USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 24
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located in West Fort Dodge, was organized and a church structure erected the same year. Rev. C. E. Leitzell is the present pastor and also has charge of the Epworth Methodist church, situated at the corner of Eleventh avenue south and Twenty-first street.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE
The Christian Science society was formed from the membership of several classes which were taught by Mrs. Mary Philbrick, C. D. S., during the summer of 1888. Mrs. Philbrick was a student of Mary Baker Eddy. For a number of years the society met in various rooms and halls. For a time they met in the Mason block, later they purchased the property of the German Methodist society on the corner of Twelfth street and First avenue north, which constitutes their present church building.
FIRST GERMAN METHODIST CHURCHI
The First German Methodist Episcopal society was organized in 1873. At the first services were held in private homes and halls. In 1879 a lot was pur- chased, and a church built on the corner of First avenue north and Twelfth street, which was afterward sold to the Christian Science church. At the present time the church has no organization in Fort Dodge.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH
The German Evangelical church was organized in 1864, by Rev. J. Keiper. Previous to this, Rev. H. Hinze, and Rev. H. Kleinsorge had held meetings dur- ing the years 1861-62. In 1867, under the pastorate of Rev. A. Stoebe, a small brick church was built on First avenue north, between Tenth and Eleventh streets. This church was subsequently torn down and the congregation built their present structure in 1902. Among those who have served the church as pastors are: Rev. H. Hinze, Rev. H. Logeschultze, Rev. H. Kleinsorge, Rev. J. Keiper, Rev. A. Stoebe, Rev. H. Brauer, Rev. L. Bauerfeind, Rev. August Goetze. The present pastor is Rev. J. D. Klooz.
ST. PAUL'S GERMAN LUTHIERAN CHURCH
St. Paul's German Lutheran church was organized by the Rev. F. Fikensher in 1860, with a membership of seven families. The first German sermon was preached at the home of Mr. Lenhart Fessel, on First avenue south. In 1864, under the leadership of Rev. Godfrey Endres, a stone church was built in which the congregation worshiped for twenty years. The present church, on the corner of Fourth avenue south and Thirteenth street, was dedicated in 1886. The Sunday school was organized in 1863. The pastors have been Rev. F. Fikensher, Rev. Godfrey Endres, Rev. J. L. Craemer, Rev. Ernest Zuerrer, and Rev. Mar- tin J. Von der Au, who has served since 1909.
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ST. OLAF'S NORWEGIAN CHURCH
St. Olaf's Norwegian Lutheran church was organized September 22, 1891, by Rev. B. K. Berkeland, with a membership of twenty. For three years services were held in the Swedish Lutheran church. During the summer of 1893, a movement was started for raising funds to build a new church, and plans were drawn and accepted. In September of the same year the foundation was laid. The church was finished and dedicated the last Sunday in October, 1894. The present pastor is Rev. P. C. Danielson.
SWEDISH MISSION CHURCH
The Swedish Mission church is located on Avenue "B" between "K" and "L" streets in West Fort Dodge. It was organized in 1901. The present pastor is Rev. C. J. Andrews.
FIRST SWEDISH LUTHERAN CHURCH
May 31, 1870, a party consisting of Carl J. Johnson, Lars Sandquist, Peter Olofson, Christian Petterson, Magnus Hof, Carl J. Petterson, Carl O. Peterson, August Nelson, Anders Anderson, Isaac Swanson, John Johnson, John Peter Anderson, Carl Alfred Haf, Olof Berg, Christian Person, and Olof Olof- son met at the home of August Nelson in West Ft. Dodge and organized a Swe- dish Lutheran church. Rev. Hokan Olson was chosen chairman of the meeting and August Nelson, secretary. Gustaf Alstrand, while one of the promoters of the organization was not present, but was elected a trustee at this meeting. It was decided to affiliate with the Augustana Synod of America. Deacons and trustees were elected, and the treasurer was instructed to raise funds and secure a building site.
Of those who first met to organize the church only three are living today, namely. C. O. Peterson, residing at 214 Second avenue south ; August Nelson of Dayton, Iowa, and Gustaf Alstrand, residing at 220 "I" street.
September 28, 1870, a constitution and by-laws were adopted. Services were held whenever possible, sometimes at the homes of the members, and also in the old brick schoolhouse that stood on Second avenue south between Seventh and Eighth streets. Services were often held in the German Lutheran church, that was located on Third avenue south between Fifth and Sixth streets. This build- ing was built of gypsum stone.
In December, 1870, HIon. John F. Duncombe presented the church with two lots located on the banks of the Des Moines river on "J" street. In 1873 a church was built. It was twenty-four feet by thirty-four feet on the ground and four- teen feet in height. The church was dedicated by the Rev. Hokan Olson.
In 1874 Rev. A. Philgren was called to serve as pastor of this and the church at Manson, Iowa. A parsonage was built in 1875 or 1876. The church was incor- porated in the early seventies, but was reincorporated in 1878. A call was extended to Rev. C. L. Beckstrom to become a minister for the church. Rev. Beckstrom remained eleven years, serving this congregation two-thirds of the time. The balance of the time was given to his charge at Callender, Iowa.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH, FORT DODGE Built in 1868, on First Avenue North between Tenth and Eleventh Streets
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH, FORT DODGE Dedicated January 1, 1883
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
, LENOX AND "I FOUND T'ONS.
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
In 1894 Rev. Kris Rosental was called to serve the congregation as pastor. Prior to the calling of Rev. Rosenthal the congregation suffered from lack of funds, on account of having a small membership and most of these in very modest circumstances. During the years 1864 to 1897 there was a goodly increase in membership. At this time, however, there arose a division of the church, a few members favoring the acquiring of property on the east side of the Des Moines river for the purpose of erecting a church, while the majority favored remaining on the west side. This division had a bad effect upon the congregation, as it kept the members in a constant state of agitation and gave rise to many an unpleasant situation. However, this movement failed in its purpose, although the congrega- tion suffered the loss of several members on its account. It also kept many away, who would otherwise undoubtedly have joined.
Rev. N. T. Tuleen became pastor in 1898. In 1900, the church received all the property belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Swan Peterson, upon the death of Mr. Peterson. A window in the present church building is dedicated to their mem- ory. The money realized from the sale of this property was used to pay a small debt and the balance, about $400.00, was the beginning of a church building fund. Rev. C. S. Renius was elected pastor in 1901, and Rev. J. A. Borgstrom in 1903.
March 15, 1904, it was decided to begin the building of a church, on a lot. which had been purchased for that purpose on the corner of Avenue "C" and "J" street. Gust Alstrand, William Larson, L. J. Alstrand, P. J. Swanson, Elmer H. Swanson, Ole Rosen, Gust A. Olson, John Nelson, and August Pehrsson, were appointed a building committee. On July 19. 1904, the president of the Iowa Conference, Rev. A. Norrbon, laid the cornerstone of the new church.
Work on the new church progressed nicely and it was finished in 1905, and was dedicated November 12, 1905, by Rev. Norbon. The first marriage ceremony in the new church was performed September 27. 1905, when Luther J. Alstrand and Selma Pehrsson were married. The first burial service was over the remains of Mrs. Charlotte Vieg, one of the pioneers of Webster county.
August 2, 1906, Rev. J. A. Mattson was elected as pastor of the church. He was followed by Dr. Emil Lund August 31, 1910.
The church celebrated its fortieth anniversary June 26, 1910.
During the year 1911, the congregation erected a new parsonage at a cost of about $4,000.00. Since the year 1903, the church has made its greatest gains, many have been admitted to membership and the progress made along financial lines has been truly remarkable. A Sunday school was organized about 1882. The Ladies Aid Society counts its existence from a much earlier period. The Young Peoples Society was organized about 1893, by Rev. A. Gunberg. The Busy Bee Society was organized by Mrs. Gust Alstrand about 1898. These societies are of inestimable value in the work. The writer has avoided as much as possible special mention of any particular person connected with the work, as in order to do justice to the splendid workers, and the sacrifices which they made, it would make a volume in itself. However, the reader will please pardon the one exception in referring to Mr. Gustaf Alstrand, who is the only one retaining a membership in the church, who was one of the original organizers. Much credit is due to Mr. Alstrand for the work done by him, and his wife ( Mrs. Sophia L. Alstrand, who died March 21, 1911). Her devotion and interest in the cause
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never ceased until her death, and his still continues an active force in the work of the congregation.
Dr. Emil Lund, the present pastor, is a splendid man of God, working unself- ishly and well that the work of the church may not cease but attain a greater state of perfection.
SWEDISH BETHLEHEM CHURCHI
In 1901, a part of the congregation of the First Swedish Lutheran church, consisting principally of the members living on the east side of the Des Moines river, withdrew, and forming a new organization, known as the Swedish Bethle- hem church, erected a church building on the corner of First avenue north and Eleventh street. The building was dedicated in 1902, and Rev. C. E. Renius was the first pastor. He was followed by Rev. G. E. Thimmell and Rev. C. A. Carlson. The present pastor. Rev. Nels Gibson, began his pastorate in IQUI: The society has just completed building a fine parsonage at No. 4, Johnson place.
SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army first began work in Fort Dodge in 1891. Their first barracks were in an old frame building on the southeast corner of First avenue south and Sixth street. When this building was torn down the Army moved their barracks to the old Congregational church building on Upper Central avenue and remained there until the fall of 1912. During the time that the building was used by the Salvation Army, it was the regular voting place for the Third ward of Fort Dodge. When the building was torn down to make room for the Carter building, the Army moved to their present quarters at No. 18 North Seventh street.
SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
The Second Baptist church (colored) has a small frame church building on the corner of Nineteenth street and Fourth avenue south. They have no regular pastor.
THE WEBSTER COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY
The Webster County Bible Society is the oldest society in Webster county, still in existence. The first meeting of the society was held October 7. 1858, and the following officers were elected: William Williams, president; C. C. Carpenter, vice president ; Stephen B. Ayers, secretary ; Samuel Rees, treasurer. A consti- tution was adopted and an offering of $14.25 was made to the work. The fol- lowing counties were embraced in the association : Webster, Calhoun. Humboldt. Pocahontas, Kossuth, Palo Alto. Emmet. Sac, Buena Vista and Dickinson. A branch society was organized at Lumpkins schoolhouse, June 30, 1865. In Janu- ary. 1873. branches were established at Otho and Tyson's Mill.
Y. M. C. A.
The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in 1890. The first secretary was John Ruse. The second was Herbert Ward, who served but a
Y. M. C. A. BUILDING, FORT DODGE. BUILT IN 1910
UITHE NEW YORK LIBRARY
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
short time, and was followed by A. W. Braily. The society was in a prosperous condition until January 17, 1893, when the building in which the rooms were located was destroyed by fire. This made a heavy loss as the furniture was not insured. Mr. Charles B. Hall, a Fort Dodge boy, began the work of reorgani- zation. Rooms were secured on the corner of Ninth and Central avenue. Mr. Hall served as secretary until June 15, 1895, when he resigned and was succeeded by Mr. John H. Fellingham.
In February, 1898, quarters consisting of eight large rooms were secured in the Sanderson block and was fitted up at an expenditure of $1,600. A gymnasium was added, January, 1899. At a large banquet held in the Armory, October 18, 1909, plans were made and subscription lists were started for a new building. The site opposite the Carnegie library was donated by O. M. Oleson.
Work on the new building was begun in the spring of 1910, and the building was opened February 15, 1911. It is a three-story and basement structure, and is one of the most completely equipped Y. M. C. A. buildings in Iowa, costing about $90,000 for the site. building and equipment.
C. D. Case is president of the board of directors. The present general secre- tary is F. W. Mahlke, with George H. Cochburn, assistant, and J. T. Carley. physical director.
Y. W. C. A.
The Young Woman's Christian Association was organized July 8, 1909. Mrs. J. P. Dolliver was the first president and served until October, 1910, when she resigned and Mrs. G. S. Ringland was elected and still holds the office. The work was conducted for a time in the frame building just north of the Commercial National Bank building. In the fall of 1909 the Reynolds property on the cor- ner of First avenue north and Ninth street was purchased, and became the asso- ciation home. At the time of buying the location. $13,000.00 of the purchase price was raised by subscriptions, of which $10,000.00 was paid for the site. Later the lot adjoining on the west was purchased at a cost of $4,500.00. To do this, it was necessary to place a mortgage of $1,500.00 on the lot. The last payment on this mortgage was made January 17, 1913. The event was celebrated on the twenty-first of the same month by a large banquet at which covers were laid for two hundred. Dr. Sarah Kime had charge of the ceremony of "burn- ing the mortgage." Miss Lynn Anderson acted as toastmistress, and toasts were given by Miss Helen Williams, Miss Marcia Mitchell, Miss Hazel Davis. and Miss Fay Hellings, Mrs. Frank Gates, Mrs. J. F. Russell, Mrs. E. G. Larson, Mrs. W. H. Blakely, Mrs. A. D. McQuilkin, and Miss Florence Rich.
The present officers are: Mrs. G. S. Ringland, president ; Mrs. J. I. Rut- ledge, first vice president ; Mrs. E. H. Williams, second vice president ; Mrs. W. H. Blakely, corresponding secretary; Mrs. C. V. Findlay, recording sec- retary, and Dr. Sarah Kime, treasurer. The board of directors consists of Mesdames Anna Beatty, W. H. Blakely, C. V. Findlay, J. F. Russell, E. H. Williams, D. M. Woodard, George H. Williams, F. B. Olney, G. L. Lindquist, and Phillip Dorr.
Miss Mary Conlee was the first secretary. She was followed by Miss Joy Secor, through whose efforts the association was put on a good foundation. Miss Secor resigned in the summer of 1912, and at present. Miss Lynn Ander-
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
son is acting secretary, and who, since the organization of the association, has been physical director. During the year 1912-13, there were one hundred and twenty-six enrolled in this department. This enrollment is divided into the following classes : Business girls, forty-eight ; high school girls, eleven ; juniors, twenty-five; college girls, seven; children, twenty-two. Since the association has been established over two hundred girls have been helped every year. The present membership is seven hundred.
CHAPTER XVI
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PARKS
BUILDING THE FIRST COURTIIOUSE-COUNTY SEAT FIGIIT RENEWED-CROWDED CON- DITION OF THE COUNTY BUILDING-NEW BUILDING BECOMES A NECESSITY -- WRECKING OF THE OLD AND BUILDING OF THE NEW-"THE OLD SHACK'-THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY-FORT DODGE POSTMASTERS-THE PARKS.
WEBSTER COUNTY COURTHOUSES
The population of Webster county in 1859, according to an old manuscript, had reached about 4,500. The census returns for that year, however, show but 2,596. Whichever may be correct, a courthouse was needed, and had been talked of ever since the locating of the county seat at Fort Dodge. The ques- tion of the building was submitted to the voters the first Monday in April, 1859, and carried by a majority of 200.
Webster county's title to her first courthouse site in Fort Dodge, and which is still the present site, bears date of August 20, 1858. The grantor is Jesse Williams, trustee, by his attorney in fact, William Williams. The name of John F. Duncombe appears in the transaction, as the notary whose seal was affixed to the document.
The contract for the new courthouse was let by the county judge. L. L. Pease. to Jenkins and Merritt, and afterwards they sublet to Sweeney and Tier- ney. The original contract price was $39.450.00. To this had been added several itemis making the figure just a little within the $50,000 limit set in the proposi- tion to build. The designs for the building were drawn by F. V. Lambert. Various changes were made, however, before the building was completed, so that it is doubtful if the architect could recognize his design in the finished product. The corner stone of the building was laid May 8, 1859.
No sooner was the building begun, however, than trouble commenced. Some of the architect's plans, as for example an immense cupola, nearly as large as the roof, were found impracticable. The stone called for in the specifications could not be furnished. The designs were constantly undergoing change. No one seemed to know just what was wanted. Many mistakes were made. although it is probable that the most of them were those of head and not of heart. The soil was too poor for much graft to thrive. It was difficult to get labor or material. The lack of funds to carry on the work proved a most serious problem. The animosities of the county seat fight were still active. The time of comple- tion had been extended two years and yet the first story was but finished. For eight months no work had been done, while the contractors were in the east
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vainly endeavoring to raise money. Already the difficulties had gone into the courts. County warrants were down to twenty-five cents on the dollar, and the county bonds could not be sold. The original contractors felt that they must abandon the task; and to quote the words of Mr. Duncombe used in his argu- ment in the cast of Webster County vs. Snell & Taylor et al: "It seemed to the faithful few, who had worked so hard, that it would be a monument to their folly."
It was at this point that Thomas Snell of the firm of Snell & Taylor, con- tractors, was urged by the leading citizens of Fort Dodge to undertake the work. This he finally consented to do, and the contract was assigned to his firmi. and by them completed.
Yet with the new contractors the building did not go on so smoothly: The office of county judge had been displaced by a board of supervisors. The people at large had become dissatisfied with the slow progress and many changes. In the beginning of the year 1861, the newly created board of supervisors met in the then nearly completed building and refused to recognize any of the acts or expendi- tures of the county judge whom they had displaced. That official was even accused of being in collusion with the contractors with intent to defraud. The board not only refused to accept the work done or pay for the same; but refused repeatedly all offers of settlement by arbitration or compromise offered by Snell & Taylor. Again the matter went to the district court in the case of Webster County vs. Snell & Taylor et al. John Garaghty appeared for the plaintiff and John F. Duncombe for the defendant. Again the county seat fight was raked up; and again, in spite of the decision of the supreme court of Iowa, the legality of township 90 being a part of Webster county was attacked. Mr. Duncombe's argument in the court was presented in his own handwriting, and is a most mas- terly plea for law and reason.
At last, worn out with fighting, these men came to their senses. The difficul- ties were adjusted and the county seat fight was ended. Looking back at their acts we find the reason for them to be largely because of the bitter personal feelings aroused in the county seat fight. For the time being those personal feelings overcame their better reasoning. No braver, truer, more honest pioneers ever founded a community than those who founded ours. Their sterling strength made them in anger the more bitter.
The courthouse as finally turned over to the county was a plain, two story" stone building, fifty by one hundred feet in size. The basement was used for the county jail, the first floor for offices, and the second floor for the court- room and court offices. This building during its entire existence was being remodeled and repaired. After a number of years a clock tower was added, and the stairway leading to the courtroom was changed. Still later rooms were fitted up for the federal court offices.
But all these changes could not keep pace with the growth of the county. The county superintendent's office was forced out and across the street to the Doud block. In 1885 Judge Henderson of the ditsrict court declared the jail quarters unsanitary and ordered the prisoners confined in the Hamilton county jail. In view of this latter condition, Captain S. J. Benett, a member of the Board of Supervisors, introduced a resolution before that body calling for a vote
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CARNEGIE, PUBLIC LIBRARY, FORT DODGE. DEDICATED OCTOBER 15, 1903
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HISTORY OF WEBSTER COUNTY
upon a three mill tax levy to build a jail. On the first submission to the voters of the county it was lost; but the next year upon resubmission it was carried.
The jail when constructed was of brick, two stories in height, and standing at the southeast corner of the courthouse. It contained four cells and corridors, which could also be used for the honest prisoners. The building was not the most confining and several deliveries were made out of it.
The changes in the courthouse were but temporary makeshifts. The condi- tions were still crowded. During the last session of the Board of Supervisors for the year 1908, and the January session of the following year, the board were besieged with petitions from every county officer telling of the crowded and unsafe condition of the county vaults. A new courthouse seemed absolutely nec- essary. A committee consisting of S. J. Benett, Andrew Hannon, Swan John- son. and T. J. Ryan were appointed by the board to investigate the conditions and to make a report at the April session. At this session the committee reported in favor of building a new courthouse. The board, however, took no action upon the matter during that session. Again in September the committee reported in favor of a new building and most strongly urged that it be started at once. This time the board unanimously adopted the resolution and ordered it submitted to the voters at the general election to be held November 7, 1899. The vote stood 2.394 for and 1,146 against, being a majority of 1,248 in favor of building.
Many people favored the construction of the new building upon a larger site. and for this reason wanted the old site sold and a new one purchased with the proceeds. Investigation, however, showed that the deed by which the county acquired the site, made it revert back to the original owner, when it ceased to be used for courthouse purposes. Rather than lose this valuable property it was deemed best to build upon the old site.
Plans for the new building were submitted to the board February 1, 1900. After a careful consideration those submitted by H. C. Koch & Co., of Milwau- kee, were accepted. Later the contract for the building was let to the Northern Building Company of Minneapolis at their bid of $99,720.00 and Mr. C. B. Hepler of Fort Dodge was appointed as superintendent of construction. The contract called for the completion of the building by November 1, 1901. This time was later extended to March 1, 1902. The formal dedication of the building was held Friday, September 12, 1902, and on the following Monday the county officials moved into their new home. The building was accepted by the board October II, 1902.
While the building operations were going on. provision had to be made for temporary quarters. District court was held in the federal courtroom in the United States postoffice building. The offices of the sheriff and county surveyor were moved across the street into the Reynolds block. The county attorney and superintendent of schools already had offices outside the building. For the others a temporary one story structure was erected at the corner of 7th street and ist avenue north. The contract for this was let to G. Proeschold at a cost of $1,275.00. This building, familiarly known as "The Shack." was in use from March, 1900, to September, 1902. It consisted of four offices, behind each of which was a vault for the records. Beginning on the west, these offices were : auditor, treasurer, clerk of courts, and recorder.
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