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Benton County is situated in the central portion of the State, and bounded on the north by Black Hawk and Buchanan Counties, on the east by Linn, on the south by Iowa, and on the west by Tama County, and comprises an area of 720 square miles: the county being 30 miles in length from North to South, and 24 miles in width. It is divided into twenty townships, each of which is six miles square. The general surface of the county is undulating except in the immediate vicinity of the rivers and smaller streams, in the valley of which the land descends into broad and fertile bottoms, susceptible of the highest cultivation.

There are 460,800 acres of land in the county, about 70,000 acres of which are timbered lands, and the balance fine, rolling prairie. About 50,000 acres of the timbered lands are situated along the Cedar River in the northern portion of the county, the remaining quantity being well distributed throughout the county, in groves, and along the creeks and brooks.

TIMBER--Cedar, walnut, oak, maple, hackberry, cottonwood, willow and linn, are the kinds of timber found. This timber attains a large growth, is of excellent quality, and extensively used for building, and for the ordinary purposes of fencing and fuel. Added to this large amount, nearly every farmer in the county has planted a grove on his farm, thus raising timber for use at home, and adjacent to his farming lands. Several thousand acres of timber are thus planted and cultivated and in a very few years, the growth of the timber being so rapid, the trees are ready for use, in making posts and rails, and for ordinary consumption. The maple, locust and cottonwood, are the kinds generally planted. The broad prairies of the county are already dotted over with these cultivated groves, which not only beautify and adorn the face of the country, but form an attractive feature to travelers and emigrants seeking a home in the State, and add very materially to the real wealth of the county.

SOIL--The quality of the soil is a rich loam, generally underlaid with clay, and is of the richest and most fertile character. The yield of wheat, corn, oats, potatoes and other crops sown in this latitude is astonishing, and demonstrates, not only the fertility of the soil, but is great strength and capacity of producing immense crops. The soil of Central Iowa is not excelled by that of any country in the Union for the characteristics above mentioned.

WILD GRASSES grow everywhere on the prairie, and furnish feed in the greatest abundance for all kinds of stock. WILD FRUITS, in almost endless variety, are found in the timber, and along the water courses, the most esteemed of which are the plum, grape, apple and blackberry. Thousands of bushels of wild plums are annually gathered by the inhabitants, which for excellence can hardly be surpassed, even by the cultivated varieties. The same may be said of the wild grape, which grows in abundance, and is most commonly used for making wine.

STONE is also found in several portions of the county, the best quarries being at Vinton, the county seat. These quarries are inexhaustible in extent, and the quality of the stone is seldom equalled, and never excelled, by any quarries in the Western States. The stone when first taken is of a brown color, and soft, so that it is easily moulded into any desired shape; exposure to the atmosphere changes the color of the stone to a white, almost like marble, and renders it perfectly hard. The Iowa State Blind Asylum, located at Vinton, is constructed of stone taken from the Vinton quarries. Stone is also found at Shellsburg, and in the northern portion of the county, on Wolf Creek.

BRICK, of the best quality, can also be made anywhere in the county. Large kilns are in operation at Vinton, at Shellsburg, and at various other points. At Shellsburg there is also a pottery, where the business of making earthern ware has been extensively carried on.

COAL has been found at Blairstown, Belle Plaine, Shellsburg, and in the vicinity of the county seat, the quality of which is good, and the indications such, that the prospect of discovering large veins of coal is very flattering.

STOCK RAISING.--Rivers and smaller streams of water traverse the county in all directions, thus affording, in connection with the abundance of wild grass, the best facilities for stock-raising, a business that is extensively carried on in all portions of the county. The range for cattle and sheep is immense, and in view of the advantages above-mentioned, that business has become a paying one, not only to the man with a few animals, but to him who can boast his large herds.

RIVERS.--The Red Cedar River enters the county on its northern boundary, above the centre, running nearly south about 12 miles, and then turning east, after a winding course of 15 miles, leaves the county about 12 miles south of the northeast corner, and is the largest river in the county, and next to the DesMoines, the largest in the State. Its meanderings through the county make a distance of nearly 40 miles, and its banks are covered with a strong growth of the best quality of timber, averaging two miles in width, making one of the largest bodies of good timber in Central Iowa. The name of the river is derived from the fact that when the country was first settled, large quantities of the Cedar timber were found on its banks, but the onward march of civilization has destroyed those noble trees, until now scarcely a trace of this timber remains. The Cedar River is navigable for steamboats of light draught, during the spring and autumn months, a line of which was in operation until about the commencement of the war. The amount of grain and other products that would be shipped at points along the river, were a line of small steamers in operation, would be immense, and would richly repay the outlay. The Cedar River is remarkable for its beauty, and the perfect clearness and purity of its water, as well as for the beautiful and varied scenery along its banks.

The Iowa River runs across the extreme southwest corner of the county, and is the next stream in size and importance. The timber along the river, although not so great in quantity as that of the Cedar, is of good quality, and used for building purposes, as the numerous sawmills along both rivers will attest. The current of this river is much more sluggish than the Cedar, the latter being quite rapid.

The Wolf, Prairie, Wild Cat and Bear Creeks are next in size, in the order enumerated, and more or less timber is found along them. Numerous other creeks are found in the county, flowing in every direction, affording abundance of water at all seasons of the year.

An excellent water power, one of the best in the State, exists in the Cedar River at Vinton, which is being but partially improved. The volume of water is sufficient to carry mills and manufactories without number.

FACTORIES, of all kinds, are much needed, and their prompt establishment at Vinton would

not only be a source of great profit to the proprietors, but would contribute vastly to the wealth and population of the whole country. The county adjacent to Vinton is well settled, with an intelligent and enterprising class of inhabitants, mostly from the Middle and Eastern States, the same being equally true of all other portions of the county. The demand for agricultural implements, especially, is great, and constantly increasing, and plow, wagon and other factories once established, would be most liberally patronized by the farming community. The water power, the great quantity of grand timber adjacent, and the other conveniences for the use and operation of mills and factories are abundant, and should attract the attention of all those who desire to engage in a profitable business. Woolen factories need to be built--thousands of sheep are grazing on the prairies, and the wool, when shorn, must needs be shipped out of the county, for want of factories of sufficient capacity to manufacture the same. The wool clip is enormous, and each succeeding year greatly increases the amount.

There is but one flouring mill at Vinton, one at Shellsburg, one at Benton City, one at Blairstown, and these are wholly insufficient to do the business of the county. Eligible millseats can be secured at other points on the Cedar River; also on Wolf, Prairie and Wild Cat Creeks.

But one RAILROAD is now in operation through the county--the Chicago & Northwestern-- running across the extreme southern end, and making four stations within the county, viz.: Norway, Blairstown, Buckeye and Belle Plaine, all of which are thriving towns, and from their railroad facilities, are prospering fine. This railroad will constitute the main trunk of the Great Pacific Railway, and is one of the most important lines in the Western States. The California Telegraph Line is stretched along this road. The other railroad line through the county, is the Cedar Valley Railroad--connection the Chicago & Northwestern Railway with the great pineries and forests of Minnesota. This road is not yet completed, but such measures have been adopted, as ensure its early use by the public. This road, when finished, will be of more real value to the county than the other line, from the fact that it runs almost the entire length of the county, from northwest to southeast, or south, passing through Vinton, the county seat, Shellsburg, and probably Norway. The public can thus procure lumber, of the best quality, direct from the pine forests of our sister State, and at reduced rates, besides furnishing the people an easy means of access to the county seat, and enable them to market their farm products at home, and at good prices.

The EARLY HISTORY of the county is a curious one. Settlements were first made in the northeastern portion about the year 1841, and by a class of people who were very poor.---Soon afterwards, as the county began to be more populated, it became infested with horse thieves to such an extent, that some of the people, taking the law into their own hands, formed into bands of what they called "Regulators," and attempted to drive the thieves out of the county. In process of time, such were the performances and outrages committed upon the peaceable inhabitants, by both thieves and "Regulators," that it became a serious question which was most to be feared. James Rice, Esq., who still lives in the county, was one of the most prominent and successful citizens in ridding the county of these bands of thieves, and deserves great praise for his labors. Time, which changes all things, stayed not his hand, and "Regulators" and thieves all passed away.

ORGANIZATION.--The county was surveyed in the years 1843, '44 and '45, by Messrs. A. L. Brown, I. N. Higbee, and James Fanning, Deputy Surveyors of the U. S., and was organized as a county, in the year 1846; the first county officers being as follows, viz: James Mitchell, Co. Judge; J. R. Pratt, Co. Clerk; James Downs, Sheriff; L. W. Hayes, Recorder; and Thomas Way and L. F. North, Commissioners. At the April election of 1847, John Royal was elected School Fund Commissioner. The first term of the District Court was appointed for August, 1846, but the judge not appearing, the clerk promptly adjourned. The first term, of Court was opened and held at the house of Thomas Way, a log cabin about five miles distant from where the present Court House stands, and in the midst of the thick timber.*

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* The good old lady of the house removed her pots and kettles to a station under a sheltering tree, and then returned to a stump near the open door of the cabin, gazing within at the collection of learned heads, who were to administer the law to all the benighted denizens of that region. His Honor, James P. Carlston, Judge of the

Of the county judges of Benton county, mention should be made of Hon. Samuel Douglass, who was elected in the autumn of 1855, and served during the years 1856, '57, '58 and '59, and under whose rule the county greatly prospered.*

The following are the names of those who have served as officers fo the county in the order of their election:

Judges--James Mitchell, D. S. Pratt, John Alexander, John S. Forsyth, Samuel Douglass, John Treanor and John McCarney.

Clerks--J. R. Pratt, I. D. Simison, G. W. Vardeman, J. C. Traer, David Robb and James Chapin.

Recorders and Treasurers--L. W. Hayes, James Johnson, William R. Johnson, John W. Filkins and Alexander Bunyon.

Sheriffs--James Downs, C. C. Charles, W. Rimington, E. Howard, and A. H. Sebern.

School Superintendents--Joseph Dysart and Amos Dean.

Prosecuting Attorneys--J. Alexander and E. Humphreville.

The following are the names of the present county officials, viz:

Hon. B. R. Sherman, Judge of the County Court; James Chapin, Clerk; J. H. Shutts, Treasurer; Ezra Bigelow, Sheriff; M. P. Adams, Recorder; L. M. Holt, County Superintent of Schools; P. B. Smith, Surveyor; and M. Deaman, Corner.

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judicial district of which Benton county was an important part, was perched upon a three-legged stool, sitting at the back end of the cabin, with a rough table before him on which were the books and papers of the clerk, Mr. Irwin D. Simison, who occupied a bench at the left hand of the Court. The following were the gentlemen of the Bal [sic? Bar?], then and there present: I. M. Preston, John David, N. W. Isbell, D. P. Palmer, John P. Conk and Stephen Whicher, all of whom were residents of other counties. William Smyth of Linn county, was without the door, waiting to be examined as to his proficiency in the law, preparatory to his admission to practice as an attorney at the Bar. Court was duly opened by proclamation of the Sheriff, and was dispatched, with a rapidity which would do honor to Courts at this day. A committee, consisting of the first five gentlemen of the Bar above named, was appointed by the Court to examine Smyth, and report the result of the examination, for its action in the premises. The committee, with the aforesaid Smyth in their custody, retired into the forest, to discuss the matters, more particularly their duty, as well as the other usual concomitants of such occasions. Suffice it to say, that after a lapse of a proper time, the committee returned, arm in arm, and reported to the Court; whereupon Mr. Smuth was duly sworn as a practising lawyer of the Court. The court was duly adjourned in proper time, and as was customary in that early day, the jug was brought out, and the insinuating fluid devoured by the crowd in attendance; and as a natural consequence, very many "then and there," with one or two exceptions, became slightly confused--or, to use the vulgar phrases of the time, "most gloriously drunk." Thus began and ended the first term of the District Court of Benton county. It is worthy of remark that several of the legal gentlemen who met as above stated, afterwards became eminent in their profession, Norman W. Isbell being elevated to the Supreme Bench; and William Smyth to the District Bench. Of the others, although never occupying judicial postions, Messrs. John P. Cook, Isaac M. Preston became distinguished as lawyers, ranking as among the first in the State. Judge Carleton and judge Isbell have "gone to that bourne from whence no traveler returns"--the latter having deceased at Napa City, California, during the present year, [1865.]

* Judge Douglass was remarkable as a man of great physical courage and powers of endurance, of indomitable will and energy, and his administration of the affairs of the county, will long be remembered as successful in almost every particular. During his term of office, the fine Court House at Vinton was built, and while it is equal to some of the best structures of the kind in the State, will ever remain a monument to his industry and sagacity. Although not a lawyer, the judge prided himself for the complete manner in which the records of his office were kept, as the following extract from the "Minute Book" of the county office will how, hwich appears to [be] the judge's own hand-writing:

"Be it remembered that on this 18th day of Dec., 1856, a license was issued to ......... County Recorder and Treasurer, and ......... ...... authorizing the marriage of the same to be solemnized this evening, by Samuel Douglass, County Jduge of said county.

And now to wit on this same evening at the house of ......... Esq., at precisely 7 o'clock P. M. appeared the said ........., in his own proper person, and also the said ......... parties in said cause; whereupon the Court proceeded to try said cause; and the court being fully satisfied that issue should be joined, and that they were both of lawful age, and in all other respects legally as well as morally and physically qualified to enter upon the rights and privileges of the married state; it is therefore ordered, as adjudged and decreed, that the said ......... Recorder and Treasurer of Benton County and ......... ...... be held and firmly bound in the holy bonds of matrimony, and that this Decree be final, firm, and forever, and it is further ordered and adjudged that the said ......... pay the cost taxed at $6.85.

The names of the townships in the county are:

Bruce, Benton, Big Grove, Canton, Cedar, Eden, Eldorado, Florence, Fremont, Harrison, Homer, Iowa, Jackson, Kane, Le Roy, Monroe, Polk, St. Clair, Taylor and Union.

The population of the county is about 13,000 souls, which is constantly and rapidly increasing, the tide of emigration which is flowing in the present year, being without precedent

VINTON, the county seat of Benton County, is situated on the Cedar River, about five miles north of the geopraphical [sic? geographical?] centre of the county, and is a flourishing town of fifteen hundred inhabitants. The railroad is not yet completed to the town, but no doubt it will be finished, and in operation to that place, within twelve months, or before the close of the year 1866. Vinton is one of the main points on the route of the Cedar Valley Railway, connecting the C. & N. W. R. W., (which runs across the southern end of the county,) with the northern portion of the State, and the extensive pine forests of Minnesota.

The timber adjacent to Vinton is of the best quality found in Central Iowa, and is the largest body of the same on the Cedar River. Three large saw mills are in active operation, and make immense quantities of lumber. Owing to the extent of the timbered lands, wood is much cheaper than at any other point on the river, thus presenting a great inducement to actual settlers, by diminishing the cost of opening a prairie farm, and lessening the expense of fuel.

The town is situated immediately on the bank of the river, which is very high, and never subject to overflow, and a fine free bridge spans the river at the north end of Main street, affording a safe passage to and from the town. The river at this place is broad and beautiful, with a rapid current, and the water perfectly clear and pure. The forest on the north bank is nearly two miles in width, while on the southern bank, the timber breaks away, leaving a strip of beautiful prairie, touching the river itself, and upon which the town is located. Dame Nature has done much to make the situation pleasant, and the taste displayed by the citizens in the construction of their residences and grounds, renders it really captivating. A line of steam boats used formerly to ply upon the river, but about the commencement of the war was withdrawn. Boats of light draught could navigate the river during the spring and autumn months, ascending as far north as Cedar Falls.

Vinton was first settled in the year 1846, by C. Leverich, G. Billy White, J. Royal, J. F. Beckett, Aaron Webb, I. D. Simison and others, who built log cabins on the site of the present town.

For the next three years after its first settlement, the growth of the town was not rapid; but after that time, such was the great influx of immigrants, that the place became one of importance--stores and saw mills were established, and the country, for a distance of twenty miles around, contributed to its growth and prosperity.

The first lawyer who made Vinton his home, was John Alexander, * now County Judge of Sac County.

The first physician in the town was one C. W. Buffun.

The first white child born in Vinton, William M. Traer, son of Dr. J. C. and Marcia W. Traer, on the 21st day of May, 1852.

The first death occurred in the spring of 1851, Mr. Samuel Roseberry, and the second was the death of James F. Beckett, in November, 1851.

The original town was laid out in the month of November, 1849, by James Leverich, and was called Fremont, in compliment to the intrepid Col. John C. Fremont. It was located on the west half of section 16, township 85, north of range 10, the site having been selected and

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* Mr. Alexander, by his straightforwardness in dealing, early earned the sobriquet of "honest John Aleck," which assisted him materially in the trial of causes before the simple and honest justices of that day. Honest John made no display of legal lore; was simple and entirely unostentatious in his manner, and, when occasion required, had a very taking way of drawing down his face, which invariably convinced his hearers of his perfect honesty and sincerity, and gained from the jury the verdict he desired. When engaged in the trial of a cause, honest John invariably quoted Blackstone and Swan's Treatise as standard authorities, reading the former from the old "Iowa Blue Book," and always carrying a copy of the latter under his arm.

voted by the electors of the county at the August election of that year, as and for the county seat of the county. It was surveyed, platted and acknowledged on the 29th day of November of said year, by Irwin D. Simison, Surveyor, who had previously officiated as Cleark of the District Court.

One of the first justices at Vinton was David S. Brubaker, who dispensed justice in a small frame building in town.

The Vinton Eagle newspaper was established in the month of January, 1855, by F. Lyman. In starting his paper, Mr. Lyman encountered innumerable obstacles, but by dint of great perseverance and ceaseless work, the Eagle was established on a good basis, and is now in a flourishing condition. The present editor and proprietor is W. W. Hanford, who became connected with the paper in 1857.

There are manufactories of various kinds at Vinton, but not sufficient to supply the demand for the articles made. The water power of the Cedar River is excellent, and sufficient for any and all purposes. A woolen factory is very much needed; as also factories for the making of all kinds of agricultural implements. There is an abundance of timber adjacent to the town, of the very best quality, which can and should be used for manufacturing purposes. The stone found in the Vinton quarries, than which there is no better in the State, is amply sufficient for all uses for years to come, and is used extensively for building. Brick kilns are in constant operation, supplying brick of the best quality to the people for many miles around.

Vinton is destined to be one of the important towns of Central Iowa. Its facilities and advantages are equalled by few, and excelled by no other village in the State. The inhabitants are intelligent, steady and of industrious habits. They are peculiarly a temperate people, there being no whiskey shops in the town. The educational interests of the place has been well cared for by the people, and one of the best schools in the western country is in successful operation. The building was erected in the year 1864, at a cost of about $18,000.

It is built of brick, three stories in height, and divided into six larghe rooms, each of which will be occupied by a teacher. The house is an imposing structure, occupying an eminence near the centre of the town. The board of directors is composed of business men of the place, all of whom are determined that the school shall be conducted in the most approved manner.

THE IOWA STATE BLIND ASYLUM is located at Vinton. It is a fine structure, four stories in height, and built of stone, taken from the quarries adjoining the town. The building was commenced in 1859, and completed in 1860, under the supervision of the architect, R. S. Finkbine, of Iowa City. The Principal of the institution is Rev. Reed Wilkinson, who has under his care about sixty pupils of both sexes. The P)rincipal is assisted by an able corps of instructors, all of whom reside at the institution. The asylum is one hundred and eight feet in length, by seventy feet in width, and is situated about the centre of the grounds, which comprise forty acres, and are beautifully laid out in walks, ornamented with all kinds of trees and shrubs.

Many of the private residecnes are elegant, and most of the streets being adorned with trees, the appearance of Vinton is quite picturesque.

Vinton is the place of residence of the Hon. Charles H. Conklin, Judge of the Eighth Judicial District of Iowa.

The Court House is situated on a public square, in the business portion of the town, and is a fine structure. The grounds are handsomely laid out, studded with shrubs, evergreens, and different varieties of ornamental trees, forming a very attractive place for the people during the summer season. The court room is about sixty feet in length, by forty feet in width, and is in the second story; which the lower one is divided into rooms occupied by the various county officers. It was built in the year 1856, during the administration of S. Douglass, County Judge, and cost the sum of $16,000.

Vinton contains five churches, viz: Baptist, Methodist, N. S. Presbyterian, O. S. Presbyterian and United Presbyterian; also three general stores, five groceries, two hardware stores, two hotels, two banking houses, one flour mill, two saw mills, two drug stores, two lumber yards, and the usual number of mechanical shops.

BELLE PLAINE is situated in the south-western portion of the county, on the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River R. R., 35 miles west of Cedar Rapids, and 25 miles south-west of Vinton. It was laid out by Presley Hutton, in 1860, and now contains three churches viz.: German Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian, one Lodge of Masons, one boot and shoe store, two druggists, four general stores, one grocery store, two hardware stores and one saw mill. The soil of the township is a rich, black loam, deep and fertile. Stock growing is carried on to a large extent. A good mill power exists within 1 1/2 miles of the town. Population of village, 500; of township, 2,500.

BLAIRSTOWN is a flourishing village in the southern part of this county, on the C. & N. W. R. W., 24 miles west of Cedar Rapids. It contains four general stores, one drug store, one flouring mill, two hotels and several mechanical shops.

BUCKEYE is in the south-western portion of the county, on the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River R. R., 32 miles west of Cedar Rapids. It has two general stores.

FLORENCE is in the south-eastern part of the county, on the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River R. R., 32 miles west of Clinton. It has one general store. Population, 40.

SHELLSBURGH was laid out in 1855, by John Sells, who named the town in compliment to his native village, in Pennsylvania. It is beautifully situated on a gentle slope, on the north-side of Bear Creek. Towards the west, the prairie gradually rises for some miles; toward the east, barrens and small openings of prairie exist for two miles, where the heavy timber commences and extends to Cedar River, five miles distant. The best quality of lime-stone for building purposes is found in the vicinity. Bear Creek supplies water-power for a good flouring mill at this point.

The village is 10 miles south-east of Vinton, on the proposed Railroad from Cedar Rapids to Cedar Falls. It contains four churches, Baptist, Methodist, O. S. Presbyterian and N. S. Presbyterian; also Benton City Lodge, No. 81, A. F. and A. M., and a Lodge of Good Templars. It has three general stores, one drug-store, one grocery, one hardware, one sash, door and blind factory and one tannery. Population, 200.

URBANA is situated in the north-eastern portion of the county, 10 miles from Vinton, it has two churches, Christian and Methodist, one general store, one woolen factory and two saw mills. Population, 400.

WILLIAMS is a post office 4 1/2 miles north from Blairstown.

Burk, Daggett, Gomersal, Gwinnville, Linnwood, Mount Auburn, Pickaway, Taylor's Grove, Unity and Wood, are small villages and post offices in this county.

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