History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 114

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 114

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The men who first settled this township being young men with - out families, it was for some time unnecessary to have schools, but as soon as children were reared large enough to attend, the parents provided schools as good as their limited means. both of inoney and ability in teachers, could afford. The first school that was kept in what is now known as Princeton Independent District, was taught in the year 1846 or '47, by Miss Hannah Peaslee, in a log house owned by H. H. Pinneo. The succeeding teachers in the same house were Mrs. Charles Budd and Mileah Goodrich. About 1850, a bitter dispute having arisen as to where a proposed school-house should be located, the quarrel was carried so far that the project for building at all had for a time to be abandoned. In the ineantime G. H. Pinneo and Wilbur Warren. being determined to have a school for their children, joined together and bought an old barn, added some lumber to it, and with their own hands con- structed a house that was used for some time for both school and church purposes. In 1852 a house 25 x 35 now known as the old

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school-house, was built in the town, costing $375, and was then thought to be quite extravagant. The first teacher in this house was Mathias D. Pinneo. In 1856 it was found that the title to the land on which this house was built was not good. So the heirs of the land made a compromise with the district by buying lot No. 2, block 18, and building another house exactly like the old one on this lot. This house was used for school purposes till 1864, when this school and the other schools iu town were consolidated and occupied the upper and lower stories of a hall on Front street. In 1862, under an act that had been recently passed, what had for- merly been known as District No. 1, Princeton Township, was erected into an independent district. The first president of the independent district was Samuel Seott; first secretary, A. II. Pin- neo; and treasurer, D. II. Culbertson. Mr. Culbertson has been treasurer ever since. In 1866 it was determined to build a house suitable for school purposes, and the contract was awarded to the firm of Walker & Patterson, for $4, 500. C. W. Pinneo was the first principal in this house, and has been ever since, except two years G. M. Boyd and two years J. S. Huey taught. The present teachers are C. W. Pinneo, principal; W. L. Calhoun, intermediate, and D. E. James, primary. Miss Peaslee, the first teacher in this district, received for salary $1.75 per week and boarded around. The present female teacher receives $9 per week. $20 per month was the highest wages paid to a male teacher previous to the year 1858, when the law requiring teachers to stand an examination be- fore a county superintendent went into force. The wages very soon advanced when some qualifications were required, and greatly added to the efficiency of the schools. The number at present is about 150 scholars in all the departments, and the schools are con- sidered quite satisfactory in their management.

Princeton Township has six sub-districts, an enrollment of 142, and 219 of school age. It has six school-houses, valued at $5,500. The town of Princeton is an independent district, with a stone school-house valued at 85,000. There are 189 pupils in the dis- trict with an enrollment of 98. Three teachers are employed, and the school is a graded one.

TOWN OF PRINCETON.

The first recorded plan of Princeton bears date Dec. 22, 1853. Robert Bell, George II. Bell and John Culbertson were the pro- prietors. The beginning of a town had been mado prior to this.

In the spring of 1838 B. F. Pike opened a store in the neighbor- hood, the first in the township. The next one was opened by a company known as "Lawyer Hammond & Co. In 1848 W. F. Breckenridge opened a store here, calling the place at that time " Pinnacle Point."

The city of Princeton was incorporated January, 1857, and in the month of March following the first charter election was held.

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Samuel Porter was elected the first mayor and resigned in May. At a special election held soon after, William Shaw was elected mayor to fill the vacancy. At this time the city contained about 250 inhabitants, one store kept by Walter & Armstrong, two public houses, one sinithi shop, one steam saw-mill, one church and forty- six dwelling houses.

In the month of March, 1858, William H. Thompson was elected mayor. This year the population of the place had increased to 500. The improvements were greater in the youthful city of Princeton than at any other point on the Mississippi River, for the number of inhabitants. This year there was built one steam saw-mill, by Isaac Sherman, from Cleveland, Ohio, at a cost of $8,000, capable of cutting 30,000 feet per day ; two steam grist-mills, one by Mckinstry & Hubbard, at a cost of $12,000 ; one by Herbert & Fishback, at a cost of $9,000, though the firm failed before com pleting it. D. D. McCoy built a large house and opened a fancy dry-goods store. This season there were 62 dwellings built, among which was one by Dr. G. L. Bell, which cost about $5,000.

In March, 1859, Dr. Thomas Galt was elected mayor. This year the population had reached 1,000, but, owing to the hard times, there was not so much improvement as the previous year. Walker & Patterson built a steam planing-mill. with all the im- proved machinery for making sash, doors and blinds, which was a great benefit to the place and surrounding country, besides being remunerative to its enterprising projectors. F. G. Welch built a large three-story building for a dry-goods store. but did not live to enjoy his enterprising undertaking. R. Bennett also erected a) large store and opened a good stock of dry goods and groceries, and with the assistance of A. Kierney started a tin shop. This year the Presbyterians erected their church edifice. Dr. Galt erected a fine brick residence, 36 x 40, two stories and a half high, and finished in the latest style. At this time there were 15 car- penters, six blacksmiths, four shoemakers, two tailors, one tinker, seven stores, one drug store, two churches, two public houses, one livery stable, two steam saw-mills, two steam grist-mills, one steam planing-mill. two carriage shops, four blacksmith shops, two public schools, two private schools, one lawyer .*

Princeton was now in the height of its glory, everything being prosperous, with a fair opportunity of becoming one of the most flourishing towns upon the river. Early in 1860, a local writer thus spoke of it :

"Princeton now bids fair to outrival some of her more successful neighbors. By the fourth of July, 1860, there will be a direct communication with Chicago by railroad. The iron for the Sterling & Rock Island Road is contracted for, and a portion of it will be delivered this winter. The balance will be delivered as soon as the ice leaves the river, as it comes by the way of New Orleans. The road, when finished, will be 36 miles nearer Chicago than by * Willard Barrows in Annals of Iowa, April, 1864.

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the Chicago & Rock Island Road : 56 miles nearer Chicago, from this place, than by way of Davenport. There has also been 827,- 500 of the stock taken and secured by the citizens of Princeton, by bond and mortgage, of the Sterling & Rock Island Road. There is a great opening for manufactures by water-power. There is a chance of securing a water-power of 173 feet fall with the outlay of 830,000. By tapping the Wapsipinecon River about four miles above this place, the water can be brought into the city at any desired point with the above amount of fall. The survey has been made by scientific engineers, and the result as stated is therefore unquestionable. * We prophesy that at no very distant day the city of Princeton will be one of the most flourishing towns upon the Mississippi River. It has the material in and around it, and its enterprising inhabitants will allow no opportunity to pass unimproved, that will tend to advance the interests of their thriving and beautiful city."

But. alas, for the expectations of its friends. The glorious prospects of 1860 have been permitted to vanish away ; the popu- lation of the town has decreased three-fourths, and the Princeton of 1882 will not compare with the Princeton of 1860. Yet there is hope for the town. With a good situation, convenient to the great markets, with energy and pluck, the old-time prosperity may be revived and a glorious future await it.

RELIGIOUS.

There are now two church organizations represented in the place -Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal.

The Presbytery convened at Le Claire, Oct. 10, 1854, and granted a request from Presbyterians resident at Princeton, that a Presbyterian church be organized there. Acerodingly, on the 12th day of November, 1854, the committee appointed by the Presbytery organized a Presbyterian church at Princeton. consisting in all of 17 members. Three elders were then duly elected, ordained and installed-Denton B. Culbertson, Samuel Knox and John L. Gast. A church edifice was erected in 185 . The church has had a fairly prosperous existence since its organization, and is now under the pastoral care of Rev. George P. Hays.

M. E. Church .- As has nearly always been the case in a new country, the Methodist church was the first to plant here the ban- ner of the cross. Although there might have been an occasional sermon preached here before, Joel B. Taylor was the first regularly appointed minister on this work. He was then, seemingly, but a boy, but it was the beginning of a useful and devoted life to the church. Among the members of his church here may be men- tioned G. M. Pinneo, Asenath Pinneo, Haswell HI. Pinneo, Hannah Hubbard, Thomas Hubbard. Pendleton Hubbard, Abijalı Goodrich, Rachel Goodrich. John B. Doty and Mariah Doty.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

The early settlers not being able to erect a church building, were obliged to meet for services at private houses, and when school- houses were built, to use them for meetings.

Thus the history of the church here continned with the usual vicissitudes of all religious societies, till 1853, when the members determined to erect a church building. On account of the larger portion of the members living near Lost Grove, the church was built there, but by the death of some and the removal of prominent families from there, soon so reduced their numbers that it was concluded to sell the house to the Lutherans, then in the ascendancy around the Grove, and build a house in the city of Princeton. This was accomplished in the year 1858, since which time the church in the city has been a permanent organization.

Among some of the families who were members while they occupied the church at the Grove, should be mentioned those of Abijah Goodrich, David Shoemaker, Daniel Conrod, David Todd, Porter Mckinstry, Wesley Vanduzer and G. M. Pinneo. The present membership of the church here is abont 40, and its pas- tor is the Rev. J. W. Coates.

As an adjunct of the church may be mentioned the Methodist Sunday-school. It was organized in June, 1849, by Father Pinneo, Jeremiah Goodrich, Milch Goodrich and others, hence it has had an existence of 33 years, during which time its organization has been faithfully maintained. As an instance of devotion in this work may be mentioned: C. W. Pinneo, who was a scholar at the opening of the school and has been the Bible-class teacher during the last 20 years, and is now superintendent.

Sulem Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at Lost Grove, in Princeton Township, Scott Co., Iowa. It was organized by F. R. Shearer, Jan. 25, 1852, with the following members, viz .: J. C. Rice, John L. Gast and Margaret Gast, his wife; Dr. S. Gast and Angeline, his wife; A. Earhart and Catharine Earhart, his wife; II. C. Gast and Sarah Gast, his wife; J. A. Gast and Matilda Gast. At this time Reverend F. R. Shearer resided in Winchester, Van Buren Co., Iowa, and visited the infant organization in the following June. A few years after this, the Reverend G. W. Scheidee, of Philadelphia, Penn., became pastor of the congrega- tion, but did not serve them one year. Some time after this the Rev. D. Garner, of Davenport, supplied them occasionally, but being desirous to visit Egypt, Arabia and the Holy Land, he resigned his charge in Davenport, left for the above purpose, leaving the congregation without a shepherd for some years. On the 15th of November, 1856, the Rev. F. R. Shearer took perma- nent charge of the congregation at a call of $250 per annum for one-third of his time, there being at this time but 11 members in the organization, but few of them of the original organization. The following March he held a series of meetings and added 10 members to the church; and about a year from that time 24 more, additions to the membership at various times increasing

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the membership to 63. During F. R. Shearer's labors of 11 years in that congregation he added 63 members, which, with the original membership, made 74 in number. November, 1858, the congregation gave him a call for all the time at a salary of $350 and a parsonage, which he accepted and labored a few years when he began to missionate at Morristown, Henry Co., Ill., where he devoted a part of his time for four years until they built him a church, 36 x 58, 18 feet high, and finished it off in com- plete order. Although there never were 50 members belonging to that church, they support their own pastor and have built a very neat parsonage. During his labors at Salem church they have always had a good Sabbath-school which has been conducted a number of years by J. L. Gast.

Sketch of Swan Lodge, No. 234, I. O. O. F., of Princeton, Iowa. -In the year 1872, several persons, residents of this place, were attached to Eagle Lodge, No. 86, of De Witt, Iowa, but feeling that they would like the pleasure of lodge association oftener than they could enjoy it living so far away as they did, came to the conclusion to form a lodge at home. Accordingly, Messrs. O. W. Hogan, Samuel Williams, Jesse W. Forsyth, Benjamin Metzgar and Isaac F. Morgan applied to the Grand Lodge and received a charter, and the lodge was duly instituted by John Waters, D. D., G. M., April 30, 1872, under the name and title of Swan Lodge, No. 234, 1. O. O. F. At the first meeting, Messrs. W. F. Culbert- son, A. P. Ferguson, J. D. Stiehter, J. B. Parcell, William MeQuiston, A. Rathman and L. S. Chamberlin were received and enrolled as members. At this meeting they elected O. W. Hogan, N. G. ; Jesse W. Forsyth, V. G .; W. F. Culbertson, See .; Benja- min Metzgar, Per. See., and Samuel Williams, Treas.

The lodge occupied a hiall owned by L. S. Chamberlin until Jan. 6, 1579, when the block in which this hall was located was burned. In this fire the lodge lost all its paraphernalia and other property amounting to nearly $500. This was a severe blow, as there was no insurance on the property. As usual in such cases, the lodge appealed for help to other lodges in the jurisdiction of Iowa. The appeal was handsomely responded to, and with the efforts of the lodge it was able to erect for itself, during the sum- mer of 1879, a neat and substantial brick building 32 x 45 feet, two stories, with cellar. The upper story is neatly furnished and used as a lodge room: the lower is used for a store-room. Although this order has paid out quite largely for benefits, yet it has been exceedingly fortunate in losses by death, only three, viz .: Henry Gaw, August Brusch and George T. Penry having died. Its present membership, numbering 50, is the largest it has ever had at one time. At present, its financial condition is good, being en- tirely out of debt and $200 in the treasury. Its regular meetings are on Saturday evenings and the present officers are: J. B. Parcel, N. G .; E. L. Slaughter, V. G .; C. W. Pinneo, Rec. Sec .; C. W. Pinneo, Per. Sec., and L. S. Chamberlin, Treas.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

Connected with this lodge is Echo Lodge, No. 104, of the degree of Rebecca, composed of the members, the wives, the sisters and the daughters of the members of Swan Lodge. Its officers are: L. S. Chamberlin. N. G .; Mrs. P. II. Martin, V. G .; D. M. Parkhurst, Sec. and Mrs. Rachel Stafford, Treas.

It is also in a very satisfactory condition and is highly prized by the members of both lodges ou account of the social relations that are fostered by the intercourse of its membership.

Andrews Lodge, No. 69, A. O. U. W., was instituted May 17, 1876, and named in honor of Maj. Andrews (now elerk of the conrt of Scott Co.), to whom we are chiefly indebted for its or- ganization. Twelve charter members were enrolled and elected as follows: H. Garber, P. M. W .; O. W. Hogan, M. W .; D. W. Ulam, G. F .; Jas. W. Suiter, O .; J. D. Dunlap, Recorder; C. L. Maxwell, Receiver; C. W. Knott, F .; F. W. Shaw, I. W .; Geo. Laneaster, O. W .; Wm. Durbin, R. C. Stewart and Theodore Dubois, Trustees. The present membership is 31, and the officers are: I. Monk, P. M. W .; F. M. Shaw, M. W .; E. D. Moss. G. F .; A. D. Penry, O .; A. P. Ferguson, Recorder, M. Mathews, Receiver; Jas. W. Suiter, F .; H. C. Chapman, G .; Wm. Durbin, I. W .; W. Hopson, O. W .; H. C. Chapman, Wm. Durbin and W. Hopson, Trustees. Assets, fixtures and furniture, $250; eash, $138.10; total, $388.10. The lodge, though small, is in a pros- perons condition, notwithstanding a considerable loss by fire during the winter of 1878-'79. The lodge has not lost any mem- bers by death.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Jacob Bragonier, a native of Franklin Co., Pa., was born Nov. 11, 1821; son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Palmer) Bragonier, who were married in Maryland, and had a family of 13 children, six living-Mary, wife of Benjamin Diekenson, of Nebraska; Chris- tina, wife of Jacob Culler, of Carroll Co., Ind .; Doratha, wife of Leonard Trumpower, of Maryland; Susannah, wife of Emannel Tice, of Washington Co., Md .; Leah, wife of John Kennedy, of Carroll Co., Ind., and Jacob. His father was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war; was at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown; was ferryman at the time of Washington erossing at Tren- ton. Mr. Bragonier was one of the earliest settlers of Franklin County, and by occupation a farmer, which he followed until his death, which occurred Oct. 5, 1821, being some months before Jacob was born, leaving his mother with a large family of small children. By good management she kept them together, giving them a common-school education. She died in 1859 at the age of 84, a member of the German Reform church, and respected by all who knew her. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received his education in a log cabin, clap-board roof, slabs for seats and puncheon floor. And, as Mr. Bragonier says, it was cus-

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tomary for the larger boy to go out and gather up their fuel at noon. In 1845 he married Miss Matilda Thomas; she was born in Franklin Co., Pa., Dec. 4. 1826. By this union there were 10 children, seven of whom are living, viz .: John, Abram J., Caro- line, Martha, David, Clark and Howard. Mr. Bragonier came to this county in limited circumstances, by judicions management accumulated a fine property and home, and is one of the largest and well-to-do farmers of the county; has 695 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre. Mr. Bragonier says their first meal was taken on a dry-goods box, and consisted of a cup of tea, pork and slap-jacks; thus they started out. Mr. and Mrs. Bragonier are members of the Lutheran church.

James R. Brown was born in Wilmington, Delaware, Aug. 13, 1847, and was a son of Nathaniel and Sarah (Little) Brown. His father was born in Ireland, Nov. 24, 1815; his mother in 1829; she died when James was about eight years old. He attended school in his native place, until he was 11 years old, when his father mar- ried again, and in the fall of 1858 removed to Scott Co., Iowa, and settled on a farm in Princeton Township. His father went to work at once to improve his land, and make a home for his family in the land of his adoption. He died Oct. 4, 1875. On Dee. 27, 1870, the subject of this memoir was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Speer, who was born Dec. 26, 1848, near Pittsburg Pa., and was a daughter of William and Sarah (Wallace) Speer. Two children have been born of this union-U. W. Walter, born Jan. 1, 1875, and Ralph Archie, Jan. 10, 1878. After his marriage, Mr. Brown leased a farm of William Speer, which he cultivated until 1872, then purchased land in Princeton Township; four years later he sold this farm and located on section 1, Butler Town- ship, which is his present home. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church at Le Claire.

A. B. Carter, farmer and stock-raiser, Princeton Township, was born in Center Co., Pa., Feb. 4, 1832, son of Roth and Ann (Madowell) Carter; father a native of Pennsylvania, and mother of Virginia. There was a family of nine children, four sons and fivo daughters, five of whom are living-Catherine L. (now the wife of William Stevens), Rachel M. (now the wife of Robert Hunter), Samuel, Susan H. (now Mrs. Foreman) and Temperance C. Mr. A. B. Carter married Elizabeth Madara. She was born in Blair Co .. Pa., Ang. 7. 1834. By this union there were 10 chil- dren, viz. : William (born Sept. 9, 1854), Robert C. (born Nov. 4. 1855), James W. (born July 15, 1857), Mary E. (born Nov. 11, 1859), Alvin B. (born Jan. 16, 1862), Leah L. (born July 15, 1866), Bertha (born June 16, 1869. died Sept. 8, 1869), David M. (born June 30, 1870), Le Roy M. (born June 21, 1872), Scott M. (born Sept. 11, 1876). In the spring of 1854 Mr. Carter left his home in Pennsylvania and emigrated to Scott Co., where he rented a few years, and purchased land in Butler Township; in 1876 purchased the farm where he now resides; has 240 acres of land, 163 under

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cultivation, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. and Mrs Carter com- menced with nothing but good, strong constitutions and a will to work, and by judicious management have accumulated a fine property and home. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 20th Ia. Vol. Inf., Co. K. Among some of the engagements participated in was Prairie Grove, siege and capture of Vicksburg, Fts. Morgan and Balkely, the last battle of the war. Discharged at Clinton, Ia. Lee L. Chapman, farmer, was born in Mason Co., Ky., March 12, 1834, son of Leander and Esther Chapman, natives of New York They were married in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and had a family of eight children-llenry C., John G. (deceased), Lee L., Sarah E., Elizabeth E., Dora Il., Hannah A. and Oliver. They came to Princeton in 1844, where he engaged in farming. 1851 Mr. Leander Chapman met with a serious accident; losing one of his feet in a threshing machine. Mrs. Chapman died in 1878. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and when 17 years old learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1862, when lie enlisted in the 2d Ia. Cav., and was mnstered into the U. S. Service at Davenport. The regiment is remembered for its many hard-fought battles, its efficient officers and brave men. Their first engagement was at Holly Spring, then came Coffee- ville, Grearson Raid. Wall Hill (where Mr. Chapman had a horse shot nnder him, and received an injury that he will carry to his grave). Jackson, Tenn., Saulsbury, Tenn., Collierville, Tupelo, Oxford Mills, etc .: being in over 80 battles and skirmishes. Ile was discharged July, 1865, with honors. On Nov. 10, 1856, was married to Annie R. McCausland, a daughter of J. C. and Cathe- rine (Garver) McCausland She was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Nov. 20., 1836. The fruit of this marriage was four children- Clarence L. (of Woodbury Co., la., married Miss Dell Cook, by whom there are two children), Katie (now deceased), Jessie May and John McCausland. Mr. Chapman has been identified with the county 37 years, and has lived to see its many changes. Has 160 acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and is valued at $50 per acre. He also has 160 acres in Woodbury Co., la., which is valued at $12 per acre, besides his property in Princeton, valned at $500. Mr. Chapman is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Henry C. Chapman, gardener and fruit-raiser, Princeton, was born in Mason Co., Ky., Oct. S, 1831, son of Leander L. and Esther Chapman. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education. When five years of age his parents moved to Kane Co., Ill, when it was sparely settled; their nearest neighbor was three miles distant. In 1860 he married Agnes Miller, a native of Schoharie Co., N. Y., whose father emigrated to Scott County in 1836 or '37, where he en- gaged in the restaurant business, and afterward kept a grocery store. In 1857 he came to Princeton, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 186S; his mother is still living in

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 114

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1280