USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 119
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FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Hope Fire Company of Toledo was organized October 12, 1876, at which time officers were elected to serve until the fol-
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
lowing December. G. M. Berger was the first Foreman; W. E. Appelgate, first Assist- tant; Wm. Clark, Secretary and G. Rich- man, Treasurer. At the first meeting the name of Hawkeye Fire Company was given to the department, but at the next meeting it was changed to Hope Fire Company, the charter members of which numbered forty. Afterward they were increased to sixty-five, but finally cut down by order of the City Council to forty, which was to be the limit. Soon after the organization was perfected they were provided with a Button Hand Engine, hose-cart, 600 feet of hose and four lad- ders, also a few hooks. Their first outfit cost $1,800. Sometime prior to 1883, six cisterns were built, the largest one being located at the southeast corner of the Public square, in the street, and was kept supplied with water from the town well, in the Court House square; the water be- ing elevated by a wind-mill pump. Two cisterns were located near the school house and supplied from its eave troughs; the other cisterns were supplied from the fireman's well, which was located one block east of the Court House square. This well was dng in 1877, and was twenty feet deep by eighteen feet in diameter. The same year an engine house was built on Broadway street. The company's apparatus, in 1883, consisted of the hand engine, two hose-carts with 1,100 feet of rubber hose, forty pails, four ladders besides other appliances, all of which were valued at $5,000. The company were uni- formed at their own expense, except their caps, which belonged to the city. The first time they were called upon to do duty
at a fire was at the dwelling house of M. Gannon. They have responded to calls from Tama City at various times where they did valuable service. In 1883, they proved themselves heroic at the fire of the Toledo House. The first Chief was G. M. Berger, who was succeeded by S. Stiger, who held the position in 1883, with HI. L. Fisher as Foreman.
RELIGIOUS.
The Free Will Baptist Church was or- ganized in September, 1854, at the house of John Bishop. The first members were: Mr. LaDow, wife and son, J. J. Wilkins and wife, and A. Donaldson and wife. J. J. Wilkins was the first pastor. A church was built in 1867, at a cost of $1,500. Rev. Brown was the last pastor.
The Christian Church of Toledo was organized at Monticello, in 1866, and con- tinned but a short time when it was re moved to Toledo, where a church building was erected .. Rev. Adam Cordner was the pastor of this church at Toledo after its re-organization.
Rev. Adam Cordner was born in Jef- ferson county, Ohio, January 26, 1883, and is a son of John and Elizabeth ( Shad- doek) Cordner. In 1839, his parents re- moved to Belmont county, and there he grew to manhood. As soon asold enough to be of service, the subject of this sketch began working in his father's woolen fac- tory, where he remained until eighteen years of age, at which time he began studying for the ministry. In 1856, he began active labor as a minister of the gospel, by taking charge of the Christian Church, at Nottingham, Harrison county, Ohio. Mr. Cordner remained in the min-
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istry until July of 1862, at which date he enlisted in Company E, 98th Ohio Infan- try, as 2d Lieutenant He was subse- quently promoted to the Captaincy of said Company. Many times, while in service, he filled the place of the Chaplain of his Regiment. Ile participated in several skirmishes and was in one regular engage- ment-that of Perrysville. After eight months of service, he was compelled to leave the army because of disability, and was therefore honorably discharged. Ile returned to Ohio, and there again followed his chosen calling until the spring of 1864, when he came to Tama county, Iowa, and in June, of that year, located at Toledo, where soon after, he organized the Chris- tian Church of that place and also the one at Marshalltown. In Toledo, he la- bored five years and then removed to Tama City, and afterward was pastor of several surrounding Churches. In 1883, he was pastor of Bethel Church in Mar- shall county, and also of the Church at Garwin, Tama county. In politics, he was a staunch Republican, and was an ac- tive worker in the cause of Temperance. Mr. Cordner was married in 1852 to Miss M. E. Collins, a native of Ohio. They have one adopted daughter-Etta.
The Congregational Church was organ- ized in December, 1854, by Rev. A. Man- son. Nine persons constituted the Church on its organization, one of whom, a dea- con, died during the first month of its existence. The Church was without a stated ministry until in 1855, when Thom- as N. Skinner received a license to preach the gospel, and was ordained at Marion, July 25, of that year. After preaching for the congregation here some six months
he removed to another field of labor. On the 1st of February, 1856, Rev. G. II. Woodward commenced his ministrations at this point, his time being given altern- ately with a congregation at Indiantown. Mr. Woodward came under the anspices of the American Home Missionary Society.
The Church at this time numbered but three members. The first meetings of the Church were held in a small building, af- terward used as a wood-house for the town school, and occasionally in the old court room. In May, 1857, steps were taken to erect a house of worship. Pledges were secured for an amount sufficient to warrant the commencement of the building, and on the 9th of March, 1858, the congregation voted to begin the work. After gathering some of the materials sub- scribed, building the foundation and erecting a part of the frame, the work came to a stand. The hard times, which began in the east the previous year, be- gan to be felt, money there was not and the subscriptions. could not be collected. Various expedients were suggested for continuing the work, but without avail, and the unfinished building remained in the state in which it was leftin the fall of 1858, till the spring of 1860. At thistime, the pastor started east to visit the wealthy congregations of that locality and solicit aid. Success crowned his efforts and means were secured to complete the build- ing. Its dimensions were 30x45 feet. It was duły dedicated to the service of Al- mighty God, December 13, 1860. Rev. J. A. Reed preached on the occasion, while the dedication prayer was offered by Rev. J. W. Woodward. For several years, the Church enjoyed great prosperity, increas-
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ing its membership from time to time, and observing all the commandments and or- dinances of the Lord's house. During the rebellion, eleven of its membership, and six others connected with its congrega- tion, served in the Union Army. Rev. Woodward's pastorate continued till Feb- ruary, 1867. On November 24, 1856, he preached the first Thanksgiving Sermon in the county. The first musical instru- ment used in a church in the county, was one purchased by the pastor of this Church, in 1862. Rev. Woodward died Novem- ber 19, 1877, at the age of 70 years.
The following pastors succeeded him: Revs. Wilkinson, three years; Gilbert, two years; Childs, one year; Rindell, two years; Buck, two years; Parker, two years; and Rev. Douglass, who was pastor in 1883.
The Presbyterian Church of Toledo was organized about the year 1859, with fif- teen members, by Rev. L. Dodd. In the year 1862, a house of worship was erected at a cost of $1,600. The original mem- bers were as follows: James Shanklin, Eliza Shanklin, John Foster, Elizabeth Foster, Malissa Foster, John Fife, David Arb, Mary Arb, Jacob Staley, Margaret Staley, Louisa Dodd, Caroline Dodd, Gil- bert M. Fox, Hannah Fox and John Shanklin.
James Shanklin, Jacob Staley and John Fife were unanimously elected Ruling Elders. Messrs. Shanklin and Staley having previously served in that office, Mr. Fife was ordained and installed.
The various pastors have been Rev. Luther Dodd, from 1859 until March 31, 1866; Rev. . J. L. Martin, from 1866 to 1871; during his time, in 1869, one of the
largest revivals was held, and a goodly number taken into the church; Rev. W. S. Messmer, who supplied the pulpit for a few years; Rev. D. B. Gordon, two years; Rev. James Stickel, who served for five years, leaving in 1882.
The officers of the church, in 1883, were; Ruling Elders: Isaac Struble, S. McClain and J. Q. Clarke; Trustees: J. M. Winn, Isaac Stoner and J. N. Springer.
The membership in 1883 was about fifty. The Sabbath school was organized in 1863. John Shanklin was the first Super- intendent. The enrollment in 1883 was seventy with a general attendance of sixty. The present Superintendent is J. M. Winn and Isaac Stoner, Assistant; Ida Springer, Secretary; Winnie Winn, Li- brarian.
The teachers in 1883 were J. Q. Clarke, Bible Class; Isaac Stoner, Charles Cun- ningham, Mrs. U. Kidner, Mertu Jarvis, T. K. Armstrong and S. McClain.
The first Regular Baptist Church of Toledo, was organized at the house of Franklin Davis, May 26, 1855, with the following named constituent members: Rev. George G. Edwards, Lucy A. Ed_ wards, Franklin Davis, Miranda Davis, John Higgins, Mary Higgins, John Corfman, Catherine Corfman, Benjamin Hammitt, Mrs. Hammitt, A. O. Morse and Bethany Morse. The first officers of the Church were lohn Corfman, Deacon and Treas- urer; Franklin Davis, Secretary; J. Corf- man, B. Ilammitt and F. Davis, Trustees. On the 16th of June, 1855, Rev. G. G. Ed- wards was called to the pastorate, and on the following day the Church was recog- nized before a large and attentive audi- ence. Several were added to the Church
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
by letter during the year, and in the win- ter of 1856, an interesting series of meet- ings were conducted by the pastor in the little old log school house, three miles east of Toledo, which resulted in a num- ber of conversions and additions to the Church.
Soon after the organization of the Church, John C. Vermilya, County Judge of Tama county, gave and deeded to the Church, on behalf of the county, a lot upon which to build a house of worship. In 1860 an effort was made to erect a church edifice, but for lack of funds it was not completed until 1863. It cost about $2,000. Pre- vious to the erection of the house services were held in the first school house erected in the town, then in the old Court House, and occasionally in the Methodist Episco- pal church edifice.
Since its organization the Church has enrolled 266 member, with a membership in January, 1883, of 73.
Rev. George G. Edwards the first pastor was born in Washington, Massachusetts, January 3, 1827. He removed to north- ern Ohio, with his parents in 1831. In early life he was a subject of religious im- pressions, and at the age of eleven was converted, and following in his Mas- ter footsteps in the ordinances of his house he joined the Baptist Church and feeling the vows of God were upon him, he left all and went about his Master's business, a boy preacher of only nineteen summers. At twenty-one he was ordained at New London, Ohio, where he was pastor for several years, but came to Central lowa early in 1855. Ile settled at Toledo, when soon he gathered a small band of brethren together, and in May of that
year, was organized the First Baptist Church of Toledo. He was the pioneer Baptist minister in all the regions of Iowa, occupied by the Iowa Valley Association, and was for years the only Baptist minis- ter within the radius of forty miles; and was obliged to travel far and wide across bridgeless streams and pathlessprairies, to meet his appointments and attend funerals, sometimes compelled to swim the Iowa River bearing his clothes above his head. In September 1860, he was called to bury his wife, but felt that though great was his loss, yet it was her eternal gain.
In 1862, he entered the army as a pri- vate in the 28th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company F, but was at length promoted to a Chaplainey and transferred to the 49th United States Colored Regiment, stationed in and around Vicksburg, Missis- sippi. Ile was in the first field fight of Colored troops at Milliken bend, June 7, 1863. Ile was the first Chaplain of a Colored Regiment. Resigning his Chap- laincy he received an appointment under the American Free Mission Society, and was stationed at Vicksburg. He was an earnest worker in the cause of Free Mis- sion and the Anti-Slavery movements. But with the close of the war he felt that these questions of difference were finally settled, and that there were no longer any need of a division of Christian labor and sympathy, and accordingly, he entered most heatrily into the support of the Mis- sionary Union. From exposures in the south were planted the seeds of the dis- ease, which resulted in an early death. Ilis last sermon was preached at Belle Plaine, Iowa, on Sabbath, July 4, 1869. As long as he could sit or walk he felt
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that he must tell the story of the cross, and for some months he filled his appoint- ments at Irving when he could not stand to declare his message. He sat and preached, but often would become so engaged that he would forget himself and spring to his feet, and with all the enthusiasm of his youth, would he enforce the claims of the Gospel upon both saint and sinner.
At length he was compelled to give up his labors; he then returned to his home in Toledo. Though gradually failing he felt that he must be present at the Ordi- nation of Brother II. A. Brown, pastor at Toledo, September 15, 1872, and though very feeble he took part in the exercises of the occasion. He gave the charge to the candidate, and as if standing at the portals of the world to come, he spoke as one who had experienced the verities of eternity and therefore was most earnest and posi_ itive in all he said. Being able to sit up he felt that he must go to the Association once more, and that if it must be so he would as soon die on duty at Marshalltown as any where else. On Sabbath, Septem- ber 16, he spoke a few words to the children of the Sunday school; this was the last time he was permitted to speak in publie for the master, though many were the appeals he made afterward, to those who had no hope in Jesus.
He returned to Toledo, to die of slow flattering consumption. He was a great sufferer, but in all the pain of the dissolution he had the consolation of the Gospel to sus- tain him, and often enjoyed much of the Masters presence. In Christ his rock he had the utmost confidence. He had only one desire, to live to preach Christ and see sinners turn to God. In his sufferings
often would he cry, "How long, O Lord." But on the evening of November 8, 1869, the message came, "child, come home," and he passed to his reward. Ile was married in Clarksfield, Huron county, Ohio, Jan- uary 3, 1848, to Miss Lucy A. Dowd, who died in Toledo, of consumption, in 1860, by whom there was one child. He was again married, in 1861, to Miss Drantha Bunce, a daughter of Charles Bunce, of Connecti- cut. By this union there were two children : Lucy M., now the wife of Ross E. Everett, of Tama county and George G. Mrs. Ed- wards is a sincere Christian and takes an active part in the cause of temperance and religion.
Rev. Addison A. Sawin was the succes- sor of Mr. Edwards. He labored here from 1862, till May 18, 1864, when he was re- moved by death. Ile was born in West- minster, Massachusetts. After serving very acceptably several churches in the east, he came to Iowa in 1856 and settled at Lyons. Ile afterwards preached at Marion, Iowa, where at the suggestion of influential friends, he led the enterprise of establishing a school at Irving, on the line between Benton and Tama counties. While in the midst of his usefulness he was stricken down with small pox. When made aware of his danger, he cahnly said: "If I die, I know I shall be at rest." He died, as already stated, and in the still hours of the night, was quietly interred in the cemetery at Toledo.
Rev. A. D. Low was the next pastor, and served from 1864 till 1866, being succeeded by Rev. G. G. Edwards for the second time. Mr. Edwards served one year.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Rev. H. A. Brown was called to the pasto- rate in 1869, and served ten years. Ile was a native of Ohio, born in Concord, Lake county. Ile graduated in the elassi- cal course, Dennison University, Ohio, in the class of 1864 He was three years Superintendent of Public Schools of Tama county, after which he was Principal of the graded schools at Belle Plaine, Benton county. At present he is filling the chair of Ancient Language in the University of Des Moines.
Rev. J. C. Johnson acted as pastor nine months, in 1881. Ile was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. J. L. Coppoc, who began his labors here January 8, 1882. Ile resides at Van Horne, where he preaches half his time. Ile was born near Salem, Columbiana county, Ohio.
Soon after the organization of the church, a Sunday school was organized, with Franklin Davis as Superintendent. W. II. Holstead is the present Superinten- dent. William Rogers held the office for several years.
In the fall of 1853, Rev. David H. Pete- fish was sent by the Iowa Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church to form a new circuit, comprising Tama county. One of his appointments was in the im- mediate vicinity of the present town of Toledo. The first quarterly meeting was held at the house of Zebedee Rush, one mile southeast of the present town, in the fall of 1853. The quarterly conference consisted of Andrew Coleman, Presiding Elder; David H. Petefish, preacher in charge; Ira Taylor, elass leader. John Ross was chosen as steward of this meet- ing. There were seven comunicants pres- ent. The village of Toledo springing up
in the spring of 1855, Rev. D. II. Petefish formed a class in the village composed of the following: Ira and Dorinda Tay- lor, Mary Taylor, John and Elizabeth Ross, William Henry and Sally Harrison, John Zehrung, Jacob and Sally Staley, Mr. and Mrs. John Gettis, Leander and Nancy Randall. Rev. Mr. Petefish continued in the work two years and left greatly beloved by the Church. During his second year a church building was commenced, but was not completed until 1856. Mr. Petefish was succeeded by Rev. William N. Brown, who remained one year and was followed by Rev. Solomon Dunton, a local preacher of Marshalltown. In the fall of 1857, Rev. Charles Babcock was assigned to the charge. IIe was suc- ceeded by Rev. John L. Kelly, in the fall of 1858. Ile continued two years, having as colleague the second year, Rev. S N. Ingham, Jr. The success of the Church at this time was hindered much by the in- debtedness hanging over its house of wor- ship. In the fall of 1860, Rev. Richard Swearingen was appointed to the charge. The Church Historian says of him: "Ile had a heavy voice, boisterous manner and fair talent. He remained two years with middling success. He was a warm politi- cian and worked lustily at the business."
Rev. D. C. Worts was the next appoint- tee. He was a hard and systematic worker and remained two years, being succeeded by Rev. D. II. Mallory, with Rev. Mr. llyde as colleague. During his first year the county appointments were withdrawn. Toledo, Tama City and Rines school house were made a separate charge, known as the Toledo charge. The indebtedness of the Church was removed this year. This
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
gave new life to the members, and an era of prosperity dawned upon the Church. In 1865 a small parsonage was purchased. At the close of Mr. Mallory's second year, Rev. S. A. Lee became pastor. Hle re- mained but one year but was quite suc- cessful in his work. He was a good man and a good pastor. During his year a small brick building near the church was purchased as the beginning of a perma- nent parsonage.
In the fall of 1867, Rev. J. S. Eberhart became pastor. He remained three years. HIe was a good man, a fair preacher and faithful in his work, but his physical strength was not equal to his task or will. Ile was succeeded by Rev. R. N. Earheart, who also remained three years. He was a man of fine education, good address and social qualities.
In October, 1873, Rev. F. M. Robertson was assigned to the charge. During his first year the church edifice was re-mod- eled at a cost of some $1,200. Mr. Rob- ertson was a man of fine address, a good preacher and an uncompromising temper- ance advocate. Ile remained two years, being succeeded by Rev. W. B. Frazelle, who continued one and a half years. The last half of his second year was supplied by Rev. II. H. Green, who was quite popular with all classes in and out of the Church. During his stay he assisted the young men in establishing a lyceum, and exerted a great influence over them. Ile was fol- lowed by Rev. J. B Taylor, who remained one year. Mr. Taylor was well advanced in years, but quite vigorous and a good re- vivalist
Rev. II. O. Pratt, well known through- out the State as having formerly been an
eminent politician and member of Con- gress, but who had renounced the world and given his all to Christ, was the suc- cessor of Mr. Green. The Church Histor- ian says of him: "He was a man of large and strong physique, fine address in pulpit, and a good, sound doctrinal and practical preacher, with a good degree of eloquence, a good pastor and with a wife well wor- thy of such a man and such a minister."
In the fall of 1882, Rev. R. W. Keeler, D.D., was assigned to the charge.
The Church in this city is in good con- dition, with an active membership of 135. Since its organization 334 have been en- rolled. The church edifice is now valued at $5,000 and parsonage at $2,000. Dur- ing the conference year, ending October, 1882, the congregation contributed $1,200 to the pastor's, and $70 to the bishop's and presiding elder's, support. It contributed $222 towards other expenses. The Sun- day school, which was organized about the same time as the church, is in a flour- ishing condition, with A. A. Hart, Super- intendent.
Rev. R. W. Keeler, D. D., the present pastor of the church, was born in Colum- bia county, New York, February 14, 1824. His grandparents were Methodists of the olden type. Ifis father was, at the time of the Doctor's birth, a local preacher; but in 1832 he joined the New York Con- ference, and is still a member. In 1837, while attending school at the Amenia Seminary, then under the Principalship of D. W. (since Bishop) Clark, Doctor Keel- er was converted and joined the church. He remained in that school three years, and thoroughly prepared himself to enter Sophomore year in College. It was his
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purpose to graduate from a first-class in- stitution of learning; consequently, in 1840, he sent his name to enter the Wes- leyan University at Middletown, Connect- icut. But a lack of means prevented him from carrying ont his cherished plan, and he, therefore, taught school and studied until the spring of 1845, when he united with the New York Conference. Late in the winter of 1844-45, he married Miss Frances E., daughter of J. L. Dickerson, a member also of the New York Confer- ence. lle was ordained Deacon by Bish- op Hedding in 1847, and Elder by Bishop Hamlin in 1849. His appointments in the New York Conference for the eleven years of his connection with it, were as follows: Newington, West Suffield, South Canaan, Tyringham, South Lee and Stock- bridge, Courtland and Lakeville. In 1856, Bishop Simpson transferred him to the Upper Jowa Conference. This was the year that the Conference was organized, and Mr. Keeler was stationed at Fifth street, Davenport. He entered upon a most successful year of pastoral service, but before its close he was elected Presi- ·lent of Cornell, to fill a vacaney. After one year of his administration of the affairs of that Institution, he was unanimously elect- ed tothe Presidency, and formally inaugu- rated. He organized its classes, arranged its departments and graduated its first elass. I# 1859, he took charge of Epworth Semi- nary, at that time also a Conference school, which had been opened two years before but was now suspended. It had been sold under a mechanic's lien, subject to the right of redemption. The trustees agreed, upon condition that Dr. Keeler would take charge of it, to re-
deem it if possible, but the terrible finan- eial embarrassments of the country at that time, 1859, together with the breaking out of the war, rendered that absolutely impossible. He remained in charge of the Seminary five years, and though the coun- try was in a state of great financial pros- tration, and the war made large drafts up- on the students from time to time, yet the school was well filled through the entire time, and during the last term there were a greater number of students in attend- ance than the institution ever had before or since. The Seminary now passed into private hands, and at the Conference held at Waterloo, in September, 1864, he was appointed Presiding Elder of the Daven- port district, succeeding Dr. Kynett. Ilis four years in the district were marked with great prosperity in every respect. The finances of the district improved about fifty per cent. In 1868, he closed his la- bors in the district and was sent to Cedar Falls, where he remained three years. His labors in that eity were highly appre- ciated, and will long be remembered by the Church and congregation. On the ex- piration of his three years at Cedar Falls, he took a supernumerary relation, but has since been the greater part of the time pastor of the Fourteenth Street Church, Davenport. Dr. Keeler was elected a del- egate to the General Conference in 1860, 1864 and 1872. In 1858, the Ohio Wes- leyan University conferred on him the de- gree of A. M., causa honoris, and in 1870, the Upper Iowa University, the degree of D. D. Ile has been elected Secretary of the Conference at eight out of the sixteen sessions it has held, and has published the minutes each of these years and as-
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