|
435
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-
436
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.
437
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.
Top
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
438
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
439
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-
440
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.

Top
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.
443
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.
444
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
445
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.
446
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.

Top
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
447
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."

Top
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.

Top
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."
448
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
449
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
450
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.
451
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.

Top
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.
Return to top
|