HISTORY: Iowa 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://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************* ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Iowa County, Iowa Please visit the Iowa County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/iowa/ ________________________________________________________ IOWA COUNTY. Iowa is the fourth county from the Mississippi River, in the fourth tier of counties from the south line of the state, and contains a superficial area of 576 square miles, or 368,640 acres. It is more heavily timbered than the generality of counties in the state, the northern and southern parts having considerable surplus over the local demands. It is traversed, both in the north and south, by numerous well wooded streams. In some parts the country near the streams is quite uneven, the hills being covered with light growth of timber. Some of the bottom land, also, is too low and level, but with these slight exceptions, no better farming country can be found. The river and table lands in the vicinity of Marengo, Kostza and Genoa Bluffs are of unsurpassed fertility. The southern portion, which is traversed by the north English River and its tributaries, presents a fine alternation of timber and prairie, pleasing to the eye, and gratifying to the husbandman. The "divide," or plateau between the streams in the northern and southern parts of the county, is one of the choicest prairie sections in the State, consisting of a belt from twelve to fifteen miles wide, running east and west across the country, and dotted with occasional groves. The soil on the prairies and in the valleys is deep, rich, and exceedingly productive. All the cereals yield large crops, and all vegetables and root crops common to the state are successfully raised. Fruits of various kinds, including apples, cherries, pears, and the smaller fruits, have succeeded well. The county is likewise well adapted to stock raising; the tame grasses are successfully produced, and the numerous small streams afford constant supplies of living water. According to the census returns of 1873 there were 151,536 acres of land in cultivation, and the amount of grain produced the previous year was 610,718 bushels of wheat, 2,333,814 bushels of corn, 470,748 of oats, and 126,801 of barley. EDUCATIONAL. Iowa County maintains 126 public schools, provided with school houses valued at nearly $90,000. It has the largest permanent school fund of any county in the state, with the single exception of Allamakee, viz; $81,422.90. It expends annually in support of public schools from $55,000 to $60,000. These figures are gathered from the reports of 1873. MISCELLANEOUS. The Iowa River furnishes excellent water power; Bear Creek and North English River also furnish available mill privileges. Good quarries of lime and sandstone are found near Amana, along Iowa River, and the stone is used quite extensively for building purposes by the German "Colonists.' The sandstone is quite soft when first quarried, and may be dressed with little labor then, but it becomes very hard on exposure to the atmosphere. The limestone makes a very strong though dark lime. Clay, suitable for the manufacture of brick, is found in all parts of the county. EARLY HISTORY. The Pottawattamie and Musquaka tribes of Indians occupied the lands in the northern part of the county when the "pale faces" first came here, but were generally peaceful and well disposed. The first settlement was made prior to 1844, at or near what is known as Homestead by Lineas Niles, John Burget and a man named Cleveland. Very soon after, a settlement was commenced at and near where Marengo is now located, and among the earliest settlers here, were Robert McKee, Amos Crocker, Absalom Washington, Charles Kitchen, William Downard, and Ransom F. Mason. The first house built in the county was by Edward Ricord, in what is now Green Township. The first blacksmith was John Hill, and the first mill was erected by the Kitchen Bros., on Bear Creek. The first tavern was built by a man named Kirkpatrick, at Marengo. William Downard and H. H. Hull brought the first stock of goods to the county, and sold them at the same place. The first white child was born to Robert McKee and wife. ORGANIZATION. The county was organized in 1847; the commissioners appointed to locate the county seat choosing the present location, and naming it Marengo, because, as they looked down upon the site from the bluffs, they imagined a resemblance to Napoleon's Marengo. Robert McKee was the first treasurer, recorder and clerk, these offices being then combined. THE AMANA SOCIETY. This society consists of a large number of Germans, who occupy all of Amana Township, except a few farms, and part of Iowa Township. They are colonized in seven settlements. Their towns are well built, the houses being mostly large, and many of them being built of brick and stone. The society has good saw mills, flour mills, and two woolen factories. The machinery in the last costing about $40,000. These factories are in excellent condition, and well managed, and turn out all the woolens needed in the colony, besides some first- class goods for shipment. These go to Chicago and other points farther east, where the Amana goods have been long known, and have a good reputation. These people also have an establishment for manufacturing the Indigo prints, so popular among the German women every where, and which find a ready sale both here and at the east. In this matter the society has reversed the general order of things. We send the crude material east, and have it returned to us manufactured into any desired article or form, but in this case the cotton is brought from the east, printed and returned. To do this they must not only possess good facilities for manufacturing, but their prints must have an established reputation. The colonists hold peculiar religious views. They call themselves the Church of the True Inspiration, believing that men may be, and are inspired to speak now, as they were of old; that the spirit of prophecy is confined to no age, but belongs to all time. In this respect they differ little from the Quakers. They have no pastors or preachers, their churches being managed by elders who conduct the religious exercises, and read and expound the Scriptures. The elders take turns in conducting the meetings, and when the leader has finished, he calls upon his associates to know if they have anything to say. They have but one prophet now, as they call their inspired men. The Bible is their guide, and if a man, claiming to be inspired, should proclaim anything inconsistent or in conflict with its precepts, they would deny the validity of his claim, and attach no importance to his words. These people also agree with the Quakers in being non-resistants. Some doubts existed in the minds of many during the war as to the truth of this, but they have certainly stood as firmly and consistently by their views in this respect as any other society. They furnished no troops during the war, though they filled their quota by sending substitutes, and manifested their humanity by contributing largely to the sanitary commission. They have the reputation of being good citizens, and a kind and peaceable people. They have formed a community, but in so doing, have endeavored to preserve individual and family rights. When a man joins the society he pays his capital into the common fund, and if at any time he desires to leave, he withdraws his capital, but without interest. The affairs of the community are managed by thirteen elders, chosen annually, on the afternoon of the general election. These choose a president and secretary of their own number, and to this body of men, thus constituted, and representing all the colonies, are entrusted all the business affairs of the society. The trustees assign to each family a whole house, or a part, as the size of the family would seem to require. The houses are generally large enough for several families, especially as several eat at one common table, thus making one kitchen answer for all in the house. Each family, and each man, has certain personal rights which are not interfered with. For instance, if a man is assigned to a home with a little garden attached, and he plants vegetables or fruit trees, or vines, it is expected that he will reap the fruit of this special labor, without molestation from individuals or the corporation. Each man votes as he chooses, and most of them vote the Democratic ticket. The elders advise them not to vote at all, and they do not vote on the state ticket. The family relation is as distinct and sacred in this community as among other Christian people. There is one store in each colony, and each man has an account there for himself, if single, for his family, if married. He is allowed to draw a given amount annually. What he shall draw is left to his own discretion. The kind or quality is not dictated, but only the gross amount, and every thing is furnished to him at the actual cost. But one kind of business is needed in each colony. All are industrious, each contributing his daily labor to the common stock, and each laboring where his own choice, or qualifications, or the necessities of the community shall dictate. If a member is sick, he is cared for, and whatever attendant expense there may be falls upon the whole, the same as though he were one of a large family. The medicine is drawn from the common store, and the doctor labors the same as others, without drawing pay therefor. This sect originated in Germany about the year 1714. It was started by several religious persons, feeling the need of a religion less formal, but purer and more spiritual than that which prevailed about them, were naturally drawn together, and finally organized, but not on the community plan. This was not adopted until they reached this country. In 1842 they began to come over to this country, and soon established themselves near Buffalo, N.Y. But that city became so large, and property around it so valuable, that they could not well extend their domain. Then their attention was directed to the West, and in 1843 they selected their present site, and began to move out. But this migration was gradual. It took ten years to make the transfer of persons and property to this locality. MARENGO. Marengo, the county seat, and the principal town in Iowa County, is located in the northern part, on the Iowa River, and on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, thirty miles west of Iowa City. The town is built around a public square, three hundred feet on each side, which is enclosed with a good fence, and set with a variety of shade trees, including numerous evergreens. Nearly all the business houses front upon this square, and all the business is done around it, except the lumber, grain, and general commission business, which is transacted at the depot, one-third of a mile directly south of the square. The Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroads approach, at this point, to within eight miles of each other, which circumstance causes considerable travel between Marengo and Blairstown. The merchandizing done here amounts annually to a large sum. Besides this, the manufacturing business is rapidly increasing in importance and value, and the lumber and grain trade is heavy. The first settler within the town limits was William Downard, who located here in 1848, and erected the first dwelling house and store room in the place. At that time H. H. Hull was living on a farm about a mile from town, where, in addition to his agricultural duties, he sold goods, and officiated as justice of the peace. Robert McKee was likewise living in this vicinity, though outside of the corporation. He was the first post master at this office. A few more settlers came in and erected cabins during the year, and in 1849 quite a number arrived, among whom was R. B. Groff, the Free Soil candidate for Secretary of State in 1848, on the ticket headed by W. Penn Clark. In the same year the Methodists formed an organization here, though but three members lived in this immediate neighborhood. The members came from a distance of ten miles around to attend the meetings. During that year, Judge W. H. Wallace arrived and settled on a farm near town. He was the first judge of the county. The town grew gradually until 1859, when its quietude was disturbed by the whistle of the locomotive which proclaimed the completion of the railroad. Though this remained for some time the terminus of the road, the effect upon the place was inconsiderable, most people arguing that when the railroad should be completed beyond here, leaving this a mere way-station, it would lose life. So Marengo sat drowsily looking on, having experienced very little of the quickening influence of railroad enterprise. But all at once, her citizens discovered that the country around had outstripped the town, and required more business enterprise, more capital, and, in fact, a larger town to supply its wants. This discovery infused new life into the place; the population rapidly increased; and business enterprises were projected on a large scale. To meet the wants of the new residents, fifty dwellings were erected in 1865, and one hundred in 1866, the population having increased in those two years one hundred per cent. This renewal of life after the cars had passed by, and all the excitement incident to the advent of a railroad had been forgotten, affords the very best of evidence that the town possesses excellent business advantages. It is now a live town, enjoying a prosperous business. It is well laid out, its streets and sidewalks are in good repair, and it is the only town in Iowa except Davenport and Des Moines that boasts of water works. These were constructed last year, and enough pipe laid to supply the business portion of the town, with hydrants every three hundred feet. Marengo was incorporated in 1859, and the election of the officers took place November 12th of that year. They were E. E. Hendershott, Mayor; Robt. McKee, Recorder; H. M. Martin, L. Reno, E. L. Ogle, D. Sturdevant, and J. R. Serrin, Trustees. The officers of 1875 are; T. P. Murphy, Mayor; A. J. Morrison, Recorder; O. Dillin, N. B. Holbrook, W. P. Ketchum, A. B. Eshelman and James S. Shaw, Trustees. NEWSPAPERS. In 1856, Clinton Edwards started a neutral paper called the Marengo Visitor, which he conducted till the Fall of 1859, when he died. His widow continued it thereafter for eighteen months. It was purchased by E. J. Teagarden, January 1, 1861, and continued by him under the name of Iowa Valley Review, until September, 1864, when he died, and the paper was conducted by J. R. Serrin, until January 1, 1865, when it passed into the hands of F. A. C. Foreman, and the name was changed to Progressive Republican. In the September following, Mr. Foreman died, and was succeeded by F. M. Connelly & J. C. Benedict, who were subsequently succeeded by Connelly & Crenshaw. In March, 1867, Mr. Connelly sold to F. E. Spering, and since that time it has been published by Spering & Crenshaw. In 1871 it was enlarged from seven to nine columns to the page. It is a large folio sheet, republican in politics, and published Wednesdays. A democratic paper was first established here in 1860, by Sargent & Van Meter. At the end of the year Van Meter left the firm, and for some time the paper was published by Sargent & Connelly. In 1862 the office was sold and removed to another county. In the Spring of 1864, F. M. Linnehan started the Iowa County Gazette, and continued its publication through the campaign of that year, closing with the election of Mr. Lincoln. The material of the office was purchased in May, 1866, by Connelly & Crenshaw. In the following August, Barnhart Bros., of Muscatine, commenced the publication of the Marengo Citizen. In September, 1873, the Victor Index was established at Victor, by W. B. Clapp, who died in July, 1874, and was succeeded by his widow, Mrs. H. M. Clapp, who continued its publication until June 24, 1875, when the office was purchased by Ed. E. Merrill, the present editor and publisher. It is published weekly, and advocates the principles of the republican party. VICTOR. This is a town of about 500 inhabitants, built up by the railroad, and has grown to be a busy place. It is located on the west side of the county, on the C., R. I. and P. Railroad, and does a heavy shipping business. It enjoys considerable mercantile trade, and maintains good schools and several religious societies. The town is well located for business, and surrounded by a fine farming country. MILLERSBURG Was laid out by Reuben Miller in 1852-3. It is located in the southwestern part of the county, surrounded by good farming lands and plenty of timber, and has considerable local trade, as it is surrounded by a well settled country. CHESTER. This is a fine little town, situated on Old Man's Creek, near the center of the county, and about ten miles S.S.E. from Marengo. It is surrounded by a fine country. The town was laid out by Rev. C. S. Jennis, who named the place Williamsburg, which name it bore until it assumed its present name. The post office is called Stellapolis. Chester at one time aspired to the county seat. The other towns are Kostza, Genoa Bluffs, North English, Lytle City and Nevada, most of which are pleasant little towns, in fine sections of country, and surrounded by a thrifty farming population. COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1875. A. J. MORRISON,Auditor. CHAS. BAUMER, Treasurer. A. B. ESHELMAN, Clerk of Courts. LEMUEL PATTERSON, Recorder. J. M. GARDNER, Sheriff. H. A. SHELDON, Superintendent. ROBERT GRIMES, Chairman Board of Supervisors.