USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > The History of Muscatine county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 62
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90
The first telegraph message was received in Bloomington August 23, 1848. O. H. Kelley was the operator who took the dispatch from the instrument.
The first book store was established by Hinds & Humphrey, in 1848.
In 1849, the name of Bloomington was changed to that of Muscatine, by order of the District Court.
A GLANCE AT MUSCATINE IN 1855.
One bright afternoon, in the summer of 1855, a distinguished-looking gentleman stepped from the deck of a packet to the unpretentious wharf of Muscatine. The leading citizens of the city paid their respects to the stranger and presented him to the people. He whom the people delighted to honor was none other than the famous English statesman, Richard Cobden.
As the traveler gazed about him at the bold and rugged bluffs, he observed : " When the boat came around that point above, and the amphitheater of your town appeared in view, with the sight of those beautiful residences suspended by the high bluff above the river, I thought the picturesque Rhine had not the equal of that picture." The traveler saw none of the harsher and cruder features of the place. The lavish hand of nature had bestowed charms which even the " improvements " of man had not and could not efface. Surely the similarity between the castellated Rhine and the Mississippi in its wildness ceased when the visitor permitted his fancy to be overcome by a sense of the actual attempt to implant the germs of civilization. The rude streets, uncom- pleted and terminating abruptly in the towering walls which nature had silted up; the temporary and unpicturesque remains of the buildings which the early settlers were compelled to call their homes ; and the evidences of newness which were to be seen on every hand, surely these marks of infancy in the life of the Western towns would effectually dispel the idea of poetic comparison which even the wildest flight of imagination might for a moment create.
M
510
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
But all that atmosphere of newness has disappeared, and those who see the beautiful city of Muscatine to-day join heartily with Prof. Swing in pronoun- cing this the most lovely scene on the Upper Mississippi.
August 18, 1857, the city was first lighted with gas ; a grand celebration marked the event.
TOWN RECORDS.
The original records of the town of Bloomington are preserved in good form. The first entry is as follows :
At a corporation election held at the house of R C. Kinney, in the town of Bloomington, on Monday, the 6th day of May, A. D. 1839, the following persons received the number of votes opposite their respective names :
FOR PRESIDENT. Votes.
Honorable Joseph Williams.
38
Arthur Washburn
1
Lyman C. Iline
1
FOR TRUSTEES.
Arthur Washburn 38
Henry Reece.
B. P. Howland 20
Suel Foster 15
13
Lyman C. Hfine.
8
William Gordon ..
7
Jonathan Pettibone
2
Thomas M. Isett
FOR RECORDER.
Moses Couch.
29
James G. Morrow 10
Giles Pettibone
FOR STREET COMMISSIONER. 10
The returns were approved and certified to by Moses Couch and Arthur Washburn, Judges. and John Marble, Clerk.
The first meeting of the Board was held at the office of Arthur Washburn May 10, 1839, when the officers were sworn in and took their offices as follows : Joseph Williams, President ; Arthur Washburn, B. P. Howland and Henry Reece. Trustees, and Moses Couch, Recorder.
On the 16th of May, Moses Couch was appointed City Treasurer. John Marble was appointed Marshal ; John J. Reece, Street Commissioner, in lieu of Mr. Pettibone, resigned, and Charles H. Fish, Assessor.
The first ordinance adopted was in relation to the sale of spirituous liquors. The second one was for the " preservation of good order."
No further business was transacted during the first year. As the official roster is given in full elsewhere, we make no further special mention of elections. During the first year, the Board had no regular place of meeting, but convened in offices, shops, etc., as the case required.
The session of May 19, 1840, was held at the post office, and the Board voted to call a meeting at the schoolhouse for the purpose of voting on the amount of corporation tax to be levied. The schoolhouse referred to stood on Iowa avenue, and was a building used for public purposes generally. The vote was duly taken May 23, and a majority of the electors decided one quarter of one per cent on the town valuation as the proper thing.
During the summer of 1840, the Board was mainly occupied in superintend- ing the construction of a culvert over Pappoose Creek, at Second street. The first order on the Treasurer was issued July 21, of that year, to C. B. Leavitt, for work on that culvert.
21
Charles H. Fish
511
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
In those days, liquor stores were politely termed " groceries," and licenses at the rate of $25 per year were required to conduct them.
Frequent allowances were made to men, who have since become identified with the progress of the town, for "removing stumps from the streets."
In 1878, W. F. Brannan, Esq., revised and arranged the city ordinances, and under his supervision they were published in convenient form. That fact obviates the necessity of this work's entering into a review of the city opera- tions. The charter and revised ordinances are to be seen at the Recorder's office.
CITY OFFICIAL ROSTER.
List of officers of the town of Bloomington, from March, 1839, to March, 1851 :
1839-Joseph Williams, President ; Arthur Washburn, Henry Reece, Benj. P. Howland, Trustees ; Moses Couch, Recorder ; Giles Pettibone, Street Com- inissioner.
1840-John Lilly, President ; Henry Reece, John W. Richman, R. P. Lowe, Trustees ; E. E. Fay, Recorder ; Matthew Matthews, Street Commis- sioner ; Hiram Matthews, Marshal ; D. J. Snyder, Treasurer.
1841-Thomas Darlington, President ; John S. Lakin, Edward Ballard, Suel Foster, Trustees ; Arthur Washburn, Recorder ; William St. John, Street Commissioner ; John W. Weller, Treasurer; John Marble, Marshal.
1842-David Clark, President ; William Frye, Hiram Wilson, William St. John, Trustees ; Arthur Washburn, Recorder ; Daniel Mauck, Street Commis- sioner; Lyman C. Hine, Treasurer.
1843-John A. Parvin, President; William Frye, J. J. Hoopes, L. C. Hine, Trustees ; Pliny Fay, Recorder; Daniel Mauck, Street Commissioner ; John Zeigler, Treasurer; William Parvin, Marshal.
1844-Stephen L. Foss, President ; A. J. Fimple, A. M. Hare, J. R. Ben- nett, Trustees ; Thomas Crandol, Recorder ; Daniel Mauck, Street Commis- sioner ; William Leffingwell, Treasurer ; Hiram Matthews, Marshal.
1845-Charles Evans, President; John M. Kane, William Leffingwell, A. J. Fimple, Trustees ; John Lilly, Recorder; Hiram Matthews, Street Commis- sioner ; William Parvin, Treasurer and Marshal ; John Seiler, Sexton. Mr. Seiler has served in this office continuously since 1845.
1846-Stephen L. Foss, President; Hezekiah Musgrove, Joseph P. Free- man, Alexander Jackson, Trustees ; Douglas Dunsmore, Recorder ; Hiram Matthews, Street Commissioner; William Parvin, Treasurer and Marshal.
1847-J. M. Barlow, President ; J. L. Cummins, Harris H. Hine, Edward Olmstead, Trustees ; Richard Cadle, Recorder ; Hiram Matthews, Street Com- missioner; John M. Kane, Treasurer and Marshal.
1848-Thomas M. Isett, President; E. H. Albee, John M. McCormick, Pliny Fay, Trustees ; Richard Cadle, Recorder ; David Freeman, Street Com- missioner; John M. Kane, Treasurer and Marshal.
1849-Elias Overman, President; J. G. Gordon, Jacob Butler, G. S. Branham, Trustees ; Richard Cadle, Recorder ; Charles Browning, Street Commissioner; William Parvin, Treasurer and Marshal. This year the cor- porate name was changed to Muscatine, by the District Court, at its June ses- sion.
1850-William D. Ament, President ; G. W. Hunt, Alfred Purcell, Ansel Humphreys, Trustees; Thomas Crandol, Recorder ; Charles Browning, Street Commissioner; William A. Drury, Treasurer and Marshal.
512
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
In 1851, by act of the State Legislature, a special city charter was granted Muscatine. From March of that year to the present time, the city officers have been as follows:
1851-Zephaniah Washburn (resigned), Aulay Macaulay, Mayor ; Henry Reece, J. B. Dougherty, Absalom Fisher, John C. Irwin, H. D. Lacosett, B. Bartholomew, Aldermen ; G. S. Branham, Marshal ; C. F. Browning, Wharf- master : Thomas Crandol, Recorder: William D. Ament, Treasurer; L. C. Hine, Assessor : C. G. Heilenberg, City Engineer.
1852-Thomas M. Isett, Mayor ; Henry Reece, J. B. Dougherty, Absa- lom Fisher, George C. Stone, William St. John, Samuel Bamford, Alder- men ; Alexander Jackson, Marshal ; Thomas M. Williams, Recorder; S. B. Crane, Wharfmaster ; John 1. Reece, Assessor ; William D. Ament. Treasurer.
1853-John G. Stine, Mayor; George C. Stone, William St. John, Samuel Bamford, Marx Block, A. M. Hare, Jacob Hershe, Aldermen ; Charles F. Browning, Marshal; Henry C. Lamb, Recorder; William D. Ament, Treas- urer ; L. C. Hine, Assessor ; S. B. Crane, Wharfmaster.
1854-John A. Parvin, Mayor; Marx Block, A. M. Hare, Jacob Hershe, Jacob.Butler. Charles Nealley, William Young, Aldermen ; Abial Fry, Mar- shal ; D. P. Johnson, Recorder: M. Berkshire, Assessor ; Edward Hoch, City Measurer.
1855-J. H. Wallace, Mayor; Jacob Butler, Charles Nealley, William Young, F. S. Phelps, D. C. Cloud, C. Cadle, Aldermen; Jacob Israel, Mar- shal ; J. B. Dougherty, Treasurer ; William L. Browning, Wharfmaster.
1856-William Leffingwell, Mayor; F. S. Phelps, D. C. Cloud, C. Cadle, I. R. Mauck, A. M. Hare, B. W. Thompson, Aldermen ; John A. McCormick, Marshal ; D. P. Johnson, Recorder; J. B. Dougherty, Treasurer; A. J. Fimple, Assessor; L. C. Bailey, City Engincer.
1857-John J. Stine, Mayor ; I. R. Mauck, A. M. Hare, B. W. Thomp- son, Edward Hoch, J. R. Nisley, A. Fisher, Aldermen ; Elias Unger, Mar- shal ; D. P. Johnson, Recorder; H. Lofland, Treasurer ; William Leffingwell, Assessor ; Samuel Tarr, Street Commissioner ; Marx Block, Wharfmaster.
1858-George Meason, Mayor ; Edward Hoch, J. R. Nisley, A. Fisher, S. G. Hill, J. P. Freeman, C. Hershe, Aldermen ; Elias Unger, Marshal ; D. P. Johnson, Recorder ; H. Lofland, Treasurer; Peter Jackson, Assessor ; Romulus Hawley, Street Commissioner; John Bartholomew, Wharfmaster.
1859-George Meason, Mayor ; S. G. Hill, J. P. Freeman, C. Hershe, W. C. Kennedy, Henry Funck, Robert Williams, Aldermen ; J. R. Nisley, Recorder ; R. R. Lauther (resigned), Abel F. Adams, Treasurer; Z. Wash- burn, Assessor ; Romulus Hawley, Street Commissioner.
1860-George Meason, Mayor ; W. C. Kennedy. Henry Funck, Robert Williams. S. G. Stein, Henry Molis, C. Hershe, Aldermen ; William Dill, Marshal ; R. T. Wallace, Recorder ; A. F. Adams, Treasurer ; R. T. Wallace, Wharfmaster.
1861-George Meason, Mayor; S. G. Stein, Henry Molis, C. Hershe, Luke Sells, F. Thurston. Abraham Johns, Aldermen ; William Dill, Marshal ; Hugh J. Campbell, Recorder; John Wiley, Assessor ; Romulus Hawley, Street Commissioner ; R. T. Wallace, Wharfmaster.
1862-George Meason, Mayor ; Isaac R. Mauck, Henry Molis, Richard Musser, Luke Sells. F. Thurston, A Johns, * J. S. Patten, Aldermen ; William Dill,* T. B. James, Marshal ; E. O. Upham,* L. H. Washburn, Recorder ; John Wiley, Treasurer ; Charles S. Porter,* Abial Fry, Collector; William
*These gentlemen resigned their respective offices to enlist in the army, when their places were filled by appointment.
513
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Dill, Assessor ; Marx Block, Wharfmaster ; Romulus Hawley,* Cyrus Haw- ley, Street Commissioner ; Cornelius Cadle, City Measurer.
1863-Henry Funck, Mayor; Philip Stein, R. T. Wallace, Benjamin Mid- dleton, Isaac R. Mauck, Henry Molis, Richard Musser, Aldermen; T. B. James, Marshal ; D. S. Biles, Recorder ; John Wiley, Treasurer; William Leffingwell, Collector ; L. T. Goldsberry, Assessor; Marx Block, Wharfmaster ; William A. Thayer, Street Commissioner ; Joseph S. Mulford, City Measurer.
1864-S. D. Viele, Mayor ; Henry W. Moore, Ferdinand Kaufmann, W. H. Simpson, Philip Stein, R. T. Wallace, Benjamin Middleton, Aldermen ; T. B. James, Marshal; D. S. Biles, Recorder ; A. F. Demorest, Treasurer ; William Leffingwell, Collector; T. B. James, Assessor ; Marx Block, Wharf Master ; William A. Thayer, Street Commissioner ; John Chambers, City Measurer.
1865-Benjamin Hershey, Mayor; Philip Stein, S. B. Crane (died in office), George Schneider, L. H. Washburn, Henry W. Moore, Ferdinand Kaufman, W. H. Simpson, Aldermen ; T. B. James, Marshal ; D. S. Biles, Recorder ; John Wiley, Treasurer ; William Leffingwell, Collector ; William Gordon, Assessor ; Daniel Sterneman, Wharfmaster ; William A. Thayer, Street Commissioner ; Edward Hoch, City Measurer.
1866-Benjamin Hershey, Mayor; F. Wienker, J. A. Reuling, C. F. Kessler, Philip Stein, L. H. Washburn, Noah Green, Aldermen ; T. B. James, Marshal ; D. S. Biles, Recorder ; Henry Molis, Treasurer ; William Leffingwell, Collector ; William Gordon, Assessor ; George Schneider, Wharf- master ; Michael Murphy, Street Commissioner.
1867-George Meason, Mayor; C. E. Kent, Alpheus Palmer, L. H. Washburn, F. Wienker, J. A. Reuling, C. F. Kessler, Aldermen ; J. G. Wells. Marshal ; John H. Munroe, Recorder; A. F. Demorest, Treasurer ; William Dill, Collector; Lewis Coe, Assessor for county purposes ; J. P. Freeman, Assessor for city purposes ; William H. Snyder, Wharfmaster ; Romulus Hawley, Street Commissioner ; Cornelius Cadle, City Measurer.
1868-E. Klein, Mayor; William Spring, V. Chambers, John Cackler, C. E. Kent, C. Cadle (to succeed Palmer, removed from city), L. H. Washburn, Aldermen ; John K. Scott, Marshal ; John H. Munroe, Recorder ; William Leffingwell, Treasurer; O. W. Brown, Collector ; William Gordon, Assessor for county purposes ; Lewis Coe, Assessor for city purposes ; Marx Block, Wharf- master ; James S. Patten, Street Commissioner.
1869-William B. Keeler. Mayor; Joseph Bridgman, C. U. Hatch, J. B. Dougherty, William Spring, V. Chambers, John Cackler, Aldermen ; John K. Scott, Marshal ; John H. Munroe, Recorder ; C. E. Kent, Treasurer ; P. A. Brumfield, Assessor for county purposes ; P. A. Brumfield, Assessor for city purposes ; George R. White, Wharfmaster ; James S. Patten, Street Com- missioner ; Cornelius Cadle, City Measurer.
1870-S. G. Stein, Mayor; Henry Funck, Henry Molis, John Cackler, Joseph Bridgman, C. U. Hatch, J. B. Dougherty, Aldermen ; Robert Williams, Police Judge ; Galbraith Bitzer, Marshal; John H. Munroe, Recorder ; C. E. Kent, Treasurer ; P. A. Brumfield. Assessor for county purposes ; P. A. Brumfield, Assessor for city purposes ; W. G. Block, Wharfmaster; John Beard, Street Commissioner.
1871-S. G. Stein, Mayor; Michael Murphy, John Daiber, A. F. Adams, Henry Funck, Henry Molis, John Cackler, Aldermen ; Robert Williams, Police
*This gentleman resigned his office to enlist in the army, when his place was filled by appointment.
514
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Judge ; D. L. Ewing, Marshal; Robert Williams, Recorder; C. E. Kent, Treasurer ; P. A. Brumfield, Assessor for county purposes ; D. P. Johnson, Assessor for city purposes ; W. G. Block, Wharfmaster; Patrick Murphy, Street Commissioner.
1872-J. P. Ament, Mayor; Jacob Dold, I. L. Graham, Galbraith Bitzer, Michael Murphy, John Daiber, A. F. Adams, Aldermen ; Robert Williams, Police Judge ; D. L. Ewing, Marshal; Robert Williams, Recorder; C. E. Kent, Treasurer: P. A. Brumfield, Assessor for county purposes ; P. A. Brumfield, Assessor for city purposes ; W. G. Block. Wharfmaster ; B. H. Eversmeyer, Street Commissioner.
1873-J. P. Ament. Mavor; M. Murphy, O. P. Watters, John Lantz, Jacob Dold, I. L. Graham, Galbraith Bitzer, Aldermen; Robert Williams, Police Judge ; D. L. Ewing, Marshal ; Robert Williams, Recorder ; William Leffingwell, Treasurer ; D. P. Johnson, Assessor for county purposes ; D. P. Johnson, Assessor for city purposes; W. G. Block, Wharfmaster ; William Calder, Street Commissioner.
1874-Richard Musser, Mayor; Alexander Jackson, J. J. Hoopes, M. Benham, Michael Murphy, Jacob Fisch (to succeed Watter. resigned), John Lantz, Aldermen ; Robert Williams, Police Judge; D. L. Ewing, Marshal ; Robert Williams, Recorder : William Leffingwell, Treasurer ; D. P. Johnson, Assessor for county purposes : George Wiley, Assessor for city purposes : W. G. Block, Wharfmaster; R. H. Eversmeyer, Street Commissioner.
1875-Henry Molis, Mayor : Frank Moran, Jacob Fisch, T. R. Fitzgerald, Alexander Jackson, J. J. Hoopes, John Lantz (to succeed Benham, resigned), Aldermen ; Robert Williams, Police Judge; D. L. Ewing, Marshal ; Robert Williams, Recorder ; William Leffingwell, Treasurer ; D. P. Johnson, Assessor for county purposes ; D. P. Johnson. Assessor for city purposes; George F. Funck, Wharfinaster; Michael Purcell, Street Commissioner.
1876-J. P. Ament, Mayor; George W. Dillaway, John Byrne, Maurice Neidig, Frank Moran, Jacob Fisch. T. K. Fitzgerald, Aldermen ; Robert Will- iams, Police Judge : D. L. Ewing, Marshal ; Robert Williams, Recorder ; William Leffingwell, Treasurer; D. P. Johnson, Assessor for county purposes ; George Wiley, Assessor for city purposes ; George B. Funck, Wharfmaster ; Michael Purcell, Street Commissioner.
1877-T. R. Fitzgerald. Mayor; Edward Hoch, John Knopp, Galbraith Bitzer, George W. Dillaway, John Byrne, Maurice O. Neidig, Aldermen ; Rob- ert Williams, Police Judge; D. L. Ewing, Marshal ; Robert Williams, Recorder : Henry Molis, Treasurer ; D. P. Johnson, Assessor for county pur- poses ; D. P. Johnson, Assessor for city purposes ; George F. Funck, Wharf- master: Michael Purcell, Street Commissioner.
1878-Richard Musser, Mayor; John Hahn, Samuel Cohn. J. B. Mark, Edward Hoch, John Knopp, Galbraith Bitzer, Aldermen ; Robert Williams, Police Judge : J. A. Eaton, Marshal ; Robert Williams, Recorder; James Jackson, Treasurer : D. P. Johnson, Assessor for county purposes ; George R. White, Assessor for eity purposes ; George F. Funck, Wharfmaster ; Romulus Hawley, Street Commissioner ; George Schneider, Steamboat Register.
1879-George W. Dillaway, Mayor ; John Hahn, H. J. Lauder, Samuel Cohn, F. Huttig, J. B. Mark, G. Sparks, Aldermen ; Robert Williams, Police Judge ; R. T. Wallace, Marshal ; Robert Williams, Recorder ; James Jack- son. Treasurer ; D. P. Johnson, Assessor; George F. Funck, Wharfmaster ; Romulus Hawley, Street Commissioner.
515
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The city owns a substantial building on Third street, corner of Sycamore, which was purchased of the German Presbyterian Church Society, in 1876, for $2,500. The edifice was originally used as a church, but has been remodeled to suit its present uses. The upper floor is now divided in a spacious hall, with a Council-chamber and a Police Court or Recorder's room in the front. These rooms are ample in size, and the requirements of the several departments are fully served. In the lower portion of the building, the Central Fire Depart- ment is stationed, where a well-stocked hose-cart and hook-and-ladder truck are kept.
The city owns no Jail, but makes use of the County Jail. Prior to the purchase of this building, the Council met in leased rooms in the Winn Build- ing and in the Tremont House Building.
Although the Court House did not properly come under the head of city buildings, it is, nevertheless, an edifice which gives additional character to the structures of the city. Placed in the midst of a fine square, in a locality some- what retired and free from the noise of the principal business thoroughfares, but still easy of access, the building forms a conspicuous object in the view as seen from many of the surrounding points of eminence. The Court House was rebuilt in 1864-65, and is now a satisfactory and creditable building. The spacious park is adorned with numerous fine trees. The noble monument which commemorates the deeds of those who fell in defense of the Union, stands in the foreground.
The Jail is located immediately in the rear of the Court House, but across Fourth street. This building was recently remodeled and made secure, by the addition of better cell arrangements, and is now a substantial structure. Joseph Mulford and H. H. Hine were the contractors who reconstructed the Jail.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The police of the city are under the charge of a Marshal, who is annually chosen by the Council. At present, that responsible office is filled by R. T. Wallace. There are the following policemen now on service: Thomas S. Berry, Newton M. Brown, John Kerwick and George W. King, the latter hav- ing charge of the stone-yard at the Jail, where the unwelcome tramps are placed at work.
POLICE COURT.
Judge Robert Williams is the present Police Judge, and has held the office since the institution of the Court, in 1870. The powers and jurisdiction of the tribunal is co-ordinate with that of Justice of the Peace, and has additional powers in some directions, to fit the case.
Judge Williams is also Recorder of the city, a position filled by appoint- ment of the Council, and has both offices in the City Building.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Muscatine can rightfully boast of its Fire Department. It is composed of young men who take great pride in their connection with their several com- panies. Although some efforts were made in quite early times to establish companies, and those efforts were successful to a greater or less degree, it is but right to date the present system only from the time when the companies now in existence originated. The Department is in possession of no data which go back of those which are here recorded. As in many other places, there
516
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
were, doubtless, bucket-brigades and volunteer companies, but no evidence of their existence is in the hands of the Chief of the present system. We join with those who give amplest praise to the citizen-firemen, who risk life and limb in times of danger, with no other motive or purpose than the relief of imper- iled humanity. Since the institution of the Department, in 1876, Joseph Morrison has been Chief, and H. F. Bodman, Assistant Chief thereof.
Champion Hose Company No. 1 was organized January 7, 1875, at which time a number of German citizens met at the Mayor's office for the purpose of establishing a regular system. Mr. Gus Schmidt was the leading spirit in this commendable enterprise, and has since been an efficient member of the company. The officers elected in 1875 were as follows: Foreman, M. Saal ; First Assistant, B. Schmidt ; Second Assistant, C. Henkel; President, Gus Schmidt ; Secretary, D. Mayer; Treasurer, H. F. Bodman. The original membership was forty-eight. On the 27th of February following the organiza- tion, this company received from the city a Champion Chemical Engine, and a number of buckets, hooks, ladders, etc. The name adopted was that of the " Champion Fire Company." The election of officers in 1876 resulted in the choice of Gus Schmidt for Foreman ; H. F. Bodman, First Assistant ; John Neupert, Second Assistant ; Sam Cohn, President ; B. Schmidt, Secretary ; Joseph Fessler, Treasurer. A Standing Committee was chosen, as follows : C. Ruckeleschel, John Koehler, Joseph Fredrichs. May 31, 1876, the city placed a hosc-cart with hose at the service of the company, and the name was therenpon changed to that of " Champion Hose Company No. 1." Since then, the officers have been : 1877-Foreman, Gus Schmidt : First Assistant, B. Juettner ; Second Assistant, C. Hetzel : President, C. Bierman ; Secretary, B. Schmidt ; Treasurer, James Fessler ; Standing Committee, J. Fredrichs, C. Ruckeleschel and John Koehler; 1878-Foreman, Gus Schmidt ; First Assistant, C. Hlacker ; Second Assistant, Gus George; President, B. Juettner; Secretary, B. Schmidt ; Treasurer, J. Fessler ; Standing Committee, A. P. Hess, H. F. Bodman, John Hartmann ; 1879-Foreman, Gus Schmidt: First Assistant, C. Hacker; Second Assistant, John Neupert ; Treasurer, Joseph Fessler ; Secretary, B. Schmidt; Standing Committee, C. F. Bodman, A. P. Hess, John Hartmann. Membership. forty-six men.
Rescue Hose-Company No. 2 was organized April 27, 1878, with a mem- bership of thirty men. The original officers were : G. Bitzer, Captain : A. B. Hampton, First Lieutenant ; Joseph Morrison. Second Lieutenant ; C. G. Whipple, Secretary ; J. A. Pickler, Treasurer. In June, Joseph Morrison was elected Chief of Fire Department, and William Fisher was chosen Second Lieutenant. Mr. Whipple resigned August 17, and William C. Betts was elected to the vacant place of Secretary. Mr. Hampton resigned March 1, 1877, and William Fisher was elected First Lieutenant. Frank Ashcraft was elected Second Lieutenant May 3. In 1877. the official roll stood : G. Bitzer, Captain ; William Fisher, First Lieutenant ; John Ellis, Second Lieutenant ; Charles F. Garlock, Secretary ; John Berry. Treasurer. In June, 1878, the election resulted in the choice of G. Bitzer, Captain; William Fisher, First Lieutenant; John Berry, Second Lieutenant ; Charles F. Garlock, Secretary ; John Berry, Treasurer. The membership, March 25, 1879, is forty-five.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.