Draft:Western Home
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The Western Old People's Home had their groundbreaking on August 21, 1911,[1] in Cedar Falls, Iowa. They opened with the help of the Evangelical Association, in partnership with the Pfeiffer family[2] of Cedar Falls. However, they officially opened June 18, 1912, accepting 2 members[3] with the dedication ceremony taking place on September 20, 1912.[1] Since 1903, the Evangelical Association attempted to find a Home for church members in the denomination's western states. Board members looked and rejected 9 different states including places in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois until the Pfeiffer Family helped.[1] The name was changed to Western Home in August/September of 1955.[4] Then, the continued to have another name change of Western Home Communities in 2001.[1]
In the Summer of 1937, the Kendal Christian Women's Home from Nashua, Iowa had proposed a merging with Western Old People's Home through their attorney as they had too few members that they couldn't successfully continue. After some meetings with their Attorney, the Executive Committee voted for the merger, resulting in two women from the Kendal Home coming to Western Home along with assets being turned over. These assets included approximately $40,000.[5] A Kendall Trust was also made.[6]
Church Affiliation
[edit]The Old People's Western Home was a part of the Evangelical Association in the beginning. Prior to the Western Home, all institutions under the Association were located in 'eastern states.' However, in Western Home's 1950 Superintendent Report and the 1956 and 1961 information booklets, it shows that they are under the Evangelical United Brethren Church, perhaps due to the merger in 1946 of the Evangelical Association and Church of the United Brethren in Christ (New Constitution).[7][8][9] In 1969, the United Methodist Church was created due to the Evangelical United Brethren and Methodists joining.[1] However, in 1983, the ownership agreement with the United Methodist Church dissolves and the Home then becomes a non-profit organization. This means that they are now held in a trust by a board of volunteer directors.[1] Today, Western Home continues to consider itself a Christian organization.[10]
In the 15th annual report, Lang discusses how German was spoken exclusively in services for the Home when he first came there. However, in 1927, there were 30 non-German speakers at that point with most people being able to 'get along very well' with the English language, save for three people.[3] German was quite prominent in the early 1900s in Iowa. It is estimated that about 12% around 1900 either spoke it as their primary or secondary language.[11]
Locations of the Home
[edit]Proposed new building was discussed in 1920 by the Board. They created a building fund to carry out the project, as they included it in the Financial Budget under Forward Movement to the amount of $50,000.[12]
Location | Address | Background/History |
---|---|---|
Willowwood Assisted Living / | 1100 Grove St, Cedar Falls, IA | Ground breaking, first spade turned by Vernon Halverson (Western Home Board of Directors) on Sunday, April 24, 1988.[13] However, it wasn't until 1989 that they opened.[1] |
10th Street, Cedar Falls, IA | This was completed in 1969. This made the Home's capacity 278. It included a kitchen, dining room, along with 10 larger residential rooms.[1] | |
Northwest wing | In 1961 they completed this. It cost about $461,000. This meant that the Home could make accommodations for 60 more residents.[1] | |
North Wing | In 1958, the North Wing was completed. This cost about $300,000 and included a longue, elevator, sitting rooms, and 50 rooms for residents.[1] | |
House | 1104 Irving Street, Cedar Falls, IA | ~1956, maybe earlier[7] |
Rental Property | 1104 Grove Street, Cedar Falls, IA | ~1952, maybe earlier[14] |
Spoffard House | Clinton, IA | In 1941, they mention that the Home owned 7 houses which are rented or sold on contract. The Spoffard House was sold 2 months before the Superintendent's Report for $2,000 in cash. With the Belle Plaine location, they had issues with the person they sold the house to. However, they ended up getting a quit claim deed meaning that there wasn't a need to go to the court to get the contract annulled. They also seemed to have a similar issue with a house in Waterloo that they sold to another gentleman. However, they hope to just get the contract annulled.[15] |
House | Belle Plaine, IA | |
House | Waterloo, IA | |
Farm | Near Fredericksburg, IA | In 1941, they got this farm (100 acres). This was given as an admittance fee by a resident. They believe the value is at $6,000 due to the excellent land but run-down buildings.[15] |
The Smith Farm (140 Acres) | By Nashua, IA | 1939, owned several farms (including renting some of them). The Smith Farm came in their possession from the Kendall Merger.[16]
They sold the Smith Farm to the current renter in 1952 as they rented it for over a period of 15 years at this point and it was no longer necessary for them.[14] The Heald Farm was a part of the Kendall merger. The Iowa Highway commission bought the rights for a new road through a corner of the land, which gave them $699.50 total.[15] |
The Heald Farm (55 acres) | By Nashua, IA | |
The Schafer Farm (80 Acres) | By Austin, Minnesota | |
The Haehlen Farm (160 Acres) | By Minot, South Dakota | |
In the 1933 Superintendent's Report, they received a farm and sold it the same year for $16,100.[17] | ||
In the 1932 Superintendent's Report, it is specified that there were only 2 new units erected for the Home since their opening with a cost of nearly $200,000. Also discusses disposing of properties such as 40 acres of land 20 miles from the home (sold to them for $4,040). They also sold the "Henning House" in Cedar Falls for $4,400.[18] | ||
Barbara Pfeiffer Sunshine Addition | The total cost was $102,080.40 which was over $30k above the gift towards this addition. This includes the cost of the Beck house, wiring, plumbing and heating, an elevator, laundry equipment, furniture, and more.[19]This was completed in 1929. Specifically, this ward had two solariums, two nurses stations, 36 rooms, a second elevator, and laundry.[1] | |
Beck House | Cedar Falls, Iowa | In the 1927 Report, there appears to have been 3 houses on Beck House property which, along with the old sheds and barn, were taken down or moved away. This ground was then made into a garden. The New Addition had also been completed by this time, along with the Superintendent's Home.[3] |
In 1925, the Beck House, north of the Superintendent's cottage, was purchase for $4,000. This was then rented to Brother Engel, an Iowa Conference Evangelist.[20] | ||
The Day Farm (140 Acres) | By Red Oak, IA | The Day Farm was sold in 1941 for $9k cash. Originally given in a deed to the home in October 1925 through a contract of two residents --a husband and wife-- entering the home. However, those residents still worked on the farm. The husband passed away in 1929 with the wife continuing to manage the business of it until the Home took over management in 1937. In the plan to sell the home, they hoped to give money to a variety of organizations including: the Missionary Society of the Iowa Conference, the Deaconess Society of the Evangelical Church, the Missionary Society of the Evangelical Church, with personal property on the Farm going to Western Home. However, they were unable to do this due to expense and needing it towards the wife's time at the Home.[15] |
New Addition | In 1923, a discussion of the New Addition to the Home being done.[21] This cost a total of $92,000 including a chapel, elevator, 40 rooms, 2 dining rooms, a kitchen, and an office.[1] | |
New house | Cedar Falls, Iowa | In 1921, this new house was built where the old Rumhill house was located for the Superintendent as there was no building near the Home for the Superintendent and the Matron to live.[22] |
Current Locations
[edit]Location | Address | History/Background |
---|---|---|
Windhaven Assisted Living[23] | 5500 S Main St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | These locations opened in 2006. They added 35 more apartments to Windhaven in 2010.[1] |
Thalman Square Memory Care Assisted Living[24] | ||
Standard Family Assisted Living at The Deery Suites[25] | 5301 Caraway Ln, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | |
Western Home Therapy[26] | 5307 Caraway Ln, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | |
Prairie Wind Independent Living[27] | 5313 Caraway Ln, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | |
Windgrace[28] | 5118 S. Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | This location opened in 1991.[1] |
Windermere[29] | 5018 S. Main Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | This location opened in 1992.[1] |
Windcove[30] | 5300 S Main St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | This location opened in 2004.[1] |
Windcrest Villas/Townhomes | Construction started for the villas in 2001. In 2010, the first set of 4 Windcrest Townhomes were constructed. In 2011, construction for more townhomes continued along with the Villa starting construction for the remaining lots in 2011. This was known as Phase IV.[1]
The Villas are each a different design, prioritizing independent living for residents. Each villa was also customized by the new residents at the time.[31] | |
Windridge[32] | 5311 Hyacinth Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | This Retirement Community opened in 2008.[1] |
Martin Suites[33] | 420 East 11th Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613 | |
The Cottages[34] | Caraway Lane |
Automobile
[edit]On the New Years in 1921, a Ford Sedan was purchased exclusively for the Home's use instead of using the Superintendent's personal car. There was already a car fund of $600. For 9 months, expenses for the car cost them less than $40.[22] At the time, a Ford Sedan might have cost $795 in the US.[35]
In 1935, the Hudson car that the Home owned for 10 years was sold. This car was big enough for 7 passengers. However, by trading this in, they ended up with a second-hand Packard.[36]
In 1941, it is mentioned that the Home had 2 automobiles (Plymouth and Packard). These both had their own uses. The Packard was used to take members to various church activities. However, this caused quite an expense --with $66 a year on insurance. Meanwhile, the Plymouth was a 1936 model and, although in good condition, had 62k miles on it. Knowing that cars would be more expensive in 1942, they went ahead and traded in both cars to get a new one --a Chrysler. They hoped to get an additional car after saving some money.[15]
The Pfeiffer Family
[edit]The Pfeiffer Family not only helped to start the Western Old People's Home with donations but also with direct continued involvement in the Home.
A lot of involvement came from:
- Gustavas Adollphus Pfeiffer with his wife (Louise F. Pfeiffer).
- Henry Pfeiffer Jr. with his wife (Annie Maria Merner Pfeiffer).
Year | Month/Day | Who? | $ Amount | Reasoning (if any) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1911 | May 2 | Gus Pfeiffer and Mrs. Anna Pfeiffer | $20,000 | [Trustees accepted the offer on this date] Along with old Pfeiffer Home in Cedar Falls -starting up the Western Home. This happened at a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Seibert Home for the Old People of the Evangelical Association held in their church in Cedar Falls. In the Fall 1911, they had only $4,231.50 besides this donation.[37][7] |
Aug | Ground was broken for the new building.[37] | |||
Sept 11 | Formal ceremony for laying the corner-stone took place.[37] | |||
1912 | Sept 20 | Jacob Pfeiffer | $100 | Given at an Annual Board Meeting.[38] |
1913 | ||||
1914 | ||||
1915 | ||||
1916 | ||||
1917 | ||||
1918 | ||||
1919 | Henry Pfeiffer | Proposal | In cash. A proposal to pay $5,000 to the home toward a new building provided that the church raised $10,000. [This proposal would pay for the cost of installation: estimated to be $4-5K][39] | |
1920 | Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer | Approx. $8,500 | Several handsome donations during the year.[12] | |
Mr. Henry Pfeiffer | Approx. $9,000 | Paid for heating system installation (from City Water Works). The Johns-Manville Insulating system was adopted.[12] | ||
(Several weeks prior to 1920 Superintendent Report) | Mr. Henry Pfeiffer | $4,100 in property: $2,600 (MP) and $1,500 (GR) | Purchased 2 properties in Cedar Falls, giving them to the home: Maurice Peterson house and lot (located in the same block where the House is at). The second is the George Rumhill residence with 2 lots (opposite of the Home).[12] | |
1921 | Mr. Henry Pfeiffer | Helped pay for the beamed ceilings and doors for the Superintendent's Home.[22] | ||
1922 | At a General Conference, it is reported that Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer, G.A. Pfeiffer, along with Mrs. Winter (Blairstown, IA) and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Deberiner (Sumner, IA) helped to contribute over $60,000 since the beginning of the Home, excluding the smaller gifts that were provided to the Home.[40] | |||
1923 | Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer | $5,000 | Alongside this, there was an offer the pair proposed that if the Home raises $20,000 up until January 1924, they will give $10,000 for the building fund.[21] | |
1924 | Mr. Gus Pfeiffer | $2,500 | Paid a part of the cost to fully equip the laundry (total was $6,000 with Mr. G.A. Pfeiffer paying just under half).[41] | |
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer | $10,000 | Given towards the building fund as $20k was raised.[41] | ||
1925 | ||||
1926 | ||||
1927 | ||||
1928 | Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer & Mr. and Mrs. Gus Pfeiffer | $60,000 | Originally, this amount was supposed to be $50k for a New Addition. However, after Mr. G.A. Pfeiffer saw that the proposed addition would be too small (with the Board agreeing), he offered to add $5k onto the amount and would discuss the situation with his brother --Henry-- who also added $5k.[42] | |
Dec 25 | Mr. Gus Pfeiffer | A Christmas gift of $5 for every member of the Home and $10 for each of the help (plus some more for the Superintendent and Matron).[42] | ||
(Value of more than $1,200 for the fridge and a mixer worth almost $500) | Gifted a General Electric refrigerator, food mixer, 7 canaries, 7 bowls of fish, and a Readi's/Pach's(?) [last word is written in.][42] | |||
1929 | ||||
1930 | Spring | Mr. Henry Pfeiffer and Mr. Gus Pfeiffer | For the Barbara Pfeiffer Sunshine addition, he paid for the larger machines in the kitchen. Iceless refrigerator and Hobart Slicing machine.[19] | |
Mr. Gus Pfeiffer | $1,000 | Used towards landscaping. This was all spent by the 1931 Superintendent's Report.[19] | ||
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer | In all three units, they installed a Johnson Hear Controle System.[19] | |||
Around Dec 25 | Mr. Gus Pfeiffer | $660 | Described as a 'gold shower,' this money was distributed among them without specifying who exactly.[43] | |
1931 | ||||
1932 | ||||
1933 | Mr. and Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer | $2,500[17] | ||
1934 | ||||
1935 | ||||
1936 | Mrs. Henry Pfeiffer | $10,000 | This money went towards the endowment fund.[44] | |
1937 | Mr. Gus Pfeiffer | $10,000 | Simply listed as a gift to the Home.[5] | |
1938 | Mrs. Gus Pfeiffer | $1,000 | Listed as a gift.[45] | |
1939 | Mr. Gus Pfeiffer | Valued at $265.62 | January 1, 1939: a gift of 18 earphones were installed in the Chapel. An additional $5k was donated to the home after January 1st but prior to March 1939.[45] | |
Mr. Henry Pfeiffer | $25,000 | This was listed as a special gift from their long time friend.[16]
Henry Pfeiffer dies April 13, 1939 in NY. He is buried in Cedar Falls.[46] | ||
1940 | ||||
1941 | Mr. Gus Pfeiffer | $15,000 | [15] |
Trustees
[edit]The first Superintendent's Report is from 1912, 1 year after their opening.
Trustees | Year(s) served on the board | Special Role? | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Bishop S.P. Spreng | 1912-1920 | President | Original Member. |
Rev. C. Schneider | 1912-1915 | Vice President | Original Member. |
Rev. A.L Hauser | November 11, 1911-1920 | Superintendent, specified as Secretary from 1911-15. | Original Member. Rev. Andrew L Hauser. Finished role in 1920, Lang takes over. |
Mrs. A.L. Hauser | November 11, 1911-1920 | Matron (Wife of Superintendent) | Emma Christina (Guerney) Hauser. Finished role in 1920 alongside her husband. |
Rev. F.F. Jordan | 1912-1919 | Secretary from 1916-1919. | Original Member. Finished role in 1919. |
Rev. E.H. Sohl | 1912-1939(?) | Original Member. Possibly Rev. Ezra Henry Sohl | |
Mr. P.O. Wadewitz | 1912-1915(?) | Original Member. | |
Mr. W.C. Nuhn | 1912-1925 | Specified as Treasurer in 1913-25 | Original Member. William C. Nuhn (March 31,1865-October 11, 1938). |
Mr. J.J. Arnold | 1912-1916 (?) | Original Member. | |
Mr. J.H. Burmester | 1912-1920 | Original Member. Finished role in 1920. | |
Rev. J.E. Klein | 1916-(?) | [48] | |
Rev. M.C. Platz | 1916-1920 | Finished role in 1920.[48][50][49][12] | |
Rev. C.A. Bremer | 1916-(?) | [48] | |
W.C. Lang | 1920-Feb 1937 | Superintendent from October 1920-1936. | 1936 Superintendent's Report: discusses having worked as a farmer, laundryman, and general chore boy besides his duties as Superintendent through his time in said role. Reported his stepping down in the 1936 Superintendent Report after having served through the Great Depression.[36] |
Mrs. W.C. Lang | 1920-Feb 1937 | Matron (Wife of Superintendent) | 1936 Superintendent's Report: discusses being a cook, nurse, and most often a floor girl besides her serving in her role as Matron during that time.[36] |
Bishop S.C. Breyfogel | 1920-(?) | Sylvanus C. Breyfogel. Started role in 1920.[12] | |
Dr. H.J. Faust | 1937-1941(?) | Takes over as Superintendent from Lang in 1937-1941(?)
Assistant Treasurer in 1938. Acting Treasurer in 1939-(?) |
Possibly Henry John Faust (from Germany) or Henry John Faust(from Denver, IA) |
Dr. H.J. Faust's wife | Matron (Wife of Superintendent) | ||
A.J. Wile | 1938(?)-1939 | Adam Jefferson Wile. Reported to be a member in 1938, could have been on the board before. Died a bit after the 1938 meeting took place.[45][16][51] | |
Bishop C.H. Stauffacher | 1939-1956(?) | President for 1939-(?) | Charles H Stauffacher[16][51] |
Rev. Phillip Schneider | 1939(?)-(?) | Vice President for 1939-(?) | [16][51] |
Rev. O.M. Yaggy | 1939(?)-(?) | Secretary in 1939-(?) | Rev. Oliver Moody Yaggy. Reported to be their Pastor in the 1938 Superintendent's Report.[45][16][51] |
Rev. C.B. Frank | 1939(?)-(?) | [16][51] | |
Mr. Carl W. Miller | 1939(?)-1961(?) | Possibly Carl Wesley Miller or Carl William Miller | |
Mr. C.C. Pitsch | 1939(?)-(?) | Carl C. Pitsch | |
Mr. W.J. Wile | 1939(?)-(?) | [16][51] | |
Mr. M.G. Erffmeyer | 1939(?)-1951 | Milton Garfield Erffmeyer. Served the Board for over 30 years according to the 1951 Superintendent's Report.[16][6][51] | |
G.A. Stauffacher | 1946-1952 | Superintendent in 1950(?)-1952 | George Adam Stauffacher. Mentions this being their 6th Annual Report in 1951. |
Mrs. G.A. Stauffacher | 1946-1952 | Matron (Wife of Superintendent) | Ida G. Kitterman Stauffacher |
F.A Trautman | (?)-1950 | Rev Frederick A. Trautmann | |
Wm. G. Rembolt | 1952(?)-(?) | Probably Rev. William G. Rembolt. In the 1952 Superintendent Report, he represented Western Home at the Nebraska Conference.[14] | |
Rev. G.H. McAhren | 1952(?)-1961(?) | Probably Rev George Harvey McAhren. In the 1952 Superintendent Report, he represented Western Home at the Wisconsin Conference.[14] | |
Dr. W.B. Tarr | 1956(?)-1961(?) | Superintendent | Possibly Ward Bemis Tarr |
Mrs. W.B. Tarr | 1956(?)-(?) | Matron | Possibly Minnie Kruse Tarr |
Rev. Donald H. Iles | 1956(?)-1961(?) | Secretary in 1956. | [7][8] |
Rev. J. Ivan LaFavre. | 1956(?)-1961(?) | Rev. John Ivan LaFavre | |
Bishop Emeritus | 1956(?)-(?) | [7] | |
Bishop L.L. Baughman | 1956(?)-(?) | Chairman | [7] |
Raymond C. Cook | 1956(?)-1961(?) | [7][8] | |
Dr. Wm. G. Rebolt | 1956(?)-(?) | [7] | |
Ben Norenberg | 1956(?)-(?) | [7] | |
H.G. Schwen | 1956(?)-1961(?) | [7][8] | |
Clarence Ahrens | 1961(?)-(?) | [8] | |
Rev. C.R. Findley | 1961(?)-(?) | [8] | |
Rev. John F. Wichelt | 1961(?)-(?) | [8] | |
Rev. R.C. Pfaltzgraff | 1961(?)-(?) | Possibly Richard Carl Pfaltzgraff | |
Loren Clark | 1961(?)-(?) | [8] | |
Rev. A.B. Utzman | 1961(?)-(?) | Likely Rev. Albert B. Utzman | |
Rev. John W. Schindler | 1961(?)-(?) | [8] | |
Harold Jordan | 1961(?)-(?) | [8] | |
Bishop Paul W. Milhouse | 1961(?)-(?) | Bishop Paul William Milhouse |
[12][22][40][21][41][20][52][3][53][42][19][43][18][17][54][55][49][38][22][40][21][41][20][52][3][53]
Numbers of People in the Home
[edit]Year | Residents | Employees | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1916 | 29 | Enrollment at 29 with their capacity at 35.[48] | |
1937 | 108 | Capacity of 106. Had been this capacity, going from 108 to 107.[5] | |
1938 | 108 | Capacity of 106.[45] | |
1939 | Mostly 110, average of 108 | Capacity of 106.[16] | |
1941 | 107 | 11 workers. | Mentions that 9 were women and 2 were men. However, there was 4 new women needed to be employed (1 due to illness and 3 due to becoming married). [15] |
1961 | 163 | 26 (Full-time) | [1] |
Historical Events
[edit]La Grippe or Influenza
[edit]Colloquially known as "La Grippe" or "Grippe," influenza or the flu took place in Western Home for a 3-year period.[56] In 1915, Western Home appears to have had struggles with an Influenza outbreak. This took place after Russian Flu/Asiatic Flu, an Influenza pandemic that hit the US in 1889-1890 and prior to the Spanish Flu, an influenza pandemic that took place from 1918-1920.[57] La Grippe in the Superintendent's Report is reported to have come through during the Spring of 1915, causing them to have 11 patients, about 25 years after the Russian Flu Pandemic ended.[58][circular reference] However, it seems that the only 2 deaths at the Home during this annual period were from old age.[59]
This continued to affect residents of the Home in the following year, particularly in February and March of 1916. It was quite severe as 15 patients were bedridden, and they had to call in for a special nurse (besides the faculties usual nurse). Although it isn't specified what they died of exactly, there were 4 deaths that year. At this time, they reported their enrollment at 29 with their capacity at 35. Since their start in 1911, 8 residents had died whereas 4 were dismissed with a total of 41 residents having entered in this 5-year span.[48]
In 1917, it is reported that La Grippe had left the home and that health conditions of residents were better than they had been previously. However, there were residents who were 'sorely afflicted' in the Home, who ended up dying after suffering for a long time. They continued to use the help of a special nurse (aside from their usual help) during this time. Alongside this, residents also helped with the sick with their aid helping to alleviate a financial burden to the Home. There were 4 deaths of residents at the Home that year, none appearing to be from La Grippe.[60]
Much later, in 1938, they discuss only 1 instance of the flu in the Home when there were quite a few cases in the community and city as a whole.[45]
The Bureau of the Census during this time only collected data from a limited number of states which had grown but did not include Iowa through this time. However, there is information from neighboring states to Iowa: [The below data showing the adjusted and crude rates.]
- Minnesota, North of Iowa[61]
- Mortality rates from 1910 to 1920 was reported to be:
- Adjusted rate: 5.2 per 100,000 in 1910, climbing up to 69.7 per 100,000 in 1920.
- Crude rate: these numbers go from 4.7 to 70.3.
- Mortality rates from 1910 to 1920 was reported to be:
- Illinois, East of Iowa[61]
- Mortality rates from 1920 alone:
- Adjusted rate at 79.1
- Crude rate at 80.1
- Mortality rates from 1920 alone:
- Missouri, south of Iowa[61]
- Mortality rates from 1920 alone:
- Adjusted rate at 97.9
- Crude rate at 97.2
- Mortality rates from 1920 alone:
Overall, these numbers from these three states alone vary in 1920 between 69.7 to 97.9 in the adjusted rate. Meanwhile, even the crude rate go from 70.3 to 97.2. This helps illustrate the rise of the Spanish Flu, especially as Minnesota had quite low numbers in comparison just 10 years prior, in 1910, at 5.2 (adjusted rate) or 4.7 (crude rate).
The University of Northern Iowa, located in Cedar Falls, then known as the Iowa State Teachers College (1909–1961)[62] also had quite a few problems with influenza -even before Western Home's existence. During Western Home's existence, however, they discuss a variety of peaks, including those in 1911 and 1913, along with the Spanish Flu.[63]
World War I
[edit]World War I, taking place from 1914-1918 had affected Western Home. The US entered the war with the allied forces on April 6, 1917, with Congress declaring war on Germany.[64] One such instance includes the higher prices affecting the Home according to 1918 Superintendent's Report, making them economize whenever possible without curtailing expenses on necessities. Some government regulations include having lived without meat and wheat some days as well as restrictions on things such as flour and sugar. Pre-war, the cost of maintenance per capita was $150, now increasing by $60 (making it $210). Besides suffering financially, Hauser -the trustee Superintendent during this time- also reports that 4 from the Home registered as 'enemy aliens.'[49] The term enemy alien was used during this time for German Nationals along with German allies (including Austrians, Hungarians, Bulgarians, and Turks).[65] This seemed to have happened even with regulations placed by President Woodrow Wilson.[66]
Alongside this, the Babel Proclamation, made by IA Governor William L. Harding forbade any other language than English in public on May 23, 1918 which was later repealed that same year -on December 4th. This had targeted the German population in Iowa due to the anti-German sentiments (as part of World War I). As seen in 1927 alone (under 'Church Affiliation') Western Home's German population was quite prominent meaning that this could have affected how the Home did sermons at this time. In general, the German population in Iowa was quite big in the early 1900s. It is estimated that about 12% around 1900 either spoke it as their primary or secondary language.[11]
The Great Depression
[edit]The Great Depression lasted in the United States from 1929 until 1939. Western Home discusses this through several Superintendent's Reports as follows:
The 1934 Superintendent's Report discussed assets being at $383,000, distributing through building and equipment, the superintendent's home, land and other buildings, as well as money and credits. These assets have increased more than 3 times what they were in 1920 (with them being $113,000 beforehand). However, it cost $257,000 to maintain the home during that time period, costing them well-over half a million dollars in spite of the Depression taking place, according to Lang. However, during this year, 12 residents passed away resulting in a loss of $7,545 to the Home or $686 per person. However, this wasn't concerning to Lang as last year (1933) resulted in a profit of $5,745. [54]
In the 1935 Superintendent's Report, the cost to run the Home was $1,685.55 more than it was in 1934. The Superintendent believes this is due to the New Deal, discussing how every item cost more this year than last year, more specifically $17.32 more per person. [36]
In 1936, Lang -then Superintendent of Trustees- describes the Home (on its 25th anniversary) as flourishing. After all, they had both physical assets well over a quarter million dollars and a substantial balance. On top of this, they now have 13 workers, up from the 3 workers in 1920, with both Lang and his wife having helped the Home greatly during this period, together serving as farmer, laundryman, chore boy (for Mr. Lang) and nurse, cook, and particularly floor girl (for Mrs. Lang). As far as experiences in the past year, the winter was the coldest they had known in many years, coinciding with records of the 1936 North American Cold Wave. Alongside this, the 1936 North American Heat Wave had its effect on residents and (the caring of) crops. With this and with efforts to increase the endowment fund to $100,000 (i.e. adding on $40,000), Lang realized that this was not possible with the Depression as it was a huge financial undertaking and that --with the Summer-- people lacked hope. Therefore, he did not press the matter that year with the Endowment Fund only having been raised to over $75,000 instead of $100,000 like they wished. [44]
When overviewing the years in the Home up to 1934, W.C. Lang --the Superintendent at the time-- discusses the Depression briefly. Looking at receipts of the Home in 1920, their assets totaled 113,000. In 1934, that had since increased to $383,000. In the Superintendent's Report, he is quite impressed with these numbers --even those from the Great Depression.[54]
1936 North American Cold Wave and 1936 North American Heat Wave
[edit]As far as experiences discussed in the 1936 Superintendent Report, the winter was the coldest they had known in many years, coinciding with records of the 1936 North American Cold Wave. There were long periods of sub-zero weather, but they were able to keep the Home warm and comfortable through this time.[44] Generally, in Iowa, the heavy snow covered was worsened by a blizzard on February 8-10, 1936. This made it so that people could not travel, therefore resulting in towns being isolated.[67]
Following this terrible winter was a blistering heat in the Summer, known as the 1936 North American Heat Wave. Six residents in particular struggled with this heat. However, with the help of cool rooms in the basement and use of icepacks, they helped save their lives. Besides this, the garden and field crops suffered due to the long dry spell resulting in this heat. However, through this, the gardener and a few old men continued watering and mulching the ground, resulting in fair crop minus potatoes. Lang -the trustee's Superintendent- also notes that this exception is important due to the price of potatoes at the time.[44] More specifically, ten pounds of potatoes in 1935 were $0.19 with number raising to $0.32 in 1936, with this only decreasing a bit in 1937 at $0.28.[68] This is something that also coincides with general sentiments in Iowa during that period with corn hardly growing due to the weather.[69] In records of the temperatures during this time, New Hampton -only 43 minutes away from Cedar Falls- set a record high of 110°F on July 13, 1936 with Fayette (at 110°F) and Decorah (at 111°F) also setting record highs the day after.[70]
The year following these extreme weather events, in the Superintendent's Report, Faust -the trustee's Superintendent following Lang- discusses the Barn and Garden. Here, quite a lot was produced:
Food | Total produced | Specific $ potential | Tota value | Additional Information |
---|---|---|---|---|
Eggs | 721 dozen | 25 cents/dozen | $180.25 | |
Milk | 14869 Quarts | 9 cents/quart | $1338.41 | Produced from 3 cows |
Chicken (meat) | 160 Chickens | $1/chicken | $160 | |
Potatoes | 150 bushels | $275 | ||
Beans | 30 bushels | |||
Tomatoes | 120 bushels | |||
Peas | 12 bushels |
*Data excludes food from vegetable gardens (radishes, lettuce, carrots, spinach, cabbage, rhubarb, and strawberries).
On top of this, the orchard was considered to be a total failure. The orchard also seemed to be quite a struggle in general, as shown in the 1939 Superintendent's Report.[16] For 1937, the total valuation of products is $1,953.66. Meanwhile, expenses include $1,598 for various things such as feed, seed, chicks, wages, etc. This gave a profit of $355.66.[5]
World War II
[edit]World War II started on September 1, 1939, and ended on September 2, 1945. The United States became involved after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
In the 1941 Superintendent Report, H.J. Faust --the Superintendent at the time-- points out the uncertainty of economic conditions and the rising finances of the Home. This is something that becomes a point of concern and interest for them. Especially after the financial depression the Home experienced a year ago, this is something that Faust points out as making them fearful of the future with this current world war. The cost of various food items (bread, butter, egg, and milk but especially meat) had gone up by 10-50%.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Milestones during the First Century. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Home. 2012.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Zbornik, Barry. "Pfeiffer line in Fayette County, Iowa". IowaZ.info. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Lang, W.C. (September 6, 1927). Superintendent's Report, 1927. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ Home News. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Home. May 1953. pp. 29–30.
- ^ a b c d Faust, H.J. (1938). Superintendent's Report, 1937. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
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: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b Stauffacher, G.A. (September 6, 1951). Superintendent's Report, 1951. Cedar Falls, Iowa: The Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m The Western Home of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Lincoln Press. 1956.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p The Western Home of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Lincoln Press. 1961.
- ^ a b Stauffacher, G.A. (September 7, 1950). Superintendent's Report, 1950. Cedar Falls, Iowa: The Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
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: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Main Page". Western Home Communities. February 15, 2024. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "German Iowa & the Global Midwest". German Iowa & the Global Midwest. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Hauser, Rev. A.L. (August 31, 1920). Superintendent's Report, 1920. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ Willowwood Plaque. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Home (published 1988). April 24, 1988.
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: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c d e f Stauffacher, G.A. (August 28, 1952). Superintendent's Report, 1952. Cedar Falls, Iowa: The Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical United Brethren Church.
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: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h Faust, H.J. (1941). Superintendent's Report, 1941. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Faust, H.J. (1940). Superintendent's Report, 1939. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c Lang, W.C. (February 7, 1934). Superintendent's Report, 1933. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b Lang, W.C. (February 9, 1933). Superintendent's Report, 1932. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d e Lang, W.C. (September 1, 1930). Superintendent's Report, 1930. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d Lang, W.C. (September 1, 1925). Superintendent's Report, 1925. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d Lang, W.C. (1923). Superintendent's Report, 1923. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d e Lang, W.C. (1921). Superintendent's Report, 1921. Cedar Falls, Iowa: The Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ "Windhaven". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Thalman Square". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "The Deery Suites Assisted Living — Western Home Communities". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Google Maps". Google Maps. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Prairie Wind". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Windgrace". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Windermere". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Windcove". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Windcrest Villas". Align Architecture & Planning. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Windridge". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-05-02.
- ^ "Martin Suites". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "The Cottages". Western Home Communities. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "Automobile trade journal v.25 1920 July-Dec." HathiTrust. hdl:2027/iau.31858044953564. Retrieved 2024-02-29.
- ^ a b c d Lang, W.C. (February 26, 1936). Superintendent's Report, 1935. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "The Evangelical Messenger". The Evangelical Messenger. LXVI (41): 11. October 9, 1912 – via Print.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hauser, Rev. A.L. (September 19, 1912). Superintendent's Report, 1912. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b Hauser, Rev. A.L. (September 10, 1919). Superintendent's Report, 1919. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c Lang, W.C. (October 5, 1922). Report of the Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d Lang, W.C. (September 23, 1924). Superintendent's Report, 1924. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d Lang, W.C. (1929). Superintendent's Report, 1929. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b Lang, W.C. (September 10, 1931). Superintendent's Report, 1931. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d e Lang, W.C. (February 24, 1937). Superintendent's Report, 1936. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d e f g Faust, H.J. (1939). Superintendent's Report, 1938. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
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: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Henry Pfeiffer Jr. (1857-1939) - Find a Grave..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hauser, Rev. A.L (September 10, 1914). Superintendent's Report, 1914. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association. p. 1.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Hauser, Rev. A.L. (September 7, 1916). Superintendent's Report, 1916. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association. pp. 1, 3.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Hauser, Rev. A.L. (September 11, 1918). Superintendent's Report, 1918. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d e f Hauser, Rev. A.L. (September 5, 1917). Superintendent's Report, 1917. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Faust, Rev. H.J.; Yaggy, Rev. Oliver M. (July 9, 1939). Dedication of the Pfeiffer Organ. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home. p. 8.
- ^ a b Lang, W.C. (August 31, 1926). Superintendent's Report, 1926. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b Lang, W.C. (August 28, 1928). Superintendent's Report, 1928. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ a b c Lang, W.C. (February 8, 1935). Superintendent's Report, 1934. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
- ^ Faust, H.J. (1938). Superintendent's Report, 1937. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Influenza", Wikipedia, 2024-04-19, retrieved 2024-04-22
- ^ Daughtery, Greg (March 23, 2020). "The Russian Flu of 1889: The Deadly Pandemic Few Americans Took Seriously". History.com. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
- ^ "1889–1890 pandemic". Wikipedia. February 13, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Hauser, Rev. A.L. (September 2, 1915). Superintendent's Report 1915. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association. pp. 1, 3–4.
- ^ Hauser, Rev. A.L. (September 1917). Superintendent's Report, 1917. Cedar Falls, Iowa: Western Old People's Home of the Evangelical Association. pp. 3–4.
- ^ a b c United States. Bureau of the Census (1923). "Mortality rates 1910-1920 with population of the federal censuses of 1910 and 1920 and intercensal estimates of population". Internet Archive. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "UNI Fact Sheet | Special Collections & University Archives". scua.library.uni.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
- ^ "Getting Sick at School: Influenza and Other Illnesses at UNI, 1876-2009 | Special Collections & University Archives". scua.library.uni.edu. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
- ^ "The United States in World War I (article)". Khan Academy. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ "Enemy Alien Records". National Archives. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ "World War I Enemy Alien Records". National Archives. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ Waite, Paul J. (Winter 1970). "OUTSTANDING IOWA STORMS". University of Iowa. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
- ^ "The cost of goods the year you were born". Stacker. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
- ^ "Dry, Dusty 1936 | Iowa PBS". www.iowapbs.org. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
- ^ "The deadly heat wave of July 1936 in the middle of arguably the hottest decade on record for the US". CO2 Coalition. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
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