USA > Iowa > Jackson County > The history of Jackson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion history of the Northwest, history of Iowa miscellaneous matters, &c > Part 65
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FIRES.
Bellevue, as a city, has been remarkably free from the ravages of the fire- fiend, due, no doubt, to the proximity to a bountiful supply of water and a good fire department, but more especially to the fact of the non-combustible material of which the city is built. Brick and stone buildings predominate to a remarkable degree for a Western city of its size. Fire has, on several occa- sions, visited the town, but, in almost every instance, has. confined itself to a single building.
'The first fire of any importance of which we have any note, was the burn- ing of the residence of Capt. W. A. Warren, which took fire in the spring of 1853, and destroyed the building and contents. It was a severe loss to the owner, for it took away about all he possessed. Unfortunately, he had no insurance upon the building, which was worth about $1,200. Upon his furni- ture he was insured in the Dubuque Mutual for $300.
The next fire was in the fall of 1853, when the store of William Henry, situated at the lower end of Front street, was burned. It took fire about dark, and, although the citizens worked with a will to save the stock of goods, very little was rescued from the flames. There were $1,500 insurance upon the stock. The loss was estimated at $1,000, which amount was paid by the insur- ance company. The building was a two-story frame, 20x36 feet, and belonged · to the Thomas Graham estate. It was a total loss, and uninsured.
The next fire was more disastrous in its effect. It took place during the night of October 12, 1853, and was found to be in the large carpenter-shop of
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
J. B. Bovard. The building was filled with finished and unfinished sash, doors and blinds and lumber. The origin of this fire is attributed to the carelessness of a half-drunken German, who went into the shop, and, while lighting his pipe, set fire to the inflammable material around. He paid for his carelessness with his life, for, after the debris had been removed, his charred remains were found. This fire also consumed the Roman Catholic Church, a frame building about 24x36 feet, and worth about $800. The carpenter-shop and contents were a total loss, and were worth about $2,000.
The city was free from fires after the above for several years, until the cry of " Fire!"' was heard one day in the fall of 1864, when the livery stable occu- pied by Smith Mckinley was found to be burning. By the exertions of the citizens, the animals were saved, but the building and contents were destroyed. The building was the property of T. H. Davis. There was no insurance. The loss amounted to about $1,000.
After this fire, another period of years intervened before another fire occurred, but in the spring of 1871, flames broke out in the flour and feed store of Stuart & Co., and communicated with the warehouse of Eli Cole, con- suming both. They were frame buildings, and the loss was in the neighbor- hood of $1,500.
The last large fire which has visited this place occurred upon the 1st of August, 1878, at about 10 o'clock in the evening, and was the large ice-house of the Bellevue Ice Company, composed of the firms of Kilborn & Co. and Dorchester & Co. £ The building was 66x120 feet, and was about one-third full of ice, which was owned by James Cavanagh. The fire made a clean sweep of everything pertaining to the building. The part of the build- ing belonging to Dorchester & Co. was insured for $600, but the balance was uninsured. The ice was insured, the company paying $2,700 in settle- ment.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The fire department is in a good condition, having thirty-five efficient mem, bers always ready to respond to an alarm. They have a fine brick building- with belfry and bell. The building is thirty-eight by forty-four feet, and con- nected with the same are commodious sheds. Their apparatus consists of a large hand engine, hook and ladder truck and ladders, hose cart and a supply of hose.
Joseph Cavits is the present Chief of the department. The company holds regular quarterly meetings for the election of officers.
MANUFACTORIES, ETC.
Jasper Flouring-Mills .- These mills are located near the mouth of Mill Creek. The mills were built in 1844, by Potter & Gammel, but have since been much improved. The building is now about sixty by eighty feet-a sub- stantial frame with stone foundation-erected and equipped at a cost of about $40,000. The mills contain six run of stone, and have a capacity for turning out 200 barrels of flour per day.
The present owners and proprietors are Kilborn & Co., the firm being com- posed of N. Kilbourn, J. Kelso and A. Reiling. The power propelling the mill is supplied by Mill Creek, a substantial dam having been built at this point.
Jackson Flouring-Mill .- This mill is further up Mill Creek, and was built in 1859 by John Gammel. It is also owned and operated by Kilborn & Co.,
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having two run of stone and a capacity of 100 barrels per day. The building is a frame forty by sixty feet, and cost $15,000.
A. J. Dorchester & Co.'s Saw-Mill .- The mill is located at the foot of Front street, near the union of Mill Creek with the Mississippi. It was built by Potter & Hays, in 1855, and is equipped with double rotary and gangedger saws, and has a capacity for sawing 30,000 feet of lumber per day.
The mill is owned and operated by A. J. & H. G. Dorchester, under the firm name given above. These gentlemen handle about two million feet of lumber per season of five months.
Henry Nemstadt's Brewery is located on State Street, about half a mile west from the river. It is a large' brick and frame structure, and was built about 1860, at a cost of near $6,000, by one Raemhaldtef. From his hands, it passed to Mr. Lineman, who operated the brewery for a time. It was then suffered to lie idle some eight years, when, in 1876, Conrad Metzger took it for a year. In 1877, it was purchased by Henry Nemstadt, the present pro- prietor, who manufactures some eight hundred to one thousand barrels of beer of beer annually for the supply of Bellevue and vicinity.
A sash, door and blind factory, by Frank Schlect, on Second street ; a pot- tery and soda water factory, complete the manufacturing interests of Bellevue.
TEMPERANCE CLUBS.
It may almost be said of Bellevue that it is a model temperance city, for, were it not for the German element, who take their beer as a national habit, the public sentiment is almost wholly upon the side of total abstinence. This state of affairs has been gradual in its accomplishment, but it is the natural result of hard and well-directed efforts upon the part of the temperance peo- ple of this city. Their beginnings were small, but, like the grain of mustard- seed, their power has grown to be a strong and mighty tree, under whose branches many find shelter.
The first agitation of the question of temperance in this place was in the year 1839, when Elder Bartholomew Weed, a Methodist missionary, held a camp-meeting in the woods known as the Forks of the Maquoketa, a number of miles from the city. It speaks well for his power of conviction, when, as a result of his labors, about 150 signed the pledge, and that at a time when there were but few inhabitants in this vicinity, and they rough pioneers. From this time down, there were no especial movements in favor of temperance, although various organizations were established here, and did their good work in a quiet sort of way.
The Sons of Temperance organized October 12, 1853, with forty-four members, and, for a time, the city was strongly total abstinence.
The Watchmen were here in 1855; then came the Temple of Honor in 1856, and it continued until 1860. It had about forty members. It was fol- lowed by the Order of Sons of Temperance, with the ladies also as members. This Order was established in 1870 by G. R. Manning, Grand Scribe of the State. It continued its good work until 1877, when the grand temperance revival which swept over the whole country struck Bellevue. It did good service in this place.
The following are the temperance socicties here : " The Reform Club," with 500 members ; "The Women's Christian Temperance Union," with 60 mem- bers ; "The Literary Temperance Union," with 24 members, and " The Juvenile Union," with 160 members.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Women's Christian Temperance Union .- The oldest temperance organiza- tion of those now in existence is the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. It is a branch of the national organization of that name, and was formed in Bellevue in the fall of 1874, with between thirty and forty members, and the election of the following officers : Mrs. J. D. Cotton, President ; Mrs. C. Hun- toon, of the Episcopal Church, Miss Fannie Cole, of the Methodist Church, Mrs. J. C. Hughey, of the Congregational Church, Mrs. W. A. Bockins, of the Presbyterian Church, Vice Presidents ; Mrs. W. A. Warren, Treasurer ; Mrs. M. H. Watkins, Secretary ; Mrs. S. F. Kelso, Corresponding Secretary. The society hold prayer-meetings every Friday afternoon, their motto seeming to be that " the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous woman availeth much.' They accomplished a good deal in this quiet way, but, the enemy being in such power, they concluded to try more vigorous measures, and, as a beginning, instituted public meetings, at which lectures, essays, recitations, readings and music were had, and the public were invited. Everything at these meetings pertained to temperance, and it was at the first of these that the earnest thought was brought out in favor of temperance among the citizens of Bellevue. They have continued these meetings ever since, holding them every second Saturday in each month in the Congregational Church-more recently in the rooms of the Reform Club. They invited Mr. Jacob Hoofstitler and Col. Rowell to come and hold revival meetings in 1877, and thus awakened a strong feeling among the citizens in favor of temperance.
The present officers of the Union are: Mrs. J. C. Hughey, President ; Mrs. H. J. Reed, of the Presbyterian Church, Mrs. J. C. Conlehan, Methodist Church, Mrs. W. A. Bockins, Presbyterian Church, Mrs. W. A. Maginnis, Catholic Church, Mrs. D. A. Wynkoop, Vice Presidents ; Mrs. W. A. Warren, Treasurer ; Miss Mary Maginnis, Secretary ; Mrs. S. F. Kelso, Cor. Secretary.
They now have sixty members, all of whom are honest, hard-working labor- ers in the cause which they have so much at heart.
The Bellevue Reform Club .- As a result of the tidal wave which passed over the country in the cause of temperance, "The Bellevue Reform Club " was formed. It was organized in December, 1877, and the following officers were elected : D. A. Wynkoop, President; Myron Collins, Vice President ; R. E. Conlehan, Secretary ; Martin Dunn, Jr., Treasurer; G. W. McNulty, Financier.
Soon after its organization, Mr. Hoofstitler and Col. Rowell came and held meetings, and as a result the rolls of the Club were increased to about five hundred members. The Club hold meetings every Tuesday evening in the City Hall, which is rented by them exclusively. They give public entertainments in this hall, which is a commodious one, being 26x70 feet. They own a quantity of fine scenery, and are thus enabled to give theatrical entertainments. It is the aim of the Club to make their meetings so pleasant that every one will be glad to come. The moral influence of the place, its lectures, concerts and other per- formances all teaching the lesson of "temperance in all things," will have a tendency to convert those who are addicted to drink, and strengthen the will of those who have determined to resist the " tempter " and enable them to fight against their appetite with greater persistency.
The present officers are : W. A. Maginnis, President; J. C. Campbell, Vice President ; M. J. Linsey, Secretary ; A. Breese, Treasurer. Executive Com- mittee-William M. Keister, G. W. McNulty, W. K. Heuton. Entertainment Committee-G. W. McNulty, William K. Henton, A. Breese. Grievance Committee-C. Kevitz, P. Prandy, H. G. Pitts.
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It is the duty of the Grievance Committee to find out and report the cases of those members who "backslide," but to the honor of the members be it said this committee have very little work to do, for those who have joined the Club have kept the pledge with the exception of a very few. The organization con- tinues its good work with a full membership and a full treasury.
The Juvenile Union .- This society, composed of young people under the age of fifteen years, was formed in January, 1878, by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and is under the care of that society. The Union numbers 160 members. Miss Fannie Bockins is its Secretary. They hold regular monthly meetings on the second Saturday afternoon of each month. The object of the good ladies of the W. C. T. U. is to educate the young people in the truths of temperance, that when they grow up they may be so rooted in the faith, that they will never touch the " cup that intoxicates."
The Literary Temperance Union .- On the last Monday of November, 1878, another temperance society was formed under the title of The Literary Temper- ance Union. It started with twenty-four members, and elected the following officers : Edward Slattery, President ; Jennie A. Dorr, Vice President; John Kisskadden, Secretary ; Nettie Hnghey, Treasurer.
The society has since increased to forty members. They hold their services in the City Hall every other Monday evening.
Their objects are mutual improvement, temperance work and literary exer- cises. Their present officers are : James Gray, President ; Libby Gray, Vice President; Frank Woods, Secretary; Nettie Hughey, Treasurer; Emma Hughey, Corresponding Secretary ; Finley Breese, George Russell, Critics.
Thus it will be seen that the temperance army of Bellevue have soldiers enlisted in its cause from childhood to old age, and it will have to be a very well organized enemy that will be able to withstand them.
SOCIETIES.
St. Joseph's Society .- It is a noteworthy fact, that in no Christian denom - ination is there so much attention paid to charitable work among its own faith as among the Roman Catholics. Its Sisters of Charity and Mercy extend their works of charity beyond their own church, and many the poor, sick soldier who has blessed them for their loving care when far away from those most dear to him. In city and town, in time of pestilence and death, these self- denying women can always be found to relieve the suffering and speak words of comfort and hope. So it is in every place where the Catholic Church has a congregation, we always find some charitable society for the relief of the sick and destitute. And Bellevue is not an exception. For here is established an association whose sole object is to be benevolent, supporting sufferers during sickness and ill-fortune. It is called the St. Joseph's Society and was formed March 21, 1869, by the election of F. Schlecht, President ; Julius Leeneman, Vice President ; Nich Rolling, Secretary ; A. Reiling, Cashier; Nich Shaffer, Marshal ; John Baumann, Gotfried Kempter, Fabian Schirmer, Finance Com- mittee.
The Society holds regular monthly meetings in the schoolroom of the . church. It has at present a fund of $300 to be applied as necessity dictates. Its present officers are : G. Mayer, President ; A. G. Kegler, Vice President ; S. Kempter, Secretary ; Nic Homan, Treasurer ; John Hoffman, Marshal.
Harmony Band .- In 1858, there was a cornet band formed in Bellevue, consisting of sixteen pieces, and furnished music acceptably for the citizens of
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
the town and vicinity. The war breaking out in 1861, many of the members enlisted, and, to a certain extent, crippled the usefulness of the band, which, however, kept up its organization until 1876. At that time, it was in a poor condition. Upon the 6th day of January, 1876, the Harmony Band was organized, or rather the old band was re-organized, and a brass band of ten pieces was formed. The following being the members and the instruments upon which they play : P. H. Banneck, Leader and B flat cornet; G. Yung, 1st E flat cornet; L. Heep, 2d E cornet ; F. Schlecht, 2d B cornet ; M. Altfilisch, 1st alto ; G. Kempter, baritone; John Kass, B tenor; G. Mayr, bass ; J. Blusch, bass drum ; C. K. Shay, tenor drum. The present officers of the band are : P. H. Banneck, Leader : G. Yung, Business Manager ; M. Altfilisch, Secretary and Treasurer. The Band have been very successful since their organization, having bought a piece of land north of the city, which they named Harmony Park. They improved it, putting in a fine dancing hall and other buildings, planted shade trees and in many ways added to its attractiveness until now it is one of the prettiest spots on the Northern Mississippi. The land was bought for $250 and the improvements cost $2,000, all of which have been paid for out of the earnings of the Band in the last three years. The park is much sought after by excursion parties from abroad and is the favorite picnicking ground for the citizens of Bellevue.
The Band discourses sweet music upon all occasions when wanted and often give concerts, balls and other entertainments for the pleasure of all who choose to attend.
The Bellevue Turnverein .- The German citizens of Bellevue have not been behind their brethren in other places in the matter of societies for their enjoyment and instruction. The Bellevue Turnverein is a society which has for its objects, humanity, the development of physical strength, brotherly and harmonious sociability, mental culture, exercises in gymnastics, handling arms, target shooting, and the helping and caring for the sick and unfortunate among their members. The society as such is free from all religious or political prin- ciples. It was formed upon the 17th of February, 1867, by Charles Schmoger, Ed. Alber, L. Schlecht, F. G. Fischer, William Hanser, N. Hengen, F. Hanske, Michael Zentner, John Lauber, M. Altfilisch, John Bloesch, Fr. Schirmer, George Yung, Casp. Herdeg, Firtz Dierkes, Gangolf Mahr, John Schlecht, Golf. Kempter, Jac. Harle, George Wagner, Joseph Stocker, Carl Mairer, John . Weiss, Carl Schmidt, F. Schlecht, Joseph Schlecht and Joseph Born, they being the charter members.
The first officers of the society were: E. F. Harting, President; F. G. Fischer, Vice President; Chris. Kucherman, Secretary ; Frank Hanske, Treasurer; George Wagner, First Turner ; Gangolf Mayr, Second Turner ; Joseph Schlecht, Steward.
The members of the Turnverein meet for practice on the first and second Tuesdays in each month, in Harmony Hall in Harmony Park, where they have all kinds of gymnastic implements and appliances for physical culture.
The present officers are : Gangolf Mayr, President; M. Zentner, Vice President ; Phillip Holzhammer, Secretary ; Fred Dierkes, Treasurer ; Franz Landwehr, First Turner ; Chris Waygandt, Second Turner ; Nic Hengen, Steward.
The society has a large fund on hand with which to relieve any distress coming to any of their members.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
FRATERNITIES.
Lodge No. 51, A., F. § A. M .- Bellevue has a flourishing Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, numbering, at the present time, about fifty members. including many of the most influential citizens of the place. They have a nice, large hall and banqueting-room on Front street, in Niemann's Block, which overlooks the Mississippi River, and from the windows of which a beautiful view of the river and the bluffs of Illinois may be had. There are, among the mem -. bers, those who have taken the higher degrees of Masonry, Mr. W. L. Red- mond having taken the Thirty-second Degree, and Messrs. George J. Linsey, Morris J. Linsey, J. P. Roach, A. M. Fanning and Charles Herron being Royal Arch Masons.
The Lodge was instituted and the charter obtained upon the 6th day of June, 1855, the following gentlemen being the charter members : Messrs. P. L. Lake, D. F. Spurr, G. W Lewis, Joseph H. Smith, James Watkins, J. S. Darling and David Swaney. The Lodge meet in their hall upon the first Mon- day evening of each month.
The following were the first officers of the Lodge : P. L. Lake, Worship- ful Master; D. F. Spurr, Senior Warden ; G. W. Lewis, Junior Warden. The Lodge was instituted by A. R. Cotton, Grand Master of the State. The pres- ent officers are : H. G. Dorchester, Worshipful Master; A. M. Fanning, Senior Warden ; Charles Herron, Junior Warden ; Ambrose Breese, Treas- urer; P. C. Henry, Secretary ; M. J. Linsey, Senior Deacon ; H. D. Koster, Junior Deacon.
Through all the good and evil fortunes of Bellevue as a city, this society has kept on in the even tenor of its way, doing its good work in a quiet, unob- trusive manner, always having a full membership, and to-day is a live institu- tion, exerting its good influence according to its own institutions.
D. O. Harugari .- Among the many societies for the relief and assistance of members is the German Order of Harugari. There is a Lodge of this Order in Bellevue. This and one at Independence are the only Lodges in the State. Bellevue Lodge was founded July 31, 1859. The first officers of the institution were: M. Moseler, O. B .; John Lauber, U. B .; Frank Losenthel, Treasurer ; A. Ramharter, Secretary. They started with six members, which number increased from year to year, till some time after the war of the rebel- lion broke out, when, so many members going away to the war, the society was discontinued. It was re-organized January 25, 1869. The object of the asso- ciation is about the same as other secret societies. It is a brotherhood banded together for the purpose of helping and relieving one another in trouble and sickness. Lately, life insurance has been added to their institutions, the change taking place April 1, 1879. The insurance is divided into three sections- first, $500 ; second. $1,000; third, $2,000. Members may, at their discretion, enter all three.
The Lodge meets every Wednesday evening, at Altfilisch's Hall. They have twenty-two members at present, having lost seven by death since their organization. The present officers are : John Hoffman, O. B .; Chris. Kuche- mann, U. B .; George Yung, Secretary ; Adam Strasser, Treasurer.
There are 350 Lodges of this Order in the United States. They support a newspaper, published at Reading, Penn., called the Deutsche Eiche.
The society in Bellevue is in a good financial condition, having about $1,201) in its treasury at present. Although the society here makes but little noise,
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
its works of charity are many, and the widow and orphan have had cause to bless both the organization and its generous-hearted members.
Ancient Order of United Workmen .- Bellevue Lodge of Ancient Order of United Workmen was organized in Bellevue March 10, 1876, by S. L. Baker, District . Deputy Grand Master, with the following officers: G. W. Frost, P. M. W .; J. P. Roche, M. W .; M. Altfilisch, G. F .; W. O. Evans, O .; J. W. Crocker, R .; G. Henske, F .; W. L. Redmond, Receiver ; N. Robb, G .; Th. Stampher, I. W .; W. K. Henton, O. W. These, with twenty others, formed the charter members.
The Lodge meets every Friday evening in the Masonic Hall. The society has been prosperous from the first, and has gradually increased in membership. There are at present forty-three members.
Death has visited the Lodge twice since its organization, and has taken away John Lauber, who dropped dead while fishing on the Illinois side of the river, and Frank Henske, who died of consumption. The objects of the society are fraternal support, assistance and life insurance, the latter being its distinguishing characteristic. The families of those who died received $2,000 each immediately upon the death of the member.
The present officers of the Lodge are: M. Altfilisch, P. M. W .; J .. P. Keiffer, M. W .; D. A. Wynkoop, G. F .; E. Slattery, O .; W. K. Henton, G .; G. W. Frost, R .; J. T. Anderson, F .; J. S. Young, Receiver ; M. W. Moldt, I. W .; M. Zentner, O. W .; G. W. Frost, M. D., Examining Physician.
CHURCHES.
Presbyterian Church .- Among the churches of Bellevue which, through the vicissitudes of good and hard times, heve kept up their · organization and sup- ported a resident Pastor, and kept up their contributions to the missionary fund, is the Presbyterian. It is composed of but few members, and those not very well off in this world's goods, yet they are of that strong, persevering, self-denying class of people who believe in their duty toward God first, and their own bodily comfort afterward.
The Church or society was organized in the fall of 1859 by the Rev. Mr. Wells. It was composed of the families of Judge Booth, Mr. Wynkoop, Mrs. Miller and Mr. Kisskadden.
The Rev. Mr. Jack was the first minister who officiated for them as Pastor, and he remained with them for about four months. About the time Mr. Jack left, or the summer of 1860, the society built their church, which is a very pretty stone structure, upon the corner of Margaret and Fourth streets. It is 40x62 feet, and is a very commodious and comfortable place of worship. The Rev. Mr. John P. Conkey was called and installed about the time of the build- ing of this church, and he remained with the society about four years. He was followed by Rev. Moses Norr, who remained about three years. Then came Rev. John Kieling, who remained about six months. Then Rev. Charles Axtell came and remained about five years. Then came Rev. John Gilmore and remained six years, only leaving the society last fall (1878). The present minister is Rev. Thomas C. McFarland. The first Elders of the Church were Judge Booth and Mr. Kisskadden. Those who have been Elders since the organization of the Church are, besides the foregoing, Messrs. Wyncoop, Vocins and Breese. The present Elders are Messrs. Kisskadden and Breese.
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