USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 25
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The deaths of many frail babies during the fifteen years' existence of the association's work is to be regretted; but so far, there has not been a death of any child of one year or over among over eighteen hundred child- dren cared for in family homes and over whom the association watches until they no longer need its care. Many of the older children are now married and in homes of their own.
The average number of wards in the home is about thirty. Homes are found and children placed about as promptly as they are received. Some children are ready to place in family when received, others must be kept and trained in cleanliness, good manners, etc., so as not to defeat the plan, and be returned. Every child is placed in a family on ninety days' trial of both child and family, and if approved by the association final papers of adoption, or contract, are given; if not approved, the child is returned and given to some other family. Political nor denominational bias has no place here, neither color nor national difference. The law of Iowa requires that children be placed in families of the same religious belief as their parents, so far as is practical.
To prevent as far as possible, frauds by designing people, each of the field representatives carries a commission with the seal of the association and signed by the superintendent, Rev. U. B. Smith, and since the recent
THE AMERICAN HOME FINDING ASSOCIATION, OTTUMWA
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law, requiring that all persons soliciting funds for charities in Iowa must carry a permit from the secretary of state, each representative of the association carries such permit.
This is not a private enterprise, but a public work, and belongs espe- cially to the people of Iowa, and to them is due much credit for their gener- ous interest and substantial gifts toward making the work possible. To the generous physicians of Ottumwa, Drs. D. C. Brockman, S. A. Spil- man, J. F. Herrick, M. Bannister, E. G. Barton, E. J. Lambert, D. E. Graham and Floyd Newell, who give their services without charge, every commendation is due. Last, but not least, comes the board of managers, as they now stand : Maj. Samuel Mahon, J. B. Sax, Judge M. A. Roberts, Rev. U. B. Smith, Judge S. F. Prouty, ex-Atty. Genl. Milton Remley, W. B. Bonnifield, Rev. J. W. Bulger and Atty. William McNett.
The executive officers are: President, Judge M. A. Roberts; vice president, Maj. S. Mahon; treasurer, W. B. Bonnifield; secretary, J. B. Sax; Father J. W. Bulger, Rev. U. B. Smith.
OTTUMWA PUBLIC LIBRARY
By Miss May B. Ditch
Like many other public libraries the Ottumwa Public Library is an outgrowth of a library association which was supported for thirty years by a few devoted men and women of the city.
The Ottumwa Library Association was incorporated in 1872 to exist for twenty years and was subsequently renewed for twenty years more. It has a board of nine members, one-third of whom were selected by the stockholders each year, the term of office being three years. The avowed objects of the association were "forming and perpetuating a public library with reading room, cabinet antiquities, curiosities and works of art, and prompting the diffusion of useful knowledge by means of lectures and otherwise."
Yearly dues were required for the privileges of the library, but were gradually reduced until in 1897, under the jurisdiction of the Tourist Club, it became a free public library.
The first board of directors was elected March 26, 1872, and consisted of W. B. Bonnifield, Sr., Charles Blake, J. C. Osgood, Eugene S. Sheffield, O. M. Ladd, H. Moss, and W. E. Chambers. In succeeding years the following additional persons, at one time or another served in that capac- ity, namely: J. W. Edgerly, Eugene Fawcett, W. R. Daum, S. Mahon, Rev. H. B. Knight, W. A. McGrew, Colonel Bannister, J. G. Hutchison. T. H. Eaton, J. A. Taylor, Calvin Manning, C. E. Boude, S. H. Harper, S. B. Evans, and William McNett.
Colonel Ballingall served as a director for a period of over nineteen years, from the organization, continuously, down to the time of his death Vol. I-16
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in 1891. His devotion to the association was not allowed to end with his death, and when his will was opened it was found that he had made generous provision in its behalf. Aside from an annuity of $200 a year, he made provisions for the ultimate accumulation of $6,000 to be turned over to the association for a library building, two lots in his subdivison of the grounds opposite the Union Depot, but upon condition that unless so used they should be added to the other lots and become part of a park, which he also provided for on the same spot.
In January, 1900, Andrew Carnegie proposed to donate $50,000, to construct a library building if the city would provide a suitable site and agree to maintain a library at an expense of not less than $5,000 a year. At an election September 24, 1900, the tax was voted and the offer gladly accepted.
A library ordinance was passed by the city council, October 1, 1900, and Mayor T. J. Phillips named the following trustees who were confirmed by the council: J. T. Hackworth, S. P. Hartman, C. M. Myers, F. W. Sim- mons, J. J. Smith, Chas. P. Brown, W. A. McIntire, D. E. Chisman, and George Withall. The library board was duly organized, by the election of J. T. Hackworth as president, and S. P. Hartman as secretary.
Since then, the following men have served as board members: Geo. F. Heindel, A. W. Lee, R. H. Moore, Paul Arbenz and William McNett.
September 1, 1901, the cornerstone of the library building was laid, and on September 24, the following year, the building was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. The late Senator Jonathan P. Dolliver, was the principal speaker of the. occasion. The 3,000 volumes of the old library association were moved from the room they had occupied at the courthouse and the library was opened to the public.
Miss Mary E. Downey was appointed librarian January 28, 1902, and began her duties the following day. She continued in this position until September, 1908, when she resigned to accept the office of state organizer of libraries in Ohio. Miss May B. Ditch, who had served as assistant since the opening of the library, was appointed librarian.
The following are those who have been or are still connected with the library as assistant librarians: Miss Ada B. Teeter, Belle Brady, Lois Johnstone, Wilhelmina Hofmann, Iva G. Manro, Mrs. Caroline J. Emer- son, Helen Witter and Ruth Williams.
The library with a nucleus of 3,000 volumes has increased to more than thirty-two thousand volumes.
The resources of the library are not limited to books, but the public has access to the thousands of envelopes of clippings and also a file of nearly fifteen thousand pictures on various subjects.
From the first it has been the policy to co-operate with every organi- zation and institution in the city. The old idea of the library as a store- house for books does not apply to modern library methods. The librarian
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of the present has uppermost the thought of getting the books into the hands of those to whom they will give help, inspiration and knowledge. With this idea in mind, small branch libraries, or deposit stations, have been arranged for wherever some one will assume the responsibility of looking after the books and acting as librarian. This work has been carried on in the schools, the Y. M. C. A., the Y. W. C. A., Iowa Steam Laundry, Ottumwa Steam Laundry, Snyder grocery store, West End Presbyterian Church, South Ottumwa Baptist Church, Willard Street Methodist Church, the Ottumwa Hospital, Children's Home Finding Association and East End Social Center.
The reference department grows both in number of volumes and popu- larity, and supplies information on a great variety of topics. All subjects requiring special research for clubs, schools, debating societies and various other organizations have the most careful attention.
The government documents are shelved in a room provided for them. A valuable and much-used set of patient office reports are on file; also bound volumes of our local papers.
It is encouraging to note the increased use of books dealing with the practical affairs of life as well as fine arts, literature, history, etc. It is the aim of the library to keep the different departments well balanced, to supply reasonable demands for certain books, and also create a demand for the best literature on all subjects.
The children's department plays a very active part in the work of the library. One is surprised on a busy Saturday afternoon to note the order in the room full of children, some at the shelves looking for books, some at the tables playing quiet games and reading magazines, others looking at the views through the stereoscopes, and nearly all waiting anxiously for the story hour, which is held in the library every Saturday afternoon during the winter months.
CHAPTER XXII
FRATERNITIES AND SOCIETIES
These are the days of "secret," insurance and social societies, and Ottumwa has her full share. The county was still in its infancy when the Odd Fellows established a lodge here, which was soon followed by the Masons.
Ottumwa Lodge, No. 9, I. O. O. F., was the pioneer, first being planned in the fall of 1847, when a few fraternal brothers met in a log cabin that stood on the site of the First National Bank, and discussed the feasibility of organizing a lodge of Odd Fellows in Ottumwa. A determination to petition the grand lodge for a charter resulted from this meeting, and John F. Baldwin, Duane F. Gaylord, V. W. Coffin, Thomas A. Fregman, Thomas J. Devin, B. Boysdon and George J. Wright, signed the initiary document. The prayer of the petitioners was granted by the Grand Lodge of the United States at Baltimore, and, on May 15, 1848, D. D. G. M. William Patterson came to Ottumwa with the charter, which was dated January 27, 1848. Under this official promulgation the first officers, Ber- trand Jones, N. G., T. J. Devin, V. G. and G. M. Wright, secretary, were selected, and established in their respective positions. Headquarters of the lodge have been changed from time to time, but for the past quarter of a century Ottumwa Lodge has meet in pleasant rooms on East Main Street. However, plans for some time have been in the making to build a distinctive home for this organization. To this end the Summers Build- ing, on the corner of Second and Court streets, was purchased by the lodge in 1911, the consideration being $22,000. This site is intended for a modern building of proportions and in keeping with the high standing of the order and its splendid growing and financial condition.
Ottumwa Encampment, No. 22, militant branch of Odd Fellowship, is strong in numbers, as is also the main body, which now claims a member- ship of 275. Myra Lodge, No. 14. Daughters of Rebekah, has a mem- bership of about one hundred and fifty.
Laramie Lodge, No. 230, I. O. O. F., was organized and instituted January 22, 1872, with the following charter members: Jacob Prugh, J. J. Millard, John L. Moore, D. W. Tower, L. M. Godley, James Haw- ley, Sr., Eugene Fawcett, C. G. Lewis, G. A. Derby and W. W. Pollard.
Pickwick Lodge, No. 129, I. O. O. F., was instituted in South Ottumwa, December 8, 1891. Its charter members were: J. A. Ballard, A. S. Cook,
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D. S. Lain, W. N. Ballard, Charles E. Newman, J. H. Finley, J. E. Hull, Q. L. Harris, W. F. Harsch, U. G. Reed, A. G. Cook, C. T. Hartman and J. Eichenberry. About ten years ago, this lodge erected in South Ottumwa, a sightly and substantial home, at a cost of $10,000. Here the members meet in handsomely furnished lodge rooms ; also Pickwick Lodge, Daugh- ters of Rebekah.
Dorcas Lodge of Rebekah, No. 1,888, auxiliary to Ottumwa Lodge No. 9, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 19, 1893. The charter members were the following named persons: J. Eichenberry, Mary Eichenberry, W. N. Ballard, Hester Ballard, A. S. Cook, Anna Cook, J. A. Ballard, Lizzie Ballard, J. H. Finley, Luella Finley, Charles E. Newman, Alice Newman, W. F. Harsch, Rosanna Harsch, E. W. Steele, Ella Steele, U. G. Reed, Fannie Reed, H. D. Rime, Arabella Rime, E. L. Holt, Jane Holt, J. E. Hull, Tena Hull, S. L. Finley, Nannie Finley, F. G. Van de Ven, Anna Van de Ven, Ella Paxton.
The Masons had a lodge here almost, though not quite, as early as the Odd Fellows. It was established, however, the same year and the history of Lodge No. 16, A. F. & A. M., is well told by William A. McGrew, who was selected by the lodge in 1888 for that purpose :
Grand Master Humphries of Iowa, granted the dispensation that marked the birth of Masonry in Ottumwa, May 5, 1848. J. R. Hartsook instituted the lodge and eight Masons gathered themselves into the folds of Ottumwa Lodge No. 16. For the very good reason that there were only eight ini- tial members, the entire octette was elected to office at the first meeting, held May 10, 1848. It will be seen that the ardent craftsmen delayed only five days following the granting of the dispensation. Following are the names of the first official staff: W. M., David M. C. Lane; S. W., Vestae W. Coffin; J. W., James C. Toleman; Treas., Samuel Comer ; Sec., Bela White; S. D., Thomas A. Freeman ; J. D., Noah L. Gephart; Tyler, Seth Fairfield.
These original Masons gathered for their first meeting in the office of Junior Warden Toleman, at that time a surveyor, later a man of high position in the railroad world. For more than two months the membership remained intact without increase.
On July 27th of the same year, the first two men to be made Masons in Wapello County, and accept the protecting and strengthening wing of Masonry, were initiated into the order. They were N. C. Hill and M. W. Hopkinson. Their eight brothers came to Ottumwa from other states. already bearing the honorable crest of craftsmen.
The charter was granted to Ottumwa Lodge, November 3, 1848, despite the fact that it bears the date of 1849. Lodge opened at 10 A. M., on the 23d of November, and public installation of officers was held. Sixteen Masons were present. In a procession gaily bedecked with banners and emblems and headed by the Fairfield brass band, the elated Masons proceeded to
THE OLD CASTER HOUSE. OTTUMWA
WHERE
Delicices
and
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MAT G. 7-0
MASONIC TEMPLE, OTTUMWA
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
the Wapello County courthouse. With ceremony and pomp the installa- tion was performed, and then the great congregation marched to the old Ottumwa House, of which James Hawley was proprietor, for dinner.
In 1849 the active membership had increased its numbers to thirty, and in the same year it was found that Brother Toleman's office was not large enough to accommodate the lodge. A lodge room was necessary. This was secured at what was then known as 428 East Main Street, between Jefferson and College streets. It was only 12×14 feet in size, plain, almost barren and very unpretentious as the home of Masonry. There, amid the flickering light of tallow dips, the original Masons gathered for their secret sessions. In a short time, the building, 107 East Main Street, became the home of the lodge, and then residence was taken up at a two-story frame building on Commercial Street.
It was just a little over a year after the lodge was organized that the members were called to the painful duty of laying a brother to his last resting place, environed in the principles of Masonry. Worshipful Master David M. C. Lane died October 7, 1849. The members consigned their leader's remains to the dust with Masonic rites and deep sadness. For thirty days each member of the lodge wore crape on one arm as a tribute of respect and esteem.
Masons in Ottumwa built their first home in 1854 or 1855. To Ottumwa of those days it was a magnificent structure, a three-story brick, situated where Porter Brothers & Hackworth's harness store stood for many years on Main Street. The building was constructed under a joint ownership plan, which proved to be unsatisfactory in 1868, and caused the lodge to take quarters in the third story of the building on the northeast corner of Main and Court streets. The records of the lodge at this time, and for several years previous, are very meager for the reason that the Masons responded to the call of Abraham Lincoln and their country. The great majority of them entered the ranks and Masonry in Ottumwa slumbered. After the close of the war, however, the sleepers awoke and the crafts- men again took up the advance. In 1869 the Empire Lodge was formed.
In the last thirty years the Masons have had several homes. After fourteen years' stay in the Charles Sax Building, corner of Main and Green streets, the lodge moved to the present LaClede Building. Later the Bonnifield Building, where the W. J. Donelan department store is at pres- ent, served as the lodge home. In May, 1910, the Masonic Temple at IIO West Second Street was erected, and now stands as one of the great- est tributes to Masonry and one of the finest homes in the state.
Empire Lodge, No. 269, A. F. & A. M., was organized October 21, 1869, under dispensation issued to J. C. Hinsey, W. M .; I. N. Mast, S. W .; George Hill, J. W .; William S. Holden, S. D .; M. McFarlin, J. D .; John F. Lewis, Treas .; Joseph Gray, Sec .; and H. B. Cowell. Tyler. The con-
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stituent members were: John Gray, L. L. McBride, O. H. Potts, Charles O. Williams, J. P. Carnes, O. E. Stewart and Charles W. Betts.
Ottumwa Lodge, No. 12, Knights of Pythias, was instituted Febru- ary 29, 1872, surrendered its charter in 1875 and reorganized in 1880.
Germania Lodge, No. 14, was instituted May 6, 1872, surrendered its charter in 1875, reorganized in 1878 and consolidated with Wapello, No. 12, soon thereafter.
The Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in point of age is compara- tively young, and its inception was by and for the devotees of the his- trionic art. The lodge's exclusiveness in this regard was abandoned sev- eral years ago, so that the membership is made up regardless of vocation or occupation.
Ottumwa Lodge, No. 347, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, was organized June 18, 1896, in the Knights of Pythias Hall, in the old Sax Building. The late Dr. L. J. Baker was the first exalted ruler of Ottumwa Lodge. Others of the prominent charter members were: Charles A. Walsh, Frank A. Nimocks, T. F. Keefe, the late Robert H. Moore, Claude M. Myers and F. B. Clark. The organization soon ontgrew the Knights of Pythias Hall and decided to rent quarters of its own, and moved into the third floor of the Summers Block, where the Fifty-fourth Band room now is. Even these rooms grew too small to accommodate the Elks and they moved to the third floor of the present Donelan Building, where they stayed until their present quarters were built for them. Five years ago the club rooms were entirely remodeled and enlarged and now are included in the Utt Block, corner East Second and Green streets. The lodge occupies three floors, including the basement, which has been con- verted into a rathskeller. On the first floor are the club rooms proper, parlors, billiard room, card rooms, etc., and the second floor is given over to the big dance floor, lodge room and parlors. The last story was planned to be a roof garden but has never been finished. The Ottumwa quarters are beautifully appointed and finished, and as their description indicates, very commodions. Viewed from any angle, the home of the local chap- ter is second to none in the state.
The Ottumwa Elks have always been at the head in the state associa- tion, and have taken a prominent part in the grand lodge meetings. Five years ago the Ottumwa Lodge was instrumental in getting the state associ- ation to take the Fifty-fourth Regiment Band to Los Angeles. The Ottumwa Lodge has always taken the band whenever it attended the state conclaves, and it was the showing made by the local musical organization at the state meeting at Dubuque which secured for them the chance to go to Los Angeles. At the grand lodge meeting there, the Ottumwa band captured first prize in the contest at Long Beach, and second prize at Los Angeles, and they were without doubt the best-liked organization
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which attended. It is due to the Elks in a large measure that the band has attained such a wide reputation throughout the country.
The principal day observed by the Elks is Memorial Day, which is the first Monday in December. The members of Ottumwa Lodge, No. 347, always take great interest in this day, and the attendance is always very large.
The organization is in a very prosperous condition, and the prospects are for an increasing membership. The list of members now totals over four hundred, which places it well up in the list of state lodges.
Glenwood Camp, No. 1,740, Modern Woodmen of America, was insti- tuted in South Ottumwa, August 15, 1892, with the following charter mem- bers: E. M. Arenschield, J. A. Ballard, W. H. Campbell, W. L. Bate- man, W. S. Brown, Charles E. Brown, S. L. Finley, O. E. James, J. A. Moorhead, C. M. Nye, J. L. Schwartz, M. Schwartzenbach, B. W. Scott, F. G. Van de Ven and O. D. Wray.
Reno Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in Ottumwa, in 1879, but its membership was never more than about thirty. It held its charter nearly four years. Its commanders were Templin, Harness, Mortimer and L. J. Allen. This post disbanded and a petition for a new post was circulated and signed by ninety-seven veterans. The name of the new post is Cloutman, No. 69, which opened with sixty-seven mem- bers. It was designated as Cloutman Post in honor of Capt. C. C. Clout- man, who was killed at Fort Donelson. E. M. B. Scott was the first com- mander and served three terms, then came D. T. Miller in 1887; W. S. Coen in 1888; Timothy Egan in 1889; T. J. Hall in 1890; Maj. A. H. Ham- ilton, 1891; James H. Coe, 1892; Levi Hills, 1893; S. B. Evans, 1894; WV. H. H. Asbury, 1895; George H. Wheelock, 1896; T. R. Bickley, 1897; S. H. Harper, 1898; W. R. Warren, 1899; W. H. Fetzer, 1900; H. L. Waterman, 1901 : H. C. Nosler, 1902; W. H. C. Jaques, 1903; W. E. Connor, 1904; Charles Bachman, 1905; G. W. Kitterman, 1906; W. H. Thompson, 1907: T. P. Spilman, 1908; W. A. Work, 1909; Samuel Mahon, 1910; Martin Israel, 1911 ; A. E. McCue, 1912; F. J. Hall, 1913 and 1914. H. C. Nosler has been adjutant the past eight years.
Tuttle Post, No. 497, G. A. R., was instituted in South Ottumwa, April 28, 1892, with the following charter members: M. T. Dougherty, W. F. Harsch, D. S. Lain, W. H. Duncan, W. H. Morgan, L. M. Adams, John Cherry, C. C. Powell, J. O. Parker, J. J. Ninemeyer, G. W. Wise- hart, G. W. Somerville, E. H. Thomas, B. F. Berry, W. G. Powell, William J. Jasper, W. G. Fish, J. H. Riggs and Griff Swinney.
A camp of the Sons of Veterans was organized as Donelson Camp, No. 32, in 1886. W. B. La Force was the first captain and was succeeded by Dr. S. A. Spilman. The camp was reorganized by Lieutenant-Colonel Dilley, who mustered in seventy-five new members in April, 1901. The following were the first officers: Captain, J. K. Dysart ; first lieutenant,
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John K. Mahon; second lieutenant, Russell Harper; first sergeant, Dr. M. Bannister ; quartermaster sergeant, John R. Criley.
Woodland Camp, No. 103, M. W. A., is a strong organization whose headquarters are at the corner of East Main and Green streets. In con- nection with this and Glenwood Camp are Ladies Auxiliary, Camps of Royal Neighbors.
The Order of Moose is of but recent formation and has a large fol- lowing in a local lodge. There are other fraternal bodies which can only be mentioned casually. They are: Ottumwa Lodge, No. 227, A. O. U. W .; Ottumwa District Court, No. 157, Court of Honor; Court Wapello, No. 14, Foresters of America; Fraternal Bankers Reserve Society; Friend- ship Lodge, No. 355, Fraternal Union of America; Ottumwa Aerie, No. 144, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Wanda Tribe, No. 19, Improved Order of Red Men; General Shield's Council, No. 888, Knights of Columbus; Ottumwa Camp, No. 18, Knights of the Maccabees; Ottumwa Hive, No. 29, Ladies Auxiliary of the Maccabees; Hartley Tent, No. 1,255, Knights of the Modern Maccabees; Ladies of the Modern Maccabees; Knights and Ladies of Honor; Knights and Ladies of Security; Modern Brother- hood of America; Nest No. 1,003, Order of Owls; Omikron Council, No. 1,215, Royal Arcanum; Tribe of Ben Hur; Ottumwa Council, No. 169, United Commercial Travelers; Hickory Camp, No. 31, Woodmen of the World; Ladies' Circle of Woodmen of the World; Ottumwa Home- stead, No. 407, Yeomen; Ottumwa Legion, No. II, Select Knights of America.
WOMEN'S CLUBS
For many years past societies and clubs have been maintained by the women of Ottumwa, and today a large number exist.
The first club to be formed by the women of Ottumwa was the Shakespeare Club, organized in 1882. Mrs. Sarah Hutchison was the first president.
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