of
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| History of Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume I, 1911, page 287
THE FIRST ELECTION. The first election in the village was held at the home of R. C. Kinney, on Monday, May 6, 1839, and Hon. Joseph Williams was chosen president over his two competitors, Arthur Washburn and Lyman C. Hine. There were 40 votes cast, of which he received 38. Arthur Washburn, Henry Reece and B. P. Howland were elected trustees, Moses Couch, recorder, and Giles Pettibone, street commissioner. The first meeting of the officials was held at the office of Arthur Washburn May 10, 1839, and Moses Couch was appointed treasurer, John Marble, marshal, Charles H. Fish, assessor.
The first ordinance passed related to the sale of liquors. Saloons were then "politely" termed groceries and licenses were held at the stupendous sum of $25 per year.
It soon became apparent that the name Bloomington would lead to confusion. In Illinois was a growing village of that name and had priority to its use. So that, after becoming quite widely and favorably known as the beautiful town of Bloomington, its name was again dropped and another taken in its place, in honor of the county of which it is the seat of government.
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