1874 A. B. Hull, mayor; H. J. Harvey, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; E. S. Hill, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; A. D. Collier, city attorney. Aldermen, F. J. Upton, C. C. Cook, C. H. Clark, W. S. Bradley, M. P. Mills, J. H. Smith, E. L. Mansfield, C. H. Clark, George A. Lincoln, S. T. Wier.
1875 J. H. Smith, mayor; I. N. Whittam, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; Hiel Hale, chief engineer; A. G. Plum, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; F. C. Hormel, city attorney. Aldermen, R. Cornish, A. T. Averill, U. C. Blake, G. A. Lincoln, M. P. Mills, W. S. Bradley, S. T. Wier, C. H. Clark, F. J. Upton, E. L. Mansfield.
1876 J. H. Smith, mayor; I. N. Whittam, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; George A. Lincoln, chief engineer; A. G. Plum, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; F. C. Hormel, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, U. C. Blake, E. K. Larimer. W. S. Bradley, A. Mann, O. C. L. Jones, S. T. Wier, M. P. Mills, R. Cornish, D. H. Richards.
1877 W. S. Bradley, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; A. G. Plumb, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; F. C. Hormel, city attorney. Aldermen, C. Magnus, E. K. Larimer, A. R. Foote, U. C. Blake, O. C. L. Jones, D. H. Richards, J. J. Snouffer, D. T. Brown, A. Mann, Frank Witousek, D. B. Ramsdell, Samuel Miller.
1878 J. T. Hamilton, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; George A. Lincoln, recorder; H. C. Morehead, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, C. Magnus, D. T. Brown, W. W. Smith, U. C. Blake, A. R. Foote, O. C. L. Jones, H. G. Bowman, E. R. Earl, Frank Witousek, James Morton, E. L. Mansfield.
1879 O. N. Hull, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, John Meehan, W. W. Smith, E. R. Earl, John Gates, John Dale, James Morton, A. Van Vleck, L. E. Jenkins, H. G. Bowman, J. J. Snouffer, O. C. L. Jones, E. L. Mansfield.
1880 J. H. Smith, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; C. J. Deacon, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John Gates, John Dale, P. Mullaly, A. Van Vleck, L. E. Jenkins, William Stewart, James Morton, E. R. Earl, John Meehan, E. L. Mansfield, W. A. Fulkerson.
1881 J. H. Smith, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; C. J. Deacon, city attorney. Aldermen, John Meehan, William Stewart, E. R. Earl, John Gates, J. M. Searles, E. L. Mansfield, J. R. Morin, M. P. Mills, James Morton, J. J. Snouffer, A. St. Clair Smith, W. A. Fulkerson.
1882 Charles A. Clark, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; G. H. Murphy, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; J. J. Powell, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John Gates, J. M. Searles, P. Martel, J. R. Morin, M. P. Mills, A. Van Vleck, T. M. Giberson, E. R. Earl, John Meehan, C. D. Van Vechten, W. A. Fulkerson.
1883 John W. Henderson, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; J. J. Powell, city attorney. Aldermen, John Meehan, P. Martel, M. P. Mills, John Gates, A. Van Vleck, James Fair, Frank Kouba, J. M. Searles, T. M. Giberson, J. J. Snouffer, C. D. Van Vechten, W. A. Fulkerson.
1884 C. W. Eaton, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John Gates, W. A. Fulkerson, G. M. Olmsted, Frank Kouba, J. M. Searles, A. Van Vleck, T. M. Giberson, M. P. Mills, John Meehan, C. D. Van Vechten, C. B. Kennedy.
1885 F. C. Hormel, mayor; J. T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; Michael Healy, marshal; A. R. West, city attorney. Aldermen, H. T. Brown, G. M. Olmsted, C. F. Earl, Joseph Moore, John Gates, A. Van Vleck, T. M. Giberson, A. H. Connor, J. W. Shapely, J. R. Morin, A. J. Mallahan, W. A. Fulkerson, A. D. Stevens, E. I. Foster, J. J. Snouffer, M. P. Mills, C. D. Van Vechten, J. F. Vondracek.
1886 C. W. Eaton, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; M. P. Smith, city attorney. Aldermen, H. T. Brown, J. R. Morin, C. F. Earl, Joseph Moore, George W. Bever, J. M. Miles, R. J. Thompson, J. F. Vondracek, A. D. Stevens, John Gates, A. J. Mallahan, M. P. Mills, J. W. Shapely, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. F. Sutliff, C. D. Van Vechten, A. H. Connor.
1887 C. W. Eaton, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, George W. Bever, J. M. Miles, R. J. Thompson, J. F. Vondracek, Frank Horak, George A. Lincoln, W. A. Fulkerson, A. Matyk, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. F. Sutliff, M. P. Mills, A. H. Connor, E. I. Foster, John Gates, William King, C. D. Van Vechten, W. C. Byers.
1888 P. Mullaly, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, Frank Horak, George A. Lincoln, M. P. Mills, A. Matyk, C. Magnus, J. F. Allison, F. W. Harwood, Edward Roddy, E. I. Foster, John Gates, William King, W. A. Fulkerson, W. C. Byers, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. V. Ferguson, R. J. Thompson, J. E. Lapham.
1889 P. Mullaly, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney; G. A. Mitchell, city engineer. Aldermen, C. Magnus, J. F. Allison, F. W. Harwood, Edward Roddy, J. J. Snouffer, George A. Lincoln, George W. Noble, F. W. Slapnicka, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. V. Ferguson, R. J. Thompson, J. E. Lapham, F. A. Simmons, Warren Harman, F. J. Shefler, M. Ottmar, W. C. Byers.
1890 J. J. Snouffer, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; J. W. Hayes, marshal; N. W. McIvor, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, M. O'Brien, W. Harman, A. St. Clair Smith, G. A. Lincoln, George W. Noble, F. W. Slapnicka, J. F. Allison, J. B. Henderson, Joseph Zbanek, F. A. Simmons, F. J. Shefler, M. Ottmar, W. C. Byers, J. A. Roach, T. C. Munger, A. B. Van Albada, Frank Dietz.
1891 John B. Henderson, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; J. W. Hayes, marshal; N. W. McIvor, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Aldermen, M. O'Brien, J. F. Allison, P. H. Francis, J. Zbanek, J. J. Snouffer, George W. Noble, F. A. Simmons, F. W. Slapnicka, J. R. Amidon, T. C. Munger, M. Ottmar, Frank Dietz, A. St. Clair Smith, F. J. Shefler, A. B. Van Albada, G. H. Spalding.
1892 John B. Henderson, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; J. D. Blain, recorder; A. W. West, marshal; N. W. McIvor, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, George W. Noble, F. A. Simmons, F. W. Slapnicka, M. O'Brien, Warren Harman, M. S. Jackson, J. Zbanek, J. R. Amidon, F. J. Shefler, M. Ottmar, A. F. Schindler, A. St. Clair Smith, Ed R. Shaw, L. W. Richards, J. B. Leverich.
1893 William P. Daniels, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; J. D. Blain, recorder; A. R. West, marshal; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; Lewis Heins, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer; board of public works, J. L. Hardwick, chairman, C. H. Swab, W. P. Clark. Aldermen, M. O'Brien, Charles Bednar, F. H. Juckett, S. J. Maloney, J. Kozlovsky, D. F. Anderson, J. W. Gerber, F. S. Salda, F. W. Harwood, Ed. R. Shaw, L. W. Richards, J. B. Leverich, A. St. Clair Smith, J. F. Shefler, L. J. Zika, A. F. Schindler.
1894 William P. Daniels, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Farmer, marshal; Lewis Heins, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Board of public works, Hosmer Tuttle, chairman. Aldermen, Joseph Kozlovsky, D. F. Anderson, J. W. Gerber, F. S. Salda, G. M. Schumm, George Eakle, F. H. Juckett, S. J. Maloney, F. W. Harwood, F. J. Shefler, L. J. Zika, A. F. Schindler, Charles Weare, S. L. Rudolph, W. A. Smith, J. B. Leverich.
1895 George A. Lincoln, mayor; T. M. Giberson, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; Thomas Farmer, marshal; J. D. Blain, recorder and assessor; William McGowan, chief engineer; Warren Harman, city attorney; E. P. Boynton, city engineer. Board of public works, Charles Weare, chairman. Aldermen, G. M. Schumm, George Yuill, John B. Turner, S. J. Maloney, Ed H. Smith, George Eakle, J. W. Gerber, Joseph Kubicek, F. W. Harwood, V. W. Johnson, James Monilaw, C. F. Hutchens, Charles Weare, S. L. Rudolph, W. A. Smith, J. B. Leverich.
1896 George A. Lincoln, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; William McGowan, Jr., chief engineer; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Farmer, marshal; Warren Harman, city attorney; E. P. Boynton, city engineer. Board of public works, Charles Weare, chairman. Aldermen, Ed H. Smith, George Yuill, W. G. Haskell, S. J. Maloney, W. G. Dows, George W. Eakle, John B. Turner, Joseph Kubicek, F. W. Harwood, V. W. Johnson, James Monilaw, Henry J. Rapps, C. W. Burton, David W. King, Joseph Pitlik, C. F. Hutchens.
1897 George A. Lincoln, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; Thomas Farmer, marshal; J. D. Blain, recorder; J. L. Starman, chief engineer; W. Harman, city attorney; E. P. Boynton, city engineer. Board of public works, Charles Weare, chairman. Aldermen, W. G. Dows, George W. Eakle, W. G. Haskell, John Juza, R. N. Buck, R. D. Mills, Joseph Pitlik, S. J. Maloney, F. W. Harwood, David W. King, J. Y. Kennedy, J. B. Leverich, C. W. Burton, V. W. Johnson, J. H. Rothrock, Jr., Henry J. Rapps.
1898 John M. Redmond, mayor; T. M. Giberson, judge superior court; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; John L. Starman, chief of fire department; John N. Hughes, city attorney; G. H. Merridith, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, M. Ottmar, R. N. Buck, George T. Hedges, R. A. Wallace, Charles D. Huston, W. G. Haskell, Joseph Pitlik, F. W. Slapnicka, L. M. Rich.
1899 John M. Redmond, mayor; T. M. Giberson, judge superior court; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; Henry J. Achter, auditor; John N. Hughes, city attorney; G. H. Merridith, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, M. Ottmar, R. N. Buck, George T. Hedges, R. A. Wallace, Charles D. Huston, W. G. Haskell, J. P. Grissel, F. W. Slapnicka, L. M. Rich.
1900 John M. Redmond, mayor; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; Henry J. Achter, auditor; John N. Hughes, city attorney; G. H. Merridith, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, M. Ottmar, R. N. Buck, George T. Hedges, R. A. Wallace, Charles D. Huston, W. G. Haskell, J. P. Grissel, F. W. Slapnicka, L. M. Rich.
1901 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph P. Cook, chief of fire department; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, H. Cushman, James H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, F. E. Cerny, C. H. Chandler, Porter Hamilton, John Easker, F. W. Slapnicka, John F. Powers.
1902 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, H. Cushman, James H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, F. E. Cerny, C. H. Chandler, Porter Hamilton, John Easker, F. W. Slapnicka.
1903 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer. Aldermen, H. Cushman, C. O. Johnson, James H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, D. Feiereisen, John F. Powers.
1904 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court. Aldermen, H. Cushman, C. O. Johnson, J. H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, D. Feiereisen, J. F. Powers.
1905 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; H. S. Keffer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court. Aldermen, H. Cushman, C. O. Johnson, J. H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, D. Feiereisen, J. F. Powers.
1906-7 Amos H. Connor, mayor; James B. Gourley, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; H. S. Keffer, recorder; J. G. Crozer, marshal; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; James W. Good, city attorney; T. R. Warriner, city engineer. Aldermen, James H. Hughes, W. G. Rowley, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, J. K. Starman, D. Feiereisen, L. W. Anderson, Charles H. Campbell.
Mayor Connor died while in office and George S. Lightner was chosen for the unexpired term.
The city went under the commission plan of government in 1908, the officers being as follows: J. T. Carmody, mayor; Leslie J. Storey, clerk; C. D. Huston, H. S. Keffer, Matt J. Miles, and E. A. Sherman, councilmen; John M. Redmond, attorney; Percy P. Smith, engineer.
Mayor Carmody having died, Matt J. Miles was chosen mayor and J. F. Allison councilman to succeed him.
1910 Matt J. Miles, mayor; Leslie J. Storey, clerk; W. H. Chamberlain, attorney; T. F. McCauley, engineer; H. S. Keffer, W. H. Stepanek, Henry Bennett, and Percy P. Smith, councilmen.
H. S. Keffer later resigned, and A. S. Reed was chosen to fill the vacancy.
The following interesting account of early Cedar Rapids is taken from Voice of Iowa for April, 1857, edited by James L. Enos. The article was written by Mr. Enos himself:
"What constitutes the present city of Cedar Rapids, is embraced mainly by sections 21, 22, 27 and 28, in T. 83 N., R. 7 W., in the township of Rapids in Linn county. The location is one of the most delightful to be found in any of the rich valleys of the west, being on the northeast side of the Cedar river, on a plain rising above the river's bed, and reaching back nearly half a mile, with but very slight depressions or uprisings, serving to render the plat one of great convenience for building, and giving a peculiar grace to its appearance.
"In the rear of this table-land a somewhat abrupt elevation, varying from 20 to 40 feet, occurs, which is covered with a luxuriant growth of native oak. Upon this are the most beautiful and romantic sites for residences, being sufficiently elevated to overlook the entire valley for miles in either direction. Back of this the depressions and elevations alternate, making this portion of the city a series of circular, undulating swells.
"The city proper also extends on the west side of the river and embraces numerous other positions which are being occupied with rapidity and improved with taste, and though not embraced within the present city limits, forms of necessity a part of the Valley City.
"Cedar Rapids is situated due west of Chicago, the present emporium of the west, and is the present terminus of the principal trunk railroad from that city penetrating the heart of the northwest. It is 75 miles southwest from Dubuque, 80 miles nearly west from Clinton, about the same distance from Davenport, 55 miles from Muscatine, and about 110 from Des Moines—the capital of Iowa.
"Few interior cities are blessed with more natural advantages than Cedar Rapids. The rapids in the Cedar river are the first met with after leaving the Mississippi, and no more occur of any considerable amount for many miles above. These afford one of the best water powers in the west, and with proper dams would afford power sufficient to run all machinery that will ever be required on either side of the river, even though our population should reach fifty thousand. Surrounding the town for miles is one of the richest agricultural districts in the Union, forming a part of the Cedar valley country which Professor Owen has taken as his type of perfection in fertility. There is a plentiful supply of timber for all ordinary uses—numerous groves are scattered upon the surrounding hills—giving the appearance of an enchanted garden—probably unsurpassed in richness by any region of equal extent on the American continent.
"Its position in reference to other towns and cities is such as must of necessity make it a great railroad center, and several are already projected, and one under contract to this city. We shall speak more fully of this class of advantages in another portion of this article.
"In point of healthfulness, it will compare favorably with any of the river towns, the diseases being chiefly of a bilious nature, and yielding readily to very simple treatment. This fact applies with very general truth to all the valleys of Iowa—while the more elevated districts are more free from malaria, they are subject to a disease of a more complex and serious character. This may seem fabulous to the casual observer, but we feel assured that the combined experience of western practitioners will bear testimony to the correctness of our statements.
"There is always more or less of interest connected with the early days of any city, and it is not until years after that the record becomes of value. The pioneer suffers privations and trials of which future occupants can realize but little. In fact, the honor paid them is seldom equal to their merits and oftentimes they are as illy prepared to receive as others are to bestow sympathy and praise. Among the first settlers of this city were some men of the first character, and are yet with us, while others have moved farther on, to enjoy what habit has taught them to love, a frontier life, and a few have gone down to the gate of common entry, their years being full and their memories yet linger, and make us glad that we lived with, knew and loved them. Of this number we name that generous and true man, D. W. King. Esq., who departed from our midst in the autumn of 1854.
"The first man, however, who pitched his tent on the ground now occupied by the Valley City, was a counterfeiter and horse thief, of no little notoriety, by the name of Shepard, who took up his abode and erected a log house on what is now Linn street, near the mills, some time in the year 1838.
"D. W. King and Thomas Gainer, the first settlers of any advantage to the country, reached here in 1839 and soon after made a permanent settlement on the west side of the river.
"The house of Shepard was soon found to be the home of a lawless band of outlaws, who secreted much of their plunder on the islands in the river above the city. John Young and a man named Granger were connected with Shepard in their work. They stole at one time six horses and made good their escape with four of them. Granger was afterwards convicted of passing counterfeit money in Chicago and sentenced to the Alton prison for four years. The fate of Young is not known with certainty, yet there is evidence to induce the belief that he was executed for murder, in a neighboring state, though he assumed a different name.
"The privations of the first settlers were at times very great, and though such as are not uncommon in the history of pioneer life, would cause many of our amateurs at the present time to sigh for the home of their childhood and a place at the luxurious tables of their fathers.
"In 1849 D. W. King established ferries for crossing the Cedar, and continued to run them up to the time of his death. The one doing most of the business was at the Iowa avenue crossing. As it is probable that these boats will soon, if indeed they have not already made their last voyage, a brief note of them may not be out of place in this connection. They were self-propellers, being forced across the river by the power of the current. A wire rope extended across the stream upon which a pulley was placed, and connected by means of two ropes to the boat.
"The first dam across the Cedar was commenced in 1842, and the first saw mill erected in 1843, and is still running.
"In March, 1843, the lands came into the market. The first flouring mill was erected in 1844-5 at a cost of $3,000, by the present owner. In 1845 A. Ely erected the second saw mill, and the second flouring mill the following year, the latter costing about $9,000. In 1848-9 the woolen factory was erected at a cost of about $8,000. The first saw mill was erected in 1850 by Greene, Legare & Co. This has a chair and bedstead factory connected and cost about $4,000. These are all propelled by water power. In 1855-6, Greene & Graves erected a steam saw mill, and containing also a variety of other machinery. The first and only mill erected on the west side of the river went into operation in the summer of 1856. The first steam engine was stationed in this city by A. Hager, in his machine shop, sash, blind, and door factory in 1855. The second by Greene & Graves, and the third by S. L. Pollock.
"The first store was opened by J. Greene, in the building now occupied by the postoffice, on the northwest corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street.
"The second store was opened by Mr. Cleveland, and C. R. Mulford the third. This was located on Commercial street, and was destroyed by fire in 1850, being the first building thus destroyed in Cedar Rapids. No fire occurred thereafter until late in the autumn of 1855, when most of the block embraced on the west side of Commercial street, between Iowa avenue and Linn street, was consumed. No fire has occurred since.
"The postoffice was established in 1847, and J. Greene appointed postmaster.
"The first brick buildings were erected in 1844, the building on the southwest corner of Iowa avenue and Commercial street, and the dwelling house on the northwest corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street. The present Union House was the first hotel.
"The village of Cedar Rapids was laid out and the plat recorded in 1842. At this time, two log buildings constituted the village, and the total population was six persons.
"A public school house was erected in 1846 or '47, and the first school taught by Nelson Felch. This structure is now occupied as a dwelling, on the northwest corner of Eagle and Madison streets. The first church, Presbyterian, was erected in 1850.
"The first newspaper was published in 1851 by D. O. Finch, entitled the Progressive Era. It was continued under this name by various owners and editors until September, 1854, when it was purchased by J. L. Enos and F. A. Wilmans, and its name changed to the Cedar Valley Times by which name it yet flourishes. In politics republican, it is at present published by J. G. Davenport. The second paper was established in January, 1856, under the editorial management of J. L. Enos, entitled the Cedar Valley Farmer, but was discontinued at the close of the first volume. The Cedar Rapids Democrat was the third paper—commenced in June, 1856, by W. W. Perkins & Co. This is still published. Democratic in politics, the Times and the Democrat are both good papers, and appear to be well sustained.
"The Voice of Iowa was commenced in January, 1857, under the auspices of the Iowa Teachers' Association, Phonetic Association, etc., J. L. Enos, editor and publishing agent, assisted by a number of corresponding editors. This journal has met with more than ordinary success, the circulation passing 1,000 during the first three months and commanding nearly $1,000 in advertising patronage, thus showing that the people of Iowa are aroused to the importance of paying due attention to the education of their youth.
"The foundation for a very large graded school was laid in the summer of 1856, but owing to the large amount of work contracted and the scarcity of workmen, the completion was of necessity deferred. It is designed to complete it early the coming summer, and when finished will form one of the finest educational structures in the state.
"During the past two years the growth of Valley City has been equaled by few towns even in the west. It now contains many blocks that would do credit to any eastern city.
"The present city charter was adopted in the summer of 1856, and Isaac Whittam, Esq., was elected mayor. A free bridge across the Cedar was commenced in 1855, and is now ready for crossing by teams. The chief credit of this structure is due to a few, though many stood manfully by the free bridge and aided liberally in its erection. A charter for a toll bridge was obtained about the time that the free bridge charter was procured, which gave rise to a warm controversy in which much interest was manifest. The free bridge finally triumphed, and its noble arches now span the Cedar with every appearance of remaining for many years a proud monument to the energy and liberality of those who aided in placing it there. We have already intimated that Cedar Rapids is the center of a very large and increasing trade, and though not destined to become a city of the first magnitude, is destined to rank as one of the principal interior cities of Iowa. Its railroad connections—immense water power—the fertility of the surrounding country and the energy of its people will give it rank and importance as a manufacturing city, worthy of note.
"Nor is this imaginary, as the following statistics will show. Cedar Rapids now contains: 4 flouring mills, 2 door, sash and blind, and planing mills, 1 cooper and barrel factory, 5 wagon and carriage factories, 1 iron factory, 2 cabinet furniture and chair factories, 3 plow factories, 3 boot and shoe factories, 2 saddle and harness manufactories, 4 tin, copper and sheet iron establishments, 1 woolen factory, 5 brick yards, 2 agricultural implement manufactories, 3 merchant tailor establishments, 2 wood turning establishments, 3 newspapers and magazines, 1 brick machine factory, 8 grocery and provision stores, 5 clothing stores, 5 dry-goods stores, 1 millinery and fancy goods store, 6 liquor and cigar shops, 4 drug stores, 2 silversmith, clock and jewelry stores, 4 hardware stores, 3 book stores, 1 book bindery, 5 public and private halls, 5 hotels, 4 churches, 4 lumber yards, 3 banking houses, 1 public reading room, 1 shaving and hair dressing establishment.
"A paper mill is in contemplation, and there is room and excellent openings for other branches of business.
"A hat and cap manufactory—pork packing establishment—in fact nearly every branch of manufactory not included in the above would do well. There are two nurseries contiguous to town, where nearly every kind of fruit and a large variety of ornamental trees can be procured. The Mound nursery is one of the oldest and most extensive in the country, and the proprietor furnishes orders on very liberal terms."
The following letter to A. T. Hall, as to a gavel, at the meeting of carpenters of America at Des Moines, 1910, gives some interesting facts as to early days in Cedar Rapids:
"Dear Sir: In reply to your request for such information as I have concerning the small mallet or gavel which you had made from a piece of the red cedar shaft, I can only say that there is but little to its history. My father, the late Nicholas Brodhead Brown, came to what is now the city of Cedar Rapids in 1839, but did not remain here at that time. He went as far north as Cedar Falls looking for a mill site, and returned to this location in 1840. After building the first manufacturing plant in Linn county for the Doty brothers, a saw mill in Bertram township, located near the mouth of Indian creek, he began in 1841 to improve the waterfall in the Cedar river at this place. He first built a temporary dam then built a saw mill, the second to be built in the county, for himself. He then began the building of the first flour mill in the county. This mill was completed and in operation either in 1843 or 1844, and from this mill came the cedar shaft from which the little mallet or gavel was made. There is no doubt in my mind about the cedar tree from which the mallet was made was cut very close to, and perhaps within the present limits of Cedar Rapids. Nicholas Brodhead Brown was in all probability the first mechanic who used edged tools, to locate in Cedar Rapids. Nor is there any doubt in my mind about his making the shaft above spoken of. It was the real shaft in the old bolting chest in the mill known as Brown's Mill. Mr. Brown by occupation was a millwright and through force of circumstances worked at that trade for some twelve or fifteen years after his arrival here. He especially did all of the millwrighting that he could do himself on this mill, working twelve and fourteen hours a day for the purpose of getting it into operation as soon as possible, as not only he himself needed its income but the country all about this locality needed a mill.
"Another of the early mechanics to come to Cedar Rapids was Samuel Sherwood, also a millwright. He worked for a time on Brown's flour mill, and on the Alexander Ely flour mill, now known as the Anchor mill. This was the second mill to begin operation in Cedar Rapids. The Ely mill began operating the same year as the Brown's, but later on in the year. Another of the old-time mechanics, a user of edged tools, was Joseph Love. He was the first cabinet-maker to locate in Cedar Rapids. Another was John Vardy; he was the second cabinet-maker to locate in Cedar Rapids, and was the builder of the first house in Cedar Rapids to be constructed of sawed lumber. The house still stands—is in use and owned by the Stary family. John F. Boyce, the father of William and Frank Boyce of this city, was another early mechanic. He also was a cabinet-maker. John Patterson, an uncle of Chas. A. Calder of this city, was another. He also was a cabinet-maker. All of these men worked to a greater or less extent at the carpenter's trade. In those days there were no trade unions and consequently no limitations on the kind of work a mechanic should do. To my mind these men could be classed as carpenters as well as millwrights and cabinet-makers. I should have said that Samuel Sherwood went to Independence from this city and became the founder of the milling industry at that thriving little place. I have diverged largely from the gavel, but believe it will be interesting to yourself and your fraternity to know who the first users of edged tools were in this part of Iowa.
Respectfully yours,
T. DEVENDORF IN THE SUNDAY REPUBLICAN OF JUNE 10, 1906
The population of the city in 1856 was not to exceed 1,200 to 1,500 people. There was little wealth in the community. No manufacturing enterprises had as yet located here. The principal dependence of the people was in the farming community and the bountiful harvests that Iowa never fails to produce.
The one great desire and ambition of the people was for a railroad to the east on which they could transport their surplus product to an eastern market. Railroad building had not been very extensive in the west, the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska had its track built as far west as the Mississippi river and was formulating plans to bridge the river and extend the road across the fertile prairies of Iowa. Some of our pioneer citizens with shrewd business instincts and confidence in the rapid settlement and development of the state, on the completion of the railroad, became interested in this new project and advocated the granting of a loan to them provided the road should be built to or through our growing city. The subject of giving aid to this new proposed railroad was discussed largely among the people, and on the 1st day of September, 1856, the city council passed a resolution instructing the mayor to call an election of the qualified voters of Cedar Rapids to vote on the question, shall the city in its corporate capacity subscribe sixty thousand dollars to the capital stock of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska railroad and pay for same in bonds issued by the city. Said bonds were to bear interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum, and were to mature 20 years after date at the option of the city. The election was called by Mayor Isaac Whittam and held September 22, 1856, and resulted in the very decisive vote of 111 for the proposition and only 2 against it.
These bonds were to be issued in series as the work on the new road progressed, fifteen thousand dollars worth when the contract was let for building the road from De Witt to Cedar Rapids; the second series of fifteen thousand dollars worth when the first five miles of grading were completed in Linn county; and the balance of thirty thousand dollars worth when the grading was finished into the city of Cedar Rapids and the road in operation and cars running as far west as Mt. Vernon.
On the 20th of February, 1857, Mayor Whittam in a report to the city council made a statement that he, as representative of the city, had attended the meeting of the stockholders of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska, held on the 25th day of January, 1857, at Clinton and at that time had passed over to the railroad company the fifteen bonds of one thousand dollars each, to which they were entitled, they giving the required stock certificates for same as per agreement. The railroad company also entered into a contract with the city in which they agreed to pay interest on said bonds and all others to be issued to the railroad until such time as the road should be finished and the cars running into the city of Cedar Rapids.
The mayor also complimented the men in charge of the affairs of the road as men of means, honor, and energy, and finished his report by predicting that when the road was completed it would be of great benefit and advantage to our young but growing city. But notwithstanding the financial aid and the general encouragement given by the people the road advanced westward slowly and while the grading had been nearly completed there were many other things necessary to build a railroad and which could only be had by having the ready money with which to buy such supplies. In June, 1857, another petition was presented to the city council asking that the mayor call an election of the legal voters of the city to vote on the question, shall the city issue its bonds to the amount of forty thousand dollars to aid in purchasing the iron rails to complete the road to Cedar Rapids, the city to be a subscriber to the capital stock of the road to that amount. On July 10, 1857, the mayor called the election to vote on the proposition, shall the city in its corporate capacity issue its bonds for forty thousand dollars, the money to be used to procure iron rails and for no other purpose. The election was held on July 20, 1857, and resulted as follows: For the proposition, 104 votes; against 25 votes.
These bonds were to be issued in series and were to be paid one-quarter in 13 years, one-quarter in 14 years, one-quarter in 15 years, and the balance in 16 years from date.
Some time after these bonds were issued and turned over to the railroad company some legal point was raised touching their validity, and this together with the fact that the financial standing of the railroad company in the east among the iron manufacturers was not first class, made it necessary that some other plan should be adopted to procure the iron rails to build the road to Cedar Rapids. Heretofore they had found it practicable to survey and locate and grade a road and pay for the same in farm products, dry goods and groceries, etc. But when it came to buying iron from the manufacturers it required the cash or a suitable collateral. But our people were ready to meet this unforeseen emergency. Six of our early and more wealthy citizens made notes of $8,000.00 each, each note being signed by each of the other gentlemen, making a joint note of each one and together amounting to the $48,000.00. These notes were to be used as collateral and to strengthen up their credit, so that the iron rails could be bought and the road completed to this city. This was purely accommodation paper and the road contracted that the interest and principal of these notes should be paid by the railroad company from the first net earnings of the company, but in the early years of the road there were no net earnings. It was only by the most economical management that the operating expenses could be met, and several years elapsed before these notes given to aid the railroad were fully paid. The gentlemen aiding in the early construction of the first railroad to Cedar Rapids were Gabriel Carpenter, George Greene, Sampson C. Bever, J. J. Snouffer, and two others whose names are not remembered.
After the railroad was completed and in operation to this place little was said in regard to these city bonds. In the proceedings of the city council June 13, 1860, a resolution was passed authorizing E. H. Steadman, the mayor of the city, to represent the city at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the C., I. & N. Ry., which was to be held in Clinton at a later date.
On January 25, 1861, a committee was appointed consisting of the mayor, I. N. Whittam, and Alderman G. Livensbarger who were to examine into the legal condition of the city in relation to the $100,000.00 worth of city bonds already issued for railroad purposes. What this investigating committee did, and what their conclusions were, are not matters of record. Nothing more is said in any of the proceedings of the city council in regard to this matter until May 8, 1863, when it appears from the preamble of a resolution introduced that the railroad company was calling upon the city authorities to comply with the terms of the contract entered into when the bonds were issued, which was that the city should pay the interest on such bonds after the completion of the road to this place.
The road had been finished and in operation some two years and still no interest had been paid and the city made no efforts to collect any sum for such purpose. At the meeting of the council May 8, 1863, a resolution was introduced asking that a committee be appointed to investigate and report on the recorded facts bearing upon this matter of railroad bonds from its inception to this date. Aldermen McClelland, Denlinger and Slonaker were desirous of having light on the subject and voted for an investigation, but Aldermen Bever, Carroll and Stibbs voted in the negative, and this being a tie vote it was decided by the mayor, who also voted in the negative.
At the council meeting held June 11, 1864, another committee to investigate was appointed who was authorized to procure legal advice in regard to the liability of the city and also meet and confer with the officers of the railroad company, and this committee consisting of Aldermen McClelland and E. H. Steadman reported back to the council that they had procured legal advice in the matter and from all data and facts collected their attorney was of the opinion that the railroad company had no legal claims against the city and that the bonds were illegal and void.
In October of 1864 the same subject came up in the city council and a committee of three consisting of S. C. Bever, H. C. Angle and John Weare were appointed to confer with the railroad company and get the best terms of settlement they could, either by taking reissued stock in payment or a certain amount of money yearly in full settlement. This committee were prompt in their investigations and reported back to the council November 4, 1864. Their report was that they had a conference with the railroad company and the best compromise they could obtain was this:
First. That the city surrender to the company all its claims to stock in said road.
Second. The railroad company would then return to the city $90,000.00 worth of the city bonds already issued together with all coupons on the balance, leaving in the hands of the company $10,000.00 worth with all coupons cut off to date. This surrendering of bonds to in no way affect the legality of the bonds retained, the legal points to be settled later.
At the meeting of the council Alderman Bever introduced a resolution covering all the points made in the report of the committee that the city surrender the stock and that the railroad company return the $90,000.00 worth of bonds, leaving outstanding and in the hands of the railroad company $10,000.00 worth of city bonds.
On the yeas and nays being called the following aldermen voted yea: Bever, Denlinger, Holland and Slonaker, and in the negative, Alderman McClelland, and the resolution was declared adopted.
Alderman McClelland then at once offered his resignation as alderman from the Third ward and his resignation was as promptly accepted and Wm. Richmond elected as his successor.
Nothing more appears in the records of the city council bearing on this question of railroad bonds until June 29, 1866, when Alderman Adams of the Third ward introduced a resolution that a committee of one consisting of Alderman Snouffer be appointed to confer and negotiate with Horace Williams, agent of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska railroad, for the surrender of the outstanding bonds, and he was authorized to release and exonerate the railroad company from performing certain acts they had previously agreed to do. One was the grading of Jefferson street and another was the grading of the North city park and the building a fence of oak posts around said park, both of which they had failed to do. These agreements of the railroad company the city would relinquish, provided the railroad company would return the balance of the city bonds in their hands, amounting to $10,000.00.
It is presumed that Alderman Snouffer failed to make these negotiations with Horace Williams as instructed by the city council, at least there is nothing in the records to show that this committee of one ever made any report on this subject to the city council.
At the meeting of the city council held May 15, 1868, another committee was appointed to investigate and try to induce the railroad company to relinquish and return these outstanding city bonds and it is fair to presume that the committee accomplished something in that direction as at a subsequent meeting held June 26, 1868, Alderman Leach moved that the city treasurer be authorized to receive the city bonds now in the possession of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad and receipt for same. This is the last record to be found in the proceedings of the city council bearing on this subject of city bonds.
Going back to the time the railroad was built into Cedar Rapids it will be remembered that little value was placed on the stock. People subscribed for the stock and paid their subscriptions as called for more to encourage the building of the road than for an investment. Nearly every citizen had some few shares of the stock. They had all done their share in getting the road here according to each one's means and financial ability, and held their stock in the road. It was then that men of means with confidence in the rapid growth and advancement of this great state of Iowa began in a private way gathering up this stock of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska R. R., buying up from the small holders their stock at prices from 25 to 35 cents on the dollar of the par value and in a few years the small holders had parted with their holdings and in 1865 there was little or no stock of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska R. R. to be had and in the latter part of that year the road was merged into the Chicago & Northwestern system. At what price per share the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska went into the Northwestern is not positively known, but it is generally supposed that one share of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska R. R. was good for about three shares of the new consolidated Chicago & Northwestern.
Charles Weare used to say that there was a brick building on the Y. M. C. A. corner which was torn down many years ago, and which was supposed to be one of the first brick buildings in Cedar Rapids; it was occupied by Ingham Wood as a store building. Porter Earle erected one of the first, if not the first, brick building at the corner of First avenue and Second street where the Union Block is now standing, which was one of the most commodious buildings of its kind in the city for many years. The Michael Bryan family erected one of the first dwelling houses of brick about where N. E. Brown's home now stands in 1849 or 1850, and for many years it was one of the best equipped houses in the city and the west. This house had an open fire place in every room, and consisted of eight rooms. The house was built according to the southern style of architecture. Another member of the Bryan family erected a stone and cement house about the same time at the corner of Third avenue and Second street, which building was later occupied by the family of William Greene.
D. M. McIntosh erected a one-story brick building near the present library in 1850 or 1851, which building is still standing. About the same time the father of James Snyder erected a brick dwelling which stood on South Third street near where the Vardy cottage is located. Greene's Hotel on First street was a brick structure erected between 1854 and 1855; it had an eighty feet front and ran back toward the river about eighty feet. The picture of this building shows that it was a four-story structure, although many claim that it was only a three-story building. This buildup was erected by J. J. Snouffer; for many years it was the largest and best equipped hotel in this part of the west.
Part of the residence of Dr. Skinner was erected by George Berg and was one of the most complete brick structures in this city. Elihu Baker also erected a brick residence on the property now occupied by Dr. H. W. Bender about the early '50s. Sampson C. Bever erected a brick building on the premises where the Rock Island offices now stand, being a two story structure similar to the Spangler residence which was erected later across the street. In this structure Mr. Bever installed the first hot air furnace used in Cedar Rapids, and a great many of the early settlers came to inspect the house, and especially to examine the hot air furnace which was a new thing in those days.
J. S. Cook in the early days erected a brick structure on the corner of A avenue and Fifth street, which was one of the fine homes for many years in this city. S. A. Shattuck built in the early '50s a brick structure on Sixth avenue and Fifth street. John Newell, during the years 1855 and 1856, erected a double brick structure at the corner of Fifth street and Seventh avenue. The old Seabury house on Eighth avenue was erected prior to 1860 and for many years was a landmark in that end of town. The Barthel house which stood where the Majestic Theatre now stands was one of the early brick veneer houses in the city and was occupied by many of the prominent families from time to time.
R. C. Rock, one of the early merchants, erected a brick house in the early days on the premises where George Williams has since erected a magnificent mansion. Dr. Wilman, Dr. J. L. Enos and Dr. S. D. Carpenter erected brick houses in the early days which were landmarks along Second avenue up toward Tenth street. The Lawson Daniels brick residence was on First avenue between Second and Third streets adjoining the Thomas Building, and adjoining this was the dwelling of Dr. Thomas, a friend of J. J. Snouffer and a native of Maryland; Dr. Thomas returned to his native state in the '50s. Adjoining these brick dwellings was also another brick building erected by the old pioneer H. G. Angle and occupied by him as a residence for many years.
Another substantial brick dwelling was erected by John Graves on B avenue and Fourth street, being a two-story brick building with an upper and lower porch. The old Gillette house was on the east side of Fifth street where William S. Bye now resides; it was known as the Gillette house. Mr. Gillette being the brother-in-law of the late W. D. Watrous.
Another large and commodious brick dwelling house was a two-story structure erected on Fifth street between B and C avenues and near what is known now as Whittam Park. Adjoining this was the Koontz house, occupied by Dr. Koontz and his family for many years. The Tryon house was also a brick structure erected near the corner of Third avenue and Second street; Mr. Tryon was a surveyor and well known in the early days.
Nearly all the brick used in the early days was made by a Mr. Geeslan who operated a brick yard near what is now known as the "Lame Johnny" place. Brick was cheap, labor was low and the cost of erecting these dwellings in that day was much lower than later. It is said that Sam Stambaugh in the early days worked as a brick mason and walked home to Bertram every night, the wages paid being about $1.00 a day, which was considered high. It is also said that during the '50s Cedar Rapids had more commodious homes than any other town of its size in Iowa. It was made up largely of a brainy, wide-awake, enterprising lot of men, such as N. B. Brown, H. G. Angle, the Greenes, Earles, Elys, Daniels, Macks, Weares, Bevers, and many others who had drifted into the town and who soon built up an enterprising little town, engaging in various ventures, not always successful, but they had Cedar Rapids before the world so that they finally landed the railroad which henceforth made the town. It is said by the late Charles Weare that "when they first started a newspaper there were no settlers in the town, but they had to use a newspaper to boom the town with."
FROM THE CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 1906
An ordinance creating a fire department was introduced in the council in January, 1869, and it was passed February 12, 1869. This ordinance was lengthy. It stipulated what officers should be appointed, what their duties were, how many fire companies to each engine, how many men to each company and many other details. One of the provisions of this first and original ordinance was that the fire chief should be appointed by the council.
On March 12, 1869, the fire company which had already been organized but not officially recognized by the city council, presented a petition to the council, asking that P. C. Lusk be appointed as fire chief. At a subsequent meeting a vote was taken on the election of a fire chief with the following result:
P. C. Lusk, who was the choice of the fire department, received four votes and J. J. Snouffer one vote. Lusk having received a majority of the votes cast was declared elected chief of the fire department. At the meeting held April 9, 1869, the chief of the fire department presented the names of the members of the first company which was styled "The Steam Fire Engine Co., No. 1." It was organized under Ordinance No. 78. Mr. Lusk reported the names of sixty members, including officers, and asked the council to confirm them, which was done.
The officers of this company were as follows:
Some of the "high privates" in this first organized fire company of Cedar Rapids were as follows: Al Jacobs, Richard Cornish, C. E. Calder, Lyman Ayers, Geo. Rhodes, Ed. Buttolph, John H. Smith, H. S. Bever, H. E. Witwer, H. Hale, Geo. Hasse, John Bryan, Walter L. Clark, L. L. Cone, Chas. L. Morehead, A. S. Mershon, Ely E. Weare, James Snyder, John Shearer, Baxter McQuinn, W. J. Wood, Richard Moorhead, Don Harris, Lowell Bressler, N. Rudolph, Ira Taft, and twenty-seven others.