History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I, Part 70

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co.
Number of Pages: 763

USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 70

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).

THE FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

"Nathan Potter was the first assessor, and Seaborn Moore and W. H. Holmes, justices of the peace; R. Durgin, A. J. Perrin and Samuel Conaly, were the first trustees; Hezekiah Moore was the first township clerk; Sedley C. Bill and Thomas Silsbee, constables. The number of votes polled was sixty-three. Of that number. two have gone east, fourteen have gone west, twenty are in the vicinity. and twenty-seven have joined that throng going to the pale realms of shade. The record of the subsequent elections tells its own story of the rapid

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settlement of the township. In 1855, there were one hundred and nine, in 1856, there were one hundred and sixty-six, in 1857 there were one hundred and eighty- four, indicating an aggregate gain in three years of six hundred people in a single township. Elections were then held twice a year; they doubtless con- sidered them a good thing, a sort of holiday; and it seemed a little strange that while they were enjoying this inherent right of an American citizen to such an extent they they did not extend that right to the females. This is the only evi- dence of selfishness on the part of the early settlers.

"I have not been able to discover any reasons why the township was called Pierce; but suppose it was from the fact that Franklin Pierce of New Hamp- shire was at that time president of the United States, and a majority of the voters were democrats, and they desired to magnify his great name, and hence called the township Pierce. The position the president assumed in reference to the Missouri compromise line, and the Kansas-Nebraska act, alienated many of his former friends, and exasperated his former opponents; any may have been, in part the real reason why the name was changed, in order to blot his name from the future records of the township. In the winter of 1856-1857, a petition was circulated and numerously signed, to have the name of the township changed. The petition was sent to Judge Holmes, he being the representative from this county, who introduced the bill in the legislature, to have the name changed from Pierce to Wyoming. Notwithstanding this thrust at the name of President Pierce, he lived several years afterwards.

THE BEGINNING OF THE TOWN OF WYOMING.

"Compared with Wyoming, Maquoketa and Anamosa are quite ancient towns, and a distance of forty miles intervenes. There was an actual necessity for the location of a town between these places to accommodate the mechanical, manu- facturing and commercial wants of a large section of country. that would soon resound with the activities of various industries. Land sharks and specu- lators had often looked upon the possessions of Thomas Green with covetous eyes, as a natural place to build a town. Being equi-distant from the towns mentioned, while north and south there was hardly a town between Dubuque and Davenport. Before the town of Wyoming was located, building had already commenced in anticipation of such an event. The main road, and in fact the only road in this vicinity as traveled, was from east to west, and was a continua- tion of the road from the top of the hill at Mr. Elwood's (now John Thomsen's) east across the north end of our cemetery, and north of J. B. Wherry's (Fred Koch's) orchard, and connected with the road running south of R. B. Hanna's (John Reimer's) farm. In 1854, on this road, near the corner of J. B. Wherry's orchard (north of Fred Koch's brick house), Wm. P. L. Russell, now of Chi- cago, built a small building in which he lived and kept a store. I don't sup- pose his stock of goods was equal to Stewart's of New York, or Field, Leiter & Company's of Chicago; but he did sell sixteen pounds of sugar for one dollar, and not very good sugar either. About one year previous to this, William H. Vaughn had built a blacksmith shop a little north of Russell's store on the southeast corner of Barton Loomis' farm. You will readily see that the two

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first buildings erected in Wyoming, were not in Wyoming at all; you will also see that the first buildings were for business. This embryo town was called Marshfield, after one C. J. Marsh, who was represented to have great influence with a railroad company, then in its formative stage. A postoffice was established also called Marshfield, and Mr. Russell duly installed postmaster October 18, 1854. Thus with Mr. Green's house for a hotel, Mr. Russell's for a store and postoffice, and Vaughn's blacksmith shop, the town was a fixed fact, and almost a western city. Strange as it may seem, with all these evidences of a town, men would pass through this hatching city, just emerging from its prairie shell, and not see it or hear its business peep. John Tasker, living on his farm three miles north of here, accidentally heard of a town, not far away, having sprung up almost by magic. One day he thought he would go down to Marshfield and see the town, transact a little business, and become acquainted with the business men of the place, and if possible, learn how soon his farm would be engulphed in the growing city. So ornamenting his shoulders with a plow lay to be sharp- ened, and his pockets full of letters to be mailed, he started off across the prairie on foot. Wrapped in thought and lost in meditative mood, he passed along through the town without seeing hotel, postoffice, or store till he arrived at the residence of A. W. Pratt (John Thomsen's). Here he called and in Scotch accents, enquired the road to Marshfield. Mrs. Pratt, with a broad smile, told him he had just passed through the town. She little thought as that smile wore away, that she was laughing in the face of one of Wyoming's future statesmen.

"The public highway being north of Mr. Green's house and building begin- ning there with a subsequent laying out of the town where it is, explains why Mr. Green's (Fred Koch's) barns always seemed to be in the front yard of his old house. It was supposed then, that the town would be built on the ground occupied in the year 1877, for the fourth of July celebration (on the north slope).

"In 1854, the Iowa Central Air Line Railroad Company was organized with S. S. Jones, of Illinois as president. Starting from Sabula, on the Mississippi River, a line was looked up running to Maquoketa, thence to Anamosa, Marion and west to the Missouri River. Application was made to congress for assistance, by way of a land grant, which was obtained in the spring of 1856, and Lyons made the point from which to leave the Mississippi River. Everything now seemed to be on the high road to prosperity in the whole country that was to be tributary to the business of this contemplated road. Land advanced in price, and he who had a few forties was soon to be a millionaire, while he who had an eligible town site possessed a golden Mecca, where those who worshiped at Mammon's shrine, would congregate and fill his pockets with gold in exchange for land in parsimonious parcels. A corps of engineers had been over the line proposed and permanently located it, and the valley of the Big Bear Creek was considered the route.

"J. A. Bronson, from Wyoming county, New York, visited this section in June, 1854, and bought of Thomas Green, the present town site for fourteen dollars per acre, and with his brother, B. K. Bronson, and C. J. Marsh, laid out the town of Wyoming in the winter of 1855, intending to call it Marshfield. People abroad not knowing why it was called Marshfield, thought it must be a

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wet marshy country, and the name on that account was a little obnoxious. Emi- grants were pouring into the state by the thousands, all intent upon locating in the best town or on the best land. Bronson would go away from home and meet people looking for places to settle. He would, in glowing terms, represent to them, the advantages of this town, and the beautiful country round. It was wonderful to see the enthusiasm he would manifest in describing the beauty and fertility of his chosen spot. It was painful to see his disappointment and chagrin when they would timidly ask: "If the name of his town indicated the general condition of the country." The disappointed look soon changed to one of indig- nation as he almost fiercely replied : 'No, sir.' The poet said he may sing : 'What's in a name,' if he choose; but unless we change the name of our town, its pros- pects will be ruined. Wyoming, Waverly and Westfield, were suggested. Some said: 'call the town Bronson,' and James A. quickly replied: 'I am too modest for that.' Bronson favored Wyoming. He had lived in its fertile valley, and his childhood home was associated with it euphonious memories in the far east. It was familiar both in history and in song. In history, it is connected with one of the bloodiest massacres in the annals of American barbarity; while in song, it is commemorated in sweetest melodies. These were the reasons why the name of the town was changed, and Wyoming substituted for Marshfield; it was never recorded as Marshfield, but by common consent was to be called and known by that name.

"I was speaking of the old air line railroad, but digressed a little to speak of Wyoming and its name. In the summer of 1856, work was commenced along the whole line, from a few miles west of here to the Mississippi River. To do this work, there came quite an army of sturdy laborers with pick and shovel, with scraper and cart. They were ready to make the 'crooked, straight and the rough places, smooth,' upon which to lay the iron track for the hoofless steed, as with panting breath, he should obey the commands of commerce, and respond to the dictates of the hurried traveler. On Pleasant Ridge, there grew a mush- room town. There was a hotel, shop and store and many shanties too. Irishmen with wit and brogue, were as thick as fiddlers are said to be in Tophet's roar. The winter was terrible, the cold exceedingly severe. Horses died from exposure and were taken to the 'dump,' the engineer computing their value by the yard. Toes, fingers and noses were frozen and strong men cried as they were hurried to the cut and dump.

Money became scarce, the work was stopped;

Times were hard, our hopes to zero dropped;

The price of land and corner lots fell, And envy said, "That's Wyoming's knell.'

"We saw the laborers lay down the shovel and the hoe. We witnessed the departure of long lines of carts and shanties piled thereon, while something seemed to say :

The Old Air Line is dead,

And Bronson's hopes have fled.

"The town on Pleasant Ridge was gone and of all that busy throng, who labored there, there are left but the Lamey's-Michael, Thomas and John. Of

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those who labored in this valley, and made yonder grass covered road bed, there is left but one-John Gorman, one of Hale's wealthy and enterprising farmers.

"S. S. Jones, of Illinois, was the president of that railroad company, and his course in connection therewith was the subject of much animadversion, along the line of this contemplated road. He afterwards became a spiritualist, and it is said was shot a few months ago, in Chicago, by the husband of his alleged paramour. Whether his apparent duplicity was intentional, accidental or un- avoidable, I am not prepared to say. But if he is guilty of one-half of the mis- demeanors alleged, he is probably sojourning where an interview would be very uncomfortable.

"I said the town of Wyoming was laid out in the winter of 1855. In Feb- ruary of that year, A. G. Brown brought the first load of lumber into the town. It was for J. M. Smith & Chapin, who had made arrangements to build a cabi- net shop, and for this purpose built a part of what is now the Valley House (where Mrs. Buckholtz now lives, lot I, block 19). It was raised the 15th day of April, and Ogden's old store building on the corner opposite (lot 12, block IO), was raised the 17th of May. When completed, it was occupied by J. A. Bronson, as a store. Nial Brainard & Sons built the back part of what is now the Bissell House (where Miss Lydia Wherry now lives, lot 6, block 18), the same year. These were the three first buildings in town. Then Russell moved his store over. Many of you will recollect the building, when I state that it was the one occupied by the Rev. Peter Woodard (stood between Myers and Steph- enson's), as a cooper shop in after years, and stood between D. E. Brainard's house (on lot 9, block 10), and Irving Green's old drug store. During this summer, Mr. Russell built a house that looked some like a grain car, a little west of George Milner's. A man by the name of Corliss, built a house on the lot now owned by C. A. Wildey (lot 4, block 10). Compared with its base its altitude was fearful. H. C. Gleason built part of the house of Mr. Shibley's ( lot 10, block 6). The Hood mansion (southern part of lot 1, block 20), was built in the fall of the same year. It was built for a hotel and was kept by John Wright. It stood on Main street, opposite J. A. White's residence. A blacksmith shop was built on the vacant lot west of Mrs. Perkins (who lived on lot 3, block 18).

THE SCHOOLS.

"Early in the history of Wyoming, there was manifested a commendable interest in the education of the young. On the first Monday in May, 1855, the electors of School District No. 4, Pierce township, met for the purpose of choos- ing officers for the ensuing year. The district then embraced a large extent of territory. The records show that A. G. Brown was elected the first president, Wm. P. L. Russell, secretary, and A. W. Pratt, treasurer. From this latter circumstance, I would judge that a part of Madison township was included in the school district. At that first meeting the electors resolved to build a school- house. At an adjourned meeting it was resolved that said schoolhouse should be located between the west line of Pierce township and Bear Creek, and near the line dividing J. A. Bronson's and Thomas Green's, and should not cost to exceed five hundred dollars. On the 28th of August following, the contract for

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building the schoolhouse was awarded to W. J. Brainard, he being the lowest bidder, for the sum of five hundred and eighty dollars. At a subsequent meeting of the electors of the district, this action was ratified and the schoolhouse was to be completed by the Ist of November. It was located on the corner, east of W. T. Fordham's residence (this residence was on lot 4, block 51) and was a very plain and barn-like structure. It served a two-fold purpose, viz: as an in- stitution of learning and a house of worship. The first winter W. H. Alden taught the young idea how to shoot. The number of scholars was fifty-nine, and they came from the Wapsi's stormy banks, the Mineral prairies of the north, and from Madison's city on the west, then Wyoming's formidable rival. Here they were taught the mysteries of science by that Massachusetts' teacher. He has since turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and his broad acres of well tilled fields, commodious house, and capacious barns, tell of success in other de- partments than as an educator. Meetings were held in that house sometimes day and night. That winter there was a powerful revival. Stevenson was the Meth- odist minister in charge, and he called to his aid Gospel men of local notoriety in other parts of the township. The interest became so great that the school was suspended for a time, so that there might be held meetings during the day. The schoolhouse was the only house of worship for five or six years, and on Sunday it was kept warm from early morn till late at night, to give different persuasions time to preach the Gospel, ventilate their creeds and dwell upon their peculiar dogmas. There were represented two branches of the Presbyterian church, the Methodist, Baptist, and United Brethren, with an occasional discourse from one of some other denomination. They seemed to mix up quite harmoniously, and why should they not? They had in view one object, actuated by one hope, stim- ulated by one faith, they looked forward to one everlasting home. In matters of belief and church, they seemed to act upon the maxim, 'You compliment my dogma, and I will compliment yours,' and it was harmony. I recollect one ser- mon in particular that I heard in that old schoolhouse, the subject was 'Hades.' I give the preacher's own pronunciation, but I have heard scholars say that 'Ha-des' was correct. With classic lore, he told of the Greek derivation of the word, and in graphic phrase pictured death, the grave, and the invisible beyond. It made a wonderful impression on me, which was dispelled the next day when I accidentally discovered him borrowing a load of wood from a neighboring grove without liberty. Yet I think he ought not to be censured, for the winter was cold, and the brethren had neglected to furnish the necessary material to keep him and his helpless children warm. I mention this incident not as be- ing a reproach upon the preacher; but to teach the brethren a useful moral les- son, viz: that ministers. though warmed by grace divine, need something more material with which to warm their shins and cook their dinner. In the spring of 1864 a small addition was made to the schoolhouse, and in the spring of 1867 it was burned to the ground, and all the people said amen. During that summer the present school building was erected at a cost of nearly nine thousand dollars, including the lots on which it stands. It is more useful than ornamental

"During the summer of 1856 there was built Mrs. McClure's house (lot 8. block 11). Irving Green's drug store (near Myers' meat market), Haines' old store building (near Jenkins' repair shop), Newcomb Williams' house (lot 4.

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block 19), Chester Johnson's blacksmith shop, where Phil. Alberry lives (now occupied by Mrs. Alberry), Thomas Taylor built Swigart's house (where Pres- byterian parsonage now stands), Roach built Miss Julia McClure's house (lot 6. block 51), Cook, the lower part of Mr. Close's house (now used as a barn on lot 1, block 51), Haines' house (now occupied by Wm. Wilker, lot 3, block 10), Lowell's blacksmith shop (stood west of German church, torn down in 1907), John White's house (lot 7, block 20), the house that stood in front of Spitzer's new residence (A. M. Loomis' present residence), and the house where Ned Luke (lot 8, block 13) recently lived, the two latter were built by the Rev. 'Filibuster' Walker. Rev. Horace Holmes built on the lot where Mr. Peck resides (lot 3, block 12), the old house having been moved, and is now owned by Mr. Wilkins (lot 1, block 26). My old house (occupied by Mrs. Parsons, lot I, block 31) now owned by Frank Richards. The same summer Wm. P. L. Russell and J. A. Bronson commenced building the Bronson block, and nearly completed the walls before winter. The uncertain condition of the railroad prospects, and the hard times, were a serious blow to Wyoming. Bronson's block stood like an old haunted castle. People thought there must be a railroad, or there would be no town, and it was several years before prosperity seemed to perch upon our banner. The financial crisis of 1857 found our people struggling under an in- cubus of debt. incurred in time of prosperity. The stringency of the money market, the low prices of all kinds of agricultural products, put an embargo upon most contemplated improvements. The agricultural wealth of the country was being developed gradually. Slowly, silently, unconsciously, and unknowingly was the country preparing for that drain upon its agricultural resources soon to follow. Before the dark cloud of financial distress and embarrassment had risen from the horizon enough to admit the sunshine of prosperity, its darkness was intensified by the prospect of fratricidal strife. The tocsin of war sounded that unpleasant cry, 'To Arms.' Our people obeyed the summons with alacrity, and few townships in the stute furnished a greater proportion of the arms bearing population than Wyoming.

THE METHODIST CHURCH.

"The Methodists held their first meeting in Thomas Green's barn in June, 1855, and formed a class. It was then a part of the Mineral Circuit, and Joel B. Tay- lor was the preacher in charge, and J. G. Dimmit was the presiding elder. I think the latter was a sound man on theological points. I once heard him say in a sermon that 'a lazy man was one of God's nuisances,' and I consider ·that a point in theology that is too much neglected. The church has been very prosperous from its first organization and very harmonious since the completion of its church edifice. For ten years the meetings were held in the old schoolhouse. They would all agree quite pleasantly, would talk, sing, and pray with fervor, and wish for a house of worship. They were willing to give both time and money to procure a church edifice; but when location was talked, there was always trouble. On the hill, in numbers, they were the strong- est. On the flat they felt the omnipotent power of money. That little stream, innocent in itself, to the brethren was a perfect terror. To these brethren on

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the hill, that flat was worse than the slough of despond described by Bunyan; while to the brethren on the flat, that hill was worse than the hill of difficulty, described by the same author. I have seen men go down to Jordan's stormy river more complacent than these brethren would approach that little rivulet. In the early history of the town there was a great, but not always commendable, rivalry between the two sections. Where stands those brick blocks, the pride and orna- ment of our village, was considered way out of town, and yet they were hardly a stone's throw from what was then considered a wonderful place of business. In its business relations this rivalry entered the Methodist church, and for a long time prevented them from building a house of worship. Various expeditions were resorted to, to reconcile the inharmonious elements. At one time it was thought best to raise the subscription, and let that locate the church. But when the brethren on the hill saw Bronson open wide his plethoric pockets, they stood aghast, and said with one accord, 'O horror!' to think that the location of a church should be controlled by filthy lucre. Bishop Haven said that 'every town had some building or structure that denotes its folly.' This building (present Lutheran church) came near proving the rule true in reference to Wyoming. It had been built for a mill by a stock company. The war, and other circumstances not necessary to mention, caused the work on the mill to be stopped when the walls were up and the roof partly on. Here it stood with its windows open; but not as now-toward Jerusalem. Owls, doves, and bats found homes in its at- tic. Its basement was filled with cribs of corn; but no famine made a demand for it, and part of it at last was fed to swine in the cellar below. Tired of its di- lapidated look, the stockholders with one or two exceptions, proffered to donate it to the Methodist society, if they would finish it for a church. The offer was accepted, the vestibule added, the church united; and as the result we have this comfortable, convenient and almost elegant church.

"It was dedicated by the Rev. A. J. Kynett, September 3, 1866. Who the first officers of the church were, the records do not tell. J. B. Taylor, Stevenson, A. Bronson, Frank Amos, H. Bradshaw, J. Scholes, J. H. Todd, H. Taylor, R. Hawn, L. Catlin, G. R. Manning, W. A. Allen, B. C. Barnes, L. Taylor, H. H. Green, W. E. McCormac and J. A. Kerr, have been the pastors. No minister has been called to settle his final account, while ministering to this church, since its organization. Two local preachers have died, who in the early history of the church did much to encourage and sustain it. They were the Rev. Ansel Brain- ard, and Rev. Thomas Bronson, both had been long identified with the church, were ripe in years and rich in faith. (The later history of this church is given on another page .- Ed.)

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

"The Presbyterian was the first church edifice in the town, or in the township. The Rev. Geo. E. Delevan, then living at Maquoketa, having occasion to pass through Wyoming, was pleased with its location, and upon his representations, the Rev. James H. Spellman, a home missionary, came here to look up the in- terests of Zion, in connection with the organization of a Presbyterian church. On the 17th day of May, 1857, a society was organized as preliminary to the

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organization of a church. A constitution was adopted, and Joseph Bryan, John Morse and Emmons Leonard elected trustees, A. W. Pratt, treasurer and A. M. Loomis, clerk. The Rev. Geo. E. Delevan became the pastor. Articles of incor- poration were adopted April 8, 1859. The organization was effected at the house of A. W. Pratt. A. M. Loomis, A. W. Pratt, Jeremiah Gard, Thomas Haines, Sr., and A. B. Stiles, were the members who signed those Articles of Incorpora- tion. The church as thus constituted, consisted of six members. Four of them had passed the meridian of life, and two were young and full of hope. All still alive, only two in our midst. In a few days Jeremiah Gard, the veteran of this band, will leave for a western home, and then Captain Loomis will be the only one left to tell the old story of the organization of that church by these half dozen men. (Mr. Loomis is yet with the church in November, 1909.) Later Mr. Loomis died December 5, 1909. How widely divergent have been their paths. Pratt in Massachusetts, Gard going west, Bryan gone west, Haines gone north, Stiles in Chicago. The longevity of these men is quite remarkable. Their average age is about 65 years, and all are hale and hearty, and I believe Mr. Gard is the only one that has been afflicted with serious sickness. In view of these facts, I have come to the conclusion that it is not a bad thing to be one of the organizers of a Presbyterian church. Perhaps the founders of other churches have been looked upon with equal favor by Him who holds in his hands the destinies and lives of men. My relations with. this church, as an outside member, have enabled me to know more of the inside workings than of the others.

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History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I, Part 70

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co. Number of Pages: 763

Author: Corbit, Robert McClain, 1871- ed; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke publishing co.
Number of Pages: 763