HISTORY: Clarke Co., IA From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Pat April 2003 ************************************************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************* ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Clarke County, Iowa Please visit the Clarke County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/clarke/ ________________________________________________________ CLARKE COUNTY. Clarke is the seventh county west of the Mississippi River in the second tier of counties from the south line of the state. It is one of the smaller counties of Iowa, being 24 miles in length, by 18 in breadth. It contains an area of twelve congressional townships or about 276,480 acres. PHYSICAL FEATURES AND RESOURCES. The surface of the county derives its character chiefly from the great water-shed which enters its borders a little south of the northwest corner, and passes out about five miles north of the southeast corner. This elevated tract or plateau of prairie impresses its features distinctly upon the topography of the adjacent territory for some distance, as there are leading from it on either side broad prairie tracts resembling it very closely in appearance and character. Thus the general surface is high, rolling, or undulating prairie, with a soil of a dark sandy loam, yielding in profusion all kinds of cereals usually grown in this latitude. It has no large streams, but is well watered by several small creeks, among which are Chariton River, Whitebreast, Bee, and Long Creeks in the central and southern portion, and South Squaw, North Squaw, Brush, and Otter Creeks in the east and northeast portions. On the west and northwest are Seven Mile Creek and South River. These streams afford at all seasons of the year, abundant water for stock, but none of them are reliable for mill purposes. There are innumerable smaller streams interspersed throughout the county, having their sources in springs. The water courses of about two-thirds of its surface are tributary to the Mississippi. The remainder flow to the Missouri. Good well water is usually obtained at a depth of about 20 feet. Timber is found along nearly all the principal streams. The best timbered portions of the county are the southeast and southwest townships, but all the townships have more or less timber. Troy, Madison, Washington, and Ward, the fourth northwest townships, have the least timber. The timber is oak, walnut, hickory, soft maple, elm, linn, hackberry, and cottonwood. Hazel prevails in many places, and as usual, where it grows the soil is especially adapted to wheat. The timber is of fair quality, and although not abundant, there is a sufficient quantity for ordinary purposes. Since the completion of the railroad large quantities of pine lumber have been used here for fencing and building purposes. Farmers are paying some attention to the planting of groves, especially on the larger prairies. The surface of the county consists of a deep deposit of drift. The upper coal measure formation alone underlies the drift throughout its entire extent according to the Geology of Iowa. By the same authority it is stated that the exposures are almost wholly limestone strata of that formation, very uniform in their general character, consisting of gray limestone, with occasional layers or partings of calcareous clay. Almost the only exposure of strata are in the valleys of Squaw, Otter, White Breast and Long Creeks, the other water courses being mere depressions in the drift. Thus sufficient quantities of good building stone and quick lime are obtained, but the discovery of coal must await the process of deep mining. Good materials for the manufacture of brick are obtained near Osceola and at other places, and good sand for building purposes is found in nearly all the streams. The principal grain productions of Clarke County are corn, oats, wheat and barley, corn taking the lead. Indeed it is the great staple of this section of Iowa. The tame grasses, especially clover and timothy succeed admirably, and tame meadows and pastures are extensively cultivated. Fruit culture is practiced to quite an important extent. This section is found to be well adapted to the propagation of apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, and nearly all the small fruits. Many good orchards are in bearing. The farmers of this county have resorted to hedging on quite an extensive scale, and the Osage orange proves thrifty, hardy, and admirably adapted for that purpose in this latitude, making, with a few years growth, an excellent and permanent fence, which serves the additional purpose of a good protection against the prevalent winds of this region. EARLY SETTLEMENT. The first settlement of whites within the limits of Clarke County was made at a point about six miles south of Osceola by John Conyer and John and James Longley, in the year 1846. These men had started with their families in the great Morman exodus of that year, from Nauvoo, Illinois, to cross the plains. They had, with other "Latter Day Saints," intended to spend the Winter at Council Bluffs, preparatory to a general march in the Spring of the next year. By some chance or accident they became separated from their companions and lost their way. They wandered over the prairies several days, after which they determined to pitch their tents at the place mentioned, and await the coming of more genial weather. They erected cabins and gave to the place the name of "Lost Camp," by which it was known to all the early inhabitants in this part of the State. In the Spring they found many of their brethren but a few miles from them. They remained several years, and cultivated large farms, but in time fell in with the tide moving westward and gave place to others. No other white settlers came to the county until 1850, when Bernard Arnold, James J. Arnold, J. Ellis, Robert Jamison, A. Collier, John Shearer, William Overton, and several others with their families, settled in the southern portion of the county. Shortly after a colony from Van Buren County laid off the town of Hopeville, in the southwest part of the county, and opened a large farm in the vicinity. This may be considered the first permanent settlement, and from that time forward the population has steadily increased. The first marriage in the county was that of Dickenson Webster, Jr., and Louisa J., Perry, March 1852. The first marriage license appears under date of April 19, 1852 as follows: "Certificate of marriage license– Emanual J. Henkle and Ann K. Snow, on testimony of John C. Smith, stating that the parties were of condition to marry, and one dollar being in the treasury." ORGANIZATION. Clarke County was organized in pursuance of an act of the Legislature passed at the session of 1850-51. The first election was held in August 1851, at the residence of William Vest, about three miles southwest of the present county seat. Thirty-five votes were polled, and the following were the officers elected; John A. Lindsley, County Judge; Alonzo R. Williams, Clerk; G. W. Glenn, Treasurer and Recorder; Ivison Ellis, Sheriff; Robert Jamison, School Fund Commissioner; Jerry Jenks, Surveyor; and Dickinson Webster, Sr., John Shearer, and Bernard Arnold, County Commissioners. The county commissioners exercised the functions of their office only until the new code took effect, after which their office perished, and their powers passed to the county judges. They held their first meeting August 21, 1851, at the house of John Conyer. COUNTY SEAT. By the legislative act for the organization of the county, Beverly Searcy, James Graham and Samuel D. Bishop were appointed to locate the seat of justice for Clarke County. They made selection of the present site of Osceola, being the southwest quarter of section 17, township 72, north of range 25 west. They made their report on the 16th day of August, 1851. The land on which the county seat was located had been entered at the land office in Chariton on the 14th day of March, 1851, by George W. How. The county commissioners purchased of Mr. How and Seth Richards the above tract, stipulating to pay one hundred dollars therefor in a year, the owners executing their bond for a deed upon the payment. The deed was duly executed on the 20th of July, 1852. Other additions to the town were subsequently laid out, so that it now contains some 250 acres. INCIDENTS, ETC. At the first meeting of the commissioners in August, 1851, Jerry Jenks, the County Surveyor, was directed to appear at the county seat on the 29th day of August, 1851, on official business, provided with instruments to survey the town. The survey of the town was accordingly commenced at that time, and in due time completed. The first sale of lots in Osceola was held on the 13th of October, 1851, at which time 85 were disposed of at an average price of $22 each. Among the first purchasers of lots were B. Arnold, Beverly Searcy, W. Buchanan, G. W. Conger, G. W. How, J. Lewis, J. C. Smith, A. Williams, L. Gardner, D. Webster, I. Ellis, and How & Richards. In January, 1852, the treasurer reported the amount of taxes collected as being $74.25, including state, county and school tax! The amount of delinquent tax reported was $45.05. The first step toward the erection of a court house was taken in 1852, at which time it was ordered that a court house be built in Osceola, to be completed in eighteen months, and to be enclosed, floors laid, and one room above finished, on or before the 1st of December, 1852. The court house was not built, however, until 1854, when it was erected by P. J. Goss, for the sum of $900. It was a frame building, and is still in use as a county building. The citizens of the county will vote on the question of the erection of a new court house at the ensuing election, October, 1875. The first term of district court in the county was held in 1853, by Judge J. S. Townsend. In all the early records the name of the county is spelled C-l-a-r-k, without the final e. and that of the town O-c-e-o-l-a without the intermediate s. In January, 1852, a township was organized embracing the entire county, the election to be held at Osceola on the first Monday in April, 1852. In July, 1853, Doyle Township in the southwest part of the county, was organized into an election precinct, and David Newton, Vincent Davis, and Jacob Keplinger were appointed judges of an election to be held at Hopeville on the first Monday in August, 1852. In February, 1854, several townships were organized, and others, from time to time, making the present civil townships in the county as follows; Liberty, Fremont, Washington, Madison, Troy, Ward, Osceola, Jackson, Franklin, Green Bay, Knox, and Doyle – making twelve in all, conforming in their boundaries to the Congressional townships. At the general election, August 2, 1852, the vote cast in the county was eighty-one. The political status of the county at that time was Democratic. B. Hewn, Democratic candidate for Congress had sixteen majority over his Whig opponent, Phillip Viele. Upon the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, Clarke County manifested a patriotic disposition to assist in upholding the national flag, and maintained that determination both at home and abroad throughout the struggle. The total number of men furnished by the county is reported at 432, leaving an excess over the quotas of 1861 and 1862 of 170. About three-eighths of all persons liable to military duty in the county enlisted in the army. RAILROADS. The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad traverses the county from east to west near the center, passing through Osceola, and having stations also at Woodburn, near the eastern border of the county, and at Murray, near the western border. This railroad affords excellent means of communication with the rest of the world, as well as ample facilities for exporting the surplus products of the county and importing its supplies of merchandise, lumber, coal, and other commodities. Since the completion of this road, or, it may be said, ever since its completion became a certainty, additional impetus has been given to the growth and development of the county, its wealth has been greatly increased, and new life and enterprise have been imparted to every branch of business. This era of progress has in no wise fallen off, but is at present as active as ever, maintained by the productiveness of the soil, healthful climate and exhaustless resources, and the energy and intelligence of its people. POOR FARM. The excellent farm owned and maintained by the county for the maintenance of those people who are dependent upon public aid for their support, is situated about three miles northeast of Osceola. It was purchased in January, 1875, and consists of two hundred acres. About $2,000 have been expended in improvements since its purchase. W. D. Short is overseer of the poor. AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The Clarke County Farmers' and Mechanics' Agricultural Society was organized in 1873, with John McDonough, President; George W. Fouch, Vice- President; E. F. Riley, Secretary; and George M. Cowles, Treasurer. It now owns excellent grounds of twenty acres, provided with good buildings, wells, a half-mile trotting course. The grounds and improvements are valued at about $4,000, and the affairs of the society are in a prosperous condition. The county, although small in size as compared with Iowa counties in general, maintains upwards of eighty public schools, provided with school houses valued at about $60,000. These schools are maintained at an annual cost averaging about $30,000. COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1875. PHILLIP L. FOWLER, Auditor. J. M. LINDER, Treasurer. JOHN H. JAMISON, Clerk of the Courts. JOSEPH N. BALLOU, Sheriff. JAMES ELLIOT, Surveyor. AARON HARLAN, Coroner. JACOB PROUDFOOT, J. STEPHENSON, and JOHN McDONOUGH, Board of Supervisors. OSCEOLA. The facts in relation to the location and platting of this town have already been given as a part of the history of the county. The first house in Osceola was built by G. W. Howe, of hewed logs, and was occupied by him as a store room. The second and third were dwelling houses, and were erected by John Shearer and Israel Miller. John Shearer had, for some months prior to the erection of Howe's store room, lived with his family on the town site in a rail pen covered with straw. The first marriage in the town of Osceola was at the residence of John Shearer, between David A. Waynich and Martha E. Shearer, September 2, 1852. The first birth in the town was that of Florence A. Lampson, daughter of M. R. Lampson, and the first death that of Mary Hurst. An addition of sixty-six acres was laid out on the west side of the original town plat in August, 1856, by Dickinson Webster, which is known as West Osceola. The addition known as North Osceola was platted July 28, 1856, by Messrs. Howe and Richards, and comprises twenty acres. Several other additions have been made since. The entire plat of the town lies on a broad high tract of fine prairie. Its streets are wide and handsome. The rows of trees with which they are lined lend them a very pleasant appearance. In the center of the plat there is a large, handsome public square, and surrounding it are the principal business houses. Osceola was incorporated as a city of the second class December 24, 1866. The present council consists of W. M. Wilson, Mayor; F. M. Kyte, Recorder; and W. H. Thompson, G. W. Clapp, William Chaney, H. E. Mintonye, and W. G. Agnew, Trustees. BUSINESS IMPORTANCE. This town is an important shipping point for the grain and live stock of a wide extent of fertile and well improved country, for which it affords an excellent market, the nearest important towns being from twenty-five to thirty miles distant. This broad territory also contributes to its extensive mercantile trade. It has many good stores and shops, representing all the principal branches of trade. The first banking house was established in the Fall of 1868 by H. C. Sigler, and in January, 1871, it became the First National Bank of Osceola, with H. C. Sigler, president, and William Christy, cashier. The present officers are John E. Chaney, president, and W. G. Kennedy, cashier. The Osceola Bank is a private bank owned by George H. Cowles. It was established in 1869. The Osceola Woolen Mills were built in 1863 by Messrs. Gross and Smith. In 1868 Mr. Smith disposed of his interest to H. F. Gross, the present proprietor of the entire property, which is valued at $12,000. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Osceola has a magnificent public school building, which was erected in 1868 at a cost of $23,000. Its dimensions are 60x80 feet, three stories high. The walls are constructed of stone and brick, and the building is finished in modern architectural style and furnished in an excellent manner. It is proposed to build next year an addition at a cost of $8,000. The schools are under the independent district organization, and are presided over by competent teachers. CHURCHES. The Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian, Protestant Methodist, Baptist, Christian, and Advent religious denominations have good church edifices, ranging in value from $2,000 to $7,000. The two Methodist societies also have parsonages. NEWSPAPERS. The newspapers of Osceola are The Sentinel, the Beacon, and the New Era. The Sentinel was founded in 1858 as the Osceola Courier by G. S. Pike and T. R. Oldham, and by them sold to J. H. Caverly who named it the Union Sentinel October 17, 1862. In May, 1867, J. B. Dague purchased the office, and afterwards associated with himself Mr. J. C. Stockton. They changed the name to the Clarke County Sentinel. In October, 1868, M. A. Thompson succeeded Mr. Stockton, and sold in April, 1870, to R. A. Dague. The Dague Bros. changed the name to the Osceola Sentinel May 9, 1872. J. B. Dague sold to H. C. Ayres, Dague & Ayres sold to S. L. and J. C. Hunter. Hunter Bros. sold in December, 1873, to J. J. Sliadman, and in June, 1875, S. M. Leach purchased a half interest. It is now published by Steadman & Leach. It is Republican in politics, published weekly, and has an extensive and profitable patronage. The Osceola Beacon was established by Ayers & Miller and issued its first number January 1, 1874. It started out as an independent paper and supported the anti-monopoly ticket in 1874. It is now regarded as the organ of the Democratic party. Since February 18, 1875, it has been owned and edited by H. C. Ayres, the senior member of the former firm. Its circulation and patronage has steadily increased ever since it was started, and its prospects are excellent. It is issued weekly. OTHER TOWNS. WOODBURN is a lively little village and station on the B. & M. railroad ten miles east of Osceola, and enjoys considerable mercantile prosperity. It is also a good shipping point. MURRAY, ten miles west of Osceola, is also a promising village and station on the same line of railroad. The other villages in the county are Hopville, Liberty, Smyrna, Green Bay, Lacelle, and Prairie Grove.