HISTORY: Cedar County From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875 ************************************************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************* CEDAR COUNTY. This is one of the eastern counties of the state—Clinton and Scott, which bound it on the east, being counties which lie on the Mississippi River. It is twenty-four miles square, being divided into sixteen congressional or land survey townships, and containing an area of 368,640 acres. SURFACE AND SOIL. The general surface of the county is a high undulatory or rolling prairie, which, though not sufficiently broken – except in a few places along the bluffs of the Cedar – to in the least interfere with agricultural purposes, is hilly and uneven enough to break the tedious monotony of view often found in prairie counties, and to preclude the necessity of making use of artificial means of drainage. Comparatively small tracts are too level, and probably still less too precipitous for pleasant and easy cultivations. The soil like that of most counties lying the justly noted valley of the Cedar, is excellent and well adapted to easy and profitable cultivation, rendering it one of the best counties in the state for agricultural purposes. It presents considerable variety, that in the bottoms, which is composed of a rich dark sandy loam of great depth and fertility, being the best. The upland prairies, which comprise much the larger portion of the area of the county, have much the same soil, though it contains less sand and is not generally quite so deep, is the next, while a few broken oak openings and sandy knolls comprise the poorest class. The subsoil is generally clay, with no hard pan, so that it is equally excellent to withstand the extremes of wet and dry seasons, uniformly remunerating the cares and toils of the careful husbandman with a bountiful crop. All the cereals, fruits, grasses, and vegetables common to this part of the temperate zone are produced in great abundance and of excellent quality; while many others, such as grapes, sorghum, tobacco, sweet potatoes, melons, etc., etc., are grown as easily as in almost any other corresponding latitude. As a stock breeding and grazing county it has natural advantages of soil, water and climate unsurpassed by few portions of the state, and the farmers have quite generally turned their attention to securing improved breeds of stock, and putting in practice the advanced theories of progressive farming. STREAMS, TIMBER, ETC. The county is well watered by the beautiful Cedar, which, next to the Des Moines, is the largest and most important river passing through the state. It enters a little north of the middle of the western boundary, runs diagonally across the southwest portion of the county, and passes out near the center of the southern boundary line. It is increased by Rock and Sugar Creeks and a number of smaller streams which enter it from the east, while several spring branches and runs joint it from the west. The Wapsipinicon River passes for a few miles through the northeastern township, and receives several tributaries, which water and drain that portion of the county. There is a fine water power at Cedar Bluffs which has never been improved, but is estimated by competent engineers to be unexcelled in the state, and if properly utilized by a substantial dam and modern wheels, to be capable of operating one hundred and sixty run of mill stones, or their equivalent in other machinery. As the value of water powers and home manufacturing establishments in the West is becoming better understood than formerly, it is not improbable that this truly valuable power with which nature has so richly endowed this county will remain many years longer unimproved. Though this is essentially a prairie county, and in many parts has but a limited supply of native timber, yet along the Cedar and its tributaries, and in the northeast near the Wapsipinicon some very excellent groves are found which consist of various varieties, although the oak family are predominant. Along the streams there is an inexhaustible supply of stone suitable for ordinary building purposes, and from which a good quality of quick-lime is manufactured. There are some quarries in the neighborhood of Cedar Bluffs, from which a fine texture of light colored magnesian limestone have been taken, which will eventually be of value when the completion of the Chicago, Omaha and St. Joseph, or some other projected railroad, furnishes facilities for transporting it to market. A good quality of clay, suitable for the manufacture of brick, is found in abundance, while there is an inexhaustible supply of sand easily accessible from different parts of the county. The pellucid character of the waters, the freedom from local causes of disease, the purity of the atmosphere, the general evenness of temperature, combined, have long made this part of Iowa justly noted for health and longevity. Agues and fevers are almost unknown, epidemics are rare, and malignant diseases uncommon. The statistics of the United States census have placed this county in the foremost rank in point of salubrity in a state that stands second in the Union. RAILROADS. The means of public transportation are the Chicago and Northwestern, which passes east and west through the northern tier of townships, and from which a branch runs to Tipton, the county seat, leaving the main line at Stanwood. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific strikes this county at Durant in the southeast, and at Downey in the southwest, thus giving it the advantage of an east and west connection by two of the great trunk lines which, passing through the heart of the state from east to west, connect the undeveloped resources of the West with the civilization of the East. The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota, the best north and south line in the state, passes through Springdale and a portion of Gower Townships, affording an easy outlet to the pine forests of Minnesota, and the grain markets of St. Louis and the Lower Mississippi, while the Davenport and St. Paul passes through the northeast corner township. A line has been projected passing through Tipton and east and west through the county, which will probably be built as soon as the present unfavorable policy of the state towards new railroads is changed, or the steady growth and progress of the country demand it. PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND SCHOOLS. The principal public building is the court house, which is a substantial two story brick structure, centrally located in a handsomely shaded park in the very heart of the enterprising Town of Tipton. It was erected in 1860, at a cost of $45,000, and was at that time considered one of the best in the state. The public schools of the county are in a healthy condition, gradually approaching that higher standard of excellence which is being sought by the more intelligent and efficient teachers in the state. Institutes are frequently held, which have been well attended and have been productive of much good in harmonizing the system of instruction, and in generally elevating the standard sought to be attained by the county teachers. While the school buildings in the rural districts are not costly edifices, they are generally neat and substantial, and the grounds are frequently handsomely adorned with shade and ornamental trees. EARLY HISTORY. In ascertaining facts and data in regard to the early settlement of Cedar County, the historian experienced the same difficulty met with in many other places, where some thirty or forty years have elapsed since the Indian was driven westward by the onward march of civilization. It is impossible to learn with certainty at this time whether Andrew Crawford or Robert G. Roberts, first entered Cedar County as a permanent settler, as they both arrived during the month of June, 1836, yet it is generally conceded that the latter gentleman was the first to make a claim, and erect improvements, which he did immediately after his arrival. Others came in later during the same Summer, and pitched their tents in the luxuriant prairie grass, which had never before felt the tread of white men, among which were Walter Freaman, Hector Sterrett, Henry Hardman, W. A. Rigby, Martin Baker, Stephen Toney, George McCoy, William Green, John Jones, Solomon Knott, J. M. Oakes, William Baker, and William Posten and brother. Five of these are still living and residents of the county, viz; W. A. Rigby, Henry Hardman, Robert G. Roberts, H. Sterrett, and William Baker. The first white child born in the county was a daughter of Hector Sterrett, in the Winter of 1836-'7, while the first marriage was W. A. Rigby and Miss Lydia, daughter of William Barr, the ceremony being celebrated May 19, 1837. This venerable couple are still living and reside at Stanwood. ORGANIZATION, ETC. The county was organized in the Spring of 1838, in accordance with an act of the Territorial Council, approved December 31, 1837. The first election was held on the 5th day of March, 1838, at which time the following county officers were elected; George McCoy, Sheriff; J. W. Tollman, Assessor; William K. Whittlesey, Clerk of the District Court and Recorder. Robert G. Roberts was the first representative to the Legislature, elected from the county. The first district court was held at Rochester, on the 28th day of May, 1868, by Honorable David Irwin, one of the judges of the Territory of Wisconsin, and the clerk not being present, Robert G. Roberts was appointed by the court to that position. The first probate court was held in 1839, by Judge J. W. Tollman, who was succeeded in 1840 by S. A. Bissell. By special act of the Territorial Council, approved December 31, 1839, Henry W. Higgins, of Scott County, J. J. McDonald, of Jackson, and John Eagan of Johnson, were appointed commissioners to locate the county seat. They met in the following March, and after due deliberation located it in the geographical center of the county, where a town was immediately laid off, which they named Tipton, in honor of General Tipton, of Indiana, a relative of one of the commissioners. Some singular specimens of illiterate preachers have from time to time appeared in Cedar County, who would somewhat shock the Orthodox churches of the present day by their crude and often absurd views, and yet would prove quite amusing if their discourses could be reproduced in their original and peculiar phraseology. One of these known as Brother Hinckle, strongly suspected of being a renegade Mormon, succeeded in organizing a church in the south part of the county, to which he gave the extraordinary appellation of "The Bride of the Lamb's Wife," and in securing a few converts, among whom was a well known resident of the county named Harvey Hatton, who was generally considered an idle, whisky-drinking, Ishmaelitish personage, abounding in low cunning. As his character for honesty and sobriety stood low in the community, his sudden conversion could hardly be accounted for, unless he had determined that his religion would assist him before the grand jury, as he was bound over to court for assaulting and violently beating an officer who was attempting to arrest him. But be that as it may, on the evening of the first day on which court met, and the grand jury were impanelled, and before they had fairly entered upon the discharge of their official duties, Harvey was announced to preach to the people of Tipton. When the time arrived Harvey appeared promptly at the appointed hour, and was greeted by a large audience, among whom were many of the grand jury, who had been attracted by the novelty of hearing a sermon from such a man as Harvey. He made a preliminary prayer, characterized by vehement fervency—reading a portion of Scripture being omitted for obvious reasons— gave out his text, the conversion of St Paul, and somewhat shrewdly intimating that the illustrious apostle was a type and forerunner of his own. Of all the sermons ever delivered in this Christian land, this one may well be considered as truly original in style, delivery and subject matter. He was exceedingly fluent and energetic, and his illiterate, backwoods hoosier dialect, coupled with his ludicrous misquotations from sacred Scripture, were fully appreciated by his attentive audience. One of his unique renderings will long be remembered, when with peculiar force he exclaimed, "Paul! Paul! It is hard for you to kick agin natur." This remarkable discourse produced its desired effect. The grand jury, sapient in their wisdom, determined that it would be highly improper to indict a preacher who expressed so much earnestness in the cause of Christianity, and thus allowed him to escape the clutches of the law. This was, however, his last sermon, and it is supposed that he expended his entire stock of religion in that one effort. THE PRESS. The Tipton Advertiser was established in 1853 by Charles Swetland, H. C. Pratt and Wells Spicer, and has since gone through the following changes of proprietorship; Wells Spicer followed the founders, then Spicer & Dewall, then Spicer again, followed by S. S. Daniels, who sold to Clark & Mueferd. Clark afterwards retired, having sold his interest to C. L. Longley, and the firm became Mueferd & Longley, who are the present editors and proprietors. The Advertiser is a well-conducted paper, Republican in politics, has a large and increasing circulation, is the official paper of the county, and is one of the most readable and enterprising newspapers in the State. The Mechanicsville Press is a neat appearing, well edited, and popular local newspaper that made its appearance in 1865, and is now owned and managed by F. H. Williams, an experienced newspaper man, a royal "good fellow," and one upon whom nature has set her signet of the true gentleman. The Cedar County Farmer is a good local paper devoted to the interests of Tipton and Cedar Counties, and was established by the Rabet Bros. in 1874. They are also editors and proprietors of the West Branch Times, which made its appearance soon after the Farmer. Both papers are well managed, and will undoubtedly become popular in their localities. COUNTY OFFICERS, 1875. MOREAU CARROLL, Auditor. WILLIAM H. VAN NESS, Clerk of Courts. SAMUEL WAMPLET, Treasurer. CHARLES W. HAWLEY, Recorder. JOHN D. SHEARER, Sheriff. CHARLES W. ROLLINS, Supt. of Com. Schools. HERMAN C. COE, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. TIPTON. The county seat and principal town in Cedar County, is situated in the geographical centre of the county, and was originally laid out on the northwest quarter of section six, township eighty north, of range two west, of the fifth principal meridian, but has since been enlarged by the addition of other tracts to the north and west, so that it now comprises over four hundred acres. The location is a very handsome and advantageous one, being upon a high, gently rolling prairie, surrounded by a tract of excellent farming lands which have been well improved, and now presents as beautiful and attractive an agricultural scene as can be found in the state. The town was laid out in March, 1840, by John J. Tollman, who was the first county surveyor. Settlement began in the place immediately after its location, slow at first, but gradually increasing with the growth and improvement of the surrounding country. Among its first settlers were John P. Cook, William K. Whittelsey, John Culbertson, William Cummins, Charles M. Jennings, Daniel Davis, and Ninian G. Walker, who were followed a little later by Preston J. Friend, John R. McCursly, William R. Rankin, Jacob A. Haight, David Lee, William H. Tuthill, and others. The first white child born in the town of Tipton was Jacob Tipton, a son of Jacob A. Haight, who was born in the Spring or Summer of 1841, and the first death that occurred was Mrs. Elizabeth Lett, October 9, 1841. The town is handsomely laid out with regular blocks and wide, well- graded streets, and contains a number of elegant business blocks, handsome residences, good school buildings, and eight churches, as follows; Congregational, Reverend G. S. Biscoe, pastor; Methodist, Reverend R. Swearingen, pastor; Episcopal, Reverend Joseph Allen, rector; Presbyterian, Reverend Charles Axtell, pastor; Universalist, under charge of Reverend G. Odeorne; Lutheran, Reverend J. K. Bloom; Reformed Church, Reverend – Schultz; Catholic, Father Eugene Sulivan. The city officers for 1875 are; S. Yates, Mayor; R. H. Kirk, Recorder; J. O.Westcott, Assessor; while the Council is composed of; H. S. Platt, J. D. Sheaver, W. Sheaver, A. Bagley, and Charles Hammond. CLARENCE. – This is a thriving town on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, in the north part of the county, forty-seven miles west of Clinton. It has been incorporated, is a place of considerable importance, and a good shipping point for grain and stock. MECHANICSVILLE. – This is also a town of considerable size and importance on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, in the northwest part of the county. It is incorporated, and has one of the best kept hotels in the West. LONDON. –This is an incorporated town on the railroad near the east line of the county, forth miles west of Clinton. STANWOOD. – Is a thriving new town on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, about eight miles north of Tipton, and nearly midway between Clarence and Mechanicsville. DURANT. – This is a growing town and good shipping point on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, in the southeast corner of the county, twenty miles west of Davenport. It has been incorporated, and is a place of considerable business. DOWNEY. -- Situated almost in the extreme southwest corner of the county, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, about forty-four miles west of Davenport. CENTERDALE. – A station on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad, in the southwest part of the county. WEST BRANCH. – This is also a station on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railroad, near the west line of the county, has a good retail trade, and is a town of considerable importance. MASILLON. —This is a station on the Davenport & St. Paul Railroad, in the northeast part of the county. ROCHESTER. – This is one of the older towns of the county, and at one time engaged in a contest for the honors of the county seat. It is located on Cedar River, eight miles southwest of Tipton. There is a good supply of stone and timber in the vicinity. The other post offices and villages in the county are Cedar Bluffs, Gower's Ferry, Inland, and Springdale.