USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 51
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The trial brought out the fact that Farmer took great pleasure in arousing another man's anger, while apparently holding his own in leash. Farmer fully recovered and bought Robinson out in the same year.
In 1880 he sold the mill to Lyman G. Perry, who also ran it as a grist mill. Mr. Perry was connected with four water mills in Hamilton county during his life. He was a carpenter on the Harris mill, and was miller at the Turbine, Bell's and Tunnel mills. In 1880 or 1881 Perry sold the place to A. D. Arthur and the mill was torn down never to be rebuilt.
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ILARRIS MILL
The first mill on this site was a sawmill, built by Wesley Camp in 1855 or 1856. Camp sold to HIiram Bennett, who began at once the construction of a grist mill. The timbers of this mill were of black walnut and the "raising" of the mill was an event which many settlers still remember. Irving Worthington and J. D. Sketchley were there and perhaps others are still living. William Mc- Ferren was the mechanic; William Cooper, father of Mrs. L. L. Treat, also Lyman G. Perry helped construct the mill. This mill did a considerable busi- ness also and was generally prosperous. Averill bought the mill of Bemiett. then in a year or so the property reverted to Bennett, who finally disposed of it to Levi Harris. While Bennett owned the mill it had two run of burrs propelled by a turbine wheel. AAmong those who have been millers in this mill are found the names of Christie, Averill, Ross Harris, Bradenburg. La Barr and Ather- ton. Copying from a Webster City Freeman: "It was at this mill that occurred a frightful accident, by which Mr. Mauler lost his life. It was in the winter and while waiting about the mill for a grist he was strolling about on the second floor of the mill near some gearing into which he was drawn by a long coat he wore. Ile was badly mangled and only lived a few hours. This was the only serious accident about this mill, except broken limbs, which are not uncommon about mills of any kind."
Levi Harris in time shut down the mill and it was rented later for a slaughter house by a local meat market.
STEAM MILLS
In 1859 a stock company, of which W. C. and Sumler Willson were mem- bers, erected a brick steam saw and grist mill. This was built on the cast bank of the ravine that ran north parallel to Funk street, and was on what is now called Third'street. The bricks used in the erection of the mill were produced by Ira Hilliard from clay which was dug underneath the mill yard. The mills were known as "Eagle Mills," and for a time put out an immense amount of flour. The upper half of this mill was occupied by the miller's family and some still remember going to parties in the old mill.
The mill was partially destroyed by fire at one time and rebuilt, only to be again destroyed by fire in 1883, when owned by Moore and Fenton. The machinery for the mill was said to have been brought by ox wagons from Dit- buque. Michael Sweeney was at one time the engineer here and it was while engaged in this work that he suffered the accident by which he lost his hand.
THE MODEL MILLS
C. T. Fenton, Jacob Funk, S. B. Rosencrans and J. M. Jones were the stock company which brought here a steam sawmill in the spring of 1856. It was erected east of the present Chicago & North-Western Railroad tracks, south of the flowing well. This was run strictly as a sawmill until 1860. At this time it was sold to Thomas Richards, who moved it to Batch Grove near the north county line. It is impossible to ascertain the exact date of its removal to Second street, but it was brought here and disposed of to Edward Mabbot. Mabbot
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installed machinery for grinding flour and feed and added a planing mill. The firm name at this time was Mabbot & Son. They did a large feed business and were very prosperous. Mr. Mabbot owned six business lots about where the armory now stands and his buildings, known as the "Model Mills," occupied these. The mills were modern in equipment at this period and contained three run of burrs run by a twenty-five horse power engine. Edward Mabbot sold these mills to Charles Closz in the 'Sos and he disposed of them to the Biernatzki Brothers.
THE TEN EYCK MILL
Hamp Dixon built a sawmill on the Ten Eyck farm one and a half miles north of Stratford, in about 1867. H. \. Crandall helped to build this mill. Vradenburg was at one time the miller. This mill was run about two years and then burned to the ground. It never was rebuilt for it was in a poor location to draw trade. One by one the water mills were forced out of business by the noisy steam roller mill and of the many millwrights operating on Boone river few made a fortune or were even prosperous in the last year they ran their mill.
Songs will always be written and sung of the water mill and the miller. Poems will be read and articles written, but the miller at the water mill long since has hung up his dusty coat and "shut down" the water gates. The busy water wheel is stilled, but the music of it still lingers and the miller who "ground his wheat with joy" still hears. But the road that leads to the mill is grass grown and the door is shut.
Vol. I-2S
CHAPTER XXIX
PUBLIC BENEFACTORS
KENDALL YOUNG LIBRARY-DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING-LIFE OF KENDALL YOUNG-MERCY HOSPITAL
PUBLIC BENEFACTORS
Early in the history of Hamilton county, there came to Webster City two men whose memory will ever be cherished by a grateful people. These were Kendall Young and Jacob M. Funk. They were both capitalists and men of finan- cial genius but both were retiring and modest in general conduct. Kendall Young had no children and Jacob Funk had neither wife nor children. In many respects they were opposite from each other. Kendall Young was a republican, Jacob Funk was a democrat. Kendall Young was a "down town" man, while Jacob Funk was an "up town" man. Kendall Young was a banker and conducted his business in a most orderly and systematic manner. Jacob Funk was a farmer, builder, landlord and man of many diversified interests and usually kept his accounts "in his head." Both agreed, however, in a good opinion of the city in which they lived and of its people, their neighbors and friends. Kendall Young established the Kendall Young Library. Jacob Funk founded Mercy Hospital. Both were public benefactors in a large and unusual degree.
Mr. E. D. Burgess, the librarian of Kendall Young Library, has prepared for this work a description of the Kendall Young gift, which is here presented :
HISTORICAL. SKETCH OF THE KENDALL YOUNG LIBRARY WEBSTER CITY, IOWA By E. D. Burgess.
The KENDALL YOUNG LIBRARY of Webster City, lowa, together with an ample endowment for its perpetual support, is the gift of Mr. Kendall Young, for many years a widely known and honored resident of the city.
Some years before his death, Mr. Young, recognizing the great benefits result- ing from the establishment in a community of a public library, determined to secure and perpetuate to the people such a library as would meet every need of the present and of the future ; and in a spirit of the broadest and wisest philan- thropy, he devoted his entire fortune to that end.
On the 9th day of March. 1894. he made his will, whereby the residue of his estate remaining after providing during her life time for the care and support
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of his widow, an invalid for many years before her death. should be devoted to the establishment and maintenance of a free public library in Webster City, to be called the KENDALL YOUNG LIBRARY. At this date ( 1912) the endowment thus created for the support of the library, exclusive of the library building, its books and furnishings and its site, exceeds $200,000.00 in value. And it was characteristic of the man that his purpose to make this magnificent gift to his fellow citizens, was not by him made known during his life time.
Mr. Young died June 30, 1896. On the second day of July, following, his will was opened and the people then first learned that their city was the beneficiary of the largest gift of the kind ever made by a citizen of Iowa : a gift that can be fully appreciated only with the lapse of years ; a gift reaching to every home, and to every inmate therein, not only of the present, but of generations to come.
In his will, he named Mr. J. W. Young executor of his estate, and appointed F. D. Young. J. W. Young, Samuel Baxter, W. J. Covil, and E. D. Burgess trus- tees for life of the said library. They constitute the present library board, and the will provides that their successors shall be elected by the people at the regu- lar municipal election for the term of five years.
The will was admitted to probate September 28. 1896. The executor named and the library trustees filed their acceptance of their respective trusts, and Mrs. Jane Young, the widow, elected to take under and assist in carrying out the pro- visions of the will in lieu of her statutory rights. A copy of the will was filed with the city clerk of Webster City, and November 16, 1896, an ordinance was passed by the city council accepting the gift, with and subject to all its terms and conditions.
It soon became apparent to Mrs. Young that the annual income derived from the estate was more than she desired for her own use and she generously offered to give the use for library purposes, of the commodious Kendall Young residence. beautifully situated, and surrounded by spacious, ornamental grounds, together with its furnishings. She also proposed that the surplus income from the estate should be used for the immediate establishment and maintenance of the library : and, upon the joint application of Mrs. Young and the executor to the district court it was ordered at the February, 1808, term, that the executor annually turn over to the trustees the surplus income from the estate, to be by them used for library purposes.
In pursuance of this order about 1,100 books were purchased and the library was opened to public use July 27, 1808, and was thus maintained until after the death of Mrs. Young in September, 1903, when, under the will, the entire estate became available for library purposes ; and the board of trustees proceeded to the erection of a library buikdling.
Mr. Young in his will appropriated the sum of $25,000.00 for the erection of a library building. and $10,000.00 for its equipment. After investigating the cost of building, the trustees decided that. in view of the increase in cost of labor and material since the making of the will, a suitable memorial building to Kendall Young could not be erected for that amount : and they determined that, if the funds therefor could be procured, his memory should be honored by the erection of a building more in keeping with his gift to the community.
To that end. the income from the estate was, as far as possible, accumulated
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by the executor and the library trustees, and it was found that by anticipating the income for the years 1905 and 1906 an appropriate building could be erected.
The Kendall Young homestead was removed to another position upon the grounds, and during the years 1904 and 1905, the present library building was . erected and equipped upon its site at a cost of about $50,000.00. It is a perma- nent and beautiful structure of the best workmanship and most durable material throughout.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
As one approaches the library, he is impressed, first by the smoothly clipped, beautiful lawn, next by the broad steps and ample entrance and next by the simple yet classic lines of the building itself. It is a fireproof building, built of Bedford stone with only enough mottled brick to relieve the somberness of the grey. A closer view shows the delicate hand carving about the doors, windows and cornice, the beauty of the granite columns which stand like sentinels on either side of the broad doorway and the harmonious coloring of the stained glass which ornaments the structure. Upon entering and passing through the dignified marble vestibule one is hardly prepared for the brilliancy and magnificence of the rotunda. It is surrounded by twelve beautiful columns of Numidian marble of brilliant amber color, each surmounted by a gold capital. The color changes gradually into the softer ambers and greens of the art glass in a perfectly shaped dome which seems to rest upon these columns. To the right of the rotunda is the chil- dren's room finished in soft amber colors and furnished to meet every juvenile need. To the left, and toward the south is the main reading room. In its finish- ing the cool green shades so restful to the student, predominate. This room is well equipped for work and well supplied with reference works and current litera- ture. To the rear of the reading room is the Art Room, designed to commemorate the memory of Jane Young. Here, within mahogany cases, is housed a choice collection of art books.
Just back of the rotunda, and facing the entrance is the charging desk from which the librarian can see at a glance any part of the first floor except the art room and just back of the charging desk are strong steel cases which accommo- date thousands of books.
To the rear of the children's room are the amply furnished offices of the librarian.
In the basement. approached by marble steps, flanked by marble wainscoting is found a convenient club room, a small auditorium, and a storage or stack room which will accommodate a large number of books.
The walls are finished in oil. The floors are of tile laid in mosaic patterns.
KENDALL YOUNG
Kendall Young was born at Eden, Maine, January 19. 1820. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm, where his summers were devoted to farm work and fishing and his winters in attending school. When about twenty years of age. he enlisted in the Maine Militia, Northeastern Frontier Distur- bances, and served about two months. For this service he received land war- rants for forty acres in Hamilton county and one hundred and twenty in Kossuth
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county, fowa. After leaving the service, he was engaged in cod fishing off the coast of Labrador and later conducted a store for fishermen's supplies. In 1847. he moved to Wisconsin and engaged in farming and in 1849 went to California in search of gold. Ile located a claim on Norman island in the American River and there for two and one-half years, was engaged in placer mining. In 1852 he returned to Maine. but a year later moved to Rockton, Ill., and became interested in a paper mill. In 1855, he moved to Marshall county. Iowa, where he formed a partnership with L. L. Treat, now of Webster City, and started a mercantile business, at Albion, which continued about one year. In 1856. Young & Treat became associated with George Smith and the three platted the town of Irving- ton in Kossuth county. At this new town they built a store and a saw mill. Mr. Young was located at Irvington during the Spirit Lake Massacre in 1857. and he and his associates in business, sawed plank and built a stockade with bastions at the corners which served as a refuge for the settlers in that vicinity during that exciting and dangerous period.
On September 23. 1858. Kendall Young and Jane Underdown were married at Webster City. A year later the young couple left Irvington and made Web- ster City their home. At Webster City Mr. Young opened a general merchandise store which he continued to keep until 1871. when, upon the organization of the First National Bank, he became its president. As a banker he was most provi- dent and conservative and the panics of 1873 and 1893 were met with assurance and confidence. They did not disturb his business. He held the position of presi- dent of the First National Bank until the time of his death.
His old time friend and legal adviser, W. J. Covil writes of his character as follows :
"Mr. Young was not of an excitable nature. He was cool and deliberate at all times and under all circumstances. His opinions were slowly formed. but once formed he was slow to abandon them. He was open and direct in all of his dealings and despised meanness, trickery and falsehood. It is related of hin that at one time being requested to buy a note having two names as makers, one being that of a man in whose integrity he had not the greatest confidence. he re- plied : "I don't want any paper with that man's name on it. If you will get his name off the note. I will buy it, sir." In expression, he was deliberate, concise and somewhat emphatic at times. When he expressed an opinion there was no room for doubt as to his meaning. To an inquiry across the bank counter as to what he would give for a note of questionable value, his reply. "Really, sir, I would not give you ten cents for a cart load of such paper," illustrates his decisive way of expressing himself. That he was wise and sagacious, the fortime he left clearly demonstrates.
It was his character as a man, however, that most commends him to us. In the purity of his life, his quiet independence, his freedom from all sham and pre- tense, his genuine manliness, his practical common sense, his self control, his rectitude in all the relations of life, he presented a striking example of a strong and sturdy New England character, as developed by an active life of half a cen- tury in the west, which to an unusual degree commanded the confidence and respect of his fellow men. He was an active member of the Universalist church. and he had an abiding faith in the goodness and justice of God. For whatso- ever a man soweth that shall he also reap' was to him a living truth. His own
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KENDALL YOUNG LIBRARY, WEBSTER CITY
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sense of duty, and not the opinions of others, was his guide through life. The Golden Rule summarized his creed, and few men practiced its teachings more than he. Socially he was a most genial and kind hearted man."
He died June 30, 1896. The funeral was held at his old home. There sur- rounded by the friends of a life time, the Rev. Amos Crum paid to his memory, the following truthful and beautiful tribute :
"Kendall Young was the gift of New England to our western life. His mor- als were the morals of New England. His industry was the industry of New England character. His prudence was born of the thoughtfulness, the self-con- trol, the patience and faith of New England. His career extended over a period of seventy-six years. With the experience that came in a long career under these western skies, he of course broadened his views and enriched his character ; but his inheritances were of the eastern coasts. Some of his memories and jour- neyings were of the sea. But whether on land or on sea, he was guided by those beacon lights of character which shine through the moral nature. In 1859, he chose Webster City as his home. Here his wanderings ceased. Here he rested. Here he watched those investments and conducted those enterprises on which he depended for success. Here he planned his domestic life and built this goodly house. Upon it he expended the utmost care and in it he hoped to find rest and contentment, which his simple tastes required. The actual result may have fallen somewhat short of his fondest dream. The long standing illness of his wife has separated the childless pair. His now widowed companion has been long absent in quest of relief from bodily and mental ills. He, a saddened and lonely but uncomplaining man, has moved amongst us and done his work with such cheer- fulness as he might.
"When the shadow began to come upon him and he must seek relief in the skill of the medical staff at Battle Creek, Michigan, he walked about this place that he loved and took a tearful farewell of each familiar and cherished object. The spectacle of that lonely old man, stricken with disease and heart hunger, unsatisfied amid his wealth yet uncomplaining amid his woes, is a theme for an artist. It is an object lesson for our meditations. Events move rapidly. The tttmost skill of man proves at last unequal to that dread inevitable, which young men may meet and which the old must meet ; and Kendall Young bade adieu to all earthly scenes on Tuesday morning, June 30, 1896. Today we are assembled here to do for him those simple things which those who go must ask of those who remain. We will discharge that sacred obligation, and the earth shall receive his dust to hold it in the peaceful city of our dead. This quiet man would, if he could (lirect our thought and speech today, bid us desist from elaborate eulogy. This modest citizen and methodical business man would, if he could. command us to plan no fulsome demonstration in his name. It is fitting that this closing scene should be like the rest. And it shall be so. His untarnished name, his record . with no blot of evil upon it, is proof that in him wisdom and prudence were com- bined. No vicious habits had undermined his health in youth. He was temperate in all things. He exacted of himself and of others that discipline which earns success. His circumstances, his worldly means increased, but his friendships, his tastes, his modesty, remained unchanged. In religion, it was his to live the broader view, the more kindly hope. For this he did much. He was for years foremost in that group of liberal and farsighted men who founded and sustained
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the church which represents his convictions and his hopes. His memory will be cherished there, while memory remains to those who knew him. Our brother has departed from among his familiar paths. If it be asked of us what more is there to say. the prompt reply must be, 'this is not the end for him or for us.' His close here, is the entrance upon another career. He has finished the earthly discipline. He has put off the garment called flesh. He has put on that, to which no age and no sickness can come. To us it seems like loss. To him it is a gain. Today in all seriousness we can say of him, 'Hlail, and for a while. farewell.""
MERCY HOSPITAL
In 1902, Jacob M. Funk, who had been a resident of Webster City for nearly fifty years, conceived the idea of founding a hospital, and accordingly erected a fine, large brick structure on a tract of ground located at the corner of Des Moines and Ohio streets. The building was planned especially for a hospital and cost about $25,000. Mr. Funk had come to Webster City when there were but one or two small buildings in the entire territory occupied by the city, and he had been one of the prime movers in the building of the town. Until 1890. he had been interested in the building of nearly every store building that had been erected on Second street. He was a bachelor, and with him, the good of his town received attention and concern such as the ordinary business man gives to his family. In building the hospital, Mr. Funk was anxious to do some great his family. In building the hospital, Mr. Funk was anxious to do some great permanent good for his town and he naturally looked for assistance, first, to the great religious organizations, whose chosen mission was to expound by precept and example, the virtue, morality and charity of the Christ. He finally chose from several applicants, the northwest lowa conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, as the medium through which this work of charity shoukl be transmitted to the people of his beloved city.
Accordingly, while the hospital building was in course of erection, Jacob M. Funk conveyed it, and the grounds, containing about three and one-half acres, to the trustees of Mercy hospital, of northwest lowa conference of the Methodist church. The deed provided that the grantees should equip, use, operate and maintain the same as a modern hospital for the care and treatment of persons requiring medical or surgical aid, without regard to sex, color. nationality or religion, under such reasonable rules as might be adopted by the board of directors, and that one-fourth of the privileges and accommodations of said hospital, to be designated by the management of the hospital, should be free and extended to such persons as should be unable to pay therefor.
The deed also provided that Jacob M. Funk. L. A. McMurray and Cyrus Smith should constitute a board of directors, and that in case of the death or inability of either to serve, he should appoint his own successor, and in case such appointment was not so made, the district court should make it. That in case of the failure or inability of the Northwest lowa conference to maintain said hospital as above stipulated. the building and land should revert to the board of directors, who should have power to reconvey it to some other society that would undertake to fulfill the provisions of the grantor, as above set forth. The deed also provided thas in the selection or employment of any physician or
JACOB M. FUNK The founder of Mercy Hospital
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VJEWS OF MERCY HOSPITAL, WEBSTER CITY
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