USA > Iowa > Story County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa > Part 34
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In 1870 a tract of 190 acres located about one mile west from the farm-house across Squaw Creek, and called North Farm, was bought for $5,200. This money was drawn from the "interest fund." The purchase was not made until the written opinion of the at- torney-general should be obtained declaring such use of the so-called "interest fund" to be legal. Such opinion was obtained, and the purchase made. This farm has proved a source of expense to the college from the day of purchase to the present time.
In 1868 the General Assembly appropriated $12,000 for the purpose of building three dwelling houses for professors; work was be- gun on them in the summer of 1868. The material, concrete blocks, was of such poor quality that one of them-afterward the presi-
dent's house, now South Hall-fell down in the course of construction. One of the three houses was abandoned next year, while the other two were built of brick and completed in 1870. These two houses, when completed, cost nearly $26,000.
The years 1871 and 1872 saw many improve- ments made. The wings of the college build- ing, already related, were finished. A profes- sor's house, costing $4,500, built of brick, was completed. This house was first occupied by Prof. Anthony, then by Prof. Thompson, and science, and college steward.
A frame work-shop, 30x50 feet, two stories high, with an engine house, etc., 27x23 feet, with a brick smoke-stack 50 feet high, was erected at a total cost of $5,000.
The chemical laboratory, a brick building 30x60 feet, one story high, with a basement fitted up for lecture purposes, was finished at a cost of $5,000. The walls were made thick, so that in time the roof might be raised for an additional story. This will be done next year. The original design was just twenty years in maturing !
A brick horse-barn and accessories, 30x60 feet, costing a trifle over $2,500; a gas house near the rear of the college building, $500; and various farm improvements aggregating $3,000, were successfully completed before the close of 1872.
An appropriation of $25,000 for a main laboratory building was secured in 1872. The plans adopted, if carried out, would have needed $45,000. Very little was done in 1873 except to excavate the basement and lay the founda- tion, when the Rankin defalcation carried away $22,000, as related.
The next General Assembly made an appro- priation for a physical laboratory of $25,000, and this structure was finished and occupied
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by classes in 1876. This building is 40x70 feet, three and one-half stories including base- ment. The basement was assigned to the me- chanical engineering department, the first floor to chemistry, the second floor to physics, and the top floor to the civil engineering depart- ment as drafting rooms. The money was ap- propriated for a physical laboratory, and legally and morally should be devoted to that purpose. The building is at present occupied by the departments of chemistry and physics. It is heated by steam, having its own boiler in the basement.
In 1872 a barn, 54x70 feet and 24 feet to top plate, and 21 feet rise to ridge, and fine stone basement under all, of 9 feet, was com- pleted, at a cost of $5,000.
In 1878 a horticultural laboratory and mu- seum was erected, costing $2,500.
In 1880 North Hall, a two-story brick build- ing, for the use of botany, veterinary science and agriculture, was erected, at a cost of $6,000.
A brick boarding cottage, three stories high, including basement, was finished in 1880, cost- ing $3,500, and accommodating fifty students.
In 1882 another brick boarding cottage, sim- ilar in plan to previous one, was built, but some- what larger, costing $5,000.
Two professors' houses were also erected on the college campus the same year, at a cost of $5,000. One of these houses is used by the professor of botany, the other by the professor of zoology, entomology and geology.
Work was also begun, and in part finished, on Engineering Hall. This building was com- pleted in 1884, at a total cost of $12,500.
In 1884 two buildings were built for the use of the veterinary department, costing $10,000. One of these, built of brick, is used as a veter- inary barn and hospital; the other, a frame building, is two stories; the lower story is used as a lecture room and veterinary museum ; the
upper story is fitted up as a hospital, used by sick students.
Also the same year a neat brick office build- ing was erected, for use of president, treasurer and secretary; cost, $3,000.
The board also bought the house occupied | by Prof. Budd, and also the one owned by Prof. Pope, the two costing $5,800.
From this brief outline of material improve- ments made in the equipment of the college, the careful reader notes a corresponding in- crease in the facilities for imparting instruc- tion. For the true function of the college, af- ter all, is to turn out noble men and women, loyal citizens and leaders in society and opinion.
The uses to which the various buildings are devoted indicates the lines along which devel- opment has taken place. One of the charges brought against the management of the college in 1872 was, "that the college was drifting away from its original intent, as a school of agriculture and mechanic arts," and the com- mittee, after a careful examination into all the facts charged by the enemies of the college, declared the charge not sustained. The charge, however, has from time to time been reiterated, and to quiet all such rumors, and settle beyond dispute all such questions, the Twentieth Gen- eral Assembly ordered, "That there shall be adopted at the State Agricultural College a broad, liberal and practical course of study, in which the leading branches of learning shall relate to the agricultural and mechanical arts, and which shall also embrace such other branches of learning as will most practically and liberally educate the agricultural and in- dustrial class in the several pursuits and pro- fessions of life, including military tactics." This is seen to be essentially the object ex- pressed in the national grant making the en- dowment. By the above act, the State has placed itself in complete harmony with the
yours Truly. Elwood Furnas
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national act establishing agricultural colleges.
The endowment fund of the college is nearly $650,000. The income of the college from this fund, annually, is nearly $42,000.
If ever the complete history of the college will be written, one of the most brilliant chapters will be the method of handling this fund without loss, and in such skillful manner as to yield a steady revenue to the college.
The first president of the college was A. S. Welch. Elected May 11, 1868, he served con- tinuously as chief executive till the fall of 1883. Resigning, the succeeding year he was elected to the professorship of psychology and history of civilization, which he held to the day of his death, March 14, 1889.
His body lies in the college cemetery. His spirit lives in the hearts and lives of the many students who came in contact with him during his long career as president of the college. His individuality is a part of the history of the college. May the college never part with her rich legacy.
S. A. Knapp succeeded Dr. Welch as pres- ident. He served one year. The work not proving congenial, he resigned, and was suc- ceeded by Leigh Hunt. On account of failing health, President Hunt resigned after serving two and one-half years. The board elected W. I. Chamberlain president in May, 1886, and President-elect Chamberlain took charge of his office early in July of the same year.
It is not proposed to give a complete account of the changes in the faculty since the organ- ization of the college. It may be well, how- ever, to note a few of the more important changes made from time to time.
In 1872 Prof. Anthony resigned, and Prof. Macomber was appointed to the chair of phys- ics. Prof. Macomber held the position for twelve years and then resigned; no changes since. Prof. Thompson held the chair of 1G
mechanical engineering for twelve years, re- signing in 1884, since which time three changes have occurred in the head of the de- partment. Prof. Jones resigned in 1874. Prof. Stanton was promoted from time to time and elected full professor of mathematics in 1877. There have been no changes in this department. The department of civil engi- neering, after several changes following the res- ignation of Prof. Jones, was placed in charge of Prof. Mount in 1883.
Prof. Foote resigned in 1874, was suc- ceeded by Prof. Pope, who resigned in 1884. Two changes have taken place since then in the head of the department.
Prof. Bessey continued to take care of bot- any till 1884, when heresigned. Two changes have also taken place since in this department.
The department of zoology and entomology was organized as a distinct department in 1883, with Prof. Osborn in charge; no changes.
The veterinary department was organized in 1878, with Prof. Stalker in charge; no changes. Prof. Wynn, after fifteen years' continuous service, resigned in 1886; no change in de- partment since, but work has been considerably redistributed.
The department of horticulture was organ- ized as a separate department in 1875, with Prof. McAfee in charge, who, resigning in 1876, was followed by Prof. Budd; no changes since.
Prof. Roberts resigned the chair of agricult- ure in 1874, and after a few yearly changes Prof. Knapp was elected to the chair in 1880, and resigned in 1885; no changes since.
Gen. J. L. Geddes continued to discharge the duties of the chair of military tactics to the close of the college year, 1882. During most of the period since his connection with the college he discharged the duties of vice-presi- dent, and also for many years was college
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treasurer. In 1884 (November) he was re- elected college treasurer, and when Mr. Bassett resigned the land agency in 1886 Gen. Geddes was entrusted with the responsible duties con- nected with the land agency.
Death removed Gen. Geddes February 23, 1887. He was a faithful and efficient officer of the college during the trying years of its infancy and early manhood.
Herman Knapp, Esq., was elected treasurer and land agent in March, 1887.
The duties of military instructor during the college year 1883 were discharged by Col. John Scott.
Col. J. R. Lincoln was elected steward in 1883, his duties to begin March 1, 1884. The duties of the department of military science were also assigned him.
The department of domestic economy was organized in 1875, with Mrs. Mary B. Welch in charge. Mrs. Welch resigned on account of failing health in 1883. The number of changes in the department since have been two.
For full information on all these points, ref- erence must be had to the college biennials. All changes can not be noted, nor all pro- fessors named. Enough has been given to show the tendency of the several depart- ments.
The attendance at the college since 1872 has varied between 250 and 306 annually. The average can safely be placed as high as 280. Its graduates now number over 500, and in their daily lives exemplify the value of the practical education received at the I. A. C. Many of its graduates fill positions of honor and trust in this and other States. The in- struction imparted here does prepare men and women for "the several pursuits and profes- sions of life."
Congress passed an act approved March, 1887, known as the "Hatch Bill," to estab-
lish experiment stations in connection with the agricultural colleges established by the " Mor- rill Bill." The General Assembly assented to the conditions in the Hatch bill, and estab- lished the experiment station as a department of the college. The station is under the im- mediate control of a committee of the board of trustees. The general object of the station may be expressed in the following terms: To conduct original researches and experiments bearing directly on the agricultural industry of the United States, when broadly and liberal- ly interpreted. The officers of the station are: A director, a chemist, an entomologist, and several specialists as occasion may require. By law, the results, or whatever is done by way of research, must be published quarterly. All the expenses of each station are met by an annual appropriation by Congress of $15,000.
According to the original plan there should be as many members of the board as there are judicial districts in the State. The first board was composed of eleven members elected by the Legislature, in all thirteen members. They were divided in two moieties, one hold- ing office two years; the other four years. In 1866 the Legislature declared all the offices or terms at an end, and elected an entirely new board. The Legislature of 1874 abolished the former method of selecting the members from the judicial districts, and declared that the membership of the board be reduced to five members, and elected by the Legislature from the State at large.
By an act of the Twentieth General Assem- bly, the membership of the board was in- creased to eleven, one from each Congressional district. And this law prevails at the present time.
That the public may know, in part, what the Iowa Agricultural College has been doing all these years, we present a short list of
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some of the men who date their intellectual birth from their student days at the Iowa Agricultural College. The quality of its work must be of a high order to prepare men for such positions as are named below: E. W. Stanton, professor of mathematics and polit- ical economy in the Iowa Agricultural College, and secretary of its board of trustees; F. L. Harvey, professor of botany, Maine Agricult- ural College, and entomologist of the Maine Experiment Station; G. C. Faville, veterinary surgeon of the National Bureau of Animal Industry; W. T. Hornaday, chief taxidermist of the National Museum, Washington, D. C .; G. K. Cherrie, chief taxidermist of the Nation- al Museum of the Island of Costa Rica; G. W. Curtis, professor of agriculture and direc- tor of the experiment station in the Agri- cultural College, Texas; W. B. Niles, State veterinarian of South Carolina and professor of veterinary science in the University of South Carolina; E. S. Richman, botanist and horti- culturist to the Utah Experiment Station; J. C. Arthur, professor botany, Perdue University of Indiana, also botanist of Experiment Sta- tion of Indiana; Herbert Osborn, entomologist of United States Department of Agriculture for Iowa, professor of zoology, entomology and geology in I. A. C; Albert Hitchcock, botanist to the Shaw Gardens, St. Louis; Frank Everrett, on staff United States geolog- ical survey; Luther Foster, professor of agri- culture in South Dakota Agricultural College; C. A. Cary, professor of veterinary science, South Dakota Agricultural College; D. E. Collins, State veterinarian of South Dakota; C. A. Keffer, professor horticulture, South Dakota Agricultural College; L. E. Benton, assistant professor horticulture in University of California; C. M. Ross, horticulturist to Experiment Station, South Carolina; John Craig, horticulturist to Central Experiment
Station of Canada, and general superintendent of the nine horticulturist stations in the Do- minion of Canada; M. Stalker, professor vet- erinary science, Iowa Agricultural College and State veterinarian of Iowa; C. F. Curtiss, sta- tistician for Iowa, of the United States Agri- cultural Department; W. K. Robbins, expert chemist to the Amoskeag Mills, Manchester, N. H .; Peter Burns, assistant in agricultural chemistry in " Boston Institute of Technolo- gy;" J. C. Hainer, professor physics in Iowa Agricultural College; J. C. Meredith, United States mechanical engineer in charge of river improvements, Missouri River; E. Mead, State engineer in charge of irrigation, Colo- rado; J. E. Dougherty, chief engineer, Fort Scott & Gulf Railway; W. G. McConnon, elec- trician, Edison Electric Light Company, N. Y .; W. Whited, superintendent testing department Montreal Bridge Company; A. M. Blodgett, manager and president, Kansas Bridge Com- pany; Weston A. Goodspeed, president Good- speed Publishing Company, Chicago; L. W. Noyes, inventor of Noyes' Dictionary Holder; C. F. Mount, professor civil engineering, Iowa Agricultural College; G. W. Catt, chief engi- neer, San Francisco Bridge Company; G. S. Govier, general agent, King Bridge Company for Texas; George Goodno, expert chemist, gas company, Dedham, Mass .; C. H. Stearns, professor of science and instructor of cadets in Drake University, Iowa; J. N. Muncey, breeder of Dutch Fresian cattle and well-known agricultural writer; Greeley Gue, breeder of fine cattle and agricultural writer; J. F. Por- ter, electrician and contractor for electrical supplies, St. Louis, Mo .; J. B. Hungerford, editor and proprietor, Carroll (Iowa) Herald; Richard Burke, editor and proprietor, What Cheer (Iowa) Reporter; C. H. Boardman, trus- tee Iowa Agricultural College; C. F. Saylor, superintendent county schools, Polk County,
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Iowa, and trustee of Iowa Agricultural Col- lege; W. O. MacElroy, trustee Iowa Agricult- ural College; F. D. Jackson, for six years Secretary of State of Iowa; J. B. Grant, ex- governor of State of Colorado.
Many are principals of schools, some are
lawyers, some are doctors, some are farmers, some are active business men, some are bank- ers; scarcely an avenue of successful business or social life, but some graduate of Ames can be found therein, and all successful in the " several pursuits and professions of life."
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CHAPTER XX.
RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF STORY COUNTY-THE CHURCHES OF THE PIONEERS AND THEIR MANNER, TIME AND PLACES OF WORSHIP-THE RECORD OF THE LEADING CONGREGATIONS IN DIFFERENT PORTIONS OF THE COUNTY-MANY ITEMS OF INTEREST CONNECTED WITH THE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
"The groves were God's first temples."
ELIGIOUS life and education are closely associated in the career of men, and Story County has proved no ex- ception to the rule. Besides marvelous prosperity, and not next to it but before it, is so-called fanaticism, woven into the very fibre of Iowa's existence, and a visible characteristic by which she is best known among the nations of the world and by her sister States. If Iowa is fanatical, it may be recalled that Luther was a fanatic, so was Calvin, so was Angustine, and so was the great leader of them all, Jesus Christ. It has been said that insanity is only a relative thing; that Jones is considered in- sane by Brown, because Brown and Jones do not agree in their views on a given point; so might it be remarked of fanaticism-Brown is a fanatic because he holds views a little ear- nestly, and opposed to Jones. The chief char- acteristic of fanaticism seems to be its earnest- ness and zeal; here again Iowa and her conn- ties may be proud of the appellation, fanatic. Story County may well be proud to be a mem-
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ber of such a family, and of the part she has taken in it all.
Religious life in America generally means Christian life, as there is so little of any other form of religion. The old Catholic mother church and those who have, since Luther's time, been separated from her, protesting against her prelatical authority, and advancing with marvelous strides in spreading the life of Christ, are her chief representatives in Story County. Each of the Protestant (a name which has lost much of its significance, because they are less devoted to protesting now than to aggressive growth ) churches are, according to the wisdom and limits of human minds, holding up and testing truth, each from its point of view, and thus in the end making all humanity the richer in new truth. In earlier days when knowledge was less easily diffused, each body of men who were in one continent of truth- and had never been off of it-said there was no other continent, and if there was it was inhab- ited by hideous monsters and hippogriffs. But there have arisen many a Columbus and en- gine and press and rail, and men see other continents, study them, trade with them, seek what is good in them, but they do not try to live
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in Europe and America at the same time; they make their home in one country, and, according to the local peculiarities of that country, live and grow. So it is with religious bodies, and it is well that it is so; truth, great truth, is so many sided, it takes a good many men to see all sides of it. The superficial man will speak of the fanatical man; the fanatic speak of the superficial; and both speak of the common- place man; but what of it? Are not the views from the mountain and the mine and the level all necessary? Who shall judge?
This condition has led to numerous allied movements, moral reforms, temperance agita- tation, prohibition, the Moody movement, the Y. M. C. A. and W. C. T. U. movements. hu- mane agitation, and they have all had their influence on Story County. Her American population have been largely people interested in these lines, and her Norwegian settlers have been not a whit behind, for their church and school are the things about which they cluster.
One difficulty attending an account of the churches in Story County is the shifting of pop- ulation elsewhere mentioned, either by transient settlement in it or the shifting of towns by the railways. This has been so marked that church buildings have been frequently moved from one settlement to another, while buildings oc- casionally stand idle because the people have moved away. In this sketch little attempt will be made to trace these changes; it will rather be confined to the tracing those so- cieties that have proved permanent, so far as matter was obtainable with lost records, treach- erous memories, and a foreign tongue, as ob- stacles in many cases.
The early settlers were made up of almost all the old denominations, as during the first five years of the county's existence the population rose to about 3,000. These were Cumberland Presbyterians, Baptists, members of the vari-
ons Norwegian Lutheran Churches, Dunkards, Methodists, Christians or Disciples, Episcopals, United Brethren, Evangelicals, Presbyterians, and others, and they held meetings and organ- ized as fast as possible. It is not known what was the first organization; no doubt several societies were organized about the same time; although several, as the Catholic, Congrega- tional, Presbyterian, Adventist, Universalists, Protestant Methodists and others did not have permanent organization until during and after the war. These will be treated by de- nominations in the order of dates of perma- nent organizations now within the county, as far as obtainable.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Churches of Story County are under Colesburg Presbytery, and embrace New Hope, McCallsburg, Maxwell and Gilbert congregations with their depend- encies.
New Hope Church. In 1854 John S. Thom- as corresponded with Rev. J. R. Lawrence, of Hardin County, telling him of the existence of several of this faith in Story, and asking him to come and see the field. He did so, and was afterward followed by Revs. Stephen Hay and P. H. Crider, the latter's ministry covering the time to 1867. Others succeeding him were Revs. Hampton Smith, L. L. Lorrimor, W. M. Medcoff and F. M. Johnson to 1880. Then Rev. A. K. Bone came, and in 1881 the present house of worship, four miles southeast of Ne- vada, was built. After he left, in 1883, Rev. W. M. Stockinger was pastor. In the fall of 1885 Rev. R. A. Ferguson assumed charge. In 1889 he was called to Maxwell, and Rev. J. B. Howard has since served this congregation. The society was first called Iowa Center, but New Hope has since been assumed. The building is valued at about $2,000. Among the first members were: Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Thomas, W. G. Mullen and wife, Mr. and Mrs. W. Gol-
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den. The first elders were: Messrs. Thomas, Mullen, Golden, Gamble and John. The church is in fair condition, with a Sunday-school.
Mt. Pisgah Church, at McCallsburg, at Mil- ford School, No. 5, was organized November 22, 1873, by Rev. L. L. Lorrimor, with J. H. Keigley, L. McKim, Mary J. McKim, D. H. Spencer, B. Confare and Grizzell M. Con- fare. Rev. F. M. Johnson began his pastorate in 1876, and Rev. A. K. Bone in 1878, and Rev. S. McCall in 1880. The congregation moved its headquarters to the Valley View School, about six miles north of Nevada, in 1879, and out of it was organized Bethel Congrega- tion, which has since located at Gilbert. Rev. W. Stockinger was the next pastor. When Rev. Ferguson became the pastor in 1885 he held services also three miles southwest of town, and in February, 1889, opened services at Mc- Callsburg, which took the place of the others. Services were at first held in a building to- gether with the Disciples, as at present. They have auxiliary societies and a membership of forty-three persons.
The Maxwell Church grew out of the desire of the Iowa Center new-comers for services. School-houses were used as early as 1881, and afterward the Methodist Episcopal Church, until in 1889 a neat building was erected at a cost of $2,500. Rev. Bone was the first pas- tor, Rev. Stockinger in 1884, and Rev. R. A. Ferguson since 1885. They have a member- ship of about seventy-five, and a Sabbath-school of over one hundred, with B. Confare, super- intendent. They also have the usual auxiliary societies. The officers are elders J. D. Gam- ble and D. W. John, and trustees, J. G. Wells, J. D. Gamble and B. Confare.
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