USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > The History of Muscatine county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 68
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 Muscatine Cemetery Company was organized in December, 1873. The officers have been continually the same, and are as follows : R. M. Burnett, President; G. B. Denison, Vice President ; Henry Jayne, Secretary ; J. Cars- kadden, Treasurer. The stockholders number fourteen. The grounds are located adjoining the old City Cemetery, or, rather, they are both in the same inclosure.
St. Mary's Cemetery Association was incorporated September 1, 1876. The first officers were John Knopp, President ; Frank Moran, Secretary ; Rev. P. Laurent, Treasurer. The present officers are : Theodore Becke, President ; John Byrne, Secretary ; Rev. P. Laurent, Treasurer. The grounds are located on a beautiful knoll within the city limits and are well cared for.
The Israelites of Muscatine have a cemetery independent from any other organization.
552
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
The Muscatine County Agricultural Society .- A public meeting was held at the Court House in this city, October 9, 1852, for the purpose of organizing the Muscatine County Agricultural Society. Dr. James Weed was called to the Chair, and J. H. Wallace appointed Secretary. A Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, and the meeting adjourned. October 23, 1852, agreeable to adjournment, the members of the Agricultural Society met in the Court House and proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year, as follows : Hon. George Meason, President ; Dr. James Weed, Vice President ; J. H. Wallace, Secretary ; J. G. Gordon, Treasurer. William H. Miller, Bloomington Town- ship ; Gamaliel Olds, Pike ; Henry Y. Iddings, Sweetland ; William A. Clarke, Wapsinonoc ; Richard Sherer, Seventy-six ; E. H. Albee, Moscow ; Douglass Veille, Montpelier; A. Cone, Cedar; A. Smalley, First Ward ; J. Bennett, Second Ward, and Samuel Bamford, Third Ward, Muscatine City, Directors. The following are the names of the members of the Society in 1852, and signers of its constitution : James Weed, Joseph Bridgman, Nathan Taber, William Smalley, William M. Miller, Strix & Oppenheimer, George Bumgardner, A. Reuling, Samuel Lucas, S. B. Crane, Henry Y. Iddings, J. S. Hatch & Co., J. H. Wallace, Adam Ogilvie, J. G. Gordon, J. Bennett, J. M. Cummins, Charles Neally, Saul Gilbert, William A. Clark, D. R. Warfield, Thomas M. Isett, Samuel Sinnett, H. N. Sumner, H. H. Garnes, S. M. Mckibben, George Meason, William Leffingwell, I. R. Williams, A. T. Banks, A. Cone, J. E. Fletcher, Shepard Smalley, George W. Chase, Richard Sheres. Abraham Smalley, Samuel Bamford, Levi Cross, R. Pritchard, John Critchfield, John A. McCormick, M. W. Byers, James A. Rankins, Richard Lord, Chester Weed, John H. Miller, Williams Watkins, Skilman Alger, A. O. Patterson, E. T. S. Schenck, Joseph Crane, Amos Cooper, Lyan C. Hine, Abraham Keen, D. C. Cloud, S. D. Viele, J. B. Dougherty, A. B. Wiles, S. Heilbrun, William G. Holmes, John Rose, Hiram Gilbert, Richard Cadie, Thomas L. Estle, J. P. Freeman, Henry S. Griffin, Henry Molis, Samuel Littrel, D. Dunsmore, William Lundy, James M. Jarboe, Jesse B. Overman, L. S. Goldsberry, W. Fultz, R. W. Chinn, John Idle, H. W. Moore, Jacob Smetzer, L. D. Parmer, James M. Brockway, W. D. Ament, Cyrus Townsley, J. LaTourrette, William Townsley, Jeremiah Lequat, W. M. Elliott, Charles Newell, George W. Kincaid, William Fryberger, William Moxley, Jacob Butler, Thomas Morford, A. Jackson, Levi Eliason, H. Q. Jennison, John G. Stein, P. Fay, John Leitzinger, Cornelius Nicholson, George Plitt, Suel Foster, T. D. Song, F. H. Stone, John Ward, John Lemp, Thomas Vanatta, D. W. Clover, Edwin J. Browning, Brent, Miller & Co., Oliver Jack, George C. Stone, Jonathan Ady, John Ziegler. In 1853, the membership was increased to 399.
June 4, 1853, agreeably to a call published in the county newspapers, a large number of farmers and others convened in the Court House for the pur- pose of organizing a County Agricultural Society, according to the provisions of the general incorporation laws of the State of Iowa. Hon. G. Meason was called to the Chair, and J. H. Wallace appointed Secretary. It was then resolved to abolish the former organization; a new constitution was adopted, and the following-named officers elected : President, Dr. James Weed; Vice President, William H. Miller ; Secretary, J. H. Wallace ; Treasurer, J. G. Gordon. A new Board of Directors was also chosen, which met August 13, at the store of Wallace & Breading Messrs. Weed. Miller, Wallace, Olds, Lundy, Sherer, Cone, Smalley and Vickle were present. On motion, the time for holding the first annual exhibition of the Society was fixed on Wednesday and Thursday, October 12 and 13, 1853. A list of premiums and judges for
553
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
the several classes were then adopted and appointed. Resolutions were adopted, authorizing the Executive Committee to procure suitable grounds and put them in proper condition for holding the fair.
September 19, 1853, the Executive Committee leased from J. Bennett his outlot on the Graded Road for a term of five years, from the first exhibition. The Society was incorporated for twenty years, and, at the expiration of the term, the articles were renewed for twenty-five years from 1877. The society has a membership of 236, and its buildings, etc., are estimated to be worth $3,500. Fairs are held annually. The present Board of Directors consists of W. W. Webster, F. Kaufmann, George E. Jones, John Barnard, John Idle, James Mallicoat, Hon. Samuel MeNutt, William P. Wright, William Furnass and Robert Miller. The present officers are : Col. C. C. Horton, President ; Hon. J. K. Terry, Vice President ; J. G. H. Little, Secretary ; Richard Cadle, Treasurer ; James Hartman, Marshal.
HORSE STOCK.
The reputation of Muscatine is second to no county west of Orange County, N. Y. This is, we are well aware, a bold assertion, but all well-informed horse- men will admit its correctness. The first attempt at improvement of horse stock was made by a party of gentlemen, who, in 1854, brought out from South Royalston, Mass., Young Green Mountain Morgan, a son of Hale's famous Green Mountain Morgan, and a fine representative of his race. He died at the close of his first season in July, 1854. The second attempt at improvement was in 1855, when a Mr. Weatherby brought out from Vermont several horses, which he kept here for breeding. Among these were Black Hawk, Prophet and Ethan Allen HI, sons of Vermont Black Hawk, a large brown horse, known in Vermont as Andrus' Hambletonian, a descendant of Old Messenger in a direct male line, and others of the Morgan family. 'Ethan Allen was purchased by J. H. Wallace and kept here several years. Hambletonian died here after two or three years. In the fall of 1855, Col. F. M. Cummings brought a mare and colt here from Orange County, N. Y., bred by his father-in-law, Jonas Seely. In 1856, the colt was sold to Joseph A. Green, and named by him Bashaw. He has sired many colts, among them six with a record of 2:30 or better. He was sold in July, 1864, to Walter Carr, of St. Louis for $5,000; by him to a Mr. Beckworth, of Hartford, Conn., where he made one season. His colts became so promising here that Mr. Green repurchased him in 1866 for $6,000. He remained here until the death of Mr. Green, when he was sold to his present owner, George L. Young, of Leland, Ill. Benjamin Hershey in 1864 bought his horse, Gen. Hatch. He was bred in Kentucky, got by Strader's Cassius M. Clay, Jr., dam by imp. Envoy, g. d. by imp. Tranby, g. g. d. by Aratus, g. g. g. d. by Columbus. This is one of the handsomest horses on the continent, sixteen hands high and exceedingly fine and stylish. His colts are remarkably uniform in their appearance, resembling their sire in a marked degree. Their trotting action is not surpassed by any. Had Gen. Hatch received the proper training, such as Bashaw, no better horse could be found in the West. He is not only a trotter, but a getter of trotters. Mr. Hershey bought the horse for his own use, and gave him, personally, all the training he received. He is now eighteen years old, sound, without a blemish and can trot in 2:40 any day. The only two of his colts that have been trained to any extent are Fleeta and Envoy, full brother and sister. Fleeta's time is 2:34} and Envoy's, 2:28. In the spring of 1867, Mr. Hershey brought from Canada for breeding purposes, a son of the famous Royal George, which is
554
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
known here as Hershey's Royal George. With him he brought some twelve or fifteen superior young mares, many of them from imp. Thetester. Royal George is out of a mare by thorough-bred Flag of Truce. He is a horse of great substance. strong enough to pull the plow or do any heavy work and with trotting action that will carry him low down in the thirties. His colts are fine specimens of horse-flesh. Mr. Hershey's stud now numbers eighty-six head, the largest and most complete in point of blood in the State. He has on his farm a splendid mile track, two elegant stables, besides several large sheds. Robert Switzer has full charge of the horse department.
F. & C. L. Warfield owners of the Riverside Stock-Farm, a few miles above Muscatine, on the river, have lately engaged in the horse business and secured some fine stock, such as Attorney. sired by Harold by Rysdyk's Hambletonian. Harold is a half-brother to Maud S., which, as a four-year-old, trotted in 2:173, the fastest time ever made by a horse of that age. This mare was purchased by Mr. Vanderbilt for $21,000. Charles G. Hayes & Bro. have the horse Tramp, son of Gage's Logan. They also have several full sisters of Bashaw, Jr., and Kirkwood.
STAR CREAMERY.
The Star Creamery is owned by B. Hershey. The building of this colossal and model establishment was commenced in October, 1877, and as now com- pleted consists of the main structure, 75x120 feet by 90 feet high from the sill, including the cupola. The gold cow placed on the cupola stands ninety-five feet high from the sill. It is an imposing building of two stories, with a man- sard roof, well lighted by twenty large windows on the front side, which faces the Mississippi, and is adequately ventilated. The system of drainage and placing of the offal, used as fertilizing material upon the farm, is an admirable one. It contains 148 stalls, 75 of which are now occupied by superior cows. The second story is used for feed-bins, and contains the millroom, where all corn and oats are ground. The mill machinery is propelled by a thirty-five horse-power steam-engine. The haymow is located between the bins, and runs from the first floor to the cupola, being fifty feet high, and having a storage capacity of 400 tons. The creamery proper is in an adjoining wing on the lower floor, and embraces the milk and churn room. the washroom and cellar. The milkroom is supplied with four milk-pans, with a capacity of 175 gallons each, and in which the milk is set for the cream to rise. The tempera- ture of the room is kept at 62º, regulated by a steam heating apparatus. and a tunnel run through the hill, at the foot of which the building stands, a dis- tance of 500 feet and from twenty to thirty-five feet underground; the temper- ture of the ground at that depth from the surface is 51º. The churn used will contain sixty gallons, and produce from one hundred to one hundred and
twenty pounds of butter in a batch. It is operated by a small steam-engine. The butter, after being properly worked, is packed in tubs and shipped to Chicago and New York. An additional fine barn is on the grounds used for stabling sick and dry cows. Over the creamery is a splendid residence, where Mr. Hershey spends part of his time. On the north side of the main building is an elegant cottage for the accommodation of the Superintendent, A. Il. Fisher. The farm embraces 800 acres of land. The entire establishment is perfect and managed with great skill. It is an enterprise the county may be proud of.
THE BUSINESS INTERESTS
of Muscatine are of a gratifying character. The location of the city renders it most available as a lumber-manufacturing point, and also enhances its importance
555
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY,
in many other branches of trade. As there has been, within a year or two, a very good report of the business made in the form of a county directory, it is deemed unnecessary to here reproduce the items in detail, especially as this work does not partake in any sense of the nature of a gazetteer. Those who seek information for specific purposes, in the line of trade, are referred to the Journal, and to the several directories, issued from time to time, for reliable data.
The city bears upon its face the stamp of enterprise, as evinced in its mac- adamized streets, its well-kept sidewalks and its splendid business blocks. There is here a fine opportunity for the introduction of other and more varied manufacturing, however, and such investments will in time be made. Musca- tine is young in years, and has before it a future of increasing prosperity. The class of men who form its business circle are among the foremost in the State in point of progressiveness ; and with such a class to rely upon, there can be no doubt as to the ultimate result. The healthfulness of the region, the fertility and beauty of the outlying country, the intelligence of the settlers, the railroad and river advantages and the large-mindedness of the people in regard to schools and churches, all combine to make a solid foundation upon which to base calculations for the future destiny of the place. Surely these indications cannot be mistaken. There can be for such a community but one outcome, and that is prosperity.
The principal business street of Muscatine would do credit to a city of 30,000 inhabitants. There are few finer blocks of buildings to be found in Iowa than those which give solidity and beauty to Second street. The cap- italists have exercised excellent taste as well as a most commendable public spirit in the erection of the edifices referred to. The business of the city is not entirely confined to Second street, however, but is scattered over a large area.
The residence portions of town are such as to claim the eye of strangers. Many very fine houses adorn the higher elevations, overlooking the majestic river in the valley below. The society of the city is pronounced most enjoy- able by those who are favored with entree thereto. The schools, the churches and the institutions of the city all combine to make Muscatine a desirable place of residence.
The County Poor Farm is located about six miles from Muscatine, on what is known as the " Bluff Road," in Seventy-six Township. There are ninety- six acres of land and the necessary buildings. S. H. Goldsbury is Superin- tendent.
WEST LIBERTY -- (Old town).
The original town of this name was located a little northwest of the pres- ent corporation ; it was laid out by Simeon A. Bagley, who died a few years since at Tipton, Cedar County, and surveyed in 1838, by George Bumgardner, County Surveyor. A post office was established in the village in the same year, with Mr. Bagley, as Postmaster. The first store in the settlement was opened by Peter Heath. When the new town was started, as hereinafter recorded, several houses were moved to the same from the old location ; also the post office, then in charge of Freeman Oliver, and the store conducted by I. R. Wright.
In the year 1855, the first locomotive wended its way westward through a corn-field where West Liberty now stands. Then there was a farmhouse and a barn within the present limits of the town, and where the business part of the town now is, was a corn-field, the corn-stalks standing thick and as high as a man's head. The only dwelling was the house on the corner of Spencer and
556
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
Fourth streets, and it was for a while, the only tavern near the railroad, having been within a few years reconstructed. The second and third buildings are still standing where they were erected; we allude to the two buildings on Third street, one occupied by S. B. Windus, and the Star House.
West Liberty (new town ) was laid out by Spencer, Robinson and Clark (John M. Spencer and T. J. Robinson lived at Rock Island, Ill., and J. W. Clark resided at Iowa City, Iowa), and surveyed by Peter Houtz, January 21, 1856. W. C. Evans was located here as agent with a power of attorney from the firm, to sell lots, make deeds and look after their business generally, at this point. The town was incorporated in 1868. Various additions have been made to the town from time to time.
From 1866 to 1869, there was but very little done by way of improvement in the town. Travel was then confined to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and the old freight-house on Calhoun street was then the passenger depot as well as for freight; and the boundaries only extended west to where Elm street now is. But in anticipation of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, to the stock of which the citizens had subscribed $60,000, building had commenced. Elisha Schooley had built a brick house on the corner of Calhoun and Third streets; R. G. Lewis, Z. N. King, Chesebro & Romaine and Dr. Holmes each put up substantial and commodious business houses on Third street. Jesse Bowersock and D. F. Smith soon followed with their building on the north side of the same street, and yet the demand for good business houses was not satisfied. The Peoples' Bank, N. Gaskill, Manfull & Nichols, Hormel and Luse soon followed, each with a good building. While these improvements were being made on Third street, great changes were tak- ing place in the west or new part of town. Until now, this had been a part of William A. Clark's farm, and had very recently been laid out into lots, and in a very short time there appeared a pleasant street, lined with good substantial dwellings.
West Liberty is located in the northwestern portion of Wapsinonoc Town- ship, between the forks of Wapsinonoc Creek, and at the junction of the Chi- cago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroads. It has a population of from 1,600 to 1,800 inhabitants. Every line of mercantile business that one would expect to encounter in a place of 5,000 inhabitants, is well represented in this town; it also has quite an extensive car- riage manufactory, a large flouring-mill and two elevators. Both of the rail- roads which pass through here have built large stock-yards to accommodate the great shipping interest in that line fostered in this township. Only a few years have elapsed since the first thoroughbred was brought to this vicinity, and since that time there have been sales at public auction of not less than $200,000 worth of that kind of stock, besides one car-load for the Pacific Slope at $5,000, and there is now more than $200,000 worth within the sound of the West Lib- erty church-bell. While this demonstrates the excellent quality of the soil of the surrounding country, and the superior nutritiousness of the blue-grass past- urage, it also indicates to the intelligent, energetic farmer the way to a com- petency. Very fine hogs are also bred in this vicinity, and the township boasts of turning out some of the finest horses, both as roadsters and for the turf, in the State. As will be noticed further on, the citizens take a commendable pride in the support and advancement of their public institutions, such as schools and churches. West Liberty is strictly a temperance town, and it is safe to state that not a drop of intoxicating beverage can be bought in the place. So far as town government is concerned, none could be better conducted, nor
557
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
can a more orderly town be found in the State. The present officers of the corporation are as follows, viz., George C. Shipman, Mayor ; C. W. Hoge, Recorder and Treasurer ; Thomas Manby, Street Commissioner ; William Hen- derson, Assessor ; W. R. Child, Chief of Fire Police ; Robert Sumner, Marshal ; Trustees, J. L. Brooks, Caleb Elliott, Asa Gregg, T. W. Rogers, W. R. Stafford and D. Hayes. The first officers elected for the incorporated town were S. W. Sedgwick, Mayor; Henry Harrison, Recorder and Treasurer ; John R. Palmer, Assessor ; H. C. Vore, Marshal ; Trustees, Elisha Schooley, Alonzo Shaw, George Bagley, Z. A. King and Albert Keith. The present Postmaster is Jonathan Maxson.
SCHOOL MATTERS.
The first school west of Cedar River, and in what is now Wapsinonoc Town- ship, was taught in an unoccupied log dwelling on Section 2, by Valentine Bozarth, in 1839. The first regular schoolhouse was built on land owned by Asa Gregg, on Section 2, by an association of citizens, in 1843. It was a comfortable frame building.
April 9, 1864, the Board of Directors of the Independent School District of West Liberty met, according to previous notice, and organized by electing Dr. Jesse Holmes President; Preston Brown, Treasurer, and I. G. Schmucker, Secretary. Dr. Holmes and I. G. Schmucker were appointed to draft rules and regulations for the government of the schools. William Hise and Clark Lewis were appointed a committee to take charge of the schoolhouses, to put and keep them in repair. Misses Etty Raymond and Mary Mimick were appointed the first teachers under the Independent District system. Dr. Holmes, A. F. Keith and Asa Gregg were appointed a committee to meet the Township District Board, to settle and divide the assets of the original District. In December, 1865, the Presbyterian Church was rented, and in it a juvenile school taught by Miss Haven. June 12, 1867, Elisha Schooley, P. R. Evans and George Bagley were appointed a building committee, with full power to let a contract for and superintend the building of a brick schoolhouse in the Independent District, according to specifications of W. L. Carroll, architect, of Davenport. In 1868, E. P. French was engaged as the first Principal of the Independent School District of West Liberty, having charge of the schoolhouse, schools and school government, subject to the Board of Directors. At this time, the dis- trict employed, in addition, one female teacher and two female assistants. Previous to letting the contract for the new schoolhouse, a committee was appointed to sell the two old schoolhouses. In 1870, a Primary Department was established in the Presbyterian chapel. In 1871, a wing was built on to the new schoolhouse, and in 1873 a second one was added. May 8, 1877, John Lewis, George O. Morgridge and W. C. Evans were appointed a building committee to superintend the construction of a second brick school-building, to be known as the High School Building. Nichols & Peters were the con- tractors of the brick and mason work, and George Hancock the architect. The structure was completed during the same year. To-day, West Liberty can boast of two as fine schoolhouses as can be found in the county.
The schools are now divided into the following grades : Four Primary Departments, three Grammar Schools and the High School.
The present Directors are W. C. Evans, John Lewis, J. Mad. Williams, E. P. French, C. W. Hoge, Dr. E. H. King. Officers : W. C. Evans, President ; A. A. Ball, Treasurer ; A. H. McClun, Secretary. Miss Lizzie L. Clark, the present Principal, is assisted by nine other teachers.
558
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
The Disciples of Christ, or Christian Church, was first organized in Phillips' Schoolhouse, two and one-half miles south of West Liberty, by Elder J. C. Powell, of Columbus City, Iowa, in 1866, with William Hise as Elder and William Phillips as Deacon. The house of worship in town was completed in 1868, since which time the members have attended services here, the old meeting-place having been abandoned. Since the new organization, the the following ministers have served the Church : Revs. J. C. Ilay, J. B. Bax- ter, J. K. Cornell, Henry Exley, J. C. Hlay and J. Mad. Williams.
The present membership of the Church is about one hundred and fifty; its property is valued at $3,000, and connected with it is an excellent Sunday school. This congregation contributes largely to missions, the general support of the Church and pay their Pastor a generous salary, without ever being in debt.
The Presbyterian Church in West Liberty was organized the 4th day of October, 1857, by Rev. C. F. Beach. It was composed of four members, viz., Benjamin F. Thayer, Celina Watkins, Polly B. Harwood and Adelia Beach. They built a small house the same year. called the Chapel. In this, they held services until the Wesley Church became vacant, which they rented and occu- pied until they built their new house. The Chapel was sold and moved off the lot in 1876. The same year their present tasty church-edifice was erected. at a cost of $4,165. In design it is worthy of imitation, an ornament to the town and an honor to the society.
The first Presbyterian Church built in this neighborhood was in old West Liberty, on the ground of William A. Clark, and erected in 1850, under the ministerial supervision of Rev. John Hudson, who was the pioneer of Presby- terianism in this part of the country. He belonged to the Old School. Rev. C. F. Beach was New School. When the two branches united, the Old School was abandoned. The old church was moved into new West Liberty, and is now occupied as a warehouse.
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.