USA > Iowa > Washington County > The history of Washington County, Iowa, its cities, towns, and c., a biographical directory of its citizens > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
"Washington College .- This institution closes its exercises for the pres- ent term to-day. We see by the catalogue that one hundred and fifty-eight students have been in attendance during the past year. Senator Harlan de- livered an address to the students on Tuesday evening, which though short, was marked by its nsual ability. The next term will commence on the first Wednesday of September. Washington college is an institution of which our citizens may well feel proud."
WASHINGTON ACADEMY.
Upon the removal of the college the people of Washington were not at all satisfied with their educational facilities. In fact many of them who had contributed liberally for the erection of the college building and to the en- dowment fund were highly indignant over its removal, some of them even asserting that the demolition of the building was altogether unnecessary. It was not long till the project of the establishment of another institution of learning was agitated. The question of railroads however, and especially the pressing question of paying some two or three hundred thousand dollars of bonded indebtedness overshadowed all other questions and it was some years before the educational problem could be solved. About the year 1870 Prof. S. E. McKee, from Illinois, came to Washington and established an institute in some vacant rooms in the second story of a business block, and after conducting the same for some two years, the question of establishing an academy began to be agitated.
On January 18, 1872, pursnant to a call, a meeting of citizens was held in the school-room of the Washington Institute. Mr. Joseph Keck was elected chairman of the meeting and Prof. S. E. McKee was secretary. The object of the meeting was to consult with reference to the propriety of tak- ing steps for the establishment of a school of the grade of an academy. The expression having been favorable to the undertaking, the following resolu- tions were adopted :
Resolved. Ist. That it is the sense of this meeting that a school of the grade of an academy is much needed in this town and vicinity.
2d. That we now take the preliminary steps to procure a suitable build- ing for such a school, by appointing a committee of four to get up a plan of a building, with an approximate estimate of the cost; said committee to report at an adjourned meeting to be held Friday evening, the 26th inst., at 7 o'clock, P. M. J. Bryson, James Dawson, Joseph Keck and S. E. McKee were severally nominated as members of the committee, and on motion were elected. On motion the name of N. Everson, Esq., was added to the committee.
3d. That a committee of three be appointed to prepare the writings properly pertaining to the incorporation of such an institution, said com- mittee to report at next meeting. Dr. Chilcote, G. G. Bennett and Wm. Wilson were appointed as such committee.
27
·
428
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
At the adjourned meeting on the 26th, the committee on plan and cost of building reported a building 50x70 feet, two stories high and the proba- ble cost $11,637.50.
The committee on incorporation reported that they had not made pro- gress, for lack of information on such matters.
A number of gentlemen were then appointed to take the proper meas- nres to have the institution incorporated.
The institution was subsequently incorporated and subscription books were opened, the citizens of Washington and vicinity subscribing liber- ally. A meeting for the election of directors was called for March 18th, 1873. At this meeting the following directors were elected.
For three years, John Graham and Joseph Keck; for two years, N. Ev- erson and A. H. Patterson; for one year, William Wilson and W. B. Bell .. These gentlemen were doubtless selected both on account of their fitness for the position and moreover on account of their liberality in encouraging the enterprise, the first two named gentlemen having contributed $1,000 each, and the third one named besides giving liberally had given a year's time to the supervision of the work.
The building was erected near the northeast corner of the public square. It cost about $15,000 and is not only well adapted to the purpose but will be a credit to the town for years to come. It was completed in 1874, and Prof. S. E. McKee was appointed principal of the academy, which position he continued to occupy till the close of the school year 1878-'79, when he was succeeded by W. P. Johnson. The presidents of the board of di- rectors have been as follows: 1874, John Graham; 1875, Joseph Keck; 1876 and 1877, John Graham; 1878 and 1879, N. Everson.
From the principal's report for 1876, it appears that the receipts for tuition amounted to:
Receipts.
$2,793.72
Expenditures 1,522.70
Balance
$1,271.02
The attendance was as follows:
Classical department
41
Scientific department.
66
Irregular 66
Total
173
The following named persons received diplomas of graduation.
Classical Department.
J. A. Fislier, A. M. Campbell, W. F. Cramer, Tyndale Palmer.
Scientific Department.
Anna M. Anderson, Lelia Latta, I. Walter Knox.
429
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
From the report of 1878 there appeared to be the following receipts and expense during the year:
Tuition
$ 2,049.00
Expense
1,421.00
Balance
$ 628.00
There were in attendance as follows:
Classical department. 47
Scientific department
56
Teachers' department 22
. Irregular department.
26
Total.
151
The following persons received diplomas of graduation.
Classical Department.
Harry Bell, W. W. Conner, J. W. Teeter, Nannie Fitzgerald, Junietta W. Roades.
Scientific Department.
Alma Glasgow, Ella Latta, Maggie McClelland, Amanda Wolf. The gradnades for 1879 were as follows:
Classical Department.
N. D. Bray, J. J. Huston.
Scientific Department.
Scott Griffith, Effie M. Rankin.
During the year the attendance was as follows:
Classical department. 40
Scientific department. 45
Teachers' department 14
Irregular department
45
Total
144
The Academy maintains the following course of study, which remains substantially the same from year to year:
CLASSICAL COURSE.
SUB-JUNIOR CLASS-FIRST YEAR.
First Term-English Grammar; Arithmetic; Latin Grammar and Reader.
430
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Second Term-English Grammar and Analysis; Arithmetic; Latin Grammar and Reader.
Third Term-Composition and Rhetoric; Algebra; Cæsar.
Reading and Elocution during the year.
JUNIOR CLASS-SECOND YEAR.
First Term-Algebra; Cæsar; Natural Philosophy; United States History.
Second Term-Algebra; Virgil; Natural Philosophy; Physical Geog- raphy.
Third Term-Algebra; Virgil; Outline of History; Botany.
SUB-SENIOR CLASS-THIRD YEAR.
First Term-Plane Geometry; Sallust; Greek Lessons; Chemistry.
Second Term-Plane and Solid Geometry; Cicero's Orations; Greek Lessons; Anabasis; Chemistry.
Third Term-Plane and Spherical Trigonometry; Cicero's Orations; Xenophon's Anabasis; Science of Government.
SENIOR CLASS-FOURTH YEAR.
First Term-Horace; Xenophon's Memorabilia; Surveying and Navi- gation.
Second Term-Horace; Xenophon's Memorabilia ; Analytical Geometry. Third Term-Demosthenes, De Corona; Tacitus; CalcnIns.
SCIENTIFIC COURSE.
JUNIOR CLASS-FIRST YEAR.
First Term-English Grammar; Arithmetic; History of United States; Geography.
Second Term-English Grammar: Analysis; Arithmetic; Physiology. Third Term-Composition and Rhetoric; Algebra; Outline of History. Reading and Elocution during the year.
SUB-SENIOR CLASS-SECOND YEAR.
First Term-Algebra; Natural Philosophy; Plane Geometry.
Second Term- Algebra; Natural Philosophy; Plane and Solid Geom- etry; Physical Geography.
Third Term-Algebra; Plane and Spherical Trigonometry; Botany; Science of Government.
SENIOR CLASS-THIRD YEAR.
First Term-Surveying and Navigation; Political Economy; Chemistry. Second Term -Book-keeping; Chemistry; Analytical Geometry.
Third Term-Logic; Astronomy ; Calculus.
431
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
TEACHERS' COURSE.
JUNIOR CLASS-FIRST YEAR.
First Term-Arithmetic; English Grammar; Geography.
Second Term-Arithmetic; English Grammar; Analysis; Physiology. Third Term - English Grammar; Arithmetic; Composition and Rhet- oric.
Reading, Elocution, and Free-hand Drawing during the year.
SENIOR CLASS-SECOND YEAR.
First Term-History of the United States; Algebra; Natural Philos- ophy; Theory and Practice of Teaching.
Second Term-Algebra; Book-keeping; Natural Philosophy; Physical Geography.
Third Term-Algebra; Science of Government; School Law of Iowa.
The following are the alumni of the institution from the year 1875, when the first class was gradnated, till the present time, together with the de- partment to which each belonged, and place of residence:
Class of 1875-Classical-R. E. Lackey, Washington, Iowa, theological student, Xenia, Ohio; J. C. Warnock, Coal Valley, Illinois, law student, Rock Island. Scientific-Dora Conger, Corning; Mrs. W. O. Mitchell.
Class of 1876-A. M. Campbell, Coal Valley, Illinois, senior, Monmouth College; W. F. Crainer, Brighton, senior, Cornell College; J. A. Fisher, Washington, theological student, Xenia, Ohio; Tyndale Palmer, Washing- ton, teacher of physiology and elocution, Washington Academy. Scien- tific-Anna M. Anderson, Washington, teacher, Washington; J. Walter Knox, Christine, California, teacher, Christine, California; Lelia Latta, Washington, teacher, Washington.
Class of 1878-Harry Bell, Washington, post-office clerk, Washington, Iowa; W. W. Conner, Washington, clerk, Allegheny City, Pennsylvania; Nannie Fitzgerald, Washington, Iowa; Junia W. Rodgers, Beloit, Kansas, medical student, Fairfield, Iowa; J. W. Teeter, Washington, teacher, Washington, Iowa. Scientific-Alma Glasgow, Washington, Iowa; Ella Latta, Washington, Iowa; Maggie McClelland, Washington, Iowa, student, Monmouth College, Illinois; Amanda Wolf, Talleyrand, teacher, Talley- rand.
The following are the present officers of the institution:
Board of Trustees-Norman Everson, president; William McClelland, vice president; Joseph Keck, treasurer; J. Albert Williams, secretary; John Graham, William Wilson (ex officio), W. P. Johnson.
'RELIGIOUS.
You raised these hallowed walls; the desert smiled, And Paradise was opened in the wild .- Pope.
The first settlement of the county was scarcely completed before the servants of the Lord were at work in the new vineyard. Within the last fifty years the agents of the Christian religion have been taught and trained- to accompany the first advance of civilization, and such was their advent here. In the rude cabins and huts of the pioneers they proclaimed the same
432
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
gospel that is preached in the gorgeous palaces that, under the name of churches, decorate the great cities. It was the same gospel, but the sur- ronndings made it appear different, in the effect produced, at least.
The Christain religion had its risc, and the days of its purest practice, among an humble, simple-minded people, and it is among similar surround- ings in modern times that it seems to approach the purity of its source. This is the best shown in the days of pioneer lite. It is true, indeed, that in succeeding times the church attains greater wealth and practices a wider benevolence. Further, it may be admitted that it gains a firmer discipline and wields a more general influence on society, but it remains true that in pioneer times we find a manifestation of Christianity that we seek in vain at a later time and under contrasted circumstances. The meek and lowly spirit of the Christian faith -- the placing of spiritual things above vain pomp and show-appear more earnest amid the simple life and toil of a pioneer people than it can when surrounded with the splendors of wealth and fashion. But we may take a comparison less wide, and instead of con- trasting the Christian appearances of a great city with that of the pioneers, we may compare that of thirty years ago here in the West with that in the present time of moderately developed wealth and taste for display, and we find much of the same result.
The comparison is, perhaps, superficial to some extent, and does not fully weigh the elements involved, nor analyze them properly. We simply take the broad fact, not to decry the present, but to illustrate the past. So that looking back to the early religions meetings in the log-cabins we may say: "Here was a faith, earnest and simple, like that of the early Christain."
The first religions meetings in the county were held in the cabins of the settlers, with two or three families for a congregation. On pleasant days they would gather ontside in the shade of the cabin or under the branches of a tree, and here the word wonld be expounded and a song of Zion sung.
The first sermon preached in Washington connty was by Rev. Samnel Danthet, a Seceder, at the house of Adam Ritchey, in February, 1837. This was not only the first preaching in Washington, but is supposed to have been the first by any minister of that denomination in the State. As has been before remarked Mr. Ritchey was the first settler of the county. He had been a ruling elder in the Sugar Grove Associate Presbyterian or Seceder Church of Warren county, Illinois. When he signified to his pastor an intention of emigrating to Iowa that functionary remonstrated with him and gave him to understand that he was committing a great sin by persisting in his determination of settling among the heathens of the far West. For said he, "The gospel will never cross the Mississippi river." In order to see how far from the truth was the prophecy of this clergyman it is only necessary to take your stand anywhere on the public square of Washington any Sunday abont the time morning services close and witness the crowded processions wending their way home from the house of wor- ship. The gospel not only did cross the Mississippi river, but it remained for the ruling elder, who was remonstrated with, to form the nucleus around which gathered the first congregation of that particular faith and make the first settlement in a county which has come to be the stronghold of that faith in the State. These first religious services were attended by two other families, those of John Calwell and John A. Black. During the year 1838 a Seceder Church was organized in the Ritchey neighborhood, the meeting sometimes being held in this county and sometimes in Henry
433
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
county. It was not long till preparations were made for the erection of a church building, which was the first in the county. The erection of the building was begun, but it was never completed. It was a frame building and situated near the east line of Crawford township. A short time before the completion of the building the town of Crawfordsville was laid out and it was determined to locate the church in that town. The first building was taken down and used for something else, and a church was erected in Crawfordsville. The first minister to officiate in the church at Crawfords- ville was Rev. Wm. Bruce, of Illinois, who was succeeded by Rev. Mr. McLaine, of Pennsylvania. These two ministers, however, were bnt stated supplies, the first regularly settled minister being Rev. William Smith. Mr. Smith was a well-educated minister, a man of great usefulness, and universally esteemed by all who knew him. This religious organization, the first in the county, has continued to flourish from the beginning and is now one of the most wealthy and influential in the county.
The first Seceder Church in Washington was a frame building 24x36, the first story being completed in 1844, and the building finished in 1845. Rev. George C. Vincent, however, a minister of that faith, came to Washington in 1841, and soon after organized a Church. In some published letters he gives the following account of his early missionary work:
"My first settlement bears date July 4th, 1841. I was there the winter previous by the direction of the denomination with which I stood eon- nected, as a missionary with some general instructions and considerable discretion to be used by myself abont where to go and when to preach
"I was prospecting when I came here but it was one of the points I was to make. With the exception of Mrs. Jackson, who lived in the west part of town there was no member of our Church here. Some three or fonr aniles south and southeast of town I found Mrs. Thomas Ritchey and Mrs. Aaron Conger, members of our Church; also George Dill and wife and James Dawson and wife. I preached one day, I think, at the house of Thomas Ritehey, in the country, and one day in town at the house of Captain Stone, sheriff of the county. Wm. J. Case, Esq., the only lawyer in town at that time, manifested considerable interest in having me preach regularly in town and undertook the task of securing me a salary; he headed the subscription with ten dollars. It was handed around and nearly all the men living in town contributed a like sum. For this salary, which amounted to $200, [ agreed to devote two-thirds of my time."
Mr. Vincent was an educated man and possessed of more than ordinary natural ability, and through his influence was laid the foundation of the United Presbyterian Church, which now outnumbers by far any other denomination in the city, and has always exerted a controlling influence in the community. James Dawson and William French, the former gentle- inen remaining until this day to be a pillar in the church and always taking the lead in business and educational enterprises, were among the first min- isters.
On the 20th of October, 1839, Rev. J. L. Kirkpatrick organized a Metho- dist Church at the house of William L. Harvey, abont one mile and a-half southwest of Washington. This was undoubtedly the first religious organ- ization in the vicinity of Washington, and here, as elsewhere in the western country, the Methodists were the pioneers of church organization. The persons who formed this first organization were Jesse Ashby and wife, Polly Ashby, William L. Harvey and wife, Robert Conner, William Conner, Ann
434
THISORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Conner, Mary Conner, and Eli Patterson. Jesse Ashby was appointed class-leader. He continued to be one of the pillars of the Church after the erection of the church building in Washington, up to the time of his death, which occurred recently. In this connection it is deemed proper to insert the following befitting tribute to his memory from the pen of Burrell of the "Press":
" Death of a patriarch .- Jesse Ashby died of old age Saturday A. M., the 24th. There is a little doubt as to his exact age, as the Bible in which the original record was made is lost or mis- placed; but he was either 91 or 92 last Angust. 'An old man, and full of years,' 'a shock of corn fully ripe,' are scripture phrases which aptly describe him. His was a long-lived race. His mother went beyond 100; several of his brothers or sisters reached 90 and np- wards; his sister, the mother of Jonathan and Michael Wilson, is still liv- ing in Ohio, aged 97. Father Ashby was a native of Maryland, lived some three years in Ohio, and perhaps in Virginia, also, and came here in the fall of 1839. He first settled on the little run below Michael Wilson's, and entered and improved the Nelson Stewart farm. He brought here $1.100, made by hard knocks. He was a hard worker. He endured great hardships in early life, his father having died when Jesse was young; and he had all sorts of trials and troubles financial, I am told, with his brother who, it is said, was always getting involved in headlong scheines and im- ploring Jesse to help him ont.
" When a young man he united with the M. E. Church; helped in the or- ganization of the society here, and was the first Sunday-school superinten- dent.
" His first wife was Elizabeth Wilson, who bore him five or six children, all of whom, save the late Mrs. Bickford, live in this county or State. His second and surviving wife was Hon. N. Littler's mother, by whom he had one son now in business in Keota.
"He was quick to resent wanton injuries, but was a man of the most gen- erous impulses which burst out like flames at the first signs of repentance on the part of those who may have affronted him.
" Michael Wilson says father A. was the greatest hunter he ever knew, and he is a good judge of that sort of character which in the early days had a higher rank than now. He was a mighty hunter, a Nimrod, not a phe- nomenal shot, but he had wonderful tact in getting up to such game as deer. Mr. W. supposes that Mr. A. killed, all told, more deer than could be huddled in onr park, and bear, etc., innumerable. Morgan Hart has often seen him walk straight up to a wild deer-wrapped in a white coat, his head drawn down on his shoulders; he could walk so evenly that a deer, though looking right at him, would take him for a stump! Mr. Everson says Mr. A. would talk with more animation about his hunting adventures than about anything else.
"The old man was very feeble the last few years; and two years or more ago his mind went under the aln.ost total eclipse of old age.
" He has long been a landmark here, but the aged Lone Tree has fallen. I believe that the late Mother Kilgore reached 94 years, and was quite nimble to the last; bnt 92 years mark an area of longevity that is quite remarkable and rare with us.
"The funeral service was at the M. E. church Sunday P. M., the Rev. Dr. McDonald officiating."
435
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
The Rev. J. L. Kirpatrick who organized this Church was without a peer as a veteran pioneer preacher; not only at Washington but in the Dutch creek neighborhood, and in various other parts of this and many other counties did he do the hard work of a pioneer missionary. In cold weather and in the heat of summer, through the dust and in the mud he traversed the trackless prairie, swam swollen streams and endured the most trying vicissitudes in order to comfort saints, and warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come. He was a member of the Rock river Annual Conference of Illinois while in the church militant, but has now long since found the church triumphant, where, if he has not received his crown of reward, there is none.
.
The first church erected by the Methodists of Washington was a frame building 28x38 near the corner of Green and Jefferson streets, and was finished in 1846. The present edifice was completed in 1857. This has always been considered one of the most desirable appointments in the Iowa Annual Conference, and has in times past been in charge of some of the ablest ministers in the State.
During the fall of 1840 Calvin Craven, a Baptist, settled in the county about six miles northwest of Washington in what is now Cedar township. He and his wife were probably the first members of this denomination to settle in the county. The first Baptist Church in the county was organized in 1841. The following is the record of the meeting at which the organ- ization was formed:
"On Saturday, the 2d day of October, 1841, several Baptist brethren and sisters met in Washington, Iowa Territory, and after preaching by Elder Hezekiah Johnson, who was laboring under the appointment of the Amer- ican Baptist Home Missionary Society, after due consideration it was con- sidered that there were a sufficient number of baptized believers living not far from Washington to constitute a Baptist Church in that place, and they determined to organize on the next day. Accordingly Elder Johnson preached the next day from Daniel, 11:44. After preaching, the following articles of faith, church government, and rules of decorum were adopted as principles upon which those who wished to go into the organization were to be constituted as a Regular Baptist Church."
There were six members constituting the orignal organization. The first church building was erected in 1850; it was a frame edifice 26x36 feet and stood on the corner of Madison and Green streets. The present elegant and commodious structure was erected in 1871.
The Presbyterians also organized a Church in Washington many years ago, and they together with the Churches already mentioned, and other de- nominations, have church buildings and church organizations in various parts of the county, all of which will be treated by detail in our chapter on "Township History."
GOLD EXCITEMENT.
No doubt the desire for "gold" has been a main-spring of all progress and exertion in Washington county, from the beginning until the present time, and will so continue unto ages remote. But usually this desire has been made manifest only in the usual avennes of thrift, industry and enter- prise.
On two occasions, however, it has passed the bounds of reason, and as_
:
436
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
snmed the character of a mania or delusion, which produced nothing but evil effects. The desire for riches is a benefit only when it comes like a gentle and steady rain, sinking into the ground and refreshing the earth; but when it comes like a wild storm, it leaves only wreck and disaster in its path. Such is the moral easily drawn from the experience of Washington connty.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.