USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume I > Part 84
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EARLY STEAMBOATING ON THE MAQUOKETA RIVER. Frank Barnes-From Sentinel Souvenir.
Editors Sentinel: When I received your letter, asking me to give something of my early recollections of Maquoketa, the first thought and impulse was to decline, because you will undoubtedly have many articles from people whose memories can reach events away beyond anything I have to tell. But your request has opened the flood gates to memory to old forgotten scenes and days until my forty odd years of personal remembrances of the "Timber City" seems a long way back to me now, and as my first introduction to Maquoketa came about through channels (river channels) that other writers may overlook, and was brought about by one who put in many a faithful day and year in the up- building of the town, I will write to recall some of the difficulties of transporta- tion and communications with the outside world in the fifties and sixties before we had railroads, and how this man tried to help solve the problem. Even in her younger days, Maquoketa had an ambition to get her name before the people of the states and cities, and to accomplish this end, she indulged in what she has since become quite general and fashionable: She sported a "Double"-not in looks, but in name-and by this means became known from Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, all down the Ohio River, to its mouth and up the Mississippi as far as the foot of Lake Pipin, and it was through this attempt to get in touch with her outer world that I am able to make the seemingly contradictory claim of seeing and living in Maquoketa city, at least two years before I came to Iowa to live.
Some time about 1860, Messrs. Williams and Perham of Maquoketa engaged Wilson Barnes to go to Pittsburg to bring their steamboat, the "Maquoketa City," around to her home town. He performed his task to the extent of bring- ing her within walking distance, but either the boat was too big for the river or the rocks, logs, and sand bars were too big for the boat, so they were never able to get her uptown. She was taken back to the Mississippi and after a short time there, my father put his family (mother and I) aboard and took the boat up as far as Reed's Landing, at the foot of Lake Pipin, and there she was sold. He then went back to our home in 'Albany, Illinois, and fitted up a smaller boat called the "Echo," and with it he succeeded in reaching Maquoketa and in carrying people and freight in and out, and after getting the logs and obstructions partly cleared out, he and Joe Barnes put on a larger boat named the "Viola" and it was on this last craft that we finally moved to Maquoketa in 1862. The boating business increased, making it necessary to use a barge to help handle the freight, so my father built a double end hull to be towed by the steamboat. He built it on the south bank of the North Fork, just below the Tubbs (Rockville) mill. This was the first of boat building at Maquoketa. Afterward, about 1863-4, he built several boat hulls on the South Fork, just north of the brewery. One of these, called the "Sterling," was like the "Maquoketa City," too large for the river in Illinois where it was intended to run. They sold it to the W. J. Young Lumber Company, of Clinton, and it was used by them for years on the upper Mississippi and finally went south, and may be in use yet.
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During these years, Hiram and Harl French used to run a line of teams and heavy wagons to Dewitt, Lyons, Dubuque, hauling freight in and out. Hank LeDoit, father of Mrs. Sendal Sears, drove stage and carried the mail to Sabula, and in muddy or bad weather it was a trying and uncertain trip to take. The stage to Dewitt, our nearest railroad point, was a little better because of a shorter distance and a part of the time Gates, of Dewitt, used a large roomy stage coach and four horses, making the trip in three to four hours, which was con- sidered extra good. Every farmer who had wheat, oats, corn, or hogs to market had from one to four heavy wagons and it made the wagon making business good, so in 1867-8, my father bought the wagon shop of D. C. Clary, corner of Platt and Olive streets. We used to go to Dubuque for iron, and stock for wagon boxes, and that was a terror of a trip, over the frozen road of the fall and winter. It usually took a week for the trip, with a heavy wagon and a team. A team with a buggy could make it in three days, if the roads were good. A trip to Davenport was about the same thing. When finally the "Midland" and the road from Davenport both started to build to Maquoketa, it became the center of interest for all, from the youngsters, who had never seen a car or locomotive, to the "oldest inhabitants." who had been so long looking forward to cheaper and quicker transportation, to speculate and discuss the question of which was the better road or which would reach us first, and the business men were willing to give them most anything they asked to hurry it up, as Barnes Bros. and hundreds of others did do. My first recollection of Maquo- keta is of a village of six hundred to eight hundred people. The brick store building of Pierce Mitchell, on corner of Main and Platt streets, and two brick blocks, with a half dozen rooms each, comprised the business section of the city. The old frame Decker house was the hotel. "Father" John E. Goodenow still lived up stairs in his building where Scholl's shoe store now stands. John E. Goodenow, Zal Livermore, Jas. Decker, Mr. Sears, Mrs. Shaw, and Jason Pangborn were the principal land owners. The stone store, built by Jos. Willey, was the first building I saw go up, to my recollection. We first lived in the house now owned by Kim Robinson on Olive street. Then in the old Aunt Debbie Rhodes' house where Cundill's gallery and Midland house now stand. Then my father bought the property on north main street, next to Decker house, which was our home for so many years, and during which time Wilson and Jos. Barnes, Barnes Bros., were helping to build up one the finest little cities in the great middle west, and even though I have now yielded to the ever pushing American impulse to follow the star of empire to the west, nearly to the jumping off place, my early memories of Maquoketa are and ever will be cherished and sacred for the many happy days and pleasant associations of my boyhood home.
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Yours truly, J. FRANK BARNES.
MAQUOKETA CHURCHES.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Methodism in Maquoketa dates back to a very early period in the history of the town. In the fall of. 1839 the first class was organized with five charter members, as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Nims, and Mrs. John Clark; leader, Mr. Thomas Wright.
The first convert to unite with the church was Mr. John Clark. Thus out of a population of eleven inhabitants six were Methodists.
In 1839, Maquoketa was formed into a circuit, and a preacher, by the name of Simpson, came once in two weeks and held services in the town blacksmith shop, which served the three fold purpose of blacksmith shop, schoolhouse and meeting house.
Rev. Simpson was followed by Revs. Cartwright, Pope, Walker, Larkin, Brier, Greenup, Howard and Maxwell. At this time-1848-the circuit included
1
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Cascade, Maquoketa, and Dewitt. These faithful preachers traveled on foot, horseback or wagon, as occasion required, wading, swimming, or fording streams. They reached Maquoketa once in two weeks, where they held services alter- nately, after 1843, with the Congregational ministers in a small brick schoolhouse near what is now the corner of Platt and Second streets. In 1850 the First Methodist Episcopal church was erected at the corner of Pleasant and Olive streets, the contract being let for three hundred and ten dollars. The first board of trustees consisted of Thomas Wright, Aaron Truax, P. R. Cook, E. R. Northup, and G. Truax. Emmery Northup served as the first Sunday school superintendent.
This church will ever be remembered as the place of meeting of the first session of the Upper Iowa Annual Conference, August 27, 1856, a body which has grown from a mere handful of men to a membership of over three hundred ministers, and representing a church membership of thirty-six thousand, six hundred and forty, including within its bounds one fourth of the State of Iowa. This conference was presided over by Bishop E. S. Janes. Rev. G. W. Brindell was then pastor. When the war broke out, among the first to go from Maquo- keta, were the following members of the Methodist Episcopal church-the church of which President Lincoln is reported to have said, it has sent more prayers to heaven and more men to the front than any other-L. L. Martin, A. W. Barnes, I. Fisher, P. A. Miller, Wm. Trout, J. Markle, Henry Spear, Frank Stephens, W. Spaulding, W. Leonard, Geo. Trout, Frank and Marcus Raynor, S. Miller, G. W. House, and M. Sweet, all of Company A, Ninth Iowa. In the next com- pany commanded by Captain J. W. Martin, were A. Tubbs, Wm. Reel, and Robert Codling. This company belonged to what was known as "temperance regiment"-the gallant Twenty-fourth Iowa-in which every captain was a Methodist preacher, as was also the Colonel of the regiment, and it has been said that the regiment "paralyzed the backbone of the rebellion." Other members of the church who enlisted from Maquoketa were Captain Gebert, Jacob Gish, M. E. Finton, Henry Smith, and Frank Amos.
During the year 1875 the society succeeded in disposing of the old church and lot on Olive street, and with additional subscriptions erected the present com- modious structure on the corner of Maple and Second streets, at a cost of eight thousand dollars, Rev. Geo. R. Manning, pastor. This church was dedicated December 12, 1875, by Bishop E. G. Andrews. The trustees were, O. W. Joiner, Dr. G. Truax, C. M. Sanborn, E. Maskery, H. Hamley, H. Clary, N. A. Ham- ley, D. Stephens, and W. B. Sutherland.
The following pastors have served the church since 1839: Rev. Wm. Simp- son, 1839-40 ; Rev. B. H. Cartwright, 1840-41 ; Rev. Pope, 1842; Rev. John Wal- ker, 1843; Dennis A. Larkins, 1844-45; Rev. Greenup, 1846; Rev. Howard, 1847; Rev. J. W. Brier, 1848; Rev. William Hurlbert, 1849; Rev. S. Haines, 1850; Rev. Smith, 1851; Rev. George Larkins, 1852; Rev. Geo. McDonald, 1853; Rev. Harvey Taylor, 1854; Rev. Watts, 1855; J. G. Dimmitt, 1856; Rev. G. W. Brindell, 1857; Rev. Landon Taylor, 1858; Rev. A. B. Kendigg, 1859- 60; Rev. R. S. Pancoast, 1861-62; Rev. J. Brindell, 1863; Rev. J. Linsey, 1864; Rev. E. K. Young, 1865; Rev. W. F. Paxton, 1866; Rev. Wm. Lease, 1867-68; Rev. R. Swarengen, 1869-70; Rev. J. C. Cromac, 1871; Rev. R. W. Millner, 1872-73; Rev. W. B. Frazell, 1874; Rev. G. R. Manning, 1875-76; Rev. R. W. Keeler, 1877; Rev. J. B. Albrook, 1878; Rev. J. C. Magee, 1879-80; Rev. Wm. Brush, 1881-82; Rev. F. C. Wolfe, 1883-84-85; Rev. J. S. McIntyre, 1886-87- 88; Rev. J. G. Van Ness, 1889-90-91-92; Rev. S. W. Heald, 1893-94-95; Rev. W. C. McCurdy, 1896-97-98; Rev. T. E. Fleming, 1899-1900; Rev. R. D. Par- son, 1901-02; Rev. George B. Shoemaker, 1903; Rev. J. F. Black, 1904-05; Rev. L. L. Lockard, 1906-07 ; Rev. A. T. Foster, 1908-09-10.
The Maquoketa Sentinel, on October 14, 1909, has the following to say of Rev. Foster, the present pastor :
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"Rev. A. T. Foster, who has accomplished remarkable church work in Ma- quoketa in two years, has been returned by the Methodist Episcopal conference to this pastorate for another year. Mr. Foster's genial manner, broad minded spirit of charity, untiring efforts in behalf of the public good and earnest Chris- tian work, has made him one of the most successful pastors the Methodist Epis- copal church of this city has ever had. He is strictly a man of the people, with a kindly word of cheer and encouragement for each and all. He added no less than one hundred and fifty new members, making a total of four hundred and fifty members in full connection with his church in this city at the close of the conference year, October, 1909. There are also between eighty and ninety pro- bationers still on the list of probationary membership-certainly a splendid show- ing. Mr. Foster is also the president of the ministerial association of Maquo- keta, and is a valued worker and counselor. Mr. Foster was chairman and also did much of the secretary's work in the big Honeywell Tabernacle meet- ings that proved such a signal religious awakening in our community. He, with others, urged upon Mr. Honeywell that his work was not finished in Ma- quoketa without the establishment of the Young Men's Christian Association, and it was established and it is to be hoped will be maintained. All welcomed Mr. Foster's reappointment to this charge by the conference. The dates of pastorate, as given above, are correct as to years, but as the conferences are held in the fall the pastorate of each began in the fall, prior to the years given above."
Church Officiary, 1909-10 .- Trustees: O. W. Joiner, G. W. Blake, M. S. Round, John Van Doren, Stephen Maskery, Isaac Macumber, Loyal Goddard, R. F. Hays. Stewards: M. J. Harrington, Arvilla Hutchins, Bertha Davis, Anna Lovelee, Jessie Phillips, Louisa Weed, Martha Eaton, G. W. Blake, Noble Wilcox, Geo. F. Blake, Arch Hamley, Wm. Reeves, R. H. Hauck, M. T. Fleming, Samuel Thomas, William Harrison, Ida B. Hamley, Frank Woods, Susie Woods, Nora Griffin.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, MAQUOKETA.
The origin of the First Baptist church of Maquoketa dates back to the early pioneer days, when what is now the State of Iowa, was but a territory. In October, 1841, the Baptist home missionary society designated Rev. C. E. Brown, of Warren, Herkimer county, New York, as a Baptist missionary to the forks of the Maquoketa, Jackson county, Territory of Iowa. The following spring on May 26, 1842, Elder Brown and his wife and two children, arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Doolittle, one mile south of the present site of Maquoketa. The salary pledged by the society to Mr. Brown was one hun- dred dollars per annum and seventy-five dollars additional for traveling ex- penses. The missionary and his family met with a cordial reception from the few Baptists in the district, and from the settlers generally. He spent that summer in preaching and visiting among the people and in gathering the Bap- tist families together.
On the 31st day of August, 1842, a meeting was held at the home of Wm. Y. Earle, three miles west of where the city of Maquoketa now stands, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist church. Elder C. E. Brown was chosen chair- man, and C. M. Doolittle, clerk of the meeting. After an interesting season of prayer and conference, it was resolved to organize and name the organiza- tion the Baptist Church at the Forks of the Maquoketa. The following per- sons living in Jackson and Clinton counties enrolled themselves as members : Esquire Taylor and wife, Jason Pangborn and wife, Wm. Y. Earle and wife, Levi Decker and wife, Elder C. E. Brown and wife, C. M. Doolittle and wife, Mrs. Eliza Mallard, Mrs. Mitchell, Walter Woodworth. Such was the organ- ization of this church, fifteen members in all.
The following winter was intensely cold and of long duration, and Elder Brown not being prepared for it moved with his family to Davenport. After his de-
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parture nothing was done with the infant organization for five years. In the sum- mer of 1847, Elder Brown returned to Jackson county and in the following Feb- ruary, 1848, the work was reorganized. The meeting met in Maquoketa at the house of Daniel Rhodes. Rev. C. E. Brown acted as moderator. The members present were: Rev. C. E. Brown, David Sears, E. Wilcox, I. W. Clark, Henry Munson, Jason Pangborn, William Benson, William Y. Earle, Daniel Rhodes, Eunice Pangborn, Ann Clark, Eunice Decker, Sophia Blake, Betsey Ann Jack- son, Francis L. Brown, Eliza Mallard-sixteen in all.
The meetings of the church were held for a time in the south schoolhouse, Elder C. E. Brown, who organized the original church, and had been its first pastor effected this reorganization, and became the first pastor and the meetings of the body were held henceforth in Maquoketa. Elder Brown continued as pastor until May 4, 1851, receiving the princely salary of one hundred and fifty dollars per year.
The church was incorporated in 1851 with R. Williams, William Y. Earle and C. Teeple, the first board of trustees. D. Rhodes and R. Williams composed the first board of deacons, and were elected in the following year. Elder Scott occupied the pulpit from 1851 to 1853, then it was supplied by Elder Holmes until 1858.
Efforts began to be made in 1852 to build a house of worship. These efforts were finally crowned with success and on December 10, 1853, a modest structure twenty-five by thirty-two feet was erected on the north side of East. Platt street, between Main and Olive streets. Rev. John Bates, pastor of the Cascade Baptist church, was present and dedicated the church.
About this time a rather novel way of making up deficiencies in the ministers salary was adopted. The amounts in arrears being ascertained, a committee was appointed, whose duty it was to apportion the debt among the male members, ac- cording to their ability to pay. The levying of such a tax would not be very popular in the present day. Perhaps it was not in 1850. But it was resorted to at that time in this church.
On May 19, 1859, the church building was burned to the ground. For a number of years thereafter meetings were held in the brick schoolhouse, and sub- sequently the church which belonged to the Presbyterian body on Niagara street was rented and eventually purchased by the Baptist church, and, having been re- paired and improved, became their regular place of worship. Elders Cummings, Phillips, Sampson, Clark and Fields, in turn served the church in the decade be- tween 1860-70. Rev. William Tilley took charge of the work in 1870, and was pastor three years. He was succeeded by Rev. N. F. Hoyt, who remained with thẻ church until 1877. Then came Rev. T. J. Keith, who continued until 1879. Elder T. L. Crandall followed, and ministered most faithfully, earnestly, and ef- ficiently for four years. Many additions were made to the membership during his pastorate. Rev. J. W. Hough became pastor and continued as such until 1885.
In 1886, Rev. J. R. Langridge became pastor and at once measures were taken for the erection of a new building. The membership and citizens of Maquoketa nobly responded to the enterprise, and on New Year's day, 1888, the first meet- ing in the new edifice was held, Rev. Dr. Haight, of Chicago, preaching the open- ing sermon. During the pastorate of Mr. Langridge, a large number were re- ceived into the membership of the church. This, together with the erection of the church building, marks his pastorate as the most fruitful since the organization of the church.
Rev. M. G. Sigler followed as pastor in May, 1890, but the following year re- signed to accept a position as district missionary for the Baptist state convention. During his pastorate, however, the new church edifice was formally dedicated, Rev. N. B. Rairden, D. D., of the Home Mission Society preaching the dedicatory sermon. There was present on that occasion the venerable pioneer preacher, Rev. C. E. Brown, the first pastor of the church.
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In 1892, Rev. F. M. Archer became pastor. On August 31, of that year the church held a jubilee service. Among those present were the three living con- stituent members of the church, Rev. C. E. Brown, Mrs. Eunice Decker, and Mrs. Eliza Mallard. Several of the former pastors were also present. In 1894, Mr. Archer closed a pleasant and fruitful pastorate.
Rev. George Kline then became pastor, closing his work in 1896 to be fol- lowed by Rev. Henry Clark. Mr. Clark was a strong and popular speaker, and closed his work with the church in 1900, later entering the lecture field. He was followed by Rev. Francis Butler, who only remained seven months, resigning that he might accept an appointment to home missionary work in Oklahoma.
In May, 1901, Rev. George C. Chandler became pastor. His was the longest pastorate in the history of the church, covering a period of nearly six and one half years. His work was highly appreciated by the church, and it was with regret that his resignation was accepted in October, 1907. He closed his work to as- sume the pastoral charge of the Baptist church at Elwood, Indiana, of which he had been pastor before coming to Maquoketa.
April 1, 1908, Rev. T. W. Evans became pastor. During this pastorate the Honeywell meetings were held, resulting in about forty additions to the Baptist church. The new piano, and the new furnace were also installed. Mr. Evans closed his work at the end of the first year.
June 1, 1909 Rev. Frank H. Webster, the present pastor, settled with the church. The work is opening auspiciously. Extensive improvements have been made in the church building, including the entire remodeling of the basement. Other substantial improvements are in prospect, and a spirit of harmony and hopefulness prevails in the church. With a well organized Sunday school, a large and enthusiastic Baptist Young People's Union, and a loyal and substantial mem- bership, this church will continue to be a factor in the moral and spiritual growth of the city.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The history of the First Congregational church of Maquoketa begins back in pioneer days, and with those first settlers "who had it on their consciences to plant the church alongside of their homes, and to build up society upon the everlasting foundations of righteousness and truth and peace and love."
In 1840, "Father Turner" visited the settlement of Maquoketa. He prom- ised aid from the American missionary society and that a minister of the gos- pel should be sent there. During the summer of the same year "Father Emer- son" (Rev. Oliver Emerson), the first Congregational minister to do so, preached at irregular intervals to the people, encouraging and strengthening their hearts. These early services were undenominational and were held in the old sod covered log sanctuary.
The first records of the "church at the Forks of Maquoketa, Jackson county, Iowa," begin with the organization of a church. On the evening of November 30, 1843, a few Christian friends met at the house of John Shaw. They agreed to unite as a church. The government of this church was semiPresbyterian, being administered by two elders elected for a term of two years. These meet- ings, however, were open to the presence and advice of all members of the church. A confession of faith and covenant were agreed upon. The organic life of the First Congregational church began the same year that the now historic "Iowa band" came into the state to begin their work. One of the eleven members of this group of consecrated men was William Salter. On Sunday, December 10, 1843, the church was formally started with William Salter, pas- tor, Thomas S. Flathers and William H. Efner, elders, and Mrs. Sophia Shaw, Eliel Nims, Joseph McCloy and Phoebe McCloy as other members. In 1845 the peculiar form of church government was modified and made that which prevails in Congregational churches generally. The first meetings of the church were held in a schoolhouse situated in what is now the second ward. But as
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early as 1850 a church building was talked of. In 1851 the building now sur- viving in the lecture room of the present edifice was erected during the pas- torate of Rev. John W. Windsor. The present commodious building was dedi- cated in 1878 during the pastorate of Rev. S. F. Millikan.
Through the generosity of one of the early members, William C. Board- man, the beautiful church windows were furnished, and in 1882 the same party deeded to the church the "Boardman parsonage" property to belong to the church free of claim at the death of the donor. This building and prop- erty was sold in 1905 and the proceeds invested until such a time as a more commodious property may be secured.
1893 the church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. The first pastor, Wil- liam Salter, was present and gave the sermon Sunday morning and evening, and on Tuesday, the last day of the celebration. Rev. S. F. Millikan was also present and gave an interesting historical address recalling former days. D. A. Fletcher, deacon since 1861 (and still filling that office), gave a necrological sketch, calling up the names and personalities of those who built up the church in the pioneer days of the parish. During the sixty-six years of its history the church has been served by sixteen pastors, whose names, together with the dates of their pastorates, appear below. From the original devoted band of seven pioneer souls, the church has grown to a membership of one hundred and seventy-six active and twenty absent members.
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