USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > The history of Jefferson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war records of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 59
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The Christian Church of Fairfield was organized September 19, 1858. At the same meeting, John Van Nostrand, L. W. Murphy and Thomas Parkinson were appointed Elders ; John W. DuBois, Sr., and John M. Grafton, Deacons. At a subsequent meeting, in 1859, Robert Hastings and Clark Van Nostrand were appointed additional Deacons, and I. D. Jones appointed Clerk.
From the original records we append the rule of faith, as defined by the Church :
" We, the undersigned, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Fairfield. do hereby agree to take the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as our rule of faith and practice."
The first preaching after the organization of the Church was by Elder Aaron Chatterton, (now deceased) of Oskaloosa. Meetings of the Church were held in the Court House until 1864, when the brick schoolhouse in the northeast district of the city was purchased for $300 by John C. McLelland, Clark Van Nostrand and John W. DuBois, Sr., from their own private funds. This was their place of meeting for several years, when, through the efforts of I. D.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Jones, Esq., the property was sold to Mr. Neiswanger, and the proceeds applied to the purchase from George H. Case, of the present church site. Thereupon, Articles of Incorporation under the laws of the State were entered upon the records April 24, 1858. The Trustees appointed were Clark Van Nostrand, George W. Flagg, I. D. Jones, John W. DuBois and J. J. Bell.
March 8, 1871, a Building Committee was appointed, consisting of J. W. DuBois, Chairman ; Clark Van Nostrand, B. F. Crail, Joseph Ball and I. D. Jones ; and on the 13th of April following, a contract was made with David P. Lynn for the erection of a church-building, the cost of which should be $3,180. The edifice was completed according to contract, and on Sunday, November 5, 1872, was dedicated by Elder Allen Hickey-the Trustees announcing, at the close of the meeting, to an overflowing house that the Church was free from debt. The present building is neat, plain and unostentatious, 36x55 feet, located in a retired part of the city, with pleasant surroundings.
The present Trustees are John W. Du Bois, Clark Van Nostrand, Charles L. Cox, S. C. Hollister and I. D. Jones.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first Baptist minister who preached in Fairfield was Elder Will- iam Elliott, who made his home in Washington County, and had been preaching occasionally to a small congregation formed in the " Rich Woods" neighborhood. Hearing of some Baptist families who had recently settled in and near Fairfield, he visited the place in December, 1844. "Father Bell " kindly tendered the Presbyterian Church for his use, and, in the same month, he organized a church with the following persons as the original members :
A. H. Brown and wife, their son Isaac H., and daughter Ellen ; Mr. Smith and wife, who had settled beyond Cedar Creek, in Liberty Township; George W. Vance and wife; William McKay, a single man, and William Bunnell and wife; eleven in all. A. H. Brown, still living in Fairfield, and William Bunnell, were the first Deacons. At that time, there were but two associations of the Baptist Church in the Territory of Iowa, and were known as the Des Moines and Davenport Associations. For a year after its organization, the Church held meetings at irregular intervals, as ministers from other localities visited them ; but in the fall of 1845, Elder Post was employed as Pastor, the Church securing a part of his time. The next summer, however, he removed to Pella, and, a year after- ward, died at that place. He was succeeded by Elder Ormsby, who had settled in Liberty Township, and divided his time between Fairfield and a new church organized in his own neighborhood. Elder Ormsby preached about one year, and removed back East. The next Pastor was Elder John Williams, who continued with the Church for several years. Rev. Isaac Leonard, of Burlington, succeeded Elder Williams, but supplied the Church about eighteen months only, when, owing to a throat affection, he was compelled to abandon the work
There are no records of the Church history up to this date, and the fore- going facts have been furnished by Deacon Brown, from memory.
In the year 1865, Elder Chauncy C. Derby assumed charge of the Church.
In 1866, the Church experienced a revival, and many revivals, and com- pleted a brick chapel. Elder Derby's health failed, and he was obliged to quit preaching. He has been succeeded by Elders Robinson, Shonafelt, Frey and H. W. Thiele, present supply. A new and beautiful church and parsonage were completed in 1877, costing about $8,000. The Church suffered some loss in consequence of the failure of the contractor, and fraudulent claims, but it is
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
now free from debt. In 1878, by an extraordinary effort and signal blessing of God, the total amount was amply provided for by subscription. The future prosperity of the Church is assured by its many advantages and past victories.
LUTHIERAN CHURCH.
The Lutheran Church of Fairfield was organized with eight members, in 1856. It assumed the name of "The First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Fairfield." It was received into the Synod of Iowa, and has always been in con- nection with the General Synod. Rev. A. Axline became its first Pastor, and served the Church for seventeen years. Rev. W. M. Sparr, its present Pastor, took charge of the Church in August, 1873.
In 1858, the congregation erected a church-building, 38x50 feet, which was dedicated August 21, of the same year. In 1870, the congregation pur- chased the lot adjoining the church, and, in the early part of 1874, erected a. comfortable parsonage, 28x30 feet.
The present membership of the Church is 117.
THE OLD CEMETERY.
In 1839, when Mrs. Bowman died, her remains were deposited in what is now known as the Old Cemetery. Mrs. Bowman was the mother of David Bowman, who assisted in surveying and laying out the town of Fairfield. Mrs. Rayburn was the second burial. No tombstones mark the graves of either Mrs. Bowman or Rayburn, and the precise date of their deaths is not known.
Eliphalet B. Fitch died November 30, 1840. His tombstone still stands with the beautiful inscription, " He was all he professed to be-an honest man, God's noblest work." William Winn died January 18, 1841. The old sand- stone monument with inscription rudely carved by Noble & Yeates. of Burling- ton, lies broken and fast going to decay. The headstones of Sylvia T., wife of Henry Yaman, who died April 20, 1840, and that of the only child of H. and T. Gaylord, who died December 13, 1842, are in a good state of preservation.
The ground occupied by the Old Cemetery was purchased of John A. Pitzer by C. C. Van, H. W. Sample and George Acheson, who received a bond for à deed which they assigned to the town of Fairfield. It does not appear of record that a deed was ever made by Pitzer, and the title to the property is still in his name. This ground was surveyed by David Switzer July 31, 1846. The price fixed by ordinance was $3 for a full lot, and $1.50 for a half-lot, the proceeds to be applied only to the improvement and care of the grounds. The sexton's fee for digging a grave was 50 cents per foot.
In the course of a few years, owing to the rapid increase of population in the surrounding country, the little cemetery was well filled up, and, in 1865, available lots were difficult to obtain. November 20, 1865, the death of Mrs. Eliza Jordan occurred. Capt. Clement Jordan, her husband, was unable to obtain such a lot as he desired, and her remains were deposited in the lot of his son-in-law, John H. Wells. To this fact the people of Fairfield are indebted for the present beautiful burial grounds known as
FAIRFIELD EVERGREEN CEMETERY.
Shortly after the death of his wife, Capt. Jordan inaugurated a movement to secure a more commodious place of burial, but it was not until three years after- ward that the plan was matured. In February, 1870, twelve acres and a frac- tion of land adjoining the old cemetery on the east and north were con- tracted for. Seven and twenty-five hundredths acres were purchased of Charley
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Negus, and five from Guy. Beatty, at a cost for the whole of $1,019.25. Arti- cles of Incorporation were drafted, and, on the 4th of May, 1870, the date of filing the same in the office of the County Recorder, the organization began its existence. The original stockholders were Clement Jordan, William R. Wells, John H. Wells, William H. Jordan, Norman S. Averill, George Stever, A. Scott Jordan, George A. Wells and A. R. Jordan, each of whom subscribed four shares.
The stock is limited to $5,000 in shares of $25 each. Five stockholders constitute the Board of Managers, and the indebtedness exclusive of capital stock is limited to $2,500.
The Articles of Incorporation provide for a Board of Managers to consist of five stockholders. Lot-owners are to keep their lots in repair, and, in case of neg- lect to do so, an assessment may be levied by the Managers, which assessments must be paid by residents within one and by non-residents within five years. In case of refusal to pay such assessments, such parts of lots as are unoccupied revert to the Association.
The Board of Managers, the first appointments to which were Clement Jor- dan, George Stever, William H. Jordan, George A. Wells and Norman S. Averill, employed A. N. Carpenter, a "natural landscape architect," of Galesburg, Ill., to draft a plan for the new cemetery, and right well did he perform the duty for which he was employed.
The survey of the lots was made by Isaac Crumley, the price for which was fixed at from $5 to $50, according to location. The rules of the cemetery require all persons wishing to make interments, to furnish a statement of name, place and date of birth, place of late residence, date of death and disease of per- son to be interred, and whether married or single, and that the same be registered on the books.
In November, 1870, 100 feet of land were purchased, lying on the south of the cemetery grounds proper, on which was erected an office for the sexton, underneath which was constructed a cistern. J. N. Strong was the first Sexton, employed, at $450 per year.
Capt. Clement Jordan was the first President, and has continued to hold the office to the present time ; George Stever, first Secretary, and George A. Wells, Treasurer.
Andrew Ackerman, a German, was the first interment in the new cemetery, buried May 15, 1870. He was followed June 2, by Ella Campbell, a little daughter of Joel Campbell,. In the fall following, the remains of some ten or twelve persons who had been buried in the old cemetery were removed to the new grounds. The supervision and care of the Fairfield Evergreen Cemetery have been left solely to Capt. Jordan, its founder, and to him are the people indebted for its present attractive condition.
INDEPENDENT ORDERS .- MASONIC.
Clinton Lodge, No. 15, Fairfield, was organized under dispensation granted by the Grand Lodge of Iowa, September 15, 1847. The charter members were Jacob L. Myers, E. S. Gage, A. R. Sparks, James Jeffries, William Y. Head, Albert L. Conable and William P. Winn.
First officers : Jacob L. Myers, W. M .; A. R. Sparks, S. W .; James Jeff- ries, J. W .; W. P. Winn, S. D .; W. Y. Head, J. D .; E. S. Gage, Secretary ; A. L. Conable, Treasurer.
The first applicants for initiation were George Acheson and Barnet Ris- tine.
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
The charter of the Lodge is dated June 7, 1849, at which time there were twenty-two members.
Past Masters : J. L. Myers, George Acheson, J. V. Myers, G. A. Wells, J. M. Shaffer, G. D. McGaw, N. Steele and George Crane.
Present officers : J. J. Gibson, W. M .; S. K. West, S. W .; John Bloss, J. W .; George A. Wells, Secretary, and Eugene Freeman, Treasurer.
The present membership of the Lodge is 119.
Mc Cord Chapter, Fairfield, although numbered 5, was the first Chapter in the State. It was organized under a dispensation issued by Joseph K. Staple- ton, Deputy Grand High Priest of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States, dated at Baltimore, Md., July 7, 1852, with the following members : Jacob L. Myers, George Acheson, Peter Walker, W. H. Hollis, L. B. Fleak, T. S. Spees, Jesse Williams, William E. Sargent, G. W. Horn, E. S. Gage and Isaac Galliher.
Upon the organization of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter for the State of Iowa, which was consummated at Mt. Pleasant June 8, 1854, a charter was issued, designating the Chapter as No. 5.
The present officers are T. F. Higley, H. P .; S. K. West, K .; J. J. Gib- son, Scribe; H. L. Brown, Treasurer; E. Freeman, Secretary, with a member- ship of fifty-two.
Past High Priests: J. L. Myers, George Acheson, George A. Wells and J. M. Shaffer.
ODD FELLOWS.
Jefferson Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., was organized March 10, 1846, by P. G. M. W. H. Mauro, of Burlington, under a charter issued at Baltimore, Md., June 25, 1845, by Howell Hopkirk, Most Worthy Grand Sire of the Grand Lodge of the United States, and directed to W. I. Cooper, W. L. Orr, T. D. Evans, C. Kiefer and N. W. Wiles.
Prior to this, in order to secure a sufficient number to organize a Lodge, Orr, Kiefer and Wiles had been sent to Burlington for initiation. At the organization, W. I. Cooper and T. D. Evans were elected and installed N. G. and V. G. respectively. The present officers of the Lodge are R. B. Hender- son, N. G .; C. D. Thoma, V. G .; C. M. Bills, Secretary ; H. C. Rock, Per- manent Secretary ; and John M. Gobble, Treasurer, with a membership of ninety-two. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition, and is possessed of prop- erty amounting to some $7,000. Its members are active in all charitable enterprises, its organization unbroken, and interest maintained since its first formation, even during the troublous times of our late civil war. Prominent as expounders of its principles are Capt. W. T. Burgess, T. D. Evans, C. E. Nobles, S. M. Boling, I. D. Jones, J. W. Quillen, G. A. Unkrich, J. A. Spiel- man, Dr. P. Woods.
Iowa Encampment, No. 6, I. O. O. F., was organized December 11, 1848, by District Deputy Grand Sire John G. Potts, of Galena, Ill., and - - Goff, of Wisconsin. Charter members-Thomas D. Evans, John T. Huey, Ezra Drown, John A. Pitzer, James T. Hardin, John W. Culbertson and Christian W. Slagle. Its first officers were T. D. Evans, C. P. ; John T. Huey, H. P. : Ezra Drown, S. W .; John A. Pitzer, Scribe ; and John W. Culbertson, Treas- urer. Present membership, thirty-two.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.
This society was instituted February 13, 1877, under the name of Forest City Lodge, No. 37. The following are the charter members : Jacob Dalılman,
John H Culbertson
FAIRFIELD
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
J. M. Gabble, M. M. Marshall, J. N. Hurst, P. E. Smith, F. R. Williams, T. L. Cole, J. R. Miller, H. H. Wilder, J. P. Growney, N. S. Doty, R. E. Lynch, J. Snook, H. B. Hanson, W. M. Black, F. R. Fegan, G. H. Stakes, William Simonson, J. Wolf, L. Williams, A. D. Green, F. W. Cook, C. Morrison, Anson West, A. C. Noble, J. W. Barlow, J. McGill and W. T. Burgess. The officers of a lodge are designated as follows : Past Chancellor, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Prelate, Keeper of Record and Seal, Master of Finance, Master of Exchequer, Master of Arms, Inner Guard and Outer Guard.
The Order in Fairfield is in a flourishing condition.
A. O. U. W.
Fairfield Lodge 52, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organized March 8, 1876, with twenty-two charter members and the following officers : W. C. Lewis, P. M. W. ; H. S. Wills, M. W .; A. H. McKee, F .; B. E. Lynch, O .; F. R. Fegan, Recorder ; Joseph Bradley, Guide ; T. L. H. Cole, O. W .; N. S. Doty, I. W. The growth of the Lodge has not been so rapid as many others, the idea being to secure such a membersnip as would insure the permanency of the order. Forty-six Master Workmen constitute the Lodge at present, with the following as officers : F. R. Fegan, P. M. W .; J. H. Tap- pert, M. W .; N. S. Averill, F .; A. G. Scranton, O .; George K. Gilchrist, Recorder ; P. H. Howlett, Financier ; W. C. Lewis, Receiver; Jacob Dahl- man, Guide ; J. C. Duncan, I. W .; M. Ackerman, O. W.
TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS.
In 1854, the Sons of Temperance, who had an organization for some time previous, were in the height of their prosperity and influence. Alexander Caldwell, who had been for some time engaged in the sale of intoxicating liquors, becoming convinced that his occupation was destructive to the best interests of his fellow-man, resolved to pour all his liquors into the streets and quit the business. Accordingly, on Friday, January 27, the entire stock, amounting to something near $100 in value, was voluntarily delivered up to the Sons of Temperance for destruction. The Order marched out in regalia to conduct the ceremony, with the different schools and citizens generally in the pro- cession. Arriving at Caldwell's place of business, prayer was offered by Rev. L. B. Dennis ; the Marshal of the day, Dr. J. D. Stark, knocked the bungs out of che barrels and the liquid contents ran down the gutters of the streets. While the fiery fluid was gurgling from the vessels, Rev. Joseph C. Cooper mounted he head of a barrel and made some pertinent remarks, followed by Rev. Den- uis. Propositions were made to buy the liquors in other establishments, pro- vided they would quit the business, but were not accepted.
A State Temperance Convention was held at Iowa City, May 3, 1854. Fairfield was represented by J. F. Wilson, W. B. Littleton, W. W. Junkin and j. D. Jones-the first two of the Sons of Temperance, and the latter of the Order of Good Templars.
The cause of temperance was not without its opponents. The Fairfield Ledger was strongly enlisted in the cause, and we append the letter of one patron whose friendship was lost by its course :
W W Junkin
th 1855. wapelo Co mar 19.
Sur I take in hand to Direct afew lines to you. I say that you are a lyr you say that the use of alcoholic beveridge has Cost $1,200,000,000 has burned or otherwise destroyed $5,000,000 of property has destroyed 300,000 lives sent 150,000 to our prisons and 100,000 to the poor house caused 1500 murders 2000 suisides and has Bequeathed to the Country 1,000,000 of
L
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
orphants Children I think that Mr Everett is like you a lyre a pick pocket a Drunkard and will do anything for money you have rote a grate deele in your last paper Concerning in temparance and what Mr. Everett has stated concerning the taxes the crimanels the porpers the orphants and those - - lyes that him nore you neither knew nothing about I just say that you are boath lyres and if I hadent subscribed for your paper I would see you in -- before I would patronise you ore your paper Your Dog that you had round barking for siners to your paper lyed to me he stated that thare would be all forren News & market of St Louis keokuk & bur- lington in it I con cider you and youre paper a poore Piece of litle pitaful humdugry fild up with nothing but fare field advertise ment and temperance lyes if I live till the year is out you may go to - with youre paper.
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BLUE RIBBON MOVEMENT.
The Blue Ribbon movement reached Fairfield at the beginning of the month of April, 1878. On the 8th of that month a club was organized and founded on the Blue Ribbon pledge, in these words :
" With malice toward none and charity for all, I, the undersigned do pledge my word and honor, God helping me, to abstain from all intoxicating liquors as a beverage, and that I will, by all honorable means, encourage others to abstain.'
Twenty-three hundred names are subscribed to the pledge in the city of Fairfield, and similar organizations exist in nearly every township in the county, and it was estimated, while these pages were being written, that five thousand persons in " Old Jefferson " had pledged themselves to lead practical temper- ance lives. Since the organization of the club, meetings have been held in Wells' Hall every Monday evening, and the interest awakened in April has been kept alive by lectures rendered by home and foreign speakers.
At the first election of officers, Rollin J. Wilson was chosen President; Miss Anna Kerr, Vice President ; Miss Clara Muselman, Secretary, and W. B. Murry, Treasurer. These persons held for the term of six months. At the second election, Rollin J. Wilson was re-elected President ; Maj. W. M. Clark. Vice President ; Capt. W. T. Burgess, Secretary ; W. B. Murry, Treasurer. On the faithfulness of these officers, in a great degree, has depended the unparalleled success of this movement.
Among those who have been most active and earnest in their efforts might be mentioned Hon. James F. Wilson, Capt. T. W. Burgess, Col. W. B. Culbertson. John Galvin, William Elliott, William Thompson, G. A. Rutherford, John De Galleford, W. W. McCraekin, Mrs. John Burnett, Mrs. Wm. Elliott, Miss Clara Musselman and Mrs. Woodward. Others are equally worthy of mention, but space forbids. The club has also established an excellent reading-room, which is a source of great pleasure and profit to the entire community. The movement depends alone on moral suasion. Harsh things are said of no one. It resorts to neither legal prosecutions nor social ostracism. Its appeals are not made to the passions and prejudices of men, but to their cooler, better judgment, which, when once reached, is the sure foundation upon which to build a permanent reformation.
FAIRFIELD PEOPLE AND THE CHICAGO FIRE.
When news of the great Chicago fire of October, 1871, reached Fairfield, the generous heart of the citizens responded to the wail of want in liberal acts of benevolent charity. Meetings were called and active measures were at once commenced and carried out, that resulted in sending several tons of provisions, etc., to the sufferers by that terrible visitation of disaster. The Ledger of Octo- ber 19, 1871, said :
"Earnest meetings were held in our city last week to raise means to assist in relieving the distress in Chicago. Liberal donations of money, provisions
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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
and goods were made. Two car-loads of supplies were sent in charge of Gad McGaw."
This is not the only instance of the generous and humane liberality of the people of Fairfield and vicinity that might be quoted, but it is enough to show the noble impulses of their great hearts. A deaf ear and closed hand have never been known among them when suffering humanity pleaded.
BATAVIA.
This village of five hundred people, is situated in the extreme southwestern part of Locust Grove, on the line of the Burlington & Missouri River Rail- road, and twelve miles west of Fairfield.
EARLY HISTORY.
Batavia was first called Creaseville, and was laid out on the 26th day of August, 1846, by David Switzer, County Surveyor, for William M. McKee, Henry Crease and Elijah O'Bannon, proprietors. The plat was recorded under date of September 26, 1846.
Besides the proprietors, the first settlers were Henry Punnybecker, Joseph Crease and Benjamin Abbertson. The first cabin on the town site was erected by McKee and O'Bannon. This cabin was used for the double purpose of a dwelling and a store-room. Mr. McKee lived in the rear part of the structure, and goods were sold in the front part. The dwelling was divided from the store department by sheets or pieces of muslin suspended from the joists. William James served as clerk for McKee, who owned the stock in trade. The first building erected exclusively for store purposes was built by William Ham- brick. This building is thought to have been erected in 1860. The next one was built by Caspar Durr, who is now one of the leading merchants of the village.
The first hotel was built on the old town site, about the year 1857, by William Freeman. It is now occupied as a dwelling by T. W. McDill.
A blacksmith-shop was built and a forge opened by a man named DeWitt, in 1862. Previous to that time, the nearest blacksmith-shops were at Agency City, in Wapello County, and Libertyville, in Jefferson County.
The first Justice of the Peace in the old place was John Sloan, whose " courts" were held in an old log hut, without a window, and which was after- ward made to do service as a schoolhouse. The first deed acknowledged before Justice Sloan was for Freeman Wright, June 27, 1849, H. D. Gibson, as witness. Mr. Wright is still a resident of Batavia. Mr. Justice Sloan has been "gathered to his fathers.". William McKee was the first Postmaster, and held the office under appointment from President James K. Polk. The mail was deposited in a shot-box and an old shoe-box placed in convenient positions, for general delivery. The next incumbent of the post office was David Laughery, who was appointed under President Fillmore's administration. The present Post- master is Mr. Hiram Greenland, who was appointed by President Lincoln, in 1861. His daughter, Miss Maggie A. Greenland, is his deputy.
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