USA > Iowa > Clayton County > History of Clayton County, Iowa : from the earliest historical times down to the present : including a genealogical and biographical record of many representative families, prepared from data obtained from original sources of information, Volume I > Part 46
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Farmersburg Savings Bank-Organized January 12, 1903, and began business August 21, 1903. Capital, $15,000. First officers: John Everall, Sr., president ; J. H. Splies, vice president ; W. J. Mitchell, cashier, and John Everall, Sr., W. F. Fuelling, H. W. Thompson, W. W. Bulman, J. H. Splies, Frantz Hertrich and G. H. Schulte, directors. In July, 1914, the capital was increased to $40,000 and the bank has 73 stockholders. Present officers: John Everall, Sr., presi- dent; W. F. Fuelling, vice president ; L. W. Thompson, cashier, and John Everall, Sr., W. F. Fuelling, H. W. Thompson, Gottleib Zurcher, H. W. Oelke, Lillian L. Schulte and Herman Werger, directors.
State Bank of McGregor-Incorporated 1903, capital $25,000. Incorporators and first officers were: W. F. Daubenberger, J. F. Daubenberger and J. A. Ramage. Present officers: J. F. Dauben- berger, president ; Chas. F. Kramer, vice president and J. A. Ramage, cashier. Deposits : 1903, $37,093.64 ; 1910, $186,649.70; 1912, $236,397.70.
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Garnavillo Savings Bank-Incorporated 1904, capital $10,000. First and present officers : William F. Meyer, president : J. A. Hempler, vice president, and Chas. Roggman, cashier. First directors: Henry Brandt, Henry Dettmer, J. P. Eckart, J. A. Hempler, E. W. Kregel, William F. Meyer, and Henry Schalke.
In 1907 the capital was increased to $20,000. Present surplus, $20,000. Profits $12,700. Deposits: 1905, $46,000; 1910, $347,000; 1916, $398,000. Present directors: W. M. Allyn, Jr., Henry Brandt, J. A. Hempler, H. C. Kuenzel, H. D. Kregel, William F. Meyer and H. Schalke.
State Bank of Edgewood-Incorporated March 1, 1905. Capi- tal 25,000. Incorporators: Lewis Blanchard, Chas. Blanchard, L. B. Blanchard, J. W. Forward and F. A. Densmore. First officers; Lewis Blanchard, president; L. B. Blanchard, vice president ; J. W. Forward, cashier ; Chas. Blanchard, assistant cashier. Present officers the same except that F. T. Pilkington is vice president. Deposits, 1916, $120,000.
In 1908 the bank erected a fine two-story building at a cost of $10,- 000, it being considered one of the best bank buildings in northeastern Iowa for a town of the size of Edgewood.
First National Bank, Strawberry Point-Incorporated March 17, 1908. Capital $25,000. Incorporators: Alfred Hanson, F. J. Gressler, L. Glass, Chas. Chambers, J. F. Cole, H. H. Opperman, A. M. Odell, Fred Glass, C. H. Neiderfrank, M. F. Harwood and J. F. Cole, M. D. First officers : A. Hanson, president; A. O. Kingsley, vice president ; F. J. Gressler, cashier. Present officers : A. Hanson, president ; H. H. Opperman, vice president; M. F. Harwood, cashier. Directors, the officers and F. Glass, L. Glass, J. C. Ludy, C. D. Walcott, C. H. Neiderfrank and William Blanchard. Deposits: 1910, $123,000; 1916, $240,000. Surplus, $6,000.
Joined the Federal Reserve Bank in February, 1914, and became a depository for postal savings. The bank installed electric ledger posting machine November 1, 1915, and it is in every way equipped to meet the demands of its customers.
Luana Savings Bank-Incorporated April 30, 1908. Commenced business October 12, 1908. Capital, $10,000. Incorporators: J. F. Miller, G. F. Lindroth, James Humphrey, R. J. Stoehr, Fred Palas, H. L. Knuth, W. J. Splies, F. H. Lindroth, H. Palas, L. Engelhardt, L. F. Oldag and Ed Ryan. First officers: R. J. Stoehr, president ; J. F. Miller, vice president ; W. J. Mitchell, cashier. Deposits: 1910, $36,142; 1916, $110,936. The bank bas paid 89 per cent in dividends. Present capital, $20,000, and officers, W. J. Mitchell, president ; J. F. Miller, vice president ; W. J. Splies, cashier.
St. Olaf Savings Bank-Incorporated January 9, 1908. Capital, $15,000. Incorporators : J. F. Johnson, O. O. Johnson, D. D. Murphy, P. J. Cain, M. J. Uriell, J. J. Kann, J. F. Becker, H. H. Hagensick, K. K. Stearns, J. Christenson, K. H. Groth, Rev. N. Arveson, M. C. Holseth, C. M. J. Groulid, Theodore Eggen, F. K. Orvis, E. O. Glesne, P. T. Peterson, Nels B. Arveson, L. J. Palas, A. Jellum, T. Tollefson, A. T. Knudson, William Koth, O. M. Benson, A. O. Anderson, H. H. Diers, L. H. Thovson, C. Christianson and E. L. Embretson.
First officers : J. F. Johnson, president, J. Christenson, vice presi- dent ; O. O. Johnson, cashier. E. Embretson has succeeded as vice
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president. Deposits : 1910, $74,000; 1916, $150,000. Undivided profits, $6,239.51. A new building with fine vaults and fixtures was erected in 1909.
Elkport Savings Bank-Was incorporated April 6, 1909, with a capital of $10,000. From 1900 it had been operated as a private bank under the name of The Bank of Elkport. The organizers were B. D. Murphy, H. H. Hagensick, J. F. Becker, F. J. Urriell, P. J. Cain, J. J. Kann, F. J. Kriebs and George Kriebs. The first officers were: H. H. Hagensick, president; F. J. Kriebs, vice president; George Kriebs, cashier ; Very L. Younkman, assistant cashier. Directors: B. D. Mur- phy, H. H. Hagensick, J. F. Becker, F. J. Urriell, P. J. Cain, F. J. Kriebs and George Kriebs. The ownership of this bank is largely identical with that of the State Bank of Elkader with which it is affiliated. In 1912 a fine brick building was erected and it has had a highly successful career. In May, 1909, the deposits were $60,000. In 1910, $74,000, in 1915, $136,000, and in 1916, $151,000. The officers and directors are the same as when the bank was incorporated.
Farmers Savings Bank, Garber-Incorporated October 1, 1909. Capital, $10,000. Incorporators: M. W. Lovett, C. Schnepf, J. F. Adams, Robert A. Gill, William Hammond, E. C. Jennings, B. Hage- man, H. Haack, A. C. Smith, B. A. Voss and H. C. Schnepf. First officers: M. W. Lovett, president; Conrad Schnepf, vice president; H. C. Schnepf, cashier. E. C. Jennings succeeded Conrad Schnepf as vice president. Deposits : 1910, $16,255.74 ; 1916, $79,239.53.
Littleport Savings Bank-Incorporated January 13, 1910. Capi- tal, $11,000. Incorporators, Newberry Bros., C. C. Pust, Chas. Rob- erts, J. J. Brich, J. C. Flenniken, E. L. Gifford, James Sullivan, S. M. Stalnaker, W. F. Reinecke, George Reugnitz, A. W. Hughes, Hy. Pust, F. C. H. Reimer, W. E. Meyer and Chas. Piehl. The first and present officers are: J. J. Brich, president ; William F. Reinecke, vice president ; E. L. Gifford, cashier. Directors : J. J. Brich, J. W. Meyer, A. W. Hughes, J. M. Pollard, E. C. Pust, J. C. Flenniken and Chas. W. Newberry. Deposits: 1911, $67,050.42; 1914, $94,768.91 ; 1916, $122,511.87.
Volga Savings Bank-Incorporated December 24, 1910. Capital, $15,000. Began business January 2, 1911. Incorporators: W. A. Smith and C. E. Lovett. First officers: W. A. Smith, president; C. E. Lovett, vice president ; H. C. Andreae, cashier. Deposits, $100,000. In 1912 the bank erected a handsome brick building. The present officers are W. A. Smith, president ; Henry Jenmngs, vice president; H. C. Andreae, cashier.
Clayton County Bank, Guttenberg-Organized in 1910. Capital, $25,000. Present surplus, $20,000. The officers are Chas. E. Scholz, president ; J. C. Kuempel, vice president ; C. J. Adam, cashier ; A. H. Jacobs, assistant.
North McGregor Savings Bank-Organized in 1910. Capital, $10,000. Incorporators : J. J. Burke, Thos. Updegraff, F. S. Richards, D. S. Baird, J. M. Berry, G. H. Dahmen and W. R. Brown. First officers : F. S. Richards, president ; M. E. Grady, vice president; Nels Arveson, cashier. Deposits : 1910; $35,000; 1916, $85,000. In the year 1914 the original stock interests were taken over by the present owners of the First National Bank of McGregor.
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Farmers State Bank, Volga-Incorporated April 11, 1911, by James Hawthorne and James Crain. First officers: E. W. White, president ; George Kriebs, vice president; H. W. White, cashier. De- posits : 1911, $37,113.32 ; 1912, $115,402.20; 1913, $155,494.93; 1914, $157,604-04; 1915, $165,478.15; 1916, $201,206.39. Capital, $25,000. It is a member of the Iowa Bankers' Association and began business in May, 1911.
Farmers Savings Bank, Edgewood-Incorporated April 10, 1912. Capital, $15,000. Incorporators: L. S. Fisher, C. H. Bassett, C. E. Ryan, A. Funk, Dock Coolidge, H. H. J. Fensterman and F. T. Pil- kington. First officers: L. S. Fisher, president; A. Funk, vice presi- dent ; H. W. Putz, cashier. Directors: C. H. Bassett, C. E. Ryan, F. T. Pilkington, A. Funk, L. S. Fisher, G. W. Fleming and J. F. Adams. Began business July, 1912, by which time a new bank building had been erected. Deposits: September, 1912, $20,029.59; 1913, $41,- 448.07; 1914, $54,684-39; 1915, $67,759.90; 1916, $95,006.42. The present officers are: J. F. Adams, president ; A. Funk, vice president ; C. L. True, cashier ; G. W. Fleming, assistant.
Citizens State Bank, Monona-Incorporated June 2, 1912. Capi- tal, 25,000. First officers: W. H. Newling, president; August W. Lenth, vice president; John Killen, cashier; M. A. Killen, assistant. Directors: J. A. Briar, W. F. Humphrey, R. G. Kinsley, John Killen, W. H. Nelings, A. W. Lenth and C. H. Wiegand. Present officers : John Killen, president; A. W. Lenth, vice president; R. M. Fonda, cashier ; M. A. Killen, assistant. Deposits, $250,000. Surplus, $2,000. This bank is located on the corner of Main and Center streets, where it has a handsome brick building, equipped with fireproof vaults, and the most modern fixtures.
Farmers State Bank, St. Olaf-Incorporated April 14, 1914, capi- tal $25,000, by F. K. Orvis, K, K. Stearns, Seth Clark and L. J. Palas. Officers are K. K. Stearns, president ; F. K. Orvis, cashier. Directors : Seth Clark, W. H. Crary and Jacob Larson. Deposits, $101,376.
Clayton Savings Bank, Clayton-Organized in 1915. Capital, $10,- 000. First and present officers: J. A. Reis, president; W. M. Allyn, Jr., vice president ; W. E. Gruver, cashier. The bank has been pros- perous and is erecting a new building this year.
Farmers State Bank, Garnavillo-Incorporated April 22, 1915. Officers : Dr. J. W. Rudek, president ; A. N. Stickford, vice president ; H. H. Kuhlman, cashier. Directors: J. W. Rudek, A. F. Kramer, W. F. Schumaker, A. N. Stickford, George Kuhlman, A. N. Crawford and C. A. Dettman. Began business May 4, 1915, and on May 4, 1916. Deposits were $150,356.17. A new brick building is now being erected for the bank's home.
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CHAPTER XVI
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF CLAYTON COUNTY
T HE first white man to view the shore of Iowa and the first to set his foot upon the soil of Clayton county, was a priest of the Cath- olic church. And it is recorded that, as his Indian rowers urged the frail canoe over the broad waters of the Mississippi, he faced the Iowa shore and held on high the emblem of the cross. The mission of Father Marquette was one of peace and love and charity. He came not to subdue, nor to exploit but to tell the savages the story of Him crucified; the story which he loved so well, and faith in which had driven him to face the dangers and hardships of the wilderness. And thus, in truth, the history of the Catholic church in Clayton county begins in 1673. The only white man's religion known to the Indians was that of the Catho- lic church and many of them accepted it, and its teachings modified their savagery and undoubtedly, if they had been subjected to no other influences, save of such men as Father Marquette, the conquest of the Indians would have been a peaceful one. They would have been tamed and civilized and Christianized and, instead of becoming degraded outcasts, would have been a respected and honorable part of the American race, contributing to it their virtues instead of their vices, their strength instead of their weakness.
But it was the world-old struggle between the powers of good and the powers of evil and, so far as the Indians were concerned, the powers of evil won. The virtues of the white race touched the Indians only through their zealous missionaries of the Catholic church; the vices touched them at every hand through the greed and rapacity of traders and trappers. And again, the only restraining influence upon the trappers was their faint allegiance to Catholicism. It may be well imagined that these men, picked by these great trading companies, not for their virtues, but for their hardihood and craft, faring into the wilderness, without sight or knowledge of other white men, except those of their own party ; a law unto themselves without any restraints of civilization; should be held lightly by religious ties. Nevertheless, every white man who set foot in Clayton county for more than half a century after. the coming of Marquette, owed final allegiance to the Catholic church.
The Canadian voyageur was not all bad; he had the swift pas- sions and the fierce temper of the autocrat, that he was, but he also had a vein of sentiment and of poetry, of loyalty and faith. Of all
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the white men coming in contact with the Indian, the Frenchman was the most beloved and the most trusted, for, though urged by an adven- turous spirit into the woody solitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, the emblem of the crucifix hung upon his breast, and, when dying, the words of "Pater Noster" were the last that lingered on his lips. With such a record and disposition it is not surprising that the church became firmly and suddenly established when and where these sturdy pioneers resolved to dwell. Many years before 1833, which may be set as the date when this county was first open to white settlement, there had been a Catholic church at Prairie du Chien and priests from that village undoubtedly looked after the spiritual wants of the few Catholics then in Clayton county. Among the earliest settlers many were of the Catholic faith. Whither they came from France or Ireland, their faith accompanied them, and no sooner had they reared their cabin homes and formed domestic ties, they immediately organ- ized to erect a suitable place for the worship of God and the adminis- tration of the sacrament. Perhaps the earliest priest to celebrate mass in this county was Rev. Joseph Cretin. He came to Garnavillo in 1840, from his residence in Dubuque and celebrated the mass in the log homes of the Catholic settlers. Father Cretin was one of the great missionaries of the Catholic church in the Upper Mississippi valley. He went from one tiny settlement to another, from Dubuque to the headwaters of the Mississippi, suffering all, and more, of the hardships of the pioneer, and doing it cheerfully and with happiness, for the sake of the joy he brought to others and for the honor of his beloved church. Later on he became the first bishop of St. Paul, a fit- ting recognition of his great worth and labor.
Among the early Catholic settlers at Garnavillo were Mrs. Uriell and her three sons, Patrick, John and Michael; John Barrett, Casper Becker and William Schulte. Mass was celebrated in the home of John Barrett and William Schulte. By 1843 there were twenty fam- ilies in this vicinity and they organized for the erection of a little chapel which they called St. Bridget's. This was the first church build- ing in Clayton county. Having no regular appointed pastor mass was celebrated at irregular intervals whenever a priest could be obtained. Among the early priests of this church may be named Father Platt and Father Orth of New Vienna, Father Lynch of Holy Cross and Father Byrne of Elkader. It was Father Lynch who blessed the cemetery which contains the remains of so many Catholic pioneers. In 1860 the sacrament of confirmation was, for the first time, administered to the Garnavillo congregation. This same year the pioneer church building was disposed of and another site purchased on which to erect a larger edifice. This new site originally belonged to the village of Garnavillo and on it was laid the foundation for the public school. The project never maturing, on that foundation the present brick church was erected. In 1866, a building committee consisting of James Uriell, Frank Schulte, and Casper Becker was appointed. Under their leadership, and backed by the splendid cooperation of the congregation a handsome edifice costing $6,500 was erected and this has been added to, from time to time, until it stands today as a monu- ment to the zeal of these Catholic pioneers. Rev. Father Leussman
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of Guttenberg, served as pastor until October, 1877, when Rev. John F. Kemker took charge, as the first resident priest. He remained until January 10, 1878, but during his short pastorage a modest par- sonage costing $1,000 was erected. For a year the church remained without a pastor when, January 17, 1879, Rev. Father P. O. Peschong was placed in charge.
In the meantime the church had not been idle in other localities. Guttenberg, or rather the site of Guttenberg was purchased by the Western Settlement Association, in 1847. Many of the German set- tlers were Catholics and it was a short time before they banded together for religious worship. By 1850, they had purchased a frame residence, with two lots, in the northern section of the town, owned by John Leonard. The purchase of the property, however, exhausted the resources of the little congregation, and it was some months before the necessary furniture and equipment could be provided. In March, 1851, however, the building was dedicated by Rev. Father G. H. Plate. Father Plate remained but a short time, being transferred to New Vienna and he was succeeded by Rev. Father Lentner. In August, 1851, the congregation was delighted with the gift of a bell made by Mr. Floeder of Cincinnati. This was undoubtedly the first church bell that rang out its messages of joy and sorrow to the people of Clayton county. It was the fourteenth of August, 1851, that the bell sent its message to devout Catholics of Guttenberg. The church rapidly outgrew its first quarters and in 1853, through the efforts of B. Biermann sufficient funds were raised to build a brick addition, 30x50 feet, to be used solely for church purposes. Rev. Father Lentner was succeeded by Rev. A. J. M. Schweiger and under his administration the new addition was dedicated and a tower proposed. But there was much work for the priests of those early days. Widely scattered settlements urgently demanded religious services and it was deemed the part of selfishness to allow one parish a resident priest while many would-be parishes went without. Thus, during summer months, the priests went from settlement to settlement and remained with the more settled parishes during the winter months when roads were impassable. For some time the Guttenberg church had, therefore, a pastor but at intervals.
The coming of Rev. William Edmonds, who stopped with the congregation for a few months, in 1853, was followed by an event of great interest and spiritual value to the Catholics of this congregation. Rev. F. X. Wenninger of the order of the Jesuits, came to Guttenberg and held one of the greatest missions ever held in this county. The little church was entirely too small to hold the congregation which came to hear him. A cross was erected, and in the open air, for days he proclaimed to the people the doctrines of the church. His preach- ing was effectual and the benefit enduring. In 1854, under the direc- tion of Rev. H. Remsen a tower was added, proclaiming to the way- farer on the Mississippi that the church of Marquette had found a permanent home upon the land which he discovered. Among the priests, after July, 1854, there came in the following order, Rev. M. Lynch, Rev. W. Edmonds, Rev. Philip Laurent, Rev. M. James Orth, and Rev. Frederick Hannash. During the pastorate of Rev. Hannash,
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Peter Roth donated two lots for the erection of a school house. Work was begun on the school in 1859 and was completed in 1860. This was a stone building two stories high. Rev. Herderer succeeded Rev. Hannash in 1861, and he was succeeded by Rev. Conrad Schulte who was pastor until 1867. During these years the school had a precarious existence owing to the difficulty of obtaining suitable teachers. In 1865, an organization was formed but though continued for several years nothing was accomplished because the people were divided as to location. This unfortunate division begot factions, causing many sin- cere Catholics to leave for other posts. The pastor then in charge was Rev. Father Massjost. In 1870, sisters of the Perpetual Adora- tion from La Crosse took charge of the school. In the same year a pipe organ, built by Liborius Keller, a member of the congregation, was added to the church. Rev. Father Luehrsmann succeeded Father Massjost in 1874. Under his charge the cornerstone of a new church was laid and in a comparatively brief time the structure was brought to completion. The actual work of building restored harmony to the congregation and all labored faithfully for the erection of the imposing stone structure which was dedicated in the fall of 1874. In 1875 the old church was torn down and the serviceable material used in the erection of a residence for the sisters. Rev. F. V. Boeding followed Rev. Leuhrsmann, in 1878. This priest labored faithfully but his health became affected by the malaria which followed the flood of 1880 and in 1882 he was removed for the benefit of his health. He was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Albers who served as pastor for seven years and in turn was succeeded by Rev. Joseph H. Brinkmann, the present worthy and energetic pastor. In 1894 a handsome brick school building was built, containing, on the first floor, four school rooms and on the second floor assembly room for the church societies. In 1899, a substantial brick parsonage was added and in 1902 excavation was made for a new church building to cost not less than $20,000 and this building was rapidly pushed to completion by the zealous members of the congregation. It is a fine structure of pressed brick, the auditorium having a seating capacity of 800. The church was dedicated by the Most Reverend John J. Keane, Archbishop of Dubuque. Reverend Joseph H. Brinkmann was then in charge of the church and has been until this date, 1916. He is dearly beloved by his people and has made this one of the most religious bodies of the county.
Even before the town of Elkader was laid out and named after the brave Arab chief, religious services were held for the Catholics of that community. Rev. Michael Lynch of Holy Cross was perhaps the first priest to attend to their spiritual needs. Later came Fathers William Edmonds, Phillip Laurent, Frederick Orth, Louis DeCailly and R. Nagel. The first mass was celebrated by Father Lynch on what was later known as the David Livingood corner. The first baptism is that of Julia Anna Barrett, by Father Edmonds, March 6, 1855. In 1856, Rev. Peter McGinnis was stationed at the Elkader mission and he at once began the work of establishing a permanent church home. The records of the Catholic almanac and directory give the following as to Elkader: "Elkader, Nativity of Our Blessed Lady ; 40 acres of land;
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church in contemplation." Concerning the other churches of the county the almanac says: "Guttenberg, Immaculate Conception of Our Blessed Virgin (German) five town lots and a graveyard; a fine brick church and a good school. There will be a priest stationed in short. Garnavillo, St. Bridget, Irish and German; frame church on two lots -attended from Guttenberg. Beuna Vista-Saint Mary Magdalene, attended from Holy Cross. Monona-St. Richards, forty acres of land-attended by Rev. Phillip Laurent."
The handsome little stone church built during the pastorage of Father McGinnis is still standing and is a monument to the good workmanship of the day. It was not completed until 1868. Father McGinnis was succeeded April 8th, 1861, by Rev. Michael O'Brien who remained until his death November 26, 1867. His remains were buried in the old church, but, in 1899, they were removed to St. Joseph's cemetery. During his pastorate, a small parsonage was built and ground for the cemetery was purchased.
Rev. J. J. Quigley came to the church December 14th, 1867, dying September 11th, 1887. This period of twenty years witnessed a great growth in the church property and in the numbers and wealth of the congregation. His first efforts were for the establishment of a school. The church records at Dubuque for August 26th, 1868, contain the following entry: "Sister Mary Chlotilde and companion go to Elkader tomorrow and Sister Maty Ildephonse is to accompany them." The school was thus established, but without an adequate home until 1870, when a school building was erected at a cost of $4,000. Through the ceaseless efforts of Father Quigley, the parochial residence was enlarged, and, in 1876, the beautiful chimes of three bells were added at a cost of $1,800. These bells surpassed in size any then possessed in the state. Rev. Father J. F. Reilly took charge of the parish upon the death of Father Quigley To him the burden seemed too great, as his physical health was not the best. Yet for nearly thirty years, he has not failed in his earnest way to labor for the spiritual welfare of his charge. He has earned the affectionate esteem of Catholic and non-Catholic, and he has at all times been a power for good in the community, preserving harmony and standing for the best in the life of the church and of the city.
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