USA > Iowa > Lucas County > History of Lucas County, Iowa containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc > Part 59
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 | Part 81 | Part 82
Dgilized hy Google
534
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
face, and I had no trouble afterwards, and be it said to their credit, I believe that old relic of barbarism was never resorted to afterwards in that neigborhood.
We organized the old styled country debating club, soon after my school was commenced, and it was kept up during all that cold and terrible stormy winter, many coming miles to attend. It was participated in mostly by the patrons of the school.
How changed-how marked has been the progress of the schools of this county since the early days of Mr. Elliott's experience!
Mr. J. M. Hanlin, the present county superintendent of schools, makes this corroborating statement concerning the schools of this county, from pioneer days to the present year:
"From lack of sufficient data, it is impossible to present in its complete- ness, the history of the harmonious and practical development of the pub- lic schools of Lucas county, from embryo character in 1853, to their pres- ent eminence in the bright galaxy of our educational forces.
Twenty-eight years ago, a little band of enterprising pioneer citizens of Chariton, fully alive to the intellectual wants of the community, organized the first school in the county, with Mr. Sellers teacher, and fifteen to twenty pupils in attendance.
The following year the good people of Union township very appropri- ately celebrated the erection of the first school house in the county, built of round logs and finished in the primitive style of that day.
To-day, the citizens of Lucas county, point with evident pride to the ninety-six school houses, costing nearly $70,000 as an evidence of their belief that the beautiful fabric of our republican institutions owes' its existence to the molding influences and fostering spirit of our public schools, more than to any other agency.
The citizens of the county deserve great praise in this matter; most of the school houses are substantial and neat, furnished with comfortable seats and desks; some are beautified with shade trees, and provided with globes, outline maps and charts. The two school edifices of Chariton constructed of brick in the approved modern style of architecture, and provided with all the appliances usually found in graded schools, are ornaments to the city, and an honor to its public spirited citizens.
During the year 1880, over 3,391 pupils were under the instruction of 175 teachers, whose faithfulness and efficiency bear favorable comparison with those of other counties in the State. An average compensation of $27.45 per month was paid to male teachers, and $22.30 to female teach- ers, for a period of seven and a half months, in 1880.
We cannot omit mention of the select or private school which has been in successful operation for a number of years, under the conduct of Mrs. S. F. Stewart, a lady of culture and ripe experience, whose energy and efficiency have given her school a deservedly wide repute."
Digitized by Google
535
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
The following statistical table shows the names of the various districts in the several townships and towns; the schools-number graded, and number not graded; number of teachers employed-male and female, and compensation per month; the number of pupils-male, and female, between five and twenty-one years old; the enrollment; average daily attendance; cost per month per capita; number of school houses, frame and brick, and value; value of apparatus; number of volumes of books in libraries; and the bonded debt in the county, in 1881. The showing is a healthy one, and indicates the present and future of Lucas in the educa- tion of her people:
Digitizedhy Google
536
STATISTICAL TABLE OF. LUCAS COUNTY SCHOOLS.
PUPILS.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
SCHOOLS.
NO. EMPLOYED.| PAY PER MO.
No. not graded.
Rooms graded.
Months of school.
Males.
Females.
Males.
Females.
Males.
Females.
Enrollment.
Daily Attendance.
Month per Capita.
Frame.
Brick.
Valne.
Value of Appara-
No. of Volumne in
Bonded Debt.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
$1.000
$100
Union ..
1
1
1
85 00
20 00
20
28
47
23
1 26
1
800|
Salem
1
6
1
1
37 50
20 00
24
28
20
1
40
1
3:00
Bethel.
2
5
2
1
25 00
20 00
52
51
46
2
400)
Center.
1
1
8
1
1
30 00
28 00
18
16
34
24 1 21
1
500
Washington
CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
500
Ope.
.
1
8
1
1
33 39
23 00
45
48
88
44
72
1
800
Lagrange
1
3
2
22 50
96
35
89
19
1 15
1
400
Cedar Grove.
39
90
50
30
1
600
Six
10
8
10
48 50
451
478
686
451
97
Chariton
ENGLISH TOWNSHIP.
1
8
1
1
21 00
21 00
14
11
90
10
2 10|
1
One ..
1
8
1
1
25 00
20 00
12
10
27
56
24
1 16
1
40
Graves
1
7
1
1
25 00
22 00
19
18
85
18
1 20
1
450
Fairylew
1
10
1!
1
30 00
20 00
20
15
16
1
08
1
450
Prairie Hill.
1
8
1
30 00
21
29
44
23
1 23
Seven ..
1
9
1
1
29 17
20 00
19
17
14
1 50
000
White Breast
1
7
1
22 00
27
39
46
84
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
21
31
16
1 75
Prairie Vlew
1
400
Box Elder.
800
195
Chincapın Ridge.
--
1
1
25 00
16 66
8
8
14
11
2 20
1
200
Clinton.
1,500
300
Lucas.
1
Sevon
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP
Fairview
1
9
1
27 00
27 00
311
94
56
82
80
1
000
Oxford.
1
--
20 00
00
27
95
1 60
2
600
Highland
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
Daszed by Google
TEACHERS.
NO. BET. 5 & 21.
NUMBER.
DISTRICTS.
Average
Cost per
tus.
Library.
1
$27 50
$20 00
30
$1 83
2
1
1
8
1
23 00
20 00
22 50
15
12
19
1 20
1
300
Center ...
1
1
480
Four ..
1 ---
1
90 00
22 18
20
31
39
28
21
1 00
1
300
10
Zion ..
1
Pleasant Grove
300
125
1
1
30 00
80 00
11
9
20
13
2 20
1
4001
125|
Pleasant HII !.
18
40
28
8 07
1
1
25 00
1
30 00
27 50
238
24 17
20 00
-1
16
19
15/ 2 02
1
300
1
1
25 00
94 77
14
22
90 1 26
1
0001
50
1,500
16 1 61
1
600
Spring Hill
20
836
1741
20
2
6
1
1
80 00
25 00
30 00
18
16
2 00
27,000
100
12,000
100
2
7 85
29
4
Five
1
000
10
25
.
3
1 (2)
25 00!
60
150
2
Grove ..
18 31
181 18
11
94
400
24
30
17 1 69
11
500
District Township of Liberty.
6
6
2
22
1 1
22 38 18 00 25 00
11
30 5
40 16
80 67 18 2 50 16 1 75
1 1
500
Two ..
200
5
Pleasant Ridge
300
Norwood.
1 90
Five ...
1
8 7
5%
2
24
¥0
1
400
District township of Pleasant
9
5%
14
00 00
170
166
147
1 26
9
4,100
District township of Union
159
149
1 80
7
2,325
WARREN TOWNSHIP.
Harmony.
1 22
1
1,000
Amity
8
1
35 00
29
30 18
41 37
25 20
1 56
1
500
May
23 00
36
95
43 31
82 13 1 68
300
Center ...
1
6 6
1
6 7
1
00
19
14
30
16 1 47
1
500
10
Pleasant Mound.
1
8
3
4 50 2 50
24 23
21
51
28
80
1
Pleasant Grove.
1
6
23 25
18
21
22
12
1 94
Liberty ...
1
b 8%
2
1
45 47
87 19
1 20
1,500
Center ...
1
8
1
1
80 00
20 00
1
6
1
1
1
90 00
18 001
19
31
18
23
1 20
1
1.000
50
District township of White Breast.
9
8
1
9
22 50
22 50
.147
145
292
144
1 44
9
3,600
Summary.
89| 15
.
118
9693
902318391 23571 ..
921
21
66.060
1448
...
13500
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
Digilizedhy Google
Franklin. Stanley.
OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP.
Union
9 6
1
1
-
1
2 1
20 30 00 30 00 00 23 57
21 50 23 57 22 50
18
18
81
18
1
350
5
Wren Hill.
1
-
58 8
20 001 23 00 18 00
181 177
182
1 02
6
1,350
25
34
25
56 30 19 1 10
50 250
11
20
24
1
1 1
1 81 91
8
5
30 00
2
1
2
1
1
23
20 00 21 50
27! 23
16 23 33
54
23| 1 24
600
Park ...
21
40
16 1 39
500
High Prairie.
1
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
18
49
18
1 16
1
400
100
Greenville
1
8
1
1
35 00
20 00
311
24
40
20
1 40
Russell.
57 20
64
121
70 221
1 25
1
500
Hawkeye.
475
8
2
22 501
12
21
15
1
400
100
600
1
1
8888 888 75
12
1
17 1 30
1
310
Freedom
1
00
1
00
19
1
1
400
Pleasant Ridge
1
25 00 31 00
20 00
21 00
192
19|
1|
450
967
-
-
600
1 1
17
1
Mound.
38 00
79
Center ..
537
538
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS ADVANCEMENT.
The groves were God's first temples. Ere man learned To hue the shaft and lay the architrave, And spread the roof above them-ere he framed The lofty vault, to gather and roll back The sound of anthems-in the darkling wood, Amidst the cool and silence he knelt down
And offered to the mightiest solemn thanks And supplications .- Bryant.
" No man liveth to himself alone." So reasoned those God-fearing men of old, when first they came to Lucas county. They came, not to old and well established towns, where are found the " lofty vaults," but to regions sparsely settled; not among men accustomed to homes of luxury and elegance, but to farming districts, where now first were beginning to be heard the hum of honest industry and faithful toil. The men among whom they came had little in common with the object of their mission. They were men whose sole thought was of broad acres, and material wealth. The travel-stained preacher of that olden time, strong in consti- tution and vigorous in mind, stronger still in faith and powerful in prayer, sought out these sturdy men and brought to their very doors, the consola- tion of the gospel. For these very messages hearts were aching, and many were the souls forced to cry out: " Oh that I knew where I might find him!" The seeds of virtue have been sown by a good providence in all hearts, and they will spring up everywhere to His glory, if carefully nurtured. They are not wholly the result of learning and cultivation, and it is not only in old and refined communities that the lovely flowers of an exalted morality shed their perfume. The early men of God knew this principle, and recognized, too, the importance of its culture, and so devoutly addressed themselves to the task. It is well-nigh impossible to correctly estimate the value of the work of these men; to estimate their influence on the character of this growing county. Welcomed every- where, for the news they brought from other homes, as well as for the "good tidings of great joy," they went from place, greeting with smiles and cheerful words the old; with counsel or reproof the young. Many and varied were the duties devolving upon them. A sermon here, a burial yonder; now a wedding, and then summoned to the bedside of a peni- tent, what wonder the coming of these men was attended with blessings.
It is the essence of christianity that it be aggressive. It wars upon vice in all its forms, and brooks not even the appearance of evil. Checked, and for the time being, thwarted in one direction, it only gathers energy for a greater onset in another, prepares and plumes itself for a more sub- lime flight. If men will not embrace its offered salvation, it goes to them
Digitized by Google
539
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
with invitation and warning. This missionary element of Christianity alone enabled its propagation under circumstances so trying; and the men who were its ambassadors were thoroughly imbued with the same spirit that sent Paul into Asia, and Luke to the Gentiles. It was the same spirit that prompted those noble men of God to hie them away to the jungles of Asia, or brave the wilds of Africa-men whose names make bright the pages of the church militant, and will add a brighter lustre to the church triumphant. What though its story lacks somewhat of the tragic brilliancy of political intrigue and plotting; what though it has not startled the world by those grand discoveries that make science so great a power in the land-discoveries that enable us to tell the myriad stars that people space, that impress us with wonder at the power and greatness of the Infinite! What though it partakes of the nature of none of them? Has it not brought to bear on man's intelligence the highest motives to virtue? Let the records of the past years testify to its power. Let the hallowed memories that stretch back down the years of the past, answer. This, too, was done when gilded churches were not; when the elect of God in the common-school room listened to the life-giving word from the lips of men imbued of God. And who were these men? Were they not morally brave to dare the scoffs of an untried and untempered west? Were they not men whose love for the fallen outweighed every personal considera- tion, so that they gave all for Christ? Where was their power? Was it not in that element of a truly noble character that men prize above all else -sympathy? Aye, and that was the principle which made the Son of God so welcome a visitant in the lowly homes of Palestine. It was a prin- ciple which bound their own hearts, as it did Christ's, to those in suffering or distress. Here in these scenes of toil and strife, afar from the busy life of great cities, that mysterious power gave these holy men access to hearts and homes; an access that paved the way to conquests greater than an Alexander or a Napoleon ever achieved-conquests that marked their track, not with fire and blood and sword, but with tears, and vows, and resolutions which have culminated in many glorious lives. What was done, the old residents of this county know full well. What to do, the line of duty plainly indicates. How well their trust has been executed, how nobly their mission accomplished, none so well know as those still living who enjoyed their ministration. In view of the grand work so well done under the guidance of Providence, we may exclaim in the language of the great apostle Paul: "O, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out."-Romans xi. 34.
Nevertheless, there were some distinctive features attaching to the preaching of the gospel in the earlier days. The work of the ministry was as much itinerant in its character as was ever the mission of Paul.
Digizedby Google
540
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
There was painfully evident the want of the permanent and regular moral influence of settled religious institutions. Hence arose the necessity for annual demonstrations, or special efforts which are now denominated revivals, and which owe their origin both to the scarcity of places for worship, and the itinerant character of the preaching. The Methodists of that early day took advantage of this feature, and in establishing the circuit, laid the foundations for future permanency. The circuit rider has been made immortal by the writings of Eggleston, and however over- drawn his descriptions may seem to be, they are quite faithful pictures of what has once been a real state of affairs. The men who thus presented the gospel had an eloquence all their own. Their fame traveled before them. The people, naturally sensitive and enthusiastic, were readily moved by the vehement declamations of these pioneer preachers, and their audiences were alternately dissolved in tears, or awed to profound feeling. There was a boundless field for strong, earnest, and unlettered eloquence, and they improved the opportunity. They had little to expect from pecuniary support, and less from that prescribed reverence and influ- ence, which can appertain only to a stated ministry. Hence, it not infre- quently happened that they won respect and gained influence through personal encounter; and if successful, completely gained the hearts and heads of their plain audience. Ambition, intrigue, honors and loaves did not then, as now, seem the prime motives to labor. Their task was at once often thankless, attended by exposure, and with little prospect of emoluments.
· Amid such circumstances as these, and under influences as discouraging, did the religious history of Lucas county find root. The names of those who early contributed to the organization of the moral forces of the county will remain in memory. Upon these men, and such as these, the religious interests of the county depended, and right well did they dis- charge their task. Numerous churches have been founded in all portions of the county.
THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE.
There is a suggestion of the completest misery in the bare mention of this word. That not only men, but women, in an advanced period of civ- ilization,-men and women who not only profess, but very frequently act upon a high code of morals-should indulge in fostering a love for strong drink, with scarcely a protest against it, is one of the most startling facts in moral ethics. It is, however, perfectly normal and in no degree inconsist- ent with the doctrine of natural moral perceptions, while it opens out fields of ethical inquiry of very deep, though painful interest. It is here
Digitized by Google
541
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
proper, perhaps, to explain more fully the meaning of this last sentence, but in its explanation is involved, in not a few cases, the cause of a life made unhappy by drink. By natural moral perceptions, are meant hered- itary proclivities, hereditary tastes and distastes. If, in the modern psy- chology there is any one fact thoroughly substantiated, it is that mental habit and individual tastes not only may be, but actually are, transmitted through several or long lines of generations. And among these may be included diseases and the germs of disease, aberrant mental peculiarities and desire for sensual indulgences or enjoyments that are in themselves demoralizing and damning. From time immemorial, men have indulged in the fruit of the vine, or its product, have sedulously employed intoxicat- ing beverages, first as stimulants, then for the mental pleasure or exhilara- tion they confer, and why? Oftentimes through hereditary desires, and then again from sheer determination to cultivate a taste for these bever- ages on the recommendation or example of others. And so the tide has ever increased, and with it has increased the amount of human woe, wrong and crime. Vain have been all attempts to stay the tide; vain have been protestations and entreaties; vain has been prohibitory legis- tion; in the natural order of things the disease-for it is nothing else- has fastened itself upon the human race, and there is no outside power that can stay it.
Locked in the heart of the victim of strong drink is the only safeguard, the only potent agency to stay the tide, and that agency is self-will. We may hedge the sufferer around with the arm of the law, may bring to his aid all the moral forces we can muster, may present the incentive of vir- tue or the example of pure living, all of these would be in vain until the man rises in his might and asserts his manhood, his power over himself. The mightiest barrier a man can oppose to the sway of passion, or to the bent of inbred desire, is self-knowledge. The old proverb, "know thy- self," meant more than a mere index to a true philosophy of the mind; it pointed to the only sure safeguard within the possession of man against crime, and against self-abuse in any direction.
.
Sad, indeed, has been the temperance history of the human race. Who could tell the myriads of brave hearts and noble minds which have fallen as victims to its absence. Lives untold have been wrecked, possibilities unmeasurable have been defeated, promises without number brought to naught, hopes on which rested the joys of millions have been wrested away, claims which pure hearts only could meet have gone unsatisfied, and homes without number have been depleted of all that is bright or holy in life. There was little exaggeration after all in the beautiful hyper- bole of Hume, when writing of this same topic, he said: "To tell the ravages of this curse, it would require the heavens for a canvas, the ocean for color, the forests for a pencil and a Job for the artist."
Digitizedhy Google
54%
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
To measure the value of an opinion or a system, it is not alone sufficient to examine the ideals of its originators; it requires rather a knowledge of how far those ideals have been realized among the people. Its value as a savior must be reckoned by the work done, rather than the good inten- tions or hopes of the founders. Measured by this criterion, little has been done in Lucas county. From almost its earliest formation there have been organizations-church and special-and what has been accomplished? Nothing! The Washingtonian movement swept over the country, and many, for the time being, were gathered in its folds; it has gone, and the safeguards went with it. The creeds have been tried, but are powerless to stay the cravings of the unholy thirst, or take away the inborn desire.
What is needed is action like that of the woman of Ohio, who, when her recreant brother trembled and excused himself, went forth axe in hand to do valiant battle. Out of the heart of Ohio came the impetus that has saved more men than all the temperance organizations, and women led the van. If some of her sex lead men to ruin, there are thousands more who may lead them to virtue and sobriety. They are the only bright feature in the temperance history of the country, and to them must be given the praise for all that has been wrought. This is one of the questions which, like the ghost in Hamlet, will not down. Look at it in whatever light one may, it possesses a vast political import- ance in the sense of public economy. Where to engage it, and how, is a problem that can only be solved by concerted action.
THE WAR RECORD OF LUCAS COUNTY.
The most formidable rebellion that ever tested the strength of a nation, was inaugurated in the southern portion of this union in 1861, the history of which is written in the blood of the country's patriots. It was the cul- mination of nearly a century of national discord between the two sections of the union, and the conflict of arms was the final arbiter as to whether the union of our father's should remain as one, or twain. The signal was sounded, and the flag over Sumter received the first assault on Friday, the 12th day of April, 1861. It was a grave period in the life of our young nation, one which tested the mettle, the patriotism of her people, unschooled, as they were, in the practice of war. But that signal gun sounded the alarm, and the fire of valor leaped. from bosom to bosom, until the whole country was ablaze, and every strong arm of the lovers of their country and hearthstone, was quick to strike in their defense.
The stately monuments in national cemeteries, and the thousands of sol- itary and unnoticed hillocks beneath which rest the remains of armies of heroes, proclaim the cost at which the great rebellion which threatened the
Digitizedhy Google
543
HISTORY OF LUCAS COUNTY.
national life was subdued. This war, with all its vast and incalculable losses and sacrifices, formed a chapter in the nation's life not to be easily forgotten, and should be handed down to posterity.
The first proclamation ever issued for military forces to maintain our national supremacy from internal conflict, was that of April 15, 1861, by President Lincoln, as follows:
WHEREAS, The laws of the United States have been, and now are, opposed in several states by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in an ordinary way, I therefore call for the militia of the several states of the union to the aggre- gate number of 75,000, to suppress said combination and execute the laws. I appeal to all loyal citizens for state aid in this effort to maintain the laws, integ- rity, national union, perpetuity of popular government, and redress wrongs long enough endured. The first service assigned forces will probably be to repossess forts, places and property which have been seized from the union. The utmost care should be taken, consistent with our object, to avoid devastation, destrue- tion and interference with the property of peaceful citizens in any part of the county; and I hereby command persons composing the aforesaid combinations to disperse within twenty days from date.
I hereby convene both houses of congress for the 4th day of July next, to determine upon measures for the public safety as its interests may demand.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States. By W. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
In pursuance of the foregoing proclamation of the president, the follow- ing proclamation from the executive of Iowa, Gov. Kirkwood, was issued April 17, 1861:
WHEREAS, The president of the United States has made a requisition upon the executive of the state of Iowa for one regiment of militia to aid the Federal government in enforcing its laws and suppressing rebellion.
Now, therefore, I, Samuel J. Kirkwood, governor of the state of Iowa, do issue this proclamation, and hereby call upon the militia of this state immedi- ately to form in the different counties, volunteer companies, with a view of entering the active military service of the United States for the purpose afore- said. The regiment at present required will consist of ten companies of at least seventy-eight men each, including one captain and two lieutenants to be elected by each company. Under the present requisition, only one regiment can be accepted, and the companies accepted must hold themselves in readiness for duty by the 20th of March next at the furthest. If a sufficient number of com- panies are tendered, their services may be required. If more companies are formed and reported than can be received under the present call, their services will be required in the event of another requisition upon the state. The nation is in peril. A fearful attempt is being made to overthrow the constitution and dissever the Union. The aid of every loyal citizen is invoked to sustain the gen- eral government. For the honor of our state, let the requirement of the presi- dent be cheerfully and promptly met. SAMUEL. J. KIRKWOOD.
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.