FIRST SETTLERS — FIRST THINGS  — FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

Long before there was even any thought of settlement being made here, and while the confines of civilizaton were yet east of the Mississippi, the region now embraced by Winnebago county was the hunting ground of the Winnebago Indians. As early as 1853 Leander Farlow and several companions came into the territory to hunt and trap and from that time for several years hunters and trappers passed over the country in search of game. No permanent settlement was attempted until in the spring of 1855.

FIRST SETTLERS

There is some controversy as to who was in reality the first white settler of Winnebago county. Writers at various times have introduced the names of different parties who were claimed to be the first settlers; but in each case the writer has deemed that a settlement was not effected unless the party or parties themselves owned the land on which they located. Surely this is erroneous. If a family move into the county with the manifest purpose of making it their permanent home, they have effected a settlement even should they locate on property owned by another. It appears, from all the historian can gather, that such is the case in Winnebago county. Thomas Bearse was the first to bring his family into the county, and as suggested above, settled on land owned by another party -- John L. McMillan, of Mason City. Now, certainly, if Mr. Bearse came to the county with the intention of making it his future residence, and such evidently was his purpose, honor should be given where honor is due, and he acknowledged as the first permanent settler. This thought will be adhered to in tracing the early settlement.

As early as 1854 Philip Tennis visited Winnebago county to hunt and trap. he was pleased with the country, found game in great abundance and induced Thomas Bearse, who was then living at Rhodes' Mill, Cerro Gordo county, to bring his family and locate. In the spring of 1855, Mr. Bearse came with his family and built a log cabin on the east side of Lime creek, about three-fourths of a mile directly east of where Forest City now stands. Mr. Bearse lived in the county for twelve successive years, then moved into Hancock county. In 1882, he returned to Winnebago county and became a resident of Norway township. Mr. Bearse was a genial, warm-hearted fellow, and was well liked and held the office of county coroner for one term. At an early day Mr. Bearse had a severe encunter with two bears, a full account of which is given in the chapter on reminiscence.

George W. Thomas came soon after Mr. Bearse, in the spring of 1855, and settled north of Rice lake, about one mile southeast of the present site of Lake Mills. Mr. Thomas has lived on the same farm ever since. He has made many improvements and now has one of the finest homes in the county. His father, who came with him to the county, died some years ago, in about 1857.

William Gilbert also came in the spring of 1855, and entered the northwest quarter of section 31, township 98, range 23. He was a native of New York State. In 1862 or 1863, he went to Dakota, and when last heard from, in 1882, was at Elk Point on the Missouri river.

In the fall of 1855, John Maben and John Gilchrist, with their families, also James Bonar, came here and settled in the southeast part of the county. John Maben settled on the southwest quarter of section 25, township 98, range 24, and remained several years, then settled on a farm about three miles south of Forest City, in Hancock county. He is a native of New York State and when he came to the county, had a wife and two sons -- Charles and Jay. Mr. Maben was at one time, sheriff of the county, and was one of the substantial men of his day. He is the present treasurer of Hancock county.

John Gilcrist was a native of Indiana. He staked out a claim on the northeast quarter of section 26, township 98, range 24. In 1857 he attended the land sale at Osage, and purchased land in Hancock county and located there soon after. In 1880 he emigrated to Todd Co., Minn., and in 1883 went to Kansas.

In the spring and summer of 1858 several came to swell the numbers of the little colony. Among these were Philip Tennis, Robert Clark, John S. Blowers, A.T. Cole, Henry and Edward Allen, Robert Stephens, J.L. Hitt, F.M. Byford, John Byford, Thomas Andrews, Ira Plummer, John Lamm, Daniel Martin, Josiah T. Bray, Archibald Murray and Sameul Tennis.

Philip Tennis came to the county in the spring of 1856, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 26, township 98, range 24, where about the same time John Jeffords settled. Of course both could not own the same land, so, on the matter being left to other parties to determine who should have it, it was decided in favor of Mr. Jeffords. Mr. Tennis then located in the north part of the county, and entered land. In a few years he sold to his brother, William Tennis, and went farther west into the region of the Big Sioux river, where he and a comrade by the name of Pattee were killed by the Indians. They had been hunting and trapping for some time, and had accumulated a large quantity of furs, for which the Indians killed them.

Robert Clark located the land where Forest City now stands, and made that his home until his death. Mr. Clark was the first county judge, and is noticed at length in that connection.

A.T. Cole came to the county in March, 1856, locating on section 26, township 98, range 24. Mr. Cole has been a resident of the county ever since. He was the first county assessor, and has held various other offices of trust.

A.T. Cole, one of the pioneers of Winnebago county, was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, Dec. 21, 1833. He accompanied his parents, in 1838, to Adams Co., Ind., where he was reared. When quite young he clerked in a store at New Corydon, Ind., for two years, and in July, 1855, settled in Cerro Gordo Co., Iowa. He remained there but a short time, and in March, 1856, came to Winnebago county, where he has since been an active and enterprising citizen. On Aug. 18, 1862, Mr. Cole enlisted in the Union army, and was discharged July 7, 1865, as a paroled prisoner, at Camp Fort Tyler, Texas. He is a blacksmith by trade, and a member of Truth Lodge, No. 213, A.F. & A.M., of Forest City, Iowa. He was married in Jay Co., Ind., Aug. 8, 1852, to Phoebe J. Corrington, of Cincinnati, Ohio. They are the parents of nine children - Luella, Mahala, Allen, George W., Douglas, Mary E., Thomas S., Hattie and Maud.

John S. Blowers located on section 23, township 98, range 24; and lived there about a year and a half, then moved into Forest City. He purchased a half interest in the saw mill at that place and run it for several years, then sold and located on section 16, township 98, range 24. He improved this farm, lived on it about one year, then sold, removing to section 25, same township and range. He is now living on section 2, township 97, range 25, Hancock county.

John Lamm was a native of Ohio and was a jovial, whole-souled fellow, whom to know was to like. On coming here he located on section 23, of township 98, range 24, and began making improvements. He broke some of his land, built a log house and remained about two yeras and a half, when he sold out and went to Missouri.

Henry Alen and his brother, Edward, located near Forest city, but did not remain long.

Robert Stevens began pioneering on section 12, of township 98, range 24. Mr. Stevens was a native of Indiana and after two yeras of experience here returned to his native State.

James L. Hitt, another of the pioneers, came from Indiana and lived for about one year on section 23, township 98, range 24. He then left for Alden, Hardin county, this State, and he now resides in Nebraska.

F.M. Byford and his brother, John, came in the summer of 1856 and went into quarters in the edge of the timber, a short distance north of the present site of Forest City. Their stay was short, however, and inside of a year they left the county.

In the spring of 1856 a man by the name of Matt Heath located on section 23, township 98, range 24. He remained about one year, then returned to Indiana, from whence he came.

John M. Furney came in the fall of 1856 and ocated in Forest City. He did considerable speculating in lands and staid about two years, then went south in search of a warmer climate.

G.W. Campbell also located in Forest City in the same year. He remained about one year.

Philip A. Pulver the same year, locating in Forest City. He was the butt of fun for the whole community and several good stories are told of him. He was an innocent kind of a fellow and was imposed upon a great deal. At one time he fell in love with a lady at Clear Lake and several of the young men told him that the girl was deeply smitten with him and all that was necessary was for him to get a license and repair to Clear lake and be married. He was too green to see the joke that was being played on him and started out on foot to Mason city to procure a license. He inquired for Judge Long, on reaching that place, but learned that he was away from the city. He was then sent around to all the county officers, clerk, treasurer, surveyor, coroner and all but did not succeed in getting what he wanted. Finally he was directed to the postoffice, where some one would give him what he was after. He went to the postoffice, stated to the brisk young clerk what was wanted, and that functionary told him that he was just the one who could do it. After asking a few questions a paper was given to Pulver, which was stamped with the office stamp and contained the following words:

"The bearer, Philip Pulver, is of marriageable age, and any one who meets him may marry him.
"Signed by
"Agent of the United States Postal Service."

He took the precious document and started for Clear Lake, but there discovered the hoax, and returned to Forest City completely disgusted with himself and everybody in general. He had to treat the whole community, and it was a long time before he heard the last of Clear Lake. Along in 1859 Pulver became thoroughly discouraged with the way things were going, and finally concluded to start out on a peddling tour. he went to John Blowers, bought a lot of worthless brass jewelry,and got Mr. Blowers to help him to fit out a wagon for his trip. Blowers searched the town and found four worn-out wagon wheels, which he put together regardless of their proper places, then went out into the woods and cut a couple of hickory poles for thills. Pulver then bought a poor, dilapidated piece of horseflesh and was ready to go. His pack of jewelry was put into the old shay and with many a cheer following him from the crowd of towns people, he started off to seek his fortune on a peddler's cart. He has never since been heard from and it is supposed that he made his fortune, got married and is now living at his ease (?).

Thomas Andrews located on the northwest quarter of section 35, the same section on which a part of Forest city now stands. He was of a roving disposition, and soon sold out, going to Mason City. From that place he went to Missouri, and from there to Oregon.

Ira Plummer settled in the timber on the east side of Lime creek, about two miles north of Forest City. His land was located on section 23, township 98, range 24. He sold in about one year and removed to Hardin county.

The same summer Daniel Martin located in the south part of the county and remained a year or two, then went back to indiana, his native State.

Josiah T. Bray, came to try frontier life in the summer of 1856, locating on section 24, township 98, range 24, in the timber. He built a log cabin, and after a stay of about three years turned his farm over to his father, who is still living there. Mr. Bray is now in Colorado.

Archibald Murray came in the fall of 1856 and located in the north part of the county. He did not remain long.

A little later, during the same fall, the settlement was enlarged by the addition of several families, among whom were Charles D. Smith, William Porter and John Anderson, all of whom settled in the immediate vicinity of Lake Mills. Mr. Smith is still a resident of the county, and was for a number of years a member of the board of supervisors.

Alexander Long, familiarly called "Uncle Alex," came from Mason city in the fall of 1856 and located near Forest City. He built a log cabin near where the depot now stands, and lived there about one year and a half. He was a middle aged man, fatherly in his ways, and was quite pouar with the early settlers. He was a nephew of John Long, first county judge of Cerro Gordo county. In the winter of 1856-7, Mr. Long was commissioned to go to the State capital and make effort to have the General Assembly attach the north tier of townships in Hancock county to Winnebago county. December 2, he started out with a team of horses and sleigh to go to Iowa City, a young man by the name of George Myers accompanying him. In the afternoon of their first day a severe snow storm overtook them about half way between forest City and Upper Grove, Hancock county. The storm soon developed into a "blizzaard," they became lost and both he and his comrade were forzen to death, and also the horses. Their bodies lay on the prairie until in April following, when a company, sent out from Mason City for that purpose, found them and took them to that place, where they were buried.

William Porter settled near Lake Mills and remained a few years, then went to Kansas. He was one of the first justices of the peace in the county.

In the spring and summer of 1857 quite a number of settlers came into the south part of the county. Among these were E.D. Stockton, William Lackore and family, Charles and David Lutz, Avery Baker, the Beebe family and Darius Bray.

E.D. Stockton came and tried his skill at mercantile business for about one year. He then tried farming and other occupations with varied success. He was a member of the first board of supervisors in the county. In 1862 he left for parts unknown. An amusing story is related of Mr. Stockton, which will be trite to illustrate the character of the man. It seems that in the winter of 1857-8, Judge Clark and others made upa purse of about $200 and sent Mr. Stockton off to Dubuque to purchase a supply of provisions. Stockton staid about a month, used up a great portion of the money in "seeing the sights," and returned with a barrel of whisky as the bulk of his cargo. The people had a jolly time, but were rather short for rations.

William Lackore and family located in Forest City, where they have since lived.

Charles and David Lutz did considerable speculating in lands and other property and made their home in Forest City. They were genial fellows and Charles held the office of county sheriff for one term. Charles is now in Dakota and David in Nebraska.

Avery Baker was a trapper and a sort of jack-of-all-trades. His land was south of Forest City, where he made his home. In 1862 he left for Dakota.

Martin Bumgardner, a pioneer settler, is well remembered by many of the present settlers of the county. He it was, who built the court house in Forest City. He is now a resident of Hancock county.

The Beebe family commenced pioneer life in the timber about a half mile north of Forest City. They did not bear a good reputation and left the county in about 1859.

Darius Bray settled on the farm east of town with his son Josiah T. Bray. Mr. Bray was a native of Maine, and was one of the oddest specimens of humanity that ever came to the county. He came in 1858 and settled on a farm. He was thought by many to be a trifle crazy, so unheard of were some of his actions. One story related of him to too good to be lost. It seems that in about 1861, Mr. Bray became tired of the west and concluded to return to Maine, his native State. He decided to drive through with a yoke of cattle. Accordingly he fixed up a sled and hitching the oxen thereto, started off on his long trip. His journey was destined to be short, however. The country at that early day was very sparsely settled, and a traveler could go miles and miles without seeing the first signs of a habitation. When he got down into the center of Hancock county, he became lonely and very thirsty, so in order to quench his thirst he killed one of his oxen and drank its blood. He had a remarkably strange taste, but this escapade was in keeping with many of his actions. He is still a resident of the county.

In 1856 some nine families of Norwegians settled in the northeast part of the county. Among them were: Oliver Peterson, Colburn Larson, John Johnson, H.J. Knudson, John Iverson, Christian Anderson and Louis Nelson. All are still residents of the county, with the exception of Louis Nelson, who died in 1870. This class of the population of the county did not receive any further accessions until 1865, but since that time there has been a heavy immigration, so that at present they constitute fully one half of the population of the county; there being somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 families of Norwegians, Swedes and Danes; the Norwegians being in the majority. The balance of the population of the county is made up almost entirely of Americans; there being, however, a few Germans and Irish.

FIRST THINGS

The first marriage performed in the county was that of Sylvester Belcher to Caroline Church, by Robert Clark, county judge.
The second was that of Martin Bumgardner and Viola Lackore, by Judge Clark.
The first death occurred in March, 1857, and carried away Mrs. Louis Nelson. she was buried in Norway township, March 17, 1857.
The first child born in the county was George R. Blowers, born May 7, 1857.
The first sermon preached in the county was by Rev. Mr. Hankins, a Methodist minister.
The first religious society organized was the Methodist Episcopal, of Forest City.
The first school house was built in Forest City in 1858, and the first school was taught there by Sarah Beadle.
The first postoffice was established in 1857, at Forest City, with Robert Clark as postmaster.
The first cabin erected in the county was built in 1854, by Philip Tennis, about a half mile east of Forest City.
The first breaking was done by Thomas Bearse, on a place owned by John L. McMillan, of Mason City.
The first justice of the peace in the county was C.W. Scott, in the spring of 1857.
The first entered was the west half of the northeast quarter, and the east half of the northwest quarter of secton 26, township 98, range 24, by John B. Gilchrist, Aug. 20, 1856.
The second land entry was made by Calvin S. Goodwin, Sept. 1, 1856. The land is described as being the southeast quarter of section 23, township 98, range 24.
The first deed recorded is dated May 25, 1857, and was drawn by C.H. Day to convey to C.W. Campbell the northwest quarter of secton 34, of township 98, range 24.
The same day the second deed was recorded. It was drawn by Charles Strong, transferring his title to the northeast quarter of secton 30, township 98, range 23, to C.D. Lougee.
The first mortagage given in the county is dated Sept. 4, 1857. This mortage was drawn by J.B. Landis to John Lamm for the sum of $850, on the northeast quarter of section 27, township 98, range 24.
The first tax sale took place April 14, 1862. The first peice of land sold on that day was the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 26, township 98, range 24, purchased by Judge Clark.
The first naturalization papers were taken out by Louis Nelson, a native of Norway.

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.

Forest City has the honor of being the place where the first 4th of July celebration was held. The villagers and citizens of the surrounding country felt the necessity of helping to save the Union, so far as manifesting their patriotism was concerned, and on the 4th of July, 1858, the anniversary of the Nation's independence was celebrated in grand style. The officer of the day was Charles R. Wright. Quite a number of people gathered and notwithstanding the cold, bad day, all enjoyed themselves. Athletic contests were the order of the day, and many a one got a good tumble in a jumping or wrestling match. The orator of the day was Elder Saxby, of Clear Lake. A.P. Harper furnished a good dinner for the people and was presented with $35. Every thing passed off very pleasantly and patriotically, and those who participated went home feeling in good spirits and that the day had been profitably spent.

¹History of Kossuth, Hancock and Winnebago Counties, Iowa. Springfield, Illinois: Union Publishing Company, 1884. 736-43.