USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 40
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46
"The Priscilla club presented to the library twenty-six elegantly bound vol- umes. Of these twenty-five were class books and one was fiction. They were Irving's works in twelve volumes; Roosevelt's works in ten volumes; two books by Steiner; one by Edison and one by Ralph Connor. Such gifts have more than pecuniary value to a library that is striving to reach a high standard both in number of volumes and merit of work.
"There were 58 new readers registered last year. Country residents are urged to make use of our library both for reading and reference purposes. The fees for non-residents of our town are twenty-five cents for three months or one dollar a year. Or by paying five cents, a country borrower can have the use of books for two weeks. This fee only refers to the circulating department as everybody whether resident of the town or not is welcome to the use of the reading and reference department.
"The library trustees-G. C. Hoover, Dr. L. J. Leech, Dr. M. W. Munger, E. L. Hollingsworth, A. C. Hunter, H. H. Michener, Mrs. Laura Gray, Mrs. Eliz- abeth Staufer, and Miss Bertha Armstrong have done much to raise the library to its present place of efficiency, and deserve much credit for their faithful and conscientious efforts in promoting the library movement.
"This is the library's sixth year in its own building and each year has shown an advancement in the library work and a better record of things attained.
"Donations, however small, are very acceptable, and the donor will receive due credit in the library records for any gift made. Each gift aids at least a little in the increasing of our stock of books. Perhaps if more people understood that good books which they themselves have read and put aside, would be eagerly read by others, they would be anxious to put them in the library where they can be read by everyone.
"The people of the town have shown sincere interest in the library movement, and credit is due the patrons for their care of the books and magazines when they are using them and for their promptness in returning them.
"Until every person who cares to avail himself of good reading material has become a patron of the library the mission of this institution is yet unfulfilled.
"GOLDA BRANSON, Librarian."
The largest private library ever in the county belonged to Judge Tuthill and at his death in 1886 it was broken up and sold at auction as announced by public notice to take place commencing March 7, 1881.
The catalog contained 190 pages under 2,305 titles which included more than five thousand volumes of rare and uncommon nature in a private library.
Parts of these were shipped to New York and sold, the freight on the rarest portion amounting to a large sum. The history of 1878 makes the statement that the library was once written up for the Chicago Inter Ocean by an interested investigator. It is unfortunate that such a valuable collection should ever have been allowed to leave the county.
470
HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Judge Tuthill contributed to the Annals of Iowa a number of articles bear- ing on political topics, chiefly, but rather in a humorous vein. Among the list is one entitled "The Garry Owen Vote" and it relates to the election of a judge in which the center of interest is not in this county but the northwest corner of Jackson where the vote was withheld on account of the failure to understand the facts of the candidates stand on public questions then under consideration. The result was the election of the Cedar County candidate.
"Harry Hatton's Sermon" deals with a character who had "suffered" con- version under Mormon influence and then becoming somewhat lawless was about to be indicted when he announced that he would preach to the multitude, which he did while the grand jury were in session. He escaped the indictment threat- ening him.
"The Woodbridge Sell," is not clear to the reader unless he knows the facts connected with the references. It is enough to say that it related to the dis- posal of the postoffice to a candidate not supposed to be on the winning side sug- gesting the "sale" of his right, or on his part the "purchase."
"Hummers Bell" is a poem of several stanzas taking off an event of the time in Iowa City but facts are wanting to carry it farther. John P. Cook is re- ferred to as the one who could set it to music.
In 1892 the literary club called by the name of "Searchlight" grew: out of the meeting of four ladies who assembled for the enjoyment of good company in a reading circle. These four, Mrs. Huber, Mrs. Pine, Mrs. Shipley, and Mrs. Hamm began by reading aloud one at a time while the rest did needle work. The circle was soon enlarged by the addition of sisters of two of the members.
It was in 1895 that the organization was effected, name selected, and con- stitution adopted, the purpose stated as being, "to promote systematic study, social intercourse and to become mutually helpful."280 They united with the State Federation of Women's Clubs in 1895.
From the minute book of the "Cultus Club" of Tipton the following account is taken of the first meeting: "The Cultus Club met Jan. 12, 1903, at the home of Miss Oral Argo. The meeting was called to order by the vice president, Mrs. Bartley and a motion was made by Mrs. Mearl Clarke 'that we be known as the Cultus Club.'" It does not say whether the motion was carried or not but judg- ing from the later developments the name remained with them. The officers for that first year in addition to the vice president mentioned were, president, Mrs. Grassfield; and secretary, Miss Clare Carl. According to this first book the membership was eighteen. The object as stated in the constitution is, by union to create a center of social enjoyment and culture and the mutual im- provement of its members. It requires a three-fourths vote to elect the officials. "The Women's Manual of Parliamentary Law" shall govern in all things not . otherwise provided for.
The Nineteenth Century Club of Tipton was organized in 1895 by Mrs. Jen- nie Vevier, now of Clinton, Iowa. Of the charter members only Mrs. A. N. Filson, Mrs. Hattie Fields and Mrs. Mary Collins remain. The three with the following now constitute the club. Miss Mattie Coutts, Mrs. Clara B. Grove, Mrs. Myrtie Dean, Mrs. Martha Wolf, Mrs. Ella R. Brotherlin, Mrs. Lillian
471
HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Peters, Mrs. Rose Maxson, Mrs. Mary L. Boling, Mrs. Ella R. Hamiel, Mrs. Ida Nash, Mrs. Sue H. Rowell.
History and literature study has been the chief work of this club since its organization. They meet for social recreation as well as study commencing in the month of October and continuing the meetings until the first week in April. For the coming year they study Holland as outlined in the Bay View course and in connection with this some miscellaneous work on Domestic Econ- omy. The present officers are Mrs. A. N. Filson, President; Mrs. Rose Maxson, Vice-President ; Mrs. Sue Rowell, Secretary and Treasurer.281
The Cedar County Chautauqua offered its first attraction in 1895 and for six years has maintained an organization incorporated under the laws of the state. It is an institution for culture and entertainment and not to make money. No one expects profit, the aim being to pay expenses, and every stockholder must buy his way to the sessions. The officers give their time and the stock- holders their money to make up any deficiency that may occur. It is unnecessary to say that such an institution should never be abandoned but continually im- proved. No such organization is managed on a more economical plan than the one in this county. The public school grounds have been furnished by the school authorities, the large tent has been procured and put up by a committee serving free of all expense and when the situation is compared to others of like nature there is an ideal condition in favor of the Cedar County Chautauqua.
The Priscilla Club of West Branch is limited to twenty members having for its object work of a literary character but not confined to that exclusively, for their assistance in school and library circles has been noted. The organization is one of long standing, beginning in 1895, and they have used one course of study for nine years-The Bay View. Other efforts in helping the public library to secure books and to aid the public school in art instruction have been successful. Since the library was established by Mrs. Enlow, they have had her portrait painted and hung in the reading room, besides contributing cash from entertainments for additional equipment. Entering into competition with other organizations they won a prize offered for the best appearing turnout in a recent celebration.282
In Springdale Township, in the vicinity of Springdale and West Branch there are seven women's clubs, the greater part of them including women from the farm homes. Among these, the Self Culture Club of Springdale is one of the most prosperous. The object stated is, "to promote a literary spirit among its members," and its motto, "We are builders, and each one should cut and carve as best he can." . It began its work in 1901 with a membership of twenty-five, and owing to the demand for admission they were obliged to limit the num- ber to thirty. These industrious people hold their meetings from September until May. They occasionally are liberal and entertain the men of the families at a social gathering, not omitting the things that make such attentions remem- bered and even furnishing a program of literary character in addition to the lighter entertainment. Their programs are arranged for a year in advance and published in booklets for the benefit of the members and the leader of the club. For four years the club has secured books from the State Circulating Li- brary to aid in the work of its members. The club is ambitious for in their study one finds the subject of "Parliamentary Practice," one of the most neglected
472
HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
subjects in lists of all student bodies. Large topics of History, Rome, England, Germany, Russia and Japan, the United States and its possessions are among the important ones. The club provides for a Round Table gathering in January on the notable events of the preceding year in which the members all report their findings. At the meetings of the county clubs at Chautauqua the Self Culture Club had a place on the program at each session. The member who reports the work sums it up in this way: "We are all busy women, yet aim to do thorough work; therefore the one year course of study was made to extend over two years. Our membership has been scattered but the.attendance and the perse- verance in keeping the work in hand has demonstrated the fallacy of the state- ment 'that literary clubs cannot succeed in the rural districts.' " 283
The object of the "Wednesday Literary Club" of Clarence is stated as, "for the mutual improvement of its members in Literature, Art, Science, and the vital interests of the day." Its first name was "The Wednesday Lookout Club" when organized in 1896, but the change was made in 1903 to the first title above. This club arranges for its study a year in advance through the committee for the purpose. In 1904 it became a part of the State Federation of Clubs and in the county meetings had its representative. Their motto is suggestive, "Agita- tion of thought is the beginning of wisdom." Twenty is the limited number of members and the work is mainly for study, social affairs holding a minor place. Time has changed its membership but the club continues to keep its work in order and has an ambition to be one of the enduring kind.284
"The Columbia Circle" of Clarence has had an existence of thirty years being one of the oldest clubs of a literary character in the state. It received its impetus from a few broad-minded women who desired a greater intellectual life and more frequent social intercourse than they then enjoyed. Perhaps there was no one person more zealous for the formation of the club than Mrs. Howard Bell whose motto was,-"To agitate is to educate." At least it is certain that the question was agitated thoroughly enough with the result that twelve ladies gathered at the home of Mrs. W. D. G. Cottrell one day in March, 1880, and or- ganized the society known then as, "The Clarence Reading Circle," with Mrs. H. G. Coe as president. Inasmuch as the work at that time did not extend beyond an hour or two for reading and social enjoyment it was not deemed necessary to elect either a secretary or treasurer. Of these twelve ladies to whom the mem- bers of later times always refer as charter members, and in a most respectful and reverent way, four still remain as members, the others are lost to the club either by death or removal. Some have been members for a short time only but have left their influence on the organization in cheering the efforts of the regular members who have followed the "Circle" from the first. The member- ship is limited to twenty but altogether fifty members have at some time been on the rolls. Later in their history the "Circle" claimed the truly feminine privilege of "changing its name," so that in 1903, about the time it was federated it became the "Columbia Circle," in honor of the Exposition held that year.
During this long period of organization the study has been varied. At one time a serious study of United States History and Civil Government and the History of England was undertaken which proved profitable, and while it did not fit the members to run the government at the time it gave them the oppor-
473
HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
tunity and the ability to criticise the subjects of the day, which the writer of the club history says is "the first step toward statesmanship." During the Spanish- American War the club gave their attention to Spanish History and like atten- tion was given to the troubles between Russia and Japan. South America, Mexico and the Panama region have each been considered. Literature in its real sense has not been neglected but has had its share of consideration and the Circle members feel that the thirty years of attention to the intellectual side of life has been a period of profit and has not damaged the community.285
A club of recent origin is called the "Bay View," from its course of study, and it admits any one so far as its rules are concerned since its only object is study. The club was organized at Stanwood in 1908. Mrs. C. L. Rigby was chosen the leader for the first year, Mrs. Clyde W. Jackson for the second, and they have followed the course of study as given in the magazine for the Bay View course. The club has one rule that is interesting and instructive-no mem- ber is to use any book during the club exercise or recitation period. No papers have been prepared for reasons given, among them being the need of a library of reference and the large amount of time required to use the work laid out in the regular course. This club is composed of ten members.286
The most recent addition to the organization exclusively for women and one that counts among its numbers in the state some of the most accomplished of the sex began its history in Tipton in April, 1910. This is Chapter DY of the P. E. O. Its standing among the other similar groups is very high. The charter members are Mrs. Edith Bartley, Miss Emma Chappell, Mrs. Clara Britcher, Mrs. Ella Brotherlin, Mrs. Nettie Ocheltree, Mrs. Louie Hender and Mrs. Ollie Thiel. They have increased this original number to eleven since the first meet- ing.287
SECTION XII.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Some of the history of Cedar Lodge, number eleven, A. F. & A. M., is men- tioned in the organization and government of the county when its lodge room was occupied in connection with the Odd Fellows in the room on the second floor of the court house built for the county under the supervision of John P. Cook. Through misfortune due to a fire the records of that day were destroyed and Alonzo Shaw is the only man living who can give that record. In 1909, by request he sent to the lodge, of which he is still a member, the history of the time as he knew it: "When I arrived in Tipton, July, 1845, Cedar Lodge No. II, A. F. & A. M., was working under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Iowa. The members of that lodge at the time, as I remember them, were Col. Henry Hardman, Wm. Hoch, Patterson Fleming, Samuel Long, W. R. Edgar, Asberry Richman, T. W. Harris, Wm. Murray, J. Davis, and Dr. Silas Swan. April, 1847, I was accepted as prospective member of the lodge and in the mean- time the lodge had applied for a charter, which being granted, Grand Master Humphreys and T. S. Parvin, then residents of Muscatine, set the date, the twenty-fourth of June, to install Cedar Lodge under its charter.
"My initiation had been reserved for that occasion, the lodge being then held in the second story of the old court house. On the day appointed these officers came to Tipton and performed their duty as installing officers and made me a Mason. My occupation then was county surveyor.
"Williard Hammond came to Tipton in 1848 ( from Gower's Ferry, now Cedar Bluffs .- Ed.) and bought the store building built by S. Long, Jr., and David Davis in 1846. (This building is the one north of the square occupied now by Wilson's plumbing shop .- Ed.) Here Hammond kept his store of dry goods until his death in 1864. He joined the Masonic lodge in Keokuk.
"In 1848 Cedar Lodge rented the second story over his store and used that room until 1857 when the lodge moved to the third story of the building built by Shaw and Bagley, where the First National Bank now stands. It burned, I think in 1869, and the Masonic records and jewels and almost everything burned.
"I think Col. Hardman288 was the first master of the Cedar Lodge. I was Master in 1852-53, then Dr. Witter, '54. In 1865 I moved to West Liberty and have no record of the six years I was there. I returned to Tipton in 1871."
474
475
HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Alonzo Shaw is the oldest member of any Masonic Lodge in the state. He is now in California, it is true, but his membership is retained here. At the time this letter was written he was eighty-seven years old and had been a Mason and a member of this lodge for sixty-two years. He wished in this letter to be espe- cially remembered to Wm. Dean and Henry Hecht, his old time associates.
A special feature of the work of the Masonic lodge of Tipton should not be omitted. It was at the suggestion of Hon. J. T. Moffit, some years ago when the cemetery lots needed attention, that a trust fund was placed in the hands of the lodge for the care, perpetual care it should be said, of the lots of families whose owners wish them to be kept in order. The income from this fund is all that can be used for this purpose, the principal remaining in the bank or secure investment to produce interest sufficient for the care of these lots. Sometimes the principal is increased when the fund so created is more than is necessary for the purpose. This privilege is not limited to the members of the lodge or their families but any one who wishes this perpetual oversight may deposit an amount sufficient for the purpose and thereafter it will need no attention.
The Masonic cemetery was first opened for the purchase of lots in 1862, when it was described as "six acres lying between the roads leading to Mormon Hollow and Miller's Mill." Since then additions have been added. Ten acres at least. On a time-stained sheet of foolscap paper in the Masonic Library of Cedar Rapids the original petition of the charter members of Cedar Lodge No. 1I may be seen if one cares to inquire. It may be interesting to give its form and signa- tures as it appears today :
"To the M. W. G. M. of the Grand Lodge of Iowa :
"The undersigned petitioners being Ancient Free and Accepted Master Ma- sons having the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart and willing to exert their best endeavors to promote and diffuse the general principles of masonry respect- fully represent,
"That for the convenience of their respective dwellings and for other good reasons they are desirous of forming a new lodge in the town of Tipton, Cedar County, Iowa, to be named Cedar Lodge.
"They therefore pray for letters of dispensation to empower them to assemble as a legal lodge, to discharge the duties of Masonry in a regular and constitutional manner according to the original forms of the order and the regulations of the Grand Lodge.
"They have nominated and recommended Br. Thos. W. Harris to be the first Master, Br. Saml. Boyles to be the first Senior Warden, and Br. A. B. Richmond (Richman) to be the first Junior Warden of said Lodge.
"If the prayer of the petition shall be granted they promise a strict conformity to all the constitution, laws and regulations of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
(Signed)
WM. R. EDGAR, SAML. LONG,
HENRY HARDMAN,
S. C. HASTINGS,
ROBERT G. ROBERTS, WILLIAM HOCH." S. S. SWAN,
STEPH. WHICHER,
There is no date on this sheet of paper, but according to the letter of Mr. Shaw it must have been not later than 1847. There seems to be some difference
476
HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
in the spelling the name Richman or Richmond. In the petition it certainly has an ending like the second form and it is presumed that Asberry Richman re- ferred to in the letter and A. B. Richmond are the same individual.
Another of the older lodges of the Masonic Fraternity meets regularly in the old brick building in the center of the town of Rochester. They have about forty members and none of them live nearer the lodge room than two or three miles, yet they are much more patriotic in their membership than many who have quarters more conveniently at hand.
This lodge was instituted in 1850, Sept. 7, and has the distinguished name of Golden Rule, No. 24. Its first Master was Henry Hardman and charter members included the pioneers of that vicinity, M. Phelps, E. E. Edwards, J. H. Leach, M. B. Taylor, A. C. Barrack, Jacob Wymer, J. H. Creese, Wm. Hoch, Amos Witter, S. Searls, and Silas S. Swan. It is noticeable that a number of these were on the original petition for Cedar No. II. The first petition for membership bears the name of A. H. Armstrong, and the first work was of the third degree upon A. L. Healy. The charter bears the date of June 3, 1857 ; W. D. McCord, Grand Master, and T. S. Parvin, Grand Secretary.
Henry Hardman was made a Mason in Golden Rule Lodge in Fairfield, Ohio, in 1827, and it is probably for this reason the name Golden Rule happened to be applied to the lodge at Rochester.
June 6, 1866, Euclid Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Clarence was chartered with the membership of Wm. Flanagan, Thomas Coates, James Huff, M. K. H. Reed, W. N. Hoag, John Dickinson, O. J. McClure, Moses Polley, O. L. Stour and H. W. Phelps. Its first regular communication was held June 23, 1866. This lodge was No. 177. After three years of work this lodge moved into rooms of their own. Mount Hope Lodge has succeeded Euclid, having a present mem- bership of something over sixty. It owns its own room as before and its pres- ent officers are E. C. Dean, W. M .; Dr. Nicoll, S. W .; Ed. Simons, J. W .; S. S. Crittenden, Secretary ; Geo. F. Peabody, Treasurer.289
Siloam Chapter No. 19, R. A. M., of Tipton, was organized in September, 1857, the petition being dated Aug. 27, 1857. The petitioners include the names of Wells Spicer, J. C. Turner, W. R. Edgar, J. W. Casad, A. B. Turner, A. Shaw, T. W. Harris, Samuel Daniels, Adam Bair. The first officers were: Wells Spicer, H. P .; Wm. P. Edgar, Scribe; J. R. Hartsock, K., and John N. Clark, C. H .; A. Brown, P. S .; William Bryant, R, A. C .; A. B. Turner, G. M. 3d V .; Alonzo Shaw, G. M. 2d V .; T. M. Harris, G. M. Ist V .; J. H. Hartsock, Sec- retary. The present membership numbers thirty-nine. G. H. Kellogg is the present H. P., W. B. McBurney, K .; John Vaughn, Scribe ; F. Beatty, Treasurer ; H. R. Ripley, Secretary ; H. L. Brotherlin, C. H .; P. A. Grassfield, P. S .; H. H. Rath, R. A. C .; W. M. Furnish, M. 3d V .; P. H. Schneider, M 2d V .; J. C. Reichert, M. Ist V .; Frank Hirschfield, Guard.
Mechanicsville Chapter, R. A. M., No. 134 was granted dispensation July 10, 1907. Charter was forwarded Oct. 9, 1908. First officers, Geo. M. House, H. P .; O. L. Whitson, K .; Scott Russell, Scribe; J. C. Ferguson, C. H .; E. L. McConkie, P. S .; Geo. Davidson, R. A. C .; H. P. Stoffel, Treasurer; J. H. Onstott, Secretary. The membership now is forty-eight. Where the officers are
477
1
HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
different than above they are now as follows: Geo. Davidson, H. P .; W. A. Jackson, Scribe. 290
Wapsinonoc Lodge, No. 381, A. F. and A. M. of West Branch is in charge of B. A. Gill as W. M. and Ross Leech as Secretary.
Patmos Lodge, A. F. and A. M. number 155, of Mechanicsville was organized under dispensation granted in January, 1860. Charter was issued in June of the same year. The charter members were, J. S. Eisenhart, W. M .; M. H. Begole, S. W .; Henry Bagley, J. W .; P. M. Begole, I. B. Johnson, N. P. Rey- nolds, I. I. Thompson, M. L. Jackson, E. L. Day, F. L. Knott. This lodge owns the second story of the brick building in which it has held its sessions for more than thirty years. The present officers are, C. J. Lynch, W. M .; John Boden- hoffer, S. W .; W. A. Jackson, J. W .; J. H. Onstott, Secretary and A. P. Stoffel, Treasurer. The present membership is ninety and the lodge carries no indebted- ness.291
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.