USA > Iowa > Delaware County > History of Delaware County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
Manchester continued to increase in population and by the year 1875 the school authorities again were at their wits end to devise means for the care and accommodation of the many children who needed providing for. The Butler Street School was not adegnate and, accordingly, the board awarded a contract for the construction of a frame building located north of the brick for $1,150. The building was put up and used for some time.
Some time in the '70s a two-story frame school building was erected on section 8. This school is in the school district but about one-quarter of a mile from the northern boundary of the corporate limits of Manchester.
The original high-school building was ereeted in 1890, and at a special election previously held, bonds to the amount of $8,000 were provided for the purpose by a majority vote of 123. Lots were purchased of Nixon Denton, constituting a whole block and situate between Liberty and Gay streets, for the site. In 1912 the building was enlarged and remodeled, at a cost of approximately thirty thousand dollars, and stands today one of the chief ornaments of the city.
The West Side School Building, a two-story frame, was erected in 1883, at an outlay of $1,078. School was opened there in the fall of that year and since then two instructors have been in attendance.
The brick building ou Butler Street, known as the Central School, was remodeled and enlarged by the addition of two wings in 1904-5, at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars.
In the year 1901, a frame building and two lots were purchased of John Hruby, corner of Tama and Howard Streets, and used by the kindergarten for some years. The little ones were then transferred to the Central School Build-
368
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
ing. The frame school building that stood on the grounds of the Central School was sold for $272.50, removed to another locality, and is now doing duty as a residence.
The high school has a corps of ten teachers, including the principal, Certain of the rooms are visited by a supervisor of music and an instructor in pemnan- ship. At the Central School are nine teachers: the West Side School has two. and the North Manchester School, which was erected in 1870, has two.
EARLY SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS INSTITUTES
By R. M. Marvin
I came to fowa with my father's family and located three miles west of Monticello, in April. 1855. The country was very new and was mostly a vast prairie, with small areas of timber along the stream, which was frequently found. The settlements were mostly confined to the prairie bordering the timber, or in the timber. We did not then expect to live to see the vast prairies settled up. Deer and wolves roamed at will over the plains and through the timber, unless some settler chaneed to try his flint lock or trusty rifle to bring them down. Wild turkeys were plentiful in the timber and frequently visited the cornfields for choice, delicious food. Rabbits, quails and grouse were in great abundance and were the principal meat food for many settlers during the winter. Grist mills were few and far distant, so that many farmers resorted to hand mills to grind corn into samp, which was used as a substitute for flour. partienlarly during the winters when the roads were almost impassable. Rattle- snakes were very common on the prairies and in the timber. It was not an uncommon occurrence for farmers to be bitten by them when gathering their grain or hay.
It was an every day occurrence to see a train of "prairie schooners" (emigrant wagons) slowly winding its way across the vast plains, going to some part of this new, growing country, which has become the great granary of the West.
In those early days schoolhouses were found in every settlement which skirted the timber. The "schoolhouse on the hill." or tucked away in some protected spot in the timber was always in evidence. These schoolhouses were also used for churches and Sunday school on Sundays, where there was usually a good attendance. Church buildings were unknown except in the large towns. which were few. Each school district was independent and had three directors who examined their teachers. The examinations were confined to the "three Rs" and spelling. If an applicant passed, he was told to go to work at an agreed salary. Teachers were expected to board around and build the fires. When a term of school was closed. the teacher was required to make a report of the attendance of each pupil to the secretary of the board, when he would receive an order for his pay, which he took to the president of the board for his signa- ture. Ile then was obliged to present it to the county treasurer and receive his money. The winter schools were usually taught by male teachers, and the summer schools by ladies. Wages for the winter term was from twenty to thirty dollars a month, and for summer from fifteen to twenty dollars per month.
369
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
During the winter months it was expected that spelling schools were part of the regular course of study and a necessity. Several districts would unite and make the rounds several times during the terms, to find who were the champion spellers of the several districts. This caused much strife between schools, and developed many excellent spellers.
In the fall of 1857 there was opened at Delhi, then the county seat, a school in one room of a dwelling house, which was known as "Delhi Academy." The room was about 12 by 16 feet. It was presided over by a Professor Gilmore. There were some twelve or fifteen students in attendance, of whom I was one. This was the first tuition school of its kind in this part of Iowa.
In the fall of 1858 the "Almoral Institute" was opened at Almoral. The boosters for this school were mostly from Vermont and they thought they could organize a school which would grow to become a great educational institution in Iowa. The first president and teacher was Rev. H. N. Gates. There were some thirty students enrolled for the first term.
Owing to a change in the law under the new Constitution framed by the constitutional convention in the winter of 1856-7, and adopted by the people at the regular election of August, 1857, the Reverend Gates was elected as the first county superintendent at the regular annual election in October, 1858. This compelled him to resign as teacher and the vacancy was filled by L. O. Stevens, who was also a singing school teacher and devoted part of his time in winter to teaching music in this and adjoining counties.
In the fall of 1859 "Bowen Collegiate Institute," now Lenox College, opened at Hopkinton, and has since continued. During the falls of 1861 and 1862, large numbers of the students of this institution enlisted and went into the army that our Union might live. The names of those who gave their lives for their country are inscribed on the monument now standing on the campus.
The new law enacted in the winter of 1857-8 provided for the election of a county superintendent, who should hold a county teachers' institute, examine teachers and issue teachers' certificates of first, second and third grades, visit schools, ete. Soon after Reverend Gates was elected county superintendent, in October, 1858, he held the first county teachers' institute and teachers' examina- tion at Delhi. There were some forty teachers in attendance, but a few less who took the examination, and only three first grade certificates were issued. I think I am the only person now living who attended this first teachers' insti. tute and took the first examination ever held in the county. During this institute a Teachers' Association was formed, which met during the winter at Delhi, Manchester and Hopkinton.
I attended the academy at Delhi in 1857. Some of the students there were Clem Bailey, Hattie Bailey. Anna Thorpe Chase, of Manchester: Garret L. Thorpe, Solon. Minerva and Sarah Benson, Alonzo Clark, Abner Dunham, Ursula Davis Ball. of Delaware. I also attended the Almoral Institute in the fall of 1858. The folowing were some of the students in attendance there: Juliette Colburn Long, Ruth Plummer, Sarah Lease Marvin, Sarah Cattron Baldwin, Lloyd Spear, Leonard Archer, Luther Davis, Arthur Strickland, now of Cedar Rapids, Joseph L. and Frank Kasson, Ed Baldwin and Abby Beach. I was also a student at Bowen Collegiate Institute during the falls of 1861 and 1862.
Vol. J -24
370
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
I tanght my first term of school in the winter of 1857-8, on Grove Creek, on the county line between this and Jones counties. The schoolhouse stood on the line and the boys were seated in one county and the girls in the other. This schoolhouse was near the residence (a log house) of Robert Wilson. Some of my pupils were Godfrey Dolly, now at Central City; Henry Wineh, Orlando Cross, Urial, James and Marion Squires, William and Thomas Waddock, Gilbert Springer, Lney Smith Pierce, now of Manchester, and Simon Kehoe.
During the winter of 1858-9 I taught at Greeley. The postoffice was then Plum Spring. It was named in an early day from a spring that was about three-fourths of a mile southwest of the town, which was the source of Plum Creek, that runs east of Earlville and so to the Maquoketa River near Hopkinton. During this winter there was a great fall of snow, which made the roads very diffienlt to travel. As this place was then on what was known as the great stage road from Dubuque to Fort Atkinson and the great Northwest, the stages passed here each day, and frequently several would pass during the day, loaded down with mail and passengers.
The enrollment of pupils that winter was forty-seven, of whom the following were a few of them : Thomas J. Armstrong. Marcellus, John and Newton Sargent, Imeretia Sargent Lull, Serene Sargent Vaughn, now of Marion; Lney Bellows Armstrong, now of Greeley; Maty Bellows, Marion Bellows, Emma Cattron Merry, late wife of Capt. J. F. Merry; Eva Cattron Rigby, now of Vicksburg, Mississippi; Lucy and Nellie Webb, Rachel Hatfield Peet, Sophronia Taylor Gillan, Lida Drybread Staehle, Mary Martindale Burbridge, Elijah and Frank Martindale, John Stubbins, Cornelia and Florence MeClure, Florence Hough, Hough, Emily Walton, Olivia Perry, William, Milton and Harvey Lough, Park Lough, Frank Correll and Henry Simson.
In the summer of 1862 I enlisted at the call of my country in Company II, Thirty-first Regiment Iowa Infantry, and served nearly three years. I was in the campaign of Arkansas Post, Arkansas, Vicksburg, Jackson, Lookout Moun- tain, Atlanta, march to the sea, Savannah and through the Carolinas.
In the winter of 1866-7 I taught at Almoral. Some of my pupils were: J. A. Strickland, now of Manchester; Samuel Way, Joseph and Charles Stevens, . Ezoa Stevens Hitchcock, Laura Stevens Kenyon, now of Los Angeles, California ; Sarah Stevens Adams, now of Omaha; Ella Cattron, of Earlville, and Ettat Cattron.
In the fall of 1868 I taught for a short time as a supply teacher in the Man- chester High School (third story). Professor Piper was the principal and Miss Hillis, a sister of Rev. Dwight Hillis of New York City, was assistant.
In the winters of 1867-8 and 1868-9 I tanght again at Greeley, which closed my work as a school teacher.
POSTOFFICE
The Legislature, on the 12th day of January, 1843, appointed Robert Green, Joel Bailey and O. A. Olmstead to "locate and mark a territorial road, com- meneing at Bennett's Mill, in Buchanan County, thence by the county seat (Delhi) of Delaware County, to intersect the road from Marion, Linn County,
371
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
to Dubuque, at or near Olmstead's Mill." on the north fork of the Maquoketa, where Rockville afterwards was founded. In the spring of 1845, a mail route was established on this road, from Dubuque to Quasqueton and Independence, and it was the mainly traveled thoroughfare from the Mississippi to the western settlements, until the railroad was built.
The first postoffice in Delaware County was established at Delhi, March 14, 1844, and Charles W. Hobbs was the first postmaster. "Uncle Billy" Smith was the first mail carrier and often trudged afoot, with a mail sack on his back, from Dubuque to Delhi. from which point settlers in the vicinity of Manchester got their letters. Mr. Hobbs kept the office at Penn's Grove, until he occupied his cabin near Delhi : but, as a matter of fact. the office could be found wherever this pioneer postmaster happened to be, as the mail brought to him once a week easily could be carried in his pocket.
The postoffice was established at Barrington (Manchester), April 8, 1856, and O. P. Reeves was appointed postmaster, the first person to have a house on the town site. and it is here he kept the office.
As in all towns not having sufficient "pull" to secure a federal building, the postoffice has been kept in a store room. That is the ease today. But facilities for handling mail have greatly increased. The pioneer was very much pleased when he could hear from the outside world, through the medium of "Unele Sam." once a week. and when mail came twice a week, then three times and finally every day, he was delighted. Now, the fast flying special mail trains bring to each city and town of the country, letters, newspapers, packages, and even articles of merchandise and produce of the farm, not only once a day. but, in many cases, several times. And that is not all. The large cities and the small cities have their free delivery of mail, which is brought to store, office, mill. manufactory and the home by carriers, appointed by the Federal Govern- ment for that purpose. And since the year of grace 1901, the farmer sits in his well appointed home and reads his mail and daily paper, brought to his door by the rural mail carrier, who makes a trip from the home office every day in the week. bar Sunday. The Government does not stop here in its care of its citizens. About two years ago the parcels post system was inaugurated and now anybody and everybody, from the merchant to the farmer, can use the mails for the transportation of small packages at a nominal sum, a great con- venienee indeed, and the saving to the people of millions in money yearly.
Manchester has not as yet a Government building, with the many modern improvements and conveniences sueh buildings afford for the handling and dis- tribution of the mails. But let the city continue to grow in its business relations with the Government, then soon will come the postoffice building, after au appropriation has been put through Congress by a persistent and strenuous representative of the people. Manchester is big enough now to have a postoffice building, if some of the lowa towns now enjoying that privilege are criterions and, no doubt, many are eagerly looking forward to the day when Manchester's ambition in this direction will have reached its full fruition.
It is now more than a half century since the first postmaster was appointed for the office at this place, but the number who since have held the responsible position is not many, considering the years. They all. however, performed their duties well and honorably. The names of the successors to the pioneer, O. P.
372
IHISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
Reeves, follow : S. R. Young. May 26. 1857; H. J. Brown, August 24, 1857; H. N. Cornish, October 17, 1861 : Edward Burnside, May 6, 1865: J. L. Noble, August 14. 1866; William C. Cawley, April 5, 1869: C. E. Bronson, April 25, 1885; George W. Dunham. January 8, 1890; B. J. Wellman, February 27, 1894 : Thomas W. Summersides, February 11. 1898 ; II. L. Rann, June 11, 1907.
FINANCIAL
November 18, 1907, the Delaware County State Bank celebrated its fortieth birthday and perfected its reorganization for the second time. It was estab- lished November 18, 1867, with J. S. Belknap as president; Charles Paxson, vice president ; and W. HI. Seeds, cashier. All these men have long sinee passed to their reward, but the influence of their lives abides and their memory is cherished.
The original incorporators were J. S. Belknap. Charles Paxson. H. M. Congar, W. II. Board. W. H. Seeds, E. R. Congar. George E. Toogood, Henry Acers, Charles Burnside, Thomas Toogood, William Cattron, Ray B. Griffin, E. N. Tomlinson. Lewis Paxson. N. Ruggles and Nixon Denton.
The bank conducted its business the first four years in a frame building which stood on the site of the present building on the east side of Franklin Street. near Main, built in 1872, and ocenpied on Christmas Day of that year. In November, 1887, the original charter of the bank expired and a reorganization was effected under the same management as at first, the direetors at that time being Henry Acers. G. B. Provost. J. U. Schelling. C. J. Seeds, E. O. Clemens. J. S. Belknap. Charles Paxson, W. C. Cawley and R. W. Tirrill.
When the bank was reorganized in November. 1907. the following officers were selected : President, C. W. Cawley ; vice president. R. W. Tirrill : cashier, Charles J. Seeds ; assistant cashier. C. W. Keagy. Francis B. Dunham had been bookkeeper since 1906. The directors were W. C. Cawley. R. W. Tirrill. E. P. Seeds, M. H. Williston, G. W. Dunham, Il. F. Arnold, Charles JJ. Seeds and C. W. Keagy. At this time it was decided to increase the capital stoek from $60,000 to $100.000.
The officers of the bank have not been changed in the last several years. The directorate, however, is made up as follows: William C. Cawley, R. W. Tirrill. J. F. Merry, Joseph Hutchinson, E. B. Stiles. C. W. Keagy. George W. Dunham, H. F. Arnold. and Charles J. Seeds. Capital stock, $100.000; surplus, $35,000; midivided profits, $16,000; deposits, $612,000.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
A. R. Loomis and son, Loring R., began banking at Manchester in January, 1883, conducting the affair as a private institution. Soon thereafter he erected a two-story brick building on the north side of Main Street, near Franklin, in which he conducted the business until January 17. 1890, when, with the follow- ing named persons he organized and incorporated the First National Bank : M. F. Le Roy, J. P. Le Roy, E. M. Carr. M. Beehler. II. A. Granger, J. D. Kennedy and Lewis Atwater.
373
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
The first officials were : President, A. R. Loomis; first vice president, Lewis Atwater ; second vice president, Max Beehler; cashier, M. F. Le Roy.
On the 17th day of March, 1896, A. R. Loomis sold his interests in the bank and retired therefrom, wherenpon .J. W. Miles was elected president in his stead. W. II. Norris became first vice president and R. R. Robinson, second vice president. On the Sth day of January. 1901, upon the retirement of Mr. Miles, M. F. Le Roy was elected president ; A. H. Blake, first vice president; II. C. Ilaeberle, second vice president : H. A. Granger, cashier; and H. A. von Oven. assistant cashier. Jannary 8, 1907. Hubert Carr was elected second vice president. Don A. Preussner and F. E. Dutton were appointed assistant cashiers January 14, . 1908, and on the 9th of January, 1912, A. R. Le Roy became the cashier. Mr. Le Roy remained in office until January 14, 1913, when Don A. Preussner succeeded to the position. At the same time A. R. Le Roy was elected active vice president. M. F. Le Roy died February 21, 1914, and was succeeded in the presidency by his son, A. R. Le Roy, March 11, 1914. The capital stock of this strong financial institution is $50,000; surplus. $19,000; deposits, $388,000.
In June, 1913, the First National bought a three-story briek business building, standing on the northeast corner of Main and Franklin, of Charles Thorpe, which they at once partially dismantled by taking off the upper story and rebuilding it. The whole structure was remodeled by giving it a new face of red rough brick and panellings of rough stucco, making it practically a new building, very attractive in appearance, and a great addition to the business center of the city. The interior finishing of the banking room on the first floor is modern in every particular and the improvement cost about thirty-five thon- sand dollars.
FARMERS AND MERCHANTS STATE SAVINGS BANK
The Farmers and Merchants State Savings Bank was organized as the State Savings Bank, December 23, 1901, with a paid-up capital of $25,000. The in- corporators were W. II. Norris. W. N. Wolcott, J. W. Miles, G. S. Amsden, L. Matthews, Burton Clark, A. A. Anderson, E. B. Stiles, A. S. Blair, W. W. Matthews, W. W. Matthews, Jr., and A. J. Brice. The institution began doing business in the Wolcott Building, April 2, 1902, where it remained until July, 1912, at which time it removed to its present home, a two-story brick building, erected in 1875, by Congar Brothers, for banking purposes. It is located on the east side of Franklin, near Main.
On the 11th day of March, 1912, the bank was reorganized and the name changed to its present title. The officials of the bank under its first name were : Lafayette Matthews, president ; J. W. Miles, vice president ; B. F. Miles, cashier.
At the time the name of the bank was changed, the capital stock was increased to $100,000, and the bank officials elected were: President, Burton Clark; first vice president, John F. Graham; second vice president, A. W. Maurer; cashier, F. E. Dutton ; assistant cashier, W. W. Matthews. The capital stock is $100,000; undivided profits, $10,000; deposits, $400,000.
374
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
THE SECURITY STATE BANK
The financial concern having the above title was granted a charter January 23, 1914. The incorporators were: A. W. Stearns, G. G. Cole, F. B. Wilson, Charles Roberts, F. W. Craig, W. B. Robinson, W. H. Norris and others. The officials chosen are : W. H. Norris, president ; A. W. Stearns, first vice president ; Charles Roberts, of Strawberry Point, second vice president; F. B. Wilson, of Greeley, eashier. The capital stock is $100,000.
The officials anticipate moving into their building, the present home of the First National, purchased by them, as soon as vacated, which they anticipate will be within a few weeks of this writing.
CARNEGIE PUBLIC LIBRARY
As the history of a nation is divided into periods, so the records of most events take similar form; thus this library of Manchester did not take its present form at a single bound ; there were small beginnings.
In the year 1867 a number of Manchester's citizens met and organized The Library Institute, but the records of the organization are lost. This collection comprised over two hundred volumes of standard works. About the year 1877 the collection of books was passed over to the school district for the benefit of the high school. That was one of the sources of the present library, having been presented in the year 1883, or 1884, to a kindred association.
At Manchester, in March, 1883, a meeting of ladies was called, to consider the matter of establishing a publie reading room that might be a stepping stone to a public library. A constitution was adopted; the name of the organization chosen was The Manchester Reading Room Association ; its object, the mainten- ance of a free publie reading room. Conditions of membership were : signing of the constitution and the payment of $1. Increase of membership and enter- tainments established a fund sufficient to furnish a room and secure reading matter that was soon increased by donations. The work progressed and in a few weeks the room was open to the public. This was in the spring of 1883. Just before the close of the year the association decided to confer with the city couneil in regard to organizing a free publie library, which resulted in the passing of an ordinance by the city council providing for the establishment and government of such library. The funds were to consist of the proceeds of an annual tax levied for its support.
In April, 1884, the library commenced loaning books, and in less than one year's time had 326 bound volumes, besides referenee books, and 247 volumes of bound and 165 of mubound publie doenments, and 498 volumes of magazines and periodicals. The reading room supplied twenty weekly and monthly papers and magazines. At that time there were 495 registered patrons of the library. These books were placed in the reading room, and the association assumed all the expenses of running the library in connection with the reading room for one year, in order that all the library funds might be expended in books. Time passed, the societies working in harmony. The city council, unobserved, taking notice of the success of this worthy institution, levied a tax. In 1885 a briek building was erected, and in the winter of that year both societies took posses-
LLLLL
PUBLIC LIBRARY, MANCHESTER
375
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
sion of the rooms assigned them by the council. This was a great day for Manchester, for the town had the nucleus of a library and a building of its own. The association assumed most of the running expenses for two years and continued furnishing papers and periodicals ; the Traveling Library of the Iowa Library Commission has been used since 1898 to augment the collection of books.
In 1894 the association offered to turn over all its property to the library (except piano). including the cash in hand amounting to $124.89, in considera- tion of the city authorities agreeing to keep the room open and in as good order as heretofore. This offer was accepted.
In 1902 Andrew Carnegie made the offer of $10,000 to build a library, with his usual provisions. This was accepted and the following building committee appointed to select a site and solicit funds: Rev. H. W. Tuttle, G. G. Pierce, L. Matthews, Judge A. S. Blair, W. D. Hoyt. In ten days $3,200 were raised, a site was chosen and preparations for the building followed. In March, 1903, The Free Public Library moved into its new quarters. Mrs. Jennie E. Jones was at the time librarian, having served ten years in that capacity. She con- tinned 31/2 years longer, when she resigned. Miss C. A. Wood succeeded to the position, serving efficiently for five years, when the present librarian, Miss Margaret A. Lindsay, was elected.
The library has had a steady and successful growth and has been loyally and generously supported by the public. In fact, the "library spirit" in the com- munity is nothing short of wonderful and deserves especial comment.
Donations of furniture, pictures, statuary and books have been abundant. A beautiful aquarium, the gift of a public-spirited townsman, adorns the lobby. Numerous entertainments, given by the young people of Manchester, have added materially toward supplying the needs of the library.
A few business men collected a fund of $30 to establish a "rent collection," and this was supplemented by a small donation from Chautauqua ladies. The fund supplies popular fiction at a small rental, and when replaced by later works, these books revert as a gift to the regular collection, supplying in this manner about twenty volumes a year. .
In 1912 a fine victrola with a library of the best records for the instrument were added by popular subscription, and since then a series of monthly enter- tainments during the winter seasons have been given in the andience room, under the auspices of the library board. These have proved helpful in stimu- lating a community interest, with the library as the center, and are educational. There have been occasional gifts of popular records also.
The reference room is particularly well equipped, taking into account the size of the library. The present value of the building, grounds and equipment, is conservatively estimated at $16,000. Total number of volumes in library, 6,201 ; government documents and pamphlets, 3,000; number of newspapers and periodicals currently received, 53; number of borrowers' cards, 1,485; total cirenlation during year, 15,000. The basis of library tax levy for the present year was raised to 33/4 mills on the dollar.
The members of the present board of trustees are as follows: G. G. Pierec, president ; Mrs. Carrie A. Stanger, sceretary ; Rev. Frank Moore, A. H. Blake, L. L. Matthews, Sr., Dr. E. G. Dittmer, Mrs. E. M. Carr, Mrs. Sarah Bradley and Miss Idell Miles. ++
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.