HISTORY: Benton 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 ************************************************* BENTON COUNTY. This is one of the largest counties in the central portion of the state, lying in the fifth tier from the south, and is the fourth west from the Mississippi River. It is thirty miles in length from north to south, and twenty-four in width, embracing an area of twenty congressional townships, or 720 square miles – 470,800 acres – each township being six miles square, and are designated in the government survey as townships 82, 83, 84, 85, and 86, in ranges 9, 10, 11, and 12. The boundaries of the civil townships correspond with those of the congressional, and are named as follows, Harrison, Cedar, Bruce, Monroe, Jackson, Taylor, Benton, Canton, Eden, Big Grove, Homer, Hane, Union, Eldorado, Fremont, Florence, St. Clair, Leroy, and Iowa. SURFACE AND SOIL. The general surface and topographical appearance of Benton County presents to the eye a very pleasing and attractive landscape, of undulating rolling prairie, intersected here and there with numerous streams and their connecting belts of timber. Some portions of the prairies are quite elevated, though never broken or rough enough to in the least interfere with agriculture, but gradually descending they slope into spacious and fertile bottom lands, which are susceptible of the highest cultivation. A large number of detached or isolated grove of native and planted timber, many of which occupy elevated positions, greatly relieves the monotony usually observed in a prairie landscape. The soil consists of a deep black vegetable mold of an argilla silicous nature, which in the low lands partakes more of a sandy character. The general ruling character of the surface, with the remarkable fertility of the soil, render it a superior agricultural county, and peculiarly adapted for stock raising and for the cultivation of all kinds of grains, grasses, and vegetables common to this latitude. STREAMS. The northern portion of the county is abundantly watered by the Cedar and its numerous tributaries. This river, which has its source in the southern part of Minnesota, enters the county about the middle of the northern line, and runs south to Vinton, where it takes an easterly course, and passing through Taylor and Benton Townships, enters Linn County. It is a clear, beautiful stream with a good current, and runs in its meandering course some forty miles in the county. Its principal tributaries on the north, or left bank, are Bear and Johnson Creeks, while those which flow into it from the west and south are Big, Rock, Pratt, Crooked, Mud, Wild Cat, and South Bear Creeks. Prairie Creek, a tributary of the Cedar, rises in the southwestern part of the county and flows in an easterly direction, receives in its course many accessions, and is of great value by affording stock water in that portion of the county. The Iowa River, the stream next in size to the Cedar, runs across the extreme southwest corner, several of its tributaries rising in this county, among the most important of which are Salt and Buckeye Creeks. There are but few water powers in the county, and those that are improved are of little value. A fine power, capable of driving a large amount of machinery, exists in the Cedar River at Vinton, but it has never been improved, owing to the large amount of expense required in building the requisite dams and races. The flow of the Iowa is much slower than the Cedar, and its scenery is less attractive, yet it is, neverless, a fine river, and passes through some of the best portions of the state. TIMBER The prevailing timbers of this county are the various kinds of oak, hickory, maple, walnut, ash, linn, hackberry, elm, willow, and cottonwood. The Townships of Polk, Harrison, Taylor, and Benton, in the northeast part of the county, are abundantly supplied with lumber from the Cedar, while there are several small bodies of timber and groves in different parts of the county. Big Grove, near the center of the county in the township of the same name, contains about twelve thousand acres. The southwest has but little timber, except in Iowa Township, and along Prairie Creek, where there are some small groves. Added to this amount nearly every farmer in the county has planted a grove of cottonwood, silver leaf maple, or other fast growing wood, which have now reached a sufficient size to be extensively used for the ordinary purposes of fencing and fuel. The broad prairies of the county are thus dotted over with cultivated groves, which not only beautify and adorn the face of the county, but form an attractive feature to travelers and emigrants seeking a home in the state, and add very materially to the real wealth of the county. BUILDING STONE. A fine quality of building stone is found in several portions of the county, but the best quarries are at Vinton, and along the Cedar River. These quarries are inexhaustible in extent, and the quality of the stone is equal to any found in the West. When first taken out the stones are of a brown color, and so soft that they are easily moulded into any desired shape, but by exposure to the atmosphere, the color is changed to a white, closely resembling marble, and becomes perfectly hard and lasting, as its durability has been fully tested. The main buildings of the Iowa State College for the Blind, at Vinton, are built of this stone, taken from quarries situated some two and a half miles northwest of its location. Excellent quick lime is made from these stone, while an abundance of good sand and brick clay is found in all parts of the county, and at Shellsburg an extensive business in manufacture of earthenware has formerly been carried on. Coal has been found at Blairstown, Belle Plaine, and some other places, but not in quantity or quality to justify working. This county is also in the section known as the "drift region," as granite boulders of all sizes are found scattered over its surface, although not quite as plentifully as in some of the counties farther north. STOCK. Probably no county in Iowa is better adapted for stock raising than Benton, which, on account of its rich rolling prairie land, numerous groves and abundant supply of never failing water, is peculiarly well fitted for the successful conducting of this branch of industry. For several years past the attention of the better class of farmers has been turned to the breeding of thoroughbred and blooded stock of all kinds, so that at the present time no county in the state can exhibit more or better fine stock. This result is largely due to Prof. S. A. Knapp, and a few other wide awake, practically educated men, who have kept agitating the subject until they have accomplished results which will be of lasting benefit, not only to the country but to agricultural interests of the entire state. The Benton County Fine Stock Association was the first association of the kind organized west of the Mississippi, and from it has already sprung up several others that are doing much, and are destined at distant day to revolutionize the stock interests of the entire state. As an outgrowth of the work first inaugurated in this county, a State Fine Stock Association was organized at Cedar Rapids in June 1875, which association chose for its first president Hon. S. A. Knapp. THOROUGHBRED STOCK. For several years past, the Iowa farmers who have devoted themselves exclusively to raising grain have found it a losing operation. To the question, "What shall we do?" the broad grass lands and fertile corn fields made answer, "Raise live stock, and thus condense your products for shipment." "But shall I continue to raise the common, native stock; will it pay?" "No," answers the intelligent stock-raiser, "raise thoroughbreds. Let the Short-horn, the Jersey, the Ayrshire, in cattle; the Norman, the Clydesdale, the thoroughbred, in horses; the Berkshire, Poland-China, Yorkshire, Chester White, in hogs, take the place of your 'scrub stock." Having resolved on this new departure, the next step of the Iowa farmer was to demand a journal devoted to stock-raising. This demand has been met and filled by Messrs. Wilkinson & Marine, two enterprising publishers of Vinton, who in July, 1874, started the Iowa Fine-Stock Gazette, a handsome, illustrated sixteen-page monthly, devoted exclusively to livestock interests. It is the only Journal of its class west of the Mississippi; and since – as L. F. Allen, editor of the American Herd Book, says – "Iowa is developing and improving its herds more rapidly than any other state in the Union," this magazine is receiving a warm support. As the stock interest must be soon of vital interest to every Iowa farmer, all will desire it, as the subscription price is only $1.10 per year, or ten copies for $8.50, and it can be had by addressing the publishers, C. R. Wilkinson & Co., Vinton, Iowa. COUNTY BUILDINGS. The principal county building is the court house, which is a substantial two-story brick structure, some forty by sixty feet square, and situated in the public square near the business portion of the town. The grounds are handsomely laid out, studded with shrubs, evergreens, and the different varieties of ornamental trees, forming a very attractive place of resort during the heat of summer. The second story is devoted to court and jury rooms, which are conveniently arranged and airy, while the first story is occupied by the different county officers, fire-proof vaults for the records, etc. etc. It was built during the administration of Honorable Samuel Douglas, County Judge, in 1856, and cost $16,000. RAILROADS. Although a little slow in securing railroads, Benton County has now facilities for communicating with the outer world equal to most western counties. The Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad, which had long been asking for assistance, passed through the southern portion of the county in 1861-2, and after its completion to Council Bluffs, gave it superior advantages for shipment either east or west. This road was afterwards leased by the Chicago and Northwestern Company, who have controlled and operated it for several years. In 1865, a company was organized called the Cedar Rapids and Minnesota, to which Benton County voted $75,000, and donated her swamp lands valued at $15,000 more. In 1867 this company was consolidated with the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota company, and the road was completed through the county in 1868, running up the Cedar Valley. The Pacific branch of this road diverges from the main line at Vinton, and running a little north of west, terminates at Traer, in Tama County. It will thus be seen that Benton County enjoys very excellent railroad facilities, being connected by a north and south line with two of the main thoroughfares of the state, which united the undeveloped resources of the West with the civilization of the East. IMPROVEMENTS. This county, according to the census of 1873, contains a population of twenty-two thousand and sixty-eight, which, considering that there are no large towns, shows that the entire county has become well settled up. There is but very little wild land, and what there is commands a price nearly equal to that of the poorer improved farms, which range from $15 to $25 per acre. The inhabitants are largely from Indiana, Ohio and the Eastern and Middle States, and have generally erected good, and in come cases even elegant, farm improvements. Neat and convenient school houses are found in all parts of the county, showing that the intellectual culture of the young is not neglected. HISTORY. The early history of Benton County is somewhat curious and peculiar, containing, as it does, more than the ordinary amount of ludicrous, exciting and amusing incidents. The first permanent settlement was made in the Spring of 1839, by Samuel Lockheart, in the northeastern part of the county, at or near the little village called Marysville, where he still resides. This village was the nucleus of the first settlement, and was better known to the early pioneers as "Hoosier Point," owing to the fact that a large proportion of the first settlers were from Indiana. Samuel Parker came in the same season, and settled at Parker's Grove, while Gilmore Clark located about one mile southeast of the present village of Shellsburg. They all built cabins, made claims, and did a little breaking that season, raising a few garden vegetables. The following Spring, Stedman Penrose came with his wife and children and located about one and a half miles east of Shellsburg. L. F. North came at the same time, and located with him, while soon after two Englishmen, by the names of George Wright and John Smith, made a claim a mile or two southeast of Pemrose's. Reuben Buskirk also came the same Spring and settled near the east line of the county, directly east of Vinton, where he built a cabin and made some improvements. He died October 10, 1842, which was the first death that occurred in the county. As there was no lumber to be had it was impossible to make a coffin, and his few neighbors, cutting a linn tree, rift it into punchions, and arranged his grave as well as they could under the circumstances. The funeral was attended by five men, and three women, only a portion of whom lived in Benton County. In April, 1842, Jacob Cantonwine made a claim at Shellsburg, while L. D. Bordwell—or "Black King", as he was generally called—bought out the claim of Wright & Smith, who had built a good log cabin, fenced, broke and had under cultivation some forty acres. For some ten or twelve years after the first settlement was made in this county, the increase in population was very slow, yet it is a notable fact that nearly all who once located became permanent settlers. As there is no record of these events, except in the memory of a very few early settlers, it is impossible to be positively certain as to the dates of occurrences which took place thirty and thirty-five years ago. The historian will not, therefore, attempt to give the exact dates, or the names of all who settled here at an early day, but will content himself by mentioning the names of a few more pioneers, who materially aided in transforming the wild prairies and woodlands, which for centuries had been the home and favorite hunting grounds of the wild savage, into the rich farms, populous villages, and the impressively beautiful scenes of life, animation and advanced civilization which now form the wealthy county of Benton. James Downs, Thos. Way, Thomas and Price Kendrick settled at and with some others founded the little village of Marysville, while the following are a few of those who settled prior to 1850; Isaac Onstott, Henry Dillon, Wm. Davis, Daniel Harris, George Sanders, John Royal, John Mason, Beal Dorsey, Dr. C.W. Huffman, J. W. Filkins, A.D. Stephens, who was Indian agent, J.R. Pratt, L.W. Hayes, Francis Saunders, and his six sons, James, Joseph, William, Flem, George and Francis Jr., Fielding Bryson, James Harmely, Martin Webb, Stephen Brody, Chancy Leverich, Anderson Amos, Joseph Bryson, Joseph Remington, William Mitchell, James Pooly, Jesse Brody, Josiah Helm, Thos. Mahan, G. Billy White, James Leverich, John Alexander, I.D. Simpson, J.F. Young. In 1850 and 51, A. H. Johnson, David Jewell, Samuel Roseberry, Alex. Moody, John S. Epperson, Chas. N. Moberly, Elias Done, John Leard, L.W. Bryson, Wm. Cline and Abel Cox, while in 1852 there were John S. Tilford, J. S. Forsythe, Aaron Webb, John Parks, John Renfrew, C.C. Charles, James F. Beckett, D.S. Bruebecker, W.O. Saunders, M.D.L. Webb, Caleb Stephen, James Chapin, James Rice, W.C. Stanberry, Wm. Bells, J.C. Traer, R. Jones, E. Evans, John R. Speak, Chas. Stewart, James Wood, John Shank, Wm. Riley, Geo. McCoy, John C. Rouse, and Davis Fouts. DARK AGES. A strip of land on the east side, comprising about one tier of townships, was within the Black Hawk Purchase of September 21, 1832, and was therefore open for settlement several years prior to the time when the remaining portion of the county was ceded to the whites by the Sac and Fox Indians. A few years after the first settlement, as the county began to be more populace, a class of desperados, taking advantage of the fact that it was located on the very outskirts of civilization, organized themselves into bands that were the terror of the peaceable, honest and law-abiding citizens. These outlaws, systematically engaging in horse stealing and other amusements generally indulged in by frontier banditti, acquired such power and influence in the county, as for a time, to force a suspension of all law and judicial proceedings. The three or four years prior to 1851 is generally referred to by old settlers as the "dark ages," for between the horse thieves and robbers on the one side, and the self-styled "Regulators," or "Vigilance Committees," on the other, no peaceable, law-abiding citizen was safe from molestation. For three years courts were not held in the county, and some of the officials were suspicioned of being in sympathy with the thieves, while others were known to be active members of the "Regulators." For a time it was uncertain which party was the most damaging to the county as both of them often prevented the peaceable administration of the law and under one pretext or another postponed the holding of courts, and the performance of other official duties by the regularly elected officers of the county. While many of the best men were connected with, and active members of the "Regulators," yet a number of the thieving gang joined them, the better to conceal their operations, and to obtain an opportunity of wreaking vengeance upon the heads of some innocent party who had thwarted them in their plans. It therefore became necessary to re-organize for better self-protection, and the character of the society was much improved, although they afterwards committed depredations, individually, and as a body, which would not stand the light of legal investigation. As the constitution of this organization is a somewhat curious and important document pertaining to the early history of Benton County, the historian has thought best to reproduce it with the names of the originators and members in this county. The document reads as follows; "This Society shall be called the Iowa Protection Company. ART. 1. The object of this Society shall be to protect the property of the members of this company, and particularly their horses, from the depredations of robbers and thieves, and also to trace out the perpetrators of thefts, rescue and restore property stolen, and assist in a due and faithful administration of law and justice. ART.2. The officers of this Society shall consist of a President, Secretary, and Treasurer, to be chosen riva roce at any stated meeting, and to hold their offices during good behavior. ART. 3. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all regular meetings of the Society, and in his absence, the Society may choose a President pro tem; and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to record all the proceedings of the Society, and preserve the same; and it shall be the duty of each member to pay to the Treasurer such sums of money from time to time as the Society shall dictate. He shall keep a correct book in which he shall enter the amount received and expended, and the purpose for which it was expended. ART. 4. The Society shall appoint such committees as may be necessary to carry out the objects of the Society. ART. 5. Each and every member shall sign the constitution and hold themselves subject to its provisions, and on revealing its proceedings in any respect, shall be excluded from its benefits. ART. 6. This Society shall be convened at any time by notice from the President. ART. 7. No person shall be entitled to vote unless a member of the Society. ART. 8. This constitution may be altered or amended at any regular meeting by a two- thirds vote of the members present. ART. 9. No person shall be admitted a member of this Society who is under suspicion of horse-stealing, or any other theft, or for harboring thieves or robbers. ART. 10. The regular meeting of this Society shall be the Saturday before the full moon, at such place as may be designated." J.S. Epperson, W.W. Hopkins, Robt. Osborn, John S. Vanclave, John D. Vanclave, Alex. Wood, Joseph Remington, Able Cox. S.M. Lockhart, Wm. Bells, Elijah Evans, Harrison Berry, Jacob Remington, Sanford Moberly, A.H. Johnson, Jacob Fouts, John C. McCoy, J.M. Broad, C.M. Moberly, Joel W. Miller, Thos. G. Lockhart, Groly Osborn, Elmyra Howard, John Osborn, Chas. Stewart, John Sauks, Wm. A. Bryson, Hiram Roszell, Wm. A. Griffin, Wm. Riley, Spencer Johnson, James Downs, Chas. Epperson, Alex. Johnson, David Jewell, Geo. McCoy, John R. Speak, Lewis W. Bryson, Stephen D. Jewell, Davis Fouts, John C. Rouse, Martin Johnson, Lauslot Johnson, Edwin C. Hall, James Johnson, Hiram T. Epperson, and A. Taylor. The organization was perfected by the election of Judge J.S. Forsythe as President, Elijah Evans, Secretary, and George McCoy, Treasurer. LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT. Benton County was surveyed in 1845, '46, 47, by I.A. Brown, I.N. Higbee and Jas. Fanning, Deputy Surveyors of the United States. It was organized early in the spring of 1846, in accordance with an act of the Territorial Legislature passed the previous winter, and the county seat located on section 21 by commissioners, who namedit Vinton, in honour of Hon. Plynn Vinton, a former member of Congress from Ohio, who sent a considerable amount of money to be donated to the county if the commissioners would name the county town Vinton. A year or two later, C. Leverich and J. Alexander, who were interested in property lying nearer the river where the present business portion of Vinton now stands, determined to make an attempt to move the county seat, and accordingly got up a petition asking the legislature to grant a re-location by a vote of the people. To prevent all opposition, and make the thing doubly sure, at the same time when they circulated the petition, they carried a remonstrance which they asked all to sign when they would not put their names to the petition. In that way they secured the signatures of nearly all the citizens of the county, and by attaching them all to the petition they made a very strong showing and without opposition secured the passage of a special act ordering an election in 1849. It was accordingly held, when votes were cast for the present site, and for a point on the opposite side of the river three miles northeast and near or at the residence of Thomas Ways, which resulted in the same number of votes being cast for both places. Another election was held the following August, and the location was fixed at its present site by a majority of twelve. Previous to this election a hewed log courthouse, twenty-four feet square, had been erected on the site first selected by the commissioners. It cost the county fifty dollars, but was never completed or occupied. After the change of the location a cheap two-story frame house, costing some six or seven hundred dollars, was built in one corner of the present court house square, a portion of which was first occupied as a store, and afterwards for school, church and political purposes until the Winter of 1852, when it was burned. FIRST ELECTION. The first election in which any of the citizens of this county participated was held on the first Monday in August, 1843, at which time they voted for officers of Lynn County, to which Benton was then attached. The first election after the organization of the county took place in April, 1846, at which time there was but one voting precinct, Parker's Grove, some two and a half miles southeast of Shellsburg. Beal Dorcey, Stedman Pemrose and L.D. Bordwell were judges, and David Pratt and John Royal, clerks. The total number of votes cast was twenty-nine which resulted in the election of John Royal for Sheriff, David Pratt, District Court Clerk: L.D. Bordwell, Justice of the Peace, and –Hamline, Constable. These officers were only chosen to hold until the general election, which occurred in the following August, at which time there were two voting precincts—Canton on the west side and Polk on the east side of the river. There were between forty and fifty votes cast at this election and J.R. Pratt was elected Clerk of District Court, I.D. Summerson, School Commissioner; James Downs, Sheriff, L.W. Hayes, Treasurer and Recorder; James Mitchell, Judge of Probate; L.F. North, Samuel Lockhart and Samuel Parker, County Commissioners. FIRST COURT. The first term of the District Court was appointed to be held in this county in 1846, but for some reason the judge did not appear, and the clerk, J.R. Pratt, adjourned it for one day, when the judge still remaining absent, he adjourned it without date. The court was to have been held at the house of Thomas Ways, which was then the best house in the county, and was situated some three or four miles northeast of the present site of Vinton. There were eighteen grand and seventeen petit jurors present. On the 31st day of May, 1847, the first term of District Court was convened at the house of Thomas Ways, by Honorable James P. Carlton, Judge of the Fourth Judicial District; I.D. Sommerson, Clerk, James Downs, Sheriff and James Mitchell, Prosecuting Attorney. The household furniture and cooking utensils were removed by the good house wife to the shelter of a neighboring tree, and his Honor, James P. Carlton, took his seat on a three-legged stool, with a rough table before him, on which were the books and papers of the clerk, I.D. Sommerson who occupied a low bench at the left of the Court. The attorneys present were N.W. Isabell, afterwards one the judges of the Supreme Court, J.M. Preston, John David and D.P. Palmer-- all since distinguished lawyers. About the first business transacted was the examination of William Smythe, since District Judge, and his admission to the bar. James Mitchell was also examined and refused admission, and afterwards ousted from the office of Prosecuting Attorney by an information in the nature of quo warranto, filed by Stephen Holcomb. I.M. Preston was appointed pro tem Prosecuting Attorney. The following are the names of the grand jurors: Fielding Bryson, James Harmely, Joseph Remington, John Bryson, Charles Graham, Stephen Brody, Jesse Brody, Josiah Halm, David Jewel, William Mitchell, Samuel M. Lockhart, James Polly, Chaney Leverich, Anderson Amos, James M. Denison, Joseph Bryson, L.D. Bordwell, Samuel Stephenson, eighteen good and lawful men of said county. Samuel M. Lockhart was appointed foreman of this first grand jury. The first criminal case that appeared of record was the State of Iowa vs. Jual Leverich for passing counterfeit money and having in his possession counterfeiter's tools. The second term of District Court was convened at Thomas Way's, April 24, 1848, and the third term was opened in the Courthouse at Vinton, September 18, 1848, after which there was no court held until June 18, 1851. The first Circuit Court was assembled in the Courthouse at Vinton, January 4, 1859, and presided over by Honorable W.E. Miller, now Chief Justice of the State; Honorable B.R. Sherman, present State Auditor, Clerk; and Henry M. Wilson, Sheriff. FIRST THINGS. The first instrument recorded in the records of Benton County, was a bill of sale of one yoke of oxen, one two-horse wagon, three log chains, one brown cow, and one yearling calf, made by Charles Hinkley to S.H. Tryon. It was executed and recorded January 13, 1847, acknowledged before L.W. Hayes, a Justice of the Peace, recorded by L.W. Hayes, Recorder, and witnessed by L.W. Hayes and Joel Natin. The first paper affecting real estate recorded, was a warrantee deed, executed October 15, 1846, by Charles A. Belknap and Elizabeth L. Belknap, his wife, to Levi Lewis, conveying forty acres of land, for a consideration of one dollar per acre. The oldest town plat now on record, is that of Marysville, which was laid out May 5, 1847, by L.I. Riguad, County surveyor, and recorded five days later. The plat of the first town of Vinton, was recorded February 20, 1848, having been surveyed a few days previous, by I.D. Simmerson, County Surveyor. The plat was signed by Samuel M. Lockhart, Loyal F. North, and Thomas Way, County Commissioners. The first white child born in the county was Mary, a daughter of I.F. North. She was born January 8, 1843; while the second was Lucinda, daughter of L.D. Bordwell, born July 5, 1844. Bordwell also had a son, William, born January 21, 1847, who was the first male child born in the county. The first marriage license was issued by Dept. District Clerk, David R. Pratt, to Joseph Oustott and Miss Sarah Patch, who were duly joined in marriage by L.D. Bordwell, a justice of the peace, June 20, 1847. This was the first marriage celebrated in the county, and might have occurred sooner as far as the age of the parties was concerned, as they were both forty-five at the time. A saw-mill was erected on Mud Creek about one and a half miles southeast of Vinton,. in the Summer or Fall of 1849, by John Royal and C.C. Charles, which was the first one in the county. The first school taught in the county was at or near Marysville. COUNTY OFFICERS. H. E.WARNER, Clerk. O. HORNE, Treasurer. E. M. EVANS, Auditor. J. W. SMOOK, Recorder. P. S. SMITH, Sheriff. S. T. SHORTESS, County Supt. F. H. STEDMAN, Coroner. SUPERVISORS. I.N. CHENOWETH, Vinton; H. GUINN, Belle Plaine; N. HAWLEY, Garrison P.O. VINTON. The principal town and county seat of Benton County is a flourishing town containing some three thousand inhabitants. It is situated on the west bank of the Cedar River, some five miles north of the center of the county, and has the finest, in fact the only fine, position for a good town on the Cedar River in the county. It is immediately on the banks of the river, which are very high and never subject to overflow, and gradually rising as they recede from the river, forming some commanding building sites. The forest on the north bank is nearly two miles in width, while on the southern bank the timber breaks away, leaving a strip of beautiful prairie touching the river itself, and upon which the town is located. Dame Nature has done much to make the situation pleasant, and the taste displayed by the citizens in the construction of their homes and grounds makes it truly attractive. It is surrounded by some excellent farm lands, which for richness and general productiveness of soil, beauty and impressive loveliness of landscape, is seldom equaled and never surpassed in the state. The town of Fremont, now Vinton, was laid out in the Fall of 1849, by James Leverich and Daniel G. Harris, I. D. Simmerson, being the surveyor. It then embraced forty acres, being the southeast quarter of section sixteen, township eighty-five, range ten. The first person who settled on the present site of Vinton was Chancy Leverich, who came in the Spring of 1846, and, building a cabin near the river, remained about one year, when he sold to G. Billy White, who, remaining about the same length of time, sold to James Leverich and Dan. Harris, who laid out the town and named it Fremont in honor of Gen. John C. Fremont, but there being another post-office of the same name in Mahaska County, it was changed to Vinton some three or four years later. The post-office of Vinton, the first in the county, was established in July, 1848, with Stephen Holcomb as first postmaster. It was first kept at his house, about three-fourths of a mile east of town, receiving a weekly mail during the Summer, and semi-occasionally during the Winter. It was first carried by G. W. Gray, from Marion, the county seat of Linn County. Holcomb held the office until April, 1849, when he left, and E. H. Keys was appointed and removed the office to his residence, about half a mile south of town. The first house built after the town was platted, was erected in 1850 by James Sanders, in the block north of the court house square, this was the first frame building in the county. It was originally designed for a store, but was used as a dwelling by the Sheriff, C. C. Charles. In October, 1850, Henry Mahan brought in a small stock of goods, consisting principally of one barrel of dried apples and one of whisky, which he opened in a small room adjoining the one first built by C. Leveridge, some three years before the locating of the town. The first white child born in Vinton was William M. Traer, son of Dr. J. C. and Marcia W. Traer, on May 21, 1852, although James, son of Henry Sanders, was born within what is now Vinton, in March, 1851. The first marriage celebrated in the town was that of Marcus DeLa Fayette Webb and Mary J. Becker, which was performed by Judge John F. Forsythe. The first public school was taught in the Fall and Winter of 1852 by Geo. Parish, in the court house, which was burned, summarily closing it several weeks sooner than had been intended. The district was organized the same Fall with Wm. Saunders and L. D. Bordwell as directors. The United Brethren built the first church in the Fall of 1856, followed soon after by the Baptists and Methodists. The first Sunday school was organized in the Summer of 1852, and held in the court house, with J. S. Tilford as superintendent.. The Black Bear House, built in 1850, and kept by W. C. Stanberry, was the first hotel, while the Western State Company commenced running a daily line of four-horse stages from Iowa City, January 1, 1856. Dr. J. C. Traer was the first physician, and J. Alexander the first attorney. INCORPORATION. Vinton was incorporated as a city of the second class in August, 1869, at which time the following officers were elected; Mayor, James Wood; Clerk, W. F. Kirkpatrick; Council, Paul Correll, Michel Donelan, Cornelious Ellis, John Gilmore, Nathan Hayes, J. A. McDaniel, Daniel Stick and H. H. Sterling. The present city government is composed of the following officers; Mayor, W. B. Reynolds, Sr.; Clerk, C. S. Bennett; Treasurer, R. N. Young; Council, A. H. Ellis, J. B. Locke, J. A. McDaniel, H. H. McElroy, John Ryder, F. R. Voris, M. D. L. Webb and H. D. White. The city has never licensed the sale of intoxicating liquors, there not having been a saloon within the corporate limits since 1857. SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC. The public school of Vinton is well organized and maintained, has a good school building, standing in a well shaded park, and is convenient of access to all parts of town. The ground on which it is situated was donated by John S. Tilford. The first church organization was the Presbyterian, under the guidance of Reverend John Summerson. It commenced with nine members in 1852, and held its first meeting in the house of J. S. Tilford. They now have some two hundred and fifty members, with Reverend S. Phelps as pastor. The Methodist Episcopal Church was probably organized in 1853-4, built a church building in 1856 and now has a large membership and is in a flourishing condition. The Baptists, United Brethern, Christian and Universalists all have organizations and good church edifices, and are in a growing condition and support good Sabbath Schools. The Odd Fellows have a lodge and an encampment, while the Masons have a blue lodge and R. A. chapter. Both of these societies hold regular meetings, have a large membership, and are in a flourishing condition. BUSINESS INTERESTS. The business interests, which are in a growing, healthy and prosperous condition, may be summed up about as follows: One abstract office, one auctioneer, four agricultural implement establishments, two billiard halls, three barber shops, two bakeries, one brewery, eight blacksmith shops, three book stores, four banks, seven boarding houses, three clothing houses, one cigar store, three carriage shops, four contractors, and nine carpenter shops, one chair factory, one cracker factory, one commission house, three collection agents, two dentists, six dry goods stores, six drug stores, five dress making establishments, one exclusive boot and shoe store, one feed mill, three furniture dealers, three feed stores, eleven groceries, two grist mills, four general merchandise stores, three hardware, six harness shops, four hotels, two insurance agents, three jewelers, seven law firms, four lumber yards, three livery stables, four millinery shops, one marble works, three milk dealers, one machine shop, four musical instrument establishments, two news depots, six physicians, two printing offices, six paint shops, one planing mill, one plunder store, five restaurants, four real estate agents, four stockyards, one straw hat manufactory, eight shoe shops, one saw mill, five sewing machine agencies, four tailors, three tin shops, and one washing machine factory. THE PRESS. The first newspaper published in Benton County was the Vinton Eagle, which made its appearance January 10, 1855, as a six column folio, democratic in politics, and edited and published by Fred. Lyman and Stanly C. Foster. After running it about one year, Foster sold to Dr. J. C. Traer, while shortly after W. W. Hanford purchased Lyman's interest, when it hoisted the republican flag, and ably supported the election of J. C. Fremont for President of the United States. Hanford and Traer continued its publication for about six months, when W. W. Hanford became the sole proprietor and has since so continued, as senior publisher and editor. J. W. Rich, the recent junior partner, and postmaster of Vinton, became associated with Hanford January 1, 1871. Benton County Democrat, was established in the Summer of 1856, by J. F. Pyne as proprietor, and D. B. Pyne, manager. In the Spring of 1857, it was purchased by Fowler & Price, who ran it almost one year, when Price retired, and Fowler continued its publication for a few months, when it passed into the hands of J. Alexander and Isaac VanMeter, who ran it until the Summer of 1859, when it again became the property of J. F. Pyne, and was conducted by D. B. Pyne until the first of January, 1860, when it was discontinued, and the office taken to the north part of the state. The Benton County News was first published early in the Spring of 1865, by Frank & Weed, who conducted it for about one year, when they failed, and the office passed into the hands of Jas. Wood, Trustee. In the Spring of 1868 the material was purchased by J. F. Pyne, who established and issued for about six months a campaign paper called the Democratic Standard, and then sold the material to Alfred H. and Geo. Brown, who established The People's Journal, an eight column folio paper, republican in politics, which made its appearance December 19, 1868. In 1871 it was changed to a six column quarto, and a semi-weekly established, which was continued for about two years. April 1, 1872, it passed into the hands of C. R. Wilkinson & Co., who still continue its publication. The Iowa Fine Stock Gazette was established in July, 1874, by C. R. Wilkinson & Co. It is a sixteen octavo page publication, devoted entirely to the stock-raising interests of Iowa. IOWA COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND. Vinton is the seat of an educational and benevolent institution in which the whole state is deeply interested. It is the Iowa College for the Blind, which was established at Iowa City in 1853, through the unwavered efforts of Samuel Bacon. In August, 1862, it was removed to Vinton, and placed in charge of Rev. O. Clark, who resigned at the close of 1864, but was reappointed in 1875, taking charge of the institution in the Fall of that year. He is aided in his management by an efficient corps of experienced and accomplished teachers, which are much more numerous than would be required in teaching the same number of pupils who have not been deprived of their sight. The grounds belonging to the institution comprise forty acres, donated by the citizens of Vinton, and are situated immediately west of the limits of the town. This ground is divided into ten- acre lots, three of which are cultivated, while the fourth, in which the buildings are situated, is laid out into ornamental grounds and embellished with evergreens and other handsome shade trees. The buildings are delightfully located on an eminence commanding a fine view of the town, the valley of the Cedar, and the undulating prairies extending south and west, with groves, farm houses and richly cultivated fields dotting them in varied profusion. The buildings, which are substantial and elegant in design, are three stories in height above the basement, and are built of magnesian limestone obtained from quarries situated two and a half miles west of Vinton. The main building was commenced in 1859, and completed in 1860; is 63x108 feet on the ground, since the wings have been constructed on either side to furnish increased accommodations, which have been rendered necessary by the growth of the institution, which has steadily increased since the growth of the state. The interior arrangements of the buildings are designed as far as practicable to meet the double purposes of a school and a home. The methods of instruction in the education of the blind, in this institution, are similar to those employed in schools where the pupils can see. An advance lesson is read to the class by the teacher, each day, and memorized. In short, the general arrangements of this institution do not differ materially from those found in all well-regulated boarding schools. BELLE PLAINE. This is an incorporated city, situated in the southwest corner of the county, a distance of twenty-five miles from Vinton, and thirty-five from Cedar Rapids, is at the end of the first division on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, and is the second place in importance in the county. It is very handsomely located mostly on high rolling prairie that gradually slopes down into the rich and beautiful bottom lands of the Iowa river. Its early history, like that of many other towns that have sprung up since the country became somewhat settled has nothing very remarkable or exciting about it. It was located and laid out by Presley Hutton in the Fall and Winter of 1861 while the railroad was being built through the county. Its growth was slow for the first three or four years, since which time it has made steady progress until it now has a population of over 2, 000 and is growing as rapidly as at any time in the past. The first store room was built in 1861 by Wm.White, and a stock of goods put in the same fall by Daniel Crider. The second store was erected later the same Fall by L. M. Isham, who put in a stock of goods early the next Spring. The first house on the town cite was occupied by P. Hutton. It was built previous to his purchasing the land in 1861. The first dwelling erected was hauled up from Guinntown in the Fall of 1861. The first physician was Dr. J. Worley, who was also the first citizen of the town to commit matrimony, which he did Sept. 23, 1862, to Miss Salome Sullenbarger, although Joseph Daniels and Miss Addie Cole were the first couple married in the village. The first lawyer was A. F. Bell. The first school was a private one taught by Mrs. Greene in Summer of 1863 while the first public school was taught by Dan Kenedy and Miss R. Kupid the next year. The first sermon was preached in the Spring of 1862 by Rev. Holland. The services were held in White's storeroom. The first hotel was built in 1864 by Samuel Hart, and was called the Hart House while the first banking house was opened in 1868 by S. L. Bardwell. BUSINESS, ETC. An inventory of the business interests shows about the following: Two agricultural implement houses, two banks—one national, one bakery, two brick manufactories, one brewery, two barbers, six blacksmiths, three wagon shops, three boot and shoe dealers, two coal dealers, four clothiers and tailors, one dentist, three drug stores, seven dry goods, one machine shop and foundry, one stove foundry, two steam flouring mills of three run each, three fruit, confectionery and news dealers, two furniture stores, one glove manufactory employing twenty-five or thirty hands, five grain dealers and elevators, three harness shops , four insurance agents, three hotels and three eating houses, two jewelry stores, two liveries, three lumber dealers, two dealers in musical instruments and sewing machines, two photographers, three milliners, three meat markets, two printing offices, five physicians, five attorneys and five stock dealers. There are three good church edifices which belong to the Methodist, German Evangelical and Congregational societies while the Universalists have an organization but no house of worship. The public schools are well graded, have two good buildings, and employ some seven or eight thoroughly competent and experienced teachers. The Masonic organizations are in a flourishing condition, having St. Bernard Commandery, No. 14; Mt. Horeb Chapter, No. 45; Hope Lodge, No. 175; Belle Plaine Chapter, Eastern Star No. 30; while the Odd Fellows have Home Encampment, No. 48; Belle Plaine Lodge, No. 151; and Berlin Lodge, No. 259, working in German language. THE PRESS. The Belle Plaine Transcript, was founded December 18, 1866, by N. C. Wieting. February 21, 1867, W. W. Yarham and Wm. Nixon became proprietors and editors. August 6, 1867, Yarham sold his interest to W. P. Campbell. At the commencement of the second volume, it was enlarged from a seven-column folio to a five-column quarto, and was sold to S. S. Farrington, October 2, 1867, who changed it back to an eight-column folio, April 28, 1868, and March 4, 1869, disposed of the establishment to D. H. Foster, who has since ably conducted it. The Belle Plaine Review was established October 9, 1874, by S. S. Farrington. It is a five-column quarto sheet, independent in politics, and a sound local paper, thoroughly devoted to the interests of Belle Plaine and vicinity: CITY OFFICERS. GEORGE C. SCRIMGEOUR, Mayor. TOM LAWRENCE, JR. Recorder. W. P. TUTTLE, Treasurer. P. L. GAY, Street Commissioner A. H. HELDENBRAND, Assessor. O. B. CONE, Marshal. W. A. TEWKSBURY, City Attorney. TRUSTEES. J. WORLEY, W. P. TUTTLE, W. P. HANSON, SAMUEL WENTZ, J. M. COLDWELL BLAIRSTOWN. This pleasant, thriving village, is situated in the southern part of the county, on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway. It was first laid out by the railroad company, about one mile east of the present location, but through the efforts of Messrs. Morris, Smith, Black, Hill, and other gentlemen, it was removed to the present site, and the name changed to Blairtown, in honor of Hon. John L. Blair, a New York capitalist, who was at that time largely interested in the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad. The present town was surveyed and platted by the railroad company, in the Winter of 1861-'2. It was incorporated as a town in October, 1868, and Joseph Houch was elected its first mayor. There is not much that is interesting or remarkable connected with its early history, as its growth was at first quite slow but has steadily increased until it now has a population of some eight or nine hundred. The town is well laid out with good wide streets, and built principally on a rising slope, while the mills, warehouses, elevators, railroad depot, and a portion of the business houses, are lying at the foot. The inhabitants are an enterprising and intelligent class of people, as is most clearly shown by the interest they manifest in the social and intellectual privileges of the present day. It has a good graded school employing four teachers, and a well conducted Academy or Seminary under the management of the German Presbyterian Reform Church, seven church organizations, three of whom have good church edifices; while the Masons and Odd Fellows both have thoroughly organized and flourishing lodges. The town at present contains six dry goods and general variety store, two hardware and agricultural implement houses, and one exclusive seed and implement store, one drug and two jewelry stores, two bakeries, two hotels, one tailor and two stove shops, three grain elevators, and one flouring mill, four blacksmith and two wagon shops, two lumber yards, one bank, one printing office, two furniture houses, one meat and one harness shop, five lawyers and three physicians. The Blairstown Advocate, was established February 13, 1872, by S. W. Grove, who conducted it until May 15, 1874, when he sold to the present proprietor, L. H. Barnes, who is making it a lively and efficient local paper, and is securing an excellent patronage. SHELLSBURG. This enterprising town is pleasantly situated, mostly, on a gentle slope on the north side of Bear Creek, some ten miles southeast of Vinton, on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad. On the west, the country soon opens out into an undulating open prairie, while on the east small timber, or what is generally termed oak openings, extend for some two miles, until the body of heavy timber bordering the Cedar is reached. The town was laid out by Jacob Cantonwine, who, immigrating from Pennsylvania in 1842, settled here, and some twelve years later laid out the town, and named it after Shellsburg, Pa. The first settlers were mostly Pennsylvania Dutch, most of whom have since left. The growth of the town has always been slow, but has gradually increased until it now has a population of some six or seven hundred. The Methodists have a church building, and a large membership, as also have the Baptists, while the Presbyterians, Universalists, and several other denominations, are well represented; hold regular services and each conduct flourishing Sunday schools. The educational facilities have not been neglected, and are fully equal to most similar towns in the state. The Masons and Odd Fellows are represented by sound flourishing lodges. The town contains some six general stores, three drug stores, three or four groceries, two hardware and agricultural implement stores, one flouring mill, two hotels, and the usual number of shoemakers, millinery shops, insurance agents, physicians, etc. The town supports one printing office, where the Benton County Recorder, a neat and readable local paper is published, weekly, by W. H. Brinkerhoff. NORWAY or FLORENCE. —This is an enterprising town containing some four hundred and fifty or five hundred inhabitants, and is situated in the southeast part of the county, on the C. & N. W. Ry. A station was located here in 1863, and at the request of Osburn Tuttle, who donated five acres of land to the company, it was called Norway, in honor of his "fatherland." The following year he laid out the town on the north side of the railroad. Considerable feeling has existed between the people and the railroad company, as the people wish the name changed to Florence, to correspond with the township, which the railroad company can not do without forfeiting the five acres of land donated to them; hence the station is still called Norway, and the town is known as Florence. It is beautifully located, on a gradually ascending bluff, from the top of which a fine view of the surrounding country can be obtained. The first settler was O. B. Dutton, who came as railroad agent, and lived in one of the company's railroad cars until he could build himself a house. This he soon did, and occupied the same for station, residence and store, putting in a small general stock, which were the first in the place. The second settler was Joseph May, a blacksmith; the third, L. W. Harper; and the fourth, Atkinson, who also opened a store in the Spring, 1865, before which time several buildings had been erected. The first death was a little son of O. B. Dutton, while the first birth was Margaret Harper, and the second. Thomas Dutton. There are three churches, Baptist, Methodist and Catholic, and good public schools, which are well sustained. There is also a good masonic lodge, having a large membership. The business interests are represented by five general merchandise stores, two hardware, and one agricultural implement house, one jewelry store, one steam flouring mill, one elevator, three blacksmith and two wagon shops, one harness shop, and one livery stable, two physicians, hotel, milliner shops, etc., etc.