USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,. > Part 61
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EARLY INCIDENTS.
In the early days the settlers obtained their supplies by wagon from Mus- catine, ninety miles away.
The Talbott boys often made wolf traps in the winter, and in this way caught and destroyed many of those treacherous animals. The wolves were so bold when hungry that they have been seen to come near the house and chase the chickens about the yard in the middle of the day.
One day five men with guns and horses hunted wild hogs; they succeeded in shooting one, which weighed over two hundred pounds, it being very fat.
While in hot pursuit of a deer on April 10, of the year 1847, Robert Talbott leaped a slough, and the horse though unusually nimble and swift of foot, accidently stumbled and fell, breaking its neck and killing it in- stantły.
A man named Kirk Vincent, coming from Illinois, and going west with his cousin, Claiborne Showers, a lad of seventeen years, murdered the boy in the year 1862, near Brooklyn, then went to that place, bought a new hatchet, and with it cut off the head of his victim, and hid the head by the side of a log and covered it with leaves and bark.
Tangent
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
One evening in the spring of 1859 a soldier in the regular army, by the name of Roene, while in the old " Wood's Tavern," in East Brooklyn, drew a large pistol and shot William Haws through the heart, then turned and put a bullet through his own brain. The two men lay dead upon the floor, side by side. William Haws was a lawyer in good standing and worthy the respect of all.
There was a severe wind in August, 1872, which completely destroyed the Marles school-house, situated on section -.
CITY OF BROOKLYN.
It is beautifully located on high ground, overlooking the railroad and Little Bear Creek. It is situated in the eastern central portion of Bear Creek township.
The population, according to the United States census for 1880, was 1,236. The town extends over much ground, a portion being south of the creek, which is called South Brooklyn. From the limits of the corporation on the northeast it extends nearly two miles to the southwest.
It has four distinct parts, the "Old Town," on the extreme northeast, "Broadway," a little further southwest, " Depot Town, or "West Brook- lyn," as it is sometimes called, and "South Brooklyn." The strife which these different sections have maintained while endeavoring to secure the business and influence has formed an interesting epoch in the history of the city, and proved the financial ruin of more than one of its worthy citizens.
Brooklyn is situated on the main line of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, 105 miles west of Davenport, and is at the end of two divisions, the "Eastern Iowa Division," which extends from Brooklyn to Rock Island, and the "Central Iowa Division," which extends from Brook- lyn west to Stuart. The city is well represented in all departments of business usually found in places of its size.
At present it contains 5 churches, 2 school buildings, 2 banks, 3 hotels, 6 general stores, 8 grocery stores, 2 hardware stores, 2 drug stores, 7 black- smith shops, 3 wagon shops, 4 carpenter shops, 2 book stores, 4 grain ele- vators, 3 lumber yards, 1 mill and elevator combined, 1 livery, 2 harness shops, 1 public hall, 1 clothing store, 1 news stand, 2 jewelry stores, 5 meat markets, 1 bakery, 2 restaurants, 1 photograph gallery, 1 music store, 3 barber shops, 1 depot, telegraph office, baggage room, 7 ministers, 6 doc- tors, 2 dentists, 6 lawyers, 2 insurance agencies, 1 printing office, 2 tailor shops, 1 wire-barbing shop, 2 coal yards, 4 millinery and 2 dress-making establishments, 2 shoe shops, 1 furniture store, 2 paint shops.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
The following order will show the preliminary steps in the organization of Brooklyn into a city corporation:
"STATE OF IOWA,
" POWESHIEK COUNTY. S
"To Thomas J. Holmes, George W. Blakeslee, Henry G. Cummings, San- " ford Suits and James D. Haile:
"You are hereby notified that, in pursuance of a petition and plat signed by A. J. Wood and some sixty other citizens of the town of Brooklyn, and presented to the Circuit Court within and for said county, for the purpose of incorporation, you are appointed commissioners and authorized to at once call an election of all the qualified electors residing within the terri- tory embraced within the lines as described and platted in the petition now on file in my office.
" Witness: John W. Cheshire, Clerk of said court, with the seal thereof hereto affixed at Montezuma, this 6th day of March, A. D. 1869.
"JOHN W. CHESHIRE, "Clerk Circuit Court."
The first election for the town of Brooklyn was held April 5, 1869, when it was decided to incorporate said town. The first election for officers was May 29, 1869.
The following named persons have held the office of mayor:
1869, L. L. Littlefield; 1870, Thomas Rainsburg; 1871, S. M. Gibbs; 1872, S. M. Gibbs; 1873, W. T. Sharp; 1874, B. M. Talbott, and J. D. Haile; 1875, William Ballantyne; 1876, W. T. Sharp; 1877, R. C. Gibbs; 1878, R. C. Gibbs; 1879, H. S. Cook; 1880, H. S. Cook.
License was granted saloons in 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872, 1874, 1876, 1877. No license was granted in 1873, 1875, 1878, 1879, 1880. There were many "whisky" prosecutions in 1878.
On the 26th day of May, 1875, there was a great fire in the city, destroy- ing over sixty thousand dollars' worth of property. Two large grain eleva- tors, a blacksmith and wagon shop, a warehouse, corn cribs, lumber yard, and agricultural implements were totally destroyed. Another fire occurred July 29, 1879, when three store buildings were burned, the estimated loss being about $4,000.
On July 4, 1872, Marshal N. M. Zimmer shot with a revolver a railroad hand in trying to quiet a disturbance. The man slot recovered.
Mr. R. C. Shimer built the first dwelling-house in Brooklyn in the spring of 1855, and Dr. Reuben Sears, in the fall of 1854, kept the first store.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
EARLY HISTORY.
In the year 1849 Mr. James Manatt laid out a town of sixteen lots in w. hf. of se. qr. of section 14, Bear Creek township, about sixty rods north- west from the present Methodist Episcopal brick church. This was the very first step toward the location of the present town of Brooklyn.
Mr. Joseph Allman purchased two lots, and in the spring of 1850 built thereon a frame house, and the town was then called "Greenville." The motive in locating a town at this place originated from the desire of Mr. Allman, who had just come from the east, to settle within the limits of a growing western town. It will be proper to state here that the town of Greenville never contained a half dozen buildings.
The next movement was conducted by Dr. Reuben Sears, who purchased two acres of land at $30.00 an acre, situated about sixty rods northeast of the M. E. Church, as it now stands. Then a portion of the two acres purchased by Dr. Sears was laid off into lots and sold for small sums. There was much conjecture about the name it should have. Some proposed to name it from one of the large cities of the East, "New York " or " New Phila- delphia," while others protested, saying "it would kill the town." At this time Dr. Sears obtained the attention of the little company, and per- suaded them to accept the " modest name" of "Brooklyn," which they all cheerfully did, and since that time no person has desired to change the name, or been ashamed of it.
At the time it received its name it contained only five houses. This part laid out by Robert Manatt and Dr. Sears, was afterward called the " old town." Mr. Manatt laid out building lots, and platted and recorded consid- erable of the old town. R. C. Shimer purchased one-half acre, and it was laid out at the same time. As soon as the railroad came up the creek, the business began to tend in the direction of the depot, which was three-quarters of a mile southwest. It first began to center on Broadway, then, owing to price of lots and other causes, nearly all the business cen- tered in West Brooklyn, or Depot Town, as it is often called. Mr. Will- iam Manatt laid off considerable of Depot Town, and Mr. T. J. Holmes & Son also sold a considerable number of lots for business houses.
The ground on the northwest corner of Front and Jackson streets, now covered with business buildings, and forming the trade center of the place, was bought from William Manatt, the original owner, by F. D. Verstrae- ten in 1863, for $30.00.
Mr. Joshua C. Talbott laid out forty acres on the south side, which is known as Talbott's Addition, and Col. Leonard Skinner laid out thirty acres
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
on the south side, which is known as Skinner's First and Second Additions to Brooklyn.
T. J. Holmes & Son built the first grain warehouse and office in Brook- lyn in the summer of 1862. This was not only the first in Brooklyn, but the first grain-house on a railroad located one hundred miles west of the Mississippi River in any of the States. Mr. Holmes built the first grain elevator at Marengo, also at Homestead station.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Organized September 24, 1859; original members: Morris S. Miller and wife, Antoine Shultner and wife, R. S. Miles and wife, J. C. Miles and wife, G. D. Bross and wife. The organization was aided by Rev. J. C. Miles. There followed a council of sister Baptist churches which convened Novem- ber 3, 1859, to recognize this branch of Zion. Of that council Bro. Oliver Langworthy, of Grinnell, was moderator. Services of the church were help in a school-house just south of the town. The next pastor was Rev. Samuel Miles, then followed Rev. Mitchell, O. M. Merrick, J. Bywater, A. H. Post, J. R. Miller, J. Kissell, the present pastor. Rev. J. Kissell commenced his pastorate labor March 15, 1880. The present membership is twenty-three. The Sunday-school meets every sabbath, at noon, with an average attend- ance of forty-five. Superintendent, H. S. Cook; Assistant Superintendent, Cyrus Neff. The church was built in the summer of 1873, at a cost of $2,000.
ST. MARK'S CHURCH.
The articles of incorporation of the parish of St. Mark's Church, Brook- lyn, Iowa, were drawn up February 14, 1871. Episcopal services had been held previously, beginning May 8, 1870, by the Rev. W. T. Currie, resident at Newton; also, on the 30th of November, in the same year, the ladies interested in his work organized the "West Brooklyn Dime Society." This society has been eminently successful in its efforts, and has proved a most efficient auxiliary to the parish in many ways, providing for current ex- penses, purchasing lots, and contributing largely toward building and fur- nishing the present beautiful church edifice. The first parish meeting was held in the office of T. J. Holmes, Esq., the pioneer churchman of Brook- lyn, on Easter Monday, April 10, 1871. The first vestrymen were, E. Tinker, C. H. Libby, T. J. Holmes, E. B. Holley, J. A. Spencer, J. H. Mc- Murray, D. Sterling, C. S. Newcomb, and W. T. Holmes. T. J. Holmes was elected senior warden, and E. Tinker, junior warden. As shown by the records the first gift to the parish from abroad was from Jonathan James, Esq., of New York City, a brother of Mrs. T. J. Holmes. It con-
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
sisted of two handsomely bound books, "A Parish Register " and " Parish Minutes." The parish was admitted into union with the convention of the Diocese of Iowa, at the eighteenth annual meeting, held at Council Bluffs, May 30, 1871.
On the 27th of August, of the same year, the first Bishop of Iowa (the Rt. Rev. H. W. Lee, D. D.) made his visitation to the parish, and confirmed twelve persons. The Rev. W. T. Currie closed his official connection with St. Mark's Church May 5, 1872, and on the 22d day of the following Sep- tember his brother, the Rev. Samuel Currie, resumed the services, and con- tinned in charge about two years. After his resignation occasional services were held by the General Missionary of Iowa, the Rev. F. E. Judd, until the first of December, 1877, when Mr. Judd became rector of the parish, and services were maintained without interruption. These services were held in Central Hall, which had been rented for the purpose. On Easter Sunday, 1877, the interest of the people in providing a church building was tested by an offering, which, to the surprise of all, amounted to $3,226. This sum included $600 given by the ladies' dime society. This society had previously purchased and embellished with trees two lots, most desir- ably located, and in the center of these lots the vestry proceeded at once to build the church. The work was begun with the resolution that not one cent of debt should be incurred by the parish, and this resolution has been adhered to most strictly. Through self-denying liberality, and most perse- vering effort, the church was so far completed as to be ready for the Easter services of 1878. Its dimensions are seventy feet by thirty, with a stone basement, eleven feet in height, under the entire building, which has been finished for Sunday-school and parish purposes.
The superstructure is of wood, having, instead of the usual frame, a suc- cession of arches, springing from the foundation, according to an original design by the senior warden, T. J. Holmes, Esq., who is himself a practical builder. The plans, however, were wrought out in detail by Mr. H. T. Jocelyn, of Des Moines. The interior calls forth unusual admiration on account of its extraordinary combination of elegance with simplicity and utility. The nave is capable of seating comfortably four hundred persons, and if necessary over five hundred could be accommodated. The acoustic properties are perfect. The stained glass windows, furnished by Messrs. McCully & Miles, of Chicago, are marvels of beauty, both in design and delicacy of color. The amount expended thus far is about $4,000, and about $1,000 more will completely finish and furnish this inexpensive yet very beautiful church edifice.
The only aid sought outside of the parish has been toward completing
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
and furnishing the chancel, which is the first memorial placed in an Iowa church to Iowa's first bishop, who himself held the first prayer book ser- vice in Brooklyn. Among the adornments of this chancel are, a beautiful communion table, the gift of the second bishop of Iowa, two very hand- some pedestals for vases, painted and presented to the present rector by Mrs. J. B. Dougherty, of Muscatine, and an elegant memorial vase, given by the friends of the late Miss Harriet T. Janes, a sister-in-law of the se- nior warden.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The following, in itself giving the early and modern history of the church, was read by Mr. William Ballantyne, an elder, at the quarter cen- tennial celebration, May 20, 1880:
" In the frontier settlements of our country the school-house generally precedes the church building, and frequently, under the necessitous circum- stances of early settlements, while used for a place of secular instruction during the week, is often used for religious worship on the sabbath. Those of us who have lived in the wooded parts of our country still remember with interest the primitive log school-house where the surrounding settlers gathered together for sacred service on the sabbath. These were the days of primitive styles of dress, when primitive music was sung, and where the ser- mons preached were probably just as effective as they are now. In the original school-house in this town of Brooklyn, on the 20th day of May, 1855-just twenty-five years ago to-day-five men and seven women as- sembled together and entered into organized Christian fellowship, profess- ing their belief and personal interest in the common doctrines of evan- gelical faith, and under the form of church government denominated Pres- byterian.
" The names, as they stand on the original record, are as follows: Reuben Sears, and his wife, Cyntha Ann; Robert Manatt, and his wife, Margaret; Braddish Cummings, and his daughter, Mary Frances Cummings; John Fry, and his wife, Barbara; Henry Broadbrooks, and his wife, Almira, and their daughter, Ann Elizabeth; and Margaret Scott-twelve in all. Out of this number Braddish Cummings was chosen ruling elder. Of the original members three have died, and are buried in our cemetery; five have been dismissed, and gone to other parts of the country; three are with us to-night; and the aged elder, now in his four-score and fourth year, con- fined to his couch in infirmity and weakness, body wasted, and mind almost gone, unable to understand or to appreciate the fact of our meeting here to-night. The minister who officiated at the organization was the Rev. W. W. Woods, of Iowa City, assisted by Rev. James Lowry.
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
" The brethren who have served in the ministry of the gospel to this church are Revs. Robert Holstone, Alexander Lemon, who commenced his labors on the 15th of September, 1857, and closed them on the 15th of March, 1859. A. D. Chapman, commencing his labors on November 1, 1859, and closing in the fall of 1867. W. D. Ballantyne was ordained and installed on December 11, 1867, and continued a little over two years. Then in March, 1870, Edwin C. Haskell was invited to supply the pulpit, and having accepted, he continued until the spring of 1872, a space of two years. In April of the same year a call was extended to Rev. A. W. Haynes, which was accepted, and he continued in the work till the fall of 1875. During the winter of 1875-76, we were served by President George F. Magoun, of Iowa College, and his son Rev. F. Magoun. In the summer of 1876, we had the services of A. S. Leonard, a student of Lane Seminary. During the winter of 1866-67, there was no lack of religious services.
"In May, 1867, Mr. Leonard returned, and was ordained and installed the following September. In two years from that date the pastoral relation was dissolved and our next supply is now seated on the platform. During all the twenty-five years of this church organization, there have been re- ceived into church fellowship 263 persons-exactly 100 males, fifty-six by letter and forty-four on profession of faith; 163 females, eighty-eight by letter and seventy-five on profession of faith. At a meeting of the Pres- bytery held in Brooklyn on the 19th day of April, 1867, twenty-nine mem- bers were disjoined from this church and organized into the Presbyterian Church of Malcom. Of the number who have died and the number who have been dismissed, we cannot give the correct figures, but at the meeting of the Presbytery, held at Muscatine a few days ago, we reported a mem- bership of 125. The names of those who have served in the eldership are: Braddish Cummings, Samuel F. Pryne, Shipman Newkirk, Z. P. Wigton, Win. Morrison, Charles Gordon, James Ballantyne, Leander L. Smith and William Ballantyne; the last named three are the only ones now in office."
The church commenced service in the old school-house near the present residence of Mr. Foster, but in the fall of 1867 the church obtained pos- session of another school-house by purchase for $600, refitted it at a cost of about $50 more, then in the spring of 1868 enlarged it at a cost of $620.
The old building and site was sold for a little over $300 and divided for dwelling-houses, one part was moved away and is now occupied as the res- idence of E. O. Parker. The other part still stands on the old site and is used as a dwelling by Mr. James Walker.
The present church edifice is a fine structure, on a commanding site, and an ornament to the city. The church was commenced in the spring of
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
1874, and finished the same fall at a cost of $3,600. The seating capacity is about 300. It was dedicated by Rev. A. G. Martyn preaching the sermon and A. W. Haines, the pastor, assisting in the services. The clergymen of the other denominations in the city were in attendance, and also aided.
The sabbath-school meets every sabbath at noon, with an average attend- ance of 100. Names of Superintendents: W. D. Ballantyne, E. O. Parker, Frederic Jaynes, A. L. Wigton, Mrs. F. A. Shaw, and John C. Ballantyne, the present incumbent. The school, as also the church, are in a flourishing condition.
The following, found in the Davenport Gazette, in regard to the exercises of the quarter centennial celebration of May 20, 1880, will be of interest to the reader:
" BROOKLYN, Iowa, May 21.
"Our Presbyterian Church celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its organization, its 'silver wedding,' so to speak, last evening. The mem- bers of the church and congregation, with a goodly number of their friends and well-wishers from all the other churches, assembled in their house of worship, which was very tastefully decorated with wreaths and flowers, and the exercises were opened by the choir with a 'thanksgiving anthem.' A prayer was offered by the Rev. A. G. Martyn, of Malcom, and an excellent address was delivered by Rev. Wm. R. Henderson, of Iowa City, his subject being 'Church growth, its nature and the best means to promote it.' Dean William Ballantyne followed with a short but comprehensive history of the society, and closed by introducing Mrs. T. M. Francis, one of the ‘charter members,' who read a serio-comic essay, in which she embellished the facts and figures given by Mr. Ballantyne in a manner that gave the audience a pretty good idea of the changes that had occurred during the years gone by. Rev. A. D. Chapman, of Malcom, who was among the earliest workers in this part of the vineyard and pastor of this church for a period of eight years, responded to an invitation in remarks calling up many memories of long ago. In response to the toast 'Our Church Household,' Mrs. Mc- Dowell, of the Presbyterian Church of Malcom, which was organized about ten years ago, many of its original members having been drawn from the Brooklyn society, read a paper demonstrating the fact that though the old- time household is divided by distance, it is united in spirit and good works. The pastor, Rev. T. H. Candor, offered the sentiment, 'Our Sister Churches,' to which happy responses were made by the Rev. D. C. Smith, of ' Grace' Methodist, and Rev. F. E. Judd, of 'St. Mark's' Episcopal Churches. Mrs. Susie McCulloch, in a few well chosen remarks, presented to the church, on behalf and in the name of the ladies of the society, a beautiful marble-top
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HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
communion table and an elegant and complete silver communion service; a very appropriate gift, and one that will ever serve as a memorial of this an- niversary. Mr. T. J. Holmes, being called upon as an old citizen, and a former co-laborer in both the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, re- sponded in a manner that showed he had not forgotten the events that oc- curred in the years that are gone. The pastor of the church then thanked the audience for their good will and kind wishes, as evidenced by the large number present, as well as by the remarks of the speakers; after which a duet, entitled 'Hearth and Home' was sung, and Rev. A. D. Chapman pronounced the benediction. The exercises were interspersed with excel- lent music, by the choir, and altogether the celebration of this twenty- fifth anniversary was an event that will be remembered by all who partici- pated therein as one of great interest, and unalloyed pleasure."
GRACE M. E. CHURCH.
At present the Methodist Episcopal Church is the leading church of the place. The present membership, including probationers, is three hundred. The church edifice is a large and beautiful brick structure, situated on high ground overlooking the town. It cost $9,000. Rev. D. C. Smith, a man of marked abilities and Christian worth, has just closed his labors with the church. Four physicians, two dentists, one lawyer, twelve other business men and several leading farmers are supporting members of this church.
It was organized as early as 1853, but there are records only from Feb- ruary 3, 1855. The first meetings were held at the house of Mrs. Mary Talbott, one mile east of Brooklyn. Among the original members we find the names of William .Melvin, John Swaney, Edward Griswold, James Barnes and Mary Shimer. The frame church, which was built in 1858, cost $2,800. The present brick house of worship was dedicated December 23, 1877, by Rev. Bishop E. G. Andrews, assisted by Revs. D. C. Smith, Dr. G. N. Powers, J. R. Reasoner and the pastor, W. G. Thorn.
The following pastors have served the church: Revs. Collins, George Bamford one year, A. C. Barnhart one year, F. M. Slusser one year, Rev. Casebeer, P. F. Brasee, J. R. Carey one year, J. T. Simmons one year, C. P. Reynolds one year, C. Morey one year, C. P. Reynolds three years, C. S. Jennis two years, J. B. Hardy one year, O. P. Light one year, L. P. Causey two years, W. G. Wilson one year, W. G. Thorn three years, E. L. Schrei- ner one year, and the present pastor, D. C. Smith, one year.
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