USA > Iowa > Cherokee County > Biographical history of Cherokoe County, Iowa : Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each ; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state ; engravings of prominent citizens in Cherokee County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the county, the cities, and townships > Part 37
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In August, 1889, the officers of this chap- ter were as follows: P. M. Price, Most Ex- cellent High Priest; Thomas McCulla, King; Edward Morrison, Seribe; G. A. Johnson, Treas .; J. A. Risley, Sec .; W. B. Chick, C. of H .; Joseph S. Green, P. S .; Charles Nichol- son, R. A. Capt .; Orson Gage, M. of 3d V .; David Bates, M. of 2d V .; John McDonald, M. of 1st V .; James Payton, Sentinel.
Crusade Commandery No. 39, Knights Templar, at Cherokee, Iowa, was first worked under dispensation, October 19, 1881, by a charter membership of ten, their charter be-
ing granted them December 15, 1881. The first officers were: Sir Kt. A. F. Meservey, E. C .; Sir Kt. Charles T. Streeves, G. G .; Sir Kt. C. A. Dow, G'n .; Sir Kt. Cyrus W. Turton, Prelate; Sir Kt. James O'Donnell, Treas .; Sir Kt. W. A. Rankin, Rec .; Sir Kt. William B. Chick, S. W .; Sir Kt. Joseph S. Green, J. W .; Sir Kt. John P. Rankin, S. B .; Sir Kt. R. J. Smyth, St. B .; Sir Kt. J. H. Burlingame, Warder; Sir Kt. Sewell Worth- ley, Sentinel.
The commandery is now in a flourishing condition, having a membership of sixty- seven. The officers at this date, 1889, are: Sir Kt. William B. Chick, E. C .; Sir Kt. John P. Rankin, G'u .; Sir Kt. George A. Johnson, C. G .; Sir Kt. J. H. Burlingame, Prelate; Sir Kt. James O'Donnell, T .; Sir Kt. J. A. Risley, Rec .; Sir Kt. J. S. Green S. W .; Sir Kt. Edward Morrison, J. W .; Sir Kt. G. Frank Millard, St. B .; Sir Kt. J. G., Reigel, Sw'd B .; Sir Kt. Thomas McCulla, Warder; Sir Kt. H. A. Skavlen, Sentinel.
Odd Fellows' Lodge, No. 188, at Cherokee, Iowa, was instituted October 20, 1870, by the following charter membership: J. C. Hubbard, L. E. Scofield, William Snell, Will- iam Stoughton, J. D. Blake, G. W. McCoon, Z. P. Herrick.
The first officers elected were: J. C. Hub- bard, N. C .; L. E. Scofield, V. C .; William Stoughton, Treas .; William Snell, Sec. The officers serving in August, 1889, were: A. Polkenhorn, N. G .; Lot Reader, V. G .; H. H. Simmons, Treas .; W. Pelton, Sec.
The lodge is in a flourishing condition and numbers forty-three. The order has money loaned ont at interest, and will probably build in the near future. They lease a plainly fur- nished hall at present. Some of the best business men in Cherokee are members of this brotherhood.
Ancient Order of United Workmen
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
(Loyal), Lodge No. 197, at Cherokee, Iowa, was organized July 11, 1879, with twenty- two charter members, which at one time reached over forty, but to-day has dropped to thirty-six.
The principal object and aim of this or- ganization is the matter of life insurance it affords at a reasonably low rate. However, it has charitable and benevolent features, which are indeed most praiseworthy. Among its members may be found the best business men and laborers of the State. Its workings are on the mutual plan and its insurance limited to $2,000.
The present officers of the order are: A. II. Smith, P. M. W .; A. B. Ross, M. W .; Charles Carrott, Foreman; Charles A. Black, Overseer; F. E. Whitmore, Rec .; J. A. Ris- ley, Fin .; R. H. Scribner, Rec ; G. A. Jolin- son, Guide; G. P. Lester, I. W .; Cyrus Snyder, O. W.
Knights of Pythias, Xenophon Lodge, No. 158, was instituted in August, 1885, with a charter membership of twenty At one time this lodge numbered ninety, but on account of removals now has a membership of seventy-five. It is in a very healthy and prosperous condition, having one of the best located and most elegantly furnished lodge rooms in the Northwest. The first few months this order met at the Odd Fellows' rooms, after which they fitted up their own hall, in the Vandercook Block, on West Main street. The first elective officers were: E. E. Crady, P. C .; T. S. Ingersoll, C. C .; Dr. J. A. Sherman, V. C .; F. P. Weber, M. at A .; C. E. Moore, K. of R. & S .; J. H. Jones, Prelate. The present elective officers are: Dr. J. T. Sherman, C. C .; J. W. Stabler, V. C .; F. P. Weber, M. at A .; C. E. Moore, K. of R. & S .; J. II. Butts, M. of F .; W. G. Boughton, M. of Exc .; C. B. Huxford, Prelate.
This order also sustains a Uniform Rank
Division, instituted by E. E. Hibben, of Mar- shalltown, Iowa. The officers are: R. M. Smith, Captain; C. E. Moore, 1st Lieutenant ; C. B. Huxford, 2d Lientenant.
This division, which belongs to the Third Regiment, is honored by two regimental offi- cers-Dr. J. A. Sherman, Surgeon, and J. H. Butts, as Major. At the competitive drill at the Sioux City Corn Palace, they were pre- sented with an elegant sword.
This Knights of Pythias lodge is composed of the best young and middle-aged mnen of Cherokee, and is fast increasing in numbers and efficient work, being second to few in this part of Iowa.
BUILDERS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION.
This enterprise was established in 1885, with the anthorized capital of $300,000. The ontstanding stock is now $140,000. The first officers of the concern were: A. F. Meservey, President; R. H. Scribner, Vice- President; Charles E. Moore, Secretary; W. A. Sanford, Treasurer. The present officers are the same as above, except that of presi- dent, which place is now filled by C. Hall.
In building up a new town in an undevel- oped conntry, it is found alinost a necessity to have some such organized body, by which men of limited means may erect houses for them- selves, and yet not be obliged to pay a high rate of interest. This association, in common with others in Iowa, is doing a very success- ful business, making money for the stock- holders, and at the same time materially aiding others in providing comfortable homes for themselves instead of paying ont large amounts annually for rents.
Grand Army of the Republic, Custer Post, No. 25, at Cherokee, was first organized April 2, 1880, by the following charter member- ship: Rufus H. Duncan, R. H. Gross, D. S. Ring, G. E. Fisher, E. W. Norton, II. J.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Mc Manus, Frank Campbell, John Glidden‹ L. A. Hunter, J. W. Crippen, W. O. Stevens, J. M. Starbuck, R. M. Smith, Martin Har- rington. A. D. Reed, W. B. Chick, Charles Derby, S. F. Russell, B. W. Seeley, R. Lar- kin, M. Baumgardner, Elias Duber, D. J. Gates, D. Layton, Jerry Hitchcock, W. E. Hitchcock, William Nettleton, Francis A. Gere, Benjamin P. Crowther, Henry Assman, Newton Eatherton.
The first Commander was Major R. M. Smith. The first post, like many another in Iowa, did not hold together long; but in 1883 it was re-organized and re-chartered, under the same name and number as the original post. The last Commander under the old organization was B. W. Seeley. Un- der the new charter the Commanders have been comrades L. A. Huuter, Elias Duber and George W. Lebourveau.
At one time the post numbered 100 ex- soldiers, but now consists of about seventy. The post, with the kindred order, "Sons of Veterans," has recently purchased and re- fitted the old Baptist Church, and are now provided with an excellent post hall, and it is believed from now on the order will flour- ish and the camp-fires be brightly burning until the last call shall be made from the ranks of those who wore the loyal blue from 1861 to 1865.
The present officers are: George W. Le- bourveau, Com .; D. Layton, S. Vice; Will. iam Johns, J. Vice; Orson Gage, Quarter- master; B. I. MeQuinn, Chapl .; D. P. His- cock, O. D .; J. O. Edwards, O. G .; Dr. R. L. Cleaves, Surg .; Jerry Foster, Guard; M. Baumgardner, Adj. The offices of Sergeant- Major and Quartermaster-Sergeant are now vacant.
Sons of Veterans, Camp Coulter, No. 184, received its charter June 20, 1889, contain- ing a membership of the following named,
who were sons of veterans who served in the great Civil War:
C. L. Wilson, E. D. Titchenor, Sherman Langley, G. F. Casey, Austin Barns, Charles Davenport, William Dixon, Charles P. Knapp, D. A. Knapp, Frank Foster, John Foster, Burt Hitchcock, J. H. Sinkey, John R. Hitchcock, L. W. Irwin, A. J. Butts, Wilton Lathrop, F. L. Blake, William L. Miller, A. R. Beal, HI. S. Chatterton, Lundy Faus, W. D. Rowe, S. S. Williams.
This camp was named in honor of Colonel Coulter, of Pennsylvania. It was mustered by Captain J. B. Dunn, of Sheldon, O'Brien County, Iowa, who was both a soldier and a son of a soldier.
The officers of Camp Coulter are: W. L. Miller, Capt .; A. R. Beal, 1st Lieut .; C. L. Wilson, 2d Lient .; E. D. Titchenor, 1st S .; D. A. Knapp, S. of G .; Charles P. Knapp, Q. M. S .; John R. Hitchcock, Corp. of G .; Frank Foster, Color S .; W. D. Rowe, Chap .: J. H. Sinkey, Camp G .; A. B. Barns, Picket G .; E. D. Titclienor, Chief Musician. They meet the first and third Saturday evenings of each month, at Custer Post (G. A. R.) Hall.
The following invitation was sent out, re- questing attendance at the Reunion to be held at Cherokee, September 19, 20 and 21, 1889:
Soldiers and Sailors and Camps of Sons of Veterans are most cordially invited to at- tend the Reunion to be held at Cherokee, Iowa, September 19 to 21, inclusive.
Upon arrival here each soldier or member of said camps registering and paying $1 will receive a ticket for rations during the Reunion.
Tents and dishes will be furnished. Please bring your blankets with you, and by the aid of Custer Post, the Camp of Sons of Vet- erans, and the citizens of Cherokee City and county, we hope to make this the best reunion we have ever had.
O. GAGE, M. BAUMGARDNER,
Com. on Invitation.
.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
Although this is comparatively a new order, yet with the ranks of the veterans being thinned by an annual death rate of over 60,000, the time is near at hand when the sons of these soldiers will be all who will be left as a living testimony of those who sacrificed limb and life on the altar of their country from 1861 to 1865.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The first settlers of Cherokee being of Puritanic stock, they were of a cultured and religious sentiment, which has been as " leaven to the whole Inmp," and the moral and re- ligious element has ever predominated, which in a great measure accounts for the good order and civility of her inhabitants. A God-fear- ing are usually a law-abiding people. The many finely furnished and well attended churches attest the fact of Cherokee being a religious city. The following described are the religious societies of the place:
The Congregational Church was formed in 1870. Rev. J. R. Upton, one of the original seven ministers of this faith who came to Iowa at a very early date and com- inenced missionary work, and better known as " Father Upton," of Spirit Lake, was the first one to visit Cherokee County. He be- gan work as missionary in 1869, and June 5, 1870, he appointed a meeting, preliminary in character, at Hazzard, now called Meriden. It seemed to be the sense of the meeting to organize a church, consequently the meeting was adjourned to meet June 12, the next week, at Cherokee, in the old court-liouse, where the following persons united them- selves as the charter members of the First Congregational Church of Cherokee, Iowa: Calvin Bushnell, Mrs. Mary Bushnell, Henry Bushnell, Mrs. Sophia Bushnell, James A. Henderson, Mrs. Angelina Henderson, Mrs. E. E. Kellogg and Dr. Royal L. Cleaver.
The following Sabbath four more were added: Lyman Pierce, Mrs. Phoebe Pierce, James W. Coombs and Mrs. Lucretia Coombs.
Calvin Bushnell was the first deacon, Dr. Cleaver was the first church clerk, and Rev. William F. Rose, sent by the Home Mission- ary Society, took charge as pastor of the new church.
In the fall of 1873, having tired of hold- ing services in all sorts of places, it was deemed best to build a house of worship of their own; so a frame edifice, 34 x 50 feet, was built, at an expense of about 84,000. This was dedicated March 22, 1874, by Rev. John Morley, of Sioux City, assisted by Rev. D. D. Frost, of Le Mars, and Rev. W. L. Coleman, of Spencer.
Later on a lecture-roomn was added and other improvements made, making the total cost of the present church and its furnishing about 86,000. The building still stands and is well preserved. It is indeed a monument to the faith and good works of a devoted Christian people, who are steadily aiding in the work of bettering man's condition. The design of this church edifice is unique and somewhat attractive, having beautifully stained windows, somne of which are em- blematic and memorial of those gone to the "church triumphant." It is heated by for- nace and nicely seated and carpeted. A bell weighing 1,300 pounds was placed in the belfry in November, 1881. The church has a capacity for seating about 500 people.
The following have served as pastors: Rev. W. F. Rose (sent by the Home Missionary Society); Rev. Fayette Hurd, who served two and a half years and was succeeded by Rev. F. M. Cooley, who remained until October. 1879. Then Rev. James B. Chase, who con- tinued with the church four years. Next was Rev. Charles II. Bissell, followed by Rev.
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
W. A. Evans, who remained two years and five months and was succeeded by Rev. W. L. Ferris, the present pastor.
The present (1889) officers are as follows: Pastor, Rev. W. L. Ferris; Clerk, F. E. Whit- more; Treasurer, James O'Donnell; Finance Committee, G. T. Foster, J. H. Burlingame, Mrs. James Archer, Mrs. S. A. Brownslow; Trustees, R. H. Scribner, J. A. Risley, J. H. Burlingame; Deacons, J. P. Dickey, J. A. Risley, W. H. Alford; Ushers, W. J. Coakes, Will Rigby ; Choir Leader, Mrs. R. A. Lewis. The present membership is 164. The society purchased a parsonage in July, 1889, at a cost of $1,800, a portion of which they still owe, but aside from that no debt stands against the church property.
Besides the regular church work, a great outpouring of the spirit blessed this people, in a revival series of meetings conducted by Revs. C. F. Clapp, of Yankton, Dakota, and Charles Herold, of Chicago, Illinois, in the spring of 1886. It was the largest special meeting ever held in Cherokee County and resulted in over 100 conversions, forty uniting with the church soon after the close of the meeting, the good results of which are felt in this eity to-day.
A successful Sunday-school has always been fostered by this church. The annual report for the year ending January 1, 1889, gave a membership of 212; an average attendance of 140. The total amount of money raised by the school during 18SS was $175.
We come now to speak of a remarkable lib- erality shown upon the part of the Congre. gational people of Cherokee, together with those who, from time to time, worship with them. The following is a transcript of their
BENEVOLENT OFFERINGS FOR 1888:
American Board of Foreign Missions. . $132 66 College and Educational So .. 75
American Congregational Union . . . 174
66 Home Miss'y & lowa H. M. So. 512
Missionary Association. .... 206
Congregational S. S. and Publishing So. 80 New West Educational Commission . 54 All other charities. 190
$1,423
Aside from this $1,364 were raised for the pastor and other expenses.
A prosperous Sabbath-school has always materially aided this church. It now num- bers about 150. The officers are five in num- ber: R. H. Scribner, Superintendent; Otto C. Bechmann, Assistant; Will Rigby, Secre- tary; Mabel Carrott, Treasurer; Will John- sou, Librarian. Fourteen teachers are regu- larly present to instruct the classes.
The auxiliary societies to this church are as follows: Young People's Society of Chris- tian Endeavor, whose officers are: Alice Bal- lard, President; Will H. Bowen, Vice-Presi- dent; Will E. Rigby, Secretary; Lney Fobes, Treasurer; M. Ada Coakes, Secretary and Treasurer of Missionary Department.
The present officers of the Woman's For- eigu Missionary Society are: Mrs. C. E. Wellman, President; Mrs. R. Il. Scribner, Secretary and Treasurer.
The officers of the Ladies' Aid Society are: Mrs. J. P. Dickey, President; Mrs. S. A. Brownslow, Vice-President; Mrs. F. E. Whit- more, Secretary and Treasurer.
St. John's (Mission) Episcopal Church was founded at Cherokee, by Bishop Lee, about 1873. In 1877 the society erected a brick church on the corner of Euclid avenue and Fountain street, which is 21 x 38 feet and cost abont §1,500. A clergyman served this people two years, Rev. L. D. Brainard, now located at Glenwood, Iowa. The remainder of the time this church organization has been supplied by different clergymen who have re-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
mained a short time each. At present there is no regular pastor. The society now num- bers about thirty communicants.
The first officers of St. John's Mission were: C. E. P. Hobart, Warden; H. D. Wal- rath, Secretary; George W. Rising, Treas- urer. The last two mentioned have removed and Mr. Hobart is the only remaining official. This branch of the Episcopal Church is under George W. Cornell, of Sioux City, Iowa, who hopes soou to supply this church with a clergy- inau.
The Children of Zion Church was founded by John Paterson at Cherokee, in 1880. Of this church denomination and its doctrine, the great masses, even of professed Chris- tians, know bnt little. They differ from the First Day Adventists only in the pre-exist- ence of Christ and in the mode of baptism. They are a very devout people who came out from the Adventist Church about 1869. Their headquarters are at Grand Rapids, Michigan. It first originated in Boston and at present time is represented, in small num- bers, in nearly every State in the Union. The officers of this church are elders and deacons, also local elders, who officiate in the elder's absence. At Cherokee they erected a neat frame church, in 1884, which cost $4,000. It is 30 x 50 feet and stands just northeast of the public school grounds.
At one time the membership was ninety, but at present about eighty, a great portion of whom reside in the surrounding country. They hold services each Sabbath as well as at various times during the week. Their pastor, John Paterson, who is elder, does a large amount of missionary work at different points in the Northwest. A Suuday-school is sus- tained in connection with the regular church work, and one of the virtues of the sect is its teachings against the use of tobacco.
The Roman Catholic Church at this point
was formed in a very early day, by a few de- vont members, who for years were under the guidance of the resident priest at Sioux City. Services were held for a time at private houses, school-houses and public halls, but finally, in 1873, a frame structure, which served for the time being, was erected on Main street. Its cost was about $1,000; the same was sold in 1879, in which year they built a brick-faced church edifice of better design and more spacious. This is situated ou West Main street, and cost the congrega- tion about $6,000. This has served well until now, but with the growth of the church and the general prosperity of both the city and adjoining country, where reside many of its members, the society feels that it is appro- priate that a finer building, giving better accommodations, should be erected ; and doubtless this will be accomplished in the near future.
They now own one block, comprising twenty lots, on the hill near the public-school building, and are at present laying by a fund for building purposes. It is their design to have church, school and parsonage on the same grounds.
The present priest, Father Saunders, pre- sides here and also at the country church in Sheridan Township.
The Cherokee Church now numbers about fifty families.
THE FIRST QUARTERLY MEETING IN THE COUNTY.
The Methodist Episcopal Church held their first quarterly meeting in Cherokee County, at MeLeau's Hotel, commencing January 29, 1871. There were two services-one in the. forenoon and one in the evening "at early candle lighting," the notice read; however, the writer does not think a candle was to be seen in the town!
Presiding Elder Rev. Mitchell, of Sioux
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
City, conducted thie services and spoke, both morning and evening.
The following Monday, Jannary 30, 1871, the church at Cherokee was organized, Revs. Mitchell and Binks officiating on that occa- sion. The seven Trustees elected were: C. E. P. Hobart, D. McKay, C. H. Lewis, J. R. Rice, H. A. Fife and Messrs. Canfield and Crooks.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, at Cherokee, was formed by Revs. Mitchell and Binks, January 30, 1871, and a contract was let to C. Foster in the sum of $1,275, to erect a chinreh edifice-the first of the town. The same was to be finished the following Octo- ber. This was a frame house situated on Main and Sixth streets, and was 24 x 40 feet and fourteen feet high. In 1878 an addition was built to the original structure, costing $1,500. But as the town increased in size, larger and better accommodations were needed and the old building was sold in 1888 and a magnificent edifice erected on the old site- upon the hill, west of the railroad track and opposite the public square. This building is of solid brick work and has a comfortable seating capacity of 700 people. It is heated by furnace from below, and finely furnished in modern style. The design of the build- ing, similar to one now being erected in Sionx City, was taken from the Church Extension Plan, Number " thirty." It is indeed a sightly church building, an honor to the Methodist people, as well as an ornament to the city. Its cost was $10,000, which with the remainder of the church property is valned at 812.000. A parsonage was provided in 1886, costing 81,500; this is situated next to the church and is a commodious residence. The present membership is nearly 200, most of whom reside in the city.
By reference to the records it is found the following were officers of the church when i
first organized: William A. Canfield, Orange S. Wight, C. Crooks, C. H. Lewis, W. H. Fife, W. E. Hitchcock, Daniel McKay, C. E. P. Hobart and Charles Foster, Trustees.
The pastors are here given in the order in which they served this charge: Rev. Binks, Rev. H. T. Curl, Rev. Jas. Williams, Rev. Bachelor, Rev. R. W. Thornberg, Rev. F. M. Cooley, Rev. R. C. Glass, Rev. H. D. Brown, Rev. F. W. Brown, Rev. R. H. Dolliver, Rev. Robert Smylie-present pastor.
The present Board of Trustees are: N. L. Smith, H. P. Shedd, C. Snyder, J. H. Wade, L. C. Boughton, C. H. Stevens, Daniel Un- ger, F. W. Jackson and Mrs. L: A. Chapman.
DEDICATORY SERVICES.
The dedicatory services of the Methodist Episcopal Church began on Saturday, Janu- ary 17, 1872, and lasted over the Sabbath. Rev. J. Brashear, of O'Brien, preached fromn Luke xvii : 22. On Sunday the church was full to overflowing. Rev. T. M. Williams, of Fort Dodge, preached from 1st Cor. x : 24. On the platform were Revs. Mitchell, Brash- ear, Curl and Darley. Rev. W. F. Rose led the choir. A statement made before the an- dience gave the total cost of the church as $1,199. At the time abont $650 were nul- provided for, but within a few minutes it was pledged, and the formal dedication took place. This was the first church to be dedi- cated within the county, clear of debt by the liberality of the people, who, proud of the altar erected to the Father of all, irrespective of sect or party, aided the good work.
The dedicatory services of the present church building were held February 10, 1889. The occasion was presided over by Rev. William Fawcett, D. D., of Chicago. At that date a debt was paid off, by pledges, to the amount of $3,800.
The First Presbyterian Church of Chero-
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HISTORY OF CHEROKEE COUNTY.
kee was organized in the spring of 1870, by a membership of ten persons, with Rev. A. M. Darley as pastor. For a short time serv- ices were held at private houses and at pub- lic halls, school buildings, etc., but upon the completion of the Methodist Church, all de- nominations had a home in which to worship. In 1871 a church edifice was erected on West Main street which cost 84,000. It was 24 x 40 feet, and elegantly built and furnished. To this structure was added, in 1884, an ad- dition 36 x 40 feet, costing 84,000. At this time opera chairs were furnished for seats and a furnace placed in the basement, by which the building is heated. Stained glass adorns the windows and the general furnishings are tasteful and appropriate. As the building now stands it has a seating capacity of 350 exclusive of the lecture room, which holds still another hundred, making a total seating capacity of 450. This is a sort of a memorial building, as it was the first dedicated after the union of the Old and New School Pres- byterians in the United States.
This church has been presided over by the following pastors: Rev. A. M. Darley, three years; Rev. W. T. McAdams, about five years; Rev. George Knox, and the present pastor, Rev. John Mac Allister, who came in 1886.
The present church officers are: Rev. John Mac Allister, Pastor; A. B. Ross, Robert Hall Thomas H. Steele, John McDonald, John Thompson and James Robertson, Elders; A. B. Ross, J. C. Wilson and David White, Trustees.
A very well conducted Sabbath-school is superintended by Miss Eva Gregg, the pres- ent Superintendent of Public Schools of Cherokee County. The church now has a membership of about 185, while the Sabbath- school has about the same number enrolled.
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