Were They Married in Webster County?
by Matt O'Dell

Why are the early marriage records of Webster Co., important to Palo Alto
county researchers ? Because there are no other known civil records of early
marriages recorded any where else from the first settlements in Palo Alto [1855]
until after the establishment of a local government system 20 December 1858.
Actually, the first marriage was recorded early in 1860.

The Third General Assembly of the State of Iowa established 49 new counties
January 15, 1851. Palo Alto was among those new counties. The county was named
after the first battle of the Mexican war - at Palo Alto, near Brownsville, TX
in 1846. There was no settlement in the northwest corner of Iowa, however, and
Palo Alto was attached to Boone Co. in 1853, and to Webster Co., in 1855,
"for election, judicial and revenue purposes." Local government was
established in Palo Alto Co., Ia., late in 1858, with the election of Judge
James Hickey, et al, on Dec. 20, 1858, following a failed election of October 2, 1858.

Elected with Judge Hickey were Clerk of District Court Felix McCosker,
Treasurer & Recorder John Mulroney, Drainage Commissioner John Shea, County
Surveyor James McCosker, Coroner Orrin Sylvester, and to be the first Sheriff
Thomas H. Tobin. - P 64, History of Palo Alto Co., McCarthy- 1910

Thus county records could not possibly be relied upon until at least 1859
when supplies and paper arrived to allow for recording of civil transactions. In
fact the first marriage in Palo Alto co. was that of Thos. H. Tobin to Miss
Ellen Loughlin, Jany. 7th, 1860. -P 14 Martin's 1876 History of Palo Alto.
As for church records, there was no church in Palo Alto county at that time.
From Father Smith's manuscript in the 1910 Semi Centennial book, where he wrote
about the first pioneers to the county, we read:

It was decided to locate on the east bank of the Des Moines river on the land
afterwards owned by Martin Coonan and Dan Kane. Their first buildings were the
sod shanties(4) and this little colony then called the "Irish
Settlement",became the nucleus of our large and prosperous population. It
was the seed sown on good soil(5) which has increased a thousand fold. Having
always in mind their spiritual as well as their temporal welfare one of the
first things they aimed to provide for was a church. With this end in view in
1857 they entered a land claim(6) of eighty acres in the name of the Catholic
Bishop of the diocese of Dubuque.(7) It was the south half of the southeast
quarter of section 24 of what is now Emmetsburg township. Arrangements were at
once made to build a church thereon. Work was already begun, logs were
collected, part of the walls raised, and quite a supply of material was on the
ground to complete the building.

(6) Bishop's name. Bp. Loras died Feb. 19, 1958. Bp. Clement Smyth (Dubuque)
consecrated May 3, 1857.* Since there was extremely bad weather in the spring of
'57 and because of the evacuation of the "Irish Colony" after the
return of the Relief Expedition from the Spirit Lake Massacre site (the troop
arrived back in Ft. Dodge about Apr. 10, 1857) and, since the settlers followed
the troop to Ft. Dodge - not necessarily the same day - but shortly thereafter -
and stayed at least a month in Ft. Dodge; we would expect this land to be listed
in the name of Bp. Clement Smyth, Dubuque. Record has not been found.[Matt
O'Dell's History of Assumption Church]

In an unfortunate hour on a Sunday afternoon in the fall of 1859, John
Pender, who had a claim on the river bottom in what is now Great Oak township,
was making a firebreak around his log cabin. The fire got away from him and
furiously made its way north consuming everything in its path. The partly
completed church building with all the material on the ground was entirely swept
away. At the same time the Pender home was burned. It was on the shore of Medium
Lake where the Saunders residence now stands(8). Thus the first church building
of any denomination raised in the county was that log structure erected in 1859
where Mr. A Scott Ormsby's residence may now be seen.(9)
Footnotes: (9) NW Corner of Palmer and 7th Streets, Call's Addn. This is a
high point at the SW end of the Lake, a commanding position, and a fine first
choice for the church. We have found no record of what happened to the property,
the original deeds - etc. Ormsby built a fine home there - still standing - now
listed in the National Register as Rosemount and in 1989 it is a Bed &
Breakfast. (It IS in Sec. 24, Twsp. 96Nx33W and the description given by Fr.
Smith agrees geographically: [Extracted from Matt O'Dell's History of Assumption
Ch. Palo Alto co.]
So, we realize that by 1859 the log church under construction from 1857-1859
by the Catholics of Palo Alto came to a fiery end in the Pender prairie fire,
fall of 1859.
Therefore, if you want to find possible marriage records, you may wish to
look in the group found below.

FIRST MARRIAGES IN WEBSTER COUNTY, IOWA
1853 - 1859
These mariages, in Book I, were recorded by Mindy Natte in August of
1974;checked by Roger B. Natte and certified by Laurance W. Murray. 
(*)indicates license was issued, but not returned. 
After copying this list into WordPerfect format Matt O'Dell checked and
re-checked the list in 1992.


Groom's name 
Bride's Name
Date

Abbott, Daniel S.
Deborah Nichols
12 Aug 1856

Addams, Darin
Sydin Bibler
1 Jun 1856

Alcorn, Robert 
Charity Hise
10 Sep 1857

Anderson, Robert
T. Elenor Griffith
1 Jan 1857

Arthur, William 
Orma L. Potter
17 Dec 1856

Atherton, John Wesley
Julia Rosetta Sweet
23 Dec 1858

Atherton, Samuel D.
Mary A. Vandevender 
8 Aug 1858

Auker, William
Orma S. Potter
15 Dec 1855*

Ballard, John
Emily Everhart
30 Aug 1855

Barr, Henry
Hannah M. Vander Ornber
15 Feb 1857

Beach, Alexander
Sarah Jane Ewing
10 Nov 1859

Beach, David
Jane Graw
15 Jan 1857

Beck, Hirem
Hannah Jackman
12 Mar 1858*

Beecher, Hezekiah
Pauline E. Morrison
13 Dec 1858

Bell, Isaac
Sarah Ann Stark
26 Aug 1855

Bell, Terlonzo
S. J. Neece
17 Aug 1854

Berkley, Granvil
Z. I. Meservay
2 Aug 1855

Bernet, Levi
Angeline Bush
22 Oct 1855*

Blood, Martin
Cilma J. Todd
13 Feb 1858

Books, Henry
Euretha A. Clark
28 Feb 1856

Booth, Frederick
Helen Ann Ruggles
13 May 1858

Bowman, William
Maria Martin
29 Sep 1858

Brackschynke, Casper H. 
Mary Kirchner
16 Jul 1857

Bradshaw, John J.
Martha Griffith
10 Apr 1855

Bremer/Brewer, Jackson 
Hariett Frakes
11 Aug 1854

Brooks, Harvey
Euretta S. Clark
28 Sep 1856

Brugotti, Christopher
Eliza L. Andrews
10 Nov 1859

Brundage, James N.
Angeline Beem
5 Dec 1858

Caligan, Thos. T.
Catharine Kinniard
28 Jan 1858

Callehan, Barney
Delia Haley
1 Feb 1858*

Calligan, Thomas T.
Catherine Kinniard
28 Jan 1858

Carhin, Joshua
Laraha Carral
22 Mar 1855

Chambers, Hugh
B. A. Downing
9 Dec 1856

Chancy, Hiram
Mary A. Shamers
6 Sep 1855

Childress, Henry J.
Sarah Pointer
16 Jun 1858

Clark, Joel
Nesta L. Mead
19 Jun 1859

Clark, John B.
Cindrilla A. Douglass
29 Apr 1857

Clegg, Richard
Eliza Litts
5 Jun 1855

Collins, Hugh
Catherine Russell
9 Feb 1859

Cooper, George
Johanna Stanley
9 Nov 1855

Corbin, Albert G.
Clarissa L. Spring
21 Jan 1858

Craphart, Eli D.
Mary Michaels
1 Jun 1856

Crombic, John
Mary Jane Clark
13 Sep 1855

Cronin, Bartholomew
Margaret Smith
26 Mar 1859

Crouse, Alexander E.
Eve Ann Gonzer
28 Apr 1857

Dean, James
Lydia Todd
25 Dec 1858

Deck, Jurah
Ann Millurn
11 Apr 1856

Dewitt, John Harrison
Mary H. Crouse
11 May 1858

Dillow, Joseph
Louisa McFarland
6 Jun 1857

Dimler, Henry
Eliza Page
11 Jun 1858

Donahue, Edward
Mary Ann Maher
14 Jun 1859

Drake, Feromus B.
Caroline E. Hart
12 Mar 1857*

Duncombe, John F.
Mary Augusta Williams
11 May 1859

Eberhart, A.C.
Celia A. Eads
21 Sept 1856

Ebert, Ernest
Ernestura Serfert
15 Feb 1857

Elis, Norman P.
Maranda Clark
15 Nov 1855

Ewing, William S.
Teressa E. Stall
23 Apr 1859

Farland, James M.
Martha Ann Duckett
25 May 1856

Faught, Henry
Josephine Guard
15 Jun 1856*

Fisher, Richard
Sarah Pemberton
12 Feb 1857

Fisher, William P.
Lavina Eslisk
27 Dec 1856

Fitzgerald, John
Ann Fienel
6 Jul 1856

Gage, Harvey
Martha Jane Comly
28 Mar 1858

Garmoe, Isaac
Margaret Johnson
23 Nov 1856

Geige, Edward B.
Martha McFarland
14 Feb 1856*

Giaryer, Benjamin F.
Calista E. Raad
8 Mar 1856

Goodrich, Benjamin B.
Elizabeth Galer
7 Nov 1858

Goodrich, John
Jane McGuier
2 Sep 1854

Gray, Jesse
Elizabeth Brundage
31 May 1857

Hall, Henry C.
Celia M. Sherman
1 Jan 1857

Hall, James
Charlotte Fisher
1 Jan 1858

Hammer, Benjamin
Isabet Beeson
13 Jun 1856*

Hand, Ira
Emily Douglass
8 Jul 1858

Hanson, Adolph
Mary A.C.(?)
18 Nov 1854

Harden, Joseph
Elizabeth McIntosh
28 Apr 1856

Hart, George D.
Orlinda S. Moore
11 Nov 1858

Hase, George
Julia A. Fisher
29 Jan 1857

Haslett, Charles
Ester Lakin
28 Nov 1856

Hatch, Charles L.
Filina A. Skinner
28 Oct 1855

Haynes, John
Margarett Carbon
6 Sep 1854

Hepsheor, William
Catherine McFarlin
-- Jan 1857

Hickey, James
Margarett Hogan
13 Sep 1856

Himer, Marlin B.
Sarah Coray
1 Nov 1855*

Hines, William
Mary Jackman
28 Jun 1858

Hoel, Mathias
Manika Schnider
3 Apr 1858

Hogan, T'ohm
Mary Williams
29 Aug 1857*

Holehan, William
Bridget Floyd
12 Dec 1858

Holems, John S.
Emily Lyons
14 May 1853

Horn, Alfred M.
Anna Pierce
8 Dec 1856*

Hull, James E.
Ahienn Rees
11 Nov 1855

Jameson, Mordecai
S. Flora Lee
13 May 1859

Johns, Andrew
Gustana Percodot
16 Sep 1853

Johns, John
Margaret Hoadly
15 Aug 1858

Johnson, James
Nancy Bell
7 Dec 1854

Jones, Charles
Elizabeth Bell
28 Jun 1856

Kelley, James
Menerva J. Dowd
11 Dec 1856

Kelly, James
Minerva Dowd
11 Dec 1856

Kelly, Richard
Catherine Knox
8 Jun 1856

Kent, William
Mary C. Haviland
12 Nov 1857

Kent, William W.
Harriet C. Woodward
28 May 1856

Kischner, John A.
Mary Jane Bicknell
17 Oct 1857

Larney, Patrick M.
Ellen Ford
26 Nov 1857

Lawrence, Benjamin
Alphea Bancroft
30 Nov 1858

Lincrun, Geo
Clarisa Jane Williams
28 Feb 1856

Martin, Reuben
Mariah Harden
5 Apr 1854

Maudlin, William
Julia Ann Beeson
29 Aug 1857

Maulding, John S.
E.Hogan
9 Mar 1854

McCauley, George C.
Rachel Ticker
2 Feb 1859

McCauley, Robert
Elisabeth Hughes
17 Dec 1858*

McDaniels, William
Nancy Johnson
25 Feb 1858

McGuier, Blyath
Rebeca Pierce
17 Aug 1854

McGuier, Francis
Theby Baatryh
18 Jan 1855

McGuier, Wm.
Emiline H. Scott
11 Jun 1853

McGuire, Francis
Rebecca McGuire
22 Feb 1857

McNeely, Theulious
Euginia L. Clark
26 Dec 1859

McPheeters, Andrew
Adelia A. Mowrey
15 Mar 1859

Merphey, Michael Obrien 
Mary Ann Baxter
20 Feb 1858

Merritt, H.D.
Lavina Shaffner
21 Mar 1858

Miller, John
Julia Condon
8 May 1858*

Mitchell, John
Christiana Stark
26 Aug 1856

Mitchell, Warren G.
Louise A. White
18 Nov 1858

Montgomery, Albert
Mary Ann McBride
12 Nov 1857

Moore, Virgil
Minerva Beach
10 Mar 1859

Morrissy, Michael
Isabell Selley
6 Jul 1857

Muldoon, Patrick
Catherine McCartney
20 Nov 1858

Nichols, George
Sarah Jane Baxter
14 Jul 1855*

Nolan, Patrick
Johanah Conway
10 Oct 1857

O'Hara, Patrick
Susan Mallon
26 Apr 1859

Payne, Henry R.
Margarett Murphy
15 Jun 1855

Payne, Wm.
Pally P. Crause
25 Oct 1855

Phetteplace, Banjamin
Harriet Moon
7 Apr 1859

Pierce, Joseph C.
M. E. Pierce
30 Sep 1855

Pollock, William
Mary Bates
24 Dec 1857

Power, William
Christina Carter
16 Aug 1856

Preston, William
Julia M. Young
1 Jan 1859

Qumland, Thomas
Bridgit Fahey
15 Aug 1857*

Rees, Franklin
Emily Moonl?
12 Apr 1858

Renolds, Wm. K.
Melissa Grant
21 Aug 1853

Richards, Charles B.
Mary I. Olcott
14 Jun 1857

Ridgeway, Squire C.
Elizabeth Jane Jameson
19 Oct 1858

Rogers, A.B.
Saray Hymer
29 Mar 1857

Rudy, Dunie
Malisa Ann Frakes
27 Mar 1856

Russelland, Eleazur
Margaret Buttlen
17 Oct 1856

Safferty, John M.
Catherine Martin
3 Jan 1858

Schaller, J. Christian
Eliza Hartman
30 Oct 1858

Scrivner, John
Francis Decker
30 Dec 1854

Sherman, Charles A.
Tirzan Vincent
15 Nov 1858

Sherman, G. B.
Amaretta Vincent
9 Feb 1858

Smith, Francis
Mary C. Young
10 Feb 1856

Smith, George P.
Sarah Jane Hooke
27 Sep 1856*

Smith Shelden
Mary ? Helmick
10 May 1858

Speer, John
Susanna M. Douglass
25 Feb 1858

Strow, John D.
Maria B. Fox
31 Dec 1856

Taylor, Charmery
M. A. Frakes
12 Sep 1858*

Van Cleave, Silas
Basanah Broadstone
1 Oct 1857

Vandevender, John
Barbary C. Maberry
25 Oct 1857

Vigors, C. H.
Ellen Corbin
18 Mar 1858

Weeks. Eumenus
Corintha E. Nelson
23 Jan 1858

Welch. Henry A.
Rachael Ann Frakes
28 May 1857

Wells, Banager Edward 
Mary Abigail Spring
10 Aug 1858

White, William.
Mary Garaghty
11 May 1859
    

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