Montgomery County IA Archives History - Books .....History Of Montgomery, P.321-328. 1881
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Book Title: History Of Montgomery County Iowa, Containing A History Of The County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc.


POSITION

With respect to its position on the map of Iowa, Montgomery county is the second
county from the Missouri river in the second tier from the south line of the
state. It contains congressional townships Nos. 71, 72, and 73 north, of ranges
Nos. 36, 37, 38, and 39 west of the 5th principal meridian -- making twelve
congressional townships, whose boundaries are the same as those of the twelve
civil townships of which the county is composed. It is between the 18th and 19th
meridians of longitude west from Washington (corresponding to the 95th and 96th
meridians west from Greenwich), and the 41st and 42d parallels of north
latitude. Each township is six miles square, and the county contains a
superficial area of 432 square miles, or 376,480 acres of land. It is bounded on
the north by Grove and Waveland townships, Pottawattamie county, and Pleasant
and Noble townships, Cass county; on the east by Adams county; on the south by
Page county; on the west by Mills county.

TOWNSHIPS

The twelve townships of which the county is composed, beginning with the
northernmost of the three tiers and naming from left to right, are: Lincoln,
Sherman, Pilot Grove, Douglas, Walnut, Red Oak, Frankfort, Washington, West,
Grant, Scott and Jackson. Four of the townships, as is apparent, are named in
honor of former Presidents of the United States; two take their names from
distinguished American soldiers; one from a celebrated western statesman; one
from its position; one from a town within its borders, once renowned as the
capital of the county; three from physical peculiarities of timber. At the time
of its organization, the county was divided by a line running north and south
through the center, into two townships, Jackson and West; but it was finally
divided into these twelve townships,  with their boundary lines as heretofore
stated; yet the various townships have passed through numerous changes with
regard to their boundaries, from the time of the first organization of the
county until the present, which changes are to be narrate in subsequent pages of
this history, in the local histories of the various townships.

CLIMATE

Because of the intense cold that sometimes prevails in the northern part of the
states, and the severe "blizzards" that sweep over the prairies at infrequent
occasions, many persons in other localities are wont to regard all of Iowa as a
country approximating to Greenland in the rigor of its climate or Spitzbergen in
the severity of its winters. Hence it is that very many writers in eastern
journals have made innumerable mistakes, laughable if they were not sometimes
injurious, regarding the climate of Iowa. It required two gold medals from two
national horticultural expositions to convince certain American citizens that
apples could be successfully grown in Iowa. Montgomery county is on the
isothermal line which passes through middle and southern Ohio, middle and
southern Pennsylvania and Southern New York. Its mean annual temperature is 50
degrees. The prevailing winds of this latitude are, as physical geography
teaches, from the southwest, and the character of the soil -- open prairie--
gives them full scope and effect. It follows that there are but few resting
places for miasm. The eair is almost always cool and pure, and the vital
statistics show this to be one of the healthiest counties in the state or in the
west. The elevation of the county above the level of the sea as shown by the
Burlington and Missouri river railroad survey, is as follows at different points
along the line of that railway, now the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy: At
Villisca, 1,039 feet; at the West Nodawa, 1,079 feet; at the summit between the
West Nodawa and Middle Tarkio, 1,244 feet; at the Middle Tarkio, 1,074 feet; at
Red Oak, 1,014 feet; at the summit between the East Nishnabotna and Walnut
Creek, 1,122 feet. Other elevations at different points of the county, if they
have been obtained, are not accessible. The highest point on the line of the
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad in Iowa is at Creston, whose height is
1,280 feet above the sea level; the elevation at the summit between the West
Nodawa and the Middle Tarkio lacks only 46 feet of this altitude.

SURFACE AND SOIL

Montgomery is eminently a prairie county, says Dr. White. The soil, according to
the same author, is of both drift and bluff origin, the bluff deposit thinning
out upon the drift within this county, but both are very fertile and excellent.

By "drift" is meant a peculiar deposit of earth composed of clay, sand, gravel,
and boulders, promiscuously intermixed, without stratification or any other
regular arrangement of its materials, or any regular separation of them from
each other. As to the origin of the "drift," long, thorough and extensive
examinations in all parts of Iowa lead geologists to conclude that a large
portion -- if not the largest -- of it was derived from rocks within the limits
of the State, and very largely from the rocks that immediately underlie it. It
is also just as certain that the greater part of it, including nearly all the
boulders, was derived from the region beyond the northern boundary of the State.
As to the means by which the drift has been accumulated and transported, the
greatest number and most important of known facts warrant the belief that it was
accomplished through the agency of ice, which , it is supposed, during what is
called the glacial epoch, covered the greater part, if not the whole of the
northern hemispheere.

By the term "bluff" is meant a peculiar kind of soil, so named by Prof. Swallow,
some time State Geologist of Missouri, who examined the deposit in that State
which is only a continuation of that in Iowa. This soil is very similar to that
deposit in the valley of the Rhine river, in Germany, where it is called
"loess". Its origin has been rightly referred to an accumulation of sediment in
a vast ancient lake, afterward drained, when the accumulated sediment became dry
land. The "loess" or "bluff," formation is also to be found in China. The
material of this deposit is the same in composition and uniform in color
throughout, even where it is hundreds of feet thick. Specimens taken from the
bluff above Sioux City and compared with specimens taken from the bluffs at
Hamburg, Fremont county, cannot be distinguished from each other, although
nearly 150 miles apart. The "bluff" is of a slightly yellowish ash color, except
where darkened by decaying vegetation, very fine and silicious, but not sandy as
the latter term is commonly used. It is equally fertile, whether taken from the
surface or at a depth of 200 feet. Some of the physical properties of this
deposit are very remarkable. Wells can be dug in it very easily with a spade,
and when water is found need only be walled up to the depth the water rises; the
upper walls of the cistern will never "cave in" or crumble. It is composed of
about eighty-two per cent of silica, ten per cent of carbonate of lime, with a
little irom, alumina, etc.

Such is the composition of the soil of this county-- with the addition of
decayed vegetation, which adds to its fertility and general value. The
description has been stripped of technical terms and phrases so far as possible,
and, it is believed, can be comprehended by every one that owns or tills a foot
of the soil it describes.

The surface of the county is generally undulating or rolling. This is due to the
numerous streams which are distributed throughout the county, but which have
uniformly a southerly course and flow ultimately into the Missouri river, the
county being on the western side of the great "watershed." Although the surface
is very much diversified, it is not so broken or uneven as to render any
considerable portion inconvenient for cultivation. Along the streams the bottom
lands are wide and large, and also exceedingly fertile, vieing in richness with
the famed Miami bottoms of Ohio, the Wabash bottoms of Indiana, and the alluvial
lands of Louisiana. THese lands are for the most part above "high water mark,"
and are very seldom overflowed. The high prairie lands are also exceedingly
fertile and have some points of advantage over the bottom lands. 

There being no such thing in the composition of the soil of this county as that
detestable substance known to nearly every farmer as "hard-pan," the soil seldom
suffers from wet weather. After a good stiff shower in some parts even of Iowa,
and many portions of Missouri, there is a suspension of plowing for a day or
two. It this county it may rain a small deluge during the night and by nine
o'clock of the following morning the farmer will be jocundly driving his team
afield. Neither is dry weather disastrous, or even very harmful, the sub-soil
being of such a nature as to retain moisture for a long time and supply it as
needed to vegtation. Neither too hot nor too cold: such is the climate of
Montgomery county. Neither too wet nor too dry: such is the character of the soil.

STREAMS

The county is well drained by streams. The principal water courses are the
Middle Nodawa, West Nodawa, Tarkio, East Nishnabotna, Walnut and Indian Creeks.
The two most important of these are the West Nodawa and the East Nishnabotna.
The valleys of these streams have the same general characters that they have in
other counties. Their sides are very gentley sloping, which gives them the
appearance of being shallow, while in reality their depth will average about 150
feet from the general level of the adjacent uplands.

Middle Nodawa enters this county from Adams county in section 25, Washington
township, and flows thence in a general course to the southwest, through the
southeast corner of that township, and entering Jackson township at its extreme
northeast corner, flows thence southwest to a junction with the West Nodawa at a
point about one mile southwest of Villisca, leaving the county near the
southwest corner of section 33.

West Nodawa enters te county about the center from east to west of section 3, in
Douglas township, and flows through that township, via section 3, in Douglas
township, and flows through that township, via Milford, through Washington, and
into and through Jackson, uniting with the Middle Nodawa as before stated. It is
formed by the union of Sixteen-mile creek, Seven-mile creek, and Reed's creek,
which streams unite in section 33, Douglas township.

East Tarkio rises in section 10, Pilot Grove township; flows southward through
that township, then through Frankfort township, then through Scott township,
passing through the town of Stanton, and leaving the county at the southwest
corner of section 32 in the last-named township.

East Nishnabotna enters the county at the corner of sections 1 and 2 in Sherman
township, and leaves the county at a point near the southwest corner of section
36, in West township. Its general course is west of south, and it passes through
Sherman, Red Oak, the northwestern portion of Grant and the southeastern portion
of West townships. It passes by the western portion of the town plat of Red Oak
city, and is crossed at that point by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy
railroad. The slope of the East Nishnabotna from the Chicago, Rock Island and
Pacific railroad to its mouth, as determined by railroad levels, is two feet
five inches to the mile.

Walnut creek rises (?) in Sherman township, in section 5, and flows southwest
through that township, Walnut and West, leaving the county near its southwest
corner.

In the year 1834 the celebrated chief of the Iowa Indians, Ma-has-kah (White
Cloud) was killed on the banks of West Nodawa, in Washington township, a few
miles above where Villisca now stands. The great chief was murdered by an enemy,
who took a cowardly advantage of him. Fulton's History of the Northwest (p. 53)
says that after Ma-has-kah's death "all his surviving wives" went into mourning
and poverty, according to the custom of the tribe, except one named
Mis-so-ra-tar-ra-haw, (Female Deer that bounds over the prairie) who refused to
be comforted even to the end of her life, and so died in sorrow, because, she
said, her lord was a "great brave and was killed by a little dog." Mahaska
county takes its name from this chief whose homw as really within its borders.

The Nodawas, the Nishnabotna, and Walnut creek, all furnish abundant water
power. There is a mill on middle Nodawa, near Villisca; three on the East
Nishnabotna, and two on Walnut creek. The streams are all supported by springs,
reenforced by the rainfall, and never go dry. A fuller description of the
water-power of these streams is reserved for future pages.

For the origin and meaning and proper spelling of the names Nodawa and
Nishnabotna, see the chapter on Schools, Teachers' Institutes, etc., in this
history, where the authority of the Montgomery County Teachers' Association, and
also of Judge A. R. Fulton, Indian antiquarian, of Des Moines, are given.

TIMBER

The timber of the county is all found to be along the streams and is not
abundant or of the very best quality, generally speaking. The black walnut, of
which there is considerable, is of value, being of excellent character. The
absence of timber from the county is due to the destructive fires which in times
past swept over the prairies. A young growth of forest trees begins to encroach
upon the prairies from the valleys whenever the fires are kept even away, when
the land is not cultivated. The presence of timber along the bottoms is of
course attributable to the moist character of the soil, which checked the
devastating fires and protected and encouraged the young trees, and their
sheltered location, which prevented the winds from adding to the destructive
character of the consuming element. Only about nine per cent of the area of the
county is composed of timber land. 

The principal varieties of timber are red oak, burr oak, walnut, hickory, ash,
elm, hackberry, locust, basswood, or linn, cottonwood, soft maple, willow,
cherry, and mulberry. Some attention has been given to artificial timber
growing, with gratifying results, and it may be that this will ultimately solve
the fuel problem in respect to this county. There is nothing in the composition
of the soil unfavorable to the growth of many valuable kinds of timber, and
tree-planting ought to be promoted and encouraged to all reasonable extent.

FRUIT.

The first settlers of the county found considerable quantities of wild fruit in
the timbered regions, and even on the prairies (see chapter on Natural History
of the county, native fruits, etc.), yet they accepted, without investigation or
experiment, the theory that the county was not adapted to fruit growing.
Experience has demonstrated, however, that tame or grafted fruits thrive as well
as the wild fruits when cultivated with care, and when the proper varieties are
selected. There is room to censure the "early fathers" of the county for the
lack of fruit here. Had they set out orchards and vineyards when they first
settled, the county would have an abundance of fruit for home consumption and to
spare. At present, however, nearly every farmer who has not already an orchard,
is engaged in cultivating one. Thriving young apple orchards are to be seen all
over the county, and while other counties may excel it in the quantity of fruit
grown, it is sure that none can surpass it in the quality of that which comes
from Montgomery county orchards and vineyards. (See chapter on Agriculture and
Horticulture).

HOW AND FOR WHOM MONTGOMERY COUNTY WAS NAMED.

In the act of the legislature organizing the counties of Montgomery and Adams
their names were given them. By whom this was done can never be certainly known.

There is no doubt that this county was named in honor of Richard Montgomery, the
distinguished soldier of the American side in the war of the Revolution, who
fell at the assault on Quebec, in Canada, December 31, 1775. Of the
circumstances attending this gallant officer's death and of his general
character, Ridpath's History of the United States thus speaks:

It was the last day of December, 1775. The little army was divided into four
colmns. The first division, under Montgomery, was to pass down the St. Lawrence
and attack the lower town in the neighborhood of the citadel. *** Montgomery's
column reached the point from which the charge was to begin. A battery lay just
before, and it was thought that the gunners had not discovered the assailants.
"Men of New York," said the brave Montgomery, "you will not fear to follow where
your general leads. Forward!" There were masses of ice and clouds of blinding
snow and broken ground and the cold grey light of morning. As the American's
were rushing forward, all of a sudden the battery burst forth with a storm of
grape-shot. At the first discharge Montgomery and both of his aids fell dead.
The column was shattered. The men were heart-broken at the death of their
beloved general. They staggered a moment, then fell back, and returned to Wolf's
Cove, above the city. ***** The worst calamity of the whole campaign was the
death of Gen. Richard Montgomery. He was one of the noblest of the man noble men
who gave their lives to the cause of American liberty. Born of an illustrious
Irish family, he became a soldier in his boyhood. He had shared the toils and
triumphs of Wolfe. To the enthusiasm of a warm an affectionate nature he joined
the highest order of military talents and the virtue of an exalted character.
Even in England his death was mentioned with sorrow. New York, his adopted
state, claimed his body, brought his remains to her own metropolis and buried
them with tears. To aftertimes the congress of the nation transmitted his fame
by erecting a noble monument to his memory. -- (Ridpath, p. 267).

There are no less than eighteen counties in the United States named in honor of
Gen. Montgomery.

ORGANIZATION

On the 15th day of January, 1851, the governor of Iowa approved an act of
legislature, "defining the boundaries of Montgomery and other counties." This is
the first legislation in which the name of the county appears; and in this act
the present boundaries of the county are fixed. By a subsequent act, approved
January 12, 1853, Montgomery and Union counties were attached to Adams "for
revenue and judicial purposes." The county was surveyed in 1851, at which time
the population consisted of the families of S.F. Snider, E. Heady, John Ross,
James Ross, and John Stafford. 

By act of the legislature in January, 1853, the county was ordered to be
organized. Amos G. Lowe was appointed organizing sheriff and the first election
ordered held at his house. Mr. Lowe was also appointed organizing sheriff of
Adams county, and the two counties were organized at the same place and at the
same time.

According to the statements of A.G. Lowe, Wm. Dunn and S.C. Dunn, the first
election was held at the house of Judge Lowe, in Jackson township, in April,
1853. The voters met -- Twelve or fourteen in number -- on a set of newly hewed
logs that had been prepared for a house afterward built about two miles north of
Villisca. There were about twelve or fourteen voters present. A.G. Lowe was
nominated by James Carlisle for county judge and was elected. Samuel C. Dunn was
elected clerk of the courts, John Gilmore, treasurer; J.J. Zuber, sheriff; S.C.
Dunn, drainage commissioner.

According to Mr. J.T. Patterson, the first election was held on the first Monday
in August 1853, at the house of John Harris, two miles north of Villisca. It was
a warm day and the voters met in the shade of the house out of doors. Mr.
Patterson says eighteen voters were present and cast their ballots. Following
are the voter's names: John Ross, James Ross, R. W. Rogers, James Carlisle, G.D.
Connally, J.G. Romine, William Wilson, Wells Sager, A. G. Lowe, Mr. Hannaway,
J.H. Sager, Chauncey Sager, Robert Dunn, Samuel C. Dunn, A. Dunn, George P.
West, John Harris, and J.T. Patterson, A. G. Lowe was chose county judge; S.C.
Dunn, clerk; Mr. Hannaway, treasurer; Richard W. Rogers, sheriff. Of the
politics of the eighteen voters whose names are here given, Mr. Patterson says
that twelve of them were democrats and six were whigs.

In the month of June, 1853, says Mr. Patterson, Wells Sager was appointed
assessor of Montgomery county by Samuel Baker, county judge of Adams county. If
the county had been organized in the April previous, it is difficult to
understand how the county judge of another county could appoint officers to
serve in this. It is proper here to state that Messrs. Wm. and S.C. Dunn are old
settlers and reputable men, and that Mr. J.T. Patterson is a gentleman who seems
to have given much thought to the matter of the history of this county, is very
observing, and of quite a retentive memory. The apparent discrepancy in the
statements of these gentlemen can no doubt be satisfactorily explained by a
personal comparison of recollections.

Upon this subject Mr. J.T. Patterson says, in a communication to the historian
of this work: There was an election at the house of Amos G. Lowe in April 1853;
but then Adams county had been organized the fall before, and Montgomery
attached for election purposes, the vote being returned to Adams county. Samuel
Baker was the judge of Adams county and I.N. Posten clerk, they must have been
elected in August 1852, because that was the time, under the old constitution of
the state, to elect state and county officers, and April the time for electing
township officers. Besides I have somewhere seen a record of the organization of
Adams county, with A.G. Lowe as organizing sheriff, and the date 1852. My
impression is that all the counties had to be organized at the August election,
because the constitution, or the law under it, provided for the election of
county officers at that time." Mr. Patterson probably wishes to be understood
that the April election at Judge Lowe's was for township officers, Montgomery
county then being one township.

John W. Patterson was the first treasurer of the county. There is at least one
tax receipt in existence signed by him in the year 1853, and the first financial
statement of the county shows it. It is believed that Mr. Hannaway was elected,
but did not serve, and Mr. Patterson was appointed October 14, 1853. It is also
quite probably that S.C. Dunn was appointed clerk of the district court by Judge
Lowe, since there is a record of his appointment by that officer, October 8, 1853.

Of the first count officers, Judge Lowe is still living on his farm in Red Oak
township. J.W. Patterson lives in Douglas township; S.C. Dunn, in Washington;
Wm. Dunn, the first surveyor of the county, also lives in Washington; R.W.
Rogers, one of the early county treasurers, removed to Montgomery county,
Kansas, some years since.

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