MontezumaMontezuma was located and laid off as the county seat in 1848, on the southwest quarter of section6, township, 78, range 14. The first settlement on the town plat was by Gideon Wilson and Isaac G. Wilson, in the fall of 1848 and winter of 1848-9. Gideon Wilson erected a double log house on lot 8, in block 7, at the northwest corner of the court-house square, now known as the Them property. In one room of his house he soon opened a general merchandise store. That was the first store in the county. Isaac N. Wilson erected a log house on lot 5, block 12, near the southeast corner of the court-housepark. The first birth in the town was Catharine, daughter of Isaac G. and Sarah Wilson. The first marriage wasJames Mclntire to Catharine Wilson, daughter of Gideon Wilson. The first person interredin the cemetery was Mrs. W. B. Harden, in the year 1851. The first resident lawyer was Edwin F. Whitcomb, a native of Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, comingin the year 1852. He is now dead. The second lawyer to locate in the town was Reuben Mickel, a native of New York. He is now in Chicago. The first minister was Rev. James B. Johnson, of the Methodist Protestant Church. He came from Ohio, and still resides in our midst. The first physician was H. Clay Sanford. He came from Keokuk in the year 1651, and now is somewhere in the southern part of the State. The first school-house was a small frame in the northeast part of the town. The first church was the little brick still occupied by the Methodist Protestants. The first blacksmith was James B. Logan, who commenced work in the year 1851 or 1852. The first cabinet-maker was Joseph Schell. The first tire in the town burned the store-room and goods of Gideon Wilson, in December, 1854. The loss was $6,000. The town of Montezuma was incorporated in the early part of 1868. At the first municipal election,which occurred on the first Monday of March, 1868, the following officers were elected: Mayor - A. W. Ballard. MAYORS 1869, A. W. Ballard; The present officers are: Mayor - J. H. P. Robinson. The number of votes polled at the last municipal election was 298. Financially, the town isin good condition. No municipal tax has been levied for the past two years, free from debt, and now has over $1,000 cash in the treasury. The city elections have been license or anti-license, as follows: 1868, anti-license; There have been several attempts to remove the county scat from Montezuma to Malcolm orGrinnell. Those who live in the northern portion of the county, owing to the distance and inadequatemeans of getting there, have thought the county officers situated too far south; but now there being two railroads to Montezuma, and good prospect of another, the question of removal is probably settled, and the county seat will remain where it is. Montezuma is Bottled by people from various States and nationalities; its citizens are intelligent and industrious. The churches, schools, business houses and pleasant homes render it a very desirable place to locate. The city now contains four churches, two school-houses, one bank, two hotels, one generalstore, four groceries, two hardware, two drug, three dry goods, four blacksmith shops, three wagon shops, four carpenter shops, two liveries, one book store, three boot and shoe stores, one harness shop, two cabinet shops, one bakery, one jewelry, three restaurants, two barbers, two meat markets, fivedress making shops, one tailor, one dentist, one photographer, two newspapers, one telegraph office, one depot, one marble works and two saloons. THE COURT-HOUSE. The first court-house was constructed in the year 1850, and stood on the southeast corner of thesquare. It was two-stories high, contained three offices up stairs and court-room below. The present court-house was commenced in the fall of 1856, and completed in the spring of1858 at a cost of about $25,000. It is built of brick, two-stories high; containing court-room and two jury rooms up stairs and formerly six offices below, now only five; viz: Sheriff's, Treasurer's, Auditor's, Recorder's and Clerk's. The court-yard is large and beautiful, containing over 200 soft maple trees of twelve years' growth, which furnish a forest of shade. Around the square a good picket fence encloses the court-yard. There are hitching one story, built of brick, and joins the Sheriff's residence. The jail con tains four cells and one main room. The whole structure cost $5,000. It is situated two blocks north of the square. POST-OFFICE. People in and about Montezuma received their mail at Oskaloosa during some of the pioneer days. Tho first post-office in Poweshiek county was kept in the store-house of Gideon Wilson, with I. G. Wilson, postmaster. R. B. Ogden was postmaster as early as 1852, and the following persons have since receivedappointments: 1854, Joseph Martin; MONTEZUMA M. E. CHURCH. The church was organized in February, 1848, by Gideon Wilson and the Rev. James Francis New, a missionary, with the following members: Gideon Wilson, Catherine Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Isaac Wilson, Sarah Wilson, Mary Faucett. The present frame church was built in 1856 at a cost of $3,375, and was improved during the summer of 1880 at an additional cost of $1,500. The church was dedicated in 1856 or '57, by Presiding Elder Simpson, and the pastor, Rev. J. Craig. Pastors have succeeded one another in the work as follows: Revs. J. F. New, 1849; Mr. Gideon Wilson, most prominent in the organization of this church, a member of the M. E. Church over 52 years, a successful merchant and valuable citizen, died Oct 3,1879, at the age of 79. During the pastorate of Rev. Jesse Craig there was a large revival, as also under Rev. J. G. Thompson in 1867-8, when there were twenty-two additions to the church. The largest revival in the history of the church was during the ministry of Rev. W. G. Thorn, inthe winter of 1873-4, when there were fifty-four additions. During the pastorate of B. F. Shane, there were thirty-four additions. The last revival was conducted by Rev. L. 0. Housel during the winter of 1878-9, when there were thirty additions. The present good spiritual condition of the church is attributed in a great measure, to the last religious awakening. Rev. D. C. Smith, present pastor, has just came from his previous field in Brooklyn, and with the present conference year enters upon his duties as spiritual adviser for this branch of his Master's work. The Sunday-school meets every sabbath with an average attendance of 110. Mr. C. R. Clark has been Superintendent for thirteen years. In this department he has shown great excellence and worth as may be indicated by the persistency with which the church has for so many years committed to him this high trust. Heretofore there has been a country appointment attached to this charge, at which the pastor preached once in two weeks, but with the beginning of this conference year that appointment was detached and placed to another circuit. So that the society in Montezuma now undertake to support full station work. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. This was one of the first church organizations in the county, being effected in November, 1849. The house of worship was the first in the county, constructed in 1855 or 1856, of brick, at a cost of $1,300. It is situated four blocks south of the court-house on the corner of Third Street. The original members were: Rev. James Johnson, Abigal Johnson, Washington B. Harden, Hobson Parker. The church was dedicated in the year 1856, Rev. George Whedly preaching the sermon and Rev. N. Snyder giving the charge, assisted by Rev. James Johnson. Pastors of the church have served in the following order. Revs. James Johnson, Alexander Calwell, William Morrow, William Scott, E. S. Brown, F. A. Kirkpatrick, John McAlister, William Browning W. M. Carrel, S. N. Miheng, H. H. Workman, James Ruker, Leonard Barton, William Remsburg, H. A. T. Harris, J. C. Hazlatt, Asa Aliet, G. G. Robinson, present pastor. The present membership is thirty-five. Three times the church has been severely injured by wind, and once struck by lightning. The Iowa State Conference has convened three times in this church. A branch mission church is established at Brownstown, six miles south of Montezuma, with thirty-five members; another at Union Ridge school house, in Lincoln township, nine miles northeast of Montezuma. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This church was organized by the following eight members, 1856: James J. Marquis, Martha J. Marquis, Salina Jones, Maria Sophemia Blackmar, SarahKidder, Alexander Gordon, Miss Margaret Gordon. On examination, at the same time, there were received: George Cowie, Margaret D. Cowie, James Duffns, N. A. Duffus, Catharine M. Riddle, Rebecca Stanley, Alexander Duffus, Elizabeth H. Duffus. The frame church, situated one block north of the court-house, was built in the year 1876, at acost of 13,800, and was dedicated by Revs. R. B. Herron and Abner Chapman. Names of pastors: Thomas J. Taylor, R. B. Farrar, William Young, O. E. Spinning, and R. B. Herron, present pastor. There are 113 on the church roll, seventy of whom are contributing members. Services were held in the court-house, except for a little time in the Methodist Protestant Church, till the present church was completed. In April, 1877, there were thirty-five additions, and about the same number during the winter of 1878. The Sunday school meets each week, with an average attendance of eighty-five scholars. The following persons have been Superintendents: E. C. Barrett, W. R. Lewis, M. W. Ward, and W. R. Lewis, who is present superintendent. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF MONTEZUMA. This church was organized in 1863 or 1865, with the following original members. Daliel Harrod and wife, James E. Mclntire and wife, Emily Morrison, Mrs. C. E. Norris, John Souter and wife. The present convenient frame church was built in 1877, at a cost of $2,500, and dedicated byRevs. N. A. McConnell and John Rankin. Pastors have served as follows: Revs. Wm. R, Cowley, E. J. Stanley, three years, J. A. Guthrie, one year, H. D. Dennis, two years, and John K. Cornell, the present pastor, who has served nearly one year. The present membership is 105. Meetings were held in the courthouse till the present church edifice was constructed. Since the church was built, baptisms have increased rapidly, tho ordinance being performed in the church at the close of evening service. The church contains a good baptistery and well. CEMETERY. The Montezuma cemetery is situated on high ground one-half mile southwest of the city. It contains ten acres, is owned and managed by racks entirely around the fence. The racks consist of two inch gas pipes, firmly fastened into cedar posts; eighteen inches of the top of each post is cased and capped with galvanized iron. Until the fall of 1876, Poweshiek county had no regular jail. The present jail is substantially, and neatly built, combining the Sheriffs residence and jail. The Sheriff's residence is a two story brick; the jail proper is the Masons and Odd Fellows. It was laid out in the year 1864, and the remains of John M. Adams were the first to be laid there. He was the son of C. G. Adams, Esq., and died July 3, 1865, at the age of fourteen. Since that time there have been buried in this cemetery 300 corpses. The old burying ground was situated northwest of the new, and having been used from the early settlements it contains many graves. It was first used for burial in 1857. Mrs. W. B. Harden was the first to find a silent resting placethere. She was buried in April, 1857. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. No history of an Iowa town can be complete without mention of the public school. Every household has interest in our system of common schools. They are the central power in the State, and the hope of the >youth. From the early days of Montezuma there have been schools for children and youth. Some of the early schools partook of the nature of select or private. Some of the early schools were supported in part by tax and in part by tuition of each pupil. The first school taught within the corporate limits of Montezuma was by a lady, in the year 1849. The first school-house stood where the mill now stands, three blocks northeast of the court-house. It was built by taxation of the district. John W. Cheshire taught a school in the court-house in the year 1852-3. Mr. D. Deane, Miss Carter, Mr. Byer and W. R. Lewis were among the early teachers. Then came S. W. Bosley, Roderick Rose, Miss Belle Patterson and Roderick Robe again, who is now mayor of the city of Davenport. The independent school district of Montezuma was formed in the year 1867, and Prof. Chas. R. Clark assumed the responsibilities of Principal in September, 1866. Prof. Clark was an efficient teacher and remained at the head of the school the unusual terra of twelve years. When the independent district was formed there was an enrollment at school of - pupils, now there are 270 pupils on the roll. Mr. W. A. Gibbens, succeeded Mr. Clark in 1878 and remained only one year. Next, Mr. Wm. Herron was called to the principalship and still holds that position. The names of the other teachers are: First assistant, Miss Jennie Cinte; Broom, Miss Emma Adams; C room, Miss Ida Schell; D room, Miss Lydia Hartman. The present enrollment of pupils is 270. The second school building was located just east of the present M. E. Church, one block south and two east of the court-house square. It was commenced in 1857, by Duke & Dryden, contractor*, and occupied for the first time in 1859. It contained four rooms, two above and two below. The new building, now in process of erection is situated two blocks west of the court-house, is to be constructed of brick, contain six school-rooms, one recitation-room - in every way an approved modern structure. It will cost $12,500, and be completed January 1,1881. BANKS. Reuben Mickel had the first banking-house in Montezuma, in 1857. He occupied the little room on the west side where Mr. John Mullikin now has a harness-shop, lie continued till 1867. Ward & Slone commenced the business on the north side in the year 1868. John Hall and G. W. Kierulff bought out Ward & Slone and have, since 1876, carried on a profitable business in Centennial Block, on Main Street. HOTELS There are at present two hotels in Montezuma - the Stanley House and the Johnson House. The Stanley House is situated one square east of the court-house, and the Johnson House is situated one-quarter of a mile southwest of the courthouse. Of the former, Thomas Carroll is proprietor; of the latter, Sylvester Johnson. The first public house for the entertainment of guests was kept by William H. Palmer, in the year 1852, and situated on lot 5, block 12, southeast of the court-house. John Mclntire commenced to build the Stanley House, but Mr. Asel Stanley bought him out and finished the building in the year 1856. The following proprietors kept that house: Asa Coho, Alanson Jones, James Pierce, William Emslie, Charles Evans and Thomas Carroll. RAILROADS. Montezuma has two railroads - the Grinnell and Montezuma Railroad and the Iowa City and Western Railroad, being an extension of tho B., C. R. & N.RR. The Grinnell and Montezuma Railroad was built in the fall of 1875, at a cost to the people, by subscription, of $55,000. This road runs from Grinnell to Montezuma, a distance of eighteen miles. It runs two trains each way every week day. The Iowa City and Western Railroad was built in the summer and fall of 1880. It is sixteen miles in length, and extends between Thornburg, Keokuk county, and Montezuma. The line follows the divide all the way and there is not a bridge. Captain J. W. Barnes is general manager of construction. SOCIETIES. La Fayette Lodge of Montezuma^ No. 85, A. F. & A. M. - Dispensation granted September 20,1854; organized January 18,1855. The charter members were: Present officers: A. F.Ray burn, W. M.; L.W.Wilson, S.W.; J.W. Rodgers, Wm. Emslie,Treasurer; O. L. Roseraan, Secretary; C. R. Clark, S. D.; A. Latchem, J. D.; W. T. Leins, Tyler. Names of Worshipful Masters from the organization to the present time: 1855, January 18, Milton A. Malone; 1855, July 21, W. C. Rayburn; 1856, June 14, J. K. Rayburn; 1857, June 6, J. K. Rayburn; 1858, June 24, Isaac N. Buck; 1859, June 25, R.Mickel; 1860, May 3, R. Mickel; 1861, May 23, R B. Ogden; 1862, May 8, Reuben Mickel; 1863, May 28, Reuben Mickel; 1864, May 19, Reuben Mickel; 1865, May 4, Reuben Mickel; 1866, May 19,1. G. Wilson; 1867, May 18, J. EL Pierson; 1868, May 80, J. H. Pierson; 1859, May 22, J. H. Pierson; 1870, June, E. R. McKee; 1871, June, E. R. McKee; 1872, June, J. H. Pierson; 1878, June, J. H. Pierson; 1874, June, A. W. Ballard; 1875, June, A. W. Ballard; 1876, June, A. W. Ballard; 1877, June, C. R. Clark; 1878, C. R. Clark; 1879; June, A. W. Ballard; 1880, June, A. F. Rayburn. Present active members, 104. Meetings held every month: Saturday night, on or before full moon. Odd Fellows - I. O.0. F., Montezuma Lodge, No. 74. Membership, 68; meetings held each Tuesday evening in the Odd Fellows' Hall at the northeast corner of the square. The order owns a fine brick store-room below and hall above. It was built in 1876 at a cost of $3,000. There is also an encampment. On the 24th day of May,1855, a dispensation was granted and District D.G. M.Wesley Moreland organized in due form Montezuma Lodge, No. 74,1. O. 0. F., with charter members: John C. Johnson, M. A. Mason, Snowden Myers, G. G. Dryden, I. N. Griffith, Louidas Pegan. The first N. G., M. A. Malone; the first Secretary, J. 0. Johnson. Since that time the following named persons have been elected to the office of Noble Grand: 1856, J. C. Johnson, J. H. Irwin; Encampment - Montezuma Encampment, No. 15. Membership, 45; instituted August 22,1856; present charter members: W. C. Irwin, Jr., M. A. Malone, Geo. Cowie, M. L. James, W. J. Lyons, Geo. Wasson, A. L. Croucher, W. B. Harden, W. R. Cassidy, J. P. Collins, Robert Cassidy, First officers: W. C. Irwin, C. P., M. A. Malone, H. P., M. L. James, Scribe. Receipts, first meeting, $45.00. The Chief Patriarchs of the Encampment have been as follows: Iowa Legion of Honor, Jackson Lodge, No. 33 - Organized August 1, 1879. Meetings first and third Tuesday evenings in each month, in Odd Fellows' Hall. Present membership, twenty-six. The objects are mutual insurance - policy $2,000. Present officers: C. R. Clark, W. P.; W. W, McCready, V. P.; O. L. Rosemary, R. S.; J. L. Rodgers, F. S.; L. W. Wilson, Treasurer; G. W. Wilson, Chaplin; M. F. Cheshire, Usher; John W. Wilson, Door-keeper; E. L. Rice, Sentinel. Ancient Order of United Workmen, Montezuma Lodge, No. 6 Organized May 1, 1876. Present membership, forty-six. Present officers: Loyal Orange Institution, Charity Lodge, No. 152 - Meets in Odd Fellows' Hall. Membership, sixteen. It was instituted in 1869. There are three lodges of this order in Poweshiek county, said to be the only Orangemen's lodges in the State of Iowa. There are two lodges in Scott township. The present officers of Charity Lodge are: J. W. Rodgers, W. M.; C. R. Hicks, D. M.; J. F. Schultz, Treasurer; F. S. Johnson, Secretary. Mr. Johnson died September 27, 1880, and the next day was buried with the honors of the order. Central Iowa District Fair - Located at Montezuma, Iowa. The articles of incorporation are dated September 24, 1SS0. The territory embraced is Poweshiek, Jasper, Mahaska, Keokuk, and Iowa counties. The objects are stated in Article 4: MONTEZUMA REPUBLICAN. The Montezuma Republican is the oldest newspaper in the county, having been established in the spring of 1856, by John Cassidy. In 1857 A. M. Cowing became editor and proprietor, and before the close of the year disposed of a half interest to Albert Head, issuing the paper under the firm name of Cowing & Head. In 1859 Mr. Cowing retired, and S. F. Cooper became the senior partner of the firm. Cooper & Head sold the property to F. T. Campbell, in 1862. The same year, Mr. Campbell enlisted as a soldier, and went to the front, to assist in crushing the Rebellion, and left J. B. Besack in charge of the paper. In 1863, for a short time, a Mr. Springer was associated with Mr. Besack in its publication. In 1864 W. C. Condit became a partner of Mr. Besack, and the same year became solo proprietor. The next year he sold out to O. H. P. Grove and a Mr. Pike, who published it under the firm name of Grove & Pike. In 1866 F. E. Spering became the proprietor, but the next year Mr. O. H. P. Grove repurchased a half interest, and later in the year Mr. Pike again became Mr. Grove's partner, Mr. Spering retiring. J. W. Dalby purchased Mr. Pike's interest in 1868, and for a year the paper was issued by Grove & Dalby. The following year (1869) S. W. Grove purchased Mr. Dalby's interest, and the firm name became O. H. P. Grove & Bro. In 1870 Jno. W. Cheshire entered the firm as third partner, and the paper for that year was issued by O. H. P. Grove, S. W. Grove, and Jno. W. Cheshire, under firm name - Republican Printing Company. The following year (1871) the paper was purchased by Rev. Wm. Reinsburgh and S. W. Grove, who, in the spring of 1872, sold out the establishment to Jno. W.Cheshire. Mr. Cheshire was editor and proprietor up to the time of his death, which occurred September 5th, 1877. After his death, bis sons, Thos. A. Cheshire and M. F. Cheshire, purchased the property of the Cheshire estate, and have since issued the paper under the firm name of Cheshire Bros. During all these years the Republican has advocated the principles of the Republican party, and has maintained the lead in circulation and influence. When taking charge of the paper, Mr. T. A. Cheshire published the following introductory: "With this issue of the Republican, the undersigned becomes sole editor and proprietor. In assuming control of an influential journal, which the people of Poweshiek county have long patronized, and learned to respect, we cannot help feeling a lack of ability to fitly and fully fill the position. The duties and responsibilities are many, while the rewards are correspondingly few. To be the editor of a newspaper so long and firmly established, and consequently so widely distributed and circulated, as the Republican, is to be placed where the most intense application is demanded and the most incessant labor required. No person 'constitutionally tired' can ever meet with success as an editor. It takes the hardest kind of hard work. We assume these duties with a determination to give them all our time and attention, and will, therefore, be compelled to lay aside (regretfully) our law books, until our mission as an editor is at an end. The Republican is now in its twenty-first year, has a large list of subscribers, and is doing a good, paying business. It has steadily grown in favor with the people of Poweshiek county, during the management of its late editor, Jno. W. Cheshire, and it will be our highest arabition to maintain, and, if possible, increase, its circulation, business, and influence. To do this, we must receive aid and encouragement from its patrons and readers. We consequently respectfully solicit your co-operation and assistance in sustaining and building up a paper which can be made second to no country weekly in Iowa. We have first class publishing facilities; we have an enlightened and intelligent people, and are located at the county seat of one of the best counties in Iowa. It will be our endeavor to publish a paper that no voter ortax-payer in Poweshiek county can do without. Our facilities for furnishing news of local interest are not excelled, if equaled, and we will always be on the alert to see that nothing of importance escapes our notice." POWESHIEK COUNTY DEMOCRAT. Lon H. Boydston, editor and proprietor. The Poweshiek County Democrat was established in April, 1877, the first issue appearing on Saturday, April 7. Sherman & Boydston were the proprietors then. November 17, 1877, John T. Sherman retired from the Democrat and established the Independent at Grinnell. L. H. Boydston became editor and proprietor of the paper, and still remains in that position. Up to the fall of 1880 it was the only Democratic newspaper in the county; has a large and increasing circulation, being one of the best local papers in Poweshiek county. It has proved the only Democratic newspaper ever successfully run in the county; several futile attempts having been made before to publish one. Nothing but the indomitable pluck and push of the present proprietor could have made the Democrat a success, as all the "odds" were against the project, and he has now the proud satisfaction of seeing his paper > on a paying basis, with a bright future ahead
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