USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume I > Part 31
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard counties, Iowa, Volume I > Part 31
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Music is also given special attention and provision is made for instruction, not only on the piano and on the organ, but also on string instruments.
The building has a frontage of 60 feet and a width of 66 feet. It is four stories high and serves the double purpose of school and Sisters' residence and also has accommodations for boarding non-resident pupils. It contains five well-lighted school-rooms, two recitation rooms, two music rooms, the Sisters' and boarders' apartments and a chapel.
The school is furnished according to modern educational ideas, being equipped with an extensive library, apparatus and experimenting supplies for the study of natural philosophy, botany, agriculture and domestic science.
The entire building is well ventilated and has five separate entrances from the outside. It is supplied with waterworks and drinking fountains. Electricity and steam are the lighting and heating agencies and everything is so arranged as to promote the health and well being of both teachers and pupils.
The high school department of this school was affiliated with the Catholic University at Washington, D. C., January 22, 1915.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH
After the erection of the German parochial school in 1890, these zealous . people wholly realized that the sacrifices which are made in order to be better able to serve the Lord bring blessings a hundred fold. They were not well able to understand and speak the English language. They had no one to preach the word of God in German. There was but one parish in New Hampton and that was composed of members who could not understand the German language, as well as of those who could not understand the English language. The parish priest though a very pious, hard-working, zealous man could not administer to
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ST. MARY'S SCHOOL AND CHURCH, NEW HAMPTON
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their needs in German. Therefore, what was to be done? They did not wish to have their English speaking neighbors neglected for their sake, and accord- ingly, their only resort was to erect a separate place of worship. This meant to make sacrifice, but that sacrifice they were willing to make for the greater honor and glory of God, and for the salvation of their own and their children's souls.
Now that they had a school the desire to have a priest grew constantly and in March, 1892, the sentiment had gained such strength that a church committee consisting of H. W. Holschlag, Sr., Joseph Benken and John DeBettignies was chosen to take charge of buying land and erecting a church in order to organize a German Catholic congregation.
On March 24th they bought the land now occupied and owned by St. Mary's Parish. The amount paid for 350 feet of front being $750. In September the foundation of the church was begun, and the whole structure was finished the following summer (1893). During the fall and winter of that year the pews, altar rail, altar and other furniture were added.
Now that the little church was complete they did not cease to implore God daily to send them a priest to guide them on the path that leads to heaven. Their prayer was heard and on the Feast of the Visitation July 2, 1894, the Bishop of the diocese, J. J. Hennessy, appointed the present pastor, Rev. B. H. Forken- brock.
Great was the rejoicing of the people when this young and energetic priest arrived here on July 5th and, with the zeal and courage for which he is noted, began his labor in his new vineyard.
As if vying with their pastor in zeal for God's honor, his little flock con- tributed generously. In August two large bells were donated by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burgard and by the end of September the parsonage, for which the con- tract was let a few days before the arrival of the new pastor, was ready for occupancy.
On August 26, 1894, these bells were consecrated by Rev. J. P. Probst of North Washington. The smaller bell was named Joseph and the larger, Bernard. On this occasion the English sermon was preached by Dr. C. M. Carroll, of New Hampton, and the German sermon by Very Rev. G. W. Heer of Dyersville. Both were very instructive and were highly appreciated by all who were present.
On Wednesday, October 10, 1894, St. Mary's Church was dedicated. The St. Lucas (Iowa) Mutual Protective Society and the Ossian Court, headed by the New Hampton Band, opened the exercises with a parade. Rev. J. P. Probst of North Washington, the patriarch priest of Chickasaw County, acted as the special representative of Archbishop Hennessy. Very Rev. G. W. Heer cele- brated the mass with Rev. F. J. Brune and Rev. T. Nolan as deacon and sub- deacon respectively. Rev. Joseph Brinkman of Gutenburg, Iowa, preached the sermon in German and G. H. Luehrsman of Norway, Iowa, spoke in English.
Among the visiting clergymen were: Very Rev. G. W. Heer, Dyersville : Rev. F. J. Brune, Alton; Rev. T. Nolan, Elma ; Rev. W. Knapstein, Spring Brook; Rev. Dr. C. M. Carroll, of this city; Rev. Joseph Schlueter, King P. O .: Rev. F. W. Pape, New Vienna ; Rev. H. Rotler, St. Donatus ; Rev. N. Bies, Belle- vite ; Rev. Fr. Garrahan, Decorah ; Rev. Rowe, Strawberry Point ; Rev. H. Hem- sath, Centralia, and Rev. M. McCarthy, Ossian.
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Rev. B. H. Forkenbrock, pastor of the new church, and the congregation have reason to feel proud of the fine edifice which has been set apart as a place of worship.
In May, 1895, the two side altars were donated, one by Mr. Henry Lensing, Sr., and the other by the Rosary Society and a benevolent lady of the parish whose name is withheld at her own request. They were purchased from the Dubuque Altar Company. One is dedicated to the Poor Souls and the other to the Blessed Virgin. A beautiful sanctuary lamp was donated by the Young Men's Society.
As the old proverb says: "In union there is strength" and the parish thrived and grew under the wise and prudent guidance of its beloved pastor until in 1902 this structure became too small for the rapidly increasing congregation, and in consequence of this fact it was decided to enlarge the church. The rear wall of the church with its old sacristies was torn down, and an addition made. of 34 feet, with two sacristies adjoining. After its completion it was beautifully frescoed by George Sartory of St. Paul. The entire church is filled with em- blems of the Holy Rosary. Under the rear of the church is also a basement which has been fixed up for a commodious chapel. Both the church and the- chapel are adequately provided with electric light fixtures. The peals of the large melodious pipe organ, donated by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Forkenbrock of Dyersville, Iowa, add greatly to the solemnity of the services.
The church was rededicated November 18, 1902. The rededication com- pletes an epoch in the history of St. Mary's Parish and gives cause of praise and thanksgiving on the part of both pastor and people. On this occasion, solemn High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Joseph Schulte, of Iowa City, assisted by Rev. Joseph Tritz, of Lyons, and Rev. J. Friedman of Worthington, as deacon and subdeacon respectively, with Rev. J. Wirtz of Meyer acting as master of ceremonies. The sermon was delivered by Rev. C. B. Lechtenberg, of Ossian, Iowa.
At the close of the services the whole congregation joined in singing the "Te Deum" a hymn of praise and thanksgiving.
For this congregation and its beloved pastor no sacrifice was too great, no effort too tiring, when they were to be made in order to better serve the Lord As a result of their efforts, they were blessed abundantly and the congregation prospered and grew until in 1914 the whole property was free from debt. In February, 1915, the frescoing in the church was refreshed, and in April of the same year the gallery was extended 14 feet in order to have seating capacity for all the members of the prosperous congregation.
The Parsonage
The parsonage, as was already mentioned, was built in 1894. It is a fine. frame building 32x22, addition 16x18, two stories high, heated by steam and is furnished throughout with a view to the comfort and convenience of its occu- pants.
The Cemetery
In 1895 the parish bought a three-acre tract of land northwest of town for a cemetery. This was considered too far distant from the church and therefore ..
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in 1896, a ten-acre tract located about a quarter of a mile southwest of the church was bought for similar purpose.
This cemetery is one of the neatest and most attractive in this vicinity. It is indeed a fitting resting place for our deceased loved ones. May their souls rest in peace.
Echoes of St. Boniface Bund
It will be of interest to many to remark that on the 7th and 8th of October, 1903, the St. Boniface Bund held their big' convention of German Catholic So- cieties here.
These days added to the history of New Hampton a very gratifying record that will long remain a pleasant memory in the minds and hearts of all those who attended the congress.
That this congress was equal and in many respects surpassed other Catholic Congresses held in the state of Iowa, was evident from the number of priests and delegates in attendance from all parts of the state, and whose enthusiasm and good humor showed that they fully appreciated the hospitality of the citizens.
Very Rev. Father Heer, of Dyersville, the president of the St. Boniface Bund and also Very Rev. Father Brune, of Alton, one of the directors, were warm in their praise of New Hampton's hospitality and feelingly thanked all who had helped to make the gathering a most pleasant one for all concerned.
Undivided praise is due and was given by priests and delegates to the be- loved pastor of St. Mary's who, with untiring zeal, had so well arranged mat- ters for this congress.
At the close of the congress, Rev. Father Forkenbrock expressed his heart- felt thanks to the city council, the school board of New Hampton for dismissing school, to Judge Fellows for adjourning court and to the citizens in general for courtesies extended in making the occasion a pleasant one for all.
25TH ANNIVERSARY, OR SILVER JUBILEE
Extensive and fitting ceremonies commemorating this epochal event in the history of the parish were observed. At nine o'clock on the day set apart for the ceremonies, a solemn High Mass was said by Rev. Fr. Forkenbrock, acting as a celebrant. Rt. Rev. G. W. Heer, P. A. M. R., delivered the sermon. A re- union of the parishioners, which was a delightful occasion, was held at the audi- torium on the night of Wednesday, July 2. 1919, at which the following program was rendered :
Toast-Master-Attorney Ray P. Blankenheim.
Star Spangled Banner-Led by St. Mary's Choir.
Our Beautiful City-Mr. A. A. Kutish.
Piano Solo -- Everist Forkenbrock.
Reading- Miss Martha Nehl.
St. Mary's Parish and Pastor-Dr. N. Schilling. Quartet-Misses Nehl.
Our Holy Father and the Church-Rev. J. P. Puetz.
Piano Solo-Miss Cordelia Schilling.
Impressions of the Day -- Rt. Rev. Mgr. G. W. Heer. Finale-Song.
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ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCHI
St. Joseph's Catholic frame church was built in 1870, and until 1877 the congregation was ministered to by Rev. Father Probst of North Washington. After Rev. P. J. Burke was stationed here in 1877, a brick parsonage was com- menced and completed in 1879. In the year 1898, under the pastorate of Rev. Richard Slattery the present fine brick church was commenced and com- pleted in 1901 and dedicated with imposing ceremonies, Sunday, April 28, 1901. The parochial school was built in 1904. Rev. M. H. Carey is its present pastor.
ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL
St. Joseph's Hospital was built during the year 1915, and formally dedicated in 1916. The building cost $85,000; of this sum the citizens of New Hampton donated about twenty thousand dollars, the balance being furnished by the organi- zation under whose direction the hospital is managed. This organization or soci- ety is known as The Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Ghost, of Techny, Ill. The hospital building is modern in every respect, with all the appointments and appliances required for sanitary and scientific medical treatment and sur- gery. The management of the hospital is in experienced hands, which gives as- surance that New Hampton will have an institution of which they may be justly proud.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH
This institution is located in North Washington, and its history dates back to the year 1863, at a time when there were but few settlers in the county. Before that time there were a few Catholic families who settled in and around that vicinity. The most prominent of these were the Hauser. Ring, Linkemeyer, Roethler, Cemmijiotti and the Herman families. Soon a few more settled in the district. Rev. C. Shulte of Twin Springs, now Festina, came occasionally and at- tended to the wants of the little flock.
Up to the present date five priests have gone forth from this congregation, namely : Rev. Albert Weikmann, Rev. Chas. Weikmann, Rev. P. A. R. Tierney, Rev. J. P. Diederich and Rev. Jas. Linkemeyer.
The congregation soon grew too large for the little church on the cemetery and it was necessary to build a new one. The Village of North Washington was located then, where it is today and the people thought it wise to build the church in the center of the small town, which is its present site. The rock for the church was broken in the quarries near Bassett.
CHURCH STATISTICS, CHICKASAW COUNTY
The following table shows the number of congregations, churches, members, and other facts by denominations, relating to the churches in Chickasaw County :
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ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH. NEW HAMPTON
ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, NEW HAMPTON
Vol. 1-22
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CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
No. of
Denomination Cong'tion
No. of Members
No. of S. S. Scholars
No. of Seating Churches Capacity
Baptist
3
285
245
3
800
Catholic
IO
4,408
1,000
IO
4,250
Congregational
5
503
240
5
1,100
Dunkers, Ch. of Brethren
I
35
40
I
400
Episcopal
I
12
-
I
125
Evangelical Ass'n
I
73
100
I
200
German Evan'l Ch. of N. A.
I
24
25
I
150
Lutheran
9
1,642
372
9
2,425
Methodist Episcopal
8
771
720
8
2,075
Total
39
7,753
2.742
39
1 1,525
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CHAPTER XVII
BANKS AND RAILROADS OF CHICKASAW COUNTY
HEALTHY BANK DEPOSITS INDICATIVE OF TIIRIFT AND ECONOMY-SIGNIFICANT SHOWING OF BANK DEPOSITS IN COUNTY-STATEMENT AND CONDITION OF NEW HAMPTON BANKS-NASHUA-LAWLER-IONIA-ALTA VISTA-BEFORE THE RAIL- ROAD CAME -- THE STAGE-COACH PERIOD-FIRST RAILROAD IN COUNTY-NASHUA THE FIRST RAILWAY STATION-COMPLETION OF EAST AND WEST LINE-FOL- LOWED BY NORTH AND SOUTH LINE THROUGH THE COUNTY-SHIPPING FACILI- TIES AFFORDED ALL PARTS OF COUNTY.
If bank deposits can be considered an index to the prosperity of a community Chickasaw County, with the large deposits in its thirteen banks is certainly to be congratulated. It is evidence not only that the people are thrifty, economical and saving, but also that they are educated in the idea that the bank is the best con- servator of their surplus earnings. Another significant fact evident in the healthy deposits carried by Chickasaw banks is that this money-comes from -farmers, mechanics and working people, and without the support of any large manufac- turing or commercial industries, which in large cities and more thickly populated counties are usually heavy depositors.
Another source of congratulation is found in the fact that the banking insti- tutions of Chickasaw County have always been managed by men schooled in experience, and conducted along safe and conservative lines, hence the banks command the confidence of the people of the county and the public in general.
DARROW TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK
The Darrow Trust and Savings Bank, of New Hampton, was established in 1879 as a private bank, by W. L. Darrow and B. G. Smith. Later Mr. Smith sold his interest to A. K. Darrow, and the bank firm was changed to Darrow Brothers, and was operated under this name until it was incorporated as the Darrow Trust and Savings Bank, in 1909. The incorporators were W. L. Dar- row, George Herbster and M. F. Condon, who were also the first officers and directors. The original capital stock was $25,000; the present capital stock is $60,000. The present officers and directors are : W. L. Darrow, president; A. F. Markle, vice president; Martin Kelson, cashier; these, with Herman Klatt and A. A. Kutish constitute the board of directors.
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STATE BANK OF NEW HAMPTON
The date of organization of this bank was July 1, 1901. The incorporators were: A. Babcock, J. F. Babcock, Ira K. Gardner, C. L. Grimsby, John Foley, E. N. Olmsted and W. L. Turner. The first officers and directors were: John Foley, president; E. N. Olmsted, vice president; W. L. Turner, cashier; these, with A. Babcock, J. F. Babcock, C. L. Grimsby and Ira K. Gardner constituted the directors.
The bank was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000 and there has been no change since. The present officers and directors are: John Foley, president ; E. N. Olmsted, vice president ; T. B. Condon, cashier. These, with A. Babcock, J. F. Babcock, C. L. Grimsby and H. H. Bailey, are the board of directors. The official statement of the bank, September 11, 1917, shows that the total deposits are $443,165.77 ; surplus fund, $40,000.00.
SECOND NATIONAL BANK, NEW HAMPTON
The Second National Bank had its beginning. February 11, 1905. Previous to that time it had been operated as a private bank, organized in 1892. The orig- inal incorporators were: W. G. Shaffer, president; L. Padden, vice president ; A. H. Shaffer, cashier; T. K. Young, assistant cashier; these were also the di- rectors.
The original capital stock was $50,000; the present capital stock is $100,000.
The present officers and directors are : W. G. Shaffer, president; T. K. Young, vice president ; A. H. Shaffer, cashier ; C. B. Phillips, assistant cashier. The building in which the bank is doing business was built by the corporation in 1901, at a cost of $5,000. It is a two-story brick building, the bank occupying the first floor. The deposits of this bank have increased steadily from date of organiza- tion, $150,000, to the date of this statement, November 15, 1917; $896.944.41. with present capital and surplus of $117, 100.00.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, OF NEW HAMPTON
This bank was organized May 3, 1880, as a national bank. The original in- ·corporators were: Alfred E. Bigelow, O. B. Sherman, W. D. Gardner, H. M. Mixer and James H. Easton. The first officers were A. E. Bigelow, president : James H. Easton, vice president ; A. G. Bigelow, cashier. The present directors are: John H. Kolthoff, president : W. J. Kennedy, Tim Donovan, Grant E. Bige- low and C. H. Kenyon. The bank owns the building in which they conduct busi- ness. The charter was extended in May, 1900.
The September report shows the total deposits to be $622.943.29 ; surplus and undivided profits, $48,895.
FIRST STATE BANK-NASHUA
The First State Bank, of Nashua, was organized as a private bank in 1908. by Nathan Friend, Lena F. Loser, A. E. Dye, E. E. Tracy and F. W. Flint. The first officers were: Nathan Friend, president ; Lena F. Loser, vice president ; A.
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CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
Dye, cashier; A. L. Kout, assistant cashier. The original capital stock was $35,000.00, and there has been no increase in capital stock.
The present officers are : A. H. Nafus, president ; H. M. Wallesser, vice presi- dent ; A. L. Kout, cashier ; J. F. Nafus and R. R. Waite, assistant cashiers.
The banking house of Lipman Loser, a private institution, was established in 1874. The Commercial State Savings Bank, of Nashua, has not furnished re- quested memorandum from which a sketch of that institution can be prepared.
STATE SAVINGS BANK-LAWLER
The organization of the present State Savings Bank, of Lawler, was effected in 1906; it was first established in 1897. The incorporators of this institution were : James Curran, G. Miller, F. A. O'Connor, C. Saltzman and William Law- rence. The first officers were: James Curran, president ; C. Saltzman, vice presi- dent ; F. A. O'Connor, cashier ; G. Miller and William Lawrence, directors.
The present officers are: James Curran, president; C. Saltzman, vice presi- dent; F. A. Schuetz, cashier; J. J. Goheen, assistant cashier ; J. O. Halverson, teller. The first three and F. A. O'Connor and G. Miller are the present directors.
The original capital stock was $25,000, and there has been no increase. The bank is doing business in its own building, a two-story brick structure, erected in 1893 at a cost of $6,000. A recent statement of condition shows that the bank had total deposits of $371,901.00 ; surplus and profits, $13,431.25.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF LAWLER
The First National Bank of Lawler was originally organized in 1875, by D. R. Kirby, and known as the Lawler bank. It was one of the three banks then existing in the county. The charter for the First National Bank was issued August 15, 1914, and the bank began business under this charter, August 17, 1914. The first officers and directors were: C. M. Parker, president; Ettie Parker, vice presi- dent ; C. E. Himes, cashier: A. W. Clapham, assistant cashier ; C. E. Himes, May P. Bailey and Fannie P. Himes.
Original capital stock, in 1887, $5,000; present capital stock, $30,000 ; present capital stock and surplus, $40,000.
In 1916 the bank erected a two-story brick building, 31 x 62. which was opened for business, March 17, 1917.
The bank statement of November 22, 1917, shows total deposits of $368,- 124.18; individual deposits, $85,576.45 ; savings account, $11,620.97.
STATE SAVINGS BANK-BASSETT
The Bassett State Savings Bank was organized August 4, 1910, by W. G. Shaffer, A. H. Shaffer, Otto Koerth, Fred W. Tucker and C. J. Miller. These were the first directors. The first officers were : Otto Koerth, president ; Fred W. Tucker, vice president ; Walter Trysty, cashier. The present officers are the same, except the addition of Ray Sisson, as assistant cashier. The original capital stock was $10,000 ; the present capital stock the same.
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CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
The building in which business is conducted is owned by the bank. It was erected in 1910, a one-story brick, and cost $1,800.00.
A statement of condition of bank, September, 1917, shows the deposits, ȘIII,- 155.50 ; surplus and undivided profits, $2,889.61.
FIRST STATE SAVINGS BANK-IONIA
The First State Savings Bank, of Ionia, was organized in 1909, by W. G. Shaffer, A. H. Shaffer, H. H. Shaffer, A. D. Koerth and Otto Koerth.
The first bank in Ionia was established in 1882, as a private bank, owned by J. A. Wood. In 1902, Mr. Wood sold out to A. H. Shaffer, W. G. Shaffer and Otto Koerth, who continued the business as a private bank, under the name of the Exchange Bank, until the date of the organization of First State Savings Bank. The name of the bank while owned by Mr. Wood was also the Exchange Bank. The first officers of the State Savings Bank were: A. H. Shaffer, president : W. G. Shaffer, vice president : Otto Koerth, cashier; A. D. Koerth, H. H. Shaf- fer, with these were the directors.
The original capital stock was $20,000.00; present capital stock the same.
The present officers of the bank are: A. H. Shaffer, president; Otto Koerth. vice president ; John Husting, cashier ; A. T. Brookins, assistant cashier. These, with A. D. Koerth and W. G. Shaffer, constitute the directors.
The building in which the bank conducts business is a one-story brick, which cost $6,000. It is a corner building and part of the building is occupied by the L. J. Hildman general merchandise store.
ALTA VISTA SAVINGS BANK
The Alta Vista Savings Bank was organized, February, 1902, by Herman Kiene, Herman Radtke, John Timmermans, John H. McGrane, Charles Welch, Frederick Rabe, Peter Bergin, Otto M. Lorenz, William Bandle, John Westendorf and D. J. Cawelti. The first officers and directors were : Henry Kiene, president ; Herman Radtke, vice president; Otto M. Lorenz, cashier; directors, Otto M. Lorenz, Herman Radtke, Conrad Iron, John H. Timmermans and John H. Mc- Grane.
The original capital stock was $15.000.00, which was increased, January I, 1913, to $30,000.00, the present capital stock.
The present officers and directors are: Tim Donovan, president ; J. H. Mc- Grane and G. M. Bigelow, vice presidents ; George J. Scholz, cashier ; A. Bartels, assistant cashier ; these are also the directors.
The. bank business is conducted in their own building, which was remodeled in 1913 : cost $6,000.00. It is a one-story brick veneer.
RAILROADS, CHICKASAW COUNTY
In 1856 the people of Chickasaw County first began to agitate the subject of railroads. In those days, and until the railroads crossed the Mississippi River and followed the settlements into the interior, freighting and staging was a pros- perous business, and most of those who engaged in it laid the foundation for a
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CHICKASAW AND HOWARD COUNTIES
comfortable competence. The old four-horse stage was regarded as an object of great importance, and the arrival of the stage in a village attracted the atten- tion of the populace second only to the arrival of the overland circus.
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