A Raft Pilot's Log cont. Rapids Pilots who ran Rafts over the Lower, or Des Moines, Rapids 277 William West, lived at Priced creek. Valentine Speak, died at montrose, 1880. R.S. Owen, died at Montrose, 1898. J.P. Barber, died at Montrose, 1915. Sam Speak, died at Montrose, 1900. Charles Speak, died at Mt. Pleasant, 1895. Sam Williams, died in California, 1878. Cha. H. Farris, living in Montrose, well and active at seventy- eight. When the old canal was finished in 1878, the work of the Rapids pilots was greatly reduced, as rafts could be put through the canal in less time and with less expense and damage in extreme low water than working them over outside. Then in 1913, when the Keokuk dam was completed, there was no more work for the Rapids pilots on any craft between montrose and Keokuk. Captain Charles Farris made the last trip as a Rapids pilot, taking the big 'Morning star' down and back on a special sight-seeing trip when the dam was completed and the old Rapids submerged nearly all the way up. There were three locks in the old canal, each eighty feet wide and three hundred feet long. During the busy year of rafting, Captain Joseph Farris was in charge of the Guard lock, at the upper end, at the village of Galland. 278 Nicholas McKenzie was in charge of the middle lock. He was the father of Captain Hugh McKenzie and grandfather of Louis McKenzie, now in the crew that operates the big single lock that passes vessels from Lake Keokuk to the river level below or contrariwise, John Carpenter had charge of the Lower or Keokuk lock and Major M. Meigs was in charge of the entire canal dry docks and machine shop. Major Meigs and John Carpenter are now(1928) living quiet, retired, but healthy and happy lives in Keokuk.

A Raft Pilot's Log cont. Rapids Pilots who Handled Rafts over The Upper, or Rock Island Rapids, in the Order of their service from 1840-1915 275 Philip Suiter John Suiter,son of Philip William Suiter, son of Philip Jacob Suiter, son of Philip John Suiter, son of John Zach Suiter, son of John Harvey Goldsmith Silas Lancaster William Rambo DeForest Dorrance J.W. Rambo, son of William Oliver P. White J.N. Long Dana Dorrance Durbin Dorrance Orrin Smith All in this list have made "the last crossing" except Orrin Smith who is still in active service as master and pilot of the towboat 'Lone Star,' owned by the Builders Sand and Gravel Company of Davenport. Orrin Smith is a son of John Smith who did long and excellent service \in piloting the large and heavily loade packet steamers during the busy years from 1860 to 1885 when they carried full cargoes of freight and 276 passengers. John Smith had a rare combination of nerve, caution and skill, with ambition and energy to use his gifts, and his work was high class. masters and owners had confidence in his judgement and his skill. He was a 'sure shot' if there ever was one and Orrin is just like him. He is the youngest and last Rapids pilot to run rafts over the Rock Island rapids. His work has been equal to the best donr by any of those older nad with more experience. All these rapid pilots lived in LeClaire and all of them died there except Joseph N. Long who left his old home town many years ago, went to the Columbia river, and died, we think, in Portland,Oregon; and orrin smith is living in the fine old home where he was born. J.W. Rambo was born in Rapids City, Illinois, August 27, 1844, and was only ten days old when the family moved over to LeClaire where he lived until his death, January 30, 1925. Captain Rambo was master to Snow lodge, A.F, an A.M., 1879-1883 inclusive and was elected Mayor of LeClaire, 1886-1887-1889 and 1892. His wife and only daughter, Mrs. B.J. Metzger(Nellie), survive him.

Hope you read all the way down and found all I typed. That was the only way i could figure out how to send it. Joan

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Van Horn, Harrison, Bryant Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/Yl.2ADE/2307 Message Board Post: Searching for the parents of Margaret Van Horn who married Richard Harrison in Scott Co. (probably Davenport) on 7 Apr 1842. Was it Joseph Van Horn, listed as the head of a household in Scott Co. in the 1840 Census? Richard and Margaret's children were: Louise Ellen b.1843 Mary b. abt 1846 William b. 1848 Charles b.abt. 1852 Franklin b. abt. 1857 Please post here or email me at williem@attbi.com Thanks!!

Chapter 11 cont. ENTERS GOVERNMENT SERVICE About this period, at the solicitation of Governor Clark of Missouri, Antoine LeClaire enteered the service of the government and was placed at school that he might acquire a proper knowledge of the English language.  At that time he could speak French and Spanish fluently.  In 1818 he was sent to Fort Armstrong and there acted as interpreter under Captain Davenport, and the same year returned to Peoria, where in 1820 he married the granddaughter of Acoqua (The Kettle), a Sac chief.  The same year he was sent to Arkansas to watch the movements of Indians in that locality.  He was returned to Fort Armstrong in 1827 and was present as interpreter in 1832 when the treaty was made by which the United States purchased of the Sac and Fox tribes the territory west of the Mississippi river.  The treaty, on account of the presence of cholera among the soldiers at Fort Armstrong, was entered into on the Iowa shore opposite to the island.  Here the great chief of the Sacs, Keokuk, whose admiration for LeClaire could never be concealed, made a reserve of a section of land which he donated to Mr. LeClaire's wife, requiring as the only condition that Mr. LeClaire should build his house on the section and on the spot then occupied by the marquee of Genreal Scott in making the treaty, which condition Mr. LeClaire afterward fulfilled to the letter.  The Sacs and Foxes also, gave him another section of land at the head of the rapids, where the village of LeClaire now stands.  The Pottawattamies in the treaty of Prairie du Chien reserved two sections on the Illinois side which they presented to Mr. LeClaire.  On this reservation now stans the thriving city of Moline.  The treaty was ratified by congress the following winter.  In the spring of 1833 Mr. LeClaire erected a small building in the then Fox village, "Morgan," which had occupied this ground for years previous.  Of the tribe havng this as their headquarters Ma-que-pra-um was the head warrior and Poweshiek the head chief.  In the fall of 1834 the Sacs and Foxes left here for the Cedar river. In 1833 Mr. LeClaire was appointed postmaster of Davenport, the first one to occupy that position in the town, and also justice of the peace, to settle all matters of difference between the whites and Indians.  His jurisdiction extended over all the territory purchased of the Sacs and Foxes west of the Mississippi from Dubuque on the north to Burlington on the south.  The population of Burlington at that time was about 200 - that of Dubuque, about 250.  Antoine LeClaire was an accomplished linguist.  As has been stated, he spoke French and Spanish, understood thoroughly and conversed in fourteen Indian dialects, and by reason of this mainly was present as interpreter at many other treaties, that of the Great and Little Osages, in St. Louis in 1825; that of the Kansas at St. Louis, in 1825; of the Chippewas at Prairie du Chien in 1829; the Winnebagos at the same place in August, 1829; at the same place with the Sacs and Foxes in 1826; also at Prairie du Chien with the Winnebagos in 1832; at the treaty of Fort Armstrong held on the Iowa side with the Sacs and Foxes at Davenport in 1836; at Washington with the Sacs and Foxes in 1837; and with the Sacs and Fox tribes at Agency, now Wapello county, Iowa in 1842. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 11 cont. ANTOINE LECLAIRE Scattered throughout these pages, here and there, the name of Antoine LeClaire appears.   He was a man so prominently identified with the territory, state and city of Davenport in their early stages of development, was so broad-minded, liberal in his views, enterprising, generous to friends and enthusiastic and helpful in the promotion of the city's advancement, and always at the head of and a liberal contributor to every public enterprise of his day, that necessarily his name was more frequently and respectflly used than any other man of this community.  Many incidents of his life are noted herein by those who knew him intimately, which leave the writer of this sketch naught to do but give a general outline of the life of that great pioneer. Antoine LeClaire was born December 15, 1797, at St. Josephs, Michigan.  He was the son of Francois LeClaire, who immigrated from France to Canada and eventually took up his residence in Detroit.  Francois LeClaire married the granddaughter of a Pottawattamie chief, who became the mother of Antoine.  At this time the territory of the northwest, out of which a half dozen mighty states have been formed, was peopled almost solely by the redmen, with here and there one of a different race, fearless enough to brave the perils of the frontier life among the dusky denizens of the wilderness.  Francois LeClaire was one of these.  In 1808 he established a trading post at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, exchanging manufactured articles for various kinds of furs.  In 1809 he engaged to some extent in the business in connection with John Kinzie, at Fort Dearborn, now Chicago, Illinois.  In 1812, though surrounded with the Indian tribes with whom he was trading and who through the influence of British emissaries were generally hostile to the United States, Francois LeClaire espoused the American cause, engaging actively in the service, and was in the contest at Peoria, where with others he was taken prisoner.  The prisoners were confined at Alton, Illinois, but were released druing the same year.  Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

CHAPTER XI. DAVENPORT'S FIRST CITIZEN. ANTOINE LE CLAIRE PROMINENTLY IDENTIFIED WITH THE CITY, TERRITORY AND STATE - THE OWNER OF A HALF-DOZEN SECTIONS OF LAND GIVEN HIM BY INDIAN FRIENDS - GENEROUS TO ALL - MARGUERITE LECLAIRE, HIS WIFE WHO SHARED HIS PLEASURE IN MAKING OTHERS HAPPY - A TRIBUTE BY PERE PELAMOURGUES - LECLAIRE AND DAVENPORT - NAMES INSEPARABLE. (Pictures included with this chapter are:  Antoine LeClaire - Antoine Le Claire Treaty Site Home As It Now Looks At 420 West Fifth Street - Marguerite LeClaire - Antoine Le Claire's Old Residence, First Railroad Depot West of the Mississippi River - Third Home Of Antoine Le Claire) Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Hi Kathy, You are most welcome. The Buffalo article published May 23, 1976, concluded with a mention of the PTA's Bicentennial project. It was "a coloring book of old Buffalo scenes with sketches by Cindy Whitehead a West High School Senior". I now live in New Mexico but wouldn't it be wonderful if someone could discover this Coloring Book? It also occured to me that others might like to read this article so I will list the surnames-in the order in which they appear in the article: Capt. Benjamin W. Clark Capt. Warner Lewis Clark William Petersen E.A.Mix John Rowan Bowser Bros. Dr. E. Pillsbury Louis Schuh Dorman Lynd Fred Hoffbauer J. Mounts Erastus H. Bassett John Bartberger Charles Frank M. H, Bosworth Theodore Kautz Hugo Hoffbauer S.E. Hastings, J.P. H.H. Cass Max Hoffbauer August P. Richter Burl Frager Ed Bald John Cooper Harold McCullough Dan Bald Allen Olmstead Mrs. Leila Pagel Bill Collins Winnie Jane Pace Elmer Wrage Dominick Ochsner McMurray Ferdinand Bald Chris Zogg Paul Thier Adolph Murer Valentine Rauch John Waspi Jim Farley George Cram Cook Mrs. Emma Harrison Susan Glaspel Dolese Bros. Jig Cook Smith Mounts Mollie Price John Shook Paul Cook Ruby McCullough Sketches of these 5 buildings: Robert Ruden Home-"an early rock house at 636 3rd St." Home of Mrs. Ed Roderwig-"formerly that of W. L. Miller, a Buffalo Postmaster." The Ed Parent Home-built in 1856 by W.F. Kautz- "believed to have been a station for the underground railroad." Home of Josephine Hierseman-built in 1897-later owned by "the Ray Schiederwitz family." The U. S. Post Office-"once a lunchroom specializing in Mexican chilli." To Cathy Labath: It gives the location of Wm. Petersen's Bakery/Tavern as on the west corner of Front & Main. Bet you already knew that. Is it still there? Can you still see traces of the Brick Factory & the Westendorf home on the E. end of town? Just curious. If Kathy price or anyone else would like a quote on the small amount on any of the above surnames just let me know. At most it is maybe 2 lines but still interesting. Jo Westendorf Banks researching: Banks, Collins, Lamping, Muhs, Puck, Rabeling, Sand, Thielvoldt, Voss, Westendorf, Wulf, and Zarnt in Iowa. Collins, Fitzpatrick, Lamping, McManaman, & Halliburton in MO.

A Raft Pilot's Log cont. Complete List of Raft Pilots, 1840-1913 265 Teh following facts about raftmen and rafting and thge complete list of allpilots engaged in the work in any part of the period from 1840 to 1913 are taken from an article in the Davenport 'Democrat' and republishedin the 'Waterways journal, December, 1913. {The list was very carefully made up and I had many to help me. If we have missed any one, we have not been reminded of it since. In January,1928, I only can count thirty of the list above.} The towboats are sunken and dismantled and disintegrated hulks, the bones of many being the relics of an almost forgotten industry are strewn along the shores of the river. A few- and whatr a few they are- are working as sand-boats and towboats and general river craft. The great rafting traffic on the big river, in its infancy in 1841, slowly matured year by year, growing larger with each succeeding yearly cycle until in the 1880, the river traffic of rafts was reckoned one of the largest and most profitable industries in the United States. Then came the decline/ Later in the eighties the rafts coming down the Mississippi began to fall off in numbers, the towboats plying up and down the river to be fewer and fewer and gradually but surely the business dwindled. The falling off of the river traffic has continued until the present year when during the entire season, but three rafts went down. 266 Towed by 'Ottumwa Belle' These three reminders of the old days were towed through by the 'Ottumwa Belle,' the only survivor of the great fleet of ninety raft-boats that were in the business on the crest of the wave in 1880. The season of 1914 will see the end of the reafting business, when the 'Ottumwa Belle' will take three rafts through, the last three rafts ever destined to go down the river, and the knell of the once great traffic will be rung. The 'Ottumwa Belle' is owned by S. & J.C., Atlee of Fort Madison. The master of the 'Belle' is Walter Hunter, one of the few remaining raft pilots. And the masters, pilots and crews who manned the big fleet. Of the army of pilots, numbering over two hundred and fifty, who were the guardians of the fleet in their trips up and down the river thirty years ago, but seventy-three are known to be living. There may be other survivors, but they are not known to Captain W.A. Blair, who has compiled the complete list of those who were engaged in pilotiing in the early days. Of the seventy-three members of the profession, for it was indeed a profession, several have retained high places politically, others have abandoned the river and taken up a less romantic vocation, and still others have drifted to other navigable rivers to continue their chosen work. Old River Men Meet Prominent among the one-time raft-boat pilots is Colonel E.W. Durant, who is perhaps one of the most noted members of the body. Colonel Durant, who was once Lieutenant-governor of Minnesota and twice served his state as state senator, at the age of eighty-four years is, hale, healthy and happy. 267 He is an ardent follower of Isaac Walton and likes nothing better than sunning himself with a fishline in hand. He is also a great story=teller. On a trip of the 'Morning Star' in 1912 from Davenport to Saint Paul, I had Colonel Durant and Captain S.B. Hanks as my guests and I greatly enjoedtheir company and their reminiscences and they aided me in completing and checking up the list of raft pilots which I had prepared with the help of Captains Cyprian adn Joseph Buisson and John Monroe. Captain hanks piloted his alst raft June,1844. His death occured in August, 1917, at the age of ninety-four. Three in Ols Guard Three pilots, S.E. Lancaster of LeClaire, Iowa, O.J. Newcomb of Pepin, Wisconsin, and Morrel Looney, of LaCrosse are still following their chosen profession on the Yukon river in Alaska during the summer months. Others well known are Peter Kirns of saint louis, who for years was engaged in that business in Saint Louis. John McCaffrey, another of the old-time pilots, is a planter in Louisiana. Captain McCaffrey is a teller of wonderfully interesting stories of the old river and raft-running and is not at a loss for listeners. Joseph and Cyprian Buisson, two of the pioneers, are still piloting on the Mississippi. Cyprian was master of the steamer 'Helen Blair' last year and Joseph Buisson piloted the 'St. Paul' during the past season. Three of the living river pilots are located in Clinton. Joseph Duley is at the present time engaged in the unromantic calling of liveryman, but secretly his thoughts turn to his first love and enters the sand and gravel businees "to get the river smell," he says. O.P. McMahon and A.E. Duncan, also of Clinton, have retired from business with a comfortable fortune, The latter two were designers and builders of the steaner 'Silver Crescent.' to be cont.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/Yl.2ADE/500.1 Message Board Post: I believe I am a 2nd or 3rd cousin of yours. Charles and Maude Dawartz were my grandparents. Velma Dawartz Madsen was my mother and a sister to Norma Eakins. I remember Norma and Larry very well. Where are you located? I am still in Davenport, IA.

The last of Chapter 10 LECLAIRE VILLAGE. The article here following is from the ready and faithful pen of Mary E. Parkhurst, and was prepared for and published in the Half Century Democrat: "LeClaire is a beautiful, historic, and restful town, nestling beneath green hills and kissed by the caressing waves of the 'father of waters,' and bathed by the early rays of the morning sun.  Health, happiness and prosperity are the guardian angels of her future welfare and destiny.  The past to her is a rich treasury of sacred and historic interest.  Many a noble and worthy citizen has passed to the beyond, yet the cherished history surrounding the early pioneer, breathing a hallowed influence upon this town like a sweet benediction, will ever abide. "Following the tread of civilization, two towns, LeClaire and Parkhurst, sprang into being.  Separating the two was a dense forest, called by Edward Russell 'The Gulf,' extending on the bank of the river westward between Silver creek and Holland street.  A. H. Davenport and R. H. Rogers, owning this strip of land, divided it into town lots.  In 1855 on petition of the inhabitants of both towns the legislature, by an act, incorporated the city of LeClaire, including within its limits the town of Parkhurst.  LeClaire was a thriving city.  It was the home of the river man, the professional and business man, and the craftsman, all finding an avenue for activity and success.  At low water the packets and floating rafts, when darkness of night gathered, anchored at LeClaire, awaiting the early dawn when some trusty pilot would safely guide the way over the treacherous rapids.  The social, religious, educational and commercial were interwoven into a harmonious whole for the growth of this promising city.  Lectures were given before literary and temperance societies; musical societies met weekly; Sunday and public school exhibitions entertained the people; the Methodist, Episcopal, Congregational, Baptist, Disciples, and Universalist churches, all having worship, cultivated and fostered the religious sentiment.  'A vocal and instrumental soiree' was given by Miss Helen M. Ekin, now Mrs. Helen M. Starrett, a mother of several highly educated sons, and a well known writer and educator of Chicago.  'A May ball' was given in Davenport's hall.  The committee of arrangements were selected from the surrounding towns.  Room managers were C. S. Disney, L. S. Chamberlin, A. M. White.  Supper was served at the Bratton House, M. D. Westlake, proprietor.  Bill.  $300.  Music was furnished by White's band, conducted by Alfred Milo White, the noted violinist. "The hum of industry was heard.  From the LeClaire Marine railway the ring of the hammer in building and repairing boats, and the buzz of the saws from the two sawmills, joined with the machine shop of Charley Kattenbracker and Adolph Weithe, in musical notes of industry.  'The Swan Mills,' operated by Terhune and Grout, 'manufactured a very superior article of flour.'  They stated in 1856, 'We deliver our flour by ten barrels and upward within fifteen or eighteen miles of our mill free of charge.'  Disney, Stonebraker & Company, wanted thirty thousand bushels of corn for cash.  Dry goods, clothing, hardware, boat and provision stores, blacksmith, tin, copper, cabinet, candy and tailor shops, house and shop carpenters, stone masons and bricklayers, supplied the growing needs of the city.  Drs. S. W. Treat, James Gamble, and Hill guarded the public health, while Rufus Linderman, the lawyer, promoted peace and tranquility.  Messrs. H. Fleming, William Craig, Francis H. Impy and Edward Russell swayed public opinion, through 'The Weekly Express.' "Education was an important factor in this progressive city.  The school district was divided by the state into four districts under one organization.  The following communication was recieved:  'Office of School Fund Commissioner, Davenport.  May 15, 1855.  To the voters of school district No. 10, LeClaire Town:  It having been made known that your district is without officers, I have appointed Daniel Hagedorn, president, Dennis Barnes, secretary and Homer Carpenter, treasurer of said district until the first Monday in May, A. D. 1856, and until their successor shall be elected and qualified.  H. Price, Fund Commissioner, Scott County, Iowa.'  At a school meeting in LeClaire in district No. 7, in 1856, Mr. Spaulding, chairman, and A. M. Larimer, secretary, Laurel Summers, introduced the following resolution:  Resolved, That school district No. 7, LeClaire, is in favor of uniting with districts No. 2, 10 and 11, and thereby forming 'a union of the four districts.  Each district as it now stands does not forfeit or surrender its title or ownership to the school property.' "In 1855 it was agreed between Daniel Hagedorn, Dennis Barnes, Homer Carpenter and Pardon H. Owen, that said Owen should teach one of the schools for the term of three months for the sum of $33.33 1/3 per month.  A. P. Westfall was witness to the contract.  Pardon H. Owen was a scholarly man.  Eighty-seven bright boys and girls attended his school during the year.  The following schoolhouses have been used in LeClaire during the last fifty years:  the brick building in Parkhurst town; the Baptist church on Wisconsin avenue; the Presbyterian church on Jones street, called the 'black school' owing to the unpainted and weatherbeaten condition of the building; the school house built in 1850 on Ferry street, called the 'White school:' the old Methodist church on Main street; the Catholic church, beautifully situated upon one of the high bluffs; the German school house and the present building, built in 1870.  Only two of these old buildings remain standing.  Four schools continued in LeClaire until 1868, when one primary school was disbanded, leaving three schools; the high school, one intermediate, and one primary, called for convenience 'the stone, the black and the white schools.'  The first principal was Mr. Raymond, in 1857.  Mr. Baldwin in 1858, L. W. Weller in 1859, H. M. Hoon in 1860.  The high school then moved from the old Methodist church to the Catholic church.  H. M. Hoon completed his term of service and Mr. Stewart and Charles Clark were principals in this building.  The high school then moved to the German school house, William Sanderson and J. W. Coates being principals.  In 1871 all the schools were held in the present building.  The following have been in charge of the schools since:  J. W. Austin, J. W. Coates, C. E. Birchard, J. F. Lavender, J. T. Marvin, J. A. Holmes, E. A. Hamilton, W. D. Wells, Victor L. Dodge, E. S. Kinley, A. E. Baker, W. C. Hicks, C. W. Bartine, A. W. Schantz, John F. Ogden, S. M. Carlington, W. E. B. Marks, J. F. Norman.  Messrs.  Hoon, Coates, Birchard, Lavender, Kinley, Wells and Bartine married LeClaire ladies. "Mrs. M. L. Marks taught a private school in LeClaire for ten years.  Nearly every boy and girl at that time attended her school part of the year.  In 1859 Dr. Ekin, the Presbyterian minister, conducted a Ladies'Seminary at Maple Dale; now the home of Captain I. H. Spinsby.  The influence of Dr. Ekin and family was helpful and elevating to the people of LeClaire.  In 1856 an 'English and Classical School' was kept in LeClaire by A. W. Alvord and R. C. Hitchcock.  Miss Mary Payson conducted a private school for some time.  She returned east and married a Mr. Pierce, the grandfather of one of Davenport's real estate agents.  Mrs. Sarah Hurd and Mrs. M. L. Follette conducted, for some time, a select school.  Mrs. Hurd taught painting, music, embroidery and other fine arts.  In 1859 Mrs. Elsie A. Curtis, Mrs. Stella Tromley and Mrs. Sarah Dawley were elected school directors.  They completed their term in office with credit to themselves and profit to the public schools. "The LeClaire Lyceum and Library association was incorporated in 1867.  The object of the society was twofold:  literary improvement and the es tablishment of a public library.  In 1867 an exhibition was given in Davenport's hall.  The program occupied four hours.  All seemed highly pleased.  The proceeds were used in purchasing books.  A season ticket cost fifty cents and included the regular weekly meeting, also the lectures.  Ten cents admission was demanded at the door from all who did not have season tickets at the regular weekly meeting.  Between five and six hundred volumes were bought by this society, which are now anchored in the school building and called the public library.  Time, thought and labor were freely expended by this society for the public and future benefit of LeClaire.  The following are some of the worthy citizens who were interested in this work:  Hon. Laurel Summers, Hon. A. M. Larimer, H. A. Harrington, James Powell, P. H. Owen, Milton Parkhurst, F Snyder, Captain S. E. Van Sant, N. F. Horne, Mrs. Mary Summers, Mrs. Sarah Headley, Mrs. James Powell, Mrs. James, Mrs. Decker, Miss Minnie Robinson, now Mrs. Waggoner of Blue Grass, and many others.  A few remain in LeClaire; some have moved to other places, while some have journeyed to the other world.  The public library is the legacy these worthy citizens have left to coming generations.  May it ever be guarded as a precious relic from the past! "LeClaire still has much literary talent and many ambitious young people.   Mrs. M. L. Follett writes verse which has the true poetic ring.  J. D. Barnes is an interesting writer of historical sketches.  Miss Gertie Dawley is a teacher of Greek and Latin in high school at Oak Park, near Chicago.  Miss Alice Lancaster is a student at Iowa City and a teacher of physical training.  Mrs. Rose Eldridge delights with her camera to reproduce the historic and picturesque.  Miss Tuna Isherwood will soon complete her studies at the state university.  Dr. Alvina Kattenbracker has been a practicing physician for twenty-five years.  For a number of years she presided over a happy home.  Her husband having died and her two sons married, she still continues to practice in her profession, having the confidence and esteem of the LeClaire people. "Several newspapers have been started in this place; among them the Weekly Express and the LeClaire City Express.  This paper was devoted to religion, art, science, literature, agriculture, mechanics, news, commerce, enterprise and progress.  The motto, 'Be just and fear not; let all the ends thou aims't at be thy country's, thy God's and Truth's.'  Several papers followed:  The LeClaire Republican, the Scott County Register, the LeClaire Pilot, the LeClaire Journal, and the LeClaire Advance, which is now (1905) in the sixth year of success and prosperity.  J. E. Fedderson is editor and publisher.  A new press will soon be in use.  Mr. Fedderson married one of LeClaire's fair daughters. "The ferry, the Twin City, through the sweep of time and the lashing of the cruel waves, became disabled, and a new ferry was built by R. A. Edwards, named the May Flower.  These boats, as well as the owners, served the people well and faithfully.  They were owned by different parties at various times, but P. M. Smith guided his neat ferries across the waters thirty-five years.  With the advent of the railroad the ferry business departed. "In 1858 this advertisement appeared in the LeClaire Enterprise:  'Banking house of Davenport, Rogers & Company.  Exchange, gold, sliver and uncurrent money.'  Forty-seven years drifted down the stream of time ere LeClaire was favored with the LeClaire Savings bank; C. S. Simpson, president; W. P. Headley, vice president; J. E. Parker, cashier; capital $100,000, the stock being subscribed by thirty of the most progressive and influential citizens of the community.  From the first the bank has proven a convenience and a help to the business interests.  Its deposits average over $80,000 and are constantly increasing.  Many of the active business men in this place today are brave sons of LeClaire, and are an honor to their native town.  They loyally watch every public interest and carry many burdens of public responsibility.  A. N. Davisson was a business man thirty years.  C. P. Disney has been in business forty-six years and mayor seven times.  Waldo Parkhurst was a merchant forty years.  Dr. James Gamble practiced medicine fifty-six years.  L. Schworm kept a boot and shoe store forty-eight years and Mrs. Jane Jack kept a millinery store thirty years.  Mrs. Mary Summers is the only one living who has had a continuous residence in LeClaire since 1842. "LeClaire is no longer a city but a peaceful, restful town of 800 inhabitants.  Many of her industries have crumbled before the stern and relentless tread of Time, yet with the many beautiful homes, town hall, school building, churches and public-spirited citizens prosperity and happiness may ever await the guardian angels at her gateway.  She is no longer  isolated for the railroad and interurban have linked her with the great outside world, of which she is a beautiful and symetrical part." Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 10 cont. WALCOTT. Walcott was laid out in 1853 on sections 7 and 8, by Cook and Sargent, of Davenport, and the first passenger train that ever ran over the Mississippi & Missouri railroad carried a delegation to attend the sale of lands of the village.  F. W. Keferstein was the first merchant.  He removed to Davenport in 1871.  The postoffice was established in the town in 1855 and Mr. Keferstein was the first postmaster.  Samuel Venchoff was the first blacksmith and the firm of Bach & Sears established the first harness shop.  The railroad company built a warehouse in 1855 and in 1867 an elevator was built.  Walcott is an incorporated town and is on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad, twelve miles northwest of Davenport.  It has a population of about 500.  It has a graded school; water works; two banks, one of which has deposits of nearly $500,000; three general stores; two elevators; two drug stores; a furniture store; a hardware and stove store; two blacksmith shops; a harness shop; a meat shop; three implement concerns; and is an important shipping point for grain and live stock.  Contiguous to Walcott the country is mainly settled by Germans. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 10 cont. BLUE GRASS. This thriving little village was laid out in 1853 by J. E. Burnsides, John Perrin and James W. Reynolds on sections 31 and 32.  Blue Grass township and on sections 5 and 6, Buffalo township.  John Perrin was the first postmaster, from 1849 until 1853, when he was succeeded by a Mr. Colvin.  A merchant of Muscatine, named John Baker, opened the first store here in the spring of 1856.  Christ Meeke, in 1852, became the first blacksmith.  The first wagon maker was Henry Greebe, in 1853.  He remained a few years, then moved to Nebraska, where he became quite prominent in politics.  The first shoe maker was William Souerman, in 1855.  William Moss, in 1853, opened the first carpenter shop.  The first hotel was built by J. E. Burnsides in 1855.  Garret Clawson was its first landlord.  The Baptists in 1854 built the first church and in 1859 the second church was built by the Methodist Episcopal society.  The church building was subsequently removed from the village, after which the Methodists erected another church on a more elaborate scale.  The Presbyterians came next in 1873 and built a church.  In 1859 the first school house was erected at a cost of $1,000.  J. E. Burnsides in 1856 erected a steam flouring mill.  The second steam flouring mill was built in 1867 by a Mr. Dorman.  Brick was first made in Blue Grass in the summer of 1845 by Ezra Carpenter.  Within the limits of the brickyard, six feet below the surface, the fossil remains of a mastodon were found.  The tusks resembled petrified hickory and were estimated to be eleven feet long.  Blue Grass is located on a branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad, in the southern part of the township of that name, and is about ten miles west of Davenport.  It has a graded school; two churches; a bank; two general stores; a lumber yard; meat market; implement store; blacksmith shop; barber shop; one physician; saloons; telephone, telegraph and express offices. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 10 cont. PRINCETON. Princeton has a population of about 500 and is the leading town in the township of that name.  It is directly opposite Cordova, Illinois, on the Mississippi river, and twenty miles from Davenport.  It is on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Illinois & Iowa Interurban railways; also steamers on the Mississippi furnish its citizens with transportation.  The school is a graded one employing three teachers.  There is a Presbyterian, Lutheran and Methodist episcopal church, each having a liberal attendance of worshipers.  There are two hotels; one bank; two physicians; an undertaker; two general stores; a hardware store; an implement store; a harness shop; a shoe store; a blacksmith shop; a livery stable; lumber yard; photograph gallery; meat market; drug store; an elevator; two saloons, newspaper, the Princeton Review. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 10 cont. LONG GROVE. Long Grove is in Winfield township about twelve miles north of Davenport, on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad.  It takes its name from a large grove of timber near by and the village is surrounded by very rich farm country.  It has a fine school with two teachers; two churches; two dealers in general merchandise; a feed mill; a creamery; two farm implement concerns; two blacksmith shops; a cigar factory; a meat market; grain elevator; lumber and coal yards; a large nursery; a physician; and a hotel.  It is the center of twelve telephone lines radiating in all directions. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 10 cont. LECLAIRE. The leading town of LeClaire township is LeClaire.  It has a population of about 800.  It is situated about fifteen miles north of Davenport on the Mississippi river, directly opposite Port Byron, Illinois.  It has good railroad facilities on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Illinois and Iowa Interurban railways; also passenger steamers on the Mississippi furnish the town with transportation and freight service.  It has a graded school, employing five teachers, and is considered one of the best in the county.  The Methodist, Presbyterian, Christian and Bapist churches have beautiful and large edifices.  Here is the LeClaire stone quarry on the north edge of the town which employs a number of men.  LeClaire has a flourishing bank; a newspaper - the LeClaire Advance; six general stores; two meat markets; a hardware store; a drug store; three physicians; an implement store; two hotels; a dentist; a livery stable; blacksmith shop; a shoe store; a tailor; two restaurants; saloons; two meat dealers; and two lumber dealers. Among the famous ex-residents of LeClaire is Captain Sam Van Sant, river man, Ex-governor of Minnesota and commanders of the National organization of Grand Army of the Republic. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 10 cont. ELDRIDGE. Eldridge is a town of 300 population.  It is about twelve miles north of Davenport in Sheridan township, and is on the junction of the Maquoketa branch and Monticello branch of the Chicago,  Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad.  It has a fine school building and Union church.  In Eldridge are to be found one bank; implement store; stock years; lumber yard; elevator; two general stores; a meat market; two hotels; furniture store; two blacksmith shops; a physician; harness dealer; saloons; drug store; barber shop; jeweler; and livery stable. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 10 cont. DONAHUE. Donahue is situated in the southeast corner of the township on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, seventeen miles northeast of Davenport.  It has a hotel; a bank; a general store; a livery; an elevator; a lumber yard; a blacksmith and wagon making shop; and stock yards. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 10 cont. MCCAUSLAND. McCausland is situated in the northeast corner of Butler township on the Rock Island railroad, twenty miles north of Davenport.  It has three general stores; two implement concerns; two hardware stores; a bank; two blacksmith shops; one livery; one elevator; stock years; a lumber yard; two physicians; a hotel; a general machine shop. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L

Chapter 10 cont. NEW DIXON. New Dixon, also in Allens Grove township, is situated on a junction of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railways, about one mile southeast of Dixon, and has a population of something like 100.  The town has one general store; an elevator; lumber yard; hotel; a blacksmith shop. Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L