USA > Iowa > Wapello County > The history of Wapello County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest, history of Iowa > Part 61
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In 1852, there were thirty-six members of the society, with Aaron Harlin, Evangelist. In 1853, there were fifty-four members. In 1858, the society bought the old Court House and Lot 147, Block 14, in Ottumwa, for $600. The deed was issued to Hugh Brown, John Pumroy and Erastus Day, as Trustees of the Christian Church of Ottumwa. On the third Lord's Day in September, 1856, Hugh Brown and Erastus Day were ordained Elders by Elders Solomon Mckinney and Wright. John Pumroy died, and Thomas Reveel was chosen to fill his place as Trustee. The property first bought was sold, and the east side of Lot 8, in Summer's Subdivision, Outlot 20, was bought for $700, in 1872. The present chapel was built in 1873, at a cost of $3,500. The building was dedicated in September, 1873, and the society is now free from debt.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church has two societies in this county, one in Polk Township, which was organized about twenty years ago, and now has some three hundred attendants, under the pastorate of Rev. M. F. Hokan- son, who is the only regular Pastor ever in charge; and a society in Ottumwa, under the pastoral charge of Rev. M. C. Ranseen. This Church was organized in 1871. Mr. Ranseen came here in 1875. The present membership is about one hundred and twenty, and the attendance about three hundred. The society is in a highly satisfactory condition, both spiritually and financially, and is constantly growing in power.
The African M. E. Church was organized in 1867, by Rev. John Malone. Its present membership is forty-nine. The church edifice was built in 1869, and the property is valued at about $1,700. The Pastors have been Revs. H. H. Wilson, W. H. Brown, Smith Nichols, James Lewis, George Benson, R. S. Denning, Charles Holmes, Samuel Hudson and Thomas Johnson, the present incumbent. The original Church was composed of eighteen members, among whom were Isaac and Henrietta Hans, W. S. Wilson, Lizzie Wilson and Anna Cursfield. The Church is prosperous.
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY.
The Colored Baptists maintain a society in Ottumwa. Rev. A. M. Colston was their last Pastor.
THE RAILROAD INTERESTS.
Were we to undertake to write a full history of the railroads which now traverse the county, the task would involve a more extended article than can be here given ; for Ottumwa is not the terminus of any one road, except as it temporarily pauses in its progress while gaining strength to push forward. The ge ographical position of the county is such that the roads reaching here must of necessity seek other points for final ending. The city is upon the line of profitable through traffic, but is not the place where trade or travel seeks com- petition to aid it in its progress onward. The two great rivers which bound the State on the cast and west respectively create natural breathing-places in rail- road communication, or at least did so at one time, before the present monster railroad combinations were dreamed of. The history of the real struggle of the roads which touch Ottumwa and Eldon includes a history of the railroad interests of the State. It is, therefore, possible for us only to sketch the incidents of the arrival of the roads here, and to explain the present and pros- pective advantages which the county derives or will in future derive, from them.
The great union of lines which extends from the Western metropolis of Chicago to the Pacific Coast, like all other mammoth undertakings, began in an humble way. We witness to-day the achievement of giant minds, but forget in the present the germ of the past. Had it not been for the energy of a few individuals, Ottumwa would have been left off the line of the Burlington & Missouri Railroad, and the great benefits now accruing from its existence here would have been diverted into other channels.
The purely local efforts to aid the several railroad movements are briefly outlined in this sketch. When the Des Moines Improvement bubble burst and the people of Southern and Central Iowa realized the absurd character of the schemes proposed, attention was speedily turned to other methods of obtaining means of exit to the centers of national trade. A plankroad was the first plan offered, and for a time the enterprise bid fair to win. It was designed to lay a plankroad from Burlington to the "Big Muddy," via Ottumwa, and thereby divert business from the interior of the State, through the town of Ottumwa. The introduction of railroad projects at that time entirely dissipated the plank- road fever, and prepared the way for the only really beneficial means of transit ever suggested.
The railroad excitement began in 1851, and continued to grow, without intermission, until the county of Wapello stood pledged to an issue of $100,000 in bonds, and the private citizens were committed to subscriptions valued at over $40,000 to stock of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company.
In 1854, a road was projected from Missouri northward, called the North Missouri & Iowa Extension Railroad, but the county did not commit itself to aiding the scheme.
The Keokuk, Ft. Des Moines & Minnesota Railroad was conceived in 1854, to solve the problem of opening up the valley of the Des Moines. This road was not aided by Wapello County.
The B. & M. R. Railroad was permanently located to Ottumwa in 1854. and was the recipient of a portion of the bonds authorized by this county, as well as of private subscriptions.
From the very first, the citizens of Ottumwa have manifested the greatest interest in railroad improvements. The public spirit which has been self-
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evident in every other measure has not been lacking in this essential feature ยท of local improvement. The liberality of her citizens, combined with the nat- ural advantages of the locality, have secured to the county the most powerful railroad lines, and opened up communication with every portion of the country. The B. & M. R. Railroad, now leased by the great Chicago, Burlington & Quincy corporation, places the city of Ottumwa but a few hours distant from Chicago. From there the gigantic arteries of commerce throb with competitive life throughout every nook and cranny of the universe. The Western world is also opened to Ottumwa by this line, which is on the direct road to the Pacific Coast.
The old Keokuk, Ft. Des Moines & Minnesota road, into whose veins was infused the life-blood of the original land grant belonging to the Improvement Company, and which has passed through the usual number of graduations inci- dent to Western roads, is now an established institution, extending from Keo- kuk to Des Moines, under the management of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific corporation. By this channel, not only is the north and south trade opened to Ottumwa, but another direct competition east and west is afforded. The fertile valley of the river is now, after all these years, made the scene of successful improvement in the matter of transit.
By arrangements with the management of the Central Railroad of Iowa, and the C., R. I. & P., traffic is diverted from the regular, but unfinished line of the Central. below Oskaloosa, and brought from the North to this county. St. Paul and the vast granary of the North is made tributary to the South via Ottumwa.
The St. L., K. C. & N. Railroad at present pauses at Ottumwa, but an extension of a line to Cedar Rapids and thence north is but a matter of time. Thus the county has St. Louis linked to St. Paul and the Northern Pacific, while the Atlantic and the Pacific Coasts are terminal points of competing roads through Wapello.
The city of Ottumwa is, therefore, a railroad center. It has secured the first attention of railroad kings, and cannot retrograde so long as the old spirit of energy, which has always existed here, continues to be manifested. The cit- izens of the place have the future of their city under their own control.
We give these facts for the purpose of truthfully representing the advan- tages of Ottumwa as a manufacturing point. Rail communication is absolutely indispensable in such cases, and here is seen, in a highly satisfactory condition, the best of roads offering means of bringing crude products to and shipping manufactured goods from the thriving city.
THE OTTUMWA WATER-POWER COMPANY.
For many years the subject of the improvement of the Des Moines River engrossed the attention of the early settlers of Wapello and other counties, especially those in the region of the lower valley. The pioneers looked to the utilization of the power inherent in the stream for the ultimate success of this country. When the great bubble, known as the Des Moines River Improve- ment Company scheme, burst, the people lost confidence in the practicability of such a project. The introduction of railroads forever dissipated the idea of developing systems of transit by means of the river, and the original enormous expenditures for the creation of water-powers made capitalists feel doubtful about the possibility of attaining success in that direction.
The failures encountered by the first workers did not, however, alter the fixed facts of nature or diminish one pound of the real power contained in the
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river itself. The plans of those who originated the " improvements " of earlier days were in fault, not the abstract principles upon which the theories were based.
From time to time the subject of making local effort to develop Ottumwa, by calling into use the great body of water which ran to waste at her feet, was discussed by the press and a few of the people of the place. No definite action was taken for many years, because of the prejudice and skeptism which prevailed almost universally. Still, as by constant dropping the rock is worn away, so, by repeated mention of the matter, the public mind became fitted to entertain propositions of a nature to startle older settlers who had gone through the excitement of the Improvement Company's days.
The gradations by which the full realization of the undertaking was reached need not, and cannot, be related here. It is sufficient to know that the popular mind was educated to the truth, and ready to accept the overtures of men con- versant with such enterprises. Practical engineers were invited to view the river and pass judgment on the feasibility of erecting a system of works. A thorough canvass of the matter was made, and the leading men of Ottumwa enlisted in the accomplishment of the scheme.
The first definite action taken was in February, 1875, when, pursuant to a pre-arranged plan, a mass-meeting of the citizens of Ottumwa was held at the City Hall. J. W. Dixon presided, and N. M. Ives acted as Secretary. It appears that Messrs. H. B. Hendershott, W. McNett and William Daggett had been invited to draft Articles of Incorporation. The committee presented their report, which is, in substance, as follows :
The Company was named the Ottumwa Water-Power Company, and its first purpose was the improvement of the undeveloped force of the river, by the erection of a dam or dams within the limits of Center Township, and the con- struction of a race along the river-front of Ottumwa. The necessary rights, privileges and authority was provided for, so that the Company might, if it chose, carry on the business of increasing the head of water in the river by artificial means, and then subletting the power thus acquired to any parties who were in need of motive force. The incorporation invested the Company with the power of perpetual succession by renewal, according to statute; to sue and be sued by its name; to have a common seal and alter the same at pleasure, and to establish by-laws to suit its own convenience. Besides these rights, were all others usually pertaining to a corporate body. The capital stock was stated at $100,000; shares at $100 each. The limit of stock was fixed at $500,000. The subscribers became liable to assessment after the sum of $75,000 had been subscribed. The life of the corporation began March 1, 1875, and was for twenty years. The official management was vested in a Board of five Directors, chosen by the stockholders ; a President, Vice President, chosen by the Board, and a Secretary and Treasurer, chosen by the Board, from the Board, or other- wise as was desired. The tenure of office rested in the Board. The indebted- ness and liabilities of the Company was fixed at $66,000, or not to exceed that amount. The liabilities of stockholders were restricted to the unpaid portion of the stock subscribed for by them. The Articles of Incorporation included such other formal matters as were necessary for the carrying on of the project.
These articles were signed by Charles F. Blake, William McNett, David Eaton, H. D. Palmer, George A. Brown, H. B. Hendershott, William L. Orr, William Lindsey, A. Lotspeich, J. W. Carpenter, William Daggett, J. W. Dixon, J. M. Hedrick, R. H. Warden, L. Lillburn, B. B. Durfee, R. N. Harlan, E. I. Laubach, J. O. Briscoe, S. A. Swiggett, W. B. Bonnifield, B. J. Boulton,
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W. M. Morse, J. M. Kiser, A. H. Hamilton, C. Inskeep, W. H. Resor. Most of these gentlemen afterward became stockholders. Their signatures did not imply investment to start with. A committee of canvassers to solicit subscriptions to stock was appointed, consisting of Messrs. J. O. Briscoe, A. H. Hamilton, O. M. Ladd, W. T. Majors, George A. Brown, R. N. Harlan, L. E. Gray, S. A. Swiggett.
On the 4th of March, a meeting was held at which subscription-books were declared open to the public. William McNett, R. H. Warden and J. O. Briscoe were appointed a committee to call a meeting of stockholders to elect officers of the Company. Major Orr, Dr. Steward and Capt. Hutchison were appointed to act as Corresponding Committee, to apply to non-residents for co-operation ; and S. A. Swiggett, L. E. Gray, George A. Brown, A. H. Hamilton, R. N. Harlan, William Major, D. W. Steward, O. M. Ladd and J. O. Briscoe were appointed to solicit subscriptions.
March 30, the first election of officers was held, resulting in the choice of Messrs. C. F. Blake, A. H. Hamilton, Daniel Eaton, W. B. Bonnifield and William Daggett as Directors. The Board met at the office of the Courier the following evening, and elected W. B. Bonnifield, President; A. H. Hamilton, Vice President ; John O. Biscoe, Secretary, and Charles F. Blake, Treasurer. The Board subsequently agreed voluntarily to resign whenever the stock sub- scriptions should reach $75,000, so that the majority of owners then might have a voice in government.
April 6, the Board accepted the proposition of G. W. Devin relative to the transfer of real estate in the western part of the city corporation, which was needed for the works. The proposition was, in substance, that the Company should surrender to Mr. Devin $2,000 of paid-up stock in consideration for the land, and receive a deed therefor, conditional upon the commencement of the work within a year and the completion thereof within three years.
May 21, the first Board admitted that $75,000 had been subscribed, and ordered an assessment of 2 per cent. The Board also resigned, to take effect when a new Board could be chosen.
June 1, a new Board was elected, composed of William Daggett, Charles F. Blake, Daniel Eaton, A. H. Hamilton and W. B. Bonnifield. Mr. Bonni- field was subsequently re-elected President ; Mr. Hamilton, Vice President ; Mr. Blake, Treasurer; Mr. Briscoe, Secretary. Steps were at once taken toward the contracting for the proposed works. It was unanimously agreed, June 12, to accept the proposition of D. B. Sears & Son, of Rock Island, Ill., for the construction of the dam, guard-lock and head-race. John D. Arey, of Sterling, Ill., was chosen engineer of the Company.
June 15th, the formal papers were signed by the Company and D. B. Sears & Son and a 10-per-cent assessment on stock ordered. The contract called for the erection of two dams on Turkey Island in the Des Moines River, at the upper extremity of the city limits, in a manner practically subject to the dicta- tion of the engineer chosen by the Water-Power Company to superintend the work. The contract was an open one in many places, affording numerous chances for dual interpretation. The sum stated as the price of the job was $64,620, in monthly installments. Sears & Son gave bonds in the sum of $50,000. The work was to be completed before January 1, 1876. The con- tract made all extra work, other than the actual construction of dams and lock, the subject of special compensation. It also guaranteed the work until Janu- ary 1, 1878. The contractors were expected to take fifty shares of stock. The last clause of the contract provided that the contractors should make such
M
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY
alterations and improvements in the original plan as the Company's engineer might deem best.
Under this contract, Sears & Son began work in the summer of 1875, and, in the fall of that year, a flood disturbed the further progress of affairs. The engineer employed by the Company was a man well acquainted with the methods of Sears' work. Upon his representations the Company paid the contractors for the labor and materials expended.
The first flood carried out the original guard-lock, which was then in process of erection. This calamity eventuated in the construction of a better lock, wherein the defects of the first were not repeated. Following this time, a so- called coffer-dam was put down as a preliminary step toward building the west dam from the island to the western shore. The labor proceeded during the fall and winter of 1875, when the coffer-dam and abutments on the west side were well along. A season of high-water ensued, causing material injury to this portion of the structure. When the water subsided in January, 1876, work was not resumed, nor did Mr. Arey have the engineering of the Company's inter- ests at any time thereafter. When, at last, in the winter of 1876-77, the con- tractor prosecuted his job, Robert Douglass was employed as engineer of the Company.
The contractor declared his work completed in January, 1877, and removed from Ottumwa. After his departure, the Company determined to test the quality of his dams, and so turned the water from the escape as to bring pressure on the works. The west dam proved a complete failure. It was entirely unsuited to the purpose for which it was designed, and the Company at once telegraphed. to Mr. Sears requiring the fulfillment of his contract.
Mr. Sears responded and announced his inability to correct the defects. The result of the complications was litigation, in which both parties are involved at the present writing .. Because of that fact, it is deemed inexpedient to do more than allude to palpable facts.
The enterprise, like all others of great magnitude, has passed through various vicissitudes, but is now gaining a firmness born of pluck and determination to suc- ceed. In September, 1877, Mr. S. L. Wiley. of Greenfield, Mass., came to Ottum- wa for the purpose of introducing the plan of water works in which he is interested, and opened negotiations with the city which led to the signing of a contract by him and the city, whereby the completion of the power was a part of the obligation assumed by him. The details of this contract are shown further on, under the heading of " City Water Works." Since that time Mr. Wiley has expended a large sum in the rebuilding of the west dam and the erection of new works. The success of the project is now assured. Ottumwa will soon boast of a water- power surpassed by few in the West. The force has been carefully measured by competent men, and far exceeds the expectations of those who are engaged in the scheme. There is ample motive power for as many factories as can possi- bly be erected in the distance traversed by the race. To this great natural source of wealth, Ottumwa points with pride and invites the capitalists of the country to inspect the offer made. A liberal spirit pervades the community toward foreign investors. They are wanted here, and every inducement is held out to gain their good-will. The work is practically done, but there will be, as a mat- ter of course, numerous improvements ordered from time to time. It is in the hands of those who will never rest until the fullest measure of success is achieved.
One of the most important features of the Water-Power Company's plan is the easy access to railroads. All of the lines of road touching Ottumwa have
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HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY.
tracks on the Company's lands, by which means manufacturers can ship in all directions with little trouble and expense. The advantages derived from this arrangement cannot be overestimated. It should be remembered that the Com- pany has attained success in its work, and that the plan is no longer an experi- ment. The power is great, and can be largely increased at little expense. This grand enterprise is the key to the future growth and prosperity of Ottumwa.
The present officers of the Company are: W. B. Bonnifield, President; A. H. Hamilton, Vice President; C. F. Blake, Treasurer ; I. N. Mast, Secretary : W. B. Bonnifield, Wm. Daggett, A. H. Hamilton, Daniel Eaton, C. F. Blake, Directors.
THE OTTUMWA WATER WORKS.
In September, 1877, S. L. Wiley & Co., of Greenfield, Mass., came to Ottumwa for the purpose of introducing water works. Negotiations entered into by them with the city authorities resulted in the passage of an ordinance by the Common Council of Ottumwa, granting the following rights and powers to the firm of S. L. Wiley & Co .:
The exclusive privilege for twenty-five years of furnishing the city and the citizens of Ottumwa with water, to be taken from the Des Moines River at such point and in such manner as to secure the best water, and so disposed as to be for the best general interests of the city. The Company was authorized to pipe the city for the purpose of supplying. The quantity, after January 1, 1879, is to be not less than 3,000,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. The Company was required to put in, where the city designated, seventy-five double-discharge hydrants, and to so distribute their pipes as to afford the best possible protection against fire. The exact terms of the contract need not be reproduced here, since the ordinance is on file in the city offices, and may be inspected there. Suffice it to say that the object of both contracting parties was to furnish ample water supply, in even the remote parts of the city, as the growth of the town required, for domestic, public and fire protection uses. Messrs. Wiley & Co. were to place the necessary pumping apparatus in a suitable structure and were to construct the entire works for a consideration of $100,000. The city agreed to pay a reasonable rental for the advantages afforded by the proposed works.
A provision was introduced into the charter thus granted, which was of the greatest importance to the city. Messrs. Wiley & Co. were bound to enter into contract with the Ottumwa Water-Power Company, to complete and render available the improvement begun by the Water-Power Company theretofore, and to cause to be constructed such works as were required to utilize the vast water-force contained in the Des Moines River at this point.
As soon as the charter became operative, by virtue of the lawful execution of all the required contracts, Messrs. Wiley & Co. assigned their rights and franchises under the papers to the Ottumwa Water Works, an incorporation con ceived for the purpose of carrying out the plan devised by the original parties. The new Company formally assumed all the responsibilities and privileges of a body incorporate, and placed its capital stock at $100,000. The Board of Directors consisted of George E. Beatty, George W. Heard and S. L. Wiley. The stock of the Company was divided among those three gentlemen, Mr. Wiley taking 500 shares. Mr. Solon L. Wiley was elected President and Mr. I. N. Mast, Secretary and Treasurer.
The Company proceeded to carry out the terms of the contract, and have so far progressed, at the present time, as to have practically supplied the city with water. As the improvements are pushed nearer to completion, the advan-
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tages will be more marked. The pump-house is supplied with two pumps, both of the Flanders patent. The smaller pump has a capacity of 800,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. This is driven by a water-wheel, which derives its force from the Water-Power Works, and is of 50-horse power. The larger pump is connected at present with a Corlis Engine, but will soon be run by a large water-wheel, which is being set in position. The wheel is of 150-horse power, and the pump has a capacity of 2,400,000 gallons in twenty-four hours. The boiler used to generate steam for the engine was made in Ottumwa, at the works of Peter Hirschauer. The Works are an invaluable improvement to the city, not only as a matter of public and private convenience, but as a material aid in lessening insurance rates, by protecting all parts of the city against heavy loss by fire. When the new wheel is attached to the pump, the force will be ample to throw six streams seventy-five feet high, on the most elevated parts of town, and on the lower level, ten streams. Combining this magnificent sup- ply of water with a well-trained Fire Department, Ottumwa can boast of a sure and speedy relief in case of calamity by fire.
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