The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its., Part 72

Author: Western Historical Co , Western Historical Company
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 807

USA > Iowa > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its. > Part 72

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Living about two miles west of town, he was to be seen driving up with his ox team, each Lord's Day, " rain or shine," to whatever chanced to be the place of worship. He was as regular at Sabbath school and prayer-meeting. First unfastening his oxen and caring for their comfort, he would straightway unload the wood he had brought from his own pile, the supply for the day, and also material for lighting in the evening. and then, in his business-like way, build the fires and prepare for meeting. When the congregation had assembled, in his simple-hearted and fervent manner, he would take that part of the service in which he was most needed; generally with tuning-fork in hand, pitching the tunes, lining off the hymns, and leading the choir in the peculiar style of those times ; sometimes even acting as preacher. At one time, he went with his ox team to the interior of the State, hoping to there secure a minister for his destitute flock. His zeal was such that he once offered, as an amendment to the covenant, this article:

"And that you avoid the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and gambling and cheating, and quarreling, and dancing, and slaveholding, and all other vices."

During 1847, Rev. Hiram G. Warner preached in his log cabin, two miles from town, and also in town until near the close of the year, when Mr. Emer- son renewed his engagement for the next two years. Rev. J. S. Francis, under the auspices of the Home Missionary Society, and Rev. J. T. Morey, a Free-Will Baptist-sectarianism in those days gave way to Christian fraternity -each served as Pastor for two years, and Father Emerson filled another year's vacancy in 1853 and 1854.

May 4, 1854, fifteen years after its origin in Union Grove, the Church was incorporated, with Daniel Reed and J. R. Pearce as the first Trustees. In July following, the members residing in Illinois formed a Church at Fulton.

In 1854, Rev. J. C. Strong, formerly a missionary among the Choctaws, began a pastorate of two years, during which, owing to a disagreement as to the relations the Church sustained to Missionary Societies, a portion of the members withdrew to form the Presbyterian Church. For six months, the pulpit was occupied by supplies which could not have been very expensive, judging from an entry of $15 paid to Rev. N. Grant for preaching four Sab- baths.

In 1854 was begun the movement for building the brick church, the first Protestant Church edifice in Lyons, on the corner of Fifth street and Sixth avenue, in what was then called Newtown. The welfare of the community was quite closely identified with it, according to Deacon Vincent's quaint bit of his- tory in the record :

" In the spring of 1854, the attention of Eastern men of property was directed to Lyons as a safe place to make profitable investments. Among them were some professors, or, we might say, some rich Christians, who naturally inquired for the churches of the place, and the property-holders had to say, or tell them, that there were none. To which they answered: 'We feel that if a place like Lyons has not religion enough to maintain the worship of God, it cannot be a safe place to make investments ; ' and they, therefore, turned away to some other place. As one and another left the place in this way, property- holders began to feel that it would be to their interest to build a church at Lyons, if, by so doing, they could keep these rich Christians among us. It was then suggested that, if we undertook to build a church, we should be liber- ally assisted. I went into Lyons, and, on inquiry, found the impression very gen- eral that we ought to have, and must have, a church in the place. I, therefore,

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immediately wrote to Mr. Emerson as the oldest and most influential min- ister in our neighborhood, who came to see for himself what the prospects were for such an undertaking. We visited almost every family in town, and the impression on his mind was that the prospects were favorable. He, therefore, drew up a subscription paper with the following result."

Among the names are many citizens now living, including Elijah Buell, who donated $125 and two lots. The edifice was erected in 1855-56; but, money failing, one lot was sold in order to put on the roof. It resembled the present German Catholic Church.

It was dedicated July 11, 1856, President Blanchard, then of Knox College, preaching the sermon. For several Sundays, between leaving the brick schoolhouse and occupying the new church, services were held in the building known as the old "Brick Catholic Church," just back of Snyder's drug store, which has since illustrated the mutability of circumstances by being used as a saloon. For some time the Church enjoyed the services of two pas- tors, Rev. G. R. Moore preaching in the forenoon and Rev. O. Miner in the evening.

During the ministry of Rev. L. J. White-1857-60-their Church expe- rienced many changes and great prosperity. About a year from the dedication of the "Pioneer Church," it seemed expedient to build again. The failure of the railroad to cross the river at that point, and as a large part of the congre- gation living on the south side of the creek, rendered the Newtown location undesirable. J. Q. Root and Deacon Vincent selected the present site for the second building. Instead of the present streets, much ground then (1857) between that point and where the railroad now runs, was a brush-covered waste. It was dedicated by President George F. Magoun just a year after the brick church. Its style was very much like that of the present structure, and cost $3,300. Crowded revivals were held in the lecture-room before the walls were lathed and plastered, with the wind and snow blowing through large open cracks. In 1859, a bell was procured, which became virtually the city curfew, or, at least, what the great historic bell Roland was to Ghent. It announced noon, it rang out fire alarms and jubilant peals over Union victories, it tolled the requiem of the dead and finally, January 16, 1860, when the church burned, passed through a fiery ordeal. The fire caught in the chapel ; the first alarm was sounded from the old belfry, the peal not ceasing till the rope was burned and the bell fell amid the crashing timbers into the debris below. After several years' service in the present steeple, it cracked and was mustered out; now inverted on a granite block, it serves as a flower-vase on the lawn of J. Q. Root, and, also, as one of the most tangible relics of Lyons' past.

The present church was dedicated while yet unfinished, June 24, 1860, by Prof. Haven, D. D., of Chicago; and Rev. G. F. Magoun, in November, began a four-years' pastorate, after which he resigned, to become President of Iowa College at Grinnell. He was succeeded by Revs. M. W. Fairfield, T. M. Boss, 1866-70, during whose pastorate the present 1,200-pound bell was hung ; Rev. L. Curtis, 1870-75, and in May, 1875, by the present able Pastor, Rev. Sidney Crawford, whose judicious and successful service may be inferred from the present condition of the Church-170 members, fine choir and Sabbath school, and church property worth $10,000, and with seats for 500 people.

The Sabbath school, as a distinct body, dates back to 1854. It began with thirty-seven scholars, and Frances Page and Dr. Joseph Brown were the first Superintendents. The present Superintendent is J. C. Root, and number of pupils and teachers 250. The choir is, and has been, harmonious in every

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sense. Mr. M. M. Jones and Mmes. C. H. Scott and M. O. Page and others having aided in its development. The Woman's Board of Missions, organized in 1871, has been one of the most efficient arms of the Church. Two devoted women have gone from the Church to make a noteworthy record as missionaries -Miss Mary Patrick, to Constantinople, and Miss Laura Day, to South Africa.

Presbyterian .- The Lyons First Presbyterian Church was organized in the brick schoolhouse, by Rev. O. Clark, of Fredonia, N. Y., on November 11, 1855. Its first officers were : Ruling Elders-P. T. Roe, Allen Slack and William B. Godley. Other members, Mmes. S. Godley, A. M. Roe, A. B. Gaylord, E. M. Jerome and A. Hurlbert; Misses A. and M. and Charles S. Hurlbert. The first place of meeting was the Concert Hall on Pearl street, where Mr. Clark, the first Pastor, earnestly labored to establish the Church on a sound foundation, in which he was well sustained by the Session. The zeal of the Church in withstanding the flood of worldliness is testified to, not only by the stringent resolutions adopted against "traveling or riding on the Lord's Day, dancing, card-playing, billiards, ten-pins, or whatever games of skill or chance possess marked or decided gambling associations, use of or traffic in intoxicating liquors," but also by the way the Church discipline was enforced, as evidenced by the records of excommunication and suspension. Mr. Clark occupied the pulpit till November, 1861. During his pastorate the Church increased to a membership of fifty-eight, and the brick church on Seventh street, now occupied by the German Catholics, was built, but proved to be incon- veniently located. Accordingly, the present edifice on Seventh street was erected at a cost, including the land, of $6,000, and dedicated in 1861.

Rev. H. L. Stanley began the second pastorate October 17, 1862, and labored efficiently till 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. A. N. Keigwin, in 1868-69, and Thomas Lawrence, in 1869-70, after which, for several years, the church was either closed or depended upon a temporary supply, till in November, 1873, began the pastorate of Rev. E. R. Mills, who remained till his removal to Nevada, Iowa, in June, 1879. His successor and the present Pastor is Rev. C. A. Lombard. During the past several years, the Church has suf- fered greatly by the removal from the city of stanch members, but the courage and liberality of the remnant have maintained the Church life and work with unabated vigor, especially the Sabbath school, of which John Lay is Super- intendent.

Methodist .- The pioneer church organized on the soil of Clinton County is the Lyons Methodist Episcopal. Its origin is due to the labors of Rev. H. B. Cartwright, one of the famous family of heroic itinerants who did so much toward planting the Gospel in the frontier settlements of the young West. In 1840, and for several years afterward, meetings were held by a faithful few (only seven), in each other's houses until when the old schoolhouse was occupied until the congregation took possession of their present large and convenient brick church edifice on Sixth street, which was built in 1855-56, since which the Church has prospered finely. The following is the list of clergymen who labored in the Lyons charge: Rev. McMurtry, 1841-42; Holman, 1842-43; Stinson, 1843-44; John Walker, 1844-46; Revs. Roberts and Greenough, 1846-47; George Larkin, 1847-48; Crawford, 1848-49; Blackburn, 1849- 50; Gulle, 1850-51; John Walker, George Larkin, 1852-53; N. Odell, 1853-55; Joel B. Taylor, 1856-58; A. J. Kynett, 1858-60; G. W. Brin- dell, 1860-61; A. H. Ames, 1861-63; S. N. Fellows, 1863-66; Casebeer, 1866-67; R. D. Parsons, 1867-69; E. L. Miller, 1869-72; J. S. Eberhart,

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1872-74; John Bowman, 1875-77; W. Lease, 1877-79. The present num- ber of members is 160, and value of church property, $6,500. The Sunday school was organized in 1840. It now numbers 150. J. L. Pollock is Superintendent.

Catholic .- Lyons was for some time a mission adjunct to Dubuque. In 1852, a church was built on an open lot, on what is now Pearl street, which afforded somewhat of a contrast with the present great stone pile of St. Irenæus Church, which was built in 1869-71. Its organ was dedicated in that year, with a grand evening musical festival. In 1874-75, Father Jean, at that time the incumbent, becoming involved in a controversy with the Bishop, was deposed. Rev. Father Thomas Dunn is the present Pastor. The Church is prosperous, both numerically and financially. The edifice has cost, with the towers still truncated, upward of 840,000, and has seating-room for 2,000 worshipers. Its fine site on the bluff, in the northern part of the city, and its mellow look, owing to the material-yellow limestone-give it a very impressive and cathedral-like appearance.

Episcopal .- Some time in 1855, Rev. H. W. Beers began to officiate every Sunday at Metropolitan Hall, in Lyons. On December 22, 1855, a meeting was held at the town hall, at which the Right Rev. Henry W. Lee, then Bishop of Iowa, presided. At this meeting, Grace Church Parish was organ- ized, and James Hazlett, Andrew R. West, Harvey B. Ring, William D. Rob- inson and Leander Smith were elected a Vestry to serve until the next regular Easter election. The present church edifice was consecrated by Bishop Lee on May 21, 1857. In 1860, Rev. H. W. Beers accepted a call elsewhere, and was succeeded in the same year by Rev. George W. Watson, who was the Rec- tor until 1866, in which year Rev. Henry Adams was chosen Rector. Upon his resignation, in 1867, there was an interregnum. Rev. Lyman N. Freeman was chosen Rector in 1869, and was succeeded by Rev. A. P. Crouch, upon whose resignation in 1873, the parish remained without any regular incumbent until Rev. Samuel Currie, the present able Rector, assumed the rectorship September 1, 1875.

In the report of the parish for 1879, there is a record of twenty-nine fam- ilies, one hundred and thirty-five individuals, sixty communicants, eight Sunday-school teachers and forty-three Sunday-school scholars. The church and grounds are valued at $4,000.

MASONIC.

Though a goodly proportion of those who had, during the forties, located, either temporarily or permanently, at Lyons, had been known to each other as Masons of various degrees, the transitory state of society and constant changing of locality and unsettled feeling due thereto, so inevitable in all new communi- ties, delayed the formation of a local organization till September 13, 1849, when a dispensation was granted St. John's Lodge, No. 19, with John S. Bope appointed W. M. Both records and reminiscences are lacking of this Lodge, save that it was chartered and instituted June 6, 1850, with fifteen members, and James McCoy, now of Fulton, as W. M., and that the charter was surren- dered in June, 1855, Judge A. R. Cotton being G. M., largely on account of the removal of brethren during that gloomy year. But the next year the prospects of the town brightened, and Masonry was revived by a dispensation being granted April 3, 1856, to W. E. Leffingwell, G. H. Bonney, James Hazlett and six others, for Eureka Lodge, which was soon organized as Lyons Lodge, No. 93, with about twelve members. The destruction of the lodge records by the great

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fire of 1870 deprived the order in Lyons of many valuable souvenirs of its inception and early days. However, it is known that William E. Leffingwell was the first W. M., and among the charter members were Thomas Crew, Rev. Beers, William Soules and Stephen Fuller.

The first meetings were held in the brick building on Pearl street, since used for manufacturing purposes. Then the Lodge, for several years, met in Rice's block, on the corner of Fourth and Main streets. Thence the lodge- room was removed to the present post-office block, where it occupied one room for six years, and thereafter remained for eight years in the rooms where the Mirror is now published, until the present rooms in the new temple were taken possession of in 1872, and where the older members complacently contrast the appointments with those of the old Pearl street rooms, around which, however, hangs the halo of old-time associations, and the chastening reflections of how remorselessly Time, in Tennyson's words, "unsolders the goodliest fellowships whereof this world holds record."

In 1867, another stage in the progress of Masonry in Lyons was marked by the institution of Oriental Chapter, No. 39, of Royal Arch Masons. W. E. Leffingwell was the first H. P. The records also perished by fire, but have been largely reconstructed by the labors of Dr. Wetherell, C. W. Magill and T. R. Beers. Until the temple was completed, the Chapter convened in the old lodge-room over the post office. The charter members were Dr. W. McQuigg, Judge A. R. Cotton, S. W. Baldwin, G. W. Parker, J. B. Denison, L. A. Ellis, C. W. Warner, A. J. Kynett, Dr. G. F. Wetherell, J. S. Hart, T. R. Beers, W. E. Marquis, S. Rand and F. L. Blakely. The present off- cers are : C. W. Warner, H. P .; J. H. Potts, K; S. W. Baldwin, S .; A. D. Palmer, T .; William Dolan, Secretary.

In 1869, Masonry in Lyons culminated in the establishment of the only complete Scottish Rite in Iowa. The bodies were instituted on the 12th of May. The charter members were W. E. Leffingwell, C. W. Warner, G. M. Parker, S. W. Baldwin, W. E. Marquis, J. S. Hart, F. L. Blakely, T. R. Beers, Fred Bourne and Pitkin Wright. Since the Scottish Rite organizations have occupied their stately halls in the new temple, elsewhere described, annual State Conventions have been held there, closing with grand receptions, at some of which guests have been permitted to view the encampment of the S. P. R. S., fully spread in the upper hall, and otherwise the occasions have been made memorable as social as well as Masonic gatherings.

The following are the present officers of Iowa Grand Lodge of Perfection, No. 5: A. R. Cotton, T. P. G. M .; C. W. Warner, S. W .; E. A. Wadleigh, J. W .; J. H. Potts, Treasurer; G. W. Ashton, Secretary.

Delphic Chapter, Rose Croix, No. 5 .- W. W. Sanborn, W. M .; F. Bourne, S. W .; M. H. Westbrook, J. W .; J. H. Potts, Treasurer; J. W. Ashton, Secretary.

Hugh de Payens Council, Knights of Kadosh .- J. Scott Jenkins, V. I .; C. W. Warner, First Lieutenant; A. R. Cotton, Second Lieutenant, Sec- retary and Treasurer, ut supra.

De Molay Consistory, S. P. R. S .- Buren R. Sherman, Commander-in- Chief; C. W. Warner, Prior; W. W. Sanborn, P .; J. H. Potts, Treasurer; T. R. Beers, Secretary.

The laying of the corner-stone of the Masonic Temple, August 15, 1871, was an occasion memorable among the Fraternity, as a notable milestone in marking its progress in Iowa and the Northwest, and by people in general, who witnessed the imposing Masonic array and ceremonies, and for the melting

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solar rays of the day. Representatives were present from Lyons Lodge, of Lyons; Western Star Lodge, of Clinton; Camanche Lodge, of Camanche; Right Hand Lodge, of De Witt; Fulton Lodge, of Fulton, Ill .; Thompson Lodge, Thompson, Ill .; De Molay Consistory of Knights of Kadosh, and individuals from many distant bodies.

The Knights, whose nodding crests, glittering swords and beautiful jewels made them look, as they were, equally worthy with the noble Crusaders to uphold the banner with the legend " Dieu le veut" (God wills it), followed by 150 Masons and a band of music, appeared, and, after marching in procession through the principal streets, returned to the Temple site where, and at neigh- boring "coignes of vantage" for viewing, several thousand people had assem- bled. The ceremonies were opened by prayer by Grand Chaplain Hamilton, followed by appropriate music from the quartette, Messrs. Hollingsworth, Coggswell, Bockel and Jones. Then was deposited in the foundation, to prob- ably there remain for many years before re-opened, a box containing the fol- lowing relics :

1. Iowa Grand Lodge Report, 1870.

2. Iowa Grand Chapter Report, 1870.

3. Iowa Grand Commandery Report, 1870.

4. Iowa Grand Consistory Report, 1870.

5. By-Laws of Lyons Lodge, No. 93, A., F. & A. M.

6. By-Laws of Iowa Grand Lodge of Perfection, No. 5.

7. Copy of Charter of Lyons Lodge, No. 93.

8. Copy of Charter and Dispensation of Oriental Chapter, No. 39.

9. The same of Hugh de Payens Council of Kadosh, No. 1.

10. Articles of incorporation and names of officers of Lyons Masonic Temple Association, as follows: David Joyce, President; William E. Leffing- well, Vice President; C. B. McDowell, R. W. Rand, W. M. Bentley, C. Moes- zinger, Hiram Hart, Directors; David Joyce, W. E. Leffingwell, C. B. Mc Dowell, Building Committee; W. W. Sanborn, Architect; William Holmes, Treasurer; R. W. Rand, Secretary.

11. Copy of Lyons City Charter.

12. Copies of all the county newspapers.

13. List of Lyons city officers and members of Council.

14. List of State and county officers.

15. Photographs of charter members of Scottish Rite bodies in Lyons.

16. Internal revenue stamps in use in 1871.

17. Specimens of currency issued by First National Bank of Lyons.

18. United States postage stamps in use.

19. United States paper currency.

20. United States postal currency.

21. United States silver and copper coin.

22. Photograph of block formerly on ground now occupied by new Masonic Temple.

23. Photograph of block now occupied by Masonic bodies.

24. A bond of the " Irish Republic," presented by J. J. McDonnell.

The stone, like those of the temple built by the ancient Mason, Solomon, was lowered to its position to "the sound of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet," and after the usual ceremony of testing by plumb, square and gavel, and the consecration by corn, wine and oil, an eloquent address was delivered by T. S. Parvin, I. P. G. of Iowa City, Grand Master O. P. Waters, of Muscatine, conducting the ceremonies. Since the building of the Temple

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Lyons can justly claim pre-eminence in the Southern jurisdiction in Masonic work.

The following are the dimensions, etc., of this noble building, which, as it towers so conspicuously above the city, is to citizens an object of pride, as well as to travelers one of curiosity.

It occupies a lot 72 by 78 feet ; height to cornice, 72 feet; first floor, 14 feet ; second, 14 feet ; third, 16 feet ; fourth, 20 feet. The first floor is devoted to stores and a bank ; the second floor, a banquet hall 23 by 47, and a kitchen 14 by 18, and other rooms; third floor, Blue Lodge hall, 28 by 63, Chapter hall, 28 by 69, besides anterooms ; fourth floor, Consistory hall, 42 by 64, and armory, 18.6 by 49. The structure is crowned by a skylight dome, whence floats a flag visible for miles either up or down the river. It is finished outside with terra cotta, white brick and massive iron cornice, and frescoed throughout on the inside.

ODD-FELLOWSHIP.

A charter was granted to Lyons Lodge, No. 61, I. O. of O. F., October . 26, 1854. Previously, there had been in the city a Lodge known as Clinton, No. 21, which, for several years, held its meetings in a wooden building at the corner of Second and Main streets. All official documents relating thereto were burned. Lyons Lodge was instituted by Hon. James Thorington, of Davenport, D. D. G. M., November 11, 1854. The first elected officers were G. W. Stumbaugh, N. G. ; J. J. Matthews, V. G. ; F. R. Johnson, Secretary ; J. D. Fegan, Treasurer. The Lodge first met at the former rooms of No. 21, but, within a few weeks, fitted up and occupied commodious apartments in the old Washington Hall block, on Main street. In 1860, the Lodge removed to Rice's building, at the corner of Main and Fourth, and thence, in 1864, into the fine hall expressly prepared for its use, in Wright's block, where is still its home.

Its present officers are: L. P. Adams, N. G .; L. G. Blaine, V. G .; A. J. Leffingwell, R. S .; William Meggers, P. S. ; C. T. Graefe, T .; S. Davy, W. and O. T. The Lodge is in a most flourishing condition in every respect, num- bering over one hundred members.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 45, K. of P., was instituted March 25, 1879, by John W. Green, of Davenport, D. G. C. The following are the names of its officers and charter members : J. C. Root, P. C .; L. P. Adams, C. C. ; L. E. Dean, V. C .; G. W. Brayton, P .; C. L. Root, K. of R. S .; H. Penn, M. of F. ; W. A. Lyall, M. of E. ; T. Balch, M. at A. ; P. Traub, I. G. ; Walter Wilkes, O. G. Charter members : A. A. Carpenter, A. M. Pelton, J. F. Rockwood, L. M. Stumbaugh, J. A. Nattinger, J. H. Potts, F. C. Brayton, C. J. Austin, J. Hoshal, B. S. Woodward, J. E. White, F. Showerman, L. G. Blain, C. A. Gay, C. H. Gerard, G. S. Gardiner. S. B. Cory, M. Rudman, Ed. Showerman, Anton Meyer, J. A. Mccullough, George Beuzeville, W. C. Grohe, J. W. Stewart, C. S. Tuller, Henry Woodward, T. R. Beers, C. L. Root, S. H. McCannon, A. A. Root, William Buell, Alex. Armstrong, Henry Penn, and the officers above mentioned. The Lodge has, at present, 45. members, and is growing apace.

KNIGHTS OF HONOR.

Lyons Lodge, No. 183, K. of H., was instituted October 29, 1875, and records the following officers and charter members : L. P. Adams, D .; J. H.

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The History of Clinton County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its., Part 72

Author: Western Historical Co , Western Historical Company Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co. Number of Pages: 807

Author: Western Historical Co , Western Historical Company
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 807