USA > Iowa > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &t., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest etc > Part 64
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In connection with the Fire Department, is the organization of the Fire Police, numbering some thirty members, composed of the business men, under the command of Capt. J. J. Snouffer. It is the duty of this police force to attend all alarms of fire, assist in removing goods beyond the reach of the flames, preserve order, and perform the duties that naturally pertain to an officer of the law. The police are subject to the orders of the Chief of the City Police, and are vested with the same power, having been sworn in, as is the rule.
WATER WORKS.
The Water Works building was erected in 1875 by James Cushing ; it is built of cut stone, and presents a fine appearance. The works are located at the northern terminus of Washington street, and have an imposing tower at the south entrance. The smoke-stack is built of brick and is ninety-five feet high. The McGowand pumps and engines, of Cincinnati, Ohio, are used in the works. The water from the river is run through a filter into an immense well, and is pumped up from the well. The works have a capacity of 4,000,000 gallons every twenty-four hours. The hydrants are so arranged that in the business and more thickly settled portions of the city, from 4 to 8} inch streams can be brought to play in any locality. The entire city is surrounded by mains, rendering all portions of it within the reach of water.
"The officers of the Water Works are : W. W. Walker, President; T. M. Sin- clair, Treasurer ; J. M. Brocksmit, Secretary ; F. O. Weeks, Collector. Direct- ors-W. W. Walker, T. M. Sinclair, George Douglass, J. L. Bever, J. C. Brocksmit, William Waterhouse and Charles Weare. James Savage, First Engineer ; J. C. Fox, Second Engineer ; John Childs, Fireman and Pipeman.
GAS.
The Cedar Rapids Gaslight and Coke Company was organized in 1871, and established works on South Commercial street. Between seven and eight miles
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
of main are laid at present. The city and nearly all the public and business houses are supplied with gas. There are about 300 consumers, and 115 street lamps.
The officers of the company are : A. T. Averill, President; H. G. Higley, Vice President ; M. A. Higley, Treasurer ; John Thomas, Secretary.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The graded school system in Cedar Rapids was inaugurated in 1861, but in 1856, when W. W. Smith built the Washington school building, the first graded school may be said to have been begun. The building was commenced in 1855, but was not ready for occupancy until 1856, and then only a few rooms were used. It was not fully used until 1865, when Prof. C. W. Burton took charge. The first teacher who commenced the work of grading the school was Prof. Humphrey, who taught three years. There were about 300 pupils attending under this system at that time. Mr. Humphrey was succeeded in his work, so well begun, by Mr. Ingalls, who managed the school for one year or more ; but it was not until the Fall of 1865, when Mr. C. W. Burton took charge of the schools, that the system began to prove a success. The people had been for years sending their children to school and permitting them to study whatever they desired. During Mr. Burton's first and second years, he had a catalogue pre- pared and issued, fixing definitely what a scholar should study in the grade in which he belonged. In 1866, rooms were rented in different parts of the city to meet the increased demand for seats.
The school buildings in the various wards have been named in honor of the Presidents of the United States, in regular order. In the Summer of 1867, the Adams School was built. This is a brick building, costing about $5,000, and is situated on the corner of Madison and Daniels streets. The Jefferson School is a brick building of two stories, containing six rooms, and is located on Linn street, between Jackson and Van Buren, and was erected in 1868, at a cost of $12,000. The Monroe School was the next one built, and is located on Ligare street, corner of Adams. It is a brick structure, has two floors, containing six rooms. It was erected in 1873, at a cost of $17,000, including the lots upon which it stands. The Madison School was erected in 1877, on the corner of Third and King streets, and was built in place of one destroyed by fire. It is built of brick, is two stories high, contains eight rooms, and cost $11,500. There are also three frame buildings that were built in 1877. The Adams Frame is located near the Adams School. The James Street Frame is located on First street, corner of Huntington, on the West Side. Time Check Frame is located in "Time Check," the locality near the railroad machine shop.
The teachers in the various departments, as far as can be given at this sea- son, are :
High School ( Washington) .- Miss M. A. Robertson, Principal ; Miss J. Ada Sherman, 1st Assistant; Miss Sallie A. Thompson, 2d Assistant; Miss M. J. Couden, Grammar Department ; Miss Louie E. Chambers, Grammar Department ; Miss E. J. Fordyce, Miss E. C. Stearns.
Adams School .- Miss Ada R. Smith, Principal ; Miss Annie E. Ferguson, Miss Phœbe Coleman, Miss M. L. Barnes.
Jefferson School .- P. D. St. John, Principal ; Miss Hattie A. Glass, Miss N. J. Stifler, Miss Ella Jones and Miss Mary Deacon.
Monroe School .- Frank Culler, Principal ; Miss A. J. Norris, Miss Emma Forsyth, Miss Lillie Haran, Miss Emma Norris and Miss Carrie Fordyce.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Madison School .- Joseph F. Dey, Principal ; Miss Mary Card, Miss Julia Brown, Miss Anna McDaniels, Miss Bell Byers, Miss Flora Joyslin.
Adams Frame .- Miss Aurelia Whittam.
James Street Frame .- Miss Carrie Russell.
" Time Check School."-Miss M. L. Prescott.
The number of school children in the city is 3,200; average daily attend- ance, 1,500.
The Superintendent in charge of all of the schools of the city is Prof. J. W. Akers.
The Board of Education consists of the following named gentlemen : J. S. Anderson, President, M. A. Higley, Thomas Devendorf, C. W. Burton, Chas. H. Clark, A. H. Spangler.
The officers of the Board are: John W. Henderson, Treasurer ; Warren Harman, Secretary, and J. W. Akers, Superintendent.
Standing Committees-Finance, M. A. Higley, Charles Clark ; Teachers, C. W. Burton, T. Devendorf; Repairs and Supplies, T. Devendorf, M. A. Higley ; Building Committee, A. H. Spangler, M. A. Higley, T. Devendorf ; Salaries, Charles H. Clark, A. H. Spangler, C. W. Burton ; Rules, Regula- lations and Text Books, E. W. Burton, A. H. Spangler, Charles H. Clark.
In the High School, the Superintendent receives $1,500 per annum ; Prin- cipal, $100 per month; First Assistant, $65 per month ; Second Assistant, $60 per month, and those in the Grammar Department, $60 per month.
The remaining teachers in the various schools are divided into four classes- First class, $50 per month ; second class, $45 per month ; third class, $40 per month ; fourth class (or inexperienced teachers), $30 per month.
The schools of Cedar Rapids have been steadily improving, until at the present writing they are considered the equal of any in the State. Appended is the Secretary's last financial report, dated March, 1878 :
TEACHERS' FUNDS.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand at last report $3,585 85
Received from County Treasurer (taxes). 11,180 29
Received from semi-annual apportionment. 3,464 65
Total receipts.
$18,230 79
DISBURSEMENTS.
Amount of teachers' orders issued.
$13,517 56
Balance
$4,713 23
CONTINGENT FUND.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand at last report ..
$251 28
Received from County Treasurer (taxes). 6,265 19
Total receipts.
$6,516 47
Amount of orders issued.
$6,375 71
Balance in treasury.
$140 76
SCHOOL HOUSE FUND.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand at last report.
$1,095 55
Received from County Treasurer (taxes). 8,793 83
Received from Fourth Ward School House 8,032 49
Total receipts. $17,921 87
DISBURSEMENTS.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
DISBURSEMENTS.
Amount of orders issued. $9,817 50
Bonds and coupons paid 7,523 75
Total disbursements. $17,341 25
Balance in treasury. $580 62
The tax for school purposes during 1877 was thirteen and one-half mills on the dollar.
BUSINESS IN 1856.
The growth of Cedar Rapids was remarkable during the decade from 1850 to 1860. The year succeeding its incorporation, the following statement of its manufacturing, retail and general business houses, public institutions, etc., was made in the Voice of Iowa :
Flouring-mills, 4; planing-mills, sash, doors and blinds, 2; cooper, 1 ; wagon and carriage factories, 5; iron foundry, 1; cabinet and chair factories, 2; plow factories, 3; boot and shoe factories, 3; saddle and harness factories, 2; tin, copper and sheet iron workers, 4; woolen factory, 1; brick yards, 5; agricult- ural implement factories, 2; merchant tailors, 3; wood-working shops, 2; newspapers and magazines, 3; brick machine factory 1'; grocery and provision stores, 8; clothing stores, 5; dry goods stores, 15; millinery and fancy goods, 1 ; liquor and cigar stores, 6; drug stores, 4; jewelers, 2; hardware stores, 4; book stores, 2; book bindery, 1; public and private halls, 5; hotels, 5; churches, 4; lumber yards, 4; bakery, 1; banks, 3; public reading room, 1; barber, 1.
A paper-mill was then in contemplation, and the Voice advocated the estab- lishment of a pork-packing business. The suggestion was one which the mam- moth house of Sinclair proves to have been a very sensible idea. There were then two nurseries contiguous to the city.
BUSINESS IN 1878.
Cedar Rapids is the commercial mart for a large section of country, which is made tributary to this point by its railroad system and large manufacturing enterprises. The business houses increase in number annually, and the public are apt to say that everything is overdone, and wonder how so many tradesmen manage to live. They forget that new territory is brought within reach every year, and that the population and wealth of the country is constantly increas- ing. All the leading branches of business are represented by wealthy houses, which carry stocks the equal of any west of Chicago; and there is hardly a special branch of business not represented by good firms. The large and varied stocks of dry goods, millinery, hats and caps, jewelry, etc., carried here, have the natural tendency to limit the stocks in the neighboring towns to the ordinary articles used by the household, giving the merchants exclusive control of the trade in all the finer and more costly lines. People will trade, as a general thing, where they can find the largest stocks and where there is the most com- petition. For these and other reasons, the mercantile interests of the city are increasing at a ratio greater than the natural increase of the population of the country.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Below will be found a table, prepared with care, giving an approximate estimate of the sales of merchandise annually in the city :
Groceries, wholesale.
$525,000
do., retail.
610,000
Dry goods, millinery, etc ..
Hardware, wholesale and retail. 625,000
Clothing, wholesale and retail. 250,000
225,000
Boots and shoes, wholesale and retail.
225,000
Musical instruments and sewing machines ..
60,000
Watches, clocks and jewelry. 40,000
Farm machinery.
285,000
Leather and saddlery hardware
275,000
Drugs, paints, oils, etc ..
150,000
Hats, caps and notions, wholesale and retail.
100 000
Crockery and miscellaneous.
150,000
Aggregate sales.
$3,520,000
BRIDGES.
The first bridge built over the Cedar at this point was a free bridge erected at Daniels street. It was commenced in the Fall of 1856, and completed during the Winter. The severe weather that year made very heavy ice, and when it moved out with the Spring flood, in 1857, the bridge piers were demolished and the structure was destroyed. When it fell, two young ladies, who were crossing at the time, lost their lives.
The next structure was a float bridge, at Iowa avenue, built in the Fall of 1857. It was not ice-proof, however, and was carried out by a sudden break-up in the river in January, 1858. A portion of the floats were recovered, and the crossing re-established at May's Island, during the same year. The floats were used on that part of the river east of the island, and the transit was com- pleted on the west side by means of a ferry boat.
In the Fall of 1858, the Daniels street bridge was rebuilt, and opened for business a second time in the Spring of 1859. It was only a temporary struct- ure, however, but did good service for about four years, when it was taken down.
In February, 1855, H. G. Angle obtained a license from the County Court to build a toll bridge at Iowa avenue, the license to extend twenty-five years. under a prescribed rate of toll for passengers, vehicles and animals ; no other toll bridge to be permitted within two miles of said bridge for a term of ten (10) years ; and in case a free bridge should be erected within the limits of the pre- scribed two miles, the person or company so building were required, to pay to the person or company owning said toll bridge a reasonable compensation. It was stipulated that said toll bridge should be commenced prior to January 1. 1856. June 24, 1856, H. G. Angle made application to the County Court to transfer his rights under the charter or license to a company composed of George Greene, John Weare, William Greene, P. W. Earl, A. F. Steadman, H. E. Higley, N. B. Brown, Lowell Daniels, Lawson Daniels, E. H. Dobbs, J. J. Childs and Jesse P. Rogers. The Court made the proper order con- ferring upon said company, under the name of the Cedar Rapids Bridge Com- pany, power to build and operate said bridge, with the same powers and under the same restrictions as before given to the said H. G. Angle. The company also filed articles of incorporation under the State laws. The bridge was not completed for public use until the Winter of 1859-60. It proved to be a com- paratively substantial structure, and did good service for about twelve years. It
1
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
501
was destroyed by ice in the Spring of 1871. The destruction of this bridge re-opened the discussion as to the comparative benefits to the city of free and toll bridges. It was finally decided to build a free bridge at Park avenue, crossing May's Island nearly in the center. It was built during the year 1871, at a cost of $42,000, of which the county paid one-third, the remainder, $28,000, being raised by the city and by private subscription.
In 1874, a vote of the electors of the city was taken on the question of granting corporate aid to construct two free bridges-one at Burton street and the other at James street, in the lower part of the city. The citizens voted in the affirmative of the proposition to issue $6,000 in city bonds toward the con- struction of each of these bridges, and the building of the Burton street bridge was entered upon the same year. It was completed in the Summer of 1875, at a cost of $32,000, all raised by private subscription, except the $6,000 paid by the city. The James street bridge was commenced in 1875, and com- pleted early in 1876. It cost about twenty-eight thousand dollars, of which $12,000 was paid by the county, $6,000 by the city, and $10,000 by private subscription.
It will thus be seen that Cedar Rapids has a magnificent system of commu- nication, giving free transit across the river. Three splendid iron bridges span the clear waters of the Cedar within the city limits, the extreme upper and lower ones being about a mile apart. No other city in Iowa can compare with her in this respect. The cost of the bridges aggregate $102,000, of which $76,000 was paid by the city and private subscription, over $50,000 of it being obtained by the latter means. These structures are all good and substantial, and will endure for years. Our citizens evidently concluded that in this matter the best was the cheapest, and their liberality is commendable in the highest degree.
RELIGIOUS.
There are thirteen religious organizations in Cedar Rapids. The history of these societies form an important part of the record of events in the city and vicinity, and extended space is herein devoted to the laudable purpose of placing in convenient shape the salient points in the work of all denominations.
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church .- The stately and magnificent house of worship recently dedicated to the service of Almighty God, by the Metho- dists of Cedar Rapids, is the outgrowth of very small beginnings. Thirty-eight years ago, a single log cabin of limited capacity was the only habitable build- ing on the present site of the city. In that year (1840), the few settlers in the vicinity met to listen to the preaching of the Word by an itinerant Methodist minister named Hodges, and the services were held in the log house aforesaid. It was then occupied by a man named Thomas Sharp. This was the first public religious worship ever held in what is now one of the principal cities of the State, and where nearly a dozen church spires pierce the upper air. But their solemn bells call together now no more devout worshipers than some of those who that day met in the rude cabin of the frontier to invoke the blessing of Him who looks with equal favor upon the cultured and the uncultured.
The first Methodist Church in the place was organized in the year 1843, by the Rev. I. Searles. The organization took place at the house of John Liste- barger, on the west bank of the river, near where the Benton street bridge now crosses. The names of those who entered into church relations at that time were as follows : Jasen Bartholomew and wife, Levi Lewis and wife, Mrs. Julia Ann Carnes, Thomas Gainer and wife, David W. King and wife, Farnum Colby, John Listebarger and wife.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Several of these persons are yet living in a green old age, in the city and vicinity, respected and beloved by their neighbors. Others have left the country, while others have entered upon the everlasting reward of the faithful.
It is not necessary to recapitulate the struggles of the church, in its infancy, to get and maintain a foothold in the community. The society was weak in numbers, and, like the individuals composing it, poor in worldly wealth. But they did the best they could, and, as the community grew in numbers and wealth, the society kept pace, and those who bore the heat and burden of the day have now the satisfaction of looking back over work well done, with the foundations of the church laid deep and strong.
For a number of years, the Methodists of Cedar Rapids had no regular place of worship. About the year 1852, they built the brick church on the corner of Jefferson and Franklin streets, which was considered a capacious edifice at the time. In 1871, the erection of the present fine building was commenced. It is situated at the corner of Madison and Franklin streets, overlooking the public park, and is one of the finest church buildings in the State. For several years the basement of the building was used for public worship. On the 9th of June last, the main auditorium, sixty by eighty feet in size, was completed and dedi- cated. The indebtedness of the church on the morning of that day was $10.000, which was all subscribed during the morning and evening services.
The church now enters upon its great work with a total membership of 300, and with a large and increasing congregation. Such an aggregation of numbers, wealth and intelligence is a powerful agency for good in the community.
The present Pastor of the church is the Rev. William Fawcett, one of the most forcible thinkers and orators of the age, The church has been blessed with the services of such ministers as Kendig, Young and others of almost equal power.
The value of the church property, including the parsonage, is not less than $50,000.
First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids .- The following historical sketch is furnished by the society :
The first Presbyterian Church, of Cedar Rapids, was organized July 9, 1847.
The meeting for that purpose was held in the school house, then on the northwest corner of Eagle and Madison streets, and a sermon delivered by the Rev. Julius A. Reed, Agent of the American Home Missionary Society.
The Rev. Bennett Roberts, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Marion, then acting as Moderator, the following named persons presented themselves, and entered into covenant to walk together in Gospel Ordinances, viz .: John Vardy, Frederick Grambo, Martha Grambo, Barnet Lutz, Ann M. Lutz, Isaac Listebarger and Mary C. Listebarger, from the Presbyterian Church in Marion, and Alexander L. Ely and Mary A. Ely, from the Reformed Dutch Church of Allegan, Michigan.
Messrs. Vardy and Ely were duly chosen Elders, the latter being also elected as Deacon. On the following Sabbath, these persons were duly ordained to their respective offices.
During the Spring of 1848, the following named persons became members, viz. : Electa McCune, Arven Kennedy and Rachel Kennedy by letter, and John L. Shearer and Elizabeth A. Shearer by profession. In July of the same year, Mr. Kennedy was chosen Deacon and Mr. Listebarger Elder, to fill the vacancies occasioned by the decease of Mr. Ely.
The public services of the Church were held in the school house, and up to the Winter of 1848-9, Mr. Roberts usually preached on alternate Sabbaths. Then, by invitation, Rev. Willis- ton Jones became a stated supply. In the following Spring, a formal call was extended to Mr. Jones and he was duly installed as Pastor. He continued in this relation an earnest and faithful laborer till July, 1856, when he resigned the pastorate and removed to Iowa Falls.
In April, 1849, measures were taken for the formation of a society in connection with the Church. On the 28th of June following, this society was organized under the corporate name of " The Presbyterian Society of The First Presbyterian Church, of Cedar Rapids," the corporators being Messrs. Arven Kennedy, John L. Shearer, Joseph Greene, W. F. Brooks, William Greene, .George Mccullough, George H. Ely and Isaac Cook. The first Trustees elected were Messrs. J. L. Shearer, Joseph Greene and Isaac Cook.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The erection of the first house of worship was commenced in the Summer of 1850. This house, now the front portion of what is known as the " Mission Chapel," 26x40 teet in size, was completed the same season, at a cost of about $1.200, and dedicated on the 12th day of January, 1851.
Mr. Jones was succeeded by Mr. LaFayette Dudley, in 1857, and Mr. J. W. Atherton in turn succeeded him in 1859.
Before Mr. Atherton had left, his health had broken down, and for some time he was unable to preach. Now began the darkest time of our church history. It had become so scattered and weakened that Mr. Atherton recommended that the remnant should join with what is now known as the Second Presbyterian Church and the Congregational Church. Negotiations were com- menced with this object in view, but they ultimately failed. For six months there were no Sab- bath services and no Sabbath school. The weekly prayer meeting was, however, faithfully kept up.
In the Spring of 1864, our late honored Pastor, Mr. Knox, was called by the people, and we cannot help admiring his courage in coming to a church so disorganized and weakened, and thanking and glorifying our Heavenly Father for what He has wrought through the instrumen- tality of His faithful servant in the years that followed. Mr. Knox had not been here two years when the people began to feel that they must build a new church. In 1866, they commenced to raise funds for this purpose.
The foundations of the second and present commodious church edifice, on the corner of Madison street and Park avenue, were laid in the Summer of 1867. The building was completed at a cost, including the organ and furnishing, of about $30,000. Public services of the church were held for the last time in the old building, in the forenoon of Feb. 28, 1869, and in the after- noon of the same day, the new church was formally dedicated. The new chapel was completed in the Fall of 1875, at a cost of about $6,000. This beautiful building was erected by two of our most esteemed Elders, Dr. John F. Ely and Mr. W. W. Walker, at their own cost, and gen- erously presented by them to the Church. It is conveniently arranged for the Sabbath school and also for the social meetings of the church.
After a faithful service of between eleven and twelve years, in which his labors were greatly blessed, our beloved Pastor was taken sick, and at the end of a short illness, entered into his eternal rest and reward. He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, and " much people was added unto the Lord," during his ministry.
After a vacancy of the pastorate for nine months, in which the church was held together in a remarkable degree of Christian unity, the Rev. E. R. Burkhalter, of New Rochelle, New York, was given a unanimous call to this church on the 30th of June, 1876. This call having been duly presented, was accepted, and on the 8th of October, just one year after Mr. Knox's death, Mr. Burkhalter commenced his ministry, and on the 29th of the same month was formally installed Pastor.
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