USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 40
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WATERWORKS SYSTEM
In September, 1889, about one hundred and eighty-five citizens signed a peti- tion, presented to the city council, in which they asked that body that steps be taken to establish a system of waterworks in Manchester. In Furtherance of this request council called a special election for September 30, 1889, at which time the electorate cast 244 votes in favor of the improvement. while but 150 votes were in the negative. J. F. Merry, J. MIntehinson and Z. L. Atkinson were then appointed by council a committee on waterworks. Lot 258, on the west bank of the Maquoketa, was purchased of E., Mary E. and A. A. Hoag, upon which is a large spring, and here a story and a half pumping station later was built. Bonds, to the amount of $20,000, were voted to pay the cost of construction, and the contraet was let to the National Brass & Iron Company, of Dubque, in September, 1890. A stand pipe, or water tower, was erected by D. H1. Young and leased by the city for ninety-nine years, at the yearly rental of about four hundred and twenty dollars; the city has the privilege to purchase the tower at any time for the sum of $5,949. This stand pipe is 80 feet high, 15 feet in diameter and the tank on top has a capacity of 106,000 gallons. The system was in operation before the end of the year, with D. B. Allen, superintendent, and J. P. Wilson, engineer.
The supply of water is obtained from an artesian well. 1,870 feet in depth. The hole is 10 inches in diameter the first 260 feet. 7 inches for several hundred feet and then 6 inches the rest of the way. Seven and five inch rasing were used. The capacity of the well is 250 to 300 gallons per minute and the temperature is about 48°, Fahrenheit. The well was bored in 1896, but previous to this the supply of water was obtained from a spring on the lot purchased of the floags. The amount of water from this source soon proved inadequate and the well took its place for general purposes. However, the spring is still in use, being kept in reserve for emergencies. The domestic pressure from the tower is 50 pounds; emergency pressure, 80 to 110 pounds.
Since the waterworks first was operated, continual improvements have taken place in the system and many thousands of dollars expended. The water is unsurpassable in purity and taste and the system generally meets the wishes and demands of the community.
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Bird's-eye View from Courthouse. United States Fish Hatchery.
East Side of Franklin Street. On the Maquoketa River. Bridge by the Dam. SCENES IN MANCHESTER
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
SEWER AND STREET PAVING
Manchester inaugurated her sewer system in the year 1894, letting a contract that year for the initial work. Since the first $1,580 contract was let, the city has laid many blocks of sewers-mains and laterals-until today the system is in harmony with the waterworks improvement, both of which have an allied importance to any perfected plan and device for the well being and sanitation of a well regulated municipality.
Paving was commenced in the fall of 1905, the first work being done on Franklin Street, from Fayette to Butler, and on Main, from Madison to Brewer. The material used was vitrified brick. Later, concrete pavements were laid on Delaware, from Madison to Franklin, and on Madison, from Delaware to Main. Ordinances have passed council for more improvements of this kind and work will probably commence in the spring of 1915.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
During the first few years of Manchester's existence, the danger from fire was of but little consequence. As the buildings grew in mimber, provisions were made by the citizens whereby each business house and residence kept ready to hand buekets that were filled with water when a fire broke out and passed from hand to hand by the men and women who stood in line, and thrown upon the flames. This primitive method of fighting fire was in vogue until June 23. 1872. when a number of young men organized Resene Hook & Ladder Company, No. 1. J. A. Wheeler was elected foreman : M. J. Carroll, first assistant fore- man : A. S. Edwards, second assistant foreman; II. M. Ruggles, secretary; F. E. Barr. treasurer. In the year following, on July 8th, at a called meeting signed by thirty-one citizens, Protection Engine Company, No. 1. was organized. L. Odell was elected foreman; MI. Cotton, first assistant foreman ; L. S. Sherman. second assistant foreman : W. N. Boynton, secretary : W. E. Brown, treasurer.
In December, 1875, the city purchased a Silsby fire engine, which was placed in charge of Protection Engine Company. No. 1. who named it the N. Denton. This organization, having become too unwieldy in the mumber of its members. split up and formed a new company, which was named N. Denton Steamer Company, No. 1. This company elected the following officers: A. O. Moore, foreman : Lemmel Allen. first assistant foreman; Irving Harris, second assistant foreman; M. Cotton, engineer; Thomas Grice, first assistant engineer; T. S. Jones, second assistant engineer: A. C. Carter, hose foreman ; Frank Davis, E. I. Doolittle, stokers: 11. S. Lillagar, secretary; Frank Davis, treasurer. This company took up headquarters at the foot of Main Street, in an engine house built by the city on a lot donated by Nixon Denton.
The fire department of Manchester is still made up of volunteer companies. but since the building of the waterworks, the fire engine has gone out of use. The equipment now consists of hose carts, hook and ladder wagon and chemicals. The fire station is in the city building, on Main Street, and the meeting place of the firemen is in a hall, specially arranged for the purpose, on the second floor of the same building.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
ELECTRIC LIGHT PLANTS
The City of Manchester, or rather its citizens, are doubly equipped with facilities for the illumination of the business places, publie institutions and homes, with electricity. Within a very few years after the wonderful and mysterious element had been commercialized for the use and convenience of the people, an electric light plant was established in this eity, by the Manchester Electrie Light & Power Company, about the year 1886. This is the Hoag coneern, which has its plant on the west side of the river, by the dam. The machinery was first installed in the old mill, which eventually burned down, at a loss to the company. The present building is a two-story frame, and the utility is still owned and managed by members of the Hoag family.
In the year 1900 the Manchester Light, Heat & Power Company was organ- ized. by L. Matthews, Joseph Hutchinson. M. F. Le Roy, J. W. Miles. R. W. Tirrill, Adolph and Lewis Wolf. R. R. Robinson. A. L. Beardsley, Frederick Dury and B. W. Jewell. This company obtained a franchise from the city, September 1, 1900, and began business at that time. It was capitalized at $15,000, which sum was increased later to $25.000. A brick power house was eon- structed on West Main Street. where every modern equipment for a first class plant was installed. About the year 1907 the company added a heating plant and is today furnishing a majority of the business houses with heat. The pres- ent officers of the company are : L. Matthews, president and manager; W. W. Matthews, treasurer : T. J. Matthews, secretary.
OAKLAND CEMETERY
A sacred spot to the people of the community is Oakland Cemetery, which is situated on North Franklin Street, adjoining the fair grounds. Many years ago the cemetery association was organized and under its management the grounds were tastefully laid out and cared for. There are today, within its hallowed precinets, chapels. mausoleums and monuments of a lofty eharaeter and beautiful design. The soldiers' monument. spoken of elsewhere, is an im- posing shaft occupying a prominent spot in the southwest corner of the burial ground. At or near the northwest corner is a neat stone building now in course of construction, designed for a public mausoleum. Oakland Cemetery is a beauty spot, notwithstanding its mournful associations, and shows on every hand the loving care and benedictions of the community.
CHAPTER XXXY RELIGIOUS AND FRATERNAL BODIES
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI, MANCHESTER
When the first settlements were being made in Delaware County, the itinerant preacher was not behind the rest, and so we find that as early as 1855 Simeon Alger lifted up the standard of the gospel among the first settlers in this county. In a short time the Delaware circuit was formed and included a large section of the country and a number of the other towns near and far. In 1861 the cirenit was reduced somewhat and appears on the minutes as Delhi and Man- chester, but still inehided Greeley, Yankee Settlement, Bay Settlement, Hickory Grove and many of the regions beyond.
In 1862 this was still decreased in size and in 1864 Manchester appears for the first time on the minutes as a station. In 1905 Sand Creek, which had for many years been united with Silver Creek, was left without a pastor by the death of Elder Taylor, who had been so faithful for six years, and in order to hold the work, it was added temporarily to the Manchester work. This plan seemed so satisfactory all around, and so necessary withal, that it was con- timed until the summer of 1907, when the two charges were united. Sand Creek is six miles southwest of the city and has a membership of abont fifty.
Among the earliest members of the Manchester society were Ira P. Adams, Amanda Peers. Mrs. Sarah Fox Jacobs, Mrs. Mary Nethereut, Rebecca Otis, Susan Tush. Caroline Blanchard, D. H. Fox and his wife, Rachel, and Mrs. Mary Houghton.
During the first years of its existence the congregation worshiped in private homes, halls, stores and other places. In 1863 plans were laid for the erection of a house of worship, under the pastorate of Rev. E. W. Jeffries, and in 1864 the building was completed and dedicated by Rev. A. J. Kynett. The first parsonage was built during the pastoral charge of Rev. A. K. Johnson, in 1865-66. In 1884. the old church having proved inadequate to the needs of the congregation, the present church building was begun, during the ministry of Rev. G. W. Brindell. The church was dedicated January 6, 1885, by Bishop Cyrus D. Foss. In 1906, in memory of her late husband, Dr. W. A. Hines, Mrs. C. A. Ilines presented the church with a splendid pipe organ, which was dedi- cated May 13th of that year. The present parsonage was creeted during the pastorate of Rey. S. N. Fellows, and a few years ago it was remodeled and made more modern.
The pastors who have served the congregation from the time of organiza- tion to the present are: Simeon Alger, 1855-56; F. X. Miller, 1856-57; S. C. Churchill, Jr., 1857-58; John Webb, 1858-59; J. A. Van Anda, Jr., 1859-60; J. F. HTestwood, 1860-62; E. W. Jeffries, A. Ilyde, Jr., 1862-65; A. K. Johnson. Vol. 1-23
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
1865-67: R. Norton, 1867-68; L. Catlin, 1868-69; L. H. Carhart, 1869-71; F. M. Robertson, 1871-73; J. R. Berry, 1873-74; F. X. Miller, 1874-76; D. Sheffer, 1876-77; R. N. Earhart, 1877-78; JJ. F. Platt, 1878-82: G. W. Brindell, 1882-85; E. L. Miller, 1885-88; S. N. Fellows. 1888-93; R. D. Parsons, 1893-97; W. F. Pitner, 1897-99; H. O. Pratt, 1899-1904; J. E. Wagner. 1904-08; Roscoe A. Barnes, 1908-10; J. F. Black, 1910-12; C. K. Indson, 1912, and the present pastor.
FIRST NINE YEARS OF THIE METHODIST CHURCHI
The following article was written some years ago by Mrs. C. J. Friend, and appeared in a local publication. As a reminiscence of the primitive church the sketch is reproduced for the edification of the many readers of these pages :
On attempting to go back into the past to trace the origin of any social structure, one is confronted with the difficulty of finding really assured facts as a basis from which to work, because of the very meager accounts committed to writing.
It would seem that those who were engaged in the struggle to establish them- selves in a new land, in organized conditions of life, either secular or religious, had in their humility of mind so little thought of the importance of the part they were playing in the world's great drama, that it did not assume just pro- portions in their own eyes, and consequently in their engrossment with the rigid toil and hardship that is always the portion of the pioneer, they failed to chron- iele their simple deeds of achievement, and in after years when a great nation or a prosperous organization has grown out of these small beginnings and the effort is made to trace the ever-widening and on-rolling stream back to its source, no really adequate data can be found upon which to build correct his- torie records.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of Manchester is no exception to this general rule, and original records are chiefly remarkable for their entire absence. But this we do know. It had a beginning, and many facts pertain- ing thereto are very clear and Ineid in the memories of the few survivors of those early days who still remain among us. Let ns look a little while at the surroundings from which our church sprang into existence.
Remember that Manchester was still unknown, that Burrington was scarcely vet but a name, as only five years had elapsed since the first pioneer located within the limits of what is now our pleasant little city. During this half dee- ade a few other settlers had come, and like most sturdy pioneers, they brought with them that religions zeal and fervor which carries with it that strength of purpose and character necessary to the opening up of a new country, and it minst needs be that this should find ontlet and expression in some united effort for the cherishing and strengthening of sneh zeal.
Among the carly preachers who traversed this yet sparsely settled region. alone on horseback or perhaps on foot, and occasionally administered the bread of life in some lone settler's cabin, to the few seattered inhabitants who could be rallied together for the occurrence, we find the name of Simeon Alger, te whom the annals give the distinctive honor of forming the first class here in the year 1855.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
This as to time, upon which point there is no variance, but as to place, au- thorities of seemingly equal importance differ. Some say in the home of D. K. Fox, which was a part of what has been known of late years as the Wilmot House. Others say it was in the kitchen of Deacon Merrill's house, which was one of the first buildings in Manchester, and is now the home of D. II. Young. The divergence of opinion enables us come-afters to seize either horn of the dilemma, according as personal predilection may favor.
Be this as it may, we do know that organie life for this church began at the aforementioned time and was of that vigorons type that carly foretold the pros- perous conditions which we of later days enjoy.
As we read the honor roll of those forming the nucleus around which others soon gathered we find the names of D. K. Fox and wife, William Acers, Adolphus Hardenderf and Alminda Peer, and the latter informs us that her mother, Mrs. Polly Witter, was also among these charter members. D. K. Fox was appointed class leader and continued so for three years.
Very soon the following named persons were added to the membership roll : John Otis and wife, John Nethereut and wife and Sisters Blanchard, Honghten and Loomis, and also I. P. Adams, who succeeded D. K. Fox as class leader in 1858.
Who can fitly portray the courage manifested by this devoted band of Christians as they contended with all the difficulties which would naturally surround them in such an almost uninhabited land and so faithfully nourished this small division of the great church militant?
Services were held successively in the homes of the members and in the schoolhouse, which stood on the north side of the central schoolhouse lot and in Hulbert's Hall-the building now occupied by Mr. Baxter. While only irregu- lar preaching was possible they always kept up a prayer meeting, and a church which does that ean no more die out than an individual can backslide who is habitually found at this special mid-week service.
Let us pause a moment and dwell upon the lives of those, our predecessors. and note the earnestness of purpose that actuated them as they eagerly assem- bled themselves together whenever the call went forth that a preacher had come to hold services, and no wonder there were conversions at these meetings, for there was unity of aim and a mutual sympathy, one with another, which also seems to depart as numbers and prosperity inercase.
Very early in the life of this church a series of meetings was begun by the members themselves and it is related that D. K. Fox and John Netherout, who by this time had removed to their farms, used to walk in, a distance of over two miles, every night to assist in the work. Let us think of this in these pan- pered days when many of us are too weary at night to walk two blocks to an evening meeting. After the laymen had continued their efforts for a week the services of Rev. S. C. Churchill were secured and a revival was the result, with increased membership.
During 1856, 1857 and 1858 the following named preachers supplied the circuit, extending many miles around : Revs. F. X. Miller, John Webb, A. J. Van Anda and the before-named S. C. Churchill. The first mention of this charge in the conference minutes was in 1859, under the head of Delaware,
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
which meant a large part of the county and to which charge Rev. John Webb was the appointed pastor.
Meantime, on January 23. 1857, the General Assembly of Iowa had approved an act changing the name of the young town from Burrington to Manchester, and this church, under the latter name, first appears on the conference minutes in 1860, with Rev. J. F. Westwood as pastor, who reported a salary of $222.72 for his year's labor.
In 1861 Delhi and Manchester are found in the conference minutes as united, with Reverends Hestwood and E. W. White as pastors, and besides these places mentioned their fields of labor included Yankee Settlement, Greeley, ITiekory Grove and Bay Settlement, besides other outlying country.
It was while occupying Hulbert's Hall that the Dubuque District Ministerial Conference was first held in Manchester and as it was then wartime. Rev. William Brush preached a patriotic sermon on the last evening of the session. At its close some young men in the back of the hall mistaking it for a Union speech, broke forth with that popular song, "The Union Forever. Hurrah, Boys, Hurrah!" and sang it through with great fervor, and it is said that they were somewhat disconcerted when the presiding elder. Rev. P. E. Brown. arose and pronounced the benediction. However, it was regarded as a good joke on the preacher as well as the boys.
While touching upon the war it is but meet to mention the names of D. K. Fox. JJohn Netherent and John Otis, who, from out of the ranks of this strug- gling church, joined the ranks of those brave patriots who were engaged in the greater struggle to save our native land. There were probably others besides those mentioned who joined the ranks of the army, but the writer has not learned of them.
Imperfect records do not give the records of the membership at this date. 1861, but in 1862 there were forty-three in full connection and Reys. E. W. Jeffries and E. R. Latta were assigned to the field now somewhat restricted.
In 1863, Reverend Jeffries was returned, with Rev. A. Hyde as junior preacher. During this year it was decided to build a house of worship and the work commenced. Previous to this a general conference had passed an aet extending the time limit from two to three years, and under this act Reverend Jeffries was returned for the third year to complete the erection of the church, in which he was ably assisted by William Cattron and I. P. Adams, building committee.
The edifice was made ready for occupation during the year, Rev. A. J. Kynett preaching the dedicatory sermon and raising enough money to clear the prop- erty from debt.
Thus ends this brief chronicle of the organization and firm establishment of this church during the first nine years of its existence.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
On Sunday, August 29, 1869. Rev. Daniel Russell, assisted by Rev. Mr. Campbell organized the society known as the First Presbyterian Church, with the following charter members: Mrs. Mary A. Russell, Mrs. Gracia Russell, llenry Russell. W. G. Field. John W. Guthrie, Mrs. E. B. Marriott. D. G.
Universalist Church. High School. Presbyterian Church.
Central School. Courthouse. Public Library. GROUP OF MANCHESTER BUILDINGS
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Eldridge. Mrs. W. A. Eldridge. Henry F. Hamblin, Sanford R. Grow. Mrs. II. Grow. Mr. and Mrs. George Truby and Mrs. Melsin. The first meetings were held on the third floor of the Burnside Building, now the Globe Hotel. In time. however, this proved inadequate and a house of worship was erected, this being dedicated January 8, 1871. This building served its purpose for ten years but in 1880 was replaced by a more commodious house of worship. which was dedicated free of debt on the last Sunday in December of that year. This building was ereeted at a cost of $5,000 and is still serving the congregation.
Gifts of funds by the late Rev. Daniel Russell, D. D., and of residence prop- erty by his daughter, the late Mrs. Grace R. Spangler, for a manse, have brought to the church not only a beautiful and much needed minister's home in the same block as the church buikling. but a deep sense of gratitude and love to the givers for these benefactions. The church entered upon the consecrated use of these gifts in May, 1906. Mrs. Spangler also bequeathed an endowment fund of $800, for the upkeep of the minister's residence. The church has effi- cient auxiliary societies and a membership of 117. The average attendance at Sunday school is eighty.
The pastors who have served the church from the time of organization to the present are: Revs. Daniel Russell, August, 1869-June, 1874; David Street. November, 1874-November, 1875; Alvah Day, December, 1875-June 1, 1876: William S. Pryse, January, 1877-April, 1879; James Frothingham, Angust, 1879-July. 1882; L. IT. Mitchell; W. M. Evans. May, 1884-December 26, 1887; T. (. Potter, January, 1888-April. 1888; Owen Jones, April, 1888-November, 1889 : John B. Kaye, April 1, 1890-October 3, 1892: Robert Edgar. December 1. 1892-April 2, 1893; S. S. Hilscher, May 6, 1894-May 10, 1896; Charles R. Ham- ilton, May 17. 1896-October 22, 1899; Charles A. Highfield, March 1, 1900- March 30. 1902: Samuel K. Kirkwood, May 11, 1902-March 31, 1904: William Il. Ensign, July 12. 1904-1913; Gray Jones Cardy, November 1, 1913 -.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
To the religious society pinning its faith to the tenets of the Congregational faith must be aseribed the distinction of inaugurating regular religious min- istrations in Manchester. To further this end came Rev. A. Graves from Yan- kee Settlement, in the summer of 1855, who preached the Word on alternate Sundays in the Acers schoolhouse, at Delaware, and on the same days he held services at Burrington (Manchester). There were about fifteen houses in the future county seat at that time, and church was held in an unfinished dwelling owned by S. R. Grow. This building stood on the north side of Fayette Street, between Tama and Bremer. In May, 1856, Rev. L. B. Fifield took up pastoral labors here, and on August 3, 1856, the Congregational Church was regularly organized. The original members were Rev. L. B. Fifield, Emily .I. Fifield, Peter Richardson, Lucinda C. Richardson, Sanford R. Grow, Susan Grow, George Ilartwell and Julia A. Hartwell. The first sermon was preached by Rev. A. Graves and the services were concluded with prayer by H. N. Gates. For eight years thereafter services were held in private houses, in the old brown schoolhouse, which stood on the site of a brick school building which took its place, and in Ilulburt's Hall.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Early in the year 1864 a meeting was held in Burrington Hall and it was there voted to proceed to build a house of worship. A committee for the pur- pose, consisting of Rev. A. T. Loring, S. R. Grow and S. T. Wheeler, was ap- pointed. On the 7th of September, 1864, the edifice was dedicated by Rev. O. W. Merrill. assisted by Rev. Hew de Bourek. This structure eost about thirty- five hundred dollars, to which the American Congregational Union contributed $300. In 1873 a bell was installed at an expense of $515 and from time to time improvements followed. The old building answered its purposes well for sev- eral years and then became inadequate to the increasing membership and attend- ance. Consequently, in the year 1900, the present beautiful brick temple of worship was erected and dedicated on the 16th day of September of that year. AA pipe organ was also installed at the time, which was replaced by another one in 1904. The church building cost $10.000. and in its spacious auditorium was held. on October 21, 22 and 23, 1906, impressive and interesting services com- memorating the fiftieth anniversary of the church's establishment at Manches- ter. The program, among other mimbers, called for historical and reminiscent addresses upon the following topics: Our Church, Mrs. P. E. Triem; Pastors I Have Known, Deacon H. A. Granger; Deacons As They Were, Deacon Fred S. Seymour; The Songs of Other Days, Senator George W. Dunham; The Missionary Society, Mrs. A. S. Blair; The Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. L. C. Brooks: The Young Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Horace Atwater; The Ladies' Kensington, Mrs. W. J. Suckow; The Men's League, M. F. LeRoy; Lights and Shadows of the Past, S. L. Doggett.
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