The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1902-03-20
GREATER OSKALOOSA
Old Land Mark to be Torn Down
to Make Way for New.

10 Delng demolished TO give place TO
the dwelling house to be erected on
the site by Mrs. Duffin of Grinnell.
The old building has of recent years
been known as the "Old Quaker
Church" and its removal marks the
passing of another of the land marks
of the city. The building when erec-
ted "back in the early fifties" was at
that time the most elegant and pre-
tentious edifice of worship in this
part of the country. 1t was the won.
der and admiration of all people of
that early day and was talked of by
the residents of this and surrounding
counties as wonderful thing.
The site for the new church was
purchased about 1852 and was then
occupied by the settlers log cabin
which was occupied by a family
named Judd. Funds having been
procured and material delivered, the
church was erected in the following
year 1858 by L Grossman contractor
and it was formally dedicated by the
Associate Reformed Presbyterian
Church Of the city of Oskaloosa. The
church was erected during the minis
try of the Rev. R N. Fee who was sum-
moned to the pastorate from Ohio.
Rev. Fee was follow ed in the minis
try of the church by Rev. r. A. Nc
N N ;atn
popular in the work and remained in
the church for period OF twenty
years. Soon after his departure the
Associate Reform branch of the
church united with the Associate
Presbyterians and the church was
purchased by the F.iends for about
$4,000 90. The "Quakers" held meet
ings there for number of years I'M
til they removed to their present
quarters at the Penn College Chapel.
The church however remained in
their possession and was rented to
various other organizations. At one
time the building was occupied by
the colored BaPtists who held both
regular meeting and revivals there.
About five or six years ago the place
was sold TO Mrs, Mary Thomas and
soon after this the furniture was re-
moved and the building was used as
the Co. F. Iowa National Guard bar
racks. When the company came in
to possession of their present hall
ar mory the old church was again
deserted and remained so for some
time.
In the fall of 1900 the rear of the
lot and part of the building was &C.
cupied by the Browning Fuel Co. and
about this time the property passed
into the hands OF j. w. McMullin
and vas later rented by the Sheppard
Supply Co, successors of Mr..
Browning. Within the last few
weeks it has again changed hands
being purchased by Mrs. Duffin of
Grinnell.
And thus one by one the "old land
marks" of the city are passing away
to givelplace to the newer life of the
city. The places and the people of
that old day when the town was
young are becoming fewer and fewer
with each succeeding year and it
will not be long until there will be
none left to tell of the "days that
used to be-"
~.
The first work of public nature
that will be done in the city this year
is the paving of First Avenue east
around Elvyn place to connect with
High Avenue. The contract is in the
hands of George Carbon & Son and
the material is on the ground ready
for the work to be commenced. Very
little grading will be required and
the work when once started will be
pushed to completion as fast as the
soft weather of the spring will per-
NIT.
~
The past week has witnessed the
start toward the building season of
1902 in a way that has never been
witnessed before in the city of Oska-
loosa. Go in what direction you may,
turn any corner in any block in town
and you are confronted with piles of
brick and stone placed for building
purposes. The season Is still young,
yet there can be counted in our cor
porate limits advancement toward
the erection of at least twenty-five
new buildings and the improvement
has just begun.
The excavation for the Hull-Barnes
factory on First avenue west is fast
progressing and work upon the foun-
dalton will be begun next week.
Harry H. Phinney has the contract
for the building which is guarantee
that the work will be of the best sort.
O. P. sipes will fill two lots with
rentable properties on South ID
street. Parts of the houses came
from the Hull and Barnes places but
they will be fixed over and made into
cosy and comfortable homes,
Work upon the government build
ing has been in progress during the
week and considerable Roadway has
been made, Mr.. LIGHTER, represent
ing the contractors, and Mr.. Patti
son, supervising architect, have
every reason to be pleased with the