USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 52
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I300
Sheriff.
John M. Lyter, rep.
2583
Harvey Leonard, dem ..
. 1349
Treasurer and Recorder.
John Collins, rep.
2572
A. F. Mast, dem ..
I352
Coroner.
J. J. Tomson, rep ..
2625
W. W. Parker, dem.
. I302
County Superintendent.
Dudley L. Gorton, rep.
2609
William Geerdts, dem.
. 1317
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1864. Recorder.
James Thorington, rep.
2688
J. Thorington (sold's vote)
563
August F. Mast, dem.
I348
Aug. F. Mast (sold's vote)
4
Clerk of District Court.
Mahlon D. Snyder, rep.
2718
M. D. Snyder, (sold's vote) .
577
Hiram Wheeler, dem.
I320
H. Wheeler (sold's vote)
6
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1865. Sheriff.
John M. Lyter, rep ..
2067
Hugo Hoffman, dem.
1835
Treasurer.
Thomas K. Fluke, rep.
19II
Chester Barney, dem.
1835
Surveyor.
William P. Campbell, rep.
2078
Scattering
28
County Superintendent.
W. O. Hiskey, rep.
1960
J. W. Moore, dem.
1795
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1866. Recorder.
James Thorington, rep ..
. 3996
M. D. Snyder, dem.
91
Clerk District Court.
John Gallaghan, dem.
2654
John W. Collins, rep.
1726
County Superintendent.
George P. Whitcomb.
. 3014
D. L. Gorton,
18
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1867. State Senator.
W. W. Cones,
. 2500
H. R. Claussen,
1806
561
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Treasurer.
L. S. Viele, dem. . 2487
T. K. Fluke, rep ..
1856
Sheriff.
G. Schnitger, dem.
. 2491
F. M. Suiter, rep ..
1834
County Judge.
T. D. Eagal, dem.
2432
R. Linderman, rep.
1917
County Superintendent.
John Gallagher, dem.
2480
Thomas J. Saunders, rep.
.1855
Surveyor.
Thomas Murray, dem.
.2524
William P. Campbell, rep.
. 1749
Coroners.
G. Keepfuer, dem.
.2518
J. J. Tomson, rep.
1830
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1868. Clerk District Court.
M. D. Snyder, rep.
3026
Fred Vollmer, dem.
2281
Recorder.
F. M. Suiter, rep.
2888
M. J. Rohlfs, dem.
2312
Coroners.
J. J. Tomson, rep ..
. 2777
James McCortney, dem.
2593
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1869.
Supreme Judge.
John F. Dillon, rep.
.2428
W. F. Brannan, dem.
1391
Auditor.
R. D. Leonard, rep.
2237
T. D. Eagal. dem.
1 580
Treasurer.
Henry Egbert, rep.
1945
L. S. Viele, dem.
. 1803
Sheriff.
Gustavus Schnitger. rep.
1912
Harvey Leonard, dem ..
1840
County Superintendent.
Roderick Rose, rep.
.2074
John Gallagher, dem.
1713
Coroner.
J. J. Tomson, rep .. . .
2303
James McCortney, dem.
1417
Surveyor.
Thomas Murray, dem.
2016
William P. Campbell, rep.
1745
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1870. Clerk District Court.
M. D. Snyder, rep.
.2105
W. W. Buell, dem.
1078
Recorder.
F. M. Suiter, rep.
.2116
J. W. Jamison, dem.
. 1070
County Superintendent.
P. S. Morton, rep.
2087
Frank I. Jervis, dem.
108Q
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1871. Treasurer.
Henry Egbert, rep.
2561
J. W. Jamison, dem.
1345
County Superintendent.
Philo S. Morton, rep.
. 2526
William Geerdts, dem.
. 1357
Auditor.
R. D. Leonard, rep.
253I
T. D. Eagal. dem.
I345
Sheriff.
Harvey Leonard, dem.
1956
G. Schnitger, rep.
1882
Coroner.
J. J. Tomson, rep.
2542
J. McCortney, dem
I352
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1872. Clerk District Court.
William K. White, lib.
.2734
William G. Scott, rep ..
2338
Recorder.
Frank M. Suiter, rep ..
2645
James McNamara, dem.
.2432
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1873. Treasurer. M. J. Rohlfs, anti-mon. 2446
Richard Smetham, rep.
1988
562
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Auditor.
R. D. Leonard, rep .. . 2365
W. B. Barnes, anti-mon.
2078
Sheriff.
H. Leonard, anti-mon.
.3244
Bernhard Finger, rep.
1207
Coroner.
W. W. Grant, anti-mon. 2832
J. J. Tomson, rep .. 1621
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1874. District Attorney.
Lyman A. Ellis, anti-mon. .2809
John N. Crawford, rep.
1301
Clerk District Court.
W. H. Gabbert, anti-mon.
2756
D. B. Nash, rep ..
1328
Recorder.
Joseph A. LeClaire, rep.
.2298
Charles Freidrich
1794
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1875. County Superintendent.
Charles H. Clemmer, dem
. 2408
P. S. Morton, rep.
1594
Harvey Leonard for sheriff, M. J. Rohlfs for treasurer,
W. W. Grant for coroner,
Thomas Murray for surveyor,
had no opposition.
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1876. Clerk District Court.
Joseph Andrews, rep
3370
W. H. Gabbert, dem.
3332
Recorder.
Joseph A. LeClaire, rep.
3667
John L. Boehl, dem.
30II
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1877. Sheriff.
Harvey Leonard, dem. 3173
John M. Lyter, rep ..
2123
Coroner.
H. L. Baldwin, rep .. . 2996
A. W. Campbell, dem.
2059
W. G. Peck, gr.
249
County Superintendent.
C. H. Clemmer, dem.
2579
J. F. Lavender, rep.
2387
George W. Thompson, gr.
340
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1878. Clerk District Court.
Joseph Andrews, rep.
ยท 3204
W. O. Schmidt, dem.
1965
William Hafflebach, gr
47I
Recorder.
Joseph A. LeClaire, rep.
3052
John Noth, dem.
1907
Ed. J. Jennings, gr
654
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1879. Sheriff.
Harvey Leonard, dem.
2685
John B. Rowse, rep.
2499
W. W. Hathaway
142
J. M. D. Burrows.
313
Treasurer.
M. J. Rohlfs, rep.
3219
A. F. Mast, dem.
2094
J. S. McHarg
220
J. F. Carter
256
Auditor.
Thomas Winkless, rep.
. 3207
C. C. Campbell, dem.
1999
Daniel Moore
222
W. T. Reid.
317
County Superintendent.
P. S. Morton, rep.
2760
C. H. Clemmer, dem.
2555
Maggie Ross
490
Coroner.
H. L. Bawden, rep ..
3447
James McCortney, dem.
2169
W. G. Peck
208
Surveyor.
Thomas Murray, dem
2432
M. J. Higgins.
508
ELECTION, NOVEMBER, 1880. Clerk District Court.
Joseph Andrews, rep.
4484
W. J. Birchard, dem.
2538
563
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Recorder. 1898-9
Joseph A. LeClaire, rep. .4000
C. H. Clemmer, dem. 3041
ELECTION, OCTOBER, 1881. Sheriff.
Nathaniel Leonard, dem. .2390
John B. Rowse, rep. 2256
M. J. Leavitt, gr. I26
Treasurer.
M. J. Rohlfs, rep .. 3058
Lemuel Parkhurst, dem. 1616
Benjamin Painter, gr. 147 Auditor.
Thomas Winkless, rep. .3188
A. R. Dixon, dem. I349
T. J. O'Meara, gr .. 245
County Superintendent.
Philo S. Morton, rep. .3104
August Wulff, dem. 1396
Maggie Ross, gr. 170
Coroner.
H. L. Bawden, rep. 3148
W. W. Grant, dem.
107
J. B. Kessler, 162
M. B. Cochran 284
Sheriff.
1882-91
Nathaniel Leonard.
1892-97 Harvey I. Jones.
1898-1906 E. G. McArthur.
1907-1910 L. Eckhardt. Recorder.
1903-4
William G. Noth.
1882-6
Henry Vollmer.
1908-9
H. J. McFarland.
1886-90
Fritz Susemihl.
1891-7
F. Aschermann
Treasurer.
1898-1902
Alonzo Bryson.
1888-9
P. W. McManus.
Henry C. Struck, Jr.
1905-06
Charles Like.
1894-7
J. B. Frahm.
1907-09
Frank Holm. Coroner.
1902-7
Rudolph Rohlfs.
1878-83
H. L. Bawden.
1908-10
Ben F. Luetje.
1884-6
J. H. McCortney.
Auditor.
1887-9
H. L. Bawden.
1886-94
C. C. Campbell.
1890-7
J. H. McCortney.
1895-6
W. H. Martin.
1898-1909
F. Lambach.
1897-1902
H. F. Jarchow.
1909-10
F. E. Rudolph.
1903-4
Edward Berger.
Surveyor.
1905-7
P. W. McManus.
1867-97
Thomas Murray.
1908-10
Charles E. Sheriff.
Thomas Murray.
C. H. Beuck. Allen R. Boudinot (to fill vacancy.)
Prosecuting Attorney.
1884-8 C. A. Ficke. 1889-90 J. W. Stewart.
1891-4
Fred Heinz.
1895-6
William M. Chamberlin.
1897-1902
Julius Lischer.
1903-4
Fred W. Neal.
1905-7
A. W. Hamann.
1907-9
Fred Vollmer.
County Superintendent.
1884-7
C. E. Birchard.
1887-8 H. E. Downer (to fill vacancy.)
1888-97 C. L. Suksdorf.
1898-1901 A. A. Miller.
1902-3 Fred J. Walker.
1904-5 J. H. Jacobs.
1906-9
W. D. Wells
1909-10
Henry E. Ronge (to fill
vacancy.)
Clerk District Court.
1886-92
W. J. Birchard.
1893-6 August A. Balluff.
1897-1902
J. F. Cheek.
1905-7
William Gruenwald.
1903-4
Alexander W. Carroll.
1890-3
1898-1901
P. W. McManus.
Edward Collins.
1900-6
1907-9 1909
564
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
GROWTH OF THE COUNTY IN WEALTH AND POPULATION.
The pioneers of this section of the country left their homes in the eastern states to better their condition and make for themselves and their posterity homes they could claim as their own. Many of them were forced by circumstances tu "seek pastures new" and brave every hardship and many dangers. With assets chiefly limited to indomitable pluck and perseverance, they came here to carve out their own fortunes and in the outset were willing to take "pot luck" and trust in the future. Hence, when the county first opened its official doors for business and the treasury drew on the people for money in the way of taxes to pay the expenses of the new and budding community, but little was forthcoming and even a deficit was reported by the incumbent of the county treasurer's office. This is made clear by a few extracts from Mr. Barrows' excellent history which is given a place in this work. Mr. Barrows relates that in 1838 the county treasurer re- ceived for taxes, licenses and fines, less than $500 and expended nearly $800. In 1839 the receipts were $2,578.04, which amount was paid into the treasury on licenses, ferries, fines and general taxes. The expenditures amounted in that year to $1,804.63. In 1840 the expenditures greatly exceeded the receipts. There was paid into the treasury in that year $1,635 and paid out $2,121. Seven thou- sand and nineteen dollars and nine cents was received in the county treas- ury for 1841 and $6,689.99 expended. It would seem from this great increase in receipts and expenditures for this year that it was a highly prosperous one as com- pared with the former ones. In 1842 the balance in the treasury was $484.48 and in 1843 the expenses of the county exceeded its receipts by $905.82. The financial condition of the county in 1844 was considered very flattering as expenditures for that year were only $1,757.78 and the receipts $2,503.80. A hiatus occurs in Mr. Barrows' records between the years 1844 and 1847. For the last mentioned year he gives the following tabulated. returns of the assessment on valuations on all kinds of property in the county :
73,264 acres of land valued at $238,375
Value of town lots
71,970
Money at interest in the county
1,675
Merchandise 10,885
918 head of horses
29,244
Machinery
5,840
2,883 head of cattle
25,286
2,748 head of sheep
4,013
3,960 head of hogs
4,224
5 head of mules
210
Miscellaneous property
800
Furniture
1,960
48 wagons
1,825
Total assessment
$396,307
Now the sum total of this assessment and the various items that come under the fiat of the law for the purpose of producing revenue for the ambitious and
565
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
growing bailiwick of Scott, may well be used for the purpose of comparison with a statement of taxable property in Scott county for the year 1909 to show the wonderful progress the county has made in the busy and profitable pursuits of husbandry, manufactures and other multifarious industries that have added so largely to her present wealth.
ABSTRACT OF VALUATIONS AND TAXES LEVIED AND ENTERED ON THE TAX LISTS OF SCOTT COUNTY, IOWA, FOR THE YEAR 1909.
Valuations.
Lands
$4,132,472.00
Lots
7,386,093.00
Personalty
6,086,753.00
Express companies
6,123.00
Railway companies
797,906.00
Telephone and telegraph companies
53,397.00
Total taxable value
$18,462,744.00
Exemptions for old soldiers.
37,695.00
Net taxable value
$18,425,049.00
Taxes.
Mills
State
3.4
$ 62,645.17
University
.0.2
3,685.01
College
.0.2
3,685.01
Normal School
.O.I
1,842.50
State Insane
0.9
16,582.54
County
3.I
57,117.65
Poor
I.5
27,637.57
County Insane
.I.
18,425.05
County Road, outside city of Davenport
I.
6,434.89
County Bridge, outside city of Davenport
.4.
25,739-57
County School
.I.
18,425.05
Soldiers' Relief
.0.2
3,685.01
Juvenile Home
. 0.3
5,527.51
Drainage. outside city of Davenport.
.O.I
643.49
Totals
17.0
$252,076.02
Teachers'
185,632.82
Contingent
88,561.26
School House
36,561.67
Poll
4,566.50
Dog
3,640.00
Township Road
20.389.73
Cemetery Fund
91.68
566
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
Board of Health
628.45
Corporation, etc.
7,313.50
$4,761.89 corporation
785.1I electric light
785.II water
196.28 sewer 785.11 bond
Quarantine
186.27
Highway
69.40
Delinquent Road
1,932.49
Total
$601,649.79
ABSTRACT OF TAXES BY TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS LEVIED AND ENTERED ON THE TAX LISTS OF SCOTT COUNTY, IOWA, FOR THE YEAR 1909.
Towns and Townships
Valuation
Tax
Allens Grove Township
$
366,726.00
$ 11,963.40
Bettendorf, Town of
213,627.00
10,701.70
Blue Grass Township
514,125.00
16,486.88
Blue Grass, Town of
47,531.00
2,024.70
Buffalo Township
230,371.00
8,556.10
Buffalo, Town of
42,883.00
1,837.20
Butler Township
279,373.00
9,929.19
Cleona Township
430,552.00
12,747.28
Davenport Township
737,873.00
25,146.56
Davenport, City of
11,990,157.00
387,689.53
Eldridge, Town of
83,744.00
2,800.30
Hickory Grove Township
472,589.00
13,694.27
LeClaire Township
283,402.00
9,263.86
LeClaire, Town of
106,432.00
5,908.54
Liberty Township
475,859.00
13,818.62
Lincoln Township
412,533.00
12,846.27
Pleasant Valley Township
263,543.00
9,051.78
Princeton Township Princeton, Town of
47,832.00
2,399.77
Rockingham Township
172,323.00
4,999.22
Sheridan Township
535,224.00
15,613.93
Walcott, Town of
122,834.00
4,451.II
Winfield Township
373,852.00
11,265.52
Total
$18,425,049.00
$601,649.79
Mulct Tax Levies.
Liquor
$116,400.00
Cigarettes
750.00
239,664.00
8,454.06
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
567
ITEMIZED REPORT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AND VALUE, AS ASSESSED FOR THE YEAR 1909.
Horses
No.
Actual Value
Colts, one year old.
844
$ 38,163.00
Colts, two years old.
802
53,505.00
Horses, three years old and over
9,392
783,552.00
Stallions
44
18,580.00
Mules, Etc.
Mules and asses, one year old and over
376
$32,980.00
Swine, over six months old
40,852
279,788.00
Sheep, over six months old.
1,867
7,267.00
Goats, over six months old.
50
160.00
Cattle.
Cattle in feeding
2,626
$102,110.00
Heifers, one year old
3,801
57,319.00
Heifers, two years old
2,738
55,081.00
Cows
15,815
448,670.00
Steers, one year old.
3,117
53,163.00
Steers, two years old.
1,389
33,739.00
Steers, three years old
12
425.00
Bulls
972
30,376.00
Miscellaneous.
Vehicles
2,739
$293,806.00
Furniture, etc.
218,535.00
Moneys and credits
7,759,710.00
Merchandise
5,038,431.00
Corporation stock
8,198,446.00
Manufacturing
1,960.00
Other personal property
730,426.00
Buildings on leased land.
110,820.00
Total
$24,347,012.00
GROWTH IN POPULATION.
At the close of the year 1836, there were about 100 souls in Davenport and probably not more than that scattered throughout the then unorganized county. From that time on up to 1847, when the first official census was taken, settlers came in slowly but gradually. Below is given a table of the census of the county from 1847 to 1905:
1847
3,652 1856 21,521
1849
4,837
1860
. 25,959
1850
5,986
1863 26,277
1852
8,621
1865
28,474
1854
12,671
1867
34,362
568
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
1870
38,599
1890
43,164
1875
39,736
1895
45,869
1880
41,266
1900
51,558
1885
41,956
1905
55,910
ST. MARGUERITE'S CHURCH Grave of Antoine LeClaire in foreground
CHAPTER XX.
CHURCHES AND PARISHES.
DAVENPORT THE SEE CITY OF THE DIOCESE OF IOWA AND THE DIOCESE OF DAVENPORT -THE HANDSOME CATHEDRALS AND OTHER SANCTUARIES OF THE CITY- SKETCHES OF THE BISHOPS WHO HAVE DIRECTED CHURCH WORK FROM DAVEN- PORT-SKETCHES SUPPLIMENTAL TO THOSE APPEARING IN THE BARNES HISTORY -DAVENPORT A CITY OF SPIRES.
EARLY CATHOLIC HISTORY.
The following facts relating to the history of the Catholic church in Daven- port have been taken from articles written by Rev. John F. Kempker and from others that have appeared in the Catholic Messenger from time to time.
On the 22d of April, 1837, the Fathers of the Third Provincial Council of Baltimore petitioned Pope Gregory XVI that Dubuque be made an Episcopal see, having for its diocese all that portion of the territory of Wisconsin which lies between the west bank of the Mississippi river and the east bank of the Missouri river. In an apostolical brief of July 28th of the same year the Pope appointed Very Rev. Mathias Loras as bishop of Dubuque and on the 2d of September, 1837, information was forwarded by letter to the archbishop of Baltimore and on the following 10th of December, Dr. Loras was consecrated by Bishop M. Portier in the cathedral of Mobile, Alabama.
Bishop Loras was born on the 30th day of August, 1792, and was the son of parents who were prominent in society for their piety and devotion to the church. On account of loyalty to the royal family the father was sacrificed to the brutality of the mob spirit then rampant in France. Young Loras and his mother escaped injury at the hands of the revolutionists and he received his preparation for the priesthood in an old Carthusian house conducted by missionary priests. He was ordained at Lyons in 1817 and soon afterward was appointed superior of the seminary of Largentiere, where he remained several years. Later he joined a band of missionary priests who were conducting spiritual conferences in the Lyons diocese, in which he was engaged when he accompanied the bishop of Mobile to
572
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
this country, arriving at New Orleans December 24, 1829. He reached the seat of the new diocese on the 3d day of January, in 1830. In the organization of the diocese the bishop appointed Loras as vicar general as well as pastor of the cathe- dral church. When the Spring Hill college was opened Father Loras was one of the professors and in 1833-34 was president of the institution. The Fathers of the III Provincial Council of Baltimore proposed Dubuque for a new diocese and Bishop Rosati pointed out Father Loras as a worthy incumbent. He was recom- mended by the assembled fathers as eminently deserving and his choice for the uncultivated but promising territory proved providential. In the month of August he received from Rome the announcement of his appointment. After his ap- pointment he went to France where he remained a number of months, returning in the fall of 1838 accompanied by Revs. Joseph Cretin, J. A. M. Pelamourgues, and four sub-deacons, August Ravoux, Remigues Peliot, Lucien Galtier and J. Causse. Proceeding on their journey to Baltimore Father Pelamourgues and the four seminarists remained at the St. Mary's Seminary while Bishop Loras and Father Cretin continued on to St. Louis. Here they were compelled to remain for the winter on account of the weather and the closing of navigation on the river. At St. Louis the Creoles avowed they never knew anyone to preach better than the Bishop of Dubuque. In the spring Father Pelamourgues joined his superior and soon after Easter they continued on their way to Dubuque on a Mississippi steamer, arriving at their destination on the 19th day of April, 1839. On the day following the prelate baptized an infant, the first baptism recorded in the register of Dubuque. April 21st the new bishop was solemnly installed in his cathedral church, with the assistance of Revs. Joseph Cretin, J. A. M. Pelamour- gues and S. Mazzuchelli. On the 23d of May Bishop Loras visited Davenport, where he blessed St. Anthony's church. In 1849 he commenced the building of his new cathedral and in December, 1857, he celebrated holy mass therein and on the following day suffered an attack of paralysis. On February 18th he of- fered up the holy sacrifice and seemed cheerful. Later in the day he showed much pleasure and vivacity in greeting Father Emonds, who had then arrived on his return from Europe. Early in the evening he retired. At about 8 o'clock Father McCabe heard moaning and when the Bishop's room was entered he was found unconscious. He closed his eyes in death the following morning, February 19, 1858.
BISHOPS MCMULLEN AND COSGROVE.
Says Rev. James McGovern, D. D., in his life of Bishop McMullen : "Long before the diocese of Chicago was created by the sovereign pontiff Dubuque had been erected into an Episcopal see, embracing the territories of Iowa and Minne- sota. On December 10, 1837, the Rt. Rev. Mathias Loras, D. D., a native of Lyons, France, was consecrated at Mobile, Alabama, the first bishop of this dio- cese. At the time there was but one church in the whole territory of Iowa, and Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli was the only resident priest. * *
Bishop Loras took possession of his new diocese and was installed in the church of St. Raphael, April 29, 1839, commencing his Episcopal duties with three priests and four the- ological students. Father Pelamourgues was assigned to the extensive mission
573
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
of Davenport, which comprised all of the southern part of the territory. He did so well in laying the corner stone of the church in this vast field of labor that neither time nor human events have changed his foresight and he had the consolation of seeing large and prosperous Catholic communities grow up around him." It was therefore Father Pelamourgues-as he became familiarly known to everybody in Davenport-who laid the foundation of the Davenport diocese. A man of splendid organizing ability, deep piety and earnest devotion to the cause to which he had consecrated his life, he greatly advanced the upbuilding of the church, remaining at Davenport until he had reached a venerable age, when he sought retirement at his home in France, preferring this to the prospective reward of a bishopric.
During the administration of Bishop Loras the diocese of St. Paul had been segregated from the original diocese of Dubuque, and during the administration of his immediate successor, Rt. Rev. Clement Smyth, D. D., the rapid growth of the church caused another division of the diocese to be considered. Under the administration, however, of Rt. Rev. John Hennessy, D.D., who became bishop of Dubuque after the death of Bishop Smyth, division was postponed until 1881, when the new diocese of Davenport was created. The Sacred Congregation of the Propaganda announced that the city of Davenport had been decided on as the see city of the new diocese, which would take in all that part of the state of Iowa bounded on the east by the Mississippi river, on the west by the Missouri river, on the south by the state of Missouri, and on the north by the northern boundaries of the counties of Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, Guthrie, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, Poweshiek, Iowa, Johnson, Cedar and Scott. A special cable, dated at Rome, May 9, 1881, conveyed this further intelligence: "On Sunday, May 8, 1881, the feast of the patronage of St. Joseph, it pleased our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII, first to ratify the creation of the diocese of Davenport, Iowa, cut from the diocese of Dubuque, which comprised the whole state of Iowa; second, to name the Very Rev. John McMullen, D. D., V. G. of Chicago, to be the first bishop of Davenport. This see will be a suffragan of the Metropolitan see of St. Louis."
To briefly sketch the further development of the diocese, and the lives of the able and zealous clergymen who have controlled its destinies since its organization, is the further purpose of this chapter of church history. The newly appointed Bishop McMullen was at the time of his elevation to the Episcopacy vicar-gen- eral of the diocese of Chicago, had long held a pastorate in that city and was greatly beloved by all classes of people.
He was a native of Ireland, having been born in Ballanyhinch, county Down, January 8, 1832. His father, James McMullen, and Alice, his wife, sailed for America when he was little more than a year old, and after a long and stormy voyage they landed at Quebec. For three years the family lived on a farm near Quebec, and later the elder McMullen established his home on another farm near Prescott, in the province of Ontario. Here a fire destroyed the homestead and they removed to the neighborhood of Ogdensburg, New York, where they re- sided until 1843, when they removed to Illinois. The boy who was afterward to become Bishop McMullen, was twelve years old when his parents settled in Chi- cago. Prior to this time he had attended only a country school, but he had given
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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
evidence of strong intellectuality, and when afforded the advantages of educa- tional training in the schools of Chicago he made rapid advancement. When Bishop Quarter founded the University of St. Mary of the Lake, John McMul- len entered the new college and therein received his academic training. "In his academic course," says Dr. McGovern, in the biography from which quotation has been made "he gave undoubted proof of his future career. His triumphs of eloquence in debate, his caustic pen, his sound judgment and his mastery of the most intricate problems in mathematical science, caused him to come under the approving eye of his professors. In a little college paper, issued by him and another classmate, his intellectual weapons flashed with unwonted brilliancy, and the seeds of literature sowed in his powerful mind blossomed with a vigor which made itself remarkable in its fruits."
A deep piety and a remarkable capacity for influencing the character and conduct of his associates, were distinguishing features of his early life and his fitness for the priesthood as well as his evident desire to enter that holy calling were noted by his teachers and friends. At the close of his college course in 1850 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and soon afterward entered upon a course of theological study.
In 1852, while pursuing these studies, he was directed by his physician to give up the routine for a time, and while obeying this injunction he devoted him- self to writing for publication a series of letters which constituted an important contribution to the Catholic literature of that period. In the fall of 1853, in com- pany with James McGovern, now a noted Catholic clergyman and author, he was sent by Bishop Van de Velde, of the Chicago diocese, to the College of the Pro- paganda at Rome, where he pursued a few years' course of study. In the summer of 1858, he was ordained a minister of the Catholic church, and received from Cardinal Barnabo the insignia of Doctor of Divinity. He immediately left Rome for the United States and arrived in Chicago in October of that year. Immedi- ately after his return home he engaged actively in ministerial work and one of his first important acts was the founding of the House of the Good Shepherd, an institution which has been grandly prolific of good results. In 1861 he was ap- pointed to take charge of the Cathedral of the Holy Name, but in a short time he was called to the presidency of the University of St. Mary of the Lake, a posi- tion which he retained for several years. In 1870 he became rector of the Ca- thedral of the Holy Name and continued to discharge the duties of this pastorate until he was made bishop of Davenport. In the meantime he was appointed vicar- general to Bishop Foley, and continued in this position by Archbishop Feehan, when that renowned ecclesiastic succeeded to the bishopric left vacant by the death of Bishop Foley.
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