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 81
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On the 17th of June, 1882, the house of worship was struck by a cyclone, which tore down the spire and a portion of the northwest wall, causing a dam- age of about $800.
The Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant was organized Feb. 8, 1843. The following account of the growth of this denomination in Mt. Pleasant was published in the Journal in May, 1878, shortly after the dedi- cation of the church :
"Thirty-five years ago the first gerins of the relig- ious organization were planted in this city, then a village, by the advent of Elder H. Burnett and wife. Alternately with others of different creeds and prac- tices, Elder Burnett preached sometimes in the court-house and sometimes in a house built by Mr. Viney, where now stands the house of Dr. Bird, there being no house of worship in the place. Surely the strongest faith or the most vivid imagination might well be blameless if it failed to foresee the time when, fronting and overlooking that very spot and that humble house of worship, lent by the gen- erosity of a private citizen, there would stand to- day the beautiful house which, dedicated wholly to worship and service of God, is at once a blessing and an ornament to our beautiful city. Within a few months, under the earnest preaching of Elder Burnett, six persons had embraced the truth he set forth and banded themselves together as a church
of Christ, after the simple manner of the primitive disciples.
"For years the little company of disciples, grad- ually increasing in numbers by the accession of willing converts brought in during the frequent re- vivals with which God blessed them, worshiped here and there, as they found opportunity, sometimes in Brother Burnett's house, where he now lives, and sometimes elsewhere. Other organizations had built houses of worship, and this band of believers was the last to build then, as now. They struggled on, amid opposition, to maintain the truth and to com- mend it to others, and after a very weary effort they completed the house now transformed into the home of Mrs. Woolson. This building they occu- pied for many years. Revival after revival added new converts to their ranks, till the place became too strait for them, and they cast about for larger accommodation.
"Finally it was determined to sell the old house to the United Presbyterians and build a new one.
"Retaining the right to use the old house for one service each Sabbath, the church met there till the summer of 1869, when Mr. Saunders offered the use of his hall, rent free, which was accepted, and the church met there till October of that year, when they entered the finished basement of the new edi- fice.
"The enterprise was first talked of in 1866, the foundation was laid in 1867, the walls were erected and covered in 1868, and the State Convention of the denomination met with the church and dedi- cated the basement in 1869. At that time the liabilities of the church were nominally met and provided for; but it was found. on attempting to make collections, that owing to the shrinkage of subscriptions and values there was a deficiency of about $2,500. This was provided for. It was further determined, as the policy of the church, that the enterprise of completing the house should be carried forward piecemeal. During several years the church wrestled with the indebtedness already incurred, but in 1875 a forward move was made in taking down the unsightly board coverings, and putting in their place the stained window-glass which now adorns the building. The vestibule above and below was also finished, with exception
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of the stairways. In the meantime, the church determined to ask aid from brethren at the East, and Miss Hannah Beard, of Salem, undertook and accomplished that mission so successfully that with the funds thus obtained, together with those raised by the efforts of the church, the entire liabilities have been paid, and the house completed and dedicated free of debt."
The house is 50x80 feet, built with solid 13-inch wall, supported by heavy buttresses, and cost about $22,000. It was dedicated Sunday, April 28, 1878, the sermon being preached by Rev. Dr. E. Gunn, a former pastor.
The cyclone of June 17, 1882, struck this church, entailing a great loss. Rev. T. M. Smith is the present pastor of the church.
The Congregational Church of Mt. Pleasant was organized in 1841, and seven years later its present house of worship was erected on the northeast cor- ner of the square. The society for some years after its organization was exceedingly prosperous, but it has always maintained an existence, though sometimes at a great sacrifice to its members. Those serving the church as pastor have been Revs. Waters, Sands, Packard, ITurlbut, Haskell, Drake, Pickett, Barnard, Martz, Nourse, Cakebake, Jones, Sharp, Sabin and O. W. Rogers, its present pastor, who came in February, 1883.
The Christian Church of Mt. Pleasant dates its organization since 1845, and the erection of its house of worship in 1855. Arthur Miller was the first pastor of the church and served for two or three years, when he was removed by death. Mr. Top- liff came next, and was succeeded by Samuel Lowe, N. C. Cory and others. One of the ablest men serv- ing this church was Elder D. R. Dungan, now Pres- ident of the Bible College, in Drake University, at Des Moines. E. T. C. Bennett was the last pastor of the church, closing his labors in the fall of 1887. For some cause the church has not had that degree of prosperity which might reasonably be expected. Its present membership is about 150. The Sunday- school is prosperous, with an average attendance of about 100. Mr. Grant is the Superintendent.
The Universalists organized a society in this place Ang. 5, 1848, and during the years 1856 and 1857 erected a line church edifice at a cost of
$4,000. The building was dedicated in September, 1857, Rev. O. A. Skinner preaching the dedicatory sermon. On the 10th day of January, 1858, the society was permanently organized as the First Universalist Church of Mt. Pleasant. The church has had no regular pastor for some time, but its pulpit has occasionally been supplied by Rev. S. Crane. This church has the care of a fund of $6,000 left by Dr. W. B. Chambers, the principal of which is permanently invested, while the interest is used to alleviate the sufferings of the needy, irrespective of religious belief.
St. Michael's Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church was organized at Mt. Pleasant, Sept. 12, 1856. The rectors from that date to the present time have been Revs. D. T. Hutchinson, F. E. Judd, Benjamin R. Gifford, C. B. Stout, W. II. Cooper, T. B. Nash, Jr., T. B. Nash, Sr., Walter A. Turner and D. C. Howard. During the term of Mr. Stout, the church was built at a cost of $6,000. It is of the early gothic style of architecture, and presents a very neat and attractive appearance. A fine altar set, vases and cross, were presented to the parish by lIon. Hamilton Fish, ex-Secretary of State under Grant, through Gen. N. Greusel. The gift was highly appreciated by the parish. In the fall of 1887 the church lost by death one of its most use- ful members, Miss Emily Rukgaber. who for some years had served as organist. In honor of her memory a beautiful memorial window was placed in the church at a cost of $150. St. Michael's Church is in a prosperous condition.
The Catholic Church of Mt. Pleasant was organ- ized about 1853, and was first served by Father Wheeler as the first permanent priest. A fine church was erected in the south part of the city, during the pastorate of Father Slattery.
The Seventh-Day Adventists have also an organ- ization. The following in relation to that body of believers is from one of their number. a member of the Mt. Pleasant Seventh-Day Adventist Church: "A Seventh-Day Adventist Church consists of a body of Bible believing Christians, covenanting together to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus, and subscribing to no creed but the Bible. The peculiar tenets of this church are a belief in the nearness of the coming of Christ,
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the observance of the seventh day Sabbath, and immortality through Christ at the resurrection of the just. They advocate strictly temperance prin- ciples, discarding all intoxicating liquors and tobacco. They have no settled pastors, their mis- sion is the world, and their ministers are usually engaged in promulgating their doctrines in new fields, but often visit the churches and hold meet- ings with them. The church officers are Elder, Deacon, Clerk and Treasurer.
The first organization of a church of Seventh- Day Adventists in Henry County, was effected by Elder B. F. Snook, in the spring of 1862, in Center Township, about six miles southeast of Mt. Pleas- ant, and called the Liberty Church, and when or- ganized consisted of fifteen members, afterward increased to about sixty. Jordan Sharp was the first Elder, succeeded by A. A. Fairfield. On ac- count of defective church records, and other causes, a re-organization was effected Feb. 27, 1872, by Elder George I. Butler, with a membership of twen- ty-four. Jacob Hare was the first Elder, then B. C. Chandler was leader, afterward elected Elder, suc- cecded by C. A. Washburn, who is Elder at the present time, Elders Jacob Hare and Stephen Pierce (now deceased), Ira J. Ilankins, C. A. Wash- burn and George 1. Butler (who held a course of tent meetings in the Mt. Pleasant Park in 1876 and is now President of the General Confer- ence) have been members of this church, and when not preaching in other fields, and at home for short periods, have held meetings with the Mt. Pleasant Church.
There are now 116 names on the church book, the loss through deaths, removals by letter, and dismissals, brought the number of active members to eighty-one. The Mt. Pleasant Church is sup- ported by free-will offerings of its members; they keep up a contingent and poor fund, besides paying yearly about $800 into the general church treas- ury. This latter amount is one-tenth of their increase, the payment of which is not made com- pulsory, but this is believed to be the Bible plan of supporting the Gospel, and generally adopted by the Seventh-Day Adventist people. In the spring of 1884 they built a new, neat and commodious house of worship, 45x28, on Main street, one and
one-half blocks south of the public square, where meetings and Sabbath-school are held regularly every Sabbath (seventh) day, besides the weekly prayer and social meeting.
This people also have a tract and missionary society, which is composed of the individual mem- bers of the different churches, and they become members by paying $1 each, which entitles them to the privilege of drawing from the large amount of reading matter kept on deposit in each State, from which the different churches and workers are sup- plied for the purpose of distributing to willing and interested readers, by which means, and through sending out their periodicals, a goodly number are brought into their ranks, and as a rule those who are thus brought in become permanent workers in the cause.
The German Presbyterian Church of Mt. Pleas- ant was organized in 1864, Rev. W. F. Bruechert being the first pastor. In 1867, during the pastor- ate of Rev. F. Smith, a house of worship was erected at a cost of $3,500. Rev. M. Buettel was pastor for some years, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Schmidt, who was called to the pastorate in 1880, and continued until September, 1886. He was succeeded by Rev. John W. Everds, the pres- ent pastor. In connection with the church is a flourishing Sunday-school.
The Second Baptist Church, composed of colored people, was organized July 17, 1863, and has since been generally in a prosperous condition.
A colored Methodist Episcopal Church was or- ganized in 1865, and shortly after the chapel of the Protestant Episcopal Church was purchased as a house of worship. Rev. Charles Holmes was the first pastor, and Rev. W. H. Coston at present ministers to the flock.
Mt. Pleasant is well represented by the various benevolent orders, including Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Good Templars, and others.
The Masonic order has a large membership, com- prising many of the best and most influential men in the community.
Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 8, A. F. & A. M., was the first Masonic society organized in that city. The charter bears the date Jan. 8, 1845. The charter members were: J. F. Kinney, N. C. Hub-
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bard, James Mahan, J. H. Curtz, T. H. Orendorf, J. C. Hall and David Hamlin. The first principal officers were: J. F. Kinney, W. M .; William Thompson, S. W .; Thomas McMillen. J. W. The present officers are : E. S. Howard, W. M .; E. N. Nelson, S. W .; A. J. Kaufman, J. W .; L. F. Wil- lard, Treas .; T. J. McAdam, Secy .; William Bayles, S. D .; Paul F. Straub, J. D .; W. K. Hobart, S. S .; H. Kronheimer, J. S .; Theodore Schreiner, Tyler. The present membership is 120.
Xenium Lodge No. 207. A. F. & A. M., was char- tered June 5, 1867. The charter members were: W. L. Smith, C. B. Gillis, J. MeLellan, W. H. Ilateh, A. G. Davis. John L. Brown, E. H. Bart- lett, F. G. Piteher, J. H. Keller, David Fisher. E. A. Van Cise, D. L. Paramore, L. W. Vale, William Dudley, F. Y. Jamison, C. J. Leidham and Will- iam Gladden. The first officers were: J. L. Smith, W. M .: C. B. Gillis, S. W .; J. M. Mclellan, J. W. The present officers are: J. II. Keller, W. M .: Henry Bickenbach, S. W .; JJohn Avery, J. W .; Omer V. Stough, Treas .; B. L. Cozier, Secy .; M. B. Hord, S. D .; L. N. Shubert, J. D .; J. W. McFar- land, S. S .; P. Haviland, J. S. ; J. MeLellan, Tyler. The present membership is seventy-eight.
Henry Chapter No. 8, R. A. M .- A dispensation was issued Jan. 31, 1855, to George Munson, H. J. Howard, John Craig, J. W. Winn, Reuben Allen, Robert Wilson and David Fisher, by whom the first meeting was held February 5 following. A charter was granted June 2, 1855, the charter officers being : George Munson, H. P .; H. J. Iloward, K .; John Craig, S .; J. II. Winn, C. of II .; JJacob Hare, P. S .; Robert Wilson, R. A. C .; D. M. Adam, M. of 3d V .; L. L. Berry, M. of 2d V .; David Fisher, M. of Ist V. The additional charter members were: Reu- ben Allen, R. L. B. Clark and T. M. Contter. The present officers are : T. I. Van Ilon, II. P .; E. N. Nelson, K .; Milo Hobart, S .; F. L. Willard, T .; E. S. Howard, Secy .; A. JJ. Kaufman, C. of H. ; J. Mclellan, P. S .; Panl F. Straub, R. A. C .: Theo- dore Schreiner, Tyler. The present membership is fifty-four.
Jerusalem Commandery No. 7, K. T .- The first meeting of this body was held at Mt. Pleasant under the dispensation April 2, 1866. The mem- bers under the dispensation were : T. Schreiner, W.
L. Smith, II. Kronheimer, D. W. Robinson, J. W. Satterthwait, James Piper, HI. Ambler, J. Fayer- weather, D. F. Carnahan, W. E. Woodward, F. G. Kendall and F. Phelps. R. F. Bower, G. C., was present, and appointed the following officers: J. W. Satterthwait, Gen .; W. L. Smith, C. G .: James P. Sanford, Prel .; D. F. Carnahan, S. W .: D. B. Smith, Ir., J. W .; W. E. Woodward, Treas. and Rec. ; D. W. Cowdrey, St. B .: A. Humphrey, Sw. B .: James Piper, W .; J. M. Shaffer. Ist G .: Will- iam Shaffer, 2d G .: D. W. Cowdrey, 3d G .: Theo Schreiner, S. On the 3d of June following, a char- ter was granted, to include within its jurisdiction the cities of Mt. Pleasant and Burlington, also Henry and Des Moines Counties. The officers under the charter were: W. E. Woodward, of Bur- lington, E. ( .; JJ. W. Satterthwait, of Mt. Pleasant, G .; and W. L. Smith, also of Mt. Pleasant, C. G. Sessions were held alternately at Burlington and Mt. Pleasant until 1872, when a division was effected, and a new charter issued to the Burlington Knights, the Mt. Pleasant Knights retaining the original charter and number. The present officers are: J. W. Satterthwait, E. C .; T. J. Van Hon, G .: W. 1. Babb, C. J .: L. F. Willard, T .; E. S. How- ard. R .; Benjamin L. Cozier, S. W .: E. N. Nelson, Jr., W .; John B. Coate, St. B .; II. Kronheimer, S. B .; A. J. Kaufman, W .; Theo Schreiner, Guard. The present membership is fifty-two.
The order of the Eastern Star was first instituted at Mt. Pleasant under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of the United States in 1867, under the title of the " Bethany Family " No. 38, and existed under the above name until the organization of the Bethlehem Chapter No. 38, in 1879. Bethlehemi Chapter No. 38 of the order of Eastern Star, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, was instituted in 1879. under the jurisdietion of the Grand Chapter of lowa. Mrs. Henry Ambler was the first W. M., and J. W. Sat- terthwait, W. P. The chapter increased rapidly in membership, until, at this writing, it is the strongest and best working chapter in the State. Its present membership is 123. The present officers are: Mrs. Sarah E. Woods, W. M .; JJ. W. Satterthwait. W. P .: Mrs. S. Il. Osgood, A. M .; Mrs. Melissa Van Hon, Treas. ; Miss Jenny Rand, Secy. ; Mrs. A. L. Cozier, Conductress; Mrs. Kate Ball, A. C.
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The Masonie Ilall at Mt. Pleasant was burned Oet. 3, 1883, causing a loss of about $3.000 to the order. All records were saved, except those of Henry Chapter No. 8. The various Masonie bod- ies now meet in a commodious and elegantly fur- nished hall on the north side of the public square. The quarters were fitted up with the view to their special accommodation ; ante-rooms, library, ban- quet hall, kitchens, etc., are complete in their ap- pointments. The order is working harmoniously in all its branches, and is in a prosperous condition.
Odd Fellowship dates its existence in this eity from 1848, Henry Lodge No. 10. I. O. O. F., having been instituted May 22 of that year. The follow- ing named were charter members: D. Gilchrist, H. C. Saunders, L. D. Honsel, W. P. Wightman and Charles Cliftman. In the forty years in which it has had an existence, it has doubtless done much good. Prosperity has always attended it, and it has a present membership of 114, with the follow- ing-named officers: P. Wertenberger, N. G .; A. A. Druva, V. G .; S. S. Daniels, Secy. ; and O. V. Stongh, Treas.
A second lodge, known as Mystic Lodge No. 55, I. O. O. F., was instituted Feb. 2, 1854, which has likewise had a very profitable career, with a constantly increasing membership, numbering in January, 1888, 120. In the summer of 1879 the lodge was at quite an expense refurnishing its hall, which is now one of the handsomest in the State. The officers for the first half of 1888 are: J. II. Day, N. G .; Jesse Blakemore, V. G .; W. M. Pixley, R. S .; William McCoy, P. S .; J. G. New- bold, Treas.
In connection with the order, Industry Eneamp- ment No. 18, I. O. O. F., was instituted Oct. 15, 1857. Its present membership is fifty-four.
The ex-Union soldiers of the city and vicinity maintain a flourishing Grand Army Post known as McFarland Post No. 20, G. A. R., which was in- stituted Nov. 7, 1879, with the following-named charter members: J. W. Satterthwait, J. W. New- bold, John F. Houseman, N. Greusel, W. II. II. Pillsbury, A. W. McClure, J. W. Powell, C. Ruk- gaber, J. S. Ferguson, C. M. Snyder, Jr., Ford Nicol, B. L. Cozier, J. W. Burton, W. P. Ilowe, John J. Safeley, H. K. Williams, W. K. Leisering,
W. Beckwith, A. T. Brooks. Its first commander was J. W. Satterthwaite. He was succeeded in turn by the following named: John W. Powell, II. K. Williams, B. L. Cozier, Lot Abraham and C. H. Smith, the last named being the present Commander (in the fall of 1887). The other officers of the post at that time were E. H. Bereman, Adj. ; J. II. Keller, S. V. C .; William Pixley, J. V. C .; G. Jericho, O. D .; H. K. Williams, Q. M .; S. W. Gar- vin, Chap .; W. II. Willeford, O. G .; T. J. Van Hon, S. M .; A. S. Perry, Q. M. S .; B. L. Cozier, C. B. Rukgaber and George Gass, auditing com- mittee ; W. I. Babb, James Dyer and W. M. Pix- ley, membership committee; W. K. Liesering, W. K. Hobart and John Brown, relief committee. The Post is in a most prosperous condition, with a present membership of 125, every town in the county, with the exception of two, being rep- resented. It has done a good and much-needed work in the past eight years, in looking after the welfare of the families of ex-soldiers and supplying the needy.
A Woman's Relief Corps has been organized, which co-operates with the post in this latter work.
James Harlan Camp No. 34, S. V. U. S. A., Di- vision of Iowa, was mustered on the 9th of Decem- ber, 1886, by James D. Bower, Colonel of the Iowa Division, with the following-named charter mem- bers, thirty-four in number: Bert Crane, Newt S. Bangham, Paul B. Woolson, James A. Evans, H. A. Bereman, R. E. Wangh, B. L. Osgood, Edgar R. Sater, Charles Gamage, Herbert Hanson, P. N. Shu- ber, W. F. Kopp, John Gass, W. E. Simpson, Frank E. Houseman, Charles Houseman, P. H. Smith, John H. Jericho, John II. Schmitz, Joseph Moorhead, Elmer Baldwin, John Abraham, M. D. Andrews, Wesley K. Dillon, W. Jericho, W. D. Hendrix, Fred C. Bent, J. H. Newbold, M. E. Keho, J. B. Trowbridge, W. M. Waymen, N. T. Hendrix, James L. Martin, Frank Baldwin. Since its organ- ization it has taken in four recruits. Although but a few months old at the time of inspection in 1887, it was rated as a first-class camp, and ranked tenth in the Iowa Division. The present officers of the camp are: Wesley K. Dillon, Captain; James A. Evans, First Lieutenant; Pearl Il. Smith, Second Lieutenant; Paul B. Woolson, Bert Crane and Fred
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C. Bent, Camp Council; Frank E. Houseman, Chaplain; Newt S. Bangham, First Sergeant; John II. Jericho, Qm. Sergeant; J. II. Newbold, Color Sergeant; W. E. Simpson, Sergeant of Guard; Il. A. Bereman, Principal Musician ; Bert L. Osgood, Corporal of Guard; P. N. Shuber, Camp Guard; Bert Hanson, Picket Guard.
The Ladies' Library Association is an institution reflecting great credit upon those interested in its formation and maintenance. It was first organized in 1875, and from a small beginning has grown to be an institution in which the city should take a just pride. Those signing the articles of incorpor- ation were Miss Nellie E. Ambler, Mrs. A. S. Marsh, Mrs. C. T. Cole, Mrs. Alice L. Taylor, Mrs. M. W. Ramey, Mrs. Callie S. Marsh, Mrs. A. C. Woolson, Miss Rachel Carney, Miss Emma L. Schwenker, Mrs. Charles T. Marsh and Mrs. Belle A. Mansfield.
They commenced with a fund of $360, the net proceeds of a previous lecture course. They resolved to attempt to raise by an active canvass for donations of money and books a sum not less than $5,000. In case this sum could not be reached, they proposed to use $3,000 as an invested fund, the income of which should be a permanent pro- vision for a librarian. For several weeks the ladies kept up a vigorous canvass, but the result fell far below their hopes, being only about $2,000, in- cluding several conditional subscriptions, not im- mediately available. The largest sum subscribed and paid was $100, and the sums ranged from that amount to fifty cents. Notwithstanding their dis- appointment in the amount raised, the ladies deter- mined to go on in their preparations for a library, relying upon the voluntary service of members as librarians, until they could do better. Accordingly, they proceeded to lease for five years a partially furnished hall in Ambler's Block, second floor, east side of the public square, at $150 per annum. They provided cases, reading-desks and other fixtures necessary for a small beginning, and took possession of the hall Jan. 1, 1876.
The association first seeured the gift of a former collection, popularly known as the " Chamberlain Library," amounting to about 800 volumes. These books had been lying for several years in dusty
piles in a back room of Ambler's law office. They had all been originally donated to Mr. Chamberlain, and consisted of a medley of works of theology, science, travel, and Patent Otlice Reports, with some very valuable books of reference. These were transferred to the new quarters, cleaned, labeled and arranged. Judge Gillis donated 300 volumes, comprising a complete set of Congres- sional Globes, Colonial records and other valuable State documents. Other donations of books were received, amounting in the aggregate to over 200 volumes. The most valuable of these was a com- plete set of Appleton's American Encyclopedia, from Dr. M. Ranney, of the hospital. The associ- ation purchased 870 volumes, partly at second- hand; a few standard magazines were subscribed for, and quite a number of periodicals and papers were donated for the reading tables, and thus the preparations for opening went on.
There has been a steady increase in the number of volumes year by year, the proceeds of entertain- ments given by the ladies, and from lectures, being used for that purpose. At present there are about 3,000 volumes in the library.
The success of the association is due to the un- tiring energy and zeal displayed by the ladies of Mt. Pleasant, under whose auspices it has continued to grow. No outside help has ever been secured, and during its thirteen years' existence there has been but one paid librarian, and for one year only. The ladies, in turn, aet as librarian, laying aside all other duties for the time. Three days in each week the library is open, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, afternoons and evening.
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