USA > Iowa > Scott County > History of Scott County, Iowa > Part 66
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It was on Ang. 6, 1866, that the church for the first time thought itself able to go alone. Some of the members were becoming better able to give large sums, and at that time Mr. Windser, who was hired from year to year, was asked to remain a sixth year with a salary of $1,000. Mr. Windser declined to accept; said that his health was insufficient, and with expressions of profound regret on the part of the people, the first pastor of the Edwards Church lett. the church having received more then 100 members during his five years' stay. Then followed a season of candidating. Three clergy- men in turn were invited to and declined the pastorate. Messrs. Greely, Bardwell and Cochrane, the latter at a salary of $2,000. On March 11, 1867, the church voted a call to Rev. J. A. Hamilton offering a salary of $2.000, and agreeing to increase it year by year until his salary should be $3,000. This was at first declined but on a renewal was accepted and Mr. Hamilton began work in Aug- ust of that year. The church moved steadily forward under this pastorate, which continued for four and one-half years He found 120 members and left 273. In the autumn of 1871 Mr. Ilamilton determined to carry ont a long-cherished plan to visit Europe, and asked to be relieved trom his pastorate. The church requested him to take leave of absence and return to them. He declared such a course prejudicial to the interests of the church and peremptorily resigned, and the church adopted resolutions regretting the loss occasioned not only to the city but the church by his departure.
It became necessary, of course, to secure a new pastor, and Mr. Hamilton was authorized by the Church Committee to receive his successor, and on the 30th of March, 1871, Rev. J. G. Merrill, of Topeka, Kan., was invited to become pastor for one year, the church and pastor-eleet never having met. The salary promised was $1.800 for the first year, the church having found itself un- able to pay the $3,000 that it had hoped to raise for Mr. Hamilton. Mr .. Merrill accepted the call and preached his first sermon on the 2d Sabbath of January, 1872. In Angust of the same year the church property was sold for $10.500, with a view to building a new house of worship. On Sept. 2, the pastor preached the last sermon in the house that cost so much anxiety and sacrifice from the text, "But many of the chief of the fathers that had seen the first house wept with a loud voice and many shouted aloud for joy; so that the people could not discover the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people." On Nov. 5, of the same year the acting pastor was unanimously invited to be in- stalled. He accepted. Installation services took place Dec. 18, Dr. J. E. Roy, of Chicago, preaching the sermon. During the last third of 1872 and all of 1873 the church leased the building
745
CITY OF DAVENPORT.
standing on the northeast corner of Fifth and Brady streets, now occupied by the Ladies' Library Association, and formerly the Fifth Street Methodist Church. Late in 1872, after great difficulty and some division of feeling and judgment, a lot was secured for a new church, the corner-stone of which was laid in June of 1873. The church, in which we now worship, situated upon the corner of Ninth and Perry streets, was dedicated on the 26th of December of the same year. The dedicatory sermon by the pastor from the text "Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall break down. And I said unto the nobles and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, the work is great and large; in what place thereforef ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us." In May, 1874, an organ was purchased, and in the same month of 1876 the house was completed by the erection of galleries, so that to-day we have church property worth $37,000. a building capable of accommodating over 1,000 people and fur- nished with all the appliances for church work. The church was partially destroyed by fire on the night of the 18th of December. 1881. It has since been rebuilded and refurnished so as to surpass its former beauty and comfort. It enters upon the 11th year of its present pastorate with a membership double the number it had when the pastoral relation was entered upon. It has an aggressive. earnest, and self-denying spirit, and believes that although the past of Congregationalism in Davenport has been often dark and troublous, its future is secured.
The First United Presbyterian congregation of Davenport, was organized Oct. 21, 1854, by Rev. William Graham, of the Associate Reformed Church, with 10 members: Alexander Blair, Sarah Blair, David Walker, Jennet Walker, Thomas M. Patterson, Mar- garet Patterson, Henry Calderwood, Mary Calderwood, Robert N. Patterson, Jane Luey. Thomas M. Patterson and Alexander Blair, were chosen ruling elders, the latter being still a very useful officer of the congregation.
The first religions services were held in a private dwelling near the site of the present building. Since its organization the follow- ing named have served as pastors: Rev. J. R. MeCalister, who now lives at Shippensburg, Penn., was the first pastor His pas- torate, which began Feb. 1. 1855, continned until October, 1857, when his whole time was given to Rock Island.
Rev. S. Il. Hutchen, who died at Norwich, Ohio, in the year 1868, ministered to the congregation from Oct. 24, 1557, until July 25, 1558. Rev. R. N. Fee, at present a missionary to the Warm Spring Indians of Oregon, preached to the congregation, as stated supply for a short time.
After a vacancy of several years, Rev. Henry Wallace, now editor of the Winterset Chronicle, was installed Jan. 24, 1864. Resigning in May, 1870, Rev. J. U. McClenehan officiated as stated supply for 18 months, removing to Winterset, and from there to Olathe, Kansas, where he died, lamented by the entire community.
746
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
Rev. R. S. Campbell, who had been pastor at De Witt, Iowa, for about 20 years, took charge of the congregation March 17, 1878. Ifis health failing, he resigned in July of the following year, and removed to New Concord, Ohio, where he died in the fall of the same year.
Rev. J. Boyd, the present incumbent, after an irregular minis- try of a few months, began liis labors in the congregation, in July, 1880, which have continued without interruption, and with en- couraging success.
The present house of worship, 40 x 50, was erected in 1854, at a cost of $1.400. It is not in a good location, and the congregation intend erecting a new one in some other part of the city.
The present officers of the congregation are as follows: Elders, Alexander Blair, William MeCool, William Johnston, Joseph H. Clyde: Trustees, James MeCosh, J. H. Clyde, J. W. Jamison, L. A. McCool.
The number of members since the organization cannot be given with any accuracy ; the removals since that date have been numer- ons, leaving about 50, with a number of adherents, which give liope of an increase at no distant day.
A Sunday-school was begnn, and has been kept up ever since the organization. James McCosh, who has recently been elected, was the first superintendent. The present officers are: Superin- tendent. James McCosh; Assistant Superintendent, J. W. Jami- son; Secretary, T W. Carthy; Treasurer, M. MeCosh; Librarian, N. Jenison.
St. Anthony's Roman Catholic .- The first church organization in Davenport was St. Anthony's Roman Catholic. In the spring of 1838 Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli an Italian by birth, visited Dav- enport and organized a church. Steps were at once taken for the erection of a church, which was completed and dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Loras, of Dubuque, assisted by Very Rev. S. Muzzuchelli. The Catholic Advocate, printed at the time, thus speaks of the matter :
" Mr. Antoine Le Claire, a wealthy Frenchman, and a zealous exemplary Christian, in partnership with Mr. Davenport, has gen- erously granted to the Catholic congregation, in the very center of the town, a whole square, including 10 lots, in the middle of which he has built, partly at his own expense, a fine briek church, with a school-room attached. *** In order to lay in Davenport a lasting foundation for the Catholic religion, our bishop has pur- chased half a square for a hospital, and several other lots for pur- poses of the same kind. * * * The church has St. Peter for its primary, and St. Anthony for its secondary patron."
This little edifice was the first of the kind in Davenport. It was erected at a cost of $2,800. It was used for several years as church, school-house and priest's residence. In 1843 an addition was built.
747
CITY OF DAVENPORT.
This building for some years was the largest publie edifice in the town, and was used by all large assemblies to deliberate upon mat- ters of publie interest.
In 1839 Rev. J. A. M. Palamorgues took charge of the congre- gation, and for many years labored zealously to advance the inter- ests of the cause in this eity. At that time he was the only priest in Iowa south of Dubuque, and for many years he visited Bur- lington, Muscatine, Iowa City and other places. The number of Catholie families in Scott County in 1839 was 15. For a sketch of Father Palamorgues see chapter Illustrious and Prominent Dead.
In 1843 when the church was enlarged the number of Catholic families was abont 50. " Money at that time was so searce," says a member of that church, " that only $20 were collected in cash to build the addition." The number of Catholics increased very slowly until 1854. In 1849 the stone church was commenced and not finished until 1854.
In 1855 a new stone church was built for the Germans in " Mitel- ell's addition," Mr. Mitchell donating the land. This church was organized in 1855, and Rev. Michael Flammary placed in charge. He was sneceeded by Rev. Mr. Baumgartner. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Niermann, who has ministered to the charge for many years, and who bas gathered together a large congregation. A large and handsome church edifice is being ereeted by the congregation in 1882.
St. Mary's Catholic Church, was organized and the house ereet- ed in 1868. by Rev. Manrice Flavin, and dedicated by the bishop of the dioeese. Rev. John Hennessey, D.D. At this time there were 150 families eonneeted with the congregation. Among those partic- ipating in the laying of the corner-stone was Father Palamorgues, the pioneer Catholic priest in this locality, whose memory is held in grateful remembrance by all who knew him, Rev. Maurice Fla- vin had charge of the congregation until his death, which occurred May 10, 1872, at which time Rev. Michael Flavin was appointed to the charge. The church-edifice is of briek and is very handsomely furnished. It was ereeted at a cost of $25,000. A neat residenee for the pastor, adjoining, was ereeted at a cost of $8,000. The congregation is in a flourishing condition, spiritually and other- wise, and is entirely out of debt. When the church was ereeted a Sunday-school was organized, which has been in operation to the present time, under charge of the Sisters of Merey. A parish sehool is also under charge of these Sisters.
Michael Flavin was born in Ireland, April 13, 1841. His pa- rents, James and Catherine (Hourgan) Flavin, were also of the same nativity. Both are now deceased. He began his education in Mt. Mellary Seminary, and graduated at Carlow Seminary in 1865. He then came to America and entered Girard (Missouri) College, and pursued a theological course and graduated from that institution, and was ordained priest in July. 1869. He was then sent as assist- ant in the cathedral at Dubuque, where he spent one year. He
748
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
was then appointed pastor of two churches in Bates and Burrongh Counties, Iowa; at the same time had charge of several small charges. In 1872, he was sent to Davenport, to take charge of St. Mary's Church, where he has since faithfully labored in his Mas- ter's canse.
Patrick J. Burke, pastor of St. Anthony's Church, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, April 25, 1854. His parents, John and. Honore (Ryan) Burke, also natives of Ireland, and are yet living in the "Green Isle." Young Patrick began his education in the common parish school, which he continued to attend until 15 years of age, when he attended a private school taught by William Loudon for two years. He then entered St. Patrick's College in Tipperary, County, where he studied the languages for three years. At 20 he came to America, where he spent a year or two in visiting rela- tives in Iowa. and then entered St. Joseph's College at Dubuque, and studied philosophy under Rev. William Dorney one year. From Dubuque he went to Montreal, Canada, and entered Grand Semi- nary, conducted by the Priests of Supic, and studied theology three years. On the 20th of September he was ordained priest by Bishop Hennessey, of the diocese of Dubuque, and at once sent to take charge of St. Anthony's Church at Davenport.
St. Marguerite's Church, built in 1856; congregation organized October of same year. Original church, 40 x 80, built by Antoine and Margaret Le Claire. who also donated the block of ground on which the church stands. Pastoral residence and Sisters' house built by the same, and cemetery known as St. Marguerite's Cem- etery. also donated by Mr. and Mrs. Le Claire. First pastor of church, Rev. A. Trevis; Rev. H. Cosgrove was appointed assistant in 1857, also shortly after was appointed pastor in place of Rev. A. Trevis who went to France. Rev. H. Cosgrove has re- inained pastor to the present time. In 1865, the church was en- larged to its present size.
The large brick school-house attached to the church was built in 1869, school having been previously taught in a smaller building on the church property.
The diocese of Dubuque having been divided, its first Bishop Rt. Rev. John McMullen was consecrated July 25, 1881, and St. Marguerite's Church chosen as the cathedral. Present officers: Rt. Rev. John McMullen, Bishop; Very Rev. H. Cosgrove, V. G., Ree- tor of cathedral; Rev. A. J. Schulte, Assistant.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school-house erected in Davenport was in 1838.
The growth of the city for several years prior to 1858 was very great, while the accommodations for the instruction of the rising generation was very limited. To better meet the wants of the city in this direction steps were taken to organize the city into a school district and thoroughly grade the public schools.
749
CITY OF DAVENPORT.
A meeting of the electors of the city was held in pursuance of the provisions of the school law at the court-house, on the first Monday in May, 1858. Thomas J. Saunders was elected presi- dlent and Robert E. Barrowman, secretary of the the meeting. The polls were opened for the election of district officers, which resulted in the election of A. S. Maxwell, President: T. D. Eagal, Vice-President ; J. R. Johnson. Secretary ; George H. French, Treasurer. These officers, together with a director from each sub- district composed the School Board.
Within the limits of the city and adjacent territory heretofore there had been six school districts. These remained the same, . though the number designating each was changed. J. M. Frizzell represented No. 1 in the first board; W. T. Clark, No. 2 ;* HI. Lam- bach, No. 3; T. H. Codding. No. 4: W. L. Cook, No. 5; S. G. Mitchell, No. 6.
At the time of the reorganization of the city schools the country was being affected by the financial panie which began the year pre- vious, and which extended throughout the whole country. This em- barrassed the Board of Directors very materially, but they entered into the work with a zeal and determination to raise the public schools to the first position.
The office of city superintendent of schools was created and A. S. Kissell was elected to that position. The board established an intermediate school preliminary to the establishment of a high school.
There were small school buildings in Districts No. 1, 4, 5 and 6, and a large stone building in No. 2, on corner Perry and Seventh streets, and a large brick building in No. 3, on corner of Sixth and Walnut.
In 1859 the school law was amended providing for the election of three directors, who in connection with the president. vice- president, secretary and treasurer should constitute the School Board. At the first election three directors were to be chosen, one of whom should hold his office for one year, one for two years. and one for three years ; and annually thereafter one director should be elected to fill the vacaney of the one whose term would expire. At this first election A. S. Maxwell was elected President; E. Peck, Vice-President; Thomas J. Saunders. Secretary; George II. French, Treasurer; Directors, J. W. Frizzell. one year; Robert Means, two years (Mr. Means resigned and J. Grant was elected to till vacancy): Ignatius Langer, three years.
* Resigned, and John Collins elected to fill vacancy.
750
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
Valuation of property and amount of taxes levied for school purposes :
YEARS.
Valuation of Prop-
erty in the Dis-
Teachers' Fund.
No. of Mills.
Contingent Fund.
No. of Mills.
School-house Fund
Total Number of
Mills.
Amount of Taxes Levied.
1869.
4,458,480
6
3 4 1 Nom Nom 00 2020
5
15
59,513.46
1872.
3.955,823
9
5
18
71,224.81
1873.
3,956,285
18
17
67,260.59
1874.
4,007,337
12
5
6
23
92,173.28
1875.
4,699,170
83,
+4
. .
12
55,684.08
1877
4,555,890
....
12
54,670.68
1878
4,590,251
93%
14
64,263.50
1879
4,382,127
83
13
56.967.65
1880.
4,270,895
81.
11.
10
42,708.95
1881
4,425,236
10
12
53,102,84
1
No. between 5 and
21 years of age.
No. Enrolled.
Over-age Attend.
Teachers employed
Salaries paid
Teachers.
Cost per Pupil.
1869
6,643
3,436
1,967
53
$31,925.00
$ 16.23
1870,
7,190
3,556
2,106
59
34,858,88
16.55
1871.
7,441
3,697
2.321
59
42,563 00
18.33
1872.
7,521
4,019
2,340
47,968.42
20.50
1873
7,842
3,991
2,530
- 80
49,636.00
19.74
1874.
8,065
4,096
2,727
82
50,585.79
18.54
1875
8,980
4,435
2,905
88
52,913.37
18.21
1876
8,506
4,284
2,924
91
55,794.50
19.07
1877
8,770
4,474
3,139
92
55,405.15
17.64
1878
8,888
4,509
3,270
94
57,671.93
17.63
1879
9,097
4,558
3,354
96
56,021 00
16.50
1880
9,245
4,497
3,268
95
54,511.25
16.70
1881.
9,309
4,558
3,176
93
53,123.40
16.70
1870.
4,187,830
6
10
41,873.30.
1871
3,967,523
7
413
17
79,891.81
1876.
4,640,340
317
anee.
YEARS.
triet.
No. of Mills.
10
$44,584.80
SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
The city is now well supplied with good buildings, though the demand is constantly on the increase, as the city increases in popn- lation. There are now 12 school buildings, one of which is stone, two frame and nine brick. Prior to the year 1866 the city was illy
ElVan Efs
753
CITY OF DAVENPORT.
supplied with buildings, and the accommodations at that time were insufficient to meet the wants of the pupils who desired to attend. Since that time much has been done to supply the demand.
The school building in District No. 1, East Davenport, was erected in 1865-'6, and an addition built in 1874. It is of brick, having several recitation and school-rooms, with the necessary closets and halls, and is valued at $34,000.
Distriet No. 2 has a large stone building, erected in 1853-'4, and dedicated to school purposes, Sept. 30, 1854, with such cere- monies as were suitable for the occasion, including speechies by sev- eral leading citizens. An addition was built to it in 1870, making it a very large and convenient building, having several recitation and school rooms. The property is now valued at $33,000, and is situated at the corner of Seventh and Perry streets.
District No 3 has a brick building situated corner of Sixth and Warren streets, erected in 1556-'7. Being too small to accommo- date the number of pupils desirous of admission, an addition was built in 1870, which added greatly to the convenience of both teach- ers and pupils. The building and grounds are valued at $30,000.
Distriet No. 4 has within its limits two buildings, both located in the same neighborhood, corner of Main and Locust streets, and both of which are of brick, with a total valuation of $30,000. One of the buildings was erected in 1857 and the other in 1865-'6.
Distriet No. 5 has a fine brick building, located on West Third street, which was erected in 1867-'S and which, together with the grounds, is valued at $45,000.
Distriet No. 6 has a frame building, erected prior to 1858, and which has had two additions made to it, one in 1866 and the other in 1871. The value of the building and grounds is $7,000.
District No. 7 has also a frame building, erected in 1868, at a cost of $2,500.
District No. S has a brick building, erected in 1571, at a cost of $25,000. It is situated corner of Fourth and Ripley streets.
District No. 10, possesses a good brick building, erected in 1878, at a cost of $21,000.
The old high-school building was erected in 1854, and used for some years as a Baptist church. In 1865 it was purchased of the Baptists and remodeled. It is situated at the corner of Sixth and Main streets. The building and grounds are estimated at $5,000.
The new high-school building, situated on the block bounded by Rock Island and Iowa, and Seventh and Eighth streets, is the most imposing school editice in the city. It was erected in 1874, and together with the grounds is valued at 865.000.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
[From the Davenport Daily Gazette, Nov. 1, 1877.]
It is now impossible to fix the precise date at which the first effort to establish a public library in the city of Davenport was
44
754
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY.
made, but it is known that, as early as 1853-'4 a few public spirited citizens, by donations of books and a few dollars, succeeded in getting together what may be termed the nucleus of the present library. At about the same time a few mechanics and working men also made an effort looking to the establishment of a library and reading-room and were partially snecessful, but were soon ab- sorbed by the carlier organization. No partieulars as to the espe- eial objects or rules of either of these associations, or of the rooms, if any, occupied by their library, can now be ascertained, and the subject does not seem to have assumed responsible form until early in 1837, when the donation by Geo. B. Sargent, Esq., to the Young Men's Library Association of $500, to be used in the purchase of books as a contribution toward a public library ac- cessible to every respectable resident of the city of Daven- port or vicinity, at a charge not exceeding $3 per annum was announced. With this impetus, the Young Men's Library Association seems to have been quite popular and in flourish- ing condition during the next year or two, but the evil days came upon it in the general erash of 1857-'59 and in the latter year the books and other properties were boxed up and placed in storage in the cellar of what is now the First National Bank building. From this they were however resened in a few months and transferred to suitable rooms on Perry street, corner of Third, and again made accessible to the public. At this time the cata- logue named about 1,500 volumes. About this time the Young Men's Associated Congress, a sort of debating society, composed of young attorneys, physicians, etc., had been success- fully organized, and after some negotiation as to the details, it was decided to place the library in the hands of a union of the two socie- ties, under the name of the " Davenport Library Association," on the general basis of the terms of General Sargent's donation.
During the ensuing 13 years, 1860 to 1873, the new association encountered the usual varying fortunes of life with a down- ward tendeney. until in the winter of 1873-'74 its condition seemed to promise only a speedy dissolution. Just at this crisis it was proposed to place the management entirely under the care of a board of ladies, and in April, 1874, the following Board of Directors was duly elceted and installed : President, Mrs. A. P. Dillon; Vice-President. Mrs. Wm. Renwick; Treasurer, Mrs. W. C. Wadsworth; Seeretary, Mrs. J. F. Barnard; Corresponding Secre- tary, Mrs. G. M. Ballon; Lecture Committee, Mrs. W. F. Peck and Mrs. J. T. Lane; Library Committee, Mrs. H. M. Martin, Mrs. Lonnsbury and Mrs D. S. True. With this new era the library assum- ed a more appropriate and influential standing. During 1874-'76 as rapidly as possible new books were purchased and the depart- ment of periodical literature largely added to. At the present time, November, 1877, the entire number of books contained in this library is in the vicinity of 7,000.
755
CITY OF DAVENPORT.
It only remains to he said that the most important event in the library's history occurred in July, 1877. Mrs. Clarissa C. Cook at this time made public her intention to carry out the wish of her deceased husband, the late Hon. Ebenezer Cook, to aid the library.
This aid from Mrs. Cook subsequently took the form of erecting a suitable building at a cost of $13,000 upon a lot purchased with the proceeds of individual donations for that purpose, and in May, 187%, the library was moved into its new home thus permanently secured to it, and the rental of the surplus offices and rooms also secured to it an income sufficient to meet the ordinary expenses of the institution. In accordance with the stipulations of Mrs. Cook's donation. the title and control of the funds and real property of the association is vested in a board of nine trustees, composed of five ladies and four gentlemen. The management of the library proper is. however, controlled by a board of officials an- nually elected by the members of the association. The annual dues are now set at $2 from members and subscribers and he attendance and good influence of the library are constantly ncreasing.
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