USA > Iowa > Cedar County > The history of Cedar County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. : a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 59
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The first tavern was opened for the accommodation of the public. in 1855, by J. F. Cole.
The first religious services cver held in Mechanicsville were conducted by Rev. Geo. D. Porter, of Tipton, a Presbyterian clergyman, who was engaged to deliver one sermon each month in the school house referred to elsewhere.
While no events of a generally interesting or startling description have ever occurred within the limits of the village proper, owing to the law-abiding char- acter of its citizens and the influence of what some might be pleased to call its " fortunate star," there have, nevertheless, transpired several occurrences of a calamitous nature to individual residents, notable among which are the fires, which have destroyed considerable amounts of property. The first extensive fire within the limits occurred December 23, 1867. A large frame building, on the site of the store now occupied by George A. Eagarty, then owned and occu- pied by T. C. McClelland & Co., as a general merchandise store, was totally consumed, together with a large stock of goods, and considerable household furniture belonging to the junior member of the firm, George A. Eagarty. Total loss, $41,000 ; insured for $8,000.
Another fire occurred in August, 1868, but was merely a tenement house, owned by John Hess, and standing in the west part of the town. The third disaster of this sort was more extended. A frame building owned and occupied by Chapman & Rogers, clothing merchants, located just west of the old Cook tavern, was burned in February, 1870. The flames communicated with the tavern and totally destroyed that wooden structure also, thus removing a land- mark. Total loss to Chapman & Rogers of stock of goods, and nearly total loss of building.
SCHOOLS.
The first school house was erected in the Winter of 1850-1. and was opened by Miss Stearns, as teacher, during the following Summer. William Runion was chosen to succeed Miss Stearns, for the Winter term, in accordance with the old-accepted idea of the greater suitability of male teachers in the more generally attended school season.
Until 1866, the system of education employed in this place was the primi- tive township or district plan ; but at the above date, the citizens decided upon a more comprehensive organization. Considerable opposition was encountered "from those who regarded the township as too poor to sustain the burden of neces- sary taxation, but the objections were overridden by the " school party," which favored an independent district.
A meeting was called at the Presbyterian Church, June 9, 1866, to act upon the erection of the district. The vote resulted in forty-four affirmative and five negative ballots. Thereupon, two of the Trustees, T. C. McClelland and
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
Samuel Gilliland, refused to call a meeting for the election of officers of the School Board, basing their opposition on the point of illegality of the meeting. On the 9th of July following, application was made for a writ of mandamus from the Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial District, to compel the recalcitrant mem- bers to call the meeting, and the writ was issued. An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court of Iowa, by Messrs. McClelland and Gilliland, in October, 1866. The decision of the lower Court was confirmed, and the formalities of election were soon afterward proceeded with.
The following March, the Board of Directors, Aaron B. Oakley, President, Amos G. Miller, Secretary, selected Prof. E. T. Rigby, Principal; Miss Ellen Culver (now Mrs. A. Armentrout). teacher in intermediate department, and Miss Emma Snyder, teacher in primary department.
The school building first erected under the new dispensation was constructed of wood. In 1875, a fine brick edifice was built, by order of the Board, at a cost of about $10,000. Mr. A. G. Miller, of this place, contractor.
The present Board consists of Messrs. A. Armentrout, President ; J. W. Helmer, J. C. Batdorf, Samuel Keith, S. T. Buell and O. B. Judd. The corps of teachers last term was composed of Prof. R. L. Rowe, Principal ; Miss C. S. Tenant, assistant ; Miss M. A. B. Witter, grammar department ; Mrs. A. R. Allen, intermediate department ; Miss Anna Arnold, second primary, and Miss S. D. Esget, first primary.
POLITICAL HISTORY.
Probably the most exciting political event in the history of Mechanicsville was the first charter election, which took place April 6th, 1868. Several prominent citizens, chief among whom was Mr. T. C. McClelland, strenuously opposed the adoption of the charter and the taxation incident to self-government for the same reason that they objected to the independent school organization two years prior to that date. The people were poor, and township government was far more economical than that of town rule. But, as is frequently the case in new and growing villages, certain men were ambitious to see the hamlet classed among the towns of the State. Finally the question became an inevit- able issue, and Mr McClelland, with three or four personal friends, attempted to gain by strategy what could not be attained by argument. Unknown to the greater part of the citizens, a " slate " was made by that gentleman, with him- self as Mayor, J. J. Huber as Recorder, and a Board of Trustees favorable to the conservative management of affairs.
Election day found this ticket in the field, competing with one of a more radical stamp, so far as the rapid development of the town was concerned. The "anti-charter" party, as it was somewhat inconsistently called, since the charter already existcd, waged fierce war, using tinted tickets, which enabled the McClelland faction to determine who were favorable to them. To ease the consciences of some voters, who feared the " pro-charter " party and would not vote the colored tickets, ballots were written by the "anti " men, and these, to the number of about twenty-five, were voted ostensibly as "splits." Feeling ran higli all day, and when the count was finally made, the McClelland ring came in alicad by just about the number of votes cast as divided tickets. The men who voted in that way, it should be stated, knew perfectly well the character of the ballots they were casting.
Since that date, no question of especial importance has been acted upon at the charter elections.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
Below is given the official roster of the town from the time of organization. There have been no Justices of the Peace chosen under the charter. that office, by general consent, remaining as a township matter. The elective offices and the selections are :
Mayors, T. C. McClelland. 1868; Wm, H. Sharp, 1869 ; T. C. McClelland, 1870-71; J. W. Gould, 1872; C. T. Wheeler, 1873; A. Armentrout, 1874 ; T. C. McClelland, 1875 (A. Armentrout was elected Mayor in September of this year, to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. McClelland) ; A. Armentrout, 1876-77; N. S. Hubbel, 1878.
Recorders, J. J. Huber, 1868-69-70-71; A. B. Oakley, 1872; J. W. Hubbel, 1863; H. Sherwood, 1874: T. C. Fisher. 1875; Jeremiah Odell, 1876; Watson Huber, 1877; T. C. Fisher, 1878.
Assessors, A. B. Oakley. 1869 (no Assessor elected in 1868) ; S. T. Buell, 1870 (did not qualify) ; A. B. Oakley, 1871; George A. Eagerty, 1872; Asa Carper, 1873; G. A. Eagerty, 1874; John S. Gortner, 1875; G. A. Eagarty, 1876-77-78.
Trustees, Isaac B. Johnson. Andrew Petit, John Osterloh, Vincent Keith, J. E. Rice. 1868 : William Chapman, J. W. Helmer, George E. Jones, A. Armentrout, Amos G. Miller, 1869; A. B. Oakley, A. Armentrout, N. S. Hubbell, E. M. Fisher, James Melton, 1870 ; J. W. Helmer, N. S. Hubbell, W. H. Sharp, Andrew Petit, George E. Jones, 1871; A. Armentrout, Horace Prentice, W. C. Page, James E. Melton, W. H. Eagarty, 1872; Z. Cook, Samuel Flaugher, Samuel C. Wilson, Patrick Burke, H. S. Morse, 1873; H. E. Abbott, Samuel Flauglier, Wm. II. Eagarty, J. C. Batdorf, John W. Fritz, 1874; Wm. H. Eagarty, John Ferguson, J. C. Denny, George Fall, 1875; John W. Fritz, John Hadcock, A. B. Heston, J. C. Denny, George Fall, 1876 ; J. W. Fritz, John Hadcock, H. P. Stoffel. N. Bennett, William Bur- gett, 1877; Horace Prentice, William H. Eagarty, Jacob Batdorf, John C. Fry, James N. Graham, 1878.
The first Postmaster appointed was D. F. Comstock. The present incum- bent is William Chapman, whose commission was signed originally July 15, 1869.
CHURCH RECORD.
The Presbyterian society is the oldest religious body in Mechanicsville, having been organized February 2, 1856. The first edifice was erected in 1856, and was replaced, in 1867, by the building now occupied. The first regularly appointed Pastor was Rev. R. Boag, who came here in 1863 and remained until 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Knott, 1868-71; Rev. E. R. Brown, 1871-75; Rev. W. A. Ward. 1875-77; and the present Pastor, Rev. E. P. Wells, who entered upon his duties early in 1878. The present membership is 160.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, which now has a membership of 160, was the next earliest religious society in this town. It was for many years a part of the old Pioneer Circuit, which embraced a large part of Linn County, and was organized as far back as 1840. The records are somewhat deficient on the subject of subdivision. The present Pastor is Rev. J. H. Hayward.
The First Baptist Church of Mechanicsville was organized January 1, 1868, and recognized June 25th of the same year, with the following constitu- ent members : James Leach, John Jackson, Uri Lee, Gilman S. Burleigh, Charles F. Golding, George Golding, Miss Sophia Golding, Miss Eunice Cook, Mrs. P. P. Golding and Mrs. Eliza O. Lee. The first Pastor was Rev. E. C.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
Edwards, called in June, 1869, and retired after one year's service. Rev. G. W. Lewis occupied the pulpit from February 18, 1871, to October 1, 1872. Rev. H. N. Millard, the present Pastor, was chosen to that office September 1, 1875. The society dedicated a brick edifice June 10, 1877, and is prosperous, with a membership of 60.
The Roman Catholic Society was founded in 1861, Rev. Father Lowry, of Cedar Rapids, holding quarterly services in the house of Mr. Burke. The present organization was effected in February, 1873. Their church edifice was finished in September, 1874. Prior to the completion of the church, services were held in Helmer's Hall, during 1872, and in Wait's Hall in 1873. Rev. William Downey, in 1872-3, Rev. E. O'Sullivan, in 1874-5-6, and Rev. Charles McCabe, from 1876 to the present time, complete the list of resident priests. About thirty families are communicants.
SECULAR SOCIETIES.
Patmos Lodge, No. 155, A., F. & A. M., was chartered June 8, 1860, with J. S. Isenhart, W. M .; M. H. Begold, S. W., and H. Bagley, J. W. The present officers are : A. Armentrout, W. M .; A. F. Rickey, S. W., and J. C. Fry, J. W.
An Odd Fellows' Lodge was established at an early date, but the charter was returned to the Grand Lodge of the State in 1872.
There have been several temperance societies formed since 1856, but the greater number died, leaving no records. The order of Good Templars was twice established, and twice went to pieces. The Reform Club was organ- ized in October, 1876, with H. N. Hoon, President ; J. W. Heliner. Treasurer, and O. F. Weeks, Secretary. After that came the Murphy Blue Ribbon Club, dating its birth February 18, 1878; J. C. Batdorf, President ; G. L. Andrews, Secretary, and O. B. Judd, Treasurer. Membership, 504.
The Young Men's Association, a literary society, was incorporated in Feb- ruary, 1867 ; President, A. G. Miller ; Secretary, H. F. Weeks ; Treasurer, A. Armentrout. The present officers are : President, B. F. Davisson ; Secre- tary, S. T. Buell ; Treasurer, Hcrace Prentice. Membership, 52; number of volumes in library, 350.
GENERAL.
No large manufactories were ever established here, but considerable work is done in the way of agricultural implements and wagons.
There is an Opera Houe, with a seating capacity of about five hundred, in the town.
Lyman Hines was the first painter.
The first train of cars which carried passengers arrived here in December, 1858.
There are now living in the corporation limits the following persons who were liere thirty years ago : Isaac B. Johnson and wife ; S. C. Wilson and wife ; H. S. Morse, wife and daughter, now Mrs. M. J. Keith ; Mrs Garret Onstot and daughter, now Mrs. D. K. Smith ; and Jacob M. Onstot.
The first bank was established in 1872, by Watson, Huber & Co., private bankers, who still continue. Mr. Huber is Manager, and Miss Bella Wallace is Casliier of the bank.
BUSINESS HOUSES AND PROFESSIONS.
Appended is a list of the professional gentlemen and business houses exist- ing in this town at the present time :
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
Doctors-J. C. Bardorf. S umel Keith, Scott Russell, N. S. Hubbell, E. H. Lockwood. Lawyers-S. E. Benton, Charles E. Wheeler. Dentist-U. F. Ward. General merchandise-Andrews & Buell, Pratt & Wylie, George A. Eagarty. Hardware-Heston & Cameron, Graham & Fairchild. Groceries- Page & Fritz, William Chapman. Boots and shoes-Henry P. Stoffel, William Landahl, Henry Mende, William Nevlin. Drugs and medicines-Norman Bennett, Charles E. Gould. Clothing-J. W. Odell & Co., A. C. Lonchheim. . Harness-W. H. Sturgess. Millinery and dressmaking-Miss A. Long, Jones Sisters, Mrs. E. C. Bunker, Miss Doshia Robbins. Furniture-Horace Pren- tice. Banking houses-Watson, Huber & Co., Helmer & Gortner. Livery- George B. Loring. Agricultural implements-Geo. W. Fall & Co., G. D. Evans & Son, Bagley Manufacturing Co. Wagon makers-B. F. Davisons, William Dorman. Cooper-F. J. Leitzman. Lumber-A. Armentrout & Co. Blacksmiths-D. Smith, J. Davis. S. Flaugher & Son. Butter and egg store-James Courtwright. Jewelers-J. Wells, C. I. Stephens. Cigar maker -J. R. Easterley. Baker-Stewart Beatty. Restaurants-J. E. Rice, Stew- art Beatty. Barbers-R. W. Thompson, Boston Yusum. Meat markets- Asa Carper, Edward Hoyt. Hotels-City Hotel, H. F. Williams; Central House, Stewart Beatty. Photographers-J. J. Huber, A. N. Easterley. Draymen-A. J. Reeder, Jacob, Sutzen. Billiards-A. G. Wait. Elevator- Built in the Winter of 1867, by Andrews, Jones & Buel; operated about three years ; capacity, 20,000 bushels ; sold to Jones Bros., in 1870, and to Reed & Abbott in 1873; is now owned by Nelson & Carr, of Chicago, and is not in use. Insurance agents-J. S. Gortner, C. E. Gould, J. W. Helmer, C. M. Mershon, W. Huber, Charles H. Williams, B. F. Wallace, C. E. Wheeler.
LOUDEN.
This village is an outgrowth of the Chicago & North-Western Railway, which was built to Louden July 5, 1858.
The first settlers in this vicinity were Jolin Calvin Parr, with sons Harvey, Reason, John C. and James; William Parr, with sons, Leonard, Luman, Asa, William, John, and others born after their settlement there; also, John Parr, a brother of William Parr. Many of these still reside in the vicinity. They came in 1839. James Van IIorn settled one mile south in 1839, and entered the village site. Among other early settlers were Porter MeKinstry, William C. Hoskins, two miles south, now in Loudon; George Rone and sons, southwest ; John D. Shearer, 1850, joining the village site on the north, Martin Henry, deceased, Robert Henry, now of Iowa County, who settled one mile southeast. Mr. Rone bought the MeKinstry farm.
From 1852 to 1855, a large number of settlements were made. Among them were Mrs. Ann H. Rice, who yet resides in Louden, and sons, Edward, John T., E. S., and W. F., who settled one mile west; William Cook, north- west one mile; Henry Arlington, Sr., about 1852, one and one-half miles south- west, where he still resides; John Worley, 1852, three-quarters of a mile east, who died about 1865; John B. Huff settled in the south part of Springfield Township about 1839, and moved to the village in 1858 .; J. S. Burwell, 1854, settled one-half mile north, where he still resides; Jacob Doty, a son-in-law of Mr. Van Horn, settled soon after, immediately south of the town site; he now resides in Wright County, Iowa; T. R. Johnson. 1856, one-half mile northwest; Thomas Shearer, 1856, east, one-half mile.
POSTMASTER LOUDEN
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
When the Chicago & North-Western Railway was projected through this settlement, James Van Horn donated seven acres and Thomas Shearer five acres, to the Iowa Land Company for a town site. That Company afterward purchased for $1,600, the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 2, Township 81 north, of Range 1, west of the 5th P. M. This was laid out as a village by L. M. Nute, Surveyor, for Horace Williams and Milo Smith, acting for the Land Company, in October, 1857, and was named " Louden," by Thomas Shearer, after his Ohio home. Loudenville, Ohio.
In the course of time, several additions have been made, in the following order: Reed's Addition, December 3, 1860; Thomas Shearer's first Addition, March, 1861; second Addition, April 30, 1866 ; John Walker's Addition, Jan- uary 24, 1867 ; John D. Shearer's Addition, November 13, 1863; A. S. Ben- son's Addition, October 29, 1869; M. L. Banks' Addition, October 29, 1869; Petersen's Addition, March 21, 1870; Wm. F. Hahn's Addition, August 8, 1871.
The present town of Louden extends over the south half of Section 35, Township 82. It is, consequently, situated partly in Massillon and in Spring- field Townships.
January 14, 1868, sixty-one residents of Louden petitioned the County Court to appoint Commissioners to call an election for the purpose of voting upon the propriety of incorporating Louden as a town.
After consideration, a warrant was issued by the Clerk of the Court to five Commissioners to call an election, which was accordingly held March 12, 1869, resulting in a vote of seventy for and eight against incorporation. Louden was accordingly incorporated May 5, 1869, and the first municipal election was held May 20, with the following result: Mayor, Wm. McGarvy ; Recorder, J. M. Alexander ; Trustees, Wm. F. Hahn, A. S. Benson, W. P. Hills, J. S. Bur- well. Herman Petersen. As Trustee, E. B. Town received an equal number of votes (41), with the two last named, and they were elected at a special election held June 15.
J. D. Shearer was first Justice of the Peace, from 1857 to 1865. He was then made County Sheriff, an office which he held for ten years.
The present officers of the village are: Mayor, J. W. Todd ; Recorder, Kinzey Wiggins ; Treasurer, D. W. Baird ; Trustees, V. A. Bennett, W. F. Hahn, M. L. Banks, J. D. Allen and W. C. Hoskins ; Marshal, B. McCabe ; Street Commissioner, John Kelso.
By judicious management in financial affairs, the town is free from debt and owns the south half of Lots 7 and 8, Block 3, with a Mayor's office, calaboose and stock pound thereon, and owns also a ten-ton Fairbanks scale.
EARLY HISTORY.
Soon after the railroad was projected, in the Fall of 1857, William M. Dugan erected the first house in Louden, a two-story framc hotel and store room on Lot 1, Block 5, on the west side of Main street, near the railroad. Mr. D. W. Baird came with him and remained a short time. He returned the next year and settled there. In the store room, Mr. Dugan opened a grocery, which, in 1858, he enlarged to a general stock and moved to a store which he erected on the south end of Lot 1, Block 6. Previously, John B. Huff moved a house in town and built a one-story store room on Lot 6, Block 5. In the same year, Robert Henry entered into partnership with Mr. Huff, and the firm erected a
M
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
warehouse on Lot 13, Block 5. Another warehouse was built the same Summer by H. F. Clark on Lot 2, Block 6. Other warehouses were erected by W. M. Dugan, 1860, Lot 1, Block 6 ; Holton & McCabe, Lot 2, Block 6, 1860 ; Capt. Samuel Crozier, Lot 3, Bloek 6, 1860-61.
In 1861 or 1862, Mr. Rorick built an elevator, and another was afterward built by August Petersen.
In 1859, Mr. Dugan built a new store on the north end of Lot 1, Block 6, where he continued business until the war (1862), when it was sold to Peterson Brothers, who have continued it since that time.
Martin Henry bought the business interest of Mr. Huff. Robert and Martin Henry afterward sold to N. Whitney, an old resident, who elosed the store. In 1859, G. H. Rorick and D. Kimball built a store room on Lot 1, Block 3, where they opened a general stock of goods. Mr. Rorick soon purchased the interest of Mr. Kimball, and continued until his death, about 1868, after which Richmond & Kohler were proprietors, and moved to Lot 8, Block 4, where William Kohler now carries on the business.
C. H. Northrup & Co. established in the hardware business in 1862 and con- tinued for many years. Wm. F. Halın established the drug business in March, 1862, which he has continued until the present time. Among other early business men were George Rosecrans, Stephens Bros. and B. B. Kinney, grain dealers ; Samuel Hobaugh, the first blacksmith ; C. H. Hanson, the first wagonmaker, and James P. Reed, the first carpenter. Barney McCabe kept the first saloon on Lot 10, Block 5; he sold to David Curry in 1859, who continued for many years, but finally became convineed of the error of his ways, joined the church and went to the Black Hills, where he died in 1877.
POST OFFICE.
In the Winter of 1857-8, Mr. Dugan obtained an office at his store, the mail being carried from the terminus of the railroad by stage. This office was discontinued for a few months in 1859, but re-opened, with G. H. Rorick, Post- master and D. W. Baird, Deputy. November 22, 1861, Mr. Baird was made Postmaster, which position he has filled to the present time, having made every report for that office except the first.
There is a slight variance in the spelling of the village name, the proper name of the town being " Louden," while the railroad station is " Loudon," and the post office, "Lowden."
HOTELS.
Mr. Dugan's hotel was transferred to Alex. McGregor, then successively to Morton Bros., V. A. Bennett, Atkinson, William Platner, V. A. Bennett, and was used as a dwelling when it burned in 1873.
In 1860, Alex. McGregor built a hotel, now used as a private house. on Lot 2, Block 3. About 1865, John Kelso built a hotel on Lot 1, Block 6, which burned down in 1869. The next hotel was a railroad eating house, north of the depot, Lot 1, Block 6, by Frank Riseley. It is now operated as the St. Cloud Hotel, by W. H. Bruns, having been mnoved north. In 1874, Raymond & Riseley built the large two-story railroad hotel (eighty feet in length), just south of the depot. It is now operated by J. P. Sackett.
SCHOOLS.
The first school was taught by Miss Huldah Monroe, afterward Mrs. W. S. Holton, in a building rented for the purpose, in 1859. She was followed by
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.
Griffith Johnson, a veteran teacher of Ohio. The following Summer, school was taught by Miss Lizzie Whitney. The first school house was of one story frame, built, in 1860, near the site of the new German Zion's Evangelical Church ; it was afterward enlarged to two rooms, and sold to the church society when the new building was erected. The present two-story brick school house, on the southwest corner of Block 2, of Thomas Shearer's second Addition, was built and furnished in 1874, at a cost of $6,000. It has two rooms and recita- tion room ; having two teachers in Summer and three in Winter. The present teachers are E. M. Elliot, Principal ; Miss Gertie Dugan, Assistant.
There are three German schools ; two in connection with the churches and a private school, by Peterson Brothers, which has been in operation for three years. It is held over their store rooms, and now taught by F. Assmussen. There are eight pupils.
RELIGIOUS.
The German Evangelical Zion' Church was organized in 1859 or '60, at the grove, three and one-half miles south of the village, with Rev. Mr. Haertlin as first Pastor. He was followed successively by Rev. C. F. Off, for seven years ; Rev. Mr. Jennrich, four years ; Rev. W. Wahl, one and a half years ; Rev. J. Swartz, the present Pastor, one year.
Services were held at the grove until 1877, when an elegant frame church was erected in Louden, at a cost of $2,000. At that time, also, the lots and their present parsonage and school house were purchased for $1,200.
There is a membership of fifty-eight members. Services are held in the German language. Sabbath school is held with Rev. J. Swartz, Superintend- ent, and a day school is conducted by Rev. Mr. Swartz. This has been held regularly for seven years, the school having a. Winter attendance of forty-nine, and in Summer, seventeen. A tuition of fifty cents per month is charged.
The German Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organized in 1871, and their church built in the same year, at a cost of $4,000. The school house and parsonage are valued at $1,200.
As the two German churches are somewhat similar in belief and the distinc- tion not generally understood, it may be interesting to note that while Zion's Church belongs to the Evangelical Synod of North America, the other belongs to the Evangelical Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States, one of seven or eight similar Synods, called, collectively, the Synodical Conference of North Ainerica. The latter accept the Confession of the Lutheran Church con- tained in the Book of Concord of 1580, embracing the Augsburg Confessions, Apology for the same, Schmalcaldich Articles, larger and smaller Catechism and Formula Concordia.
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