuque held the first court ever held in Waukon. During this court, all parties here from abroad found places to eat and sleep as best they could, every log cabin in the vicinity being filled to overflowing. "This little log cabin was so utterly lacking in size and accom- modations for county business, that in the fall of the same year it was moved down on what is now Spring avenue, and used as a blacksmith shop, but was subsequently moved on to the farm owned by Dr. Mattoon, and is now used by the Doctor as a corn crib; and Sewell Goodrich, then Prosecuting Attorney of the county, and ex-officio County Judge, built a frame building on the east side of Allamakee street, with hard wood lumber and bass- wood siding made at some of the saw mills on Yellow river. This building was used for county officers, courts, etc., until 1857, when it became too small for the business of the county, and Elias Topliff, then County Judge, built along side of it another frame building about the same size, and the two buildings were used for county purposes until the county seat was removed to Lansing in 1861. "The first merchants in Waukon were L. T. Woodcock and D. W. Adams, the name of the firm being Woodcock & Adams, who in 1853 built the building on Main street now known as the National Hotel, with store on first story and dwelling apartments in second story. The next merchant was A. J. Hersey, who came to Makee Ridge in the spring of 1852, bought the remnant of the stock that Augustine and Lewis Hersey had, and opened a store in the dwelling house of Howard Hersey on Makee Ridge, occupying the front room. He continued here until the fall of 1853 when he built for a store what is now the Mason House and moved his goods into it." "In the fall of 1858 Sewell Goodrich, ex-officio County Judge, caused the County Surveyor, John M. Gushing, to survey and lay out the forty acres that had been donated to the county, into town lots, and instructed him to so arrange the plat as to bring as many of the springs into the streets as possible, in order to make water free to the public for all time; and in order to reach the large spring in the south part of the plat he took from it altogether one whole block and made Spring avenue. This plat was admitted to record December 1st, 1853, and from that time the County Court sold lots to all who desired them, closing them all out at public sale the following year." The first court house, above alluded to, was built of poplar logs, by Ben. Pilcher on the place afterwards known as the E. J3. Lyons place, and later as H. S. Cooper's, nearly two miles southeast of HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTT. 675 town, and was moved up for a court house by a "bee," the neigh- bors all having a hand. This little hut and father Shattuck's log cabin were the only buildings really "in town" until the following September, when Scott Shattuck began the erection of a large hotel building, which is still standing, on the north side of Main street. About this time the new court house, spoken of by Judge Dean, was built, and shortly after several other small dwellings were erected. So that when court was held that fall the town boasted of two court houses, two dwelling houses, occupied re- spetively by Mr. Shattuck and by Mr. Newell; besides two unfin- ished dwellings. The weather was cold, rainy and disagreeable, lodgings were in demand, and with an open handed hospitality the generous pioneers opened their doors to the dispensers and re- ceivers of justice. Every family in town, and we believe there were only two, took boarders ; neighboring farmers took boarders; near the town stood a small log cabin occupied by three families — and they took boarders. Crowded though they all were, there was always room for more, for it is said that a log house is never full. About twelve o'clock one dark, rainy night the occupants of Mr. Newell's cabin were awakened by a loud knocking at the door. A party from Dubuque, among them General Vandever, were call- ing for shelter. They were informed that they might stay if they could sleep on the floor, but the party had wisely brought with them a bed-tick, and through the rain and mud they went to the nearest straw-stack, filled the tick, carried it to the house, and lay down to their rest. It is not remembered exactly who were in the party besides Gen. Vandever, but Judge Townsend thinks they were Messrs. Burt, Noble, and Samuels. The two small frame buildings used for a court house, on the east side of Allamakee street, are still standing, the property of Patrick Ronayne. The corner-stone of the present court house was laid with ap- propriate ceremonies in the spring of 1860, and bricklaying was commenced soon after the 5th of June. The building was fin- ished off early in '61. Woodcock & Adams began the erection of their store building in October. Their goods arrived before it was ready, and they stored them temporarily in Scott Shattuck's building. Mean- while A. J. Hersey removed a building from the ridge and erected it on the site of the present Mason House (a part of which it is), opening the first stock of goods in Waukon. Mr. Adams, how- ever, had sold the first article of merchandise — a pair of boots to Ezra Reid, Jr. — from his stock in Shattuck's hotel. The first birth in the settlement was a son to Darwin Patter- son, about the montli of June, 1850, at Prosser Whaley's house. The first in what is now Waukon is thought to have been in a family by the name of Skinner, living in a log cabin close by the spring in A. J. Hersey's addition. 676 HISTORY OI ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. The first death in the settlement was that of a child of Moses Bush, which was buried in the little burial ground between the town and the Eells place. The first marriage in the settlement was that of Horace Gillett and Nancy Bennifield, March 3, 1851, by Rev. A. M. Eastman. Piatt Beard and Julia A. Reid were married June 17, 1852, by Thos. A. Minard, J. P. Julius Nelson and Lucy Whaley were married July 17, 1852, by C. J. White, J. P. Nelson Shattuck and Philena O'Connel Oct. 20, 1852, by Minard. Scott Shattuck and Elizabeth Inman Nov. 13, 1853, by Sewell Groodridge, ex- officio county judge. Thos. A. Minard and C. J. White were the first justices of the peace in Makee township. Minard went to Kansas, where he be- came speaker of her first free-state legislature. He died in Den- ver but a few years since. One of the first blacksmiths was Herbert Bailey, who built a little shop on the premises now owned by Wm. Ward; but there were two or three here in the fall of 1853. The first physician in the village was one Burnham, although Dr. Flint was then on the Ridge. He (Burnham) made an assault upon Judge Williams, and shortly after left the country. The pioneer lawyer was John J. Shaw, who came up from Lansing after the county seat was relocated in 1853. He was fol- lowed the same year by L. 0. Hatch, and the next spring by John T. Clark, who had been out here the previous fall and returned to York state for his family. From 1854 few towns in the west had a more steady, healthy and prosperous growth, and in 1856 it increased rapidly in popula- tion and business, the excellent farming country around filling np and furnishing her tradesmen with a wholesome retail business. The town flourished finely through the panic and hard times of '68 and '59, while the great majority of western villages were at a standstill or decreasing. Her growth was necessarily slow during and following the war, when this community made its full share of the tremendous sacrifice called for to preserve our union, but her course was ever upward and onward; and when it became necessary to take steps to preserve her prestige among the towns of the county, almost the entire community put aside all petty personal jealousies, and putting their united efforts in the en- deavor, succeeded in establishing for themselves railroad commu- nication with the outside world, in 1877, thereby placing the towa and surrounding country in the way of a more prosperous career than they had ever enjoyed. In the village the " boom " was most apparent, builders and mechanics had far more than they could do ; and in two years the population was increased nearly 60 per cent, being 1,310 in September, 1879. In the country the failure of the wheat crop in the years since then has caused the advantages to be partially lost sight of, but they are no less real. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUifTT. 677 .la the summer of 1877 Earle and Opfer put up the largest busi- ness block in town, a three-story brick, 62x70 feet. In September C. 0. Howard began the erection of a grain elevator, to have a ca- pacity of 25,000 bushels, and began receiving grain Oct. 23, four days before the locomotive reached town. Five hundred bushels were stored that day, eight hundred the next, and on the 27th, the day the road was completed, two thousand, and the elevator was filled before the side-track was in readiness to ship it. J. B . Minert and H. P. Opfer erected another elevator that fall. Hem- enway, Barclay & Co. opened a lumber yard, and a second one was establisned the next season. The following summer many sub- stantial brick stores were erected, as well as a great many dwell- ings; and building has been active ever since. January 1st, 1880, therewere counted up fifty-four dwellings and thirty-six business buildings — some of the latter comprising several stores each — built since the advent of the railroad, a little over two years, the total improvements footing up about $154,000, in that time. The _ forty acres granted by G. C. Shattuck was actually sur- veyed in May, 1853 ; and in the fall was platted, which original plat was admitted to record Dec. 1st of that year. Scott Shattuck's first addition, on the southwest of the original plat, was laid out Dec. 22, 1854. Pitt Shattuck's addition, on the west of the original plat, surveyed in May, '55, and admitted to record June 1, '57. Armstrong's addition, on the north side of Main street, west of Pitt Shattuck's, was acknowledged by R. C. and M. A. Armstrong July 17, '57. Delafield's addition, includ- ing all of west town and north beyond W. Spencer's present resi- dence, was made by Edward and Julia Floyd Delafield, by Walter, July 19, '58. Scott Shattuck's second addition, to the south of the original plat, and his third addition, including the southwest part of town, were acknowledged Dec. 10, '59. Pottle's addition, along the east side of the original plat, was made by W. R. Pot- tle, S. Miller, D. D. Doe and I. H. Hedge, and admitted to record Sept. 2, 1861. Scott Shattuck's fourth addition, between his sec- ond and third, and including the grounds where the depot stands, was admitted of record Sept. 24, '68; and Hersey's addition — the extreme southern portion o± town — by A. J. and M. A. Hersey, May 27, 1878, or immediately following the advent of the railroad. The town has never become incorporated, although the attempt was twice made. The first election for this purpose was held Feb. 29, 1876, and resulted in 114 votes against the proposed measure and 98 in favor. The question was a second time sub- mittee to a vote Oct. 25, 1878, resulting as follows : Against, 134; for, 108. The population of the village is now, 1882, estimated at about 1,500. Iti 1860 it was about 500. 678 HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTT!. NAME. It has been said that the name Waukon (or Wawkon, as it was invariably spelled in the fifties), was that of a Winnebago chief, commonly known as " John Wawkon," and was given to this village by John Haney, Jr., at the time the county seat was lo- cated here. Some have supposed, however, that it was in honor of another chief, Wachon-Decorah, after whom Decorah was named, and which we find translated in some places as " The White Crow," the prefix "Wachon," or " Wakon," apparently being a distinguishing title of greatness or power. He had lost an eye, and was usually known as " One-eyed Decori," his name be- ing variously spelled in those days, other forms being " Decorrie," "De-Kauray," " De-Corie," " Decoria," "Decari," and " De- corra." Wawkon — or some form of that word — seems to have been of somewhat common occurrence among the Winnebagoes, with whom it would appear to have signified " thunder," as we find the signatures to a treaty of Feb. 27, 1855, to be as follows : " Wawkon chaw-hoo-no-kaw, or Little Thunder," and "Wawkon- chaw-koo-kaw. The Coming Thunder." Among the Sioux it was also in use, and signified "spirit," as, " Minne- Waukon, Spirit Lake," etc. As the Sioux and Winnebagoes are both branches of the great Dakota family it is natural this term should have similar significance with each. Capt. Jonathan Carver in 1766 gave his name to a cave of amazing depth near St. Anthony, which he writes was called by the Indians, " Wakon-tubi," or " Wakan-tipi." And in another document it is related that " the Dakotas, seeing a Frenchman shoot a turkey, called his gun ' maza wakan-de. " And attached to a treaty June 3, 1825, we find " Wacan-da-ga- tun-ga, or Great Doctor." In Tuttle's History of Iowa we find " Wah-con-chaw-kaw " was a " big Indian." Another W^inne- bago chief often alluded to was " Whirling Thunder," which would not be inaptly derived from our cyclones. From all of which it would seem that among the Indians the term from which Waukon is derived originally signified something great and powerful, or supernatural. For some of the above facts we are indebted to A. M. May, who unearthed them from the archives of the Wisconsin State Historical Society. In the Iiansing Intelligencer, July 1853, a visit from the vener- able chief "Wawkon," is recorded, he having encamped near town with over one hundred of his braves. He was then described as being over one hundred years old, and as having "a white head and scarred face." And in tne Waukon Standard of March 12, 1868, we find that "John Waukon, a son of the distinguished Indian in honor of whom this village was named, was in town the other day. He is physically a fine specimen of the red man, stand- ing five feet eleven inches in his moccasins, slim and straight as an arrow, with broad shoulders and deep chest." Among other HISTORY OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 679 documeats in his possession was a parchment given to his father, bearing the signature of John Qaincy Adams, certifying that tis father, 'a distinguished warrior and speaker,' had visited the seat of government, held friendly council with the President, and as- sured him of the desire of the Winnebagoes to preserve perpetual friendship with the whites." What became of the old original John we do not know, as his death has been reported at different places and dates; but it seems that he has numerous descendants. Our townsman G. W. Hays, who was in business at Lansing thirty years since, while in that city within the past year was ac- costed by an old Indian who recognized him and introduced him- self as "John Waukon." He was a river hand and said he had two brothers, one of whom was still living in Dakota, and all of them were "Johns." Being asked what had become of his father he said "he died at Prairie du Chien twenty years ago." POSTOrBICE. A postoffice was first established at Waukon in the early fall of 1853, with Scott Shattuck as postmaster. He was succeeded by L. T. Woodcock, and he by W. Beale, who served in that capacity from 1856 to '69, when R. C. Armstrong was appointed. The latter served but a year or two, having met with the misfortune of finding one morning that the valuables in his office had disap- peared during the night. The brunt of this misfortune fell upon his bondsmen, as he departed from the county ; and he was succeeded by one H. Stroud, a shoemaker, in the latterpart of '60 or in' 61. Stroud was postmaster but a short time, and was followed by E. L. Bab- bitt, who in turn was succeeded by L. Gr. Calkins, in 1862, who held the office during 1863. During most of his term, however, L. M. Bearce was his deputy, and virtually postmaster, Calkins having but little to do with the office. From 1864 up to 1871 Wm. R. Pottle was the incumbent, and during his term, in July 1870, it was made a money order office. Mr. Pottle died in March, 1872. In January 1871 Mrs. E. E. Stevens succeeded to the of- fice, which she continued to hold until succeeded by the present incumbent, D. W. Reed, July 1, 1879. It is now one of the ten Presidential offices in this Congressional District, and has four daily mails, viz: railroad, Lansing, Postville, Decorah; two tri- weekly: McGregor, and Lansing via Village Creek; and two semi- we ekly: Dorchester and Hardin. SCHOOLS. The first school in Makee townsip was taught by L. W. Hersey, in the winter of 1852-3, in a little log house built by Azel Pratt on Makee Ridge, an almost entirely New England settle- ment. The following winter P. M. Clark taught in the same building, with such pupils as John and Hersey Pratt, Lib. Bearce, etc. Tlae next summer — '54 — the Makee school house was built, 680 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. a good sized frame building with a steeple, which still stands in good preservation and is used for the same purpose. So far as we have been able to ascertain it was the first school house built in Makee township. In 1853 or '54 D. D. Doe taught a school in a log hut just east of town; but the first school in Waukon was taught by L. 0. Hatch, and we give the circumstances as we ob- tained them from him: " In the summer of 1854 Mr. John Israel and myself united in buying from the county, at $15 each, four lots on the hill just east of the premises now owned by Dr. Barnes. On these lots, in the fall of that year, with a little help from Charley Jenkins, we built with our own hands a small frame dwelling house — the fourth frame building erected in Waukon. As winter approached we found ourselves with a school district duly organized, embrac- ing several families in and about Waukon, but no school house and no teacher. Our house aforesaid being nearly finished it was rented as a school house for the winter of 1854-5, and I was em- ployed as the teacher. I was paid $15 or |18 per month, and ' boarded around ' in the families of such men as Samuel Hues- tis, Robert Isted, John A. Townsend, James Maxwell, and others. I had had considerable experience as a teacher, but I was never in a school made up of brighter or better pupils than those that gath- ered around me on long, rude benches that winter, among whom I may mention the names of Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Adams, Mrs. Judge Granger, Mrs. John Grififin, Fred. Clark, and Ichabod Isted." We may add that this house was surrounded by a rail fence, said to have been the first fence in town of any description. In 1855 this school district purchased Lots 2, 3, 4 and 5, in. block 5, Scott Shattuck's addition, and erected thereon a substan- tial frame school house, 27x40 feet in size, Wm. Ramsdall being the carpenter. It was all in one room except cloak rooms at the north end, but later it was divided into two rooms when the school was first graded under two teachers. This old school building served as a place for public gatherings of all kinds for several years, until Hersey's hall was finished in the large building south of the Mason House. It was occupied by traveling pano- ramas, magic lantern exhibitions, etc., and once or more did the county agricultural society have its fair on the premises. Es- pecially will the lyceums be remembered by the old residents, with the concerts by the old glee club, and other interesting entertain- ments by home talent — to say nothing of the singing schools. The earliest meetings of the religious denominations were also held there, before they were able to erect places of worship. Af- ter the school district purchased its present school building and grounds, the old school house was sold to 0. S. Hathaway, who in November, 1868, moved it down onto West street, and converted it into a wagon shop, where it stands to-day, used for the same same purpose by M. Heiser. We find no record of school officers HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. .681 previous to 1859, ia wtich year Moses Hancock was president; C. J. White, vice-president; A. G. Howard, secretary, and W. K. McFarland, treasurer. Nov. 8, 1862, the independent district of Waukon was erected, comprising all of sub-district No. 8 in Makee township; the s. ^ of section 25, s. e. ^ section 26, n. e. J section 35, and all of section 36 in Union Prairie; and section 6, and w. ^ section 5, in Jefferson township. The first election of school ofiScers of this independent district was held Nov. 29, 1862, resulting as follows: W. K. McFarland, president; E. B. Lyons, vice-president; J. E. Brown, secretary, and Jacob Shew, treasurer. Directors: J. B. Plank, one year; A. A. Grif&th, two years, (Mr. Griffith now a noted elocu- tionist of Chicago,) and J. W. Pennington, three years. The in- dependent district was formed with a view to effect a transfer of the Allamakee college building to the district, in which to estab- lish a graded school, and in December a committee was appointed to wait upon Prof . Loughran with that purpose. In February, 1863, a proposition of Prof. Loughran was rejected, and an at- tempt was made to secure the new court house, then standing va- cant. At the regular meeting, March 9, D. W. Adams was elected president; Moses Hancock, vice-president; C. W. Walker, secretary, and I. H. Hedge, treasurer. Since that year the officers of the board have been as follows: President— A. J. Hersey, 1864-66; L. 0. Hatch, 1866-7; Martin Stone, 1867-9; C. T. Granger, 1869-73; John Goodykoontz, 1873- 6; A. L. Grippen, 1876; H. H. Stilwell, 1876-9; M. Stone, 1879- 80; J.W.Pratt, 1880-1; John Hall, 1881-2, present incumbent. Treasurer— John Goodykoontz, 1864-73; L. W. Hersey, 1878- 82, present incumbent. Secretary— Robert Isted, 1864-5; T. C. Ransom, 1865-7; C. T. Granger, 1867-8; J. W. Pratt, 1868-74; A. J. Rodgers, 1874-82; B. M. Hancock, Sept., '82. The present board of directors comprise John Hall, J. W. Pratt, H.H. Stilwell, D. W. Reed, M. B. Hendrick, and Martin Stone. In the fall of 1864 an arrangement was made whereby Martin Stone was to teach the more advanced pupils of the school, in the College building, which had passed into his hands, and a similar arrangement was made the following year. In 1866 he sold the property to Thos. A. Cutler, who taught the school there the fol- lowing winter. In 1867 the District purchased the College prop- erty of Cutler for |4,000, and afterward sold the property in Shattuck's addition to various parties. In 1881 the school build- ing was improved by putting in furnace, heating and ventilating apparatus.. Since 1867 the principals of the Waukon graded school have been: Charles F. Stevens, 1867-8; Miss Mary E. Post, spring term '68; A. M.May, 1868-69; Miss Hattie Keeler, spring term '69; Charles Cressey, 1869-70; J. H. Carroll, 1870-71; J. Laugh- 682 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. ran, 1871-76; D. Judson, 1876-81; S. A. Harper, 1881-83. The present corps of subordinate teachers are: Miss Florence Belden, assistant principal; Miss Ida Grimes, 2i intermediate; Miss Lizzie Spaulding, 1st intermediate; Miss Anna B. Hall, 2d primary; Mrs. J. C. Crawford, 1st primary. In 1863 the number of school age in the district "was, males, 139; females, 168; total, 307. In 1882 it is, males, 227; females, 245; total, 472; with an attendance in school of something over 300. Allamakee College. — March 6, 1859, J. C. Armstrong, J. B. Plank, C. J. White, Walter Delafield, M. G. Belden, R. b. Arm- strong, James Maxwell, Jacob Shew, Benj. H. Bailey, Joseph Savoie, T. J. Goodykoontz, William S. Cooke, John Chapman and Lewis H. Clark, associated themselves together in a corpora- tion to be known as the "Allamakee Association," to be under the supervision of the Colesburg Presbytery of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church, for the purpose of erecting suitable buildings for the advancement of scientific and religious learning, to be known as the Waukon Seminary. Out of this grew the Allamakee Col- lege, an agreement being made the same year with Eev. J. Lough- ran, A. M., formerly president of Waynesburg College, Pennsyl- vania,' for the erection and maintenance of a college on the fol- lowing plan: A number of citizens stipulated to draw, in his favor, their promissary notes, each for |125, payable in one year, for which they each received a certificate of scholarship, guaran- teeing the tuition of one student for five years in the institution, to commence when the building should be finished. At the end of the five years the title of the property was to pass to Mr. Loughran in full ownership, being paid for by said scholarships. To carry out this plan the stockholders selected R. C. Armstrong, Robert Isted. Walter DelaBeld, A. M. iHaslip, L. G. Calkins, A. H. Hersey, W. R. Pottle, Jacob Shew and Jacob Plank, as "Trus- tees of Allamakee College." Walter Delafield donated the whole of block 19, in his addition, comprising two acres on the sightliest spot in town, as the site of the building; and the trustees erected a three-story brick edifice, 47x64 feet, the heights of the stories being 11, 13 and 8 J feet respectively. This was done in 1861, though the building was not finished for occupancy until the spring of '62. That fall there were ninety pupils in attendance, the whole number of students entitled to tuition on scholarships being but forty-eight. Meanwhile Prof. Loughran had opened what was called the Waukon High School, Oct. 3, 1859, in the C. P. church, and con- ducted the same successfully for three years, or until the college building was completed. During that time he was assisted by J. C. Loughran, G. H. Brock, W. W. Likens, Mrs. Jennie Calkins, Mrs. Jennie Loughran, and Miss Pennoyer. Also by Prof. A. A. Griffith, elocutionist. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 683 The financial success of the college plan was not such as hoped for, and May 15, 1863, a corporation styled the Allamakee Colle- giate Institute, was formed for the purpose of cancelling the in- debtedness against the Allamakee College, and perpetuating the institution. In the same year the property was purchased by Mar- tin Stone, who sold it in 1866 to Thomas A. Cutler, and he to the Independent District of Waukon in 1867. Waukon Seminary. — In July, 1876, Prof. Loughran bought the old German Presbyterian church building and removed it to his premises on Worcester street, where in September following he opened an institution of learning entitled as above, well supplied with maps, charts, chemical and philosophical apparatus, and more especially for the purpose of preparing students for teaching, or for a college course. Prof. Loughran had devoted a long and active life to the interests of education, and was exceedingly well qualified for instructing in the higher branches. His seminary is still in a flourishing condition. CHtrEOHES. Baptist. — On the 17th of June 1854 a number of members of this denomination met at the dwelling of Azel Pratt, on Makee Ridge, for the purpose of organizing a church. C. J. White was chosen moderator and Azel Pratt clerk, and it was voted to receive the members present, viz: Azel Pratt and wife, John G. Pratt, Lathrop Abbot and wife, Miles Nichols and wife, C. J. White, and Phoebe Hersey. These nine members received the right hand of fellowship by Elder James Scofield, and the name of Allamakee Baptist Church was adopted, * of which John G. Pratt was chosen clerk. Jan. 20, 1855, Azel Pratt and Isaac D. Lambert were chosen as deacons. The first baptisms were on July 29th, 1855, when the rite was administered by Elder Schofield to the following candidates: F. G. Pratt and his wife Orillah] Pratt, Prances E. Hersey, Harriet E. Hersey, Mary Ann Hersey, Mary M. Pratt, and Phoebe Bearce. In May 1856, Elder Samuel Hill, jr. first performed the baptismal rite according to the record. During these years the church membership rapidly in- creased by letter and baptism, and public worship was held in the Makee school house. In 1857 Rev. L. M. Newell was secured as pastor, and covenant meetings were held at Waukon and the Ma- kee school house alternately, and in the next spring, 1858, the church assembled in Waukon, holding meetings in the school house. In 1860 services were held in the M. E. church every fourth Sunday. Rev. CD. Farnsworth was with the church after Rev. Newell. In 1866 Rev. D. S. Starr was employed to preach a part of the time. In 1868 a frame church was built on the north side of Pleasant street, in which services were held for the first time Jan. 17, '69, by Rev. D. S. Starr, who was in April fol- lowing employed as regular pastor. Since then the several pastors 684 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUIJfTT. have been L. L. Frick 1870-71; Geo. M. Adams 1872-3; John M. Wedgwood 1873-78; F. N. Eldridge 1878-81; M. H. Perry 1881-2, Kobert Smith 1882, present pastor. In the spring of 1871 the church purchased their present brick edifice, which they dedicated on the 5th of March. In the fall of 1872 it was supplied with a heating furnace in the basement ; and in the spring of '76 a baptistery was put in. The frame church on Pleasant street was purchased by A. H. and Augustine Hersey and remodeled into a place of residence. The presen t church officers are: Trustees, Sam'l Peck, A. H. Howard, W. L. F. Brayton; Deacon, Sam'l Peck; Clerk, J. W. Pratt; Treasurer, L. W. Hersey. The church membership is fifty-seven. There is a flourishing Sunday School, of which tf. L. Pratt is superintend- ent. The choir, under the leadership of J. W. Pratt for many years, is one of the best in northern Iowa. Methodist. — The M. E. church of Waukon was organized as early as 1854, but we find no record of the first members, the first l5tewards and trustees, or who first preached to this organization. A Methodist divine by name of Wm. Sweet held services in Ma- kee and Union Prairie in 1853 and '54, and doubtless did some of the earliest work in this church. In 1855 the Trustees were W. R. Pottle, E. B. Lyons, Thomas Feeley Edwin J. Raymond and John Israel. April 30th, 1855, the church purchased the corner lot on Allamakee and Worcester streets, now the property of J. H.Hale; but on March 24th, '59, the town growing more towards the west, they purchased lots 1 and 2, block 14, Dellafield's addi- tion, where the parsonage now stands, and afterwards sold the former property. The same year a good-sized frame church was erected on the new purchase. Previous to the completion of this, the society held services a part of the time in the G. Presbyterian church. This year, 1859, the Trustees were W. R. Pottle, E. J. Raymond, E. B. Lyons, Thos. Feeley, H. R. Pierce, Moses Wood and C. Bean; and the Stewards were D. Jaquis, A. Pinney, John Reed, S. Hamler, D. Miller, and J. W. Flint. April 20, 1867, the society purchased their present lot on the corner of Pitt and Wor- cester, and moved the church building thereon that year; erecting the- parsonage on the upper lots the same season. Work on the present brick edifice was begun in May 1869, but it was not finish- until late in '71, being first occupied on Christmas evening, Decem- ber 25th. It was formally dedicated on Sunday, February 18th, 1872, the sermon on the occasion being preached by Rev. A. B. Kendig of Cedar Rapids. Presiding Elder Wm. Smith was also present. In May '72 the old frame church was sold to C. S. Stil- well, who moved it to the corner of Armstrong and Court streets and remodeled it into bis present residence. The church has been heated by furnace since 1878; and other improvements made in the last two years. The present membership is about 160. The Sunday School numbers about a hundred, with A. T. Still- HISTOET OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 685 man Superintendent. The present Stewards are: J. Brawford, D. W. Reed, John Stillman, P. C. Huffman, H. 0. Dayton, M. W. Nesmith, J. S. Nitterauer, A. T. Stillman and L. Eells; and the Trustees: G. H. Bryant, H. J. Bentley, E. D.Purdy, D. W. Reed, Henry Dayton and J. S. Nitterauer. From the conference minutes it is found that in 1856 this charge was "to be supplied." Since that year the pastors have been: John Fawcett, 1857-8; W. E. McCormac, 1858-60; F. C. Mather, 1860-62; J. F. Hestwood, 1862-61; A.Palkner,186i-5; B. D. Alden. 1865-7; Ruf us Ricker, 1867-9; J. R. Cameron, 1869-72; Wm. Cobb, 1872-74; B. C. Hammond, 1874-7; J. A. Ward, 1877-80; D. Sheffer, 1880-81: T. E. Fleming, 1881- and present pastor. Catholic. — ^In 1855 Rev. Father Kinsella bought forty acres of land northwest of town, and built thereon a log church, in which his people worshiped for many years. In 1864 they purchased the property of Lewis H. Clark in Waukon, being a part of block 4 in Shattuck's addition, corner of School and High streets, and converted his dwelling into a place of worship. This soon became too small for the growing congregation, and in 1868 the present large brick church was erected on the site of the old building, which was moved a short distance to one side, to the rear of the parsonage. March 9, 1869, the old building was destroyed by a fire, in which the records were lost, and this sketch is necessarily incomplete. Since Father Kinsella its priests have been Farrell, Nagle, Lowry, Brennan, McGowan, and Hawe, who still presides over this charge. The church membership is about one hundred. The church a few years since purchased a part of block 5, opposite their place of worship and parsonage — the site of the old public school house — whereon they have this season (1882) erected a fine brick edifice, three stories above the basement, with mansard roof, at a cost of $5,000, for the purpose of a sisters' school. German Presbyterian.- — This church was organized hj Rev. A. Van Vliet, of Dubuque, August 11, 1856. Its first pastor was Rev. Jacob Kalb, who remained «ftjout a year. Rev. Buehren next supplied the field for a short time. After his resignation Rev. Renskers became the regular pastor, and labored here with great ability and success until 1864, and during his pastorate, in 1860, a frame church was built on block 13, Delafield s addition, north- east of the college grounds. It was in recent years purchased and moved off by J. Loughran, who uses it for a seminary. In 1864 a division of the church occurred, those living east of Waukon organizing themselves into the German Reformed Church, east of town, who have built a place of worship there, and the others have since become the German Presbyterian Church of Ludlow. Rens- kers was succeeded by S. Elliker, under whose administration the church building in Ludlow, which is now used as a school house, was erected in 1865. Rev. Elliker resigned his charge of the Ludlow church Nov. 12, '65, and was succeeded by C. H. Scho- 686 HISTORY OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTT. epfle, and he by Wm. Shover in the summer of 1868, who served until Jan. 29, 1871. • Rev. Henry Knell was then called, who preached his first sermon there Feb. 12, and was installed by a committee of the Presbytery of Dubuque, consisting of Revs. G. Moery and H. W. Behle, Oct. 22, '71. Under his pastorate the building now used for regular' services was erected. He was also the instrument of reuniting those who, in the time of Rev. Shover, had left them and were supplied by a Reformed minister. He organized the Sunday school, and effected great good. lEis resignation took place Nov. 5, 1877, and he has since died. He was succeeded by Helmer Smidt, who remained only eleven mouths. After him Rev. E. Schuette was called, who preached his first sermon there Jan. 26, '79, and is the present pastor. The church was organized with very few members — of whom Simon, Conrad, and August Helming are still living — but has increased largely, its present active members numbering 233, and the Sun- day school from 200 to 225. Cumberland Presbyterian. — The first records of this congrega- tion are unfortunately lost, so this sketch will not be as complete as we wish. The church was organized in 1857, under the labors of Rev. J. C. Armstrong, who was sent by the home board of mis- sions, and began his labors in the autumn of '56. Some twenty Sersons composed the society; and James Maxwell, J. B. Plank, ohn Raymond and R. C. Armstrong were chosen and ordained its first ruling elders. Worship was conducted in the public school house until the fall of '58, when its present church edifice, corner of Main and High streets, was completed and occupied. This was the first church built in Waukon, and the completion of so large and fine a structure was quite an event in those days. It has since been improved from time to time, as occasion demanded, and since Feb., '78, has been heated by basement furnace. Rev. Arm- strong continued to serve the church until the fall of 1859, and in after years became a missionary to foreign lands. In 1860 Rev. J. Loughran preached in thi^ church, and in 1862 Rev. J. B. Brown, afterwards editor of a pumberland Presbyterian paper at Nashville, Tenn. In Feb., 1864, Benj. Hall became its pastor, and continued to serve as such during eleven years. He has of late years been in the home missionary field, but still resides in Waukon, and preaches occasionally in his old church to this day. Since Mr. Hall's resignation the pastors have been: J. Wood Miller, 1875-8, (since professor of German in a Pennsylvania col- lege); 0. E. Hart, 1878-81; H. D. Onyett, 1881-2, recently re- signed. The present membership is about one hundred and ten or twenty; and the elders of the church are C. D. Beenian, J. B. Plank, John Hall, J. G. Ratcliffe and Hosea Low. There is a large Sunday school, of which John Hall is the superintendent. Episcopal . — In March and April, 1859, Episcopal service was -held by Rev. James Bentley, who preached in the C. Presby- HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE OOUifTT. 687 terian church Sanday afternoons at fi?e o'clock. April 25th of that year Walter Delafield, Orin Manson, John Grriffin, John Phillips, L. B. Cowles, C. Paulk, and A. Parson, organized St. Paul's Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church ,of the diocese of Iowa. The same year they built a small frame church on block 5, Delafield's addition, corner of Liberty and High streets, with James Bently as rector. In the summer of 1860 the build- ing was greatly enlarged and the tower erected. While these im- provements were being made, the Sunday School, which was very popular under Delafield's superintendency, was held in Hersey's Hall. A 613 pound Meneely bell, costing |250 was also pur- chased and placed in position, the first church bell in town. Mr. pentley served as rector for several years, but afterwards engaged in home mission work, as he still is. In later years Rev. James Allen was elected rector, and after him Rev. Estabrook held ser- vices occasionally. In the fall of 1867 Rev. A. M. May came to Waukon as rector, and served the church in that capacity five or six years; but the congregation had been small since early in the sixties, and regular services were finally abandoned. In recent years the church has again been put in good repair, but is as yet unused. Walter Delafield was in 1868 rector of Grace Chapel New York City, and is now rector of a church at some point on the Hudson River. Congregational. — This society was orgmized in 1864, and the ser- vices of Rev. A. Parker secured as pastor, who was with them two or three years, and was followed by Rev. W. J. Smith, who con- tinued till early in '68. In the spring of that year, Rev. L. D. Boynton became their pastor, and during his stay, which continued only until the following autumn, the society erected the fine brick church north of the court house. Previous to that services had been held in the court house. From the fall of '6S the church had no regular pastor until August '69, when Rev. Wm. P. Rose came here in that capacity. The society was not large, however, and being disappointed in a manner not to be foreseen when the building was projected, soon found it necessary to dis- pose of the church property, which in 1871 passed into the pos- session of the Baptists. THE PRESS. The first newspaper published here was the Waukon Journal, free soil iu politics, which was established in the spring of 1857, by Frank Belfoy, who ran it about nine months, when it passed into the hands of Frank Pease. The last we know of Belfoy he was publishing a paper at some point in Minnesota, about 1876 or '77. Pease upon assuming control changed the title of the paper to the Allamakee Herald, the first number of which was issued Feb. 26, 1858. It was a six-column folio, issued Fridays, and Democratic in politics. M. M. Webster, a lawyer, was with Pease 688 HISTOKY 01' ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. a portion of the time, as was also one R. K. Smith, who after- wards went South, and his fate is unknown. He was a brother of James C. Smith. The jHera?c^ was discontinued in May, 1859. In 1861 or '62 Pease went into the army, and in the spring of 1878 the writer met him at Hot Springs, Ark., of which town he was at that time City Clerk; he had previously been in the newspaper business in that State. In August, 1859, the paper was revived under the name of Waukon Transcript, (Demociaiic), by T. H. McElroy, with whom was associated for a while one Doc. Parker, from McGregor, who later went to Kansas. This paper existed less than a year, Mc- Elroy selling in 1860 to C. Lohmann, who ran the press off to Boscobel, Wis., while under mortgage. In August McElroy started the Northwestern Democrat, at Lansing, but his where- abouts since we do not know. In '62 Lohmann published the Argus at Lansing. The North Iowa Journal (Republican) was established at Wau- kon, in May, 1860, by E. L. Babbitt and W. H. Merrill, who issued the first number May 29th. In 1861 they sold the paper to Leonard G. Calkins and Albert B. Goodwin, and returned to Wyoming Co., N. Y., where Babbitt died a couple of years later. Goodwin shortly after disposed of his interest, and has also since died. In '62 the Journal suffered a temporary suspension, but was revived about August 1st, with Calkins and Cole editors, Chas. B. Cole publisher. In September the name of L. G. Calkins ap- pears as publisher. Cole still being associated with him as local editor. About November Cole assumed the entire control, made its politics Democratic, and early in 1863 sold out to John G. Armstrong, who removed the Journal to Lansing and continued its publication as a Democratic sheet. For nearly five years thereafter Waukon was without a local paper. In the winter of 1867-8 negotiations were entered into with Chas.W. McDonald, then publishing the Gazette at|BlairstOwn, this state, who came here and on the 9th of January 1868 issued the first number of the Waukon Standard. After publishing it three months he sold to R. L.Hayward & Co. and went to Illinois, and later to New York where he was for some time engaged in the Swedenborgian Publishing House. More recently he publish- ed a paper at Sioux Falls; and is at present we believe, located at Wessmgton Hills and Superintendent of Schools of Aurora county, Dakota. Under its new management the Standard was edited by Rev. A. M. May, who has been its chief editor from that day to this, and has made it a strong, pure, and reliable local family newsp-aper. It has always been republican in politics. His first partner, Mr. Hay ward, did not come to Waukon until the'foUbw- ing August; and in March 1869 he disposed of his interest and went t/o Ai'k^nsas, and eventually to San Antonio, Texas, Tvhere he TVas engaged in newspaper business and where he died very re- HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COtTKTT. 689 cently — in August 1882. Mr. May then associated with him one Jas. H. Braytou, who although a good printer had some habits that threatened to swamp the establishment, and after about four months Mr. May found it necessary to assume the entire control. Brayton was afterwards heard of in Minnesota, and the western part of this State, engaged in printing, and in less honorable though more lucrative occupations; and it is said proved quite suc- cessful at poker. In December 1869, E. M. Hancock became associated with May in the business, but withdrew in July following. August Ist, 1872, Chas. R. Hamstreet bought an interest in the office, which he held until June 1st, 1873, when he disposed of it and engaged in farming near Clear Lake, where he still is. At that time E. M. Hancock purchased a half interest in the concern, and May & Hancock continued to conduct the Standard for nine and a half years^ until January 1st, 1882, when Hancock disposed of his interest to Mrs. May, the firm becoming A. M. May & Co. Upon the completion of the railroad in October, 1877, the Waukon Democrat was started by Daniel O'Brien. Jul^ 5th, 1879, it passed into the hands of John W. Hinchon, -vyho publishe4 it three years, and July 28, 1882, sold out to T. C. Medray & Soij. BUSINESS DfSTITUTIOKS. Among the early business institutions the old steam sawmill Avas one of the very first. It was built by D. W. Adams andD. E. Whitney in the fall of 1854, and finished the following spring and went into operation. It did a large business for a year or two, but was destroyed by fire in 1857. Adams then sold his interest to W. C. Earl, who with Whitney rebuilt the mill shortly after. In February 1859 Earl purchased the interest of his partner, Ed. Whitney, who died a few years since in Minnesota. The mill was run by a 60-horse power engine, and did all kinds of sawing, plan^ ing and turning. In 1862 the property was rented to Granger & Gada, who also did custom grinding of flour and feed in addition to the wood-working. The mill stood on the lots in front of Earl's present residence, and was for years one oi the institu- tions of the town. As it outlived its usefulness it was finally dismantled, the machinery sold out, the great stone and brick chimney toppled over, and in July 1870 the building was moved back to the rear of the block where it is still used as a l?arn and warehouse. In January or February 1859 a banking and exchange office was established by Walter Delafield, who built the little brown bu;ild- ing just west of the National House for that purpose, now used as a carpenter shop. It run for not much over a year, Delafield re- turning to the east in August 1860. The Hersey block of stores, next south of the Mason House, was erected in 1859. The second story was occupied with a hall, the 690 HISTOET or ALLAMAKEE C0UNT1. first and for a long time the only one in town. Barnard Hall was finished off in the winter of '69-70. The first drug store was that of R. C. Armstrong, and stood on the corner opposite and north of the Presbyterian church. It was moved "down town" in later years, and occupies the southeast corner of Main and West streets. In 1859 this same Armstrong put up the first brick house in the village, on the north side of Main street, in his ad- dition. The first brick stores were erected by Robbins Bros, and Adams & Hale, on the corner of Main and Allamakee, in 1869. The large frame building now occupied by the marble shop was put up by Shattuck and Woodcock in 1859, on the corner where Boomer's Opera House now stands. Barnard and Hersey's store was built in 1867. EAILEOAD. On the 9th of May, 1857, several of the prominent citizens of Lansing adopted articles of incorporation of the " Lansing, North- ern Iowa and Southern Minnesota R. R. Co.," to build a railroad to the- state line, towards the south bend of the St. Peters river in Minnesota, with, a capital of $4,000,000. Not to be outdone, Waukon proceeded to organize the " Prairie du Chien & Mankato R. R. Co.," with a capital of $5,000,000, the articles of incorpor- ation of which were signed at Waterville, Oct. 15, 1857, by Scott Shattuck, F. Belfoy, Wm. P. Ross, W. H. Morrison, J. Beebe,N. A. Beebe, Col. J. Spooner, W. W. Hungerford, Geo. E. Wood- ward and L. T. Woodcock. The board of directors for the first year consisted of John T. Clark, William H. Morrison, J. Spooner, Francis Belfoy, Geo. E. Woodward, N. A. Beebe, William F. Ross, William W. Hungerford, A. B. Webber, J. T. Atkins, H. L. Douseman, Albert L. Collins, and T. R.Perry; and the officers were: John T.Clark, president; Francis Belfoy, secretary; W.W. Hungerford, treasurer, and Geo. E. Woodward, chief engineer. The last mentioned has since become an architect of more than national reputation. Books were opened for the subscription of stock, and the line was surveyed that fall through Winneshiek and Mitchell counties to the state line, commencing at the mouth of Paint creek. We find a record of Oct. 20th, 1858, when the second annual meeting of the board of directors was held in the office of the company here. That meeting was largely attended and very en- thusiastic. Every county along the line was represented. Over $14,000 stock was subscribed on that day. Letters were read from distinguished railroad men in Wisconsin and Minnesota, all speak- ing unqualifiedly of the Paint creek route as the very best west from the Mississippi in northern Iowa, and predicting its comple- tion at an early day. For the second year J. T. Atkins was presi- dent; N. A. Beebe, vice-president; Hungerfoid, secretary, and J. T. Clark, treasurer and attorney. HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUN'TT. 691 April 27, '59, a delegation from Waukon attended an enthusi- astic railroad meeting at Prairie du Chien, and were met at John- sonsport by tlie ferry boat and brass band from that town. But it was all of no use. The Bloody Run route west from McGregor was eventually adopted, and our town drank to the dregs the cup of disappointment. All hope was not abandoned, however, anl April 15, 1862, the " Prairie du Chien and Austin R. R. Co." was incorporated. This also came to naught, and Feb. 4, '63, was or- ganized the "Prairie du Chien and Cedar Valley R. R. Co.," which resulted as had the others. In 1871 the B., C. R. & M. road was extending up towards Post- ville, with the intention, as stated in railroad meetings at Inde- pendence and elsewhere, of extending on northeast by way of Waukon to the river. This gave new hope, only to be followed by disappointment again. Then Judge Williams' narrow gauge enterprise was planned and partially executed. Propositions were made to Waukon in 1872 for a branch to this place. We ac- cepted, and did our full part, by way of votino; aid, subscriptions, surveying, etc., till the eastern financial end of it collapsed, caus- ing an abandonment of the project, but not until several lines were surveyed to Waukon from the Iowa Eastern, by way of Mo- nona and Postville. Waukon had become used to disappointments by this time, and the subject was pretty much at rest till the fall of 1874. Then Lansing began to agitate the county seat question again. This was the one thing needed to rouse our citizens to action, and they took hold of the matter in earnest. After considerable talk and canvassing of the matter, articles of incorporation of the Waukon and Mississippi R. R. Co. were adopted, with the following incor- porators: W. C. Earle, A. E. Robbins, C. Paulk, Jacob Plank, H. S. Cooper, John Goodykoontz, P. G. Wright, C. Barnard, H. G. Grattan, Jeptha Beebe, C. 0. Howard, G. P. Eells, H. H. Stilwell, C. W. Jenkins, G. M. Dean, F. M. Clark, C. S. Stilwell, J. W. Pratt, L. Howes, J. A. Towasend, and James Dufiy. Until the first election by the stockholders, the of&cers consisted of CD. Beeman, president; H. S. Cooper, vice-president; C. S. Stilwell, secretary, and John Goodykoontz, treasurer. At the annual meeting of the stockholders, April 6th, officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows: D. W. Adams, president; C. D. Bee- man, vice-president; Martin Stone, secretary; L. W. Hersey, treasurer; and G. W. Stoddard, W. C. Earle, Jas. Holahan, H. G. Grattan, H. H. Stilwell, and Fred. Hager, directors. The directors authorized a survey as soon as possible, which was begun April 19, 1875, and completed May 21, under the direction of D. W. Adams, J. H. Hale, and J. W. Earl. Meanwhile a com- mittee had been at work since January securing the right of way. May 22, payment of accrued claims was provided for. Contracts for grading were let May 28th, and about the first of June dirt 692 HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. began to fly, high hope being entertained of the completion of the road that fall. The grading was completed late that summer, many of the bridges put in, and ties got out ready for the rail. It was at first the intention to lay a hard wood rail, but at a meeting August 25th, iron was decided upon. In December an attempt was made to negotiate a loan, which failed, as did a similar at- tempt in January '76. The difficulty was not so much in secur- ing, the money wherewith to purchase the iron, as in obtaining it on such terms as would save the road to the stock-holders and not make it necessary that it should pass from their control. Efforts to this end were continually being made. At the general meeting in April,, 1876, the old officers and directors were re-elected. Up to April 1st the sum of $33,533.57 had actually been collected on stock subscriptions. March 15th a law was passed by the General Assembly permitting townships and incorporations to aid in the construction of railroads, and in accordance therewith an election was held in Makee township April 26th, at which a five per cent, tax was voted by 342 to 101. Union Prairie township voted a three per cent tax May 17th, by 113 to 51; but aid was refused by Ludlow May 19, where a three per cent, tax was asked, by Jef- ferson May 22 (the same), and by Hanover May 25, where only a two per cent, tax was called for. June 10th, 1876, the W. & M. R. R. Security Co. was organized for the purpose of devising means for completing the road, but was dissolved Sept. 19th, the securities furnished by the members being returned to them. Sept. 19th, 1876, the W. & M. E. E. Guarantee Co. was organized, for the purpose of completing, equipping, maintaining and operating said railroad. The corpora- tors were: Dudley W, Adams, L. W. Hersey, Holahan & Bftggy, J. W. Pratt, A. Hersey, Henry Dayton, E. K. "Spencer, W . C. Earle, A. J. Hersey, A. E. Robbins, A. Plubiska, C. W. Jenkins, C. D. Beeman, H. G. Grattan, H. H. Stilwell, Low & Stillman, John A. Taggart, J. H. Hale, Lewis Reid, Azel Pratt. And the officers: D. W. Adams, Prest., C. D. Beeman, Vice P., J. W. Pratt, Sec'y, L. W. Hersey, Treas., H. G. Grattan Auditor. The assets of the W. & M. R. R. Co. were leased to the Guarantee Co. for a number of years for the purpose indicated. In December the iron was contracted for in Milwaukee, upon favorable terms; and an order was made to enforce the collection of delinquent stock. At the annual meeting of the original railroad company in April, '77, the following were elected: D. W. Adams, Prest., C. D. Bee- man, Vice Prest., H. G. Grattan, Sec'y, L. W. Hersey, Treas., and Jas. Holahan, Conrad Helming, W. C. Earle, H. H. Stilwell and C. W. Jenkins, directors. June 30th J. H. Hale was elected chief civil engineer. July 27th H. G. Grattan resigned as auditor and Jas. Holahan was elected. Sept. 3d, at the annual election of of- ficers of the Guarantee Co., D. W. Adams was re-elected Prest., A. E. Robbins Vice Prest., J. W. Pratt Sec'y, L. W. Hersey HISTORX OF ALLAMAKEE COUKTY. 693 Treas., and Jas. Holahan, Auditor. H. H. Stillwell was attorney for the company, and D. W. Adams Gen'l. Supt. of the road. E. B. Gibbbs was secured as station agent at this place. In July, 1877, first mortgage bonds were issued to the amount of about $30,000, and taken by Messrs. Fairbank, Bradley and Parks, of Massachusetts, interest eight per cent, payable semi-an- nually. And a short • loan of $15,000 was secured from J. H. Fairbank of Winchendon, Mass., ample real estate security being given. The rolling stock .was purchased the latter part of that month, and the delivery of iron began early in August. Track laying began September Ith ; the locomotive was received Septem- ber 11th; reached Waterville, nine miles, September 25th; and on October 27th, fifty-three days from the time the first rail was laid, the track was completed, twenty-three miles, to Waukon. Thus, after twenty years of disappointments, hoping, waiting, and working, Waukon became a railroad town, with a road of her own building. Just twenty years to a month from the time of ' the first railroad survey up Paint creek valley, a road was comple- ted over that route; and this village and vicinity entered upon a new era of prosperity. It was entirely independent of any other road or corporation, the people of Waukon having struggled through with the enterprise without a dollar of assistance from outside parties. At the time of its completion the rolling stock of the road comprised one twelve-ton locomotive, sixteen box cars, five, flats, and one passenger. The cost of the road and its equip- ments amounted to about $121,000, or nearly $5,300 per mile, and its total debt was about $50,000, bonded for five years. No great splurge or celebration was indulged in, but on the day of its com- pletion an impromptu aifair was gotten up for the entertainment of the people who happened to be in town, and the railroad em- ployes in particular, from an account of which in the Standard we quote as follows: "On Saturday, October 27, 1877, at 3 o'clock p. m., the engine ' Union Prairie ' rolled up to the platform of the Waukon de- pot, Thos. Clyde, engineer; 0. H. Bunnell, fireman, and Henry Lear, conductor. For the preceding few days as the end of the track approached town the number of visitors had constantly in- creased, until on this day a large crowd of people, consisting largely of ladies, were assembled at the depot and below to wit- ness the last of the track-laying, and get a sight at the first ap- pearance of our locomotive. When the train reached the depot platform the flat cars were soon crowded to their fullest standing room, chiefly by the ladies and children, and the Waukon band played a joyous strain in welcome. At this point in the proceed- ings everybody stood still until the camera had secured a photo- graph of the lively scene for all to look at and laugh over in fu- ture years; after which the fiyst ' passenger train,' consisting of five fiats, densely packed, ran down the road a couple of miles, 694 HISTORT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. with the band playing on the front car, and soon returned with whistle sounding, amid some enthusiasm and considerable amuse- ment. * * At 5 o'clock, headed by the band, the hands re- paired to Barnard Hall, which had been decorated with flags, as also had most of the buildings in the business part of town. Here, to the number of about sixty, they were treated to a bountiful hot supper, and all the delicacies of the table which the ladies of Wau- kon so excel in providing, served by the ladies themselves. After them, the public generally fell to and did full justice to the repast, but so amply had the ladies provided for sixty or eighty railroad hands that, it is estimated, some 500 people in all were served with supper at the hall, free. * * After supper the floor wascl eared, and those so disposed participated in a social dance. * * There were in town during the day an unusual number of people, although no public announcement of any demonstration had been made." Tjxe American Express Co. began doing busiijess over this line in December, and the road began carrying the mails Feb. 11, 1878. April 2, '78, the annual election resulted: D. W. Adams, presi-' dent; H. G- Grattan, vice-president; L. W. Hersey, secretary; C. D. Beeman, treasurer; Jas.Holahan, Henry Dayton, W. C. Earle, C. Helming, and C. W. Jenkins, directors. In September, '78, James F. Joy, of railroad fame, came on, and after looking over the ground, purchased a controlling interest,*of stockholders here, the officers of the Gruarantee Co. being suc- ceeded by J. F. Joy, president; F. 0. Wyatt, vice-president and general manager; C. M. Carter, treasurer; H. H. Stilwell, secre- tary; and the road passed into the same management as the river road, with a prospect of being pushed throu^ into Minnesota. The officers of the old original company resigned and were suc- ceeded by F. 0. Wyatt, pres. ; W. J. Knight, vice-pres.; CM. Carter, treas.; H. H. Stilwell, sec'y; and Frank Adams, S. A. Wolcott, J. F. Joy, L. W. Hersey and A. E. Robbins, directors. That fall and winter a party of surveyors ran a line for a pro- posed extension northwest into Minnesota, and also preliminary surveys toward Decorah, which city in August, '79, voted a four per cent, tax in aid of an extension to that place, via Frankville. That route having been abandoned, grading was begun on the line down Coon creek, and in October Decorah voted a tax to aid in its extension, and the work of grading was prosecuted vigorous- ly. Nov. 6, 1879, Waukon was put in communication with the world by telegraph. In the spring of 1880 the work of grading for the extension was resumed, the piers erected for four iron bridges across the Iowa river, and several miles of track laid, when, inMay, the line passed into the hands of the C, M. & St. P. R. R. Co., along with the C. C. D. & M., of which it was a feeder. Work on the ex- tension, however, did not cease until early in July, when the track had almost reached the Iowa. HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUSTT. 695 OEDEES AND SOCIETIES. Masonic. — Waukon Lodge, No. 154, A. P. and A. M., was or- ganized Jan. 31, 1860, under dispensation, the first officers being T.H. Barnes. W.M.; R. K. Hall, Sen. W.; L. W. Hersey, Jun. W.; Geo. M. Dean, Sen. D.; A. Pardo, Jun. D.; Geo. C. Shat- tuck, treas.; L. T. Woodcock, sec'y; A. A. Sturtevant, tyler. Its charter was granted by the Grand Lodge June 8th, 1860, with the same officers. Its present officers are: C. T. Granger, W. M.; A. G. Stewart, Sen. W.; H. H. Stilwell, Jun. W.; L. W. Hersey, treas.; E. B. Gibbs, sec'y; D. W. Reed, Sen. D.; B. Fultz, Jun. D.; A.J Rodgers, Sen. Steward ; 0. S. Stilwell, Jun. Steward; N. H. Pratt, tyler; Rev. B. Hall, chaplain. The lodge is in a very flourishing condition, and occupies a finely furnished hall over Hale & Jenkins' store. Its present membership in good standing is seventy-four. Odd Fellows.— Waukon Lodge, No. 182, I. 0. 0. F., was or- ganized Jan. 3, 1870, with the following officers: Robert Isted, N. 6.; J. B. Mattoon, V. G.; H. H. Stilwell, R. Sec; L. M. Bearce, treas. Number of charter members, thirty-five. Charter granted Oct. 20, 1870. The present membership in good standing is 42, and the officers are: A. G.Stewart, N. G.; E. B. Raymond, V. G.; 0. M. Nelson, R. and P. Sec'y; Joseph Burton, treas. Hope Encampment, No. 77, was organized at Lansing, April 4, 1875; charter granted April 24. It was removed to Waukon March 8th, 1881, and the present officers are: Joseph Haines, C. P.; R.L. Bireher, H. P.; C. S. Stilwell, S. W.; R. A. Nichols, N. W.; 0. "M. Nelson, scribe; A. A. Barnard, treas. United Workmen. — Makee Lodge, No. 42, A. 0. U. W., was organized Jan. 14, 1876, with sixteen charter members, and the following officers: I. Greer, P. M. W.; M. W. Nesmith, M. W. J. W. Pratt, G.F.; H. 0. Dayton, 0.; S. R. Thompson, recorder F. H. Robbins, F.; L. J. Nichols, receiver; L. Anderson, 0. W. A. F. Lathrop,I. W.; D. G. Grippen, A. F. Lathrop, A. T. Still- man, trustees . Its present membership is forty-two in good standing, and its officers are: N. H. Pratt, P.M. W.; P. H. De Lacy, M. W.; J. B. Minert, F.; G. D. Greenleaf, 0.; J. L. Pratt, R.; F. C. Burdick, Fin.; F. H. Robbins, receiver; E. W. Pratt, G.; U. F. Lewis, 0. W.; A. Kellogg, I. W. Legion of Honor. — Diamond Lodge, No. 39, I. L. H., was or- ganized Sept. 5, 1879, with the following officers: G. H. Bryant, pres.; A. G. Stewart, vice-pres.; A.J. Rodgers, recording sec'y; E. M. Hancock, fin. sec'y; J. W. Pratt, treas.; A. M. May, chap- lain; C. C. Banfill, usher; Don. A. Hoag, doorkeeper; A. K. Pratt, sentinel; L. Burton, L. M. Bearce and M. H. Pratt, trus- tees. A. J. Rodgers is recording sec'y, and A. G. Stewart finan- cial sec'y. 096 HISTORY OV ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. V. A. S. — A collegium of this order was instituted here Feb. 19, 1882, with a membership of thirty-two, and officers as fol- lows: A.B.Conner, rector; J. S. Nitterauer, vice-rector; T.E. Fleming, chaplain; F. C. Burdick, scribe; J. W. Goodrich, usher; Peter Stevens, guide. Good Templars. — Allamakee Lodge, No. 127, I. O.G. T., was organized the latter part of 1859 or early in 1860, the first officers of whom we find any record being A. B. Goodwin, W. C. T., aad T. J. Goodykoontz, W. S. This organization was quite popular along early in the sixties, and flourished finely; but its light grad- ually waned, and went out about tke latter part of 1872. It was ve- viyedearljinlSlQasWaukon Lodge, No. 68, but was kept up only a little over two years. Patrons of Husbandry. — Waukon Grange, P. of H., was organ- ized Jan. 6, 1870. Chas. Paulk was the first W. Master. The in- stitution was very prosperous, and in March, 1871, purchased the old Woodcock store building on the present site of Boomer's opera house, paying therefor $2,000. This grange continued in oper- ation about eleven years. Y. M. T. A. — The Young Men's Temperance Association was organized in May, 1881, with the following officers: C.C. Ban- fill, Pres.;R. J. Alexander, Vice Pres.; J. F. Dougherty, Secre- tary; George Helming, Treas. Although less than a year and a half old, it has purchased a library of late and popular books, comprising two hundred volumes, besides tastefully furnishing a hall and paying all running expenses. Its reading room is sup- plied with all the more popular magazines and periodicals, and is open to the public every evening and Sunday afternoon. In the years gone by there was in Waukon a Young Men's Library As- sociation, which with the aid of the Amateur Dramatic Club, had accumulated a library of nearly five hundred volumes. These books (or all that were left of them) were placed in the charge of the Y. M. T. A., which thus has control of a circulating library of fully six hundred volumes, open to the public two afternoons each week. The association comprises about sixty members, and is one of the really meritorious organizations of the town, and is doing a good work. The officers are the same as at first, with the exception of Geo. Hubbell, Treasurer, and the addition of a Finan- cial Secretary, H. J. Nichols. The room they occupy has so far cost them nothing for rent, through the liberality of the owner, W, C.Earle. W. C. T. U. — The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized Feb. 17, 1876, with a membership of fifty-eight, and the following officers: Mrs. E. M. Stilwell, Pres.; Mrs. S. M. Wedgwood, Vice Pres.; Miss Nettie Hall, Recording Secretary; Mrs. L. A. Low, Corresponding Secretary. It has done a good work in the temperance cause. The officers during the past year HISTOKY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 697 were: Mrs. Stilwell, Pres.; Mrs. W. L. F. Brayton, Vice Pres.; Mrs. 0. D. Beeman, Correspondiag Secretary; Mrs. Low, Record- irtg Secretary; Mrs. L. W. Hersey, Treasurer. Early Settlers.— The Early Settlers' Association, of Matee tp., was organized Dec. 2, 1879, with about twenty-fiye members. The first officers elected were: J. A. Townsend, Pres.; James Duffy, Vice Pres.; G. M. Dean, Secretary; AzpI Pratt, Treasurer. The present officers are: James Duffy, Pres.; L. E. Howe, Vice Pres.; Geo. M. Dean, Secretary; George W. Hayes, Treasurer. Military Company.— Co. P., 4th Regt. lo. Nation-al Guards, was mustered in by Capt. E. B. Bascom, of Lansing, May 16, 1878, with a full complement of sixty-four enlisted men, besides the commissioned officers, who were elected as follows: Captain, D. W. Reed; 1st Lieut., J. W. Pratt; 2d. Lieut., T. G. Orr. In July, the company was transferred to the 9th Regt., becoming Co. E. August 17, Captain Reed was elected Major of the regiment. About Sept. 20th the company received their arms and accoutre- ments. In October, Earle's hall was leased for an armory. Nov. 7th, 2d Sergt. A. J. Rogers was elected Captain, and 5th Sergt. A. T. Stillman 1st Lieut., to fill vacancy caused by resignation of J. W. Pratt. May 2d, 1879, Orderly Sergt. Dell J. Clark was elected 2d Lieut, to fill vacancy caused by Lieut. Orr's resignation, and A. H . Peck was elected Orderly. In July the company was re- transferred to the Fourth Regt., becoming Co. I., where it has sinee remained. In August, forty uniforms were purchased, it be- ing liecessary to borrow only $100 to accomplish this, and Sept. 16 to 19 the company participated in regimental encampment at Inde- pendence. May 7, 1880, 3d Sergt. J. B.Reid was elected 2d Lieut., in place oif D. J. Clark, resigned. Oct. 11th to 15th the Co. was in regimental camp at Postville. In August, 1881, Capt. Rogers was elected Major of the regiment; and the term of service having, expired, it was a question whether or not the Co. should reorgan- ize. On the 8th the Co. decided by vote to do so, and on the 17th Sergt. A. J. Stewart was elected Captain. The Co. attended the ■ State encampment at Des Moines, second week in October. Lieut. Stillman's commission having expired, and he desiring to retire, 2d Lieut. J. B. Reid was elected his successor Nov. 25, and Sergt. E. B. Gibbs elected to the 2d Lieutenancy. In June, 1882, with these officers, and E. W. Pratt as 1st Sergt., the Co. attended Brigade encampment at Waterloo, where they received the first pri2!e ($100) for the best drilled Co. in the 2d brigade, comprising three regiments. In September, Barnard Hall was rented for an armory; and that month the Co., by special invitation, attended the grand military encampment at Dubuque, where they acquitted themselves creditably. 698 HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. PIRES. The more noteworthy fires which have occurred in Waukon are as follows: On the night of Sept 13, 1870, a fire originated in M. G. Belden & Son's blacksmith shop, standing where Martin's fur- niture store now is, destroying all on the northeast corner of Main and Allamakee streets, comprising the blacksmith and wagon shops of Belden & Son, the flour and feed store of R. Isted & Son, and the boot and shoe shop of A. Plubiska. Total loss about $3,700, insured for f 1,900. On Sunday morning, April 14, 1878, before daylight, a fine orig- inated in Farley's saloon on the north side of Main street, and con- sumed that and the Rankin building next west. Loss $1,025; no insurance. The Rankin building was an old land mark, built in '56 or '57 by Uriah Whaley, and had been used for various pur- poses in its day. The second story was once used for school purposes; and the upper part at one time served as a lock-up for criminals awaiting trial. On the night of August 16, 1878, a fire was discovered about 10:30 o'clock raging in the wall of Farnsworth's frame store build- ing and dwelling, on the north side of Main street, and destroyed the frame row of stores on that street, and stables, etc. to the northward, comprising: J. P. Farnsworth, two story grocery store and dwelling; W. A. Pottle, two story building occupied by Bent- ley with jewelry; Carter & Eaton, boots and shoes, and Miss Dean, millinery; Nesmith & Gilchrist, two story building, occu- pied by drug store; Pleimling, tailor shop, and two families; Luther Clark, three story residence and store; L. 0. Bearce, one story harness shop; Lewis Reid, one story and basement saloon; Sam'l. Huestis, two story building occupied below by Miss Townsend's millinery rooms, and offices above; A. H. Hersey and M. Stone, ' two story warehouse; John Rankin, small barn; Tovey & Goody- koontz, large hotel barn and sheds. The total loss amounted to about $12,000. Although some supposed the fire to have been in- cendiary, not until more than fifteen months had rolled by was the evidence sufficiently developed to warrant any arrests. in December 1879, Wm. Hennessey, H. A. Hewit and Cliff. H, Wood were arrested for the crime. The first had been keeping a saloon which bore the reputation of a bad place, and which the two others, young men,were in the habit of frequenting. Hennessey was placed in the Decorah jail in default of $10,000 bonds, while bail for the others was fixed at $500 each. Hennesey's trial took place in May following, resulting in a verdict of guilty and sentence of twenty years in the penitentiary. On this trial H. A. Hewit tes- tified that he and Cliff. Wood were in Hennesey's saloon on the night of the fire after the others had all gone home, and that Hen- nessey went behind the bar and took up a beer glass in which was a ball of candle wicking, and said he had had it soaking for two HISTOBT OF AiLAMAKEB COTJl^TY. 699 days in kerosene; and that Hennesey put the ball in Wood's coat pocket and told them to put it in a knot hole which they would find in the siding of Farnsworth's building and set it a-fire; that they did so, Wood putting the ball in and Hewit applying the match; and that although he had been drinking considerable that day he knew enough to know that he was setting the fire, etc. Wood's testimony corroborated Hewit's in all essential particulars. Hen- nessey appealed, but the decision of the lower court was affirmed. Wood and He wit took time to plead, and bail was fixed in $2,000. At the next December term Wood plead guilty and received a sentence of four years. Hewit plead not guilty and the case was continued. At the May 1881 term it came to trial, when the jury disagreed. The case was continued from term to term until May 1882, when it was finally tried and the jury brought in a verdict of not guilty. CHAPTER H. History of Lansing : Early Settlement; Resources and Commercial Facilities; Railroad Festivities; Population; City Government; Fire Department; Water Supply; Death of Capt. Hemenway; The Local Press; Churches and Societies; Original Town Pro- prietors; " Wild Jim." BT DICK HANET. K^' Lansing, the largest town of Allamakee county, is situated on the Mississippi river, twelve miles south of the Minnesota state line, and eighty-one miles northof Dubuque, in a valley which is about one mile in width, and through which fiows a beautiful stream called Clear creek. The business portion of the town is built upon a high bench of ground at the foot of Mt. Hosmer, one of the most noted bluffs on the river. The town, when viewed from the river, appears to be entirely sur- rounded by rugged hills. In summer, when these hills are clothed in garments of richest green, the town lies half hidden among its shade trees, and the shadows of the blufis, as beautiful a place to look upon as can be found anywhere in the Mississippi valley. The high ground upon which the principal portion of the town is built, runs down to the river, leaving a bold, rocky shore, along which flows the main channel of the river, affording at all seasons of navigation an ample supply of water, and landing places for all kinds of upper river steamboats. 700 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. EARLY SETTLEMENT. This truly beautiful town site was first occupied in 1848 by a man by the name of Garrison, who had made a claim, and was liv- ing in a small cabin where the town now is, when, in the fall of that year, John Haney, Sr., came to the place, in cornpany with his son James. Soon after Mr. H. H. Houghton, of Galena, 111., purchased Garrison's claim, and in company with John Haney, Sr., secured all the land lying in this beautiful valley for a distance of three or four miles, and in 1851 he and Mr. Haney laid out the town of Lansing. Among the early settlers were: James Haney, John Haney, Jr., G. W. Gray, G. W. Hays, James I. Gilbert, W. Ballou, P. D. • Cowles, J. W. Remine, A. L. Battles, I. B. Place, H. M. Travis, J. 1. Taylor, E. Hale, and G. H. Battles. The first marriage in the place was that of James Haney and Rachel W. Hurton, which occurred Feb. 5, 1852. The first white male child born in the place was Frank Cowles. The first female child Alberta Hale. The first death was that of Fanny Haney, the daughter of John Haney, Sr., who died April 19, 1850. The first merchant who located in the new town was F. D. Cowles; the first lawyer was J. W. Remine; the first doc- tor, J. I. Taylor. The first hotel was kept by Dr. Houghton in a little log build- ing on Front street, just north of Williams street. The first frame building was a store erected by F. D. Cowles in Aug., 1851. It stood on the corner of Front and Main streets, north of Main. The first frame house erected in the town was the " Lansing House," which is still standing on Front street, north of Main, and is occupied as a hotel. It was built by Abraham Bush in the fall of 1851. F. D. Cowles opened the first stock of goods in the fall of 1851. The first drug store was kept by i. B. Place on Front street, near the Lansing House. It was opened in the fall of 1852. The first justice- of the peace was an Englishman named Luckins. From its earliest settlement Lansing grew steadily, and enjoyed a prosperity not surpassed by any town in the west. It was known to have one of the best steamboat landings on the river, and in a few years after its first settlement became the supply point for a vast tract of country in northeastern Iowa and south- ern Minnesota, which was then being rapidly settled. Emigrants from the east and all parts of Europe came by hundreds, seeking homes among the then beautiful valleys of Allamakee, and on the prairies beyond. These people came by boat and made their way west with ox-teams, or on foot, as best they could. Soon the fer- tile soil of this new land began to yield its harvests of golden grain. For a distance of more than one hundred miles west, and nearly as far north and south, wheat and other kinds of grain HISTORY OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 701 came pouring into Lansing, to be transported by boat to the mar- kets of the world. The commerce of the place in those olden times — in the times of wheat — was enormous, Lansing being for a number of years the best wheat market on the Mississippi riyer. During these years the town increased wonderfully in popula- tion. Substantial business blocks were erected, elegant residences built, and many fine fortunes were made. In 1872 a railroad reached Lansing from Dubuque, constructed along the west bank of the river. To this enterprise the citizens contributed liberally, besides voting a five-per cent tax in its aid. The road is now con- trolled by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul R'y Co. The completion of this road to Lansing was an important event in its history. Prior to this time the river was the only means of communica- tion between Lansing and the world. With the closing of navi- gation each year this means of communication was removed, and until spring again restored it, such business as was done had to be carried on by teams driven on the ice from Lansing to Prairie du Chien, the nearest railroad town. The ice was always uncertain; hence the mails, and all kinds of business depending upon trans- portation to and from the eastern centers of commerce, were largely dependent upon that most uncertain of all institutions, the weather. During these early, ante-railroad days numerous efforts were made to construct an ice-boat, engine, or machine, that would supply the much-needed means of transportation between Lansing and Prairie du Chien. Parties at the latter place, at one time, constructed a huge iron monster, resembling a steamboat and locomotive combined, which they prepared to launch on the ice at Prairie du Chien, having given due notice to the towns and wood-boat landings above, just at what precise hour the wonder- ful invention might be confidently expected to arrive at their re- spective ports. A large portion of the population of Lansing re- mained awake for two nights anxiously watching and waiting for the arrival of the ice-boat, car, or what not it was called. But they waited in vain. It never came. And the complete or par- tial ice embargo of each winter was not removed from the trade of Lansing until the construction of the railroad before mentioned. This road, the Chicago, Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad Com- pany, originally the Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad Company, was incorporated Dec. 16th, 1867. The names of the incorporators were: J. K. Graves, J. M. Merrill, Piatt Smith, E. H. Williams, and Joseph Herod. On the 27th of January, 1869, J. E. Ains- worth reported his reconnoisance of the proposed line, and the next year capital was invested in tha enterprise. The ground was first broken, with appropriate ceremonies, at Eagle Point, at 3 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18th, 1870. Two years later the cars were running into Lansing. In recognition of the work that 702 HISTOBY OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. had been accomplished, and the many beneficial results which were expected to follow its completion, the citizens of Lansing prepared for a grand SAILKOAD CELEBRATION. Wednesday May 8th was set apart as the day for the ovation. Invitations were extended to representative delegations from all the towns on the line of the road and elsewhere. To enable peo- ple to accept the invitations the railroad provided a special excur- tion train which left Dubuque at 8:30 a. m. drawn by two engines, the "Lansing" and the "J. K. Graves," both appropriately trimmed with flags and evergreens. There were over one thousand excur- sionists on the train, accompanied by the Germania Band, of Du- buque. The train arrived at Lansing in safety at 2:15 p. m. and was re- ceived in royal style by salutes of" cannon from the bluffs, and music by the Lansing Cornet Band. A reception committee con- sisting of Hon. L. E. Fellows, Capt. E. B. Bascom, Jos. T. Metcalf , Gustavo Kerndt and Theodore Steidle met the party at the foot of Main street and escorted them to Concert Hall, where a magnifi- cent banquet was spread. The movements of the vast crowd of strangers were admirably managed by Capt. E. B. Bascom, chief marshal, assisted by Maj. Samuel W. Hemenway, Capt. James fiuth and Capt. S. 0. Smith. Concert Hall was beautifully deco- rated. The tables were arranged on either side of the hall, the ends towards the center carried around towards the stage. On the stage and in the center was the Press table, arranged by Mr. C. W. Hufschmidt. The newspaper men who enjoyed its many luxuries reported at the time that "it presented a more tempting sight than editor, reporter or printer had ever seen. That it was a 'fat take' all around." Just below the footlights was the Railroad table presided over by Hon. S. H. Kinne, then State Senator from Allamakee county, and his accomplished wife. Everything connected with this table was fully in accord with the Senator's known reputation for hospitality. At the right of the stage the mayor and council of Dubuque occupied table No. 3, arranged by mayor Nielander, of Lansing, and arranged with entire satisfaction to the tastes and capacities of the parties occupying it. Table No. 5, was nicely ananged by Mr. R. P. Spencer for citizens of Dubuque, next to this was table No. 7, arranged by George H. Bryant for Dubuque guests. Then came table No. 9, arranged by Theo. Nachtwey for guests from Guttenburg. Table No. 11, was arranged for guests from Clayton by Mr. W. A. Travis. Next to this was table No. 13, arranged by J. W. ThomaS for guests from Waukon. The guests from Decorah were seated at table No. 15 nresided over by Mrs. S. H.,Hazleton. No. 17, next to the door was arranged by Mrs. Purdy for the guests from Harper's Ferry, De Soto and Dorchester. The first table on the right as you enter HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUKTT. 703 tlie hall, was No. 14, arranged by Mr. Pearson for the county of- ficials. Next came No. 12, arranged by Capt. E. B. Bascom for general guests. Then came No. 10, where citizens of McGregor and Dubuque were seated, arranged by Mr. N. A. Nelson. Next to this was No. 8, arranged by Mr. Wenst for guests from Mc- Gregor. And then came No. 6, for the use of Dubuque officials, arranged by Mr. Shaw. At the end of the stage on this side, table No. 4, was arranged for the use of the mayor and council of Ga- lena by Dr. J. W. Davis. Two hundred and fifty-six guests were seated at a time, and five sittings were given. Dinner over, the meeting was called to order by his honor Mayor Nielander, who spoke as follows: Ladies and Gentlemen: The citizens of Lansing, through me, tender you a hearty and sincere welcome, in which I cordially join them. I hope that the union of our cities and towns by this iron chain may be also the means of uniting and binding more firmly our personal and business relations. Those whom I have the honor to represent have used their utmost exertions to make your visit pleasant and agreeable, and we sincerely hope that you will enjoy our hospitality with the liberality with which we offer it to you. Citizens of Lansing — I have the honor of introducing to you these distinguished visitors, with their accompanying friends, who have honored our city with their presence. These remarks were responded to by Mayor Turk, of D ubuque, in a few well chosen words, when Hon. L. E.Pellowsw as intro- duced, who delivered the following RECEPTION SPEECH. Fellow Citizens : The citizens of Lansing, through their offi- cials, the Mayor and Council, bid me extend a formal wel- come in their behalf to you who are here to-day. We cordially greet you as representatives of great railroad aud commercial interests, alike important to our citizens and the citizens of our sister cities and towns so well represented on this occasion. To the officers and members of the Chicago, Dubuque, and Minne- sota Eailroad Company, who had the nerve, courage and energy to inaugurate and carry forward the great railroad enterprise that has to-day placed our young city in close connection with the com- mercial metropolis of our grand and beautiful Iowa— who have with oaken ties and iron bands linked together in close business and social relations, all the thriving Mississippi river cities arid towns of Northern Iowa, and made them tributary to that thriv- ing city, Dubuque, of which we feel justly proud — we extend our • hearty congratulations that so great a measure of success has crowned your efforts, and while we rejoice to-day over the com- pletion of the railroad to Lansing, in view of the benefits we expect to derive from it, in view of the great benefit it will surely be to all Northwestern Iowa, we do not forget that it is a work of more 704 HISIOBT OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. than local importance. It is a most important link in that great line of railway that will shortly follow the banks of the Missis- sippi river from where it is spanned by the Northern Pacific Rail- road down to its delta — a railway second in importance to none in America, traversing a country unrivalled for its natural advan- tages, its agricultural, mineral and manufacturing resources, the salubrity and healthfulness of its climate, its varied and mag- nificent scenery, alike inviting to the farmer, the miner, the mechanic, the merchant, the manufacturer and the tourist. The rapid settlement of the Mississippi valley, marvelous as it has been, is due to its wonderful natural advantages, the building of railroads and the power of the newspaper press. I see before me citizens yet in the vigor of manhood who were pioneers here when the most populous of our cities and towns had scarcely ceased to be rude Indian villages; when the present State of Iowa, with a population of a million and a half, and more than three thousand miles of railroad, had not a mi].e of railroad nor even a territorial government. Iowa, but a quarter of a century old, is the eighth in population of the States of our Union — what will be her rank attheendof another quarter of a century? Who will attempt to designate the States that will then surpass her in wealth and population ? But the time and occasion admonish me not to dwell upon this inviting theme. The occasion is one of greeting to the citizens of Dubuque, Guttenburg, Clayton City, McGregor, Har- per's Ferry, and our friends from off the immediate line of the railroad — from Galena, Waukon, Decorah, and other points, to join you in awarding honor to the active promoters of this rail- road enterprise. We desire you not only to accept our hospitality but to become acquainted with our citizens. We wish to con- vince your business men that it is for their interest to become ac- quainted with our business men. We desire to show you that our citizens are not only hospitable, but that we have a business here worthy of the attention not only of our railroad friends, but of the business men of Dubuque; that we can and do here gather up and ship to eastern and southern markets an immense amount of produce; that with the facilities for shipment at all seasons afford- ed by railroad, our advantages as a market will be greatly in- creased; that^we have a large and fertile territory tributary to Lansing, enabling our merchants to sustain a very large retail trade; that we have good manufacturing establishments and ex- cellent openings for more of them; in a word, that we have the material and advantages for a respectable and thriving city, and the will and determination to make one. We want the business meri of Dubuque and McGregor to show our business men that it is for their interest to visit you and trade with you; that it is possible for the great distributing point of the Northwest to be located on the western bank of the Mississippi river, rather than upon the shores of Lake Michigan. And why should it not be so? With HISTOET OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 705 our network of railroads, a water line to the Gulf of Mexico, and prospective water lines to the Atlantic seaboard, why should there not be earnest and united action by us as Iowa men to build up and promote Iowa interests by concentrating the business of Iowa in Iowa, rather than in an eastern city. I know that I speak the sentiments of my fellow-citizens of Lansing, when I say that we rejoice at the growth and prosperity of the cities and towns on this line of road, and of all the coun- try around us; and especially do we rejoice that we have here in northern Iowa the leading city in the state. We watch with in- terest the efforts of the citizens of Dubuque to reach out in all di- rections for the commerce and trade of northern Iowa and to open new outlets to the east and south. We scan the columns of your able and enterprising newspapers for notes of private and public improvements. We hail each new enterprise of your citizens with pride. We rejoice to-day that we are brought in such close com- munication with you, and believe this connection will be of benefit to all. We thank you for visiting us on this occasion. We thank the railroad company most heartily for bringing you here. We trust your visit will be as pleasant as our desire is sincere that it shall be so. Believe me when I say the citizens of Lansing, one and all, bid you all welcome — thrice welcome! Addresses were delivered by Gen. Wm. Vandever, Hon. Wm. B. Allison, Judge T. S. Wilson, J. 0. Crosby, J. K. Graves, and others. Several letters from distinguished guests who had been prevented from attending were read. The ceremonies at the hall concluded with the presentation by the young ladies of Lansing to Engineer Brough of two beautiful cushions for his iron horse, the "Lansing." These were presented to Mr. Brough by Miss Frankie Shaw, now Mrs. George H. Markley, with the following remarks: " In behalf of the young ladies of Lansing I present you these cushions as a slight token of their regard for the honor conferred upon our city in naming one of the locomotives, the " Lansing." I trust, sir, that no accident may ever happen to you or to your locomotive, and that these cushions may ever remind you of the happy event of to-day, and of the kindly feeling of our citizens, and particularly of those in whose behalf I make this presentation for yourself and the noble and powerful engine now under your control." Thus ended a red-letter day in the history of Lansing. At this time the town was very prosperous. Real estate sold readily at high prices, and the town seemed destined to enjoy a future of unexampled prosperity. Bat the farming community upon which the town had to de- pend largely for its support had, up to this time, relied almost en- tirely upon raising wheat. When, soon after 1872, the wheat crops began to fail and continued to be failures year after year, the 706 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. effect began to be observed in Lansing. Year after year the farm- ers clung to the delusive hope that the next year would surely be a good year for wheat, until many of them were bankrupted and compelled to lose their farms and begin life again farther west with nothing. During these same years came the contrac- tion in values incident to the resumption of specie payments, and many who had contracted debts supposing the fictitious values following the war period would always continue, found themselves wholly unable to pay the mortgages on their land; especially as they had lost the art or power of raising wheat. This unhappy state of affairs, of course, operated to injure Lansing, and for some years the town lost its usual business activity and prosperity. But in the last few years the farmers in the territory contributory to the town have turned their attention more to stock raising, dairy- ing, and other crops than wheat, and this year (1882) finds them unusually prosperous and contented, and the business prospects of Lansing brighter than they have been before for ten years. The population of Lansing according to the U. S. census of 1880 was 1,811. This enumeration was taken during the crisis of business depression in the town and vicinity, and does not fully represent the present population of the place, which is certainly over two thousand. CITY GOVERNMENT. Lansing was incorporated as a town m 1864, and organized under the general State laws as a city of the second class by de- cree of the Allamakee county court July 1st, 1867. The first municipal election was held in "Hays Hall" Septem- ber 17th, 1867, and resulted in the election of the following offi- cers: Mayor, S. V. Shaw; solicitor, John S. Monk; treasurer, G. Kerndt; marshal, Thomas Spurrior; trustees, G. Kerndt, S. H. Kinne, Geo. Hewit, C. C. Bates, James Coard, S. B. Johnstone, Jacob Haas, and A. H. Woodruff. The present city officers are: Robert Hufschmidt mayor; J. W. Thomas treasurer; John S. Mobley assessor; James Clancey marshal; and John Dunlevy clerk. The following named gentlemen have held the office of mayor; S. v. Shaw, from September, 1867, to March, 1869; Samuel H. Kinne, from March, 1869, to March, 1872; Henry Nielander, f rom March, 1872, to March, 1873; William H. Burford from March, 1873, to March, 1874; Theodore Nachtwey, from March, 1874, to March, 1876; Samuel W. Hemenway, from March, 1876, to time of his death. May 6th, 1877. (From May 7th, 1877, until May 9th, 1877, Philip Bockfinger held the position of mayor pro tern, when E. A. Blum was appointed mayor pro tern, by the council and retained the position until the special election of July 2d, 1877, when he was chosen mayor and continued in office until March, 1878.) John M. Hancock from March, 1878, to March, 1880. HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUJfTT. 707 (Mr. Hancock resigned March 24th, and Mr. S. H. Kinne was ap- pointed mayor pro tem, until the election of Mr. Hufschmidt, April 26th.) Robert Hufschmidt from April 26th. 1880 to the present time. His term of oiSce will expire March 1883. FIEB DEPARTMENT. A meeting was heldut the office of Mayor W. H. Burford Feb- ruary 25th, 1871, for the purpose of organizing a fire company. Mayor Burford presided and S. P. Darling acted as secretary. Proper committees were appointed and the meeting adjourned to meet at the same place on the evening of March 2d, 1871. At the adjourned meeting Mayor Burford presided and Mr. S. P. Darling acted as secretary. This meeting and several adjourned meetings immediately following it, resulted in the organization of a fire company, known as "Hope Fire Company No. 1," with the follow- ing officers: R. V. Shurley, foreman; P. H. Pierson, first assistant foreman; Sam'l W. Hemenway, second assistant foreman; W. H. Burford, secretary; Herman Schurholtz, treasurer; W. J. Bort, first pipe- man, and Phil. Degnan second pipeman. December 3d, 1873, the department was thoroughly reorganized, the name of the com- pany changed to "Rescue Fire Company No. 1," and the follow- ing officers were elected: Capt. E. B. Bascom, foreman; Jacob Schaach first assistant foreman; John Correll, second assistant foreman; T. C. Medary, secretary; J. B. Thorp, treasurer, and J. G. Orr, steward. Since that time the organization has been main- tained. In July, 1874, John Correll was elected foreman, and re- tained the position for one year. Jacob Schaach was chosen fore- man in July, 1875, and held the position continuously until July, 1881, when the present foreman, John Dunlevy, was elected. At this time, 1882, the company consisted of thirty-two active mem- bers. The officers were: S. H. Hazle ton, president; John J. Dun- levy, foreman; John Delacy, first assistant foreman; Jerry Dun- levy, second assistant foreman; Cyrus Gorgus, first pipeman; Michael Dougherty, second pipeman; Edward Boechk, steward; Julius Reith, secretary, and Philip Bockfinger, treasurer. In 1872 the city purchased, for the use of the fire department, one of Rumsey & "Co's Village Double Brake Hand Fire Engines. To this has since been added two hose carts of the most improved pattern, and a Hook and Ladder wagon, with all the usual appli- ances for extinguishing fires in the smaller cities. A plentiful supply of the best kinds of hose completes the outfit. The engine and appliances of the department have always been properly cared for and kept ready for use. They are stored in a portion of the City Hall, designed for that purpose when the building was erected. While it may be said that the Lansing fire company has at most times during its existence been somewhat wanting in the matter of drill and dicipline, justice demands the statement that the boys 708 HISTOET OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. of Rescue No. 1, have always responded cheerfully when called upon to battle with the fire fiend; that they have often been called upon and have always conducted themselves in a mannar deserv- ing of the gratitude and praise of the people. The force includes some of the most expert and daring firemen who ever belonged to any organizatian of the kind. THE WATER SUPPLY. In the spring of 1871 , through the persistent efforts of Capt. Samuel W. Hemenway, whose life was sacrificed in the enterprise, a stock company was organized in Lansing, for the purpose of se- curing a water supply for the city and the citizens. The company was duly incorporated as the Lansing Artesian Well Company of Lansing. The Swan Brothers, of Boscobel, Wis., were employed to do the drilling, and operations were begun early in the spring by drilling a well on Main street, at the intersection of North Third. Subsequently attempts were made to sink wells at the west end of Main street, and on Front street at the foot of Main. The west end well was a complete failure, owing to the alleged fact that the drillers struck granite before reaching any considerable amount of water. The well was abandoned, and soon afterward closed up by means of wooden plugs. The Front street well developed a fine flow of water, but because of a defect in piping it, or for some un- known cause, the company have been unable to prevent under- ground leakage. This well is still flowing under/ the surf ace, but is not used by the company, and is of no value. The Third street well was, however, in all respects a perfect success. Its depth is 778 feet. At the time of its completion it was estimated to discharge 372 gallons per minute. The water is at all seasons of uniform temperature, agreeable to the taste, and considered to possess superior medicinal properties. It is supplied to citizens, and the city for fire purposes, by means of an exten- sive system of iron pipes l^id in the streets in the most approved manner; and affords a most abundant supply of pure and cool wa- ter for all purposes, having sufficient head to force itself into the second story of buildings in the principal portion of town. Dur- ing the summer drinking fountains are maintained by the city on Main street, where this excellent water can be obtained by all, as " free as the air we breathe." Beyond question the artesian well has proved itself to be one of the most important enterprises ever attempted by the citizens of Lansing. Its usefulness cannot be overestimated. As stated, its gratifying results were almost wholly due to the individual efforts of Capt. Samuel W. Hemenway, who first suggested the drilling of an artesian well; who demonstrated by means of his superior skill and knowledge of such subjects, the certainty of success, and who, when success had been attained, and the people were rejoicing in the splendid result, lost his life while superintending the comple- HISTOBT OF ALLAMAKEE COrUTY. 709 tion of the magnificent public work his ability, energy, and perse- verance had produced. So intimately is his memory interwoven with the history of this public work, that it seems impossible to leave the subject without a brief review of his life and the painful circumstances attending his tragic death. On the afternoon of Thursday, May 3, 1877, the Third street well being then an assured success, Capt. Hemenway entered a deep cut on Main street to personally superintend the joining of sections of the main water pipe to be employed in supplying water from the new well. While thus engaged the embankment on the north side gave way, and the unfortunate man was literally buried alive. Assistance was instantly at hand, but some little time was required to remove the large quantity of earth and rocks that had fallen upon him. When rescued from his perilous position it was found that one limb was broken in several places, and that he had probably sustained severe internal injuries. The gravest appre- hension proved too true, and, notwithstanding the best medical skill and kindest attention of friends and neighbors were bestowed upon him, with a community's united prayers for his recovery, he died on the following Sunday, May '6th, 1877. His funeral, which occurred on Tuesday, May 8th, was attended by the municipal authorities, all the civic societies in the city, del- egates from neighboring Masonic organizations, and the largest concourse of people ever assembled in Lansing to perform the last sad rites for one of its citizens. Mr. Hemenway was born on the 19th of February 1839, at Pots- dam, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. His earlier years were spent in that vicinity. In 1855 he become a resident of Lansing, and was foreman in the agricultural implement factory of his brother, H. H. Hemenway, until the year 1862, when he entered the service of his country, as a member of Co. B, 27th Regt. lo. Vol. Inft. He was commissioned captain by Gov. Kirkwood, October 3, 1862. For faithful service he was promoted to the office of major, and was mustered out at Clinton, August 8th, 1865, having served three years without the loss of a single day by leave of absence. Mr. Hemenway was a republican in politics. As chairman of the re- publican county central committee in the campaign of 1876, he achieved a remarkable victory and had he lived would have re- ceived deserved recognition at the hands of his political associates. At the time of his death he was mayor of the city, superintendent of the well company, a leading member of the masonic organiza- tions of the city, and in all respects the most active, enterprising and useful citizen of Lansing. On May 30bh, 1877, Decoration Day was for the first time for- mally observed by the people of Lansing. Coming as it did so soon after the fateful death of Mr. Hemenway, who had himself been a faithful soldier, and whose new made grave was then especially en- titled to receive an oiFeriag of fiowers, the occasion was rendered pe- 710 HISTOKT OF ALLAJMAKEE COUKTT. culiarly impressive. From the oration of Dick Harvey, Esq., who spoke with intense feeling upon the occasion, the following extract is subjoined: "Of those upon whose graves will soon be strewn our floral of- ferings, I deem it adequate to say that when living they were soldiers, all of them brave boys, who, from time to time, have stacked their arms, done with life's relentless warfare, and now are peacefully reposing in the grand encampment of the dead. 'How sleep tlie brave who sink to lesi By all their country's wishes blest! When spring with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallowed mouM; She there shall dress a sweeter sod, Than fancy's feet have ever trod. By fairy hands their knell is rung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There honor comes a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay; And freedom shall a while repair, To dwell a weeping hermit there . ' With the memory of one among these noble dead, because of long and near acquaintance my heart prompts me to linger. One so lately gone the closing scene still haunts us like some hateful vision. One who had survived the perils of three long years on the tented field, but to reach the meridian of a peerless manhood and then to perish in an hour of peaceful toil, where the possibility of danger was undreamed. Oh, strange and cruel fate! Dumb, in the shadow of this dark mystery, I stand with lifted hands, and vainly strive to comprehend its meaning. a I Even had I power to free my prisoned thoughts, language to re- veal the sullen gloom which hangs over the troubled waters of my soul, it were better to be silent, for God knows I would not by the slightest imperfection of expression wound one poor aching heart within the hearing of my voice! Only this much then: He was my friend, strong in intellect and purpose, possessed of wondrous per- sonal power and faultless courage, an impetuous unflinching soldier. Self-taught in the severe school of disappointment and adversity he had developed a bold, decisive character, and had stored a most comprehensive mind with practical knowledge and useful facts. A clear head, large heart and untiring industry combined to render him recognized and respected among all with whom he mingled. Struggling upward against obstacles which baffle ordi- nary men, the dawn of a brighter day seemed breaking, the earn- est of a useful and success crowned career, when alas the ijl-fated hour! That treacherous bank must fall and crush out the life of him whose efi'orts had upreared it! Oh what a noble heart was here undone When science's self destroyed her favorite son. Yes! She too much indulged thy fond pursuit She sow'd the seed but death has reap'd the fruit. HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUJTTT. 711 Twas thine own genius gave the final blow, And help'd to plant the wound that laid thee low; So the struck eagle, stretched upon the plain. No more through rolling clouds to soar again, Viewed his own feather on the fatal dart, And winged the shaft which quivered in his heart; Keen were his pangs, but keener far to feel. He nursed the pinion which impelled the steel. While the same plumage that had warmed his nest. Drank the last life-drop of his bleeding breast ! Doubtless Samuel was not dearer to his friends than were the others to those who knew and loved them best. They all were soldiers, and in full round measure worthy of the offerings we bring them here to-day." THE PRESS. The first newspaper office established in Lansing was owned by H. H. Houghton, of Galena, 111. The name of the paper was the Iiansiag Intelligencer, and was edited by W. H. Sumner. Vol. 1, No. 1, of this paper was issued Tuesday, Nov. 23, 1852. The of- fice has continued to exist until the present, although the name of the paper has several times changed. It is now the Lansing Mir- ror, published by Messrs. Woodward & Metcalf, Earl M. Wood- ward being editor, and George W. Metcalf, a most excellent prac- tical printer, the superintendent of the mechanical department. No. 1 of Vol. 30 was issued Oct. 13, 1882. It is now sold upon the same terms that were advertised in the first issue of the Intel- ligencer. Among the business cards contained in Lansing's first paper, only one name appears which is now familiar to residents of the city, that of the Lansing House, which is still standing and occupied as a hotel. It was then owned and managed by J. and J. Grant, and they promised the public among many other matters to have " porters always in attendance to convey passengers' bag- gage to and from boats free of charge." This old landmark is now owned by J. W. Bates, and leased by Frank Howe. Of those who advertised in the first issue of the Intelligencer, not one is now living in Lansing. They were then written up by the obliging editor in the following attractive style: "James Peacock advertises a variety of goods, consisting of all the intermediates between a shawl and a coffee-mill, or a Califor- nia hat and a wash-board. Give him a call. " P. D. Cowles wants the ' staff of life.' Peed him, somebody. ^ " At the sign of the Elk Horn, E. P. Bircher displays many good things, which he offers to part with for a — ' consideration.' "T. E. Williams has a well stocked shop — as good as we have seen anywhere. Call on him and ' exchange tin.' " Chas. J. McGee is prepared to fill your houses with furniture, plain or ornamental, costly or cheap, according to the fancy of the purchaser, or the size of his ' pile.' 712 HISTOBT OP ALLAMAEEB COUNTY, " Miss A. M. Battles hopes to receive calls from the ladies — and the amount of their milliner's bills from their obedient lords. "James I. Gilbert comes in for his share of the ' dimes,' and of- fers lumber as an equivalent. " Dr. J. I. Taylor is, we believe, a successful physician, and is supposed to cure ' all the ills that flesh is heir to.' Personally we we hope to have no need of his services. " Geo. W. Camp, and Remine, and Shaw, lawyers, are ready for business, and if any of our friends are so unfortunate as to ' go to law,' we have no doubt that either of these gentlemen will ' suit ' them." This paper has been republican in politics since its establish- ment. In 1861 .it was published by G. W. Haislet, who sold the paper to T. C. Medary, and in 1870 it was purchased by Metcalf & Co. In July, 1874, James T. Metcalf bought the interest of his copartner, John T. Metcalf, and conducted it alone until July 1, 1881, when the present publishers. Woodward & Metcalf , assumed control of it. The Mirror office is well supplied with all the mod- ern improTements, and under the management of Geo. W. Met- calf, one of the most skillful printers in the west, the press-work, job printing, and everything connected with the mechanical de- partment of the office are done in a most excellent manner. Under the editorial management of Mr. James T. Metcalf, this paper assumed a prominent position, and has for years exerted a most decided influence upon public opinion, both in the republi- can party and out of it. During the time Mr. Metcalf controlled the paper he was always true to republican principles, never al- lowing personal consideration to endanger the success of the party. Prudent, far-sighted, usually conservative, but aggressivie when he thought it best, Mr. James T. Metcalf without any doubt did more than any other one man for the republican party in Allama- kee, while editor of the Mirror. He now has a government of- fice, inspector postoffice department, money order system. Earl M. Woodward, his successor as editor of the Mirror, was born at Truxton, Cortland Co., N. Y., Dec. 16, 1848. Served as private in Co. C, 142d 111. Vol. Inf., during the rebellion. Graduated from the Albany Law School, May, 1874, and came to Allamakee county, Oct. 4, 1874. He practiced law in Lansing and New Al- bin until July 1, 1881, when he became editor of the Mirror, with the exception of a few months' residence at Manchester, lo. Mr. Woodward is an industrious, painstaking editor, who has fully sustained the former reputation of the Mirror. The North Iowa Journal, Democratic in politics, was the first Democratic paper started in Lansing. It was established in Febru- ary, 1860 by McElroy and Parker, and called the Democrat. They were succeeded by Christian Lomann, who changed the name to The Argus, and published it by that name for about six months. In 1862 J. G. Armstrong changed the name back to North Iowa ItlSTORT OF ALLAMAKEE CODNTY, T13 Joitrnal and published it for about three years, when he sold it to Taylor &Haislet, who changed the name to The Chronicle, which was conducted as an independent paper until the office was burned in 1871. The material, however, was sayed and sold to the pub- lishers of The Mirror. The Allamakee Democrat was started in the summer of 1870 by R. V. Shurley. He conducted it about one year and sold out to the Sherburns, who in a few months sold the office to T. C. Medary, who gave the paper the old name, North Iowa Journal, which he published until December, 1879, when he removed to Mason City Iowa. He was succeeded by the Dunlevy Brothers, who issued the first number of the Lansing Journal in January, 1880. The Duulevy Brothers, John J. and Thomas, are excellent practical printers, and both of them able editors. The Lansing Journal has been, since its establishment in 1880, devoted to the interests of Lansing and the Democratic party. Its editors are reliable, industrious and intelligent. As a local paper the Journal is without a superior in Northeastern Iowa, and is by many considered without an equal in that.portion of the State. CHURCHES. The first religious services held in Lansing were conducted by Rev. Mann, in a log cabin on what is now Front street, then the house of John Haney, Sr., in the winter of 1848-49. There are now nine religious societies, each having a church building all completed, except the Congregational church, which will be when finished, the finest one in the city. The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by the Rev. R. A. Bishop, in 1852. A Sunday School was then organized in connection with the church, and George H. Battles was chosen Superintendent. Bev. Bishop preached his first sermon in 1851, in the house of Elijah Hale, one of Lansing's early settlers. Mr. Bishop was then traveling a circuit, including the valley of Turkey River, and all of Iowa northeast of it. When the M. E. socie- ty was organized, it was composed of nineteen members and proba- tioners, among whom were William Hemingway, George H. I3attles and S. M.Baldwin, three old-fashioned pioneer methodists, and three as good men as ever made their homes in Iowa. The first building used by this society was erected in 1857, under the leadership of Rev. H. W. Houghton, the first stationed preacher of the M. E. Church in Eahsihg. It was a frame building, and situated on Piatt street. In 1866 the society exchanged this for a new and much larger frame building, situated on Main street, which was built by the society during that year, and dedicated in November. The church is out of debt and prosperous. The fol- lowing gentlemen have occupied the position of pastor since the church was organized, in the order named as to time: H. W. Houghton, V. X. Miller, A. H. Ames, C. W. Brewer, F. C. 714: HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Mathews, H. W. Houghton, B. D. Alden, F. C. Wolfe, J. Rid- dlington, C. P. McLean, M. H. Smith, J. N. Kerr, J. T. Wilcox, T. E. Fleming, George Elliott, George W. Pratt, H. W. Hough- ton, Thomas Oliver, D. M. Parker. Rby. Houghton was pastor in '67 and '58 ; Wolfe, Keddlington, McLean, and Elliott held the position each for two consecutive years. Rev. Parker was appoint- ed in the fall of 1880, and is now near the close of his second year. The others were pastors for one year each. The Congregational Church was organized May 15th, 1863, by Rev. Timothy Lyman, with the following members; Lorenzo Bushnell, Mrs. Melinda R. Bushnell, Mrs. Louisa Reed, Lyman C. Reed, Mrs. Fanny Haney, and Mrs. iSarah Cowles. The Congre- gational society was incorporated May 18th. '64, the incorporators being Timothy Lyman, Jos. I. Gilbert, John Haney, G. W. Gray, John W. Remine, G. W. Hays, F. D. Cowles, T.E. Williams, and S. H. Haines. The iirst church building erected by the society was occupied in 1864. On March 6th, 1877, this was consumed by fire. During the same year, a new and beautifully designed edifice -was begun, which remains unfinished. The basement in- tended for Sabbath School purposes and lecture rooms was com- pleted in 1877 and used by the society for several years as its place of worship. The church organization is still maintained, but the society is at present without a pastor. Revs. T. Lyman, Geo. Bent, D. N. Bordwell, James B. Gilbert, S. H. Canfield, Orlando Clark, A. Graves, P. Litts and C. H. Rogers, have, in the order named, occupied the position of pastor. St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Parish was organized August 26th, 1865, by Rev. G. W. Watson, of Clinton, Iowa. The war- dens were: George W. Barker and J. I. Taylor; vestry, F. D. Cowles, John J. Shaw aad T. E. Williams. In May, 1866, Rev. James Trimble was called to the parish for about one year. Dur- ing this year services were conducted in a school house. A church was built between '59 and '61, on Diagonal street. This was opened for worship on Advent Sunday, 1861, and consecrated by Bishop Lee, in 1862. July 23d, 1862, Rev. W. W. Estabrook D. D. delivered his first sermon, and was soon after appointed rector. Sunday, January 7th, 1866, the church was destroyed by fire. Janu- ary 27th, 1867, a new church built on the corner of Center and Third streets was first occupied and consecrated by Rt. Rev. H. W. Lee, May 3d, 1868. Soon after this, W. W. Estabrook left the parish and was succeeded July 6th, 1868, by T. J. Brookes, who ac- cepted a call to rectorship in 1869, resigning his charge in the same year. Rev. Allen accepted a call to the rectorship October 9th, 1869, and remained abont one year. Rev. Charles- Canfield officiated for a few months in 1872, since which time the church has been occu- pied only occasionally, once or twice by Bishop Lee. Rev. James Bentley preached occasionally from 1858 to 1861. Rev. T. Hooker and Dr. Eddy were both connected with the church in the HISTORY OP ALLAMAKEB COUJSTTT. 715 year 1862. The church organization is still maintained according to the laws and regulations of the church, but the building, the most favorably located house of worship in the city, begins to show indications of decay. The first couple married in Lansing according to the forms of this church, were Homer H. Hemen- way and Amanda S. Gray. They were married, so the church record says, February 4th, 1857, and the witnesses were John Berry, G. W. Gray and Martha Haney. Among the early attendants and members of the church were, F. 0. Cowles and family, Sarah Cowles, widow, and family, John I. Taylor and family, S. H. Kinee and family, Samuel B. Johnston and family, and H. H. Hemenway and family. George W. Camp, Esq., was secretary of the meeting of citizens called to organize the society. F. D. Cowles and J. I. Taylor were appointed delegates in May, 1856, to represent the parish in the convention of the Iowa Dio- cese. In the spring and summer of 1865 frequent visits were made to Lansing by the Rev. James Frothingham, then settled in Cale- donia, Minn. These visits resulted in the organization of a Presbyterian church. Mr. Frothingham, assisted by Elder Bben S. Albert, of Mt. Hope church, effected the organization Sun- day, June 18, 1865. The services were conducted in the Episco- pal church edifice on Diagonal street, subsequently destroyed by fire. The following persons presented certificates of membership and letters of dismission: Eben T. Albert, Mrs. Jane Albert, Sarah and Elizabeth Albert, and Mrs. Margaret Ratcliffe, from Mt. Hope Church, Allamakee Co., lo.; James and Jane Logan, Mrs. Annie Stafford, Miss Helen Gilchrist, Miss Rachael Elmendorf , and Mrs. G. W. Hayes, from other churches. Mr. A. W. Purdy, Mrs. Delia Delevan Purdy, and Mrs. Margaretta Macbay were ad- mitted on confession of faith. These persons were formally de- clared organized as a church, and Mr. M. E. Albert was chosen Ruling Elder. A meeting of the regular attendants on the services of the church was held in the parlor of the American House, on Monday evening May 7th, 1866, for the purpose of organizing a church so- ciety. A committee of three was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws for the society, in order to a proper incorporation. The committee consisted of Rev. James Frothingham, M. M. Webster, and Cyrus Watts. At a subsequent meeting held at the same place, the committee reported a constitution and by-laws, which were adopted. Articles of incorporation were duly adopted and recorded soon after this, and a church society duly organized according to the laws of Iowa and the Presbyterian church, to be known as the First Presbyterian Church, of Lansing. The first trustees were: Amos W. Purdy, Eben T. Albert, and William C. Macbay. February 7th, 1867, these gentlemenwere reelected, Mr. Purdy for three years, Mr. Albert for two, and Mr. Macbay for 716 HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUHTT. one. January 6th, 1868, the term ofrservice of W. C. McBay hav- ing expired, A. H. Woodruff was chosen trustee. Mr. E. T. Albert was reelected in January, 1869. At the annual meeting of the society, held January 3d, 1870, the method of electing trus- tees was changed, the changed by-law providing that three trustees should be annually chosen to serve for one year each. At this meeting E. T. Albert and A. H. Woodruff resigned. The term of A. W. Purdy expired. An election of trustees according to the new method resulted in the choice of Cyrus Watts, George D. Purdy and Glyken A. Rockwell. In January, 1871, Cyrus Watts, S. 0. Smith and George Albert were chosen trustees. W. H. Burf ord, G. A. Rockwell and Cyrus Watts were trustees in' 1872. January 13th, 1873, Dr. N. S. Craig, Lewis Burton and J . W. Thomas were chosen. At a special meet- ing held January 23d, 1873, Messrs. Burton and Thomas declined to serve for reasons considered satisfactory by all, and C. T. Hart and Joseph Smith were chosen in their places. Dr. N. S. Craig, Storr Rockwell and Geo. W. Albert were trustees in 1874. Storr Rockwell, J. W. Thomas and M. McCormick in 1875 and 1876. January 3d, 1877, the time for holding the annual meetings of the society was changed from January to the first Monday of September in each year. M. McCormick, J. W. Thomas and Dr. N. S. Craig were chosen trustees to serve until the meeting in September, 1877. At that meeting the same gentlemen were elected. They were again reelected in September, 1878. At a special meeting of the society held after evening service, August 3d, 1879, Rev. C. E. Schaible, having preached, was called to preside. The pastor. Rev. James Frothingham, requested the members of the church and congregation to unite with him in a request to the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation. As, in consequence of ill-health, this seemed a necessity to the pastor, his desire was granted, and the congregation concurred in his re- quest. At the annual congregational meeting held September 1st, 1879, Dr. F. S. Craig, G. A. Rockwell and S. A. Rockwell were selected to prepare a paper expressing the sorrow of the church and congregation at the loss sustained in the severance of the pastoral relation between the church and Rev. James Frothing- ham. At a farewell reception given at the residence of J. W. Thomas on the evening of Sept. 3d, 1879, these gentlemen pre- sented the following paper, which was fully approved by all pres- ent. "Wheeeas, in the providence of God the relation existing for the past fourteen years between the Presbyterian tfhurch of Lansing, Iowa, and its beloved Pastor, Rev. James Frothingham, has now been severed ; and, Wheeeas, we deeply feel the loss which we sustain in his re- moval; therefore, HISTORY OP ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. 717 '■'■Resolved, That we sincerely regret the necessity which compels him to leave this field of labor, wherein so many of the best years of his life have been passed, and whereon he has left the imprint of a firm, unyielding loyalty to the cause of his Master. '■'■Resolved, That though our hearts are saddened by this separa- tion, we yet review with gratitude the blessed results of his ministry here, and desire to express our high appreciation thereof, and also the esteem, love and veneration in which he is held, not only by this church and congregation, but by the whole community. ^'•Resolved, That we invoke the blessing of God to follow him and his family to their new field of labor, and that we earnestly pray that God, in his infinite goodness, will grant him complete restoration to health, and abundantly bless his labors in the fu- ture, giving him renewed strength for continued service in his new abode. '■'•Resolved, That to himself and his estimable wife and family we owe a debt of gratitude for service in church, prayer meeting and Sabbath School, which we can never repay and shall never forget. '■'■ Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be given to our retir- ing pastor and furnished to the press of the city for publication." Rev. Charles E. Schaible occupied the pulpit from October 16th, 1879 until November 1st, 1881, part of the time as stated supply and the balance as pastor. He was followed by Rev. Joseph Gas- ton, who began his labors January 1, 1882. He is now the pastor. The society erected a house of worship on North Third street in 1866. It is constructed of brick, will seat about 300 persons, is nicely furnished and in all respects a most pleasant place of public worship. Ground was broken for the foundation July 4th, 1866. The first meeting in the church was held January 31st, 1867, and the first Sabbath service February 3d following. A Sabbath School was organized June 17th, 1866, which has since been maintained. During the present year (1882), a fine pipe organ costing over " 3, has been placed in the church. It is considered an excellent instrument. The church is out of debt and quite prosperous. The trustees elected October 4th, 1879, were: M. McCormick, H. H. Hemenway, James Ruth, James M. Thomson and N. S. Craig; September 16th> 1880, G. W. Albert, H. H. Hemenway, James Ruth, G. A. Rockwell and Earl M. Woodward were chosen. September 26th, 1881, these trustees were all re-elected. The present board, elected September 21st, 1882, consists of M. McCormick, James Ruth, H. H. Hemenway, .H. J. Frothingham and G. W. Albert. THE LODGES. Lansing Lodge, No. 118, 1. 0. 0. F., was organized April 16th, 1858. The charter members were: James W. Thomas, Homer H. Hemenway, John Haney, Jr., John J. Shaw, G. W. Gray, S. 718 HISTOET OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTY V. Shaw and A. H. Houghton. The charter of this lodge was dated October 14th, 1858. During the war of the rebellion the charter was suspended for a time for want of memhers. Subse- quently the lodge was re-organized, and is now in a prosperous condition, having a beautifully furnished hall of its own in which several other lodges hold their meetings. Evergreen Lodge, No. 144, A. F. A. M., was organized January 11th, 1859, under a dispensation and was duly chartered June 9th, 1859. The first officers were: G. W. Gray, W. M.; H. H. Hemenwav, S. W.; G. W. Hays, J. W.; John C. Berry, Secretary pro tem.; John Gray, Treasurer jpro tem.; Marshall Cass, S. T).pro tern.; Geo. M. Dean, 3. T). pro tem.; W! Beale, Tyler j5ro tem. This lodge occupies a nicely furnished hall on Main street and continues to hold regular meetings. Mt. Hosmer Lodge, No. 29, A. 0. U. W., was chartered May 21at, 1875, with the following members: W. H. Burford, N. S. Craig, A. D. Cowles, S. H. Davis, Robert Hufschmidt, H. D. Spaulding, L. S. ToUefson, I. D. Fowler, James Ruth, M. "V. Bur- dick, John Correll, L. Klewer, W. A. Travis, 0. J, Mix, George Palmer and Edgar Hewit. The lodge now has fifty-two members and holds weekly meetings in Odd Fellow's hall. Humbolt Lodge, No. 61, A. 0. U. W., was chartered April 11th, 1876. The charter members were: Andrew Sandry, M. Simon, G. L. Saam, Jacob Zerbis, Charles Bergler, Peter Berdel, Dr. B. Erb. Brockhausen, M. Gruber, Paul Becker, Martin Englehorn, John Schaefer, John Pfaender, John Gruber, J. K. Englehorn, M. Hostert, V. Schaefer, Jacob Dormann, Thomas Gruber, Engle- hardt Bartheld, Charles Deitrich, H. Kroeihe, John Miller and John Conrad. This lodge continues to prosper, the "work" being done in the German language. Maple Lodge, No. 35, Jowa Legion of Honor, was chartered August 14th, 1869, with the following members: H. F. Fellows, Theodore Nachtwey, G. A. Rockwell, Theodore' Groezinger, M. McCormick, N. S. Craig, H. D. Spaulding, Jas. T. Metcalf, Dick Haney, L. M. Elmendorf, C. A. Gardner, L. E. Fellows, John C. Barclay, Geo. H. Markley, W. H. Burford, T. G. Orr, C. L. MuUer, Michael Healey, F. W. Wagner. H. Beusch, Alfred A. Bock, E. K. Maryatt, Cr D. Purdy, L. Fuiks, I. D. Fowler, Dr. B. Erb Brockhausen, Earl M. Woodward, T. P. Grant and Robert Huf- schmidt. The lodge at present has forty members and meets twice in each month in Odd Fellow's hall. Lansing Collegium, No. 100, V. A. S. Fraternity, was organized June 16th, 1882. with the fpllowing charter members: Geo. H. Markley, S. H. Kinne, H. H. Hemenway, James Ruth, M. Mc- Cormick, J. W. Davis, J. F. Wier, John C. Barclay, Edward Coy, P. N". Smith, William Luth, Ed. C. Bellows, Theodore Nachtwey, /^' Herman Gannitz, Jos. T. Metcalf, N. A. Nelson, H. P. Lane, HISTOKT OJ ALLAMAKEE COUNTT. 719 Joseph Gaston, John B. Thorp, Robert Hufschmidt, Henry D. Spaulding, Edward Boechk, C. W. Hufschmidt, Jr.> and Henry Bockfinger. This society occupies Masonic Hall. ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. Horace H. Houghton and John Haney, Sr., the original propri- prietors of Lansing were men of marked ability, integrity and ! goodness of heart. During times when schemes of doubtful pro- priety were aided and encouraged by men of^ the most pious professions, the founders of Lansing remained true to the dictates of the most unselfish and exalted morality. As co-partners in various business enterprises each relied on the other's honor and neither was ever for a moment dissatisfied with the result. Whatever mistakes of management may be imputed to these gentlemen none can deny that each bequeathed to the community he helped to establish an example of moral excellence worthy of all imitation. Horace H. Houghton was born in Springfield, Windsor county, Vermont, October 26, 1806, and died at Galena, Illinois, April 30, 1879, aged 73 years. He was the fourth of six children. His father died when he was six years old. From the age of twelve to eighteen he labored on a farm. He then apprenticed himself to Rufus Golton of Woodstock, Vt., where he learned the art of printing.' He worked two years as a journeyman printer after attaining his majority, the most of the time for Messrs. J. and J. Harper, who were the proprietors of the house and firm of Har- per Brothers, of New York. He then became proprietor of the Vermont Statesman, published at Castleton, Vt. While engaged in the publication of this paper he invented the method now so much in vogue, of printing one side of several papers on the same form; and while at Castleton he thus printed the outsides of papers published at Rutland, Middlebury, Vergenes and -Spring- field, Vt., with gratifying success. While here be invented a power press, an essential feature of which has entered into the construction of every successful power press which has since been manufactured. This press he sold to the then State printer at Albany for $6,000, on condition that its work should prove satis- factory after three months' trial. At the close of the time agreed upon he received notice that his money was ready for him. But this was prior to the age of railroads and telegraphs, and before Mr. Houghton could dtaw on the parties to whom he had sold his press and have the draft reach them, they had assigned all their effects, including his power press, to preferred creditors. This unexpected and undeserved misfortune had the effect of driving the young printer to seek new opportunities in the west. He crossed the Alleghanies with his effects in a pack on his back. Having spent a few months in St. Louis he one day observed a steamer advertised for the "Galena Lead Mines." Investing what 720 HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUNTT. money he had iu corn he started with it for Galena, 111. Here he worked in the mines for some months, when the editor of the Northwestern Gazette and Galena Advertiser having fought a duel, and being in consequence compelled to flee for bis life. Mr. Hough- ton purchased the office and afterwards conducted the paper for nearly forty years. Galena was then and for many years after- wards, the chief city in the northwest in enterprise and commerce. In politics Mr. Houghton was a whig, and because he was a whig, when party names changed he became a republican. His paper had a wide circulation and properly exerted a larger influence for a period than all the papers west of Chicago and north of St. Louis. At the first election of Mr. Lincoln the four congressional districts in which Mr. Houghton's paper circulated gave the largest republican majorities of any like territory in the Union. Judge Drummond, Gov. Ramsey, Hon. E. B. Washburn and Qen. Grant were each his debtors,. and they most cheerfully con- fessed it, the latter once remarking that Mr. Houghton was the only editor he had ever known who would always tell the truth without being paid for it. Mr. Houghton was at one time coun- sel to Lahina Haiwaian Islands for two years and postmaster at Galena four years. He valued the upbuilding of Lansing more than he valued gold, and he spent money lavishly in making im- provements. He established the Lansing Mirror v.'hich still lives, having recently entered upon its thirtieth year of continued exist- ence. He built the. best warehouse in the town and largely contribu- ted to the building of the first saw mill and the first flouring mill. As a type-setter, for rapidity and accuracy, Mr. Houghton never found an equal. He published a daily paper for many years, his editorials were numerous in every issue; and it was his practice to compose them at the case, as he put them in type. He was a man of light weight, compactly built, with large brain and a benevo- lent c(iuntenance. His powers of endurance were, wonderful. For many years he worked six days in each week, eighteen to twenty hours out of every twenty-four, very seldom seeking rest until after midnight. He was benevolent to a fault, always en- deavoring to relieve the needy, not excepting the unworthy. To spend his life for the good oiE others seemed to be the aim and only pleasure of his own. He died a poor man, a martyr to his fidelity to duty, a christian, not leaving an enemy behind him. John Haney, Sr., was born in Lafayette Co., Pa., Sept. 15th, 1798. When a lad of sixteen he became a pioneer in Ihe forests of Ohio. From there in 1832 he removed to Illinois, and came to Iowa in 1848. He died at Lansing April 15, 1875. Mr. Haney was from early boyhood a pioneer. He was a quiet, modest, kind- hearted man, self-taught in the severe school of experience. He pos essed a remarkable memory, and being an industrious reader was thoroughly acquainted with history and the current events of his time. Much of his leisure time was spent in the study of HISTORY OF ALLAMAKEE COUJS^TY. 721 mathematics, in which science, although self-taught, he was probahly without an equal in the State, all the higher branches of the study having been completely mastered by this modest stu- dent in his log cabin during the long nights of our northern winters. His self-control was perfect and permitted no personal weaknesses or small vices, such as^are generally considered quite pardonable. He was in his eating, drinking and speaking strictly temperate, and his private life was free from the slightest sus- picion of any impurity. Having lived a large portion of his life among the Winnebago Indians, he was known by nearly all of them, and considered by them to be one of the best nien who ever lived. This is not strange, for Mr. Haney never intention- ally injured any human being. So sincere was his regard for others, and so strongly did he believe in the equality of all men, that every one who chanced to be at his home was compelled'to sit with him at the table, whether negro, Indian or wandering trapper. He was an abolitionist of the blackest kind, and one of the strongest of Union men during the rebellion. He might have attained to high official position had he chosen to do so, but he preferred to do his duty as he saw it in the humble, unobs^erved - walks of life. What would gratify him most, were he living, to have written of him, what he desired to be when living, jnore than all else, and what those who knew him well knew him to be, is best expressed in the simple statement, he was an honest man. ''wild JIM." One of the early settlers in the vicinity of Lansing was "Wild Jim," a most peculiar person who lived for many yerrs on the islands near town, engaged in fishing, hunting and trapping. He lived alone, never holding communication with anyone except when actually necessary. In 1869 an item was published in the Lansing Chronicle descriptive of his peculiar habits and hermit- like life, which found its way into the New York papers, there attracting the attention of the mysterious man's friends who cor- responded with the postmaster in Lansing concerning him, from whom it was learned that'his name was James Kinten; that he was from Herkimer county, N. Y., where a brother and sister then resided, highly respected and wealthy. They reported that his father had died some ten years before, leaving quite a sum of money to the missing son James, who had been supj)osed to be dead, as nothing had been heard from him for years. About this time the sister wrote the hermit but it is not known whether he ever replied. In April, 1870, he was found lying sick, helpless and alone in his cabin on the island, the rising water being three feet deep upon the floor. . He was brought to Lansing where he died on the 7th of April, 1870. Countless romantic stories were related of this strange being, many reasons suggested for his ubusual conduct, but the secret of his wild life died with him. It was supposed by many that he had accumulated considerable wealth, but if any was ever found the finder never revealed the fact. INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES, ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. Page. Armstrong & Alexander 465 Anderson, Andrew 465 Amquest, P. J 465 Amquest, N. J 465 Anderson, Ole G 465 Ammundson, Andrew E 466 Anderson, A. T 466 Anderson, Thomas 466 ArMay, Charles 466 Amann, Charles 467 Adams, Dudley W 467 Bakewell, John '. 469 Bamnann, Samuel 470 Brennan, J. D 470 Barthold, F 470 Belden, H 470 Burton, Wdham 470 Beiber, Peter 470 Bowen, D. 11 470 Bearce, L. 471 Beeman, CD 471 Barnes, T. H 471 Barthell, John M 472 Bentley, James 472 Barnard, Charles 472 Bentley, H. J 473 Bearce, L. M 473 Bryant, George H 478 Burkhaus, James W 473 Burkhaus, J. H 473 Beucher, M 474 Ballman, H. T 474 Burdiek, W. N 474 Beedy, N. J 474 Blumm, Charles C 475 Burtis, W. H 475 Beebe, Jeptha 475 Briar, James 476 Bacon, Willard 477 Bryson, James 477 Bryson, John S 477 Buggy, Michael 502 Burton, Fred. A, 478 Bensch. Henry. .' 478 Boeckh, Edward 478 Brookhausen, Theo 478 Bascom, E. B 478 Bockfinger, Philip 479 Bartheld, Englehart 479 Buggy, Richard 479 Barr, John C , 479 Carter, Henrv 480 Carithei^, W". H 480 Christianson, Andrew 480 Conway. J. R 480 Clark, E.N 481 Clark, John T 481 Cooper, H. S 482 Colgrove, A. E 482 CarroUs, T. L 482 Clauson, H 482 Dille, AxelP 483 Dean, George M ^ 483 De Lacy, John 483 Dormann, Jacob 484 Davis, J. W 484 Deremo, Orsemas 484 Dunn, Wilham 484 Drewes, Charles 485 Dalton, William 485 Douglas, Robert 485 Dresser, Calvin 485 Deering, Charles 486 Drake, John 486 Deremore, James A 486 Dayton & Dayton 486 Daugherty, J. F 487 Dcehler, A. C 487 Earle, W. C 487 Eells, L 488 Eaton, M. W 488 Ettel, Daniel 488 Eels, G. P 488 Ellis, Jonathan 489^ ' Elliott, John 489 r Engelhorn, John 489<^' Fellows, H. F 489 Fitzgerald, James 489 Fagre, G. H 490 Finney, S. B 490 Fellows, L E 490 Froelick. Henry 491 Ferris, L 491 Granger, C. T 491 Gordon, A 492 Gilbert, John 492 Goodrich, L. W 492 .Gratton, H G 492 Getchell, L. M 493 Gibbs, E. B 493 Greer, Isaac 493 Green, E. S 494 Gannitz Bros 494 Glynn, Matthew 494 Groezinger, Theo 494 Gilchrist, John 494 Green, Alfred 495 Green, Rev. Levi N 495 INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES. Page. Hemenway, H. H 495 Hedge, I. H 496 Holahan, John 496 Hart, Abraham 497 Hesla, S. E 497 Hammundaon, Tolef B . . . .' 497 Hehning, Conrad 497 Harris, Henry 497 Hogan, John 498 Hawthorn, James T 498 Howes, Luther 498 Hanks, G. W ' 499 Harris, William 499 Harris, George 499 Harris, Ehsha 499 Humphreys; H. S 499 Harmon, LA 500 Haas, Jacob 500 Howe, F. A 500 Hufschmidt, Robert 500 Howard, CO 501 Hancock, E. M 501 Helmo, John A 501 Hersey, L. W 501 Hollahan & Buggy ; 502 Hollahan, James 502 Hanson, Gunder 502 Hendrick, M. B 502 Hancock, Moses 503 Houghton, A. H 503 Hays, A. B 503 Haney, John 503 Haney, William ' 503 Henderson, Robert 504 Hancock, J. N 504 Halverson, Michael 504 Haines, J. K ,504 Jensvold, A .505 Johnson, Charles 505 Jennewine, J.J 506 Jaquis, Margaret 506 Jackson, J. P 506 Jacobson, Andrew 506 Kehr, George 507 Kemdt, Moritz 507 Knudtson, Knut 507 Keenan; Patrick 507 Kelley, John 508 Kelley, W. M 508 La,ndy, Andrew 508 Lamont, J. H 509 Low, Hoaa 509 Lyse, Gilbert C '. 509 Ludeking, Simon 509 Lisher, J. M 509 Luhman, H. S 510 Leithold, Matt 510 Lyons, Rev. D. W 510 Laughlin, J. R 511 Page. , Lenz, Henry ;511k^ Leithold, Frank 511 Leithold, C. A 512 Leas, Jeremiah 512 Minert, J. B 512 McDonell, M. A 512 Matoon, J. B 512 McGough, Edward 512 McMiohael, A ; 513 McNaney, Patrick 513 Miller, George W 513 Miller, Santord W 513 MoGee, John 514 Mathers, James 514 Meyer, Rudolph A. T 514 Martin, Lydia 514 Miller, Peter 515 Mackey, Oliver 515 Manger, W. A ..515 MoCormack, M 515 Miner, H.B 515 May, John 516 May, Alonzo M 516 McLaughlin, William 516 Niblock, William 516 Norton, Patrick 517 Neelander, H 517 Nichols, S.J 518 Nichols, Jr., S. J 518 Nees, Charles 518 Nachtwey, T 518 Opfer, H. F 518 Opfer, Simon 519 Orr, James 519 Olson, A. G -519 Orre, J. L 519 Olson, L 519 Plemling, N, 520 Patterson, William 520 Peterson, Halver 520 Pratt, Azell : . . .520 Pratt, James L 521 Pardee, W. W 521 Plank, Fehx H .621 Pitt, John F 521 Post, Z 522 Patterson, J. W 522 Perry, S. C 523 Powers, S. S 523 Perry, James 523 Peterson, John A 523 Prescott, A. R 524 Powers, James 525 Paulk, Charles 525 Pratt, N. H 525 Pope, H. H 525 Ratchff, John G 526 Robins, F. H 526 Rosa, Albert '. 526 INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES Page. Robins, A. E 526 Rodgers, A. J 527 Ragan, John , 528 Rankin, James 528 Ryan, Richard 528 Raymond, B. P 528 Rikansmd,. T. 529 Rupp, Jacob 529 Ross, 0. A 529 Raddy, Edward 530 Robey, C. A 530 RofFman, John 530 Rieth, Julius 531 Reiser, Peter 531 Renzenhausen, C. A 531 Reed, D. W 531 Sencebaugh, Reuben 532 Satrang, Gilbart 532 Scheuning, Christ 533 Stull, W. T 533 Stevens, V. H 533 Sherman, G. W 534 ShafF, James 534 Smith, L.K 534 Shefloe, Bard 534 Steel, Frank 535 Staadt, Anton 535 Sheehy, Ed 535 Schmidt, J. B 535 Stafford, G. W 536 Staadt, Edward 536 Swenson, Bennett 536 Stewart, A. G ,S37 Simonsen, Holver 537 Stilwell, C. S 537 Smith, AV.H 537 Page. Stilwell, H. H 538 Smeby, Hans 538 Smeby.Ole 538 Sohiek, Fred 538 Smenson, Hans 538 Smith, T. C 539 Schwarzhoff, T 539 Sohulte, A 539 Schulte, J. B 539 Schwarzhoff, Christian 540 Sadler, William 540 Spencer, E. K 501 Townsend, J. A 540 Thibodo, Stephen 540 Tnomas, J. W ; 541 Thomson, J. M: 541 Taylor, J.G 541 Thoma, John 542 Terrill, A.L 542 Taylor, Joseph 542 Teeple, Frank E 542 Tisdale, E. A 542 Vile, James 542 Vanvelzer, Bevel 543 Winmer, Edward 543 Wagner, F. W 543 Wallace, John 544 Wiley, Thomas B 544 Wilson, James F 544 Ward, J. W 544 Webb, Henry 545 Wood, Martin G 545 Wiecking Bros .545 Waichter, C. C ; . .545 v^ Ward, John 545 WINNESHIEK COUNTY. Page. Anundsen, B 546 Amy, John (deceased) 546 Addicken, Deidrick (deceased) 547 Amy, G. W., M. D 547 Akers, W. E 948 Adams, Asa W 548 Anderson, George M 549 Adams, Joseph A 549 Ackerson, John G 549 Anderson, Erick 549 Anderson, Anon 550 Aiken, Hon. Samuel 550 Allen, B. T 551 Aaker, Hon. D. 551 Burdick, Hon. Theodore W 551 Bulis, Henry C, M.D...' 553 Brown, Chas. P 554 Bear, Ben 554 Baker, J. H 554 Brekke, N. A 554 Bolland, Michael J ; 555 Benedict, Albert A 555 Brichner, Henry I .... i 555 Booth, J. R 556 Baker, H. A 556 Barfoot, Hon. Benj. T 556 Blackman-, E 557 Betts, E. H 557 Barnes, Richard 557 Burrows, Robert 558 Barlo, Hogen H .558 Burton, Levi G 558 Borlog, Swen H 558 Brekke. Andrew Nelson 559 IXDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES. Page. Bacon, D. C 559 Butz, Jacob 559 Brown, Lewis R 559 Baker, G. R 559 Brownell, A. W 559 Becker, "W .560 Bematz, A., & Bros 560 Bright, D 560 Birtwistle, John 561 Cooley. Hon. Bzekiel E 561 Coleman, W. F., M. D 563 Cadwell, L. L 563 Cameron, J. L 564 Chase, A. C 564 Craig, C. H 564 Clark, Orlando J 564 Cleveland, Fitz WilHam 565 Callender, Josiah -565 Calkin, Daniel 565 Chase, L. M 565 Coogan, Peter 566 Carter, M. J 566 Constantine, J. H 566 Constantine, E. W 566 Cratsenberg, A. J 566 Cady, Chas. W., M. D 567 Christiansen, C. L 567 Clarke, Elijah » 567 Cizek, John , 568 Crapser, Chas 568 CuTmyigham, John : . .568 Chaprjan, R. S 568 Chizek, Frank P 569 Culbert, M. H 569 Day Family, The -569 Day, William 569 Day, Claybom 570 Day, John 570 Day, Richard 570 Dennis, D. B 570 Dahly, B. 570 Dakyns, T. A 571 Dawley, J. W 571 Daekam, John 572 Dakyns, Burg-Irwin 572 Daman, Eugene 572 Danforth, Hon. Warren 573 Dom, D 573 Daskam. J. S 573 •Egge, Erick P 574 Estrem, Chrystopher Anderson 574 Evans, Christopher 574 Emery, 0. W 575 Elwick, John '■ . .575 Enger,T 575 Ehrenberger, Rev. Fr 575 Engbretson, H 575 Easton, James H 576 Egge, T. E 577 Page. Easton, William L 577 Eddy, A. J 577 Ellsworth, D. B 578 JlmsUe, W. R 578 Evans, Richard D 578 Earl, E. E.;.,.: 579 Finn, John 579 Fannon, WUliam M 579 Finney, I. S 579 Foss, 0. A 580 Fredenburgh, John 580 Foss, Mons. K 580 Flaskerud, A. 580 Famsworth, Milo R 580 Finrow, A. H 581 Fallows, William 581 Garcner, Capt. George Q 581 Greer, John 583 Greer, ,R. F 588 Garfield, H. W 583 Goddord, C. N 584 Grow, A. W 684 Golz, Charles 584 Grob, George 584 Gaston, T. E 584 Gripman, Silas 585 Giles, B.P 585 George, H. B 585 Gilbertson, Naroe 585 Giesen, C. W 586 Groos, Louis 586 Gibbs, Wesley M 586 Gilbertson, Andrew 587 Gulbranson, H , 587 Greenhalgh, John 587 Goocher, W. B 587 Griffin, Nathan 587 Glass, Lawrence 588 Hardin, H.J 588 Hale, F.G 588 Hiatt,C.A 589 Hegg, John 589 Hamre, 0. T 589 Hegg, Jacob J 589 Haug, J. H 590. Hubbell, Hon. Levi 590 Hang, J. J 590 Haugen,K.1 591 Hoy, James 591 Hutchinson, Joseph 591 Hiller, C. F 591 Hegner, Charles 591 Hencke, Fred 592 Hardin, M. W 592 Hawley, D.N 592 Haugen, Peter E 592 Hoyt, E. W 592 Holcomb, B 593 Holcomb, Lewis 593 IKPBX TO BIOGRAPHOiS. Haas, Jacob 593 Hostetler, Moses 594 Hanson, Peter R 594 Hegg, Anton .594 Hoganson, Lars 594 Headington, Jacob 595 Hall, George 595 Haugen, Foster 595 Haugen, Ole 595 Hickey, James S 595 Howard, John 596 Huber, P. J 596 Hurley, John 596 Johnson, Hans P 596 Jurgens, F 597 Jacobson, B , „ 597 JeweU, Jacob 597 Johnson, Engebert 597 Jacobson, Rev. Abraham. . , 597 Klein, J. A 601 Klopp, J.J 602 Zalloway, Jens 602 Kennedy, John 602 Kaye, John B 602 Knox, John 602 Koren, U. W 602 Kapinos, Frank 603 Kovarik, John J 603 Kapler, Othmar 603 Klemme, W. H 604 Kittleson, Albert 604 Kmne, Howard A 604 Lower, James W. . . .' 598 Leonard, James Alex 598 Langland, H. M 598 Larson, Iver 599 Lennon, F. C 599 Lamm, J. G 599 Lower, Ohnstian 599 Lennon, Joseph 600 Lundgrens, C. J 600 Leach,A P 600 Libbey, N. B .601 Lemon, M. S 601 Lange, Moritz 601 Libbey, J. A 601 Lein,B.M 605 Melos, Hans Gulbranson 586 Masters, H. W 604 Manning, Hon. H. C 605 Manning, Alpha 605 May, John 605 Meader, Jr., A. H 606 Meyer, Peter 606 McCaffrey, Peter 606 Morrm, I. N 607 Meader, C. E 607 Merrill, F. H 607 Marsh, J. J 608 Page. Maokenstadt, J. H 608 Morss, J. G 608 Myrand, Helga N , . . .609 Mott,' J. W 609 McKay, J. D 609 Merrill, M. H 609 Meader, Ezekiel E 610 McClintock, Charles 610 Meader, A. H 610 Miller, E.R 611 McLean, "William 611 Mcintosh, WilHam 611 McMuUen, Samuel 611 Maltby, CO 612 Marlow, James 612 Marlow, WiUiam 612 Marlow, E. G 612 Mills, P. H 613 Meyer, L. A 613 Miller, Giesing & Co 613 Meyer & Dostal 613 Miller Bros 613 Mcintosh, J. C 614 Morton, Peter,. „ , .614 McMillan, A .614 Nelson, Holsten ,614 Nelson, Torguy 615 Nockels, Frank 615 Noble.D ...615 Nelson, L. F 615 Nelson, Ole W .616 Nelson, Andrew D ,..•.. .616 Nelson, Jacob .-. . .616 Noble, James 616 Opdahl, Edward G 617 Olsen, Herbrand 617 Oleson, Erick R 617 Oleson, P 617 Olsen, Butler 617 Porter, J. H 618 Perry, A. M 618 PoUitt, John 618 Pierce, John H 618 Price, Daniel 619 Pederson, Ole .619 Payer, A. J :619 Punteney, William 619 Patterson, Ole 620 Pennington, George 620 Portman, R. F. B 620 Phelps, George 621 Protheroe, John W 621 Pinkham, W. A 621 Peterson, Osten 621 Packard, LaFayette 622 Protheroe, Ira 622 Punteney, George V 622 Pike, S 623 Qually, Ole Oleson 617 INDEX TO BIOGBAPHIES. Rollins, J. C 623 Reed, Luther 624 Reed, 'W. C 624 Rice, Almon 624 Rathbum, Walter 625 Rudolph, R. F 625 Reed, D. A 625 Rudolph, C 625 Rosa, Hiram 626 Rosa, Theodore 626 Ruksvold, Ole P 626 Rosa, Peter 627 Roome, J. S 627 Roney, Peter 627 Roome, CD 627 Ringeon, M , .628 Rice, Ebenezer 628 Robinson, Enoch 628 Sanderson, Steen 628 Stead, John 628 Sharp, James 629 Salveson, Knudt 629 Page. Soland, E. G 629 Shelmidine, D. B 629 Snell, Frank D 630 Stockman, John 630 Standring, Leonard 631- Slack, John R 632 Smout, P. S 632 Strong, J. C 632 Steyer, Michael 633 Seavy, A. G 633 Small, R., M. D :633 Steyer, Joseph 633 Sherry, Michael 634 Smith, Wilham H 634 Snyder, A 634 Stortz, John 634 Sieh, George , ,645 Sandager, E. P 635 Sydow, Chailes 636 Stiles, A.E 636 Scott, Jchn 536 MISCELLANEOUS. Armstrong, G. D 655 Broghamer, Simon 655 Brenno, Nels Oleson 655 Bemet, Louis 655 Butz, Theobold 655 Blumenroeder, Daniel 655 Boucher, John .656 Bullard, Hosea 656 Boyb, Barney 656 Cebera, Jacob 656 Clifford, E. A 656 Campbell, Hamilton 656 Creamer, William 657 Cameron, James 657 Daubersnnth, C. L 657 DeCow, Hon. J 657 Hoyme, Hover Evenson 657 Funke, Henry 657 Farrell, Michael 658 Falck, Lorenz 658 Prerick, Herman 658 Funk, C 658 Fisher, John 658 Gessell, Jacob 658 Glass, Fred 659 Gorden, Ole 659 Gullormson, Enck 659 Gunderson, Peter A 659 Gorden, Halvor 659 Hover, Edwin 659 Hendrickson, Hendrick 660 Halverson, Henry 660 Page. Herold, Bernard 660 Herold, John 660 Huber, John 660 Hoyt, D. M 660 Hniberg, Adolph F. J 661 Humphrey, G. R 661 Hartung, Charles 662 Hart, James A 662 Hulverson, Ole 662 Holtey, Theo 662 Johnson, Ole ' 662 Jorgenson, Tore 662 Johnson, George 662 Jogerson, 662 Kodelka, John 663 Kratz, PhiKp 663 Klemme, H. W 663 Knudson, Haavor.. 663 Eneeskem, Mathias 663 Larson. Ole 664 Lackman, T 664 Lomman, Ole T 664 Lansing, Wenzel 664 Lambert, E. S 664 Mason, Jr., L. P 694 Miller, C. A 664 Meyer, Andrew 665 Novak, Martin 665 Olesen, George 665 Opdahl, G. K 666 Oleson, A. W 666 Oxley, G. W 666 INDEX TO BIOGRAPHIES. Page. Peterson, John • 666 Petterson, Jolm 666 Pesg, A 666 Eeia, Peter 666 Eusk, Charles 667 Shipley, J. T 667 Sherwin, John J 667 Syverson, Jorgen 667 Page. Schaitemantel, Henry 667 Sawyer, R. N 667 Tostenson, Ole 667 Thomson, John 668 Vance, J. V 668 Wise, Samuel 668 WomenJorf, David 668 Williams, C. W 668 INDEX TO PORTRAITS. Adams, Dudley W 391 Barnes, Thos. H 466 Bakewell, John 668 Cooley, E. E 341 Granger, C. T 187 Keenan. Patrick 425 Page. Leach, A. P 557 May. A. M 524 Meyer, Andrew .443 Paulk, Chas 301 Standring, Leonard 236 Valleau, W.H 621 ERRATA. WINNESHIEK COUNTY. P. 117, Spark's History was published in 1877 instead of 1878. P. 144, last word on the page should read "trader" instead of "teacher." P. 219, in the last line of next to the last paragraph on the page, the word "choice" should read "chance." P. 286, at end of first paragi-aph "West Run" should read "Trout Run." P. 291, it should read that Hayward has the "largest shoe store" instead of "largest store.'' P. 298, last word of first paragraph should read "surprises'' instead of' "surprise." PROPER NAMES. P. 187, "Burly" should be "Bailey." P. 194, in diagram of county, " Franklin viUe" should be "FrankviUe." P. 205, Milo "McGlathety" should be "McGlathery." P. 209, Chas. "Stem" should be "Steen." P. 210, F. S. Hale should be F. G. Hale, and J. A. "Klien" should be "Klein." P. 212, J. W. "Danbrey" should be "Daubney." P. 251, Mrs. Harriet Bottsford should be Miss Harriet Bottsford. P. 254, Prof. "Veflen" should be "Veblen." P. 240, G. "Kruman" should be "Krumm." P. 252, H. D. "Lolbelge" should be "Solberg." P. 272, "Easter," Cooley & Co. should be "Easton," Cooley & Co. P. 274. P. ^. should be P. H. Whalen. P. 277, "Wm." Jennisch should read "C. H." Jennisch, (alderman). P. 280, "W." Brandt should be "N." Brandt. P. 281, Chas. A. Stroh should be Chas. R. Stroh. P. 281, T. M. Burdick should be T. If. Burdick. P. 286, H. H. "Hoen" should beH. H. "Horn." P. 291, K. I. "Hangen" should be K. I. "Haugen." P. 292. "G. W. G." should be "W. G. W." Sawyer. P. 292, Dan "Shaw" should be Dan "Shea." P. 801, A. M. "Preg" should be A. M. "Perry." P. 305, J. J. "Glouman" should be J. J. "Gossman." P. 305, "Lange Moritz" should be "Moritz Ijange." P. 306, 1. T. Shipley should be J. T. Shipley. P. 311, "Miller & Geising" and "Meyer & Dostal" are correct names of firms misspelled. P. 313, J. J. Hang should be J. .1. "Haug." P. 317, T. H. Tower should be J. H. Tower. ALLAMAKEE COUNTY. P. 326, quotation from Gray, third line, for "warm cell" read cell." P. 827, third line, for "Umstead" read "Olmstead." P. 345, for "Eacores" read "Rasores." P. 346, for "crustaceous" read "crustaceans." P. 346, 17th line from bottom, insert "them" after "among." P. 350, for "manufactories" read "manufactures." P. 355, for "H. A." Rodgers, read "A. J." P. 355, chap. Ill, line 2, for "prairies" rend "plams." EKKATA. P. 361, 16th line from bottom, for "Zemiali" read "Zeruiah." P. 362, line 6, for "277" read "227." P. 370, line 16, insert "to" between "line" and "west side." P. 370, line 34, for "words" r«ad "wares." P. 377, line 2, for "Mirror" read "Intelligencer.''' P. 383, in 1872, for Andrew "Landry" read Andrew "Sandry." P. 385, 7th line of first paragraph, for "from one source and another," read "from one source, and another from another." P. 389, line 2 of townships, insert "no" between "instances" and "fur- ther." P. 395, line 22, for "first" election read "next" election. P. 398, in PostviUe, insert "Post" after "Mrs. Zeruiah." P. 404, and p. 447, for Father "Hare" read "Here." P. 411, for "Smithwest" read "'dmethurst."