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 50
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The society, in 1862, purchased the building which had been erected by the Methodists.
The Church received help, until 1872, from the Home Missionary Society, when, through the exertions of the present Pastor, Rev. C. Gibbs, who assumed charge shortly after Mr. Fifield's withdrawal, the society became self-supporting.
The present membership is about ninety ; there having been, in all, about two hundred names borne on the Church book.
The Sabbath school was organized in 1860. Its Superintendents have been G. N. Miner, James Miller and W. C. Bryant. About one hundred and thirty pupils attend.
Universalist .- A society of this faith was organized several years ago, but soon afterward became inactive. Rev. Mr. Hines now holds regular services. and the prospect is excellent for a stable organization. Services are held at Phœ- nix Hall.
A Sabbath school has recently been organized, with Mrs. Charles Overman as Superintendent. Six or seven teachers instruct the pupils, who are about fifty in number.
The Cemetery Association of Cedar Falls was organized in February, 1865. with G. B. Van Saun for President : J. B. Powers, Secretary : Albert Allen. Treasurer : S. A. Bishop. T. B. Carpenter, A. S. Smith. Byron Culver. Directors.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Cedar Falls Engine Company, No. 1, held its first meeting early in May, 1871. At the meeting held May 19th, 1871, officers were elected, as follows : G. B. Van Saun, Foreman ; F. A. Hotchkiss, Assistant Foreman; N. Roden- bach, Hose Captain ; P. Boehmler, Assistant ; C. C. Knapp, Secretary ; L. N. Fabrick, Treasurer. May 25th, after consultation with the City Council, J. A. Fosdick was elected Engineer.
June 8th, a committee was chosen to ascertain the cost of suitable uniform, and report thereon.
A public parade was made on the afternoon of February 22, 1872, followed by a festival, at Mullarky's Hall, in the evening.
June 7, 1877, the company met, to make arrangements for attending the funeral of F. Anschutz, which took place the following day, at which time thirty-two members took place in the procession.
The present officers are as follows: M. Hammond, Foreman; E. M. Stead, Assistant; Jacob Boehmler, Hose Captain; Robert Strachan, Assistant; C. H. Rodenbach, Secretary ; C. W. Odell, Treasurer; J. A. Fosdick, En- gineer ; John Costelo, Assistant; S. M. Lamb, Stoker ; Daniel Corrigan, Assistant.
The company holds frequent meetings for business and drill ; and, the mem- bers being young men of high character, the morale is excellent. The member- ship is about fifty.
The engine is a Silsby, and has always been reliable in time of need. Its capacity is very great.
This is the only company for fire duty in Cedar Falls.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Cedar Valley Horticultural and Literary Association was organized February 18, 1859, with P. Melendy as President ; D. C. Overman, Vice President ; J. H. Brown, Treasurer; G. M. Harris, Secretary. February 24th, W. W. Beebe, of Dubuque, gave an address before the society on "The Best Method of Growing Fruit Trees in Northern Iowa." In the following Autumn, the society had accumulated a library of about five hundred volumes, and had made arrangements to provide a cabinet of fossils, minerals, insects, curiosities and relics. Weekly discussions were had on horticultural topics ; the reading room was opened on Monday afternoon, and books could be borrowed on Saturday. Three floral exhibitions were given during 1860. The society, which had had a very healthy existence, in spite of the war feeling and the constant efforts put forth by the citizens of Cedar Falls, terminated its existence Jan. 6, 1865, by giving way to the " Library Association of Cedar Falls," which was organized at the same meeting, with Peter Melendy as President ; G. B. Van Saun, Vice President ; S. N. Pierce, Secretary and Librarian : George D. Per- kins, Financial Secretary ; John H. Brown, Treasurer. The old society turned over to the new its library, numbering about five hundred volumes. A few weeks after, $100 worth of new books were ordered by the society.
The books were destroyed in the fire of March 9, 1871, but the society proceeded to secure another supply. The library has been generally well patronized.
MASONIC.
Black Hawk Lodge, No. 65. A., F. and A. M .- Organized in 1853. In 1862, S. A. Bishop, one of the charter members, served as Grand Treasurer; Geo.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
B. Van Saun served as Junior Grand Master in 1872, and is now Representa- tive near the Grand Lodge for the Grand Lodge of Michigan.
During the Masonic year ending May 1, 1878, one candidate was initiated, two were passed and three were raised. Two were admitted to membership and two demitted. The present membership is seventy-two. S. Vandervaart is W. M .; R. O. Beeson, Secretary.
Meets Monday evening on or before full moon.
Talley Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M., was organized under dispensation November 3, 1857, with James Keeler as M. E. H. P .; John Garrison, E. K .; S. H. Packard, E. S .: M. Simons, Treasurer ; John H. Brown, Secretary ; Charles R. Arnold, C. H .; Robert Lapsley, P. S .; S. P. Brainard, R. A. C .; S. A. Bishop, G. M., 3d V .: John Hartman, G. M., 2d V.
The charter was issued in October, 1858.
S. H. Packard has served one year as Treasurer of the Grand Chapter.
Baldwin Commandery, No. 10, K. T .- The dispensation for this body was issued by W. E. Leffingwell, Grand Commander, December 15, 1866, and the Commandery was organized and instituted by E. A. Guilbert, D. G. Com- mander, April 3, 1867. The charter was issued November 13, 1867. and the officers chosen were : G. B. Van Saun, E. C .: S. A. Bishop, Gen .; E. Town- send, C. G .: A. G. Thompson, Prel .; J. M. Benjamin, Treasurer ; S. H. Packard, Recorder : Frank Neely, S. W .; A. B. Sessions, J. W .; L. N. Fabrick. Std. Br .: E. A. Haskill, Swd. Br .; P. Pickton, W .; J. G. Dimmitt, S. P. Pickton was Grand Warden in 1873, and G. B. Van Saun is now R. E. Grand Commander of Iowa.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Cedar Falls Lodge, No. 71, I. O. O. F. was established Oct. 10, 1855. Among its charter members were Dr. H. H. Meredith, B. B. Smith, Andrew Kennedy and J. M. Benjamin.
The Lodge has maintained a healthy though not rapid growth. A few years ago, the furniture and other property of the Lodge were destroyed by fire. This loss has been replaced and the Lodge is now comfortably placed in the third story of the building one door south of Phoenix Block.
There have been two deaths from the membership-that of Christian Sherer in 1876, and that of J. W. Galloway in October, 1877.
The principal officers for the last half of 1878 are : James Hatfield, N. G .; O. B. Wood, V. G .; Z. T. Phillips, Perm. Sec .; A. J. Norris, Rec. Sec .; Z. McNally, Treas.
The Lodge meets every Thursday evening. There are sixty-four members.
Cedar Valley Lodge, No. 223, I. O. O. F. was instituted by dispensation Feb. 1, 1872. The members named in the warrant are Henry Pheiffer, Jacob Pheiffer, Sebastian Klaus, Jacob Geier, F. Bepler, Adam Close, Philip Hopp, Morris Lippold, Charles Hesse and John Collman. The charter was granted Oct. 17, 1872.
The present officers are: Adam Close, N. G .: Henry Pheiffer, V. G .; George Flockdicker, Per. Sec .; Jacob Pheiffer, Treas .; Abram White, R. S. to N. G .; Loyal Ravel, L. S. to N. G .; Paul Gehring, Cond .; John Case, Warden; Jacob Geiler, I. G.
The Lodge meets on Wednesday evenings, and has about thirty-five mem- bers. The society has $300 invested in addition to its joint ownership in hall fixtures.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
UNITED WORKMEN.
Cedar Falls Lodge, No. - , A. O. U. W. was organized Oct. 23, 1875, with the following as officers : S. H. Packard, P. M. W .; R. O. Beeson, M. W .; Phil. Boehmler, Foreman ; Francis Cox, Overseer ; T. F. Beswick, Guide ; L. O. Howland, Recorder ; S. N. Pierce, Financier ; W. P. Overman, Receiver ; H. C. Shaver, I. W. ; F. H. Hurd, O. W .; T. F. Beswick, Francis Cox, F. A. Hotchkiss, Trustees.
One death has occurred in the history of the Lodge-that of Christian Sherer, Aug. 17, 1876. The insurance policy of $2,000 was paid Sept. 20th.
The present officers are : J. W. Sturtevant, P. M. W .; Francis Cox, M. W .; M. Davis, Foreman ; T. J. Tiller, Overseer : M. C. Stitler, Guide; F. A. Hotchkiss, Recorder; C. C. Shockey, Financier ; C. C. Knapp, Receiver ; J. E. Bates, I. W .: G. H. Thorpe, O. W., E. Townsend, R. O. Beeson, G. Leland, Trustees.
The Lodge has about seventy members, and has a considerable accumulation of funds.
Meet in Odd Fellows' Hall on Tuesday evening of each week.
LA PORTE CITY.
This pleasant town was located on the south half of Section 25, Township 87, Range 12 (Big Creek), was surveyed by Wesley Whipple, June 5, 1855 ; plat filed for record July 16, 1855, by the proprietors, Jesse Wasson, Junia Wasson, W. Catlin and Rosella Catlin. At least. a dozen additions have been made to the original plat. The town was named by Dr. Wasson in honor of La Porte, Ind., where he had previously lived.
The first settler in town was Dr. J. Wasson, who built the first building on the town plat, on the corner of Main and Locust streets, in April, 1855. It was designed as a storehouse and was opened as such, with a stock of goods, in May following ; but he occupied a portion of it for a dwelling until he completed his house, which he built during the ensuing Summer.
Among the early settlers were G. Bishop, the first attorney in the new town ; W. L. Fox, R. Montray, W. C. Kennedy, R. A. Brooks and George Cook.
The first saw-mill was erected by Dr. Wasson in 1856, on Big Creek, near the present railroad bridge.
The first grist-mill was built by Lewis Turner in 1855-6, about 200 feet above the present mill. This mill was burned about 1860, and was not restored until 1864-5, when T. H. Elwell built another about 200 feet below the site of the old one. Elwell's mill was and is one of the best flouring-mills in Iowa ; has four runs of stone, is supplied with all the most approved machinery and modern improvements, and manufactures the highest grades of flour, and sup- plies the bakers of Vinton, Waterloo and Cedar Falls. Mr. Elwell sold an interest in the mill property to his son-in-law, Babcock, and the mill was run by Elwell & Babcock. Since Mr. Babcock's decease, there has been no change in the firm name, urs. Babcock retaining her interest.
In 1856, John Rolph and W. L. Fox built a story-and-a-half building, 12x 12 feet, in the brush, on the east side of Main street, near Commercial, every stiek of timber in which, says Mr. Fox, was taken from public lands. The upper floor of this building was designed as a paint shop by Mr. Rolph ; the lower floor was supplied with a few rude benches, and in that same Summer the
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
first school in town was opened in it by Miss Hattie Fleming (now Mrs. James Fosdick).
The first school house was built of logs on School House Square. The second was a frame building, built in 1863-4, on the same site. Near this, a brick school house was erected in 1871-2, and both are now occupied for school purposes. The Principal is W. H. Butler, with an Assistant Principal and four teachers.
John Thompson was the first blacksmith who struck the first ringing blows on the anvil in La Porte, in a log shop, near the corner of Commercial and Main streets.
MUNICIPAL RECORD.
October 7, 1870, G. W. Hayzlett, Jasper Parks and thirty-nine others presented a petition to the Circuit Court, praying for the incorporation of La Porte City. An election was ordered, and held at the " Kennebec House" (now the National), Jan- uary 31, 1871, which resulted-110 votes "for incorporation " and 75 votes "against incorporation ;" and on the 11th day of February, 1871, the Court declared the town of La Porte City duly incorporated.
B. S. Stanton, George Waltz, Hiram Goodwin, C. T. Ingersoll, William Chapple, Commissioners appointed by the Court, called an election on the 6th day of March, 1871, for the election of officers. The election resulted as fol- lows : Mayor, R. J. McQuilken ; Recorder, W. H. Brinkerhoff; Trustees, G. W. Hayzlett, W. A. Walker, William Chapple, John Hilferty and W. L. Fox. The municipal government was duly organized March 11, and its first act was the adoption of rules of order. April 1, T. H. Cole was elected Mar- shal and Henry Chapple Treasurer, and April 15, O. G. Young was elected Street Commissioner.
1872 .- R. J. McQuilken, Mayor : W. H. Brinkerhoff, Recorder; G. W. Hayzlett, W. A. Walker, J. R. Stebbins, B. S. Stanton and William Chapple, Trustees.
1873 .- R. J. McQuilken, Mayor ; J. R. Stebbins, Recorder ; W. H. Brink- erhoff, W. A. Walker, B. S. Stanton, George Banger and R. M. Lane, Trustees. 1874 .- R. J. McQuilken, Mayor; Henry Chapple, Recorder ; R. M. Lane, George Waltz, George Banger, W. H. McKee and John M. Wright, Trustees. 1875 .- Jesse Wasson, Mayor; E. K. McGogy, Recorder ; Jacob Wagner, Robert M. Lane, G. A. Watson, John M. Wright and W. H. McKee, Trustees. 1876 .- J. Wasson, Mavor ; E. K. McGogy, Recorder ; R. J. McQuilken, W. A. Walker, John H. Fisher, William Rolph and George Banger, Trustees.
1877 .- J. Wasson, Mayor ; B. A. Chapin, Recorder ; R. J. McQuilken, John H. Fisher, Henry Sharon, W. A. Walker and George Banger, Trustees. 1878 .- William A. Walker, Mayor ; B. A. Chapin, Recorder ; John H. Fisher, John E. Eberhart, Nelson Taylor, Adam Keller and William Hamilton, Trustees; T. L. Reed, Marshal ; George Cramer, Street Commissioner ; C. T. Ingersoll, Treasurer ; John McQuilken, Assessor.
Dr. Jesse Wasson was not only the first settler, but was first Justice of the Peace, and first Postmaster. He individually paid for the delivery of the mail the first year, as it was not on a regular mail route.
The first established road through the town was the State road, from Vinton to Cedar Falls, in May, 1855.
The first iron bridge built in the county was one thrown across Big Creek, in this town, in 1867, at a cost of $4,500, and in 1874 a substantial " Howe Truss " bridge was built across the Cedar River, nearly opposite the town, which cost over $7,000.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
In May, 1865, the town contained 600 inhabitants, 2 churches, 1 school house, 3 groceries, 4 dry goods stores, 1 boot and shoe shop, 3 hotels, 2 drug stores, 1 furniture store, 1 hardware store, 1 news depot, 3 millinery stores. 1 confectionery shop, 2 blacksmiths, 1 carriage shop, 1 photograph gallery, 1 grist-mill.
In 1875, its business interests were represented by 5 dry goods stores, 4 groceries, two drug and book stores, 1 hardware store, 3 agricultural imple- ment stores, 5 elevators, 1 large flouring-mill with 3 run of stones, 2 livery stables, 5 millinery stores, 4 restaurants and bakeries, two meat markets, 2 wagon makers, 4 blacksmiths, 2 lumber yards, 5 doctors, 3 lawyers, 1 news- paper and printing office, and 1,200 inhabitants.
The first newspaper was the Progress, established by Dr. J. Wasson, in Novem- ber, 1870. The office was in a building on the corner of Main and Locust streets, which occupied the site of the pioneer building erected in the Spring of 1855. Jan. 12, 1872, the office was burned and the material destroyed, but with characteristic energy Dr. Wasson very soon obtained a new outfit, which he put in the basement of the building now occupied by the Progress, a short dis- tance northwest of the old office. The paper has prospered under Dr. Wasson's management, and he is now erecting a large stone building on the site of the office that was burned, in which the Progress will find business quarters.
July 17, 1878, Company E of the First Regiment of Iowa National Guards was organized at La Porte. The officer sare : Captain, Chas. A. Bishop ; First Lieutenant, John Connor; Second Lieutenant, B. A. Chapin. The company has its full quota of men, and will soon receive a supply of breech loading rifles.
The population of La Porte, in 1878, is about fifteen hundred. It has 4 churches, 2 school houses, 5 dry goods stores, 3 groceries, 3 boot and shoe stores, 4 hotels, 2 hardware stores, 3 drug stores, 2 lumber yards, 1 bank, 5 elevators, 1 newspaper and printing office, etc., etc.
RELIGIOUS.
Methodist Episcopal Church -- This Church was organized in 1856 or 1857, and was first supplied by Rev. Mr. Hollinsworth, then of Vinton. Their meetings were first held in a private building on the west side of Big Creek. and afterward in dwellings and school house, until 1872, when a church edifice was erected on Block 10, in Wasson's Addition, which was dedicated by Rev. John Clinton, from Mount Vernon. A Sabbath school was instituted at the time of the organization of the Church, and A. N. Day was its first Superin- tendent. A Ladies' Aid Society and the Young People's Mite Society were organized some time after the organization of the Church. Rev. J. H. Gilrouth is the present Pastor in charge, who, assisted by Mr. John Fisher, also has charge of the Sabbath school.
The Seventh-Day Adventists, La Porte City .- This Church was organized and built its church (28x74) in 1861, with Amos Amburn as Elder, and Ben- jamin Leach, Deacon (who were not regularly ordained, however, until 1866). The society held meeting three times a week. In 1868, they sold their church to the Presbyterians, since which time services have been held in private houses. The Sabbath school was organized in 1861, and Amos Amburn ap- pointed as first Superintendent. A Vigilance Missionary Society was organ- ized November 21, 1877, with the object to further the interests of the Church. Its officers elected and still serving are as follows : President, John King ; Vice President, Otis Mitchell ; Secretary and Treasurer, Amos Amburn. The association meets once a week.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Evangelical Association-The early history of this Church at La Porte is identified with that of the Waterloo Church, it being a part of the same until 1873, when the work was divided and the La Porte Church became independ- ent. A church was built in 1868, and dedicated by Bishop Long. from Illinois (now occupied by the American Evangelical Association). Until 1874. the American and German societies were united, but in that year they were divided, the German division having purchased the Presbyterian Church in 1873. The first German Pastor after the separation was Rev. Mr. Egge, who was followed successively by Revs. Eckhart, Echer, Shook, and the present Pastor, N. Knoll. The Sunday school was started in 1870, with T. Lunerman as Superintendent. The present Superintendent is Mr. C. Trepp. A nice parsonage is now nearly finished, near the church. The American society still occupies the church purchased in 1868. Their first Pastor was Rev. A. Wag- ner. The present Pastor is Rev. Wm. J. Hahn, who occupies the parsonage built near the church in 1872. The Sunday school is under the supervision of Mr. Joseph Susong.
Presbyterian Church .- The first public services by this denomination were held by Rev. N. C. Robinson, in November, 1857, in a log cabin which stood on Commercial stceet, near Mr. Walker's present residence. The Church was organized November 4, 1867, by a council consisting of Rev. Luther Dodd and R. Wylie, Ruling Elder. The first members were James McQuilken, T. L. Mayes, R. J. McQuilken, Jennie H. McQuilken, John McQuilken, William P. Mayes and Annie Mayes. Rev. J. A. Hoyt was first Pastor, and James McQuilken and T. L. Mayes Ruling Elders. In 1868, the society pur- chased the church built by the Adventists, about 1861, and occupied it until 1873, when they sold it to the German Evangelical society, reserving the privilege of occupying it for morning services until the 1st of November.
In June, 1873, Dr. C. T. Ingersoll, R. J. McQuilken and B. S. Stanton were appointed a committee to select and purchase a site for a new church edifice, who soon afterward reported that they had selected lots on the corner of First and Sycamore streets, which were purchased for $400. J. T. Wagner, an architect, drafted a plan for the building, which was accepted, and a Build- ing Committee appointed, consisting of C. T. Ingersoll, B. S. Stanton, R. J. McQuilken, F. S. Boynton and F. M. Thompson. Work was commenced in July, 1873, and the vestry was completed ready for occupation in the last part of November, 1873. The church proper was completed and dedicated on the last Sabbath in November, 1874, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. Stephen Phelps, of Vinton. The building is 60x36 feet, and cost, includ- ing the site, $8,372.74.
After Mr. Hoyt's pastorate, Rev. N. C. Robinson occupied the pulpit about six months, when Rev. D. S. Morgan became Pastor, who was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Donahey, who retired April 1, 1878. Since that time, the Church has been destitute of a settled Pastor, but the pulpit is regularly supplied by Rev. W. R. Stewart. The present officers of the Church are : Ruling Elders, S. White, T. L. Mayes, R. R. McQuilken, Samuel McQuilken, P. E. Triem and R. J. McQuilken; Trustees, B. S. Stanton, J. R. Stebbins and John Mc Quilken.
MASONIC.
Trowel Lodge, No. 216, A., F. §. A. M .- Organized U. D. dated March 26, 1867. The organization was effected very soon afterward. The petitioners for dispensation were George W. Dickinson, G. W. Hayzlett, George Raines,
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
O. A. Phillips, F. S. Boynton, R. C. Heath and Hubbard Moore. George W. Dickinson was first W. M., and George W. Hayzlett, S. W.
About a year afterward, the Lodge was regularly instituted under charter dated June 3, 1868. The first officers under charter were George W. Dickin- son, W. M .; G. W. Hayzlett, S. W .; William Chapple, J. W .; B. S. Stanton, Treasurer ; Jesse Wasson, Secretary ; William Cooper. S. D. ; R. C. Heath, J. D. ; Miller Edsil, Tiler. Bro. Dickinson served as W. M. until May, 1870, when G. W. Hayzlett succeeded him, and the succession has been John S. Eber- hart, Nelson Taylor and J. C. Bauman. The Secretaries of the Lodge since its institution under charter, have been J. Wasson, W. H. Brinkerhoff, C. F. Swallow, J. Wasson, J. E. Babcock an'{ J. Wasson.
The officers elected in 1878 are J. C. Bauman, W. M. ; James Norton, S. W. ; James Van Dyne, J. W .; J. Wasson, Secretary ; B. S. Stanton, Treas- urer.
I. O. O. F.
La Porte Lodge, No. 229, was organized in Masonic Hall, La Porte City, December 1, 1871, by W. P. Overman, D. D. G. M., assisted by a large dele- gation from Cedar Falls, with five charter members, as follows : Charles Waite, William G. Goodwin, D. W. Dalton, Henry Chapple and W. H. McKee. The first officers were C. Waite, N. G .; Henry Chapple, V. G .; William G. Good- win. Secretary, and D. W. Dalton, Treasurer. The present officers are William C. Fritz, N. G. ; John McQuilken, V. G .; Henry Chapple, Secretary ; and John Waite, Treasurer.
The Lodge meets every Friday evening in Masonic Hall, corner Main and Commercial streets. Present membership, twenty-one.
A. O. U. W.
Shield Lodge, No. 197, organized August, 1877, with the following charter members, viz .; B. A. Chapin, E. M. Sharon, Nelson Taylor, B. S. Stanton, George Husted, Dr. J. B. Darling, John S. Eberhart, Henry Sharon, Henry Chapple, William B. Clark, William Rolph, J. D. Hudson, Charles Berry, C. A. Bishop, G. S. Bishop, John McQuilken, James McPhail, H. J. Preble and Adam Keller.
First officers : B. A. Chapin, P. M. W. ; E. M. Sharon, M. W .; Nelson Taylor, General Foreman ; John McQuilken, Overseer; G. S. Bishop, Re- corder ; John S. Eberhart, F .; B. S. Stanton, Receiver.
Officers, July, 1878 : Nelson Taylor, P. M. W .; John S. Eberhart, M. W .; William Rolph, G. F. ; B. A. Chapin, Recorder; H. J. Preble, O .; H. Chapple, F .; B. S. Stanton, Receiver.
Present membership, seventeen.
CEDAR CITY.
The first settler on the site of Cedar City was Paul Somaneux, who built a cabin there in 1847-48. The town is located near the east bank of the Cedar River, on south half of Section 6, 89, 13, and was laid out in 1856 by William M. Dean. Prior to the advent of railroads, it was a town of some importance. In 1865, it had a population of about 200, and had a hotel, a school house, two breweries, two stores, etc. When the railroad was built, however, its business was drawn to the neighboring town of Cedar Falls, and now there are but few evidences remaining of its former prosperity.
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HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY.
Just west of Cedar City, on the flat, is where Newell and his companion camped when returning from the Upper Cedar in the Spring of 1845; and when Somaneux decided to make a claim, he could find no more suitable spot than where Cedar City now stands. He lived here, accordingly, when not en- gaged in trapping, till 1851, when he died. Mr. Newell has recorded that the honest Frenchman sent for him when he felt death approaching, and, with Newell, went carefully over his little accounts with the few neighbors at Cedar Falls.
Cedar City has been prominent only since the advent of the railway, from the notoriety derived from the attempted murder of Byron Wright by Almira Stickles, an account of which is given elsewhere.
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