The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 91

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964

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CHURCHES .- Catholics and Protestants are liberally supplied with houses of worship.

The Methodist Episcopal was the pioneer church. It was completed in the summer of 1844, but services were held in it before it was sided up or the floor laid. The society have had a continuous itinerant pastorate from 1841 to the present time.

The Congregational Church was built in 1845. Rev. E. B. Turner was the first Pastor. The Baptist Church was built in 1854; the present efficient Pastor is Rev. John Bodenham. The Presbyterians have a neat church edifice, a prosperous society and an acceptable Pastor, Rev. W. Donaldson. In 1871, an Episcopal church was erected, but has no resident Pastor.

The St. Mary's German Catholic Church was built in 1859; it is of stone, and will seat 200; the congregation numbers 100 families. They have a parochial school in the basement of the church. The Pastor is the Rev. John Beauman, who resides at Worthington. The St. Martin's Catholic Church (Irish) was dedicated November 9, 1867. It is a substantial stone edifice and will seat fully 600. Congregation consists of 200 families. The building Committee were Daniel Seely, John Seely, Nicholas Shaffer, Hugh Devlin, Gregg Seely, P. Mullally, James Kinsella and Thomas Drysdell.

St. Martin's Parochial School was established in June, 1869. The build- ing is of brick, two-story and 40x60 feet. School is taught by six Sisters of the B. V. M. Present popular Pastor is Rev. J. P. Hennesey.

SOCIETIES .- The Cascade Lodge, No. 127, of Ancient, Free and -Accepted Masons, was organized April 17, 1858, under a dispensation granted April 10, 1858. The charter members were W. H. Hogan, W. M .; W. J. Bemis, S. W .; C. Mulloy, J. W .; S. Hopkins, S. D .; A. Jackson, J. D .; H. D. Crane, Treasurer, and George Welch, Secretary. The date of the charter is June 2, 1858.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen organized a lodge in Cascade, on the 20th of October, 1879. The officers are; E. Rafferty, Past M. W .; I. W. Baldwin, M. W .; J. F. Anson, F .; J. Meinhart, G .; W. H. Huntington, R .; C. H. Huntington, Fin .; T. Kingsley, Rec .; G. Wise, G.

RAILROAD HISTORY .- Cascade for fully thirty years has been reaching for railroad communication with the outer world. The first efforts were in 1848, in connection with the proposed Ram's Horn route from Dubuque to Keokuk, via Cascade, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City; then was planned an air line across the State of Iowa, making Cascade a point on the line; then the South-West-

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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

ern, from Dubuque, with station at Cascade; then the Davenport & St. Paul, then Bellevue & Cascade, then the " Plug," from Cascade to Wyoming ; then the attempt to build the South-Western, from Monticello via Cascade to Dubuque. Most of these projects received the support of the leading citizens- of Cascade, and it is possible that one of these railroads would have been built had not mistaken zeal and real-estate speculation prevented.

The Bellevue & Cascade Railroad project was initiated in autumn of 1876, by Dr. W. H. Francis, of Cascade, and Capt. M. R. Brown, Bellevue. This. finally blossomed into the Chicago, Bellevue, Cascade & Western Narrow Gauge Railroad Company, which was organized at Bellevue August 4, 1877. On the 30th of August, 1877, at Cascade, a full corps of officers and Directors were elected-Joseph Kelso, President; G. G. Banghart, Vice President ; M. R. Brown, Treasurer ; S. S. Simpson, Secretary. In June, 1878, John W. Tripp was made President and W. H. Francis, Secretary. At the annual meet- ing, September 4, 1878, John W. Tripp was re-elected President ; James Hill, Vice President ; Joseph Kelso, Treasurer, and G. G. Banghart, Asssistant. Treasurer ; W. H. Francis, Secretary, and A. J. Dorchester, Assistant Secre- tary ; and a Board of Directors consisting of the above officers, and several prominent citizens along the proposed line. Under this administration the first ground was broken on the 19th of September, 1878. This was a memor- able gala day for Cascade. The general interest was evinced by the presence of 5,000 spectators.

President Tripp resigned January 7, 1879, and James Hill was President from that date to May 17, 1879, when the Company's franchise was transferred to J. F. Joy, George Runkel, F. O. Wyatt and others. On reorganizing, F. O. Wyatt was elected President, and George Runkel, Vice President and Gen- eral Superintendent. These officers were practical railroad men, and backed with abundant capital. The road was pushed to completion, and, on the 30th of December, 1879, the last rail was laid and the first train of cars entered Cascade, on the line of Chicago, Bellevue, Cascade & Western Narrow Gauge Railroad. Cascaders expect a new era of prosperity.

THE PRESS .- The Cascade Pioneer, founded by C. H. Monger, now of the Anamosa Journal, is the only newspaper published in Cascade. It is an eight- page quarto, and is nominally neutral or independent. I. W. Baldwin has been editor and proprietor since June, 1877. He is genial and capable. His experience as a Democratic manager in Northern Illinois causes his neutrality to be tinged with a liberal Democracy. The editor is public spirited and popular, and an excellent moral tone pervades the Pioneer, which is devoted to Cascade first and the world afterward.

MANUFACTURES .- The brewery of Frank May involves more capital than any other single enterprise in Cascade. It was established in 1856, in a little log building, which was the first house built in Cascade, in 1836, by William De Long. It is now a four-story stone structure, 116x24 feet, with a wing, same height, 22x30. The malt cellar is 20x50 feet, and the fermenting-room also 20x50. The ice cellar is 18x30 feet, and stores 200 tons of ice. Beneath this is the cooling cellar, and still deeper, hewn out of the solid rock, is the lager-beer vault, 88x18x122 feet, and twenty feet below surface of ground. A seven-horse power engine is employed. About two thousand five hundred barrels of beer are manufactured annually. It is one of the most extensive inland breweries in the United States, and is first-class in all its appointments.

The flour-mill is owned by T. J. Chew, Jr., and is leased to William Moore. It has four runs of stone, and four twenty-one-horse power turbine wheels. Its

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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

capacity is sixty barrels of patent flour per day. The flour has an established reputation. W. L. Baldwin is the miller in charge.

The wagon factory of Charles H. Huntington is a two-story wooden build- ing, 65x38 feet, with two wings, one 18x30 and the other 18x28 feet. He employs from seven to twenty men, according to the " times."

Heitchew & Murphy also have a wagon and blacksmith shop across the river, and do a good business.

Crawford & Beatty have a furniture factory and saw-mill, which is doing an extensive business in the line of picture-frames and upholstered furniture.

John Loes has, since 1850, been in the wagon and blacksmithing business in Cascade. He has a large establishment and a good reputation.

Seven general stores, three drug stores, three milliner stores, two furni- ture stores, two boot and shoe stores, four dressmaking establishments, four carriage and blacksmithing establishments, one hardware store, four carpenter- shops, two clothing stores, two harness-shops, two livery stables, two merchant tailors, two jewelers, two stove and tinware stores, one grist-mill, one saw-mill, two butcher shops, three restaurants, two hotels, one cigar manufactory, four . toy stores, three carpet weavers, one printing office, one malter and brewer, six boarding-houses, one cooper-shop, two barber-shops, one cabinet manufactory, two photograph galleries, one marble works, three insurance offices, two butter and egg merchants, twelve saloons, two grain merchants, one sewing machine agent and one organ salesman, one Notary Public, five boot and shoe makers, four schools, twelve teachers, one money-order post office, seven churches, six ministers, four doctors, one lawyer and one railroad depot, are now located in Cascade.

WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP.

Whitewater Township lies next east of Cascade and on the southern line of Dubuque County. It is well watered by the two main branches of John's Creek and their " feeders," which flow southerly. It is well wooded, but has more tillable land than the township of Cascade. The city of Cascade includes the south half of Section 31, of Whitewater Township. Hempstead is a small village in the southeast part, and was settled at an early date; its post office is named Filmore. Jacob Hamilton was a Justice of the Peace in this township more than forty years ago. The first marriage of any parties from Richland Township, Jones County, was performed by him under circum- stances peculiar, but creditable to the worthy applicants. The pioneer history of Whitewater Township was closely identified with that of Cascade, and much that has been said of Cascade might with justice be credited to Whitewater.

NEW VIENNA.

New Vienna was first settled in August, 1844, by Fred Rohenkohl, H. Tauke, John Fangmann and H. Wiechmann. The first births were Frank Rohenkohl, and Catharine Tauke, now wife of H. Willenborg. The first mar- riage was H. Hellmann to Agnes Fangmann. The first death was Susanna, daughter of Joseph Klostermann. The first school was taught in a log church in New Vienna, about 1847, by John Klostermann. The first schoolhouse was built in New Vienna in 1861. Bishop Loras preached the first sermon at the residence of H. Weichmann, in 1846. The first church was built by the Catholics, about 1846. Henry Schemmel was first Postmaster. Fr. Fangmann built a saw-mill on the Maquoketa in 1847, and a grist-mill in 1865. Frederic Rohenkohl opened the first store about 1848. Henry Schemmel & Bros. erected a woolen-mill in 1849.

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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

MISCELLANEOUS.

NEW MELLERAY CORPORATION.

Centuries ago, before the followers of St. Benedict had conceived of the existence of a land of promise across the sea, containing the germs of a mighty future, Melleray Convent had been established in the country of which St. Patrick is the patron saint.

It is saïd that early in the twelfth century, two brothers belonging to the Benedictines, an order with which the most rigid self-abnegation peculiar to monastic life is the rule, were sent forth from an abbey in Brittany, France, to found a new monastery in honor of him whose name is so intimately and illus- triously associated with the early history of Western monasticism. Night com- ing on, the two pilgrims sought refuge in the hollow of a tree, which they found to be the hive of a swarm of bees and filled with honey. They decided to fulfill their mission and erect a new home on this spot, to be thereafter called " Mel- leray."

At this age, the practice which had obtained in the earlier days with mo- nastic communities of living singly, independent of one another, yielding to time and the logic of events, had established the reform, which is now recognized, of living together. In the earliest times these ascetics were accustomed to live alone, supporting themselves by the labor of their own hands, and distributing the surplus, after their own scanty wants had been supplied. among the poor. Increasing religious fervor, aided by persecution, drove them further and further away from the abodes of men, into mountain solitudes or lonely deserts, which swarmed with the huts of these anchorites. Antony, who had retired before the persecutions of Maximin, was the most celebrated among these exiles for his austerities, his sanctity and powers as an exorcist. The deeper he with- drew into the wilderness the more numerous his followers became. They refused to be separated from him, and built their cells around that of their spir- itual father. Thus, Antony, without any conscious design of his own, became the founder of a new mode of living in common.

As years came and went, the number of orders and members increased, and among the most prominent was that to which Melleray owes its origin, founded by St. Benedict about the fourth or fifth century. He belonged to an old Italian family, and was early sent to Rome to be educated. At that time the Roman Empire was crumbling to pieces, shaken by the successive inroads of barbarians, and a prey to every species of violence and corruption. The presence of this disorder and vice drove him from the capital, preferring to remain ignorant and in solitude than to be associated with the wickedness which surrounded him. He took refuge in a solitary gorge, formed by the Anio in its picturesque course, about forty miles from the city, and in a dark, inaccessible grotto near Subiaco, he found seclusion and shelter. A neighbor- ing monk supplied him with food let down by a rope. Once the devil broke the rope, but his malice failed by the pious ingenuity of the monk. Upon another occasion his Satanic Majesty took the shape of a beautiful woman, with whose image the youthful recluse had been familiar in Rome, and so worked

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upon his senses that he was on the point of abandoning his solitude in search of the beauty that haunted him. But, summoning all his fortitude, he stripped himself of the vestment of skins, which was his only covering, rushed naked amid the thorns and briars which grew around his retreat, and rolled himself among them until he had extinguished the impure flame which devoured him.

After a time, the fame of Benedict became universal, and it was impossible for him to remain inactive. Multitudes gathered around him, and no less than twelve select cloisters were planted in his vicinity. Young patricians from Rome and elsewhere were attracted to these fraternities, among whom was one by the name of Maurus, who ultimately became the successor of Benedict. But with increasing fame came also jealousy of his position and duties. A renewed attempt was made by an envious priest to administer poison to the saint, and, miraculous interpositions having come to his rescue, the same priest had recourse to the diabolical device of sending seven lewd girls into the pre- cincts of the monastery to seduce the monks by their gestures and sports. Benedict determined to depart from a neighborhood so full of danger, and, set- tling at Monte Casino, an isolated hill near the source of the Liris, began anew, and labored to spread abroad the blessings of ascetic Christianity. He erected two oratories, one to St. John the Baptist, and the other to St. Martin, and around these sacred spots gradually rose the famous monastery which was destined to carry the name of its founder through the Christian world and give its laws to Western monasticism. Benedict survived fourteen years after he had begun this work, his sanctity and influence growing with years; he died standing, after partaking of the holy communion, and was buried by the side of his sister.

The Order which he created survives to-day, and has been regarded as one of the strongest and most effective agents in the spread of Christianity, civili- zation and learning throughout the world. At one time the Order is said to have had 37,000 monasteries, and included among its branches the Orders of Clugy and Cistercians, numbering among its monks such scholars as Carpen- tier, Durand, Mabillon, Montfaucon, Rivet, Sainte-Marthe and Tassin, every- where gaining distinction as literati, jurists, physicians, etc.

Their rules were less severe than those governing Eastern ascetics, imposing implicit obedience to their superiors, to avoid laughter, to live sparely, hold no private property, exercise hospitality and be industrious. To these rules have each succeeding generation subscribed ; to these are their modern prototypes, members of the New Melleray Corporation, firmly wedded, and deserving of a high tribute of respect, not only for their artistic diligence and literary under- taking, but also for the material advantages that have accrued to the county by reason of their faithful observance.

Imbued with these principles, and constantly apprehending interference from the opposing forces which carried on the revolution of 1848, a determina- tion to establish a branch of their Order in America took shape at this time and found practical expression. On July 4, 1849, a party of monks, including Father Clement (afterward Bishop Smyth, of Dubuque), Father James (late Bishop of Omaha), Father Bernard, Brothers Ambrose, Timothy and Joseph, with others, landed at New Orleans and made their way up the river to the then sparsely settled State of Iowa, establishing their headquarters, tempora- rily, at Dubuque.

On the 27th of November, following, sixteen more of the Order made their advent into New Orleans, proceeded on the way of those who had come before, and, on April 23, 1850, the settlement about New Melleray was further

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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

increased by the addition of others. Of those who came in November, six died of cholera while en route from New Orleans to Dubuque.

Immediately the first arrivals reached Dubuque, they were generously received by the people, taken charge of by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Loras, and arrangements made to contribute to the success of their undertaking. They did not tarry long in the city, being anxious to begin upon the work to which their lives had been consecrated, and carry out, amid new scenes, the objects which had attained so pre-eminent distinction at home.

The Bishop of the diocese donated for their uses about five hundred acres of land in Vernon Township, within a stone's throw of their present abode. A small frame house, about fifteen feet square, occupied a portion of the ground, and was used as a home by the Order until more commodious quarters could be established. Upon taking possession, five hundred acres more were purchased and added to the estate, and, while a portion of the Order engaged in breaking up the prairie for agricultural purposes, the remainder devoted their moments, when not occupied in religious devotions, in erecting a house, which is still intact, standing directly north of the new abbey. Work on this was prose- cuted with diligence, and its completion accomplished in December of the same year. In the mean time, the residence of the Brothers was also used as a church, in which the Word of God was preached to a congregation composed of but four communicants, exclusive of the members of the Order. From this small beginning, the society has built up a large following, gathered from the neighborhood, who convene weekly in the new church for sacred purposes.

The frame abbey was completed, consecrated and taken possession of on Christmas Day, 1849, and, as already.stated, in the succeeding spring twenty- three monks came from Ireland and were furnished accommodations.

From this date, for fifteen years thereafter, the brotherhood devoted their hours, when not appropriated to religious observances, in tilling the soil. The prairies were thoroughly " broken up" and rendered mellow for the reception of seeds that have since yielded bountiful returns. The acreage of the domain was fenced and made secure against the approach of trespassers, the fields were adapted to production by cultivation and drainage, stock was purchased, all the equipments of the corporation were procured of the choicest qualities, and labor and skill combined to realize to the founders the greatest complement of perfection attainable.

In the fall of 1850, the Order received another accession to their member- ship from Ireland, and the small, unpretentious abbey of frame was filled to repletion. From this time until 1855, except those who were accepted as postu- lants from the neighborhood, there was no increase in the number of members, and, beyond additions made to the abbey, no improvements in the way of build- ings were undertaken. The Order was obliged to make haste slowly; there was no revenue, save that derived from the sale of products, and this was com- paratively small. The expenses incident to preparing the farm for future operations were heavy ; these, coupled with those incurred in the purchase of land, farm implements, stock, etc., exhausted their annual income, and, beyond the additions mentioned, improvements were included among the blessings reserved for the future to develop. In 1861, however, the land was all "broken up," fenced and under cultivation. They had upward of a hundred head of stock, of the more select breeds, and a surplus in the treasury. Thus favored, the Brothers began to consider their necessities, which involved the erection of buildings, the improvement of their estate, and other means of comfort and adornment. After a brief delay, they began, during the same year, the building

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of a stable, which was completed in the summer, and stands, to-day, a monument to the skill and material employed in its construction. It is built of frame, on enduring foundations, 300 feet in length by 50 feet wide, and two stories high, with a capacity for 300 head of stock and 1,000 tons of hay.

During the previous year the possibility of erecting a church had been con- sidered, and Brother Mark, a natural mechanic, employed his time in preparing material for the superstructure. But the plan suggested failed of adoption, and this, with other difficulties, decided a postponement of the improvement to a more auspicious time. Thereupon the stone prepared for the church was used in the building of a granary and mill, which stands east of the barn, and, when completed, afforded storage room for 20,000 bushels of grain. These were the first substantial improvements effected.

The congregation which worshiped in the church first occupied as an abbey, materially increased in the interval elapsing from 1850, and, in 1862, had become so numerous as to require more commodious quarters. With a view to accommodate worshipers, a church was erected during the summer of the latter year, and still fulfills its object. It was constructed under the super- vision of the Brothers, the labor being performed by men hired for that pur- pose. The edifice fronts on the road connecting the Cascade pikes, is 60x35, a small belfry surmounting the front portion, and was completed and furnished at a cost of about $1,200.

During the latter years of the war, the brotherhood made large sums by the sale of cattle, and at its close the profits therefrom amounted to not less than $150,000.

The money thus acquired was husbanded for the purpose of building an abbey, and, in 1867, preparations with that object in view were set on foot. Some delay was experienced pending the consideration of plans furnished by John Mullany, an architect, who had a brother in the Order, and it was not until March 8, 1868, that ground was broken and work actually commenced. The general plan decided upon was for the erection of four large stone buildings, inclosed in a hollow square; the buildings east and west to be 212 feet long by 28 feet wide and 30 feet high, those north and south 100 feet in length, exclusive of contemplated extensions. The work on the former structure was continued unceasingly during the year, and, in 1869, completed and roofed. It is built of stone, procured from quarries on the ground, with ornamental caps, corners and sills. The style of architecture is Gothic of the thirteenth century, mas- sive even in its ornaments, and by far the most expensive religious structure in America.

This building contains a refectory, dormitory, storerooms, guest chambers, etc .. the east end being appropriated to a library and wardrobe. The dormi- tory is supplied with inclosed couches for the brethren, furnished with a straw mattress and pillow, and kept warm with blankets, there being no sheets used. The guest chambers, however, are handsomely furnished and fitted with every convenience.

The east wing contains the chapter-room and chapel. This latter is 80x28 and 32 feet high, handsomely but plainly furnished, and will be used as a church until the completion of that now in contemplation. The chapel con- tains the altar, flanking which are two rows of stalls for postulants and cho- risters, to the right and left of whom sit the abbots and priors. In the same building is located the sacristy, containing the vestments and wardrobe used upon holy days, and an arcaded ambulatory, or cloister, runs around the inner court of the buildings, for study and meditation. The entire premises are heated by

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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

steam and supplied with water, a reservoir being located in a tower on the north wing, from which it is distributed over the house and grounds.

The gardens contain several acres east of the abbey, and are tastefully laid out, containing every variety of flowers, trees, plants, etc., the walks being entirely roofed over with evergreens, through the dense foliage of which a ray of light can scarcely penetrate. The Order has communities also at Youngs- town Penn, and in Nelson County, Ky., each of which is governed by a mitered Abbot.

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The history of Dubuque County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., Part 91

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Number of Pages: 964

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical
Number of Pages: 964