USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume I > Part 37
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mark. After the bridge company was formed, another company made up prin- cipally of members of the other concern, constructed a road and bridges on the Illinois side, as an approach to the high bridge. A fair rate of toll is charged and the enterprise has proven a success and a great convenience. Its advent relegated the ferry to oblivion.
The following is a list of the officers of the corporation : H. W. Huttig, presi- dent ; Henry Jayne, vice president; J. Scott Blackwell, secretary; Chester Lilli- bridge, superintendent, treasurer and financial secretary.
WEED PARK.
A tract of land of about sixty-three acres in the northeast section of the city, containing a number of mounds, believed to be the graves of Indians who lived on the beautiful bluff overlooking the Mississippi, comprises the limits of Weed Park. There are large trees of oak, hickory, elm, wild cherry, sycamore and pine, while in the spring the air is filled with the fragrance of the red haw and plum. In 1907 this land was donated to the city by Mr. and Mrs. James Weed, at which time an organization known as the Weed Park Association as- sumed the improvement of the grounds and shortly thereafter the association and city placed in charge a caretaker, who began at once the labor of beautify- ing the place. Later the Weed Park Club was organized, having for its main object the beautification of the park. An agreement was signed by this club under which each member pledged himself to pay a fee of ten cents per year. The first summer a great deal of work was accomplished by Mesdames Gurtner, Gillman, Longstreth, and others who carried water for the flowers, many of which had been purchased by the donation of pupils of the Lincoln school. July 7th of that year the club instituted plans for a suitable home to be erected on the grounds, and on the 27th of September the club house was dedicated. The building is a two-story frame with a brick foundation. The entrance doors are double and in the building are dining rooms, dancing rooms, reception rooms, etc. Since that time many improvements have been made on the grounds until today Weed Park is one of the beauty spots of Muscatine and is much sought in pleasant weather by its citizens.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
In the spring of 1900 the building of the Grand Opera House on the north- east corner of Second and Walnut streets was commenced and completed the following fall. The building is a handsome one, constructed of St. Louis buff brick and stone and cost $30,000. Its seating capacity is 1,100, but at least 1,500 can be accommodated. The ground dimensions of the structure are 60x140 feet and height of stage loft 60 feet. It is strictly modern and up-to-date. There are eight private boxes and plush opera chairs. The stage is spacious and has many modern conveniences. Underneath it are dressing rooms, etc.
THE FAMILY THEATER.
This is a fine building and was constructed in 1907, by W. S. Hill, at a cost of $15,000. It is built of brick, the front being of Milwaukee buff brick. There is a large stage, with commodious dressing rooms underneath. The scenery is
GRAND OPERA HOUSE
TURNER OPERA HOUSE AS IT APPEARED IN 1889
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new and up-to-date and the house comfortably seats about 800 people. The foyer is large and roomy and the manager has a commodious private office. This house is given over to vaudeville and moving pictures at popular prices. There is a matinee each day and two performances in the evening.
THE A-MUSE-U.
The A-Muse-U is a theater given over exclusively to high-class motion pic- tures. The building, on Sycamore, between Second and Front streets, was opened in February, 1911. This place of amusement has scarcely a rival for beauty and convenience in the country. The front is pleasingly designed in stucco and the interior decorations and accessories are modern and entirely to the tastes and comforts of patrons. 600 people can be seated in the opera chairs and face a spacious stage.
There are three other motion picture places in the city and in that regard the people are liberally supplied.
BASE BALL CLUB.
Not to be outdone by her sister cities in the state and nation, Muscatine or- ganized a salaried baseball club in 1910, several thousand dollars being sub- scribed by the promoters of the innovation, most of whom are members of the Commercial Club. In the year of its birth the Muscatine aggregation belonged to the Northern Association of Clubs, composed of Elgin, Joliet, Galesburg, Decatur, Kankakee and Freeport, all in Illinois, and Clinton, Iowa. That year Muscatine won the "pennant," having proven superior to all its competitors in the numerous battles on the diamond for the season. In 1911 the Muscatine team became a member of the Central Association, which is made up by the combination of Ottumwa, Burlington, Keokuk and Muscatine, of Iowa; Gales- burg, Monmouth and Kewanee of Illinois, and Hannibal, Missouri.
The club has a beautiful ball park in southwest Muscatine, where is an octa- gon grandstand with a capacity of 2,000, and bleachers holding 1,000. The team is under the management of Lewis Walters, and the club's president is Arthur Lawrence. The management has been successful in keeping up interest in the great American game and so far the average attendance on week days has been about 700. On Sunday about 1,200.
MUSCATINE CEMETERY.
The first burial ground was where the Third Ward school house now stands. Here fifty bodies taken from the waters of the Mississippi were interred. The remains were of victims of the steamboat Dubuque, which exploded its boilers and was destroyed a short distance below Muscatine in 1837. When excava- tions were making for the school building the bones of the dead were removed.
At a meeting prior to June 27, 1873, a committee was selected to draft articles of incorporation for a cemetery association and at the date last men- tioned the committee made its report, which was accepted. On motion of J. A.
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Bishop, a committee was then appointed to solicit subscriptions to stock, con- sisting of Mrs. J. S. Horton, Mrs. D. Washburn, Mrs. Thomas Hanna, R. M. Burnett, Henry Molis and G. B. Denison. Land contiguous to the old burial ground was purchased.
The first officials were: R. M. Burnett, president; G. B. Denison, vice presi- dent ; Henry Jayne, secretary ; J. Carskaddan, treasurer.
In the course of years various additions have been made to the cemetery grounds. A vast space westward is being tenanted. In this newer part trees and shrubs have been planted and are growing to generous proportions, beauti- fying that section and adding color and harmony to many expensive monuments. Here are also mausoleums, which give additional picturesqueness to the general scene. This beautiful city of the dead is reached by the citizens of Muscatine and visitors on the excellent trolley line running to its gates.
GREENWOOD CHAPEL.
Sunday afternoon, May 12, 1901, a magnificent cemetery chapel was dedi- cated, the gift of Peter Musser, in memory of his wife, Tamson Musser, and given the name of Greenwood chapel. In size the structure is 65x35 feet. The material is red pressed brick with ornamental designs of stone at the corners, over the windows and entrance. At the east end is the audience room, designed to seat at least 100. The west part of the building is divided into apartments for sexton, office and tool room and a depository for bodies awaiting burial. Through the center is a broad driveway, arched over in a very artistic manner. The chapel stands just within the entrance, and through the archway many funeral corteges pass.
Later Mr. Musser presented to the cemetery a beautiful statue of Hope, classic in its lines and greatly admired by all who notice it. The white marble of the statue and the uplifted arm and upturned face of the figure on the pedestal, combine to make one conscious of the beauty of the elysian fields to which the statue seems beckoning. This handsome piece of sculpture is placed in a prominent position in front of Greenwood chapel.
ST. MARY'S CEMETERY.
On Logan street, north of Newell, is St. Mary's cemetery, a beautiful burial spot. The cemetery association was incorporated, September 1, 1876. The first officers were: John Knott, president ; Frank Moran, secretary ; Rev. P. Laurent, treasurer.
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GREENWOOD CHAPEL, ENTRANCE TO CEMETERY
CHAPTER XV.
CHURCHES AND PARISHES.
THE PIONEER SETTLERS' THOUGHTS EARLY TURNED TOWARD THE CHURCH-FIRST DEVOTIONAL EXERCISES HELD IN A CABIN-TRINITY CHURCH FIRST MASONIC BUILDING IN IOWA-MUSCATINE A CITY OF CHRISTIAN PEOPLE AND MANY BEAUTIFUL CHURCH EDIFICES-HISTORY OF THE VARIOUS RELIGIOUS BODIES.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In the spring of 1839, the Rock River (Illinois) Conference of the Meth- odist church sent Rev. Brace as a missionary to the field that included Bloom- ington, now the city of Muscatine, and while he met with some support in his work, generally he was antagonized by the inhabitants. His was a most dis- couraging and difficult work, yet his persistency and tenacity told, and the little mission grew, though very slowly at first. In the month of July of that year a class was organized-it could hardly be termed anything else-composed of seven members, as follows: Mr. and Mrs. George Baumgardner, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Morford, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Parvin, and Miss Mary Williams. 'A't the next session of the Rock River conference Rev. Brace was returned and an assistant, Rev. Cartright, was sent back with him. The field of their labors at this time embraced all of Muscatine county, a portion of Scott and some of Louisa county, a four weeks' circuit having been established. These ministers of the gospel received compensation scarcely sufficient to clothe them. The collections for one-quarter amounted to the small sum of $17.35 from the entire district.
FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The first Sunday school was established in 1839, the Methodists, Congrega- tionalists, Presbyterians and Baptists uniting, as none was of sufficient numbers to conduct a school independently. This system continued until 1844, when the Methodist church organized a Sunday school of its own. Joseph Williams was the first superintendent. At the Rock River conference in 1840 the circuit as above referred to was changed somewhat, Rev. Henry Sommers having been placed in charge as presiding elder, while Rev. Nathan Jewett served the com- munity as its minister. During that year the first baptisms were made, includ- ing the children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Williams, Mr. and Mrs. John Lilly, Mr. and Mrs. William Parvin and one adult, Sarah Morford.
FIRST QUARTERLY MEETING.
The first quarterly meeting, or conference as it is now termed, was held in Bloomington, October 3, 1840, and could its minutes be read, they certainly
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would prove of interest. The following constituted its membership: Rev. Som- mers, Rev. Jewett, M. Reeder, George Baumgardner, John Lilly, Gabriel Wall- ing, William Reeder and Joseph Jeans. The following were appointed stew- ards: J. A. Parvin, Charles A. Warfield, Joseph Williams, T. S. Battelle and Robert Benneuel. At this time George Baumgardner was appointed a local preacher. The following, taken from the minutes of the recording steward, J. A. Parvin, at this meeting shows what Muscatine's predecessor must have been : "Here in these ends of the earth, the country new, the town small, but few members in class, and we all appear to think too much of this world's goods and too little of our soul's salvation. There are two organized societies in Bloomington, the Methodists and the Presbyterians. The citizens are very much addicted to Sabbath breaking, grog drinking, gambling, swearing, etc. O Thou who holds the destiny of nations and individuals in Thy hand, send salvation to Bloomington !"
This was in 1840, and no doubt there was some reason for the appended plea. The annual conference in 1842 set off Bloomington from the circuit, and the presiding elder appointed Rev. James L. Thompson as the pastor. In 1843 the first revival meetings Bloomington experienced were held and it is shown that about fifty conversions resulted, though little detail is given to the meet- ings, or as to who conducted them. Rev. E. S. Norris was the pastor at Bloom- ington station, as it was then called. The information concerning the early his- tory of the church comes from notes made by J. A. Parvin, in 1880, and still preserved.
THE FIRST TRUSTEES.
At the annual conference in 1845 the first board of trustees of the Meth- odist church was appointed, the members being Joseph Williams, George Baum- gardner, John Lilly, T. S. Battelle, T. Morford, G. Earle, J. A. Parvin, Z. Washburn and S. C. Hastings. G. B. Bowman was presiding elder and David Worthington the local preacher. The board of trustees at this time launched a movement for a church, the congregation up to this time having no edifice of its own. The movement was carried to a successful conclusion, and the little congregation built as its place of worship the structure that is now occupied as the city hall. The church was built in 1851 and dedicated August 15th of the same year. The building proved a model at that early day; few, when it was dedicated, anticipating that in less than twenty years the membership would outgrow its quarters and thus make another structure imperative.
THE SECOND CHURCH.
About 1867 the agitation for a new church became very pronounced and re- ceived the support of a large proportion of the membership. The movement gathered impetus until a definite plan of action . was adopted, resulting in the decision to erect another home for the congregation. Ground was broken for the new building, May 9, 1868, at the corner of Third street and Iowa avenue, and work progressed somewhat slowly perhaps until the first floor was com- pleted, May 30, 1869, exactly one year after the cornerstone was laid. The building was not formally dedicated, however, until August 29, 1869, when
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elaborate dedicatory exercises were held, Bishop Thompson delivering the ser- mon. Dr. W. F. Cowles, well remembered by some of the older residents, was the pastor at that time.
The First Methodist church has grown in numbers constantly ever since its organization, and it finally became necessary to establish the Musserville Meth- odist Episcopal church, which was followed by the branch on Park avenue, and it might be well to state here that both the smaller institutions are in a flour- ishing condition. The members of the Musserville church showed their worth like those of the parent church, when their house of worship was completely destroyed by fire about thirteen years ago.
The first church has enjoyed the services and direction of many brilliant men, among them Dr. Cowles, and their work is indelibly written in the history of the church.
DURING LATER YEARS.
The men of the early period who served the pastorate here were men of sturdy character, faithful to their calling and indefatigable in their efforts. The imprint of their great work is still evident and the mold they formed has been refilled to overflowing by the capable men that have followed them. The church has been fortunate, immensely so in that respect, and its good fortune is ex- emplified in its present fearless spirit and general flourishing condition. Of the later pastors reference might well be made to Rev. W. G. Wilson, Rev. J. F. Robertson, Rev. J. W. Hackley, Rev. C. L. Stafford, one of the most brilliant men in the conference, Rev. J. W. Potter, Rev. J. C. Willits and Rev. Thomas Osborn. The present pastor is Rev. L. M. Grigsby.
Following is a list of pastors who have served the church from 1839 to the present time, 1911 : 1839-40, Rev. Mr. Brace; 1840-I, Nathan Jewett; 1841-2, Joseph Kirkpatrick ; 1842-3, James L. Thompson ; 1843-4, E. S. Norris ; 1844-5, Elisha S. Norris; 1845-6, D. Worthington; 1846-7, J. B. Hardy; 1847-9, John Harris ; 1849-50, L. D. Dennis ; 1850-1, W. Hulburt; 1851-2, Henry Clay Dean ; 1852-3, Joseph Brook; 1853-5, J. H. White; 1855-6, John Harris; 1856-7, John W. Sullivan; 1857-8, John Harris; 1858-60, D. Worthington; 1860-2, F. W. Evans ; 1862-4, John H. Power; 1864-5, W. P. Watkins; 1865-7, G. N. Power; 1867-70, W. F. Cowles; 1870-73, J. B. Blakeney; 1873-6, J. W. McDonald ; 1876-8, G. N. Power; 1878-80, D. Murphy; 1880-83, John Haynes; 1883-6, H. E. Wing; 1886-91, W. G. Wilson; 1891-96, J. F. Robertson; 1896-9, J. W. Hackley ; 1899-1904, C. L. Stafford; 1904-06, J. W. Potter; 1906-07, W. P. Stoddard; 1907-08, J. C. Willits ; 1908-10, Thomas Osborn ; 1910, L. M. Grigsby.
THE FIRST REGULAR MEETING PLACE.
The first house of worship occupied by the Methodists was a small frame building about 20x40 feet in dimensions, originally intended for a schoolhouse. It became, however, a meeting place for political gatherings, conventions, ly- ceums, spelling bees, church festivals and many other purposes, thus indicating the absence of caste and exclusiveness among the pioneer men and women of that period. The structure was one story in height. The gable end faced Iowa avenue, was windowless and had one plain front door. Four windows, facing
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north and south, permitted the light of day to fill the small inclosure, wherein were plain benches for the congregation. When abandoned by the church in 1851, the building served as a stage and livery barn until in August, 1868, when it gave way to a home erected for the Journal. Notwithstanding the crudities and inconveniences of this first church building, it was thoroughly appreciated by the communicants and worshipers at its shrine, and they felt an advance 'had been accomplished in the settlement toward improving the condition of things religiously. They made favorable comparison with their church and the time the small and weak congregation met at the unfinished home of a member on Second street, between Iowa avenue and Chestnut street. On this occasion the day was very warm and part of the worshipers were sitting or standing in the yard. The minister took his station in the doorway. He labored under serious difficulties in his endeavor to face the people in the house and in the yard, but this was of small moment when compared to the contemptuous actions of a "distinguished" citizen in the yard who, while the servant of the Master eloquently expounded "the law and the gospel," sat close by and complacently read a newspaper.
THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING.
The first building was erected in 1851 and dedicated on Sunday morning, the 15th of August of that year, by Bishop Vaughn of New York. This struc- ture was erected on the northwest corner of Sycamore and Third streets and the papers of the day designated it as "a splendid brick church, the largest in the city, being 65x45 feet, spacious and seating 600 people. The Sunday school rooms are on the lower floor." The noted orator, preacher, lawyer, politician, rebel sympathizer and eccentric character, Henry Clay Dean, was the pastor the ensuing year. When abandoned by the society, the building became the property of the city and has been since known as the city hall.
THE SECOND CHURCH BUILDING.
Having secured the lot on the northwest corner of Iowa avenue and Third streets, whereon stood a carpenter shop, the Methodists in 1867 demolished the shop and proceeded to erect a new church. May 30, 1868, the cornerstone was laid and formal ceremonies commemorative of the occasion were held in the old church, the audience hearing addresses by Dr. Ferris, of New York, and Dr. Moore, of Maine. The pastor, F. W. Cowles, also was interesting in re- marks pertinent to the occasion.
This structure cost about $25,000. In 1888 a parsonage was built at a cost of $5,000. At that time the membership was 500.
BUILDING IN COURSE OF ERECTION.
In the spring of 1911 ground was broken for a new church building to be erected on the northwest corner of Fourth street and Iowa avenue, at a cost of $75,000.
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In preparing this sketch of Trinity Episcopal church a history of the organ- ization, written in 1892 by J. P. Walton, has been consulted for the main facts.
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Mr. Walton in preparing his work carefully and diligently made research for data in the county records' minute books of the Iowa lodge, No. 2, which was a limited co-partner in the first church building; also the church registers and record books were conned over and every means adopted to collect every item of importance to the church history and at the same time adhere, as closely as possible, to facts.
Mr. Walton begins his narrative by stating that "in 1839, Matthew Mat- thews, and son, Dorrance, and Hiram Matthews and Joseph Matthews, his brothers, with their wives and children came to Bloomington and organized the first Episcopal church. The following year, when Bishop Kemper visited here, he found the church with seven communicants and a lot with timber hauled on to the lot for a church edifice. This was most likely the first Episcopal church organization in Iowa."
In Bishop Kemper's diary, dated September 26, 1839, is recorded : "Reached Stephenson (Rock Island) at 4 p. m. Cauffman, at Stephenson, knows of no Episcopalians now, either here or in Davenport. September 30-Stopped at Bloomington a short time. A small, new looking village." In 1840 the bishop preached at Bloomington in October and in November, "communion to seven- that being the number belonging to the church at this place." On the evening of November 1, 1840, the good bishop baptized "Ruah Ann, daughter of Joseph Clark, and Maria Matthews, Geraldine Havens, daughter of Dorrance and Glorianna H. Matthews."
It is gathered from Bishop Kemper's diary, that on October 31, 1840, he was in Bloomington and "walked with Mr. Matthews," and learned that the latter had "appropriated a good lot near the public square for a church, with timber already on the lot for a building." On November I, the bishop records having promised $100 toward building the church, providing it be free of debt when finished. Mr. Matthews promised that the church would be ready for worship by Easter.
In July, 1841, the bishop records a good congregation at Muscatine and the exhibition of much interest in the cause of the church. He also makes note of the plan of the church being enlarged; "but the Masons are to put a half story upon it, which I do not like."
THE FIRST TRINITY CHURCH.
Mr. Walton describes the first Episcopal church building erected in the state of Iowa in the following words: "A contract was previously made on the 6th of May, 1841, between the vestry of Trinity church, J. S. Richman acting as their committee, and the Masonic fraternity, T. S. Parvin, B. P. Howland and P. G. Jeans acting as their committee, by which the Masons agreed to put on a second story to the Episcopal church, about to be erected. The building was completed in the season of 1841. The Masons held their first meeting De- cember 13, 1841, and formally vacated it on March 7, 1854, after which the second story became the property of the church. This church was the first church of any denomination erected in this county, and the first Episcopal church in the state.
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"This old church was a frame building 22x50 feet, one and three-fourths stories high, with eight side windows, fifteen lights of 8x10 glass, with a small vestry room about 7x9 feet in clear. During the periods of rest that Trinity church had in its younger days, the Presbyterians held services in it. Their bell was mounted on the vestry room; it answered for both denominations. The front door was a specimen of good workmanship for the times, a plain ten- panel door, but it took one man fully a week to make it. The lower story was about eight feet high and had a row of square columns extending along the center aisle. The pews were made of black walnut painted white. Walnut was the best wood to be had for them, but it was too common without having it painted. The old church was purchased by your humble servant and rented to the city for school purposes."
May 1, 1842, the first sermon was preached in the new church, Rev. G. H. Goldsmith, of Davenport, occupying the pulpit. June 25th, Bishop Kemper offi- ciated and it is officially recorded in the archives of the church that "The Masons occupying the second story so offended the bishop that he utterly de- clined to dedicate the church."
CHURCH REORGANIZED.
June 28, 1842, Bishop Kemper recorded in his dairy that "Trinity parish, Bloomington, was reorganized. Fourteen persons present. Humphreys and Lakin, wardens."
The church records show that the constitution of the church was adopted on the 13th day of April, 1844, and was signed by Ansel Humphreys, John S. Lakin, Hiram Matthews, J. W. Richman, Suel Foster, J. Scott Richman, W. G. Woodward, T. S. Parvin, Charles Mattoon, J. C. Matthews, with W. G. Wood- ward, chairman, and certified to by Hiram Matthews, Charles Mattoon and J. Scott Richman, vestryman. Previous to this Rev. Samuel Sherwell was the pastor, but got into disgrace through intemperate habits and was removed. His successor was James Keeler, who served from 1846 to 1849. In speaking of the vestry at this time, a writer of the day passed down to posterity the fol- lowing: "The vestry of old Trinity is worthy of mention; in those days none of them were communicants. I think it was composed of Doc. Reeder, General Gordon, John B. Dougherty, Joe Green and Deacon Moore-all I can recollect. If a clerk in the store can be believed, they were a jolly lot. They generally met to discuss church matters upstairs in Gordon's store. The clerk says they would 'spin yarns, talk church, spin more yarns, smoke, chew and adjourn.' I think all of these gentlemen of whom I speak so familiarly yet without an atom of disrespect, for I reverence their names, became communicants under Mr. Ufford's administration, and their pure and worthy lives proved they were servants of the Master. All of them, except Mr. Moore, have, with their be- loved pastor, solved the mystery of life."
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