USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 76
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The small body of seceders were not permitted to dwell in harmony, but passed through a series of trials that were fraught with persecutions sud imprisonments, instigated by the Synod of Holland. The legality of these acts, for want of a better excuse, was based upon an iron-clad law of Napoleon, which stipulated that not more than twenty persons should as- semble in one body for divine worship.
These persecutions instead of having a disastrous effect upon the follow- ers of the new faith, increased its adherents; consequently the govern- ment became discouraged and the persecutions ceased entirely soon after the accession of William II. to the throne.
The social condition and pecuniary circumstances of the middle and poorer classes of the country came under the observation of Mr. Scholte during his labors as a minister. He perceived how difficult it was for the poor to eke out a sustenance, and for them to attain a social status was an atter impossibility.
After considering the matter of their relief he concluded that, owing to the crowded condition of the Netherlands, that his efforts to aid them, or to contrive any means to better their condition in their native country would be futile, and that emigration to some other country where they would have a broader scope for their labors, was the only alternative to bring about the desired end. With this project in view, in connection with another minister of ability, they began a series of investigations in regard to the laws, religion and general advantages of different countries. They corresponded with the Minister of Colonies and endeavored to secure free passage to the island of Java and a permit to make a free settlement there. To this the government objected and they turned their attention in another direction. America was the next country under consideration. After making inquiries in regard to the climate, laws, etc., of different parts, Texas was first thought of, but owing to the climate was abandoned. Mis- pouri was next under consideration, but the existence of slavery forbade its choice. Finally Iowa, which was then in its infancy as a State, was chosen to be the land of their future abode.
The next step to be taken was to create an interest among a sufficient number to form a self-sustaining colony. In July, 1846, the first meeting for the purpose was held at Leersdam, and in December of the same year
624
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
the second meeting was held at Utrecht, at which an organization waid fected, Henry P. Scholte being elected president, A. J. Betten vice-presi- dent and Isaac Overkamp secretary. A committee consisting of G. Overkamp, G. F. Le Cocq, John Rietveld and A. Wigny were appointed, whose duty it was to receive members on certain conditions, and arrange for means of transportation. It was required that the members of the @ ganization should be industrious and moral. It was not essential that thy should be adherents to a religions faith, but no atheists or infidels were a mitted, and Roman Catholics were entirely excluded. Another meus was that each member of sufficient means should take charge of ome more persons or families who desired to go, but were too poor to defray th expense.
In the spring of 1847 the association numbered 1,300 souls, and betwen 700 and 800 were prepared to make their departure. Four vessels wen chartered, three of which sailed from Rotterdam and one from Amsterdam the early part of April. The fleet arrived in Baltimore the early partd June, where they were joined by Mr. Scholte, who had preceded them by steamer. Nine deaths and three births occurred during the voyage.
They were conveyed to Pittsburgh by canal and railway, thence to & Louis by steamboat, arriving in July. Mr. E. F. Grafe, a German, and fur sometime a resident of that city, was aware of their coming and proved # be a beneficial friend to them during their sojourn at that point. It m necessary for them to recuperate and make arrangements for the journey their final settlement, consequently they constructed a temporary shelter outside the city limits. It was also essential at this time to know the local ity in the Hawkeye State where they were to take up their permanent abode, and Henry P. Scholte, Isaac Overkamp, John Rietveld and other for this purpose departed for Iowa as the avant-couriers or prospecton Rev. M. J. Post, who for a number of years was a minister of the gospel, and mail-carrier in the frontier for a number of years, came in contact with them at Fairfield. Mr. Post recommended the belt of country lying between the Des Moines and Skunk rivers in Marion county as a suitable locality to establish a colony, and with the committee went over the ground
The location and surroundings were agreeable to their views and Mr. Scholte, as financial manager and agent for the colony, purchased the claim of settlers within a radius of two townships, which was designed for the us of the colony, together with live stock and agricultural implements.
They returned to St. Louis and mechanics were immediately sent for. ward to construct temporary shelter for the emigrants on their arrinl which was soon. Sheds were erected in different parts of where the city of Pella now stands, some families moved into the cabins recently occupied by those whose claims had been purchased, while others built sod houses on the prairie and improvised a roof of grass which was in abundance on the edge of the sloughs. Thus we find the founders of the now flourishing settlement making their debut in Marion county. That they made their now happy and comfortable home out of the raw material is unmistakable, and the prosperity that has attended the colony to the present time is not only familiar to the residents of Marion county, but throughout the entire northwest. Though chiefly instrumental in developing the resources of the township and building up a city which is a credit to themselves and an honor to the State, they were not properly the first settlers. Prior to their coming many of the best claims were taken; the Hollanders generally
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625
LAKE PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.
ught ont the owners of these claims and the first owners took up › line of march for regions further west.
FIRST SETTLERS.
The veritable first settlers of Lake Prairie township were Virginians by name of Nossaman and Hamilton. They came during the year 1843, bn B. Hamilton having the honor of building the first house in the town- ip.
The development of the material resources of Lake Prairie township, and › increase in population have been so rapid as to be almost without a par- el in the country.
Notwithstanding the fact that the people who have made that country at it is did not arrive till 1848-9, and when arriving found nothing but , bare soil, they had so far improved and populated the township by the ar 1855, as to make the following showing:
Number of polls. 407 Value of lands. $166,624
Personal property 209,080
In 1870 the value of property in the township had so increased as to be follows:
Lands and town lots 8593,250
Personal property 274,285
The population in 1875 was 5,209, and the entire valuation of all the >perty in the township, personal and real estate, is now $1,461,693.
While this progress has been largely due to the fertility of the soil and :ly railroad communication, it cannot be denied that it is chiefly due to e industry and fecundity of the race of people who inhabit it.
John B. Hamilton, one of the first settlers of this township, was the first hool fund commissioner. From some of his records still in existence, we d that in 1851 he subdivided Lake Prairie township into school districts, which there were six in number, making one for every twelve miles of ritory. At present there is a school district constituted out of ever four nare miles of territory, and all the districts are well supplied with school- nses. Last year, outside the city of Pella, there was raised by special cation, for school purposes, the sum of $2,000 and for the improvement of e roads the sum of $2,519. The present township officers are:
Justices-H. Neyenesch, H. M. McCully, N. de Renss. Constables-Fred Synhorst, A. de Renss, Jr. Trustees-Wm. Hagens, M. Sells, Ldt. v. d. Linden. Clerk-F. W. Brinkhoff.
Assessor- L. Beintema.
THE CITY OF PELLA.
The city of Pella was originally laid out under the direction of Henry ster Scholte, and named thus from a Hebrew word, which siguiffes a city ' refugo.
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626
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
The town site was first surveyed by Sanford Doud, in May, 1848, re-surveyed by a man named Clemons in 1849.
The original town site was part of the north half of section 10, and south half of the south half of section 3, all in tp 76, r 18.
Some ten additions have been laid out since then, as follows:
Southeast Pella, October 11, 1854; n part e hf of e hf, ne qr section ", tp 76, r 18, and the w hf of the sw qr section 11, tp 76, r 18, by Imse On kamp and G. H. Overkamp.
South Pella, November 30, 1854.
North Pella, September 9, 1854; n hf se qr, ne qr sw qr, section & 76, r 18.
West Pella, November 7, 1854.
Addition to South Pella, August 16, 1856.
Out-lots by Hospers, June 25, 1858.
Addition to South Pella, September 3, 1856.
Overkamp's R. R. Addition, October 6, 1864.
Scarff's Addition to South Pella, November 3, 1874.
The first house for the entertainment of the public in Pella was kept by the widow of M. J. Post.
The first post-office was the one originally established on Lake Pri and moved to Pella in 1848. The first postmaster was Henry Power Scholte, the founder of the Holland settlement.
Walters & Smith carried on the first business, a store of general mu- chandise, in a small building about one mile from the center of the city .. it now is.
E. F. Grafe carried on the second business house in the town.
In 1855, one year after the incorporation of Knoxville, the people Pella took measures to have their town incorporated. The following copies of the official records, relating to the matter:
"On the twenty-eighth day of June comes - and makes due retta of the votes cast at Pella, Marion county, Iowa, for and against incorpoat ing the town of Pella into a city. Whereupon examination of mid turns, it appears that there were 157 votes cast, of which 135 were casti favor of incorporation and twenty-two were cast in opposition. Whid from said return, it was found that there was a majority of 118 votes in favor.of incorporating the said town of Pella into a city.
"Whereupon the county judge fixed upon the ninth day of July, 1855, the time, and the said town of Pella as the place of holding an election choose persons to prepare a charter, or articles of incorporation for the ad city or town of Pella." The court also fixed upon three persons as the mme ber to be elected to prepare said charter.
"On the tenth day of July, 1855, comes Hugo Kuyper and makes a deen turn of the number of votes cast for persons elected to prepare a charter fr the city of Pella.
"Whereupon it appears from said return that there were seventy-aiz wt cast, of which H. C. Huntsman received seventy-two, Isaac Overkamp# ceived seventy, and P. Pravendright received sixty-four. Which appears from said return that the persons named were duly elected.
"Whereupon the said H. C. Huntsman, Isaac Overkamp and P. Prar dright were duly notified of their election, and the twentieth day of As
627
LAKE PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.
gust was fixed upon as the day to submit a charter for the maid town of Pella, to the legal voters of the said town, and that E. F. Grafe, W. J. Ellis und A. van Stigt be appointed judges, and H. Hospers and Isaac Overkamp ;lerks of said election."
The charter was adopted, and the tenth day of September, 1855, was the ime fixed for electing officers for the corporation.
The first election was held on the day named and resulted in the election of the following officers:
Mayor, W. J. Ellis; marshal, A. Stoutenburg; recorder, G. Book- moongen; treasurer, I. Overkamp; aldermen, T. Rosborough, M. A. Mark, J. E. Streng, H. Hospers, O. McDowell, J. Berkhout.
The present officers of the city are as follows:
Mayor-H. M. McCully.
Treasurer-I. Overkamp.
Clerk-J. H. Stubenrauch.
Assessor-E. Sterrenberg.
Marshal-A. Synhorst.
Street Commissioner-L. v. d. Sluis.
Solicitor-E. Shaw.
Aldermen-First ward, J. B. Sexton, W. D. Forsythe; Second ward, 3. v. d. Zyl, H. Kuyper; Third ward, H. de Booy, F. W. Brinkhoff; Fourth ward, Jonas Liter, Geo. Brown.
The officers of the city from the time it was incorporated until the pres- ant, are as follows:
1855.
Mayor-W. J. Ellis. Recorder -- G. Boekenoogen, H. Kuyper. Treasurer -Isaac Overkamp. Marshal-A. Stoutenburg, J. F. van Nahuis, D. C. Jampbell.
1856.
Mayor-W. J. Ellis. Recorder-H. Kuyper. Treasurer-Isaac Over- camp. Marshal-D. C. Campbell, O. H. Parish.
1857.
Mayor-R. G. Hamilton. Recorder-P. Barendregt. Treasurer-Isaac Overkamp. Marshal-O. H. Parish.
1858.
Mayor-Isaac Overkamp. Recorder-P. Barendregt. Treasurer-A. I. Viersen. Marshal-Thomas Rosborough.
1859.
Mayor-Isaac Overkamp. Recorder-P. Barendregt. Treasurer-J. Sollen. Marshal-B. ten Broek.
688
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
1860.
Mayor -J .. Nollen. Recorder-H. Neyenesch. Treasurer - Isme Overkamp. Marshal-W. C. van Vark.
1861.
Mayor-John Nollen. Recorder-H. Neyenesch.
Treasurer-Isem Overkamp. Marshal-O. H. Parish, N. P. Earp.
1862.
Mayor-John Nollen. Recorder-H. Neyenesch. Treasurer-Law Overkamp. Marshal-N. P. Earp.
1863.
Mayor-J. Nollen. Recorder-H. Neyenesch. Treasurer-I. Over. kamp. Marshal-N. P. Earp, H. Van Vliet.
1864.
0
Mayor-Wm. Fisher. Recorder-H. Neyenesch. Treasurer-I. Over kamp. Marshal-John Von Driel.
1865.
b
Mayor-Wm. Fisher. Recorder-H. Neyenesch. Treasuer-I. Over. kamp. Marshal-William Holbrook.
1866.
Mayor-William Fisher. Recorder-H. Neyenesch. Treasurer-Isuse . Overkamp. Marshal-H. Kraai.
1867.
Mayor-H. Hospers. Recorder - H. Neyenesch. Treasuer-Issac Overkamp. Marshal-H. Kraai.
1868.
Mayor-H. Hospers. Recorder- H. Neyenesch. Treasurer - Isaac Overkamp. Marshal-H. Kraai, H. Synhorst.
1869. t
Mayor-H. Hospers. Recorder-H. Neyenesch. Treasurer - Isaac Overkamp. Marshal-A. Lee. 1
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1
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629
LAKE PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.
1870.
The city abandons its old charter and is organized under the general law. The officer heretofore called recorder is hereafter called clerk.
Mayor-H. Hospers, H. Neyenesch. Clerk-H. Neyenesch, W. D. Forsythe. Treasurer-Isaac Overkamp. Marshal-A. Lee.
1871.
Mayor-H. M. McCully. Clerk-W. D. Forsythe. Treasurer-Isaac Overkamp. Marshal-A. Lee.
1872.
Mayor-H. M. McCully. Clerk-A. H. Viersen. Treasurer-Isaac Overkamp. Marshal-A. Lee.
1873.
Mayor-H. M. McCully. Clerk -- H. F. Bousquet. Treasurer-Isaac Overkamp. Marshal-A. Lee.
1874.
Mayor-H. Neyenesch. Clerk-H. F. Bousquet. Treasurer-I. Over- xamp. Marshal-A. Lee.
1875.
Mayor-E. F. Grafe. Clerk-H. F. Bousquet. Treasurer-I. Overkamp. Marshal-P. H. Kennedy.
1876.
Mayor-H. Neyenesch. Clerk -- P. C. Lankelma. Treasurer-I. Over- samp. Marshal-W. W. Brown.
1877.
Mayor-H. Neyenesch. Clerk-P. C. Lankelma. Treasurer -- I. Over- camp. Marshal-A. Lee.
1878.
Mayor-H. M. McCully. Clerk-P. C. Lankelma. Treasurer-I. Over- kamp. Marshal-A. Lee.
1879.
Mayor-H. M. McCully. Clerk-J. H. Stubenrauch. Treasurer - I. Overkamp. Marshal-A. Synhorst.
630
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
1880.
Mayor-H. M. McCully. Clerk-J. H. Stubenrauch. Treasurer-L. Overkamp. Marshal-A. Synhorst.
GROWTH OF BUSINESS AND POPULATION.
It has already been seen that the first town plat of Pella had been sur- veyed, a few buildings had been erected, a post-office established and om or two business houses located there prior to 1850; that in 1855 the tom was incorporated and there were seventy-six votes cast. After the incor- portion of the town its growth was continuous and rapid, but its growth and prosperity have been most marked since the completion of the Da Moines Valley Railroad, which fortunately for Pella passed through that town before any of its rivals had any road, and by reason of which it be came the only shipping point in Marion county, and in a few years became the chief trading point for a large and productive region of country. The Des Moines Valley Railroad was completed to Eddyville at the county lim between Wapello and Mahaska counties in 1861 where the terminus of the road continued to be until 1866 when it was completed to Des Moines From 1866 till 1875 Pella enjoyed remarkable advantages which were in proved to the fullest extent. By the completion of two other lines of mail- road through Marion county, Pella has lost a portion of its trade and as : shipping point is not a place of as much importance as formerly. Though still a place of great business activity it will be seen that it has fallen of somewhat, during the past five years in population. According to the census of 1875 it then had a population of 2,536, while in 1880 it was but 2,435. By comparing the amount of shipments for the year 1873 with the shipments during the last six months of the year 1879, it will be seen that there has been a falling off.
Business done by railroad at Pella during the year 1873, pounds:
11 cars of horses
220,000
143 cars of cattle
2,516,000
476 cars of hogs
. 6,734,000
13 cars of sheep
156,000
Mess pork.
955
Lard and tallow
115,125
Hides
86,095
Wool.
53,770
Wheat
. 3,843,750
Corn. Oats
4,659,735
Flour
1,093,960
Grass seed
46,730
Potatoes
1,982,905
Wool
20,000
Stone and brick ..
894,070
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Agricultural implements.
115,270
Eggs and butter.
709,445
Household goods.
87,420
Merchandise
306,570
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..
120,000
631
LAKE PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.
Money realized by the railroad on above freight, $40,739.35; money re- ceived by the railroad for freight delivered at Pella, $52,930.91; money re- ceived for tickets sold during the year, $16,860.65; total, $110,361.31.
Shipments from Pella during six months ending November 30, 1879:
Oats.
167 car loads.
Corn
35
Wheat ..
53
·
Butter and eggs
40
Potatoes
183
Hogs
146
Cattle
31
Rock.
17
Merchandise.
12
Household goods
20
66
This temporary check which has been given to the growth of the city is scarcely noticeable except in the statistics of the place, and surrounded as it is by so fertile a country and having tributary to it so large a population of industrious and thrifty people it must ever remain a place of consider- able commercial importance.
BUSINESS HOUSES.
There are at present two exclusive dry-goods stores. The proprietors of these stores are J. S. Baker and L. Bach.
There are eleven stores of general merchandise with the following named proprietors: G. F. Stegeman, G. Thomassen, William Slob, Kruidenier Brothers, Beard & Scholte, H. de Booy, C. Rhynsburger, B. G. Bowen, John Dykstra, B. H. van Spanckeren and John Gaass.
There are six firms which deal exclusively in groceries, two hardware stores, two dealers in stoves and tinware, three harness-shope, two furniture stores, three firms which deal exclusively in boots and shoes, the number of dealers in drugs and books is for.
There are three firms dealing in grain, two banks, two lumber yards, two grist mills, two woolen mills, one livery stable, two elevators, five hotels, six saloons, three weekly newspapers and two monthlies.
Among the other enterprises not strictly business may be mentioned: One university, three public school buildings, and twelve churches. There are fifteen ministers, ten physicians, five lawyers, twenty-five teachers and one hundred college students.
CENTRAL UNIVERSITY.
This popular institution of learning is under the control of the Baptist Church, and was founded in 1853. The college building is situated in the midst of ample grounds in the southwest part of the city. It furnishes excellent advantages for the higher education of both sexes, and many annually avail themselves of the advantages here afforded. The instructors are persons of experience and ability, the accommodations are ample and the location is a healthy one.
688
HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY.
From a synopsis of the history of the institution from the first down to the year 1871, written by Prof. E. H. Scarff, we glean the following:
The institution was perfected at an educational convention, which met at Oskaloosa, November 10, 1852, when a committee of fifteen was appointed to report at an adjourned meeting, to be held at Pella, June 4, 1853.
At the adjourned meeting at Pella it was decided to locate the institution at Pella, and active measures were at once entered upon.
E. H. Scarff was appointed to take charge of the school, which was cu. ried on in a brick building on Washington Street till 1856, when it was removed to the new college building. Caleb Caldwell, Julia Tallman and O. C. Cory were the assistant teachers.
At the opening of the spring term of 1857, A. N. Currier, A. B., was added to the corps of teachers.
At the annual meeting of the board, June, 1858, it was resolved to opa a regular collegiate course, and Rev. E. Gunn was elected president of the College.
In 1858, Mrs. D. C. A. Stoddard was added to the list of teachers.
From 1857 to 1861, the prospects of the school were very flattering. Classes were formed in the collegiate department as high as the Junior class. The aggregate number of students for the year 1861 was three hundred and twenty-seven.
At the opening of the war, in 1861, many of the students responded to the call for soldiers, and at the close of the suminer term, 1862, there was not an able-bodied man of sufficient age to bear arms in the school. Rev. E. Gunn had resigned the presidency, and Professor Currier enlisted in the army.
In 1865 Professor Currier returned from the army and resumed his place in the school. At the close of the war, many of the former students returned, and the school was greatly enlarged. The aggregate attendance for 1862, was two hundred and ninety-two. Of the one hundred and four- teen students who enlisted in the army, twenty-six were commissioned officers, seventeen non-commissioned officers, and twenty-one fell on the field.
At the annual meeting, June, 1870, it was resolved to raise $10,000 as the nucleus of an endowment fund. The effort was successful.
At the meeting of the Board, June, 1871, the $10,000 having been Becnred, the Board resolved to prosecute the work of endowment, and elected Rev. L. A. Dunn, of Fairfax, Vermont, president of the College.
At the opening of the winter term he delivered his inaugural and entered upon his labors.
Dr. Dunn is one of the most popular and successful educators in the West, and under his energetic and judicious management the college has constantly prospered and extended its range of influence.
In his inaugural address before alluded to he gave a brief outline of the work before him. The following were his closing remarks:
"Among the colleges of the West the Central University of Iowa holds only an humble place, but it is strictly Protestant in its character, and purely American in its ideas; and will labor to the extent of its power to inculcate the great fundamental principle of religious toleration and national freedom that lies at the foundation of our republican institutions
"Having its home in the valley of the Des Moines, in the heart of Iowa, and near the center of the great valley of the West, in a city called Pella,.
688
LAKE PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.
name rendered classic by its being the name of the city of refuge to which the Christians fled when Jerusalem was destroyed, and also the name of the capital of Macedonia, the birthplace of Alexander the Great.
" Occupying such a central position, and adorning such a city, it hopes to be true to its position and faithful to its high duty and worthy of the confidence of the public.
"It will provoke no controversy; lay no obstacle in the way of any other institution of learning, but in its own quiet and unpretending way will seek to do all it may be able, to counteract all influences deleterious to the interests of our country or to the Christian religion, and to build up in this great valley the principle of sound education and correct religious faith. Embarrassment and discouragements, common to institutions in a new country, have attended the rise and progress of this University, but its growth has been onward and upward, and already it has a history of which it need not be ashamed. But the College, like the State, is yet in its youth, and it is believed that it feels all the strength and vigor of youthful life and will grow with the growth of the people, and that by and by it will ripen with the State into strong and vigorous manhood.
"The prospect for the future is bright and promising; full of hope. It needs but the persevering labor of its friends and the common blessing of Heaven to insure success.
" The work of education in the West, at the present moment, is emphat- ically the work. We lose all if we lose the West. And if we lose our hold on the leading minds all is gone.
"Then, in closing, let me say: stand by the education of the West. Our highest good, our self-preservation and the conservation of the world is in this act."
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