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         VILLAGE OF FREDONIA. The village of Fredonia was laid out in the fall of 1836, by Alvin Clark, who had a squatter’s claim on the land. It was surveyed by John Gilliland. The town is situated on the east bank of the Iowa River, immediately below its juncture with the Red Cedar River, and comprises a part of section 20, township 75, range 4 west. The first buildings that were erected in the place were log cabins near the river. The overflow of the river, however, caused the town to be moved to higher ground. The first hotel erected was near the river and called the Ferry House. It was erected about 1847.

Fredonia never attained any special size, but while it was a terminus of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad it did a thriving business. When the railroad was extended farther west business declined, and has never yet been as good, though it is quite a shipping point for stock. Its business consists of one general store kept by William Curtis, a grocery store kept by Levi Mickey, a blacksmith-shop, stockyard and post-office. The Methodists have the only house of worship, it being built in 1870. The soil in the bottom land around Fredonia is peculiarly adapted to growing to perfection all kinds of vines and vegetables, which are said to be superior to those grown on the famous Muscatine Island. Alvin Clark and his brother, Gibbs Clark, are said to have been the first settlers of Fredonia. The first physician was Dr. Enoch Maxson, who also bought the first stock of groceries and started the first store in the place. The first blacksmith-shop was started by Lothrop Darling in 1841. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad reached the place July 4, 1857.

The point where the Iowa and Red Cedar Rivers join was a favorite trading-point for the Indians in an early day, and hundreds of them at a time would be gathered there. The bottom lands below the confluence of the two rivers, where now lie beautiful and well-cultivated farms, at that early day were covered with timber and plentifully stocked with game.

As another illustration of what might have been, it may be said that when the Territorial capital of Iowa was about to be located, Fredonia came within three votes of securing the coveted prize, Iowa City being the successful point.