of
Muscatine County Iowa
1879
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1879 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Historical Section, 1879, pages 583-584
MOSCOW. We are indebted for the following facts regarding this town to Mr. S. W. Stewart, who was among the early settlers of this neighborhood, coming in the spring of 1838. At present, he resides at Wilton, just three miles distant, and states that without doubt Mr. Webster, accompanied by Charles Drury, were the first settlers and pioneers of this vicinity, coming in 1836, from Indiana. The same year, there were the following other arrivals: William Leverich, T. T. Clark, Luke Cunningham, Thomas McConnell, Erving Reynolds, David Reynolds, Mr. Kilgore, Martin Baker, Mr. Comstock, Harvey Hatton, Mat. White, Harvey Mathews and Friend Johnson.
In the fall of 1836, Webster and Drury staked off town lots on their claim, located on the banks of the Cedar River, and now situated on the south side of the railroad track. Most of the old town is below. the present railroad bridge, and forms a part of what is known as Biglow's Addition. Some of the claims to the lots spoken of were sold as high as $175. William Hendrickson, the first blacksmith in the place, paid that price for a corner-lot.
Mr. Mitchell opened the first store in the settlement, in a log building, late in the fall of 1836, trading to such an extent with the Indians, and becoming so noted as an Indian trader, that to-day many later settlers have the impression that Moscow was once a regularly-established trading-post, which is, however, a mistake.
At this time, an Indian fort, built by LeClaire, of Davenport, stood here, and traces thereof were visible as late as 1838. A man named Alex. Ross came also in 1838, and opened a store, where more whisky than other staple goods was sold. Ross afterward murdered an unoffending Indian, and was obliged to leave the country. In another part of our work; we have glven the details of this tragedy, and the subsequent lamentable consequences.
The years 1837 and 1838 brought William White, William Reynolds, Daniel Healy and George W. Hunt. In 1839 came William Gatton, whose widow still lives on the old homestead.
Friend Johnson took up the claim now occupied by that part of Moscow which lies north of the railroad track.
The first ferry on the Cedar River at this point was run by William Hendrickson.
In early days Moscow was quite a business center, full of life and activity, although it bore the reputation of being a hard place. Regularly every Saturday, either a horse-race or a shooting-match took place, the premium being, invariably, from one to three or more gallons of whisky, which, according to rule, was drunk on the ground, or, in case of a superabundance, the balance was reserved for a rainy Saturday. Fights were an every-day occurrence, and several of the best men, physically, in the neighborhood used to make it lively for strangers if an opportunity presented itself.
The first railroad-train passed through here in 1854, in which year a bridge was built across the Cedar River which was replaced in 1876 by the present iron railroad bridge. Daniel Henderson laid out the new town, and filed the plat for record August 18, 1853.
The first sermon was preached by Martin Baker, in 1838, in a frame building formerly occupied by Ross as a store.
The first school was taught by a Miss May Comstock, in a portion of a double log house, the other part being occupied by a family. The present two-story frame schoolhouse was built in 1867. One of the earliest teachers was the late Judge Bissell, of Tipton, Cedar Co., who. in those days, wore a buckskin suit throughout.
The first building devoted to religious purposes was a dwelling-house, bought of the members of the Christian Church, about 1845. They afterward built a good church edifice. The Lutherans, also, have a good house of worship, but there is no minister of any denomination residing in the town. The Methodists have a class at Moscow, but no house of worship.
The first tavern in the town was kept by Mr. Mitchel. The first death was that of Mr. Webster.
The dam across the Cedar River was built in 1866, and the mill in 1867, by the Moscow Mill and Dam Company. A chain ferry runs across the river, conducted for many years by Henry Lang.
The business of Moscow is represented by two stores, two physicians, two blacksmith-shops, one harness-shop and four taverns.
The present Postmaster is Robert Chase. The first Postmaster was a Mr. Rea.
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