History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume I, Part 85

Author: Ellis, James Whitcomb, 1848-; Clarke, S. J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 730

USA > Iowa > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume I > Part 85

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Pastorates .- William Salter, 1843-46; W. A. Keith, 1846-48; J. W. Windsor, 1849-56; G. E. Delevan, 1856-57 ; William A. Patton, 1858-59; Phineas Black- man, 1859-61 ; Calvin S. Cady, 1861-64; J. B. Gilbert, 1864-68; Switzer, 1868-69: J. T. Cook, 1869-72; J. S. Graves, 1872-75; S. F. Millikan, 1875-88; T. S. Oadams, 1888-92 ; T. A. Porter, 1892-94 ; Saml. Shepherd, 1895-1904 ; Mal- com Dana, 1904-08; W. D. Lewis, 1908-09.

REFORMED CHURCH OF MAQUOKETA.

In the early '50s a number of families of the Reformed church came from Pennsylvania, and settled in Maquoketa and vicinity. Others settled at Zwingle, twenty miles north of Maquoketa. The latter procured a pastor in the person of Rev. F. C. Bauman who has faithfully served them ever since. Mr. Bau- man came to Maquoketa in July, 1860, and preached in the brick schoolhouse on South Eliza street. He continued the services monthly for over three years. They were then left without a pastor. Without a pastor the organization soon disbanded. Some of the members moved south and were the nucleus of the Union church and some moved west and became the nucleus of the Buckhorn Re- formed church. There were no preaching services held in Maquoketa by the Reformed church until the present pastor, Rev. D. F. Boomershine was sent as a home missionary to build up a Reformed church in Maquoketa in union with the two country churches. His commission is dated July 2, 1894, and he was here and preached in both country churches on Sunday July 8th. He called on members and friends of the Reformed church in Maquoketa and preached his first sermon to thirty people in Stephens opera house, July 29th, at 3 p. m.

By the courtesy of the Baptist people, the services were held in the Baptist church every Sunday at 3 p. m., from December 9, 1894, to March 27, 1898. From April 17, 1898, to October, 1900, we held our services in the Priaulx hall until we could use the new church. It took some time to get the people to feel that they were able to build a new church even with the help of friends, how- ever much we needed the building for a permanent growth of the church. July 10, 1899, a building committee of five members was appointed, and the plans and work of a new church were pushed to completion. A subscription list was cir- culated among the members, friends, business men and almost all responded to our appeal and lent a helping hand. Members and friends of Zwingle and vi- cinity contributed liberally. Ground was broken for the new building Septem-

593

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY

ber 5, 1899, and the excavating was done by members and friends of Buckhorn church with their teams, nine in all, together with five men members of town.

Cornerstone of new building was laid Sunday, May 20, 1900, at 3 p. m., when over one thousand citizens gathered on that beautiful May day to do honor to the occasion, and hear the stirring address of the pastor. Amidst great re- joicings of the membership and friends, the beautiful edifice was dedicated to the service of the Triune God by the pastor on Sunday, November II, 1900. Rev. B. B. Royer, of Chicago, Illinois, a classmate of the pastor, preached an eloquent sermon in the morning. Pastors of the city united in fraternal meet- ing and Rev. A. S. Dechant, district missionary superintendant, gave a stirring address in the evening. The church was dedicated free of debt at a cost includ- ing all furnishing, four thousand, three hundred dollars, not including the lot. The membership of the church is not large but has a steady and substantial growth. The organization is yet young and the membership and the pastor are hopeful of a bright and useful future of the church for Maquoketa and vicinity. Just as the churches are maintained and supported so will the public schools be a power in our midst, and business will flourish, men will prosper, and peace and happiness will reign supreme. The social and moral life will be then what we would like to see it, and the religious joy and hope can and will bear its fruit and reward to all who are interested in and long for the best things for themselves and others. Rev. D. F. Boomershine was born on a farm in Montgomery county, Ohio, Jan- uary 14, 1866. Educated in the country schools, taught district school two years, then entered Heidelberg University in 1877, and graduated with honors in 1891. He received his theological training at the Reformed Theological Seminary lo- cated at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, graduating in May, 1894. Came to Maquo- keta July, 1894, and has been pastor here ever since, of the Reformed church of Maquoketa together with the Buckhorn, Union, and Lost Nation churches.

GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH, MAQUOKETA.

Through the Iowa conference the German evangelical missionaries have been engaged in Christian work in the Maquoketa field for the past fifty years. This society first held meetings in the locality known as Hershberg settlement, ten miles west of Maquoketa, and one mile north of what was then known as Fremont, now Baldwin. This was along in the early '50s and from the nucleus came the organization in Maquoketa. Along about 1870 the society became somewhat disbanded and continued so for several years. In 1877 the society again reorganized in Maquoketa, under the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Miller, sent as a missionary from the Iowa conference to this field. The mem- bership at this time was not large but comprised the following named persons : Mr. and Mrs. Paul Edinger, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Raymond, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Becker, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Ringlep, Mrs. Christopher Miller, Mrs. Peter Von Eschen and Mrs. John Ast. The pastor gathered his little flock together in the old second ward schoolhouse for a time, when the question came up for the building of a home for the society. Rev. Miller, with his faith- ful members, took this matter in hand and with the aid of our people soon had a fund raised for the erection of a new church. This was constructed at the corner of East Platt street and Mattison avenue, the same that is now used as their place of worship. The pastors who have filled the pulpit and adminis- tered to the welfare of this society are: Rev. J. J. Miller, Rev. W. Kolb, Rev. H. W. Hartman, Rev. Geo. Eckhart, Rev. R. Miller, Rev. August Joetze, Rev. Louis Schmidt, Rev. H. Raeker, Rev. Lawrence, Rev. L. Reep, Rev. Meuther, Rev. C. Schwab. There is no regular pastor now but one is supplied from Muscatine. They have services every three weeks.

THE SACRED HEART PARISH.

The church was built under the pastorate of Rev. J. B. Gaffney, 1873, who resided at Otter Creek. Father John O'Farrell (now of Ottumwa, Iowa), suc-

594

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY

ceeded Father Gaffney and attended Maquoketa from Deep Creek parish. Father O'Farrell completed the paying off of the debt of the church. Father T. Tracy (now of Sheldon, Iowa), succeeded Father O'Farrell and was the first resident pastor of Maquoketa, coming here about 1880, and afterward moved to Delmar, Iowa, attending Maquoketa from there. Since that time about 1883, Maquoketa has been attended from Delmar. After Father Tracy came Father W. Cook, who remained for about six months. Father Cook was succeeded by Father J. W. Ryan, who remained until June, 1890. He was succeeded by Father John F. Bowen. Under Father Bowen's care the Sacred Heart parish has made wonderful strides. The church has been repaired and refurnished, and the parish has more than trebled its membership. Over one thousand eight hundred dollars has been expended on the church, etc. A big church affair was held in February, 1904, in this city and netted two thou- sand four hundred dollars. A fine location has been purchased in the center of this city for a new church site. The expectations are to see a fine brick church erected here in the near future, together with other church buildings. A splendid location has also been bought for a new cemetery in the south part of the city and the work of platting and improving the grounds has already begun.

FREE METHODIST CHURCH, MAQUOKETA.

The Free Methodist church of Maquoketa was organized December 9, 1886, in the little German church in the east part of town, by Rev. W. C. Thompson, the noted revivalist who had awakened a deep and widespread interest in old time religion in a number of places in Iowa. Rev. L. W. Rhubert assisted Rev. Thompson as junior pastor at this time.

Rev. E. Y. Carl, now deceased, was appointed pastor in 1887, and by his persistent effort the present church edifice was built, but not completed as it now stands till Rev. J. B. Newville came on the work in 1889. The church was dedicated by E. E. Hall, district elder, the next year 1890. Since then the following pastors have supplied the work: I. H. Gorrell, C. W. Carnes, J. Q. Murray, W. C. Thompson (second term), J. M. Lute, J. S. Booton, W. J. Trimble, Rev. E. N. Miller and Rev. H. A. Dalrymple.

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

St. Mark's church (Episcopal) was founded about June, 1881. "The little church around the corner" was built in the following year 1882. The rector at that time was Rev. S. F. Myers. Prior to building the church edifice, services were held in the courthouse. The mission began with but seven faithful women. After a year or two the Rev .. S. F. Myers resigned and was succeeded by Rev. M. Summerville, his successor being Rev. Mr. Crittenden. Later Rev. Mr. Cairns, then Whipple, then Mr. Whitney, then the Rev. J. Frost. While Mr. Frost was here the church was remodeled and effective work was done. After two years he resigned to accept a call at St. James parish, Oskaloosa, Iowa, and he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Henry; after eighteen months he resigned and a student read the services for a few weeks (Mr. Thos. Cassady of the General Theological Seminary, New York city), until in September of 1902, the Rev. Annesley Young took charge. During his pastorate a vestry was built, a cement sidewalk laid around the church property, and with Easter day a beau- tiful pipe organ made by Lyon & Healy of Chicago installed in the church, and all these improvements have been paid for. Adjoining the church is a comfort- able and pretty rectory built while the Rev. Mr. Summerville was here; it also is free of debt. The church is in all appearances an up-to-date Episcopal church with vested choir of over twenty voices. Unity exists among the church people and no one is allowed to cause discord, hence the congregation is successful though limited in numbers. The church basement has been finished and placed

595

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY

in comfortable shape for a guild hall. Rev. Young was very popular during his rectorship, and was succeeded by Rev. Robertson, who remained about a year, and was succeeded by Rev. Charles H. Kues, who contracted a serious malady while here and resigned after several months' illness in a hospital. Since 1907 the church has had no regular rector but has been supplied from Davenport and Clinton.

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY.

The history of the Christian Science society of this city is a brief one, as it is only in its infancy. The work was practically begun here by one who had re- ceived class instruction in Christian Science. In October, 1898, three persons met together at her home to study the Bible and "Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures," by Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy. This continued until the fol- lowing spring, when about a half a dozen were in attendance at these readings. These gatherings had thus far been informal but at this time there was instituted a regular Sunday morning service, also a Wednesday evening service. These services were very well attended, and the Wednesday evening services were espe- cially helpful and interesting. In the following year, 1900, a society was organized to be known as the Christian Science Society of Maquoketa, and Priaulx hall was rented. Here the society held their services for three years, and during that time many people attended these meetings and Christian Science became better known, and much erroneous thinking in regard to its teachings and practice were removed. This hall proved unsatisfactory during the summer months, so dur- ing the fall of 1903 the society secured a room in the Rice block which is well ventilated and cool and pleasant through the summer months. The interest in the work is steadily growing and there has been many demonstrations to show that "Christ, Truth," is ever present to heal and save. The Christian Science churches do not have pastors, but have readers who read the lesson sermons. The subject of these sermons are always the same but the sermons differ, pre- senting the subjects in different lights, and consist of passages from the Bible and the Christian text book, "Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures." The nature of these sermons are best explained by the following selection from the. "explanatory note" on the first page of the lesson quarterly: "The Bible and the Christian Science text books are our only preachers. The canonical writings, together with the words of our text book corroborating and explaining the Bible texts with their spiritual import, an application to all ages, past, present and future, constitute a sermon undivorced from truth, uncontaminated and unfettered by human hypothesis, and authorized by Christ." These sermons are read by two readers. The first reader reads the selections from "Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures." The second reader reads "citations" from the Bible. The first reader also conducts the services. The readers are required to give these sermons careful and prayerful study through the week, in order to gain an understanding of the spiritual truth contained in the sermon, and its application to human needs. The same sermon is read throughout all the churches. The understanding of Christian Science heals people of sins and dis- ease, and the Christian churches are composed mostly of people who have been healed, mentally, morally, and physically. Mrs. Sarah Husband is first leader of Christian Science.

The following is a brief exposition of the Christian Science church tenets : I. As adherents of truth, we take the inspired word of the Bible as our sufficient guide to eternal life. 2. We acknowledge and adore one supreme and infinite God; we acknowledge our Christ, his son Christ Jesus; the Holy Ghost or divine comforter, and man his divine image and likeness. 3. We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin, and in the understanding that evil and sin are unreal, hence not eternal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as it lasts. 4. We acknowledge Christ's atonement as the evidence of di- vine and efficacious love, unfolding man's unity with God through Jesus Christ,

596

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY

the man shower. 5. We acknowledge that man is saved through Christ-through divine truth, life and love, as demonstrated by the Galilean prophet, in the heal- ing of the sick and the overcoming of sin and death. Also the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection were designed to elevate human faith and understand- ing to the spiritual perception of the eternal existence of the good and real in man. 6. We solemnly promise to strive, watch and pray for that mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus. To love one another and to be meek and merciful, just and pure. (Tenets copied from the church manual of the First church of Christ Scientist, Boston, Massachusetts.)

FREEMASONRY IN MAQUOKETA.

The first steps toward the organization of a Masonic lodge in Maquoketa were taken when, on April 15, 1851, a petition to the grand master in Iowa for a dis- pensation to open a lodge here was signed by Dr. P. L. Lake, Thomas M. Wright, Thomas Wright, Samuel Chandler, William Y. Earle, Carmel Cheney, Nathanial Butterworth, M. M. Curtis, John Hanna, and Sylvester Stevens. The five first named were residents of Maquoketa, or its immediate vicinity, and the other five resided in Perry township, in or near the village of Andrew. The dispensa- tion signed by W. D. McCord, grand master, and T. S. Parvin, grand secretary, was granted May 8, 1851, under the name of Helion Lodge. The name Greek for sun, was borrowed from the name of the lodge Dr. Lake had belonged to in Hunts- ville, Alabama, Helion No. I of that state.

The first officers of the lodge were: Preston L. Lake, worshipful master ; Thomas Wright, senior warden; Marvin M. Curtis, junior warden : Carmel Che- ney, treasurer ; Thomas Miles Wright, secretary ; William Y. Earle, senior dea- con ; Nathanial Butterworth, tyler. Dr. Lake was then principal of the newly organized Maquoketa academy; Thomas Wright was proprietor of a woolen mill; Mr. Curtis was a farmer who owned what is now the George Collipriest place, on the north fork; Carmel Cheney owned and lived on what is now the county poor farm in Perry township; Thomas M. Wright was Thomas Wright's father, and John E. Goodenow's father-in-law ; William Y. Earle lived in the present city limits ; John Hanna was a farmer in Perry township; as was also Nathanial But- terworth; General Samuel Chandler was then a farmer and wagon maker at Bridgeport, who had had a remarkable experience. He had been engaged in what is generally known as the Patriot war in Canada, in 1837-38, in which he was so active a leader that, when captured by the British government, he was sentenced to be hung. By the intercession of a devoted daughter, afterward Mrs. Jesse Wil- son, his sentence was commuted to banishment to Van Dieman's land. After four years he escaped through the aid of a masonic brother, an American sea captain, and in 1843 he came to this place, whither other refugees of that conflict- notably William Current, A. H. Wilson, and Mahlon Brookfield-had preceded him. Sylvester Stevens, who signed the petition for a dispensation, did not be- come a member of the lodge when organized, and no record exists by which his identity can be established with certainty ; but we think he was a son-in-law of Carmel Cheney's, who left the county about that time. Among others who be- came members of the lodge during its first years may be mentioned Dr. Elisha F. Clark, James O. DeGrush, who had been master of a lodge in New York state ; T. A. N. Walker, Thomas Darling, H. B. French, Peter Moriarty, Amasa Ballou, John R. Twiss, John C. Wendle, and Stephen Collins.

The first meeting of the lodge was held in the second story of Jonas Clark's store, which stood on the west side of Main street, near where the brick store owned by the Job Reynold's estate now is ; but, in the fall of 1854, a frame build- ing was erected on the northeast corner of Main and Platt streets, for the general store of the late Pierce Mitchell, and its second story was finished off during the winter that followed, as a Masonic hall. About 1863, the lodge rented the third story of a new brick building erected by E. R. Woley, on the east side of Main

HOTIn

CUNDIE, NAQUARTA

ON THE MAQUOKETA

ÖPPNACHEL MAQUOKETA CHIMA

MAQUOKETA AND VICINITY

599

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY

street, now owned by the American Savings bank, and occupied on the first floor by that bank. About 1867 another move was made to a third story room on the west side of Main street just vacated by the Odd Fellows. That body afterward bought the hall of Henry Taubman, the third story of his building, and occupied it for a good many years. The Masons then removed to rooms over A. S. Car- ter's hardware store, and in the fire which wrecked that building on the night of September 30, 1882, lost all of their furniture, paraphernalia and valuable records. Dr. Truax was then erecting a store building to be occupied by D. H. Anderson. He at once changed the plan to include a third story, which the lodge and its co- ordinate bodies leased for a term of twenty years. At the expiration of that lease, in 1902, the third story of C. M. Sanborn's brick building, near Pleasant street, was secured on very favorable terms, and the Masonic bodies find there a very pleasant and commodious home.

On May 20, 1901, Helion lodge celebrated its semicentennial anniversary by a meeting and banquet at which were present, grand master, W. L. Eaton, of Osage; grand high priest, N. B. Hyatt, of Webster city; deputy grand secretary, N. R. Parvin, of Cedar Rapids ; past grand master, Thomas Lambert, of Sabula ; worthy grand matron, (Eastern Star) Mrs. Freda Oppenheimer, of Webster City, and several other out of town visitors. It proved a very pleasant and profitable occasion, and has been commemorated by a neatly bound souvenir history of the lodge.

The condition of the lodge has been generally prosperous throughout its history, although for a few years during the Civil war period, it suffered a considerable diminution of members. Its presiding officers for the entire period have been : Dr. P. L. Lake, Thomas Wright, Peter Moriarty, William W. Eaton, Charles M. Dunbar, Rev. William Lease, Osceola Goodenow, F. Eugene Adams, C. C. Dudley, George A. Isbell, Dr. G. O. Johnson, O. W. Britton, George L. Mitchell, Dr. W. H. Davies, Fred Gurius, G. B. Orcutt, William Hancock, Guy O. Morse, Fred Fischer, Walter Doe, E. D. Hansen, George E. Dunlap, G. A. Hess, C. H. Haight, John B. Harrison, William B. Eaton, Henry Meyers, Harry Fischer.

The officers of 1909 were : Harry Fischer, W .M .; Walter Keck, S. W .; W. J. Mathias, J. W .; C. M. Sanborn, treasurer ; Fred Gurius, secretary ; H. S. Littell, S. D .; Samuel Russel, J. D .; A. M. Robinson, S. S .; E. P. Hatfield, J. S .; Henry Meyers, tyler. The member of the lodge longest in the service is B. A. Spencer, who was "raised" in December, 1863.

The coordinate Masonic bodies, which all meet in the same hall, are: Bath Kol Chapter, No. 94, Royal Arch Masons; Tancred Commandery, No. 40, Knights Templar, and Maple Leaf Chapter, No. 175, Order of Eastern Star.

The Royal Arch chapter and the Commandery were both organized just in time to be caught by the loss by fire, which they shared with the lodge, the dispen- sation to the chapter having been issued April 22, 1881, and that to the Com- mandery December 19, 1881. They lost all of their expensive paraphernalia and the Knights Templar uniforms and swords. The membership of both of these bodies includes Masons from Delmar, Preston, Bellevue, Wyoming and Oxford Junction, all of which towns have lodges of their own. The chapter organized with thirteen members, of whom J. Tilton Wilbur was named as high priest, and William Hancock, secretary. Its presiding officers since Wilbur have been: Dr. G. Truax, Dr. George O. Johnson, H. P. Morse, Charles M. Dunbar, George A. Isbell, Guy O. Morse, Harvey Reid, S. Wylie McNabb, George L. Mitchell, E. D. Hansen, C. M. Thomas, J. C. Nitzsche, A. M. Robinson, J. W. Ellis. The pres- ent officers of 1910 are: J. W. Ellis, high priest; Harvey Stevens, king; Frank Coverdale, scribe; M. S. Rounds, C. H .; Henry Meyers, P. S .; Dilman Benton, R. A. C .; Samuel Russel, first V .; J. A. Buchner, second V .; J. A. Carson, third V .; Henry Meyers, tyler. There are one hundred and twenty-six members in 1910.

600

HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY

Tancred Commandery was organized by twelve members, of whom Sir Knight J. Scott Jenkins, of Clinton, a past grand commander, of Iowa, became its first eminent commander. He has been followed by Dr. G. O. Johnson, W. K. Wil- liams, John C. Guilfoil, Dr. G. Truax, Captain A. M. Phillips, H. P. Morse, Ben- jamin A. Spencer, John Ward, William Hancock, G. A. Isbell, G. L. Mitchell, D. D. Priaulx, Walter Doe, Orace E. Fitzgerald, W. S. Dunn, Guy O. Morse, S. F. Goller, E. P. Wray, and T. Hench. The officers for 1910 are: T. Hench, eminent commander ; M. A. Robinson, generalissimo; Otto Krumviede, captain general; Henry W. Kruse, senior warden; J. A. Buckner, junior warden; Frank Coverdale, prelate ; C. M. Sanborn, treasurer ; William Hancock, recorder ; H. B. Hubbell, sword bearer; Dilman Benton, standard bearer; M. S. Rounds, warder ; first guard, J. W. Ellis ; second guard, S. Russell; third guard, Asa Reel. There are ninety-eight members at the present time, 1910.

The beautiful rite of Adopted Masonry, the order of the Eastern Star, came into the life of the craft in Maquoketa when a dispensation was issued to Maple Leaf Chapter, February 27, 1895, naming Mrs. Francis A. Spencer, worthy ma- tron, and G. Bently Orcutt, worthy patron. It has prospered steadily under the successive charges of Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Mary B. Gallagher, Mrs. Maud Morse, Mrs. Nettie M. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Della Hansen. The officers for 1910 are : Worthy matron, Elsie Taubman, worthy patron, J. A. Buchner ; associate matron, Anna Van Doren; conductress, Blanche Hunter; associate conductress, Carrie Gregory; secretary, Laura Mole; treasurer, Martha Eaton.

THE GRAND ARMY POST. (Reid)

In the great Civil war, Jackson county had borne a most honorable part. The army enlistments credited to the county during the entire struggle amounted to one thousand two hundred and. ninety-three. The vote of the county at the presidential election in 1860 was three thousand and twenty-one. When we consider that the entire northern tier of townships was settled by emgirants newly arrived from the old world, and hence was poorly represented in the sol- dier contingent, the fact that the enlistments equaled forty-three per cent of the large vote of 1,860, is highly creditable to the patriotism of the young men of that day.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Jackson County, Iowa; Volume I, Part 85

Author: Ellis, James Whitcomb, 1848-; Clarke, S. J., publishing company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 730

Author: Ellis, James Whitcomb, 1848-; Clarke, S. J., publishing company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 730