USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 58
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486
HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
but one church (Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Grove) which has a complete record from its organization in 1839.
ST. LUCAS' GERMAN CHURCII
This church, situated on Fourteenth Street, corner of South Street, of which Rev. Karl Scheib is pastor, is in a flourishing condition. Rev. Scheib has been its pastor for many years and is much loved by the members of his congregation.
ZION GERMAN CHURCHI
This church, situate on North Fifth Street, Reverend Erdmann, pastor, is one of the German Lutheran churches in Burlington which had much to do in the awakening the spiritual life among its members and the German people of the city. The older residents of the city will remember Pastor Zimmerman, who minis- tered to the people for so many years. Rev. J. H. Erdman is its pastor at the present.
BETHANY CHURCII
The people composing this church purchased the building formerly known as Division Street M. E. Church, situated at the northwest corner of Division and Fifth Streets. This church has been one of the important factors in the religious life of its members. No organization could have been more fortunate in securing a pastor than this church in the Rev. Robert Neumann, a man of great scholarly attainments, and one who has the power of expressing his thoughts in the best of speech. In addition to the above he possesses a fine personal appearance. A man who is both loved and respected by the community at large.
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCHI
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church is situated at 115 South Central Ave- nue. The building which this church owns and its people occupy was built by the Congregationalists and was known at the time as "Olivet Church." When the Olivet Church ceased to exist, it passed into the possession of, I think, the Chris- tion Church people, and from them into the ownership of the Lutheran people. This church has been prosperous since its organization. Rev. S. M. Lesher is its present pastor.
MESSIAH EVANGELICAL
(Swedish )
We regret we cannot give a history of this church. The building situate at the corner of Smith and Adams streets is a beautiful structure after the Gothic style of architecture. It was among the first church organizations in the city. Has since its foundation had a wonderful growth and accomplished great good among the Swedish people of the city. It has been the pleasure of the writer to have been personally acquainted with many of its pastors. For learn- ing, purity and devotion to the work, the pastors of this church have not been excelled.
CHAPTER XXXII
YOUNG MEN'S AND YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS OF BURLINGTON
A little more than a decade had passed from the time Iowa became a state when there was organized in Burlington its first Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation. It appears to have been a voluntary association, as no record of its incorporation exists. It was organized in the year 1857. The following named persons were its officers: W. H. Backus was chosen president ; H. H. Hawley, vice president ; H. B. Spellman, corresponding secretary ; W. E. Adams, record- ing secretary : Jacob Gartner Laumann, treasurer.
The board of directors was composed of: J. Morton, John McCray, W. F. Baird, Richard Spencer, C. H. Wright, A. T. Williams, P. H. Smythe and A. Merritt.
None of the above named are alive at this time. They were enterprising and of the highest character of men. Mr. Backus was a merchant and member of the firm of Backus, Miller and McKitterick, which was engaged in the wholesale and retail crockery trade. H. H. Hawley was engaged in the sale of pianos and musical instruments. H. B. Spellman was superintendent of the gas works. His daughter, who recently departed this life, was the wife of John D. Rockefeller. J. Morton was a hardware merchant. W. F. Baird, the pastor of the Cumber- land Presbyterian Church. C. H. Wright, a merchant tailor. P. H. Smythe a young and rising attorney. J. G. Laumann, a merchant and subsequently won for himself an honored name as a soldier in the Civil war.
The rooms of the association were upstairs in Copp's Block, with entrance on Jefferson Street. This building is now known as Parsons Block, at the south- west corner of Third and Jefferson streets.
We do not know how long it continued to carry on its work.
The next Young Men's Christian Association formed in Burlington was a voluntary association, composed of fifteen or twenty young men, among whom was the writer, John Pierson, William Candy, Moses Dunn, Rev. Norton, Dr. R. C. Walker, Barney Scott and others whose names have passed out of memory. It was organized in 1867. It had its rooms in the second story of the building situate on the southeast corner of Main and Valley streets. It was largely a charitable association in that it did not devote its efforts to acquire a large mem- bership for their own improvement and social welfare as appears to be the object of Young Men's Christian Associations at present. At that time no hospitals existed in Burlington and the stranger who came within its gates and became sick, and was without means, needed looking after. This association made it its duty to look out for such cases. At that time a young man by the name of Nor-
487
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
ton who was attending the Burlington University, and who subsequently became a Baptist minister, was its secretary. The members contributed so much monthly for his employment. He was a deserving young man and one of the grandest men I have ever known. Was a great worker, intelligent, and his sympathy for the suffering had no bounds. Ile lived in his life the fullest measure of Chris- tian belief.
This association had donated to it the third floor of the building situate where is now located the Iowa State Savings Bank. The large room it fitted up tempo- rarily for a hospital. At no time did it have more than three patients. Dr. R. C. Walker was the physician in charge. Mr. Norton was on the lookout for any who was sick and needed assistance. There was but one death in the hospital. A young brick layer had come to the city and by some mischance fell from a scaffold and was seriously hurt. Mr. Norton heard of the accident and had him brought to the hospital. When he found that he was a member of the Catho- olic Church he had Barney Scott go for Father Donlan. The young man lingered for many months, but finally passed away in presence of Mr. Norton, Barney Scott and Father Donlan who administered to him the last rites of the church.
The present Young Men's Christian Association was incorporated March 22, 1879. Its officers were: W. E. Blake, president ; C. H. Whiting, corresponding secretary ; W. J. McClure, recording secretary ; J. L. Kelley, treasurer. Board of directors: W. J. Samson, H. J. Wakerly, Arthur Risser, J. H. Bremmerman, J. V. Bean, T. B. Snyder.
Its line of activity we understand is somewhat different from those which preceded it. The object of the present association is to induce young men to become members, furnishing them with a place where they can become acquainted and enjoy themselves in innocent amusements, where they can find a home, and their minds be taken away from the evils and snares which are laid to catch and lead astray young men.
In connection with it are held religious services to keep in tone the spiritual nature of its members. In other words, it is in the nature of a young men's moral and religious club.
We are given to understand its members do not consider it is one of their duties to visit the sick stranger who comes within the city's gates, that it is not altruistic in the sense "I am my brother's keeper in all instances." That its broth- erhood is limited to its membership, and the greater the membership the greater its good and influence. Taking this view, it cannot be said that its object is all of Christianity.
The association is a part of Christian endeavor to elevate and keep pure the young men who become members, and to exert a moral influence throughout the community in which it exists.
The association soon after its incorporation held its meeting at 419 Jefferson Street. From this location they were moved to No. 111 Main Street, and being there several years, the association took up its abode at the corner of Sixth and Jefferson streets. Hon. Horace Rand deeded to the association the ground on which the present building is located in 1895, the same being a donation to the association. Efforts were at once undertaken by its friends to raise the neces- sary sum of money with which to give it a permanent home. This was accom- plished in a short time.
ELLELLLLL
Y. W. C. A. BUILDING, BURLINGTON
PREF EL FFLEEF
Y. M. C. A. BUILDING, BURLINGTON
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
The cost of building and its furnishing was $85,000. The directory follows:
BASEMENT
Boiler room; swimming pool; locker rooms for boys, young men and business men, toilet room; bowling alley room; spectators' gallery to swimming pool ; modern locker system room; separate showers-for boys, 5; young men, 7; busi- ness men, 4.
FIRST FLOOR
Administration offices-Men's, boys' and physical. Men's division-Lobby, game room, reading room, check room, correspondence room, pocket pool and billiard room, gymnasium, auxiliary gymnasium and hand ball court. Boys' division-Lobby, game room, reading room, check room, physical director's offices, gymnasium, fireplace.
SECOND FLOOR
Six dormitory rooms ; class, club and assembly rooms ; ladies' auxiliary room ; kitchen, toilet rooms, storage and matron's rooms.
THIRD FLOOR
Twenty-two dormitory rooms; linen closets, toilet rooms.
MEMBERSIIIP
Men .427
Boys
30
Total 731
PRESENT OFFICERS
D. E. Hertzler, president ; Dr. J. N. Patterson, vice president ; G. W. Slingluff, secretary ; Milton A. Blaul, treasurer.
ADMINISTRATION OFFICERS
W. H. Debenham, general secretary ; Alf Mellor, assistant secretary ; Paul A. Lewis, physical director; W. G. Warr, boys' work director.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WV. E. Blake, Louis Blaul, Geo. C. Boesch, Geo. Bershee, Milton Blaul, N. L. McMullin, Jno. A. McCosh, W. W. Milligan, J. N. Patterson, E. G. Marquardt, D. W. Lunbeck, G. W. Slingluff, E. C. Noelke, Lee H. Morgan, A. J. Benner, D. E. Hertzler, R. W. Robinson, T. W. Riepe.
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
PRESIDENTS OF ASSOCIATION SINCE ITS ORGANIZATION
W. E. Blake, 1879-82: Thos. McCosh, 1882-84; J. L. Kelley, 1884-89; G. A. Miller, 1889-92; Elmer Sikes, 1892-99; S. T. Huebner, 1899-1902; Lee H. Mor- gan, 1902-11 ; D. E. Hertzler, 1911-15.
SECRETARIES SINCE ORGANIZATION
Fuller, Diffenbaugh, Egge, Barrett and Debenham.
It can be said without any disparagement to others connected with the asso- ciation, that through the active part taken by Mr. W. E. Blake, it received that impetus which has carried it to the success which it has attained.
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
There is nothing in a state, nation or city, which more clearly indicates the culture, intelligence, and moral condition of its people than the institutions established by them. No greater contest can be found than that which is continually going on between these forces whose tendency is to uplift men and women and those to drag them down; the good and base in human nature.
On the 11th day of November, 1901, Emma C. Schenck, Elizabeth Cassidy, Sarah Newman Roney, Edith E. Jordan, Kate M. Boden, H. A. Blackmar, R. Lelia Penrose, Clara B. Saunderson, Miriam Carey, Eugenia Hackley, Letitia Waite, and Susan E. Jaggar, all the most excellent of women, became asso- ciated as a corporate body under the name of "Young Women's Christian Asso- ciation of Burlington, Iowa." In the preamble to the articles of the association they declared they were actuated by a desire to stimulate interest in the religious development of young women of Burlington and vicinity, and to improve their intellectual, social and physical condition, and for this purpose became incor- porated.
The articles of the association created four classes of membership, active. associate, sustaining and life.
FIRST BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Emma C. Schenck, Dr. Elizabeth Cassidy, Sarah Roney, Elizabeth E. Jordan, Kate M. Boden. H. A. Blackmar. R. Lelia Penrose, Clara B. Saunderson, Miriam E. Carey, Eugenia Hackley and Letitia Waitc.
FIRST OFFICERS
Emma C. Schenck, president ; Elizabeth Cassidy, vice president ; Sarah Roncy, recording secretary; Elizabeth Jordan, corresponding secretary; Kate Boden, treasurer.
This association first occupied the building situate on the northwest corner of Fourth and Washington streets. The rooms of this building were furnished for the comfort and entertainment of the members of the organization and
HON. W. E. BLAKE
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
guests. Here it had its reading and rest rooms. For convenience, as well as a source of profit, the association in this same building carried on a cafeteria.
Several years after its organization it moved its location to the second story of what is known as the Grimes Building, situated at the northeast corner of Main and Valley streets. Its quarters at the latter place were larger and more commodious than in the first building occupied.
The ladies who first started the movement of this kind in Burlington deserve the greatest praise. The undertaking was a large one, and required great personal sacrifice on the part of those who first organized the association, and had it not been for the great moral force which they had, the desire to help young girls into a fuller and better life, they would not have undertaken this enterprise.
The organization which came into existence on the 11th of November, 1901, appears to have gone out of existence on March 5, 1913, because it was super- seded by a larger and stronger organization.
At the date last named, according to the
PREAMBLE
"We, Mrs. George H. Higbee, Mrs. J. L. Smith, Mrs. J. L. Waite, Miss Sarahı N. McCreery, Pearl Keehn, Anna Stewart, Flora M. Hood, Lucretia W. Bruen, Rachel Baldwin, Mrs. "C. H. Suber, Mrs. Ella Schramm, Mrs. E. S. Phelps and Nelle Bomaster, actuated by a desire to stimulate interest in the religious development of young women in the city and vicinity, and to improve their intellectual, social and physical condition by means of an association of young women, the signers hereof; each being citizens of Burlington, Iowa, do hereby adopt the following articles of association," etc.
The articles adopted provided that the management of the affairs of the association be by a board of directors, consisting of fifteen members, and until they were elected by the members the following named persons constitute the board: Mrs. George H. Higbee, Mrs. J. L. Waite, Mrs. J. L. Smith, Miss Sarah McCreery, Miss Pearl Keehn, Miss Leslie Pollock, Miss R. Baldwin, Mrs. W. E. Blake, Mrs. George Stewart, Mrs. McCullough, Mrs. R. G. Jones, Miss L. Bruen, Mrs. N. Cook, Mrs. N. R. Derby, Mrs. Bert Hood, Mrs. J. A. McCosh, Miss N. Bomaster, Mrs. W. G. Saunderson, Mrs. C. F. Schramm, Mrs E. S. Phelps, Mrs. O. H. Denise, Mrs. Charles Suber, Mrs. E. C. Gould, Mrs. E. P. Eastman, Mrs. J. J. Seerley, Miss Lelia Penrose.
FIRST OFFICERS
President, Mrs. George H. Higbee; first vice president, Mrs. J. L. Smith ; second vice president, Mrs. J. L. Waite; recording secretary, Miss Sarah McCreery ; corresponding secretary, Miss Pearl Keehn; treasurer, Miss Leslie Pollock.
The first organization became merged into the later and larger organization.
The association now occupies the beautiful building situate on the west side of Fourth Street between Washington and Columbia streets. This magnifi- cent structure is the gift of Col. and Mrs. George H. Higbee, to the associa- tion, for its sole use so long as it shall continue to exist. Mrs. Higbee has been the president of the association since its organization in 1913.
CHAPTER XXXIN
FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF BURLINGTON
The foundation of the Public Library of Burlington was laid in the enlight- ened generosity of Senator Grimes. In the autumn of 1867 before his departure for Washington he told some of his friends that he hoped to assist in the founding of a free public library for' Burlington people. January 20, 1868, he wrote to Hon. H. W. Starr (his former law partner) "If the citizens of Bur- lington will form a library association, by whatever name, or in whatever man- ner they choose, so that it shall practically be a free library, and give assurance that it will always be maintained as such, I will place in the hands of a gentle- man competent for the task, the sum of $5,000 with which to purchase such books as shall form a nucleus for a permanent library. I do not wish to designate the trustees, I only hope they will be worthy gentlemen who will take an interest." February 22, 1868, an association was formed of 300 citizens who each took stock amounting to $io for the support of the institution. March 6, 1868, Mr. Grimes wrote again to Mr. Starr: "Mr. Spofford, the librarian of Congress and a noted bibliopolist is making out for me a catalogue of books to cost $5,000. Money from another source must be raised for the necessary furniture, etc., and to keep the property forever insured. If money can be raised to put Marion Hall in complete order I should be in favor of buying it." Mr. Grimes' original gift was $5,204.25 expended in the purchase of 2,104 volumes mostly standard and of good editions, for that time. Subse- quently he sent from Europe 256 volumes in the German language. He also contributed 600 Congressional Records covering the time of his public career. On the 7th of March, 1868, was held the first meeting of the stockholders and the following gentlemen were chosen the first trustees: Chas. H. Phelps, John J. Owens, Philip Harvey for one year: James Putman, William Salter, John White for two years; W. B. Chamberlain, J. S. Schramm and Jas. P'easley for three years. Doctor Chamberlain was the first president of the board and Doctor Harvey the secretary. The first home of the library was in the second story of the "new Barhydt Block," corner of Main and Valley streets, now the Delano Hotel. Downstairs was located the postoffice. The room occupied by the library was 40 by 60 feet and without facilities for heating or lighting. For these somewhat narrow quarters the board paid $400 per year and leased the same for five years. Dr. W. B. Chamberlain was the first librarian. His salary was fixed at the munificent sum of $250 per year. The library opened in the autumn of 1868 and soon it was announced that subscribers of $4 per year were welcomed to the privileges of library books and reading room. August 19, 1869, Doctor Chamberlain resigned and Mrs. A. M. Morgan
492
PHILIP M. CRAPO
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
(the widow of Captain Morgan of Morgan's Mounted Volunteers, mentioned elsewhere in this book) was elected librarian. At this meeting Rev. J. B. Fuller was elected a trustee and also secretary of the board. For several years this gentleman served in both capacities. A very great lover of books, conscientious as to the performance of duty, he was an ideal trustee. His records are models of neatness, so beautifully written it is a pleasure to read them. When very young he began preaching and attracted much attention for his pulpit oratory, for the finish of his sermons, and his fine English. He became pastor of the First Baptist Church of Burlington. A few years after dissensions arose in the church upon the subject of amusements. The congregation divided and Walnut Street Church was built by those who could not or would not dance. Mr. Fuller became its pastor. During this time he became a tower of strength for the struggling little library. Very soon began the familiar ery "What must we do for money?" Soon the trustees began to find that a library is an expensive luxury. Owing to an unfortunate misunderstanding some of the stockholders refused to pay the tax on their stock. Subscribers did not materialize as the trustees hoped, and there began dark days even then and the secretary began talking of the "stringency of the times." November 8, 1869 the first catalogue was published, Doctor Salter and Mr. Fuller being the committee to prepare the same. Mrs. Morgan's report for 1869 shows 4,092 books on the shelves. But in 1872 there were 5,302 volumes and a circulation of 8,098, and the trustees congratulated themselves upon this increased prosperity and the widening influ- ence of the new institution. During the month of October, 1873, the library was moved to the third floor of Parsons Block, south side of Jefferson Street, into apartments consisting of one room 60 by 20 feet with a small room adjoining overlooking Third Street. This must have been a "Saturday's flitting" for the "sitting" here was only two years .. The librarian reports in 1874 only 5,340 volumes owned by the library, but an increased circulation. At the annual meeting in January, 1875, the board elected J. B. Fuller librarian, Mrs. Morgan having resigned. In 1875, total circulation was 8,509. In 1876 the library was removed to the Jones Building, corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets, occupying the whole of the second floor except a small room reserved by Mr. Jones for an office. These rooms are now occupied by Doctor Leipsiger. The secretary congratulated the board upon the beautiful and commodious quarters made possible by the gift from thirty-two public spirited citizens who subscribed $625 per annum for five years, thus guaranteeing the rent, and giving a new lease on the life of the little library.
The librarian's report for 1876 shows a circulation of 8,844. The financial condition of the library, never flourishing, was going from bad to worse, "suffer- ing the general depression of the times" to quote the secretary, yet during all these years of "storm and stress" for the little institution, the better people of Burlington were unswerving in their loyalty. Gifts of money and books, concerts and entertainments of various kinds were given for its benefit, but these were only postponing the inevitable hour of dissolution. At last the trustees decided to ask the help of the ladies in soliciting funds and appointed Mrs. C. E. Perkins, Mrs. B. J. Hall, Mrs. Delahaye, Mrs. William Garrett, Mrs. L. H. Dalhof as a committee. The secretary was instructed to send a copy of this action of the trustees to each of the above, endorsed by the president and
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY
secretary. In the meanwhile Mr. Fuller had resigned his triple honors of trustee, secretary and librarian. The ladies came before the board and accepted the honors thrust upon them, provided Mr. Fuller could be induced to remain. All this would seem amusing were not the conditions so desperate. Jan- uary 8, 1883, W. E. Burke was elected librarian and secretary. The question for discussion in the trustees' meetings seems for the next year to be "how can we raise money to buy books, to pay debts, to keep the library open?" Mr. Burke reports for the year 1883, 6,387 books, circulation 6,995 and the beginning of a juvenile department in June, 1883, by the purchase of a few books for the little ones. At the annual meeting in 1884, after careful consideration, failure seemed inevitable and the preliminary measures were taken to wind up the affairs of the library. The librarian was instructed to call in all outstanding books and to take no more subscriptions for a longer time than a few months. Mr. Baldwin proposed the following amendment to the constitution :
ARTICLE VI
Section I. The trustees shall have authority to transfer the property of the association to the City of Burlington for use in a free public library provided said city by vote of the people at the municipal election in the year 1885 shall accept the benefit of the provisions of section 461 of the Code of Iowa. This resolution was adopted by all the stockholders, voting in the affirmative. The acting president; of the trustee board, Mr. Lane, then appointed Doctor Salter, T. W. Barhydt and W. W. Baldwin a committee to present this action to the city council. But a debt of $981 reported by the library treasurer would have wrecked the plan, had not at this time come forward a man whose name will forever be associated with the library of Burlington-P. M. Crapo. Mr. Crapo headed a subscription with a liberal contribution and by his own effort soon collected the sum and paid the debt. The people voted unanimously to accept the trust and Burlington at last had a free public library, such as Sen- ator Grimes hoped for.
In looking over the list of trustees of long ago we find the names of many who were prominent in the affairs of the little town, many to whom we owe much for Burlington's prosperity today. They all fully answer to Mr. Grimes' first qualification for a library trustee. "Honorable gentlemen" they were. But alas! for the second qualification "those who will take an interest." We find very often in the annals of those years the very familiar "no quorum" of later times, and several times the exasperated faithful ones gave to the secretary the pleasant task of writing to the delinquent trustees that if business so inter- fered with their library' duties their places could be filled with someone not so busy. During these years Doctor Chamberlain, J. S. Schramm, C. E. Perkins were the presidents, Philip Harvey, J. B. Fuller, R. M. Greem, J. W. Blythe were secretaries, J. C. Peasley, Geo. Lauman were treasurers. The boards of trustees were composed of such men as Thomas Hedge, C. P. Squires, Wesley Jones, J. G. Foote, E. Hageman, William Salter, J. L. Remey, W. W. Baldwin, A. A. Perkins, T. W. Barhydt, L. H. Dalhof. Among these were two who surely "took an interest," Doctor Salter and Mr. Hageman. The latter a man of large interest, a busy man who always found time for board meetings and other
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