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HISTORY OF DALLAS COUNTY, IOWA, 1879

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CITIES AND TOWNS.

ADEL.

     THIS town is the county-seat of Dallas county, and has a delightful situation on the west bank of the North Raccoon river, on sections 29 and 32, township 79, range 27, the original "town quarter" being the east half of the southwest quarter, and the west half of the southeast quarter of section 29, in the above mentioned township. The original town was surveyed and platted by the county surveyor, Martin W. Miller--or rather by his deputy, Alfred D. Jones, of Des Moines-which work was completed May 22, 1847, the town site having been selected just previously as the proper place for the location of the county-seat of Dallas county, by the locating commissioners appointed by the Legislature for that purpose. The out-lots were afterward surveyed by O. D. Smalley, in July, 1851.

     Several additions have been made to the town since it was first established, until it now extends its limits from the river to the west line of section 29, and south for a considerable distance on section 32, including a large tract of land within the corporation. The original plat was situated principally on a beautiful, level plane or second-bottom, near the river, on land formerly owned, or claimed, by John Miller; but now the town extends toward the west, over the high ridge of rolling land which opens back upon the prairie, and affords numerous beautiful building sites, on many of which elegant, commodious and costly residences have been built. Adel was the first town established in the county, and has been compelled to pass through many trials and seasons of discouragement to attain its present stage of progress, and hold its own against the adverse circumstances and influences surrounding and opposing it.

     Even from its beginning for many years no very great advantages or encouraging prospects were afforded for its rapid growth and prosperity. The country around was new and uncultivated, and the settlers were yet very few and widely scattered, so that the progress in general development was exceedingly slow and somewhat discouraging for several years; during which time the town of Adel, though the first and only one in the county, made but little increase, either in size or business.

     To one living in the county-seat to-day it is a difficult matter to realize what was the appearance of Dallas county and of Adel in the fall of 1847, and for a few years following.

     At that early day, to one standing on the high ridge just above the present site of the public school-building and looking down on the original town site as laid off for the county-seat, only a few cabins could be seen, and no shade trees, or foliage, or two and three story brick and frame build-

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ings interrupted the view; and then looking to the west, and north, and south, as far as the eye could see over the trackless, rolling prairies, nothing met the eye but one unbroken sea of prairie grass waving over the uncultivated lands, or the massive tops of forest trees skirting the branches of the Raccoon. No cabins, nor fences, nor barns, nor marks of cultivation and improvement could be seen, save the few original cabins and improvement on and near the site of the county-seat.

     The town when first laid out was called Penoach, at the suggestion of the deputy surveyor, A. D. Jones, and retained that name until sometime in 1849, when it received its present name, the exact date of which change of name we have not been able to ascertain, as no record is found on the county books of any order changing it. It was probably done by the Legislature and the record would thus appear in Des Moines.

     But much of the early history of the county-seat is necessarily involved in the general history of the county, and being there quite fully given need not be here repeated. (See history of county-seat.)

     The first house in town was built by J. O. Corbell in the fall of 1847, on lot 5, block 8.

     It was a small log cabin used as a dwelling house and a post-office, the owner being the postmaster and mail carrier from Fort Des Moines.

     Ira Sherman sold the first goods in town-as before stated-and not long after him Benjamin Greene and George B. Warden each opened stores about the same time, in 1848 or 1849, Warden occupying the old log courthouse, and Mr. Greene occupying a small building which stood opposite the northeast corner of the court-house square. Each carried a mixed stock of goods, and these were then the only stores in town. Mr. Greene sold out to William Ellis, a few years afterward, who opened a mixed store in a smaJ1 one-story building, which stood on lot 4, block 18, just opposite the southeast corner of the square.

     About 1853 Cole Noel also opened a store, keeping a general assortment, on lot 4, block 17, and about 1854-5, E. D. Smith opened a small grocery and notion store on lot 8, block 7, opposite the northwest corner of court-house square.

     The first two-story frame store building erected in town was, perhaps, the one which now stands empty on lot 1, block 17. It was built by Wm. Ellis about 1855, and his stock of goods was moved into it that year, just across the street from his first small store.

     Among the very first frame dwellings erected was one which stood on lots 7 and 8, block 13, and was afterward converted into a store building, and then, in connection with three other small buildings, it was burned, this being the largest one of the four.

     The first brick building erected in the town was the small one-story building now occupied by G. W. Campbell as a tailor shop. This building was erected in 1856 or 1857.

The first brick dwelling house erected in town was one built by C. C. Baird, on an out-lot in the southwest part of town, soon after the brick tailor shop was erected.

     The first two-story brick building erected in town is the one now occupied by Leroy Lambert as a dwelling on an out-lot in the west part of town ,on Main street. This building was used as the school-house for a number of years until the present large school-building was erected in 1869. It was built about the same time, or a little before, the present court-house.

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     The first three-story brick store building erected in town was Risser's large and elegant store building, about 1867-8.

     The first hotel in the town was a small story-and-a-half frame building which now forms part of the "Hill House," and stood on the same ground.

     Mr. R. R. Bailey kept hotel in it for a long time, as a stage station on the line of the Western Stage Company, from Davenport to Council Bluffs, this being the first and only hotel is town for some time.

     In 1855 the "Plank House" was built by Jacob Frush on the site now occupied by the "Forrester House," and when this was finished and put in running order, the stage station was moved to it and thus continued until the line was discontinued. Mr. Frush kept the stage station for some time after his "Plank House" was completed, then sold out to Mr. Hale, who kept it until August, 1863, when he sold to Mr. Forrester, and has since continued under his name, but is now in the possession of A. F. Ford.

     Among the first men who preached in town were Thomas Butler, Elder Castle, John P. Glenn and Elder Baird.

     In 1855 there were not more than twenty-five houses, all told, in the town, and only three stores, Wm. Ellis, Cole Noel's and E. D. Smith's, as above mentioned, showing that the progress during the first eleven or eight years was not very great. After that, however, buildings and inhabitants and business increased more rapidly.

     The town gave two lots for church purposes at an early day; one to the M. E. Church, situated in the northeast corner of town, an out-lot, and one to the Christian Church, situated in the extreme southeast corner of town. But these were never built upon by the churches.

     We are indebted to the kindness of Judge Perkins for many of the above statistics, who also informs us that not long after coming to the county and town he performed the marriage ceremony for two colored couple here in Adel, which were the first and last and only colored couple married in the town, and perhaps in the county. The first white couple married in the town we have not been able to ascertain.

     Mr. Greene informs us that the first death in town was that of the wife of Isaac Miller, son of Samuel Miller, at a very early day in the town's history.

GRAVE-YARDS.

     The first burying ground of Adel was south of town a mile or two, which was used for some time; but not being satisfactory to all parties, the location was changed, and a five-acre lot was secured about a mile and a quarter west of town, which was properly laid off and deeded to the town of Adel for a public burying ground. It is fenced and now under the management of the town trustees since the incorporation of the town.

     The I. O. O. F. lodge also have a burying ground of their own across the river, a short distance east of town, containing three acres, which was donated to them for that purpose about 1856, by Barak Michener, who reserved a lot for himself, and has since been buried there. Only two or three others have yet been buried in the ground.

     It is well fenced and kept, and has a beautiful location.

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POST-OFFICE.

     The post-office was established in Penoach in 1847. No regular mail route passed through here at that time, but for a while a man was appointed

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to the double work of postmaster and mail carrier, whose duty it was to go to Fort Des Moines for the mail, and also to distribute it at Penoach, until the mail and stage route passed through here.

     J. C. Corbell was the first postmaster and mail carrier of this kind in the town, who held the office for some time.

     The following, as near as we can ascertain, is a list of the postmasters who followed him: Stephen K. Scovell, Ira Sherman, M. C. Thomas, S. K. Scovell, Leroy Lambert, H. C. Rippey, James Robinson, N. B. Nichols, Esq., S. B. Hempstead, N. B. Nichols, Esq., G. A. Atwood, J. E. Williams and W. F. Brockway, the present incumbent, who was appointed December 27, 1873.

     Adel was incorporated in 1856. Recorded in the minutes of the term of County Court, held March 3, 1856, the following order, regarding the organization and incorporation of the town of Adel, appears:

     "On a petition of William Ellis and forty-seven other citizens of Adel, praying for a Town Organization; and it being proven to the satisfaction of this court that there are three hundred inhabitants in the village of Adel, and that one-fourth of the legal voters of said village of Adel were subscribed to the petition aforesaid, it is

     Ordered, That an election be held in the village of Adel, at the court-house, on the 13th day of March. A. D. 1856, in order to take the census of the inhabitants, 'for incorporation' and 'against incorporation'; arid that N. B. Nichols, Leroy Lambert and M. F. Gerard be, and are hereby, appointed judges of said election; and that Wm. H. Dodge and J. Perkins be, and are hereby, appointed clerks of said election. "

"ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR THE TOWN OF ADEL."

     ARTICLE 1. All that tract of land being in township seventy-nine (79), north of range twenty-seven (27), west of the fifth principal meridian, in the county of Dallas, and State of Iowa, which is comprised in the original town plat of Adel; together with all additions heretofore made and recorded, and all additions that may hereafter be made and recorded according to law, be, and the same is hereby, declared a town corporation, by the name and style of Adel, and the inhabitants thereof are created a body corporate and politic, by the name and style of the town of Adel, and shall have and exercise the rights, powers and duties of a corporation, from and after the tenth day of April, A. D. 1856.

     ART. 2. The legal voters. who have resided within the limits of said corporation twenty days immediately preceding any such election, shall meet at some suitable place within said corporation, on the first Saturday in April, A. D. 1856, and annually thereafter, and then and there proceed to elect, by ballot, one mayor, four councilmen and one recorder, who shall hold their offices for one year and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

     ART. 3. At the first election there shall be chosen, by the electors present, two judges and a clerk of election, and at subsequent elections the councilmen, or any two of them, shall be the judges of election, and the recorder shall be the clerk of election. The judges and clerk of elections, at all elections, shall be governed by the laws of Iowa governing- general elections so far as applicable, except that the polls shall be opened at any time before twelve o'clock at noon, and closed at four o'clock in the afternoon, after which the votes shall be canvassed and the judges shall declare the election and the clerk shall, within three days, notify the persons elected.

     ART. 4. The mayor shall be the presiding officer of the council when present, and shall give the casting vote when there is a tie. In his absence, the council may appoint a president pro tern from their own body.

     ART. 5. The regular meeting of the council shall be held on the first Saturday in each month, and the council may provide by ordinance for calling special meetings.

     ART. 6. Ordinances passed by the council shall be signed by the mayor and attested by the recorder, and before they take effect shall be posted up in three public places in said town, or published in some newspaper printed in said town, and shall also be recorded in a book kept for this purpose, attested by the mayor and recorder.

     ART. 7. It shall be the duty of the recorded to keep a true record of all the official proceedings of the council, which records shall be open at all times to public inspection.

     ART. 8. The mayor, councilmen and recorder, before entering upon the duties of their

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offices, shall each take an oath, or affirmation to support the constitution 3f the United States, and the constitution of Iowa, and faithfully and impartially discharge the duties of their office.

     ART. 9. The council shall have authority to make and establish such by-laws and ordinances as may be necessary and proper for the good regulations, safety and health of the town and citizens thereof; to levy and collect taxes on all property within the limits of the corporation, 'which, by the laws of the State, is not exempt from taxation, which tax shall not exceed one per cent per annum on the assessed value thereof, and its collection may be enforced by such measures as may be deemed expedient. provided these measures be not more stringent and summary than those used for the collection of State and county taxes; to improve the streets and alleys; to provide drains, sewers, public wells, and keep them in repairs; to license, regulate, or prohibit all shows or public exhibitions, if the laws of the State are thereby not interfered with; to provide against gambling and drunkenness, and disorderly conduct; and for the prevention and extinguishment of fires. and to make all ordinary, proper and suitable regulations for the government and well-being of the town, and impose penalties for the violation of such regulations, which penalties may be collected by civil action, in the name of the town before any justice of the peace having jurisdiction.

     ART. 10. The mayor, recorder and councilmen shall receive a compensation for their services, such compensation to be fixed by the council.

     ART. 11. The board of councilmen may create such offices as they may deem necessary to carry out the intent of any ordinance passed by said town, prescribe their duties, declare their qualifications and mode of election, and may require them to give security, if they deem it necessary.

     ART. 12. Ten days' notice of all town elections shall be given, by posting- written notices in three public places in said town, or by publication in some newspaper printed therein.

     ART. 13. These articles of incorporation shall be subject to alteration or amendment by a vote of two-thirds of all the votes cast at a special election called for that purpose.

     Done at Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, this 21st day of March, A. D. 1856.

JEREMIAH PERKINS,
E. D. SMITH,

Recorded this 9th day of April, A. D. 1856.

Draftsmen.
L. D. BURNS,
County Judge.

     The town continued under this organization as governed by the foregoing articles of incorporation until in August, 1867, when it gave up its former charter and re-organized under the new law of the State regarding town corporations, and has since continued as governed by that law.

The present population of the town is about 1,200.

TOWN OFFICERS OF 1878.

Mayor-S. H. Greene.

Councilmen:
Cou
A. G. Marsh,
J. L. Clarkson,
Geo. McLaughlin,
J. C. Risser,
L. L. Ward.
Recorder-J. R. Joy.
Treasurer-B. F. Lambert.
Marshal-C. D. G. Rickinson.

PUBLIC SCHOOL.

     Miss Anderson and James Reed were among the first who taught school in the town at an early day, the first school in the county having been taught by S. K. Scovell, a short distance east of the town, in the W. W. Miller school-house, as before noticed. The town has had three school-

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houses, the first one being a one-story small frame house, on an out-lot in the west part of town, on Main street, where L. Lambert now lives. This house served the town for school purposes for several years. On the same ground, the two-story brick house--before mentioned as the first two-story brick erected, and the present residence of Mr. Lambert--was built and used as the public school-building of the town until in 1869. The present large and elegant public school-building was erected by Charles Rodenbaugh, contractor and builder. It is a commodious, well furnished brick structure, about 45x90 feet, three stories high, the lower two stories being used for public school purposes and the upper or third story being devoted to a Normal school, as previously mentioned.

     The Normal department is divided into two large rooms, well furnished, and the lower stories each have three large school-rooms, with a dressing room adjoining each recitation room, all thoroughly fitted and furnished. Mr. Rodenbaugh informs us that the building itself cost about $28,000, and counting the furniture and fixtures, the entire structure cost some $32,000, making it much the finest public school-building in the county, and showing that the citizens of Adel are thoroughly awake to the importance of educational interests. The interests of their public schools lie very near and dear to their hearts.

     Adel is an independent school district, and spares no pains nor effort nor money to make the public school what it should be; and under the able and judicious administration of Prof. M. E. Phillips, their efficient principal, their school is making marked progress.

     Seven teachers are now employed in the public schools of Adel, whose names are as follows:

Principal-Prof. M. E. Phillips.
Grammer [Grammar] Department-Miss Ida Twitchell.
1st Intermediate-Miss Alice Slocum.
2d Intermediate-Miss Alice Brenton.
1st Primary-Miss Mary Patty.
2d Primary-Miss Mina Lee.
Assistant, High School-Miss Jennie Allen.

     There are about three hundred and sixty pupils in attendance, and the school is in an excellent condition, making most encouraging progress under the present efficient corps of teachers,

DIRECTORS OF SCHOOL BOARD, 1878.

President--So L. Ward; Secretary--J. R. Joy; Treasurer--L. Lambert; J.W. Coons, Joe Geniser, R. M, Lee, R. S. Barr. D. McKay.

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BUSINESS OF ADEL.
FIRMS AND THEIR BUSINESS, AS THEY STAND AT THE CLOSE OF 1878.

J. Risser & Son, dealers in dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, carpets, trunks, notions, etc. West side of square.

M. B. Cole, dealer in dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, notions, etc. West side of square.

D. A. Blanchard, dealer in groceries, boots and shoes, hats, caps, gloves, notions, etc. Also hardware, stoves and tinware. South side of square.

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Allen & Chapman, dealers in groceries and hardware. Southwest of square.

J. M., Jolly, dealer in groceries, Yankee notions, confectionery, etc. Also furnishes warm meals at all hours. Upper end of Main street.

T. J. Boak, dealer in groceries, glassware, crockery, etc. Also agricultural implements. South of square.

L. W. Garoutte, dealer in groceries, stoves and agricultural implements. West side of square.

M. E. Coons, groceries and notions. Also furnishes warm meals. East side of square.

S. Sweeley, groceries and notions. South side of square.

S. T. Buckman, dealer in hardware, tinware, stoves, iron, flour, etc. East side of square.

G. W. Loomis, dealer in all kinds of furniture. Ready-made coffins always on hand. East side of square.

Will. McMullen, wagon-maker. Shop over Ward's blacksmith shop.

J. Perkins, dealer in books, stationery, notions, attorney's blanks, etc. West side of square.

W. F. Brockway, watchmaker and jeweler. Keeps a good assortment of watches, clocks, and all kinds of jewelry. West of square, in post-office.

Attorneys.-A. R. Smalley, office in old bank building, south side of square; North. Gonsor & Whitman, opposite court-house, south side of square; I. O. Varner, in Risser's block, west side of square; Baugh, Smith & Sweeley, office north of post-office; Perkins & Barr, office Back of book store; Greene & Clark, in Odd Fellows' block, west of square; White & Wooden, in Odd Fe11ows' block.

Loan and Abstract.-Jeremiah Perkins, office west side of square.

Land Agent.-Cole Noel, office in post-office.

Physicians.-J. F. Irvin, homooopathic, in old bank building, south side of square; T. J. Caldwell, allopathic, in post-office building, west side of square; J. B. Brenton, allopathic, in drug store.

Drugs.-J. B. Brenton, drugs, stationery, books, patent medicines, notions, etc.; south side of square; F. E. Houghton, drugs, patent medicines, books, etc.

Milliners.-Miss E. H. Stiles & 00., millinery and ready-made clothing, and fancy articles of all kinds; store in post-office building, west of square; Mrs. L. Holt, millinery and dressmaking; store on Main street, southeast of square.

Dressmakers.-Mrs. M. E. Phillips, shop at residence on Main street. Mrs. D. McKay, shop at residence on Market street; Mrs. McAllister, shop on Main street; Miss McNees and Mrs. Coon, shop in south part of town.

Photographers.-McMullen & Co., rooms over P. O. west side of square.

Newspapers.-New Era, Greenback, published by the New Era publishing company; office in old bank building, south of square. Dallas County News, Republican, published by Noel & Newton; office in P. O. building, west side of square.

Meat Markets.-Royer & McKay, on Main street opposite Risser & Son's'; J. Warford, on Main street south of square; J. Paquin, on Main street.

Blacksmiths.-S. L. Ward, blacksmith and plow shop, west Main street. Dack Bros., blacksmith and wagon shop, west Main street; Sam'l Witham: blacksmith and plow shop, east side of square; Marsh & Royer, blacksmith, shop at lower end of Main street.

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Boot and Shoe-makers.-Geo. McLaughlin, boot and shoe-maker, shop at the corner of Main and Vine streets; Dad Ely, boot and shoe-maker, shop on west side of square.

Harness Shops.-M. M. George, dealer in harness and saddles, whips, blankets, etc., shop on Main street, opposite Risser's; M. C. Garoutte, dealer in harness and saddles, whips, blankets, etc., shop on east side of square.

Carpenters.-Chas. Rodenbaugh, carpenter and joiner, shop on upper Main street; E. Gallop, carpenter and joiner, shop on cornel' of Main and Vine streets; L. Rider, carpenter and joiner, shop on Main street; W. Hempstead, carpenter and joiner, shop opposite Christian Church; C. D. G. Rickinson, carpenter and joiner, shop on Railroad street; E. Hoey, carpenter and joiner, shop on Vine street; L. Hoey, carpenter and joiner, shop in south part of town; F. Roush, carpentet., shop in east part of town; E. P. Proutte, carpenter, shop on Main street; Mr. McAlister, carpenter, shop on Main street; H. Holt, cabinet maker and carpenter, shop at Loomis' cabinet store; L. A. Caselman, carpenter and joiner, shop in south part of town; Mr. Burch, carpenter, shop on Railroad street.

Tailors.-J. Geniser, merchant tailor, shop on Main street, west side of square; G. W. Campbell, merchant tailor, shop on west Main street.

Hotels.-Forrester House, F. Ford, proprietor, located at east end of Main street; Hill House, ____ Hill proprietor, located in southeast, part of town.

Livery Stables.-J. Carnahan, livery and feed stable, west of post-office; T. Sloan, livery and feed stable, north of post-office; T. Ashton, livery stable, east part of town; F. Ford, livery at Forrester House.

Miscellaneous.-Dallas County Bank, L. Lambert, proprietor, south side of square; J. W. Russell, loan and abstract office, south side of square; D. W. Smith, loan and abstract office, west side of square; Dr. W. A. Tudor, dentist, office in Odd Fellows' block ; Amos and George Welch, painters, shop at residence, northeast part of town; H. Kenerson, cooper, shop on Vine street; J. Rohner, bakery, store and eating room on Main street; C. W. Ingle, dealer in washing machines, corner Main and Vine streets; S. J. Garoutte, dealer in lumber and lath; B. F. Graves, barber shop, on west Main street.

ADEL MILL.

     Adel has also a good water-power flouring-mill, situated at the northeast corner of town, on the slough cut-off, owned by N oeinger1 Cantrel & Co. It was; built by J. H. Strong, now of Des Moines, and H. H. Moffatt, in 1856-57, at a cost of about $20,000, when building material was high and hard to procure, and could now be built for less than half that amount. The dam has about eight feet head of water.

     The mill is kept in good repair, and is doing an extensive custom work, averaging from twelve to fifteen bushels per hour, but is capable of grinding thirty or more per hour, and then but very little of the great water-power is utilized.

MASONIC.

     The following sketch of the Masonic lodges in Adel was kindly furnished by Judge Jeremiah Perkins:

     "Adel Lodge No. 80, A. F. &: A. M., was organized under dispensation

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from the Grand Lodge of Iowa, December 15, 1855, with J. R. Van Meter, W. M.; Stephen Peabody, S. W.; S. H. Vestal, J. W.; Cole Noel, secretary. At the first meeting held under dispensation (December 15, 1855) there were eight petitions presented for initiation.

     "The lodge having worked under dispensation until the 5th day of June, 1856, the Grand Lodge granted them a charter, signed by Grand Master John P. Sanford, and Theodore S. Parvin, Grand Secretary. Under said charter, on Wednesday evening, June 18, 1856, the following officers were duly installed: M. F. Girard, W. M.; Cole Noel, S. W.; William Ellis, J. W.; H. G. Van Meter, treasurer; A. P. Sherman, secretary.

     "From that time until the present the lodge has held meetings regularly, and has been very prosperous. There have been about one hundred and sixty members enrolled upon the books of the lodge since its organization, seventeen of whom have since died, and about sixty have removed out of the jurisdiction of the lodge. The following are among the old membership, and who are still living within the county: Jacob Van Meter, H. G. Van Meter, Cole Noel, S. H. Vestal, R. R. Bailey, Jonathan Dillon, Ephraim Williams, Leonard Chance, Leroy Lambert, John Barto, J. T. Jackson, J. Perkins, L. D. Burns and William A. Marsh.

     "William A. Marsh is the oldest member now living, being about eighty years old, Stephen Peabody, one of the charter members and the first Senior Warden, was sixty years old at the time of the organization of the lodge, and if now living would be eighty-four years old.

     "The charter members were: J. R. Van Meter, Stephen Peabody, S. H. Vestal, H. G. Van Meter, Cole Noel, M. F. Girard, John F. Metz and R. Baily.

     "The following have been Masters of the lodge: J. R. Van Meter, M. F. Girard, Cole Noel, S. B. Hempstead, William Ellis, J. Perkins, J. S. De Motte, A. Dilley, J. O. Todd, Leroy Lambert, W. J. Duck and R. S. Barr.

     "The present officers of the lodge are: R. S. Barr, W. M.; M. M. George, S. W.; D. W. Wooden, J. .W.; W. F. Brockway, treasurer; W. J. Duck, secretary.

     "The present membership numbers sixty-two.

     "Tyrian Chapter No. 37, of Adel, was organized under a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Iowa, dated March 28, 1867. Said Chapter was organized April 15, 1867. Officers: S. B. Hempstead, High Priest; Cole Noel, King; David Smart, Scribe, with a full quorum of minor officers.

     "Chapter worked under dispensation until October 17, 1867, when a charter was granted by the Grand Chapter of Iowa, signed by H. H. Hemingway, Grand High Priest, and W. B. Laughridge, Grand Secretary.

     "Chapter organized under charter December 4, 1867, and officers installed by Wilson T. Smith, Acting Deputy Grand High Priest. Officers elected and installed were: Cole Noel, High Priest; David Smart, King; William G. James, Scribe, with a full quorum of minor officers.

     "There have been enrolled upon the books of the Chapter since its organization ninety-six members. There have been but five deaths of Chapter members.

     "Among the older and prominent members of the Chapter now living within its jurisdiction are the following: Cole Noel, J. R. Van Meter, David Smart, H. G. Van Meter, J. S. De Motte, A. Dilley, J. Perkins, C. W. De Motte, Levi Diddy, J. R. Joy, W. J. Duck, S. A. Callvert, D.

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W. Wooden, W. F. Brockway, Robert S. Barr, A. F. Ford and H. W. Hempstead.

     "Present officers: A. Dilley, High Priest; Levi Diddy, King; M. M. George, Scribe; J. R. Joy, secretary; J. W. Russell, treasurer.

     "Present membership, sixty-seven."

     The hall in which they hold their meetings is in the third story over Messrs. Risser's brick store, opposite southwest corner of the court-house square, and is well furnished and fitted up as a comfortable and commodious lodge room, at considerable expense.

I. O. O. F.

     Friendship Lodge, No. 96.-This lodge was organized under charter from the Grand Lodge of the State, at Adel, September 23, 1856.

     The charter officers were: T. B. Garoutte, N. G.; 1. D. Marsh, V. G.; S. P. Garoutte, Rec. Sec.; W. Garoutte, Treasurer; J. T. Blue, P. Sec.

     The present officers are: S. J. Thrift, N. G.; S. H. Greene, V. G.; J. M. Brenton, Rec. Sec.; Stephen Adams, P. Sec.; J. B. Brenton, Treasurer; C. Rodenbaugh, R. S. N. G., T. R. Foster, T. S. N. G., John Miller, Warden; M. T. Fox, R. S. V. G.; John Tanney, T. S. V. G.; J. Q. Adams, R. S. S.; W m. Chance, T. S. S.; J. P. Hathaway, Guardian.

     The present membership numbers sixty-one. Two hundred and nineteen members have been admitted since the lodge was instituted, and six of this number have died.

     The lodge is in a flourishing condition at present, and still holds its own amidst all the varied fluctuations.

     Adel Encampment, No. 23.-This lodge was instituted December 26, 1864, and the first officers were: J. A. Allen, C. P.; N. B. Nichols, H. P.; Wm. Smith, S. W.; J. T. Roush, Scribe; G. P. Garoutte, Treasurer; Stephen Adams, J. W.

     The present officers are: R. .M. Fee, C. P.; Stephen Adams, H. P.; Joseph Geniser, S. W.; C. Rodenbaugh, Treasurer; S. Swearingen, Scribe; J. B. Brenton, J. W.

     The present membership is fourteen, and the Encampment is in a flourishing condition.

     The hall in which both of these lodges meet is in the third story of Mr. James' brick store building on the west side of the court-house square, and is nicely furnished and fitted up by the societies, for a comfortable and commodious lodge room.

     We are indebted to Mr. Stephen Adams, and others, for the above statistics regarding these lodges.

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TEMPERANCE.

     The Temperance Society of Adel was organized in August, 1878, with a large membership and an encouraging prospect for usefulness.

     President, Dr. T. J. Caldwell; Secretary, S. H. Greene.

     They hold regular and interesting meetings in the court-house. Very many of the school children, as well as of the middle aged and older citizens of the town, perform prominent parts in the programmes, and the ladies, ministers, business men and citizens of the town generally, take a lively interest in the work. There are no saloons in town. The account of

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the societies last meeting, Friday evening, February 28, 1879, is given as follows in the Dallas County News:

     "The club held its regular meeting Friday evening, and to say that the exercises were highly entertaining is but to express the sentiment of every one present. Toasts were responded to by Messrs. Hotchkiss, Hughes, Sweeley and Clark, each acquitting himself in an able manner. Mrs. D. W. Smith also responded in a happy style to the toast 'Our gallant, talented, good-looking brothers.' A class from Miss Brenton's school sang a song entitled 'The Drunkard's Child,' which brought forth hearty applause. The declamation by Miss Carrie Smith-' The Last Glass '-was, we think, the finest effort of the evening, showing that with proper culture and training Miss Carrie will make a fine declaimer. Miss Carrie Gray wound up the programme with an appropriate selection, 'The Blue Ribbon.' Officers for the ensuing year were chosen as follows:

     "President, T. J. Caldwell; Vice Presidents, G. W. Clarke, Mrs. D. W. Smith, Mrs. J. J. Jones; Secretary, Allie Brenton; Visiting Committee, Mrs. Dilley, Mrs. Joy, Revs. Hughes, Corbin and Shenton; Executive Committee. L. W. Garoutte, M. J. Sweely, J. B. White, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Dr. Caldwell, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Ely, Miss Bell Noel; Pledge Committee, Misses Josie Garoutte, Carrie Knowles, Carrie Gray, Ida Garoutte and Mr. George Ward."

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MILITIA.

     Company G, of the First Regiment, was organized at Adel in May, 1878, and the following persons were duly elected as the regular officers of the company, all of whom still retain the several positions: Captain, Amos Dilley; First Lieutenant, S. L. Ward; Second Lieutenant, D. W. Wooden; Orderly Sergeant, J. W. Coons. They also have a full list of non-commissioned officers.

     They have an armory over Houghton's drug store, and quite a full equipment for drill and parade.

     The company meet regularly and drill one hour every week in the manual of arms, in their armory, and are becoming quite proficient in the manual drill.

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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

     Of Adel was first organized in the Miller settlement, a few miles east of town, in May, 1847, by Elder John P. Glenn, and was, as before mentioned, the first church organization in the county. It was re-organized, however, in Adel, March 3, 1850, and adopted the following name: "The Church of God in Christ, at Adel, Iowa," by which name it has been known ever since. .

     The names of the original members are not now known, the books having been burned. Samuel Miller, William Davidson and Leroy Lambert, however, were among the number, and were the Elders of the church from its re-organization in 1850.

     The last two are still living and are members of the organization at the present time.

     The declaration to which each one becoming a member was required to subscribe was as follows: "We do covenant and agree and bind ourselves to be subject to one another and live together as directed in the Word of God."

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     Their church building in Adel was erected during the summer of 1868, at a cost of $4,000. It is a neat, substantial brick structure, 32x45, well finished and furnished, and the organization is in a prosperous condition.

     The present number of members reported is 135, and they have regular services every Sabbath morning and evening with good attendance and interest.

     They also have a large and flourishing Sabbath-school, which meets every Sabbath afternoon at 2: 30 o'clock.

     The following are some of the men who have labored as pastors of the congregation since its organization:

     Elders-John P. Glenn, Baird, L. Lambert, P. T. Russell. J. M. Dodge, Jno. C. White. Marsh, Jas. E. Gaston, John Crocker, R. E. Swartz, A. B. Cornell, A Hickey, and A. C. Corbin, the present pastor, to whom we are indebted for the above items of this sketch.

The officers at present are:
Elders-J. J. Clark, J. B. White:
Deacons-J. L. Clarkson, John Coons, N.B. Nichols. Treasurer-Web. Loomis.

     Quite a number from the old organization are now separately organized in a separate body a short distance east of town in the Miller settlement, near where the church was first established. These branched off some seven or eight years ago, perhaps twenty or more in number, and for a time they kept up services quite regularly.' but now they only have service occasional1y, still retaining their organization. .

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

     Of Adel, Iowa, was organized July 6, 1856, by Rev. Thompson Bird, then: of Des Moines, a committee appointed by Des Moines Presbytery.

     The following persons composed the organization: Robert C. Allison and Mrs. Julia Allison (received by letter from Presbyterian Church of Lockland, Ohio); Mrs. Elizabeth J. Young, Presbyterian Church of Bridgewater; Mrs. Jane Eckels, Mount Hope Presbyterian Church, Indiana; Jos. A. Thomson, Presbyterian Church, Bethel, Indiana; Mrs. Mary K. Holt, Congregational Church; North Reading, Massachusetts; Mrs. Jane E. Smith, Presbyterian Church, Winterset, Iowa; Mrs. Jane Rodenbaugh, .Presbyterian Church; John F. Vandoren, Presbyterian Church, Chester, New York; J. H. Vreeland, Presbyterian Church, Elgin, Illinois; ____ Parmelee, Congregational Church, Tinmoth, Vermont.

     Of these eleven persons Mrs. Holt and Mrs. Rodenbaugh are the only ones belonging to the church at present, the rest having died or removed to other places.

     The church was organized in the school-house in Adel (which is now the residence of L. Lambert, Esq.). It continued to meet there and in the court-house until the erection of the M. E. Church. The Methodist brethren kindly gave them the use of their house for public worship until their own church was built.

     Rev. Fisk Harmon preached to this people during the summer and fall of 1856. Since then the following pastors have ministered to them:

     Rev. Asa Johnson, from July 19, 1857, to April 22, 1866; Rev. Wm. Campbell, from May 25, 1866, to February, 1868; Rev. J. Smith, from April, 1868, to February, 1869; Rev. Joshua Cooke, from March, 1869, to

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May, 1871; Rev. Geo. Pierson, from May, 1871, to May, 1876; Rev. R. J. Hughes, the present pastor, began his labors here in May, 1876.

     Like many other churches in the West this organization has passed through very trying times. Its membership was small, and not possessing much wealth it required great exertion on their part to secure a house of worship, They determined not to involve themselves in debt in building, and the wisdom of their determination has been apparent ever since. After the most untiring efforts all the part of the membership, assisted by a few of the citizens of Adel, they were ready to commence the erection of a church building in the spring of 1868. The lot on which the building now stands was donated by S. J. Garoutte, and to his perseverance and liberality the church is greatly indebted. A good, substantial brick building was erected. In size it is 32x48 and has a seating capacity of about 200. Its location is one square south of the southwest corner of the public square.

     The building cost $4,000, and of this sum a11 but $600, which was given by the board of church erection, was paid by the members of the church and the citizens of Adel. The house was dedicated to the worship of Almighty God September 6, 1868, Rev. T. O. Rice, of Des Moines, preaching the dedication sermon.

     The first ruling Elders elected by the church were: E. D. Smith, F. S. Graham and H. H. Moffatt. S. L. Ward and J. R. Reed were elected in 1868, John Risser in 1870, and A. O. Hotchkiss in 1877. The present session consists of J. Risser, S. L. Ward and A. O. Hotchkiss.

     The first trustees were Dr. T. J. Caldwell, F. S. Graham and H. H. Moffatt. The present board is composed of Judge S. A. Oallvert, Dr. T. J. Caldwell and J. O. Risser. The Sabbath-school under the control of the church is flourishing. Its average attendance is seventy. Mr. A. O. Hotchkiss is superintendent, assisted by an able corps of teachers.

     This church has always been noted for its liberality. Although it still receives some aid from the Home Mission Board, its contributions for home and foreign benevolence are highly creditable. During the past three years over $200 has been given to the various boards of the Presbyterian church. This, too, in addition to their support of pastor and incidental expenses.

     There is a Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society in connection with the church. It has a membership of twenty-seven, and besides the interest it has awakened in the church and community on the subject of missions, has contributed in cash to the Board of Foreign Missions $136, since its organization in March, 1877. Its meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month.

M. E. CHURCH.

     We are indebted to Rev. David Shenton, the present pastor, for the following sketch:

     "At what time the Society of the M. E. Church was organized in Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, is uncertain. For previous to 1851 the Society was a part of the Des Moines Circuit. But in the summer of 1851 we find this record on the church book. At a quarterly meeting conference held in Des Moines, 1851, John James, G. W. Noel, Masom Bilderback, J. O. Goodson, W m. Shepherd, were elected trustees to purchase a lot in Adel, Dallas county, Iowa, for the use of the M. E. Church. And in the fall of

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1851 the Iowa Annual Conference appointed Adel the head of a new Circuit, and cal1ed it the Adel Mission. And so we find the first quarterly Conference of the Adel Mission holding its session at the residence of Mr. L. D. Hewitts, Oct. 4, 1851. The following were the official members of the Circuit: Rev. John Hayden, presiding elder; Rev. Hobert G. Hawn, preacher in charge; John Jones, class leader; Joseph Goodson, class leader; Jonathan Waldo, class leader; Abraham Moore, class leader; Marshal Townsbey, (Recording) Steward; B. Koukel, Steward; M. Bilderback, Steward.

     We find five societies in connection with the Adel Mission in Oct., 1851. Adel, Irish Grove, Bethel, D. S. Bays, Goodsont.

     The amount paid for the support of the Gospel for 1851: Presiding Elder, $25.20 received; preacher in charge $151.36. Total, $176.56.

     We find that for the Conference year, 1852-3, Rev. John Hayden, presiding elder, and Rev. G. H. Clark, preacher in charge, with ten societies within the bounds of the Circuit. And for the Conference year, 1853-4, the Rev. Joel Mason was the preacher. His work was such that he preached four times each Sabbath, and his salary was $125.00. On the 31st of Dec., 1853, 1. C. Goodson, Peter Ellis, M. Haworth, John Fooley, and W m. Ellis, were appointed a committee to build or purcl13se a parsonage for the Circuit. The Circuit at that time embraced Dallas and a part of the adjoining counties. And so the work continued until the fall of 1857, when we find the trustees of the Circuit directed to sell the lot that had been selected for building a church thereon, and to purchase all other more suitable. And a committee of five, Payne, Goodson, T. P. Garoutte, Robbins, and E. D. Smith, were appointed to raise $2,OOO for the purpose of building a church house in Adel, and they were to proceed at once to do it. The Circuit then had sixteen preaching places, with two preachers to supply them-Rev. A. W. Johnson, and J. W. Todd. The Adel society ceased to be a mission, and became self-supporting, according to the action of the members of the society, they refusing to receive support from the missionary society in November, 1856. So that thereafter it was known as the Adel Circuit of the M. E. Church.

     At the quarterly Conference, held December 15, 1860, at Adel, efforts were made to build the church house in Adel, which proved successful, .it being the first church house erected in Adel. That was the Adel Mission of the M. E. Church in 1851. There is now (1878) within the same territory, fifteen different Circuits, with as many ministers, and each Circuit self-supporting.

     In September, 1876, David Shenton was appointed to take charge of the M. E. Church in Adel as its minister. The Circuit had then two appointments, Adel, and one at the Tice School-house, in Colfax township. The membership of the Adel church then was seventy-two members. Now (March, 1879) the membership. of the same society is 110. The membership of the Tice appointment in Sept., 1876, was fifteen members. Now (March, 1879) it numbers thirty-four members.

     And in November, 1876, there was a society belonging to the Adel Circuit formed in Adams township, at what was then known as the Frakes school-house. This society numbers twenty-eight members. And the society is making an effort to build a church building to worship in. At the present they aloe using the old school-house, which they bought and have seated with slab benches.

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     In 1876 (Dec. 28th) the same minister took up an appointment in Washington township, at the Beaver school-house. The organization at its commencement had a membership of six. Now it numbers sixty-four members, and the society will before long make an effort to build a church house in connection with the society. So that the Adel society of the M. E. Church numbers 236 members at the present time.

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THE PRESS.

     The histories of the Dalla8 County News and New Era, are given under the article on "The Press" in the general history, which see.

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