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Andrew Bahl was a member of the Iowa General
Assembly from 1846 to 1926 from Dubuque County.
Center Township (township 89 north, range I east) was settled in the
early thirties. The first settlers voted at Dubuque, but in 1839
this portion of the county was constituted Paul precinct for voting
purposes. In 1843 it was made a part of Julienne, Jefferson,
Concord and Center townships. In February, 1849 it was given its
present boundaries. Among the first settlers in Center township were
William Morrison, John Morgan, Thomas C. Judd, E. McDowell, Martin
Haggard, Peter R. Benner, James Kimbrel, John M. Moore, David
Haggard, William Stratton, Elisha Brady, Felix W. Flaherty, Thomas
B. Wilson, William D. Scott, D. M. Buie, Samuel Wells, Antoine Loire
and P. L. Sharp, who arrived before I845; also Louis Fettgather, C.
F. Humke and the Bahls. The township had an abundance of good timber
and limestone. Considerable charcoal was burned early. During the
fifties there were built three saw mills and two grist mills. |
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Anna Marie Engler & Andre' Andrew
Bahl |
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village of Dacotah was founded early in the fifties as a result of
the survey for the |
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Dubuque & Pacific railroad . The first lots
offered in March, 1854, sold for $25 each ; in May they were worth
$200. It was to be the first station west of Dubuque and grew
rapidly. In 1855 its name was changed to Centralia. The county
agricultural society met there in the fall of 1854 In June, 1855,
the place had three stores, several mechanics, a post office and a
population of about 200. "This village now contains 200 inhabitants.
The present prospects indicate that in less than ten years the
county seat of Dubuque county will be established at
Centralia."--("A Citizen," in E. & H., June 6, 1855.) In I863 the
post office there was suspended. At an early day , P. Lattner &
Brother opened a woolen mill on the Little Maquoketa, three miles
north of Peosta. They paid the highest price for wool and carded,
spun and wove woolen garments , etc. The residence of James Hood was
burned in October, 1 852, by an incendiary. In the fifties a big
barbecue and harvest home was held at Twin Springs and was attended
by 2,000 people. The speakers were Alphons Matthews, Dr. J. P.
Quigley, T. J. Paisley, C. J. Rogers and Andrew Bahl. William
Stratton donated the land at Centralia. It has the Catholic church,
several stores, hotels and among the business men there have been
William Morrison, Mr. Rittenhouse, Antoine Loire, A. D. Anderson,
Louis Blew, Felix Flaherty, Mr. Philbrick and others. Lattner and
Lora are small hamlets. |
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~ contributed by Barbara Campbell,
Great Great Granddaughter of Andrew Bahl |
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Dubuque
County IAGenWeb