History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 16

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002

USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 16

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Besides the State University, State Agricultural College and State Normal

School, ample provision for higher edu- cation has been made by the different religious denominations, assisted by local and individual munificence. There are, exclusive of State institutions, 23 universi- ties and colleges, 111 academies and other private schools. All these are in active operation, and most of them stand high. A list of the universities and colleges, and a brief notice of each, is herewith given:

Amity College is located at College Springs, Page county. S. C. Marshall is President. There are 6 instructors and 225 students.

Burlington University is located at Bur- lington, Des Moines county. E. F Stearns is President of tlie faculty. There are 5 . instructors and 63 students.

Callanan College is located at Des Moines, Polk county. There are 14 in the facu'ty, of which C. R. Pomeroy is Presi- dent, and 188 students are enrolled.

Central University is located at Pella, Marian county. It is an institution of the Baptist denomination. Rev. G. W. Gard- ner is President of the faculty, which numbers 7. There are 196 students.

Coe College is located at Cedar Rapids, Linn county. S. Phelps is President. There are 10 in the faculty and 100 students.

Cornell College is located at Mt. Vernon, Linn county, and is under the control of the M. E. Church. W. F. King is Presi- dent. There are 20 instructors and 400

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students. This college is one of the highest in character, and has a large at- tendance.

Drake University is located at Des Moines, Polk county. G. T. Carpenter is President, and is ably assisted by 25 in- structors. There are 125 students.

Griswold College is located at Daven- port, Scott County, and is under the control of the Episcopal Church. W. S. Perry is President. There are 7 instructors and 80 students.

Iowa College is located at Grinnell, Po- weshiek county. G. F. Magoun is Presi- dent. There are 14 instructors and 359 students. The institution is one of the leading colleges in Iowa, and is perma- nently endowed.

Iowa Wesleyan University is located at Mt. Pleasant, Henry county,. W. J. Spaulding is President. There are 6 in the faculty, and over 160 students in at- tendance. The University is under the auspices of the M. E. Church, and enjoys a high degree of prosperity.

Luther College is situated in Decorah, Winneshiek county. L. Larson is Presi- dent of the faculty, which numbers 10. There are 165 students in attendance.

Clin College is located at Olin, Jones county .. C. L. Porter is President.

Oskaloosa College is situated in Oska- loosa, Mahaska county. G. H. McLaugh- lin is President. The faculty numbers 5,

and the students 190. The college stands very high.

Penn College is situated in Oskaloosa, Mahaska county. B Trueblood is Presi- dent of the faculty, which numbers 5. There are 175 students in attendance.

Simpson Centenary College is located at Indianola, Warren county. E. L Parks is President. There are 9 instructors and 150 students.

Tabor College is located at Tabor, Fre- mont county. Wm. M. Brooks is Presi- dent. The college was modeled after Oberlin college, in Ohio. The faculty consists of 6, and there are 109 students.

Upper Iowa University is located at Fayette, Fayette county, and is under the control of the M. E. Church. Rev. J. W. Bissell is President. There are 11 instruc- tors and 850 students. This University 'stands very high among the educational institutions of the State.

University of Des Moines, at DesMoines, has 5 instructors and 80 students.

Whittier College was established at Salem, Henry county, by the Friends. J. W. Coltrane is President. There are 4 instructors and 105 students.

Riverside Institute .- This school is located at Lyons, on a beautiful elevation overlooking the Mississippi river. Rev. W. T. Currie is the Principal of this Academy.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE.

By an act of the Legislature of Iowa, approved January 24, 1855, the Iowa Insti- tute for the Deaf and Dumb was estab- lished at Iowa City.

In 1866 a great effort was made to re- move the Institute to DesMoines; but it was finally permanently located at Council Bluffs, and the school opened in a rented building. In 1868 Commissioners were to locate a site, and superintend the erection of new building, for which the Legisla- ture appropriated $125,000. The Com- missioners selected 90 acres of land two miles south of the city.

In October, 1870, the main building and "one wing were completed and occupied. In February, 1877, fire destroyed the main building and east wing, and during the summer following a tornado blew off the roof of the new west wing and the walls were partially demolished. About 150 pupils were in attendance at the time of the fire. After that, half of the class were dismissed, and the number of pupils re- duced to 70.

The present officers are: B. F. Clayton, President, Macedonia, term expires in 1886; A Rogers, Secretary, term expires 1884; John H. Stubenranch, term expires in 1884. The county superintendent of schools annually reports all persons of school age that are deaf and dumb; also those too deaf to acquire learning in the common schools. The cost per pupil is $28 per quarter, and is paid by the parents or guardian ; but when unable to do so, the expense is borne by the respective county. The regular appropriation is $11,000 per annum, drawn quarterly. Parents and

guardians are allowed to clothe their .children.

The whole number admitted to the Institution is 621. Present number, 221. Last biennial appropriation, $27,839.

COLLEGE FOR THE BLIND.

The first person to agitate the subject of an Institute for the Blind was Prof. Sam- uel Bacon, himself blind, who, in 1852, established a school of instruction at Keokuk. The next year the Institute was adopted by the State, and moved to Iowa City, by act of the Legislature, approved January 18, 1853, and opened for the re- ception of pupils, April 4, 1853 During the first term 23 pupils were admitted. Prof. Bacon, the Principal, made his first report in 1854, and suggested that the name be changed from "Asylum for the Blind " (which was the name first adopted) to that of " Institution for the Instruction of the Blind." This change was made in 1855, and the Legislature made an annual appropriation of $55 per quarter for each pupil; afterward this appropriation was changed to $3,000 per annum.

Prof. Bacon was a fine scholar, an eco- nomical manager, and in every way adapted to his position. During his administration thè institution was, in a great measure, self-supporting by the sale of articles manufactured by the blind pupils. There was also a charge of $25 as an admission fee for each pupil. Prof. Bacon founded the Blind Asylum at Jacksonville, Illinois.

In 1858 the citizens of Vinton, Benton county, donated a quarter section of land . and $5,000 for the establishment of the asylum at that place. On the 8th of May,

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that same year, the trustees met at Vinton and made arrangements for seeuring the donation, and adopted a plan for the eree- tion of a suitable building. In 1860 the eontraet for enelosing was let to Messrs Finkbine and Lovelace, for $10,420. In August, 1862, the goods and furniture were removed from Iowa City to Vinton, and in the fall of the same year the sehool was opened with 24 pupils.

The institution has been built at a vast expenditure of money, mueh greater than it seemed to require for the number of oceupants. The Legislative Committee, who visited the college in 1878, expressed their astonishment at this utter disregard of the fitness of things. They could not understand why $282,000 should have been expended for a massive building for the accommodation of only 130 people, eosting the State over $5,000 a year to heat it, and about $500 a year for each pupil.

The present offieers are: Robert Car- others, Superintendent; T. F. McCune, Assistant Superintendent; Trustees: Jacob Springer, President; M. H. Westbrook, J. F. White, C. O. Harrington, W. H. Leavitt, S. H. Watson. Whole number of oceupants, 436. Present number, males, 36; females, 50, Salary of superintendent, $1,200; assistant, $700; trustees, $4.00 per day and mileage. Annual appropriation, $8,000, and $128 per year allowed for each pupil. Annual meeting of trustees in June. Biennial appropriation in 1880, $3,000.

IOWA HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE

The Iowa Hospital for the Insane was established by an aet of the Legislature, approved January 24, 1855. Gov. Grimes,

Edward Johnson, of Lee eounty, and Chas. S. Blake, of Henry county, were appointed to locate the institution and superintend the ereetion of the building; $4,425 were appropriated by the Legislature for the site, and $500 000 for the building. The commissioners loeated the institution at Mount Pleasant, Henry county, and a plan of the building was drawn by Dr. Bell, of Massachusetts. The building was designed to accommodate 300 patients, and in Octo- ber work eommeneed, superintended by Henry Winslow. The Legislature had appropriated $258,555.67 before it was completed. One hundred patients were admitted within three months. In April, 1876, a portion of the building was de- stroyed by fire From the opening of the . Hospital to the close.of October, 1877, there were admitted 3,684 patients. Of these, 1,141 recovered, 505 were improved, 589 were discharged unimproved, and 1 died. During this period 1,384 of the pa- tients were females.

The trustees are elected by the Legisla- ture, and all offieers are chosen by the trustees. Superintendents are ehosen for six years. Dr. Ranney was first ehosen in 1865; salary, $2,000 annual. Whole number of patients admitted, 4,598; present num- ber males, 298; present number females, 235. Trustees paid $5 per day and mile- age, not to exeeed 30 days each year. Annual meeting, first Wednesday in Oeto- ber; quarterly, January, April and Sep- tember.

Present offieers are: Mark Ranney, M. D, Superintendent; H . M. Bassett, M. D., J. P. Brubaker, M. D., and Max Witte, M.D., assistant physicians.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, AT INDEPEND- ENCE.

The Legislature of 1867-8 adopted meas- ures providing for an additional hospital for the insane, and an appropriation of $125,- 000 was made for that purpose. Maturin L. Fisher, of Clayton county, E. G. Mor- gan, of Webster county, and Albert Clark, of Buchanan county, were appointed com- missioners to locate and superintend the erection of a building. These commis -- sioners commenced their labors June 8, 1868, at Independence. They were author- ized to select the most desirable location, of not less than 320 acres, within two miles of the city of Independence, that might be offered by the citizens free of charge. They finally selected a site on the west side of the Wapsipinicon river, about a mile from its banks, and about the same distance from Independence. The contract for building was awarded to David Arm strong, of Dubuque, for $88,114. It was signed November 7, 1868, and work was immediately commenced. George Josse- lyn was appointed superintendent of the work. The first meeting of the trustees was called in July, 1872 At the Septem- ber meeting, Albert Reynolds, M. D , was elected Superintendent of the Hospital; George Josselyn, Steward, and Mrs. Anna B. Josselyn, Matron.

The Hospital opened May 1,1873. Whole number of patients admitted, 2,000; pres- ent number (1882), 533; males, 290; fe- males, 243. Biennial appropriation (1880), $35,300.

The present officers are: G. H. Hill, Superintendent; term expires in 1882; salary, $1,600. H. G. Brainard, M. D.,

Assistant Superintendent; salary, $1,000. Noyes Appleman, Steward; salary, $900. Mrs. Lucy M. Gray, Matron; salary, $600.

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME.

This institution is located at Davenport, Scott county, and was originated by Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, during the late rebel- lion. This noble woman called a conven- tion at Muscatine, September 7, 1863, for the purpose of devising means for the education and support of the orphan chil- dren of Iowa, whose fathers lost their lives in defending their country's honor. The public interest in the movement was so great that all parts of the State were largely represented, and an association was .organized, called the Iowa State Orphan Asylum. The first meeting of the trus- tees was held February 14, 1864, at Des Moines, when Gov. Kirkwood suggested that a home for disabled soldiers should be connected with the Asylum, and arrange- ments were made for raising funds. At the next meeting, in Davenport, the fol- lowing month, a committee was appointed, of which Mr. Howell, of Keokuk, was chairman, to lease a suitable building, solicit donations, and procure suitable furniture. This committee secured a large brick building in Lawrence, Van Buren county, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount Pleasant, as Steward. The work of prepa- ration was conducted so vigorously that July 13, following, the executive commit- tee announced that they were ready to receive children. Within three weeks 21 were admitted, and in a little more than six months the soldiers' orphans admitted numbered 70.

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Miss M. Elliott, of Washington, was appointed the first Matron, but she resigned the following February, and was succeeded by Mrs. E G. Platt, of Fremont county.

The Home was sustained by voluntary contributions, until 1866, when it was taken charge of by the State. The Log- islature appropriated $10 per month for each orphan actually supported, and pro- vided for the establishment of three homes. The one in Cedar Falls was organ- ized in 1865; an old hotel building was fitted up for it, and by the following Jan- uary there were 96 inmates. In October, 1869, the Home was removed to a large brick building about two miles west of Cedar Falls, and was very prosperous for several years; but in 1876 the Legislature devoted this building to the State Normal School. The same year the Legislature also devoted the buildings and grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Glenwood, Mills county, to an Institution for the Sup- port of Feeble-Minded Children. It also provided for the removal of the soldiers' orphans at Glenwood and Cedar Falls Homes to the institution located at Daven- port.

The present officers are: S. W. Pierce, Superintendent; Mrs. F.W. Pierce, Matron. Whole number admitted, 1,525; present number, males, 79; females, 90. The 18th Grand Army Corps appropriated $2,000 to build eight cottages, school house and other buildings; these have been completed, and the home will, when finished, accommo- date 200 children. Superintendent's sal- ary, $1,200 per annum. Trustees are elected for two years.

ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN.

An act of the General Assembly, ap- proved March 17, 1878, provided for the establishment of an asylum for feeble- minded children at Glenwood, Mills county; and the buildings and grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place were taken for this purpose. The asylum was placed under the management of three trustees, one of whom should be a resident of Mills County.

The grounds to be used were found to be in a very dilapidated condition, and thorough changes were deemed necessary. The institution was opened September 1, 1876, and the first pupil admitted Septem- ber 4. By November, 1877, the number of pupils had increased to 87. The whole number admitted has been 257. Present inmates number 200.

PENAL INSTITUTIONS.

The first penal institution was estab- lished by an act of the Territorial Legisla- ture, approved January 25, 1839. This act authorized the Governor to draw the sum of $20,000, appropriated by an act of Congress in 1838, for public buildings in the Territory of Iowa. It provided for a Board of Directors, consisting of three persons, to be elected by the Legislature, who should superintend the building of a penitentiary to be located within a mile of the public square, in the town of Fort Madison, county of Lee, provided that the latter deeded a suitable tract of land for the purpose, also a spring or stream of water for the use of the penitentiary.

The first directors were John S. David and John Claypole. They were given the power of appointing the warden, the latter

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

to appoint his own assistants. The citizens of Fort Madison executed a deed of 10 acres of land for the building, and Amos Ladd was appointed superintendent June 5, 1839. The work was soon entered upon, and the main building and warden's house were completed in the fall of 1841. It continued to meet with additions and im- provements until the arrangements were all completed according to the design of the directors. The estimated cost of the building was $55,933.90, and was designed of sufficient capacity to accommodate 138 convicts.

Iowa has adopted the enlightened policy of humane treatment of prisoners, and utilizes their labor for their own support. Their labor is let out to contractors, who pay the State a stipulated sum therefor, the latter furnishing shops, tools, ma- chinery, etc, and the supervision of the convicts.

The present officers of the prison are: E. C. McMillen, Warden, elected 1878 and 1880; Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden; W. C. Gunn, Chaplain; A. W. Hoffmeister, Physician; M. T. Butterfield, Clerk.

The whole number of convicts admitted up to the present time (1882) is 3,387. Number of males in 1881, 350; females, 3; number of guards, 33. The Warden is chosen biennially by the Legislature, and receives a salary of $2,000 per annum.

ANAMOSA PENITENTIARY.

In 1872 the first steps toward the erec- tion of a prison at Anamosa, Jones county, were taken, and by an act of the General Assembly, approved April 23, this year, William Ure, Foster L. Downing and Mar- tin Heisey were appointed commissioners

to construct and control prison buildings, They met on the 4th of June, following, and selected a site donated by the citizens of Anamosa. The plan, drawings and specifications were furnished by L. W. Foster & Co., of DesMoines, and work on the building was commenced September 28, 1872. In 1873, 20 convicts were trans- ferred from the Fort Madison prison to Anamosa.

The officers of the Anamosa prison are: A. E. Martin, Warden; L. B. Peet, Deputy Warden; Mrs. A. C. Merrill, Chaplain; L. J. Adair, Physician; T. P. Parsons, Clerk. The whole number admitted since it was opened is 816. Number of inales in 1882, 133; females, 2. Salaries of officers the same as those of the Fort Madison peni- tentiary.

BOYS' REFORM SCHOOL.

By act approved March 31, 1868, the General Assembly established a reform school at Salem, Henry county, and pro- vided for a Board of Trustees, to consist of one person from each Congressional District. The trustees immediately leased the property of the Iowa Manual Labor Institute, and October 7 following, the school received its first inmate. The law at first provided for the admission of children of both sexes under 18 years of age. The trustees were directed to organ- ize a separate school for girls.

In 1872 the school was permanently located at Eldora, Hardin county, and $45,000 were appropriated for the neces- sary buildings.

In 1876 the law was so amended that only children over 7 and under 16 years of age were admitted.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

The children are taught the elements of education, in particular the useful branches, and are also trained in some regular course of labor, as is best suited to their age, dis- position and capacity. They are kept until they arrive at majority, unless bound out to some responsible party, which relieves the State of their care. Occasion- ally they are discharged before the age of 21, for good conduct.

The institution is managed by five trus- tees, elected by the Legislature. Whole number of boys admitted, 818. There are 204 inmates at present, and also 63 in the girls' department, at Micheliville. The biennial appropriation for 1880 was $16,900.

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

By act of the General Assembly ap- proved January 28, 1857, a State Historical Society was provided for in connection with the University. At the commence- ment, an appropriation of $250 was made, to be expended in collecting and preserv- ing a library of books, pamphlets, papers, paintings and other materials illustrative of the history of Iowa. There was appro- priated the sum of $500 per annum to maintain this Society. The management consists of a board of 18 curators, nine appointed by the Governor and nine elected by vote of the Society.

The State Historical Society has pub- lished a series of very valuable collections, including history, biography, sketches, reminiscences, etc., with quite a large number of finely engraved portraits of prominent and early settlers, under the title of "Annals of Iowa."

STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This Society is conducted under the auspices of the State, and is one of the greatest promoters of the welfare of the people under the management of the State government. It should receive more pe- cuniary assistance than it does. The Society holds an annual fair, which has occurred at Des Moines since 1878. At its meetings subjects are discussed of the highest interest and value, and these pro- ceedings are published at the expense of the State.

The officers are a President, Vice-Presi- dent, Secretary, and Treasurer and five Directors. The last hold office for two years, and the other officers one year.

FISH HATCHING-HOUSE.

This was established in 1874, and has for its object the supplying of rivers and lakes with valuable fish. The General Assembly first appropriated the sum of $3,000. Three fish commissioners were appointed, and the State is divided into three districts, one for each commissioner. The Hatching-House was erected near Anamosa, Jones county, and is conducted in the same manner as similar houses in other States. Since 1876 there has been but one commissioner, B. F. Shaw. Mr. Shaw is enthusiastic in his work, and has distributed hundreds of thousands of small fish of various kinds in the rivers and lakos of Iowa. The 16th General Assembly passed an act in 1878 prohibiting the catching of any kind of fish except brook trout from March until June of each year.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

CHAPTER X.

POLITICAL.

The Territory of Iowa was organized in 1838, and the following Territorial officers were appointed by President Van Buren: Governor, Robert Lucas,. of Ohio; Secre- tary of the Territory, William B. Conway; Chief Justice, Charles Mason, of Burling- ton; Associate Justices, Thomas S. Wilson, of Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of Pennsylvania; Attorney-General, M. Van Allen, of New York; Marshal, Francis Gehon, of Dubuque.

The first election was for members of the Territorial Legislature and a delegate to Congress. The Democracy controlled the Legislature by a large majority. The vote on Delegate was as follows :

Wm. W. Chapman, Dem 1,490

Peter H. Engle, Dem. 1,454

B. F. Wallace, Whig, 913

David Rorer, Den: 605 Mr. Talliafero 30

The election of 1839 was for members of the Second Territorial Legislature, and created little interest.

In 1840, the year of the "hard cider campaign," the interest was awakened, and both parties put in nomination candidates for Delegate to Congress. There was also an election for Constitutional Convention, which was defeated. The vote on Dele- gate was as follows:

A. C. Dodge, Dem .4,009-515 Alfred Rich, Whig 3,494 Mr. Churchman. 92

The Whigs held a convention in 1841, at Davenport, on the 5th day of May, and adopted the following platform :

WHEREAS, It has pleased the Governor of the Universe, by one of those inscrutable acts the righteousness of which no man may question, to take from the American people their beloved Chief Magistrate, William Henry Harrison, and transfer him from this to another, and, we trust, to a better world; therefore,

Resolved, That we sincerely mourn over and deplore the loss of one whose services in cvery department of society have been so prc-emi- nently uscful. As a citizen, he was beloved for his rectitude and benevolence; as a soldier, dis- tinguished for his bravery and success; as a statesman, his ability, purity and patriotism were remarkable; as a Christian, he was humble and pious. In short, his whole character was made up of traits seldom to be found in men occupying the place in society he filled, and is worthy of imitation by all those who love their country.

Resolved, As a token of our sorrow on this providential bereavement, we will wear the usual badac of mourning thirty days; and that we concur with President Tyler on recommend- ing to the people of the United States that the 14th of May be observed as a day of fasting and prayer.

Resolved, That we have full confidence in the ability and current political sentiments of John

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Tyler, who, by the voice of the people and the Providence of God, now fills the Executive Chair of the United States.

Resolved, That we recognize in John Cham- bers, the gentleman lately appointed to the Ex- ecutive Chair of Iowa, a sterling Democratic Whig; one whose early life is honorably identi- fied with the history of our late war with Great Britain; and whose uniform devotion to the best interests of our country affords us a sure guar- anty of his usefulness in this Territory.

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History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 16

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1002

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1002