The last of Chapter 10 LECLAIRE VILLAGE. The article here following is from the ready and faithful pen of Mary E. Parkhurst, and was prepared for and published in the Half Century Democrat: "LeClaire is a beautiful, historic, and restful town, nestling beneath green hills and kissed by the caressing waves of the 'father of waters,' and bathed by the early rays of the morning sun.  Health, happiness and prosperity are the guardian angels of her future welfare and destiny.  The past to her is a rich treasury of sacred and historic interest.  Many a noble and worthy citizen has passed to the beyond, yet the cherished history surrounding the early pioneer, breathing a hallowed influence upon this town like a sweet benediction, will ever abide. "Following the tread of civilization, two towns, LeClaire and Parkhurst, sprang into being.  Separating the two was a dense forest, called by Edward Russell 'The Gulf,' extending on the bank of the river westward between Silver creek and Holland street.  A. H. Davenport and R. H. Rogers, owning this strip of land, divided it into town lots.  In 1855 on petition of the inhabitants of both towns the legislature, by an act, incorporated the city of LeClaire, including within its limits the town of Parkhurst.  LeClaire was a thriving city.  It was the home of the river man, the professional and business man, and the craftsman, all finding an avenue for activity and success.  At low water the packets and floating rafts, when darkness of night gathered, anchored at LeClaire, awaiting the early dawn when some trusty pilot would safely guide the way over the treacherous rapids.  The social, religious, educational and commercial were interwoven into a harmonious whole for the growth of this promising city.  Lectures were given before literary and temperance societies; musical societies met weekly; Sunday and public school exhibitions entertained the people; the Methodist, Episcopal, Congregational, Baptist, Disciples, and Universalist churches, all having worship, cultivated and fostered the religious sentiment.  'A vocal and instrumental soiree' was given by Miss Helen M. Ekin, now Mrs. Helen M. Starrett, a mother of several highly educated sons, and a well known writer and educator of Chicago.  'A May ball' was given in Davenport's hall.  The committee of arrangements were selected from the surrounding towns.  Room managers were C. S. Disney, L. S. Chamberlin, A. M. White.  Supper was served at the Bratton House, M. D. Westlake, proprietor.  Bill.  $300.  Music was furnished by White's band, conducted by Alfred Milo White, the noted violinist. "The hum of industry was heard.  From the LeClaire Marine railway the ring of the hammer in building and repairing boats, and the buzz of the saws from the two sawmills, joined with the machine shop of Charley Kattenbracker and Adolph Weithe, in musical notes of industry.  'The Swan Mills,' operated by Terhune and Grout, 'manufactured a very superior article of flour.'  They stated in 1856, 'We deliver our flour by ten barrels and upward within fifteen or eighteen miles of our mill free of charge.'  Disney, Stonebraker & Company, wanted thirty thousand bushels of corn for cash.  Dry goods, clothing, hardware, boat and provision stores, blacksmith, tin, copper, cabinet, candy and tailor shops, house and shop carpenters, stone masons and bricklayers, supplied the growing needs of the city.  Drs. S. W. Treat, James Gamble, and Hill guarded the public health, while Rufus Linderman, the lawyer, promoted peace and tranquility.  Messrs. H. Fleming, William Craig, Francis H. Impy and Edward Russell swayed public opinion, through 'The Weekly Express.' "Education was an important factor in this progressive city.  The school district was divided by the state into four districts under one organization.  The following communication was recieved:  'Office of School Fund Commissioner, Davenport.  May 15, 1855.  To the voters of school district No. 10, LeClaire Town:  It having been made known that your district is without officers, I have appointed Daniel Hagedorn, president, Dennis Barnes, secretary and Homer Carpenter, treasurer of said district until the first Monday in May, A. D. 1856, and until their successor shall be elected and qualified.  H. Price, Fund Commissioner, Scott County, Iowa.'  At a school meeting in LeClaire in district No. 7, in 1856, Mr. Spaulding, chairman, and A. M. Larimer, secretary, Laurel Summers, introduced the following resolution:  Resolved, That school district No. 7, LeClaire, is in favor of uniting with districts No. 2, 10 and 11, and thereby forming 'a union of the four districts.  Each district as it now stands does not forfeit or surrender its title or ownership to the school property.' "In 1855 it was agreed between Daniel Hagedorn, Dennis Barnes, Homer Carpenter and Pardon H. Owen, that said Owen should teach one of the schools for the term of three months for the sum of $33.33 1/3 per month.  A. P. Westfall was witness to the contract.  Pardon H. Owen was a scholarly man.  Eighty-seven bright boys and girls attended his school during the year.  The following schoolhouses have been used in LeClaire during the last fifty years:  the brick building in Parkhurst town; the Baptist church on Wisconsin avenue; the Presbyterian church on Jones street, called the 'black school' owing to the unpainted and weatherbeaten condition of the building; the school house built in 1850 on Ferry street, called the 'White school:' the old Methodist church on Main street; the Catholic church, beautifully situated upon one of the high bluffs; the German school house and the present building, built in 1870.  Only two of these old buildings remain standing.  Four schools continued in LeClaire until 1868, when one primary school was disbanded, leaving three schools; the high school, one intermediate, and one primary, called for convenience 'the stone, the black and the white schools.'  The first principal was Mr. Raymond, in 1857.  Mr. Baldwin in 1858, L. W. Weller in 1859, H. M. Hoon in 1860.  The high school then moved from the old Methodist church to the Catholic church.  H. M. Hoon completed his term of service and Mr. Stewart and Charles Clark were principals in this building.  The high school then moved to the German school house, William Sanderson and J. W. Coates being principals.  In 1871 all the schools were held in the present building.  The following have been in charge of the schools since:  J. W. Austin, J. W. Coates, C. E. Birchard, J. F. Lavender, J. T. Marvin, J. A. Holmes, E. A. Hamilton, W. D. Wells, Victor L. Dodge, E. S. Kinley, A. E. Baker, W. C. Hicks, C. W. Bartine, A. W. Schantz, John F. Ogden, S. M. Carlington, W. E. B. Marks, J. F. Norman.  Messrs.  Hoon, Coates, Birchard, Lavender, Kinley, Wells and Bartine married LeClaire ladies. "Mrs. M. L. Marks taught a private school in LeClaire for ten years.  Nearly every boy and girl at that time attended her school part of the year.  In 1859 Dr. Ekin, the Presbyterian minister, conducted a Ladies'Seminary at Maple Dale; now the home of Captain I. H. Spinsby.  The influence of Dr. Ekin and family was helpful and elevating to the people of LeClaire.  In 1856 an 'English and Classical School' was kept in LeClaire by A. W. Alvord and R. C. Hitchcock.  Miss Mary Payson conducted a private school for some time.  She returned east and married a Mr. Pierce, the grandfather of one of Davenport's real estate agents.  Mrs. Sarah Hurd and Mrs. M. L. Follette conducted, for some time, a select school.  Mrs. Hurd taught painting, music, embroidery and other fine arts.  In 1859 Mrs. Elsie A. Curtis, Mrs. Stella Tromley and Mrs. Sarah Dawley were elected school directors.  They completed their term in office with credit to themselves and profit to the public schools. "The LeClaire Lyceum and Library association was incorporated in 1867.  The object of the society was twofold:  literary improvement and the es tablishment of a public library.  In 1867 an exhibition was given in Davenport's hall.  The program occupied four hours.  All seemed highly pleased.  The proceeds were used in purchasing books.  A season ticket cost fifty cents and included the regular weekly meeting, also the lectures.  Ten cents admission was demanded at the door from all who did not have season tickets at the regular weekly meeting.  Between five and six hundred volumes were bought by this society, which are now anchored in the school building and called the public library.  Time, thought and labor were freely expended by this society for the public and future benefit of LeClaire.  The following are some of the worthy citizens who were interested in this work:  Hon. Laurel Summers, Hon. A. M. Larimer, H. A. Harrington, James Powell, P. H. Owen, Milton Parkhurst, F Snyder, Captain S. E. Van Sant, N. F. Horne, Mrs. Mary Summers, Mrs. Sarah Headley, Mrs. James Powell, Mrs. James, Mrs. Decker, Miss Minnie Robinson, now Mrs. Waggoner of Blue Grass, and many others.  A few remain in LeClaire; some have moved to other places, while some have journeyed to the other world.  The public library is the legacy these worthy citizens have left to coming generations.  May it ever be guarded as a precious relic from the past! "LeClaire still has much literary talent and many ambitious young people.   Mrs. M. L. Follett writes verse which has the true poetic ring.  J. D. Barnes is an interesting writer of historical sketches.  Miss Gertie Dawley is a teacher of Greek and Latin in high school at Oak Park, near Chicago.  Miss Alice Lancaster is a student at Iowa City and a teacher of physical training.  Mrs. Rose Eldridge delights with her camera to reproduce the historic and picturesque.  Miss Tuna Isherwood will soon complete her studies at the state university.  Dr. Alvina Kattenbracker has been a practicing physician for twenty-five years.  For a number of years she presided over a happy home.  Her husband having died and her two sons married, she still continues to practice in her profession, having the confidence and esteem of the LeClaire people. "Several newspapers have been started in this place; among them the Weekly Express and the LeClaire City Express.  This paper was devoted to religion, art, science, literature, agriculture, mechanics, news, commerce, enterprise and progress.  The motto, 'Be just and fear not; let all the ends thou aims't at be thy country's, thy God's and Truth's.'  Several papers followed:  The LeClaire Republican, the Scott County Register, the LeClaire Pilot, the LeClaire Journal, and the LeClaire Advance, which is now (1905) in the sixth year of success and prosperity.  J. E. Fedderson is editor and publisher.  A new press will soon be in use.  Mr. Fedderson married one of LeClaire's fair daughters. "The ferry, the Twin City, through the sweep of time and the lashing of the cruel waves, became disabled, and a new ferry was built by R. A. Edwards, named the May Flower.  These boats, as well as the owners, served the people well and faithfully.  They were owned by different parties at various times, but P. M. Smith guided his neat ferries across the waters thirty-five years.  With the advent of the railroad the ferry business departed. "In 1858 this advertisement appeared in the LeClaire Enterprise:  'Banking house of Davenport, Rogers & Company.  Exchange, gold, sliver and uncurrent money.'  Forty-seven years drifted down the stream of time ere LeClaire was favored with the LeClaire Savings bank; C. S. Simpson, president; W. P. Headley, vice president; J. E. Parker, cashier; capital $100,000, the stock being subscribed by thirty of the most progressive and influential citizens of the community.  From the first the bank has proven a convenience and a help to the business interests.  Its deposits average over $80,000 and are constantly increasing.  Many of the active business men in this place today are brave sons of LeClaire, and are an honor to their native town.  They loyally watch every public interest and carry many burdens of public responsibility.  A. N. Davisson was a business man thirty years.  C. P. Disney has been in business forty-six years and mayor seven times.  Waldo Parkhurst was a merchant forty years.  Dr. James Gamble practiced medicine fifty-six years.  L. Schworm kept a boot and shoe store forty-eight years and Mrs. Jane Jack kept a millinery store thirty years.  Mrs. Mary Summers is the only one living who has had a continuous residence in LeClaire since 1842. "LeClaire is no longer a city but a peaceful, restful town of 800 inhabitants.  Many of her industries have crumbled before the stern and relentless tread of Time, yet with the many beautiful homes, town hall, school building, churches and public-spirited citizens prosperity and happiness may ever await the guardian angels at her gateway.  She is no longer  isolated for the railroad and interurban have linked her with the great outside world, of which she is a beautiful and symetrical part." Debbie Clough G-erischer G-erischer Family Web Site http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/ Assistant CC, Iowa Gen Web, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ List Manager for: IASCOTT-L * G-erischer-L * D-encker-L Fitzpatirck-L * V-lerebome-L * Huntington-L * Otis-L * Algar-L EIGS-L * Pickens-L * McNab-L * Patris-L - Rankin-L