Iowa County, Iowa
Amana TownshipThe Name The word "Amana" means "Believe true" or "Remain true." This is a noble motto, and the history of the colony shows that the sentiment contained in that name has not been unworthily bestowed. The Holy Bible is the foundation of their faith and practice. In this brief sketch we shall endeavor to set forth some of the principal features of the colony, the industries and resources of the township, and give only a few facts in reference to their distinctive belief and domestic life, deeming it more especially the province of the impartial historian to record only facts as he may be able to collect them, permitting the particular sectarian or social belief ot the reader to construe them as he may think proper. Boundaries The boundaries of this township are as follows: North by Lenox, east by Johnson county, south by Iowa and Hilton and west by Hilton, Marengo and Washington townships. Technically located, it is thus described: Beginning at the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 13, township 81, range 9, and running west to the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 14, township 81, range 10, thence running south to the southwest corner of section 2, township 80, range 10. thence east to the southeast corner of section 1, township 80, range 10, thence north to the southwest corner of township 81, range 9, thence running east to the southeast corner of the same congressional township, thence north to the place of beginning. The area is, therefore, just thirty square miles, or 19,200 acres. Statistical The population of this township just described, according to the United States census for 1880, was 1,633, being an increase during the last decade of 192. There are in the township 233 polls, but at the Presidential election, November 2, 1880, only forty-three votes were east. For James A. Garfield 22 votes, W. S. Hancock 19 votes and J. B. Weaver 2 votes, showing unmistakably that these quiet, unassuming German colonists do not desire to take an active part in our national politics. They raise domestic animals in large numbers both for farm use and the market. There are cattle to the number of 1.256, horses 206, sheep 3,190, and swine 1,088. The taxable value of merchandise in their several villages, excluding Homestead, is $35,000, and the capital employed in manufacturing in the said six villages is over $85,000. The personal property of all kinds is over $189,000, and if we estimate the personality of Homestead at $25,000, which is certainly low enough, we have the personal property of the corporate colony at $214,000, which is over $50,000 more than last year's assessed valuation of personality of Marengo city and Marengo township combined. The realty of Amana township is assessed at $215,000. Physical Features This township is traversed by Iowa River from west to east, and Price Creek from north to south. The surface is mostly level, more so than any other township in the county. The soil is of a sandy loam of great depth and fertility. A little timber skirts Iowa River, and in the northwest it covers several sections. The river banks are not high and the land on either side gently rises without bluffs or hills. On sections twenty-seven and twenty-eight there is a large slough or lake covering in extent about two hundred acres. This is always filled with water. Iowa River flows through the southern tier of sections. Price Creek rises in Benton county, flows through Lenox and enters Amana township in section fifteen, and thence flows southeast through section twenty-two, and near the southeast corner of section twenty-six discharges its waters into the Iowa River. Iowa River is crossed by two good wagon bridges, one at South Amana and the other at Homestead. The bridge at South Amana was completed in the spring of 1858, and rebuilt by the colony for the county in the year 1867. The bridge at Homestead was built in the year 1865 and is about two hundred feet long. There are seven villages in the Amana colony, six of which are in Amana township and one, Homestead, in Iowa township. These seven villages, boroughs or settlements, as they may be termed, are very much alike in construction of buildings, business and stores. The buildings are large and well constructed, and built principally of brick and stone, with some frame structures. East Amana This is the farthest east, being located on sections twenty-three and twenty-four, one mile from Johnson county line. There is a blacksmith shop, carpenter shop and large barns at which are kept sheep. The population of this village is one hundred and twenty. Main Amana This was the first settled and is the largest, having a population of 550. Here are several manufactories, a large general store, hotel, school, meeting-house and many large brick and stone houses for dwellings. The buildings are substantially constructed and the business well managed. The large woolen mill, which is over one hundred feet long, is built of brick and furnished with all kinds of machinery necessary for manufacturing a superior article of woolen goods. Over 150,000 pounds of wool are yearly consumed and many operatives here find steady and agreeable employment. This factory is run by steam and water power. In case one should fail the other would be used. The Calico Print Mills color and print from 800 to 1,000 yards daily. The heavy cotton goods are manufactured in the East and sent here for the finishing touches. They are called "blue print," and enjoy a high reputation for the superior manner in which the work i» done. Besides the industries already mentioned, there is a large flour mill, brick-kiln, soap factory, hominy mill, saw mill, drug store, tailor shop, tin and machine shop. There is also a good school. At this Amana there are sixteen elders, who attend to the spiritual care of all the people in the village, holding meetings every Sabbath, Wednesday and Saturday. One physician, Jacob Winzenried, attends most of the cases of sickness for the whole township. Middle Amana This little village of 380 inhabitants is situated about two miles west from the main Amana. It also contains a large woolen mill, starch factory, machine shop, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, book printing and bindery, brick yard, general store, school, meetinghouse and many other substantial buildings. Hohe Amana (Or "high" Amana, for this is what the German word means) is two miles west of Middle Amana. It contains a general store, saw mill, machine shop, blacksmith shop and other industries. It has a population of one hundred and thirty. West Amana This is one mile west of Hohe Amana and contains a population of 170 together with all the store and shop advantages necessary for the people. South Amana This village is south of Iowa River in the southwest corner of Amana township, and is a lively railroad station, on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. It contains a population of 200. Here they have a very large general store, a post-office with George Heinemann a« postmaster, a grain elevator, depot, saw mill, hotel, school, blacksmith and wagon-shop, etc. At this point there is much grain and stock shipped. Homestead This settlement is three miles south of Main Amana, and is in Iowa township. Homestead is not in Amana township, but its mention more properly belongs under that head than in the history of Iowa township, since the property is owned the business carried on and it is inhabited by the colonists. It has a population of 210, a depot, hotel, post-office, grain elevator, meeting-house, school-house, general store, lumber-yard, and great distributing warehouse. This is the principal shipping point for the colonists, though, as has been said, some railroad business is done at South Amana. This is the principal shipping point for Iowa township farmers. The Canal Is dug through the land for a distance of nine miles, for the purpose of furnishing water for the colonies on the north side of the river, both for their stock and also for water-power. The water is taken from the Iowa River, at a point on the east line of Marengo township and conducted to the Iowa River again within a mile and a half of the Johnson county line. This was a great undertaking and took more than three years to complete it. It was finished about the year 1866. Historical This society of plain-hearted, simple believers in the Scriptures was first known in Germany early in the eighteenth century. However, not much was known or said of them till they came to the United States. The first delegation of them came in the year 1842, and from that time to the year 1848 they continued to come, and although not at first living in communities, they saw, on coming to this country, the oneness of their interests and formed themselves into a community. They first lived at a place called Ebenezer, near Buffalo, New York, but this locality did not furnish advantages of land that they desired, so they sent agents to look for a location, either in Kansas or Iowa. After these men had seen the country in both States named, they decided to come to Iowa, and accordingly in the year 1855, they commencing removing to this place. They are simple in manner and dress. They are very devoted to their peculiar religious belief and believe the whole Bible as the inspired word of God and place great reliance on the New Testament and teachings of Christ. Their children, youth, middle aged and old people are watched, encouraged, guided and instructed by the fatherly elders. All, old and young, are expected to attend divine worship on the Sabbath. There is no meaningless and unnecessary ceremony connected with their worship; but all can understand and take a part. Singing, prayer and reading the Word of God with comment, moral and religious lessons are their principal religious exercises. Their elders take turns in leading the services. Schools There are in this township two ungraded schools and five graded schools. There are two departments in each of the graded schools. There are twelve male teachers who teach twelve months in the year, schools being in session all the year round. They are paid an average salary of $20 per month. The children and youth between the ages of 5 and 21 are, males 224, females 222. The total enrollment in the schools, 427; with an average daily attendance of 343. This shows the highest percentage of enrollment and average daily attendance of any township in the county. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil is $1.25. The estimated value of school-houses in the township is $7,100, being more than that of any other except Marengo township. They are unusually moral and law abiding. They are never known to quarrel and fight. Sober, industrious, moral, religious and happy—what a lesson of good citizenship we are taught by these Germans, who have adopted America for their home and that of their children. None of the family and common domestic relations of Christian people are surrendered to the corporation. Children are brought up at home and schooled at the public expense under competent teachers. A degree of honesty, intelligence and enterprise is manifested there that puts to shame the smartness and trickery of many of our modern American towns. Incorporation It will be seen by the "Articles of Incorporation" that this community is intended to be one of the most laudable and useful enterprises in the country. Let the reader judge for himself. The corporation was formed, as will be seen, in the fall of 1859. "Articles Of Incorporation" Of The "Amana Society." To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting: Know ye, that William Moershel, Charles M. Winzenried, Christman Wilhelm, Christian Metz. Theobald Heimburger, John Beyer, Jacob Whittmer, Jacob Schnetzler, Samuel Schnener, George Walz, Jacob Winzenried, Joseph Elzer, and Peter Haldy, all of lawful age and citizens of the United States, and a majority of us citizens of the State of Iowa and county of Iowa, for the purpose of forming ourselves into a religious and charitable society, for the benefit of ourselves, our associates and successors under and by virtue of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, entitled, "an act for the incorporation of benevolent, charitable, religious and scientific societies, approved March 22, 1858, do hereby certify that this society shall be known in law by the name of Amana Society. That the principal place of business of the society shall be in Iowa county, in the State of Iowa. That the principal object of this society shall be to promote the temporal and spiritual welfare and happiness of its members. That the principal business of this society shall be to purchase and receive real and personal property, to use, own, control and dispose of the same, to engage in and carry on agricultural and mechanical pursuits, to build and erect on said real estate villages, churches, school-houses, factories, and make such other buildings and improvements, and carry on and perform such other business as may be deemed essential to the well-being, happiness and prosperity of this society. That the legislative or managing department of this society shall consist of thirteen trustees, who shall be elected annually at such time and place and in such a manner as may be specified in its by-laws. That the executive department of this society shall consist of one director, one vice-director and one secretary—the vice-director only acting in the absence of the director and performing his duties—who shall be elected by the trustees and out of their number, and hold office for one year, and be elected at such times and perform such acts and duties as may be required of them by virtue of the by-laws of said society. And that the following persons are to act as officers of said society for the first year of its existence; viz., William Moershel, Sr., Charles Winzenried, Christman Wilhelm, Christian Metz, Theobald Heimburger, John Beyer, Jacob Whittmer, Jacob Schnetzler, Samuel Schnener. George Walz, Jacob Winzenried, Joseph Elzer, Peter Haldy. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 8th day of December, A. D. 1859, in and for said county, personally appeared the above named William Moer William Moershel. [seal]
Chakles M. Winzenried. [seal]
Christman Wilhelm. [seal]
Christian Metz. [seal]
Theobald Heimburger. [seal]
John Beyers. [seal]
Jacob Whittmer. [seal]
Jacob Schnetzler. [seal]
Samuel Schnener. [seal]
Joseph Elzer. [seal]
George Walz. [seal]
Jacob Winzenried. [seal.]
Peter Haldy. [seal] shel, Sr., Charles M. Winzenried, Christman Wilhelm, Christian Metz, Theobald Heiinnurger, John Beyer, Jacob Whittmer, Jacob Schnetzler, Samuel Schnener, George Walz, Jacob Winzenried, Joseph Elzer, Peter Haldy, who are personally known to me to be the identical persons who signed the above and foregoing instrument as affiants, and acknowledged the same to be their voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein expressed. Witness my hand and the seal of said county, at Marengo, the 8th day of December, A. D. 1859. [L. S.] W. H. WALLACE, County Judge. Recorded December 13, 1859. E. H. HENDERSHOTT, County Recorder.
By A. B. ESHLEMAN, Deputy. The following is a list of the present trustees of the Amana Corporation. The first officers are given in the articles: Peter Winzenried president, John Beyer secretary, Peter Trautmann, David Akermann, George Walz, David Pausa, Matthias N usser, Jacob Murbach, Jacob Scheuner, Charles Brenneman, William Christman, Christopher Miller, Jacob Wittmer, Frederick Moershel. Organization The order from conrt for the organization of Amana township bears date of September 20, 1858, and the first election was held at the school-house in Amana. The first township officers were: Trustees, J. Whittmer, C. Wilhelm and T. Heimburger; justices, John Beyer and S. Schnener; constables, C. Murbach and L. Hammerschmidt; clerk, William Moershel; assessor, Jacob Murbach. Present Township 0fficers Trustees—J. G. Dickel, Martin Winzenried, Peter Winzenried.
Justices—Peter Winzenried, George Heinemann.
Constables—P. Schlotterer, William Pitz.
Assessor—John Heinemann.
Clerk—Charles Moershel. This township formerly was a part of Lenox. Though these colonists are conscientiously opposed to taking an active part in politics, yet they encourage the participation in township and local elections. Township officers are necessary and many kinds of business cannot be legally transacted without them. The principal occupation of the colonists is agriculture. The farms are cultivated in the most approved manner and the latest improved machinery is used. The fences are always kept in order and made of the best material. There are several miles of hedge fence used and in splendid condition and nicely trimmed. The horses and cattle are always large and of good stock and kept in excellent condition. The large numbers of men, women, boys and girls in the fields in harvest, time dressed in their quaint and peculiar colony costume, is a sight worth going miles to see. There is also an extensive mercantile business conducted at the several "stores" with the people of the county residing for miles about the colony. The "Community Of True Inspiration" In the year 1843 and the following years this community emigrated from Germany to the United States of America for the sake of enjoying the noble civil and religious liberty of this country and settled at Ebenezer, in the county of Erie and State of New York, on the former Buffalo Creek Indian Reservation, where they existed some years in peace and prosperity. The community, in the year 1854, resolved unanimously to sell the Ebenezer lands and to undertake a new settlement in the western country, and consequently in the year 1855, and the years following, purchased tracts of land in Iowa county in the State of Iowa and paid for the same out of the funds of the community. And thereupon, as heretofore shown, the colonist formed themselves into a corporation known as the "Amana Society " under the laws of this State, the foundation and object of their civil organization being for religious, charitable and benevolent purposes and for no worldly or selfish motives, nor for pecuniary gain or money-making. It is true that with combined capital and labor, and owing to the industrious and frugal habits of its people, money is made and property acquired but the same is a common fund and united property and is preserved and appropriated only to maintain and promote the objects of the organization. Out of the income of the land and the other branches of industry the common expenses are to be paid. The surplus, if any, is to be applied from time to time to the improvement of the common estate—to the building and maintaining of meeting-houses, schoolhouses, printing establishments, and to the building of business industries, safety fund and for the support and care of the old, sick and infirm members of the society and others of the organization requiring aid and the comforts of home and life and for benevolent purposes in general. In addition to this a strict account is opened ana kept with each member, and allowances made for earnings, support, clothing, etc., from which, at any time, can be shown how much each member is entitled to in capital or store account. [The History of Iowa County, Iowa, 1881, transcribed by Cathy Danielson] |
