History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 52

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950

USA > Iowa > Kossuth County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 52
USA > Iowa > Winnebago County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 52
USA > Iowa > Hancock County > History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 52

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).

"Rev. HI. B. Underwood became the minister of this Church in August after the retirement of Father Taylor. In the fol- lowing winter he held a protracted meet- ing in the church which was well attended and very solemn. There were several conversions. Fourteen persons united with the Church, on the profession of their faith in Christ, at the communion season in March, and four by letter. Five were united by letter the following May. Mr. Underwood served as pastor of the Church about two years. The Church came to self-support during his ministry. Ilow fast this result was gradually reached -as I suppose it was reached gradually --- I cannot tell. Mr. Underwood was a son of the well known evangelist, Rev. A. Uuderwood, of Irvington, N. Y. IIis brother, younger, Rev. Rufus Underwood, is also a successful evangelist. He had had a few years experience in the ministry both east and west, I believe, before he came here. Early in June, 1875, he went to the State association on his way east.

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

On the 8th of July he was married to Emily Rich, of East Boston, who came with him to his western parish, full of enthusiasm for what she thought would be her life work. They reached here early in August, when he was ahnost im- mediately taken sick with typhoid fever, which ran its wasting course of four weeks, when he died, Sept. 2, 1875, at the age of nearly thirty-six, just seven weeks from the day of his marriage, which was on a Thursday, as was his funeral both here and in the east. Judging from his photograph and what I have heard of him from his father and others, I should say that his was an ardent, courageons spirit, and that he was a man of great energy, quick movement, social and genial, and full of strong desire to save souls. The years of his earthly toil were not many, but he gathered precious fruit for a time, and garnered many a sheaf in glory.

"The present pastorate began that same year, the first Sabbath in November, 1875. Some future historian will have to tell about it if it is ever told. The Church has had a steady but not rapid growth from that time to this. The church building has been removed and enlarged and a par- sonage has been built. Several protracted meetings, in connection always with the week of prayer, have been held, some alone and some union meetings, and invariably there have been some conversions and considerable religious interest. But there has never been a powerful revival in Al- gona, and this Church has never had a large accession of members at one time. The largest, sixteen or seventeen, was during Mr. Underwood's ministry. The Church reported in May last 152 members.

Some of these are absentees. And more have been dismissed than have been ie- ceived since that date, but there are others here ready to join who will more than make the number good. About eighty-two were received during Father Taylor's ministry, twenty-five during Mr. Underwood's and sixty-eight during the present pastorate. It is evident that the Church has had a small percentage of loss compared with its gains. In other words, it has retained a large proportion of the members it has received. For this we are devontly thankful. 1 should like to make many other observations,suggested by this history, and to gather up its lessons. But there is not time."

Among the various clergymen who have had charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Algona, or preached to the congregation, were the following named: Revs. Mallory, Billings, King, Holbrook, Snyder, Todd, Thorpe, Potter, Hammond, Woodworth, Webster, Mitchell, Brown, Hobbs, and the present incumbent, Eigh- mey.

The Baptist Church dates from the spring of 1861. On the 18th of May, of that year, the people of that denomination in and around Algona gathered together and formed the present society. The meeting was called to order by Rev. O. W. Holmes, of Webster City, who acted as moderator, and after some preliminary ex- ercises the following members enrolled their names as the pioneers of the new Church: Riley E. Mason, Cecil D. Mason, A. B. Mason, Luther Rist, Sallie M. Ma- son, Susan Payne, Nancy C. Mason, Betsy Rist, Sylvester S Rist, William Hofius, M. C. Lathrop, J. R. Armstrong, Eliza

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

Maxwell, Mary A. Ilofius, Elizabeth Lathrop and Electa Henderson. After the formation of the society, A. B. Mason was elected clerk, and S. S. Rist, deacon. The first member to join this Church was "buried with Christ in baptism" upon this auspicious day, and was Mary A. Rist. The meeting then adjourned.

On the following day, which was Sun- day, the first services were held and the Church formally organized and recognized. Rev. O. A. Holmes preached the recog- nition sermon, the hand of Church fel- lowship was given by the Rev. William J. Sparks, of North Union, and the charge delivered by the Rev. L. L. Frisk, of Mineral Ridge. This weak Church con- ducted meetings, renewing their covenant of faith quite frequently, but had no reg- ular pastor until in May, 1866, Rev. J. A. Cain was invited to, and accepted the pas- torate. Life now seemed to animate the whole Church, and steps were taken look- ing toward the building of a place of worship. Brother Cain labored hard and faithfully until April 4, 1869, when he resigned his charge here on account of ill health. He was succeeded by the Rev. James Jeffers on the first of the following August. About this time the church building was being pushed to completion, and on the 2d of April, 1870, the first meeting was held therein. In February, 1878, Rev. C. Brooks took charge of this little flock as pastor. He, in turn was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Mountain in June, 1880. On the Ist of November, 1883, Mr. Mountain resigned and was suc- ceded by Rev. G. W. Robinson, of Bloom- ingdale, Ill. The present officers of the Church are the following named gentle-

men: Z. C. Audness, clerk; S. S. Rist and W. F. Hofins, deacons. The society have a neat substantial church edifice in which to worship. The Sunday school is in a most prosperous condition under the superintendency of Jerome Walker, and peace, harmony, and good feeling pervades the whole society.

The Free Methodist Church society was organized in February, 1882, and the first services were held by the Rev. R. C. Glass, but the first pastor was the Rev. W. L. King. His successors have been Revs. J. C. Jones and II. L. Smith, the lat- ter of whom has charge of this little flock.

The Methodist Episcopal Congrega- tion have a beautiful edifice of worship, built in the Elizabethan English style, which is one of the chief ornaments of the city. This branch of the Lord's vine- yard is under the direction of Rev. P. H. Eighmey.

The Seventh Day Adventist Church so- ciety was organized April 10, 1881, by J. 11. Durland assisted by a Mr. Washburn. At that time there were but seven mem- bers, as follows: Olaf Johnson and wife, Mrs. James Archibald, Hattie Steb- bins, May Stebbins, Belle Mickelson and William Sammer. Three trustees were appointed soon after the organization, who were as follows: William Carey, Olaf Johnson and William Sammer. These gentlemen still retain this office in the Church. William Carey is still dea- con. The society at the present has thirty-two members in regular standing and is in a good healthy condition.

In the fall and winter of 1883, they ereeted a church building, 26x50 feet in size, at a cost of about $1,500. This

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTHI COUNTY.

edifice, which is of frame, is a neat and tasty building, and is an addition to the looks of Algona. In connection with the Church, of which E. G. Olson is the pres- ent elder, there is a Sabbath school with an average attendance of about thirty. The first superintendent was Olaf John- son, and the present one William Carey. This "nursery of the Church" is in a most excellent condition and great interest is manifested by the people, both young and old, in its exercises.

'The postoffice at Algona was established in the winter of 1856, and J. W. Moore was commissioned the first postmaster. He held it however but a short time, for during the following year he was sue- ceeded by Amos S. Collins. H. F. Wat- son, Lewis II. Smith and J. II. Warren have each in turn occupied the berth, the latter of whom was succeeded by the present incumbent, Lieut .- Col. R. II. Spencer. The postoffice has been moved, at various times, to different places about town, as it has changed from hand to hand. The office is a money order one, and considerable funds pass through the mails in this shape.

Col. Robert HI. Spencer, postmaster at Algona, was born Sept. 20, 1840, in Perry Co., Ohio. Ilis parents, Eli A. and Ann M. (Chilcote) Spencer, were also natives of Ohio. Col. Spencer is the oldest of a family of four boys. He was raised in Perry county on a farm adjoining the vil- lage of Somerset, receiving a common school education and working on the farm until 1858, when the family removed to Madison, Wis. Here he was engaged in farming on his father's farm in the town of Windsor, Dane county, until the open-

ing of the war. In November, 1861, he enlisted as second lieutenant in company H, 10th Wisconsin regiment, serving with that regiment until mustered out in Novem- ber, 1864. Ile re-enlisted in the 47th Wisconsin regiment, as lieutenant-col- onel, and served as such until the close of the war. For the experiences of Col. Spencer while a prisoner, his es- cape, etc., see another portion of this work. After his discharge he returned to Dane Co., Wis., where he remained one year, then removed to Sheboygan Co., Wis., being engaged in business at Sheboygan Falls until 1868. Ile then returned to Dane county, and in 1870 came to Algona, engaging in the mer- cantile business until December, 1871. In April, 1872, he received his commission as postmaster of Algona, which office he now holds. Col. Spencer is also largely interested in farming in this county, and has quite a traet of land in Portland and Greenwood townships. He was married July 19, 1866, to Josephine M. Rowley, a native of New York. They have one child-Miss Marion. Col. Spencer is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

The first school is believed to have been taught in a dwelling house in Algona, dur- ing the year 1856, by Flavia Fleming. In the winter of that year the town hall was erected and school was taught there for some years. Miss Fleming was also the first teacher in this building. The pres- ent main school house was built in 1867, under the supervision of the board of township directors, of which W. HI. Ing- bam was at that time president. The first teachers in the new school house were Elam C. Miles and wife. This was

OX LENOX

HISTORY OF KOSSUTHI COUNTY. 417

while Algona was a sub-district of the district township.

The independent school district of Al- gona was organized in 1872. A petition was handed into the board of township directors upon the 4th of March of that year, asking that an independent school district be organized in Algona. This bears the following names: William Leg- gett, 'T. P. Bender, W. J. Wildey, J. W. Renyon, Joseph Taylor, S. G. A. Read, HI. M. Taft, J. B. Jones, A. E. Wheelock, L. N. Ferguson, D. P. Russell, P. D. Ramsey, William_Cordingley, J. II. War- ren, J. B. Wimbel, M. W. Stough, J. E. Blackford and Adam Baker. In accord- ance with this, the board ordered that an clection be held on Saturday, March 16,

1872, to decide the question as to its in- corporation. On that day and date, the qualified electors met at the school house, in Algona, and there decided that the town of Algona should constitute an independ- ent district by a unanimous vote. Twenty- five ballots were cast.

On the 30th of March, 1872, an elec- tion was held at the court house for the choice of directors. J. E. Blackford was elected president of the board of election, and A. W. Patterson, clerk. After the oath had been duly administered by A. E. Wheelock, clerk of the courts, the polls were opened in accordance with law. One hundred and eighty-three ballots were cast, which resulted in the election of the following board of directors of the independent school district of Algona: J. E. Stacy, J. G. Smith, J. G. Winbell, J. L. Paine, F. C. Wilson and H. M. Taft. On the organization of the board, II. M. Taft was chosen president, and J.

E. Stacy, secretary and R. H. Spencer, treasurer. At the time of the organiza- tion of this district as independent from the township, the teachers were: A. M. Horton, principal; Lizzie M. Read, Em- ma S. Paine and S. A. Blair. The suc- eessive principals of these schools have been as follows: Clayton B. Hutchins, J. P. Colby, J. II. Saunders, C. P. Dorland, A. S. Benedict, A. lleys and G. Cowles. The present corps of teachers that preside over this fine school are: Gardner Cowles principal; Lettie Hutchins, assistant prin cipal; Mrs. M. J. G. Colby, Nellie E. Smith, Ada Smith, Louisa Patterson, Josie Pettibone and Emma Henderson. There are enrolled here some 622 scholars, many of whom are in the higher branches.

Prudence Lodge, No. 205, A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation Feb. 4, 1867, and received a charter the 6th of the following June. The charter mem- bers were: Lewis HI. Smith, Enoch Wood, Marcus Robbins, Jr., Asa C. Call, G. M. Parsons, Albert Calkins and John G. Smith. The first officers were elected and appointed as follows: Samuel B. Caleb, W. M .; Albert Calkins, S. W .; J. G. Smith, J. W .; A. C. Call, treasurer; Marcus Robbins, Jr., secretary; Lewis H. Smith, S. D .; G. M. Parsons, J. D .; 11. M. Hateb, tyler. This lodge made but little headway during its earlier years, and during 1867, made but one master Mason, and raised two apprentices. But being composed of the best men in the commu- nity, it has not encountered the difficul- ties of some new lodges. The following named have served as masters since its organization: S. B. Caleb, 1858; I. H. Smith, 1869, 1870, 1871; D. S. Ford,

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

1872, 1873, 1874; Il. B. Smith, 1875, 1876; D. S. Ford, 1877; J. R. Jones, 1878; C. D. Pettibone, 1879; J. R. Jones, 1880, 1881, 1882. The present officers are: E. S. Johnson, W. M .; J. N. Weaver, S. W .; G. H. Lampson, J. W .; P. L. Slagle, treasurer; J. W. Wadsworth, secretary; W. P. Coolbaugh, S. D .; D. W. C. Ack. ley, J. D .; E. N. Weaver, tyler. There are now eighty-seven members in good standing and the lodge is numbered among the best in the State. It is entirely out of debt and has some $300 in its treasury.

There is also a flourishing chapter in connection with this lodge at Algona, Prudence Chapter, No. 70. It was organ- ized Sept. 25, 1874, under a dispensation in answer to a petition dated Jan. 23, 1874, and signed by Robert F. Bowers, high priest. The first officers were as follows: J. R. Jones, high priest; 1I. B. But- ler, king; II. B. Smith, scribe; C. E.Church, secretary. The charter was received Nov. 9, 1874, and the following named were duly elected, the first officers under the charter: J. R. Jones, high priest; H. B. Butler, king; J. G. Smith, scribe; G. R. Woodworth, treasurer; P. L. Slagle, sec- retary. In 1875 the officers were: J. R. Jones, high priest; H. B. Butler, king; P. L. Slagle, scribe; J. W. Wadsworth, treasurer; F. M. Taylor, secretary.

1876-C. C. Chubb, high priest; S. G. A. Read, king; H. C. MeCoy, scribe; II. B. Butler, treasurer; F. M. Taylor, secretary.

1877-J. R. Jones, high priest: S. G. A. Read, king; O. II. Marvin, seribe; J. W. Wadsworth, treasurer; H. J. Wyman, secretary.

1878 -- J. R. Jones, high priest; W. H. Ingham, king; S. G. A. Read, seribe; J.

W. Wadsworth, treasurer; H. J. Wyman, secretary.

1879-J. R. Jones, high priest; S. G. A. Read, king; W. Il. Ingham, scribe; J. W. Wadsworth, treasurer; II. J. Wyman, secretary.

1880-J. R. Jones, high priest; S. G. A. Read, king; W. II. Ingham, scribe; J. W. Wadsworth, treasurer and secretary.

1881-O. E. Palmer, high priest; S. G. A. Read, king; II. F. Watson, scribe; Lewis H. Smith, treasurer; J. W. Wads- worth, secretary.

1882 -- O. E. Palmer, high priest; J. R. Jones, king; J. N. Weaver, scribe; O. Il. Marvin, treasurer; J. W. Wadsworth, sec- retary.

The present officers are as follows: O. E. Palmer, high priest; D. A. Buell, king; J. N. Weaver, scribe; O. Il. Mar- vin, treasurer; J. W. Wadsworth, secre- tary.

The chapter numbers fifty-five mem- bers in good standing, and since the or- ganization there has only been one death in the brotherhood, that of O. E. Minkler.

The fraternity occupy the spacious hall on the second floor of Robinson Brothers' new hardware store, which was fitted up expressly for and leased to the Masonic lodge for a term of years. The hall is 20x48 feet, thirteen feet in height and finished in the most approved style. The wood work was done by Messrs. Richard & Shadle, the plastering by S. B. Califf, and the painting by P. A. Gustafson, and each will bear the test of a close comparison with any work to be seen anywhere in the west. This hall is fitted up in good style and the craft are not ashamed to have the visiting brethren view its beauties.

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

Algona Lodge, No. 236, I. O. O.F., was organized on the 30th of April, 1872, by Orlanda MeCraney of MeGregor, Grand Master of the State, with the following charter members: George E. Clarke, F. W. Butterfield, J. F. Nicoulin, J. W. Kenyon, A. D. White and J. R. Jones. The following were elected the first offi- cers of the lodge: George E. Clarke, N. G .; F. W. Butterfield, V. G .; J. F. Nicou- lin, secretary; J. W. Kenyon, treasurer. The subordinate offices were, also, filled by the following named: A. J. Bletso, R. S. N. G .; P. D. Rumsey, L. S. N. G .; William Quick, W .; J. R. Jones, C .; J. M. Pinkerton, R. S. S .; C. T. Williams, L. S. S .; J.F. Niconlin,O. S. G .; A. E. Whee- lock, I. S. G .; E. II. Woodward, R. V. G .; C. W. Townley, L. V. G. The lodge has a membership of about sixty, and is in a most excellent condition financially, hav- ing about $600 in the hands of the treas- urer. Algona Lodge meets every Monday evening, at their hall, over Durant Bros' drug store. The present officers are: Dr. L. K. Garfield, N. G .; O. C. Fill, V. G .; George C. Call, secretary; E. H. Clarke, P. secretary; T. Earley, treasurer.

James C. Taylor Post, No. 165, G. A. R., was organized on the 4th of May, 1883, by Col. Burrell, mnstering officer. The officers elected and appointed at that time are as follows: L. A. Sheetz, post com- mander; John Wallace, Sr., vice-com- mander; A. E. Wheelock, Jr., vice-com- mander; J. C. Heckart, Q. M .; A. II. Du- rant, surgeon ; L. M. B. Smith, chaplain; R. H. Spencer, O. of D .; II. Waterhouse, O. of G .; John Reed, adjutant; A. A. Brunson, S. major; G. H. Lampson, Q. M. S. The following is the roster of the post,

with the rank, regiment and date of dis- charge from active service:

Le Roy D. Setchell, 23d New York Infantry, sergeaut, discharged Aug. 28, 1866.

L. M. B. Smith, Ist Wisconsin Cavalry, cap. tain, discharged Feb. 21, 1865.

P. L. Slagle, 11th Minnesota Infantry, cor- poral, discharged July 21, 1865.

R Il Spencer, 10th Wisconsin Infantry, lieu- tenant-colonel.

Charles Wilkins, 27th Iowa Infantry, private, discharged Ang. 8, 1865.

A. M. Horton, 6th New York Cavalry, orderly sergeant, discharged Aug. 26, 1865.

A. E. Wheelock, 3d Wisconsin Infantry, pri- vate, discharged July 10, 1865.

J. C. Heckart, 32d Iowa Infantry, corporal, discharged Aug. 24, 1865.

O. H. JIntchins, 27th, Iowa Infantry, 2d lieu tenant, discharged May 15, 1865.

G. H. Lamson, 21st Massachusetts Infantry, private, discharged Jan. 20, 1863.

Samuel Benjamin, 27th Iowa Infantry, 2d lieutenant, discharged May, 1863.

John Wallace, Ist Wisconsin Cavalry, dis- charged September, 1864.

A. H Durant, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, lieuten- ant, discharged March 12, 1864.

E. Williams, 2d Wisconsin Cavalry, 1st lieu- tenant, discharged April 4, 1862.

L. A. Sheetz, 8th Iowa Infantry, lieutenant and adjutant, discharged May, 1866.

John Reed, 32d Iowa Infantry, private, dis- charged Aug. 24, 1865.

John M. Weaver, 12th Iowa Infantry, private, discharged Jan 20, 1866

lugh Waterhouse, 2d Wisconsin Cavalry, pri- vate, discharged Nov. 15, 1865.

A. A. Brunson, 106th New York Volunteer Infantry, sergeant, discharged February, 1865.

H. C. McCoy, 31st Wisconsin Infantry, assist- ant surgeon, discharged June, 1865.

D. C. Ackley, 14th Ohio Battery, sergeant, discharged June, 1865.

J. W. Robinson, 11th New York Infantry, ser- geant, discharged June 4, 1865.

Charles C. Chubb, 3d Wisconsin Infantry, ser- geant, discharged July 4, 1864.

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HISTORY OF KOSSUTHI COUNTY.

Edwin P. Crockett, 2d Iowa Cavalry, private, discharged May 8, 1865.

L. F. Robinson, 16th Wisconsin Infantry, pri- vate, discharged August, 1862.

P. A. McGuire, 19th Wisconsin Infantry, pri- vate, discharged June 15, 1865.

T. W. Gilbert, 3d Wisconsin Cavalry, private, discharged, 1865.

D. B. Avery, 7th Illinois Cavalry, corporal. discharged Nov. 4, 1865.

A. M. Johnson, 31st Iowa Infantry, private, discharged Feb. 28, 1864.

E. Loomis, 2nd Towa Cavalry, private, dis. charged Aug. 9, 1861.

C. C. Chubb, 1st Wisconsin Cavalry, private, discharged, 1862.

F. C. Doomy, 75th Illinois Infantry, private, discharged June 13, 1865.

O. IT. Marvin, 4th Iowa Cavalry, sergeant, dis- charged May 25, 1865.

James Barr, 12th Iowa Infantry, assistant sur- geon, discharged Jan. 20, 1866.

J B Jones, 39th Wisconsin Infantry, private, discharged Sept. 22, 1864.

D. G. Ilaggard, 21st fowa Infautry, sergeant, discharged July 26. 1865.

Rufus Walston, 16th New York Infantry, cor- pora!, discharged May 22, 1863.

Paul Tromlee, 27th Iowa Infantry, private, discharged Jan. 20, 1864.

James McConkey, 1st Wisconsin Infantry, private, discharged Oct. 8, 1864.

HIcury Brewster, 24th Wisconsin Infantry, pri- vate, discharged June 10, 1865.

J. M. Comstock, Ist Wisconsin Cavalry, cap- tain, discharged Oct. 31, 1864.

Algona Lodge, No. 136, Independent Order of Good Templars, was organized under a charter, July 6, 1876, with the following members: Rev. II. B. Butler, Mrs. H. B. Butler, J. E. Blackford, Mrs. J. E. Blackford, C. Blackford, F. W. Barkley, Milton Starr, L. D. Setehell, Cora Setehell, Mrs. Winton, Belle Win- ton, Ada Smith, Annie Ingham, Minnie Ingham, Ethie Hawkins, Addie Hawkins,

Edith Blanchard, J. M. Comstock, Mrs. J. M. Comstock, E. H. Clarke, G. L. Adams, P. L. Slagle, F. McCall, J. Il. Mathers, T. Leggett, Harvey Ingham, D. W. Burlingame, Belle Adams, N. A. Bush- nell and A. M. Horton. The first officers chosen to preside over the deliberations of the lodge were the following named: J. M. Comstock, W. C. T .; Mrs J. M. Comstock, W. V. T .; Rev. II. B. Butler, W. Chap .; Prof. N. A. Bushnell, W. S .; Addie Hawkins, W. A. S .; James Patter- son, W. F. S .; Annie Ingham, W. T .; L. D. Setchell, W. M .; Belle Winton, W. D. M .; Ada Smith, W. G .; Engene Clark, W. O. G .; Mrs. Winton, W. R. I. S .; Belle Adams, W. L. H. S .; Prof. Barclay, P. W. C. T. The lodge has a prosperous career, and has done excellent work in the community. It has never suspended nor missed a meeting, on account of lack of interest, and has had a membership at times of 200. The outside tem- perance movement has detracted some- what from the interest and the member- ship has fallen off lately, but is again ou the increase. The lodge meets at Starr's hall, and has as fine a meeting place as any in the State. The membership at the beginning of the last quarter, Nov 1, 1883, was eighty-seven. The present ofli- cers are as follows: J. M. Comstock, W. C. T .; Mrs. J. M. Comstock, W. V. T .; Josie Pettibone, W. R. S .; Edward Rist, W. A. S .; Wallace Nichols, W. F. S .; Lutie Wallace, W. T .; Will Hart. W. M .; D. H. Hutchins, W. Chap .; JJosie Com- stock, guard; Bert Ward, sentinel; Helen Weaver, W. D. M .; Jennie Pettibone, R. H. S .; Jessie Smith, L. H. S .; D. S. Ford and Kate Burnard, censors.

421

HISTORY OF KOSSUTH COUNTY.

During the summer of 1876, six ladies met together and organized a reading elub under the name of the Monday club. These ladies were the following named: Mrs. G. H. Woodworth, Mrs. M. W. Stougb, Mrs. J. J. Wilson, Mrs. Dr. Colby, Mrs. H. Kenyon and Miss M. L. Leggett. In the fall of that same year, this was re- organized as a literary club under the same name, and under the present consti- tution. The first officers were: Mrs. M. W. Stough, president; Miss M. L. Leg- gett, secretary; Mrs. G. H. Woodworth, treasurer; Miss C. T. Dodd, librarian. It now received new accessions to its list of membership, and instituted the present circulating library. The first books pur- chased as a foundation to the library, was at an expenditure of $7.65, and was com- posed of the following volumes: Ten great Religions, Harriet Martineau and Literature of the Age of Elizabeth. The society has now some fifteen members en- rolled and is at present officered as fol- lows: Mrs. G. H. Woodworth, president; Mrs. J. R. Jones, secretary; Mrs. H. C. McCoy, treasurer, and Miss C. T. Dodd, librarian. The following is an abstract from the report of the librarian for the term commencing Feb. 1, 1882, and end- ing Aug. 31, 1883:

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History of Kossuth, Hancock, and Winnebago counties, Iowa; together with sketches of their cities, villages, and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 52

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 950

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield IL : Union Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 950