INCLUDING A SKETCH OF EDEN AND STATE CENTRE TOWNSHIPS.

When the first settlement was made in the southwestern part of the county by Greene Allen, in 1849, it was made in Eden Township, which included at that time the present limits of State Centre. Allen made a claim of 600 acres, and built a little cabin 14x16, and a straw shed for his stock, which he had driven from his home in Illinois. He also brought with him provisions to last six months. He was obliged to go to Oskaloosa to mill, but the mill could not always be depended upon, as the trails were often impassable because of the high water. Hence a diet of parched corn and bean soup was not an unfrequent one with his family. Within a period of a year or more, a settler of the name of Maggard built a cabin about two miles distant, on the old Thayer place. Until then, Allen's nearest neighbors had been the people of the Timber Creek settlement and of Newton City.

In 1851, " Uncle John " Sparks of Lynnville, Jasper County, built a mill, which lessened the distance which had to be traversed for a grist. It was in this year that the great freshest swelled all the rivers and small streams to an unimagined volume. The next settler in Eden Township was Philip Barbee, who made a claim and built a cabin on the farm later owned by John Jarolam. This was in 1852. , In March, 1854, H. Robb, C. B. Mendenhall and C. B. Rhodes with his family came to Eden. Mr. Robb entered a claim in what is now State Center Township, while Mendenhall and Rhodes settled lower down the grove in Eden proper. F. Woolston, Eugene Summers, Simon Price and P. A. Culver came in during the Summer of that year, and took their places in the ranks of pioneers. In this year there was great apprehension of trouble with the Indians; but, though living in dread of what calamity might befall them from that quarter, the settlers did not desert their homes. Mr. Woolston was a blacksmith and was very useful to the busy community with his trade. Rev. Thomas Mendenhall came in August, 1854. He was a devoted Methodist minister, and later preached in the school house of North Eden. He performed the first marriage ceremony in the township, the bride being the daughter of Jacob Crouch, the groom John Dondson.

The first sermon was preached in Eden Township by Rev. Abram Woolston. It was in a new log house, and there were about sixty people present. Mr. Woolston says that every man, woman and child in the township was present, except one very old lady. Mr. Woolston also relates how he and some children had an encounter with three panthers while out gathering wild plums. " We were gathering plums," he says, " when I saw an animal spring from the bushes, and go quietly away. I dropped everything and started after it, supposing it was a young fawn. One of the girls, who knew it was a panther, screamed with terror for me to come back. We saw three of them. They did not seem to have any intention of troubling us. They were subsequently seen again, but they shortly afterward disappeared."

The Winter of 1854-5 was so pleasant that men worked out of doors in their shirt sleeves. In the latter year, Ruston Bullock, J. Van Pelt and William Greenfield came, and began their farms—Mr. Bullock in State Centre and Mr. Greenfield in South Eden. Mr. Owens Price also came in this year, and established himself on the prairie on the direct road to Marshalltown. He had a large family, and was very hospitable, and his house was the stopping place for travelers to and from Marshalltown. R. E. Scotten built a cabin near the edge of Story County, this same year, and it was the last house on the prairie trail to Nevada. The Winter of 1856 was terrific. Snow began the first of December, and was very loath to go. Grass did not appear much before the middle of May.

Dr. Mendenhall and F. 0. Woolston brought the first reaper into the county the Summer of this year. It was a McCormick, purchased in Sioux City.

A school house was built this year in North Eden.

In 1857, Mr. Conway Rhodes laid out the town of Edenville, and brought quite a heavy stock of goods there. The first Fourth of July celebration was held this year, in the grove back of Edenville, Rev. Mr. Merrill, from College Farm, Jasper County, delivering the oration. This year a weekly mail from Marietta was established, with Isaac Sanford as first Postmaster. The year 1858 was another one of flood and torrent, seven years having elapsed since the last. In 1859, a Good Templars' Lodge was established, and held services once a month on Sundays. It was this year that three-cent postage stamps came into use.

In 1861, the Cedar Rapids & Missouri Railroad Company surveyed their line through the county, which gave a strong impulse to immigration, notwithstanding the gloom of the war. Eden Township sent her quota to the army, lacking four; and among her brave boys who fell, the names of Simon Woolston, Harry Nichols, Irving Benson, George Culver, E. Bartlett and Martin Logan are inscribed with honor upon her record.

In November, 1863, the Chicago & North-Western Railroad had its track laid here on its course to the setting sun. With it came the " Crow's Nest," a moving caravansary on wheels, kept by Alexander Crow, in which meals were furnished to track layers, or any chance homeless traveler. In an article in the State Centre Enterprise, from which we draw a portion of our facts, Crow is described as " tall, dark, gypsyish looking man, generous with his tongue and purse, the beau ideal of a jolly landlord.

The railroad company had bought eighty acres of land of A. C. Babcock, upon which they started a town, calling it Centre Station. William Barnes, now of Chicago, was the first agent, and also built a small shanty for a grain storehouse, and paid 80 cents for bushel for wheat. Later he had the name changed to State Centre, owing to its being located so near the geographical center of the State. W. L. Smith and William Thompson owned property near the corporation line. Business brightened. The farm houses between Edenville and the station were all hotels, in the sense of entertaining travelers, and money began to circulate freely. A daily stage was placed on the thoroughfare from State Centre to Des Moines.

Everybody remembers the "cold New Years." The mercury was 12° below zero and the wind blew a gale. In January of that year, several hundred hogs were driven to State Centre for shipment. A dreadful storm came up, and many of them were frozen—1,300 out of 1,800. Some four weeks after the storm they were found, standing up straight where they had been smothered by the snow and frozen solid.

In the Spring of this year, the first house made its appearance in State Centre. It was not built, but moved there from Marietta, sixteen miles distant, by John Anselm. It was a small frame structure, 18x20 feet, and is now occupied by J. S. Fairhead. It was used by Mr. Anselm as a hotel. The same day that Mr. Anselm arrived with his family to take possession of his house, Mr. Barnes' family arrived. Mr. Barnes built the first house in the village, the Union Hotel, it being a part of his bargain with the railroad company that he should keep travelers who came to the station, as the " Crow's Nest" took flight with the onward progress of the track. This is now known as the " Stipps House."

The first birth in the village was a daughter of John Anselm—Emma. During this Summer there were several small buildings put up, one by Mrs. M. Barnes. Rev. Mr. Basset, formerly a clergyman in Washington City, came into the town and built a large two-story house, just at its edge, which from the elevation of its location could be seen for miles away. In the Fall, T. B. Carpenter came, and, at about the same time, A. N. Woolston.

Mr. J. W. Dobbins and V. J. Shipman came to State Centre in January, 1865, and erected a one-story frame building, now occupied by S. M. Morgan, and put in groceries and boots and shoes. This was the first store in the place. Mr. Dobbins was originally from Sandwich, ILL , and Mr. Shipman from Orleans Co., N. Y. The Carpenter Brothers erected a store in May and put in a stock of goods. The family of T. B. Carpenter occupied a back room of the same building until such time as a suitable dwelling could be prepared.

On the 27th of June, there came a terrible thunderstorm from the west, accompanied with a fearful wind. Mr. Carpenter's family felt the house shake as if it was in the hands of some monster, and then there came a crash. The whole building had fallen inward, one of the timbers striding a little girl with such force that she died the next day. The cooking stove, in falling over, burned the baby, May, and she, too, came near dying. The air was filled with dust; boards and heavy timbers were tossed about and wagons were lifted up and carried long distances. But notwithstanding this calamity, the Carpenters rebuilt their store, which building is still standing, and got a new stock of goods.

Among the families in State Centre in 1865, were William Barnes, John Coulter, Abe Woolston, G. W. Bassett and C. F. Culver. John King opened a dry goods store this year. During that and the following year, the influx of people was very great, and the little village began to grow rapidly. The Union Hotel was under the supervision of William Greenfield, who had sold his farm and bought out Mr. Barnes. He in turn sold to Ruston Bullock, in April, 1866. Dr. 0. G. Hunt arrived this year, and was the first physician to settle in State Centre. J. H. Post came also in this year and opened a stock of drugs. Jacob Fisher was the first blacksmith and came at this time. The Walker Brothers, Frank and Warren, belong to this year, and fitted a large and handsome store, now occupied by West & Sheary. In the years 1866-7, there were about six hundred people in the place, showing a surprising growth for so short a period.

The first brick block was built in 1867, by C. B. Rhodes, and in that year, the high-school building was completed, at a cost of $8,000. Miss Jennie Bradbury taught the first school in the town, in a little shanty school house, built by subscription. The first death in State Centre was that of Seremiah Dudley, Feb. 1,1867. He is spoken of as an estimable man. The first lawyer's shingle hung out in this wide-awake place bore the name of John King. He was a Harvard graduate, and a graduate from that still sterner school, Libby Prison, where he was incarcerated for nearly two years. The first place of worship was in the little old shanty which also served as a school house. Rev. Mr. Knepper, a Lutheran, was the Pastor. The Methodists predominated in numbers here, but the denominational lines were not strictly drawn. A Sabbath school had been formed as early as 1866, with James Thurman as Superintendent, and with only fifteen scholars. Rev. Mr. Kendig was a Methodist preacher who held services over Shipman's store.

In 1868, Rev. Mr. Kellogg, of Marshalltown, formed a Presbyterian Church with eight members. These societies built church edifices in 1869.

State Centre kept on growing. In 1872, there were the following shipments of freight from the station: Freights forwarded, 2,179,990 lbs.; ticket sales, $287.05. Amount of money received at station, $7,269.68. It will be impossible further to note the arrivals or the new business undertakings, but we will confine ourselves to the city of today.

A petition, signed by forty-two legal voters of State Centre, and bearing date Aug. 20, 1866, and addressed to the Hon. F. A. Lampman, County Judge of Marshall County, prayed that the territory included with the following boundaries, be incorporated: The west half of the northeast quarter, the east half of the northwest quarter, and the northeast quarter of the southwest, and the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter, Sec. 10, Township 83, Range 20, County of Marshall, State of Iowa. The Court ordered, Aug. 26, 1867, that the petition be granted.

Subject to this incorporation, the officers of the city from that date to the present are as follows : For 1867-8—Mayor, Washington Walker; Recorder, T. B. Carpenter; Trustees—William Barnes, Samuel Nichols, J. H. Lay, C. H. Richards, R. B. Bullock. For 1868-9—W. Walker, Mayor; O. J. Whitson, Recorder; Trustees—J. W. Dobbins, J. S. Ewing, C. R. Richards, S. W. Lamson, L. L. Clark. For 1869-70—J. S. Ewing, Mayor ; O. J. Whitson, Recorder; D. Zwilling, Treasurer ; H. C. Stone, Assessor; W. Sower, Marshal; Trustees—C. R. Richards, S. W. Lamson, T. B. Carpenter, John Gutekenst, R. G. Haum. For 1870-71—J. S. Ewing, Mayor; 0. J. Whitson, Recorder ; J. W. Dobbins, Treasurer; J. H. Nichols, Assessor; W. H. Bunker, Marshal and Street Commissioner; Trustees—0. G. Hunt, J. A. Bartlett, E. P. Thompson, S. Armstrong, A. Manwaring. For 1871-2—Williams Barnes, Mayor ; S. W. Lamson, Recorder ; W. H. Stipps, Treasurer; J. B. Carpenter, Assessor ; W.H. Knepper, Marshal; Trustees—H. T. Summers, H. S. Brayton, P. B. Ellis, George W. Bassett, 0. R. Chamberlin. For 1872-3—John H. Jones, Mayor; James H. Nichols, W. H. Stipps, Treasurer; J. B. Carpenter, Assessor; A. R. Chamberlin, Marshal; Trustees, James A. Bartlett, 0. J. Whitson, W. L. Smith, F. S. Munson, S. M. Morgan. For 1873-4—John King, Mayor; J. W. Merritt, Recorder; W. H. Stipps, Treasurer ; J. B. Carpenter, Assessor ; Trustees—James Allison, T. S. Munson, J. Lander, H Bishop, J. N. Deering. Mr. Jones resigned the Mayorship and his term was filled by J. A. Bartlett. For 1874-5—Joseph Lander, Mayor; James H. Nichols, Recorder; 0. J. Whitson, Treasurer; William Snyder, Marshal; Trustees—F. S. Munson, H. Bishop, James Allison, E. P. Thompson, J. 0. Brewer. For 1875-6—Joseph Lander, Mayor; E. W. Bishop, Recorder; 0. J. Whitson, Treasurer ; J. B. Carpenter, Assessor; Trustees, 0. G. Hunt, B. S. West, William Losey, Joseph S. Schulling, L. B. Goodrich. For 1876-7—Joseph Lander, Mayor; J. W. Merritt, Recorder ; 0. J. Whitson, Treasurer; Charles Hanson, Assessor; C. W. Fay, Marshal; Trustees—F. S. Munson, E. P. Thompson, H. S. Brayton, E. M. Scott, J. S. Fair-head.

BUILDINGS. The present offices occupied by the City Board are in a frame building located on the north side of Second street. Portions of the building are used as engine house, and the other part as a jail. The post office was established here in the Spring of 1864, and a niche in the depot building was assigned it. C. F. Culver was Postmaster. January 1, 1865, J. W. Dobbin was commissioned Postmaster, and held the office until 1871. D. A. Lacey succeeded him, holding the office until February 9, 1874. Then J. R. Deming was appointed, and continues still to hold the appointment. It was made a money-order office April 1, 1878. The Exchange Bank of State Centre was opened April 1, 1869, by J. W. Dobbin, in the same building it now occupies. The 1st of January, 1877, Mr. 0. J. Whitson took a one-half interest in the bank with Mr. Dobbin, under the firm name of J. W. Dobbin & Co. The bank has always paid all checks of depositors, even at the time of the Chicago fire, and the panic of 1873.

FIRE DEPARTMENT. The fire department of the city was organized in 1875, subject to an ordinance of the City Council. One engine is called the Button engine, and is a single-decker requiring thirty-five men at the brakes, and can throw three streams. This engine was purchased of the Old Washington Company in Marshalltown, for $600. A Douglass engine is also in use by the department. This is much is a much smaller engine than the other, but is a good one. It cost $350. The department also have a hose cart which belongs to the Douglass engine. There are about 800 feet of hose altogether, and about forty-five men in the department. The officers are as follows: Company No. 1, J. A. Brewer, Foreman; Company No. 2, Martin Ward, Foreman. J. O. Culler is Chief Engineer; F. S. Munson, First Assistant; J. H. Nichols, Second Assistant.

WATER WORKS. The water works question had been one of increasing moment each year to the citizens of State Centre, which finally culminated in an agreement with George E. Beach & Co., of Marshalltown, for the construction of a system of water works, with the necessary pipes and hydrants within the limits of the incorporated town of State Centre. The agreement was entered into August 28, 1877. Beach agreed to erect within four months the above-named system, in a good, workmanlike manner, for a consideration of $2,200. The committee appointed on the part of the city were as follows: F. S. Munson, E. P. Thompson and E. M. Scott. Mr. Beach fulfilled his agreement literally. A bill for $50 extras was allowed.

The pump is a 3£ inch discharge, with check valve in suction and discharge pipe, and is called the " Little Giant," manufactured by Chapin & McGue, Ottumwa. The tank is located over the well formerly used by the C. &. N. W. Railroad. The tower is a strong substantial structure, 34 feet in height, and is secured by 6x8 anchor posts. The mill is a Halliday's Self-Regulating Standard Mill, manufactured by United States Wind Mill Company at Batavia, Illinois. It is 13 feet in diameter, with a pressure of over 175 pounds to the square inch. It has the capacity to work four engines. There are six hydrants and 1,000 feet of mains, exclusive of mains connecting hydrants, they being supplied direct from the tank by another set of mains.

For 1877-8—H. Robb, Mayor ; J. W. Merritt, Recorder; W. H. Stipps, Treasurer; W. D. Bower, Assessor; C. W. Fay, Marshal; Trustees—E. M. Scott, J. H. Jones, M. E. Miner, J. Gutekenst, J. Gulic. Taken as a whole, there are few towns in the West of the size of State Centre that have such a thorough system of protection against fire. They are an asset in every particular, and the little city has great reason to feel proud of her acquisition. STATE CENTRE MILLS. These mills were established in 1870 by J. N. Berry. The structure is frame and is three stories high. The building is 36x48 feet in size, and is located on Main street. It was purchased in 1873, by J. B. Cutler. There are two runs of stone in the mill, and preparations are being made for the laying of another set of buhrs. An engine of the Woodruff pattern is used of thirty horse-power; capacity 400 bushels every twenty-four hours. Considerable modern machinery is used in the mill, and it is regarded as first-class in every particular.

ELEVATORS. There are three elevators in State Centre, and one seed house. The largest and perhaps the most extensive of any on the line of the C. & N. W. Railway. is that belonging to Stipps & Fuller. This elevator is of recent build, and is a magnificent structure. The original building is 30x44 feet in size, and an addition of twenty feet has been put on. It has a capacity of 50,000 bushels. There are two dumps on the elevator, one for corn, and a large corn sheller is placed beneath the corn dump that has a capacity of 500 bushels an hour; the corn and cobs and all foreign matter pass up the elevator and are separated by a splendid system, the cobs going one way, the corn another, and chaff, etc. another. The other dump is for grain. The mill is supplied with all the necessary modern machinery used in elevators. A large engine is used in working the machinery.

The Nichols Elevator was established by W. Walker, but fell into the hands of its present owners in 1870. The building is a large frame structure. The machinery is run by an engine of five horse-power. The elevator has a storing capacity of 20,000 bushels. About 200,000 bushels are shipped annually. The Union Elevator Company are the proprietors of the Seed House, and what is called J. H. Lay's Elevator. The elevator was built a number of years since by Carpenter Brothers, and was purchased in 1872 by J. H. Lay. This gentleman ships about 250,000 bushels per year. The seed house is located near the State Centre Mills, and is used for the storage of seeds. The building is 50x30 feet, and is one story high. Has a capacity of about 7,500 bushels.

SCHOOLS. The first schools in the town of State Centre were rather of the primitive order. The first school was taught in a little old shanty that could not be used for anything else. This was 1865, in a building that stood near where the Presbyterian Church is at present. There were about ten pupils. The school was taught by Jenny Bradbury, now Mrs. Willis Vance. In 1866, a room was rented over the double building belonging to Carpenter Brothers, and school was taught there for a time. In 1867, a part of the present school building was erected. The size was about 30x50 feet, and was two stories. A large addition was placed on the building in 1876, making a large and pleasant school building of three rooms, and provided with a large bell. The Superintendent of the Schools is Miss Lucy Curtis, of Wheatland, Iowa. The number of pupils enrolled in 1877 was 244; the average attendance was 164. The School Board at present are: S. N. Morgan, President; A. P. Lowry, Secretary :

J. W. Tuthill, Treasurer. The Board of Directors are: F. S. Munson, Henry Zwilling, J. D. Chamberlin, L. H. Fitch and John H. Jones. The total population of State Centre, as taken up to August 20, 1878. is 992 ; total number of residences, 256.

SECRET SOCIETIES Terrettrial Lodge, No. 276, A., F. # A. M.—Established in 1858. First meetings were held over Dobbin's store. The society organized with about ten members. The present officers are as follows: J. S. Ewing, W. M.; Robert Bell, S. W.; J. C. Cutler, Secretary; C. B. Rhodes, Treasurer; E. P. Nichols, S. D.; M. Harms, J. D. Membership, 38; meet in Masonic Hall.

The Centre Lodge, No. 260, I. 0. 0. F, was instituted on the 24th day of July, 1873. The charter officers are: J. W. Gross, N. G.; A. L. Mark, V. G.; D. A. Lacey, Secretary ; B. S. West, Treasurer. The charter members were: J. W. Gross, A. L. Mank, D. A. Lacey, B. S. West, W. H. Miller, W. Hearreman, W. N. Unthank. The Lodge meets every Wednesday evening, with a present membership of thirty-eight.

A. 0. U. W.—This Lodge was established May 4, 1878. There were twenty-seven charter members. The first and present officers of the Lodge are: J. S."Ewing, M. W.; M. E. Miner, P. M. W.; S. W. Morgan, Foreman; J. W. Merrill, 0.; J. H. Farnsworth, Recorder; J. Schilling, Receiver; J. V. Fairhead, F. ; H. B. Lovejoy, Guide; S. Brown, I. W.; H. Bullock, 0. W. Membership, twenty-eight; meet in Odd Fellows' Hall every Monday evening. Military.—Company D, First Independent Battalion, I. N. G., was organized January 25, 1878, with sixty-four members. J. S. Ewing is Captain ; James Oleson, First Lieutenant; A. J. Shearer, Second Lieutenant. The Company meet for drill twice each week. he armory is located in Miller'* Hall. The Company have a stand of arms consisting of thirty Enfield rifles. The Company, although of recent organization, presents a fine appearance, and will with drill make a fine body of men.

RELIGIOUS. The Seventh-Day Adventists.—This denomination established itself in State Centre in 1871, with a membership of about ten members. The society regarded itself in 1876 as strong enough to sustain a place of worship, consequently the present place of meeting was erected. The building is a large frame 84x50 feet in size, and is located in the eastern part of the city. The society formerly held their meetings four miles southeast of State Centre, at the residence of one of the members. The membership at the time of building the church was about sixty. The edifice was erected at a cost of $2,650, including the bell. The membership at present is about sixty-five. The preacher delivering the dedication sermon was George I. Butler. The Church is supplied now by Pastors on the circuit. A good Sabbath school is held in connection with the Church. About eighty-seven children attend. Henry Rue is Superintendent. Mr. H. C. Stone has been alive to the interests of the Church since its organization.

The Presbyterian Church of State Centre was organized by the Rev. Hiram H. Kellogg, on the 8th day of September, 1866, with ten members, viz.: James Fairman and wife, John McNary and wife, J. Dudley and wife, William McCain and wife, Mrs. Julia Dobbin and Mrs. Sarah A. Knepper. The first officers were: J. Dudley, Deacon, and John McNary, Elder. The first minister was Rev. John M. Peebles, who served the Church from January 1 to June 1, 1867. The second minister was Rev. John Summers, who served the Church from June 1, 1867, till June 1, 1870. During his ministry, there were added to the Church fourteen members, and in union with the Methodists a house of worship was built in 1869. The Church was then without a minister for about one year, having an occasional supply. During this period nine members were added. The third minister was the Rev. A. Ostrom. who served the Church two years. During his ministry, nineteen were added to the membership, and the Presbyterians bought of the Methodists their half interest in the church edifice, and contracted a debt of about four thousand dollars. The Church was again without a minister for about one year. The last minister, Rev. David Blakely, commenced his work in the Church July 1, 1874, and served the Church four years. During his ministry, 87 were added, and a debt of $3,915 was paid off, leaving the Church now, August, 1878, free from debt, and with a membership of 110 communicants, and a Sabbath school with 285 on the roll, and an average attendance of 100.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of State Centre, was organized in June, 1866, by Rev. J. Haymand, with seven members in the organization. The church building was erected in 1869-70, and the present membership is 64, The Pastors who have served them are as follows: Revs. J. Haymand, R. M. Wade, R. 6. Haven, S. Dunton, T. Simmons, N. Macdonald, M. A. Gaadle, J. Haymand.