History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 95

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Iowa > Humboldt County > History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 95

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).

triumphed over the multiplied difficulties which had so long encompassed him. When asked the secret of his enduring cheerfulness and final victory, he an- swered: "My confidence in the benefi- cence of God's government has been the chief source of my strength and hopeful- ness. This confidence has enabled me, as a rule, to accept whatever experiences have come to me as for the best, and it has been, and is, my habit, after thinking of disappointments, failures, losses, or of wrongs received at the hands of others, until obtaining whatever lessons of in- struction they could impart, to then re- mand such painful experiences to the regions of forgetfulness, avoiding there- after such associations and conversation as would again call them to mind." There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taft six children-George B., William J., Frederick H., Sidney A., Mary V. and Edwin S, all of whom are living except the first born. The changes that have taken place in Humboldt county since Mr. Taft settled in the Des Moines valley have been very great. Then there were not sixty voters in the county, there was no railroad within 100 miles, no mill in the State, to the north or west, and none south or east nearer than Webster City, no store nearer than Fort Dodge, and where Hum- boldt now stands was an unbroken prairie, through which the river ran as wild and free as when the Indians erected their wigwams on its banks centuries ago. Mr. Taft is still in the vigor of middle life, and being descended from a long-lived ancestry, has good reason to anticipate yet many years in which to co-operate with others in promoting the material,

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educational and religious interests of the community, with the laying of the found- ations of which he had so much to do.

Mrs. Mary A. Taft is a descendant from Puritan stock, her grandparents remov- ing in an early day from New England to central New York. She is the daughter of Rockwell Burnham, and was born in Madison, Madison Co., N. Y., May 1, 1832. Her mother's maiden name was Roda Warren. In her girlhood days she en- joyed educational advantages which were well improved. The last years of her school life were spent at New York Cen- tral College, an institution which was established by the Free Mission Baptists, as a protest against the pro-slavery posi- tion occupied at the time by Madison University. Her parents were among the earliest abolitionists and temperance re- formers. Her father's house was ever open to the advocates of freedom and temperance, and was also a shelter for the hunted slave. So decided was Mr. Burn- ham in his opposition to intemperance that he would have no hops grown upon his farm, nor would he sell either wood or grain to the distillery located but two miles from his home; notwithstanding it was owned by his neighbor, a deacon in the Congregational Church. Both her home and school life were well calculated to unfit Mrs. Taft for the leading position she has been called upon to occupy. She often saw and heard those earnest men and women, whose love of country and justice led them, like the Hebrew proph- ets, to bid defiance to a corrupt public sentiment, whether bearing rule in Church or State. The students of New York Central College discussed the grave ques-

tions which agitated the public mind, not only in lyceums but in their social gather- ings and at the dining tables. So whether at home or at school, Mra. Taft breathed an intellectual and moral atmosphere, in- stinct with life and inspiration. It was during the last year of her school life that she made the acquaintance of S. HI. Taft, to whom she was married Feb. 22, 1853. Her life has been and is one of great activity. For many years she was organist of the Church of which her hus- band was pastor, and has always been an active participant in the Sunday school and social work of the Church. Twice since coming to Iowa she has been brought near to death's door by over-taxation. She has reared a family of five children, all of whom take an active interest in the social, moral and religious work to which her life has been consecrated.

Frederick H., son of S. H. Taft, was born at Pierrepont Manor, N. Y., April 4, 1857, and was six years of age when his father's family moved to the west. He at- tended the common school until fifteen years of age, when he entered Humboldt College, where he attended seven years. He early manifested an aptness for handling type, and with little effort became a skilled compositor and printer. Working in his father's printing office he attained such proficiency that his father gave him entire charge of the Kosmos in the summer of 1874, when seventeen years of age, he being for some time the youngest editor in the State. He conducted the Kosmos as editor and proprietor for nearly nine years, until he sold it to Bissell & Ken- yon in November, 1882. For over four years of this time he pursued his college

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studies with his class. In the spring of 1883, in company with H. L. Van Dorin, he established the Hardin County Citizen, at Iowa Falls, Iowa, which paper they sold in January, 1884, when Mr. Taft be- came associate editor of the Fort Dodge Messenger, one of the leading journals of northwestern Iowa. On Feb. 23, 1881, he married Frances Maria, eldest daughter of Dr. Ira L. Welch, of Humboldt. Socially and morally he has ever maintained a character above reproach. He is an ardent prohibitionist; in politics he is a republican, and in religion a Unitarian.

The organization of the Congregational Church of Humboldt was made Sept. 27, 1871, by a council of Churches consisting of the Church at Fort Dodge, represented by Rev. W. A. Patton and Deacon C. HI. Payne; the Church at Webster City, Rev. G. R. Ransom and T. A. Conklin ; Al- gona, Rev. C. Taylor; Eldora, Rev. C. F. Boyington ; also Rev. D. Wirt, Fort Dodge. Number of members admitted by letter at that time, ten; by profession, twelve; whole number, twenty-two. The causes which led to the organization of this Church were these : There was no so-called orthodox Church organization in the town. An unorganized body, known as the Union Church, held services each Sabbath in a hall. Their views were so peculiar that the Congregational- ists could not feel at home with them, and feeling that there was room for a regular organized Church, having old-fashioned rules and regulations, and a membership of professing Christians, and also feeling that they could better obey the command, "Feed my lambs," accordingly proceeded to organize. Rev. W. A. Patton was en-

gaged to preach in August, and did so each Sabbath until the organization. A committee consisting of D. L. Willey, S. G. Blanchard, S. A. Cadett, John N. Wea- ver and S. K. Winne, was appointed to raise funds for the support of preaching. Much enthusiasm was manifested, and $500 was subscribed. This committee re- ported to the council and Rev. W. A. Patton also made a statement to that body, which after due consideration recognized the Church and proceeded to the ordi- nation of the deacons. The order of services was as follows : Introductory services, Rev. W. A. Patton ; reading of the Scriptures, Rev. D. Wirt ; ser- mon, Rev. G. R. Ransom; reading of confession and covenant, Rev. C. F. Boy- ington; prayer of ordination of deacons, Rev. D. Wirt ; prayer of recognition and consecration, Rev. C. Taylor ; right hand of fellowship of Churches, Rev. C. F. Boyington ; benediction, Rev. C. Taylor. The following is a list of the names of the original members : S. G. Blanchard, Phylinda S. Blanchard, Abigail Blanchard, John Dickey, Sarah Dickey, Henry L. Joiner, Saralı L. Joiner, Samuel Amadon, Lucretia Amadon, Mrs. S. A. Cadett, Lo- renzo Webber, E. M. Wheaton, Emily K. Jones, Arzella C. Harran, Frances J. Dean, Augustus P. Webber, Clarissa Webber, M. Helen Willey, T. D. Safford, Elizabeth Safford, E. P. Fuller and Sopliia C. Web- ber. Joi.n Dickey and S. G. Blanchard were elected deacons and ordained as such. Bro. Blanchard was also elected clerk. In November of this year, 1871, Rev. Alexander Parker was called by the Church to become its pastor, and, accept- ing the call, became its first minister and

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filled the pulpit very acceptably until May 14, 1875, when he removed to Mitchell, Iowa. Brother and Sister P rker will long be remembered by the Church as earnest Christian workers, and the Church looks back to his ministry with warm and tender feelings. Rev. Charles W. Wiley was the next pastor and remained from September, 1876, until November, 1877. He was succeeded by Rev. Norman Mc- Leod, of Brandon, Wis., who remained until December, 1879. Rev. J. H. Gurney of Har- vard, Mass., was called to fill the vacant pastorate Feb. 28, 1880, and arrived April 20, and remained two years, and was suc- ceeded by Rev. P. St. Clair, who filled the pastorate until October, 1883. In the summer of 1872, the society proceeded to build a church, 32x50 feet in size. The en- tire cost, including basement, is $3,800, and is all paid for, and was the first church edifice built in Humboldt county. The trustees of the Church at time of building were as follows: John Dickey, Dr. Herron, H. L. Joiner, D. L. Willey and S. G. Blanchard. Rev. Julius Stevens is the present pastor.

Julius Stevens, a native of Poultney, Vt., was born Jan. 11, 1826. He is the son of Horace and Olive (Newell) Ste- vens, both of whom are dead, and buried at Marysville, Benton Co., Iowa. Mr. Stevens was reared in his native State, and in his youth, took a course at Troy Conference Academy, and after- wards attended Union College at Schenec- tady, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1850. He then became a member of the Genesee Conference of the M. E. Church. In the fall of 1855, he came to Iowa and preached a few years at Vinton, Benton

county. In the spring of 1861 he went to New York city on account of his health, and with his wife, became a member of Dr. Trall's Therapeutic College, and grad- uated from that institution in 1862. He then returned to Iowa and joined the Upper Iowa Conference, and preached at Mount Vernon and Clinton, coming from thence to Humboldt county, about 1873, where he held the position of professor of ancient languages, at Humboldt Col- lege until its close. He is now pastor of the Congregational Church at Humboldt. He is politically a republican, and for two years held the office of superintendent of public instruction, of Humboldt county. He was married Dec. 4, 1850, to Frances E. McCanon, of Bennington, Wyoming Co., N. Y. Eight children were born to them -Angie B., Adell G., Gazelle R., Roma, Nora C., Morda, Merle J., and Mavis, who died, and is buried in Humboldt. Mrs. Stevens died Aug. 20, 1875, and is buried in Humboldt Cemetery.

The Methodist Church Society is the outgrowth of a class organized on the 30th of November, 1880, under the leadership of David Shellenberger, with the follow- ing members: G. W. Ames, C. A. Ames, T. S. Kirkpatrick, Phæbe T. Kirkpatrick, George Foster, Ann Foster, Ezekial and Eliza Grandon, Charles HI. and Redora Banks, Mary E. Nickson, James B. and Eliza H. Simmons, Rufus W. and Anna M. Whittier and Walter Thomas. The first pastor was Rev. S. C. Bascom, who was on this circuit until September, 1881, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. G. Henderson, who served one year. Then Rev. J. W. McCoy, who in turn, gave way in September, 1883, to Rev. H. J. Grace.

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The present officers of the Church are: George Foster, local preacher; Charles Banks, H. A. Breckenridge, R. W. Whit- tier, J. B. Simmons and D. Shellenberger, trustees.

The schools of Humboldt should not be dismissed with a hasty word, for of all things of which the townsmen are proud, it is the efficiency of their school that caps them all. A few years ago they had reached a very low ebb, and were un- satisfactory to the best portion of the com- munity. The teachers employed at that time had no control of the school, and the scholars rather retrograded in their stud. ies, than made any progress. But at pres- ent, owing to the administrative ability of Miss E. Gordon, the talented principal, and the executive efficiency of a fine corps of assistant teachers, the school has al- ready taken a high rank and promises a more extended proficiency in the future. The school is divided into ten grades, of which Miss Gordon, who acts as pre- ceptress of the upper room, has some three in her department. Some thirty-five scholars are found here, the number in the higher grade being yet quite small, as the administration of the present regime has not had sufficient time to develop a very extended class.

Elinor E. Gordon, daughter of Samuel and Parmelia (Alvord) Gordon, was born in Hamilton, III., Oct. 1, 1852. Her father is a native of Peterboro, N. II., and her mother of :Warren Co., Penn. Miss Gor- don's childhood was spent in her native town, where she and Miss Safford were classmates, as they were, afterwards ,in the Iowa State University; their friend-

ship for each other extending over a period of many years. Beginning her work, as a teacher, in one of those lone- some country districts, where "magnificent distances" weary the eye as well as the feet, she continued it, after leaving col- lege, in the High School of her native town. From this position she was called to the Centerville, Iowa, High School, where she remained for several years. That more time might be devoted to pre- paring herself more thoroughly for her chosen profession, she resigned her place in the Centerville schools and spent two or three years in study and travel. In the autumn of 1880, she was elected principal of the Humboldt public school, and in September began teaching in the place she now ocenpies. Under her super- vision and through the increasing efforts that have been ably seconded by a supe- rior corps of teachers, the school has at- tained a high standard of excellence in all of its departments. As Miss Gordon has unusual executive ability, her influ- ence is felt from the primary to the high- est class, and as complete harmony has pre- vailed among the teachers, it is not strange that they have succeeded in giving the Humboldt school a most worthy place among the many that bless our State. During the last few years, the school has grown from two departments to six, a course of study adopted and a high school established, which is doing much toward solving the problem concerning the future supply of teachers for Humboldt county.

The next department is in charge of Mary White, who has also under her some thirty-five scholars, whose bright in- telligent faces tell the story of the pains

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bestowed on them by this really most ex. cellent teacher.

Miss Kelly, who presides over the next department, has some thirty scholars, and is, herself, ranked among the finest edu- cators in this locality.

The class under the rule of Ida L. Shel- lenberger numbers about fifty scholars, and the skillful manner that they are handled by this lady, and the surprising advances made by the pupils, on the road to knowledge, shows conclusively, that the directing mind of the principal is ably seconded by unrivalled assistants.

The two lowest grades are taught by Miss Pfeifer and Miss S. C. Seegar. and to look into the smiling faces of the little urchins, one could see that the plan pursued by these talented ladies, of coaxing the ehil- dren along "the rugged road of learning," instead of the old-fashioned one of beat- ing it into them with a birch or rattan, is mueh the better conception of a teacher's mission. In the whole school there are about 290 enrolled, with an average at- tendence of nearly 270.

Humboldt Academy and Normal School was opened in the basement of the Con- gregational church, Humboldt, Iowa, in September, 1832. John Diekey fitted up the rooms for the opening of the school. Through that year the academy was con- ducted in the same place, but in the spring of 1883, the proprietor secured a lease for five years of Humboldt College building, and by canvassing raised nearly $400 for the repair of the building. In Septem- ber, 1883, the academy wax re-opened in this building with an enrollment of twen- ty-five students. A boarding department is carried on in connection with the school,

in which board is furnished at actual cost, the pupils furnishing their own rooms. The purpose of the academy is to supplement the district schools of this part of Iowa, giving in one year & com- plete review of the common branches and an elementary course of normal training for those who wish to qualify themsleves for teaching. In addition to this a regu- lar academie course of three years is out- lined, and will be carried forward as fast as demands shall require. This course will embrace the studies required to enter the State University of Iowa in the Fresh- man class. The proprietor, W. M. Mar- tin, a native of Ohio, spent six years at the State University of Iowa, graduated in the philosophic course, with the class of 1878. He taught three years at Solon, Johnson Co., Iowa, and one year and one term as prineipal of Grundy Center pub- lic schools. During the first year of the academy's existence, Morrow R. Martin, of Vinton, Iowa, was assistant in the winter and spring terms. He was also assistant in the fall of 1883. Abbie L. Miller, of Fayette, Iowa, is now assistant in the common branches, and also instruct- or in music. Miss Miller comes to her present work well prepared to make the music instruction thorough in every re- spect. It is the purpose of the proprietor to make every department of the school what its name imports, a normal school, but not a normal sham.

The Unity Club is a literary and scien- tifie society, organized in October, 1880, by the young people interested in the work of the Unity Church Society. The object of the Unity Club is the promotion of literary, scientific and historical edu-

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cation and culture in its members, and to supplement the work of the Church. Mem- bership is free to all who will engage in the work, and all its meeting are open and general attendance invited. Promi- uent among the organizers of Unity Club were Rev. M. A. Safford, Prof. A. Earth- man, then president of Humboldt college, Miss A. E. Tibbetts (now Mrs. W.J. Taft), assistant teacher in Humboldt College; Miss E. E. Gordon, principal of the pub- lic school, and G. S. Garfield. Many others readily joined in the work. The season's work of Unity Club lasts from September to May,and during the seasons, meetings are held every Friday evening. During the first season every alternate Fri- day evening was devoted to a paper upon some scientific subjeet and discussion of the same, and the other alternate Friday evening was spent with some English or American literary author, of whom biographical sketches were produced, re- views of, and readings and recitations from their works listened to. The second season many new members joined in the work, the most prominent of whom were G. H. Shellenberger, W. J. Taft, G. M. Lyon, D. F. Coyle and C. A. Babcock, attorneys then beginning practice, and Mary E. and Emma F. White, the latter then and the former afterwards a teacher in the public school. The same sys- tem of work was continued through the second season as begun in the first. The third season was devoted to histor- ical work during three evenings of each month, the fourth being set apart for so- cial gatherings. The fourth season the historical work was alternated with liter. ary work, the meetings being devoted to

each in succession. Every programme is interspersed with several pieces of music. At the social gatherings refreshments are served and a general good time in- dulged in. In addition to the regular Friday evening entertainments of the club, it began with its third season to fur- nish lectures, employing those who are among the best lecturers in the country, engaging them through the Redpath, Slayton and other prominent lyceum bu- reans. The club now furnishes a course of from four to eight leetures each season. The work done by Unity Club is sy-tem- atic, being planned for the entire season at the opening thereof. It also aims to be thorough and comprehensive. It seeks to eultivate in all who attend its meetings a taste for the best in literature, and an interest in veientifie and historical sub- jects and current topics of the day. En- tertainment is combined with instruction and culture, and every effort made to in- terest as well as elevate the young people of Humboldt and Dakota.

About Oct. 24, 1867, there was a party at Elder Taft's, which consisted of the following named parties all under one year of age, with their mammas, of course, as taken from the True Democrat of Oct. 25, 1867: "Carrie E. Lorbeer, Nellie Day, Luella Russell, Libbie Martin, Ophie Loomis, Elmora Bramblee, Julia Starbach, Kittie Hawkins, Mary V. Taft, Mark Browne and Byron Bellows. They were a very civil and happy company. It was amusing to observe how much more no- tice they took of each other than of older persons."

SOCIETIES.

Albert Rowley Post, No. 193, G. A. R., was organized on the 24th of May, 1883,

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with the following list of officers: F. F. French, post commander; J. W. Foster, senior vice-commannder; Albert M. Adams, junior vice-commander; Eugene Tellier, chaplain; J. F. Graves, adjutant; W. O. Beam, surgeon; E. B. Fancher, O. D .; George Buchholz, O. G .; G. T. Nash, Q M .; H. A. French, P. A .; I. S. White, sergt .- maj .; A. C. Fairman, Q. M. sergt. The following is a roll of the members.

J. F. Graves, Ist Lieutenant, 144th New York Volunteers, 21st United States Colored Infantry.

J. W. Foster, 1st Lieutenant and Adju- tant, 96th United States Colored Infantry.

Eugene Tellier, Adjutant, 16th New York Volunteers.

L. C. Lincoln, 47th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

John Mason, 32d Iowa Volunteer In- fantry.

S. J. Pier, 16th Pennsylvania Cavalry. William D. Ware, 14th United States Cavalry.

E. B. Fancher, 36th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry.

M. I. Sample, 32d Iowa Volunteer In- fantry.

D. T. Howell, 32d Iowa Volunteer In- fantry.

Eli Tellier, 16th New York Heavy Ar- tillery.

Irwin Benton.

C. P. Clark, Ist Minnesota Volunteer Infantry.

Edward Connor, 27th Iowa Volunteer Infantry.

H. J. Parker, 68th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

A. J. Sillions, 50th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

H. A. French, 6th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry.

O. D. B. Wyman, 13th Illinois Volun- teer Infantry.

J. HI. Bramley, 75th New York Volun- teer Infantry.

G. T. Nash, 12th Vermont Infantry.

L. H. Trask, 13th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.

W. H. Davenport, 105th Illinois Volun- teer Infantry.

I. S. White, 9th Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry.

J. M. Pike, 8th Vermont Volunteer In- fantry.

V. N. Brown, 9th Iowa Volunteer In- fantry.

HI. W. Gaffett, 6th Iowa Volunteer In- fantry.

H. Sharp, 26th Illinois Volunteer Infan- try.

W. H. Tucker, United States Navy.

Lesley Burton, 27th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

A. A. Godfrey, 27th Iowa Volunteer Infantry.

H. C. Tiffany, 5th New York Heavy Artillery.

J. Ledger, 5th New York Heavy Ar- tillery.

J. J. Rush, 134th Ohio Volunteer Infan try.

S. W. Jones, 11th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry.

John Kenline, 12th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

R M. Holmes, 2d Ohio Cavalry.

W. D. Wins, 4th Wisconsin Cavalry. R. Rolfe, 24th New York Cavalry.

A. Mclaughlin, 54th New York In- fantry.

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E. Grandin.

B. C. Parsons, 29th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry.

G. H. Loverin, 9th Vermont Infantry.

J. Thomas Campbell, 12th Iowa Infan- try.

J. HI. Coffin, 15th Illinois Infantry.

E. P. Huffman, 22d Iowa Infantry.

B. D. Beach, 8th Illinois Cavalry.

A. R. Hayden, 55th Illinois Infantry. Frank Clark, 27th Iowa Volunteer In- fantry.

J. W. Notestine, 8th Ohio Cavalry.

E. P. Howlett, 3d Wisconsin Infantry.

G. Bogart, 23d Michigan Infantry.

E. A. Belcher, 47th Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry.

A. A. Fancher, 6th Wisconsin Volun- teers.

R. W. Lile, 34th Illinois Infantry.

David Shellenberger, 32d Ohio Volun- teers.

George L. Cruikshank, 11th Pennsyl- vania Cavalry.

James 11. Munson, 2d Volunteer Infan- try.

S. H. Brewer, 149th Illinois Volunteers. William M. Gray, 136th New York Volunteer Infantry.

C. D. Markin, 87th Indiana Volunteers.

H. J. Preble, 3d Iowa Battery.

F. F. French, 29th Wisconsin Infantry. Albert M. Adams, 2d Iowa Cavalry.

Abraham Fairman, 14th Heavy Artillery New York Volunteers.

W. W. Quivey, 12th Iowa Infantry Volunteers.

A. B. West, 13th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

H. B. Gilbert, 2d New York Veteran C'avalry.

C. S. Rowell, 11th Vermont Volunteer Infantry.

G. Buchholz, 9th Illinois Cavalry.

W. H. Locke, 18th Connecticut Infantry.

J. Q. Willey, 6th Vermont Volunteer Infantry.

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History of Kossuth and Humbolt 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 95

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company Number of Pages: 898

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Union Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 898