Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-07-03

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Gated. All through life they were
warm associates and would make quite
an effort to meet and see one another.
Thus think it was with most all.
They worked hard, very hard, to turn
over the sod of the wild prairie. Most
of it was done with OK teams. Others
needed to grub out the trees and clear
away the hazel brush, but somehow
they were social and helpful to one
another. Everyone did not look upon
his own, but that of his neighbor. They
werenot selfish This would be far
happier world today, if such were the
case now. They did not need many
notes those days. If a man borrowed
money, his word was as good as note
They would trust one another almost
implicitly. l have heard my father tell
how they would help one another in
procuring their farms. Friends, l be-
lieye we would get along better today
If more of that friendly, social, helpful
spirit was manifested. Let us not al.
ways think, when we do something for
a neighbor, is there anything in it for
me? We only live once, and when we
come to leave this world how glad we
will be if we have done good and helped
to make the world better. Christ says
that if we give cup of cold water in
His name we do it. unto Him. Let us
learn q lesson of the early settler. L
trust that the influence of sociability
will live on and on. 1t is interesting TO
to remember how we gathered from far
and near on the Fourth of July and
heard thrilling orations delivered. All
seemed to enjoy it. Let us remember
the patriotism of the early settler.
The intellectual life of the early
settler is very Interesting. They were
of class many of whom had educa-
tional advantages and were enabled to
at once correctly comprehend the re-
quirements necessary for the proper
education of their children. The first
school house was built at Colony, near
the present site of Colesburg, in 1899
or 1910. 1t was burned down and
while another was being built school
was taught in James Coles log cabin.
Miss Phillips and Mrs. McClellen were
the first teachers. They did not have
such advantages as We have today.
Their accommodations were not SO
good. Stoves were unknown, and in
stead of them were fire places wide
enough and deep enough to take in a
four foot log For windows, part of q
log was cut out on either side and per-
haps few panes of glass We're set in.
The seats and floor were made out of
thick plank, AMI everything was rude
and plain. All this is now changed. a
log schoolhouse is rarity. Many of
Americas greatest men and women
have gone out from just such sur
roundings to grapple with the world.
parents were very much in earnest to
have their children educated. we'll
remember how my parents would work
SO very hard to keep US children in
school. This country would certainly
not be what it is today if the early
settler had not put forth every effort
to make it what it is. Certainly it
could not have been, brought about in
a day, but little by little, as they were
able, school houses were built all over
the country. Improvements were
added as fast as possible. The children
knew what they were going to school
for and made good use of the time.
The early religious life of the settler
was not as was the intellectual. Some
OF those who were accustomed to
church privileges before coming here
were DESTROYS of having the same
brought aboutin this county. They
did not wait long, for as early as 1889
Simeon Clark, an earnest exhorter of
the NJ. E. Church, preached the first
sermon in Delaware county in log
cabin at the Colony. He was bee
hunter in this wild country, and while
in search of honey did not neglect the
opportunity topreach the gospel. The
next minister that followed was Mr..
Kelly of Dubuque, who came in 1872,
the same year my father came to this
county. l believe he was the first Ger
man coming to this county. Father
went to their meetings snd became q
Christian. He was made to feel at
home, but still could not understand
the language very we'll. More Ger
mans came to this county and they or
ganized class of five or seven men,
bern and at present it has grown to two
nice churshes, Zion and Emanuel, filled
each Sunday with German people wor.
shipping the one true God. AS it is
near Coleshurg, so it is in all parts of
the county. Churches are in reach of
all people. We are glad that the relig-
ious life of the early settler has kept
pace with the other lines of reform. He
knew that to be most successful in life
we must recognize God and in Him
but our trust. We hope and pray that
when the pilgrimage of each early
settler is ended they, with all of Gods
children may inherit a home, "not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens"
Oh sweet and blessed country,
The home of Gods elect;
oh sweet and blessed country.
That eager hearts expect.
Jesus In mercy brings US
To that dear land OF rest,
Who art with God the Father,
And spirits ever blest."
An early settler was to be married
The day for the ceremony had arrived
and at the BRIDES home were gathered
the pastor and invited guests. But the
groom was not there. They waited for
half a day, when he hastily came in and
plainly stated the reason for his alb.
sence. He was in pursuit of a deer
and did not come until he got IL.