USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 24
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The next succeeding ministerial attendant was Father Cogan, resident in Mon- ticello-the circuit was growing narrower. He in early life had been a "Chris- tian Brother," a community devoted altogether to teaching, and his experience in the class-room gave him a singular facility and fluency of speech, which stood him in good stead, after he graduated in the higher studies. He made himself dis- tinguished as a forceful controversialist, and held public discussions at Monticello, and Sand Spring, which attracted more than ordinary interest at the time, with the result (as always occurs in such cases) that the auditors went away still wedded to their prejudices some pro and some con. This clergyman was possessed of rare personal magnetism, and could draw large numbers of people, of all classes, and from long distances, to assist in any church work inaugurated by him. After living for some time in Monticello, he moved to Castle Grove, where he built a parochial house, which still stands as a part of the presbytery which was subse- quently enlarged, and later again improved.
Father Brennan came next. The date of his entrance, or exit, or anything of his personal history is not within reach. A sister of his, who kept house for him, died during his pastorate, and lies buried in a shamefully unmarked grave behind the church.
Rev. David Walsh followed. He is noted for a famous lawsuit, in which he was prosecuted, by a Bohemian family named Stepanek, of Prairieburg, for the overthrow and injury done to a monument, erected to the memory of their de- ceased father. The Hon. C. R. Scott, then district attorney, exhibited no less vehemence than animosity, in his efforts to gain a conviction of the defendant. The case was conducted, from beginning to end, in an atmosphere of intense strife, bigotry, and malice. It resulted in a disagreement of the jury. The late Charles Lull, and a Mr. Livingstone from Centre Junction, deserve everlasting credit, esteem and gratitude, from the Catholicity of Jones county, for their independent
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upright stand on the issue, going according to the conviction of their conscien- tious belief and judgment, in defiance of the majority of the jury who were de- termined to force a verdict of "guilty," backed as they felt they were, by popular prejudice, and the unconcealed bias of bench and bar. Father Walsh left soon afterwards, for Wilton, Iowa, and when the day set for the next trial came on, he was lying dead in a hospital in Davenport. His body is buried in St. Mary's cemetery, in that city ; and his soul awaited Scott's at the tribunal beyond the clouds, where many of the prosecutions of this world will be reversed. In '69, Mr. Scott lost his voice, and resigned his position of district attorney.
Castle Grove remained without a pastor for six months, when the Rev. Peter O'Dowd was appointed to the charge. His ordination took place on May 24, 1872, at St. Patrick's college, Carlow, Ireland, whither the graduates of his Alma Mater (Waterford) had been sent that year. In the October following, he emi- grated, and coming to Dubuque, was assigned by Bishop Hennessy to Ackley, for an opportunity of experience and rest, as his cousin-Very Rev. Peter O'Dowd- (now of Independence,) was then pastor of the Catholic church there. On the 23rd of September, 1873, he received his letter of appointment to Castle Grove. There he found the church so lop-sided, from the effects of a recent cyclone, that before anyone could safely venture under its roof, three stout sticks had to be propped against it on the outside. He next found a debt of eight hundred dollars, which exceeded the value of the entire property. How was it contracted? For an eighteen dollar window he was made to pay two hundred dollars, between fac- tory, express, and storage charges, interest compounding on interest, collection fees, and all accruing costs. In a quandary as to how to make a beginning, one man, Patrick Kehoe, Senior, strong as he was in the faith and love of God, and full of devotion to his church, came forward, and assumed every cent of the indebtedness on himself personally. He went out and hauled the first load of brick, and having set it down on the ground, he placed on top of it his bond for four hundred dollars in cash for a new building. This single act of trustfulness, good example, and encouragement not only stopped the mouths of would-be croak- ers, but really left no other option to every man in the settlement than this alone, to follow in his leadership. All honor to Mr. P. Kehoe. Generations yet unborn will rise up and bless the day he lived. Well may his name be revered as long as there is a stone upon a stone in the church of Castle Grove.
The new pastor proved himself eminently worthy of the confidence reposed in him. Spotless in life, true to his calling, strict in the smallest secular, social, and spiritual details, respectful of his position, a scholar and a student in all the de- partments of learning, in short a perfect "man of God" in every sense of the word.
The foundation of the new church was laid in '77, and the superstructure erected in the following summer. At the laying of the corner stone, the sermon was preached by the Rev. L. Roche, then of Davenport, now of Cascade. The dedication took place on September 8, 1880, by Bishop Hennessy of Dubuque. The report in a local newspaper says of it: "We have heretofore fully described the gothic solidity of the exterior of this church edifice-than which there is no finer outside of the large cities in the state of Iowa. In this writing we will con- fine our description to the interior finishing, which, with its frescoings, carvings.
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and gildings, is of surpassing beauty; and is a faithful copy of some of those grand houses of worship of classic fame, which are found in the capitals of the old world." Then follows a lengthy description of the fifteen frescoes on the walls and ceiling, which are declared to be "not merely images daubed on in color paint, but superb works of art-the artist's masterpieces, replete in beauty, and well worth going a journey to see. All the rest of the interior of the church is equally elaborate-altar, side altars, sittings, stained glass windows, matted floor." The following occurs in a commentary on the services : "The sermon was delivered by the Rev. P. O'Dowd of Ackley, Iowa, a cousin to the pastor of Castle Grove. This ecclesiastic is a young man of nervous, meditative manner, and full of reli- gious zeal, eloquent thought, and learning." After a summary of the discourse, and an account of the "baptism" of the bell, the writer concludes: "The people of Castle Grove are the most prosperous community in Jones county, and in the day of their prosperity they have not forgotten to be liberal. The work they have accomplished in the completion of this church speaks volumes for their public spirit, and for the diligence and wisdom of Rev. Father O'Dowd."
For the first six years in Castle Grove, Father O'Dowd attended the Catholic church in Monticello, driving eight miles between the two places. Besides the magnificent church, this pastor also built a very neat schoolhouse, which was first rented to the directors of the district, and utilized as a public school, but later was converted into a parochial school, with a residence for teachers and boarders attached. At the time of this change it was moved to its present site-behind the church.
Every work was completed, not only in the matter of construction, but the grounds were admirably ornamented with rows of evergreen and shade trees, the "city of the dead" was beautifully fixed up, and the entire surroundings rendered like the country residence of a rich magnate.
Far from leaving a debt for his successor to shoulder, he not only liquidated every penny of the old and new obligations, but a balance of nine hundred dollars was left in the church treasury. The workman's part was done. On the day of the dedication he was commissioned to Charlotte, Clinton county, where a similar task awaited him. There he still lives, in rather enfeebled bodily health, but with mind as brilliant, and memory as undimmed as thirty-seven years ago. Long be his years of "otium cum dignitate." Catholicity in Jones county owes him much. When first he set foot here a man of his cloth was suspicioned by all, and despised by many. When he left us a minister of his denomination was more respected than any man in the community.
In September, 1880, the Rev. J. Fogarty succeeded to the pastorship. He re- mained until October, 1882, when he was replaced by the Rev. R. Powers, who administered to the spiritualties of the people up to March, 1886. Then for a few months the duties of pastor were filled by Rev. J. Griffin. In October of the same year he went to Salix, Iowa, where he still resides as pastor. After him came Rev. M. S. Murphy, who is the present encumbent in office.
A Catholic church at Onslow, being vacated for many years, for want of a congregation, was torn down last month, and the material taken to Baldwin, Jackson county.
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN OXFORD JUNCTION.
It is mentioned elsewhere in this department of the Jones county history that there are but few Catholics in the southern tier of townships-Greenfield, Rome, Hale, and Oxford. That statement deserves a note of qualification. In the south- eastern corner of the county, in Oxford township, is a village-Oxford Junction -of some two or three hundred inhabitants. Here is an intersection of two branches of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway; and for several years that company operated machine shops at the point of junction. The work natur- ally brought an increasing number of mechanics, citizens of the best kind, with their dependent families, and the traders necessary to the completion of a city community. For the time being, the "Junction" was an important and thriving settlement, and its future prospects seemed bright and promising.
Among the operatives were a goodly number of Bohemians. Others of the same nationality settled in the outlying vicinity. All of those brought the Catholic faith with them from their motherland. Combining with a few Irish families residing in the locality tributary to the incipient town, they built a house of wor- ship, a neat frame structure, in the year 1881. The ground for this first church ("St. Mary's") was donated by James Quirk, who died, full of years, honors, and merits, in October, 1909. It was put up mainly by subscription, in which the members of other denominations participated, with great good will and gener- osity. The Rev. P. McNamara of Toronto, succeeded by the Rev. T. Laffin of Marion, held services at regular periods, generally once a month, for several years. In the meantime, on some of the intervening Sundays, services were con- ducted by the Rev. Francis Chmelar and his successors, who, from the Bohemian church at Cedar Rapids, attended to the spiritual wants of their own country- people, throughout Linn, and all the adjoining counties, and often in other coun- ties much farther away.
In 1897 a pastor was assigned for permanent residence at Oxford Junction. in the person of the Rev. F. McAuliffe. Disappointed at not receiving a clergyman to address them in their own tongue, the Bohemian worshipers demanded their pro rata of the property thus far accumulated to the credit of the church com- mon; and with it, they seceded to build and maintain a church of their own, with a pastor of their own nationality. This might appear perhaps a demonstration of humanity, rather than of Catholicity; but was it Josh Billings, or someone else equally truthful who said: "there is a great deal of humanity in man." The railroad machine shops are long since moved away, yet two churches of the same denomination stand less than a block apart, in a town that previously could not sustain either. One pastor, to make ends meets, has charged himself with the care of an outside congregation in Clinton county, with a second in Jackson county, each sixteen miles away from his place of habitat; whilst the other pastor gives attention to a Bohemian mission at Prairieburg, Linn county, twenty- seven miles from his home. The pastor of either church built a parsonage, with all the concomitants of a modern respectable residence, which speaks volumes for the faith and generosity of the few people, coupled of course with the activity and popularity of their ministers. The original sum total of outlay on each edi- fice did not exceed four thousand dollars; but the energy of the respective clergy-
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men in charge has since added, year after year, and effected such improvements that at the present time both properties present not only a creditable, but a really admirable appearance.
Rev. F. McAuliffe, remained three years, when he moved to the western part of the state, where he still lives, in the diocese of Sioux City. He was next fol- lowed by the Rev. F. Nolan, who, after a stay of one year, went for a post- graduate course to the Catholic university, at Washington, District of Columbia. He is now engaged in teaching at the college in Dubuque.
In November, 1900 the present pastor, Rev. P. H. McNamara, took up the charge. He was educated for the ministry at the other side of the Atlantic, and ordained in Dublin, Ireland, July 1898. Coming to the diocese of Dubuque, the chosen field of his missionary labors, in September of the same year, he received from the then diocesan, Bishop Hennessy, brief assignments to parishes at As- bury, Dubuque county, Charles City, Sheldon, Ryan and then his present incum- bancy. Since his arrival in Oxford Junction he has exhibited to a wonderful degree the amount of good work anyone can accomplish whose heart and soul are devoted to a single central object. His vocation and avocation in life has been nothing else than the good of God's people, and the upbuilding of God's church. With very little material means, but with a large amount .of mental, social, and spiritual means, consecrated by the singleness of purpose character- istic of the true "man of God," he has wrought, in season and out of season, year after year, until a beholder of his work is reminded insensibly of the fate of a certain flower, famed in phrase, that was pitiably doomed to "waste its sweet- ness on the desert air." How inscrutable are the way of Providence! Twelve Apostles once converted the world,-Twelve Apostolic men, not unlike the un- known pastor of Oxford township, could help immeasurably today in doing the same thing. "Messis quidem multa:" May a bountiful Lord send many such laborers into the ripening field, to "gather his people, as sheaves into the floor of his barn." Was it not David, the Sheperd King of Israel, who sang the psalm of his people returning from captivity: "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. Going and casting precious seed, they shall come again with joyfulness, bringing their sheaves with them." The Oxford pastor will doubtless carry a great big bundle of "sheaves" to the feet of the Judge, in the Kingdom come."
CASS TOWNSHIP.
Cass township has the distinction of being the only township in the county that has never had a postoffice so far as we have been able to determine. Anamosa, in Fairview township, being close to the southern border of the township, has been able to supply the greater part of Cass with the necessities of the commercial world.
The northern part of the township is much more favorable for agriculture than the southern, and especially the southwestern. The farms are well improved, and many of them have substantial improvements and have an air of prosperity. The stock farm of W. A. Hale, has been quite a business center and has attracted breeders of fine stock from quite a distance.
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The inhabitants are thrifty and intelligent. The earlier inhabitants were largely Americans, but in later years, the Germans and the Irish have moved in and have added to the prosperous conditions of the township.
The first settler in the township was Edward Saams, who came in the year 1844, and settled near the center of the township. Other early settlers were Solo- mon Thomas, Elisha Dodge, Robert and Smith Condit, John Wallace, Orrin Harvey, John Preston, A. P. Condit, David Osborne, George Hall, Leslie Hanna, Alex Crawford, A. W. Barker, Wm. L. Beeks, John A. Reeves, Silas and Jonas Saams, Linus Osborne, Wm. T. Shaw, M. C. Thompson, John Ogden, A. L. Fair- banks, John Powell, Thos. E. Belknap, Oliver Doyle, Wm. Bowers, George Gallo- way, Dexter Cunningham, W. J. Arnold, - Fuller, -Acres, Spencer Pitcher. George Palmer, E. B. Alderman.
The first child born in the township was a child of Edward Saams.
The first death in the township was Edward Sams Reeves.
The first marriage in Cass township was Myron Sexton, or Sarton, and Miss Elizabeth Wilhite, September 29, 1851.
The first schoolhouse was West Cass, in the year 1846. The name of the first teacher could not be determined.
The first preaching service was by Rev. Troup, a United Brethren minister in 1841.
The first mill was built in 1848 by Gideon H. Ford, at Fremont. The first frame building in the township was built by Wm. T. Shaw, on the Osborne place. E. Bonstell was the first to make music on the anvil, in a blacksmith shop erected in 1858.
The population of Cass township has maintained its original growth as well as any township in the county. In 1860 the inhabitants numbered five hundred and ninety-seven. According to the 1905 official census the population was seven hun- dred and seventy-eight.
THE SCHOOLS.
The schools of the township are as well maintained as in any township in the county. The school property of the township is valued at nearly five thousand dol- lars, while the school apparatus is valued at over one thousand dollars. The school libraries have in all over six hundred volumes. The township school organ- ization is maintained. Miss Ida Lake is township secretary, and A. L. Fairbanks, township treasurer. The several directors are: Geo. Watt, Thos. Day, N. P. Gooley, Fred. Houseman, W. A. Hale, C. B. Darrow, E. H. Grimm, E. Patnode.
CASS CONGREGATIONAL. CHURCH.
The First Congregational church of Cass, located near the center of the township of the same name, is one of the early church organizations of the county, and was a pioneer in religious activity which has survived the changes and evolution of the community.
The Cass church was organized in June, 1856, with fourteen charter members, namely : Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Condit, Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Condit, Mr. and Mrs.
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J. S. Condit, Mr. and Mrs. George Hall, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Ogden, Mr. and Mrs. O. B. Doyl, Mrs. Jeremiah Friend and Mrs. M. C. Thompson. Of this list of pioneer workers, a few still survive. Mr. and Mrs. R. B. Condit resided in Cass for twenty-one years, and during all of that time were zealous church workers. Mr. Condit filling the positions of sexton, chorister and Sunday-school superintendent. Mr. Condit and wife now live in Los Angeles, California. Mrs. Doyl lives at Utica, Nebraska. J. S. Condit and wife are also numbered with the inhabitants of earth. The others of the charter members have joined the Church Triumphant. The first deacon was A. P. Condit. Alexander Crawford, Spencer Pitcher and George W. Hall were elected trustees and J. S. Condit, clerk.
In the spring of 1855, the nucleus of the Cass Congregational church, first began to appear upon the horizon of time. At that time Rev. LaDue, the congre- gational minister in Anamosa, began holding occasional services Sunday after- noons in a small, unpainted schoolhouse at Cass Center. The schoolhouse was not lathed or plastered and was without seats. The congregation consisted of two or three families, a few of the neighboring men and boys came in their shirt sleeves and bare-footed and sat around on the fence near the building. It is told by one of the old settlers, that one of the men who sat near enough to hear, said that Mr. LaDue preached just like any minister; that he had expected to hear a sermon on infant damnation. In the following June, 1855, the church was organized.
The Sunday-school was organized soon afterward with R. B. Condit as super- intendent. The library consisted of a new testament and one small hymn book. There were no lesson leaves, quarterlies or papers. Each child was expected to memorize as many verses of Scripture as possible and recite them to the teacher at the school. Some of the scholars would recite several hundred verses at one time.
Soon after the church was organized, Rev. LaDue left Anamosa and Rev. S. A. Benton took his place. In the winter of 1857 a protracted meeting was held in the little schoolhouse which was now completed. The pastor was assisted in these meetings by Rev. C. S. Cady. Much interest was manifest, and as a result of the meetings, the church membership was increased. Rev. C. S. Cady was then called as the resident pastor of the young church and moved to Cass *about October 1, 1858, and occupied one room at Deacon A. P. Condit's house.
At a meeting held November 24, 1858, the congregation decided to build a church, and M. C. Thompson, Dr. Hoskins, J. A. Palmer, R. B. Condit and O. B. Doyl were appointed as a building committee. Deacon A. B. Condit offered to build the church and dedicate it free from debt if the society would furnish the foundation, sills, and five hundred dollars in cash, and the offer was accepted. R. B. Condit donated the lot for the church and also for the cemetery. In the fall of 1860, the church was dedicated free from debt.
These were strenuous days in pioneer church life. A letter by Mrs. O. B. Doyl, written fifty years after the dedication of the new church home. speaks in tenderness, and from the heart, of that struggling and eventful time, as follows: "I remember so distinctly how happy we all were that we now had a home and could worship under our own roof. I also remember when it was said to be completed, and we ladies gathered to put on the finishing
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touches. We took our dinners and spent the day putting up window shades, laying down carpet in the aisles, and trimming the desk. We were a happy crowd. Life before us was then so hopeful. Time has made its ravages, and as I turn the leaf over, sadness comes to me, for out of that company of twenty or twenty- five, I cannot think of more than half a dozen still living. All with few excep- tions are sleeping beside that structure builded fifty years ago."
Rev. Cady left Cass in 1861, and for a period of five months, Rev. Daniel Savage, a young man from Boston, ministered to the spiritual wants of the con- gregation. After one years' stay in the wild and wooly west, he was succeeded by Rev. C. C. Humphrey, who remained until September, 1867. Next came Rev. W. H. Hayward who remained in Cass three years. Rev. W. H. Barrows then filled the pulpit for five years, and during his pastorate, the church be- came self-supporting. Previously, the church had received aid from the Home Missionary Society. It was about this time that the society bought a house and lot for a parsonage.
Following Rev. Mr. Barrows, the spiritual welfare of the church was looked after by Rev. E. C. Downs for two years, then by Rev. James Mitchell for nearly three years. During the latter pastorate, the Ladies Aid Society was or- ganized, and has continued to be a valuable organization. In January, 1880, a call was extended to Rev. George Ritchie, who remained until July, 1882. During this pastorate, the parsonage was moved to a new lot, and improvements were added, making it more comfortable and cozy. Rev. B. M. Amsden then, supplied the pulpit but lived at his home in Manchester. November 11, 1883, Rev. Daniel Badwell was called to the pastorate and remained for five years. After his resignation the services were kept up without a regular pastor by having an occasional supply until October 10, 1889, when Rev. Barrows was again called as pastor. At the close of Rev. Barrows' pastorate in 1894, Rev. S. F. Milliken of the Congregational Church of Anamosa conducted services each Sabbath afternoon for five years, and during this period, during the year 1895, a series of revival meetings were conducted by N. S. Packard, and at the close of the meetings, a Christian Endeavor Society was organized with twenty- four members, and proved to be a very helpful organization. From October, 1899 to July, 1902, the pulpit was filled by students from Coe College. During the year 1902, the church and society were bereft of seven very helpful members in the one year.
On December 21, 1902, the church extended a call to Rev. A. B. Keeler and on April 21, 1903, he was ordained, the services being held at the church. On account of poor health he resigned, the same taking effect December 28, 1903. The pulpit was again supplied by students and other ministers until Rev. H. M. Pinkerton was called as pastor. He remained eleven months, and on May 7, 1905, Rev. George Brimacomb was called to the charge and remained three years, when the present pastor, Rev. W. R. Bundy became the resident minister. Dur- ing this pastorate, the church has made substantial progress, and the work advanced.
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