History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I, Part 55

Author: Downer, Harry E
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1042


USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 55


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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Rev. J. G. Demmit was presiding elder from 1852 to 1855, when the Daven- port charge was part of the Dubuque district. In the '6os he was stationed at Davenport. During the pastorate of Landon Taylor the membership of the church was doubled, and soon after when his successor, Dr. Kynette, arrived, it was found necessary to provide a larger building. It was first agreed to purchase a lot upon which a part of the Rock Island station now stands, but finally the lot upon the corner of Fifth and Brady was decided upon and prepa-


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rations were begun for the building of the church. In the autumn of 1853 the work had so far progressed that the basement was occupied for services during the following winter. The building was finished the next summer and was dedicated in 1854. Rev. James I. Watson preached the dedication sermon and Rev. Henry Clay Dean preached in the evening. Dr. Kynette was pastor in charge during these two years. The church was soon paid for and a parson- age built. In 1856 the Upper Iowa conference was formed and Davenport be- came a part of it. The first preacher sent was Rev. W. R. Keeler, later dean of the School of Theology, Central Tennessee college. In 1857 G. D. Brown came to the church and labored until May, 1858, and on the 26th of that month, after a few days of great suffering, entered into rest. He was suc- ceeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Robert L. Collier, who later gained world- wide repute as a pulpit orator.


The ten years closing with 1866 were years of steady growth and prosperity. The church was then under the care of C. J. Truesdale. The congregation was still larger in 1867, when the Rev. A. B. Kindig succeeded to the pastorate. It was decided that the Fifth Street church was too small and a division of the membership was made at a meeting of the official board February 25th of that year. March Ist, the trustees reported the purchase of a lot at the corner of Fourteenth and Brady streets and a resolution was passed to proceed at once to build a church edifice thereon. A tabernacle for the temporary use of the society was ordered. March 8th it was reported ready for use and March 25th the building committee were authorized to procure plans and let the con- tract for a two-story building, forty-four by seventy-six feet. About eighty members of the parent society went to form the new one and Rev. J. C. Irwin, then of Moline, was asked to come and take charge of the church. The new church was dedicated in 1867 and Rev. Thomas Eddy preached the sermon. The first pastor was Emery Miller. The report for 1868 was: Fifth Street church, full membership, 243; Fourteenth Street church, full membership, eighty-one; total, 324. The report for 1888 showed: Fifth Street church, 297; Fourteenth Street church, 220; total, 517. The net gain in twenty years was 193. The Fourteenth Street church maintained a mission in East Davenport for many years at Spring Street church. Cook chapel, Gilruth chapel, and Fourteenth Street church were all offshoots of the parent church. While the society occupied the little old church the conference was held in it. Bishop Waugh presided at that conference. At the conference of 1863 it was decided that the railroad trains on Fifth street interfered too much with the church services, and permission was granted to sell the property, and the lot upon which the next church then stood was purchased at a cost of $6,000. It was expected that $12,000 and the proceeds of the old church probably would pay for the new site and build the church. In February, 1872, plans for the build- ing were submitted, and on March 8th the committee let the contract for the building at Ninth street. The building was completed and furnished and was dedicated February 9, 1873. Bishop Andrews preached the dedicatory sermon. The full membership was 168, and Rev. Emery Miller was pastor. In 1879


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Dr. Rhea was pastor. The Women's Foreign Missionary society was organ- ized in 1874, and the Home Missionary society in 1883.


With the close of the conference of 1899 the First Methodist Episcopal church and the Fourteenth Street Methodist church ceased to exist, and the Central Methodist Episcopal church was organized, through the reunion of the two former churches. Then in 1902 the cornerstone of the present mag- nificent stone structure was laid, and on December 13, 1903, it was dedicated, Dr. J. F. Barry, now Bishop Barry, preaching the dedicatory sermon on that occasion.


The characteristic features of St. John's church, which took the name after the new structure was built, is well worth a passing notice. In type it is the revival of a very old English gothic, and is probably the only similar structure in this country. In design it is plain, chaste, original, massive, churchly; in execution, endurance and solid worth are the dominant purposes, and a church has been constructed that will not soon grow old. P. T. Burrows, of Daven- port, was the designing architect, and F. G. Clausen was the superintending architect. The church property as it now stands cost $112,000, and is free from debt. The parsonage itself cost $12,000. The present membership of the church is 1,030, while that of the Sunday school is 623.


The following pastors presided in Davenport since 1864 at the Fifth Street church : Henry Paylies, from 1864 to 1866; A. B. Kendig, 1866 to 1868; I. K. Fuller, 1868 to 1869; J. S. Anderson, 1870-71; Emery Miller, 1871-74; T. McClary, 1874-75; A. C. Manwell, 1875-78; J. H. Rhea, 1878-81; F. E. Brush, 1881-84; J. S. McCord, 1884-87; J. G. Van Ness, 1887-88; U. Z. Gilmer, 1888- 89; J. S. McCord, 1891-95 ; F. W. Loos, 1895-98; H. O. Pratt, 1898. At the Fourteenth Street church were Emery Miller, 1867-68; C. W. Copeland, 1868- 69; U. F. Paxton, 1869-71; R. W. Keeler, 1871-72; William Fawcett, 1872-76; E. Skinner, 1876-77; H. S. Church, 1877-80; S. W. Heald, 1880-83; William Lease, 1883-86; T. E. Fleming, 1886-87; J. B. Casebeer and J. S. McIntyre, 1887-88; J. S. McIntyre, 1888-89; Rev. McCurdy, 1899. Under H. O. Pratt and Rev. McCurdy the Central Methodist Episcopal church was organized. After this union the first pastor was Rev. Dr. W. F. Bartley, who remained until 1901. From 1901 to 1904 F. L. Thompson was pastor; from 1904 until 1907, L. C. Lemon, who was followed in 1907 by J. A. Burchit, the present pastor.


THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.


On a bright Sunday morning, July 28, 1839, a small band of men and women might have been seen wending their way to the home of D. C. Eldridge, a small brick house on the northeast corner of Third and Main streets. This gathering was the result of many conferences and much thought and prayer, for these earnest Christians purposed in their heart the banding of themselves into a congregation for united religious work. In this meeting plans for organiza- tion were discussed and future work contemplated. Elder James T. Rumbold was chosen as pastor, and the First Christian church of Davenport was organized with the following charter members: James Rumbold, Sr., and Mrs. Catherine


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Rumbold, James Rumbold, Jr., John Owens, Mrs. Eunice Owens, Miss Elizabeth Meeks, Miss Rhoda Owens, George H. Tapley, Richard S. Craig, Mrs. Mahalia Craig, Duncan C. Eldridge, Mrs. Rebecca Eldridge, Thomas Marsh, Mrs. Betsy Marsh, John Carroll, Sr., and Mrs. Elizabeth Carroll, sixteen in all. That was seventy years ago last July. In September of the same year there were added to the membership ; James Glaspell, Mrs. Jane Glaspell, Silas Glaspell, Gabriel Mc- Arthur, Mrs. Elizabeth McArthur, Miss Ruth Glaspell and William Hickson. So far as is known every charter member of this church is deceased and but few of the members of its first years are here upon earth. The church grew rapidly and the members felt that as a church they were not properly organized, for they were well-informed Christians. They had come from Louisville and Coving- ton, Kentucky, and from Cincinnati, Ohio, and the vicinity of these cities, and their conversion had been under the preaching of such men as Alexander Camp- bell, Walter Scott, James Challen and D. S. Burnett. So they now proceeded to elect officers according to the plan of the New Testament churches. James Rumbold and James Glaspell were chosen elders, with George H. Tapley, clerk. Meetings continued to be held at the home of Mr. Eldridge until the congrega- tion had outgrown this place and it became necessary to arrange for more com- modious quarters. It was then that George Tapley offered his carpenter shop on the corner of Fourth and Brady streets for their use. All during the week the noise of hammer and saw was heard there. But on Saturday night the owner prepared for the Sunday audience. Though the seats were but rough boards, those occupying them made no complaint, and in those days one heard no ex- pression of grievance against the janitor. And after all, the carpenter shop was not an unfitting meeting place for the followers of the humble Nazarene. Its associations could not be otherwise than Christ-like, for His hand once shoved the plane. About this time a prayer meeting was started at the home of R. S. Craig and from that on prayer meetings were held from house to house. They held their Sunday meetings in Mr. Tapley's shop for about a year. Elder Rum- bold still occupied the pulpit. Soon the carpenter shop became too small and D. C. Eldridge and James Rumbold waited on Antoine LeClaire, who owned the land in that part of the town, and succeeded in getting the donation of the lot on the east side of Brady street between Fourth and Fifth streets. There is a tradition to the effect that among his other peculiarities Mr. LeClaire had one of wearing his hat in such a manner as to indicate his temper. So these two men visited him several times before laying their petition before him, waiting for his hat to assume a favorable position. The laid-forward position was the inflam- mable one, the one he used to keep people and petitioners out. On these occa- sions Mr. Eldridge and Mr. Rumbold merely talked over general subjects and then bowed themselves from his presence. But happening in one day when his hat was pushed well back on his head, they instantly made known their desire, which was cheerfully granted. On the lot donated by Antoine LeClaire a meet- ing house was erected at a cost of about $300. Shortly after this the Sanfords, Lesslies, Sanders, Lyters and Grays were added to the congregation, greatly in- creasing its strength and efficiency; and then followed such pastors as Dr. Horatio Gatchell, Charles Levan, James Gaston and Jonas Hartzell. It was dur- ing the ministry of Rev. Hartzell that this last church became too small and


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EDWARDS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


the congregation met in the courthouse until the second church was built on the site of the first one, at a cost of $1,200. This structure was occupied in 1854 without a dollar's indebtedness. Many years afterward the second building was sold and became Hibernian Hall. It was soon after moving into the new church that the little band had a visit from Alexander Campbell. Their appreciation of him was indicated by the fact that he preached on this occasion for more than two hours, and not only held his audience to the last but the time seemed all too short. This, however, was no unusual thing with him, and not only was this true of Mr. Campbell, but most sermons in those days were long, ranging from forty-five minutes to twice that length, and the people seldom grew tired lis- tening. Following the ministry of Elder Hartzell the next three pastors were: Eli Rigdon, Samuel Law and James Challen. It was under the ministry of Elder Challen that the church reached its way to prosperity, and it was during this period that the Rock Island congregation, which up to that time had worshiped with the Davenport church, felt strong enough to form themselves into an organization of their own. Rev. Challen was a great preacher and a facile writer, courtly, dignified and cultured. Everyone admired and loved him.


The Sunday school was large and full of interest and enthusiasm. There were no "helps" in those days in the way of International lessons. Each teacher and officer took his turn at leading and the lessons came fresh from the Holy Book itself. The pupils learned verses from the Bible and the children would often repeat from memory from fifty to one hundred verses that they had learned dur- ing the week. Rev. Challen was followed in the pastorate by Revs. J. B. John- son, H. H. Black, J. Carroll Stark, Gilbert J. Ellis, J. F. Ghormley, W. H .. Mar- tin, J. T. H. Stewart, J. Mad. Williams, E. W. Johnson, L. Lane, C. C. Davis and A. Martin. In 1874 Isaac Errett came west to attend the commencement of the State University of Iowa. While in Davenport he talked with Mrs. M. A. Sanders concerning the organizing of the women of the Christian church in the United States into missionary societies. Mrs. Sanders in turn conferred with the ladies of the church and when the National society of the C. W. B. M. was formed, the Davenport church had a society already organized in this work, and thus this church is the unknown to fame but real mother of the great In- ternational Christian Women's Board of Missions. During Rev. Ellis' ministry the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized, and to his and Mrs. Ellis' interest and zeal the success of this society belongs. Then the old property on Brady street was sold and during the ministry of Rev. Ghorm- ley the present church edifice was erected, and the other large churches followed it up the hill. The present pastor, S. M. Perkins, came to the church in Feb- ruary, 1908. The members of the church now number over 500, and during Rev. Perkins' work here there have been 275 accessions to the church.


EDWARDS CONGREGATIONAL.


The First Congregational church of Davenport grew out of a Sunday school organized in May, 1839, by a few members of the First Presbyterian church. Only two Congregational churches in the state antedate this, which was formed by twelve persons, July 30, 1839. For some time the members met in various


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places, chiefly private dwelling houses, and a deacon read the printed sermons of eastern preachers. In 1840 Rev. J. P. Stuart, who had been sent to Stephenson (Rock Island) and vicinity, preached from July to December of that year. From the latter date until June of 1841, Rev. Oliver Emerson ministered. Rev. Allen B. Hitchcock, a graduate of Yale, came in 1841, and remained till 1844. During his pastorate a building, thirty-eight by twenty-four, was erected upon a lot on Fifth and Main streets, which had been secured by the exchange of one donated by the famous Antoine LeClaire. The pastor, who had learned the carpenter's trade, and three of the members, built this edifice, all contributing their services. This structure was twice enlarged to accommodate the growing congregation. At the completion of the second improvement in 1855 the roof caved in, necessitating repairs at great sacrifice to the members. Rev. Ephraim Adams, still living at Waterloo, Iowa, followed Mr. Hitchcock, being installed in 1847. He remained until 1855, when Rev. George F. Magoun came. The latter was a man of high intellectual attainments and a preacher of great ability. Under his ministry there were repeated revivals and large accessions to the membership. The land area was increased and plans were made for a very large edifice. In 1857 the financial crash came and the church was prostrated. The members suffered great financial losses, and became disheartened. An otherwise small debt weighed heavily upon them, and despite all efforts, aided by the advice of a council, by 1860 the church was practically disbanded after a prosperous existence of twenty-one years. The membership had run up to 250. For al- most a year the church was closed, mute witness of hard times, financially and spiritually.


Rev. William Windsor, sent out by the Home Missionary society organized the Edwards church with twenty-six members, August 17, 1861. Mr. Wind- sor remained five years, gathering over 100 members, brought the church to self- support, and raised the salary from $400 to $1,000. A prosperous work of four and one-half years under the leadership of Rev. J. A. Hamilton followed, and the membership rose from 120 to 273. Dr. J. G. Merrill followed and remained ten years, 1872-1882. Under him in 1873 the main part of the present edifice was erected. In 1881 its interior was completely destroyed by fire. This damage was quickly repaired and the building made more serviceable than before. The pastorate of Dr. Merrill was remarkably prosperous. During this period Beth- lehem hall was erected for the mission in West Davenport, which had been in- augurated in the closing years of Dr. Hamilton's work. When Dr. Merrill left the church roll numbered 314 names. Upward of 1,600 persons have belonged to the Edwards church; among them many of the most substantial people of the city.


In 1894 the Bethlehem mission was organized into a church, several mem- bers of Edwards church voluntarily taking their letters and constituting the nucleus of the new organization. This mission became later the Bethlehem Congregational church which recently merged with the German Congrega- tional church as the Berean church of which Rev. R. K. Atkinson is pastor.


Nor is this all of Congregationalism in Davenport, for in 1854 the German Congregational church was organized.


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As early as 1890 plans for the chapel addition began to be considered, as the auditorium was inadequate for any expansion of the Sunday school or other work in the interest of Christian nurture. The accumulation of money for this extension began, but the whole matter received a set-back during the period of financial depression, 1892-1896. At the annual meeting, January, 1900, the church voted to raise money for renovating the church and building a chapel on the rear of the lot. On November 4th, of the same year, the present structure, costing $12,000, was dedicated and the church reopened after a thorough reno- vation without and within, costing about $4,000. These changes gave the Ed- wards congregation one of the best church plants in the state. During the year $11,000 of the amount needed for these improvements was raised in cash and pledges.


Up to 1904 Edwards church and society existed jointly, but the growing de- sire to incorporate as a church alone led to steps looking up to that end. Ac- cordingly the legal proceedings necessary to the incorporation of Edwards church, and the termination of the ecclesiastical society formerly connected herewith, and the transference of the property to the church were regularly and properly taken. The final meeting when this business was transacted was held March 10, 1904.


Still another interesting chapter might be written about Iowa college, which, after much prayer and sacrifice, was incorporated in 1847 and opened in Daven- port, November 1, 1848. Chief among its founders and supporters were Revs. Asa Turner, Julius A. Reed, A. B. Robbins and all the famous "Iowa Band." The city subscribed $1,365 and thirteen lots, and the twelve trustees, home mis- sionary pastors on salaries of $400, gave $100 each. Once the college moved from the original location on Ripley street to the property now occupied by the Episcopal cathedral and the new high school. Disputes with the city regard- ing a street through the property, together with a gift of land and an opening at Grinnell, led to the removal thither in 1858, where the college has prospered under the presidencies of Dr. Magoun, Dr. Gates, Dr. Dan F. Bradley and J. H. T. Main.


MEMBERSHIP BY PERIODS.


1861, 26; 1865, 61 ; 1870, 170; 1875, 216; 1880, 322 ; 1885, 304 ; 1890, 317; 1895, 314; 1900, 325 ; 1905, 396; 1910, 455.


CHARTER MEMBERS OF FIRST CHURCH. Organized July 30, 1839.


Strong Burnell, Olivia (Strong) Burnell, William S. Collins, Benjamin F. Coates, Jane C. Fessenden, John C. Holbrook, Cynthia (Mrs. John C.) Holbrook, Andonean Kendal, Mary C. (Mrs. Andonean) Kendal, Abraham Neely, Char- lott (Mrs. Abraham) Neely.


PASTORS OF FIRST CHURCH.


Rev. J. P. Stuart, June to December, 1840; Rev. Oliver Emerson, December 20, 1840, to June 20, 1841; Rev. Allen B. Hitchcock, September 12, 1841, to


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November 1, 1844; Rev. Ephraim Adams, D. D., November 1, 1844, to May I, 1855; Rev. George F. Magoun, D. D., June, 1855, to September 9, 1860; Rev. William Windsor, August 17, 1861, to September 23, 1866; Rev. J. A. Hamilton, D. D., August 1, 1867, to November 30, 1871 ; Rev. J. G. Merrill, D. D., Janu- ary 2, 1872, to August 31, 1882; Rev. Martin L. Williston, September 17, 1882, to January 1, 1888; Rev. A. W. Archibald, D. D., June 1, 1888, to November 15, 1892; Rev. B. F. Boller, January 1, 1893, to October 1, 1894; Rev. G. S. Rollins, D. D., December 1, 1894, to November 1, 1902; Rev. Charles A. Moore, Ph. D., February 1, 1903. Dr. Moore is now pastor of the church. During his recovery from serious illness Rev. W. J. Suckow, field secretary of Grinnell college, is serving as pulpit supply.


ST. PAUL'S ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN.


Tradition has it that in the early '50s efforts were made to establish an English Lutheran church in Davenport, and it is a matter of regret that no documents of any kind are to be found save one, in which the banking firm of Cook & Sargent agree to convey to the trustees of the First English Evangelical Lutheran church of the city of Davenport lot I in block No. 3 in Green's second addition to the city of Davenport, for the consideration of one dollar, provided the said trustees erect thereon a two story building not less than forty by seventy feet. However, the conditions were not met. The names of the late Dr. Stukenberg, Rev. Kissel, and others, had been associated with these early attempts, but nothing permanent resulted until Rev. George W. Snyder was appointed the missionary by the board of home missions, his commission dating April 1, 1879. During the preceding year Rev. Snyder, in conjunction with Rev. G. W. Diveley, had canvassed the city and secured the signatures of some thirty persons desirous of becoming members of the new organization. These persons were not formed into a congregation until later. The missionary, not having a suitable place to hold services, started on a canvassing trip throughout the church, without holding any religious meetings here until he had secured $4,000 dollars for the erection of a suitable place of worship. The lots on the corner of Main and Fourteenth streets, where the church and parsonage are located, were purchased at a total cost, including sewer and other expenses, of $1,74Q. The chapel, now part of the new edifice, and used as the Sunday school room, was erected during the fall of 1881 and spring of 1882. The first service therein was held January 22, 1882. The Sunday school was also organized that day with thirty-four present. Of the original signers of the constitution the following formed the nucleus of the new congregation :


H. B. Martin, Mrs. A. S. Martin, Mrs. Jane Rhodes, Bernhard Reilley, Mrs. Catherine Reilley, Miss Anna A. Reilley, Philip Garner, Mrs. Susan Garner, Miss Lucinda Garner, now Mrs. John Roth, and Mrs. Laura B. Snyder. The congre- gation having been received into connection with the Evangelical Lutheran synod of Iowa, on October 30, 1879, now began its real work. During the year 1882 sixteen new members were added to the church. Of these, who might be well considered the charter members, the following remain on the honor roll: Mrs. Jane Rhodes, Mrs. Catherine Reilley, Miss Anna A. Reilley, Mrs. Lucinda Roth,


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ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH. DAVENPORT


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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY


Miss Emma Heden, Miss Laura Rhodes and J. A. Rhodes. Death has claimed several and others were dismissed by letter.


The chapel was dedicated on April 30, 1882, Rev. G. W. Stelling, D. D., then of Omaha, preaching the dedication sermon. Rev. J. W. Goodlin, the secretary of the board of home missions, was present, as well as Rev. S. D. Barnitz, the western secretary of the board, who assisted in the services. There was a whole week of rejoicing and preaching. The offerings on the following Sunday were sufficient to liquidate all indebtedness. The same fall the present parsonage was built at a cost of $2,292. Of this amount the board of church extension loaned the congregation $1,625. This indebtedness taxed the young mission for several years, but on June 5, 1889, the last farthing was paid. On April 1, 1891, Rev. George W. Snyder closed his pastorate at St. Paul's to assume the charge of a new mission at Council Bluffs. During the vacancy that occurred after the de- parture of Rev. Snyder, Rev. E. F. Bartholomew, D. D., from Augustana college, supplied the pulpit, and various brethren visited the church with a view of be- coming the pastor. On the 7th of May, 1891, the present pastor, Rev. W. Henry Blancke, was invited to the pastorate, and on June 24, 1891, the call was accepted. The church and Sunday school increased and grew in number and efficiency. The chapel became too small to suit the needs of the congregation, so on February 26th, it having been determined to build a new church edifice, a building committee was appointed consisting of W. B. Murray, M. S. Like, F. L. Secoy, P. Paulson and A. H. Puttcamp, with full instructions to erect a building not to exceed in cost $12,000. A finance committee was also appointed consisting of H. H. Vogt, Lars Johnsen, and Jacob Olsson. The pastor was an ex-officio member of both com- mittees. At a final meeting of the congregation the bids and plans were submitted for a $22,000 structure, which were accepted, and on May 4, 1902, the beautiful edifice was dedicated with a total cost of $26,000, including organ and furnishings. Rev. E. F. Bartholomew, D. D., preached the dedication sermon in the morning and Rev. J. A. Wirt, D. D., of Des Moines, preached the evening sermon. At both these services the offerings amounted to nearly $6,000. Since Rev. Blancke's pastorate began up to the present time there have been received into the church over 300 new members, and the Sunday school has an enrollment of about 250. In connection with the church is a Young People's Luther league of about sev- enty-five members.




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