HISTORY: Mills 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 Mills County, Iowa Please visit the Mills County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/mills/ ________________________________________________________ MILLS COUNTY. Mills is the western border county of the second tier from the south line of the state, and is one of the smaller counties, embracing an area of about four hundred and fifty square miles, or 296,000 acres. The west side townships are fractional, following the irregular course of the Missouri River. The surface of the county is considerably diversified. The western portion is the level flood plain of the Missouri River, commonly called bottom land, from three to seven miles wide, comprising nearly one-fourth of the territory. This broad belt of bottom land ends abruptly on the east in a range of bold bluffs, conforming irregularly to the general course of the river, and the contrast presents a grand appearance to the eye of the beholder. Deep narrow valleys and ravines, often studded with trees, break the bluff line into numerous spurs and segments, but without destroying its general outline, for the elevation of the bluffs is very nearly uniform, and the face presented toward the river is very steep and different in appearance from any other. After passing the narrow strip of broken land adjoining the bluff line, the uplands are high and rolling, but present very little surface so rough as to be undesirable for cultivation. They are lined by numerous water courses, fringed with gently undulating valleys of singular beauty, within a setting of gracefully ascending slopes which are frequently studded or crowned with groves of timber, and the darker hues of the forest lend additional charms to the picturesque scenery. The county is well watered by unfailing streams. Along the Missouri bluffs numerous springs are found, and also many along the streams in other parts of the county. Indeed, the large number of springs and small streams of living water are the subject of comment by strangers visiting this county. Several of the streams afford good water power for machinery—among them West Nishnabotany, Silver Creek, Wahaboncey and Keg Creek—and the county is well supplied with flouring mills. There is likewise a good woolen factory on Wahaboncey Creek, in the south part of the county. Mills County is tolerably well supplied with timber. The principal varieties are burr oak, pin oak, black walnut, hickory, white ash, red elm, white elm, hackberry, mulberry, maple, linn and cottonwood. The groves of stately cottonwood along the Missouri bottom furnish a large portion of the fencing material to the county, and many steam saw mills are engaged here sawing lumber. The bluffs contiguous to the river bottom afford hard wood, while on Keg Creek, above and below Glenwood, are many fine groves. The extensive and beautiful valley of the Nishnabotany is not so well supplied with timber. Limestone, suitable for quick-lime and for building purposes, is found at the base of the bluffs, near the southwest part of the county. There are also several good quarries on Silver Creek and the Nishnabotany River. Sandstone is found in the northeast part of the county, which is used for building purposes. Excellent brick are manufactured at Glenwood, Pacific City, and at several other places in the county. The basis and principal portion of the soil, both of bottom lands and uplands, throughout the county, is the famous bluff deposit, which possesses some remarkable characteristics, which will be found fully described in the chapter of this work devoted to the geology of Iowa. When brought up from a depth of many feet, it is almost as productive as the surface soil. A limited admixture of vegetable mold is all that seems to be required to give it a very high degree of fertility. Of this the surface soil has an abundance, especially upon the bottom lands. The valuable qualities of this soil are attested by the bountiful crops which it produces. For corn growing it is unexcelled, and the noted wheat region of Northern Iowa and Minnesota is little, if any, more reliable for wheat. The other small grains yield equally good crops. Apples and pears are successfully grown, and all the small fruits thrive abundantly. The native grasses flourish extremely well. The tame grasses are easily propagated. The county possesses great advantages for stock raising, and stock and hogs have long been given to the introduction and raising of fine stock. EARLY SETTLEMENT. As early as 1836, Col. Peter A. Sarpy, who was long a citizen of Mills County, traded with the Indians both on the Iowa and Nebraska sides of the river. At an early day he laid out the town of St. Mary, on the Missouri bottom below the mouth of Mosquito Creek. He was a Frenchman, and the name of this town is due to the fact that he and his followers were devoted Catholics. At one time it was a promising village, but most of it long since passed down the current of the turbulent Missouri. Col. Sarpy died at Plattsmouth, Nebraska, in January, 1865. He was the first who remained any great length of time in the county prior to 1846, although other Indian traders in the employ of the American Fur Company, and itinerant missionaries to the Indians, traversed this region. About thirty disciples of Joseph Smith, in August, 1846, pitched their tents in the Missouri River bottom, on the east side of Keg Creek, about four miles north of the present south line of the county. Like others of their faith, after the death of their prophet they had set out for their journey to the "promised land." As the season advanced, preparation for Winter became necessary, and they erected at that place quite a number of cabins, making the settlement have something of a village-like appearance. They gave it the name of Rushville. One of the original settlers of Rushville, who remained in the county, was William Brittain, who, with his family, afterwards located near Glenwood. Libeus T. Coon, Silas Hillman, Ira Hillman, G. N. Clark, J. Everett and others of this company settled at the place where Glenwood now stands, and in the vicinity, in 1847 and 1848. Another party of Mormon sojourners halted at Silver Creek Grove, in the Fall of 1847, and made their temporary abode at a place known as Cutler's Camp, named after their leader. His cabin was on the farm afterwards owned by Daniel Lewis, one of the earliest Gentile settlers of this county. Henry Alice, who came as an assistant missionary to the Pawnee Indians, in 1834, under the auspices of the American Board of Foreign Missions, became a resident of the county, near St. Mary's, in 1853, having passed the interval of nineteen years on the Nebraska side. The Mormons, however, chiefly occupied the country for four or five years after their first appearance. Gradually others came and took their places, but their numbers were few until the exodus of 1852 began, when they increased rapidly. ORGANIZATION. The county was named in honor of Frederick Mills, a gallant young officer from Burlington, Iowa, who was killed in one of the battles of the Mexican war. It was originally attached to Pottawattamie County, but a separate organization was perfected by the election of county officers at the general election of 1851. At that election William Smith was elected County Judge; W. W. Noyes, Clerk of the District Court; and James Hardy, Sheriff. The seat of justice was located at a place then called Coonville, but the name has since been changed to Glenwood. The first term of the District Court was held at Coonville, October, 1851. The somewhat noted James Sloan, of Pottawattamie County, was the judge who presided. He was a native of Ireland, and was of the Mormon persuasion. INCIDENTS. The first white child born in the county was Andrew J. Stewart, in the Fall of 1846. His parents were Mormon sojourners at Rushville, and removed to Salt Lake soon after. Caroline L. Brittain was born, January 12, 1847, and was the first born in the county of parents who became permanent residents. The first death was also a Mormon. A rude slab, fashioned from native limestone, with a smooth surface, about one foot square, containing the inscription, " J. Eastman, died April 10, 1847, aged 60 years," left standing near the ruins of Rushville, tells all that is known about him. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The Court House stands in the center of the Public Square in Glenwood, and is a brick building of rather imposing appearance. In size it is 45x65 feet, and two stories high—the lower story 12 feet, and the upper 20 feet. The lower story is divided into four offices, each containing a large fire-proof vault. The upper story is a spacious court room, and is much used for large assemblages on public occasions. The building is covered with tin. The whole cost was about $25,000. The county has a substantial jail. It is a two story brick, 25-1/2x44-1/2 feet. It has two cell rooms with three cells each, and a cell of sufficient capacity for two prisoners. The cells are constructed with the latest improvements, with steel encased bars, saw and file proof. The building also includes rooms for the jailor. The cost was about $8,000. It stands on the east side of the public Square, within convenient distance of the Court House. The county has constructed good, substantial bridges over all the principal streams. Ample railroad facilities are afforded by the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Road, running north and south, and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, running east and west. GLENWOOD. This little city is romantically embowered in one of the finest groves in the valley of Keg Creek. The business portion of the place is amply rolling for drainage, but is not broken, while the surrounding wooded slopes and eminences afford beautiful sites for residences. Many of them are already crowned with neat cottages and elegant mansions. The business portion of the town fronts on the Public Square, a fine enclosure planted with shade trees of various kinds, but chiefly maple. This portion of the town plat was originally what the name suggests—a glen, but is dry, gently rolling, and surrounded on all sides with groves. He who loves a quiet retreat where a beehive's hum may soothe his ear, will find it amid the sylvan surroundings of Glenwood. The town was first known by the name of Coonville, as before stated, the first proprietor being Libeus T. Coon, who settled here in 1848, but afterwards removed to Harrison County. The first house was built at the northeast corner of the present town site; the next, built nearly at the same time, was a slab-roofed log cabin, 10x12 feet, and stood in the rear of the Betts House. In this cabin the first school was taught, in Glenwood, it is said, by D. H. Solomon, Esq., subsequently a leading attorney of the "slope." William Coolidge is said to have been the first child born in Glenwood, in December, 1849. The first death was the wife of Silas Hillman, in the Summer of 1849. The first flouring mill was built in the county by J. W. Coolidge, in the Summer of 1849, on the present site of Gordon's mill, adjoining Glenwood. INSTITUTIONS OF GLENWOOD. The citizens of Glenwood have provided liberally for public schools which are thoroughly organized and graded. The school building is sixty-five by thirty feet, with a wing or projection, fifteen by fifty feet. The edifice stands on a solid stone foundation, and is three stories high, surmounted by a tower, the entire height being sixty-five feet from the ground. The exterior of the building displays architectural taste and beauty. It is divided into six school rooms, with a like number of recitation rooms, and is of sufficient capacity to accommodate five hundred pupils. It is furnished with the most approved style of seats and desks, and provided with good heating apparatus. The total cost was about $20,000. It is picturesquely located in a beautiful natural grove on an eminence at the west side of the city, and commands a handsome view of the city and surrounding country. Six acres of ground are appropriated to its use. Western Iowa College is an institution of learning conducted under the auspices of the M. E. Church. The building stands near the northeast part of the city. The institution employs four professors and instructors. One of the three Soldiers' Orphans' Homes, under the patronage of the state and managed by a board of trustees elected by the Legislature, is located here. The home is situated adjoining the southeast part of the city within the corporate limits, and embraces about seventeen acres of ground. Sixteen acres were donated to the state for this use by the citizens of Mills County. The Legislature has made large appropriations for the erection of buildings and support of the home. The building is of brick, the main part fifty by forty feet, and three stories high; with a wing thirty-eight by twenty feet, and two stories high. The window and door sills and caps are cut stone. It is finished throughout in good style. The location affords a fine view of the surrounding country, including the eastern shore of Nebraska. Trains running on the Council Bluffs & St. Joseph R. R., may be distinctly seen, with a varied landscape of hill, valley, forest and prairie. Glenwood has flourishing churches, with good edifices, among which may be mentioned the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Congregational and Christian. The city is advantageously located on the line of the C. B. & Q. Railroad. It is an extensive shipping point, and enjoys a prosperous and increasing mercantile trade which is well supplied by its substantial and enterprising business men. NEWSPAPERS. The Glenwood Opinion is a weekly republican newspaper, published by Robinson & Ballard, W. P. Robinson, editor, T. P. Ballard, business manager. It is one of the leading influential journals in Western Iowa. It has an excellent office outfit, and enjoys a prosperous business. It was established in 1863 by T. P. Ballard, with whom Mr. Robinson became associated as editor and part owner in 1874. The Journal is a very creditable newspaper, published weekly, by Sherman & Harmon. PACIFIC CITY. – This is a station on the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, about three west of Glenwood, and is nearly opposite the mouth of Platte River in Nebraska. It is situated at the foot of the bluffs, and about three miles from the Missouri River. It was laid out about 1857 in anticipation of being at the terminus of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. Several good buildings were at that time erected, but owing to the delay in building the railroad, and other circumstances, the place did not prosper. Since the completion of the K. C., St. J. & C. B. Railroad however, it has become a point of considerable importance. The railroad company have good buildings, and it is a place of considerable trade. Large quantities of lumber are shipped to this point for the adjacent country. It is one of the best shipping points on the line of the road. A large steam flouring mill is located here. MALVERN. – This is a prosperous town near the center of the county on the line of the C. B. & Q. R. R., in the beautiful valley of Silver Creek. It is surrounded by a fertile, well settled country, and enjoys considerable local trade. The other railroad stations and villages are Emmerson, Hastings, Hillsdale, Pacific Junction and White Cloud.