USA > Iowa > Fayette County > Past and present of Fayette County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 26
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Though the ranks of the student body were depleted by the war for the time being, yet through the strenuous efforts of the indomitable President Brush they were soon filled again and the school increased in numbers. I insert a copy of the "Requirements and Prohibitions" as printed in the cata- logue of 1860-1862 for the purpose of refreshing the memories of those who attended school those days and for the instruction of the youth of today.
REQUIREMENTS.
I. Registry of name.
2. Strict observance of study hours.
3. Promptness in the literary exercises.
4. Strict observance of the Sabbath.
5. Attendance at church as shall be directed.
6. Attendance at morning and evening prayers in the chapel.
7. Public exercises of the students, always by consent or direction of the faculty.
8. The use of public rooms by consent of the faculty.
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9. Free access of any teacher to the rooms of students.
IO. No instruction received out of the institution without the consent of the faculty.
THINGS PROHIBITED.
İ. Unpermitted association of gentlemen and ladies.
2. Games of chance; the use of intoxicating drinks.
3. Profane or obscene language.
4. Smoking or chewing tobacco on college premises.
5. Visiting on the Sabbath or in study hours.
6. Unnecessary noise in or about the institution.
7. Absence from examinations or other required exercises.
8. Leaving the village without permission.
9. Frequenting bar rooms or saloons.
IO. The use of gunpowder on the premises.
II. Attendance at balls, etc.
In 1869 Rev. Charles N. Stowers, A. M., was elected president and served for one year. The conference minutes for 1870 contain the following report for Upper Iowa University for the year 1869-1870:
"We learn from the reports of the trustees that during the year this in- stitution has been in a prosperous condition. Notwithstanding the financial pressure, a large number of students were in attendance and received thorough instruction from competent teachers. Improvements have been made in the college building, rendering it more attractive and convenient. The institu- tion is on a good financial basis, but needs additions to its endowment fund to make it more efficient.
"Prof. B. W. McLean, as acting president, will have charge of the uni- versity the ensuing year, and from his ability as an educator, we may con- fidently expect great prosperity. The fall term opens September 14th, under more favorable auspices than ever before."
Prof. Byron W. McLean, Ph. D., an educator, was elected to the presi- dency in 1870, in which position he remained for two years.
In the conference minutes for 1871 we find that the total number of stu- dents for 1870-71 was one hundred eighty-three and that the financial defi- ciency was one thousand five hundred dollars for 1869-70 and three hundred seventy-one dollars and thirty cents for 1870-71. The minutes for 1872 show a deficiency for 1871-2 of nine hundred fifty dollars, also that the entire indebtedness at that time was somewhat less than five thousand dollars.
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There was at this time a nominal endowment of thirty-five thousand dol- lars in subscription notes, upon which there was over five thousand dollars accrued interest unpaid.
Whether this proves that the signers of these notes were indifferent to the obligations they had assumed and thus showed a degree of moral obliquity, or that they had, in their generosity, assumed impossible obligations, is not certain. But that of nearly all of these subscriptions neither interest nor principal was ever paid is a matter of actual history. The panic of 1873 soon came and practically ended all payments on these notes and seemingly all efforts to collect them.
In 1872 Rev. Rhoderic Norton, A. M., became president and served for one year. The year was one of prosperity and harmony. The debt was re- duced to about two thousand six hundred dollars and the number of students had increased to two hundred twenty-five for the academic year.
The resignation of Rev. Norton in 1873 left the school without a presi- dent. The board of trustees did not elect a successor at once, but left the management of the institution in the hands of Rev. J. H. W. Bissell, A. M., who was at that time vice-president. His work was so successful that at the annual meeting of the board of trustees in June, 1874, he was made president. As such he served the college for twenty-five years, retiring in 1899. Doctor Bissell's connection with the institution extended over a period of twenty- seven years, since he had served one year as professor of natural science and one year as vice-president before becoming president. He was the right man in the right place. A Christian gentleman, a profound scholar, a proficient teacher, a strong executive, he still lives in the hearts of thousands of students who came under his influence. No man could have been more faithful or labored with greater earnestness. His unflagging self-sacrificing work is not yet fully appreciated, but is being more and more justly estimated as the years go by.
Only twenty-three persons had graduated before he became the executive head of the school. During the period of his administration three hundred four persons graduated from the College of Liberal Arts. During this period the number of students had increased from two hundred twenty-five to four hundred twelve for the academic year. It was a period of material growth as well. Five buildings were erected during the time.
South Hall, a house for the young women of the school, was completed in 1885, at a cost of eight thousand dollars; Science Hall, now used for the recitation rooms and laboratories of the natural sciences, was completed in 1887, at a cost of eight thousand dollars ; the Chapel, consisting of a basement
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for class work and auditorium with a seating capacity of six hundred, was erected in 1890, at a cost of seven thousand five hundred dollars; the observa- tory was built in 1886, and the gymnasium in 1889.
A splendid beginning on permanent endowment was also made during the period of Doctor Bissell's presidency. There are three distinct endow- ments, under the control of three distinct corporations. The principal of each endowment is to remain intact forever, and the annual income from each is to be used for the benefit of the college, as directed by the constitution of each organization. These three organizations are, the Endowment Custod- ians, representing the college itself, the Alumni Association and the Ladies' Professorship Association.
The Ladies' Professorship Association is an organization of women who have been untiring to secure sufficient funds to endow a professorship in Upper Iowa University. The first suggestion of the plan was made at a class dinner during commencement week of 1873, by Dr. John C. Magee, who was a member of the graduating class of that year. A constitution was adopted and the organization effected in November, 1873. The purpose is set forth in this constitution as follows: "The object of this association is to endow a chair to be known as the Lady Professorship of Upper Iowa University, the professor to be chosen by the joint action of the association and the board of trustees." The presidents of the association have been Mrs. A. N. Ingham, Mrs. A. J. Duncan, Mrs. A. Hamlin, Mrs. J. W. Bissell, Mrs. G. P. Scobey and Mrs. J. W. Dickman. During the first twenty-five years of its history the fund reached nearly five thousand dollars.
' In 1898 the constitution was so modified as to permit of increasing the members of the association and thus extending its influence. At the regular meeting in June, 1903, the organization entered upon a campaign to increase its endowment to twenty thousand dollars by the time of the celebration of the semi-centennial. The task seemed impossible, but the result proves that noth- ing is impossible when women prosecute a righteous undertaking. At the celebration in June, 1908, the ladies were able to report that their fund had reached in cash and good subscription notes the sum of twenty-one thousand two hundred eighty-six dollars and sixty-five cents.
At this hour of triumph and victory the association voted to name the chair in honor of Dr. and Mrs. J. W. Bissell, a fitting recognition of and memorial to their long and faithful service to the school.
About 1888 some of the graduates of the college began to talk about the possibility of an alumni endowment. In 1889 the writer of this sketch dis-
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cussed the matter with Dr. J. W. Bissell and Prof. H. E. Hurd. They both approved and encouraged the undertaking. The Alumni Association had ex- isted for several years, but only as an organization for fellowship and fra- ternity. A proposition to reorganize with a new constitution and the definite purpose of creating an endowment was presented to the association in June, 1889, and adopted. Then followed a campaign among the alumni for sub- scriptions to be valid and become interest-bearing from January 1, .1895, pro- vided the minimum sum of fifteen thousand dollars should be secured in ap- proved promissory notes by June 20, 1894. The condition was met with a sur- plus of four hundred fifty dollars. It took a strenuous campaign. The graduates for the most part were young and made their subscriptions wholly on faith in the future and because of their loyalty to their Alma Mater. They were hence necessarily small, only a few of them exceeding one hundred dol- lars. The loyalty of the graduates and the enthusiasm in the undertaking were exemplified by the fact that many of the class of 1895, although only juniors, came to the rescue and made their subscriptions in 1894 to validate the endowment.
Since 1895 the association has constantly pushed the effort to increase the endowment and as a result was able to report at the semi-centennial an endowment, including the notes still unproductive, of thirty-five thousand dol- lars. The writer of this sketch is glad to have had some part in bringing this to pass. At its annual meeting in June, 1895, the association assumed the salary of the head of the department of natural science for the ensuing year, and has continued to pay in full the salary of one member of the faculty since that time.
In 1890 the board of trustees, largely through the influence of President J. W. Bissell and Prof. H. E. Hurd, set out to raise an endowment. By 1895 this had reached the sum of twenty-four thousand dollars. In addition to this, Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Dudley had given the institution their farm of three hundred seven acres in Fremont township with the condition of the payment by Upper Iowa University of six hundred dollars annually during the period of the natural lives of both Mr. and Mrs. Dudley. This farm was worth at that time not less than twelve thousand dollars. In securing the endowment Professor Hurd should have boundless credit for his assistance. He worked with an energy and faith and perseverance seldom equaled anywhere. He gave largely himself and this gave him power with others.
Thus the history of progress during President Bissell's administration is a record of which he may well be proud.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
Rev. Guy Potter Benton, A. M., was elected to the presidency in 1899. Talented, educated, consecrated, he brought with him the enthusiasm of a young man and wrought nobly for a period of three years, resigning to accept the presidency of Miami University in 1902. During this period the Hender- son Library, the gift of Andrew Carnegie, was erected, at a cost of twenty- six thousand five hundred fifty dollars, and the magnificent gift of twenty-five thousand five hundred dollars by ex-Governor Larrabee was received. The first came in March, 1901, through the efforts of the late Col. D. B. Hender- son, who was then speaker of the House of Representatives, President Benton urging the Speaker to the task. Mr. Henderson in reporting the gift stated that Mr. Carnegie had said to him that "Any school that could do as much for a Scotchman as Upper Iowa had done for him should certainly be helped."
The second came in July, 1901. Thus 1901 became a red-letter year for the old college.
Dr. Thomas J. Bassett, Ph. D., was elected president in 1902, serving until 1905. President Bassett was a man of keen scholarship, deep piety and a long experience in college work. He gave the full measure of his power to the building of the school. It was during his administration that the plans were laid, the plowing begun and some of the seed sown for the campaign for additional endowment to aggregate one hundred fifty thousand dollars by the semi-centennial celebration. Negotiations were entered upon with Mr. Carnegie, and Q. C. Babcock decided to make his splendid contribution of twenty-five thousand dollars.
Rev. William Arnold Shanklin, D. D., became president in 1905, resign- ing in 1909, to accept the presidency of Wesleyan University. The events of his administration, and especially the signal triumph of the college in many ways at the celebration in June, 1908, are still fresh in the minds of the citizens of Fayette county. Doctor Shanklin's personality, culture and refinement attracted the attention of many to Upper Iowa and her president. He gave his best efforts to the school.
Rev. Richard Watson Cooper, D. D., was elected president in 1909 and is just entering upon his work with great promise of success. He comes a man of letters and educational power.
The following persons have served as presidents of the board of trustees : H. S. Bronson, fourteen years; Levi Fuller, eighteen years; Elias Skinner, two years; C. C. Parker, one year; J. Webb, two years; W. B. Lakin, one year; R. W. Keeler, seven years; C. D. Foss, one year; S. B. Zeigler, three years ; Q. C. Babcock, six years.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
The most important institution in Fayette county is Upper Iowa Uni- versity. She is entitled to the largest consideration, the best thoughts and the most generous support that the people of the county are able to give. Over ten thousand young people have received instruction and inspiration in her halls. She stands for Christ and His Kingdom and the best possible in life for man.
CHAPTER XV.
CHURCHES OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
The following articles have been contributed by members of the different organizations mentioned, and contain much interesting and previously un- written history. The preparation of these articles has involved much patient and careful study and deep research. The editor and publishers are under lasting obligations to the writers, Mr. and Mrs. John Owens, F. Y. Whitmore, Rev. G. Blessin, Rev. J. L. Paine, Carl Evans, Hon. C. B. Hughes, Hon. H. L. Adams, Hon. D. W. Clements, Mrs. Anna Holton, the public press of the county, which has been uniformly courteous and helpful, and to many other individuals who have given timely hints and suggestions.
The absence of special articles on some of the churches will be noticed, and we refer the reader to the history of the town or township where such are (or were) located, for such details as are now obtainable.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
By F. Y. Whitmore.
The first Baptist church west of the Mississippi river and north of the Missouri state line was organized in 1834 at Long Creek, Iowa, a few miles west of where the city of Burlington now stands, and is still in existence, being now known as the Danville Baptist church. Elder John Logan and Gardner Bartlett, missionaries to the state of Illinois, sent out by the American Baptist Home Mission Society, assisted at the organization. Other churches were formed, as settlements increased, and in 1842 Rev. Charles E. Brown was sent by the Home Mission Society to the territory of Iowa, the Forks of the Maquoketa in Jackson county being his destination, where he arrived on May 26th of that year. At what time the first work was done by the Baptists in Fayette county cannot now be told. Among the new settlers who located in the county in the late forties and early fifties were doubtless a fair propor- tion of this faith, and itinerant preachers of all denominations visited the vari- ous settlements looking after the spiritual welfare of the people, and the Baptists had their workers in the fields with the others.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, IOWA.
At the meeting of the Davenport association, held at Colesburg, in Dela- ware county, September 16, 1853, the church at West Union was admitted, and reported fifteen members. It was represented by the pastor, Rev. George Scott, with David Dayton and David H. Hall.
In the state convention minutes of 1854, this church was reported as having thirty-nine members. The Dubuque association was formed August 30, 1855, when the West Union church became a part of that organization, and the churches in Fayette county remained in this association until July 14, 1860, when the Turkey River association was formed, the first meeting being held at West Union in that year and four churches, Illyria, Oran, West- field and West Union, were reported from this county.
This association, however, was never a strong body in numbers, although at one time sixteen churches were reported. It continued as a separate organ- ization until 1905, when it was again merged with the Dubuque association, the first meeting of the combination being also held at West Union in 1906.
The first church organized in the county was at West Union; the date, however, is unknown, as the records are lost. A copy of the proceedings of the council of recognition is, however, in existence, which shows such council to have been held at the home of Hon. Thomas Woodle, October 23, 1852, the advisory council consisting of Elder Thomas Ritchie, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and Elder Calvin D. Farnsworth, of Colesburg, Iowa. Elder Ritchie presided, and Friend Dayton was chosen clerk. The recognition services were held on the day following, October 24th, the sermon was preached by Reverend Farnsworth and the charge to the church given by Reverend Ritchie. The organizing members were eleven in number, one of whom, Lorenzo Dutton, is still living, although not now a member of the church. The first pastor was Rev. J. Arnold, who was called in March, 1853, to preach one-fourth of the time for six months. In September of the same year, Rev. George Scott was engaged as pastor at a salary of one hundred dollars. It was during his pastorate that their first church building was erected, the pastor himself doing quite a portion of the work. This building still stands as one of the old relics of early days, and is used as a shop and for storage. It was built on lot 18, block 13, of the original plat of West Union. Pastors subsequent to Mr. Scott were Rev. J. H. Parmlee in 1856, Rev. Myron Newell in 1858, Rev. John Williams, Rev. F. Hill, Rev. J. M. Wedgewood, Rev. D. S. Starr and Rev. R. F. Powers, from 1858 to 1869. A new church building, commenced in 1867, was not completed until January, 1870. In March after the dedication, Rev. C. J. B. Jackson became pastor, remaining two years, followed by Rev. Thomas Ure, who also served the
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church for two years. Rev. J. C. Douglas was pastor for six months in 1875. Rev. M. H. Perry came in August, 1876, continuing until September, 1879. The church was without a pastor in 1880, but early in 1881 Rev. A. C. Nichols was called. He remained two years, during which time the debt contracted in building the church was paid. The church had no pastors during the years 1883, 1884 and 1885. In February, 1886, Rev. F. Bower commenced his work as pastor and continued until 1894, a period of eight years, being the longest pastorate the church has ever had. When his advanced years com- pelled him to give up the work, Rev. E. H. Gillet was called. He remained until November, 1901, and was followed by Rev. W. G. Silke, who supplied until the following August, during which time the audience room was re- modeled, other changes made in the church interior and new pews obtained.
Rev. W. R. Hill came directly from his school in Chicago in August, 1901, and remained as pastor until June, 1906. In the few months following new windows were put in the church building, cement walks built and other needed repairs and improvements were made. In January, 1907, Rev. Frank Day commenced his work. He resigned during the summer of 1910 and Rev. E. H. Gillet was recalled and is the present pastor. During the former pastorate of Rev. Gillet work was done by him at Brainard, and as a result quite a num- ber united with the church at West Union, and in 1898 a chapel was built, which has since been used in connection with the work there as a part of the West Union church.
A donation of five hundred dollars was made to the church by the late Mrs. A. F. Stilwell, of Fayette, for a parsonage fund, which with its accumula- tion was used as part payment for a small property bought for this purpose in 1904.
In common with the other churches in West Union, this church received a bequest of one thousand five hundred dollars from the estate of the late David Bell, part of which was used in payment for the parsonage, and part is still held by the church in the original form of investment turned over to the church by the administrator of his estate. In April, 1909, the lot adjoin- ing the church building on the north was purchased, and during that year a neat and commodious parsonage was built. thus giving the church a very de- sirable property. Among those who have been members and especially de- serving of mention are Hon. Thomas Woodle, who died early in the history of the church; S. W. Cole, one of the early superintendents of the schools of the county and known over the state as a Sunday school worker, now living in Detroit, Michigan; Deacon Benjamin Morse, at one time clerk of the court, now residing at Wabash, Indiana; Deacon W. A. Whitney, now deceased,
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who bore the burden of church building, freely using his own credit when needed for the purpose. The Sunday school superintendents since its organ- ization in the new church in 1870 have been F. Y. Whitmore, B. Morse, Rev. Thomas Ure, A. A. Johnson, P. D. Scofield, Alice B. Whitmore, F. B. Whit- more, Rev. E. H. Gillet, F. W. Orchard, Prof. M. O. Perry and F. W. Kings- bury. The present church officers are Elbert Helmer, Ed. J. Jacobs and John D. Butler, trustees ; J. W. Helmer, clerk ; and F. Y. Whitmore, treasurer.
BAPTISTS IN ORAN TOWNSHIP.
On October 14, 1855, nine persons met at the home of Mr. Simon Schultz, in Oran township, and organized themselves into a body for Christian worship and service, calling themselves the Regular Baptist church of Oran township. This church was duly recognized by a council, called for the pur- pose a few weeks later. The membership of this church was represented by well known families of the first settlers, as among them are found the names of O'Neel, Ross, Roberts, Rairden, Schultz, Soper and others. They were a stanch body of Christian men and women, and did good work for the Master's cause. As one has said, "This organization was a success and the means of doing much good in the neighborhood. The membership grew in numbers and at their meetings, held at first in private homes and afterward in the school house, the attendance was often larger than the buildings would hold." Rev. Rowley, of Quasqueton, Rev. George Scott and Rev. Baldwin were among the first preachers and pastors. In about 1858 the church be- came divided on the subject of missions. A portion of the membership with- drew and organized as a Missionary church with Rev. P. Colgrove as pastor, who, however, died soon afterwards. Rev. Alva Bush supplied them for a time, when the organization was moved to Fairbanks, where Rev. J. F. Rair- den was ordained and served as pastor until sent as a missionary by the Home Mission Society to do work in Missouri. The succeeding pastors of the old organization were Rev. Charles N. Martin, Rev. J. H. Ross and Rev. James Hubbard. Both organizations have become extinct or absorbed by the other churches.
FAYETTE BAPTIST CHURCH.
In 1858 a church was organized at Westfield, and was afterward known as the Fayette Baptist church, and had as successive pastors, Rev. Alva Bush, who taught in the Upper Iowa University at the same time, Rev. J. B. Ward, Rev. A. Woodward, Rev. R. F. Powers, Rev. A. W. Hilton and Rev. M. H.
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Perry. Constant removals reduced the numbers and the organization was disbanded in the early eighties. In the same year, 1858, a church was organ- ized at Illyria, growing out of a flourishing Sunday school held in the neigh- borhood, continuing about ten years with occasional preaching services, but ·with no regular pastor. It never was a strong body, and after the removal of a majority of the member's, those remaining were granted letters of dis- missal to join elsewhere. In 1860 or 1861 a small church was organized at Eden. It reported to the Cedar Valley association in 1861 with Rev. S. Sherman as pastor and Whitman Smith, clerk. Later pastors were Rev. J. M. Wedgewood and Rev. G. W. Goodrich. In 1877 Rev. L. Ellingswood was reported as pastor, but he removed soon after and no further report of the organization was made.
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