USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > Historical and biographical record of Black Hawk County, Iowa > Part 66
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Golden Council, No. 380, Royal Arcanum, was organized in February, 1881, with about twenty members. The officers for 1886 are: C. O. Balliett, P. R .; G. E. Fer- nald, R .; H. A. Snyder, Sec .; S. V. R. Slade, Treas .; T. A. Jenney, Chap .; D. W. Crouse, Aud .; R. Lester, G. The membership is
WATERLOO.
595
now sixteen. Meetings are held the first and second Tuesdays of each month.
The Order of the Red Cross was organized in the summer of 1880. The officers now are : E. E. Walsh, Com .; C. E. Dailey, Lt. Com .; G. F. Dunham, Sc .; A. M. Smith, Treas .; B. D. Smith, Fin .; C. W. Cole, Prel .; J. R. Nelson, Sen .; F. Pettit, G .; C. H. Horton, Med. Ex. The membership is about thirty-five. Meetings are held the second and fourth Thursdays of each month.
Cedar Grove, No. 48, A. O. U. D., was or- ganized August 10, 1885. The officers at the present time are : H. H. Bezold, N. A .; V. L. Simmons, V. A .; Harvey Smith, P. A .; L. K. Fullerton, Sec .; C. H. Smith, Treas. The membership is twenty-six, and the time for meeting is the second and fourth Mondays of each month.
The German Aid Society was organized in 1867. The present officers are : Frank Beck, Pres .; John Althouse, Sec .; Henry Nauman, Treas .; Sebastian Reger, V. P .; Gottfried Hartman and Albert Holzer,
Committee on the Sick. The society has $800 invested. It has fifty-four members, and meets the second Tuesday evening of each month.
The Waterloo Turn Verein was organized in March, 1878, with forty-five members. Its present membership is about the same, and meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month for business, and Monday and Friday evenings of each week for exercise, or "turning." The present officers are : Sebastian Reger, Speaker; Aug. Cody, Ass't Speaker ; George Schilling, Sec .; P. P. Lamper, Fin. Sec .; Albert Holzer, Treas .; Adam Rosgen, Conrad Wangler, and John Baro, Trustees.
The Young Men's Christian Association was started with six members, April 5, 1882, and now has about twenty members. J. J. Tufts is President ; L. Sarvay, Vice- President; J. W. Cook, Secretary; and Budd Park, Treasurer. Regular meetings are held every Sunday afternoon. Con- nected with this are a boys' branch and a ladies' auxiliary organization.
63
596
HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
CEDAR FALLS.
EDAR FALLS is the oldest point in Black Hawk County, and was the first county seat. It is divided into four wards, the First Ward containing the principal business houses and manufactories. The Cedar River, which runs along the north side of the city, divides the city on the northeast, and is crossed by an iron wagon bridge, and a few rods above, by the bridge of the Illinois Central Railroad, who have leased and operated the Dubuque & Pacific Railroad. The streets are broad, and laid out at right angles with each other. Main street, which is the principal business street, runs north and south, and is one of the finest streets in any inland town in Iowa. The business houses, with their plate-glass fronts and elegant interior finish, would do credit to an older and larger city. The private dwellings are tasteful, built for con- venience and comfort, with neatly kept and ornamental grounds surrounding them. Many elegant residences have been erected, and others are in course of construction.
Concerning the early history of Cedar
Falls, we make the following liberal ex- tract from a sketch prepared by S. H. Packard, Esq., a gentleman whose memory and carefulness entitle him to be called, as he has been, "the historian" of the place.
" But little more than one-third of the first century of our country's existence as an independent nation has passed since the first settlement of Cedar Falls. In this comparatively short time we have seen our city grow from a mere settlement, un- known except to the venturesome hunter or trader, who made occasional visits among the Indians, who claimed and held this portion of Iowa as their hunting grounds, to a city of nearly or quite 4,000 inhabitants. We have seen it progress with steady step, until we can truthfully boast of one of the most flourishing and enterprising cities in the State, with the promise of a continued career of prosperity and advancement.
" Like most communities, we have had our seasons of depression, and have at times felt as though success was unattainable ; but the same spirit of enterprise, the same determination that led the early pioneers to found a city so far from the comforts and conveniences of the more settled por- tion of the State, served to nerve them to fight on and successfully resist the tide of
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CEDAR FALLS.
adversity which seemed ready to roll over them. Of the brave men and noble women who first came to the falls of the Cedar, and by their indomitable energy and pluck, sacrificing their own pleasures and com- forts for the good of those who should come after them, succeeded in placing our town on the highway to prosperity, many have rested from their labors and now peacefully sleep by the side of the beauti- ful river ; a few still remain to mingle with their fellow citizens, and to note with praiseworthy pride the increasing growth and prosperity of the work of their hands. All honor to those sturdy pioneer men and women who founded our city, and by their efforts laid deep and broad the foundations upon which have been builded the struct- ure which we are permitted to enjoy. May we prove worthy the inheritance they have left us, and ever strive to protect and maintain it.
"The first settlement of Black Hawk County was made where our city now stands, in the year 1844, by William Cham- bers, who located his claim cabin on the bank of the Cedar River, near where the lime kiln of G. C. Howland now is. Cham- bers was of a roving disposition, engaged in hunting and trading with the Indians; and can scarcely be called a permanent settler. He remained only till fall, when he returned to the southern part of the State. A French Canadian by the name of Somaneux, who made his habitation with the Indians, preceded Chambers and had a cabin on the bank of the cut-off, where Ce- dar City was afterward located; but as he was, to all intents, one of the Indians in his habits and purposes, he cannot be deemed a settler. In March, 1845, William Sturgis and Erasmus D. Adams, having learned from the hunters and trappers of the water- power at the falls of the Cedar, came and located, staked out their claims and erected their log claim cabin. This was doubtless
the initial settlement of Cedar Falls, and the house built by them the first perma -. nent dwelling erected by white men in Black Hawk County. It was of logs and stood near the foot of Washington street and between the race and First street.
" In 1846 Sturgis and Adams, with their families, and Jackson Taylor and wife were the only residents at Cedar Falls. James Newell and family and E. G. Young and family were located at and near the banks of the Cedar. John Melrose, Wm. Virden and G. W. Hanna, south of Cedar Falls. These comprised the entire white population of the county.
"In 1845 Sturgis made preparation to improve the water-power, and commenced a brush dam at the head of the rapids. It was next to impossible to hire help, and consequently the work progressed but slowly, and but little was accomplished by Mr. Sturgis. In the spring of 1847 he sold out his interest in the water-power and land adjoining, to D. C. Overman and John T. Barrick. They completed the brush dam, excavated a mill-race, and in 1848 built a frame saw-mill, which stood where the waste gate now is, directly east from the race bridge. This was the first mill of any kind in this part of Iowa. In 1850 a grist-mill was added to the saw-mill. It had one run of stone, made from a granite boulder or 'hard-head' found near by. This was also the first grist-mill in this part of the country, and for several years it was resorted to by the settlers in Northwestern Iowa and Southern Minnesota, and it was not uncommon to see men who had come 100 miles to the mill.
" This was the commencement of the im- provement of our splendid water-power. Changes in the ownership of the water power took place, Barrick disposing of his interest-D. C., J. M. and W. P. Overman, Edwin Brown and Dr. H. H. Meredith be- coming the proprietors, W. P. Overman
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
subsequently selling out to the others. They enlarged the raceway, put in a sub- stantial plank and timber dam, and other- wise added to and improved the power, until it became known as the best water- power in the State. In addition to the im- provements named, they subsequently ex- tended the race and erected two three-story flouring mills, which were second to none in Iowa. The old grist-mill was abandoned, and, with the old saw-mill, was destroyed by fire a few years since. From the brush dam and the rude saw-mill, and the one run of stone in the lean-to adjoining, by the perseverance and untiring industry of the gentlemen named and those who have suc- ceeded them, it has grown to its present proportions and now furnishes power for a number of very creditable manufactories.
" The original owners having disposed of their entire interests, the property is owned and controlled by a company which is com- posed of the occupants of the power. The available water-power is but partially used and when contemplated improvements are made it will be sufficient to establish at Cedar Falls one of the great manufacturing centers in the West. The proprietors of the water-power are liberal gentlemen, and are ready to afford to any who may desire to establish manufactories here, good op- portunities on most reasonable conditions.
"In 1851 Overman, Brown & Meredith caused a tract of land adjoining the water power to be platted, and christened the new village Cedar Falls, it having been be- fore this known as Sturgis Rapids. For some reason the plat was not recorded and no lots were sold. £ In 1853 a second sur- vey was made, and the plat was recorded at Independence, Buchanan County, this county not being at that time organized. At the time the second plat was made there were here forty inhabitants and nine log cabins.
"John R. Cameron purchased the first
lot sold and erected on it, at the southeast corner of Main and Second streets, the first store building. The first frame dwelling was built by Samuel Wicks. The building is still standing on First street, ncar Main, and is a part of the Gibson House. The store building of Mr. Cameron is now oc- cupied by L. O. Howland.
" In 1850 Andrew Mullarky came across the prairie from Independence with a small stock of goods, and established the first store. He occupied a small building on the north side of First street, which served as both store and family residence. In 1845 he removed to a new building on Main street erected by him. His store was known far and near as the 'Black Hawk store,' and as it was for several years the only store in this region, his customers were scattered throughout the whole Northern Cedar Valley and Southern Minnesota. The Cameron building was occupied by Williams & Hamlin, who were succeeded by M. W. Chapman, and he by T. B. and H. H. Carpenter. In 1854 the population had increased to 250.
"In 1853 S. S. McClure and Dr. E. Brewer, of Independence, and A. Low, of Delaware County, commissioners appointed for that purpose, met at Cedar Falls, and after mature consideration selected Cedar Falls as the county seat of Black Hawk County, and with due ceremony drove a red cedar stake on the lots at the northeast corner of Clay and Third streets, as the lo- cation of the future county buildings. Al- though the commissioners were gentlemen of most excellent judgment and nice dis- crimination, and undoubtedly made a most judicious and righteous selection, yet those lots were not destined to become the seat of government of our county and the home of court-house rings, for in 1855 the people of the southern part of the county were able, after a long and bitter contest, to vote the county seat away from us and locate it
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at Waterloo. While Cedar Falls was the county seat the offices were located in the second story of the Black Hawk store and at Mr. Sawyer's house, on Washington street.
" During the war of the Rebellion Cedar Falls furnished its full quota of men. Two full companies were enlisted and went from Cedar Falls, and other detachments were enlisted for other commands. The first company, Company K, of the Third Regi- ment Infantry, was enlisted in the spring of 1861. This company served a full term and re-enlisted as veterans. The second company was Company B, Thirty-first Regiment Infantry, which was enlisted and entered the service in the fall of 1862. Both these companies were in actual hard ser- vice, and participated in some of the hard- est fought engagements of the war. Among the detachments raised at Cedar Falls was one for the Seventh Cavalry and one for the Third or Dubuque Battery. Several other detachments were raised here. Of all it may be said, they did their duty, and deserve, as they have received, the grati- tude of all. To the memory of those who fell in defense of our rights we will drop the silent tear, which speaks more eloquent- ly than words can tell, the feelings of our hearts.
" At an early day the people were awake to the importance of railroad enterprises, and as early as 1854 a preliminary survey was made for an outlet to Dubuque. From that date on the project was agitated, but it was not till in 1858-'9, that decisive ac- tion was had. The Dubuque & Sioux City project was then presented to them; they labored zealously in its behalf, giving the company material aid in valuable lands and money to a large amount, estimated at the time at more than $100,000. On the Ist day of April, 1861, the first train reached Cedar Falls, and was received with demonstra- tions of general rejoicing, cannons were
fired, speeches of congratulations were made, and bonfires kindled. The advent of the railroad, and the fact that Cedar Falls was to remain the terminus for a time, im- parted new life and vigor to the town, and it at once started on a career of improve- ment, which it has ever maintained. At times it has been slow, but always substan- tial
" When it became certain that the Du- buque & Pacific Railroad would be built, attention was directed to the advantages to be gained by a connection with the towns lying north along the Cedar. A company was formed, work commenced and pushed, and in 1861 the Cedar Falls & Minnesota Railroad was completed to Waverly. Oth- er railroad projects were started at different towns, and much money was expended,but the projects were abandoned. In 1870 the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Minnesota Railway was built, and connected Cedar Falls with Burlington to St. Louis on the south, and St. Paul and Minneapolis on the north, opening to us the lumber regions of the North, and the coal fields of the South. It is but a question of time, until outlets will be opened to supply the wants of this growing community.
" The first postoffice in the county, was established at Cedar Falls in the fall of 1869, and D. C. Overman was appointed post- master. The duties of the office were not onerous nor the expenses heavy. Mr. Over- man saved rent and clerk hire, by carrying the mail in his hat and delivering it to the parties as he chanced to meet them. The receipts of the office for the first quarter were $2.50-a post of honor which would create but little political enthusiasm in these days."
Mr. Overman's successors have been ap- pointed as follows: Edwin Brown, 1851; Andrew Mullarkey, 1853; Sylvester H. Packard, 1856; Robert P. Speer, 1858; An- drew Mullarkey, 1858 ; George M. Harris,
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
1861 : Henry A. Perkins, 1865 ; William H. McClure, 1866; Fred Bochmler, 1867; William H. Morrison, 1869 ; Charles W. Snyder, 1876; George E. Eberhart, 1885.
POLITICAL RECORD.
The village of Cedar Falls was organized as a town in 1857. J. M. Overman was elected Mayor; George C. Dean, Recorder; J. M. Benjamin, Treasurer, and J. M. S. Hodgdon, Marshal. The records of the town were destroyed by fire many years since, and therefore but a very meager ac- count of their transactions can be given. The most important act of the town coun- cil was the issuing of $15,000 town scrip, to be used in the erection of a wagon bridge across the Cedar, to take the place of the ferry boat which had become two slow and un- certain to meet the wants of the growing community. The scrip was issued, and the first wagon bridge across the Cedar, north of Cedar Rapids, was built. This bridge was replaced by a Howe truss bridge, and that by the iron bridge which now spans the river at foot of Main street.
The mayors under the town organization were: J. M. Overman, Edwin Brown, C. F. Jaquith and M. W. Chapman.
In 1865 the town organization was aban- doned, and a city of the second class was organized. The first election was held March 6, 1865, and T. B. Carpenter was elected Mayor; J. T. Knapp, Treasurer; J. B. Powers, Solicitor; F. Sessions, Marshal. The mayors elected since are: Albert Allen in 1866, F. A. Bryant in 1867, 1868 and 1869, E. Townsend in 1870 and 1871, A. S. Smith in 1872 and 1873, F. F. Butler in 1874 and 1875, B. Culver in 1876 and 1877, A. S. Smith in 1878, W. T. Williams in 1879 and 1880, C. C. Knapp in 1881, 1882 and 1883, H. H. Markley in 1884 and Charles A. Wise in 1885.
The other city officers for the year 1885-'6 are: Treasurer, J. T. Knapp ; attor-
ney, J. J. Tolerton ; Assessor, Lanfear Knapp ; Clerk, Gorgee A. Newman ; Mar- shal, M. Hammond ; Street Commissioner, P. Mornin ; Trustees, James Whillis, M. W. Dayton, W. A. Bryant, E. Townsend, S. B. Humbert, M. W. Sawyer, W. Sev- erin and C. Van Hooser.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Cedar Falls has suffered at different times severely from the devouring element. The first disastrous one was in 1867. Four years later, $75,000 worth of property was ta- ken at once. This convinced the council of the imperative necessity of protection from fire, and in May a Silsby engine was purchased at an expense of $7,000. This is still in use, though it was overhauled in 1880 at a cost of $400. The city also owns two hose carts and 1,650 feet of hose. Charles Boehmler is Chief of the depart- ment, and M. Hammond, Foreman.
EDUCATIONAL.
At an early day educational matters re- ceived deserved attention, and we find that in 1846 a school was opened by Mrs. Jack- son Taylor, with a regular attendance of six scholars. This was the first school in the county. In 1853 a frame school-house was built on the lot now occupied by the Baptist church. It was built by voluntary subscriptions, and was the first school-house in the county. On the 22d of February, 1854, the ladies gave a dinner at the school- house, with the proceeds of which a bell was purchased and placed in the cupola of the school-house, the first and, for a long time, the only bell in this county. The school-house served as a town hall, meeting- house, and, in fact, for all public purposes ; in it elections, courts, weddings, funerals, re- ligious services, concerts, lectures and exhi- bitions of various kinds were held; in fact, it was the great center of the village. The old school-house has disappeared, but the
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memory of many of the scenes which were witnessed in it will remain until the last pioneer shall have passed away. The bell now does duty in one of our splendid new school buildings, and its familiar tones call our children from their play to their studies. The school district of Cedar Falls was or- ganized in 1853 ; S. A. Bishop was elected President; E. D. Adams, Secretary, and J. M. Overman, Treasurer. The number of persons in the township of school age was forty. School was kept up in the old build- ing with but little interruption until the erection of the new school building, which was built at an expense of $25,000. We have now four school buildings, two of which are of brick and two frame, the amount expended for these buildings ag- gregating $46,000. The number of persons of school age now in the city is 900. Six- teen teachers are employed, besides the principal. The latter is R. S. Bingham, who came in 1880. The roll of teachers for 1885-'6 is: Ella Ladd, Carrie Flint, Cora Boggart, Lucina Moore, Jennie Round, Emma E. Eckert, Carrie Case, Ella Fox, Kate Cunningham, Ada Carrier, Lucy Plummer, Ella Hoffman, Carrie Barnard, Agnes Butterfield, Hattie Moffett and Ot- tilia Sweet.
The present School Board is as follows: Henry Johnson (President), W. A. Bryant, A. Myer, L H. Severin, C. C. Knapp and D. Plummer. The annual expenditures for school purposes amount to $13,000.
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The free public library of Cedar Falls was established in March, 1878, by the Com- mon Council, after a favorable vote by the people. The laws of the State permit any city to maintain such a library by a levy of a one-mill tax. The first Board of Direct- ors, chosen by the Council, included : T. B. Carpenter, one year ; E. Townsend, two years ; F. Sessions, three years ; G. B. Van
Saun, four years ; T. I. Butler, five years. Since then one member has been elected annually at the municipal election. The nucleus of the library was the collection belonging to the Library Association of Cedar Falls, which donated its books to the city on the establishment of the free library. The library now numbers about 2,500 volumes, and an average of 6,000 books are annually drawn .. Additions are also made of from fifty to one hundred books annually. At present writing Fitz- roy Sessions is President and William E. Bryant, Secretary of the Board.
STATE NORMAL SCHOOL.
An account of this institution is given in the Educational chapter.
ATTORNEYS.
The first attorney to reside here was William H. McClure, who came in 1853 from Rochester, New York, and has prac- ticed continuously since, except while in the service during the war. The second was A. F. Brown, who located here from Tipton, Ohio, in 1854, and practiced till 1880, removing to Waverly, his present home. He served one term in the State Senate. S. H. Packard came in 1854, from Rochester, New York, and has practiced here since. Darius Allen, from Penn Yan, New York, came in 1858, and left about the close of the war. He went to Janesville, Wisconsin, and afterward became a temper- ance lecturer. S. B. Van Buskirk came from Wisconsin about 1860, and after some five years returned to that State. He is now in Dakota. J. B. Powers came from New York about 1860 ; went to Waterloo in 1879 or 1880; and thence to Dubuque. He served in the Senate two terms, and as prosecuting attorney one term. Leander Chapman came about 1861 from Jackson, Michigan, and died here in 1870. He had been Speaker of the House, member of the
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Senate, and Surveyor-General while in Michigan. Charles P. Brown came in 1864 or 1865, from Massachusetts, and about five years later removed to Decorah, Iowa, where he is still in practice. Herman C. Hemenway and J. J. Tolerton both came since the war, and have been locally prom- inent as citizens and lawyers. The pres- ent roll of Cedar Falls attorneys includes William H. McClure, S. H. Packard, H. C. Hemenway, A. Grundy and J. J. Tol- erton.
BANKS.
Townsend & Knapp began the business of banking here in 1861. The firm is now G. T. Knapp & Co. H. B. Cropper is bookkeeper.
The First National Bank was organized in 1874, with W. M. Fields as President, C. J. Fields as Cashier, and J. W. Mason as Assistant Cashier. There has been no change in any of these offices. The capital stock was $100,000 at first, which sum was reduced to $50,000 in 1877. The surplus now is $20,000.
MANUFACTURES.
The water-power at Cedar Falls is the best on this river, and is probably the best in Iowa. Its early history is given on a previous page. It was originally estimated at 6,000 inches in an ordinary stage of water, but Mr. Miner thinks that 10,000 would be near the truth. The 6,000 inches is owned as follows: G. M. Miner, 2,000 ; Cedar Falls Paper Company, 1,000 ; Cedar Falls Mill Company, 1,000; Cedar River Oatmeal Mills, 500 ; Harris & Cole Bros., 500; William Graham, 500; Harry Mark- ley, 300; Albricht & Wilder, 100; estate of Samuel Rownds and J. T. Knapp & Co., IO0.
For the convenience of the manufact- urers the Wisconsin, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad has built branch tracks to several leading establishments.
G. N. Miner commenced business here in 1873, buying the old Overman mill, which he has at different times improved and enlarged. He changed the process to that known as the " roller," built the cleva- tor and added a storage department. This mill produces 150 barrels of flour every day, and is in operation all seasons of the year. Nine men are employed. The wheat is bought mostly in Northern Iowa, Min- nesota and Dakota. In 1876 Mr. Miner built the Occidental Mills, for the manu- facture of feed ; and at the present writing he is preparing to make pearl meal also. The capacity is one car-load of each prod- uet daily. Mr. Miner also owns a plan- ing mill, which is leased to Edward Weis- bard & Son.
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