USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
The present officers : trustees-George Watt, E. M. Hanna, George Brainard ; clerk-Mrs. Ruby Ketcham; deacons-W. A. Hale, Harvey House; Christian Endeavor Society-president, Parke Ogden; vice-president, Miss Ella Watt ;
Digitized by Google
.
-------
-- -
+
i
:
:
259
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
recording secretary, Miss Hazel Bray; corresponding secretary, Miss Hattie Ketcham; treasurer, Clarence Hanna; organist, Miss Jennie Hale. Ladies Aid Society-president, Mrs. Warren Wallace; vice-president, Mrs. George Brainard; secretary, Mrs. Ruby Ketcham.
OFFICIAL ROSTER, CASS TOWNSHIP.
1852-Election at the home of William L. Beeks, April 5, 1852. Trustees : George A. Calloway, Manasseh Reeves, Edward Sams; clerk, John A. Reeves; justices : Edward Sams and George A. Calloway.
1853-Trustees : Manasseh Reeves, George A. Calloway, Edward Sams; clerk, John A. Reeves.
1854-Trustees : Elisha Dodge, William L. Beasly, George Palmer; clerk, William T. Shaw; justice, Arad Grover.
1855-Trustees: George W. Hall, George Palmer, William Arnold; clerk, Robert B. Condit; assessor, William T. Shaw ; justice, Thomas E. Belknap.
1856-Trustees : William J. Arnold, George Hall, E. B. Alderman ; clerk, R. B. Condit ; assessor, E. B. Alderman ; justice, W. J. Arnold.
1857-Trustees : R. B. Condit, Dexter Cunningham, E. B. Alderman; clerk, A. P. Condit; justice, Dexter Cunningham.
1858 Trustees : William J. Arnold, M. C. Thompson, John Preston; clerk, Dexter Cunningham.
1859-Trustees : John Preston, M. C. Thompson, James Helma; clerk, E. B. Alderman.
1860-Trustees: Linus Osborn, Samuel B. Tucker, S. Haskin; clerk, E. B. Alderman.
1861-Trustees : E. B. Alderman, Linus Osborn, M. C. Thompson ; clerk Dex- ter Cunningham.
1862-Trustees : Linus Osborn, D. Goes, William Gillilan ; clerk, S. B. Tucker.
1863-Trustees : G. G. Noyes, John Crawford, R. B. Condit; clerk, M. C. Thompson ; assessor, Linus Osborn; road supervisors : P. D. Goes, Nelson Van- horn, William Gillilan, S. B. Tucker, L. Guilford.
1864-Trustees : R. B. Condit, J. A. Crawford, G. G. Noyes; clerk, M. C. Thompson.
1865-Trustees : J. A. Crawford, Carso Crane, Linus Osborn; clerk, M. C. Thompson.
1866-Trustees : J. A. Crawford, A. L. Fairbanks, Thomas Perfect; clerk, M. C. Thompson.
1867-Trustees : J. D. Bowers, Hiram Thornley, Lyman Guilford; clerk, Carso Crane.
1868-Trustees : M. C. Thompson, J. A. Crawford, J. E. Bonstel; clerk, Carso Crane; road supervisors; M. Sexton, William Bowers, James Sams, John Gris- wold, G. G. Noyes, William F. Titus ..
1869-Trustees : L. N. Pitcher, O. B. Doyle, William Bowers; clerk, J. E. Bonstel.
1870-Trustees : A. L. Fairbanks, M. C. Thompson, S. M. Cole; clerk, J. E. Bonstel.
Digitized by Google
260
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
1871-Trustees: John Griswold, Carso Crane, S. M. Cole; clerk, J. E. Bonstel.
1872-Trustees : R. B. Condit, J. A. Crawford, A. J. Byerly; clerk, J. E. Bonstel.
1873-Trustees : A. J. Byerly, Patrick Washington, J. S. Condit; clerk, J. E. Bonstel.
1874-Trustees : Linus Osborn, John Griswold, William Bowers; clerk, S. M. Cole.
1875-Trustees : William Bowers, John Griswold, Linus Osborn; clerk, S. M. Cole.
1876-Trustees : Miles Colton, H. H. Monroe, C. P. Atwood; clerk, J. E. Bonstel.
1877-Trustees : William Bowers, Miles Colton, G. G. Noyes; clerk, J. E. Bonstel; road supervisors : George Smedley, George Thomas, O. T. Day, John Griswold, H. H. Monroe, L. Guilford, W. G. Gallagher, - Rowley.
1878-Trustees : H. H. Monroe, William Bowers, John Griswold; clerk, J. E. Bonstel; assessor, Presley Hanna.
1879-Trustees: J. A. Crawford, G. G. Noyes, Presley Hanna; clerk, J. E. Bonstel; assessor, A. L. Fairbanks.
1880-Trustees : G. G. Noyes, J. A. Crawford, Presley Hanna ; clerk, A. J. Byerly ; assessor, A. L. Fairbanks.
1881-Trustees : J. A. Crawford, P. Hanna, G. G. Noyes ; clerk, A. J. Byerly; assessor, A. L. Fairbanks.
1882-Trustees : G. G. Noyes, J. A. Crawford, P. Hanna ; clerk, A. J. Byerly ; assessor, A. L. Fairbanks ; supervisors : H. B. Benton, C. Thomas, Lyman Guil- ford, E. Ketcham, H. H. Monroe, M. W. Gray, S. C. Mayberry, Presley Hanna.
1883-Trustees : P. Hanna, J. K. Hale, J. A. Crawford; clerk, A. J. Byerly ; assessor, A. L. Fairbanks.
1884-Trustees : J. S. Condit, P. Hanna, J. K. Hale; clerk, A. J. Byerly ; assessor, A. J. Byerly.
1885-Trustees : J. K. Hale, J. S. Condit, P. Hanna; clerk, A. J. Byerly; assessor, A. J. Byerly.
1886-Trustees : F. J. Brainard, J. K. Hale, J. S. Condit ; clerk, A. J. Byerly ; assessor, A. J. Byerly.
1887-Trustees : J. S. Condit, F. J. Brainard, J. K. Hale ; clerk, J. E. Bonstel; assessor, A. J. Byerly.
1888-Trustees : J. S. Condit, F. J. Brainard, G. W. Gallagher; clerk, J. E. Bonstel; assessor, A. J. Byerly.
1889-Trustees : J. K. Hale, William Bowers, J. S. Condit; clerk, C. A. Thomas; assessor, G. W. Gallagher.
1890-Trustees : J. S. Condit, J. K. Hale, E. H. Stacy ; clerk, O. B. Fuller ; assessor, A. J. Byerly.
1891-Trustees : J. S. Condit, Arthur Hanna, John K. Hale; clerk, W. A. Ladd; assessor, A. J. Byerly.
1&02-Trustees : A. L .. Hanna, John Gerdes, J. S. Condit; clerk. W. A. Ladd; assessor. A. J. Byerly.
Digitized by Google
261
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
1893-Trustees : A. L. Hanna, G. A. Thomas, John Gerdes; clerk, H. H. Monroe; assessor, G. W. Gallagher; justices: N. P. Clark, William Thomas; constables : J. S. Condit, Miles Colton.
1894-Trustees : A. L. Hanna, John Gerdes, George A. Thomas; clerk, H. H. Monroe; assessor, G. W. Gallagher; justice, John Ketcham; constables: F. J. Brainard, J. S. Condit.
1895-Trustees : John Gerdes, George A. Thomas, A. L. Hanna; clerk, H. H. Monroe ; assessor, G. W. Gallagher; supervisors : F. J. Brainard, G. A. Thomas, J. J. Hermer, G. G. Ketcham, E. A. Osborn, Will Siebles, C. W. Iosty, L. J. Hanna, Joe Sampica.
1896-Trustees : G. A. Thomas, John Gerdes, W. L. Ketcham; clerk, H. H. Monroe; assessor, G. W. Gallagher.
1897-Trustees : W. A. Ladd, John Gerdes, G. A. Thomas; clerk, W. W. Bray ; assessor, W. A. Hale; justices : A. J. Byerly, Miles Colton.
1898-Trustees : George Thomas, William A. Ladd, John Gerdes; clerk, W. W. Bray; assessor, W. A. Hale.
1899-Trustees : W. A. Ladd, D. M. Griffin, John Gerdes; clerk, W. W. Bray ; assessor, William A. Hale; justices : A. H. Morey, Matthew Bruce; con- stables : W. A. Ladd, L. D. Gallagher.
1900-Trustees : W. A. Ladd, D. M. Griffin, John Gerdes; clerk, W. W. Bray ; assessor, W. A. Hale.
1901-Trustees : W. A. Ladd, D. M. Griffin, A. L. Hanna; clerk, W. W. Bray ; assessor, W. A. Hale.
1902-Trustees : W. A. Ladd, W. A. Hale, W. L. Ketcham; clerk, W. W. Bray; assessor, W. A. Hale.
1003-Trustees : W. L. Ketcham, N. P. Clark, J. H. Shields; clerk, D. M. Griffin ; assessor, W. C. Monroe.
1904-Trustees : Mike Marek, N. P. Clark, William A. Hale; clerk, D. M. Griffin ; assessor, W. C. Monroe.
1905-Trustees: N. P. Clark, Mike Marek, W. A. Hale; clerk, D. M. Griffin ; assessor, W. C. Monroe.
1906-Trustees : N. P. Clark, W. A. Hale, Mike Marek ; clerk, W. C. Monroe; assessor, W. C. Monroe.
1907-Trustees : W. A. Hale, W. W. Wallace, Mike Marek; clerk, L. D. Gallagher ; assessor, W. C. Monroe.
1908-Trustees : W. W. Wallace, Mike Marek, E. M. Hanna; clerk, W. W. Bray; assessor, W. C. Monroe.
1909-Trustees : E. M. Hanna, W. W. Wallace, Mike Marek; clerk, W. W. Bray ; assessor, N. P. Clark. No justice has qualified.
CASTLE GROVE TOWNSHIP.
The northwest township in the county was organized as a separate township and called Castle Grove, on January 1, 1855, the first township election being held on April 2, 1855, at a schoolhouse. This election is more particularly set out in connection with the official roster of the township.
Digitized by
. 262
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Castle Grove is one of the fertile agricultural townships of the county. The northern part contains some timber lands, but the timber is being rapidly used up for fuel. The southern and central part is a splendid farming country. The soil raises large crops and the farm buildings give an air of prosperity and com- fort. The people are of various nationalities, the Yankee, the Irishman, and the German, mingling freely and in harmony. The inhabitants are thrifty, indus- trious and persevering.
SOME EARLY PIONEERS.
Among the early settlers of the township, we find the names of the following pioneers : Benejah Beardsley and his two sons, Alex and Fred Beardsley; Dan Bartholomew, Philip Mitchell, Horace Downer, T. J. Peak, Joshua R. Clark, Isaac Avery, Simeon Forman, James McLaughlin, John Drew, Thomas S. Hubbard, Nicholas Miller, Dan Mason, John Ansberry, Addison Smith, William Robinson, Lewis Patton, Sam Dickinson, Robert Hogg, John Blanchard, Ira, Uri and Aaron Blanchard, George and Joseph Rutherford, Edward Troy, John Stone, Patrick Mullady, William and Louis Ainsworth, Robert and John Wilson, Dennis Hogan, D. M. Hogan, James Hogan, John Galligan, Patrick Murphy, Patrick Waddick, Simon Kehoe, William Kehoe, P. A. Kehoe, John Lahn, James Lahn, Sr. and Jr., Kearn Kennedy, John McLees, Thomas and Andrew Cunningham, Horace and George Gill, Dan, William and Isaac Orcutt, Americus, Jerome and Oscor Scott, Robert and Hugh Howie, Nelson, George and Albert Higby, Robert and Henry Henderson, John Heisey, William Rearick, Joshua Witherbee, Chadwicks, Squires, Riders, Deischers, Slade, Crawls, Highs and others.
The township of Castle Grove has had several places within her borders where there were headquarters, but no place has approached the dignity of a town. Sumner was platted by Horace Downer in June, 1855, but the development of the place was limited to a postoffice, with perhaps a store and blacksmith shop. This platted portion of the township was in the central part of section 14. Hor- ace Downer was commissioned postmaster of Downerville, September 26, 1870, and the office was discontinued in January, 1872. Albert Higby had a general store at Sumner in an early day. H. Crosby was one of the early store keepers. A man named Regor had a blacksmith and repair shop. Tarbor had a shoe repair shop. Horace Downer operated a steam sawmill.
THE POSTOFFICES.
The Castle Grove postoffice was among the first established in the county. Benejah Beardsley was commissioned to conduct a postoffice by this name on February 17, 1851. No one disputed his right to the emoluments of this posi- tion until December 19, 1859, when Joshua Witherbee received the appointment. Benejah Beardsley however soon regained possession of the office by appoint- ment on June 23, 1860. On July 11, 1861, William Peak received the appoint- ment only to occupy the office for a few months, for we find that on Decem- ber 23, 1861, the Castle Grove Postoffice was discontinued. On February 10, 1862, the office was reestablished, and William M. Starr was the man in charge.
Digitized by Google
263
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
Again on December 29, 1865, the office was discontinued. After a short period, the office was again reestablished on March 30, 1868 with Jacob A. Ommen as postmaster. Mr. Ommen was followed in succession by Jacob Leesekamp, Octo- ber 26, 1874; Miss Alice Gadmer, June Ist, 1876; James King, March 28th, 1879; Arny Hibbard, January 16, 1882; Charles C. Scott, February 24, 1882; Howard M. Scott, April 26, 1883; John A. Wright, February 10, 1887; Harm Rickels, November 26, 1887. The office was finally discontinued November 24, 1903, the mail being directed to Monticello and delivered on the rural mail routes which were established about that time.
A postoffice had been established at Benejah Beardsley's in 1848 or 1849, the mail being carried on the route from Anamosa to Delhi. This office was dis- continued before the war.
The Argand postoffice, in the northwest part of the township was established May 7, 1880, with John H. Hopkins as the postmaster. On December 7, 1883, Edward Turner received the appointment. April 12, 1889, Matthew Murphy was commissioned to act for Uncle Sam. August 15, 1891, Edward J. McDon- ald became the local Nasby, and on June 15, 1892, he was succeeded by Arthur McDonald. The office was discontinued November 16, 1899.
THE MILL.
The Castle Grove Mill was located in the northeastern part of the township and was built about 1872, by Levi Berlin and Samuel Stambaugh. This was a grist and flouring mill. The mill was erected at a cost of about ten thousand dollars. The capacity of the mill was said to be about one hundred bushels of wheat per day.
THE SCHOOLS.
Castle Grove Township is as well equipped with education advantages for the children as any of the country districts of the county. On July 1, 1868, we find County Superintendent Stillman reports seven schools in the township with an aggregate attendance of one hundred and seventy-two scholars. District number one at Grove Creek, taught by Miss Sadie Berlin, had thiry-six scholars; number two, Miss Agnes Matthews, twenty-five pupils; number three, Miss Jannette Springer, twenty-six pupils ; number four, Miss Carrie Springer, twenty- eight scholars; number five, Miss Lucy Butterfield, seventeen pupils; number six, Miss Alice Kehoe, thirty pupils; number seven, Miss Mary McLees, ten scholars. Further information of the Castle Grove schools at the present time will be found on another page under the title of "Educational."
The population of the township according to the 1860 census was five hun- dred and fifty-nine, which in the census of 1905, has increased to seven hundred and one.
THE DOWNERVILLE COOPERATIVE CREAMERY COMPANY.
This once flourishing dairy institution was organized September 2, 1892, and for a number of years was one of the most successful organizations ever existing in the township. The first officers of the mutual company were: presi-
Digitized by Google
264
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
dent, J. A. Mclaughlin ; vice president, E. M. Moore; secretary, James F. Laude; treasurer, A. W. Cramer.
The original stockholders in the company were: J. F. Laude, J. A. Howie, J. A. Mclaughlin, William Galligan, Farney Brothers, Levi Berlin, Thomas Rearick, E. M. Moore, Romaine Shear, L. Welch, E. E. Orcutt, Frank Howie, Charles Howie, A. W. Cramer, F. D. Mclaughlin, D. M. Hogan, John Burrack, Patrick Hogan, Joseph O'Rourke, John M. Lang, William Kehoe, John McLees, O. F. Hosford, John L. Graves, John Haley, Michael Haley, James Haley, C. T. Berlin, Louis Reager, M. McLaughlin, Arthur Fairbanks, P. H. Evers, Jacob Zim- merman, John Delay, Leslie Orcutt, F. T. Zimmerman, Peter Drees, E. A. Clark, J. F. Delay, G. N. Harken, A. F. M. Casper, A. Goodinkoff, D. E. Kehoe, A. M. Fairbanks, M. Mutzenburg, J. D. Poppe, J. B. Hoss, C. A. Thomas, Krueger Brothers, L. G. Hildreth, G. Zimmerman, D. W. Cunningham, James McLees, J. D. Clark, C. A. Fairbanks, George Gill, John Holler, Rank Eilers, Ed Harms, Pat Kehoe, F. Jossie, James Galligan, John Rickels, M. Nickel, John Hubbard, John Gillen, J. K. Heikem, F. Hadden.
The new company began business about January 1, 1893, and continued to operate the creamery which had been erected at Downertown in section 14, until about 1900, when the business was closed up, due to some dissatisfaction that had arisen. The creamery was later leased to a party from Waterloo who conducted the business a short time and then sub-let it to D. L. Brundage of Cleveland, Ohio. Under this management the business was conducted for a short time, and again the creamery was shut down. Some of the former stockholders of the cooperative company then hired C. R. Wilder as butter maker and the business opened up for a short time. In September, 1905, C. R. Wilder leased the cream- ery plant and has since conducted the creamery business with quite general sat- isfaction to the patrons.
THE CASTLE GROVE MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY.
This local mutual telephone company was organized in 1901, with E. J. Noble, president ; vice president, S. M. Hosford; secretary, John Deischer and treasurer, James Howie. About this time the Jones County Telephone Company began to string its wires over the county, and the local organization subsided.
FARMERS' MUTUAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION OF CASTLE GROVE.
This mutual fire insurance association was organized December 17, 1907, but it was not until March 7, 1908, that the new organization began its business. The officers and directors were elected and the Articles of Incorporation adopted. J. A. Mclaughlin was elected president; vice president, Andrew Davidson, secretary, S. M. Hosford; treasurer, J. A. Howie; directors : James Hogan, J. A. Mclaughlin, Dennis Delay, J. A. Howie, Andrew Davidson; adjusters : Arthur Fairbanks, E. J. Noble, T. F. Kehoe. These are also the present officers of the association.
The object of the association as stated in its articles of incorporation, is as follows: "The purpose of this corporation will be for its members to enter into
Digitized by Google
265
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
contracts to and with each other for their insurance from loss or damage from fire and lightning, of the property owned by its members, and which shall be designated in the contracts and policies. But this association or corporation shall in no case insure any property not owned by one of its own members, and its insurance shall be exclusive and not concurrent with other insurance compan- ies, and the reinsurance of risks of similar associations. And the territory within which this corporation does business shall be confined to Jones county and the counties contiguous thereto."
Those who became charter members of the association are: M. F. Byrne, Black Brothers, P. E. Black, Mrs. James Crowley, Maurice Cashman, Patrick Crowley, J. B. Black. Est., William Crowley, Andrew Davidson, Dennis Delay, James F. Delay, Roy Dighton, Henry L. Evans, J. M. Evers, John L. Evers, P. H. Evers, W. P. Fleming, Thomas Fleming, A. M. Fairbanks, Arthur Fair- banks, A. L. Fairbanks, John Gavin, James Hogan, D. J. Hogan, Mrs. M. Hogan, W. F. Hinty, W. L. Himes, John Hennessey, G. J. Heiken, Michael Haley, Laur- ence Haley, James Haley, Patrick Hogan, S. M. Hosford, O. F. Hosford, J. A. Hubbard, J. A. Howie, Frank Howie, S. B. King, Mrs. S. Kehoe, W. T. Kehoe, Peter J. Kehoe, Thomas F. Kehoe, John H. Lubben, Pat Leonard, Thomas E. McAleer, Stephen A. McAleer, John McCrea, Art McDonald, M. and F. D. Mclaughlin, J. A. Mclaughlin, George McLees, M. S. Murphy, E. J. Noble, E. E. Orcutt, Joe O'Rourke, P. C. Smith, Thomas Supple, Martin Trimble, Charles B. Wernimont, John Burrack. These sixty-one original policies repre- sented risks amounting to ninety-one thousand, four hundred and eighty-one dollars.
At the end of the first year of business, there were eighty-two members and risks amounting to nearly one hundred and seventy thousand dollars. The asso- ciation is increasing in membership and in the volume of business. The secre- tary is one of the hustling and wide-a-wake young men of the township, and the members are the substantial land and property owners of the community.
On October 1, 1909, this insurance company had risks in force in the amount of two hundred and thirty-seven thousand, nine hundred and forty-four dol- lars. The losses paid to date, one hundred and forty-two dollars and seventy- five cents. There were an even one hundred members in the association October 1, 1909.
PENIEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CASTLE GROVE.
In May, 1900. Rev. S. R. Ferguson, missionary of the Presbyterian church in Iowa, with the assistance of Rev. J. W. Innes, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Monticello, organized two Sabbath-schools in Castle Grove township; one at the Moore school, and the other at the Deer Creek Schoolhouse.
On September 2nd of the same year, Captain A. R. O'Brien of Lemars, Iowa, under the direction of the Presbyterian Board of Sabbath-school Work, began a series of evangelical meetings in a tent pitched near the home of James A. Howie. Captain O'Brien was assisted in the meetings by the singers, Miss Rosetta Day of Maynard and Mr. C. B. Harvey of Independence, Iowa. The meetings con- tinued for some weeks with good results.
Digitized by Google
266
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
On Monday night, October 1, 1900, the people voted to ask the Cedar Rapids Presbytery for the organization of a Presbyterian church in Castle Grove. On Monday evening, October 8, 1900, the church was organized by a committee of Presbytery with the following charter members: Mrs. James A. Howie, Frank Howie, Mrs. Frank Howie, John W. Gilligan, Fannie Gilligan, Mrs. Dorothy Cunningham, Romaine Shear, Mrs. Ada Shear, Alfred Laude, Margaret Noble, Kate E. Hall, Mrs. Eliza Moore, Mrs. J. A. Hubbard, Charles Howie, Mrs. Charles Howie, Donald Barclay, Elmer E. Orcutt, Mrs. Kathryn Orcutt, Elmer J. Noble, Mrs. Elmer Noble, Henry Evans, Pearl Orcutt, Florence Hubbard, Lulu Howie, Blanche Noble, Elsie C. Noble, Grace D. Noble, Lena Quabet, Rosa Moore and Lotta Laude.
Plans were immediately projected for the erection of a chapel. Mr. Robert Howie presented to the Presbyterian board of the church, the present church site, and the building was begun in the fall of 1900. On March 3, 1901, the chapel was dedicated by Rev. C. H. Purmort of the Cedar Rapids Presbytery.
The first elders of the new church were : E. E. Orcutt, J. W. Gillilan and E. J. Noble; and the first trustees : A. W. Cramer, J. A. Howie, Mrs. Margaret Noble. The present elders : William F. Hintz, Frank M. Benedict and Elmer J. Noble; and the present trustees : John Lubben, Frank M. Benedict and James A. Howie. A flourishing Sunday-school is maintained with William F. Hintz as superintend- ent and Miss Hazel Hubbard, secretary. Rev. J. W. Parkhill of Lenox College, Hopkinton, Iowa, is serving the church very acceptably at present as a stated supply.
THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
This religious organization began its historic existence in 1855, under the ministrations of Rev. John Miller. Daniel High was the first class leader. The church building was erected in 1876 at a cost of one thousand, four hundred dol- lars, and yet stands as a monument of the energy and enthusiasm of its members at that time. The membership was not large, but it was composed of active, zealous and loyal workers in the cause. The first trustees were Daniel Deischer, Henry Heisy, John Heisy, John Wint and Benjamin Rider. Later trustees were Benjamin Rider, Daniel Deischer, John Heisey, John Kline and Madison Franks. The removal of its members several years ago, caused the organization to de- cline. No services have been held in the church building for over ten years, though the building yet stands in the southwest part of the township on section 39
CASTLE GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist church was organized in Castle Grove on the 5th of July, 1874. James Starr was elected clerk and B. F. Searles and Jerome Scott, were chosen deacons. The church edifice was dedicated September 26, 1876. Some of the pastors have been : Revs. J. W. Thompson, L. H. Thompson, W. C. Archer, J. G. Johnson. The organization only lived a few years, and had erected a neat church building on a commanding spot in section 21. The building was sold to the Ger- man Lutheran Society in 1884 and is now used and maintained for church pur- poses by that society.
Digitized by
-
THE WAPSIPINICON AND DAM AT ANAMOSA
Digitized by
..
,
?
,
4
Digitized by
:
269
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
THE GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Peter and Paul's church to Castle Grove was organized November 10, 1884, with the following officers: Trustees : John Stadtmueller, Peter Ommen and Henry Heiken; deacon, Gerd J. Rickels; secre- tary, John Stadtmueller ; treasurer, Gerd J. Rickels. The pastor was Rev. Mardorf. On November 15, 1884, the newly organized society purchased the Baptist church building for five hundred dollars and this building and property is now being maintained by the German society.
The present officers are: Trustees: Harm Rickels, John Siebels, William Tutken; deacons : Thomas Ulrich, Eibo Eiben; organist, Mrs. Close Willms; secretary, A. F. M. Casper ; pastor, Rev. Hans Naether. There are about fifty members at present, and the outside appearance of the church at least indicates prosperity. Regular services are held and the work of the church is flourishing.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
A full and complete history of the Catholic church of Castle Grove may be found under the title of the Catholic church in Jones county.
OFFICIAL ROSTER, CASTLE GROVE TOWNSHIP.
The first election of officers in Castle Grove township was held at the school- house near Mr. Beardsley's on the 2nd day of April, 1855. John Scott was chairman of the meeting called to organize the township and for the election of officers. John Scott, Horace Downer and Ezra C. Springer were chosen as judges of election, and Thomas S. Hubbard and Albert Higby, clerks of election.
At the election held on that date, the following persons were voted for as candidates for the respective offices, together with the number of votes each received :
Trustees : John Scott, forty-two; Horace Downer, thirty-six ; Thomas J. Peak, thirty-eight; Ezra Springer, six; Thomas S. Hubbard, seven; Samuel J. Clark and Albert Higby, one each.
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.