1880 Dubuque County Biographies

STEPHEN LANGWORTHY, M.D. (note: father of Solon Langworthy ) At the close of the war of 1812, he resided in Western  New York. He was a physician and surgeon in the army of the United States, and, partly  induced by disturbances along the New York and Canadian line, partly by the difficulty of  supporting so large a family, he decided to emigrate to Brie, Penn., and, in 1815, we find him  located at French Creek. Here he erected a saw-mill, which gave employment to the two oldest  sons, the father, meantime, following his profession. A few years were thus passed, when Dr. L.  determined upon going still farther westward. For this purpose, a flat-boat was built, and he,  together with his family, descended the French Creek, the Alleghany, into the Ohio River.  While passing over Letarts Falls, most of the valuable goods stowed in the boat for future use were destroyed, the family barely escaping, with but little left from the wreck: Pursuing their journey to Marietta, on the Ohio, they saw directly opposite Blennerhasset's Island, near its center, the  deserted mansion of Blennerhasset, who had joined with Aaron Burr in a scheme to establish a Southern Federacy. The plan, however, was frustrated by Lewis Cass, then Governor of the Northwestern Territory. The baffled conspirators, flying down the Ohio and Mississippi, eluded  pursuit, and returned no more to the lovely island and its ruined castle. In the spring of 1819,  this family again resumed their journey. Embarking on a rude flat-boat, they passed down the beautiful Ohio, whose waters had not, as yet, been disturbed by any manner of craft propelled  by steam. The solitude was unbroken, save at intervals when the ax of some wood-cutter felling  trees for his cabin, broke the silence, or the sharp crack of the hunter's rifle startled the birds, and sent the wild deer bounding down the valleys. Arriving at Shawneetown, the flat-boat was sold  and wagons and horses procured. In the wagons were placed the household goods, provisions, and, also, such members of the family as were too young or too frail to walk. After a  period of twenty-five days, through the mud and mire of Southern Illinois, early in May, 1819,  the historic town of Edwardsville was reached, and at last they are in their Western home. At this time, St. Louis was the only considerable point for business, and contained a mixed population, French, Spanish and negro, numbering about three thousand souls.

There Dr. Langworthy went, as it offered him an opportunity to follow his profession. But the location of the family proved to be an unfavorable one, and the father was called home by the illness of his wife. The malarial fever, peculiar to that section in that day, soon ended her life, and a son, Stephen, followed his mother, a victim to the same malady. These sad events determined Dr. Langworthy to seek a more healthful region. Accordingly, the eldest son, James, with Dr. Isaiah Massey, his mother's brother, traveled northwest, and after a long and hazardous journey, they found Diamond Grove. Here the father, aided by his sons, began to open up a farm. A cabin was built, ten or twelve acres of land on the edge of the grove, covered with weeds, which had grown there since the Kickapoo Indians had cultivated it as a corn-field, and, according to a previous treaty, had now abandoned it. An abundant crop rewarded their first year's labor. Dr. Massey, having selected for himself the eastern end of the grove, had returned to Edwardsville, where, soon after, he was seized with the malarial fever, which terminated his life. Diamond Grove, proving a healthful location, soon became quite well settled with a population partly Eastern, but principally Southern. There settlers had taken up claims, made improvements, either skirting the water-courses or in the vicinity of groves. Their cabins, made of round logs, served both for dwelling-places and schoolhouses. The expenses of the latter were divided among the different families, according to the number of pupils furnished by each. By this arrangement, the greater portion of the expense fell upon the "Yankees," as many of the Southern settlers, believing that education would produce dishonesty and wickedness, refused to permit their children to be instructed. Corn and wheat were the principal products, affording subsistence both to men and animals. The want of mills to grind the grain was one of the severest hard ships encountered, the horse-mill being the only resource. This was constructed with a sweep, to which every person having a grist to grind attached his own team, mounted the sweep and drove the horses round a circuitous track. If, luckily, his team was strong and fast, he could obtain about two bushels of meal or flour per hour.

Dr. Langworthy now revisited St. Louis, remaining a year, during which time he married Miss Jane Moureing, installing her in his home at Diamond Grove, where she watched over his large family with true devotion. The county seat of Morgan County was now fixed at Jacksonville, two miles east of his residence, and, rapidly increasing in population, rendered his profession a lucrative one. The farm, too, had prospered, leaving the elder members of the family free to seek their fortunes elsewhere. In 1824, James L. Langworthy set out for the Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, where mineral had recently been discovered in large quantities. The journey was made on horseback, a compass being used to direct his course. In about ten days, be arrived at Fever River, where Galena now stands. He immediately associated himself with Orrin Smith, a native of Cincinnati, and commenced mining one mile east of Hazel Green, Wis., at a place commonly called Hardscrabble. After nearly two years' hard labor, they struck a big lead, selling the same in 1826 to Alexander Phelps for a large sum of money. This gave them the means to visit their respective homes. Together, on horseback, they made the trip to Diamond Grove. Here the happy household joyfully greeted the brother safely returned, and hospitably entertained his companion. The family consisted of the following members: Dr. Langworthy and wife, with his children-- Eliza, Laura, Lucius H., Edward, Mary Ann, Maria , Lucretia, Solon, Lucien and Harriet . Happy these heroes, who, conquering adversity, had returned to thrill the hearts of their fascinated relatives with wild tales of adventure and daring. Orrin Smith at length departed for Cincinnati; but the friendship inspired by one member of the family had fast ripened into true affection. Excited by the success of their elder brother, Lucius and Edward now determined also to seek the mines. In the spring of 1827, accompanied by their two sisters, Mary Ann and Maria, made their way in a wagon to a point on the Mississippi named "Wood's Woodyard," now the city of Quincy, containing more than 40,000 inhabitants. This yard was the property of John Wood , afterward Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. They arrived there about the 10th of April, having traveled a distance of eighty-six miles. A family of Dunkards had settled midway between the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, and, following their trail, the young travelers gained their residence. There they were hospitably entertained for the night, and, by directions from these kindly friends, they went onward on their wanderings. The following day, and just at nightfall, they reached the summit of the lofty bluff overlooking the Mississippi and the woodyard for which they were destined. The steamboat Red Rover had been advertised to arrive at this place and soon rounded the point below. After taking on board the adventurers and a supply of wood, the vessel turned her prow up stream, and rapidly vanished from sight. Solon, the younger brother, left alone on the river bank in charge of the team, without delay ascended the bluff. This team was the first that ever descended the precipitous bluff, and the Red Rover was the first steamboat any one of the young travelers had ever seen. About 4     P. M., Solon again entered the hospitable cabin of the Dunkards. The following morning, when about to turn homeward with his team, he found a most unlucky accident had befallen it. A vicious bull had gored one of the horses. Nothing remained for him but to mount the other and in that manner reach Diamond Grove. Letters from the absent brothers were received about the 1st of July, assuring the anxious family of the safe arrival of the party at Buncombe, at which place they were joined by James Langworthy and Orrin Smith, who were still partners in mining and merchandising.

Not many months passed before Mary Ann fulfilled the promise she had made and became the wife of Orrin Smith, Maria sharing their home. Lucius and Edward repaired to Coon Branch, near Hazel Green, where they built their cabin and engaged in mining. Solon, it will be remembered, was still on the farm at Diamond Grove. Being the oldest son now left there, the care of the farm devolved upon him. With the assistance of one man and a younger brother, Lucien, more than a hundred acres, cultivated in field crops, yielded an ample return. They were, however, far from being remunerative, corn being only 10 and wheat 37 cents per bushel, other products being proportionately low. Remoteness from markets compelled the exchange of farm products for dry goods, groceries and other necessary articles, which were excessively high. As an instance of this kind of trade, it may be mentioned that 1,000 bushels of corn were delivered at Jacksonville, two and one-half miles distant, the consideration being a horse, valued at $100. Now came a fresh break in the home circle, Eliza marrying, in 1827, William Maclay, and Laura choosing for her husband Jacob D. Williams. In April, 1828, Solon,  accompanied by Horace McCartney, started for Galena, Ill. Between the Grove and Galena the inhabitants were few and scattering. Although they had sold these lands, the Indians still persisted in remaining upon them, thus retarding the settlement of the country. The two travelers had gone a short distance west of the Illinois River, when they overtook a party of drovers en route for the mines. They were strongly advised not to undertake the journey alone, but for safety to join the drovers, which offer they accepted, remaining in their company six or seven days, until within twenty miles of Rock River, when, finding that their provisions were nearly exhausted, it became imperative for the two companions to leave the slow-traveling drovers and push rapidly forward. No sooner were the trees skirting the river fairly in view than a large body of mounted Indians were seen, and, ere the danger was entirely comprehended, the travelers were surrounded by the dusky warriors. Two of the chiefs, by the aid of certain gestures and broken mutterings, seemed to inquire upon what business and to what place the whites were bound. Satisfied upon these points, they unceremoniously examined the equipments and then signified that the voyagers must follow them, and, in a few minutes, the entire party were on the banks of the Rock River. An application to the chiefs for the use of their canoes was refused, the Indian boys sportively wrestling with the young whites. No other resource remained but to cross the stream as best they could, seeing which, Solon mounted his horse, which, swimming safely over, was soon followed by his companion. Untroubled by further incidents, Council Hill was reached, where the path of the comrades separated, Solon going to Buncomb. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, he arrived safely, and there met his brother James. The day following, they both repaired to the mining cabin on Coon Branch, where, for the first time in several years, the four brothers were re-united, Orrin Smith , too, soon added his kindly welcome and conducted the young adventurer to his residence on the Platte, a spot now known as British Hollow, where the joy of the two sisters may well be imagined. But, after a short visit, Solon returned to Coon Branch, residing that summer with Lucius and Edward . As a miner, this season proved fortunate, the young man realizing a snug little sum, which enabled him, in company with James Meredith, in November, 1828, to revisit Diamond Grove. The next three years were devoted to labor upon the home farm. This was sold in 1831, the entire family removing to St. Charles, Mo. Solon now found employment with a neighboring farmer. Becoming dissatisfied with that business, in July, 1832, he enlisted in Co. A, United States Ranging Service, Capt. Nathaniel Boone commanding, a grandson of the famous Daniel Boone. This officer was ordered to report to Gen. Winfield Scott, at Rock Island, which he did about the 20th of August. The company encamped immediately below the garrison. In a couple of weeks, the cholera made its appearance in the garrison, creating great alarm, in consequence of which the company obtained permission to make a fresh camp south of the Rock River, six miles distant. Twelve of its members died of the malady, a slight mortality, compared with that of the garrison. About the 1st of September, Gen. Dodge dispatched two of his Aids-de-camp, H. L. Massey and James L. Langworthy, announcing to Gen. Scott the capture of Black Hawk at the battle of Bad Axe. Solon was present at Rock Island when the treaty was made which terminated that war. The company, being enlisted for a year's service, was then ordered to Fort Gibson, on the Arkansas River, reaching that place early in January, 1833. In the following spring, it was sent westward, for the protection of the Santa Fe trade, a service for which it had been originally designed. Late in that summer, the company marched to Fort Gibson, and were disbanded. Solon, in company with Ezra Overall, William H. and Jesse Moureing, set out for their Missouri homes. On reaching St. Charles, Solon found his brother-in-law, Mr. Williams, had died of cholera, and he remained with his sister during the winter, for the purpose of settling up the estate. In the spring of 1834, he embarked at St. Louis, on the steamer Olive Branch, for Galena. Here he met his sister Maria, then the wife of. Upon his boat, the Jo Daviess, he visited Dubuque the following day, and was soon the guest of his three brothers in their mining cabin in Langworthy Hollow. They at once employed him in hauling rails for fencing a farm, which is now in the heart of the city. In June, he broke up sixty acres thereon, which is thought to be the first land plowed in the State of Iowa, that is, in any quantity. Farm work being completed, he began an examination of the country with a view to its mining resources. In the fall of 1834, he purchased a large mineral lot on the Maquoketa. Lucius, also, was interested in the undertaking, and, together, after two weeks' labor, they struck a fine prospect. Thereupon, they built a cabin, and Lucius returning to Dubuque, Solon took up his residence, hired two men, and, for a year and a half, carried on the mining. In the autumn of 1835, he bought a prospect on the Ewing Range. Here, after blasting for nearly a month, an immense cave was discovered, filled with shining ore. The success of these ventures stimulated Solon to further achievements. In the spring of 1836, he joined with Orrin Smith , in operations on Fever River and Coon Branch. On the latter, they purchased a claim for $800, obtained 2,000 pounds of mineral and exhausted it in one day. Deserting the spot, Solon, in a few days, encountered four Missouri brothers named Jemison, whose lot, cabin, tools, and lead already on the surface, amounting to sixty or seventy thousand pounds of mineral, he bought for the sum of $2,500, taking possession of the cabin, hitching his pony at the end of the windlass rope. Solon hired four men, and the next morning saw them delving industriously in the mines, his partner, Orrin Smith , now in Cincinnati, being quite unaware of his operations. In less than two months, he sold from this lead over three hundred and fifty thousand pounds of mineral, clearing, above all expenses, about $4,000, half of which was paid over to Mr. Smith, on his return. At the end of the year, the profits had increased to about $22,000, a great portion of which was invested in the steamer Brazil, built in the winter of 1837, by Orrin Smith, at Cincinnati. This vessel was the first one which had ever been upon the Upper Mississippi, up to that date. After making a few very successful trips between Cincinnati and Dubuque, she struck a rock on the upper rapids of the Mississippi and sunk, being a total wreck and entirely uninsured. During the autumn, Solon made a journey on horseback to St. Louis, navigation being closed. There he purchased four horses and a wagon, and a stock of clothing valued at $4,000. Henry L. Massey then became his partner, taking charge of the team, and at once passing through the State of Missouri and the Territory of Iowa, commenced business at Snake Diggings, now Potosi, Wis. Large mineral discoveries had attracted here a large body of miners, to whom the goods were rapidly sold, and the proceeds remitted to Mr. Langworthy, then in Cincinnati, to be again invested in new stock. Mr. Massey carried on the business at Potosi until the fall of 1838, when Mr. L. personally assumed charge of it. On the 20th of April,1840, he married Julia L. Patterson, daughter of Myron and Frances Patterson, of Long Island. In this village they resided until 1848, at which period they removed to Dubuque, Iowa, erecting the house in which they now reside. Their family consists of three daughters and two sons. In 1862, Solon Langworthy was appointed Lieutenant and Quartermaster of the 27th I. V. L, and went into the struggle for the life of the Union. In the hardships common to such a period, he shared, until the year 1864, when, resigning, he returned to his home. His life since then has been an active one, and he has embarked in many enterprises, having at different times engaged in the banking, lumbering and similar occupations. A busy, stirring manhood, let us hope, will bring the peace and serenity of an old age, happy in an unbroken and a loving household circle.