USA > Iowa > Jones County > The history of Jones County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens history of the Northwest, history of Iowa > Part 54
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The display of elegant private residences. handsomely located, the nunier- ous commodions but less pretentious dwellings. the fine display of busine -- houses and the magnificent public school building. with a number of neat and
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tasty church edifices. give to the city a very attractive appearance. The prin- cipal streets are well macadamized with stone from the adjacent quarries ; the walks on the main thoroughfares are broad and commodious, and the city wears an air of permanence and prosperity. At present writing there are 3 news- papers (one German), 1 graded school. 5 church edifices, 1 circulating library, 2 banks, 2 railroad offices, 7 dry-goods stores, 11 exclusively grocery stores. + drug and book stores, 3 hardware stores, 2 clothing stores, 2 merchant tailors. 4 restaurants and confectioneries, 4 flour and feed stores, 3 furniture stores. 3 undertakers, 3 millinery stores, + dress-making establishments. 1 business col- lege, 1 tile manufactory, 1 brickyard, 1 glove and mitten factory, 1 foundry, 2 machine-shops, 1 barb-wire factory, 1 broom and turkey-duster factory, 1 flouring-mill, 3 wagon and carriage factories, 2 agricultural implement stores, 2 lumber-yards, 2 art galleries, 2 news depots, 2 dealers in organs and sewing inachines, 3 jewelry stores, 2 harness-shops, 2 livery stables, 1 feed barn, 6 blacksmith-shops, + boot and shoe stores, 5 shoe-shops, 3 insurance offices, 3 meat markets, 2 barber-shops, 4 hotels, 1 creamery, 2 cooper-shops, 1 ice dealer, 9 physicians, 5 dentists, 6 lawyers, 2 auctioneers, 2 elevators, 3 grain warehouses, 2 coalyards, 7 contractors and builders, 6 live-stock and grain dealers, 3 tin-shops, 2 gunsmiths, 1 marble yard, 7 secret societies, 1 military company, 1 fire company. 1 cemetery association, and 11 saloons.
The inhabitants are principally American, and number about two thousand. The census of 1875 gives the population as less than one thousand, so that the population has either very rapidly increased or the census of that year was carelessly taken. The writer has been assured by several persons that the cen- sus of that year was universally deemed inaccurate.
The citizens of Monticello are a live, wide-awake, enterprising appearing people, and the town is decidedly Western in its characteristics.
EDUCATIONAL.
No people have more deserved to secure the full benefits of the magnificent public-school system vouchisafed to the inhabitants of the growing State of Iowa, than have the enterprising citizens of the little city of Monticello. The present school-building, with all its modern appointments, commands the atten- tion and admiration of all who visit the town, and speaks volumes in testimony to the enterprise and intelligence of the people of Monticello and vicinity. The circulating library, the property of the Ladies' Library Association, is but another proof of the literary taste and appreciation of the refining and cultur- ing influences to be secured by reading the standard publications of the present and past centuries. The liberality of the citizens in thus putting into the hands of the young the means of securing a liberal education, is pre-eminently praiseworthy, and for which unborn generations will rise up and bless the gen- erosity of the founders of these enterprises.
The first schoolhouse was provided in 1849, thirty years ago. An old house standing outside of the present limits of the corporation was purchased and moved into the village, and, with lumber hauled from Dubuque, modified and changed into a schoolhouse. The building, though small. was sufficiently commodious to answer the wants of the growing generations until the year 1:55, when the township was organized into a township school district, under the new law, and another building was erected, in 1859, on the site of the pres- ' fit one, 36 feet long by 24 feet wide, and two stories high.
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It was thought by some at the time to be wildly extravagant on the part of the School Board to expend means so recklessly as in the erection of a buildl- ing of such enormous proportions, and some there were who could see no use to which the second story might be put.
Not many years elapsed until it was found that, with all the extravagant expenditure, the building must be enlarged, to meet the growing wants of the district. Additions were made from time to time, and the building made suffi- ciently commodious to meet the demands of the school-going population, until two years ago, when it was deemed necessary and advisable to erect a building of sufficient capacity to meet the wants of the growing city for some time to come, and at the same time, to make it a standing testimony of the architectural taste and enterprise of the citizens.
The building erected is a magnificent structure, three stories high, and stands on First street. with a frontage of seventy-eight feet. It also faces a north-and- south street on the west, frontage sixty-eight feet. The school fronts on Grand street. The lower story constitutes what is called the Opera House, and is finished in an elegant manner. The auditorium is arranged in the form of an amphitheater, the long circles of chairs, rising one above another, afford the best facilities for seeing and hearing. The ceiling and walls are richly frescoed. and a twenty-four-light chandelier in the center, with abun- dant side-lamps, illuminates the hall with a pleasing brilliancy. Four doors open on the two streets, and the amphitheater, which is capable of seating 600 people, can be easily emptied in three or four minutes at most.
The second and third stories are for school purposes, containing eight rooms, averaging about thirty-one feet square, and sufficient to accommodate 550 pupils. The rooms are furnished with Andrews' improved single seats. The cost of the building, entire, was about $17,000; furniture. $3,000. The bonds of the district to the amount of $12.000, running ten years, at 10 per cent, were sold at a pre- mium of 3 to 4 per cent.
The building is surmounted by a dome in which has been placed a town clock, costing 8625 complete. The entire structure wears an appearance of solidity and harmonious elegance that does great credit to the architect and the Board of School Directors. It is an enduring monument to the intel- ligence, cultivated taste and liberality of the city and school district of Monti- cello.
The following persons constituted the Board of Directors at the time of the organization into a School District, in 1858: Sumner Hopkins, President ; Lucian Rice. Vice President : W. H. Walworth. Secretary ; S. J. Tucker, Director Subdistrict No. 1; Michael Hofacre, Director Subdistrict No. 2; A. H. Marvin, Director Subdistrict No. 3; J. C. Lawrence, Director Subdis- trict No. 4 ; Chauncey Mead, Treasurer.
By a vote of the people, the city of Monticello was made an independent school district, in the 1877.
The following persons constitute the Board of Directors for the year 1879: Col. John O. Duer, President pro tem ; R. P. Smith, Secretary ; Capt. M. L. Carpenter. Treasurer ; II. D. Sherman, C. E. Wales, John McConnon. H. MI. Wright, M. M. Moulton, Directors.
The following are the corps of teachers for 1879:
Prof. Luther Foster, Principal, at a salary of $100 per month.
Miss Kate Curtis, Assistant Principal, at a salary of $40 per month.
Miss M. A. Wright, First Grammar Department, at a salary of $40 per month.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
Miss Alfa Campbell, Second Grammar Department, at a salary of $35 per month.
Miss Alice Gurney, Third Grammar Department, at a salary of $30 per month.
Miss Pink Duer, Fourth Primary Department, at a salary of $30 per month.
Miss Franc Moulton, Third Primary Department, at a salary of $30 per month.
Miss Mollie Grassmeyer, Second Primary Department, at a salary of $30 per month.
Miss M. Herrick, First Primary Department, at a salary of $30 per month.
Fletcher Burnight is janitor at a salary of $25 per month. The school year consists of nine months.
THE PRESS.
In 1865, the citizens of Monticello having confidence in the permanence and prosperity of the town, and in view of their appreciation of the influenees of the press as an educator and leader of public opinion, began to agitate the pro- priety of establishing a local newspaper. The matter met with so much approval that material was procured and an office established. On the 10th of July of that year, the first number of the Monticello Express was published. Mr. O. D. Crane, editor and proprietor. On the 15th of February of the same year, the office passed under the management of Mr. James Davidson, who continued the publication of the Express until the 8th of August, 1867, when Scott & Howard became proprietors. Soon after, Howard disposed of his share to Scott, who in turn sold to N. G. Sales, but Scott continued as editor until the 4th of April, 1868, when Sales sold to G. W. Hunt, who continued as editor and proprietor about four years. On the 4th of March, 1872, Hunt sold the office to the Monticello Press Association, W. H. Walworth, Treasurer, and John Blanchard, editor and manager, and, after a brief period. Mr. Blanehard became editor and proprietor, and continues such at present writing. The Express is an eight-column folio, and is published weekly on Thursday. From the first it has been a pronounced Republican paper, and, notwithstanding the frequent changes in proprietorship, the circulation has steadily increased.
At the time that Mr. Blanchard took charge of the office, they were issuing about twenty quires, and now the issue is more than double that number. Under the present management. the paper is ably edited, and is remarkably aggressive and outspoken in its policy. Mr. Blanchard is a ready and vigor- ous writer, and the power and influence of the Express is growing more and more extended every year.
Monticello Liberal .- The first number of the Monticello Liberal was pub- lished at Monticello on the 19th of September, A. D., 1872, by the Monticello Printing Company, with G. W. Hunt, editor and manager. The paper was published under the auspices of the Printing Company for about two years. when Mr. Ilunt became the editor and proprietor. and has continued such from that time forward. The Liberal is an eight-column folio, and is published weekly, on Thursday. The mechanical work is well and neatly done, and the editorial department well conducted. The Liberal supported the Independent party during the Greeley campaign, and since that time the political complexion of the paper has been Democratic. The office is well supplied with material in its jobbing department, and receives a good share of patronage.
On the 19th of November. 1873, at the instance of the people at the other rind of the county, Mr. Hunt began the publication of the Wyoming News, and
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
continued its publication for about a year, and then disposed of the enterprise to P. D. Swigart, who changed the name to Wyoming Journal. The Veux was neutral in politics.
The publication of Die Freie Presse, a German weekly newspaper, com- menced at the Liberal office on the 20th of December, 1877, Mr. Hunt editor and proprietor. Die Freie Presse is one of the official papers of the county. the statutes making it such because it is the only German newspaper published in the county.
Mr. Hunt has had a long editorial experience, and the Liberal and Die Freie Preise have their appropriate share of the newspaper patronage of the county.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal Church .- It cannot be ascertained when the first ser- mon by a Methodist minister was preached in Monticello. It was occasionally visited by itinerants, but no regular appointment was made until 1861. In that year, Rev. J. Williams preached on the circuit which embraced Monticello. The membership was small and very much scattered. In 1862, Rev. G. Stan- ley was the preacher in charge, and the society increased its numbers. In 1863, Rev. J. S. Eberhart was the Pastor. During the year. the present church edifice was erected. Previous to this time, the society worshiped in the schoolhouse. At the time, the membership was about fifty. In 1864, Rev. H. C. Brown was Pastor, and, in 1865, he was re-appointed. The society now became a station, with about ninety members, and paid $500 salary. In 1866, Rev. F. W. Vinson was appointed to the charge, and during his administration the membership increased to ninety-five. His salary was 8500. In 1867. Rev. H. H. Fairall was Pastor, with a salary of 8950. During the year, a large two-story parsonage was built. costing $1,300. In 1868, Mr. Fairall was re-appointed, with a salary of 81.000. During his administration, the membership increased eighty-fifty by conversions and thirty by letter-making a total of 175. During the two years, the Church paid out for improvement -. benevolent purposes, ministerial support and contingent expenses, 83.500. In 1869, C. C. Symons was appointed Pastor, and served one year. He was sue- ceeded by Thomas Thomson, who also served one year. In 1871. F. X. Miller was appointed Pastor, and served three years. J. S. Eberhart was also Pastor for three years. The present Pastor is Rev. J. L. Paine, who is on his second year.
There are at present 130 members, and thirteen probationers. The follow- ing are the Trustees of the Church for 1879: Dr. I. H. Phillips, A. E. Ches- terfield, C. E. Marvin, M. W. Herrick. Robert Young, Elijah Austin. G. II. White and Mrs. A. P. Moore. Class Leaders-J. G. Wood and N. W. Ans- tin. Stewards-J. B. Smith, John Moody. N. W. Austin, William Joslin. George W. Condon, Samnel G. Harris and Henry F. Taylor.
The Sabbath school is in a flourishing condition, and has an average attend- ance of eighty-five. N. W. Austin is the Superintendent.
The Church is free from debt. and is in a good flourishing condition.
German Reform Church .- On the first of April, 1870, Rev. G. Rettig came to preach to the Germans at Monticello and vicinity. Four German fam- ilies in the town professed to believe in the creed of the German Reform Church and were anxious to have regular services, as there was no other German Church organization in the town. They rented a place on First street from Mr. Ch. Siebenthal and fitted it for church purposes. A temporary organization
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
was made; Mr. G. Stuhler was chosen Elder, and Mr. Ch. Siebenthal, Deacon. For four and a half years, divine service was held in the above-men- tioned locality. A regular Church was formed April 12, 1874, with Rev. G. Rettig, Pastor ; Mr. G. Stuhler and Mr. Thomas Guyan, Ellers ; Mr. Andrew Ambuhl and John Weibal. Deacons. After the room on First street had been sold, preaching was continued in Marvin's Hall for one year. A resolution was passed to build a sanctuary, and a lot was purchased for $200 on Ceder street. From Marvin's Hall they moved to Kinsella Hall. A commission was appointed to get subscriptions for building a church edifice. Mr. G. Stuliler, Gerhart Eiler and Thomas Guyan were chosen Trustees October 19. 1874. The corner-stone of the new church was laid June 27, 1875, and the church edifice dedicated October 31, 1875. January 23, 1876, Rev. G. Rettig resigned and Rev. A. Kern, of Helvetia, W. Va., was called to the pastorate. He remained with the Church one year and five months, and was succeeded October 31, 1877. by Rev. John F. Graf, of Palmyra, Mo., who serves the Church at present. During his ministry, the Church has paid all its debts on the church building and built a fine parsonage. The present membership num- bers about eighty.
Congregational Church .- The earliest public Congregational ministrations in Monticello were begun by Rev. E. P. Kimball, June 16, 1860, his salary being mainly paid by the American Home Missionary Society. At this time, it was commonly reported that there was not a praying man in the village, which was probably true. There were, however, a few praying women. The meetings were held in the Monticello Schoolhouse.
The earliest formal step toward organizing the Church was taken Septem- ber 18, 1860, at a meeting held in the Monticello Schoolhouse, pursuant to a previous call. A resolution to organize under the name of the " Congrega- tional Church of Monticello" was passed. and articles of faith and a form of covenant were adopted. The Church was duly organized November 13, 1860, by an Ecclesiastieal Council, convened at the schoolhouse in Monticello, and composed of ministers and delegates representing the following Congregational Churches : The Church at Bowen's Prairie, at Dubuque. at Anamosa and the Church at Cass. The following are the names of those who at the time united as members : E. P. Kimball, Betsey A. F. Kimball. John White. Elizabeth A. White, Celeste E. Wales, Lyman P. Hoyt, Sarah Hoyt, Sarah A. Higby and Mrs. E. J. Leach.
At a regular meeting of the Church, held January 2, 1862. it was voted to circulate a subscription to secure funds to build a church edifice. The effort was not successful. Subsequently, the matter was taken up by the citizens in connection with the members of the Church, and a subscription to the amount of about $1,000, with promises of 8300 more. Circumstances unfavorable to the project shortly afterward arose. and the matter remained at a stand-still till the summer of 1866, when a new subscription was circulated and pledges to the amount of $1,800 secured. Lots were secured, but nothing was done that year further than laying the foundation walls and bringing upon the ground a portion of the materials Plans of the edifice were submitted by Mr. C. C. Walworth. of Boston, and were adopted. Mr. Walworth subscribed 8500 for the enterprise, and afterward increased his subscription to 81,000. He also presented the archi- tectural plans and specifications without charge. The cost of the building, accord- ing to the design agreed upon, was estimated at $4,000. It was soon after learned that owing to the advance in material, the cost would reach 86.000, unless the plan be modified. Mr. Walworth then secured a modification of the design. The
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
foundation walls were then remodeled, the work being begun on May 1, 1567. On the 14th of the same month. the ceremony of laying the corner-stone took place, and was conducted by the Rev. D. J. Jones, Pastor. Addresses were delivered by Rev. Mr. Jones and Rev. J. Allen. The edifice was in due form dedicated on Sunday, January 27, 1868. After services, a debt of $1,800 was canceled by 82.200 pledges. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. J. E. Roy, of Chicago. The American Congregational Union donated 8500 to aid in building. The Congregational Society, auxiliary to the Church, was duly organized December 26, 1865, F. J. Tryon being in the chair. A Con- stitution and By-Laws were adopted. This society is composed of members ot the Church. and of such adult male persons of good moral character as pay 83 annually for the support of preaching. Its function is to co-operate with the Church in holding and protecting the property, and supporting the minister.
The ministers who have served the Church since its organization are Rev. E. P. Kimball, who resigned in 1863; Revs. Isaac Russell, S. A. Benton, J. D. Jones, J. K. Nutting. J. D. Bell, William Leavitt, Loren W. Brintnall and D. Jenkins, the present Pastor.
This Church is in a prosperous condition, and now has a membership of 106. It is what might be called the liberal church of the town, and is decid- edly progressive. This is especially so under the administration of the present Pastor. Mr. Jenkins is a young man of good scholastic attainments, and broad and liberal in his public ministrations.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
An organization with the above title was organized at Monticello November 25, 1867. Officers were elected and a Constitution and By-Laws adopted. For some years, the society grew and flourished, at one time having an excellent reading-room and, apparently, doing much good. Like most similar organiza- tions in towns of the size, it grew and flourished for a time, and then declined and, eventually, ceased to exist.
WATER-WORKS.
In the summer of 1877, a stock company was organized, with IIon. George W. Lovell, President, and had for its object the securement of good water priv- ileges for the inhabitants of the city of Monticello. A well was sunk near the depot to the depth of nearly twelve hundred feet, with the hope of securing a flowing well, but the hopes of the company were not fully realized. An abun- dant supply of water was secured, but it rose only to within forty feet of the surface. The funds of the company being exhausted, nothing was done for the space of about eighteen months, when the company sold out its interest in the well to the city for the amount of their investment, $3,200, the city agreeing to pay the same to the stockholders in the way of water-rents, in installments of 10 per cent each year, for ten years, without interest. An open well to the depth of the surface of the standing water was dug. walled and cemented, and a contract was let to George F. Blake & Co., of New York, to put in a pump- ing apparatus, whereby the water could be pumped and carried to a reservoir on the hill west of the city. A reservoir was built and neatly inclosed. at the place named, with a capacity of two hundred and fifty thousand gallons. . The pumps and necessary appendages have been put in place, and water-mains laid to the principal parts of the city, and everything has been pronounced a decided
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
success. The water is excellent, nearly as soft as rain-water, and two or three degrees warmer than that of ordinary well-water. The supply seems to be entirely inexhaustible. The entire cost to the city of the Water-Works, thus far. has been about 816,000.
The following officers have been duly appointed : S. Y. Bradstreet, Super- intendent : Dexter Page, Engineer. Commissioners-S. Y. Bradstreet, Chair- man ; B. D. Paine, S. E. Sarles, M. M. Moulton, Dexter Page.
The primary objeet of the company who inaugurated the enterprise has been consummated, and the city has a full supply of good water. From the water-mains, surface pipes are being put in at the present writing, and every- thing is eminently satisfactory.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Monticello Fire Company was organized in the year 1872, with a membership of forty-five. The company for some time were supplied with buek- ets only, and dependent upon no other source for water than that afforded by the cisterns and wells of the city. The following officers were elected at the organization : . J. A. Chandler, Foreman; N. W. Austin, First Assistant : Dexter Page, Second Assistant; James Young, Third Assistant; George Whiting, Secretary ; C. A. Whiting, Treasurer.
An engine, hose and hose cart and the necessary equipage for a first-class fire company have been procured, and the organization has been kept in good working condition, and at sundry times has rendered effective service in staying the ravages of fire.
Owing to the facilities afforded by the water works of the city, the use of the engine is not necessary, except at points more than a thousand feet from a hydrant. The present officers are: Dexter Page, Foreman ; Isaae Grover, First Assistant; Fred Simons, Second Assistant; William C. King, Third Assistant ; Peter Young, Treasurer ; Robert Young, Steward; O. B. Rundle, Secretary. The company numbers about fifty men.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Monticello Lodge, No. 117, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Monticello, Jones County, on the 16th of March, 1858, by J. J. Dickinson, W. D. D. G. Master. assisted by Bros. Johnson, Belknap, Lukins and Warner, of Anamosa Lodge, No. 40. The Lodge was instituted in the afternoon. After the ceremonies had been concluded. the following officers were elected and installed, according to the prescribed form of the Order: J. J. Brown, N. G .; A. Moulton. V. G .: 'M. M. Moulton, Secretary; W. B. Selden, Treasurer; T. C. West, W .; D. McDonald. C. Petitions were received and aeted upon from six applicants. In the evening, three candidates being present, they were initiated into the myste- ries of Odd Fellowship. After the installation of appointed officers, W. D. D. G. Master Dickinson delivered an address. The organization was made under favorable circumstances and has ever been in a prosperous condition. The charter members were Aaron Moulton, M. M. Moulton, Abram Everetts, J. J. Brown, E. H. Warren. The officers for the year 1879, are: W. M. Preston, N. G .; Seth Fowler, V. G .; G. W. Comdon, Secretary ; John Rigby, Treas- urer ; Elijah Austin, Warden ; C. Henry, Conductor; Clark Byam, R. S. N. G .: Judson Tucker, L. S. N. G .; J. B. L. Caldwell, R. S. V. G .; F. A. Coyle, L. S. V. G .; William Tuel. R. S. S .; P. HI. Conner, L. S. S .; F. S.
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
Duger. I. G .; James Harrison, O. G. The Lodge occupies a well-furnished hall and has money at interest.
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