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 83
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In 1871 was laid the corner stone of St. Mary's Catholic Church on West Third street, between Center and Crocker, with very imposing ceremonies: Its communicants are principally Germans. Rev. N. Sassel has been its pastor from its organization.
December 6, 1857, Plymouth Congregational Church was organized with Rev. Joseph T. Cook as pastor, and was incorporated July 11, 1859. Its first place of worship was erected on Court Avenue, and subsequently re- moved to West Locust street, near Sixth. Various additions to it were made until 1876, when the present magnificent edifice was erected on the corner of Locust and Seventh, and the old building was demolished.
In 1856 the nucleus of what subsequently became the English-Lutheran Church, was formed. Meetings were held in the old Third Ward school- house, corner of West Locust and Ninth streets. It was not until May, 1865, a permanent organization was perfected by Rev. Morris Officer, Superintendent of Home Missions. In November, of that year, Rev. A. M. Geiger was called as pastor, and the church was established with twenty two members. In 1867, a church edifice was erected on the corner of West Sycamore and Seventh streets, which was dedicated January 3, 1869.
In 1858 Rev. John List emigrated to Des Moines, and finding here a sufficient German population to organize a church, went back to get per- mission of the church authorities for that purpose, and returned in 1859. He found, however, that many of his people were members of secret so- cieties, which positively precluded them from a membership in the Evan- gelical Lutheran Church, so that his congregation when organized, Novem- ber 16, 1859, consisted of only four wives with their children, four widows and eight single persons. Meetings were held in a building on Walnut street, opposite Ensign's livery stable, but soon after a church was erected on West Locust, between First and Second streets. The church is also used as a school for the children.
In 1870 a Swedish Lutheran Mission was established on the East Side. The same year a church was organized and a house of worship erected, cor- ner of East Second and Des Moines streets, with Rev. John Peterson pastor.
In 1871 the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized on the East Side, with Rev. John Telleen pastor, and a church edifice erected, corner of East Sycamore and First streets. During the present year the meeting of the Synod of North America of this denomination was held. within this church.
In 1856 the first Christian Church was organized by Elder N. Summer-
49
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
bell. Its meetings were held in the old Third Ward shool-house, corner of West Ninth and Locust streets, for some time until a small building was erected for their use, on West Sycamore, between Seventh and Eighth streets.
September 23, 1860, was organized the Church of Christ, with twenty members. Elder P. T. Russell had previously preached to these people, but the church was organized with B. F. Snook as pastor. Its meetings were held in the old brick building now standing near the east end of the Keokuk & Des Moines railroad bridge. Subsequently a chapel was built on the site of the first court-house, on Cherry street, which was sold in 1875, and the First Presbyterian Church edifice purchased on West Locust.
In 1869 was organized the United Brethren Church, and a place of wor- ship erected on Maple, between Tenth and Eleventh, East Side.
In 1868 the first Universalist Church was organized, with Rev. W. W. King pastor. Its first meetings were held in Moore's Opera House, until a church edifice was erected on the corner of West Sixth and Cherry streets. This building was removed to Ninth street in 1879, and is occu- pied by the Temperance Reform Club.
In 1868 was organized a Society of Friends, which is now in existence, comparatively weak.
In September, 1873, was organized the first Hebrew Church, under the name of Be Nai Ya Shuron, with L. Samish as rabbi. Their synagogue is on Mulberry street, West Side.
In May, 1876, a Hebrew Synagogue was organized on the East Side, known as The Children of Israelites, with David Cohen as rabbi.
In 1878 the first Unitarian Church was organized, with J. R. Effinger as pastor. Its meetings were held in Union Block, West Locust street, between Fifth and Sixth.
SCHOOLS.
"The proud position occupied to-day by the city of Des Moines in intelli- gence, refinement and good order, is directly traceable to the foundation laid by the pioneer settlers. The common school, the Sunday-school and church followed the retreat of the Indians. The soldiers' barrack buildings were used for these purposes. For two years the schools were maintained by private enterprise of the citizens. The county records show that a Miss Davis taught school in the town during the summer of 1846, in room No. 26, which was the number of the barrack building she occupied, the build- ings having been numbered to facilitate their sale, as ordered by the Com- missioners. This was, doubtless the first school taught in the township. The following winter a school was taught by Lewis Whitten, who was also the county agent for the sale of town lots. In the summer of 1847 a school was taught by R. L. Tidrick, who is still a resident of the city. He was succeeded by Mr. Davis, who taught during the winter. The following summer A. J. Stevens, subsequently a wealthy banker, taught for three months.
The first school district was organized in 1849. The following is the rec- ord entry of the first meeting for that purpose:
" Agreeable to a previous notice of the School Fund Commissioner of Polk county, the citizens of Fort Des Moines met in the Methodist Church in said place, on the 8th day of September, for the purpose of organizing a
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
LINCOLN SCHOOL BUILDING. BUILT in 1867
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
school district, to be known as School District No. 5, of Des Moines town- ship. The meeting was organized by appointing Benjamin Saylor, chair- man, and Thompson Bird, secretary. The meeting, on motion, proceeded to vote for officers of the district, as required by law, to wit: One president, a secretary, and treasurer. On the first ballot, Benjamin Saylor was elected president, Andrew J. Stevens was declared to be elected secretary, and Thompson Bird treasurer. There being no further business before the house, the meeting adjourned to meet again on the first Monday of Octo- . ber next.
" THOMPSON BIRD, Secretary.
"Fort Des Moines, Sept. 8th, 1849."
" FORT DES MOINES, OCT. 1ST, 1849.
" Pursuant to a notice published in the Iowa Star, dated September 19, 1849, the qualified electors of Fort Des Moines assembled in the Methodist church and proceeded to organize by the president of the district taking the chair. The meeting being but poorly attended, on motion, the meet- ing adjourned to assemble again in the evening, at the office of Lewis Whit- ten, Esq., at 7 o'clock, P. M.
" ANDREW J. STEVENS, Secretary."
" 7 O'CLOCK P. M., OCT. 1, 1849.
" The president in the chair. On motion the meeting proceeded to bus- iness by voting to have two schools in the district the coming winter, and ordered by the house the directors rent suitable buildings for the said school. On motion of Lewis Jones, it was resolved that a tax of one and one-half per cent be levied on the taxable property of the school district for school purposes. On motion of Samuel Gray, the meeting adjourned.
"ANDREW J. STEVENS, Secretary."
" FORT DES MOINES, 4 O'CLOCK, P. M.
"May 8th, 1850. The adjourned meeting of May the 6th, 1850, met pur- suant to adjournment. Present, Benjamin Saylor, president, Thompson Bird, treasurer, and Madison Young, secretary.
" The meeting was called to order by the president.
" On motion, the electors present proceeded to vote by ballot whether they would levy a tax or not upon the taxable property in school district No. five, Des Moines township. One vote was given for a tax and seven- teen votes were given for no tax. Whereupon, it was declared that there should be no tax raised for the purpose of renting, hiring, building or buying a school-house, at this time, in school district No. 5, Des Moines. township, Polk county, State of Iowa.
" The meeting then adjourned (sine die).
" MADISON YOUNG, Secretary.
"Fort Des Moines, May 8th, 1850."
The records show that Byron Rice, afterward County Judge, was the first teacher. The school fund was about sixty dollars. An additional al- lowance of two dollars and a half was made per pupil, for twelve weeks, from November 19, 1849. The school was opened in the Methodist church, but in January was removed to the court-house which had been enclosed, but without doors or plaster. The records show alternate resolutions to
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.HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
build a school-house, and not to build until the spring of 1851, when it was decided finally to purchase the lots and erect a building.
" November 25, 1850, the directors held a meeting of which the record is as follows:
: "The object of the meeting as stated by the president and treasurer was to examine Charles L. Anderson, and see if said Anderson was qualified to teach said school.
" William W. Jones stated that he wished Lewis Whitten to act for him and in his place, to which Mr. Whitten consented, the president and secre- tary consented and agreed that said Whitten should act as examiner in place of Wm. W. Jones, treasurer. Said Jones then left the examination and the said Lewis Whitten, and Madison Young, secretary, proceeded with the exam- ination of Charles L. Anderson. It was ordered by the president and sec- retary as directors of said school district, that Byron Rice examine said Charles S. Anderson as to his qualifications in arithmetic. Byron Rice ex- amined said Anderson in arithmetic, after which Samuel Gray and William W. Jones presented to the secretary a certificate and requested the secre- tary to record it. The following is a true copy of it, viz:
" The undersigned board of director of school district No. 5, Des Moines township, in Polk county, and State of Iowa, have this day examined Charles L. Anderson Esq., a school teacher, employed by them, and find him well qualified in point of talent and learning to teach school in said district.
" SAMUEL GRAY, " WM. W. JONES, " Directors.
"' Fort Des Moines, November 25, 1850.'
" The secretary will further state that Lewis Whitten, acting as examiner in place of Wm. W. Jones, treasurer, come to the conclusion that Charles L. Anderson, teacher as aforesaid, was incompetent to teach school in point of learning and ability, but made no written report upon the subject.
'Byron Rice, examiner in arithmetic, asked Charles L. Anderson, teacher, as aforesaid, why he multiplied the numerators together and the denomin- ators together in multiplication of vulgar fractions ? Mr. Anderson was unable to tell. Mr. Rice further asked Mr. Anderson why he inverted the divisor in division of vulgar fractions ? Mr. Anderson was unable to tell. Mr. Rice gave Mr. Anderson some sums to do in complex fractions. Mr. Anderson remarked that they were of no earthly use or practical benefit, and if scholars should bring arithmetics to his school that had complex fractions in he should order them to tear said fractions out of their books.
" Byron Rice Esq. refused to make any report either verbal or written, whether Charles L. Anderson was qualified to teach arithmetic or not.
" Madison Young, secretary, examined Charles L. Anderson in reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic and English grammar, and came to the conclu- sion that Charles L. Anderson did not possess sufficient knowledge of read- ing, arithmetic and English grammar to teach the same, and was incompe- tent to teach a public school.
"MADISON YOUNG, Secretary.
" November 25, 1850."
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
It appears Mr. Anderson taught the school for, under date of March 24, it was ordered by the directors that C. L. Anderson be paid twenty-four dollars for teaching school. Whether or not he emasculated the text-books of complex fractions the records do not show.
The first Monday in May, 1850, Mrs. Bird opened a female school in the new building on the corner of Second and Locust. This is the building referred to in the Gazette of February 22, 1850. Referring to improve- ments, it says: " In the north part of town the workmen are getting out timber for a female seminary. In the west end of town the foundation of the new Presbyterian church is laid." That female seminary is now occu- pied as a cooper shop, and is opposite the West Side fire-engine house. The Presbyterian church stood on the lot south adjoining Mills & Co.'s building, and the two points were the ends of the town.
In 1851 one-half acre was purchased on the corner of Locust and Ninth streets for a school-house site, where Mr. Getchell's residence now is, and a two-story building was erected in 1855, costing about eleven thousand dollars, which subsequently was used as the Third Ward school building, until 1869, when it and the lot was sold and another lot purchased and a new building was erected the following year on Pleasant street. With the erection of this building in 1859 was inaugurated the public school system which to-day has become the pride and glory of the capital city.
In the fall of 1853 Rev. J. A. Nash and his wife opened a select school of high grade, which was known as Forest Home Seminary, which was continued about eight years. It was located in what is now Callanan's ad- dition to the city on Ninth street, and was a beautiful spot, for many years occupied as a residence by James Callanan. Justice as an historian re- quires the statement, though made against the protest of Mrs. Bird, that to her noble efforts and true womanly character, aided by Mr. Nash and his wife, belongs very much of the credit for laying the foundation of that high moral sentiment, that full appreciation of school privileges which obtains to-day. No tax has ever been evaded nor denied by the people of the city which would advance the public school facilities, and the magnifi- cent structures which adorn the city are monuments of excessive liberality and love of education.
In 1858 there was an entire change in the school system of the State, the whole being changed to the Department of Public Instruction, with a State Superintendent as an official head. The records of the schools of Des Moines from November, 1857, to November, 1867, cannot be found, and are probably in the hands of some negligent borrowers, so that we cannot give the date of the organization of the city as an independent district. The city at present comprises two districts, one on either side of the Des Moines river. It was during this decade that the whole school system of the State was changed.
Originally the school-houses on the West Side were distinguished by the Wards, but in 1879 the schools were given a definite name by order of the directors. The First Ward was named Washington; the Second Ward Lincoln; Third Ward Irving; Fourth. Ward Crocker; and Cottage Grove, the Hawthorne.
The Lincoln school-house was erected in 1867; the Irving in 1870; the Crocker in 1875; the Washington in 1874. The present Crocker school building was erected on the site near the second school building erected on
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HISTORY. OF POLK COUNTY.
the West Side, which became dilapitated and unfit for use, and was torn down in 1874.
The annual report of the school directors of the West Side schools for 1878, shows the value of school property to be:
Property . . $ 225,000.00
School sites 31,200.00
School buildings 188,000.00
Furniture
5,800.00
Total $ 450,000.00
In 1850, the first enumeration showed 203 scholars in Des Moines town- ship. The returns for 1879 show there were on the West Side 3,570, and on the East Side 2,234, or a total of 6,804, an increase of 226 each year since 1850. There are forty teachers employed on the West Side, and twenty- eight on the East Side. It is a coincidence that the pupils on the East Side are equally mated, while on the West Side the boys outnumber the girls 268.
The cost of the West Side schools for the year 1879 was $41,865.68; the estimated expense for 1880 is $46,878, of which $27,000 is for teachers. The resources of the district are $50,774.21. School buildings, 4; rooms, 38; seating capacity, 2,150.
In 1865 St. Ambrose School was opened under the care and direction of the Catholic Church, on Sixth street, in the house of worship, with Sister Mary Michael as preceptress. The rapid increase of population necessi- tated increased facilities, and in 1872 a commodious brick edifice, three stories in height, costing $21,800, was completed, and is now filled to its full capacity of 481 pupils. Most excellent schools are maintained, and the standard of education is equal to any in the city, and the school is a noble monument to the fostering care, and nobility of character of Rev. Father John F. Brazil. The old frame building was demolished in 1872. .- In 1866 the Iowa Law School was established, with Judges Dillon, Cole- and Wright, then on the Supreme Bench, as professors. In 1868 it was. removed to Iowa City, and became what is now the Law Department of the State University. The first graduates of this school were Thomas S. Wright, Melville C. Wright, Benjamin F. Kauffman, L. F. Andrews, Joseph Lyman, Edgar T. Ensign, I. Woodford, S. S. Ethridge, G. L. God- frey, G. J. Peet, M. J. Sharman, and Z. F. Bailey.
In November, 1865, was established the Iowa Business College by J. W. Muffly and C. B. Worthington, as one of the chain of Worthington's Col- leges. In 1867 it passed into the control of Mr. Muffly; in 1872 to J. Shrock; in 1874 to Jennings & Ward; in 1875 to A. C. Jennings.
In 1868 was started the German-American School in the old Baptist church on Mulberry street. Subsequently a lot was purchased and a build- ing erected, on Eighth street, at a cost of $7,000. The school is under the management of an incorporate association.
In 1871 St. Mary's German-Catholic School was opened, with three sis- ters of St. Francis as teachers, from the convent at La Crosse, Wisconsin, under the general direction of Father A. N. Sassel. All the branches of the public schools are taught therein in the English and German languages, and the standard of excellence is of high order ..
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
In May, 1855, the conference of the Lutheran Church decided to locate and establish a denominational school at or near Des Moines, to be known as Iowa Central College. A board of trustees was elected, of whom F. R. West was president; J. G. Shaffer, secretary; and R. W. Sypher, treasurer. A site was selected and purchased. The school was started in a rented building in town, but was soon after suspended. In 1856 was laid the cor- ner-stone of the college edifice and that year the walls were completed, and the next year the roof was added when work was suspended for want of funds. In 1865 the property was transferred to the Baptist denomina- tion, and work was resumed to complete the building. In April, 1866, was begun the first term of the University of Des Moines, which has since grown to be an institution of prominence in the State. It is located in one of the loveliest spots to be found in the West.
In 1875 a Law Department of Simpson Centenary College was estab- lished at Des Moines, known as Iowa Law College, with Rev. Alexander Burns as president, and Hon. C. C. Cole, Hon. Wm. E. Miller, J. B. Bissell, J. S. Runnels, Hon. Galusha A. Parsons and P. N. Bowman as professors.
In the fall of 1879 a beginning was made for the establishment of a school for the higher education of girls and the preparation of boys for college. During the present year the original plan has culminated in Callanan College, so called in honor of James Callanan who secured the object sought, by his liberal donations. The beautiful property of J. B. Stewart, on Pleasant street was purchased and elegant buildings are being erected which will accommodate 250 pupils. It is more specially designed as a boarding school for young ladies, of the highest order of excellence. The president is Rev. C. R. Pomeroy, D. D., assisted by an able corps of professors.
The first board of trustees consists of James Callanan, Samuel Merrill, J. J. Williams, C. C. Nourse, C. H. Rawson, J. S. Polk, J. S. Clarkson, C. H. Gatch, J. N. Dewey, C. H. Getchell, J. Ankeny, John Wyman, Wesley Redhead. The following are the officers of the board: James Callanan, president; J. N. Dewey, vice-president; J. J. Williams, secretary; Samuel Merrill, treasurer.
The East Side schools were organized in the spring of 1858, and for some time were held in rented rooms. The first school-house was built by a few public-spirited citizens, consisting of Judge M. D. McHenry, Homer Lyon, M. L. Devin, G. W. Connor, Alexander Shaw, S. Goodell, and I. Brandt. The building was located on lot twelve, block three, of H. Lyon's Addition.
The first school board consisted of James L. Scott, Dr. T. K. Brooks, and
A. D. McHenry was elected treasurer and Dr. Alex. Shaw, secretary. The schools were designated by wards until 1879, when they were given defi- nite names, as on the West Side. They are located as follows:
Bryant School, corner of Sycamore street and Pennsylvania Avenue. This building was erected in 1866, at a cost of thirty-two thousand dollars, and will accommodate some six hundred pupils. It has four primary, four interme- diate, and two grammar departments.
Webster School, corner of East Twelfth and Lyon streets, was built in 1877, at an expense of forty thousand dollars, and has a seating capacity for seven hundred pupils.
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
Lucas School, corner of Sixteenth and Locust streets, cost six thousand dollars, and provides school privileges for two hundred and fifty.
Curtis School, corner of Sixth and Raccoon streets, furnishes accommo- dations for two hundred and fifty, and cost six thousand dollars.
Burns School is near the packing-houses, and is held in a room rented for that purpose.
We are unable to give a complete record of the East Side schools because the records cannot be found.
NEWSPAPERS.
Simultaneous with the church and school the printing press was set up in Des Moines, thus completing the means of laying the foundation for a progressive, intelligent people. Late in the year 1848 a prospectus was issued by a gentleman named Blair, who announced his intention to estab- lish a newspaper at the "Fort." It was to be Democratic in politics, the majority of politics at that time being of that kind, and to be christened The Star. The material was ordered, but next spring Mr. Blair was car- ried off by a sudden and severe attack of California fever, leaving Barlow Granger to carry out his enterprise. But the whole project failed. The next winter Judge Curtis Bates furnished the money, and Mr. Granger purchased an outfit at Iowa City, and Jonathan Rathbun and Charles Winkley were employed to transport it to the Fort. With much difficulty the material arrived, and the first paper appeared June 26th, 1849, with Barlow Granger & Co. as publishers. The first paper printed was taken by Lewis Jones. The first money received was from Thomas Mitch- ell, a Free Soil Whig. The office was located in one of the barrack build- ings, near 'Coon Point. The event was a notable one in the little hamlet. Barlow, as he was familiarly called, being exceedingly popular and active in various enterprises of the day, whether of business, law, or politics, his pioneer paper received the hearty support of every citizen, on paper. Poli- tics were high-the Wilmot Proviso and Tom Benton were before the people. Barlow went in for Benton. But his little Star twinkled out in August, the teamster having been floored with the "shakes" while en route from Keokuk with paper.
There was no occupation for a local reporter in those days. Everybody knew each other's business and what was going on. News from abroad was received at long intervals. Advertisements of that day show that stages run from the Fort to Keokuk three times a week, but if they got through once a week they did well. Stages were also advertised from the Fort to Kanesville, now Council Bluffs.
Martin Tucker, who signed his name with an X, until he gained the title of Martin X Tucker, advertised his hotel as " having run an avenue through it, and having put up a condition to it, he would be able to detain the pub- lic in a more hostile manner. Also Stabling at Right Angles for quantity, and abundance of provender for horses, and plenty to eat," which pronuncia- mento called out a rejoinder from a hotel-keeper down at Avon, who de- clared he would beat Martin X Tucker, "who treated his guests in a hostile manner and put a condition to his house."
At the end of a year Mr. Granger retired, satisfied with his hebdomadal glory and resumed the practice of law, February 22, 1850. The paper passed into the possession of Judge Curtis Bates, who associated with him Luther Johnson of Iowa City, who, in May, died from small pox. In
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