USA > Iowa > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Iowa, containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 80
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In January, 1882, Dr. Ranney, who for so many years had served as Superintendent of the asylum, died, his death being greatly lamented by every friend of the institution. Dr. H. M. Bassett kindly assumed the duties of Superintendent until the Trustees eould seeure a sueeessor. This was done in July, and on the 16th day of October fol- lowing, Dr. H. A. Gilman, long and favorably known as the First Assistant Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane, at Jacksonville, Ill., com- menced his services as Superintendent.
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In his first biennial report, Dr. Gilman urged the erection of additional wings to the building for the accommodation of the increased number of patients for whom admission was sought in the institution. The Legislature wisely heeded the request of the Doctor, made the appropriations and gave him charge of their erection. This additional labor he cheerfully assumed, and in connection with this brief sketch a fine lithographie view of the build- ing and grounds is given.
In addition to the erection of the wings, erected at a cost of $200,000, the rooms in the old build- ing have been renovated throughout, repainted and redecorated. Elegant pictures are hung upon the walls of each publie room, and everything done to make the surroundings pleasant to the patients.
The following named comprise the officers of the hospital at this writing :
Board of Trustees-D. A. Hurst, M. D., Presi- dent. Oskaloosa; J. 11. Kulp, M. D., Secretary, Davenport; P. W. Lewellen, M. D., Clarinda; G. W. Collison, Harlan; G. H. Sharp, Mt. Pleasant.
Treasurer-C. V. Arnold, Mt. Pleasant.
Resident offieers-11. A. Gilman, M. D., Super- intendent and Physician; M. E. Witte, M. D., First Assistant Physician ; F. P. Peck, M. D., Sec- ond Assistant Physician; P. F. Straub, M. D., Third Assistant Physician; J. M. Aitken, M. D., Fourth Assistant Physician ; E. N. Nelson, Steward ; Mrs. F. V. Cole, Matron.
The attention of the reader is called to the biog- raphy of Dr. Gilman for an account of his special work for the hospital.
ricultural
ocieties.
A
GRICULTURAL societies
the best means of promoting have long been considered class of citizens on whom the the interests of that large prosperity of the country
so much depends-the farming
people. ITnlike tradesmen and
are not huddled together, and mechanics, the agrienltural class
seminating their views enjoyed by have not the usual means of dis-
gether, with their best productions The annual fair brings them to- those living in villages and cities.
of stock and cereals, and information is given one to the other as to the best methods of seenring the best results.
At an early day the citizens of Henry County agi- tated the question of the annual exhibit of their
agricultural and mechanical productions, and in 1853 the first county fair was held at the village of Salem. As may well be conceived, the number of entries was small indeed, and the amount given as premiums was still smaller, yet, as all things must have a beginning, this fair served as a starting point and as an incentive to further action. The following year another exhibition was held at Mt
Pleasant, and was a little improvement upon the first effort. Other fairs were held, but the war com- ing on, the people could not take that interest in them that otherwise would have been done.
Henry County Agricultural Society.
HAT is now known as the Henry County
of the same year. John M. Hanson was the first and its first annual fair was held in the fall Agricultural Society was organized in 1865,
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HENRY COUNTY.
President of the re-organized society, and did much to advance its interests and place it on the road to prosperity. Grounds were purchased near the asy- lum, which have been fitted up in a substantial man- ner, suitable for the proper display of exhibits. No county society has better exhibitions, although the rival fairs of Salem and Winfield, it is believed, injure it financially. Its influence is felt through- out the community, and as a consequence the stock of the county has been greatly improved.
The cyclone that visited this section in June, 1882, demolished the amphitheater on the fair grounds, but it was subsequently rebuilt.
The officers of the association for 1888 are: W. Beckwith. President; J. L. Gillis. Vice President; Ed N. Kitchen, Secretary ; L. M. Shubert, Treasurer.
East Iowa District Fair.
N the spring of 1882, T. C. Rittenhouse, of Winfield, Iowa, wrote an article for the Win- field Beacon recommending the organization of a district fair, which met with general approval by the people. The Beacon then kept the subject con- stantly in view, until a meeting was called, and cit- izens of the counties of Henry, Louisa, Washington and Des Moines, united in forming an association known as the East lowa District Fair Association.
The new enterprise struck the popular chord, and the people of these great counties rallied to the sup- port of the measure, and in the following autumn a most successful fair was held on the farm of W. Mullin, near the town limits. This was followed by a still better exhibit the next year upon the same grounds.
After the second exhibition a joint stock com- pany was formed, and eighty acres of very desirable land was purchased one-half mile west of town. The buildings which had been erected were removed to the new grounds and a splendid half-mile track was made. Fairs have since annually been held, and each exhibition has been an improvement upon the preceding one. The fair held from September 13 to September 16, 1887, will long be remembered. The crowd was immense, and notwithstanding the drouth which prevailed, the various departments were well filled. Some inconvenience was occasioned by the scarcity of water and provisions made for the care of stock, but the Directors were equal to the occasion and did all in their power to render all comfortable. The showing of cattle, hogs and sheep was better than ever, every stall and pen being crowded. The display of farm machinery was fine, and much interest was manifested in this department.
The Eastern lowa District Fair is one in which the citizens of Winfield feel a just pride. They have made it what it is, and the courage and grit shown, often under most discouraging circumstances, are indeed commendable. The officers for 1888 are : W. P. Dunahoo, President ; E. D. Young, W. Mul- lin and A. Freeman, Vice Presidents; E. C. Hinkle, Secretary ; William Lauder, Treasurer; A. J. Lewis, Chief Marshal; P. B. Nixon, Chief of Police.
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The Salem Agricultural Society.
ITIZENS of Salem and vicinity have for a C few years past maintained a local society, which has been well patronized, and which has created a considerable amount of interest.
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dolar for the Amion.
LAVERY, as a publie question, from the time the Govern- ment was established up to 1860, entered into almost every political contest. The States of the Union in which slavery existed continually feared their rights would be encroached upon, and to allay such fears and maintain peace, various compromise measures were passed. These only served for a little while, and were never entirely satisfactory to either party interested. That known as the "Missouri Compromise" seemed to come nearer a solution of the difficulty than any other, and was the most satisfae- tory to the Northern States, and seemed, for a time, also, to satisfy the South. By the terms of that compromise slavery was confined south of an imaginary line known as the Mason and Dixon Line, The rapid growth of the North, and the formation of new States without slavery, alarmed the South- ern people, who feared the loss of power. Then came the repeal of the "Missouri Compromise," the adoption of the Kansas-Nebraska bill. and the question of the introduction of the slaves into the Territories. The Republican party, formed for the purpose of preventing any further extension of slavery, was regarded as a menace by the South, and threats of secession were made in the event of
that party coming into power. In the Presidential campaign of 1860, the Republicans, with Abraham Lincoln as their leader, presented a solid front, while the Democracy was divided, presenting Ste- phen A. Donglas as a candidate for the Presidency, representing the Northern wing of the party, and John C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, representing the Southern wing. John Bell, of Tennessee, was also a candidate, receiving his nomination from the Union party, composed principally of those for- merly afliliating with the American, or Know-Noth- ing. The election of Lincoln was almost a foregone conclusion. While it was known that there were many hot-headed men in the South willing to phinge the country into civil war, few persons realized the danger, c: for a moment believed that the threats of the Southern people would be carried into execution. Little was known of the prepara- tions being made in the South for the event sure to follow the election of Lincoln. When the result of the general election was known, and months be- fore the inauguration of Lincoln as President. South Carolina and other States passed ordinances of secession, and preparations were made to resist any force that would be sent against them, as well as to obtain possession of any property belonging to the General Government within the limits of their States. At Charleston, S. C., two forts were in the possession of the United States authorities, Fts. Moultrie and Sumter. The former was aban- doned, the troops being moved to the latter. Early
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in April, 1861, the authorities of South Carolina demanded their surrender, and being refused, erected fortifications upon the mainland for the purpose of bombardment. No attempt was made to prevent them, and when completed, another demand was made, with threats of opening fire upon the fort in case of refusal. In Ft. Sumter was Maj. Anderson and a gallant band of loyal men, with provisions to last but a short time. To the demand to surrender a refusal was sent, and on the morning of April 12, 1861, the rebels commenced the attack by opening fire upon the fort. The fire was returned by the brave commander of the fort, but on the 14th he was compelled to lower his flag and yield to the rebels.
The first gun fired upon Ft. Sumter reverberated throughout the whole length and breadth of the land, and was more of a call to arms than the proe- lamation of President Lincoln for 75,000 men, which immediately followed. There was no lack of response to this eall among the Northern States, and no State more enthusiastically and patriotically responded than the State of Iowa. Men and money were offered without reserve. Volunteers came from all vocations in life, and offered up their lives on the altar of their country. Patriotism was dom- inant in every heart. Party lines were ignored, and political conflicts were forgotten, and all formed themselves together for the preservation of the Union. The proclamation of Abraham Lincoln was issued on the 15th day of April, 1861, and two days afterward Gov. Kirkwood issued his proclama-
tion calling for the men of Iowa to offer their serv- ices to the Union.
Meetings were at once called in Mt. Pleasant and in other parts of the county, resolutions of a loyal nature were passed, and men finally offered their services. Call after call was made by the President, and man after man responded, until it seemed as if the county would be depopulated of all its best cit- izens. The services of all were freely given, for no more loyal men lived than the citizens of Henry County. Time passed, the last call was made, the last battle fought, and victory won. Those in re- bellion laid down their arms, peace was declared, and those of the brave men who so nobly responded to their country's call, and whose lives had been spared. returned to their homes. Daily they are to be seen upon the streets of our cities. The arm- less sleeve, the hollow sound of the wooden limb as it strikes the pavement, tell too plainly that war has once reigned in our beautiful land. Even if desired, it cannot be forgotten. But it is not de- sired. Patriotism led the brave boys to the front, and patriotism now compels grateful acknowledg- ment of what was done. Once each year, in the springtime, when the flowers bloom, the surviving soldiers, accompanied by their families and friends. repair to the cemetery, and as they scatter the fra- grant flowers over the graves of those who have fallen, drop a tear to their memory, and offer np a silent prayer that their blood may not have been shed in vain.
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HENRY COUNTY.
City of Mt. Pleasant.
HE State of Iowa has within ............... its borders no city that is more attractive or beautiful, considering its size, than Mit. Pleasant, nor is there one with more natural advantages, or settled with a better class of citizens. It is located in Cen- ter Township, a little south of the geographical center of the county, on a high prairie whence it derives its name. Stran- gers visiting the city for the first time invariably remark on its beall- 1 tiful situation. Improved as it is at the present time, yet it was hardly less beautiful in the fall of 1834, when Presley Saunders, from Sangamon County, Ill., first let his gaze fall upon it. and determined here to make his home. Selecting it as his claim, he returned to Illinois, and early in 1835 came back, settled upon it and here has since continued to reside. In this year, 1888, he is numbered among the earliest pioneers of Henry County, and as such is honored and respected. But not alone as a pioneer, but as a representative citizen, one who has done much to build up the beautiful eity, and, as a business man, always been upright and strictly honest with his fellowman.
On the organization of Henry County by the Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin in the winter of 1836-37, Mt. Pleasant was chosen as the county seat, and here the seat of justice has continued to remain, notwithstanding two or three vigorous efforts have been made to remove it to another
locality. The city has never had anything to re- semble the modern boom, but steadily grew for a number of years, and was first incorporated by an act of the Territorial Legislature of Iowa, approved Jan. 25, 1842. The charter provided for a gov- ernment consisting of a President and four Coun- cilmen and a Recorder. S. B. Parker was the first President. The town at this time was quite small, and the expense and trouble of maintaining a municipal government were probably found rather onerous, and it was permitted to collapse. As far as is known, no special effort was made to again in- corporate for some years, but an act was finally secured from the State Legislature, approved Feb. 5, 1851, incorporating the town of Mt. Pleasant. This time the executive authority was vested in a Mayor, the other officers remaining as before. Col. William Thompson was chosen Mayor; Ilarpin Riggs, Titus V. Taft, John S. Green and Alvin Saunders, Councilmen, and Henry H. McMillan, Recorder. Under this charter the municipal affairs of Mt. Pleasant were administered until the spring of 1857, when it was organized under the general act, and is now a city of the second class.
The first store in the place was opened by Col. J. H. Randolph. May 12, 1836. The Colonel- had first started in business in Burlington, but not lik- ing the location, came on to Mt. Pleasant, where he became the pioneer merchant. He was in a short time followed by others, among whom was Presley Saunders, the founder of the town, who at the present time is doubtless the oldest merchant in the State in point of continuous service in the mer- cantile trade. To-day the city is well represented
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HENRY COUNTY.
by every class of trade, and her merchants are regarded by the wholesale and jobbing trade as among the safest in the State.
John P. Grantham was the pioneer school teacher of the city, opening and continuing a term of school in the spring of 1837, in a little log cabin which was used as a church by any who desired to hold services therein. Those who attended school in that little log cabin more than a half century ago, are now among the aged men and women, or have passed over the river. The teacher lingered till 1887, when he too went to meet his reward. The humble beginning of the Mt. Pleasant schools was in strange contrast to those of the present. No better schools are to be found in the State than those in this city, and their high rank has been maintained through long years. In addition to the public schools, the Iowa Wesleyan University holds high rank among the most noted of Western col- leges or universities, while Howe's Academy has always been regarded as a first-class institution. For many years the city has been known as the Athens of Iowa.
The religious interests of the place have always been carefully guarded, and to-day it is represented by a number of strong churches, representing the leading denominations of the country. The first house of worship was erected by the Cumberland Presbyterians in 1840, on the corner of Main and Madison strects. For some cause the society did not prosper, and its organization was dissolved many years ago. At the present writing the fol- lowing-named denominations are represented here : Advent Christian, Baptist, Christian, Catholic, Con- gregational, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, Pres- byterian and Universalist.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt. Pleas- ant, now known as the First Methodist Episcopal Church, was the first religious society organized in Henry County, as well as in the city. From an historical sketch of the church, prepared by John P. Grantham, the following extract is taken :
"As early as the latter part of the year 1835, that part of the Black Hawk Purchase in which Mt. Pleasant is situated was made missionary ground, and the Rev. John Ruble, who had just been trans- ferred from the Illinois to the Missouri Conference,
was by the latter sent on as a missionary to occupy and cultivate the new field. The exact date is not known, but it is understood that he came on promptly, and prcached his first sermon in the house of Presley Saunders. Soon after his arrival, wisely concluding that it was not well for man to be alone, Mr. Ruble was united in marriage to Miss Diana C. Bowen, daughter of Isaac Bowen. But his work was short. In the month of May, an all-wise yet inscrutable Providence released him from his labors on earth, and the man of God, the self-sacrificing missionary, was taken to his reward beyond the river. He died and was buried in Burlington, but his remains were subsequently removed to the old cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, where his ashes now rest by the side of the wife of his youth.
"Mrs. Ruble lived to see the remains of her hus- band thus removed, and to bury by his side a sec- ond husband, Dr. W. C. Stephenson; and to leave at the time of her own death, a third husband, Sam- vel Smith, who has since been buried in the same lot. Thus four sleep together till the resurrection morn, when they will 'neither marry nor be given in marriage.'
"John Ruble was esteemed a man of God by all who knew him-all bore testimony to his faithful and efficient labors in the 'Master's vineyard.' And, notwithstanding his race was so short, he had the consolation, in bis last hours, of knowing that his labors had not been in vain. Success had attended his efforts to rear the standard of Emanuel in the wilds of the Black Hawk Purchase, and to organize on an enduring basis the church of his choice.
"The spring of 1837 found the village of Mt. Pleasant growing rapidly, and the Methodist ele- ment, under the wisc, efficient and spiritual economy of the church, not only keeping pace with other de- nominations, but in advance of them all. The society at this time probably numbered from thirty to forty members. These were not all in the vil- lage, but were scattered around for miles. They were all in one class, of which Henry M. Snyder, of precious memory, was leader.
"Among those who were pioneers of Methodism in Mt. Pleasant, and who were members of Father Snyder's class at the above date, Dr. Jesse D. Payne,
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Dr. W. L. Jenkins. Samuel Nelson and their families are remembered by the writer.
"At that time, Norris Hobart was the 'Circuit Rider,' and administered the Word of Life to his Mt. Pleasant hearers once in four weeks, extraor- dinaries excepted-for it must be borne in mind that it required a ride of from one hundred to two hundred miles cach round, over a country destitute of roads, except such as were designated as bridle paths,' and with streams unbridged-hence the hungry flock could not always rely upon the monthly visitations of their preachers.
"It is worthy of remark, that in those primitive days of our Methodism, all this labor, toil and suf- fering were required and generally actually per- formed on a paid salary of from $100 to $200. Now, when we look at our stationed preachers, with salaries of $1,000 to $1,200, and who are expected, ordinarily, to preach only on the Sabbath, we are forced to the conclusion that some of the old land- marks of Methodist economy are being swept away -and so mote it be."
Time passed, the society grew in numbers, and in 1843 steps were taken for the erection of a honse of worship. A substantial frame building, 35x15 feet, was erected and dedicated in December of that year. Services were held in this house until the erection of the Asbury Church in 1867. This house was remodeled and enlarged during the pas- torate of Rev. J. B. Blakeney, which extended from 1882 to 1885, the improvements costing $8,200. The value of the church property is now estimated at $25,000, including a parsonage. The member- ship of the church is quite large, composed of some of the best and most influential citizens of the city. Methodism has a strong hold upon the people here. In connection with the church is a large and flourish- ing Sabbath-school. Rev. J. W. McDonald has been pastor of the church since September, 1885.
The First Presbyterian Church, of Mt. Pleasant, was organized April 28, 1840, by Rev. L. G. Bell, with six members. John McCoy and Dr. Tom C. Stephenson were chosen and set apart as Elders of the church.
The first supply of the church was the Rev. Mr. Leonard, who preached the sermon at the time of the organization.
In 1844, the Rev. C. P. Cummins, of Phila- delphia, began to labor with encouraging prospects, and was soon after elected to the pastorate.
In 1845 the membership of the church had in- creased to fifty-six. For a period of three years, there is no record of any meeting or session. and the date in which Mr. Cummins ceased his labors is not certain, although it was probably prior to 1848.
The spread of denominationalism, and other causes, had reduced the membership, by this time, to a mere nothing. It was evident that there could be no assurance of permanency until a church buikling was erected, and measures were thereupon taken to build a house of worship, the Rev. F. B. Dinsmore agreeing to become permanent supply if the building of the church be guaranteed. The few remaining members, ten in number, were called to- gether for mutual consultation at the house of Mrs. Patterson.
A subscription was begun at the suggestion of Father Bell, he starting the paper with $150, which he afterward increased to $200. The step was a successful one, and a house was soon erected. There was some struggling with poverty, but, by build- ing a kiln, the Rev. Mr. Dinsmore attended to the curing of the lumber, and studied his sermons at the same time. The church was erected upon the site on which now stands the present Presbyterian edifice. The old building, at the erection of the existing edifice, was sold to the colored Methodists.
In 1851 the church was left devoid of session, and a meeting of the congregation was called, at which John Sype and John Gray were chosen to that office. In 1852 Rev. Mr. Dinsmore removed to West Point. Ile was succeeded by the Rev. Bloomfield Wall, who remained three years. In 1855 the Rev. Timothy Stearns was called to the pastorate. His ministry was a successful one. Tak- ing the church when its membership was forty-five, he had only labored three years (1858) when the num- ber increased to 166; and which number being too great for the dimensions of the church, a new edifice was erected. at a cost of $12,000, the same being that now used by the congregation. The Rev. Mr. Stearns afterward removed to Ft. Madison, where he died, and is buried here.
The next two years the church had the service of
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Rev. A. C. MeClelland, present Secretary of the Freedmen's Committee at Pittsburgh. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. J. W. Larrimore, who left in 1863, and entered the army as Chaplain. He had increased the membership to 204. The Rev. G. Bergen then filled the pulpit for a period of six months. The next year, the Rev. E. L. Belden oc- cupied the pulpit. On Sept. 18, 1865, the Rev. J. C. McClintock was pastor and served untit Jan- uary. 1871, when he resigned, and has since been pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Burling- ton. In February of that year, Rev. D. S. Tappan, D. D., was called to the pastorate, and has since con- tinued in charge. In the seventeen years of his ministry in this city, he has done a good work, en- dearing himself not alone to his congregation, but to the community as well. The church is in a most prosperous condition. Its Sunday-school is also prosperous.
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