USA > Iowa > Johnson County > Leading Events in Johnson County, Iowa, History > Part 28
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
N. Y., Joseph Sampson. 10
Cash
10
Cash 10
Do
10
Do
10
Cash
2
Collections in
Jamaica, L. I. 64.31
Greencastle, Pa. 30.50
Alexandria (?)
5.50
Williamsburg
17.31
Hollidaysburg
5
Sattsburg
11
185.62
Mr. McClung's Cong
8
Do
1
Cross roads.
28.15
George Stuart.
5
South Salem, N. Y.
79.25
Bedford, N. York.
75.05
South East, N. Y
37.62
Petersburg, Va.
33.00
Getti(y) sburg, Pa
50.00
Union Town, Pa.
102.00
Carlisle, Pa.
38.50
457.57
Subtract Carlisle.
38.50
419.07
brought over
185.62
604.69
Expenses 65.00 $539.69'' 305 On the eleventh day of October, 1853, the Presbytery of
Digitized by Google
333
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
Cedar met in Iowa City, and on the following day passed reso- lutions establishing a church at Solon, in Johnson county, "in which neighborhood some of the members of the First Presby- terian church of Iowa City reside." It was considered that when the church was organized there the members should no longer be regarded as a part of the Iowa City congregation. Twenty-three members composed the church of Solon, accord- ing to the statement of the clerk, who put it thus: "Presby- terian church of Solon was organized on the fourteenth day of October, 1853, with twenty-three members." Attest, J. Shoup. This is practically all of the record which furnishes any ac- count of the Solon congregation, beyond the fact of their build- ing and dedicating a church about 1868.
In the old Masonic hall in the town of Oxford, the Presby- terians perfected an organization of the church in 1870, by the persons who are called in all these undertakings the original or charter members. These were: Joel Linkhart, Jonathan H. Rider, W. W. Howard, Wm. H. Harrison, Stanley W. Smith, with their wives, and Mrs. Lucretia Scott, Miss Caroline How- ard, John Hutchinson, and Mrs. Clara D. Estabrook. The church was built in 1872 and dedicated by the pastor of the Presbyterian church in Iowa City at that time, Rev. S. M. Os- mond. The church had a membership of more than one hun- dred, thirty or more years ago. A committee from the Iowa City Presbytery had charge of the organization, the Rev. S. S. Howe, at that time a resident of the county, preached the first sermon in the depot of the Rock Island railway, where a Sun- day school had been organized some time previous to this event. W. H. Harrison was the only elder at first. Services were soon moved from the depot to the public school building, until a church was erected in 1872, the building then constructed being remodeled about four years ago. Only one of the fourteen charter members has a home and church connection here now, Mrs. Eliza Frances Linkhart. The pastor, James T. Wyllie, now in charge of the ninety members, was called here in Jan- nary, 1911, from Millersburg, Illinois.
In the old session book, we find the organization of Scott church written in the following style :
"On the tenth day of April, A. D. one thousand eight hun- dred and fifty-nine, it being the Christian Sabbath; and in the
Digitized by Google
334
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
District Schoolhouse Number Five, of Scott township, Johnson County, Iowa after a sermon by Rev. Peter S. VanNest, suited to the occasion, Rev. Samuel Storrs Howe, who had statedly supplied the people for the year previous, assisted by Rev. P. S. VanNest, both of Iowa City, proceeded to organize a church, to be known as the First Presbyterian Church of Scott.
"The following persons were then solemnly constituted the First Presbyterian church of Scott: towit, Almon Barnes and Sarah A. Barnes, his wife, by letter from the First Presby- terian church of Iowa City; also Benjamin Graham and Jane Graham, his wife, on certificate from the First Constitutional Presbyterian church aforesaid of Iowa City ; James McCready, by letter from the Presbyterian church of Iowa City, commonly called the 'Old School' and his wife, Mrs. Eliza B. McCready, on credible evidence of christian character; Mrs. Elizabeth Poorbaugh, and Miss Polly Poorbaugh, from the Lutheran church, of which church connection, when residing in Penn- sylvania, they gave satisfactory evidence, though not having certificates.
"Thus 'eight souls' as many as of old entered 'The Ark' gave their public assent to the articles and entered into the covenant prescribed in the 'Formulary' recommended by the Presbytery of Iowa City.
"Almon Barnes, formerly an elder in the First Constitu- tional church of Iowa City, was chosen and installed as ruling elder of this church.
"The members of the church duly organized, requested by a unanimous vote to be taken under the care of the Presbytery of Iowa City at their next meeting.
"The Lord's supper was also administered, on the occasion, after the organization of the church; and Almeda Victoria, infant daughter of James and Eliza McCready, also Louisa and Josephine, twin infant daughters of Benjamin and Jane Graham, were baptised.
"Attest, Sam Storrs Howe, moderator."
The little country church thus organized forty years ago in a school house seven and one-half miles southeast of Iowa City, very near the present site of the church building, has had a quiet, steady growth all these years and shows remarkable stability in this age of the passing of the country church.
Digitized by Google
335
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
As is always the case in a country congregation, the older, stronger members have from time to time been lost by removal to the city churches, but men have always stepped forward to take up the work thus dropped. Among those who sustained the church in its early history, two names stand out prominent- ly as its main support, namely Almon Barnes for spiritual de- votion, and Mr. Benjamin Graham for financial support.
Through the disbanding of the First Constitutional church, commonly called the Old Stone Church, the ruins of which were lately standing on the south side of Burlington street between Clinton and South Capitol streets, several gifts were made to Scott church; such as pulpit, large bible, silver communion service, etc. The bible was later stolen from the church build- ing, the pulpit is still in use, and the communion service is in the possession of the church, although not in use, as an indi- vidual service was presented a few years ago in memoriam of John Slemmons, a deceased elder of the church.
Fifteen men have served this little church during the half century of its existence, all of them enduring long, cold rides in winter and many other inconveniences, in order to keep alive the spiritual life of this community. Among the early men Rev. Howe, a retired minister living in Iowa City, was espe- cially devoted to the church, coming back to it after it had almost died out during the Civil War, supplying it until it became stronger again.
The church building was begun in 1870, finished and dedi- cated Aug. 13, 1871, during the pastorate of Rev. Spinny. Mr. Benjamin Graham donated the grounds, intending them for parsonage and cemetery as well as church building. A parson- age was built while Rev. Schell was serving the church and all the succeeding ministers lived in it except Rev. Hemingway, who resided at West Branch, filling that pulpit as well as the one at Scott.
Rev. Furniss left the parsonage fifteen years ago, moved to West Branch and the parsonage was sold and moved.
The grounds around the church were never used for a ceme- tery, as land was donated by Mr. Douglas on a farm several miles nearer Iowa City on what is now known as the farm of Stephen Thompson. About thirty families are represented. No deeds are required for lots, occupancy denoting possession.
Digitized by Google
336
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
The church at present consists of sixty-eight members, has been self-supporting for fifteen years, gives liberally to mis- sions, and contributes to all the Presbyterian boards.30%
The New School Presbyterians had an organization several years prior to the present organization of Unity Presbyterian church, but it had died out. In the spring of 1851 the first Sab- bath school was organized that had to do with the present Unity church, which was held in the old log school house lo- cated about two hundred yards south of the farm home of Geo. Stevens, Mr. Holmes, of Iowa City, assisting in the first organi- zation. Lock Williams was the first superintendent, and Jacob Sehorn was librarian, the school continuing about seven months. . However, in the following spring the Sabbath school was re- organized with the same officers. Allison Davis served as superintendent for one or more summers, and Iowa City pas- tors occasionally preached, while from Rev. Shearer's auto- biography we learn that he preached in Sehorn's saw mill, on Old Man's creek, September 2, 1855, and administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper.
In the spring of 1858 the Sabbath school was re-organized in the Union school house. That was the building that formerly stood on the corner south of the present church building, which is now used by Elder Davis as a corn crib. Mr. George Shelton, a member of the Episcopal church was superintendent for several summers. The school had a good library. Much atten- tion was given to the memorizing of scripture verses. The school rewarded the pupils memorizing five hundred or more verses with a book of their choice from the library. The Metho- dist people were active in the early days of the school. Mr. Gardner was superintendent three or four summers and Mrs. Gardner was the leader of song. After the church was organ- ized, for a number of years, the M. E. pastors from Iowa City preached alternate Sabbaths with the Presbyterians.
January 29, 1859, in answer to a petition that had been pre- sented to the Presbytery of Cedar in session at Cedar Rapids, which request had been granted, a committee of the Presbytery or rather one member of it, viz. Elder John Shoup, of the first Presbyterian church of Iowa City, together with Rev. F. A. Shearer, who was then laboring as a missionary for Cedar Presbytery, met the petitioners at the Union school house and
Digitized by by Google .
,
337
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
proceeded to effect an organization. After a sermon by Rev. Shearer, the following were admitted as charter members of the church: William Hanlon, W. B. Hanlon, Charlotte Han- lon, Edward Williams, Phebe C. Williams, Allison Davis, Polly Sehorn, and Ann Maria Williams from the First Presbyterian church of Iowa City, and Moses Hanlon and his wife Rhoda, from a church in Ontario, O. The newly organized church then proceeded to elect two elders by ballot. Moses and William Hanlon were elected. These brethren not seeing their way clear to accept, the ordination and installation was postponed until the next day. The Sabbath services were closed with the sacrament of the Lord's supper. The next day, Monday, the congregation met, and after a sermon by Rev. Shearer, the newly elected elders, under a deep sense of their unworthiness, having signified their acceptance of the office, were ordained and installed. A motion was made and unanimously carried to call the new church Unity.
Of the charter members there is but one now living, viz. Mrs. Ann Maria Williams, of Marne, Iowa. She is a sister of our present Senior Elder Thomas O. Thomas.
Rev. Jonathan Osmond became the first regular supply of the church, serving Unity in connection with Fairview church. The first session meeting at which he presided was May, 1867, but from the recollection of the older members of the church and from History of the Presbyterian Church in Iowa, he must have preached here from 1863 to 1868. During his pastorate he resided in Iowa City and in order to support his family he also served as county superintendent of schools.
Rev. A. M. Heizer was stated supply following Rev. Jona- than Osmond. He served the Oxford church in connection with Unity. His was a short pastorate but a very successful one. It was during his short pastorate that the church build- ing was erected. He was present and presided at the dedica- tion of the church on August 23, 1873. The sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Osmond, of Iowa City, a brother of the former pastor at Unity.
The winter of 1870-71 the Sabbath school continued for the first time throughout the winter. The attempt was successful, and from that time to the present Unity has had a regular Sab- bath school.
Digitized by Google
338
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
The first record of a meeting of the Congregationalists is March 19, 1872, which was held at Union school house. The chairman was William F. Buck, and the secretary, John Col- dren. The meeting was held to consider the matter of erecting a church building. A committee, consisting of T. O. Thomas and T. T. Williams, was appointed to consult with a number of Welsh Congregationalists and propose that they pay five hun- dred dollars or more toward the building of the church and that they have the use of it one-half of the time. They were also to have the privilege of selecting one trustee to fill a vacancy then existing. The plan was to build a church costing about two thousand dollars. A second meeting, the date not given but evidently held soon after the first, records that the committee reported acceptance of the proposition with the fol- lowing exceptions : (1) They to have a written lease for sixty years for half time. (2) The trustees not to be held respon- sible for accident to the building. (3) Alternating in use of the church, morning of one Sabbath and afternoon of the next.
The amended proposition was found agreeable and a com- mittee was appointed to circulate subscription papers, as fol- lows: John Coldren, T. O. Thomas, T. T. Williams, Robert Davis, and William F. Buck, and on July 6, 1872, the church was incorporated. The trustees, William F. Buck, David H. Price, and John Coldren, signing the articles of incorporation for the congregation. October 9, 1872, the congregation met, or rather as the records show, the citizens of Union township, and a building committee was selected as follows: Roland Reese, Henry Heiny, and M. H. Carson. T. O. Thomas was elected treasurer and T. T. Williams secretary. The trustees were appointed a committee to draft by-laws. So far as known they have not yet completed their work.
Roland Reese declining to serve on the building committee, it would seem from the records that Henry Heiny must also have declined, although the records do not so show, for at the close of this Congregational meeting the building committee were: M. H. Carson, D. R. Lewis, and W. L. Humphreys, but this committee was later reorganized.
February 3, 1873, the congregation relieved the Welsh Con- gregationalists from their subscriptions, so that it is well to pause here for a little explanation. Over northwest from the
Digitized by Google
339
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
present location of Unity church a number of Welsh Congrega- tionalists had located, and it was with them that negotiations had been pending to share in the building of the church. These Welsh Congregationalists of their own motion decided that the partnership planned might prove a source of trouble later on, and so withdrew from the contemplated agreement. But they as individuals subscribed liberally to the building fund and united with the church, becoming efficient workers in the church.
More than three years passed before another congregational meeting was held or at least before any record is made of it, since in December, 1876, the congregation met and elected three trustees for one, two, and three year terms, and since that time, with few exceptions, elections have been held regularly.
The first installed pastor of Unity church was Rev. David Brown, later pastor of the church at Hills, Iowa. He served Unity in connection with Oxford from December, 1873, to De- cember, 1883.
Rev. D. B. Flemming was the first pastor residing on the field. He served the church acceptably for five years - from April, 1884, to April, 1889.
Rev. G. M. Hardy served the church from the spring of 1890 to the fall of 1893. It was after he came to the field that the manse was completed, and wise man that he was, in not wanting to occupy it alone, he wooed and won one of Unity's splendid young women, Miss Eliza Jane Williams. So Unity manse was honored in having as the first "Mistress of the Manse" one of her own daughters and a daughter of two of the charter members of the church.
Rev. Bantly was installed pastor the afternoon of Nov. 6, 1893, and served the church for eight years. The largest Sab- bath school reported to Presbytery was the second year of Rev. Bantly's pastorate. The total reported for that year was 114.
Rev. J. R. Vance arrived on the field from Armstrong, Iowa, January 1, 1902, and served the church as stated supply till April 23, 1903.
Rev. Charles C. Brown succeeded Rev. Vance, coming to the field from Marne, Iowa, beginning in August, 1903, his father, Rev. David Brown, who was pastor from 1873 to 1883, being
Digitized by Google
.
340
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
present at the installation and giving the charge to the people. The present pastor, Rev. H. S. Condit, began his work here in November, 1908, and was installed the following month. It was during his pastorate in February, 1909, that the congrega- tion celebrated its "Golden Jubilee," fifty years of its history having passed. It happens that Rev. F. A. Shearer, who as- sisted in the organization of Unity church, was the pastor of the parents of Rev. Condit, and officiated at his baptism in his infancy.
In conclusion it may be said that the country church, found- ed by such people as composed and now make up its congrega- tion, make any township a far more comfortable and better place in which to reside.307
Digitized by Google
CHAPTER XVII
The Catholic Churches
ST. MARY'S Catholic church, on the corner of Linn and Jefferson streets in Iowa City, was the third house of worship built in the city, Bishop Loras, of Dubuque, laying the corner stone on July 12, 1841. The structure was completed under its first plan in 1844. However, this does not imply that no services had been held in the vicinity up to that time, for prior to 1837 it is said that missionaries visited this territory, and traveled from settlement to settlement in any way that offered, facing the hardships of frontier life that spiritual needs might be ministered to, where the struggle for bodily needs was so great.
Before the date mentioned above the Catholics of this vicin- ity united and the place to be utilized in lieu of a church was the residence of Ferdinand Haberstroh, uncle to Julius Haber- stroh, who now resides on North Gilbert street. This pioneer was a hotel keeper and his establishment is now the Marshall home on Jefferson street, just west of the Lytle residence. Here it was that Father Mazuchelli said mass, the mantle piece being utilized as an altar.
While the Catholics had been brought together they had not yet been formally organized. This was accomplished by Father Pelamorgues in 1842 and the parishioners built a small brick structure on the alley near the present parochial resi- dence, which, however, proved too small and was followed by another church that occupied the site of the present church, in 1843. Bishop Loras laid the corner stone, the structure being used for church purposes until 1867, when it was torn down to make room for the present St. Mary's of the Visitation.
After Father Pelamorgues came Fathers Allman and Gott- fried, the latter serving as rector until 1846. He was followed by Father Poyst in 1848, but for the two years prior to that
Digitized by Google
342
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
time the congregation was without a spiritual adviser. Father McCormick followed in 1851 and in 1854 Father Hannon took charge, having previously assisted Father McCormick. In 1855 Father Michels came, who in turn was succeeded by Father William Emonds, on March 4, 1858, who was influential in the entire county.
The corner stone for the new church was laid on October 27, 1867, the dedication ceremonies following two years later, or on August 15, 1869. At these services the Rt. Rev. Bishop per-
OLD ST. MARY'S CHURCH
formed the consecration before the people were admitted gen- erally. He was assisted by several well known priests, chief of whom was the late Bishop Cosgrove, then but a young priest, who also chanted the high mass at the conclusion of the dedication services.
Early in November of 1890, Father Emonds announced his intention of leaving, and a Sunday later delivered the farewell sermon. He was succeeded by Father Kempker, who was in charge for a short time, to be succeeded by Rev. A. J. Schulte, then president of St. Ambrose college, Davenport, on Septem- ber 17, 1891. Rev. Schulte has been here continuously since.
Digitized by Google
343
THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES
As is known St. Mary's is the parent church of all the con- gregations and missions that surround this city such as St. Patrick's, St. Wenceslaus, Oxford, Windham, Nolan Settle- ment, Solon, South Liberty, English River, Riverside, and Lone Tree, some of which have since been abandoned or transferred. But now that the parent church had covered the mission field attention was turned towards internal development. Schools were established for the furtherance of religious and academic education the first of note being St. Joseph's Institute. This school was founded by Father Emonds in 1865 and was a success, drawing its students from all over the state and even from the distant states. In its most flourishing condition it numbered nearly three hundred students and among its equip- ments was a chemical laboratory regarded as one of the best in the state. In 1872 the institution was incorporated, attain- ing all the powers and privileges of a college. Full charge was assumed by Father Emonds, who was assisted by a board of regents and a complete corps of teachers. However, with the advancement of the university here and other state sup- ported institutions in Iowa, patronage was gradually with- drawn until in the spring of 1892 the old institution was torn down and the corner stone of the present St. Mary's school laid.
St. Mary's school was begun in the fall of 1892 and was opened one year later with the Franciscan Sisters in charge. They continued their work for a few years to be succeeded by the Sisters of Charity of Dubuque, who have had the matter of teaching in their hands for about twelve years.
St. Mary's school is justly the pride of the parish and no end of careful thought and study has been given its problems by its able director, Rev. Schulte. It was among the first if not the very first Catholic school, to become a fully accredited Catholic high school by so arranging its curriculum and shap- ing its course under the direction of the university authorities that its graduates are admitted to the university to full fresh- man standing, subject of course to the requirements asked. From this institution the first class was graduated in 1900 in the high school department. Religious education is afforded in a very thorough manner but none of the other studies is on this account allowed to be neglected or handled lightly. In
Digitized by Google
344
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
addition to the high school department, there are, of course, the primary, graded and grammar departments.
Naturally with the limited funds raised by voluntary sub- scription, the work of improving and beautifying the church went on slowly though surely. On July 19, 1882, twelve Stations of the Cross, representing scenes in Christ's journey to Cal- vary, arrived at the church. These are said to be among the best seen in this state. Early in January of the next year the organ which required two cars for its shipment, was installed.
Upon the accession of Rev. Schulte the improvement work was continued and the results are today plainly visible. Dur- ing 1907 and 1908 the interior of the present St. Mary's was greatly improved by the complete wiring of the church on the conduit plan, and by the addition of a dozen new statues to adorn the sidewalls and most of all by new frescoing which was completed at a cost of over $3000, and buttresses were placed along the outer walls to strengthen them.
By the terms of the articles of incorporation the bishop of the diocese is the president of the executive board composed in addition of the vicar general of the diocese, the rector of St. Mary's and two laymen, title to the church property being held by the president. By the terms of the document annual meet- ings are held by the congregation and two directors are chosen bi-annually. The first two lay members of the executive board to be thus chosen were the late John Sueppel, Sr., and George Hummer.
Upon the occasion of the festivities in February of 1907, in honor of the twenty-fifth anniversary of Rev. Schulte's ser- vices, another honor was given St. Mary's by the bishop of the diocese who made this parish a deanery and its rector, Very Rev. A. J. Schulte, the dean thereof. This honor made the rector of St. Mary's irremovable and gave him supervision in church matters over the eighteen priests in this deanery. Meet- ings are held at the Dean's residence twice a year at which matters pertaining to church work, development and improve- ment are considered and taken up in session and with the dean.
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.