History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 76

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574

USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 76

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).

Sunday-school-Reetor, superintendent; C. D. Jones, esq., assistant and secretary; Mrs. C. D. Jones, treasurer ; Mr. William Laytze, librarian.

ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The history of St. John's Catholic church of Inde- pendence presents to the reader a record of a communi- ty whose growth and increase amongst us is as truly wonderful as it is remarkable. In the years 1854 and 1855 the few Catholic families who were then in Buchan- an county were attended by a missionary from Dubuque two or three times a year. In the year 1856 the first Catholic church was built, a small franie building situ- ated near the site of the court house. The number of families who were accustomed to assemble there for wor- ship might be counted on one's finger ends. Among them W. Bonner, James Shannon, S. Murray, John O'Loughlin, James Burns, etc. The resident pastor was Father Slattery, who was afterwards succeeded by Father Shields. Father Shields' charge at that time extended over a tract of country which was not less in extent than two hundred square miles. It comprised Buffalo, Man- chester, Fairbanks, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, lowa Falls, Pine Oak, and Vinton. These places have at present each a resident pastor. In 1863 the present brick struc- ture was commenced under John L. Goskar, who had charge of the congregation for some sixteen years. In the year 1878 the present incumbent, Rev. Patrick Burke, took charge. He is a native of Dublin, Ireland, born 1847; was educated for the ministry at Holy Cross College, Clonliffe, St. Patrick's Carlow, where he was ordained priest by Bishop Walsh in 1873. The present congregation worshiping at St. Johns' alone numbers over fifteen hundred souls.

Attached to St. John's Catholic church is a convent conducted under the auspices of the Sisters of Notre Dame. It is intended for the education of the young ladies of the Catholic community. Besides caring for the education of the young, the good Sisters also attend to the sick and perform other works of mercy. The con- vent was purchased by Mother Borromeo for seven thousand dollars in the year 1869. There are ten Sisters in the community.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

The First Baptist church of Independence was organ- ized May 9, 1858, with the following constituent mem-

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

bers: Men-L. W. Cook, M. D. Weston, Josiah Brace, J. C. Loomis; women-Emily C. Cook, Sarah E. Smith, Urene Weston, Elizabeth Chandler, Melvina Bartle, I. E. Loomis, Electa Young. After holding services in the court house for six years, in 1865 they finished and ded- icated their beautiful house of worship, which has since been enlarged. The first pastor of this church was the Rev. John Fulton, through whose wise energy and emi- nent social qualities the new organization rapidly in- creased in efficiency, influence and members; so that at the close of his ministry it ranked among the leading churches of the state. Since its organization eighty- three have been baptized into its fellowship, one hun- dred and sixteen have been united by letter, and eighteen have joined by experience. The present mem- bership is ninety-two. It includes several energetic young men who are rising into prominence. A special feature of the work of this church is the Sunday-school, which has usually been large and flourishing. Since its origin eight different clergymen have been pastors of this church. These frequent changes have been detri- mental to its prosperity. But scanty results of the labors of the successors of the first pastor can now be seen. The following is the pastoral record:

Rev. John Fulton, from September, 1859, to March, 1866; Rev. William C. Larned, from July 29, 1866, to July 6, 1867; Rev. William L. Hunter, from March 6, 1869, to September 30, 1871; Rev. George M. Preston, from November, 1871, to November 20, 1872; Rev. F. A. Marsh, from August, 1874, to January, 1877; Rev. James Paterson, from June, 1877, to April, 1879; Rev. George Sutherland, August, 1879.

THE NEW ENGLAND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH of Independence was constituted on May 8, 1867. The recognition was on the nineteenth, the public services being held in the Baptist church. The number of mem- bers at the organization was nine. On the sixteenth of the same month eight additional members were admitted to its fellowship, so that, at the time of recognition, the membership was seventeen. The officers of the church are pastor, deacons, clerk and treasurer. C. C. Cadwell was the first clerk, Spencer W. Noyes the first deacon, and Rev. Henry Mills the first pastor, beginning stated supply of pulpit the first Sabbath in March, 1868.

The New England Congregational society was organ- ized on the eighteenth day of March, 1868, by the adop- tion of articles of incorporation and compact with the church. The society convened on the twenty-third day of May to consider the following questions: First, shall we purchase a lot for a church edifice? Second, shall we attempt to build a house for public worship this sea- son? Third, what kind and dimensions? Fourth, what measures to accomplish these objects, if deemed practi- cable? It was voted to purchase a lot. June 6th the society ordered the committee to buy the lot on which the house now stands. On the thirteenth, voted to build, and ordered plan and estimates, and appointed a com- mittee to solicit subscriptions and pay for the lot and proposed building ; also a committee to have charge of

its erection. In July the soil was broken and the foun- dation, the superstructure and furnishing of the same fol- lowed in quick succession, and on the sixteenth day of December following the house was dedicated and sub- scriptions and cash raised to meet all bills against the society. Rev. Charles H. Bissell was the second minis- ter, Rev. L. W. Bricutnall the third minister. Rev. L. W. Foster, the present pastor, has been with his people three and a half years -- an able and faithful man in the pulpit, in the Bible class and in the weekly prayer meeting. All these pastors have been good and faithful ministers, and in some respects able men-why, then, such frequent changes? In the opinion of the writer of this brief sketch, it was not the fault of the ministers.

GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

On the twentieth of September, 1858, Rev. F. C. Schwartz, a minister of the Presbyterian church (old school) preached here to a goodly number of Germans in the English Presbyterian church in Independence. After the services were over most of the Germans pres- ent asked him to stay, at least for a time, and preach for them, which he did. He labored here till June 7, 1858, on which day the following persons met in the evening to consult in regard to a church organization: E. Zinn, F. Herman, P. Tempus, Charles Heege, V. Klotzback, H. Dellfeld, F. Bittner, John Bechkemmer, I. Moser, I. Langeneckhard, I. Mohring, Henry Langeneckhardt, I. Schenkowitz, Christian Schaefer, and Eberard Lan- geneckhardt. Rev. F. C. Schwartz presided, and it was resolved after reading and adopting the Westminster cat- echism, to be organized into a Presbyterian church, and all present signed a petition to the Dubuque presbytery to grant them such an organization as soon as conven- ient.

On the seventh day of July, 1858, a committee of the presbytery of Dubuque, consisting of Rev. A. Van Vliet and Rev. C. Schwartz, met with these people at the school-house in the eastern part of the town. Rev. Mr. Van Vliet preached a sermon, and then the two minis- ters examined the people present, also putting the usual questions and offering prayer, after which the church was declared organized, under the name of the "German Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Independence, Bu- chanan county, lowa." The following day, July 8th, another meeting was held, and after sermon the following persons were duly elected as officers of the church: Eck- hardt Zinn, and Fred. Herman, elders; Christian Schaefer, and Henry Langeneckhardt, deacons. These four brethren received their ordination July 11, 1858, according to the constitution of the Presbyterian church, old school.

All these proceedings are recorded in the session book of the said church, and signed by Rev. F. C. Schwartz. 'The congregation consisted at that time of twenty-seven male and twenty-five female members, numbering in all fifty-two souls. On July 15th the congregation had a meeting at which it was resolved to purchase a lot and build thereon a place of worship. They bought one-half of a lot in the eastern part of the town, near the court house, of Judge O. H. P. Roszell, for one hundred and

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

twenty-five dollars, to be paid in three years. April 24, I859, six persons were added to the church on examina- tion. April 8, 1860, two more members were added, and on the fifteenth of the same month there were added two more. At a meeting at which these last two were received, it was resolved to have the church incorporated according to the laws of the State of Iowa, and a com- mittee of five was elected to take charge of this busi- ness and see that the congregation was incorporated as as soon as possible. This was done April 23, 1860, and the writings were recorded in the recorder's office at the court house April 25, 1860, at 4 o'clock P. M., in book 11, pages 498 and 499.

At the meeting of April 15, 1860, there was much disagreement in regard to paying for the lot and build- ·ing a meeting-house, and four persons were soon after dropped from the roll of the church. April 29, 1860, they had another meeting at which Rev. F. C. Schwartz resigned his position as stated supply. ITis farewell sermon was preached on the eighth of the fol- lowing July, and a few days thereafter he removed from the place.

After this the church dwindled for several years. Rev. Mr. Van Vliet, of Dubuque, came frequently to preach, and some of his theological students occasionally -- the people simply paying their expenses. But most of the so-called members left the church, and the few that re- mained were not able to pay the balance due on the lot which had been purchased, and so it was sold.

June 7, 1868, Rev. John G. Schaible commenced preaching for this little flock. There was one elder left, Mr. E. Zinn, and two deacons, P. Tempus and H. Longeneckhardt. Besides these there were only eight members more-making eleven in all. Mr. Schaible be- gan his ministrations in the court house, and after he had moved his family here, the morning services were held in the school building, north of the court house, and the evening in the English Presbyterian church. About twenty members were added to the church soon after.

April 29, 1869, the session book was for the first time submitted to the inspection of the presbytery of Du- buque. It was examined, approved, and signed by the moderator, Rev. J. S. Wilson.

August 29, 1869, Mr. John Lemink was elected a ruling elder of the church, and was duly ordained and installed in that office.

February 25, 1869, a Sabbath-school was commenced with eighteen scholars.

March 9, 1869, the old Presbyterian church and lot, near the east bank of the river, were purchased for one thousand dollars. After improvements had been made to the amount of one hundred and seventy dollars, the church was reconsecrated to the service of the Lord by Rev. A. Van Vliet, of Dubuque, and Rev. Mr. Boggs, of this city, and all was paid for on the day of the re- consecration, and enough was left to buy a cabinet organ for the church.

May 25, 1869, the church elected three men to serve as trustees, one for one year, one for two years, and one for three; so that each year one trustee must be elected.

July 6, 1872, Rev. Mr. Schaible was called to the pastorate of the church, after having served as stated supply for four years and two months, and on the fif- teenth of the same month, he was duly installed as pas- tor by the Rev. Messrs. W. B. Phelps and J. Conzett.

May 25, 1874, the church building was destroyed in the great fire which swept away the most of the bus- iness portion of the town. But the little flock was not discouraged. They received, for insurance, one thou- sand dollars; raised a subscription among themselves; obtained some help from the good people, and, on the sixth of January, 1876, the present comely brick edifice, standing on the site of the old one, was dedicated to the services of the Lord by Rev. A. Elfield, of Freeport, Il- linois, and Rev. E. Schuetta, of Waukon, Iowa. The entire cost of the new church was one thousand and seven dollars, and the whole is paid.

March 26, 1877, elder John Temink was dismissed from office, and Henry Langeneckhardt was elected and installed in his place. The present elders (1881) are E. Zinn and H. Langeneckhardt. The deacons are P. Tempus and G. Goeller; and the trustees are E. Zinn and the two deacons. The membership now numbers about fifty-six, and the Sabbath-school between seventy and eighty.

'The pastor's salary has always been small-the board of Home Missions, of the Presbyterian church, aiding year after year, so that he could remain at his post. The amount raised, however, for pastoral support has been constantly increasing.

The following statement shows what has been raised by the congregation, for all purposes, during the past year: For pastor's salary . .$325 00

For missions 52 00

For sexton's hire, wood, oil, and insurance. 74 00

For Sabbath-school 17 00

Cash on hand. 7 00

$475 00

CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

This society is composed of Germans, and the relig- ious services are in the German language. It was organ- ized about the year 1856. No early records existing, we are unable to make this history as complete as it should be. The first of its ministers whose names we have been able to learn was Rev. R. Dubs, now a bishop of the church, residing in Cleveland, Ohio. He had a pas- torate of two years, beginning about 1860. This society then belonged to a circuit extending over a large portion of northern Iowa. Circuits are self-supporting; missions receive outside aid. This church has been connected with missions about half of the time since its organiza- tion. Its first edifice was a stone building, now used as a private residence, and standing a short distance east of the court house. It was built about the year 1858.

Its present edifice is a wooden building, on the corner of Monroe and Madison streets, with a comfortable par- sonage adjoining. It was built some eight years ago.

Some of the more recent pastors are the following; H. Brauer, H. Kleinsorge, H. Althaus, H. Buts, M. Knoll, S. H. Witte, and H. Stellrecht, the present incum- bent.

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.

For some additional facts see the article entitled " In- dependence in 1881" -- elsewhere in this volume.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN.

In the spring of 1863 a church of the above denomi- nation was established here, with a membership of four- teen. When they first organized they had services in a brick school-house that stood where the jail now stands, for four years. The school-house was taken down to give place to the jail buildings, and then, for a time, they had services in private houses.

They built a house of worship and a parsonage in 1871, and the whole property is probably worth one thousand dollars. Their first pastor was Gottlieb Bruckmer, and was the one who held services in the brick school-house. Their present membership is twenty, and the preacher is Rev. L. Christ. They have services every other Sab- bath, in the German language. In the winter time the preacher has a German school for the benefit of his par- ish and all who desire to attend.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EDWARD ROSS

was born in Lower Waterford, Vermont, September 21, 1828. His father, Royal Ross, owned a farm, one and one-half miles from Lower Waterford, which was pur- chased by his father about 1790, and which is still owned by the family. As the name indicates, the family is of Scotch extraction, and originally settled in Pennsylvania; were farmers as far back as is known. Mr. Royal Ross gave all his children a good academic education ; and whether modern educational facilities furnish anything better than the old-time academies of the Eastern and Middle states, is an open question.

The choice of a collegiate course was also accorded to his sons, but was declined by Edward, who thus escaped the bench of the supreme court, now occupied by his brother, who graduated at Dartmonth, and is now the Hon. Jonathan Ross, of St. Johnsbury, Vermont. But

" There is a divinity that shapes our ends."

The west needed just such men as Mr. Edward Ross, with his thorough business education and vivid sympathy with progressive Americanism, which is prone, with the star of empire, westward to take its course. There will always be enough of conservative scholasticism to supply the supreme bench, while the west cannot have too much of that element which helps to develop and direct her vast resources. Mr. Ross was one of a family of twelve children, eight of whom are still living. Deciding to de- vote himself to an active business life, he gave his at- tention to civil engineering, and so far mastered the principles of the art, as to command employment soon after he passed his majority. He was employed in this capacity for the six years following 1851, and came to Independence at the close of that period, in the

spring of 1857. His first position in this western arena, was in the office of W. G. Donnan, county treasurer and recorder, where he served as deputy for two terms, or four years, and with what acceptance will be seen in the fact that the same position was held under Mr. Donnan's successor, and for the same time.

In 1865, after eight years of faithful public service, Mr. Ross was prepared to indulge his preference for ac- tive pursuits, and was engaged in farming and milling from 1865 to 1871. He purchased a large farm near Otterville, Washington township, and owned half of the valuable mill at that picturesque hamlet on Otter creek. From 1871 to 1874 he was engaged in real estate busi- ness in Independence. In the fall of 1874 was prin- cipally influential in organizing the People's National bank, of which he was at once elected president, and has held that office ever since.

Mr. Ross was married in 1856, in Vermont, to Miss Martha A. Cutter. They had two children, both dying young. Mrs. Ross died in Independence in the year 1875. He was married the second time in July, 1877, to Miss Maggie P. Reutheford, then principal of the grammar school, east side. They have one child, a son, Parke Ross, born January, 1879. The fine house, since occupied as a family residence in West Independence, was built in 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are members of the Congregational church.

CAPTAIN J. F. COY

was born in Livingston county, New York, in the year 1839. His early years were spent principally in school. He attended the Genesee college, New York, from 1859 to 1862 inclusive. In the month of August, 1862, he enlisted in company G, First New York dragoons. At the expiration of the first six months' service, he was appointed first lieutenant, which ocffie he held but a short time when he was appointed captain of company B of the same regiment. He served his country in this capacity till the year 1865, when he with his regiment was mustered out of service. He was a hospital patient about six weeks, through the effects of a wound received at the battle at Trevillian Station, Virginia. He partici- pated in all the battles Sherman's army engaged in be- side the battle of the Wilderness, experiencing all the hardships of army life and its accompanying dangers. He became a citizen of Buchanan county, Iowa in 1866. He engaged in the grocery business in Independence till the year 1874, when he united his interests with the People's National bank, and has since been cashier of the same.

Mr. Coy was married in 1870, in East Granville, Mas- sachusetts, to Miss Delia E. Clark.

MORRIS STRAFFORD HITCHCOCK

was born in Marshall, Oneida county, New York, June 2, 1828. His mother's maiden name was Susan Wye. His ancestry were all of New England and Puritan ori-

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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, 10WA.

gin. His father, Anson Hitchcock, was deacon of the Hanover Congregational church in Marshall, and his mother was a woman of ardent picty. He obtained most of his school education at the district school, and commenced teaching when eighteen; and subse- quently taught several terms in New York and Iowa. He chose farming for an occupation; and, in the fall of 1854, came west and settled in Clayton county, Iowa. In 1873 he removed to Madison township, Buchanan county, and subsequently located on a wild prairie farm in Buffalo township.

The subject of this sketch was always fond of litera- ture and interested in questions pertaining to science, philosophy, politics and theology. His father, grand- father and uncles were all active pioneers in the temper- ance and anti-slavery reforms of their day. Young Hitchcock cast his first presidential vote for General Winfield Scott; he voted for Colonel J. C. Fremont in 1856, for Horace Greeley in 1872, and for Peter Cooper in 1876; since which time he has been an active mem- ber of the National Greenback party. About the first of January, 1880, he bought the National Advocate, then in its second year of publication, and since that time he has devoted his time to editing and publishing the same.

He was married December 18. 1856, to Miss Catha- rine H. Humphry, who was born in Cornwall, England. Their family consists in all of six children, three boys and three girls.

DAVID S. DEERING

was born in Scarborough, Maine, March 9, 1816. His parents were Isaac and Sarah Deering-his ancestry be- ing among the early settlers of Cumberland county. His father and mother never emigrated from the Pine Tree State.

In 1839 David removed to Jefferson county, Penn- sylvania, where he remained till 1856, when he came to Buchanan county. He purchased eighty acres of land in Middlefield township, but kept it only a year, when he traded it for the house and lot in Independence, which he still owns and occupies. It is situated on the west side of the river, at the corner of Centre and Inde- pendence streets.

He has been employed here in various occupations. He was once elected county surveyor, and though well qualified for the office, it was one that he did not choose, and he resigned after three months. He was employed two years as deputy clerk of the courts. He made a map of the city, which has just been published by sub- scription ; and has now in progress a county map, to be published also by subscription during the year 1881. It

is got up in atlas form-one township to a page-and is designed as a real estate map, containing the boundaries of every separate parcel of land in the county, except town lots, together with the name of the present owner.

Mr. Deering takes an active interest in everything which pertains to the moral and intellectual progress of his adopted city, and he has been now for four years chairman of the library committee, His leisure time,

all the way through life, has been devoted to scientific pursuits ; and his attainments in paleontology (as may be seen in the chapter on the "Physical Features" of the county) have been publicly acknowledged by Professor Calvin, of the Iowa State university.

Mr. Deering was married in 1844, to Emeline H. Low- ell, of Brookville, Jefferson county, Pennsylvania. They have had seven children-four only of whom are living : Mary, married and living in Sigourney, Iowa ; Leander, married and living in Independence ; Augustus, living in Minneapolis ; and Anna, who has been now for two years assistant teacher in the High School of Indepen- dence.

CHARLES M. DURHAM

was born in Yates county, New York, in 1830, his par- ents being Benjamin and Mary K. (Bates) Durham. His ancestors were English, and among the early set- tlers on Long Island. His father was a millwright by trade, an excellent workman, who followed that business industriously the greater portion of his life. He, how- ever, connected farming with the prosecution of his trade, purchasing land in Yates county as early as 1799, and finally becoming the owner of a fine farm of two hundred acres.

We have read an interesting biographical sketch of Benjamin Durham and his family, containing a vivid ac- count of their trials as pioneer settlers in Yates county, which we would gladly transfer to our pages did time and space permit.

Benjamin Durham died in 1832, and his second wife, the mother of Charles, in 1845, leaving a large family of children. At the early age of fifteen, therefore, young Durham was left an orphan. Vigorous, however, in body and mind, self-reliant and industrious, he went to work for himself. For some years he was in mercantile busi- ness in Naples, Ontario county, New York. In 1859 he came to Delaware county, in this State, where he was clerk in a store one year. He then went to try his for- tune in St. Louis, but remained there only six months, when he came to Independence, and here pitched his tent "for good and all. " In about six months after coming here he was appointed assistant to the station agent of the Dubuque & Sioux City railroad at this place, and in three months more (which brings us down to the beginning of 1862) he was installed in the office as chief agent, and has continued to occupy the same position ever since.

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History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 76

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 574

Author: Williams bros., Cleveland, pub. [from old catalog]; Riddle, A. G. (Albert Gallatin), 1816-1902
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 574