The history of Clinton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns &c., biographical sketches of citizens, Part 61

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western historical company
Number of Pages: 812

USA > Iowa > Clinton County > The history of Clinton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns &c., biographical sketches of citizens > Part 61

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

taken up by a few leading business men with a view of forming a stock com- pany, building the works with private capital, the city enjoying fire protection at a fixed annual rental.

On March 6, 1874, the first practical step was taken by a meeting, where subscription papers were drawn up and the nucleus of a company formed, it being desired to have $80,000 pledged to render the scheme certain of fulfill- ment. I. B. Howe, S. G. Magill and D. Joyce were chosen a Committee on Incorporation. Excursions were made to view the water-works of Davenport and Rock Island, where the Holly and Donahue systems were inspected and tested. At that time, the plan was to unite the capital of Clinton and Lyons in establishing one system of works for joint use by both cities ; but as Lyons people did not respond to the proposition, Clinton took the initiative by an ordi- nance passed March 26, 1874, granting twenty-year franchises to the Clinton Water-Works Company, and contracting for seventy hydrants at an annual rental of $100 each, and granting to the company, in consideration of the erection of tasteful buildings, the free use of a public park on First street. On April 9, the Company elected as Directors, I. B. Howe, Chauncey Lamb, W. J. Young, W. F. Coan, Oliver Messer, J. T. Pierson and E. S. Bailey, and sub- sequently chose the following officers : President, I. B. Howe; Vice President, Oliver Messer; Secretary, E. H. Thayer ; Treasurer, J. C. Weston ; Execu- tive Committee, I. B. Howe, Chauncey Lamb and W. J. Young; Superinten- dent, O. Messer ; Chief Engineer, W. C. Weir. About June 1, the Company awarded its first contract, and Messrs. Howe and Weir made a ten-days inspect- ing tour through the Central and Eastern States, examining the water-works of various cities, with the result of a happy compromise of several systems, com- bining their leading principles and advantages, including pumping directly into the mains during a fire, which is the principal characteristic of the Holly sys- tem, employing the stand-pipe and reservoir for domestic supply, thus pre- senting a unique combination of the best devices for procuring, handling and distributing water for both protection and use, being the only works of the kind thus far in the world.

June 4, ground was broken for the filter-bed; on June 29, for the mains. August 26, the city established the fire-limits, extending 800 feet beyond the outer range of hydrants, and including the major part of the corporation territory. About November 1, the connections between the river and shore con- duits were made by submarine divers, and on December 2, the pumps were first started and the reservoir tested, and, on the 8th and 9th, informal tests of the works were made in the presence of the Council and spectators, and a 160-foot stream realized with only gravitation and the pressure of 13,600 gallons of water in the reservoir. December 12, it was announced that water would be delivered to private customers, and, a few days later, the city accepted the hydrants, which were first utilized at a fire on Seventh avenue December 28.

In its journey from river to kitchen, the water is taken from the channel 167 feet from shore low-water mark, passed through filter-basins and into the reservoir at the top of the tower, through a two-inch stand-pipe. The tower is 120 feet high and rests upon a solid stone and rock foundation. It is seventeen feet in diameter, tapering to twelve feet near the top, and buttressed to prevent oscillation. By 132 steps, one ascends to the observatory, just under the res- ervoir, that seems remarkably like a chamber in the turret of a medieval castle, which the tower resembles in external appearance, whence is obtained a magnificent prospect of the broad valley, oak-crowned bluffs, three cities, vil- lages and farm-houses, and the majestic current of the Mississippi for many

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miles. The pumping engines are marvels of compactness and power, and. aided by powerful boilers, can redouble their work in an incredibly short time. The distributing system is fed by a sixteen-inch supply main, in which the flow is regulated by an air-chamber, so as to prevent bursting the mains when the pumps are crowded. The pipe was laid under great difficulties, a portion being cut through the solid rock at a depth of from five to six feet. The cost of the works aggregates $110,000. With the manifest decrease of danger from conflagrations, the promised reductions in insurance rates to property- owners, and the distribution of pure, healthful water for domestic uses, thus dispelling the anxiety of business men, preserving property from loss, and affording the sanitary precaution of proper drinking water, these works consti- tute a blessing to Clinton that will be more fully enjoyed and appreciated as their future use demonstrates their utility, not only in daily life, but in such a great crisis as that of May, 1879. On that occasion, the water-works fur- nished scores of streams. The present officers are : President, C. Lamb ; Sec- retary and Treasurer, J. C. Weston ; Superintendent, O. Messer ; Directors, I. Munroe, C. Lamb, W. J. Young, W. F. Coan, E. S. Bailey, J. E. Carpenter and J. T. Pierson.

GAS WORKS.

It has been neatly said that the self-styled cities become such in reality when they are lighted with gas. Assuming the truth of that definition of what really constitutes a nineteenth-century city, Clinton actually arrived at urban dignity in the spring of 1869, when the Gas Light and Coke Company was organized, with a capital of $60,000, and works built and mains laid through the principal streets.

Previously, except where a private lamp shed its friendly rays, citizens groped about in utter darkness, or carried lanterns, as in the middle ages. The change to lighted streets was inexpressibly cheering.

The mains now aggregate over seven miles. The present officers compris- ing the gentlemen most prominently identified with the work are W. J. Young, President ; J. C. Weston, Secretary and Treasurer ; O. Messer, Superin- tendent; W. J. Young, I. B. Howe, C. H. Toll, C. Lamb, E. S. Bailey, F. P. Wilcox, J. Vandeventer, Directors.

RELIGIOUS.

The first religious services were held in a little shanty, in November or December, 1855, temporarily used as the office of the Iowa Land Company. Prayer and social meetings, and occasional formal services, were held in the old log schoolhouse by various denominations. About the close of the year, meetings were held in the present dining-room of the Iowa Central House. At the first gathering there, Jephaniah K. Allen led the meeting and returned thanks that they were "gathered together where prayers were wont to be made," while on the outside were heard the noises of a profane quarrel, and the sound of the ax with which Patrick Noonan was cutting wood to keep the meeting-room warm. There were probably thirty or forty people present. In 1856, Reznor's warehouse was used as a place of worship.

From these humble beginnings, and others related hereafter, the churches of Clinton have grown to their present status. Probably there is not a town in the West where the churches, in proportion to their population, are so well sustained and ably administered as in Clinton. Their influence has been no- insignificant factor in the prosperity and order of the city.

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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

Episcopal .- In the autumn of 1855, the lamented Rev. Henry W. Lee, Bishop of Iowa, organized St. John's Parish, and held services in a log house, belonging to Noble Perrin, near the levee. A small frame building was put up the ensuing year and was used for a private school, and also for church purposes whenever services could be obtained. The school ceased after awhile, but the Church continued its occupancy until the present edifice was completed. The old building was afterward used for a public primary school, after being removed to Clinton Park. Rev. James Trimble was called to the parish in the spring of 1857, and remained in charge until the fall of the same year. Rev. II. W. Beers, Rector of Grace Church at Lyons, then added the parish to his charge, officiating in the afternoon of the same Sunday. In 1859, Rev. Samuel Chase was chosen Rector, but on account of ill-health, resigned in 1860. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles B. Stout, in the spring of 1862. In 1863, the parish became again vacant, the Church having suffered so severely from members removing, and other causes, that it became impossible to properly sustain a Pastor. From this time until the completion of the present church, Rev. G. W. Watson, of Lyons Grace Church, officiated once every Sabbath.

In the winter of 1864. the members of the parish determined to make a supreme effort to erect a suitable church, and earnestly organized for that pur- pose, notwithstanding apparently almost insurmountable obstacles. Their labors were, however, blessed beyond their expectations, and, on April 15, they had the pleasure, heartfelt and thankful, of participating in the solemn dedication, of their beautiful building. by Bishop Lce, assisted by the Rector, F. Humphrey, who had taken charge in April, and many of the diocesan clergy. The church is situated at the corner of Fourth avenue and Third street. It is built of the buff-colored limestone from the Iowa Land Company's quarries, and is of the style known as the early English. In size, it is 76 by 30 feet, with a vestry at the northwest corner. The side walls are buttressed, thus adding much to the quaint beauty of the structure, which is also enhanced by the neat eastward porch. The wood work of the open roof is grained in oak, and with the stained glass windows casting " a dim religious light," old-fashioned pews and neat chancel, makes an interior at once picturesque and associated with the poetry of religious edifices. Rector Humphrey remained in charge till his resignation in February, 1868. After an interval, during which the pulpit was not filled except by supplies or candidates, the present Rector, Rev. James F. Trimble, was again secured as Rector, and began his second rectorate April 1, 1869. One of the candidates during the vacancy was Rev. H. W. Woods, who largely aided in precipitating that ecclesiastical cause celebre, the Cheney- Whitehouse controversy.

The Sunday school was kept in a flourishing condition during the long absence of a Rector, with a membership of from eighty to one hundred, by the efforts of Messrs. I. P. Brewer and John Flournoy, and others. S. J. Mills is the Superintendent.

The present value of the church property, including the rectory, is fully $12,000, and the membership is about one hundred. Since several years ago, Prof. J. A. McKenney took charge of the choir, great attention has been paid to the church music till now, on the authority of Bishop Perry, the musical services at St. John's are the finest in the diocese, if not in the Northwest, outside of the great cities.

Presbyterian .-- The Presbyterian Church was organized October 26, 1856, in the west room of what was then known as Price's Block, Fourth avenue,

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next west of Central House Block. Rev. George R. Moore and A. W. Platt officiated. The members numbered but nineteen, of whom two, Mrs. Sophia Arnold and Dr. H. McCormick, are still connected. In November, Rev. Ovid Miner was engaged for six months, at a salary of $400. April 1, 1857, "the little church around the corner" of Third street and Sixth avenue, on a site donated by the Land Company, was begun, and on the 14th of the same month the first sermon was preached in it by Rev. Austin Roberts, of Lakeville, Mass. Rev. A. W. Platt officiated during 1857, and was succeeded in April, 1858, by Rev. G. A. D. Hebard, who remained four and a third years, when he was called to Iowa City. In February. 1862, the Church secured the services of Rev. John McLeish, who remained eight months, when he entered the military service as Chaplain of the Twenty-sixth Iowa Regiment. About January 7, 1863, Rev. J. Knox became Pastor and remained about eighteen months, when he accepted a call from Cedar Rapids. In July, 1864, the Church engaged Rev. O. D. W. White, who remained two years, when he was elected Professor of Natural Sciences in the college at Fulton, Ill. After another vacancy, ending in February, 1867, Rev. J. R. Morse occupied the pulpit till November of the same year, when he assumed the Presidency of the Lyons Female College, then under the control of the Synod. He was succeeded in the same month by the present Pastor, Rev. J. G. Cowden, of Iowa City, who was the first formally installed Pastor of the Church. In the winter of 1868-69, was inaugurated one of the most useful of auxiliary church enterprises, in the organization, and estab- lishment on a permanant basis, of the South Clinton Sunday School, which, from a humble beginning in the little old wooden building. first used a public school- house in that part of the town, grew to such proportions as to overflow several rooms in the present fine brick building. Subsequently, after the old wooden church was evacuated, a portion of it was moved to South Clinton, where, close by a fine grove, it fulfills its purpose of supplying the extensive district south of the railroad with a needed house of worship. In 1871, it became manifest that the congregation was outgrowing its quarters, but the inevitable discussions as to ways and means of rebuilding and the panic of '73 delayed any movement till in the spring of 1875. "Murray Church" (built in 1871 by a Universalist Society) was temporarily occupied, and the work of building an edifice, worthy of the society and city, prosecuted with vigor and efficiency. The corner-stone was laid July 29, 1876, with appropiate ceremonies. The following articles were deposited in the corner-stone : Copies of the Clinton and Chicago papers, report of the Clinton Centennial celebration of the Fourth of July and copy of oration by Waldo M. Potter, manual of Clinton Presbyterian Church, list of Church members, list of Clinton Church societies and officers, lists of trustees, building committee, contractors and subscribers to the building fund, historical sermon by Pastor, giving sketch of Church from its origin, copies of plans of visitation, benevolent schemes and praise meetings of the Church, Centennial medals, coins of the year, programme of ceremonies of laying corner-stone. The lecture-room of the new church was occupied in the spring of 1877, and on December 19, 1877, the upper auditorium was occupied and the edifice was dedicated, the sermon being preached by the Pastor. The church is built of brick, and contains not only the upper room, with a seating capacity of 700, but a basement story with lecture-rooms, parlors and classrooms, admirably arranged for Sunday-school purposes and to be thrown together on special occasions. The cost of the structure was upward of $25,000, of which no less than $4,000 was raised by the indefatigable efforts of the ladies of the Church, who conducted sociables, excursions, entertainments and fairs with

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equal discretion and zeal. The total value of the church property is fully $30,000. and the membership numbers over 200.

The Sunday school began its independent existence in May, 1857, in the small frame building still standing in the rear of Pipping's market, with about ten scholars. J. G. Irwin was the first Superintendent. At present, there are 300 scholars and 20 teachers. J. S. Oliver is Superintendent. Under Prof. Lachmund's direction great improvement has been made in the musical services, while the labors of Mr. J. E. Carpenter and others have had the same result in developing musical taste in the Sabbath school. An orchestra has for several years directed and led the children's voices.

Methodist .- In the autumn of 1856, Rev. J. B. Taylor, Pastor of the Lyon's M. E. Church, organized a few persons into a class in Clinton, and, during the following year, a small wooden building was built and used for Church purposes until 1864, and afterward converted into a skirt factory and dwelling, having been removed from the church lot to Second street. The society, organized with twenty members, was soon increased to forty. A revi- val resulted in forty accessions. In the Conference of, 1858, held at Lyons, Clinton's first report as a separate charge announced 77 members.

At this Conference, Rev. G. W. Brindell was assigned to the Clinton Church, and re-appointed in 1859, completing two useful years. In 1860 and 1861, he was succeeded by Rev. R. Norton. In 1862, Rev. R. N. Earhart was appointed but resigned in the middle of the year, and was succeeded by Rev. N. Shaffer, who completed the Conference year. In 1863, Rev. L. Taylor was appointed to Clinton and completing a fruitful year reported a membership, including a class at the Central Schoolhouse, of 128 members and probationers. In the fall of 1864, Rev. C. G. Truesdell was appointed to Clinton, and, in 1865 and 1866, was re-appointed. His report in the latter year showed 200 members, 200 children in Sunday school, and 500 volumes in Sunday-school library. In the spring of 1865, the new and commodious brick church, at present occupied by the Society, was begun in the autumn, completed, and December 17, 1865, formally dedicated by the Rev. T. M. Eddy, D. D., of Chicago. The size of the building was 40 by 60 fect exclusive of tower. It was finished in fresco, and with stained-glass windows, and cost over $10,000. '

In the fall of 1868, Rev. J. W. Clinton's pastorate began, during which both congregation and membership so increased that it became necessary to enlarge the church building by lengthening the audience-room to 90 feet. In order to provide the Sunday school with room sufficient for its rapidly increas- ing size, and to have a convenient place for social meetings, a frame structure of two stories was erected north of the church at a cost of $4,000, divided into lecture-rooms, classrooms and parlors. Probably the gatherings in this build- ing have been almost as important agencies in unifying and vitalizing the Church as those in the lofty brick one adjacent. In the fall of 1870, Rev. Julius Stevens succeeded to the pastorate, and remained for one year, being followed by Rev. J. H. Rhea, who remained two years. During a furious storm, in the summer of 1871, the lofty south spire was struck by lightning, but an efficient rod saved it from serious injury. Rev. R. D. Parsons was next appointed to the Clinton charge, but resigned at the end of six months-in the spring of 1874. In the following fall, Rev. Emory Miller was appointed Pastor, and at the end of his first year was appointed Presiding Elder of the Cedar Falls District, and Rev. G. W. Brindell was again assigned to Clinton, and remained for the maximum time allowed by the Church rules for a minister to hold one charge, when, in the fall of 1878, the present Pastor, Rev. S. Watson

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Ingham occupied the pulpit. The membership, at present, numbers nearly 400. The organization of "Chautauqua literary circles," by Mr. Ingham, las been of great intellectual benefit to the younger portion of the congregation. The choir has also been notably strengthened, and the Sabbath school, number- ing 300 pupils, increased in efficiency.

Congregational .- The first preliminary meeting was held at the residence of Royce Jones, May 7, 1866, where it was resolved that it is expedient that a Congregational Church be organized in the city of Clinton, and a committee, composed of Isaac Baldwin, G. W. Hall and S. F. Bouton, was appointed to propose a plan of organization and to call a council as soon as possible, to whom the matter of organization should be referred. The second preliminary meeting was held at the Presbyterian Church May 12. where Articles of Faith and Covenant were presented and adopted, and an ecclesiastical council invited to meet in Clinton, June 5, 1866. The reason which led to the formation of the Congregational Church, as given by the movers, were: "First, the conviction that the growth of the city warrants the establishment of another Church of Christ; and, second, a desire to be united under a church polity which would secure to the majority the right to carry out their own acts of discipline and benevolence." Accordingly, on the ecclesiastical council convening. its meet- ings were held in the Methodist Church. The churches of Lyons, Dubuque, Sabula, De Witt and Grinnell were represented. Among the members of the council were G. F. Magon, D. E. Jones and Jesse Genung. After the facts. concerning which its advice was sought, were laid before the council, it approved of the preliminary steps and advised the speedy organization of the First Congregational Church of Clinton. whereupon the Articles of Faith were assented to by A. P. Hosford, W. H. Browning and wife, Royce Jones and wife, Mrs. Helen M. Hall, J. Matthews and wife, Mrs. Van Kuran, Mrs. E. Steinhouse, Miss C. McGregor and Mrs. O. Smith, to whom, as the new church " Father," O. Emerson, extended the fellowship of the sister churches. Until Septem- ber, 1867, the new Church held its meetings in the High School room on De Witt Park. On that day, the present church edifice was dedicated, the sermon being preached by President G. F. Magoun. The first Pastor was Rev. J. W. White, who served for about four years. In 1871, Rev. J. L. Ewell was installed as Pastor and remained in charge a trifle more than four years. Then A. J. Chittenden supplied the Church for about nine months. In Angust, 1875, the present Pastor, Rev. William L. Bray, was called to the pulpit and began his pastorate November 1, of the same year. The present value of the church property is about $8,500. The membership is about 190. The Sunday school, now numbering 250, was organized simultaneously with the Church. G. W. Hall was the first and Schiller Hosford the present Superintendent.

The church contains one of the finest pipe organs in the West and has for many years had a remarkably strong and well-trained chorus choir.

Catholic .- St. Mary's Church was an attached mission, supplied princi- pally from Lyons, previous to the assignment to the parish of the ate Rev. P. V. Mclaughlin, in May, 1867. He remained in charge till his death, Janu- ary 16, 1879, and his remains repose under the altar of the church he served so faithfully as to prematurely wear out his life in the discharge of his arduous duties. During his twelve years as officiating priest, he was at various times efficiently assisted by Rev. Fathers Hayes, Spellissey, Swift, Lynch, Flan- nery-who had charge of the parish during Father McLaughlin's three-months' health trip to California in the fall of 1875, and was intimately related, until the spring of 1878, to the interests of the parish-Kelley, McCaffrey, O'Conner,

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Hennessy and O'Reilley, who was officiating at the time of the late pas- tor's death, and assisted the present Father, E. J. Mclaughlin, for a few months. The church edifice on the corner of Sixth avenue and Fourth street, was first built in 1867, and, in 1872, enlarged to its present seating capacity of about one thousand, at a cost of $3,000. Still, it is too small for the con- gregation, comprising nearly five hundred families, and accordingly a new church will probably be built before long. With the usual foresight of the Church, valuable property was, at an early day in the history of Clinton, secured upon the commanding crest of the bluff between Eighth and Ninth avenues and Fifth and Sixth streets, where the priest's residence and parochial schools are located. Recently, the spacious house opposite, on the corner of Ninth avenue and Fifth street, was purchased and converted into the "Holy Family Academy," conducted by the Sisters of Charity of the B. V. M .; who also conduct the parochial schools, containing 600 pupils. Both these schools were founded by the lamented Father MeLaughlin, whose zeal for the develop- ment and beautifying of his pastorate ceased not with his health, but only with his life. The value of the church property is upward of $20,000.

Previous to the arrival of the Sisters of Charity in 1878, the Sunday school was conducted by an association, but since then ten Sisters have had full charge of the flock of between six and seven hundred pupils.

The German Evangelical Church was organized in 1872, largely by the efforts of Revs. J. Heern and P. Berner. For some time, the society worshiped in the High School building, till in 1873 a large frame church edifice was erected on the corner of Third avenue and Fourth street, at a cost of about $5,000, on a site donated by the Land Company. The pulpit was filled for the first years by Rev. J. Heern, succeeded Rev. M. Gruner, B. Berner, C. Lagashulta and the present Pastor, J. Eckhard. The congregation numbers over one hundred and has grown rapidly, as has the Sunday school, of which C. Pfeil was the first and Fred Frehse is the present Superintendent.

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The history of Clinton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns &c., biographical sketches of citizens, Part 61

Author: Western Historical Co Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Western historical company Number of Pages: 812

Author: Western Historical Co
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Western historical company
Number of Pages: 812