GRANDVIEW

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was laid out by Alvin Clark and Robert Childers on the southwest quarter of section 22, township 75 north, range 3 west, surveyed by John Gilliland, county surveyor, July 3, 1841.

Springer's addition to Grandview, laid out by Francis Springer, surveyed by John Gilliland, June 7, 1843. It was laid out on land immediately south of the original town of Grandview. The part north of Monroe street which consists of six blocks containing six lots each, is said to be a part of the original plat as laid out by Clark and Childers.

Jackson's addition to Grandview, laid out by John Jackson, in the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 22, township 75 north, range 3 west…

Photo of North on Main Street, Grandview.

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... being immediately east of the original town of Grandview, surveyed by W. S. Kremer, surveyor, July 11, 1857.

January 24, 1843, the legislature of Iowa passed an act incorporating a seminary of learning in Grandview, to be called the Grandview Seminary, and named as the incorporators, Henry Rockafellow, William Thompson, John Ronalds, Spencer Wilson, Robert Childres, Gabriel Walling, George Humphreys, Alexander Ross, Martin Gray and Clark Alexander. And in February, 1844, an act was passed incorporating the Grandview Literary & Philosophical Society, and naming as incorporators, Alexander McCall, Lewis Kinsey, Robert Childres, Spencer Wilson, Abraham McCleary.

The post office was established in Grandview May 2nd, 1838, and the following is a list of the postmasters up to war times, with the dates of their appointments: Alvin Clark, May 2, 1838; Gabriel Walling, October 13, 1839; Benj. Gibboney, July 8, 1847; J. B. Latta, December 10, 1849; David Winder, April 10, 1850; Robert Gillis, April 16, 1851; George Hutchinson, April 14, 1853: Nathan M. Stone, March 8, 1855; James H. Sprague, September 6, 1855; David Winder, March 2, 1865. It is safe to say that all these postmasters were store keepers at the time they held the post office.

It is said that the first house in Grandview was built by Gabriel Walling in 1837.

Grandview has always been noted for the high moral sentiment which prevades most of its citizens and also for its devotion to the cause of education. It is said that the first school taught in Grandview township was in 1839 in a cabin in the village of Grandview, and that it was taught by Miss Rachel Gray.

Grandview Institute—A. B. Hartzell, principal, advertises in Wapello Republican of March 28. 1861 "that the 7th term of this well-known institute will commence April 15, 1861."

The Republican of November 10, 1866, says that "The Grandview Academy, under the direction of Prof. McClanahan, seems to be doing quite as well as its founders anticipated. The building itself is a spacious two story brick, and having been just completed, it wears a clean, nice, pleasant appearance throughout. Some forty scholars are already in attendance, &c."

Later, Lewis Kinsey, who was at one time Justice of the Peace in Grandview township, taught school there. In 1844 a seminary building was erected, and a good school was taught there for a number of years. We think another educational institution, called the Grandview Seminary was incorporated under the general incorporation law in 1869, or about that time, and that in 1874, Professor E. R. Eldrige became principal of it. Professor Eldrige was one of the leaders in the movement to re-organize normal schools in Iowa, and through his efforts the Grandview Seminary was converted into the Eastern Iowa Normal School which began its first session in the fall of 1874, with Professor Eldrige as president, James A. Kennedy, vice president, W. F. Davis, secretary and John A. Thompson principal of the Commercial department. Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Davis were both experienced teachers, and the Eastern Iowa Normal School as conducted at Grandview for a number of years was of untold benefit to the community and the county. An arrangement was made by which the Grandview public schools were made "Model schools" for the normal school and were taught by the seniors and juniors under the supervision of the normal ...

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... school faculty. Joseph Sypheit and Miss Hutchinson were teaching in the public schools of Grandview, and were added to the normal school faculty.

At that time Grandview was thought to have a prospect for a railroad, but as soon as the hope of a railroad vanished, it was felt the institution would be more prosperous if located where it could have the advantages of railroad transportation, and so, about 1881, through the influence of N. M. Letts, the Eastern Iowa Normal School was moved to Columbus Junction. It was re-organized with a new charter and a new board of trustees and received title to Block 5 in Columbus Junction, on which was a $25,000 building which had been erected by the people of Columbus Junction for the courthouse in case they could succeed in getting the county seat removed to that place. The normal school prospered at Columbus Junction for several years, but soon after Professor Eldrige accepted the presidency of the State Normal School of Alabama, the normal school died and the building subsequently became the property of the Columbus Junction school district.

We copy the following item from the Wapello Intelligencer of January 31, 1854, which shows what outsiders thought of Grandview at that time: "In conversation with a gentleman near Grandview, we learn that that pleasant village is improving finely. Several good buildings have been erected there the past season, among which is quite an extensive dwelling, of brick, by Dr. J. B. Latta, which adds to the appearance of the town. Our informant states that there is quite a stirring business in the way of trade carried on there. Three business establishments are flourishing. Messrs. Fleming & Giles have nearly sold out their very large stock of fall and winter goods and are making preparations to bring on a heavier stock the coming spring, than ever before. Mr. Hutchinson is said to have sold out quite an extensive stock of goods besides doing a good business in the way of accommodating the traveling public at his commodious hotel.

To those who merely pass through Grandview, it may seem strange that so much business would be done there. But were they to pass over the township and see the many rich farms that are pouring their products into market, and taking in exchange the requisite supplies for farm and fireside—they will at once see the whys and wherefores of this trade. Many wealthy farmers reside in Grandview township, and the beauty of it all is that the material is there in abundance for multitudes more, if good soil is any criterion. From its beautiful and elevated position, one would naturally enough be led to the conclusion that it is a healthful location. This we are authentically informed is the fact."

Grandview has always been a stronghold of prohibition and many meetings in furtherance of the cause have been held there. We find the proceedings of a meeting held June 10, 1862, in the Wapello Republican, and the fourth resolution passed by that meeting might well be heeded by our officers at the present day.

Prohibition meeting at Grandview, June 10. 1862. Following Preamble and Resolution unanimously adopted.

Whereas, the evil of intemperance prevails in this community to an alarming extent and seems to be increasing daily, therefore Resolved:

       1st. That the time has come when it becomes an imperative necessity for all persons to take a decided position on the question.

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       2d. Resolved, that persons engaged in the nefarious traffic of intoxicating liquors (including lager beer) are engaged in an unholy business, and are the common enemies of our race.
       3d. Resolved, that the order loving citizens of this place lend a helping hand to arrest the progress of intemperance in our midst.
       4th. Resolved, that as it is the province of law to preserve order as well as to prevent crime, we believe it to be the duty of any, and all of our civil officers to bring to justice any person or persons found guilty of violating the law, in vending liquors or becoming intoxicated.
       5th. Resolved, that those engaged in selling lager beer, and other intoxicating liquors, are requested to desist immediately.
              John A. Hartzell
              S. E. Jones,
              J. Frisbee
               Com. on Resolution

Grandview has always been a church center. It is a very difficult matter to get detailed church history, but in the case of one of the churches of Grandview, the Congregational, we have been favored by Reverend T. O. Douglas of Grinnell, with its history, which is as follows:

"The Grandview church was organized June 19, 1857. The list of pastors is as follows:

"Adam Blumer, '57-'59; Henry Langpaap, '59-'60; Frederick W. Judeisch, '60-'75; Henry Hetzler,' '75-'78; Andrew Kern, '78-'86; Henry Vogler. '86-'88; Gustav L. Brackemeyer, '88-'92; E. F. Kluckhohn. 92-'94; William Berg, '95-'97; C. W. Anthony, '97-98; P. J. Theil, 1900-1902; Henry W. Stein, '02-'03; H. S. Everet, '04-'06; W. L. Childress, '07-08; Samuel E. Eells, '09.

Originally, as you will see by the names of the pastors, this church was German. A number of years ago the English was introduced into some of the services. More and more, as the years went by, the congregation became English, and in 1903 the German was dropped entirely, and in 1906 the church transferred its membership from the German to the Davenport Association. Only a short time ago three of the charter members were still alive, and in constant attendance upon the services of the church. The church building was dedicated June 27, 1858. The building is now being remodeled and refurnished. The present pastor, Mr. Eells, is the son of one of our early missionaries, who was pastor at Farmington, Webster, Cincinnati, Lucas Grove and Sabula, 1866 to 1876. He is still alive, residing at Payson, Illinois. I am not able to say very much about the different pastors. Henry Langpaap was in the state from '59 to '68, preaching at Grandview, Pine Creek, Davenport, Garnavillo, Lansing Ridge, etc. You will notice that Mr. Judeisch was pastor of the Grandview church for fifteen years. He was born in Prussia, November 11, 1820. He came to America in 1850, coming first to Muscatine. He moved to Pine Creek in 1853, and began preaching in 1859. From 1875 to 1892 he was pastor of the church at Davenport. He died May 5, 1900. At our meetings of Association he always spoke in English but ...

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... prayed in German. Some of us who had no knowledge of the German language learned the opening sentence of his prayer: 'Wir danken, Dir, lieber Vater.' One of the many contributions of Germany to Iowa was this good man, Frederick W. Judeisch. He gave us forty years of service.

"Andrew Kern gave us twenty-three years of service, preaching at Grandview, Minden, Lansing Ridge, New Hampton, etc.

"The other men had short pastorates, and were not in the state for a great while, and perhaps need no special mention here."

It is said that the first church built in Grandview was by the Methodists, and that they erected a new building about 1871.

The United Presbyterians also have a congregation in Grandview, and they erected a church building about 1854.

Grandview got her first railroad in 1898, when the Muscatine, North & South Railroad was constructed, and since that time it has grown quite a little and taken on some city airs.

Grandview was first incorporated in 1878. August 8. 1878, E. B. Lacey and thirty-three others filed a petition for incorporation. The commissioners appointed to hold the election were E. B, Lacey, J. H. Benson, A. Brown, D. W. Walker and Geo. Hummell, and on Oct. 11, 1878, the vote on the question of incorporation was 29 for to 21 against. Some years afterward the corporation was abandoned, and Grandview remained a village until 1901, when it was again incorporated. The petition was filed March 5, 1901, and D. J. Higley. D. M. Bridges, John Schafer. A. M. Cowden and W. B. Robison were appointed commissioners. An election was held and the vote was 56 for incorporation to 36 against. February 13, 1901, the following officers were elected: A. M. Cowden, mayor; G. F. Schafer, clerk; D. M. Bridges, treasurer; Peter Muller, James Thorp, W. E. Schweitzer, William Guthrie, John F. Robison and T. B. Christy, councilmen.

The present officers are: Mayor, Wm. Dickerson; recorder, Ed. Haas; councilmen. C. W. Graham. O. W. McGrew, J. M. Buster. Peter Muller and John J. Beik.

The population of Grandview is given differently in some of the official publications. The following we believe to be nearly correct: 1854—91; 1860— 138: 1870—160: 1880—105: 1885—229: 1905—278: 1910—374.

Through the courtesy of Rev. E. C. Brooks, of Wapello, we have had access to the early conference reports of the M. E. church, in which we find the following interesting items pertaining to the early history of that denomination in Grandview.

Grandview was in the Rock river conference in 1842, and Joseph L. Kirkpatrick is named as pastor; Luther McVoy was pastor in 1843, and the membership is given as 166. This must have included quite a scope of country.

Grandview was in the Iowa conference in 1844 and Laban Case was pastor, with a membership stated at 233.

In 1845 Sidney Wood was pastor, and the membership is given at 134.

In 1846 John H. Dennis was pastor, with 130 members; in 1847 Joseph W. Maxon was pastor with 138 members; in 1848 Wm. Burns was pastor with 155 white and 3 colored members ; in 1849 Joseph Jamison was pastor with 120 members; in 1850 H. N. Wilbur was pastor with 143 members; in 1851 ...

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... Lucas C. Woodford was pastor with 222 members; in 1852 J. T. Coleman was pastor with 183 members. W. R. Blake was pastor in 1853, E. Lathrop in 1854 and J. T. Manderville in 1855.

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