USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 26
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
"Sec. 15 .- The said board of trustees are further authorised And em- powerd to require the property holders of aney street or part of a street to pave the same or side walks thereof Each in front of his own property when the owners of two thirds of the lots in sneh street or part of a street petition the board there for
"See. 16 .- No money shall be drawn from the treasurey Except by Order of the board of trustees, Signed by the President sealed with the seal of his office and attested by the Recorder
"Sec. 17 .- The board of Directors shall hold their first regular Meeting on the third Monday of March A D 1855, and every three months there after to wit the 3 Monday of June, September and December in each year. And may Hold speeil Meeting whenever a majority of the Board may deem it necessary
"We the Comt. Elected to prepair a charter or Articles of Icorporation for the Town of Delhi in Delaware Co Jowa would Very Respt. Submit the above Charter or articles of Incorporation for the Consideration of the People of said Town, done at Delhi Feb 14 1855.
"D. BAKER "SAML. F. PARKER JAMES WRIGHT."
ARIAL K. EATON E. K. GRIFFIN
On the second Monday in March following, was the day set for the election of municipal officers, but there is nothing definite recorded as to the names of the members selected on that occasion. From traditionary sources it appears that A. K. Eaton was elected mayor. But from the returns now a part of the archives of the Corporation of Delhi, of an election held in Delhi for municipal officers on the 7th day of March, 1856, it would naturally be gathered that that was the first election held for such officers in Delhi. John II. Peters. John Porter and Peter Case were the judges of this election, and Richard Cummings and Willard G. Campbell, clerks. Daniel Baker was elected mayor; Z. A. Well- man, recorder : John D. Smith, assessor; William Price, treasurer; E. K. Griffin, George Sheldon, George W. Ashburn and Andrew Stone, trustees. There were forty-three votes cast, and the names of those voting are here given: Samuel F. Parker, D. E. Coon. John Porter, J. H. Peters. R. Cummings, E. K. Griffin, G. W. Ashburn, Willard G. Campbell, Truman Mason, Peter Case, Charles Hale. William Phillips, William Vousburgh, James Reck, J. C. Jones, Mr. Gool, William Elliott. R. Morton, Benjamin Kellogg, William Wason, J. AL. Brayton. Z. A. Wellman, T. P. Hall, Jacob Phillips, Erastus Morse, Franklin Jefford, B. McCormick, James T. Crosier, Harrison Ashburn, William O. Glas- ner, M. Noble, D. Baker, William C. Garrett, A. E. House, William Goodhne, Charles Harding, George B. Mort, A. C. Taylor, J. C. Goodlme, Patrick O'Dond. F. II. Williams, John D. Smith and Jacob Galycan.
A short return to the early business interests of Delhi finds a place here. that some not mentioned shall not be omitted. In 1856, William Sylvester, Elisha Brady and one Skerry built a sawmill near the northwest corner of the lake. The building was of stone, and after answering its laudable purpose of turning out solid food for the settlers. it fell from grace, so to speak, in 1862. and was converted into a distillery by George Maxwell, who operated it until
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1866, when J. H. Peters took charge of the industry. In 1867 the old building was abandoned and consigned to merited oblivion.
A farmers' club was organized in 1866, by Washington Graham, Samuel Allison, Jr., William Ball, Daniel Smith, John Porter and others, and those named were the officers. Also in 1971, a literary and library association came into being, the leading spirits of which were Dr. Albert Boomer, Mrs. J. HI. Peters, Thomas A. Twiss, J. M. Noble and Mrs. D. Louise Ingalls. Quite a suun of money was raised for books, but none purchased.
DELHI INCORPORATED A SECOND TIME
The main purpose in the first instance in having the town incorporated was to afford the citizens authority to make such laws as to protect them from the running at large of stock, which had become a nuisance and a menace to prop- erty. This object was attained but its benefits soon were lost sight of and there is no record, under the powers of the decree of incorporation. of another elee- tion having been held, so that Delhi drifted back into its former state and remained under the jurisdiction of the township until the year 1909, when a petition signed by thirty-three electors, was filed in the District Court, asking that Delhi be made an incorporated town. The prayer of the petition was granted and the court appointed F. E. Stimson. E. R. Stone, Thomas Simmons, E. B. Porter and A. Sherman commissioners to declare a time and place for holding an election, to determine the sense of the electorate as to whether or not they desired incorporation. The election for the purpose was held on the 2d day of March, 1909, at which time sixty-nine votes were cast for the purpose, and only six against. The action of the commissioners was approved by the court and they were ordered to call an election for town officers, to be holden April 5, 1909, at which time J. W. Swinburne was elected mayor ; E. B. Porter, clerk : F. E. Stimson, assessor; and D. F. Jones, F. A. Doolittle, A. Sherman, C. C. White and C. H. Furman, councilmen.
About the year 1900 Delaware County transferred the courthouse property at Delhi, consisting of a fine tract of land, the courthouse and a two-story brick office building, to J. M. IFolbrook Post, G. A. R. The latter conveyed the office building to Delhi Township, and the park and courthouse to the Town of Delhi, retaining the right, however, to hold for itself, during the life of the post, the courthouse building for headquarters. In the office building the town officials held their first meetings.
POSTOFFICE
The first postoffice in Delaware County was established at Delhi, on March 14. 1844. and Charles W. Hobbs was the choice of the people for postmaster. But at this time he was clerk of the United States Territorial Court, which made him ineligible. However. the next best selection for the position was made by the department, in sending to Mrs. Mary E. A. Hobbs, wife of the pioneer official, a commission as postmistress; this was dated March 14, 1844. William ( Uncle Billy) Smith, who early settled at Eads' Grove, was the first mail earrier. IIe "toted" the mail, sometimes afoot and then a-horseback, onee a week between Dubuque and Delhi. The names of Mrs. Hobbs' successors Vol. 1-15
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follow: R. A. Fagg, January 22, 1847; C. W. Hobbs. May 14, 1847; J. E. Anderson, December 20, 1849: Zina A. Wellman, April 19, 1850: William Price, April 14, 1853; William 11. Gilles, November 19, 1857: Elisha Brady, March 30, 1861; C. 11. Cross. February 5, 1866; A. L. Gleason. October 12. 1870: A. D. Barnes, January 4, 1886; A. E. Honse, April 19, 1886; Lida E. Corbin, June 29. 1893; R. IT. Bowman, June 9, 1897: R. J. Van Antwerp. December 13, 1900: Edmund H. Fleming, JJannary 22, 1907.
SCHOOLS
The first school in Delhi was held in the old log courthouse, commencing in the summer of 1846, under the direction of Roxana Brown, teacher. School continued to be taught in this crude structure, that for the first few years of its existence had no roof, as the county was too poor to build one, until in 1852, when a schoolhouse was erected by Contractor Perry Hook. The school was graded and had for its teachers Orlando Nash, principal, and Sarah Davis.
The first schoolhouse, built in 1852, was kept in use for its original purpose until 1868, when it was sold to the Methodist Society for $250 and converted into a church. A new brick school building was then put up, at a cost of $4,000, in which school opened in the fall of 1868, with George S. Bidwell. principal, and Emily Bidwell, his wife, assistant. Two large wings were added to the structure in 1873 and cost about seven thousand dollars, making at the time one of the largest and best buildings in the county for educational purposes ; there were six rooms. The original part was three stories and had an orna- mental enpola; the wings had two stories. On the 10th day of Angust, 1914, this fine property canght fire and nothing was left standing but the bare walls. The loss was $15,000; insurance about eleven thousand dollars. While waiting for the electorate to vote upon the proposition of issning $15,000 in bonds to build a new schoolhouse, the children are being taught in various halls and rooms in the village.
FINANCIAL
The first attempt at banking at Delhi was when the Delhi Savings Bank was incorporated, Jannary 24, 1899. The men who invested their capital in stock and gave the concern its present splendid financial standing were Thomas Simons, A. E. House, E. R. Stone. G. W. Klockentager. I. W. Swinburne. R. Il. Bowman, G. O. White, E. C. Perkins, O. A. Iloldridge, J. W. Hartman, John Porter, Arthur A. Honse, E. H. Blanchard, W. IL. Baker, Curtis Miller, Peter Inux, David F. Jones, L. Schnittjer, James M. Phillips, G. B. Davis, G. 11. Fuller, A. Bowman, Allen L. Boomer and John R. White, Jr.
The capitalization was $10.000, and the first officials: Thomas Simons. president : E. R. Stone, vice president ; and G. W. Klockentager, cashier. The institution hegan doing business temporarily in a little frame building. now occupied by C. L. Jackson's harness establishment. Within a few months it moved into a new, one-story brick strneture, which was built for the purpose and stands on the main thoroughfare of the village. A. E. House succeeded to the presidency in 1900 and remained in that position two years, when E. R.
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PUBLIC SCHOOL, DELHI Built in 1868. Destroyed by fire August, 1914.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, DELHI
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Stone succeeded Lim. At the same time, in 1902. J. W. Swinburne was made vice president. Previous to this. however, in January. 1901. the present casher, F. E. Stimson, was elected to that offer. and in January. 1912. Jey. P. Sloan was made his assistant. In the year 199 the capital stock was increased to $20.000 and in its last statement the following interesting figures appear : Capital stock. 20.000 : nrplns and undivided prosit =. = 11.00) : deposits. $147.000.
RELIGIONS ORGANIZATION-
The people of Delhi and vicinity enjoyed the spiritual comforts. preaching of the gospel and other religions exercises as early as the spring of 1-47, when Reverend Briar. a Methodist circuit rider. app-ar-d before a gathering of the settlers at the humble nome of C. W. Hobbs. The first Methodist Society was organized in Delhi in 1-52. and the Rev. George Clifford was stationed here in 1:54. In 1-55 Reverend Clifford, with Elder Farnsworth, a Baptist Porgyman, held a series of very successful revival meetings and among the converts were two men who afterward entered the Methodist ministry-Rev. S. Knickerbocker and William Glassner.
I: was during this year. at intervals. the old . loolhouse, built in 1:52, was used by the Methodist Society for meetings and in 1.6 ?. when the building was abandoned by the school authorities. the Methodists bought it for the sum of $250. Dr. Albert Boomer. E. Brady and Daniel Pulver were then appointed a building committee to superintend the repairing and refitting of the old school- house and were instructed to make the first payment of $50. and pledge the individual notes of the trustees for the balance. The trustees were Doctor Boomer. Elis!la Brady. C. W. Hobbs, Daniel Pulver and George H. Fuller. The Sabbath-school was organized in the fall of 1:65.
The present church building was erected in 1583. with funds raised under the efforts of Doctor Boomer at the time Reverend Holm was pastor. This building was remodeled in the year 1913 and again underwent regeneration in February. 1914. when John S. Westfall was the pastor. There were then 194 members and the attendance at Sabbath-school was 140. The church. as first built, cost about twenty-five hundred dollars. To this should be added $3.500 paid out in alterations made later.
It was under the administration of Rev. W. S. Skinner that the first improve- ments to the church building began. He is now on the retired list and a resi- dent of Delhi. It was Reverend Skinner who organized a Brotherhood Class, which now has a membership of fifty. presided over by this most estimable superannuate. Reverend Westfall -till presides over the destinies of this charge.
The Baptists organized a society in this vicinity May s. 1853. and held their meetings in the old log schoolhouse. Elder C. D. Farnsworth was the moderator, and R. S. Perry. clerk. On May 14th. Ozias Kellogg and Ephraim Cummings were elected deacons. On the 25th of the month delegates from Cascade. Coles- burg and " Yankee Settlement" met in the log courthouse, with John Bates as moderator, and organized what is known as a recognition council, which unani- mously agreed to recognize as a sister church the one just organized at Delhi. On the 29th the recognition ceremony was preached by Elder John Bates. A house of worship was not erected until the fall of 1868. The cornerstone was
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Stone succeeded him. At the same time, in 1902, J. W. Swinburne was made vice president. Previous to this, however, in January, 1901, the present cashier, F. E. Stimson, was elected to that office. and in January, 1912, Jesse P. Sloan was made his assistant. In the year 1909 the capital stock was increased to $20.000 and in its last statement the following interesting figures appear : Capital stock, $20,000 : surplus and undivided profits, $11,000; deposits, $147,000.
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
The people of Delhi and vicinity enjoyed the spiritual comforts, preaching of the gospel and other religious exercises as early as the spring of 1847, when Reverend Briar, a Methodist circuit rider, appeared before a gathering of the settlers at the humble home of C. W. Hobbs. The first Methodist Society was organized in Delhi in 1852, and the Rev. George Clifford was stationed here in 1854. In 1855 Reverend Clifford, with Elder Farnsworth, a Baptist elergyman, held a series of very successful revival meetings and among the converts were two men who afterward entered the Methodist ministry-Revs. S. Knickerbocker and William Glassner.
It was during this year, at intervals, the old schoolhouse, built in 1852, was used by the Methodist Society for meetings and in 1868, when the building was abandoned by the school authorities, the Methodists bought it for the sum of $250. Dr. Albert Boomer, E. Brady and Daniel Pulver were then appointed a building committee to superintend the repairing and refitting of the old school- house and were instructed to make the first payment of $50, and pledge the individual notes of the trustees for the balance. The trustees were Doctor Boomer, Elisha Brady, C. W. Hobbs, Daniel Pulver and George H. Fuller. The Sabbath-school was organized in the fall of 1868.
The present church building was erected in 1883, with funds raised under the efforts of Doctor Boomer at the time Reverend Holm was pastor. This building was remodeled in the year 1913 and again underwent regeneration in February. 1914, when John S. Westfall was the pastor. There were then 194 members and the attendance at Sabbath-school was 140. The church, as first built, cost about twenty-five hundred dollars. To this should be added $3,500 paid out in alterations made later.
It was under the administration of Rev. W. S. Skinner that the first improve- ments to the church building began. He is now on the retired list and a resi- dent of Delhi. It was Reverend Skinner who organized a Brotherhood Class, which now has a membership of fifty, presided over by this most estimable superannuate. Reverend Westfall still presides over the destinies of this charge.
The Baptists organized a society in this vicinity May 8, 1853, and hold their meetings in the old log schoolhouse. Elder C. D. Farnsworth was the moderator, and R. S. Perry, clerk. On May 14th, Ozias Kellogg and Ephraim Cummings were elected deacons. On the 28th of the month delegates from Cascade, Coles- burg and "Yankee Settlement" met in the log courthouse, with John Bates as moderator, and organized what is known as a recognition council, which unani- mously agreed to recognize as a sister church the one just organized at Delhi. On the 29th the recognition ceremony was preached by Elder John Bates. A house of worship was not erected until the fall of 1868. The cornerstone was
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
laid August 18th of that year, but the dedicatory services did not take place until in June, 1873, upon which occasion the Rev. J. Y. Johnston delivered the sermon. This building cost about thirty-five hundred dollars.
Believers in the tenets and precepts of the Catholic faith enjoyed the ob- servances of mass in the early `60s at this place. The first building occupied by the members of St. John's Church was the old schoolhouse, formerly owned by the Methodist Episcopal Society. This was continued in use until late in 1914, when a beautiful new edifice was erected under the direction of Father Rooney, pastor of the Manchester Church, at a cost of $10,000.
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES
J. M. Holbrook Post, No. 342, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Delhi, July 18, 1884, by Erastus Smith, Thomas Simons, Ward White, George A. Fuller, S. M. Nutting, J. C. Crawford, P. B. Littlejohn, John W. Snell, William Thompson, A. E. Carter, William Biddle, A. J. Lett, John Wood, C. M. Griffin, G. W. Ellison, William Lutes, H. L. Doxsee, Peter L. Wragg, Horace Dutton, Matthew Lorig. William Ilaigh, George D. Smith, John Napur and O. A. Wilson.
For some time the headquarters was in Odd Fellows Hall, until the building was destroyed by fire, when the veterans about a year afterwards were com- fortably installed in permanent headquarters in the old courthouse donated them by the board of supervisors. Only five members of the old post now remain in good standing. These are Thomas Simons, J. W. Corbin, Peter Wragg, Ward White, and Peter Jakelin. For the past ten years Thomas Simons has been the post commander.
The Woman's Relief Corps, a faithful, loyal and helpful auxiliary, now has a membership of about forty-five. Mrs. Barnes is the president. This society is known as J. M. Holbrook W. R. C., No 101, organized March 4, 1887, by Mesdames Emma Smith, Addie Fuller, Ann Smith, Louisa M. House, Eliza- beth Wattson, Marian Simons, Nancy A. White, America Green, Fannie Crozier, May Holcomb, Alzina Stone and Adelia Nutting and Misses Louisa M. House, Addie M. House and Elphia Wood.
Delhi Camp, No. 27, Sons of Veterans, was established December 26, 1908. Thomas Simons was the first commander. This camp is not now and has not been for some time active.
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT
In 1911 Thomas Simons and his patriotie wife, Marian A., presented to the post and Evergreen Cemetery Association, a soldiers' monument, which cost about nine hundred dollars. It is of Vermont granite and stands from the ground np, 1615 feet. The heroie figure of a soldier of the Civil war, stands at parade rest. This beautiful memorial to the soldier dead was dedicated May 30, 1911. Upon that occasion Capt. John F. Merry was orator of the day. The donor made a presentation speech of about fifteen minutes' duration and Abbie Talmadge, a little lady six years of age. daughter of Orin and Aliee Tal- madge, pulled the cord which unveiled the stone to a large and admiring con-
THE OLD CHIMNEY All that remains of the Charles W. Hobbs C'alin, Delhi.
G. A. R. PARK, DELHI
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course of people. Thomas Simons, who so generously gave of his means, that the names and heroie decds of his comrades should be perpetuated, is still living at his beautiful cottage home in Delhi. He came from Dubnque to Delaware County in 1859 and located on an eighty-aere farm in section 23, Delhi Town- ship, which he had purchased the preceding year. He retired from the farm to Delhi in 1883. Mr. Simons was a veteran of the Civil war and served his country faithfully and well as a member of Company K, Twenty-first Iowa Infantry.
Delhi Lodge. No. 46, I. O. O. F., was organized April 6, 1853. The charter members were Jolm S. Dimmitt, A. D. Anders, Pratt, K. Skinner, Sylvester J. Dunham, W. F. Tanner, William Rice, J. P. Hook and Floyd II. Williams. The last four mentioned were the first officers. The official list was further made up by the addition of H. T. Crozier, Daniel Baker, Peter Case and Norman Haight.
In 1877 the lodge finished a two-story building for its purposes and also as a business place, which cost its members about three thousand dollars.
Silver Lake Lodge, No. 214. Daughters of Rebekah, was organized October 19, 1893, by Ward White, Mrs. E. M. Griffin, J. J. King, E. B. King, E. R. Stone, J. B. Smith, Christina Smith, Mrs. M. A. Simons, A. Jamison, L. M. Jamison, A. J. and Lydia I. Lett, E. B. and Cora N. Porter, L. S. and Alzina Stone. R. D. Barker, C. M. White, Thomas Simons, Louise White, Mrs. Eliza Burton and Mrs. James B. Clark.
The organization of Delhi Camp, No. 7709, Modern Woodmen of America, took place February 26, 1901. The names of the charter members follow : Elmer N. Akers, Charles T. Armstrong, Asyonis Bensley, Fred Brownell, Alfred E. Bing, John G. Daker, Francis J. Gertel, John W. Hartman, Henry B. Hersey, Will L. Boardman, Perry Haight. Elmer E. Holdridge, F. M. Clifton, Oscar A. Holdridge, Charles A. Howard, George W. Keith. Hugh L. Keith, William Kleespies, Henry E. Lewis. Jay L. Lillibridge, W. Z. Phillips, Robert M. Wilson, Charles Lutes. Martin Entes, Burdett Miller, Edward MeMullen, Albert E. Peterson, James Smith, Frank E. Stimson, Hiram N. Willcox, Charles R. Sut- ton and John M. Root.
The lodge building was destroyed by fire about 1889, when another build- ing, a two-story frame, was built by the lodge. This is the third structure for lodge purposes erceted by the local body of Odd Fellows.
Delhi Lodge, No. 94, Modern Brotherhood of America, was organized Oeto- ber 13. 1897, by Edwin H. King, Elmer H. Blanchard, John W. Swinburne, Peter Y. Michaels, Rinehart Erisman, Fred Brownell, Byron A. Stone, William F. Neal, Charles T. Armstrong, Ira Curtis Miller, Albert Meister, George M. Himmel, Linas W. Jamison, Oren Jamison, Mertello J. Mast, Melville O. Dolley.
Delhi now has abont four hundred inhabitants. Since the destructive fire of a quarter century ago, briek buildings have taken the place of small frame affairs in the business center, and as a trading point the place is more than holding its own. The plot of ground in the heart of the town, in the center of which is the old courthouse, is beautifully shaded by trees planted in the days of the county's infancy, and around its four long sides a substantial cement walk is laid, the work being done at the instance and expense of Mrs. II. C.
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Doolittle, widow of Judge F. B. Doolittle, that pioneer farmer, horticulturist, county and town builder and public official. On a neat tablet of granite, stand- ing at the main entrance to Memorial Park (courthouse yard) and ereeted by Mrs. Doolittle, in 1913, is this inscription : "Walk around park built by Mrs. H. C. Doolittle, as a memorial to her husband, Judge F. B. Doolittle, a resident of Delhi 62 years."
HARTWICK
This is one of the forgotten villages of Delaware County, that in its day cut some figure in the vicinity of its location. Hartwick was laid out on section 30, by John W. Clark, in December, 1858. He had built a sawmill in 1849, with the timbers of an unfinished mill started by Leverett Rexford, in 1847, on Spring Braneh. In 1853, Mr. Clark put up and operated a flouring mill on the Maquoketa, and furnished the settlers for many miles around with bread- stuffs and lumber. Previous to laying out the town he had opened a general store and also kept tavern.
A blacksmith shop was started in Hartwick by John Whitman. in 1855. who located in that year, and a couple of years later a shoe cobbler opened a little shop; his name is lost to local history.
Samuel Stansbury started a brickyard about 1857 and JJacob Williams had a paint shop about this time, all of which indicates Hartwick as being a busy point and of some importance. By the year 1858, however, Hartwick had reached the zenith of its eareer. The founder, John W. Clark, met business reverses and left the county. Whitman also packed his belongings and forsook the place for one of a more promising future. Others soon followed. The Clark farm, now having another owner, was leased to the county in 1861 for a "poor farm." Williams enlisted in the Civil war, deserted, was arrested by A. S. Blair, deputy provost marshal, and was punished. The Clark mill, like all his property, went into the hands of others and Hartwick, losing prestige, became extinct.
CHAPTER XVIII
NORTII FORK TOWNSHIP
This township was organized March 24, 1847, and the Commissioners' Conrt "Ordered, That the elerks of commissioners be required to issue election notices for elections to be held on the first Monday in April, and that the necessary township officers required by law now in force be elected." And it is presumed the mandate was followed, but no record exists, giving the results.
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