Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa, Part 36

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 484

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The McCallsburg Christian Church. Oc- tober 10, 1886, J. W. and M. J. Smith, E. L. and Susan Griffith and A. B. Griffith were formed into a church at McCallsburg, with E. L. Griffith and J. W. Smith, elders, and A. B. Griffith, deacon. In 1888 a church building was erected and dedicated on October 6, 1889. It cost about $1,000. The pastors have been as follows: Revs. J. W. Sibbit, beginning in

1886; J. M. Vankirk, in 1887; H. P. Bunce, in 1888, and J. W. Vanderwalker since 1889. They now have a membership of twenty-seven, with Elders J. W. Smith and H. C. Vail, and Deacons A. B. Griffith and G. R. Vernon, with Deaconess L. B. Ricketts as officers. . They have a union Sabbath-school, of which S. Reid is superintendent.

The Church of Christ at Ames has a mem- bership of forty-one persons, and a Sabbath- school of seventy-five pupils, under the super- intendence of Charles Lyon. This society was formed April 20, 1887, by Elder J. H. Painter, after a series of meetings held in the Methodist Church. The first members were Mrs. Re- becca Adams, Miss Minnie Adams, Mrs. G. A. Armstrong, J. P. Alderman, Mrs. Alice Baker, Miss May Goldsmith, George Goldsmith, Mrs. Mary T. Grove, W. A. Hicks, Thomas Hard- castle, Mrs. P. Raff, and Mrs. S. B. Sexton, the first officers being Messrs. Hicks and Hard- castle. They purchased the old Methodist Episcopal Church on Douglass and Onondaga Streets, but since moved up to Story Street, and in March, 1888, dedicated to its new pur- poses. It is valued at $1,000. The only regular pastor has been Elder J. W. Vankirk, from 1888, in March, to January, 1889, when his death occurred while he was at Rutherford, Iowa, temporarily. There has been no regular pastor since.

The Zearing Christian Church has been in existence about three years, and has increased to about fifty members. The present pastor is Rev. Vanderwalker.

The Maxwell Church of Christ grew from an effort of Dr. E. C. Scott, J. B. Angelo and others, who secured the services of a pastor from Des Moines for a few meetings. After this Rev. D. A. Wickizer was sent on, and after a six weeks' series of meetings a church was organized on February 23, 1890, with eighty-

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five members. Rev. J. H. Stockholm became pastor and before the year closes a church 36x50 feet will be completed. In April a Sab- bath-school was formed, with Dr. E. C. Scott as superintendent.

The Protestant Episcopal Church has had members in Story County almost from the first, but attempts at organization at Iowa Center, Nevada and Ames have not been per- manent. There is now no society in the county, although several members.

The Iowa Center Church was organized by Rev. X. A Welton in 1858, and among the members were Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Fenn, Mrs. E. J. Potter, Mrs. F. M. Baldwin, Mr. and Mrs. J. Will and Mr. and Mrs. McKee. The church, erected in 1860, was destroyed very soon and the society ceased to exist.

The Ames Mission existed for a few years under the care of Rev. C. S. Percival and others. Among its members were Mrs. M. B. Welch, wife of President Welch, of the col- lege, Mrs. W. D. Lucas, Mrs. M. M. Turner, Professor and Mrs. Pope, Miss Sinclair, Mr. and Mrs. Skinner, Mrs. Prof. McComber, and others. The mission lasted from about 1877 for three years or more.

The United Brethren Churches appeared in Iowa first of the trans-Mississippi region, and in 1876 Iowa Conference was divided into Iowa and Des Moines, on account of language, the Iowa being German and the latter English. Of course the churches of Story belong to the Des Moines Conference, and these now include Fairview, south of Colo, Evergreen Chapel, south of Ames, and a class at Ontario. There were other churches in early days, notably that at Palestine in the thirties under Rev. Ives Marks, with its embryo seminary, and one at Ames strong enough to own a building, but these are of the past.

Fairview United Brethren Church was or-

ganized in New Albany Township, October 19, 1885, by Elder George Miller, and Rev. F. M. Boyd as pastor. The members were Josiah and Margaret Dunahoo, Sarah Dunaloo, J. W. Tory, Mary Tory, Mrs. C. A. Sawtell and F. V. Sawtell, and meetings were held in School No. 9. Rev. W. W. Lewis began work in 1885 and increased the membership to eighty- five in 1886. Trustees J. F. Loucks, J. W. Tory, S. P. Rinehart, W. D. Martin and J. C. Sawtell proceeded to build a church, which was dedicated by August 22, 1886. It cost proba- bly $1,500. The membership still increased and a Sabbath-school was founded. Rev. L. F. Bufkin became pastor in 1887, but was soon succeeded by Rev. D. N. Craner. Sickness soon compelled the pastor to resign, and in 1888 Rev. W. W. Lewis was recalled, and served until called to Des Moines in 1889. Rev. N. W. Burtner, of Toledo College, has since served. The present membership is ninety.

Evergreen Chapel is about four miles south- east of Ames, and its society was formed in February, 1856, by Rev. G. W. Vandeven- ter. Fifty-two members were enrolled, and the officers were W. S. Anderson, steward; James Robb, R. B. Buell, A. D. Wherry, J. E. Vanscoy, T. Bates and W. S. Anderson, trustees. After using the school-house, a church was built in 1886 at a cost of $1,700, and dedicated November 7, 1886. Rev. L. H. Bufkin followed the first pastor in 1889, and Rev. J. X. Talbott in 1889. Rev. J. H. Snoke is the present pastor. A Sunday-school was organized in 1884. The church now has a membership of 51.

Ontario Class was organized in April, 1889, by Rev. J. Talbott with about fourteen mem- bers.

The (English) Evangelical Lutheran Church organized its Synod of Iowa in 1854. Story

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has two congregations, namely, Nevada and Johnson Grove.

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Richland Township, at Johnson Grove, had its beginning in a visit made to Absalom Smay, on Indian Creek, by Rev. G. W. Schaeffer, who held a service in December, 1860, at the Murphy School. Late in 1861 Rev. J. G. Beckley came to Nevada as a teacher, and in course of time succeeded in organizing this church February 16, 1865, after a success- ful revival. Pastor Beckley, Elders Absalom Smay and W. McCain and Deacon J. A. Snelling were the officers, who, with Mrs. A. S. May, Mrs. E. Hague, Mrs. W. McCain, Mrs. Agnes Snelling and Alexander Snelling constituted the membership. The school-house was used nntil 1880, when the present frame church, 30x40 feet, and located on the south side of Section 24, was built at a cost of $1,200. The Sabbath-school was begnn by W. McCain as early as 1858, and the Woman's Foreign Mis- sionary Society was organized about 1885. They now have a membership of sixty-seven resident and eleven non-resident. The pas- tors have been as follows: Revs. J. G Beck- ley, from 1861 to June 4, 1871; J. J. Crigler, January 1, 1874, to April 1, 1875; P. S. Nellis, June 1, 1875, to March 1, 1876; C. Baird, November 1, 1877, to Angust 1, 1883; J. A. Ziegler, January 1, 1884, to Angust 1, 1889, and Rev. George H. Schnur, since October 1, 1889. The Revs. Beckley and Ziegler's pas- torates were marked by especial growth.

Memorial Church, at Nevada, had its incep- tion under the pastorate of Rev. C. Baird, at Johnson Grove. In June, 1882, he organized with the following members: Z. M., J. F. and Rebecca J. Baird, Mrs. J. C. Bechtel, Mrs. M. S. Beckley, C. C. Eicher, Mrs. C. Ewald, Con- rad Ewald, Miss Margaret Ewald, Mrs. K. A. Granel, Mrs. M. E. Payne, N. W. Simmons,

Elias Stamm, Mrs. Mary Stamm, and Miss Lillie Stamm. Elder E. Stamm and Deacon J. F. Baird were officers. Services were held in an old store-room, owned by I. A. Ringheim, for three years, when their handsome frame church was erected, in 1885, at a cost of $3,600, the parsonage having been built in 1884, at a cost of $1,200. Both buildings are of pleasant architectural arrangement, and have late improvements. These were built under the pastorate of Rev. (now) Dr. Zeigler, of the chair of mathematics and astronomy in Car- thage College, Illinois. Dr. Zeigler built both buildings at his own expense, and was reim- bursed by the society five years later. The pastors have been the same as those of John- son Grove, with which it is associated. They have a membership of thirty-six and a Sabbath school of fifty, which was organized in Novem- ber, 1881, by Rev. Baird. The superintendent is O. O. Roe. The Woman's Missionary Soci- ety, organized in 1883, is in successful opera- tion under the presidency of Rev. Mrs. Schnur.

The Evangelical Association organized its Des Moines Conference in April, 1876, at Blairs- town, with Rev. Dr. R. Dubs as president and a membership of 2,781. At its meeting in Afton, in 1889, when the same gentleman pre- sided, there were 4,219 members represented. Their societies in Story County include Iowa Center, Story City, and small societies at Colo, Pleasant Vale, Zearing, and Summit, near Ne- vada, from but two of which information seems obtainable.

The Iowa Center Church was organized in 1861, by Rev. Holdridge, with John Applegate and wife, Hezekiah Applegate and wife, M. Ellison and wife, Thomas Maxwell and wife, John John and wife, and others. John Apple- gate was class-leader. The Baptist Church was used until 1867, when a frame church was built at a cost of $1,500, and dedicated by Rev. H.

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J. Bowman. The pastors have been: Revs. Holdridge, from 1861; Buzzard, from 1863; Bowman, from 1865; Yerger, from 1867; Kook- er, from 1869; Hahn, 1871; Monnysmith, 1873; Johnson, 1875; Long, 1878; Hoover, 1880; Neibel, 1882; Skogsberg, 1883; Evans, 1884; S. A. Walton, 1886; W. J. Hahn, 1888, and J. E. Staufacher, 1890. The present officers are, D. D. Sheldon, class-leader; C. Webb, exhorter; L. Moore, and J. J. Stratton, stewards. The church has increased until it now has 109 mem- bers, and growth has been especially marked in late years.

Story City Church really began with the first visit, in 1870, of Rev. J. F. Yerger. After that this point steadily developed under the care of Rev. Holdridge; Rev. S. A. Pettet, the first real pastor, 1876; Rev. C. H. Grarnley, 1878; Rev. D. P. Ellenberger and Rev. S. S. Kogsberg, 1880; Rev. C. M. Palmer, 1882; Rev. T. M. Evans, soon after; Rev. B. H. Nie- bel, 1883, under whom a church was organized and an edifice built; Rev. A. E. Mosher, 1886, and J. F. Yerger in 1887. This church is in the Des Moines District, while Colo and Iowa Center are in the Cedar Rapids District.

Colo Circuit includes Zearing also, and an entire membership of 131, which was adminis- tered to by Rev. J. F. Yerger in 1870 and Rev. N. B. Niebel, in 1889. This is smaller than Iowa Center Circuit, which has a membership of 238, and larger than Story City Circuit, with its eighty-eight members.

The Presbyterian Church, which began so early in Iowa, and now includes in its synod eight presbyteries with 358 churches, had Pres- byterians in Story at an early date, and now includes the county in the presbytery of Water- loo. There were attempts at organization at Nevada in the fifties, and at Elwell, by Rev. Reid, later on, but Nevada is the only survivor of these attempts.

The Central Presbyterian Church at Nevada was organized by Rev. Thompson Bird, of Des Moines, in December, 1863, with the following members: R. B. Harper, Eliza J. Harper, J. M. Applegate, Lizzie Applegate, Sarah Beck- ley, Fred Diffenbacher, Eliza Diffenbacher, T. C. McCall, Mary A. B. McCall, Julia Ross, D. B. Stout, Mrs. D. B. Stout, Elizabeth Stevens.

The first meeting was held in the old court- house on January 29, 1866; Rev. I. Reid was moderator; William Garrett, treasurer; J. L. Dana, clerk, and T. C. McCall, J. M. Apple- gate and John Scott, trustees; these last men- tioned secured articles of incorporation. T. C. McCall donated a lot, and a building-that now used opposite and east of the court-house-was erected in 1867 at a cost of about $3,500. The dedication occurred in 1868, and Rev. Isaiah Reid became their pastor. His successful career with the church extended down to the last day of December, 1877. Rev. D. B. Gordon succeeded him as stated supply until March 23, 1879, and on June 8, 1879, Rev. Eugene R. Mills held services and soon assumed regular pastorate. In May, 1883, he resigned, and in October, 1884, Rev. S. B. Neilson began serv- ing the church as stated supply for a period of about six months. It was not until April 30, 1887, that Rev. W. A. Smith, a supply, held services a short time, and not until April 4, 1889, that a regular pastor was secured in the person of Rev. Campbell Coyle, whose installa- tion occurred May 12, and whose pastorate gives promise of excellent results. R. M. Harper was the first ruling elder, and in 1868 T. C. McCall and G. A. Kellogg were elected. Other elders have been G. B. Toby, Thomas Ashford and O. B. Ingalls. The present active leaders in the Sabbath-school are: The pastor, O. B. Ingalls and wife, Mrs. J. L. Dana and Mrs. J. A. Fitchpatrick. A society of Christian En- deavor is in successful operation.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

The Congregational Church has but one rep- resentative in Story County, namely, that at Ames.

The First Congregational Church of Ames was founded November 5, 1865, with H. F. Kingsbury, Mary Kingsbury, Cynthia O. Duff, John Whitelaw, Lyman Pierce, Phebe Pierce, Robert B. Shearer and Elizabeth Shearer as members. This handful has, in a quarter of a century, increased to 124, the present member- ship. The movement to erect a church in 1867 received some notable encouragement. Two lots offered to Mrs. Duff for her intelligent service to the railroad company, then finishing their road, were transferred to the church at the re- quest of Mrs. Duff, and Hon. Oakes Ames, of Massachusetts, donated a sweet-toned bell. The building cost about $1,800, and is located on Kellogg and College Streets. About $1,500 worth of improvements have been added to it from time to time. The Sabbath-school, or- ganized in 1865, had 125 members; the aid so- ciety, organized in 1870, the missionary society organized in 1877, and the Christian Endeavor, formed in 1889, are all in flourishing condition. The successive pastors are: Revs. John White, beginning in November, 1865; S. Gilbert, in March, 1868; A. A. Baker, October, 1869; G. G. Perrins, March, 1875; W. P. Bennett, June, 1880; C. C. Moulton, March, 1885, and J. D. Wells, in April, 1888.

The Methodist Protestant Church organized the Iowa Conference in 1845. It had but one circuit in Story, namely Colo, with Collins as a part of Peoria City Circuit.

Colo Church was organized about 1870 by Rev. H. C. Rosenberger, the pastor of Peoria City Circuit. Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Gilchrist, Mr. and Mrs. L. Baily and others were among the original members. This building was completed in 1873, and was soon dedicated un- der the pastorate of Rev. B. Belt. It cost

about $1,500 and was built during the pastorate of Rev. J. A. Smay. Among other pastors have been Revs. Kirkpatrick, A. W. Gilchrist, Bradford, T. S. Striker and F. D. Keamer. Rev. Smay, the present pastor, has had a long service. The membership has been as high as 250, but it does not exceed twenty now.

The Collins Church was begun in February, 1889, by Rev. W. F. Price, the pastor at Peoria City. It then had twenty two members and has held its meetings in the Methodist Episco- pal Church. They have a parsonage and hold union Sabbath-school with the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. S. A. Price is class-leader.

The Universalist Church had a society in Nevada supported by about twenty-five to thirty families, among whom were O. B. Dut- ton and wife, E. W. Lockwood and wife, T. E. Alderman and wife, D. H. McCord and wife, A. Dayton and wife, C. H. Balliet and wife, U. Al- exander and wife, D. Childs and wife, J. C. Lovell, I. Walker, Otis Briggs and others. It lasted a short time, early in the seventies.

The Society of Friends had a society near Zearing some years since, but none now.

The Roman Catholic Church, by its members, discovered Iowa, and was, with the Methodists, the first denomination in the Territory. There are but two churches in Story County, namely, Nevada and Colo, with a small German so- ciety in Franklin Township. These are under the bishop of Dubuque, one of two Iowa bishops.

St. James Catholic Church at Nevada was organized about 1874 by Father Delaney, of Boone. They used the home of Mr. James Doyle until their present church was erected. Father Mackey was the first stationed pastor, and was succeeded by Father Smith, under whom Colo Church was created. Father Mur- phy came next, and during a successful pastor- ate removed and refitted the buildings on their

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present site. Rev. Father McNamara is the present pastor. The membership reaches 150.

St. Patrick's Church at Colo was built about 1880 by Father Smith, of Boone. It is a large building of 30x60 feet dimensions. The church has been in a prosperous condition from the first, and is the real Catholic center in the county. The congregation now num- bers about 350 members, among whom are some of Colo's leading citizens. The pastorate has been the same as that of Nevada.

The Seventh Day Adventists have two socie- ties in Story, one at Nevada and one at Ames.

The Nevada Church began in the tent meet- ing of Elders L. McCoy and R. M. Kilgore in 1875, and was organized by the latter gentle- man October 15, 1876, with fifteen members. John N. Calhoun was leader and J. M. Whit- ney, clerk and treasurer. Meetings were held in Adventist Hall and the Baptist Church until their church was completed in January,

1888. It is a frame, costing about $1,700, op- posite the park on Main Street. It was dedi- cated July 1, 1888. They have no regular pastor. Mary E. Cook is superintendent of the Sabbath-school, while two auxiliary socie- ties are in successful operation.

The Ames Church has about twenty-nine members and was organized August 26, 1883, with twelve members. Peter Christofersen was leader and Carrie Fries, secretary. They have no pastor or building but meet in private houses. Elder P. L. Hoen is superintendent of the Sabbath-school.

There have been Y. M. C. A. and W. C. T. U. societies in the county, but there are none at present. A county Sunday-school Associa- tion has been in successful operation for years and now enrolls 102 schools, 700 teachers, and 4,975 pupils. The temperance question has been vigorously handled from earliest days, and no saloon exists in the county.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

CHAPTER XXI.

LOCATION AND BOUNDARY OF THE COUNTY-ELEVATION AND THE SUBJECT OF DRAINAGE-THE GROVES AND THE PRAI- RIES-THE SOIL AND LOCAL MINERALS-SPRINGS AND NATURAL GAS-STOCK AND POULTRY PRO- DUCTIONS-EVIDENCES OF THE EXISTENCE OF COAL-THICKNESS OF THE DRIFT.

"How rich in humble poverty is he Who leads a quiet country life; Discharged of business, void of strife !"

N the north of Story County lie the counties of Hamil- ton and Hardin, and on the south Jasper and Polk, while on the east and west are Marshall and Boone, respectively, thus enclosing an area of 576 square miles in a perfect square of sixteen townships, all with a slight inclination toward the south and east. The most ele- vated point is probably in the north part of Warren, near the north county line, and the lowest where the Skunk and Indian Creeks pass the southern boundary and emerge into Polk County. There is no doubt, too, that the cen- ter of the State lies in some part of the south- west quarter of the county, presumably in Ne- vada or Indian Creek Townships.

The Skunk River, legally known as Chicau- qua, with its branches, drains the two west tiers of townships, excepting a part of Milford and a small part of Palestine, while Indian

Creek, with its branches, waters the two east tiers, and parts of Milford and Grand, and ex- cepting a part of Sherman, New Albany and Lincoln, the last-mentioned township being drained by Minerva Creek. The lower half of the Skunk River averages a depression of two and one-half miles in width, while a similar portion of the Indian averages less than one mile in the same feature. In the order of length and size the streams would be as follows: Skunk, emptying into the Mississippi; East In- dian, about the same length, but not so large, into the Des Moines; West Indian, into East; Squaw Creek, into Skunk, below Ames; Long Dick and Bear Creeks, in Howard Township, into Skunk; Keigley's Branch, into Skunk, in La Fayette; Walnut Creek, in Washington, and Ballard Creek, in Palestine and Union, into Skunk; Dye's Branch, in Sherman, into East Indian; Clear Creek, in New Albany, Willow and Wolf, in New Albany, and Minerva Creek, in Lincoln. All are rather sluggish, and be- come in many cases dry in seasons of drouth, while in wet seasons they are frequently over-

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STORY COUNTY.

flowed. For years the prairie grass kept them from having channels in their upper courses.

The whole county was originally prairie, except some noted groves along the larger streams-on the Skunk and on Indian Creek, below Richland Township; on Squaw; Ball- ard's Grove, on Ballard Creek; Walnut Grove, on Walnut Creek, and Center Grove, in Union, near Skunk River. These include nearly all the natural wooded land, but artificial groves can be seen on every farm now.

The heavy prairie grass, which only ex- ists in a few uncultivated quarter sections, and a very few hay fields, once covered the county to a height of many feet. This held the water in places, and made multitudes of small ponds; but cultivation and natural and artificial drain- age have reduced these very fast.

The soil is a dark prairie loam, except on the river blufflets, where sand and gravel are occa- sionally disclosed.

The chief quarries are on the Skunk, in Franklin Township, where good building stone is secured and fossils of great interest are found. As the southern limit of the drift is said to be near the north county line, drift bowlders would be naturally found, as they are chiefly in Sherman and Richland Town- ships. Occasionally lime bowlders have been used for lime.

Flowing wells are common in the north part of the county, the largest being the Watkin's well, on Section 26, La Fayette Township. This flows at a height of fifteen feet, and sup- plies a pond. These are made possible by the alternate layers of clays and quicksands. There are but few springs.

Natural gas was found in 1888, on Section 23, of Nevada Township, and is being used by the owner of the well for household purposes.

Clays for brick and tile are found in abun- dance, and of excellent quality.

The county is agriculturally rich. Its arti- ficial groves are chiefly soft maple, ash, black walnut and a few larch, all of which grow well and fast. Windbreaks are often willow, and hedges are almost entirely so. Orchards do well, but have suffered a little of late years. Apples, cherries and berries take the lead in fruit.

The importation and cultivation of blooded stock of all kinds is one of the most marked features of Story County's later industries, and for which she is happily fitted. Everybody breeds, grazes and feeds cattle and hogs, and many on large scales, while horses are also receiving marked attention. Corn and oats outstrip all the grains; and the dairy and poul - try business has assumed stupendous propor- tions of late years.

With these features, there needs but to be noticed the invigorating and healthful climate of this county and its vicinity, to recognize one of the choice portions of the choicest part of the West.

Story County is situated within the area of the lower and middle coal measures, yet, not- withstanding this fact, the efforts to mine coal therein have not reached that extent which in- sures paying returns, save in a few instances. Evidences of the existence of coal in the county have existed since the earliest times. No of- ficial showing was made until 1887, when it was reported that about 2,000 tons had been taken out that year in the county. At this date sufficient evidence is at hand to establish the probable value of the Story County coal fields. It remains for the future to develop this great industry here.

While it is true that the lower coal meas- ures constitute the surface proper of Story County, it must be understood that all this general surface is covered to a considerable depth with the drift deposit, and that only here .

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and there where streams have cut through this drift are the lower coal measures revealed. Wells and other excavations also have gone through to the underlying strata. The drift varies in depth from a few feet to several hundred feet, and has no special local charac- teristics. It is composed of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders, promiscuously intermixed.

Northwestward of Ames about three miles, in the bed and on the bank of the Skunk River, occur exposures of impure and shaly lime- stone, overlaid by softer and clayey strata. The former seems to belong to the subcarbon- iferous age and to the epoch of the St. Louis limestone. If this be true, the base of the lower coal measures must be near the surface; this would indicate that the quantity of coal likely to be found is small. But the discovery of several large mines in the county is proof that valuable fields of coal are here, and no doubt the future will abundantly substantiate this.

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa, Part 36

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed Number of Pages: 484

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 484