USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 48
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At this meeting on Sept. 12, 1898, the contract for the basement wall was let to a local contractor, Mr. C. L. Briggs, for the consideration of $498, and on December 30, 1898, the contract for the superstructure (size 40x44) of veneered pressed brick, was let to Mr. J. R. White, a contractor of this city, at a consideration of $3,889, and on February 17, 1899, the contract for the art glass was closed with the James E. Patton Art Glass Company of Mil- waukee, Wis., at a consideration of $326.
CORNERSTONE LAID
Services suitable to the occasion began on Saturday evening, May 13, 1899, when Rev. J. A. Kaser, of Sioux City, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Iowa, preached from the text "And let the House of God be Builded in His Place," Ezra 5:15. Next Lord's day morning, May 14, Rev. H. L. Yarger, field secretary of the board of the church extension, preached on the theme, "God's Love." The cornerstone laying proper took place at 3 p. m., with the following services: Scripture lesson by Rev. F. A. Harter, of the Baptist church; prayer by Rev. J. O. Thrush, of the Congregational church ; history of the congregation by J. O. Lenning, chairman of the building com- mittee ; brief address by Rev. G. H. Kennedy, of the Methodist Episcopal church, followed with the address of the day by Rev. Dr. Yarger-subject-"Christ. the Chief Cornerstone." At the conclusion of this discourse, the cornerstone was formally laid by the pastor, Rev. J. C. Jacoby, D. D., assisted by the presi- dent of synod.
On June 7, 1899, the contract for seating the church and for pulpit and altar furniture was let to the Grand Rapids Furniture Company, at a con- sideration of $380.
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DEDICATION, OCTOBER 29, 1899
The feast of dedication was prefaced by weekday evening services, beginning on Tuesday, October 24, 1899, in the courthouse. On Sabbath morning, October 29th, Rev. S. B. Barnitz, the western secretary of the board of home missions, preached the dedicatory sermon to an audience that filled the beautiful new temple of worship. The services were continued at 3 a. m. The officers of the Iowa synod and those of the boards of home missions and church extension were present from abroad and the pastors of the local churches were in attend- ance and took part in the services. Mr. J. O. Lenning, chairman of the building committee, delivered the keys of the church to the pastor, Rev. J. C. Jacoby, D. D., who then took charge of the dedicatory service. The offerings of the day were $1,135.62. The entire cost of the church was about $6,000.
Rev. J. C. Jacoby, D. D., closed his work as pastor of the church in the spring of 1900.
Rev. W. A. Lipe accepted a call from the congregation and entered upon the work as pastor of the church, December 1, 1900, and continued faithful in the services with happy results, spiritually, for seven years and three months, or till March 1. 1908. During these years of his services, the basement of the church was completed. Necessary drainage was put in at a cost of $650 and the parsonage built practically new from the foundation up, at a cost of $1,800, all of which expenses were paid for when the work was completed. An original indebtedness against the church property was at this time provided for by six of the members assuring $1,300, and the board of the church extension advancing $1,000 without interest. This $1.300 was to be considered a complete donation when the non-interest bearing loan from the board of church extension was satisfied. Thus, the property was left at this time without any interest bearing debt.
Rev. C. E. Butler began his term of office as pastor June 5, 1908, and closed his services with his congregation September 1, 1911. During this time, a cistern was built, a bathroom put in the parsonage and a steam heating plant into the church, from which the parsonage is also heated at a total cost for all said items of $1,000. The board of church extension was also satisfied during this time by paying them $1.700.
Rev. M. L. Melick took charge as pastor December 1, 1911, and at this writing has been in charge nine months. During these nine months, there were added to the organizations that previously existed, a Young Peoples' Luther league, a Missionary society, the Augsburg Bible class, the Young Ladies' Har- mony Bible class, and a Teacher's Training class and the graded lessons intro- duced into the Sunday school, and money raised for the repainting of the exterior of the church.
FIRST CHURCHI OF CHRIST
By HI. A. Maron
In Hamilton county, the Church of Christ, commonly called the Christian church, had its first organization at Homer, where a church was built in the winter of '69-'70. The second congregation was organized in Cass township. In this Rev. Jesse M. Moore was the leading spirit and through his efforts, a
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church at Cass Center was completed and dedicated in July, 1880. Reverend Moore was the pastor for several years, but he was finally succeeded by others until the year 1891 found Rev. Lawrence Wright in charge. Reverend Wright resided at Webster City while serving the congregations at Homer and Cass Center and it was he who first conceived the idea of perfecting an organization at the county seat.
Brother Wright succeeded in locating some twenty-five or thirty people who had formerly belonged or still retained their membership in this fellowship. To them the idea became a conviction.
Among the number who formed the nucleus for the organization and upon whom fell the burden and responsibility, was J. D. McGuire and family, A. D. Mckinley and wife, N. L. Maxon and family, the Nelson family, near Dun- combe, H. L. Corbin and wife, Mrs. Delia Moore, the widow of Rev. J. M. Moore, the first pastor of Cass Center church, and the Solomon Snow family, near Highview, and others we do not now recall. A tent or tabernacle meeting was arranged for and G. L. Brokaw, state evangelist, was secured. A tent was pitched on the school grounds north of the high school building during July and August, 1892. The gospel in its simplicity was sung and preached in power, and men and women were added to the church daily. At the end of six weeks, an organization of one hundred and twenty-five members was effected with J. D. McGuire and N. L. Maxon as elders. A committee was appointed to solicit funds for the building of a house of worship. This committee met with a generous response. A lot on the corner of Bank and Des Moines streets was purchased. The foundation was begun late in the fall of 1892, but was not completed until the following spring. The building proper, costing when com- pleted and furnished, $8,000, was dedicated amidst great joy and thanksgiving in September, 1893. F. M. Rains, of Cincinnati, Ohio, dedicated the church. All the churches of the city assisted.
During the interim, the new congregation succeeded in securing the Willson opera house for services until the severe cold drove them into warmer quarters in the old G. A. R. hall on Seneca street. These quarters were found to be inadequate to accommodate the congregation. The last move was made to the courthouse, where they were comfortably housed until the church building was ready for occupancy.
Immediately after dedication, the services of W. A. Foster, a noted evange- list, were secured for a series of meetings. These meetings were held for eight weeks, at the end of which time, one hundred and forty signified their willing- ness to become associated with the church. These, together with the former membership, totaled some over three hundred. A good sized yearling !
Bruce Brown, who had been called to minister to the congregation at its organization, remained as such for four years, at the end of which time he was called to the church at Osceola, Iowa. Great things had been accomplished. WV. A. Moore, from Panora, Iowa, was engaged to fill this vacancy, but could not come for several months, during which time Reverend Coombs acceptably filled the pulpit.
During the three years of Brother Moore's pastorate, the church reached the high water mark. He was beloved by his people and it was with sadness that he was given up. His wife's health necessitated a change of climate.
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E. E. Kneedy was called and for two years labored with the congregation. Brother Kneedy was apt to teach and an eloquent speaker. His pastorate was very successful.
J. Will Walters, one of Iowa's strong preachers, was secured and labored for two years. During his regime, the finances were placed upon a sound basis and a scheme to raise the debt on the church planned and started. To Brother Walters is due much credit.
J. Seaton, an elderly man, an old father in Israel, became pastor, but owing to ill health of himself and wife, was compelled after a few months to resign.
Reverend Burns was the next one to assume the responsibilities of shepherd of the flock, but he, too, stayed but a short time, one year, when the University of Chicago beckoned him.
R. M. Dungan, son of D. R. Dungan, dean of Drake university, accepted the charge and began his work, looking forward to a fruitful harvest. During this pastorate the church debt was raised and the mortgage burned. After two years of hard work, Brother Dungan concluded to go west and take up a claim at Morrell, Nebraska.
W. E. Brandeburg next became associated with the church as its pastor, but remained for only one year when called to York, Nebraska, a larger church, at an advanced salary.
For some time D. R. Dungan filled the pulpit until a pastor could be secured. Brother Dungan recommended John Roland, a Drake student, as one capable of assuming the pastorate. He was employed and served well until Drake uni- versity called him back.
Alexander McCracken of Chicago, followed with but a six months' pastorate, when again the pulpit was vacant.
For several months B. E. Youtz filled the pulpit, after which time the con- gregation extended an unanimous call to Brother A. 1. Martin to become its pastor. Born and raised in this county, formally a member of the church and sent out, as it were, from its doors, to become a minister of the gospel, this coming home to administer to the wants and necessities of the home church was a difficult proposition, but he has for over a year successfully shepherded the flock.
During the twenty years of these pastorates, many great meetings have been held by pastors and evangelists. Among the evangelists were Foster. Coombs, Omer, Corey, Johnson and Emmons.
Two members of the church have entered the ministry. The church is missionary in spirit, believing in world-wide evangelism.
Its membership at this time is over three hundred. Like all other organiza- tions, it has had its seasons of drought, and times of refreshing, but today stands a monument to the heroism, faithfulness and integrity of its membership.
NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Norwegian Lutheran church has a membership in Hamilton county which probably exceeds all other churches. The Norwegian immigration into llamilton county began in the later fifties; but the great influx of Norwegian settlement into the southern and eastern parts of the county did not begin until
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the seventies. The earlier settlers for all social and religions development were a part of the Scandinavian settlement of Story county.
The church records show that on May 7, 1876, a meeting was held in Scott township and the organization of the first Norwegian Lutheran congregation within the county was effected. This was the beginning of the Trinity congre- gation whose membership now comprises many of the residents of Lincoln and Scott township. The records show that at this meeting John Ringstad was chosen president, and John Thoreson, secretary. This congregation met in school houses and Rev. O. G. Jackman, of Illinois, was called as the first pastor. Some of the charter members of this congregation were Knut Severson, Henry Larson, Christian Sexy, John Reder, Hans Hagland, T. O. Cragwick and A. O. Cragwick. Later this congregation erected two churches, one in Ellsworth known as West Trinity and one in Scott township known as East Trinity. Rev. C. H. Hjortholm the present pastor now ministers to a membership of over a thousand members. The St. Pauli church in Clear Lake township and the Norum church at Stanhope with the Trinity churches comprise the United Lutheran churches of the county. The St. Pauli church is one of the earlier churches and for many years a large membership worshipped in the one church but in 1907 under the leadership of the present pastor, Rev. M. N. Knutsen, the Norum church was erected at Stanhope and the congregation was divided.
The Hauges Synod have erected seven churches within Hamilton county and plans are being made for the erection of the eighth one, which will be located at Williams. The Hauges also maintain the Jewell Lutheran college and have been very active in missionary and educational work. The first churches to be established under the control of these people were at Randall and in Ellsworth township. Rev. C. J. Eastvold for seventeen years ministered to the Bethesda church at Jewell, the Clear Lake and Ellsworth church, Zion and Rose Grove. These churches have a membership of about 1200. The Ennis church at Ran- dall of which Rev. G. O. Paulsrud is pastor, Bethany church of Lincoln town- ship ministered to by Rev. T. J. Knutsen ; and Immanuel church, J. R. Walstad, pastor, complete the Hauges congregation in the county.
The members of the Synodia have two churches in the county: One, the Branjord church, of Scott township, of which Rev. H. Stolen is pastor and the Lake Center church of which H. S. Rue is pastor.
In review the membership of the Norwegian churches comprise about 3500 people. The membership is held in the three branches known as the Hauges, the United Church and the Synodia. Beginning in 1876 with one congregation and no church they now own thirteen churches and their membership com- prise one-half of the church people of the county.
CHAPTER XXVII
IN MEMORIAM
Whether death is the friend or enemy of mankind, we leave to the con- templation of philosophers. We know it is always near us and when it comes into a community, it brings with it a wave of sadness. We stop for a moment, the usual activities of life, to drop a tear of sympathy or give a word of comfort to the bereaved, and then, "the world moves on." There are among thie ."silent ranks" of Hamilton county, many characters whose daily life endeared them to their fellow men, and whose death was, in a way, a public bereavement, and we stop for a moment, therefore, to make passing mention of some of these:
Jackson Groves, died March, 1881. He was born in West Virginia in 1818, came to Iowa in 1854 and located in Hamilton county in 1855. He was a suc- cessful farmer and a leader in the affairs of Hamilton township.
Julge J. D. Maxwell, died November 4, 1882. The following is a tribute to his memory written by Charles Aldrich :
"JUDGE MAXWELL IS DEAD !
"Though we had seen him fading slowly into the silent land, from the effects of age and toil and wasting disease, and knew that his time at farthest could be but short, these words fell upon the ear like a stunning blow. For many years he had lived the quietest of home lives, yet his was one of the familiar forms on our streets, and his name was prominently identified with the early history of our town and county. A man of most decided opinions, to which he gave expression with the greatest freedom, he was an agreeable person to meet, for he was a fine talker, possessing a large fund of anecdote and information, and genial, kindly, friendly and pleasant, in his ways. His acquaintance was quite large, and while our local politics in early days made him and his publie acts somewhat of a bone of contention, his private life was not only a blameless one, but in all respects most exemplary and commendable. It may in all truth and sincerity be said that he lived and died without an enemy-respected and esteemed by the entire community.
"In the early history of our county he was a leading and important character. He was our first county judge, elected at the old-time April election of 1857. and reelected at the October election of the same year. This office was the most important one, under the old order of things, as a brief explanation will show. Previous to 1860 the county judge not only wielded all the power now possessed by our board of county supervisors, but vastly more. His powers were larger in the way of incurring indebtedness, and the probate business was all transacted
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in his court. The county judge was an autocrat, if he felt disposed to make himself such, and it is a lamentable fact that too many of them abused their privileges and powers, and ran their counties so deeply into debt that they have been unable to meet their obligations even yet. Upon Judge Maxwell most delicate and important duties devolved. He had not only to settle all matters of joint interest with Webster county, of which this county originally formed a part, and until the legislative session of 1856, but it became his duty to organize our own county and set all of its machinery in motion. The tran- scribing of the records was one of these most important labors, which was per- formed under his direction and supervision. Here, as in all new counties, vexa- tious questions arose about the building of a courthouse, the removal of the county seat, the construction of bridges, the location of roads. etc., etc., upon which men took sides as their interests were affected, and acrimonious discus- sions and contentions arose. During the two years and a half in which he held this most laborious and most thankless office. Judge Maxwell was a subject of much criticism; but there is not a man among us who would today express a doubt that he always acted from conscientious motives, aiming to do his duty by the people he was serving. It is also a question whether what he did do was not at the time the best that could be done under all the circumstances of con- flicting interests. Certain it is that he gave the county a prudent and economical administration, and never wasted or misappropriated a dollar of its funds. One of these days we shall doubtless have a local historian, who will find enough in our apparently 'short and simple annals' to fill a great quarto volume. If such a task is ever undertaken, Judge Maxwell's acts cannot be ignored or escape scrutiny ; but his record will bring only praise and not censure upon his memory.
"His private life was pure, upright, praiseworthy in all respects. He was a kind husband, a most tender and affectionate parent, and a sincere, sympathiz- ing, reliable, abiding friend. He took a deep interest in all of the local concerns of Webster City and Hamilton county, and every step of our upward and on- ward progress gladdened his heart. He had long been a professing Christian, remarkable for his unaffected piety and his firm faith in the promises of the Divine Master. His pastor visiting him only a very few days before his death, found him with a clear mind. His preparation for the great change which awaits us all was perfect and complete. He had no doubt of a better life beyond the grave. His death-bed was a triumphant one.
" 'The chamber where the good man met his fate Was privileged beyond the common walk, Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heav'n.'
"Judge Maxwell was born in Washington county, Virginia, in 1808, and was therefore seventy-four years of age. He removed to Tennessee, and thence to Edgar county, Ill., where he resided until 1854, when he settled in this county. He enjoyed the personal acquaintance of two presidents-Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson."
May 19. 1882, A. M. Potter, for many years the landlord of the Potter House, died of heart disease. He was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1814. le came to Webster City in 1865, since which time he had been a con-
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tinuous resident. His wife had died two years previous to his demise. He left six children-three sons, Allen, Milton and A. M., Jr., and three daughters, Mrs. A. A. Cook, Mrs. E. R. Lee and Mrs. E. W. Olds.
Sumler Willson died December, 1882. From a tribute written by Charles Aldrich are extracted the following words :
"Mr. Sumler Willson was born in the town of Arkwright, Chautauqua county, N. Y., on the Ioth day of March, 1827, and was consequently fifty-five years of age. He was the youngest of five children-four sons and a daughter. He settled first in Palmyra, Wisconsin, but came here in 1855, with his brother, Hon. Walter C. Willson, where he has since resided. The accident which bereft him of life was a very singular one-one that would not occur again in a life- time. He was riding a pony which was a most docile and trusted family pet. He used a stirrup covered with a heavy leather guard, so that it was impossible for his foot to pass through it. But the pony slipped and fell upon its right side, and by some curious happening the rider's foot slipped between the stirrup straps, where it was held as if in a vice. Mr. Willson could only remember that he received three heavy blows. It seems that the pony kicked him in the face, side and chest. He was of the impression that his own excitement and alarm scared the little horse, and made it run, and that had he only kept more quiet he might have escaped injury. When the pony reached home the boot was still between the stirrup straps. It seemed evident from the first that he was very dangerously injured and few who saw him could indulge any expectations of his recovery. But he lingered nearly two weeks, watched and ministered to by tender and loving hands, though all that skill and care could accomplish was but to smooth his way to the grave. That he held out so long after such severe injuries, was no doubt due to the scrupulously temperate manner in which he had always lived-and had he been but forty years of age it is quite probable that he would have recovered. When apprised of the serious nature of his injuries he quietly and calmly remarked that he was prepared for any result- the end if it was to come. Thus closed the useful life of one of our most eminent pioneers-a man who has been especially prominent in the making of Webster City and Hamilton county.
"During the long period in which Mr. Willson lived among us, it is but truth to say that scarcely another man has at times exercised greater influence, or possessed a wider circle of friends. Especially was he a favorite with the young men. He has held some positions of trust, which he always filled with ability and fidelity. In the strife and turmoil of local politics. and the settlement of local issues incident to this as to all new regions, he was never an indifferent spectator, but an earnest, wide-awake, vigilant actor. These contests made him both warm friends and bitter enemies, but it is the highest tribute we now can pay him-a tribute, too, which he would regard with pride were he here to see it set down to his credit-that his circle of friends who now lament his death includes scores of good people who were his friends and warmly attached to him from the start. That they have 'clung to him with hooks of steel,' through fair weather and foul, shows that he possessed the attributes of high and honor- able manhood. A man can be judged by the style and character of his friends, as well as by any other outward indication. Applying this standard to Sumler Willson, he must be assigned a prominent and enviable place in the community-
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for he stood high in the regard of the best people both of the town and country. as well as of the adjoining counties."
C. E. Wilder died after a brief illness, on the 9th of May. Ed. Wilder was well known throughout the county. He was a soldier in the Union army and a member of the Webster City post of G. A. R.
S. T. Edwards, founder of the Webster City Argus, died in May, 1883. He was a sufferer from consumption. He was about thirty-six years of age at the time of his death.
November 13, 1883, occurred the death of Mrs. Harriet Newell Cooper at the home of her daughter, Mrs. L. L. Treat. She was born at Bach, N. Y., in September, 1818, and moved to Webster City with her husband, William Cooper, in 1857, since which time she had been a constant resident. She was among our earliest settlers and was well known and highly respected.
Wednesday, May 7. 1884, occurred the death of Mrs. D. D. Chase. She was born in Perry, N. Y., in 1838, and had lived in Webster City since 1858. Her maiden name was Harriet E. Bell, being the second daughter of Col. Ralph Bell. Her illness had been long and painful. She bore her suffering with characteristic fortitude. She was a woman of education, culture and much force of character.
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