USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 41
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The names of pastors who have administered to the spiritual welfare of this congregation follow : 1. B. Fifield, 1856-60; A. T. Loring, 1860-66: Daniel Russell. 1866-67; A. A. Baker. 1867-69; E. R. Stiles, 1869-77 ; John P. Barrett, 1877-80; B. T. Stafford, 1880-82; J. G. Miller, 1882-88; H. W. Tuttle, 1889-1905; W. J. Suckow, 1905-07: C. E. Lynde, 1907-08; Frank Moore, 1908-14.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
The First Baptist Church of Manchester was organized October 26, 1855, in the spring of which year Manchester was laid out as a town. The meeting for the purpose was held in a house that had just recently been erected, on Fayette Street, by Ozias P. Reeves, now owned by Miss Florence Bailey. The charter members were Edson Merrill and wife, Elizabeth ; Ozias P. Reeves and wife, Almeda; John L. Baldwin and wife, Almira. Edson Merrill was elected deacon and Ozias P. Reeves, clerk.
After the organization had been perfected, prayer meetings were held at the homes of members but after the schoolhouse was built, which stood on the lot now occupied by the Central school building, religious meetings were held here not only by the Baptists but other denominations, that is, whenever a min- ister came to town.
The First Baptist Church was incorporated July 11. 1859, and that same year the congregation called its first pastor. Rov. J. Y. Aitchison. Mr. Aitchi- son preached here at the schoolhouse once in two weeks. He also supplied the churches at Delaware and Delhi, taking up his residence at the latter place.
For some years and up to 1872, the Baptists worshiped in Burnside's Hall, Thorpe Hall and Marshall's Hall. In April of the year mentioned a house of
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worship was began, which was dedicated on the first Sabbath in June. There was no regular pastor at that time but several elergymen from other churches were present and assisted in the dedieatory services. There was not enough money subscribed to pay for the indebtedness and $1,000 was borrowed from the Home Mission Society, which was refunded after several years. The first members received into the church after baptism were Allen Love, Selden French, William Melntosh. and Jane L. MeIntosh, who is still a member.
The church building was remodeled and enlarged by an addition in 1895, during the pastorate of Reverend Lusk. While in course of its construction the use of the city hall for services was kindly granted by the city council. The rededication of the edifice took place September 22. 1895, at which time subscriptions were received amounting to $1,925. The following week the Dubuque Baptist Association convened at Manchester.
A comfortable residence for the parsonage, constructed at a cost of $2,000. and standing on West Main Street. was bequeathed to the church by Edward Sellens.
The church has had eighteen pastors, besides supplies. The names of pas- tors follow: Revs. J. Y. Aitehison, 1859: Ed D. Phillips, 1865; M. Root, 1867; Dean. 1869: L. M. Newel, 1872; W. H. Irwin, 1874: L. M. Whiting, 1876; W. 12. Walker, 1882: J. Y. Aitchison, 1885; William Swinden, 1886; Fallis, 1887; R. J. Langridge. 1890; Pritchard, 1892: W. E. Adams, 1893: Lusk. 1894: Arehie C'anl. 1900; Rumsey and Stevenson, 1905; H. R. MeDonald, 1906.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH
This church established a mission in Clayton County in 1871, from whence grew the present organization of the church about 1891. Rev. Tra Chase was the first pastor and among the original members were the following named per- sons : Ziby Wheelock and wife, Samuel Young and wife, Fred Dury and wife,
Steiger and wife. Samantha Spitler, Louise and Julia Oakley. Ira and Lydia Howland. The first meetings were held in the schoolhouse close by the present church, which was built abont one year after the organization of the society. A few years thereafter a parsonage was erected-a two-story frame building costing about one thousand dollars.
Reverend Chase remained here about two years, when he was sneeeeded by Reverend Benton, whose term of service covered a period of one year. Ile resigned to further pursne his ministerial studies at college. As nearly as can be ascertained from the memories of some of the older members, Rev. Adelbert King was the next pastor. He remained four years. His successors were Reverend Stice, a year and a half; Reverend Moffatt, here on two ocea- sions, one year each; O. H. ITarnish, two years; Reverend Smith, two years; Reverend Bundy. part of one year; and the present pastor, Rev. Ray Busen- harriek, still a student at Cornell College. It should be here stated, however, that Elder Ward occupied this pulpit about six months and two pastors of the gentler sex also served this charge. One of them was Rev. Miss Donnie Minton who was here two years. The auxiliary societies are the Ladies' Aid and For- eign Mission. The membership of the church is about forty. average attend- ance at Sabbath sehool, twenty-five.
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UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
The Universalist Church at Manchester sprang from a sermon delivered in 1859, by Reverend Dennis, of Dubuque, in Burrington's Hall. It was an in- centive to the few people of that faith living here at the time to make an effort toward the organization of a Universalist society. But they were not sueeess- ful until the winter of 1864, when arrangements were made with Rev. Joy Bishop to preach every alternate Sunday, the meetings being held in the Con- gregational Church until the summer of 1865. Not being able, through lack of numbers, to employ a pastor, no regular religions services were held by the society until in the spring of 1868, when Belknap's Hall was secured and Rev. Henry Jewell organized the church on the 20th of June, 1868. Reverend Jewell remained here as pastor until September, 1869. The society was in- corporated May 4, 1869, and those signing the articles were Clark Bliss, Sr .. Thomas Toogood, II. M. Congar, A. M. Sherwood. E. N. Tomlinson, E. R. Congar, L. S. Bemis and E. Hoag. On May 10, 1869, after 11. M. and E. R. Congar, Rev. Henry Jewell, Thomas Toogood, Gilbert Yeoman, A. M. Sher- wood, Hiram Babcock, Jacob Hoag, T. Crosby, E. J. Congar. R. G. Clifford. J. Gilbert and R. W. Tirrill had pledged themselves to raise $5,000 for the purpose, the building of a brick church edifice was commenced and completed May 7, 1871, at a cost of a little over $8,000. The dedicatory services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Hanson, of Chicago. E. R. Wood was the first regu- lar pastor and remained here from September. 1871, until September, 1873. Ile was followed by Rev. J. W. Hicks, of Strawberry Point, who preached alter- nate Sundays for about six months. There was then a period of three years when the church was inactive, but finally E. R. Wood was induced to return in 1877, at which time he reorganized the society. A Sunday school was organ- ized in 1864, with R. W. Tirrill as superintendent, and the ladies' society was established in 1867.
The Universalists kept up their organization and regular services for sey- eral years and then dissolved. About three years ago the church building, a good brick structure, was leased to the Manchester Grange Society. during the life of the Grange the consideration being that the Grange should keep the building in good repair.
There has been for some time established in Manchester a society of the Church of Christian Scientists, which holds its readings in the lecture room of the public library.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
The parish of St. Mary's was practically established in 1872, under Father P. J. Clabby's administration. In that year subscriptions for building a church was begun and work on the structure commenced by Father Clabby, and con- tinted under Rov. R. McGrath. The succeeding priest. Rev. J. F. Nugent, who came in 1875. completed the building, which still stands, a brick structure, located on the south side of Butler, about a block west of Franklin. The parish is now quite strong in the number of people of the Catholic faith. and render
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valiant assistance to the energetie and eloquent pastor, Father T. Rooney, who has been stationed here the past six years.
Near the church is a brick parsonage and a parochial school, named St. Xavier. The pupils are taught by six Sisters of Mercy.
FRATERNAL ORDERS
Manchester Lodge, No. 165, A. F. & A. M., was organized and met for the first time October 6, 1862. The charter members were J. M. Watson, first named as W. M .; Thomas Tierney, S. W .; B. H. Keller, J. W .; N. Denton, C. E. Dean, E. L. Eaton. Ray B. Griffin, Il. P. Duffy, W. C. Cawley, John Acers. Peter Case and C. G. Reynolds.
The first meeting place of this lodge, which now is strong in numbers, was in the upper story of a frame building, on the northwest corner of Franklin and Delaware Streets, until in the winter of 1866, when it was removed to the third story of the building on the corner of Main and Franklin Streets. In 1879. joining with others. the lodge built the second story of a brick building on the corner of Franklin and Delaware Streets, where it fitted up lodge and elub rooms, with modern convenienees, and since that time this has been its headquarters.
Manchester Lodge. I. O. O. F., was instituted March 29, 1867. The charter members were Ray B. Griffin, M. A. Newcomb, Jacob Phillips, T. W. Robinson, W. L. Gibson. E. Hoag, E. Fales, Edmond Gardner, C. M. Bronson, Thomas Dodson. A. S. Blair. O. Cronk, Ellis Sherwin, John Morgan, Charles Burnside, C. E. Bronson. W. N. Boynton, V. Childs and W. II. Greenwood. The officers elected were: M. A. Newcomb, N. G .; Jacob Phillips, V. G .; W. L. Gibson, R. S. : T. W. Robinson, P. S .; E. Fales, Treas. An encampment was instituted October 20, 1869, which took the name of Azur Encampment. No. 37. At this time the lodge met in Burnside Hall, on the northeast corner of Franklin and Fayette Streets. The charter members of the encampment were Jacob Phillips. Thomas Robinson, William N. Boynton, R. W. Tirrill, E. Graham, G. R. Buck- ley and J. T. Horton.
Both the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges have auxiliaries, to which the ladies are eligible. The first is named the Eastern Star and the second. Danghters of Rebekah.
Hyperion Lodge, No. 186, Knights of Pythias, was organized November 28, 1888, with the following charter members: F. JJ. Atwater, A. J. Brown, M. Beehler, A. J. Baker, C. A. Day, J. E. Davis, O. A. Dunham, 1]. C. Haeberle, F. D. Iladley, A. Hollister, HI. R. Holmes. R. G. Kennedy, J. F. MeEwen, J. M. Morrisey. W. Il. Norris, J. E. Nichol, JJ. R. Nix, C. A. Peterson, Charles Small- wood, M. W. Sheldon, II. C. Smith, E. P. Seeds and JJ. A. Wheeler.
On April 10, 1893, the Pythian Building Association was incorporated. with the following board of directors: J. E. Davis, C. A. Peterson, Charles Il. Day, R. R. Robinson, II. C. Haeberle, J. F. MeEwen, G. W. Dunham, J. S. Jones and A. Thorpe. The officials were: JJ. E. Davis, president ; R. R. Robinson. viee president ; Charles H. Day. secretary; and II. C. Haeberle, treasurer.
In the year mentioned the Knights ereeted a two-story brick building 44x115 feet, at 112 East Main Street. The ground floor was prepared for busi-
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ness rooms and the second for the lodge and its auxiliary, the Pythian Sisters. The lodge rooms are modern in every particular and here are also installed club rooms, a banqueting hall, kitchen and other conveniences.
In the fall of 1913 an addition was built to the rear, at a cost of $4,000, and the building now shows an outlay of about seventeen thousand dollars. This is one of the strongest and best equipped Pythian lodges in the state.
JONES MILL GRANGE
In the early seventies when the Grange movement was first making its way westward, it was quite the natural thing that the farmers of Delaware County, Iowa, should become interested in an organization that promised so much for the betterment of farming conditions. The question of better organization and cooperation of farmers had been freely discussed from December 4, 1867, when the National Grange was organized to the date when the Delaware Connty farmers realized it was time to act. It is not recorded who has the distinction of taking the initiative, nor does it matter particularly. for none of these men were seeking for glory, but on the 11th of March, 1873, an application signed by the following persons was sent to the Iowa State Grange P. of II. for a charter for Jones Mill Grange, No. 917; S. M. Hoyt, D. P. Ferris, Geo. Childs, Luther Sly, A. L. Lightfoot. W. II. Hollister, Hassel Munson. C. W. Mead, Henry Brown, J. H. Burrington, A. Kirkpatrick, James Clugston, E. S. Coon, J. B. Frentress, R. Porteous. A. F. Coon, J. C. Skinner, D. W. Jones, Charlotte Acers, Drusilla Childs, Sarah J. Coon, Elizabeth II. Skinner, Delilah Hoyt, Margaret Jones, S. W. Coon, Win. CIngston, E. O. Clemens.
The charter was granted and Jones Mill Grange with twenty-seven charter members became a reality and a social, political and agricultural force in the connty. Not a half dozen of the charter members as named are still living, but those who are, and some of them are well along in years, still after forty-one years, enjoy the Grange and may be counted on to attend the Grange meetings on the first Saturday of each month.
To those who have been acquainted with the charter members it is not diffi- cult to understand why the Grange should be named Jones Mill in honor of D). W. Jones, one of their number who for years operated a woolen mill that still stands though not in use. Farmers for miles around brought to this mill their wool and exchanged it for cloth, blankets, yarns and flannels, and be it said to the credit of Mr. Jones, they were never disappointed in the quality of their goods. HIe carried out in his business the fundamental principles of a true Granger. No shoddy goods crossed the threshold of his mill and the more recent members admitted to Jones Mill Grange should be proud of the name.
The Grange has from time to time expressed itself freely concerning politi- eal matters, especially legislation that affected farmers. At one time it was thought money could be saved by operating a store and Delaware was selected as the point for such an establishment. Like all such organizations, however, the net results were not satisfactory.
It was quite the thing for years to hold the monthly meetings at the home of some of the members. The records show that the residences of S. M. Hoyt.
1
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH, MANCHESTER Since August, 1911, this church has been occupied by Jones Mill Grange.
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L. O. Stevens, Tom Prowse, Elmer Chase, C. W. Mead and others were places of meeting when the attendance was from twenty-five to forty, and a good time was always reported. In 1883 D. W. Jones was worthy master of the State Grange and in October 1896 the annual meeting of the State Grange was held at Manchester.
Instead of having passed out of existence, as many organizations do after forty-one years of service, the Jones Mill Grange has steadily grown in num- bers and interest. The membership is now about one hundred and forty and the average attendanee at the monthly meetings is at least one hundred.
A good piece of luck came to the Jones Mill Grange, when on the 5th of Angust, 1911, the trustees of the Universalist Church leased to the Grange their fine brick church that for several years had not been in use. The pews were removed from the audience room, making an ideal place for the business and social meetings. In the basement is a dining room and kitchen and here the ladies of the Grange serve an excellent dinner. The first Saturday of the month a committee of five to seven ladies is appointed by the worthy master to have charge of the dinner the following month. This committee meets, decides what each member shall furnish, and then the telephones are kept busy advising each lady what will be expected of her.
The business meeting and the initiating of new members is usually at 11 A. M., at 12.30 the big dinner and at 1.30 P. M. the entertainment pre- pared by the lecturer. The entertainments are varied but always interesting. For November, 1914, an Ohio program is being prepared. One member speaks of noted Ohio soldiers, another noted Ohio women, another noted Ohio farmers, and another noted Ohio statesmen. The program will be interspersed with vocal nmsie.
During the past year the young men of the Grange have organized a base- ball nine, and Saturday afternoons, when not too busy on the farms, they greatly enjoy the national game.
Jones Mill Grange is not only on the map, but it is a "live wire" and affords its members much pleasure.
The present officers are as follows :
Miss Eva Smith, worthy master.
Mrs. F. HI. Munson, overseer.
Mr. J. F. Merry, lecturer.
Mr. Miles Blair, steward.
Mr. Adelbert Mead, assistant steward.
Mrs. Adelbert Mead, lady assistant steward.
Mrs. C. H. Johnson, chaplain.
Mr. Henry Brown, treasurer.
Miss Clara Childs, secretary.
Mr. Will Hollister, gate keeper.
Mrs. Truman Smith, Ceres.
Mrs. Freeman Smith, Pomona.
Mrs. Jennie Dudley, Flora.
CHAPTER XXXVI
MANCHESTER EDUCATIONAL AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS
The first schools taught in this county were practically private ones, as the parents of pupils paid a stated amount of money for their tuition. First, a room, or part of a one-room cabin, was given over to the teacher and the children under her and this arrangement obtained, until time and means warranted the erection of a building for school purposes. Almost without any exception, the first schoolhouses were built of logs, and all the conveniences, if any, were in harmony with the ernde structure. As the settlers inereased in numbers and accumulated from the products of the farms sufficient funds, better buildings were put up. the law provided for free schools, districts were inaugurated, teachers were paid from a fund, raised by taxation, and in the villages and towns independent distriets were created.
Like sister counties all over the state. the County of Delaware is generously provided with schools, and good buildings for them. Each township has a generous share of these institutions of learning as the following show : Adams, 7 ; Bremen, 9: Coffin's Grove, 9; Colony, 8; Delaware, 5; Delhi, 7; Hazel Green, 9; Honey Creek, 10; Milo, 9; North Fork, 9: Oneida. 7; Prairie, 8; South Fork, 9: Union. 8. Rural independent districts have been established and named, to-wit : White Oak Grove, Colony Township: Fountain Spring. Harris, Mal- vern, Oak Grove. Pleasant Grove, Ridgeville, Spring Vale and Sunnyside, Elk Township : Butterfield, Compton. Fairplay. Forestville. Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Valley and Sheldon, Richland Township; and joint districts of Lowell and Edgewood. making 114 sub-districts in the county. And then, there are the town and village schools at Colesburg, Delaware, Delhi, Dundee. Earlville, Greeley. Hopkinton, Manchester and Ryan. Added to these must be the excel- lent parochial schools, of which there are several. of the Catholic and Lutheran people. It is not very strange to relate, when one considers the small wage tendered instructors in the schools, that the ratio of female teachers to males is preponderatively in favor of the women. There are but sixteen male teachers in all Delaware County; on the other hand, 216 females are employed. The average compensation per month for males is $82.18: females, $42.38. The great discrepancy between the two classes of instructors is largely accounted for in that the higher positions in the high and graded schools of the towns and villages are filled with men, who demand salaries that will, in a measure, be commensurate with their ability. The largest salary drawn by an instructor in the public schools of the county is $122.22 per month, paid the principal of the Hopkinton High School: Manchester pays her principal $108.89. The smallest wage is $26.67, received by the teacher assigned to the Harris School in Elk Township. There are 4,272 children on the school rolls of the county,
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each one of which costs the sum of $2.67 per month for mental pabulum. They have been provided with schoolhouses to the grand value of $172,545 and number 146. AApparatus installed in many of them eost approximately $13,615; books in their libraries total in number 11,968.
The first schoolhouse built in Manchester was a small frame, and stood on the site of the present handsome Butler Street School. This building was erected in 1856, the citizens of the place having voted at a school meeting, held on the 20th day of May, to build a schoolhouse by taxation. But the building was not paid for that way. Judge Dyer, founder of the town and a public- spirited man, prevailed in having the work done by subscription and gave $200 of the sum necessary out of his own poeket. The building was well worth its cost. Not only were the children given the rudiments of an education therein, but its homely walls often echoed the eloquent expounding of the gospel by a "circuit rider." or later the much prized resident preacher. Lyeenms, spelling schools, singing schools, political meetings and various entertainments obtained in the little brown building and for ten years it performed its duties satisfactorily to all comers.
Previous to the erection of the first school building, in the winter of 1855-6, Miss Eliza Sellens tanght a private, or subscription school, in an unfinished building belonging to A. R. Loomis, which stood near the corner of Fayette and Tama streets. School was opened in the winter of 1856-7 in the building pro- vided and John O. Burrington was the first pedagogne to be placed in charge as an instructor of Manchester's youths.
To meet increasing demands for more space and better facilities by the citizens of Manchester having families, the question of building a large school- house became a topic of importance as early as the year 1862. The situation needed immediate and careful consideration and to this end the electors of the City School Distriet passed upon the propriety and recommended the levying of a tax of 5 mills for building a schoolhouse. In furtherance of this purpose the board of directors, having been instructed to borrow a sum of money not to exceed $3.000. considered the purchase of "six lots" where the schoolhouse stood.
While these arrangements were perfecting, A. T. Loring and Joel Bailey, of the board, in November, 1864, procured additional rooms in the Methodist Church for the overflow pupils, who could not be accommodated at the school- house, agreeing to pay for them at the rate of $200 per year.
A committee of the board was appointed January 30, 1865, to "proenre a sufficient amount of rock to make seventy-five cord, with what has already been contraeted for. February 3d, it was ordered that the board proceed to erect the walls and enelose a building for school purposes principally after the plan of Mr. Dunham. February 20th, William Cattron, C. Paxson and J. Bailey were appointed a committee to purchase Lots 10, 13, 268, 269 and 270. of Mr. Ruggles. at a price not to exceed nine hundred and fifty dollars, and on the 30th the committee reported the purchase of the lots for $900. March 6. 1866, C. Paxson. A. T. Loring and E. R. Congar were appointed by the board to make a rongh estimate for a new schoolhouse to present to the electors on the second Monday."
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The proposition to build a schoolhouse and raise $10,000 therefor was placed before the electorate of Manchester, March 12, 1866, and the poll showed an almost unanimous vote in favor of the improvement. There were 171 votes east at this election and only three of them were on the wrong side. When the result was a fixed fact, there having been no anxiety on that point, the board, on the 26th day of March, appointed II. M. Congar, Charles Paxson and A. T. Loring a committee to secure and submit a plan for the school building. The committee reported on the 6th of April that the structure should be built of brick and three stories in height. H. M. Congar, A. F. Townsend and Charles Paxson were made the building committee and N. Ruggles, superintendent. Work on construction began on the 20th of July, 1866, and the building was completed in August, 1867.
The first brick school building erected in Manchester is still standing, although additions and other changes give it a different aspect from the original. It was dedicated with appropriate exercises, Angust 30, 1867, Rev. A. K. Johnson delivering the invocation. Music by a glee club, speeches and the report of the building committee followed. Judge A. S. Blair, in a short address, then delivered the keys of the building to Jonathan Piper, who had been elected principal, the first to be dignified with the title in Manchester. School opened in this building September 2, 1867. Beside the principal were R. Kissiek, assistant principal, Lo A. Borton, Elma R. Annis, Miss Stancliffe, Miss Clark and M. A. Loomis.
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