USA > Iowa > Clinton County > Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1 > Part 35
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"Resolved, that the warranty deed from Mrs. Emma E. Young and her husband, conveying to this city as a gift for the purpose of a free public library, lots 1 and 2 in block 23 in said city, be and the same is hereby accepted ; that this board on their own behalf and on behalf of the citizens of the city of Clinton, hereby extend to Mrs. Young their sincere thanks for her magnificent gift so generously bestowed upon her home city."
On account of the absence of Mr. Carnegie from this country, some de- lay was caused in the construction of the library building, but finally on June 15, 1904, the building was ready for occupancy, but it was not formally opened for use until November 8, 1904, without any demonstration.
According to good judges, this is one of the best constructed libraries in Iowa. It is up to the modern standard, and is a fine stone structure, in a cen- tral location. Too much praise cannot well be rendered the secretary, George B. Phelps, who has ably conducted the affairs for the board. The faithful work of the librarian, Grace C. Mullany, is duly appreciated by the thousands who patronize the library.
According to the 1909 report of the library, the total circulation of books for the last year was 69,156, of which only .76 were of fiction books, among adults. The average daily circulation was two hundred and twenty-seven books; the largest was five hundred and thirty-six and the smallest circulation was fifty-eight books.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
General N. B. Baker Post No. 88, at Clinton, was established July 3, 1882, by mustering officer, Brig .- Gen. Henry Benson, of Davenport, Iowa. The post was named in honor of Gen. N. B. Baker, who was Iowa's adjutant- general during the Civil war period. The post commanders have been : Milo Smith, P. S. Towle, P. S. Banister, J. D. Fegan, J. H. Flint, John W. Bulen, Charles Ovington, George Drake, A. R. Hart, B. F. Mattison, R. S. Rathbun, J. S. Lowell. E. A. Worrell. William Nickel, J. L. Worrell, Fred Rumble, C. F. Kellogg.
The officers in 1910 were : Commander, James C. Blodgett; B. P. Bald- win, senior vice-commander; George B. Dayton, junior vice-commander; Fred Rumbel, adjutant ; L. J. Cummings, quartermaster; J. S. Lowell, sur- geon ; C. F. Kellogg, chaplain ; R. S. Rathbun, officer of the day ; A. J. Pals- grove, officer of the guard; M. W. Banister, sergeant-major.
The post now meets over the Clinton National Bank. They have a total membership of ninety-seven in good standing. In the entire history of the
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post there have been four hundred and twenty-two soldiers of the Union army enrolled.
LADIES OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. .
This is an organization instituted as a national society, composed of lineal descendants of the men who fought in the civil strife from 1861 to '65 in the Union cause. The Iowa department was formed at Des Moines in March, 1890, with Mrs. Julia S. Tompkins, president; Mrs. M. J. Drake, secretary, and Dr. J. S. Lowell, treasurer. The local circle, at Clinton, was organized January, 1890, and named Clara Barton. It took five circles to organize in Iowa, and Clinton was included. The first president was Mrs. J. S. Lowell; secretary, Mrs. M. Z. Collins. The 1910 officers are: Mrs. Mary Rich, presi- dent : Mrs. M. J. Drake, secretary ; Mrs. Villa Kellogg, treasurer.
Their meeting place is at the Knights of Pythias hall. They are very active and do much good in way of cheering the weary comrades and caring for the sick and distressed. They will follow in the course of the plans pur- sued by the Daughters of the Revolution.
THE TWO HIGH BRIDGES.
Clinton and Lyons each has a very high, modern wagon bridge over the Mississippi river, connecting Illinois with Iowa. The one at Lyons was erected in 1890-91. With its approaches, it is two thousand six hundred and seventy feet long-practically a half mile. It is an iron structure-three spans, three hundred and thirty feet each, one three hundred and sixty-two feet and one two hundred feet. The channel span is fifty-five feet above high water mark and one hundred from the water to the top of the truss. Over one million pounds of steel were used in its construction and the work cost ninety-five thousand dollars. Lyons citizens gave a bonus of thirty-two thousand dollars to the building company. It paid eight per cent dividend from the first.
The new high foot and wagon bridge at Clinton was opened to the public in September, 1892. One section was blown down in the violent wind storm of July 3, 1904. It is one of the great bridging curiosities of the entire West- ern country, swung up in the heavens as it appears, far above the tallest steam- boat stacks and of fine proportions. The following are charged as toll fees by the stock company by which it was erected: Two-horse vehicles, twenty cents ; one-horse vehicles, fifteen cents : automobiles and driver. twenty cents ;
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foot passengers, five cents ; bicycles, five cents; one horse, ten cents ; cattle, ten cents ; sheep, five cents; workingmen's tickets, forty in a book for one dollar.
CEMETERIES.
We would be guilty of neglect did we fail to mention the cities of the dead which crown the beautiful bluffs above the city of the living, where are laid to rest the bodies of those who gave their strength for its establishment and advancement. There only their mortal parts lie; our people are not wor- shippers of the grave, but yet the care given to the homes of the dead without whom the living would never have known their being, is an index to the progress and refinement of the community. And Clinton is fortunate in the location of her cemeteries, and in the care with which they are kept.
Springdale cemetery, the largest cemetery of the city of Clinton, was platted and surveyed on lots 7 to 17 of the Iowa Land Company's subdivision of Clinton, in parts of sections 1 and 6, township 81, ranges 6 and 7, by the Cemetery Association of Clinton, July 1, 1868, and the plat was recorded September 24, 1873. The first addition to Springdale cemetery was platted by John C. Weston and Caroline F. Weston, his wife, on lot 8 and a part of l'ot 9 of the same subdivision and in the same sections, December 31, 1892. The second addition, on lot 9, and parts of the same sections, was platted by the Springdale Cemetery Association on March 24, 1896, and the plat filed by P. S. Towle, president of the association, and H. W. Seaman, secretary, on April 6, 1896. The third addition was platted on lots 3, 4, 5, 6 and the "Brewery lot" in the same sections, in 1909, by the Springdale Cemetery As- sociation.
The cemetery is under the control of the Springdale Cemetery Associa- tion, C. H. Young, president, and H. W. Seaman, vice-president. C. M. Kroeger has been sexton during the past eight years. Since his incumbency over eleven hundred persons have been laid to rest in the cemetery, and while the records are incomplete, he believes that, including the potters' field adjoin- ing, six thousand persons in all have been buried in this cemetery. The oldest known tombstone bears the date of 1858, ten years before the platting of the cemetery. The grounds are well kept, and there is in connection a receiving vault extending back into the bluff ninety-five feet into the solid rock. The cemetery is located on several low bluffs, separated by ravines, is excellently drained, and in a very beautiful natural location. It contains more than thirty acres.
Especial mention must be made of the monument erected by General N.
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B. Baker Post, Grand Army of the Republic, a massive granite column, bear- ing upon its summit the heroic figure of a soldier. Forty of the brave boys in blue sleep beneath its shadows, and near it is mounted a ponderous cannon, which has spoken many times in war and many times has given its salute to the brave dead.
The mausoleums of W. J. Young, Chancy Lamb and E. S. Bailey deserve notice for their massiveness and grandeur, while among the stones which at- tract the passer are the Gardiner, Pool, Messer, Coan, Corbin, Fenlon and Pot- ter monuments.
At Lyons the people have always taken a just pride in the manner in which they have cared for their cemetery, which was platted by Shuball Coy November 20, 1856, and the plat filed for record June 14, 1869. It contained the east half of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 19, township 82. now a part of Spring Valley township, and contained twenty acres. On May 24, 1895, the Oakland Cemetery Association was incorporated and took over the Lyons cemetery.
Oakland Annex. the Joyce addition to Oakland cemetery, was platted by the Oakland Cemetery Association on part of section 20, township 82, on March 26, 1896. This addition almost doubled the area of the cemetery, and it was the donation of W. T. Joyce, who also built the handsome chapel that now adorns the grounds, it being erected to the memory of his parents, David and Elizabeth T. Joyce, in 1906.
Eagle Point Park is just to the east of this cemetery and is a modern resort of the city, both being on the car line.
The first deed issued was granted to Benjamin Lake, June 30, 1857. Previous to the location of this cemetery, there had been a burying ground near the present Lady of Angels Seminary, from which the bodies were re- moved to the Lyons cemetery. On August 31. 1910, there were one thou- sand and twenty-five lot owners, and the records showed two thousand six hundred and seventy-five burials.
The present officers are Virtus Lund, president; George Buechner, vice- president ; W. E. Buell, secretary ; Justus Lund, treasurer; William Au, super- intendent. The executive committee is: A. L. Holmes (chairman), George Buechner and W. B. Disbrow. The directors are: G. W. Gabriel, Virtus Lund, Sr., George W. Ashton, George Buechner, E. C. H. Moeszinger, A. L. Holmes, J. H. Peters, C. Magnussen and W. B. Disbrow.
The older cemetery, a part of the total thirty-seven acres, is fairly filled, but the annex has as yet only a few graves located within the sacred enclosure. The object that first strikes the visitor's attention is the Joyce Memorial
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Chapel, of red brick with stone trimmings, and next is the tall spire of the Joyce monument, near which rests the bones of David Joyce, Sr., and his wife, Elizabeth T. Joyce, together with those of William T. Joyce. These are situated in the corner of the annex nearest the entrance. Other monuments in this silent city are the Rockrohr, Daichow, Thiessen, Schwartz; also those erected to the memory of the Briggs, Ingwersen, Batchelder, Boardman, Gage, Moeszinger, Allen, Root, Dierks and McMahan families.
Albert Winchell Post No. 327, Grand Army of the Republic, has erected a splendid monument, of a soldier who stands perpetual guard at his post on the summit of a granite column. Near by is seen the cannon which sends a parting salute to the honored dead who sleep near its base.
Among the special bequests given to the association, may be named these, all for liberal amounts : The F. G. Boyd estate, the L. C. Moeszinger estate, the B. H. A. Henningsen estate and those donated by W. T. Joyce and David. Joyce. From the ordinary income of the association, with the money coming in from these bequests, the association is enabled to make desired improve- ments on the grounds, from time to time. The executive board are now em- powered to expend a sufficient amount at once for a new and better water sys- tem. The old windmill plan of today will be discarded for an air pressure device. New piping will be placed throughout the grounds and the new water- works system installed before another year.
Located near Oakland is the Calvary cemetery of St. Iraeneus' church, covering a tract of five acres, and containing many graves and monuments. Its plat has never been recorded. This lies to the south of Oakland, while to the west is the cemetery of St. Boniface's church, containing as many acres, but only a portion of which is filled with graves. There is in this cemetery a very notable figure of the crucifixion.
St. Mary's Catholic cemetery was platted July 13, 1901, on a part of the northeast fourth of section 11, township 81, and contains ten acres. It is situated on the Second avenue road, some distance west of the city and con- tains many graves and some notable monuments.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
In the year 1890 a stranger in Clinton called upon the Rev. C. S. Bron- son. then pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, and asked if there was no public place a young man could go for an evening, besides the saloons. It was this question which suggested the organization of the Young Men's Christian Association of Clinton, Iowa.
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On the evening of October 16, 1890, a meeting was held in the parlors of the Presbyterian church, Robert Quayle acting as temporary chairman. Mr. Parsons, assistant state secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, addressed the meeting. Rev. Mr. Bronson moved that steps be taken toward an organization, and a committee was selected to procure the names of one hundred and fifty young men, if the plans were perfected.
At a meeting in the parlors of the Methodist church in December, 1890, called by the chairman, H. E. Oates, a constitution was adopted, and the fol- lowing officers elected: Robert Quayle, president; A. P. Barker, vice-presi- dent ; H. B. Jones, secretary ; Harry E. Oates, treasurer. These officers and the following were the directors then chosen : J. E. Carpenter, Schiller Hos- ford, James Leslie, George B. Young and Robert R. Baldwin. These men incorporated the association on February 5, 1891. A month later a com- mittee was appointed to find ways and means to purchase the Hosford prop- erty at the corner of Fifth avenue and Third street.
The next day, March 6th, the committee reported in effect that William J. Young had purchased the Hosford property, and would, upon obtaining possession of the same, at his own expense remodel the interior of the dwelling, making it as far as practicable suitable for the accommodation of the associa- tion, and give the use thereof free of rent to the association for its temporary quarters for at least one year. A vote of thanks was tendered Mr. Young for his most generous offer. Mr. Young gave a deed of this property to the associa- tion dated August 29, 1891. The association took possession of this prop- erty July 4, 1891, and remained there until November 6, 1904, when it re- moved to temporary quarters at No. 230 Fifth avenue, while the old structure was being removed and the new one built.
Mr. Quayle served as president until July 4, 1891, when he resigned on account of leaving the city. He was succeeded by A. P. Barker, who served until February 27, 1897, when A. G. Ewing was elected, holding until Jan- uary 9, 1900, when J. R. Leonard, the present incumbent, was elected.
The first general secretary was J. P. Smith, of Springfield, Massachusetts, who served from July 1, 1891, until October 1, 1895. H. E. McGrew, of Penn College, Iowa, followed, serving to August 22, 1896. Bruce L. Holton acted as secretary until July 1, 1897, when R. B. Sinclair, of Newark, New Jersey, began his work, remaining until May 1, 1901. Leo Loveder acted as secretary in the meantime until September of the same year, when Frederick R. Pargellis, of Chicago, took charge. He was secretary when the new build- ing was erected, and was followed on September 1, 1906, by Frank M. Van
(24)
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Epps, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, who filled the office until September 1, 1908. when Willard H. Wing, of Hancock, Michigan, became general secretary, and at present fills that position.
THE NEW BUILDING.
Early in 1901 it was proposed to erect a ten thousand dollar gymnasium on the rear of the grounds, but this scheme was rejected as not sufficient to meet the future needs of the association, and in February, 1902, a committee was appointed to arrange plans for the erection of a new building. Nothing further was done until in December, 1902. a meeting was held at the residence of Hon. George M. Curtis, at which State Secretary McGee was present and means discussed. Here an auxiliary committee was selected, and at a meet- ing held December 9th, in the Young Men's Christian Association rooms, the same persons were named an organization committee. This committee con- sisted of George M. Curtis, chairman, A. L. Schuyler, vice-chairman, W. E. Hemingway. secretary. L. W. Barker, treasurer, A. G. Smith, treasurer after Mr. Barker's resignation, Charles F. Curtis, Marvin J. Gates, W. W. Leslie. L. C. Eastman, J. R. Leonard, Mrs. George M. Curtis and Mrs. Walter I. Hayes. At a meeting of this committee on December 15th, Charles F. Curtis, Marvin J. Gates and W. W. Leslie were made a committee to plan for the soliciting of subscriptions, afterwards for obtaining plans and for carrying on the erection of the building. After the death of Marvin J. Gates, L. C. Eastman was elected to take his place.
By April 13, 1904, this committee reported forty thousand nine hundred and forty dollars subscribed, the Curtises, Lambs, Mr. Alden and Mr. East- man being the largest donors, the enterprise being aided by many who gave to the full extent of their ability. Plans were investigated, those offered by John Morrell & Sons, of Clinton. approved, and the removal of the old build- ing commenced on November 12, 1904. During the winter the foundation was laid and the cornerstone of the new building laid with appropriate cere- monies on Sunday, August 6, 1905. J. R. Leonard presided over the gather- ing, and among local speakers were C. F. Curtis, chairman of the building committee, Rev. Alexis Andreen, who spoke for the ministers of the city, and Secretary Pargellis. The principal speaker was Governor Cummings. who delivered an address paying full tribute to the worth and work of the Young Men's Christian Association as an institution.
The new building was thrown open to the public for the first time April 12, 1906. It is centrally located, just across from the postoffice and the
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Wapsipinicon Club, in the heart of the city. It is made of white brick, trimmed with Bedford stone, rises three stories above the basement, and covers a space of sixty-four by one hundred and twenty feet. The main entrance is on Fifth avenue, and leads into the reception room of the first floor. This floor also contains the general reading rooms, the poolroom, the offices of the secre- taries, check and coat rooms, etc. The basement contains the heating plant. dressing rooms, a barber shop, and the two most popular features of the building, the swimming pool, eighteen by thirty-three and one-half feet, four to seven feet in depth, and the gymnasium, forty by fifty-seven, well equipped, in charge of a competent director. The running track of the gymnasium is on a level with the first floor. The second floor contains the main assembly room, the kitchen, the Juniors' game and reading rooms. and eight dormitory rooms. The third floor contains a large central lounging room, and twenty- three dormitory rooms. The rooms were furnished by the Women's Auxili- ary, with the assistance of the Sunoida Club, and by the aid of gifts from in- dividual friends of the association. The property is valued at sixty thousand dollars.
The work of the association has been greatly enhanced by the facilities of the new building, which make it one of the best equipped associations in the state. Open every day in the year, and offering the privileges of the employ- ment bureau, boarding house register, reading room and library, bath, gym- nasium. social features, evening school, Bible classes, religious meetings, and many other features, strangers in the city find a welcome, and all young men may meet here for social contact and mutual enjoyment. It furnishes a home. with many conveniences and advantages, to about fifty young men, some of whom may be classed as permanent residents, while others partake of its hos- pitality only for a short time. The work for boys from ten to sixteen years of age is also a most important service.
The association building is always ready to furnish a place where a "young man can go," and the stranger who made the remark which led to its organiza- tion would be more than satisfied. It has perhaps been best, most completely, and very briefly described by a resident of Clinton as "Clinton's character factory."
The present officers are J. R. Leonard, president ; E. M. Howes, record- ing secretary ; James Leslie, treasurer. The board of directors, in addition to these officers, consists of George W. Christy, A. B. Rathbun, A. D. Burdick, A. P. Bryant, George H. Backus, O. E. Green, Dr. W. B. Ryder and W. W. Leslie. The employed officers in charge of the building are Willard H. Wing. general secretary, Roy A. Crawford and Leo I. Loveder, assistant secretaries, and William S. Jacobsen, physical director.
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HOSPITALS.
Clinton has two well equipped and well managed hospitals, with all the appliances of modern days for the relief of the sick or injured.
Agatha hospital, on the bluffs near the head of Fifth avenue, has newly built, modern buildings, and a fine corps of trained nurses, and is doing a work of charity that commends it to the people.
Mercy Hospital, on the bluffs between the north and south side, is con- ducted by Catholic Sisters. It is also a well equipped institution and has a large patronage.
CLINTON INDUSTRIES.
Clinton has come to be quite a manufacturing city, though it has grown into this quietly and without the loud noise made by many cities. It will not be the province of this article to go into the detail of every line of industry here represented, but the following are among the more important lines of manufacturing business carried on in Greater Clinton in the summer of 1910, after the great lumbering interests virtually passed away, so far as cutting lumber was concerned :
The Clinton Bridge and Iron Works, which is among the pioneers in industry in Clinton, was organized in March, 1875. Since that date their name has been suspended in cast letters over the entrance of thousands of larger and smaller bridges scattered all over the West. They came in when the old wooden truss bridges were becoming out of date. Counties and town- ships all over Iowa and Illinois have patronized this thorough manufacturing plant. Here spans of two hundred feet can be produced if needed. Their works are located along Second street near the court house vicinity. The original officers were: Artemus Lamb, president; J. J. Swigert, of Toledo, vice-president; E. S. Hart, secretary and assistant engineer. The company re-organized in the spring of 1877 and greatly increased its capacity. The original capital was twenty-five thousand dollars, but with the passing of years and expansion of business has materially increased. More than two hundred men find steady employment in these extensive works.
There are eight boiler works in Clinton, all doing an excellent business in making and repairing steam boilers and kindred work. The Star Boiler Works ranks high and has a universal reputation. They do other iron and steel work. This work has progressed under the management of President and Superintendent J. T. Cullen.
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The Lamb Boat and Engine Company, established a few years ago, has come to be an extensive concern. They perfected a gasoline engine that has many superior qualities and thus has been popular with the general trade in such goods. Their marine type of engines has won them a name the country over. As long ago as 1905 they worked eighty machines and a large force of office men and women.
Furniture manufacturing has come to be a leading industry in Clinton. No less than seven factories are now operated, and the status of this business in 1905 showed: The Hemingway Furniture Company, a pioneer concern, now doing an immense business ; J. A. Kelly and Brothers (corporation) have made a signal success at their business. They make the "Kelly Automatic Sofa Bed," the "Imperial Automatic Morris Chair," "Couch Trucks" and "Imperial Chair Seats." They own their own patents. Here about a hun- dred men find employment.
The Anderson & Winter Manufacturing Company do a large business in manufacturing chamber suits and chiffoniers and give employment to about eighty men. The Anderson Furniture Company makes side-boards and buffets ; also tables of many varieties.
The manufacture of farm and light wagons has come to be a leader among the great manufacturing plants of Clinton and gives employment to many workmen. "Fish" has long been the trade mark for one of the best made farm wagons on this continent. They have a large western trade and send wagons in car and train lots to far western points. They make a spe- cialty of Rocky Mountain and freight wagons. Hundreds of men find steady work in the production of this most excellent wagon. Other wagon pro- ducers are P. J. Miller and W. H. Posten, both having excellent plants for manufacturing various grades of wagons.
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