|
Early Settlements
Every nation
does not
possess an
authentic
account of
its origin,
neither do
all
communities
have the
correct data
whereby it
is possible
to
accurately
predicate
the
condition of
their first
beginnings.
Nevertheless,
to be
intensely
interested
in such
things is
characteristic
of the race,
and it is
particularly
the province
of the
historian to
deal with
first
causes.
Should these
facts, as is
often the
case, be
lost in the
mythical
tradition of
the past,
the
chronicler
invades the
realm of the
ideal, and
compels his
imagination
to paint the
missing
picture. The
patriotic
Roman, was
not content
till he had
found the
"First
Settlers"
and then he
was
satisfied,
although
they were
found in the
very
undesirable
company of a
she bear,
and located
on a drift,
which the
receding
waters of
the Tiber
had
permitted
them to
preempt.
One of the advantages pertaining to a residence in a new country, and
the one possibly least appreciated, is the fact that we can go back to
the first beginnings. We are thus enabled not only to trace results to
their causes but also to grasp the facts which have contributed to form
and mould these causes. We observe that a State or county has attained
a certain position, and we at once try to trace out the reasons for
this position in its early settlement and surroundings, in the
class of men by whom it was peopled and in the many chances and changes
which have wrought out results in all the recorded deeds of mankind. In
the history of Keokuk county, we may trace its early settlers to their
homes in the Eastern States and in the countries of the Old World. We
may follow the course of the hardy "Woodman of the "Buckeye" or the
"Hoosier" State on his way west to "grow up up with the country"
trusting only to his strong arm and his willing heart to work out his
ambition of a home for himself and wife, and a competence for his
children. Yet again, we may see the path worn by the Missourian in his
new experience in a land which to him was a land of progress, far in
advance of that southern soil upon which he had made his temporary
home, in his effort to adapt himself to new conditions. We may see here
the growth which came with knowledge, and the progress which grew upon
him with progress around him, and how his better side developed. The
pride of Kentucky blood, or the vain glorying of the Virginia F. F.
V's, was here seen in an early day only to be modified in its advent
from the crucible of democracy when servitude was eliminated from the
solution. Yet others have been animated with the impulse to "move on,"
after making themselves part of the community, and have sought the
newer parts of the extreme West, where civilization had not penetrated,
or return to their native soil. We shall find little of that
distinctive
New England character which has contributed so many men and women to
other portions of our State and the West, but we shall find many an
industrious native of Germany or the British Isles, and a few of the
industrious and economical French—all of whom have contributed to
modify types of men already existing here. With confidence that general
results will prove that there is much of good in everything, and that a
justice almost poetic has been meted out to the faults and follies, to
the foibles and the virtues of the early settlers of this county, we
may now enter upon their story.
As before stated, prior to October 21, 1838, the whites were not
allowed to settle in any part of the territory now embraced in the
boundaries of Keokuk county. At that time the United States came into
possession of territory before held by the Indians; this new territory
embraced within its bounds a small portion of what is now Keokuk
county, including nearly all of the southeastern (Richland) township,
and about half of the first, and a small portion of the second
townships north of it. Upon this "strip," as has already been shown,
the whites were then entitled to settle. This, however, cannot be taken
as the date of first settlement; prior to that time a number of claims
had been made and improvements commenced. The treaty had been made, and
although, theoretically, this was forbidden ground, and the pioneers
could at best but take a position on the border line and view at a
distance the promised land, yet, practically, the country was open for
exploration some months sooner, and the more adventuresome land-viewers
and claim-seekers crossed over, looking at the country and marking the
best localities, in order that they might be the better prepared to
make an intelligent selection before settling a permanent claim. Early
in the spring of this year a claim had been taken and a permanent
settlement began. From this time,
therefore, must be traced the history
of Keokuk county, and at that time must be dated the "first settlement."
|
Keokuk County, Iowa