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 60
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About the same time that he built his store, James Winder also framed a dwelling-house, being the second dwelling on the town plat. Its size was 16x40 feet. It still stands in the business part of New Sharon; has been enlarged and repaired and is now used by Purdue as a photograph gallery.
The third dwelling was built about 1858, by Ellsworth Draper, and was soon followed by a fourth cabin belonging to David Michener. New Sharon made but little progress until after the war, when the long project- ed north road began to be built. From that time it has been a flourishing town.
It should be here stated that David Morgan, one of Sharon's citizen's, was first president and prominent pioneer in building the Iowa Central Railroad, full particulars of which are given in the history of that road.
Undoubtedly the first religions exercises in the vicinity of New Sharon, were held by the Friends, who had meetings south of town as early as 1852 or 1853. Probably the first meeting on the town plat was by a Methodist minister, a class having been organized here about 1861 or 1862. Shortly after this, Dr. Warren preached several times in a blacksmith shop belong- ing to Henry Winder, where, among anvils, tools, and bellows, a small as- sembly of worshipers assembled upon the quiet Sabbaths to hear the word of life. Even such was considered quite a privilege, and doubtless more generally improved than in this day of fine churches, cushioned pews, and essay-reading divines.
The first house for worship upon the town plat was the Friends' meeting- house, still standing in the southwest part of town, and which was moved up from its country site about twelve years ago.
James Winder was the first post-master, being appointed in 1857, under Buchanan. He distributed the mail to New Sharon citizens and the peo- ple of the surrounding country until 1863, when he was succeeded by Burdon Stanton. Then came Addison Naylor, and April 1, 1873, the pres- ent gentlemanly post-master was appointed, H. J. Vail. A money-order department was established at this office on the 17th of July, 1872. At present, the revenue of the office to the U. S. Government is near $2,000 per year.
Johnson Busby was probably the first justice of the peace in the town of New Sharon.
The present city of New Sharon is a place calculated to attract more than passing notice from the visitor to its precinets. The streets are wide, smooth, and laid out in such a manner as to greatly serve the convenience of its citizens and the beauty of the town. In a greater part of the city young shade trees are springing up, and have already in many places at- tained such a growth and foliage as to add much to the comfort of the passer-by, and the general appearance of the place. The city's miles of plank walk tell the tale of a watchful council and an omnipresent marshal.
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The dwellings are mostly white frame and are neat and inviting in appear- ance. The churches are par excellence. Not one western town in a dozen of the size of New Sharon has displayed the taste in building its houses of worship, that this people have done. The stranger is immediately struck by the beauty of the graceful spires and the symmetry of the buildings throughout.
The people of New Sharon, of whom there are abont 800, have more than a local reputation for hospitality, general culture, and business enter- paise, a reputation not generally bestowed gratuitously by the discriminat- ing public, but usually earned.
For public entertainments of various kinds, the city is supplied with a room on the second floor of the brick block on Main street, called Concert Hall, which will comfortably seat abont 300 persons.
SCHOOLS.
The first school kept in the vicinity of New Sharon, was in a frame dwelling honse south of the town, belonging to Frederick Schelp. This was a subscription school, supported by enterprising pioneers who were not contented to await the growth of free schools for the education of their children. The teacher was Miss Lydia Briggs, who found in a 12x16 feet cabin, on a western prairie, sufficient encouragement to enable her to main- tain a school, in quarters where the modern school mistress, with later day fancies and habits, would fail to find words to express her contempt. This school was kept probably in 1856. The next schools were in a school house erected in the same neighborhood by the society of Friends, for school pur- poses, and temporarily as a house of worship until they should erect a meeting-honse. This was in 1857. Here schools were taught by Lydia Mayer, Harvey Lucas, Jonathan Knight, Rachel Snell, and others. These were subscription schools. The first public school building on the town płat was on the same ground on which the present one stands. It was a frame, one story structure, which has recently been moved across the street and is now used as a carpenter shop. This building was less primitive in appearance and furniture, than is usnal in new countries. Thirty by thirty-four feet in its dimensions, it was seated by black walnut seats and desks, accommodating two pupils together. This was erected in 1860, and proved sufficient to accommodate the youth of New Sharon until 1872 when an addition was built to the same. Attached to the memory of the old school honse is one of those undersigned coincidences which occaison- ally astonish us by their simplicity, and are matters of curiosity. Jesse Hiatt, of New Sharon, was employed to build the foundation of the new building. The man who secured the contract for the frame work proved to be Jesse Hiatt, of Oskaloosa. The building was no sooner finished than another Jesse Hiatt. moved to the western village, applied for the position of teacher, which was granted to him and his wife. Had this been so com- mon a name as John Smith, it would have been stripped of some of its novelty.
The spirit of western enterprise has left its mark upon the school inter- ests of New Sharon. Recognizing in the centennial year the fact that no duty should be more earnestly performed than that belonging to their chil- dren, the parents of the Quaker City erected on their old school premises a handsome brick building, ample in room for the comfortable occupation
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of New Sharon youth in years to come. This neat two story brick con- tains four large rooms and has a seating capacity of about two hundred and forty pupils. The average attendance is perhaps two hundred and eighty. The cost of the building was about $8,000. Heretofore the board have employed but four teachers, but on account of the growth of the schools, will require five during the coming winter. The teachers elect are: Mrs. M. M. Monger, principal; C. S. Monger, Mollie Kiser, Mollie Nichol, and Ollie Gilbert. The school was graded in 1876, at which time a high school department was formed. From this the first class graduated in 1878, composed of Mary Nichol, Lizzie Johnson, Silas Lucas, Leroy Michener, and Allison Cope.
It should have been stated that the first school house was built, and for years the first school was run by the township district. Application hav- ing been made according to law and a favorable vote having been cast for an Independent School District, such was organized April 4, 1870. The first board of directors was composed of H. M. Fortney, Henry Cope, H. Cooper, David Stanton, A. H. Vickers. and I. N. Penland.
The present school officials are: Ephriam Munsell, President; J. M. Hiatt, Secretary; H. T. Wright, Treasurer; H. D. Williams, Oliver Wild- man, David Stanton, Thomas Graham, and Henry Cope, Directors.
INCORPORATION.
The town of Sharon was incorporated in September, 1871, in an- swer to thirty-five petitioners of its citizens, who wished for themselves the privileges of belonging to a city of the second class. W. S. Kenworthy was appointed attorney to represent the petitioners, and the incorporation was granted by the court, and the following citizens were appointed com- missioners to assist in holding the first city election. By the articles of in- corporation six hundred acres, including parts of sections 13 and 24, were inended upon the city plat. On account of some irregularities the char- tering of the city was ratified by special act of the legislature.
The first election, held by the commissioners above mentioned, occurred October 4, 1871. Two days later at 3 o'clock P. M., the first city council of New Sharon met, and the officers of the city government were duly qual- ified, perhaps by the township justice. The Mayor elect was H. M. Fornt- ney; Recorder, A. W. Naylor; Councilmen, J. F. Bowdle, C. W. Adams, W. Fagan, J. M. Collins, and A. N. Vickers. Numerons meetings of the council were held during the remaining fall and winter, the time of which was mostly occupied in the uninteresting business of framing and adopting city ordinances. W. S. Kenworthy was appointed to draft these latter, and eighteen dollars were paid him for his services.
June 21, 1875, the sober and dignified city council passed an ordi- nance to prevent public platform dances within the city limits. In such a prohibition of course they transcended their powers. The ordinance was null by notice of its very nature, and we believe no attempt has ever been made to enforce it. Its passage seemed to have a sort of reflex tendency, as we are informed there were held two open air dances in New Sharon July 4, 1878.
The city has no organized fire company, nor has it that which deserves the name of a fire department. August 23, 1875, the council purchased for public use forty-eight leather buckets and twelve sixteen-feet ladders.
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
In the big fire which soon followed, these were quite energetically used, but did not avail to prevent large destruction of property. For the pur- chase of these apparatus city bonds were issued to the amount of two hun- dred and ten dollars.
The town had no saloon previous to 1876. The city council, hearing that it was the purpose of a certain individual to establish a grog-shop within the limits of the unpolluted town, passed September 18, 1876, a strict prohibition ordinance. The saloon was established in face of the or- dinance, but the liquor dealer was soon ousted, and to-day New Sharon maintains its rank among " strictly temperance towns."
A small frame calaboose and a city pound are the "powers behind the throne," which render the city ordinances terrible in the eye of the trans- gressor, be he man or beast.
The city taxes collected for the fiscal year ending March 13, 1878, were $645.29. The sum expended during the same time for sidewalks, street im- provements, etc., was $636.34.
The city officers of 1878 are: Mayor, M. D. Burkitt; Recorder and Treasurer, J. M. Hiatt; Marshal, D. Galbraith; Street Commissioner, W. B. Shotwell; Councilmen, Ephriam Munsell, Geo. W. Way, J. M. Collins, J. F. McCurdy, and Geo. Carson.
FIRE.
We are told that no character is perfect until tried in the school of ad- versity. Half the enterprise and push of Chicago was an unknown factor until it was brought into the sight of the whole world by its recovery from the scourge of 1872. So has the pluck and energy of New Sharon found its highest development in recovery from disaster.
About one o'clock on the morning of April 29, 1876, a fire was discov- ered in the rear part of the drug store of J. S. Pickett, in the block on the southeast corner of Main and Market streets. The flames were undoubt- edly the work of an incendiary, and one whose fiendish wits had directed him to the best place for the accomplishment of his purpose, for the fire was in the oil room of the drug store almost as soon as discovered. Shouts of " Fire!" and the tread of hurrying feet soon roused the town, in time for its inhabitants to find the sky and streets lit up with a glare approaching that of a noon-day sun. In thirty minutes the entire section of the block, consisting of two-story frames, was in a blaze. Willing hands, youth and old age, young women and children, did all they could to save the town, thus visited, with no means to fight the fire. The ladders and buckets above mentioned were brought into use. Soon the fire had crossed the alley to the south, and was making a wreck of Carson's drug store. Be- tween this and the Sharon House was a vacant lot forty feet wide, and here the most strenuous efforts were made to stop the flames. Again and again did the building take fire, but as frequently did blistering hands and scorch- ing frames dash the repeating blaze into blackness. The " bucket brigade " was victorious. On the east a similar check was effected just before the fire reached Nash's agricultural warehouse. But when morning came only five buildings remained on the block which had contained the finest build- ings New Sharon could boast.
The main losses were: Hoops' building, $2,000; Kramer & Quaintance's stock, $1,500; Vickers' building, $1,800; J. C. Pickett, stock, $4,500; G.
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A. Roberts' building, $3,000; G. W. Bump, $2,000; H. Chedester & Co., $1,500; Warren & Collins, $3,000; H. Wallace, $1,500; Geo. Carson, $6,000; J. R. Nichol & Co., $1,500. These, in addition to a number of smaller losses, including the instruments of two bands, made a total loss of not less than $30,000. On this the insurance was only about $10,000.
It was the prediction of the Star in the first issue after the fire that the burned district would soon be rebuilt more substantially and elegantly than it had been before. Such received an early fulfillment. The work of clear- ing away began before the ruins were cold, and now, on the corner of Main and Market streets is decidedly the finest brick block that New Sharon contains, being SOx80 feet in floor dimension, and two stories high.
BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1878.
New Sharon being a country town, does almost exclusively a country trade. It has good shipping facilities, and along the line of the Central road few towns, if any, of its size can be found that will favorably compare with it in the amount of grain, cattle and various produce shipped. As a class the stores are neat and well kept. The town contains no exclusively dry-goods store, but has several establishments carrying a miscellaneous stock of goods, including the following, viz: Kramer & Graham, D. M. Emerson, Wildman & Stanton, and O. P. Crawford. Bank --- New Sharon Bank. Groceries-A. G. Rosborough, G. W. Starkey & Co., M. D. Bar- kitt. Drugs-Geo. Carson, C. T. Bowen, R. T. Dean. Hardware-H. T. Wright, Henston & Carroll. Jewelry-E. A. Smith. Tailor-H. N. Bow- man. Furniture-Warren & Collins. Shirt factory-W. H. Cook & Co. Agricultural stores-Lawrence & Thompson, Pierce & Ratliff. Hotels- Sharon House, by A. Flangh, Central House, by G. S. Awtry, Pennsylva- nia House, by W. B. Shatwell. Livery stable-Gallagher & Weathers. Sewing machine agency-H. J. Vail. Attorneys-J. M. Hiatt, Hoffman & Cook, Win. J. Sexton, W. H. Waring, C. F. Knowlton. Physicians- W. S. McAllister, R. T. Dean, D. C. Morris. Dentist-J. II. Shomo. Lumber-Kalbach & Son.
Tucker Elevator .-- This is one of the foremost enterprises of New Shar- on. . The main part of the present building was erected in 1870 by J. W. Faxon, by whom it was operated by horse-power. In 1874 it was bought by E. E. Theker, the present proprietor, who, recognizing the increasing demands of New Sharon as a shipping point, at once doubled its capacity by additional building, and put in a 16-horse power engine. The present storage capacity of the elevator is 20,000 bushels. In 1874 Mr. Tucker bought and shipped abont half a million bushels of grain. Since that time his shipments have not been so large on account of the failure of crops. The promise for a lively trade is encouraging for the fall and winter of 1878-9. Mr. Tucker also has stock yards just sonth of the elevator build- ing, and deals largely in Mahaska county stock, handling about 500 cars of hogs and 200 cars of cattle per year. Mr. Tucker has four branch estab- lishments running at this time, including one at Oskaloosa and one at Searsboro. The foreman at Oskaloosa is O. B. Bunker.
City Steam Mills were built in the fall of 1873 by J. Versteeg & Co., at a cost of $9,000, and are a pride to the city. These gentlemen keep up with every new improvement in machinery, and have expended about $3,000 since building the mill in improvements alone. The engine is one
GEO.H. BAUGH
.
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of 40-horse power; fiuel, coal. The mills do both custom and mercantile work, and with four run of stone have a capacity of abont 100 bushels of wheat per day of ten hours. The proprietors inform us that they run to full capacity almost the entire year. The shipments of stock and grain over the Central Road will perhaps average 1,500 cars per year.
SOCIETIES.
New Sharon Lodge, No. 231, I. O. O. F., was established by a dispensa- tion of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, December 25, 1871, and was not chartered until October 17, 1872. The members organizing the lodge were S. H. Hunt, I. N. Penland, J. II. Douglas, S. G. Caster and Sidney Krotzer. The first meeting was held in a room known as Naylor's Hall, which was destroyed by fire in 1876. Here the lodge met until January 1, 1875, when they moved into the second story of the Star building, which they rented as a hall for five years. Here they have very pleasant and comfortable quarters. The present membership of New Sharon Lodge is seventy. The officers are J. W. Bateman, N. G .; W. W. Winder, V. G .; G. F. Bates, secretary; Snowden Myers, treasurer; H. J. Vail, P. G.
Mahaska Encampment, No. 70. I. O. O. F., was instituted July 8, 1874, under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of the State, and was chartered October 21, 1874. In the charter the following are named as charter mem- bers, viz: S. W. Lewis, A. Paine, H. M. Fortney, J. W. Baleman, Henry Baughman, I. N. Penland and Wm. Stubbs. The Encampment meets in the same hall with the Chapter, and has done so since the time of its organ- ization.
The membership, Angust, 1878, was sixteen, at which time the follow- ing were the officers: W. W. Winder, C. P .: L. Fitzgerald, II. P .; C. W. Rose, S. W .; I. N. Penland, J. W; H. J. Vail, treasurer; G. F. Bates, scribe.
Mahaska Lodge, No. 336, A. F. & A. M .- Established under dispen- sation from the Grand Lodge of Iowa, on the 22d of June, 1874. The offi- cers elected at the time of organization were: G. F. Bates, W. M .; H. J. Vail, S. W .; D. Upton, J. W .; James Gorsnch, treasurer; A. G. Smith, sec- retary; C. W. Adams, S. D .; Snowden Myers, J. D .; William Wellington, tyler. The lodge was not chartered until June 3, 1875.
The charter members had been connected with lodges in different States, and had happened together in considerable numbers in New Sharon. An organization of these into a local lodge was effected through the agency of H. J. Vail. The present membership is about fifty-one.
The Masonic lodge was organized in the Odd Fellows' hall, and the two fraternities have had a room in partnership ever since the time of its or- ganization.
The present officers are: G. F. Bates, W. M .; David Fessler, S. W .; George Carson, J. W .; H. J. Vail, treasurer; George B. Gould, secretary.
Veteran Lodge, No. 205, I. O. G. T., is the second lodge of Good Temp- lars that has been organized at New Sharon. The first organization started in October, 1865, and continned under the name of "New Sharon Temple" until October 2, 1871, when it disbanded.
Almost immediately was organized the Veteran Lodge, of which the present membership is forty-seven. This organization meets in a hall in the Centennial Block. The officers are: Marvin Hart, W. C. T .; Mollie
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
Shotwell, W. V. T .; Ollie Wood, W. R. S .; S. R. Briggs, W. T .; Z. P. Kirk, W. S.
Christian Temperance Union .- About the first of January, 1878, Mr. H. Al. Galloway, of Ohio, working in the interest of what is known as the Murphy or Blue Ribbon movement, put in apperrance at New Sharon, and held nightly meetings for about two weeks. All those signing the pledge were considered members of the "Blue Ribbon Club," which now has a membership of about six hundred and eighty members.
For the purpose of a more permanent organization a constitution and by-laws were framed, and those signing the same became members of the Christian Temperance Union, whose object is keeping alive the temperance movement in New Sharon, and the making of an aggressive movement upon those not yet reclaimed. The cause has been prosperous and success- ful at this point, and the reforms made have stood the test for several months, with good indications of permanent cure. The membership of the C. T. U. is about two hundred. From the date of its organization until some time in July, meetings were held every Saturday night, at which ad- dresses were made by speakers from home or abroad. These meetings were adjourned over the heated term until September, when they were resumed in Concert Hall, where the temperance meetings have usually been held.
The present officers of the Union are: J. H. Shomo, president; J. Rock- well and G. B. Gatlin, vice-presidents; E. A. Smith, secretary; H. J. Vail, treasurer.
CHURCIIES.
M. E. Church .- The beginning of this church was a class, organized by a Methodist minister, Rev. Welsh, in 1862, composed of Henry Winder and wife, and their children, Hugh and Ann Eliza, Jasper Lee and wife, James Davis and wife, Lydia Mayer and Ida Lucon. In the spring of 1863 were added J. F. Bowdle and wife, Eliza Crabb, Johnson Busby and wife, S. B. Lawrence and wife, and some few others. Soon after, the class was organized into a church, and was on Peoria circuit, with Rev. Early as pastor, and Dr. Warren as local preacher. Meetings were held at the residence of Henry Winder, J. F. Bowdle, S. B. Lawrence, and in the blacksmith shop previously mentioned. Rev. P. Early was succeeded by Revs. Kelly, Moore, Holland, and John Armitsed. By this time services were held in the New Sharon school-house. Some time after this a couple of local preachers removed from Minnesota to New Sharon-Rev. O. P. Crawford, and Hiram Allen. These men preached here for a time. The next minister was Dr. F. L. Ellsworth. About this time large accessions were made to the church, which then numbered perhaps one hundred and thirty members. Rev. T. J. Myers followed, then Rey. Prathers. During the ministry of the last named gentleman, about 1871, was erected a fine church building, 36x66 feet, at a cost of about $4,500, including bell.
Revs. J. G. Thompson, U. B. Smith, C. Morey, T. C. Miller, and S. R. Ferguson occupied the pulpit in the order named, the last named gentle- man being the present pastor, who preaches every alternate Sabbath at Fairview, in Union township. The present membership is about one hun- dred and thirty. At the time of completion of the church it was supposed to be free from debt, but about three hundred dollars of the amount nom- inally secured at that time, has returned upon the shoulders of the church.
In connection with the work of the church there has been in existence,
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for about eight years, a flourishing Sabbath-school, now numbering about eighty in average attendance, with J. W. Bowdle as superintendent.
Presbyterian Church .- This congregation was organized in accordance with the rules of the Presbyterian denomination, in the month of June, 1875, by a committee appointed by the Presbytry, composed of Rev. S. Snodgrass, Rev. Frackleton, and Elder W. A. Hunter. The congregation numbered fourteen members at organization.
The first session of the church was composed of J. V. Hart and John Versteeg, to whom have since been added, to assist in the councils of the church, P. P. Loughlin.
The church building of this body was built in the summer of 1876, at a cost of $3,000, all of which was paid at the time of its dedication. The latter ceremony took place on September 17, 1876, Rev. Robert McAycal, D.D., of the Oskaloosa U. P. Church, preaching the dedicatory sermon, and the pastor, Rev. Snodgrass, assisting in the exercises of the day. The church is a model in neatness and grace, being a frame imitation of white and grey stone. Previous to the building of the church the M. E. building was occupied by the congregation. The first minister was Rev. H. S. Snod- grass, who preached here one-third of his time from the date of organiza- tion until February, 1878. The present pastor is Rev. Matthews, who be- gan his labors July 1, 1878. The membership numbers fifty-five persons. Revenue of church for all purposes is near $500. The board of trustees is composed of George Hill, James Drennan, George Carson, Robert Hues- ton, and J. R. Nichol. In connection with the church is a prosperous Sabbath-school, superintended by P. P. Loughlin. It has an average at- tendance of about eighty persons.
Christian Church .- This is a young organization, having been formed October 7, 1877, by J. K. Cornell, with a membership of twenty-five per- sons. The first meeting was held in the Baptist Church, and that build- ing was occupied until February, 1878, for the services of this congrega . tion. Since that date services have been held in the Presbyterian Church.'
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