CHAPTER VI.
POLITICAL HISTORY.
EARLY POLITICS-EARLY ELECTIONS-COUNTY, STATE AND
NATIONAL REPRESENTATION-SPECIAL ISSUES-LIST
OF COUNTY OFFICERS BY YEARS.
WOODBURY COUNTY was organized three years before the republican
party was. As will be seen by the official returns in 1856, when
the republican party ran John C. Fremont against James Buchanan,
the democratic nominee, this county gave the former 43 votes and
the latter 108. In. 1860 the issues which finally brought on the
Civil war placed a different complexion on the politics of this
county in common with all Iowa. In the election returns of 1860,
when Lincoln ran against Douglas, the result here was a complete
reverse-Lincoln received 129 votes and Douglas only 68. From that
time on, through all the succeeding campaigns, Woodbury county
gave a good round republican majority until the prohibitory liquor
question was sprung in Iowa in 1882. At the next gubernatorial
election, in 1883, the returns show a decided change in favor
of the democracy. Buren R. Sherman had 1,825 votes, and L. G.
Kinnie 1,847 votes, another radical change on a pure state issue.
In 1885 the republican nominee for governor, William Larrabee,
received
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WOODBURY COUNTY.
a small majority, as he did two years later, when
re-elected. But Woodbury county, in common with all Iowa, made
another radical change in the election of Gov. Boies, democrat,
in 1889, when the county gave him over a thousand majority. The
republicans claim they were not on guard, and did not poll their
usual vote, which to some extent was true. But aside from local
state issues, Woodbury county has always gone largely republican
when coming to the vote for presidential electors.
State Representation.The following Woodbury county
men have represented their county in the Iowa legislature:
Samuel H. Cassady, member of the house during the seventh assembly,
in 1858.
Isaac Pendleton, during the ninth assembly, in 1862.
William L. Joy, during the tenth assembly, in 1864; also in the
eleventh assembly, in 1866.
Constant R. Marks, during the thirteenth assembly, in 1870.
A. R. Appleton, in the fourteenth assembly, during 1872.
James H. Bolton, during the seventeenth assembly, in 1878.
John B. Belfrage, during the eighteenth assembly, in 1880. Elbert
H. Hubbard, during the nineteenth assembly, in 1882.
Squire W. Haviland, during the twentieth assembly, in 1884.
Dr. R. Rice, of Smithland, during the twenty-first assembly, in
1886.
Willis G. Clark, of Sioux City, during the twenty-second assembly,
in 1888; also the twenty-third, in 1890.
In the state senate, Woodbury county has been represented by
home men as follows:-George D. Perkins, during the fifteenth and
sixteenth assemblies-1874 to 1878; and Job A. Lawrence who was
elected in 1887.
The state binder from 1874 to 1878 was Henry A. Perkins, of Sioux
City.
Judicial.Marshall F. Moore, of Sioux City, was elected
judge of the Twelfth judicial district of Iowa in April, 1857.
He presided over the territory now embraced in the fifteen northwestern
Iowa counties.
Asahel W. Hubbard was elected to the office of judge of the Fourth
judicial district in October, 1858, and was succeeded in 1862,
by Isaac Pendleton.
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HISTORY OF WOODBURY AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES.
Congressional Representation.Woodbury county has
furnished two representatives to the United States congress: Hon.
Asahel W. Hubbard, who was elected by a large republican majority,
and served from 1863 to 1869, three full terms, during which time
no other congressman from Iowa made a more enviable record than
did Judge Hubbard, as he was an able man, and worked for the great
north. west with a hearty good will; the second is Congressman
George D. Perkins, of Sioux City, who is the able editor of the
"Sioux City Journal. "
Other Representations.Dr. William R. Smith, of Sioux
City, had the honor of representing his district at the Paris
Exposition of 1878, and W. I. Buchanan is one of the two commissioners
to the World's Fair (Columbian Exposition) of 1892, from Iowa.
State and National Election. (Vote on Governors). 1854 James
W. Grimes (W.).
1857-Ralph P. Lowe (R.), 120; Benjamin M. Samuels (D.), 144.
1859-S. J. Kirkwood (R.), 132; A. C. Dodge (D.), 163.
1861-S. J. Kirkwood (R.), 133; W. H. Merith (D.), 111.
1863-William M. Stone (R.), 122; James M. Stone (D.), 103.
1865-William M. Stone (R.), 112; Thomas H. Benton (D.), 87.
1867-Samuel Merrill (R.), 253; Charles Mason (D.), 237.
1869-Samuel Merrill (R.), 475; George Galespy (D.), 313.
1871-C. C. Carpenter (R.), 708; J. C. Knapp (D.), 236.
1870-C. C. Carpenter (R.), 952; J. G. Vale (D.), 523.
1875-S. J. Kirkwood (R.), 1,099; Shepherd Lefler (D.), 719.
1877-John H. Gear (R.), 899; John P. Irish (D.), 710; D. P. Stubbs
(G. B.), 90.
1879-John H. Gear (R.), 1,262; H. H. Trumble (D.), 947.
1881-B. R. Sherman (R.), 1,305; L. G. Kinnie (D.), 858.
1883-B. R. Sherman (R.), 1,825; L. G. Kinnie (D.), 1,847.
1885- William Larrabee (R.), 2,557; Charles E. Whiting (D.), 2,446.
1887-William Larrabee (R.), 2,997; T. J. Anderson (D.), 2,913.
1889-James G. Hutchins (R.), 2,969; Horace Boies (D.), 4,051.
Presidential Vote.1856-John C. Fremont (R.), 43;
James Buchanan (D.), 108.
1860-Abraham Lincoln (R.), 129; Stephen A. Douglas (D.), 68.
1864-Abraham Lincoln (R.), 153; George B. McClellan (D.), 93.
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WOODBURY COUNTY.
1868-U. S. Grant (R.), 430; Horatio Seymour (D.), 323.
1872-U. S. Grant (R.), 790; Horace Greeley (D.), 439.
1876-Rutherford B. Hayes (R.), 1,034; S. J. Tilden (D.), 937.
1880-James A. Garfield (R.), 1,453; W. S. Hancock (D.), 995.
1884-James G. Blaine (R.), 2,805; Grover Cleveland (D.), 2376.
1888-Benjamin Harrison (R.), 4,169; Grover Cleveland (D.), 3,588.
County Judge.Early in the history of Woodbury county
this office, as bas been stated, was one of great importance.
It embraced the work now attended to by the entire board of supervisors
as well as that of auditor, besides much legal and probate court
business. In short, it was a sort of one-man power. Many of the
functions of this office ceased, however, in 1860, and in 1868
it was abolished altogether. In 1861 the supervisor system relieved
the office of much power, and many of its duties; and the office
of county auditor, created and commencing to work in conjunction
with the members of the board of supervisors, January 1, 1869,
left no room for the office of county judge. The following is
a list of those who have fined the office:
Marshall Townsley, from 1853-54; O. B. Smith, 1854-55; John K.
Cook, 1855-57; John L. Campbell, 1857-59; John P. Allison, 1859-61;
John N. Lavering, 1861-65; John H. Snyder, 1865-69.
Drainage Commissioner.The following shows how this
office was filled during its term of existence:
I. D. M. Crockwell, in 1854; Curtis Lamb, from 1855-57; Ezra
Millard, 1857-59; Luther Woodford, 1859-61; O. B. Smith, 1861-65;
S. R. Day, 1865-69; N. Cerfing, 1869-71; Ed. Sharpe, 1871-73.
The office was abolished early in the seventies.
County Treasurer.The office of treasurer included
recorder of deeds until 1864, and has been filled as follows:
Hiram Nelson, in 1853; Leonard Bates, 1854; Lewis Cunningham,
from 1854-55; T. Elwood Clark, 1855; Samuel H. Cassady, from 1855-56;
Charles E. Hedges, 1857-61; Thomas J. Stone, 1861-66; B. F. Smith,
1866-71; Charles Kent, 1871-79; John P. Allison, 1879-85; Ed.
Haakinson, 1885-87; D. T. Hedges, 1887-89; W. A. Kifer, in 1889.
County Recorder.From the organization of Iowa until
1864, the offices of treasurer and recorder were embraced in one.
The following gives the names of recorders proper:
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HISTORY OF WOODBURY AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES.
A. Groninger, from 1866-68; P. I. B. Marion, 1868-70; F. J. Lambert,
1870-72; O. A. Smith, 1872-74; W. I. Hepburn, 1874-76; W. S. Follis,
1878-80; Phil Carlin, 1880-88; Charles A. De Mun, 1888-90.
Sheriff.This office has been filled as follows:
Thomas L. Griffey (organizer), 1853; Hiram Nelson, 1854; George
W. Chamberlain, from 1854-55; Francis Chapell, 1855-58; George
L. Tackett, 1858-59; William H. Frame, 1859-61; F. J. Lambert,
1861-67; George W. Kingsnorth, 1867-71; John M. McDonald, 1871-79;
S. B. Jackson, 1879-81; Daniel McDonald, 1881-87; D. A. Magee,
1887-89; David P. Magner, 1889.
Superintendent of Schools.When this county was organized
the office of school superintendent had not yet been created.
All school matters were looked after by what was known as the
school fund commissioner, whose duties were untrammeled, apparently,
as he could loan the school fund to private parties, and do about
as he saw fit in all such matters.
The office was created in 1857-58, since which time the following
have served:
H. H. Chaffer, from 1858-61; Isaac T. Martin, 1861-65; J. E. Rockwood,
1865-67; Marshall Tingley, 1867-69; A. M. Hunt, 1869-71; Carrie
A. Bassett, 1871-73; A. R. Wright, 1873-77; S. Rogers, 1877-79;
N. E. Palmer, 1879-83; J. S. Shoup, 1883-87; N. E. Palmer, 1887-89;
J. S. Shoup, 1889.
County Surveyor.This office has been filled by George
W. Chamberlain, in 1854; George Murphy, in 1856; J. C. C. Hoskins,
from 1862-66; O. Plato (appointed), in 1866; S. W. Davis, from
1866-71; A. C. Hoskins, 1871-81; George W. Oberhotzer, 1881-83;
L. F. Wakefield, 1883-87; W. P. Whitten, 1887-89; John M. Lewis,
1889.
Cornoner.The office of coroner has had the following
incumbents: Eli Lee, from 1853-55; Samuel Ruth, 1855-58; Louis
D. La Tillier, 1858-61; Abel Smith, 1861-65; Leroy Snyder, 1865-67;
Oliver D. Fisher, 1867-69; G. W. Vanderhule, 1869-71; S. L. Orr,
1871-73; A. J. Weeks, 1873-74; J. J. Saville, 1874-75; W. O. Davis,
1875-83; H. B. Clingan, 1883-85; G. F. Watterman, 1885-87; R.
E. Carniff, 1887-89; William Jepson, 1889.
County Auditor.This office was created in 1868,
and the first auditor elected in 1869, when the office of county
judge was abolished.
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WOODBURY COUNTY.
It has been filled as follows; George W. Wakefield, 1869-73;
David W. Moffatt, 1873-77; M. L. Sloan, 1877-83; W. C. Hutchins,
188387; J. J. Jordan, 1887-91.
Clerk of the Courts.The following persons have served
in this: office in the years indicated: Joseph P. Babbitt, 1853-54;
R. E. Rowe and R. E. Knox, 1854-55; Theophile Bruguier and John
K. Myers, 1855-56; T. Elwood Clark, 1856-58; James N. Field, 185865;
F. J. Lambert, 1865-70; E. B. Spalding, 1870-76; James McKewon,
1876-78; E. B. Spalding, 1878-80; J. H. Bolton, 1880-88; R. E.
Sackett, 1888-90.
County Supervisors.Prior to January 7, 1861, there
were no boards of county supervisors. From that date to January,
1871, each civil township was represented by one member of such
a body; but since then, counties have been divided into supervisor
districts, and one officer is elected from each district annually
as a rule. The following have served as Woodbury county supervisors:
1861-Samuel Cameron (chairman), A. S. Bacon, John Householder,
Elijah Adams.
1862-Samuel Cameron (chairman), Luther Woodford, Elijah Adams,
A. S. Bacon.
1863-Samuel Cameron (chairman), A. S. Bacon, Elijah Adams, Luther
Woodford. . .
1864-Luther Woodford (chairman), Samuel Cameron, John S. Edwards,
A. B. Griffin.
1865-Luther Woodford (chairman), Thomas J. Kinkaid, W. O. Slyter,
A. S. Bacon.
1866-P. J. Kinkaid (chairman), Luther Woodford, W. O. Slyter,
A. S. Bacon.
1867-John W. Lewis, Luther Woodford, Nicholas Gambs, A. D. Graves.
1868-John W. Lewis, Luther Woodford, Rufus Beal, A. S. Bacon,
Morris Kellogg, Elijah Adams.
1869-Luther Woodford, Rufus Beal, M. Metcalf, P. Morris, A. S.
Bacon, F. W. Davis, John W. Grost.
1870-William B. Tredway, William P. Holman, William Mathers, Rufus
Beal, Eli Lee, F. W. Davis, L. Yokey, M. J. Rogers.
1871-John Galway, W. P. Holman, James S. Horton.
1872-John Galway, W. P. Holman, James S. Horton, Harvey Ingerson,
George Everts.
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HISTORY OF WOODBURY AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES.
1873-John Galway, J. S. Horton, George Everts, J. Y. Kennedy,
Harvey Ingerson.
1874-James S. Horton, George Everts, J. Y. Kennedy, J. L. Follett,
Henry Arnold.
1875-James S. Horton, James Y. Kennedy, J. S. Follett, Ed. Haakinson,
Norman Patterson.
1876-James S. Horton, J. Follett, Ed. Haakinson, Norman Patterson,
P. O. Eberley.
1877-P. O. Eberley, M. W. Murphy, L. M. Brown.
1878-M. W. Murphy, P. O. Eberley, L. M. Brown, J. J. Woods, W.
H. McClusky.
1879-M. W. Murphy, P. O. Eberley, W. H. McClusky, J. T. Woods.
1880-P. C. Eberley, W. H. McOlusky, D. T. Gilman, W. C. Cameron.
1881-P. O. Eberley, W. O. Cameron, D. T. Gilman, John Nairon,
A. J. Weeks.
1882-D. T. Gilman, John Nairon, A. J. Weeks, J. S. Horton.
1883-A. J. Weeks, E. R. Evans, M. L. Flinn.
1884-James S. Horton, M. L. Flinn, E. R. Evans.
1885-M. L. Flinn, E. R. Evans, D. P. Green, George Chase.
1886-D. P. Green, M. L. Sloan, J. B. Crawford.
1887-M. L. Sloan, M. L. Jones, J. B. Crawford
1888-M. L. Sloan, J. B. Crawford, D. P. Green, A. L. Wilkinson,
W. W. McElrath.
1889-M. L. Sloan, J. B. Crawford, D. P. Green, A. L. Wilkinson,
W. W. McElrath.
1890- W. W. McElrath, F. O. Thursting, Walter Strange, W. H. Adams,
J. O. Jerman.
County Attorney.This office was created by an act
of the legislature that convened in the winter of 1885-86, and
the first to be elected as county attorney in and for Woodbury
county, was S. M. Marsh, who served one term, two years, and was
succeeded January 1, 1889, by Thomas F. Bevington. Prior to the
existence of ths office, the board of supervisors for the several
counties engaged the services, from year to year, of some resident
attorney to look after the legal business of the county, while
each judicial district had one district attorney who looked after
the state's interest, making all the criminal
S.
T. Davis
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WOODBURY COUNTY.
prosecutions, etc. This work now devolves upon the county attorney,
who draws a salary according to the population of the county.
Special Elections.April 2, 1855, the state of Iowa
took a vote, by counties, relative to the prohibition of the sale
of intoxicating liquors. Upon the canvass of the vote in Woodbury
county, the returns showed that thirteen were in favor of prohibition
and eighteen as being opposed to it.
Again, June 27, 1882, the people of Iowa had submitted to them
the question of making it illegal to make, sell, or keep for sale,
any intoxicating liquor, including ale, wine and beer. It was
proposed to make this prohibitory measure a part of the constitution.
It was carried in the state by nearly thirty thousand majority,
but became a dead letter by reason of the gross neglect of an
enrolling clerk; but the following assembly enacted a statutory
law, prohibiting the sale of all liquors contemplated in the amendment
voted upon. The vote in Woodbury county stood 1,163 for, and 1,220
against the amendment.
At a special election held in Woodbury county, February 11, 1867,
upon the question of donating the "swamp lands" of the
county to the Sioux City & Pacific railroad, the vote stood
289 for, and 169 against the proposition.
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