History of Tama County, Iowa. Its cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county, Part 14

Author: Chapman, Samuel D
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: [Toledo] Printed at the Toledo Times Office
Number of Pages: 308


USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa. Its cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 14


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"As to the practice of attending church on Sunday, I am con- fident that it produces these effects, the improvement in dress, manners, etc. I have observed very carefully in the course of thirty-five years spent upon the frontier, that in those neighbor- hoods where the people habitually neglect to attend public wor- ship on Sunday, such improvements rarely, if ever, take place. In such places, the young people feel no pride, and do not desire improvement. They scarcely ever throw aside their every-day rough apparel to dress up neat and clean on Sunday.


On that day the young men are seen with uncombed hair, nn- shaved beards, and mashed linen, strolling in the woods hunting.


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or on the race course, or at a grocery contracting habits of in- toxication, or lounging sullenly and lazily at home. The young women, in appearance, dress, manners and intelligence, are the fit companions for their brothers. Sunday to them brings no bright skies, no gladness, no lively or cheerful thoughts, no spirits renovated by mixing in the sober, decent, quiet, but gay assemblage of youth and beauty. Their week of labor is not cheered by anticipations of the gay and bright fete with which it is to close. Labor through the week is to them a drudgery, and is performed with surliness and grudgery, and their Sabbaths are spent in heedless, sleepy stupidity. The young people of both sexes are without self-respect and are conscious of not deserving the respect of others. They feel a crushing and withering sense of meaness and inferiority, mingled with an envious malignity towards all excellence in others who exhibit an ambition for im- provement. Such neighborhoods are pretty certain to breed up a rough, vicious ill-mannered and ill-natured race of men and women."


The early settlements of this County were especially blessed in respect to religious influences. The sound of the hammers used in the erection of the first cabins had hardly died away be- fore the minister of the gospel made his appearance. As record- ed elsewhere a few families settled in the neighborhood of the present town of Traer in 1852; here Rev. S. W. Ingham, a Methodist minister. in May, 1853, effected the first religious organization, at the house of Normon L. Osborn, in Tama County and preached the first sermon at that time. This organization was called the Tama Mission, with Ira Taylor as class Leader. Their first quarterly meeting was held on November 26th. 1853 at the house of Zebedee Rush, near Toledo. They built the first church in the summer of 1857 at Toledo.


Elder Ingham is still a resident of this County and is a hard working, zealous Christain, who has spent much time in laboring for his Master. For many years he traveled from settlement to settlement in this County, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was instrumental in organizing many of the Methodist


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churches in this County and his name is held in greatful remem- berance by all who has had the pleasure of forming his acquaint- ance.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.


While other denominations lagged in the work, the Methodist have pushed boldly on, holding their meetings in public halls, school houses, private dwellings or any place where the people could be brought together to hear the proclamation of the gos- pel. Whatever may be said of the religious views of this de- nomination its zeal is to be commended, and the fact that its members are zealous workers.


The first church was built in Toledo, at a cost of nearly $3,200 and a membership of thirteen. The church from that time to the present has been in a very prosperous condition and at this writing, February 12th, 1879, its members number one-hundred and twenty. The church building a few years ago was partially rebuilt and refitted at a cost of $1,500, and now the members worship in a vast and commodious chapel.


The pastors in charge, since 1857, have been Revs. D. H. Peter- fish, W. N. Brown, S. Dunton, C. Babcock, J. J. Kelly, S. W. Ingham, B. Swearinger, D. C. Worts, D. H. Mallory, S. A Lee, J. S. Eberheart, R. N. Earheart, F. M. Roberts, W. B. Frazelle and the present pastor H. H. Green, who is now serving his third year here. The church stands upon the corner of Broad- way and Ohio Streets, and in connection with the church is a beautiful parsonage, in the same yard, built of briek, two stories high, with eight fine rooms, wardrobes etc., which is occupied by the pastor.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF TAMA CITY.


The first meetings of this branch were held in Inka, at the old school house in the north part of town. These meetings were conducted by Rev. D. M. Mallory. In 1865 a society was organized with the following members: W. T. Hollen and wife, Mrs. M. Soleman, F. J. M. Wonser and wife, J. W. MeIntire and wife, C. King and wife, L. Merchant, and Mr. Grist. The next year a church structure was erected in the north west part


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of town on the corner of Eighth and Seigel Steets, at a cost of $4,200. It was a good frame building, thirty feet wide and fifty feet long, with a basement which was used for school purposes.


In 1862 the building was removed from this site to its pres- ent location on the corner of State and Sixth Streets. After the building was moved it was rebuilt and refitted at a large expense and now isa large and commodious place of worship. The growth of the society has been moderate, and at present the membership numbers one hundred. The following are those having served as pastors: Revs. D. M. Mallory, J. Todd, R. M. Wade, A. Critchfield, J. G. Wilkinson, M. T. Smedley, L. Catlin, E. S. Bargelt, S. B. Warner, and the present pastor is B. C. Barns. A good Sunday School is held in connection with the church, with Mr. Mahana as Superintendent. and an average attendance of one hundred and forty.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF TRAER.


This Church was organized in 1853, with a small membership, at Buckingham. After which services was held in the school house, at Buckingham until the year 1868, when a church house was erected. This denomination continued to hold services at this place, building up the cause and doing a good work for the master until the year 1874, when the church was moved to Traer. After the church was moved it was greatly improved, and to a good extent rebuilt, and now the people of Trear and vicinity worship in a fine church house, with Rev. M. H. Smith, as their pastor. The present membership is about one hundred and twenty. There is a fine Sunday School in connection which num bers about one hundred and fifteen scholars.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF MONTOUR.


In the year 1854, this society was organized at Indiantown, by Rev. S. Dunton. an old pioneer preacher. Services were held in the school house at Indiantown, until the town of Montour was located where it afterwards met. From this date services were held in the Town Hall until the year 1874, when a church house was erected at a cost of $3.000. The building is a fine frame structure thirty-two feet wide and sixty feet long. On July


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26th, 1874, it was dedicated by the Rev. J. W. Clinton. The Church is now in good standing with a membership of forty- seven and Rev. S. N. Howard. pastor. In connection with the it there is a fine Sunday School with an average attendance of eighty. L. Bingham, Superintendent.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF DYSART.


This organization is also quite old, it being organized before the town was laid ont. When the town was established, the denomination having no church, services were held in a wagon shop in the north west part of the town. In the year 1874. a church was erected and dedicated by Rev. E. Ilolland, as- sisted by Rev. A. R. Shinner. A good Sunday School is held in connection with the Church.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF HOWARD TOWNSHIP.


This society has been in existence for a long time, and until quite recently has been withont a house of worship, hold ing their services in the various school houses of the township. At present the people of this township have a neat and commodi- ous house of worship, with a fine Sunday School in connection.


PRESBYTERIANS.


This eminent respectable body of evangelical christians were the third to establish its canse in this County.


A sufficient number of former members of this body having settled in Crystal township, in the early part of the year 1855, it was determined to effect an organization, and the Rev. W. J. Lyons, of Blackhawk County, was invited here for that purpose. A meeting was called at the house of J. S. Townsend, where he organized the first Presbyterian Church in the County, with fif- teen members. Mr. Lyon continued laboring with this congre- gation for some years preaching frequently in various parts of the Connty.


Although not an aggressive body, the Presbyterians in this County have continued steadily to grow, until they now num- ber several hundred. In the order of their organization we ap- pend sketches of each congregation, beginning first with Salem Church of Crystal township.


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


SALEM CHURCH.


The Presbyterian Church of Crystal township was the first of that denomination in the County, and was organized in 1856, three years after the County was organized. The organization took place at the residence of J. S. Townsend, who is yet a resi- dent of the township. At this time fifeen persons became


members of the society. Services were held at different places in the neighborhood each Sunday, for a number of years until a church building was erected and given the above name. The society at this writing is in a prosperous condition, with Rev. James Stickle as pastor. The membership at present numbers fifty-six.


TOLEDO CHURCH.


This Church was organized about the year 1859, with fifteen members, by Rev. L. Dodd. In the year 1862, a house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,600. From time to time the church has been repaired and refitted until now it is a neat place of wor- ship. This organization is also under the care of Rev. James Stickle. The present membership is fifty-two. A large Sunday School is held in connection with the society.


ROCK CREEK CHURCH.


At an early day services were held at the residence of James Laughlin, by Rev. J. S. Mason, although no permanent organi- zation existed until a church building was erected in the year 1865. This church is located in Carlton township, and is known as, the Rock Creek Church. The present membership is forty. A good Sunday School is in connection with the Church which averages about thirty members.


DYSART CHURCH.


The Presbyterian society of this place was organized at Yan- kee Grove, Benton County, in the year 1860. When the town of Dysart was established the congregation changed its place of worship to that town. In the year 1873 a church was built at a cost of $3,000, which was dedicated by Rev. S. Phelps, assisted by Rev. D. L. Hughes, who has labored with the congregation from that time to the present, and is a well known and well edu-


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cated minister of that denomination. A Sunday School which averages about forty members is in successful operation with the Church, and has Rev. Mr. Hughes as Superintendent.


TRANQUILITY CHURCII.


This church is located in the south western corner of Perry township in a fine Scotch settlement. In the year 1874-5, the congregation erected a frame church at a cost of about $1,200, and was dedicated by Rev. L. Dodd. A. Sunday School is con- nected with the Church which is in successful working order.


CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF TOLEDO.


The first Congregational Church of Toledo was organized in December, 1854, with eleven members. Three years after, a fine church was erected on the corner of East and State Streets, 30x45, with a large basement which for a number of years after wards was used for school purposes. It was in this basement the publisher of this work learned to read and write. The build- ing when completed cost $3,000. The first pastor, Mr. Wood- ward was among the pioneer ministers of the County, and did much to establish the good cause here. It is but a few years since this eminent minister passed to the other shore, and left many sorrowing hearts and the seed of his good works which have sprung up a monument to his name.


The membership, at present numbers seventy-five. In con- nection with this is a prosperous Sabbath School.


MONTOUR CHURCHI.


The Congregational Church of Montour was organized at Indiantown, June 10th, 1855, by Rev. T. M. Skinner, with the following members: J. M. Bradley and wife; J. E. and O. Cun- ningham, Mrs. Abbott, Miss. Lney and Carolina Helm and J. Moore. Services were held in the school house at this place un- til a church building was erected at Montour, in 1868, when the society changed their place of worship to the new building. The society now numbers sixty-two members. Rev. C. C. Adams is the present pastor, and also superintendent of the Sunday School which is a good one.


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IIISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


TRAER CHURCH.


In 1857 the settlers of this part of the County, feeling the need of divine worship, obtained the assistance of Rev. J. R. Upton, a minister of this denomination who labored with them for two years, and was followed by Rev. Emerson who remained until September, 1863, when he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Roberts who labored with the congregation for a number of years. In 1866-7 a church was built an Buckingham, which cost about $5,000 and was dedicated in June, 1867, by Rev. D. Myers. When the town of Traer was established the church was moved to that place in September, 1874. After the building had been moved and fitted up Rev. C. II. Bissell became pastor and still remains with the congregation. The membership at present is abont one-hundred.


BAPTIST CHURCH OF TAMA CITY.


This society was organized in 1869 by Rev. L. L. Gage, with the following members: L. Carmichael and wife, Miss Ella Carmichael, J. H. Brooks and wife, J. H. Lewis and wife, C. R. Veber and wife, J. Herbage and wife, S. W. Cole, G. H. War- ren and G. E. Maxwell. The next year, 1870 a fine brick church building was erected on the corner of State and Seventh Streets, forty feet wide and fifty feet long, at a cost of $6,000. The house at present is in good repair and affords a neat and comno- dious house of worship. The membership is now one hundred and fifty. The following persons have served as pastors since the organization: Revs. L. L. Gage. T. W. Powell and the present pastor Rev. O. A. Holmes. Mr. Holmes has labored with the congregation nearly nine years. Ile is a zealous chris- tian and is doing much for the cause of christianity. In connec- tion with the Church is a large Sunday School that has an aver- age attendance of about one hundred and twenty-five, with G. E. Iligley, Superintendent.


BAPTIST CHURCH OF TOLEDO.


The first Baptist Church of Toledo was organized January 18th, 1856, with fourteen members, by Rev. G. G. Edwards. About the year 1860 a church house was built at a cost of nearly $2,000.


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


At present there are eighty persons in full connection with the Church, with Rev. H. A. Brown as their pastor. Mr. Brown has been at the head of this society ever since the year 1865 and his labor in Toledo has been blessed with the richest tokens of divine favors.


UNITED PRESBYTERIANS AT TRAER.


In the year 1878, this denomination erected one of the finest churches in the County. The building is a brick structure valu- ed at $7,000. A very tall and beautifully proportioned steeple arises from the front end, towers far above the surrounding build- ings and within hangs an immense bell. The audience room is neat and commodions, well furnished and artistically painted, with a capacity of seating several hundred people. The present pastor is Rev. Livingston.


CHRISTAIN CHURCH OF TOLEDO.


This organization was effected in 1865, and had six members. Rev. A. Cordner as pastor. In the following year a good frame building was erected at a cost of about $1,700. The various pastors employed by this congregation from time to time have been Rev. A. Cordner, E. J. Stanley, A. H. Mulkey, J. A. Wilson, O. H. Derry, L. Lane and the present pastor Rev. A. Cordner, of Tama City. The present membership is about six- ty-five. A good Sunday School is in connection with the church, averaging about forty scholars.


CATHOLIC CHURCH OF TAMA COUNTY.


Five congregations exist in this County, viz; at Toledo, Tama City, Chelsea and two in Otter Creek township. In these con- gregations there has been a special effort made to build up their cause, and at present there are over one hundred and fifty fami- lies, at an average of five persons to the family, making seven hundred and fifty members in connection with their Churches. The first society was organized at Toledo, with twenty members. In 1861, a church was built at the same place, and now the mem- bership is over one hundred.


TAMA CITY CHURCH.


The Catholic Church of Taina City was organized in 1874, by


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


Rev. Father McCabe, and the following year a fine church was built in the northeast part of town, where services are held every two weeks. Rev. Mr. McCabe officiated for about three years and was succeeded by Father O'Farrell who remained one year. The present pastor is Rev. Father Meagher. The church finan- cially is in good condition; the whole property is valued at $5,000 The average attendance in the Sunday School is about eighty.


CHELSEA AND OTTER CREEK CHURCHES.


These congregations are officiated over by Rev. Father Zleipsic. The churches are well attended and good Sunday School in connection.


UNION CHURCH.


This Church was built at Eureka, in the year 1866, by the people of Richland township, and given the above name. As its name signifies it was not built for one special denomination but holds its door open for all that are of the true christain re- ligion.


FREE WILL BAPTISTS OF TOLEDO.


This society was organized in 1865, and this same year a church building was erected. For a while the Church was quite pros- perous having a large membership, but at present the member- ship is but thirty. There is no regular pastor at present.


UNITED BRETHIERN OF TOLEDO.


In the year 1873, this society was organized at Toledo, by Elder M. Bowman, who preached the first sermon. In 1874 a magnificent church edifice was erected on Church Street, near the business portion of the town, at a cost of nearly $6,000. Many interesting and profitable meetings have been held at this church. The present membership is sixty; with Rev. J. P. Wil- son leader. A large Sunday School is held in connection with the Church which is in a prosperous condition. The following named persons have served as pastors: Revs. M. Bowman, C. Kephart, M. R. Drury.


BADGER HILL CHURCH.


This Church was organized October 22nd, 1877, and in 1879


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a fine church building was erected at that point. The attend- ance is large.


CHURCHI OF GOD.


The Church of God was organized at West Irving, October 13th. 1877, and a church building was erected the same year at a cost of about $2,000, and is beautifully located. The men- bership is large.


There are other temporary organizations which we might men- tion. but_space will not permit.


CHAPTER XIX.


EDUCATIONAL.


The progress in this County is nowhere better illustrated than in connection with our public schools. In the early day good schools were like "angels visits, few and far between" and it was considered very fortunate indeed if an opportunity was offered for obtaining even the rudiments of a common school education. A person competent to teach the three branches commonly and sarcastically spoken of as "Reading 'Riting and 'Rith- metic," could seldom be obtained. Some of the few scattered settlements could not afford to employ a teacher, and were there- fore compelled to do without, or send their children through the timber, or across the prairie to some more fortunate settlement where a school was in operation. The writer is personally ac- quainted with some who were sent a distance of four to six miles, walking the entire distance, morning and evening, of each day, in order that they might avail themselves of the opportunity of ac- quiring a little knowledge of their mother tongue, and thus fit themselves for the duties of life. How different now, in every township there are from seven to nine schools in successful oper- ation; competent teachers are employed, many of whom have spent years in fitting themselves for their vocation, and who make teaching a profession, by preparing themselves as thoroughly for this work as the lawyer, doctor, or divine are prestined to do.


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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.


In those days a log house or shanty was erected, on some of the settlers land probably 10x12, with but one window, a small ยท door way, cut through the logs at the most convenient place for the teacher and scholars to come in at, while the furniture consist- ed of slab seats for the scholars, a three legged stool and a hazel or hickory rod for the teacher. As for books, but few were needed the less the better; as the teacher could get along the more read- ily. The walls of the school room were decorated by the artistic hands of the scholars, with drawings of the teacher, instead of be- ing hung with such beautiful and instructive maps, as are now found in all our school buildings.


Instead of the beautiful specimens of penmanship now-a-days set for children to copy, teachers were then employed who in many instance, could scarcely write their own names. Altogeth- er in the light of to-day, the schools of twenty and twenty-five years ago were very dreary affairs.


By law the sixteenth section of every township was to be used for school purposes, but there being little or no sale for land, and the government price of $1.25 per acre, being all that could be realized from its sale, the income to be derived from them, am- ounted to but little. Subscription schools, therefore, had to be de- pended upon.


Among the first schools opened in the County, was one in Buckingham township, in the summer of 1854, and taught by Mrs. Rachel Wood. The first school honse paid for from the public treasury was built in the spring of 1836. From this time forward the people began to avail themselves of the privileges of the school law, but not until the last few years was any remark- able progress made.


The school statistics of the County are an interesting study. We find there are, between the ages of five and twenty-one years, 7,379 persons. There were enrolled during the year 1878, 6,067 pupils in the varions schools, showing that 1,712 of the number of those of school age, were kept altogether from the schools; but notwithstanding there are but eight females and seven males


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between the age of twelve and twenty-one that are unable to read or write.


There are 172 school houses having a total value of $139,538. There was raised for all school purposes during the year 1878 in tax, and from other sources $86, 360.46 of which $23, 736.40 were paid teachers; $14,202.13 paid for school houses and sites; rent and repairs $5,085.65; fuel 84, 730.77; records, dictionaries and ap- paratus $244.82; insurance $356.60; janitors $773.43; for other purposes $3,960.13; on bonds and interest $2,327.05; and some other expenses which added to the above will make a total ex- penditure for school purposes of $53, 416.98 with a balance on hand of $32,943.48. The average wages paid male teacher out side of Tama City, Toledo, Traer, Dysart, and Montonr, are about $30 per month, and female teachers 824.37. The highest salary paid any male teacher was $111.10 per month, the lowest salary, $25. The highest paid any female teacher was $50 lowest $20 per month. The number of first grade certificates granted during 1878, were ninety-four; second grade 198; third grade 86; There were 278 applicants for certificates, of whom 157 were females.


There are now some fine schools in Tama County, among which are the graded schools of Tama City, Traer, Toledo, and Montour all of which are in fine operation and doing much for the cause of education, and many young gentlemen and ladies have graduated from these institutions, who are now occupying honorable positions in life. The public schools at Toledo are under the management of Prof. J. J. Andrews; at Tama City, Prof. F. B. Gault; at Montour, Prof. W. H. Black, and at Traer, Prof. W. H. Brinkerhoff. All of these gentlemen are men of rare educational ability, and are doing much in their indi- vidual schools for the education of the young and are making Tama County's graded schools as fine as any in the State of Iowa.


In the year 1878 a fine school house was erected at Dysart and ere long this school will rank with the rest.


THE NORMAL INSTITUTE.


In 1874 the Normal Institute of this County was organized at Toledo, for the benefit of those engaged in teaching, by Prof A.




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