USA > Iowa > Keokuk County > The history of Keokuk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. : a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 68
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From that day to this, November, 1879, the president, vice-president and cashier have remained unchanged, and three of the original directors, viz: Joseph Keck, G. D. Woodin and A. G. Brown, have never left the direc-
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
tory. In 1873, by the death of W. B. Merriam, the bank lost an officer who was always watchful of its interests, and, as a mark of the esteem in which he was held by his associates and the community at large, it is only necessary to refer to " Wal" Merriam in the presence of any old resident, and you will get a reply that will satisfy you that he was the soul of honor, wide-awake and fearless in the discharge of his duties as a man and citizen. Originally there were eight stockholders, now, (1879), there are still five of the same eight. In 1872, I. C. Weaver was made assistant cashier, which place he still holds. The bank, through the panic of 1873, and subsequent depression, never refused the payment of a single dollar it owed to a de- positor; while other banks paid limited amounts, it always paid in full. Its capital is $50,000, and a surplus of $8,000 has been accumulated. The bank is noted for the few changes in its stockholders and officers; in this western country it is seldom that for nine years you find the control of a bank in virtually the same hands without a change during all that time.
The Union Bank was organized July 1, 1875, with its present officers:
President-J. P. Yerger.
Vice-President-E. Laffer.
Cashier-Theodore Robinson.
It is incorporated under the laws of Iowa and does a general banking business.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
Sigourney Lodge No. 98, I. O. O. F., was organized November 14, 1856. The petitioners for charter were S. Harned, R. C. Romig, A. S. Alexander, D. D. Slaughter, T. H. Elwell and A. Fisher. The first officers were: S. Harned, N. G .; Philip Long, V. G .; A. S. Alexander, secretary, and T. H. Elwell, treasurer. During the summer of 1861 it surrendered its char- ter. Upon the petition of S. Harned, S. A. James. Philip Long, Joel Long, David Newkirk, B. McDaniel, A. Garm and J. M. Adams, members of the old organization, the charter and books were returned during the month of December, 1867, by Wm. Garret, who was Grand Secretary. The G. M. authorized D. D. G. M. Davis, of Richland, to institute said lodge and install the officers, which was done January 6, 1868. The officers installed at that time were S. Ilarned, N. G .; S. A. James, V. G .; J. M. Adams, secretary, and Philip Long, treasurer.
The lodge does not own a hall of its own, and the place of meeting is in the third story of Johnson's Block. Philip Long, a prominent member of the order, died some years since, bequeathing the sum of $1,600 to the or- der.
The present officers of the Order are as follows: E. B. Horne, N. G .; D. P. Yoder, V. G .; G. P. Baines, R. S .; James Thompson, Treasurer; James Williams, P. S. The membership of the Lodge at present is 120.
Hebron Encampment, No. 40, I. O. G. T., was instituted October 20, 1869, upon the prayer of the following petitioners: D. W. Shean, N. S. Gilbert, L. B. Silveywood, J. P. Yerger, A. J. Pope, J. M. Adams, S. Har- ned and J. P. Farra. Present membership, forty. Present officers: D. Hanke. E. P .; E. B. House, H. P .; Philip Bertch, S. W .; James Thomp- son, treasurer; D. P. Yoder, scribe; O. Seaton, J. W.
579
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
MASONIC.
The following elaborate account of this order was prepared by one of the order:
FIRST MASONIC LODGE.
The following is a history of the first Masonic Lodge in Sigourney, Keokuk county, Iowa:
By authority of the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Iowa, J. L. Hogin, Sr., George Pinkerton, Alexander Caldwell, Sanford Harned, Isaac Mills, Aaron H. Hensley and John C. Hogin, Master Masons, met in Sig- ourney, Keokuk connty. Iowa, May 13th, 1851, and opened a lodge after the manner of Ancient Masons, James L. Hogin, Sr., acting as W. M .; George Pinkerton, as S. W .; John C. Hogin, J. W .; they being the brothers named in dispensation to act in said offices. The master appointed Isaac Mills, treasurer; Sanford Harned, treasurer; D .; Alexander Caldwell, J. D. From the records it appears that they didn't have a tyler, unless brother Heffner, of Clinton Lodge, No. 15, who was present and acted as snch. At this meeting a code of by-laws was adopted; petitions of Even. H. Skillman, A. E. Lowe and Joel Long recorded, and referred to commit- tees; committees reported, ballot had, and all three initiated as Entered Ap-, prentices.
Petition of James Carr received and referred to committe, they to report at next meeting.
The records show that the lodge met May 27th, Jnne 8th, June 24th, June 27th, August 5th, September 9th, September 16th, October 7th, November -, no date given (lost the almanac,) December 2d, December 26th, January 6th, 1852, February 3d, March 2d, March 30th, April 10th, April 27th, making nineteen meetings while working under dispensation, and working in some one or all three of the degrees at nearly every meeting.
At a meeting of the Grand Lodge, held June 1st, 1852, in Mt. Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa, Hogin Lodge, U. D., was granted a charter and num- bered 32. James L. Hogin. Sr., Past Grand Master of Indiana, for whom the lodge was named, was elected the first W. M; A. E. Lowe, S. W .; M. M. Crocker, J. W .; E. El. Skillman, treasurer; J. C. Hogin. sec- retary; W. A. Blair, S. D .; James Carr, J. D .; J. T. Clark, tyler; and from the records we find the lodge reports, at the end of the masonic year, Joshna Landers, Aaron Clemmons, Obed King. Joel Long. A. P. Moody, Wmn. Wait, A. H. Hensley, D. G. Burgis, J. L. Hogin, Jr., M. T. Siverly and G. P. Ellis, as Master Masons and members of the lodge. Nineteen members all told at the end of the third year one un- der dispensation, from the personal knowledge of the one giving these notes, J. L. Parker, there was one fellow-craft at the date of the report- himself.
. It may be well enough to go back and speak of some matters interesting to the craft, at least. At the formation of this lodge in Sigourney at least two-thirds of the lands in the county were vacant, Sigourney, a town of some two hundred inhabitants, eighty miles from market. Back woods; but the brothers spoken of as forming the lodge, having once enjoyed lodge privileges, and having the good of the craft at heart, were of the opin-
580
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
ion that a lodge might be formed and sustained, though the material was scarce, and accommodations for holding a lodge very poor in comparison to what they had been used to. Brother J. L. Hogin, Sr., furnished a room over his store, on the northwest corner of the square, (building now known as the old Hogin drug store), and removed some years ago to make place for the substantial brick block now owned and occupied by E. Laffer. The room in which the lodge was organized was about 12x18 feet square, and how the craft worked is best known to themselves; but work they did, and did good work. During the first year of the charter, 1852, the lodge re- moved to more commodious quarters on the south side of the public square; the room there occupied by them was 18x36 feet, reception and ante-room included. The lodge was moved, I think, in 1853, to the northeast corner of the square in the second story of a frame building 18x39 feet, since moved away to make room for the Keller block. While in this room the lodge resolved to have a home of their own, and as brothers J. C. Hogin and S. Harned, with F. S. Glandon, were making preparations to erect a two-story brick on the west side of the square. Said building to be 44x60 feet, (now owned by Cunningham & Fisher). The lodge made arrange- ments to put a third story on the building, or rather to finish off a room on the roof. These arrangements were carried out and the lodge moved to what they supposed a permanent home, hoping to be able to pay out and own the building, but the financial crisis about that time, 1856 -- 57. reached the lodge as well as some of its members, and some of the parties building the room took it back and rented the same to the lodge, which the lodge con- tinued to occupy until 1862.
Soon after the breaking out of the great rebelliou the lodge, not having recovered from its financial embarrassment, and many of its members having gone into the army, was forced to surrender its charter.
In the spring of 1865, the following named Master Masons, residents of Sigourney and vicinity, petitioned the Grand Master of Masons of Iowa to grant them a dispensation to meet and work as a lodge.
J. H. Sanders, as W. M .; James Dickson, as S. W .; Wm. Wait, as J.W. Sam- uel Melogne, John W. Miller, A. C. Pice, Wm. A. Blair, John C. Hogin, M. T. Siverly, J. S. Griffin, A. E. Lowe, J. L. Smith, E. P. Brockertson, W. W. Randall, J. M. Ferguson, J. T. Parker, Dudley Buck and B. Frankin.
Prayer of petitioners was granted, dispensation received, dated July 14, 1865, and signed by A. E. Guilbert, Most Worshipful Grand Master; T. S. Parvin, Right Worshipful Grand Secretary, and naming the new lodge Blazing Star, U. D., the brethren above named got permission of Bro. J. C. Hogin to meet in the lodge occupied by Hogin Lodge No 32, most of the furniture belonging to Hogin Lodge 32 still being in the room, with some extempore jewels, and with a determination to succeed, the brethren met August 2, 1865, and opened a lodge. Dispensation read and secretary instructed to rent the room, procure stationery, books, etc. The next meeting was August 30, 1865. Met October 4, 1865. At this meeting the secretary reported that the hall had been rented at $40 per year
By referring to the records we find that the lodge had twenty-two meet- ings, up to June 2, 1866, being the time they were working under dispen- sation, working in some or all of the degrees at most of the meetings. How well the future will tell. On March 13, 1866 a school of instruction
581
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
was opened by W. B. Langridge. This instruction continned four days, meeting at 9 A. M., and 2 and 7 r. M., each day. To this school much of the interest and prosperity of the lodge is due.
At the annual commencement of the Grand Lodge, held in Davenport Iowa, in June, 1866, a charter was granted, and on the request of the members of Blazing Star Lodge, the name was changed to Webb Lodge, the number of the lodge 182.
On June 23, 1866, Special Deputy, William Hursey, appointed by the Grand Master to organize Webb Lodge, No. 182, called the brethren to- gether and with proper ceremonies organized the lodge and delivered to them their charter. At this meeting the officers elected and installed were as follows: John T. Parker, W. M .; James Dickson, S. W .; L. McCoy, J. W .; Sanford Harned, treasurer; W. B. Squires, secretary.
From the proceedings of the Grand Lodge we find the following named persons were members of Blazing Star Lodge, at the time the same was chartered as Webb Lodge No. 182: J. H. Sanders, James Dickson, Sam- uel Melogne, John W. Miller, A. C. Price, Wm. A. Blair, John C. Hogin, J. S. Griffin, A. E. Lowe, J. L. Smith, W. W. Randall, J. M. Ferguson, J. T. Parker, Dudley Buck, B. Frankin, S. E. Hall, W. S. Parmley, John S. Maple, T. Everts, Joel Long, J. H. Triggs, C. C. Wilson, H. H. Boegle, S. Harned, D. T. Miller, C. H. Mackey, L. Melogne, B. R. Hogin, J. T. Blair, R. L. Donnell, W. B. Squires, Master Masons.
H. E. Havens, John A. Donnell and R. Bell, Fellow Crafts.
Miram Pinkerton, D, P. Swails and W. B. Merriam Entered Apprentices, and that Wm. Wait, E. P. Robertson and M. T. Siverly had been dimitted during the year.
Brother James L. Hogin, Past Grand Master, of Indiana, and of Iowa, for whom two lodges were named, one at Danville, Hendricks county, Indi- ana, and one at Sigourney, Keokuk county Iowa, he having organized each of them, and was their first Master, was unanimously elected an honorary member of Blazing Star Lodge, U. D. The above named Masons were the charter members or Webb Lodge No. 182, A. F. & A. M. Upon receiving their charter the brothern redoubled their diligence and went to work; dur- ing the first year of the charter the lodge rented a room of Joseph Oyel- meyer, for a term of five years. This room is 22x60 and situate in the sec- ond story, north half of said Oyelmeyer's business rooms, north of the north east corner of the square. The lodge, on moving to this room, pro- curred an entire new outfit, and in conjunction with Joppa Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, then organizing, fitted up the room suitable for lodge and chapter; they together occupied this room until the expiration of the lease, at which time the lodge rented the third story of the Thomas John- son Block on the north side of the public square, to which they removed, and which they now occupy, with a membership on May 1, 1879, of seventy- two members, lodge free of debt, money at interest, and property kept in- sured. To go back and give details perhaps would not be of interest to but few, further than to say the lodge has been successful from the start, the brethren dwelling together in unity, but few family quarrels and they amicably adjusted.
The lodges in Sigourney have been honored with one Grand Master, James L. Hogin, Sr., who at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge held at Mount Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa, June 6, 1854, was elected Grand Master, and who served one year.
582
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
I. A. Keck, a member of Webb Lodge, No. 182, at the meeting of the Grand Lodge held at Davenport, Iowa, on June 5, 1877, was elected Grand Treasurer, and served one year.
Many have been called from labor to refreshment at the order of the Su- preme Grand Master of all, and we trust have been found worthy of wages; many have dimitted and gone to other jurisdictions, and wherever they may be we hope they sometimes think of the old lodge and its members.
CAPITULAR MASONRY.
On the second day of December, 1867, a dispensation was granted by the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of Iowa to the following named com- panions: James L. Hogin, Sr., William Hursey, J. H. Sanders, Wm. Wait, F. B. Matthews, James Dickson, J. C. Wilson, D. N. Newton, H. N. Henderson and E. O. Riley to meet and work as a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Sigourney, Keokuk county, Iowa, under the name ef Joppa Chapter, R. A. M. Under dispensation, by that authority, the com- panions met and organized-James L. Hogin, Sr., as High Priest, the balance of the companions taking rank in the order their names appear above. During the time the chapter was under dispensation the following named Master Masons were exalted: John T. Parker, J. H. Shawhan, J. P. Yerger, Lycurgus McCoy, J. T. Blair, A. Roberts, Sanford Harned, R. B. Hogin, W. B. Merriam, Dudley Buck, J. S. Griffin, H. A. Herrick, J. C. Jennis, A. C. Romig, B. Frankin and Dennis Cokeley. On the sixteenth day of October, 1868, a charter was granted to the above named companions and Joppa Chapter, No. 40, R. A. M., was duly organ-' ized, since which time they have continued to meet, work, and have prospered; they have their home with the lodge (Webb 182).
CRYPTIC MASONRY.
On the sixteenth day of October, 1870, a charter was granted to James L. Hogin, Sr., W. B. Merriam, J. P. Yerger, J. H, Shawhan, James Dick- son, J. T. Blair, J. H. Sanders, John T. Parker and William Wilson, Jr., to work as Sigourney Council No. 14, Royal and Select Masters, in Sigour- ney, Iowa. B. Crabb, M. E. G. M. of Iowa, organized the council and set them to work; the council met and worked for a short time, but at the time the council degrees were given to the chapter the council had not met for about one year and but once in three years, not because the com- panions did not appreciate the council degrees, but because most of the members had not time to devote to the council; having once received the degrees they fell back on the fountain-head, (Blue Lodge Masonry). So ended the council, it being attached to the chapter.
A. O. U. W.
Penn Lodge No. 62 was organized April 18, 1876, and chartered April 19, 1876; John T. Parker was Master Workman. The next M. W. was G. D. Woodin, then John A. Donnell, then H. C. Adams, then J. T. Thomp- son, then Josiah Fisher, then J. W. Hanson and at present Levi Bower. The first death among the order at this place was that of Dr. S. W. Huff, who died recently, and by virtue of his membership leaves to his family
583
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
$2,000, the main object of the order being to secure to the families of mem- bers these pecuniary benefits. At the time of organization there were about thirty members of the order, at present there are seventy-seven. The actual expense to each member averages about $12.00 per year. The lodge. room is situated in White's block, south side of the public square. Regu- lar communication every Friday evening; the dues are $4.00 per year, assessments $1.05 each.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
In the spring of 1879 there was a very successful temperance revival, re- sulting from the earnest efforts of Major Bontecou, a gentleman who has achieved a greater reputation throughout the State than any other of the many who have been operating in this direction. During his stay in the town four hundred and twenty-five signed the pledge, and two temperance societies were formed: one, composed of ladies, called the White Ribbon; and one, composed of gentlemen, called the Red Ribbon society. The offi- cers of the former are: president, Mrs. Sarah A. Merriam; vice president, Mrs. J. P. Yerger; secretary, Miss Bracken; treasurer, Mrs. S. D. Cook. Of the latter: I. S. Drummond. president; J. B. Adams, vice-president; G. W. Kelley, secretary; Minor Wightman, treasurer.
The societies work in unison and have a hall in common, the meetings being held at different times, and the books and papers with which the reading-room is supplied being the commnon property of both.
IRVING LITERARY SOCIETY.
This society was organized in 1874, and is composed of a number of young people of literary taste, a large number of business men and nearly all of the professional men of the town. A neat hall has been fitted up in the rear of Donnell & Brooks' office, which, among other things useful for- the society, is a library consisting of about two hundred well selected books .. There is an executive committee, whose duty it is each week to appoint what is familiarly known as a " star actor." Upon the "star actor " de- volves the duty of furnishing the chief performance of the evening, which may consist of an essay, an address or a recitation. In addition to this per- formance there are shorter essays, declamations, music and discussions. The present officers are as follows: president, R. L. Donnell; vice-president, Miss Leona Sampson; secretary, C. M. Brown; treasurer, T. H. Benton; librarian, J. T. Brooks; corresponding secretary, Frank Yerger; executive committee, S. A. James. J. A. Donnell, H. S. Snodgrass.
CHURCHES.
The first religious organization formed in Sigourney was that of the- Methodists, in 1847, under the influence of Rev. Mr. Hulbert, a local preacher of that denomination, who settled here in 1846. This organiza- tion flourished for a time, meetings being held in the old log court-honse .: In the course of a few years this organization went down, and the church was not re-organized till the winter of 1850.
The following were some of the members of this organization: Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Hogin, Mr. and Mrs. Hewett, Mrs. Eliza Hogin, J. L. Hogin,
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HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
Mrs. Moody and E. Hogin. A frame church was erected in 1854, at a cost of $2,500. This church was dedicated by Dr. Berry in the spring of 1855. The following, in the order given, have been pastors: Revs. Messrs. Bur- ley, Skinner, Orr, Bamford, Hestwood, Gruber, Slusser, Barnhart, Teter, Lawback, Morry, Walker, Brown, Gennis, Reynolds, Holoway, Myers, Burns, Wilnes, Noble, Thompson, Cooper, and Barton, the present pastor. The present membership numbers one hundred and eleven; the Sabbath- school, about two hundred.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH
Of Sigourney was organized in June, 1857. Composed principally of members who had previously belonged to an organization two miles west of Sigourney, which, was perhaps, the first organized Baptist church in the county. The names of the original members were as follows: Richard Chrisman and wife, John Wightman and wife, Isaac G. Wilson and wife, Benjamine Eaton and wife, A. T. Page, Linus Muzzy and wife, Willis Rogers and wife, Rebeckah Basey, Isaac Basey, Sr., and wife, Rev. C. Bullock and wife. Rev. James Frey and wife moved to Sig- ourney and became members shortly after the organization. Of the above members, only five still retain their membership in the church, viz: R. Chrisman and wife, Rev. James Frey and wife and Rebeckah Basey.
The first church edifice was commenced in 1859, but owing to hard times, was not completed until 1863, at a cost of $3,000. This work was accomplished mainly through the untiring efforts of their pastor, Rev. Jas. Frey, who gave all his salary, his team, and mortgaged his own homestead, to secure the completion of the building. The old building was remodeled and enlarged in 1873, at an expense of $2,200. This second improvment, was also made through the personal efforts and indefatigable energy of Rev. James Frey.
The first building was dedicated November, 1863, and the second time in 1873, in both cases by Rev. Mr. Frey, who has been pastor a greater portion of the time, and is at present pastor. Revs. Messrs. West, Pratt, Coffman and Crandall, have also been pastors for a short time.
Mr. Frey being the pioneer Baptist preacher of the county, the following biography will be interesting: He was born in 1827, in Knox county, Ohio; educated at Granville. College, and entered the ministry in 1851. He came to Iowa in and settled at Sigourney, in 1857, and accepted the pastorate of the Baptist church. In 1860 he was elected county superin- tendent of schools, and served in this office for two years. With the excep- tion of these two years his time has been given exclusively to the work of the ministry. With the exception of three years at Knoxville, and two and a-half years at Fairfield, his work has been confined to the limits of Keo- kuk county.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Of Sigourney was organized in January, 1855. The original members were John Wilson, Nathan H. Hall, James H. Greigg, Margery A. Greigg, Jane Wilson, Susanna D. Wilson and Wilhelmina Heider. John Wilson was first elected ruling elder. In 1856 a frame church-building was erected which served the congregation until 1876, when the present elegant and commodious church-building was erected at a cost of $8,000. Rev. Mr. Smock, the first Presbyterian minister of the county, who was chiefly
585
HISTORY OF KEOKUK COUNTY.
instrumental in the organization of the church, was the first pastor. He was followed by Mathews, Kelly and Hare. Rev. Mr. Snodgrass, formerly of Oskaloosa, is their present pastor. The present membership numbers ninety three. The Sundy-school in connection with the church, was or- ganized in 1857. E. W. McJunkin is the superintendent; the attendance is abouttwo hundred and twenty-five.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
This church was organized October 2, 1869. Peyton Prichard, Lycurgus. McCoy, William Carlysle, C. E. Moser, Salina E. Stranahan, Ruth E. Nichols, Margaret L. Proctor, Rebecca J. Griffin, Margaret Moser, Mar- . garet H. Shollenbarger, John Hankins and William H. Hankins were the original members. A frame church-building was erected in the fall of 1872, at a cost of $2,300. On Sunday, January 19, 1873, the church was dedicated by Elder D. M. Canright, who, together with George G. Butler, R. M. Kilgore, E. W. Farnsworth and Lycurgus McCoy, have been pas- tors since that time. The present membership is sixty-seven.
The organization consists of a covenant to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. There is no creed, the Bible alone being the guide of faith. In the summer of 1869, Elders Canright and Butler came to Sigourney and first preached, creating a great excitement by expounding doctrines theretofore unheard by the people. This was the origin of the. church.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
Was organized in 1873 by Father Louisman. The original members were Francis Marion, William Dumron, Patrick Cudika, John Cullen, John. Morrisy, M. Morrisy, F. Shipfer, Mr. Frankin, Michael Pearl, James Dwier, etc. A stone church was erected in 1873 at a cost of $3.000 which has not yet been dedicated. Father Louisman, J. F. Nugent, P. J. Lynch,. Edward Mclaughlin and Patrick McNamera have been the pastors, the latter being the present one. The present membership consists of about twenty-five families.
The church was built by the unceasing efforts of Father Louisman, when there were but a few Catholic families in the neighborhood, aid having. been furnished by those who were members of no church. The church is still 'considerably in debt, and there is some talk of abandoning it and erccting one nearer the centre of business.
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