CHAPTER XXXIV ATLANTIC TOWNSHIP(CONT'D)
ATLANTIC. (CONT'D)
ATLANTIC WATER WORKS.
One of the works of which Atlantic can well be proud, is the water-works, and which, from its inception to its completion, demanded all the pluck and energy of the best business men of the city. The works, which are of the Holly system, are complete in every respect. It became apparent, a few years ago, that the supply of water was wholly inadequate for even domestic purposes, and the want of the proper amount of that element, in cases of conflagration, disastrous; so means were taken to provide against this, and the first step was the formation or a company, for the purpose of building the works. A corporation was formed in 1882, with a capital of $100,000, and the work commenced under the supervision of J. R. Reynolds, and in October of that year was completed and put in operation. The company have a fine brick building just east of town, in a loop of Troublesome creek. This edifice is 60x36 feet in size, 16 feet high, and contains the necessary machinery. This consists of a Holly Quadruplex engine and pump, that has a capacity of raising two million gallons of water every twenty-four hours, and, in case of stress, this can be reinforced by a duplex pump of the same manufacture, with a capacity of one million gallons in a full day. The power to drive the silent but powerful engines is derived from two Holly boilers, each sixty inches in diameter and sixteen feet long. For some time after its completion, the water supply was taken from the creek, but that stream in times of rain becoming turbid, and the filters not working satisfactorily, drive wells were put down all over the bottom, and connecting them together with a spider, they were put under the control of the engine, and now furnish the city with clear, fresh water. In case of fire, or any other great demand for this element, connection can still be made with the creek, and the water sent through the mains.
The company has now down five and a half miles of mains throughout the city, varying in size from four to sixteen inches in diameter. J. W. Love and C. S. Manville are the engineers in charge of the works, and are faithfully found at their post throughout the hours of their duty. The works are connected with the city by electric alarms, so that in case of any sudden demand for water, it can be furnished. The corporation is officered, at present, by J. C. Yelzer, president; Lafayette Young, secretary, and W. A. Wilken, superintendent. The outlay has met with the bearty appreciation of the people of the community, and is one of the boasts of this flourishing, active, go-ahead town of Atlantic.
J. W. Love was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, January 6, 1846, and is a son of Robert and Eliza J. (Crooks) Love. His father is a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ohio. In 1876 his father came to Cass county, Iowa, where he remained until 1883, when he removed to Beedle county, Dakota. When sixteen years of age the subject of this sketch began engineering in his father's saw mill, which he followed until twenty-two years of age, when he spent seven and a half years in a planing mill. He then went to Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he took up engineering again, which he followed until he came to Atlantic in 1879, where he is at present engaged as engineer of the water works. He was married, September 8, 1869, to Sarah E. Hann, who was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, November 16, 1846. By this union there has been three children--Mary M., Nellie F. and Harry P. Mr. Love is a member of the A. O. U. W., I. K. of H., and A. F. and A. M. societies.
Charles S. Manville was born in St. Clair county, Michigan, September 6, 1857. He is a son of Charles S. and Adaline (Burney) Manville, who at present reside in Toledo, Ohio. Mr. Manville is sailing on the lakes, an occupation be has followed since he was thirteen years of age. Charles S. went with his parents to Toledo in 1866, and when twenty years of age entered the brass works and machine shops of Wolcutt and Row. In May, 1879, he came to Atlantic where he has since resided, being employed by S. M. Childs and Company, and afterward by Yetzer and Rapp, while at present he is employed by the City Water Works company. He was married February 24, 1880, in Atlantic, to Bessie Haley. They have two children--Charles F. and William J.
WHITNEY'S BLOCK.
Among the ornaments of the city of Atlantic, there is none that deserves mention more than the building known as the "Whitney Block." This is a magnificent three story brick building situated on the east side of Chestnut street, between Fourth and Fifth streets. The building covers two lots, making a frontage of fifty feet and extending back to a depth of one hundred feet. The first story is all in one room, 50x100 feet, and is occupied as a retail boot and shoe store, and a grocery store. The story is eighteen feet between floors. The second story has been fitted for occupancy, and a number of grand rooms for offices may be found there, among which is the Knights of Pythias Lodge. In the third story is the Masonic Hall, a description of which appears elsewhere. The front of the building, while being plain is grand and imposing. The style of the architecture is what is called the Queen Anne and which is Modernized Classic. The street entrance to the Masonic Hall is very bold and consists of heavy cut piers, solid moulded bases and solid stone caps with stone frieze in which is engraved "Masonic Hall." The balance of the first story is of plate glass of very large size. The front above is built of the best quality of St. Louis pressed brick, laid in black mortar with steel joints and oiled. The front is trimmed with cut stone and galvanized iron. These are pilasters extending from the top of the first story to the cornice. These have Corinthian caps. There are two moulded heavy belt courses. The main cornice is a cantetilever cornice and very massive. In the center is a gable, in the tympanum of which are placed, "F. H. Whitney's Block, 1882," in raised letters and gilded. This gable is surmounted by a flag-staff fifteen feet high, with a gilded copper ball on the top. Above the cornice is a paneled balustrade four feet high, with moulded paneled pedestals and on them classic vases. The windows for the front, above the first story, are nine feet wide, and those for the upper story, or Masonic Hall are fourteen feet high, and have semi-circular tops, with stone transom rail and cap with keystones. The entrance to the upper story is enclosed by a handsome iron gate secured by a padlock. This gate is painted a bronze green and the points gilded. The glass for the front side are entirely of the best English polished plate, except for the transom lights. These are of ornamental stain cathedral hammered glass of appropriate designs. The height of the front of the building above the sidewalk is sixty-five feet, and it presents a lofty appearance, being as sightly as any building in the city, not ex- cepting the new court house. The entire building and lots cost but little less than $35,000.
Bacon's Opera House, which is located on the corner of Fifth and Poplar streets, was erected in 1880, by H. E. Bacon, A. A. Hubbard and E. Simmons. Before its completion, however, Mr. Bacon, purchased the interests of his partners, becoming sole owner. It was finished and thrown open to the public on the 20th of September, and was dedicated by John Dillon, in "Electric Light." The edifice is 47x100 feet in size, built of brick, and is architecturally an imposing structure. It has a seating capacity of 600, with a stage 32x44 feet in size, well equipped with scenery and curtains. The auditorium is supplied with folding opera chairs and is well lighted and ventilated. Mr. Bacon, the proprietor, has been prominently identified with the county in official capacity, and has been, already, mentioned in that connection.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, March, 2022 from: "History of Cass County, Together with Sketches of Its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens", published in 1884, Springfield, Ill: Continental Historical Co., pp. 884-886.
