USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 33
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James G. Johnston was a Pennsylvanian by birth. He found his way to Delaware County in 1858 and settled in Coffin's Grove Township, where a few months later he located on section 32, which for many years was his home.
The marriage register in the office of the Commissioners' Court was com- menced in 1844, and the first marriage that year was that of .Joel Bailey and Miss Arabella Coffin, the interesting ceremony occurring on the 24th of April. At the time .Joel Bailey was thirty years of age and his bride, a daughter of Judge Clement Coffin, was eighteen. G. D. Dillon, justice of the peace, consummated the marriage ceremony. The wedding took place at the home of the bride in this township.
Log schoolhouses were early built in distriets 1, 2, 3 and 5. The one in Distriet No. 1 was built in 1854. This was at Coffin's Grove.
MASONVILLE
Masonville is one of the thirfty little villages of Delaware County. It is located on the southwest corner of the township, on seetion 31 and was laid out July 22, 1858, by Francis Daniels and the Iowa Land Company. Mr. Daniels owned the quarter section on which the village was built and as an in- dueement to the land company to locate a station here, he offered to donate one-
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third of the tract of land to the company, which was accepted and a depot was built thereon. Eight years later another depot building took the place of the old one, which was converted into a carpenter shop.
Oscar Wellman, who came West from New York in 1852, built the first house in Masonville in 1854, in which he kept hotel. He also had a stable for the public and for the accommodation of the stage line that passed through here at that time. Masonville has a population of abont three hundred. It is sur- rounded by one of the richest grain and grass belts in this section of the state and is a station on the Omaha branch of the Ilinois Central Railroad. It has three general stores, a lumberyard, iwo implement houses, two elevators, a farmers' cooperative creamery, three churches, a savings bank and a publie school. The Catholics and Methodists both have good substantial buildings. Ebenezer Lodge, No. 587, Order of Odd Fellows, has headquarters in a frame building of its own. There is a commodions two-story frame sehool building, where the classes are graded. The enrollment for 1913 was seventy-five pupils. This is a good shipping point, from which are transported large quantities of grain, hay, creamery products, poultry and eggs, hogs and cattle.
The Farmers Savings Bank was organized in 1905 by Daniel Fagan, M. Lillis and F. S. Griffin. It was capitalized at $10,000 and began business in a rented building belonging to Mrs. O'Hagan. Recently the concern erected a new brick structure, which it now occupies. President. Daniel Fagan; cashier, M. Lillis.
Ebenezer Lodge, No. 587, 1. O. O. F .. was organized August 3, 1893, under a dispensation. In October of that year a charter was granted to the following members: F. 11. Parkhurst, F. S. Harris, C. E. Durston, Thomas Rose, George Harwood and about fifteen others. The first officials were: F. HI. Parkhurst, N. G .; George Harwood, V. G .; C. E. Durston, secretary ; Thomas Rose, treas- urer; F. S. Harris, financial secretary. The lodge held its first meetings in what is now Preston's warehouse. The membership is about forty-eight.
North Star Chapter. No. 260, Daughters of Rebekah, was organized in October, 1895. The charter members were: E. H. and Ella Blanchard, C. H. and Kate Blanchard, Lewis and Winnie Huyck, F. H. and Ada Parkhurst, J. W. and Melissa Preston, F. S. and Augusta Harris. W. A. and Etta Dover, W. P. and Leola Seward, S. J. Kelly, T. E. Smith, Maria Smith, Thomas and 1. 1 .. Rose. John and Anna Rose and Frank Kenyon.
The postoffice was established here February 8, 1860, with H. H. Tubbs in charge. The names of his successors follow : William A. Crowther, June 1, 1861; A. J. Pease, May 17, 1864; Imeins Kinsman, March 4. 1870; Reuben Norton, August 1. 1872; William E. Lawrence, December 23, 1878; S. W. Quick, October 13, 1882: John Latimer, January 2, 1885; Thomas Gordon, October 30, 1885: Charles O'Hagan, December 13, 1888; James W. Turley, August 23, 1893; Charles O'Hagan, July 29, 1897; Josephine O'Hagan, Febru- ary 17. 1905 : Mamie I. O'Hagan, June 20, 1913.
CHAPTER XXV
ADAMS TOWNSHIP
Adams Township was erected September 29, 1855, and is congressional town- ship 87, range 6. It lies in the extreme southwest corner of the county, having Buchanan County for its western boundary and Linn County on the south. Hazel Green Township is on the cast and Prairie on the north.
Buffalo Creek enters Adams on section 18 and ents across the corner, leaving its territory on the southeast corner of section 32. This stream receives the drainage from the greater part of the township and the land in general is covered with a heavy bed of drift, upon which is a soil unexcelled in the Mis- sissippi Valley. This means that Adams Township farms are highly productive and in keeping with the general harmonious customs of the people in Delaware County. These farms indicate thrift and progress on the part of their owners.
James Robinson, an Irishman, came to America in 1844 and to Delaware County in 1852. He married Mary A. Gregg, in 1854, also of Ireland, and they were the parents of twelve children. For many years Mr. Robinson lived on section 8. John Robinson also came from Ireland and settled in the township in 1854. He married Margaret Swindle in March of that year. She was also born in Ireland. Their home was on section 5.
Benjamin Burgess, an early settler of Adams Township, came to the county in 1855, and in 1859 married Ellen Haight, a native of Ohio. Mr. Burgess was a good farmer and eitizen.
Charles Falconer, a native of Scotland, came to America in 1842, and to Delaware County in 1855. He married Rebecca Pierce in 1857, and in 1864 enlisted in Company I, Fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was with Sherman in his march to the sea.
James Cromwell came to the township in 1855 and was one of its valued citizens. By a strong effort he succeeded in having Tower Hill Postoffice estab- lished, which was the first in the township and was kept by him for many years. He was one of the few who sneceeded in organizing the first district school, in 1858, when the first schoolhouse in the township was erected.
Henry Ehlers was a native of Germany, whence he emigrated to Canada in 1854. Mr. Ehlers arrived in this township in the spring of 1855 and in 1862 married Anna B. Mangold, who was born in Switzerland. Mr. Ehlers was a member of Company I. Fourth lowa Infantry and was with Sherman in his memorable march to the sea. He was a member of the board of supervisors, and the station on the Illinois Central near his farm was named Ehlers in his honor.
Cornelius Hurley was born in Ireland and immigrated to America in 1853. He found his way to Delaware County in 1856 and the same year married Jane Garman, also of Ireland.
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Andrew De Woody was born in Pennsylvania in 1820, married Rachel Bardue in 1843, and with his family came to this county in 1856, settling in Adams Township.
W. H. Lenox came from Ireland to America in 1832 and to this county in 1857, settling on section 27. He married Sarah Burgess in 1858. James MeElligott was also a son of the Emerald Isle. He crossed the Atlantie in 1848 and arrived in this township in 1857. Ile married Ellen Behan in 1858, and for many years their home was on section 10.
RYAN
One of the best business towns in Delaware County is that of Ryan, which was laid out August 28, 1888, by J. A. Thomas, Andrew E. Anderson and Arthur 1. Flint.
Perhaps the first business enterprise in Ryan was started by Arthur Flint, who opened a general store about the year 1886. in a one-story frame building. now occupied by Worley's harness shop.
Some time in the year 1891 Lon Benninger and John Snyder, under the style of Benninger & Snyder, opened a store. In 1892 Nicholas Weiler had his meat market running and he is still in the business.
C. E. Worley was Ryan's first harness maker. He began business in 1893, in the old Flint Building, and still holds forth there. Mr. Worley, active and progressive, became Ryan's chief executive and during his administration a splendid system of waterworks was established.
Shortly after Worley's arrival F. M. Foley engaged in general merchandis- ing, also J. A. Thomas. After a short while Thomas sold out to Charles Van Anda and Will Sutton, who made up the firm of Van Anda & Sutton. Their successors were Connor & Smith. both surnamed Charles, who came two years later.
The next business concern to open its doors in Ryan was a department store. stocked with goods by the Standard Lumber Company, of Dubuque. This has been under various managements, since the initial one of Joseph Gloden.
SCHOOLS
The first school was established in 1888, in a store building owned by Barney Magirl and taught by Joseph Beacom. In the year 1892 the district erected a school building-one-story frame-on Union Street. The structure was re- modeled in 1901, by putting on another story, thus giving four rooms for the accommodation of 135 pupils, who are taught by four instructors. The school has twelve grades.
POSTOFFICE
The Ryan Postoffice was established in 1884, with Dennis Magirl in charge. The names of his successors follow : A. I. Flint, May 3, 1889; J. A. Thomas, September 24, 1890; J. H. Beaeom, August 23, 1894; James Ireland, September 17, 1897 ; F. L. Houston, December 20, 1901.
FIRE STATION AND WATERWORKS, RYAN
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
RYAN INCORPORATED
Upon petition of John Dolphin, C. E. Worley, John Reilly, J. Coakley, N. Weiler, F. L. Houston and others, asking that the Village of Ryan be separated from the townships of Adams and Hazel Green, and empowered to formulate and maintain a government of its own, with the rights and privileges of an incorporated town, the prayer was granted and the court appointed John Reilly, E. C. Pound, Robert M. Merriam, C. E. Worley and Fred Houston a commission to call an election, to be held at Koehler's implement store, to vote upon the proposition. In accordance and with direetions of the court an election was called and held on the 5th day of February, 1901, at which time the electorate cast its voice strongly in favor of ineorporation.
In the month of March, at the regular municipal election, John Dolphin was elected mayor, and John Reilly, Gottlieb Heiseman, F. M. Foley, O. M. Wright, F. L. Houston, John Evart, trustees. The first meeting of the council was held on the 13th day of May following and the city government was in full running order. At that session the officials qualified, who agreed to act without pay the first year. John Hazelrigg was appointed clerk, and I. P. Striegel, treasurer. An ordinance was passed for the building of sidewalks and Ed Pugh, at a special meeting, received the appointment of marshal.
WATERWORKS SYSTEM
The citizens of Ryan early appreciated the fact that a system of waterworks was necessary to give the people an abundance of water, both for public and private nse. They realized the virtue of being secure against losses by fire and to these ends a special meeting of council was lield August 28, 1901, for the purpose of calling an election, whereby the general sentiment of the community on the movement could be obtained and made a matter of record. On September 21, 1901, the election was held at Koehler's implement store. Fifty votes were cast, of which thirty-nine favored the building of waterworks, while only seven taxpayers voted against the improvement. Four votes were mutilated and were not counted. The judges of this important election were John Dolphin, John Reilly, II. C. Koehler, John Hazelrigg and R. M. Merriam.
In 1902 council was empowered to sell the corporation bonds to the amount of $3,000 at 5 per cent interest and a levy of 5 mills on the dollar was made for the purpose. An -inch well was drilled, which produces a splendid supply of good water. A one-story briek power and pumping station was erected in the heart of the town, in which was installed a vertical steel tank 9 by 9 by 36 feet, as a reservoir, having a capacity of 16,000 gallons of water. The pressure is sixty pounds and the water is driven into the reservoir by a 12-horsepower gasolene engine. The power house stands on a lot, purchased of P. H. Ryan, for $350. The total cost of the waterworks, including the power house and 1,000 feet of hose, was about five thousand dollars.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Ryan people organized a fine body of men into a volunteer fire company in 1902, and this department of the town's utilities erected a briek fire station
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at its own expense in 1913. The building is in the form of a tower from the ground up and on the face of the structure is a tablet, on which is inscribed the following names, the owners of which contributed to the sum of $900, cost of the station : C. E. Worley, chief ; J. M. Brayton, W. H. Ward, G. C. Johnston, N. Weiler, A. O. Thompson, R. A. Barry. T. P. Turner, A. J. Keegan. S. S. MeAreavy, J. M. Dnnean, E. E. Coakley, J. A. Lyness and J. J. Dolphin.
OFFICIALS OF RYAN
Since Ryan was incorporated the following persons have served as mayor and clerk: 1901-John Dolphin, mayor; John Hazelrigg, clerk; 1902-C. E. Worley, mayor; A. G. Duncan, clerk; 1904-P. W. Beacom, mayor; A. G. Dunean, clerk; 1906-August Feilebein, mayor; John Tarleton, clerk ; 1908 -. George C. Johnston, mayor; John Brayton, clerk; 1910-12-E. E. MeCloud, mayor ; A. O. Thompson, clerk; 1914-W. T. MeElliott, mayor; Joseph Cody. clerk. Ryan has a population of 511, of which 370 live in the part situate in Adams Township, and 141 in Hazel Green.
RYAN STATE BANK
The Bank of Ryan was the first financial concern established here in 1896 and the company was made up of J. A. Thomas, John Dolphin. John Reilly and E. E. McCloud, they having purchased the brokerage interests of J. A. Thomas, who had been in business about one year. The Bank of Ryan main- tained its identity until 1900, when, on June 19th of that year, the Ryan State Bank was incorporated by J. A. Thomas, E. C. Pound, Patrick Donnelly, John Reilly. Charles Barry, W. B. Robinson and John Dolphin. This institution began doing business in July following in its present home, which is a brick building, purchased of Mrs. J. A. Thomas. The bank was capitalized at $25.000, and had for its first officials: J. A. Thomas, president : E. C. Pound, vice president ; John Dolphin, cashier. Mr. Thomas died in 1906, when the position vacated was occupied by John Dolphin, and at the same time his son, J. J. Dolphin, succeeded to the cashiership. In December, 1910, John Dolphin died and his son succeeded him in the presidency, retaining the office of cashier until June, 1911, when JJ. M. Foley was elected to that position. Mr. Foley resigned about April 1, 1914, on account of ill health, and F. L. Houston was elected in his stead. At that time F. M. Foley was elected vice president. The present officials are: J. J. Dolphin, president ; F. M. Foley, vice president: F. L. Houston, eashier ; John K. Dolphin, assistant cashier. Capital, $25,000; sur- plus, $25,000: undivided profits, $20,000; deposits, $310,000.
ยท CREAMERY
The Ryan Creamery was built in 1903 by the Palmer-Hubbard Company, of Independence, Iowa. It was bought in 1906 by E. E. MeCloud, George Emery and John Dolphin, and since that time has been known as the Ryan Creamery Company, which has been under the management, since April, 1914, of A. W. Dickinson. This is a large concern which makes a grade of butter that always finds a ready market. During the years 1911, 1912 and 1913, the average out-
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IHISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
put of butter was 500,000 pounds per year. The building is a two-story brick, 44 by 54 feet, ground dimensions. It has a one-story addition 28 by 44 feet for furnaces and coal. The original cost was $9,000.
CHURCHES
ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Patrick's Catholic Church of Ryan is an outgrowth of a church estab- lished in Adams Township. Here the first mass was said by Father Farley in June, 1882, at the home of Dennis Magirl, who was then living on section 2+ of Adams Township. Among those present on this occasion were Patrick Donnelly, Thomas and James Keegan, Patrick Kinley, Ed Reilly, Newton Fuller, William Drummy, John Holahan, Con Sullivan, Dennis Harrington, Philip Clark and Michael O'Hara. In the parish were seventeen families.
The first house of worship was built in the summer of 1882 on section 19, in Hazel Green Township. The cornerstone was laid by Rev. Fathers M. J. Farley and Brady on the 18th of July of that year. The building was of brick, 40 by 60 feet. A steeple was attached some time after the church was finished. The original cost of this building was between seven and eight thousand dollars. Some years later $5,000 on improvements was expended. The ten acres of land upon which the church stood was purchased of Mrs. Harger, with the proviso that the building should be finished within three years from the day of purchase. This was accomplished just before the time limit. Part of the land was devoted to burial purposes and the property was known as Belmond Church and Cemetery. Dedicatory exercises were held in the summer of 1883 by Rev. P. H. Ryan and others.
After the Town of Ryan began to grow and assume proportions this church was practically transplanted to that village about sixteen years ago. A frame church building was erected, 40 by 50 feet, a short distance from the present edifice, which cost about five thousand dollars. Services were held here until February 12, 1912, when the present new building was occupied. In the fall of 1907 the priest's house, a two-story frame building, 32 by 36 feet, was moved from Belmond to Ryan, a distance of two miles. The parochial school, a three -. story brick building, with basement, having ground dimensions of 40 by 60 feet, was built a few years ago at a eost of $12,000. This school has an attendance of 140 pupils and is taught by six Presentation nuns of Dubuque. The property of this church is easily worth $75,000.
The first pastor of St. Patrick's who succeeded Reverend Farley was Rev. Fr. P. H. Ryan, who came in 1882 and remained until October, 1906. He was followed by Fr. Patrick Lahey, who was here three years and then came the present pastor, Rev. Fr. John Maloy.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
During the summer of 1888, Reverend Hansen, of Earlville, Iowa, visited a small group of German Lutherans, living in Hazel Green Township, near Ryan, and gathered them under the influence of the word and sacraments of God.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Services were held for some time in different schoolhouses. Then these people were organized in August, 1888, as a congregation which adopted the name Friedens Gemeinde (Congregation of Peace), having adopted the conditions of Evangelical Lutheran congregations recommended by the Iowa Synod.
Reverends Romberg and Foodisch served the congregation for a short time and then Reverend Melchert was called in 1892 as resident pastor of this small flock, and has since served as their pastor. At that time the congregation was in a very poor condition, but it was developed by God's blessing and by earnest German diligence and perseverance into a fairly strong congregation. At the time that Reverend Melchert took charge it had hardly a dozen members; now it has a strong voting membership of seventy, with 400 souls. Though some differences of opinion arose in the first years of the church, the faithful God helped and all difficulties were overcome and under the influence of God's word and sacraments the congregation has steadily increased in mem- bership and strength.
In 1893 a church was built as a permanent home of the congregation. In 1895 the parsonage was built and later on it was remodeled and enlarged. In 1903 the steeple of the church was remodeled and a bell was purchased: for this purpose about one thousand dollars was raised. Finally a cemetery was acquired. The actual value of the property amounts to $6,000 with no debts.
METIIODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Some time before the year 1891 the Methodists established a society and held services in the schoolhouse at Tower Hill. Rev. Frank Loveland, who was pastor of the church in Coggon, ministered to the spiritual wants of the con- gregation and in the summer of 1891 through his efforts a house of worship was built in Ryan, at a cost of $1,600, on a lot donated by J. A. Thomas. Among the first members here were J. H. Preston and wife. Q. Searight and wife and George Walkup. The first pastor was Rev. Frank Loveland, but since his time the church usually has had a student pastor. Among the resident pastors were Revs. II. C. Culver and Edward Lee. There is now a membership of about fifty and the attendance at Sunday school averages forty. The Epworth League also has a good attendance.
EIILER
The Village of Ehler was laid out on the southwest part of seetion 26. and is a small station on the Illinois Central Railroad. General stores are supported by a good trade from the rich country surrounding it. The place was named in honor of llenry Ehlers, who located near by in the spring of 1855. A postoffice was established Angust 9, 1888, and F. P. Ryan commissioned postmaster on the same date. His successors were: James Henderson, March 20. 1891 : Alex- ander McDonald, May 21, 1902: William IL. Ehlers. September 7. 1906: N. F. Patton, October 4, 1907.
ROBINSON
Robinson is the youngest town in Delaware County and is a sprightly vil- lage for its age, especially in this part of the state. The place was laid out in 1912 and now has a bank, two general stores, one under control of the
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, RYAN
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ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH AND ST. JOHN'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, RYAN
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Robinson Mercantile Company, and the other owned by the firm of White & Stebbins. A. P. Burrows & Sons and W. D. Hoyt & Co. have hardware stores. Peter Kiene has a lumber yard. There are also a blacksmith shop, har- ness shop, restaurant, barber shop and a pool hall, an elevator and last. but not least, the Robinson Herald, a busy, newsy little sheet, that sat itself down in the new town as soon as it could secure a roof to cover machinery and the head of its editor.
The postoffice was established and Mary Irene Robinson commissioned post- mistress, April 5. 1913.
The Robinson Bank was incorporated August 27, 1912, by W. B. Alexan- der and J. W. Robinson, Arthur MeEnamy and W. H. Swindle.
CHAPTER XXVI
ONEIDA TOWNSHIP
Congressional township 89, range 4. was organized September 29, 1855, and named Oneida. It is bounded on the north by Elk, on the east by Bremen, on the south by Delhi and on the west by Delaware townships and the beauties of its prairies and richness of soil early attracted the pioneers seeking homes in this great state. In and near the timber along Plum Creek the first locations were made, but it was not long before the settlers realized in full the value of the prairie soil and in the course of a few years the plains were dotted with the buildings of prosperons and contented farmers.
Plum Creek, the Maquoketa's largest affluent in Delaware County, with its ramifying branches, extends to the northern part of this township on the east and the north half. The soil is thin in some parts of the township, rock ledges showing near the surface. Sands that bear evidence of having been carried by winds in the glacial period appear near Earlville and pretty generally throughout the township. On section 7, in a low ridge, there are from four to six feet of sand resting on an old soil bed. However, Oneida Township has some of the finest farms in the county; a general air of prosperity is notiee- able on every hand.
The first person to take up a residence in this locality was William Van Order, but upon what section has not been determined. It is kown, however, that a brother-in-law, named Wilson, lived with him. Wilson was, in the words of a certain strenuous ex-president. "an undesirable citizen," whose bad reputation led Van Order to remove to another part of the country. Wil- son finally was shot by settlers whose horses had been stolen, presumably by him, and he was buried, so it is said, in Adams Township, where he met his death.
Andrew J. Rector came early. He was a North Carolinian by birth. In 1849 he arrived in Delaware County from his adopted state, Indiana, and located on a farm in this township, where he and his bride built a home and lived there many years. It was in this house the first election was held in Oneida Township after its creation, the place having been designated for the purpose by County Judge F. B. Doolittle. Mr. Rector died in 1904.
A. S. Scott and family emigrated from Ohio in 1851 and located in this township on section 13, near Almoral. A. R. Seott came in 1853 and some years later settled on section 10.
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