HISTORY: Adair County, Iowa From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875 ************************************************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************* ADAIR COUNTY. This county is in the third tier from the south line of the state and the third east from the Missouri River, and is twenty-four miles square, containing 368,640 acres. SURFACE AND SOIL. The great water shed, separating the waters which flow into the Mississippi from those of the Missouri, passes through this county, entering it from the north, a little east of its northwest corner, and leaving it a little southward of the middle of its eastern boundary. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad crosses the great water shed almost exactly at the point where it enters Adair County, which point, according to their levelings, is nine hundred and seventeen feet above low water in the Mississippi River at Davenport, or fourteen hundred and forty-five feet above the level of the sea. After passing in a southeast direction nearly as far as the center of the county, the water shed sweeps abruptly to the eastward, between the upper branches of the Grand and Middle Rivers, and continues thus until it crosses the eastern boundary. A broad strip of upland that constitutes the great water shed where it enters the county, runs southward between the East Nodaway and Grand Rivers, both of which are tributary to the Missouri, and although thus made a secondary water shed, it has a higher elevation than the great water shed that passes further eastward. The surface of the county, although almost all prairie, is very undulatory, and in many parts is quite broken by deep, grassy ravines, some of which reach a depth of one hundred and fifty feet from the general level of the uplands. This unevenness of surface renders a small portion of the county untillable by the ordinary methods of cultivation now in use, yet as these declivities possess a soil nearly as fertile as the more level land, they will at no distant day be cultivated with profit. Many of these slopes are so gentle that they form excellent farms, while the bottoms along the streams are usually narrow, dry, and susceptible of easy tillage. The divides are either level or undulating, and finely situated for all farming purposes. Unlike many similar summit regions, it is so perfectly drained that ponds and marshes are nowhere to be found, while there is really very little or no waste land in the county. The soil is chiefly black loam, containing some sand, and is deep and fertile, being from two and a half to four feet in thickness, and resting on a bed of clay. The finest crops of grain and vegetables are easily raised. Such is the character of the sub-soil that it receives and retains moisture to supply the wants of vegetation during the dryest seasons. The same characteristic, also, after heavy rains, prevents the surface soil from retaining for any considerable length of time, an undue proportion of water. Farming operations are soon resumed after the heaviest rains as the processes of evaporation and absorption soon restore to the ground the proper degree of moisture. For the same reasons, the roads do not long remain heavy or impassable. Even the most broken lands usually have a deep, rich soil, and some such now in cultivation produce excellent crops. There are but few thin gravel points, and but little of the land will ever require any process of drainage other than that which nature has provided. Considering the character of surface and soil, combined with an excellent supply of stock water, it will be seen that this county is well adapted to grazing purposes. STREAMS AND TIMBER. This county has no large water courses, but is blessed with numerous small streams which afford a sufficient supply of never-failing stock water to nearly every portion. These streams are supplied during the dryest seasons by springs, some of which are large, and all clear and cold. The principal streams are: North River, which rises in Guthrie County and enters Adair about the middle of the north line of Jefferson Township, passing through the northeast part of that township and across the south part of Lincoln Township into Madison County. This stream, with several small branches, affords a plentiful supply of stock water to these two townships. Middle River also rises in Guthrie County, and, entering Adair, crosses portions of Walnut, Jefferson, Grove and Harrison Townships, flowing in a southeasterly direction. It receives several tributaries, draining portions of the same townships. The next stream to the west is Grand River, which rises in Grove Township, a little northeast of the center of the county, and flows in a southeast course through Grand River Township into Madison County. The above streams are all in the east half of the county, and flow in a southeast course. In the west portion of the county are the two branches of the Middle Nodaway, both flowing across the county from north to south, and forming a junction in Washington Township, and thence passing into Adams County. These streams water the townships of Walnut, Jackson, Summerset, Washington and Richland. The above streams, with their numerous branches, drain every portion of Adair County, as well as supply it with living stock water at all seasons. There is some water power on the Nodaway, but at present it is used only to a limited extent. Good well water is obtained on the prairies at from eighteen to twenty- five feet deep. In Fontanelle the wells vary from twenty-two to twenty-four feet. In the timber, and along the edges of the same, it is usually necessary to dig from thirty to fifty feet. The well water is generally of the quality termed "hard." Springs are numerous along the streams, and at the heads of the ravines. There is one three miles northwest of Fontanelle, near what is known as "Vawter's Grove," on the Middle Nodaway, which furnishes at all times water enough to supply hundreds of cattle. The water flowing from the springs is generally "soft." A description of the streams naturally suggests reference to the timber, as this is only found here along the water courses. In this article the county is somewhat deficient, but there are some fine groves in various places. There are three bodies of timber of considerable extent, one on Middle River in the northeast part of the county, one on Grand River in the southeast, and on the Nodaway in the west and southwest. That along the two branches of the Nodaway is the best in the county. A branch of Middle River, along the north line, is skirted by several excellent groves. The central and northwest portions of the county are the least favored in respect to timber, while the western, eastern, northern and southeastern have good bodies of oak, hickory, walnut and linn. Among the other kinds of timber in the county may be mentioned elm, maple, hackberry, cottonwood, ash, box-elder, buckeye and wild cherry. Sugar, or hard maple, is also found in several places. STONE AND COAL. A very good quality of limestone is found in sufficient abundance along North and Middle Rivers, both for building purposes and for the manufacture of quick lime. Stone is also found in limited quantities in other parts of the county. Boulders are quite common, scattered in various localities, and are used to some extent for walling wells, and for other purposes. Several of these "lost rocks" are of immense proportions, the most noted in this respect being on Grand River in Harrison Township. A noticeable feature is the fact that these rocks all lie at about the same relative altitude in respect to the elevations and depressions of the surface. Their situation is invariably on the sides of slopes of the ridges, about equidistant between the summit and base. These boulders are of the granite species so common in many other places. As yet, no coal bank has been opened in Adair County. There are numerous indications of its existence on Middle and Nodaway Rivers, and in other places. Doctor White, State Geologist, is of opinion that a dark carbonaceous matter found on a branch of Middle Nodaway, may be the northern extension of the coal bed worked at Quincy in Adams County. He also thinks that if in the future coal should be obtained in Madison County by deep mining, it may be also expected by similar mining in Adair. Good brick clay is found in some places, although it is not very general over the county. HISTORY. There seems to be some conflict of opinion as to who was the first white settler in Adair County. It was probably Thomas N. Johnson, who came as early as 1849. The next was William Alcorn, who settled at the upper crossing of Middle River in 1850. This was in what is now Jefferson Township, in the north part of the county. Perhaps about the same time a man named Lyon erected a cabin near the large spring at Vawter's Grove, in Jackson Township, in 1851. Lyon sold his claim to one Taylor, who was on his way to California with a drove of some four or five hundred head of cattle. Taylor, after wintering his cattle, sold out to J. G. Vawter. Lyon and Taylor were but temporary residents, and left as soon as permanent settlers began to come in. Among the first permanent settlers were William McDonald, who located at the lower crossing of Middle River; Alfred Jones, in Jackson Township; Robert Wilson, in Grand River Township; George M. Holaday, in Jefferson Township; Joshua Chapman, in Richland Township; and Jacob Bruce, in Grove Township, near the head of Grand River. John A. Gilman, John Ireland, James Campbell and John Gilson were also among the early settlers. Walnut Township, in the northwest part of the county, was settled in the Spring and Fall of 1855 by several families from South Carolina. Those who came in the Spring were James Thompson and Isaac S. Arledge; and in the Fall, Charles Smith and Lewis Underwood. Jeremiah Rinard and Stover Rinard settled in Jefferson Township, adjoining Walnut on the east, in the Summer of 1855. Most of the early settlers in this part of the county were from South Carolina and Indiana. Settlements were made this year in various parts of the county. The first white child, Margaret Johnson, was born in 1850. The first death was that of a child of John Gilson in the same year. The first marriage was that of William Stinson and Elizabeth Crow, the license being issued May 6, 1854, and the marriage solemnized the next day by George M. Holaday, County Judge. ORGANIZATION, ELECTIONS AND COURTS. By an act of the General Assembly, approved January 12, 1853, Adair was attached to Cass County for revenue, election and judicial purposes, and constituted a civil township. It was ordered that the first election be held at the house of Alfred Jones in Adair Township. Of this election there is no record, either in Adair or Cass County. In April, 1854, the election was held for the first county officers, and for the organization of the county. At this election George M. Holaday was elected County Judge, and John Gilson, Clerk. The first record made by Judge Holaday is dated May 1, 1854, and was an order that the County Court be held at the house of George M. Holaday. On the 3d of July of the same year, the county was divided into two election precincts by a line running north and south, dividing it equally. The east half was called Harrison, and the west half Washington Township. By an act approved January 15, 1855, the General Assembly authorized the location of the county seat, and appointed as commissioners for that purpose George B. Hitchcock, of Cass County; Elias Stratford, of Madison County; and John Buckingham, of Page County. On the 27th of April of that year, the first named two commissioners reported to the county judge that they had, on the 24th of the same month, met at "Adair Post Office" and located the seat of justice on the southwest quarter of section seventeen, township seventy-five, range 32, and that they had given to the place the name of Summerset. The land was soon entered by Judge Holaday for the county, the money being furnished for that purpose by Enos Lowe. On the 30th of August of the same year, an order was made that the County Court be held at the house of J. J. Leeper until the necessary offices were built at Summerset. The first proceedings of the District Court appearing of record, took place at Fontanelle in March, 1857, but the first court really convened was in March, 1855. The only mention of this court in any of the records of the county, is in connection with compensation allowed the sheriff and jurors for services. The first grand jury were as follows: William Thomas, James Roberts, William Stinson, J. T. Weing, John Ammon, Manning Drake, Charles Friend, Titus Sullivan, John Ireland, James Ray, Abram Rutt, Alfred Jones and Thomas Hodson. Judge E. H. Sears presided at this term. Very little business was transacted. The next term was held at Fontanelle, commencing March 30, 1857, Judge E. H. Sears presiding. Theodore Smith being Clerk and Abner Root, Sheriff. But little business was done at this term. Another term was held, commencing October, 1857, Judge Sears presiding, Colonel Ballard acting as Clerk, and L. C. Elliott as Sheriff. John H. Cooper, an attorney from Kentucky, was admitted to practice law. The first case was a suit for divorce, and the prayer of the petitioner was granted. AN INCIDENT. Many amusing incidents transpired in connection with the early law suits of most of the counties, and Adair is not an exception. One of the settlers brought suit against another for the recovery of a balance on a certain note. The case was adjudicated before the only justice of the peace in the county. The defendant claimed credit of a certain book account, but the court ruled that an account could not be admitted as a set-off against a note. The defendant demanded a jury, whereupon three by-standers were summoned by Sheriff Root. The defendant had also provided himself with an attorney in the person of Boyd J. Stickle, afterwards prosecuting attorney of the county. The case proceeded, the court interrogating the witnesses in relation to the various matters touching the same. Our young legal friend, Stickle, defendant's counsel, in accordance with what he deemed to be his prerogative, undertook to question the witness. The gravity of the court was shocked at what he considered an unwarrantable interference. He promptly called the lawyer to order, informing him that he was not interested, and that he had better attend to his own business. At this junction the better half of the court exclaimed; "That's so! What is it his business?" Our legal friend of course subsided. When the evidence closed, the attorney timidly ventured to address a few words to the jury. The court again peremptorily demanded his silence, reminding him that he was not interested in the case. Again, up spoke the other half of the court; "That's so! Let him mind his own business." The lawyer, with a proper appreciation of the majesty and dignity of the tribunal in whose presence he stood, modestly and gracefully withdrew. In due time, the sheriff and jury retired to a log stable to consider the verdict. The result was a judgment for a small amount in favor of the defendant, and equal division of the costs, and a recommendation that the defendant treat the crowd. He promptly complied, and sent for the whisky, which was served with sugar in a large tin pan! And so ended one of the early law suits of Adair County. THE PRESS. The first paper published in the county was the Adair County Register, started as a Republican organ in the Summer of 1863, by James C. Gibbs. It was published a little over one year, and was suspended until the Summer of 1865, when it was again revived by the same man, who, after running it some three months, sold to Perry Wallace, who removed the material to Winterset. Two years later Mr. Gibbs bought another office and commenced the publication of a paper of the same name, which has been continuously published until the present time, although passing through several changes of proprietorships, and is now under the able management of J. C. Naylor, who is making it a spicy, readable paper. The Adair County Reporter, a Republican sheet of considerable merit, was established in 1870, and is now ably conducted by the Gow Bros., who have made it one of the permanent institutions of the county. COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1875. W. B. MARTIN, Auditor. JOHN J. HETHERINGTON, Clerk of Courts. L. J. GRAY, Treasurer. R. O. BROWN, Recorder. CEPHAS B. HUNT, Sheriff. MISS MARY CHILDS, Supt. Common Schools A. P. LITLLETON, Chairman Board of Supervisors. GREENFIELD. This village, the present county seat of Adair, is situated about a mile and a half south of the geographical center of the county, in the township of the same name. It was laid out in September, 1856, by Milton C. Munger. Mathew Clark built the first house in the place, and W. H. Blakely, I. S. Bragg, and A. P. Littleton were among the first settlers. In March, 1858, a petition was presented to the county judge, asking that the question of removal of the county seat from Fontanelle to Greenfield be submitted to a vote of the people. At the same time a remonstrance against such submission was also presented, and the judge at that time declined to make the order; but the question has been subsequently several times submitted, and in the Winter of 1874 or '5, in accordance with a decision of the Supreme Court, the records and other property pertaining to the county seat were removed from Fontanelle to Greenfield. FONTANELLE. This place, originally called Sommerset, was changed to its present name by act of the General Assembly, approved December 22, 1856. The survey of the town was completed in May, 1855, the first lot being sold to Elvira Collins July 27, of that year, and the price paid was $50. The location of the town is about six miles southwest of the center of the county, on a fine dry prairie, and it is a place of considerable business. NEVIN, or NEVINSVILLE, is located partly in Adams and partly in Adair County, but mainly in the former. It was laid out on a magnificent scale in May, 1857, by Roswell W. Turner and Richard B. Smith, of Roxbury, Mass. It is the nucleus of a fine settlement of intelligent New England people. CASEY. —This town is situated on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, on the north line of the county, but mostly in Guthrie County. It is the shipping point for a large part of Adair County. The original proprietors were W. B. Hall, J. H. Bailey, R. H. Marshall, and A. G. Weeks. It has become one of the prosperous towns on the railroad. It was named in honor of the contractor who built that portion of the road.