USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 65
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St. Charles Lodge, No. 141, A. F. & A. M. was organized Oct. 1, 1858, at Masonic Hall, on the site of the present express office, with a charter membership of fifteen. Their names were, Abner Root, E. B. C. Wright, S. W. Stanley, John Blunt, Thomas Simmons, H. C. Stinson, Robert G. Reiniger, G. G. Reiniger, Edwin Klinetop, H. C. Smith, D. W. Poindexter, A. L. Collins, C. H. Haskell, Seth Hungerford and I. M. Montgomery. Abner Root was appointed W. M., to open the lodge. The charter was issued June 8, 1859. The first officers elected under this charter were: S. W. Stanley, W. M; E. B. C. Wright, S. W; D. W. Poin- dexter, J. W ; E. P. Harrington, Treasurer ; A. L. Collins, Secre- tary ; R. G. Reiniger, S. D ; D. Gilbert, J. D ; Thomas Simmons, Tyler. The present membership is seventy-six. The present officers are : George R. May, W. M; W. M. Dennis, S. W ; J. L. Burnett, J. W ; W. G. Tripp, Treasurer ; W. W. Dennis, Secretary ; Charles Schroeder, S. D; A. H. Treat, J. D ; T. Simmons, Tyler. The lodge is in good condition financially. It meets at Masonic Hall on the Thursday on or before the full moon.
Excelsior Chapter, No. 51, Order of the Eastern Star .- This society has for its object the promotion of social intercourse, mutual assistance, and the exercise of charity and benevolence. It is in many respects similar to the Masonic fraternity, and is in fact. closely connected with that society. Its membership is confined to the wives, mothers and sisters of Masons. There are about fifteen chapters in Iowa, of which four are in Floyd County. They are located at Marble Rock, Rockford, Nora Springs and Charles City. The fourth annual convention of the Grand Chapter of Iowa was held at Charles City with this chapter May 10 and 11, 1881, which of course was an honor to the entertaining chapter. The conven- tion was held in due form, and there were/ twenty-five official, as well as several visiting delegates present.
Excelsior Chapter was organized June 18, 1878, at Masonic Hall. The meeting was called by Mrs. Jennie Mathews, of Rock-
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ford, who acted as presiding officer, and organized the chapter. The officers first chosen were as follows: Mrs. O. N. Williams, W. M .; Eugene B. Dyke, W. P .; Mrs. N. M. Miner, A. M .; Mrs. M. E. Reiniger, Treasurer; Mrs. M. T. Dennis, Secretary; Mrs. N. Lender, Conductress; Mrs. M. J. May, A. C .; Mrs. Julia A. Raymond, Warder; Mrs. P. F. Farnham, Adah; Mrs. Bina Wood, Ruth; Mrs. Fannie Smith, Esther; Mrs. J. A. Campbell, Martha; Miss Sne Harwood, Electa; Mrs. E. B. Dyke, Organist. There were in all about sixty charter mem- bers. Mrs. Williams was the Matron of the Chapter continu- ously until January, 1882, when Mrs. Eugene B. Dyke was elected to the office. The other officers at present are as follows: Eli Brownell, W. P .; Mrs. Ennice Mitchell, A. M .; Mrs. E T. Bort, Treasurer; Mrs. E. R. Spaulding, Secretary; Mrs. M. J. May, Con- ductress; Mrs. Josie Waller, A. C .; Mrs. M. Tripp, Adah; Mrs. Binah Wood, Ruth; Mrs. Emily Ducharm, Esther; Mrs. E. P. Crane, Martha; Mrs. Augusta Darby, Electa; E. B. Bort, Warder. There are now about sixty members. The chapter is financially even, and is prosperous in every way. It meets at Masonic Hall the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
Charles City Lodge, No. 158, A. O. U. W., was organized April 6, 1878, with thirty members. First officers were: P. M. W., J. E. Rich; M. W., P. W. Burr; Recorder, J. S. Bradley. Foreman, M. Martin; Overseer, C. E. Ferguson; Financier, Jacob Baier; Receiver, C. M. Ferguson. Present officers: P. M. W., Ira K. Lee; M. W .. P. W. Burr; Recorder, J. S. Bradley; Foreman, Wm. Gierman; Overseer, W. N. Fisher; Receiver, S. F. Farnham; Financier, L. M. Loper. Meets Friday nights of each week in the council-room. Present membership twenty-six.
Charles City Lodge, No. 4, I. O. G. T .- This society was organized April 28, 1859, by Deputy G. W. C. T. Detwiler, now G. W. C. T. of Kansas. The first principal officers were, I. W. Card (now of Mason City), W. C. T .; T. A. Hand, Secretary; Miss Mary Cheney, W. V. T. The society organized with a large membership, which soon reached the incredible number of over 300. During the war however, the interest died out and about 1864 the lodge disbanded. The meetings were held in Cheney & Brackett's Hall, now a part of the Union House. After the
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hall was enlarged it was called Union House Hall, or Gilbert's Hall. Some time afterward the lodge was revived, and after running for a time, disbanded again, about 1867 or 1868. Soon after this it organized a third time, by E. A. Teeling, and met for a long time in Odd Fellows' Hall. The officers were Mrs. Mary Hackley, James Jackson,, Silas Card, Miss Jennie C. Jack- son, E. P. Harrington, Samuel Hackley, T. A. Hand, Miss Emma Meacham, G. H. Whitehead, Mrs. L. A. Hildreth, A. B. F. Hildreth, Mrs. A. B. Smith. Mr. Teeling was called away on busi- ness for some time, and the society went down again. In Feb- ruary, 1880, it came to life once more, and now has a membership of seventy-six in good standing, meeting every Friday evening in Temperance Hall, which is in a one-story building on the east side of the park. The present officers are, E. A. Teeling, W. C. T .; Miss Goodlander, W. V. T .; C. C. Crosby, Secretary; Miriam Davidson, Treasurer; James Ferguson, Financial Secretary; H. Fisher, Chaplain; Harry Baltuff, Marshal.
The Grand Lodge of the I. O. G. T. of the State of Iowa is to meet in Charles City next year, 1883.
The Floyd County Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was organized April 2, 1880, at Charles City, Miss F. X. Miller, President, Mrs. E. C. Spaulding, Secretary, Mrs. E. A. Teeling, Treasurer. There was a vice-president in each township whose duty it was to urge the formation of auxiliary unions in places where there were none. There are now seven unions in the county, all doing much work for the temperance cause. The present officers of this organization are Mrs. J. C. Lockwood, President, Pleasant Grove; Mrs. Rebecca J. Wilson, Secretary, Charles City; Mrs. F. Stevens, Treasurer, Riverton.
Woman's Christain Temperance Union of Charles City .- This society was first organized in September, 1875. Its first offi- cers were: President, Mrs. William Hunter; Secretary, Mrs. B. F. Wright; Treasurer, Mrs. J. P. North. The object of this associ- ation is the suppression of the vice of intemperance with God's blessing. This union has helped to organize a large number of other sister unions throughout the county; and they have zealously labored for seven years for the elevation of man from the influence of intemperance. They now see some fruit of their labors-there not being now a saloon in the city. Present officers: President, Mrs. E. Aspinwall; Secretary, Ellen L. Slocum; Treasurer, Mrs. L. Hartsham.
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Grand Army of the Republic .- A post of this order was organ- ized in the fall of 1866, by E. A. Reiniger, Hon. R. G. Reiniger, T. H. Saxton, H. A. Humphrey, C. A. Slocum and C. W. Fletcher. Judge Reiniger was chosen Commander; Mr. Humphrey, Officer of the Day, and E. A. Reiniger, Lieutenant of the Guards. Regular meetings were held for a year or two, and occasional meetings for several years more.
Charles City Guards, Company FF, Sixth Regiment, I. N. G. -- This company was organized in September, 1877, as Company L, Sixth Regiment, with fifty members. The officers were: Captain, Jacob Baier; First Lieutenant, H. C. Baldwin; Second Lieutenant, H. F. Miles ; Sergeants, E. B. Dyke, G. R. May, M. Wilbur, L. F. Smith ; Corporals, Charles Kicherer, Wm. Gauge, A. H. Treat, E. J. Gilbert. The officers of the business organization were: President, P. W. Burr; Vice-President, S. F. Farnham; Secretary, W. L. Palmer ; Treasurer, A. R. Spriggs. During the coming winter, the militia law was changed, and Company L disbanded.
April 8, 1878, Company F was organized with sixty-three mem- bers, and the following officers were elected : Captain, E. B. Dyke ; First Lieutenant, J. L. Black ; Second Lieutenant, C. M. Ferguson ; First Sergeant, C. L. Dyke ; Duty Sergeants, C. B. Hamlin, Alexander R. Spriggs, E. A. Teeling, Oliver Toncha ; Corporals, Ed. Winne, Jr., Warren Drummond, A. D. Kellogg, E. Brubaker, E. E. Peterson, Geo. Collins, Arthur Stohl, Geo. McGregor. In the succeeding March (1879), Captain E. B. Dyke was elected Major of the Sixth Regiment, and First Sergeant C. L. Dyke succeeded him as Captain. In September of this year the company took part in the first regimental encampment at Osage, and became noted as " foragers, " especially in milking the prize cows on the fair grounds. At the prize drill Company F was awarded first money as the " best drilled and best disciplined com- pany in the regiment, " an honor which was well earned. The next year the regiment camped at Charles City. Lieut. C. M. Ferguson meantime had been commissioned as Regimental Quar termaster, and W. L. Palmer appointed Sergeant Major; Oliver Toncha, Color Sergeant; C. H. Hoard, Drum Major, and I. S. Large, Fife Major, quite an honorable list for one company.
In January, 1881, Captain Dyke having resigned, II. C. Bald- win was elected his successor; P. M. Wilbur and Chas. Snyder being Lieutenants. In August, 1881, a change again occurred, the commissioned officers resigning and C. L. Dyke again becom-
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ing Captain, Arthur Stohl and J. D. Fowler being his Lieutenants, The regiment this year camped at Des Moines, with the balance of the Second Brigade. In May, 1881, Lieut. Fowler resigned and E. E. Smith was elected to succeed him. The Second Brigade camped in June at Waterloo, and Company F acquitted itself with credit. The present officers of the company are : Captain, C. L. Dyke ; First Lieutenant, W. A. Stohl ; Second Lieutenant, E. E. Smith ; First Sergeant, A. G. Aldridge ; Duty Sergeants, Bartley Morgan, H. F. Murphy, Anson J. Leach, Erwin Perry ; Corporals, Abner Whitney, Wm. Goodrode, C. W. Collins, A. D. Kellogg.
Charles City Cemetery Association. - This association was first organized Dec. 29, 1857, for the purpose of purchasing and platting a piece of ground for the interment of the dead, and to superintend the sale of the lots. The first officers elected were: David Wiltse, President; J. G. Patterson, Sec- retary; John Muir, Treasurer; Abner Root, Harvey Kellogg and E. P. Harrington, Trustees. Walter M. Stuart, who had served as sexton for several years, was formally appointed sexton by this board. Subsequently the organization almost died out, until 1865, when a reorganization was effected, since which time the association has kept itself active. The annual meetings occur on the first Monday of January. The old organization purchased eighty acres-now the western part of the cemetery-for $340, to be paid for as the income from the sale of lots would warrant; but during its existence, which became merely nominal, there was no income, while about ninety interments were made. These inter- ments were irregular and unrecorded, so that eventually it required considerable trouble to identify and record them. Since 1865, Mr. V. W. Baker, the efficient Secretary, has kept a faithful record of the name of each person buried in the cemetery, the number of the lot, his or her age, nativity, cause of death, etc. For this pur- pose he surveyed the grounds and platted them as neatly as the art of surveying requires. His maps are beautiful.
Wm. N. Fisher, subsequently devoted a piece of his land, northeast of the first plat, to burial purposes, and more recently the association has purchased and added nearly two and a half acres northeast of that. On this a residence now stands, which is to be removed, while a lot is provided across the way eastward for a sexton's residence. A portion of the new
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grounds, including Mr. Fisher's, seems flat and wet, but it does hold standing water. The plan of the grounds, as surveyed, is very beautiful, and ere many years, when the walks are improved and the present designs for improvement carried out, it will equal any cemetery in the West in respect to tasteful appearance. For the purpose of so beautifying these grounds, the ladies of Charles City have formed an association, an account of which we next proceed to give.
The present officers of the Cemetery Association are: Joel W. Smith, President; Nathan Phillips, Treasurer; V. W. Baker, Sec- retary; Trustees: B. W. Stevens, George F. Boulton and E. A. Teeling.
The Catholic cemetery is a beautiful piece of ground of three or four acres, about a mile and a half southeast of the city on the Chickasaw road, northeast of the river.
We ought to state here that twenty-eight interments were made in the old burying ground, in the western portion of the city, from which all the remains have been removed to the new ceme- tery except those of Mrs. Crosby and child, an Irishman, name not given, and, possibly, one or two others. In early days, when it was undecided what ground should be permanently chosen for a cemetery, some desired the fine locality afterward occupied by Hon. Win. B. Fairfield, southeast of the city; and by some a lot near the present depot was talked of. In the mean time a few burials were made on private property.
The first burial in the new cemetery was that of John Wyman, who was drowned.
Ladies' Cemetery Improvement Association of Charles City .-- Pursuant to notice, a number of ladies and gentlemen met June 8, 1882, at the council room, to organize a ladies' cemetery im- provement association. Judge Reiniger was called to the Chair, and J. S. Bradley appointed Secretary. Committees were appointed for various purposes, and at the next meeting, June 15, a consti- tution and by-laws were adopted, and the following officers elected : Mrs. M. E. Reiniger, President; Mrs. Bradley and Mrs. Hering. Vice-Presidents; Mrs. M. E. Baker, Recording Secretary; Mrs. V. W. Baker, Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. E. M. Waller, Treas- urer: Executive Committee: A. B. Hildreth, B. W. Stevens, Mrs. R. Kellog, and Miss Amanda Waller. All the moneys which have so far been raised have been by subscription, and this has been liberal, nearly $200 having been contributed to their fund. Almost
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half this amount has been expended in cutting out walks pre- paratory to graveling. It is proposed to raise additional funds by public entertainments of some kind.
Relief Society .- On Thanksgiving day, 1871, a committee of eight women were appointed to take steps toward organizing a relief society. They met twice, adopted a constitution, and published an appeal to the citizens. The above committee comprised Mesdames Charles Slocum, T. Conway, D. H. Saxton, B. F. Wright, B. Mc- Donald, Schroeder, J. M. Stowe and L. S. Brown. This society has given public entertainments, and was favored with contribu- tions for the poor, to the great credit of the citizens. And now, annually, as this Puritanic festival comes round, the citizens as- semble in some hall or church, and appoint a committee to dis- tribute the offerings the more favored willingly give. Long may this be a custom of the generous and God-fearing men and women of this New England-like town, Charles City!
Charles City Fire Company .- This company was organized Dec. 14, 1881, and the following persons were duly elected its offi- cers: A. R. Sprague, President; D. Townsend, Vice-President; W. D. Burnham, Secretary and Treasurer. The company has both honorary and active members, the honorary paying $1 per year for the support and maintenance of the company, while the active members do all the work. The officers of the active company are: Foreman, Capt. H. C. Baldwin; First Assistant Foreman, P. M. Wil- bur; Second Assistant Foreman, Geo. Collins; Nozzleman, W. D. Burnham; Investigating Committee, Peter Rose, E. B. Perry and Joseph Dunster. There are about sixty honorary members and about thirty active members. Meetings are held the nights of the third Tuesday of every month. Officers are elected annually. This company has a chemical engine of about one hundred gal- lons' capacity, costing about $1,400. There is also a hook and Jadder apparatus which belongs to this company, consisting of com- · mon and adjustable ladders, ropes, buckets, etc. They are well pre- pared to do battle with the fiery element. They also have a good and comfortable engine-house, which is kept in good order. The engine-house and engine-keeper, who must be an active member, and who is appointed by the Common Council, is H. C. Hoard.
Oct. 5 a test was made of the new fire apparatus just purchased at Chicago. Several loads of dry-goods boxes, barrels, etc., and straw and shavings were piled up, and the whole thoroughly satu- rated with kerosine oil. The engine, already charged, was stationed
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about a hundred feet from this mass of combustibles. Fire was set to the latter, in a minute it was all ablaze, the hose was turned upon it, and in one minute more the flames were completely sub- dued. The machine holds one hundred gallons of water, is charged with carbonic-acid gas, and is always ready for use. It can be re- charged in three or four minutes.
Public Library .- As early as 1857 the establishment of a public library in this place was urged, and at times afterward the matter was brought up, until Nov. 11, 1871, when a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a library association under the laws of the State. J. G. Patterson, C. S. Otis and E. A. Teeling were ap- pointed a committee to draft articles of incorporation. It was pro- posed to raise $1,000 to commence with. An appeal was issued to the people, setting forth the advantages and importance of a public library. Nothing much, however, was effected until the spring of 1878, when a public reading-room was opened, and a small nucleus of a library established. The reading-room had a reasonable share of patronage for the first year, but very little was done toward enlarging the book collection. The expenses of this year were $500, leaving cash on hand $150. Efforts were now renewed for increasing the number of volumes in the library, with some de- gree of success.
There are now (September, 1882) nearly 500 volumes in the library, and the library-room is also kept open as a reading-room, from 10 A. M. to 12 M., from 1:30 to 5 p. M., and from 6 to 9:30 r. M., daily, except Sundays. The room is kept open for reading on Sun- days, 2:30 to 5:30 P. M.
The Librarian is Miss Nellie Kelly. Of the association the Directors are: A. B. F. Hildreth, W . D. Balch, S. F. Farnham, Bur- ritt Harwood, B. W. Stevens, J. W. Smith, Henry F. Miles, V. G. Barney, F. A. Roziene and Alexander R. Spriggs. The officers are: A. R. Spriggs, President; W. D. Balch, First Vice-President and Treasurer; H. F. Miles, Second Vice-President; S. F. Farn- ham, Corresponding Secretary; B. Harwood, Recording Secretary. Executive Committee: Messrs. Hildreth, Balch, Stevens and Barney.
The association publishes a neat little pamphlet, giving a list of books in the library and the rules and regulations.
Lyceum .- As early as Dec. 6, 1856, a lyceum, or debating club, was organized in Charles City, by the election of A. B. F. Hildreth, President; Sanford Harwood, Vice-President; T. D. Pooler, Sec-
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retary; and G. G. Reiniger, Treasurer. Constitution and by-laws were adopted and critics appointed. Meetings to be held weekly, at the school-house when that place should not be otherwise engaged.
In the beginning of the winter of 1859-'60, a similar society was organized and flourished during that and the succeeding win- ters. Lectures by parties from abroad were secured by this club. The lyceum was revived again Dec. 20, 1864. In 1866 an amateur dramatic club was organized, which continued until January 1, fol- lowing, when it suspended, as the churches essentially took away their line of work. A lyceum was organized Nov. 26, 1871, which flourished during the ensuing winter.
Anthenœum Society .- In April, 1881, a young men's debating club was organized in Charles City under this name, with J. S. Bradley for President; E. I. Angell, Vice-President; H. L. Spauld- ing, Secretary; B. F. Holcomb, Treasurer; Walter Stuart, Censor; S. B. Allison and E. E. Smith, Editors; E. I. Angell, A. McG. Huffman and J. A. Ferguson, Programme Committee. The society sat with closed doors, in the council rooms, Tuesday evenings. Honorary members were elected from time to time.
Gymnasium .- Under this name a society was organized some years ago for physical exercise; but it soon gave its funds in aid of a lecture association and died out.
Driving Park Association .- At a meeting of the signers to the call for an association of this kind at Charles City, held in the Union House parlors, June 21, 1882, A. R. Spriggs was elected Chairman and George R. May, Secretary, on temporary organiza- tion. The "Charles City Driving Park Association " was then organized by the election of the following officers for the ensuing year: J. S. Root, President; Morris Despres, Vice-President; S. F. Farnham, Treasurer, and R. D. Owens, Secretary. This meet- ing decided to have a trotting and running July 14 and 15, or the week following, and to give $1,500 in purses.
During the ensuing month (July) an exhibition was held at the Charles City fair-grounds, which was attended with much interest.
The Sportsman's Club of Charles City has had a rather preca- rious and desultory existence. The game has included everything from a painted glass ball to a wild buffalo; the sports have included all ranks; and the toggery varied from the coon-skin cap, fawn-skin jacket and buckskin breeches, with a flint-lock rifle, to the high-
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
toned uniformed team of pigeon shooters with the latest breach- loading Spencer's.
The organizations have varied as wide as the surroundings, and to do justice to them would require from the historian a wide field of investigation. As everything pertaining to Charles City must start with Uncle Joe Kelly, so inst sporting begin with 1850-'52 when he chased the deer, elk, and wild turkeys, over the present site of this city, killing ten elk near where the brewery now stands. William Flint and Dave Green killed two buffaloes just west of Flint during the same years. In the winter of 1856 there was a deep snow which crusted over and the people went out with clubs and dogs and slanghtered all the deer; Uncle Joe would not go. He said there was no " sport " in it. The dignity of a true hunter would not allow of such advantage of the game. In December, 1871, the first organization was effected, but the club did no acts entitling it to a name in history till its reorganization in 1878, with the following officers and members: L. Lender, Captain; W. D. Balch, President; A. M. Harrison, Secretary; A. G. Case Treasurer; E. C. Chapin, Jacob Baier, J. E. Owens, Directors; M. G. Tower, E. J. Fisher, S. Northcote, J. P. Taylor, C. M. Fer- guson, John Ferguson, Charles Kitcher, D. H. Saxton and C. L. Dyke.
Base Ball .- This fascinating art has been represented in Charles City, by a club which engaged in two or three contests with similar clubs elsewhere. It was strong and well managed, but died out the next year.
The Fresh Water Marines .- This club was organized in May, 1881, with a membership of nine. P. M. Wilbur is Admiral; Burt Harwood, Commodore; P. R. Guiwits, Captain; Fred Bar- ney, First Mate; Arthur Dennis, First Lieutenant and Gunner; C. DeTorrence, Ensign; H. A. Baltuff, Commissary; Arthur Mooney, Cook. Fred Barney removing from the city in the spring of 1882, Jo Clemens was elected First Mate in his stead. The object of the club is health and recreation. They established a camp on the Cedar River, four miles north of Charles City, named "Camp Wildwood, Home of the Fresh Water Marines."
In former times a number of small clubs and societies have en- joyed a short existence; as, the "Independent Society," in 1870- 71; the " Bantams " and the " Shanghais," the " Bachelors " club, etc. The latter was formed in 1871-'2, by twelve or thirteen bach-
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elors of Charles City, who had their annual reunions, suppers, etc., for about three years, when so many of them had slipped into the bridal noose that not a sufficient number were left even to man the board of officers.
Knights of Horatius .- This dramatic club was organized Dec. 9, 1876, by gentlemen exclusively, and flourished for about four years. Its officers had Latin titles, as Horatius Primus, Quæstor, Princeps, Cliens, etc. The first officers were: Myron Morrell, H. P .; C. E. Judd, N. C .; C. D. Torrence, Q. P. Other prominent members were Arthur W. Dennis, Harry A. Baltuff, F. E. Barney, Jos. Clemens, M. T. Billings, E. C. Hartshorn, W. R. Hurd, B. M. Cleveland, I. K. McAdams, B. Ferguson, etc. The club was formed for mutual improvement in literary and histrionic cu ure, and held their regular meetings at the office of J. Evans Owens.
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