BIOGRAPHY: Butler County, Iowa
From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875

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Butler County

Page 467

Butler County is situated in the third tier of counties south of the Minnesota line, and is directly distant 
therefrom about 40 miles.  It is also about 40 miles distance northwardly, and about 25 miles 
eastwardly, from the center of the state.  It is bounded on the North by Floyd County, on the south by 
Grundy County, on the east by Bremer County, and on the west by Franklin County.  Within its limits 
are comprise 16 congressional townships, aggregating 576 square miles, or 365,070 acres of land, in 
form a perfect square, sloping to the South and East.  The general surface of the county is rolling 
prairie, more rolling in the north part than in the south.  Very little of the surface is flat.

Streams

Shellrock River, formerly called English River, the largest and most important stream in the county, 
prices in Lake Albert Lea, Freeborn County Minnesota.  Pursuing a general southeasterly the course, it 
enters the county about two miles west of the center of the northern boundary, and passes out thereof 
about two miles south of the center of the eastern boundary.  It empties into Cedar River in the 
northwest part of Blackhawk County.  Its flow is rapid, over a sandy and limestone bed, and its fall so 
great that milling power is available at frequent intervals.  Its banks, comparatively high and dry, are in 
this county heavily timbered.  The waters of the Shellrock are exceedingly pure and clear, and are well 
stocked with fish.

The west fork of the Cedar River, rising in Cerro Gordo County, passes diagonally through the county 
from the Northwest to the Southeast.  It passes out of the county on east side, and about five miles 
north of the southeast corner, and unites with the Cedar in the northwest part of Black Hawk County.  
The west fork has a sluggish flow, over a sandy and muddy bed, and is somewhat extensively bordered 
by marshes.  Along its banks grow the best wild grasses found in the county.  A number of small 
tributaries enter this stream from the north and west within the county.

Beaver River, having its source in the southern part of Franklin County, flows eastwardly through the 
southern tier of townships in Butler County, at an average distance from the Grundy County line of 
about two miles.  Ordinarily it has been a small and slow flow of water, adapted however, at several 
points, to milling purposes.  It's bed is sandy, and its borders generally marshy.  It derives its name 
from the fact that it was formerly the home of numerous beaver.

Coldwater Creek, an important western branch of the Shellrock River, runs eastwardly through the 
extreme northwestern part of the county.  It is well timbered, and passes through an excellent 
agricultural country.

Floyd Creek, and eastern tributary of the Shellrock; Otter Creek and other minor streams, tributaries of 
the west fork and the Beaver, in the central, southern and western parts of the county, are well 
distributed for local needs, and afford ample drainage.

Colby, clear and pure well-water abounds in the county, at an average depth of 25 feet.

Timber

Many varieties of timber, of which oak, maple and elm principally comprise the body, to a greater or 
less extent border the streams, an exist in natural groves numerously and promiscuously scattered over 
the county.  Artificial groves likewise exist in different parts of the county.

Soil, Stone, ect.

Near the streams the soil is generally sandy and the sub-soil gravelly.  While producing fair crops of 
corn,it produces but light crops of wheat and oats.  Elsewhere in the county the soil is mostly a rich, 
black loam, with the yellow clay sub-soil, yielding largely of the various cereals.

Limestone quarries are numerous, and supply good building material.  Boulders, of the glacial period, 
rear their hard heads above the surface, in various forms and sizes.

Clay and sand well adapted to the manufacture of brick are abundant.

Productions

Wheat and corn are the principal productions of the county.  Oates, barley, flax, rye and hay rank next 
as crops most extensively cultivated.  Much an increasing attention is devoted to improvement in stock 
breeding, especially in horses and cattle.  Choice breeds of hogs and sheep are largely raised; but the 
incursions of dogs and diseases of early times among sheep have lessened the interest in this branch of 
husbandry.

Fruit culture in the town he is as yet attended with difficulties.  Farmers are enclosed in greater part by 
wider and board fences; many are wholly enclosed.  Farms of the latter description are mostly rented -- 
the tenants living on the land, and the owners in towns.  Several extensive stock farms, and valuable 
and ornate farm improvements, exist in different parts of the county.

Population

The population of the county, numbering at the present time about 13,000 includes a considerable 
representation of European nations.  These are principally Germans and Irish, of which respectively 
there are prominent settlements.  The remaining foreign citizens consist mainly of English, Scott, 
Norwegians and Swedes.  Of the Native American population, the representatives of the new England 
states and of the state of New York predominate.  Of the entire population of the county, the foreign 
element is less than one-fourth.

Financial

The financial condition of the county is that of absolute freedom from dept.  The public affairs of the 
county are well and economically administered; and as a happy result to tax-payers, the county tax is 
comparatively small.

Railroads

The present and prospective railroad facilities of Butler County promised to be ample for the 
requirements of its inhabitants.

The Iowa Division of the Illinois Central Railroad, extending through all the southern tier of 
townships, following the valley of the Beaver, crosses the county from east to west.  It was constructed 
by the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad Company, and was completed within the limits of the county 
in 1864.

The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad enters the county a little south of the center of 
the eastern boundary, and, following the valley of the Shellrock River, passes out of the company a 
short distance west of the center of the northern boundary.  A five per cent tax on the land in each 
township through which it passes, enlarge additional gratuities, amounting in all to over $60,000 were 
freely contributed by the people along the line of the road in the county, in aid of its construction, 
which was effected through the county in the summer of 1871.

The Iowa Pacific Railroad, a new road now partly completed, passes through the county from east to 
West, about midway between the northern and southern boundaries.  It intersects the Burlington, Cedar 
Rapids and Minnesota Railroad at Clarksville.  In aid likewise of the construction of this road liberal 
donations of money have been made by the more immediately interested citizens of the county.

The Cedar Valley branch of the Iowa Division of the Illinois Central Railroad, running northward lead 
through Bremer County, near the eastern line of Butler County, and the Iowa Central Railroad, running 
northeastwardly through Franklin County, near the western border of Butler County, afford the 
producers of Butler County additional facilities for shipping their productions.

Up to the month of June, 1873, the amount of local taxes voted by townships in Butler County, and aid 
of the construction of existing and projected railroads within their limits, was $77,568.  The amount of 
local subscriptions toward the same objects, up to the same time, was $39,000.  Total, $116,568.

Early History

The beauty and fertility of the Shellrock Valley, early made famous by trappers, hunters, and others to 
chance to visit this delectable region, soon excited the curiosity of prospecting pioneers, who at first 
sight were charmed by the natural attractiveness of the county.  Consequently the first settlements in 
Butler County were made along the Shellrock River.

The honor of having erected the first cabin in the county is generally conceded to Harrison and Volney 
Carpenter, brothers, from Linn County, the former unmarried, the latter married.  The erection was 
made sometime during the year 1850, upon a claim in a grove thereafter known as Carpenter's Grove, 
now a part of the village of Shellrock.  Prior to this summer of 1851, when Volney Carpenter removed 
his family into the county, the brothers Carpenter occupied their cabin only at intervals, both being 
absent much of the time, Volney particularly, trapping and hunting.

The first actual and permanent settlement in the county was made by Joseph Hicks and family, who 
made their advent in what was then called Coon Grove, on Christmas Day, 1850.  They were 
accompanied by Robert T. Crowell, who moved them into the country.  All these first settlers 
emigrated from Milton, Brock County, Wisconsin.  The Hicks family located upon a claim about 347 
miles northwest of the president village of Clarksville, selected in September of the same year by 
Henry J. Hicks, father of Joseph, who then visited the locality in company with Mr. Crowell.  The 
latter, who is yet unmarried, took possession of a claim, selected by him also on the occasion of the 
visit mentioned, about half a mile east of the present site of Clarksville.  In the summer of 1851 Henry 
J. Hicks returned from Wisconsin, and erected a blacksmith shop on the family claim, wherein he 
forged the first iron forged in the Shellrock Valley.  So distant at that time were his competitors in the 
trade, and so valuable his services, that he numbered among his patrons not a few living faraway over 
in Bremer County.  Joseph Hicks, during the first winter of his residence in the county, was compelled 
to impersonate a panic-mule and transport provisions for the maintenance of himself and his family, on 
his back, from Cedar Falls, Blackhawk County, but then a small trading post.  His time until the 
following spring was principally occupied in hunting, fishing and trapping.  His first crop, upon a 
small piece of broken ground, consisted of corn and vegetables.  Joseph's wife is represented by a local 
historian to have been "a true western heroine," who could "talk Injun" or shoot a rifle with equal 
expertness.

Next following Joseph Hicks and Robert T. Crowell, in April, 1851, came Malone B. and William S. 
Wamsley, brothers, from Ohio, who settled upon adjoining claims about 2 1/2 miles northwest of 
Clarksville, upon which they still lives, two of the most honored and wealthy citizens in the 
neighborhood.

Jeremiah Perrin, Morrison A. Taylor, E. Ensley, Seth Hilton, Sr., and others, joined the preceding 
pioneers in the same year, and respectively settled in the vicinity of Clarksville.

In 1853 the number of settlers with taken up claims in the county was sufficient to want an attempt to 
effect its organization.  Accordingly, in May of that year John T. Barrick, D. C. Overman, and William 
W. Payne, Commissioners for the purpose, appointed by Judge Roszell, of Buchanan County, located 
the county seat of the then unorganized County of Butler upon the site of the present village of 
Clarksville.  The original part of the village was surveyed by His Honor in August following.  Also in 
August, 1853, by the order of the same magistrate, an election was held in Butler County -- then under 
his judicial jurisdiction -- for the election of officers and the organization of the county.  A full 
complement of county officers was accordingly elected, but as the newly created offices were 
supposed to be not sufficiently lucrative to compensate the officers elect for the necessary trouble of 
journeying to Independence in order to become legally empowered to fill them, they unanimously 
omitted to qualify.  Soon afterward Butler County was detached from Buchanan County and attach to 
Black Hawk County, then recently organized.  Pursuant to the order of Judge Knapp, of the latter 
county, a second election was held in Butler County, in August, 1854, when the following officers 
were chosen: John Palmer, County Judge; William E. Burton, Clerk; Abner G. Clark, Treasurer and 
Recorder; James Griffith, School Fund Commissioner; Robert T. Crowell, Sheriff; Harlan Baird, 
Prosecuting Attorney; and John H. Mortin, Surveyor.  Jan. 2nd, 1855, Mr. Baird alone having failed to 
qualify, Aaron Van Dorn was appointed Prosecuting Attorney, by the County Court, to supply the 
vacancy.  The permanent organization of the county was effected however, Oct. 2nd, 1854.  On the 28th 
of the same month the first levy of taxes was made.  The total amount for that year was $698.50.  In 
1855 taxes were collected to the amount of $855.64.

Among other events, prominent in the history of the county, stated in chronological order, are the 
following:

In April, 1850, John Heery, of Milton, Rock County, Wisconsin, located the first land warrant located 
in the county, just in the band of the Shellrock River, adjoining Clarksville on the southwest.  He 
returned to Wisconsin the same season, performing the journey both ways on foot.  Mr. Heery was 
guided through the valley by Mr. James Newell, or Uncle Jimmy Newell, as he was familiarly called, a 
pioneer settler in the forks of the Cedar, about 20 miles southeast of Clarksville.  Uncle Jimmy, who 
had extensively explored the Shellrock Valley, in his noted character of a mighty hunter, greatly aided 
the earlier succeeding comers, who sat to profit by his knowledge of the country, and making choice 
selections of land upon which to locate.  Mr. Heery settled with his family upon his claim in the spring 
of 1852.  He is still a resident of Clarksville, and still owns part of the original entry.

In the fall of 1851 was preached the first sermon in the county, at the house of Malone B. Wamsley.  
The name of the preacher, who was of the Methodist denomination, seems to be forgotten.  Also in the 
same fall occurred the first staff, that of Joseph Kirker, aged about 40 years, and a very recent cover 
from Pennsylvania.  He was an uncle of the wife of William S. Wamsley.

In 1853 the first post office in the county was established at Coon Grove, now Clarksville.  Abner G. 
Clark was the first post master.  Up to this time the nearest post office was at Cedar Falls, whence the 
route extended to Clarksville.  Elwood Modlin was the contractor for carrying the mail, which was 
carried once a week, by his son, on horseback.  In the fall of 1853 Malone B. Wamsley was appointed 
the first justice of the peace -- the first officer in the county --by the County Court of Black Hawk 
County.  About the same time Seth Hilton, senior, received a leg appointment from the same authority.

September 2nd, 1854, the first legal instrument, a warranty deed, was filed for record.  It was executed 
by Peter M. Bridget Conner, of Black Hawk County, to Jesse G. Butts, of a Otsego County, New York.  
It conveyed the west half of the southeast quarter of section 30, Township 90, Range 16, containing 80 
acres of land, for the consideration of $100.  It was acknowledged before R. P. Speer, a Notary Public 
for Black Hawk County.

Nov. 1st, 1854, County Judge Palmer issued the first marriage license, to Greenberry Luck and Susan 
Williams, who were married on the same day by the Rev. W. P. Holbrook, a Methodist preacher.

Jan. 8, 1855, is the date of the first mortgage of real estate that appears of record.  It was executed by 
Robert T. Crowell and Lucretia Crowell, of Butler County, to James Griffith, School Fund 
Commissioner of the same County.  The southeast quarter of the northeast quarter, and the northeast 
quarter of the southeast quarter of section 18, Township 92, Range 15, was the land mortgage, for the 
sum of $298.14.  It was acknowledged before County Judge Palmer, and was satisfied April 22nd, 
1857.  April 21st, 1855, was recorded the first chattel mortgage.  Ebenezer Walter was the mortgagor, 
and William Adair the mortgagee, both of Butler County.  The chattels mortgaged were one yoke of 
red oxen for years old, and one cow and calf.  The sum secured thereby with $75.  June 26, 1855, was 
recorded the first articles of local incorporation -- those of the Methodist Episcopal Church of 
Shellrock.  The officers of the Board of Trustees were G. W. Adair, president; Alexander Glenn, vice 
president; John H. Smith Treasurer and Asa Chance, Secretary.  The first school in the county was 
opened the same year, in a small log cabin in Clarksville.  It was taught by Miss Melinda Searles, 
afterwards the wife of Mr. Vallantine Bogle, of Clarksville, now recently deceased.  It began in the 
spring of the year mentioned, and was attended by only a very limited number of pupils.

June 3rd, 1857, was instituted, at Clarksville, Butler Lodge No. 94, A. F. and A. M., a the first Masonic 
society, or other similar organization, in the county.  The first officers were: Alpheus J. Lewellen, W. 
M.; George W. Potsall, S. W.; Robert T. Crowell, J. W.; John Palmer, Secretary.  I'm the 24th of the 
same month William Hicks, a British subject, and the first foreigner in the county to renounce formerly 
his allegiance to any foreign potentate, took the initiatory steps to become an American citizen, by the 
usual declaration of intention.  John Palmer and William Glass, also British subjects, where the next to 
declare like intentions, on the same day.  William Gough, a native of England, and the first foreigner in 
Bremer County to declare his intention to become a citizen of the United States, was the first foreigner 
admitted to full American citizenship in Butler County, Oct. 6th, 1857.  Patrick Hays, a native of 
Ireland, was the next person naturalized, at the same term of the District Court. 

In June, 1858, County Judge Converse advertised for proposals for the erection of the following 
bridges in the economy, 13 in number: two across Shellrock River, near Clarksville; one across 
Shellrock River at the village of Shellrock; one across the West Fork of Cedar River, near 
Willaoughby; one across the same stream at Mason's Ford; one across same at McConnell's Ford, on 
road leading west from Butler Center; one across same on road leading west from West Point in 
Hampton; one across to Beaver River at New Hartford; one across same at Olmstead's Ford; one across 
same on Central road, near Mr. Daniel's; one across same on the left side section 25, Township 90 
range 17, near Mr. Curtis'; one across Beaver River, on section 20, near Mr. Parriott's; one across 
Coldwater Creek at Cunningham's Ford.  These bridges were the first structures of the kind erected in 
the county.  Nearly all of them work, however, within a few years afterward, swept away by ice and 
freshets.

Still other occurrences in the history of the county, worthy of note, were the erection of the first 
church, Methodist Episcopal, at Clarksville, in 1864.  Elias Smith, pastor; the organization of the first 
bank -- the Butler County Bank -- at Clarksville, in June, 1871, and the opening thereof for business in 
September following.  Malon B. Wamsley, President, and Francis B. Cooke, Cashier, were the first 
officers of the bank mentioned.

Upon the division of the previously united offices of Treasurer and recorder, J. H. Hale became the 
first recorder, and 1865, and John Palmer the first Treasurer, in 1866.  A. J. Tomkins was the first 
auditor of the county, in 1870.

The first division of the county into townships was made February 6th, 1855, when four townships -- 
Butler, Coldwater, Ripley and Beaver -- were created.  March 3rd, 1856, West Point, Shell Rock and 
Monroe townships were created.  In the latter part of the year 1857, and in the early part of the year 
1858, the remaining townships of Albion, Bennezette, Dayton, Fremont, Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, 
Pittsford and Washington were regularly organized.

M. M. Trumbull, who was emigrated from Cedar Rapids, and 1854, was the first lawyer in the county.  
He was elected to his seat in the lower branch of the state legislature, in 1858.  Mr. Trumbull now 
resides in Dubuque.  The first physician in the county was Dr. James E. Walker, from Maine, who 
settled at Clarksville about 1854.  He subsequently returned to his native state.

County Seat and County Buildings.

Of three different attempts to remove the county seat from Clarksville to other localities in the county, 
the first was made in 1858.  In April of that year and election was held in the county to determine the 
question of its removal to Georgetown, a "paper town" in the center of the county.  Its retention at 
Clarksville was secured by a majority of seven votes.  The second attempt was made in 1859.  At an 
election held April 4th, of the year last named, by a vote of 385 for removal to 364 against removal, a 
majority of 21 votes was cast in favor of Butler Center, then the competitor of Clarksville, for the 
honor of being the county capital.  A writ of injunction was, however, sued out by the opponents of the 
successful locality, for the purpose of staying the removal voted until certain legal objections on their 
part could be duly adjudicated.  In July following the District Court adjudged the election void because 
of certain irregularities in its formal conduct.  On the fourth of April, 1860, the canvas of the third 
election was held two days previously resulted in the declaration of a majority of upwards of 80 votes 
in favor of Butler Center over Clarksville, which ended the county seat contests, and on the following 
day the records were removed accordingly.

The first court house, erected in a handsome square in the center of Clarksville, in 1857, at a cost of 
about $20,000, is a neat structure of brick, 40x60 feet in size, and two stories high.  It is much the 
largest and best building in the county.  On the removal of the county seat to Butler Center, the 
building was purchased from the county by the independent school district of Clarksville, for the very 
small sum of $2,800, and appropriated to local school purposes.  The only building of any kind now 
existing and occupied for county offices, courts, or otherwise, is a most unpretentious frame structure 
at Butler Center, 26x36 feet in size, and two stories in height.  The upper story,  which is reached by an 
outside wooden stairway, is by courtesy called a court-room; the lower story, divided into three 
apartments of the most inferior character for such uses, are occupied as county offices.  This structure, 
erected in 1860 at a cost of $2,000, was donated to the county, together with about two acres of land 
appappurtenant thereto, by Mr. Andrew Mullarkey, of Cedar Falls, since deceased, who owned a large 
amount of land in the vicinity, and who was greatly instrumental in securing the removal of the county 
seat from Clarksville.

First Terms of the Courts.

The first term of the District Court convened at Clarksville, October 5th, 1857.  The Honorable James 
D. Thompson, Judge of the Thirteenth Judicial District, presided.  Walker H. Bishop, sheriff, and 
James E. Walker, clerk, were the officers in attendance.  The grand jurors named in the venire returned 
by the sheriff, were William Holsington, James Woods, D. W. Miller, John T. Newhard, John Braden, 
L. D. Owens, G. S. Root, John Palmer, James Bywaber, James McKinney, John Boggs, L. A. Orris, 
Judd Bradley and Peter Riley.  The panel not being full A. J. Lewellen, a talisman, was added.  D. W. 
Miller, at his request, was excused, and his place supplied by M. B. Wamsley, a talisman.  John T. 
Newhard was appointed foreman.  J. M. Vincent was sworn as bailiff.  The following were the petit 
jurors regularly summoned at the same term:  P. Landis, Christian Forney, John M. Hart, Benjamin 
Eikenberry, Charles Ensign, Aaron Hardman, George Harlan, Samuel McCreery, and John Lash.  
Benjamin Eikenberry was excused by the court.  The panel not being full, the following talisman were 
added:  James Blake, Aaron Van Dorn, J. H. Smith, William Burress, Charles Lasted, Alexander 
Glenn, and Jacob Shapper.  Aaron Van Dorn was appointed foreman, and G. W. Stow was sworn as 
bailiff.  On motion of M. M. Trumbull, Messrs. James R. Fletcher and Charles A. Bannon, both 
members of the Pennsylvania bar, were admitted to practice as attorneys of the court.  The first case 
called for trial was that of "The State of Iowa vs. William Casterline."  The defendant was charged 
with threatening to assault and do bodily harm to one Rufus L. Hardy, and was under bonds.  The 
prosecuting attorney declined further to prosecute the charge, and the defendant was awarded eighty-
five cents costs.  The first two appeal cases coming up to be heard were those of "The State of Iowa vs. 
William R. Jamison, " and an appeal from the docket of J. H. Smith, J. P.,  and the other an appeal 
from the docket of J. M. Vincent, J. P.  The judgment of the court below was reversed in both cases at 
the plaintiff's costs.  Committees, each consisting of three attorneys, were appointed by the court to 
examine and report upon qualifications of Messrs. John Palmer, Orson Rice, and George A. Richmond 
to be admitted to practice as attorneys.  They were all favorably reported upon and admitted on the 
second day of the term.  Mr. William R. Jamison was afterwards similarly admitted, at the same term.  
The grand jury, on the third day of the term, returned into court "a true bill" against Thadens Bird for 
bigamy.  At the June term, in 1868, the indictment was quashed and the defendant discharged.

The first term of the Circuit Court for Butler County convened at Butler Center, February 22, 1869.  
Hon. George W. Ruddick was the presiding judge.  The officers present were L. L. Smith, sheriff, and 
James W. Davis, clerk.  "Theron Landon vs. T. B. Hanna," an attachment case, the second case on the 
calendar, was the first case called.  It was settled by the parties, the plaintiff withdrawing the suit and 
paying the costs.  W. R. Jamison appeared as attorney for the plaintiff.  The following petit jurors were 
empanneled for the term:  E. H. Gilloghy, Charles Hitchcock, E. Town, John Kimmons, David Soash, 
Sr., E. D. Marquand, Charles Bates, H. Billhimer, W. Foster, C. V. Surface, N. F. Manley, George A. 
Burnett, J. L. Kemmerer, S. M. Townsend, and John A. Smith.

The first case ever prosecuted in the County Court was entitled "Solomon W. Ingham vs. Daniel D. 
Meyer."  It arose upon an injunction issued by Judge Palmer to restrain the sale of land.  The first 
official service of the first sheriff -- Sheriff Crowell -- was performed in this case.

Board of Supervisors

The first Board of Supervisors convened at Butler Center, on Monday, January 7, 1861, when the 
following named supervisors appeared and were qualified:  Orson Rice, of Jefferson; James Wilson, of 
Shellrock; Thomas Haggarty, of Dayton; Milo Hard, of Beaver; George W. Stoner, of Ripley; Moses 
Aldrich, of Coldwater; Julius Hoffman, of West Point; Jonathan Gilbert, of Jackson; Peter Coyle, of 
Madison; W. H. Long, of Washington; William R. Jamison, of Pittsford; Shadrach Bonwell, of 
Fremont; S. H. Taylor, of Albion; and Wells A. Curtis, of Monroe.  Peter Coyle, of Madison, was 
chosen chairman, and James M. Davis was clerk.  On the second day of the session Milton Wilson, of 
Bennezette township, appeared and was admitted to the Board.  The same day the terms of the several 
members were decided by lot.  Messrs. Wilson, Haggarty, Stoner, Aldrich, Coyle, Long, Jamison, and 
Taylor drew terms of two years each.  Mssrs. Rice, Hard, Hoffman, Gilbert, Bonwell, Curtis, and 
Wilson drew terms of one year each.  Also on the second day of the session a petition of citizens and 
legal voters of the county, asking for an order of the Board calling an election upon the question of 
removing the county seat from Butler Center to Clarksville, was presented and referred to a select 
committee, consisting of Messrs. Hard, Stoner, and Gilbert.  On the following day a remonstrance 
against granting the prayer of the petition was presented.  On the fourth day the proceedings of the 
Board were ordered to be published in the Butler County Jeffersonian, for which publication the sum 
of $25 was appropriated.  On the fifth day Messrs. Hard and Stoner, of the select committee previously 
appointed, made a majority report adverse to the prayer of the county seat petitioners, for several 
reasons affecting the required legal formality of the proceedings taken in the matter.  Mr. Gilbert, of 
the same committee, made a minority report in favor of the petitioners.  The majority report was 
adopted by a vote of ten ayes to four nays, and the select committee were thereupon discharged.  At the 
following June term J. J. Criswell was admitted to the Board, to supply a vacancy occasioned by the 
resignation of Wells A. Curtis, supervisor from Monroe township.  Charles A. Bannon was likewise 
admitted, on the second day of the same term, as supervisor from Butler township.  At an evening 
session of the Board, on the second day, a committee consisting of Messrs. Bannon, Jamison, and Rice, 
appointed at the morning session of the same day, to draft resolutions expressive of the sorrow of the 
Board at the then recent death of Stephen A. Douglas, of national fame, reported as directed.  The 
resolutions were ordered to be recorded in full in the minutes.  The Board was at the same time 
addressed upon the subject of the life and public services of the illustrious deceased, by President 
Coyle and fifteen others, members of the Board and prominent citizens of the county.

January 2, 1871, upon the inauguration of a later system of electing supervisors, the number of these 
officers in the county was reduced to three, at this time consisting of M. B. Wamsley, of Jackson 
township; H. C. Brown, of Pittsford township; and A. Chrystie, of Monroe township.  Their terms of 
office, decided by lot, were one, two, and three years respectively, in the order mentioned.  Mr. 
Wamsley was elected chairman, and A. J. Thompkins, auditor, was clerk of the board ex-officia.

Newspapers.

The first newspaper in the county was the Butler County Transcript.  It was started by Palmer & James, 
in July, 1858, and was published in Clarksville.  It was of Republican politics.  The office material was 
sold in the Spring of 1860, and removed to Winterset, Madison County.

The Butler County Jeffersonian was next started by William Haddock, at Butler Center, about August, 
1860.  Between that time and October, 1861, about thirty-six number only of the paper were issued.  In 
the month and year last named it passed into the hands of Martin Bailey, who, in January, 1862, 
changed the title to The Stars and Stripes, and during two years continued its publication regularly.  
Mr. Bailey then went to "the war," and the publication of the paper ended.  In August, 1865, 
McCormick & Francis purchased the office material, and with it established The Butler County Argus.  
About February, 1866, the latter publication was purchased by Judge Palmer, who changed the name to 
The Stiletto.  In the Spring of 1866, Judge Palmer's interest in the paper became the property of his 
son, W. L. Palmer, who removed the office to Shellrock.  In the Fall of 1866 it was merged in The 
Clarksville Gazette.

The Clarksville Gazette was established in the Summer of 1866, by Vau E. Butler.  In the Fall of 1866 
it was united with the Stiletto, then published at Shellrock, and the publication of the paper continued 
at Clarksville, by Butler & Palmer, under the title of The Star of the West.  In the Winter of 1867-8, 
Frank C. Case became the proprietor.  He changed the name to The Clarksville Star, which name it still 
retains.  In April, 1872, Mr. Case was succeeded by Mr. James O. Stewart, present editor and 
proprietor, and a gentleman of decided journalistic ability.

The Parkersburg Times, started by W. L. Palmer, in the spring of 1870, was sold about a year 
afterwards to C. G. Bundy, who removed it, in July, 1872, to Maudville, now Allison, and changed the 
name to The Butler County Times.  It ceased to exist in September, 1873.

The Parkersburg Eclipse, started by Anyer & Edward, in September, 1872, was purchased by Dodge & 
Savage, present proprietors, in September, 1874.

The Shellrock Enterprise, started by J. H. Boomer & Co., in September, 1872, after a number of 
intermediate changes passed into the hands of Dr. E. A. Kittell, who now conducts it, in February, 
1875.

Butler County Patriotism.

The population of Butler County, by the Federal census of 1860, was in that year 3, 724.  The total 
number of volunteers enlisting in the service of the Union during the first two years of the great 
Rebellion, 1861-2, credited to the county, was 293.  The quota of the county under the several calls fro 
troops in the years named was 179.  Number of volunteers in excess of quota, 114.  There were during 
"the war," additionally, about fifty veterans re-enlistments.  A few persons were also drafted and 
furnished substitutes.  Liberal bounties were given by the county to volunteers credited to its quota, 
and due provision made for the relief of the families of such as required material aid.

Butler County Agricultural Society.

The Butler County Agricultural Society, first organized in 1856, was re-organized and incorporated 
June 2, 1866.  The officers elected in the latter year were: James Collar, President; C. B. Simons, Vice 
President; Martin Bailey, Secretary; Sylvester Rice, Treasurer.  The society fair ground, consisting of 
twenty acres leased for the purpose, is located just west of the village limits of Shellrock.

Educational Statistics.

The whole number of schools in the county, in 1874, was 229; of male teachers, 55; of female teachers, 
172.  The whole number of pupils enrolled was 3, 652; total average attendance, 1,942; average cost of 
tuition per pupil per month, $1.94.  The whole number of frame school houses in the county was 111; 
of brick school houses, 1; of stone school houses, 2.  The total value of school buildings was $68,308; 
of school apparatus, $1,630.  There are three graded schools in the county, one in Clarksville, one in 
Parkersburg, and one in New Hartford.

Towns.

Clarksville, the oldest and largest town in the county, is situated on the east side of the Shellrock River, 
eight miles south of the north line of the county, and six miles west of the east line.  In this immediate 
vicinity were made the first settlements in the county.  The town was laid out by D. C. Hilton and 
Thomas and Jeremiah Clark, on a forty-acre claim in which they were jointly interested, in August, 
1853, and for several years thereafter grew rapidly.  It contains three churches, of the Methodist 
Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Christian Union denominations respectively;  one banking institution, the 
Butler County Bank, with a capital of $50,000; and the usual number and variety of business houses.  
The completion of the Iowa Pacific Railroad, which here intersects the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and 
Minnesota Railroad, will constitute Clarksville the only railroad crossing in the county.  The location 
of the town is decidedly pleasant, and its future promising.  Population, 800.

Shellrock, eight miles south of Clarksville, is situated in a grove, on both sides of the Shellrock River.  
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad crosses its western border, and the Iowa Pacific 
Railroad passes a short distance east of the town, near which it enters the county.  Shellrock contains 
two flouring mills, a number of general stores, various shops, and mechanical pursuits of the ordinary 
miscellaneous character.  Population, 600.

Parkersburg, in the south part of the county, on the line of the Iowa Division of the Illinois Central 
Railroad, was platted in 1865 on a forty-five acre tract, by the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad 
Company.  It is the market for a large extent of country north in Butler County, and south in Grundy 
County, still destitute of railroad facilities.  The town contains Methodist, Baptist, and Congregational 
Churches, two banking houses, a grist mill, dry goods, drug, hardware, and other stores, shops, etc.  
Population, 600.

New Hartford, on the Iowa Division of the Illinois Central Railroad, nine miles east of Parkersburg, 
was laid out in 1855.  Besides one Methodist Church, and one Baptist Church, it contains seven 
general stores, several shops, and a population of 300.

Aplington, on the Illinois Central Railroad, five miles west of Parkersburg, was laid out by O. Z. 
Aplington, in 1857, and now contains a church, three or four general business houses, a few shops, and 
200 inhabitants.

Greene, on both sides of Shell Rock River, in the extreme north part of the county, was laid out in 
1871 by certain officials of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad, which runs through 
the town, and named in honor of Judge George Greene, then President of the company.  It contains two 
banking institutions, a flour mill, two school houses, about twenty stores of various sorts, two lumber 
yards, shops markets, etc.  The Presbyterians and German Baptists have churches.  The town has a 
large trade, and is growing with considerable rapidity.  Population, 350.

West Point, in the central west part of the county, contains a Presbyterian Church, and several general 
stores and shops.  Population, 200.

Butler Center.

The county seat of the county, is situated a few miles south of the geographical center of the county.  It 
was laid out in 1856, and, except as the capital of the county, is a place of no commercial or other 
importance.  The village contains, besides the court house, so called, two general stores, and wagon 
and blacksmith shops.  The best public structure in the place is a two-story frame school house, 20x40, 
capable of seating 160 pupils.  The Presbyterians and Methodists have church organizations here, but 
no church building.  Population, 150.

Allison, Dumont, and other towns heretofore platted in different parts of the county, exist as yet only 
on paper.

County Officers for 1875.

Wm. H. Burdick, Clerk of the Courts              William C. Thompson, Treasurer
R. L. Chase, Auditor                             Elwood Wilson, Recorder
John R. Jones, Sheriff                           J. W. Stewart, School Superintendent
T. G. Copeland, Coroner                          J. D. Rockwell, Surveyor
E. D. Button, Drainage Commissioner

Supervisors.

Alex. Chrystie           H. C. Brown             N. H. Larkin

Honorables A. Converse, Senator, and C. A. L. Rosell, Representative, represent the county in the 
State Legislature.

The Clarksville Star and The Parkersburg Eclipse are the official newspapers of the county for 1875.