HISTORY: Buena Vista 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 ************************************************* ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Buena Vista County, Iowa Please visit the Buena Vista County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/buenavista/ ________________________________________________________ BUENA VISTA COUNTY. Buena Vista County is the third from the west and the third from the north line of the State. It is twenty-four miles square, containing 368,640 acres. The Little Sioux River meanders throughout the northern portion of the county, watering three townships, and furnishing some valuable bodies of timber. It receives a tributary from the south, which waters two or three additional townships. Several other small streams pass through different parts, affording good water for stock, and surface drainage. In the southern part of the county is situated Storm Lake, a beautiful body of clear water, with steep banks, with fine undulating prairie farming lands stretching away in all directions, except on the north side, where the thriving town bearing the name of the lake is now located. There are other smaller lakes in the county. The surface of the county is generally rolling, with a soil as fertile as could be desired. It is adapted to all the cereals and root crops. As in this part of the state generally, the supply of timber is limited. There are no stone quarries developed, but granite and limestone boulders are found on the prairies, along the streams, and about the borders of the lakes. Good brick are manufactured from clays found in the county, and from the "bluff deposit" which is characteristic of this part of the state. Many kinds of fish are found in the lakes and streams. HISTORICAL. The government surveys were made in this county in 1855. The first permanent settlement was made in May, 1856, by Abner Bell, from New Jersey, at that time a bachelor, his brother-in-law, William R. Weaver and family, and John W. Tucker. They settled in the north part of the county at Sioux Rapids. Among the early settlers were Arthur T. Reeves, Moses Van Kirk, James H. Gleason, Lewis, Lindsey and Metcalf. In March, 1857, occurred what is known in the annals of Iowa as Ink-pah-du-tah Raid, which culminated in the bloody massacre at Spirit Lake. Before reaching the lake the Indians passed up the Little Sioux River, driving away the stock and destroying the property of the settlers. The little colony at Sioux Rapids did not escape. The men were captured and guarded, and some of the women led away to the Indian camp, but the Indians committed no murders here. A few days after, the news of the terrible butchery at Spirit Lake came down the river, and Mr. Bell with a companion made his way across the prairie through the deep snow to Fort Dodge, to notify the people there of the massacre. This affair had the effect to check the settlement of this part of the state for several years. Late in 1858, or early in 1859, a county organization was effected, the following being the county officers; Arthur T. Reeves, County Judge; William R. Weaver, Treasurer and Recorder; John W. Tucker, Clerk, and Abner Bell, Sheriff. In 1859 a man named Taylor settled on land at Linn Grove claimed by one Ambrose S. Mead, and the result was a quarrel between the parties. One O. M. Barker, a friend of Mead, attempted to haul rails from the claim of a man named J. J. Bricknell. The rails had been sold to Taylor, and he attempted to stop their removal, when Barker shot him with a revolver. Barker was arrested near Spirit Lake, taken to Sioux City, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary. On his way to Fort Madison he escaped from his guards, and when next heard from was on the high seas. In 1860 the county seat was first located, by a commission appointed by Judge Hubbard, composed of D. C. Early, John Kindlespeyer and Sartel, on a tract known as the "Fuller Claim." At that time the place was occupied by William S. Lee, who executed to the county a bond for a deed to the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 18, township 93, range 36. The tract was long known as "Prairieville, the County Seat of Buena Vista County," but no county buildings were ever erected upon it. Up to 1866 there were but few settlers in the county, and its affairs seem to have been badly managed. The early records of the county are very imperfect, and many of them are missing from the county. Up to this time the officials entered into large contracts for bridges and other improvements which were never made, although county warrants were issued in payment amounting to many thousands of dollars. The first settlement made in the vicinity of Storm Lake, in the south part of the county, was by Daniel B. Harrison, who, in 1867, located near the west end of the lake. Soon after George Holt settled in the same vicinity. James Luddington was an early settler on the north side of the lake, and J. A. Harlan and W. S. Harlan on the south side. STORM LAKE. The width of the main lake is something over two miles, and, including the smaller one, it is about five miles long. The bottom is of sand and gravel, with large boulders on its shores. It is not deep, and no place has been found where the depth exceeds fifteen feet. Map makers of an early day had very crude information about this lake, as one map marks it as being thirty miles long and eighteen miles wide, and of unknown depth! The origin of its name was for some time in dispute, but seems to be settled as having been given it by an old trapper and hunter who had his tent and outfit scattered by the wind and storm, which are sometimes very severe on the lake. The lake has a great abundance of fish, and is a resort for sportsmen. The lake is well supplied with small boats. A new iron steamer plows the waters of the lake for the amusement of pleasure seekers, who often come in large parties from distant points, attracted by the beauty of the lake and its surroundings. SIOUX RAPIDS. This was the first town laid out in the county, and is located on the south side of the Little Sioux River, in the north part of the county. There is a fine settlement now in this part of the county, and the place has considerable business, as it is the county seat, and has the advantage of timber and water power on the river. In 1858 the present town site of Sioux Rapids, and much besides, was laid out into town lots by a man named Barnes, who had some money, and hoped to build a large city where Sioux Rapids now stands. But rumors of another threatened Indian invasion alarmed the settlers, and early in 1859 Barnes' son-in-law crossed the great prairie to Fort Dodge to procure arms and assistance for the settlement. On his way out his feet were frozen so badly as to render the amputation of both necessary. He never returned to the county, and his father-in-law, disheartened and almost bankrupt, soon followed him. Reminders of the old man's stay are found in the memory-names "Barnes Township" and "Barnes Grove." The Methodists have a church here. The Sioux City Echo is edited by D. C. & W. R. Thomas. It has several business houses, a flouring mill, etc. STORM LAKE. This thriving town is located on the north side of the beautiful lake from which it takes its name, and is about eighteen miles south of Sioux Rapids. It was laid out in July, 1870, and on the 11th of August of that year the first sale of lots took place. The original proprietor was John L. Blair, of New Jersey, who was interested in the building of the railroad that passes through the place. The first newspaper published in the county was the Storm Lake Pilot, commenced by Vestal & Young, October 26, 1870. It is still conducted by them, and is one of the best papers in that section of the State. The first issue was sold at auction for $106.00. The town is very handsomely laid out, and is improving rapidly. Many good buildings have been erected of late years, and the beautiful lake is attracting the attention of those in search of fine locations for homes. The Buena Vista County Bank has just erected a substantial brick building on the corner of Lake avenue and Fifth street. It is well arranged for business, with fireproof vaults. It does a general banking business, negotiates loans, pays taxes, etc. It is owned and managed by John R. Lemon & Co. Messrs. Sutfin & Hay, bankers, have plans for a new banking house, to be built soon. They transact a general banking and collection business. Messrs. Dean & Harker, real estate and money brokers, do a very large business in selling lands and town lots and in loaning moneys. The town has many business houses, three grain elevators, one steam flouring mill, two hotels, and most kinds of business are well represented. There are four handsome churches; Methodist, just completed, Baptist, Congregational, and Catholic, and a large two-story brick school house where a good graded school is maintained. Storm Lake Township was surveyed by John Parker in May, 1855. The town was originally started a little east of the present town. The first building moved into the plat was L J. Barton's office, but W. W. Sweetzer, Esq., built and occupied the first house, which is the one where he now resides, near the depot. T. L. Selkirk erected at the same time the first hotel, now known as the "Lake House." Mrs. W. S. Harlan taught the first school here in 1868, and the first sermon was preached October 4, 1868, by Rev. Thomas Whitely, who still resides there. The first marriage was H. Wilson to Anna Andrews by Rev. Thos. Whitely. The railroad company have erected here the finest and largest depot between Fort Dodge and Sioux City. It was completed in November, 1870. The Buena Vista County Agricultural Society was organized in 1873, and now has fine grounds, including nearly forty acres, less than a mile west of the business center of the town. Attention is called to the view of Storm Lake as given in this Atlas. NEWELL. Situated on the railroad in the east part of the county. It is a thriving town, in the midst of a rapidly improving agricultural region, and a shipping point of considerable importance. The first settlement was made by H. Keeney, who arrived April 20, 1869, and erected the first house. The next year Geo. B. Sargent erected the first store. The town has several business houses, a steam mill, a church, etc. The Newell Mirror is published by W. White, and is newly established. ALTA. Seven miles west of Storm Lake, is the youngest of all the towns, and has but just entered upon what promises to be a very prosperous career. The town was platted late in 1872, and quite a number of buildings were erected in the year following. The surrounding country is of unsurpassed fertility, and is rapidly settling up with a good class of people. The railroad here reaches its greatest altitude between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, being 915 feet above the former, and 432 feet above the latter stream. The company have erected here a good substantial depot. The Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad Land Company surveyed and laid off the town. COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1875. W. B. FARRAR, Auditor. T. P. LEE, Recorder. L. A. CLEMONS, Treasurer. J. D. ADAMS, County Superintendent. E. E. MACK, Clerk of Courts. ED. E. EVANS, Sheriff. S. W. HOBBS, Surveyor. SUPERVISORS. L. T. SWEZEY, JOHN HALVORSON, S. OLNEY, E. C. COWLES, C. SCHELL.