USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 46
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 46
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The momentne is at diferent points in the city, but the chemical engine and the princi- pal hose carriage are kept at the city engine house on Maple Street. The different com- panies were organized into one department early in 1886. The companies meet monthly and the department quarterly The chief's of the department have been successively, A. D. Temple, C. W. Fahlsing, John McCaffery, C. S. Rex and Robert Bissett. Creston has never sustained an extensive conflagration, which fact is largely owing to the efficiency of its fire department. But one city in Iowa -Waterloo-has as large a representation in the State Firemen's Association. The tele- phone system of fire alarm is now used, but an electric alarm system is contemplated.
POSTOFFICE.
Creston was made a postoffice during its first year, 1869. The postmasters since have been, by turns, E. L. Thompson, W. T. Max- well, W. Il. Cunningham, J. J. Steachnan, L. : C. Teed and S. R. Davis. Mr. Davis was appointed by President Cleveland. July 24, 1865. For the year ending Jane 39, 1885, !
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the gross receipts of the Creston oflice were $11,551.49, and expenditures. $1,304.93. or thirty-seven per cent. of the receipts. This postoffice belongs to the second class.
NEW OPERA HOUSE.
This beautiful theater, one of the finest be- tween Chicago and Denver, was creeted on Adams Street, west of the Summit House. in 1882. It is a handsome brick structure, seating 1,000 people, having that many chairs. The auditorium is on the ground floor, fur- nished with Andrew's elegant upholstered chairs, and the large and commodious gallery has not & poor scat in it. The whole is lighted by gas. A large stage, 35x60, with thirty complete sets of seenes, is suited to the requirements of the best traveling companies. It is the only theater in lowa having a "scenie artist" connected with the house. Four large dressing rooms are attached to the house, and a piano is owned by the man- agement. In connection with the house is a good dancing parlor, 50x60 feet in size. J. H. Patt is manager.
PARKS.
South Park was donated to the city, or rather dedicated to publie use, by the "town company " at the time the city was first platted. It comprises one square, and is sit- uated five squares south of the freight depot. When laid out, trees were planted, and the square surrounded by a picket fence. the first within many miles.
Lake Park is owned by the Creston lee Company, which is indirectly connected with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. Here is eut all the ice used by the railroad between Burlington and Council Bluffs, and also all the ice used in the city of Creston. The pond is made by dam- ming a creek, receives the drainage of 30,- 000 acres of land, and is itself forty-five acres in extent. The land area of the park includes the remainder of an eighty-acre tract. A.
grove of twenty-five aeres contains soft maple, eln, ash, evergreen, birch, beech, hard maple and other forest trees. A pleasant drive ex- tends around this grove, and between it and the pond are enclosures containing a very large bear, several elk, deer, antelopes, a wolf, rac- coon. coyote, etc. There is also an aviary, with an interesting collection of birds. The pond, or lake. affords facilities for boating and swimming in summer and skating in winter. Lake Park is a favorite resort for not only the Crestonians, but also Sunday- schools and other civic organization which de- sire to spend a day in recreation.
BANKS.
The first institution to receive money on deposit here or in Union County was the firm of S. II. Mallory & Co., established in 1871. They condneted a private bank until December 1, 1881, building a suitable brick block at the corner of Adams and Maple streets, where their successor, the First Na- tional Bank, now does business. This is but a re-organization or the old firm of S. II. Mallory & Co., and was effected at the date above given. The National Bank was started with a capital of $50,000. the same as now. and the following officers: S. H. Mallory, President; John S. Black, Cashier; Allen Mallory, Vice-President. The present officials are: H. S. Clarke, President; E. J. Bush, Vice-President; F. D. Ball, Cashier; T. J. Potter, A. B. Devoe. J. H. Duggan, W. K. Ball. II. S. Clarke, W. M. Scott and E. J. Bush. The annual deposits amount to about $150,000, and loans to nearly as much, the surplus fund is $5,000.
The Bank of Creston, also a private bank, was organized in February, 1875, by Benja- min Lombard, Jr., and J. L. Lombard, the latter acting as cashier. September 1, 1991, the institution was re-organized as a State bank, with B. Lombard. Jr., as President; J. L. Lombard as Vice-President: E. J. Bneh as Cashier. The capital of the concern Was
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
$50,000. July 1, 1886, the bank and its busi- ness was consolidated with the First National Baal :.
J. B. Harsh did much of the business that usually is transacted by banks from his first arrival here, in 1869. In the autumn of 1874 the firm of Harsh & Perrin was organized, for banking and loan broking, and met with great success from the start. In the latter part of 1876 Mr. Perrin retired, Mr. Ilarsh purchasing his interest, and the business was continued under the name of J. B. Harsh & Co., until the latter part of IS82, when the Creston National Bank was organized, with a capital of $100,000. J. B. Harsh has been President continnonsly to the present time; R. E. Boyer is Cashier; W. J. Donlin, Assistant Cashier; and J. B. Harsh, Ilon. F. J. Taylor, Charles Baxter, Dr. Il. I. Nance, A. E. IJarsh, A. F. Harsh, Hon. George W. Stone (nf Dringoton, Illinois), and Hon. M. A. McKey (of Mendota, Illinois), Directors. This bank is not only one of the largest mon- eyed institutions in Southern Iowa, but is one of the best managed and most profitable.
The Creston Loan and Trust Company was regularly incorporated December 20, 1882, under the laws of the State, and is designed to facilitate the supply of Eastern capital to Western farms. Loans are made to farmers within forty or fifty miles of Creston, gener- crally for five years, and in no case without the personal inspection of some one represent- ing the company. The mortgages this ob- lained are sold in the East to banks ard capitalists. 3. B. Harsh is President; A. F. ; prietor, though the paper has seen some
Harsh, Vice-President; and J. M. MeCor- mack. Secretary. The magnitude of the company's transactions is indicated by the statement that the loans now average $$5,000 1 per week. Mr. Harsh is the designer of the sneembed, as did another paper called The Denneral, started later. The most recent paper that is not now issued was the Monitor, Olgau.
they are about as convenient and safe for the investor as that model security.
The lowa State Savings Bank was organ- ized in January, 1884, by W. A. Page, C. W. Eekerson, James Griffin, Ed. Derr, J. M. Joseph, T. S. H. Dougherty and R. P. Smith, as directors, and others, stockholders. John! S. Black, also a stockholder, was elected as cashier, which position he still holds. W. A. Page, has been president from the start, and C. W. Eckerson, vice-president. There has been but one change in the dircetory- Robert Bissett takes the place of R. P. Smith (deceased). This bank has been gratifyingly successful from the start, and September 1, 1886, increased its capital from $30,000 to 850,000. The surplus is now $2,500. The deposits amount to $74, 000, and the loans and discounts to 876,000. Correspondents, First National Bank of Chicago, and the Third National Bank of New York.
PRSSS.
The first newspaper published here was the Creston Headlight, of which J. L. King was editor and proprietor. The name was subse- quently changed to the Creston Times, but the paper was short-lived. Next came the Cres- ton Journal, and the Union County Inde- pendent, both of which papers are now defunet. The Gazette is the oldest paper now published, both as a daily and a weekly. It was started in 1978, by J. B. Harsh, as a Republican weekly. the daily issue not being begun until August, 1880. Mr. Harsh is the present pro- changes of ownership, and Henry W. Lewis is business manager.
The Creston Democrat was established in 1675, and lived for some time, but finally
" coupon mortgage." which is provided with a number of interest notes, to be detached as they become due and forwarded to the proper ; published by J. W. Graves, as a Prohibition place for collection. In this respect they re- semble the United States coupon bond, and The oldest paper, after the Gazette, of the
CRESTON.
six now published at Creston is the Independ- ent American, founded in 1877, at Afton, by W. II. Robb, who moved it to Creston two years later. It is a " Greenback " or " Anti- Monopoly " weekly. The Advertiser was . started as a weekly by S. A. Brewster, July 1, 1879. It was first circulated free, and later put on a subscription basis. The daily issue was begun December 5, 1881. Mr. Brewster is still proprietor of the Advertiser, which is independent in politics. The Creston Com- monwealth was founded October 19, 1882, by A. P. Leach, under the name of the Com- moner. It is now published by S. R. Davis, the postmaster, and is a Democratie weekly. Every Sunday Morning is a society weekly, three years old, published by Leens & Water- man. The Workingman's Advocate is now in its second year, and is the official organ of the Knights of Labor.
PROFESSIONAL MEN.
The first lawyer to reside here was A. H. Sluss, who came in 1869, the first year of the city's existence, and remained five years. Others have since come and gone with con- fusing frequeney. The roll of resident prac- titioners in 1SS6 includes J. F. McCormack, George P. Wilson, J. B. Harsh, John A. Patterson, D. W. Higbee, J. M. Locke, James W. McDill, Sullivan Bros., R. II. Hannalı. John M. Hayes, James G. Bull, T. L. Max- ; each. These added six rooms to the manber well, W. A. Spurrier, Judson L. Wicks, C. R. Leonard, W. J. Locke, J. H. Copahuffer and N. B. Robertson.
The first physician here was named Stetson. De remained but a short time. The present physicians are: J. B. Wilson, W. H. Christie, H. I. Nance, B. N. Torrey, G. W. Fellows, J. D. Reynolds, J. A. Rawls, Edwin Schif- ferle and White. of the regular school, and A. J. Myers, hon.eopathie.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
For some time after Creston's prosperity was assured, the school were furnished only ! toruivaties of which time the condition of
temporary, or rented quarters. Little progress was made until 1476. At that time there were in nse a two-story building with four rooms, at the corner of Mills and Elm streets, a one-story frame on South Enn street, and two rented rooms besides, making eight rooms in all. The enrollment was then 451.
In that year, 1876, Prof. II. W. Myers was engaged as superintendent of the city schools, and to him is due the chief credit for raising the school system to a high degree of efficiency. Aided by J. B. Harsh, C. J. Colby, Rev. T. V. Berry and others, the schools were organized in every particular, and a course of study framed, which is sub- stantially the one now in use. The course in- elndes twelve years, and is divided into three grades-Primary, Grammar and High. Pupils are prepared for any ordinary college course. Latin and German are both pursued. In this come your, 1978, the first brick buildings were erected here for school purposes. They were two in number, built from the same de- sign, at a cost of $10,000 each. These for- nished eight additional rooms, and yet although the former quarters were still used except those that had been rented, when the schools opened in Jannary, 1877, every room was filled. In 1853 two more brick school- houses were erected in the west and cast parts of town respectively, at a cost of $15,000
previously in use. Two frame buildings were also constructed in the southeast and north- west parts of the city. These contain two rooms, and cost 82,000 each. The total cost of the publie-school buildings has therefore been $65,000. The Catholic school. which is mentioned in connection with the account of St. Malachy's Church, cost $10.000, and the German parochial school $1, 000 : so that the totil school property in Creston has involved an expenditure of $76,000.
Professor Myers remained in charge of the schools continuously for eight years, at the
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
the schools is shown, by the following brief statistical statement : Persons of school age, 2,10S; males, 987; females, 1,121; enroll- ment, 1,706 ; average monthly enrollment, 1,150: average number belonging, 1,004 ; average daily attendance, 965; average daily absence, 67; average number tardy, 7.6; per cent. of punctuality. 99.5 ; per cent. of at- tendance. 92; number in Catholic school, 170; number in German school, 30; per cent. of population in school, 26.3.
For the past two years the schools have been in charge of Prof. H. B. Larrabce. The present School Board includes, Robert Bissett (President), James Griffin, A. E. Keith, C. W. Stanchfield, H. Newman and George Anracher. Albert Leens is Secretary and W. M. Scott, Treasurer. The graduates from the high school now number seventy-three, and are distributed through the different years as follows : 1878, 4; 1879. 21: 18S0, 6 : 1881. S. 1883, 6; 1884, 8; 1885, 9; 1886, 11.
There was no graduating class in 1882.
The corps of teachers for 1886-'7 is as follows:
Principal of high school. O. E. French; assistants in high school, Mrs. S. E. J. Sawyer and Mande Gregory; teachers in grammar and primary departments, Mrs. Gertrude Wheeler, Etta Tourney, Alice Groves, Mrs. I. J. Horrell, 'Helen Mellwrick, Alice Sample, Hattie Veitch, Jennie Me- Eachran, Anna Maroney, Mattie Groves, Lizzie Hayes, Myra La Rue, Nellie Jordau, Maggie Vincent, May Duggan, Hilda Loens, Ina Skinner, Daisy La Rue. Anna Dobbs and Theresa Tracy.
CHURCHES.
Creston does not as yet possess many attractive church buildings, but has made a start in that direction, and cannot long remain behind. There are at present fourteen church organizations, twelve of which have houses of worship.
St. Maluchy's (Roman Catholic) Chyres.
-The first mass at Creston was said in the shanty of M. Meskil (a section foreman on the railroad, which was then being con- structed) in 1868, by Rev. B. P. MeMcnomy, then of Melrose, but now of Conneil Bhiffs. Shortly thereafter he, in connection with James D. Duggan, since deceased, secured from the company a donation of two lots, on which to erect a church. At this time the interests of the church here were weak and the county was a mission field, supplied first, as . above stated, by Father MeMenomy, and, after his removal to Council Bluffs, by Rev. Fathers Malone, Mckeon, Banman and others, under whose several administrations the con- gregation grew in number and influence, and creeted a comfortable church on their lots.
In 1873 Very Rev. Augustine Burns, O. S. B., fixed his residence at Creston, from which point he attended the surrounding missions, assisted hy Rer. Placidas Mckeever, O. S. B. A small parsonage, one story in height, wax erected about this time. Possessed in a large degree of executive talent, energy and inilu- ence, he 'proceeded at once to develop his plans, secured an eligible site and started east on important business connected with his work, but proceeded no further than Burling- ton, where he was suddenly stricken and died, inch regretted.
The pastorate remained vacant for some time, but was finally filled by Very Rev. Eugene Phelan, O. S. B. He remained until 1883, and during his ministration the small framne church, which had been built in the early days of Creston, was enlarged by an ad- dition 30 x 24 feet in dimensions. In 1880 a handsome brick school building was erected, the grounds costing about $1,500, and the building $8,500.
Very Rev. Stephen Lyons, O. S. B., suc- ceeded Father Phelan in 1883. and is now in charge. Since coming here he has nearly paid an indebtedness of $6,000, which bo found on the school-house, and has put a fence around the parish cemetery, the ground for
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which had been purchased by Father Phelan. The parsonage has been raised to two stories in height, and a foundation put under it. making virtually a new building. This cost about $2,000. These improvements alone would mark the administration of Father Lyons as a successful one, but the crowning work of his pastorate is the construction of a new brick church, which was begun in the spring of 1885, and will cost, when completed. probably $25,000. The building fronts on Clarke Street. and is 140 feet from front to rear, fifty-five feet wide, and 135 feet high to the top of the cross which will surmount the tower. The seating capacity will be 750. The auditorium will be used some time in 1887.
The growth of the congregation has more than kept pace with that of the city, and it now comprises 170 families, 120 of whom reside in towh, and ifiy in the sunvunding couuuj. Creston is the headquarters of the Order of Saint Benedict in Iowa, and Father Lyons is the local superior of the same. The members of this order have so far chiefly devoted them. selves to missionary work, but hope to start a school for highereducation at this place. At present the only school is the parochial. where 175 pupils receive elementary instrne- tion from the Benedictine Sisters. The Sis- ters own half a block some seven blocks southeast of the church, and have a convent and academy. The buildings are not of such a permanent character as it is hoped soon to erect. Eight Sisters are now here. and there are four candidates preparing for admission.
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Father Lyons is a native of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, having been born at Latrobe, in that county, November 4. 1851. He passed his boyhood on the fare. which his father tilled, and at the age of fifteen entered St. Vincent's College. in Westmore- land County. In this institution he devoted thirteen years to preparation for his life work. and was then ordained. He was first sent to St. Mary's College, Gaston County. North.
Carolina, to assist as professor. At the ex- piration of six months he was appointed president of the institution, which office he held for nearly three years, when he was sent to Creston, Iowa. Here, for over a year, he assisted Father Phelan, and in 1883, as before mentioned. he was given full charge of the work at this important place. That he is well fitted for the service of the church is attested by his long and thorough preparation for it aud by the brilliant record he has made during his brief pastorate here.
The First Congregational. Church .- The first sermon ever preached in Creston by a minister of any Protestant denomination was preached by Rev. Robert Hunter, pastor of the Congregational church of Nevinville, the last of November or first of December, 1869. Hle slept. Saturday night, on the counter of Mr. Cresswell's store, and on Sunday morn- ing he hell religious services and preached the gospel there. The building is now used as a residence, 202 East Union Street.
By the labors of Rev. J. W. Picket, Home Missionary Superintendent of Southern Iowa, the church was organized by a council held in the Public Library hall, January 28, 1873. There were but seven members, five women and two men. Rev. N. M. Calhoun, from Yale Theological Seminary, was the first pas. tor, serving this church and that at Nevin on alternate Sabbaths. Under his efficient lead- ership the church grew to a membership of thirty-five. The chapel. costing with lo: and furnish !! _ s about $1.700. was dedicated free of debt .June 14, 1974. Its successful com- pletion was largely due to the energy and good management of one of the trustees, Mr. A. P. Child. It seats over 200, and is a very plain but very plea-ant house of worship. Mr. Calhoun was very popular, and his resigna- tion was deeply regretted.
His successor, Rev. Nathan II. Whittlesey, was born in New Preston, Litchfield County, Connecticut, Apcit 13, 1818. He attended school ard worked on his father's farmi antil
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
September, 150G, when he went to Hopkins Grammer School. New Haven, for a year, preparing for Vale. He graduated with honor from Yale College in IS71, and from the Yale Theological Seminary in 1875. On invitation of Rev. Mr. Calhoun he became his successor, June 12. 1875. Ile was ordained by council October 1, 1875. June 29, 1876, he married Miss Harriet W. Newell, of Mew Haven, Connecticut, whose assistance has been invaluable to the church and community. The present pastorate is now in its twelfth year. The membership has increased to abont 200. largely by con- versions from the world. The congregation contribute annually about $1,700 for home expenses inchvling Sunday-schools, and $500 for missionary and benevolent objects. They have bought and paid for a lot, coiner Mont- gomery and Division streets, and have funds amounting to over $2, 000 temel the creation of a new church. Old and young are well organized for the different departments of church work. The ladies have an efficient aid society; the young people conduct a young people's meeting, and a literary and social society known as the Round Table. There are three missionary societies, for ladies, misses and children. In addition to the home Sunday-school of abont 150 members. this church conducts the Mayflower Sunday- school, in the Pine Street Opera House, and furnishes some of the officers and teachers for three schools in the country. Besides its own work this church has always been among the foremost in all union philanthropic and re- form movements, such as the Young Men's Christian Association, temperance, and the care of the poor.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- Rev. M. Mitchell was the first minister of the Method- ist Episcopal church who preachel regularly in Creston. Services were held in a room on Adams street. formeriy occupied as a bakery. 1
weare. Ile organized the first Methodist Epis- eopal church, and started the enterprise of building a house of worship, which was snc- cessfully prosecuted. The present comfort- able editice, built at a cost of $2,200, at the corner of Maple and Clarke streets, is a mon- nment of the energy and devotion of the small society of that day, under his leader- ship. Dr. U. P. Golliday filled the pulpit & part of the following year with ability, and the time till conference was filled by Revs. Avery and W. J. Presson. The latter was returned by the ensuing conference, and left a permanent record in the ercetion of a good and commodious parsonage, costing $1,500. In November, 1875, Rev. A. J. Andreas be- gan his pastorate, and continued it with suc- cess for one year. He was succeeded in November, 1876, by Rev. A. Brown. Rev. G. P. Bennett was here from 1877 to 1879 ; RE :. I. T. B. Sc, 1873-31 ; Ne. C. W. Blod- gett, 1881-'3; Rev. W. F. Harned, 1888-'4, and Rev. W. JI. Rees, the present pastor, came here in the antuin of 1884.
During the pastorate of Rev. P. F. Bresee the church building was enlarged by the con- struction of a wing on either side. Its seating capacity is now 500. In 1887 it is proposed to build a $10,000 brick church on North Elin street.
The first members were five in number: A. S. Golden. O. Lineberger, J. W. Graves, E. E. Clark and E. Gumerree. Of these, O. Lineberger still resides at Creston. At the end of Mr. Rees' second year the member- ship was sixty. Now it has reached the gratifying number of 370.
The stewards of the church now are: Rev. J. Gib-on, D.D., C. S. Striker. W. H. Arnold, T. A. Heinley, I. B. Jordan. W. M. Munson, A. J. Rawls, M.D. and George Holcomb. The trustees are: John Gibson, C. E. Antenreith, E. II. Sain. W. M. Boyles, J. C. Wallace, J. M. Davis. A. J. Webber and J. C. Smith. R. A. Hogaboom is superintendent of the Sunday-
In the fall of 1871 lev. W. J. W. Rees began his pastorate, which costineed for two school, which has an attendance of 220. Dur-
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ing the past year $629 was contributed for benevolences, making it the banner church, in that line of work, in the conference of Southwestern Iowa.
The Presbyterian Church was organized in February, 1876. with ten members. The pastor regularly called and installed was Rev. C. H. De Long. who remained until November, 1881. Then atter four weeks Rev. J. B. ! Welty eame to Creston. Though never in- stalled as pastor. he filled the pulpit until March 1, 1886. For the next six months the church had occasional supplies, but commenc- ing September 1, 1880. Rev. Dr. W. E. Hamilton, of Afton, was engaged. The society has a brick church at the corner of Adams street and New York avenue, built in 1880-'1, at a cost of $8,000. It is well furnished, and will seat 200. Previons to the erection of this edifice a rented hall was used. The present membership vi the church is about ninety. The Sunday-school is equipped with a good library, and has an attendance of 120. The trustees of the church are: W. M. Kelley, President; John M. Hays, Secretary; James W. MeDill, Dr. A. J. Myers and D. HI. Hamilton. The elders are: Prof. H. B. Larrabee; Clerk of the Session, William Mc- Clure, D. HI. Ham, Andrew Dobbs and John M. Hays.
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