Scott Co, Iowa USGenWeb Project
History of the Township and Village of Buffalo.
"From the History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago - Interstate Publishing Co."
Surname List: Clark, Smith, Mounts, Moats, Binckley, Lyon, Baker, Bowling, Babbett, Donaldson, Moore, Campbell, Wilkinson, Sry, Burnside, Pence, Shelly, Gabbert, Sprout, Beard, Maston, Davenport, Reynolds, Robinson, Spencer, Stevenson, Whiteside, Mix, Pillsbury, Vanata Dolittle, Moss, Grant, Campbell, Morehead, Bassett, Webster, McMurtry, Mead, Wright, Murray, Cooper, Pace, Edgington, Daniels, Lynde, Gordon, Shoe, Bosworth, Maskell, Bailey, Gardner, Taylor, Dorman, Karges, Hastings.
In December, 1833, the first settlement in what is now Scott County was made by Captain Benjamin W. Clark, who some years previously had made some improvements on the Illinois shore where the town of Andulusia was subsequently laid out, and who moved over the river shortly after the Indian claim was extinguished, raised a cabin and planted a crop. His nearest neighbor at this time upon the Iowa shore were at Burlington and Dubuque.
Early Settlers
Among the early settlers of what is now Buffalo Township were Capt. Benjamin W. Clark, Smith Mounts, Andrew Moats, Henry Binckley, Mr. Lyon, Wm. II. and R. S. Baker, Jas. M. Bowling, Orange Babbit, Dr. A.C. Donaldson, Joseph and Mathias Mounts, Elias Moore, Andrew W. Campbell, Jas. Wilkinson, John L. Sry, Jas. E. Burnside, Wallace Pence, Michael Shelley, Wm. H. Gabbert, Mr. Sprout, Elias Moore and others. Capt. Benjamin W. Clark was born on his father's farm in Wythe Co., Va., in 1791. His education was limited, as the only schools were taught by men who roved about, picking up a few dollars to assist them until something better offered. He volunteered in 1812, went to New Orleans, where he served during the war, in payment for which service his heirs recieved a "land warrant." Young Clark went at the close of the war to Wabash County, near Mt. Carmel, on the Wabash River, where he married, in 1818, Miss Mary Beard, by whom he had two children--John P., who was born in Wabash County, December, 1820, and Warner Lewis, born at same place Nov. 14, 1822, at whose birth Mrs. Clark died. In 1824 Benj. Clark was again married, this time to Miss Celia Gabbert, of Kentucky. They removed soon after the marriage to Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, Ill. Purchasing a half interest in a herd of cattle owned by Major Maston, of the U.S.A., Mr. Clark took charge of the cattle, keeping them in the large low lands below where Warsaw now stands, on the Mississippi River, remaining there until the summer of 1827, when he divided the cattle with Major Maston and removed to Rock Island, where he found Black Hawk, Keokuk, and their tribes, numbering several thousands. He built a log cabin below, but within a few rods of where the present wagon bridge joins the Illinois shore. He fenced a piece of land and sowed turnips where the residence of Hon. Bailey Davenport now stands, afterward laying what is called "the worm of a fence" around his entire claims. During the first winter (1827 and '28) the traders refused to sell supplies to Mr. Clark, they wishing to prevent the whites from settling (the Indians being the more profitable customers). The family would have suffered had not the soldiers, learning that Capt. Reynolds, of the steamer "Black Rover," had left a barrel of whisky with Mr. Clark, stole out at night carrying food, clothes, and shoes, to exchange for whisky, thus enabling the family to live comfortably until boats arrived in the spring. In the spring of 1828, Geo. Davenport, who had a trading house at Rock Island, bought the claim owned by Benj. Clark, making payment in silver, which filled a small tin truck level full. Possession being given next day, Mr. Clark removed a few rods west, where he erected a double log cabin which stood until after the completion of the C. & R. I. R. R. in 1854. During the spring of 1828 several families came in, and Black Hawk saw that his days were numbered as a resident of Rock River county. Capt. Clark, Black Hawk and Keokuk were warm personal friends, this friendship continuing until after the treaty, when the latter were exiled with their tribes to the Far west, where they died. Mr. Clark next removed to White Oak Springs, Wis., where he purchased a large hotel and smelting furnaces connected therewith. In the spring of 1832, at the commencement of the Black Hawk war, settlers within a radius of miles collected and built a fort around the hotel, organized a company to protect the fort, electing Harry Smith, captian, who (if living) now resides at Elk Horn Grove, Ill. Capt. Clark raised a company of mounted rangers (from whence he derived his title) tendering his services to Gen. Henry Dodge. He was in many skirmishes and in the forward company when the Indians made the attack at the battle of Wisconsin Heights.
Capt. Clark furnished supplies for nearly two months to all in the fort at the springs, as well as to his command for which neither he, nor his heirs, have ever received compensation. After the close of Black Hawk war, Capt. Clark went to Andalusia, Ill., and made a claim. In 1833, removed his family to that place; then established the ferry which became so noted in the first settlement of the central part of Black Hawk's purchase. At the same time he "took up" and purchased claims on the river at Buffalo, Iowa, comprising two and one-half miles of river frontage, together with timber land, amounting to about 2,000 acres, and in December, 1833, removed his family to the Iowa side, finding at last, after many wanderings, the spot upon which he wished to live and die. His was the only white family between Dubuque and Flint Hills (now Burlington).
In the summer of 1833 Capt. Clark raised corn, beans, peas and other vegetables, the first produce raised in Scott County, and in 1834 had 100 acres of wild land broken, by Andrew Robison, of Warren Co., Ill., who was uncle to James H. Robison, of Blue Grass. The ground was broken as follows: 10 acres on the lower end of farm now owned by his son, Capt. W.L Clark; 40 acres where there the town of Buffalo now stands; 10 acres north of where the new railroad depot stands; 40 acres above where Mrs. Capt. Dodge's orchard is situated. The writer particularizes because others claim to have done the first breaking in Buffalo Township. He built, in 1835, a comfortable log house, a story and a half high, glazed with glass brought from St. Louis; lumber for windows, facings, trimmings, etc., was of old dry-goods boxes broken up; flooring from Duck Creek Mill. He put into it the first cook stove ever brought to Iowa, a great curiosity then for novelty, as it would be now behind this progressive age. He brought also the first carriage and two Peacock plows from St. Louis, which latter were a great improvement over those then in use. Later, stores came in, and the necessity for making long journeys to obtain household supplies was done away. His children attended school at Blue Grass, three miles from home, thus obtaining knowledge under difficulties.
Capt. Clark purchased, in 1834, of Hon. John Spencer, late of Rock Island, a large tract of land at the mouth of Duck Creek, where he erected the first saw-mill in (now) Scott County. After reserving a few lots and the ferry franchise, he sold his Andalusia property to Col. Stevenson, Whiteside and others, upon which they afterward laid out the town of Rockport, now Andalusia. The sale of this land brought $17,000 in specie.
Capt. Clark, in 1836, disposed of a two-thirds interest in 90 acres of land to Capt. E.A. Mix and Dr. Pillsbury, of Buffalo, N.Y., for $30,000, part cash payment. The three men above named at once laid out the town of Buffalo, naming it in honor of Buffalo, N.Y. This was the first town laid out in what is now Scott County. About the same time a man named John Vanata and Capt. Clark bought the claim and laid out the town of Bloomington, now Muscatine. Lots were in demand in Buffalo, and all went smoothly until the county lines were formed, which threw the new town so near the Muscatine line as to kill its prospects for a county seat. Other towns were included in this disappointment, as they were also desirous of obtaining the same object.
Up to this time there had been only two divisions in the territory of Black Hawk's purchase, Des Moines and Dubuque, the line running through the west end of Davenport, the glucose works being in the latter, and the site of school No. 2, in the lower end of town, in the former. In 1838 Capt. Clark sold his Duck Creek property to Messrs. Dolittle & Moss; the price received was $8,000. One barn was taken in part payment-price, $500-which still stands on the Dodge farm, at Buffalo. The barn was of unusual dimensions for the times, being 30x40 feet.
In the season of 1835-'36 Capt. Clark erected a hotel at Buffalo, dimensions being 40x50, two stories high, the pine lumber for finishing being brought by steamer from Cincinnati, Ohio, at the expense of $60 per thousand feet. During the winter of 1838-'39 Capt. C. was robbed of a large sum of money, the robbers carrying the secretary containing the money out of the house, down under the shadow of the river bank, and forcing the locks. This was the first occurrence of that nature in the county. No positive clue was ever obtained of the perpetrators. The lands of this district were advertised for sale in the fall of 1839, at Burlington. Capt. Clark went in a canoe, taking a large amount of money in silver; the writer remembers that it almost filled a wash-tub (a barrel sawed in halves), the only tub then in use. Upon arrival at Burlington he found that the sales were postponed; thereupon he took a steam boat for home. He was feeling quite unwell when he reached home, and within a few days died of inflammation of the brain, on Oct. 25, 1839. Before his death Capt. Clark requested that Hon. James H. Davenport should administer upon his estate which he promised to do, providing he was allowed to have the assistance of Judge James Grant. They jointly settled the estate. Capt. Clark at death left a widow and six children. Mrs. Clark only survived her husband one month, her death occurring Nov. 25, 1839. Capt. Clark died surrounded by his family, thus ending the life of one of the most energetic and enterprising men that ever resided in Scott County, regretted by all who were associated with him. He and wife were interred upon ground that he had donated for a cemetery for the future city of Buffalo, commanding a fine view of the river and of the home that he had created.
James M. Bowling, from Virginia, settled in Buffalo Township, the 4th of July, 1835, at the mouth of Bowling's Creek. He purchased the "claim" of one Orange Babbett, the quit-claim deed to which was presented to the State Historical Society by Mr. Bowling. Mr. Bowling commenced farming in 1835. That fall he went back to Virginia, married, and returned in 1836 with his wife and two sisters. In 1837 he had the prospect of a fine crop, but the Indians, who still loitered about the country, were encamped upon this creek. In June there were some 500 Indians living near him, and very troublesome. They set fire to the prairie and burned up the fence surrounding his corn, which was at the time six inches high. The Indian horses then ate much of it, and he was compelled in the heat of summer to cut timber and make rails to enclose his field again; but, notwithstanding all his misfortunes, he succeeded in raising a very good crop.
Leroy Dodge emigrated to Iowa in 1836, from the State of New York. He was for many years, a pilot on the Mississippi, and then commnder of steamboats. Having secured some 400 acres of land along the river and bluff above Buffalo, he built a pleasant cottage on the banks of the river and turned his attention to agriculture, principally to stock-raising, a business in which he was quite successful. In 1852 he represented Scott County in the Legislature. He was an unflinching Democrat.
Andrew W. Campbell was among the most enterprising of the early settlers, having opened a large farm on the bottom land of the river. He sold it to Henry C. Morehead, at an early day, and removed to the prairie, near where the town of Blue Grass now is, where he opened another large farm. He was elected, in February, 1838, one of the county commissioners, it being the first election ever held for officers under the county organization. He also filled other places of responsibility and trust.
Educational
Erastus H. Bassett, as already stated, taught a few months' school in the village, in the winter of 1836-'37, being the first in the place. Mr. Bassett was engaged in the mercantile business, but trade not being brisk gave him leisure to teach the few present the common branches of an English education.
For some years a graded school has been held in the place. In 1865 a frame school-house, two stories high, was erected at a cost of $7,000. School is taught therein nine and ten months each year. The present principal is William Webster.
Schools
The first school in the township was in the winter of 1836-'37, and taught by Erastus H. Bassett, in the village of Buffalo. Mr. Bassett held a three months' school in a log cabin erected as a dwelling-house. The first house built for school purposes was on section 16, in 1839. This was before the public school system was originated, and the neighbors for some miles gathered together and erected a rude log cabin, where many were inducted into the mysteries of the English language. Many changes have been made since that day, changes, too, for the better, and in educational progress the township of Buffalo has kept pace with other parts of the county.
Buffalo Township has been divided into independent districts, the town of Buffalo being one, with a graded school, in which two teachers are employed. There are six other districts known as Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The value of the school property is estimated at $9,800, of which amount $2,400 is credited to the town of Buffalo.
Religious
The first religious services held in the township were in 1836, in the village of Buffalo, by Rev. Mr. McMurtry, a pioneer Methodist Episcopal preacher, then living on the opposite shore in Illinois. Rev. Martin Baker, a Christan or Newlight preacher, was next, in 1837. Rev. Enoch Mead was also among the early preachers, and preached in the township for many years.
There are now in the township seven church organizations, four of which are in the village of Buffalo, one in Blue Grass Village and two in the country. In Buffalo, the Methodist Episcopal, Christian, Catholic and Episcopal denominations are represented. The Methodists have a church in Blue Grass, one at the Cross Roads, and one in the northeast part of the township, known as the Asbury Chapel.
Coal
Coal was first discovered here in 1834, on the farm of Capt. Benjamin W. Clark, and as early as 1835 and 1836 was dug out and sold to steamboats at the mouth of Bowling's Creek, which empties into the Mississippi, about half way between Buffalo and Rockingham. The first bank opened was about half a mile up this creek, and was worked to a considerable extent by Dr. A. C. Donaldson, who settled in 1837 near its mouth. Still higher up this creek, some three miles, Benjamin Wright and E. Murray, from Zanesville, Ohio, opened a bank in 1837, and furnished coal to Davenport and Rockingham for 15 cents a bushel.
First Things
The first hotel in the township was built by Benjamin W. Clark, at Buffalo, in 1836. The first couple, residents of this township, united in marriage, were John P. Cooper and Jane Pace. The distance being so great to Burlingtion for the prupose of obtaining licenses, the couple crossed the river, and were married by Daniel Edgington, a justice of the peace, Oct. 9, 1836. The first couple married, the services being performed in the township, were Matthias Mounts and Susan Daniels, in 1837. The first birth was that of David H. Clark, son of Benjamin W. Clark, born April 21, 1834. This was likewise the first in the county. The first physician in the township was Dr. Moss, who spent here the winter of 1835-'36. He then left, his whereabouts being unknown. The first school was in the winter of 1836'37. The first death was that of Henry Binckley, a discharged soldier, who died in 1836 at the house of Capt. B.W. Clark. The first ground set aside for burying purposes was about one-half mile from Bufflao, and donated by Capt. Clark. The first postoffice was that of Buffalo, established in 1836. The first merchandise sold in the township and county was in Buffalo in 1834, on section 21, now the farm of Capt. W.L. Clark. The first coal marketed was taken from the farm of Mr. Wright.
Village of Buffalo
The village of Bufflao was originally laid out in 1836, by Clark, Mix & Pillsbury, who, in the summer of 1836, opened a stock of goods in the place, which they placed in charge of Erastus H. Bassett. Previous to this time, and as early as 1834, a Mr. Lynde then living in the present city of Rock Island, commenced the sale of merchandise in the place, and sold not only the first goods in Buffalo, but in the entire county of Scott, by a regular merchant.
The first public ferry across the Mississippi, between Burlington and Dubuque, was established by Captain Clark in 1833, or as soon as emigrants began to cross the river, at Buffalo, and Clark's ferry was the only regular place of crossing in all this region of country. In 1835 he commenced the erection of a public house, a large frame two-story building, which at that time was considered a great enterprise. The house was completed in 1836. He brought the lumber from Cincinnati at a cost of $60.00 per 1,000 feet. Says Willard Barrows:
"For many years the town of Buffalo attracted much attention, and bid fair to become a serious rival to Stephenson, then just merging into existence. But Davenport and Rockingham were soon laid off, and a ferry being established between Davenport and Stephenson, by Mr. LeClaire, travel was directed to that point, and the division of the country into counties left Buffalo in no evniable situation. It had been the most prosperous town in this region of country, doing a large business with the emigrants to the Territory, who were then beginning to settle up and down the river and along the Cedar Valley, furnishing grain and provisions of all kinds to the new comers. Capt. Clark spent much time in showing emigrants the country and assisting them in making claims, and probably did more toward the early settlement of this country than any other man that ever came into it. He died at Buffalo, Oct. 25, 1839.
"To show the prospects of Buffalo, as a point of interest at that day, we might relate a circumstance that occurred in reference to the value of town lots. After Davenport was laid out, Maj. Wm. Gordon and some others, proprietors, called on Capt. Clark and offered him an even exchange of 40 or 60 lots in Davenport for an equal number in Buffalo. But the Captain declined, regarding it as a poor offer, as it probably looked to be at that time.
"Buffalo, with all her just claims, was sacrificed by placing her in the lower end of the county. Davenport and Rockingham 'doubled teams' on Buffalo and got the county seat, and then fought for choice of location. This was the killing stroke to Buffalo. Davenport ultimately received all the benefits derived from the trickery and corruption of legislative enactments, while Geneva, Montpelier, Salem, Fairport, Mouth of Pine, and some half dozen other towns that were laid out along the Mississippi River from Muscatine Island to Davenport, 'went under,' carring with them all their visionary schemes for greatness and power."
Hotel
In 1835 Benjamin W. Clark erected a public house, to be used for the accommodation of the traveling public. It was a large frame building, two stories high, and at the time was considered a great enterprise. Capt. Clark brought the finishing lumber from Cincinnati. The building is yet standing. This hotel was the first in the place. There are now three places of entertainment-the Washington House, Mississippi House and Nickle House.
Manufactories
In the spring of 1854 Shoe Brothers erected a steam saw-mill in the place, with a capacity for sawing 30,000 feet each day. A planing and lath and shingle mill was attached. The mill was used till the summer of 1881, when it was torn away to make room for the railroad.
Postoffice
A postoffice was established at Buffalo in 1836, and Benjamin W. Clark received the appointment of postmaster. Mr. Clark did not care for the office, but suffered himself to be appointed in order to have the office established, and as soon as it could be done he resigned, and M. W. Bosworth was appointed. Mr. Bosworth held the office at Buffalo for a time, and removing down the river he took the office with him, and there retained it until the postoffice authorities at Washington could ascertain the facts. In the case, when he was removed, and Philip Maskell was appointed. Mr. Maskell was succeeded by Elijah Bailey, who in turn was succeeded by Caleb H. Gardner. The latter gentleman was appointed by the Whig administration of Gen. Taylor. Before the expiration of his term he went to California, and there died in 1854 and was buried near Sacramento. Henry Dorman was next appointed, in 1854, and served until 1878, when he was succeeded by Wilham Karges, the present postmaster.
Criminal
The first criminal trial in Scott County took place in buffalo early in 1836. A young man was arrested for stealing a small amount from a store, and was taken before S.E. Hastings, a justice of the peace, with a commission signed by the Governor of Michigan and subsequently chief justice of the state of California. The justice could find no law with which to convict, but as the fact was clearly established to his mind, and the further fact being known that the prisoner had stolen the sum of four dollars from himself, he sentenced him to return the four dollars and to receive 20 lashes on his bare back. It was a bright moonlight night, and the prisoner was taken to the woods near by and the lashes were well laid on by each of the spectators to the number of 10, giving each two blows. After the whipping they took him to the river, and place him in a canoe without oars, shoved him off and that was the last ever seen of him in these parts. Some years after, when Judge Hastings was on his way to California, at a small town on the Mississippi River, a man got on board that he at once recognized as the one he had punished for theft. Approaching the Judge, the man asked him if he recognized him, and on being informed that he did, he said: "For God's sake don't tell any one. That theft was my first and last. I was in great want, and have bern sufficiently punished. Since that day I have lived an honest man; have married and have a family, and I would not for the world they should know that one great sin." Although unused to weeping, the Judge says that he felt the tears trickling down his cheeks, and he quickly promised that he would not betray him.
BUFFALO
__________
The Busy Little Village Down the River
___________
For calling Buffalo a
"village," let us beg pardon at the start. It is a "city,"
has about 700 inhabitants; a Mayor, aldermen, and city officers, records and
institutions. For nearly forty years it has been quietly located on the bank of
the Mississippi, ten miles below Davenport, has an excellent steamboat landing,
well laid out streets of compact, sandy soil; has several nice church buildings,
and excellent school house, a fine Turn Halle, quite a number of manufactories,
and excellent stone quarry, and is near to the best coal banks in this part of
the State. It is a thrifty place. The houses are not large or pretending. The
householders, for the most part, own the land they live on, and the houses they
occupy; verily they have the reputation of owing but little, because they have
an old fashioned custom of paying as they go. This is called "slow";
but being "sure," it is believed by many to be the best way after all.
During a brief stay in that place recently, our
long-time friend, Captain Clark, who has lived there many a year, and whose
father founded the city full forty years ago, showed us around, among
THE MANUFACTORIES.
Shue & Co. run a lively little saw
mill, cutting out about 15,000 feet of lumber daily all the season through. This
finds a good market in the city and the country round about, and is a profitable
business.
Lee & Russell do a pottery business, making about
7,200 gallons of stone jars and jugs a month, which find a good market in
Davenport and other places in this part of the country. The goods are of the
best quality and their manufacture employs several hands. The burning of the
pots uses up.....[cannot read rest of line] unsaleable refuse "strips"
from the saw mill which is an advantage to both concerns.
There are two breweries-one by Hoffbauer & Co., and
another by Mr. Bartebecker, who do considerable business in brewing an excellent
quality of lager, which finds a ready market and creates a home safe for large
quantities of barley. Both began in a small way, and are building up a large and
profitable business.
Messrs. Gill, Wilkinson & Co., are putting up a
glass factory. The building is 47 by 70, will have 4 pot furnree, and have a
capacity of 150 to 160 boxes per week. It is proposed to have it in operation by
the first of January. The firm consists of three blowers and one melter from the
Rock Island Glass Factory. The citizens of Buffalo are raising $2,000 to aid the
enterprise. The working force will consist of three "gatherers", three
blowers, one flattener, one melter, one cutter, and such helpers as may be
needed. The sand is to come from the river four miles below Buffalo, where an
excellent article is said to abound; the lime comes from Port Byron or LeClaire.
It is a real enterprise, which, when in successful operation, will do much for
the business interests of Buffalo.
Beyond this there is a good wagon shop, blacksmiths',
tailors', sadlers', and other mechanical operations carried on in Buffalo.
STONE
Moreover it has an excellent quarry, which turns out a good quality of building and road stone. Large quantities of it have been taken to Muscatine. It is probably the easiest work quarry in the county, and its tone makes excellent lime.
COAL.
In the bluffy country, just back of Buffalo, are extensive coal mines, that are now giving employment to about six hundred men who earn good wages. Their principal headquarters are at Buffalo, and this fact alone shows how extensive and profitable a trade is carried on there in dry goods, groceries, and other things in general use. There need be no idle people in Buffalo. When work gets scarce about town in winter, as it often does, laborers can always find relief from loafing at the coal banks, where there is abundant work, at good wages, all the winter long. This is worth a great deal to Buffalo, and adds greatly to its thrift.
MERCHANTS
These are quite numerous, and all who have goods to sell are said to be doing a thriving business. Henry Dohrman has been the leading merchant there for many years and has a store and stock that is equal to almost any demand.
PROFESSIONAL
Of course there are ministers and doctors in Buffalo. The Rev. Mr. Hardy, of the M.E. Church is the leading preacher, is a man of much ability and gives great satisfaction among the parishioners. The doctors have a fair business and do their duty as far as possible. No lawyers have yet reported for permanent duty in Buffalo; neither are there any banks of issue, street cars, or women's rights conventions but these well all work in time.
THE SCHOOLS
are excellent; about 250 scholars in attendance under the excellent tuition of Mr. Ayres, a Howard graduate, and Miss Whittey. The school house is a fine one, and if the young Buffalonians don't prosper on the road to useful knowledge, it will not be because their parents have not provided them with abundant opportunities.
THE WINE CLAUSE.
Moreover do they make much good wine in Buffalo. There are no very large vineyards, but a good money small ones that in the aggregate time out nearly 150 barrels of the pure juice yearly. Among the best are those of Dohrmans, Springmeyer, Boies, Ficke and some others to us unknown. The soil is excellent for vine culture and in time the Buffalo vintages will be among the most popular in land.
LOTS AND HOUSES.
City lots bring a good fair price in Buffalo- are really looking up. Some sales were affected recently which would rival those of suburban property in our own city. Building is progressing, a few more houses are added to the number every year, and the old ones are kept in good repair- all having a thrifty, comfortable look about them which marks a well doing village.
CONCLUSION.
Buffalo is a good place, and under the pressure of its coal interests, the excellent farming facilities round about, its good river facilities, and the certainty of its having a railroad in a few years, it will continue to develop. Put on all the steam you can in good judgment, gentlemen of Buffalo, and you will be proud of the result. Keep to work; avoid contention and extravagance, spend less than you earn, invite active industries and therefrom will come the abiding prosperity.
DAVENPORT DAILY TIMES, DAVENPORT, IOWA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1900
FOUNDATION OF SCOTT COUNTY.
SOME LOCAL HISTORY.
An Interesting Story of How the Village of Buffalo Came Into Existence.
Other Localities Will Come Next.
By F.J.B. Huot
~~~~~~~~~~~
The first township organized in Scott county was that
of Buffalo, which was effected in 1833. Buffalo township was first settled by
Captain Benjamin W. Clark in December, 1833, and the first town, that of
Buffalo, named in honor of Buffalo, N.Y. was laid out in 1826 at the time of the
Incorporation of Davenport.
Among the early settlers of Buffalo township were
Captain Benjamin W. Clark; Smith Mounts, Andrew Moats, James M. Bowling, S.R.
Baker, Henry B. Blackley, Mr. Lyon, Wm. H. Baker, Orange Babbitt, Dr. A.C.
Donaldson (Davenport's first resident physician), Joseph Mounts, Matthias
Mounts, Elias Moore, Andrew W. Campbell, James Wilkinson, John L. Sry, James
E.Burnside, Wallace Pence, Michael Shelley, Wm. H. Gabbert, Mr. Sprout, Captain
LeRoy Dodge, John P. Cooper and others.
In the summer of 1883 Captain Clark broke 10 acres of
ground on the lower end of the farm still owned by his son, Captain W.L. Clark,
of Buffalo; 40 acres on the site of the present town of Buffalo; 10 acres north
of where the present C.R.I. & P. depot now stands, and 40 acres above the
present Cook county house on this side of Buffalo, formerly the Captain Dodge
estate. This was the first sod turned in Scott county.
The village of Buffalo, which like the township, is
named after Buffalo, N.Y., and not from the noble American bison, was originally
laid out two years before the incorporation of the city of Davenport in 1836.
Clark (Benj. W.), E.A. Mix and Pillsbury, and uncle of Mr. Mix, platted the
hamlet and opened a general store in which Erastus H. Bassett was installed
as manager. Mr. Bassett was the first school teacher in Scott county as we shall
learn later.
In 1834 a Mr. Lynde, then living in Rock Island and the
progenitor of the partner in the Mitchell and Lynde bank of that city, began the
sale of goods at Buffalo. He thus became not only the first merchant in Buffalo,
but also the pioneer merchant in Scott county.
Captain Clark, father of W.L. Clark, of Buffalo today,
was the first white settler in Scott county, as also the platter of the oldest
town in the township, which in turn is the pioneer among her other 16 sisters in
this commonwealth of Scott.
DAVENPORT DAILY TIMES, DAVENPORT, IOWA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1900
Not only did Captain Clark figure in the beginning of
things but he started and operated in 1833 the very first ferry between
Burlington and Dubuque. This ferry made Buffalo an important point and she bid
fair prior to 1838 to eclipse Davenport. Buffalo is 74 miles south of Dubuque
and 40 miles north of Monmouth, Ill., where ferries existed prior to 1833. Capt.
Clark had his ferry headquarters on the Illinois side and he also operated
another ferry at Maquoketa, in Jackson county. The ferriage money collected in
Scott county was taken in May, 1833.
It might be noticed that the town site of Buffalo cost
$30,000 for a two-thirds interest purchased by Messrs. Mix and Pillsbury of
Buffalo, N.Y.. This together with the $15,000 interest retained by Capt. Clark
makes the original site of Buffalo valued at $45,000.
Warren L. Clark of Buffalo, the son of Capt. Benjamin
Warren Clark is resident just west of the town of Buffalo, upon the claim which
his father staked out in 1833. He is the oldest settler alive today in Scott
county.
Lumber in 1835
One year prior to the platting of the town of Buffalo
Capt. Clark erected a public house, or hotel, 40x60 feet and two stories high,
which still remains located on the front and principal streets of the village.
This was considered a great enterprise. The structure was completed in 1836. The
lumber was brought to Buffalo from Cincinnati and cost $60 per 1,000
feet.
Hugh Briceland, one of the best residents of the county
who lives at Eldridge, is authority for the statement, that while there were
many saw mills to cut hard wood lumber- upon the mouth of Duck Creek, on the
Wapsie, in old Rockingham, on Crow Creek, etc., there was not a foot of pine
lumber manufactured here up to 1846. All of the soft pine came from Cincinnati.
For
this reason most of the framing of the old time houses is of squared logs while
the shingles are of double oak, hickory, etc.
Capt. Clark's hotel was the first in Buffalo township.
Thereafter came other places-the Washington house, the Mississippi house and the
Heckle hotel. Today the village boasts of but two lodging places or hotels, the
town having retrograted with the advancement of Davenport and Muscatine.
What Willard Burrows Says.
Willard Burrows, a civil engineer and the first
annalist of the county, who lived on the northwest corner of Sixth and LeClaire
streets, in Davenport, where City Missionary Ned Lee now resides, having erected
the home nearly half a century ago, in writing of Buffalo says:
"For many years the town of Buffalo attracted much
attention and bid fair to become a serious rival to Stephenson (now Rock Island)
just merging into existence. But Davenport and Rockingham were soon laid off,
and a ferry being established between Davenport and Stephenson by Mr. Le Claire,
travel was directed to that point, and the division of the territory into
counties left Buffalo in no enviable situation.
"It has been the most prosperous town in this
region of the country, doing a large business with the emigrants to the
territory, who were then beginning to settle up and down the river, and along
the Cedar valley, furnishing grains and provisions of all kinds to the new
comers. Capt. Clark spent much time in showing emigrants the country, and
assisting them in
making claims, and probably did more toward the early settlement of this country
than any other man who ever came into it. He died at Buffalo, Oct. 25, 1839.
"To show the prospects of Buffalo as a point of
interest at that day we might relate a circumstance that occurred in reference
to the value of town lots. After Davenport was laid out, Mayor Wm. Gordon and
some others, proprietors, called on Capt. Clark and offered him an even exchange
of 40 to 60 lots in Davenport for an equal number in Buffalo. But the captain
declined regarding it as a poor offer, as it probably looked to be at the time.
"Buffalo," concluded Mr. Burrows, "with
all her just claims, was sacrificed by placing her in the lower end of the
county. Davenport and Rockingham 'doubled terms' on Buffalo and got the county
seat, and then fought for a choice of location. This was the killing stroke to
Buffalo. Davenport ultimately received all of the benefits derived from the
trickery and corruption of legislative enactments (?) while Geneva, Montpelier,
Salem, Fairport, Mouth of Pine, and some half a dozen other towns that were laid
out along the Mississippi river, from Muscatine Island to Davenport, 'went
under' carrying with them all of their visionary schemes for greatness and
power."
The Line of Demarkation
All went smoothly with the village of Buffalo and its
inhabitants until the county liens were formed, which placed the new town so
close to the Muscatine county boundary line that its prospects for the county
seat were ruined. Other towns were included in this disappointment, as they also
were desirous of obtaining the same coveted plum. Davenport eventually secured
it.
Up to 1837 there had been only two divisions in the
territory of the Black Hawk purchase, Des Moines and Dubuque, the line running
through the western end of the city of Davenport. Were that line of demarkation
to be drawn today it would pass down Division street, which is so called in
consequence thus placing the Glucose works and Schuetzen Park in Des Moines
territory or district, while School No. 5 on West Third street, and the upper
part of the city would be in Dubuque district.
Captain Clark's Claim
The original claim of Capt. Clark comprises about 2,000
acres embracing two and a half miles of river frontage. Upon a portion of this
claim the city of Buffalo was founded. This city or town lies on the level with
a gradual hill slope rising to the north about a quarter of a mile or less from
the river. From east to west the town is about three-fourths of a mile in length
while one-quarter of a mile is the greatest width. To the east lies the present
E.E. Cook villa, once the homestead of Capt. Le Roy Dodge ,while to the west of
the city is the home of Capt. W.I. Clark, the son of Scott county's original
white man. North of the city lies the first cemetery ever platted in Scott
county.
Buffalo of Today
Buffalo has many natural facilities. She has coal in
abundance. West of the village and north of the C R I & P southwestern
tracks is Coaltown, a mining hamlet practically owned and operated by Messrs.
T.W. McClelland, F.H. Griggs and other gentlemen of Davenport. North of Buffalo
near the Blue Grass road is Jamestown, commonly known as "Jim Town,"
where the James coal measures are located. The carboniferious product is in
abundance, and of good quality. The veins are from 33 to 36 inches in depth.
Clay for pottery, brick and tile is also to be found,
as also is an excellent quality of stone. The Brick & Tile works gives
employment to a goodly portion of the inhabitants which we believe the present
census will fix at between 800 and 900 souls.
Buffalo's brick works are located northwest of the C R
I & P depot, which lies on the extreme eastern end of the city. A new school
house costing $4,500 and erected of Buffalo brick has just been completed.
There are two pearl button factories in the village, a
turner hall, two churches,- St. Peter's, a Catholic brick edifice, and a farm
Methodist church, while two general stores, Dorman Bros. and Hugo Hoffbauer, the
latter the postmaster, take care of the needs of its citizens. D.C.L. Barewald,
drug store. A butcher shop and several saloons and barber and blacksmith shops
and a soda water factory situated on the site of the Hoffbauer brewery complete
the list of Buffalo's industries. Buffalo is situated eight miles from
branch of the C.R.I. & P. road.
Coal in Scott County.
Buffalo township is the only locality in Scott county
which furnishes coal, although some has been sought for in Pleasant Valley,
particularly on the old Horace Bradley farm. Coal was first discovered in the
county in 1834 on Capt. Benjamin W. Clark's farm and as early as 1835 and 1836
was dug out and sold to steam boats at the mouth of the Bowling Creek which
empties into the Mississippi half way between Buffalo and old Rockingham. The
first coal bank was opened half a mile up Bowling Creek and was worked to a
considerable extent by Dr. A.C. Donaldson who settled up near its mouth in
1837. Still higher up this creek, about three miles near Jamestown, Benjamin
Wright and E. Murray of Zanesville, Ohio, opened another measure in 1837 and
furnished the product to Davenport and Rockingham at 15 cents per bushel.
The Mississippi river has abraided its channel from
about two miles below Le Claire to the western extremity of Scott county, though
the coal measures, leaving remnants of shale and conglomerate sand rock on
either shore, generally remote from its margin. The lower coal vein No. 1 which
lies above and near the conglomerate sand rock is the only one which has
been deposited in Scott county, and time has justified Prof. Hall's report. In
his "Geology of Iowa," page 125, he says:
" From all examinations made in this region, no evidence
has been obtained of a second coal seam."
Coal has been successfully mined and is still being
taken out in great quantities in Sections 2,3,9,10 and 11 in Buffalo township.
It is generally of excellent quality.