USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume I > Part 53
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
for their erection. The mere matter of the giving of money, although a neces- sary prerequisite, is but an incident, however, when compared to the exertions of weeks and months, by these kindly disposed people, in organizing the various societies, often under difficulties and trying circumstances, and then struggling to even maintain an existence. Some of these endeavors have failed in the first attempt and apparently died for want of sustenance. But time for renewed energies has often encouraged the irrepressible one to revivify the project of his or her ambition and with conditions changed and new methods adopted suc- cess has attended the effort.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Muscatine has a history that gives point to the paragraph above. It had its beginning many years ago and then for a while dropped out of the running. But today this association is strong in numbers and in the pride and affection of the community. It is pros- pering as it should and has a home that is the pride of all.
On the evening of November 10, 1855, a meeting was held in the reception room of the Congregational church, preliminary to the organization of a Young Men's Christian Association. At that meeting a constitution and by-laws were adopted and then the meeting adjourned for one week, when it was purposed to complete the organization. This intelligence is gathered from the Journal of the date herein mentioned, but unfortunately no further mention of the association can be found until 1868, although it is taken for granted that the society made all necessary arrangements, carried on its work and meetings for some time and then dropped from sight.
From a book now in possession of the association, it is recorded that on the evening of February 28, 1868, a meeting was held in the office of Allen Broomhall, a Young Men's Christian Association was organized and a constitu- tion adopted. Rev. John Armstrong was chosen president, and D. W. Lewis secretary pro tem. At a later meeting Henry Jayne was elected as the perma- nent secretary. How long this attempt to maintain an association continued cannot be gathered from the minutes. The next we know is first steps were taken in the organization of an association in 1877. On March 5th of that year a meeting was held at the Methodist Episcopal church and an organization was perfected, with D. C. Richman as president ; P. M. Musser, vice president ; Wil- liam H. Woodward, corresponding secretary; William C. Betts, recording sec- retary ; A. K. Raff, treasurer. Leroy McColm, O. G. Jack, W. H. Keating, Thomas Prosser, Fred Giesler and C. Heppe constituted the board of directors. Rooms were then secured at a place used by the Reading Room Society, where meetings were held. The association then continued its work for some years, when for some reason it was discontinued.
THE PRESENT ORGANIZATION.
The present organization of the Y. M. C. A. was effected in November, 1888, by W. M. Danner, who at the time was secretary of the state Y. M. C. A. The
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meeting for the first proceedings was held at the Kemble House. The first president was P. W. Francis and G. W. Bawden, secretary. This reorganized association had the first paid general secretary.
The next step forward of the association was a movement for securing a permanent home. In the year 1890 a few of the boys, in a spirit of amusement more than anything else, took up a collection toward a building fund, which amounted to $2.50. The money was deposited in the Muscatine Savings Bank. In 1892 $1.25 was added to it. This money remained in the bank until the in- terest had amounted to fifty per cent of the principal. The offer of P. M. Mus- ser, early in the summer of 1901, to increase by twenty per cent any fund which the association might secure toward a building, was remembered and steps were taken to carry out certain conditions he had made and start subscriptions toward a building fund. Some time in July of that year Aubrey Dean, who had returned from the Philippines, subscribed $50 of his soldier pay to the fund. Others heard of this generous action and offers of various amounts be- gan to come in. Preparations were then made for a canvass to secure $30,000, that being at that time considered a sufficient amount for a building. On New Year's day of 1902, a letter was received from Thomas Irvine, a former citizen of this city, offering $10,000, and at the first annual dinner held January 3, 1902, Governor Cummins, with other prominent men, was present and assisted very materially in promoting the Y. M. C. A. spirit among his auditors. The building movement was then and there formally launched. Later S. G. Stein, one of Muscatine's most generous-hearted citizens, came forward with a sub- scription of $5,000, which gave the canvassers renewed hope and induced greater energy in raising the necessary amount. The work of canvassing went on without cessation and before the subscription books had been closed, over five hundred people had subscribed to the fund and the building was assured.
In November, 1902, a lot on Iowa avenue, just north of and on the same side of the street as the library building, was purchased and ground broken for the structure, which is 100 feet in length by 60 feet wide and three stories in height. Up to the water table the building is of gray pressed brick. The balance is of home-made brick laid in red mortar, with trimmings of terra cotta and Bedford stone. The structure stands back from the street a distance of ten feet and a porch juts out from the building proper to the property line. The style of architecture is colonial. This first and only home of the Y. M. C. A. is a most creditable structure in appearance and its interior is so arranged as to meet the needs of an association of this kind. It cost in round numbers about $40,000 and was dedicated December 28, 1903. The officers of the present association from 1888 to 1910 are here given:
1888-89, P. W. Francis, president; G. W. Bawden, secretary; 1890, T. B. Prosser, president ; William Egge, general secretary; 1891, Z. W. Hutchinson, president ; William Egge, general secretary; 1892, S. T. Sinnett, president ; I. E. Munger, general secretary; 1893, Z. W. Hutchinson, president ; I. E. Munger, general secretary; 1894, S. M. Batterson, president ; W. B. Engle, general sec- retary ; 1895, W. E. Bliven, president ; G. D. Baker, general secretary. Mr. Baker resigned and was succeeded by S. E. Taylor, October Ist; 1896, P. W. Francis, president ; S. E. Taylor, general secretary; 1897-8, Fred Beach, presi-
BENJAMIN HERSHEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Y. M. C. A. BUILDING, MUSCATINE
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
dent; J. L. Scofield, general secretary. Mr. Scofield resigned March 22, 1898, and was succeeded by G. J. Ross, while October Ist Mr. Beach was succeeded by Elmer S. Batterson in the office of president; 1899, Elmer S. Batterson, president ; J. F. Robertson, general secretary ; 1900, Mr. McQueston, president ; C. F. Nevins, general secretary ; 1901-2, John A. Robbins, president ; R. M. Chase, general secretary ; 1903-4, J. A. Robbins, president ; C. F. Nevins, general secretary ; 1905, W. F. Chevalier, president; C. F. Nevins, general secretary ; 1906, Z. W. Hutchinson, president; Hugh Jameson, general secretary; 1907, Fred Beach, president ; Hugh Jameson, general secretary ; 1908-9, P. W. Fran- cis, president ; Hugh Jameson, general secretary. During the latter year Mr. Jameson resigned and June 8, 1909, J. G. Mitchell was elected general secretary ; 1910, J. E. Hoopes, president ; J. G. Mitchell, general secretary; 1911, J. E. Hoopes, president; J. B. McNiel, general secretary.
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
The Young Women's Christian Association was organized June 6, 1905, at a meeting held in the lecture room of the First Baptist church. Miss Abbie McElroy, the state organizer, was present and explained the purposes and ob- jects that should be sought by the members of the new society. This organizing meeting was the result of strenuous and persistent efforts on the part of Mrs. Ella L. Jayne, who was especially interested, as she has always been, in the welfare and uplift of womankind.
The first officers of the association, having the title of board of managers, were: Mrs. J. N. Elliott, Mrs. F. S. Penter, Mrs. Laura Musser-McColm, Mrs. P. W. Francis, Mrs. Ella L. Jayne, Miss Winifred Giesler, Miss Mary C. Dean, Mrs. J. S. Kulp, Mrs. Celia Brigham, Mrs. Mary Hoopes, Mrs. Ida Brooks, Mrs. N. Rosenberger, Miss May Brown and Mrs. W. F. Bishop. The presiding officer of the meeting was Mrs. Ella L. Jayne; secretary, Miss Sue Browning.
This newly formed society affiliated with the Rest Room Society and held its meetings at the headquarters of the latter, then located on Iowa avenue, these rest rooms being under the direction of the Association of Women's Clubs. Under the new order of things Miss Elizabeth Hoopes was placed in charge of the rest rooms. At a meeting held July 18, 1905, at the home of Mrs. Ella L. Jayne, the membership of the board of directors was completed by the addition of Mrs. J. W. Potter, Mrs. S. G. Stein, Mrs. Lilly Brown, Mrs. J. Risley Reul- ing, Mrs. M. W. Stirlen. Miss Winifred Giesler was made chairman of the membership committee, Mrs. Lilly Brown chairman of the rest rooms, and Mrs. Ella L. Jayne chairman of the finance committee.
Miss Clara L. Darst of Chicago became general secretary and remained in that office one year, when she was succeeded by Miss Bertha Hoover. In Oc- tober, 1905, the rest rooms were abandoned and the association and rest rooms moved to the Stein building, where there are various departments for the grow- ing association. They are not large enough, however, and the next public move- ment in Muscatine will probably be that of building a permanent home for this worthy institution.
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The present officers of the association are as follows : President, Mrs. M. W. Stirlen; first vice president, Mrs. J. S. Kulp; second vice president, Mrs. A. K. Raff; third vice president, Mrs. H. S. Clark; fourth vice president, Mrs. Robert L. Thompson; recording secretary, Miss Mary C. Dean; corresponding secre- tary, Mrs. Emerson G. Hoopes ; treasurer, Mrs. F. H. Little ; general secretary, Miss Bertha Hoover. The board of directors are: Mrs. M. W. Stirlen, Mrs. Robert L. Thompson, Mrs. F. H. Little, Mrs. A. K. Lilly, Mrs. Ella L. Jayne, Mrs. William Stark, Mrs. H. S. Clark, Mrs. A. K. Raff, Miss Frances E. Haw- ley, Mrs. Laura Musser-McColm, Mrs. Cynthia Millar, Mrs. J. S. Kulp, Miss Winifred Giesler, Mrs. J. A. Stephens, Mrs. J. B. Hunt, Mrs. Emerson G. Hoopes and Miss Mary C. Dean.
The one ultimate aim of the Young Women's Christian Association is the bringing of young women to realize the possibilities of the Christian life. All the departments of the association tend to the realization of this aim and to- ward higher Christian womanhood. The three distinct agencies toward this development are the Bible classes, mission study classes and Sunday vesper services. All these agencies bring the women and girls of the different churches as well as the women and girls of no church together and tends to bring other members. When it is realized how many women and girls are brought in con- tact with religion through the Young Women's Christian Association, often those who could not be induced to attend a church and many times those who are waiting to be invited to a church home, it seems that a new building in which this important work would not be hampered, should be forthcoming.
HERSHEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.
June 26, 1902, the Benjamin Hershey Memorial Hospital was opened to the ยท public. This magnificent public benefaction is the gift of Miss Mira Hershey in memory of her father, Benjamin Hershey, one of the pioneer business men of Muscatine-a man who spent many years of activity in the community and died, leaving a vast estate. The hospital stands on the heights of North Mul- berry street. Its ground dimensions are 81 feet 9 inches by 76 feet 6 inches. The material is of red pressed brick set in red mortar with red sandstone trim- mings. It has three stories and a basement. The general architectural lines and features are extremely pleasing to the eye. This institution is easy of approach, being on the trolley line, and is situated far and away from the hurly burly of city traffic. The interior is nicely furnished and possesses all the re- quisites for an institution of this character. Every convenience and accessory is to be found in Hershey Hospital. The rooms are furnished, many by Miss Hershey, others by private individuals and fraternal orders.
All kinds of acute, curable and non-contagious diseases are treated here. Those suffering with chronic and incurable maladies are received and retained at the discretion of the consulting medical staff, but no one will be entertained who, from the nature of his disease, will occasion discomfort to other patients. The prohibitory list embraces cases of incurable cancer, insanity and those of an offensive character. Cases of emergency will be received at any hour. Ap- plicants for admission outside the city must be made in writing upon a printed
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form which the superintendent furnishes upon request. Surgical operations are given preference and no nurses except those furnished by the hospital will be permitted to serve therein. In the general wards the rate is $7 per week, payable in advance. Private and single rooms are from $14 to $25 per week.
The hospital is incorporated as the Benjamin Hershey Memorial Associa- tion. The members of the corporate body compose the board of trustees made up of business men of Muscatine, who have the power to fill any vacancy that might occur in the board. This board has numerous sub-committees who meet often and keep in close touch with the business transacted and the way things are conducted. The greatest satisfaction thus far has existed in the manage- ment, and physicians of the city speak in highest terms of the treatment of pa- tients, the accommodations and the skill and character of the nurses.
BELLEVUE HOSPITAL.
One of the attractive public places of Muscatine is the grounds and build- ing of Bellevue Hospital which stands on a high, commanding bluff, overlook- ing the Father of Waters, as it sweeps down through the islands of green. Far from the noise, the dirt and grime of the city, here the invalid has an ideal home, where the best of nursing and all nature combine to make his lot as pleasant as possible. This house is known for its historic past and great beauty. The building is historically known as "Wagner's Folly." Many years ago a lawyer known as "Alphabet" Wagner, from the fact that there were three initials to his name, A. B. C., settled in Muscatine and was at once struck with the beautiful view of the Mississippi and the surrounding country from the hill overlooking the river at the head of Second street. Every evening found Mr. Wagner gazing far out over the bluff and it was not long before rumors were afloat that he was about to erect a magnificent building at this point. In fact, it was not long before great pillars of stone arrived in the city and work was commenced in the little village on a building that incited in the breasts of the villagers the utmost wonder at its grandeur, but after several weeks' con- struction on the edifice work was stopped and Wagner left the city. The great stone pillars that had been brought from Boston were left remaining, lying about the unfinished building. The undertaking had been too great for its pro- jector and eventually the unfinished structure fell into the hands of General Gordon, who completed it. The building in its present state shows the honesty of its construction and the classic beauty of its lines. About 1898 the building became a private hospital under the direction of Drs. 'A. J. Weaver and J. L. Klein and from the beginning the institution has been a success in every regard.
OLD LADIES' HOME.
In 1894 certain ladies of the various Muscatine churches started a movement toward the establishing of a home for women who had arrived at that age and condition as to make for them most desirable and necessary a place to spend their declining years in comfort and security. On December 6, 1894, an organ- ization of the Christian and philanthropic women of Muscatine was effected, by
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the selection of a board of managers and the adoption of by-laws, under which the proposed home should be governed.
In 1895 the home was incorporated and under the charter the following board of managers was elected: Mrs. J. E. Musser, Mrs. E. L. Jayne, Mrs. Emma Dean, Mrs. L. E. Giesler, Mrs. S. A. Foulke, Mrs. Mary Weed, Mrs. W. S. Robertson, Mrs. Ellen M. Brown, Mrs. Anna Lee Mahin, J. S. Braun- warth, M. D .; Mrs. I. O. Horton, Miss Susan F. Stone. The first president of the home was Mrs. P. M. Musser, who has continued in that position up to the present time. Mrs. W. S. Robertson was elected vice president; Mrs. Henry Jayne, secretary ; and Mrs. Alfred Brown, treasurer.
From various sources and through the indefatigable efforts of Mrs. George D. Magoon, Mrs. T. R. Fitzgerald and others, funds were secured to furnish a home, but it was not until 1896 that a permanent building was obtained, and this was made possible by the generosity of P. M. Musser, who bought a resi- dence property at 1119 Mulberry street for $5,000, and presented it to the board of managers of the Old Ladies' Home. Since that time the home has been open, with every room occupied, every inmate comfortable and happy in the restful security afforded her.
The first person to make application for entrance into this retreat was.Mrs. Kate F. Stone, who was admitted January 17, 1897. She gave $500 as an en- trance fee. Mrs. Stone's was the first death of the institution, she having passed away January 4, 1900. Other inmates have followed her to the grave in the order here named: Mrs. Minerva B. Drake, October 24, 1900; Mrs. Mar- garet Humphreys, January 16, 1901; Mrs. Kate Nelson, June 1, 1901 ; Mrs. Martha A. Parvin, May 13, 1902; Mrs. Parintha D. Butts, November 14, 1903; Mrs. Helen D. Aylworth, March 31, 1904; Mrs. Lucelia F. John, June 19, 1907; Mrs. Abbie E. Fields, February 21, 1908; and Miss Eleanor Howell, April 9, 19II.
Donation socials have been held from time to time, suppers and the like, by and through which funds have been added to those already in hand, to re- plenish the larder, the coal bin and the clothes press. As the existence of the institution is wholly dependent upon the good will of the citizens, the home management is always appreciative of any assistance coming its way. Gifts of a very substantial nature have been received and at this time the management has a sinking fund of $15,000. At the beginning, the entrance fee was $200, which was soon found to be inadequate and raised to $500. The number of inmates is limited, owing to paucity of accommodations, to five persons.
The present officers of the home are: President, Mrs. P. M. Musser; vice president, Mrs. W. S. Robertson; secretary, Mrs. J. A. Bishop; treasurer, Mrs. A. B. Brown. Board of directors: Mrs. J. A. Bishop, Mrs. Z. W. Hutchinson, Mrs. J. Scott Blackwell.
GERMAN LUTHERAN ORPHANS' AND OLD PEOPLE'S HOME.
South of the city is located a home, conducted by the German Lutherans, for orphans and superannuated adults. This most worthy benevolent institu- tion was founded in 1894 by Rev. Reinemund, who began his labor of love by
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taking into his home three children bereft of their natural guardians. Through this reverend philanthropist the Lutheran home was made possible, and by reason of his adaptability and persevering spirit, the institution is today on a firm foundation. From a small beginning it has grown to a home of importance and is under the control and fostering care of the German Lutheran synod of Iowa, from which the home derives considerable financial support. Mrs. Eliza- beth Hershey, a woman of large heart and liberal purse, was a prominent and influential factor in the founding of this orphanage, for such it was in the beginning. The home is the gift of Mrs. Hershey. The building, now shelter- ing the orphans and old people, was intended as the summer residence of the Hersheys, but they never used it, and after Benjamin Hershey's death, his widow donated it as a home for the orphans and five acres of land went with it. The modern structure, which is the old people's department, was erected in 1905, at a cost of $35,000. In the orphanage an average of forty children pre- vaiis during the winter months, and in the old folks' department possibly twen- ty-five. The matron is Miss Louisa Wittig. Rev. H. Reinemund is general su- perintendent.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CHRONOLOGY.
RECORD OF EVENTS FROM 1834 TO 1910-SOME THINGS MAY BE MISSING BUT THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED THIS IS A CHAPTER OF CONCENTRATION PUT UP FOR THE TIME SAVER.
1834-The first settlement in the present limits of the county of Muscatine was made by Benjamin Nye, at the mouth of Pine creek, in the spring of this year. Mr. Nye "laid off" a town at that point and called it Montpelier. It was situated twelve miles above Bloomington. Mr. Nye was killed in an affray with his son-in-law, George McCoy, March 3, 1852, about eight miles above Mus- catine. The grand jury ignored a bill against McCoy.
In July of the same year Colonel Davenport, then residing in Rock Island, established a trading post on the site of the present city of Muscatine and left a small stock of goods in charge of an agent, who erected a small log cabin about where the present Rock Island passenger station stands. Colonel Daven- port was murdered in his own house, on Rock Island, July 4, 1845, while his family were attending a celebration. Three men, John and Aaron Long, and Young, were convicted of the murder and executed at Rock Island, October 29, 1845.
1835-In May, James W. Kasey made a settlement a short distance below the trading house of Colonel Davenport (near the foot of Broadway), known as "Kasey's woodyard" or Newburg. Thomas and Lewis Burditt settled about a mile above the city and Levi and Lot Thornton on the "Slough." Colonel John Vanater, who had been on the ground in 1828, arrived and bought Colonel Davenport's claim. Dr. Eli Reynolds settled at a point on the river three miles above where he afterward "laid off" a town and called t Geneva. The first general election on the west side of the Mississippi river was held this year, under the jurisdiction of Michigan. J. B. Teas and Jeremiah Smith were the representatives from the county of Des Moines, and Messrs. Hill and Park from Dubuque, to the legislature, which assembled at Green Bay.
1836-Colonel Vanater brought his family here and "laid off" a town, which he called Bloomington. The first survey of lots was made in August.
1837-Muscatine county was organized and Bloomington made the county seat by an act of the Wisconsin territorial legislature, approved January 8.
In the county of "Musquitine," as the name was at first spelled, Arthur Washburn was the first acting probate judge, appointed in 1837; Arthur Wash-
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
burn and Edward E. Fay first acting county commissioners or supervisors, as they were called under the old Michigan and Wisconsin statutes, elected 1837; Robert McClaren first clerk of the district court, appointed 1837. He was soon succeeded by John S. Abbott. The first acting postmaster at the mouth of Pine was Arthur Washburn, appointed in 1836. The first justices of the peace were Err Thornton, John G. Coleman and Silas S. Lathrop, appointed about the close of 1836 or beginning of 1837. The first sheriff was James Davis, appointed in 1836 or 1837.
At the first session of the legislature, 1837-8, Dr. Eli Reynolds, who then represented this district, succeeded in getting a bill passed removing the county. seat to Geneva, which bill, however, was vetoed by Governor Dodge.
Bloomington was made a post town early this year, and a Mr. Stowell was appointed postmaster, but he absconded before his commission reached him. In September, Edward E. Fay was appointed in his stead and was therefore the first postmaster at this place.
The steamer Dubuque, commanded by Captain Smoker, exploded about seven miles below Bloomington, August 22d, and twenty-two lives were lost, all deck passengers. The Dubuque was towed to Bloomington by the steamer Ad- venture, and seventeen of the dead were buried in one grave in the old cemetery, at the very spot where the Jefferson schoolhouse now stands.
The Iowa House, the first hotel, which had been partly constructed and opened late in the preceding year by Robert C. Kinney, was completed early this year. It was situated on the southwest corner of Front and Chestnut streets.
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