breaking out of the Civil war. At that time our currency
consisted principally of bank notes from Wisconsin and
Illinois, which were based mostly upon state and other bonds
held by the banks which issued the notes. As these
securities fluctuated so did the value of the notes. Those
who held them wanted to deposit in the banks, and when a
customer came in, the banker had to refer to Thompson's Bank
Note Reporter to ascertain their value, and even when so
determined, the risk of the banker was great, because of
their liability to depreciate. I remember going to St.
Louis, shortly after the war began to withdraw our account
from a bank there, and I had to pay 13 per cent for a gold
draft. Still we managed to worry along and I do not remember
that many failures occurred. When the war broke out, Cedar
Rapids raised a company for the first regiment, and as the
state had no money, our bank furnished the funds to equip,
maintain, and transport the company to Keokuk, where it was
mustered into the service. From that time till I entered the
army early in 1862, I had little to do with the bank. I was
chairman of a committee of thirteen whose duty it was to
encourage enlistments and the formation of companies for the
service, and by subscription to raise money for bounties,
till finally I went myself and was not mustered out till
August, 1865.
"From the time I left for the war, I had nothing to do
actively with the banking business and have never since been
behind a banking counter in an official capacity. What
little knowledge I have of the early banking in Iowa, I
gained there, but as Cedar Rapids was a typical town, I
imagine that the banking done there was very similar to that
done in all the other towns of the state.
"After a lapse of forty-four years, one's memory is not
reliable and you must therefore make liberal allowance for
errors in date as well as other things. In writing I regret
the want of old papers and other data, but have done the
best I could under the circumstances.
"Truly yours,
"SEYMOUR D. CARPENTER."
The first constitution of Iowa made the following reference to banks:
"The General Assembly shall provide for the organization of
all other corporations, except those with Banking privileges,
the creation of which is prohibited."
For this reason early banking was conducted as a purely private
enterprise, or as a branch of some bank incorporated in another state.
Prior to the adoption of the second constitution in 1857, it became
evident that the state was very much in need of a more stable banking
system, so provision was made for incorporated banks, when approved by
vote of the people and for "The State Bank of Iowa," which was
incorporated July 29, 1858, with power to establish branches and issue
circulating notes. Elihu Baker, a Cedar Rapids banker, was the first
secretary of the State Bank, and in time fifteen branches were
established at different points in the state.
Although none was located here, our business interests received
substantial benefit from the improved financial conditions that
resulted from a safe system and a sound currency.
With the coming of the railroad in 1859, Cedar Rapids entered the field
of commerce and forever put an end, not only to frontier banking, but
to one of the most wonderfully heroic, and, in some respects, beautiful
scenes of its human history--the pioneer life.
[Illustration: R. D. STEPHENS]
[Illustration: ADDISON DANIELS]
[Illustration: J. B. YOUNG]
[Illustration: I. M. PRESTON]
Country banking as conducted today, is less crude, more scientific, and
safer than in the time of which we write, but a fundamental condition
that has always made it a public necessity remains the same, namely, a
local community engaged in the activities of development, production,
and commerce.
It goes without saying that the banking needs of Cedar Rapids as a
railroad town were greater than ever before and several applications
were made for permission to establish a branch of the State Bank, none
of which, however, was successful.
This worthy institution itself proved to be short-lived, for the need
that brought it into existence was broader than Iowa and soon
crystallized into the National Bank Act, which was adopted by the
Federal Congress in 1863, and which provided for a National Bank
currency and effectually put an end to all other bank note issues, and
the State Bank of Iowa, having fulfilled its mission, redeemed its
notes and all other liabilities, and ceased to exist.
Although the national system met with much opposition on the part of
the larger state banks of New York and elsewhere, and had to overcome
prejudice in the minds of many people throughout the country, its
positive improvement on the old order of things was quickly apparent to
Cedar Rapids bankers, resulting in the establishment of two National
banks in 1864, and the race for charters illustrates a degree of
alertness and competition in those days that would do credit to the
chief of present day hustlers, and verified the old proverb, "the first
shall be last," for the First National Bank, with a capital of
$50,000.00, received charter No. 500 on August 23d, while the City
National Bank, with a capital of $100,000.00, received charter No. 483
on July 19th of that year and was the first to open its doors for
business. During the following year, the First National Bank increased
its capital to $100,000.00. Published reports, about the end of the
year 1865, show total deposits in both banks of nearly $150,000.00, and
the full limit of outstanding bank notes $90,000.00 each, thus promptly
and amply providing banking facilities for the rapid development that
followed the close of the Civil war.
City banking within the memory of our older bankers was practically
confined to the east and to a very few of the larger cities of the
country, and its development in Cedar Rapids and other cities of her
class illustrates the evolution of banking methods and evidences the
remarkable financial growth of Iowa and the west. In response to the
growing needs of jobbing and manufacturing lines, which were then in
their infancy, the Merchants National Bank was organized in 1881 by R.
D. Stephens. He was an exceptionally able banker, and his untimely
death in 1883 deprived the community of a strong force.
With the organization of the Cedar Rapids National Bank, which
succeeded the private banking business of G. F. Van Vechten in 1887,
there was inaugurated a systematic effort to encourage and build up a
business with country banks within this territory. Such deposits were
carried in moderate amounts before this, but were handled more as a
matter of necessary collections on account of the shipments of live
stock and grain to this center than as a permanent and profitable
branch of banking. It became evident at this time that the rapid
development of the state and of wholesale and manufacturing businesses
at this point was bringing Cedar Rapids into closer business relations
with many other towns, that currency and credit could be handled here
with equal safety and with greater profit and convenience than in the
distant east, and with population and wage earners increasing, the
savings banks assumed their most important place, and thus it came
about that city banking, like country banking, was the outgrowth of our
mutual business requirements and advantages. Its natural development
led to the organization of the Cedar Rapids Clearing House Association
in 1902, the designation by government authority of Cedar Rapids as a
reserve city for deposits of other national banks in 1903, and to the
existence of ten active banks today, holding total deposits of over
sixteen million dollars, and completes a record of banking safety that
has paid its depositors in full throughout its history.
List of Cedar Rapids banks in the order in which they began business:
No. Name Opened Liquidated
1 Greene & Weare 1852 1858
2 Ward, Bryan & Co. 1853 1856
3 Carpenter, Lehman & Co. 1856 1857
4 Dodge, Carr & Co. 1856 1857
5 Elihu Baker & Co. 1857 1860
6 Greene, Merritt & Co. 1858 1862
7 Carpenter, Stibbs & Co. 1859 1869
8 S. C. Bever & Son 1862 1864
9 City National Bank July 19, 1864 1898
10 First National Bank August 23, 1864 1886
11 Union Savings Bank February, 1870 1879
12 G. F. Van Vechten Private Bank February 1, 1877 1887
13 Merchants National Bank March, 1881
14 Cedar Rapids Savings Bank May 15, 1883
15 O. N. Hull's Real Estate Bank August 12, 1884 1890
16 Cedar Rapids National Bank February 28, 1887
17 Security Savings Bank April 26, 1889
18 Bohemian-American State Bank June 13, 1892 1894
{Iowa Savings Bank May 1, 1893}
19 { changed name to } 1898
{Bohemian-American Savings Bank September 1, 1894}
20 Citizens National Bank March, 1898 1908
21 American Trust and Savings Bank April 5, 1898
22 Cedar Rapids Loan and Trust Co. February 1, 1900 1904
23 Peoples Savings Bank May, 1903
24 Fidelity Trust and Savings Bank June 1, 1904 1907
25 Commercial Savings Bank December 14, 1905
26 Iowa State Savings Bank July 1, 1906
27 Commercial National Bank July 7, 1908
28 First Trust & Savings Bank August 4, 1910
THE CEDAR RAPIDS CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION
The Cedar Rapids Clearing House Association was organized largely
through the efforts of R. T. Forbes, at that time cashier of the
Citizens National Bank, and J. M. Dinwiddie, cashier of the Cedar
Rapids Savings Bank. During the summer of 1902, Mr. Forbes and Mr.
Dinwiddie agitated the matter and in October of that year, as the
result of their efforts, a committee of Cedar Rapids bankers,
consisting of John T. Hamilton, J. M. Dinwiddie, Ralph Van Vechten,
James E. Hamilton, J. W. Bowdish, Lawson Daniels, E. W. Virden, E. M.
Scott, Ed. H. Smith, E. E. Pinney, and R. T. Forbes, visited Davenport
and investigated the workings of the clearing house association of that
city.
Following that visit to Davenport, a meeting of the representatives of
the banks of the city was held on November 3, 1902, at which meeting it
was formally resolved to form a local association. A constitution and
by-laws were adopted on November 6, 1902, and the clearing house was
regularly organized, with the following banks as members: Merchants
National, Cedar Rapids National, Citizens National, Cedar Rapids
Savings, Security Savings, American Trust and Savings, People's
Savings. The first officers, elected December 3, 1902, were: President,
J. M. Dinwiddie; first vice-president, E. M. Scott; second
vice-president, Ed. H. Smith; treasurer, E. W. Virden; secretary and
manager, R. T. Forbes.
After formal organization the clearing house lay dormant for several
months and it was not until January 4, 1904, that the association
actually began the work of daily clearings. The clearings for the first
day amounted to a total of $127,000. The average per week for the first
year was about $400,000. That the banking business of Cedar Rapids has
grown with giant strides the past five years is evidenced by the fact
that the clearings are now running well over one million dollars per
week and are showing an average gain of 40 per cent over the
corresponding weeks of last year. The week ending June 5, 1909, showed
the remarkable increase of 130 per cent over the same week of 1908.
At the time of organization the banks of Cedar Rapids had a combined
capital of $630,000, surplus and undivided profits of $400,000, and
deposits of $7,800,000. At the present time they have a combined
capital of $900,000, surplus and undivided profits of over $800,000,
and deposits of $16,000,000. Since the organization of the clearing
house the deposits of country banks has increased from $2,000,000 to
more than $6,000,000, savings and time deposits from $4,200,000 to
$7,200,000, and individual demand deposits from $1,200,000 to
$2,200,000. Such a showing of growth and prosperity is an absolute
index of local conditions and speaks more eloquently than words of the
substantial manner in which this city is forging ahead in things
financial.
J. M. Dinwiddie served as president until December, 1906, being
succeeded by E. M. Scott, who served until December, 1908. Mr. Scott
was succeeded by J. W. Bowdish, who resigned in March of this year,
being succeeded by Kent C. Ferman. R. T. Forbes served as secretary and
manager until December, 1906. He was succeeded by Charles Fletcher,
Jr., who held the office until July, 1908, when he was succeeded by W.
J. Elliott. E. W. Virden, the first treasurer, was succeeded by John
Burianek, Jr., who served until December, 1907, when he was followed by
Louis Wokoun. The present officers are: President, Kent C. Ferman;
first vice-president, James E. Hamilton; second vice-president, John
Burianek, Jr.; treasurer, Louis Wokoun; secretary and manager, W. J.
Elliott.
The present membership comprises all the banks of the city, as follows:
Merchants National, Cedar Rapids National, Commercial National, Cedar
Rapids Savings, Security Savings, American Trust and Savings, People's
Savings, Iowa State Savings, Commercial Savings. The clearing house
association rooms are under the Merchants National Bank, and here
representatives from each bank in the city meet at eleven o'clock each
day to exchange checks, or "clear" the day's business.
The Commercial Savings Bank was organized December 13, 1905, with a
capital stock of $50,000. Its officers were C. H. Chandler, president;
W. C. LaTourette, vice-president; James L. Bever, Jr., cashier; with C.
H. Chandler, James L. Bever, Sr., W. C. LaTourette, H. Cushman, John B.
Bever, C. B. Robbins, E. J. Carey, A. Jeffrey, and C. Denecke,
directors. The bank has enjoyed due prosperity. There have been some
changes in its officers, C. H. Chandler continuing as its president to
this date. C. B. Robbins and E. J. Carey are the present
vice-presidents, and Ed. B. Zbanek, its cashier.
The Iowa State Savings Bank opened for business January 6, 1906, at the
corner of Tenth avenue and Third street. The capital stock was $50,000.
It is known as the "South End Bank," and was organized for the especial
accommodation of business men and individuals in the southern portion
of the city. The first officers were: A. Tomec, president; V. O. Hasek,
vice-president; and Joseph Lesinger, cashier. The present officers are:
V. O. Hasek, president; J. J. Cerveny, vice-president, and Joseph
Lesinger, cashier. Present capital stock $50,000; surplus, $5,000;
total resources, $525,000; deposits, $700,000.
The People's Savings Bank was organized March 10, 1900, with T.
McCarthy, president; H. E. Witwer and J. J. Powell, vice-presidents; E.
W. Virden, cashier; and T. McCarthy, H. E. Witwer, J. J. Powell, John
M. Redmond, Wm. King, George H. Boyson, A. H. Wolf, Theodore Stark, and
Fred H. Shaver, directors.
A. H. Wolf and George H. Boyson, having disposed of their interests in
1903, at the annual election held January, 1904, C. L. Miller and
George G. Grupe were elected in their places.
T. McCarthy, on account of his health, did not desire a re-election as
president, and E. W. Virden, having accepted a position in Louisiana,
caused a vacancy in the presidency and cashiership. At that meeting the
following officers were elected: H. E. Witwer, president, J. J. Powell
and Fred H. Shaver, vice-presidents; and John Burianek, Jr., cashier.
On January 9, 1906, at the annual meeting, Mr. Redmond being unable to
serve as a director, did not desire re-election and in his place John
Burianek, Jr., was chosen. On the death of J. J. Powell in 1908, Wm.
King was chosen one of the vice-presidents. The directors now are H. E.
Witwer, T. McCarthy, F. H. Shaver, G. G. Grupe, Wm. King, C. E. Tuttle,
E. S. Seeley, John Burianek, Jr.
Originally this bank had 83 stockholders, the number now being 53. It
has a surplus of $25,000, undivided profits of $10,000, and deposits of
nearly $900,000.
Early in 1911 the bank will occupy its new building on the corner of
First street and Third avenue west, one of the handsomest in the state.
The Cedar Rapids National Bank was incorporated February 28, 1887, and
succeeded to the business of G. F. Van Vechten, banker. The original
directors were A. T. Averill, Geo. B. Douglas, G. F. Van Vechten,
Joseph S. Cook, C. Magnus, J. M. Ristine, and C. B. Soutter. Changes in
the board of directors have occurred as follows:
In 1888 P. E. Hall succeeded J. M. Ristine. In 1891 Ralph Van Vechten
succeeded C. Magnus. In 1896 Mr. Magnus was reelected to succeed C. B.
Soutter. In 1899 Ed. H. Smith was elected to fill the vacancy caused by
the death of J. S. Cook. In 1906 P. E. Hall was succeeded by J. H.
Ingwersen. In 1906 C. Magnus retired from the board, and in January,
1907, J. M. Ristine was elected to fill the vacancy. In 1909 C. D. Van
Vechten was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of G. F.
Van Vechten, and in 1910 Glenn M. Averill was elected to fill the
vacancy caused by the death of his father, A. T. Averill.
The present personnel of the board is as follows: Ralph Van Vechten,
Geo. B. Douglas, Ed. H. Smith, J. M. Ristine, J. H. Ingwersen, C. D.
Van Vechten, and Glenn M. Averill.
The original officers were A. T. Averill, president; G. F. Van Vechten,
vice-president; Ralph Van Vechten, cashier. A. T. Averill served
continuously as president until his death in 1910, and was succeeded in
office by Ralph Van Vechten. G. F. Van Vechten was vice-president until
the time of his death, which occurred in 1909, and he was succeeded in
office by Geo. B. Douglas. In February, 1905, Ralph Van Vechten
resigned his position as cashier, to assume the second vice-presidency
of the Commercial National Bank of Chicago. At that time he was elected
to the position of second vice-president of the Cedar Rapids National
Bank, being succeeded as cashier by J. H. Ingwersen. In 1908 Mr.
Ingwersen resigned as cashier to accept the presidency of the Peoples
Trust and Savings Bank of Clinton, Iowa, and Kent C. Ferman, who had
been assistant cashier since 1904, was appointed cashier. In 1904 John
Fletcher was appointed assistant cashier, and Miss Anna Smouse auditor.
In 1906 Mr. Fletcher resigned to accept the assistant cashiership of
the Drovers Deposit National Bank of Chicago. In 1908 Louis Visha was
appointed assistant cashier, and in 1909 Martin Newcomer was appointed
as assistant cashier.
[Illustration: S. S. JOHNSON An Early Cedar Rapids Settler]
The present officers are therefore as follows: Ralph Van Vechten,
president; Geo. B. Douglas, vice-president; Kent C. Ferman, cashier;
Louis Visha, assistant cashier; Martin Newcomer, assistant cashier; and
Miss Anna Smouse, auditor.
The bank has a capital of $100,000, a surplus of $100,000, undivided
profits of over $100,000, and deposits of more than $3,500,000.
The Security Savings Bank was incorporated March 18, 1889, and opened
for business April 26, 1889.
The original stockholders numbered 87, of whom 22 have since died.
The original directors were G. F. Van Vechten, C. J. Ives, J. R.
Amidon, Walter D. Douglas, Chas. H. Clark, Jno. E. Murray, W. W.
Higley, J. R. Morin, and W. F. Severa. Changes in the board of
directors on account of death or disposition of stock have occurred as
follows: In 1894 P. C. Frick succeeded J. R. Morin; in 1895 E. M. Scott
succeeded W. F. Severa; in 1896 B. H. Witwer succeeded Chas. H. Clark,
whose death occurred during that year; in 1899, on account of temporary
removal from the city, W. D. Douglas resigned and was succeeded by C.
D. Van Vechten, but on the death of W. W. Higley, later in the year,
Mr. Douglas was reelected to succeed him. In 1906 D. K. Harbert
succeeded C. J. Ives, who died that year, and in January, 1910, Emma M.
Van Vechten was elected to succeed her husband, G. F. Van Vechten,
whose death occurred the previous September.
President Van Vechten and Vice-President Ives served the bank
continuously from its organization to the date of their respective
deaths; Vice-President Amidon continuously since organization, and
President Scott the same--first as cashier, then vice-president, and
after Mr. Van Vechten's death, as president. On January 1, 1908, J. W.
Bowdish was engaged for one year to relieve Mr. Scott, during the
building period, and served as cashier throughout that year. Cashier
Frank Filip entered the employ of the bank in 1894, was promoted to
assistant cashier in 1904, and made cashier in 1909.
The original capital stock was $50,000, which was later increased to
$75,000, then to $100,000, and on March 24, 1908, to $150,000. The
present surplus is $100,000. Its total deposits are now about
$1,800,000, belonging to 5,000 depositors.
The bank first opened for business at 211 South Second street. In 1893
it erected on its own ground, 26×60 feet, on the corner of Second
avenue and Second street, a three-story brick bank building, containing
the first exclusive safety deposit vaults in the city. In 1902
additional ground was purchased and in 1907 the three-story brick
adjoining on the south was purchased and the bank removed to a
temporary office in this building, while its old home was replaced by
its present eight-story, steel frame, fire proof office building, where
its banking apartments are modern and complete.
The Bohemian-American State Bank was organized under state charter and
commenced business June 13, 1892, with a capital of $60,000, its
officers being W. F. Severa, president; S. L. Dows, vice-president; J.
W. Bowdish, cashier; V. A. Jung, assistant cashier. Among its
organizers were W. F. Severa, S. L. Dows, J. H. Douglas, F. Braun, Jos.
Woitishek, Jos. Renchin, E. E. Pinney, H. B. Soutter, T. C. Munger, C.
Butler Weeks, J. J. Powell, and Warren Harman. It had a successful
career and paid dividends from its commencement. It was consolidated
September 1, 1894, with the Bohemian-American Savings Bank, in order to
avail itself of the more liberal charter given by the state to savings
banks, the stockholders and depositors practically all remaining with
the new organization.
The Iowa Savings Bank was organized under state charter and commenced
business May 1, 1893, with a capital of $50,000. Its officers were
James H. Douglas, president; W. F. Severa and H. B. Soutter,
vice-presidents; J. W. Bowdish, cashier; and V. A. Jung, assistant
cashier. The directors were J. H. Douglas, F. Braun, H. B. Soutter,
Warren Harman, Jos. Woitishek, S. L. Dows, W. F. Severa, T. C. Munger,
C. Butler Weeks.
On September 1, 1893, the articles of incorporation were changed,
increasing the capital to $60,000, and changing the title to
Bohemian-American Savings Bank. At the same date the Bohemian-American
State Bank, desirous of the benefits of the more liberal charter
offered savings banks, arranged to consolidate its interest with the
Bohemian-American Savings Bank, which consolidation took effect
September 1, 1894.
The Bohemian-American Savings Bank enjoyed a prosperous growth,
notwithstanding the effect of the panic of 1893, probably as severe a
financial panic as at that time had ever been experienced. It paid
regular semi-annual dividends and continued prosperous until its
consolidation, March 28, 1898, with the Citizens National Bank and the
American Trust and Savings Bank, two newly organized banks, the
Citizens National Bank taking over the commercial department, and the
American Trust and Savings Bank absorbing the savings department.
The Cedar Rapids Savings Bank was incorporated March 13, 1883, and
opened for business May 15, 1883.
The original stockholders numbered 36, of whom eight have since died.
The original directors were Jno. T. Hamilton, Lawson Daniels, Chas. B.
Soutter, Robert Palmer, F. C. Hormel, Jas. L. Bever, Geo. W. Bever, A.
T. Averill, and F. J. Upton. Changes in the board of directors on
account of death or disposition of stock have occurred as follows: In
1884 E. I. Foster succeeded F. J. Upton; in 1891 M. A. Higley succeeded
Mr. Foster; in 1892, at the death of F. C. Hormel, J. M. Dinwiddie
succeeded him; in 1897, J. M. Terry succeeded A. T. Averill; in 1900
Robert Sinclair succeeded M. A. Higley, Geo. Goodell succeeded Jas. L.
Bever, and E. R. Moore succeeded Geo. W. Bever. President John T.
Hamilton, Vice-President Chas. B. Soutter, and Cashier J. M. Dinwiddie
have served continuously since the organization of the bank.
The original capital stock of the bank, paid in cash, was $50,000,
which has been twice increased--the first time to $75,000, and then to
$100,000. The present surplus of the bank is $65,000, and the deposits
over $1,850,000.
The contract for the bank's six-story, fire proof building, the first
six-story structure in the city, located at the corner of Third avenue
and Third street, was let May 30, 1895, and the building was occupied
in May, 1896. In 1909-10 an addition was erected, so that the building
is now 90×140 feet.
Its present officers are John T. Hamilton, president; Chas. B. Soutter,
vice-president; Robert Palmer, vice-president; J. M. Dinwiddie,
cashier; and W. J. Elliott, assistant cashier. Its directors are: John
T. Hamilton, Chas. B. Soutter, J. M. Dinwiddie, Robert Palmer, Robert
S. Sinclair, J. M. Terry, and Walter L. Cherry.
The Merchants National Bank, of Cedar Rapids, was organized February
28, 1881, the first board of directors being R. D. Stephens, John W.
Henderson, P. C. Frick, W. W. Higley, J. C. Broeksmit, A. B. George, S.
L. Dows. Its first president was R. D. Stephens. John W. Henderson was
chosen vice-president, and Charles E. Putnam, cashier.
Mr. Stephens died in April, 1883, and was succeeded by M. A. Higley as
president. In the spring of 1899 John T. Hamilton purchased the
Stephens and other interests in the bank, and on June 5, 1899,
succeeded Redmond Stephens as director. On July 1, 1889, M. A. Higley
tendered his resignation as president, after more than sixteen years'
service in that position, John T. Hamilton being chosen president,
which office he still holds.
Chas. E. Putnam remained as cashier of the bank from the organization
to January 14, 1905, when he resigned and was succeeded by James E.
Hamilton, who had been assistant cashier since January 28, 1901. On the
consolidation of the Merchants National and the Citizens National, May
18, 1908, James E. Hamilton was made vice-president, and John S.
Broeksmit, who had been cashier of the Citizens National, was made
cashier of the new and consolidated Merchants National.
The original capital stock of the Merchants National was $100,000. The
present capitalization is $200,000; surplus, $200,000; deposits of
nearly $5,000,000.
From the time of its organization in 1881 until the consolidation with
the Citizens National in May, 1908, more than twenty-seven years, the
Merchants National occupied the room in the Ely block at the corner of
Second avenue and Third street. The bank is now occupying elegant
quarters in the remodeled Cedar Rapids Savings Bank building. The
present officers are John T. Hamilton, president; P. C. Frick,
vice-president; James E. Hamilton, vice-president; John S. Broeksmit,
cashier; Edwin H. Furrow, assistant cashier.
The American Trust and Savings Bank was organized under state charter
and commenced business April 5, 1898, with a capital of $50,000. Its
first officers were George W. Bever, president; E. E. Pinney and W. F.
Severa, vice-presidents; R. T. Forbes, cashier. Its first board of
directors consisted of E. E. Pinney, J. L. Bever, J. B. Bever, W. F.
Severa, Jas. H. Douglas, Geo. W. Bever, F. Braun, T. C. Munger, and
Joseph Renchin. The object of its organization was to establish and
conduct a strictly savings business. It took over at the date of its
commencement the savings department of the Bohemian-American Savings
Bank, and its total deposits on April 9, 1898, were $175,338.23, its
location then being at the corner of First street and Second avenue.
On February 22, 1899, it moved into the Masonic Temple at the corner of
First street and First avenue, which location it still occupies. In
1901 the capital was increased from $50,000 to $80,000. This was
rendered necessary owing to increased deposits, in order to comply with
the then existing statutes governing the relative allowable amounts of
deposits to capital stock.
On January 1, 1908, the controlling interest in the bank passed into
the hands of Ernest R. Moore, Louis Wokoun, and others of their
associates who were the dominant factors in the Fidelity Trust &
Savings Bank, of this city. They arranged and carried out the
consolidation of the two institutions. The officers then elected and
board of directors named continue until this time. The present officers
are Ernest R. Moore, president; W. F. Severa, S. G. Armstrong, and Otto
Sikora, vice-presidents; Louis Wokoun, cashier. The board of directors
are: C. J. Deacon, Lew W. Anderson, George Chadima, F. Braun, S. G.
Armstrong, W. F. Severa, Ernest R. Moore, W. R. Boyd, and Frank J.
Pudil.
On January 1, 1909, the capital of the bank was increased to $100,000,
and the surplus to $50,000. The deposits now aggregate $1,650,000, with
total assets of $1,900,000.
The Citizens National, Cedar Rapids, was opened March 28, 1898, capital
$100,000 which was increased to $200,000 January 2, 1906. Its first
officers were J. L. Bever, president; J. R. Amidon, vice-president; J.
W. Bowdish, cashier; directors, J. L. Bever, W. F. Severa, J. B. Bever,
F. Braun, J. H. Douglas, E. E. Pinney, J. T. Hamilton, G. W. Bever, R.
Williams, J. R. Amidon, T. C. Munger. In May, 1908, after a prosperous
career this bank was consolidated with the Merchants National.
The Commercial National, Cedar Rapids, was organized July 7, 1908, with
a capital of $100,000, and the following officers: Jas. L. Bever,
president; W. C. La Tourette, vice president; J. L. Bever, Jr.,
cashier; Homer Pitner, assistant cashier.
The First Trust & Savings Bank, which is closely connected with the
Commercial National, having the same officers, was organized August 4,
1910, with a capital stock of $50,000.00.
These two banks have had a remarkable growth, the combined resources
now being over $1,500,000. The dean of Cedar Rapids bankers, Jas. L.
Bever, takes an active interest in both institutions. The present
officers are: J. L. Bever, president; J. L. Bever, Jr., W. C. La
Tourette, vice-president; Homer Pitner, cashier, and F. D. Snakenberg,
assistant cashier.
The Cedar Rapids Loan & Trust Company was organized on February 1,
1900, with a paid up capital of $50,000 for the purpose of doing such a
trust business as the laws of Iowa authorized. Those who were most
active in the organization and who constituted the first board of
directors were as follows: Ed. H. Smith, president; L. W. Anderson,
first vice-president; W. G. Dows, second vice-president; S. S. Dorwart,
S. S. Sweet, E. E. Clark, Ralph Van Vechten, N. M. Hubbard, Jr., John
A. Reed, S. G. Armstrong, and W. L. Crissman.
Its board elected L. M. Rupert as secretary and the officers as first
selected remained the same during the corporation's continuance under
the name of the Cedar Rapids Loan & Trust Company. The company was
located at the northwest corner of First street and Second avenue and
was conducted as a trust company until June 1, 1904, when a majority of
the capital stock passed into the hands of Ernest R. Moore and Louis
Wokoun and their associates. In order to bring the institution under
the operation of the general savings bank laws of the state and to
permit it to transact a general banking business the articles of
incorporation were amended to change the name to The Fidelity Trust &
Savings Bank while at the same time the office of the bank was changed
to 116 South Second street, a location much nearer the business center
of the city. Under the reorganization the stockholders selected the
following officers and directors: W. W. Hamilton, president; Ernest R.
Moore, first vice-president; W. G. Dows, second vice-president; Louis
Wokoun, cashier; S. G. Armstrong, E. E. Clark, H. L. Walker, C. J.
Deacon, L. W. Anderson.
This bank was later consolidated with the American Trust & Savings
Bank.
The Ely Bank, of Ely, was organized in January, 1903, with J. H. Smith,
president; Ed. H. Smith and I. B. Smith, vice-presidents, and George L.
Benish, cashier. The bank is a private one, and the present officers
are the same as the original ones.
The Bank of Palo was organized May 23, 1908, with a capital stock of
$10,000, and the following officers: J. W. McClintock, president; Carl
Rabe, vice-president; G. E. Carrier, cashier. Its present officers are:
J. W. McClintock, president; John Lewis, vice-president; R. W. Waite,
cashier.
The State Bank of Central City was organized January 17, 1906, with P.
G. Henderson, president; E. K. Hatch, vice-president; Ed. Leclere,
cashier; A. T. Minehart, assistant cashier, and P. G. Henderson, E. K.
Hatch, F. W. Blakely, O. R. Barber, Eugene Doe, H. L. Shakespeare, and
E. E. Henderson, directors. Since that time there have been but few
changes in the officers. At present the officers and directors are: P.
G. Henderson, president; Eugene Doe, vice-president; F. Leclere,
cashier; H. F. Lockwood, assistant cashier; E. G. Henderson, Eugene
Doe, O. R. Barber, H. L. Shakespeare, W. N. Goldsberry, Anton Falcon,
and E. E. Henderson, directors. When the bank was organized it took
over from the Bank of Central City deposits to the amount of
$72,802.29. The bank has grown steadily, and the deposits are now over
$350,000.00. Originally the capital stock was $25,000.00, which was
increased to $35,000.00 in July, 1909. The stock is owned by forty-one
farmers and is conducted principally for the farmers. It opens at seven
o'clock in the morning and does not close until six o'clock in the
evening.
The Linn County Savings Bank, of Center Point, was organized April 23,
1906, with L. Gilchrist, president; W. Langsdale, vice-president; Homer
Pitner, cashier, and J. F. Stauffer, assistant cashier. Owing to the
resignation of the cashier, J. F. Stauffer was later made cashier, and
E. E. Silver, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $20,000.00, and
the bank has a surplus of $3,000.00.
[Illustration: THOS. J. McKEAN]
[Illustration: N. W. ISBELL]
[Illustration: WM. GREENE]
[Illustration: O. S. BOWLING An Old Cedar Rapids Settler]
The Fairfax Savings Bank was organized May 15, 1907, with a capital of
$10,000.00 and with officers as follows: H. N. Woodward, president;
Henry Lefebure, vice-president; Charles Young, cashier; Lewis Stallman,
Joseph Vorel, J. F. Dvorak, William Park and D. J. Cahill, directors.
On August 1, 1908, G. W. Storey was chosen cashier in place of Charles
Young, resigned. C. J. Knickerbocker was elected assistant cashier in
September, 1908. The directors today are: James M. Rogers, E. J.
Cahill, J. F. Dvorak, Joseph Vorel, L. F. Lefebure, H. N. Woodward, and
Henry Lefebure. The bank has grown steadily since its organization and
now has deposits amounting to $100,000.00.
The private bank of Stuckslager & Auracher, of Lisbon, was founded in
1874 with Harrison Stuckslager as president, and Gotleib Auracher as
cashier. The officers today are W. C. Stuckslager, president, and John
Auracher, cashier. It has a capital of $100,000.00.
The Alburnette Savings Bank was organized in April, 1908, with E. M.
Lanning, president; Samuel Maier, vice-president, and Geo. F. Miller,
cashier. There has been no change in officers except that W. F.
Stauffer was elected assistant cashier in August, 1909. The bank has a
capital of $15,000.00, and a surplus of $1,500.00. It succeeded the
Alburnette Bank, which was a private institution, and has enjoyed a
steady growth.
The Prairieburg Savings Bank was organized October 1, 1904, with C. L.
Niles, president; H. F. Came, vice-president, and F. J. Cunningham,
cashier. There has been but one change of officers, C. E. Buckley being
the present cashier. The bank has a capital stock and surplus of
$14,600. Its growth has been steady and satisfactory.
The Bank of Troy Mills was organized in March, 1908, with Floyd J.
Ware, president, and Thomas A. Ware, cashier. These, with Marie R.
Ware, assistant cashier, are the present officers. The institution has
a capital stock of $20,000.00, and a surplus of $5,000.00.
The Coggon State Bank was organized in 1892 with Jacob Mangold,
president; G. A. Schenkowitz, vice-president, and H. T. Brainerd,
cashier. The present officers are S. N. Goodhue, president; J. H.
Ehlers, vice-president; D. D. Johnson, cashier, and Wallace S.
Hamilton, assistant cashier. The bank has a capital stock of
$25,000.00, and a surplus of the same amount. It has deposits of nearly
$300,000.00.
The Exchange Bank of Springville was established in 1878 by Joseph S.
Butler, with a capital of $25,000.00. The firm name of the owners is J.
S. Butler & Son, with C. F. Butler, president, and Sam James, Jr.,
cashier. It has a capital stock of $75,000.00 and resources of
$400,000.00.
The Exchange State Bank of Walker was established in 1885 as a private
bank by H. J. Nietert, and was organized as a State Bank March 1, 1907.
The present officers are H. J. Nietert, president; Martin Schneider,
vice-president; Theo. W. Hawkinson, cashier; H. J. Nietert, Martin
Schneider, Henry Fairchild, E. N. Beach, William Trevor, John B.
Michael, Theo. Hamblin, Chas. O. Barry, and Adam Zimpfer, directors. It
has a capital stock of $50,000.00, a surplus of $5,000.00, and
undivided profits of $10,000.00. It is worthy of note here that this
was one of the few banks that met their payments in cash during the
panic of 1907.
The Mount Vernon Bank was organized January 16, 1884, by William Smith,
James Carson, and H. H. Rood, Mr. Carson being the president; Mr. Rood
the vice-president, and Mr. Smith the cashier. The officers today are:
W. C. Stuckslager, president; D. L. Boyd, vice-president, and Chas. M.
Hartung, cashier. The bank has a capital stock of $100,000.00.
The Marion Savings Bank was incorporated February 22, 1889, by Andrew
J. McKean, E. A. Vaughn, F. G. Hervey, J. S. Alexander and Jay J.
Smyth, Mr. Smyth being the president and S. N. Goodhue the cashier. It
has a capital stock of $30,000.00, and deposits today of over
$300,000.00. The officers at present are: B. F. Mentzer, president; J.
W. Bowman, cashier; B. F. Mentzer, W. W. Vaughn, F. A. Shumack, J. S.
Alexander, Karl W. Kendall, C. H. Kurtz and J. W. Bowman, directors.
The Farmers & Merchants State Bank, of Marion, was organized in 1894,
with Samuel N. Goodhue, president; George W. Toms, vice-president, and
E. J. Esgate, cashier. Two years later George W. Toms succeeded Mr.
Goodhue as president, and T. J. Davis became vice-president. In 1902 A.
M. Secrist succeeded Mr. Davis as vice-president. The present officers
are George W. Toms, president; A. M. Secrist, vice-president, and E. J.
Esgate, cashier. The capital stock of the bank is $60,000.00, surplus,
$5,000.00. The directors of the bank are: George W. Toms, A. M.
Secrist, W. B. Carpenter, Garry Treat, D. H. Correll, C. C. Carpenter,
W. P. Secrist, W. E. Beall, A. E. Granger, W. J. Goodyear and E. J.
Esgate.
The Commercial Savings Bank, of Marion, was organized March 1, 1905,
with E. R. Mason, president; F. A. H. Greulich and H. C. Oxley,
vice-presidents; H. C. Millen, cashier, and E. H. Millen, assistant
cashier. There has been no change in officers since organization. The
bank has a capital stock of $25,000.00, and undivided profits of
$3,000.00. It has deposits of over $350,000.00, and has shown a steady
growth each year.
The First National Bank, of Marion, succeeded the private banking firm
of Winslow, Stephens & Co., in 1862, with R. D. Stephens as its first
president, and A. W. Cranden as its first cashier. Later, J. W. Bowdish
became cashier until succeeded by Jay J. Smyth.
In 1881 Mr. Stephens organized the Merchants National Bank of Cedar
Rapids, but continued as president of the First National Bank of Marion
until his death, March, 1883, when Louisa B. Stephens, his widow, was
made president. She continued as such for three years. Mr. Jay J. Smyth
then became president, and S. N. Goodhue, cashier. Mr. Goodhue was
succeeded by J. S. Alexander in 1892. In 1896 Mr. Alexander became
president, and C. H. Kurtz, cashier, the officers so continuing until
September, 1908, when C. H. Kurtz became president, and J. W. Bowman,
cashier. In January, 1909, T. J. Davis was chosen president, and J. W.
Bowman continued as cashier, and these gentlemen are at this date its
present officers. The capital stock has remained since the organization
at $50,000.00, and the surplus at $10,000.00. This is the only First
National Bank charter now in existence in Linn county. The bank was the
117th National bank chartered by the government. It has declared in
cash dividends $170,051.32, and has never passed a dividend or even
temporarily closed its doors. Among some of its employees who went out
into the world to win success from this bank are Ed. M. Scott, now
president of the Security Savings Bank, of Cedar Rapids; W. S. Goodhue,
cashier of the State Bank of Vinton; J. W. Bowdish, who became cashier
of the American Trust & Savings, and later cashier of the Security
Savings of Cedar Rapids; Chas. Jackson, now cashier of the First
National Bank, of Manilla, Iowa; F. J. Cleveland, now county auditor.
Dr. Jno. M. Ristine, now very prominent in Cedar Rapids, was employed
as a young man in this bank. The present president, T. J. Davis, was
employed as bookkeeper in 1881, continuing for five years, when he
became actively engaged in the lumber business in Marion and
vice-president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank until he again
entered the First National as its president.
CHAPTER XLII
_Roster of County Officers_
Linn county was organized in 1838 and the first election for county
officers was held August, 1839. The legislative board of the county, or
what corresponds to our present board of supervisors, was composed of
three members called a board of commissioners. The following persons
served on the board of commissioners:
Samuel C. Stewart, Peter McRoberts, Luman M. Strong, 1839.
E. T. Lewis, B. McGonigle, S. C. Stewart, 1842.
E. T. Lewis, Oliver Day, B. McGonigle, 1843.
Oliver Day, E. T. Lewis, W. B. Davis, 1844.
W. B. Davis, Andrew Safely, 1846.
Andrew Safely, Benjamin Waterhouse, Samuel Hendrickson, 1847.
S. Hendrickson, Andrew Safely, Johnson Hill, 1850.
A. Safely, Johnson Hill, Wm. A. Thomas, 1851.
The above system continued until the first code was enacted in 1851
which abolished the board of commissioners and provided for the
election of one officer to be called "county judge" who performed the
duties of our present board of supervisors and in addition was probate
judge and presided over what was called a "county court." The old
election books now preserved in the county auditor's office show the
following persons to have been elected to this office:
Norman W. Isbell, elected August, 1851.
James M. Berry, elected August, 1854.
Daniel Lothian, elected August, 1857, three terms.
Johnston Elliott, elected October, 1863, two terms.
A. B. Dumont, elected October, 1867, one term.
Isbell resigned June 12, 1854, and Joseph B. Young, prosecuting
attorney, acted as county judge until the next election when James M.
Berry was elected to fill the vacancy.
The legislative duties of the county judge were vested by the Eighth
General Assembly in a board of supervisors consisting of one member
from each township or two in those townships having over 4,000
inhabitants. The first board sat January 7, 1861. The clerk of the
district court was ex-officio clerk of the board of supervisors. The
Twelfth General Assembly abolished the office of county judge
altogether and vesting the judicial duties in the district court
created the office of county auditor to assume the ones not already
vested in the supervisors and clerk of the district court. The first
auditor's term began the first Monday of January, 1869.
Bertram--Perry Oxley, 1861-1867 and 1870; Wm. G Darr, 1868-1869.
Brown--Wm. Carbee, 1861-1862; Hosea White, 1863-1866; T. M. Giffen,
1867-1868; J. F. Gritman, 1869-1870.
Boulder--Jos. Whitney, 1861-1862 and 1869-1870; Earhart Burke, 1863,
resigned and term completed by John B. McQueen; J. B. McQueen, 1864;
Neeley Parsons, 1865-1867; Wm. Wagner, 1868.
Buffalo--Jos. Story, 1861-1862; E. M. Crow, 1863-1870.
Clinton--D. M. Smith, 1861-1863; Geo. Buchanan, 1864-1866 and
1868-1869; I. T. Updike, 1867; Edwin Cadwell, 1870.
College--John W. Henderson, 1861-1862; Robert Pierce, 1863-1864; Adam
Perry, 1865-1867; Jonathan Neidig, 1868; W. H. Shuey, 1869-1870.
Fairfax--Phillip Moody, 1861-1864; W. B. Reynolds, 1865-1866; Wm. Ure,
1867-1870.
Fayette--Levi W. Johnson, 1861-1863; resigned and last term completed
by J. D. Hays; John E. Langley, 1864-1865; W. J. Whiting, 1866-1868; H.
B. McKean, 1869-1870.
Franklin--Wm. Hayzlett, 1861-1862 and 1868-1869; Henry Kepler,
1863-1867; C. H. Kurtz, 1870.
Jackson--Jos. Blodgett, 1861-1862; John P. Fay, 1863 and 1866-1867;
Seth Bishop, 1864-1865; Wm. Henderson, 1868-1870.
Linn--William L. Miller, 1861; George Yeisley, 1862-1863; D. M.
Richardson, 1864-1865; J. W. Handley, 1866-1867; James Johnston,
1868-1869; H. C. Platner, 1870.
Maine--Samuel F. Buxton, 1861-1862; L. D. Jordan, 1863-1866; Ormus
Clark, 1867-1868; E. A. Warner, 1869, seat contested in 1870 and board
declared seat vacant and notified trustees of Maine township.
Marion--A. J. Twogood, 1861-1862; A. B. Dumont, 1863, resigned and term
completed by A. Manson; A. Manson, 1864; R. D. Stephens, 1865-1869; R.
D. Stephens and E. A. Vaughn, 1870.
Monroe--Daniel Albaugh, 1861-1869; M. N. Kramer, 1870.
Otter Creek--James H. Mason, 1861-1862; L. F. Dance, 1863-1864; Caleb
Hendryx, 1865-1866; John Lanning, 1867-1868; Henry Harris, 1869; A. F.
Yambert, 1870.
Putnam--Wiley Fitz, 1861-1862; Elmore H. Prickett, 1863-1864; Abner
Arrowsmith, 1865, resigned and term completed by Ferdinand Kershner;
Ferdinand Kershner, 1866-1867; Joseph Moorhead, 1868-1870.
Rapids--John Weare, 1861, 1864 and 1867; J. F. Charles, 1862; Charles
Weare, 1863; J. M. Chambers, 1865; H. G. Angle, 1866; William Stewart
and William Richmond, 1868; William Stewart and Charles Weare, 1869;
Charles Weare and W. D. Watrous, 1870.
Spring Grove--J. H. Fairchild, 1861-1862 and 1864 to 1866, and
1869-1870; R. C. Shinn, 1863; J. H. Walton, 1867-1868.
Washington--Corydon Gilchrist, 1861; John Carr, 1862 and 1867-1868; Z.
Mentzer, 1863-1864; William Langsdale, 1865-1866; E. D. Hazletine,
1869-1870.
In 1870 the number of the board was reduced to three members, one being
elected each year in the county at large, but at the 1874 election the
county had been divided into three supervisor districts and a
supervisor was elected from each district as at present. The following
persons have served up to date:
FIRST DISTRICT
William Ure, elected October, 1870, two terms.
James Yuill, elected October, 1875, two terms.
John T. Hamilton, elected October, 1881, one term.
James Yuill, elected November, 1884, two terms.
Patrick Mullaly, elected November, 1890, one term. Resigned and Charles
H. Playter appointed to complete the term.
William J. Donnan, elected November, 1893, two terms.
Andrew J. Fuhrmeister, elected November, 1899.
SECOND DISTRICT
Robert P. Rose, elected October, 1870.
Robert P. Rose, elected October, 1871.
[Illustration: INDEPENDENT HOSE COMPANY, CEDAR RAPIDS, 1875
T. A. F. Nusz, Baxter S. McQuin, C. A. Laurance,
Geo. P. Gordon, Will Ferguson, Archie A. Ayers, Lyman M. Ayers]
Daniel Travis, elected October, 1874, two terms.
Robert Smith, elected November, 1880, one term.
Mordecai E. Bunting, elected October, 1883, two terms.
Garry Treat, elected November, 1889, three terms.
John J. Ives, elected November, 1898.
THIRD DISTRICT
Joseph Whitney, elected October, 1870.
Joseph Whitney, elected October, 1873.
Miles M. Crookshank, elected October, 1876.
Albert C. Burnett, appointed June, 1881.
E. D. Wilson, elected October, 1881.
James H. Davis, elected November, 1882, two terms.
Abraham C. Coquillette, elected November, 1888, two terms.
Henry Fairchild, elected November, 1894, two terms.
Leonidas L. Wilson, elected November, 1900.
George E. W. Leonard was declared elected supervisor in October, 1873,
but the election was contested by Joseph Whitney and the court for
trial of contested election reinstated Mr. Whitney.
Crookshank resigned and Albert C. Burnett was appointed and took his
seat at the June, 1881, session and at the general election October,
1881, E. D. Wilson was elected to fill the vacancy.
COUNTY AUDITORS
J. P. Coulter, elected November, 1869, three terms.
Samuel Daniels, elected October, 1875, three terms.
Jos. Moorhead, elected October, 1881, three terms.
Jas. K. Bromwell, elected November, 1887, two terms.
Wm. G. Treat, elected November, 1892, one term.
Edward L. Camp, elected November, 1894, two terms.
Wm. T. Jackson, elected November, 1898, two terms.
The terms of all county auditors were extended one year by the
legislature during Mr. Bromwell's second term, so that county treasurer
and auditor would not be elected the same year.
RECORDER AND TREASURER
The code of 1851 provided that these two offices should be held by one
person.
Isaac Cook, elected August, 1851, two terms.
Nathan M. Day, elected August, 1855, two terms.
Wm. Cook, elected October, 1859, two terms.
Jas. Johnston, elected October, 1863, one term.
COUNTY TREASURER
Richard T. Wilson, elected October, 1865, four terms.
Stephen T. Berry, elected October, 1873, three terms.
Robert M. Jackson, elected October, 1879, four terms.
Jos. Barnhill, elected November, 1887, two terms.
Jos. S. Lake, elected November, 1891, one term.
Franklin E. Witter, elected November, 1893, two terms.
Geo. W. Eakle, elected November, 1897, two terms.
COUNTY RECORDER
John J. Daniels, elected November, 1864, four terms.
Chas. E. Putnam, elected November, 1872, four terms.
Christian H. Kurtz, elected November, 1880, four terms.
R. Hershey Jones, elected November, 1888, one term.
Chas. C. Mentzer, elected November, 1890, one term.
Elvin H. Dunbar, elected November, 1892, two terms.
John H. French, elected November, 1896, two terms.
Perley O. Clark, elected November, 1900.
SHERIFF
Hosea W. Gray, 1840.
Ambrose Harlan, 1844.
Samuel W. Durham, 1846.
Ambrose Harlan, 1848.
Vincent Beall, elected August, 1851, one term.
Samuel Brazelton, elected August, 1853, one term.
Levi H. Mason, elected August, 1855, two terms.
Thos. J. McKean, elected October, 1859.
Resigned and John A. Ide appointed February 28, 1861, who in turn
resigned and W. W. Smith appointed March 11, 1861.
Wm. W. Smith, elected October, 1861.
Resigned and Oliver O. Stanchfield appointed September 3, 1862, to fill
the vacancy until the next general election.
Oliver O. Stanchfield, elected October, 1862.
Hiel Hale, elected October, 1865, one term.
John G. Hayzlett, elected October, 1867, three terms.
G. D. Gillilan, elected October, 1873, two terms.
David Carskaddon, elected October, 1877, one term.
Aaron F. Yambert, elected October, 1879.
Died in office and J. H. Yambert appointed to fill vacancy. At the next
general election (November, 1880) E. L. Swem was declared elected by
the board of canvassers, but the court for the trial of contested
election seated B. F. Seaton.
J. H. Yambert, appointed September 6, 1880.
B. F. Seaton, elected November, 1880.
Geo. W. Burnside, elected November, 1885, two terms.
Dan R. Kinley, elected November, 1889, three terms.
John Cone, elected November, 1895, two terms.
Martin Evans, elected November, 1899.
CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT
S. H. Tryon, 1841, 1842, 1843.
John C. Berry, 1844, 1845, 1846.
Porter W. Earl, 1847, 1848, 1849.
Hosea W. Gray, September, 1849, 1850.
James M. Berry, 1851.
James M. Berry, elected August, 1852.
Andrew J. McKean, elected August, 1854, nine terms.
John L. Crawford, elected November, 1872, three terms.
George L. Stearns, elected October, 1878, four terms.
Jackson W. Bowdish, elected November, 1886, one term.
Oscar F. Lamb, elected November, 1888, one term.
David W. Reynolds, elected November, 1890, one term.
Oscar F. Lamb, elected November, 1892, two terms.
James W. Bowman, elected November, 1896, two terms.
Charles W. Braska, elected November, 1900.
COUNTY ATTORNEY
This office was created in 1886 by the Twenty-first General Assembly.
M. L. Ward, elected November, 1886.
Resigned to remove from the county and Milo P. Smith appointed
September, 1887, to fill the vacancy until the next general election.
Milo P. Smith, elected November, 1887.
John M. Redmond, elected November, 1890, one term.
John M. Grimm, elected November, 1892, three terms.
William O. Clemans, elected November, 1898, two terms.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
This office was created in 1858 by the Seventh General Assembly.
Albert Manson, elected April, 1858.
Ira G. Fairbanks, elected October, 1859, two terms.
P. W. Reeder, elected October, 1863, one term.
H. S. Bradshaw, elected October, 1865, one term.
Z. V. Elsberry, elected October, 1867, one term.
William Langham, elected October, 1869, two terms.
Eli Johnston, elected October, 1873, four terms.
John S. Willard, elected October, 1881, two terms.
Frank J. Sessoins, elected November, 1885.
Resigned July 30, 1889, to accept superintendency of schools at
Waterloo, Iowa, and Fred Chamberlain appointed to complete the term.
Fred Chamberlain, appointed July 30, 1889.
F. Sherman Thompson, elected November, 1882, two terms.
Nathan H. Richards, elected November, 1893, two terms.
Ira E. Gould, elected November, 1897, two terms.
CORONER
Oren E. Shipman, elected August, 1851, one term.
Isaac Whittam, elected August, 1853, one term.
Benjamin Gaylord, elected August, 1855, one term.
Johnston Elliott, elected August, 1857, one term.
Mowry Farnum, elected October, 1859, four terms.
Mr. Farnum was re-elected a fifth time in October, 1867, but refused to
qualify and accept the office and Alexander Laurance was appointed
January 11, 1868, to fill this office.
Alexander Laurance, appointed January, 1868, eleven terms.
John B. Turner, elected November, 1889, four terms.
Cordy H. Ranek, elected November, 1897, two terms.
COUNTY SURVEYORS
Ross McCloud, 1839.
Samuel W. Durham, 1841.
Thomas J. McKean, 1843.
A. D. Bottorf, 1847.
Col. Samuel W. Durham stated that Mr. Bottorf was accidentally killed
in office. A gentleman from Putnam township by the name of Cox was in
the county surveyor's office on business, and as was frequent in those
days, carried a musket which he leaned up in the corner of the door and
door frame. The opening of the door threw the gun on the floor, and it
was discharged, wounding Mr. Bottorf in the heel. The wound was not
considered serious but blood poisoning set in and death resulted.
John McArthur, ----.
Samuel W. Durham, elected August, 1851, one term.
Thomas J. Stone, elected August, 1853, one term.
Adam Perry, elected August, 1855, one term.
Plimpton Greer, elected August, 1857, one term.
George A. Gray, elected October, 1859, one term.
John L. Crawford, elected October, 1861, one term.
John M. Greer, elected October, 1863, two terms.
George A. Gray, elected October, 1866.
Samuel W. Durham, elected October, 1871, two terms.
James E. Lyman, elected October, 1875.
George W. Wynn, elected November, 1880.
G. A. Mitchell, elected November, 1885, two terms.
Samuel W. Durham, elected November, 1889, two terms.
Edmond P. Boynton, elected November, 1893, one term.
Thos. R. Warriner, elected November, 1895, one term.
John H. Lary, elected November, 1897, one term.
Jos. D. Wardle, elected November, 1899.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1900
Supervisors--A. J. Fuhrmeister, J. J. Ives, L. L. Wilson.
Auditor--W. T. Jackson.
Treasurer--Geo. W. Eakle.
Clerk District Court--C. W. Braska.
Recorder--P. O. Clark.
Sheriff--Martin Evans.
County Attorney--W. O. Clemans.
Superintendent of Schools--I. E. Gould.
Coroner--C. H. Ranck.
Surveyor--J. D. Wardle.
Judges District Court--W. G. Thompson, H. M. Remley, W. N. Treichler.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1901
Supervisors--A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.
Auditor--William T. Jackson.
Treasurer--Geo. W. Eakle.
Clerk District Court--Chas. W. Braska.
Recorder--P. O. Clark.
Sheriff--Martin Evans.
County Attorney--Wm. O. Clemans.
Superintendent--J. E. Vance.
Coroner--D. W. King.
County Surveyor--J. D. Wardle.
Judges--W. G. Thompson, H. M. Remley, W. N. Treichler.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1902
Supervisors--A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.
Auditor--William T. Jackson.
Treasurer--Chas. D. Carroll.
Clerk District Court--Chas. W. Braska.
Recorder--P. O. Clark.
Sheriff--Martin Evans.
County Attorney--Wm. O. Clemans.
Superintendent--J. E. Vance.
Coroner--D. W. King.
Surveyor--J. D. Wardle.
Judges--W. G. Thompson, H. M. Remley, W. N. Treichler.
[Illustration: CITY RESIDENCES, CEDAR RAPIDS]
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1903
Supervisors--A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.
Auditor--R. C. Jackson.
Treasurer--Chas. D. Carroll.
Clerk District Court--Chas. W. Braska.
Recorder--P. O. Clark.
Sheriff--Martin Evans.
County Attorney--Joseph Mekota.
Superintendent--J. E. Vance.
Coroner--D. W. King.
Surveyor--J. D. Wardle.
Judges--W. G. Thompson, J. H. Preston, B. H. Miller.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1904
Supervisors--A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.
Auditor--R. C. Jackson.
Treasurer--Charles D. Carroll.
Clerk District Court--Chas. W. Braska.
Recorder--P. O. Clark.
Sheriff--A. W. Coquillette.
County Attorney--Joseph Mekota.
Superintendent--J. E. Vance.
Coroner--D. W. King.
Surveyor--J. D. Wardle.
Judges District Court--W. G. Thompson, J. H. Preston, B. H. Miller.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1905
Supervisors--A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.
Auditor--R. C. Jackson.
Treasurer--Chas. D. Carroll.
Clerk District Court--H. C. Ring.
Recorder--C. W. Biggs.
Sheriff--A. W. Coquillette.
County Attorney--C. G. Watkins.
Superintendent.--J. E. Vance.
Coroner--D. W. King.
Surveyor--J. D. Wardle.
Judges--W. G. Thompson, J. H. Preston, B. H. Miller.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1906
Supervisors--E. W. Virden, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.
Auditor--R. C. Jackson.
Treasurer--Chas. D. Carroll.
Clerk District Court--H. C. Ring.
Recorder--C. W. Biggs.
Sheriff--A. W. Coquillette.
County Attorney--C. G. Watkins.
Superintendent--J. E. Vance.
Coroner--D. W. King.
Surveyor--S. N. Parsons.
Judges--W. G. Thompson, J. H. Preston, B. H. Miller.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1907
Supervisors--Allan McDuff, Wm. P. Secrist, J. C. Gritman.
Auditor--F. J. Cleveland.
Treasurer--H. E. Pratt.
Clerk District Court--H. C. Ring.
Recorder--C. W. Biggs.
Sheriff--A. W. Coquillette.
County Attorney--Chas. J. Haas.
Superintendent--A. B. Alderman.
Coroner--W. S. King.
Surveyor--P. F. Randall.
Judges--Milo P. Smith, W. N. Treichler, F. O. Ellison.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1908
Supervisors--Allan McDuff, Wm. P. Secrist, J. C. Gritman.
Auditor--F. J. Cleveland.
Treasurer--H. E. Pratt.
Clerk District Court--H. C. Ring.
Recorder--C. W. Biggs.
Sheriff--A. W. Coquillette.
County Attorney--Chas. J. Haas.
Superintendent--A. B. Alderman.
Coroner--W. S. King.
Judges District Court--Milo P. Smith, W. N. Treichler, F. O. Ellison.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1909-1910
Supervisors--Allan McDuff, Wm. P. Secrist, J. C. Gritman.
Auditor--F. J. Cleveland.
Treasurer--Harry E. Pratt.
Clerk District Court--Wm. Dennis.
Recorder--J. E. Cook.
Sheriff--Wm. G. Loftus.
County Attorney--Chas J. Haas.
Superintendent--A. B. Alderman.
Coroner--W. S. King.
Surveyor--J. W. Bowdish, Jr.
Judges District Court--Milo P. Smith, W. N. Treichler, F. O. Ellison.
COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1911
Supervisors--Allan McDuff, Wm. P. Secrist, J. C. Gritman.
Auditor--F. A. Canfield.
Treasurer--J. B. Travis.
Clerk District Court--Wm. Dennis.
Recorder--J. E. Cook.
Sheriff--Wm. G. Loftus.
County Attorney--G. P. Linville.
Superintendent--A. B. Alderman.
Coroner--W. S. King.
Surveyor--Raymond Swem.
Judges District Court--Milo P. Smith, W. N. Treichler, F. O. Ellison.
CHAPTER XLIII
_History of Marion, the County Seat_
BY HON. JAMES E. BROMWELL
Marion, most fittingly called the "City Beautiful," or the "Grove
City," was laid out in 1839 on a semi-circular plateau of prairie that
lay within a timbered crescent bordering and following the course of
Indian creek on the west, and opening into a vast extent of prairie on
the east, to which it lay joined like a protected harbor of the sea.
Before it was laid out in the spring of 1839, it was located by a
special board of commissioners appointed by the territorial legislature
of Iowa in 1838, as the county seat of Linn county, and was named in
honor of General Francis Marion.
David A. Woodbridge, who was appointed to superintend the work, and
Ross McCloud, the first county surveyor, proceeded to lay out the town,
and on December 2, 1839, assisted by Hosea W. Gray and A. J. McKean as
chain carriers, Elisha Kemp stake driver, and Ira Wilson flagman, and
under the direction of David A. Woodbridge, agent, the town of Marion
was platted on the west half of the northwest quarter of section six,
township eighty-three, range six, and the east half of the northeast
quarter of section one, township eighty-three, range seven.
The town consisted of fifty-six blocks, 250 feet square. The lots were
60 by 120 feet, and the alleys ten feet wide. The four streets that
enclose the public square were laid out eighty feet wide, all other
streets sixty feet wide. The lots on which the court house and other
county buildings now stand, were then reserved for public use, as was
the park, consisting of the block directly north of that on which the
county buildings now stand, and block fifty-six, the southwest block of
the plat, was reserved for a public cemetery.
Isbell's Grove, now known as Irish Hill, lay to the southeast of the
town plat like a beautiful emerald island cut off from the body of
timber lying south of it by a strip of prairie, where, in 1838, William
K. Farnsworth had entered a claim. He was the first actual town
settler, although James Preston and Prior Scott had entered a large
tract of land east of Isbell's Grove about the same time, and a part of
which lay open until the eighties, and was known as Scott's Prairie.
Soon after the town was located, Luman M. Strong and James W. Bassitt
located northwest of the town; Rufus H. Lucore, west; John C. Berry and
Hosea W. Gray, north; James W. Willis, northeast: George W. Gray,
south; John Margrave, northwest; and Aaron Moriarity, James and
Henderson Smith on the land now owned by Emmett Kemp; James Blackman,
adjoining on the northeast; Samuel Ross, his mother and several
brothers, adjoining the Willis place, later known as the E. A. Vaughn
farm.
[Illustration: VIEW OF MARION, 1868]
Henry Thompson erected a mill three miles south on Indian creek. The
timber southwest and west was taken up in small parcels; and Ephraim P.
Lewis, one of the second board of county commissioners, and A. B. Mason
settled between Marion and Cedar Rapids and were the first settlers in
that direction. All of these came to Iowa in 1839; and in the fall of
that year the Brodies and Leveriches settled two miles northwest of
town. A little later Norris Cone settled southeast towards Mount
Vernon, and Norman, George, and John Elihu Ives, four miles east; and a
large part of the Ives land is now owned by two sons of Elihu Ives,
viz: John and Julius Ives. W. L. Winter and wife settled on Dry
creek, northwest of Marion, in 1842; and the wife, Clarissa D.
Winter, eighty-eight years of age in March, 1910, with her mind
unimpaired, and intellect grown seemingly brighter with the years, is
living with her daughter, Mrs. R. Lee Taylor, in Marion.
The first house built in Marion, although then without the town plat,
was that of Luman M. Strong, erected in 1839. It was also the first
tavern. It stood on the Center Point road, now known as Central avenue,
and occupied the site where Alvin M. Goldsberry built his home, which
is now owned by J. B. Michel. The second house was built the same year
by Henry Thompson and David A. Woodbridge, also outside the town plat,
and on the site now occupied by the residence known for years as the H.
P. Elliott home, on Twelfth street, just north of the Odd Fellows
building. These men also built the first store, a log shanty, near
where Charles A. Patten's residence now stands on north Eleventh
street; and were licensed by the commissioners as follows: "Ordered,
that Woodbridge and Thompson be allowed a license to vend and retail
foreign merchandise at their store in Marion, for one year from the 9th
day of October, 1839." In 1840 Addison Daniels came to Marion on
horseback from Iowa City, seeking a business location, although there
was not a house nor tree within the city limits, just a sea of tall,
waving, wild grass with cow-paths running here and there. But he
contracted with Hosea W. Gray for the erection of a store building
20×22 feet in size, and went to Muscatine by horse and thence to St.
Louis by boat, where he purchased a stock of goods and returned to
Marion. It took him about six months to make the trip, and when he
returned he found his store room ready, and three residences in the
town proper, viz: that of George Greene, afterwards judge of the
supreme court of Iowa, capitalist, and later a prominent citizen of
Cedar Rapids, on Main street west of Market street on the lot later
occupied by the residence of Joseph Mentzer in the rear of C. F.
Reichert's grocery store; that of Joseph W. Bigger, later a prominent
farmer southeast of Marion, where Dr. Bardwell lived so many years, and
now occupied by Eliza Bardwell: and that of L. D. Phillips, built by
Joseph W. Bigger, assisted by James E. Bromwell, as a hotel and known
for many years as the American House, later as the Newhall, on the site
now occupied by Ed. Sigfred's clothing store.
The first store of Marion, in the city proper, was that of Addison
Daniels, who continued in business for nearly half a century with
marked success. It stood on the site now occupied by the Home Bakery of
Mrs. Smith, on Tenth street. Mr. Daniels was Marion's first postmaster,
a man of public spirit, sterling integrity, and unimpeachable
character. He died June 18, 1883.
In the spring of 1840, O. S. Hall, a pioneer of marked christian
character, built a one and a half story frame building just north of
the first store of Mr. Daniels, where he opened a hotel known as the
Iowa House. He also served one term as county recorder in 1843. He died
in 1846, but the hotel was continued by his widow and son, O. S. Hall,
Jr., still living in Marion, until 1871, but in later years in the
large brick building in the same block at the corner of Tenth street
and Eighth avenue. In the same spring the first jail of the county was
built, a log structure, on lot two, block thirty-six, and where the
Catholic church now stands, at a cost of $635.00. It was built by
William Abbe and Asher Edgerton. William Abbe had removed to Marion
from his claim near Mount Vernon on Abbe creek, which was named for
him, and where the commissioners met to locate the county seat, and
which was also one of the first polling places of the county. The first
court house was built on the northeast corner of the block occupied by
the present county buildings. Here the first school was held in Marion.
The building was bought in 1845 for use as a Methodist church. It was
later occupied for many years by Leonard Stowe for a bakery and
grocery, and has recently been remodeled for residence flats. However,
the county records show that the Methodists had made provision for a
church building several years before, but probably by reason of the
scarcity of money in those days, had been unable to build such an
edifice as was required by a resolution of the county commissioners at
their April term, 1842, which read as follows: "Ordered by the Board
that the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church of the Town of
Marion be allowed and they are hereby authorized to purchase of the
county agent lots number three and four in block number thirty-seven on
condition that they pay said agent the sum of ten dollars and erect on
said lots a good and substantial church building worth at least $1,500
within two years; and the said agent is hereby empowered to execute the
above sale." This description of the lots was doubtless wrong, for
these were the lots where A. J. McKean built his home, where he lived
until his decease. The lots intended, and where the first Methodist
church was built, were lots one and two in block twenty-seven. The
present court house was built in 1841 by George W. Gray, contractor.
In the spring of 1840 Hiram Beales built and operated a saw mill, if
not the first, one of the first in the county, on Indian creek west of
the town and on the west side of Indian creek, opposite the site of the
present Howler Mill. In 1841 Richard Thomas became a partner in this
mill and mill stones were introduced for grinding grain. The first
upper mill stone used in this mill has an interesting history. Ambrose
Harland, once sheriff of Linn county, and who first lived at the place
known later as the "Old Stone Barn," on the old road between Marion and
Cedar Rapids, was a stone mason and built the first brick residence in
Marion in 1842 for William H. Woodbridge. This house stood in the
street, where now the Methodist parsonage stands, and was for years
known as the Berry house. In 1884 Samuel Daniels, who settled in Marion
after the war and was Linn county's third auditor, bought this Berry
house, and by reason of it occupying a part of the street and thus
disfiguring the block of which Mr. Daniels owned the greater part, tore
it down. As one of the corner stones of this house, Mr. Daniels found
this first upper mill stone of the Beales and Thomas mill, which had in
1842 been replaced by a larger one, and has preserved it as a relic of
early days.
Richard Thomas, commonly known as "Uncle Dick," came to Marion in 1840,
and was a remarkable character. His farm embraced what is now known as
"Orchard Heights," one of the most beautiful additions of Marion. He
was of southern birth, quaint, plain-spoken, energetic, and died in
1893 at the age of 111 years. His widow and daughter, Mary English,
also a widow, occupy a beautiful home in "Orchard Heights" near the
original building site of the old farm.
In 1841 the first school house was built in Marion by subscription, and
on the site now occupied by the C. R. Fairfield Lumber Company's
office. It stood alone in the open prairie, and was surrounded by wild
grass fully five feet high. Mr. Higby was Marion's first school master.
It was in this building that Rev. Mr. Emerson organized the first
Methodist society.
In 1838 the territorial legislature appointed Richard Knott, Lyman
Dillon, and Benjamin Nye commissioners to locate the "seat of justice"
in Linn county, and on the first Monday in March, 1839, two of said
commissioners, Richard Knott and Benjamin Nye, met at the house of
William Abbe, on Abbe's creek, and chose the site of the town of Marion
as the proper location for the county seat.
In August, 1839, three commissioners were elected to act as fiscal
agents of the county. The polling place was Westport, near the present
site of Bertram, and Samuel C. Stewart, Peter McRoberts, and Luman M.
Strong were elected. This commission was invested with about the same
powers as are now exercised by the board of supervisors of the county.
They held their first meeting in Marion on September 9, 1839. H. W.
Gray, the first appointed and first elected sheriff of Linn county,
proclaimed the board in session. Its first official act was the
appointment of John C. Berry, clerk. It next named the county seat,
Marion. It next appointed A. J. McKean and William H. Smith
constables. At its October session, 1839, it divided the county into
three election precincts, viz: one at William Abbe's, on Abbe creek,
known as the Sugar Grove precinct; one at Marion, known as the Marion
precinct; and one at Michael Green's, known as Green's Grove precinct.
The first election judges of Marion were James W. Bassitt, Henry
Thompson, and Rufus H. Lucore. At this session James W. Willis was
allowed $7.75 for five days' work making town stakes and hauling same,
"three loads." The first road laid out was as follows, and ordered
January 6, 1840: "Beginning at the county line west of Lathrup
Olmsted's farm; thence on the nearest and best ground to the town of
Marion; thence to the rapids of Cedar river; thence to the county line
on a direction to Iowa City, the seat of the Territorial government."
We quote one other entry of the county commissioners made at the
January term, 1840: "Ordered by the Board that James W. Willis be and
is hereby allowed the privilege of cutting a sufficient amount of
timber off from the quarter section of land on which the town of Marion
is located to finish a certain frame for which he has already got a
part; provided, however, that he shall not cut any timber that is not
included in the streets of said town. Said privilege is granted in
consideration of house rent and fuel for the January term of this
board. 1840." A very significant entry was made by this board of
commissioners at its April term, 1840, in which Luman M. Strong, one of
the commissioners, was granted a license to keep a grocery and "vend
spiritous liquors at retail for one year at his house near Marion by
paying into the county treasury the sum of $50.00." In a later record,
and the only one referring to the claimant as a public officer, R. P.
Lowe, district attorney for 1840, is allowed $75.00.
The county judge plan succeeded the commissioner system of government
in 1851, and Norman W. Isbell was the first judge, and was elected in
1851. He was succeeded in turn by J. M. Berry, Daniel Lothian, Johnston
Elliott, and A. B. Dumont. The supervisor system, one from each
township of the county, by order of the legislature, supplanted the
county judge in 1861; and Marion was represented on this first board by
A. J. Twogood. In 1871 the present system of county government by a
board of three supervisors was adopted. County Judge J. M. Berry, in
1855, in his official capacity, contracted for the erection of the
present jail and fire proof building where the county offices are now
located, and this brought on the court house fight of 1855, when the
issues were fairly joined in the contest for election to the county
judgeship between J. M. Berry, representing Marion, and Rev. Elias
Skinner, representing Cedar Rapids. Berry won by a handsome majority.
Hosea W. Gray, a man of marked ability and prominent in the early
history of Marion, was elected the first sheriff of Linn county. At the
same election, to wit: in August, 1839, Thomas W. Campbell was elected
county treasurer; Socrates H. Tryon, who was also Marion's first
physician, county clerk; and G. H. Tryon, was either elected or
appointed the first county recorder. Although it is well authenticated
that Richard Osborn and Sarah Haines were married in Linn county in
1839, the first marriage in Marion and the second license of record in
the county is that of James E. Bromwell and Catherine Gray, date August
26, 1841. This saintly pioneer died in Marion May 5, 1900, after more
than sixty years continuous residence in Marion and on his farm, one
and a half miles east of the town, honored and loved by all. The same
year John Hunter was married to Hannah Barbary Hines, and Charles Rowe
to Phebe Putnam, and Ans Safely to Margaret Hunter, and Samuel Ross to
Mary Vaughn, and John Mann to Mary Mann, and Julius Allen Peet to
Esther Ann Crowe, and Aaron Moriarity to Hannah Ross, and Joseph Crane
to Agnes Bogard.
Hosea W. Gray, who in the Civil war was captain of Company A, Sixth
Iowa Infantry, and Linn county's first sheriff, took the first census
of Linn county in 1840, which showed a population of 1,373. The vote at
the first election in 1839 showed thirty-two ballots cast. October 28,
1840, Peter Garrow, born in Scotland, renounced allegiance to Queen
Victoria and declared his intention to become of citizen of the United
States. The first divorce case was filed May 26, 1842, and entitled
Dyer Usher vs. Mary Ann Usher. At the September term, 1843, it was
ordered dismissed. The first divorce granted in Linn county was at the
March term, 1844, of the district court, when Parthena E. Hewitt
obtained a decree of divorce from her husband, Oliver Hewitt. The title
of the first case filed in the district court of Linn county is Richard
Thomas vs. O. S. Hall, being an appeal case brought for trespass. After
several continuances it was dismissed. George Greene, Marion's first
lawyer, was counsel for the plaintiff. William G. Thompson was the
first prosecuting attorney for what was called the second circuit,
consisting of the counties of Cedar, Jones, and Linn, and of the eighth
judicial district after the establishment of the circuit court, in
1868. The first murder committed in Linn county occurred in Marion
March 20, 1847, when James Reed--who then and for many years after
occupied the farm later known as the Bachman farm, on the old road
about half way between Marion and Cedar Rapids, and whose house was
destroyed by the tornado of 1860--struck Nathaniel Carnagy with a sled
stake, fracturing his skull, from which injuries he died two weeks
later. Reed was indicted but found not guilty by a jury.
The tornado of 1860, which passed through Linn county on Sunday, June
3, started about six miles west of Marion. It struck the southwest part
of the town but the only damage done was to a brick smoke house
standing west of the house then occupied by Willard Harlan, now the
home of J. Q. A. Dutton, the last house on the street car line east of
Indian creek. The first deed recorded was for lots five and six, block
eleven, Marion, and was executed by the county commissioners April 4,
1843, to Horace Metcalf. The second deed is to Addison Daniels. The
consideration is nine dollars. It bears the same date and is for lots
one and two, block fourteen, the present Clogston home, lot seven,
block twelve, where the T. J. Davis building on Tenth street now
stands, and lot eight, block thirteen, on a part of which the First
National Bank now stands. The selection of these lots is good evidence
of the business ability of Mr. Daniels in those early days.
The plats of the towns of Marion and Cedar Rapids were recorded on the
same day, to wit: April 3, 1843, "O. S. Hall, Recorder." In volume 216
on page 48, Recorder's office, is a record showing the organization of
the Presbyterian society, on November 11, 1839. William Vaughn is named
as one of the elders.
A. J. McKean, who came to Linn county in 1839, helped lay out the town
of Marion, was the first constable of Linn county, and the first
assessor for the whole county, by appointment in 1840. He served as
clerk of the courts from 1854 to 1872, and was one of Marion's most
prominent citizens for over half a century. His brother, Thomas J.
McKean, was the first mayor of the town of Marion which was
incorporated in 1865. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1859,
serving until the spring of 1861, when he resigned to enter the
government army service, having already served in the Florida and
Mexican wars, and November 21, 1861, was appointed brigadier-general,
and after a brilliant service in the Civil war was honorably discharged
in 1865, as brevet major general. On September 5, 1848, he was married
to Sarah T. Gray, who still survives him, is a resident of Marion, and
still bright and active at the age of ninety years.
One of the most prominent men in the early history of Marion, and we
might add of the county, was Samuel W. Durham. A courtly gentleman of
the old school, honored and respected by every one who knew him, he
died at his home in Marion, May 2, 1909, at the ripe old age of
ninety-two years. He was sheriff of Linn county from 1846-1848, county
surveyor in 1841, serving one term, in 1851 serving one term, in 1871
serving two terms, and in 1889 serving two terms. He was also a member
of the first constitutional convention of Iowa, which convened at Iowa
City October 7, 1844.
[Illustration: JAMES E. BROMWELL, SR.]
George Greene, Marion's first lawyer, and who built one of its first
three residences, was the first member of the General Assembly from
Linn county. He also served in the council, now called the state
senate, of the third legislative assembly of Iowa, which convened at
Burlington November 2, 1840, representing Cedar, Jones, and Linn
counties. He also served in the fourth assembly, which convened at Iowa
City December 6, 1841.
The first court was held in Marion October 26, 1840, and the following
record was made: "Minutes of the District Court of Iowa Territory,
within and for the county of Linn:
"Iowa Territory }
}
Linn County }
"Pursuant to an act of the Legislature of the Territory of
Iowa, approved July, 1840, the District Court of the United
States, and also for the Territory of Iowa, met at Marion,
in said county, on Monday the 26th day of October, 1840.
Present: Hon. Joseph Williams, Judge of the Second Judicial
District for the Territory; W. G. Woodward, Esq., District
Attorney of the United States for the District of Iowa; R.
P. Lowe, Esq., prosecuting attorney for Second Judicial
District; Hosea W. Gray, Esq., Sheriff of County of Linn;
Socrates H. Tryon, Clerk of the District Court; Lawrence
Maloney, Marshall of the Territory."
The following are the lists of the early officers of Linn county, who
were all residents of Marion:
Sheriffs--Hosea W. Gray, 1840; Ambrose Harlan, 1844; Samuel W. Durham,
1846; Ambrose Harlan, 1847; Vincent Beall, 1850; Samuel Brazleton,
1853; Levi H. Mason, 1855; Thomas J. McKean, 1860; William W. Smith,
1861; O. O. Stanchfield, 1862; Hiel Hale, 1866; John Hayzlett, 1868; G.
D. Gillilan, 1874.
Clerks of District and Circuit Courts--John C. Berry (Com.'s Clerk),
1839; S. H. Tryon, 1840; John C. Berry, 1844; Porter W. Earl, 1847;
Hosea W. Gray, 1849; James M. Berry, 1851; A. J. McKean, 1854; J. L.
Crawford, 1873.
Treasurers and Recorders--Addison Daniels, 1841; O. S. Hall. 1844; John
Zumbro, 1844; O. S. Hall, 1845; P. W. Earl, 1846; William M. Harris,
1846; Isaac Cook, 1851; N. M. Day, 1855; William Cook, 1860; James
Johnston, 1864.
Recorders after the offices of treasurer and recorder were
separated--John J. Daniels, 1865; Charles E. Putnam, 1873.
Treasurers after offices were separated--R. T. Wilson, 1866; S. T.
Berry, 1874; R. M. Jackson, 1882.
Auditors of the County--A. B. Dumont, 1869; John P. Coulter, 1870;
Samuel Daniels, 1876; Joseph Moorhead, 1882; James E. Bromwell, 1888.
The following is a list of the early State Senators: I. M. Preston,
1852; William G. Thompson, 1856; H. G. Angle, 1860; J. B. Young, 1864;
Robert Smyth, 1868; E. B. Kephart, 1872.
The following is a list of the early judges of the Eighth Judicial
District: Joseph Williams, 1840; Thomas S. Wilson, 1846; James B.
Carleton, 1847; William Smyth, 1853; Isaac Cook, 1857; William E.
Miller, 1859; Norman W. Isbell, 1862; C. H. Conklin, 1864; N. M.
Hubbard, 1866; James H. Rothrock, 1867.
Ira G. Fairbanks was the first superintendent of county schools.
In the first constitutional convention which was held at Iowa City
October 7, 1844, and whose work was rejected by the people at the polls
August 4, 1845, Linn county was represented by Thomas J. McKean, Samuel
W. Durham, and Luman M. Strong. At the second one, held at Iowa City
May 4, 1846, and whose work was endorsed by a small majority at the
election held August 3, 1846, Socrates H. Tryon represented Linn and
Benton counties.
The first estate ministered upon in Linn county was that of James
Travis, who died in December, 1839. James Doty was appointed
administrator February 15, 1840. His bond was for $200. His bondsmen
were Jacob Leabo and John Stambaugh. Israel Mitchell, who had been
appointed by Governor Lucas, in 1839, was the judge of probate. It was
this same Judge Mitchell who located the first town in Linn county,
viz: that of Westport, near the present site of Bertram, and who was
the orator of the day at the first Fourth of July celebration in Linn
county, held at Westport in 1839.
The second estate appearing of record was that of William Marion, who
died July 4, 1840, and of which William Abbe was appointed
administrator in 1841.
The third was the estate of Martin Martindale, who died in February of
1841, and of whose estate William Garrison was appointed administrator.
The following is the record of the first coffin made in Linn county:
"Be it remembered that on the 21st day of June, A. D. 1841, James E.
Bromwell filed his account in the Court of Probate against the estate
of Martin Martindale, deceased, in the words and figures, to wit:
"To J. E. Bromwell, Dr.
"To one white walnut coffin, $12.00"
Marion was the home for years of three Mexican war veterans, who were
also veterans of the Civil war, viz: Thomas J. McKean, G. A. Gray, both
deceased, and Samuel B. Thompson, now past ninety years of age and
living with his daughter, Mrs. Nellie Schimmerhorn, of Kansas City.
Marion was incorporated in 1865. Its first mayor was General Thomas J.
McKean. The other officers were: recorder, G. A. Gray; trustees, D. H.
McDanel, who died in Chicago and whose widow is now living in Cedar
Rapids; S. W. Rathbun, still living in Marion and editor and proprietor
of the Marion _Register_, which was established as the _Prairie Star_
in 1852 by A. Hoyt; G. F. Woods, who died in Marion some years ago; O.
C. Wyman, now a merchant prince of Minneapolis; and Dr. N. W. Owen, who
died in 1880.
The Marion fire department was organized in 1874 and consisted of the
Phoenix engine company and the J. C. Davis hook and ladder company. D.
P. Thurber was elected the first foreman of the Phoenix company, and A.
J. Keyes of the hook and ladder company. The first engine house was the
old Baptist church which stood on the site of the present C., M. & St.
P. depot. Such was the beginning of the later noted Marion Volunteer
Fire Department, with its matchless Mentzer Hose Company, which as a
drill corps, under the captaincy of James E. Bromwell, for twenty
years, in the state of Iowa and elsewhere, challenged all military and
civic companies, and met all challengers in competitive contests,
winning over fifty first prizes, cups, and purses, acting as special
escort to Governor Cummins at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904, and
winning over all contestants at the National Firemen's Tournament of
the Trans-Mississippi Exposition, held at Omaha in 1898, and retiring
without a single defeat as a drill corps after its first three years,
although as a fire company it is still active and efficient and the
possessor of a beautiful home of its own on Seventh avenue in Marion,
the lower story being used as a hose house and armory, and the upper
story for reception and club rooms.
In 1864 the Dubuque and Southwestern Railroad, running from Farley to
Cedar Rapids, was built into Marion, and in 1872 the Sabula, Ackley &
Dakota Railroad--now the C., M. &. St. P.--connected Marion with
Chicago. Here it terminated until it was extended west to Council
Bluffs in 1880, and south to Kansas City in 1882.
Marion was especially favored in its early history, as it is today, by
competent and popular physicians. Of these there were three, probably
best known, who are worthy of mention, viz: Drs. Thos. S. Bardwell,
Henry M. Ristine, and N. W. Owen. Dr. Thomas S. Bardwell came to
Marion with his father, Dr. Leonard Bardwell, in 1841. He studied
medicine with his father, and after attending lectures in St. Louis
began practice in Marion in 1850. He was a natural doctor, bringing
into his practice not only a knowledge of medicine but that intuition
and instinctive comprehension of the law of cause and effect as applied
to the human system which mark the genius in materia medica and
surgery. He was a great hearted man, kind, generous, charitable, a
devoted son and brother, a loyal friend and citizen. He died in Marion
in 1895.
Henry M. Ristine came to Marion in 1842. He, too, was a master in the
ministry of relief to human suffering. His genial presence and cheerful
and encouraging words added much to the magic of his medicine. His
friends were legion. He was welcomed to the homes where he was called
as a physician as a beloved brother, and was always a comfort and a
blessing in the sick room. In the early days and to the second
generation his name was a household word throughout Linn county. He
moved to Cedar Rapids in 1875, where, crowned with success and honors
in his chosen calling, he died in 1897.
Norman W. Owen came to Marion in 1856. He continued the study of
medicine, which he had begun in the east, under Dr. Henry M. Ristine,
and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1862. He at once entered
into a partnership with Dr. Ristine, and during his absence in the
Civil war, he drove almost night and day, attending the large practice
which he was left alone to care for. He was a most skilful and
successful physician. He united with a wide knowledge of diseases and
their remedies, the tenderness and skill of the trained nurse. An
earnest student, of analytical yet comprehensive mind, he became a
pioneer in the discovery of new remedies for human ailments, and while
he formulated and compounded many preparations now of common use, his
greatest achievement was the discovery and composition of Owen and
Chamberlain's--now Chamberlain's--Colic, Cholera, and Diarrhoea Remedy,
a world-wide panacea, of which Dr. Owen was the sole and undisputed
originator. This alone places him among the "immortals" in the realm of
medicine. He died in Marion in 1880.
Among the early great financiers of Marion--and we might say of Iowa
and the west--was Redmond D. Stephens. He came to Marion in 1855. He
was a lawyer, teacher, and scholar, as well as a banker. He obtained
the third charter ever issued for a national bank in Iowa, and
instituted the First National Bank of Marion in 1863. He was one of the
county supervisors in 1867, and was elected to the state legislature in
1879. He organized the Merchants National Bank of Cedar Rapids in 1881,
of which, as well as of the First National Bank of Marion, he was
president when he died in Cedar Rapids in 1883, where he then resided.
His rare acumen, keen perception, unerring judgment, and almost
prophetic endowment, mastered every business enterprise he undertook
and won for him the merited distinction with which success ever crowns
the union of genius and studiousness, of being enthroned, honored, and
acknowledged as king in the chosen realm of his life work.
No early history of Marion would be complete without mention of that
brilliant coterie which illumined Linn county's seat of justice and as
pillars and ornaments of the law established and adorned the now famous
bar of Linn county. Nothing in later years has compared with the
gladiatorial contests of the early years when true forensic oratory,
keenest wit, and brilliant satire made forever famous the legal arena
within the old court house at Marion. What memories and achievements
cluster about the names of Corbett, Hubbard, Preston, Isbell, Thompson,
Young and Smyth.
Nathaniel M. Hubbard, the greatest legal general of his time, who
served one year as judge of the eighth district in 1865, was keen,
alert, tactful, resourceful, and tireless. He won marked distinction in
his profession, and died in Cedar Rapids a few years ago, as chief
counsel for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway.
Norman W. Isbell, student, scholar, interpreter of the law, judge of
the eighth district in 1862, died in the prime of life, a great mind in
a frail body.
J. B. Young, brilliant, scholarly, eloquent, came to Marion in 1853;
was elected prosecuting attorney for Linn county in 1854. He served in
the state legislature in 1861, in the state senate in 1863, and was
re-elected in 1866. He was army paymaster, with the rank of major,
during the Civil war, elector-at-large in 1868, and United States
pension agent in 1869. Impetuous, fiery, generous, of marked aptness
and ability, he honored and adorned his chosen profession.
William Smyth came to Iowa in 1843 and to Marion in 1846--the year he
was admitted to the bar. He was elected prosecuting attorney for the
county in 1847, appointed judge of the fourth district in 1853, elected
in 1854, and re-elected in 1856, but resigned in 1857, and with his
brother, Robert Smyth, and A. J. Twogood established the first bank in
Linn county, later known as the Twogood and Elliott bank of Marion. In
1858 he was chairman of the committee of three to revise and codify the
laws of the state of Iowa, and the criminal code of 1860 is largely his
work. In 1862 he was commissioned colonel of the Thirty-first Iowa
Volunteer Infantry, serving until 1864. He then formed a law
partnership with J. B. Young, and was actively engaged in the practice
until 1868, when he was elected to congress. He was renominated in
1870, but on September 30, 1870, before the election, died at his
beautiful suburban home adjoining the city of Marion, now owned by the
Sisters of Mercy, and known as St. Joseph's Academy. A man of sound
judgment, a lawyer of merit, a judge of ability, a statesman of
fidelity and purity, he yet stood pre-eminently before all as a man of
integrity, honor, and character, the true and highest type of the
Christian gentleman.
I shall now mention as the last, the two greatest lawyers of the early
days of Marion, judging from their practice, marked success, and
general recognition, viz: Isaac M. Preston, and William G. Thompson.
Isaac M. Preston came to Marion in 1842. He was elected probate judge
of Linn county in 1842, appointed district attorney for the eighteenth
judicial district of Iowa in 1845, again elected probate judge in 1847,
the same year was appointed United States district attorney for Iowa by
President Polk, was elected to the state legislature in 1848, and
elected the first state senator in 1852 for Linn, Benton, and Tama
counties. He moved to Cedar Rapids in 1878, where he died in 1880. He
was possessed of a strong mind, his reasoning was logical, and his
analysis keen. He aspired to greatness in his profession above all
else. He was pronounced by competent judges the greatest criminal
lawyer of Iowa in his day. Rugged, determined, persistent, tireless,
profound, thoroughly versed in the common law, of broad conception, a
close student and able judge of human nature, deliberate, careful,
prudent; in speech plain, masterful, convincing; he having reached a
conclusion in law or taken a position legally or morally, was seldom if
ever compelled to compromise or retreat.
[Illustration: T. M. SINCLAIR]
[Illustration: J. O. STEWART]
William G. Thompson came to Marion in 1853 and first began the practice
of law with I. M. Preston. He was prosecuting attorney in 1854, editor
of the Marion _Register_ (which he bought to insure a republican paper
for Linn county) in 1855 and 1856, state senator in 1856 and 1858,
major of the Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until 1864,
elector-at-large on the republican ticket in 1864, district attorney of
the eighth judicial district from 1867 to 1874, chief justice of Idaho
in 1878, elected to congress in 1879, and refused to accept a
renomination. In 1884, to save the republican legislative ticket, he
was nominated for the state legislature and elected. He was appointed
judge of the eighteenth district in 1894, and was elected in the fall
of the same year, re-elected in 1898 and 1902. He is now living in
retirement with his son. J. M. Thompson, at his beautiful home, "The
Elms," on the boulevard between Marion and Cedar Rapids. Major Thompson
was naturally possessed of the elements of true greatness, viz:
simplicity, sympathy, generosity, and charity. While he was in truth
the "poor man's friend," he was more truly everybody's friend. His was
a brilliant mind, a tender heart, an eloquent yet poignant tongue. Of
quick intuition, forceful expression, and impassioned oratory, he
carried juries with the force of the mountain torrent. His great tender
heart was the repository of anybody's troubles or sorrows or legal
difficulties "without money and without price," if needs be. As a
lawyer he was comprehensive, ingenious, and aggressive. As a judge,
merciful, conscientious, and just. The equitable appealed to him in
every branch of the law. No truer friend, no more loyal partisan, no
more zealous advocate, ever stood rock bound, unchangeable, and
immovable as William G. Thompson always stood without malice or
offense. Devoted to his home, his wife, and only son, cheerful, sunny,
optimistic, unerring in his measurement of men and motives, charitable
and forgiving beyond belief, honored and honorable, commonplace and
companionable, always kind and considerate and helpful, great hearted,
of noble soul, and of almost divine compassion, Judge William G.
Thompson has already erected his monument of Christlike deeds, and his
sepulchre will be the inner shrines of the hearts of all who knew him.
The character of the early settlers of Marion was of the highest type.
Little wonder, then, that it has grown into a city of schools and
churches, that its moral atmosphere has been fairly free from the fetid
breath of vice and crime, and that its intellectual, spiritual, and
social ideals have been largely realized in its system of schools,
number and quality of its churches and church membership, and its
unexcelled fraternal organizations, literary and musical clubs, and
societies. Of ideal location, modern and progressive, its water supply
direct from the noted Bowman springs, clean and wholesome, its people
contented and prosperous, never destined, under the shadow of Cedar
Rapids, to be a great city, but unique, beautiful, the county seat of
the great county of Linn, undoubtedly the prize winning slogan of Cedar
Rapids, with Marion substituted, would be acceptable to every resident:
"Marion suits me."
CHAPTER XLIV
_Linn County in War_
The men and women of Linn county have always been patriotic. They have
responded promptly and cheerfully to every call to arms. One of the
earliest settlers in the county had served in the Revolutionary war.
Nathan Brown, who came here in 1839 and for whom Brown township was
named, at the early age of sixteen years joined the American forces.
T. J. McKean, George A. Gray, A. R. Sausman, William Hampton, S. D.
Thompson, "Democ" Woodbridge, and a Mr. Courtney served in the war with
Mexico. These men all enlisted from this county, entering the service
in June, 1847. J. J. Snouffer, who came to the county in the early days
and who long was an important figure in the business and political life
of Cedar Rapids, was a veteran of this same war.
It is not out of place here to say a word regarding T. J. McKean, the
only man from the county who received the commission of
brigadier-general in the Civil war. General McKean was born in
Pennsylvania in 1810 and entered West Point in 1827, graduating with
honors in 1831. He immediately entered the service with the rank of
lieutenant, and was stationed in Louisiana. Resigning his commission,
for a time he followed the profession of civil engineer. He came to
Marion in 1840, and when war with Mexico was declared he raised a squad
of six men as above and joined Company K, 15th Regulars, the only
company sent out from Iowa. He served in the Mexican war for a year and
a half and then returned to Marion. At the breaking out of the Civil
war he was holding the office of sheriff of the county. He was not able
to resist the call to arms and surrendered his office to accept a post
as paymaster in the Union army. He entered upon his duties early in
1861. In the fall of that year Governor Kirkwood proposed his name for
a brigadier-general. He received that commission and served his country
with ability.
On April 12, 1861, Sumter was fired upon. On the 15th, President
Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 ninety-day men. It was erroneously
believed that our internal difficulties could be adjusted in that
period. Within thirty days after the president's call had reached Iowa
this state had a regiment in the field. In that regiment, the First
Iowa. Linn county had a full company under the command of Capt. T. Z.
Cook.
Before giving a detailed account of the various companies that served
in the Civil war from Linn county, it may be well to treat briefly of
some of the stirring events that were witnessed in the county in the
early days of the war.
The board of supervisors early held a special session to provide means
for the relief of the families of such men as were willing to volunteer
for field service. At the September, 1861, session of that body the
following resolution was adopted: "That the Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors issue an order or orders for the benefit and relief of any
of our volunteers now in the United States service, upon the
certificate and approval of the resident Supervisor of the township in
which the family or applicant resides."
The press and pulpit of the county strongly advocated the cause of the
Union. No conservative position on the burning question was taken by
either. Many are the emphatic appeals to the loyal spirit of the
county. In its issue of April 18, 1861, the _Cedar Valley Times_ has
this to say:
"More than ever, it is now the duty of every true man to respond to the
call of his country. Party ties are broken, party divisions forgotten,
in the common necessity which summons every true American to the
standard of his country--to the defence of our Union, our Constitution,
our liberty and our rights.... Every man to his post, that post the
support of the Administration."
In the same issue there was a call for a meeting on that evening to
obtain an expression of the feelings of the people. This meeting was
held in Carpenter's Hall, Cedar Rapids, and was characterized by great
enthusiasm. Dr. J. H. Camburn presided and Isaac Van Meter acted as
secretary. These gentlemen, together with Porter W. Earle, William
Greene, H. G. Angle, Dr. Taylor, E. N. Bates, W. H. Merritt, and others
gave stirring talks. At this meeting a despatch was read from Gov.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, as follows:
"If Linn county shall tender me a full company of seventy-eight good
men, properly officered, by Thursday of next week, I will offer the
company as one of the regiments required of this state by the President
of the United States."
A committee was appointed to push the matter of raising a company. On
this committee were E. N. Bates, T. Z. Cook, W. H. Merritt, J. H.
Stibbs and W. R. Sweitzer. Twenty-five names were signed that night to
a muster roll.
Other towns of the county were not behind Cedar Rapids in enthusiasm.
On the evening of April 19th a mass meeting was held at Kingston, with
J. H. Elder in the chair. He at once offered his purse to its limit for
the cause. Here Rev. A. G. Eberhart, and Messrs. Churchill, Stewart and
Detwiler were the speakers. Eight men added their names to the roll of
Cedar Rapids volunteers. In Marion a meeting of equal enthusiasm was
held and a full company volunteered. By noon of the 19th thirty-five
men had signed a muster roll in Mt. Vernon. A great crowd gathered in
the chapel of Western college on the evening of the 19th. Young men,
students and others, were urged to enroll for the honor of Linn county
and the cause of the union. Nine were added to the list. The meeting
also contributed five dollars to aid in purchasing bibles for the
company--the boys from Western going with those from this city. On
Monday the 22d, this contingent came to the city, and on the same day
twenty-seven of the Mt. Vernon volunteers were accepted for the first
company from Linn county. Captaincy of the company, K, First Infantry,
fell upon T. Z. Cook.
In Buffalo township there were but twelve voters, and just half of
these volunteered for army service. At Palo a spirited union meeting
was held, and at once thirty-five men pledged their lives to the cause.
The boys at once began drilling under J. J. Snouffer, a veteran of the
Mexican war. Dr. S. D. Carpenter was made quartermaster of the
regiment. On Saturday, May 4, a flag was presented to the company. On
May 6 Company K left for Clinton. Following is roster of the company,
at the time it left Cedar Rapids: Captain, T. Z. Cook; first
lieutenant, J. C. Marvin; second lieutenant, Robert Stinson; orderly,
J. H. Stibbs; second sergeant, J. Van Meter; third sergeant, E.
Coulter; first corporal, R. L. Wilson; second corporal, J. H. Hammond;
third corporal, E. L. Carpenter; fourth corporal, Jos. McClelland.
Privates--Geo. H. Angell, Geo. W. Aylesworth, John Agler, Geo. C.
Burkmeister, Benj. E. Butler, A. C. Blood, H. H. Boyes, H. C. Bates,
John M. Chase, Henry P. Covertson, W. J. Conley, Paul Carpenter, B.
Franklin Cook, A. D. Collier, Wilson Certain, A. J. Churchill, J. M.
Clark, Edward Calder, Joseph B. Daniels, John K. Daniels, Samuel
Daniels, Addison Davis, Robert P. Dewey, John J. Perry, Chas. W.
Esgate, B. E. Eberhart, Wm. J. Eckles, Stuart Erwin, E. P. Fellows,
John Fitzgerald, J. B. Fisher, J. D. Ferguson, Andrew Geddes, Geo.
Granger, Andrew Harmon, Hiel Hale, F. W. Hollingrane, J. J. Hollan,
Perry Hoyt, W. P. Hubbard, Peter Hauger, Charles A. Harper, R. W.
Hayzlett, J. C. Hayes, Nathaniel Johnson, Geo. A. John, W. B. Jacobs,
Frank Klump, J. H. Little, G. C. Miller, Philip Murdock, J. C.
Morehead, H. J. McManus, John McGowen, E. R. McKee, Michael Mentz, D.
W. Prescott, N. Russell, G. Rifenstahl, H. W. Ross, J. W. Robinson, R.
M. Rogers, A. T. Rigby, W. D. Robins, E. W. Stewart, R. B. Stewart,
James O. Stewart, Henry Shaffer, John S. Starkweather, L. E. Stevins,
J. W. Smith, C. C. Smith, E. B. Soper, J. M. Secrist, Geo. F.
Schoonover, J. B. Stine, F. J. Shuey, M. Taylor, E. Thompson, G. F.
Vandever, J. N. Van Arsdel, L. P. Winterstein, C. Wynn, William Walt,
D. H. Wilson, Geo. H. Yager, L. J. C. Ziengenfus.
The regimental officers were J. F. Bates, Dubuque, colonel; W. H.
Merritt, Cedar Rapids, lieutenant-colonel; A. B. Porter, Mt. Pleasant,
major.
The company before the close of its services endured many hardships. It
took part in the skirmish at Forsythe on July 20. On the evening of the
9th of August the First Iowa, under command of Lieut. Col. Merritt
joined the other forces at Springfield, under Gen. Lyon. Marching to
within three miles of the enemy's camp at Wilson's Creek, the attack
was begun at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 10th. It was a severely
contested engagement. At this battle Gen. Lyon was killed, while
personally leading the First Iowa. Victory was with the Union army and
pursuit of the enemy was continued until nightfall. Following is the
report made by Captain T. Z. Cook of casualties sustained by his
company:
"Killed--Private Perry Hoyt. Seriously wounded--E. Coulter, leg; Henry
Shaffer, leg and arm; John Stine, leg and breast; E. R. McKee, arm; W.
D. Robins, leg; Samuel Daniels, leg. Slightly wounded--J. O. Stewart,
leg; John Fitzgerald, face; Joseph Hollan, foot; J. M. Chase, back;
George F. Schoonover, arm badly bruised by grape shot. Sergeant Coulter
and Privates Shaffer and Stine were left at Springfield. Isaac Van
Meter, second sergeant, and John H. Stibbs, sergeant, particularly
distinguished themselves for coolness and bravery. T. Z. Cook,
captain."
This battle really ended the service of Company K. The regiment was
mustered out at St. Louis August 25 and started at once for home. On
the evening of August 26 the volunteer's returned to Cedar Rapids. The
Kingston Guards, of eighty men, with a local company of about the same
number, furnished an escort and headed by the mayor and council met the
train at the depot. Five thousand people were estimated in the
gathering. The dwellings and stores were illuminated in honor of the
return. A procession was formed and marched to the same place where a
few months before the flag had been presented. On behalf of the city
Mayor Bishop voiced its welcome to the volunteers. Judge Isaac Cook
supplied a little more speech-making and a supper followed of quality
to make these soldiers forget all hardships of camp and march.
In other portions of the county the enthusiasm was as great as it was
in Cedar Rapids. The _Linn County Register_ of April 20, 1861, in
announcing the commencement of hostilities stated that "already, some
seventy-five persons, in the vicinity of Marion alone, have signified
their intention to volunteer under the call of President Lincoln." In
its issue a week later the same paper said that "on every corner the
people are assembled, in squads of a dozen or more, discussing the
chances of the conflict. Men in the country leave their plows, and rush
into town, to inquire about the news."
In the Sixth Infantry, which was mustered in July 6, 1861, Company A
was entirely from this county. It was organized at Marion. The regiment
was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 21. 1865. It saw some
hard battles, several of its officers being killed in action, and
eighteen wounded. Of the enlisted men 274 were killed or died in the
service, and 331 were wounded in action. It is said that this regiment
suffered more casualties than any other regiment from Iowa. The
regiment suffered severely at Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas,
Kenesaw Mountain, and Jackson, Miss.
[Illustration: COL. T. Z. COOK]
Its first captain was Hosea W. Gray, who was succeeded by Tarlton
Caldwell, Willard H. Harland, and Rodney E. Barker, who served as
captains at different periods. A. L. Ingram, who entered the company as
a private, was first lieutenant at the time of mustering out. Other
well known names among the officers of this company are those of George
A. Gray, W. M. Harbeson, A. P. Alexander, Samuel D. Springer, C. A.
Huston, Chas. L. Byam. Among the members of the company are found the
names of T. H. Alexander, Daniel K. Kinley, Chas. Robins, S. A.
Stearns, D. F. Stinson.
George M. Holmes, of this county, entered as sergeant of this regiment,
and was promoted from time to time until he became captain of Company K
on July 30, 1863, resigning October 17, 1864.
In the Eighth Infantry Joseph C. Stoddard, yet a resident of Cedar
Rapids, was commissioned adjutant November 15, 1865, having been
promoted from sergeant-major. Among those from this county in this
regiment may be noted Jno. M. Dawley, J. H. Gardner, Hiram Inks, Wm. H.
Ostrander, David G. Usher, Homer H. Phillips, D. W. Yount.
The county was also represented in the Ninth Infantry, being especially
strong in Company K, in which Abraham Bowman was commissioned second
lieutenant and promoted to the captaincy on January 9, 1864. Its first
captain was David Carskaddon, afterwards colonel of the regiment. Among
the familiar names in this company we find those of David Bowman, Jas.
C. Morehead, Oliver B. Cone, John Cone, John S. McKee, J. M. Burkhart,
W. S. Dingman, John W. Gray, I. N. Lutz, A. R. Whiteneck. The company
was organized in Marion and mustered into the service July 23, 1861.
In the Eleventh Infantry these names are noted: Robt. L. Wilson, Samuel
H. Harrison, Chas. W. Mason, Wm. H. McRoberts, Wm. Burge, Henry M.
Cook, Jno. Coburn, John Elder, E. P. Listabarger, Wm. Mitchell, Jas. D.
McRoberts, And. W. Satley, Thos. Strang, John B. Stine, Geo. W. Sparks,
Samuel Shafer, Wm. A. Thompson. Company K of this regiment was
organized in Cedar Rapids, John C. Marvin, captain. It was mustered in
July 23, 1861.
Company D, Twelfth Iowa Infantry, was captained by John H. Stibbs. The
regiment was organized at Dubuque and mustered into the service
November 25, 1861, with Joseph P. Woods, a West Pointer, as colonel;
John P. Coulter of Cedar Rapids, lieutenant-colonel, and S. D.
Brodtbeck, major. The Twelfth was then ordered to St. Louis. The Linn
county company was organized in Cedar Rapids, and mustered in October
26, 1861.
First of the year 1862 found seventeen members of the company in
hospitals. A malignant outbreak of measles at that time caused many
deaths in the Twelfth and other regiments.
During the week ending January 15, 1862, Capt. Stibbs, in a letter to
his brother in Cedar Rapids, reported that six of his men had died in
hospital. These were William H. Webster, William L. Dailey, John L.
Jaques, John S. Lee, Jasper Cyner and Henry Haradon. Seventeen others
were in various hospitals at St. Louis. On Saturday, January 11, the
regiment was ordered to be ready to start for Kentucky on the 15th, but
because of ice in the river, these orders were countermanded. On the
27th it was ordered to report to Gen. Grant at Cairo. From thence the
regiment was sent to the mouth of the Cumberland river, and established
its camp in the field. On February 5 it joined the expedition against
Fort Henry.
The company was at Ft. Donelson when it capitulated. The regiment
remained at Fort Donelson until March 12, when it was moved to
Pittsburg Landing. On the evening of the 9th of April news was received
of a great battle at Pittsburg Landing, in which the Twelfth Iowa had
share. It was only known that slaughter had been immense, and until
full details were received the anxiety in Cedar Rapids can be imagined.
Yet how slow this news was in coming may be judged from an editorial
note in the _Cedar Valley Times_ for April 17: "Three of our Iowa
regiments--the Eighth, Twelfth and Fourteenth--were cut off and taken
prisoners while bravely defending their flag and the glory of their
country. They fought like tigers. We are not yet able to publish full
lists of losses, and the anxiety so long felt must continue."
The report made by Lieutenant-Colonel Coulter gave the following
returns for Company D: Killed--First Lieutenant James B. Ferguson;
Privates Daniel Luther and James P. Ayres. Wounded--Sergeant J. M.
Clark, Corporal Joseph Stibbs, H. C. Morehead and H. Panborn, all
slightly; Privates J. G. Clark and Frank Renchin, severely. R. C.
Cowell and Ed. H. Bailey, slightly. Missing--(prisoners)--Capt. J. H.
Stibbs, Second Lieutenant Hiel Hale, Orderly Sergeant R. Hilton;
Corporals H. W. Ross and J. J. Broughton; Privates L. M. Ayres, Ed.
Buttolph, Samuel Baumgardner, Thomas Barr, J. W. Burch, S. Birch, P.
Brennan, D. L. Conley, D. Conley, F. Dubois, S. A. Flint, W. A. Flint,
A. J. Frees, C. Ferrerbend, H. Grass, P. Gephart, A. Hill, R. L.
Johnson, Eli King, William Lee, John Luther, T. J. Lewis, Wm. B. Lutz,
J. Lanagan, E. B. Martin, A. J. Milen, D. W. Minor, R. McClain, J.
Nicholas, J. O. Sartwell, D. Sivets, J. Scott, L. Snell, R. K. Soper,
A. A. Stewart, J. M. Garponning, W. H. Trowbridge, W. Whitenack, J. J.
Whittam, J. Wagner, J. Craft, F. Curren, R. P. Zuver, A. McIntyre.
Lieutenant Jason D. Ferguson, one of the killed, was at the outbreak of
the war a student in Cornell College. He was one of that gallant band
who left their studies to take up men's work. He was a member of
Company K, First Iowa, serving throughout the brief but arduous
campaign in which that regiment participated. His efforts were untiring
in organization of Company D, of the Twelfth.
But the losses of Linn county soldiers were not confined to those of
Company D, of the Twelfth Iowa in the battle of Pittsburg Landing.
Quartermaster Mortimer A. Higley sent back to friends in this city, a
list of those in Company A, Fifteenth Iowa, there killed and wounded.
Among the killed were Pat H. Kennedy and Wm. W. Wood, privates, both of
Cedar Rapids. Wounded, Corporal John Kimbro, in arm, severely;
privates, Elisha Hopkins, severely; Charles Stewart, slightly; Jacob
Brown, severely; Newton Dawson, and Henry Bunn, slightly, all being
from Linn county.
The Twelfth Iowa regiment was mustered out and the members from this
county returned home during the last week of January. Company D,
enlisted in 1866, came home with the following Cedar Rapids survivors:
S. R. Burch, adjutant; Homer Morehead, regimental quartermaster; John
Clark, captain; Eli King, first lieutenant; N. G. Price, orderly
sergeant; H. Pangborn, John Burch, I. G. Clark, B. P. Zuver, sergeants;
J. Lanagan, John Luther, R. C. Cowell, Josiah Scott, R. L. Johnson, P.
Brennan, A. A. Stewart, T. Lewis, corporals; S. Baumgardner, John
Whittam, Wm. Whiteneck, J. W. Rowen, W. H. Trowbridge, A. J. Freese, R.
S. Martin, J. B. Lambert, Daniel Sivetts, Sam H. Flint, H. Grass, F.
Dubois, H. Ross, Wm. Lee and R. K. Soper, privates. Citizens of Cedar
Rapids and Kingston gave a reception to these returned soldiers on the
evening of February 6. This took form of a ball at Daniels' Hall and a
supper served at the American House.