For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889
| Historical For Muscatine County Iowa 1889 | |
Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 657
WEST LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. This is a thriving town located in the north-western portion of Wapsinonoc Township, between the forks of the Wapsinonoc Creek, and at the junction of the Chicago,Rock Island & Pacific and the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroads. The original town of this name was located a little northwest of the present corporation; it was laid out by Simeon A. Bagley, who died a few years since at Tipton, Cedar County, and surveyed in 1838, by George Baumgardner, County Surveyor. A post-office was established in the village in that same year, with Mr. Bagley as Postmaster. The first store in the settlement was opened by Peter Heath. When the new store was started, several houses were moved to the same from the old location ; also the post-office, then in the charge of Freeman Oliver, and the store conducted by I. R. Wright.
In the year 1855, the first locomotive wended its way westward through a corn-field where West Liberty now stands. Then there was a farm-house and a barn within the present limits of the town, and where the business part of the town now is, was a corn-field, the cornstalks standing thick and as high as a man's head. The only dwelling was the house on the corner of Spencer and Fourth streets, and it was for a while, the only tavern near the railroad, having been within a few years reconstructed. The second and third buildings are still standing where they were erected.
West LIberty ( new town ) was laid out by Spencer, Robinson and Clark ( John M. Spencer and T. J. Robinson lived at Rock Island, Ill., and J. W. Clark resided at Iowa City, Iowa ), and surveyed by Peter Houtz, Jan. 21, 1856. W. C. Evans was located here as agent with a power of attorney from the firm, to sell lots, make deeds, and look at their business generally, at this point. The town was incorporated in 1868. Various additions have been made to the town from time to time.
From 1866 to 1869, there was but very little done by way of improvement in the town. Travel was then confined to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and the old freight-house on Calhoun street was then the passenger depot as well as for freight ; and the boundaries only extended west to where Elm street now is. But in anticipation of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad, to the stock of which the citizens had subscribed $60,000, building had commenced. Elisha Schooley had built a brick house on the corner of Calhoun and Third streets; R. G. Lewis, Z. N. King, Chesbro & Romaine, and Dr. Holmes, each put up substantial and commodious business houses on Third street. Jesse Bowersock and D. F. Smith soon followed with their building on the north side of the same street, and yet the demand for good business houses was not satisfied. The People's bank, N. Gaskill, Manful & Nichols, Hormel and Luse soon followed, each with a good building. While these improvements were being made on Third street, great changes were taking place in the west or new part of town.
West Liberty today is a thriving town of about 2,000 inhabitants, well supplied with schools and churches, and a mercantile trade second to no town of its size in the State. The citizens are generally enterprising and abreast of the times. In the matter of school privileges the town has two good buildings, and the schools are thoroughly graded and well kept. The religious influences of the place are good, the denominations representing Christian, Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Friends and Catholics.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of West Liberty goes back to the pioneer days, there being a class organized here as early as 1839, and for nearly twenty years its members worshiped in school-houses. The present church edifice was built in 1875.
The Presbyterian Church of this city dates its organization from 1857. Previous to this time, however, services were held and an organization existed known as the Old School Presbyterian Church, of which the Rev. John Hudson was the first pastor. The present church was organized Oct. 4, 1857, by Rev. C. T. Beach, who was sent out as a missionary to the West. In the original organization there were but four members. During his two years' stay a chapel and parsonage were erected. The Rev. J. H. Scott succeeded Mr. Beach, and remained until 1862. Following Mr. Scott came the Revs. Mills, Porter, Tanner and Shearer. The latter commenced to labor in this field in June, 1875, a neat and commodious house of worship was erected, which continued to be used until February, 1888, when it was burned to the ground. The Rev. N. W. Thornton succeeded Mr. Shearer, and remained until 1844, being succeeded by the Rev. O. T. Langfitt, the present pastor. Immediately after the destruction of their church the society took steps toward replacing it, and a meeting of the members was held the same day to make all necessary arrangements. A committee was appointed to superintend the construction of a new building, and a contract was let for that purpose to George D. Magoon, of Muscatine. Work was at once commenced, and on Sunday morning, Sept. 2, 1888, being completed, it was duly dedicated to the service of Almighty God, the Rev. T. S. Bailey, of Cedar Rapids, preaching the dedicatory sermon. The building is a handsome structure, a credit to the members of the church, and the citizens who so liberally aided in its construction.
The Christian Church of West Liberty was organized in Phillips school-house, two and one-half miles southwest of West Liberty, in 1866, by Elder J. C. Powell, of Columbus City, Iowa. In 1868, a house of worship being completed in town, services began to be held here. Among those who have ministered to the church are J. C. Hay, J. B. Baxter, K. J. Cornell, Henry Exley, J. Mad. Williams, J. N. Smith, and J. H. Wright. During the pastorate of Mr. Smith the present elegant house of worship was erected, and dedicated to the service of God, Jan. 9, 1887 ; F. M. Rains, of Topeka, Kan., preaching the dedicatory sermon. The church is now in a very flourishing condition, with a large membership, and under the pastorate of J. H. Wright.
The Society of Friends about 1858 held their first meeting in the neighborhood of West Liberty, but the society was not organized until 1860. A meeting house was built about one mile north of town, 50x24 feet. Some time in 1870 it was moved into the city.
The secret and benevolent societies are represented by the Mason, Odd Fellows, and Grand Army of the Republic.
Mt. Calvary Lodge No. 95, A.F.&A.M., was instituted by dispensation July 19, 1856, and a charter was granted June 3, 1857. The following were the charter members : W. C, Evans, George W. Dunlap, L. Stockman, Arthur C. Davis, Asa Gregg, I. D. Vore, Perry Reynolds, J. A. Mills, Allen Broomhall, J. R. Palmer, E. Messmore, J. N. Graham. The first officers were : William C. Evans, W. M.; Asa Gregg S.W.; Allen Broomhall, J.W.; I.D.Vore, Secretary ; George W. Dunlap, Treasurer. The officers at present writing, in the fall of 1888, are : W. H. Shipman, W.M.; C. B. Kimball,S.W.; J.H.Rogers, J.W.; P.R.Evans, Treasurer ; George C. Shipman, Secretary. The lodge is in a healthy condition, with a membership of eighty, owning hall and store-room.
Liberty Chapter No. 79, Royal Arch Masons, was instituted under dispensation Dec. 1, 1875. The first officers were: E. C. Chesebrough, M.E.H.P.; P.R.Evans,E.K.; J.A.Hollister, E.S.; George .C. Shipman, Secretary. A charter was granted in October, 1876. The following are the present officers :C. B. Kimball, E.H.P.; C. Chesebrough, E.K.; W.K.Stafford,E.S.; P.K.Evans, Treasurer ; George W. Shipman,Secretary. The present membership is thirty-eight, and the chapter is in a prosperous condition.
Liberty Lodge No. 190, I.O.O.F., was instituted by dispensation March 3, 1870, and a charter was granted Oct. 20 of the same year to the following charter members : E.L.Stratton, W.G.H. Inghram, George Bagley, C.W.Burher, S.M.Mitchell, P.R.Evans, W.L.Penny, and H.A.Thomas. The first officers were: George Bagley,N.G.; E.L.Stratton, V.G.; W.L.Penny, Secretary; P.R.Evans, Treasurer. The present officers are : Willis Crozier,N.G.; Ed. Lane, V.G.; W.A.West, Secretary; E.G.H.Byer,P.S.; G.W.Griffith, Treasurer. The lodge is in good condition with eighty members. An encampment was organized Oct.21, 1887, and has now thirty-five members. A lodge of the Degree of Rebecca was organized in 1884, and has fifty members.
Silas Jackson Post No. 255, G.A.R., was organized Nov. 16, 1883, by H. Beeson, with twelve charter members, its first officers being : J.W.McElravy, Com.; S.S.Gunse, S.V.C.; W.A.Nichols, J.V.C.; Clark Luse, Q.M.; E.H.King, Surg.; John Wright, Chap.; D. Gibson,G.; R.G.Lewis, Adjt. The post has been very prosperous, and now has a membership of seventy-three, with the following named officers, in the fall of 1888 : C.S.Barclay,Com.; M.Weir, S.V.C.; C.J.Luse, J.V.C.; G.W.Chapman, Chap.; J.F.Wyman,O.D.; D.Richards,O.G.; C.D.Gibson, Q.M.; E.H.King, Surg.; N.W.Ball, Adjt.
The West Liberty Temperance League, of West Liberty, Muscatine Co., Iowa, was organized by a noble band of Christian men in 1874, for the purpose of enforcing the temperance laws. John E. Deamer was elected its first president, E. E. Harrison was its first Secretary, J. L. Wilson, the first Treasurer, and Jonathan Cowgill and John Lewis its Counselors. There was also an executive committee vested with full power to sue and to be sued. One hundred and six members belong to the organization. They hire lawyers to defend the temperance law, and in every way possible assist in its enforcement, paying the fees of the gentleman whom they hire out of their own pockets. This organization has a most worthy object, and has been productive of much good.
In October, 1886, J.W.McElravy commenced agitating the subject of an artesian well for West Liberty. Taking a subscription paper he started out among the business man, and in a few hours had over $500 subscribed for the purpose of experimenting as to whether water could easily be obtained. The Town Council added $300 to the amount, and the school board $200 more. A public meeting was called, and the question discussed. All were in favor of it. In November a contract was made with A.K.Wallen to bore the well. But little, however, was done until the spring of 1888, when Wm. Barber, of Minooka, Ill., took charge of the works as foreman. The well was sunk by him to a depth of 1,768 feet, when the flow being considered suffucient the work was stopped. Prior to this time the contract was let to Dennison & Co. of Muscatine. The total cost of the well was $ 10,000. At this writing in March, 1889, the mains being rapidly extended, many business firms and families are using the water. It is thought the receipts from all sources will soon pay for the well. An Analysis of the water is here given : Silica, 1.186 ; Sulphate of Lime, 9.310 ; Sulphate of Soda, 31.944; Carbonate of Lime,5.462 ; Carbonate of Magnesia, 6.978 ; Oxide of Iron, .613 ; Chloride of Sodium, 9.344.
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