The present officers are therefore as follows: Ralph Van Vechten, president; Geo. B. Douglas, vice-president; Kent C. Ferman, cashier; Louis Visha, assistant cashier; Martin Newcomer, assistant cashier; and Miss Anna Smouse, auditor.
The bank has a capital of $100,000, a surplus of $100,000, undivided profits of over $100,000, and deposits of more than $3,500,000.
The Security Savings Bank was incorporated March 18, 1889, and opened for business April 26, 1889.
The original stockholders numbered 87, of whom 22 have since died.
The original directors were G. F. Van Vechten, C. J. Ives, J. R. Amidon, Walter D. Douglas, Chas. H. Clark, Jno. E. Murray, W. W. Higley, J. R. Morin, and W. F. Severa. Changes in the board of directors on account of death or disposition of stock have occurred as follows: In 1894 P. C. Frick succeeded J. R. Morin; in 1895 E. M. Scott succeeded W. F. Severa; in 1896 B. H. Witwer succeeded Chas. H. Clark, whose death occurred during that year; in 1899, on account of temporary removal from the city, W. D. Douglas resigned and was succeeded by C. D. Van Vechten, but on the death of W. W. Higley, later in the year, Mr. Douglas was reelected to succeed him. In 1906 D. K. Harbert succeeded C. J. Ives, who died that year, and in January, 1910, Emma M. Van Vechten was elected to succeed her husband, G. F. Van Vechten, whose death occurred the previous September.
President Van Vechten and Vice-President Ives served the bank continuously from its organization to the date of their respective deaths; Vice-President Amidon continuously since organization, and President Scott the same—first as cashier, then vice-president, and after Mr. Van Vechten's death, as president. On January 1, 1908, J. W. Bowdish was engaged for one year to relieve Mr. Scott, during the building period, and served as cashier throughout that year. Cashier Frank Filip entered the employ of the bank in 1894, was promoted to assistant cashier in 1904, and made cashier in 1909.
The original capital stock was $50,000, which was later increased to $75,000, then to $100,000, and on March 24, 1908, to $150,000. The present surplus is $100,000. Its total deposits are now about $1,800,000, belonging to 5,000 depositors.
The bank first opened for business at 211 South Second street. In 1893 it erected on its own ground, 26×60 feet, on the corner of Second avenue and Second street, a three-story brick bank building, containing the first exclusive safety deposit vaults in the city. In 1902 additional ground was purchased and in 1907 the three-story brick adjoining on the south was purchased and the bank removed to a temporary office in this building, while its old home was replaced by its present eight-story, steel frame, fire proof office building, where its banking apartments are modern and complete.
The Bohemian-American State Bank was organized under state charter and commenced business June 13, 1892, with a capital of $60,000, its officers being W. F. Severa, president; S. L. Dows, vice-president; J. W. Bowdish, cashier; V. A. Jung, assistant cashier. Among its organizers were W. F. Severa, S. L. Dows, J. H. Douglas, F. Braun, Jos. Woitishek, Jos. Renchin, E. E. Pinney, H. B. Soutter, T. C. Munger, C. Butler Weeks, J. J. Powell, and Warren Harman. It had a successful career and paid dividends from its commencement. It was consolidated September 1, 1894, with the Bohemian-American Savings Bank, in order to avail itself of the more liberal charter given by the state to savings banks, the stockholders and depositors practically all remaining with the new organization.
The Iowa Savings Bank was organized under state charter and commenced business May 1, 1893, with a capital of $50,000. Its officers were James H. Douglas, president; W. F. Severa and H. B. Soutter, vice-presidents; J. W. Bowdish, cashier; and V. A. Jung, assistant cashier. The directors were J. H. Douglas, F. Braun, H. B. Soutter, Warren Harman, Jos. Woitishek, S. L. Dows, W. F. Severa, T. C. Munger, C. Butler Weeks.
On September 1, 1893, the articles of incorporation were changed, increasing the capital to $60,000, and changing the title to Bohemian-American Savings Bank. At the same date the Bohemian-American State Bank, desirous of the benefits of the more liberal charter offered savings banks, arranged to consolidate its interest with the Bohemian-American Savings Bank, which consolidation took effect September 1, 1894.
The Bohemian-American Savings Bank enjoyed a prosperous growth, notwithstanding the effect of the panic of 1893, probably as severe a financial panic as at that time had ever been experienced. It paid regular semi-annual dividends and continued prosperous until its consolidation, March 28, 1898, with the Citizens National Bank and the American Trust and Savings Bank, two newly organized banks, the Citizens National Bank taking over the commercial department, and the American Trust and Savings Bank absorbing the savings department.
The Cedar Rapids Savings Bank was incorporated March 13, 1883, and opened for business May 15, 1883.
The original stockholders numbered 36, of whom eight have since died. The original directors were Jno. T. Hamilton, Lawson Daniels, Chas. B. Soutter, Robert Palmer, F. C. Hormel, Jas. L. Bever, Geo. W. Bever, A. T. Averill, and F. J. Upton. Changes in the board of directors on account of death or disposition of stock have occurred as follows: In 1884 E. I. Foster succeeded F. J. Upton; in 1891 M. A. Higley succeeded Mr. Foster; in 1892, at the death of F. C. Hormel, J. M. Dinwiddie succeeded him; in 1897, J. M. Terry succeeded A. T. Averill; in 1900 Robert Sinclair succeeded M. A. Higley, Geo. Goodell succeeded Jas. L. Bever, and E. R. Moore succeeded Geo. W. Bever. President John T. Hamilton, Vice-President Chas. B. Soutter, and Cashier J. M. Dinwiddie have served continuously since the organization of the bank.
The original capital stock of the bank, paid in cash, was $50,000, which has been twice increased—the first time to $75,000, and then to $100,000. The present surplus of the bank is $65,000, and the deposits over $1,850,000.
The contract for the bank's six-story, fire proof building, the first six-story structure in the city, located at the corner of Third avenue and Third street, was let May 30, 1895, and the building was occupied in May, 1896. In 1909-10 an addition was erected, so that the building is now 90×140 feet.
Its present officers are John T. Hamilton, president; Chas. B. Soutter, vice-president; Robert Palmer, vice-president; J. M. Dinwiddie, cashier; and W. J. Elliott, assistant cashier. Its directors are: John T. Hamilton, Chas. B. Soutter, J. M. Dinwiddie, Robert Palmer, Robert S. Sinclair, J. M. Terry, and Walter L. Cherry.
The Merchants National Bank, of Cedar Rapids, was organized February 28, 1881, the first board of directors being R. D. Stephens, John W. Henderson, P. C. Frick, W. W. Higley, J. C. Broeksmit, A. B. George, S. L. Dows. Its first president was R. D. Stephens. John W. Henderson was chosen vice-president, and Charles E. Putnam, cashier.
Mr. Stephens died in April, 1883, and was succeeded by M. A. Higley as president. In the spring of 1899 John T. Hamilton purchased the Stephens and other interests in the bank, and on June 5, 1899, succeeded Redmond Stephens as director. On July 1, 1889, M. A. Higley tendered his resignation as president, after more than sixteen years' service in that position, John T. Hamilton being chosen president, which office he still holds.
Chas. E. Putnam remained as cashier of the bank from the organization to January 14, 1905, when he resigned and was succeeded by James E. Hamilton, who had been assistant cashier since January 28, 1901. On the consolidation of the Merchants National and the Citizens National, May 18, 1908, James E. Hamilton was made vice-president, and John S. Broeksmit, who had been cashier of the Citizens National, was made cashier of the new and consolidated Merchants National.
The original capital stock of the Merchants National was $100,000. The present capitalization is $200,000; surplus, $200,000; deposits of nearly $5,000,000.
From the time of its organization in 1881 until the consolidation with the Citizens National in May, 1908, more than twenty-seven years, the Merchants National occupied the room in the Ely block at the corner of Second avenue and Third street. The bank is now occupying elegant quarters in the remodeled Cedar Rapids Savings Bank building. The present officers are John T. Hamilton, president; P. C. Frick, vice-president; James E. Hamilton, vice-president; John S. Broeksmit, cashier; Edwin H. Furrow, assistant cashier.
The American Trust and Savings Bank was organized under state charter and commenced business April 5, 1898, with a capital of $50,000. Its first officers were George W. Bever, president; E. E. Pinney and W. F. Severa, vice-presidents; R. T. Forbes, cashier. Its first board of directors consisted of E. E. Pinney, J. L. Bever, J. B. Bever, W. F. Severa, Jas. H. Douglas, Geo. W. Bever, F. Braun, T. C. Munger, and Joseph Renchin. The object of its organization was to establish and conduct a strictly savings business. It took over at the date of its commencement the savings department of the Bohemian-American Savings Bank, and its total deposits on April 9, 1898, were $175,338.23, its location then being at the corner of First street and Second avenue.
On February 22, 1899, it moved into the Masonic Temple at the corner of First street and First avenue, which location it still occupies. In 1901 the capital was increased from $50,000 to $80,000. This was rendered necessary owing to increased deposits, in order to comply with the then existing statutes governing the relative allowable amounts of deposits to capital stock.
On January 1, 1908, the controlling interest in the bank passed into the hands of Ernest R. Moore, Louis Wokoun, and others of their associates who were the dominant factors in the Fidelity Trust & Savings Bank, of this city. They arranged and carried out the consolidation of the two institutions. The officers then elected and board of directors named continue until this time. The present officers are Ernest R. Moore, president; W. F. Severa, S. G. Armstrong, and Otto Sikora, vice-presidents; Louis Wokoun, cashier. The board of directors are: C. J. Deacon, Lew W. Anderson, George Chadima, F. Braun, S. G. Armstrong, W. F. Severa, Ernest R. Moore, W. R. Boyd, and Frank J. Pudil.
On January 1, 1909, the capital of the bank was increased to $100,000, and the surplus to $50,000. The deposits now aggregate $1,650,000, with total assets of $1,900,000.
The Citizens National, Cedar Rapids, was opened March 28, 1898, capital $100,000 which was increased to $200,000 January 2, 1906. Its first officers were J. L. Bever, president; J. R. Amidon, vice-president; J. W. Bowdish, cashier; directors, J. L. Bever, W. F. Severa, J. B. Bever, F. Braun, J. H. Douglas, E. E. Pinney, J. T. Hamilton, G. W. Bever, R. Williams, J. R. Amidon, T. C. Munger. In May, 1908, after a prosperous career this bank was consolidated with the Merchants National.
The Commercial National, Cedar Rapids, was organized July 7, 1908, with a capital of $100,000, and the following officers: Jas. L. Bever, president; W. C. La Tourette, vice president; J. L. Bever, Jr., cashier; Homer Pitner, assistant cashier.
The First Trust & Savings Bank, which is closely connected with the Commercial National, having the same officers, was organized August 4, 1910, with a capital stock of $50,000.00.
These two banks have had a remarkable growth, the combined resources now being over $1,500,000. The dean of Cedar Rapids bankers, Jas. L. Bever, takes an active interest in both institutions. The present officers are: J. L. Bever, president; J. L. Bever, Jr., W. C. La Tourette, vice-president; Homer Pitner, cashier, and F. D. Snakenberg, assistant cashier.
The Cedar Rapids Loan & Trust Company was organized on February 1, 1900, with a paid up capital of $50,000 for the purpose of doing such a trust business as the laws of Iowa authorized. Those who were most active in the organization and who constituted the first board of directors were as follows: Ed. H. Smith, president; L. W. Anderson, first vice-president; W. G. Dows, second vice-president; S. S. Dorwart, S. S. Sweet, E. E. Clark, Ralph Van Vechten, N. M. Hubbard, Jr., John A. Reed, S. G. Armstrong, and W. L. Crissman.
Its board elected L. M. Rupert as secretary and the officers as first selected remained the same during the corporation's continuance under the name of the Cedar Rapids Loan & Trust Company. The company was located at the northwest corner of First street and Second avenue and was conducted as a trust company until June 1, 1904, when a majority of the capital stock passed into the hands of Ernest R. Moore and Louis Wokoun and their associates. In order to bring the institution under the operation of the general savings bank laws of the state and to permit it to transact a general banking business the articles of incorporation were amended to change the name to The Fidelity Trust & Savings Bank while at the same time the office of the bank was changed to 116 South Second street, a location much nearer the business center of the city. Under the reorganization the stockholders selected the following officers and directors: W. W. Hamilton, president; Ernest R. Moore, first vice-president; W. G. Dows, second vice-president; Louis Wokoun, cashier; S. G. Armstrong, E. E. Clark, H. L. Walker, C. J. Deacon, L. W. Anderson.
This bank was later consolidated with the American Trust & Savings Bank.
The Ely Bank, of Ely, was organized in January, 1903, with J. H. Smith, president; Ed. H. Smith and I. B. Smith, vice-presidents, and George L. Benish, cashier. The bank is a private one, and the present officers are the same as the original ones.
The Bank of Palo was organized May 23, 1908, with a capital stock of $10,000, and the following officers: J. W. McClintock, president; Carl Rabe, vice-president; G. E. Carrier, cashier. Its present officers are: J. W. McClintock, president; John Lewis, vice-president; R. W. Waite, cashier.
The State Bank of Central City was organized January 17, 1906, with P. G. Henderson, president; E. K. Hatch, vice-president; Ed. Leclere, cashier; A. T. Minehart, assistant cashier, and P. G. Henderson, E. K. Hatch, F. W. Blakely, O. R. Barber, Eugene Doe, H. L. Shakespeare, and E. E. Henderson, directors. Since that time there have been but few changes in the officers. At present the officers and directors are: P. G. Henderson, president; Eugene Doe, vice-president; F. Leclere, cashier; H. F. Lockwood, assistant cashier; E. G. Henderson, Eugene Doe, O. R. Barber, H. L. Shakespeare, W. N. Goldsberry, Anton Falcon, and E. E. Henderson, directors. When the bank was organized it took over from the Bank of Central City deposits to the amount of $72,802.29. The bank has grown steadily, and the deposits are now over $350,000.00. Originally the capital stock was $25,000.00, which was increased to $35,000.00 in July, 1909. The stock is owned by forty-one farmers and is conducted principally for the farmers. It opens at seven o'clock in the morning and does not close until six o'clock in the evening.
The Linn County Savings Bank, of Center Point, was organized April 23, 1906, with L. Gilchrist, president; W. Langsdale, vice-president; Homer Pitner, cashier, and J. F. Stauffer, assistant cashier. Owing to the resignation of the cashier, J. F. Stauffer was later made cashier, and E. E. Silver, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $20,000.00, and the bank has a surplus of $3,000.00.
The Fairfax Savings Bank was organized May 15, 1907, with a capital of $10,000.00 and with officers as follows: H. N. Woodward, president; Henry Lefebure, vice-president; Charles Young, cashier; Lewis Stallman, Joseph Vorel, J. F. Dvorak, William Park and D. J. Cahill, directors. On August 1, 1908, G. W. Storey was chosen cashier in place of Charles Young, resigned. C. J. Knickerbocker was elected assistant cashier in September, 1908. The directors today are: James M. Rogers, E. J. Cahill, J. F. Dvorak, Joseph Vorel, L. F. Lefebure, H. N. Woodward, and Henry Lefebure. The bank has grown steadily since its organization and now has deposits amounting to $100,000.00.
The private bank of Stuckslager & Auracher, of Lisbon, was founded in 1874 with Harrison Stuckslager as president, and Gotleib Auracher as cashier. The officers today are W. C. Stuckslager, president, and John Auracher, cashier. It has a capital of $100,000.00.
The Alburnette Savings Bank was organized in April, 1908, with E. M. Lanning, president; Samuel Maier, vice-president, and Geo. F. Miller, cashier. There has been no change in officers except that W. F. Stauffer was elected assistant cashier in August, 1909. The bank has a capital of $15,000.00, and a surplus of $1,500.00. It succeeded the Alburnette Bank, which was a private institution, and has enjoyed a steady growth.
The Prairieburg Savings Bank was organized October 1, 1904, with C. L. Niles, president; H. F. Came, vice-president, and F. J. Cunningham, cashier. There has been but one change of officers, C. E. Buckley being the present cashier. The bank has a capital stock and surplus of $14,600. Its growth has been steady and satisfactory.
The Bank of Troy Mills was organized in March, 1908, with Floyd J. Ware, president, and Thomas A. Ware, cashier. These, with Marie R. Ware, assistant cashier, are the present officers. The institution has a capital stock of $20,000.00, and a surplus of $5,000.00.
The Coggon State Bank was organized in 1892 with Jacob Mangold, president; G. A. Schenkowitz, vice-president, and H. T. Brainerd, cashier. The present officers are S. N. Goodhue, president; J. H. Ehlers, vice-president; D. D. Johnson, cashier, and Wallace S. Hamilton, assistant cashier. The bank has a capital stock of $25,000.00, and a surplus of the same amount. It has deposits of nearly $300,000.00.
The Exchange Bank of Springville was established in 1878 by Joseph S. Butler, with a capital of $25,000.00. The firm name of the owners is J. S. Butler & Son, with C. F. Butler, president, and Sam James, Jr., cashier. It has a capital stock of $75,000.00 and resources of $400,000.00.
The Exchange State Bank of Walker was established in 1885 as a private bank by H. J. Nietert, and was organized as a State Bank March 1, 1907. The present officers are H. J. Nietert, president; Martin Schneider, vice-president; Theo. W. Hawkinson, cashier; H. J. Nietert, Martin Schneider, Henry Fairchild, E. N. Beach, William Trevor, John B. Michael, Theo. Hamblin, Chas. O. Barry, and Adam Zimpfer, directors. It has a capital stock of $50,000.00, a surplus of $5,000.00, and undivided profits of $10,000.00. It is worthy of note here that this was one of the few banks that met their payments in cash during the panic of 1907.
The Mount Vernon Bank was organized January 16, 1884, by William Smith, James Carson, and H. H. Rood, Mr. Carson being the president; Mr. Rood the vice-president, and Mr. Smith the cashier. The officers today are: W. C. Stuckslager, president; D. L. Boyd, vice-president, and Chas. M. Hartung, cashier. The bank has a capital stock of $100,000.00.
The Marion Savings Bank was incorporated February 22, 1889, by Andrew J. McKean, E. A. Vaughn, F. G. Hervey, J. S. Alexander and Jay J. Smyth, Mr. Smyth being the president and S. N. Goodhue the cashier. It has a capital stock of $30,000.00, and deposits today of over $300,000.00. The officers at present are: B. F. Mentzer, president; J. W. Bowman, cashier; B. F. Mentzer, W. W. Vaughn, F. A. Shumack, J. S. Alexander, Karl W. Kendall, C. H. Kurtz and J. W. Bowman, directors.
The Farmers & Merchants State Bank, of Marion, was organized in 1894, with Samuel N. Goodhue, president; George W. Toms, vice-president, and E. J. Esgate, cashier. Two years later George W. Toms succeeded Mr. Goodhue as president, and T. J. Davis became vice-president. In 1902 A. M. Secrist succeeded Mr. Davis as vice-president. The present officers are George W. Toms, president; A. M. Secrist, vice-president, and E. J. Esgate, cashier. The capital stock of the bank is $60,000.00, surplus, $5,000.00. The directors of the bank are: George W. Toms, A. M. Secrist, W. B. Carpenter, Garry Treat, D. H. Correll, C. C. Carpenter, W. P. Secrist, W. E. Beall, A. E. Granger, W. J. Goodyear and E. J. Esgate.
The Commercial Savings Bank, of Marion, was organized March 1, 1905, with E. R. Mason, president; F. A. H. Greulich and H. C. Oxley, vice-presidents; H. C. Millen, cashier, and E. H. Millen, assistant cashier. There has been no change in officers since organization. The bank has a capital stock of $25,000.00, and undivided profits of $3,000.00. It has deposits of over $350,000.00, and has shown a steady growth each year.
The First National Bank, of Marion, succeeded the private banking firm of Winslow, Stephens & Co., in 1862, with R. D. Stephens as its first president, and A. W. Cranden as its first cashier. Later, J. W. Bowdish became cashier until succeeded by Jay J. Smyth.
In 1881 Mr. Stephens organized the Merchants National Bank of Cedar Rapids, but continued as president of the First National Bank of Marion until his death, March, 1883, when Louisa B. Stephens, his widow, was made president. She continued as such for three years. Mr. Jay J. Smyth then became president, and S. N. Goodhue, cashier. Mr. Goodhue was succeeded by J. S. Alexander in 1892. In 1896 Mr. Alexander became president, and C. H. Kurtz, cashier, the officers so continuing until September, 1908, when C. H. Kurtz became president, and J. W. Bowman, cashier. In January, 1909, T. J. Davis was chosen president, and J. W. Bowman continued as cashier, and these gentlemen are at this date its present officers. The capital stock has remained since the organization at $50,000.00, and the surplus at $10,000.00. This is the only First National Bank charter now in existence in Linn county. The bank was the 117th National bank chartered by the government. It has declared in cash dividends $170,051.32, and has never passed a dividend or even temporarily closed its doors. Among some of its employees who went out into the world to win success from this bank are Ed. M. Scott, now president of the Security Savings Bank, of Cedar Rapids; W. S. Goodhue, cashier of the State Bank of Vinton; J. W. Bowdish, who became cashier of the American Trust & Savings, and later cashier of the Security Savings of Cedar Rapids; Chas. Jackson, now cashier of the First National Bank, of Manilla, Iowa; F. J. Cleveland, now county auditor. Dr. Jno. M. Ristine, now very prominent in Cedar Rapids, was employed as a young man in this bank. The present president, T. J. Davis, was employed as bookkeeper in 1881, continuing for five years, when he became actively engaged in the lumber business in Marion and vice-president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank until he again entered the First National as its president.
Linn county was organized in 1838 and the first election for county officers was held August, 1839. The legislative board of the county, or what corresponds to our present board of supervisors, was composed of three members called a board of commissioners. The following persons served on the board of commissioners:
The above system continued until the first code was enacted in 1851 which abolished the board of commissioners and provided for the election of one officer to be called "county judge" who performed the duties of our present board of supervisors and in addition was probate judge and presided over what was called a "county court." The old election books now preserved in the county auditor's office show the following persons to have been elected to this office:
Isbell resigned June 12, 1854, and Joseph B. Young, prosecuting attorney, acted as county judge until the next election when James M. Berry was elected to fill the vacancy.
The legislative duties of the county judge were vested by the Eighth General Assembly in a board of supervisors consisting of one member from each township or two in those townships having over 4,000 inhabitants. The first board sat January 7, 1861. The clerk of the district court was ex-officio clerk of the board of supervisors. The Twelfth General Assembly abolished the office of county judge altogether and vesting the judicial duties in the district court created the office of county auditor to assume the ones not already vested in the supervisors and clerk of the district court. The first auditor's term began the first Monday of January, 1869.
Bertram—Perry Oxley, 1861-1867 and 1870; Wm. G Darr, 1868-1869.
Brown—Wm. Carbee, 1861-1862; Hosea White, 1863-1866; T. M. Giffen, 1867-1868; J. F. Gritman, 1869-1870.
Boulder—Jos. Whitney, 1861-1862 and 1869-1870; Earhart Burke, 1863, resigned and term completed by John B. McQueen; J. B. McQueen, 1864; Neeley Parsons, 1865-1867; Wm. Wagner, 1868.
Buffalo—Jos. Story, 1861-1862; E. M. Crow, 1863-1870.
Clinton—D. M. Smith, 1861-1863; Geo. Buchanan, 1864-1866 and 1868-1869; I. T. Updike, 1867; Edwin Cadwell, 1870.
College—John W. Henderson, 1861-1862; Robert Pierce, 1863-1864; Adam Perry, 1865-1867; Jonathan Neidig, 1868; W. H. Shuey, 1869-1870.
Fairfax—Phillip Moody, 1861-1864; W. B. Reynolds, 1865-1866; Wm. Ure, 1867-1870.
Fayette—Levi W. Johnson, 1861-1863; resigned and last term completed by J. D. Hays; John E. Langley, 1864-1865; W. J. Whiting, 1866-1868; H. B. McKean, 1869-1870.
Franklin—Wm. Hayzlett, 1861-1862 and 1868-1869; Henry Kepler, 1863-1867; C. H. Kurtz, 1870.
Jackson—Jos. Blodgett, 1861-1862; John P. Fay, 1863 and 1866-1867; Seth Bishop, 1864-1865; Wm. Henderson, 1868-1870.
Linn—William L. Miller, 1861; George Yeisley, 1862-1863; D. M. Richardson, 1864-1865; J. W. Handley, 1866-1867; James Johnston, 1868-1869; H. C. Platner, 1870.
Maine—Samuel F. Buxton, 1861-1862; L. D. Jordan, 1863-1866; Ormus Clark, 1867-1868; E. A. Warner, 1869, seat contested in 1870 and board declared seat vacant and notified trustees of Maine township.
Marion—A. J. Twogood, 1861-1862; A. B. Dumont, 1863, resigned and term completed by A. Manson; A. Manson, 1864; R. D. Stephens, 1865-1869; R. D. Stephens and E. A. Vaughn, 1870.
Monroe—Daniel Albaugh, 1861-1869; M. N. Kramer, 1870.
Otter Creek—James H. Mason, 1861-1862; L. F. Dance, 1863-1864; Caleb Hendryx, 1865-1866; John Lanning, 1867-1868; Henry Harris, 1869; A. F. Yambert, 1870.
Putnam—Wiley Fitz, 1861-1862; Elmore H. Prickett, 1863-1864; Abner Arrowsmith, 1865, resigned and term completed by Ferdinand Kershner; Ferdinand Kershner, 1866-1867; Joseph Moorhead, 1868-1870.
Rapids—John Weare, 1861, 1864 and 1867; J. F. Charles, 1862; Charles Weare, 1863; J. M. Chambers, 1865; H. G. Angle, 1866; William Stewart and William Richmond, 1868; William Stewart and Charles Weare, 1869; Charles Weare and W. D. Watrous, 1870.
Spring Grove—J. H. Fairchild, 1861-1862 and 1864 to 1866, and 1869-1870; R. C. Shinn, 1863; J. H. Walton, 1867-1868.
Washington—Corydon Gilchrist, 1861; John Carr, 1862 and 1867-1868; Z. Mentzer, 1863-1864; William Langsdale, 1865-1866; E. D. Hazletine, 1869-1870.
In 1870 the number of the board was reduced to three members, one being elected each year in the county at large, but at the 1874 election the county had been divided into three supervisor districts and a supervisor was elected from each district as at present. The following persons have served up to date:
George E. W. Leonard was declared elected supervisor in October, 1873, but the election was contested by Joseph Whitney and the court for trial of contested election reinstated Mr. Whitney.
Crookshank resigned and Albert C. Burnett was appointed and took his seat at the June, 1881, session and at the general election October, 1881, E. D. Wilson was elected to fill the vacancy.
The terms of all county auditors were extended one year by the legislature during Mr. Bromwell's second term, so that county treasurer and auditor would not be elected the same year.
The code of 1851 provided that these two offices should be held by one person.
This office was created in 1858 by the Seventh General Assembly.
Col. Samuel W. Durham stated that Mr. Bottorf was accidentally killed in office. A gentleman from Putnam township by the name of Cox was in the county surveyor's office on business, and as was frequent in those days, carried a musket which he leaned up in the corner of the door and door frame. The opening of the door threw the gun on the floor, and it was discharged, wounding Mr. Bottorf in the heel. The wound was not considered serious but blood poisoning set in and death resulted.
BY HON. JAMES E. BROMWELL
Marion, most fittingly called the "City Beautiful," or the "Grove City," was laid out in 1839 on a semi-circular plateau of prairie that lay within a timbered crescent bordering and following the course of Indian creek on the west, and opening into a vast extent of prairie on the east, to which it lay joined like a protected harbor of the sea. Before it was laid out in the spring of 1839, it was located by a special board of commissioners appointed by the territorial legislature of Iowa in 1838, as the county seat of Linn county, and was named in honor of General Francis Marion.
David A. Woodbridge, who was appointed to superintend the work, and Ross McCloud, the first county surveyor, proceeded to lay out the town, and on December 2, 1839, assisted by Hosea W. Gray and A. J. McKean as chain carriers, Elisha Kemp stake driver, and Ira Wilson flagman, and under the direction of David A. Woodbridge, agent, the town of Marion was platted on the west half of the northwest quarter of section six, township eighty-three, range six, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section one, township eighty-three, range seven.
The town consisted of fifty-six blocks, 250 feet square. The lots were 60 by 120 feet, and the alleys ten feet wide. The four streets that enclose the public square were laid out eighty feet wide, all other streets sixty feet wide. The lots on which the court house and other county buildings now stand, were then reserved for public use, as was the park, consisting of the block directly north of that on which the county buildings now stand, and block fifty-six, the southwest block of the plat, was reserved for a public cemetery.
Isbell's Grove, now known as Irish Hill, lay to the southeast of the town plat like a beautiful emerald island cut off from the body of timber lying south of it by a strip of prairie, where, in 1838, William K. Farnsworth had entered a claim. He was the first actual town settler, although James Preston and Prior Scott had entered a large tract of land east of Isbell's Grove about the same time, and a part of which lay open until the eighties, and was known as Scott's Prairie.
Soon after the town was located, Luman M. Strong and James W. Bassitt located northwest of the town; Rufus H. Lucore, west; John C. Berry and Hosea W. Gray, north; James W. Willis, northeast: George W. Gray, south; John Margrave, northwest; and Aaron Moriarity, James and Henderson Smith on the land now owned by Emmett Kemp; James Blackman, adjoining on the northeast; Samuel Ross, his mother and several brothers, adjoining the Willis place, later known as the E. A. Vaughn farm.