History of Linn County Iowa [Illustration: Luther A. Brewer] History of Linn County Iowa From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time BY LUTHER A. BREWER AND BARTHINIUS L. WICK _Members Historical Society of Linn County, Iowa_ [Illustration] CEDAR RAPIDS THE TORCH PRESS 1911 COPYRIGHT 1911 BY LUTHER A. BREWER THE TORCH PRESS CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA TO THE MEMORY OF OUR HONORED PIONEERS INTRODUCTION The history of Linn county is covered by the events of only a few years, if compared with the history of communities east of the Mississippi. The space of one life-time embraces all that has happened here since the first white man looked upon our goodly heritage. True, that life has been prolonged beyond the scriptural three score and ten years. Robert Ellis, who came to this community more than seventy years ago, and who was one of the very early settlers, yet lives in a hale and vigorous age on land he "claimed" at that time. But if the history of the county does not cover many years, it yet is a history crowded with happenings of interest, some of the incidents being more or less stirring. History is defined as a record of the past. It does not concern itself with the present. It has been the purpose of the editors of this volume to treat somewhat at length of the early days in the county. Those conversant with events occurring prior to the Civil war are rapidly moving on, and it is high time that their recollections of beginnings here were gathered and put in permanent form. This has been attempted--how imperfectly done no one realizes more keenly than we realize it. But like little Mary Wood of the story, we have done the best we could in the few months given us to prepare the pages which follow. We have done some things which need not be done again by any one who follows us. We have made definite some things in our history as a county that heretofore have been matters of uncertainty. It is felt that the present volume will make an excellent starting point for some future chronicler. The task of the historian has been an arduous one--far more arduous than can be imagined by any save those who have done similar work. Withal the task has been one of pleasure and of inspiration. The pursuit of knowledge in this instance has really been a delight. We have been taught many things by our work that add to the sum of the pleasures of living in a day crowded with all the conveniences of the twentieth century. Our respect for the courageous pioneer men and the equally courageous and self-sacrificing pioneer women of our county has been placed high. Nobly did they suffer, enduring privations now undreamed of, and never complaining that theirs was a hard lot. We stand with uncovered heads and with a reverent feeling in their presence.