The history of Lee county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., Part 82

Author: Western historical co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 898

USA > Iowa > Lee County > The history of Lee county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The meeting organized with Rev. Dr. Salter, of Burlington, as Chairman, and Hon. J. B. Howell, as Clerk. The first great question was settled by resolving that it is " expedient to form an orthodox Congregational Church in Keokuk."

Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Chittenden, Mr. and Mrs. William Brownell, Mrs. and Mrs. J. B. Billings, Mrs. A. Potter, Miss Cleghorn and Mr. Zimri Webb expressed their willingness to join, and the organization was consummated under the name of the Orthodox Congregational Church. Mr. A. B. Chitten- den was elected the first Clerk, and William Brownell the first Deacon of the Church.

Dr. Salter preached the first sermon in the evening of the day of organization.

Some years prior to this date, John McKean had removed to Keokuk from Guilford, Conn. He was a devoted friend of the Congregational Church, of which he had long been a member, and, with a desire to give practical assist- ance to a church which he believed would be organized at some future time in Keokuk, he deeded to Mr. Chittenden and others, as Trustees, forty acres of land lying west of Tenth street, between Blondeau and Johnson, " for the use, benefit and support of the first orthodox Congregational Church which shall be organized at said town of Keokuk."

After the death of Mr. McKean, in 1847, his heirs contested the validity of this deed, the case being in the Courts when the Church was organized. Prior to the final decision, which was in favor of the defendants, the Church sold its- claim, realizing about $9,000.

For the first year of its existence, the Church held meetings at private houses ; but in October, 1855, Mr. James R. Kimball, of Maine, a young man not yet ordained, was employed as minister, and regular Sabbath services were commenced in O. C. Isbell's Music Hall, on Main street, near Second, next door to the present State National Bank.

In May, 1857, the Church took possession of its present location, on the corner of Sixth and High streets.

There have been five pastorates. Dr. Thatcher was minister for six years and seven months. Rev. Clayton Welles, the present Pastor, began his labors in September, 1872. During Dr. Thatcher's pastorate, the church was enlarged and improved at a cost of about $3,000. In 1869, the parsonage was built and other improvements made, costing over $7,000, of which $5,000 was the legacy of Mr. H. W. Sample, and more than $1,000 the personal gift of his son, S. S. Sample.

The money raised by the Church for building, current expenses and the like is not far from $50,000. The amount contributed for purely benevolent objects is about $12,000.

644

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

In the twenty-five years, 452 members have been received into the Church. 149 of whom were added under the ministrations of the present Pastor.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

On the 5th of February. 1847. a little company of Baptist people assembled in the village of Keokuk. Rev. L. C. Bush preached a sermon, after which the following believers presented themselves to be organized as the " First Baptist Church." The names of these were as follows: Benjamin Luce. Mrs. Mar- garet Luce. Lucius C. Green. Mrs. Harriet Green. James Hill. Isaac Hill. R. T. Hill. James J. Thompson. Mrs. Mary E. Thompson. Miss Martha Mason and Mrs. Sarah Wise, eleven in all.

On the 14th of February. Mrs. Julia J. Tinsley was baptized. the first one. into the fellowship of the new Church. In the same month. steps were taken to secure a site and to erect a house of worship, which resulted in an unpre- tending building on the west side of Third street. between Main and Johnson. which was occupied in December.

March 22, 1847. a call was extended to Rev. J. N. Seley, who accepted and remained with the Church nine months. He was succeeded by a Mr. Hope. November 3. 1849. Rev. N. Worden was chosen Pastor, but the Home Mission- ary Society having sent Rev. Elihu Gunn to supply the Church. Rev. Worden's resignation was accepted nine days afterward, and Rev. Gunn was elected in his stead.

August 31. 1850. the Church voted to sell the old meeting-house and erect a new one : and in a few years afterward (date not obtainable), they are found located on Third street, between Concert and High streets, in a church erected at a cost of $2.730.17.

In February, 1857. twenty members were dismissed to form a Second Bap- tist Church, and. but for the financial crash of 1857, Church No. 3 would have been established.

In September. 1857, Rev. Gunn resigned to take charge of the Institution at Pella. In April. 1858. Rev. W. W. Allen succeeded to the pastorate, and remained one year, after which Rev. J. T. Robert. LL. D., of Burlington, supplied the pulpit for three months. Rev. T. F. Griffith was Pastor for four years. beginning in September. 1859. Rev. J. T. Westover was chosen Pastor Sep- tember 1. 1864.

September 1. 1865. the Church purchased a lot and a half on the corner of Blondeau and Eighth streets, at a cost of $1.034. The old house was sold, the congregation worshiping in the Presbyterian Church from September 16, 1866. until February 10. 1867. the two Pastors occupying the pulpit alternately. On the latter date, the present church was occupied, services being held in the lecture-room. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. G. J. Johnson, to a full house, after which $1.000 was raised with which to pay all the floating debt on the property.

The church was completed and dedication services held November 15. 1868. The cost of the building, including lot and iron fence, was a little over $23,000.

Rev. Westover was succeeded by Rev. S. K. Leavitt, in April, 1870; he, in turn, by Rev. F. D. Bland, in March. 1873. Rev. S. Washington came next. and filled the pulpit for three years from August 1, 1875. At this writing, his successor has not been chosen.

The present membership of the Church is 284. The average attendance on the Sabbath school, for the year ending August 1, 1878, was 124.

645

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

COLORED BAPTIST CHURCHES.

The colored people of the Baptist faith are represented by two congrega- + tions, the first occupying the church-building on the corner of Seventh and Concert streets, the other holding services in a hall on Main street, between Eighth and Ninth.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

It was on the 20th of April, 1850, that a meeting was held at the law office of Dixon & Wickersham, for the purpose of organizing a Church of the Pro- testant Episcopal faith. Bishop Kemper and Rev. William Louderback were present, the former occupying the chair, and I. G. Wickersham acting as Sec- retary.

At this meeting, George C. Dixon, Edward Kilbourne and Ver Planck Van Antwerp were appointed a committee to draft articles of association, and Edward Kilbourne, Dr. D. L. McGugin and Dr. Young were constituted a committee to solicit subscriptions.

Upon motion of Hon. T. W. Clagett, Bishop Kemper was requested to name the new church, whereupon, he suggested the present name of "St. John's Church," of Keokuk, Iowa, which was adopted.

The first Wardens of the Church were Gen. Ver Planck Van Antwerp and Edward Kilbourne; and the first Vestrymen were A. H. Heaslip, Christian Garber, Hugh Doran, Guy Wells and Frank Bridgman. All these were elected April 27, 1850.

The first minister called was Rev. Otis Hackett, who came in June, 1850. The lots on which the present church-building was erected were presented to the society by Joseph Spaulding, of St. Louis, in July, 1850, and, in June of the next year, the vestry decided on erecting an edifice in accordance with plans prepared by Frank Bridgman. The contract was let to Robert Gray, at a cost not to exceed $1,400, and the house was occupied in November, 1851. The first pew-holders in the church were as follows : Dr. David L. McGugin, Theo. Comstock, Guy Wells, E. H. Harrison, Cuming & Hornish, John W. Ross, J. Lafe Curtis, A. H. Heaslip, Daniel Cramm, Christian Garber, Arthur Bridgman, I. G. Wickersham, J. G. Anthony, Joel Mathews, Ver Planck Van Antwerp, Mrs. Emory, George H. Williams, John R. Copelin, Edward Kil- bourne, Thomas W. Clagett, Miller & Chandler, Friend P. Cox, Hugh T. Reid, James F. Cox, George Kilbourne and George C. Davis.

Rev. George Dennison was the second Pastor of the Church, coming in September, 1853. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Trapnell, Jr., June 18, 1858. Rev. R. Jope, of St. Louis, followed next, October 18, 1861, and he was succeeded by Rev. H. W. Woods, February 19, 1866. Rev. Jonas Greene was called November 26, 1867, and remained until December 13, 1869, when he was succeeded by Rev. William Henderson, of Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. R. C. McElwaine, the present popular minister, and the eighth in succession, was called to the rectorship July 10, 1871.

THE UNITARIAN CHURCH.

During the summer of 1853, Rev. Mr. Fuller, of the Unitarian Church of Quincy, Ill., made occasional visits to Keokuk, the result of which was a meet- ing held October 4, 1853, in the schoolroom on Third street, between Main and Johnson, to organize a "liberal church, on a plan similar to the Unitarian Churches of this country." At this meeting, S. B. Ayres presided, and Dr. John E. Sanborn acted as Secretary. The names of others appearing in the

646

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

minutes as taking an active part were Col. Perry. Dr. Farner. Col. Leighton, Dr. Freeman Knowles, Samuel H. Tucker and J. C. Estes. Steps were taken to procure a place for holding regular service on the Sabbath, and a Financial Committee appointed, consisting of S. B. Ayres, Drs. Knowles and Farner. who were to aet for one year.

Upon the recommendation of Rev. Fuller, an invitation was extended to Rev. Leonard Whitney, of Illinois, to spend a few Sabbaths at Keokuk, and, as a result. he was employed as Pastor for one year, dating from October 1. 1853. the new society agreeing to pay a salary of $400. It was understood that the Western Unitarian Society was to pay him $400 additional.

" The First Unitarian Society of Keokuk " was incorporated November 22. 1858, holding services regularly in Concert Hall, on Main, between Third and Fourth streets, for about one year, when they removed to a smaller but more convenient room in the rear of Cleghorn & Harrison's store.

Mr. Whitney remained with the society until March 1. 1861. when he resigned, owing to a division of sentiment in the Church on the subject of slavery.

In 1855, an effort was made to raise $5,000 to purchase a site and ereet a church. In September, of that year, 100 feet of ground, on the corner of Fourth and High streets, was purchased of E. H. Harrison, for $2,000, and. under the supervision of J. C. Wykoff, a comfortable brick church was erected. and dedicated "for worship to the One only, God and Father of all." on November 27: 1856.

Rev. Robert Moore, a young man recently graduated from Meadville Sem- inary, succeeded Mr. Whitney, September 1, 1861. In May, 1863, owing to ill health, his resignation was regretfully accepted.

Rev. Robert Hassal. of Haverhill. Mass .. preached his first sermon Septem- ber 1. 1864. having been employed for three months. At the end of this time. the Church gave him a permanent eall. Mr. Hassel resigned in October. 1866. bearing with him highly complimentary resolutions from the Church.

In the fall of 1864. the Church was burdened with a heavy debt. The church-lot has been purchased on ten years' time, and this sum, with interest then nearly due, was $2.800 .. To relieve it. Mr. E. H. Harrison, the creditor. generously donated the whole sum to the Church, it in turn deeding to him twenty feet of the unoccupied ground adjoining Mr. Harrison's residence.

The Church was without a regular minister from October, 1866, until March. 1867. when Rev. J. R. Effinger was employed for four months, and subsequently, in October, was installed as the regular Pastor. He remained with the Church until November. 1869. when he resigned, on account of ill health.

Rev. E. C. S. Brown came in April. 1871, and began his first year as the regular minister in June following, continuing three years.

Rev. Oscar Clute, from Vineland. N. J., but a native of New York, who had preached a few times previously, became the regular Pastor January 1. 1875. He continued with the Church until October 1. 1878, when he resigned. to accept a call tendered jointly by the Universalist and Unitarian Churches of Iowa City.

Rev. John Andrew, of Ware, Mass., was employed for three months, begin- ning the first Sunday in November. 1878, and is still retained.

The new house of worship of the First Unitarian Church was completed in the fall of 1874, at a cost of $28,000, and was dedicated November 25. It is tastefully fitted and furnished. the organ alone costing $2,000.

647

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

During the past year, the Church has suffered serious loss in the death of two or three of its most valued members.

ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL CHURCH (GERMAN).

Prior to 1858, the few German families in Keokuk, of the Lutheran faith, had an imperfect organization, and held meetings occasionally in the Court House and other places.

The first "minister among them was Rev. Lorenz, an old veteran German preacher, father-in-law of Mr. H. Sievers, lessee of Gibbon's Opera House. Soon after his arrival, a move was made to erect a church, and, in 1858, a small frame building was built, on the corner of Eighteenth and Exchange streets, on a lot donated by Mr. Kilbourne.

Mr. Lorenz was succeeded by Rev. Kirchhoff, in 1863, under whom an organization was perfected, and the present name adopted. Mr. Kirchhoff remained two or three years, and was followed by Rev. O. Neithamer, who pre- sided over the congregation for a little more than six years.

The present Pastor, Rev. William Gramm, assumed charge in April, 1873, at which time the Church was in a declining condition, but Mr. G. infused new life and a general awakening occurred. Although there was no money in the treasury, it was determined to build a larger church.

The old church was sold for $600, and two lots were purchased at the cor- ner of Eleventh and Exchange streets, for $1,400. In December, 1874, the present beautiful edifice was dedicated.

The church has a seating capacity of 400, and the cost being nearly $9,000.

The next year, a comfortable parsonage was erected, adjoining the church, and at this time but a small amount of the debt incurred in all this work remains unpaid. The Church is flourishing, and at important church meetings, the building is not too large to accommodate the congregation.

CONGREGATION OF B'NAI ISRAEL.

About twenty-four years ago, on the 29th day of April, 1855, a number of Israelites of Keokuk united together and formed a benevolent society for the purpose of giving to deceased persons the Jewish rite of burial. Mr. Mike Vogel was then elected President, and a charter was procured September 3, 1855. A burial ground was then purchased from the city authorities, with a condition that the ground should never be used for any other purpose. When the Jewish population increased, a charter was applied for, for the purpose of changing this society into a Congregation, which was granted in September, 1863.

The first Minhag (rite) was the German orthodox rite. Services were then held in the second story over Younker's store. As the congregation increased, it was necessary to procure a more spacious place for worship, and it was re- moved to where the City Council now meets. The By-Laws were then revised, and on October 3, 1869, they adopted the reformed rite of Minhag America. Some time thereafter a little organ was bought, and a choir organized.

But in the meantime the ladies of the congregation had formed a Benevo- lent Society among themselves, and having about $800 on hand, they bought the lot on which the synagogue now stands, and presented it to the congrega- tion, on the condition that a house of worship be built upon it. The congrega- tion accepted both the donation and the condition, and everybody henceforth was wide awake to further the enterprise. The ladies gave a ball annually,

648

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

which was always largely attended by their Christian fellow-citizens, which was considered the annual event of the town, and the fashionable re-union of the elite of Keokuk. They realized a very handsome sum every year, and always donated it to the building fund.

This noble example stirred up the gentlemen. They began to subscribe. The Christians liberally contributed their subscriptions. Collections came from New York; and, in 1874, the corner-stone was laid with appropriate cere- monies. Mr. Black, a young man and splendid architect, drafted the plans for the splendid and tasty building. It was erected at a cost of $12,000, on which remains a debt of only $1,000.

The congregation has at present twenty-two contributing members, and the Sabbath school is attended by twenty-eight children.

The ministers who have presided over the congregation are, in their regular order, as follows: Rev. Marcusson, the first, about one and a half years ; Rev. Suggenheimer, six months ; Rev. Blout, two years ; Rev. Swede, two years ; Rev. Strauss, two years ; Rev. F. Becker, three years ; Rev. Joseph Bogen, the present minister, came January 1, 1877.

The Grand Jewish Order B'nai B'rith, with a membership of 25,000 in the United States, is represented here by Keokuk Lodge, No. 179, with forty-five members, residents and non-residents. The representative to the Grand Lodge is Sam Klein, and the representative to the Supreme Lodge is I. N. Stern, of New York, who is a member of Keokuk Lodge.

The Ladies' Benevolent Society consists of about twenty members. The Society, in case of sickness, grants a fee of $3 weekly to such member. In case of death, the ladies of this Society prepare the burial clothes for the dead body, which, in all cases, is uniform in texture.

RE-ORGANIZED CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

The Keokuk branch of this Church was organized February 21, 1863, by Henry Cuerden, assisted by William Anderson, of Nashville, Lee Co., Iowa. William Flavel was the first Presiding Elder. The branch has continued its organization until the present date, and holds religious services in a neat little frame church situated on the corner of Thirteenth and Bank streets. H. N. Snively is the present Presiding Elder.

As a matter of interest to many persons outside of the Church, an epitome of the faith and doctrines of this Church is here presented, omitting the refer- ences to passages of Scripture in the Old and New Testaments on which they are founded :

We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in His Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all men may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

We believe that these ordinances are :

1st .- Faith in God and in the Lord Jesus Christ.

2d .- Repentance.

3d .- Baptism by immersion. for the remission of sins.

4th .- Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

5th .- We believe in the Resurrection of the Body; that the dead in Christ will rise first, and the rest of the dead will not live again until the thousand years are expired.

6th .- We believe in the doctrine of. Eternal Judgment, which provides that men shall be judged, rewarded, or punished, according to the degree of good, or evil, they shall have done.

We believe that a man must be called of God, and ordained by the Laying on of Hands of those who are in authority, to entitle him to preach the Gospel and Administer in the Ordinances thereof.

We believe in the same kind of organization that existed in the primitive Church, viz. : Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers, Evangelists, etc.

649

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

We believe that in the Bible is contained the word of God, so far as it is translated cor- rectly. We believe that the canon of Scripture is not full, but that God, by His Spirit, will con- tinue to reveal His word to man until the end of time.

We believe in the powers and gifts of the everlasting Gospel, viz. : the gift of faith, discern- ing of spirits, prophesy, revelation, visions, healing, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues, + wisdom, charity, brotherly love, etc.

We believe that Marriage is ordained of God ; and that the law of God provides for but one companion in wedlock, for either man or woman-except in cases where the contract of mar- riage is broken by death or transgression.

We believe that the doctrines of a plurality and a community of wives are lieresies, and are opposed to the law of God.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our con- science, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where or what they may

"FREE-FOR-ALL " CHURCH.

About the holidays of 1878, H. Clay Landes, N. W. Johnson and A. J. Hardin were in the police headquarters, and among other subjects talked about was the non-attendance of so many people on places of worship on Sunday. They reached the conclusion that too many people absented themselves from church and spent the day in idleness, sitting around without profit to themselves or any one else, and that something ought to be done to remedy what seemed to them to be a growing evil. They realized that many of the city officers were unable to go to church in the forenoon, partly on account of not having time to " fix up" in full keeping with the spirit of the age, and because of their duty to the city. Night duty prevented others from attending evening services. After- noon services there were none, so they determined to inaugurate an independent movement to secure religious services at an hour and a place where they could attend in such apparel as their circumstances justified, and when they could attend without interference with their police duties.

Messrs. J. B. Paul, J. B. Kissick, A. B. Chappell, W. Ray, Ed. Creel, Thomas Conn, William Mayhew, N. Schlotter and Capt. Thomas Berry agreed to select a minister. The Council-room was secured, and 3 P. M. each Sab- bath was the hour fixed for the new services. This fact settled, after deliberate consideration, they chose Rev. John Burgess, M. D., who acceded to their urgent solicitation. They christened the new movement the "Free-for-All Church."

Rev. Mr. Burgess commenced his labors December 29, 1878, by preaching from 1 Cor., x, 15-"I speak as unto wise men, judge ye what I say." A choir was formed of some of the best singers in the city, who perform their duty promptly and impressively, consisting of John Wycoff, Ed. Hardin, Dr. F. Wyman, Joseph Wycoff, Will Landes, George Robertson, Harry Price, Wiley Ray, Grant Springer and M. D. Phelan, who manipulates the organ with masterly touch. "Gospel Songs " were chosen as their favorites, and Mr. John Burke readily handed out $2, and others contributing, they were secured. Of the first meeting, but a brief notice was given, yet the room was tolerably well filled; on the second Sabbath, quite an increase was noticed, and ever since the room has been crowded with attentive hearers, composed exclusively of men and youth. Many persons now have to leave for the want of seats. Every true and philanthropic person commends the work as sacredly opportune.

The fifth week of its progress, the new church members presented their Pastor with a fine suit of clothes, as a token of their appreciation of his good work. On the sixth Sabbath, at the close of the sermon, by order of the Church, Robert M. Marshall, Esq., in a few, beautiful and eloquent words, pre- sented Rev. Mr. Burgess with a very beautifully-bound Bible, on which was

650

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

inscribed in golden letters, "Presented to Rev. John Burgess, Minister of the 'Free-for-All' Church," to which the Pastor replied in a laconie and Christian spirit.

Men of all classes attend the Church, and many who had not been to Church for ten, twenty and thirty years go there with commendable regularity and listen attentively to the words of truth as they fall from the lips of the Free-for-All Pastor. Indeed, their attention is closer and their decorum better than that of some who dress finer and make louder professions. No better attention was ever observed in any church ; and the kind usher, Mr. Robert Ranson, a prominent railroad man, understands the rules and decorum of quietly seating all who come. The minister is an old Methodist itinerant, and Presiding Elder of the Iowa Con- ference, who had been stationed in Keokuk for three years, and built up the old Exchange Street (now called the First) Methodist Episcopal Church, from a dilap- idated, sinking condition to one of power and usefulness. He is a man of pro- gressive and liberal ideas, and has a warm and devoted Christian heart, the zeal of youth and the ardor of one who believes in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He preaches from the heart to the heart; hence his sermons are eloquent, searching and convincing. His earnest manner is in full harmony with the notions of his honest supporters, who hate shams and shoddy of whatever kind.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Lee county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., Part 82

Author: Western historical co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company Number of Pages: 898

Author: Western historical co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 898