USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > The history of Black Hawk County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion > Part 46
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Among the early members, besides the first mentioned Trustees and their families, were Mrs. Polly May, Mrs. E. Virden, Mrs. E. Doxey, and Mrs. J. Higgins and daughter.
The Upper Iowa Conference held its sessions in Waterloo, in 1864. The venerable Bishop Scott presided, and was the guest of Edmund Miller.
At that session, Rev. John Bowman was appointed Pastor, under whose ministry the first church was erected. Since then, the following ministers have served as Pastors : Revs. R. N. Earhart, J. B. Casebeer, E. L. Miller, H. S. Church, G. W. Brindell, and Rev. J. R. Berry, now closing with his third and final year in this city. Under his pastorate the Church has had great prosperity ; over 130 members have been added to the Church, and a new and beautiful church erected at a cost of $18,000. The corner stone was laid July 4, 1877, by Rev. W. H. Perrine, D. D., of Albion, Mich. The building was finished and dedicated Dec. 30, 1877, by Rev. Bishop E. G. Andrews, D. D.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH.
The building is in Gothic style. The foundations are of stone, rustic ashlar ; superstructure of brick, tastefully trimmed with terra cotta and white briek. The form of the building is nearly that of a Greek cross; the main axis, the entire length of the foundation, being 104 feet, the transverse axis 67 feet. There are 3 gables, each 50 feet from the base, with rear gable of 30 feet ele- vation. The tower, with double front, is 14 feet square, 53 feet above water table, surmounted by a mansard roof, 18 feet, making the total height of tower, from level of street, 76 feet. The apex of the entire roof is finished in iron cresting, with finials at corners. In each gable there is a large triple-sashed window 9x20 feet, in Gothic form, supported by side windows of similar style, 2x8 feet. There are three double and two single entrances, all surmounted by Gothic arches.
The interior wood-work is finished in white and black walnut. The entire building is wainscoted in white, with base and rail in black. The ceiling is panel-work of white, with rails in black and sham trusses in white walnut, likewise pews, chancel and choir, all finished in Gothic style. The front pro- jection contains the lecture or Sabbath school room, and is 27x45 feet, with class-room adjoining, 15x15 feet, and separated by folding doors. The tran- septs contain the main auditorium, 45x62 feet, with front vestibule, 11x11 feet, and north vestibule, 6x15 feet. The chancel is a semi-circle, 9x18 feet, at the rear of which is the orchestra, 6x18 feet, and back of this the organ loft, 8x18 feet. At the rear of the building, on each side, is a vestibule, 5x9 feet, lead- ing from the auditorium to the parlors, and also connecting with outside en- trances. The parlors are 14 feet square, connected by folding doors.
The pews are arranged in a semi-circle, the aisles radiating from a center just back of the pulpit. By this excellent plan every auditor in every pew in the house directly faces the speaker. There are 105 pews, with seating accom- modations for 450 persons. By a simple and ingenious arrangement, the base- board around the whole auditorium is hinged so that it can be easily raised and form a seat, thus adding about 150 more to the seating capacity. The lecture- room, while it is directly in front of the pulpit, is separated from the main room by sliding doors of ground glass. These are hung on weights and can be dropped easily into the basement, thereby throwing the two rooms together and making an auditorium in extreme length 62x87 feet, and capable of seating 900 persons.
The principal windows are in memory of Mr. Edmund Miller, a former member and Trustee of the church, and were presented by his widow and sisters.
First Presbyterian Church .- The First Presbyterian Church of Waterloo was organized by Rev. N. C. Robinson, on the 17th day of September, 1854, with a membership of six, viz. : George Ordway, Mrs. George Ordway, Mrs. Marilla Beauchine, Mrs. Alvira Barrett, Zimri Streeter and Mrs. Charlotte Lake. Mr. Robinson continued to preach to the Church once in two or three weeks until late in the Fall of 1854, when he accepted a call to the church in Vinton.
In the Fall of 1854, Rev. James M. Phillips commenced his labors at Wa- terloo, Cedar Falls and Janesville ; residing at Cedar Falls, and continued to preach at Waterloo once in two weeks for about one year.
Mr. Phillips was succeeded in the Fall of 1856 by Rev. Moses Robinson, who devoted his whole time to this society ; and during his ministry of about one year, the erection of a church was commenced.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Rev. James Harrison, still a much esteemed and honored resident of Water- loo, was the next Pastor of the church, commencing his labors in the Summer of 1856 and continuing until the Spring of 1868. At that time, Rev. William Fithian assumed the pastorate, and continued for several months in charge.
The first church building, now occupied by the Baptist society, was com- menced in 1856, but was not finished until the following year, and was dedicated in the Fall. When the society began planning for the edifice the country was in a flourishing condition ; settlers were coming in rapidly ; money was compar- atively plenty, and no one expected a sudden change, such as followed. The society planned for the future, and built accordingly ; but when the financial crash of 1857 came, could not fulfill their engagements. Aid that had been promised in the East failed to come, owing to a bank failure : property began to depreciate and members to scatter. With all these discouraging surround- ings, it was thought best to sell the property, which was accordingly done. After the sale of the church, the society was for a long time without a Pastor, and its usual services were suspended.
During the years 1860 and 1861, occasional services were held, and a small part of the time regularly once in two weeks, conducted by Rev. James M. Phillips, of Cedar Falls, and Rev. David Blakely. who then resided near Wa- terloo, on a farm, and by occasional supplies.
Late in the year 1864, Rev. Stephen Phelps, now a resident of Vinton, commenced his labors with this Church in Russell Hall, and continued to labor with great acceptability till his health failed, in the Spring of 1869, when he resigned his pastorate. The present pleasant and commodious brick church on the corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets, was erected during the Summer of 1867, and dedicated free of debt in November of that year. The building was not completed without a struggle, and only with the assistance of contributions from abroad, and a donation from the Church Erection Committee of the Pres- byterian Church. Prominent among the contributors was Myron Phelps, Esq., of Lewistown, Ill., father of Pastor Phelps, a most exemplary and Christian man, who gave over $1,000.
In the Summer of 1869, Rev. A. R. Olney, just graduated at Union Theolog- ical Seminary, New York, commenced his labors as Pastor of this church, and continued with them one year. He was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Thorp in the Fall of 1870. During the year 1871, funds were raised for the purchase of a pipe organ, and an addition was built in the rear for an " organ loft " and Pastor's study, with session room, etc. The advent of the organ was celebrated with a concert at the church on the evening of November 22, 1871, at which the superior merits of the instrument were fully demonstrated.
Early in 1873, Mr. Thorp tendered his resignation, to take effect the first Sunday in March. After his departure, there were only occasional services until in August, 1873, when Rev. I. E. Carey commenced his labors. Since that time the pulpit of the Church has been filled by Rev. Mr. Carey, Rev. A. K. Baird, Rev. Geo. R. Carroll and Rev. Rockwood McQuesten, the present Pastor. The present Elders are : W. C. Morris, A. W. Morrill, E. A. Ray- mond, W. H. Curtis, R. F. Sulzer and George Ordway ; W. C. Morris, Clerk.
The members on the church record now numbers about 107. The Sunday school, Prof. W. H. Robertson, Superintendent, averages about 100 pupils, and the library contains about 300 volumes ; E. A. Raymond, Librarian.
The Catholic Church .- The first Catholics are believed to have located in Waterloo in the year 1852 or 1853. For a year or two, they were visited occa- sionally by Rev. Fathers Slattery and Baumgartner, the latter of whom then
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resided at Gilbertville. About this time, Waterloo and the surrounding mis- sions were given in charge of Rev. John Sheil, who fixed his residence in Waverly, Bremer County, and for some years attended to the spiritual wants of the few Catholics scattered through the surrounding counties.
In 1856, through the exertions of Mr. B. Kelly, two lots were purchased, and the first church edifice erected on the corner of Mulberry and Third streets, East Side.
In the Spring of 1867, Rev. Mr. Shiel was succeeded in the mission by Rev. M. Flavin, who remained only one year, and in the Spring of 1868, was succeeded in turn by Rev. P. J. R. Murphy, who, like his predecessors, resided in Waverly. He continued in charge of the missions until the time of his death, which occurred in August, 1869. During the Summer of 1868, Father Murphy caused the church to be enlarged to its present size. On the 23d of October, 1869, Rev. N. F. Scallan, the present Pastor, arrived in the city, and became the first res- ident Pastor of the church. In the Spring of 1870, the pastoral residence, a neat frame structure, was erected near the church.
In September, 1871, one-fourth of a block was purchased on the corner of Mulberry and Second streets, and the foundations laid for a Catholic school building, which was completed in August of the following year. This building, known as the School of Our Lady of Victory, is 50x50 feet, two stories high. It affords a residence to the Sisters of Charity, B. V. M., who have charge of the school, and ample accommodations for 250 pupils. The Sisters opened school August 26, 1872, and the attendance has generally averaged 200 pupils. The number of teachers constantly employed is five, which may be increased at any time the number of pupils may demand it. The branches taught include all those usually comprised in an academic course. Pupils of any denomination may be admitted, but are always required to conform to the external usages of the institution.
The congregation of St. Joseph's Church numbers, at present, somewhat over one hundred families, who are already taking steps toward the ercction of a new and more commodious. church.
Evangelical Association-In the year 1857, the Cedar Valley country was taken up as a mission field by the Illinois Conference of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, and that year Jacob Schoffle and J. Mohr were sent by said Confer- ence to seek the German settlers in these regions, and preach the Gospel of Christ among them ; and as far as we can learn, Schoffle was the first German missionary who passed through Waterloo. Finding no opening in this place, he passed on to Cedar Falls, where he found an open door.
In the following year, H. Kleinsorge, as successor to Schoffle, took up Waterloo as an appointment ; but his mission field being too large, extending from La Porte City north into Bremer County, west into Hardin County, and to Fort Dodge, and the Germans then but fw in Waterloo, he did not preach here very often.
In 1861, H. Hinze was sent to this mission, but he only preached occa- sionally in Waterloo. C. Pfile, also from the same Conference, visited Waterloo at intervals. Then followed Jacob Kieper, from the same Conference, who preached several times in Waterloo, during the year 1863.
In 1864, C. Berner was sent to this field of labor. A Conference had been organized in Iowa, and, as the mission territory was more divided, he could pay more attention to Waterloo, and preached more regularly. The services were held in a hall owned by J. D. Weaver, formerly Day's Hall; but up to this time no church had been organized.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
In the month of May, 1865, Joseph Harlacher emigrated from Wisconsin and joined the Iowa Conference. and was by the same appointed to Cedar Falls and adjoining appointments. He commenced to preach regularly in Waterloo in that year, in the above mentioned hall. About this time, several families. members of the Evangelical Association, had moved to Waterloo from Illinois, and the same Fall the first Church of this order in Waterloo. consisting of about ten members, was organized by Mr. Harlacher. Preaching was continued in Weaver's Hall for some time, but later in the same year it was changed to Champlin's Hall. In this location, the religious meetings were held for several years, during which period the church was strengthened by several revivals. a goodly number being converted and added to the Church.
In the year 1870, while C. H. Egge had charge of the society, a house of worship was erected, in which the society still worship, with a membership of about fifty. For the present, the society conduct their worship altogether in the German language. A Sabbath school is also held every Sabbath morning, at 91 o'clock, in the German language. The Superintendent at present is Peter Jacobe. The present Pastor of the Church is Rev. N. Shook.
German Lutheran Church .- The first services of this society were held in the basement of the Congregational Church, commencing in 1866. Rev. Mr. Durchner was the minister, and divided his time between Cedar Falls and Waterloo, preaching alternate Sundays at each place. Some time in 1877, Beck & Nauman's Hall was leased as a place of worship, Rev. Mr. Foelch succeeding Durchner, and preaching on alternate Sundays for several years.
Articles of Incorporation were adopted July 1. 1869, under the name of " The Lutheran Church of Waterloo." the object being, as stated therein, " To secure the worship of God, and promote religion and morality among the Ger- man population in the vicinity of Waterloo." The incorporators named were John Nauman, D. Kruse, Henry Vogel, Charles F. Sury, Godfried Hartman and Conrad Bochringer. The first Trustees were Charles F. Sury, Godfried and Conrad Bochringer.
Rev. Joseph Westenberger was the first regular Pastor of the society, com- mencing his labors in 1872. Under his administration, the present church edifice was commenced and finished. It is a brick structure, 30x56 feet on the ground, and is located on Jefferson street, between Third and Main. Work was commenced in July, 1872, and the building was occupied in October follow- ing. It has a seating capacity of about two hundred, and cost $2,500. To the credit of the society, which is one of the smallest in the city, is to be mentioned the fact that all the building expenses have been paid and the property is free from debt.
Rev. William Burhreng was called in January, 1874, and left in July of the same year. Rev. Mr. Foelch, from Cedar Falls, filled the office until November, 1875, when Rev. Chris Mordorf, the present Pastor, came. He is assisted by Henry Schurz.
May 26, 1878, these gentlemen established a school at the parsonage, teach- ing both American and German languages. They have fifty-two scholars.
A Sunday school was organized about the time services commenced, the Pastor acting as Superintendent.
Free- Will Baptist Church .- On the 22d day of January, 1867, the follow- ing-named persons were organized into a Free-Will Baptist Church in this city : Rev. D. E. Champlin, Mrs. L. Champlin, Mr. and Mrs. S. V. R. Slade, Mr. L. Ellis, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Bowers, Mr. and Mrs. P. MeStay, Mrs. A. Heis- rodt, Miss J. Hubbard and Miss M. J. Heisrodt.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
The first meetings of the above organization were held in Champlin Hall : but in the following year, the present church edifice was erected, situated on the corner of La Fayette and Main streets, and dedicated on the 29th day of November, 1868, Rev. O. E. Baker, of Wilton College, preaching the dedica- tory sermon. The Church has not enjoyed the privilege of constant pastoral care, although able and earnest men, including the Revs. D. E. Champlin, C. B. Messer and O. E. Baker have rendered it efficient service.
In January, 1874, a call was extended to its present Pastor, the Rev. J. J. Hall, late of C. H. Spurgeon's College, London, England, who, having accept- ed the invitation, commenced his labors with the Church the following March. Under his labors the Church enjoyed considerable progress, the membership having increased from thirty-five to seventy persons.
Rev. O. E. Baker, who had previously preached for the Church as a tempo- rary supply, became Pastor August 1, 1876.
Considerable additions have been made to the Church membership of late. The Church maintains a flourishing Sabbath school, conducted for several years by S. V. R. Slade, and for the past year by E. Cleveland. A valuable library and other Sabbath school helps are liberally furnished the school.
The Free Baptist Church announce as their distinguishing principles-one Lord, one faith, one baptism, free will, free salvation, free communion, free church government, free pews, free speech, free men. Pastor, Rev. O. E. Baker.
Universalist Society .- Universalist services were first held in 1868, at. which time Rev. R. G. Hamilton preached regularly in Lincoln Hall. He removed to Clinton the following year, and then for several years there were no regular services.
In 1873, Rev. J. J. Austin, who formerly had charge of a large church in Indiana ; but his health failing him, he came to Waterloo, partly to regain his lost health and partly on business for himself and others. Shortly after his arrival here, he commenced preaching occasionally in Union Hall. About this time, the society re-organized and held regular services and a Sunday school, and in the Spring of 1875, it was incorporated and purchased a fine lot on the East Side.
Not long after this, the Society ceased to hold regular services, and have not. as yet, commenced active work. They are, however, looking hopefully to the future.
Free Methodist Church .- This Church was organized in 1874, with a mem- bership of thirty-two, and first held services in a building on the bank of the river, on the East Side. Rev. J. W. Dake was the Pastor in charge.
In 1875, the society built a church edifice on the East Side. The Church has been presided over by the following Pastors, in the order named, succeeding Mr. Dake: Revs. Crawford, Buss, Scott and Rev. C. E. Herroun, the present minister. The membership is now about fifteen.
The Church of the Brethren .- The Church of the Brethren was organized in 1855, by John Speicher, Elder. The first meetings were in private houses. The points of belief are faith, repentance, conversion, holy communion, wash- ing of feet, kiss of charity, anointing the sick with oil in the name of the Lord, etc. The original members were from Germany, and the first church in this country was established in Germantown, Penn., about one hundred years ago.
The society at Waterloo was first supplied by Elders E. K. and Benjamin Beuchlay, who continued until early in 1878, when Rev. John Wise came, who is still presiding. The society now meets in a hall formerly known as Cap- well's Hall, which is nicely furnished for church purposes.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
The Church of Christ was first organized in this city, with a small mem- bership, in the year 1855. It was re-organized in 1872, and met regularly in the Free Baptist Church every Sunday afternoon, for a short time. There has never been any settled Pastor, and the society is not meeting at all at present.
MASONIC.
Waterloo Lodge, No. 105 .- This Lodge was organized under a dispensation issued by Grand Master Sanford to Timothy Rowell, Ephraim Mears, S. P. Brainard, Wm. McCall, P. W. Ingham, V. V. Locey, John McIlmoil and H. E. Hurlburt, authorizing them to open a Lodge of Masons in this city. The charter was granted in June, 1857.
The first officers elected were : Timothy Rowell, W. M .: Ephraim Mears, S. W .; S. P. Brainard, J. W .; V. V. Locey, Secretary ; H. E. Hurlburt. Treasurer ; John McIlmoil, S. D .; Wm. NcCall, J. D .: S. W. Ingham, Tiler.
The first hall occupied by the Lodge was the upper story of J. C. Hubbard's store, just below Wood's Block. In 1862, the Lodge was removed to the Althouse Building on Bridge street, and in November, 1868, another move was made to the third story of Pardee's Building, which is still occupied.
The first "jewels " were made of tin. The first candidate initiated was J. C. Hubbard, and the second, J. W. Hankinson. The Masters of the Lodge, after Rowell, were: S. P. Brainard, who served five years in that capacity ; G. W. Couch, R. A. Whitaker, T. A. Covert, A. D. Griffin and Frank Neely.
The present officers are as follows : H. H. Saunders, W. M .; H. L. Shutts, S. W .; H. C. Roberts, J. W .: Henry Nauman, Treasurer ; G. A. Eberhart, Secretary ; Charles Shirland, S. D .; Jos. Bennett, Jr., J. D .; G. R. Critten- den, S. S .: John V. Smith, J. S .; John Jackson, Tiler.
Victory Lodge, No. 296 .- On the 3d of October, 1870, Grand Master Scott issued a dispensation to about thirty members demitting from Waterloo Lodge to organize a new Lodge, which was accordingly organized and named as above. The charter was issued in June, 1871.
The officers named in the dispensation, and who were continued through the first year, were R. A. Whitaker, W. M., and who has occupied the position till 1878; J. W. McClure, S. W .; Matt Parrott, J. W .; Lewis Lichty, Sec- retary ; D. B. Stanton, Treasurer, which position he still holds ; E. Ellis, S. D .; D. M. Crouse, J. D .; H. J. Main, Tiler.
The first room occupied by Victory Lodge was the second story of the build- ing now occupied by Rider & Bailey, and in 1873, arrangements were made with M. L. Burnham for the third story of his block, which he added that year. The new room was furnished throughout in the most elegant manner. The first meeting in the new room was held January 2, 1874.
The present (1878) officers are as follows : Matt Parrott, W. M .; J. Mosher, S. W .; C. Ragan, J. W .; A. W. Morrill, Treasurer ; A. I. Breckinridge, Sec- retary ; D. Robey, S. D .; F. S. Morrill, J. D .: J. C. Elwell, S. S .; I. E. Chapman, J. S .; H. Lampe, Tiler.
Tabernacle Chapter, No. 5.2, R. A. M .- Chartered October 17, 1870, with Frank Neely as High Priest. The Chapter holds its meetings in the hall of Waterloo Lodge. The present officers are : R. A. Whitaker, H. P .; Chancy Maynard, K .; H. L. Shutts, Scribe ; James Ellis, Treasurer ; D. R. Weaver, Secretary.
Ascalon Commandery, No. 25, K. T .- Instituted December 5, 1875, by O. P. Waters. from Burlington. And the following first officers were elected : Frank Neely, E. C .; D. B. Stanton, G .; J. P. Sherman, C. G .; Matt Parrott, P .; L.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
H. Cobb, Treasurer ; H. W. Jenny, Recorder. Its present officers are : Frank Neely, E. C .; L. Sharpless, G .: I. A. Shipman, C. G .; Matt Parrott, P .; H. L. Shutts, Treasurer ; R. A. Whitaker, Recorder. The Commandery num- bers, at this date, thirty-one members. It meets the first Thursday in each month.
An Eastern Star Lodge was instituted in 1873, but survived only a few years.
ODD FELLOWS.
Black Hawk Lodge, No. 72 .- This Lodge was instituted at Waterloo, Iowa, in the second story of J. C. Hubbard's store, since known as the American House, on the 5th day of June, 1855. The ceremonies of institution were per- formed by Special D. D. G. M. Benjamin Rupert, of Dubuque. The charter members were J. C. Hubbard, Oren E. Hardy, W. K. Worcester, John McD. Benight and Henry Sherman. The Lodge started with a fair membership, hav- ing received several additions on the night of institution, and continued to flour- ish until the memorable hard times of 1857-8, when, it being impossible for most of the members to spare money to pay their dues, it was determined, though very reluctantly, to surrender their charter until better times, which was accord- ingly done. They, however, paid their G L. dues, and paid their rent with their carpet, stove, chairs, etc., so that they went down honorably. It was no doubt a source of much sorrow to the small band of brothers to be thus com- pelled, by circumstances beyond their control, to give up the ship of F., L. and T .; but it was the best they could do.
This first attempt, however, though rather short lived, was not to be the end of Odd Fellowship in Waterloo ; for in a few years we find a change had come over the finances of the country, indicative of better times. Other men who were members of the triple-linked fraternity began to appear upon the scene, and they, after some consultation with others who had taken part in the first attempt, determined to begin again and to make it successful. Accordingly, in the year 1867, the Lodge was re-instituted in the upper story of the building then used as a saloon by G. Althouse, with A. C. Bunnell, O. E. Hardy, J. C. Hubbard, T. Wiley and B. J. Capwell as petitioners. They received their same old seal and the same charter, which, we omitted to state, was granted October 11, 1855, by Martin Heisey, Grand Master; William Garrett, of Burlington, Grand Secretary.
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