USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > Grinnell > Early history of Grinnell, Iowa, 1854-1874 : compiled from the files of the Grinnell Herald of Jan., Feb., and March, 1874 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
Resolved to defer the official services they started back in a buggy; when about a mile north of Cra- ver's, where the road passes through a thicket, they were fired upon and one of the officers fell dead in- stantly; the other continued in the buggy as the team ran out in the bushes and was there beat by a musket with such violence as to break the stalk, and being otherwise injured died; not, however, until he had shot Mike Gleason, one of the assailants, and broken his leg which rendered his capture an easy task. The dead men were taken to Craver's where the next day multitudes had assembled, and the coun- try was wild with excitement.
Gleason was only saved from Lynch law, in his own house, from consideration of his broken leg and a promise to tell all he knew of the murder, which he professed to do criminating two brothers, named Fleeners, living near, who were known to have left the drill ground armed, and were regarded as des- perate men. They fled the country leaving property and family, and so far as is known have never re- turned. A large reward is still offered for their ap- prehension.
The corpses of the assassinated officers were taken to their respective homes, occasioning the deepest detestation for the murderers and firing anew the patriotic spirit.
Martial law was proclaimed in Grinnell; sentinels were placed on every road to prevent the execution of threats to destroy the Marshal's office and burn the town. More than 30 military arrests were made of persons on suspicion, all of whom were guarded in what is now Davis & Myers' grain warehouse, and set at liberty when no criminal acts could be proven against them .- Many worthy citizens, politically dem- oerats, were unjustly brought under suspicion. A
-39-
revived charge against a prominent citizen, and a member of the military company, against whom no crime was proven, made by the Montezuma Republi- can, is the occasion of a libel suit now pending.
Mike Gleason, the cowardly assassin who had his leg breken in the affray, was lodged in Oskaloosa jail, tried for murder, found guilty and sentenced to be hung, but owes to President Andrew Johnson an arrest of sentence and is now in the Iowa state peni- tentiary for life-not less than his deserts for the unprovoked murder of two brave officers.
Note .- Passing to later incidents I am reminded that the result of the horse shooting by Mr. Bixby was the killing not only of one but of two horses; and a historian is required with a full development of the marvelous to bring out all the facts of inter- est. Also, in a mention of the colored men here who had acquired an education and gone south as teach- ers, there was an omission of Mr. Washington Stitt, who was highly esteemed in Grinnell and is now doing a good work among his own people south as a teacher.
CHAPTER X.
Churches.
There are in the town five religious societies, three of which have church edifices and maintain regular services, which will be noticed in the order of their founding. The following we transcribe from the Church Manual of 1857:
The Congregational.
The first religious meeting was held at the log house of Perry M. Matteson in the grove, at which seven adults were present. The second was in the grove, in the cabin of Mr. Oakley, and the audience numbered fifteen; of whom Mrs. Holyoke was the only lady present, now a member of the church. The third meeting was held under the oaks near the cabin, as there was not room in it, and numbered about thirty persons. The fourth was held in what was known as "The Long Home," a rough structure
-10-
of about 60 feet by 16, with an oval roof, which was made of boards sawed by horse power. It was near the present residence of Deacon Bartlett, and served as a temporary residence for about twenty families, and afterwards for a blasksmith shop and a barn. At the fifth meeting, when only the sides and one end of the building were completed, it was resolved that, when no minister was present, there should be a reading meeting, and to have prayer meetings statedly on Thursday evening; and every week since, when not too inclement, or when some other public occasion did not prevent, these meetings have been sustained. Until winter, meetings were held in "The Long Home," and then from house to house, Messrs. Bixby, Holyoke, Phelps and others opening their houses for them, until the north, part of the chamber of the Bailey House, then owned by Mr. Geo. Cham- bers, was seated for a church through the winter. The house of Mr. Phelps was occupied during the spring; and in his parlor the church was organized.
The organization, preparations, including an agree- ment upon Articles of Faith, the Covenant and By- Laws having been made, was effected on the Sth of April, 1855, under the direction of Rev. Samuel Loomis. The following are the names of those who, on that day, were constituted the Congregational Church of Grinnell:
Rev. J. B. Grinnell.
Mrs. Julia A. Grinnell.
Mr. William A. Ford.
Mrs. Lydia W. Ford.
Thos. Holyoke, M. D.
Mrs. Mary C. Holyoke.
Mr. Gideon Gardner.
Mrs. Naomi Gardner.
Mr. Anor Scott.
Mr. Emory S. Bartlett.
Mr. Sumner Bixby.
Mrs. Sarah H. Bixby.
Miss Lucy Bixby.
Mr. Abraham Whitcomb.
Mrs. Mary Whitcomb.
-41-
.
Mrs. Levi H. Marsh. Mrs. Edith Marsh.
Mrs. Harriet B. Scott.
Mrs. Christiana Patterson.
In June, 1855, measures were taken to erect a temporary building for meetings and a school, to be at least 16 feet by 24 feet. Rev. J. B. Grinnell erected it for $150. It was a very rude structure, untouched by plane or a paint brush; and, the lum- ber being green, it soon became so open that its builder, who was also the minister, was said to be in danger on rainy days of getting his sermons wet, and it would have added to the comfort of the audi- ence to have held up umbrellas!
The next place occupied for worship was a lower room of the present school house. Then its upper room 30 by 40 feet, was used; and in this, yet un- plastered, the General Association of Iowa held its first meeting in June, 1856. This was used till the present church edifice was erected in the year 1860 with seats for nearly 400 persons. In 1863, it was enlarged to hold about 90 more; and last year, 1866, it was enlarged again, to hold about 700. Rev. J. B. Grinnell preached regularly for nearly two years, until elected to serve in the state senate; and he often said by way of digression-"This is the true gospel, if it is very cheap;" for he refused to receive any salary, saying that he had too many secular duties to perform. Rev. Samuel Loomis preached in 1855; and later, Rev. S. L. Herrick and L. C. Rouse, the two former gratuitously, and the latter for a slight compensation. Rev. J. W. Hathaway was called in 1860, as the first pastor, and preached near- ly one year, when he withdrew from the field. In 1863, Rev. Sam'l D. Cochran was called to the pastor- ship, accepted the call, and resigned May 1st, 1869.
Rev. W. W. Woodworth succeeded Dr. Cochran, who resigned the pastorate to accept the presidency of Thayer College, Mo. Mr. Woodworth is at this time pastor, and has been for several years. Few churches, east or west, from so small a beginning, show a greater degree of prosperity, and have en-
-42-
joyed more uninterrupted harmony. The society never received any foreign pecuniary aid, but in the first years of its existence several ministers donated their services until a regular pastor could be called. The church is Liberal Congregational; never propa- gating sectarianism, but such liberality that in it many former Presbyterians and those of other con- nections are numbered with its membership. Church and society have an equal voice in financial affairs.
At this writing there is an carnest, practical agita- tion in reference to a new edifice, to cost from $20,000 to $30,000, with sittings for 1,200 persons. Two societies of the church, the Social, and Ladies' Benevolent, have a fund of near $3,000 for furnishing the church, which becomes available at the proper time.
The present building has a historical interest, il- lustrating "church extension," once extended in the rear and wings being placed in the front. It is called the "old ark," but as a good singing hall and built on correct acoustic principles, has served a good purpose; costing much greater sacrifice in hard times than a more pretentious edifice now. One man said, "Take the best of my land!" L. H. Marsh planned and labored effectively, and R. M. Kellogg, who came in 1856 and was for years the principal architect of the town, gave gratuitously many weeks in its erection.
The Sabbath school, under the superintendency of Rob't Haines, Esq., and of Miss J. C. Phelps, who conducts the singing, is very prosperous, with an enrollment of teachers and scholars of about 400.
The number of church members at present is 568 and the whole number added since its founding is 848. Those deceased number 50 and the number of dismissions to other churches 225. But few have been excommunicated, the church having found other occupation than that of the trial of its members. A weekly prayer meeting and monthly concert for mis- sions have been maintained from the first. It has been the policy and practice of this church to aid the feeble ones in the vicinity and to make liberal
-- 43-
contributions to foreign missions, having for several years taken upon itself the support of one person abroad. Visiting ministers regard it as the largest Protestant congregation in the state, and its whole history has been eventful and prosperous.
The Baptist.
The Baptist church was constituted May 15, 1858, with twenty-four members, as follows: C. V. Smith, Phoebe Smith, Oliver Langworthy, Maria Langwor- thy, Russell G. Perkins, Sarah Perkins, John T. Hays, Sarah Hays, Deborah Hays, Olive Bailey, Nancy 11. Perkins, Almira Perkins, L. B. Stow, Phoebe Stow, Ruth Stow, O. B. Watrou, Minerva Watrou, C. D. Kelsey, Lucy L. Kelsey, Maria A. Langworthy, George W. Cook, Electa Cook, George N. Doud, James W. Doud; of whom nine are yet members .- Three have died, to-wit: Ruth Stow, Phoebe Smith, and O. Lang- worthy, and the rest dismissed.
Two weeks after the church was constituted Rev. Thos. Brande and brother arrived in town; the brother for the purpose of opening a new farm eight miles northwest of town. At this place, in a mansion 12 by 14, which served as a farm house, parsonage and hotel, the Rev. Thos. Brande and wife, and S. Brande passed the summer. By invitation of the church Rev. B. cordially consented to serve the church as pastor. The school building (the only place for public worship in town) was occupied by the Congregational Society, who cheerfully gave up one fourth of the time to the Baptists. In this way the two societies worshipped in common for nearly one year. The following pastors succeeded Mr. Brande: T. D. Rickersin, R. Turner, G. G. Edwards, R. D. Hartshorn, L. S. Livermore, and Thos. Brande, who has been with the church in his second pastorate six years. The deacons in their order are C. D. Kel- sey, C. V. Smith, and Edward Davis.
In August, 1858, the society commenced to build the first church edifice in town, and on the 4th of April, 1859, it was dedicated and on the same day Rev. F. D. Rickerson was ordained. In 1864 the church was removed to its present location. A par-
-44-
sonage was built in 1866. Since the organization 108 have been baptized into Christ on profession of faith; 40 by the present pastor; 98 have been re- ceived from other churches. Only six members have died since the church was organized in 1858, a period of sixteen years. The present membership is 102. Regular services are maintained twice on the Sabbath and a good Sabbath school, numbering 120 with an average attendance of 80. The church are united in their pastor, and for their means are an efficient society.
Methodist Episcopal.
Class of M. E. church formed in 1857. Members, N. Ellis and wife, W. W. Sargent and wife, Sarah Ellis, and Mrs. Jane Black.
First minister, Rev. Abner Orr. Meeting held in the public school house once in three weeks. In the spring of 1865, the society bought the building now occupied by G. M. Hatch & Co. as a store, which was used for church until 1867, when the present com- fortable and neat church was built, under the pas- torate of Rev. D. Murphy.
The first trustees of the society were, N. Ellis, A. P. Cook, R. J. Kenyon, E. Hiatt, and S. Ilays .- There has been a Sabbath school in connection with the church since 1865, which with the society has kept pace with the town.
The present membership of the society is 140, and is in a prosperous and harmonious condition.
The pastors of the church have been, Abner Orr, Ami Shaffer, J. D. Moore, D. Murphy, J. B. Hardy, J. W. Chaffin and J. W. Wilson.
Universalist.
The Universalist church and society was organized the first Sabbath in May, 1871, Rev. C. P. Nash, pas- tor. The following are the names of some of the members at the time of the organization: Jeremiah Miller, Mrs. Addie L. Miller, P. Baldwin, Mrs. Bald- win, Abraham Goodrich, Mrs. A. Goodrich, Miss Addie Stovec, Mrs. Mary Johnston, Mrs. A. B. Reed, Mrs. M. C. Batty, L. G. Pierce, Mrs. Pierce, E. H. Harris, Mrs. R. H. Harris, A. Patrech, Mrs. Patrech, Mr.
-45 --
Utley, J. I. Harriman, Mrs. E. H. Watts. The church was organized with about twenty members and the society with about forty. A number of the members have moved away, but others have come in and taken their places.
The church now numbers about twenty-five and the society about seventy-five members. The pulpit for the past year has been filled by supplies.
Episcopal.
St. Paul's Episcopal church was organized in Sep- tember, 1872, by Rev. Thos. B. Kemper.
The members at its organization were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Everard Palmer, Mr. and Mrs. John Brown, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Cameron, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Kingdon, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Freeman, Mrs. Kingdon, Miss Sarah Kingdon, Miss Emma Brown (Mercer.)
The church has lost in number by death and re- moval, but still retains about its original number by others coming in.
There has been as yet no settled rector and the so- ciety is still without a church building.
CHAPTER XI.
Towa College.,
Just how early the idea of becoming a college town dawned upon the new settlement it would be difficult to say; but the dates of the first movements in that direction are matters of record. The "Trust- ees of the Literary Fund" were incorporated in Jan- uary, 1855-their articles being filed for record Jan. 26; and a year and a half later, Aug. 13, 1856, articles creating a University corporation were filed for record with the recorder of Poweshiek county.
It had been known for some time that the perma- nent location of Iowa College at Davenport, then an institution seven years old (incorporated 1847), was an open question; for several years discussion had been going on among its friends, which took shape early in 1854, [March] finally resulting in a formal proposition from the faculty to remove the college
-46-
from that city to "some other location," and the ap- pointment of a committee of the trustees on the sub- ject. At a later meeting in July, "Mr. Grinnell be- ing present by invitation was requested to state facts in reference to the colony settling in Poweshiek county as furnishing a place suitable;" and the com- mittee reported "That in view of the present condi- tion of the college, the changes that have taken place since its location in Davenport, and the prospects presented at Grinnell, the college be removed there, provided suitable encouragement be offered by the people of that place." This recommendation was lost, however, on the vote being taken, and here the matter hung for a while. Mr. Grinnell was at this meeting elected a trustee, with others living in other places.
Meantime the trustees of the literary fund had organized, Dr. Holyoke, president, Amos Bixby, treas- urer, and Henry Lawrence, secretary. The other trustees were T. B. Grinnell, G. W. Chambers, L. C. Phelps, Darius Thomas, Anor Scott, Abram Whit- comb, and Gideon Gardner. Not only the organiza- tion of these trustees "elected by the people," pre- ceded their legal incorporation, but so also did their purchase, in trust, of Mr. Grinnell of the N. W. qr. of the sixteenth section of the township, conveyed to and held subsequently by the incorporated trustees, on which the town was laid out. They were to "pay Rev. J. B. Grinnell ten dollars per acre for the town plot." In this purchase some four or five lots on which Mr. Grinnell has always lived were reserved by him. The rest were sold for the benefit of the Literary Fund from time to time, at $20 per lot, the trustees adding a second lot to each purchaser. The income from all property, real or personal, was dedi- cated to "the support of such literary institution or institutions as shall be established by the board" (Art. 2.) Another article discloses the religious purpose of the fund: Art. 5. "Sentiments not of a strictly evangelical character shall never be taught in any institution or institutions founded by this body corporate." To these trustees all new comers went
-47-
for the purchase of resident lots in the new town. Improvements within a given time were conditions of purchase-such as "plowing and fencing," or "erect- ing a dwelling house." If not built upon the season they were bought higher prices were paid for lots, and ere long the valuation was slightly raised. One of the first acts of the trustees, Jan. 21, 1855, was to "set apart block 13 of the town plat for a public park;" and one of their last acts, Jan. 11, 1861, was to authorize a deed to the Congregational Church and Society of lots 1, 2 and 3, in block 14. They also conveyed to the school districts lots in the same block. In August, 1859, there were reported to the trustees of Iowa College one hundred and thirteen lots unsold, estimated value, $11,300, and notes due the fund, $2,490.96. All the assets of the fund were finally made over' to the college on condition that the college be located "within eighty rods of the town plat, and that (the trustees) return to the citizens of Grinnell an amount of property equal in value to that now transferred to them should they ever re- move from here, requesting them, however, to carry out the original plan of the people here relative to the education of females, the sale of lots and the location of buildings, so far as they deem consistent with the interests of Iowa College." The history of this fund is an important part of the history of the planting of the college here, as it created the pecuni- ary basis of everything that was done. It is given from the original records and papers.
Some account of the University has already been cursorily given in chapter four. What is here stated will not be a repetition of what is stated there. The trustees, like those of the literary fund, were chosen by citizens (thirty-two in number) who had consti- tuted themselves electors by the donation of twenty dollars. They were H. Hamlin, T. Holyoke, H. M, Hamilton, S. L. Herrick, G. Gardner, T. B. Clark, 1 .. C. Phelps, S. Loomis, J. W. Stowe, J. Conwell, A. A. Stevens, J. B. Grinnell. The institution was to be "separated into two departments-a male depart- ment which shall resemble eastern colleges, a female
-48 ---
department which shall be modeled in its domestic arrangements and in its general course of instruction, after the Mt. Holyoke institution at South Hadley, Mass." The character of the latter department was three times formally fixed-once before the incor- poration, twice afterwards. It has never been pos- sible to carry out the "domestic arrangements" de- cided up, for lack of suitable building; nor will it be till a very commodious and convenient ladies' hall is erected.
The electors decided that "two distinct locations be selected as the sites of the two departments," and that the separate buildings should be "at least one- fourth of a mile from each other;" also, that the building for the female department-"the seminary," so-called-should be first erected; and this was actually done, the site being one offered by Mr. Grin- nell. Many other subjects of discussion and vote passed into the discretion of the college trustees when the "university" was merged in the college, among others the plans for the education of females. The name at first fixed upon was "People's College," but the next week it was changed to "Grinnell Uni- versity." The site adopted for the male department was one proposed by Rev. Mr. Loomis. This also was finally left to the discretion of the college trust- ees. In January, 1856, a beginning was made as to building the "seminary," by appointing a building committee and authorizing them ยท to purchase brick. In December they were authorized to purchase ma- terials for enclosing the building. It subsequently became "East College;" was 42 feet by 70 and three stories high, with a basement; was finished in 1861 and burnt in 1871. By the summer of 1859 about $6,000 had been expended upon it, showing praise- worthy public spirit, energy and persistence on the part of the people, waiting long years for the advent and aid of the expected railroad from the east.
Hard wood lumber was of necessity largely used in the interior work. It was finished by the college trustees after it passed into their hands. The first room used in the spring of 1860 was a small one,
-- 19-
first floor, afterward known as the Ladies' Cloak Room. This and the adjoining S. W. corner room, which became the Lady Principal's, were the only ones finished that season. Next year, the East Room, or Chapel, subsequently Preparatory School and Academy Room, was occupied in conjunction with piles of lumber. The first class taught in that little cloak room was a select class from the graded school, with whom the College Department was re-opened, as a freshman class of twelve, in September, 1861, of whom three, S. H. Herrick, R.,M. Haines, and Charles Scott, together with J. D. Hornby, whose course had been cut short in Davenport by the removal, gradu- ated in July, 1865, the first graduating class at Grin- nell after the removal. Eleven years before, the first of all the college classes graduated at Davenport, a class which had entered six freshmen in 1850 and graduated two in 1854-William Windsor, now pas- tor at Marshalltown, and John H. Windsor, pastor at Grafton, Mass.
CHAPTER XII. Iowa College-Continued.
From the beginning the institution here was spoken of as a "college," until the name was fixed upon. One of the names proposed was "Iowa Central Col- lege," not very different from its present name .- Rev. H. Hamlin was president of university trustees at first, then S. N. Bartlett, Esq. Dr. Holyoke was the only president of trustees of the literary fund. The records of both bodies show the zeal and pa- tience and hopefulness of the people.
We must go back a little in our story to bring up what was occurring elsewhere abreast with what was occurring here. It will be noticed that the year 1854 was memorable for three things, each a landmark-the founding of this town, the future seat of Iowa College, the graduation of the first col- lege class at Davenport and the formal opening in the board of trustees at Davenport of the question of removal. That remained an open question (though
-50-
often apparently settled) for half a dozen years, till actual removal accomplished, settled it. One of Mr. Sumner's sayings and guiding principles was, "Ques- tions that are not settled right are not settled at all." Of course a very young college, without money or powerful friends, in a very new state, a thousand miles away from those whose religious sympathies had been depended upon for material aid (given instead to nearer institutions without regard to re- ligious sympathies, as the favor and money of New England in those days were) could not possibly be- come strong and prosperous while its very habita- tion was insecure .- As long, however, as it was in full operation at Davenport (1854-1858) it kept up its average of two graduates a year, but could do no more. It was often in the greatest straits. Its in- structors had a most beggarly support, and some- times hardly got that. Another event ought here to be recorded, along with the three memorable ones of 1854, viz .: the opening of a street through the college grounds at Davenport. Proceedings toward this end had been begun the year before by the city council, and all remonstrances had been in vain. The college then occupied its original site on the west bluff, back of the court house. That was sold accordingly in 1854, and a new one obtained, northeast of that, on another bluff, farther from the river and beyond city limits. It was while the new site was pending that the question of removal was formally proposed by the faculty, and Mr. Grinnell was invited to a confer- ence with the trustees. The new site being secured, new buildings were erected thereon-a stone college hall and a wooden boarding house. This was done before East College was built here. But hardly was this accomplished and the new edifices occupied, before-the city limits of Davenport having been ex- tended beyond the new grounds-another street was extended through the center of the property. Re- monstrances were again futile, and in April, 1858, it was resolved "that the interests of the college re- quire a removal." Circulars were issued inviting proposals for re-location. Anamosa, Muscatine, Des
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.