USA > Iowa > Marion County > Pella > Souvenir history of Pella, Iowa : contains a concise story of the founding and life of Pella, Iowa > Part 24
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MISS LOIS MARTIN
The subject of this sketch was born October 5, 1849, in Mason county, West Virginia. At that period the spirit of unrest which led to a vast migration to the West was fermenting, and in the fall of 1854, "Squire Martin," as he was known to his neighbors both then and in later years, with his wife and three children embarked in a broad-tired, wide-tracked, canvas-covered prairie
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schooner, and in company with Reuben Coffman and P. P. Hopson and their families, set out for their new homes. Six weeks of travel brought them to Pella. At the outskirts of the village they were met by Rev. E. O. Towne, land agent, who learning that Mr. Martin and Mr. Hopson, afterward a resident of Pella for many years, were anxious to abide in the little town, took the women and chil- dren to his home while he and Mr. Martin searched for places in which to house the two families. None being found, the weary travelers drove to a small settle- ment in Polk township, Marion county, now known as Coal Ridge, where they were warmly welcomed by friends who had preceded them a few years. There Miss Martin grew to womanhood.
In September, 1869, she came to Pella and was enrolled as a student at "Old Central." Rev. E. H. Scarff was President at that time, and C. C. Cory was at the head of the Grammar Department. Six months later, Miss Martin was engaged as teacher in the public schools of Pella, and in March, 1870, entered upon her duties. Prof. W. H. Post, an acquisition from the East, was at the head. Miss Martin began her labors in a little old building, just east of Vander Meulen's, formerly used for church purposes. (This school was located on the lot where Theophilis Tice now lives).
But little had been done in the way of grading the schools, and Miss Martin found the eighty pupils, for whom she had been chosen as guide and mentor, of varied attainments. Many were numbered as the A. B. C. Class; others ranged from First to Third Readers; the latter pursued the study of Mental Arithmetic, too, upon which much stress was placed in those days. School was taught until July 3rd. Then a vacation of four weeks was granted; at the expiration of that period the weather was intensely hot and the time for opening school was ex- tended two weeks, thus making the period of rest six weeks. All teachers were paid by the year, and with the exception of two, the salary was thirty dollars per month. That was perhaps the last year of the old custom.
After a little more than three years spent in the Public Schools, Miss Martin, feeling the inadequacy of her mental equipment, resigned, and in the fall of 1874 again found her way to "Central," from which she was graduated in 1878. Three months previous she had been advised that the teaching force of the City Schools was to be augmented by one, and asked by Banner G. Bowen, a member of the Board, to apply for the position. Accordingly the last term of her student life found her teaching in one of the lower grades in the new building of the City Schools, and pursuing her studies at the College. In September of that year she was elected to the position of assistant to C. C. Cory, a man who became strongly entrenched in the hearts of scores of the young people of Pella. That position she held for nine years. Years which demanded and received all she had to give; then failing health brought her resignation.
A few months later she was induced by Dr. Dunn, President of Central, and other friends to undertake work at the College. Three hours per day proving too great a strain upon nerves already overtaxed, the plan of conducting but two recitations daily was tried, only to be abandoned after a few months. After a two years' rest Miss Martin was visited by the President of the City Schools and asked to resume her former position as Assistant Principal, but was forced to decline. She continued to reside in Pella until 1899 when she removed to Des Moines, where she became a member of the family of her brother, L. M. Martin, well known in railway circles throughout the state. At present, she is living in Detroit, Michigan, in the home of her nephew, F. H. Martin, of whose family she lias been a member since the death of his father in 1909.
A Big Week in Pella's History
THE GENERAL SYNOD OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA MEETS IN PELLA
For the first time in its entire history, the General Synod met in the West. Pella was the fortunate town to be chosen for this signal honor. The following partial account of the proceedings is taken from the Pella Booster of June 14, 1922. We regret that the restricted scope of this edition does not permit a full account of this notable event.
Last Wednesday evening Pclla was on tip toe of expectancy. The train bearing the delegates from New York City to Pclla was scheduled to arrive at 10 o'clock. Preparations had been made to look after these incoming visitors and the region of the Rock Island depot was alive with an eager, longing throng of people waiting to welcome the weary worn travelers. The place was lined up with autos ready to begin a long procession which ended when the last of the delegates was hurried away to the place assigned by the committee on enter- tainment.
The train for some unknown reason failed to reach Pella on time, although there was only a slight delay of 30 minutes experienced at Chicago, Rock Island, Ill., was reached in good season but the train slowed up from there and reached Pella about one hour and forty-five minutes late.
The plan of transportation of delegates worked so smoothly that in a very short time all of the visitors werc taken off to the homes opened for their entertainment and the train also left in a remarkably short time for Des Moines.
After traveling about forty hours continuously the delegates were ready to retire and rest under the favorable conditions realized at length. As the Synod was not to convene until afternoon, many availed themselves of the opportunity of resting later than usual in the morning.
The Convening of Synod
The one hundred and sixteenth session of the General Synod of the Re- formed church in America opened on Thursday, June 8th, at 2:30 p. m., with President Mac Kenzie in the chair. The President called the mecting to order and offered praycr.
The organization was effected by the Stated Clerk calling the roll of dele- gates and the President declaring a quorum present to transact business.
Mayor H. J. Vander Berg then addressed the Synod in his executive capacity and welcomed the visitors to the city.
Prof. F. M. Frush, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, then spoke in behalf of that body fitting words of appreciation and pleasure afforded the city in having these representatives of the Reformed church meet in Pella for their annual meeting.
Dr. M. J. Hoffman of Central college followed in his accustomed and happy vein.
President Mac Kenzie announced the first business of the Synod was the election of a President. According to custom the nominations were by ballot and after the ballots were reported, Dr. Oltmans of Tokyo, Japan, had the largest votc, with many others in the list.
On motion, Dr. Oltmans was elected by acclamation, a thing that has seldom been done in the Reformed church.
Dr. Oltmans was then escorted to the platform and introduced as the next President of the Synod, to take office at the opening of the next session.
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Dr. M. J. Hoffman then presented in a brief speech a basket with flowers from the Chamber of Commerce to the newly elected President who responded cordially and with appreciation.
The next item on the docket was the election of a Vice-President. On the first ballot Dr. Seeley and Dr. Hill received the highest number of votes but neither of them had sufficient for election. These two names were then voted upon and Dr. W. Bancroft Hill of Vassar college was elected, although Rev. F. B. Seeley, of Kingston, was a close rival.
The Rev. C. E. Bloodgood of Spottswood, N. J., and the Rev. G. De Motts of Grand Rapids, Mich., were appointed temporary clerks.
Routine business followed and report of the chairman of the Committee on Necrology reported. There were nineteen deaths during the past year, a number larger than in many years.
The President announced the various committees and adjournment was voted in order to attend the reception at the college gymnasium given by the President, Faculty and Trustees of the college.
The Pageant
One of the entertaining features of the week, was the staging in open air the pageant "The Spirit of Central." The scenic production started with the Indians followed by the landing of the Hollanders in 1847. From that time on the particular scenes dealt with the establishment of Central University, its growth and the call to arms of the students in 1861 and the various periods after the war, up to the time the schools were turned over to Dr. Hoffman, under the guidance of America. The program was interspersed with music and dancing by the students and little tots. The event was attended by fully 2000 people and the program was highly entertaining. Miss Julia Haymond Watson, teacher in the elocution department, compiled the historical production and worked out the entire program. Miss Watson is to be complimented on her splendid per- ception of the piece of history and for the way in which she handled the two hundred people in the cast. Prof. Geo. Lee handled the business end of the affair in a way that spoke in high terms of his ability to handle big things out- side of his professional duties. Mrs. T. H. Liggett rendered a beautiful song "America" a tribute to our country. Miss Vander Meer sang the "Star Spangled Banner" beautifully, at which time the large audience arose and paid tribute lo the Stars and Stripes. This entertainment will long be remembered by every- one who witnessed it, and many of the strangers in our midst paid homage to Miss Watson, the originator and producer of the event. It was certainly a fitting close to the commencement entertainments of the week.
WHAT THEY THOUGHT OF OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY Delegates to the General Synod Loud in Their Praise of Our Little City. Which Means Much to All of Us
Dr. W. B. Hill, vice-president of the Synod said that Pella is the land of sunshine and song. We are all immensely pleased with Pella and Central Col- lege. They have certainly treated us as Kings and we shall go back to help put Pella on the map. DR. W. M. HILL.
My impression of Pella is that it is one of the cleanest and neatest towns I have ever seen anywhere. What impresses me particularty is the wonderful improvement in the streets and the many fine residences that have gone up since my last visit. Pella is not too large for its people to know one another and to
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greet one another familiarly on the street, and on the other hand, it is large enough to lose all sense of loneliness after one has become somewhat acquainted.
The large-hearted hospitality of the people of Pella has been abundantly manifested in their wonderful reception of the Synod of the Reformed Church of America.
A. OLTMANS, President of Synod.
The City of Pella, beautiful for location, carries an atmosphere that is so much its own, for one forgets that he is in the West, and feels as though he might be in a prosperous New English town. How refreshing it is to go about such a fine city of homes, and feel that pure religion, the religion of the fathers is so much a part of the life of the people of Pella. One feels the spirit of Old Central, and sees in the faces of the students the character that is the outgrowth of the culture of the heart as well as the evening of the word and of the body. In the picture gallery of memory the memories of Pella, Iowa, will be one of the most beautiful pictures of life. God prosper Pella and Old Central.
CHARLES WILLIAM ROEDER, Flatlands, Long Island.
I have been asked to give in a few words my impression of Pella. Coming for the first time to a City West of the Mississippi, coming as a Yankee brought up in the atmosphere of New England but having spent my entire ministry in New York state, I was simply overwhelmed by the magnificient and gracious hospitality of Pella. Homes that are beautiful within and without, hosts and hostesses most gracious and hospitable, a spirit of wise hearted, genuine Christian hospitality prevails the entire community. Such volunteer singing as the men and women of the chorus furnished, is a treat. You have no longer left us guessing, life is wholesome and worthwhile and I shall go back East with some of the pleasantest and happiest memories of my life. DR. SEELEY.
I have been attending sessions of the General Synod of the Reformed Church for some twenty-five years and can confidently say that I have never known one more genuinely enjoyable than that just concluding at Pella.
The immense sweetness of this "Spotless town" of the West invites that of the best hope towns of New England. The offering of the arrangements and entertainment of delegates has won the admiration of us all. The warm-hearted hospitality and uncomparable friendliness of everyone in Pella has donc us all good. We are glad that the General Synod came to Pella and we shall ever hear with satisfaction of the prospects we confidently believe awaits Pella and its splendid institution, Central College.
T. H. MAC KINZIE.
Space will not permit me to give all my favorable impressions concerning this delightful town. I find in the people of Pella all the qualities that make for good citizenship everywhere. They are friendly, hospitable and kind. That they build for the future is evidenced by their broad and beautiful streets and avenues, the splendid trees planted everywhere, their fine homes and business places, their stately institution of learning, and last and best of all their many churches dedicated to the Service of the Almighty God. I also find in the people of Pella the old fashioned ideals of life we love, but which are fast disappearing in the rush and stress of modern life, high ideals of life, well worthy of their Holland Ancestors, who served well their day and generation and have passed on to their reward.
I find in Pella a "sweet and blessed country," which I shall not forget. GEORGE TIFFANY.
Pella has certainly donc it up brown. I knew that would be the case. Past experience and an acquaintance running back to twenty years ago gave me
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abundant reason to expect that. Some friends farther East asked me, "Well, what do you think? Can the people of Pella take care of the Synod in good shape? Have they a lot of good homes in which to make the delegates and visitors com- fortahle?" And I assured them that there need be no doubt about that, that the people were very hospitable and that when it came to fine homes, Pella had more of them to the block than a lot of cities five or ten times as large. But even my most sanguine expectations have been surpassed. I am astonished at the progress Pella has made since my previous visit five years ago and the way the Synod was entertained, with the very best of lodging, excellent meals, wonderful music and every personal attention and kindness that could make the guests feel thoroughly at home was a marvel to everyhody. Of course, it was not necessary to make me feel at home. I felt at home the minute the train crossed the east limits of the City. My family and I spent eight most happy years in Pella, the precious memories of which will never fade away. And for the many renewed kindnesses bestowed upon me during this brief visit I feel deeply grateful. W. J. VAN KERSEN.
When I think of Pella, I think of a city of refinement and culture, of high ideals and progressive spirit, exhibiting as a community the two splendid traits of courage and faith.
I saw Pella first in winter, and made indoor acquaintance with the College and the Churches, I saw Pella again in the late summer, and rejoiced in vast cornfields ripening to harvest and in the wider harvest vision of the Zendingsfeest. I am seeing Pella now in June, at the flood-tide of the year-the month of roses and weddings and graduations. I shall carry away a glorious picture of feathery wild barley by the roadside; of the varied greens of wheat and oats and rye preparing for the rich gold of the harvest, of breezes laden with the scent of clover fields all but ready for the mower; of cattle grazing on hillsides and horses drawing cultivators across fields of growing corn that stretch to- ward the far horizon; of a land that flows with milk and honey upon which God smiles in sunshine by day and moonlight and starlight by night.
More than this, I shall remember a people who love God and their brethren, who open homes and hearts in generous hospitality, who have welcomed a meeting of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America and have given to its business and social intercourse a background of loving thoughtful- ness, of whole-hearted hospitality, of painstaking preparation that leave nothing to he desired. In my work for the Reformed Church in America, Pella will be to ine in larger and richer measure what it has been since my first visit early in 1921, a source of strength and comfort and inspiration as I add to precious memories of the past the recollection of these golden June days spent with her peoples.
JOHN A. INGHAM, General Secretary of the Progress Campaign Committee, Reformed Ch., in America, 25 East 22nd Street, New York City.
THE GREATEST EVENT IN PELLA'S HISTORY
"Breathes there a man with soul so dead, who never to himself hath said?"- The greatest event in Pella's history, the most far-reaching in its scope, the most potent in its influence for material, intellectual and spiritual good for Pella, for Central College, and for the growth and development of the Reformed Church in the West. These are only a few of the benefits growing out of the meeting of the General Synod in Pella.
And we believe that the influence on the attending delegates has been no less beneficial. It has surely given them a wider vision and a larger conception
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of the wonderful field for development that the great Mississippi Valley offers to the Reformed Church. It cannot have failed to open their eyes to the fact that Central College is situated in the heart of the most productive agricultural state in the Union, in the center of the corn belt and of the Mississippi Valley, the bread basket of the nation in time of peace, the sure dependence of America in time of war.
Dull, indeed, must be the mind that failed to receive this patent vision; and if there were any dull minds among the attending delegates, that fact was
SYNOD DELEGATES PRAISE OUR CITY
Delegates Continue to Write About Our Beautiful City and Treatment Accorded Them on Their Recent Visit Here
Speaking of "entertaining angels unawares," the good people of Pella (very like angels themselves) have entertained us of the General Synod of 1922 as though fully convinced they were entertaining actual angels, and were all aware of their kindred's celestial mission and nature. We cannot conceive how any- one could have been more cordially and thoughtfully and royally cared for. From our delayed arrival of Wednesday night, June 7, continuously till our departure on Wednesday morning, June 14, we have lived in a very "Beulah Land" of gra- cious and joyous ministries to our comfort. The churches of Pella, the choirs and glee clubs, the college administration and student contingent, the city's offi- cials, the Chamber of Commerce, the "citizeness" and citizens, have all collab- orated harmoniously and gladly in being so good to us that we are sure we can appreciate somewhat the mysterious, dreamily satisfied contentment of the fabled "Lotus-eaters" who were reluctant even to turn their faces toward their far- distant homes.
Your church services, which filled pews and galleries-filled with attentive and respective fellow-workers for Christ and His church-brought to us all in- spiration for greater endeavor and expectation in our common cause; and they also made us, oh, so wishful that our Eastern congregations would so honor and throng the sanctuaries of God. And your singing, whether solos, duets, anthems or choruses, made the things so confidently believed among us even more con- fidently and rejoicingly real to us.
And deeply as we sorrow and sympathize with you over the burning of "Old Central" early last Tuesday morning, we know well that such loyal, loving and heroic souls will only be stirred by this calamity to yet more loving loyalty and heroism for Him to Whose honor and service Central College was wholly conse- crated.
And He, be sure, will stir up other minds and hearts than yours to "devise liberal things" for "Old Central" in this hour of challenge and crisis.
DR. EDWARD P. JOHNSON.
East Millstone, N. J., June 17, 1922.
My Dear Mr. Hoffman :
I received your letter, and the resolutions. I never had such a time as I en- joyed at the Synod. I never saw such a town or such a people. I wish thousands from our Eastern churches could drop in on your model town and take note of your manner of living there. It seems ideal in so many respects. And you have there a Christian quality that money can not buy, and that can only be obtained through generations of Christian living grounded upon the great fundamentals of our Faith.
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You must have sympthy for your Eastern brethren. We work under diffi- culties that you do not hear of in your locality. We are surrounded with heathen- ism, godlessness, skepticism, and, worst of all, apostacy, which is hopeless and heart-breaking.
But you know about these things. Those who attended the Synod are cer- tainly refreshed by what they saw and heard and I hear nothing but enthusiastic comments from everyone.
I have no doubt of the heaviness of your heart at the disappearance of the choice old landmark. But God certainly has something better in store. He brings His own to perfection through suffering, and if we are in the process we may expect nothing else.
Dr. Hill headed the list on the train with $5,000, and $7,000 was added by those who represented the churches. There were probably seventy or eighty churches represented there. That is about one-tenth of the denomination. It would be fine if $70,000 could be raised from all the churches. I am in hopes that something like this can be done. I can see you yet, standing on that chair, with the bright light of the fire shining through your shirt, defining your arms and shoulders as you spoke. I wished at the time I had a picture of it.
Rev. Mr. Lumley and his Elder Edward Tillman, both of Raritan, wanted me to remember them to you at the Synod. I forgot to speak to you about it while there.
Rev. Lumley is confined to the house-a serious nervous breakdown. He has called me up today and inquired about the Synod and you. Perhaps you can drop him a line. He is nature Frelinghuizen's pastor.
I am to preach for him Sunday evening, June 25, and he wants me to talk about the Synod at Pella. I expect to talk about it tomorrow in my own church, so I guess I had better get busy at it now.
Give my kindest regards to every last person in Pella, and tell them that the Synod is profoundly grateful to them all for their most excellent hospitality.
Very Sincerely,
HENRY LOCK WOOD.
Dr. Lockwood has been Stated Clerk of the General Synod for several years. His words therefore have more than usual weight.
The old Washington Mills built by F. Graefe and later conducted by Tyssel- ing Brothers. Was destroyed by fire twenty-five years ago.
Business
FOWLER TELEPHONE COMPANY
Today anyone can see that there is money in the telephone business, but twenty-two years ago it required vision of a high order and faith in the future of Pella, on the part of the man who dared to stake his time and capital in what was then an experiment in the minds of most people.
Pella owes the fact that we were in the forefront of the smaller cities of Iowa, in securing a complete telephone system more than two decades ago, and her present modern system, to the fact that W. H. Fowler, (Wally), possessed that rare combination of vision and faith, combined with the knowledge and executive ability, to develop his visions into practical accomplishment.
The Fowler Telephone Company was organized in 1900, by W. H. Fowler, the present owner, and was the first concern to give the farmers telephonc service. It started its business career with 41 telephones which were solicited and ordered through efforts of George Stout, editor of the Booster. During the last twenty years many changes have been made in the equipment. All wires in the business district have been laid underground. Five switchboards have been installed and discarded as new improvements were discovered. Today the Company operates about 1500 phones in the city and country. It has in operation one of the latest common battery switchboards. It connects with the Bell, long distance lines which gives long distance service to all parts of the country. It also owns thirty miles of long distance lines. Mr. Fowler was the first to install a radio- phone in the state of Iowa, which has been heard in over eight statcs. A few years ago he erected one of the best and most modern residence buildings in Pella.
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