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 73
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
The proceedings at this meeting are a fair sample of the doings at several others. All through the hot summer weeks, under the baleful influence of the " dogstar," the contest waged without much abatement, drawing in a good many citizens, among whom the names of lawyers and preachers stand most prominent. Cotton, Leffingwell, Ellis Brothers and J. H. Flint all had their say, and Rev. W. F. Davis, Rev. Mr. Clark and Rev. Mr. Sawin had theirs. The laity were represented by a no less loquacious and vociferous crowd, including E. Buell, W. W. Jerome, Gen. Stumbaugh, W. L. Parker, Ben Lake, A. C. Root, E. Hatton, Philip Deeds, G. M. Davis, W. W. Sanborn and others too numerous to mention, whose names appear upon the record ; but, as everything must have an end, so, at last, did the school controversy, the progressive party coming out a little ahead. It was the custom in those days to settle differences between hostile and contending factions by means of compromise. Sectional and national disputes had frequently been adjusted that way, and now the lead- ing disputants and constitutional lawyers of Lyons school district determined upon that method to extricate themselves from the unpleasant predicament they were in. Mutual concessions were reluctantly made, and a plan slowly elabor- ated to build three schoolhouses-one in the north part of town, one in the south and a large one in the center, the latter to be constructed of brick, the former two of wood.
The schoolhouse question having been thus disposed of, the next subject presented to the action of the electors was a demand that a portion of the school fund be set apart for the support of the Catholic school in charge of the parish priest.
Mr. Henry Bassett was secretary of the meeting to which this matter was submitted. The minutes which he placed on record explain the disposition that was made of the matter in question, and also demonstrate his own exalted lit- erary qualifications and peculiar fitness for the position he occupied as a school official. The following extract is given verbatim et literatim, and furnishes a
600
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
just and proper conclusion of the whole subject. He says: "On the votes being counted there was foure hundred and eleven votes cast as followes (yes one hundred & Ninty-two) (no two hundred & seventeen) and two ballot was double two other and was thrown out them votes ware yes, theire beaing twenty- five majoraty against the Catholic school having a share of the school fund and the vote was so declared."
The Central brick schoolhouse was begun in 1858, but, owing to a compli- cation of causes, it was not completed for several years, though, in the mean time, it was used for school purposes. Extensive litigation, in which injunctions, judgments, writs of mandamus and lawyers' fees figured largely to fill the general expense. followed the erection of the schoolhouse, producing such a state of financial embarrassment as to threaten the total suspension of the schools. In that emergency, it was proposed to thoroughly investigate the affairs of the district, post the books, strike balances and take a new depart- ure. At the annual meeting in March, 1866, Dr. G. F. Wetherell, President of the School Board, forcibly and concisely stated the situation : "On their accession to office, the Board found an exhausted treasury, the district loaded with a heavy debt, * the interest of which alone amounted to one- third the entire liability. They found that the embarrassments of the previous year had necessitated the discontinuance of the public schools, and that a heavy indebtedness for teachers' services remained to be cancelled before they could be again opened. In addition, the schoolroom apartments were quite insufficient to meet the requirements of the large and increasing population, and that an extensive outlay must be made for completing new ones in the graded-school building, and instituting improvements and repairs in all the others," etc., etc.
One year later, the Board of Directors made another report through the same President, showing that the indebtedness still amounted to no less than $17,500, the interest upon which was eating up, at a rapid rate, the substance of the tax-payers. The people responded liberally, and, during each succeeding five years, appropriations were voted by the electors, and applied by the Board to the payment of the debt till, in 1872, it disappeared. In 1873, the south brick schoolhouse, and, in 1874, the north one, were built at a total cost of $15,000, thereby providing all sections of the city with satisfactory school facil- ities for many years to come. An immense amount of work has been done in grading and otherwise improving the school property. The total cost of grounds and buildings, up to the present date, is about $56,000, and, considering the excellence of the schools and the faithful work done therein alike by pupils and teachers, there are probably few people in Lyons that grudge either their cost or the liberal running expenses. The total number of pupils enrolled (between eight and nine hundred), is being affected somewhat by denominational and private schools. The systematic grading of the schools, to which they owe much of their efficiency, was completed by Principal Durkee, in 1866-67, the first High School class graduating in 1870.
The graded school proper comprises eight grades, divided into primary and grammar departments. They are supplemented by the High School, the three-years' course in which prepares graduates for college, and qualifying them to enter the State University, at Iowa City, without examination.
The following is the list of the Principals since the school re-organization : 1864-65, James L. Tayler ; 1865-66, S. Shoecraft ; 1866-68, A. O. Durkee; 1868-69, J. J. Andrews; 1869-72, C. C. Snyder ; 1872-74, T. W. Nowlin ; 1874-75, A. J. Blanchard ; 1875-78, W. W. Wylie; 1878-79, C. E. Smith, aided by sixteen accomplished assistants, all ladies.
601
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
THE FEMALE COLLEGE.
The chimerical and visionary ideas that, before the war, were so prevalent in educational as well as business matters, unfortunately embarrassed the Lyons Female College from its dedication, September 15, 1858, and, in conjunction with incompetent principals, prevented the development of the magnificent institution that would have otherwise resulted from its admirable location, and the initial interest manifested by many of the most intelligent and solid men, not only of Lyons, but of the county at large. At that time, there was a great interest taken in the education of young ladies. Their right to a higher educa- tion was generally conceded, the seed sown by Margaret Fuller and Mary Lyon having germinated. Public High Schools had not then arrived at an excellence surpassing "seminaries " and "academies " in thoroughness and extent of study. Accordingly there was a constant series of experiments and plans concerning the higher female education. The founder of the Lyons College was one Rev. John Covert, who was also identified with other similar institutions in Ohio and Indiana, and who had an impracticable idea of uniting them and the Lyons College into one system, with a grand central university at Chicago or St. Louis. The first prospectus of the institution is fairly dazzling with its glittering promises. At first, the institution was well patron- ized, but owing to the workings of the injudicious scholarship system, and financial bungling by Covert, the attendance began to dwindle, a prejudice against the school was developed and its reputation and value equally depre- ciated.
In 1866, the institution passed into the hands of Rev. G. P. Moore, assisted by an accomplished classical teacher, the venerable Prof. M. Soules, of Lyons, and a strong corps of other teachers. For awhile the institution revived. An arrangement was made by which it should pass under the control of the Pres- bytery of Iowa. Subsequently, Revs. Hanna and F. A. Chase, each for one year, were Principals. the college afterward reverting to Moore. He conducted it for several years, but at no time did the institution adopt Prof. S.'s advice and keep pace with the progress of educational ideas, and therefore failed to command a remunerative patronage. Accordingly, Mr. Moore, to save himself from complete financial loss, concluded to dispose of the unprofitable property, which was accordingly metamorphosed into
OUR LADY OF ANGELS SEMINARY.
October 2, 1872, the institution was purchased for $10,000 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For the first two years, the Sisters labored under many disadvantages, as the seminary buildings were so nearly a complete wreck that they had to be practically renovated till, with the subsequent additions and improvements, the school ranks as one of the leading Catholic institutions of Iowa. Thirteen teachers have charge of the Primary, Prepara- tory, Grammar, Academic, Musical and Art Departments. Those who pass creditably through the Academic or Classical Course receive the graduating gold medals of those departments. During the past year, the Sisters enrolled in the Seminary thirty boarders, and seventy-five day pupils, and in St. Irenæus' parochial school, of which four sisters have charge, 100 pupils of both sexes.
RIVERSIDE INSTITUTE.
September 1, 1875, the Riverside Institute was opened in the empty Ran- dall House, by Revs. W. T. and Samuel Currie as Principals, Mrs. Mary H.
602
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Currie, Principal of Primary Department, Ellen M. Currie, Teacher of Music. The institution was conducted from the beginning as a joint-stock company, the above-named four being the corporators and owners of the property. The school is conducted in the interest of the Protestant Episcopal Church, though not under Church control. The combination of physical, intellectual and moral training is a governing object of this school, and is expressed in its motto, " Educate the whole man.'
The corps of teachers has been from time to time increased, and in March, 1869, the Institute was duly incorporated. The catalogue of 1878-79, gives fifty-four as the number of students in the various departments.
YOUNG MEN'S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
The remarkably active intellectual, and gracious social life of Lyons are largely both causes and effects of the Young Men's Library Association, which has, by the energy and wisdom of a faithful few, been placed on a permanent basis, and brought to a point of efficiency wherein all citizens take just pride. Though the present association was the first body of the kind to achieve success in Lyons, it had several predecessors that fell by the wayside.
The first Lyons organization for literary purposes was the old Lyceum, started in 1858, in which Judge D. W. Ellis, Charles Scott, W. B. Lamont, W. H. Gibbs, George Burton and Dr. Matthews were prominent in high debate. This organization was continued for several years, but its objects being limited to discussions and lectures, no attempt was made to build up a library, though it undoubtedly aided in developing a demand for one.
Subsequently, the Iowa Literary Society, organized principally by H. H. Green and L. T. Sloan, acquired a small library of perhaps three hundred vol- umes, mostly donated by citizens, but, owing to exclusiveness and lack of interest, it failed and suffered the usual fate of small libraries-dispersion. This was naturally a severe blow to similar enterprises, as citizens were unwilling to co- operate without some guarantee of permanence.
However, simultaneously with the above, some young men had organized the germ of the future Association. It was successively known as the Young America Debating Club, the Washingtonian Society, and culminating as the Young Men's Social, Literary and Debating Society ! As no organization could survive such a name, it was, in October, 1862, christened the Excelsior Society, from which the present Association directly emanated. About a year afterward, Messrs. George W. Bettesworth, E. Rand and C. M. Baldwin were chosen a committee to organize an Association similar to one in Milwaukee. Mr. Bettesworth leaving Lyons. J. Cully Root took his place, and a meeting was called at Council Hall in 1864, but it was attended by only four persons. The committee did not, however, see fit to abandon the project, but resolved then and there that it should ultimately succeed. This was the trying point of its creation. Citizens lacked confidence, young men had not woke up, parents did not lend a helping hand in behalf of an enterprise destined to feed their children with mental food and develop in them lofty aspirations. Nothing daunted, they visited friends and secured a preliminary meeting in Council Hall, January 20, 1864, which was virtually the birth of the Association. In addition to the above committee, were present as founders, J. C. Miller, W. H. Gibbs, George T. Crandall, Lyman A. Ellis and R. M. Rockwell. An act of incorporation was filed and officers chosen as follows: President, W. H. Gibbs ; Vice President, Charles Baldwin ; Secretary, J. C. Root; Treasurer, G. T. Crandall; Directors, L. A. Ellis, W. S. Baldwin, R. M. Rockwell, G.
603
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
M. Davis, J. C. Miller, E. W. Baldwin, J. C. Kelley, F. G. Heinrich and D. S. Balch. The officers at once took energetic measures to carry out the object of the body, not by calling for subscriptions but by paying their dues and inaugurating a system of public amusements, giving out as a motto,
Amusement our means-Instruction our end.
The ladies lent willing assistance. Concerts and festivals were given. The purchase of books was begun ; a few were donated, not many of which were at first of much value, many people thinking a book elsewhere useless was good enough for the library, though some elegant and valuable volumes were pre- sented. In 1864, after giving an unprofitable course of lectures, on February 1, the Association took possession of commodious rooms over Baldwin Bros.' store on Main street, which were offered free of charge.
On May 4, 1864, a series of debates were inaugurated. The North-Western Railway consolidation prevented an excursion to Chicago that promised golden returns, a serious second drawback, as heavy expenses had been incurred in advertising.
The library was opened to the public October 29, 1864, with 121 volumes, including cyclopædia, Patent-Office and State Reports, etc., to the number of 43 volumes. The first annual festival was given at the Randall House, November 30, 1864, and a handsome sum realized. Fortune began to smile on the plucky friends of the library. During the winter of 1864-65, the City Hall was occu- pied, one evening per week, for debates of much interest to all who attended. At the annual meeting, January, 1865, the library had increased 136 volumes, and there was a balance in the treasury. The new officers were substantially the same as before, and the library was so well managed that at the end of another year the report showed 101 gentlemen, and 43 lady members, and an increase to 471 volumes. The election of a belle of Lyons at a strawberry festival in June, had caused a great deal of hilarity, and put many shekels in the treasury of the Association. Lectures were given by some of the ablest orators of the nation, including Taylor, Emerson, Greeley, Schurz and Fred Douglass, during the seasons of 1865-67. Since then, the development of the library has been steady and permanent. Amateur theatricals, festivals and donations have added to its alcoves till they are now well filled with upward of 3,000 volumes, valued at over $5,000. The present officers are : President, J. A. Nattinger ; Vice President, D. O. McCarthy ; Secretary, J. L. Pollock ; Treasurer, J. C. Root ; Librarian, Miss Calla Carpenter. The library occu- pied quarters over Baldwin Bros.' present store, from 1870 to August, 1879, when they moved into Disbrow's Building, on the north side of Main street. The success of the association has been largely due to feminine co-operation.
STREET RAILWAY.
In the latter part of 1868, it became evident that some better method of communication between Clinton and Lyons was justified by the progress of events, especially as a factor in securing the relocation of the Court House. After some meetings of Lyons and Clinton citizens, appointment of committees and fruitless negotiations on August 1, 1869, the enterprise was given an impetus by David Joyce and the Messrs. Rand, a company was organized with a capital of $25,000, and, on December 6, the first car passed over the line as it was first built, extending two and three-quarter miles from Lyons' Ferry to the corner of Eighth avenue and Second street, near the C. & N. W. Clinton Depot.
Q
604
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
The first officers were : D. Joyce, President ; R. N. Rand, Vice President ; L. T. Sloan, Secretary, Treasurer and Superintendent. Other Directors- William Holmes, C. H. Toll, R. T. T. Spence, A. P. Hosford. The present offi- cers are the same except Directors, who are C. H. Toll, M. A. Disbrow, R. W. Rand and E. S. Bailey.
In the summer of 1865, the line was extended through Eighth avenue, Third street, Eleventh and Camanche avenues to a total length of four and three- quarter miles. The solid construction of the line through the swampy ground at that time, between Lyons and Clinton, was a work of some difficulty. Dur- ing the flood of 1870, passengers were, for three days, transferred in boats, near the Court House. The cars have been interrupted but two days, once during a terrible snow storm, in the winter of 1869-70, and one Sunday, during the equine epizootic epidemic in 1872. The affairs of the Company have been managed with skill and prudence, and the line has become an indispensable convenience to both cities, besides having greatly aided in building up the gap between them and thereby promoting their consolidation.
LYONS WATERWORKS.
Though wells in Lyons supplied remarkably good water for domestic pur- poses, the recurrence of disastrous fires enforced the necessity of providing some adequate protection. Accordingly, September 16, 1875, the Lyons Water- works Company was organized, by Baldwin Bros., A. S. Baldwin, D. S. Balch, John Braun. James Conlin, M. A. Disbrow, S. O. Davy, O. R. Davies, L. A. Ellis, H. Gates, W. C. Grohe, Hannaher & Son, H. P. Hobein, Thomas and William Leedham, J. J. Matthews, C. Moeszinger, E. B. Mellick, O. McMa- han, J. W. McPherson, John Ott, A. C. Root, Roeh & Michelsen, Ira Stock- well, D. B. Snyder, Adam Schneider. P. Tritschler, John Tolson, Welles, Gard- iner & Co., F. Winkler, and the following officers : J. P. Gage, President ; Hiram Gates, Vice President ; J. C. Root, Secretary ; J. H. Barnum, Treas- urer. Directors-J. A. Nattinger, William Leimbach, John Gallion, N. Con- way.
The works are a combination of the direct pressure and reservoir systems, the reservoir being located on the high bluff in Union Subdivision, at the north- ern end of Seventh street. The cost of the works was $40,000, amply repaid by the convenience and security afforded. Thirty-seven fire-plugs and three miles of mains effectually protect the most valuable commercial and manufact- uring portions of the city. The question of a junction main connecting the works with Clinton has been agitated, and in case of very large fires would prove of great benefit.
LYONS PAPER-MILL.
Observing the abundance, quality and cheapness of the raw material for making straw papers, a suitable site with plenty of water of satisfactory purity and good shipping facilities, and especially the growing market for certain articles manufactured of paper, and novel uses to which the fabric was being put, in 1873, several gentlemen organized the Lyons Paper Com- pany, with an invested capital of $60,000. A mill with all the modern improvements was built on the levee between the Midland track and the Ring- wood slough, occupying, with straw-yards, warehouse, etc., a frontage of 800 and a depth of 150 feet. Since starting in November, 1873, the capacity of the mill has been steadily augmented till now it consumes daily over twelve tons of straw, throwing out eight tons of products, including wrapping and
605
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
building paper (the latter destined to make habitable the homes of many settlers on the mountains and on the plains), and also what would have made the ladies of a generation ago stare aghast at mentioning-paper dishes. Of the latter, 100,000 butter plates are stamped out every day, and the mill is frequently millions behind orders. The pay-roll foots up over $2,000 monthly, and this enterprise has largely aided in closing the gap between the two cities, and in making the water front a continuous line of manufacturing industry. The officers of the Company are: President, S. I. Smith; Vice President, R. A. Rand ; Secretary and Treasurer, H. F. Smith ; Superintendent, A. Carpenter.
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
The original plat of Lyons was comprised principally by the slough, the river, Franklin and Sixth streets. Thereto have since been added additions, as follows : Buell's, mostly on the north side of the slough, between Ninth street and the railroad ; Penn's and the Union north and northwest of the same ; R'oot & Jerome's, between Pearl, Tenth and Main streets and the city limits ; Buel & Aikman's, between Main, East and Sixth and including Exchange streets ; Stumbaugh's Subdivision, south of the same, and comprised between Exchange, Sixth, Washington and East streets ; Stumbaugh's Addition between Main, East and Washington streets and the western city limits, just beyond High street ; Randall's, south of the above, bounded by Washington and Sixth streets, and on the south, diagonally, by Commercial and Park streets, and by the city limits on the west at Sixteenth street. Between the preceding and the original plat is Adams' Addition, comprised by Franklin, Third and Sixth streets, and including half the block the latter two, Randolph and Commercial streets south thereof, stretching from the river to the city limits on the west and south are Deed's two additions. A large area of land not platted is still held within the city limits by Messrs. Buel and Deeds.
At the organization of the city, the ward boundaries were : First, all south of Exchange street ; Second, that portion between Pearl and Exchange streets ; Third, all north of Pearl street. In 1859, the city was redistricted, as follows : First Ward, all south of Exchange and west of Sixth streets ; Sixth Ward, south of Exchange and east of Sixth; Second Ward, between Pearl and Exchange, and east of Sixth ; Fifth Ward, between Pearl and Exchange, and west of Sixth ; Third, north of Pearl and east of Sixth; Fourth, north of Pearl and West of Sixth.
The city tax of Lyons for 1878 was apportioned as follows :
General consolidated (11} mills) ... $ 6,772 77
City and school consolidated (24 mills). 13,990 29
Water tax 2,475 16
County poll tax 432 00
· Special city tax.
336 70
Delinquent city tax
748 00
Delinquent road tax
56 67
Total.
$24 811 59
FINANCES.
Lyons may be congratulated on her exceptionally clear record as to finan- cial condition. It is a matter of just pride with her people. It is almost mar- velous that, during the "kiting times" when so many cities throughout the West were voting heavy debts upon themselves, and the speculative mania had reached such proportions, and when, too, so many important railroad end bridge schemes had this city for their initial point, that it should have escaped the contagion.
606
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
During its whole career as a city, there are found evidences of a conserva- tive action in incurring expenses and promptness in liquidating those incurred, and, at this date, the financial exhibit, furnished from its records, gives as its present indebtedness, which includes its schools and schoolhouses, $2,500 bonded. Few cities in the whole land, of like age and population, can present so satisfactory a financial showing.
LYONS' LUMBER INTERESTS.
As in many other river towns, so in Lyons, when the railroad system began to cross the Mississippi and stretch westward into the illimitable treeless prairies, there came to be an enormous development of the lumber interest. To those men who, under many adverse circumstances, without direct railway communication for many years, pluckily pushed the saw-mill business, Lyons' prosperity is largely due. The levee afforded admirable high and dry sites for saw-mills, and the sloughs just above Fulton and between Lyons and Clinton presented inviting harbors for rafts.
To Samuel Cox and G. W. Stumbaugh belongs the honor of being the pioneer lumbermen at the point which has since proved to be one of the most advan- tagcous on the river. They built, in 1855, the first saw-mill upon the present site of Cummings Bros.' machine shop. It had barely time to surround itself with lumber piles sufficient for the temporary wants of the growing town and farming region in the vicinity, when, in 1856, it was totally destroyed by fire. Immediately the mill was rebuilt by Stumbaugh alone, and, for many years, until after the death of its proprietor, continued in active operation. In 1867, it was dismantled and since then has been used as an ice house.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.