USA > Iowa > Henry County > The history of Henry county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 65
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1. Central District-Comprising all east of the center of Jefferson street, and also including the west side of Jefferson street from Monroe street to the southern line of the city.
2. Winona District-Comprising all west of the above line.
3. Centennial-Comprising all south of the center of Washington street. 4. Willow-Bank-Comprising all north of the railroad and east of Jeffer- son street, or Broadway (Iowa City road.)
THE LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
In the autumn of 1875, the "Ladies' Reading Circle," an institution that had existed for three ycars, resolved to merge itself into the " Ladies' Library Association," and as such was incorporated for the purpose "of establishing in Mount Pleasant a Public Library, comprising a Museum and Works of Art." The following ladies signed the Articles of Incorporation : Miss Nellie E. Ambler, Mrs. A. S. Marsh, Mrs. C. T. Cole, Mrs. Alice L. Taylor, Mrs. M. W. Ramey, Mrs. Callie S. Marsh, Mrs. A. C. Woolson, Miss Rachael Carney, Miss Emma
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L. Scwenker, Mrs. Charles T. Marsh and Mrs. Belle A. Mansfield. These eleven ladies constituted the first Executive Board, consisting of President, Vice President, Corresponding and Recording Secretaries, Treasurer, and Library and Lecture Committee, the latter two consisting of three members each. Mrs. Charles T. Marsh was made first President.
They commenced with a fund of $360, the net proceeds of a previous lect- ure course. They resolved to attempt to raise by an active canvass for donations of money and books a sum not less than $5,000. In case this sum could not be reached, they proposed to use $3,000 as an invested fund, the income of which should be a permanent provision for a librarian.
For several weeks, the ladies kept up a vigorous canvass, proving themselves most importunate beggars. The result fell far below their hopes, being ouly about $2,000, including several conditional subscriptions, not immediately avail- able. The largest sum subscribed and paid was $100, and the sums ranged from that amount to 50 cents.
Notwithstanding their disappointment in the amount raised, the ladies deter- mined to go on in their preparations for a library, relying upon the voluntary service of members as librarians, until they could do better. Accordingly, they proceeded to lease for five years their present quarters, a partially furnished hall in Ambler's Block, second floor, east side of the public square, at $150 per annum. They provided cases, reading-desks and other fixtures necessary for a small beginning. They took possession of the hall January 1, 1876, and from that date have laid claim to a " local habitation and a name."
They first secured the gift of a former collection, popularly known as the " Chamberlain Library," amounting to about eight hundred volumes. These books had been lying for several years in dusty piles in a back room of Ambler's law office. They had all been originally donated to Mr. Chamberlain and con- sisted of a medley of works of theology, science, travel and Patent Office Reports, with some very valuable books of reference. These were transferred to the new quarters, cleaned, labeled and arranged. Judge Gillis donated 300 volumes, comprising a complete set of Congressional Globes, Colonial records and other valuable State documents. Other donations of books were received, amounting in the aggregate to over two hundred volumes. The most valuable of these was a complete set of Appleton's American Encyclopedia, from Dr. M. Ranney, of the hospital.
The Association purchased 870 volumes, partly at second-hand; a few stand- ard magazines were subscribed for, and quite a number of periodicals and papers were donated for the reading tables, and thus the preparations for opening went on.
During the winter, an earnest effort had been made to secure the one-mill tax provided for by the code of 1873 concerning free libraries. The matter was kept before the people through the county papers ; a petition was circulated and the requisite number of signers secured, and strong hopes were felt that the measure would be carried at the March election. The City Council, however, decided not to submit the question, and the ladies turned away disappointed, but resolved to try again at some future time to give to Mount Pleasant a free public library and reading-room.
The Library was first opened for the circulation of books, April 8, 1876, and from that time to the present has been open every Tuesday and Saturday afternoon and Saturday evenings, the reading tables and books of reference being free to all. The sum of $3 per annum, or $1 per quarter, was the price fixed for all who desired to take books from the room. The donation or pay-
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ment of $50 entitled one to a life-membership ticket, with the privilege of voting with the association.
Mrs. Alice L. Taylor served as Librarian during the first two months. The duties of this office are still performed in the same way, various members of the Association serving in rotation for terms of two and three months each.
Comparatively few cash donations have been added to the original list. The association popularly known as the Ladies' Library Association has kept its treasury replenished by dint of social, literary, musical and dramatic entertain- ments. During the first year they made a loan of $300 as the nucleus of a permanent fund ; owing to the pressure of the times, they have been able as yet to add but $200 to this fund. The number of subscribers has at no time brought in more than $150 per year. For 1878, the proceeds of the sale of tickets fell considerably short of this meager sum, although the number of vis- itors and of those reading in the Library materially increased.
The Library opened with 2,200 books ; the Library Committee report for October 1, 1878, the whole number of volumes as 2,816.
The report for the year, ending with October, 1878, was: Whole circula- tion of books going out of the Library, 1,645; fiction, 1,141 ; history, biog- raphy and science, 298; essays, 113 ; visitors, 4,254 ; persons using reading- room, 1,952.
The officers for the year 1878-79 are as follows : President, Mrs. A. S. Marsh ; Vice President, Mrs. A. C. Woolson ; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. C. T. Cole; Recording Secretary, Miss Sallie Porter ; Treasurer, Mrs. Callie S. Marsh ; Library Committee, Miss Rachael Carney, Mrs. S. Saunders, Miss Lola Goan ; Entertainment Committee, Mrs. Alice L. Taylor, Mrs. J. S. McGregor, Mrs. Belle A. Mansfield.
It is sincerely to be hoped that so beneficent an institution, and one reflect- ing so much credit upon its projectors, may soon be placed upon such a liberal basis as will make it free and permanent, which result could at least be approx- imated, if not fully achieved by the appropriation of the small tax allowed by the laws of the State.
THE MUSEUM.
In the original Constitution of the Ladies' Library Association, there was a provision for both a library and. a museum, but no Museum Committee was appointed until 1878. This committee, when appointed, invited Prof. J. M. Mansfield to take charge of the collection and arrangement of the work, his well-known excellence as a scientist eminently fitting him for that task. Pub- lic invitations were given through the newspapers to every one at home and abroad to bring in minerals, fossils, plants, animals and industrial and art products. The local papers kept the cause before the people from week to week, which aroused a species of enthusiasm especially among the younger members of society, and the result was a surprising progress from the very outset.
Ardor begets ardor, and the spirit with which Prof. Mansfield undertook and pursued his labors aroused a corresponding interest in others, and as he made his wants definitely known, by way of explicit appeals through the press, any one who had a desire to aid in the matter knew just what was desired, and thus the assistance rendered was, as a rule, concise and available. Many scien- tific specimens were at once sent, and these have been added to continually.
The plan of the Museum is that it shall act as an educator, and not be merely a resort for seekers of curious sights. It is free to all to study in, and to take part in building it up. The desire on the part of its conductor is to find at home persons so interested in the various departments of science that
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
they can and will so devote themselves to their chosen branches as to be able to take charge of them, thus augmenting the strength of the institution in a great degree. These workers, thus far, have been allowed large individual latitude, and the oftentimes artistic arrangement of products and specimens shows the wisdom of thus encouraging undeveloped talent.
The first ones who took a working interest in the young Museum were the children. They found great delight in collecting insects, and more than one hundred nets, or handles and wires, were distributed among them, and it was not long before there was not a butterfly to be seen on the streets of Mount Pleasant, and the young savants were forced to push their operations out into the open fields, commons and groves, bringing home their booty in boxes. One boy brought 380 butterflies from a two-days hunt, and 100 a day was not an uncommon capture. As a consequence, an intense general interest was felt as the specimens were mounted and arranged, which still continues.
Over one thousand persons have taken part, in one way or another, in this work, which is yet in its infancy. A list of all donors is kept, and the name of the giver appears upon the labels appended to each specimen. Of course, a list of articles already accumulated and arranged would be out of place here.
The practical idea of educating through this means is characteristic of Prof. Mansfield. His future projects in the labor he has undertaken point to a far wider progress than the mere filling of cabinets. It is his plan to have it a center of scientific instruction, a place to be visited by schools throughout the county and the farther adjoining country, and to have its development stimulate all departments of material science.
He has in view the possibility, at no distant day, of obtaining scientific apparatus to illustrate natural philosophy, chemistry, and other useful arts, and to let visitors, without cost, experiment upon any subject, giving them such aid as is necessary to carry on their investigations. If a farmer thinks of some now way to manufacture sorghum, he may be able to come in and experiment until he finds it out ; in fact, to let all classes of people have the opportunity to play with these scientific toys in the interests of invention, the elucidation of ideas, or the satisfaction of some theory. Moreover, he would have such appa- ratus loaned free to every school in the county. On the whole, he aspires to see the Museum the nucleus of an institute for mechanical and scientific instruc- tion, somewhat after the fashion of the South Kensington Museum, which sends out to all England scientific apparatus for their schools.
MOUNT PLEASANT MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
On the list of manufactories may be included these : The Mount Pleasant Plow Works and Talley's carriage works, combined ; the Hawkeye Carriage Works, the Hawkeye Foundry, W. F. Dougherty's furniture manufactory, the Comstock Scale Works, Leedham & Baugh's planing-mill, Henry Leed- ham's planing-mill, the Mount Pleasant Woolen-Mill, the Western Wheel- Scraper Works, L. W. Taylor's flour-mill, Ketchum Brothers' elevator and flour-mill, and Ketcham Brothers' flour-mill and elevator. On this list may also be counted the Chicago Lumber-Yard, of B. F. Ross. This yard was started in 1870, by B. F. and J. L. Ross, the firm then being known as Ross Brothers. In 1877, the month of December, the senior partner became owner of the Chicago Lumber-Yard. The brothers, however, jointly own the yard recently purchased by them, the same being located near the railroad.
Two of the three flouring-mills and elevators are now owned by Ketcham Brothers. The old mill owned by them was built by John Wertz. The eleva-
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
tor connected with the new mill was put up by Mr. Castor. It was, until recently, operated by Messrs. Bowman & Kaufman. The new mill was built by Ketcham Brothers. Their property is known as the Excelsior Mills. They do custom work.
The City Mill was built by Dr. De Wolf, and afterward came into the pos- session of L. W. Taylor, who still owns it, doing a custom business.
The Comstock Scale Works Company was organized in 1876.
Situated near the Comstock Scale Works, is the Hawkeye Foundry. This Company does a general iron-manufacturing business, the principal feature of its casting being done in the interest of the Scale Works.
SALEM.
The village of Salem is pleasantly located in the southwest corner of Henry County. In the center of the town is a beautiful public square, containing a number of shade-trees, around which is built the principal business portion of the town. Its inhabitants are industrious, thrifty and highly moral, and the educational and religious institutions receive much attention, and are well sus- tained. It is known throughout the State as an educational center, and Whit- tier College which is located there, has a reputation second to no institution of learning in Iowa. The mercantile and other business interests are in a pros- perous condition.
Aaron Street, Jr., and Peter Boyer laid off the village of Salem, on March 30, 1839.
The first people who came and settled at this point were R. W. Joy, R. F. Joy, Peter Boyer, Aaron Street, Jr., Isaac Pigeon, William Pigeon, D. W. Henderson, J. H. Pickering, Henderson Lewelling, William Lewelling, Peter Hobson, John W. Frazier.
Peter Boyer kept the first hotel, and John Bell the first store.
Gideon Frazier was the first physician.
The first Postmaster was Aaron Street, Jr.
A Mr. Schafer and Elizabeth Dunham were the first couple married.
Salem to-day has a population of, perhaps, eight hundred people. The vote cast at this precinct is a little over 300.
There are in the place nine general stores, two drug stores, two hotels, three shoe stores, two harness-shops, two tin and hardware stores, one cabinet and furniture establishment, two wagon-shops, three blacksmith-shops, and one livery-stable.
There was once a flour-mill here. It was built in 1863, by J. H. & A. H. Pickering, who run it until 1876. The machinery was afterward moved to Donald Station, in Lee County.
The town was incorporated in 1840, and a renewal of the charter was granted in 1860. But there are no books to show who were the first city officers, neither whose names have composed the list of succeeding ones. Neither does the memory of the citizens furnish these facts.
THE LODGES.
Salem has two Lodges. These constitute the benevolent institutions of the place.
Salem Lodge, No. 48, I. O. O. F., was organized in 1853. The charter members were: C. V. Arnold, N. G .; Lloyd Chambers, V. G .; Richard
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Spurrier, Joe Chambers, William Johnson, Samuel Smith, C. M. McDowell and J. S. Bartruff.
Salem Lodge, No. 17, A. F. § A. M., is in a thriving condition.
RELIGIOUS.
The Society of Friends is the oldest religious denomination at Salem. The first meetings were held in 1837. Meetings were carried on at the pri- vate houses of the citizens, until the year 1840, when the society built a church, the Rev. Thomas Frazier being the first minister. The society erected a brick church in 1853, which lasted them until 1867, when it was moved to the lot now occupied by Whittier College, and made to serve as a beginning for that institution. A new frame church was built in 1876 and is now occupied.
Next in age to the Society of Friends is the Methodist denomination, organ- ized in 1840. A log church was soon built, and was not replaced by a more commodious building until 1855. The building yet serves.
The Congregational society was organized about twenty-five years ago, at which time they erected a church, the same one being used at the present time.
The Baptists organized a society here twenty-five years ago and continued worship in rented buildings until 1873, when a church was put up.
A Universalist society was organized here twenty-five years ago. In 1873, D. W. Henderson purchased a house in which the society held meetings one year, when a windstorm demolished the building. This disaster seemed to throw a dampening spirit about the society, for since that time they have held no meetings.
THE SCHOOLS.
The first schools of Salem were held as early as one year after the town was settled, and the private houses accommodated the scholars. This system con- tinued until 1853, when a dwelling-house was purchased and turned into a schoolhouse. Fifteen years ago a public schoolhouse, containing four rooms, was built. The roll contains the names of 200 scholars.
WHITTIER COLLEGE.
The Society of Friends (Orthodox) at Salem united with others and formed an association for the purpose of erecting and establishing an institution of learning with all the powers of an academical character usually exercised by collegeș.
The Friends having a sincere admiration of the life and character of the Quaker poet, John G. Whittier, and desiring in some proper manner to mani- fest their appreciation of his services to the cause of freedom and humanity, and believing that the association of his name with an institution of learning would tend to impress the minds of students with the philanthropic and humane principles which have directed his life, it was decided to call the college by his name.
The college association was duly incorporated the 17th of May, 1867, by the following corporators : Harvey Derbyshire, John H. Pickering, Isaac T. Gibson, Henry Dorland, Eric Knudson, Amos McMillan, A. B. Marsh and John M. Corsbie.
To manage the business of the Association, the following Board of Direct- ors was chosen : Isaac T. Gibson, John M. Corsbie, John H. Pickering, Jona- than Votaw, Henry Dorland, James E. Bailey, L. M. Pickering, George Hart- ley, Peter Holson, Wheeler Davis, Samuel Comes, Enoch Beard, Eric Kundson, Matthew Trueblood and J. E. Pickering.
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
The Board organized by electing John H. Pickering, President; Isaac T. Gibson, Secretary, and Eric Knudson, Treasurer.
The Friends kindly offered the use of the upper story of their large brick church, handsomely located in the suburbs of the town, which was fitted up and furnished for the reception of students. The first term was opened the 20th of April, 1868, by Prof. John W. Woody and Mrs. Mary C. Woody, Principals of the male and female departments, whose energy and industry made the col- lege an assured success,
They were succeeded, in 1872, by C. C. Pickett and Miss Anna E. Packer, and in 1874, by D. S. Wright and J. B. Wright. In 1875, the attendance of students was so large that it was necessary to provide more accommodations for them. The college had been sustained thus far, mainly by a few liberal Friends in and near Salem. The Board obtained the services of Elwood Ozbun (a Quaker minister) to solicit assistance among wealthy Friends in the East, with some success. Subsequently, Miss Hannah Beard was employed to canvass in the same field and also at home, with gratifying success. The Board purchased the church of the Friends, remodeling and fitting up the building in convenient apartments for school purposes.
In payment, the Board built for the Friends a new church near by, better adapted to their needs.
Valuable additions were now made to the library, the American and Cham- bers' Cyclopodias and other standard works of reference. Whittier and others made handsome donations of valuable books.
Rare and valuable specimens, by gift and otherwise, were made to the cab- inet, and to the chemical and philosophical apparatus. The number of students in attendance was 125. William P. Clark and E. P. Griffin assumed charge in 1876, and continued two years.
The Faculty at present are : Miss L. L. Horney, Principal, and Prof. C. F. Wahrer, Levi Gregory and T. F. Price.
We should name, in connection with these different managers, some of the teachers who have done good work in their respective departments, and are entitled to a share of the honor of building up such an institution as Whittier now is, to wit: L. D. Lewelling, H. H. Pidgeon, Barclay T. Trueblood, Mrs. Sarah Wahrer and B. F. Stowe.
The Institution has had its trials, but there has been no intermission in its work, and, beside the regular sessions, it has generally held a Normal term during the summer.
The first class graduated in 1871. The whole number of graduates is forty-seven, who may be found, with many others of Whittier students, not only pursuing the plainer duties of life, but honoring the various learned profes- sions, and as missionaries and teachers in the South among the freedmen ; in the Territories, among the Indians, and on the Pacific Coast with the Chinese.
There are five literary societies connected with the Institution ; two are sus- tained by the males, one by the females and two by the males and females together.
The teaching in the College is not sectarian, but with a view to establish the student in an evangelical faith, impressing principles rather than forms of religion.
The history of the college may be gathered by the following extract from a report made in 1875:
The Whittier College Association was incorporated the 18th of Fifth month, 1867, to establish and maintain at Salem, Henry Co., Iowa, an institution
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
of learning with all the powers of an academical character usually exercised by colleges, to be conducted according to the principles of the Society of Friends, and open alike to all who will conform to its rules and regulations.
The zeal and determination manifested by the teachers, patrons and friends are taken as satisfactory evidence that it will continue to be self-sustaining. In the past we have been much favored by receiving donations for the library and cabinet from our friends, John G. Whittier, William P. Wood, John Harvey, J. H. Pickering, Reuben Johnson, Obadiah Brown, and others.
It is our purpose, with the continued favor of Divine Providence, to do in the future as we have done in the past-make each succeeding term more profit- able and attractive to the student, and keep pace with the growth of general intelligence.
Those who may desire to aid the institution in its struggle for means to increase its usefulness, can do so in the following ways: By sending us stu- dents ; by sending us contributions for our cabinet; by direct donations ; by legacies ; by circulating our catalogues and diffusing information concerning the school ; but above all, by their prayers that we may be kept faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
The prosperity of the institution during the past school year, has been unex- ampled in its history. During the winter term of '75, the study and recita- tion rooms were crowded to their utmost capacity. In view of this fact, the Board of Directors anticipating a still increased attendance during the coming year, have secured the entire building in which the college is conducted, which they propose to remodel and adapt to uses of the institution. This arrange- ment by which the capacity of the building will be more than doubled, will be completed by the commencement of the winter term.
Whittier College is handsomely situated in the suburbs of the town, and is approached by railroad, via Mount Pleasant, the county seat; thence by daily coach, ten miles south ; and is one of the most moral, temperate and healthy towns in the State, and is surrounded by a community of like char- acter.
The following compose the present corps of teachers : Lizzie L. Horney, A. B., Principal, Metaphysics, Ancient Languages and Didactics ; C. F. Wahrer, B. S., Higher Mathematics and Natural Sciences ; Theodore F. Price, Prof. Rhetoric, Elocution and English Literature ; Levi Gregory, B. S., Book- keeping, Commercial Law and Commercial Correspondence. Competent assist- ants in common branches are secured.
The Board have managed the finances with marked economy, doing more with a few hundreds than many colleges have with thousands of dollars. One secret of their success has been to avoid involving the institution in debt, which is a rare virtue among college managers. The founders have no doubt but Whittier will take her place among the first colleges of the United States.
The names of the present Board of Directors are as follows: John M. Corsbie, Moses Votaw, A. K. Trueblood, L. D. Lewelling, Mrs. Anna M. Gib- son, J. H. Pickering, Henry Dorland, Isaac T. Gibson, Enoch Beard, Will- iam S. Hockett, William Davis, William Marshall, Levi Gregory, Joseph Ozbun and Mrs. Gurlana Beard.
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