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EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

     Every nation does not possess an authentic account of its origin, neither do all communities have the correct data whereby it is possible to accurately predicate the condition of their first beginnings. Nevertheless, to be intensely interested in such things is characteristic of the place, and it is particularly the province of the historian to deal with first causes. Should these facts, as is often the case, be lost in the mythical tradition of the past, the chronicler invades the realm of the ideal, and compels his imagination to paint the missing picture. The patriotic Roman was not content till he had found the "First Settlers," and then he was satisfied, although they were found in the very undesirable company of a she bear, and located on

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a drift, which the receding waters of the Tiber had permitted them to pre- empt.
     One of the advantages pertaining to a residence in a new country, and the one possibly least appreciated, is the fact that we can go back to the first beginnings. We are thus enabled, not only to trace results to their causes, but also to grasp the facts which have contributed to form and mould these causes. We observe that a State or county has attained a certain position, and we at once try to trace out the reasons for this position in its early sett1ement and surroundings, in the class of men by whom it was peopled, and in the many chances and changes which have wrought out results in all the recorded deeds of mankind. In the history of Washington county, we may trace its early settlers to their homes in the Eastern States and in the countries of the Old World. We may fol1ow the course of the hardy woodman of the "Buckeye" or the "Hoosier" State on his way west to "grow up with the country," trusting only to his strong arm and his willing heart to work out his ambition of a home for himself and wife, and a competence for his children. Yet again, we may see the path worn by the Missourian in his new experience in a land which to him was a land of progress, far in advance of that southern soil upon which he had made his temporary home, in his effort to adapt himself to new conditions. We may see here the growth which came with knowledge, and the progress which grew upon him with progress around him, and how his better side developed. The pride of Kentucky blood, or the vain glorying of the Virginia F. F. V.'s, was here seen in an early day only to be modified in its advent from the crucible of democracy when servitude was eliminated from the solution. Yet others have been animated with the impulse to "move on," after making themselves a part of the community, and have sought the newer parts of the extreme West, where civilization had not penetrated, or returned to their native soil. We shall find little of that distinctive New England character which has contributed so many men and women to other portions of our State and the West, but we shall find many an industrious native of Germany or the British Isles, and a few of the industrious and economical French--all of whom have contributed to modify types of men already existing here. With confidence that general results will prove that there is much of good in everything, and that a justice almost poetic has been meted out to the faults and follies, to the foibles and the virtues of the early settlers of this county, we may now enter upon their story.
     As before stated, a portion of Washington county was thrown open for settlement by the Black Hawk treaty, but no settlement was made till 1836. Adam Ritchey and John Black undoubtedly were the first white men who visited Washington comity with a view of permanently settling there.
     In 1835 these two gentlemen crossed over from Illinois for the purpose of exploring the newly acquired territory, with a view of selecting a permanent home. In their exploring tour they came into the present bounds of Washington county. A portion of country bordering on Crooked creek, in the southeast part of the county impressed them as being a goodly heritage,
     They returned to their homes in Illinois late in the fall of 1835, and gave a flattering account of the, "promised land" which they had spied out. They described the beautiful rolling rivers, the productive soil with its luxuriant crop of tall yellow grass waving in the autumn breeze, and pointed

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out with rapture the prosperous homes which would soon be found scattered over these undulating prairies. The effect of these glowing accounts of the present, and pleasing prospects of the future was that two brothers of Ritchey, Matthew and Thomas, a neighbor by the name of Humphrey, and some others began to arrange their affairs preparatory to emigrating to this country. Early in the following year, Mr. Ritchey, in company with the persons just named, set out for the new country. The weather being very cold they had no difficulty in crossing the Mississippi river, as the ice furnished a safe bridge across the stream. Arriving at the place before selected by Ritchey they explored the neighborhood and were favorably impressed with what they saw. Claims were staked out and some little improvements made, when all but Adam Ritchey returned to their homes in Illinois. The latter gentleman remained behind to carry forward the improvements already begun. He erected a rude cabin on the north side of Crooked creek, near where the road leading from Crawfordsvi1le south crosses that stream. Owing to exposure and over-exertion, he soon was compelled to desist from his labors by reason of a severe attack of malarial fever, from the effects of which he lay prostrate in his cabin for several days. It requires no vivid imagination to draw a picture of this brave pioneer lying prone in his rude and hastily improvised hut, far from the farthest bounds of civilization, with no one to administer to his wants, and with scarcely any of the necessities of life, wrestling with a painful malady. Thanks to a vigorous constitution, and through the humane treatment received from some Indians, he soon recovered so as to be able to return to his friends in Illinois. In May, having fully regained his health, he returned to his claim, accompanied by his son Matthew, a boy fifteen years old, and a daughter by the name of Sarah, aged thirteen. The presence of these children proved to be valuable, not only as company but as helpers in founding a new home on the prairies. The boy could manage a team, and the girl could attend to the duties of housekeeping in the little cabin by the creek, while Mr. Ritchey himself could devote his whole time and energies to the more arduous labors of felling trees and making rails. Lonely as must have been his stay, even under these circumstances, it must have formed a pleasing contrast to his former experience, when, unattended and alone, he was struggling with a fever in this, his far off home on the prairies. The boy and girl, although far away from anyone of a like age for associates, found much in their surroundings to occupy their attention and drive away the tedium of the long summer days. The girl, now advanced to full grown womanhood, doubtless frequently looks back to those days when she was the first and only representative of her sex in the county, as among the happiest in her life. She still resides in the county, and, as the wife of Mr. S. McCulley, she is respected by hundreds of intimate friends and honored by hundreds of others who have never seen her.
     Mr. Ritchey fenced a portion of his claim, planted a crop of corn, and near the end of July returned to Illinois to bring the rest of his family to the Iowa home. He immediately returned with his entire family and became permanently located on his claim early in October. Black also returned and settled just across the line in Henry county, and thus became a neighbor of his former companion. A short account of these two pioneers would not be amiss. They had emigrated from the East to Warren county, Illinois, at an early day, Ritchey coming from Pennsylvania. They were well-to-do farmers, but at the prospect of a new treaty whereby a large

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tract of new country would be thrown open for settlement, they determined to take time by the forelock and prospect the country before it was open for settlement. They started on foot from Monmouth and arriving at the Mississippi river they crossed in a skiff and pursued their tour of exploration north and west. They visited various localities in the bounds of the proposed new purchase, now included in the bounds of Cedar, Johnson and Washington counties. the entire trip was made on foot and occupied between six weeks and two months. Nothing of importance occurred in their journey, and, although they frequently met with roving bands of Indians, they were not molested.
After living for some one or two years on the claim before described, Ritchey sold his claim to Matthew Morehead, and chose a new location further down the river, just across the county line. Here he erected a mill in 1839, which was the first mill erected in that region of country. He died at the latter place some time in 184:8. Black resided on his original claim for a number of years, and during the Mormon excitement he was converted to that faith, and upon the removal of the Mormons to Utah followed them. Mr. Black, on coming to the country was accompanied by a son, Cloakey Black, who still resides in the county.
     In 1837 Matthew Morehead, with his family, came to the county; he purchased Adam Ritchey's claim, as before remarked, where he resided until the time of his death, several years ago. His widow, Mrs. Eliza Morehead, still resides at the old homestead. About the same time Thomas Caldwell came; he was accompanied by two boys and a girl. After erecting a cabin and making some improvements on his claim, he and his three children returned to Illinois, and the next year the whole family came back and settled permanently in the county. When the lands were offered for sale, Caldwell, not having money to enter his claim sold it and removed to Des Moines county.
     The same year John Maley and a Mr. Drake settled on the land now owned by Mr. Maxwell. Mr. Maley died many years ago; Drake removed to Louisa county, where he still lived at last accounts. Still later the same year Thomas Baker and Henry Osborn with their families came. Osborn settled some six miles further up the creek on the north side, And some time after a family by the name of Herald settled there also. The only timber in the neighborhood was in the vicinity of the Osborn settlement, and this sometimes was called Osborn's Point.
     The first settlement, however, which was made in the vicinity of Crawfordsville, being the first in the county, considerable importance attaches to it for this reason, and at that place were the first events which form no small part in the warp and woof of the staple of history. There occurred the first marriage, solemnized by Adam Ritchey, probably the first justice of the peace commissioned for the county by the Governor of the Territory. The couple were John Hulock and Nancy Goble, and the wedding occurred on a bright Sunday morning early in the year 1837. Here also occurred the first birth, during the same year, that of Isabelle Ritchey, a daughter of Adam Ritchey. The first school-house was on the claim of Thomas Baker and was taught by Martha J. Crawford; she was followed by Martha Junkin. This was in 1840, the settlers prior to that time sending their children to a school taught across the line in Henry county, by a Miss Smith, from New England.
     In the spring of 1836 Richard Moore, of Putnam county, Indiana, came

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to Washington county and took a claim in what is now Washington township, in section 33. The claim was marked out according to the requirements necessary to hold the land for six months, viz: the boundaries of the timber land were marked by blazing a certain number of the trees, while the boundary lines on the prairie were designated by stakes driven into the ground. Twenty acres were also broken and fenced. Mr. Moore was accompanied by his two sons, Amos and Thaddeus, and a son-in-law by the name of John O. Maulsby. Each of these also took claims, but made no improvement upon them, simply marking them out according to the prescribed .rules, and intending to begin the work of permanent improvement in the near future. They all then returned to Indiana and soon completed their arrangements to remove to Iowa; The same fall they all returned, accompanied by others. Richard Moore's family consisted of his wife; Rebecca Moore, five sons named respectively, .Amos E., Thaddeus, William, Jesse and Richard, Jr., two daughters by the name of Rebecca and Averiln. Mr. Maulsby was accompanied by his wife. In addition to these there were in the party John Mosteller and wife, George Baxter and William Hunter. Richard Moore's claim consisted of the southeast quarter of section 33 and eighty acres in section 34; Amos Moore's claim was the same now owned by James Luney; Thaddeus Moore located a claim which is now the property of John O. Malin; Maulsby took the claim where Michael Wilson now lives; Mosteller took a claim in the north part of Marion township; William Moore took a claim near by, which he transferred to an older brother, James Moore, who came later in the fall. They were all well-to-do farmers in Putnam county, Indiana, Mr. Richard Moore having a good farm all paid for, and in comfortable circumstances. They brought with them furniture and household goods, stock of all kinds, including four yoke of oxen, a number of horses; young cattle, sheep, hogs, chickens, etc. Upon arriving at their claims they camped and immediately set about the task of making prairie hay for the use of' the stock during the winter and erecting cabins to shelter themselves. Richard Moore's house was a double log cabin, one story high, roofed with clapboards and floored with puncheons, split out of oak trees. Along about Christmas a heavy snow storm set in, after which the weather turned very cold. The stock, having no shelter, wandered off in the night and a number of them perished before they were found.
     An Indian village, before described, was near the settlement and the Indians were very friendly, doing all in their power to make the whites feel at home. These Indians belonged to Poweshiek's band, and the chief, Wapello, was a frequent guest at the cabins of the settlers.
     The winter however, was a very severe one and the Indians suffered much. To make matters worse, the government, for some reason, neglected to pay them their annuities, which were due in March. As a result of this the Indians began to manifest an ill-feeling against the settlers. One night early in April, 1837, Wapello stayed over night with Mr. Moore, and during a conversation concerning the grievances he said that the government agents had not paid their annuities, and besides this, Baker had settled so near their village that his stock was a source of great trouble, and further, that he had fully determined that Baker must leave, and that a number of the tribe would dislodge him from his claim on the following day. Wapello told Mr. Moore that he need not be uneasy as the Indians would not disturb him. The next day Baker was driven from his claim and his cabin

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burned. About one week after Baker was driven from his claim, Thaddeus and William Moore were hauling rails when an Indian came riding up to them and said that they would have to leave. The young men said they would not leave, that all their stock, farming implements, and household goods were there and they could not leave. The Indian was very much excited and seemed determined to have the boys quit their work. Seeing that the boys were not inclined to obey, the Indian took his blanket and endeavored to frighten the oxen and final1y succeeded in starting them toward the house. The young men and the Indian arriving at the cabin, Mr, Richard Moore was informed of the difficulty and made acquainted, for the first time, of the intention of the Indians. He and the Indian discussed the matter for some time, and presently three or four more Indians came up and the number was augmented from time to time till they numbered twenty-five or thirty. They were painted just as if about to go on the warpath; were armed with clubs and seemed much excited. No violence was done to Mr. Moore or any of the family, but the Indians seemed determined, and threatened to commit violence if their demands were not immediately complied with. After remonstrating with the Indians for some time, Mr, Moore concluded that it would be hazardous to remain on his claim; he therefore, told them that he would leave, which promise seemed to quiet them, and they assisted the settlers to get their things ready preparatory to starting. The Moores, with their family, and Maulsby having loaded as much of their effects upon the wagons as possible, set out on their return trip. Mosteller had returned to Indiana some time previous, he having remained in Iowa but three or four weeks. The Moores and Malusby retired into Henry county and settled in the neighborhood of New London. Here they remained until 1839, when the Indians having been removed further west, and not liking their claim in Henry county, returned to their old claim in Washington county, Richard Moore found his claim comparatively in good shape, the cabin had not been disturbed, and what fencing he had done was thrown down in some places but not otherwise damaged. The claim which James Moore had taken was in the meantime jumped by a man by the name of Powers, and he took a new claim across the creek in Marion township. Richard Moore continued to reside on his claim until the time of his death, which occurred in 1853; his wife, Rebecca Moore, also died many years ago. Amos E. Moore and William Moore still reside in the same locality where they first settled, on section 33. Thaddeus first removed to Wisconsin, where he lived a number of years; leaving Wisconsin he returned to this county, where he remained a short time and then went to California. He now resides in Dakota. None of his sisters now reside in the county; some of them are dead and others have moved away.
Amos Moore and William Moore have doubtless lived longer upon their claims than any other persons in the county, and in this respect are the oldest settlers in the county.
The historian experiences no difficulty in ascertaining the date of battles and sieges, the discovery of continents and the coronation of kings, for by common consent these are important events, worthy of a place in the memory of men then living, who transmit the same to their children, The date of a settlement on the frontier, however, is not deemed so important, and is sometimes forgotten by the parties themselves.
     As near as can be determined, in 1837 David Goble and family, consist-

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ing of four sons, one daughter and a young man by the name of Oliver Sweet, came to this county. Mr. Goble pitched his tent on the northwest quarter of section 28, township 75, range 6, The first dwelling in which the Gobles dwelt was literally a tent, and consisted of poles driven into the ground, with blankets hung up at the sides and poles covered with blankets for a roof some time afterward they built a log house, which was the first one erected in Oregon township. Mr. Goble afterward became one of the most prominent citizens of the county, and was intimately connected with schemes for the development of the material resources of the county. Mr. Goble was very fond of hunting and trapping; in the winter especially did lie follow these diversions. He trapped all along the rivers and streams of the county, and often made long journeys up the Iowa river, where otters were plenty. He and Reuben B. Davis, who subsequently settled on Davis Creek, in Iowa township, often went together on these trapping excursions, which frequently proved to be very profitable.
     A short time after coming to the county Mr. Goble built a double log house. Those of our readers who have seen, the remains of pioneer improvements need not be told what a double log house was: It consisted of two separate and distinct cabins built about eight feet apart with gables adjoining. When the roof was put on it was extended over the space between the two buildings, and thus was formed an entry, which, with very little extra expense, furnished a great deal of extra room for storing all kinds of household goods, farming implements, and occasionally afforded shelter fur stock in bad weather. Such a building was the Goble mansion, and in the west room of the building was held the first court. Simpson Goble, a son of David Goble, who still resides in the county, in Ainsworth, says that he helped to layout the town of Astoria, which was the first county seat, and located about one mile northeast of his father's house. Three men from Mount Pleasant, by the name of Hill, Randolph and Hughes were the proprietors, and erected a double log house intended for a court house, but their anticipations were never realized. He says, further, that at the session of court held at his father's house the writing was done indoors, court was held under some big trees north of the house and he furnished watermelons to the judge, lawyers and jury and received nothing in pay except a silver ten cent piece, presented to him by Francis Springer, then of Louisa county, and more recently of Burlington, There was a post-office established at this place in early days, and Mr. Goble was postmaster. Some later John Potts started a store in Astoria, and the postoffice was removed there. Mr. Goble sold his farm to a Methodist preacher by the name of Walker and removed to Kansas, where he died in 1855. As before remarked, Simpson Goble, his son, who came with him when he settled in the countv, still resides in Ainsworth. His mother died at Ainsworth in 1863. David Goble, Jr., a. brother of Simpson, emigrated to Oregon years ago, where he now resides, Harrison, another brother, moved to Kansas, where he now lives, A sister by the name of Nancy, who also came with the rest of the family to the county, married John Hulock in 1837. The ceremony was performed by Adam Ritchey, J, P., and was probably one of the first marriages in the county; she died some years ago, George Goble, another brother, still resides near Ainsworth, in this county, At the time Baker was driven from his claim the Indians sent word to the Gables to leave also, but they were never disturbed.
     Shortly after the Ritcheys settled in the southeast part of the county,

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and prior to 1840, three persons by the name of Neal—Joseph, John and Thomas—settled in the same neighborhood. The former died July 7, 1878, the other two still reside in the vicinity of Crawfordsville. John Neal built the first house on the present site of that town. .
     Shortly after Adam Ritchey settled on his claim near the present site of Crawfordsville two men by the name of Milo Holcomb and John B. Bullock came from Monmouth, Illinois, and settled south of the Ritchey settlement on Crooked creek, at a place which for a long time was known as "Hoosier Bend." They established a trading post and from the first carried on quite a business with the Indians. In May 1838, Mr. Holcomb returned to Monmouth, where he married Rachel Jackson, and returned with his bride in June. When Mr. Holcomb and his wife returned the Indians turned out enmasse to welcome the pale-faced squaw, which was probably the first time they had seen a white woman.
     Soon after his marriage Milo Holcomb and his partner, Mr. Bullock, began the erection of a mill on Crooked creek; this mill was always known as the Holcomb mill, and was probably the first one erected in Washington county. Shortly after the completion of the mill Bullock died, and the business of the firm thereafter was carried on by Holcomb alone.
     In 1839 John Jackson, the father of Mrs. Holcomb came from Monmouth, Illinois. He stopped with Holcomb and framed a house, which he hauled to the present site of Washington and put up. This was the first two-story frame house erected in the county. Milo Holcomb died in 1840, and his wife removed to Washington, and resided with her father until 1843, when she married Mr. Dudley Buck, and removed to Keokuk county, where she still lives. Mr. Jackson was drowned in Skunk river, near Pickerel's mill, on the 3d of September, 1840. He was deputy sheriff at the time, and had gone from Washington to that part of the county on some official business. His business calling him across the river he employed a man by the name of Blair to ferry him across in a skiff. They passed over safely but on the return trip Blair, not exercising the proper caution allowed his skiff to float too near the dam, and it was carried over and both occupants were drowned. It was several days before the body of Mr. Jackson was found, and that of Mr. Blair was not secured for some three weeks, when it was discovered floating in the river near the present site of Merrimac in Jefferson county. Mr. Holcomb died in November of the same year and John J. Jackson, a son of John Jackson, and brother of Mrs. Holcomb, who was one of the first postmasters of Washington, was drowned while bathing in the river not far from the place where his father had been carried over the dam four years previous. Mr. Holcomb was the first sheriff of the county, and was, the most active and enterprising man in the county in early days. He and Bullock carried on the first store in the county. The firm began doing business here in 1837. On the death of Bullock in 1838 he took charge of the entire business, including the management at the mill, which had just been completed, and attending to the duties of his office as county sheriff. The store was located near the mill. The stock consisted of general merchandise and was the main trading point for all the settlers then living in the county as well as those who lived across the line in Henry and Jefferson counties. Mrs. Holcomb, now Mrs. Buck, of Sigourney, still has in her possession the books in which the accounts of the firm were kept. The writer had the privilege a short time since of examining these books, which were certainly remarkable for their

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neatness and business-like appearance for those early days. The penmanship is exceptionally good, and the names, which include a large number of the first settlers of the county, are as legible as the day upon which they were written. As before remarked, the store was started in 1837. In 1838 the mill was built, which manufactured the first lumber made in the county. In 1839 facilities were added for the manufacture of flour and corn meal, and here was made the first flour manufactured in the county.
This place was known far and near as "Holcomb's Mill," and, as before remarked, was quite a trading point; the mill brought business to the store, and persons going to the store to trade took grists along to the mill; thus one branch of the business supplemented the other, and the firm of Holcomb & Bullock prospered. Prior to removing to Iowa these men had been engaged in a small way in the mercantile business in Warren county, Illinois, and many of the first settlers of Washington county, who patronized their store at Hoosier Bend had previously bought small articles from their peddling wagon in Illinois. It seems a harsh fate which decreed the death of these energetic and liberal minded men just when they were entering upon a career of assured success, but such are the vicissitudes of life. In early times there was a post-office established at Holcomb's Mill; by the name of Marcellus; but the postoffice, with all other evidences of prosperity, have long since departed from this locality once pregnant with great expectations.
     In addition to the names already mentioned of early settlers in the southeast part of the county, we mention the following, giving at the same time, as far as we are able, the subsequent location or death of each: David Sikes, left in an early day; Berry Fancher, died on his original claim; John Grimsley, went to Oregon; John Stout, died on his original claim; Joe L Long, lives in Keokuk county; Wm. Disney, took a claim and started a nursery where he resided until the time of his death; Joseph Griffith, returned to Illinois; Timothy Gaskell, improved a claim which he sold and removed farther west;. James Heath, went to Burlington; Isaac Pence and Elisha Campbell settled in an early day, and we are unable to tell what, became of them; Robt. C. Caldwell, took a claim which he began to improve, but died shortly afterward--his death occurred in 1838, and he was buried on his claim, afterward known, as the Snyder farm. A man by the name of Geerheart died the same winter and was buried at the same place. The first death occurred in the county in September, 1836, being the wife of Mr. Mosteller, who was on her way with her husband and two other families from the vicinity of Greencastle, Indiana, to a claim which had previously been taken in the county. Shortly after entering the eastern boundary of the county Mrs. Mosteller, who had been unwell during a greater portion of the journey, died, and was buried on the claim then held by one Isaac .Pence. It was impossible to procure lumber to make a coffin and one was contructed [constructed] out of puncheons split out of a tree and fitted together as well as the circumstances would permit. In this rude casket, in a grave made in the virgin soil of the prairie, tired out, before reaching the far off western home, was laid this the first body interred within the limits of Washington county.
     Oliver Sweet, Morgan Hart and a brother who came among the first, continued to reside in the county. Joseph Earl went to Oregon and T. E. Purrington became deranged; E. Boardman returned to his former home, in the East, and Orson Kinsman went to Oskaloosa, where he died; Elias Wash-

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burn still resides in the county. A number of the foregoing persons settled in the vicinity of Brighton. Thomas Ritchey came in 1837 and improved a claim where is now the Malin farm. He sold his claim in 1839, and was killed in 1848, when hauling barrels near Brighton. This accident occurred about four o'clock in the afternoon and at 10 o'clock the same evening, his brother, Adam Ritchey, the first settler of the county, died.
     Josiah Smart, an Indian trader, had a trading post on Skunk, in the southwestern part of the county, at a very early date. After the treaty of 1837, when the Indians were removed from that locality, Smart went west with them. He had been with the Indians a great deal of his time from boyhood; he understood their language thoroughly and was very successful in managing the aborigines; His wife was a full blooded Indian and like the rest of her tribe was very fond of whisky. While Smart himself did not use liquor to excess yet in common with most of the men of his time he kept a bottle of whisky about him for medicinal purposes. Knowing the weakness of his wife for strong drinks, and not wishing to take his "medicine" with him he locked the bottle up in a leathern valise and departed. Upon returning the next day he found his wife beastly drunk and upon investigation found that she had managed to get the valise open far enough to get the neck of the bottle out, and then by holding the bottle, valise and all up over her head was enabled to extract the coveted liquid. By this union Mr. Smart had two children, daughters; one of them resembled the father in appearance and disposition, while the other one was like the mother, These peculiarities became still more marked as the girls grew older; when they grew up to be young women Mr. Smart took them to St. Louis to be educated, hoping that they would, through the influence of instruction and association, both become like full blooded white women in their manners and disposition; he was not disappointed in regard to the one who become a very accomplished young lady, but the other one, notwithstanding all the instruction and refining, remained a wild Indian still. By reason of his knowledge of the Indian language Mr. Smart became quite valuable to the government as an interpreter, which position he held until the Indians were all removed from the State, when he followed them to their new reservation in Kansas. His name will be found attached to a document, a copy of which is found in a former part of this work.
     In the early days of the county's settlement the Brighton neighborhood was the most populous and important. The cause for this may be found in the fact that there was an abundance of timber, a good mill-site, and, moreover, a partially successful communication with St. Louis by means of skiffs and flat-boats. The importance of this early settlement demands a more full and detailed account of its first beginnings, than is found in the bare mention of the few names already given.
     Silas Washburn was one of the first men who arrived in the Brighton neighborhood. He was a native of Massachusetts. He came on foot and alone, arriving early in 1837. Upon the claim which he took is now located the Brighton mill. This claim he afterward sold for $200, He and Morgan Hart, before mentioned, lived together in a little shanty situated on the road leading from Brighton mill, about a quarter of a mile from the mill-site, and here the two passed the winter of 1837-38. Their bed was made of prairie hay, and they had no bed clothes except their day clothes. However, they had plenty of timber for fuel and managed to spend the winter pleasantly. In April, the following year, a relative of Mr. Washburn, by the

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name of Seneca Beach, arrived, bringing with him his own family and that of Mr. Washburn. A short time prior to the coming of Mr. Beach, a man by the name of John Beers came and was at this time engaged in erecting a cabin. He being without a family and not particularly needing, the cabin, Washburn and Beach procured the use of it for their families until they could erect suitable buildings of their own. These two families were the first families which lived in that neighborhood. They built houses that season, Washburn's house being- located a little northeast of the lot where now stands the Brighton national bank. The house was a one story house, built of logs, covered with clapboards, and had a sod chimney, the dimensions being 16x18. That summer some young men came from Massachusetts, who built another house in the vicinity. In 1839, John Brier, a native of Ohio, settled in the vicinity of Brington, [Brighton] on the east side of Skunk river, near what was then known as Sandy Hook. His claim was near the Indian village and he had several hundred of the savages for near neighbors a short time. John Brier, Sr., the father of the former, came at the same time; he had considerable money which he loaned Mr. Pickerell, the man who erected the first mill at Brighton, for many years known throughout this and adjoining counties as Pickerell's mill. After the mill was completed it caught fire and burned down. This was a severe loss to Mr. Pickerell who was now unable to build and was not in a condition to pay back the money he had already borrowed. The only way out of his difficulties was to make a journey to the East and endeavor to borrow some money from his friends there. He made the trip, was successful and returning about midnight went to the residence of Mr. Brier and awoke him in order to pay him back his money. The mill was rebuilt and formed quite an important factor in the problem of early settlement. John Brier, Sr., died in the vicinity of Brighton some twenty years ago. John Brier, Jr., still lives at Brighton, and owns a part of the claim he first took, forty years ago. He, in 1839, hauled the stock of goods which composed the first mercantile establishment of Brighton from Burlington. The proprietor of the store was John Lewis. The store building was a one story log, 16x20. About the same time a man by the name of Jeff Gordon opened a grocery in the vicinity of Brighton; his customers were principally Indians, and his goods consisted chiefly of whisky. In 1838 George Ferrior settled in the present bounds of Brighton township, he has since died, and his wife, Rebecca Ferrior, still resides there. Among others the following came prior to 1840: Wm. Spencer, John W. Stone, James S. Erwin, L. J. Washburn, Ed. Deeds, Robert C. Riste, S. O. Kirkpatrick, W. D. Hoagland. Seneca Beach was the first justice of the peace, he having received his commission from Gov. Lucas, September, 1839; he died many years ago and his wife Mrs. Edna Beach died July 22, 1878, after having lived in the county for more than thirty-eight years. The first marriage at Brighton was that of Orson Kingman to Hannah Dinsmore. The first birth was that of Philo Dray. The first Fourth of July celebration was held held at Brighton, 1839; at which time there was a public dinner free to all. Celebration was held a little south of where the national bank now stands. A Mr. Collins was the orator and Dr. Horace Carley read the Dec1aration. Dr. Carley died the same year and was the first person buried at Brighton.
     The first settlement made on the present site of the city of Washington was in the latter part of the year 1839; by Joseph Adams, commonly

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known as Old Quincy Adams. He came from Ohio, and arrived at Washington on the 17th day of October. He purchased two lots located on the southeast of the public square, on the corner of Iowa and Jefferson streets. He immediately set about the work of erecting a blacksmith-shop and a residence. The buildings were both made of logs, the shop being 16x16 while the residence was 14x16. Mr. Adams was a good mechanic, and as soon as people began to settle in the neighborhood his shop became thronged with work. He is now a resident of Sigourney, Keokuk county, and still follows his trade to some extent, although he has a fine farm and is comfortably fixed.
     In 1840 there were but twelve families residing in Washington. They were as follows: Joseph Adams, Henry McColough, Dr. George H. Stone, Daniel Powers, Bloomer Thompson, John Daugherty, Almon Moore, Amos Embree, John Jackson, John Hendel, II. A. Stone and Samuel Joy.
     Daniel Powers built the second house in Washington. The building was a double log, as before described, one and a-half stories high, with two large old-fashioned chimneys, chiefly remarkable for the amount of wood they were capable of consuming proportionate to the amount of heat that could be eliminated. There were two large rooms below and two above, reached by a common ladder. It stood where more recently were erected the store-buildings occupied by Wallace & Knox and others. The building was intended for a tavern, and as such was used and did good service for many years.
     John Daugherty was the first merchant of Washington. It seems that he was on his way to Missouri, and hearing that there was a town of great expectations, called Washington, whose present state of development did not threaten a ruinous competition, he turned the heads of his oxen toward the far-famed metropolis and arrived at the Powers tavern late one evening, and before the next sun shone upon the trackless prairies he had negotiated with the landlord for the use of a part of the tavern, where he unloaded his cart and opened up business. This proved to be a fortunate arrangement. Guests of the house patronized the store; customers of the store patronized the tavern; Daugherty boarded with Powers, and Powers traded with Daugherty, and in dull times when there were neither guests nor customers, the landlord and the merchant could trade jack-knives and tell stories.
     A new impulse was given to the life of trade soon after by the establishment of a competing house. Almon Moore, of Wapello, Louisa county, having heard what flattering inducements were offered at Washington for an enterprising man of business, and envious of Daugherty's prosperity, arising from a monopoly of the trade, determined to transfer his base of operations to the new-county seat. He didn't take the cars and visit Washington with a view to establishing a branch house to be put in charge of a clerk, provided he could obtain suitable rooms, but simply loaded the effects of his Wapello house on a cart, drove to Washington, erected a block, consisting of a one-story frame shanty, right under the nose of Daugherty and opened up his competing line of goods right in the very center of business. Moore didn't so much as countenance the other house by boarding at the tavern; he brought along with his stock of good a cooking stove, household goods, furniture, provisions and his family, whom he installed in a rear room of his business block, and set up housekeeping.

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Mr. Moore succeeded in business and afterward became one of the leading men of the county.
     Another business enterprise was started by Amos Embree; it was the the second one, Embree having opened out before Moore came. This merchant should not be forgotten, and probably is not by the early settlers, as he did much to enliven the streets of the new town. There was quite a demand for his goods, although he had not a great variety, and it is averred that what he had sometimes froze up in cold weather. He kept his goods in a barrel, which, leaking at the spigot one cold night, there was formed quite a beautiful icicle; so it is said, but as the icicle has never yet been produced, the statement admits of doubt.
     One of the most widely known and influential citizens of the town in early times was Dr. Stone. He was a gruff, taciturn, though withal a kind-hearted man. It was not easy to draw him out in conversation, except on subjects relating to his profession, and even on such subjects he was not always communicative. Should a patient be inquisitive enough to say, "What is this, Doctor, you are giving me?" he would most likely reply, "This is medicine." If this did not satisfy the impertinent patient, the Doctor would most likely make some reply coupled with profanity. Mr. S. A. James, of Sigourney, says: "I was intimately acquainted with Dr. Stone. He was a thoroughly educated physician and surgeon, and for a number of years acted in the latter capacity on board a vessel in the United States Navy. Whether natural or acquired, his gait and appearance have marks of youthful training at a military academy. He was rather reserved in conversation, except to his intimate friends, and possessed a high sense of honor and integrity; baseness and dishonesty in the smallest matters he heartily despised. Perhaps once in twelve months, or it might not be so frequently, and again it might be oftener, he indulged in a 'spree.' This would usually last a week, and during such time he suspended all business and for the most part was shut up in his house with his family."
    In connection with two other gentlemen Dr. Stone was appointed by the Territorial Legislature to select a location for the seat of justice in Keokuk county, and as he was such a strong-willed and positive man, it ,may be said that he selected the location. The name was also his choice. He had always been a great admirer of the writings of Mrs. Sigourney, and no doubt observed their moral effect and salutary influence upon his young family, although himself sometimes felt rebuked by them when indulging in the sin of profanity.
     Allusion has already been made to the Jackson family, and mention made of three of its members, John Jackson, John J. Jackson and Rachel Jackson, first the wife of Milo Holcomb and now wife of Mr. Dudley Buck, of Sigourney. Elizabeth J. became the wife of Joseph Keck, to whom she was married March 26, 1844; she died February 25, 1879. The youngest of the family was Martha Jane, who has spent nearly the whole of her lifetime thus far in Washington. A few years since she was united in marriage to Mr. H. A. Burrell, editor of the Washington County "Press."
     While these settlements and improvements were going on in Washington, the country in the vicinity was being settled. Wm. Basey came in the spring of 1839 and took a claim northwest of town. In April he completed his house, which was a log cabin 16x18, one story high, and was located near the place where Mr. Palmer now resides. On the 25th of

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October, 1839, Ann Basey was born, she being the first white child born in Washington township. The first child born in the town of Washington was a daughter of Joseph Adams, September 22, 1840; she is the wife of John Farra, of Sigourney. Mr. Basey moved to Keokuk county some years ago, where he still resides.
     Nathan Baker settled on the claim from which his brother Thomas had been driven, in 1839. After the Indians had been removed Thomas Baker again came to the vicinity of Washington and settled southwest of the town. Both of the Bakers afterward emigrated to California.
     William L. Harvey came in 1838, and took a claim on the Brighton road, about a mile and a-half from town, afterward known as the Stewart farm. Thomas Wilson came about the same time, and settled near Harvey's claim. In 1839, William Ayres took a claim which proves to be the same where is now located the county infirmary.
     It was about this time that a characteristic individual came to the county and settled between Washington and Brighton. .Whoever has visited the county-seat in later years cannot have failed to notice his well-bred, well kept form and stopped awhile to gaze upon his good-natured, amiable countenance. From this description the reader will know that reference is made to Captain Moreland, who come in 1839, and settled on the Brighton road about four miles from the latter place. Prior to pitching his tent in the county the captain had for many a long year, composed in part of many a long dark night, helped to man many a gallant craft on the turbid Mississippi. He began life on the river at a very early age and followed that business continually till 1839, when he settled in the county. He lived on his claim till 1868, when he sold it and removed to Washington, where he now resides. He is a jolly, well-kept and well-fed man and presents quite a youthful appearance for one who has lived so long and passed through so many trying ordeals and witnessed so many exciting scenes. He relates many interesting incidents occurring on the river, and during the early settlement of the county. During the former part of his life he was thrown into society of General Sam Houston and Col. David Crockett and became intimately acquainted with both of these distinguished individuals. When he arrived in this country there were four settlements: at Brighton, Crawfordsville, on Dutch Creek and on English river. At an early day Captain Moreland was honored with the office of Justice of the Peace which he held for a number of years. His jurisdiction at first seems to have had a wide extent and a number of persons residing in what is now in the limits of Keokuk county, who were charged with burning a house belonging to a rival squatter, had their preliminary examination before him. At the time alluded to two families by the name of Agustine and a family by the name of Henderson resided on Dutch creek.
     Slaughter, not for whom the county was first named, resided on English river. Thus at the beginning of the year 1840 there were but four settlements in the county; the largest being in the vicinity of Crawfordsville; next in importance was that in the vicinity of Brighton; quite a number of claims were taken along English river, and perhaps a dozen families lived on Dutch creek. Not exceeding two hundred people resided in the county at this time, and many of them were young unmarried men who may be said to have been but temporary settlers. At this time there were probably about two hundred people of all ages living in the county. The reason that the country did not settle up faster was due partly to its phys-

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ical features, and partly due to artifical [artificial] causes. First, there was the Mississippi river which could not be crossed except where there were ferries, and there were none in early times except at Burlington and Keokuk. Persons coming from the east crossed the river at these two points. Those who crossed at Keokuk followed up the Des Moines river; and thereby were carried south and west of this region. Those who crossed at Burlington likewise were carried south of this latitude. Finally when there was a ferry located at New Boston, directly east of this county, and emigrants began to cross at that point the Iowa river furnished a new obstacle. Thus it was that a portion of the emigration which would have drifted to this region was turned aside to other parts. And thus to the existence of natural barriers, such as rivers, and the mere accident of ferries, may be traced the cause of settlements in some parts of the State and the lack of them in other parts. Such a magnificent country as this, with its black, loamy soil, beautiful prairies, and the diversified material resoucs [resources] of water, stone and timber, was not destined long to remain idle. If the Iowa river could not be forded the emigrant could cross at Burlington and thus flank the stream. The land had been seen by a few adventuresome pioneers; and its fame had gone abroad, and henceforth it required something more than a deep-flowing river or the accidents of ferries to keep the surging thronging mass of emigrants from the promised land. Thenceforward the country' was destined to fill up rapidly, and there has never been a time since 1840 when Washington county was not in the Van of the onward march of improvement. A few settlements had been made on English river in the north part of the county prior to 1840. The first settlement in that part of the county was probably made by Joseph Edelstein. This man was originally from Switzerland. He first located in Ohio, and in 1838 came to Iowa in search of a new location. He took a claim on English river, not far from the present site of Riverside, on section 13, township 77, range 7. Here he built a cabin, and made arrangements to bring his family from Ohio. From some cause the cabin was burned down before the arrival of his family in 1839, and he was compelled to live with his family in a cave near English river until he could build another dwelling. After the completion of the new cabin he moved into it and prospered. Besides farming he did considerable work at his trade of wagon-making. He was a zealous Catholic, and in the course of time quite a community was established in that neighborhood composed of persons of like religious faith. One of the first church buildings of the county was erected in that locality. His family consisted of six children, three boys and three girls. Mr. Edelstein and his wife died a number of years since. A short time after Edelsteill settled on English river a man by the name of John Diehl settled in the same neighborhood. His claim was on section 14. He came from Germany a single man, and shortly after arriving in America married a lady by the name of Elizabeth Spaner. He and his wife moved on the claim, taken the year previous, in 1839. He was a Lutheran, and succeeded well at his occupation as a farmer; the family consisted of two children, both girls. Mr. Diehl died in 1843, and his widow still lives on the original claim.
     In 1839, Simon P. Teeple, from the State of New York, took a claim in section 13, built a cabin and moved into it with his family. He was a physician; the first in English river neighborhood, and among the first in the county. His wife was a sister of Dr. Stone, one of the first settlers of

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