USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume I > Part 40
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
Under the pastorate of Rev. A. G. Eberhart, in 1853-56, the church enjoyed a marvelous blessing, over one hundred and fifty uniting to its membership in a little over two years. In 1864 Rev. S. L. Burnham being pastor, a new church was built, which was occupied for thirty-four years, or until remodeled and practically rebuilt in 1896, at a cost of $12,000. Rev. Eberhart was again pastor in 1877-78, with renewed blessing to the church, and the services of Revs. G. F. Linfield and S. E. Wilcox were productive of large increase in membership.
June 8, 1844, it was resolved to originate and support a Sunday school and James W. Reynolds seems to have been the first superintendent.
Previous to the organization of the church the wife of one of its charter members had been a Presbyterian and desired to have her child baptized after the rites of that church, and while the father did not object he refused to sanc- tion the ceremony by his presence. This caused some family discussion and the father said that if he could be shown Bible authority for infant baptism and sprinkling, he would not only sanction the child's baptism but would himself join the church of the mother, and she began a zealous search of her Bible with the result that soon after the new church was organized. Sarah Headley, wife of Deacon Stephen Headley, presented herself for membership and on Sunday, June 21, 1842, she was immersed in the Mississippi, the first person to be baptized into the new church.
The pioneer member of the church was Burris Rankin. He in 1859 with- drew to assist in organizing Lake Prairie church at McCloud's schoolhouse, re- turning in 1863.
John Headley was baptized, February 22, 1852, and as a child attended the very first meetings of the church.
Of some of the early pastors John Cummins was ordained here December 2, 1858. George J. Miles died while acting as pastor, December 10, 1857, and Rev. C. H. Remington accepted the position of chaplain of the Eleventh Iowa Infantry and resigned to go to the front.
R. M. Burnett, who for many years served as deacon of the church, and also as superintendent of the Sunday school, gave much of his life to the church.
IV
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 1908
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, MUSCATINE
331
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
He was a student and a man of warm heart and reached and drew masses of people to follow him. Undoubtedly the individual worth of T. B. Prosser was dimmed by the devotion he gave Mr. Burnett, being eyes to that man after his sight was gone and arms after his form had grown weak, but himself a man of spotless character and great force in the church. George W. Dillaway brought business and executive ability into the church, backed by the means to give largely and hence in many ways he was one of the very strongest mem- bers the church ever had.
The church is today on the high ground of prosperity. It has a member- ship of 970. In the Sabbath school are 750. In 1903 a parsonage was pur- chased, the property being situated on the southwest corner of Sycamore and Fourth streets, for which was paid $7,000. In the same year Trinity parsonage north of and adjoining this property was purchased, for which $7,000 was paid. This ground will be the site of a new church edifice to be built in 1912, at a cost of $75,000.
July 17, 1903, the consecration of a magnificent organ was consummated. This instrument was the gift of F. W. Swan, in memory of his wife, Mollie Howe Swan. Its cost was $3,000.
The following pastors have served in this church since its organization : Ezra Fisher, 1841-44; Jesse Seelye, 1847-48; Samuel P. Johnson, 1848-51; William Wells, 1852-53; A. G. Eberhart, 1853-56; George I. Miles, 1856-57; John Cummings, 1858-59; C. H. Remington, 1859-62; S. L. Burnham, 1863-66; Edwin Eaton, D. D., 1866-71; N. A. Reed, D. D., 1871-76; A. G. Eberhart, 1876-78; D. L. Richards, 1878-81; G. F. Linfield, 1881-83; S. E. Wilcox, 1884- 91; E. F. Jordan, Ph. D., 1891-93; William Gilkes, 1893-95; A. T. Fowler, D. D., 1896-1901 ; H. Russell Greaves, 1902-93; George D. Adams, D. D., 1903, supply ; "A'. Judson Kempton, June, 1903, to August 31, 1908, the time of his death; John Bunyan Smith, D. D., November, 1908, the present pastor.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian church of Muscatine dates its history from 1842. The early history of the church is not materially different from the history of the other churches of the city tracing their existence from that early date. The sacrifice and self-denial of its early members made it possible. It was organ- ized February 2, 1842, and Rev. John Stocker was the first pastor, who gave un- tiring effort to the new organization to get it on to its feet. The organizing members were: Elizabeth R. Stocker, Harvey Gillette, Azel Farnsworth, Jane Lathrop, Priscilla Burdit, William Hill, Isabella Ogilvie, Martha Vanatta, Re- becca Smith, Almira Lockwood and Ann Farnsworth.
HAD NO CHURCH EDIFICE. e
This organization had no house of worship at that date. They held their services in a meeting house known as the People's church. This edifice, which was a union meeting house, was located on the site now occupied by the Mus- catine Journal. The organization used the old Episcopal church, which was erected in connection with the Masonic Order. A third building, a log school-
332
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
house, was also utilized by the worshippers. The latter building was located near the present residence of Judge Brannan.
THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING.
In 1849 the first edifice owned by the Presbyterian denomination in this city was erected. Rev. John Hudson was then the pastor. He displayed a great deal of enterprise and energy in the work and the church owes much to his efficient generalship during this period of church history. He cleared the structure of all debt before he gave up the work. This building was located on Mulberry street between Third and Fourth streets and was 35x40 feet in dimensions. It was a substantial building and at first was adequate to all needs but in 1856 the church had outgrown the building.
THE PRESENT BUILDING.
It was in 1856 that work was taken up on the building which stands today at the corner of Iowa Avenue and Fourth street. It was dedicated in 1859, Rev. W. S. Plummer, D. D., of the Western Theological Seminary, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, delivering the dedicatory address. The auditorium of this church is a paradise for speakers, the acoustic properties of the room being such as to render it very easy for a speaker to make himself heard.
SUCCESSION OF PASTORS.
Rev. John Stocker, 1842-45; Rev. Mr. Pratt, 1845-47; Rev. John Hudson, 1847-49; Rev. J. S. Umsted, D. D., 1850-53; Rev. H. Hutchinson, 1853; Rev. S. J. Baird, 1854-57; Rev. J. B. Stewart, D. D., 1857-58; Rev. E. L. Belden, 1858-64; Rev. John Armstrong, D. D., 1864-74; Rev. F. P. Dalrymple, 1874- 77; Rev. J. H. Barnard, D. D., 1877-84; Rev. S. H. Parvin, 1884-1899; Rev. J. N. Elliott, 1899-191I.
THE EVANGELICAL PROTESTANT CHURCH.
Some of the early members of this church were natives of Bavaria generally, and came to the United States in 1838, making their way to Muscatine around by New Orleans, from thence to Cincinnati and from there down the river to Cairo, and then on by way of St. Louis to this place. Conrad Riess arrived here in 1848. He was a school teacher and had begun preaching in 1847. He had united with the church at Centerville in the year last mentioned and there received a license to preach for one year. In 1848 his license was continued another year and he preached to about eighteen families, who would gather at the courthouse to hear him. On the 10th of February, 1849, the church was organized. From that time on the church grew and prospered. In 1860 they built their church, which was remodeled at various times. In 1904 a beautiful organ was installed at a cost of $1,500, the gift of Harry. Huttig in memory of
333
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
his parents, who were early members of this society. The church held its fiftieth anniversary February 14, 1909. The present pastor is Rev. Johannes Jans.
FIRST UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
In the spring of 1850 this society of Christian workers was organized into a tangible body under the pastorate of Rev. L. McVey. From that date to this, untiring energies have marked the pages of the society's history.
SOME EARLY WORKERS.
Among those early pioneers in the church whose sacrifices and services made the church possible were the following: Rev. Father Abram Hershey and wife, his son Jacob and his family, his son-in-law, Jonathan Neidig and family, Isaac Neidig and his family, Reuben Burtner, Samuel Frantz, son-in-law of Jacob Hershey, and his family, Mrs. Erb, widow of Christian Erb, and her two sons, Jacob and Christian. These pillars of the church came to Muscatine in April of the year 1850, from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. They found no church organization here, for the members of the society had come to the city at times, isolated from people of similar belief and in consequence had joined churches of other denominations. The first meetings were held in the homes of the members and Rev. McVey was the first pastor to work in the field. The conference held in August, 1850, placed the Muscatine church in the field with Grandview mission and L. Kinney and Everhart were detailed for duty in the community. Though few in numbers, the congregation went to work with a determination that made them a multitude and the winter of 1850 found them worshipping in their own church edifice, which, though not an elaborate struc- ture, was substantial and afforded a home-like place for worship. At first only the basement of the church was used but within the next year, 1851, the edifice was completed and on the 7th of September it was dedicated. In the year at the request of the church, Muscatine was detached from the Grandview mission and made a station, with Rev. George Miller as pastor in charge.
PASTORS OF THE CHURCH.
The early records of the church were rather erratically kept but from 1857 the history is obtainable. The records give the following list of pastors: Rev. J. Winn, 1857; Rev. P. C. Hetzler, 1857-59; S. S. Snyder, 1860; William Davis, February, 1862- August, 1864; J. S. Winn, 1864; T. Brashier, 1865; Martin Bowman, 1866-68; J. H. Vandever, 1869; E. S. Bunce, 1870-73; T. J. Bander, 1873-76; I. K. Statton, 1876-78; R. E. Williams, 1878-80; W. H. Kleinfelter, 1880-83; W. I. Beatty, 1883-87; L. B. Hicks, 1887-93; N. W. Burtner, 1893- 98; L. B. Hicks, 1898-1903; W. I. Beatty, 1903-1905; J. C. H. Light, 1905, and is the present pastor.
THE PRESENT CHURCH BUILDING.
The present beautiful church building was erected in 1892. The old church site being located in the middle of the block, was not a desirable location so the present site, Sixth and Mulberry streets, was purchased. During Rev. Hicks'
334
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
first pastorate here he began the new church agitation and had the pleasure of seeing the magnificent fruits of his efforts. He first came to the church in 1887 and served until he was elected presiding elder in 1893, but after five years of service in that capacity he returned to his old charge in 1898, much to the de- light of the church and continued as its pastor until 1903, as above stated.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
In January, 1859, the German members of the Holland Baptist church dis- solved their connection with the latter and, with newcomers from Europe, or- ganized the German Baptist church February 20, of that year, with an original membership of thirty. Rev. John Sander was the first pastor. Until October, 1864, the congregation worshipped in a schoolhouse located in South Muscatine, and owned by Joseph Bennett. A house of worship was erected the same year and dedicated the third Sunday of September, Rev. J. S. Gubelmann, of St. Louis, preaching the sermon. In 1870, the congregation was, on account of the grading of the streets, obliged to make extensive repairs on their church and in doing so, enlarged the building in such a manner as to obtain a comfortable dwelling place for their minister.
In 1899, a commodious and handsome church edifice was erected by this so- ciety on the southeast corner of Sixth and Walnut streets, and on Sunday, December 12, 1910, the semi-centennial of the church's birth was celebrated. 'A' feature of this occasion was the presence of four of the five living original members of the church. They were August Othmer, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Cas- par Weierhauser and Mrs. Mary Balzer. Congratulatory messages from all of the living ministers were read, they being from Revs. Jacob Meier, Chicago; A. Transchel, Creston, Nebraska ; H. Hilsinger, Platte Center, Iowa; C. L. Mar- quardt, St. Joe, Michigan; John Schuff, Newark, New Jersey; and R. A. Schmidt, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The ministers who served here, who have been called to their reward in that better land are H. Sander, the first pastor of the church, Carl Ranz, and P. Piepgras.
In that part of the celebration services held in the evening a very pleasant feature was the presence of the pastors of the other German churches of this city. The churches represented were the German Methodist, German Congre- gational, and German Evangelical. The pastors were Revs. W. C. Schultze, C. A. Dettmers, and J. J. Jans, each of whom delivered short complimentary and congratulatory addresses.
The German Baptist church congregation and Sunday school are growing steadily and substantially. The present pastor is Rev. A. L. Tilgner.
FIRST GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Previous to any regular church organization, the members, who afterward established this congregation, held religious singing and prayer meetings in va- rious localities, but soon became desirous of having some one to preach to them, and consequently called Rev. Paul Mais. Their services were held in the church of the English speaking people of the same denomination. After the sale of
335
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
the church building in question, the Germans rented a room on Second street. The church was finally organized June 1, 1855, by a committee of the Presby- tery of Cedar, Iowa, composed of Rev. A. Van Vliet, of Dubuque, Rev. Samuel Baird and Elder I. S. Horten, of Muscatine. Bernhard Naeve and Friedrich Hacker were then elected elders and John Schmidt and Ernst Kudobe were chosen deacons. At a meeting held March 30, 1857, by the congregation, Rev. Jacob Kolb was elected the first regular pastor. The original members of the organization were Bernhard and Johana Naeve, F. Hacker and wife, Elizabeth Lowre, Heinrich Linke, John Schmidt and wife, Mary Reis, Wilhelmina Otto, Catharine Otto, William Jacob and wife, Ernest Kudobe, Mary Meis, George Schweinsberg and wife, Conrad G. Schweinsberg, Agatha Closer, Bernhard Kemper, Joseph and Margaret Looser, Johana Sywasink, and Elizabeth Bried- enstein. At a meeting held May, 1857, it was decided to buy a lot and build a house of worship. To this end John Schmidt and F. Hacker were elected trus- tees. The church was incorporated by Rev. Jacob Kolb, Bernhard Kemper, John W. Sywasink, Henry Linke and Joseph Looser, July 3, 1857. The con- gregation came into possession, by trade, of the old Methodist church on Third street, which in 1876 they sold to the city, and built a church on Lucas street.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1850 but there are no records to tell by whom it was organized. The first meetings were held in a house on Front street. In the year 1851 they built, or purchased, a small brick building on the spot where the present building stands.
'A'mong its prominent members were Hon. Alexander Clark, who died in Africa in 1891, and Ben Matthews. A man by the name of P. Anderson preached for them. They continued to hold their meetings, and although the way sometimes looked dark and discouraging, the little band clung together. After the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, the little band took on new life and as there was an inflow of people from the south, that strengthened the membership. Among the members who came about that time were: R. Haney, Rosetta Watson, Abram Seabrooks, Peter Townley, and Sawyer Lamb.
Among the pastors who have served the church are: Revs. Cooper, Alex- ander, Robbins, Barr, Benson, Nusom, Holley, W. R. Alexander, Williams, Harper, Pharris, Mathews, Rhinehart and W. A. Searcy. Probably the church enjoyed the best financial period under the pastorate of Rev. W. R. Alexander, who twice served the charge and died in Ottumwa in the spring of 1899. It was during his pastorate in 1885 that the present church was built. Probably the most spiritual season that the church enjoyed was under the pastorate of Rev. Williams, later of Oskaloosa, Iowa.
BISHOP R. H. KAIN.
In 1887 the death occurred in Washington city, of R. H. Kain, who was the fourteenth bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal church. He served as pastor of the church at Muscatine during the Civil war and then removed to
336
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Charleston, South Carolina, from where he was sent to congress, in the recon- struction days, and served two terms. Bishop Kain was a man of great energy and decided ability as a ready and eloquent speaker. He was a native of Virginia.
SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
In the summer of 1852 Indulged meetings of the Society of Friends had been held by several families and in September of that year the Preparative meetings were commenced, which were held in private houses until 1856. That year a regular house of worship was erected, Mrs. Emelia Barling was the first minister of the Muscatine meeting. The meeting house stands at the south- east corner of Fifth and Sycamore streets. Rev. Pliny Fry is the pastor.
THE MULFORD MISSION.
Over a half century ago an institution was founded in Muscatine, that has not only grown in proportions from a diminutive affair to one of enlarged ac- tivity and importance, but its fame abroad in the state has reached an altitude most gratifying to those immediately concerned and the people of Muscatine, irrespective of creed or church affiliations.
The mission's first work commenced in a shed, which was used as a meeting place, that stood where the kilns of the Hershey Lumber Company were after- ward placed, and was then and for many years subsequently known as the Green Street mission. The society itself was organized, May 24, 1857, by Joseph Bennett, who commenced his labors of love for humanity and the cause of Christianity, with a corps of teachers, consisting of Pliny Fay, Miss Lizzie Fay, George H. Mahin, S. B. Hill, John Mahin, John Hayes, W. H. Hubbard and John O. Wilson.
The place of meeting was neither commodious nor inviting for anyone of fastidious taste, and it was far from being comfortable especially in inclement weather. Hence, in November, 1857, the little band of worshipers was driven by the cold into Butler's packing (pork) house, which was on ground now oc- cupied by the Hershey planing mill.
Joseph Bennett, the founder of this mission, was its superintendent over twenty years and associated with him the greater part of the time was Henry Hoover. Others who filled this position with credit and benefit to the institu- tion may be mentioned : George M. Whicher, W. H. Woodward, Lyman Banks and J. T. Kuechmann. A great friend and co-worker up to the time of his death was W. F. Johnson.
From the time of the first meeting, in 1857, to the present, the mission or Sunday school has had regular sessions with the exception of a period from 1886 to 1887, when it was closed on account of an epidemic of diphtheria. The school was reopened in July, 1887, by Misses Alice Mulford and Bertha Hoover, and has continued its services uninterruptedly to the present time. One of the chief benefactors and most diligent workers in behalf of the mission was Miss Alice Mulford, and it was through her efforts that the present beautiful build- ing was made a possibility and brought into being, she having devoted a great
337
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
part of her time and means in its welfare. Through her efforts, and others in 1906 a new building for the mission was erected and the money obtained to pay for the same. The attendance at the school had become so large that a more commodious structure was absolutely necessary. Miss Mulford there- fore took up the burden of raising funds and a soliciting committee was formed for the purpose. Almost $5,000 was pledged before the building was erected, the contract for which was let during the year. The new structure was finished and dedicated January 20-23, 1907, and today the Green Street mission, now the Mulford mission, is installed in one of the most attractive and useful semi- public buildings in Muscatine. It is located in South Muscatine and its doors are open to all, as the mission's great feature is its non-denominational founda- tion. At the time of the dedication Miss Mulford was the superintendent ; W. F. Faulkner, assistant superintendent; Miss Kate Funk, treasurer; Miss Leota Randleman, secretary ; Miss Lenore Eitman, chorister; Mrs. George Niet- zel, organist. The teachers were: Superintendent, Miss Alice Mulford, assisted by Misses Cina McCoy, Bertha Hoover, Fannie McDaniel, Pearl Barnhart, Ro- setta Wagner, Cora Funk, Lenore Eitman, Emma Freyermuth, Laura Mander, Ella Gertenbach, Grace Appel, Aura Appel, Frances Nietzel, Helen Stahl, W. F. Faulkner.
The home of the Mulford mission is a credit to Muscatine. The interior arrangements were especially planned to meet the requirements of its promoters and members. There are pleasant class rooms on two sides of the building, be- tween which is the auditorium and gallery, which seat at least 400 people when thrown together. There is a gymnasium, library, kitchen and other accessories that complete the institution in a manner satisfactorily to all. The cost of the building was $6,000.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
St. Mary's congregation is originally a branch from St. Matthias congrega- tion, but the separation of this branch from the mother church was planned long before 1875 and after overcoming many difficulties at last successfully carried out. The late John Knopp, who for his integrity and sincere character was highly respected by all citizens of Muscatine, and the venerable John Nester, the pioneer blacksmith, were the principal promoters of the separation, which was considered most necessary, because St. Matthias had not even enough standing room for all the Catholics of Muscatine.
Therefore, in 1863, during Father Laurent's sojourn in France, the German Catholics purchased some lots on Iowa avenue and Sixth street for $1,000, with the intention of building a church thereon as soon as practicable. When Father Laurent returned from France this place for a new church was condemned, be- ing too close to St. Matthias church, and for other reasons. In 1872 the lots were sold to the school board of Muscatine, who needed them for the high school. The price paid for the lots was $2,000. With this money, under the wise management of Father Laurent, four to five acres were purchased from G. Schulz, of St. Louis, Missouri, in 1875. In 1876 the building of the new church was commenced, and completed the following year.
Vol. 1-22
338
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
When Father J. L. Grieser came to Muscatine in 1879 to take charge of the new congregation, there was still a debt of $1,600 on the church, which was without any requisites for Catholic services except a temporary altar. In a comparatively short time the church was so richly furnished and beautified that it was second to none in the city.
In the spring of 1879 a neat and comfortable building was erected on the south side of the church for the residence of Father Grieser, and in the fol- lowing fall a substantial brick schoolhouse was built. The school was placed in charge of Sisters of St. Francis, who are widely known as experienced and competent teachers. They bought the Hawley property for $2,900 and had a convent erected on it-a beautiful brick building, which is an ornament of West Hill. Under the direction of the Franciscan Sisters the school, in which not only all the branches of English education besides the German language and higher branches are taught, especially take care of the Christian education of its pupils who come from neighboring towns as Wilton, Nichols, Riverside, Seventy-Six and even Cedar Rapids to receive their education in St. Mary's school.
MUSSERVILLE CHURCH.
In 1876, when the south part of the city was growing, reaching the height of its importance, the need of a Methodist church to accommodate the adher- ents in that part of town began to be felt, and a class was organized by A. V. Francis. This soon became the leading congregation in what was then known as the Musserville circuit. Some of the charter members are J. E. Hoopes, Mrs. Emily Nichols and John Kendig. The first meeting house was erected on the present site of the Musserville Methodist Episcopal church in 1876. The church grew and prospered and had gained considerable prominence in Feb- ruary, 1898, at which time the former structure was burned to the ground. Un- daunted by this misfortune, the congregation set about immediately to build another place of worship, and it was dedicated and free of debt, July 10, 1898. The Rev. J. C. Kendrick was pastor at this time.
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.