1836
About this year a trading post was established, by the government, at or near
where the town of Bradford now stands.
1840
Land broke and fenced at the forks of the Cedar River for Indians to cultivate;
the government treating it as a reservation.
1847
Reported massacre of women and children, belonging to a large party of Sioux
Indians, by a band of Winnebagoes on the warpath. This was in Deerfield township, as now known.
1848
TRUMAN MERRITT, the first white man to make a settlement within the
boundaries of the county, located near the Cedar River, in the southwestern part of the county.
1850
First white child born in the county, being a daughter of TRUMAN MERRITT.
T.G. STAPLES made the first settlement in what is now known as Stapleton Township.
Terrence CUMMERFORD, first man to locate in Utica Township.
1851
First male white child born within the limits of the county, ELMER CASE, at Greenwood.
JOHN BIRD and J.A.J. BIRD and others settled at Bradford village.
1852
First school at village of Bradford and the first one in the county.
JAMES LYON, afterwards the first county judge, located in what is now Utica Township.
1853
During this year the first attempt was made towards organizing the county and an
election was held, but John Bird, organizing sheriff, for some reason withheld all returns and
it was a failure.
The first settlement made in what is now Chickasaw Township by William BARTLETT
and Joel BARTLETT; Jos LEE; L.D. HOISINGTON; Samuel MONROE; James L. FRAZEE; and others.
Henry SHAFFER located in the township of Jacksonville, being the first to do so within
its limits.
The first sermon was preached during the year by Mr INGRAM at the house
of John BIRD at village of Bradford.
The first store in the county was also opened this year at the same place by J.A.J. BIRD.
The first marriage license was granted to Joseph AVING & Elizabeth JARRARD September 5.
1854
County organized, with but one election precinct, called Bradford, May 3d.
First license to peddle issued to L.E. HACKLETON, Feb. 10, by the county
court.
Commissioners, appointed for that purpose, to locate the county seat at Bradford
village.
First court house built the same year, being a log house, without ceiling.
Andy SAMPLE built the first saw mill and George BRONSON the first hotel in the
county, both of these at Bradford, where alone there was any settlement to amount to much.
William DOW, who has the honor to be the first blacksmith, also located this year.
The town of Chickasaw surveyed and platted, and the sawmill at that place erected,
this year, as was also the school organized and taught by Miss Jane BILLINGS.
September 1st, Frederick PADDEN located at Fredericksburg, being the
first settler in that township; Samuel MARSH and others following in the same year.
The first settlement was made in Deerfield Township, this year, by Almon
HARRIS; John SPURR and Myrick SPURR; Edwin HALE and others in May.
Hazard GREEN, one of the most prominent men of the early days, first
settled in Jacksonville Township, this year, and built the first building, in what was later
times the village of Jacksonville. He was afterwards hotel keeper, justice of the peace,
postmaster and sundry other things.
The first tax levy was made this year also.
At Nashua, in Bradford Township, the first settlement is recorded as occurring
this year.
William MILLIKAN located in Dayton Township, and established on an island
in the "Wapsie," a cabin known far and wide as the "Hunter's Home;" this, with the location of a
man by the name of Mr SMITH, was the first attempt at settlement in that township.
The first settlers in Richland Township are recorded as coming in this year also, among them
we find the names of J. B. UPHAM, Joel PARSONS, and David TINGLEY.
1855
It is recorded that the first church society organized in the county, was of the
Congregational denomination, and was established under the ministrations of Rev O. LITTLEFIELD
during this year.
William TUCKER opened the first store in the village of Chickasaw, in the
spring, and the grist mill and a steam saw mill was erected during the summer of the year.
At Jacksonville, in the township of the same name, this year, was established the
first store in the town, as was the post office.
The first settlement in Washington Township dates from this year, as does that
of the town of New Hampton; the first house in the latter being a small board building, owned by
David EDWARDS. The first store by JACOBS & ROSS.
The Township of Obispo was organized and an attempt made to do the same in
Washington, but was a failure, being set aside for informality.
Dr S.C. HAYNES, the first physician in the county, also located this year
at Greenwood.
During this year, at Fredericksburg, Rev S.M. PRENTISS, a Baptist clergyman preached
the first sermon.
The first hotel and store were also erected at the same place.
The following named persons also began to carry on their respective business at
the village of Fredericksburg, this year, viz: Emory COMBS, blacksmith; J.V. CARPENTER
, shoemaker; George HILLSON, wagonmaker.
Post office established this year at New Hampton, Osgood GOWAN, Postmaster.
H. BARTLETT, the first child born in Chickasaw Township, dates his advent
from this year.
The Township of Chickasaw was organized.
1856
June, Rosa PADDEN, the first child in the Township of Fredericksburg,
was born.
The town was also laid out, by Frederick PADDEN and Daniel BLOXHAM.
In the same township occurs the following events, this year: Steam saw mill
erected; Methodist society organized; Post office established at the "Burg," with F. PADDEN,
as Postmaster.
First election takes place since organization of county, and 296 votes cast.
There was also a special election this year in aid of the MacGregor, St. Paul & Miss. Railroad,
the vote being by a large majority in favor of such aid.
This year the county divided into various election precincts, and Deerfield and
Richland Townships were organized.
With this year the county seat question comes to the front. In February a
petition was presented to the county court, asking that a vote be taken, at the next election,
on the location of the county seat, as between Bradford and New Hampton. The petition was granted,
and at the April election the question was submitted to the voters, and decided in favor of
Bradford, by the board of canvassers throwing out the vote of Washington Township and ten votes
in Deerfield, for alleged informity. This led to lawsuits, etc., but was finally settled in
favor of New Hampton, that being the geographical centre of the county.
During the year "Brinks Folly" was erected; this was a large hotel, far in
advance of the town, built at Bradford.
Deerfield Township was organized April 7th of this year; W.F. WRIGHT,
organizing constable.
The first school in the town of Jacksonville was established by a party named
COLE, and the village laid out and platted in March.
Miss Maggie NICHOLS, teaches the first school in Nashua. Also the first
store, in the same place, established, being that of Smiley SAMPLE.
1857
This was a hard year on the early settlers, and is now remembered by them as
"starvation year," many subsisting all winter on soft corn.
In May the JACKSONVILLE REPUBLICAN, the first newspaper in the county was
established. This was followed, the next week, by the CEDAR VALLEY NEWS. The first was edited
by Isaac WATSON and the latter by Andy J. FELT. In November of the same year, was
formed a stock company, known as the Chickasaw County Republican Association, who purchased the
Jacksonville paper of WATSON, and changed the name of it to THE CHICKASAW COUNTY
REPUBLICAN.
The first agricultural society of the county was organized this year. This was
a failure and finally collapsed.
During this year we find the first mention of the town of Nashua on the records
of the county judge.
An election was held in aid of the Chicago, Iowa & Minnesota Railroad results in a
majority in favor of such aid of said road, being 309 for and 216 against it.
Washington, Dayton, New Hampton, and Fredericksburg Townships organized.
The first kiln of brick burned and first brick building erected in the county,
being some out building on the place of Hiram BAILEY, at Forest City.
A party by the name of MONTGOMERY, erects the first hotel in Nashua, and
Andy SAMPLE erects the first grist mill at the same place.
Saw mill at Fredericksburg destroyed by fire.
The following are among the events happening in the Township of Fredericksburg,
this year: first school opened by Miss Anna BISHOP; the first marriage was celebrated,
being that of Charles ZWICK; D.B. HANAN locates as attorney.
Plat of New Hampton is recorded this year; and recites that Gideon GARDNER,
H. HAMLIN, David EDWARDS, H. [Harrison] GURLEY, and E.T. RUNION were the original
proprietors thereof.
Jno NICHOLAS erects first store in Stapleton Township, near Crane Creek,
and the Township of Stapleton organized.
1858
April 5th a vote was taken on the county seat question, as between New Hampton
and Forest City. On account of alleged informality in some votes in Deerfield, and the board
throwing out the entire vote of Washington Township, Forest City is decided to have had matter
adjudged in its favor, and court adjourned to that place. The matter was taken to the courts,
and the next year decision was given that New Hampton was entitled to the distinction of being
the seat of the county government.
In many parts of the country the crops were lost, this year, by entailing much misery.
Utica and Jacksonville Townships organized in March of the year.
By vote of the county the aid in favor of the McGregor, St. Peter & Miss. River Railroad
was rescinded in April.
February 8th the Congregational Church, at New Hampton, was organized under the name of the
Pilgrim Church of New Hampton.
Sawmill, at Fredericksburg, rebuilt.
Dr MACK, the first physician in the latter town, locates.
1859
The county seat relocated at New Hampton, where it has remained ever since.
During this year was erected at the village of Bradford the Congregational Church, well known
everywhere as the "Little Brown Church". This was the first church edifice, properly so called,
in the county, and stands, today, a monument of the early days. J.R. NUTTING was the
first pastor.
Dresden Township was organized this year.
1860
This year was made eventful by the first issue of The New Hampton Courier, a
paper that still survives the vissitudes of a newspaper life.
In April was organized the Agricultural Society of Chickasaw County, at New
Hampton, and in September 27th and 28th was held the first exhibition of the same. This was
success, and the society still is in existence and maintains a healthy organization.
Baptist church, at Fredericksburg, organized, with Rev E. G. GROAT, as
pastor, as was the Presbyterian mission, of the same place, with Rev L. R. LOCKWOOD,
as minister.
First board of supervisors meet. The tocsin of war having resounded throughout the land, and
the President of the United States having called for men to put down the rebellion that
threatened the life of the government, the board pass a resolution, granting to all volunteers
from the county a bounty and support for those dependent upon them, who are left to the tender
mercies of the world.
In June, of this year, is raised a full company in the county, under the command of Captain
Gideon GARDNER and which was incorporated in the famous Seventh Iowa Infantry Regiment, and
known as Company "B".
In November was also raised a full company, which was attached to the Fourth Iowa Calvary,
and known as Company "H". Besides these many men were enlisted in the county for various other
regiments.
Graceland Cemetery Association organized (New Hampton).
October, Company "C," Thirty-eighth Iowa Infantry, was raised in the county and went to the
front.
Saw mill, at Fredericksburg, destroyed by fire for the second time.
1863
During this year the Congregational Church, at New Hampton, was erected. The noted
Philadelphia banker, Jay COOKE, donating the sum of five hundred dollars in aid of the same.
1864
Mary CASE, appointed deputy clerk, being the first instance in the county of a women's
right to public office.
October 3d the first teachers institute held.
1865
The Congregational Church, incorporated, in New Hampton under the laws of the
State of Iowa.
Gideon GARDNER donates the land, in New Hampton, on which to build a court house for
the use of the county. The contract to erect the building, was let to J.H. POWERS,
June 6th, and was to cost $2,986.00.
Coronet band, at Fredericksburg, organized.
The present school house, at the same place, erected.
1866
During the year, a committee appointed, by the board of supervisors, to let a contract,
to build the bridge over Cedar River, at Nashua; and to oversee the work on the same.
1867
The committee, appointed by the board, report that they have let the contract, to build
the bridge at Nashua, to A. SPAULDING and that he has complied with the terms thereof,
and said bridge is completed.
The school house at New Hampton, erected.
The city of Nashua incorporated, under the laws of the State of Iowa.
W. S. PITTS, M.D. locates in village of Fredericksburg.
1868
During the summer of this year, the first railroad broke ground within the limits of the
county. This was the Cedar Valley and Minnesota Railroad, which entered the town of Nashua in
July. It is now known as the Cedar Valley branch of the Illinois Central Railroad.
Meeting held in Shelton Township, November 14th, appoint a committee to wait upon officers
of the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, approaching the boundary of the county, to ask upon what
terms they would put a station at or near Crane Creek.
The fires settlement at the town of Lawler, dates from this year also.
ROSENBAUM Bros. start a bank in Nashua, the first in the county.
1869
In the early summer the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad broke the ground of Chickasaw
County, and located the station at Lawler (or as it was at first called, Crane Creek Station).
This road was then known as the McGregor and Souix City, but was shortly after absorbed into
the present company, and known as the Iowa and Dakota Division of the Chicage, Milwaukee and
St. Paul Railway. The settlement of the town of Lawler really dates from this year. The first
post office was also established with J.A. GREEN as postmaster.
August 13, Arcana Lodge No. 274, A. F. and A. M. instituted at New Hampton.
1870
The Chickasaw County Bank, organized in January, this year.
The town of Lawler, was incorporated, with J. W. Van AUKEN, as mayor.
Bryan J. CASTLE, also established THE LAWLER GAZETTE which however, was of short life
as it only run about a year.
Methodist church at Fredericksburg erected, and John H.HILLER’s Saloon at same place
destroyed by fire.
1871
Congregational and Catholic Churches, of Lawler, organized.
Also the German Lutheran Church at New Hampton organized, in March of this year.
Independent school district of Fredericksburg organized.
1872
The poor farm purchased by the county, of DON A. JACKSON, for the sum of $3,200,
being 160 acres of land and contract awarded A.W. UTTER, New Hampton, to erect the
necessary buildings, for the accomodation of the destitute.
Several churches erected during the year; notably, the Catholic and Congregational, at Lawler,
and the Methodist at New Hampton.
J. V. CARPENTER, residence, at Fredericksburg burned in the spring of the year.
1873
Town of New Hampton incorporated, and first city elections take place May 21st.
Roman Catholic Church at Nashua organized, and Catholic Cemetery at New Hampton, established.
1874
German Congregational Church, at New Hampton, organized.
Mount Horeb Lodge, 333, A. F. and A. M. at village of Fredericksburg, established.
1875
CHICKASAW COUNTY TIMES, a weekly newspaper, started at Lawler, by F. M. HAISLET, now
owner of the NEW HAMPTON TRIBUNE.
Cheese factory at Fredericksburg established.
1876
There being some irregularity in the previous incorporation of the town of Lawler,
a new act of incorporation was past this year.
September 2d, a lodge of workman organized, at New Hampton.
1877
This year marked the big fire at Lawler, that wiped out nearly the entire business portion of
the community. It destroyed, the TIMES Office, the stores of GREEN and LYNCH, E. A. ERVIN;
Miss E. LAWRENCE; J. FITZSIMMONS; F. CLARKIN; W.M. O'BRIEN; P. O'REILLY; John NICHOLAS;
LOVEJOY and MCFARLAND; Mrs M.F. BINNS; GENSHAW and Co.; J.N. BAKER and Co.; the saloons
of FITZSIMMONS Bros. and John DOYLE; the Lawler Library, law library of D.
WEST, the butcher shop of J.A. REAL, five grain warehouses and numerous other
building, and property, aggregating in value $83,500 on which there were was an insurance of
only $56,450.
The Episcopal Church, at New Hampton, was organized July 30th.
Conflagration at Fredericksburg, destroying the buildings and stocks of PADDEN Bros.;
Mrs HOWE, and Mrs STONE and A. SMITH.
1878
John KOLTHOFF starts the cheese factory, in Dresden Township.
New church erected in Nashua, by the Methodist denomination, the finest religious edifice in
the county.
Lawler Oddfellows organize a lodge.
1879
SMITH and DARROW, organize a banking office at New Hampton.
Again fire devastates the town of Lawler, burning MCNEVINS Saloon; R.D.
PARKER’s store; KING's hotel, Exchange Bank and the barber shop. The loss was about
seven or eight thousand dollars, but the people whose property was thus destroyed, were not
discouraged, but went to work with a will and almost before the fire had died out, were making
arrangements to continue their business.
First National Bank of Nashua organized, with A.G. CASE, as president, and A.J.
FELT, cashier.
1880
Court house at New Hampton destroyed by fire, supposed to have had an incendary origin.
This necessitated a new court house and on this issue the contest for the county seat of this
year. Nashua, offering to build a court house and loan it to county for as long as they occupied
it for that purpose, but New Hampton merchants, and business men generally, accepting the
situation, donated to the county of $5,000 toward a building. This, together with the influence
of a remonstrance, signed by a majority of the voters of the county, induced the board of
supervisors, to relocate the seat of the county government at New Hampton and build the present
elegant and commodous building which graces the city.
1881
Again fire visits the apparently doomed city of Lawler, devouring the stores of H.S.
BLACKETT, G. MILLER, A. BECHELT, A.P. JOHNSON, P. O'REILLY and many others buildings,
making a loss of about $55,000, of which but a small portion is covered by insurance.
School house, at New Hampton, is also burned during the spring.
During the year, the Methodist Church, at Williamstown, is erected.
This being a good year for fires, the DIXON HOUSE, one of the oldest hotels in New Hampton is
destroyed by flames.
First National Bank at New Hampton, was organized December 15th.
1882
Vote on the amendment, to prohibit the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquor in the state
result as follows: 1382 for the adoption of the amendment and 1068 against adoption.
