USA > Iowa > Polk County > Pioneers of Polk County, Iowa, and reminiscences of early days, Vol. I > Part 3
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In 1853, with Hoyt Sherman and Tidrick, he erected the Sher- man Block, at the corner of Third Street and Court Avenue, for a State Bank and business offices, the third floor being used as a public hall. Subsequently it was used for post office and county offices, while the Court House was being built; then, for several years, as the City Hall.
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In 1857, the country was flooded with notes of wild-cat banks, having no reliability and some of them no accessible habitat. Busi- ness was demoralized; nobody knew whether a five-dollar note received one day would buy a meal of victuals the next morning. The quickest riddance of them was the aim of those who got them. To give greater stability to the money market, the Legislature authorized corporations with banking privileges, and, in accordance therewith, the State Bank of Iowa was organized, with eight branches, and the Judge was elected one of the directors of the Des Moines branch. The bank at once was favorably received, and rendered good service until Uncle Sam took control of monetary affairs with his national bank system, when the State Bank was merged into the National State Bank, May, 1865.
In 1859, the Judge formed a law partnership with Jefferson S. Polk and General M. M. Crocker, making one of the strongest firms in practice. He was engaged in law and real estate business until 1864, when, having acquired a competency, he retired from active business, though occasionally giving aid to start some new enter- prise, as in 1871 he was one of the organizers of the City Water Works Company, and in 1873 the State Printing Company, to furnish "patent insides" for newspapers, and now the Western Newspaper Union.
He was one of the charter members of Ebenezer Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
In 1866 was organized the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa. The Judge was elected its first President, and held the place until 1872. It is recognized as one of the most substantial institutions in the state.
In July, 1875, the Des Moines Bank was organized by Simon Casady and Elwood Gatch. In January, 1883, the Union Savings Bank was organized, and in October, the Des Moines Savings Bank was incorporated, and succeeded to the business of the two above named banks. In 1895, Judge Casady was elected President, and still holds the place. and may be found there every day, in peaceful contentment, ready for a social chat, or to swap yarns with an old- timer. "Hank" Anson dropped in on him a few days ago, and their hilarity nearly upset the bank boys.
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JUDGE P. M. CASADY
In all his acts as lawyer, senator or minor public official, the Judge was ever actuated by the consciousness of responsibility and duty to the public, and it may be truly said that no one did more than he to aid the county and town during their formative period, or to secure the heritage we possess as the State Capital and a city of financial, social and educational distinction.
May Eighth, 1904.
A. or
ELDER JOHN A. NASH
ELDER J. A. NASH
TO O the zealous, philanthropic labor of Father Bird, Elder Nash and Father Brazil rightfully belongs the founding of the religious and educational element in the social life of this city, as evidenced by the ninety-six houses for religious worship and the sixty-two schools.
Rev. John A. Nash, or "Elder," as he was familiarly called, came to Des Moines January Third, 1851, as a Baptist missionary preacher, fresh from college, and made his home in a log cabin where Walter Reed's harness store now is, on Walnut Street. The first Sabbath after his arrival he was invited to preach by Father Bird, and then began that strong and unusual friendship so notable in their after lives. It was indeed remarkable. Always united in thought and deed for the religious and educational advancement of the community, they walked or rode together over their circuit, heartily greeted everywhere. As an instance of this fellowship, on one occasion when Father Bird was going away to be absent several days, he wrote the Elder as follows :
"REV. J. A. NASH, Dear Brother-In case of death of my wife during my absence, I wish you to conduct the funeral service, with such assistance as you may select. My lot in the cemetery is Num- ber One, in the northeast corner.
"Yours, as ever, "THOMPSON BIRD. "DES MOINES, OCTOBER TWENTIETH, 1865."
Quite singularly, the good woman outlived them both.
The diversity of their belief on some doctrinal points was often the source of quaint humor, though both were firmly grounded in their faith. Once, they were going away some distance on horse- back, and, arriving at a stream which had been filled by hard rains, they stopped to consider, when the Elder said :
VOL. I-(3).
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"Brother Bird, you are better acquainted with this stream than I am; suppose you go over first."
"That is the first time I ever knew a Baptist to attempt to force a Presbyterian into a stream," said the other, with a smile.
At another time, when departing from an evening meeting dur- ing a heavy downpour, the Elder said :
"Brother Bird, it is raining hard."
"I always supposed you were not afraid of water," was the quiet response.
Immediately on his arrival, the Elder began the formation of a Church, and January Eighteenth, with a few of his faith, at the log cabin of John Reichenecker, was organized the First Baptist Church. He was elected pastor, and plans were formed to secure a meeting-house. In 1848, the County Commissioners donated a lot on Mulberry Street, between Fifth and Sixth streets, where Shank's undertaking rooms now are, for a Mission Baptist Church, conditioned that a building of frame, brick or stone, not less than twenty-four by thirty feet, be erected thereon before January, 1851. The conditions having failed, and to prevent a reversion of the gift, William McKay purchased the lot and deeded it to the Church, and measures were at once taken to build a house. The membership was small, and generally poor. Funds came in small contributions ; brick had to be made by hand, and lumber hauled from Burlington. Progress was slow. The Elder worked like a laborer, but never faltered nor lost faith. Optimism was his peculiar trait. He met the future always with a smile. Finally, after many delays and discouragements, the building was completed in 1856. The seats were plain pine boards with straight backs, and oil lamps were used for lighting.
The membership increased so that in 1866 a larger edifice became imperative. The old site was impracticable; and, as with all the others, the church was kept busy getting away from the encroachments of business and trade. A location was selected at the corner of Eighth and Locust streets, and a large, fine building erected, but before its completion, the Elder resigned the pastorate to devote his time to educational work.
In 1853, he began a select school, to give a higher education than could be obtained in the public schools. There were no school-
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houses. The County Commissioners granted the use of a room in the Court House, and there Des Moines Academy, the first high school in the town, was held, until 1855. The school at once became overcrowded and popular. It was subsequently removed to Ninth Street, just south of University Avenue, and finally to the corner of Seventh and Center streets, under the title of Forest Home Seminary. In 1863, Elder Nash withdrew from the school, its management passing to Leonard Brown, until 1866, when the school was closed.
In May, 1855, at a meeting of the State Conference of the Lutheran Church, it was decided to establish a college for that denomination. A site was purchased on Pleasant Street, between Fifteenth and Sixteenth, where Younker's residence now is, and a building commenced. The corner-stone of what was to be Iowa Central College was laid May Twenty-third, 1855. Money and material were scarce, progress slow, and after many delays and reverses, the project was abandoned, and Elder Nash got possession of the property, through purchase by the Baptists of the state, completed the building, and in November, 1865, opened the Uni- versity of Des Moines. He devoted his time and talent, as Presi- dent, Professor, Teacher, Solicitor, or in any capacity, to aid in establishing the institution on a firm foundation, and lived to see it fully equipped and affiliated with the University of Chicago, a notable testimonial of his labor and zeal. It is now Des Moines College.
The Prospect Park Land Company, owning a large tract of land which had been annexed to the city on the north, donated a block at State and Ninth streets for a college site, and the Elder at once embraced the opportunity to merge his school into an institution of wider scope.
If solitude was deemed essential to a successful school, the loca- tion, at the outset, was certainly isolated enough, for northward was open, unoccupied space to Devil's Gap, a wierd, uncanny place suggestive of spooks and goblins; on the east was dense forest, and the young women students were wont to tell of dexterous exploits in chasing will-o'-the-wisps over the field to the Gap on murky evenings. A few years, however, changed the scene to one of beau- tiful homes.
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In 1852, the Elder was elected a member of the first Town Council, with Father Bird, and at the first meeting he presented a motion that he "be discharged from serving in the Council of the village," whereupon a member facetiously moved to amend the motion by changing the word "village" to "city," but the Elder would not have it so, declaring he would not serve. His resigna- tion was accepted, and Judge Casady was elected to fill the vacancy.
The Elder was much interested in horticulture, and the second year after his arrival occupied a tract on Sycamore Street (now Grand Avenue), between Fifth and Sixth streets, where the Catho- lic School now is, extending north to Bird's Run and east to Isaac Cooper's lot, where the Water Works office is, on which was a nursery of fruit and ornamental trees and shrubs. Along the street he planted the row of Maple trees, which grew to immense size, and for years were the pride of the city, but, like his nursery, they succumbed to the ruthless hand of progress.
Abandoning the nursery, the Elder purchased a tract at Ninth Street and Forest Avenue, where he established an orchard and nursery and erected a commodious dwelling, where he lived to the end of his days.
In 1869, he was elected County Superintendent of Schools, served one year and resigned.
As he and Father Bird did all the marrying in the early days, it was natural that they should be recognized at the anniversary of those events. December Twenty-fifth, 1875, "Billy" Moore, Lamp Sherman and Doctor W. H. Ward celebrated their silver weddings. "Billy" was married by the Elder, Sherman by Father Bird, and Ward by Rev. Sanford Haines. The Old Settlers' Association gave each couple an elegant silver service set, three pioneer judges, Casady, Williamson and Phillips, making the presentation addresses, Elder Nash responding for the recipients, Father Bird and Elder Haines having deceased.
In 1884, the Elder was persuaded, against his wishes, to permit his name to go on the Prohibition Party ticket as a candidate for Congress, and though defeated, he ran ahead of the party.
While the life of the pioneer preacher was usually somber, there was sometimes a flash of sunshine in it. The Elder was wont to
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tell this on himself: He was going to fill an appointment to preach in one of the settlements, and reached a double log cabin at night. He asked permission of the settler to stay over night, which was cheerfully granted. A wedding was on, the cabin was filled with guests, some of whom must stay over night, having come some dis- tance. On disposing of them, there was left a small room just large enough for a bed. The door, also, could not be opened only sufficient for a person to squeeze through. With the smallness of room there was also a shortness of bedclothes. There was but one sheet on the bed. The Elder accepted the situation with thanks and his usual smile, turned in and slept soundly until early the next morning, when, before daylight, he was awakened by a shaking of his shoulder, and tugging of the sheet on his bed. Arousing him- self, he said, with great surprise: "What is it? Is breakfast ready ?" "No, but I must have this sheet to set the table with," said the hostess, as she gave it a final jerk and carried it away.
He was very popular with the little folk, and greatly enjoyed their Sunday School picnics, on which occasion he was a boy with the boys. When going to a picnic, the average boy takes his appetite with him, and the mothers often declared they could not under- stand how a boy could eat all day at a picnic and not suffer the consequences. When the time for lunch came, the Elder would say to the youngsters: "The boy who eats the most sandwiches will get the largest piece of pie." When they got through eating sandwiches, there was no room for pie, which explained the mystery to the mothers.
Resulting from an accident while attempting to board a moving train, he died in February, 1890, at the age of seventy-five years, leaving a record of having built more churches than any other man in the state, and the impress of a beautiful life everywhere. To perpetuate his memory, his name has been given to a public park on the block north of his late residence.
May Fifteenth, 1904.
REV. J. F. BRAZIL
REV. J. F. BRAZIL
N 1854, Bishop Matthias Loras, of Dubuque, purchased two lots at the corner of Sixth and Locust streets, paying eight hundred dollars therefor, and donated them to the Catholic Church. G. A. Plathe was sent here as a parish priest. In 1856, two small frame buildings were erected on those lots for church and school purposes.
Father Plathe was a benevolent, courteous, conscientious man, and entered upon his labors with zeal and was highly esteemed. He was physically frail, the labor was hard, his strength failed, he relinquished the field, and was succeeded, in 1860, by John F. Brazil, or "Father" Brazil, as everybody called him, a grand, good man, who exerted a powerful influence for the uplifting of not only his own parishioners, but society generally. Though firm in his religious faith, he was tolerant toward all that would develop his theory of good government-education, industry and sobriety. He was kind, courteous, affable, energetic, public-spirited, and always diligent in advancing the welfare of his church, his schools and the city. A notable instance occurred during the memorable contest in 1870 to prevent the larceny of the Capital of the State, in which for once Des Moines was united, for it was her against the State. After years of struggle and strife with rival localities to secure to Des Moines the Seat of Government, a proposition came before the Legislature to provide funds for the erection of a new State House. A formidable opposition developed, which evidently expected that by defeating the measure the removal of the Capital to some other locality would be possible. The bill was in charge of Hon. John A. Kasson, who fully understood that the subject demanded the exercise of his best judgment, skill and diplomacy. There was intense enthusiasm in both houses. By good management, he worked the bill to a third reading in the lower house (it had passed the Senate), beyond which he dare not attempt to go, for he dis-
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covered that with every member in his seat he could get but one or two majority. For three weeks he waited a favorable oppor- tunity to fix the day for a final vote. One of the men he relied upon was inclined to dodge, and on the morning of that day he discovered he was not present, and was told that enemies of the bill had, the night previous, taken advantage of the bibulous inclina- tions of the man, and attempted to put him in a somnolent condi- tion, to last several hours. Knowing that Father Brazil had great influence with the man, he hurriedly sent a messenger and carriage to him, requesting him to find the man and bring him to the State House at once, and not let him get out of his sight. The good father responded instantly.
He found the man down by 'Coon River, sitting on a log, evi- dently ruminating over the deceitfulness of the liquor dispensed in this city, and shortly after had him in his seat on the floor of the House, just as the final roll call was being made. Everybody was keeping tally, the clerk gave ample pause for responses, and when it was ended there was a tie-there was one vote short-the man on the log had not answered to the call. Father Brazil, standing behind him, seized him by the collar, exclaiming: "Stand up, sir ; be a man, and vote." He arose and voted "Aye." The victory was won, and the shouts and cheers that followed shook the build- ing to the foundation. That ended the Seat of Government fight.
Father Brazil quickly discovered after his arrival here that his charge must yield to the progress of events, and, with excellent foresight and judgment, he purchased half a block at the corner of High Street and Sixth Avenue, a tract at the corner of Sixth and Grand avenues (then Sycamore Street) and a large tract at Fourth and Ascension streets, and awaited future demands.
In 1864, he displaced the frame buildings at Sixth Avenue and Locust Street with a brick edifice, now stores and offices, which was dedicated as St. Ambrose Church. It was also used for school purposes until 1872, when a three-story brick school building and a residence adjoining for teachers at Sixth and Grand Avenues were erected, and the foundation laid in a small way for the present magnificent Mercy Hospital, at Fourth and Ascension streets.
Father Brazil gave to his school special care. Often I saw him going about the streets, and, finding children idling or playing
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"hookey," he would march them to the schoolhouse with a repri- mand they did not forget.
In 1891, the magnificent stone church was completed at Sixth Avenue and High Street; the hospital, after several enlargements, lavishly equipped, was completed in 1894, but Father Brazil did not live to enjoy the fruition of his hopes and ambition ; he died suddenly in September, 1885, at near the noon of life, widely mourned. But the churches, schools, hospitals and many other beneficent things he founded, cherished and labored for, are elo- quent testimonials, not only to the two thousand communicants of his church, but to the community at large, of his noble character and spirited interest in the welfare and betterment of the com- munity in which he lived.
As the governing head of his parish, he ruled with firm hand. He would shake the plate before a member of his congregation if he did not contribute what he thought he should. And yet this dominant trait in his character was accepted by his parishioners with reverential spirit, for they knew he was always striving for their advancement and improvement.
May Fifteenth, 1904.
C
DANIEL O. FINCH
DANIEL O. FINCH
D ANIEL O.FINCH, or "Dan," as old-timers knew him best- in the early days everybody was called by his "front" name -came to Des Moines in 1853, and joined Curtis Bates in the law and banking business, their office being on Second Street, nearly all stores and offices then being on that street near 'Coon Point. He was one of the foremost lawyers in the state, his civil and criminal practice extending far and wide, the latter being usually for the "under dog in the fight." He was a natural orator, genial, courteous, alert, humorous, convivial and fond of society. He at once became an important personage in the body politic.
In 1854, P. M. Casady having resigned as District Judge imme- diately after his election, he recommended "Dan" to Governor Hempstead as his successor, but the Governor appointed C. J. McFarland, of Boone County, a very eccentric man, ostensibly on the ground that McFarland received the next highest vote in the convention which nominated Casady, but "Dan's" friends claimed it was because McFarland could control the most votes for the Governor in his race for Congressman. "Dan" said nothing.
In 1857, he was nominated State Senator, and was defeated by a very small majority. He ran far ahead of his party ticket, receiv- ing one hundred fifty votes on the East Side in the Whig stronghold of Lee Township.
He was the leading attorney for the Des Moines River Land Company in the memorable extended litigation, disputes and neigh- borhood disturbances among settlers, resulting in a most deplorable state of affairs. The trouble arose from the vacillating and con- flicting decisions of the Government Land Department at Wash- ington respecting grants of land made to the State of Iowa under an Act of Congress in 1846 for the improvement of the Des Moines River by a slack water system of locks and dams. By that act every alternate section of land within five miles of the river, from
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its mouth to Raccoon Forks, was donated for this improvement. The state began to make the improvement, but in 1854 got sick of the job and sold out to the River Navigation and Railroad Com- pany, who agreed to complete the work, and Congress transferred the grant to the state, which was to transfer the land to the com- pany as the work progressed. In the progress of events, the com- pany claimed that the grant extended to the north line of the state, and the Commissioner of the Land Office so decided, but was over- ruled by the Secretary of the Interior, and the question was bandied between the Land Department, the courts, the state and the com- pany, and finally the right was vested in the company. Prior to this claim of extension, the United States, and the state also, had disposed of land to settlers which was within this grant, above Raccoon Forks, and on which they made homes and improved farms, and when the River Land Company attempted to oust them, the trouble began, for the settlers could not see the difference between a legal and moral right. That the State of Iowa was most outrageously cheated in the deal there can be no doubt. Felix G. Clark, for many years Register of the Government Land Office here, and whose knowledge of land laws surpassed that of any official at Washington, said to me one day: "There," putting his finger on one of the Government field maps, "are over nine thou- sand acres that River Land Company got they had no more right to than you have to put your hand in my pocket and take my money. If I wanted to homestead a farm, I would go there and take it, and I would defy the company to get it away from me."
The energy with which Dan served his clients came near ending his days on one occasion. The trouble among settlers had got into court at Fort Dodge. At the hearing, the Court House was crowded to the doors, the excitement was intense, and there was evidently bad blood present. The evidence had been closed, all the attorneys had made their arguments except "Dan," who began his just after dark, when immediately the lights were extinguished and a row was on. "Dan," quickly comprehending the situation, got away to his hotel and escaped the bodily assault intended on him. Securing two revolvers, he went back to finish his argument, but the judge had wisely adjourned court for a week.
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DANIEL O. FINCH
These cases were of a class wherein his conscience rebelled against his professional duty to his client, for "Dan" was the very soul of honor and justice.
In 1854, Curtis Bates, editor of the Star, was nominated for Governor, to run against Grimes, the Whig candidate, and, that he might devote his time to the campaign, "Dan" was selected to edit the paper, he being a politician in all that the name implies, but he soon concluded that ink-slinging was not his forte. He resigned, and soon after the Star twinkled out.
He was a leader in the Democratic party, and an orator unsur- passed in the state. He was a delegate to the National Convention in 1862, 1864 and 1868, and President of the State Convention in 1876.
He was very successful before a jury. His descriptive powers and wonderful use of language would often secure him a verdict against the law and facts, hence he was the popular attorney of defendants in criminal cases, but he was not a pettifogger nor a shyster.
He was a special favorite of Judge McFarland, the like of whom was never seen on the bench in this state. He was a rugged, uncon- ventional man, a good lawyer, had a keen sense of exact justice, with a heart in the right place, but of gross, bibulous habits and given to swearing, like the army in Flanders, regardless of place or persons. His decisions were often appealed from, more because of his peculiarities than otherwise, but were rarely reversed.
At one time "Dan" was defending a criminal I will name Smith, who was convicted by the jury, whereupon the judge at once sen- tenced him to pay a fine and be imprisoned in the county jail for a term. "Dan" arose and suggested to the court that she-the judge always called his court a "she"-had made an error. "The statute provides," said he, "that the penalty shall be a fine or imprisonment, not both."
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