HISTORY: Chickasaw County From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875 ************************************************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************* CHICKASAW COUNTY. Chickasaw is the third county west of the Mississippi River in the second tier from the north line of the state. It contains an area of 504 square miles, or 322,560 acres. PHYSICAL FEATURES. The surface of the county is generally undulating, and in some places very nearly level. Very little rolling land is found within its limits, and this is confined principally to a narrow strip of the southwestern township in the vicinity of Cedar River. The natural drainage of this surface is remarkably good, as the county is traversed by no less than seven streams of considerable size all flowing in a southeasterly direction and almost parallel to each other, which, with their numerous small affluents, drain nearly every section in the county. The current of these streams is uniformly quite rapid, but the nature of the rock underlying the entire county has prevented them from eroding deep channels. The numerous streams supply the county with an abundance of water- power, which is being improved as the agricultural resources of the county are developed and require its use. It has so far been employed chiefly for milling purposes, as other manufacturing enterprises have not been inaugurated to any great extent. The streams are also generally skirted with timber, of which, however, the county has not an abundant supply. There is enough to supply the ordinary needs of the county since the railroads have brought pine lumber within reach, as it is more economical both for building and fencing than native timber. The timber is tolerably well distributed, and since the settlement of the county has diminished the ravages of fire it is growing rapidly in groves upon the prairies. The largest body of timber lies along the Cedar River in the southwest part of the county. The county is almost entirely underlaid with strata of rock, which geologists ascribe to the Hamilton group of the Devonian Age. It is an argillacious limestone, or highly calcareous shales alternating with bands of limestone. The following measurements of the different strata at a quarry near Bradford, on Cedar River, will indicate the general character of the rock formation: Dark-gray, thick shaly limestone…………………………………………7feet. Buff-gray crystalline limestone…………………………………………...5 inches. Light-gray, fine-grained limestone………………………………………..9 inches. Hard, dark-gray shaly limestone…………………………………………..8 inches. Hard, dark-gray limestone………………………………………………...7 inches. Unexposed………………………………………………………………...2 feet. Light, buff-grey limestone………………………………………………..1 ft. 8 in. The limestone exposed at this quarry is of medium purity, and quite hard. So far as observed, it is almost destitute of fossils. It is well exposed only along the banks of Cedar River. Elsewhere over the county the comparatively level surface of deep drift, and the shallow channels of the streams are causes which prevent its frequent exposure. Materials suitable for the manufacture of brick may be found in nearly every township. SOIL AND DRAINAGE. In an early day a large portion of the land in this county was considered rather too wet to be of the highest value for cultivation. The wet land was not found in the form of low marshes, difficult of drainage, for there were none of these, but was as frequent upon the highest prairies as elsewhere. This peculiarity has very rapidly disappeared within the last ten years, as indeed it could scarcely fail to do with the excellent natural drainage already described. It was doubtless caused in part by the comparatively slight depressions made by the water courses, but the principal cause is probably to be found in the nature of the soil and subsoil. The soil is a deep rich black loam, abundantly supplied with vegetable mold from the decay of the wild grasses which grew profusely on its surface. The subsoil is a deep bed of the drift deposit consisting of earth near the surface, and beneath this mingled clay, sand and gravel. Its texture was not so suitable for admitting the percolation of water through it from the surface as the light porous subsoils of other sections, and the limestone rock does not come near enough the surface to supply the under drainage afforded to still other sections. The luxuriant growth of grass and tough sward which it formed tended to retard the drying of the soil by evaporation. An undue proportion of water was retained near the surface by these causes. Cultivation in frequent places and the pasturage of the intervening prairies, have tended to equalize the conditions, and the wet character of the soil began to disappear without artificial drainage. Indeed, it is now satisfactorily demonstrated that cultivation alone is capable of effecting a complete cure; that the soil, although in an early day appearing to be of rather a sluggish quality, not so easily or readily subdued as that of some other sections, becomes in the course of a few years, as lively and as well adapted to the plow as any other, and that it is rich and productive, possessing qualities of strength and durability found wanting in soils that were more easily subdued from a state of nature, and which also "wear out" more easily. The statistics published in another part of this work, show that in relative productiveness for the amount of land in cultivation, Chickasaw County takes rank among the foremost counties of the State. RESOURCES. The principal grain products of the county are wheat, corn, oats and barley. Wheat takes the lead slightly, followed very closely by corn, and to a somewhat less degree by oats. The soil seems to be nearly equally well adapted to all these grains, the relative profit to be derived from them, chiefly governs the extent of cultivation. Stock raising is an important branch of its industry, as both native and tame grasses thrive luxuriantly, and indeed, cattle raising is by many deemed more remunerative than extensive grain growing. The county is therefore admirably suited for mixed or diversified farming, and is not devoted to one class of crops, or to either grain growing or stock raising to the exclusion or detriment of the other branch, but most of its farmers cultivate the several kinds of grain and grass and raise small herds of cattle, thereby securing the rotation in crops and other conditions most highly advantageous and favorable to reliable productiveness, and have every year some surplus that will bring a good price in the market, whether any particular product be up or down. The mineral resources of the county are comparatively slight, being limited to a few quarries of building stone. Her agricultural resources are remarkably good, as we have already described, and must constitute the foundation of her future prosperity. There are excellent resources for manufacturing purposes, in her abundant water powers. These have been already improved to considerable extent for flouring mills, but with her rich agricultural resources and demand for machinery, ought to be made to propel a large amount of machinery employed in the manufacture of agricultural implements and woolen goods, which will doubtless be done in time. The railroad facilities of the county are good. It is traversed from east to west by the Iowa & Dakota division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, with stations at New Hampton, Lawler and Chickasaw, affording ready access to the best wheat market of the Northwest, Milwaukee. The Cedar Falls & Minnesota branch of the Illinois Central Railroad traverses the southwest corner, with an important station at Nashua. Both of these roads furnish ready communication with the principal pine lumber districts. In addition to these, two roads crossing this section of the state diagonally from Dubuque, are already completed to Fayette, and ere many years, one or both will undoubtedly be constructed to or through the central part of Chickasaw County. The county is very liberally supplied with public schools, and her citizens annually tax themselves liberally for their maintenance. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The early settlement of Chickasaw County was commenced in 1852, at or neat the point where Bradford was subsequently platted, on the east side of Little Cedar River, just above its junction with Cedar River, by J. A. J. and John Bird, and the few immigrants who arrived during that and the following year, seem to have located in that vicinity altogether. In 1854, the nuclei of several settlements were formed by pioneers, who located in different parts of the county almost simultaneously. James Jared settled where the city of New Hampton stands. Almon Harries, John Spur, Myrie Spur and Edwin Hale located in Deerfield, May 5th of the same year. Among the first settlers in Obispo, now Utica Township, were William Everingham and J. J. Rutherford. Among the first at a place called Yourvee, were O. H. P. Searles and William Linderman. James Millican settled in Dayton Township, on Section 23, in September, 1854. The first sermon preached in the county, was by a traveling Methodist minister, at the house of John Bird, the second by Rev. Mr. Coleman, a Congregational minister, at the same place, a few weeks later. ORGANIZATION. An attempt was made to organize the county as early as the Spring of 1853. An election was held at which J. K. Rowley was elected County Judge. Such steps as had been taken were however held to be informal, and by an order of the County Judge of Fayette County, to which Chickasaw was attached prior to its organization, under date of June 30, 1853, John Bird was directed to organize the county, and on the 15th day of August, 1853, the organization was duly completed by the election of the following county officers; James Lyon, County Judge; S. C. Gooddard, Clerk, N. D. Babcock, Prosecuting Attorney; E. A. Haskell, Treasurer, and Andy Sample, Sheriff. COUNTY SEAT. The seat of justice for the new County of Chickasaw, was located at Bradford, on the 14th day of August, 1854, by William McClintock and John B. Onstine, two of the commissioners appointed for that purpose. In April, 1856, a vote of the people was taken between Bradford and New Hampton, at which New Hampton received a majority of the votes. The canvassers, however, threw out the vote of Washington Township in counting the returns, which left the majority in favor of retaining the County Seat at Bradford. This action aroused considerable indignation among the friends of New Hampton. In the Spring of 1857, a second commission appointed by the Legislature, located the seat of justice at New Hampton. On the 5th day of April, 1858, another vote was taken, this time between New Hampton and Forest City. The result was in favor of New Hampton, but the canvassers again threw out the vote of Washington Township for informality, and changed that of Deerfield from 53 to 43, which gave Forest City a majority. The citizens and friends of Forest City had teams in waiting, and as soon as this result was announced, the books, papers and furniture were hastily loaded upon wagons, and conveyed to Forest City. New Hampton contested the matter in court, and at the end of a long litigation, New Hampton was decided to be legally the county seat, and the records were ordered returned, since which time there has been no further county seat contests. The present court house is a building erected at New Hampton in 1865, at a moderate expense, the authorities of the county wisely deciding not to burden the people with the expense of costly buildings, until such time as the increase of population and wealth will enable them to erect a suitable edifice which will be an honor to the county, without incurring heavy indebtedness. The first term of district court in the county, was held at Bradford, in June, 1854, by Judge Thomas S. Wilson; the second term was held by Judge Samuel Murdock, in October, 1855. NEWSPAPERS. The first newspaper in the county was established at Jacksonville, in 1857, by Isaac Watson, and lived about three years. About the same time, A. J. Felt commenced at Bradford the publication of a paper entitled the Cedar Valley News. In 1867, A. J. Felt commenced at Nashua, the publication of the Post, of which he continued editor and proprietor until February, 1864, when it was purchased by Graves Bros. The present owner and editor is Joseph F. Graves. It is a large, wide awake, lively paper of eight pages, six columns to the page, ably edited, Republican in politics, and published weekly, by G. M. Reynolds, by whom it has been owned and edited for many years. It is an able exponent of Republican principles and a good newspaper, size, four pages of eight columns to the page. In 1872, a paper called the Times was started at Lawler, but lived less than a year. The Chickasaw County Times was started at the same place, in 1865, by Mr. Hazlett, and is now published there. MILITARY RECORD. Chickasaw County sent a very large proportion of her able-bodied men into the military service of the United States during the War of the Rebellion, in all about four hundred. The following is a list of those who received commissions; Major, G. W. Howard, Lieutenant, John A. Green, Captain, J. H. Powers, " F. W. Barron, " G. Gardner, " Geo. Dodge, " H. C. Baldwin " F. D. Bosworth, " D. E. Bronson, " E. A. Haskill, " S. S. Troy, " J. A. Albertson, " C. W. Foster, " R. W. Foster, " D. McTaggart, " W. W. Birdsall, " -- Crawford, " O. O. Poppleton, Lieutenant G. J. Tisdale, " Chas. Trout, " -- Rupee. COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1875. GEORGE A. HAMILLON, Auditor. JOHN FOLEY, Treasurer. JOHN GILLILAND, Clerk of Courts. CHARLES A. HARRIS, Recorder. RUDOLPHO O. SHELDON, Sheriff. O. A. TRUMAN, Superintendent. W. D. STAFFORD, Chairman Board of Supervisors. NEW HAMPTON. New Hampton was incorporated in the Spring of 1873. Jas F. Babcok was the first Mayor. He was succeeded by Captain G. Gardner, and he by the present Mayor, Dr. H. M. Mixie. The present council consists of Dr. H. M. Mixie, Mayor; James Young, Recorder; L. M. Smith, F. Morsch, J. J. Arbuckle, Jno. McLaren and G. M. Reynolds, Trustees. The town is in the exact geographical center of the county. It contains about 1,000 inhabitants, and is well situated with regard to health and beauty, the ground sloping to the east and south sufficiently to afford good drainage. It has a well built, commodious school house, with graded school of four departments. There are seven church organizations here. Three of which have large churches, to wit; the Methodist, Congregational, and Catholic societies. Three of the societies have parsonages. The city has one bank, which is now erecting a $7,000 building. Two good hotels, two full drug stores, eight general retail store, two of them carrying from $15,000 to $20,000 stock, several groceries, restaurants, etc., one large hardware store, one jeweler, dressmaker, milliner, etc, one tailor, three agricultural implement depots, from one of which has been sold the present season (1875) $30,000 worth of machinery, while the others have enjoyed a good trade. No line of business is overdone, the contributing territory always keeping in advance of the town. There are several resident physicians, and then lawyers. This is the home of the first lady notary public commissioned in the state. The Iowa Div. of the C. M. & St. P. Ry, was completed to this town in September, 1869. Two other railways have been surveyed through the town, the C. F. & W., and the D. N. H. & M. and the demands of the country will warrant the completion of the latter at some date in the near future. The fair grounds of the Chickasaw County Agricultural Society are located a short distance east of the town on a beautiful tract of land, and include a good trotting course. NASHUA. This is a prosperous and important town near the southwest corner of the county. It is situated in a bend of Cedar River, directly opposite the confluence of the Little Cedar, and at the foot or south end of the heaviest body of timber in Chickasaw County. The town plat lies in the river valley on dry ground sufficiently high to be above the reach of floods with a gentle inclination eastward. It is a beautiful location, which is thoroughly protected from high winds in every direction by high ground covered with timber. The Cedar River affords very valuable and excellent water power on the north side, just above the railroad bridge, which is occupied by one of the largest and best flouring mills in northern Iowa. The Cedar Falls and Minnesota Division of the Illinois Central Railroad passes along the east side of the town, and then crosses the river northward. It has here a commodious depot building, and there are several good elevators and warehouses adjacent. The principal business street runs parallel with the railroad track, from which it is distant only the width of one tier of blocks. This street is broad and well graded, and is lined with substantial business houses, many of which are handsome edifices of brick or stone. Westward of the business street are many handsome residences, not a few of which are beautifully embowered in natural groves of thrifty native forest trees. The prevalence of trees throughout this portion of the town gives its streets the appearance of pleasant rural avenues. A large section of surrounding country in Chickasaw, Floyd and Bremer Counties contributes to the commercial importance of the place. This portion of the Cedar Valley is justly celebrated for its productiveness and the advanced state of improvement which it displays. Here in the midst of such a country with no important town nearer than Waverly in one direction and Charles City in the other, Nashua is most advantageously situated to draw the mercantile trade and the grain of the country to its market for shipment or manufacture from a wide distance. The business of the town is extensive and continually increasing. It embraces a large number of good mercantile houses in all branches, shops of nearly all descriptions, good hotels, foundry, bank, printing office, dealers in grain, farming implements, lumber, etc., etc. It is represented by a liberal array of talent in the legal and medical professions. A live agricultural society is maintained with headquarters here, and also a trotting park association. They jointly hold fair grounds and a good trotting course a short distance above the town plat near the railroad track. The town has several church organizations, and good houses of worship. Its public schools are well maintained and graded upon a most efficient system, employing a principal and three or more assistants as instructors. They are provided with a commodious and well furnished public school building which affords ample facilities for the purpose. Excellent building stone is found in quarries convenient to the town, and an abundance of good brick manufactured near by. Nashua incorporated as a city of the second class under the Iowa law, its corporate powers being administered by a council consisting of a mayor, recorder and five trustees elected by the town at large. LAWLER. – This is a new town in the east part of the county, on the line of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Being in a rich agricultural portion of the county, it is becoming a trading and produce shipping point of considerable importance, and is enjoying a prosperous growth. CHICKASAW. – This is a station on the same railroad west of New Hampton. The old village and post office of Chickasaw is situated two miles west off the railroad, and consequently the post office at the station was named Ionia, although the town usually goes by the name of Chickasaw. It is handsomely located, and has become a village and trading point of considerable importance. BASSETT is a station on the same railroad near the west line of the county. FREDERICKSBURG is a village in the southeast part of the county, situated near the East Wapsipinicon River. It is surrounded by a fertile and well improved farming country. BRADFORD is situated about one mile northeast of Nashua, and from its natural advantages was formerly considered the most promising point in the county. The railroad lines avoided it, however, and most of its business was transferred to Nashua. JACKSONVILLE is a village near Crane Creek in the northwest portion of the county. Deerefield, North Washington, Stapleton and Williamstown are post offices.