Taylor County, Iowa 1881 History: Bedford township, pp542

BEDFORD TOWNSHIP

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The city of Bedford was located in March, 1852, by a board of commissioners appointed for that purpose, under an act of the legislature. It is pleasantly situated on the west bank of the East One Hundred and Two River, on a gently rolling second bottom, the ground on all sides rising into the form of an amphitheatre and affording many beautiful and commanding building sites. The first house was built by O. W. Fenno, and the second by Edwin Houck. In 1854 the business of Bedford had not grown extensively. E. Houck was in business, and M. N. Thornton and S.A. Cadle under the firm name of Thornton and Cadle. Thornton and Cadle had a small stock of goods. During the fall of that year D. Underwood furnished them with a stock of goods. A Mr. King, of Savannah, Missouri, had a stock of goods in Bedford, also. Junius Bent, a brother of the late lamented Dr. Bent, was his clerk. Speaking of Dr. Bent calls to (page 545) mind some of his history….he being the first physician resident in the county.

Dr. Luther Bent was a native of Ohio, and was born August 8, 1819. His youth was passed with his father on a farm, where he received the rudiments of a fair education. In 1849, when the California gold fever swept every State of the Union, he hastened across the plains and over the mountains to the far-off El Dorado, joining an emigrant company from his neighborhood. During the tedious and extended journey many of those with him fell sick. Young Bent, having read extensively in medical works, and being adapted by nature to the profession of nurse and physician, he ministered successfully to their wants. Before their destination was reached they gave him the soubriquet of "Doctor." While in California he devoted himself to mining, and after several months of arduous toil, in which he was successful in money-getting, he determined to return to the States and fit himself for the practice of medicine.

Following this conclusion, he went to St. Louis, where he attended several courses of lectures. Having qualified himself, he went to Savannah, Missouri, to visit a sister there residing. Maryville was suggested to him as a point that furnished a fine opening for a physician, and in 1852 he established himself there, remaining about one year. He was often called to Taylor county to heal the sick, and in some of these visits he learned that there was no physician in the county. In 1853 he established himself at the residence of Judge Lowe, in Benton township; and for many years he was so active in all public affairs that it is proper he should receive a somewhat extended notice. He was a man of fine physical proportions, and intellectually was rather above the average. His friends say that he was a perfect Chesterfield on courtly occasions, and his ability enabled him to act the part of the backwoodsman to perfection. He was generous to a fault, and no friend ever questioned his fidelity. He was impulsive to an extraordinary degree, and upon questions of honor he was peculiarly sensitive; consequently he wasn't everlasting in the olive branch line of business with his friends. Frequently there was deadly bitterness existing between them. There was one occasion especially deserving mention, which will serve to show Dr. Bent's character in its true light. Early in the summer of 1954, two men, named John Thompson and J. W. Miller, laid the foundation of a cabin on, and filed a preemption claim to, a portion of the land on which the town of Bedford now stands. Subsequently, Dr. Bent purchased their claim, and, although of no validity in law, it was respected by the settlers until the autumn of that year. In the meantime, a party of emigrants had arrived from Indiana, among whom was a physician named Derrickson. The newly arrived doctor, in looking around for a place to invest his money, fixed a covetous eye upon the claim of Dr. Bent. But, not wishing to violate the rules that were held sacred by the early settlers, he went to Dr. Bent and asked him if he intended to enter it. Receiving an affirmative answer, he said: "Then I will not." Thompson then represented to Dr. Derrickson that Dr. Bent had not purchased the claim from himself and Miller, and through his own and the influence of Madison Guess, Derrickson was prevailed upon to make the entry. Dr. Bent, hearing of this, became greatly excited, and with a loaded revolver in his hand, pointed over his left shoulder, he approached within a few feet of Derrickson, and said: "I learn that you have entered my land, and I give you one minute in which to decide whether you will make a personal matter of it or leave it to friendly arbitration." Derrickson answered: "You have taken me by surprise, doctor." Bent simply said: "Your time is passing, sir." Derrickson replied: "I will leave it to disinterested men." Upon hearing this, Bent turned and left him. The news of the affair spread rapidly. Much excitement was thus engendered, and angry feelings were manifested by the friends of the two doctors, and violence was anticipated. However, in the course of a few days, Dr. Bent sent a polite note to Dr. Derrickson, informing him that Judge Lowe would act as his friend in settling the matter. Derrickson chose a friend, and he and Judge Lowe met. The result was an amicable adjustment of the difficulty, by which the title of the land was passed to Dr. Bent. ….Soon after this Dr. Bent was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Judge Lowe, and he became a prominent citizen of Bedford. He died August 1, 1878, mourned by all who knew him.

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In 1855…all there was of Bedford were three log houses. But it was about this time the young town began to grow, although its progress was not very rapid. The country, too, began to fill up. The excellence of the soil for agricultural purposes had been noised abroad to the great world outside, and emigration was lively for a time.

In 1852 Aaron Quinby, who lives near Hawleyville, built the first mill in this vicinity for Madison Guess and John Scott. Madison Guess was shot several years since by his wife's paramour in Missouri, and John Scott is living in prosperous circumstances at Buchanan, Polk township. In 1857 Stephen H. Parker bought Madison Guess's interest, who afterward, or at the same time, became possessed of Mrs. Scott's interest. In 1863 L. Mohler bought Mr. Parker out. Heretofore the mill had been only a "corn cracker". Mr. Mohler at once added new machinery to the establishment so that an excellent article of flour was manufactured. But the old mill is no more. Scarcely a post, or even a sign, remains to mark its site. It was located on the East One Hundred and Two River, near where the bridge spans the same on the Mohler road.

Another old structure deserving of mention is the Bedford woolen-mills building. It is located near the stone quarries in the northeast part of the city. It was built very many years ago, but by whom we cannot say, his name having escaped our memory. It has not been used since 1875. The Hills Brothers were then running it, and becoming involved their creditors closed in upon them. We believe that John Hale is the proprietor at (Page 548) present. But be that as it may, the mills have since been idle; yet within that old building is, or was a few months since, some of the latest improved and most elegant machinery that was ever made, and no factory in Iowa has better. Still the old shell stands open, and tramps, mischievous boys, harlots, and every ruffian about town, has free access to all this machinery with liberty to mutilate and destroy. For years it has been the resort of every traveling prostitute visiting Bedford. It has become a disgrace to the city, an eyesore to the people of its immediate community, and it ought to be put to some good use or torn down.

Another old manufacturing establishment of Bedford that is gone was the flouring-mill that stood south of Thomas McCracken's residence. Its proprietor, W. W. Clark, upon the promise of a bonus from the citizens of Conway, tore it down and removed it to that place in 1878.

Brick of a splendid quality is made at Bedford. George W. Cromer has a yard that turns out a superior article, and John Gorman and Mr. Wallace are occasional manufacturers. Lenox and Conway, and frequently Creston and Hopkins, are supplied with brick from the yards at Bedford. The Lenox school-house is being constructed of Bedford brick.

A good quality of building stone is found in the corporate limits of Bedford, in the northeast part of the city. It is easily dressed, and makes a good article of lime, of which a considerable quantity is annually manufactured. There are two quarries not being used - one the property of H. U. Greenless, and the other of W.M.P. Long.

In locating Bedford the commission appointed for that purpose must have had "in their mind's eye" the selection of a spot that was conducive to good health and longevity. Owing to stiff breezes, which occur at all seasons of the year, miasmatic and pulmonary diseases are unknown. Mortuary statistics show this to be one of the most healthful localities in the Union, there being but one death to every ninety-four persons. Upon this subject there is but once voice, and that is this -- that it is decidedly healthy. To this there can be no dissent, for the visage of every inhabitant so attests, unless he came to the city diseased.

Before proceeding with the history of Bedford to greater length it would be well to mention the fact that the first sale of lots took place July 4, 1852. The first building was Mr. Fenno's at the corner of Main and Water streets, where William Heller's brick now stands. It was a double log house. The building opposite on Main Street was the second one. It was made of hewed logs, and was Mr. Edwin Hinck's residence, and his business headquarters. In 1854 the only building erected was a double log house used by Thornton and Cadle….

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For many years Bedford had to struggle to hold the county seat. At the March term of the county court in 1858, Joseph A. Hanes, prosecuting attorney, acting as county judge in the absence of Jesse Evans, Dr. R. S. Baker presented a petition signed by one hundred and forty-seven persons asking the removal of the county seat to Lexington. It is needless to remark that Dr. Baker's petition failed, as did three other efforts in the same direction. That squelched all opposition. Bedford is still the seat of justice for Taylor county, and will ever so continue. Its wealth, its enterprise, and its fine business blocks and private residences will forever hold it against all opposition.

The first school in Bedford was taught in a little frame building that then stood on the lots now occupied by M. L. (Tice) Louck's residence. It was built by J. F. Engles for a home. He sold it to the school-district for $1,000. Engles soon afterward moved to Kansas. About sixteen years since it was purchased by Father Wolcott, an old citizen, who died in 1880, who was noted for his extreme age and for his strong Masonic tendencies. At the age of eighty years he could walk more miles in a procession than the ordinary young man of to-day who is twenty-one and thinks the universe is his by hereditary right. Mr. Wolcott had it "hauled" to the corner where Combs and Sons' furniture factory now stands. It stood there until the spring of this year, when it was taken to pieces to make room for the factory. The experiences of that old building have been varied. It has sheltered children seeking education, it has warmed deserving poor people, and it has been the abode of shameless courtesans. It is now kindling wood and its history is at an end.

The first school-teacher was Darwin E. Jones. He taught in 1856-7. Later he was county treasurer and recorder. While J. A. Harvey, of Fremont county, was land commissioner of Iowa. Mr. Jones was his private secretary. He then went to Illinois at the expiration of Mr. Harvey's term of office. Shortly after leaving Taylor county Jones fell heir to a streak of good luck. Several years before he had saved a man from drowning. That man presented him with a splendid farm, and the last heard of Darwin E. Jones he was on the highway to wealth.

Connected with the old school-house above mentioned a little circumstance will bear relating. In 1856 or 1857, Jake Lewis was teaching a singing-class there, and a fellow by the name of Cornell stole his horse. Cornell was caught at Lawrence, Kansas, by Dug. Dale. The expense of capturing him, $96, was made up by the citizens. The horse that had been stolen was a valuable one, and Mr. Cornell was sentenced to five years in the penitentiary for this crime. "Darbies" wouldn't stick on his wrists. (page 550) No sooner were they put on than they were off, and while he was being tried he amused himself by spitting tobacco juice in the eyes of the spectators. When taken to Fort Madison he said that he would get out in less than a week, which he did.

Another gentleman who was "singing-master" at this first school building, and in other places throughout the county, was Major A. B. Van Sickle, who was then a fine singer, and is to-day, although we believe that he rarely honors his friends with vocal performances any more.

Judge Hall, who died in 1879, succeeded Mr. Jones as public instructor. Afterward he was a leading lawyer of Bedford, and a son-in-law of the Rev. Dr. Golliday.

Next came John F. Saulsbury, who was a man of most excellent education. His moral character and his exalted manhood endeared him to all. When the tocsin of war sounded he went, with many others, to make triumphant the flag of his country. He never returned. He sacrificed his life for the government he revered. His widow is the present Mrs. Charles Cope, a lady of most lovable qualities, and whose husband is to-day one of the foremost and best of Taylor county's citizens.

In 1864 a stone school-house was erected, which was sufficient until 1877. It contained four rooms and it is now being used in connection with the elegant building erected in the summer of 1877. Of this later building the people of Bedford are justly proud. It is one of the finest edifices of its class in southwestern Iowa. Its description and the history of its construction are briefly as follows, the facts being condensed from the first issue of the Taylor County Republican:

July 24, 1876, a proposition was submitted to a vote of the citizens of the Independent school-district of Bedford to authorize the issue and sale of bonds to the amount of $16,000, for the purpose of erecting a new school-building. The proposition was carried by a handsome majority and the bonds were accordingly issued. These bonds were regarded by capitalists as a very desirable investment, and were negotiated at par, bearing eight per cent interest, and netted the district $15,680, after deducting two per cent commission for their sale. The bonds have ten years to run, but may be called in any time at the option of the district. They are signed by Thomas McCracken, president, and James P. Flick, treasurer of the board. They have twice been called in and twice refunded - now at six and a half per cent. The amount cut off from the principal is $4,500.

W. K. Ball, of Creston, Iowa, was selected as the architect, and prepared the plans and specifications. February 24, 1877, the contract was let to J. W. Combs, for the sum of $15,300, the work to be done by November 1, 1877 (page 551). The location is a considerable eminence in the northwestern part of town and the completed building presents a fine view. The site was obtained by vacating that portion of North Street which lies between Pennsylvania and Illinois streets, and adding the ground to the adjoining square, formerly used for school purposes.

The building fronts eastward, standing squarely across North Street. The ground plan is a simple parallelogram, seventy-five feet in front and sixty-eight feet deep. The building is two stories high exclusive of the basement, and a half mansard roof. The furnace chimneys are built on the outside of the walls, and carried a considerable distance above the roof, presenting the appearance of ornamental towers. The material of the building is St. Joseph brick, with stone door-ways, steps, window-sills, lintels and waterbase, and stone grain work at the corners. The stone used is a very close-grained variety of sandstone, obtained at Sagetown, Illinois, at a cost of a little over $2,000. The foundation is of stone, and the walls extend a considerable distance below the surface. The roof is of tin, and has an ornamental cupola or observatory in the center. Underneath the entire structure is a basement, well lighted and ventilated. It contains two of the Ruttan Ventilating and Heating Company's furnaces, manufactured at Bloomington, Illinois, and put into the building at a cost of $845. The front entrance is reached by a flight of broad, massive stone steps. A double door fitted into an arched door-way opens into a vestibule, which communicates by a similar door with a rotunda, which is about twenty-five feet square in the clear, exclusive of the space occupied by two star-ways which lead from it to the second story. All the doors in the building open outward, to afford easy and rapid egress in case of a panic. The walls of the rotunda and all the rooms are wainscotted to a height of about four feet. On each side of the rotunda are two school-rooms, each twenty-four by thirty-two feet, and admirably lighted by four large windows, hung by means of weights. Each of the eight rooms in the house contains thirty-two double seats, which gives the house a capacity to seat 512 scholars. The seats were manufactured by the Novelty Iron Works, of Sterling, Illinois, and are built upon iron frames, of ash and walnut, in alternate bands; they cost $840. Blackboards of liquid slate are placed around the four walls of each room. There are 400 yards of blackboarding in the building. Each room is provided with a wardrobe twenty-two feet long by six feet wide. The arrangement of the rooms on the two floors is similar; those on the first floor have fourteen-feet, and those on the second floor fifteen feet ceilings. On the second floor is a rotunda corresponding to the (page 522) one on the first. In the half-mansard roof is an attic room sixty-eight by twenty-two feet.

The workmanship and material of the building are excellent. The contractor divided and sublet the work. The bricklaying was done by Messrs. Cunning and Wilson, and the plastering by W. H. Wilson. The carpenter work was sublet to William Boudart, and was done under the immediate supervision of James Shapley. The painting and graining were done by C. C. Mendenhall. The roofing and spouting were furnished by Evans, Goodrill Bros. & Co. The grounds have been nicely graded and drained with tiling, and good plank walks have been built around them. On the south side of the building a marble slab has been set in the wall, which bears the date of erection of the building, the names of the directors, the builder, and the architect.

About January 1, 1878, the board accepted the building, and settled with the contractor, allowing him about $300 for "extras" not embraced in the specifications. The first principal of the school in the new building was Professor J.C. Kerr, now of Calhoun county, who continued in that position until the close of the year 1880-81. The present principal is Professor Eugene Cary. His assistants are Miss Eva McCloud, Miss Irene McCloud, Miss L. J. Boyd, Miss Laura McCracken, Miss Alice Taylor, Miss Hattie Lewis and Miss Belle Osborne. The fall term invariably commences the first Monday in September.

Of the public schools of Bedford it is just to say that they are unexcelled. The courses are thorough, and "graduation" means more than the mere term implies. One having passed the portals of this knowledge house is well fitted for the important duties of all the years to come.

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Masonic

The Masons are very strong in Bedford, and the organization of the "Blue Lodge" runs back to a time before Sumter had been fired upon, to the month of January, 1860, and not to February 1st, 1881, as Dr. Randolph, the present secretary, reported to the historian hereof. The style of the organization is Taylor Lodge No. 156, A. F. and A.M. The charter members were J. S. Rand, E. Cook, E. T. Smith, D. Underwood, J. M. Faulkner, J. J. Scott, A.M. Simpson and James Mitchell. The date of the charter was June 8, 1860. The lodge was instituted by J. S. Rand, Ephraim Cook and E. T. Smith. The first officers were J. S. Rand, W. M.; E. Cook, and S. W.; E. T. Smith, J. W.; Daniel Underwood, treasurer; J. W. Faulkner, secretary; J. J. Scott, S.D.; A.M. Simpson, J. D., and James-Mitchell, tyler. The present officers are R. O. Starlin, W. M.; Edwin Houck S. W.; A. H. Connett, J. W.; A. J. Litteer, treasurer, and W.F. Randolph, secretary.

The membership is about eight-five. The time for meeting is the Wednesday night on or before the full moon. The lodge is prosperous and has accumulated a fund of more than $1,000. It has several hundred dollars loaned out, and owns two lots of Main street. At present a rented hall at the corner of Main and South Green streets is used. It is elegantly fitted up and is rented for a period of about four years yet. Ere that time expires the lodge will have erected a building of its own.

The chapter, at Bedford, is known as Triangle Chapter No. 68, R. A. M. In March, 1873, a meeting of the Royal Arch Masons of Bedford and vicinity was called to organize a chapter, and a petition was signed by the following: R. O. Starling, M. C. Connett, R. B. Rockwell, W. F. Walker, Simeon Wright, John P. Wright, L. W. Fairbanks, O. B. Wilson, E. T. Smith and W. G. Barrows, and was sent to the grand high priest of the State of Iowa, with a recommendation from Clarinda Chapter, No. 49. (page 554) March 26, 1873, a dispensation came, granted by the grand high priest. The chapter was organized by S. S. Bean, then of Clarinda, but now of Creston, who appointed Richard O. Starling to be the first H. P.; Comp M. C. Connett, first K.; R. B. Rockwell to be first S., and October 24, 1874 a charter was granted. The present officers are R. B. Rockwell, H. P.; P. C. King, K.; R. W. Fitzgerald, S.; A. J. Litteer, treasurer; W. F. Walker, secretary; R. O. Starling, C. H.; J. D. Wilkins, P.S.; A. H. Connett, R. A. C.; J. J. Evans, master third vail; Guy Webster, master second vail; O. W. Williams, master first vail, and A. C. Redmon, sentinel.

The present membership of the chapter is fifty-six. Grand Chapter dues for 1881 were $49. But few deaths have occurred in the chapter since its organization. It meets in the hall occupied by the "blue lodge," and will join it in building when the "sign is right."

Very many of the Masons of Bedford are Knights Templar, and belong to Bethany Commandery at Creston. There are M. C. Connett, H. McConoile, and W. F. Walker, certain. R. B. Rockwell is associated with the commandery at Clarinda.

Odd-Fellows

Bedford Encampment No. 73, I.O.O.F., was organized October 21, 1874, or rather that was the date of the charter. It was instituted November 3, 1874, by H. N. Cramer, of Clarinda, assisted by several patriarchs from the Clarinda encampment. The first officers were J. M. Thirkield, chief patriarch; Levi Sheaffer, high priest; L. S. Morris, senior warden; John Graff, junior warden, Cyrus Woolverton, treasurer, and W. W. Clark, scribe. The charter members were John Graff, Cyrus Woolverton, David H. Brown, L. S. Morris, Levi Sheaffer, W. W. Clark, and J. M. Thirkield.

The present officers are John Graff, chief patriarch; G. M. Gillette, high priest; T. F. Fitzgerald, senior warden; W. W. Clark, junior warden; Lafe Combs, treasurer, and W. N. Farlow, scribe. The present membership is 118. The meetings occur twice each month, on Tuesday evenings.

Bedford Lodge No. 19, I. O. O. F., was organized October 9, 1856, or at least the charter bears that date. The records of the first year are not in existence. Hence, it is impossible to give the names of its first officers and its early history. We are indebted to Mr. Joel Walker for a partial list of the charter members. He remembers that among them were Oliver Jencks, Oliver Hyde, Josiah Litteer, and Ezekiel Rose. Mr. Rose did not become an Odd-Fellow until the year following. Since then he has been an active member, a representative at the grand lodge of the State, and a deputy grand master. The present officers are: T. F. Fitzgerald, N. G.; John Wykoff, V. C.; W. W. Clark, R. S.; F. M. Beall, P.S.; and G. M. Gillette, treasurer.

Universalist Church

Some years ago there was an organization of Universalists at Bedford. The last services in the name of that denomination were held by Mattie Hulet Parry and Rev. J. E. Huston - all occurring near the same time. This was in 1877. Prior to this time the Universalists had services with considerable regularity. During a period of twenty years they had enjoyed the preaching of such profound orators and liberal thinkers as J. P. Sanford (page 556) and A. J. Fishback, who have reputations as wide as the nation; W. W. Merrill, afterward the Greeley candidate for Congress in this district; T. C. Eaton, J. R. Baker and Jay Bishop. Along in the first years of the seventies they erected a church edifice, which is now the property of

The Presbyterians

Of this denomination here and elsewhere in the county we are indebted to a friend for the following account, some of which is a repetition of what has been said in another place in this book: "The growth of the Presbyterian Church in this county has been very slow but steady. The first organization was effected at Lexington, June 27, 1857, with eleven members and one ruling elder. The organization was called The One Hundred and Two River Church. The ruling elder was J. C. McCandliss. This organization was effected under the direction of Rev. C. G. Bell, who did the first Presbyterian preaching in the county. Not one of the eleven original members are connected with any organization in the county, all of them having removed therefrom. In 1859 this organization was removed to Bedford, and has since been known as the Bedford Presbyterian Church. This church has been served by the following ministers: Revs. L. G. Bell, 1857-59; W. M. Stryker, 1859-64; S. A. McElherney, 1868-70; and A. T. Randolph, 1870-76. The present pastor of the church is Rev. R. A. McKinley, who began his labors in June, 1878. Up to 1878 the church was very weak in numbers and influence, owing its existence thus far to the aid afforded by the Board of Home Missions. But since 1878 the church has "faced to the front," and now occupies a commanding position in the city. It now has a membership of 150, three-fourths of which has been added during the present pastorate. It is no longer dependent upon the Board of Home Missions, but is self-sustaining. It owns a very comfortable house of worship on the northwest corner of the public square, and a parsonage which is now being enlarged. A fair proportion of the wealth and culture of this city adhere to this church. While its growth was retarded by the war, and by the removal of its members to other places, it is now a strong church with a promising outlook for the future….(page 557) the more influential members of the Presbyterian Church are N. Goodsile and wife, John Graff and wife, J. M. Thompson and wife, J. M. Windsor and wife and Lyman Evans and wife. Mr. Windsor especially should have mention, for he was the first and has been foremost in the church interests and in the sabbath-schools. Lyman Evans, who has the superintendency of the Presbyterian sabbath-school, which is a very large and popular one, is the member-elect to the legislature.

M. E. Church

One of the most prosperous and active church organizations in southwestern Iowa is the Methodist Church of Bedford, or at least such has been its history up to this date. It was organized by Rev. Isaac Kelley. The original members were W. M. P. Long, E. J. Long, S. J. Hall, Hannah Long, Anna Johnson, Daniel Martin, Sarah J. Underwood, Mrs. E. Martin, D. M. Greeson and Jesse R. Herbert and wife. The different pastors have been Rev. Isaac Kelley, Rev. William Hays, Rev. J. P. Evans, Rev. W. J. Beck, Rev. George Clammer, Rev. C. W. Blodgett and R. L. M. Walters. Rev. W. D. Bennett is the new pastor of the church. The membership is about two hundred. The church edifice stands directly opposite the Presbyterian Church, on the northwest corner of the public square. It is built of brick. Its size is 44x60 feet, and cost $6,000. It was erected in 1868, and has undergone many repairs since. Internally it is "as handsome as a picture." The church also owns a fine parsonage, which was built while Rev. J. P. Evans was pastor. During Rev. Walters' ministry it was enlarged and improved. It is now a fine structure, costing about $3,000.

The Methodists have a very large and popular sabbath-school which meets at 3 o'clock Sunday afternoons. Frank Dunning is the superintendent and W. P. Jeffry the assistant. Lincoln McCloud is the secretary and A. B. Caplinger assistant secretary.

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Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church of Bedford, was organized December 2d, 1854. Elder J. M. Smith was moderator of the council and V. Knight, clerk. The original members were Rev. J. M. Smith and wife, V. Knight and wife, Albert Derrickson and wife, John Derrickson and wife, David Smith and wife, Mrs. Greer, J. A. Golding and wife and William Smith and wife.

(Page 561) ….The death roll during the last four or five years has not been a long one, but it was the old veterans who fell - Deacon Matthew Golding, Elizabeth Golding, Delilah Derrickson, William Lewis, Benner Wilson and Sarah Houck. ….In speaking of the organization of the Baptist Church at Bedford, Elder J. M. Smith, in his work on "Revivals" says: There was no Baptist Church of our order - that is, Missionary Baptist - nearer than 60 miles, and no Baptist minister in all that county. My brother-in-law who went out there with me, was a Baptist preacher. He assisted me in meetings while he stayed, but he went back to Indiana and never returned. The Indians were thick around us and sometimes would alarm us. They would come and stand around the house when I was preaching, but for all this I was pleased with my work. When we organized the first church in 1854, it was in a log cabin with but one door, and no window at all, and the wind blew so hard that we had to shut the door. Then it was so dark that we had to have a candle burning to get light enough in the day to see to read the Bible."

A flourishing Baptist sabbath-school walks hand in hand with the church. It meets sabbath mornings at 9 o'clock. Thomas McCracken is the superintendent (page 562), W. F. Evans, secretary, and Miss Ella Meek, organist. The membership is very large.

The Christian Church

Perhaps the denomination in Bedford having the largest membership is the Christian Church. It was organized in 1856 with thirteen original members. Among these were Thomas and E. W. Cobb, Asa and Mary Cobb, William C. and Mary Cole, J. D. Ross and wife, Julia Vincent, and William Bradbury. The church owns a neat house of worship and other property valued at $6,000. Rev. F. M. Kirkham was the pastor until about September 1, when he was called to a large and wealthy church in Chicago. The church is now without a regular pastor.

The popular sabbath-school that goes with the church is superintended by Jonathan Atkinson. From the Bedford membership of the church several organizations have sprung up in the county, and all of them are in healthy condition.

Catholic

There are a large number of people of this faith residing in Bedford. Regular services are had, but they have no church building as yet.

The African M. E. Church

Has a regularly employed pastor, and the colored people meet for worship at the court-house every Sunday. Their prayer-meetings occur once each week, while frequent meetings are held for singing. In music their services are peculiarly melodious and interesting.

Incorporation

Bedford was incorporated May 28, 1866, and Joseph H. Turner was elected mayor, W. F. Walker, recorder and William Walker, Curtis Wilkins, Charles Cope, R. H. Patrick and J. M. Houck, councilmen….(page 564) 1881 - M. C. Fuller elected mayor; Charles Martin, recorder; Ezra Stephens, assessor; W. E. Crum, treasurer; T. H. Morgan, marshal; D. E. Jones, street commissioner; J. M. Thompson, Guy Webster, Lafe Long, William Bauchart, Jacob Cole and J. R. Derrickson, councilmen.

The city is out of debt, there is money in the treasury, street repairs are progressing, and needed improvements are constantly being made. A city that is cleaner than Bedford can't be found in the State of Iowa in this year of grace, 1881.

Manufactories

The progress that ought to have been has not been made in the establishment of manufactories at Bedford. It seems to the writer that a wagon and carriage manufactory could be made profitable here. Not less than five hundred wagons and carriages were sold in Taylor county last year. Bedford is as near the timber regions of Missouri as is Moline, Illinois. A plow factory would pay, too. Those looking for a location with a view to establishing in the manufacturing business, would readily see the advantages here. The trade of this county would be large of itself, and the territory about it would give a country to supply unsurpassed in this part of the State. As will be seen hereafter; a furniture factory has already been started in Bedford. If a factory for this purpose will succeed certainly will one for the manufacture of wagons and agricultural implements.

Bedford has a cigar manufactory which has an unsurpassed reputation in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. At first it was a thing of small beginnings. Mr. A. P. Rochan started it early in the year 1879, employing but one or two cigar-makers to assist him. He gradually worked up a trade at home, and then extended it to the states above named. More hands were employed, and thus it has steadily grown to its present immense proportions. In the summer of the present year Mr. Rochan associated with him in the business Mr. S. C. Burlingim, under the firm name of Rochan & Co. Twenty-five cigar-makers are now steadily in their employ. Yet, with all this help, they are unable to meet the demands made upon them for their favorite brands of cigars.

(Page 565) During the present season J. W. Combs & Son have erected a furniture factory of large dimensions, and filled it with all the machinery necessary to the success of the work they contemplate. Their machinery is of the latest invention and the best made. The engine is a 20 horse-power with a boiler sufficient for a 25 horse-power engine. The planer is one of the latest improved, and weighs 2,600 pounds. The establishment contains sixteen machines, one of them is for the manufacturing of table slides. No other factory in Iowa has one. All kinds of tables are a specialty in this manufactory - from an extension to a fine parlor table. All its work will be first-class, embracing all articles that are turned out in similar establishments elsewhere. The cost of the machinery was $3,000, which added to the remainder of their establishment in the furniture business will reach $18,000.

The Bedford Mills in the line of importance should have been first mentioned among the manufacturing interests of the city. They were erected by Bassett Brothers & Co., in 1875, with three run of burrs. Afterward they added a small burr, a purifyer, etc. Stickley, Thompson & Burlingim bought Bassett Brothers and Co. out in December, 1879. Stickley was in the partnership but a short time, and in September, 1880, O. B. Thompson became sole owner. Since 1879 the capacity of the mill has been more than doubled. The newest and best new process machinery has been added. The capacity of the mill is now seventy-five barrels of flour per day. The flour it manufactures is a credit to the proprietor of the mills, and wonderfully enhances the reputation of the city abroad, for it is sold in many towns in Iowa and Missouri by the car load. At present the mills are 125,000 pounds behind orders.

(Page 567)…As a business point Bedford is unequalled. Its business men are generally clever gentlemen, who are solid financially. All departments of trade are well represented, and the professional gentlemen of the city rank high. In culture and in morals the people of Bedford are deserving of all praise, for no Iowa town has a better record on that score.