USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 66
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During the administration of that gentleman, which continued ten years and upward, the office was first located in a frame building, at the corner of Iowa and Seventh streets, on the present site of Connolly's carriage works. How long it remained here, authorities are undecided ; the next heard of this entrepot of news and gossip peculiar to Western civilization, was in the build- ing of Emerson & Shields, corner of Fourth and Main streets, afterward changed into the Athenæum, and, later, into the Opera House. At these diverse points, Mr. King was maintained by the Government until 1849, the mail, meanwhile, having increased from weekly to tri-weekly. At the expira- tion of his official lease, Mr. King assigned the office to William H. Robbins, who exercised the prerogatives thereto attaching in the old Globe building until the advent into power of Franklin Pierce, by whom Charles Corkery was appointed ; accepting and holding until the appointment of H. H. Heath, in 1857.
During the last-mentioned terms, the office was domiciliated part of the time in a building on the north side of Sixth, between Main and Locust streets, and part of the time in the Odd Fellows' building, corner of Eighth and Bluff streets. Here, on the 19th of June, 1859, the records were included in the destruction of that edifice by fire, when the remnants were removed to the town-clock building, on Main, between Eighth and Ninth streets, thence to the southwest corner of Eighth and Main streets, where they were cared for until the completion of the Government building, corner of Ninth and Locust streets.
The need of this latter edifice became apparent long before it was ordered to be built, and much inconvenience resulted from the delay. During the ses- sion of Congress of 1856, Gen. Jones procured an appropriation of $20,000; to be used in the purchase of land and materials for a custom house and post office. It was thought for a time that the lots corner of Seventh and Iowa streets would be the site chosen, and land in the vicinity appreciated propor- tionately. But, unexpectedly to the most sanguine, the ground now occupied was purchased indirectly of James A. and Dennis Langton, the contract for the structure let to Bostatter & Foults or Bostatter & Owens for $88,000, and work begun about the time the panic of 1857 reached Dubuque. The work was conducted under the superintendence of Joseph C. Jennings ; and, when the foundations had been sunk, a Government expert caused them to be raised
549
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
and replaced on foundations more substantial than those appearing. Mean- while the contractors threw up their work, the same having been bid for at a time when financial embarrassments were exceptions, and the Government under- took its completion, assigning Ely S. Parker, grandson of Red Jacket, and then engaged in superintending the building of the custom house at Galena, to the position vacated by Mr. Jennings.
He remained for about three years, and entered the service, being succeeded by W. W. Martin, during whose tenure of office the building was completed, in 1866, at a cost of $179,000. The building is of the accustomed style of architecture peculiar to "massive works"-substantial and neat, without decorations or ornamentation to deprive the apparent plainness of its severity ; built of Nauvoo and Joliet limestone, and as endurable, to all intents and pur- poses, as a rock of ages. The Government offices are hidden in the interior ; also the post office, which occupies the ground floor. E. C. David, who qual- ified in 1861, was in power when the authorities took possession of their quarters in the new building, and so remained until 1869, when he retired, and George L. Mathews was sought as an object of Executive confidence. That gentleman, however, failing of acceptance or confirmation, V. J. Williams was selected, and remained in charge until 1873, when Grant nominated G. L. Torbert. The nomination was greeted with success in executive session, and Mr. Torbert is still serving, though the perquisites of the office are $1,000 less than when he was called to keep the charge, or $3,000 per annum.
The following annual statement for the year 1879 gives the reader an idea of the large amount of business transacted in the Dubuque post office in one year. During 1879, 1,075,048 letters and postal cards were mailed at the office in this city, which showing will probably not be excelled by any city in Iowa :
STAMP AND ENVELOPE DEPARTMENT.
Sales of postage stamps, 1 cent. $1,830 00
Sales of postage stamps,
2 cents.
854 00
Sales of postage stamps,
3 cents
13,152 00
Sales of postage stamps,
5 cents.
176 90
Sales of postage stamps,
6 cents.
433 38
Sales of postage stamps, 10 cents.
311 40
Sales of postage stamps, 15 cents.
227 25
Newspaper and periodical stamps
2,179 68
Postage due.
114 92
Postal cards.
3,360 00
Sales of stamped envelopes, 1 cent.
568 64
Sales of stamped envelopes, 2 cents
68 95
Sales of stamped envelopes, 3 cents
8,195 36
Sales of stamped envelopes, 6 cents
31 90
Sales of newspaper wrappers, 1 cent
322 20
Sales of newspaper wrappers, 2 cents
82 15
Total sales
$31,908 73
REVENUE.
Stamp and envelope sales.
$31,908 73
Spoiled envelopes redeemed
156 00 $31,752 73
Box rent.
691 02
Postage.
122 60
Waste paper and twine
15 12
Total
$32,581 47
EXPENSES.
Salaries
$7,750 00
Miscellaneous
191 16
Total
$7,941 16
550
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
DEPOSITORY.
Net receipts of this office. $24,640 31 11,684 03
Deposits from other offices
Total. $36,324 34
Drafts paid.
18,260 28
Postal clerks and route agents paid.
9,380 27
Letter carriers paid
4,483 37
Total
$32,123 92
MONEY ORDER DEPARTMENT.
Domestic orders issued, 7,686, amount
$82,964 10
Domestic orders paid, 17,771, amount. 290,620 93
Foreign orders issued, 179, amount. 2,819 44
2,423 79
Fees received, domestic ...
886 80
Fees received, foreign.
81 45
Drafts on New York post office sold.
207,000 00
Total received and paid. $586,796 51
CARRIERS' DEPARTMENT.
Number of carriers.
7 46
Number of letter-boxes
Mail letters delivered
566,238
Mail postal cards delivered
164,195
Local letters delivered ..
26,956
Local postal cards delivered
28,635
Registered letters delivered.
5,498
Papers, circulars and parcels delivered.
352,905
Mail letters collected
487,485
Local letters collected.
18,910
Postal cards collected.
179,751
Papers, circulars, etc., collected.
53,530
Total number of pieces handled.
1,884,103
REGISTRY DEPARTMENT.
Registered letters and parcels sent
3,596
Registered letters and parcels received
9,667
Registered packages in transit :
Sent in through registered pouches
21,071
Sent by route agents, etc ..
12,980
Received by route agents, etc ..
24,439
Received in through-registered pouches.
9,611
DELIVERY DEPARTMENT.
Letters delivered through boxes ..
233,272
Postal cards delivered through boxes
70,618
Newspapers and circulars delivered through boxes 101,899
Letters delivered at general delivery.
28,340
Postal cards delivered at general delivery
8,501
Newspapers and circulars delivered at general delivery.
12,187
Advertised letters delivered.
438
Advertised letters sent to Dead Letter Office
2,032
Letters returned to writer
1,375
MAILING DEPARTMENT.
Paid letters inailed.
711,256
Free letters mailed
24,700
Postal cards mailed.
339,092
Newspapers mailed by publishers
1,115,088
Newspapers mailed by publishers, weight, pounds.
125,739
Newspapers mailed by newsdealers
14,229
Newspapers mailed by newsdealers, weight, pounds
1,581
Foreign orders paid, 103, amount
551
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
Newspapers mailed by transient.
219,880
Merchandise mailed, packages ..
8,372
Number of lock pouches received.
11,650
Number of lock pouches sent
11,656
Number registered pouches sent.
254
Number registered pouches received.
254
Number tie sacks received ..
4,816
Number tie sacks sent
2,520
Number label slips sent.
26.600
· Number incorrect slips sent
130
Number errors on slips sent
174
Number missent packages.
1
The present officers are : G. L. Torbert, Postmaster; J. B. Lane, Assist- ant ; L. N. Converse and Frank Rebman, mailing clerks ; Charles Otley and E. D. Redman, delivery clerks ; Emile Ruff, money-order clerk ; Charles F. Leckie, register clerk ; Jacob F. Conant, mail messenger.
Mails arrive and depart north, south, east and west daily ; to Luxemburg and Sherrill's Mound, tri-weekly, and to Monmouth semi-weekly.
LINWOOD CEMETERY.
The first rural cemetery in the United States was established, in 1831, at Mount Auburn, near Boston-one year before Kensal Green, near London. A few years later, John Jay Smith laid the foundation of a similar resting-place, that has since became famous as Laurel Hill. Next in the line is Greenwood Cemetery, near New York.
With these examples before them, a number of prominent citizens of Dubuque decided upon establishing a rural cemetery near their homes.
The churchyard, on Main street, was condemned by the city, and, on July 10, 1851, the authorities purchased twenty acres of ground of Timothy Davis and L. H. Langworthy, on a hill to the northeast of Dubuque, and undertook the care and management of the same, which was substituted for the condemned churchyard, since dedicated as Jackson Square.
The Main street burying-ground was selected, in 1833, by Thomas McCraney, J. L. Langorthy and H. T. Camp, as will be remembered, at the time of the cholera epidemic in the mines, and served the purpose for which it was designated until the increasing population necessitated an area for inter- ment purposes proportioned to the number of inhabitants.
The present organization was incorporated August 25, 1875, by John T. Hancock, W. P. Large, V. J. Williams, D. A. Cooley, C. H. Eighmey, J. K. Graves, J. W. Smith, Peter Kiene, William L. Bradley, B. B. Richards, James Beach, George Crane, H. L. Stout and C. W. Bittmann.
The act of incorporation provides that no more than 6 per cent interest shall be paid to stockholders, and that, when receipts from the sale of lots, etc., shall be more than sufficient for the proper improvement and maintenance of the cemetery, the surplus shall be paid, pro rata, to the original subscribers until the whole amount paid in by them at the organization of the corporation shall be fully repaid. Thereafter, the surplus is appropriated to the decoration and adornment of the grounds.
The Association at once relieved the city from the support of the cemetery, purchased additional territory, from time to time, until to-day it holds title to one hundred and forty-seven acres, and inaugurated a system of improvements which has resulted in making " Linwood " a beautiful city of the dead. The grounds were surveyed and platted by H. Earnshaw, who staked out upward of one thousand lots within the inclosure. The plan adopted by the Association
552
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
is known as " the landscape." The result has been to make a beautiful, undu- lating lawn of the whole surface, studded with forest and other trees, ornamented with evergreens, shrubs and flowers, fitted to gratify the eye, kindle the imag- ination and fill the heart of every visitor with pleasant thoughts. There are no inequalities of surface, rugged, uncouth or unsightly mounds to disturb the harmony of this place ; but beautiful, costly and finely finished monuments are scattered about, particularly in sight of Hazel, Winsor and other avenues, not alone evidences of affection, but also of tasteful ornamentation.
The cemetery proper was laid out by John Strauch, Superintendent of Spring Grove Cemetery, near Cincinnati, and is kept in order by the Associa- tion with the proceeds derived from the sale of lots.
The grounds constitute one of the finest natural sites for a cemetery in the West. At a convenient distance from the city, reached by easy grade, and still off the line of business thoroughfares, commanding an extensive view of the river and its bluffs, the city of Dubuque and the high, rolling country adjacent, the situation could not be improved upon.
The management has expended large sums of money in beautifying the nat- ural scenery, and with the decorations of art complete a symmetrical entirety, which seems to have been especially designed by the Creator for the object to which it is set apart.
The present officers are : J. T. Hancock, President; C. W. Bittmann, Vice President ; John Melhhop, Treasurer ; Thomas S. Nairn, Secretary, and A. C. Bentley, Superintendent.
The capital stock of the Association, when organized, was stated at $60,000.
The German Catholic, Key West, Rockdale, Center Grove and Asbury Cemeteries are located at different points in the county, accessible and possess- ing many attractive features.
THE SCHOOLS.
The basis of the educational system in Dubuque, as elsewhere, is the public schools, which are located in various parts of the city, convenient of access. From time to time, new buildings have been erected, buildings of a superior character, provided with all the conveniences which will best facilitate the objects in view. They are graded from primary to high school, and promo- tion from the subordinate to the superior departments is solely contingent upon the proficiency of the candidate. The high school is on a par with the best academical institutes of the country, and its graduates are the recipients of a thoroughly practical education. A competent corps of teachers are employed, and no labor or pains are spared to promote perfection in their various depart- ments.
.They are supported by taxation, and are free to all the youth, of both sexes, within the city. They are well attended, and the discipline sufficiently strict to insure the greatest attainable good to those in attendance, for whom the course of instruction is designed to be thorough.
The city supports a number of private schools, which, as also those con- nected with the various church societies, are valuable auxiliaries in the great work of educating the young.
The first schoolhouse erected in Dubuque was, as some assert, in the fall of 1833, its locality near the present site of the German Theological Seminary, corner of Seventeenth and Iowa streets. Others contend that the first school was taught in a log cabin situated in the hollow, now Mineral street, on North Main street, contiguous to Jackson Square. There is no dispute as to the first
553
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
teacher, all uniting in awarding this distinguished honor to George Cubbage, who administered the trust in favor of the following pupils : Milton, John, Sophronia and Orlando McCraney ; Richard, Frank, Amanda and Sophronia Marston ; Elizabeth and Albert Cannon, Alexander Harrison, Charles and Emily Willoughby, Mary Frith, John Byrne, Austin, Eleska, Agnes, Abi- gail and Harriet Smith ; the two Tate boys, Robert Brashier and sister, Wash- ington and Amanda Jordan, Dan Monahan, William Sullivan, Thomas White, Harriett White and others.
Barrett Whittemore succeeded Mr. Cubbage, teaching in the same building, and included the following on his roster of attendants : Lisle Singleton, Rufus Williams, Stephen and William Langworthy, Jesse Yount and brother, Daniel Monahan, William Sullivan, W. L. Johnson, the children of Gary White, Joseph Read and others.
The Rev. N. S. Bastian and Prof. Greenlee follow next in the order of teachers.
About the middle of March, 1836, Mrs. Dexter opened a private school in the little log church which occupied a part of the present Washington Park, fronting on Sixth street, between Locust and Bluff. Later, she taught in her own dwelling, which then was on the corner of Locust and Sixth streets, where the livery stable now is. She continued until the fall of 1839, and, during her administration, the following list, though incomplete, contains the names of many who were known as pupils, teaching them, as the prospectus issued by Mrs. Dexter, on the 15th of March, 1836, stated, " reading, writing, spelling,' etc ; also, " instructing the young ladies in the art of useful and ornamental needlework." The terms were "$3.50 for each scholar instructed in the three first branches, and $4.50 for the other branches-the house and fuel at the expense of the subscribers."
Henrietta Gary, Mary Lumry, Amanda Hazan, Caroline Vance, John Dex- ter, Francis Dexter, Edward Peck, Francis Gary, Whitney Vance, Eugenia Smith, Mary Lockwood, Warren Lockwood, Delia Vance, Elvira Evans, Eme- line Evans, Elizabeth Carrolton, Avis Prentice, Sarah Brashier, Emelia Brashier, Victor Hogan, Walter Pomeroy, Anson Pomeroy, Elizabeth Hogan, Elizabeth Cannon, Thomas Brashier, Mary White, Porsmah White, Albert Cannon, Melvina Clifton, Harriet Clifton, Edward White, William Hogan, John Smith, Sarah Griffey, Emily Griffey, Augustus Pasquer, Paul Pasquer, Jonathan Grif- fey, George Canman, John Quigley, Ann Quigley, Emeline Graffortt, James Martin, Jackson Martin, Boliver White, Napoleon White, Ellen Guerin, Fran- cis Deste, Eliza Cox, Daniel Quigley, John Weaver, Shadrach Weaver, Joseph Fales, Rachel Fales, George Young, Elizabeth Young, Napoleon Simplot, James Peat, Jeanette Peat, William Watson, Calvin Watson, Thaddeus Mason, Sophronia Bowles, Richard McDaniel, Michael Quigley, M. Young, William Weaver, William Davis, Louisa Bowles, Louis Trudeau, John Trudeau, Clark Stanley, David Cline, Abraham. Cline, Richard McDaniel, Lewis Gilliam, Louise Plessing, Nancy Cline, Adaline Stoddard, Pamelia Rittenhouse, Ann Samuels, Francis O'Farrall, Emeline Winchell, Charlotte Winchell, William Winchell, Susan Harrison, Marie Turpen, Julia Bull. George Bull, and others.
In 1836, Mrs. Louisa King, assisted by her daughter, Miss Louisa C. F. King, opened a school, exclusively for young ladies, in her private residence, and prospered until 1839. During the year 1838-39, Alonzo P. Phelps maintained a classical school, and, during the same year, Mrs. Mary Ann O'Reilly opened a boarding school for young ladies. In 1838-39, Thomas H. Benton, Jr., taught in the log house in the square.
554
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
In 1840, Z. Burr provided a private school for ambitious young ideas, in the basement of the then recently erected Presbyterian (afterward Congregational) Church, which was attended by P. W. Crawford, C. G. Hargus, William Blake, Richard McDaniel, James and Levi Evans, John Fulwiler, Albert and Linus Cook, Chloe Rhoades, John and Charles Farley, Julia and Sarah Bissell, George Zollicoffer, Orlando McCraney, Joseph T. and Elizabeth Fales, Eliza Cox, Warren Lockwood, William, George and Charles Cannon, and others whose names are not remembered by the informants of these recollections.
During the same year, George C. Collins taught in the basement of Bishop Loras' residence, on Bluff street. The school was attended by J. P. Quigley, D. O. C. Quigley, Hugh Treanor, Thomas Murray, Louis Latourelle, Dennis Langton, etc., etc.
In 1841, a Mr. Hill succeeded Mr. Burr, in the basement of the Congre- gational Church. He is reported to have been a severe master, and, as a consequence, the boys were kept in better order than at any other establishment of the kind the town boasted of; indeed, he was regarded as a very formidable master, and, like the pupils of Thaddeus O'Gallager, if those in attendance failed to become patterns of learning and deportment, it was not due to his failure in administering the birch by way of admonitory reminders.
In 1842, Hiram P. Leach opened a school in the same place, where he remained until the Methodist Church was erected, on the corner of Seventh and Locust streets, now occupied by a livery stable, when he removed thereto, occupying the basement. In 1843, or thereabouts, the first public school building, of brick, was put up on the lot where the present Third Ward School stands, into which, those assuming to know state, Mr. Leach removed, his accommodations in the Methodist Church being appropriated by F. E. Bissell, who taught, it is said, until the fall of about 1846, when he gave way to Mr. Rice and wife, who now reside at Bowen's Prairie. In 1848, Mr. Leach again taught school in the Baptist Church until about 1850, when he retired perma- nently, and accepted a position in the Surveyor General's office.
During all these years efforts had been made to provide for the education of the young by statutory authority, the teachers being, in addition to those mentioned, Messrs. Cash, Farwell, etc
The First Legislative Assembly of Iowa, convened at Burlington, November 12, 1838, enacted a law providing for the formation of districts and the estab- lishment of schools therein. The qualified electors of each district were authorized, when lawfully assembled, to levy and collect taxes to a limited amount, for the establishment and support of schools within the same.
January 16, 1840, the Second Legislative Assembly enacted a more com- prehensive law, making ample provision for a complete system of public schools, which contained many excellent features. The citizens of Dubuque did not avail themselves of this enactment for several years. In the spring of 1844, a meeting was called in accordance with its provisions, and Dubuque was made a school district. A tax was levied for school purposes, and the following Directors chosen : Warner Lewis, President; J. J. E. Norman, Secretary ; William A. Carter; Timothy Mason, Treasurer.
As there were several private schools then in operation, the Board arranged with the teachers of these to consider them as public schools, they to receive all children residing in the city that might apply, and the Board to pay per capita for all who should attend. The tax was collected by J. J. E. Norman, Secretary, and, after paying the teachers at the close of the term, there
557
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.
remained a balance, which was expended for the purchase of school lots in the First and Third Wards.
No further action was taken in regard to public education until 1849. A tax was then levied on the district, which yielded $1,396. With these funds, in 1850, were built two one-story brick schoolhouses, one in the First, and one in the Third Ward, each capable of accommodating eighty pupils. These houses were provided with seats and desks, but the district was unable to pay for their construction in full, and they were sold under the lien law to pay the balance.
In the year 1851, the district was subdivided into three school districts. The officers of District No. 3, to wit, James Burt, Edward Langworthy and Henry . A. Wiltse, redeemed the schoolhouse in their district.
From this period (1851), the officers of the three districts received from the School Fund Commissioner their proportion of the State appropriation, and applied the same to the support of their respective schools, but levied no taxes for school purposes.
There was much apathy in regard to education until the year 1855. Through the exertions of some public-spirited citizens, an act was passed by the State Legislature in 1855, constituting the city of Dubuque a permanent school district, and authorizing the City Council of Dubuque to provide for a Board of Education ; thus the three districts were united, and from that time a new spirit was infused into the community, and the cause of public education greatly promoted.
The first meeting of the Board appointed by the City Council, was held in the Council Chamber on the 7th of February, 1856, pursuant to a call of the Mayor, and in accordance with the provisions of an ordinance entitled " An Ordinance to establish a Board of Education and to define its duties." The members were D. A. Mahony, First Ward ; James A. Reid, Second Ward ; James Burt, Third Ward ; James R. Goodrich, Fourth Ward ; R. C. Waples, Fifth Ward.
The Mayor, who was ex officio President of the Board, being absent, D. A. Mahony, Esq., was chosen President pro tempore .. P. W. Crawford, the City Recorder, was ex officio Secretary.
Mr. Waples reported that the district owned an acre of land on the hill near the residence of John Wilde ; an acre adjoining Cook's Addition ; and the north fifth of Lot No. 447, in the Third Ward. Mr. Waples was instructed to pur- chase the north middle fifth of said Lot No. 447 for the sum of $1,500, but could not secure it at the price authorized, and it was afterward purchased for $2,000.
On the 3d of March, it was ordered that primary and secondary schools be opened in the Fifth Ward, under the instruction of two teachers; and also similar schools in the Third Ward. On the same day, James Burt was appointed a committee to lay before the Council a statement of the difficulties under which the Board labored for want of funds; and to ascertain the amount of money in the city treasury, belonging to the school fund. On the 6th, Mr. Burt reported that he had discharged the duty assigned him, and that the Council had referred the matter to the Committee on Schools; and that Ben- jamin M. Samuels, the Chairman thereof, reported that there were $7,000 which had been used by the Council for other than school purposes, and that this sum would be replaced as soon as pending negotiations for a $100,000 loan by the city were closed.
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