USA > Iowa > Monroe County > An illustrated history of Monroe County, Iowa > Part 23
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"This meeting adjourned to meet at Win. Robb's March 24, 1856. The same persons were present, and in addition Mr. Thos. Bell. At this meeting, on motion of Wm. Robb, it was decided that the new organization should be called Service. Wm. Robb and Sam'l Conley were appointed to draft a petition to the Associate Presbytery for a new organization.
"This meeting adjourned to meet April 7, 1856, at the house of Samuel Conley. Here the records fail. According to some who took part in these proceedings, Win. Robb carried the petition for a new organization to the Associate Presbytery, but did not secure a favorable response until a subsequent meeting.
"The congregation was organized at the Half-Way Prairie school-house by the Rev. Samuel Hindman, probably in the month of June, 1856. The elders in the new organi- zation were Win. Robb and Samuel Conley.
"At the meeting for organization Simeon Wycoff was elected an elder. Soon after he was ordained and installed and JJoseph Robb installed as elders in the congregation.
"There are no records or register showing the growth of the congregation from the time of its organization to the union of the Associate Reform and Associate churches, May, 1858.
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"An Associate Reform congregation had been formed at the Half-Way Prairie school-house in September, 1854, by the Rev. Fee. In this congregation were John Fullerton, Geo. Griffin, R. K. Nelson, and David Forcythe, including their families and others, making in all eleven members. Geo. Griffin and R. K. Nelson were the elders. The con- gregation was supplied by Rev. Fee, Rev. Miller, Rev. White, Rev. R. A. McAyeal, and Rev. J. N. Pressley.
"Soon after the union of the Associate Reform and Reformed churches, the congregation at Service received considerable accessions from Half-Way Prairie Associate Reform congregation. There are no records to show that there was a formal union. There is, however, a record of a united communion meeting held in the Campbellites' church, Albia, September 3, 1858, by the Rev. J. N. Pressley. "At that time the record states that the session of Albia consisted of Dr. A. A. Ramsay, Dr. Stewart, J. C. Acheson, and David Forcythe; the sesion of Service, of Joseph Robb, Wm. Robb, Samuel Conley, Geo. Griffin, and Simeon Wycoff; the session of Pleasant Divide, of Matthew Elder, Samuel Wallace, R. K. Nelson, and Wm. McBride. These sessions, it is carefully noted, were each represented in the united communion service. In each of these, it will be noticed, there is an elder of the Associate Reform congre- gation. It would seem then that almost immediately after the union the Associate Reform congregation was absorbed by the three surounding Associate congregations, Service getting the largest share.
"The joint communion seems to have been a very happy one. Afterwards, if not before, the Associate Reform and Associate people, except those who still hold the Pleasant Divide Associate organization, were completely united.
"Returning now to Service alone, the congregation was without a settled pastor from the time of its organization until November 13, 1858, when a call for half time was made for the Rev. J. N. Pressley; Albia taking the other half. Mr. Pressley was duly installed some time between May 4 and July 13, 1859.
"On August 25, 1859, a paper was handed into the Presbytery of Pleasant Divide-being a part of Service congregation-asking the privilege of calling Rev. J. N. Pressley a part of his time. This privilege was granted. This request probably meant a division of Mr. Pressley's
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time between Service and Pleasant Divide, as two places of preaching in one congregation, as there is no subsequent account of a call.
"There is no definite information left concerning Mr. Pressley's work in the congregation-its accessions, its membership, all unknown. He was a man of marked ability in the pulpit-a champion defender of the truth. He was called on several occasions to take part in public discussions, in which his great intellectual ability was strikingly exhibited. At a meeting of the Presbytery at Knoxville, June 18, 1862, a mutual request was handed in from the Rev. J. N. Pressley and the Albia and Service con- gregations for a dissolution of the relation between them- the pastor having been called to what was adjudged a more important field of labor. On motion, it was resolved that said relation be dissolved, but Pressley would not be under- stood as conniving at or encouraging irregularities in the dissolution of such relations.
"The work in which Mr. Pressley engaged after leaving this charge was the financial agency of Washington College. He returned, however, to the pastoral work at Grandview and Harrison, in the Presbytery of Keokuk. He has now gone to his reward. He died at Grandview, Iowa, August 22, 1866, aged 56 years.
"The church building was raised and enclosed during Mr. Pressley's pastorate. This was done during the summer of 1860. Temporary seats were secured and the church remained unfinished and unfurnished until after the war. It was a period of hard struggling. The country was new and many were hard-pressed for means to make their necessary or much needed improvements. Some who could not contribute money proffered gratuitous labor. This present church, pleasant, though not grand, was the result.
"The congregation was vacant until April 13, 1864, when a call, in connection with Albia, was sent to the presbytery, addressed to Mr. J. P. Black, a licentiate under the Presbytery of Mansfield. At this meeting Mr. Black was present, and was received under the care of the presby- terial certificate from the Presbytery of Mansfield. The call from Albia and Service was presented; Mr. Black asked a day. On the next day, April 14, 1864, he signified his acceptance, and trials were assigned for ordination. At a
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meeting of the presbytery June 15, 1864, Mr. Black, having delivered satisfactory trial discourses, was ordained and installed as pastor.
"There are no records giving special information con- cerning Mr. Black's work in this congregation. Upon the general testimony of the people, it may be said that Mr. Black was a faithful pastor. As a preacher, though retiring, perhaps to a fault, he was a man of considerable ability. His backward, retiring disposition probably hindered somewhat in his work.
"At a meeting of the presbytery August 31, 1865, he offered his resignation of the pastorate of Service and Albia, assigning as his reasons: 'Lack of interest in the cause and a failure on the part of prominent elders and members to perform their duties." At a meeting of the presbytery at Service Church October 5, 1865, Dr. A. A. Ramsay, Joseph Robb, and Wm. Rambo appeared as commissioners of the congregations, and reported 'that it had been decided to acquiesce in the pastor's request.' On motion, Mr. Black was released. Mr. Black is still engaged in ministerial work, but has not since been pastor of a congregation.
"Again the congregation was vacant, until April 11, 1866, when a united call from Service and Albia, addressed to Mr. John Hadden, a licentiate under the inspection of the Presbytery of Muskingum, was handed in to the presby- tery at a meeting at Somerset. Mr. Hadden, being present, was received with the understanding 'that he should procure and hand in a certificate, in due time.' The call, being put into his hands, was by him accepted.
"At a meeting of the presbytery at Service Church, June 19, 1866, Mr. Hadden presented satisfactory trial discourses and was ordained and installed as pastor. During Mr. Hadden's pastorate no church register showing details of his church work was kept.
"At a meeting of the prebytery at Somerset, April 21, 1869, the union of Albia and Service was dissolved and the whole of Mr. Hadden's time given to Albia. He continued his labors in Albia until his death, which occurred August 25, 1872. His age was 34 years. He graduated at Muskin- gum College in June, 1862, and at Alleghany Theological Seminary in the spring of 1865. He was a successful pastor, both at Service and Albia. His social qualities contributed largely to his success. He maintained the most agreeable
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relations with all his brethren in the ministry-was on good terms with all, and intimate with many. His qualities of heart endeared him to his brethren, not only of his own, but also of other denominations. He had a happy combina- tion of social and moral powers, which made him a most excellent, agreeable, and useful man.
"Your present pastor came here as supply in the early part of 1869. Your call addressed to him was handed in to the presbytery, presented, and accepted November 16, 1869. Since he came to the congregation, the register shows 111 persons that have been taken into membership. 59 on profession and 52 on certificate, though the mem- bership before was probably 100. With all these apparently encouraging accessions, the decrease by removal, death, and discipline has been so large that the membership of the congregation at present is only about 113."
The foregoing sketch was written by Rev. S. C. Marshall. The next to succeed him was Rev. John Pattison, who as- sumed the pastorate in the '70s. Rev. Boyd assumed charge about the year 1883 or 1884, and was succeeded by Rev. McKernon, who had charge of the congregation until 1895, when he resigned his pastorate.
The Service pulpit, at present, is filled by Rev. Knipe.
At the present time, the Albia congregation is without a preacher.
The Cumberland Presbyterians.
This variety of the Presbyterian Church is at present without an organization in Monroe County.
In about the year 1870 there was an organization in Monroe Township of 30 or 40 members. The first minister in charge was Rev. Wheelis, with whom was associated Rov. Wallace.
In 1872 Rev. Smith MeCall preached for a year, and was succeeded in 1874 by Rev. Hewitt.
The organization then died out; the members going into other churches.
Among the members were Mr. and Mrs. JJas. Enix, Mr. and Mrs. Blakely Dinwiddie, and Elias Combs and wife.
The Christian Church.
In the year 1847 Isaac Watson and old "Unele Johnnie" Moek, two of the pioneers of this county, drove up to
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Marion County, where Rev. Aaron Chatterton, a Christian or Campbellite minister, was holding a revival meeting, and on their return, brought the minister back with them. He began a series of meetings in the old school-house in Albia, and also preached occasionally at the home of "Old Jimmie" Robinson, four miles south of Albia.
A church was soon organized, containing among its charter members: John Mock, Mrs. Margaret Mock, his mother, Mrs. Zerelda Watson, Mrs. Margaret Hollingshead, "Old Jimmie" Robinson and wife, Peter Robinson, Miss Eveline Robinson, Robt. E. Robinson, Miss Angeline Robin- son, Miss Cornelia Robinson, Miss Zerelda Robinson, Miss Martha Robinson, and Miss Helen Robinson.
Chatterton did not confine his labors to Monroe County exclusively, but the next year Elder Joseph Caldwell as- sumed the pastorate of the newly organized church. He resided a few miles southeast of Albia, and drove in every Sunday to preach.
In 1851 Elder Mott took charge of the church, and remained about a year; and in 1856 he was succeeded by Elder Reuben Garriott, the father of Mrs. David Ireland, of Albia.
In about the year 1863 Elder Amos Buchanan assumed the pastorate and preached until 1867.
In 1868 a young infidel or Universalist school-teacher named Free Waldron, hearing the quite noted theological debate between Elder Chatterton, of the Christian Church, and Rev. Frank Evans, the little oratorical giant of the Methodist persuasion, became converted to the church represented by Mr. Chatterton, and in the same year began to preach. He preached for seven years, and built up the organization into a church of considerable influence and popularity. He was a fine singer, and a gentleman of more than ordinary clerical ability. He had the faculty of in- fusing spiritual life into his church, and while his popularity was at its zenith the church enjoyed a phenomenal growth.
At this time an episode occurred which completely crushed the minister in the locality, and for a time disrupted the church. A Miss Fanny Arnold, a young lady of one of the best families in the county, who made her home in the family of Mr. Waldron, made public certain allegations against the minister which gravely impugned his Christian character. A church trial was conducted at the residence
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of Isaac Watson, and the charges investigated. The allega- tions made by the young lady did not accuse the elder with the commission of acts of immorality, but with conduct frivolous and unbecoming a minister of the gospel. Among the charges was one that the minister insisted on her sitting on his lap while milking the cow, and other festive mani- festations. Most of the members of the flock did not believe the charge, but some of those who did withdrew from the church, and Mr. Vincent Reed, who had been one of the most active members, went so far in his denuncia- tion of his pastor as to publish a pamphlet setting forth the alleged sins of the elder. It is said this pamphlet was inailed to every locality where Mr. Waldron was retained in ministerial work. Mr. Waldron is now in Missouri, and is still an efficient and zealous minister of the gospel.
In 1875 Elder J. B. Vaughter came to Albia and set to work earnestly to get the organization on its feet again. Two years previous Elder Waldron had entered negotiations with the Baptist brethren for a swap of church buildings, and with the cooperation of Elder Vaughter the trade was completed. The Baptists owned the edifice from which the present Christian Church building was remodeled. The Christians owned the building in the Fourth Ward now owned by the United Presbyterians. It was rather small for them. The Baptist organization was meager, and there was an incumbrance of four or five hundred dollars on the church. The two churches traded edifices, and the Chris- tians assumed and paid off the indebtedness. The church then made some extensive improvements in the building; towers were added, and a wing built on, under Brokaw's pastorate.
When the first edifice was erected, in the early '60s, Willis Arnold donated the lot, and also donated labor in erecting the building. The carpenter work was mostly donated free, by members of the church.
Vaughter preached a year, and was succeeded by Elder Allan Hickey, in 1876. Hle preached three years.
Elder E. J. Stanley then had charge for one year, and the next year Elder Orange Higgins filled the Albia pulpit.
In 1SS1 Elder J. K. Cornell was employed, and in 1883 was succeeded by Elder Edward O. Sharp, who preached for one year.
In 1884 Elder J. H. Ragan assumed the pastorate, and held it for three years.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
G. L. Brokaw came in in 1889, and remained two years.
Elder R. A. Martin succeeded him in 1891, and preached one year. In 1892 Elder Harold Monser took charge, and preached for one and one-half years.
In 1893 Elder W. J. Hastie, the present incumbent, was employed.
Nearly all of the gentlemen named possessed a high standard of pulpit eloquence. Buchanan, it is said, was a remarkably eloquent divine, and was greatly loved by his flock. Edward O. Sharpe was known as "the boy preacher." He was still under age when he occupied the Albia pulpit, yet was a youth of remarkable eloquence. Rev. Monser was also a fine orator and logician. and perhaps outranked all others in elegance of delivery.
Besides the foregoing list of pastors in charge, there were several evangelists, who preached throughout the county from time to time, conducting revival meetings. The first revival meeting was conducted by Chatterton; then in March, 1868, Elder Hobbs, of Des Moines, held a meeting of remarkable success in Albia. Elder N. E. Cory and Prof. G. T. Carpenter also preached in Albia at intervals.
There is also an organization near Avery under the pas- torate of Elder Aaron Pearson, who holds several other appointments throughout the county in addition.
For many years the Christian Church has maintained an organization both in Monroe and Urbana townships. At Selection some members of the Christian Church contributed towards the erection of the United Brethren church of that place, in 18SS or 1890, hoping to hear an occasional sermon by preachers of their own denomination. It was agreed that the Christian denomination should have access whenever the pulpit was not occupied by the United Brethren minister, a small rental being levied on them by the United Brethren organization for the purpose of keeping up repairs, provid- ing illumination, fuel, and other incidental expenses.
In about the year 1890 the Christian organization in Urbana Township erected a neat frame church building, near the Center school-house, at a cost of $1,075. The organi- zation has no preacher at present, but Rev. Pearson preached for them until about the year 1895. Among those who were active in the building of the church at that place, and who are members of the organization, are Mrs. Elizabeth Forster, Mrs. Braden and daughter Alta, Mr. Wheatly Forster and
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wife, William Smith, Irvin Smith and wife, Wm. Robinson, Jephtha Robinson, Geo. R. Robinson and wife, Mrs. Hiram Long, David Mahon and wife, Mrs. Chas. Miller, Nimrod Martin, Geo. Shaw and wife, Warner Shaw and wife, Dr. C. N. Udell, of Blakesburg, David Jay, Daniel Williams and wife, H. D. Carroll and wife, and Mrs. Fannie Carpenter.
There is also a small following of the church on Soap Creek, under the pastoral care of Rev. Moses Lockman.
Besides the regular elders in charge at Albia, there have been several ministers engaged in the outlying appoint- ments. Among these were Rev. Ades, who preached at vari- ous places within the county from 1887 to 1890. Also Rev. McCray, a young student of Drake University, who filled the country pulpits a short time after Ades.
In 1889 an organization was made in Bluff Creek Town- ship, east of Lovilia, known as the Osburn appointment. They have a church edifice, and the membership is about 35.
In the early '70s a union chapel was built in Urbana Township, near the Wapello county line and south of Blakes- burg, in the Jayneighborhood. Elder Pearson preached three years, beginning in 1891. at which time he organized the church with a membership of about 45. The organization contained the following officers: Herman Snow and Noah Smith, deacons; David Jay and E. E. Thayer, deacons; and Mrs. Candace Jay, clerk. A handsome church has lately been built on the site of the old "Jay Chapel" at a cost of about $1,300. It is 28x40 feet in dimensions.
In 1895 Elder C. L. Walker, of Batavia, preached at the union chapel.
The present membership of the Albia church reaches nearly 500, and they pay their minister a liberal salary. They have lately purchased a lot on Main Street, with a view to erecting a more commodious church edifice.
The United Brethren Church.
The first organization of this church was made in the Clodfelter neighborhood, about four miles southeast of Albia, in 1854. In 1845, however, Rev. Wm. Bird, an ovan- gelist, preached occasionally near Hayden Smith's, south of Albia a couple of miles, where John Collins now resides. Rev. Kohzad preached in 1855, and the next year Rev. MeLaughlin. In 1858 Rev. Byerley took charge of the cou- gregation. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Bonebrake.
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The charter members of this first organization were: Wm. Clodfelter and family, Hudson Martin and wife, Richard Martin and wife, Jas. Martin, and Samuel Miller and wife. Since about the year 1860 the church went down, and no re- organization was made until 1880, when, through the efforts of W. H. Trussel, who lives in Monroe Township, Rev. Wm. Kelsey was induced to preach at the Hayes school-house and elsewhere throughout the county. An organization was formed, and then Rev. Myer succeeded Kelsey as pastor. Myer conducted a successful series of meetings at Selection, during which the church received many accessions. He was enthusiastic in his work, and was the most successful min- ister that has ever led the United Brethren flock in the county. After preaching several years, both in Monroe and Appanoose counties, in which latter an organization has ex- isted for many years at Salem Chapel, he located in Kansas and became a presiding elder in the church. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Schaffer, who also preached several years in both appointments.
Rev. Smith came next, and then Rev. Heitegman as- sumed charge. He did not preach out his full term, and was succeeded by Rev. Rebok. Rev. Benson came next, and filled the pulpit for one or more years, and was succeeded by Rev. Woodson. Woodson died before his term ended, and Rev. Wm. Whitlock filled out the term. Rev. Brooke next took charge and is at present the pastor.
Of late years, a part of the United Brethren Church have taken up the doctrine of "holiness," or entire sanctifi- cation. Rev. Whitlock was one of the most zealous pro- moters of this society, and did considerable evangelical work throughout the State, taking a tent with him. For some time the "holiness" folks remained in the United Breth- ren Church, but later have organized some sort of society of their own, a sketch of which will follow in this chapter.
The United Brethren Church in Monroe County contains about 50 members. The church is thrifty and progressive. It formerly opposed secret societies, but of late their consti- tution has been so amended as to take in members of the secret and benevolent organizations. This change will doubtless add to the growth and popularity of the church, as hitherto the anti-secret society sentiment excluded many influential and worthy members.
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In 1884 a handsome church edifice was erected, near Selection, in Monroe Township, where services are held semi- monthly. The old pioneer organization held its services in the Clodfelter school-house in Urbana Township, not far from where Samuel Miller lived for many years.
The Dunkers.
The Dunkers, or German Baptists, have an organization near Cuba, a few miles east of Avery. At present there are about SO members. The church is of German origin, but many of the membership in Monroe County are native born, and of English nationality.
In 18SS a faction of the church withdrew from the main body and styled themselves "The Old Order." Some of the younger members began to manifest a liking for buttons, instead of hooks and eyes, and the church in general, they thought, had begun to relax its rigidity in its long-adopted custom of plainness of dress. They therefore withdrew, and Elder John Stama had charge of the faction for four years. This faction is now about extinct in Monroe County, there being but one or two members left, since the recent death of David Kingery and wife, who were prominent mem- bers.
There is still another offshoot from the church, known as the Progressive Dunkers. The question of dress does not enter into their religion at all, and every member is free to dress as he or she wishes. There is no organization of this faction in Monroe County.
The church proper contains at present the following officers: Hiram Berkman, John Follis, elders; Willis Rhodebaugh. minister in first degree; Abram Morgan, Aaron Moss, "Ren" Morgan. John Miller, Wm. Adkison, deacons.
In the summer of 1885 a church edifice was erected about two miles east of the town of Avery. It is a sub- stantial structure, 36x70 in dimensions, and is of the plainest architecture.
Among the list of present membership are: Hiram Berkman, wife, and two daughters, John Follis and family. Lewis Miller and wife, "Aunt" Ruth Miller, Mrs. Isabel Miller, Geo. Thornton, Mrs. Dora Snow, Miss Ann Ronk, Mrs. Mary Henderson. Mrs. Ellen Moss, Mrs. Abigail Dres- kill. Miss Flora Beebe. Miss Martha Beebe. Jasper Beebe. Mrs. Emma Henny, Peter Miller and wife, Lewis Miller and
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wife, Warder Miller and wife, Elisha Leech and wife, Miss Rhoda Hunt, Mrs. Matilda Bailey, Mrs. Olive Morgan, Mrs. Eliza Morgan, Wm. Warner and wife, Mrs. Martha Warner, Mrs. Mary Roberts, Joseph Miller, Mrs. Jane Roberts, Mrs. Ann Whetson, Mrs. De Moss, Mrs. Martha Coffman, Mrs. Lucinda Miller, Mrs. Nancy Millard, Mrs. Drucilla Wood- ruff, Mrs. Margaret Rogers, Mrs. Rosanna Hansel, Mrs. Ida Pearson, Mrs. Malinda Hardsock, Mrs. Ella Beebe, Mrs. Amanda Miller, Marshall Bonnett and wife, Mrs. Sarah Ferrall, Mrs. Hannah Ferrall, Mrs. Dell Ferrall, Mrs. Emma Bonnett, Mrs. Sophia McMullen, Mrs. Mary Adkison, Frank Roberts and wife, Sam'l Roberts and wife, Miss Emma Funk, Miss Maimie Follis, Miss Annie Follis, Miss Amy Beebe, Victor Pearson, Henry Butler, John Miller and wife, Martin Snow, John Brewer and wife, John Dreskill, and Miss Nettie Dreskill.
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