USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 63
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 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68
:
574
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Union Mills have thirteen run of flouring stones, and manufacture daily 250 barrels of flour, 200 of which are shipped. Three runs of stones for grinding feed turn out 600 car-loads of feed annually. The Daniel & Nauman Company was organized in 1884, with an authorized capital of $100,- 000. The paid up capital is $72,600. They deal in lumber, manufacture furniture and build stores and dwellings.
POLITICAL RECORD.
In the spring of 1854 the town of Water- loo was surveyed and platted, and appears of record. At the November term of the County Court, that year, a petition was presented asking the court to order an election to vote upon the question of incor- poration. The election was ordered for Monday, the 13th day of November. At the December term of the same year, it is certified that a majority of the votes cast were for incorporation; and another elec- tion was ordered on the 13th of January, 1855, for the purpose of choosing three persons to draft articles of corporation, and that is the last entry. It is understood however, that subsequently it was found there had been irregularities in the pro- ceedings, and the matter was dropped in consequence.
After this ineffectual attempt to attain to city honors, the matter was frequently agi- tated and one or two petitions circulated and presented to the County Court; but none blossomed into another vote until 1868, when, on the 26th day of May, a peti- tion signed by R. A. Whitaker, H. J. Jenney and thirty-eight others was presented to the County Court, asking for the corporation of Waterloo as a city of the second class, describing the territory designed to be in- cluded within the limits of the incorpora- tion, and requesting the court to take requi- site steps to order a vote. Whereupon, Judge Daniel W. Foote appointed Samuel
D. Shaw, P. J. Siberling, W. G. Burbee, Andrew Thompson and Robert Robinson, commissioners to call an election of the qualified voters to decide upon the ques- tion.
On the 29th of May, the commission- ers issued the notice for an election at Central House, on Monday, the 22d day of June, at which election 679 votes were cast, 372 being in favor of incorporation and 305 against. On the 23d day of June, after certifying the returns, it was ordered and decreed by the court that as a majority of the votes had been cast in favor of in- corporation, and the provisions of the law had been complied with, the city of Water- loo was incorporated as a city of the sec- ond class.
On the 29th day of June the commission- ers issued a notice for an election of offi- cers, to be held at the Commercial Hotel (on the east side), on Monday, the 20th day of July, at which time the following officers were elected: Mayor, R. A. Whit- aker; Marshal, S. M. Hoff; Treasurer, C. A. Farwell; Solicitor, Lewis Lichty; Clerk, J. S. George; Trustees-First Ward, H. B. Allen, G. Conger; Second Ward, W. A. Crowther, John Hilferty; Third Ward, Sullivan Day, F. E. Cutler; Fourth Ward, R. D. Titcomb, Allen Spencer.
The first ordinance which was passed by the new City Council was one fixing the rates for licenses for circuses and menageries.
On the first day of March, 1869, the first regular election for city officers was held, R. A. Whitaker being elected Mayor; Mar- shal, J. P. Evans; Treasurer, C. A. Farwell; Solicitor, Lewis Lichty; Clerk, Lewis Lichty; Assessor, A. C. Bunnell; Trustees First Ward, H. W. Jenney, Henry Nau- man; Second Ward, L. C. Barber, C. W. Champlin; Third Ward, F. E. Cutler, Sul- livan Day; Fourth Ward, D. E. Champlin, R. D. Titcomb.
.
WATERLOO.
575
OFFICERS OF THE CITY OF WATERLOO TO 1886.
Mayors-R. A. Whitaker, 1868-'72; Lewis Lichty, 1872-'6; Matt. Parrott, 1876 -'80; J. H. Kuhns, 1880-'2; Lewis Lichty, 1882-'5; J. H. Kuhns, 1885 -.
Clerks-Lewis Lichty, 1869-'73; William Galloway, 1873-'4; J. H. Kuhns, 1874-'80; D. R. Weaver, 1880-'81; M. T. Owens, 1881-'2; D. R. Weaver, 1882-'5; W. F. Parrott, 1885 -.
Treasurers-J. H. Leavitt, 1870-'72; H. Nauman, 1872-'4; C. A. Farwell, 1874-'7; John W. Krapfel, 1877-'8; A. C. Bunnell, 1878-'9; John W. Krapfel, 1879-'85; F. L. Gilbert, 1885 -.
Marshals-J. P. Evans, 1870-'3; James Ellis, 1873-'4; J. P. Evans, 1874-'6; H. H. Saunders, 1876-'8; H. W. Jenney, 1878-'81; Charles Mantle, 1881-'2; D. E. Hume, 1882-'3; W. C. Munger, 1883 -.
Solicitors-Lewis Lichty, 1868-71; J. L. Husted, 1871-'77; O. C. Miller, 1877-'9; Horace Boies, 1879-'81; George ()rdway, 1881-'2; J. L. Husted, 1882-'3; Samuel Hayes, 1883-'4; C. W. Mullan, 1884 -.
Trustees for 1870-First Ward, H. W. Jenney, A. T. Lush; Second Ward, J. H. Preston, C. W. Champlin; Third Ward, F. E. Cutler, H. M. Crittenden; Fourth Ward, R. D. Titcomb, W. Russell.
For 1871-First. Ward, A. T. Lusch, G. W. Barnes; Second Ward, J. H. Preston, J. S. George; Third Ward, H. M. Critten- den, H. B. Gifford; Fourth Ward, W. Russell, O. E. Hardy.
For 1872-First Ward, G. W. Barnes, L. A. Cobb; Second Ward, J. S. George, William Hammond; Third Ward, H. M. Crittenden, C. G. Ankeny; Fourth Ward, W. Russell, T. W. Place (elected to fill va- cancy of O. E. Hardy, who resigned March 1, 1872).
For 1873-First Ward, G. W. Barnes, L. A. Cobb; Second Ward, William Ham-
mond, J. A. Fowler; Third Ward, H. M. Crittenden, Matt. Parrott; Fourth Ward, T. W. Place, A. C. Bratnober (resigned May 7, and W. Russell elected to fill va- cancy).
For 1874-First Ward, G. W. Barnes, R. Russell; Second Ward, J. A. Fowler, J. Taylor; Third Ward, Matt. Parrott, John McCabe; Fourth Ward, T. W. Place, W. Russell.
For 1875-First Ward, R. Russell, G. W. Barnes; Second Ward, J. Taylor, Frank Neely (resigned November 3d, and W. A. Crowther, elected to fill vacancy); Third Ward, John McCabe, M. Ricker; Fourth Ward, Adam Rosgen, Andrew Thompson (to fill vacancy), W. Russell (resigned end of first year), D. B. Stanton (resigned April 5).
For 1876-First Ward, G. W. Barnes, Frank Neely; Second Ward, W. A. Crow- ther, James Ellis; Third Ward, M. Ricker, John Palfreyman; Fourth Ward, Adam Rosgen, D. R. Weaver,
For 1877-First Ward, Frank Neely, H. Nauman; Second Ward, James Ellis, G. J. Mack; Third Ward, John Palfreyman, F. S. Morrill; Fourth Ward, D. R. Weaver (resigned November 7), Lewis Lichty (elected to fill vacancy), T. W. Place.
For 1878-First Ward, H. Nauman, Frank Neely; Second Ward, G. J. Mack, C. J. Maynard; Third Ward, F. S. Morrill (resigned May 8), John T. Moran, W. W. Miller; Fourth Ward, T. W. Place, Lewis Lichty.
For 1879-First Ward, Frank Neely, G. W. Miller ; Second Ward, C. J. Maynard, G. J. Mack ; Third Ward, W. W. Miller, H. Smith; Fourth Ward, Lewis Lichty, T. W. Place.
For 1880 First Ward, Frank Neely, G. W. Miller ; Second Ward, C. J. Maynard, G. J. Mack; Third Ward, A. W. Haffa, H. Smith ; Fourth Ward, T. W. Place, A. C. Bunnell.
575
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
For 1881-First Ward, Henry Daniel, Frank Neely: Second Ward, G. J. Mack, C. J. Maynard ; Third Ward, H. Smith, A. W. Haffa ; Fourth Ward, A. T. Weather- wax, A. C. Bunnell.
For 1882-First Ward, Martin Blim, H. Daniel : Second Ward, H. H. Saunders, G. J. Mack; Third Ward, J. L. Cooley, H. Smith ; Fourth Ward, J. H. Smith (elected to fill vacancy occasioned by resignation of Mr. Weatherwax), L. Alford.
For 1883-First_ Ward, O. C. Miller, E. Johnson (elected to succeed Martin Blim, who died November 22, 1882) ; Second Ward, G. J. Mack, H. H. Saunders ; Third Ward, H. Smith, J. L. Cooley ; Fourth Ward, L. Alford, J. H. Smith. Messrs. Miller, Johnson, Mack and Saunders re- signed April 5, but were re-elected.
For 1884-First Ward, Emmons Johnson, O. C. Miller ; Second Ward, John G. Kling- man, G. J. Mack ; Third Ward, J. E. McNeil, H. Smith; Fourth Ward, M. T. Owens; J. H. Smith (Mr. McNeil resigned and C. A. Farwell was appointed in his place).
For 1885-First Ward, O. C. Miller, Emmons Johnson ; Second Ward, H. L. Shutts, John G. Klingman; Third Ward, J. L. Cooley, C. A. Farwell; Fourth Ward, H. A. Bailey, M. T. Owens.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school-house in Waterloo was about 16 x 22 feet, built of logs, on lot 8, block 7, on Jefferson street, between Fourth and Main. It was standing until 1877, when it was removed to give place to a brick stable. It was erected in spring of 1853, and the first school in it was kept by Miss Eliza May, afterward Mrs. Isaac Virden. This log school house was used on the Sab- bath for church, the Baptists, Presbyteri- ans and Methodists occupying it alter- nately. In 1860 a school-house was built on the site the present west-side school now occupies.
March 8, 1866, a petition was presented to the trustees of Waterloo Township ask- ing that steps be taken to set apart sub- district No. I as an independent school district. This petition was signed by W. H. Leavitt, G. Conger, J. H. Leavitt, W. L. Hunter, S. Bagg, W. A. Chapin, G. W. Couch, W. W. Forry, W. S. Robinson, E. A. Raymond, T. A. Covert and A. B. Ma- son. March 19 an election was held upon the question of forming the district and 55 votes were cast, all in the affirmative. April 2 an election for officers of the new district was held and resulted in the choice of S. D. Shaw, President; James S. George, Vice-President; E. K. Ware, Secretary ; D. W. Foote, Treasurer, and P. J. Bar- ber, P. Smith and D. B. Stanton, Direct- ors. At a meeting held July 19, 1866, the board voted to tender the principalship of the schools to C. O. Knepper, at a salary of $ 1,200 per year, and September 5 his accept- ance was received. The salaries of the teachers were fixed as follows: Of rooms 1, 5 and 6, $35 per month, and of rooms 2, 3 and 4, $30 per month. September 12 the following were elected as teachers: Room No. 1, Mary E. Pratt ; No. 2, E. A. Ballou ; No. 3, Josie Rood ; No. 4, Addie Brooks ; No. 5, Annie Favor ; No. 6, Sue A. Ballou.
Mr. Knepper remained principal only during the school year, and at the meeting of the board held August 28, 1868, Joseph Jones was chosen principal. He had charge of the schools until 1870, and July 18 of that year B. F. Hood was elected. September 19, 1872, C. W. von Coelln was elected and he held that position until he was chosen as superintendent of public instruction. August 31, 1876, W. H. Robertson was elected principal, and he held the place con- tinuously for nine years, being succeeded in 1885 by C. D. Moyer.
Besides the principals, there are now em- ployed twelve teachers, whose names and rooms are as follows: Miss Ella D. Will-
577
WATERLOO.
iams, No. 1; Miss Tillie Cramer, No. 2; Miss Bertha Ohler, No. 3 ; Miss Ella Nich- ols, No. 4; Miss Anna L. Nichols, No. 5 ; Miss Viola Russell, No. 6; Miss Frances Magness, No. 7; Miss Etta L. Reed, No. 8; Miss Ada Armstrong, No. 9; Miss Sarah Gardner, No. 10; Miss E. Butterfield, No. II ; Miss Kate B. Reed, No. 12.
At present the school consists of ten rooms and a high school, and is in a very flourishing condition. The high school has a graded course of study, and the student who completes it and passes the required examination is entitled to a diploma. The curriculum of study is so arranged that it prepares for admission to the freshman class in college, and students holding diplomas from thisschool are admitted to the State University without an examination. In 1876 the first class graduated from the school. It consisted of two young ladies and one young gentleman. In 1878 there were five graduates, in 1879 four, in 1880 nine, in 1881 six, in 1882 six, in 1883 seven, in 1884 five and in 1885 seven.
Previous to the erection of this edifice its site was occupied by another handsome school building which was destroyed by fire December 6, 1870. It was insured for $10,- 000 in the New York Underwriters, which was represented by S. Bagg, and, after a careful adjustment of the loss, the full face of the policy was paid, less sixty days' interest. It was at once determined to rebuild and bids were solicited from a number of con- tractors. June 5, 1871, the board awarded the contract to Jacob Reichards, whose bid was $19,500. By him the present edifice was erected during the summer of 1871 and it was occupied in 1872. It is on block 5, Leavitt's addition. It faces on Washington street and lies between Sixth and Seventh streets. The location is elevated and sight- ly and the grounds are neatly kept and have been nicely laid out and groved. The build- ing is, in extreme dimensions, 70x78 feet.
It is of brick with stone trimmings, and is three stories in height.
In 1884 a two-room brick building was erected as an addition, on the northeast side of the main structure. It is 35 x 45, and cost $2,700.
The annual expenses for all school pur- poses on the west side amounted to about $9,500.
The first school on the east side was taught by O. E. Hardy, in the winter of 1854-'5, in a house then occupied by Myron Smith, but which was afterward a part of the Key City House. Afterward Hardy transferred the school to a small building in the rear of the store of Jacob Bloser & Co
The " Know-Nothings" of that day used to assemble in the same building, which was subsequently used for a store by James Evans.
The first school-house on this side was a grout building, erected in 1855, on what is called Church Donation Block. It was used as a school-house until 1864. Schools were thereafter taught in private buildings until 1865, when a brick school-house of four rooms was erected on block 40, in which C. O. Knepper taught the first school.
The Independent School District of East Waterloo was organized in April, 1866, with the following first board: O. E. Har- dy, President; Lewis Lichty, Vice-Presi- dent; R. A. Whitaker, Secretary ; M. H. Voorhees, Treasurer. The primary school- house in the Third Ward was built in the autumn of 1869, and Miss Hattie Wain- wright employed as one of the first teachers. The present school building on block 76, Fourth Ward, was built in 1875, and its first principal was Prof. J. K. Sweeney, who occupied the position for eight years.
The principals have been: C. O. Knepper, 1865-'6 ; B. F. Hood, 1866-'7; Fannie Knott,
578
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
1867-'S; B. K. Seaman, 1868-'9; Albion Thorne, 1869-'71; J. W. Akers, 1871-'5 ; J. K. Sweeney, 1875-'83 ; A. N. Fellows, 1883-'4; R. G. Young, 1884-'6. There are now seventeen teachers employed, including the principal. In 1866 there were but five, and in 1875, when the new building was occupied, nine teachers sufficed.
Forty-three have graduated from the east side school-two in 1877 ; three in 1878; six in 1879 ; four in 1880; three in 1881 ; five in 1882 ; one in 1883 ; ten in 1884, and nine in 1885.
The average attendance in 1866 was 200; in 1875, 340, and in 1886, 570. The annual expenditures for teachers' salaries amount to $6,500 ; for incidental, $2,000. The pres- idents of the board have been : O. E. Har- dy, 1866-'72 ; R. A. Whitaker, 1872-'9; J. C. Gates, 1879 to the present time. R. A. Whitaker was secretary from 1866 to 1871, and Lewis Lichty from 1871 to the present time.
PRAIRIE HOME SEMINARY.
In 1862 Miss Anna Field, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Seminary, erected a large and handsome brick building at the head of Main street, designed both for school and dwelling purposes, and in the same year opened the " Prairie Home Female Semi- nary," which became widely and popularly known as an excellent and well-managed institution. It continued as a female semi- nary until 1874, when young men were ad- mitted and "Female " was dropped from name. The pupils are now mostly from the country. The school is not large, but efficient work is accomplished.
WATERLOO SEMINARY.
An institution of this name existed here thirty years ago. It was opened in 1855 and was conducted for two or three years by J. B. Hewett.
OUR LADY OF VICTORY.
This is the name of the Catholic paro- chial school at Waterloo. It is conducted by the Sisters of Charity, and has been in operation since 1872. Special attention is given to music, languages and deportment.
Prof. Tobin's " Waterloo College " is mentioned at length in the chapter on edu- cation.
THE WATERLOO STREET-CAR COMPANY
laid a track in the autumn of 1885, connect- ing the two parts of the city, and make it a point to connect with all trains arriving and departing. There are two cars at present.
BANKS.
The first banks of Waterloo are mention- ed on a previous page. There are now three banks-one private and two national. John H. Leavitt admitted A. T. Lusch in partnership in 1865, and from 1870 to 1876 the firm was Leavitt, Johnson & Lusch. Since the latter date the business has been conducted by Leavitt & Johnson. The First National Bank was organized in 1865. H. B. Allen is now President, and J. W. Krapfel, Cashier. The Commercial Na- tional Bank was organized in 1882, and at present J. D. Platt is President, and F. L. Gilbert, Cashier.
THE PROFESSIONS IN 1886.
The members of the bar now practicing and residing at Waterloo are Horace Boies (in partnership with J. L. Husted), H. H. Bezold, O. C. Miller, C. W. Mullen, Lore Alford (in partnership with J.C.Gates), E. T. Corwin, M. T. Owens, J. E. Sedg- wick, C. E. Sedgwick, G. G. Kennedy, Franklin C. Platt and Heber Hough, the last two being also partners.
The resident regular physicians are: G. J. Mack, D. W. Crouse, J. M. Ball, P. J. Barber, W. Eddy, H. W. Brown, C. H.
VAVA
579
WATERLOO.
Horton, L. K. Fullerton and W. O. Rich- ards. J. H. Crippen, B. Banton, W. Ban- ton, G. G. Pickley, J. G. Pickley and Miss Hattie Allen belong to the homeopathic school of physicians.
MANUFACTURES.
Among the establishments of this kind that add population and wealth to Water- loo are the Union Mills Company, the " Beat 'Em All" Barbed Wire Company, John Eickelberg (wagons and agricultural implements), T. Cascaden (boilers, mills, horse-powers and all kinds of farm imple- ments), Hitt & Robinson (carriage factory), Illinois Central Railroad shops, A. J. Cush- man (cooper shop), Morrill & Company (soap), Daniel & Nauman Lumber and Fur- niture Company, Robinson & Dungelberg (foundry), J. P. Hummel (wagon and car- riage shop), Manson, Tufts &. Wichman (cracker factory), and the Fowler Com- pany (cheese, fruits, etc.).
CHURCHES.
The city is well supplied with churches, and, indeed, the people of Waterloo are es- sentially a church-going class. The pioneer religious organization here is the
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of Waterloo, which was organized in 1853, without any regular pastor. The first service was held in a log school-house. Rev. Mr. Bicknell, a local minister, and Elder Knapp, of Cedar Falls, held services occasionally. The first pastor was Rev. J. C. Miller. Under his pastorate services were held in what has been known as Capwell's Hall.
In September, 1857, Rev. A. G. Eberhart commenced his labors with the church, and on the 12th day of April following the so- ciety was incorporated under the laws of Iowa. The original incorporators were : Nelson Ayers, T. I. Messick, Henry Sher- man, Nehemiah J. Randolph, William C. Clough, Rufus Ordway and Reuben Rush.
But one of the above is now a resident of Waterloo. During the first few months of Mr. Eberhart's ministry services were held in what was then known as Benight's Hall, being the hall over the store so long occu- pied by W. A. Chapin, and where Cascaden has since built. Soon after the society was incorporated they purchased the then house of worship of the Presbyterian society. Mr. Eberhart remained with the church some four years, and left it in a very pros- perous condition .:
Rev. Frank Miller succeeded Mr. Eber- hart as pastor, remaining only a short time, and was followed by Rev. C. Billings Smith, who continued with the church some two years. After Mr. Smith's resignation, Rev. Wm. L. Hunter supplied the pulpit some time before his ordination, and after it remained with the church nearly four years as its pastor. He had the pleasure of seeing the church increase largely in num- bers and influence. He was followed by Rev. Wm. Tilley, who remained one year and was succeeded by Rev. E. K. Cressey, who resigned after terminating his first year. Rev. A. G. Eberhart was again called, but was obliged to resign in a short time on ac- count of ill health. Rev. A. A. Russell fol- lowed Mr. Eberhart, but his labors were soon brought to a close on account of failing health. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Richard Garton.
The steady growth of the membership and congregation under Mr. Garton's pastor- ate rendered a larger edifice a necessity and in the winter of 1880 it was agreed to build a new church. The work was commenced in June of that year, and on the last Sunday in October, 1881, the church was formally dedicated. The size of the building is about 70 x 100 feet, constructed of brick and stone, and the architecture is gothic combined with other styles. There are three large entrances into the main room, the tower being over the one directly in front of the
61
5So
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
pulpit. The auditorium is 48 × 60 in size, and is in the form of an enlarged octagon. The extreme height of this room is thirty-two feet and the posts are nineteen feet. The floor is bowl-shaped, descending to the pul- pit on one side. The seats are arranged in a circle facing the pulpit, back of which is the organ loft. A fine scarlet carpet covers the entire floor and pulpit. The seats arc of a pattern that secures comfort to the oc- cupant. The sides and ceiling are beauti- fully finished and painted. The windows are half gothic and are finely stained and tinted. On the left of the auditorium fold- ing-doors open into the lecture room. This room is square in shape and is 31 × 41 fcet in size. It is furnished with chairs. . In the rear of the lecture room is a library room. 12 × 14 feet in size, and two class rooms, each 15 x 20 feet in size. The building is warmed by a hot air wrought iron furnace. A re- flector, containing twenty-five gas-jets, hang- ing in the center of the auditorium, sup- plies light. Two additional burners, on either side of the pulpit, will light up the pulpit and fall upon the music books of the singers.
Rev. Dr. Boyd, of St. Louis, preached the dedicatory sermon, from Haggai'2 : 9. and Matthew xii: 6. The total cost of the edifice was $15,000, and of the organ, $2,000. The church, both internally and externally, is handsome and attractive. The member- ship at the present time is 345.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .- At a meeting convened at the school-house in Waterloo on Saturday evening, August 23, 1856, by those interested in the principles of Congregationalism, Rev. Oliver Emer- son, agent of the American Missionary Association, was called to the chair, and John H. Leavitt was chosen clerk.
As a result of this meeting, a council was called for the purpose of organizing a church, September 24, of the same year, Rev. G. H. Woodward, of Toledo, Moder-
ator, and Rev. A. Graves, of New York, Scribe. The meeting was held in the log school-house.
The council were unwilling to advise an increase in the number of churches in town without prayerful consideration of the sub- ject. But this was before the slavery question had been settled by the war, and when some branches of the Presbyterian system were maintaining a complicity with " the slave power ; " and also at a period of the adoption of the "Church Extension scheme," which finally resulted in breaking up the old union principles between Con- gregationalists and Presbyterians.
Had the present comity and good feeling between the two denominations existed twenty years ago, it is very doubtful if the Congregational church of Waterloo had been organized. Among reasons given for the formation of the new society (many of which are now dead issues and not wisely revived), the originators say: " We wish to adhere to the faith of our fathers, because a departure from it by so many of our brethren has injured the cause of truth, by 'giving occasion to the representation that this course is a confession on their part that their principles are not worth maintaining."
In an account of the organization, a writer in the Congregational Herald says : " The village of Waterloo is beautifully lo- cated on the Cedar River, about ninety miles from the Mississippi, on the line of the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad. Two and a half years since it consisted of a dozen log cabins. It now embraces more than 1,200 souls, and is rapidly increasing in population and wealth. In illustration of the rapidity with which the village and vicinity are advancing, it may be stated that five saw-mills are constantly in motion to supply building material, besides a large quantity of fine lumber brought from the Mississippi. The little church now organ- ized are in pressing need of a faithful
WATERLOO.
581
minister ; they think themselves able to pay one-half his salary, and, with assistance for a short time, will be able to assume his en- tire support."
The original members were: Abram P. Hosford, J. P. White, Cynthia White, L. B. Worcester and wife, and John H. Leavitt. The deacons first chosen were : J. P. White and L. C. Sanborn. The first clerk was John H. Leavitt, and first pastor, Rev. T. S. La Due. The society first held its meetings in the old log school-house on Jefferson street, afterward in Benight's Hall, corner Fourth and Commercial streets, and in Capwell s Hall, corner Fifth and Commercial. In December, 1856, the church was duly incorporated, "for the purpose of taking charge of the financial interests of the church," " the incorporation to commence January 1, 1857, and continue twenty years, with the right of renewal." The incorporators were : A. P. Hosford, L. B. Worcester, L. C. Sanborn, J. P. White and J. H. Leavitt.
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.