pg 111

We know that there were elections held in the county in March or April, 1837, and also on the 6th of May, 1837. At this latter election Isaac Parsons was elected coroner. This fact is recited in. his official bond; but we have been unable to find any returns of elections held in the county prior to the one held on March 5, 1838, and all we have found relating to that election consists of (1) election returns from Wapello, (2) election returns from Iowatown, and (3) canvass of election. The return from Wapello is as follows: "Poal book of an election held at Wapello, W. T., on the first Monday in March, Eighteen Hundred and Thirty-eight, for the perpose of the election of county and town officers." Then follow the names of electors, numbering 74, then the tally list showing the various candidates voted for and the number of votes for each one. This tally list shows that the vote for county commissioners was as follows: William Milligan, 40; John Ronalds, 18; William L. Toole, 55; George Humphrey, 8; Philip B. Harrison, 35; Charles D. Gillem, 35; Alvin Clark, 5. For assessor the vote was: William H. R. Thomas, 34; John Bevins, 35. There were a number of candidates voted for for constable. Those receiving the highest votes were: C. M. McDaniel, 34; A. J. Bevins, 46; William W. Adams, 53; David Herron, 24; and Samuel Scott, 20.

The judges of this election were S. S. Gourley, Josiah Lewis and V. P. Bunnell. The clerks were J. S. Rinearson and W. H. Sheldon. Among the list of names as voting in Wapello were the following: William H. R. Thomas, James M. Clark, Daniel Brewer, Jacob Martin, Jeremiah Smith, Aaron Springer, Peter Wigant, Silas Crisman, C. A. Ballard, Mahlon Wright, John O'Laughlin, William Fleming, James Erwin, Peter Blake, Robert Lee, Henry Thompson.

The returns from Iowatown are all on one sheet of paper. The names of the voters are given first, then the tally list and then the certificate, which is as follows: "At an election at the house of William Dupont, of Iowatown, Louisa county, and Territory of Wisconsin, on the 5th day of March, 1838, the above named persons Rec'd. the number of votes annext to their respective names for the above named offices. Certified by us, John Deihl, Christopher Shuck, William Dupont, judges of election; Samuel Smith and William Guthrie, clerks of election."

The vote on commissioners at Iowatown was: P. B. Harrison, 28; W. L. Tool, 20; W. Milligan, 11; C. D. Gillem, 7; George Umphrey. 7; J. Reynolds, 1.

pg 112

There were nine persons voted for for constable, the four highest being: W. Shuek, 19; C. M. McDaniel, 21; Samuel Scott, 17; M. P. Mitchell, 10. The vote on assessor was: J. Bevins, 13; Thomas, 16. For treasurer: Christopher Shuck, 17; Z. Inghram, 1. For coroner: I. Parsons had 1.

The names of thirty voters are given. Among them are the following: James Gordon, Samuel Pitt, James Larew, Jonathan Welch, John J. Kern, John Pitt, Sr., David Russell, Jefferson Frizel, James Wilson, David Linn, R. P. Burlingame.

The canvass of the election was made by William Milligan and Isaac H. Rinearson, justices of the peace, on March 10, 1838, and it is apparent from the number of votes which they found cast for the different candidates that voting was done at one or two more places beside Wapello and Iowatown. Black Hawk was probably one of these voting places. The canvass shows as follows:

For county commissioners: William Milligan, 89; John Ronalds, 48; William L. Toole, 112; George Humphrey, 41; Philip B. Harrison, 80; Charles D. Gillem, 43; Alvin Clark, 63; William Fowler, 1.

For assessor: William H. R. Thomas, 96; John Bevins, 70.

The list of persons voted for for constables contains 13 names. We give a few of the highest: C. M. McDaniel, 71; Samuel Scott, 63; W. W. Adams, 68; David P. Herron, 64; William L. Warren, 56; M. P. Mitchell, 50; A. J. Bevins, 47.

There was also an election held on September 10, 1838. The only papers we find relating to it among the county archives are the returns from Black Hawk, Fredonia and Wapello. The election at Wapello was held at the house of S. S. Gourley in the town of Upper Wapello.

W. W. Chapman had 48 votes for delegate to congress; David Rorer had 31; B. F. Wallace had 19; and Peter Hill Engle had 2.

For the Council, James M. Clark had 91 votes, and Eli Reynolds, 7.

For representative William L. Toole had 68; John Ronalds had 61; Levi Thornton, 39; Hiram Smith, 66; S. C. Hastings, 16; Samuel Woodsides, 28.

There were 101 votes polled at this election in Wapello. Among them we note John Drake, the two Gregorys, Nathan and Levi, Zebina Williams, Samuel Chany, Thomas Bane, T. L. Rose, William M. Clark, Richard W. Gwinn, Philip J. Buffington.

We also find on this list the names of Ely Ronalds and John Friason, intended for two Muscatine county citizens, EH Reynolds and John Frierson. They were down here, no doubt, electioneering for John Frierson for representative, and under the law as it existed at that time, they had a right to vote for members of the council and house of representatives anywhere in the district. At that time Louisa, Muscatine and Slaughter (Washington) counties were in the same district.

The return from Black Hawk shows that the election was held at the house of E. Hook

in the town of Black Hawk. Chapman had 25 votes; Rorer, 18; Wallace, 1.

For member of the council. James M. Clark had 44 votes, being the whole number of votes cast.

Photo of court document.

pg 113

For representative, William L. Toole had 41 votes and the other leading candidates at this precinct were Levi Thornton, Silas S. Lathrop, Samuel Woodside and John Ronalds.

Notwithstanding the fact that the sheriff at that time was to be appointed by the governor, the people of Black Hawk expressed their preference by 31 for. McDaniel to 8 for Thomas.

Among those voting at Black Hawk that day were the following: Valentine Faulkner, John H. Benson, the two Mallorys, Riley and Harmon, Albert Cadwell, Isaac D. Nevill, James Guest, Ward Noyes, William Fleming, Orrin Briggs, Elias Keever, Israel Trask and Maxamilian Eastwood.

The election at Fredonia at this time was held at the house of Truman G. Clark and there were 26 votes cast. Among the names of the voters we find Robert W. Gray, James Bedwell, Francis W. Newel, William Todd, Marvel Wheelock and Alexander E. Black. Chapman got all but one of the votes for delegate to congress.

The first election held in 1839 was on the 4th of March, and we have the canvass made of the returns for that election and copy it entire:

"A canvass of the returns of an election held on the 4th of March, 1839, for electing a seat of justice and three county commissioners for Louisa county, Iowa Territory, done before William Milligan and Hiram Smith, two acting justices of the peace for said county and in pursuance of the laws of the territory, in such case made and provided.

Election Precincts	William Millligan	Robert Childers	Wright Williams	Israel Clark	___ Guinn	___ Parsons	C. Gilliam	W. Fowler	I. W. Isett	A. Willisamson	P. B. Harrison	T. G. Clark	Micajah Reeder	R. Gray	Mr. Neal
Wapello	94	5	89	45	23	9	18	2	2	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .
Harrison	11	26	7	. .	. .	6	. .	6	. .	31	12	. .	. .	. .	. .
Blackhawk	12	28	22	3	. .	32	. .	10	. .	1	. .	1	. .	. .	. .
Florence	25	. .	29	8	. .	24	. .	5	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .
Fredonia	. .	. .	38	5	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	37	30	. .	. .
Grandview	9	18	8	. .	. .	6	1	11	. .	. .	. .	17	5	. .	. .
Guinns	19	. .	21	16	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	6	. .
Halls	17	6	22	12	. .	. .	3	. .	. .	. .	. .	2	. .	. .	17
Calins	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .	. .
	187	83	256	89	23	72	22	34	2	32	12	57	35	6	17

Iowa Territory, Louisa County.

I hereby certify that on this 14th day of March, 1839, I having received the election returns from all the election precincts, where elections were held at the above election precincts did open canvass and examine the same in the presence of the above named justices at the office of Thomas & Springer, Esqs. and find that William Milligan. Wright Williams and Israel Clark have received the...

pg 114

... highest number of votes. They are therefore hereby declared duly elected commissioners for said county.


“John Gilliland,
Clk, to Board of Comrs.”

"Guinns" was at Virginia Grove; "Hall's" was probably James G. Halls, then on Long Creek; and Calins was Hugh Calins, or Callans, which was on the east side of the Iowa river in the north part of section 1, township 75 north, range 5.

It will be noted that this canvass states that it is of the returns of the election for locating a seat of justice and also county commissioners but as explained in a previous chapter the law authorizing an election for a seat of justice provided that the sheriff should canvass that vote, and this is doubtless why the canvass of the vote on that question was not set out with the other.

There was also an election held on the 5th of August, 1839. The canvass of the returns for this election only shows votes cast in six precincts, viz: Wapello, Florence, Black Hawk, Harrison, Grandview and Fredonia, and it also shows the vote cast in Washington county for representative, there being two to elect. Louisa county gave Jacob Mintun 123 votes, and Daniel Brewer 112 votes, and these were the successful candidates.

The other leading candidates in this county were Levi Thornton, 98 votes; William L. Toole, 92 votes; John Ronalds, 80 votes; William H. R. Thomas, 69 votes.

None of the Louisa county candidates received very many votes in Washington county, the bulk of that vote being cast for Thomas Baker, who had 72, and Horace Carley, who had 58.

The following items of interest we take from an examination of the election returns for 1840. In Wapello precinct there were 114 votes polled.

For delegate to congress, A. C. Dodge had 68 votes; and Alfred Rich, 46.

For member of the council, Daniel Brewer had 59 votes; and Francis Springer, 54.

For representative, John Ronalds had 59 votes, and William L. Toole, 52. For sheriff, C. M. McDaniel had 62 votes, and William H. R. Thomas, 49. For treasurer, George F. Thomas had 74; Asa Mallory, 15; and Cicero M. Ives, 10.

At this election two questions were submitted. One was for holding a constitutional convention and the other was on the question of township organization. Wapello cast 33 votes for a convention, and 40 against; and 52 votes for township organization, and 9 against.

An election was held in Virginia Grove that year according to the returns, at the house of R. W. Gwinn. This is the election of October 5th and there were 27 votes cast.

Among the voters names we find those of Thomas and Samuel Bell, Bayard Grubb, Samuel Dunham, James Higbee, Robert R. Mickey, John R. Mickey, Zadok Jarvis, George Key, William P. Brown, Henry M. Ocheltree.

Dodge carried this precinct by 1 majority; Brewer carried it by 12 majority; and Ronalds for representative, by 11 majority. The vote for a constitutional convention was 2; and against, 24.

pg 115

The election at Florence this year was held at the house of P. B. Harrison and there were 31 votes cast.

Dodge and Rich for congress each had 15 votes; for council Springer had 18; Brewer 9; for representative, Toole had 17, and Ronalds 12.

For a convention the vote was 4, and against, 11, and the majority in favor of township organization was 4.

We learn from the election returns for Black Hawk that they had already erected a schoolhouse there, as the election was held in it. Black Hawk seems to have gone overwhelmingly for the whig candidates.

For congress Rich had 46, Dodge 7; for the council, Springer 50, and Brewer 2; for representative, Toole 49, and Ronalds 4.

On the question of township organization the vote was 46 for to 2 against, but we find no return in regard to the convention.

The return of the election held in the "town of Grandview and precinct of Warren" shows that there were 31 votes cast, the whig candidates receiving about 20 majority.

The election of October 5, 1840, is the first one of which we find any return from Columbus City precinct. The return states that the election for that precinct was held at the house of Adam Reister in Columbus City. The whig candidates had from 10 to 20 majority in the precinct. The judges of this election were John Reed, Wright Williams and Samuel Woodside; and the clerks were Bruce Johnson and Joshua Gore.

We find no returns from Fredonia for this election, nor does the canvass of this vote seem to have been preserved. These returns show that Rich, the whig candidate, carried the* county over Dodge by a vote of 163 to 153; that Springer carried it over Brewer by a vote of 207 to 118; and Toole carried it over Ronalds by 198 to 128.

Following is the vote by precincts on the two questions submitted in 1840 so far as returns are to be found:

	For Convention	Against Convention	For Organization	Against Organization
Fredonia	20	19	11	6
Virginia Grove	2	24	18	5
Columbus City	. .	. .	10	46
Grandview	21	1	26	0
Wapello	33	45	52	9
Jefferson	. .	. .	46	2
Florence	4	11	15	11
Harrison	0	13	. .	. .
	80	113	178	79

In 1841 at the election held August 2d, Rich and Dodge ran again for congress, Rich receiving 233 votes and Dodge, 190.

William L. Toole was elected representative over Jacob Mintun by 220 to 192. For probate judge George L. Coe had 205 votes and John J. Rinearson 143.

pg 116

For county commissioner Wright Williams had 307, Henry Warnstaff 89.

George F. Thomas for treasurer, and John Gilliland for surveyor were elected by large majorities.

There were several candidates for assessor, resulting in the election of William H. R. Thomas.

The April elections of this year in Columbus City and in Grandview were held in schoolhouses at those places.

The returns for the elections held in 1842 are not all to be found. In the August election this year the question of "convention or no convention" was again submitted to the people. The vote on that question was given by word of mouth, and in most of the returns that are yet to be found it was stated after each voter's name how he voted on this question. Generally speaking, although there were many exceptions to the rule, the whigs voted against a convention and the democrats for a convention.

At this election the whigs again carried the county, Francis Springer being elected to the council over Samuel Woodside, and Joseph Newell elected representative over Daniel Brewer. George Gillaspy was a candidate for county assessor but was defeated by David Hurley.

In 1843 at the October election, the democrats were successful, carrying the county by a small majority for Dodge for delegate to congress, and electing George W. McCleary to the territorial house of representatives. In 1844 the question of calling a constitutional convention looking to the organization of the territory into a state was again submitted to the people and was carried in the territory by the vote of 6,719 for, to 3,974 against, and in Louisa county by a vote of 256 for a convention to 249 against ft. There were a great many candidates for delegates to the constitutional convention, this county being entitled to 3. Those elected were Dr. John W. Brookbank, William L. Toole and Wright Williams. These men were all whigs.

Among the democrats voted on as candidates for delegates to this convent1on were Jacob Mintun, Isaac Parsons, John Bell and several others.

It will be remembered that the constitution adopted by this convention was not ratified by the people on account of the boundaries proposed for the new state by the act of congress, and the constitution which had been once rejected by the people was again submitted to them in 1845, and again rejected, this county casting 165 votes for it and 415 against it. George W. McCleary was reelected representative by a vote of 312 to 287 for Dr. James M. Robertson, who lived at Columbus City. We can see cropping out at this election the rivalry between the north end and the south end of the county, which in after years brought on so many bitter conflicts. Dr. Robertson got all but one of the votes in Fredonia township and all but two votes in Columbus City and had 161 majority in the three townships of Grandview, Fredonia and Columbus City, while Mr. McCleary had 186 majority in the townships of Wapello, Florence and Jefferson.

At this same election Enoch Ross, of Washington county, was elected a member of the council for the counties of Louisa, Washington, Keokuk and Mahaska, receiving 919 votes in the four counties as against 906 votes cast for William R. Harrison.

pg 117

In 1846 a new constitutional convention was ordered and John Ronalds was elected the delegate from Louisa county, Ronalds receiving 186 and Alexander McCall 184. The results of the work of this convention were satisfactory to the people in regard to the boundary and the constitution framed by it was ratified, though it had a number of objectionable features. The first election in Iowa after it became a state, was held on October 26, 1846, for the election of two members of congress. At that time the state had not been divided into congressional districts and both members were voted for all over the state.

In Louisa county G. C. R. Mitchell received 351 votes; Joseph H. Hedrick, 339 votes; S. C. Hastings, 307; and Shepherd Leffler, 297. At the same time state and county officers were elected for the new state. Ansel Briggs, democrat, was elected governor but the whig candidate, Thomas McKnight, carried Louisa county by 65 majority. The candidates for state senator from Louisa and Washington counties were Francis Springer, whig, John Bell, Jr., democrat, the former receiving in the two counties 656 votes to 480 for John Bell.

The candidates for representative in Louisa were Wright Williams and Joseph L. Derbin, Mr. Williams having 78 majority.

The candidates for county prosecutor at this time were Edward H. Thomas and John Bird, and if their contest was as warm as it was close, they must have had a lively time, for Mr. Thomas had 313 and Mr. Bird had 312; James McKay was elected clerk of the district court on October 26, 1846, but began his term February 2, 1847. On April 5, 1847 tne question of licensing the liquor traffic was submitted to the people of the state, the vote in this county being 198 for license, and 271 against.

By the time the election of 1847 came around the state had been divided into two congressional districts, Louisa county being in the second. Thomas McKnight carried Louisa county by 103 majority over Shepherd Leffler. At this election James Harlan and Charles Mason were opposing candidates for the office of state superintendent of public instruction. Mr. Harlan carried Louisa county by 128 majority and surprised the state by being elected.

At the election held in August, 1848, the candidates for clerk were James McKay and George W. McCleary. Mr. McKay received 326 votes and McCleary 286. Mr. McKay resigned before the close of his term and started for California in search of gold, but died of cholera on the way there.

The candidates for county prosecutor at this election were Robert C. Burchell, whig, and Hugh D. Reed, democrat. Both lived in Columbus City, Mr. Burchell's principal occupation being that of a tailor, while Mr. Reed was a blacksmith. Mr. Burchell was elected by a little over 100 majority.

Oliver Benton and Wesley W. Garner were whig and democratic candidates for school fund commissioner, Mr. Benton being elected by 35 majority, while Wright Williams was elected representative over Colonel John Bird, with a majority of 60.

The candidates for congress were Timothy Davis and Shepherd Leffler. The latter was elected but Davis carried the county.

In 1849 Samuel Smith and Samuel Rockafeller were the leading candidates for sheriff, Mr. Smith being successful.

In April, 1850, John Bird was elected county prosecutor to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of R. C. Burchell. and at the August election there...

pg 118

...was a spirited contest between Mr. Bird and Francis Springer for this same office, Mr. Bird being defeated by a small majority.

At the same election Robert F. Newell was elected clerk to the board of county commissioners over E. H. Thomas.

Jacob Mintun was elected clerk, receiving 387 votes as against 300 for Ben R. Thomas.

In 1851 occurred the first election for county judge. There were four candidates, Wright Williams receiving 367 votes, Merit Jamison 316, William L. Toole M,, and John Ronalds 48.

Francis Springer resigned as county prosecutor and at this election Colonel Bird again ran for prosecuting attorney against Edward H. Thomas, and defeated Mr. Thomas by a few votes.

Also at this election Samuel McCullough was elected supervisor, his office being that of road supervisor for the county. So far as we have been able to find, he is the only man ever elected to that office in this county.

At the election in August, 1852, James Noffsinger, who though a lawyer, was also editor of the Louisa County Times, was nominated by the whig convention for prosecuting attorney, but at first declined for the reason, as he stated, that he did not believe the county desired him for that office. Later he reconsidered his declination, believing that he had been mistaken the first time, and those who were opposed to him put up Charles H. Abbott of Oakland township, who was an extensive dealer in land but not a practicing lawyer. The contest resulted in Mr. Abbott being elected by a vote of 432 to 377.

At this election Louisa county was entitled to and voted for two representatives, the whigs nominating Dr. John Cleaves and J. B. Latta, the democrats nominating Micajah Reeder and John Bird. The result, politically speaking, was a drawn battle, Cleaves and Reeder being elected.

In November occurred the presidential election, the democrats carrying the county by a vote of 468 to 368. Fredonia township being the only one carried by the whigs.

At the April election of 1855, two important questions were submitted to the people. One was the question of the adoption of a prohibitory liquor law, and this time the proposition carried in the county by a vote of 619 to 389. Concord and Union townships voted against it by small majorities. In Grandview township the vote was 103 for and 100 against. The largest majority was in Columbus City township, where the proposition was carried by 122. The other townships gave fair majorities for it.

The other question was submitted by the county judge, Francis Springer, upon the proposition of buying a farm upon which to erect a poor house; it carried by 690 to 309, although Grandview township gave 100 majority against it.

1856 may well be called the year of elections in Louisa county, there having been elections held in January, April, June, July, August and November. Several of these were on questions connected with railroad subscriptions. One of these elections was a special election held on July 1st, because Representative J. C. Lockwood had resigned and moved out of the state. The candidates were Dr. John Bell, Jr. and Lewis Kinsey, the latter being elected.

The democratic convention, held at Wapello on July 19, was presided over by Samuel Hamilton, and Dr. B. G. Neal was secretary. The principal busi...

pg 119

... ness of this convention seems to have been to nominate a candidate for representative and prosecuting attorney, and to select delegates to the convention of Washington and Louisa counties, at Crawfordsville, to nominate a representative for the floating district. On motion of D. N. Sprague, Dr. B. G. Neal was nominated for representative and Joseph Paschal for prosecuting attorney. The delegates elected to the Crawfordsville convention were D. N. Sprague, W. S. Allen, William Keach, Isaac Paschal and William Stewart. A set of resolutions were adopted, one of which was as follows:

"Resolved, That this convention do not sympathize, but on the other hand, repudiate all interference in the political organizations in other states and territories, whether such interference comes from the north or from the south; also that while we recognize the principle of self defense and preservation, that this convention repudiate all sympathy with ruffianism, murder or treason, let it come in any form, or shape, person or quarter."

At the August election N. W. Burris was elected representative over Dr. B. G. Neal.

It was at this election that John Hale was first elected county clerk, his opponent being C. P. Woodard.

At this same election the people voted on a proposition to revise or amend the constitution, which proposition carried in Louisa county by a vote of 1,057 to 36.

At the November election following, the candidates from this county for delegate to the constitutional convention were Francis Springer and Levi Chase, Springer receiving 1,011 votes and Chase 707.

At the April election of 1857, Alexander Ross and Robert F. Newell were candidates for drainage commissioner, Mr. Ross being elected.

At the same time William J. R. Flack was elected county assessor over Joseph Blake, and Whitney S. Kremer was elected county surveyor over George P. Sherwood.

In August, 1857, there was an exciting county election, the republican candidates being Samuel Townsend for county judge, John L. Grubb for recorder and treasurer, A. M. Taylor for sheriff, J. C. Sterlin for coroner and W. S. Kremer for surveyor. The democratic candidates were Joseph L. Derbin for county judge, William A. Colton for recorder and treasurer, William Stewart for sheriff, John Studdard for coroner and Robert F. Newell for surveyor. The county judge the vote was 725 for Derbin to 711 for Townsend. Dr. Colton had 85 majority over Grubb, Sheriff Taylor had 214 majority over Stewart, and Mr. Kremer had 113 majority over Newell. Studdard, the democratic candidate for coroner, had 29 majority.

One of the live issues in this county that year was on the question of adopting or repudiating the new constitution which was to be voted on on the 3d of August.

The republican county convention was held at Wapello, July 18th, and adopted the following resolution:

"Resolved that in the constitution presented to the people for their suffrages at the August election, we see embraced those modifications of the old which the growing wants of the state demand.

pg 120

"Resolved, That Louisa county will give 600 majority for the new constitution."

At the democratic convention held on July 20th, the following resolutions were adopted:

"Resolved that the new constitution that is to be submitted at the ensuing election to the voters of this state for their approval, is a burlesque, in that it attempts to make the negro a privileged character, the equal, and in some respects, the superior—in the point of political privilege—to the freeborn American citizen.

"Resolved, That the creation of an unnecessary legislative body, the expense thereof, and the unlimited power conferred thereon to legislate upon all local questions pertaining to our district or common schools, compelling us to educate the negro in the same school and upon equality with our children, would be productive only of evil to the common schools of our state.

"Resolved, That the democratic party will use all honorable means in this county to defeat the constitution as now submitted."

The new constitution was approved in the county by a vote of 698 to 473. The vote by townships was as follows:

Townships	For	Against
Columbus City	220	76
Eliot	19	27
Elm Grove	38	10
Grandview	102	96
Marshall	62	26
Port Lousia	73	21
Union	29	8
Wapello	155	209
Total	698	473
Following were rejected for informalities:
Oakland	20	43
Jefferson	83	79
Morning Sun	68	63
Concord	29	63

The proposition to strike the word "white" out of the constitution was voted on at the same time, but many failed to vote on it. It was defeated—the vote being 120 for, to 234 against.

Beginning with the year 1858, a record has been kept in the auditor's office, in which most of the elections have been recorded and within a few years after this the election returns were published first in the census reports, and later in the official register published by the state, and we deem it unnecessary to take up more space in regard to the elections.

Photo of a bill of Isaac H. Rinearson.

pg 121

In 1858 was the first county seat contest between Wapello and Columbus City, and the vote upon this question will be found in the chapter on Columbus City.

In 1865 political affairs in this county took on a rather strange phase and there was considerable apparent changing of party lines. The republican convention met August 5, 1865, and nominated Dr. J. M. Robertson for state senator, and N. T. Brown for representative; S. E. Jones for county judge; W. S. Kremer for treasurer; E. B. Lacey for sheriff; A. Millmine for school superintendent; and W. C. Blackstone for surveyor and James Semple, for coroner.

The opposition convention was held September 2, 1865, under the name of the soldiers' convention. This convention was called by numerous bills posted over the county for sometime before, inviting the soldiers and those opposed to negro equality to meet in mass convention at the court house to nominate a county ticket. The account in the newspapers of that date says that at the opening proceedings the court room was crowded, partly by those who were opposed to anything that "smelt of nigger" and partly by soldiers who had recently returned home, but before proceedings were commenced it became known that the soldiers were not in sympathy with the opposition to negro equality and it is said that when Lieutenant B. F. Wright called the meeting to order he explained that the call did not mean exactly what it said in regard to soldiers being invited, but only meant that soldiers who were opposed to negro equality were invited. The following candidates were nominated by the convention: For senator, James S. Hurley; for representative, O. H. P. Linn; for county judge, B. F. Wright; for treasurer, Captain W. G. Allen; for sheriff, J. Price McDaniel; for school superintendent, D. H. Cushman'; for surveyor, Major Thomas W. Bailey; for coroner, A. C. Scull.

Neither Mr. Hurley nor Captain Allen were present at the convention and both immediately announced their refusal to run on the so-called soldiers' ticket. Subsequently, N. M. Letts was placed on the ticket as a candidate for senator and Abram Fulton as a candidate for treasurer. The soldiers' convention adopted a set of resolutions, among which was one sustaining the administration and reconstruction policy of President Johnson, and another in opposition to negro suffrage, or to striking the word "white" out of the constitution.

There was a lively campaign as a result of this so-called soldiers' movement and the soldiers' ticket was supported largely, though not entirely, by the democratic voters, although nearly all the candidates were republicans. The republican ticket, or, as it was called during this campaign, the union ticket, was successful. The republican, or union candidate, for governor was Wm. M. Stone, and he received 1,114 votes to 832 for Benton; for senator, Dr. J. M. Robertson received 1,092 votes, and N. M. Letts 860; for representative N. T. Brown received 1,142 votes and O. H. P. Linn 810; the other candidates on the two tickets fared about the same.

The republican party of this county adopted the primary system of nominating candidates' on September 7, 1867. Dr. G. K. Hickok of Columbus City, was chairman of the convention; L. W. Myers, secretary. The plan of a primary election was presented and explained by Mr. Myers and resolutions on the subject were offered by James S. Hurley. They provided in substance that thereafter the republicans of the county would nominate candidates for county offices by a primary election to be held in each township upon ten days' notice, ...

pg 122

... that persons should be entitled to vote only in townships wherein they lived and that the votes should be canvassed by the chairman of the county committee and any two other members.

The first primary election in the county was held on Saturday, August 28, 1869. James S. Hurley was nominated for senator over Rev. F. F. Kiner, by 702 to 357.

The most interesting contest was a three-cornered fight for representative, between G. D. Harrison, L. W. Myers and S. C. Curtis. Mr. Harrison was nominated, the vote being, Harrison, 424, Myers, 340, and Curtis, 261.

Another close contest was for sheriff. J. L. Grubb had 386 votes, E. B. Lacey had 357, J. H. Coulter had 218, and A. H. Havenhill had 90.

L. A. Riley was nominated for superintendent of schools, receiving 501 votes, t0 353 Ior J. B. Porter, and 139 for L. W. Weller.

Although Mr. Myers introduced the primary election into the county, and was defeated at the very first election, he was always a consistent supporter of the primary.

FIRST WHIG CONVENTION IN IOWA.

It is not generally known that the whig party in Iowa had its beginning in Louisa county, but such is the fact. At an old settlers' meeting held in Wapello, February 22, 1859, C. M. McDaniel was one of the speakers. We take the following from the account of his speech published at that time:

"In political matters in those days it was not of much importance what party a man belonged to, the question was not 'to what party do you belong?' but 'for what man do you vote?' Parties were known in the east, but here nothing was known of whig, democrat, republican, know-nothing, or any other party name. At the first election there were ten candidates for members of the legislature, but not very heavy electioneering, for there were very few votes to electioneer. In a short time the words whig and democrat began to be heard—the speaker stated that he himself was a democrat, and of course when the party question was raised, was warmly interested for the success of his party and being elected sheriff, which of course made him begin to feel his importance, began to think it would improve the look of things to have some resident lawyers. Being in Burlington about this time, he met with two attorneys, just arrived from the east, and seeking a location; both since well known to the people of this county—Judge Springer and E. H. Thomas. Judge Rorer told the speaker that he ought to try to induce them to come to Wapello, as the effect of getting two lawyers located here would be to increase the law business and so make the sheriff's office more profitable. They were both induced to come, but being both whigs he soon found what he might have expected as a natural consequence, that as soon as they were firmly located, the county began to show strong signs of whiggery. At first he could not imagine the reason, but it was so and continually getting worse. In 1847 politics were high here as in other places, and Judge Rorer being in this place asked him (the speaker) what he thought was the prospect of the election in this county. The reply was that it was rather mixed, that the Yankee lawyers were about to prove entirely too much for the democratic opponent. 'Oh,' said the Judge, 'didn't we play the d____!’ ___and added, nearly with tears in his eyes, ...

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... 'I'd not the least idea they were whigs, can't you get ahead of them some way?' —he thought not, and so it has been; he has been to California since, and on his return found that though the whigs were dead, the republicans were opposing democracy and it was worse than ever."

History says that Mr. McDaniel was right in reference to the work of the two whig lawyers and their friends. The first distinctly whig meeting was held in Wapello on June 1oth, 1840. It was called a Harrison meeting. At this meeting Francis Springer submitted resolutions expressing regret and disappointment that elections could no longer be conducted without regard to partisan activity and stating that the democrats had "raised the standard of the party, lit its smouldering fires, and have thrown the gauntlet of defiance at our feet by calling conventions to nominate candidates to be supported on partisan grounds." The resolution stated that under these circumstances it was the duty of the whigs to establish a whig party in the territory and to meet and organize at Bloomington and to agree upon a candidate for delegate to congress. This meeting appointed a committee of five to act as a committee of correspondence with their political friends in the territory. This committee consisted of Edward H. Thomas, Jacob S. Rinearson, Joseph Newell, William H. R. Thomas and William L. Toole. A little later whig meetings were held in Muscatine county and Des Moines county. Of the first territorial convention held by the whigs, the "Iowa Journal of History and Politics" for January, 1907, says:

"Pursuant to the recommendation of the Louisa county convention a 'Congress of the People' assembled at Bloomington on July 29. The whigs marched in a long procession to a grove where the ladies of Bloomington presented a handsome standard to the Tippecanoe Club of Muscatine county. Mr. Ralph P. Lowe, the president of the club, in a brief speech accepted the present which was then dedicated to the Harrison citizens of the territory as expressive of the devotion of the club to republican principles and to the cause of general reform in the national administration. At the conclusion of these ceremonies the meeting organized by electing Colonel Isaac Leffler, of Des Moines county, as president, and Joseph Webster, of Lee county, Francis Ford, of Cedar county, and Levi Thornton, of Linn (should be Louisa) county, as vice presidents. W. G. Woodward, of Bloomington, and E. Thomas (Edward H. Thomas), of Wapello, were chosen as secretaries. It was then resolved to give the support of the convention to the candidate for delegate to congress who should be nominated at this meeting. On proceeding to a vote Alfred Rich received 120 votes; Philip Viele, 61 votes and S. Whicher, 11 votes. Mr. Rich was then declared the nominee of the convention and recommended to the people of the territory for their next delegate to congress. A committee of five was appointed to prepare and to have published an 'address to the people of the territory.' A central whig committee of five was also appointed and the meeting adjourned by recommending that all the counties appoint committees of vigilance and correspondence."

Augustus C. Dodge, of Burlington, was nominated in opposition to Mr. Rich by the democrats at a convention held in Bloomington on August 19th. A lively political campaign ensued and at the election of October 5, 1840, Mr. Dodge ...

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... had a majority of 615. It was said that many hundreds of whigs voted for Mr. Dodge out of personal and local considerations. The whigs of the territory made considerable gain in the legislature, the house standing 11 whigs to 15 democrats, and the council standing 7 whigs and 6 democrats. This council is the only one in the history of the territory in which the whigs had a majority. Louisa county sent one of these whigs in the person of Francis Springer, who was elected from the Louisa-Washington district. From this time on, Louisa county was unsafe territory for the democrats, though the candidates of that party were occasionally elected after that. There was considerable whig activity throughout the territory in the year 1841 and Louisa county bore a prominent part in it. The first meeting was held in the Methodist church at Burlington, January 6, 1841, and Ralph P. Lowe, of Burlington, was elected president, and Francis Springer of Wapello, was elected secretary. It was decided to hold a territorial convention at Davenport to nominate a candidate for delegate to congress. The first county meeting, or county convention to select delegates to the Davenport convention was held at Wapello in Louisa county on Saturday, February 6, 1841. Joseph Newell was chairman and William H. R. Thomas was secretary. A committee consisting of the following named gentlemen: E. H. Thomas, William L. Toole, William Kennedy, Henry Rockafeller, E. K. Maxson and G. L. Coe was appointed, for the purpose of reporting to the meeting a list of delegates to the democratwhig territorial convention to be held at Davenport in May next, and also a list of persons to constitute a democratic-whig county committee. George F. Thomas moved the appointment of a committee of six on resolutions and the following were appointed: George F. Thomas, Francis Springer, Alexander Ross, Israel Trask, Dr. J. W. Brookbank and Joel Bronson. The convention appointed as delegates to Davenport, Henry Rockafeller, E. K. Maxson and Joseph Newell, and as a democratic-whig county committee, the following: George L. Coe, of Jefferson township; Alexander Ross, Grandview township; Wright Williams, Columbus City township; Edward H. Thomas, Wapello township, and John Deihl, Florence township. Spirited resolutions were adopted favoring a perfect organization in every township, approving the plan of holding a whig convention at Davenport, and calling upon all whigs to lay aside prejudices of locality and to unite their energies for a victory at once signal and glorious. The proceedings of this meeting were published in the whig papers at Bloomington and Iowa City under the heading "A Voice from Louisa County" and the other counties of the territory were called upon to do likewise. The whigs of Louisa county entered the political fight in earnest that year and on July 3, 1841, held a county convention at Wapello, of which Nathaniel Prime was chairman and William H. R. Thomas, secretary. At this convention William L. Toole was nominated for representative and Wright Williams for county commissioner and both were successful at the ensuing election. The delegates from the various townships to this convention were as follows: Wapello township, George F. Thomas, Dr. J. W. Brookbank, Jacob S. Rinearson, George Rouse, Leonard Robinson, William H. R. Thomas, Dennis Williams, Joel Bronson and Isaac Hall; Columbus City township, S. Hutchison, B. Johnson, James G. Hall, R. W. Dollbee, R. C. Burchell, George Reister, Nathaniel Prime, William J. R. Flack, John McCoy, Dr. H. M. Downer, Nelson Alloway and Wright Williams: Grandview township, William Klum, Alexander Ross. William Fowler, Robert ...

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... Benefiel, William Hamilton, S. H. Rockafeller and Jesse Walling; Jefferson township, Perry Morrison, William F. Dickison, George L. Coe, Thomas Bras, E. F. Dennison, G. H. Austin, William Fleming, James Guest, J. R. Rockafeller, Elisha Hook and William Searl; Florence township, Orrison Craig, Reuben P. Bolles, John Deihl, John A. Lewin, George Newell, Jefferson Frizzle, Aaron D. Hurley, Daniel Briggs, George Presbury, Joseph Ogle and Thomas Gregory.

From this time on until the whig party ceased to exist, Louisa county was a whig stronghold and the whig candidates generally carried the county, although there were numerous exceptions to this rule. The territory, and afterward, the state, was democratic, however, until, in 1854 the whigs elected James W. Grimes, governor, and carried the state legislature by a small majority. The election of Governor Grimes was due to the strong anti-slavery sentiment in Iowa and to the fact that he took a firm stand against the extension of slavery. It was about this time that the republican party was being organized in a few states, and Iowa was not far behind. For some years the know-nothing party had kept up an organization in Louisa county, though it is said its principal meetings were held in secret. This party had an especially strong following over in Jefferson and Port Louisa townships and considerable strength in most parts of the county. During the administration of Governor Grimes, under his leadership, most of the old whigs, many of the know-nothings, free-soilers and other opponents of slavery extension, were drawn together in the new republican organization. At this time republicanism was defined to be simply and wholly opposition to the extension of slavery. It was declared by its leading newspapers that the party did not propose to interfere with slavery where it then existed but to keep slavery where it was. The chief slogans of the party at that time were "no more slave territory" and "no more slave states." This doctrine found much favor in Louisa county and was supported by nearly all the old whigs and by some who had theretofore been democrats. One of the strong men among the latter was Andrew Gamble.

The republicans had their first convention at Iowa City on the 22d of February, 1856, at which most of the counties of the state were represented. One of the early counties to hold a convention to send delegates to this convention was Louisa county and its delegation consisted of Francis Springer, James G. Hall and Joel Bronson. Francis Springer seems to have been recognized as one of the leaders of this movement from the very beginning. He was made a member of the committee on platform and was placed at the head of the delegates to the national republican convention to be held at Philadelphia. From that day to this Louisa county has been steadfast in its republicanism.

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