USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > History of Dubuque County, Iowa; being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest settlement to the present time > Part 47
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In 1897 and 1898 Dr. J. E. Maguire served as county physician. In April, 1898, the sixth annual session of the Tri-State Medical Society met here. Dr. George M. Staples died here in 1899. He was educated in Maine, came here in 1856 and served as surgeon of the Fourteenth Iowa Regiment.
In 1900 a new ordinance provided for a board of health, consist- ing of five members. They were chosen and at once took effective steps to correct many evils. In 1902 an epidemic of typhoid fever showed there was much yet to be done to prevent disease. It was difficult to learn the source of the fever-city water, or well water. or otherwise. This year also smallpox again appeared, but was soon banished by the health board. The Dental Club of Iowa began to hold sessions about this time. Dr. George A. Minges was presi- dent of the Dubuque Medical Society in 1904. In 1905 this society was reorganized under the new state constitution. The new officers were: George Minges, president ; James Alderson, vice-president ;
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
M. J. A. Muellen, second vice-president ; Anna Odell, secretary ; Lily Kinnier, treasurer; James R. Guthrie, librarian and delegate to the State Society ; John Hancock, I. S. Bigelow and A. H. Block- linger, trustees; J. R. Guthrie, John S. Lewis and J. H. Greene, censors.
The annual meeting of 1906 was interesting, instructive and largely attended. Many important papers were read. A clinic at Farley Hospital was an interesting feature. Among those present were: H. B. Gratiot, J. R. Guthrie, B. Michel, J. S. Lewis, E. R. Lewis, J. C. Hancock, Nancy Hill, George Minges, C. A. Snyder, I. S. Bigelow, J. H. Greene, C. H. Hamilton, Charles Lenehan, Mary Killeen, J. E. Bready, Dr. Myers, J. W. Heustis, W. L. Becker, Joseph Rowan, T. H. Hefferman, W. P. Slattery, F. W. Wieland, O. E. Haisch, Dr. Schrup, Dr. Pond and Dr. Linehan. Dr. Reynor, of Epworth, and C. A. Kearney, of Farley, were present.
Drs. W. P. Slattery, Mary Killeen and I. S. Bigelow were the committee on arrangements, and much of the success of the meet- ing was due to their efforts. The new officers were: I. S. Bigelow, president ; Mary Killeen, secretary ; Lily Kinnier, treasurer.
In 1906 an epidemic of grip afflicted the city. In June, 1907, the most notable array of physicians ever assembled in Dubuque met and the visitors were welcomed by Dr. William P. Slattery. Numerous papers on specialties and successes were read and dis- cussed. Finley Hospital was one of the centers of interest.
At the meeting of June, 1907, there were present : H. B. Gratiot, J. W. Heustis, J. I. Lewis, I. S. Bigelow, J. H. Greene, F. W. Wieland, Ben Michel, J. R. Guthrie, G. W. Minges, C. H. Ham- ilton, Nancy Hill, Dr. Hefferman, Dr. Cowan, J. F. McCarthy, Dr. Thompson, J. E. Costello, of Zwingle, and F. Reyner, of Epworth.
In 1908 the society endorsed the Visiting Nurses' Association. In March of this year it seemed as if half of the people were unwell with colds and grip at one time. Dr. Alphons Matthews, an old physician of Dubuque, passed away after an active and useful pro- fessional career. The Iowa State Association of Nurses held their annual meeting here in 1909. In May of this year the Iowa Medi- cal Woman's Association held a convention in this city. They made a severe attack on osteopathy. Dr. Allen Staples was president of the Dubuque Medical Society in 1909. Dr. C. M. Linehan was county physician. The resident physicians of Dubuque in 1909 were. as follows:
Adams, Omer G. W. Alderson, James Becker, William L. Bigelow, Isaac S. Blech, G. O. Blocklinger, A. H.
Boothby, J. M.
Bray, Nicholas
Bready, John E.
Brownson, John J.
Brownson, Orestes A.
Engelken, L. H.
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
Fowler, John W.
Lindsay, Samuel S.
Gratiot, H. B.
Loizeaux, Charles E.
Green, Joel H.
Maguire, John E.
Guthrie, James R.
Melhop, C. W.
Haisch, Otto E.
Merdanian, S. K.
Hamilton, C. H. Hancock, John C.
Michel, Bernard
Harris, R. R.
Minges, George
Hefferman, T. H.
Moes, Mathias J.
Heles, John B.
Nitzsche, Robert E.
Heustis, J. W.
Oaks, John F.
Hilger, Francis J.
Palen, Charles
Hill, Nancy M.
Pond, A. M.
Jackson, E. R.
Reinicke, Edward L.
Kempf, Otto
Rowan, Joseph J. J.
Keogh, J. V.
Schrup, Joseph H.
Killeen, Mary
Slattery, William P.
Kinnier, Lily
Snyder, Charles A.
Kinnier, William H.
Staples, G. Allen.
Langworthy, Henry G.
Sumpmann, H. A.
Lewis, Eugene R.
Walker, John M.
Lewis, John S.
Walker & Walker
Linehan, Charles M.
Wieland, Frank W.
Linehan, Mathias D.
Meyers, Frank W.
THE PROTESTANTS.
T r HE first Protestant sermon delivered in Dubuque was by Rev. A. Kent, a Methodist missionary, in August, 1833. The first house for religious worship in Dubuque was a Metho- dist chapel, erected in 1834. It was built of hewn logs and was 20x26 feet in size and was used as a church, school house and a court house for several years. The first preacher stationed here was Rev. N. S. Bastion, who was once missionary to Africa. He was soon succeeded by Rev. H. W. Reed. This old house, remod- eled and relocated, was still in existence just before the Civil War and was used as a dwelling. Its successor was the Centenary building, commenced in 1839 and named because built 100 years after Wesley's chapel. The Catfish and Cedar Grove churches, about two miles from town, were offshoots of this congregation. The latter was organized in 1852 and the church was dedicated the following year. A German Methodist church was organized in 1848 and worshiped in a house on Clay street.
Rev. Barton Randall, a Methodist clergyman, and Rev. John T. Mitchell, superintendent of missions of the Methodist church, vis- ited Dubuque in the summer of 1834, held a quarterly meeting and administered the sacrament. In the fall of 1834, Rev. Nicholas S. Bastion was appointed by the Methodist conference at a meeting hield at Mt. Carmel, Illinois, as the first regular "missionary to Du- buque mission, Dubuque Lead Mines, upper Mississippi river, Michigan Territory." Mr. Bastion remained a year at Dubuque, preaching on the Sabbath and teaching school during the week in the Methodist church building. Mr. Bastion, together with Wood- bury Massey, John Johnson, Mrs. Lockwood and others, continued the first Sabbath school in Iowa, it having been organized in 1834 by Rev. Mr. Randall. In the fall of 1835 Mr. Bastion transferred his school to a place about ten miles west of Dubuque. He was thus the first preacher and the first teacher in Dubuque county out- side the limits of Dubuque city and in all northern Iowa .- (Cor. E. & H., August 13, 1858.)
Dubuque, Iowa, May 1, 1835.
To Major T. C. Legate,
Agent Upper Mississippi Lead Mines.
The undersigned, on behalf of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church of Dubuque, hereby apply for permission to oc- cupy the square of ground on which said church is built, said
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
square having been laid off by a committee appointed by a meet- ing of the citizens of the place acting under the authority of the assistant superintendent of the United States Lead Mines for the purposes of church and school houses.
WOODBURY MASSEY,
One of the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Dubuque.
Authority is hereby given to occupy the land above described and for the purposes therein named. TH. C. LEGATE,
Galena, May 7, 1835. Major U. S. Army, Supt. Lead Mines.
"1834. Subscriptions for chapel for the Methodist Episcopal church in the town of Dubuque. Plan of the house, to be built of hewn logs, 20x26 feet in the clear, one story, ten feet high, lower and upper floors and shingled roof, walls painted with lime and sand, one batten door, four twenty-light and one twelve-light win- dows: cost estimated for completing in good style, $225. The above house is built for the Methodist Episcopal church, but when not occupied by said church shall be open for divine service by other Christian denominations and may be used for a common school at the discretion of the trustees. Woodbury Massey, John Johnson, William Hillery, Marcus Atchison and Orin Smith are the board of trustees who are authorized to receive subscriptions and control the interests of the said house for the uses above men- tioned."
"Received of the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church the sum of two hundred and fifty-five dollars in full for building a Methodist church in the town of Dubuque, agreeable to contract, this third day of September, 1834.
"P. SMITH "WILLIAM CLARK."
It was claimed that by verbal promises of the minister and mem- bers at the time the subscription was raised the uses were greatly extended, but the documents showed that the church authorities surrendered even more than was promised in the subscription state- ment.
"I understand that the building in this place, used by the county as a court and by the Methodists as a meeting house, was built by contribution and that it was designed by the contributors to be free to all sects of Christians without distinction. What are the facts in the case?"-(Inquirer in Iowa News, August 6, 1837.)
Among the subscribers to the Methodist church fund were the following :
:
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY'
J. Johnson
Walton Baker
H. Gilbert
Jacob Sloven
Samuel Walsh
Mrs. Jordan
E. Lockwood
George Peacock
G. W. Jordon
A. Morgan
J. Durall
L. Wheeler
Mr. Glockler
David Slater
J. Stoddard
Mr. Shun
John Smoker
G. S. Booth
Charles Miller
J. B. Webber
Louis Bleau
W. Massey
Wm. Mattox
N. Morgan
W. Hillery
J. L. Young
J. P. Cobb
M. L. Atchison
Mr. Hickey
A. Wilson
M. L. Prentice
Warner Lewis
Mr. Shadwick
John Levi
H. T. Camp
T. Whitesides
Simeon Clark
J. B. Stoddard
Baker & Cox (order )
Thomas Child
Paid in dishes
Mr. Fanning
Mr. Weggil
S. D. Green
Mr. Ragin
William Vaughan
H. Portzer
Mr. Weir
Caroline Boody
WV. Lockwood
Hardin Nowlin
L. Everett
P. O'Mara
Orin Smith
John Wharton
L. E. Jackson
J. B. Smith
"While we were engaged in building a log house Mr. Johnson, an old man who was much respected by the citizens of Dubuque and a Methodist, asked if we would subscribe something towards the building of a church which would also be used for a school- house. One of the young men said he would give one dollar towards building a gambling house, but nothing for a church. Mr. Johnson made a little speech as to the importance of such a build- ing in the community, whereupon the young man, after a pause, said, 'Well, old hoss, here's a dollar.' All the others gave from fifty cents to a dollar. I paid seventy-five cents-all the money I had. This was about the first of August, 1834. The first church quarrel that took place in Iowa occurred at Dubuque about Oc- tober 1, 1834. A Mormon elder arrived in town and it was noised around that he would not be permitted to preach in the log church. This created some excitement when a crowd of young men started with the Mormon to the church. It was dark, but a number of persons had already collected around the door, which was locked. One man forced his way through the crowd, stuck his bowie knife in the door and said, 'I helped to build this church and I'll be damned if it shan't be free to all denomina- tions.' Just then some person came forward and unlocked the door, when the room was soon filled with listeners to the Mor- mon's discourse."-(Eliphalet Price in Herald, July 13, 1865. )
"Another minister of the gospel is needed among us-one who can reason, preach and sing and enforce the fourth command- ment. The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few."- (l'isitor, May 11, 1836. )
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
"Mr. Editor: Permit me, through the medium of your paper, to advert to the happy effects which have resulted from the passage of our town ordinance in relation to the observance of the Sab- bath. It cannot fail of proving a source of high congratulation to every virtuous and well regulated mind when we contemplate the order and decorum which prevails in every part of our com- munity on Sunday, the total abstinence from all secular business, the silence and retirement that reigns throughout the place, and which are so characteristic of the day set apart for devotion and religious contemplation. The willingness with which the citizens of Dubuque acquiesced in the law passed by the trustees and the ready and prompt obedience they yielded to its requirements are worthy of all praise and evince their love of order and decency. The exertions, too, of the trustees thus to improve the moral as- pect of our town is not the least important of the many wholesome regulations they have adopted and entitle them to the continued re- spect and consideration of their fellow citizens."-(Osman, in Iowa Netes, September 30, 1837. The writer was supposed to be Dr. Timothy Mason. ) A Sunday school was organized by the ladies of this society in 1836. A singing school was also organized with Mr. Fales conductor.
The Methodists' quarterly meeting was held here in the M. E. chapel in January, 1839, and was conducted by Rev. Mr. Weed.
The Methodists of "Du Buque Station, Iowa Territory," as- sembled on December 9, 1839, for the purpose of making prepara- tions to celebrate the centenary of Methodism. Rev. Mr. Stewart was chosen chairman and James R. Goodrich secretary. A com- mittee of three was appointed to prepare for the event-R. Rogers, J. P. Farley and J. R. Goodrich. It was resolved that the funds raised on that occasion should be used in part toward the erection of a "House of worship for the Methodist Episcopal church, to be called the 'Wesleyan Centenary Church.'" It was resolved that amounts subscribed under $50 be payable in three months, and over $50 in three and six months. R. Rogers was made treasurer of the funds thus to be raised.
The cornerstone of the first Presbyterian church in Dubuque and in the state of Iowa was laid July 18, 1836, though no church society was organized until May 12, 1839. During the winter pre- vious to the laying of the corner stone, Rev. Cyrus Watson, a Presbyterian. preached in the Methodist church. But probably the first Presbyterian services held here were by Rev. Mr. Kent, pastor of a Presbyterian church in Galena. The Presbyterian society here was organized in the log meeting house, nineteen being the original membership. The first pastor was Rev. Z. R. Hawley, who re- mained sixteen months and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Townsend. Rev. J. C. Holbrook, the third pastor, began his labors here March 20, 1842. In December, 1844, the church adopted the Congrega-
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
tional form of government. The old house was abandoned, owing to a suit for debt. The next building was erected in 1846 and was greatly enlarged four years later. In 1857-8 a new house was erected at Locust and Tenth streets. Mr. E. Lockwood, one of the trustees, reported early in September, 1837, that he had paid out on the Presbyterian church $2,474.80, had received $1,330, and that there was still due him $1, 144.80. The church had remained in an unfinished condition a long time and now there was some complaint.
Among the subscribers to the Presbyterian church fund were the following men :
E. Lockwood
H. T. Camp
A. Levi Mr. Snodgrass
W. S. Gilman
R. D. Sherman
Swan & Webster
Leroy Jackson
Geo. L. Nightingale
Loring Wheeler W. N. Baker Thomas Cotten
F. K. O'Ferrall
F. Andross
Solomon Cotten
M. H. Prentice
G. D. Grafford
James R. Lott
L. J. Daniels H. Loomis
Isaac Lyon
Governor Dodge
G. W. Cummins
M. Dickinson
Augustus Coriell R. Rupert
Wm. S. Anderson
L. L. Hayden
Davis Gillilan John Smoker C. H. Gratiot
William Guery
E. Wooten
E. Mattox
Thomas C. Fassitt
S. Shepherd Timothy Mason William Allen
H. N. Sanford
J. E. Miller
Thomas R. Brazier
Daniel C. Boyle
Henry Becket
W. W. Chapman
Benjamin Hughes
Sam'l S. McMaster
Thomas McCraney
Samuel Hulett
J. M. Harrison
David Sleator
D. T. Blythe
and others
Robert C. Bourne
Charles Miller
A. LaGrave
John W. Markle
A. Cotee
C. H. Langworthy David Watson James Watson
Jolın O. Graham
H. H. Pease
William McDaniel
Benj. T. Massey
On Wednesday, July 18, 1836, the corner stone of the Presby- terian church was laid in Dubuque in the presence of Judge Dunn, chief justice of Wisconsin Territory. A procession marched to the building site where prayer was offered by Mr. Rupert and an ad- dress was delivered by Dr. Timothy Mason. In October, 1837, the following committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions to be used in completing the Presbyterian church: Warner Lewis, Thomas S. Wilson and John Plumbe, Jr.
In April, 1840, a Baptist congregation was organized in Du- buque and in the winter of 1841 a small house at Clay and Eighth was dedicated. Rev. Burton Carpenter became the first pastor in May. 1841. A new lot was bought in 1850 and a new church
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
was commenced in 1853. The basement was dedicated July 30, 1854, but the whole church was not dedicated until December 21, 1856.
An Episcopal church was organized in 1843, but languished and did little until 1844. Its house was consecrated April 19, 1851, and was located at Locust and Ninth. In November, 1851, Rev. R. D. Brooke took charge of the parish, though for some reason services were held in the court house. There were then twenty- five communicants.
A congregation of Christians was organized in Dubuque in 1844. They secured the house originally built by the old school Presbyterians. The first pastor was Rev. J. P. Lancaster.
The Baptist church at Dubuque was incorporated July 27, 1840. Among the first members were Benjamin Rupert, Amos Matthews, Jenks Dexter, Joseph T. Fales, Alexander D. Anderson, J. D. Graffort and their families. A Sunday school celebration was held July 4, 1840, in "the grove above the cemetery" (Jackson park). James Crawford was orator. Rev. Z. K. Hawley ad- dressed the children and Rev. J. J. Stewart addressed the parents. Rev. Washington Wilcox was a Methodist of this conference in 1841. On January 15, 1841, the Presbyterian church at Dubuque was incorporated by Henry L. Stout, John W. Finley, Isaac E. Norris, Lewis L. Wood, James H. Warren and Ezekiel Lockwood. In 1844 Rev. H. W. Reed was presiding elder of the Methodists; Rev. George B. Bowman, pastor of Dubuque; Rev. Joel B. Taylor and Rev. William W. Knight, pastors of Dubuque circuit and Delevan mission.
On August 30, 1843, the Rock River Conference of the Meth- odist church met in Dubuque.
On September 8, 1844, the Christian church at Dubuque was organized by the following individuals: R. O. Anderson, Mor- decai Mobley, P. R. Campbell, H. A. Henderson, Caroline Ander- son, Martha Campbell, Martha Mobley, Hannah Pierce, Elizabeth Graves and Thomas White. Irregular services were at first held; in 1845 they met in the stone Presbyterian church. It was not until 1877 that they occupied their new church at the corner of Locust and Ninth.
The Methodists completed their church at Cascade in 1844, but the society was organized three years before. The Congrega- tional church at Cascade was built in 1845, with Rev. E. B. Turner in charge. In 1871 the Episcopal church at Cascade was erected.
The ladies of the Protestant congregations of Dubuque united in 1847-8 to devise means to care for the sick and indigent. In 1847 a fair by the ladies of the Episcopal church, held in Emerson & Shields' new block, netted them $267 for their proposed church.
Rev. Mr. Holbrook lectured as well as preached in the Congre- gational church during the forties; one lecture was "Capital Pun-
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
ishment." He was one of the ablest clergymen here in early years. By 1847 the African Baptist Church society had been or- ganized and they were trying to raise means to build or secure a small building of their own. Rev. G. W. Woodward preached at the "stone church" in March, 1848, on which occasion he en- deavored to organize a Unitarian church.
The Dubuque County Bible society was organized in 1848 in Dubuque and branches were established at Epworth, Farley, Cas- cade. Dyersville and elsewhere at later dates.
The Methodist church at Dyersville was organized in 1849 and Rev. William Trick, Sr., preached the first sermon in the place. The first services were held in a house provided by James Dyer, Sr., and here also the first Sunday school was held. These services were held about a mile east of the present town. In 1854 a small church was built at Dewitt and Union streets. Rev. W. H. Reed of Dubuque, was presiding elder and came here to the quarterly meetings. Rev. S. A. Lee was pastor in 1856.
The ladies of the Episcopal church gave another fair late in 1848; they met in Peter Kiene's new building near the court house ; an admission fee of twenty cents was charged.
"I wish to notice a habit quite prevalent in this city. It is that of going to church for the purpose of taking a comfortable snooze during divine service. This miserable and sinful practice is quite fashionable and followed extensively by certain ladies and gentle- men, especially some who attend the Methodist and Congregational churches."-(Christian in Miners' Express, February 23, 1848.)
At the Methodist Episcopal conference in 1849, Rev. G. B. Bowman became presiding elder; Rev. J. Harris and Rev. L. Tay- lor, pastors of Dubuque ; Rev. S. Farlow, pastor of Dubuque cir- cuit ; Rev. J. T. Coleman, pastor at Cascade. Rev. G. Copway, a Chippeway chief, preached twice in the Methodist church in Sep- tember, 1849. The Congregationalists enlarged their church in 1849. The Dubuque County Bible society was in existence yet and doing good work.
The old school Presbyterian church was organized in 1850 and at first had about a dozen members. They came mostly from the Congregationalists and soon numbered twenty-one. Their church was erected in 1850-I at Main and Twelfth streets. Joshua Phelps, D. D., the first pastor was installed in 1853. The second (new school) Presbyterian church was organized in 1855 with seven- teen members. They first used a hall that was afterward occupied by the city council, but in June, 1856, completed their chapel at Ninth and Locust streets. Rev. J. H. Trowbridge was the first pastor and began his services in June, 1856. A small body of German Presbyterians worshiped at Iowa and Seventeenth streets under Rev. A. Van Vleit.
In 1849, the Methodist ministers for this county were Revs.
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
A. Young, P. E., J. G. Dimmitt, J. L. Kelley (at Catfish), J. T. Coleman (at Cascade). J. H. W. Hawkins, a famous temperance advocate from Baltimore, lectured on that subject in the Congre- gational church in October. Lincoln Clark was president of the county bible society. In November, 1850, the Dubuque County Temperance society held a big convention at Dubuque. The Iowa annual conference of the Methodist church met here in 1850; the assignments were: Dubuque district, Rev. Alcinus Young, P. E. ; Dubuque Station, Rev. William Hulbert: Catfish, Rev. Alpha J. Kynett; Cascade, J. G. Dimmitt and Isaac Newton; Dubuque cir- cuit, Rev. Joel B. Taylor.
The Sabbath school at Dyersville, on October 8, 1851, celebrated its second anniversary ; over 150 persons were present. Rev. Joel Taylor preached ; Revs. Isaac Newton and William Frich also spoke. There was singing, recitations by the children, and a sup- per. In a fair at the city hall, Dubuque, in 1851, the Methodist ladies made $140. In 1850 the Methodists began their new church. The Methodist camp ground was near Mr. Funston's,
In June, 1850, the ladies of the Congregational church gave a dinner which netted $80 toward a new residence for Rev. Mr. Holbrook.
The Methodist church at Epworth was organized in 1851 with Thomas G. Briggs and wife, Otis Briggs and wife, Alfred Garner and wife, A. H. Van Anda and wife, Joseph Smith and wife and others as members. The first services were held that year in a schoolhouse on the farm of Otis Briggs with Rev. Joel B. Taylor as pastor. Early in 1853 they built a small frame church at Center and Main at a cost of about $1,000, which was dedicated by Mr. Taylor in December of that year. At this time the member- ship was about twenty-five. In 1870-I their large brick church was built and dedicated in November, 1871, by Elder H. W. Reed; the pastors have been Taylor, Kelly, Reed, Haven, Cameron, Thompson, Ashbaugh, Miller, Isham, Bronson, Ruler, Laverty, Moore, Houghton, Hartsough, Platt, Ferris, Albrook, Swearingen and many others.
Zion Reformed church, on section 16, Cascade township, first held services in May. 1853. with Rev. F. C. Bauman in charge. Spring Valley schoolhouse was used. Regular services were not held until 1863, when Rev. Bauman permanently effected the or- ganization with twenty-three members. In September, 1867, the cornerstone of the brick church was laid and the building was duly dedicated in October, 1868, Rev. J. Riale officiating. Among the pastors have been Revs. Bauman, Rettig, Smith, Bouser and others.
Prairie Presbyterian church stands on Section II, Washington township; it is a frame structure, erected in 1863 ; among the orig- inal members in 1855, when the society was first organized, were John and Aliza A. F. Crew. Jessie and May Peirson, Alexander and
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