USA > Iowa > Delaware County > The history of Delaware county, Iowa, containing a history of its county, its cities, towns &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers > Part 56
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January 22, the following ordinance, providing for the erection of a town hall, was passed :
WHEREAS, N. Denton, A. R. Loomis and L. A. Loomis did, on the 25th day of July, 1873, submit a proposition in writing to the Town Council proposing to build immediately three con- tiguous stores on Lots No. 146 and 197, in Manchester, Iowa, such stores to be two stories high and the three to be sixty-six by seventy, and offering to give the town the right to build a public hall thercon, which shall be under the exclusive control of the town during the life of the build- ing; the town to have the right in common of the use of a stairway six feet wide, of ingress and egress, at all times, from Franklin street into and out of the hall ; the walls of said build- ing to be sufficiently thick and strong to justify the erection of such a hall ; and N. Denton agreeing to bind himself that no building shall be erected on the south side of said hall within twenty feet, so as to interfere with or obstruct the windows on the south side of said hall ; which proposition was, by a majority vote of the Council, accepted ; and
WHEREAS, Said A. R. Loomis and N. Denton did, on said 22d day of July, 1873, submit to the Council a proposition in writing offering to enter into a contract with the town of Manches- ter to furnish all the material and erect a hall on the site proposed, viz. : The second story of the three stores to be erected on Lots 146 and 197, aforesaid ; said hall to be sixty-six feet wide by seventy feet deep ou the outside, twenty feet high between floor and ceiling. lighted with ten windows, tin roof, which shall be self-supporting ; no columns to be used, or any obstruction to obstruct the hill; the plan and elevation to be submitted to and approved by the Council before signing the contract, for the sum of six thousand dollars, payable when said hall is com- pleted, in town bonds due ten years after the completion of said hall, with ten per cent. interest, payable semi-annually ; and
WHEREAS, Said Council did, on said 22d day of July, 1873, by a majority, pass the follow- ing resolution, to wit :
Resolved, That the plan and specification for the Town Hall furnished by Herr & Kescher be approved and adopted, subject to suchi alterations as may be deemed expedient before enter- ing into a contract for erecting the same, and that the Mayor be authorized to accept the proposition of A. R. Loomis and N. Denton to construct the said hall for six thousand dollars, payable in ten-year bonds drawing interest at the rate of ten per cent. per annum, interest pay- able semi-annually, provided he cannot do better within twenty days; and
WHEREAS, Said Mayor was unable to let said contract on better terms than those proposed by said Loomis and Denton within the time above specified, and did. on the 14th day of August, 1873, let the same to said Loomis and Denton on the terms aforesaid ; and
K
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WHEREAS, On the 7th day of November, 1873, the following changes in the specifications attached to said contract were authorized by a vote of the Council, to wit: "The roof of said hall to be ceiled instead of plastered, and the corners of the ceiling to be arched ; and
WHEREAS, On the 22d day of January, 1874, the time for the completion of said hall was extended to the Ist day of June, 1874 ; and
WHEREAS, Said Town Hall is now nearly completed ; therefore ordered, etc.
The ordinance following this lengthy preamble, which stated all the facts, provided for the approval and filing of the contract and specifications ; the issu- ing of ten bonds of five hundred dollars ($500) each, payable in ten years, bearing ten per cent. interest, the remaining one thousand dollars to be paid in like manner on the completion of the hall. The town reserved the right of paying the bonds at any time, and so save the interest thereon. The hall was commenced in the Summer of 1873, and finished in the latter part of May, 1874.
For 1875, Mayor, J. D. Kennedy ; Recorder, W. E. Brown ; Treasurer, D. F. Riddell ; Trustees, Charles Burnside, J. F. McKay, N. Denton, A. H. Davis. Z. L. Atkinson.
December 8th, " An ordinance relating to the fire department " was passed, and a department organized, consisting of a Chief Engineer and Assistant Chief Engineer.
December 20th, the Mayor was authorized to purchase of the Silsby Manu- facturing Company, of Seneca Falls, New York, one of Silsby's second size rotary steam fire engines and its pertaining apparatus, the same to be paid for in bonds of the town.
For 1876, Mayor, S. L. Doggett ; Recorder, W. E. Brown ; Treasurer, W. B. Jones (resigned, and succeeded by J. S. Belknap) ; Trustees, J. F. McKay, J. D. Kennedy, A. H. Davis, Z. S. Atkinson, J. W. Ford.
For 1877, Mayor, Cummings Sanborn ; Recorder, W. E. Brown ; Treas- urer, R. W. Tirrill ; Trustees, Joel Bailey, Anson Shelden, Z. S. Atkinson, J. W. Ford, W. N. Boynton.
For 1878, Mayor, Cummings Sanborn ; Recorder, W. E. Brown ; Treasurer, J. S. Belknap ; Trustees, Hiram Hoyt, Charles Paxson, N. J. Wolcott, Calvin Yoran, J. F. Mckay.
In 1875, the Clarence House was rebuilt, a handsome brick block, three stories high, taking the place of the old frame structure, at a cost of over $20,- 000. In connection with this event is to be mentioned the remarkable fact that the new house was erected on the site of the old one, which was torn down, without missing a single meal and without turning away a single guest. The enterprising proprietors accomplished a feat that probably had never been done before-that of commencing at the top of a three-story brick house and build- ing downward to terra firma. It was done as follows: The walls of the new house were erected around the old building and the roof put on before the old building was touched. Then the roof of the old was taken off, and the third story of the new finished and furnished. Meanwhile, the guests of the " Clarence " were awakened every morning by the music of the saw and ham- mer. made by the workmen engaged in building a house above them. When the third story of the new house was done, the second story of the old was removed, and proprietors and guests occupied the first story of the latter and the third story of the former, while the second story of the new was finished and furnished. Then the remainder of the old house was taken out, and the first floor of the new put in. This is the first and only instance of the kind known, in this part of the civilized world, at least.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
About December 1, 1875, James J. Bain, who had been in the dry goods business since May, left for Chicago, ostensibly to buy goods. His wife started two weeks before, and his brother, who was left in charge, was called to Daven- port, suddenly, on his own business. Not one has returned yet ; and the cred- itors, who came forward to look up their claims, all believe they have forgotten the name of the town, for in no other way can their absence be accounted for. The brothers left no local debts, even settling their saloon bills in full.
THE PEARLS OF THE MAQUOKETA.
In the Spring of 1876, a pearl was discovered in the Maquoketa River, about twelve miles north of Manchester, which came into the possession of W. N. Boynton, jeweler, of Manchester. He sent it to Mr. Bornemann, of New York, to be set. The ring, on its return, was sold to Mr. N. Denton, and is very beautiful, the pearl equaling in brilliancy and beauty of tint the unrivaled pearls of India.
Mr. Boynton has since found several very pretty pearls in the river, is very confident that there are " more where those came from," and intends to make a more thorough investigation during the present season.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Rescue Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1, was first organized June 23, 1873, by a meeting of young men, at Burnside's Hall. J. A. Wheeler was elected Foreman ; M. J. Carroll, First Assistant Foreman ; J. S. Edwards, Second Assistant Foreman ; H. M. Ruggles, Secretary ; F. E. Barr, Treas- urer. The present officers are : B. W. Jewell, Foreman ; R. M. Congar, First Assistant Foreman ; W. F. Merrill, Second Assistant Foreman; F. B. Gregg, Secretary ; F. J. Atwater, Treasurer.
Protection Engine Company, No. 1 .- The call to organize this company was dated Manchester, July 3, 1873, and was signed by thirty-one citizens. Agreeable to said call, a meeting was held in what has since been known as Firemen's Hall, July 8, 1873, and the following officers elected : L. Odell, Fore- man ; M. Cotton, First Assistant Foreman ; L. S. Sherwin, Second Assistant Foreman ; W. N. Boynton, Secretary ; W. E. Brown, Treasurer. The name, as given above, was adopted at a meeting held on the 23d of the same month. This company was formed originally to operate the chemical engine.
The present officers are : Henry Percival, Foreman ; J. B. Freclove, First Assistant Foreman ; George Steadman, Second Assistant Foreman ; D. R. Lewis, Engineer ; D. H. Finch, First Assistant Engineer; M. Whitman, Sec- ond Assistant Engineer; D. H. Finch, Secretary ; W. T. Adams, Treasurer.
In the Summer of the following year, the two companies invited the fire depart- ment of Independence to visit them. The invitation was accepted, and nearly the whole population, including the ladies, came forward to assist the boys in their manifestation's of hospitality. The visit was thoroughly enjoyed by guests and hosts.
July 4, 1875, the visit was returned by the Manchester boys, who were most hospitably entertained by their friends at Independence.
In December, 1875, the city authorities having purchased a Silsby fire engine, it was given into the care of Protection Company, which was recruited up to about eighty members.
N. Denton Steamer Company, No. 1 .- Protection Engine Company having become so large as to be unwieldy, it was decided, May 5, 1876, to allow so many as wished it to withdraw and form themselves into a new company, to be
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known as the "N. Denton Steamer Company, No. 1." Accordingly, thirty- eight requested their names dropped from the old rolls; and on the 10th of May, 1876, that number met and effected an organization, electing the following officers : A. O. Moore, Foreman : Lemuel Allen, First Assistant Foreman ; Irving Harris, Second Assistant Foreman : M. Cotton, Engineer; Thomas Grice, First Assistant Engineer ; T. S. Jones, Second Assistant Engineer ; A. C. Carter, Foreman Hose ; Frank Davis, E. J. Doolittle, Stokers ; H. S. Lil- lagar. Secretary ; Frank Davis, Treasurer.
The officers for 1878 are : A. O. Moore, Foreman ; Lemuel Allen, First Assistant Foreman ; A. C. Carter, Foreman Hose; M. Cotton, Engineer; T. Grice, First Assistant Engineer; Edward Chaple, Secretary : Clytus Otes, Treasurer.
Just before the steamer arrived in Manchester, N. Denton donated a lot, at the foot of Main street, and the town erected thereon a substantial engine house, from which a water-way is extended to the river, to supply the engines.
Amply equipped, as the companies are, and thoroughly drilled, as well, their services have rarely been required. The fires in Manchester have been few and comparatively unimportant. The short list embraces the dwellings of W. H. Tuthill, on Main street. in 1868; N. Denton's barn,in 1874; H. Whitman's building, and F. Glisendorf's shed, 1876 ; Barr Brothers' livery barn, and N. L. Bates' blacksmith shop, 1877. Several other fires have started, but the damage was small.
MILITARY.
Company C, 4th Regt .. I. N. G .- Manchester is represented in the Iowa National Guards by C Company, which was organized on the 16th day of March, 1877, at a meeting held in the office of E. M. Carr. The officers elected are as follows : Captain, E. M. Carr ; First Lieutenant, John W. Ford ; Sec- ond Lieutenant, Harry S. Lillagar ; First Sergeant, Henry Percival ; Second Sergeant, John C. Scott; Third Sergeant, Cornelius Scott ; Fourth Sergeant, C. S. King; First Corporal, B. Wood Jewell ; Second Corporal, P. H. Snyder ; Third Corporal, D. H. Finch ; Fourth Corporal, M. H. Kinney. Privates- Ross Howland, Lemuel Allen, Frank E. Barr, James T. Barr, Frank Burring- ton, R. M. Congar, Albert H. Cottle, John A. Clough, M. L. Cates, Frank Davis, E. J. Doolittle, George Ford, Henry W. Green, Irvin N. Harris, Joseph Hutchinson, George Harris, Dennis MeErlain, John Mulvelhill, Fred. New- comb, P. H. Ryan, Albert Steller, A. P. Turner, John Towslee, Levi Work, Miles Wilson, Pat. McEnany, John Steele, Henry Wellman, Alfred Gately, Thomas Robertson, Dan. Ward, Hank Pentney, Warren Finch, Dennis Callahan, George Acers, W. A. Roe, Daniel Rearden. This company did guard duty during the great railroad strike in the Summer of 1877, and are now (1878) in a flourishing condition.
EDUCATIONAL.
As a large portion of the early settlers of Manchester had removed from older Eastern settlements, they keenly felt the loss of school and church privi- leges to which they had been accustomed, and among the first things to be done was the erection of a school house. Accordingly, in the Fall of 1855, the citizens raised a fund by subscription and contracted with Marshall Hancock to build a school house. The contractor. however, failed to fulfill his contract.
May 20, 1856, at a school meeting, the citizens of the town voted to build a school house by taxation. Mr. Dyer, who was largely interested in any taxes
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that might be levied, proposed that, if they would rescind that vote and build by subscription, he would give $200. The vote was accordingly rescinded. The house was built during the Summer by W. J. Doolittle, contractor. The house was located on Butler street, between Wayne and Bremer streets, on the site where the present brick school house stands. For ten years, the little brown school house was used for school, religious and political purposes by the people of Manchester. While it was in process of erection, Miss Eliza Sellens taught school in an unfinished building owned by A. R. Loomis, near the corner of Fayette and Tama streets, and the following Winter (1856-7) the first school was taught in the new school house by John Quincy Burrington.
In 1862, the question of building a new school house began to be agitated, and March 9, 1863, the electors of Manchester City School District took into consideration the propriety of raising a tax for building a school house, and recommended that a tax be levied of five mills on the dollar, the same to be decided by ballot; and, in case the tax should be ordered, the Board were instructed to borrow not to exceed $3,000. In April, 1864, the Board of Directors voted to proceed to select a suitable site for a school house in accord- ance with the vote of the electors of the district, and, on the 23d, the Board voted to purchase " the three or four lots known as the circus ground " for a school house site. The vote was rescinded, and William Cattron and A. T. Loring were appointed to " examine and ascertain what places may be had, and at what price, for a site for a school house." May 24, the committee reported that " six lots in the block where the old school house is located could be bought for $1,200, viz., five owned by Mr. Ruggles, for $800, and one owned by Mr. MeLaughlin for $400," whereupon Mr. Cattron and Joel Bailey were appointed to confer with Mr. Ruggles in "relation to his pay, and, also, to ascertain the present resources of the district." May 21, the Board directed the President to "sell the lot recently purchased for not less than $200." (The records do not indicate the purchase of this lot.)
November 28, 1864, A. T. Loring and J. Bailey, a committee to procure suitable rooms for school purposes, reported that they had secured the basement of the Methodist Church for one year for $200.
January 30, 1865, a committee was appointed to "procure a sufficient amount of rock for to make seventy-five cord, with what has already been con- tracted for." February 3, it was ordered that the Board proceed to erect the walls and enclose a building for school purposes principally after the plan pre- sented by Mr. Dunham. February 20, Win. Cattron, C. Paxson and J. Bailey were appointed a committee to purchase Lots 10, 13, 268, 269 and 270 of Mr. Ruggles, at a price not to exceed $950, and on the 30th, the committee reported the purchase of the lots for $900.
March 6, 1866, C. Paxson, A. T. Loring and E. R. Congar were appointed to " make a rough estimate for a new school house to present to the electors on the second Monday," which was probably done.
At a meeting of the electors of the district, March 12, 1866, the proposition to raise $10,000 for school house purposes was carried by a vote of 168 to 3. At a meeting of the Board, March 26, HI. M. Congar, Charles Paxson and A. T. Loring were appointed a committee to obtain and submit a plan for the new school house. This committee reported, April 6, that the building should be built of brick, and three stories high.
May 29th, plans and specifications drawn by William Carroll, of Daven- port, were submitted and accepted, for which $100 were paid, and- Messrs. H. M. Congar, A. F. Townsend and Charles Paxson were appointed & Building
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Committee. N. Ruggles was employed as Superintendent. On the 20th of July, 1866. work was commenced, and before Winter the foundations were laid and the walls erected. Work on the interior progressed during the Winter. The building was completed in August, 1867, at a total cost of $13,483.31, and will accommodate 400 pupils. The building was dedicated on Friday after- noon, August 30, by music by the Manchester Glee Club, prayer by Rev. A. K. Johnson, after which the Secretary of the Board made his report, from which it appears that the mason work was done by Thomas Lloyd, of Dubuque; the carpenter and joiner work by Hadley & Kenyon, and the painting by Will- iam Tate. After this report, A. S. Blair, Esq., delivered a short address, fol- lowed by the presentation of the keys of the building to Prof. Jonathan Piper, who had been elected Principal of the school.
On Monday, September 2, the first term of school was opened in the new school house, in charge of Prof. Piper, Principal ; R. Kissick, Assistant Princi- pal : Lou A. Borton, Elma R. Annis, Miss Stancliffe, Miss Clark and M. A. Loomis.
June 19, 1868, in answer to a resolution of the Board requesting such teachers as wished to be retained to make application accordingly, the following note was read :
To the Honorable Secretary of the School Board, Manchester Ind. District :
SIR-Yours of the 3d, communicating the direction of the School Board, at hand. In reply, permit me to say that I am not in the habit of applying for a situation to teach. Parties desiring my services have already applied to me. Others desiring my services must do the same. The running after a chance to teach school is always commendable in those who have nothing else to do.
Respectfully, J. PIPER.
Notes of similar purport were received from all the other teachers, but their bluntness did not impair their prospects, for they were nearly all retained.
In 1875, the town had outgrown its school house, and it was necessary to provide additional rooms. Accordingly, July 31, the Board awarded the con- tract for the construction of a frame school house, located a little north of the brick house, on the same block, at contract price of $1,150. The town has become too large for a single school, and the erection of the new school house in 1875 was the commencement of a system of ward schools.
. August 19, 1875, the citizens on the west side of the river petitioned the Board to build another school house in that part of town. The Board decided to disallow the petition, one reason being, in order to maintain the grades already established, that it would be necessary to send pupils from the East Side, who would have to cross the bridge in all kinds of weather, unaccom- panied by older children, which reason would not apply to those coming from the west.
The School Board for the year 1878, is as follows: J. D. Kennedy, Presi- dent ; W. H. Seeds, Treasurer ; R. W. Tirrill, Secretary ; Hiram Hoyt, C. Yoran, C. E. Bronson, R. B. Griffin and C. Noran. The teachers selected for the school year 1878-9 are C. D. Clark, Principal ; Adelbert Selders, Assist ant : Alice Barney; Alice Shimmin, Flora Madison, Kate Shimmin, Minnie Rann, Hattie Chamberlain.
KINDERGARTEN.
The Kindergarten School is situated on Howard street, near Wayne, and was established about May 1st of the present year. This is the enterprise of Mrs. Elma R. Congar, who had the building erected in April. The school was opened with about twenty little pupils. The room is attractively furnished, and the floor carpeted.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY.
MANCHESTER SELECT HIGH SCHOOL.
This school was established by Mrs. Mary W. Doggett, in Manchester, Iowa, on the 3d day of November, A. D. 1858, and continuously existed for seven years, in Carpenter's brick building and in Hulbert's Hall.
During the time, the English branches and instruction on the piano were taught by the above named lady, as Preceptress ; and she was assisted part of the time by Prof. Artzman, as a teacher of music.
Mr. Artzman was a political exile from Germany. He was a man of won- derful skill on the piano, having devoted eleven years of study to musie, in the most celebrated musical conservatories of Europe.
The Preceptress was also for a part of the time assisted by Miss Gertrude G. Doggett, a lady of rare native grace and of brilliant accomplishment ; now the wife of B. F. Norris, of Chicago and with her family now enjoying a trip through Europe. The assistant, Gertrude, was also the Preceptress of the school for a year.
The classical department was conducted throughout the existence of the school by S. L. Doggett, and the following languages were continuously taught, viz .: French, German, Latin and Greek. This department was quite success- ful and prominent.
Miss Libbie Merrill, student in French here, afterward while attending Bradford Seminary, Mass., was praised by the Modern Language Professor of the institution for her proficiency in French and her correct pronunciation therein, " that she must have been taught by a Frenchman."
L. L. Ayres made a good Latin scholar at this school. Also might be men- tioned John M. Crocker, student in Greek, now a minister in Kansas, and one of the most scholarly men in that State.
Miss Lovell, student in Latin, now adorns Dubuque society as the wife of a prominent and wealthy lawyer.
A course of lectures was also a distinguishing part of the plan of this school. Several courses on " Literature " were delivered by the Preceptor, S. L. Dog- gett.
. A course of lectures on " Mental Philosophy " was delivered during two terms by Rev. L. B. Fifield, now of the State Superintendency of Nebraska.
And a course on " Physiology," by Dr. Wm. H. Morse, afterward a volun- teer Captain and patriot.
Also, lectures on " Hygiene," by Dr. S. W. Green, of Manchester, Iowa.
Throughout the duration of the school, a debating society, with a musical department and with attendant festivals and exhibitions, was very prosperously maintained by the students. Some of the discussions lasted two evenings and were listened to by many of the citizens and participated in by professional men of the town. The exhibitions were marked for the beauty displayed in their decorations and for their histrionic effect, and attracted attendance from the remotest part of the county. The festivals of the school were noted social events of the town.
On these occasions, toasts were responded to by distinguished men. In responding to one of these toasts, in 1863, on "Literary Culture," the Rev. B. M. Amsden said, " And I here confidently ean say that the Manchester Select High School, since it commenced, has advanced the cause of education fifty per cent. in Delaware County."
For seven years, Delaware County was under special obligations to Man- chester Select High School for a supply of teachers for the public schools ; and
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the Union owes a debt to the seventeen young men from this school, volunteers for their country, faithful throughout the war; some of them still alive and now honored : others of them sacrificed on Southern battle fields and now wept by those who loved them well.
Many of the scholars attended two and some three years continuously, and if, on final examination. a scholar deserved commendation, he or she received a diploma.
The highest number attending the school at any one time was 105 and now (1878) most of them are well known as intimately connected with the intelli- gence, the society, prosperity and business of Delaware County.
This school closed in the Fall of 1864, not for want of patronage, but because the teachers were at last tired out with its labors, and not very well satisfied with the remuneration obtained and for want of a suitable building in Manchester.
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