HISTORY: Wayne 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 Wayne County, Iowa Please visit the Wayne County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/wayne/ ________________________________________________________ WAYNE COUNTY. Wayne is the fifth county west of the Mississippi River in the southern tier of counties. It comprises twelve full and four fractional congressional townships. The fractional townships border the state line, which cuts off two tier of sections and a little more from the south side, leaving the area of the county about 525 square miles, or 336,000 acres. PHYSICAL FEATURES AND RESOURCES. The natural drainage of the county is complete. It is divided into two systems by a well-defined watershed, whose general course is nearly due east, a little south of the center, through the entire county, although it turns southward very soon after passing into Appanoose County. Between this watershed and the north line of the county the South Fork of Chariton River, a tributary of the Missouri, wends its way eastward, drawing numerous affluents of Grand River, which find their sources in the watershed and flow southward. Along this watershed is the most important tract of prairie in the county. Coming down through the northwest corner of Decatur County, it passes entirely across the county and into Appanoose, on the east, occupying a belt of territory from six to ten miles wide. The route of a portion of the Mormon emigrants in their exodus from Illinois in 1846 lay along this divide, which was consequently known for many years as the Mormon Trail. Other prairies extend from this tract southward, separated from each other by the timber tracts generally found in the valleys of the streams. North of the South Fork of the Chariton the surface is principally composed of irregular prairie tracts interspersed with groves of timber. The general surface of the county is rolling. The beds of the streams are, many of them, a hundred feet and some of them much more below the ordinary surface level, for they have cut their channels down in the very deep deposit of drift that characterizes this region. The valleys are narrow, but their sides being composed of drift are not abrupt or steep, and nearly all the surface is susceptible of easy cultivation. The soil is a deep rich loam derived from the drift, with a liberal mixture of vegetable mold, very productive, and adapted to the growth of corn, wheat, oats, rye, etc., in abundance. The native grasses grew luxuriantly when the country was first settled. Tame grasses, such as timothy, clover, and blue grass were found to thrive equally well, and are now very extensively cultivated. With such abundance of grasses farmers early turned their attention to stock raising, which they found very profitable, and which is now carried on very extensively. Abundance of excellent pasturage, hay and water make it one of the foremost counties in the state for this purpose. Coal has not been found in abundance in this county, although it is mined to a limited extent in the extreme northeast part of the county, where there are some exposures of the middle coal measure, chiefly in Walker's Branch, in Wight Township, and in the northeast part of South Fork Township. Nearly all the county, however, is ascribed to the region of the upper or non- productive coal measure, the few slight exposures of rock found in the deep valleys belonging to that formation. Deep mining may, perhaps, develop profitable beds of coal at some future time. Good building stone is not abundant, although there are some exposures of good limestone, chiefly in Wright and South Fork Townships. Materials suitable for making good brick are abundant. The timber of the county is of sufficient quantity for ordinary purposes. It is found in groves or belts along the valleys, but since fires have been kept out the young groves are encroaching upon the prairies. The area of timber land is apt to be under estimated by the stranger who passes through the county, for the reason that the valleys where it is usually found are generally so deep that it is mostly hidden from the range of vision upon the general surface level. Much attention has been given to hedging within the last decade, and its success is fully demonstrated by the miles of vigorous hedge now to be seen within the county. The experience of many in fruit growing within the same period has caused them to look forward to the time when there will be a good bearing orchard of all the fruits adapted to this latitude upon every farm in Wayne County. EARLY HISTORY. The first settler in what is now Wayne County was H. B. Duncan, who, after a tedious journey of two months from Kentucky, on the 13th of November, 1841, located near the present village of Lineville, in Grand River Township. At this point he erected a cabin, twelve by fourteen feet, himself and family sleeping in the wagons until his cabin was made ready for occupancy. Mr. Duncan supposed that he had settled in the State of Missouri, and had the honor of being one of the county commissioners of Putnam County, and also probate judge and representative in the Missouri Legislature for that county. Before his death, which took place several years ago, he filled several important positions in Wayne County. Among other early settlers were Henderson Walker, Benjamin Barker, Hiram Mason, K. M. Hart, Isaac W. McCarty, Joseph Sullivan, George Garman, John Bay and the Nidays, Moses Baker, Joseph Raines, and Seth Anderson. George Garman settled near the present village of Peoria in the timber on Chariton River, and Benjamin Barker in the northeast part of the county, at the place now called Barker's Mills. Joseph Raines and Seth Anderson pitched their tents on Locust Creek near the present village of Genoa, and Isaac W. McCarty on McCarty's Creek, near the present town of Corydon. Among the first settlers in the different townships were the following; In Monroe Township, James T. Raines, Jesse Barr, and Ira B. Ryan; in Howard Township, Isaac Wilson, Joseph and Nathan Brown, and Thomas, Joel, and Kendall Rogers; in Clinton Township, A. A. Brown, Sr., Z. Alephin, William Ginn, S. L. Vest and D. J. Slaven, who all settled prior to 1856; in Grand River Township, H. B. Duncan, as already described; in Walnut Township, David Sharp, Solomon Sharp, and Jacob Chilcote; in Jackson Township, John W. Syferd, Thomas H. Richardson, and James Campbell; in Warren Township, George Wright, Hartley Bracewell, John K. Rankin, Nathan Wyat, and G. W. Wilkie; in Jefferson Township, William E. Swanson, and Mrs. Edgerman and family, who settled prior to 1851; in South Fork Township, A. Sager, I. R. Esteb, John Hannaman, and Josiah Fisher; in Corydon Township, Dr. Isaac W. McCarty and George Garman; in Benton Township, James Peck, J. Zimmerman, John Niday, and J. H. Crawford; in Clay Township, James Guinn, J. H. Surbaugh, Levi and Nicholas Caldwell, and Jacob, Henry, and Benjamin McVey; in Wright Township, T. S. Hancock, Hiram Mason, Ellis Wright and Greenwood Wright; in Union Township, the first settler was Henry McDaniel, in the Spring of 1849, and among the early settlers were Morgan Parr, Isaac Venosdal, Daniel May, and Jacob Morritt; in Washington Township, A. Nelson, J. M. Ryan, James B. Hogue, K. M. Hart, and James and Daniel Hammack; in Richman Township, Samuel Guinn, M. H. Richman, and James Fox. ORGANIZATION, ETC. Prior to its organization the county was attached to Appanoose for judicial, revenue and election purposes. On the 8th of November, 1850, Dr. Isaac W. McCarty was appointed organizing sheriff by Judge William McKay, and on the 13th of February, 1851, Wayne County was duly organized. At the August election of this year county officers were elected as follows; Seth Anderson, County Judge; Thomas McPherson, Clerk; D. Payton, Treasurer and Recorder; Isaac W. McCarty, Sheriff. At this election thirty votes were cast. The amount of revenue of all kinds the first year footed up $64.30. The commissioners appointed by the Legislature to locate the county seat were George W. Perkins, William Davis, and Lancaster M. Boggs. They discharged their duty in the Spring of 1851, selecting the site of the present town of Corydon. During the Summer of this year the town was partly surveyed by Benjamin Barker, the county surveyor, and was finished by J. F. Stratton, of Appanoose County. The lots were owned by the county, and were sold at public sale, after being appraised. The first lot was sold to George Garman, November 8, 1851, for $38. The name sected by the commissioners for the county seat was Springfield, but Hon. George W. McCleary, Secretary of State, wrote the clerk that there was another town in the state of that name, and suggested the name of Anthony. This name met the approbation of Mr. McPherson, the clerk, but Judge Anderson, being from Corydon, Indiana, preferred the name of Corydon. Being unable to agree, it is said they finally determined to decide the matter by a contest at poker. In this the judge proved the victor, and so the county seat of Wane County received the name of Corydon. The first District Court was held in the Spring of 1852, in a cabin hastily constructed and still unfinished. The floor was laid down loosely, and only half the roof was on. The walls were neither chinked nor pointed, and the judge's desk was a keg. Judge McKay, however, expressed himself as satisfied, and was completely at home in the "cabin court house." A grand jury was duly empanelled and committed to the charge of the sheriff. Having no jury rooms here in those days, they were conducted down to the slough, or ravine, in the south part of the town of Corydon, where they seated themselves on the grass to make inquisition of such matters as might be brought before them. No person appearing to give evidence that any offense had been committed in the county, they returned in the evening and reported to the court accordingly. They were duly discharged, feeling none the worse for their labors. There were but three cases to be disposed of at this term. On the second day it rained, and a violent gust of wind carried away a portion of the papers, just as the first witness had been sworn, and as they could not be found the trials had to be postponed. Among the attorneys present at this term were A. Harris and H. Tannehill, both of Centerville. A court house was built in 1856 by William F. Lancaster and John Davis, which cost the county $600. ORIGIN OF NAMES. Chariton River derives its name from a French trader, who at an early day had a trading post near its mouth, in Chariton County, Missouri. Medicine Creek, three branches of which head in this county, received its name from an incident that once occurred at Gregory's Ford, in Grundy County, Missouri. A doctor in crossing the stream at that point on horseback, when its waters were somewhat swollen, became submerged, pill-bags and all. His medicines were dissolved and commingled with the waters of the stream, and thereafter the people called it Medicine Creek. Caleb Creek took its name from Caleb Lyten, who settled on it in 1843. Steele's Creek was named in honor of Samuel G. Steele, who commenced his settlement on the creek in 1842. Dick Creek was so named by a party of hunters who encamped on its banks, in memory of one of their oxen that died here. CORYDON. Corydon, the county seat of Wayne County, has a pleasant location near the center of the county on a dry and beautiful rolling prairie. Fine bodies of timber, within four miles on South Chariton, afford an ample supply of fuel. There are also some groves of timber within a mile and a half on McCarty's Branch, south and southeast of the town. The town plat embraces over two hundred acres. The two principal streets are each eighty feet wide, and the others sixty feet. It is surrounded by a rich farming region. The town was partly laid out, as elsewhere stated, in the Summer of 1851. The first house was brought upon the town plat by George Garman on an ox wagon, and he became the first resident of the place, and also kept in this house the first store. The first child born in Corydon was a son of Seth Anderson, and the first death a child of J. J. Phillips. The first marriage was C. C. Jackson and Rachel Greenman, September 30, 1853, Seth Anderson, the county judge, being the person officiating. John Hayes, Esq., was the first attorney in the place. The first sermon was preached by Rev. Morgan Parr of the Christian denomination. He was one of the early settlers at Bethlehem in the northeast part of the county. A Masonic lodge was organized June 3, 1857. The town enjoys considerable mercantile trade, and contains several good stores hotels, an excellent flouring mill and other business advantages. Good schools are maintained under the supervision of competent teachers, and are liberally provided for. Good churches and Sabbath schools are among the institutions of the place. The first newspaper in the county was the South Tier Democrat, commenced in 1859 and continued until 1861, by Cutter & Binkley. In the Winter of 1862-3 the Corydon Democrat was established by M. Mann, but continued only about a year. In the Winter of 1863-4 the Corydon Monitor made its appearance under the control of Wm. Hartshorn, who continued it until his death in December, 1867. It was then continued by his widow, Mrs. Mary Hartshorn, for a year, when Lewes Miles became editor. It was afterwards purchased by C. F. Lecompt, and removed to Allerton. October 3, 1872, the first number of the Wayne County News made its appearance, H. M. Belvel, proprietor. It was removed to Allerton in July, 1875. ALLERTON. This is a thriving town about four miles southwest of Corydon, on the line of the Chicago and Southwestern Railroad, or southwestern line of C. R. I. & P. Railroad. It is very pleasantly located on high, gently rolling ground. Although one of the younger towns of the county, it is building and improving rapidly, owing to its numerous advantages. It is not far from the center of the county, and owing to this situation and the peculiar course of the railroad, it has a wide extent of rich farming country tributary to it both as a shipping and trading point. It is the most important shipping point in the county, and there are a number of good grain elevators and warehouses. Its retail trade extends to considerable distance each way, and maintains quite a large number of good stores and shops of various kinds. Excellent schools are maintained and well provided for. Churches are springing up, and the place is rapidly acquiring all the features of a first class town, with every prospect of continued growth and prosperity. The Wayne County Republican is a weekly newspaper published here by C. F. Lecompt. It is an enterprising local paper, and received a liberal patronage. This paper was formerly published at Corydon, and its early history has been given in connection with the sketch of that town. It has always been republican in politics. In July, 1875, the Wayne County News was removed from Corydon to Allerton by its founder and present proprietor, Mr. H. M. Belvel, who at the time of the transfer sold the old office material and purchased new type and presses. It is an enterprising journal, published weekly, anti-monopoly in politics, and enjoys a good patronage. LINEVILLE. – This is a village adjoining the state line near the southwest corner of the county. It was laid out in 1848, and is the oldest town in the county. The Chicago & Southwestern Railroad passes through the town and gives it considerable advantages as a shipping point. It also has considerable mercantile trade, churches, schools, etc. The nucleus of this settlement was originally composed of several families from Kentucky, and here the first school in the county was taught in 1850 by James M. Sullivan. The Lineville Tribune is published every Thursday by Chas. H. Austin. It is a folio sheet, eight columns to the page, independent in politics, and has a good job office and a good patronage. It was established in July, 1873, and came into the hands of its present owner in March, 1874, by whom it was enlarged to its present size in June, 1875. HUMESTON. – This is a station on the Leon Branch of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, in the center of the northwestern township of the county. It is surrounded by a fine farming region, and is a growing village with considerable advantages as a trading and shipping point. SEYMOUR. – This is a station on the line of the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad near the east line of the county. It is a thriving village and a shipping point of considerable importance with considerable local trade. The Seymour Head-Light is the name of an independent weekly newspaper, established here April 8, 1875, by H. M. Belvel. CLIO is the name of a village and post office on the line of the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad between Allerton and Lineville, in a well settled portion of the county. KNIFFIN is a station and post office on the same railroad line, between Allerton and Seymour. CONFIDENCE is a village and post office situated on the prairie in the northeast part of the county. BETHLEHEM is a village and post office in the north part of the county. The other villages and post offices are Cambria, Genoa, Lewisburg, New York, Promise City, Peora and Warsaw.