The history of the Bohemian people in Linn county does not differ

greatly from the general history of this people in our country. Driven

from their native land, on account of political persecution and

official oppression, they sought America as the haven of liberty and

opportunity. They brought with them an abundance of patience, industry,

perseverance, and hope. Their beginning was full of hardships,

privations, and obstacles. Their chief capital was their health and

willingness to toil, and their ability to stand hardship. These were

their native heritage. Coming to this country poor, unacquainted with

its customs, its language, and its laws, their beginning had but few

silver linings.

Despite these inauspicious surroundings these early pioneers were

contented and happy. Physical and material hardships and trials were

cheerfully borne for the joys and sweetness of political and religious

liberty. Under the broad and clear skies of the religious, political,

and intellectual tolerance of America they felt the realization of the

unfulfilled dreams of the glorious but unsuccessful struggles of their

ancestors a century ago. Such a fine spirit towards the highest ideals

in life and civilization, combined with inexhaustible energy and

patience in industrial pursuits, has made this people loyal to our

institutions and useful to the development and progress of our country.

The early settlers came to this county with teams and wagons. At that

time there were no railroads west of the Mississippi river. Many of

them came from Caledonia, Wisconsin, with ox teams. Others came by

railroad as far as the Mississippi river. One member of a family who

came here in 1855 said: "They dumped us out at Muscatine and from there

we hired teams and conveyances to take us to Cedar Rapids. We moved

south of the city and lived under a tree that summer. When we wanted to

buy anything we took a sample of the article in one hand and the amount

of money we wished to expend in the other and would show that to our

neighbors and make them understand what we wanted."

These early settlers devoted themselves to agricultural pursuits. Most

of them located on or near timber lands so that they would have plenty

of fuel. Fuel was very scarce in their native land, and it was easier

to build their sheds if they were in the timber. The prairies at that

time were not desirable for location. A large portion of College

township, which is now the best farming country in the state of Iowa,

at that time was full of marshes, and high grass, and strong winds

prevailed so that the early settlers avoided the prairies and located

in timber districts.

The early Bohemian settlers came to Linn county about the years 1852

and 1853. So far as known, the following families were among the early

pioneers: The Ligr family about the year 1852 settled east of Ely. John

Posler, in the year 1853, also located about eight miles southeast of

the city. In 1854 or earlier, Paul Korab and his family settled about

one mile east of the present town of Western, where also settled at

that time John Witousek. The Korab family came here with an ox team

from the state of Wisconsin by way of Dubuque. That year, 1854, Jacob

Polak located about ten miles southeast of Cedar Rapids, and with him

was Joseph Sosel. These families also came with teams from the state of

Wisconsin. Anton Sulek located in the north part of Johnson county in

1854, and he afterwards lived near Hoosier Grove in this county on a

beautiful, elevated spot called "Hradek," and meaning "Little Castle."

Many other families came in 1855 and settled along the border line

between Johnson and Linn counties, in College and Putnam townships. The

numbers that came were not great, and it was not until after the Civil

war that large numbers of these people came to this county.

Among these people Joseph Sosel was a character of distinction. His

scholarly attainments combined with his love of intellectual and

political freedom easily made him the leader among his people. He was a

political exile. He took an active part in the uprising of Bohemian

students in the year 1848. This movement was for more political rights

and broader freedom for the people in Bohemia. The uprising did not

meet with success, and for his patriotic activity a price was set upon

his head by the Austrian government. With many other students, who

were in the same predicament, he escaped to this country. With him came

Karel Jonas, who afterwards became lieutenant-governor of the state of

Wisconsin; and with them also came Vojtech Naprstek, who left a name in

Bohemian history that is known to every Bohemian.

In this locality Mr. Sosel rendered many valuable services to his

countrymen; being able to talk the English language, he became their

legal and business adviser. He was loyal to his countrymen, and at all

times insisted that they should learn and observe the customs of their

new country. He served faithfully the interests of his people, and his

memory will forever be kindly remembered by them for the many and

useful services which he faithfully rendered.

Up to the time of the Civil war, the Bohemian immigration was slow, but

from those that were here quite a number enlisted from this county to

preserve the integrity of their new country. Among those known who

enlisted were the following: J. F. Bednar, Frank Renchin, Frank

Peremsky, Joseph Wencel, Joseph Podhajsky, John Maly, Joseph Zahradnik,

Charles Bednar, Joseph Horak, Wesley Horak, Frank Dolezal, Joseph

Dolezal.

After the Civil war Cedar Rapids became a prominent center of Bohemian

population. Many came direct from their own country, others came from

neighboring states, and still others came from the surrounding country

in this state. So that at all times this city always had a large

percentage of people of Bohemian origin, larger than any other city of

its size in the state of Iowa. In the county they settled in Putnam,

College and Franklin townships. From the year 1866, after the Prussian

war in Austria, to 1880 were perhaps the banner years of Bohemian

emigration to this country. These people all located in the city or

southeast of the city. There are today in Cedar Rapids about 8,500

inhabitants of this nationality and about 2,500 more in other parts of

the county. They are now scattered all over the county, but large and

heavy settlements are in Putnam and College townships, these being

almost exclusively settled by Bohemians. There is a large settlement in

Fairfax township, and there are settlements in Franklin, Bertram,

Boulder, and Grant townships.

In agriculture they are successful farmers. No better improved farms,

no better buildings, no better systems of farming exist in any other

part of the state than in the communities settled by these people. They

are progressive and up to date in all matters. They are hard working

people and devoted to the interests of their farms.

In Cedar Rapids they have also played an important part. A large

majority came to this country very lightly endowed with worldly goods,

but they were strong in health and body and not afraid to work. A very

large percentage of these people belong to the laboring class. The

women in the families worked as hard, if not harder, than the men. The

first ambition of these people after their arrival in this country was

to own a home. The father would work, the mother would work, and the

children would work in order to buy and pay for a home. A great many of

them bought vacant lots and improved them by erecting neat and

comfortable dwellings. At times it was claimed they took their children

out of school too early in order that they might work. In the early

times there existed circumstances which could not very well avoid this

situation. The wages were low; families as a rule were large and in

order to pay for a home and in order that the debts be paid, and to

meet expenses, it was necessary in many cases to press the children

into service. This custom became somewhat contagious among the men,

women, and children. One family was bound to earn and make as much

money as its neighbors, and therefore had to have as many members of

the family working. It is a source of congratulation that this custom,

which had been one of necessity, is now losing ground among the ranks

of this nationality and their children are kept in school as long as

any children among other American people.

The Bohemian people from the very first held tenaciously to their

mother tongue. While they were loyal to our public schools and other

institutions, they took steps to preserve and cultivate the mother

tongue among themselves and their children. As early as 1868 a society

called the "Reading Society" was organized. The purpose of this society

was to cultivate the Bohemian language; give aid to Bohemian schools;

furnish the best books of Bohemian literature to the people of our

city, and in every way possible to promote and awaken the love for

Bohemian language and history among the people. It was a center of

national life and spirit. In this laudable purpose the Reading Society

of Cedar Rapids has met with unparalleled success.

The society today owns a fine library of nearly 3,000 volumes of the

best works of history, art, and literature in the Bohemian tongue.

Besides this, the Reading Society has always been helpful, and largely

instrumental in starting, promoting, and encouraging other

organizations of national character.

The Bohemian people are fond of the theatre and theatrical

performances. At about the time that the Reading Society was organized,

they started an association for the purpose of giving theatrical

performances in the Bohemian tongue. The plays given were popular and

successful, and on many occasions there was displayed splendid

histrionic talent among the members of this dramatic club. Their

performances were always clean, instructive, and educational. Today we

have in Cedar Rapids two large dramatic associations whose performances

are a credit to our city and its people.

In the matter of education, the Bohemian people always took an active

part. Besides having their children attend the public schools, they

took opportunity to have them taught in the Bohemian language during

their vacations and sometimes on Sundays. This was so from their

earliest settlement. At first one or two rooms in a public school

building were used. Later on a building costing over $8000.00 was

erected for this purpose. The building stands on the corner of Second

street and Tenth avenue. This building has the honored distinction of

being the only building in our whole country built and used exclusively

as a Bohemian school.

Another institution that has brought fame and favor to our city in

educational circles, is the Council of Higher Education. This was

founded here in 1902. It is an organization whose object it is to

furnish honor loans without interest to poor but promising boys and

girls of Bohemian origin to secure a college education. Since its

organization this institution has aided many young men and women who

were without sufficient means to secure a college education. Last year

it had sixteen students it was aiding in the various state universities

and colleges. Its operation is nation wide. It has students in New

York, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, Nebraska, and Iowa. The funds of the

institution are gathered by popular subscriptions among individuals and

societies. Its scope covers every state in the Union where there is a

Bohemian settlement. The institution has achieved wonders in

encouraging young men and women of Bohemian nationality to attend

universities and colleges.

In musical circles the Bohemian people have distinguished themselves

from early times. In the beginning when the Bohemian settlers came to

this city they organized a musical society. This formed a nucleus for

one of the most famous musical bands in the state. Kouba's National

Band achieved state wide reputation; this band has always been composed

of a large percentage of Bohemian musicians.

In the material development of Cedar Rapids the Bohemian people have

done their full share. In the ranks of labor they are known as honest,

industrious, peaceable, and orderly. They are very largely employed in

all the big industrial institutions of our city. They command the

confidence and respect of their employers. This nationality is also

well represented in every line of business in our city. All the

professions are represented. When we consider that less than two

generations ago their ancestors came here with bare hands and not

knowing the English language and unacquainted with the customs and

without any particular advantages, except those of honesty and

willingness to work, it is remarkable that such strides forward have

been made by this nationality in the realms of labor, business, and the

professions.

[Illustration: THE CHAPEL, CORNELL COLLEGE]

[Illustration: CARNEGIE LIBRARY AND SPEER MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN, MT.

VERNON]

In religious work the Bohemian people of Linn county have accomplished

splendid results. With the first settlers in this county, the Catholics

of this city had a place of worship. From its modest beginning there

grew one of the largest congregations in the city. And what

enthusiastic and untiring workers this church has! The congregation

consists very largely of the laboring class, but they have accomplished

wonderful results. A splendid church building; a large parochial

school; an assembly hall and a new parsonage are the reward of the

patience and perseverance among the members of this congregation. St.

Wenceslaus church of Cedar Rapids with its manifold work and influence

is a great honor to the people of Linn county.

Way back in the late sixties, on a beautiful and secluded spot on

Hoosier Creek, about one-half the distance between the present site of

Ely and Western, there was erected a small church of the Reformed

Evangelical denomination. There a band of devout men and women met to

worship in the simple manner of the Moravian brothers. Their leader and

minister was a man of grace, of purity of character and rare and

scholarly attainments. His name was Frank Kun. He was a great preacher

and a great teacher. For a time he held the chair of Greek and Latin at

Western College, but as his congregation increased he devoted all his

time to his people. His congregation was entirely of the rural class.

He loved his people and in turn was loved by them. His congregation was

one of the best Bohemian congregations in the United States; his

sermons were masterpieces of art and beauty, full of religious fervor,

stately dignity and depth. His memory will forever be revered by the

people of Linn county. This church is still there; broadening its

sphere of work it now has two branches, one in Johnson county, and one

in Linn county, the last being the old Baptist church in Putnam

township.

In Cedar Rapids the Bohemian people have three protestant churches: the

Fourth Presbyterian, the Bohemian Methodist, and the Reformed church;

all three are prosperous. All of them have large and substantial

memberships and all of them are fortunate in having strong, capable,

and popular men as ministers. Under the wise and liberal policies of

these leaders these churches are doing excellent work among the

Bohemian people.

There is a large, respectable element of the Bohemian population that

does not belong to any church organization. They are not opposed to

churches, nor to religion, but do not affiliate with any church

organization. They believe that every one should be permitted to think

and believe as he pleases in matters of faith. In the Bohemian language

they are called "Svobodamysli." This word does not mean Free Thinkers.

"This Bohemian word is made up of two words 'Liberty' and 'Mind,' and

it means the broadest toleration for the religious beliefs and opinions

of others; and further it means that you should give the widest

latitude to the religious beliefs and forms of worship of your

neighbors, and that they should do the same to you; and it further

means that you should honor and respect the religious views and

professions of your neighbors and they should do the same by you."

No sketch of the Bohemian people in Cedar Rapids and Linn county would

be complete without referring to the Sokols. This is a society whose

purpose is physical culture. The society is well represented in Cedar

Rapids, and has among its members some of the best all around athletes

in this country. In 1909 a team of six men of this organization

captured the first prize at the National Contest in New York city of

the Bohemian Sokols Society in the United States. The society owns a

fine building and gymnasium here. It is an old organization, dating

back to about the time when the Reading Society was organized, at that

time being a branch fostered by the Reading Society. The society has

several instructors of physical culture and gives to boys and girls,

and young men and young women, a thorough course in gymnastics.

The Bohemian people of this city are thoroughly and actively interested

in the principle of modern fraternalism. Among this element the

fraternal orders and societies find much favor and popularity. There

are very few men and women of this nationality who do not belong to at

least one fraternal order, and there are many who belong to a half

dozen fraternal orders. In fact the Bohemian element in the city of

Cedar Rapids is honey-combed with lodges, orders, and societies of

fraternal character. The Reading Society, already mentioned, was the

nucleus, from which, as time went on, manifold ramifications sprang,

finally developing into an extraordinary number of fraternal societies

and lodges.

At first these societies were more of a national spirit and character,

but later the insurance feature became an important part. The Bohemian

people have great faith in fraternal insurance. The next thing after a

home is acquired, fraternal insurance is provided. Some of the

societies are exclusively for men, and some are exclusively for women,

but the tendency of the last ten years is to permit both sexes to

become members of the same lodge. This too has its advantages, and if

fraternal orders are to be more than mere insurance companies, a

greater diversity of membership, greater benefits and advantages will

flow from them. All the orders and lodges are in a prosperous

condition. Three fine and capacious halls have been built and there is

need and place for them all.

The C. S. P. S. hall was built in 1891, the Z. C. B. J. hall was built

in 1908, and the Sokol hall in 1908. There is a Bohemian hall in Ely,

Iowa. The Z. C. B. J. is a large and flourishing fraternal order whose

supreme lodge has been located in Cedar Rapids since its organization

in 1897. This in English is called the Western Bohemian Fraternal

Association, and it is doing business in ten or twelve states in the

Union.

In 1885 there was an Odd Fellows lodge instituted, whose members are

all Bohemians, and whose rituals and work are in the Bohemian language.

This lodge has the distinction of being the only Bohemian Odd Fellows

lodge west of the Mississippi river. The spirit of fraternalism has had

a remarkably good influence upon the character and intelligence of the

Bohemian people. The financial benefits to the widows and children

flowing from these societies may be great, but the moral, intellectual,

and educational benefits to the members are immeasurably greater.

In the United States there are many Bohemian communities and

settlements. In some of the eastern cities the settlements are very

large, for instance in Chicago there are 100,000 Bohemians; in New York

about 40,000; in Cleveland about 40,000; and there are very large

settlements throughout Minnesota, the two Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas,

and Texas.

In intelligence and educational advancement, in the broad scope and

high ideals of modern fraternalism, in social progress and in business

and industrial enterprise, and in the professions, the Bohemian people

of Linn county and Cedar Rapids rank foremost among all the Bohemian

communities in the United States. This is a recognized fact among other

Bohemian communities and cities in our country. We are proud of the

fact that our city has won the beautiful title of "Parlor City," but

more proud should we be of the fact that in all the Bohemian

communities and large centers of Bohemian population from New York to

California, Cedar Rapids is known as "The Bohemian Athens of America."

CHAPTER XVII

_The Early Marriage Record_

An interesting book in the office of the county clerk at Marion is the

first marriage record kept in the county. Through the courtesy of

County Clerk William Dennis we are enabled to give below a record of

marriages that took place in the county from 1841 to 1855. The names

and the dates have been transcribed with care, though it is possible

some names here printed are not correct in every particular, due to the

inability to read the writing in the record. As a rule the penmanship

of our early clerks was distinct and readable. This is true in especial

manner of the incumbency of Hosea W. Gray, who was clerk during most of

the years covered by this transcript.

The book consulted in the preparation of this chapter contains both the

licenses granted and the returns of the marriages. In a few instances

the names in the licenses are different from those given in the

returns.

A thing to be noted in this early marriage record is the youth of many

of the parties. In many instances the records show the marriage of

young girls of 15 and 16 years.

A number of licenses are recorded, but there is no evidence in the book

that the marriages were ever celebrated, due doubtless to the failure

of the officiating clergyman or justice to make the proper returns.

Many names familiar in the early days appear in this record. And it is

valuable not only because it lists those pioneers who here set up their

household gods soon after they arrived in the county, but also because

it gives the names of the early ministers and justices of the peace in

Linn county.

In this record book are recorded the licenses of the ministers of the

gospel who were authorized to perform the marriage ceremony. Here are

some of the names, many of them doubtless familiar to the survivors of

that time:

Reverends John Hodges, Michael Summer, John Stocker, William C. Rankin,

Israel C. Clark, F. R. S. Byrd, James L. Thompson, Warren B. Morey,

Salmon Cowles, Isaac Searles, Henry Reed, Christian Troup, John

Hindman, Allen Johnson, Uriah Ferree, James M. Fanning, Peter Robinson,

Joel B. Taylor, Daniel Worthington, Luther McVay, S. H. Greenup, Duff

C. Barrows, Absalom A. Sellers, Charles D. Gray, John S. Brown, John

Walker, Edward R. Twining, Jacob Miller, Joshua B. Hardy, James S.

Fullerton, Robert Miller, Stephen Porter, Solomon T. Vail, Abner

Corbin, Richard Swearingen, George B. Bowman, David Wanerich, Nelson

Rathbern, Almiron R. Gardner, John Hayden, J. N. Seeley, J. H.

Harrison, Danforth B. Nicholas, John W. Boal, Isaac Whittimore, Bennet

Roberts, E. D. Olmsted, Wesley R. Blake, Nelson A. McConnel, Elder Noah

Willson, Deacon Pliny B. Yates, William Sayler, John Williams, Solomon

Kern, Charles N. Morbeley, John Demoss, George P. Smith, Lucas C.

Woodford, Alexander Colwell, Samuel Farlow, Williston Jones.

Here is the record of marriages covering the period noted:

1841

July 25, Joseph Crane to Agnes Bogard, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

August 26, James E. Bromwell to Catherine Gray, by Rev. J. M. Hummer.

October 18, John Hunter to Hannah Barbary Hines, by Calvin W. Phelps, J. P.

October 30, John Mann to Mary Mann, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

November 3, A. Safely to Margaret Hunter, by John Stewart, J. P.

December 1, Julias Allen Peet to Ester Ann Crow, by Rev. Thomas P. Emerson.

December 7, Aaron Moriarty to Hannah Ross, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

Dec. 12, Samuel Ross to Mary Vaughn, by John Stocker.

----, Charles Roe to Phebe Putnam, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

1842

January 16, James Cummings to Mary Ann Dorsey, by D. W. King, J. P.

January 18, Nathan Cochran to Eliza Ann Nichols, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

February 19, James Leverich to Hannah Brody, by Aaron Usher, J. P.

March 8, William B. Hampton to Mary Ann Van Zant, by John Stewart, J. P.

April 3, Jacob Minton to Charlotte Lewis, by Aaron Usher, J. P.

April 17, Alfred Williams to Elizabeth Oliphant, by James M. Denison, J. P.

April 18, Franklin Kimble to Lidia Bristol, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

April 24, David Rickey to Mary Coon, by Rev. John Stocker.

May 22, Harvey Dwyer to Elizabeth Bartlett, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

May 29, Robert C. Cregg to Mary E. Dowing, by Rev. Wm. C. Rankin.

August 25, David Willson to Mercy Brody, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

September 22, Casper Nick to Christena Briney, by John Stewart, J. P.

October 9, James Huntington to Aurilla Archer, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

November 21, John Henderson to Manilla N. Howard, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

December 1, William B. Harrison to Emma Osborn, by Thomas Lockhart, J. P.

December 24, Andrew Jackson McKean to Abah Day, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

December 27, Joseph Jackman to Mary Ann Hall, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

1843

January 1, Daniel Morland Peet to Sally Eliza Tryon, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

January 11, Wm. Stephen Trimble to Martha Drunnin, by Joseph Hale, J. P.

January 20, Mark Jostin to Elizabeth Hale, by Rev. Thos. P. Emmerson.

February 8, Edward L. Hays to Mary Elizabeth Kramer, by Rev. John Stocker.

February 26, Joseph Mounts to Maria Christian Shoe, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

March 2, Hugh Brody to Joanna Osborn, by James M. Denison, J. P.

March 12, Charles Pinckney to Amanda Brown, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

March 21, Edwin Birdwell Spencer to Martha Davis, by James M. Denison, J. P.

April 17, Harry Oliver to Elizabeth Jane Bigger, by John Hunter, J. P.

April 18, John King to Martha Matilda Torrence, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

April 23, Philip Steinbaugh to Elizabeth Frileigh, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

April 27, James M. Denison to Mary Jewel, by Hartsell Hittle, J. P.

April 30, John Robbins to Margaret Ann Fagg, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

May 7, Gamaliel Walker to Sarah Catharine Winton, by Rev. Israel L. Clark.

May 16, Nathaniel McBride to Christeen Kramer, by Rev. Wm. C. Rankin.

June 1, Nelson Crow to Eliza Lane, by Isaac Butlar, J. P.

June 26, Solomon Peckham to Harriet Brown, by James Gilliland, J. P.

June 26, Edward R. Birney to Catharine Cummings, by John Wolf, J. P.

July 9, Samuel Brazelton to Martha Freeman, by David W. King, J. P.

July 16, Lyman D. Bardwell to Sarah Kinsinger, by David W. King, J. P.

August 22, Hugh Simmons to Hannah Simmons, by Rev. Wm. C. Rankin.

September 5, Hiram Joslin to Sarah Jane Hale, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

September 14, Chambers Thompson to Rachael Barr, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

October 8, Thomas Hose to Eliza Jane Willis, by Rev. Isaac Searles.

October 12, Thomas Lewis to Elizabeth Davis, by Hartsell Hittle, J. P.

October 20, Alexander F. Camp to Mary Wilcox, by John Wolf, J. P.

November 16, Seth Baker to Prudence Higley, by Warren E. Morey.

November 19, Thomas Gainer to Catharine Lewis, by David W. King, J. P.

November 21, John Corey to Margaret Smyth, by Rev. Salmon Cowles.

December 7, Calvin W. Phelps to Mrs. Mary Stall, by A. Simmons, J. P.

December 8, John McD. Bromwell to Rebecca Milner, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

December 13, Samuel W. Durham to Ellen Wallcott, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

December 25, William Brazzleton to Ruth Minton, by L. Lewis, J. P.

December 26, Samuel W. D. Cone to Mary Dodd, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

[Illustration: UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SCOTCH GROVE]

[Illustration: C. &. N. W. WOOD BURNING ENGINE, 1879]

1844

January 1, William Williams to Mary Angeline Nordyke, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

January 25, Oliver Vanderwork to Maria S. Elliott, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

February 7, N. B. Brown to Catharine Craigo, by L. Lewis, J. P.

February 22, Thomas S. Downing to Caroline A. Keys, by James L. Thompson.

February 29, Horace Metcalf to Mary Jane Hollenbeck, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

March 28, Bral Dorsey to Eliza Jane Railsback, by David W. King, J. P.

April 7, James Ely to Lavina Beeks, by Horace N. Brown, J. P.

April 17, William Heaton to Elizabeth Sutton, by Horace N. Brown, J. P.

April 18, Garrison Crow to Mary A. Simmons, by Freeman Smith, J. P.

April 23, Hiram Deem to Helen Mary Barnett, by John David, J. P.

April 26, William Cress to Jane Cumming, by John David, J. P.

April 28, George A. Patterson to Eliza Jane Emmons, by John David, J. P.

May 19, George Cantonwine to Mary Malinda Lewis, by Isaac Searles.

May 20, Timothy Stivers to Elizabeth Baugh, by Nelson Rathbun, M. M. C.

May 30, Alonzo Heaton to Rebecca Heaton, by John Davis, J. P.

July 21, John F. Cumbertin to Rilla Oliphant, by John Hunter, J. P.

July 25, John L. Berry to Mary Williams, by David W. King, J. P.

August 7, Joseph E. Boyd to Elizabeth Smith, by John David, J. P.

August 8, Joseph Usher to Lydia Mariah Williams, by John Hunter, J. P.

August 27, William A. Corson to Cynthia Vaughn, by Jesse N. Seeley.

September 5, William A. Waller to Adaline A. Shipman, by John Hayden, G.M.

Sept. 27, William Hamilton to Agnes Matilda Hunter, by John Hunter, J. P.

October 3, Charles Hinkley to Mary Helms, by Perry Oliphant, J. P.

October 10, Joseph Derbin to Melissa Kirkpatrick, by Daniel Rogers, J. P.

November 28, William Greene to Louisa M. Higley, by John M. Baals.

December 8, John S. Cully to Nancy Mounts, by John Hayden, M. G.

1845

January 13, Joseph T. Berryhill to Jane Butler, by John Hunter, J. P.

January 15, Alexander Thompson to Marion Davis, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

February 2, Amariah Hagerman to Angeline Gray, by John David, J. P.

February 18, Joseph Lichteberger to Mary K. Holeman, by John Hayden, M.G.

February 19, Joseph R. Strawn to Tabitha Lewis, by D. B. Nichols, P. G.

February 27, Joseph Williams to Mary M. Lucore, by Rev. J. Hayden.

Feb. 27, Ferdinand Kershner to Elizabeth Rogers, by Rev. Isaac Whittemore.

March 2, John Eicher to Hannah Cox, by Rev. Israel Clark.

March 6, Orlando N. Gray to Rosina Pratt, by Rev. Isaac Whittemore.

March 16, Claiborn G. Worrall to Mrs. Ellen Connor, by John David, J. P.

March 20, Chauncy Leverich to Marilla Usher, by John Hunter, J. P.

March 31, John S. Torrence to Cephina Wilson, by John David, J. P.

April 10, Daniel Robbins to Pricilla Gray, by Rev. John Hayden.

April 17, Lister W. Hays to Anna Gritton, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

April 20, George W. Utley to Maria Jane Sawyer, by Henry Weare, J. P.

May 4, George Cochran to Susan Gunn, by Elijah Evans, J. P.

July 3, James M. Burge to Sarah A. E. McRoberts, by Nelson Rathbun, M. M. C.

July 16, Michael Zimmerman to Sarah Barclay, by Elias Rogers, J. P.

July 20, David Mann to Mary Ann Whitlatch, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

July 31, Robert M. Forsyth to Amanda McCartney, by E. Evans, J. P.

July 31, William N. Downing to Armena Applebee, by E. Evans, J. P.

August 21, James Bell to Dorcas Martin, by Rev. John Hayden.

August 27, Henry Rea to Martha L. Miller, by Rev. S. W. Ingham.

September 4, Thomas McClelland to Ruth Ann Baugh, by Elijah D. Waln, J. P.

September 7, Caleb S. Hendrix to Mary Hemphill, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

September 7, Robert Fairly to Sarah Thomas, by John Hindman, J. P.

September 9, James A. Dyer to Elizabeth Minton, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

October 8, William R. Lewis to Mary I. Cofman, by Rev. John Hayden.

October 8, Wilbert L. Lewis to Emily Cofman, by Rev. John Hayden.

November 6, Thomas Craig to Martha Smyth, by Solomon Cowles, D. D. M.

November 6, Frederick Jordan to Mrs. Adaline Firkins, by Uriah Ferrie.

December 9, Michael Hine to Mrs. Catharine Hack, by Uriah Ferrie.

December 25, Joseph A. Secrest to Sarah Osbourn, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

December 28, John B. Cutler to Martha Heaton, by John David, J. P.

1846

January 1, O. P. Weeks to Margaret Archer, by John Hindman.

January 1, Joseph Moulin to Sarah Goudy, by Uriah Ferrie.

January 4, William M. Stockton to Ann Eliza Gilbreath, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

January 25, Luke Taylor to Nancy Ann Dawson, by Rev. James M. Fanning.

February 2, John Hindman to Emily Weeks, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

February 15, Thomas Jones to Jane Antrim, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

February 25, Benjamine Cobb to Sarah Holman, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

March 11, John C. Van Allman to Nancy Holler, by J. Kirkpatrick, J. P.

March 12, William Hunt to Nancy Maria McLaughlin, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

April 2, Hezekiah Starbuck to Mrs. Villamina Rice, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

April 4, Asa White to Amanda F. Davidson, by Peter Robinson.

April 12, Silvester P. Lyon to America Campbell, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

April 14, Harrison Usher to Lucy Bevens, by John Hunter, J. P.

April 30, Milton Squires to Eliza J. Mounts, by A. E. Skinner, J. P.

May 9, Hiram Usher to Lucinda Williams, by John Hunter, J. P.

June 14, Elmyrrh Howard to Elizabeth Boyle, by Ezekiel Cox, J. P.

June 20, Thomas Donahoo to Sintha M. McClelland, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

June 21, William J. Berry to Violet Wagoner, by H. W. Gray, J. P.

June 27, William Potter to Jane Elizabeth Fowler, by John Hunter, J. P.

July 26, John Evans to Mrs. Christiana Nick, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

August 9, George W. Metcalf to Mary Howard, by Elijah Evans, J. P.

September 3, Jacob Harris to Betsy Staats, by John L. Shearer, J. P.

September 3, Elijah Staats to Sarah Ann Cox, by John L. Shearer, J. P.

September 15, George White Gray to Zernah Williams, by H. W. Gray, J. P.

October 25, Alexander F. Camp to Mrs. Catharine Knapp, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

November 5, Walter L. Brockman to Margaret Cummings, by E. D. Wain, J. P.

November 8, Horace N. Brown to Sarah Jane Lewis, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

November 25, James Robb to Mary Patteson, by Rev. Burnett Roberts.

November 26, John Harris to Elizabeth Cox, by John L. Shearer, J. P.

December 25, Joel White to Sarah A. Garretson, by William Chamberlin, J. P.

December 26, Richard Miller to Elizabeth Sargent, by Wm. Chambers, J. P.

1847

Jan. 3, Ephraim T. Lewis to Margaret G. McKinney, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

January 21, Samuel L. Wallace to Elizabeth Coffman, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

January 29, Isaac McCoffen to Rebeckah Beeler, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

February 14, Hiram Heaton to Susannah Nealy, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

March 18, Stephen L. Pollock to Marilla Lucore, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

March 24, Joel B. Taylor to Mary S. Ferree, by Rev. Henry W. Reed.

March 25, Barney Riley to Kesiah Ramsey, by John Hunter, J. P.

March 25, Phillip Beamer to Harriet Ramsey, by John Hunter, J. P.

April 1, William Gardner to Mrs. Sarah Gritten, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

April 1, Laurence Hollenbeck to Delila Lewis, by E. Evans, J. P.

April 4, William A. Skinner to Mariette B. Hendricson, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

April 5, John Rath to Wilhelmina Reinheimer, by John Hunter, J. P.

April 15, Hugh Martin to Sarah E. Blakesly, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

April 22, Norman W. Isbell to Elizabeth Pinch, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

May 2, William Davy to Charlotte Willis, by B. S. Knight, J. P.

May 3, Robert P. Stuart to Asenith B. Soesbee, by Rev. John Himman.

May 26, John Zumbra to Angeline Eggleston, by Rev. John B. Taylor.

May 27, James B. Thomas to Elizabeth Neighbour, by Wm. Chamberlin, J. P.

June 2, Chandler Jordan to Sarah D. Waterhouse, by L. S. Jordan, J. P.

June 8, Levi H. Mason to Eunice Ann Smith, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 1, Warrington G. Conden to Margaret E. Shaw, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

July 10, Abel E. Skinner to Mary Marshall, by Rev. John Walker.

July 12, Jonathan R. Peatt to Omina Gray, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 19, Aquilla Campbell to Rachael Daniels, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

July 27, Dyer Usher to Rosannah Harris, by John L. Shearer, J. P.

August 12, Andrew F. Brockman to Pernetta A. Gott, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

August 15, James Berry to Sarah Pattison, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

August 26, John S. Dolerhide to Harriet Cooper, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

August 17, William M. Stuart to Phebe Ross, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

August 29, Thomas Dill to Nancy Seargeant, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

September 16, John Mason to Hannah B. Railsback, by John Cue, J. P.

September 23, William G. Darr to Mary E. Arford, by B. L. Night, J. P.

October 4, Stephen Cook to Sarah Ann Isham, by Andrew J. McKean, J. P.

October 7, Andrew Hollenbeck to Susannah Yates, by Rev. D. Worthington.

October 7, Henry H. Baker to Lavina Crosberry, by H. W. Gray, J. P.

October 9, Noah Wilson to Mary House, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

October 9, John Cress to Lydia Neighbour, by Thomas Lewis, J. P.

October 14, Christopher Amose to Sarah Tee, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

October 18, David M. Richardson to Eliza J. Goudy, by Andrew J. McKean, J. P.

October 19, John Bomgardner to Lucy Mariah Davis, by W. Chamberlin, J. P.

October 19, Oliver Clark, Jr. to Barbary Ellen Brice, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

November 1, Joseph Bigger to Frances Runner, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

November 16, Harmon Boyd to Issabella Grafton, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

November 19, John Shane to Hannah P. Goudy, by Rev. D. Worthington.

November 18, James Scott to Hulda Newton, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

December 21, Jacob B. Romine to Mrs. Jaurespa Harris, by Rev. Jas Fanning.

December 23, William L. Waln to Frances Burge, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

December 30, Peter Moriarty to Sarah Osborn, by Rev. Jas. M. Fanning.

1848

January 1, Josephas Stites to Sarah Burnett, by Ezekial Cox, J. P.

January 9, Henry Hunter to Roann Beckner, by Hosea W. Gray, J. P.

January 9, George A. Patterson to Hazeah Jones, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

January 9, Joseph Usher to Harriet Williams, by John Hunter, J. P.

January 19, Nelson Usher to Pheba Vinson, by John Hunter, J. P.

February 4, Martin Bennett to Sabitha Conrad, by W. Chamberlin, J. P.

February 12, Benjamin Dewit to Hannah Ann Boid, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

February 20, Henry Tee to Rachel Stuart, by Rev. Duff C. Barrows.

February 22, Asa White to Ann Eliza Stone, by Rev. D. Worthington.

March 16, John Harmon to Susan A. Abbee, by Hosea W. Gray, J. P.

March 18, Valentine Wrath to Mariah Jane Utley, by John Hunter, J. P.

March 30, James L. Stevens to Minerva Andrews, by Rev. D. Worthington.

March 30, Daniel Carlan to Eliza Ann Shaw, by Rev. D. Worthington.

March 31, Joseph Waln to Ann Kinly, by Rev. John Hindman.

March 31, Alexander Paul to Aurilla Rood, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

April 10, Henry Cress to Elizabeth Skinner, by Rev. Jno. Walker.

May 4, Henry Hemphill to Emaline Wickum, by Rev. D. Worthington.

May 6, Amos D. Morse to Mrs. Bethany Campbell, by Salmon Cowles, V. D.

May 11, Jeremiah Burge, Jr., to Sarah Ann Archer, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

May 16, George Smith to Sarah Torrence, by Hosea M. Gray, J. P.

May 18, Conrad G. Darr to Bethira Ellen Hill, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

May 29, John Rundall to Sarah Ann Storm, by Rev. S. H. Greenup.

June 1, Isa Helm to Margaret J. Campbell, by Rev. Duff C. Barrows.

June 4, James Knuckles to Susannah Heaton, by Rev. S. H. Greenup.

June 8, Samuel Yule to Sarepta E. Clark, by Lemuel D. Jordan, J. P.

June 20, Geo. Washington Gray to Prudence M. Berry, by Rev. D. Worthington.

June 25, John Burge to Harriet Harless, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 8, Luther McShane to Hester Willyard, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

July 16, John Wood to Elizabeth Jane Jaquett, by Ezekiel Cox, J. P.

July 16, John G. McLoud to Martha Jane Vardy, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

August 17, Carmi Marshall to Mary E. Hazelrigg, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

August 20, Benjamine Hoover to Sarah Ann Bressler, by Elder A. A. Sellers.

August 31, David McCall to Eliza Jane Boxwell, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

August 30, Abel Grove to Catharine Knoflock, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

September 5, Thomas J. McKean to Sarah A. Gray, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

September 15, Wm. A. Thomas to Sarah A. Campbell, by Rev. Duff C. Barrows.

September 28, James Nelson Howe to Margaret Hemphill, by L. Myers, J. P.

October 5, James Poyner to Sarah Scott, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

October 5, Godfrey Heine to Lucy Barter, by Rev. D. Worthington.

October 9, Darius M. Ross to Eliza Jane Stewart, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

October 26, William S. Rolff to Anna M. Wolf, by Andrew J. McKean, J. P.

November 12, Henry Bressler to Mary Ann Seimiller, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

Nov. 13, Edw. Crow to Mrs. Narcissa E. Bowman, by Rev. Lucas C. Woodford.

Nov. 14, Lawrence Hollenbeck to Mrs. Prudence Millburn, by John Hunter, J. P.

November 30, Turner McIntire to Elizabeth Gray, by Rev. D. Worthington.

November 30, John C. Goudy to Amelia Jordan, by Rev. Lucas C. Woodford.

December 14, Robison Conwell to Caroline Butler, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

December 21, Dennis Tryon to Huldah Clark, by Andrew J. McKean, J. P.

December 25, Alfred A. Holman to Lavinia J. Smith, by Rev. D. Worthington.

[Illustration: MAIN BUILDING, CORNELL COLLEGE]

[Illustration: SOUTH HALL, CORNELL COLLEGE]

1849

January 4, John Stanley to Ann Maria Freeman, by Rev. D. Worthington.

January 9, H. Austin to Mrs. Sarah Sutton, by L. D. Jordan. J. P.

January 16, Henry D. Rogers to Lucinda K. McRoberts, by Rev. Alex Caldwell.

January 18, Aaron Van Dorn to Elizabeth Boylan, by Rev. D. Worthington.

January 18, John M. Robb to Permelia V. Axtell, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

January 18, Greenbury Doss to Elizabeth Cook, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

January 21, Abraham T. Darr to Mary Jane Hill, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

Feb. 1, Samuel D. McCally to Bartheba McClelland, by Rev. Alex Caldwell.

February 4, Abel E. Skinner to Mrs. Mary A. Nation, by A. J. Ward, J. P.

February 11, Samuel D. Thompson to Lucetta Wilson, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

February 12, Preston Daniels to Mary Ann Keys, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

February 15, Barney Riley to Elizabeth Nation, by Abraham J. Ward, J. P.

February 17, Thomas M. Rose to Turza Ann Knapp, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

March 1, Orson Lewis to Elizabeth Nicholls, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

March 1, William W. Hastings to Elizabeth A. Vankirk, by John Hunter, J. P.

March 11, Simeon D. Loveless to Sarah Weiser, by Rev. J. M. Westfall.

March 27, Joseph C. Tilton to Harriet C. Eggleston, by Rev. D. Worthington.

March 28, John Barkley to Elizabeth J. Barkley, by Rev. Lucas C. Woodford.

April 2, Lyman Wordan to Elizabeth McGaflick, by Rev. Williston Jones.

April 3, William Clark to Sarah House, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

April 5, Ebenezer Hull to Mehitable Jacques, by Thomas Lewis, J. P.

April 5, Francis M. Leabo to Harriet Bryant, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

April 8, Wm. W. Woods to Polly Whitlatch, by Ezekiel Cox, J. P.

April 10, John Perkins to Christiana Forsyth, by Rev. D. Worthington.

April 19, Jeremiah Beall to Mrs. Elizabeth Whitely, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

April 22, Jonathan Kees to Rebecca Wickham, by A. J. Ward, J. P.

April 29, Wm. M. C. Kirkpatrick to Elizabeth Irons, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

April 29, Nathan Chapman to Margaret House, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

April 30, David Barrows to Susan Jane Rhodes, by Duff C. Barrows.

May 1, Joseph Current to Margaret Hunter, by Lewis Meyers, J. P.

May 6, Samuel F. Hook to Sarah Jane Kennedy, by Rev. W. Jones.

May 6, Janus Martindale to Ann Myers, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

May 14, Wm. H. Harland to Sarah E. Leffingwell, by Rev. D. Worthington.

May 27, Richard Barber to Orphia Clark, by Rev. Samuel Farlow.

May 27, John Craig to Frances Burge, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

June 10, Joseph Mentzer to Maria Hollenback, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

June 11, Ira P. Aldrich to Martha Maria Leverich, by Geo. P. Smith.

June 14, Edw. H. Oliphant to Samantha A. Ankrom, by Rev. D. Worthington.

June 20, James C. Alexander to Susan Smyth, by Rev. A. M. Stewart.

June 21, Thomas Baldwin to Jane Ann McClelland, by Hosea W. Gray, clerk.

July 1, Abel Groves to Abigail Miller, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 1, James Dill to Martha Harbert, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

July 1, Joshua S. F. Briney to Rhoda M. Wolfe, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 4, Luther Abbe to Permelia Edson, by Rev. D. Worthington.

July 5, Chauncey Blodgett to Phebe Doty, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 8, Calvin Newman to Mary Ann Howard, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

July 12, Benjamine Wisner to Mary J. McKnight, by Salmon Cowles, V.D.M.

July 28, Homer Bishop to Elizabeth Smith, by Rev. D. Worthington.

August 7, James W. Fee to Tabitha Osborn, by Samuel M. Brice, J. P.

August 13, Buonaparte Stansberry to Nancy Jane Johns, by Lewis Myers, J. P.

August 14, Joshua Morford to Elize Jane Gibson, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

August 16, Wm. P. Henderson to Lydia Cox, by Wiley Fitz, J. P.

August 19, Samuel Heaton to Rebecca Heaton, by Rev. Samuel Farlow.

August 27, John Vardy to Mrs. Nancy A. Praigg, by Rev. Williston Jones.

September 6, Richard Gray to Martha Jane Scott, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

September 7, Wm. Cahoon to Miranda Cook, by Frederick Kindley, J. P.

October 4, Robert Holmes to Eliza Keys, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

October 4, Dean Cheedle to Ruth Ives, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

October 8, Frederick Fisher to Joanna Henrietta Ruhl, by Rev. Williston Jones.

October 18, Otho S. Bowland to Adalina Frazee, by Rev. R. Swearengen.

October 25, Samuel Bressler to Isabella Seimiller, by Rev. John S. Brown.

November 1, Joseph B. Kyle to Sarah Samantha Goudy, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

November 2, Geo. Washington Roberts to Polly A. Cue, by Thomas Lewis, J. P.

November 4, James C. Traer to Marcia W. Ferguson, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

November 5, Edw. L. Pierce to Romelia Peet, by Frederick Kindley, J. P.

November 15, Henry C. Oliphant to Martha Jane Moore, by Duff C. Barrows.

November 18, Raphael Cheedle to Evaline R. Ankrom, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

November 22, Wm. Hunter to Nancy McRoberts, by Rev. Charles D. Gray.

November 29, Wm. I. Burge to Sarah Ann Burge, by Lewis Myers, J. P.

December 6, George Ives to Hannah Jones, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

December 20, Samuel Miller to Hannah L. Howe, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

December 27, Geo. D. McLaughlin to Capa Morford, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

1850

January 3, Walter L. Brockman to Ellen Worrell, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

January 24, James M. Oxley to Mary Jane Reneau, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

January 24, Solomon Moriarty to Jane Osborn, by A. D. Battorff. J. P.

February 21, Wm. F. Howe to Barbara Miller, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

February 28, David N. Glass to Polly Johns, by Rev. R. Swearengen.

March 7, Andrew Moffatt to Catharine Smith, by James S. Fullerton.

March 12, Wm. V. Lagorgne to Elizabeth B. Austin, by Rev. S. T. Vail.

March 16, Albert Russell to Climena J. Gray, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

March 17, Samuel Stony to Sarah T. Robinson, by Lewis Myers, J. P.

March 30, Volney Carpenter to Susan M. Usher, by John Hunter, J. P.

April 9, Morgan S. Parks to Lydia Gentry, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

April 12, Asa L. Harrow to Sarah Ann Troup, by Rev. John S. Brown.

April 12, Nathan M. Donahoo to Susan Shafer, by Rev. John S. Brown.

April 15, Levi W. Johnson to Ann Maria Kirkpatrick, by Rev. R. Swearengen.

April 25, John Harris to Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

May 14, John Heilman to Mrs. Mary Ann Carman, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

May 28, John B. Ives to Hannah Jane Wallace, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

June 4, Joseph S. Carson to Phebe Vaughn, by James S. Fullerton.

June 23, David Hunter to Luray Ann Reynolds, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

June 24, Harry G. Thomas to Alvira M. Andrews, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

July 4, Christian Neidig to Nancy Huber, by Rev. Jacob Miller.

July 4, George Bayley to Sarah J. Goudy, by James S. Fullerton.

July 6, Seymour D. Carpenter to Sarah L. Weare, by Rev. Williston Jones.

August 15, Charles D. Gray to Candace Smith, by Rev. Robert Miller.

August 22, Miron Bunce to Elizabeth McAfferty, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

August 22, David Myers to Elizabeth Carbley, by John Emmons, J. P.

August 26, Bartley Openchain to Nancy Morse, by J. M. Williams, J. P.

August 27, Gilman Wells to Catharine Priest, by Wm. L. Winter. J. P.

August 29, Henry Seimiller to Deborah A. Falkingburg, by Rev. D. Wenerich.

August 29, Wm. Jordan to Margaret Montgomery, by Rev. J. Williams.

August 30, Nathaniel A. Abbott to Margaret J. G. Stewart, by J. S. Fullerton.

September 2, Joseph Robinson to Hannah Sanders, by Wm. L. Winter, J. P.

September 5, Henry Cummins to Mary Ann Hamilton, by Rev. Williston Jones.

September 7, Seneca Townsend to Nancy Fussle, by Henry Wagner. J. P.

September 19, James Jennings to Emily Gash, by Daniel Albaugh. J. P.

September 21, Hiram Ross to Eliza M. Palmer, by Rev. J. Williams.

September 27, Daniel Cory to Elizabeth Morford, by James McClelland, J. P.

October 12, Ira G. Wilson to Eve Montgomery, by Rev. J. Williams.

October 17, Samuel Veach to Mariah Jane Parks, by Rev. Duff C. Barrows.

October 24, Wm. Stewart to Eliza Lucore, by Rev. Williston Jones.

October 30, Win. M. Stewart to Mary C. Watkins, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

November 6, John Bozenbareck to Lucy S. Martin, by Rev. Edw. M. Twineing.

November 7, Harvey G. Higley to Anna Bishop, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

November 10, G. W. Bressler to Hadessa Thompson, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

November 17, Joseph Thomas to Isabel Johnson, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

November 21, Benjamine Lapham to Ann E. Evans, by Wm. Cooper, J. P.

November 30, Michael C. Paul to Nancy Wiekam, by Rev. Stephen Porter.

December 10, Alfred Thomas to Elizabeth Lewis, by J. M. Williams. J. P.

December 10, Alfred Thomas to Elizabeth Lewis, by J. W. Williams, J. P.

December 14, Isaac Grimes to Eliza A. Cox, by Adam Berry, J. P.

December 19, Wm. M. Torrence to Jane L. Commons, by James S. Fullerton.

December 26, Richard Abbott to Phebe Reonalds, by Wm. L. Wenter, J. P.

December 30, Edwin Rogers to Emily J. Williams, by N. C. Gage, J. P.

1851

January 1, David Brooks to Jane Morgan, by Daniel Albaugh. J. P.

January 9, William Anderson to Rachel Harvey, by J. M. Williams, J. P.

January 12, Orsemas Lebo to Catharine Daniels, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

January 14, Hiram Brooks to Martha Hendrickson, by Rev. J. Porter.

January 14, George W. Gray to Harriet Stone, by Rev. Williston Jones.

January 14, Willis S. Gott to Elinor Carr, by James B. Thomas, J. P.

February 6, Walter Hilton to Sophia Frager, by N. C. Gagesby, J. P.

February 16, Orlin S. Harding to Margaret Morehouse, by Fred. Kindley. J. P.

February 18, Wm. S. Reed to Jane E. Gagesby, by Rev. John Williams, Jr.

March 7, Charles Robinson to Elizabeth T. Runels, by Jas. B. Thomas. J. P.

March 21, N. W. Matson to Sarah Romine, by Rev. N. D. McConnell.

March 24, Warren Payne to Catharine Freeland, by Rev. Jas. Keeler.

March 25, Wm. H. Carpenter to Mrs. Susannah Wilsey, by John Cue, J. P.

March 31, John Lash to Harriette Belt, by James McElhenna, J. P.

April 3, John Nicholas to Anna Lewis, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

April 6, Joel S. Austin to Elizabeth Metcalf, by J. H. Walton, J. P.

April 9, Nathan M. Day to Hannah Bearly, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

April 16, Charles H. Johnson to Lucy Clark, by John Cue. J. P.

April 27, Oran J. Draper to Elizabeth Haddon, by C. N. Moberly, S. B. P.

May 4, John Daniels to Martha Rindley, by Frederick Rindley, J. P.

May 4, Jonathan J. Nugent to Roxina E. Ford, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

May 6, Wm. H. Bristol to Mariett Jones, by Rev. Williston Jones.

May 9, Simon Roll to Catharine Keller, by Rev. Sol. Kern.

May 10, M. S. Oxley to Nancy Poyner, by John Emmons, J. P.

May 11, Joseph Brison to Elizabeth Remington, by John R. Speake, J. P.

May 15, William Lutz to Dulybella Sedwick, by Rev. Zenas Covil.

May 25, James W. Gaeby to Cynthia A. Hobart, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

June 1, Samuel Soesbe to Mary A. Chapman, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

June 23, T. J. Speak to Mary Chambers, by Wm. A. Thomas. J. P.

June 24, John Boxwell to Elizabeth Houston, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

June 28, Jacob Pugh to Harriet Dollerhide, by Wm. Cooper, J. P.

July 3, John Ellison to Rachel Curtis, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

July 3, James Curtis to Mary Johnson, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

July 8, George Henderson to Jannet Thomas, by Rev. John A. Vance.

June 8, Jacob Hogland to Harriet Hollenbeek, by J. M. Williams, J. P.

July 10, Jeremiah Campstock to Mary B. Johnson, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

July 10, John F. Rogers to Martha W. Elliott, by Andrew Perry. J. P.

July 13, Nathan C. Gillilan to Mary Heaton, by L. D. Jordan, J. P.

July 24, Johnson Gardner to Esther A. Tolman, by W. A. Thomas, J. P.

August 14, Wm. Freeman to Nancy Jane Plant, by Rev. A. J. McConnell.

August 14, Daniel M. Funk to Barbary Blessing, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

August 17, Samuel Justin to Mrs. Lydia Servenson, by Jas. B. Thomas, J. P.

August 19, Jas. McAfferty to Alma Jane Willcox, by Rev. Geo. B. Bowman.

August 28, N. B. Batterson to Emma L. Akers, by James S. Fullerton.

August 31, Jonathan B. Keys to Hariet A. Smith, by Wm. Cooper, J. P.

September 1, Alpheus McIntire to Cordelia M. Phelps, by Rev. Wm. Philips.

September 2, Sylvester McKean to Mary Ann Kyle, by James S. Fullerton.

September 10, Edwin White to Emily Edkins, by Rev. J. W. Williams.

September 14, John Manley to Susanna Kirkpatrick, by Adam Perry, J. P.

September 16, Daniel O. Finch to Ellen M. Calder, by Rev. James Keller.

September 16, Joseph Green to Eliza Denison Harvey, by Rev. James Keller.

September 18, Irvin Wilcox to Eliza McClelland, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

September 18, George R. Peet to Sarah A. Parsons, by Rev. J. Williams.

September 24, James Bliss to Lutitia Osborn, by James S. Fullerton.

October 2, Thos. Jacobson to Sarah M. Heaton, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

October 2, Fielden Travis to Patsa Campbell, by John Emmons. J. P.

October 12, Thomas Newel to Frances A. Allensworth, by Rev. D. C. Barrows.

October 12, John W. McDaniel to Miranda Willson, by John Emmons, J. P.

October 15, Sam'l H. Minear to Lucy Davis, by John Emmons. J. P.

October 17, John McCartney to Eliza J. Caldwell, by N. W. Isbelle, co. judge.

October 30, John Brison to Elizabeth Speaks, by Rev. Edw. W. Twining.

November 19, Parson Jones to Harriet Phelps, by Fredk. Rinley. J. P.

December 14, Joseph S. West to Susannah Hawn, by J. E. Kurtz, J. P.

[Illustration: HENRY BRUCE HOUSE Springville, Built in 1855]

[Illustration: FIRST SPRINGVILLE BAND]

1852

January 1, Peter Betzer to Catherine Gibson, by Rev. S. W. Kern.

January 4, Isaac B. Reed to Mariah Vanderwork, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

January 4, D. S. Brown to Amanda M. Hunt, by David Albaugh, J. P.

January 20, Thomas Milborn to Levisa Gower, by Wiley Fitz, J. P.

January 23, Alexander Renfaw to Amanda Andrews, by Rev. Solomon W. Kern

February 12, Emerson E. Barter to Esther McKnight, by Rev. J. S. Fullerton.

February 15, Jesse Turner to Matilda Grandon, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

February 18, Jonathan Hess to Nancy Mann, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

February 24, Hannibal B. Davis to Elizabeth Acres, by Rev. J. S. Fullerton.

February 27, Horatio P. Smith to Mary Severson, by J. M. Williams, J. P.

March 16, J. C. McConnell to Sophronia Harrington, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

March 23, Samuel Craig to Miranda Cheedle, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

March 25, John Hemphill to Elizabeth Thompson, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

March 25, Oran Strewn to Emil A. Doolittle, by Rev. Williston Jones.

March 25, Wm. F. Travis to Mary P. Willson, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

April 1, Hiram Beals to Catharine Stinger, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

April 7, Eber L. Mansfield to Lucy A. Warriner, by Rev. John Williams.

April 7, Milo Bunce to Mary Ann Carnahan, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

April 15, Wm. Kellernan to Elizabeth Allensworth, by John R. Speak, J. P.

April 18, Isaac Robinson to Mary J. Daugherty, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

May 1, John Rundall to Lydia Gregg, by Rev. Orlin Harding.

May 6, George W. Harvey to Sarah R. Wolfe, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

May 11, Horatio Morse to Miranda Smith, by John Palmer, J. P.

May 11, Jacob Lanning to Sarah A. Yambret, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

May 12, Thomas Allbones to Elizabeth Kirby, by N. C. Gagely, J. P.

May 13, Abraham Ward to Nancy J. Lanning, by Rev. E. Skinner.

May 13, Abraham Ward to Nancy Jane Lanning, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

May 30, Luther H. Keys to Frances Nelson, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

May 31, Alexander McKinnon to Martha Mathews, by James B. Forsythe.

June 2, James McFarland to Hannah J. R. Walton, by Rev. O. S. Harding.

June 10, Alex Glover to Susanna Frager, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

June 10, Joseph Myers to Sarah Dickall, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

June 22, Albert Sytezman to Julia Ann Walker, by W. A. Thomas, J. P.

June 24, Morris Neighbor to Laura Ann Hollenbeck, by Wm. A. Thomas, J. P.

July 4, Clark Draper to Barbary Hesberger, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

July 6, John Carnes to Dorcas Robinson, by John Palmer, J. P.

July 15, Richard M. Jones to Mary E. Tyler, by John Palmer, J. P.

July 25, John Winter to Christina Martin, by Rev. John H. Yambert.

August 14, Gordon B. Parish to Laura S. Hughes, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

August 19, Albert Taylor to Martha Hampton, by Rev. N. Rathburn.

August 31, Samuel Worthan to Polly Frager, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

September 1, Hiram Jenkins to Elizabeth Sawyer, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

September 2, Cephas Dood to Catharine Swan, by Rev. J. S. Fullerton.

September 5, Wm. McLelland to Sally Ann Shanklin, by Rev. O. S. Harding.

September 9, David Eckley to Mary Nihart, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

September 15, M. H. E. Higley to H. E. Emery, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

September 26, Frederick Enders to Rachel M. Carnes, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

September 30, Absalom Lanning to Nancy Hemphill, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

October 14, Thomas Hill to Mary L. Connay, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

October 18, Wm. Prosser to Cirena Bickerstaff, by Rev. O. S. Harding.

October 21, William Oxly to Henrietta Benham, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

October 26, Samuel Cole to Mary Shaffer, by Daniel Runkle.

November 14, James Johnson to Silvie Bliss, by Rev. John C. Ward.

November 16, John Walser to Hannah Metcalf, by N. C. Gageby. J. P.

November 21, Nelson Van Nott to Susanna McAfferty, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

November 28, Wm. J. Lewis to Joanna Blackburn, by Thomas Lewis, J. P.

November 30, Joel Courtney to Mary Ann Keynon, by John Emmons, J. P.

December 7, Washington R. Given to Emaline Chester, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

December 23, John Chambers to Emeline Reynolds, by W. A. Thomas, J. P.

December 26, Jacob Shanklin to Sarah Bollinghouse, by Rev. Orlin S. Harding.

1853

January 27, Jonathan Pipes to Mary Laughrey, by N. O. Gageby, J. P.

February 3, Edward Pugh to Ester Mann, by N. W. Isbell, county judge.

February 10, John Busenbark to Agnes Martin, by Rev. G. N. Jannison.

February 14, Amos Nicholas to Ruth Ransen, by Thomas Taylor, J. P.

February 20, Simon S. Wickham to Hannah Conner, by Rev. E. D. Olmsted.

February 24, John McArthur to Julia A. Straley, by Rev. Williston Jones.

February 27, Wm. H. Warren to Rosina Neel, by E. F. Williams. J. P.

March 9, Lysander Jones to Mary Straley, by Rev. Williston Jones.

March 12, Jos. N. Kirby to Mary Ann Remington, by Alfred Wright.

March 13, Waller C. Brooks to Martha Brooks, by Benj. Harris. J. P.

March 24, Joseph Carnahan to Susan A. McLaughlin, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

March 27, Daniel Smith to Anna M. Bruner, by Rev. David Winrich.

March 27, Janus Ship to Rebecca Barkly, by Rev. James B. Burch.

March 31, David Giger to Margaret J. Montgomery, by John C. Ward.

March 31, Lewis House to Elizabeth Clymour, by Rev. Williston Jones.

March 31, Daniel A. Newman to Lucinda Ennis, by Daniel Albaugh. J. P.

April 19, James Holman to Phebe Blodgett, by G. H. Jennison.

April 21, John W. Gray to Emeline Oxley, by Rev. G. H. Jennison.

April 27, John Barr to Syntha Ann White, by Rev. John C. Ward.

May 5, David Blakely to Julia A. Carroll, by Rev. Williston Jones.

May 5, Mathias Kirshner to Irene Arrasmith, by Philip Smith, J. P.

May 8, Henry Eaton to Sophia Hollister, by David W. Ring, J. P.

May 12, Moses Albaugh to Sarah Wilyard, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

May 15, Christopher Foremaster to Caroline Rhinehamer, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

May 15, John W. Courtney to Margaret Runan, by Rev. James B. Burch.

May 22, Henry Busenbarreck to Judith Scott, by Rev. G. H. Jennison.

May 25, Nathaniel Harris to Matilda Allis, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

May 26, Wm. B. Torrance to Nancy Rozel, by Rev. Hiram J. Burley.

May 26, Fra A. Steadman to Eliza J. Foster, by Philip Smith, J. P.

May 30, Joseph Parker to Rachel More, by Wm. L. Winter, J. P.

June 9, Gabriel Carpenter to Mariah Clifton, by Rev. Charles A. Gray.

June 12, John Carbie to Sarah G. Hampton, by Jos. Leonard. J. P.

June 19, Wm. Lineback to Margaret A. Hutchison, by Rev. D. Runkle.

June 23, Ezra P. Morehouse to Rachel Jordan, by Rev. J. H. Jennison.

June 23, Joseph Brown to Susan C. Snow, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

June 25, James W. Freeman to Jerusha Jones, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

June 29, Joal A. Doty to Mary E. Rollfe, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

June 29, Oradon Lebo to Amanda Newton, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

June 30, John Millse to Lucy A. E. Coleman, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

August 17, George Clark to Syrena Taylor, by Wm. Phelps, M. G.

August 25, Frederick G. Mason to Mary McAferty, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

September 4, Lanty Johnson to Narcissa Davis, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

September 13, Hiram Deem to Sarah Jane Vandorn, by Rev. Williston Jones.

September 13, Jos. Morford to Barbary A. Welshimer, by Rev. J. R. Marshon.

September 26, Lorenz P. Warren to Elizabeth Hamilton, by N. C. Gagely, J. P.

September 29, Richard Wood to Effy Putnam, by Isaiah Booth, J. P.

October 2, David Bedell to Minerva Holler, by Isaiah Booth, J. P.

October 4, Jackson Quick to Nancy Ann Shanklin, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

October 20, John C. Summers to Mary Smith, by Benjamin Harris, J. P.

November 1, Havir B. Sawyer to Permelia Andrews, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

November 4, Orrin H. Smith to Eliza Pisel, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

November 13, Robt. T. Holman to Mary E. Kepler, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

December 6, John Minehart to Rachel Slife, by Wm. Wagner, J. P.

December 8, Simon Tuttle to Margaret Elliott, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

December 22, John Miller to Emily Callahan, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

December 28, Miron N. Nickerson to Sophia L. Snow, by Rev. John C. Ward.

December 29, Isaac D. Worrall to Nancy A. Thompson, by Rev. G. H. Jennison.

1854

January 1, John C. Mackey to Sarah Grubis, by Wm. A. Thomas, J. P.

January 4, Luther Stinson to Elinor Coleman, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

January 17, Wm. Neely to H. Louisa Roberts, by Rev. Jas. R. Marshon.

January 19, Madison Fee to Phebe M. Wright, by J. K. Speake. J. P.

January 19, George Booze to Elizabeth Straley, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

January 31, Thomas Flathers to Meralda McMillan, by Joseph Leonard, J. P.

February 1, Philip Hoglan to Mary J. Cress, by John Carr, J. P.

February 4, Henry Philips to Mary J. Harless, by Rev. J. K. Young.

February 5, Geo. W. Harron to Margaret E. Schoonover, by Wm. Wagner, J.P.

February 7, Abraham McAfee to Elizabeth J. Glison, by Rev. John T. Tate.

February 26, Massom Metcalf to Augusta Egleston, by N. C. Gageby. J. P.

March 2, Joseph W. Baker to Mary Jane Davy, by Rev. Josiah Jackson.

March 2, Jesse Tryon to Mary L. Cron, by John Carr, J. P.

March 9, Jacob Grey to Catherine Leabo, by Rev. E. Skinner.

March 9, Martin Floyd to Elizabeth Hoover, by Rev. Jacob Newman.

March 9, Chesley L. Brockman to Rizpah Lucore, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

March 12, Truman J. Peet to Mary Ann Connis, by Rev. J. F. Tiry.

March 13, David Morgan to Charlott West, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

March 16, Edwin Clark to Charlotte Thomas, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

March 16, Henry B. Hollenbeck to Emily C. Smith, by Rev. H. J. Busby.

March 19, Martin Perrigo to Arvilla Griffin, by Benj. Harris.

March 22, Wm. P. Hazlett to Margaret W. Kyle, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

March 22, George C. McCorckle to Ardelia Yates, by Rev. H. I. Burley.

March 26, Milton Monroe to Elizabeth Terrill, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

March 29, Chas. E. Pollard to Fanny M. Hakes, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

April 2, Simeon Burge to Elizabeth Archer, by Rev. S. K. Young.

April 13, Alexander Noble to Rebecca McFarland, by Rev. O. S. Harding.

April 16, Julius Griffing to Mary D. Ellis, by Wm. P. Gardner, J. P.

April 16, Alfred Davis to Maria Palmer, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

April 19, John G. Tennant to Esther Hill, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

April 23, Volney Leverich to Elizabeth Griffin, by Wm. J. Gardner, J. P.

April 25, Robert Berry to Nancy Thorington, by Rev. E. Skinner.

May 3, Richard Aucutt to Louie Homer, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

May 4, Addison Stewart to Cyrena Axtell, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

May 4, Walker Terrill to Jane T. Crue, by N. W. Isbell, by County Judge.

May 12, Jacob McShane to Mary Milyard, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

May 14, Spencer C. Coleman to Belinda Kairns, by James Coleman. J. P.

May 18, David Berry to Phebe McVay, by John Cue, J. P.

May 25, Charles Cooper to Mary White, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

May 30, John Plummer to Mary Harshenberger, by James W. McKnight, J. P.

May 30, Samuel Berry to Louisa Biggs, by Rev. Williston Jones.

June 1, Absalom Sims to Mary L. Wadsworth, by Rev. E. Skinner.

June 2, Daniel Myers to Matilda Burly, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

June 8, Wm. D. Letzenberg to Lydia Crawford, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

June 8, Charles S. Kabler to Saloma Crawford, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

June 10, Taylor H. Tedford to Colesta Morris, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

June 11, Henry Sutser to Emily Kelly, by T. J. Speake, J. P.

June 28, Hugh Torrance to Rhoda Dyke, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

June 28, A. B. Mason to Mary Cone, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

June 29, John T. Hollenbeck to Mary Hepker, by John Cue. J. P.

July 2, Henry Chamberling to Fanny Stine, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 2, James H. Swain to Priscilla Walker, by John Plummer, J. P.

July 4, Joseph S. Butler to Mariah Renau, by A. P. Risley, J. P.

July 9, Frederick Helbig to Anna Hilman, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

July 13, Daniel Bigler to Catharine Mikesell, by John Weare, J. P.

July 19, Joseph B. Limback to Lucy A. Donahoo, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 27, John M. Bailey to Emily Stoddard, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

July 28, William Lockhart to Catharine Miller, by Thos. G. Lockhart, J. P.

August 2, George W. Osborn to Mary E. Rucker, by Rev. S. W. Kern.

August 3, Benjamin Hampton to Caroline Shipman, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

August 6, James S. Carpenter to Mary E. Klumph, by Rev. Williston Jones.

August 12, E. D. Hazeltine to Mary Mitchell, by Thomas G. Lockhart. J. P.

August 17, Enoch White to Adaline A. Waller, by Jas. M. Berry, Co. Judge.

August 24, Francis Smart to Louisa Williams, by J. W. McKnight, J. P.

August 29, Frederick to Joanna Bryan, by Rev. Jas. S. Fullerton.

August 31, Christian Martin to Mary Barrer, by Jas. McKnight, J. P.

September 7, Uriah Rumbaugh to Mary Ann Sutton, by Rev. John P. Fay.

September 12, John Thompson to Mary Rogers, by Rev. E. Skinner.

September 17, John Ringer to Barbary Hershey, by Rev. S. K. Young.

September 17, Wm. B. Penn to Elizabeth S. Pearson, by Rev. Orlin S. Harding.

September 28, George Howard to Lovinia I. Grigg, by Joseph Leonard, J. P.

September 28, James Pennington to Elizabeth Pence, by Rev. A. Manson.

September 30, Isaac Kinley to Mary A. Houghton, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

October 5, Ira Neal to Mary Fink, by Francis McShane, J. P.

October 8, John T. Stewart to Charlotte L. Barter, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

October 8, Wm. Reynolds to Lucretia Vannote, by Rev. Asher Cattrell.

October 10, Lowell Daniels to Harriet S. Weare, by Rev. A. Manson.

October 12, James W. McAfee to Rachel Beerley, by Rev. A. Manson.

October 12, Richard Scott to Priscilla Cox, by Rev. John P. Fay.

October 13, Thos. W. Stephens to Sarah E. Fenlaw, by Rev. John Hindman.

October 17, James Vanness to Nancy A. Whipple, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

October 22, John N. Smith to Charlotte Smith, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

October 23, Cyrus Ross to Mary A. Stoddard, by Rev. A. Manson.

October 24, Charles Cameron to Mary Pardee, by James M. Berry, Co. Judge.

November 2, Morgan L. Parsons to Sarah Beckner, by Rev. A. Manson.

November 2, John Pugh to Charlotte Thurston, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

November 2, Samuel M. W. Hindman to Jane McAlester, by J. Shanklin, J. P.

November 5, John B. Leigh to Elizabeth A. Leigh, by Rev. Alfred Peek.

November 7, Killion Lichteberger to Martha Gidons, by Rev. Williston Jones.

November 8, Elson Ford to Mary McQueen, by John B. McQueen, J. P.

November 9, Harvey Cook to Sarah Carnaga, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

November 9, Samuel H. McClure to Ellen Fay, by A. J. Ward, J. P.

November 9, Charles Cary to Christina Whitmire, by John Weare, J. P.

November 12, Charles Hahn to Almira Wolfe, by Rev. Asher Cattrell.

November 19, Manley Morgan to Sarah Barber, by Wm. P. Gordon, J. P.

November 20, John Holman to Rebecca Tarlow, by Rev. E. Skinner.

November 21, Geo. K. Mifford to Eunice A. Austin, by J. M. Berry, co. judge.

November 22, Peter Fritz to Barbary Kale, by James Coleman, J. P.

November 23, Elijah W. Gregg to Polly A. Barkley, by A. P. Risley, J. P.

November 23, Thomas W. Wells to Martha I. Combs, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

November 28, John Morrison to Ellen Tedford, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

November 29, Orrin E. Thomas to Irene Nuckolls, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

December 7, Edw. Bedell to Mary Hampton, by Joseph Leonard, J. P.

December 7, Robert Rogers to Mary Jane Thompson, by Rev. E. Skinner.

December 12, Wm. H. Coombs to Harriet A. Brown, by J. M. Berry, co. judge.

December 19, Sidney Williams to Celia Oxley, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

December 25, Daniel Cavin to Mary H. Ellsworth, by Rev. Samuel Goodale.

December 28, Geo. W. Garretson to Almira Corporan, by W. P. Gardner, J. P.

Dec. 31, Wm. H. H. Flemming to Ann E. Eliza Eastman, by Thos. Taylor, J. P.

---- Jesse Beechley to Harriet Craig, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

[Illustration: THE "OLD SEM", CORNELL COLLEGE]

[Illustration: BOWMAN HALL, CORNELL COLLEGE]

1855

January 3, John O. White to Mary A. Metkeff, by Levi H. Mason, J. P.

January 3, Enoch Irish to Rhoda J. Dodd, by Rev. J. S. Fullerton.

January 4, David Stambaugh to Sophia Boyce, by Thomas G. Lockhart, J. P.

Jan. 9, Ladurnia Larrabee to Amanda S. Renfrew, by Rev. Williston Jones.

January 24, Greenberry Daniels to Susan Doty, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

January 25, Jonathan Simpson to Isabella McCaughey, by Rev. Daniel Runkle.

January 27, Wm. Croghan to Cornelia Ellis, by Wm. P. Gardner, J. P.

January 28, Thomas Skales to Lucy Serton, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

January 31, Henry Ogan to Charlotte Cress, by Thomas Taylor, J. P.

February 19, Jas. Richardson to Elmira Blanchard, by J. M. Berry, co. judge.

March 1, Wm. Wilson to Jane Thompson, by Rev. Daniel Runkle.

March 9, Jacob Cress to Lucy Ann Porter, by Thomas Taylor, J. P.

---- Wm. Winsor to Rachel Leatherman, by John Plummer, J. P.

---- George Justin to Sarah Chandler, by John Plummer, J. P.

---- A. I. Allen to Ann Eliza Kaufman, by Rev. J. T. Tate.

---- James Biggs to Margaret Mitchell, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

---- Byron Rice to Hannah C. Colder, by Rev. C. C. Townsend.

CHAPTER XVIII

_Historic Roads and Other Monuments_

In the early days it was essential to establish means of communication

between points. Where there were no navigable rivers the legislatures,

and even congress, passed certain acts establishing roads. The

Territorial legislature which met in Burlington in 1838 and 1839 among

many other road laws approved the following passed January 25, 1839:

"That Isaac [Israel] Mitchell, of Linn county, Iowa, John G.

Fay, of Cedar county, and Jonathan Pettibone, of Muscatine

county, be and are hereby appointed commissioners to lay out

a road commencing at Bloomington, Muscatine county, thence to

Rochester and Cedar county and thence to the county seat of

Linn county. That said commissioners, or a majority of them,

shall meet at Burlington on the first Monday of May next to

discharge their duties."--Section 3, p. 461, Laws of Iowa.

"It is further enacted that Alfred Carter, Warren Stiles and

A. F. Russell, of Scott county, be and are hereby appointed

commissioners to lay out a territorial road commencing at

Davenport, Scott county, thence to Hickory Grove, thence to

Poston's Grove, thence to Red Oak Grove, thence to Pioneer

Grove, thence to Big Linn Grove, thence to the seat of

justice of Linn county, said commissioners to meet, or a

majority of them, to discharge their duties at Davenport on

the first Monday of May next."--Section 8, p. 462, Laws of

Iowa.

A number of these laws were passed laying out what were known as

"territorial and state roads." For example, there was the well known

Dubuque-Iowa City road passing through Anamosa, Springville, and Mount

Vernon. Then there were the two well known roads passing through

Marion, one known as the Toledo road running nearly directly west of

Cedar Rapids to Toledo, and a road much travelled in the early day; the

other road branched from the Toledo road about four miles west of the

city and was an angling road known in this county as the Marengo road,

the State road, as well as the Des Moines road, which also was laid out

over high ground in nearly a straight angling line to Marengo, and then

west through Brooklyn, Grinnell, and Newton to Des Moines. This road

was used much by the forty-niners crossing the state for the gold

fields of California, and now and then some farmer has picked out of

his field where the old road has been changed little horse shoes, shoes

used for oxen, hammers and hatchets, and other utensils which had been

left or lost by the early gold seekers.

There were two roads between Cedar Rapids and Marion well known in the

early days, one called the old Marion road and the other running about

where the street railway now runs.

Another road which was much used in the early days was known as the

Cedar Rapids and Center Point road. It was much travelled by all people

from the north part of the county.

Another road was the Marion-Mt. Vernon road, as well as the Western

road, and the Mt. Vernon-Ivanhoe Bridge road leading to Iowa City.

The Code of 1851, referring to the State roads, directs that these

roads shall be maintained by the respective counties but that such

State roads shall not be discontinued or diminished in size.--Sections

557, 558, Code of Iowa, 1851.

At this time roads were under the supervision of the county court.

Later they came under the supervision of the county supervisors.

For many years it was believed that a certain hill overgrown by trees

near the Milwaukee tracks in the edge of Kenwood had been a

fortification erected by the United States government in the early days

for defending the settlers from Indian attacks.

A school house was later erected on or near this locality and was known

as "Ft. George School House." Many of the old settlers remembered this

locality and called it the old fort. An investigation was made and the

following letter written by Samuel W. Durham explains itself:

"The house was built by a man by the name of George, of

German descent, and afterwards bought and occupied by

Ambrose Harland who gave the little irregular tract and

house the name of Ft. George in honor of its first owner and

its having the appearance of being constructed to resist,

not Indians, but cold winds as they swept up Indian creek.

Harland was a character, born in Kentucky, removed to

Crawfordsville, Indiana, and was the sheriff of that county.

This was the home of Lew Wallace, the author of Ben Hur, and

also the home of Henry S. Lane who first named Abraham

Lincoln as president in a convention in Chicago in 1860.

Harland moved to Linn county succeeding Hosea W. Gray as

sheriff, and was succeeded by me in that office. He was a

six-footer and large and would fight, but once fell heavily

before Perry Oxley's huge fist."

The person who erected the house which appeared like a fort was no

other than George Hesing, who owned the land and was a peculiar

character in his day. He did plant cottonwood trees around the house

and also scraped up dirt so as to keep out the wind and snows as much

as possible from his yard. In a few years the trees grew up and the

rubbish accumulated, and they gave the place the appearance and made it

look like an old abandoned fortification. It is said that a certain Mr.

Willard having charge of the erection of a school house near this

location named it the "Ft. George School House," which name it bore as

long as it stood there.

A number of plats have been filed in the recorder's office at Marion,

and these have again been transcripted for public use, but before towns

could be platted a number of towns were staked out before the land was

laid out and surveyed by the government; of these plats we have no

record. The first plat was, no doubt, that of Westport, located on the

banks of the Cedar river and near Bertram. This was staked out by

Israel Mitchell July 4, 1838. Ivanhoe was laid out some distance below

at the present Ivanhoe bridge in the same year. Another town was staked

out by J. Wilbert Stone along the Cedar river at the lower rapids

within the corporate limits of the present Cedar Rapids. There is no

record of any plat of this town. In 1844 Westport was again platted as

Newark by James M. Doty. This is the first recorded plat and seems to

have been filed November 21, 1844, by John Zinbar, recorder. (See Vol.

A, p. 301, Lands.) This is now a corn field and has long since been

vacated.

New Linden was another town platted in the early days; this plat was

filed by P. S. Embree, surveyor, April 15, 1853, being property owned

by A. E. Simpson and A. P. Risley and located on sections 27 and 28,

township 84, range 5, Brown township. This, also, now is nothing but a

corn field.

Another was the plat of New Buffalo in the town of New Buffalo which is

filed in Vol. 4, p. 217, of the Land Records of Linn county; this has

also been vacated.

The plat of the town of Mayfield was made by J. M. May and filed for

record in Vol. 143, p. 624. It bordered on the Cedar river and embraced

lot 4 and part of section 34, township 83, range 7. It also has been

abandoned, although May's twenty-five additions, re-plats, etc., made

by Major May, are still parts of additions to Cedar Rapids. Major May

was a man of enthusiasm, and speculated, believing, with Colonel

Sellers, that in every enterprise he undertook there would be millions,

but he died a poor, unknown and disappointed man.

Many of the old town sites have been vacated, and many of the old

postoffices and country stores which one found throughout the county in

the early fifties can no longer be found on the map. From _Iowa as It

Is_, published in 1855, at page 153 we find the following notices

concerning Linn county towns and postoffices: Spring Grove, Boulder,

Central Point, Cedar Oak, Newark, St. Julien, Ivanhoe, and Hoosier

Grove, besides such towns as Cedar Rapids, Palo, Marion, and Mount

Vernon. The book also mentions Iowa Conference Seminary, with a three

story building, and with Rev. S. N. Fellows as superintendent.

N. H. Parker in his _Handbook of Iowa_, issued in 1856, mentions a few

more new towns not mentioned in the previous list, as follows: Fairfax,

Lisbon, Lafayette, Mon Diu, Necot, Oak Grove, Prospect Hill, St. Mary,

Springville, and Valley Farm. This author also speaks of the newspapers

published in the county, the _Register_ at Marion, and the _Times_, the

_Farmer_, and the _Democrat_ at Cedar Rapids.

Another handbook of the state, published by J. G. Mills, of New York,

in 1857, mentions the towns set out in the handbook of a year previous

and adds the new town of much promise by the high-toned name of Paris,

located in Jackson township, near the present town of Coggon.

Few, if any, today can locate those villages and towns which sprang up

from time to time over the county, and which long since have passed out

of history and memory.

Of the newspapers published at that time only the Marion _Register_ has

continued to be issued. The others have passed away and one does not

now know who were the editors and publishers of these early attempts at

journalism in the pioneer days. These newspapers, no doubt, did much in

keeping open the spirit of the people and in advertising the state.

[Illustration: BUTLER PARK AT SPRINGVILLE]

[Illustration: BUSINESS DISTRICT OF SPRINGVILLE]

CHAPTER XIX

_Some of the Old Settlers_

It is, perhaps, impossible to say even now with any degree of

certainty, who was the first actual settler in Linn county. However, it

is not very difficult to mention at least some of the early settlers.

It is said that Dyer Usher and James Ames came up the Cedar river as

far as the rapids on a hunting expedition as early as the spring of

1836; how long these men remained in what later became Linn county is

not known, but it is not likely that they stayed very long. We have

pretty good evidence that later during the summer came Daniel C. Doty,

his two sons, James, and Elias, and nephew, Jacob Crane, as far as

Bertram and viewed the country expecting to locate when land was thrown

open for settlement. Mr. Doty was born in Essex county, New Jersey, in

1764, had early drifted west to Cincinnati, and by boat had come down

the Ohio and up the Mississippi, landing at what is now Muscatine. His

children were born in Ohio. They followed the Cedar river until they

struck what became later Linn county to locate claims. There were no

settlers here, and they found no people with whom to converse, but

figured that here would be a good location to get cheap land when this

land was opened for settlement. They returned to Ohio for their

families, expecting to return the following spring, but they did not,

in fact, return for three years on account of the financial depression.

Israel Mitchell staked out the town first called Westport in July,

1838, which town was later called Newark, named in honor of Newark, New

Jersey, where the family originally came from. Here Elias Doty, Jr.,

was born in October, 1841. Elias Doty, Sr., erected the first sawmill

on Big creek in 1841, in the erection of which mill he was killed in

the raising of the timbers. Daniel Doty, Sr., had the following sons,

to-wit: James, Elias, John, and Daniel, all young men who early drifted

west. Daniel C. Doty, the father of these sons, was never a resident of

this county, but simply came here to find homes for his children. He

died in Ohio in 1849; the widow died in Ohio in 1863 at the advanced

age of ninety-eight.

James Doty, born in 1809, was the first real pottery maker in Iowa. He

had learned the trade in Ohio. This crude pottery building was standing

on the old homestead up to within a few years ago. At the time of his

death, January 17, 1847, he had over three hundred jars, jugs, crocks,

etc., ready for delivery. In this early day there was great demand for

such merchandise as it was something every farmer had to have, and it

could only be obtained in a few places and at high prices on account of

the transportation.

Another Linn county pioneer well known in the early days was Israel

Mitchell, who staked out the town of Westport in 1838. Mr. Mitchell was

born in Kentucky, January 15, 1796, the son of Moses Mitchell, of

Scotch descent, and on the mother's side, Elizabeth Grant, of Welsh

descent, and a near relative of Daniel Boone, the Indian fighter. As a

young man Israel Mitchell attended a Kentucky college and graduated

therefrom. He studied for the ministry, but gave that up on account of

his voice, and later took a course in medicine, but gave up the

practice, as his step-daughter, Mrs. Slavin, writes, "because he was

too tender hearted." He had studied law as well as surveying. After his

marriage he removed to Ohio in the early '20s with his wife and two

children, viz: Angeline and John Mitchell. He soon drifted into

Indiana, and from there he removed to Wisconsin, working in the lead

mines near Apple river in the southwest part of the state as surveyor.

From Wisconsin he came by way of Dubuque to Linn county in the spring

of 1838 in company with John, James, and Chamber Hunter, and Jacob

Leabo. They all settled on the banks of the Cedar river in sections 32

and 33, township 83, range 6. Mr. Mitchell was a widower at this time

and he and his children stayed with the Leabo family. At Marion he

married Mrs. Mary Ross, nee Mary Arnold, a native of Princeton, New

Jersey, on November 7, 1845, Esquire Goudy, one of the first justices

of the peace, performing the marriage ceremony according to the

territorial laws of Iowa. Of this marriage were born five children:

Luther H., Caroline, Israel, Boone, and Maris Morton. By her first

marriage Mrs. Ross had four children. She died in Oregon in 1858.

Mr. Mitchell sat on the first grand jury summoned in the county, was

one of the first justices of the peace in the county, and was also the

first probate judge. He acted as a frontier lawyer, did more or less

surveying, at which he was an expert, and in many ways was a most

useful man to the community. Mr. Mitchell was a true southerner, his

home was always open, and he did much entertaining. He spent much of

his time interesting his friends and acquaintances in new enterprises,

and in various ways tried to build up a great town on the banks of the

Cedar river. Whether it was due to the failure of his new town to

materialize or the western fever that got hold of him, we do not know,

but just at a time when he should have remained he saw fit to emigrate,

going with oxen overland with his family in 1847, locating about eight

miles southwest of Portland, Oregon. Here he tilled the soil and became

a noted surveyor. In 1873 he returned to Linn county to visit his old

friends, giving glowing descriptions of the far west and especially of

the Spokane country. On his return by way of San Francisco to Portland

he fell in one of the gangways on the steamer, and received injuries

from which he died a few days later after reaching home. Mr. Mitchell

was a member of the Presbyterian church and affiliated with the

democratic party. J. J. Daniels, his old friend, described Judge

Mitchell as follows: "He was truly an educated man, and in early life

had learned the science of surveying, and this was the work he was

particularly called for; when not engaged in this occupation he farmed

and kept a ferry. When the writer became acquainted with him on the

Cedar river he was an active man on foot and could swim almost equal to

a duck; bathing in the Cedar in warm weather was his usual custom. He

was a medium sized man and stood very straight and erect, having black

hair a little tinged with grey, large blue eyes, a high, round

forehead, and in appearance resembled Edgar A. Poe, and was equally as

brilliant a poet as Poe, having enough manuscript to make a book of

poems. He was truly a Christian man in many acts of kindness, and

verified his profession of faith in a true Christian religion."

Robert Ellis, Linn county's oldest living settler, was born in

Westmoreland, county, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1817, emigrated to Ohio

in 1837, later to Michigan, and started on foot to Iowa Territory in

the winter of 1838. He remained for a few weeks in Cedar county and

started again on foot looking for a claim in the timber near some

river. Coming to the present site of Cedar Rapids the first man he

found was a man by the name of Hull, who held down a claim where the T.

M. Sinclair Company packing house is now located; coming further up

along the river he found the tavern of Osgood Shepherd. Mr. Ellis liked

the place and staked out his claim on his present location near what is

known as Ellis Park. He was at work there cutting wood one day when

Shepherd came along with another man, and insisted that this claim

belonged to him. Ellis was not easily frightened, and as Shepherd was

going to attack him, Ellis raised his ax and threatened to chop his

head in two if he took another step. This threatening attitude on the

part of Ellis frightened Shepherd and he and his companion retreated,

Ellis never being disturbed afterwards. Shepherd never referred to the

matter. The next summer when Shepherd's father died Ellis and

Lichtebarger made the coffin and assisted at the burial, when Shepherd

seemed to be very much touched by the kindness of these two men and

thanked them profusely.

Ellis became a friend of the Lichtebarger boys and also of O. S.

Bolling. Bolling and Ellis assisted Tom Lewis, the old pioneer, to get

his wagon and cattle across the river when he came west to locate, on

what became later known as "Lewis Bottoms." Ellis worked for awhile at

the Winnebago Mission at Ft. Atkinson, Iowa, where he met a number of

military men who later became known in the Mexican war, as well as in

the Civil war.

As he was frequently in company with men who took newspapers and who

had travelled about the country, he heard of the gold excitement in

California and at once crossed the country to Marion wanting to go

west. At Marion he met Dan Mentzer, a man by the name of Harvey, and

another person by the name of Green. They purchased an outfit and

started for California in April, 1849, arriving at the diggings in that

state the same summer after many hard experiences. He remained for

several years digging gold as a placer miner and keeping a grocery

store, and for a time he ran a stage between Georgetown and Coloma,

earning express, passengers, and the mail. Here he met and associated

with Sutter, the old German who discovered the first gold diggings, as

well as his partner, saw Fair, Huntington, Mackey, and the boisterous

Stewart, some of them "running saloons today and owning mines

tomorrow." After remaining in California for seven years he returned

home by way of the Nicaragua route and there met and talked with

General Walker, the famous filibusterer.

Philip Hull, according to Robert Ellis, had arrived in what became

Cedar Rapids just a very few weeks before he came. He says: "Hull was

of my age and I took a liking to him. He weighed about 170 pounds, was

about five feet eight inches tall, had dark hair and was stoop

shouldered. He was a native of Ohio, and returned to Illinois or Ohio

in 1840 to get married, as he was very lonesome out here on the

prairies of Iowa. Hull never returned to Cedar Rapids. Mr. Hull and I

walked to William Abbe's and bought four yoke of oxen, a wagon, and a

breaking plow. We had but little money so we agreed that in payment for

this property we should break 75 acres of land and cut and split 10,000

rails, which we did. It took two men to break, one to handle the cattle

and one to hold the plow. It was no easy job on a hot day when the oxen

would pull for a pond with all their might if not closely watched, and

many were the times they would give us the slip and would lie down in

the pond and we could do nothing but wait till the air cooled and night

came on. Neither one of us made anything, and I saw nothing of Mr. Hull

till I met him at Sacramento, California, where he had preceded me by

several months. We often talked over our lives in Linn county, neither

one at the time even believing that Cedar Rapids had any future. Hull

was an agreeable companion, a splendid fellow and square in all his

dealings. He preferred frontier life and would be content in no other

locality except on the frontier."

Ellis says further of Wm. Abbe:

"Abbe and I were in partnership in dealing with the

government. Abbe made the deals with the government and I

made most of the purchases from the settlers. At one time

Abbe and I had just completed a contract with the government

for provisions, and then Indian Agent Harvey in St. Louis

insisted that we must also furnish 100 cattle within six

days at Ft. Atkinson. This was rather a difficult task but

Abbe said we had to do it and we rode away in a hurry back

home to buy up cattle and drive them back to be there in

time. We worked day and night and had the cattle at Ft.

Atkinson on time. As Abbe had to go to Prairie du Chien I

was ordered to return home with $1,000.00 in gold which had

been paid for the cattle. I did not like to go alone over

the open prairie with the money but there was no way out of

it and so I started bright and early. That night I reached

Quasqueton and stayed over night at a small tavern where

there were all kinds of people hanging about. The next day I

set out again and got down in the neighborhood of Center

Point and there spied a deer. I got off my horse and loaded

my gun, aimed, and fired. The horse shied and off it started

on a dead run with the gold in the saddle bags. I next

wanted to shoot the horse for it was worth much less than

the money, but before I could reload the horse was out of

range. I ran as fast as I could and in an hour found the

horse tied to a tree in the timber with the gold safe in the

saddle bags."

Asked how about the deer, Mr. Ellis replied, "Well, I never took time

to see whether I killed that deer or not. I was so excited about that

gold and that horse that I forgot the deer at that time and never

turned around to look."

Since his return home Mr. Ellis has lived quietly on his claim, which

now for the most part has been platted into city lots. Mr. Ellis is the

only person now living who can remember when he saw one cabin here

become a city of 34,000 inhabitants.

John J. Daniels, the son of Jeremiah Daniels, came to Bertram township

in the spring of 1844, his father entering land on what is known as

Indian creek, erecting a log house and barn thereon. J. J. Daniels was

one of the first school teachers in the county. He held many township

offices, and was for a time county recorder. Jerry Daniels died in

1882, and John J. Daniels a short time ago.

James Bassitt and wife came to Linn county in March, 1839, and Mrs.

Bassitt is supposed to have been the first white woman to cross Indian

creek, a stream which empties into the Cedar river below Cedar Rapids.

A short time afterwards Rufus H. and Sarah Ann Lucore came from

Pennsylvania and stopped with the Bassitts. On the first day of April,

1839, arrived Joseph H. and John Lichtebarger, locating on what became

Kingston or West Cedar Rapids; later a brother, Isaac, also arrived.

These brothers erected one of the first cabins, in May of that year, on

the west side of the river. It is still standing.

At what became Central City arrived in August, 1839, Joseph Clark and

family; this place was for a long time known as Clark's Ford. Here Mr.

Clark erected a primitive grist mill by selecting a hollow gum and

placing in the trunk of the tree a stone; upon this was placed another

stone which was operated by a long sweep and turned on a pivot; in this

rude manner enough meal was ground out to supply the family.

Joel and James Leverich arrived in this county some time in 1839, and

chose for their home what became later known as "Mound Farm." Ira

Leverich jumped a claim which had been staked out in April of this year

by Rufus Lucore and after more or less trouble, in which the settlers

took Lucore's part, Leverich had to yield and give up his pretended

right. Joel was a noted character. He is described as a man of

commanding presence. For a number of years he controlled the elections

and it was told that "as Joel Leverich went so went Linn county." Dr.

S. D. Carpenter, who arrived in 1849, has the following to say about

Joel Leverich: "I had hardly got settled until I was interviewed by old

Joel Leverich, the noted character of Linn county of that day. He was

known as the 'bogus coon' because, as was alleged, he had to do with

counterfeiters. He was a power in politics and was the kind of a man

from which the modern boss has evoluted. Joel looked me over, asked

where I was from, where I was going, and what my business was, etc. I

was somewhat indignant and tried to be sarcastic, but Joel in

terminating his interview with me squelched me by remarking, 'Young

man, a fellow who wears such a hat as you may pass in this country, but

I consider it d--d doubtful.' I, unfortunately, wore a black plug hat

which was not the style in Iowa at that time. In after years Joe and I

became fast friends and I became quite convinced that the shady stories

told of him were the talk of enemies who were jealous of him because he

was smarter than the greater majority of them. I was with him when he

died and although he was a free thinker he passed away with all the

calmness of a stoic philosopher." When on his death bed some one said

to Leverich, "Joe, you have burned the candle at both ends." "Yes," he

replied, "and now it burns me in the middle."

[Illustration: PICNIC AT HOME OF GEO. L. DURNO, SPRINGVILLE, 1884]

[Illustration: ILLINOIS CENTRAL DEPOT, CENTRAL CITY]

George R. Carroll in his _Pioneer History_, speaking of Leverich, says:

"The Mound Farm did not remain long in the possession of Broady,

possibly a year and a half, when it came into possession of the

notorious Joel Leverich; everybody knew him and everybody dreaded him,

especially when he was under the influence of liquor, which was often

the case. Even his best friends then felt it to be prudent to give him

a wide berth, not knowing what instant he would take it into his head

to knock them down. Whiskey seemed to make a demon of him, and to

attempt to reason with him while under its influence would have been as

futile as to try to reason with a cyclone. His poor wife, a most

patient and estimable Christian woman, would sometimes hide away from

him for days lest in his fits of uncontrol and uncontrollable passion

he might take her life. And yet old Joe, as he was popularly called,

had a good deal of influence in the community. He was a strong partisan

politician, and whoever arrayed himself against him was sure to have a

hard battle to fight and in the end would very likely meet with defeat.

He was as keen and cunning and wily as the old serpent himself, and it

was very hard to circumvent him in his plans. He was accused of

harboring horse thieves and of making counterfeit money; as to whether

he ever did either or not I could not say."

While T. S. Parvin was United States attorney at Muscatine Joel

Leverich was tried for counterfeiting, and while Parvin had said some

hard things about Joel's mode of making a living he had also said some

very nice things about Joel's wife. Later Leverich called on Parvin at

the hotel, insisting upon speaking with him. Parvin's friends warned

him not to do so as Joe would likely kill him, but Mr. Parvin thought

he would take his chance and Joe did see him. Leverich said, "Ain't you

afraid of me?" "No," replied Parvin, "you can kill me if you want to

but you cannot scare me." "Well," replied Joe, "I admire your grit; I

came not to scare you or to hurt you but to tell you that you did tell

the truth about my wife." Some time after that Parvin passed where

Leverich lived and accepted of Mr. Leverich's hospitality.

Joel Leverich's brother, James, was a saloonkeeper in Cedar Rapids and

when he ascertained that Joel's death was due to his dissipation,

causing a serious stomach trouble, he quit the business. Joel Leverich

sold his claim in 1843 to Judge Greene. He resided near the McCloud Run

for a short time and then moved to town, dying in the '40s.

One of the most unique characters in Cedar Rapids, and a person we know

the least about, was Osgood Shepherd, who was a hunter and trapper and

who is said to have erected the first log cabin on the banks of the

Cedar river where the Y. M. C. A. building now stands, unless Wilbert

Stone's claim is correct that he was first. When Robert Ellis came to

the Shepherd tavern in April or May, 1838, Shepherd had lived here for

some time. He had a wife and his father was living with him at that

time, and he also had a number of men who hung about his place, but

what their business was no one knew. The log house was about 16×20,

covered with clapboards which were held in place by logs on top with

ends protruding at the gables. There were also in the family three

children, who made things lively about the house. This small cabin was

known as Shepherd's Tavern. From Mr. Ellis's description of Shepherd,

he was more than six feet tall, of a sandy or reddish complexion, was

good natured as a rule and was an accommodating and agreeable landlord.

He was accused of being a horse thief, but Mr. Ellis does not know that

he ever engaged in this kind of business. However, this is true, that

his morals were not of the highest order and it is believed that he

harbored horse thieves who, in fact, were his special favorites. On the

various islands in the river they secreted their stolen goods. It was

also stated that in Wisconsin he was convicted of horse stealing and

sent to the penitentiary, but how true this is no one knows. His father

and one or two children died here and were buried on top of the hill

where the Cedar Rapids Candy Company's large building has since been

erected. Mr. Ellis says that Shepherd told him he was from New York

state and for some time had been a sailor on the lakes before coming

west. He held all the land as a squatter, and when N. B. Brown, Addison

Daniels, H. G. Angle, and others came they had to buy Shepherd off in

order to get title to this property. The patent to this land was dated

December 1, 1845, although quit claim deeds and prior rights were dated

in 1843, Addison Daniels and Nicholas B. Brown being the patentees. The

patents included grants in the amount of two hundred and sixty-nine

acres, and showed that they had paid the amount due at the land office

at Marion according to the provisions of Act of Congress of April 24,

1820.

Osgood Shepherd had a friend named Bill Fisher, who always stuck by

him, and of whom Shepherd's father used to say, "that when he moved

something was going to happen, but it was not very often that he

moved." He was a slow-going, lazy sort of an individual, and what

Shepherd saw in Fisher, Ellis never knew. Nothing is known of Fisher

and what became of him. In the fall of 1841 Shepherd removed to

Wisconsin and was later killed in a railway accident. His widow married

a person by the name of Carpenter and removed to Linn county, residing

near Center Point. What became of the Shepherd family no one has been

able to learn.

Osgood Shepherd and the pioneer settlers with whom he associated were

perhaps no worse or no better than the average frontiersmen. They had

been trained in hardship and sordid poverty, and the women bore the

stamp of the early pioneers, devoted to their families, shirking no

hardships, ever willing to move westward on account of the freedom

gained and the opportunities offered.

Of a different type of mankind was the progressive, enterprising and

enthusiastic Nicholas B. Brown, who purchased Shepherd's claim, the

most prominent figure in the history of the early days of Cedar Rapids.

Mr. Brown arrived in 1840, purchasing the rights of Shepherd with

Addison Daniels and others. On August 4, 1841, he began surveying what

was then known as Rapids City. He improved the water power which Brown

early foresaw would make the town. A saw mill was completed in 1842 and

the waters of the Cedar began to make its machinery hum; this was the

first real enterprise of which the town could be proud. A woolen

factory was also erected by Brown, which was later disposed of to the

Bryan family. In 1846 and 1847 a grist mill was also added. On account

of his many enterprises in which he had to depend on others Mr. Brown

was involved in much litigation, but he was a born fighter for whatever

he thought was right and accumulated a fortune because he had the

tenacity of purpose to hold on to what he had purchased. As a pioneer

he did some excellent work and certainly was one of the shrewdest

business men of Cedar Rapids in his day and generation.

Mr. Brown was born in the state of New Jersey in 1814, removing as a

young man to the state of Kentucky. His first wife was Catherine Craig,

daughter of Thomas Craig, one of the pioneers. She lived only a few

years. His second wife was Susan Emery, daughter of one of the early

settlers of this city. Mr. Brown died in 1880, one of the most honored

and respected men in the community, survived by his widow and two sons,

Emery Brown and Harry Brown. The widow died in 1909, one of the best

known and most respected in the city, having personally known nearly

all of the settlers in the '50s and '60s.

Dyer Usher is said to have hunted and trapped in Linn county as early

as 1836 in company with one Jim Ames; how true this is cannot be

ascertained, but he did come to locate in 1838. He came of a sturdy

family, was born in Ohio, and at the age of eighteen in 1832 he crossed

the Mississippi, being one of the first white settlers to step upon

Iowa soil. Mr. Usher brought the first divorce suit in Linn county.

This business has grown by leaps and bounds since that time. He

attended for a number of years the old settlers meetings and was a well

known figure in the early days in this county. Mr. Usher was thrifty,

honest, and fair in his dealings. He died December 11, 1894, at the age

of eighty years. His widow, Rosanna Harris, died in 1909 at Covington

at the age of seventy-nine. She was born June 6, 1829, in London,

Canada, and with her parents emigrated to Iowa in 1845. She was united

in marriage to Dyer Usher July 29, 1847. To this union were born twelve

children, of whom five survived her: Willard R., of Alberta, Canada,

Mrs. Alice Harris, of Estherville, Mrs. A. H. Miller, of Cedar Rapids,

Mrs. Ray Lockhart, of Shellsburg, and Dyer N. Usher, of Covington. She

had been a resident of Linn county for sixty-three years.

It is still a disputed question as to who was the first actual settler

on what later became Cedar Rapids. It is true that Shepherd ran a sort

of hotel or tavern and was the best known man in this part of the

country in that early date, but it is not likely that he was the first

man to build a log cabin here. Philip Hull had been located in the

lower end, when Ellis arrived in 1838, and Ellis also found William or

Wilbert Stone in possession of the land on the west side of the river,

and he was the one who staked out what he called "Columbus" in 1838,

having previously staked out Westport and sold his claim to John Henry.

Information as regards William Stone has lately been discovered through

a daughter residing at North Liberty. She states that her father's name

was James Wilbert Stone, but he was commonly called William or Billy;

that he was born in the state of Rhode Island and drifted west into

Iowa in 1832 or 1833, and that he always asserted that he built the

first cabin on land which later became Cedar Rapids. It is said that he

drifted west by way of Muscatine or Rock Island and followed the Cedar

river as far as Ivanhoe, later coming to the rapids of the Cedar river.

Mr. Ellis says that he knew William Stone very well; that he was a

quiet, congenial, splendid fellow, and at this time resided on the west

side, having a claim along the river extending northward to the bluff,

and that a Mr. Galloway claimed south of a large cottonwood tree on the

same side of the river. Stone and Galloway were on good terms and owned

the adjoining claims. John Young and a man by the name of Granger, O.

Shepherd, and Philip Hull were the owners or claimants of the land on

the east side of the river. The daughter of Stone asserts that her

father always said that he first located his claim on the east side of

the river. It may be that Stone may have moved across the river after

Shepherd erected his tavern, and made claim to the land near and

adjoining the rapids. It is intimated by Ellis that Stone and Shepherd

were not on the best of terms and Shepherd, being a large, pompous kind

of a person, he might have driven the more quiet and less assertive new

neighbor across the river. The daughter of William Stone, or James

Wilbert Stone, Mrs. Elizabeth Hrdlicka, states that her father bought

goods and traded with the Indians for furs for some years, and that the

last time her father talked to her he told her that he was sorry he

ever gave up the town of Cedar Rapids but did not think then that it

would amount to anything. In 1843 he removed from what was Cedar Rapids

to the Iowa river and married Elizabeth G. Brown and settled in Oxford

township, Johnson county. To this union were born two girls: one, the

eldest, died and the second girl, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Hrdlicka, was

taken by her grandfather, Joseph Brown, on her mother's death when the

daughter was only four weeks old. After the death of his wife Stone

removed to Hudson, St. Croix county, Wisconsin. He returned to see his

daughter about once a year. He died at the age of forty-eight years in

the state of Wisconsin.

It seems from the story of the daughter of Stone, who is still living,

that James Wilbert Stone was undoubtedly the first actual settler on

the site which later became Cedar Rapids. From investigation it seems

that Shepherd may have jumped Stone's claim and for that reason Stone

removed across the river.

In Bailey & Hair's _Gazetteer_, 1865, the following mention is made of

William Stone: "The next [town site] in order of time was called

Columbus, built by William Stone, in September, 1838. He abandoned his

town the next spring, then being a single log cabin. The site was that

occupied by the present city of Cedar Rapids."

Mr. Stone was a speculator and a trader and had made some money trading

with the Indians prior to the advent of Shepherd. This is true, that

Stone did not harbor any people of unsavory reputations, and his whole

life bears the imprint that he was a gentleman even on the frontier.

Such a person people would not remember as well as a frontier character

like Shepherd. Shepherd, on the other hand, whatever may have been his

failings, was a man of a big heart, who attracted people to him. He had

the love of adventure, and it is not any secret but that he harbored

thieves and gave them more or less encouragement. Mr. Stone, on the

other hand, was an honest, quiet man, the opposite of his neighbor, and

it is not to be wondered at that they did not get along.

Another settler who came here at an early date was O. S. Bowling, or

Bolling, who came in the summer of 1838 making a claim on the west side

of the river and in whose honor Bowling's Hill in the south part of the

town was named. Mr. Bowling was a quiet man, a good neighbor, and one

universally loved by the old settlers.

In June, 1839, came Thomas Gainor and David W. King. These gentlemen

found Wilbert Stone, the Lichtebarger brothers, and the claims of

Young, Hull, Ellis, and Bowling. It is said that Mrs. Rosanna Gainer,

wife of Thomas Gainer, was the first white woman to locate on the west

bank of the river and consequently would be the second woman to locate

in what became Cedar Rapids, Mrs. Osgood Shepherd being the first. Mrs.

Gainer did not reside long in Cedar Rapids, as she died June 8, 1840,

giving birth to a daughter who also died the same summer.

David W. King became one of the most enterprising of the men of that

early day. He ran a ferry, platted the town of Kingston, and died, the

owner of much land, in the autumn of 1854. His death caused much sorrow

in Cedar Rapids.

In July, 1839, arrived Isaac Carroll and family, consisting of nine

persons, all of whom were well known by the early settlers. A son, Rev.

George R. Carroll, has written interestingly of the Carrolls, Weares,

and others of the early settlers in his _Pioneer Life in and Around

Cedar Rapids from 1839 to 1849_.

Another early character was John Vardy, who arrived in July 1841, and

built, it is stated, the first frame house at the corner of Third

street and Sixth avenue, during the summer of 1842. Mr. Vardy was a

cabinet maker and an all-round person in the use of tools. He removed

to Texas in 1856 where he died in the fall of 1878.

Another of the old settlers was Thomas Downing, a native of Posey

county, Indiana, and a tailor by trade who at the age of nineteen

drifted into Iowa and in the early '40s came to Linn county. He was a

clerk in the Daniels Company store, removing in 1855 to Waverly to

conduct a business for Greene Bros., of Cedar Rapids. He died in

Waverly in 1896.

Samuel F. Hook was another of the residents of Cedar Rapids who came in

1845 at the age of twenty-one, a native of the state of Virginia. He

died in 1848, and it is thought he was one of the first, if not the

first, real store keeper within the boundaries of what became Cedar

Rapids.

J. H. Kelsey was born in New York state in 1819, and arrived in Cedar

Rapids in 1848. He was a carpenter by trade. He removed to Vinton in

1863, going later to Nebraska where he passed away some time ago.

[Illustration: METHODIST CHURCH, CENTER POINT]

[Illustration: SOUTH MAIN STREET, TROY MILLS]

Steve L. Pollock, a native of Pennsylvania, arrived in Cedar Rapids in

the early '40s and married Marilla Lucore, a daughter of one of the

early settlers, in March, 1844. He was the pioneer blacksmith and is

supposed to have built the third or fourth house in the city. Harrison

Campbell, it is stated, was the owner of the first blacksmith shop, in

1843. Mr. Pollock emigrated west in 1865 and died in Hood River,

Oregon, in 1902. He was a brother-in-law of William Stewart, one of the

old settlers of this city, both of them well and favorably known among

the early pioneers of Cedar Rapids.

Hiram Deem was a native of Ohio and at the age of twenty-eight or

twenty-nine located at Cedar Rapids and hired out to N. B. Brown. He

helped to build the dam across the river, erected saw mills, and

otherwise was a very useful man in a town with the boom spirit that

Cedar Rapids had at that time. He was also one of the first justices of

the peace and many a scrap was settled in his house, which stood on

First street on the west side. He entered the army and died from

exposure in a hospital boat in January, 1863.

What later became known as "Time Check" was first entered by Farnum

Colby, who came here in 1839 and made his claim along the river about a

mile northwest of the First avenue bridge near Robert Ellis's claim. He

was a native of Pennsylvania and a very useful, hard-working man. From

here he removed to Olin, Jones county, where he died some years ago.

In the early '40s also came Charles R. Mulford from Hoboken, New

Jersey, and at once began as a town merchant, opening a store in the

Vardy house on Third street and Sixth avenue. He was one of the most

wide-awake business men of that day and had a good business, but was

caught with the gold fever and emigrated in 1849 to California, where

he died.

One of the best known men in the state in an early date was Col.

William H. Merritt. Mr. Merritt was born in New York city September 12,

1820, and received a fair education at Lima Seminary. At the age of

eighteen he was compelled to rely on his own resources and sought the

west, settling in Rock Island, Illinois, where he obtained a clerkship.

Through government officials and others he was sent to Ivanhoe on the

Red Cedar river in 1839 to take charge of an Indian trading depot.

Ivanhoe was a squatter town, being staked out in October, 1838, by

Anson Cowles. To this place, which was expected to become a large

trading center, came also at the same time George Greene, who taught

school in the vicinity during the winter of 1839. Mr. Merritt ran the

store with considerable ability, and long before the Civil war showed

his presence of mind and bravery. At this time, like in all other

stores of its kind, whiskey, tobacco, and groceries were sold over the

same counter, and one day a number of Indians came, insisting on buying

"goody toss," designated in English as whiskey. Mr. Merritt refused, as

he had such orders from his employers, but the Indians insisted and

began to take possession of the store, and intended to drive the young

clerk out. A few pioneer hangers-on fled, but not so the young clerk in

charge of the goods and the store. He got hold of an axe and with this

he cleaned out single handed a whole squad of Indians, who left as

quickly as they had made their appearance, much to the surprise of the

white settlers, who up to this time had always fled when the redskins

outnumbered them ten to one.

Mr. Merritt was related to George Greene by marriage, and the two men

were much together from this time on. Mr. Merritt became clerk in the

Assembly at Burlington in 1841 and in company with George Greene edited

the _Miners' Express_ at Dubuque. Later he was caught with the gold

fever rush and emigrated to California, returning in 1851, becoming

once more editor and part owner of the old paper. In 1855 he removed to

Ft. Dodge, being appointed registrar of the land office at that place.

He returned once more to Cedar Rapids and founded a banking house under

the style of Greene, Merritt & Co., which firm later disposed of their

banking interests to Sampson C. Bever. He was nominated for governor

on the democratic ticket in 1861 but was defeated by Samuel J.

Kirkwood. Later he enlisted and served with distinction during the

Civil war.

After the war Colonel Merritt became editor of the _Statesman_, one of

the leading democratic papers of the state. He died at his home in Des

Moines in 1891, mourned by a large circle of friends all over the

state. Colonel Merritt was for half a century one of the most all-round

men in Iowa and a leader of his party.

The Weare family arrived here in 1848 and for more than fifty years

were prominent factors in the upbuilding of Cedar Rapids. John Weare

became a noted banker and railroad promoter. Charles Weare became

engaged in constructing railroads and took charge of large contracts,

was mayor of Cedar Rapids, postmaster, and consul in foreign countries.

He was also connected with the First National Bank of Cedar Rapids, as

well as with the Cedar Rapids Water Company. George Weare became a

noted banker in Sioux City, and P. B. Weare and Ely E. Weare promoters

and members of the board of trade in the city of Chicago. Later they

promoted steamboat traffic in the Yukon country at the time of the gold

fever rush. All these were sons of John Weare, Sr., who removed here

from Michigan in the spring of 1845 in order to be with his children

who had previously emigrated. Mr. Weare, Sr., held the office of

justice of the peace up to the time of his death in 1856.

William Stewart, a native of Pennsylvania, located in Cedar Rapids in

1847 and entered the blacksmith shop of Pollock, later putting up his

own shop, and besides operating a large farm. Mr. Stewart removed to

California and died there in 1891, having acquired a fortune in Cedar

Rapids real estate.

Samuel S. Johnson was another Pennsylvanian who came to Cedar Rapids in

1847. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade but gave that up for

farming on arriving in Linn county. Mr. Johnson lived to the grand old

age of eighty-five, and passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs.

Robert Taylor.

One of the most enterprising, active business men who located in Cedar

Rapids in 1849 was Dr. Seymour D. Carpenter, who was then twenty-three

years of age, and had ostensibly come out here to practice medicine,

but he later turned his attention to land speculations, politics, and

other enterprises. Dr. Carpenter is still residing in Chicago, enjoying

a hale and hearty old age.

In order to give the reader an impression of Cedar Rapids as it was at

that time we shall quote Carpenter's splendid article contained in the

_History of Crescent Lodge_, by J. E. Morcombe, as follows:

"I turned north and went to Ottumwa where I met Judge

Greene, then a member of the Supreme Bench of Iowa; he

persuaded me that Cedar Rapids was in the near future to

become a metropolis and I decided to go there. After four

days' hard riding and swimming several swollen streams, I

struck the town on the afternoon of June 14, 1849; I crossed

the river on a rope ferry operated by David King, who lived

in a cabin on the west side; on the other side of the river

stood a cabin, once the home of a man named Shepherd, and

said to be the resort of thieves in an early day. I can not

say that I was very favorably impressed by the thirty or

forty small one-story unpainted houses that were scattered

about near the river. There seemed to be a great deal of

sand, and the houses were so situated that there was no sign

of a street. There were three two-story houses, one on the

river near the foot of what is now Third avenue called the

'Park House' in which the Greenes had their store, one on

Second street in which John Coffman kept a hotel, and one on

Third avenue back of the Dows & Ely block, also a hotel. I

was discouraged and would have travelled further but only

had about $10.00 left and from necessity had to stop. I put

up at the Coffman hotel which, as I have said, was a

two-story structure with a wing; it had been built of

unseasoned oak lumber and was not plastered; the whole of

the second story of the main building was in one room and

contained eight or ten beds and was the common sleeping room

of the guests. The lumber had shrunk and there could be no

complaint as to ventilation, however short the

accommodations might be in other respects....

"Within a week I made the acquaintance of all the people of

the town. Among the leading persons were William and Joseph

Greene, brothers of the Judge, Lowell and Lawson Daniels,

Homer Bishop and John Weare, all of whom were merchants. The

three stores of which they were the proprietors would not

compare well with the department stores of today, but all

the same they were department stores and in their

miscellaneous stocks the customer could find all he

wanted--from castor oil to broad axes.

"Pollack and Stewart were the blacksmiths, and the

carpenters and wagon makers were represented, but I can not

recall their names. There was also a saloon kept by James

Leverich, a brother of Joe, a respectable man and a good

Mason. The inhabitants were mostly young people, John Weare,

Sr., Deacon Kennedy and Porter Earl being the exceptions. I

found three doctors already located, Dr. Mansfield, Dr.

Traer and Dr. Larabee, the latter being what was called a

'steam doctor.' Isaac Cook and Henry Harmon represented the

law.

"The town was by no means dull; emigrants were coming daily,

and the saw mill operated by John Weare, Jr., was kept busy

cutting lumber for the new houses that were going up. There

was no church building, but Parson Jones preached in the

school house, as did preachers of other denominations, and

Sunday schools and Bible classes were in full blast.

"On the Fourth of July a grand ball was given at the Coffman

Hotel, to which flocked young people from Marion and all the

surrounding country; there were at least fifty couples. The

beds were removed from our common sleeping quarters, which,

decorated with green boughs, became a ball room. Every part

of the house was crowded and the fun was fast and furious.

Only one mishap slightly marred the festivities; near a

stove pipe hole at one end of the room the floor was

defective, and a husky reveler of more than ordinary weight

while executing the double shuffle broke through and fell

upon the heads below; no injury was done and the dance went

on.

"Dr. Mansfield took me as a partner and in company with

Judge Cook we had a room 10×16 in a small one-story building

opposite the mill, the other part being occupied by S. L.

Pollock and family; his blacksmith shop was nearby. Our

medicines were kept on a shelf and a store box made a table;

our bunks occupied one side and a few stools and two split

bottom chairs made up our furniture. We took our meals at

the Coffman Hotel; our field of practice embraced the

settlers, not numerous, in the valleys of the Cedar and Iowa

rivers and their tributaries; we made very long rides. I was

called to see a patient two miles above the present town of

Vinton not yet begun; I got lost in the night and waited for

daylight under a tree on the bank of the river at the very

place where Vinton now stands. Bilious fever and ague were

the prevailing diseases, all the newcomers having to undergo

one or both....

"We had mail three times a week from Dubuque and Iowa City;

the Higley brothers did the service in a two-horse hack; I

think Joseph Greene was postmaster. John Weare, Sr., was

justice of the peace; he was a very original character, fond

of company and full of interesting reminiscences extending

back to the war of 1812 in which he had lost a leg. His

small office was in the rear of Mrs. Ely's residence which

stood on the ground where the Dows and Ely block now is. He

gave 'nicknames' to many people and places which stuck to

them like burrs; the First Presbyterian church building was

begun that summer and as the walls were built of cement, Old

Mr. Weare named it 'The Muddy,' which it retained to the

last day of its existence."

Dr. Carpenter states how they tried to promote a railway from Cascade

to Fairfield, held meetings concerning railway extensions, and

appointed delegates from various counties to these conventions to

discuss the matter fully and to authorize the government to donate land

and have eastern people furnish the money. He says:

"Dr. J. F. Ely and myself were selected to go to Fairfield;

we left Cedar Rapids on December 3 and after a three days'

hard and cold travel reached Fairfield; Marion sent Col. I.

M. Preston and Dr. Ristine. The convention met in a small

school house; all the counties were represented; the Hon. C.

W. Slagle, of Fairfield, then a very young man, was chosen

president, and I was chosen secretary....

"We departed for our various homes thinking the work half

done, but sad to relate Cedar Rapids had to wait ten years

longer for a locomotive. These two meetings were, I think,

the first railroad conventions held in the interior of the

state. Soon opposition claims were started for east and west

lines and our project was ignominiously called the 'Ram's

Horn.' The next year was quite a stirring one; new people

were coming in great numbers and many were leaving, for the

California gold fever had broken out. Several outfits left

Cedar Rapids, with one of them Dr. Mansfield, my partner,

whose place was taken by Dr. S. C. Koontz, a cousin of mine,

well known to the old citizens.

"That year the first brick buildings were erected; a

dwelling on Iowa avenue, near Greene's opera house, and a

three-story building on Commercial street by Judge Greene,

which for a long time was the show building of the town; we

began to put on airs.

"In the spring of 1852 a steamboat came to Cedar Rapids; it

was a great event and attracted people from near and far;

she brought a cargo of freight, among which were the

household effects of Mr. Bever and my father, both of whom

from that time forward became citizens of the town. This

year, also, came Mr. Daniel O. Finch with a printing press

and forthwith started the _Progressive Era_, the first paper

in the Cedar valley. [The _Era_ was established in 1851.]

Ezra Van Metre, a talented young lawyer from Circleville,

Ohio, also came that year. Everyone was rejoiced that we had

an organ and the editor was overwhelmed with original

matter. There were at least a dozen young fellows in the

town, myself among the rest, who thought they 'knew it all,'

and anxiously rushed into print. The paper changed hands in

a year or two, and became the _Cedar Valley Times_, and

continued until a few years ago."

Dr. Carpenter sold his practice to Dr. Koontz and went into the land

business and in politics. Again we must quote what he has to say about

the county seat fight which commenced the first few years he was here:

"Cedar Rapids claimed that she was to be the commercial

metropolis and therefore ought to be the political center.

The question was brought to an issue by the county

commissioners ordering a new court house at Marion, subject

to the approval of the voters of the county. Cedar Rapids

opposed the measure, believing that the building would

insure the permanent location of the county seat. Then

ensued a most bitter canvass. The voters were deluged with

oratory. Marion put on the stump Judge Isbell, I. M.

Preston, Col. William Smyth, N. M. Hubbard, W. G. Thompson,

and R. D. Stephens, against whom Cedar Rapids opposed Jas.

J. Child, Ezra Van Metre, Donald McIntosh, A. S. Belt, E. N.

Bates, I. N. Whittam and others. Every school district was

canvassed and much bitter feeling engendered. The Marion

people were more adroit politicians and carried the

election, but the result did not discourage our citizens,

who asserted that no election could affect 'manifest

destiny.'

[Illustration: M. E. CHURCH, TROY MILLS]

[Illustration: MILL AT PRAIRIEBURG]

"About 1852 Major J. M. May came to Cedar Rapids from

Janesville, Wisconsin. The Major was a stirring man with a

head full of schemes. He said that Cedar Rapids was a place

of immense possibilities and only wanted enterprise to make

it the great town of Iowa. He bought land at the lower part

of town adjoining that owned by my father, and land on the

west side adjoining the river and below that owned by David

King. He platted out town lots on both sides of the river,

and induced my father and King to do the same, which were

the first additions made to the original town. He also

surveyed the island, sent a plat to the general government

and took possession of it, much to the chagrin and surprise

of the old settlers. Then he began to agitate the question

of a free bridge. Everyone wanted a free bridge but were

undecided as to the location. The Major induced my father to

subscribe $1500.00, and he gave $1000.00, which with sums

contributed by others in the lower end of the town secured

the location below the island at the narrowest place in the

river. The bridge was completed and thrown open to the

public, I think, in the late fall of 1852, and proved a

great convenience. The construction was defective and when

the ice broke up in the spring, the heavy cakes knocked down

two of the piers, and destroyed the greater part of the

bridge. All the people of the town were collected on the

bank of the river watching the event, and two young women

who were crossing went down with the structure and were

drowned. This was the first bridge built at Cedar Rapids.

The next was a bridge of boats at the foot of Iowa avenue

which I believe was also swept away by ice."

Dr. Carpenter speaks next of the formation of the real company who had

money and who meant business in the formation of what was then known as

the "Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railway," which built from Clinton to

Cedar Rapids and to the Missouri river. "Cedar Rapids was given first

directors as follows: Geo. Greene, John Weare, H. G. Angle, S. C. Bever

and S. D. Carpenter, which positions we held till the road was built to

Cedar Rapids."

In speaking of the amount of money put up by these men in order to get

this railway it is said that $200,000.00 was pledged by Cedar Rapids,

which amount was raised as follows: $100,000.00 by private subscription

and $100,000.00 by city bonds. Greene & Weare, then bankers, subscribed

$10,000.00; George Greene, $5,000.00; John Weare, $5,000.00; N. B.

Brown, $5,000.00; S. C. Bever, $5,000.00; Gabriel Carpenter, $5,000.00,

and numerous other smaller sums to make up the amount. Then a city

election was had and the $100,000.00 voted by an overwhelming majority.

Surveys of the route were begun at once, and from Mount Vernon and

Cedar Rapids two lines were seen; one by the way of Marion, and the

other by the river. It was ascertained that the latter route would be

the shorter and cheaper by $100,000.00 than the former, but the company

proposed to adopt the Marion route if she would subscribe $100,000.00.

This she declined to do, and the river line was chosen. Work progressed

slowly and the first year found the rails no further west than De Witt,

Clinton county.

Dr. Carpenter speaks of another railroad venture when a company was

formed known as the "Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad Company"

with L. B. Crocker, of New York, as president, and with Major Bodfish

and a number of Cedar Rapids men as directors.

"When the legislature assembled in 1859 and 1860 we invaded

the capital, and established our headquarters in an old

hotel near the river, the name of which I have forgotten.

Major Bodfish was the commissary of the body. We had no

money to expend, but determined to be hospitable. The Major

laid in a barrel of old rye whiskey; as it was before the

war, whiskey was cheap; also several boxes of cigars. One of

our strongest henchmen was J. W. Woodbury, a leading man

from Marshalltown, and with him Peter Hepburn, now an

honored congressman, then a very stripling, but showing

evident signs of what was in him. John A. Kasson was then a

young lawyer in Des Moines, and we secured him as our

attorney....

"The lawmakers were not in a hurry, but towards the last of

the session they passed our bill, and you may be sure there

was great rejoicing in Cedar Rapids. On our return the

citizens gave us a grand banquet in Greene's Hotel, and we

felt that we had at last secured a substantial victory for

our city, as in fact it was, for thenceforth Marion could no

longer be our rival. The cars came to Cedar Rapids in the

summer of 1859, just ten years after we had our first

railroad meeting, and we felt at last that hope had ended in

fruition. An immense concourse greeted their arrival from

all parts of the surrounding country. General D. N. Sprague,

then mayor, welcomed the guests, and the citizens threw open

hospitable doors to all comers. From that time forward Cedar

Rapids assumed metropolitan airs as the leading town of the

Cedar valley."

On politics Dr. Carpenter speaks as follows:

"From the first, on my arrival at Cedar Rapids, I became an

active partisan. General A. J. McKean of Marion was the

acknowledged leader, but the following was small. At the

state convention in 1851, held in Iowa City, I was the sole

representative from Linn county, and there were not more

than fifty delegates from the whole state. State officers

were nominated and also a candidate for congress. Colonel

Henderson, the father of J. W. Henderson of Cedar Rapids,

was named for congress, and without much opposition I

secured the nomination for secretary of state for my friend,

Isaac Cook, who up to that time was entirely unknown. I well

remember with what surprise he received the news. Although

there was no chance for his election it was the beginning

with him of a long and useful career in many offices of

trust, alike honorable to him and his constituents. As time

rolled on and our population of immigrants from the north

and especially from the New England states, and with the

bearing of the whig party towards slavery, they became more

hopeful, and by the year 1853 or 1854, the whigs carried the

county, electing both members of the legislature and the

county officers. John P. Conkey was the first member of the

legislature living in Cedar Rapids, and at the same election

Isaac Cook was chosen for a county office.

"About this time Charles Weare, Isaac Cook and many others

cut loose from their old convictions and became ardent free

soilers."

Dr. Carpenter speaks of how he abandoned medicine, how he opened a

banking house in 1855, and became a land owner, having at one time as

much as 1,600 acres of land near where the town of Norway now stands.

He was first connected with Lehman & Kreider, later forming the

partnership of Carpenter, Stibbs & Company, the firm doing business

until 1861. Dr. Carpenter attended the convention at Chicago that

nominated Lincoln and was one of the first to enlist in the Civil war

as a surgeon. He was mustered out in 1865.

Henry E., Harvey G., Wellington W., and Major M. A. Higley were for a

generation merchants, financiers, and leaders in many enterprises in

Cedar Rapids. They were born in the state of Connecticut, coming to

this county in the early '40s. Henry and Harvey Higley for some time

operated a line of stages from Dubuque to Iowa City, and for that

reason knew personally nearly all the prominent men of Iowa in the '40s

and '50s. Iowa City being the capital and Dubuque the most enterprising

city in the territory and state, the public men frequently travelled to

and from these cities. Harvey Higley "got caught" with the gold fever

and went to California, returning in a few years to Cedar Rapids. The

Higley brothers made large fortunes in real estate which have descended

to their children.

The brothers, C. J. and Jacob A. Hart, natives of Maryland, came to

Cedar Rapids in the early '50s, and for a generation were two of the

most successful lumber dealers in Cedar Rapids.

Alexander L. Ely was one of the early millers, who died in the '40s.

His brother, Dr. J. F. Ely, came later to look after the business

interests of his deceased brother, and for some fifteen or twenty years

was a successful practitioner in Cedar Rapids. He and his wife for a

generation were leaders of the business and social life of this city.

Homer Bishop was an old-time merchant, arriving in the early '40s, and

for eight years was postmaster of Cedar Rapids. He was a congenial

person, well known, and an enterprising and free-hearted man who did

his best to build up a city on what was then thought to be the western

frontier.

No doubt the first Scandinavian settler to locate within the confines

of Linn county was Nels C. Boye, a native of Denmark, who emigrated to

the United States in 1827 and arrived in Muscatine in 1837 and located

in the vicinity of Lisbon in 1838 where he purchased land and engaged

in farming. Being brought up as a merchant he removed with his family

to Iowa City in 1843 and for a time operated one of the most up-to-date

stores in the new capital. On a business trip to St. Louis in 1849 he

fell a victim to the cholera and died there on June 23. A number of his

children continued to reside in Linn county, and a number of relations

are still residents of this county.

One of the old settlers of Ivanhoe was Dr. S. Grafton, who arrived

there in 1843 and travelled horseback up and down the Cedar and Iowa

river valleys as far as Jones or as far northeast as half way to

Dubuque in the practice of his profession. He was born in Ohio in 1800,

and died during the typhoid epidemic in 1845 and 1847. He was one of

the best known of the early physicians, a gentleman, a scholar, and a

man who did, perhaps, more during the few years of his practice to help

the poor and the needy than any other of the early settlers. He was

married to Isabelle Patterson, also a resident for many years of East

Liverpool, Ohio, but born in Pennsylvania. After the death of Dr.

Grafton she married Herman Boye, a son of Nels C. Boye. Mr. Boye was a

cabinet maker and farmer. He got caught with the gold fever and

emigrated to California in 1850, returning to Ivanhoe within a few

years. It is said that he made more money in California seining for

fish, which he had learned in Denmark, than he did in digging gold. He

died in 1880 at the age of sixty-two years. The widow died January 11,

1897, at the advanced age of eighty years, and is buried at Mount

Vernon.

Another of the old settlers of Bertram may be mentioned--Joseph Crane,

a cousin of James Doty, who has the honor, at least, of obtaining the

first license to marry within the Territory, viz: in 1840 when he was

married to Agnes Boghart.

The first settlers seem to have been William Abbe, Daniel Hahn, C. C.

Haskins, and Edward M. Crow. Which one of these men actually was the

first settler within the confines of the county may ever remain a

disputed question. We have the record when they entered lands, but this

does not at all indicate that they did not live on these lands for

several years before actual entry was made. The first settler in the

vicinity of what became Mount Vernon was, no doubt, Charles Haskins,

who located about a mile and a half east of the village in the summer

of 1837. He was at least one of the first to locate in that vicinity.

It is said that Daniel Hahn came in the spring of 1837, made a claim

and built a log cabin, his wife assisting him in building the house.

Edward M. Crow has been supposed to have been the first settler, but it

seems that he came in July, 1837, in company with his brother, and

located near what later became known as Viola, where he made a claim

and erected a small shanty. He returned to the Fox river settlement for

provisions and did not come back until in August, when he was

accompanied by his brother and by James Dawson. About this time also

came Joselyn and Russell. Their cabins were located in the back woods

in Brown township and was called "The Settlement" for some time.