USA > Iowa > Page County > History of Page County, Iowa : also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county > Part 21
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
We quote also from an itemized account of expenses incurred by Dr. Wilson while soliciting, the congregation of Amity having agreed to meet all such: Fare from Indiana to Pittsburg, $2.90; dinner at Pittsburg, .75; stage fare to Canonsburg, $1.50; dinner at Halfway House, .50; horse feed at Canonsburg, .40; horse feed at Hickory, .25; staging from Washington to Pittsburg, $2.00.
-
.
Difiized by Google
1
225
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
· This help through Dr. Wilson came at the close of 1864. The building was not completed until about two years afterward. Its cost is given by one authority at $2,500, by another at nearly $4,000.
Rev. Wilson preached regularly at Amity from 1863 to 1865, more than two years being included in his ministry here. Dr. D. C. Wilson says, "Our Country and Church" might be called the "Missionary Bishop of Western Iowa and Eastern Nebraska." Surely the churches there owe much to his timely and wise ministry. Revs. McKee, McHatton, Adair and Barclay were among those who supplied the pulpit after Dr. Wilson.
Now at the close of the year 1866 our congregation has risen to the eminence of independence. They have a comfortable church building, which building as a matter of history, bore the distinction (very modestly to be sure) of being the first church edifice erected in Amity township and probably the first in southern Page county. The people will now offer a genteel salary and call a pastor. Rev. Samuel Anderson of Indiana county, Pennsylvania, is the man of their choice. A call was made out for him in December, 1866, signed by eighty people. Rev. Anderson entered upon his work here in April, 1867. He was the first minister to be installed as pastor of the congregation. His pastorate is known in the history of this people as the time of greatest increase of membership by certificate. A great flock of his former parishioners in the east came out to Amity, nearly forty in all- Alex Hendersons, the Elgins, Earharts, Samuel Trimbles, J. H. Miller, John Henderson and John Patterson making up the number. This great following of itself was sufficient testimonial that Rev. Anderson was a pastor beloved there as he was here. Observing this marked ingathering of Pennsylvania Presbyterians, a man, not Calvanistic in creed, said to his neighbor one day, "Looks to me like the U. P.'s and sand-burs are a goin' to take this country." The U. P.'s did-a fair share of it. As to the sand-burs and other burs they were conquered by Scotch-Irish persistency. Rich blue grass and tall timothy reign in their stead, while up and down and over the cultivated fields stretch the long rows of green corn-prince of products --- in this, the richest argicultural region in all God's earthly realm.
At the first business meeting after Rev. Anderson came, dated July 1, 1867, it was stated that a debt of four hundred dollars still remained on the church building. How could it be raised? Mr. Hamil moved that this indebtedness be laid on the pews, each pew to be separately appraised. This measure was voted down. Later on in the proceedings relative to pews, it was decided that they should be distributed according to choice, the oldest member to have first choice, next oldest second, and so on down the ages. But no price was set thereon, nor have there ever been paid pews in our congregation. They have been free to all. But again in that same meeting the money question forges to the front. That debt of four hundred dollars is still unpaid. A subscription paper was passed. It failed to raise the amount. Mr. Mccullough then moved that the money be raised by taxa- tion, on the advalorem system. This motion carried. In execution of the plan, Messrs. McKinley, McLarnon and Monzingo were instructed to procure a list of all the taxable property of the several members of said congregation
Difiized by Google
226
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
and levy a tax on the same sufficient to raise the amount of money required. It is not recorded how this legislation worked but we venture to say it worked hard.
Scarcely had the main church been completed when they began to agitate the question of more room, but like the main structure, this addition was contemplated a long time before it materialized. True, the congregation was expanding rapidly and needing more space. During Rev. Anderson's pastorate the membership was more than doubled, many by profession, as well as by certificate, one hundred and thirty in all being received into the church. Only two years and eight months had he ministered to his people at College Springs when death called him from them, December 20, 1869. His wife, Mrs. Mary K. Anderson, has remained among us, loved and respected by all the people, she herself having ministered to many of them in their need. Children and grandchildren of theirs form an honored part of our present membership. A son and daughter are present officers of the congregation, Arch Anderson, trustee, and Bella Anderson, clerk.
The congregation was now supplied by a number of ministers for one year. Among the number were J. R. Black, J. F. Graham, W. P. McNary, S. M. Hood, A. T. McDill and J. P. Wright. A call was presented to Rev. W. P. McNary in May, 1870. This call was declined. In January, 1871, a call was moderated for Rev. Marion Morrison. He accepted and entered upon his work as pastor in the following March.
Dr. William Johnston's pastorate which followed was much the longest in the history of this people. From July 11, 1877, to April 23, 1890, he was our faithful shepherd. Our name was formally changed in 1879 from that of Amity to College Springs. The people have declared themselves as now ready to put an addition to their church structure. You will note that they have taken due time to consider this matter of an extension, having launched the legislation therefor at least nine years before. This proposed addition was to cost one thousand dollars. It was to be twenty feet long and to be placed at the east end of the church. Moreover, it was voted that there should be an extension to the east end of the addition. That was all. Just here let fancy and memory roam, Picture the old church once again-a long, plain white structure, seventy-two fect in length by thirty-six feet in width, with little architectural beauty, yet for all that it was dear to us all.
Dr. Johnston was a giant in the pulpit. a thinker, reasoner and logician. Occasionally he waged warfare in argumentation through the medium of the Press. Dr. Smith of the Presbyterian church and our own Dr. Carson will not have forgotten him. He bore trouble bravely but it struck deeply. His home in College Springs was saddened by the death of his wife, Mrs. C. M. Johnston, a noble woman. His daughter Lizzie remained in the home with him. He was called from earth while still our pastor. It is but fitting that this building should contain two memorial windows, the one inscribed to the memory of Rev. Samuel Anderson : the other to the memory of Dr. William Johnston.
William T. Moffet was installed as pastor, April 28, 1801. His family here consisted of Mrs. Moffet and the two daughters. Helen and Jennie.
Difiized by Google
227
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
all of whom were helpers in the work. The young people's society grew strong under Dr. Moffet's pastorate, Miss Helen being its chosen and ca- pable president for some time. Miss Jennie went about everywhere doing good. Mrs. A. T. Moore's present property was the long time home of Dr. Johnston and later of Dr. Moffet. Under this pastorate three young men, W. C. Long, H. V. Comin and P. C. Baird went out to study for the ministry.
In December, 1894, the full control of the finances was given to the trustees, their number a little later being increased from three to six. Those who served in this office during the carlier 'gos were J. K. Herron, J. A. Mckinley, William Farquhar, Samuel Hart, J. H. Reid, William Mc- Michael and J. W. Mccullough. The ruling elders chosen in 1892 were S. S. Finley, J. H. Miller, G. N. Trimble and Samuel Farquhar.
January, 1895, finds our flock shepherdless once more. A few weeks later Dr. J. A. Thompson and W. P. Morrison fell together one day. "Where can we get a man for College Springs?" began Mr. Morrison, with his native directness. "Out in Nebraska there's a strong young minister," replied Dr. Thompson thoughtfully, "but I doubt that you would be able to get him." "If he's the right man, we'll try awful hard," said William the conqueror.
Resigning his work in Nebraska, S. E. Martin came to the church as pastor, July 1, 1895. By arrangement, Rev. S. S. Maxwell, his cousin, had supplied the pulpit for two months preceding. A year later a subscription for a new church was circulated among the people. William C. Taggart's last gift was to this new building, through his neighbor and church brother, George A. Farquhar. The men and boys of the congregation hauled the materials from Shambaugh, Braddyville, Coin and Clarinda, the minister himself often being on the grounds in the role of workman when the loads came in. The work of construction was begun and completed in nine months. Praise is yet due the building committee-an exceptionally strong one-William Farquhar, William McMichael and Randolph Glasgow. The outlay of money was fourteen thousand dollars. November 11, 1897, the new building was dedicated. Fourteen hundred people listened to the dedi- catory address by Dr. H. H. Bell.
New officers under Rev. Martin's administration were: Robert Long, Robert McLean, John Duncan, L. M. Stevenson, G. A. Mccullough and A. M. Finley, trustees ; ruling elders chosen : J. W. Mccullough, Dr. S. E. McClymonds and J. A. Mckinley. Within a few years, from 1897 until 1903, four sons of the congregation passed out to enter the ministry of the United Presbyterian church : Frank M. Miller. Walter G. Comin, Harry D. Garrett and Charlie C. Farquhar. Two of these, Charlie Clyde Farquhar and Frank Melville Miller, have been promoted to the church triumphant. Rev. Martin preached his farewell sermon in March, 1902.
For nine months we had supplies. At last Rev. R. W. Nairn of Kirk- wood, Illinois, ventured among us, in January, 1903. The next summer and fall we built a house for him, our first parsonage, a comfortable, commodi- ous dwelling. The home is valued at four thousand dollars. Rev. Nairn moved in at Thanksgiving time in 1903.
Digiized by Google
228
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
The committee of missions met at College Springs in May, 1903. That was to us a great and unprecedented gathering. Rev. Nairn was the general host. At this time one of his members, after looking over the imposing assembly of ministers, said decisively, "They're a fine looking set, to be sure, but there's none to my notion, any finer than our own."
For forty-eight years we sang the songs of David without any accom- panying instrument. Some were conscientiously opposed to such, others thought it a dispensable expense but at the wish and vote of the majority, an organ was purchased and placed in the church in October, 1905. The minority gracefully acquiesced and still the brethren dwell together in unity, as it becometh Christians to do. Professor Saddler, the Misses Smiley, Mc- Lean, George and Munford have been organists. The present membership numbers three hundred and sixty-nine. The Sunday school has nineteen classes and the average attendance is two hundred and fourteen, the daily of- fering being almost ten dollars. Rev. Nairn and President Campbell teach the largest classes in the school.
PAGE COUNTY'S CIVIL WAR RECORD.
On the 4th of March, 1861, Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, was inducted into the office of president of the United States, amidst the cheers and ac- claim of that majority of the people of the county which believed that the traffic in slaves and the institution of human bondage was wrong morally and should be made so legally. The joys of the multitude all over the country in the successful culmination of the inaugural exercises were in- termingled by the unsuppressed hisses and execrations of the southern element, whose "peculiar institution" was jeopardized by Lincoln's assump- tion of the reins of government. And their determination to resist him and his policies was made fully manifest to the people of the north when they were electrified and horrified by the intelligence that on April 15, 1861, the flag of this country has been insulted and assaulted by the rebel cannon, planted at Charleston, South Carolina, by firing upon Fort Sum- ter, in the harbor close by, and her commandant, Major Anderson, asked to surrender. It was then President Lincoln determined that civil war was on and issued a general proclamation for seventy-five thousand troops.
In 1861 Page county was still an infant in swaddling clothes. There was not a railroad or line of telegraph within her borders, consequently, news traveled slowly. But when the people of the county came to a full realization of the situation, they were not so slow to act. They were true sons and descendants of the heroes of "the times that tried men's souls." To every call of either men or money there was a willing and ready response and it was the boast of this people that had the supply of men run short, there were women brave enough, daring enough and patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar.
It was at once the fear of many that a raid might be the first thing with which to contend from the near-by and neighboring state of Mis- souri. At once, on the first news from Fort Sumter and after the Presi-
Difiizedby Google
.
·
229
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
dent's call for troops, a meeting was held in Clarinda on the 4th of May, 1861. Dr. A. H. East was called to the chair and J. Butler chosen secre- tary. After transacting some preliminary business the meeting adjourned to meet the following Tuesday, when a company was formed and officers elected. J. Cramer was chosen captain; R. F. Connor, first lieutenant ; and George Baker, second lieutenant. The company consisted of twenty- seven persons and was organized merely for home protection.
On the 4th of May, a meeting was also held at Amity. George Mc- cullough was called to the chair and W. R. Mclaughlin acted as secre- tary. On a call being made for persons to join the company, thirty-nine men gave their names. At this meeting the following preamble and resolu- tion was adopted :
Whereas, In view of the existing state of the country we believe it wise for all able bodied men to organize themselves into military com- panies ; therefore
Resolved, That we, citizens of Amity and vicinity, without distinction of party, recommend the organization of a military company, not for ag- gression but for the purpose of protecting ourselves and our country.
A meeting of the citizens of Harlan township was held at the Olive Branch schoolhouse on Saturday, April 11, 1861, and a company of forty- one men was organized. John McCormick was chosen captain; John Caskey, first lieutenant ; and Thomas Whitehill, second lieutenant.
The citizens of Amity and Buchanan townships held a war meeting at Braddyville on the 8th of May, 1861, at which time a company was or- ganized, officered as follows: Captain, Joseph Smith ; first lieutenant, N. C. Martin ; second lieutenant, J. H. Bangs.
These companies were all organized for home protection, and none too soon, as the following, taken from the files of the Page County Herald, of May 24, 1861, will attest :
"Intelligence reached us yesterday of a contemplated attack upon Amity, and in response to their call for assistance, Captain Bowen of the Clarinda Guards, marched his company to the threatened place. Captain McCormick, of the Harlan Blues, also marched down with his company, as did Captain Smith with his company. The news of an attack reached Amity through a Union man, resident in Missouri, and his information was such that there can be no doubt but the hell-hounds were congregating at Graves', six miles below Amity for the purpose of making an attack upon the town but the presence of three hundred armed and drilled men may have deterred them from their purpose for the present but there is no doubt but an attack is contemplated and will be made as soon as a suitable opportunity presents."
The first company mustered into the United States service from this county was Captain Bowen's. It departed from Clarinda on the morning of Tuesday, June 19, 1861. It had been previously announced that they would start on that day and the announcement brought hundreds together to witness their departure and to bid them God speed. The ladies of Clarinda prepared a beautiful flag and presented it to the company just before their departure and so determined were they that nothing should enter into
Difiized by Google
230
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
its composition that had been produced by traitor hands, they made it wholly from woolen fabrics of the very best quality, furnished by Judge Wilson and sewed with linen thread. On behalf of the Page County' Bible Society, Mr. Loranz presented cach member of the company with a pocket edition of the New Testament. Mrs. N. B. Moore in presenting the flag to the company made the following remarks:
"Gentlemen: We meet today as many, if not all of us, never met before, to bid adieu to wife, mother, father, sister, brother and friend, and to take up your line of march as soldiers for the field of action, having been stimu- lated to rush to the rescue of our country to crush treason and rebellion, which under its fit emblem, the serpent, seeks to entwine itself about the insti- tutions of our country and crush those principles which are peculiar to and endeared by every American. Stimulated by your love of freedom, your attachment to our country and a desire to perpetuate her institu- tions, to protect the homes of the free and to preserve inviolable the pre- cious boon of liberty purchased by our forefathers' blood, and by them handed down to us. We come to witness that departure and to bid you adieu. We come with emotions of pride and gratitude that in our midst are those who are ready and have at the call of those in authority taken the solemn oath to maintain this heaven favored government, to enter the service of the United States and are willing to sacrifice your lives for the defense and maintenance of liberty and the overthrow of tyranny. But with these emotions are mingled those of sympathy and solemnity. In your toilsome marches, your exposures, the sacrifices you make of the pleasures and enjoyments of home, your sufferings upon the battlefield, wounded, sick, dying, cast your mind's eye back to Clarinda and remember you have our warmest sympthy, the affection of our hearts and our prayers. A number of you, Captain Bowen, Lieutenants Burns and Scott, leave wives beloved and children dear behind. You all have affectionate friends. We may not, in all probability, ever all meet again. The exposures inci- dent to a soldier's life, the traitor's rifle, bayonet or sword, may cause the winding sheet to be thrown about you and your bodies be given back to mother earth.
"It is solemn to think that on this side of vast eternity we may never all meet again, and yet there is no death so honorable, so glorious, as his who falls battling for liberty. In the days of the revolution the wife said to the husband, the mother to the son, the sister to the brother, go purchase for us liberty, even if it costs you your heart's blood. The women of that day battled alongside of husbands and sons to drive back the oppressor's rod and to gain freedom from tyranny. They conquered. Our forefathers bought it but not until their blood had saturated the American soil and their bones were scattered through its villages and over its hilltops. We, their offspring, have been happy in the enjoyment of the land of the free and the home of the brave. But now ambitious, selfish traitors have raised up to destroy this glorious fabric, our government, to tear down the em- blem of our liberty, the star spangled banner, and to supplant it with the black flag of treason and rebellion. And we, as wives, mothers, sisters say
Digiized by Google
4
231
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
go, protect the flag that has so long waved over us, that we have compelled all nations on the globe to honor and respect. Our pride, the pride of our nation. Avenge its wrongs. Let our motto be, "death to him who in- sults it." And now, gentlemen, on behalf of the ladies of Clarinda, as a token of their respect, confidence and hope in you that you will not dis- grace yourselves, your friends or your country, I present to you through your captain, this flag, prepared by our hands, with this injunction : that you never permit its insults to go unpunished ; that you never suffer it to be trailed in the dust or trampled under foot by a traitor or be borne by a coward."
Captain Bowen, on the part of the company, received the flag with the following remarks :
"Ladies: With pleasure we receive from you this beautiful banner as a token of your kindly feelings for us and your unfaltering interest in the welfare of the best and greatest government on earth. Ambitious traitors have raised their hands to destroy this sacred legacy of our forefathers, to blot from the record of nations the name of this fair fabric and in its stead place one which every sentiment of freedom abhors, the success of which would extinguish every spark of liberty throughout the world and blast the hopes of thousands everywhere where sighs for freedom are wafted to us on every breeze. This must not, shall not be. Already the kindled fires of patriotism are spreading far and wide and will rush on into one general conflagration until every traitor and every vestige of treason shall be laid low. Our country calls ; we go; some of us may never return. Where- ever we go this emblem of liberty shall float over us and if it be our fate to die upon the sanguinary field, our latest sigh shall be that the fair hands that formed this banner for us could not have the opportunity of soothing our parting to the eternal world.
"The Bibles presented to us by our friend Loranz, on behalf of the Page County Bible Society, will be preserved as an evidence of his in- terest in our eternal as well as temporal welfare. From their pages may each of us endeavor to learn to pass safely through the dark shadows of the grave into the eternal regions of light beyond.
"For the many kindnesses shown us and the material aid given us by our friends, we can only give our earnest thanks. Farewell."
At the conclusion of his remarks three hearty cheers were given for volunteers, when they formed in line and marched around the public square, halting opposite the Delevan House. At this place most of the crowd sought the opportunity of bidding a kind adieu, when those emotions which emanate from the bravest hearts began to manifest themselves. Most of the volunteers being young men, it was probably the severest trial of their lives to bid farewell to their friends and go forth to meet a traitor foe, but hard as it was no one seemed for a moment to hesitate between the pleasures of home and friends and their duty to their country. All hearts were moved, at their departure and scarcely one but was moved with feelings of both pleasure and pain ; pleasure that among the thousands of gallant freemen who had tendered the governor of Iowa their services and sought anxiously
Digiized by Google
232
HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY
for position in the army of the nation, those from Page county were the most favored; and pained to think so many genial spirits were compelled to depart, some never to return. Eight teams had been kindly offered to take them to Omaha, the company having decided to enter a Nebraska regi- ment, so at the start they were not put to as severe a trial as ordinarily falls to a soldier's lot.
The following are the names of the officers and men who composed the company : Captain, T. M. Bowen; first lieutenant, G. W. Burns, second lieutenant, Alexander Scott ; orderly sergeant, John P. Murphy. Privates : W. M. Alexander, J. E. Arnold, D. Alexander, R. H. Blair, J. Blair, James Brown, Henry Bigel, C. A. Birum, W. L. Bayley, A. Brown, Samuel Buck, Henry Chandler, W. I. Cooper, D. Clevinger, J. W. Edwards, William B. Folsom, Dayton F. Fairchild, D. Goodman, Joseph Richey, B. S. Rawlings, J. S. Salsbury, W. P. Swiggett, J. W. Scholes, E. A. Swatman, Joseph Thomas, P. R. Wagner, A. Valuntine, T. Helmick, Joseph Hill, William Irving, W. L. Jaycox, M. C. Johnson, N. D. Kelley, George Middaugh, Jerry McCool, W. McClelland, Robert McKissick, G. W. McMillan, Ruel Miller, J. McCormick, Silas Owen, John W. Owen, Payton Parker, R. W. Polsley, Jacob Roth, F. Smith, A. Strong, M. L. Storrs, E. W. Squires, Thomas K. Tippin and Smith P. Tuttle.
One month after the first company left Page county, another had been recruited and was ready for the service. This, like the former company also entered the First Nebraska Infantry. This company was officered as follows: Captain, Jacob Butler ; first lieutenant, Henry Ribble; second lieutenant, F. L. Cramer. Privates : John W. Bashford, W. J. Woods, Jas- per Die, T. J. Swingle, John Rhodes, Richard Boatman, Jacob Weaver, T. M. Wray, George W. Newell, Isaac N. Wray, John Gill, J. W. Glover, J. S. Ware, F. M. Cabble, B. F. Shepherd, Samuel Mardis, Frank Huffner, John Miles, Samuel Fountain, B. F. Bates, Samuel Will, William Stallard, T. A. Braddy, J. C. Ware, W. G. Moferty, John Cane, E. Tuthill, H. H. Lindall, John J. Wray, J. W. Pangburn, J. H. Bangs, J. Ewing, Robert Ewing, J. Selman, George Lyons, W. Brown, S. A. Musser, J. W. Skinner, Benson Thomspon, Eugene O. Storrs, W. C. Floyd, A. C. Martin, J. Gratz- buck, W. J. Jones, W. W. Larimer, Isaac Lewis, Thomas B. Hatch, J. How- ard, F. A. McDonald, E. A. Smith, Samuel Lutes, William King, Samuel Guthrie, David G. Gray, Robert McElroy, W. H. Morton, William Abbott, Joseph Goddard, James Stephenson, Edwin Royster, Harvey Wray and G. W. Adams.
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.