USA > Iowa > Polk County > The history of Polk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 82
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1864.
W. H. Leas, Mayor. J. M. Moody, President pro tem. John K. Lyon, City Clerk. T. E. Settle, Treasurer. S. Sibley, Solicitor. D. A. Poorman
673
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
(J. B. Bausman to fill vacancy), Engineer. S. Noel, Marshal. --- , As- sessor. S. Farr, West Side, A. Murray, East Side, Street Commissioners.
Councilmen-First ward, H. H. Saylor, John McNamara; Second ward, C. C. Howell, H. Stephenson; Third ward, J. J. Williams, P. Myers; Fourth ward, R. Rollins, M. P. Turner; Fifth ward, A. L. F. Mower, H. Haney; Sixth ward, J. M. Moody, W. S. Bennett; Seventh ward, J. Weare, J. L. Scott.
1865.
G. W. Cleveland, Mayor. John Mitchell, President pro tem. J. C. Benedict, City Clerk. T. E. Settle, Treasurer. S. Sibley, Solicitor. B. Callan, Engineer. W. Lowry (S. Noel to fill vacancy), Marshal. W. De- ford, West Side, L. Harter, East Side, Assessors. S. Farr, West Side, D. Rees (G. C. Jeffries to fill vacancy), East Side, Street Commissioners.
Councilmen-First ward, John Morris, H. H. Saylor; Second ward, John Mitchell, H. Stephenson; Third ward, P. Myers, W. A. Galbraith; Fourth ward, G. H. Turner, M. P. Turner; Fifth ward, A. L. F. Mower, S. Stanbery; Sixth ward, J. M. Moody, W. S. Bennett; Seventh ward, J. L. Scott, J. Weare.
1866.
G. W. Cleveland, Mayor. G. A. Stewart, President pro tem. . J. C. Ben- edict, City Clerk. T. E. Settle, Treasurer. Seward Smith, Solicitor. J. B. Bausman (M. R. Laird, Jule Bausman to fill vacancy), Engineer. S. H. Carson, Marshal. J. Jack, West Side, J. E. Hull, East Side, Assessors. B. T. Jones, West Side, G. C. Jeffries, East Side, Street Commissioners.
Councilmen-First ward, John Morris, M. McTighe; Second ward, E. L. Stout, C. Beck; Third ward, W. A .. Galbreath, Ira Cook; Fourth ward, G. A. Stewart, M. Winters; Fifth ward, S. Stanbery, J. R. Crawshaw; Sixth ward, W. S. Bennett, James Depew; Seventh ward, B. Sparks, J. D. Pol- lock (R. Wilson to fill vacancy).
1867. .
G. W. Cleveland, Mayor. Ira Cook, President pro tem. J. C. Benedict City Clerk. T. E. Settle, Treasurer. Seward Smith, Solicitor. Jule Baus- man, Engineer. S. H. Carson, Marshal. D. DeVotie, Assessor. W. C. Burton (J. J. Fox to fill vacancy), West Side, A. L. F. Mower, East Side, Street Commissioners.
Councilmen-First ward, M. McTighe, J. McNamara; Second ward, E. L. Stout, J. L. Cook; Third ward, Ira Cook, H. M. Bush; Fourth ward, G. A. Stewart, M. Winters; Fifth ward, M. W. Miller, J. R. Crawshaw; Sixth ward, T. K. Brooks, James Depew; Seventh ward, B. Sparks, M. Kavanaugh.
1868.
S. F. Spofford, Mayor. J. W. Cattell, President pro tem. M. H. King, City Clerk. Thomas Hatton, Jr., Treasurer. Seward Smith, Solicitor. Jule Bausman, Engineer. S. H. Carson, Marshal. Dan Ellyson, Assessor. S. McGrady, West Side, A. L. F. Mower, East Side, Street Commissioners. Councilmen-First ward, J. McNamara, W. Milligan; Second ward, J. S. Cook, John Mitchell; Third ward, H. M. Bush, J. N. Dewey; Fourth
674
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
ward, G. A. Stewart, S. B. Keffer; Fifth ward, M. W. Miller, J. W. Ran- dolph; Sixth ward, J. M. Moody, J. W. Cattell; Seventh ward, M. Kava -. naugh, B. Sparks.
1869.
J. H. Hatch, Mayor. J. W. Cattell, President pro tem. George Sneer, City Clerk. Thomas Hatton, Jr., Treasurer. Seward Smith, Solicitor. J. B. Bausman, Engineer. F. M. Smith, Marshal. George M. Walker, Assessor. S. McGrady, West Side, A. L. F. Mower, East Side, Street Com- missioners.
Councilmen-First ward, John McNamara, William Milligan; Second ward, J. B. Stewart, W. S. Terry; Third ward, L. P. Sherman, J. N. Dewey; Fourth ward, George Whitaker, S. B. Keffer; Fifth ward. J. W. Randolph, William Shepard (George Lendrum to fill vacancy); Sixth ward, J. M. Moody, J. W. Cattell; Seventh ward, M. Kavanaugh, B. Sparks.
1870.
J. H. Hatch, Mayor. J. M. Moody, President pro tem. J. W. Cattell, City Clerk. George A. McVicker, Treasurer. Seward Smith, Solicitor. J. B. Bausman, Engineer. S. H. Carson, Marshal. George M. Walker, Assessor .. George Sneer, Street Commissioner.
Councilmen-First ward, John McNamara, M. McTighe; Second ward, W. S. Terry, J. B. Stewart; Third ward, L. P. Sherman, H. Monroe; Fourth ward, S. B. Keffer, George Whitaker; Fifth ward, George Lendrum, Wil- liam Shepard; Sixth ward, J. M. Moody, W. Redhead; Seventh ward, M. Kavanaugh, Evan Rees.
1871.
Martin Tuttle, Mayor. Geo. Lendrum, President pro tem. Taylor Pierce, City Clerk. Wm. Lowry, Treasurer. Seward Smith, Solicitor, J. B. Bausman, Engineer. M. T. Russell, Marshal. Geo. W. Harlan, As- sessor. A. L. F. Mower, Street Commissioner.
Councilmen-First ward, C. D. Platt, D. A. Tyrrell; Second ward , W. S. Terry, Geo. C. Tichenor; Third ward, H. Monroe, J. M. Coggeshall; Fourth ward, S. B. Keffer, Thos. George; Fifth ward, Geo. Lendrum, J. F. An- keny; Sixth ward, W. Redhead, W. R. Ray; Seventh ward, Evan Rees, M. Kavanaugh.
1872.
J. P. Foster, Mayor. J. F. Ankeny, President pro tem. Taylor Pierce, City Clerk. Wm. Lowry, Treasurer, W. H. McHenry, Solicitor. F. Pel- ton, Engineer. M. T. Russell, Marshal. Geo. M. Walker, Assessor. Evan Rees, Street Commissioner.
Councilmen-First Ward, P. McGlew, D. A. Tyrrell; Second ward, Jno. H. Given, Geo. C. Tichenor; Third ward, J. R. Rollins, J. M. Coggeshall; Fourth ward, H. R. Lovejoy, Thos. George; Fifth ward, W. H. Hendricks, J. F. Ankeny; Sixth ward, M. H. King, W. R. Ray; Seventh ward,"J. E .. Hendricks, M. Kavanaugh.
1873.
G. H. Turner, Mayor. Geo. Lendrum, President pro tem. Taylor. Pierce, City Clerk. Wm. Lowry, Treasurer. W. H. McHenry, Solicitor.
675
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
B. Callan, Engineer. Wm. M. Patchen, Marshal. Wm. Matthews, Asses- sor. Evan Rees, Street Commissioner.
Councilmen-First ward, M. Drady, P. McGlew. Second ward, F. M. Mills, Jno. H. Given; Third ward, H. Monroe, J. R. Rollins; Fourth ward, J. J. Williams, H. R. Lovejoy; Fifth ward, Geo. Lendrum, W. H. Hendricks; Sixth ward, W. R. Ray, M. H. King; Seventh ward, H. Murray (J. K. Gilcrest to fill vacancy).
1874.
A. Newton, Mayor. C. Bates, President, pro tem. Taylor Pierce, Au- ditor and City Clerk. G. M. Walker, Treasurer. C. P. Holmes, Solicitor. B. Callan, Engineer. A. Haffner, Marshal. H. H. Rich, Assessor. L. A. Crane, Police Judge. Philip Nau, Market Master.
Councilmen-First ward, M. McTighe, P. McGlew; Second ward, C. Bates, Wm. Merrill; Third ward, J. R. Rollins, Stacy Johns; Fourth ward, J. J. Williams, H. L. Skinner; Fifth ward, E. J. Fairall, Sam. Stanbery (A. Christy to fill vacancy); Sixth ward, Jos. Williams, M. H. King; Seventh ward, J. K. Gilcrest, Dan. Rees.
1875.
A. Newton, Mayor. M. McTighe, President, pro tem. Taylor Pierce. Auditor and City Clerk. G. M. Walker, Treasurer. C. P. Holmes, Solici- tor. B. Callan, Engineer. A. Haffner, Marshal. H. H. Rich, Assessor. L. A. Crane, Police Judge. Philip Nau, Market Master.
Councilmen-First ward, M. Drady, M. McTighe; Second ward, W. H. McHenry, C. Bates; Third ward, Geo. Sneer, J. R. Rollins; Fourth ward, H. L. Skinner, J. J. Williams; Fifth ward, D. De Votie, A. Christy; Sixth ward, M. H. King, J. Williams; Seventh ward, Dan. Rees, J. Gilchrist.
1876.
G. H. Turner, Mayor. M. H. King, President, pro tem. Taylor Pierce, City Clerk and Auditor. Geo. M. Walker, Treasurer. Seward Smith, So- licitor. F. Pelton, Engineer. J. S. Davis (Geo. Christ to fill vacancy); Marshal; F. Weitman, Assessor; G. B. Hammer, Police Judge; Philip Nau, Market Master; Geo. Githens, Street Commissioner.
Councilmen-First ward, M. McTighe, M. Drady; Second ward, H. B. Hatch, W. H. McHenry; Third ward, T. T. Morris, Geo. Sneer; Fourth ward, S. M. Nelson, H. L. Skinner; Fifth ward, A. Christy, D. De Votie; Sixth ward, J. C. Painter, M. H. King; Seventh ward, M. Kavanaugh, Dan. Rees.
1877.
G. H. Turner (Geo Sneer to fill vacancy), Mayor. Isaac Brandt, Presi- dent, pro tem. J. H. Stevenson, City Clerk. Taylor Pierce, Auditor. Geo. M. Walker, Treasurer. Seward Smith, Solicitor. F. Pelton, Engi- neer. Geo. Christ, Marshal. Geo. F. Walker, Assessor. G. B. Hammer, Police Judge. Philip Nau, Market Master. Jno. Flemming, Street Com- missioner.
Councilmen-First ward, M. Drady, M. McTighe; Second ward, H. B. Hatch; Third ward, Geo. Sneer, T. T. Morris; Fourth ward, H. L. Skin-
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
ner, S. M. Nelson; Fifth ward, Isaac Brandt, A. Christy; Sixth ward, M. H. King, J. C. Painter; Seventh ward, Dan. Rees, M. Kavanaugh.
1878-9. .
Geo. Sneer, Mayor. J. N. Dewey, President, pro tem. N. K. Davis, City Clerk. J. M. Laird, Auditor. Geo. M. Walker, Treasurer. P. Gad Bryan, Solicitor. F. Pelton, Engineer. J. A. Bryan, Marshal. M. Ken- nedy (1878), Assessor. W. W. Moore (1879), Assessor. M. D. McHenry, Police Judge. Phillip Nau, Market Master. Geo. Githens (1878), Street Commissioner. J. H. Hatch (1879), Street Commissioner. E. N. Stanley, Sidewalk Commissioner.
Councilmen-First ward, J. J. Wagner; Second Ward, S. A. Robertson; Third ward, D. R. Ewing; Fourth ward, J. Beaner; Fifth ward, A. Christy; Sixth ward, I. A. Hammer; Seventh ward, Jno. Brazleton; J. N. Dewey, Des Moines township, I. Perigo, Lee township, Councilmen at large.
1880-1.
Wm. H. Merritt, Mayor. J. J. Williams, President, pro tem. W. D. Christy, Clerk. J. M. Laird, Auditor. J. C. Painter, Treasurer. Geo. L. Godfrey, Solicitor. F. Pelton, Engineer. John Smith, Marshal. Wm. C. Hillis, Police Judge. Philip Nau, Market Master. J. H. Hatch, Street Commissioner. Wm. Day, Sidewalk Commissioner. Wiley W. Moore, Assessor.
Councilmen-First ward, M. Drady; Second ward, J. H. Strong; Third ward, J. R. Rollins; Fourth ward, C. P. Holmes; Fifth ward, J. M. Ferree; Sixth ward, M. H. King; Seventh ward, M. Kavanaugh. At large, J. J. Williams, Geo. Garver.
On the first Monday of September, 1857, all that part of Des Moines township on the east side of Des Moines river, was, by order of Judge Na- pier, set off for election, revenue and judicial purposes, " to be known and hailed as Lee," and Will Tomlinson was appointed a special constable to give notice and make the necessary arrangements for the first election of township officers on the thirteenth of October.
Its vote for Governor resulted in 182 ballots for Ralph P. Lowe, and 131 for Benjamin M. Samuels. For Lieutenant-Governor the vote stood 182 for Orin Faville and 130 for Governor Gillaspy. Wm. P. Davis for State Senator had 161 and Daniel O. Finch 150. For Representative Thomas Mitchell 154 and M. A. Scott 160. Justice of the Peace, G. M. Holiday. Constable, Johnathan Stutsman. Clerk, G. Tisdale.
The judges of election were Judge M. D. McHenry, Capt. H. H. Griffiths and James Miller. The election was held in one of the committee rooms at the state-house.
The township embraces the corporate limits of the city on the east side of Des Moines river, and is in the control of the city government, except for revenue and judicial purposes.
677
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
POPULATION.
The first official census of Des Moines was taken July 1, 1846. There were present thirty-one families and one hundred and twenty-seven persons. The following will show the rapid increase since that date:
127
1846
502
1860
3,965
1865
5,650
1870
12,035
1872
15,372
1875
15,782
1880
22,696
The United States census which has just been taken shows that the city has advanced from the fifth in rank to first position since 1870; to-day ex- ceeding in population, Dubuque 420, Davenport 800, Burlington 3,500, Keokuk 10,000. A marvelous change. Thirty-four years ago the locality was without a name and unknown on the map. To the hunter and the struggling emigrant and the pioneers it was called Raccoon Forks. So it was known in the government treaties with the Indians. Young men now just entering active business life were born here since the first organization of the town.
CHURCHES.
The church, school and newspaper started hand in hand with the be- ginning of the settlement of the town, and they have kept pace with the progress of the community, moulding and establishing its character as one of the most enlightened, refined, and cultivated in the State.
As is usual in all new settlements in the West, the Methodist circuit rider first made his appearance. No records of the Methodist Church are in exist- ence, and the compiler has been compelled to seek information from the first settlers.
The first sermon preached in Des Moines was in the fall of 1845, by Ezra Rathbun, on the funeral occasion of a child, a little daughter of Col. Grier, commandant of the Fort. This child was the first child born within the limits of the town, and its death was the first within the town. Its birth was in February, 1845. Mr. Rathbun deceased the present year.
In the fall of 1845 Rev. Russell, a missionary preacher, whose circuit embraced nearly the same territory as now constitutes the Des Moines dis- trict, organized a Methodist class, consisting of Joseph Solenbarger, Sarah Solenbarger, Rev. Abner Rathbun, Betsy Rathbun, Rev. Ezra Rathbun, Jonathan Rathbun, W. H. Meacham and wife, Benjamin T. Hoxie. Mr. Solenbarger was elected class-leader. It is related of Mr. Russell that his outfit consisted of a pair of saddle-bags, one half of which would be filled with corn bread and bacon, the other with a clean, coarse shirt, and a well thumbed Bible. This class met at the house of members and in the court- house, until 1848. January 5, 1848, the County Commissioners donated lot 3, block 21, on Fifth street, to the Methodist Church, on the terms as set forth, ante, page 505. A frame building was erected in 1848, which, in 1856, became too small to accommodate the growing body, and a new
1850
678
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
structure was commenced, which has since been enlarged, but that, also, has become outgrown, and the present year the society is erecting a magnificent structure on Pleasant street.
In 1855 Rev. E. M. H. Fleming began preaching on the East Side, in the Lyon school-house, and it is stated Mrs. A. Y. Hull was the only Meth- odist in the city on that side of the river. The first Saturday and Sunday in December of that year a class was formed of Thomas, Maria and Aquilla Hoffman. Mrs. A. Y. Hull, Jacob and Lavina Butts, G. C. and Mary J. Jeffries, Sarah N. Lyon, Samuel Kelley, B. Christman, Allen and Martha Spitzer. The building was known as Wesley Chapel; was begun and fin- ished in 1857, and dedicated by Mr. Fleming. A parsonage was added in 1866. The Sunday-school dates from the dedication of the church. In 1863 an addition was made across the north end of the building, which gives it a cruciform shape. Until 1864 this society belonged to the Iowa Conference, but in that year, at the general conference in Philadelphia, the boundaries of that conference were changed, and the society became a part of the Des Moines Conference. Asbury Chapel swarmed out from Wesley Chapel in 1869, and is located in the extreme eastern part of the city. Its first preacher was J. W. Matheny.
In 1856 was organized the German Methodist Church on the East Side. Its house of worship is on East Locust, between First and Second.
In November, 1874, was organized the Swedish Methodist Church, by Rev. J. Sinn.
In 1868 the Fifth Street Methodist Church became overcrowded, and another society was organized, known as the Centenary. A building was erected on West Seventh street, near Center, together with a parsonage. The church was dedicated in 1868, with Rev. J. M. Bly as preacher.
In 1874 a Mission church was erected on East Fifth street, south of the railroads, to accommodate those not inclined to attend more fashionable churches. It is a small frame building, and was dedicated in the spring of 1874, by Rev. J. A. Stayt, of the Methodist Church, Rev. Dr. M. S. P. Hill, of the Presbyterian, Rev. Dr. J. R. Murphey, of the Baptist, and other clergymen of the city. It is under the care of the East Side Metho- dist churches.
In 1865 the colored people of the city, with the aid of citizens, generally, erected a brick church; on the 8th of May, 1866, a society was organized, and the church was dedicated as Burns Chapel. Rev. T. S. Wells was the first preacher, whose leading idiosyncrasy seemed to be a pertinacious pro- pensity for prevarication. The church is under the control of the Des Moines Conference.
In 1856 the Germans organized a Methodist Church and erected a build- ing on West Locust street, between Second and Third.
In 1856 a Methodist Protestant Church was organized with sixteen mem- bers, with Rev. Rhemsburg as preacher. We have been unable to gather any definite knowledge of its early history.
In 1872 the African Methodist Church was organized, and a church ded- icated on West Sycamore street, between Seventh and Eighth, with Rev. George Benson as the first pastor.
Rev. Thompson Bird, came to Des Moines in October, 1847, when it was known only as Raccoon Forks, as a missionary preacher, and his field was co-extensive with the State from its southern boundary as far north and east as Cedar Rapids. He was an earnest, self-sacrificing worker in the
679
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
cause of his Master, and probably organized more churches than any man who has lived in the State. He went forth "without money or scrip," often weary and hungry. But he always met a hearty welcome from the pioneers wherever he went, and a generous share of their hospitality. While engaged in his work abroad he also laid the foundation for a church organ- ization at the Fort, and in June, 1848, it took shape, consisting of six women and one man. Meetings were held during the warm season in one of the barrack buildings, but on the approach of the inclement season they were held at private houses. When the court-house was ready for use, the church held its meetings there. During this time Mr. Bird was gathering the means and materials for a church home of their own. A lot was pur- chased on West Fourth adjoining that on the south where Mills & Co.'s building now stands. A building committee of R. W. Sypher, Barlow Granger, J. E. Jewett, J. D. Davis, and Mr. Bird was appointed, but the burden of the labor fell upon the pastor. For six years he toiled gathering a little here and there. There was very little money, and the people were poor. His own salary was a mere pittance, but of that he freely gave, while his estimable wife gave her aid to his good works by teaching school. After six years of labor the building was but half completed, but in June, 1855 it was finished so it could be occupied and it was dedicated in that month. A bell was needed, but the means to procure it were not easily obtained. Mr. Bird, resorted to a clever device. He had been an enthu- siastic collector of autographs of prominent men of the country. These he offered to sell to Rev. Dr. Sprague of Albany, N. Y., if he would provide a bell for the church. The proffer was accepted; the bell came, and the auto- graph letters passed to Dr. Sprague. The bell proved one of the sweetest in tone that has rung a peal in the city. On the night of Nov. 1, 1867, the church was burned and the bell was reduced to molten metal. For twenty years Father Bird, as he was reverently called by everybody who knew him, was the beloved pastor of this church, until a stroke of paralysis prevented his further labor. Gradually his physical powers gave way, and as the parting rays of the setting sun faded into the lovely twilight, on the 4th of January, 1866, he passed to his eternal rest. By judicious early in- vestments of small savings in real estate within the city, he left his wife and three children considerable wealth.
Prior to this event the society had outgrown the capacity of the old edi- fice and a lot had been selected on the corner of Eighth and High, which is now known as the Central Presbyterian Church, the corner-stone of which was laid with imposing ceremony, Sept. 4th, 1867. Although the oldest in fact, Mr. Bird's church was the second in organization. Its faith was the so-called New School Presbyterian.
The First Presbyterian Church was organized in June, 1848, as the Pres- byterian Church of Fort Des Moines, by Rev. Samuel Cowles. The first meeting was held in a log building on the East Side, owned by John Dean, and formerly occupied as a trader's cabin. There were thirteen persons present. Mr. Cowles was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Swan, in 1851; Rev. J. M. Lippencott, in 1853. Nov. 28, 1854, the society became an incorporated body under the laws of the State, with W. H. Leas, Moses Sheetz and Abraham Dean as trustees, when the preliminary steps were taken to erect a house of worship. A lot was purchased on West Locust street, be- tween Seventh and Eighth. In 1856 Rev. R. T. Drake was installed as the first settled pastor of the church, Oct. 6, and in that year the church build-
-
680
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
ing was completed and dedicated. Mr. Drake resigned, and the church was without a settled pastor until June, 1865, when Rev. D. L. Hughes was in- stalled, but owing to impaired health he was compelled to resign the follow- ing year. In 1874 the disjunctive distinction, which separated the two schools of the church, having become obliterated, the two societies in the city were united, and the building on Locust street was sold to the Chris- tian Church in 1875.
January 30, 1864, the Third Presbyterian Church was organized with twenty members and Rev. J. M. Phillips pastor. Its church edifice is on West Sycamore near Eighth.
October 15, 1858, was organized the United Presbyterian Church on the East Side, with Rev. J. H. Young pastor. Soon after a church edifice was erected on East Second street between Walnut and Court Avenue.
Among the early settlers was a small band of Baptists, who, on the nine- teenth of Nov., met at the residence of J. M. Reichenecker, to devise ways and means to perfect a church organization. A committee, composed of Wm. McKay, G. Berkley and Mr. Reichenecker, was appointed to secure a pastor. While the negotiations were pending, Rev. John A. Nash came to Iowa on mission work, and reached Des Moines January 3, 1857. He was warmly greeted by the few Baptist people here, at a small wooden building which stood where Reed's leather store now stands on Walnut street. On the following Sabbath evening Mr. Nash preached his first sermon on the special invitation of Father Bird.
February 18, 1851, a meeting was held at the court-house and the First Baptist Church was organized as follows: J. A. Nash, Christiana Nash, J. M. and Harriet Reichenecker, John Hays, Wmn. Mckay, Henry and Huldah Everley, Arozina Perkins, Margaret Luse, Mary Marvin, Sarah Saylor, Granville Berkley, Thomas Roberts and Charles Mckay. Mr. Nash was elected pastor at a salary of four hundred and fifty dollars, of which the church paid fifty dollars. Efforts were at once made to secure a meeting- house. The County Commissioners donated a lot, as has already been stated on page 506, but beset by the same difficulties which did Father Bird, the building was not erected, in accordance with the terms of the donation. To prevent its reversion to the county Judge Mckay paid for the lot which was subsequently exchanged for one on Mulberry street opposite the court-house, which is now used as a blacksmith shop. For six years Mr. Nash toiled to complete the meeting-house. He hauled material and worked with his hands, and after severe struggles and many disappoint- ments it was completed and dedicated March 16, 1856. In 1866 the mem- bership had increased beyond the capacity of the meeting-house, and plans were perfected for the erection of the present house, on the corner of West Locust and Eighth. Mr. Nash resigned his pastorate in 1865.
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In 1871, from the First Church went out the members residing on the East side, organized a Church and erected a meeting-house in 1875, at the corner of Des Moines street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Rev. Granger Smith was the first pastor.
In 1855 was organized St. Paul's Episcopal Church, with Rev. Dr. E. W. Peet as rector, who was also a missionary of the Episcopal Association for the West. Meetings were held whenever a place could be found, until in the fall of 1856. A lot was donated by Mr. E. Hall, on West Seventh, between Walnut and Locust streets, and a chapel erected in 1856. The first vestry was composed of Hoyt Sherman, Byron Rice, D. O. Finch, Mad-
681
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
ison Young, Samuel Case, Wm. F. Ayers, John D. McCall and J. W. Morris.
In 1855 Thomas G. Given conveyed to Bishop Matthias Loras, of Du- buque, two lots on West Sixth street between Walnut and Locust streets, on which it was intended to build a church. In 1856 a small frame build- ing was erected, Rev. G. A. Plathe being stationed here in charge. In 1858 additions were made to it to meet the increase of the congregation. In 1860 Mr. Plathe died and was succeeded by Rev. John F. Brazil. On the last day of March, 1863, was begun the present church edifice, which was completed in the fall of 1864, and dedicated as St. Ambrose church. From the small number of four communicants in 1858 they have increased to over two thousand.
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