Iowa Land Company's Plat Marked Start
As Clinton lights 100 candles on its birthday cake, another chapter is beingwritten in the colorful history of the area which dates back to the days ofSpanish adventurers in search of gold and diamonds and French missionarieshopeful of saving men's souls.
Discovery of this area on the west bank of the Mississippi river generally iscredited to DeSoto. But he was not interested in colonizing this beautifuland untamed territory. He coveted the gold and diamonds which he thoughtperhaps could be found.
It was 50 years later that French missionaries began moving down the Fatherof Waters in their bateaux. History records that they were impressed bythe "beautiful green oasis spreading from wooded hills" and that theyrested along the river, preaching to the Indians.
LeCaron, a French Franciscan, penetrated the new land in 1616 and in 1634 twoother unnamed missionaries moved slowly past what is now Eastern Iowa.
A struggle for power marked the early years of this midwest territory. Although discovered by the Spaniards, it was first occupied by the French. Later it was ceded by France to Spain, then ceded back to France. Eventually it was purchased by the United States.
For many years there was not even a trading post in the area. The Iowa,Sac and Fox Indians were the only humans who roamed over the area. Theystalked deer, wolf, lynx, wildcat, raccoon, skunk, mink, weasel, beaver, otter,muskrat and squirrel.
It was into this land of beauty and lushness that Elijah Buell moved in 1835,and set the groundwork for the founding of Lyons. Some two years later, in1837, Noble Perrin brought his family to what is now Clinton.
By 1836 J. M. Bartlett was operating a trading post several miles south ofBuell's cabin and also a ferry across the river. He had sketched on papera proposed settlement and had named it New York.
However by the spring of 1838, discouraged by the lack of interest in hisventure, he sold his interest to Capt. C. G. Pearce, Col. B. Randall and Col.Jennings.
The whole plot eventually reverted to Capt. Pearce by purchase, but he didlittle in the way of developing the embryo city until 1844 when he received apatent.
Even by that time there were no settlers, most newcomers showing moreinterest in settling in the Lyons community.
Credit for the original development of Clinton goes to the Iowa Land company. In 1855 this company was authorized as an incorporation to hold,improve and sell real estate. On July 4 of that year it purchased 500acres, drew up the original plat of Clinton and gave the community its presentname.
During that year a church, a school and hotel had been built upon the site ofthe present city. In 1856 further impetus was given the settlement whenthe Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad company pledged that the site of Clintonwould remain its eastern terminus. One year later the railroad companybuilt the first 20 miles of their road extending to DeWitt.
While the formal founding of Clinton actually dates to 1855 when the plat wasdrawn, a city charter was not conferred by the Iowa legislature until1857. This was accepted by a unanimous vote of the people, 96 votes beingcast in its favor.
Having launched Clinton, the Iowa Land company continued its efforts inbehalf of its growth and progress. A major step in that direction was theconstruction of the Iowa Central House, an outstanding hotel in this area. This in turn encouraged other local investment and before long a number of homeswere being erected.
Once the charter was granted to the city in 1857, the next order of businesswas electing the officers. Samuel Crozer was elected the first mayor;Henry B. Horton, treasurer; J. M. Start, marshall; and J. M. Ordway, wharfmaster.
With this administration Clinton began its career, culminating in this year'sCentennial celebration.
SOURCE: Centennial Edition, Clinton Herald, Clinton Iowa, 18 June 1955