Muscatine County, Iowa

Pages 16 through 21

SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES

Masonic.

DE MOLAY COMMANDERY No. 1, K. T. Regular meetings first Wednesday after full moon. Wm. S. Robertson, E. C.; T. R. Fitzgerald, Recorder.

WASHINGTON CHAPTER No. 2, R. A. M., meets Friday before full moon. Charles R. Fox, H. P.; W. B. Stephens, Secretary.

ELECTA CHAPTER, O. E. S., meets Wednesday on or before full moon. Mrs. H. E. Parmalee, W. Matron; Mrs. Ella C. Smith Secretary.

IOWA LOGE, No. 2, A. F. & A. M., meets Monday on or before full moon. Henry M. Dean, W. M.; David H. Block, Secretary.

HAWKEY LODGE, No. 3. A., F. & A. M., meets Tuesday before full moon. Thomas G. Taylor, W. M.; Thomas Brown, Secretary. Hall located over Nos. 100 & 102 West second street.

I.O.O. F.

PRAIRIE ENCAMPMENT, No. 4, I.O.O.F., regular meetings first and third Fridays in each month. Jacob Erb, C. P.; J. Bridgman, H. P.; B. Lilly, Scribe; Treasurer, J. P. Lewis; J. A. Reuling, S. W.; C. R. Connor, J. W.

MUSCATINE LODGE, No. 5. I. O. O. F., meets every Monday evening. Officers: J. P Lewis, N. G.; Barney Beil, Treasurer; John Lemp, Secretary; J. Bridgman, Per. Secretary; B. Lilly, V. G.; Trustee W. and O. fund, J. A. Reuling.

MIRIAM LODGE, No. 27, I. O. O. F., Daughters of Rebecca, regular meetings second and third Fridays, in each month. C. R. Connor, N. G.; Jesse Humberger, V.G.; Ada Appel, Secretary; Mrs. Ashton, Treasurer. Hall located corner 2nd and Chestnut streets.

EAGLE LODGE, No. 10, A. O. U. W., held every Thursday evening. J. Torbert, P. M. W.; F. Eichoff, Recorder; E. H. Dobsen, Financier; W. G. Block, Receiver.

Knights of Pythias.

WYOMING LODGE, No. 76, meeting held every Wednesday evening in I. O. O. P. hall. H. J. Lander, P. C.; Wm. Hoffman, E. C.; H. S. House, V. C.; J. J. Torbert, Prelate; A. U. Garlock, K. of R.; E. H. Dolsen, M. of F.; E. C. Cook, M. of E.; George O'Brien, M. of A.; Hy Scott, I. G., George Trumpp, O. G.

U. A. O. D.

MUSCATINE LODGE No. 6, meetings held first and third Mondays of each month in I. O. O. F. hall. George Baer, U. A.; Hermann Stolzeman, V. A.; J. Martin, Secretary; Charles Lang, Treasurer; Fred Leu, Marshal; Wm. Smith, I. G.; Martin Koepen, O. G.

MUSCATINE TURNER SOCIETY, meetings held first and third Tuesdays in each month. Sam Cohn, President; John Butz, V. P., H. Gremmel, recording Secretary; Wm. Hueper, Corresponding Secretary; B. Friedmann, Treasurer; Wm. Grafe, Instructor; August Volger, Overseer of Turnsection; Hy Loesche, A. O. of Turnsection; John Hartmann, Janitor; H. Heing, Overseer of Singing Section; F. Berger, Music Teacher. Hall located corner Iowa avenue and 6th street.

V. A. S.

Meetings held in Academy of Science hall first Tuesday of each month. J. H. Barnard, Rector; S. L. Waide, V. Rector; T. B. Prosser, Treasurer, Wm. Molis, Scribe.

Iowa Legion of Honor.

ARGUS LODGE, No. 17, meetings held in A. O. U. W. hall second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. George M. Mackenzie, President; Amos C. Hopkinson, Recording Secretary.

American Legion of Honor.

Organized 1881. Meetings held at Dr. J. S. Kulp's office first and third Mondays of each month. Officers; A. S. Knowles, Commander; Dr. Cal W. Smith, V. C., Mrs. Matilda Knowles, Orator; Wm. Hoffman, P. C., Mrs. Ella C. Smith, Secretary; Meyer Block, Collector; J. S. Kup, Treasurer; Mrs. D. A. Allen, Chaplain; E. H. Dolsen, Guide; S. M. Cobb, Warden; C. F. Allen, Sentry.

St. Joseph's Benevolent Society.

Meetings held in School House of St. Mary's Church last Sunday in each month. Officers: L. Schwabe, President; Gabriel Fleitz, V. P.; John W. Knopp, Secretary; J. J. Williams, Assistant Secretary; George Schaefer, Marshal.

Knights of Honor.

MUSCATINE LODGE, No. 19, meetings held in Old Fellow's hall first and third Tuesdays of each month. Officers: George Schneider, Dictator; Charles Tappe, assistant Dictator; F. Grad, Rep.; J. A. Reuling, F. Rep.; B. H. Eversmeyer, treasurer.

KNIGHTS OF HONOR. (Germania) LODGE No. 1066, meetings held in Old Fellow's hall second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. Officers: Charles Grafe, Dic.; B. H. Eversmeyer, A.D.; F. Grade, Rep.; George Schneider, F. P.; J. A. Reuling, Treasurer.

ROYAL ARCANUM, organized April, 1881. Meetings held in Academy of Science hall first and third Saturdays of each month. Officers: S. E. Walcott, Past Regent; H. J. Lander, Regent; Fred Welker, Vice Regent; B. Beach, Orator; W. E. Schenck, Secretary, Dr. Cal W. Smith, Collector; C. H. Sterneman, Chaplain; Sam Cohn, Treasurer; G. M. Titus, Guide.

German Mechanics' Aid Society.

Meetings held in turner hall first and third Wednesdays of each month. Officers: Barney Juetner, President, Hy Martin, V. P.; E. Engel, First Secretary; Charles Stark, Second Secretary; Wm. Zeidler, Treasurer.

U. B. O. I.

Meetings held in Turner hall first and third Thursdays of each month. Officers: John Blum, President; Andrew Fischer, V. C.; Hy Wagner, Secretary; C. Schwertfeger, Corresponding Secretary; M. Vetter, Treasurer, Hy Heinz, marshal.

U. O. A. T.

BLOOMINGTON TEMPLE, No. 22, organized 1882. Meetings held in A. O. U. W. hall first and third Tuesdays of each month. Officers: H. V. Howard, Templar; R. Beard, P.T.; Ida Appel, V. T.; John Mahin, Lecturer; W. R. Evans, Recorder; Dr. C. W. Smith, Financeer; T. G. Collins, treasurer; J. Pitchforth, marshal.

Company "C".

This company was organized on the 18th of June, 1878, as Company "C", 9th Regiment I. N. G., but by a consolidation of the regiments it became Company "C" of the 2nd regiment I. N. G. The organizer and first captain was Lyman Banks, now Brig. General of the 2nd bridge. First lieutenant, W. H. Woodward, second lieutenant, R. C. Schenck. Captain Banks was with the company but a shore time wen he was elected Captain -- the former still remains with the company and to his untiring efforts the company owes whatever of success it has obtained. A. K. Raff succeded First Lieutenant W. H. Woodward, and H. A. FowlerSecond Lieutenant R. C. Schenck. The company has taken part inall the state tournaments of Iowa since 879, and all competitive drills to which it has had access -- it was the victor at Washington, Iowa, carrying off the a silver cup as prize. ($200 and flag), and at Rock Island, Illlinois, July 4, 1883, it again carried off the first prize ($200,) in a contest with the Rodman Rifles. The Rifle team of the Co. has always been among the best, winning second prize and best individual score against the famous team of Washington, Iowa, at Columbus Junction on July 4, 1880. The Company also took part in the great competive drill at Dubuque, Iowa, August, 1882 standing third among such companies as the Porter Rifles of Memphis and Branch Guards of St. Louis. The Company occuy Union hall with the Hook & Ladder Co., but have their own parlors adjoining which they have fitted up in fine style for the pleasure and convenience of themselves and friends. The Company "C" is regarded the chapion one of Iowa.

Muscatine Academy of Science.

This institution was organized in the autumn of 1878 from was known by the name of "The Muscatine Scientific Club" -- a society organized about seven or eight years previous; consisting of ladies and gentlemen who met semi-monthly at their respective homes to discuss in a social way the leading scientific questions of the day. At the time referred to, this club having a membership of twenty-five to thirty, resolved to assume a wider and more systematic form, adopted a constitution and bylaws and articles of incorporation in accord with such institutions, under the name of "The Muscatine Academy of Science." The same year it rented a room and commenced the collection and classification of relics and specimens in the various departments of natural history, art, etc. This society now has a membership of about seventy-five. Its officers are a president, vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, curator,, and three trustees. It now occupies the hall on third floor No. 101 E. 2nd, corner of Iowa avenue. Has pleasant quarters, with about one dozen fine walnut cases will filled with rate specimens in archaeology, geology, mineralogy, ornothology, entomology, etc., and a library of about 700 volumes, besides many valuable maps, charts, etc., etc. -- and has seats for an audience of two or three hundred. The meetings of the society are held semi-monthly from October 1 to June 1, and monthly the balance of the year. At these meetins lectures are delivered, or papers read and discussed by the members and others and much interest manifested thereby. President, Rev. J. H. Barnard; vice president, Mr. Graham, Suel Foster; recording secretary, Prof. Huff; corresponding secretay, F. Reppert; curator, Dr. J. Hardman; trustees, Dr. J. L. Graham, T. Grossheim, P. Musser.

Post Office.

The Post Office is located on West second street, designated by numbers 117 and 119. It is a commodious building and is not only pleasing and creditable in appearance, but is one of the best conducted offices we have ever visited. The clerks and assistants are obliging and assiduous in their efforts to please the public -- which is an uncommon and rare virtue in public offices in the northwestern states -- added to this clarity is an attribute of the Muscatine Post Office. Of course these excellent features are due to the Postmaster, and to the care he exercises in selecting competent and proper assistants, and certainlly no one who has had a chance to see other post offices and the way they are conducted, will be in a position to gainsay the fact that the Muscatine Post Office is creditable alike to the Postmaster and to the city. There are 1800 boxes in all; the hours are from 7:30 in the morning until the same time in the evening. Mr. Benjamin Beach is the Postmanster, and Mr. Bridgman assistant.

Water Works.

The Muscatine Water Works Company was incepted on Dec. 1st, 1875, and they commenced to pump water in April of the following year. The works in toto were completed in 1876, and consist of pumping machinery of the most approved style and capable of furnishing one and a half million gallons in twenty four hours, added there is a reservoir on the public square with a capacity of 1,500,000 gallons. There are five miles of pipe from 12 to 6 inches diameter and fifty-four fire hydrants. The pressure in the city is from 60 to 90 pounds. The supply is obtained from the Mississippi through an iron conduit running 700 feet into the river, the pumping works are located on the river front between Chestnut and Pine, in a finely appearing and substantial structure -- which is rendered more pleasing to visitors by being surrounded by a flower garden -- while the interior is a marvel of neatness and cleanliness. The efficient superintendent is Mr. Wm. Molis.

Muscatine Gas Light and Coke Co.

Gas works upon which we can expatiate with praise and satisfaction are such a rara avis, that when we discover an institution of such excellence as that possessed by Muscatine we may be pardoned if we dwell upon it at more length than is exactly consistent with a work of this character. The Gas Works of Muscatine occupy three lots, and are situated on Oak street, between Second and Third. At present the works and appointment consist of the latest and most approved machinery, together with over eight miles of main, and over two hundred street lamps. The capacity of the works in 75,000 feet per day, which in consequence could supply a city of much larger dimensions than is Muscatine. The works came into the present owner's hands in 1877, when $20,000 were expended in improvements, and which made them as good, if not superior to any in the State. The business in toto represents an investment of nearly $70,000. The whole fact of their superiority, however does not rest upon their facilities, although they are emphatically of the best character, but it is in the manner which they are conducted, that we have noted especially. Never in our whole experience -- and we have visited and examined the gas works of nearly two hundred cities -- have we seen an institution of the kind so neat, cleanly and cheerful in aspect. The usual characteristic is quite the reverse. Certainly it will pay visitors to Muscatine and its points of interest to spend a little time reviewing these works. Their whole appearance indicate an able and intelligent management and superintendency, while the list of gentlemen comprising the company are of the principal citizens and distinguished for a liberal public spirit and enterprise.

Public Schools.

The school system of Muscatine is of the most approved character. There are seven school houses which furnish every facility for a first-class education. The school board is as follows: Directors: Dr. J. S. Kup, Wm. Huttig, Joseph Morrison, Wm. H. Woodward; W. B. Sprague and Dr. G. O. Morgridge; officers: Wm. H. Woodward, president; J. H. Lukens, secretary; M. Y. Howe, treasurer.

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Page created July 27, 2023

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