One of the first acts of the commissioner of Cedar County, Wisconsin Territory, was to receive the bonds of the justices of the peace appointed by the governor of the territory, namely, given by Henry Hardman, John Blalock and George McCoy, and by James W. Tallman as sheriff. These bonds were turned over by Robert G. Roberts, who had been an officer of Dubuque County before its subdivision mentioned heretofore.
At this session, April 3, 1838, the county was divided into four districts by congressional townships, four in each, and election precincts were established in three of these only, the first lying in the northeast one-fourth of the county, being attached to the second in the northwest for election purposes. One precinct was in Linn Grove at the house of Elias Epperson; a second at Rochester; district number three at the house of Stephen Toney, and one at Centreville at the house of Moses B. Church. William Mason, Alanson Pope and Elias Epperson were appointed judges of election. Mason's Grove is named for the first of these, Pope was one of the first at Pioneer Grove and Epperson at Linn. These for the district number two, to which one was attached. Green, Morgan and Kenworthy for district number three, and Miller, Walton and Whittlesey for four.
These grand jurors were appointed by the commissioners: Alanson Pope, David W. Walton, Harvey B. Burnap, Martin Baker, Charles Whittlesey, Jonathan Morgan, Jehu Kenworthy, Solomon Knott, Henry Hardman, John Jones, William Mason, Wm. Miller, Robert G. Roberts.
The petit or trial jurors: Benjamin Fraseur, Walter Freeman, Richard Knott, John Scott, Felix Freeland, Daniel Hare, Charles M. Moberly, James Buchanan, Abraham Nix, Prior Scott, Elias Epperson, George Miller, Jr., Washington A. Rigby.
After allowing the per diem for each commissioner and for the clerk and sheriff, the session adjourned to meet the 24th of May, 1838, this being the fourth Monday. Thus ended the first session of the first governing body in Cedar County, composed of Richard Ransford, Jonas W. Oaks and Joseph Willford, with Moses B. Church as clerk and James W. Tallman as sheriff.
At the second session on the date heretofore mentioned the first business is stated:
Road viewers were appointed at this session for the roads petitioned for at these first sessions. The sheriff was to notify the viewers of their appointment. Adjourned until May 28, 1838.
"Be it enacted by the commissioners that the County of Johnson be the fifth election district and that the election precinct be at Napoleon at the house of John Mufford." 43
"That Henry Felkner, Philip Clark and James Marcey be the judges of election in the fifth district."
"Be it enacted, etc., that a license to keep a tavern in the town of Rochester be given to Stephen Toney for the term of one year for the sum of five dollars."
"Received a petition for a road to commence at the southern extremity of the county in the direction of Moscow and thence to Rochester, and thence to intersect the road from Pioneer Grove to Halderman's."
"Received a petition for a road from Tallman's to Whittlesey's Mill, on which the commissioners considered it inexpedient to appoint viewers."
Adjourned until the first Monday in July. - (Signed) Moses B. Church.
July 2, 1838.
"Be it enacted, etc., that the viewers appointed on roads be allowed two dollars per day for their services.
"Received the report of Prior Scott and James Buchanan on the road they were to view and which report was in favor of the practicability of the road from the west end of Pioneer Grove to a point on our southern boundary in the direction of the mouth of Pine (river), and also of the road from Elizabethtown to Tallman's, but not in favor of the road from Red Oak Grove to Kizer's."
"An objection was presented against the first-named road from the nine-mile stake to the fourteenth-mile stake by James Foy, Stephen Toney and George McCoy, praying for a review between the said points and that the road might pass by John Foy's."
"Washington A. Rigby, Arthur Dillon and Robert Miller were appointed reviewers."
"Be it enacted, etc., that the County of Cedar be divided into road districts as follows:" Then follows the names and description of the districts, eight in number, and the men chosen to supervise the roads, their care and improvement with the assistance of the taxpayers in their district. It is well to remember that these were not section line roads, but run at any point of the compass to accommodate the population. 44
From these old trails the old roads that wind in and out and refuse to follow the checker board regulation are descended, and the only poetry left from an early independence of strict regularity. These road supervisors are named from the men who are mentioned in connection with jury duty, and they suggest the scarcity of population in any part of the county. The names of the districts stick to the map: Centreville, Rochester, Rock Creek, Washington. Pioneer, Red Oak, Crooked Creek, and Yankee Run.
The seal mentioned as being adopted at the second session was changed in the July meeting. "Be it enacted, etc., that they adopt as their seal an impression made by the eagle side of a five cent piece."
Proceedings from this point are in Iowa Territory, no longer Wisconsin.
July 4, 1838, the board of commissioners did not observe in the usual way, but issued a writ that was returned with its execution in the person of the man Orrin Lewis and his child. James Tallman was appointed to care for this child temporarily. So early in the county's history some provision was made for the helpless and neglected.
"License was issued to George McCoy to run a ferry over the Cedar River until April 4, 1839, according to the tenor of permit granted him on the fourth of last April, for which he is to pay the sum of five dollars."
"Issued a writ commanding John Champaigne to leave the county, which was committed to the sheriff of the county, returned as served by reading."
July 7.
"Received notification that the family of Matthew Turner were in a suffering condition and agreed to meet at his house to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock to make provision for his relief."
August 13, 1838.
"Court convened according to adjournment."
"Received a petition for a road from Red Oak Grove by Posten's Grove to the boundary of the county in the direction of Davenport or Rockingham." 45
"Petition for road from Denson's on the Wapsipinicon to county boundary in the direction of the mouth of Pine." Joseph Denson, Solomon Knott and Washington Rigby appointed viewers of the roads prayed for.
And now appears the first tax levy recorded in this county, August 13, 1838.
"Be it enacted, etc., that a tax of five mills on a dollar be levied for county purposes and of one cent on a dollar for road purposes, and that the clerk make out the taxes accordingly."
"Ordered that the supervisors proceed to open the roads already established."
"The amount of taxes delivered to the county sheriff for collections were for 1838: $160.71 from Cedar County and $46.75 from Johnson County. Total, $207.46." (Johnson County was then part of Cedar so far as judicial matters were concerned.) The tax of one cent on a dollar was cut in two at the October session of the commissioners.
January 8, 1839.
"Received bonds of Christian Halderman as Treasurer."
"Delivered to the sheriff, Elishia E. Edwards, a precept to deliver to the above supervisors (road) that their term of office is prolonged."
"Be it enacted, etc., that they memorialize the legislature to pass some law by which the tax in this county laid in 1838 may be collected between the first of January and the first of April, 1839." 46
January 26, 1839.
"Only one commissioner present. Adjourned sine die."
(Signed) MOSES B. CHURCH, Clerk.
April 1, 1839.
"Commissioners met pursuant to law."
"Present, R. R. Ransford and William Mason."
"Be it, etc., that George H. Brown be appointed constable for Jones County to serve unto the first Monday in October, or until his successor is elected and qualified." (This is the first mention of Jones being attached for judicial purposes.)
"Received the report of David W. Walton, supervisor in Centreville road district, that all taxes on personal liability and for signing petitions have been paid with the exception of four dollars against Henry E. Sweitzer for signing petition and four dollars against William K. Whittlesey for personal liability." 47
April 2, 1839.
"Granted a license to Abner Arrowsmith to keep a ferry over the Cedar River for the term of one year at the town of Washington" (Cedar Bluffs).
"Agreed with Stephen Toney to furnish a room for the next district court and to allow him five dollars for the same."
"Be it, etc., that Geo. McCoy be appointed constable for Cedar County until the first Monday in August next and until his successor be appointed and qualified."
July 1, 1839.
"Received the returns of David W. Walton and found due to him six dollars and directed him further to prosecute the demand against Henry E. Sweitzer and make his return on the next session of the board."
"The Board laid a tax of $19.17 on Nelson Hastings for a Grocery permit for 70 days, i. e., at the rate of $100 per annum."
"Sanctioned the permit given to Warfield and Diltz and taxed them for the same $40." 48
July 3, 1839.
"Resolved by the commissioners that they allow to the jurors for their attendance at the May term of the district court, 1839, their full pay, except one day's attendance and mileage to each person, which they think is due from the United States."
"Settled all demands against the county with the exception of that of James Tallman, Geo. McCoy and the review of the road from Rochester to Moscow."
"Resolved that the clerk be requested to make out and put up in three different places a schedule of the expenses and income of the county." 49
"Resolved, that the clerk be directed to write the commissioners of Johnson County, requesting them to make some arrangement in regard to the tax that has been laid by this board upon their county in the year 1838, and make their communication to the clerk of this board immediately."
"Resolved, that the clerk be required to copy the records of this Board into books to be kept as county records." 50
"Taxes committed to the sheriff for collection in the year 1839 is $299.651/2."
July 16, 1839.
"An application having been made to the Board by Charles Cantonwine for relief as a pauper, they proceeded to examine the case. It appears that the above applicant has not been a resident ten days. Ordered by the Board that the clerk issue a notice to Charles Cantonwine to leave the County of Cedar forthwith."
October 7, 1839.
"Met pursuant to law. Geo. McCoy having been called on to act as sheriff and having refused the Board is left without an officer."
"On motion of John G. Foy it is ordered that Wm. K. Whittlesey be clerk in place of Moses B. Church. Sworn in by Henry Hardman, Justice of Peace."
"Ordered that Moses B. Church be constable during the sitting of this court."
"E. E. Edwards filed his bond and took oath as county treasurer. Bond, $500"
October 8, 1839.
"M. B. Church presented a view of Territorial Road from Davenport, in Scott County, to Marion, in Linn (Lynn), dated September, 1839, and signed by Andrew F. Russel, Alfred Carter and Warren Stiles, commissioners, and Andrew Russel, surveyor."
"Viewers of road from Red Oak to the house of M. B. Church report road practicable, and the following have been employed on the road, viz.:
"As surveyor, John Tomlinson, four days.
"Chain carrier, W. M. Dallas, one day.
"Chain carrier, Elzy Carl, one day.
"Chain carrier, John Ferguson, half day.
"Chain carrier, Alfred Waddle, two days.
"Chain carrier, Jas. Gillan, two days."
"Markers, Charles Dallas and team, one day and a half; Andrew Ford, two days."
October 9, 1839.
"S. C. Hastings and F. Springer, Territorial District Attorneys, filed their bills."
October 11, 1839.
"Ordered that Wm. K. Whittlesey, clerk of the District Court, make use of fifteen dollars to be expended in stationery for the use of the District and Commissioners' court." 51
January 9, 1840.
"Ordered that Chas. E. Swetland be constable of Cedar County, and that Stephen Toney and Samuel Carl be security on the same."
Report of the locating commissioners appointed by the territorial legislature to fix upon some point in the county for a county seat.
"We, the undersigned, being duly appointed Commissioners to relocate the County Seat of Cedar County, met upon the ninth day of March, 1840, in the town of Rochester in pursuance of an act passed at the second session of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa, and after being duly sworn according to law, we proceeded to the discharge of the duties assigned us, and after spending some time in the county we became convinced that for the benefit of the county and the good of the citizens it was necessary to locate the county seat on the Northwest Quarter of Section Six in Township Eighty North and Range Two West of the Fifth Principal Meridian and gave it the name of Tipton.
"Given under our hands and seals this the sixteenth day of March, 1840.
(Signed) HENRY W. H1GG1NS. (SEAL) JOHN G. MCDONALD (SEAL) JOHN EAGAN (SEAL)
"Recorded this 16th day of March, Anno Domini 1840.
"WM. K. WH1TTLESEY, "Clerk of the District Court, Cedar County." 51a
It was on March 16, 1840, that a break came in the harmony of affairs. The report of the locating commissioners for the new county seat was called for and the clerk read the same, 52 which report it is recorded was accepted by Daniel Comstock and William Miller, but objected to by John G. Foy. If the objection was made in a voice to correspond to his signature one would think his personal safety lay in getting as far away as circumstances would allow. The records shows that it was ordered by John G. Foy that Samuel P. Higginson be summoned to prove that the locating commissioners each signed the same. Then this record was crossed out and a milder form entered, where it was ordered that it be proved that the signatures were placed there this day, the sixteenth of March, 1840. 53
Samuel P. Higginson was sworn and pronounced the signatures just and true. The protest of John G. Foy was placed on file and at the same time an order was made to pre-empt the quarter section selected by the locating commissioners as the county seat. When the board adjourned at this session it was in "due reference to the county seat" and the clerk advertised—how, it is not stated—that those having money to loan can do so by taking an interest in the town.
At the next meeting George W. Ames presented an account from Dubuque County showing the amount of debt at the time of separation to have been $2,850, and the amount due as Cedar County's proportion was $133. This was placed on file to await advice from the district attorney.
At this meeting an order was issued to David W. Walton for services as grand juror in May, 1838. All the services of men, and doubtless animals, too, were paid for in county warrants, and Mr. Walton had evidently carried his warrant for jury service for the two years when the treasurer has sufficient cash to pay up.
At this meeting also, March 23, 1840, a communication was presented as follows:
"Gentlemen: I beg leave most respectfully to make the following proposal for furnishing the money to enter the quarter section of land on which the county seat of this county was lately located. That I will give outwright (right) to the county commissioners of Cedar County the sum of two hundred dollars for the aforementioned purpose on the following conditions: That the county commissioners shall come under bonds to me to make a good and general warrantee(y) deed to twenty lots upon said quarter section, said lots to be a general average of the whole as they may hereafter be laid off, and to be deeded and set off to me as soon as said quarter section is surveyed and before any sale of lots takes place. Said money to be furnished immediately in land office funds. 54
"(Signed) Samuel P. Higginson."
On receipt of this proposal the commissioners drew up a plan to accept it, making such provision as the loan required, namely, that any person making such proposal for lots must do so on certain terms which seemed equitable, in that the board were to choose nine lots, and the person proposing shall take one lot. Then the board shall choose nineteen and the proposer one, and this to continue until the full complement of twenty lots be set off as agreed, the entire quarter to be laid off into lots.
We do accept the above proposal, the letter of Samuel P. Higginson being a part of the same.
(Signed) William Miller.
Daniel Comstock.
Commissioners.
John C. Higginson, Agent for S. P. Higginson.
Attest: Wm. K. Whittlesey.
John G. Foy does not sign this acceptance and was not present at the session. The commissioners gave their bond, which was declared null and void when the deeds for the twenty lots were furnished.
Daniel Comstock was appointed agent to procure a pre-emption right to the county seat as located on March 16, 1840, on northwest quarter of section six, township eighty north and range two west of the fifth principal meridian.
This was the last session in Rochester and it now ceased to be the county seat in any sense, for the board adjourned to meet at Tipton on the first Monday in April, 1840. 55
At the first meeting in Tipton the claim from Dubuque County, presented at the last meeting in Rochester was rejected and the clerk was ordered to return the same by mail. Some of the public roads petitioned for were rejected also, and a spirit of independence assumed not quite so prominent heretofore. The license for the ferry at Washington's, sometimes called Gower's, and now Cedar Bluffs, was renewed, but the tax fixed at $I2. 56
The clerk, Wm. K. Whittlesey, was allowed an additional ten and one-half dollars to purchase supplies for the county. Daniel Hare was excused from paying the fine imposed on him for not acting as supervisor of the roads as appointed. When the roads were reported upon by the viewers it was necessary to settle with the surveyor, chainbearers and axemen who had assisted in laying out the road, the fees being paid if the treasury had the money, otherwise in warrants numbered in order so that when money was there the warrant first in order was entitled to payment. In November, 1840, the record is made of the sale of a pauper for the period of six months, sale to take place at Pioneer Grove on December 1, and the clerk to advertise the same. This sounds strange to-day, but "binding out to service" in this way was customary.
TOWNSHIPS
The township history of the county is difficult to follow. If one were asked to-day where Freeman township was located, or "Waubespinicon"—that is the way it was put—he would need to study his geography in vain. Freeman included the present townships of Farmington, Sugar Creek, Rochester. The second one mentioned (save the spelling) was in the northeast, as one might suspect, and included Dayton, Massillon, Springfield, parts of Red Oak, Center and Fairfield. (Walter Freeman was a county commissioner in 1840.) Iowa township was all territory west of the river and was named in 1840. Center was also set off and named at that time, but not in its present boundaries. Linn (Lynn) was named at the same time and included the four congressional townships lying in the northwest one-fourth of the county.
There were five townships then in the county and now seventeen. Like many counties in the state, there are sixteen congressional townships, but in the divisions for governmental purposes the seventeen are made up generally of fractional townships. At the May, 1840, session of the commissioners the two northern tiers of sections in township eighty north, range one west, were ordered to be added to the township known as "Waubespinicon," and the name of said township be called Springfield. These sections mentioned that were "taken off" belonged to the present township of Inland. In April, 1842, the sections numbered thirty-six, thirty-five and thirty-four, twenty-five, twenty-six and twenty-seven, township eighty-one, range three, were detached from Linn (Lynn) and added to Center on petition from Solomon Aldrich, Benjamin Frazer (Fraseur), William Frazer (Fraseur),57 and Calihan Dwigans as voters who wished to be in Center township. In 1842 the portion of township eighty-one, range four, lying west of Cedar River, was by petition of voters taken from Iowa township and added to Linn.
In October, 1842, it was ordered to change the name of Freeman township to Rochester. This included, remember, all that portion lying in the southeast portion of the county. There were only two more changes in the township lines before 1850. Elzy Carl petitioned to have a tier of sections taken from the west side of Springfield and attached to Linn, which was granted in 1845. A. remonstrance having been filed regarding the attachment of the sections lying south of the river in township eighty-one, range four, these sections were attached to Center for school and township purposes. This is the first mention of schools in the records so far as noted—1845. 58
A little later Sugar Creek township was set off, but the board repealed this and continued to call it Rochester. It is not quite certain why this was done, as no petition is found, but the record shows certain dissatisfaction with the assessment in Rochester and this may account for the change. 59
In March, 1848, the petitioners for a new township composed of the two congressional numbers eighty-two, ranges three and four west, were granted their request and this was called Pioneer.
As these townships gained more population the divisions increased. Springfield was divided and Polk was created in the northeast. Later Polk became Dayton and Massillon. Pioneer was cut in two and the east half called Fremont. Inland and Fairfield came off from the adjoining larger sections, and the west side of the river was changed from one to three. These are found in the records, but details can be carried no further.
CHANGING THE COUNTY SEAT
In 1839 a petition was presented to the assembly then in session at Burlington asking for a change in the county seat. The act is entitled, "An act to relocate the county seat of Cedar County, or more particularly, the seat of justice in and for said county." The provision was made for three commissioners, not county residents, to locate the new city if such was to be changed. They were under oath to act impartially, and for the best interests of the county. Henry W. Higgins, of Scott County; J. G. McDonald, Jackson County, and John Eagan, of Johnson County, were appointed to carry out this act. They were required to meet at Rochester in March, 1840, or September of year before 60 and relocate the seat of government there if in their judgment it should prove the most suitable place. Otherwise they were to proceed toward the center of the county and, using all due consideration as to other needs, locate the new city there.
Specific directions were given these commissioners to name said city and make full report to the clerk of the District Court in this county. Such report may have been made, but is not on record, and the reasons for certain proceedings must be surmised rather than verified.
There were many aspirants for county seat honors— names now lost or forgotten, or never mentioned probably in the hearing of the present generation. There were Centerville, and Elizabethtown, Antwerp, and Warsaw, some of them laid out for the occasion, and whose names remind one of Irving's Knickerbocker's History of New York.
The present site of Tipton was an open prairie and gave no promise of being made into a seat of justice. As history states, it was unfortunate for the former seat of government that in the spring of 1840 the Cedar River overflowed its banks, partially submerging Rochester, and causing the newly appointed commissioners to question the advisability of re-locating the county seat there. 61 They naturally sought higher ground. Luck then favored the present county seat so far as it had to do with natural conditions of water and distance from county lines. The commissioners were courted and banqueted, treated royally by the various candidates for capital honors, but after all was done a barren prairie secured the prize. Here in the geographical center of the county the stake was driven and the present site of the elevator near the C. & N. W. railway depot is not far from that noted spot.
The name Tipton is from General Tipton, of Indiana, in which state there is also a town of the same name. It is hinted that the privilege of naming the place led to the vote of one of the commissioners. A very simple matter of founding a city, but not unlike many others in this prairie state. An arbitrary power fixing the place without any consideration of natural adaptation or future advantage, mere consideration of convenience, of obedience to instructions and lack of cooperation on the part of distinterested persons. Money was advanced to the county for the pre-emption of the quarter section on which the original town was located by Samuel P. Higginson 62 on condition that certain lots should be granted him up to twenty in number.
The first sale of lots took place June 15, 1840. Fourteen lots were sold for a total of seven hundred and eighty-three dollars ($783). Among the purchasers are the familiar names of Preston J. Friend, J. Scott Richman, Benjamin Fraseur and others. Proposals were received for the erection of a hewed log building for a court house and jail. The contract for this building was awarded to P. M. Vicker, who transferred it to Snyder for the sum of two thousand, four hundred and seventy-five dollars. The building was finished and accepted as a jail by the commissioners of the county before completion.
"Previous to this Mr. John Culbertson had been solicited to build a house for county purposes, the county agreeing to share the expense. In this building the court of 1841 was held and continued to be held until the completion of the combined jail and court room. Whether this combined building was ever used for court purposes is not a matter of record. It stood facing south, nearly opposite the present machine shop of S. M. Murray, in plain view from my father's home." "Steps went up from the outside, from which you could look into the cell, to the place designed for a court room, but which from my recollection was used by the jailer." 63
We find on July 7, 1841, a contract was let for building a new court house and John P. Cook was clothed with power of attorney to carry out the same. The building was to be frame, thirty-six by forty-two (36 by 42), and to stand in the center of the square. This building was finished and occupied for court purposes until the first part of the present structure was completed.
In 1876 Judge Tuthill said: "Notwithstanding the measures thus far inaugurated (that is up to the conclusion of the lot sale in the new county seat), there appear to have been some apprehensions on the part of the county commissioners as to the permanency of the county seat at Tipton, for an order issued by the board on the day of sale of lots providing for refunding the price paid for lots with interest at twenty per cent from time of payment should the county seat be removed." 64 "Improvements commenced. The first building was a log store for John P. Cook, in which was opened the first store in Tipton. About the same time John Culbertson commenced the erection of a hotel, P. J. Friend built a dwelling house and other buildings were begun by Cummins McCurdy, C. M. Jennings, M. Y. Walker, and others."
"The post office was established in 1840, July 23, with Charles M. Jennings as first postmaster."
But the county seat was not to rest in its new location so undisturbed as some seemed to imagine, and history has simply repeated itself in many parts of the state since that day for we continue to read:
"Friends of Rochester were not idle. Various schemes were proposed and partly carried out to overcome the growing prestige of the new town in the center of the county. Among these plans was one, which, had it been successful, would have proved unfortunate for the financial prospects of Tipton and its supporters, so far as the matter of the county seat could affect it. Since there were no means of transportation then except overland the plan of the citizens of the town on the river was to secure a line of boats to Rochester from the Mississippi. From this effort it appears steamers did come up to Rochester sometime during the summer of 1840. They did bring supplies and return passengers and freight. But nature defeated this scheme in the favor of the new county seat since the uncertainties of water supply in the river this mode of transportation had to be abandoned.
Sometime this plan may succeed and the dream of 1840 will be real. The future of the town of Rochester after this failure was plain, and the failure of any line of railroad to center there or even come within hearing distance has left it stationary all these years. Now, 1910, a new spirit stirs the neighborhood, and it may be that before the present youngest inhabitant has passed away the life that once seemed so abundant will return to the village named for the great city of New York when its water power promised so very much.
But to continue the county seat contest. "In 1840 the Rochester people circulated a petition, which was presented to the legislature at the session following, asking for the passage of a law to enable the people to vote upon the county seat question. The citizens of the county seat, already officially located, were equal to the emergency and prepared a remonstrance against any such proceeding or even attempt at such. It was a merry fight and in a short time all the voters in the county were on one or the other document.
Rochester had eight majority. This majority was matched by the names of fifteen Scotchmen and one Englishman in Red Oak township, which number, while not voters, were bona fide settlers and had declared their intentions. These names are recorded in the "History of Seventy-eight," and should be preserved with every writing of this statement, since their names can be obtained from no other source, except the duplicate remonstrance which they signed and this cannot be found. They are given by Judge Tuthill as follows: John Ferguson, John Safley, Robert Dallas, Charles Dallas, Samuel Yule, John Chappell, William Coutts, Alexander Coutts, Robert Perie, Sr., Robert Perie, Jr., John Leith, John Garrow, Peter Garrow, Duncan McKee, Daniel McKee and John Goodrich. 65
From the reference given above we learn that the contest was full of crimination and recrimination, resulting in dangerous argument and hot tempers were badly stirred. The decision was not with the people of the county. The territorial assembly had that matter strictly in charge and before that time came for decision the blood had cooled and it appears that the two factions were ready to submit to the action without protest. December 8, 1840, these two lists of "proposers" and "opposers" were presented to the legislature then in session at Burlington.
Nor was a lobby wanting for either side, although it stood three to one in number of speakers. Green, Toney and Hastings were present in behalf of Rochester, while Samuel P. Higginson alone stood for the present county seat. The old sea captain, to quote the former authority, was a new feature in such assemblies, and rather won the favor of the men who were now in power. By some means the remonstrance was effective and Tipton retained its honors unmolested. The vote was decisive, being seven to nineteen, after coming from a select committee of which Herman Van Antwerp, a friend of Rochester, was chairman.
If the journal of the territorial legislature is quoted here in the history mentioned before it is not referred to and access to such documents is denied the present writer at this particular time. The usual result followed this decision so far as the prosperity of the county seat is concerned. It began to grow both in population and volume of business. This was only a lull in the battle, only the first attack, for the next move of the Rochester people was to carry the war into elections, since they must acquire power in the law-making body if they would control the location of the county seat. Hence they sought to elect members who were friendly to their interests, and they needed to elect some one they could trust. They moved with caution. The district then was composed of Cedar, Linn, and Jones Counties. It was entitled to one Councilman and two members of the House.
The voting by general ticket over the whole district made it possible to elect members opposed to Rochester even if Cedar County had a majority against that particular candidate. A nomination in those days was not equivalent to an election, since the two political parties, Whig and Democrat, were not certain of either having a majority until after the votes were counted. Cedar and Linn were both democratic by small majorities, from twenty-five to fifty votes each, while Jones was claimed by the whigs by about the same number. Other complications arose from the fact that the greater part of the whig vote lay in the southern part of the county and would support the candidate favorable to Rochester. The democratic majority lived in the portions of the county that would favor Tipton as the seat of government and this combination of affairs made predictions of the result impossible.
The democratic caucus was called to meet at Tipton and sixteen delegates were chosen to represent the county in a convention to meet at Gilbert's, in Linn County, and these delegates were all known to be friendly to Tipton when it came to selecting candidates for the territorial assembly. This move was important, since these delegates would select their own candidate from their county when it came to nomination.
This Tipton caucus was repudiated by the remaining portion of the democratic party, who declared it had been called without due notice to all concerned and that the county seat had been favored in the call. If history speaks true, it was a one-sided affair and not in harmony with present views of such proceedings, since Joseph Crane of the Rochester party was chairman of the democratic executive committee, and he in ordinary usage would call a caucus if one were to be called. The county committee ignored the Tipton caucus and proceedings and proceeded to make an official call at Rochester of the democrats of the county. But this result was evidently not unexpected by the former combine, for they fell upon the meeting at the river town and taking possession of the organization simply ratified the action of the former caucus at the county seat. Even in 1841 methods of meeting emergencies were not far from being as perfect in their disregard of legality as they are on occasions now.
On the seventeenth of June, 1841, the district convention met at Gilbert's as arranged, and one of Cedar County's delegates failing to make his appearance Joseph Crane of Rochester was appointed in his stead. Harvey G. Whitlock was presented by the Tipton party as their candidate for representative, and Mr. Crane presented the name of Herman Van Antwerp for the same office. The nomination was carried by strategy on the part of Joseph Crane. He seems to have propounded a question to Mr. Whitlock 66 which so embarrassed him to answer that the delegates from Linn and Jones voted in a body for Van Antwerp, who was favorable to Rochester in the capital fight. The Cedar County delegation withdrew in disgust, and it soon became evident that the party in Cedar was badly split, and it was due to the local interest in the county seat question.
The whigs took advantage of this division in the democratic party, and a meeting was called in Tipton to select delegates to a convention of the district to meet at Goudy's, in Linn County. To preserve harmony in the county the delegates were equally divided between the two contending towns for county seat honors. When the convention was called to order at Goudy's the Rochester party presented the names of James W. Tallman and those from Tipton territory that of the old sea captain, Samuel P. Higginson, the same Higginson who furnishes so much of the early county seat history, and to whom it may be the county owes more than it has paid so far as history goes. Linn and Jones delegates were posted on the combination of democratic and whig votes to elect a candidate favorable to Tipton, and since this combination would elect a whig they voted for Higginson. This gave him the nomination on the first ballot.
The election of August, 1841, was one of the most exciting in Cedar County, that is, up to the time of those who could give any information on the matter from personal experience. Doubtless many just as exciting have been held since, but they could not be compared with those days by any one of authority. The fight was not political, not state questions of vital public interest, but just a plain county seat matter, whether it should or should not be once more brought before the territorial assembly for re-location. This was the prime question for the future. Voters did not inquire as to the political tendency of the candidates, but simply whether he was for the proper town for the county capital. When votes were counted the candidate from the new town had about thirty majority, thus defeating the river town in spite of all the efforts of her sympathizers. This settled the contest for a time.
A different phase of the same sectional feeling came up in 1842 when it came to the nomination of members of the territorial councilman. An aspiring young lawyer, William R. Rankin, endeavored to preserve harmony in the ranks of the democratic party in order to win in this election. He was a candidate, but in his efforts to secure the nomination he made one fatal mistake by promising the Rochester people that he would support them impartially if elected, not considering himself pledged to Tipton in any contest.
A caucus was held at Antwerp, which place, it will be remembered, was an aspirant for county seat honors in 1840. With a number of influential friends Rankin attended and secured a majority of the delegates. The convention again met at Gilbert's, in Linn County, and upon Rankin's suggestion it was agreed that the councilman should come from Cedar County and the representatives from Linn and Jones, a fine move politically from Rankin's point of view. There were other aspirants, however, and from this source came Rankin's defeat and more excitement over the old question. One O. C. Ward took advantage of a very evident condition in political theory—namely, that the member of the council of the territory was from the whole district and not from one county composing it. Obviously the entire district must share in his nomination, and this evidently met with approval, and also led to the undoing of Mr. Rankin, whose machine plans were defeated by a simple fact in the common sense of all good citizens. Van Antwerp was then put in nomination and thus blasted the hopes of the man of legal learning and political skill.
Now came the sequel to the matter. The candidate was the known supporter of the Rochester party and this would never do, and in opposition to him the other party placed John P. Cook in nomination for the same office. The former fight was on and judging from the earlier alignment of forces only one thing could be the result of the election—Cook would win, and he did. Thus ended the county seat contest in Cedar County so far as the territory had to control it. The majority of the people took this as final, but later, many years, it came up by petition for a vote on the matter in the county. In 1852 such vote was taken and resulted in another and final defeat for the old seat of county government. Wm. Green and four hundred and thirty-six others signed the petition asking for this vote. For these petitioners W. G. Woodward and J. Scott Richman appeared as attorneys before the county court. It is said "the poll books of this election are lost and along with them the hopes of Rochester to secure the county seat." 67
An item of some interest concerning the county boundaries is reported as occurring in 1846-7. A scheme proposed by some persons interested in speculation provided for a division of the counties centering on the northwest and the creation of a new county from portions of Cedar and the others, Jackson, Jones, Linn, but when proposed to the legislature it was so unpopular that such a plan was never more heard from. Had such a proposition been successful the county seat controversy in the opinion of those then living, would have come forward again for settlement. In 1860 a proposition was made to the assembly of Iowa to create a new county from portions of Cedar, Jones, Clinton, Scott and Jackson Counties. The scheme was proposed by the proprietors of the town of Wheatland as a financial measure, as this would apparently make that village the central seat of government. Opposition was very strong against such a move so far as Cedar was concerned, and it met the fate of a similar proposition from another source which came to the front in the early '40s, about the time of the county seat episode. This measure fell into the hands of the committee on new counties, of which Hon. J. M. Kent happened to be chairman, and the petition of certain citizens of Cedar and Clinton Counties was turned down. 67a
When Cedar County came into existence in the winter of 1836-7 it became necessary to fix upon some seat of government. This at first seemed to be a difficult matter, as the entire population at that time, scattered over the twenty-four miles square of the county limits, did not number more than fifty, and no village existed within its boundaries. When it was discovered that Rochester was in embryo it was fixed upon, not because it was the best place, but because it was the only place. This was the only point on the river at that time above Moscow where a ferry had been established, and moreover it was near to the settlers and to the only post office—Rock Creek—then in this county, as population increased in different parts, Red Oak, Linn, Pioneer, and Posten's Grove, a feeling of a more central location began to be manifest.
A brief description of the towns that were candidates for court purposes would convey to the reader an idea of the easy method of making a town. Most of them have been referred to in connection with the county seat contest, but it is worth while to note that these towns were advertised in Boston and lots sold on the strength of their future prospects. Towns on paper were not uncommon. 68 Some of the leaders in the county seat contest became prominent in the county's history and made it a real matter of personal interest, probably far beyond any selfish ambition. They could be ambitious; they could be sarcastic; they could make bitter flings at their opponents without being open enemies, and from what has been written one might suppose the "county seat fight" gave opportunity for some amusement and even hilarity at certain times. We may draw such conclusions from the printed songs made in "taking off" the different persons chiefly instrumental in furthering either party—"Billy Green," "Stephen Toney," "Hastings," and others were rhymed by John P. Cook. Then Joseph Crane, mentioned before, and from his history evidently a more than ordinary man, put John P. Cook into a burlesque parody. Judge Tuthill was not averse to assisting in the literary efforts of the time, and prepared a song for the Tipton minstrels, who tried to sing the county seat into permanency. Typical of early contests of the kind, it is now settled for all time, and no one recalls the past since it is far removed from most of those now concerned in the enterprises of these places. Other contests are now on, many of them more vital to the future good of the county than any county seat contest could ever have been. Then the diversion may have been agreeable, but now it would not be a question of far-away assemblies to adjust, being an entirely local matter.
COUNTY COURT HOUSE
It was in July, 1841, that John P. Cook was made the agent of the county commissioners to contract for the first court house to be erected in the square as set aside when the town was surveyed. He had specific instruction as to the requirements in the case. It was to be erected near the central part of the square and should not cost more than four thousand dollars. The commissioners were not to be bound to pay out any money from the treasury arising from the sale of town lots that would interfere with the payment of the jail contractor. But after the jail bill was paid he could use any other money arising from such sale. He had full power to supervise and construct the first court house in the county. It is rather out of the present order of things to find such a loan as is mentioned on page fifty, volume two, of the records in the office of the auditor. 69 Here J. K. Snyder was authorized to borrow thirty-five dollars for the purchase of two locks for the jail and to pay for this money twenty per cent per annum. Owing to some delay the contractor was given one more year in which to complete the court house. The jail was accepted and bill paid in July, 1843. (This jail was sold at auction in 1856.) In February, 1845, the board of commissioners ordered the contractor on the new court house to cease operations and to give possession to the authorities, he having forfeited his right to proceed.
The clerk was instructed to advertise for bids and these bids to be in the price of town lots at their minimum, or in county warrants, the option to be with the board. After contract was made the time was once more extended to allow for suitable weather to plaster. The flues for the building were described in detail by the commissioners. There were to be three and they were to begin on the second floor and extend four feet above the roof, sixteen by twenty inches in size, with crocks for stove pipe in the several rooms. When this house was finished it was rented to many users besides furnishing the offices for the county work. The first floor was given to the district court, county commissioners, clerk and recorder. The northwest room on the second floor was rented to the Masonic lodge for twenty dollars for six months, payable quarterly. The southwest room on the same floor was apportioned to the treasurer, surveyor, sheriff, and to be used as a jury room when court was in session.
The court house square was once ordered fenced in a superior way. The contractor was required to use boards ten inches wide at the bottom, the next to be eight, the third six inches and the other two five each. There was a cap board six inches wide, and "good and sufficient posts," these to be not further than six feet apart, each post to be faced with a six-inch plank.
The old frame court house built in 1843 answered the purpose of court sessions and meetings of various sorts until the second one, or as some might say third, lf we count the old log jail first built, was contracted for in 1857 by Judge Spicer, then county judge. This old frame house stood in the center of the square, and was built of native timber, the frame, flooring and lath being of oak, the side and finishing lumber of walnut. Afterwards it was moved to the west side of the street, across from the square, and occupied by the post office and the Advertiser, besides other tenants.
Part of the present court house was completed in 1860, and cost about forty-five thousand dollars. The rear portion and tower as it now appears were built later, and will be noticed in the proper connection.
The jail contracted for in 1857 was built at an expense, according to record, of. $8,000.
Plans for addition to the court house begun in 1857 and completed in 1860 were agitated in the summer of 1889. Mr. M. A. Fulkerson was employed by the county supervisors to draw plans for the two-story addition and safety vaults, as the risk to county records was one of the chief reasons for reconstruction of the building.
The question for the erection of an addition to the court house was submitted to a vote at the November election in 1887, the cost to be ten thousand dollars. 70 This was submitted again in 1889 for the sum of twelve thousand dollars, and this time the measure carried. This may have been due to the long preamble of explanation given by the Board as to the necessity for the addition to the old building. Adler and Smith had the contract and it was completed in 1890, being accepted by the county authorities in November of that year. 71 The old jail built in the fifties had served its day as early as 1868, according to the records, for it was proposed then to make a new one. 72
This change did not materialize until 1892. Perhaps this was due to the heavy expenses of the county for bridges and court house and the great number of demands for funds. At least, the contract was not let until the year above mentioned, when plans were submitted in January. 73 The new jail was completed in November of 1892 and accepted by the Board. There is no record on the books of the minutes on the page of acceptance as to the cost of the new jail.
It was ordered at this time to rent or sell the old jail. It may be of interest in this connection to note that the original log jail was sold for fire wood, and one of the inducements for its purchase was the large amount of material in the structure—it being three logs thick. Wells Spicer let the contract for this old one, that is, the last but one, in 1856. 74
The amount paid Chas. Swetland for the fence he erected or for which he furnished material about the square is given as $I76.67. 75
Shortly after the close of the war the question of a place to care for the poor of the county was under discussion. One of the reasons given then was the natural result of the war would be the increase in the necessity for alms. This question was submitted to a vote in 1870. 76
Bonds were issued in the sum of ten thousand dollars to pay for the farm then voted. The first buildings were erected in 1871. In 1885 the Board of Supervisors adopted set rules for the governing of the inmates and employes of the poor farm.
THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE WAPSIE
Considerable difficulty has been experienced in the county since the first large bridge building was undertaken. At the close of the war a bridge was urged to be constructed across the Wapsie since the trade between these districts east and west demanded it. A bridge commission was appointed in 1865 to make some investigations as to the feasibility of certain sites for bridging the Cedar River. A deal of rivalry was manifested in the location of the first bridge across the Cedar. The first commission was composed of Rigby, Carey, and Chase, from the townships of Red Oak, Inland, and Springdale, respectively. Gray's Ford and Cedar Bluffs, then Washington, or Gower's Ferry were rivals for this bridge and the proposals were first made to construct these partly by subscription and partly by county tax. The matter was put to a vote, the south side winning, but this did not result in a bridge, for the record shows that no bridge was built until the one at Cedar Bluffs was constructed in 1877.
The story of this bridge and the events leading up to its completion were full of difficulties to the county Board of Supervisors, who had succeeded the county judge in authority in this county.
Robert Gower once petitioned for the privilege of erecting a toll bridge at the crossing of Gower's Ferry and the County Judge (1852) granted the prayer of the petition after it was shown that the company were able to maintain such a structure, and the rates of toll were fixed in the answer to the request for license. The right was extended to the company for ten years and they were in no way allowed to obstruct the navigation of the Cedar River.
The grant was never used as the ferry continued to run until the present, or 1877, bridge was built. Later, Robert Gower became a member of the Board and on one occasion introduced a resolution to carry out the idea expressed in the previous petition of building two toll bridges, one across the Wapsie and one across the Cedar, the county to pay one-half the cost.
The vote mentioned above was taken, resulting in the defeat of the Gower location, and this continued to be the verdict until both propositions for a bridge across the Cedar had been voted down by the ones to be accommodated or those who had the taxes to pay. This was in October, 1867, ten years before any bridge was built.
A new proposition came up in 1870, when a committee reported favorably on the site in the western part of the county. When the stock was selling, of which the county was to take half, the legal opinion was given that the county had no authority to do such things as carry stock in this way. Nothing more was done until 1874, when the Gray's Ford bridge was voted down. 77
The first record of the county bridge building in a direct contract appears in 1848, when the board agreed to pay thirty dollars to the builder of a bridge across Rock Creek, near the house of Wm. Green, provided the work was done in an acceptable manner.
In 1868 the first bridge was placed across the Wapsipinicon at Massillon, which was built by the citizens and the county at an expense of some four thousand dollars. The record shows four other smaller bridges built in 1877 at an expense of from three hundred and seventy to one thousand four hundred dollars. 78
In the centennial year, 1876, a petition signed by 621 voters from the region to be benefited was presented to the Board for an appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge at Cedar Bluffs. The Board at this time took favorable action so far as to make the preliminary examination of the cost of such a bridge and the possibility of its construction. O. H. Helmer, C. P. Sheldon, and H. G. Coe were appointed a committee to examine the river at this point and to report. In June of this same year another move was made by those who favored the bridge at Gray's Ford, and double the number of names signed to the first petition was secured in its favor. To this the Board turned a deaf ear, as no record is made of action upon it and their attention to it was urged by good men, E. A. Gray, Thomas James, Elwood Macy, D. Morrison, and H. C. Gill, and others of the petitioners.
The committee appointed to report on the bridge site did so at the June meeting and their report was adopted, which recommended the Cedar Bluffs proposition. Supervisor Coe then offered the following, and it is quoted verbatim since it is the first definite action binding the county to do something toward the actual construction:
Whereas, believing that two bridges over the Cedar River, in this county, will best serve the interests of the citizens, and also believing that a place called Cedar Bluffs, or Gower's Ferry, furnishes a suitable site for such bridge; therefore
Resolved, that the Board of Supervisors, before the final adjournment of this session, take the necessary measures for the building of a bridge at the above named point; provided, that there is sufficient guaranty given to the Board of Supervisors that the west abutment and the approaches to such bridge shall be built without expense to the county, and built according to the plans and specifications approved by this Board.
On the call of the yeas and nays the vote stood three to two for the resolution, Hedges and Smith voting nay.
Robert Gower died about mis time; he did not succeed during his life time in securing the object he so long sought for, but his son Sewall presented the needed guaranty and it was accepted. It agreed to pay twelve hundred dollars before the first of April, 1877, to cover the cost of the required portions of the bridge demanded in the resolutions of the Board. The signers of this agreement were Sewall Gower, S. E. Gunsolus, and Ed. Seitzinger.
The Auditor of the county was instructed to advertise for bids for one month and the contract was let in July, 1876. 79
The entire cost of this bridge was finally about twenty-one thousand dollars. It was tested by the Board in January, 1877, and accepted. About this time other projects were on foot to make the second bridge which was erected at Rochester. A diagram of the structure and each item in the requirements of the Cedar Bluffs bridge are posted in the minute book of the Board of Supervisors of 1877. 80
Petitions were presented to the board for a bridge at Rochester in 1876. In the beginning seven hundred names were attached and later on in 1878 enough more were added to bring the total up to more than one thousand. 81 These questions were postponed from session to session of the board until a committee was finally appointed to make an inspection of the Ivanhoe bridge in Linn County to find out something of its cost. This was in October of 1878. 82
At the June term of the Board in 1879 the clerk makes the following record: "The Cedar River bridge question was revived and then gently laid over until the September term." River soundings had been ordered and been reported before this. Resolutions were proposed to build at Gray's Ford at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars and when votes were counted they were lost. The same session the proposal was made for the same amount to build at Rochester and it carried. At the November term the contract was let for the bridge now crossing the river at that point. 83 The Wrought Iron Bridge Co. of Canton, Ohio, secured the work. The citizens of the vicinity of Rochester had subscribed one thousand dollars for the bridge, and the subscription lists were ordered to be transferred to the company for collection and that without recourse.
The last license issued to anyone for a ferry at Rochester was given on the condition that the county might at any time construct a bridge. Before locating the bridge at Rochester the Board had visited the point for which petitions had been received, and a meeting was held at Rochester to discuss the matter. Further consideration was postponed until the time as noted.
A bridge committee to supervise the construction of all bridges was appointed in 1880 and first consisted of C. Orcutt, J. W. Bell, and J. Werling. The entire board visited the bridge then in process of erection and approved the substructure in April, 1880. It was paid for at the June session.
The board met at Rochester to test the new bridge in July, 1880, and on account of the absence of the engineer in charge it was not accepted and paid for until his report was made at a later date.
From this time on the question of building bridges did not arouse so much interest, for the building of the Cedar Valley structure was done very moderately as ordinary business of the county. A committee was appointed in 1887 consisting of Wm. Dean, Aikens and Hall. The contract was let the same year. 84
The system of governing a county by commissioners originated in Virginia. The government of any state or territory comes from the previous custom of its population, and in the case of our own state we have the effects of two kinds of early training in the combination of county and township government. Commissioners governed this county from its beginning in 1838 to 1851. It would be very interesting and profitable to trace the population of this county to the point where we could determine the influences that preponderated in the county government. Judging from the first settlers who came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York in a large majority, we can see that they were more or less familiar with the town and county government. Those who came from Virginia or Kentucky had little knowledge of the township plan and one may see in certain portions of our state, where such persons came in larger numbers, the opposition to control by townships.
In 1851 a county court was created. 85 The act creating the court gave the county judge jurisdiction in probate affairs and gave him the powers formerly held by the county commissioners. It left nothing for commissioners to do. The term court in this sense seems to relate to the powers of a legislative body, which is the name used in such connection in New England, but it does not consist of one-man power.
On July 4, 1860, a law went into effect which provided for the election of one supervisor from each civil township. When assembled at the county seat for county business this body became known as the "Board of Supervisors." This was based upon the township system which had its origin in New England, commencing in 1635. The town meeting, which is called in the township each year, is the only remaining form of pure democratic government left us. This provided' for local government and the supervisors came to represent the township in the county board as then established. Thus we have represented in our permanent form of government the two types of organization—county and township combined.
A law was passed in 1871 providing for a change in the number of supervisors, allowing but three instead of one from each township.86 From the time this law went into effect until the election of 1873 county officers were under the control of three supervisors with county auditor as clerk. The act creating three members of the county board provided that on petition of one-fourth of the electors the question of increasing the membership to five or seven should be submitted to the voters of the county. Such a vote was taken in 1873 and the result was in favor of increasing the number to five which number has not been disturbed by increase or decrease up to the present time.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES
The proceedings of the first agricultural society held in Cedar County are published in the Advertiser for November 12, 1853, the very first issue of that paper, under the heading of "The Cedar County News-Letter".
This meeting, the very first, was held on October I1, 1853, and was called to order by the president, J. W. Cattell. The officers for the ensuing year elected at this meeting were: President, J. W. Cattell; Vice President, T. James; Secretary, H. C. Pratt; Treasurer, S. P. Daniels.
Executive Committee: Iowa Township, G. P. Wood; Pioneer Township, Prior Scott; Springdale Township, M. V. Butler; Rochester Township, J. D. Walker; Polk Township, Ezra Morton.
A Board of Directors was empowered "to purchase a lot of land, from five to ten acres, to be fenced and fitted up as a fair ground in order that the society may have a permanent place for holding its fairs." S. S. Daniels was secretary of this meeting.
The premium list is interesting and somewhat out of the ordinary when compared to one of later date. It is stated that there was some apprehension as to the success of this undertaking since lack of competition would destroy interest. When the eventful days arrived the fears soon passed, for the farmer's wealth began to come in. The vegetable products are truly marvelous. It is said that the great squash weighing 148 pounds really "took the rag off the bush." In the manufacturing department several specimens of weaving are mentioned that would have done credit to a Paisley weaver—coverlets and carpets were there that would rival the imported article.
The premium list includes some names familiar to all the county from that time and before. On butter and cheese the awarding committee included Mr. Cattell, Mrs. James and Mrs. Biseley.
M. Bruder secured the premium for the best display of apples, S. S. Daniels for fowls.
The reputation of this county for horses seems established even at that early time. The names of W. W. Aldrich, Prior Scott, J. Stout, George Carl and H. C. Horn appear among premium winners. The best yoke of oxen came from the farm of John Huber, best three-year-old steers, Prior Scott. In domestic and manufactured articles we find the greatest interest.
Mrs. James, Mrs. Moffett and Mrs. Huber were the awarding committee. Best quilt, Mrs. Hay; woolen yarn, Mrs. Goodrich; shawl, Mrs. Paton; rug, Mrs. Dr. Hall; woolen knit socks, Mrs. Prior Scott; best pair woolen sheets, Mrs. Hall; roll stair carpeting, same; twenty-five yards of rag carpet, Mrs. A. Holtslander.
In farm products not mentioned some surprising yields are mentioned: Best acre of corn (25 acres, one hundred eleven bushels per acre), H. C. Horn, (premium three dollars); second best corn (30 acres, ninety-six bushels to the acre), T. James.
In February, 1854, the committee appointed to secure grounds for the society were urged by the president, Cattell, to set to work at once to secure subscriptions. In a column article he sets forth the reasons for this organization. He states, prophetically, that land will be increasing in value and success is impossible unless the ground is owned and kept in readiness. The mechanic is urged to compete especially in the articles used in agricultural pursuits.
The president continued the agitation in succeeding numbers of the paper urging the county to use all diligence in carrying out his recommendations. The premium list should be completed in June in order to give the farmers a good chance to compete. He says: "I never like to put my hand to a work and have it drag or fail, this is my excuse for so often urging this." 87
July 15, 1854, the regular premium list for the fair, October 10 and I1, was published and is much more complete than in the previous year. This list includes among manufactured articles such things as best farm wagon made within the county, as all articles must be that compete. The best buggy, pleasure carriage, breaking plow, double and single plow, shovel plow, roller, harrow, ox yoke, farm harness, saddle, shoe and boot making, cooperage, set of chairs, lot of brooms, best specimen of plowing, best soap, and candles. A special committee was appointed to award premiums on all meritorious articles exhibited but not enumerated in the list. Tickets at ten cents each, admitting one person, may be procured at the stores of Friend & Culbertson, Shaw & Bagley, and Hammond & Co.
An editorial comment on this fair states that the exhibit was good but nothing more remarkable than the apples showing the adaptibility of Iowa soil to that product. The patent loom exhibited by Mr. Rathbun of Pioneer was an article worthy of all commendation, simple of construction and could be made at very small expense. It would weave twenty yards of plain cloth per day. Mr. Hammond, the tinner, had on exhibition the patent "Block Warrior" stove and took the premium.
In October, 1859, a county fair was held at Springdale. A complete premium list was published which compares favorably with those of the previous years. Exhibitors were present from distant parts of the county. At that time Lawrie Tatum was the secretary.
In September, 1860, the annual fair of the county was held at Springdale. The table for holding the fruit and vegetables was well protected by a shed 24x84 feet, which was covered with heavy muslin and enclosed by the same kind of material (a cloth building). Within this enclosure the managers made ample provision for seats. All the males, except the members and small boys, were required to pay a fee of fifteen cents.
There were 352 entries made of articles for exhibition. Cattle were well represented by the Durhams and grades and a few Devons were on exhibition. A very good lot of hogs were shown, prominent among them being the Chester Whites and Magees. "Some of our citizens seem determined to have a better breed of hogs than the 'prairie wind splitters,' though there are enough of the latter variety in the county yet to keep up the stock if any prefer them." 88
Sixty-four horses were entered for exhibition and a good sized lot enclosed with a rope was prepared for their accommodation.
Under the head of horticulture there were one hundred twenty-seven entries, G. P. Wood, the nurseryman at Springdale, showing twenty-nine varieties of apples. The potato exhibit was especially fine, the "Prince Albert" taking the first premium. There were sixty-five entries under the head of "Domestic Manufactures," fifteen of which were for molasses. The quality of the latter product is mentioned as superior to the southern product in every sense. A fair specimen of dry sugar was shown by J. H. Painter. The process was explained and was practical enough if followed.
Several lots of honey in which the sectional hive seems first to have been shown and described. This effect was produced by tacking some three cornered pieces to the upper side of the box to which the comb was attached. In the mechanical department a broadcast seeder made by Mr. Springstead of Onion Grove attracted much attention. It appeared to do the work evenly and so near the ground that the prairie wind could have very little effect upon it.
A family near by furnished meals to the hungry and several eating "shanties" were on the premises. The attendance was estimated as high as two thousand and the managers were more than ever confirmed in their opinion that the country is the place for a fair, not near any town where attention can be divided. 89
The state organization urged a union of all societies for the promotion of agricultural interests and this led to the one county fair in later years. District fairs were not discontinued at once for other parts of the county were represented before the county seat became the center of the annual exhibition.
The present secretary, C. F. Simmermaker, has furnished the following:
A meeting of the citizens of Cedar County, held in the Court House in Tipton, November 9, 1861, marks the next step in the agricultural organizations in the county. At this meeting J. K. Snyder was made chairman and F. Butterfield secretary. The object of the meeting was to organize The Cedar County Agricultural Association, and after discussing the matter, the following committee was named to draft Articles of Incorporation and Constitution and By-Laws: Geo. B. Sargent, Chairman; Joseph H. Leech, Mathew Springsteed, H. N. Washburne, and Carlisle Curtis. The following committee was appointed to select grounds for the association: J. A. Huber, H. N. Washburne, Moses Bunker, John W. Brown, and Henry Sherwood.
The second meeting was held November 25, 1861, when the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were adopted. The incorporators were: Wm. Fraseur, Robert McKee, W. W. Aldrich, Wm. R. Edge, Wm. M. Knott, Jesse Bradshaw, H. C. Piatt, C. P. Sheldon, J. K. Snyder, Henry Sherwood, A. Holtslander, Geo. B. Sargent, M. Springsteed, Myron Gleason, Jas. Jennings, Harvey Leech and H. N. Washburne. The first officers of the society were: Geo. B. Sargent, President; M. Springsteed, Vice Pres.; A. Holtslander, Secretary; Joseph K. Snyder, Treasurer; Directors were chosen, one from each township in the county.
A third meeting was held Jan. 22, 1862. A proposition of William H. Tuthill, to lease the society twenty acres of ground for five years, on which to locate the fair grounds, the first year free and at $12.50 per annum thereafter, was accepted. The first fair was held early in September, 1862. The displays were not extensive, but were the best possible to be secured at that early day. The fair was held on the grounds east of Tipton leased of Mr. Tuthill. The first address was delivered by Hon. Wells Spicer. Annual fairs were held on these grounds until the fall of 1866, when the Society purchased forty-two acres of ground of J. W. Kynett; these grounds are located west of the city and are the grounds owned by the present Cedar County Fair Association, and were purchased from Mr. Kynett, April 16, 1866, for $1,596.
The society contracted debts to the extent that they were obliged to reorganize, and in accordance a meeting was held in the Court House at Tipton, Dec. 27, 1871, when the old Cedar County Fair Association was formed. John C. Lyle was called to the chair and R. W. Starr was Secretary. Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were adopted at this meeting. The first officers were: H. C. Piatt, President; J. C. Lyle, Vice President; W. L. McCroskey, Secretary; Geo. E. Beatty, Treasurer. The first annual meeting of the association was held the second week in September, and the fair was essentially a success. Meetings were held each year of 1873, 1874, 1875 and 1876, the association slowly gaining grounds all the time, when in 1877, the banner fair was held. The receipts that year were $1,562 and the expenditures were $1,416. The balance in the hands of the Treasurer, $145. The amount of state allowance this year was $200, making a balance of $345. The officers that year were: H. W. Bailey, President; Wm. McNeal, Vice President; S. V. Yates, Secretary; W. L. McCroskey, Treasurer. Directors, Moses Bunker, Jas. H. Fulwider, Chas. Hammond, Wm. M. Knott, Alex Buchanan, Henry Walters, J. H. Gunsolus, J. T. Hudelson, Wm. McNeal and N. C. Millhouse.
The fair was a success for several years when the management allowed the moral tone of the fair to go to the bad, and saloons and gambling were the leading features of the fair, the association became involved, the officers decided that a fair would not pay at Tipton and in accordance the last meeting of the old Cedar County Fair Association was held during the fall of 1888, and from that date until the fall of 1891, Tipton was without a fair. The grounds, however, were owned by the association until May 2, 1891, when they were sold to the Tipton Fair Association for $2,800, with the understanding that a fair was to be reorganized. At this time the retiring officers of the Cedar County Fair Association were, D. T. Hedges, President; H. L. Huber, Secretary. Directors, S. R. Neiman, W. W. Aldrich, J. C. Reichert, R. Swartzlender and J. H. Gunsolus.
The Tipton Fair Association was organized during the year of 1891, with forty-two stockholders. The first officers were: Harm Piatt, President; Geo. E. Beatty, Vice President; W. E. Elijah, Treasurer, and John T. Moffit, Secretary. The first annual meeting was held Sept. 1, 2, 3 and 4, 1891, and was a great success as will be seen by the following report made by Secretary Moffit at the annual meeting Dec. 5, 1901:
| Cash paid for grounds | $2,800.00 |
Paid for permanent improvements, buildings, $803.40;
drill-ing well, $302.50; lumber, $168.43; work on track,
$100; hardware, posts and labor, etc., $210.83; total | $1,492.96 |
| Expenditures of fair | $2,706.68 |
| Total expenditures | $7,099.68 |
| The receipts were: | |
| 42 shares of stock | $4,200.00 |
| Receipts from fair | $3,506.15 |
| Track and pasture receipts | $101.00 |
| Total receipts | $7,807.15 |
| Net profits from fair | $808.51 |
The same officers had charge of the 1892 Fair, which was held the first week in September. It was during this year that the Tipton Driving Park Association was organized. This society was in charge of the same officers as the fair association, but was conducted independently, the meetings being held during the month of October. Large purses were put up, and strings of fast horses were here, the fastest that ever went over the Tipton track. These fall meetings were continued during the years of 1893 and 1894, when they were called off, being a failure financially. It was during the early history of the Tipton Fair Association that the present floral hall was erected, cattle and horse stalls were built as well as stock pens, and in these days the fair was a great success as an entertainment as well as financially.
Much credit for the great success of the fair should be given Secretary Moffitt, for his labors, as the success of any fair depends largely on the secretary. Mr. Moffitt was Secretary four years, when he was elected as President. The association held eighteen annual meetings, the last ones, however, were not a success from a financial standpoint; there was much dissatisfaction among the stockholders and those interested in the fair; the outside people failed to give the fair the support they should; the attendance was not as large as in former years and the society contracted debts to the extent that they were compelled to sell the grounds. The last meeting was held Sept. 8, 9 and 10, 1908. The fair was a success as an entertainment, but not in dollars and cents, hence a meeting was called early in December, to see if the grounds could be sold to a new association. At this meeting a committee composed of W. L. Lyle as chairman was appointed to sell stock, and over one hundred signatures were secured in a short time, which resulted in forming the present Cedar County Fair Association.
The first meeting of the new association was in the Court House in Tipton, Jan. 4, 1909. The meeting was called to order by F. H. Milligen and C. F. Simmermaker acted as Secretary. The name adopted was the Cedar County Fair Association. The Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws were adopted at this meeting. The following officers were elected:
President, P. W. Moffett; Vice President, Frank Smith; Secretary, C. F. Simmermaker; Treasurer, D. L. Diehl. Directors: Tipton, Geo. W. McLarand; Center Township, Wendell Miller; Fairfield, J. G. Cessford ; Red Oak, Jas. Spear; Iowa, Joe Kingsbury; Linn, C. A. McCormick; Springdale, Al Hemingway; Gower, Geo. H. Preston; Dayton, Ward Benson; Fremont, C. E. Hoyman; Pioneer, J. C. Caldwell; Inland, H. W. Franco; Rochester, Jas. Hill; Cass, Glen Agne.
The first Directors' meeting was held Jan. 21, 1909, when the dates of the first annual meeting were set as Sept. 7, 8 and 9, 1909. At this meeting the various Superintendents were appointed and other business of importance transacted. The first annual meeting of the Cedar County Fair Association was a great success as an entertainment and as a stock show surpassed anything ever held in Cedar County. Herds of cattle that took prizes at the State Fair were there as well as the best horses in this locality.
The fair was also a success financially, the netprofits being $350.00. At the annual meeting held in the Court House in Tipton on Jan. 12, 1910, the same officers were elected with the exception of several directors, the new directors elected being W. S. Uhler, Ed Cosgriff and Oliver Johnson. At this meeting Secretary Simmermaker, read the report of the First Annual Meeting which was as follows:
| Receipts from sale of 94 shares of stock | $4,700.00 |
| Receipts from all sources from the 1909 fair | $2,681.95 |
| Total | $7,381.95 |
| Disbursements—Paid on grounds | $5,000.00 |
| Premiums and other expenses of fair | $2,333.84 |
| Total | $7,335.84 |
| Cash on hand | $46.11 |
The amount paid the Tipton Fair Association for the forty-two acres of ground, including all buildings, was Six Thousand Dollars. During the summer of 1909 the new association added many improvements to the grounds. At a stockholders' meeting held at the Court House, March 5, of that year, the matter of erecting a new amphitheater was brought up and discussed, was carried and the following building committee appointed: W. S. Uhler, J. A. Yoder, G. W. McLarand, J. G. Cessford and Joe Kingsbury. A new building was erected, being 24x182 feet with a seating capacity of about 2,000, and at a cost of about $1,500. The contract was let to H. G. Willey at day labor. Other new buildings were erected and the track improved.
The Cedar County Corn and Stock Judging Institute is held annually at the county seat. It was organized in 1908 and has for its purpose the competitive exhibit of domestic and farm products of the nature suggested in its title. The annual meetings thus far have had set programs with lecturers from abroad and the prize corn and other products have been sold at auction sometimes at what seems fabulous prices. Recently the exhibit has been conducted on a plan under the direction of the Iowa Homestead, an agricultural paper. The officers at this date are, Geo. H. Escher, President; Mrs. W. P. Wolf, Vice President; L. J. Rowell, Secretary, and W. J. Moore, Treasurer.
A recent exhibit of the Poultry and Pet Stock Show indicates its prosperity. It was organized in 1908 and has held two meetings in the month of December each year. The present officers are, Wm. Wisener, President; W. L. Van Metre, Vice President; Robt. Sproat, Treasurer, and R. M. Gregg, Secretary.
COUNTY POOR FARM
In the very early records of the commissioners' proceedings provision was made for attending to the wants of the poor. This was not systematic until the establishment of the poor farm in 1871. The farm was purchased and buildings erected, the first cost of equipment being given as $1,750. In the spring of 1871 county bonds were issued to pay off the cost of the farm. Six years after it was established there were fourteen persons cared for at the time the report was made. The last report of the steward contains the following data: Number of inmates, 36, 26 poor and 10 insane; there were five deaths during the year 1909. The farm stock Jan. 1, 1910, included, horses and mules, 7; cattle, 56; and hogs, 32. A full report of receipts and disbursements is on file with the county auditor as submitted to the Board of Supervisors. The result shows the average cost per week for each inmate to be $1.42. This includes the permanent improvements.
COUNTY OFFICALS
| 1910 | PRESENT BOARD OF COUNTY SUPERVISORS. |
| | G. G. Wright, Chairman, Springdale Township Third District |
| | F. L. Sheldon, Center Township Second District |
| | Fred Goldsmith, Dayton Township First District |
| | J. H. Onstott, Pioneer Township Fifth District |
| | August Hinrichs, Springfield Township Fourth District |
| | P. H. Schneider, Clerk (County Auditor) |
| | |
| | CLERK OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (NOW AUDITOR) |
| | Cedar County, Wisconsin Territory, Rochester, April 2, 1838 |
| 1838-39 | Moses B. Church (also Clerk of District Court and Recorder) |
| 1840-42 | Wm. K. Whittlesey |
| 1843-44 | Robt. M. Long |
| 1845-48 | Wm. K. Whittlesey |
| 1849-50 | Samuel D. McCalley |
| 1851-55 | (No record) |
| 1856 to Aug. 1857 | Wells Spicer (County Judge) |
| Aug. 1857-59 | George Smith (County Judge) |
| 1860 | W. P. McCowan (County Judge) |
| 1861-64 | Alonzo Shaw (also Clerk of Court) |
| 1865-69 | Sylvanus Yates |
| 1869 | William Elliott |
| 1870-73 | E. M. Brink (first Auditor elected in the fall of 1869) |
| 1874-79 | Moreau Carroll |
| 1880-87 | E. M. Elliott |
| 1888-92 | A. C. Laubscher |
| 1893-96 | Geo. W. Shaffer |
| 1897-02 | Paul H. Downing |
| 1903-05 | W. A. Hamm |
| 1906-10 | P. H. Schneider |
| 1856-1860 | Note: no Board of Commissioners, the County Judge acted instead. |
| | |
| | SHERIFF |
| | Rochester, April 2, 1838, Cedar County, Wisconsin Territory. |
| 1838 | James W. Tallman |
| 1839 | Elisha E. Edwards (till October) |
| 1839-44 | George McCoy (from October '39 to October '44) |
| 1844 | Patterson Fleming |
| 1847-48 | James H. Robinson (Iowa as a state admitted Dec. 28, 1846) |
| 1849-50 | Charles Swetland |
| 1851-55 | (No record) |
| 1856-57 | John H. Bireley |
| 1858-59 | George Huber |
| 1860-61 | Jesse L. Bradshaw |
| 1862-65 | David Platner |
| 1866-75 | John D. Shearer |
| 1876-80 | A. B. Maynard |
| 1880-85 | Wm. C. Kelley |
| 1886-89 | W. E. Elijah |
| 1890-93 | Frank Nachbar |
| 1894-97 | James S. Moffit |
| 1898-99 | D. A. Downing |
| 1900-03 | R. M. Ellyson |
| 1904-08 | B. F. Barclay |
| 1909-10 | Brady Piatt |
| | |
| | COUNTY TREASURER. |
| | Rochester, Cedar County, Wisconsin Territory, April 2, 1838 |
| 1838-39 | Christian Holderman |
| 1840 | E. E. Edwards |
| 1841-45 | Preston J. Friend |
| 1846 | R. M. Long. |
| 1847-49 | William K. Whittlesey (died September, 1849) |
| 1851-56 | (No record) |
| 1857-60 | H. C. Piatt (also Recorder) |
| 1861 | Samuel Wampler (also Recorder) |
| 1862-67 | Geo. P. Ingman (also Recorder) |
| 1868-71 | Edwin H. Pound |
| 1872-73 | T. C. McClelland |
| 1874-77 | Samuel Wampler |
| 1878-79 | Geo. Huber |
| 1880-87 | O. H. Helmer |
| 1888-91 | John Courts |
| 1892-95 | R. R. Leech |
| 1896-99 | Harm Piatt |
| 1900-03 | J. E. Bartley |
| 1904-08 | H. H. Rath |
| 1909-10 | E. C. Gillam |
| | |
| | CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT |
| | Rochester, Cedar County, Wisconsin Territory, April 2, 1838. |
| May 28 1838-Nov 1838 | Robert G. Roberts |
| Nov 24, 1838-42 | William K. Whittlesey (also Clerk of County Coms. and Recorder) |
| 1843-44 | Robt. M. Long (also Clerk of County Coms. and Recorder) |
| 1845-48 | William K. Whittlesey (also Clerk of County Coms. and Recorder) |
| 1849-50 | Samuel D. McCalley (also Clerk of County Coms. and Recorder) |
| 1851-55 | (No record) |
| 1856 to Aug '57 | Wells Spicer (County Judge) |
| Aug 1857-59 | Geo. Smith (County Judge) |
| 1859 | G. P. Ingman (also Clerk of Coms.) |
| 1860-64 | Alonzo Shaw (also Clerk of Coms.) |
| 1865-68 | Sylvanus Yates (also Clerk of Coms.) |
| 1869 | William Elliott (also Clerk of Coms.) |
| 1870-72 | William Elliott |
| 1873-76 | W. H. Van Ness |
| 1877-80 | T. C. Prescott |
| 1881-86 | Jesse James (died in office) |
| 1886 | J. H. Neiman (appointed to fill vacancy) |
| 1887-90 | J. D. Shearer |
| 1891-94 | D. A. Downing |
| 1895-96 | J. C. Freguson |
| 1897-1902 | I. J. Hamiel |
| 1903-06 | W. W. Little |
| 1907-10 | George McLarand |
| | |
| | RECORDER OF DEEDS |
| 1838-39 | Moses B. Church (also Clerk of Coms. and Clerk of Court) |
| 1840-42 | Wm. K. Whittlesey (also Clerk of Coms. and Clerk of Court) |
| 1843-44 | R. M. Long (also Clerk of Coms. and Clerk of Court) |
| 1845-48 | Wm. K. Whittlesey (also Clerk of Coms. and Clerk of Court) |
| 1849-50 | Samuel D. McCalley (also Clerk of Coms. and Clerk of Court) |
| 1851-55 | (No record) |
| 1857-60 | H. C. Piatt (also Treasurer) |
| 1861 | Samuel Wampler (also Treasurer) |
| 1862-66 | Geo. P. Ingman (also Treasurer) |
| 1867-72 | Jesse James |
| 1873-82 | C. W. Hawley |
| 1883-84 | Geo. Huber |
| 1885-92 | Geo. W. Miller |
| 1893-94 | C. A. Ridenour |
| 1895-96 | Shuler French |
| 1897-02 | S. A. Jennings |
| 1903-06 | W. S. Beatty |
| 1907-08 | Alex. Buchanan, Jr. |
| 1909-10 | J. D. Reid |
| | |
| | SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS |
| 1860-61 | Jas. McClung (first Supt.) |
| 1862-63 | Wm. P. Wolf |
| 1888 | S. T. Hedges |
| 1889 | John Zuck |
| 1890 | Geo. D. Bardwell |
| 1891 | D. H. Dallas |
| 1892-95 | John Zuck |
| 1896-97 | S. A. Handley |
| 1898-99 | J. Q. Zuck (John Zuck, Deputy) |
| 1900-02 | F. G. Reeder |
| 1903 | U. S. Brink elected but failed to qualify, John Zuck appointed |
| 1904-05 | Otis Leefers |
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR 1910
| CASS | |
| Clerk, Frank Laubecher | Buchanan |
| Justice, Henry S. Brown | Lisbon |
| Constable, W. E. Koppenhaver | Buchanan |
| Trustees, Harry Dodds | Tipton |
| Martin Kuncl | Solon |
| D. E. Frederick | Tipton |
| Assessor, Geo. Gaul | Tipton |
| | |
| CENTER | |
| Clerk, S. A. Jennings | Tipton |
| Justices, John W. Argo | Tipton |
| J. E. Bartley | Tipton |
| Constables, D. W. Clark | Tipton |
| J. J. Diltz | Tipton |
| Trustees, Wendell Willer | Tipton |
| R. Roberdee | Tipton |
| W. P. Rochholz | Tipton |
| Assessor, R. M. Reeder | Tipton |
| | |
| DAYTON | |
| Clerk, E. C. Dean | Clarence |
| Justice, C. G. Oliver | Clarence |
| Constable, E. F. Delamater | Clarence |
| Trustees, John Bauman | Clarence |
| A. R. Bixler | Clarence |
| Ed Cosgriff | Clarence |
| Assessor, W. S. Robinson | Clarence |
| | |
| FAIRFIELD | |
| Clerk, J. G. Cessford | Tipton |
| Constable, Chris. J. Kline | Clarence |
| Trustees, H. D. Butterbrodt | Tipton |
| Henry Meier | Clarence |
| Wm. Burk | Tipton |
| Assessor, John Kroeplen | Tipton |
| | |
| FARMINGTON | |
| Clerk, R. Meyer | Durant |
| Justice, E. F. Jockheck | Durant |
| Constables, August Bierkamp | Sunbury |
| John Bierkamp | Durant |
| Trustees, Henry Gruemmer | Durant |
| Louis Paustian | Sunbury |
| Wm. Miller, Sr | Sunbury |
| Assessor, H. D. Thiering | Wilton |
| | |
| FREMONT | |
| Clerk, Scott Hamilton | Stanwood |
| Justice, J. N. Boling | Stanwood |
| Constables, William S. Graft | Stanwood |
| Dennis Welch | Mechanicsville |
| Trustees, J. W. McConkie | Olin |
| W. S. Pirie | Stanwood |
| H. P. Thomas | Mechanicsville |
| Assessor, George Findlay | Stanwood |
| | |
| COWER | |
| Clerk, John Loftus | Cedar Valley |
| Justice, R. C. Heacock | West Branch |
| Trustees, Rudolph Stroppel | West Branch |
| Wm. Cahill | West Branch |
| Anton Slach | West Branch |
| Assessor, Walter Harden | West Branch |
| | |
| INLAND | |
| Clerk, R. J. Johann | Bennett |
| Justices, G. C. Bannick | Bennett |
| H. W. Franco | Bennett |
| Constables, Herman Dresselhaus | Bennett |
| R. C. Schneckioth | Bennett |
| Trustees, Ferd. Goettsch | Bennett |
| Henry Ahrens | Bennett |
| Geo. Regennitter | Bennett |
| Assessor, J. A. Miller | Sunbury |
| | |
| IOWA | |
| Clerk, Chas. R. McCann | West Liberty |
| Justice, W. H. Phelps | West Branch |
| Trustees, W. H. Phelps | West Branch |
| C. H. Johnson | West Branch |
| H. T. Swart | West Liberty |
| Assessor, C. K. Pierce | West Branch |
| | |
| LINN | |
| Clerk, A. R. Albaugh | Mechanicsville |
| Trustees, W. L. Crawford | Mechanicsville |
| G. C. Statler | Mechanicsville |
| S. H. Treichler | Lisbon |
| Assessor, A. G. Hemingway | Lisbon |
| | |
| MASSILLON | |
| Clerk, Henry Richmann | Lowden |
| Justices, C. A. Robison | Massillon |
| Carl Wenndt | Lowden |
| Trustees, W. E. Brink | Lowden |
| Wemer Deke | Lowden |
| Wm. Ruprecht | Massillon |
| Assessor, A. E. Emerson | Massillon |
| | |
| PIONEER | |
| Clerk, A. F. Fairchild | Mechanicsville |
| Justice, Geo. W. Fall | Mechanicsville |
| Constable, J. J. DeWald | Mechanicsville |
| Trustees, John Kerwin | Mechanicsville |
| C. F. Platner | Mechanicsville |
| L. H. Andre | Mechanicsville |
| Assessor, J. C. Ferguson | Lisbon |
| | |
| RED OAK | |
| Clerk, Homer A. Dorcas | Tipton |
| Trustees, James J. Spear | Stanwood |
| Wm. Chappell | Tipton |
| A. M. Moffit | Tipton |
| Assessor, H. J. Safley | Tipton |
| | |
| ROCHESTER | |
| Clerk, T. H. Ridenour | Tipton |
| Justice, W. F. Horn | Tipton |
| Constable, F. A. Kester | Tipton |
| Trustees, S. C. Baker | Tipton |
| Adam Kensinger | Tipton |
| J. C. Kirkpatrick | Tipton |
| Assessor, Elliott Anderson | Tipton |
| | |
| SPRINGDALE | |
| Clerk, Norris Wilson | Downey |
| Justices, O. C. Pennock | West Branch |
| John Cornwall | Downey |
| Trustees, Geo. C. Shrader | West Branch |
| T. B. Pidd | Downey |
| Peter J. Thomas | West Branch |
| Assessor, I. B. Fawcett | West Branch |
| Constable, M. L. Marks | West Branch |
| | |
| SPRINGFIELD | |
| Clerk, Fred Pauls | Lowden |
| Justice, Henry Ruprecht, Jr | Lowden |
| Constable, Wm. C. Schmidt | Lowden |
| Trustees, L. E. Conrad | Bennett |
| F. H. Dircks | Lowden |
| Aug. Meyer | Lowden |
| Assessor, George Wischmann | Lowden |
| | |
| SUGAR CREEK | |
| Clerk, I. N. Kiser | Wilton |
| Justices, Geo. H. Laucamp | Wilton |
| Chas. D. Kiser | Wilton |
| Constables, A. W. Straub | Tipton |
| W. L. Rorick | Wilton |
| Trustees, W. W. Chapman | Wilton |
| Geo. H. Laucamp | Wilton |
| W. H. Hanna | Wilton |
| Assessor, Geo. Karns | Wilton |
CEDAR COUNTY TAXATION, 1909
| VALUE OF PROPERTY | |
| Land | $4,714,822 |
| Town property | $826,835 |
| Personal property | $1,930,231 |
| Railroad property | $752,587 |
| Telegraph and Telephone property | $44,482 |
| Express property | $3,362 |
| sub total | $8,272,319 |
| | |
| STATE TAX | |
| State tax | $28,125.88 |
| Special S. U. I. | $1,654.46 |
| Special I. A. C | $1,654.46 |
| State Normal | $827.23 |
| sub total | $32,262.03 |
| | |
| COUNTY TAX | |
| County | $33,089.27 |
| Poor | $9,926.78 |
| Insane | $4,136.15 |
| Poll | $2,359.00 |
| Dog | $1,834.00 |
| sub total | $51,345.20 |
| | |
| ROAD TAX | |
| Bridge | $28,953.11 |
| County road | $8,272.31 |
| Township road | $24,236.26 |
| Delinquent road | $471.00 |
| sub total | $61,932.68 |
| | |
| SCHOOL TAX. | |
| Teachers | $57,385.61 |
| Contingent | $20,729.96 |
| School house | $6,252.15 |
| County school | $8,272.31 |
| School building bond | $6,751.97 |
| sub total | $99,392.00 |
| | |
| TOWNSHIP TAX | |
| Grave Yard | 617.46 |
| sub total | 617.46 |
| | |
| CORPORATION TAX | |
| Water | $5,979.01 |
| Corporation | $16,016.88 |
| Electric Light | $486,865.00 |
| Gas Light | $2,510.85 |
| Lbrary Maintenance | $1,851.09 |
| Bond | $390.05 |
| Sidewalk | $137.25 |
| Delinquent road tax | $409.00 |
| Improvement | $2,003.53 |
| sub total | $34,166.31 |
| Total tax levied | $279,715.68 |
