The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1859-02-03
From the Pioneer Farmer.
Tama C0unly,Iowa.
sY col. EuoESE 3. poLEys, o, roLfoo.

There is nothing which has , greater
tendency to promote the growth and
prosperity of city, town or county,
than the publication and difssion
among all classes Throughout the cou ntry,
Of history thereof, showing plainly
and unerogsraseaIy, the advantages re-
sources, growth, &C., &c Believing
this, and + elm, great interest in the
development and prosperity Of this conn
ty. (Tsma,) we have taken the pains to
collate the following history and statis
tics Of our beautiful county.
Although many things may be said
in this paper, which are stale to Iowa
readers, let them rem ember, it i. written
for the use and benefit Of those who are
coming West, but who are yet undeter
mined where to "pitch their tents.
This thriving county is located but a
short distance to the east Of the geo
graphical center Of the State Of 10
wa, and is watered by the Iowa, river,
which runs diagonally through the
southern part Of the county from the
west to the east, and on the north de
Of the comfy BY Wolf or Big Creek.
which runs from the west side Of the
county to the eastern, finally losing it.
self in the Cedar River. Each Of these
are tapped by numerous large and small
branches, rendering the county, one Of
the best in the State for stock raising
The water is all Of the best quality, ard
where wells are required water is OBJ
tanned at 10 to 80 feet. The county
comprises 20 congressional tow nships
The face Of the country is generally
rclling, but Of such character as to make
almost every acre arabic. Many parts
are beautiful, high table prairies, which
makes the beau ideal af pretty farm.
Nothing need be said Of the soil furth-
er than that it is " Iowa soil" Of the best
quality. Timber is abu ndantin al parts
Of the county, especially on the Iowa
river.
Previous to 1850 this county was un
inhabited by whites. The Sax and Fox
Indians occupied it as reserve, and SO
attractive are its beauties, remenant
Of them still linger here, and forfeit
their annuity from tho United States.
rather than leave. The first settlement
was made in this year BY man named
Wilkinson, on the south side Of the Io
wa river and near the southern boun-
dary Of the county. This was followed
by a few other settlements the same year
but during the next year, andeyer since,
a steady, solid and fattering Increase
has ensued. The FIRST town laid out in
the county was the County Seat, Tole
do, which was il the fall Of 1852, when
a few houses were put mp, but the town
took no step forward, (owins to the
steam mill burning down., until 1854,
when It began to improve fast Since
then it has been steadily improving, even
during the past summer. Other tow,s
have been laid out in various parts Of
the county, the most thriving Of which
are Vest Irving and Indian Town. The
county has increased slowly but safely
and surely, and so have the towns. The
population is now probably 5000, prin-
cipally from the New England States.
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and llli-
=nois. As an evidence Of tho public
spirit and enterprise Of her people, We
will mention the fact that the THIRD an
nua fair has been held by the County
Agricultural Society, whilst her neigh
bors, some Of them much older, and
moro populous hare held but their
first
The first Post office in the county was
esta ablished at Toledo and the entire mail
Of the county was conveyed there in !
pocket handkerchief, under the care Of
the pioneer Post Master, j. H. Hollen,
& q. This, with other institutions Of
the county Except taxes,) has increased
wonderfully. Over 5000 letters are re-
oeived at this Office per quarter.
Good brick are made in several parts