The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1872-02-08
FROM MECHANICsvILLE.
Historical Sketches of Mechanics
vile and Vicinity.
NUMBER ONE.

Inc Star OIL Empire, whose course
for ages past, has been towards the
western wigwams, shed its first rays
of civilization upon this delectable
region, early in the spring Of 1886.
The enchanting tales, both Of prose
and song, that were published in the
eastern papers, induced few, whose
spirit of enterprise was quickened
into action, to leave their homes
among the New England hills, to seek
their fortunes in land where, for
ages past, the sun had seemed to go
down.
Early in the spring of 1864 little
band of emigrants, who were true
representatives Of the spirit of the
pilgrim fathers, left their homes in
the wilds of New England, and after
many long days of weary travel
reached the spot, where to them it
seemed they had Paradise regained.
This lovely and picturesque spot was
Pioneer Grove, and the names OF
those constituting this bold and adj
vei,urous band, were Abner Steb-
bins, Charles Dodge, Mr.. Chase, Mr..
Champion and Manson Pope, the
latter Of whom, however, did not
reach this Canaan until number Of
days afterward.
Their first entry into the region of
country now known as Cedar County,
was on the third of March 1885, as
tablishing their headquarters in the
open field not far from the south line
of the county. After resting here a
number of days and the weather be-
coming more fair and settled, they
went forth like the dove from the ark
to view the "regions round about"
They visited Red Oak, Little Linn,
Mason's Grove, Picayune, Yankee
Grove, and Pioneer Grove. They
traversed many of the streams Of
water from their rise to their source,
passed up the Cedar River, prospect
ed at Covers Ferry and the Bluffs,
and returning to camp, finally settled
upon Pioneer Grove as the place to
make their .sclaim." Here they rear
ed the first cabin within the limits OF
Cedar county, selecting the site on
the premises Of Mr.. Stebbin's near the
west end of the grove, and little
east Of where his orchard now stands.
This ancient pile was bnt recently re-
moved from the original foundation.
and built up again little north Of the
road, and is now occupied by Cha's
Bagley as stable for horses; its for
mer inmates having entered into
mansions near by, reared by their
own hands. After having completed
their cabin, they turned their attention
at once to the cultivation Of the soil,
and as the season for gardening was
now fully come, they selected a spot
of ground of about one acre little
east of the Lutheran church, near
Col. Prior SCOTS. This piece Of land
they broke up and planted to various
kinds of garden fruits, melons, pump
kins, corn, &c. This garden was duly
cultivated, and when the final season
for gathering its products arrived, it
gave ample returns for the labor
bestowed. This garden was also
planted to apples and pears in the fall,
and in the following year the trees
were transplanted in the orchard now
owned by Mr.. Stebbins, having borne
fruit nearly thirty years; and one Of
the trees this year producing over
forty bushels.
This little band Of men was not
only adventurous, but they were pat.
riotic. No political or sinister mo-
ton could have prompted them as
they did to celebrate our nations
birth, but when that day arrived they
assembled in the grove near John ID.
McKee's and north of where the NJ.
Z. church formerly stood, and there
they planted the colors that struck
terror to the heart of the British Lion?
Here, perhaps, was the first Grafton
delivered in the county, if not the first
in the then territory Of Wisconsin.
Mr. Cha's Dodge was, perhaps, the
orator, and though his speech was
short, yet it is nevertheless is worthy
Of rehearsal, and as near as can be
remembered was in exactly the fol-
lowing words:
| Fello,c Citizens. Where is the
individual who would give up the
the first foot-the first outside
shadow Of foot Of this great country
to Cid England, or anybody else ;
there 'aint no such individual" And
here, amid laundering shouts "No!
Nor the speaker waved his hat, call
ing for "threc cheers for Columbia,
the Gem Of the Ocean," L. A. WEEKS.