USA > Iowa > Mahaska County > The history of Mahaska 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 > Part 58
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
to rent the church edifice for school purposes for five years, in order to liquidate a pressing indebtedness, which was done. Rev. D. H. Mitchell was pastor from September, 1867, to March, 1869, during which time there were fifteen additions to the church. Immediately following the resigna- tion of Mr. Mitchell Rev. S. C. McOnne was unanimously chosen pastor, and served in that capacity till April, 1873. In November of this same year Rev. H. S. Snodgrass came to this people. They were quite heavily in debt at this time, for a small church, about $1,300 being required to liquidate its liabilities. This amount was secured by a festival held in City Hall, during the latter part of December, and continuing for several days. In the fall of 1874 about $250 were spent in making repairs. In 1875 the rotary eldership plan was adopted by vote of the congregation. Mr. Snodgrass resigned April 10, 1878, and since that time the church has had no regular minister. In addition to the elders mentioned above, the following have been members of the session during some period of the church's history: J. M. Sweeney, J. A. Young, W. H. H. Rice, Franeis Thompson, A. M. Rodgers, R. S. Crozier, Harry Howard, J. B. Ayres, J. S. Johnson, W. A. Hunter, J. W. Elsey, David Duncan, H. N. Little, David Robertson, Win. MeQniston and J. M. Nichol. Some of these have passed to that bourne from whence no traveler returns, and quite a num- ber are now in the bounds of other congregations. The present elders are W. A. Hunter, Francis Thompson, Win. MeQuiston, Wm. R. Cowan and David Robertson.
The present number of members is ninety-two. During the year 1877 the church building was extensively repaired by the addition of new roof, new cupola, and the outside of the building nicely painted, all at a cost of about $700. The money raised for all branches of the church work last year was $1,243.67. Forgetting the Panline injunction " Owe no man any- thing," this church has been crippled during much of the time of its existence by a wearing debt, a fact which has caused much trouble and anxiety to its members. We are happy to record that at this date it is almost entirely free from any financial embarrassment.
N. B. Among the notable events in the history of Mahaska county, which have been omitted in the previous portion of this work, we may here mention the State Convention of National Reformers, in favor of a relig- ious amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which assembled at this church November 3d and 4th, 1869. Prominent among the leaders of the movement was Rev. R. A. McAyeal. The call for the Convention was numerously signed by prominent men throughout the State. Long in in advance of the assembling of the Convention, the Progressive Conser- vator had so persistently opposed the movement, and agitated the question so much that it attracted unusual attention, and as a consequence one W. F. Jamieson, a Liberal lecturer, was attracted to it. When the Convention assembled, it was decided that the opponents of the movement should be admitted to the floor for discussion; and accordingly both sides were ably discussed for two days, and a full phonographic report was taken and pub- lished. Most prominent among the Christian opponents of the movement was Rev. G. D. A. Hebard, who subsequently delivered a very able lecture on the subject. A full report of the proceedings of the Convention, together with the lecture of Rev. G. D. A. Hebard, and others, were pub- lished in the Progressive Conservator, requiring a great width of space for thirteen successive weeks. Of these reports Porte C. Welch, Esq., filed
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one hundred extra copies, which have since proven to be very valuable, as they are the only complete reports of both sides of any such a Convention ever held.
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
This congregation was organized by Elder H. H. Hendrix (now of Oregon), March 25, 1846. The following is the text of the brief statement to which the original thirty-two members signed their names: "Church of Christ in Oskaloosa, Iowa, taking the Bible alone as its only rule of faith and practice, and bearing the name of Christian in honor of the founder of our holy religion." To the above was appended the following names of the original congregation: Joseph B. Royal, Louisa Royal, Cephas Foland, C. G. Owen, Mathew Edmundson, Margaret Edmundson, Samuel Vance, Alfred Trim, Abram Hetherington, Ann Hetherington, W. W. Nelson, Margaret Nelson, Robert McConnell, Margaret MeConnell, Re- becca Vance, Mary Edmundson, Catherine Gaston, Nancy C. McConnell, Matilda C. McConnell, Robert Gaston, Eliza Ann McConnell, John Hale, Nancy Hale, Elizabeth McCall, John Padget, John Fox, Mary Fox, Thomas Huff, Jonathan Adkins, Philena Adkins. J. B. Royal (now an honored preacher of Illinois), and Matthew Edmunson were chosen elders, and Jonathan Adkins and Dr. C. G. Owen. deacons. Elder Hendrix and others supplied the church with preaching for a time; when Elder A. Chatterton located in the place. For several years the church was greatly blessed under his labors; during the time of his labors the present brick chapel was erected, and Oskaloosa College founded. Before the erection of the chapel, the congregation met in the old court house, in private houses and in such other places as could be obtained, or necessity required. The building of the chapel and the college, involved both institutions and several members of the church. Thus serious embarrassments and difficul- ties arose to the detriment of the church's prosperity for several years.
Among the ministers who have labored for the congregation, the follow- ing may be named: H. H. Hendrix, A. Chatterton, J. B. Noe, N. E. Cory, W. J. Carpenter, G. T. Carpenter, N. A. McConnell, W. R. Cowley, John Crocker, A. Hickey, B. W. Johnson, D. R. Dungan, N. Dunshee, G. H. Laughlin, and E. Goodwin, the present highly acceptable pastor. Besides those named above, the congregation have enjoyed the occasional labors of many others.
The Sunday-school has always been a prominent and successful feature ot church work. For the greater part of the last ten years Prof. M. P. Givens has been the efficient superintendent and leader of the music. The church is now out of debt, has a membership of about 330, and wields a fair share of Christian influence upon the community. A new chapel has been talked of for some time, and is very much needed.
FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCHI.
This church was organized June 17, 1849, with nine members, by Rev. J. C. Porter of the Second Associate Reformed Presbytry of Illinois, and was styled the First Associate Reformed Church of Oskaloosa. This was before the union of the A. R. and the Associate churches, which resulted in the formation of the United Presbyterian Church of North America, an event that took place May 26, 1858. It retained its former name
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
until the fall of '58, when by a unanimous vote it passed under the juris- diction of the U. P. Church and assumed its present name.
Poultney Longhridge and wife were the first members of the A. R. in Mahaska county. Jeremiah M. Dick, the eldest son of Rev. Minego Dick, one of the primitive founders of Presbyterianism west of the mountains, was the first Associate Reform preacher that visited the county. He preached a number of times at the house of Mr. Longhiridge. Rev. John Gardener visited them afterward, and also Rev. Lindsey of the Associate Church.
During the year 1851, Rev. Fee visited this society, and after preaching a few Sabbaths received and accepted a call, and thus became the first pas- tor of the congregation. Under his administration in 1853 they erected a neat and comfortable house of worship, the second church building that was erected in Oskaloosa. Mr. Fee remained until 1854 when he demitted his charge, and the congregation was left vacant.
A call was subsequently made for Rev. Wm. Larimer, but was not ac- cepted. Rev. R. A. McAyeal next came to the church by appointment of General Synod, June 1, 1856. He received and accepted a call in Septem- ber of that year, and thus became pastor of the congregation. During all this time members were added to the church, so that the number when he accepted the call was seventy-three.
In 1866 the house of worship belonging to this congregation was sold to the Society of Friends. For a time after this, the church worshiped in City Hall. In 1868 the present house of worship was built, the foundation having been laid the previous year. It was the understanding on the part of the congregation that they would build no faster than they were able to pay the workmen, and consequently the church was not finished until a year or two later, when it was dedicated by a union service, in which the pastor was assisted by a number of the other city ministers. The church is not now, nor has it ever been in debt. The cost of the building, includ- ing lot, was near $8,000.
The contributions of the church for all purposes has averaged not far from $2,000 per year in the last twenty years, that being now about the amount of the congregation's yearly contributions. There are now about 170 members in the church.
The officers are as follows-Session: Geo. Gilchrist, Wm. Burnside, H. A. Cowan, John A. Proudfit, David A. Longh, James Loughridge.
Board of deacons: J. B. Clawyworth, Win. Nash, John Gilchrist, Mrs. E. J. Coryell, and Mrs. A. J. Burnside.
Connected with the church is a prosperous Sabbath-school, superintended by Wm. Burnside.
It is but just in closing this sketch to call the attention of the reader to the work of Dr. R. A. McAyeal who has been in continnous service in this church for over twenty-two years, save a year's absence in the army as chaplain. Such faithfulness to his charge, when larger opportunities might have been opened up, and did offer themselves, is not frequently seen. The Dr. is probably the oldest settled minister in the county.
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in the building of the Associate Reform Church, Sunday, May 27, 1855. The minister present was a missionary, the Rev. E. W. Peet.
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
The first vestry was composed of Henry Blackburn, A. F. Seeberger, L. D. Ingersoll, J. M. White, Abner Allen, Geo. Russell and M. T. Williams. Of these Henry Blackburn and Abner Allen were chosen wardens.
The next meeting recorded in the minute book of the vestry was held on the 1st day of August, 1857, Rev. D. F. Hutchinson, of Ottumwa, presid- ing. At that meeting Articles of Incorporation were adopted in accord- ance with the laws of the State.
For a time succeeding this meeting Rev. P. A. Johnson was rector of the parish, who continned here probably two years. In August, 1858, a lot was purchased by the parish on Market street, which was subsequently ex- changed for the one on which the present church building stands.
During the year 1863 Rev. Mr. Cochely preached monthly. From the termination of his connection with the parish until 1868 the church was in a dormant state, there being but two services during five years. Mr. Thos. B. Kemp becoming rector of the parish in the spring of 1868, infused new life into the church, and during his ministry of five years labored very ac- ceptably among the people of Oskaloosa.
During the summer of 1869 a church building and rectory were built on the church lot, the services having previously been held in Union Hall. These improvements cost the church about $4,000, which amount, with the aid of $8,000 from the mission board, was provided for at the time of the building of the same. The church is built in the Gothic style of architec- ture, and is a frame structure 28x50 feet.
Rev. Kemp removing to Marshalltown in the spring of 1873, the church was without a rector until 1874, when Rev. James Allen (now of Australia) became pastor and continued for two years, when he removed to England.
In the fall of 1876 Rev. James Stoddard, of Falls City, Neb., was called to the rectorship, which place he filled until May, 1878, since which time the rectory has been vacant.
A flourishing Sunday-school had been kept up for some years previous to the spring of 1878, when it adjourned, and is not now (October, 1878) in session.
The present vestry is composed of -- Wolcott, D. H. LeSuer, Cary Cooper, John A. Shannon, Wm. Butler, M. T. Williams and John F. La- cey. The church has at present about twenty-five communicants and two or three times that number of adherents.
OSKALOOSA BAPTIST CHURCHI.
The first Baptist church in Oskaloosa was constituted in December, 1855, with a membership of five persons. An ecclesiastical council composed of ministers and laymen from neighboring churches was invited to meet and examine into the history and belief of the organization, and if it was found to be formed after the New Testament model, to publicly recognize it as a church. The decision of the council being favorable, the services of the occasion were held at the M. E. Church. Until the spring of 1856 the church had no regular preaching. At this time J. F. Childs became the pastor, an arrangement which continued eleven years.
During the first year of Mr. Childs' pastorate the church held its services in the upper rooms of the then Normal School building. In January, 1857, Union Hall was hired and occupied for services a little more than a year. In the fall of 1857 a lot was purchased, and in the month of March follow-
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ing, the work of building a house of worship was begun, without a dollar pledged on subscription; the male members of the church, aided by per- sonal labor. The largest amount subscribed outside the membership was $15, paid in labor and materials. Thus in tronblous times, financially, the mechanical talent of the church was generously turned to the building of a house of worship. May 16, 1858, the building was so far completed that the church held services in it, though at the time it was without win- dows, the floor but partly laid, and the siding on to a point only just above the window-frames, and no lathing done. By the following spring it was entirely completed. This period found the church shouldering a debt of $450; but in 1863 this was paid off by the membership, without any aid whatever from those outside.
Since its organization three hundred different persons have been con- nected with it. Of these some have died, some have been suspended, and a large number regularly dismissed to unite with other churches; leaving a present membership of about one hundred and fifty. Early in the history of the church a Sabbath-school was organized, which has been sustained until the present time. The present superintendent (1878) is Geo. R. Lee. Average attendance, sixty.
In April, 1867, Rev. J. F. Childs, so long the efficient and earnest pastor of the church, turned his whole attention to the missionary operations and financial management of the Iowa Baptist Association, of which he was corresponding secretary for a number of years.
He was immediately succeeded by Rev. Thomas Brande, who served as pastor four months, when he was called away to assume the financial man- agement of Des Moines University. Rev. A. F. Willey followed, but after an eight-months' pastorate, a struggle with disease, died and was buried in Burlington April 8, 1868. During the summer, services were conducted by Thos. J. Keith, a theological student from Shurtleff College, Illinois. Dur- ing a few weeks from the following February, Rev. Mr. Childs preached, and eleven accessions were made to the church within this time. From the middle of April for seven months the church was supplied by Rev. John Kingdon, who failed in health, and after the time mentioned was compelled to cease his labors.
Prayer meetings and Sabbath-schools were kept up, with an occasional sermon by a visiting minister till February, 1870, when Rev. J. F. Childs returned to the church, of which he continued pastor until January, 1875. In June of the same year he was succeeded by II. R. Mitchell, who re- mained until September, 1876. Then came A. J. Furman, in October, 1876, from Dakota, missionary, who was pastor until August, 1878.
The revenue of the church is about $1,000 per year for all purposes.
The deacons are R. Dumont, J. L. Moore, T. M. Craven; treasurer, C. W. Ellsworth; clerk, Harvey Barrett.
There is a Woman's Missionary Society connected with the church which does excellent work.
SIMPSON M. E. CHURCH.
This church became an organization by recognition of the bishop in Sep- tember, 1868. It was the offspring of the First M. E. Church, and was or- ganized in compliance with a vote of the M. E. Conference, which con- cnrred with the presiding elder and the preacher in charge in the opinion
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
that another church should be formed, on account of the large membership of the First Church and the growing demands of the city.
The original membership of this body was one hundred and sixteen. Rev. W. C. Shaw was placed in charge of the new society, which held its meetings for two years in a rented hall on the south side of the square. During this time the present site for the church was purchased, and the building commenced. In the fall of 1870 Rev. B. Mark was appointed to this station, and during his administration the lecture room was finished and dedicated. In 1871 Rev. J. T. Simmons succeeded to the charge, and in the fall of 1872, by Bishop E. G. Andrews, the fine audience room of the church was dedicated. In 1872 came Rev. C. L. Stafford, who labored acceptably at this point until 1876. Rev. Dennis Murphy was the next pastor. He remained but one year. September, 1877, Rev. W. B. Cowles, the present pastor, was located in this church.
The edifice belonging to this society is the finest in the city, being a brick structure, erected at a cost of $20,000, and having a seating capacity of five hundred persons.
The present membership of the church is about three hundred. The amount raised by the congregation for all purposes will average about $1,500. The indebtedness is $2,000.
The Sabbath-school, with about one hundred and forty members, is under the superintendency of Amos Kemble.
The trustees are J. B. McCurdy, J. M. Jones, H. R. Kendig, Wmn. Scott, M. W. White, J. W. Finley, J. P. Cowan, Wm. Crosson, B. F. McMillen.
Stewards: Wiley Wray, J. B. McCurdy, John N. Martin, Wm. H. Shaw, D. C. Myers, C. McCarty, A. A. Kendig, A. J. Jewell.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
This society was organized in the fall of 1850 by Thomas Ballinger, and had at that time about thirty-six members. The meetings were held in the court house, and for some time Mr. Ballinger preached once a month.
His successors were Joshua Spooner, Rev. Davis, A. J. Fishback and J. P. Sanford (afterward Colonel), and others.
The society never erected a church building. The last regular minister was in 1870. The society owns two lots in Oskaloosa, which they hope some day to occupy as a church site.
BANKING.
The first banking house in Oskaloosa was opened by W. T. Smith and M. T. Williams, March 1st, 1855, under the firm name of Smith & Wil- liams, and continued in business until January 1st, 1857, when Smith pur- chased his partner's business under the firm name of W. T. Smith & Co. Shortly afterward Mr. Smith was joined by H. B. Myers as a partner, who after continuing in the bank for a short time, withdrew without any change in the style of firm, name or business of the house. This bank continued until October 20, 1858, when its business was transferred to the " Oskaloosa Branch of the State Bank of Iowa."
Not long after the establishment of the banking house of Smith & Wil- liams, a mercantile bank was started by John White & Co. After running a few months, the firm sold out to W. H. Seevers & Co., who had just fairly commenced business, when the crash of 1857 compelled them to close their
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
doors. A few days later the house was re-opened by John White & Co. At the time of the establishment of the "Oskaloosa Branch of the State Bank of Iowa," this firm voluntarily quit business, and transferred its trade to the new institution.
The " Branch " had been organized, and was declared chartered by the governor of the State, dated October 12, 1858. The capital stock of this institution was $50,000. The first stockholders were James Rinehart, J. M. Dawson, Jno. White, John Montgomery, Wm. T. Smith, Samuel A. Rice, Stephen R. Bennett, Geo. M. Downs, A. F. Seeberger, Robt. Seevers, M. L. Jackson, D. W. Loring, Thomas Thompson, H. P. Taylor, Samuel Cof- fin, and E. A. Boyer.
The first directors were John White, James Rhinehart, W. T. Smith, Robert Seevers and John Montgomery.
John White, of the firm John White & Co. was elected president of the "branch " and Win. T. Smith, of Wm. T. Smith & Co., was elected cashier. The latter was also a director of the mother Bank, or "State Bank of Iowa," as representative of the Oskaloosa branch.
January 4, 1859, James Rhinehart became president of the Oskaloosa Bank. February 1st, 1864, W. T. Smith was elected president, and being then principal holder of the stock and general manager, there was none but acting cashier until April 12, 1865, when Mitchell Wilson was elected to that position, which he had filled as acting cashier for sometime previous.
May 1, 1865, under permit of Comptroller of Currency the present National State Bank was organized as successor of the branch of State Bank, which went into liquidation about this time. The capital stock of the National was $100,000. Win. T. Smith was elected first president, and Mitchel Wilson, cashier. The first board of directors was composed of John W. Jones, M. L. Jackson, R. A. McAyeal, Benj. Hollingsworth, John R. Needham and Andrew C. Williams. This bank was organized in a building on the north side of the square. Mr. Smith continued president until Jan. 1, 1866, when having sold his stock in same to A. C Williams and Cyrus Beede, A. C. Williams became president. About this time Mitch Wilson also withdrew from the bank.
Jan. 1st, 1864, the "First National Bank of Oskaloosa " was established with John White as president, and Cyrus Beede, cashier. The board of directors was composed of John White, H. H. Prine, Samuel Coffin, A. S. Nichols, V. B. Delashmutt, J. H. Warren and Cyrus Beede.
This bank continued to do business until December 17, 1868, when it went into voluntary liquidation. John White the president continued a private bank in the same place for a short time, when he bought a control- ling interest in the National State Bank from Williams & Beede. About this time the location of the bank was changed from the north side to the southwest corner of the square and for some months its business was prac- tically suspended for personal reasons of those owning a controlling inter- est in the stock. John White continued president until his death in 1870.
The present officers of the bank are Seth Richards, president; G. W. Hale, vice-president; E. D. Lindly, cashier; directors: Seth Richards, G. W. Hale, F. L. Downing, C. P. Searle, and Mitchel Wilson.
The deposits at this bank July 8, 1878, were $108,000. The circulation of the bank's notes is $90,000.
The bank has a good vault, with Hall safe inside, and all modern im- provements for the security of deposits, including a time-lock.
This is the oldest banking organization in Mahaska county.
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Mahaska County Savings Bank .- This institution was incorporated July 27, 1875, with a capital stock of $50,000. It commenced business in a one story brick building on High street, and announced itself as a sav- ings institution, with the usual methods of savings banks. The first board of directors were E. Clark, M. E. Cutts, W. A. Lindly, M. T. Williams, D. W. Loring, James Rhinehart and John H. Green. The officers: presi- dent, Ezekiel Clark of Iowa City; vice-president, M. E. Cntts; cashier, W. A. Lindly; assistant cashier, Perry E. Clark. The present officers and di- rectors are the same.
Just after the opening of the bank, the managers decided on having a building and home of their own. Accordingly they purchased the site Fon the northwest corner of the square, where the old court house stood, and on that lot have erected a fine two story brick banking house, 20x60 feet, with elegant sandstone front.
The interior arrangement of the banking house is admirable. A neat little room for the cashier to the left of the entrance, and the director's parlors in the rear part of the room, afford comfort to the occupants, and privacy from annoyance. The vanlt is of best construction on solid stone foundation, with double brick walls, and brick and concrete arch. Inside is a 10,000 pound safe with chronometer lock, being the first one placed in a bank in central Iowa. The bank first occupied this building the latter part of 1876.
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