History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I, Part 72

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

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"Mrs. W. F. Peck, President Davenport Library Association.

"Under and by virture of the power reserved to me in the amended articles of incorporation of the Davenport Library Association, I hereby appoint the fol- lowing persons the first Board of Trustees: B. B. Woodward, S. F. Smith, Ed- ward E. Cook, F. H. Griggs, Mrs. John F. Dillon, Mrs. Geo. H. French, Mrs. T. Mccullough, Mrs. W. F. Peck, Mrs. W. C. Wadsworth.

"You will determine by lot in such way as to the Board may seem best which of the parties shall hold five years, which ten and which fifteen.

"(Signed)

MRS. CLARISSA C. COOK, per J. W. Drury, Her attorney."

In July, 1878, the Library building was dedicated, James T. Lane delivered the formal address. Mayor Thompson spoke for the city; Dr. Farquharson for - the Academy of Sciences, R. O. Lindsey for the Young Men's Christian associa- tion, Prof. J. B. Young for the board of education and the schools, Mr. Edward Russell for the press and the Rev. Dr. Nott for himself. Judge Drury delivered the keys and deed of the building to Mrs. Geo. Wing, president of the Library association, who made a very graceful speech of acceptance.

Before the building was fully completed it was found that the sum originally donated was not sufficient to cover the expense and Mrs. Cook added $1,000 more, making her gift $11,000.

The library was by far the finest 'structure used for library purposes of any in the state at the time it was occupied. The number of books was 7,000 volumes.

Of the 100 or more women who labored for the success of the library dur- ing the period that it was under their exclusive management living today in Dav- enport are Miss Phobe Sudlow, Mrs. W. C. Wadsworth, Mrs. John C. Bills, Miss Alice French, Miss Ellen M. Gould and Mrs. W. F. Peck.

THE DESK. DAVENPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Mrs. John F. Dillon served as president one year, Mrs. Geo. Wing one year and Mrs. W. F. Peck three years.

Did space permit the writer of this sketch would be glad to mention in detail the services of each individual who contributed to the exceptional success of the management, whereas only two can be thus distinguished.

Mrs. Geo. Wing served as chairman of the library committee for three years and bestowed upon this department the most intelligent and conscientious care. Under her supervision voluntary helpers made a catalogue of the library which answered its purpose for a number of years.

Mrs. Thomas McCullough, most useful perhaps in guarding the treasury, was good in any place, discharging any and all duties with the greatest ability and fidelity. As an appointee on the board of trustees her work for the library was continued until the time of her death in 1888.

With the record back of them thus briefly indicated the ladies on May 5, 1879, surrendered their duties to a board of officers composed in part of the same men who had given the library into their custody five years before with Mr. Watkins as president.

While the utmost good feeling prevailed it was soon manifest that the re- strictions imposed by the acceptance of the Cook gift, leaving in the hands of the trustees sole control of the finances, took away the incentive to individual initiative among the officers and members of the association, and library interests, if they did not languish, were at a standstill. In the public mind the sentiment prevailed that the institution was amply provided for, and the keen interest that had been almost universal waned. Later the trustees acting also as officers of the Library association, assumed entire control and though the institution was not the fashion as it once had been, it held its own and served the public very acceptably.

In January, 1891, Mrs. W. F. Peck, the president, presented to the board of trustees a proposition from the Hon. Hiram Price offering to donate $1,500 for the purpose of endowing the free reading room. The proposition was ac- cepted, and Mr. Price paid the money advancing $135 so that the donation could be made available at once without encroaching upon the principal. In addi- tion Mr. Price paid for the furnishing of the room which was called the Price Free Reading room.

In the spring of 1892, Mr. F. H. Griggs, Mr. E. E. Cook, Mrs. W. C. Wads- worth and Mrs. W. F. Peck, all original appointees of Mrs. Cook, retired from the board of trustees, also Miss Phoebe Sudlow who had been elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mrs. Geo. H. French.

Members of the reorganized board were D. N. Richardson, S. F. Smith, Mrs. W. D. Petersen and Miss Alice French, old members; A. W. Vander Veer, the Rev. A. M. Judy, Mrs. C. A. Ficke, Mrs. M. C. Smith and Miss Alice Kimball, new members. A. W. Vander Veer was elected secretary, a position filled by him until the library ceased to be.

With the exception of the election of J. H. Harrison as president of the as- sociation, the board pursued the same line of policy with regard to electing trus- tees to the various association offices that the old board had found necessary to adopt.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

An entertainment in which many of the citizens participated added the sum of $801 to the treasury. The bequest of Nicholas Kuhnen of $1,000 and an- other from Mrs. J. M. Parker of $500 available at this time enabled the board to undertake some much needed repairs on the building. Eventually the books were arranged in alcoves in the main library room which was thoroughly reno- vated and made attractive. An expert was engaged to catalogue the library at an expense of $500. However no amount of ingenuity or personal effort on the part of the directors could make the revenues and expenses balance, and history repeated itself, inasmuch as the management sought to replenish the treasury by soliciting donations. A casual examination of the old association book of records revealed the forgotten fact that Andrew Carnegie was an honorary member of the Davenport Library association. It was just at the beginning of Mr. Carnegie's career in founding libraries, and it was thought that a mere re- minder of his connection with the Davenport library might bring a handsome donation. Instead of a cash donation, in January, 1900, an offer of $50,000 to found a public library in Davenport upon the same conditions uniformly adopted by him was made. At the April election the question of a public library tax was submitted to the people and carried. Women were permitted to vote and with few exceptions favored the measure.

In May, Mayor Heinz appointed the first board of public library trustees. They were Judge Nathaniel French, Charles Beiderbecke, Miss Clara Holmes, the Rev. A. M. Judy, Mrs. J. J. Richardson, the Rev. J. P. Ryan, Edward Kauf- mann, Mrs. J. P. Van Patten and George Wolters. Judge French declined to serve and Judge C. M. Waterman was appointed in his place. Miss Holmes de- clined to serve and S. F. Smith was appointed.

In March, 1901, Mr. Carnegie increased his donation to the building fund to $75,000.

By a decree of the court it was decided that the books of the old library were not a part of the Cook trust and the directors were at liberty to pass them on to the new library board. In June, 1903, the Free Public library took pos- session of the rooms and opened its doors to the public in the Cook Memorial building pending the completion of the New Library building on the southeast corner of Main and Fourth streets, the site selected by the board and purchased by the city.

By order of the court the Cook trust was dissolved. The building was sold, the proceeds going to the Clarissa C. Cook Home for the Friendless and the Diocese of Iowa as residuary legatees under the will of Clarissa C. Cook.

These transactions consummated, the Davenport Library association became a thing of the past.

The magnificent Public Library building was completed and ready for occu- pancy in the spring of 1904. On May 4th, dedicatory services were held in the Grand Opera house, Judge John F. Dillon delivering the address. Seated upon the platform beside the city officials and the board of trustees, who had in addi- tion to supervising the erection of the building accomplished much of the nec- sary organizing work, were a number of Davenport citizens who had kept the library faith alive in the old days.

After the meeting the library was thrown open to the public for inspection.

CHILDREN'S ROOM, DAVENPORT PUBLIC LIBRARY

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Through the efforts of volunteer workers, except for the brief period noted by Mr. Watkins, library privileges had been furnished to the citizens of Daven- port for nearly a half century. They were not always adequate, but they served the purpose fairly well, and it may be added that the different groups of offi- cials as they succeeded each other ever regarded the library as a trust for the people.

The present public library represents the fully developed expression of the idea held by the would be founders of the Carey Public library in 1839, of Geo. B. Sargent, Ebenezer Cook, Hiram Price, B. B. Woodward, C. S. Watkins, F. H. Griggs, D. N. Richardson, E. E. Cook, B. F. Tillinghast, A. W. Vander Veer and a host of others who have contributed to its growth and advancement.

Miss M. W. Freeman was the first librarian of the new public library and served until February 1, 1905. She was succeeded by Miss Stella Seybold, who was in charge one year and then the present librarian. Miss Grace D. Rose came to Davenport and has given expert assistance to the people of the city in finding the worth while to read.

THE CLAIM HOUSE First Frame House in Iowa

IOWA TEL. CO.

DEPARTMENT

AFLESTSTEM

HOUSE BUILT BY DR. JOHN EMERSON Owner of Dred Scott. at No. 219 East Second Street

HOME OF WILLARD BARROWS, HISTORIAN

HOME OF JOHN L. DAVIES

THE THORINGTON HOME ON SITE OF PUBLIC LIBRARY

HOME OF D. C. ELDRIDGE, WHERE MASONIC TEMPLE STANDS First Brick House in City

CHAPTER XXVIII.

SOME OLD HOUSES.

SOME REMAIN AND OTHERS HAVE GIVEN WAY TO BETTER ONES-THE FIRST FRAME HOUSE IN IOWA-THE FIRST HOUSE IN DAVENPORT-DR. JOHN EMERSON'S BRICK RESIDENCE-MANY OLD RESIDENCES OF STRONG HISTORIC INTEREST-STRUC- TURES THAT INCITE REMINISCENCE-A BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN SKETCH OF THE HOSPITABLE HOMES OF OTHER DAYS.

The very first habitation erected in Davenport disappeared long ago. It was a hastily constructed shack, habitable if one was not too particular, and nobody was in pioneer days. It was in the spring of 1830 that Antoine LeClaire came from his comfortable log home on Rock Island to try a summer in the Indian village on the Iowa side. He was accompanied, so the story goes, by Baptiste Sauvage, a discharged soldier named Ephraim Barton and a dumb Indian. Living in wickiups until better shelter could be made they cut logs on the bluffs and made their shanty, selecting as a location the neighborhood of Farnam and Fourth streets. Mr. LeClaire did not remain here but returned to his more comfortable quarters on the island. When the treaty of 1832 was held and his Indian friends asked Mr. LeClaire to build his home on the spot where the treaty was signed, this spot being near Farnam where Fifth would intersect, he put men at work to construct what was called for some time "the big house," to distinguish it from the shack above mentioned. It was completed in 1833 and occupied by Mr. LeClaire. This home was of block or hewed log construc- tion, clapboarded over, contained three rooms, each twenty feet square and had a fine portico in the front and one in the rear.

The people who daily walk along Fifth street and glance between the houses numbered 418 and 420 at the building also bearing the number 420 situated on the alley do not appreciate the fact that they are looking at the oldest house in the city, but so it is. There is only a part of the house there. Its single story has been raised and another story built under. It has been shorn of its hospitable porches. Only two of the original dormers are left, but it is the original house, where Antoine LeClaire entertained his friends, where dancing parties furnished pleasure to the few frontier young people, the house where missionary priests

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

set up an altar and held religious services, the house which was used as the first station of the first railroad west of the Mississippi after Mr. LeClaire had builded his handsome mansion on the bluff and removed thereto. It is doing duty as a tenant house for two families now, one below, one above, good citizens, but not particularly interested in history.

Mr. LeClaire was fond of his old home for its associations, and while in its day of usefulness he employed Jonathan Wilde, the artist, to engrave an exact fac-simile on stone, giving a south and west view with the surrounding trees and shrubbery. This engraving was done in the office of Dr. Barrows, about 1841. Mr. LeClaire permitted but one impression to be taken from the stone and that was framed and kept in the family. After Antoine LeClaire's death his widow, Mrs. Marguerite LeClaire allowed Dr.' Barrows to take a photograph of the lithograph. In this way was preserved the appearance of Davenport's oldest house which still stands in sadly altered form totally unwept, unhonored and unsung. Many times the statement has been made in print that this house was destroyed to make room for a railroad depot better fitted for the work, but the aged contractor, Louis F. Arnould will tell you that he moved the house to its present location and that the structure, although changed, is the same.

During these first days in Davenport Mr. LeClaire took up some claims, one near the foot of Ripley street which in a spirit of generosity he traded to his brother for a yoke of calves. Another tract he laid claim to was below the bluffs and west of Harrison street. In this venture he had a partner Baptiste Sauvage. With his usual generosity Mr. LeClaire gave his share to Sauvage, taking in exchange for right, title and good will, "one shot gun and one small wagon." Sauvage was thrifty and held to the princely estate for some years, disposing of it to G. C. R. Mitchell, and it became the foundation of the Mitchell wealth.

THE CLAIM HOUSE.

Another house of rare interest may be seen anyday at 557 College avenue. The somewhat observant citizen who strolls out this street to the unsettled tract beyond may notice that its architecture is quaint, plain and not at all complex, but it is doubtful if he realizes that the little home is filled with historical interest, that its years outnumber those of any frame house in Iowa, that it was built away back in 1832 when this was Wisconsin territory and before any part of Iowa was open to settlement.

This knowledge was the possession of a few people well along in years and widely scattered until 1905. It is doubtful if Davenport people would have known of this historical treasure for so it is, had it not been that J. E. Calkins in preparing matter for the Half-Century Democrat struck a clue and pieced to- gether evidence with Sherlock Holmes ability until the case was made out. This old house was built by George L. Davenport, son of Colonel George Davenport, when fifteen years old, on a claim taken up by him before the Indians had sur- rendered the land known as the Black Hawk purchase. This was possible be- cause George was a favorite with the Indians, had been adopted into the tribe by them and given the Indian name of Musquakie. He was given a privilege accorded to no one else. This claim adjoined on the east what is now the Mc-

HOME OF HON. HIRAM PRICE IN 1843

WAREILS'

THE EBENEZER COOK HOME Fourth and Rock Island Streets

HOMES OF HIRAM PRICE ON BRADY STREET AND JUDGE JOHN F. DIL- LON ON SEVENTH STREET

FUI

RESIDENCE OF JOHN P. COOK, SIXTH AND BRADY STREETS

HOME OF JAMES GRANT

HOME OF JOHN MULLEN

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Clellan Heights tract. George had a good eye for property, the claim he se- lected and laid off before the Indians relinquished title being as handsome a stretch of real estate as could anywhere be found. It is said that Dr. John Emer- son some years after also took up a claim, lying to the east of this first claim, and erecting a habitation put his slave Dred Scott therein to hold possession.

To return to the house-it was constructed of materials brought from Cin- cinnati by river, and was at first a structure about sixteen feet square. Later ad- ditions were made, one of them being a leanto kitchen. In the illustration a batten will be noticed between the first and second windows, counting from the north. The original house is the portion south of this batten. Near the northern end of the original part is a modern brick chimney. This replaces a chimney of stone which furnished draft to the original heating plant. The broadside of the cottage with its three windows faces College avenue. The door is on the side, but in the original house the southernmost front window was a door. This house was brought to its present location from the original site in 1867 or about that time, having been carefully dismembered and restored.

In this house occurred the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Woodward, later to take a prominent position in Davenport industries and social sphere. Their later home was the handsome building now occupied by J. R. Nutting. In this house the late Mrs. John B. Phelps was born.

It is well here to repeat the paragraph with which the article closed in the Half-Century Democrat : "In some places, we might say, some states, great care would be taken to preserve a relic of such comparative antiquity and of such prime interest. In this instance the present site is of no interest. The house is all there is to consider. If it were becomingly placed in-say Central park-and were kept in its present good state of repair, and were cared for as the beginning of civilization on this side of the river, it certainly would not lose value for the people with the passing of the years."

In 1836 the first public house was opened on the corner of Front and Ripley streets, by Messrs. LeClaire and Davenport, and named the Davenport House. It was later renamed the United States, but was never the cause of great pride. A few years later the LeClaire House was built and the new arrivals had some- thing to wonder over. When this beautiful hostelry became out of date, the city renewed its enthusiasm over the Burtis House, one of the best appointed hotels of its day. Here were held the great banquets and other entertainments which made the landlord Dr. Burtis famous. Here army officers were so numerous during the war of the rebellion that it was called army headquarters. This build- ing at Fifth and LeClaire streets is now a portion of the plant of the Crescent Macaroni Company.

HOUSES HERE OR EASILY REMEMBERED.

In the summer of 1838 the first brick house in the city was built where the Masonic temple now stands. It was built by D. C. Eldridge, merchant, hotel keeper, postmaster. On the same lot he built a small one story edifice which was used as a postoffice, the first building to be given such exclusive use in the state. Shortly after the completion of Mr. Eldridge's home the little brick church and

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

school building of St. Anthony's was in readiness for the multiplicity of uses to which it was put.

The Webb residence, which Mr. Barrows says in his history was considered "one of the most extravagant investments of the age," was built in 1841. It was later the home of John E. Henry and E. S. Carl and is now the church building of the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

It was also in 1841 that Strong Burnell, the wealthy lumberman, erected his home, still standing, on the southeast corner of Brady and Sixth streets. Another little cottage of the '40s is standing on the lot on the north side of Sixth street just west of the Cora-Lee-Roy apartment house. It used to stand on a lot next south of the First National bank building, and was the property of John Mullen. It was moved to its present location to make room for the brick block standing on its original site.

The finest specimen of colonial architecture in the city is the fine old house formerly the home of Dr. E. S. Barrows, corner of Sixth and Rock Island streets. It is of the native limestone, one of the few so built. On the corner of Sixth and LeClaire streets is the comfortable old home of Willard Barrows, the historian. This location is that of one of the early cemeteries from which all bodies were removed in 1848. It was here that Dr. John Emerson, owner of Dred Scott, was buried.

What is left of Austin Corbin's old home has been made over into the garage, located on Main street above Fourth street. Two houses built by Hon. R. Lowry more than fifty years ago are standing on the east side of Main street above Sixth. The southern one was the Lowry home and there Miss Annie Lowry and Hon. C. M. Waterman were married.

In the brick house on the northwest corner of Fifth and Rock Island streets, Judge James Grant extended true southern hospitality in the olden days. Later he built his handsome home on Seventh and Iowa.

Before building his colonial mansion on the western bluff near Lookout park, which later he transferred to Geo. L. Davenport, J. M. D. Burrows lived in the house still standing on the southwest corner of Second and Rock Island streets.

On the present site of the public library stood the Thorington home, facing Fourth street. Here many Davenporters received instruction in one of the early schools.

Not so many years ago on the northeastern corner of Fourth and Ripley streets there was a rambling one story building with a fine yard. Fifty years ago it was the home of John L. Davies, mayor, business man and manufacturer. Now the Walsh apartment building furnishes homes for thirty-six times as many families in this same location.

On Fifth street just east of Perry time has spared the little brick house in which Hiram Price made his home in 1842. In 1855 he built a fine residence at Brady and Seventh streets. Later it was the Berryhill home. In 1909 it was demolished to make room for the new home of the Register Life Insurance Company. Just to the east of this lot on Seventh street stands the residence where Hon. John F. Dillon made his home until he removed to West Davenport where Dr. E. H. Hazen later lived.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

At the corner of Rock Island and Fourth streets Ebenezer Cook built his handsome home and on the corner of Brady and Sixth his brother the congress- man, John P. Cook, built one of equal beauty. These houses were models of elegance in their day, with handsome exterior and beautiful interior decoration.

The present headquarters of the Rock Island dining car service on Rock Island near Fifth street housed the Collins family a half century ago. One of the choice homes of its day built to face the river was that of J. M. Bowling, corner of Harrison and Front streets. The old-fashioned brick residence on East Second street east of the McNeil block, corner of Perry street, was for many years the home of the early merchant, John Dalzell.

THE EMERSON RESIDENCE.

At No. 219 East Second street stands a brick house which is of national in- terest. It was built by Dr. John Emerson, owner of Dred Scott, the slave whose freedom was sought because he had been brought into this free territory. The famous decision which ended the suit aroused the nation and hastened the Civil war. In this house were held the first services of Trinity Episcopal church. Here resided the rector, Rev. Alfred Louderback and before old Trinity was built at Rock Island and Fifth streets services were regularly held in the old brick residence still standing. A son of Rev. Alfred Louderback, named D. H. Louderback came to Davenport as the representative of a syndicate of Chicago, rebuilt and made metropolitan the street car system. He later taught the peo- ple of London how to do the same thing.

ALONG THE ROCKINGHAM ROAD.

At this point the impulse is irresistible to go again to the Half-Century Demo- crat and take therefrom this finely written recollection of Octave Thanet whom her townspeople know as Miss Alice French. As a widely read author they honor her ; as a Davenporter they love and admire her. The sketch which is transplanted to this work is headed "Along the Rockingham Road-The Homes and Families that Once Made It Noble."

In the late '70s of the last century Davenport had a line of country villas on the river hills, above the Rockingham road; and the memory of those houses beautiful still clings to many a heart. Recalling them, I feel, after a dispas- sionate survey, that it is not only the glamour of youth and the past that il- lumines them with so fair a light. They were, in truth, radiant centers. They made for a true and simple yet wide culture, for good citizenship, and for warm hearted neighborliness.

All the householders were gentle folk; all of them kept close relations with the great world; all of them had an uncommon amount of interest and attraction in their own personalities.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I, Part 72

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

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