USA > Iowa > Lucas County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 4
USA > Iowa > Wayne County > Past and present of Lucas and Wayne counties, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 4
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
To this town the commissioners gave the name of Polk in honor of the then recently retired president. The people.
45
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
however, for some reason were not satisfied with this name and soon thereafter at a public meeting of the settlers changed it to Chariton. Chariton is a French name. It was the name of a Frenchman who was an Indian trader. He located a trading post on the north bank of the Missouri river at the point where the Chariton river empties into the Missouri, and called it Chariton.
OTHER TOWNS IN LUCAS COUNTY
The towns in Lucas county outside of Chariton, the county seat, are the towns of Russell, in Washington town- ship, Derby in Union township and Lucas in Jackson town- ship. Each of these towns have a population of about six hundred people.
RUSSELL
Russell is situated on the main line of the C., B. & Q. R. R., about eight miles east of Chariton. It has the usual com- modious schoolhouse common to Iowa towns of its size. As hereinbefore stated, Iowa has very nearly approached perfec- Hon i_ the building of such houses. Our architects have con- structed so many schoolhouses in the state during the last thirty-five years, and the competition between architects for the construction thereof has been so acute, that it would seem that they have discovered every possible advantage or im- provement in such houses. In other words, the modern school- house in Iowa is a model of perfection in such buildings. They have not only looked to the point of constructing a sub- stantial house, but they have had regard to the beauty and convenience of the same. They have sought to render it at- tractive, thereby impressing teachers and students with pleas- ant memories of their stay therein, and causing them to refer with pride to this beautiful house and grounds where they acquired their education.
Here they not only acquire knowledge of the elementary branches of education, but the surroundings educate and de- velop the love of the beautiful and useful things of life, which tends to render them better men and women.
Russell also has the usual number of churches and church buildings. While none of them are unusually large or attrac- Vol. I-3
46
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
tive, yet they indicate that such societies are energetic, and alive to the interest involved therein, and their church build- ings are amply sufficient to accommodate their membership.
The number of orders and societies in these smaller towns, of both men and women, shows that the existence and growth of the same is realized and appreciated by the community, and the influence and teachings thereof is felt in such communi- ties.
While such towns cannot become large, or grow into cities, yet they become and are great convenience and benefit to the people of the surrounding county. They each possess large supplies of lumber and building materials, and also a large supply of hardware and farm implements, and farm machin- ery, which can be, and is sold as cheaply there as in any other market.
The last generation has discussed the question whether or not we should endeavor to cheapen the cost of such articles by placing them on the free list, permitting their importation and sale in this country without duty, but, as this question has not been finally settled, it remains a question to be deter- mined by the next generation of statesmen. When all other questions are determined, the people can entertain themselves by discussing the tariff.
DERBY
The town of Derby is situated on the branch road of the C .. B. & Q. R. R. Co., extending from Chariton to St. Joseph, Mis- souri. It is surrounded by a first class farming country, and has several general stores, besides extensive stocks of lumber. hardware and farm implements. Derby and Lucas keep and sell as much hardware and farm machinery and implements as Chariton does.
Derby has the usual number of schoolhouses, churches and other societies and organizations. These smaller towns. of late years, have shown a disposition to organize and encourage the usual societies, orders and means of social and mental improvement witnessed in cities and larger towns. As some one remarked, there is no reason why his village of Tinkle- town with a population of 100 souls could not have as beauti- ful blue grass lawns, as they have in Chicago and New York.
47
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
LUCAS
The town of Lucas, while possessing in substance about the same number of people possessed by Russell and Derby, and also with improvements, stores, churches and other ad- vantages and organizations of said towns, has at times had the advantage of being the seat of valuable coal mines. For many years the coal mines at and near the town of Lucas were so operated as to produce from 200 to 600 tons of coal per day. The history of such mining operations has been shown in our article in relation to coal. The effect of this coal business on the town was apparent. At times when said mines were in full operation the population would increase to several thousand people, but when the mines would close, the population would decrease to five or six hundred people .. An effort is now being made to renew this mining business.
ORDERS AND SOCIETIES
Chariton has the usual number of orders and societies pos- sessed, perhaps, by every town of its population. While the proceedings and work of such orders are usually done so sec- retly and quietly that the general public does not take note thereof, yet the benefits and advantages of such associations become apparent to every person acquainted therewith. Men become attached to such orders, and many of them attend the meetings thereof more regularly than they do their churches. They also in a quiet way assist the needy and unfortunate, and in divers ways lessen or palliate many of the ills of humanity.
THE MASONS
Chariton Lodge No. 63 of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons was instituted by Grand Master A. R. Cotton of the Grand Lodge of Iowa. Its chapter bears date June 6, 1855. The following are the names of its charter members. viz .: S. P. Yeoman, P. G. Goss, G. W. Glenn, Joseph Mitchell, James Baker, J. E. McClerg, W. W. Baker, James Glenn.
The first officers were: S. P. Yeoman, worshipful master; James Baker, senior warden; P. G. Goss, junior warden; Joseph Mitchell. treasurer; W. W. Baker, secretary.
48
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
J. N. McClanahan, a member of this lodge, was grand mas- ter of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
Many years ago this lodge, in connection with the Odd Fellows, purchased a half lot on the northwest corner of the public square in Chariton. This half lot was forty-two and one-fourth feet front, with a depth of 165 feet. The two lodges held the title to said half lot in common for many years before any house was built thereon. After owning this half lot for several years in common, it was divided between them, the Odd Fellows taking the south half thereof, and the Masons the north half.
G. W. Larimer, the owner of an ordinary business lot ad- joining this half lot, being twenty-one feet four inches front, and 165 feet in depth. As these parties were together the owners of three ordinary sized business lots, they concluded to build one house thereon, and they built a three-story brick house on the same about the year 1890.
The lower story is occupied by store-rooms, the second story by offices, and the third by lodge rooms. The First Na- tional Bank of Chariton has occupied the corner rooms in the first story for banking purposes for about twenty-five years, and on the failure of that Bank in November, 1907, the Lucas County National Bank rented said rooms, and since that date have been using the same for banking purposes. This build- ing is called and known as "Union Block," and is among the most substantial blocks in the city. It cost about $16,000.00.
The following are the names of the present officers of the Masonic Lodge, to wit: W. W. Murphy, W. M .; F. W. Trast, S. W .; C. F. Elrod, J. W .; J. C. Copeland, treasurer; P. E. Edgren, S. D .; Eli Oppenheimer, secretary ; Arthur Hunder- son, J. D. ; C. E. Froggett, S. S. : W. B. E. Luck, tyler.
ROYAL ARCH MASONS
Chariton Chapter No. 22 of Royal Arch Masons was insti- tuted by G. W. Eastman, Grand High Priest, in 1858. The charter is dated June 29, 1858, and contains the following per- sons who were its original officers: D. N. Smith, H. P .; Charles Anderson, scribe ; L. E. Sargent, P. S. : W. E. Sargent, King; A. C. Cameron, C. H .; James Brown, R. A. C. It is well supplied with elegant and appropriate furniture.
49
-
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
ODD FELLOW'S LODGE
The charter of the Chariton Lodge No. 64 Independent Order of Odd Fellows bears date, October 11, 1855. Soon after its organization its members numbered 143. The fol- lowing are the names of the present officers of said lodge, to wit: Howard Culbertson, N. G .; R. C. Wood, V. G .; C. W. Rose, secretary ; D. N. Rogers, treasurer ; F. C. Elliott, I. N. Bowen, H. W. Brewer, trustees.
GAYOSA ENCAMPMENT
The Gayosa encampment No. 33, a higher branch of Odd Fellowship, was instituted by Thomas D. Evans under dis- pensation from Grand Encampment dated May 17, 1867. A charter issued in October, 1869, contains the following names : Robert McCormick, John H. Bramhall, S. F. Stewart, H. C. Markham, E. E. Edwards, N. B. Gardner, D. D. Waynick, Gaylord Lyman, J. A. Brown, William McDermit, Samuel Stackhouse, Artenas Ruch.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES
From time immemorial, societies have been organized in the interest of temperance, and for the purpose of preventing or limiting the sale or use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.
The early societies sought to effect such reform by moral suasion, and by creating a prejudice against liquor sellers and liquor selling. These early organizations were called "Teetotalers," "Washingtonians," or "Good Templars." Temperance lecturers traveled over the country. Students wrote essays and declamations on the evil of intemperance, while ministers thundered anathemas against the horrors of liquor selling, from their pulpits.
We find in the early days of Chariton there existed here a temperance society called "The Prairie Flower Social Tem- ple." This organization did not live long. Some wag remarked that "its name killed it." However that may be, it is a mat- ter of history that after existing for two years it gave place to a society called "The Independent Order of Good Tem- plars." This name also proved to be unhealthy, and after existing for about four years the society died. It was organ-
50
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
ized about January, 1866, and lived until about 1870. The following are the names of the leading members of the Good Templars organization, to wit: Dr. James D. Wright, Joseph A. Brown, Mrs. Fawcett, Mrs. Ann Newell, T. W. Fawcett, Mr. Chappell, Mrs. Wright, S. D. Hickman.
It is said that at one time nearly all of the young people of Chariton were members of this society. It was a social suc- cess, and no doubt it did much good in creating and maintain- ing a strong sentiment against the sale and use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage.
After trying to effect such reform by "moral suasion," as it was called, that is, by creating a strong feeling and prejudice against intemperance, and having failed to check this growing evil, the people turned to the law for protection, as will be seen in our former article on prohibition.
THE CHARITON COLLEGIUM
The Chariton Collegium No. 27 U. A. S. was instituted by D. Maltby, deputy chief rector, under the dispensation dated March 24, 1881. Its first officers were: S. B. Tinkham, rec- tor ; J. C. Peacock, usher ; J. H. McFarland, vice rector ; A. U. McCormick, scribe; T. P. Stanton, questor.
In a published notice of this order it is said,
"It is fair to presume that the members of this organization know its object, and it is not hazarding much to say that to the majority of the general public it is a new thing under the sun, and some curiosity will be manifested concerning it. especially as to what the 'V. A. S.' means. It is 'Variously Assorted Society,' or 'Victims Are Scarce.' "
ORION LODGE
Orion Lodge No. 302 I. O. O. F. was instituted by Dis- trict Deputy Robert McCormick. Their charter is dated Octo- ber 21, 1875. The names of the charter members are : Andrew Day, J. F. Smith, A. W. Shaffer, J. C. Mitchell, S. J. Markle. G. F. Holmes, E. E. Harris, S. P. Moss, E. R. Young. R. Bocker.
THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
was organized under a charter dated November 30. 1874. The following were the charter members, viz: A. Ruesch. S.
51
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
E. Carpenter, Moses Folsom, R. M. Moore, D. M. Thompson, N. B. Gardner, J. C. Baker, W. B. Critchfield, Ed. T. Best, R. J. Coles, J. F. Sprague, J. N. McClanahan. The following are the present officers of this lodge, viz: J. H. Collins, D. G. C .; H. A. Shirer, C. C .; J. H. Hickman, V. C .; P. J. Smyth, Prel .; P. T. Perry, M. At A .; R. A. Gray, M. of F .; E. L. Gookin, M. of E .; C. W. Rose, R. R. & S .; E. Miller, J. G .; T. Percifield, O. G .; J. C. Copeland, M. R. W.
CHURCHES AND CHURCH BUILDINGS IN CHARITON
The Methodist church has been the pioneer church of the West. Methodist preachers followed closely upon the foot- steps of the pioneers of southern Iowa, and the wandering minister was always a welcome visitor at the cabins of the first settlers. His visits came like letters from home. He brought the news from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky or some other local- ity in which some of the settlers were interested. He was regarded as a fountain of knowledge, and his advice on divers subjects was regarded as disinterested and valuable. Some of these pioneer preachers were men of much more than ordi- nary ability. For instance, the Rev. Robert Coles of Chari- ton, Henry Clay Dean of Mount Pleasant, Peter Cartwright of Springfield, Illinois, and John D. Walker of VanBuren county, Iowa, were regarded as leaders in their localities.
Henry Clay Dean was a born orator, Peter Cartwright was a born fighter, Robert Coles was a born leader, while John D. Walker was an eloquent and magnetic talker.
THE METHODIST CHURCH
The first Methodist church in Chariton was organized by the Rev. E. L. Briggs in the year 1851. The Home Missionary society of the M. E. church aided and assisted in this enter- prise. In the beginning there were only three or four mem- bers of that denomination in Chariton, and their meetings were held in the new log courthouse on the east side of the public square.
This society prospered and increased in number from the start, so fast that in 1854 they concluded they were able to build a house of their own. The building erected was a sub- stantial frame house, twenty-four feet wide by thirty-six feet
52
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
in length, and cost about $1,000. This building was after- wards used by the school district as a schoolhouse, and in 1869 it was used by Henry Whiting as a machine shop, and afterwards as a woolen mill and a warehouse.
The society rebuilt this house in 1880, expending over $2,000 in remodeling it. About 1868 the society built a com- fortable parsonage on a portion of the same lot.
About the year 1898 this society built a large comfortable and elegant church building, the largest in the city of Chari- ton, or in Lucas county. It was constructed largely of gray stone, so arranged that two large rooms can be thrown to- gether and used as one large audience room.
The early records of the church have not been kept as carefully as they should have been, and hence for many mat- ters of interest we are required to appeal to the memory of its early members and officers. According to their recollec- tions the following are the names of the pastors who have had charge of said society since its organization in 1851, to wit: The Reverends E. L. Briggs, D. N. Smith, C. C. Maybee, Rev. Reed, P. F. Bresee, C. R. Pomeroy, T. McStuart, W. F. Burke, Austin, W. F. Bartholomew, William Thompson, B. F. U. Crozier, M. D. Collins, A. W. Johnson, D. D. Dicker- son, J. F. Goolman, A. H. Collins, D. C. Franklin, A. H. La- throp, Ilgenfritz, Mr. Bussey, John Darrah, Joseph Knotts, H. B. Heacock, Mr. Goolman, H. H. O'Neal, W. D. Bennett, S. Guver, Rev. Roderick, Rev. Evans, Rev. Volmer.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of Chariton was organized on the 5th day of July, 1856. The original members were Joseph Best, Robert Robe, Jacob Best, Warren S. Dungan, J. C. Best, James McDowell, M. J. Berk- holder, S. E. Blair, H. W. Best, Mrs. Catharine McDowell, Miss Elizabeth Best.
In the years 1867-8 the society built a substantial brick church house with basement, which cost about $5,000, which was dedicated September 6, 1868, at a session of the Des Moines Presbytery, Rev. C. C. Beaty preaching the dedicatory sermon. Rev. W. C. Halliday was supply of the church from 1864 to 1867, but was never a regularly installed pastor.
The following are the names of the different pastors: The Reverends J. Anderson, J. Stuart Reed, D. S. Tappan, W. C.
53
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
Halliday, Christian S. McElhaney, John Aughey, Anderson Chittenden, T. Aszman, W. C. McCallough, Alfred Ormond, W. C. Atwood.
The society was at the time criticised by the public for failing to employ W. C. Halliday, or "Old Man Hollyday," as he was called, as its pastor when it built its new house. He had served as its pastor since 1864, and by his industry and activity had secured funds to build the new house, and the same was built under his supervision, and then when he ob- tained a new and comfortable home for the society it dis- pensed with his services, for the reason, as it was said, that he was a little behind the times. However what "they" or the public may say is not always correct, and the congregation, and not the public, ought to have the right to select their own pastor. Of the original members none is left but Warren S. Dungan. Colonel Dungan has taken an active part in main- taining a Sabbath school in connection with the organization of the church up to the present time. In 1908 this society completed a beautiful and commodious new church building on the same lot on which its former churches had been built. It was constructed of artificial stone of a light gray color, and cost about $15,000. The basement under the entire building is well lighted and well ventilated, and is used for Sabbath school and for all business meetings of the church. Such buildings show that in the future concrete will be largely used in most buildings. It seems probable that the day is not far distant when concrete, glass and iron will be largely used in the construction of houses of all kinds.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
was organized in 1869 by Father McManamy. The following are the names of the members of the first society, viz: John Welch, James Gallagher, Timothy Lyons, William Crosby, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Mannatte, James Rupple, Patrick Carey, James Crosby, Patrick Kenney, Mr. Mullen.
The priests in charge of this church since its organiza- tion have been Father McManamy, Father Cannon, Father Harrison, Father Hays, Father Sheridan, Father Waldron, Father Gaffney, Father Gaul, Father Bowman, Father Henry, Father Niel, Father White, Father Leonard, Father Murphy, Father Kennedy, Father McGillin, Father Ade.
54
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
Father Hays was remarkable for his energy and industry in working for the interests of his church. He purchased four acres of land for a Catholic cemetery, in the northeast part of the town, at a cost of $300. He also collected and sent $1,000 to the poor in Ireland. He was active in securing the building of a parsonage, which cost about $1,500.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
or the Campbellite church, as it was originally called, was organized at Chariton about the year 1856. In 1867 the soci- ety built a comfortable frame church at the cost of about $3,000 on a lot on Grand Street, where Harry Stewart now resides. It occupied this house about twenty years, and so increased in membership and financial strength, until about the year 1890, when it built a large comfortable brick church house, four blocks farther north, on the same street on which the original or first church house was located.
The following are the names of the ministers who have acted as pastors of said church, to wit: Ira C. Mitchell, Ziba Brown, John Kinmouth, Jeremiah Haly, Robert Reed, N. E. Cary, J. K. Cornell, D. C. Morris, T. V. Berry, B. Linkenfel- ter, W. W. Burk, J. H. Fuller, C. F. Ward, G. J. Ellis, A. K. Conelle, W. A. Morrison, C. F. Sanderson, G. W. Kitchen, C. E. Wells, C. C. Davis, George F. Hendrickson.
THE SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
In November, 1869, a Swedish church named as above was organized in Chariton. The following are the names of the original members, viz: A. Anderson, John Nelson, J. F. Ekfelt, A. Erlanson, O. Olson, L. J. Holmberg, C. Larson, G. Lager.
For some time church services were held in the courthouse, but in 1875 the church erected a commodious church building on the southwest corner of out lot No. 1. The foundation and basement were made of stone, and the main building was a frame. It is said to have cost about $3,000, but this was prob- ably a very liberal estimate.
It was dedicated in the year 1880 by the Rev. O. J. Sil- jestiom.
-
Methodist Episcopal Church Baptist Church United St. Andrew's Church
First Presbyterian Church United Presbyterian Church Christian Church United Brethren Church
CHURCH EDIFICES OF CHARITON
57
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
The following are the names of the different pastors who have officiated at this church, to wit: N. Nordgren, Christer Osterholm, M. Fry Roman, P. J. Sandeen.
ST. ANDREW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
This church was organized in 1866 by S. H. Mallory, Joseph W. Wilkerson, Mrs. S. H. Mallory, C. W. Kittridge, Mrs. J. W. Wilkerson, E. B. Woodward, Miss Maggie Mc- Cormack, as its original members.
In 1869 the society built a neat little frame church build- ing in which services were held for many years. This building cost about $2,000, and it was dedicated in 1881 by Bishop Perry of Iowa.
The following are the names of the different rectors since its organization, viz .: Doctor Labach, Doctor Canfield, Doctor Trewartha, Doctor Henry, Doctor Hakes, Dr. P. C. Wool- cut, Doctor Dagan, Doctor Patmers, Doctor Russell, Doctor Whitten, Doctor Colgrove, Doctor Jandon, Bishop Lec, Bishop Perry, Bishop Morrison, and the present rector, G. R. Chambers.
CHURCH BUILDING
A wealthy church member, Mrs. Fulkerson, by her will left about $10,000 for the use and benefit of St. Andrew's, in the construction of a new church building, and another mem- ber, S. H. Mallory, also left about the same amount of money for the same purpose, and by the assistance of other members a fund of about $25,000 was provided for the building of such new house.
Mrs. Jessie M. Thayer of Chariton, one of the building com- mittee, having selected a certain church house built in Phila- delphia as the most beautiful and desirable plan for such a house, submitted this plan to the other members of the com- mittee, who unanimously adopted the same, and the result was that the new church house erected by St. Andrew's, at the cost of about $25,000, is one of the handsomest, most com- fortable and elegant church buildings in the state of Iowa. The interior of the church was built of a light gray stone, while the outside walls were built of Colorado redstone.
58
PAST AND PRESENT OF LUCAS COUNTY
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHARITON
The First Baptist church of Chariton was organized in December, 1853. The original members were: Wm. Ander- son, Win. Peck, S. J. Martin, Lucy Wilson, Wm. Wilson, L. D. Martin, Margaret Anderson, Lucinda Peck, Helen Peck.
They built a frame house in 1867 that cost about $2,500, which was dedicated in 1868 by the Rev. Morgan Edwards. The names of the different pastors of this church were as fol- lows: J. M. Seary, Warren Hildreth, S. P. Whitman, Wm. Hickman, Wm. Sturgeon, James Frey, J. L. Cole, L. Casler, L. S. Livermore, A. W. Sutton, B. F. Mace.
EARLY COURTS OF LUCAS COUNTY
As we have seen, justices of the peace were elected at the first election held after the organization of the county. These historic tribunals have closely followed the first steps in the formation of human governments of every civilized nation, and constitute the pioneer courts of every civilization.
The next court following that of justice of the peace was the probate court, presided over by a county judge. His power or jurisdiction was fixed by the statute creating the court. In addition to its power to hear and determine certain controversies, the probate court was given exclusive jurisdic- tion of all questions arising in the settlement of estates of deceased persons. They directed the payment of all his debts, and the distribution of his property. This is the first court in Lucas county of which there is any record. It was estab- lished in territorial days, and was continued under the stat- utes of the state until July 1, 1851, when it was abolished. Its first and only record appears in a quire of foolscap paper sewed together.
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.