USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > History of Poweshiek County, Iowa: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume 1 > Part 26
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James W. Wilson was born in Indiana in 1821, and when sixteen years of age moved with his parents to Indiana, where he engaged in farming. In the fall of 1848 he came to this county and in the fall of 1851 was elected sheriff, serving two years. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits three years, when he returned to his farm, which became one of the finest in the county.
MONTEZUMA INCORPORATED.
In 1868 Montezuma was incorporated and at the first election held under its charter, the following officials were selected by a majority of the voters: Mayor, A. W. Ballard; recorder, G. W. Keirneff; treasurer, James H. Tilton ; trustees,
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J. F. Sargent, J. H. Carr, W. R. Lewis, D. W. Baker, C. G. Adams. The chief executives since that time have been those named in the list below : A. W. Bal- lard, 1869; Edward Hall, 1870; N. Carr, 1871; W. H. Redman, 1872-3; Thomas B. Adams, 1874; W. W. McCready, 1875; J. B. Miller, 1876; Thomas A. Cheshire, 1877; W. H. Redman, 1878; A. W. Ballard, 1879; J. H. P. Robinson, 1880.
POSTOFFICE AND POSTMASTERS.
Before the county was organized the settlers received their mail, that is, in the southern portion of it, from Oskaloosa. The first postoffice in Poweshiek county was kept in the storehouse of Gideon Wilson, and I. G. Wilson was post- master.
About 1852 Richard B. Ogden, the first permanent settler in the county, was appointed postmaster and his successors have been as follows: Joseph Martin, 1854; Asel Stanley, 1855; Otis Lizor, 1856; Angus McDonald, 1860; John Mc- Alister, 1861 ; George F. Lawrence, 1862; J. H. Tilton, 1864; John Hall, 1869; J. B. Miller, 1871; W. J. Parker, 1873; J. H. Tilton, 1876; J. E. Anderson, one year; J. E. Latchem, 1887; A. T. Underwood, 1889: Lon H. Boydston, 1893; J. W. Jarnagin, 1897; G. W. Wiltse, 1903 and the present incumbent.
CITY HALL.
A part of the present city hall was built in 1883 for a skating rink and opera house. This was purchased by the city in 1893 and remodeled in 1905 at a cost of $8,000. A new front graces the building, built of buff pressed brick, which. with the trimmings and large windows, give it a modern and attractive ap- pearance. This is the city hall, two stories in height, and 44x 100 feet on the ground. The front of the ground floor is used for the paraphernalia of the fire company- hose carts, hook and ladder and 1,200 feet of hose-and to the rear of this, running two stories, is the opera house, having a seating capacity, includ- ing the balcony, of 450. The second floor front is devoted to offices for the mayor, the firemen's hall and council chamber.
WATER WORKS.
The Montezuma waterworks was erected in 1896 at a cost of $19,000. The water is obtained from springs two miles away and is pure and excellent in quality. There are several miles of mains through which the water is forced to every part of the city, and the pressure from the pumps affords the citizens ample protection in case of fire or other emergencies.
STREET PAVING AND SIDEWALKS.
The paving of the streets in Montezuma was inaugurated in 1909, and at this time several of the streets have this modern innovation. The total cost to the city of Montezuma for this improvement amounts to the sum of $60,000. In addition to fine pavements there are many miles of concrete sidewalks in the city.
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ELECTRIC LIGHT WORKS.
The streets of Montezuma were first illuminated with electric lights in 1889, an electric lighting plant having been built that year by a private corporation, composed of C. R. Clark, W. R. Lewis, John Hall, Sr., now deceased, John Mc- Candless, Thomas Harris, deceased, A. F. Rayburn, J. H. Porter, A. A. Bryan. Thomas Castor, A. M. Hogan, deceased, John Moler, Charles Phillipi, George W. Wiltse and E. R. McKee, deceased. The officials of this concern were: George W. Wiltse, president; A. F. Rayburn, secretary, treasurer and manager ; and the capital stock was $10,000. In 1909, the company was duly incorporated and the name changed from the Montezuma Electric Light & Power Company to Montezuma Electric Power & Heating Company. A. F. Rayburn is the secretary, treasurer and manager. The plant is a substantial one, built in the northeast part of the city, near the Rock Island railroad tracks.
MONTEZUMA SCHOOLS.
In 1893 G. W. Bryan was the superintendent of the Montezuma schools, and remained two years, to 1895. Then came Bruce Francis for three years, to 1898. S. C. Dickinson was superintendent to 1901; C. E. Douglass till 1905; M. O. Roark till 1907; and F. E. Ford till 1909, when he was succeeded by Ernest Iler.
There are two buildings, one for the grade work and a high school building. The high school building has recently been made twice as large. Both build- ings are modernly heated and equipped throughout, that the highest efficiency of school work may be carried out. Several hundred dollars are expended each year to keep the buildings in good repair. About $600 was spent in 1911 for such work. There is an excellently equipped laboratory in the high school building fitted out at an expense of between $500 and $600, and a library numbering 1,000 volumes. Manual training was started in the school in the year 1903. The benches and tools are worth something like $500. While the bench work is somewhat elementary, yet the advanced pupils get out some very fine work in the way of tables and chairs, etc. Bench work is begun in the eighth grade and continued through the high school, and handicraft work commences at the be- ginning of the first grade and continues to the end of the seventh. The eighth grade girls also do sewing.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
The above named bank was organized in 1883, with a capital of $50,000. John Hall, Sr., was its president ; Thomas Harris, vice president ; T. W. Kierulff, cashier ; John Hall, Jr., teller. Mr. Hall filled the office of president until his death in 1908 and T. W. Kierulff as cashier until 1897.
Among the board of directors have been many well known and influential men. Those who have passed away are John Hall, Sr., Dr. J. C. Tribbet, W. J. Dodds, Alexander Gordon, Thomas Harris and E. M. Couch. Its present officials are : A. F. Rayburn, president ; J. H. Porter, vice president ; E. D. Rayburn, cashier : A. G. Heath, assistant cashier; directors, Charles R. Clark, John Hall, A. F.
MONTEZUMA HIGH SCHOOL
FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING, MONTEZUMA
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Rayburn, John H. Porter, Dr. E. B. Williams, L. A. Shearer, John Moler, A. G. Heath and E. D. Rayburn. Capital stock, surplus and undivided profits, $70,000. Deposits, $363,000.
The First National Bank purchased its present location of the Odd Fellows lodge in 1901, where a beautiful bank building was erected and occupied in 1903. That same year the institution was made a United States depositary for gov- ernment funds.
MONTEZUMA SAVINGS BANK.
Late in the fall of 1891, the Montezuma Savings Bank was organized and opened its door for business, February 22, 1892. Its capital stock was $15,000, which on September 9, 1911, was increased to $30,000. In 1891 the present home of the bank, a two story brick, 22 x 50 feet, was erected at a cost of $6,000.
The surplus and undivided profits of this strong, financial establishment is $21,000. Deposits, $350,000. Present officials: J. W. Carr, president; H. F. Morton, vice president; A. C. McGill, cashier; J. W. Vest, assistant cashier ; Miss Hala Mortland, clerk.
FRATERNAL ORDERS.
Lafayette Lodge, No. 25, A. F. & A. M. was organized January 18, 1855, with the following charter members: M. A. Malone, H. W. Ross, Richard M. Parsons, H. Moore, H. Lynch, R. C. Shimer, B. Malone and William Wilson. For many years the lodge held its meetings over J. H. Tilton's store, but in 1886 they joined the Grand Army .post and erected a building facing the square, their part of it being 18. x 22 feet. The first floor is devoted to different purposes, while in the upper story is a spacious and well appointed lodge room.
Montezuma Lodge, No. 74, I. O. O. F. received a dispensation May 24, 1855, on which date the lodge was organized, with the following charter members: John C. Johnson, M. A. Mason, Snowden Myers, G. G. Dryden, I. M. Griffith, and Louidas Pegan. In 1876 this lodge erected a building at a cost of $2,000. Today it has a beautiful temple, built in 1903, on the corner of Third and Main, its dimensions being 33 x 132 and two stories in height. The material is buff French brick. It is the handsomest building in the city and cost $18,000.
Aztec Lodge, No. 238, Knights of Pythias, was organized August 14, 1889, with W. M. Stone, J. H. Patten, F. W. Porter, J. W. Jarnagin, W. C. Channell, H. C. Light, T. S. Curtis, F. Hawkins, I. C. Hartes, W. E. Vest, C. H. Farwell, G. W. Willson, Joseph Satchell, J. H. Platt, F. E. Vest, W. E. Weir, G. W. Hawkins and S. G. Reeder as charter members.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Wisner Post, G. A. R., No. 127, was organized February 2, 1883. It was named in honor of three patriotic boys, sons of Polly Wisner, and her main support, who left her home to take part in the Union army in its efforts to put down the rebellion of the southern Confederacy. Henry Wisner enlisted in the
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First Iowa Cavalry and William F. and James in Company C, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry. James was killed in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads, Louisiana, his body falling into the hands of the enemy. Henry died of consumption, con- tracted while in the service, at the home of his mother, in 1868, and from the same disease William was sent to the grave the following year.
Previous to the organization of this post the women of the community formed the Woman's Monument Association and collected funds for the purpose of erecting a monument to the memory of the fallen braves from this county. This association collected quite a sum of money, which eventually was turned over to the uses of the post. In 1886 the post built for itself a two-story brick build- ing in connection with the Masonic lodge, at a cost of $5,000, all of which has been paid.
Financially this is one of the strongest posts in the state of Iowa. It has property worth at least $7,000, has money in its treasury, which is accumulating from year to year from rents. It now has a membership of forty-nine, which is rapidly diminishing. The first commander was A. M. Hogan and his suc- cessors were: John W. Willson, W. J. Johnson, E. A. Wheeler, A. A. Bryan, George W. Wiltse, James Morris, Frederick Zorn, Captain John W. Carr, Allen T. Underwood, A. F. Rayburn, H. F. Morton, John H. Porter, E. T. Jordan, Thomas J. Hardin, John F. Dryden, H. C. Schell, A. Malcolm, Alvin Jones, William H. Kimbley, H. L. Jones, J. G. Rayburn, S. R. Easter, John R. Willson, William J. Johnson, E. A. Wheeler, A. A. Bryan.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The history of the Methodist Episcopal church of Montezuma is given below, as told by Rev. J. F. New, the organizing pastor :
"In 1848 I was called to the North Fork Mission, embracing part of Powe- shiek and Jasper counties. I planted the standard of Methodism in Montezuma and Newton that year: had a successful year on that large mission, with a good increase of membership. In order that we may see how enterprising the men of that day were let it be understood that Poweshiek county was organized and Montezuma laid out and made the county seat in 1848.
"That same year, in February, the Methodist Episcopal church of Montezuma was organized by Gideon Wilson and Rev. New, with the following membership: Gideon Wilson, Catherine Wilson, Nancy Wilson, Isaac Wilson, Sarah Wilson and Mary Faucet."
In another communication by some unnamed author it is said: "In January, 1849, Rev. J. F. New was sent as a missionary to this region and a number in- vited to visit us. He came and preached to an audience of nine persons and about all of them joined the church, being the ones above mentioned. I. N. Wil- son was appointed leader. The preaching was at a claim cabin adjoining the town, belonging to Gideon Wilson. There was not at that time a building in the town. The following summer there was preaching at Gideon Wilson's house in town. erected that spring. The first quarterly meeting was held in that house and quarterly conference in Mr. Wilson's storeroom. The meetings were held for some time in the temporary courthouse, as the church building was not
OLD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MONTEZUMA
- 1-
NEW METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MONTEZUMA
RY
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commenced until about 1854. At that time Rev. H. H. Badley was there. In consideration of one dollar and the immediate building of the church a deed was obtained from the county judge for lots 3 and 4, block 20, in Montezuma, where the old church now stands. The following is a copy of the deed:
"'County Judge to Trustees of M. E. Church.
" 'This indenture made this 22d day of June, A. D., 1854, between Richard B. Ogden of Poweshiek County and State of Iowa as county judge of said county aforesaid of the one part and the trustees in trust for the uses and purposes hereafter mentioned, all of the county and state aforesaid of the other part witnesseth. That the said Richard B. Ogden, county judge as aforesaid in consideration that said trustees build or cause to be built a certain house accord- ing to the plans and specifications of a certain contract entered into between the Methodist Episcopal church and 'Squire Blower of the first part and Hobson Parker of the other part all of Montezuma, said house to be used by the said church as a house of worship and for a seminary of learning to be under the care and patronage of said church and for no other purpose.
"'Book C. Page 35 of the Records of Poweshiek County, Iowa.'
"The minutes of the conference show that the North Fork mission was in the Burlington district, and Andrew Coleman was presiding elder. In 1849 the mission was divided and it is understood that Montezuma fell into the Sigourney mission, Michael See being pastor and I. I. Stewart the presiding elder. In 1850 the Montezuma mission was formed, with J. W. B. Hewitt as pastor and David Worthington presiding elder, it being placed in the Iowa City district. In 1851 Wesley R. Blake was pastor. In 1852 Alcinous Young was presiding elder and the pastor of the mission was a supply. In 1853 Samuel Hestwood was pastor. The next year Montezuma was made a circuit and Samuel Hestwood continued as pastor. That year a new district named 'the Montezuma district' was formed and William Simpson made presiding elder. In 1855 the name of the district was changed to Oskaloosa and H. H. Badley was pastor at Montezuma. In 1856 there was another supply. That year the larger part of the country appointments appear to have been taken to form 'the Millersburg mission' and this year the old frame church was built at a cost of $3.375 and was improved in 1880 at an additional cost of $1.500. The church was dedicated in 1856 or 1857 by Presiding Elder Simpson and the pastor, Rev. J. Craig."
From this time on the appointments were: 1858, D. W. Robinson ; 1859-1860, Benjamin Holland; 1861, Abraham Laubach; 1862, A. C. Barnhart; 1863-64, Marcus Carrier ; 1865, George H. Clark; 1866, J. T. Simmons; 1867-68, J. G. Thompson ; 1869, A. S. Prather ; 1870, J. S. Rankin ; 1871-72, I. N. Busby ; 1873- 74, W. G. Thorn ; 1875-77, B. F. Shane; 1878-79, L. O. Housel; 1880-82, D. C. Smith; 1883-85, J. G. Barton; 1886-87, C. E. Lewis; 1888-89, J. E. Corley; 1890-91, G. M. Tuttle; 1892-94, J. W. Lambert; 1895-97, E. C. Brooks; 1898- 1900, P. J. Henness ; 1901-02, A. B. Hightshoe; 1903-07, U. S. Smith; 1907-09, O. S. Barker; 1909-II, H. F. Gilbert, the present pastor.
In 1896 F. 'A. Kilburn died, leaving a legacy to the church of $1,200. His daughter Lillian bought the lots on which the new church stands out of her father's estate in 1899 and later sold them to the trustees at cost, or $900. These
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lots have been held ever since for the purpose of erecting the new church thereon. On the 22d day of August, 1904, the official board held a meeting and a com- mittee on plans for a church building was appointed and the pastor was asked to look after the finance. The following day about $5,000 was subscribed. Soon plans were secured, bids solicited and the contract let to Anton Zwack, of Dubuque. In April, 1905, the work of construction was begun and the corner- stone laid by Dr. J. C. Willits, then presiding elder of the Oskaloosa district, now pastor of the First Methodist church of Decatur, Illinois, on the 30th of June. The stone was neatly lettered and shipped free of all cost, by D. T. Herter, of Grinnell. It was a gift for which all were thankful. C. R. Clark, John Moler, H. F. Morton, John Bradley and A. F. Rayburn, the building com- mittee, and the pastor gave much time and attention to the erection of the build- ing. The last Sunday in the old church was one never to be forgotten. A fare- well service was planned and the old house was packed. Many were present who had seen the church erected; many more who were converted in the build- ing. The children all stayed. There was no sermon but the people enjoyed an old style love feast.
The new edifice was completed, at a cost of $20,000. The dedicatory serv- ices, held on the 21st day of January, 1906, were intensely interesting and im- pressive. On that occasion Bishop T. C. Iliff, D. D. delivered an address that will long be remembered.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
This was one of the early churches of the county and the organizing minister, Rev. James B. Johnson, was the first resident pastor of the town. The society was organized in November, 1849, and among the original members were Abigail Johnson, Washington B. Hardin and Hobson Parker. In 1855 they erected the first building in the county for church purposes, which was of brick and cost $1,300. The dedicatory services were held in 1856 by Rev. George Whedley.
The first edifice was a brick affair of unpretentious proportions, yet it be- came the rallying place for those religiously inclined and served its purpose many years, until it gave way to the present structure under the first adminis- tration of Rev. Koepple.
Today, the church is not as strong in numbers as in the past, which accounts for there being no resident pastor, the needs of the members being supplied every two weeks from outside. Among the early pastors were: James B. John- son, Alexander Coldwell, William Morrow, G. G. Robinson, William Remsburg, J. C. Hazlett, Asa Aliet, Leonard Barton, F. A. Kirkpatrick, E. S. Brown, John McAllister, William Scott, James Ruker and William Browning.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was organized May 24, 1856, by the following eight members : James J. Marquis, Martha J. Marquis, Salina Jones, Maria Adams, Sophemia Blackmal, Sarah Kidder, Alexander Gordon and Margaret Gordon. On exami- nation at the same time the following persons were received: George Cowie,
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Margaret D. Cowie, James Duffus, N. A. Duffus, Catharine M. Riddle, Rebecca Stanley, Alexander Duffus, Elizabeth H. Duffus.
The frame church, still used for worship, situated one block north of the courthouse, was built in the year 1876, at a cost of $3,800, and was dedicated by Revs. R. B. Theron, the pastor, and Abner Chapman, of Malcom. 1890 a lecture room was added to the church, also a number of repairs made, at a cost of $2,000. The church was then rededicated by the pastor, Rev. J. H. Rose.
Connected with the church is a Sunday school. From this Sunday school have gone out from time to time young people who are now engaged in various pur- suits elsewhere, as teachers, physicians, merchants, mechanics, farmers, etc., whose records will compare favorably with others having like advantages.
There is also an interesting P. S. C. E., which meets every Sunday evening. A Missionary Society devoted to the interests of home and foreign missions, meets each month. There is also a Ladies' Aid Society which meets each month, its object being to raise funds to keep the church building and parsonage in repair, and the general benevolences of the church. Both societies are in good working order. The present membership is 182.
The pastors who have served the church to the present time are: T. J. Taylor, R. B. Farrar, William Young, C. E. Spring, R. B. Herron, T. W. Buchanan, N. H. Downing, J. H. Rose, C. S. McElhinny, W. F. Maclaughlan, W. L. Clarke, M. A. Camp, George Cleaver.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Christian church of Montezuma was organized in 1863, with Daniel Harrod and wife, James E. McIntire and wife, Emily Morrison, John Souter and wife, Mrs. C. E. Norris and Thomas Coster as charter members. Rev. N. A. McConnell was the first pastor, who, assisted by Rev. John Rankin, dedi- cated the first church building in 1877, which had been that year erected at a cost of $2,500. Before this the members had held their meetings in the court- house.
Elder William R. Cowley was the second pastor in charge and the present minister is N. M. Moore, who is a professor in Drake University and is enabled to give his charge but a portion of his time. The membership now numbers 125.
THE CEMETERY.
In 1852, Gideon Wilson gave to the churches a tract of land, containing five acres, for burial purposes and this was the place for all interments until 1864, when the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges purchased ten acres adjoining, which was the beginning of the new cemetery. Both of them, however, are within the same enclosure.
The remains of Mrs. W. B. Hardin, who died in 1857, were the first to be buried in the old cemetery and the body of John Adams, son of C. G. Adams, was the first one deposited in the new, in July, 1865.
The grounds are nicely laid out and well kept. On a commanding spot within, the Grand Army post plans to at some future time erect a monument to the soldier dead.
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REMINISCENCES OF MONTEZUMA AND SOUTH POWESHIEK AS TOLD BY MRS. ELIZABETH SKINNER, IN 1906.
My father, James Hope, in company with George McKee, left Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in June, 1854, and came to Montezuma, Iowa. They each bought a half section at Hickory Grove, about three miles northeast of Montezuma. Father bought three lots in Montezuma, on which stood three log houses, located northwest of the public square, on the site at present occupied by Pratt's drug store. These houses had been built by Gideon Wilson. On the 5th of November, 1854, my brother Joe, aged fourteen, my sister Anna, who afterwards married Sylvester Johnson, and I, arrived in Montezuma, to keep house for father. Our log houses were all rented and we had to board for awhile with Gideon Wilson. While we were there father loaned him $2,000 to buy a stock of goods, which store afterwards took fire and all burned. Mr. Wilson was an honorable man and paid father every cent he owed him. He was a very religious man and a class leader in the church.
Soon after our arrival in November I met Edward Skinner, who had come here from Huron county, Ohio, and entered three hundred and sixty acres at $1.25 per acre, three hundred and twenty acres of which we afterward improved and where he died in 1898. We were married in January, 1855, and Mr. Skinner built a house just east of the present site of the Rock Island depot, and we lived there two years, when we traded the house and lot for one hundred and twenty acres south of Montezuma, near the Farwell farm. While living in Montezuma Mr. Skinner helped to build the first grist mill, which was built by Robert Mc- Intire, and was located on the present site of the Garfield school building.
Dr. J. W. H. Vest came with his wife and four children in 1855. Dr. Ed. was then a baby. The first time I met him, he came to our house to see some furniture which we had bought in Iowa City, as he wished to see the goods and find out about prices. The old Doctor was our family physician for forty years, and a better and more faithful doctor was never located in the county. Houses were so scarce in Montezuma at this time that most families had to live in one room and did not have much furniture.
Mr. Emslie and wife came in 1856 from Scotland, and through their in- dustrious and thrifty habits, they accumulated quite a large estate.
Alex and David Gordon, with their sister Margaret, came about the same time as Mr. Emslie. They lived in a part of our house the first winter. They were fine people and we got along nicely together. While living there Alex had the misfortune to break his arm, which was set by a Dr. Ross, who wrapped the bandage too tight and the result was, abcesses formed, from which he suffered greatly. Mr. Skinner was a great believer in the water treatment. He took charge of his case and soon had him well.
I remember Judge Ogden issued Mr. Skinner his marriage license. He was the first settler in the county.
The Heads came about 1857 or 1858 from Ohio, and I think published a newspaper.
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