Osceola County is in the northern tier, and second from the western boundary of the State, and contains 392 square miles, or 250,880 acres. It is watered and drained by the east fork of Rock River, Ocheydan, Otter and several other smaller creeks. These streams meander through valleys of great fertility, producing luxuriant crops of excellent grass. The soil is generally a dark loam, with a slight mixture of clay on the table lands, and a small quantity of sand and vegetable mould in the valleys. Osceola is emphatically a prairie county, composed of a gently undulating surface, sufficiently rolling to break the monotonous sameness of the level plain, with a rich inexhaustible soil, yielding an abundance of crops. There is but little timber in the county, though it is sufficiently plenty for fuel. Stock raising here, as in adjoining counties, is an important and lucrative industry. Though ne of the younger counties, it is fast taking rank with the larger and more populous ones in the northwest quarter of the State. The schools in the county are in a flourishing condition, every township and sub-district having a school house. There are at present forty-five frame school houses in the county, and during the year 1881, according to the report of the State Superintendent, $11,300 were expended for school purposes, and according to the census taken during the same year by the secretaries of the various sub-districts, there were 746 children of school age, of whom 602 were enrolled as attendants upon the public schools. Schools are in session, on an average, six months in the year.

Capt. E. Huff was the first white man who settled in the county, coming in the fall of 1870, and locating on Otter Creek, in the southwestern part of the county. He did not remain over winter, but returned to his claim the following spring, 1871. He was accompanied by C.M. Brooks, D.L. McCausland, W.W. Webb, F. Stiles, M.J. Campbell and A.M. Culver, all of whom located claims. All the vacant lands were soon taken up, either by homesteading or pre-empting. The county was organized in 1871, having been previously attached to Woodbury County for revenue and judicial purposes, the latter connection being still maintained. The first election for county officers was held October 10th, at the house of A.M. Culver, when the following officers were elected: F.M. Robinson, Auditor; A.M. Culver, Treasurer; C.M. Brooks, Clerk of Courts; D.L. McCausland, Recorder; Frank Stiles, Sheriff; Delila Stiles, Superintendent of Schools; John Beaumont, Drainage Commissioner; and J.H. Winsherr, George Spaulding and H.R. Fenton, Board of Supervisors.

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The present officers are: R.S. Hall, Treasurer; W.M. Moore, Auditor; H.N. Moore, Deputy Auditor; Alice C. Hill, Recorder; J.S. Davisson, Clerk of Courts; H.N. Moore, Deputy Clerk of Courts; J.R. Elliott, County Superintendent; J.B. Lent, Sheriff; M.J. Campbell, Surveryor; W.H. Burkhuff, Coroner; G.S. Downend, Robert Stamm, H.C. Allen, Wm. Mowthorpe, W. Boor, Board of Supervisors.

The population of the county, as given by the census of 1880, was 2,219, but as there has been an uninterrupted tide of immigration to the county since, its present population is fully 3,000.

The Sioux city & St. Paul Railroad enters the county near the center section 9, in township 100, range 42, about 3 1/2 miles west of the center of the north line of the county, and takes a diagonal course across the county, leaving it near the center of the south line of section 33, township 98, range 42, about 9 1/2 miles west of the center of the south line of the county. The road-bed was graded through the county during the summer of 1871. The track was laid early in the summer of 1872, being completed through to LeMars in July, 1872, at which time the trains commenced running regularly.

SIBLEY

Sibley, the most important as well as the oldest town in the county, was laid out and platted by the Sioux city & St. Paul Railroad Company in October, 1872, though several houses had been built on the town-site previous to its being platted, as early as 1871, the first belonging to F.M. Robinson, one of the pioneer settlers. The first business house was erected in the fall of 1871, by H.R. Rogers, who put in a stock of general merchandise.

The town was incorporated in 1876, and its first officers were: D.L. Riley, Mayor; C.E. Brown, H.S. Brown, H.S. Emmett, D. Cramer, G.S. Murphy, Trustees. The present city government is composed of d.L. Riley, Mayor; D.D. McCallum, Recorder; L. Shell, Treasurer, J.B. Lent, Assessor; W.P. Rhodes, Street Commissioner; C.M. Richards Marshal; L. Shell, M.J. Campbell, H.C. Hungerford, E. Hugg, N. Neill, H.S. Brown, Trustees.

The county seat was located at Sibley in 1872 by the following Commissioners appointed from adjoining counties, to-wit: Carson Rice, of Dickinson; C.W. Inman, of O'Brien; and J.S. Howell, of Lyon. The principal streets run east and west, most of the business houses being located thereon. Sibley's business establishments, briefly classified are as follows:

Drug and groceries, 2; general stores, 3; millinery, 2; harness, 2; agricultural implements, 3; blacksmith shops, 3; wagon shops, 1; lumber yards, 3; meat markets, 2; shoe shops, 1; hotels, 3; billiard hall, 1; printing offices, 2; banks, 2; abstract and loan, 1; insurance, 6; barber shop, 1; grocery store, 1; hardware, 3; jewelry, 1; livery

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stable, 1; butter, wood and hide depot, 1; restaurant, 1; stationer, 1; furniture, 1; grist mill, 1; photograph galleries, 2; book store, 1; elevators, 2; law firms, 3; physicians, 2; dentist, 1.

The population of Sibley is now estimated at from 500 to 600, including East Sibley.

The Sibley Gazette, the first, and until 1881, the only newspaper published in the county, was established by L.A. Barker, and the first paper was issued in July, 1872. In May, 1873, it passed into the hands of Riley & Brown, who cintinued it for about three months, when the disposed of it to Craig & Glover. In July 1874, Mr. Craig retired, the firm becoming Glover & Hauxhurst, they continuing it until the fall of 1875, when W.B. Reed purchased the interest of Mr. Glover, and they published it until March, 1876; when Hauxhurst retired, and Ira C. Edward assumed the management of the paper. Later in the year, the paper got back into the hands of its former proprietors, Messrs. Reed and Glover, but the partnership continued only a few months, Reed retiring. Glover remained as proprietor until the fall of 1877, when he sold out to George Carew, who conducted it until October, 1879, and then disposed of it to D.A.W. Perkins. Six months later, O.M. Foster purchased a half-interest in it, and the following April, he became sole proprietor. During the same month, however, he disposed of it to George Carew, who has continued its publication ever since. Notwithstanding the many changes in its proprietorship, usually so fatal to newspapers, it has been enlarged several times, and is now a seven-column quarto. The Gazette is Republican in politics, carefully edited, and a journal in every way creditable to the county. It has a circulation of about 400 copies.

September 29th, 1881, the Sibley Tribune made its appearance, with Charles E. Crosby as editor and proprietor. It is an eight-column folio, Republican in politics, ably edited and devoted to local interests in Osceola county. It has a circulation of 400.

CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES

The Congregational Church Society—Organized in 1872, by Rev. B.A. Dean He was succeeded by Rev. d.J. Balwin, who continued in charge until 1881, when he in turn was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Pell, the present pastor. The church has a membership of forty. There is also a Sabbath School with an average attendance of forty pupils. C.M. Bailey is Superintendent. Rev. Mr. Pell also has charge of two societies in the county. The church building is located on two lots donated by the railroad company in 1874, and was erected in the fall of the same year at a cost of $1,800. It is a frame building, of semi-gothic style, 32 feet by 40 feet in dimensions, with a seating capacity of 200. It is nicely furnished and has a good organ. At the time of the dedication

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November 29th, 1874, the building was entirely free of debt. There is also in connection with the church a comfortable parsonage. The present officers of the society are: O. Dunton, Clerk; Samuel Herbert, B. Wood and J.F. Glover, Trustees.

Baptist Church Society— This society was partially organized in March, 1873, by Rev. W.Wood, of Cedar Falls, with a membership of twelve persons. A permanent organization was effected in February, 1876. The first officers were: T.O. Wilbern, A. Chuchill, A.W. Mitchell, Deacons. The first pastor was Rev. T.H. Judson, followed by E.M. Heyburn, the present pastor, who took charge in 1880. Membership, forty. This society has no building of its own, but holds its services in the school house. The Sabbath School has an average attendance of twenty-five; T.O. Wilbern is the Superintendent; C.D. Wilbern, Secretary and Treasurer. Church officers: T.O. Wilbern, Deacon; C.D. Wilbern, Secretary, J.F. Glover, Trustee.

Methodist Episcopal Society—Organized in April, 1872, at the house of A.M. Culver. the first quarterly conference of the Sibley Mission was held October 5th, 1872, by Rev. Aldrich. Rev. John Webb was appointed the first pastor, and was succeeded by Rev. Ira Brashears, September 20th, 1873. The church was served successfully, by Revs. W.W. Mallory, J.W. Rigby, J.W. Lothian and S.P. Marsh, the present pastor, who took charge in September, 1880. Membership, 120, including a class in the country. The first officers of the first class were: R. Stamm, Class Leader; L. Shell, William Thomas, E. Morrison, D.L. Riley, L.C. Chamberlain, and S.C. Vanhorn, Stewards; J.P. Hauxhurst and B. Davis,local pastors; J.L. Robinson, M.J. Campbell, A.M. Culver, R. Stamm, L. Shell, D.L. Riley, H.K. Rogers, Trustees. Present officers: J.P. Hauxburst, Class Leader; D.L. Riley, L. Shell, W.M. Moore, E. Huff and S.A. Wright, Stewards; D.L. Riley, R. Stamm, Levi Shell, S.A. Wright, W.M. Moore, Trustees; B. Davis, Local Deacon. the society has a flourishing Sabbath School with an attendance of seventy pupils; number of teachers, fifteen; s.P. Marsh, superintendent. there is also a commodious parsonage in connection with the church. The M.E. church building is located on two lots just west of, and fronting eastward towards, the Court House Square. These lots were donated by the S.C. & St. P. Railroad Company, in the spring of 1873. The building was commenced in the spring of 1873, but was not completed until September, 1874, when it was dedicated. It cost $2,200, and is well furnished.

Catholic Society—Celebrated Mass in Sibley as early as 1873, Rev. Father B.C. Lenehan, of Sioux City, officiating. The society now comprises some sixty families, and services are regularly held ever two weeks in the Court House. The society is now in charge of Father Thomas Riley, of Sheldon, who contemplates the erection of a substantial and commodious church building at an early day.

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The Public School building is located on two lots fronting westward towards the Court House square, donated by the railroad company. the building in 22x36 feet, and was erected in May, 1872, at a cost of #3,500, and has a seating capacity of one hundred. W.A. Armine, assisted by Miss Flora Reeves, now has charge of the school, which has an average attendance of ninety pupils. The present Board of Education is composed of D.L. Riley, Levy Shell and T.O. Wilbern. The first school taught in the county was taught by Delila Stiles, who was also the first Superintendent of Schools, in 1871. Sibley remained a sub-district of Holman Township until 1878, when it became an independent district. The first School Board of the new district, was composed of C.M. Bailey, Levi Shell and A.W. Mitchell.

Broken Column Lodge No. 331, A.F. & A.M.—Instituted June 3d, 1874, with a membership of then. the following are the charter members, and also first officers: R.J. Chase, W.M.; J.M. Jenkins, S.W.; J. Griffith,, J.W.; D.G. Shell, Treasurer; G.S. Murphy, Secretary; J.C. Miller, S.D.; C.N. Sawyer, J.D.; W.H. Cooper, Tyelr; B.F. Tabler, S.S.; S.H. Wescott, J.S. Present officers: J.B. Lent, W.M.; W.B. Humphrey, S.W.; W.H. Chambers, Treasurer; B.F. Tabler, Secretary; H. Littlechild, S.D.; Cline Bull, j.d.; W. Mead, Jr., Tyler; G.A. Pitman, S.S.; J.Q. Miller, J.S. The present membership, about forty. Meetings are held once each month in the Hall of the society over Wilbern's store. The society is in a flourishing condition, and has recently purchased a lot, upon which they contemplate erecting a new Hall at an early day.

Ocheydan Lodge No. 251, I.O.O.F.—Instituted in October, 1873. First officers: D.L. Riley, D.G.; F.M. Robinson, V.G.; C.M. Bailey, R.S.; C.H. Call, P.S.; W.M. Cram, Treasurer. Present officers: Cline Bull, N.G.; C.W. Jenkins, V.G.; J.S. Davisson, R.S.; D.D. McCallum, P.S.; A.W. Mitchell, Treasurer. Membership, fifty. Meetings are held every Monday evening in the hall over Wilbern's store. This society is in a prosperous condition, and will soon commence the erection of commodious quarters of their own.

Pioneer Agricultural Society—Organized in 1872. The first officers were: L.G. Ireland, President; C. Dunton, Vice-President; E. Hogin, Secretary; F.M. Robinson, Treasurer; H. Jordan, J.F. Van Emburg and E. Huff, Directors. The society was incorporated and adopted constitution and by-laws in July, 1872. The first fair was held October 10th and 11th, 1872, in Court House Square. The present officers are: P.L. Piesley President; J.W. Carson, Vice-President; S.A. Wright, Secretary; W.J. Miller, Treasurer; P. Proper, J. Cronk, G.S. Downend, J. Streit and H. Peters, Directors. The society is free of debt, with money in the treasury, and owns a tract of twenty-five acres one-

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half mile northwest of Sibley, enclosed by a substantial fence. On the grounds are a commodious floral hall, and a fine half-mile track. Fairs are held annually, and are largely attended.

Sibley Cornet Band—Organized in 1873, and is a creditable organization. C.Armbright is the leader.

The Court House is located on the most elevated portion of the townsite, and was erected in the fall of 1872, at a cost of about $5,000. The building is 36 feet by 36 feet, 20 feet high, and affords comfortable and commodious quarters for the county officials. The block on which the building is situated was the gift of the railroad company, who also generously set aside an additional block, centrally located, for a public park. The railroad depot at Sibley is 24 feet by 48 feet in dimensions, and is substantially built, as are all the buildings along the line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad. The company has acted most generously with the town of Sibley, and has, by its liberal donations of lots for school, church and court house purposes, done much towards the upbuilding of the town.

ASHTON

Ashton, until recently called St. Gilman, is situated seven miles southwest of Sibley, on the line of the C., St. P., M. & O. Railroad. It is surrounded by an excellent agricultural district, and gives promise of becoming an important shipping town. It now has several general stores, a public school, two or three church societies, a good depot building and a grain warehouse.

Chas. A. Armbright, barber, was born in Germany; came to America in 1856; located in N.Y., and the same year enlisted in the 5th U.S. cavalry of the regular army. He was on duty in Texas, until the war of the rebellion, when he was ordered to Pa. for active service. He re-enlisted in 1863 as a veteran, and served until the close of the war. He came to Sibley in 1872, and engaged in his present business.

C.E. Brown and W.H. Chambers, of the firm of Brown & Chambers, dealers in general merchandise, are natives of Wis. They came to Sibley, in 1874, and engaged in their present business with a small capital; are now one of the leading firms in the county, and carry a complete stock of about $15,000.

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J. Brooks, came from Ind. to Butler county, Ia., in 1852. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. H, Ia. Vol; was in the service three years, fourteen months of which time he was a prisoner of war at Tyler, Texas. He was wounded at Fort Pillow, Tenn. At the close of the war he returned to Ia. In 1872 he located in Osceola county, and in Sibley two years later, and engaged in the nursery business. He has now retired from the business.

J.S. Davisson, clerk of the courts, was born in Vt. in 1845. He came to Iowa and enlisted in Co. I, 9th Ia. Cav. in 1863; served until 1866; then returned to Iowa and setteled in Washington county; removed to Osceola county in 1872, and to Sibley in 1880, and entered into business as a contractor and builder.

John H. Douglass, sheriff of Osceola county, was born in Scotland; came to America with his parents, and settled in Ill.; removed to Allamakee county, Ia., in 1856. He enlisted in 1862 in the U.S. regular army as drummer, and afterwards in the 1st Ia. Cav.; and served until the close of the war; then returned to Ia. He was engaged in various kinds of business, until 1872, when he was elected to his present office; is also engaged with the Iowa land company as superintendent of outside business, renting and looking after the interests of the firm in Osceola county. Mr. D, has the reputation of being one of the best criminal officers in the state.

J.F. Glover, attorney at law and land agent, was born in Union county, Pa., in 1845; moved with parents to Stephenson county, Ill., in 1846. In 1868 he enlisted in the 38th Wis. Vol. Inft.; was promoted to orderly sergeant, and commissioned second lieutenant. He graduated in the classical curse, at the University of Wis., in 1871, and soon after located in Osceola county. In 1872 he was elected clerk of the courts, and in 1875 was elected to the state legislature, for the counties of Clay, Dickinson, Osceola and O'Brien. He was admitted to the bar in 1878. During his residence in Sibley he was for several years engaged in editing the Sibley Gazette.

F.F. & H.S. Grant, of the firm of Grant Bros., dealers in general hardware, are natives of Wis.; came to Sibley, Ia., in Feb. 1881, and engaged intheir present business. H.S. is business manager of the store at Sibley, and F.F. is the northwestern traveling agent for Grey, Burt & Kingman, of Chicago, Ill.

J.C. Hanon, proprietor of the Sibley House, is a native of Vt.; removed at an early age to Cincinnati, O. He followed railroading for a time; removed to Ia. in 1871, and in 1873 came to Sibley. He engaged in the hotel business in 1867, and has a first-class house and accommodations.

C.I. Hill, (deceased), late banker of Sibley, was born in O. in 1843; removed to Sioux City, Ia., in 1870; thence to Sibley in 1872, and engaged in the real estate and law business. He

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engaged in the banking business in 1876 which he continued two years. He retired from business on account of ill-health, and died in March, 1881, leaving a wife and one child—Eva. Mrs. Hill is a daughter of D.M. Sturges, of Vermillion, Dak.

Capt. E. Huff, land agent, came to Fremont county, Ia., from Ind. in 1856. He enlisted in 1861, in co. A, 4th Ia. Cav., and served until the close of the war. He was taken prisoner in Dec., 1864, and confined in Andersonville prison for three months. After the war he returned to Ia., and in 1870 settled in O'Brien county; was the first settler of the county. He moved to Sibley in 1876, and was elected county recorder; served until 1880; then engaged in his present business.

H.C. Hungerford, county treasurer and lumber dealer, was born in N.Y. in 1846; came to Sibley, in 1874, and engaged in the lumber business. He was elected to his present office in 1876, and re-elected in 1878.

C.w. Jenkins, proprietor of the restaurant and news depot; came to Sibley in the spring of 1871, and engaged in his present business in the spring of 1876.

H. Jordan, attorney at law, was born in O. in 1843; came to Benton county, Ia., in 1855. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. H, 18th Ia. Inft., and served until the close of the war; then returned to Vinton, Benton county, Ia., and began the study of law. He began practicing law in 1868, and moved to Sibley in 1872; is the pioneer lawyer of Osceola county.

W.R. Lawrence, M.D., was born in Essex county, N.Y.; removed to Wis. in 1851. He enlisted in Co. C, 1st Wis. Vol., and served three years; was wounded at Perryville, Ky. After the war he went to Freeborn county, Minn., and engaged in teaching school. He graduated from the Normal School at Winona in 1866; came to Sibley in 1872, and engaged in the drug business. He graduated from the Northwestern Medical College, at Chicago, in 1878. He was elected county superintendent of schools in Osceola county in 1879, which office he still holds.

D.D. McCallum, attorney at law, was born in Canada in 1847; came to Clayton county, Ia., in 1859. He enlisted Feb. 1st, 1864, in Co. I, 27th Ia. Vol.; was afterwards transferred to the Twelfth Ia., and was on duty in Ala. during the reconstruction of that state under President Johnson's administration. He came to Sibley in the spring of 1872; was admitted to the bar in 1879, and engaged in the practice of the law.

A.W. Mitchell, of the firm of Mitchell & Walton, furniture dealers, was born in N.Y.; removed to Hudson, Wis., in 1855. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. G, 4th Wis. Inft.; served two years, and was discharged on account of ill health. He moved to Iowa

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Falls, Ia., in 1865, and engaged in the furniture business; thence to Steamboat Rock, and in 1872 to Sibley; in 1873 he engaged in his present business.

W.M. Moore, county auditor, was born in Pa. in 1841; enlisted in 1861 in Co. E, Pa. Bucktail regiment; was taken prisoner in June, 1862, and held until Aug. of that year. He was wounded several times, and lost his right arm at Weldon R.R. terminus, in Aug. 1864, from a gun shot. He served through the war, and then returned to Pa. He came to Sibley in 1872, and was elected to his present office in 1873, which he has held ever since.

W.H. Morrison, jeweler, was born in Pa. in 1833; came to Ia. in 1855, settled in Allamakee county, and engaged in the jewelry business. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. E, 27th Ia. Vol.; and served until the close of the war. He came to Osceola county in 1871, and settled four miles north of Sibley; moved into the city in 1881, and engaged in the jewelry business.

Hiram Neill, M.D., is a native of Canada; came with parents to Minn. in 1855, and settled in Hennepin county. He enlisted in 1863 in Co. A, 4th Minn. Vol. Inft.; served until 1865, and then returned to Minn., and began the study of medicine with Dr. Maddox, of St. Paul. He graduated from the Michigan University in 1871, and from the Bellevue Hospital of N.Y. City in 1879. He practiced medicine for a time in Minneapolis, Minn., and came to Sibley in 1875, where he has a very extensive practice.

W.L. Parker, druggist, is a native of Wis.; removed to Minn. in 1868; located at St. James in 1869, and engaged in the drug business. He removed to Sibley in 1873, and carries a very fine stock of drugs, paints, oils, fancy groceries, etc.

H.W. Phillips, farmer, is a native of N.Y.; came to Delaware county, Ia., in 1858, settled in Osceola county in 1872, and on his present farm on section 32, range 41, in 1879. He was the first man to try to raise sheep in the county, and is largely engaged in the tree and fruit culture.

Capt. D.L. Riley, mayor of Sibley, was born in St. Lawrence county, N.Y., in 1837; removed to Wis. in 1854. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. C, 2nd Wis. Cav., under Col. C.C. Washburne. He enlisted as a private, and came out captain of the company at the close of the war. He returned to Wis. and remained there until 1871, when he came to Osceola county and settled near where Sibley is now located. Mr. R. has held several town offices, and has been engaged in the lumber, coal and grain business since his residence in this place, which business he intends to resume at Spirit Lake in th spring of 1882.

H.K. Rogers, the pioneer merchant of Sibley, was born in O. n 1847; removed in 1870 to Salt Lake City, Utah, and engaged in the mercantile business, and in the autumn of 1871 came to Sibley,

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Ia., and built the first building in the town for a store and dwelling, on lots eight and nine, Ninth street. He was afterwards burned out there, and moved to his present place of business on Third avenue and Eighth streets. Mr. R. carries a large and complete stock of merchandise.

L. Shell, lumber dealer, was born in Wis. in 1838; removed to Worthington, Minn., in 1872; thence to Sibley in the spring of 1873, and engaged in his present business, dealing in all kinds of builders' supplies and grain. He enlisted in Aug., 1862, in Co. K. 23rd Wis. Vol., and on account of wounds received at the battle of Vicksburg, May 22nd, 1863, was discharged in Dec., of the same year.

H. Walters, proprietor of the Pioneer House, was born in N.Y. in 1826; came to IOwa in 1856, and settled in Chickasaw county; removed to Osceola county in 1871, and entered a homestead on section 10, township 79, range 41. He engaged in the hotel business in 1874, it being the first hotel in Sibley. He enlisted in 1863 in the 4th Ia. Cav., and served until the close of the war; was wounded at Memphis, Tenn., by being thrown from his horse while on duty.

C.D. & T.O. Wilbern, dealers in general merchandise, came to Cherokee county, Ia., i 1868 and engaged in farming; removed to Sibley in 1873 and engaged in their present business. They were burned out in NOvember of teh same year, started again, and have continued ever since. T.O. enlisted in 1864 in Co. C., 153rd Ill. Vol, and was discharged in 1865.

S.A. Wright, deputy treasurer, was born in N.Y. in 1842. He enlisted in 1862 in Co. C. 112th N.Y. Inft. In 1868 he came to Iowa and engaged in the mercantile business; came to Sibley in 1872, and followed various business pursuits, until 1874, when he was elected county treasurer, which office he held until 1876, when he was succeeded by Mr. Hungerford.

Plymouth County

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