Chapter XXXI: Society in the Early Days

The early settlers in Linn county were intelligent and cultured. They did not come to the county because communities in the east were glad to be rid of them. It was for far different reasons our pioneer men and women made their homes here. They looked upon this as a goodly land, one filled with opportunity, and they entered in and occupied it.

Mrs. R. C. Rock, now in her 83d year, has vivid recollections of beginnings in Linn county. She came overland from Dubuque in 1850, and ever since has called Cedar Rapids her home. She says in her first years here the people took the best magazines of the day, passing them around so that all might read them. In 1852 there was organized a literary circle of ladies and gentlemen. This circle met once a week at the homes of the members. Original papers were read at these meetings, the subjects being assigned in advance. Occasionally distinguished lecturers from abroad were obtained. On one occasion Oliver Wendell Holmes was here, giving an entertaining talk to a large audience on the "Great Pyramids." Judge Williams, of Muscatine, one of the original members of the supreme court of the state, was also a lecturer here. From time to time Dr. J. F. Ely, Judge Greene, and other local men read papers or made addresses, "and they were always of a high order," says Mrs. Rock.

Occasionally there were formal parties, as in these days. There was a greater amount of entertaining a half century or more ago here than there is now. There were no special distinctions of class, all the citizens were welcomed. Some of the most hospitable homes were those of the southern colony, mentioned in another chapter in this book. Dr. and Mrs. Ely entertained a great deal in their home located where now stands the old Post Office building. Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Bever were always hospitable, and the Greenes did their share. Mrs. Rock says nothing as to her own entertaining in these days, but her home was recognized as one of most cordial hospitality, refinement and culture. Col. W. H. Merritt, Gabriel Carpenter, William Greene, Lawson Daniels and their wives were also pleasant and hospitable entertainers.

Mrs. George C. Haman, whose husband by the way is the oldest business man in this city--oldest in point of continuous service--wrote in 1906 quite interestingly for the _Republican_ her recollections of society in Cedar Rapids in the early days. We take the liberty of reproducing the same here. It is a vivid picture of social doings a half century and more ago.

Society in the early days had one pleasant feature that we
do not have at the present time. There was only one social
circle and there was not so much society to the square inch
as there is now. It was before the days of parties with the
men left out and before the days of clubs and cliques. A
large social function meant all the social people in town,
and was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and nothing but sickness
or death kept any away. The first social affair I attended
was in '57. Even then Cedar Rapids enjoyed a social
reputation equal to any town in the state and it soon took
the lead with such families for social leaders as those of
Judge Greene, Dr. J. F. Ely, S. C. Bever, Gabriel Carpenter,
Colonel Merritt, William Greene, Lawson Daniels and a few
others, who believed that money-getting should not be the
only aim in life, and believed in a high standard of social
and literary enjoyment as well.

The social, literary and religious foundation laid by these
far-seeing men and women is what gave Cedar Rapids the
prestige it enjoys among the sister cities of the state. Of
course in the forties and fifties most of the entertainments
were simple, but there were red letter days. The first large
social affair I attended was a wedding, and the first
wedding I ever attended. It was the marriage of Miss
Carpenter, daughter of Gabriel Carpenter, to Mr. George
Weare, brother of the late John Weare and Mr. Charles Weare.
The bride was lovely. The groom was a young business man of
Sioux City, where they have lived ever since. The wedding
banquet was a feast of all the good things that a good
housewife could prepare, and Mrs. Carpenter was famous for
her culinary achievements. Her turkey dinners brought joy to
many friends. She is now in her eighties, and lives a
retired life.

While writing the account of this wedding I received a paper
giving the account of the wedding of a granddaughter of this
bride and groom.

The second social affair that stands out prominently in my
memory is a large party given by Dr. and Mrs. Ely. The
social functions given at this hospitable home were always
delightful. The genial personality of the host and hostess
pervaded every corner of the home, and when one entered its
portals one knew that Dr. and Mrs. Ely would give a cordial
welcome. It was a home where all of the new-comers were
always entertained, the latch-string always being out. Mrs.
Ely was a very philanthropic woman, was the leader of all of
the charitable works for many years. Under her leadership
many of the philanthropic women of today received their
early training. Her noble works gave them their incentive.
There were not so many spacious homes as now, but those who
had them dispensed hospitality most generously and in a way
not surpassed in these days.

The home of S. C. Bever, for many years the largest, stood
where the Rock Island offices now stand. This home was where
the bishops and other clergy of the Episcopal church were
always entertained while in town. This home, with its large
family of young people that drew like spirits, was the
source of many gaieties. Mr. and Mrs. Bever's hospitality
many times won financial success for Cedar Rapids. They
entertained strangers who came to spy out the land. One
occasion of this kind was in '55, when Judge Greene, Dr.
Ely, John Weare, Lowell Daniels, W. W. Walker, S. D.
Carpenter and S. C. Bever all went to Chicago to attend a
national republican convention. All being business men, ever
ready to build up Cedar Rapids, at this convention they made
it their business to meet men from New York and Boston and
to talk up the advantages of Iowa and what a railroad could
do, until Mr. Ames of Boston, Crocker, Bertram and others
came back with the Cedar Rapids delegation, and were taken
in conveyance through central Iowa. While the men were
working the eastern capitalists for a railroad the women all
got busy and prepared for a reception and dance at the home
of S. C. Bever. Some baked cakes, others prepared meats,
others the bread and others the ice cream. The whole town
was invited, so when the eastern men returned, they were won
completely over and the project of the first railroad into
Cedar Rapids was laid then and there.

Homes were often called upon to open their doors to
strangers in town, who often were induced by the warm
hospitality and good fellowship to invest their money and
join hands and build up Cedar Rapids. When a large function
was given all the friends assisted. Dishes and table linen
and services were offered. We could not hire a caterer to
come and prepare refreshments and serve a company. Our
friends were the helpers.

The home of William Greene was also one with open doors. It
stood on the corner of Third street and B avenue. It was not
a large house, but a very hospitable one. Later William
Greene built a beautiful house in the block where A. C.
Taylor, Dr. Ruml and Dr. Kegley now live. The grounds
covered the whole block and were laid out with landscape
effect. It was a beautiful place, and many fine
entertainments were given there.

The Higley brothers, Harvey, Wellington, Mort and Henry, in
the early days, lived in small homes, but that did not deter
them from keeping up their end of social life. Lucy and
Jennie Higley were fine cooks and charming hostesses. Mort
and Wellington were jolly good fellows and every one knew
they were sure of a pleasant time when invited to their
homes, no matter whether it was to a church social, or a big
"standup" party as they were called in those days.

S. L. Dows' first home was like those of the rest of the
pioneers, small, but hearts were large and no one extended a
more cordial welcome to their friends than Mr. and Mrs.
Dows. After they built their new home on First avenue, many
brilliant affairs were given by them.

The home of George C. Haman, on the corner of A avenue and
Fifth street, is an old land mark. Mr. and Mrs. Haman have
lived there for over forty years. Their children were born
and brought up there, and like many pioneer homes, it has
been the scene of many festivities and good times.

The home of the late John Weare, with its large family of
young people, will always be remembered by the old settlers.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Belt, now owned by Mrs. George W.
Bever, was the scene of many enjoyable house parties.
Friends from eastern cities and prominent people throughout
Iowa were entertained there. Mrs. Belt loved to entertain
the clergy.

The entertainments given by Judge and Mrs. Greene were the
crowning social events of early days. The home and estate
were outside of town, but that was no obstacle to their
entertaining. Judge Greene was ready for every emergency and
the home was characteristic of the man. He was broadminded,
warm hearted, foresighted, generous and philanthropic, and
his home was conducted on these plans. His first house on
his beautiful estate, Mound Farm, was not large, but he
always found a way to entertain his friends and visitors to
Cedar Rapids. For example, he had a house party of friends
and wished Cedar Rapids people to meet them. He was at the
time building some buildings to shelter his sheep, of which
he had a great many. So he put floors in the building
preparatory to entertaining his guests and friends. He found
on short notice that if he expected to have the only good
music in town he must take it next day. He and Mrs. Greene
talked the matter over and decided to have the party. They
sent word to the other members of the Greene family and
intimate friends what they expected to do and they all came
to their assistance. Early in the morning Mrs. Belt made out
the list and the family delivered the invitations. Mrs. Belt
and Mrs. William Greene baked all the cakes. I don't know
just how many picked strawberries, but Mrs. Greene told me
that eighty quarts were picked and hulled that day. Mrs.
Greene superintended the making of the ice cream and the
decorating of the building. Special train service over the
Dubuque and Southwestern was arranged to bring the guests
from a central point to the sheep pens. All was in readiness
and the host and hostess ready to receive their guests at
eight o'clock. It was a most enjoyable event, and is still
recalled with pleasure by the old settlers. It is safe to
say that with the conveniences of today, such a social
affair could not be gotten up in one day. Later when Judge
Greene built his large house on the crowning point of Mound
Farm, in the center of the beautiful grounds which he had
been ten or more years preparing, Mr. Paddington, an English
gardener, had it in charge. Every kind of shrub and tree
that could be grown in Iowa was planted. The place for
situation and beauty could not be equaled in Iowa, and the
grounds were the most beautiful. When Judge Greene had the
walls up and ready to roof, a tornado tore them down. But
notwithstanding this discouragement, his house was built
and furnished with the richest furnishings of those days.
Three thousand dollars worth of oil paintings hung on the
walls. All the furnishings were bought in New York City.
When all was complete, he opened it with a most brilliant
house warming. As Judge Greene always considered Cedar
Rapids and her citizens in whatever he did, all were bidden,
as were many of his friends throughout the state, to the
opening of his new house. The beautiful impression of the
illuminated grounds and house and the cordial hand-clasp of
welcome from host and hostess that thrilled each guest with
good fellowship and heartfelt appreciation were never
forgotten. Indeed it was an evening of rare pleasure.

There were a few years when fancy dress parties were all the
rage. The first one given was in the home of Colonel Merritt
and was novel and beautiful. Colonel and Mrs. Merritt were
charming entertainers. Colonel Merritt built the house where
Dr. J. H. Smith now lives. It was bought by John W.
Henderson. He and his handsome and cordial wife entertained
hospitably. After Dr. Smith owned the house, he and his wife
dispensed hospitality lavishly and state politicians were
often their guests.

The Daniels home was another of the hospitable homes, where
many large parties were given especially for the pleasure of
the younger set.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Cook was for several years
the largest and most modern in the city. Mrs. Cook, with her
charming daughters, gave many elegant parties. The house was
built by I. N. Isham. He only occupied it for a few years
and sold it to H. G. Angle, who lived there one year. J. S.
Cook then bought it and lived there many years. Now it is
used for the National hotel annex.

In the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. West, children as well as
their older friends, found a warm welcome. The little folks
loved to congregate there and entertainment and refreshments
were always provided for them. "Papa and Mama West," as the
children called them, were never too busy to answer all the
questions asked by their young friends, who were always made
to feel thoroughly at home.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Rock was one of hospitality
and of culture and refinement, as well. No woman ever did so
much toward the education of the young people in early days
as Mrs. Rock. She was also a great worker in the church and
is the only living charter member of Grace Episcopal church.

The first church wedding was in the little Second
Presbyterian church. It was the marriage of Mr. George C.
Haman and Miss Louise Wolf. It was at five o'clock in the
morning, and the wedding breakfast was at 4 o'clock. The
reason for having the wedding at this unseemly hour was that
the bride and groom were going east and there was only one
train a day left town, and that was at six in the morning.
The attendants at the wedding were Mrs. M. P. Mills, nee
Coulter; Mrs. Portus B. Weare nee Risley; Mrs. Taylor, nee
Earl, and Miss Carpenter, bridesmaids. The groomsmen were
Mr. James L. Bever, Mr. Carter Berkley, Mr. Mortimer A.
Higley and Dr. Lions.

The first large public affair in Cedar Rapids that gathered
together all the people of the town, all in the state who
could get here and some from Chicago and the east, was in
June, '59. The occasion was the completion of the first
railroad into Cedar Rapids. It was the Chicago, Iowa and
Nebraska, now the Chicago & Northwestern. The citizens had
looked forward to this for many years, and it was a
financial struggle to get it through, but when it was
completed there was great rejoicing. A great celebration was
given. The tables for the banquet were spread where now
stands the Masonic Library, and the George B. Douglas home.
The women prepared all the edibles and with the assistance
of the young men and girls, served the banquet. The men took
charge of the speeches, parade and music. The depot was then
in the lower end of town, about Twelfth avenue and Fourth
street. The speeches were made there. At the finish the
marshals of the day formed all in line and marched to the
grove where the banquet was spread, and it is needless to
say the feast was enjoyed. I fear there were not twelve
baskets full left. The climax of the occasion was a ball
given at Daniels's hall, that stood where the Masonic Temple
now stands. It was a brilliant affair and the dancers tipped
the light fantastic toe until the rosy dawn was breaking.
The weary dancers wended their way home on foot, the girls
in tarlatan gowns and white kid slippers. Public carriages
were scarce, and the new and only bus had gone to meet the
early train. Thus ended the largest public social event up
to that time.

The years from '61 to '65 were years of great anxiety and
all the entertainments given were to gather the forces to
make all we could to get delicacies for our soldiers who
were fighting in the Civil war. The women, as always, did
their part. Mrs. Ely, with her loving heart and her capable
leadership, directed the younger women. Dramatic
entertainments were given by the young people. I recall some
of those who took part: The Misses Carrie and Kate Ely, Dr.
Lions, William Berkley, J. H. Haman, Miss Laura Weare, the
Misses Coulter, Miss Earl, Miss Risley, Mrs. Dr. May,
William Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Haman, Hall, Wood, Stibbs, and
Carroll. The rest of the men had all gone to the war and
most of these finally went. Sociables and fairs were then
held to raise money. There were days and nights of sewing
and packing barrels to be sent to the seat of war. These
were the days when all personal sacrifice was a pleasure.
When the war was over and the pall of horror was lifted, the
first joyful events were given in honor of fathers,
husbands, brothers and lovers home from the war. Days and
nights were spent making flags and banners, twining arches
that were placed over the street, cooking of good things.
Nothing was too good for the soldier boys. When the tables
were spread in the grove the returned soldiers, led by
Colonel T. Z. Cook, Colonel Merritt, Colonel Coulter, and
General Jack Stibbs marched up the street. Many were scarred
and lame and with emaciated faces. The bullet-riddled flags
were carried at half mast for those who fell in the battle
or died in southern hospitals. Our tears of joy were mingled
with tears of sorrow. For a year or two afterwards all
entertainments were given to raise money for soldiers'
widows and orphans. Parties and fairs of every description
were given.

A colonial ball was given in '59, in which Colonel T. Z.
Cook and Colonel Merritt and General Jack Stibbs came in
military costume. All three were handsome men with soldierly
bearing. All who attended this ball were in colonial dress.
To me it was the most beautiful social function of those
days. There were a number of beautiful women and handsome
men who looked well in colonial style of dress.

This party was given at Carpenter's hall Tuesday evening,
March 1, 1859, and was for the benefit of the Mount Vernon
fund. The patronesses were Mesdames Wm. H. Merritt, H. G.
Angle, S. C. Koontz, Wm. Greene, J. G. Graves, W. B. Mack,
C. B. Rowley, H. W. Perkins, S. D. Carpenter.

The committee on arrangements was composed of Wm. H.
Merritt, H. G. Angle, R. R. Taylor, W. B. Mack, D. M.
McIntosh, Lawson Daniels, Edward J. Smith, Hon. Geo. Greene,
S. D. Carpenter, Wm. Greene, John G. Graves, T. Z. Cook, H.
B. Stibbs, T. S. McIntosh, Wm. Berkley.

In '69 and '70 there was a fine course of lectures by Bayard
Taylor, Henry Ward Beecher, Barnum, J. G. Saxe and other
noted lecturers. The money raised was used to fit up a small
public library which was in circulation for a number of
years.

Judge Greene built a fine opera house and always gave the
use of it for entertainments for charity and the ladies gave
a great many affairs. It was not unusual for them to make
one thousand dollars at one entertainment, for everything
was donated and people attended entertainments of that sort
better then than they do at the present day. Years ago towns
in the vicinity of twenty miles returned social courtesies.
In the winter of '68 Iowa City and Cedar Rapids got very
friendly. A party of young people were invited to a ball
given at the Kirkwood in Iowa City. The weather was cold,
the snow deep; but bob sleds were rigged up with buffalo
robes. This party started out early, but owing to the deep
snow and an upset or two, it was late when they arrived. But
they had a pleasant time and returned late next day.

Marion and Cedar Rapids were very cordial to each other.
When the homes of I. N. Preston, Mr. Twogood, and Preston
Daniels were opened with social events a number of Cedar
Rapids people were invited and these families gave beautiful
parties.