West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
UNION VALLEY

The history of West Liberty would seem incomplete did it not include reminiscences concerning the various communities which surround it, many of which have played important parts in the growth and prosperity of the town.

Among these neighborhoods deserving of mention is Union Valley, which is the name given to a church and district school in the center of this community. It is located in Iowa Township of Cedar county. This Township, too, has nearly reached the century milestone, having been organized in 1840; at that time including all of Cedar County west of the Cedar river.

The church was organized by the Cumberland Presbyterians in March, 1871, with twenty-three members. Through the generosity of Thos. V. Gibson a lot was received from a corner of his farm, and a building 30x50 feet was erected, which at that time was thought to be a handsome structure.

There had been a church of the same denomination in the Pedee neighborhood since 1849. This was called the Pleasant Hill Congregation. In the winter of 1866-67 a protracted meeting was held there by Rev. R. A. Ferguson which people for miles around attended, and which resulted in a big revival and the receiving of 112 members. Among these were Albert Aikins, Catharine Buckman, Louisa Walters, and C. E. Buckman.

In 1872 the former couple became Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Aikins and the latter Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Buckman, who then united with the new organization at Union Valley and labored faithfully for many years.

During the early years of the church Rev. R. A. Ferguson served as pastor at both Pleasant Hill and Union Valley, and in 1876 Rev. Milo Hobart preached at both places. In later years there followed Rev. Edgar, who divided time with Atalissa; Rev. Samuel Davis, and family, who lived in the Jno. Worrall house, as did Rev. Cheek and family.

The ladies of this community had an organization called "The Willing Workers." They met at the homes of the members, helping many a busy housewife with her family sewing.

Some of the early settlers around Union Valley whose names should be mentioned in record are the families of Luke Corker, Henry Crees, Jacob Duple, I. W. Lewis, Israel Gaskell, Jno. Worrall, Rufus Gifford, Jno. Kirby, John McCann, A. E. Kimberly, Moses Shellhammer, Abel Milnes, Zadoc Ellyson, Jesse Moore, J. H. Swart, Joel Walker, Joel Faires, John Taylor, David and Wm. James, C. E. Buckman, Chas. Cope, Frank Secrest, Warren Cheadle, A. V. Aker, and Edmund W. Aikins. Mr. Aikins probably among the oldest of the residents mentioned, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, in 1824 and came to this locality in 1856. He was Justice of the Peace in Iowa Township for many years, and their kitchen was often the scene of court proceedings in the settlement of some petty dispute between neighbors; or perhaps a happy couple would come to be married in this same kitchen, surrounded, not by ferns and roses, but probably a background of blue overalls which hung on the wall, as the words were read making them man and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Aikins were the parents of one son, Albert A., who was born Jan 23, 1849.

From the time of the organization of the church at Union Vallet until 1900, when the family moved to West Liberty, A. A. Aikins was active in all of the affairs of the community. He was Superintendent of the Sunday School for many years.

Then, who could think of Union Valley and not remember Elinor, Elizabeth and Emily Worrall, familiarly known as "The Worrall Girls", and whose hospitable little home was a popular spot in the vicinity? They had a loom on which they wove rag carpets, and here the women must decide the weighty problem whether they should have a hit and miss pattern or one of the varigated stripes, for their carpets. Scarcely a home in the neighborhood but what could boast of several floor coverings of their handiwork. They were maiden aunts of Mrs. Alice Polders and Mrs. Anna Luse, who also spent their girlhood days in Union Valley, Mrs. Luse having been organist in the church on many occasions.

With the passing of the 1880's almost all of the families which have been mentioned were represented as residents of West Liberty, many of them to spend their declining years and to educate their children, some of whom later became active in business.

Since 1900, with the changing conditions of roads and means of transportation, it has become more and more difficult to maintain the interest in rural churches. In more recent years of the Union Valley organization many new people came to take up the burden in an effort to carry on. Prominent among these was the R. W. Hinkhouse family. A son, Jay Hinkhouse, who still lives in the community, worked diligently and was liberal in financial aid in the improving of the building. The Cumberland Presbyterians merged, and they became the regular Presbyterian Church. Rallies were held in an effort to promote the interest, but all to no avail. It seemed impossible to continue with regular services; therefore, according to the agreement when the land was donated, it went back to the T. V. Gibson estate. About two years ago the building was sold to a farmer, torn down, and removed from the site.

The old church is gone and will soon be forgotten, but who can measure the influence upon the lives of those who received their early religious training within its doors?

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