USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa, History > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
Digitized by Google
SCHOOL HOUSE AND CHURCHES, LONE TREE, IOWA
Digitized by by Google
308
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
in the community. In some instances, it is true, they left some particular record in the building of the church or permanent improvement which should be emphasized. The founder of this church is referred to in the beginning, and in the following twenty years there were almost as many different pastors, which would give such a long list if the ratio has been con- tinued that there would not be books enough to hold the names of all of them. The pastor at this date is Rev. Phillips.
In the vicinity of Morfordsville, now in the township of Pleasant Valley, services of the Methodist Episcopal denomi- nation were held, first at the Burge school house. Concerned in this group were the Ritters, Burges, Farleys, Dukes, and Mor- fords, of whom Mrs. Mary Ritter still survives at the age of ninety-three, residing at the Stratton home in Iowa City. Among the early pastors were Revs. Stryker and Posten, and one other, who still survives in the state of Washington, and should be mentioned as active in rebuilding this church in 1874 ; this is Rev. Hansell.294
On the opposite side of the Iowa river, about this time, J. D. Templin, an Iowa City lawyer, conducted religious services under the direction of the Methodist Episcopal church, the meetings being held at the school house on "Hog Back Ridge." To him is credited the first preaching in the township.
The Methodist church in Scott township was organized by the Rev. J. L. Kirkpatrick near the present Brick Chapel, about four miles east of Iowa City. This was a Methodist class and was composed of Isaac Bowen, John Parrott and their wives, besides A. T. McSwain and B. M. Horner. A frame church built near the present brick in 1853 was destroyed in 1855 by fire, which led to the erection of the Brick Chapel. Like many of the churches in an early day, the membership was large, reaching fifty in this neighborhood, but time has diminished the number.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Oasis, which was at first called Graham church, was organized and the church building completed in 1864, the dedication services having been conducted by Rev. A. K. Johnson. Rev. G. S. Lackland is now pastor of this church and also of St. John's Methodist church.
About 1840 the Methodist Episcopal church of Solon was organized with Warner Spurrier and his wife, Mr. and Mrs.
Digitized by Google
!
1
309
METHODIST CHURCHES
W. D. Cannon, Mrs. Fannie Pratt, J. B. McGrew, F. H. Lyman and wife, Mrs. Eleanor Pryce, Mr. and Mrs. John West, Mary Lyon, and some others whose names are missing, as charter members. In 1855, Paul B. Anders gave two lots and twenty dollars in money to begin the building of a church, and in the same year a frame church was completed. The same building, after its services as a church had given way to another church building completed in 1879, was put to a secondary use as a barn by a resident of the place. Among the ministers who have served the church in the past are a number who are known beyond the limits of the local church. Rev. J. T. Crippen, Revs. Kendig, Kynett, Skinner, Miller, Briar, and many more whose names are familiar to the churches, spent some of their useful years here, either in residence or in service on the Cedar Rapids circuit, of which it was a part in the beginning, and later of Iowa City circuit. The congregation was served in this way for about fifteen years. Rev. Karl Stoltz is the present pastor on this charge.
In 1852 the Methodist class was organized in Oxford town- ship, holding meetings in a school house located in section five, the Williams and Mason families being among the leaders in the class, which was a part of a large circuit extending beyond Marengo on the west and North Bend on the east. The church at Oxford village erected a building in 1874, which was dedi- cated by Bishop Gilbert Haven, but previous to this the re- organization of the charge had been made in 1872. Many dif- ferent pastors have been identified with this church, but those who have been prominent in the first organization have been mentioned in other connections in the county. The church property includes a parsonage, and the congregation is happy in having no "debt." Rev. Fred. A. Smith is the present min- ister, who has no other charge in connection, as was formerly the custom. 295
In 1863 a Methodist class was organized in the vicinity of the present Hummer Chapel in Union township, and it is now forty years since this building was erected. At that time Rev. John Harris was presiding elder, and Rev. J. B. Hill the pas- tor, while Robert N. Hartsock was class leader, and with the exception of a few years, he served in this capacity the re- mainder of his life. The life of Hummer Chapel has been a
1
Digitized by Google
310
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
quiet one of faithfulness. It has numbered among its members three generations of the same family, while the membership has not lessened, as in so many country churches. A long list of. well known families of the township are represented in this church. Those who are called charter members include Charles Cartwright, Nancy Cartwright, Susan Ent, Mary Weeber, H. W. Brown, and Philina Brown, Alexander and Elizabeth Max- well, Robert N. Hartsock, David and Nancy Beck, William and Julia Hay, Joseph and Mary Haynes.296
Grout church, of Sharon township, was founded by the fam- ily of that name who came to the county in 1843, and settled in this neighborhood. It is of the Methodist denomination and owes its establishment to the zeal of the elder Mr. Grout, who was interested in all things for the betterment of social con- ditions.
Digitized by
CHAPTER XVI
Presbyterian Churches
N THE fourteenth anniversary of his pastorate, the Rev. Dr. S. M. Osmond delivered a sermon that was historical in its character, and covered the history of the Presbyterian church from its founding to the date of the sermon, or October 1, 1876. His text at this time was taken from the 145th Psalm, fourth verse, which reads: "One generation shall praise thy works to another."
"If we are to act in accordance with this declaration we have no time to spare, for already that church history stretches be- yond the limit of an average generation. Of those who took part in the founding of this church, but one - Mrsi Rosanna Stevens - is now left. The name of Robert Hutchinson is found in the first board of trustees and is put on the roll of pew holders. A few others there are on the ground who were early identified with the church but they are fast passing away, and ere long the last of these old settlers on whom we must rely for information for the early history of the church will be gone, hence, if we are to have an authentic history of the trials and triumphs of the church it must needs be speedily done.
"Our Methodist brethren were in Iowa City before us - at least in public worship - the first religious service in this vicinity being held in the fall of 1839 at the residence of P. B. Moore, who was a Presbyterian and afterwards one of the members of this church. This sermon was preached by Rev. Jos. L. Kirkpatrick, a Methodist minister who formed a class, the basis of that church here. It could not have been long after this that the Rev. James Stocker, who had organized a Presby- terian church in Muscatine county in July, 1839, held an out- door religious service here. His attention seems to have been drawn to this place through W. B. Snyder, a member of the Protestant Methodist church, and the father of Mrs. S. J. Hess,
Digitized by Google
312
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
who arranged with Mr. Stocker to come here once a month, promising him five dollars for each visit - a promise that was kept, though mainly at Mr. Snyder's own expense. These early services were held in school houses, unfinished buildings, store houses, or hotels, and were attended by the whole popu- lation without regard to denomination.
"Some effort seems to have been made in the summer of 1840, looking to the organization of a Presbyterian church, but it was not until September 12, 1840, that a church was con- stituted. Impression seems to differ as to the place of meeting, some claiming it to be Choate's school house, which now forms
FAT
OLD STONE CHURCH At one time home of The State Historical Society of Iowa
the principal part of a tenement house on Market street, be- tween the Lutheran church and Prof. Fellows's residence, others holding that it was in Sanxay and Murray's building, now known as St. Joseph's Institute, built by Mr. Murray and and the Sanxays. These statements may be reconciled by the fact that a previous meeting had been held in August to form an organization, but which had failed, and a meeting may have been held in each place, but in which place the decisive work was done remains an uncertainty. The committee of Presby- tery under whose direction the work was accomplished was composed of two ministers whose names are closely identified with the early history of the church in Iowa; one the Rev. L. G. Bell, and the other Rev. Michael Hummer, who appeared for
Digitized by Google
313:
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
the first time in a place where he was destined to acquire such undesirable prominence. All that we can learn further of this- meeting is that thirteen persons were enrolled as members; that John McConnell was elected as ruling elder, and Diodate Holt as deacon; Chauncey Swan, Joseph Schell, George P. Hughey, Robert Hutchinson, and Diodate Holt, trustees.
"Only fifteen months had passed since the location of the capital here and the community that numbered twenty fam- ilies on the first of January, 1840, had swelled to five or six hundred by the 12th of September; streets had been opened and lots cleared in timber that covered the site of the city; dwell- ings and structures of frame, logs, and clapboards had sprung up; the old capitol building was up to the top of the first story, and the din of tools gave evidence of the improvement going on, and Sacs, Fox, and Musquakie Indians lived with the set- tlers. Among these settlers were Samuel H. McCrory, the first postmaster; young Dr. Henry Murray, the first settled physi- cian; Colonel Trowbridge, Messrs. Banbury, Swafford, Hutch- inson, and Cropper, pioneers who are still with us [1876]. This was in the Van Buren-Harrison campaign and there were pole raisings then as now. Communication with the world was kept up by a hack line, and corn was carried to the Mississippi for grinding. In these times there was very little of luxury or fashion but there were enterprise and promise.
"The membership of the infant church embraced material of rare value. Elder McConnell was a Virginian, who served till his death in 1846; Diodate Holt, the only deacon the church ever had so far as I can see, was the superintendent of the first Sunday school organized in 1843, and one of the first trustees. B. P. Moore and Robert Hutchinson led the praises of those early services, while Chauncey Swan, one of the commissioners appointed to locate the capital, selected the site of the present church and donated it to the society. He went overland to California and returning by sea died on the vessel as it was entering New York harbor. Others were there but history has not preserved their names.
"It seems to have been about a year after the organization of the church before a stated minister was found, until which time the Rev. John Stocker had continued his visits over the 33 miles of prairie between Bloomington (now Muscatine) and Iowa City, preaching a portion of the time every other Sunday.
Digitized by Google
314
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Some time before the close of 1841, the ministry of Rev. Michael Hummer began, who, whatever may be thought of him, was not a commonplace man either in. character or history. He was born in Kentucky in 1800, and in Indiana, when twenty years of age, he became an infidel and signed a covenant that he would renounce Christianity and give himself to money making, but was soon afterward converted under the ministry of 'Father Martyn.' He graduated in Indiana College in 1831; studied theology at Princeton; was licensed at Madison, Indiana; and was minister to churches at Terre Haute and Lafayette. He came to Rock Island in 1839; afterward to Marion and other missionary points until he settled permanent- ly in Iowa City. But little can be told of the history between this and 1849, the papers having disappeared in the trial that grew out of the 'Hummer difficulties.' He was an able, origi- nal, striking, and in some ways an effective preacher, and many conversions took place under his ministry. His congregation was comparatively large, and strangers stopping in the city were apt to go to hear him. Prof. T. S. Parvin, at the time a Muscatine lawyer, relates that when court was held in Iowa City the bar settled disputes as to where they should attend church by going in a body to hear the smartest preacher if he was not the greatest saint.
"Previous to 1845, services were held in various places - .sometimes in Berry's school house (where Mrs. Berry now lives on College street, 1876) ; in Mechanics' Academy, now (1876) Mercy Hospital; in Butler's State House, east of Sanxay's corner, the building that is now the City Hotel on Dubuque street, and in the council chamber of the Capitol, the central building of the University. In 1844 a church building was undertaken, the subscription paper which I hold in my hand, dated Nov., 1843, contains the printed statement that the building is to be commenced in the spring of 1845, and pledges the trustees that in 'point of size, durability, and taste, it shall be inferior to no other church now being finished in the city.'
"The highest subscription is that of Chauncey Swan of three hundred dollars including the lot valued at one hundred dollars, the lowest was one dollar. The total reached the sum of $900.75. Of the forty-seven names signed to the paper only those of Joseph W. Holt, M. M. Cropper, R. Hutchinson, Sam-
Digitized by Google
SWANK CHURCH AND CEMETERY, FREMONT TOWNSHIP
Digitized by
316
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
uel H. McCrory, and possibly J. Bowen are now living [18761. The church was begun in 1844, and in 1846 in September ser- vices were held in the basement. The building was of brick, forty-two by seventy-five feet, with portico and cupola re- sembling the present Baptist church [1876], but larger and of somewhat better style. Its total cost was about $5,000, and as so large a sum could not be raised here they did as other churches of the early day - sent Mr. Hummer to the east with a view to raising the necessary funds. He made two trips and it is said spent two and one-half years on these collecting tours, but with what success the data does not show. It is certain, however, that after the percentage on collections and expenses were deducted, and salary paid the amount realized according to his calculation was less than the church indebtedness to himself and others. Worse than any pecuniary loss, however, was that in these begging expeditions he had embraced Swed- enborgianism, which soon took on the worst form of spiritual- ism. Always an excitable, visionary man, he showed such violence as led his congregation to believe him insane. In 1848 his ministry closed in disaster to the church, and under a cloud over his reputation as a minister and a man. He went to Keo- kuk, and before leaving induced the trustees to give him a mortgage on the real estate of the church amounting to more than $650, and in addition other property was made over to him to secure the indebtedness. Having appropriated the com- munion services and other valuables he soon after attempted to secure the church bell which account is preserved in the Annals of Iowa by a master hand, George Yewell.
"Though there are no records of Mr. Hummer's ministry, facts have been gathered from other sources which show that soon after its organization the church was strengthened by the accession of the Sanxays and the Murrays from Cincinnati; the family of Joseph Schell; the Hughes family; Joseph Mc- Connell, of Pennsylvania, and others. The church was some- what disorganized when a minister who had been laboring in the south, Rev. S. H. Hazard, providentially came to the charge. He was the second pastor and found an indebtedness and the Hummer law suit pending, with the church unfinished and the basement furnishing the audience room. On the sixteenth of June, 1849, a new session was constituted and with the follow-
Digitized by Google
317
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
ing officials: Elders, B. B. Hutton, John Brandon; Trustees, Rev. Silas Hazard, John Shoup, John Brandon, Thomas Hughes, H. D. Downey, Henry Murray, and S. H. McCrory. Hummer's claim was resisted, and Rev. Hazard helped on the building with his own hands, and tables and seats are pointed out to this day [1876] as an evidence of his energy and skill. In addition he secured from friends in the east funds to complete the church. On the twenty-fourth of February, 1850, the house was dedicated, Rev. Hazard preaching the sermon. After he had served the congregation four years his health failed and he moved to the vicinity of Solon, where he soon after died. .
"In connection with the name of Rev. Hazard the name also of Miss Mary S. Legare is found, who gave assistance to the church in its time of need. She was a resident of Cedar Rapids, an author and artist of some note, and a sister of a prominent man in South Carolina. She offered to loan the church $1,000 for twenty years at six per cent, and this offer was accepted.
"After an interval of more than one year the pastorate of the Rev. John Crozier began, commencing in May, 1853. This man had become a member of the church in Iowa City while Hummer was the pastor, he having heard him preach for the first time in his childhood home in Paris, Ill., but his parents had come to this county, settling near North Bend. Mr. Crozier walked from here to Paris, Ill., to pursue his studies, and later graduated at Miami University. After completing his theo- logical course and while visiting his parents at North Bend, in this county, he preached on two occasions to the congrega- tion of the Iowa City church which led to his being called to the pastorate. During his pastorate he acted as Sunday school superintendent, and traveled many miles to Dubuque and Ga- lena in his endeavors to raise funds to pay off the Hummer mortgage. This pastor was led to leave the congregation by a call from his former church at Palestine, Ill.
"It was about this time in the fall of 1853 that the church at Solon was organized, mainly by those who had taken letters from the church at Iowa City. Twenty members composed this congregation when first constituted and this drew from the membership in the Iowa City church. It was also during the ministry of Rev. Crozier that a settlement was made with
Digitized by Google
318
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
Hummer for $490, the bell being adjudged to him and the value taken from his claim.
"After a short vacancy the church called the Rev. F. A. Sbearer from Ohio. He was formally installed by the Pres- bytery of Cedar in September, 1854. In the summer following the church was put in repair at an expense of $600, and then the long-suffering people had another misfortune, since the prospects of occupying the renovated and restored church on the following Sunday were suddenly shattered.
"There was a carpenter shop on the lot west of the church in which a steam engine was used, and a spark from this en- gine caught upon the cupola of the church and in a short time they saw their house of worship, for which they had struggled so long, in ashes. But their energies soon rallied, and under the encouragement and sympathy of the community, the con- gregation determined on the erection of the present [1876] building. Under Mr. Shearer's ministry the church grew and prospered, many new names appearing on the rolls. Among them for the first time are found the names of the Ijams, Shep- herds, Coasts, Truesdells, Greers, Smiths, Woods, Duncans, Strubles, and Cochrans. With the loss of the church troubles of another nature arose and the pastor resigned and moved away. Before he left the basement of the church had been put in order for the services, and he preached his farewell sermon there on July 24, 1858.
"And now came a period of depression in the absence of any pastor in the time of the removal of the Capital to another point which caused the old gatherings of great conventions to go elsewhere, and in the lack of unity in management until the Presbytery was somewhat alarmed at the state of affairs. Finally an agreement was reached to call the Rev. O. O. Mc- Clean from Pennsylvania, who entered upon his duties in Oc- tober, 1859. He continued to fill this pulpit without formal in- stallation for two years. During a portion of this time the church was so deeply involved that the loss of their property was seriously threatened. To aid in the difficulty, the pastor, with Geo. W. Clark, went east to raise money, and returning with $1,000, with this and the additional funds raised on the grounds the debts were lifted and the property cleared. The resolutions of thanks offered at this time mentioned especially
.
Digitized by Google
319
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
Father Sanxay and J. C. Culbertson. Rev. Jacob Winters suc- ceeded Rev. McClean in 1862 by the call of the church, but he declined to accept the call. He had been the stated supply from the fall of 1861 until April of the following year."
The pastor who delivered this historical address gives his own account of his services: "The present pastor preached for the first time in this city in June, 1861, and on the removal of Mr. Winters came again and after preaching two Sabbaths, was shortly after called to the pastorate of the church. On the first Sabbath of October, 1862, fourteen years ago today [Oct., 1876] his ministry was begun. The principal points in his pastorate are familiar to all and need not be repeated. During these fourteen years the church edifice has been completed, the pastor's salary has grown from $600 to $1,600; 449 mem- bers have been added, and the membership has been raised from one hundred to two hundred and fifty."
The church being partially disorganized, in 1849, due to the death or removal of the ruling elders, the Rev. S. H. Hazard, who was at that time "laboring in the congregation," wrote to Elders C. B. Campbell, of the Washington church, and J. H. Wallace, of the Bloomington church, to visit this place and with himself to form a session for the time being, for the reception of members and otherwise to assist in the "reorganization" of the church. Accordingly, these elders accepted the invita- tion and the session was convened as agreed upon the date mentioned, June 16, 1849. Six members were received and the same day one of these new members, Baxter B. Hutton, was made an elder, who, with John Brandon, was ordained to that office the following day, June 17, that being the Sabbath day.
Ten lines in a small book tell all the history recorded from this date until the dedication of the first building in February, 1850. This occurred on the twenty-fourth of the month, the sermon being delivered by Rev. Hubbard of Muscatine, who was accompanied by T. S. Parvin, an elder in his church. It is worth while to notice that in the beginning of these minutes the town is called Bloomington, and now Muscatine, the cor- rect name, is applied, because during the latter part of 1849 the name was changed.207
After the destruction of the church by fire in May, 1856, the 21
Digitized by Google
320
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
following letter was sent out in the hope of securing some assistance in the rebuilding :
"Dear Sir:
"On the 19th day of May last [1856] the 'First Presbyterian Church of Iowa City' was destroyed by fire, which to us has proved a great loss, not only pecuniarily, but in the harvest of which our branch was and ought still to be reaping, from the rapidly increasing population of the city. We had but recently taxed ourselves and our friends largely for the purpose of completing and liquidating an old indebtedness on an edifice that had been erected 'through great tribulation,' and just as our beautiful house was about receiving the finishing stroke, our high hopes and glowing anticipations were covered in a cloud; the devouring element was upon it; and we now in sad- ness look upon its ruins.
"Notwithstanding we had, as we supposed, just exhausted every source or means, for the purpose of completing that which we all looked upon as an ornament, as well as a blessing to our young city; no sooner had the affliction fallen upon us than our members and friends came nobly to the rescue; and subscriptions far more liberal than we could have anticipated, have been made. But still we find our resources insufficient to build a house with such capacity, as is demanded by our rapidly increasing congregation.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.