History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 56

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

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He filled the office of township clerk and township trustee several years. He took active interest in other local matters of importance. He became attached to the Democratic party on reaching his ma- jority, and had great influence in its councils in the county ; and when that party united with the Liberal Republicans and came into power in 1873, Mr. Birchard was elected member of the 15th General Assembly ; he served his constitutents so well and honor- ably in that body, that two years later he was re-elected, becoming a member of the 16th General Assembly. In the fall of 1873 he was taken with hemorrhage of the Inngs whilst on a hunting excursion and remained in a feeble condition during the winter, and in the spring went to Colorado in hopes of getting relief, and for a time was feeling better and quite hopeful. Returning in the fall it was evident to his friends that his course was nearly run. He died Dec. 14, 1879, at his residence. He left a wife three daughters and a son. R. S. Hunting preached the funeral sermon.

JAMES MACKINTOSH.

The subject of this notice was a native of Dundee, Scotland. When abont eight years of age, he lost his grandfather, a soldier of Culloden, and soon after, his mother. He and his father then emigrated to America, arriving in Montreal in 1817. Selecting the trade of bookseller and binder, he traveled some years in the States ; and in 1830-'31 carried on a book-bindery in Cineinnati. He then attached himself to the famous Oregon expedition, then organizing in Boston. In this scheme he lost all his money. After

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the Black Hawk purchase, his attention was called to the beautiful lands bordering on the Mississippi, and he very sensibly located at Davenport.

Mr. Mackintosh took a very active part in all matters of local interest, the county-seat question, the laying out of roads, and the sale of the public lands. He was a very public-spirited man, and his death was lamented by all

REV. W. RUTLEDGE OF LE CLAIRE.

Rev. William Rutledge, who was pastor of the Baptist Church in Le Claire for several years, and who aided in the erection of its first house of worship, entered upon his work in that connection in the summer of 1847. He was a native of England, having been born in Braintree, County of Essex, Aug. 19, 1804. He served the long apprenticeship to a tailor in London, to his unele, then common and required in that country, and a few years after attaining his ma- jority suceeded to the business of his employer, in Avery Row, Bond street, and became quite prosperons. Jan. 21, 1828, he married Sarah Ann Sharp, at St. James, Westminister, a very estimable woman who still survives, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Edward Russell, Davenport. While energetie in business, the young master tailor exercised his abilities in earnest labors in the Sunday-school and temperance causes particularly, and at length enjoyed an extended reputation as a public speaker in their behalf. The result was that about the year 1843 he surrendered his business and devoted his entire time to leeturing in aid of the " Teetotalers " societies and the Rechabite order. In that eonnee- tion he labored mainly in Essex and adjacent counties, with fre- quent visitations in London. Meanwhile a long cherished desire to acquire citizenship in the United States, because of his great admiration for American institutions, grew stronger month by month. Securing at last the agreement of his intimate and eher- ished personal friend, Mr. William Russell (also an earnest laborer in the temperance reform, a " radical" in polities and a life-long enlogist of the American Republie), that he, too, would emigrate, Mr. Rutledge closed up his engagements in England, and, leaving with his family, arrived in New York Sept. 1, 1845. Establishing himself in Philadelphia, he soon became intimate with Rev. John Lansing Burroughs, pastor of the Broad Street Baptist Church, by whom he was invited to active participation in the Sunday- school and temperance work of that organization. As a result, he

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was led to examine the seriptural grounds of the Baptist faith, and to accept that faith as liis own. His abilities and worth being speedily recognized, he was appointed a colporteur of the Baptist Publication Society, and accepted a commission to the West. Jour- neying with his family via the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal and the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, he reached Davenport on May 5. 1847, having been previously, in Philadelphia, regularly ordained as minister of the gospel in the Baptist denomination. In Daven- port he was gladly welcomed by the Baptist Church, and, after a short residence in the city, was invited to labor with the Baptist Church of Le Claire, Iowa, and Cordova, Ill. These organizations he faithfully served until, in 1855, he was invited to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church in Davenport, in which relation he con- tinued rather more than a year, returning to his old home in Le-

laire. Thenceforward, until his death, he continued to labor in the ministry wherever called to the duty he loved so well. Part of the time he was the regular pastor of the Le Claire Church. Dur- ing other periods he preached at Cordova and Port Byron, Ill., and at Princeton, Iowa, and neighboring towns. Everywhere he was known as " The Elder," and enjoyed the highest esteem of the peo- ple. All classes knew him as a thoroughly good man, sineere of speech, warm at heart and pure in life. He died on Oet. 27, 1868, in his Le Claire home, of diabetis, at the age of 64 years, 2 months and 8 days, rejoicing in the realities of the faith and hope he had so long presented to others as the consolation of a dying hour. He was a man of simple habits, earnest purpose and marked trust in Divine Providence. Laboring at his old trade whenever work was offered to him, and accepting that as an aid to his chosen labor of preaching the gospel, his meager salary as a minister always suf- ficed not only to support his family, but to render his home the hospitable resort for many a friend and wayfarer. A favorite with the young, he married in his day a larger number of couples in Le Claire, Princeton, Cordova, Port Byron and vicinity than any other minister ever resident thereabouts, while none were more sought for to attend funerals, or administer consolation in sickness and sorrow.

As an illustration of the kind of duty devolving upon pioneer min- isters in the county a third of a century ago, it may be stated that when the Baptists of Le Claire ereeted their first house of worship in 1847, "Elder " Rutledge carried the hod for several successive days taking to the scaffold the brick and mortar with which Mr.

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Laurel Summers laid up the walls. That building, since torn down, stood on the north side of Wisconsin avenue, on the corner, one square west of Main street. The basement was long occupied for public-school purposes, town meetings, elections, etc., in common with the uses of the Church; the upper part not being finished until several years after the building was erected. Indeed, the public subscription made for the church erection was conditioned on the uses of the basement hercin mentioned.

Long will the memory of those early days be recalled even by those who then were boys and girls among the residents of Le Claire. To all of these the genial smile, the kind word, the earnest life of Elder William Rutledge, will have happy recollection to the end of their days.

B. B. WOODWARD.

B. B. Woodward, son of Joseph S. and Mary F. Woodward, was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., on the 7th day of Angust, 1817 When he was but two years of age his parents removed to Cincin- nati, and he once told the writer that one of the precious memories of his life in that eity was in connection with the reception of La Fayette there in 1824, when he stood in rank with the scholars of his Sunday-school, and lifted his hat as the noble and revered Frenchman passed between the lines. Much of Mr. Woodward's boyhood was passed in Camden, O. In 1842 his parents emigrated to Scott Co., Ia., and settled on the tract of land on Jersey Ridge. He remained on the farm until the spring of 1849, when he became a merchant in the city, opening a "general store " with his brother Job. He continued in the store till 1856. when he gave up mer- chandising for banking, and went into the bank of Chubb Brothers, Barrows & Co., which occupied the room on the southeast corner of Second and Main streets. taking the position of teller. In May, 1875, he was elected president of the bank, the duties of which position he performed with acceptability to all parties interested, until he was prostrated by severe illness. Mr. Woodward was married in March, 1845, the bride being Miss Elizabeth E. Morgan. The wedding occurred at the home of Miss Morgan's parents, on what is known as the Watkins place, just above the city, on the river road. The union was in every way a happy one, and the greatest blow of Mr. Woodward's life was the death of his much loved wife some nine years ago. In the death of Mr. Woodward, Davenport lost one of its best and most honored citizens. He was

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.

a very upright and conscientions man, exact in his dealings, prompt, energetic, quiet, patient, and an excellent counselor. If he had any fault as a business man, it was in placing too much confi- dence in humanity. His own nature was so honest that he was unsuspicious of others. He was a man of great benevolence of character; was a liberal donor to the M. E. Church, of which he was a regular attendant and pew-holder, though not a member, to the Young Men's Christian Association, and to the Library Associa- tion. To the latter he gave, when the effort was made to purchase the lot upon which its building now stands, what was doubtless the most munificent donation made by any one in proportion to their means-$500. Years ago, when that order in Iowa most needed business men to aid and direet. Mr. Woodward was the most active in the Order of Odd Fellows. He filled the Noble Grand's chair in Davenport Lodge, No. 7; was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Iowa in 1857-'58, and the following year served as Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment. He was Grand Representative of Iowa in the Grand Lodge of I. O. O. F. at its session at Baltimore in 1859, and again at Nashville in 1º60. He was also a member of State Encampment, No 3. Last year, at the session of the Grand Lodge in this city, he was elected Grand Treasurer, but resigned a few months afterward, when he saw his health would not permit him to fulfill the duties of the office. As treasurer of the Soldiers' Monument Association, he carfully husbanded and invested the funds of that organization so that, at the time of his death, it had doubled in his hands. On the last day that he rode out, Mr. Woodward conversed with the secretary of that association with reference to securing the erection of the long-desired monument at an early date, so earnestly were his feelings enlisted in behalf of that work of patriotic regard for the heroie dead. For two terms, from 1854 to 1856, Mr. Woodward served as city elerk, and onee he filled the office of school treasurer. His death oc- curred on the morning of Aug. 12, 1879.

CHAPTER XVI.

AUTHORS AND ARTISTS.

Seott County has not much to boast of in this connection, yet there are a few names worthy of mention, one, at least, having a world-wide reputation.

ELDER JONAS HARTZELL.

A well-known divine and author is Jonas IFartzell, of Daven- port, who was born Oct. 19, 1803, in Northampton Co., Penn., from which place, with the family, he removed to Deerfield, Ohio, in 1805. There were no sehools in the township in which the family lived until 1813, when Jonas was in his ;11th year. At this time he attended school about one year, the sum to- tal of his educational experience in the schools of the country. The parents of Jonas were of German deseent, born in Pennsyl- vania, and the settlement in Ohio was composed exelusively of Germans, and the German language alone was used until the year in which the school was established.

After spending a year in school, Jonas had arrived at an age, it was thought he could be made useful, and he was therefore put to work elearing land and engaging in other laborious work neces- sary on a farm at that date. When in his 22d year, in June, 1825, he was united in marriage with Alice Wollihan, who proved a help-meet indeed to him in after years. Mrs. Hartzell died in Davenport, May, 19, 1866. Nine children were born unto them, one of whom died when but six years of age; the remainder, seven daughters and one son are living.

Mr. Ilartzell was raised to believe in the doctrines of the Presby- terian Church. His wife was a pious Methodist. About a year after their marriage she said to him: " What scripture have you for infant baptism? If you have any, I ask for it; for I have no confidence in my baptism." He endeavored to satisfy her mind by referring to all the proof-texts usually quoted in proof of the position, but the more he studied the matter the less he believed in is old views, and a change occurred. He became a subscriber to the

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Christian Buptist, edited by Alexander Campbell, who was preach- ing a " restoration to primitive Christianity," and, becoming con- vinced that Mr. Campbell was right in his views, he and his wife were immersed the second Lord's day in June, 1828.

As it was the custom of the Churches which were rapidly form- ing to depend for mutual edification upon the gifts of the members, those of Mr. Hartzell did not long remain concealed. Possessing a vigorous mind, a remarkable clear perception of logical relations, a sincere love of truth, and a fine command of language, he at once became distinguished as an effective and able preacher. In person he is tall and ereet, grave in manner, in complexion some- what swarthy, with regular features, intelligent dark eyes, full and handsome lips, and, in speaking, a slightly German pronunciation and arrangement of words. Few men are possessed of as much originality. His ideas and manner of expressing them are pecul- iarly his own.

Jonas Hartzell has been a very prolific writer, being the author of 14 pamphlets and bound volumes, in addition to the vast amount of matter contributed to the periodicals of the day. He was a strong anti-slavery man, and his writings did much to edu- cate the people for the emancipation that was to be brought about by the war. A series of articles were written by him for an anti- slavery paper in Cincinnati, and then collated and published under the title of " The Bible Vindicated." In this work he vindi- cated the Bible against the attacks of infidels and pro-slavery Christians, and conclusively proved that the sacred book could not be used in defense of the "peculiar institution." A large edition was issued and speedily disposed of, and a second was called for, but the war coming on caused the demand to cease. Of the second edition 500 copies were for Kentucky distribution.

Joseph Barker, one of the most noted infidels of England, chal- lenged the clergy of this country to a debate. Mr. Hartzell accepted the challenge. The debate occurred ; was reported, and was to have been published. After all arrangements were made Mr. Barker declined to permit the publication of his speeches. Mr. Hartzell then had his speeches published. An edition of 3,000 copies was speedily disposed of. "Controversial Letters," consist- ing of seventeen letters to Rev. Laird Collier, "Evidences of Christianity," " Kingdom of Heaven and its Government," "Bap- tismal Controversy, its Exceeding Sinfulness," are among the pub- lished works of Mr. Hartzell. He has been a minister of the

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gospel since 1828. His first pastoral labor was in Warren, Ohio, where he spent 12 years. In 1834 he came to Davenport, and for four years was pastor of the Church here, at the expiration of which time he resigned, much to the regret of the congrega- tion. This was his last pastoral work. Since 1858 he has aeted as an evangelist, responding to such calls as he was able to fill.

REV. WILLIAM STEVENS PERRY, D. D., LL. D. "

We are by no means sure that in saying what it is proper should be said concerning the Rev. Dr. Perry, his ministry, and literary work, with reference to his late election to be bishop of Iowa, we shall be performing a service that anybody in Geneva, or any among, the thousands of friends and well-wishers of Hobart Col- lege everywhere, will very much thank us for. The eanse of edu- cation, in one of its high places, loses something ; the cause of religion, in one of its highest places, gains something. It does not become us to strike the balance, and say that it is the duty of Dr. Perry to remain in the presidency of Hobart College, much as we are tempted to think that. Bishops of adequate temper and mold are scarce enough ; as scarce, perhaps, as able, scholarly, suecess- ful presidents of colleges. And inasmuch as the Episcopal Church (and every other Church) has need of more bishops of the stamp and fashion, and piety, and breadth, and liberality, and learning, of the new bishop of Iowa, we are not disposed to utter protests against the decree which takes him to a first place in churchly dig- nity and influence, in one of the first States of the Union.

Dr. Perry is a young man ; exceptionally young among minis- ters, authors and college presidents ; his age is only 44. Among bishops, so generally old and venerable men, whose white hairs attest their advanced years, Bishop Perry will be a conspicuous exception to the rule. He is of New England parentage; was born January 22, 1832, in Providence. R. I. ; was prepared for college at the Providence High School, and entered Brown University, from which, however, at his own request, he was dismissed, and entered Harvard, where he was graduated in 1854. Four years later he was ordained priest in Boston, and subsequently was as- sistant minister in St. Paul's, Boston. He was afterward rector of St. Luke's, in Nashua, N. II., in Portland, Me, and Litchfield, Conn., and in 1869 beeame reetor of Trinity Church, Geneva.

* From the Geneva (N. Y.) Courier, June 14, 1876.

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Previously he was editor of the Church Monthly of Boston. In the Church, among other offices of honor and trust, he has been secretary and deputy to the General Convention, and is now, by appointment of the General Convention, historiographer of the American Church. The office of secretary which he held for sev- eral years is the only permanent office in the convention. Four years ago he became professor of history in Hobart College, and in the beginning of the present year he was elected President of Kenyon College, and Dean of the Theological Seminary, diocese of Ohio; still more recently being chosen President of Hobart Col- lege. To these dignities, the like of which rarely come to any one man in the course of his life, is now added the bishopric.

As a minister, in the pulpit and out, Dr. Perry has been promi- nent. His sermons are direct, pointed, often eloquent, while they are invariably polished and felicitous beyond ordinary pulpit ntter- ances. As an organizer of the efforts of others, he is notably suc- cessful.

The list of Dr. Perry's published works is a surprising testimony of his acquirements ; and while they are mostly religious, coming in the line of his professional labors, his studies take a wide range. He is an accomplished bibliographer; his knowledge of books, and of rare and curious books, throughout the field of gen- eral literature, is very unusual. His library contains nearly 10,000 volumes, and as many more pamplilets.

We shall attempt, in our limits no analysis in detail of Dr. Perry's literary work ; nor is it at all necessary. The American Church Review, from which we get much information concerning Dr. Perry, here briefly embodied, and many other public journals, have made more or less extended criticisms of these publications, and unite in commendation of them and particularly of the historical works, as embracing very valuable contributions to that department of our literature. The Churchman says : "The Rev. Dr. Perry is doing a grand work for the American Church, and one which will by and by gain for him her lasting gratitude." The Episcopal bishops have almost unanimously written their testimonies of praise. As a historian Dr. Perry's' rank is conceded to be first in the Episco- pal Church. The New York Tribune, speaking of Dr. Perry's style, says : " His langnage is singularly direct and simple, adapted to produce a lively impression on the mass of readers, and wholly free from the starch of professional formality." The Evening Post uses even more forcible words on the same subject. It is imprac-

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ticable to quote here the testimonies; it is enough to say that they show uniformly the high estimation in which Dr. Perry's work is held, in and out of the Church of which he is a member-whose rec- ognitions of him have been so many and so varied, but which will hardly be able, even should it desire, to appropriate to its exclusive service all his time and talents. Dr. Perry is not and cannot be solely a churchman. In every good work he is prominent, accord- ing to his opportunity. Social reforms have his most earnest sympathy and aid. The traditional limits of endeavor, so carefully observed by a proportion of the more conservative churchmen, Dr. Perry is quite oblivious to, to his everlasting eredit. In the war, his loyal convictions took the form of efforts which directly and indirectly sent score. if not hundreds of men into the national service. So, whatever in any way gains the approval of his judg- ment, has his cordial and hopeful co-operation. Geneva, and Hobart College, and the State of New York will lose, with the departure of Bishop Perry, a few months hence, a citizen whose place it will be difficult to fill ; and we congratulate, with what grace we may, the people of Iowa, among whom he goes to live and labor.

DAVID R. DUNGAN.

David R. Dungan is a native of Noble Co., Ind., and was born May 15, 1837. His father was James Dungan, and his mother's maiden name, Mary Ann Johns. Her parents were natives of Eng- land, and a hardy, robust and long-lived race. His father's ancestors were from Scotland, so that the mixture of blood is what may be called Scotch-English.

When young Dungan was but one year old his parents removed to Clay County, in Western Indiana, where they lived until the young man had attained his 15th year, when his father pushed for- ward a second time to the Western frontier, this time to Western Iowa, where they arrived just as the Indians were retiring and before the land was in market. This was in 1852. Having always resided on the frontier, his educational facilities were such as the common schools of Indiana and Iowa afforded. In addition to these privileges he spent a short time in the Kentucky University. He has derived the most profit from his private studies, having been a close student since his 22d year. In March, 1858, he was im- mersed, uniting with the Church of Christ, and in the spring of 1959 he began to exercise his gift in preaching. In September,

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1860, he was ordained as an Evangelist, and from that time to the present has been a constant and faithful minister of the Lord. In addition to his regular preaching he has had 19 theological debates, with representative men of the leading religions denominations of the West. In the discharge of his ministerial duties he has resided in Omaha, Plattsmouth, Pawnee and Lincoln, Nebraska ; DeSoto, Oskaloosa, Eldora, Mt. Pleasant and Davenport, Iowa. To the latter place he came in July, 1880, since which time he has served as pastor of the Church of Christ in that city.

D. R. Dungan and Mary Ann Kinnis were united in marriage in Harrison Co., Iowa, Feb. 17, 1861. Eight children have been born unto them, six of whom are now living.

Officially, Elder Dungan has never sought a public place. He was for some years regent of the University of Nebraska, and was one of the most active and influential members. In 1879 he was made the Prohibition candidate for governor of Iowa, and polled quite a large vote. He is a fluent speaker, of pleasing address, and terse and logical discourse. His wit never fails him on any oc- casion, and, when necessary, he can use sarcasm with most telling effect.

Elder Dungan has been the author of several works, the first being entitled "On the Rock," in which he treats of the action, subject and design of baptism in a series of conversations purport- ing to be held between a gentleman, his wife, and various persons representing the different theological beliefs. It is a well-written work and one calculated to convince. It was written as a serial for the Evangelist, in 1871, and published in book form in 1872. It has run through seven editions.

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History of Scott County, Iowa, Part 56

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