USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa: a record of settlement., Volume 1 > Part 19
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Citizens of Parkersburg refer to their banks with consider- able pride, for they are upon a sound basis and hold the full con- fidence of the people. The Beaver Valley Bank is especially strong in the sterling character of its officials, its resources and the confidence of a host of friends and patrons. It was organized
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in 1882, with a paid-up capital of $50,000. B. B. Richards, of Dubuque, was the first president, and James F. Parker, cashier. The bank was the outgrowth of a private bank, started by Rich- ards & Parker in 1877.
In December, 1892, upon the resignation of James F. Parker, S. S. Striker was elected to fill the vacancy. Striker remained two years and then made way for John Voogd, who retained the position until Jan. 10, 1899, when he was succeeded by H. W. Wilhelms. Upon the latter's elevation to the presidency in 1907 T. R. Tammen became cashier.
B. B. Richards continued in the office of president from the establishment of the bank until 1899. From that year until Jan- uary, 1907, H. J. Merlien held the responsible position. From the latter date to the present time H. W. Wilhelms has been chief executive officer of the bank.
The parent bank of Parker & Richards was kept in a small frame building that stood on the site of the handsome new Tem- ple building and was destroyed by fire about 1904. After the fire the present home of the bank, a large, two-story brick build- ing, was erected on one of the most prominent corners of the business center. Capital, $50,000; surplus and undivided profits, $67,504; deposits, $524,204.
The First National Bank was organized in 1910 by C. F. Franke, E. V. Franke, G. N. Clark, Sander Ludeman and others, with a capital of $50,000, and is the outgrowth of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank, established and incorporated by H. J. Merlien, G. Ludeman, A. K. Smith, Mrs. H. J. Merlien and others. The First National's initial officers were: Sander Ludeman, president; C. F. Franke, vice president; H. E. W. Kaiser, cashier. Kaiser resigned in October, 1912, and was succeeded by R. A. Ludeman. The bank is doing business on the main street of the town in a brick building and recently increased its capital stock. The last statement showed the following figures: Capital, $60,- 000; surplus and undivided profits, $4,300; deposits, $90,000.
THE SCHOOLS
Parkersburg became an independent school district in the spring of 1871. M. I. Powers was selected as president of the school board, R. L. Chase, secretary, and William Howenstein, treasurer. The other members of the board were J. Goodale, W.
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A. Allen and L. D. Davis. In 1872 the question of expending $2,500 was voted upon favorably and a frame building 24x24 feet and two stories in height was erected on the south side. Pupils increasing made the addition of a wing necessary in the year 1878. This building disappeared in flames in 1893 and in the following year a modern, three-story brick structure, costing $16,000, arose under the hands of skilful workmen, and is a structure convenient in arrangement and imposing in appearance. It contains nine or ten rooms, including the superintendent's office and high school assembly room, and has a corps of eight instructors, including the city superintendent.
CATHOLIC CHURCH
In the early days of Albion township there were quite a num- ber of families whose religious tenets were those of the Roman Catholic church. To them were first offered the sacrament of the mass, at the pioneer homes of Daniel Downey and James Ken- nedy in 1861, and at other places in the future parish. Father John Shields was the first priest to minister to this people; in fact, he traveled hundreds of miles in those early days laboring for his church and its members. He remained about six years and then gave way to Father T. F. Gunn, whose pastorate cov- ered a period of four years. Following him was Rev. Peter O'Dowd. Father Mahoney came next and was followed by Father Lynch who, while living in the old priest's house, built the present residence, in 1897, which stands on the hill near the church. Father Molloy was next to be placed in charge and stayed two years. His successor was Father Baxter, whose administration covered a period of two years. The next pastor, Father Quinn, was here six years. The present priest is Father O. Leary, who took charge late in 1913 shortly after his arrival from his native country, Ireland. The church edifice was built in 1874.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The history of the Methodist church of Parkersburg was pre- pared for the dedication exercises of the new church edifice and published, together with a description of the beautiful building, in the Eclipse. The article cannot in any way be improved upon, hence it is reproduced here verbatim et literatim:
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The pioneer Methodist preacher found his way occasionally to the scattered neighborhood of what is now the city of Parkers- burg as early as the year 1851 or 1852, preaching in the log cabin of a Methodist family, the first of which we now have record being held in the log house, the dimensions of which were 14x16 feet, belonging to W. F. Younker, who resided four miles east and one mile south of Parkersburg.
The first services were conducted by Rev. Elijah Kendall in in the fall of 1854. The Methodist class was organized, consist- ing of the following persons: Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Kemmerer, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Daniels, Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Younker and Michael Niece.
The Methodist Sunday school was soon after organized. About a year later, in the fall of 1855, J. L. Kemmerer, having built a log house somewhat larger than that owned by Mr. Younker, the preaching service and Sabbath school was carried on at his place, where they were continued until the schoolhouse was erected near by.
According to the Beaver valley circuit record, Rev. John Con- nell seems to have been one of the first regular preachers on the charge. In the winter of 1855 and 1856, Father Connell, as he was familiarly called, held a revival meeting in the home of Rich- ard Daniels, which proved to be a great blessing. Rev. George Murphy, a local preacher who lived at Swanton, often preached in various homes and schoolhouses in that early day. In 1857 Richard Daniels was ordained as a local deacon in the Methodist church and from that time until near the close of his life fre- quently preached the gospel. Rev. John Dawson is remembered as one of the pioneer local preachers in Beaver valley circuit.
For some years this was a three weeks circuit and extended from West Union, Fayette county, to Hampton and Maysville, Franklin county. This was the beginning of the work of God among the people called Methodists, and many a season of rejoic- ing can be remembered by the few still living, who attended those early services.
THE EARLY PASTORS
According to the quarterly conference record found at New Hartford, recorded by C. Spicer, recording steward for several years, the regularly appointed pastors of Beaver valley circuit in
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their order are: Rev. J. Connell, who served two years, then Rev. William Sibley, followed by Rev. B. F. Taylor, who served one year; Rev. George Murphy, one year. In the fall of 1862 came Elijah Kendall and during the fall of the following year the name of the circuit was changed to the New Hartford circuit and the territory was enlarged to include the country about Par- kersburg. Elijah Kendall was continued as preacher in charge for another year. In 1864 Rev. William Fawcett came on the charge and remained two years. Then came Rev. J. G. Wilkin- son.
CHANGE IN CIRCUIT
About this time, Oct. 13, 1866, it was planned to have the New Hartford circuit include Parkersburg as one of the regular preach- ing places. They had Methodist preaching once in four weeks. This plan was continued in the Illinois Central railroad depot and in the schoolhouse until the church was built in 1870. Rev. J. G. Wilkinson was pastor one year.
CHURCH IS INCORPORATED
On the 3d day of December, 1866, articles of incorporation of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Parkersburg, Iowa, were duly made, and the following persons were elected as first trustees: of the society : J. L. Johnson, J. Dimmick, Cyrus Spicer, Joseph Hopley and J. L. Kemmerer. At this time there were eight appointments on the New Hartford circuit with preaching by the regular pastor only once in four weeks, but the local preacher . often preached in these various places.
According to official records, the first quarterly conference of the Methodist Episcopal church ever held in Parkersburg was on June 8, 1868. Rev, E. Smith acted as chairman of the meeting. At that time Rev. E. Skinner, of Waterloo, was then presiding elder of the Cedar Falls district.
In the fall of 1868 Rev. W. A. Glassner was appointed to the charge, and the county history records show that in March, 1869, he organized the Methodist Episcopal class of Parkersburg, with the following members: J. L. Johnson, James Gillard, D. Jay, Cyrus Spicer, O. O. Spicer, E. B. Lamb, R. Daniels, C. Kemmerer, B. Bentley, F. C. Burdick, Jesse Owens, J. Goodale and others.
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The first officers were F. C. Burdick, James Gillard, J. L. John- son, C. Spicer and J. Goodale.
At the annual conference of the fall of 1869, which was held at Independence, Parkersburg and Aplington were constituted a separate charge, with Buck Grove and Daniels schoolhouse appointments. Rev. J. A. Kerr was appointed as pastor. At the beginning of the year the membership of the circuit numbered eighty-four.
FIRST CHURCH BUILT
The first Methodist Episcopal church was built in Parkers- burg during the summer of 1870 at a cost of $3,000. It was a good substantial frame building 56 feet in length and 36 feet wide. The Methodist Sunday school was organized in the summer of 1870 with J. Goodale as superintendent.
FULL LIST OF PASTORS
The pastors who served the Parkersburg charge from the time of building the first church until the present in regular succession are: J. A. Kerr, one year; J. N. Platte, one year; W. J. Mitchell, one year; H. S. Bargelt, one year; George Elliott, one year; S. Sherrin, one year; A. H. Sproul, one year; J. G. Wilkinson, two years; J. M. Hedger, two years; W. F. Barclay, two years; G. W. Ballou, one year; J. S. McIntyre, two years; H. B. Long, two years; W. H. Doner, three years; J. H. Hoskin, one year; J. G. Eberhart, one year; Walter Piper, three years; W. M. Lemen, four years; S. R. Ferguson, three years; N. F. Norton, three . years; E. G. Hunt, 1906-11; Dr. A. M. McIntosh, 1911 to the present time.
During these thirty-five years since the erection of the first church building, the Methodist society has had a reasonable degree of prosperity. In 1871 Parkersburg was made a station with only one out appointment at Daniels' schoolhouse, since which time there has been regular preaching morning and evening. After two years the Aplington appointment was again added to the charge as an afternoon appointment and continued in this way until 1899, when it was dropped. Since that time Parkers- burg has been a single station. In 1875 a small frame parsonage was built at a cost of about four hundred dollars, which with improvements continued to be the pastor's home until 1894.
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ERECT OTHER BUILDINGS
While Rev. W. M. Lemen was pastor the old parsonage was sold and a new one built at a cost of about two thousand dollars. The church building was repaired and remodeled from time to time, but although it was made of good material and very well built, the society felt the need of a new church. During the pas- torate of W. S. Piper, from 1896 to 1899, an effort was made toward the erection of a new church. It failed because of the lack of funds. Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Wolf in 1901 realized that Parkersburg was greatly in need of a new Methodist church, as well as a public library. They were especially friendly to the Methodist church from the fact that Mr. Wolf was the son of a Methodist preacher. Accordingly, Mr. Wolf made the following proposition to the pastor and congregation :
WOLF'S MUNIFICENT OFFER
"We, C. C. Wolf and Mary Wolf, agree to pay to the Meth- odist Episcopal church of Parkersburg, Iowa, through its trustees the sum of $8,500 when the citizens of Iowa shall have subscribed and paid to the said trustees a like amount for the purpose of building a church and library as herein set forth, and further conditioned that no mortgage or encumbrance of any kind shall ever be placed on said property, and when site is selected and deed given, the said deed is to contain the said mortgage and encumbrance clause named above.
"(Signed) C. C. Wolf and Mary Wolf."
REV. N. F. NORTON'S GOOD WORK
Rev. S. R. Ferguson met with some encouragement, but on account of ill health and for other reasons the project was aban- doned. In the fall of 1902 Rev. N. F. Norton was appointed to the Parkersburg charge with the expectation on the part of the presiding elder and conference that a new church would be built. Soon after the arrival of the new preacher a new church building was talked by some of the members, but for several months the pastor said but little. It was felt by all, however, that something must be done soon. The old church was cold and leaked badly. It was evident that the old building must be repaired at considerable cost or a new one erected.
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Upon consultation with Mr. Wolf it was learned that his propo- sition held good for another year. In March, 1903, a meeting of the trustees was called at the parsonage and by unanimous vote it was decided to accept the generous offer made by Mr. and Mrs. Wolf. A committee composed of the pastor, J. Knipe, and M. F. Edwards was appointed to secure the necessary subscriptions on the part of the church. The work was commenced at once, although the weather was inclement and the roads muddy. At the end of two months it was found that the amount subscribed exceeded $8,500, and steps were taken at once to secure plans and specifications for the building, including $2,000 for books and reading matter for the library.
PLANS ARE SELECTED
Several architects submitted plans and finally the ones pre- sented by J. H. Prescott, of Marshalltown, Iowa, met with the approval of the building committee, consisting of Jacob Knipe, S. A. Foote, C. C. Wolf, M. F. Edwards and the pastor, N. F. Norton.
A notice for bids was published and on the 23d of September, 1903, the contract was awarded to Charles W. Skemp & Son, of Dubuque, to construct the building for $12,720. The work of excavation was commenced in October, 1903. About the 15th of that month workmen began tearing down the old temple, much to the sorrow of the many who had long worshipped there.
The foundation walls of the new church were laid during the fall of 1903 and in March, 1904, work was resumed and the build- ing nearly completed December 14th of that year. About this time the building committee were informed that the church was to have a fine pipe organ and in January, 1905, this was put in place. The cost of the building, including the furniture, is about twenty-three thousand dollars, and about two thousand dollars was expended for books for the free public library connected with the church. This makes a complete cost in round figures of $25,000. Thousands of people attended the dedicatory services which took place April 16, 1905.
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING
The church building is a fine modern, up-to-date temple and probably is not excelled in beauty or convenience in this section
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of the state. The outside dimensions are 68x93 feet. The first floor contains a library, consisting of one large reading room and two private reading rooms, with stack room for books back of the library office. The first floor also has large prayer meet- ing rooms, ladies' parlor, dining room, kitchen, boiler and coal rooms. The second floor has an auditorium, lecture or Sunday school room, several class rooms, hallways, choir and organ rooms, pastor's study and a gallery. The seating capacity in sight of the pulpit is about seven hundred. Music is furnished from a fine pipe organ worth $2,500, which was donated to the church.
Nearly all the floors above are of white maple with white pine in the library. The frescoing decorations are very fine and were made by Mr. Peters, of Chicago. The art glass was furnished by Giles & Company, of Minneapolis, and cannot be surpassed in beauty. One needs to see this beautiful building to fully realize its grandeur.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The Congregational church of Parkersburg was organized in 1869 by Rev. I. N. Williams. Its first religious services were held at the depot of the Illinois Central Railroad, and subsequently in the old schoolhouse. In 1870 the present church edifice was erected at cost of $3,500. The building has since been remodeled. The church was organized by Rev. I. N. Williams, who became the temporary pastor.
The first regular pastor, Rev. R. S. D. Boynton, accepted a call April 25, 1870. The following ministers successively accepted calls to the pastorate: H. H. Robins, H. M. Amsden, Alexander Parker, G. W. Dorsey, John Gray, H. M. Sly, J. P. Richards, W. B. Sanford, J. P. Clyde, C. A. Chambers, J. J. Jones, A. S. Hock, W. P. Begg, W. B. Pardun, and Rev. J. W. Bonnell, the present pastor, accepted a call November 1, 1911.
The first officers of the church were: Deacons, Edwin Fisher, Ensign Baker; trustees, N. T. Manly, J. Beemer, E. Fisher, C. K. Tanner, R. R. Horr; clerk, N. T. Manly.
The church is free from debt and in a prosperous condition. The membership is fifty; Sunday school attendance, fifty.
BAPTIST CHURCH
The Baptist people of this community organized a church on the 27th of October, 1870, with the following members: A. Prigry
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and wife, M. S. Miller and wife, Samuel Conn and wife, James Hall and wife, John Hall, H. Twining, George M. Cooper and wife, Ruth Cooper, Mrs. S. Lynn, Mary Coryell, W. L. Laurence. The first pastor was Rev. T. H. Hudson, who remained one year, and was succeeded by Revs. E. P. Baker, C. Spragg, F. H. Judson, A. E. Simons, J. B. Edmonson and others. Services were first held in the Congregational church, in a hall near the depot and schoolhouse. Then Union hall was used until the completion of the church building in October, 1880. A Sunday school was organized in 1870 and for a number of years the church pros- pered, but for the past several years the society has not been in evidence and has practically ceased to exist.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH
On the 27th day of April, 1895, John Muntinga and wife, John Arends and wife, John A. Smith and wife, Kort Smith and wife, William Reichenburg and wife, Ibling Iblings and wife, Mrs. O. Voogd, Okke Van Hauen and wife, Mr. Vosburg, M. G. Brungers, Pete DeNene and wife, and Junke Polderboer and wife met at one of their homes and organized the German Baptist church. Unfortunately the name of the first minister could not be obtained for this article. Meetings were first held at the schoolhouse and finally, in 1901, a church building was erected, at a cost of $4,000. About two years later a parsonage was built, costing $2,000. The names of pastors since and including 1901 follow: Reverend Johnson, 1901; Reverend Engelman, 1901-03; Rev. Jacob Pfeffer, 1903-07; Rev. John Miller, 1907-11; Rev. G. R. Mayhack, 1911-13. The church now has a membership of fifty-seven, but at present it is without a pastor.
CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH
Among the Germans a Christian Reformed church was organized April 6, 1891, with fourteen families, among whom were Fritz Tammen, Geert Orends, Haite Roelfs and Harm Sap. The members of this society first met in their homes and for some time held services in the Methodist church. In 1892 a house of worship was erected and in the following year a parsonage close by. Both buildings are substantial frame structures. The mem- bership had increased to thirty-six families by the month of Vol. 1-15
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February, 1914. Pastors who have served this charge: Rev. H. Portgeter, October, 1892 to May, 1896; Rev. H. C. Bgote, candi- date, June, 1896 to March, 1897; J. Plesseher, July, 1897 to May, 1912; Rev. H. Ahins, November, 1913.
FRATERNAL ORDERS
The Masonic Lodge began its first work under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge, May 26, 1868, and during the year Harley Day was worshipful master. June 2, 1869, Compass Lodge, No. 239, A. F. & A. M., received its charter, and at the first meeting the permanent organization was completed, and Harley Day was chosen worthy master; M. I. Powers, senior warden; G. W. East- man, junior warden. There were eight other charter members. The lodge is now one of the best in the county and in November, 1913, moved into beautiful quarters, specially arranged and pre- pared, in the pretentious new Temple building. The lodge has a membership of sixty.
Compass Chapter, No. 159, Order of the Eastern Star, was organized Oct. 3, 1894. There are now sixty members. Those whose names appear on the charter are: Lillie Scherling, C. May, Rose Archer, Hattie Byerly, N. G. Baker, Clara Courtright, S. Foote, Jennie G. Heartl, C. Howenstein, May Morgan, Sarah Meade, M. Parker, Essie Parker, Carrie Porcupile, Julia Striker, Wealthy Strout, M. Smith and Brothers, A. O. Strout, Charles Archer, C. B. Byerly, O. B. Courtright, George Meade, James Ray and John Scherling.
JOHN BRADEN POST, NO. 242, G. A. R.
John Braden Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Parkersburg, November 28, 1894, and at one time had a large membership. Death has menaced the old veterans of the Civil war and decimated their ranks yearly, until now they are becoming conspicuous by their inability, in many places to muster a quorum at their meetings. Many of the posts throughout the United States have gone out of existence and yearly charters are being surrendered by reason of diminishing numbers in member- ship. This is the condition of Braden Post. No longer do the old soldiers here meet in regular muster. There are not enough of them to make it interesting and those who remain are daily and
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hourly being reminded of Time's passing and the results of hard- ships endured while in the service of their country. Names of the charter members are here given: J. M. Groat, Phil Wemple, F. M. Perkins, N. Goodale, Alex Christie, R. Wood, L. Stevens, S. W. Shipman, L. E. Crosby, Thomas Hauck, J. M. Kennedy, H. W. Babcock, E. A. Gilman, W. W. Parker, I. W. Camp, G. W. Bill- ings, W. H. Coggins, P. S. Bass, W. N. Hund, G. G. Codner, G. L. Barnard, John Knapp, Joseph Burroughs, G. W. Archer, Oscar Lawrence, J. H. Porcupile, Thomas Wendby, F. F. Voeltz.
John Braden Relief Corps, G. A. R., No. 14, was organized December 2, 1884, with the following charter members: Phoebe A. Wade, Leila Owen, Emma Younker, Hattie Byerly, Barbara Kem- merer, Nora Knapp, Nellie Parker, Lena Kennedy, Josephine Barnes, Matilda Charles, Mary Franke, Carrie Porcupile, Wealthy A. Strout, Nellie Wood, Maggie Wilson, Mary Truesdale, Melissa E. Lawrence, Sarah Perkins, Annie M. Filer and Mercy Bass.
Lodge of Yeomen, Beaver Homestead, No. 214, was organized October 25, 1899, with forty-one charter members.
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CHAPTER XIX
BEAVER TOWNSHIP, BUTLER RAPIDS, WILLOUGHBY AND NEW HARTFORD
BEAVER TOWNSHIP
Beaver township is located at the southeastern corner of the county. It is bounded on the east by Blackhawk county, on the south by Grundy, on the west and north by Albion and Shell Rock townships.
Its surface is considerably more uneven than that of most of the other townships of the county, due to the fact in part, at least, that it is traversed by two streams-the West Fork and the Beaver creek-both of which have by the time they reach the borders of this township attained respectable size. The West Fork traverses the northern portion of the township, entering on the western side of section 6 and flowing eastward to the point where it passes into Blackhawk county on the eastern side of section 12. Its valley is a broad, alluvial plain, with sandy loam. In the spring of the year this portion of the township is subject to frequent overflows, making it difficult to cross the West Fork valley. The Beaver creek flows through the southern portion of the township from east to west, paralleling in its main course that of the West Fork to the northward. This stream received its name from the fact that in early days its waters were the home of large numbers of beavers.
The timbered area of Beaver township probably exceeds that of any other township in the county, both streams being bordered by tracts of standing timber, and in addition there being a large grove known as Beaver grove, which extends from section 28 westward into Albion township. This grove follows in the main the rise of land known as Beaver ridge, which rises more or less abruptly on the northern side of the Beaver valley and stretches in a westerly direction for three or four miles. The land to the
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