USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 30
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
dent of Buena Vista for six years where he had met with marked success in building up that young institution.
Doetor Reed set himself about securing subscriptions to meet the condi- tions of Mr. Carnegie's offer of $25,000, which had been made sixteen months before and towards which only a small amount had been subscribed. Many thought the undertaking could not be carried to a successful issue. The new president thought it could and accepted the presidency with this belief. He began by setting a time limit on the subscriptions at January 1, 1909-allowing thus a little over two years in which to complete the work. It was not an easy task by any means and yet the full amount was finally seenred 312 months ahead of the time limit and was carried $8,000 beyond the required amount by the end of the time limit.
A second campaign was soon started for $65,000, of which $25,000 was 10 be an endowment for the agricultural department. It was afterwards advanced 10 $75,000. A long and serious illness of the president laid him aside from his work for some nine months. In the meantime. Mr. Archibald Livingston, a citizen near Hopkinton, died, leaving a legacy estimated to be worth $30,000 to Lenox College on condition that $25,000 more be raised for the college. This $55,000 was all to go to the agricultural and domestie science departments of the college. As some progress had already been made in securing subscriptions conditioned on raising $75,000, the canvass was continned along this line. 11 was a strennons campaign, following so closely on the former $100,000 cam- paign, but as time passed it was pushed with constantly inercasing vigor. During the last fifty days an average of $1,000 a day was added and $15,000 the last day, which ended in $11.000 more than the required amount.
The academic course has been advanced during the present administration from a three-year to a four-year course and in other ways the educational standards of the college have been raised. Departments of agriculture and domestic seience have been added. The former was advocated by President Reed in his inaugural address. At that time an agricultural department was a new thing for a college that was devoting itself to classical and general scientific work. These departments have been put on a strong footing and the studies taken are given regular college credit.
The library has been considerably more than doubled in mumber of volumes and in efficiency has been augmented much more than the increase in volumes would indicate. Over twelve hundred dollars has been put into six-foot cement. walks over and along the campus. One block cast of the campus ten aeres have been purchased, five of which are used for athletics and five aeres for the agricultural department.
In connection with the first campaign Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Torrey, of Man- chester, gave the college a property owned by them, two blocks north of the college. It consists of a large residence, that was being occupied by the presi- dent's family, and is now the "President's Home." and also twenty-five acres of land. On this land experiments are being conducted for the benefit of the agricultural department.
The membership of the faculty has been almost doubled and the salaries have been materially increased. The annual expense budget has been ahnost doubled.
Vol. 1 17
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
The assets of the college have been advanced from $65,370 to $250,916. Be- sides this, some twelve wills have been written in which Lenox is made a beneficiary. The college is yet to realize on most of these wills. This alone will add considerably to the present assets even though no other money was secured for the college in the meantime.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCH
"Psalm singers" were the first settlers in the neighborhood of the present Town of Hopkinton. Hugh Livingston had emigrated from Scotland to the Selkirk Settlement, on the Red River of the North, but soon had come south- ward, first with ox carts, then upon the waters of the Mississippi River to Dubuque, where he settled in 1835. The rough and wicked life in the pros- perous mining town did not please his pious wife, who feared for the souls of her children, amidst such temptations, and she told her husband that she would rather live among the Indians and brave the dangers of the wilderness than continue among such wicked white men. Thus, when James Livingston, the brother of Hugh, and Hugh Rose came from the Selkirk Settlement in 1837. all left Dubuque and settled a short distance below the present site of Hopkinton. And thus the psahns of David were the first songs used at family worship in the neighborhood of Hopkinton.
The first Reformed Presbyterian family came to Hopkinton "with faint hopes of seeing a congregation of Reformed Presbyterians growing up around them." It was the family of James Kilpatrick, who came to llopkinton in the fall of 1853, and of whose influence upon the growth of Hopkinton we spoke before. Mr. Kilpatrick immediately bought land for himself and for his two brothers-in-law, J. B. Whitaker and Dr. II. P. Cunningham, who followed him in the early spring of 1854. These faithful covenanters not only brought their family altars with them, but thought of the observance of the divine ordinances as soon as they were settled. Thus Rev. James Neill preached several times to them during the years 1854 and 1855, and Mr. Kilpatrick's log cabin served as the church. Other Reformed Presbyterian families began to move in during 1855, of which we will name the families of Joseph, Miller. Milroy, Gilmore and McConnell, and the desire to have a congregation organized was expressed. The people entered into correspondence with Rev. William L. Roberts. D. D., who, after a visit to Hopkinton in the spring of 1855, consented to take charge of the congregation to be organized. With rejoicing hearts the people asked Illinois Presbytery, in whose bounds the congregation was to be started, for an organi- zation. The request was granted at a meeting of the Presbytery held in St. Louis, October 9, 1855, and a commission was appointed for the purpose.
This commission, consisting of Reverends MeDonald and Cannon, and Elder David Willson, appeared to organize the congregation April 10. 1856. Sixteen families, numbering about forty-five persons, were organized into Maquoketa Congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America. J. B. Whitaker and Robert Gilmore were chosen elders, while James Kilpatrick was elected deacon, and a hearty and unanimous call to become the pastor was made out for Rev. William L. Roberts, D. D., who had been preaching for the people with much acceptance, in the schoolhouse of the Scotch Settlement and other conveniently located buildings.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Thus the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation was organized, and pastor, elders and members began active work immediately. The congregation was divided into three prayer meetings (societies) and Doctor Roberts preached two sermons every Sabbath, using Mr. Kilpatrick's house as a church. Later services were held in what is known as the "red brick" schoolhouse, and still later in the large room over Farmer's wagon shop; but in the summer Doctor Roberts preached in the grove. The audiences, especially in the afternoons were very large, beeanse Doctor Roberts was an excellent orator.
During the years 1856, 1857 and 1858 the membership of the congregation rapidly increased. We find added to the roll the names of flames Greer, Novem- ber 19, 1856; James Stevenson, Alex Marshall, William Coleman. James Orr. Peter Guthrie, William Wright, William Morrison, JJames Wood, William and Nancy Stevenson (now Mrs. Cormany ). all in July, 1857; and of the Douglas and MeGlade families, Alex and John Johnson. Hugh Ewart and the brothers Chrystal, all in November, 1858.
The congregation, thus increasing, desired a church building, and in the fall of 1858 the work on the timber for the new church was begun. Mr. Robertson made the plan ; Mr. Humphreys did the main work on the foundation ; the brothers Fuller superintended the earpenter work; and all the members of the church worked together in peace and brotherly love. Thus in September, 1860. the church was finished. This served the congregation forty-one years and stands today well preserved, a memorial of the consecration and zeal of our fathers. In August, 1860. had occurred the installation of Doctor Roberts as pastor, which, through peculiar cirenmstances, had been delayed since 1856. The remaining years of his pastorate were years of quiet work and prosperity and the utmost harmony prevailed between pastor and people, so that it was a hard blow to the congregation when Doctor Roberts was suddenly called to his rest. December 7, 1864.
After the death of Doctor Roberts the pulpit was regularly supplied by the other ministers of the Reformed Presbyterian Church in lowa, as well as by candidates, among whom were Rev. Robert Johnson, Josiah Dodds, R. B. Cannon and others. In the summer of 1866 a unanimous and hearty call was extended to David Ilaekston Coulter, who was installed as regular pastor April 18. 1867. Ile resigned the pastorate October 14, 1874, that he might become pastor of the congregation in Newark, New Jersey. However, he returned to Hopkinton, October 30, 1875, to accept the chair of natural science in Lenox C'ollege. He later went to Winchester, Kansas, where he accepted a pastorate.
On June 15, 1875, Richard Cameron Wylie was installed as pastor. He resigned October 3, 1882. During his pastorate, April 15, 1878, the name of the society was changed from Maqnoketa Congregation to Hopkinton Congrega- tion of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. The church was then without a pastor for a few years, when on the 23d of September, 1886. Thomas Houston Acheson assumed charge. but resigned October 16, 1895. Then for 41_ years the congregation was without a pastor, or until Rev. Louis Meyer was installed. June 21. 1900. After he left the charge the congregation was again without a regular pastor until Reverend Foster assumed charge and remained some four or five years. The present pastor, Rev. George S. Coleman, assumed charge in February, 1913.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
On the 1st of January, 1901, the congregation unanimously decided to build a new church and the work was immediately begun, when the German Lutheran Congregation bought the old church building. The cornerstone of the new church was laid July 25, 1901, and on the Ist of January, 1902, just one year after it was decided to erect a building, the church was completed and occupied. The church is built of pressed brick with cut stone trimmings. The main audi- ence room is square ; the pews are circular, and the floor is bowl-shaped. The ' windows are of stained glass. The total cost of the building was about ten thousand dollars.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Under authority of the Cedar Rapids Presbytery, Rev. A. F. Kerr, on the 5th day of October, 1855, organized the First Presbyterian Church, of Hopkinton. with the following members : John Williamson and wife, Mrs. Sarah B. William- son, Mrs. Mary A. Hardy, Mrs. Clarinda Davis, Mrs. Sarah Livingston, Mrs. Isabella Livingston, Mrs. Porthura Livingston, T. N. Williamson and wife. John Williamson was elected ruling elder and served one year, when Robert Wilson, E. T. Williamson, Henry Bridge and A. A. Lord were added to the list. Later elders were Professor Flude, director of music at Lenox College; Amasiah Nash, senior and junior; and G. K. Nash. Up to 1905 there had been ouly four clerks : Phineas Allyn, A. A. Lord, C. H. Ricketts and W. R. Williamson. On May 8, 1856, the church was incorporated. Among the early trustees may he mentioned J. T. Williamson, J. H. Campbell, P. D. Smith, B. F. Marshall, William Doolittle, William Taylor, A. G. Wilson, F. Deshaw and Merritt Har- mon. The first regular pastor was Rev. Merritt Harmon.
Just when the first house of worship was erected is not definitely known by any one now living in the vicinity. But Dubuque and Davenport, the pioneer towns of Iowa, were only straggling villages. The structure was built of brick, had two entrances, facing the south, and the shingles were made from oak trees donated by Mrs. Isabella Livingston, a charter member. They were "rived out" by A. A. Lord and Isaac Smith. John Williamson borrowed the necessary money to meet building expenses. and in order to do so, placed a mortgage on his farm. His faith and loyalty were superb. This building stood on or near the site of the present high school building and was superseded in 1868 by a more connnodious one.
The church now standing, an ornament to the town and a splendid monu- ment to the memory of its projectors and supporters, was finished in 1905 and dedicated on Sunday, June IIth. The morning sermon was delivered by Reverend Doctor Robinson, of Dubuque; afternoon, by Reverend Doctor Ruston; and evening, by Reverend Doctor Fahs, of Independence. After the impressive exercises the presiding pastor announced that the church was free from debt.
The First Presbyterian Church building is architectually all that could be desired. It stands at the head of Loenst Street, a majestic pile, constructed of red pressed brick, with Bedford stone trimmings. The foundation stone came from the Loop quarry near town. Many beautiful memorial windows adorn the edifice and the interior finish and decorations are in keeping with a rich and harmonious general design. The illumination is by electricity and the seating capacity is 700.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
The following named clergymen have been pastors of this church as suc- cessors to Rev. Merritt Harmon : Jerome Allen. first president of Lenox College ; Reverend Doctor Mason, a few months; Samuel Hodge; M. Stevenson, an evangelist. a brief period; Henry Cullen; H. Gill, "who could conduct the college, sing in the choir and, withal, preach a sermon of more than average merit :" Alexander Scott, two years; J. M. Smith; Charles Fish, one year ; Doctor MeIntosh, who came in 1895 and was pastor in 1905, at the time of the dedication. Others who preached at various times were Revs. Hugh Robin- son, W. J. Bollman and Doctor Coulter. The present pastor is W. H. Ensign.
METIIODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The annual conference held at McGregor in September, 1862. organized the Hopkinton Cireuit, and for the first year included the following appointments : Hopkinton, Buek Creek, Phun Creek and Mount Pleasant. At the expiration of the conference year, Mount Pleasant was discontinued as an appointment and merged with Plum Creek. With this exception the charge remained in the same formation until the close of the year 1863-4, under the pastoral care of Rev. C. M. Sessions. In 1864, Sand Springs was added as an appointment, which had hitherto been without pastoral labors, with Rev. Major Whitman, pastor. This year the charge also embraced Earlville and Delhi. During the year 1865-6 it embraced Hopkinton. Sand Springs, Plum Creek and Grove Creek.
During Reverend Whitman's charge two substantial churches were built, one at Hopkinton and the other at Sand Springs. The old Rockville Church was removed to Plum Creek. rebuilt and dedicated as Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church.
This charge was arranged in its present form, September 30, 1866, at con- ferenee held at Decorah, with Rev. B. C. Barnes, pastor. The church at Hopkinton was erected at a cost of $3,200 and dedicated September 10, 1865, by Rev. A. J. Kynett, J. T. Davis and James Hardy, laymen, and members of the board of trustees. The church at Sand Springs was also dedicated by Reverend Kynett, in January, 1866, at which time the indebtedness was provided for. The Centenary Church was rebuilt at a cost of $1,000, and dedicated by Rev. HI. H. Houghton in 1866. In 1875 the societies of Grove and Buek Creeks united and built a church about midway of their localities, at a cost of $2,000.
The Methodist Church was rebuilt in 1904 and rededicated on October 13th of that year, free of debt. The cost of improvements was $3,500. The present pastor is Rev. L. A. Bradford, having suceceded Rev. G. J. Chalice.
FARMERS EXCHANGE BANK
The Farmers Exchange Bank was established as a private concern in Hopkin- ton, Iowa, March 1, 1877, by Frank M. Earhart, with a capital stock of $10,000. The first deposit was made by A. F. Stiekney, after which we find the names of C. S. Barker, J. H. Campbell, P. D. Smith, J. T. Williamson, P. F. Westcott, C. L. Flint, Philip Cormany, J. J. Wallace, William Flude and Milroy & John- son. The above represented the open accounts at the close of the first two months' business.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
In June, 1878, Frank Thompson entered the bank as bookkeeper and was succeeded in January, 1881, by F. W. Doolittle.
May 12, 1884, Mr. Earhart sold the bank to F. B. Doolittle, of Delhi, and F. W. Doolittle. The name was changed to Doolittle & Son, Bankers, with F. B. Doolittle, president; F. W. Doolittle, cashier; and Frank E. Williamson, bookkeeper. In February. 1890, F. E. Williamson was advanced to the office of assistant cashier and was succeeded as bookkeeper by Byron G. Doolittle (now cashier of the First State Bank, Tekonsha, Michigan), who in turn was sue- ceeded in September. 1891, by E. R. Place. During the sickness of F. W. Doolittle, in the spring of 1892. F. E. Williamson was advanced to the office of cashier and C. E. Merriam entered the bank as an employe. F. W. Doolittle died July 9. 1892. August 1, 1892, owing to the death of the cashier, a new copartnership was formed, consisting of F. B. Doolittle, Mrs. Mary R. Doolittle, Frank E. Williamson and C. E. Merriam, who continued the business under the name of The llopkinton Bank, with F. B. Doolittle, president; F. E. Wil- liamson, vice president ; C. E. Merriam, cashier ; and E. R. Place, bookkeeper. The latter resigned his position in June, 1898, and J. D. McAllister (now manager of the Farmers Supply Company. Hopkinton), was soon afterwards installed as bookkeeper.
February 1, 1900, the bank was incorporated under the state laws as the Hopkinton State Bank, with a capital stock of $40,000. Officers and directors : F. B. Doolittle, president: F. E. Williamson, vice president : C. E. Merriam, vashier : Mary R. Doolittle, R. G. Brooks, M. L. MeGlade and W. H. Thompson. January 28, 1901, F. C. Reeve entered the employ of the bank as bookkeeper to succeed J. D. MeAllister, resigned. C. E. Merriam died December 19, 1902. and on the 27th of the same month, F. C. Reeve was elected cashier: R. G. Crawford, director, and Mary R. Doolittle, secretary of the board of directors. to succeed C. E. Merriam, deceased. C. H. Ricketts has been the bookkeeper since January 3. 1903. May 2. 1904, Dr. C. Edward Merriam was elected director to succeed W. II. Thompson, retired. Director M. L. MeGlade died August 14, 1906, and F. C. Reeve was elected to fill the vacancy December 24th of the same year.
December 28. 1909, Ben F. Williamson was elected teller, and on the 7th of October. 1911. was elected director to succeed R. G. Brooks. January 25, 1912. Ben F. Williamson died and was succeeded by Clarence L. Hill. November 19. 1902, F. B. Doolittle, president, died, and was succeeded by F. E. William- son. A son. Dr. John C. Doolittle, of Des Moines, succeeded Judge Doolittle as director and Mary R. Doolittle was elected vice president.
The bank began operations on the south side of Main Street, in a small frame building, and moved from there into the present home. a one-story brick on the corner of Main and Loenst streets. In 1912 an addition was built to the north part, where the bank installed a modern, burglar and fire proof vault and other appurtenances.
The present officials of the Hopkinton State Bank are: F. E. Williamson, president ; Mary R. Doolittle, vice president; F. C. Reeve, cashier. Capital, $40,000; surplus and undivided profits, $32,000; deposits. $306,000.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
THE FARMERS STATE BANK
One of the strong and influential financial institutions of Delaware County is the Farmers State Bank. It was incorporated February 22, 1906, by H. M. Johnson, S. P. Thorpe. W. T. Kehoe, L. Schnitzger, II. B. Selmeir, Ed Hneker, R. J. MeNeil, W. S. Johnson, D. H. C. Johnston. The capitalization was $25,000, and the first officers selected were: II. M. Johnson, president; S. P. Thorpe, vice president ; A. W. McDonald, cashier. The bank began doing business in the Bernhard Building, a one-story frame, still standing on Main Street. In 1908, a handsome home was completed for the bank and occupied in May of that year.
At a regular meeting of the directors, in January, 1910, W. S. Johnson succeeded to the presidency, and at the same time S. M. Ineker followed S. P. Thorpe as vice president. John Turnis took the latter office in 1913.
The official list now appears as follows: W. S. Johnson, president ; John Turnis, vice president ; A. W. McDonald, cashier. Directors: R. J. MeNeil, Ralph Milroy. W. S. Johnson, A. W. McDonald, James F. Delay, James Kehoe, John Turnis, J. W. Milroy, Frank King. Capital, $25,000; surplus, $7,000; ยท deposits, $115,000.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Rising Sun Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 187, was organized at Worthington, January 8, 1866. The lodge was removed to Hopkinton in 1874 and reinsti- tuted with the following named officers: A. B. Wheeler, W. M .; T. N. William- son, S. W .; C. Cook, J. W .; H. N. Hendee, secretary; C. P. McCarty, S. D .; I. G Quackenbush, J. D .: Aaron Richardson. tyler: J. T. Davis, treasurer. The members in 1868 were II. W. Raymond, R. B. Dando, F. Coates, J. B. Bailey, D. M. Hazard, F. M. Nultimeyer, R. B. Lockwood, E. H. Bush, A. White, Henry Murphy, Simon Boyer, Samuel Pitman, William Stearwalt, J. F. Jackson, John Gould, James Campbell, B. F. Alberty, John Lyd. I. G. Quackenbush, Adam Lasher, Ebenezer Fletcher, E. Turner, J. K. Shiffler, Bedford Lockwood, Henry Arnold. A. B. Wheeless, Thomas Wood, T. M. Williamson, Eli Ruddles- den, Evan Lyd. George MeDonald, William Neville. William Carpenter and others. The membership now is seventy-eight.
Sunbeam Chapter. Order Eastern Star, was organized March 2. 1905, with the following charter members and officers: W. M., Mrs. C. E. Reeve; W. P., W. S. Beels: A. M., Mrs. R. G. Crawford : secretary, Miss Emma Richardson ; treasurer, Mrs. J. S. McConnell; conduetress, Mrs. T. B. Tibbitts; assistant conductress, Mrs. JJ. J. Kirkwood ; Adah, Miss Alice Crawford ; Ruth, Mrs. L. F. Cummings: Esther, Mrs. P. R. Wheeless; Martha, Mrs. J. D. Morgan ; Electa, Mrs. F. E. Williamson ; warder, Mrs. J. S. Deshaw; sentinel, G. HI. Deshaw ; chaplain, Mrs. A. B. Wheeless ; marshal. Mrs. W. A. Place ; organist, Mrs. Boll- man. Other charter members were: Mesdames A. Richardson, M. C. Merriam, 1. Minthaus, Harry Wilson, W. A. Lang, .1. Baker, - Nichols, Ola Snyder, John Lawson, C. C. Hloag. J. C. Matthews, Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Armstrong and Mr. and Mrs. John Hilsenbeek.
Sunset Lodge. No. 525. Independent Order Odd Fellows, was organized October 21. 1892, with the following named charter members: Parley Gavitt,
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Jacob Platt, Lewis Wheeler, S. P. Carter, Dr. S. F. Bentley, T. S. Dewald. They were also the first officials. The membership of the lodge now is thirty- eight.
Amon Lodge, No. 115, Daughters of Rebekah, was organized in September, 1902. The lodge now has a membership of about sixty.
VILLAAGE OF SAND SPRING
Sand Spring is one of the primitive towns of Delaware County that cut some figure in its day as a trading point, but with the passing of time and events and the control of man, its prestige long since has taken wings and but little is left of the place to speak of. Be that as it may, however, the village was laid out by Surveyor George Welch in January, 1858, for the owners, T. H. Bowen and L. H. Langworthy. Mr. Bowen had located a large tract of land here and in the vicinity and in 1856 the Southwestern (Milwaukee) Railroad Company had made this point a station on its line and built a depot.
The first building in Sand Spring, a log cabin, was put up by Asa C. Bowen in 1852 and he was one of the first to locate in this vicinity.
In the year 1858 an important event occurred, in the arrival of a number of families belonging to the "Exodus Colony," formed in Massachusetts. They were preceded by Reverend Bolles, who was delegated by the association to arrange for the reception of the families in their prairie settlement. Mr. Bolles was pleased with the Sand Spring country and purchased of the Bowens 1,000 acres of land, in which was included a forty acre traet, which had already been surveyed into lots. This was called the "Colony" Addition to Sand Spring. Here Reverend Bolles erected a large frame house, containing sixteen rooms, as a temporary gathering plaee or home for members of the association and was called the "Colony House." But few, however, of the many families expected left their eastern homes for the West. Those who did brave the many unknown perils of the homeseeker were the Ohinsteads. L. A. IIbbard, Otis Battles, A. J. Douglas, William McCausland, with families, and a Mr. Pease.
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