USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 29
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James H. Bowen, who came here in 1855. saw the land was adapted to the raising of broom corn, which led him to induce Samuel Dickerson to join him in the manufacture of brooms on the Bowen land near Hopkinton. A crop of broom corn was raised in 1856, which was worked into brooms in an estab- lishment, having necessary machinery, built by Bowen & Dickerson. Shortly after others took up the industry and followed it several years.
Disputes and tragedies were frequent even in the days of pioneering. It is said. in this relation, that on December 2, 1864, Morris Martin and George Crozier, of this township. quarreled and fought over a small quantity of oats. In the encounter Martin stabbed Crozier, one of the wounds being in the heart, from which the man died. Martin spent five years in the penitentiary in partial expiation of his crime.
Another crime was committed here while Hopkinton was yet in its infancy. Edward Kennedy, who lived a few miles west of town, was shot while preparing his evening meal, by John Duncan. Kennedy, an old man, was found the next morning lying dead on his kitchen floor. Duncan was arrested on suspieion and remanded for trial.
Theodore Marks was the first township clerk and later became justiee of the peace. He was a unique character in some respects, as his township record and the following marriage certificate will attest :
EVERYBODY COULD NOT ATTEND
"I hereby eertify that on the 20th day of February, A. D., 1851, at the house of William Dighton, in Delhi Township, Delaware County, Iowa, in the
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
presence of the above named William Dighton and his wife, his father, two brothers, two sisters, one brother-in-law, one sister-in-law, three step-children, several of his own children, nephews and nieces, friends and acquaintances, neighbors, ete., I joined in the holy bonds of matrimony Mr. Anthony MeGarvey, of Scott County. lowa, aged 24 years, and Miss Mary Ann Morgan, step- daughter to the above mentioned William Dighton, of this county, aged 18 years.
"Given under my hand this 20th day of February, A. D. 1851. "THEODORE MARKS. Justice of the Peace, South Fork Township, Delaware County, lowa. "P. S .- The streams being up very high, everybody could not attend. The undersigned had to travel sixteen miles extra to get home. T. M."
Bowen Collegiate Institute was founded in the year 1865 by certain of the citizens of Hopkinton, and was named in commemoration of C. T. Bowen, of Chicago, who liberally contributed to its initiatory funds. The institution was subsequently named Lenox College, and its interesting history, written by Presi- dent Reed, will be found on other pages of this volume.
F. E. Williamson established the present brickyard abont twenty years ago and it is now in his hands.
AArchibald Tate established a brickyard almost on the same site as the pres- ent one, fifty years ago. The college, churches and many old buildings were of briek got there.
INCORPORATION OF HOPKINTON
Hopkinton's growth was gradual and substantial. The town was a good trading point and by the year 1874 there were about three hundred and fifty people within its borders. A number of enterprising men were engaged in different lines of business, good schools were in operation, the institute was on a sure footing, church edifices were to be seen and the commercial, educational and religious aspeet was pleasant and satisfactory. Transportation facilities had been greatly enhanced and the prospects were so flattering that the leading men of the community felt the time had arrived for independence from town- ship goverment. This led to a successful movement for incorporation.
At an election in Lathrop's Hall, March 3, 1874, the question of incorpora- tion was submitted to the electorate. The poll showed that 132 votes were cast and that 92 votes were in favor of separating the village organization from the township. To perfeet the incorporation and carry out the will of the majority. as expressed at the polls, an election was held for town officers, at Lathrop Hall. March 26, 1874, and the following persons were chosen: Mayor, Isaac Smith ; clerk. John A. M. Hall : trustees, Charles Lathrop. James MeArthur. H. A. Carter, James T. Williamson, G. 11. Crawford. all of whom qualified on the 28th day of the month, having met that day and organized the municipal gov- ernment.
The first real business of the newly made conneil was to pass an ordinance to create the offices of marshal, treasurer and street commissioner.
The next municipal election was held March 1. 1875. J. G. Diffenderfer was returned for mayor; D. A. Barnes, clerk: J. G. Diffenderfer, street com-
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
missioner; M. R. Harding, assessor; J. P. Cramer, marshal; P. H. Warner, P. F. Westcott. E. W. Harvey, Charles Lathrop, James Williamson, trustees. Since its incorporation in 1874 until the present the following persons in addi- tion to those above named have held the office of mayor of Hopkinton :
F. M. Earhart, 1880-81; J. 11. Campbell, 1882; N. J. Dunham, 1883; S. P. Carter, 1884-86; C. E. Merriam, 1887; JJ. H. Campbell. 1888; John Chrystal, 1889-90; C. E. Reeve. 1891-92; S. P. Carter. 1893-95; G. Merriam, 1896; F. A. Williamson, 1897; G. Merriam, 1898-1900: F. R. Tesar, 1901; S. P. Carter, 1902-04; T. C. Reeve, 1905-09; F. A. Irish, 1910-11; D. C. Oehler, 1912-13; J. J. Kirkwood, 1914.
MUNICIPAL WATERWORKS SYSTEM
At a special election held on the 15th day of April, 1901, the question of erecting and maintaining a system of waterworks was placed before the tax- pavers of Hopkinton, and 160 votes were cast on the proposition; 116 for, and 43 against, of the male votes. The women, who were graciously (?) accorded the right of suffrage on the subject, east 153 ballots; 97 for, 51 against : 5, spoiled.
The election plainly indicated that a majority of Hopkinton people desired plenty of water, not only because their principles were in favor of it as the best and most refreshing beverage for man, but also the added reason that the town demanded more and better protection against the destructive element of fire. Therefore, lots were purchased for a power and pumping station, secured of S. P. Carter for the sum of $250, and located on Public Square Addition. A contract was let to the Des Moines Bridge & Iron Works Company of Des Moines, for $6.970. An 8-inch well was drilled in 1902, and a splendid supply of good water obtained. In April, 1903, couneil passed an ordinance empower- ing that body to issue $5.000 in waterworks bonds and a contract was awarded J. F. Williamson for the construction. of a steel tower, on the hill north of town, for $2.000. This the town leased from Mr. Williamson for twenty years, at an annual rental of 7 per cent of the cost, with privilege to buy at cost and interest. The improvement was completed in the year 1904 and Hopkinton not only owns its water system, but has a property worth all and more than it cost, which was about eight thousand dollars. W. S. Beels was the first superintendent and E. A. Kirkwood, engineer.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS
Peter Milroy seenred a franchise for an electric light and power plant in 1892 and furnished both the town and private consumers with electricity. The franchise was renewed in 1912. The plant is installed in the old grist mill, on the south side of the Maquoketa. In 1912, William Milroy, a son, the present owner and manager. inaugurated a continuons service. In November, 1912. the merchants, at their own expense, bought and set up eighteen 5-globe eler- troliers, on First and Locust streets, and donated them to the town.
THE POSTOFFICE
The postoffice was established here in 1852, and Archibald Tate, pioneer brickmaker of Delaware County, received his commission as postmaster on the
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
28th day of June, 1852. The names of his successors follow : George R. Brow- der, December 10, 1853; II. A. Saunders, December 19, 1854; P. II. Warner, June 27, 1856; R. S. Taylor, March 29, 1861 ; Merritt Harmon, August 16, 1864; William E. Brown, August 20, 1866; P. HI. Warner, December 18, 1867; C. E. Merriam, August 11, 1869: P. F. Westcott, December 14, 1885: C. A. Craw- ford, April 9, 1889; A. K. Cramer. July 3, 1893; F. B. Tibbitts, May 8, 1897.
SCHOOLS
The first schoolhouse built in this distriet was a log cabin, situated at the edge of a small strip of woods, called Scotch Grove, about midway of the town and the settlement where the Scotch people located. The settlers hauled the logs in the winter of 1849 and themselves put up the rude temple of learning. Miss Beard, a Vermont teacher, opened this school in May and a Mr. Wilson taught the following term. The log schoolhouse was sold in 1855 and in that year school was taught in the village, an old wagon shop being used for the purpose. With money obtained from the sale of the log building and other sums obtained by subscription, a small brick school building was erected, one of the first briek structures in the county, on a lot donated by Leroy Jackson. Another Vermont "school m'am" first presided here-a Miss Eaton.
In March, 1865. the independent district was organized by the election of Henry A. Carter, president of the board of directors; J. G. Diffenderfer, vice president : Edmund Davis, treasurer; A. Nash, seeretary: C. A. Ball, G. H. Crawford and G. Merriam. On March 13th, the board voted a tax of 5 mills for school purposes and at the next meeting appointed G. Merriam, Leroy Jaek- son and A. Nash a committee with instructions to build another schoolhouse and have it completed by October 1, 1865. Instead of building, however, the committee purchased the old Presbyterian Church for $500, and arranged it for school purposes. This church building stood on a lot adjoining the little red schoolhouse and was used for the higher grades. Both these schoolhouses were removed in 1875, and at an expense of $7,000, a brick building was erected on the two lots, to which was added an adjoining half-acre of ground. This building contains five rooms and is the high school, having five teachers. Some time ago another brick building was put up for the primary classes, and has three rooms and two teachers.
LENOX COLLEGE
Lenox College, located at Hopkinton, Delaware County, lowa, is one of the oldest educational institutions in the state.
As early as 1854, the late Henry A. Carter cherished the hope of establish- ing a college at Hopkinton. Mr. Carter had been born and raised in Massa- chusetts and was possessed of that high appreciation of education and culture that has always characterized our New England population. His object was to provide the facilities for higher Christian edueation without the inconvenience and expense of sending the children to castern colleges. This object was approved by many others and there finally resulted the organization of a joint stock company to erect a building to be used for educational purposes. The
The Old Mill.
Lenox College.
Main Street, Looking West. SCENES IN HOPKINTON
1
- THE NEW YORK
6 PUBLIC
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
date of the formation of this joint stock company is not recorded, but it met later on September 6, 1855.
In March. 1856. a builling committee was appointed to proceed to the erec- tion of the college building. This was the first Presbyterian College in Iowa. It was located at Ilopkinton, Delaware County. in the northeastern section of the state. among a noble and sturdy class of Scotch-Irish.
In June 1856. the name of Bowen Collegiate Institute was adopted in honor of C. T. Bowen. of Chicago, who was a liberal contributor to the building fund, and in the following month the institution was incorporated.
In September. 1856. the members of the first board of trustees were elected and in October of the same year the first articles of incorporation were filed, the institution therefore being, from the beginning, entitled to all the rights and privileges of a college. The names of the members of the first board of trustees were : Henry A. Carter. president ; W. P. Cunningham, secretary ; Leroy .Jack- son. treasurer : James Kilpatrick. 11. R. Hackson, Asa C. Bowen, Edmund Davis, 1. Littlefield, Christian Myers. W. A. Roberts. William Robinson, William Holt, Jacob Diffenderfer, William Morrison, J. B. Whittaker, and Jerome Davis.
In the autumn of 1856. the foundation of the center of the main building was laid and the roof put on in 1857. This was a two-story brick structure 40x60. containing eight rooms built in the center of a four-acre plot of ground donated by Mr. H. A. Carter. The campus was afterwards enlarged by an- other donation by Mr. Carter's son. Samuel P. It is a beautiful piece of ground, sloping in all directions from the main building, with a slight ridge running through the center from north to south. It is artistically set with groups and rows and groves of sturdy oaks and spreading elms and graceful, symmetrical, hard maples. The "fifties" were early days for Iowa and it required much patience and perseverance on the part of those who were managing the enter- prise as well as much sacrifice in giving. by these and many more before the building was completed and ready for occupation.
Finally by means of a public entertainment and a festival sufficient money was raised to prepare the inside of the building for occupation and on Sep- tember 1, 1859, the first term of the institute began "with about forty scholars." At last victory crowned the efforts of those noble men and women. Their hopes were realized. As the rural schools in those early days were inefficient and the high school of the present day was unknown the attendance at the institute was very good from the beginning and increased its enrollment rap- idly. From the records we learn that during the first four terms 196 different students were enrolled. "The largest number of students in any single term before the Civil war was 120."
The control of the institution was tendered the Old School Presbyterian Synod of lowa, North, in 1860. and that body the following year took a limited supervision. In 1863 two of the principal stockholders, H. A. Carter and Leroy Jackson, obtained a sheriff's deed for the property of the corporation, after the trustees concluded that they were unable to meet the obligations that were contracted in building. These two men presented the entire college property to the synod. A deed was signed February 9, 1864, by Henry A. Carter and Mary Carter, conveying the same to the synod with the condition that in case the property should not be used for educational purposes it was
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
to revert to the Town of Hopkinton. At the time that the property was trans- ferred to the synod in 1864 the name was changed from Bowen Collegiate lusti- tute to Lenox Collegiate Institute in honor of James Lenox of New York City, a liberal contributor to the endowment fund.
The first president of the institution was the Rev. Jerome Allen, Ph. D., who occupied the chair From 1859 to 1863 and for two years additional acted as financial agent and teacher of natural science and English literature. Doctor Allen was one of the foremost educators of his day. He was the author of a mumber of books and established the department of pedagogy in the university of the City of New York and was the dean of that department from 1889 to the time of his death, which occurred in his home in Brooklyn, May 26, 1894.
Next came the soldier president, the Rev. J. W. MeKean, A M., 1863-1864. One morning a recruiting officer attended chapel service and after a strong and noble appeal by President MeKean for the young men to obey the call of President Lincoln to enlist in the army of the Union, he informed the students that a recruiting officer was present and all who wished to enlist should arise. All arose and enlisted but one and he was too young. The faculty and girl students were in tears and President MeKean closed the tender scene by saying, "Well, boys, if all of you are going, I am going too." President MeKean resigned May 6, 1864, and entered the army as captain of a company in which all but two of the students enlisted. The work of the institute was suspended till the fall term. July 9, 1864, Captain MeKean died in the army at Memphis, Ten. A fine monument on the college campus commemorates his name and the names of others who gave their lives for the preservation of the Union. This moment at a cost of over fifteen hundred dollars was dedicated November 17, 1865, which makes it the oldest monument in lowa and probably in the entire United States erected by publie subscription in honor of the soldiers of the Civil war. "In all, ninety-two students of this school enlisted during the war. a larger proportion than from any other school in this state."
For a brief period, from July 8, 1864, to the close of the fall term of the same year, the Rev. James D. Mason was president. During the remaining portion of that year till the spring term of 1865 Dr. Jerome Allen acted as president though the Reverend Doctor Mason did not formally resign till October, 1865. Mr. Mason was a genial gentleman who was prominently iden- tified with Presbyterianism in lowa. He died in Davenport, Iowa, January 8, 1890, at the age of seventy-seven.
In September, 1866, the Rev. Samuel Hodge. D. D., who for one year had been professor of languages, was chosen president and filled that office with becoming dignity and increasing power till 1882.
December 5, 1870, a committee was appointed to take the necessary steps to incorporate as a college having the right to confer degrees, etc., but the articles of incorporation were not filed for record till October 11, 1873. As found stated in these, the object of the corporation is to "maintain an institution of learning for the education of both sexes; the grade of which is to be at least high enough to prepare the one for the sophomore class in the best colleges of the United States, and the other for the second year of the best ladies' seminary in the country. But the school may be raised to any higher grade
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
whatever." In accordance with this provision, its grade has from time to time been made higher.
In 1875 the original building was enlarged by a wing 55x30 feet. This additional room was made necessary by the increased attendance of students. the munber for one term reaching 200. This convenient improvement in the size of the building is due, for the most part, to the liberality of the citizens of Hopkinton and vicinity. The times were hard and money was scarce. Every effort had been exhausted to secure enough Funds to complete this wing and still the amount was not sufficient. Mr. Carter had hauled brick on to a piece of ground adjoining the campus where he had planned to erect a cottage and spend the rest of his days. It was at this juncture that Mr. and Mrs. Carter derided to give their brick for the new wing, and not in connection with the erecting of the original building as is sometimes stated. The brick were removed and built into the wing which has served the institution for nearly thirty-five years. So Mr. and Mrs. Carter never had their brick cot- tage and the land on which it was to have been erected was afterwards given to the college for an extension of the campus by their son who fell heir to it as noted above.
In 1882 the trustees departed from the prevailing custom and elected as president a layman in the person of James A. Ritchey, Ph. D., who was an experienced educator and for six years labored with marked snecess. In 1883 the curriculum of the college was revised and greatly extended and pro- vided for three regular courses of study as well as for many electives. Thus the institution was made equal to the best average college in the state. This year the Helen Finley bequest of $5,000 was made as an addition to the perma- nent funds. During this year also occurred the death of H. A. Carter who was the first president of the board of trustees and a life-long friend and generous supporter of the college.
In 1884 the articles of incorporation were so amended as to change the name of Lenox Collegiate Institute to Lenox College, and to provide for the election of the members of the board of trustees in classes, of whom five of the fifteen were to be chosen annually. During the same year extensive repairs were made in the college building. All the rooms on the first Hoor were refurnished and the rooms on the second floor were remodeled. Two commodious halls for the literary societies were provided, and the chapel was repaired and beautified.
In 1884 the quarter centennial of the college was celebrated. An unusually large number of people were present at that commencement season. Every year in the life of the college seemed to have sent back former students to represent it. The Old Students' Association, organized in 1883, made its first public appearance, effected this general reunion, and contributed much to the social and literary interest of the occasion. This association was composed of former non-graduate students. The organization was suggested by Mrs. Lucy Cooley Finley, first preceptress in the school. The first officers were: F. B. Diekey, president : Christina M. Kirkwood, secretary.
During the summer of 1888 the board of trustees chose the Rev. Alexander G. Wilson, D. D., as president, who brought not only dignity but also capabil- ity acquired by a long training in professional and presidential positions in
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Paron's College and Lake Forest University. In 1889 the foundation of Clarke Hall, a girls' dormitory, was laid and in the fall of 1890 the building was ready for use. Clarke Hall was erected by the combined efforts of the board of trustees, former students and alumni. The largest share of the money used in the ereetion of the building was left by Charles Coverse Clarke, a former student, who wished to do something for the college where he had re- ceived his training. Doctor Wilson's distinguished gifts, his noble Christian character, and executive powers combined to make him a model president, and it was a great loss when he resigned to accept a professorship in the recently established theological seminary in Omaha where he remained till his death.
In the spring of 1894 the Rev. Hugh Robinson, A. M., a son of Lenox Col- lege, and a brilliant preacher, was chosen president and remained for two years in that office. During the presidency of Reverend Mr. Robinson considerable field work was done which resulted in increased enrollment. At the commence- ment of 1895 the friends who gathered on the campus to enjoy the exercises of the day contributed $2,500 toward the erection of a new building to be used for the library, gymnasium, and literary society halls. James MeKean, M. D., '80. of Chenung Mai, Laos, a Presbyterian foreign missionary, had the honor of making the first gift which was $100. Operations on the new building were suspended at the close of the summer of 1895. In the spring of 1896 the Reverend Mr. Robinson resigned to take charge of a church.
Next came Andrew G. Wilson. A. M., who was chosen president in the spring of 1896. lle too is an alumuns, '80, and in 1884 began to teach natural science in Lenox College. He is the peer of any teacher in his department. His seien- titie knowledge is extensive and his quiet but Forceful manner qualitied him for the position he held till the spring of 1902. In 1897, though the times were hard, the people of Hopkinton and vicinity loyally and nobly responded with $5,000 for permanent endowment. It was during President Wilson's time that the new building used for library and gymnasium was completed. Due to the generous gift of Judge F. B. Doolittle of Delhi, lowa, the building was named Doolittle Memorial Hall in honor of his son. F. W. Doolittle, of saered memory. In 1901 Mr. Wilson resigned but remained at his post of duty till the close of the winter term, 1901-2.
In February, 1902, the Rev. Franeis William Grossman, D. D., accepted the presidency. During his ineumbeney considerable progress was made in many dircetions. AAs to material improvements: a steam plant was installed in Clarke Hall and another in the main bnikling which has capacity sufficient for four times the present necessity; new Christian association rooms were pro- vided : the chapel, music rooms, stairways, halls, laboratories, literary society halls. and Clarke Hall were completely remodeled at a cost of abont ten thou- sand dollars: the library had an addition of 2,300 new bound volumes and 350 volumes of standard magazines : a conditional offer of $25,000 from Mr. Andrew Carnegie toward a permanent endowment was secured.
Progress in the curriculum was also made. The courses were revised and extended and there was a decided increase in the requirements both for admis- sion and graduation.
In July, 1906, Doctor Grossman resigned and in August of the same year Rev. E. E. Reed, D. D., was elected as his successor. Doctor Reed had been presi-
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