Chapter Twenty Eight

FIRST THINGS IN MAHASKA COUNTY- EARLIEST CABIN BUILT IN 1842. 

The first cabin built in the territory of Mahaska county was built in the fall of 1842 by William McIllvain. He was a clerk at that time at J. P. Eddy's trading post. By profession an Indian trader and hunter, he secured his permission to build the cabin from the Sac and Fox Indians; who hung around the trading post. The home was built for the family of John B. Gray, who arrived from Texas in November, and occupied the place until the following spring, when he took a claim just over the county line in Monroe county on a small stream since known as Gray creek. We have this information from the Gray family, and also from Mr. J. H. McIllvain, son of WiIliam McIIlvain, now in Kansas.

The first judge of Mahaska county was J.A. L. Crookham. His term of service began in August, 1851, and ended in August, 1855.

David Stump was the first surveyor in the county, serving from 1844 to 1846. It fell to his lot to survey the original plat on which the city of Oskaloosa is now located.

The first grand jury in the county held its first session in the hollow, a quarter of a mile north of the square, surrounded by tall prairie grass. This was in the summer of 1844.

The first courthouse owned by the county was built on the northwest corner of the square during the winter of 1844-5. It was a two story frame structure. James Edgar was the contractor.

The first jail was built in 1845. It was built of logs and was located on the old jail site on North A street. After a prisoner named Lester had distinguished himself by boring his way out with a common auger, the building was plated high with iron.

The first school in the county was opened in a rude, doorless log cabin in the timber two miles east of Oskaloosa in September, 1844. It was taught by Miss Semira A. Hobbs, now Mrs. T. G. Phillips, of Oskaloosa.

A. S. Nichols was chairman of the first board of commissioners of the county. The financial affairs of the county were managed by three commissioners. Mr. Nichols had charge of laying out the original plat of the town of Oskaloosa. He dug the first well in Oskaloosa. Poultney Loughridge, of Spring Creek, dug the first well in the county. The settlers depended on springs for water. Henry Stafford says there was a spring in the early years where the Presbyterian church now stands. When wells began to be dug it ceased to flow.

Mr. Nichols also started the first blacksmith shop in the county. He had customers who came from fifty miles west of Des Moines. There was no shop further west in this part of Iowa.

W. D. Campfield was the first treasurer of Mahaska county. His report for the year 1844 was $505.63 as a total amount of taxes due. Amount collected, $361.99, leaving a balance of unpaid taxes of $143.64.

The first appropriation for a public highway in the county was made about 1854 by Judge J A. L. Crookham for a rope to stretch across the river at Bellefountaine for the use of the ferry boat. The request was made in the presence of John White. While Mr. Crookham hestitated, doubting his authority, Mr. White said to him, "I will stand by you if you make the appropriation." It would be interesting to know the full amount of money that has been appropriated by county and township boards for public highways since that cautious beginning.

The first brick kiln burned in the county was undertaken by Goodwin & Harbour in 1846, over on Spring creek. From this kiln the first brick house in Oskaloosa was built. It still stands the first house south of the Christian church, and is now occupied as a residence.

The first cemetery in the county was located on the ridge southwest of the second ward schoolhouse building. It was known as the Judge John    White cemetery in distinction from the second cemetery on north Market street.

The first grave robbed in the county occured at this cemetery in 1849. A California emigrant had died and was buried here. An about town fellow, known as Captain Moore, robbed the grave. It produced a great sensation at the time. Moore fled. He has the odious distinction of being the first grave robber in the county.

The first murder in the county occurred in Adams township, eight miles northeast of Oskaloosa, on Middle creek. It occurred in 1843, before Oskaloosa was born. William Johnson, who had a romantic and vicious history, was an outlaw. He always carried fire-arms to resist arrest. His cabin was located in a grove on what is now the Vemillia farm. He had bitter enemies, and one night while he was standing in front of his cabin fire about seven o'clock he was shot, the bullet passing through a crevice in the cabin wall. It was never known just who committed the deed. The next morning a grave was dug beside the cabin and in this the criminal was buried.

Major Neeley started the first livery stable in Oskaloosa. It was located just north of the Oskaloosa dry-goods store. In 1848 Henry Stafford purchased its belongings and moved it to the opera house corner. One day a party passed through town with two large elk. Mr. Stafford conceived the idea of having a team of reindeers and traded a horse for the two. He says he tried every way possible to train them to work with safety in harness, but utterly failed. Mr. Stafford had twenty-three head of horses and liveried as far west as Council Bluffs.

The first marriage license in the comity was issued by county clerk M. T. Williams, May 30, 1844, to Samuel C. Nicholson and Eleanor May.

The first bill of divorce found on the records of the county is dated November 15, 1845 in the case of Rebecca Ash versus Thomas Ash. The court granted the petition and declared the complainant to be the injured party.

The first set of naturalization papers granted in the county was issued July 28, 1845. The first meeting house in the county was built in Oskaloosa in 1846, by the Cumberland Presbyterian church. It was located on the lot now occupied by the residence of Dr. Hugg on First street one and one-half blocks south of the square. This congregation was organized by Rev. B. B. Bonham November 10, 1844, with a membership of twenty-two persons. The bell, which for a long term of years called the worshipers together was brought from Keokuk on a lumber wagon and was so hung in its place on the wagon that it rang all the way when the wagon was in motion. This bell is still preserved as one of the city's relics.

The first hotel built in the city was erected by Charles Purvine, on the Downing House lot in the summer of 1846. Jonathan Ogden was the mechanic. This lot 5, block 19, was sold to Harmon Davis, June 9, 1844, for $41. Ever since the construction of this first little frame building the property has been used as a hotel for the entertainment of the public.

J. S. Chew came from Philadelphia in 1850. He made and sold the first ice cream ever manufactured in Oskaloosa. He was a man of varied talent; a local preacher, the first man in the county to take up the work of organizing Sunday-schools over the county.

The first teachers' institute ever held in the county was brought about by J. F. Everett, in the summer of 1858. Mr. Everett was then a young teacher in the county. Prof. Enos, of Cedar Rapids was president and Miss Emma Jack, secretary. No records of this institute have been preserved.

The first camp meeting in the county was held at a spring north of Oskaloosa, in what is now Gibbs' Grove, in the fall of 1847. There were stirring times at some of these meetings. Some of the pioneers can give the text of the great sermons to which they listened to.

The first election for choosing officers for the city government of the city of Oskaloosa occurred on July 2, 1853. The election resulted in the following: Mayor, W. T. Smith; marshal, Isaac Kalbach; clerk, Wm. Loughridge; treasurer, James Edgar; councilmen-First ward, J. M. Dawson, R. R. Harbour; Second ward, I. N. Cooper, E. W. Eastman; Third ward, Tobias Leighton, Smith E. Stevens; Fourth ward, E. W. Wells, Henry Temple.

The first railroad in the county was the Des Moines Valley, built to Eddyville in 1861 and extended through this county three years later.

The first barrel of sugar ever retailed in Oskaloosa was hauled from Burlington by Harry Brewer.

The first Mahaska County Fair was held in the fall of 1852.

The first buggy brought to the county was owned by William Edmundson, who was the first county sheriff and organized the county.

The first frame dwelling in Oskaloosa was erected during the summer of 1845 by Micajah T. Williams. Mr. Williams did the work with his own hands. It was located on the corner where the postoffice now stands. It was the first home of Mr. Williams and his young wife, Virginia Seevers.

The first lumber yard in Oskaloosa was opened on June 13, 1865, by Isaac Kalbach. He hauled his first supply of lumber from Eddyville. Mr. Kalbach was a cabinet-maker by trade in his earlier life, and knew the superior advantage of working with pine lumber over the hard native woods. This yard still remains in the Kalbach family.

The first carding machines brought to Oskaloosa were placed in the mill erected by A. S . Nichols and Jonathan Adkins, north of the old jail site.

The first fanning mill brought into the county was introduced by Moses Nowels in Jefferson township. It was brought on a steam boat from Keokuk and used by the settlers for miles around in caring for their small grain until it was worn out.

The first newspaper in the county was issued July 2, 1850. For some months it was known as the Iowa Herald. Then the name of the paper was changed to the Oskaloosa Herald, the name it still retains. John R. Needham was its editor and Hugh McNeeley had charge of the composing work. It has been a regular visitor to its patrons now for more than fifty-five years.

The first bridge built across Skunk river was constructed by Major James Pomeroy for George N. Duncan during the winter of 1848-9. The frame was put upon the ice. The following spring a freshet swept the whole structure away.

The first county fair held in Mahaska county was held in the public square on Saturday, October 23, 1852. The officers were as follows: Poultney Loughridge, president; John Bond and C. N. Smith, vice-presidents; Thomas F. Seevers, secretary; Andrew Williams, treasurer. There were but few entries and but little interest. The race track extended from the west side of the square a mile or more along the ridge to the northwest. The second fair held a year later made a much better showing. At this fair William Frederick took the first premium on corn, having raised 138 bushels on one acre of ground.

Joseph T. Lewis was the first Methodist Episcopal preacher who was assigned by his conference to do missionary work in Mahaska county district. It was called Muchakinock Mission. He only labored for three or four months, as the exposure to which he was subjected broke down his health, causing his death some years later.