USA > Iowa > A history of the Church of the Brethren in southern Iowa > Part 8
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A. H. Brower.
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MARION COUNTY CHURCH
East Nodaway
Perhaps sometime in the eighties Bro. Michael Myers commenced preaching at different places in Page and Tay- lor Counties (namely, New Market, Essex, Knowlton, Durby), under the supervision of the Mission Board. Other brethren were sent in at different times, and the cause flourished. In 1893 or 1894 the East Nodaway church was organized, near the boundary line between these two coun- ties, and prospered for a while. Brethren Isaac Webb and B. J. Bashor were chosen to the ministry at this place, but on account of death, emigration and other hindrances the church was disorganized in 1915 or 1916.
Eld. Michael Myers
Michael Myers, eldest child of Christian and Mary Myers, was born on a farm in Rockingham County, Va., Jan. 6, 1832. While he was never very strong physically, he was strong mentally, and was always ahead of his classes in school. When he was 21 years of age he went to Ohio, where he remained about two years, and then re- turned to Virginia, remaining one year, when he came to Iowa, and entered land in Madison County.
Aug. 30, 1857, he was united in marriage to Nancy Jane Goare, who was born March 5, 1838, and died March 27, 1875. They at once settled on their prairie home, where their first two children were born. Then they traded this for another farm near by, where nine more children were born and where he lived until 1891, when he retired to Creston, Iowa. He was remarried, to Sister Mahala C. Miller, Nov. 16, 1884. She is living at this date, Jan. 1, 1919. He departed this life May 1, 1900.
When he was 18 years of age he joined the Christian
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
church, and was baptized by single immersion. He was very zealous in attending meeting, and taking an active part. During the two years of his stay in Ohio, at one time there was an appointment for preaching by a Breth- ren preacher at the schoolhouse where young Michael was teaching. When the appointed time came and this teacher arrived, he found the house already crowded. So he took his place at a window, where he watched the preacher, and the preacher watched him. The subject was three ac- tions in baptism, and Michael's own language was, "He made his points so clear that I am left without a church, or a baptism." When he again went to Virginia, and was at his former church, the minister said, " I would like for you still to work with us as you used to." His reply was, "You people don't work according to the Scriptures."
In January, 1856, he left Virginia, saying, “When I find a woman that sees as I do I am ready " (meaning ready to marry and also to join the church). He joined the Church of the Brethren about 1857 and always took a great interest in church work. His wife became a member about 1872. June 2, 1877, he was chosen to the ministry, and was ordained to the eldership about 1880. He be- longed to the Grand River congregation. Aug. 2, 1887, a majority of this church went with the Progressives, leaving Bro. Myers alone in the ministry with only a few members as helpers, but he stood firmly for the cause which was dear to his heart. In time his letter and his wife's were placed in the Mt. Etna church, and he gave much of his time laboring in nine counties for the District Mission Board. For some years he and his companion traveled with horse and buggy, finally moving to Creston, where it was convenient to visit his points by railroad. He used to labor for the board at 50 cents per day and
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MARION COUNTY CHURCH
expenses, and then donate 10 per cent of his part. In 1895 he preached ninety-eight sermons for the board at an ex- pense to the board of $74.10; in 1896, eighty-four sermons ; expense, $63.89. His health then gave way and his work was greatly diminished. At least two of the mission points where he started the work developed into churches. One of these has since been disorganized. The other today stands a living monument for the seed which he sowed.
Before closing this sketch I wish to express my sincere thanks to all who have assisted me in preparing the same. Especial thanks are due to the only living brother and to the companion and to the children. It was only through their help that this was made possible.
A. H. Brower.
CHAPTER XII
South Ottumwa Mission
Eld. Abram Wolf and the writer came to Ottumwa in January, 1900, and held a week's meetings in private houses. The Mission Board then located the writer and family March 1, at 316 South Moore Street, there fitting up a room in which Sunday-school and preaching services were held.
In August of the same year a tent meeting of two weeks was held by Eld. Abram Wolf. Sisters Anna Follis and Alice Garber conducted the song service. The first convert was a Catholic man, about seventy-three years old. The next day two brethren were reclaimed.
Aug. 16 a love feast was held in the tent, Eld. J. M. Follis officiating, and twenty-two members communing.
Nov. 22, with the adjoining elders, Hiram Berkman, J. M. Follis, of the Monroe church, and Eld. Abram Wolf, of the Libertyville church, and the Mission Board, S. F. Brower, J. D. Brower, and J. D. Coffman, we were organ- ized. Eld. Abram Wolf was elected moderator of the meet- ing. Eld. J. M. Follis was chosen elder, and C. E. Wolf was placed in charge. Bro. J. H. Dale was elected deacon, Sis- ter Malinda Hardsocg was chosen treasurer and Sister El- len Dale was chosen secretary.
Our present place being too small to accommodate the attendance, the District took under advisement the build- ing of a church. March 12, 1901, work was begun on the new church, which is 34x36 in size. April 27 many hearts were made glad when we were permitted to assemble for
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
AURCH
Ottumwa Church
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SOUTH OTTUMWA MISSION
worship in our new home. Saints were made to rejoice with the angels in heaven when a young sister made the good choice to unite with Christ and his people. The next day she was buried with Christ in baptism. May 11 a love feast was held at which twenty-five members communed. May 12, Eld. L. H. Eby, of Mound City, Mo. (now of Ft. Wayne, Ind.), preached the dedicatory sermon. The two lots and church complete cost about $1,800, and are all paid for. Thus this was a red-letter day for the little band of God's dear children.
The date of this writing closes our six years of labor, and they have been the happiest years of our life. While we have not seen as great results from our labors as we would like to have seen, yet we take renewed courage and press on. We have had no helpers except Sister C. May Manners, now of South Bend, Ind., who was with us awhile and did some very efficient work. There were no members here when we began the work, though in these years thirty- five members have been taken into the church. One was lost by death, and two were disowned. There have been seven hundred and fifty-one sermons preached, five hun- dred and thirty-one by myself, and two hundred and twenty by other ministers. There have been 4,278 visits made, and nearly 8,000 tracts distributed; also 500 Messengers and Inglenooks. We have a live Sunday-school with sixty- five scholars enrolled. May we all be enabled to do more for the saving of souls in the future than in the past.
South Ottumwa, Iowa. C. E. Wolf, Pastor.
Eld. C. E. Wolf's labors closed Jan. 1, 1909. The work was then taken up by Eld. George W. Burgin as pastor. He was also chosen elder in charge for one year. Jan. 9, 1910, Eld. Peter Brower was chosen elder for one year, with George W. Burgin assistant elder. Jan. 8, 1911,
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
Peter Brower was chosen elder in charge for 1911. After this he from year to year was chosen and served as elder in charge until the time of his death, May 9, 1914. Jan. 8, 1911, Brethren Ira Jennings and Noah Harrison were chosen as deacons and were duly installed into office by Peter Brower. April 9, 1911, with Eld. Peter Brower in charge, Bro. Roy F. Jennings was chosen to the ministry and was duly installed into that office. George W. Bur- gin's labors closed Dec. 31, 1911.
Bro. S. L. Cover took up the work as pastor Jan. 1, 1912. March 1, 1913, with Elders Peter Brower and David F. Sink in charge, S. L. Cover was ordained to the elder- ship. May 21, 1914, Eld. H. C. N. Coffman presiding, S. L. Cover was chosen elder in charge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Eld. Peter Brower.
The District Meeting of Southern Iowa for 1914 was held at the South Ottumwa church. S. L. Cover's labors closed Oct. 30, 1915. The work was then assumed by Eld. J. W. Jarboe as pastor and elder in charge. J. W. Jarboe closed his work with the congregation Dec. 1, 1916. With this date Eld. S. W. Garber assumed the duties of pastor and elder in charge. Sunday, May 25, 1919, preceding a communion service, three brethren were chosen to the deacon's office, namely, Ed. C. Stephens, Joe Slye, and M. J. Clark. Each, with his companion, was duly installed into office. The services were conducted by Elders Wm. N. Glotfelty, W. D. Grove, J. D. Brower, and D. H. Fouts ; also Ministers W. H. Brower and Elmer Fouts; also A. H. Brower, member of the Mission Board, was present. The labors of S. W. Garber closed Aug. 1, 1919.
Aug. 1, 1919, Eld. William E. Thompson began work as pastor, was soon chosen as elder, and is serving as pastor and elder at the date of this writing, Dec. 8, 1923.
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SOUTH OTTUMWA MISSION
Under the pastorate of Bro. Thompson seventy-eight have been received into the church.
Elder Wm. E. Thompson
The following re- vival meetings have been held in the Ottum- wa church : By Abraham Wolf, January, 1900; Abraham Wolf, August, 1900; Charles M. Year- out, 1901; D. F. Sink, 1904 ; C. S. Garber, three meetings, 1907, 1909, 1911 ; D. B. Gibson, 1908; I. D. Heckman, 1910; W. D. Grove, 1910; J. H. Brower, two meet- ings, 1913, 1918; J. F. Burton, two meetings, 1914, 1915; S. W. Gar- ber, 1918; J. Edwin Jar- boe, 1919; O. H. Feiler, 1920; L. A. Walker, 1921.
There were some revivals held by the pastors and perhaps by others, of which I have no account.
CHAPTER XIII Salem Church, Adams County
Salem church is located five and one-fourth miles northwest of Lenox, Iowa, in a beautiful and rich farming section.
The first and only members in this locality, in 1899 and several years prior to this time, were Mankin Wray and his aged mother, Naomi (Wray) Crall, and Mrs. D. C. Wray. Their membership was in the Mt. Etna church, about twenty miles northwest of Salem. These members felt the need of services in this locality, so Bro. Michael
Salem Church
Myers, of Creston, Iowa, was secured to come and preach in a schoolhouse near where the church now stands. Bro. Myers' efforts were much appreciated, and during the
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
years of his labors here Bro. W. G. Caskey, with his family, moved into this neighborhood from Truro, Iowa.
Through the earnest work of these five members and Bro. Myers' visits every two weeks through the summer months, the Brethren doctrine was introduced in this lo- cality. During this time, or about two years before the organization of this church, the first love-feast service was held, in W. G. Caskey's new barn, near where the church now stands. The site which Salem church occupies, also the adjoining cemetery, was donated by Bro. Mankin Wray.
In the spring of 1900, on April 21, the first council meeting was held at the home of Brother and Sister W. G. Caskey. Eld. John Bailey, of Mt. Etna, presided at this meeting.
March 1, 1900, Bro. D. F. Sink and wife moved into this locality from Mt. Etna, Iowa, Bro. Sink being a min- ister in the second degree.
At this April council meeting, this congregation was organized. There were seven charter members at this time, namely, Naomi (Wray) Crall, Mattie Wray, Mankin Wray, W. G. Caskey (deacon) and his wife, Meda, D. F. Sink and wife, Mamie Sink.
All the charter members agreed and promised before Eld. Bailey and Sister Martha (his wife) and Bro. David Sink to work together for the cause of Christ, and for the upbuilding of the work at this place, according to the order of the church and the decisions of Annual Conference. Thus they were organized under the name of Salem congre- gation.
Bro. John Bailey was chosen as the first presiding elder, July 14, 1900. During the summer of 1900 the
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SALEM CHURCH
churchhouse was built. Services were held in a school- house while the church was being built. W. G. Caskey was the first Sunday-school superintendent. He was chosen March 11, 1900.
Oct. 8, 1900, the first baptismal service was held, when Bro. Homer Caskey, James Follis, and Clarence West were baptized. The first deacons that were called and elected were Bro. Clarence West and Homer Caskey, May 23, 1903.
The Salem church was dedicated June 9, 1901. Eld. L. H. Eby, of Mound City, Mo., preached the dedicatory sermon. The first District Meeting was held in the fall of 1903. This church has been much hindered by emigra- tion.
In 1909 the members felt the need of preaching serv- ices in Lenox, although prior to this a tent meeting had been held, conducted by Bro. Hutchison. So in December, 1909, a church lot was purchased for $1,050, and in the following May, 1910, a churchhouse was built. In Septem- ber it was dedicated, and Brother and Sister John Brower became the first workers at the Lenox mission. This work was started and carried on by the local church, Salem. Then in January, 1912, Brother and Sister Floyd Ramsey took up the duties.
In January, 1913, Eld. Solomon Bucklew, assisted by Bro. John Cover and wife, worked faithfully for a time. May 17, 1913, Sister Bucklew passed away.
From January, 1914, Bro. Olaf Caskey and wife labored there until August, 1914, when he was released, that he might attend Bethany Bible School, Chicago, Ill. Since then no work has been carried on, because of inability to secure workers for the place.
Eld. J. P. Bailey, the first elder in charge of Salem, sent in his resignation Jan. 10, 1903. It was accepted and
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
Eld. John Follis was chosen as presiding elder, with D. F. Sink as assistant. Bro. Dave Sink and wife labored ear- nestly for twelve years at the head of Salem church, when they moved with many others to Trego, Calif. He and his wife were sorely missed for a long time at this place, as much appreciated work was done by them. Various pastors and elders have been here since Bro. Sink and Bro. Follis left. Bro. John Follis and wife came among us in March, 1901, and labored until January, 1913.
In 1913 Bro. Dave Sink was chosen as our elder, which office he filled until in September, 1913, he and his family moved to Trigo, Calif., when Bro. Solomon Bucklew acted as our elder for the remainder of this year.
In March, 1914, Bro. Homer Caskey and wife came here from the Council Bluffs mission and took up the work at Salem as our pastor. Bro. John Brower, of South Eng- lish, Iowa, was chosen as our elder, until Oct. 22, 1914, Bro. Homer Caskey, with his wife, was ordained to the eldership, and remained our elder until in June, 1916, when Bro. Caskey tendered his resignation in favor of Bro. Les- lie Cover, who succeeded him in his unexpired term. Bro. Cover and wife came to us in November, 1915, from Ot- tumwa, Iowa. He and Bro. Caskey labored together at this place until the fall of 1916, when Bro. Caskey and family left here for Red Cloud, Nebr., where he had charge of the congregation.
During this year Salem was remodeled by adding a large basement, suitable for Sunday-school rooms. In March Bro. Cover's left us and took up the work at Mt. Etna, Iowa.
Bro. Olaf Caskey and wife commenced here in 1917 as pastor, with Bro. Weaver, of Omaha, as elder, until in
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SALEM CHURCH
September, when his resignation was accepted as pastor of Salem church.
In March, 1918, Eld. Wm. Wagner and wife of Alvo, . Nebr., accepted a call and they labored faithfully until in December, 1920, they left us for a new place at Lena, Ill., and for better school conditions for his family.
In January, 1921, Bro. Homer Caskey and wife were given a call, which they accepted and the work is moving along nicely.
Three of the seven charter members lie in the Salem cemetery, namely, Sister Naomi Wray, Sister Mattie Wray and Bro. W. G. Caskey.
Mrs. Chas. J. Wray.
CHAPTER XIV
Council Bluffs
May 1, 1912, Bro. Homer F. Caskey and wife came to Council Bluffs under the direction of the Mission Board of the Southern District of Iowa, coming here from the Osceola church, Osceola, Iowa.
A location not having been selected, Bro. Caskey spent some time looking over the field, and rented the residence at 823 Avenue F, with a storeroom in connection, which he repaired and used for church purposes. The first service
Council Bluffs Church
held was Sunday-school, July 7, 1912, with an attendance of thirty-five. Five members were residing in the city at that time. Lind Lewis, baptized July 28, 1912, was the first member received by baptism.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
In October, 1912, a series of meetings, conducted by Bro. Caskey, with Bro. Olaf Caskey and wife, of the Salem congregation, leading the singing, resulted in six being received by baptism, with others following a little later.
July 20, 1913, Bro. W. D. Grove, of the South English church, began a series of tent meetings, lasting two weeks, which resulted in eighteen accessions to the church, a number of these being adults.
Aug. 2, 1913, this church was regularly organized, Eld. M. R. Weaver, of Omaha, being chosen elder for one year. About Feb. 1, 1914, Brother and Sister Caskey resigned and were succeeded by Bro. J. H. Brower and wife, of the South English church, in the early part of March, 1914.
The site of present building, 808 Avenue E, was pur- chased by the Mission Board in February, 1914, and the church was built and parsonage located, as outlined by them during the summer of 1914, with Bro. J. H. Brower as pastor. The new church building was dedicated Oct. 25, 1914, Bro. H. F. Caskey, who opened up the work here, preaching the dedication sermon. A series of meetings, conducted by Bro. J. H. Brower, following the dedication, resulted in seven being added to the church.
Bro. Brower resigned as pastor in February, 1915, on account of poor health, and was followed by Bro. C. E. Schrock and wife.
A series of meetings, conducted by Bro. A. D. Sollen- berger, of Beatrice, Nebr., in May, 1915, resulted in six additions to the church at the time or soon after.
A revival meeting, conducted by Bro. J. Edwin Jarboe, of Lincoln, Nebr., in June, 1916, added twenty-nine to the membership.
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COUNCIL BLUFFS
Bro. C. E. Schrock resigned as pastor March 1, 1917, and was succeeded by Bro. Harvey Snell.
Thirteen were baptized during May and June, 1917, as the immediate result of a series of sermons by Eld. M. R. Weaver, of Omaha.
The membership at this time (June, 1917) is sixty- eight, and consists of four men who are the heads of families, seven mothers who have no husbands, five mothers whose husbands are not members, four single men, and three others over twenty-one, with the balance very young persons and children. A considerable number have moved away. Some changes are needed in the building to adapt it more fully to the needs of the work here, and it is hoped to get this work done during the summer of 1917, with the funds secured by Bro. Schrock in his personal canvass of the District in the fall of 1916, by authority of the Mis- sion Board.
CHAPTER XV
North English Church
What is now known as the North English church was for a number of years the northern part of English River congregation. Into this territory moved John Flory and Christian Myers, with their families, about the year 1854.
In the fall of 1856 came Noah, John and Michael Miller from Virginia, the former two with their families. Others we might mention are Andrew J. Simmons, John Bell, and
BRETHERN CHURCH
NORTH ENGLISH IOWA
Henry Senger, the latter with Christian Myers and their families in after years going with the Progressives. Of all these early settlers, Henry Senger and Michael Miller are the only two living.
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HISTORY OF SOUTHERN IOWA
In those early days preaching services were held in the different schoolhouses. Among those were the North English schoolhouse, located in the northwestern part of the town; Christy schoolhouse (now Grant), Bultys, Wil- cocks, Crossroad and Union, and probably others. Serv- ices were continued regularly at the latter every third Sunday of each month by ministers from the south side.
George S. Wine was the first minister elected in this territory. The members felt encouraged that they now had a preacher on this side of the river, which at times was almost impassable, but in a few years he moved away.
In 1889 a churchhouse was built in North English and was dedicated that fall, Jacob Brower, of South English, preaching the dedicatory sermon. This was followed soon after by a series of meetings conducted by Moses Dierdorff. After this a revival meeting was held regularly each year, with a few exceptions. Among the evangelists we might mention S. N. McCann, J. G. Royer, C. H. Brown, Michael Flory, and of later years Henry Brown, J. E. Jarboe and M. W. Emmert.
Noah Miller and A. M. Flory were the deacons at the time of building the church in North English and served faithfully for many years. John Seibert, a minis- ter, lived among us for a short time ; also P. G. Hopwood, Chas. M. Miller and F. E. Miller, and in later years E. C. Flory and Chas. Hostetler, deacons, the latter coming from Michigan in 1917. His death occurred Oct. 11, 1918.
In the spring of 1893 a Sunday-school was organized, meeting twice a month, but soon began meeting every Sab- bath, so that the International Lessons could be used. In a few years we had preaching services every Sunday by the south side minister for a few years, until the election of several ministers in this territory.
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NORTH ENGLISH CHURCH
May 3, 1916, the members, with the elders of English River and a few members of the south side, met at the church and formed themselves into a separate organiza- tion, known as the North English church, with the South English River as the boundary between the two congrega- tions. There were forty-seven members at the time of organization, and twenty-eight members present. Among this number were two elders, two ministers and two dea- cons. D. P. Miller was elected elder in charge, W. H. Miller, clerk, W. H. Long, writing clerk, and S. A. Mil- ler, treasurer. Since organ- izing we have received sixty into the church, thirty-eight by baptism, one by confes- sion, three reinstated, and eighteen by letter. During that time have lost thirty- seven, seven by death, three disowned, and twenty-seven being lettered out, leaving a membership to date of seven- ty, composed of three elders, W. H. Long, D. P. Miller and A. W. Miller; one minister, Elder D. P. Miller Lawrence A. Miller, and until recently another minister, J. E. Smith; two deacons, S. A. Miller and Jesse S. Miller. The present organization consists of Eld. W. H. Long, Clerk S. A. Miller, Treasurer W. H. Miller.
W. H. Miller.
CHAPTER XVI
Missionary Sentiment and Mission Board
As the brethren emigrated from farther East to Iowa they brought with them the missionary spirit. The date when the first Mission Board in the District was chosen is not available, but we find that as early as 1881 the Mis- sion Board was Daniel Zook, Alexander McPrice, and Martyn Replogle. The following brethren have since served on this board: D. W. Hardman, Levi Whistler, Peter Brower, A. J. Wine, A. H. Brower, J. B. Flory, H. C. N. Coffman, J. D. Coffman, S. F. Brower, J. D. Brower, W. D. Grove, D. F. Sink, and A. L. Sears. The present board is A. L. Sears, W. D. Grove and A. H. Brower.
In the early years the District contributed only a few dollars per year to the use of this board, but up to the present time over $20,000 has been contributed by the District and used in the District. Nearly 6,000 sermons have been preached, 290 souls have been baptized and two churches stand today as living monuments, which have been organized under the supervision of the board.
In 1901 District Meeting took action to start an en- dowment fund, which now has reached $9,879.75. The in- terest on this is helping in the work, and we are looking forward to the time when much more may be done in this line.
A. H. B.
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CHAPTER XVII
Minutes of the District Meetings of Middle Iowa, for the Years 1867, 1868, and 1869
(The State District Meeting of 1865 was held in David Brower's barn, in the English River congregation.)
MINUTES OF 1867
The meeting was held in the Dry Creek church, 10 miles north- west of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Oct. 18. 19.
David Brower, moderator; Elias K. Beakley, reading clerk; J. S. Snyder, writing clerk.
1. Is the language of the Savior limited, when he says, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature " ? Answer .- No, when ministers are properly authorized. Acts 13: 2-4.
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