USA > Iowa > Monroe County > An illustrated history of Monroe County, Iowa > Part 22
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On August 9, 1886, Rev. T. F. Boyd, of Marysville, Kansas, was chosen pastor to succeed Rev. OHlerinshaw. He was guaranteed a minimum salary of $800 a year, and as much above that amount as could be raised.
April 1, 1889, the session signed a call to Rev. E. B. Linn to act as pastor, guaranteeing him $800 a year and the use of the parsonage. Mr. Linn is still the pastor of the church in Albia, and is a zealous and efficient worker.
The following is a statistical report of the church made to the presbytery, for the year ending April 1, 1890: Elders, 4; deacons, 2; added on examination, 8; added on certificate, 7; total communicants, 170; baptisms, adults, 5; infants, 4; Sunday-school membership, 125; contributions to home missions, $40; foreign missions, $46; education, $8; Sabbath-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
school work, $18; church erection, $S; freedmen, $9; General Assembly, $16.20; congregational expenses, $13.90; miscel. laneous, $15.
The report for 1892 shows: Total communicants, 183; Sabbath-school membership, 100; home missions, $74; for- eign missions, $58; education, $15; Sunday-school work, $11; church erection, $7; relief fund, $15; freedmen, $5; aid for colleges, $15; General Assembly, $17; congrega- tional, $1,336.17; miscellaneous, $85.
The report for 1804 gives: Number of elders, 16; dea cons, 2; added on examination and certificate, 15; total com- municants, 200; no baptisms; Sabbath-school membership, 140; home missions, $104; foreign missions, $48; education, $11; Sunday-school work, $14; church erection, $23; relief fund, $13; freedmen, $7; aid for colleges, $14; General Assembly, $27; congregational, $1,627.71.
For the year 1895 the following is the statistical report of the condition of the church as reported to the presbytery :. Elders, 6; deacons, 3; added on both examination and certifi- cate, 15; total communicants, 206; baptisms, 15; Sabbath- school membership, 150; home missions, $109; foreign mis- sions. $82; education, $8; Sabbath-school work, $14; church erection, $8; relief fund, $18; freedmen, --; General As- sembly, $21.18; congregational, $1,293.12; American Bible Society, $5; miscellaneous, $50.
At a session of May 3, 1896, Rev. E. B. Linn, the pastor, submitted his resignation, to take effect July 1, 1896, assign- ing as the cause the ill health of both himself and wife; and at the next session, May 10th, after due consultation, the board determined on the following proposition :
"Pastor, Rev. E. B. Linn, to have one month's vacation, commencing July 1, 1896, with leave of absence for August and September if he so desires, and his salary to go on all the time, except that the expense of supplying the pulpit for August and September shall be paid from salary; Brother Linn, if possible. is to secure supply for those two months."
The proposition was accepted by the pastor, and, at the end of the three months, he returned to his charge slightly improved in health. Rev. Witte acted as a supply during his absence.
The first church edifice erected by the Presbyterians of Albia was a brick structure, 30x40 feet, and one story. It occupied the site of the present church, which was finished
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HISTORY OF' MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
in 1873. The size of the latter is about 38x70 feet, with base- ment story, used for prayer-meeting and library. The cost of the building was $8,000.
Besides the pastors already enumerated, Revs. S. C. McCune, of Oskaloosa; Rev. H. P. Barnes, of Clyde, Ohio; and Rev. S. W. Pollack, now of Centerville, Iowa, each pre- sided for a short time.
The Presbyterian choir, as at the present composed, in- cludes a high grade of musical talent, and the church stands in the front rank of popularity.
The Associate Presbyterians ("Seccders").
When Monroe County was first settled, many of the pio- neer settlers, wishing to profit by closer fraternal associa- tions, naturally grouped themselves together in communities or colonies; hence the Catholic community in the western half of Monroe County, the Dunkers or old German Baptists noa: Cuba in Mantua and Pleasant townships, the Methodists in the upper half of Bluff Creek Township, and the Presby- terians in Pleasant and a part of Bluff Creek townships.
An incident of early times will serve to illustrate the colonizing methods of the "Seceders." Old Billy Piper lived on a claim in the Snodgrass neighborhood. The farm is now owned by Mr. Lathan. Piper was not a "Seceder" by any means, but Jesse Snodgrass and his surrounding neighbors were. It was, of course, desirable on the part of the "Seced- ers" to locate settlers in their midst who were of the same religious persuasion as themselves. One day Jesse Snod- grass brought into the neighborhood a man from Ohio. The man was a "Seceder," and hence was a very desirable man to locate. Old Billy Piper was grubbing near the roadside when Mr. Snodgrass rode up with his man. After a friendly salutation and introduction of the two strangers, Mr. Snod- grass thus opened negotiations for the purchase of the claim in behalf of his man: "Would ye sell ver claim, Misther Piper? Sure an' ye are a foine mon, an' a gude neighbor. but ye are not the kind of a mon we want wi' us, an' we would loike til git rid of yes." This very frank admission greatly incensed the old unregenerate anti-"Seceder." and, seizing a fence-stake, he made after the offending neighbor, who beat a hasty retreat, leaving his horse behind, hitched to the fence.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
They are a sturdy race, those old "Seceders," and their names are linked with the birth, growth, and exalted man- hood of the county. Some of their tenets seem a trifle at variance with the popular ideas of the nineteenth century concerning fraternal union, but it is a fact that there are remarkably few "goats" in their flock to be finally separated by the Master of the Sheep-fold. While their church does not keep pace with some of the others in growth and popular- ity, it is a good church to join, for those who merely desire to get to heaven, because they are all going to get there. This, of course, applies as well to the United Presbyterians and other strains.
They are instructed in piety from infancy, and their nursery songs are the lullaby of the Psalms. They speak of the seventh day as the "Sabbath" instead of saying "Sunday." . They discountenance the singing of hymns in public wor- ship on the ground that they are of human construction, and not inspired. They do not encourage the attendance of their members at other churches, and advocate non-com- munion. They adhere to old land-marks, which, while they may forbid the pilgrim to cut across lots in his Christian pil- grimage, or to depart into shady by-paths which even may again emerge into the highway, make the way certain.
In wading the Jordan of Christian experience and earthly stewardship, he treads on no stepping-stones save those which have been worn smooth by the foot-prints of his ancestors and those mentioned in the "field-notes" of the "Westminster Confession." He does not risk his footing on those newly added stepping-stones of other denominations, lest they rock or totter on their bases. He even lifts his garments while passing over them. His honesty, too, is as immutable and rock-ribbed as his faith, for who ever heard of a "Seceder" in good standing in his church neglecting to pay his debts? His daily acts are under the scrutinizing espionage of the session board, and the least irregularity means suspension.
Membership in the church is measured by the ratio of birth and mortality of the members, for no proselytes from other religions bodies ever join the Associate Presbyterian Church, and none of those to whom the doctrine has been transmitted by heredity ever leave it.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Pleasant Township was the cradle of the white race in Monroe County, and no sooner had the settlers arrived than they framed a church organization. Among the charter members of this organization at Pleasant Divide were Geo. Humphrey, Robt. M. Hartness, Wm. H. McBride, John Walker, and the Snodgrasses. Achesons, Andersons, Buchanans, McDonalds, Vances, and Porters.
At a meeting of the session board of December 4, 1847, convened at the house of John Walker, William MeBride was chosen chairman; he was also elected collector and treasurer, and a trustee as well. John Walker and John Acheson were also elected trustees. At this meeting it was ordered that a suitable book be purchased for the use of the treasurer of the congregation, and following is a copy of the treasurer's report :
"There was 50 cents put into my hands for purchasing said book. Said book was purchased at the sum of 373 cents. Balance due, 123 cents.
(Signed) "Wm. H. McBride, "Treasurer."
Then follows a statement of
"Monny paid over to Mr. Scot by the following persons;
Jessy Snodgrass. . $3 25
John Walker. . 2 00
Wm. H. McBride. 0 75
Geo. Anderson .
2 00
Wm. McBride.
2 00
Total. . $10 00
"Do. to Mr. Scot :
Wm. McBride. . $1 00
John Walker .. 1 00
Geo. Anderson .. 1 00
Jessy Snodgrass. . 1. 00
John Acheson ..
50
Win. H. McBride 50
Total. .
$5 00
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
"Paid monny to Mr. Linsy by following names, to-wit:
Wm. McBride .. $1 00
Robt. M. Hartness. . 1 00
John Walker. 1 00
Geo. Anderson. 1 00
J. C. Acheson. . 50
John Acheson .. 50
Alex. McDonald . 50
Wm. H. McBride. 50
Gus Omphrey . .
50
Jesse Snodgrass
1 00
Total. . $7 50"
Another financial report, dated October 9, 1847, reads:
"Receaved 25 cents from the following persons :
Mr. Darter. . .$0 25
Alex. McDonald . 50
J. C. Acheson . . 50
Geo. Anderson ..
1 00
Mathew Acheson
50
Wm. McBride .. 1 00
Misses Alison.
50
Wm. H. McBride. 50
Sam'l Buchanan. 50
John Walker. . 1 00
Jessa Snodgrass.
1 00
Paid over to Mr. McDoewl. .$7 25"
Rev. D. Linsey preached for the congregation during its earlier organization, and then Rev. John Vance acted as pastor until 1857, when Rev. Samuel Hindman took charge. At this time a proposition was made to unite with another branch of the Presbyterian Church, called the Union or Associate Reform. The Associate Reform Church was divided on the proposition, and at a meeting of the session on September 20, 1856, a motion was adopted to oppose the contemplated union.
In 1858, when the consolidation was effected, the Pleasant Divide Church did not enter into the union, and has retained its original organization to the present day. The congregation held worship at their church, which was
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
built in 1850. It occupied the site of their present church, which stands near Henry Elder's.
In 1887 the old church was replaced by the new one, which cost over $3,000. When the church was completed, a motion was introduced and adopted in a church session, February 1, 1854, directing that a rail fence be put around the graveyard, and that each family in the church furnish 20 rails with which to build the fence.
The Associate Presbyterians in those days had a very methodical way of raising church revenues and collecting arrears. Upon each member a tax was levied, and the levy was based on the valuation of his property. The amount had to be forthcoming, but the debtor was often allowed to postpone payment until "money came into his hands." He was required to give his note, however, for the amount. Money was also raised by charging the member a "stipend" for a seat in the church. If he failed to pay the "stipend," the seat was sold to someone else. In 1857 it appears from the records that Messrs. John Castle, Sr., Wm. McBride, and Henry Elder were appointed to assist the trustees in levying a tax for funds to pay the pastor.
This plan of raising church revenues was a good one. and might be adopted at the present day, with happy results. If the notes were not paid, the next step was to enter snit in the courts; but this last resort was seldom or never necessary.
When the two churches united in 1858, a dispute arose over the ownership of the Pleasant Divide church edifice. The case went into the courts, and it was decided that it belonged to the United Presbyterian body. The Associate body then bought it from the former.
Rev. Hindman continued to preach at Pleasant Divide until about the year 1861. when Rev. Jas. Shearer took charge and preached until 1873. when he ceased his clerical labors, and for a year or two the pulpit was "supplied" by the presbytery. Rev. Jas. N. Snodgrass rendered efficient service as one of these "supplies."
In 1877 Rev. H. S. Acheson assumed charge of the society, and is the present pastor. The organization has a membership of about 75.
On October 21. 1880. an auxiliary branch of the church was established at Albia. with John Lathan and John Patton as elders, and Rev. Wm. Porter as pastor. He still
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
has charge of the congregation. The membership at present comprises 35 persons, and among the charter mem- bers were Rev. Wm. Porter and wife, John Lathan and wife, C. C. Acheson and wife, Wm. Castle and wife, Ed I. Ramsay and wife, James Garrett and wife, H. J. Bell and wife. Dr. F. C. Maughlin and wife, John Castle and wife, Mrs. Spencer, Jas. Hammond and wife, Mrs. Jane Nichol, and Wm. J. McKissick and wife.
In early times the "Seceders" of Pleasant Township and the fellows of the "Hairy Nation" did not get along very amicably together. Their hostility during the period when the "Club law" was a regulating factor in the community was somewhat similar to the warfare between the early Puritan fathers and the aborigines of Plymouth. Old Henry Elder might be characterized as the terrible fighting deacon of Plymouth, Miles Standish, and old Laurel Tyrrell, on the part of the "Hairy Nation," as the fierce Wattawamet; but, as was the fate of the red man, Tyrrell's head was never hung up on the ridge-pole of the church as a warning to the braves of the "Hairy Nation."
"And, as a trophy of war, the head of the brave Watta wamet
Scowled from the roof of the fort, which at once was a church and a fortress."
At the time of the "Club" regulations, the homestead law had not yet been enacted. A settler could preëmpt from the Government by paying $1.25 per acre for 160 acres of the domain, or Mexican land warrants ranged from one dollar per acre down as low as fifty cents per acre.
Under a preemption law of that day, a settler could hold a quarter-section a year before being required to pay out on it. At the end of the year the occupant of the claim was usually poorer than he was at the beginning. He could not get away, and about all he could do was to arrange some plan in concert with his neighbors by which he could hold on to the land by virtue of the rights of "squatter sovereignity." It was to protect him thus that the "Club" was called into existence, as we have stated elsewhere in this volume. As the "squatter's" claims were not based on any legal rights conferred by the statutes, the "Seceder" colonists did not recognize the sanctity of the regulations adopted and en- forced by the "Club" organization. If they found a tract of land on the plat at the land office marked by a "V," which designated it as vacant, though in reality a "squatter" occu-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
pied it through the support of the "Club," they felt little hesitaney, in many instances, in preëmpting it or "jumping" the claim. As they did not believe in secret societies, they seemed to place the "Club" organization in the same category of evils, and for that reason, doubtless, they did not enter into the organization. The "Hairy Nation" looked upon them with suspicion anyway, for, as Jas. Coen says in his in- teresting "Sketches of Early Times," they had many strange customs. They were very industrious, cultivated large fields, rode in painted wagons, used horses instead of oxen, and worked six days in the week. They did not even fight as a recreation, and would not drink whisky at Harrow's grocery on Saturday afternoons.
Mr. Coen states further, that when they built a school- house at Half-way Prairie, and fitted up a stove in it instead of a fireplace. this innovation met the further disapprobation of the "Hairy Nation," and when they began to build a church, it was considered an overt declaration of war. For what purpose could they need a church. unless to be used as a fort? The pulpit was evidently designed as a sally-port from which the besieged might emerge in a final encounter, after the stronghold had been invested.
At length these strained relations culminated in an open rupture. A man named Geo. P. Little entered a forty-acre "claim" on Miller's Creek. Little was a "Seceder," and a "squatter" claimed the tract. The "Club." of course, pro- tested vigorously, but Little paid no attention to their threats. One day, in midwinter, he borrowed a horse from James Carhart and rode to Albia, armed with an old "pepper- box" pistol. That very day the "Club" had met to take final action in his case. On his return from Albia the "Club" discovered him and gave chase. Little took the Eddyville trail, with about twenty of the mob in hot pursuit. The pur- suers gained on him, and finally one of them caught up with him and attempted to seize his horse's bridle. Little held his revolver in his hand, cocked, and ready for any acts of violence, but as the pursuer reached the bridle his horse stumbled, and the fall discharged his pistol. The pursuer then kept his distance. thinking the shot had been aimed pur- posely at himself. Little gained the house of Carhart, and then took refuge in the house of Henry Elder, hotly pursued by the mob.
The man who had caught up with Little was his friend
17-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Andy Robb. He was endeavoring to assist in Little's escape. He soon arrived at Elder's and, seizing a sled-standard, saun- tered out into the road among the mob, charged them right and left, threatening the entire crowd with destruction if they did not retire. They retired, and a few days later the "Club" met and resolved to exterminate the "Seceders," wipe them off the face of the earth, and raze their church to the ground.
Zed Chedister went to Mr. Tucker's to borrow his gun. He stated that he wanted to kill "Seceders" with it. He did not get the gun, and his pleasant anticipations of killing "Seceders" were never realized.
Further commenting on these disturbances, Mr. Coen says in his "Sketches of Early Times":
"A meeting of the 'Club' was held a few days later, when war was declared and it was ordered to raise the 'Nation' and wipe out the 'Seceders,' and to begin by burning their church, fixing a time for the bonfire. Runners were dis- patched to call out the chiefs and braves of the "Hairy Na- tion,' 'Bull-frog Nation,' 'Hell-string Nation,' and all the friendly tribes, with their arms, ammunition, and plenty of 'snake-bite' medicine. The war-whoop was sounded through- out the land. The gathering of the invading forces con- tinned until the evening of the appointed day, when they took up their line of march for the 'Seceder' church.
"Meanwhile, news from the war-dance had reached the 'Seceders,' who, disdaining to sue for peace, took up the hatchet and prepared for the impending conflict. Messen- gers were sent from house to house.
' 'And there was hurrying to and fro,
And gathering tears, and tremblings in distress, And cheeks all pale,'
as the stern-visaged 'Seceders' left their homes with their rifles, ammunition, and bullet-moulds. Throughout the day, the wooded valleys along the frozen waters of Miller's Creek and Bluff Creek and the landscapes of Half-way Prairie and North Prairie resounded with the familiar cry of their ances- tors: 'Dinna ye hear it? Dinna ye hear it? Dinna ye hear the slogan?'
"By the time they had gathered at the church, reën- forced by Sheriff Ezra P. Coen, and a squad of friendly 'Hell- strings.' they had but settled down to a comtemplation of the horrors of war, when away over the prairie towards the 'Bullfrog Nation,'
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
" 'Like the dread northern hurricane, That sweeps the broad plateau, Flushed with the triumph yet to gain, Came down the serried foe,'
who, finding the building occupied by an unknown quantity, marched to a grove near by, and went into camp.
"Next day both armies prepared for the approaching conflict. After some time, in which some seemed inclined to open the battle, a commissioner was sent to the church to demand a surrender. They were invited into the building, shown the strength of the besieged, and informed they were ready to fight it out. There was some parley as to the causes of the war, and the commissioners returned to camp.
"Some of the invaders favored moving on the enemy's works, but others favored further attempts at diplomacy, and so some hours were spent in conference of the commis- sioners. The more warlike of the belligerents became im- patient at the delay. Each party stood to his arms and glared at each other across the prairie. After considerable negotiations, each party cooled off, and some kind of a truce was fixed up without the arbitrament of arms."
The Covenanters.
The Covenanters are yet another variety of Presby- terians. They organized in Pleasant Township in 1860. In that year Rev. Neal was sent as a "supply," and preached until 1865, when he was succeeded by Rev. Jas. Love, whose ministerial labors extended down into the '80s.
Rev. J. A. Thompson then preached until about the year 1892, when Rev. McBurney assumed charge, and held the place until about the beginning of the year 1896, when he re- signed and went to Oklahoma. The church does not have any regular minister at present.
The Covenanters erected a church edifice in 1871, on the Hicks place, just east of the "Seceder" church.
Like the "Seceders" and other strains of Presbyterians, the Covenanters are characteristic for their sturdy manhood and thrift. They, too, are of Scotch origin, and their faith is the same as it was in the days of Charles the Pretender- nothing has been added and nothing taken from it.
The distinguishing characteristic of the Covenanters' faith is that Christ suffered and died to purchase not only spiritual blessings and salvation, but that the great sacrifice also covers the temporal welfare of mankind. They hold
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
God has an ever-present existence in all things mundane, and that therefore human governments and laws framed for the well-being of society should be recognized as deriv- ing their being through the direct interposition of God. They insist that God should be recognized in the United States Constitution, and they refuse to vote as long as it is not so directed. They hold that it would be sacrilege or impious to vote under a constitution infidel in character, insomuch as it does not recognize God.
Some years ago, while U. K. Bates was assessing in Man- tua Township, he called to assess the property of Rev. J. A. Thompson. Mr. Thompson demurred, when called upon to make oath to his statements, and refused to pronounce the usual clause, "so help me God." He wanted, as a final com- promise, to abbreviate the phrase by leaving off the word "God." Finally, however, when he was told that the law required this of him, he acquiesced.
Mr. Bates then called on Rev. Acheson, of the Associate Reform Church. This gentleman thought the word "God" was not sufficiently strong, and added to it by saying. "Almighty God."
Following is a list of some of the original members of the Covenanter Church, their names being all more or less well known in the history of Monroe County: Win. Pressley, Adam Orr, the Hebrew and Sinclair families, Wm. Chisholm and his wife and mother, Thos. Nichol and wife, Rev. Jas. Love and family, Wm. Huston and family. Jas. Irwin and family, Jas. Dougherty, Joseph Pervis, David Forcythe, Sr., and family, John Bedford and family, Hugh Hawthorn and family, the Dunn family, Arthur G. Mckeown, Samuel Kil- patrick and family, and Wm. Allen and family.
, The United Presbyterians.
The United Presbyterian organization in Monroe County, while formed by a union of the Associate Reform and Associate Presbyterian bodies, also contained a few recruits from other Presbyterian societies throughout the county.
Rev. J. N. Pressley was the first pastor of the new organization, and began in 1858, the year the two churches united.
At present there are two United Presbyterian organi- zations in Monroe County ; one at Albia, and the other four
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
miles north of Albia, known as the Service United Presby- terian congregation.
From the register of this congregation we copy an historical sketch, which, while a part of it may be but a repetition of statements already recorded concerning the Associate Reform Presbyterian Church, is a reliable record :
Historical Sketch of Service United Presbyterian Congregation.
"The exact date of organization is lost. With a view to organization, a meting was held at the house of Mr. Simeon Wycoff, March 10, 1856. There were present at that meeting Messrs. Win. Robb, Samuel Elder, John Hen- derson. Thos. Wilson, Andrew Robb, Samuel Henderson, Samuel Thompson, W'm. B. Kendall, and Wm. Richard. Thos. Wilson was chairman and Samuel Conley was secre- tary of that meeting. The meeting made arrangements to secure five aeres of land from Wm. Robb, as a church site; and also decided that the church building should be of stone.
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