Chapter XLV: Section 1: Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the (1)

State of Iowa, that all that part of the State of Iowa
included within the boundaries of the town of Cedar Rapids
in Linn County, as surveyed and recorded in the recorder's
office in the said County of Linn, be and the same is hereby
constituted a town corporate and shall hereafter be known by
the name of the town of Cedar Rapids.

SEC. 2. It shall be lawful for the free male inhabitants of
said town having the qualifications of electors to meet at
the usual place of holding the elections in said town on the
first Wednesday in April next and on the first Wednesday of
April annually thereafter at such place in said town as the
town council shall direct and then and there proceed to
elect by ballot a mayor, recorder and three councilmen, who
shall have the qualifications of electors, and reside within
the corporate limits of said town, and said mayor, recorder
and councilmen shall hold their offices one year, and until
their successors are elected and qualified and any three of
them shall be a board for the transaction of business, but a
less number may adjourn from time to time until a quorum
shall assemble.

SEC. 3. That at the first election under this act judges and
clerks shall be chosen by the electors present who shall
each take an oath faithfully to discharge the duties
required by this act and at all subsequent elections the
mayor and any two of the councilmen shall sit as judges and
the recorder, or in his absence some one of the council pro
tempore shall act as clerk and at all such elections the
polls shall be opened at 1:00 o'clock, p. m. and close at
5:00 o'clock p. m., of the same day, and at the close of the
polls the votes shall be counted and a statement of the
result proclaimed at the door by the clerk; the clerk of
said elections shall thereupon make out a certificate to
each of the persons so elected and the persons receiving
such certificate shall, within ten days thereafter take an
oath to support the constitution and the laws of the United
States and of this state and faithfully discharge his duties
according to the best of his abilities, which oath shall be
endorsed on the back of said certificate and filed with the
recorder of said town.

SEC. 4. The mayor, recorder and councilmen of said town
shall be a body corporate and politic with perpetual
succession to be known by the name of the mayor and council
of the town of Cedar Rapids, and shall be capable in law to
acquire property, real, personal and mixed for the use of
said town and sell and convey the same. May have a common
seal and may alter the same at pleasure. May sue and be
sued, plead and be impleaded, answer or be answered unto in
any court of law and equity in this state; and when any suit
shall be commenced against said corporation a certified copy
of any writ issued against said corporation shall be left
with the recorder of said town at least ten days before the
return day thereof.

SEC. 5. That the mayor, recorder and council, or a majority
of them, of whom the mayor or the recorder shall always be
one, shall have authority to make, ordain, and publish all
by-laws and ordinances not inconsistent with the
constitution and laws of the land as they may deem proper
for the promotion of morality, interest, safety, health and
cleanliness of said town and the citizens thereof; they
shall have power to fill all vacancies that may happen by
death or otherwise of any of the officers of their board
herein named. They shall have power to appoint a treasurer,
marshal and such other subordinate officers as a majority of
said council may deem necessary, to prescribe their duties
and require surety of their performance, to remove them at
pleasure, and to establish the fees of all offices not
otherwise provided for by this act. They shall have power to
impose fines for the breach of their ordinances, which fines
may be recovered with costs before any justice of the peace
in said town by an action of debt in the name of said
corporation. All fines collected in pursuance of this act
shall be paid over by the officer collecting the same to the
treasurer of the corporation.

SEC. 6. It shall be the duty of the mayor to preside at the
meetings of the town council, and it shall be the duty of
the recorder to keep a true record of the by-laws and
ordinances, to attend all meetings of the council and keep a
fair and accurate record of their proceedings and perform
such other duties as the council may from time to time
require. Said recorder may under his hand and seal appoint a
deputy to perform his duties when absent, for whose acts the
said recorder shall be responsible.

SEC. 7. That the town council shall have power to assess for
corporation purposes an annual tax on all property in said
town made subject to taxation by the laws of this state for
state and county purposes not exceeding in any one year one
per centum on the valuation thereof which value shall be
ascertained by an assessor appointed by the town council for
that purpose, duplicate of which shall be made out and
signed by the recorder and delivered to the collector. They
shall have power to equalize any injudicious assessment then
made on complaint of the person aggrieved.

SEC. 8. That the town marshal shall be the collector of any
tax assessed by said council, and he is hereby authorized
and required, by distress and sale of property, as
constables on execution, to collect and pay over said tax to
the treasurer within three months after the time of
receiving the duplicate thereof and the treasurer's receipt
shall be his voucher. The town marshal shall make personal
demand of every resident charged with tax if to be found,
and before sale of property for delinquent tax shall give
ten days' notice in advertisement in three of the most
public places in said corporation, and if the property or
any lot or piece of land for which no personal property can
be found shall remain unpaid for three months after the
expiration of the time by this act allowed the collector for
the collection of the tax shall give notice in the nearest
newspaper stating the amount of such tax and the number and
description of the lots on which it is due and that the same
will be sold to discharge such tax unless the payment
thereof be made within three months from the date of such
advertisement, and if such tax be not paid within that time
the town marshal, after giving twenty days' notice of the
time and place of sale at the three most public places in
said town shall proceed to sell at public auction so much of
said lot or piece of land as will discharge said tax.

SEC. 9. That if the owner of any lot sold for taxes as
aforesaid shall appear at any time within two years after
such sale and pay the purchase money with interest at thirty
per centum per annum thereon he shall be entitled to the
right of redemption. If, however, the owner or his agent
shall neglect to redeem any real estate sold for taxes under
the provisions of this act within the time herein specified,
it shall be the duty of the mayor to make and execute a deed
to the purchaser countersigned by the recorder under the
seal of the corporation. Said deeds shall also be
acknowledged before a justice of the peace, and when so
executed and recorded in the office of recorder of deeds of
Linn County, shall be deemed and taken as valid by law.

SEC. 10. Twenty days before each annual election the town
council shall put up in some conspicuous place within said
town, an accurate account of the money received and expended
by said corporation since the last annual election, with the
sources from which they were derived and the objects on
which they were expended, which shall be certified by the
recorder.

SEC. 11. The said corporation shall have power to regulate
all streets, alleys, sidewalks, drains or sewers, to sink
and keep in repair public wells, remove nuisances, and make
other such needful regulations not incompatible with the
laws of the state as shall conduce to the general interest
and welfare of the inhabitants of said town. To provide for
licensing, taxing and regulating auctions, retailers and
taverns, theatrical and other shows of amusement, to
prohibit tippling houses, gaming houses and other disorderly
houses.

SEC. 12. The by-laws and ordinances of said corporation
shall be published in a newspaper in the county or posted up
in some public place in said town fifteen days before taking
effect thereof, and the certificate of the recorder upon the
town records shall be sufficient evidence of the same having
been done and every annual election herein authorized shall
be preceded by five days' notice thereof put up in three
public places in said town.

SEC. 13. That the streets and alleys of said town shall
constitute one road district including the several roads
leading from said town for the distance of one mile from the
corporation limits.

SEC. 14. That the mayor or a majority of the councilmen may
call a meeting of the town council whenever in his or their
opinion the same may be necessary. The mayor and councilmen
shall receive such compensation as shall be voted them by
the inhabitants of said town in legal meeting assembled.

SEC. 15. This act shall take effect from and after its
publication.

SMILEY H. BONHAM, Speaker of House

JOHN J. SELMAN, President of the Senate

Approved January 15th, 1849. ANSEL BRIGGS, Governor

Secretary's Office, Iowa City, Iowa, March 27th, 1849.

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct
copy of the original act now on file in the said office.

JOSIAH H. BONNEY, Secretary of State

FIRST CITY OFFICIALS OF CEDAR RAPIDS

At 1 o'clock of April 4, 1849, the citizens of Cedar Rapids met at the school house, in accordance with the requirements of the law, and proceeded to elect town officers under a charter issued by the legislature and approved January 15, 1849 (for text of this document see Laws of Iowa, 1849, p. 116). The first election was in the nature of a mass meeting. William P. Harman was made chairman and Arven Kennedy, John H. Brooks, and John G. Cole selected as judges of election. Eber L. Mansfield was clerk of election. These judges certified to choice of votes as follows:

Mayor, Martin L. Barber.
Councilmen, Joseph Greene, Stephen L. Pollock, and James Leverich.
Recorder, Homer Kennedy.

The mayor immediately took the oath of office before John L. Shearer, justice of the peace.

The first meeting of the council was held May 11, 1849. Action was taken appointing Lowell Daniels treasurer of the town, to give bonds of $20. It was resolved that the municipal seal "shall consist of a raised circle nine-tenths of an inch in diameter, enclosing an equilateral triangle." The first ordinance in preamble declared, that "there exists in the town divers unwholesome cellars, dung heaps, horse stables, cow stables, barns, yards, hogpens, and other nuisances." The object of the enactment was to abate these conditions. In July, 1849, Homer Kennedy resigned as recorder and Porter W. Earle was chosen in his place. A sort of omnibus ordinance was passed October 23, 1849. This prohibited the sale of spirituous liquors, required that shows or other exhibitions should pay license of not less than one dollar nor more than ten dollars. A further section fixed penalties for disturbance of any public meeting. This ordinance was given effective publication by being "posted at G. Greene & Bro.'s store." Other ordinances, we find, were "posted on John Coffman's door." John H. Brooks, marshal of the town, was on November 8, 1849, allowed the sum of $16.73. Getting possession of so much money he immediately resigned, presumably to enjoy it without official cares.

THE SECOND ELECTION

The second election was held at the school house April 3, 1850. For mayor Martin L. Barber received 39 votes and Johnson Hill 27. For recorder John Palmer received 63 and Lawson Daniels 1. Stephen L. Pollock, Thomas Downing and Charles C. Cook were the successful councilmen, the defeated candidates being George H. Ely, Joseph Greene, Isaac Cook, and W. P. Harman.

This new council on April 11, 1850, resolved to form a board of health, but at the next meeting this action was rescinded. In its stead an ordinance was passed for preservation of public health. Enforcement of these provisions rested with the marshal. In May an ordinance was passed permitting Harvey C. Higley to retail ardent spirits, upon giving a good and sufficient bond "to keep a good and orderly house, not permitting any gambling, drunkenness or rioting about his house or premises." Such bond Mr. Higley refused to execute, and the employment of counsel was authorized to commence suit against him for violation of ordinance. July 24 a health board was appointed consisting of Drs. J. F. Ely, S. D. Carpenter, and J. C. Traer. The marshal, under direction of the board, was to abate all nuisances. The first recorders of the city were evidently not of fixed mind or habitation. John Palmer resigned as such December 8, and S. C. Koontz was chosen to fill the vacancy. Isaac Cook was made attorney for the city in pending litigation.

THE FIRST TAX LEVY

The first tax levy mentioned was ordered by action of council December 16, 1850. This amounted to "one and one-half mills on the dollar of all taxable property within the corporation," and Johnson Hill was appointed assessor. Another ordinance to prevent the sale of spiritous and intoxicating liquors was passed December 16, 1850. Any quantity less than a gallon sold "without advice of a physician," rendered the seller liable to a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than twenty-five. A license fee of from one to five dollars was exacted from all peddlers, whether they were footmen with packs or sold goods from wagons.

THE ELECTION OF 1851

Annual town election was again held in April, 1851. At this time Nicholas B. Brown was chosen as mayor. Benjamin Weizer, Michael Bryan, and Joseph A. Love, councilmen, and S. C. Koontz, recorder. William G. Furman was appointed marshal. The personnel of the board of health was also changed. Dr. L. Larrabee, Dr. Thomas, and Dr. John F. Ely constituting the same.

No recorded meeting of council was held from June 20, 1851, to February 24 of the next year. At this latter date N. B. Brown, mayor, by advice and consent of the councilmen, "did grant license to David W. King for free navigation of the Cedar River, opposite this place, for the term of one year from the 1st day of March, 1857, by the said D. W. King paying to the recorder the sum of ten dollars." The council fixed rates of toll as follows: Horse and rider 10 cents; footmen, 5 cents; one horse and wagon, 15 cents; a wagon and two horses, 20 cents; and every additional span of horses or yoke of cattle, 20 cents. Loose cattle not exceeding five in number, he shall be allowed 5 cents per head; if more than that number, 3 cents per head. Hogs, if not exceeding twenty-five in number, shall be 2 cents per head; if more than that number the toll shall be 1 cent per head. Sheep at the rate of 1 cent per head.

THE FIRST SIDEWALK ORDINANCE

The first sidewalk ordinance stipulated: "The sidewalks of Commercial street shall be planked or paved, commencing at the corner of Benton and Commercial streets, northeast side, and ending at the corner of Sugar and Commercial streets. Also on the southwest side of said street, commencing at the southeast side of Rock and Brather's shop and coming up as far us Linn street. In case where planked the plank to be oak and not less than one and one-half inches in thickness, also to be placed upon a good and permanent foundation. In the front of buildings the walk to be made ten feet in width, not less than five stringers to be used. In front of lots or parts of lots not occupied by buildings it is only required that walks be made five feet in width, in which case three stringers are sufficient, but not less than three. All of which must be completed by the 1st of September, 1852."

Samuel Brazelton was appointed marshal, Dr. Koontz treasurer, and Dr. S. D. Carpenter, Wm. D. Wood, and Porter W. Earle, health board.

THE ELECTION OF 1853

In 1853 election was held on Wednesday, April 6. W. W. Smith was chosen mayor; S. C. Bever, Johnson Hill, and J. F. Ely, councilmen; and S. C. Koontz, recorder. Hiram Deem was appointed assessor, Isaac N. Whittam, town marshal. At this same date, May 6, 1853, John F. Ely was made committee to secure a surveyor, "Major McKean, or some other suitable person to take and establish the grades of the city of Cedar Rapids." Pratt R. Skinner was the person selected and his report and profile were presented and adopted July 6, 1853. Hiram Deem was made marshal July 23, Mr. Whittam evidently not having qualified. At this meeting a municipal tax levy of four mills was ordered. Hiram Deem, having accomplished his work as assessor, and now being marshal, was instructed to collect the taxes. He was further directed to order out men to work the roads and streets immediately.

THE CEMETERIES

The beginning of Oak Hill cemetery dates from an ordinance of August 23, 1853. Gabriel Carpenter had purchased 300 acres of land adjoining the city and including the site of the cemetery. The place of burial at that time was upon the ground after owned by Coe College. The ordinance enacted that "the proposition made by G. Carpenter in respect to ten acres of land for purpose of graveyard be filed and accepted. Provided, however, that if the collegiate institute will pay the aforesaid G. Carpenter for the aforementioned ten acres of land, and, further provided, that if the mayor and council hold and possess the power and right to sell and convey the lot of land now occupied by a graveyard (within the corporate limits) and can sell and convey the same to the Collegiate Institute for the sum of three hundred dollars, then the afore-mentioned proposition is accepted."

The legal and other difficulties in the way were surmounted and on February 22, 1854, it was resolved to quit claim the interest of the town in the present burial ground to Smith and Carpenter, at such time as they shall lay off and deed to the corporation a block of ground in the Washington cemetery for a "potter's field," which shall contain at least three acres. It was conditioned also that Smith and Carpenter should give bond for the careful removal of all occupants of the present burial ground before making any use of the land.

ELECTION OF 1854

On April 3, 1854, William W. Smith was elected mayor, William Greene, Abraham Sines, and Daniel Lothian, councilmen, and William M. Wood, recorder. The digging of sand from Iowa avenue was dignified by name of bringing to grade. This was divided into six parts, and two were let to W. W. Smith and E. Robins. These paid five dollars apiece for the privilege. The other sections remained as before and the avenue was rendered impassable. J. J. Snouffer was appointed marshal for ensuing year and R. C. Rock treasurer. The famous "hog ordinance," which was intended to keep swine from the street but failed absolutely in its purpose, was introduced June 28, 1854.

ELECTION OF 1855

George Greene was elected mayor April 4, 1855. Members of the council were first styled aldermen on the tickets for this year and R. C. Rock, Joseph A. Love, and J. F. Charles were chosen. W. D. Watrous was the choice of the voters for recorder. J. H. Atwell was appointed marshal and S. D. Carpenter, treasurer. The council was organized into proper committees, indicating that more business came before the body. The bond of the treasurer had by this time increased to one thousand dollars. A city attorney was elected June 5, 1855, James J. Child being the choice of the council. The report of the finance committee showed a deficit--the city's revenues lacking $75.00 of meeting expenses.

ELECTION OF 1856

Isaac Whittam was elected mayor at the April election in 1856, with Walker, Smith, and Hager, councilmen. The recorder having resigned, D. M. McIntosh was elected by the council to that office. The ferry privileges had passed at death of D. W. King in 1854 to Stephen L. Pollock and afterwards to Bowling & Gilbreath. Both of these failed to pay for license, and the recorder was instructed to collect; Joseph Hollan was appointed road supervisor.

On June 14, 1856, City Attorney James J. Child was instructed to prepare an amended charter to be submitted to the next legislature. This was accepted by council, June 28, 1856. The proposition was then submitted to the voters and adopted 45 to 2. An election for city officers under this new charter was ordered to be held at the office of J. J. Child August 7, 1856. The votes cast were canvassed by the council. It was found that 204 votes were cast for mayor, of which Isaac N. Whittam received 120 and W. W. Smith 84. For recorder and assessor D. M. McIntosh led with 123; F. P. Huntington 73; E. N. Bates and S. C. Koontz one each. For treasurer and collector S. C. Koontz received 121 votes and John P. Conkey 79. Charles Weare was elected marshal by a vote of 131. In vote for aldermen in the first ward J. T. Walker was elected and J. J. Snouffer and H. G. Angle were tied. Alexander Hager and J. F. Charles were chosen to represent the second ward, and Henry S. Ward and W. D. Watrous were duly elected from the third ward.

This closes the official doings under the old town. The records consulted will satisfy and settle all disputed questions as to office-holding and the statements here made are correct beyond all question.

OFFICIALS OF CEDAR RAPIDS FROM 1857 TO 1910

1857 Isaac N. Whittam, mayor; F. P. Huntington, recorder; S. C. Lampson, marshal; S. C. Koontz, treasurer; E. N. Bates, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John G. Graves, S. D. Carpenter, J. J. Child, William Richmond, A. Whitenack.

1858 R. C. Rock, mayor; George Seymour, recorder; C. T. Kellogg, marshal; S. C. Koontz, treasurer; A. S. Belt, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John G. Graves, D. N. Sprague, R. R. Taylor, William Richmond, S. A. Shattuck.

1859 D. N. Sprague, mayor; George Seymour, recorder; William McMahone, marshal; S. C. Koontz, treasurer; E. N. Bates, city attorney. Aldermen, John G. Graves, T. Z. Cook, D. M. McIntosh, Charles Weare, S. A. Shattuck, G. Livensbarger.

1860 E. H. Stedman, mayor; George Seymour, recorder; Benjamin Darnell, marshal; J. S. Wattles, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, T. Z. Cook, A. Hager, W. B. Mack, R. P. Kingman, G. Livensbarger, J. P. Coulter.

1861 Homer Bishop, mayor; M. A. Higley, recorder; Benjamin Darnell, marshal; J. S. Wattles, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, H. E. Higley, R. P. Kingman, I. W. Carroll, J. C. Adams, George Dewey.

1862 T. Z. Cook, mayor; S. C. Koontz, recorder; J. Hogendobler, marshal; J. S. Wattles, treasurer; A. S. Belt, city attorney. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, H. E. Higley, I. W. Carroll, H. B. Stibbs, George Dewey, S. G. McClelland.

1863 Mowry Farnum, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; no city attorney elected. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, D. Denlinger, H. B. Stibbs, I. W. Carroll, S. G. McClelland, Thomas Slonaker.

1864 Mowry Farnum, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, E. H. Stedman, D. Denlinger, Joseph Hollan, S. G. McClelland, Thomas Slonaker.

1865 H. Church, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; T. M. Parsons, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; J. J. Child, city attorney. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, E. E. Leach, D. Denlinger, Charles Weare, G. Livensbarger, J. C. Adams.

1866 A. R. West, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; J. O. Stewart, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; J. J. Child, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, J. Wetzel, H. B. Stibbs, N. S. Mershon, J. C. Adams, J. A. Hart.

1867 A. R. West, mayor; D. A. Bradley, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, J. Wetzel, H. B. Stibbs, E. Robbins, J. A. Hart, L. Wallace.

1868 J. P. Coulter, mayor; D. A. Bradley, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. Wetzel, A. C. Churchill, E. Robbins, E. E. Leach, William Stewart, James Albright.

1869 A. R. West, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney; P. C. Lusk, chief engineer. Aldermen, A. C. Churchill, E. S. Hill, E. E. Leach, D. Denlinger, William Stewart, J. F. Charles.

1870 William B. Leach, mayor; W. B. Stewart, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; M. P. Mills, city attorney; George A. Lincoln, chief engineer. Aldermen, E. S. Hill, J. J. Snouffer, E. E. Leach, E. Robbins, William Stewart, Elihu Baker.

1871 T. Z. Cook, mayor; H. J. Harvey, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; Hiel Hale, chief engineer: J. C. Stoddard, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; R. H. Gilmore, city attorney. Aldermen. J. J. Snouffer, I. H. Shaver, E. E. Leach, C. C. Cook, William Stewart, J. L. Bever, James Bell.

1872 E. S. Hill, mayor; A. St. Clair Smith, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; George L. Stearns, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen. J. L. Bever, C. H. Clark, I. H. Shaver, C. C. Cook. W. Stewart, George Dale, G. M. Howlett, E. E. Leach.

1873 J. F. Charles, mayor; A. St. Clair Smith, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; George L. Stearns, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; West & Eastman, city attorneys. Aldermen, J. L. Bever, C. C. Cook, C. H. Clark, George Dale, Henry Forsythe, S. T. Wier, G. M. Howlett, W. S. Bradley.

1874 A. B. Hull, mayor; H. J. Harvey, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; E. S. Hill, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; A. D. Collier, city attorney. Aldermen, F. J. Upton, C. C. Cook, C. H. Clark, W. S. Bradley, M. P. Mills, J. H. Smith, E. L. Mansfield, C. H. Clark, George A. Lincoln, S. T. Wier.

1875 J. H. Smith, mayor; I. N. Whittam, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; Hiel Hale, chief engineer; A. G. Plum, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; F. C. Hormel, city attorney. Aldermen, R. Cornish, A. T. Averill, U. C. Blake, G. A. Lincoln, M. P. Mills, W. S. Bradley, S. T. Wier, C. H. Clark, F. J. Upton, E. L. Mansfield.

1876 J. H. Smith, mayor; I. N. Whittam, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; George A. Lincoln, chief engineer; A. G. Plum, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; F. C. Hormel, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, U. C. Blake, E. K. Larimer. W. S. Bradley, A. Mann, O. C. L. Jones, S. T. Wier, M. P. Mills, R. Cornish, D. H. Richards.

1877 W. S. Bradley, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; A. G. Plumb, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; F. C. Hormel, city attorney. Aldermen, C. Magnus, E. K. Larimer, A. R. Foote, U. C. Blake, O. C. L. Jones, D. H. Richards, J. J. Snouffer, D. T. Brown, A. Mann, Frank Witousek, D. B. Ramsdell, Samuel Miller.

1878 J. T. Hamilton, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; George A. Lincoln, recorder; H. C. Morehead, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, C. Magnus, D. T. Brown, W. W. Smith, U. C. Blake, A. R. Foote, O. C. L. Jones, H. G. Bowman, E. R. Earl, Frank Witousek, James Morton, E. L. Mansfield.

1879 O. N. Hull, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, John Meehan, W. W. Smith, E. R. Earl, John Gates, John Dale, James Morton, A. Van Vleck, L. E. Jenkins, H. G. Bowman, J. J. Snouffer, O. C. L. Jones, E. L. Mansfield.

1880 J. H. Smith, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; C. J. Deacon, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John Gates, John Dale, P. Mullaly, A. Van Vleck, L. E. Jenkins, William Stewart, James Morton, E. R. Earl, John Meehan, E. L. Mansfield, W. A. Fulkerson.

1881 J. H. Smith, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; C. J. Deacon, city attorney. Aldermen, John Meehan, William Stewart, E. R. Earl, John Gates, J. M. Searles, E. L. Mansfield, J. R. Morin, M. P. Mills, James Morton, J. J. Snouffer, A. St. Clair Smith, W. A. Fulkerson.

1882 Charles A. Clark, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; G. H. Murphy, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; J. J. Powell, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John Gates, J. M. Searles, P. Martel, J. R. Morin, M. P. Mills, A. Van Vleck, T. M. Giberson, E. R. Earl, John Meehan, C. D. Van Vechten, W. A. Fulkerson.

1883 John W. Henderson, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; J. J. Powell, city attorney. Aldermen, John Meehan, P. Martel, M. P. Mills, John Gates, A. Van Vleck, James Fair, Frank Kouba, J. M. Searles, T. M. Giberson, J. J. Snouffer, C. D. Van Vechten, W. A. Fulkerson.

1884 C. W. Eaton, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John Gates, W. A. Fulkerson, G. M. Olmsted, Frank Kouba, J. M. Searles, A. Van Vleck, T. M. Giberson, M. P. Mills, John Meehan, C. D. Van Vechten, C. B. Kennedy.

1885 F. C. Hormel, mayor; J. T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; Michael Healy, marshal; A. R. West, city attorney. Aldermen, H. T. Brown, G. M. Olmsted, C. F. Earl, Joseph Moore, John Gates, A. Van Vleck, T. M. Giberson, A. H. Connor, J. W. Shapely, J. R. Morin, A. J. Mallahan, W. A. Fulkerson, A. D. Stevens, E. I. Foster, J. J. Snouffer, M. P. Mills, C. D. Van Vechten, J. F. Vondracek.

1886 C. W. Eaton, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; M. P. Smith, city attorney. Aldermen, H. T. Brown, J. R. Morin, C. F. Earl, Joseph Moore, George W. Bever, J. M. Miles, R. J. Thompson, J. F. Vondracek, A. D. Stevens, John Gates, A. J. Mallahan, M. P. Mills, J. W. Shapely, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. F. Sutliff, C. D. Van Vechten, A. H. Connor.

1887 C. W. Eaton, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, George W. Bever, J. M. Miles, R. J. Thompson, J. F. Vondracek, Frank Horak, George A. Lincoln, W. A. Fulkerson, A. Matyk, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. F. Sutliff, M. P. Mills, A. H. Connor, E. I. Foster, John Gates, William King, C. D. Van Vechten, W. C. Byers.

1888 P. Mullaly, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, Frank Horak, George A. Lincoln, M. P. Mills, A. Matyk, C. Magnus, J. F. Allison, F. W. Harwood, Edward Roddy, E. I. Foster, John Gates, William King, W. A. Fulkerson, W. C. Byers, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. V. Ferguson, R. J. Thompson, J. E. Lapham.

1889 P. Mullaly, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney; G. A. Mitchell, city engineer. Aldermen, C. Magnus, J. F. Allison, F. W. Harwood, Edward Roddy, J. J. Snouffer, George A. Lincoln, George W. Noble, F. W. Slapnicka, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. V. Ferguson, R. J. Thompson, J. E. Lapham, F. A. Simmons, Warren Harman, F. J. Shefler, M. Ottmar, W. C. Byers.

1890 J. J. Snouffer, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; J. W. Hayes, marshal; N. W. McIvor, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, M. O'Brien, W. Harman, A. St. Clair Smith, G. A. Lincoln, George W. Noble, F. W. Slapnicka, J. F. Allison, J. B. Henderson, Joseph Zbanek, F. A. Simmons, F. J. Shefler, M. Ottmar, W. C. Byers, J. A. Roach, T. C. Munger, A. B. Van Albada, Frank Dietz.

1891 John B. Henderson, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; J. W. Hayes, marshal; N. W. McIvor, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Aldermen, M. O'Brien, J. F. Allison, P. H. Francis, J. Zbanek, J. J. Snouffer, George W. Noble, F. A. Simmons, F. W. Slapnicka, J. R. Amidon, T. C. Munger, M. Ottmar, Frank Dietz, A. St. Clair Smith, F. J. Shefler, A. B. Van Albada, G. H. Spalding.

1892 John B. Henderson, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; J. D. Blain, recorder; A. W. West, marshal; N. W. McIvor, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, George W. Noble, F. A. Simmons, F. W. Slapnicka, M. O'Brien, Warren Harman, M. S. Jackson, J. Zbanek, J. R. Amidon, F. J. Shefler, M. Ottmar, A. F. Schindler, A. St. Clair Smith, Ed R. Shaw, L. W. Richards, J. B. Leverich.

1893 William P. Daniels, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; J. D. Blain, recorder; A. R. West, marshal; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; Lewis Heins, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer; board of public works, J. L. Hardwick, chairman, C. H. Swab, W. P. Clark. Aldermen, M. O'Brien, Charles Bednar, F. H. Juckett, S. J. Maloney, J. Kozlovsky, D. F. Anderson, J. W. Gerber, F. S. Salda, F. W. Harwood, Ed. R. Shaw, L. W. Richards, J. B. Leverich, A. St. Clair Smith, J. F. Shefler, L. J. Zika, A. F. Schindler.

1894 William P. Daniels, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Farmer, marshal; Lewis Heins, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Board of public works, Hosmer Tuttle, chairman. Aldermen, Joseph Kozlovsky, D. F. Anderson, J. W. Gerber, F. S. Salda, G. M. Schumm, George Eakle, F. H. Juckett, S. J. Maloney, F. W. Harwood, F. J. Shefler, L. J. Zika, A. F. Schindler, Charles Weare, S. L. Rudolph, W. A. Smith, J. B. Leverich.

1895 George A. Lincoln, mayor; T. M. Giberson, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; Thomas Farmer, marshal; J. D. Blain, recorder and assessor; William McGowan, chief engineer; Warren Harman, city attorney; E. P. Boynton, city engineer. Board of public works, Charles Weare, chairman. Aldermen, G. M. Schumm, George Yuill, John B. Turner, S. J. Maloney, Ed H. Smith, George Eakle, J. W. Gerber, Joseph Kubicek, F. W. Harwood, V. W. Johnson, James Monilaw, C. F. Hutchens, Charles Weare, S. L. Rudolph, W. A. Smith, J. B. Leverich.

1896 George A. Lincoln, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; William McGowan, Jr., chief engineer; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Farmer, marshal; Warren Harman, city attorney; E. P. Boynton, city engineer. Board of public works, Charles Weare, chairman. Aldermen, Ed H. Smith, George Yuill, W. G. Haskell, S. J. Maloney, W. G. Dows, George W. Eakle, John B. Turner, Joseph Kubicek, F. W. Harwood, V. W. Johnson, James Monilaw, Henry J. Rapps, C. W. Burton, David W. King, Joseph Pitlik, C. F. Hutchens.

1897 George A. Lincoln, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; Thomas Farmer, marshal; J. D. Blain, recorder; J. L. Starman, chief engineer; W. Harman, city attorney; E. P. Boynton, city engineer. Board of public works, Charles Weare, chairman. Aldermen, W. G. Dows, George W. Eakle, W. G. Haskell, John Juza, R. N. Buck, R. D. Mills, Joseph Pitlik, S. J. Maloney, F. W. Harwood, David W. King, J. Y. Kennedy, J. B. Leverich, C. W. Burton, V. W. Johnson, J. H. Rothrock, Jr., Henry J. Rapps.

1898 John M. Redmond, mayor; T. M. Giberson, judge superior court; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; John L. Starman, chief of fire department; John N. Hughes, city attorney; G. H. Merridith, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, M. Ottmar, R. N. Buck, George T. Hedges, R. A. Wallace, Charles D. Huston, W. G. Haskell, Joseph Pitlik, F. W. Slapnicka, L. M. Rich.

1899 John M. Redmond, mayor; T. M. Giberson, judge superior court; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; Henry J. Achter, auditor; John N. Hughes, city attorney; G. H. Merridith, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, M. Ottmar, R. N. Buck, George T. Hedges, R. A. Wallace, Charles D. Huston, W. G. Haskell, J. P. Grissel, F. W. Slapnicka, L. M. Rich.

1900 John M. Redmond, mayor; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; Henry J. Achter, auditor; John N. Hughes, city attorney; G. H. Merridith, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, M. Ottmar, R. N. Buck, George T. Hedges, R. A. Wallace, Charles D. Huston, W. G. Haskell, J. P. Grissel, F. W. Slapnicka, L. M. Rich.

1901 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph P. Cook, chief of fire department; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, H. Cushman, James H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, F. E. Cerny, C. H. Chandler, Porter Hamilton, John Easker, F. W. Slapnicka, John F. Powers.

1902 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, H. Cushman, James H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, F. E. Cerny, C. H. Chandler, Porter Hamilton, John Easker, F. W. Slapnicka.

1903 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer. Aldermen, H. Cushman, C. O. Johnson, James H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, D. Feiereisen, John F. Powers.

1904 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court. Aldermen, H. Cushman, C. O. Johnson, J. H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, D. Feiereisen, J. F. Powers.

1905 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; H. S. Keffer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court. Aldermen, H. Cushman, C. O. Johnson, J. H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, D. Feiereisen, J. F. Powers.

1906-7 Amos H. Connor, mayor; James B. Gourley, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; H. S. Keffer, recorder; J. G. Crozer, marshal; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; James W. Good, city attorney; T. R. Warriner, city engineer. Aldermen, James H. Hughes, W. G. Rowley, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, J. K. Starman, D. Feiereisen, L. W. Anderson, Charles H. Campbell.

Mayor Connor died while in office and George S. Lightner was chosen for the unexpired term.

The city went under the commission plan of government in 1908, the officers being as follows: J. T. Carmody, mayor; Leslie J. Storey, clerk; C. D. Huston, H. S. Keffer, Matt J. Miles, and E. A. Sherman, councilmen; John M. Redmond, attorney; Percy P. Smith, engineer.

Mayor Carmody having died, Matt J. Miles was chosen mayor and J. F. Allison councilman to succeed him.

1910 Matt J. Miles, mayor; Leslie J. Storey, clerk; W. H. Chamberlain, attorney; T. F. McCauley, engineer; H. S. Keffer, W. H. Stepanek, Henry Bennett, and Percy P. Smith, councilmen.

H. S. Keffer later resigned, and A. S. Reed was chosen to fill the vacancy.

CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS AS IT WAS FIFTY YEARS AGO

The following interesting account of early Cedar Rapids is taken from _Voice of Iowa_ for April, 1857, edited by James L. Enos. The article was written by Mr. Enos himself:

"What constitutes the present city of Cedar Rapids, is
embraced mainly by sections 21, 22, 27 and 28, in T. 83 N.,
R. 7 W., in the township of Rapids in Linn county. The
location is one of the most delightful to be found in any of
the rich valleys of the west, being on the northeast side of
the Cedar river, on a plain rising above the river's bed,
and reaching back nearly half a mile, with but very slight
depressions or uprisings, serving to render the plat one of
great convenience for building, and giving a peculiar grace
to its appearance.

"In the rear of this table-land a somewhat abrupt elevation,
varying from 20 to 40 feet, occurs, which is covered with a
luxuriant growth of native oak. Upon this are the most
beautiful and romantic sites for residences, being
sufficiently elevated to overlook the entire valley for
miles in either direction. Back of this the depressions and
elevations alternate, making this portion of the city a
series of circular, undulating swells.

"The city proper also extends on the west side of the river
and embraces numerous other positions which are being
occupied with rapidity and improved with taste, and though
not embraced within the present city limits, forms of
necessity a part of the Valley City.

"Cedar Rapids is situated due west of Chicago, the present
emporium of the west, and is the present terminus of the
principal trunk railroad from that city penetrating the
heart of the northwest. It is 75 miles southwest from
Dubuque, 80 miles nearly west from Clinton, about the same
distance from Davenport, 55 miles from Muscatine, and about
110 from Des Moines--the capital of Iowa.

NATURAL ADVANTAGES

"Few interior cities are blessed with more natural
advantages than Cedar Rapids. The rapids in the Cedar river
are the first met with after leaving the Mississippi, and no
more occur of any considerable amount for many miles above.
These afford one of the best water powers in the west, and
with proper dams would afford power sufficient to run all
machinery that will ever be required on either side of the
river, even though our population should reach fifty
thousand. Surrounding the town for miles is one of the
richest agricultural districts in the Union, forming a part
of the Cedar valley country which Professor Owen has taken
as his type of perfection in fertility. There is a plentiful
supply of timber for all ordinary uses--numerous groves are
scattered upon the surrounding hills--giving the appearance
of an enchanted garden--probably unsurpassed in richness by
any region of equal extent on the American continent.

"Its position in reference to other towns and cities is such
as must of necessity make it a great railroad center, and
several are already projected, and one under contract to
this city. We shall speak more fully of this class of
advantages in another portion of this article.

"In point of healthfulness, it will compare favorably with
any of the river towns, the diseases being chiefly of a
bilious nature, and yielding readily to very simple
treatment. This fact applies with very general truth to all
the valleys of Iowa--while the more elevated districts are
more free from malaria, they are subject to a disease of a
more complex and serious character. This may seem fabulous
to the casual observer, but we feel assured that the
combined experience of western practitioners will bear
testimony to the correctness of our statements.

SETTLEMENT

"There is always more or less of interest connected with the
early days of any city, and it is not until years after that
the record becomes of value. The pioneer suffers privations
and trials of which future occupants can realize but little.
In fact, the honor paid them is seldom equal to their merits
and oftentimes they are as illy prepared to receive as
others are to bestow sympathy and praise. Among the first
settlers of this city were some men of the first character,
and are yet with us, while others have moved farther on, to
enjoy what habit has taught them to love, a frontier life,
and a few have gone down to the gate of common entry, their
years being full and their memories yet linger, and make us
glad that we lived with, knew and loved them. Of this number
we name that generous and true man, D. W. King. Esq., who
departed from our midst in the autumn of 1854.

"The first man, however, who pitched his tent on the ground
now occupied by the Valley City, was a counterfeiter and
horse thief, of no little notoriety, by the name of Shepard,
who took up his abode and erected a log house on what is now
Linn street, near the mills, some time in the year 1838.

"D. W. King and Thomas Gainer, the first settlers of any
advantage to the country, reached here in 1839 and soon
after made a permanent settlement on the west side of the
river.

"The house of Shepard was soon found to be the home of a
lawless band of outlaws, who secreted much of their plunder
on the islands in the river above the city. John Young and a
man named Granger were connected with Shepard in their work.
They stole at one time six horses and made good their escape
with four of them. Granger was afterwards convicted of
passing counterfeit money in Chicago and sentenced to the
Alton prison for four years. The fate of Young is not known
with certainty, yet there is evidence to induce the belief
that he was executed for murder, in a neighboring state,
though he assumed a different name.

"The privations of the first settlers were at times very
great, and though such as are not uncommon in the history of
pioneer life, would cause many of our amateurs at the
present time to sigh for the home of their childhood and a
place at the luxurious tables of their fathers.

PROGRESS

"In 1849 D. W. King established ferries for crossing the
Cedar, and continued to run them up to the time of his
death. The one doing most of the business was at the Iowa
avenue crossing. As it is probable that these boats will
soon, if indeed they have not already made their last
voyage, a brief note of them may not be out of place in this
connection. They were self-propellers, being forced across
the river by the power of the current. A wire rope extended
across the stream upon which a pulley was placed, and
connected by means of two ropes to the boat.

"The first dam across the Cedar was commenced in 1842, and
the first saw mill erected in 1843, and is still running.

"In March, 1843, the lands came into the market. The first
flouring mill was erected in 1844-5 at a cost of $3,000, by
the present owner. In 1845 A. Ely erected the second saw
mill, and the second flouring mill the following year, the
latter costing about $9,000. In 1848-9 the woolen factory
was erected at a cost of about $8,000. The first saw mill
was erected in 1850 by Greene, Legare & Co. This has a chair
and bedstead factory connected and cost about $4,000. These
are all propelled by water power. In 1855-6, Greene & Graves
erected a steam saw mill, and containing also a variety of
other machinery. The first and only mill erected on the
west side of the river went into operation in the summer of
1856. The first steam engine was stationed in this city by
A. Hager, in his machine shop, sash, blind, and door factory
in 1855. The second by Greene & Graves, and the third by S.
L. Pollock.

"The first store was opened by J. Greene, in the building
now occupied by the postoffice, on the northwest corner of
Iowa avenue and Washington street.

"The second store was opened by Mr. Cleveland, and C. R.
Mulford the third. This was located on Commercial street,
and was destroyed by fire in 1850, being the first building
thus destroyed in Cedar Rapids. No fire occurred thereafter
until late in the autumn of 1855, when most of the block
embraced on the west side of Commercial street, between Iowa
avenue and Linn street, was consumed. No fire has occurred
since.

"The postoffice was established in 1847, and J. Greene
appointed postmaster.

"The first brick buildings were erected in 1844, the
building on the southwest corner of Iowa avenue and
Commercial street, and the dwelling house on the northwest
corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street. The present
Union House was the first hotel.

"The village of Cedar Rapids was laid out and the plat
recorded in 1842. At this time, two log buildings
constituted the village, and the total population was six
persons.

"A public school house was erected in 1846 or '47, and the
first school taught by Nelson Felch. This structure is now
occupied as a dwelling, on the northwest corner of Eagle and
Madison streets. The first church, Presbyterian, was erected
in 1850.

"The first newspaper was published in 1851 by D. O. Finch,
entitled the _Progressive Era_. It was continued under this
name by various owners and editors until September, 1854,
when it was purchased by J. L. Enos and F. A. Wilmans, and
its name changed to the _Cedar Valley Times_ by which name
it yet flourishes. In politics republican, it is at present
published by J. G. Davenport. The second paper was
established in January, 1856, under the editorial management
of J. L. Enos, entitled the _Cedar Valley Farmer_, but was
discontinued at the close of the first volume. The _Cedar
Rapids Democrat_ was the third paper--commenced in June,
1856, by W. W. Perkins & Co. This is still published.
Democratic in politics, the _Times_ and the _Democrat_ are
both good papers, and appear to be well sustained.

"_The Voice of Iowa_ was commenced in January, 1857, under
the auspices of the Iowa Teachers' Association, Phonetic
Association, etc., J. L. Enos, editor and publishing agent,
assisted by a number of corresponding editors. This journal
has met with more than ordinary success, the circulation
passing 1,000 during the first three months and commanding
nearly $1,000 in advertising patronage, thus showing that
the people of Iowa are aroused to the importance of paying
due attention to the education of their youth.

"The foundation for a very large graded school was laid in
the summer of 1856, but owing to the large amount of work
contracted and the scarcity of workmen, the completion was
of necessity deferred. It is designed to complete it early
the coming summer, and when finished will form one of the
finest educational structures in the state.

"During the past two years the growth of Valley City has
been equaled by few towns even in the west. It now contains
many blocks that would do credit to any eastern city.