USA > Iowa > Clarke County > Biographical and historical record of Clarke County, Iowa > Part 53
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It is worth noting that Clarke is the only county in this fier that is out of debt.
COURT-HOUSE.
The visitor who strolls along the north side of the square at Osceola will find near its northwest corner a weather-beaten, di- lapidated, two-story frame structure which the hospitable citizen showing him around will speak of as the " old court house," and blushingly say that " we are hoping to have a new one soon, but no steps have yet been taken to that end." As a matter of fact, this old building is the only court-house the
There is as yet no tile factory in Clarke County, and little tile is used, but there is county has ever owned. It was built in
.É'S
MINI ET TANEOUS.
1354. by P. J. Gross, as contractor, the ac- ' thal work being dome by John Gebhart. of Agency City. The contract price wos StoDo, but the customary "extras" swelled the total to 81.655. In the lower story were four office rooms, and above was the court- room. This building was used nearly twen- ty-nine years, being finally abandoned Jan- uary 1, 1883. The building presents the appearance of having been unused for at least ten years. It will not long remain as a landmark of Clarke County's carly his- tory, as the voters will soon come to a decision as to the new court house. Several votes have been taken in regard to a tax levy for this purpose, and the last time the question was up the negative majority was trifling. The principal trouble has been in regard to location, some wishing it erected on the corner lot occupied by the old court-house, but the majority favoring the use for this purpose of the public square, now utilized as a park. Should the latter view prevail, as now seems likely, then the corner lot can be sold, and the old court-house will be converted into kindling.
JAIL.
Clarke County has had a jail of its own but eight years. Before that time its few culprits were boarded in the jails of sur- rounding counties. In 1878 the small brick building just north of the old court-house was erected, at a cost of $5,000 and fitted up as the county prison. It is designed to accommodate six prisoners. There are two steel cells for general use, a woman's cell and an insane cell. The whole was baill by Pauley Bros., of St. Louis. The jail is now considered in very good condition.
PODR JALA.
Previous to 18;4 Clark. County's indi- gent poor were kept by individuals, at the expense of the county In that year a track
of zoo were of land was purchased un sec- tion 4, Osccola Township. The year fol lowing a large house was erected, capable of accommodating twenty to twenty-five persons. The whole cost was not far from S ;. o05. The farm is located three miles north of Osceola. The average number of inmates does not exceed eight, a remark- ably good showing. It should be said, however, that the county still pursues, to some extent, the policy of having paurers kept by individuals-relatives, when pos- sible.
EARLY MARRIAGES.
The following list of carly marriages is copied from the county judge's record. Most of the ceremonies were performed by the county judge himself. Others were performed by justices of the peace :
Emanuel J. Hinkle and Annie K. Stow, April 29, 1852; David D. Waynick and Martha E. Sherer, September 2, 1852 : A. P. Munn and Nancy Star, September 23, IS52; A. C. Wheat and Isabel Smith, Oc- tober 7, 1852: Edward T. Woodward and Lydia Jane Dierdoff, November 4, 1852; Pleasant S. Roberts and Mary Ann Collier, February 22, 1853; Jamies Cummins and Sarah Dierdoff, April 13, 1353; Mordecai Smith and Elizabeth Williams, April 17, JS53; Edwin Montgomery and Eleanor Glenn, May 8, 1853; Israel Miller and Rachel Sherer, July 2, 1853 : Edward Cour- ter and Lydia Jane Field : George B. Will- iams and Melissa Jane Harper; William J. Getty atl Luiza Jane Arnold, January I, 1854 : Hiram Lamb and Sarah Jane Emery, June 29. 1854: A. C. Cameron and Emily C. Vanvorse, October 1. 1654 ; Nathon Mc. Grew and Elizabeth Fowler, October 15, IS54: Joseph Way and Resetta Hurt. No- vember 11. 185. : Othaniel Case and Bar- bara Inti, November 23. 1854: Join B. Otis and Elizabeth Grug. December 3. 1854: Elijah il. Lowe and Nancy Husted,
1.
CLARKE COLAT
HISTORY
December 21. 1554; Buinett D. Truman and Plueba A. Cunningham. December 2.1. 1851.
A WAR INCIDENT.
About the middle of September, 1864. two soldiers by the name of Brown and Hamilton visited the house of Mr. Goble. in Fremont Township, and a difficulty aris- ing between the soldiers, who were home on furlough, and the civilians, resulted in the former disarming the latter. Mr. Goble then repaired to a neighborhood in Wash- ington Township, and returned with some ten or twelve men for the ostensible pur- pose of removing his family to the latter place. These friends were all armed, and reached Goble's house after night.
This proceeding was known to many out- siders, and was of itself sufficient to fan the previous ill feeling of the parties into a flame. Runners were dispatched to various parts of the county, with inflammatory ap- peals and reports, and men eager for a fray rushed wildly to the spot, armed with what- ever weapons were most convenient. Early in the night the house was surrounded by 100 or more men, including a large num- ber of Captain Glenn's militia company.
About daylight Captain Glenn, under a flag of truce, sent a message to the men in Goble's house to surrender, and received in reply, on the point of a bayonet, the fol- lowing remarkable document :
"SEPTEMBER 17, 1864. " To the men by whom these premises are surrounded :
" GENTLEMEN :-
" The demonstrations that have been made to-day mie of a very extraordinary character, and if either party has partici- pated in fomenting such difficulty without cause, that party is certainly deserving of the serverest reprehention Now, whether such is the case with you or not, we shall not say : but we feel sure that we verily believe
that we were drawn together by a just ap- prehension of danger. It is this alone that caused us to convene, and whenever we have reason to believe that our opinions were ill-foun led. we shall then have no further reason to hold onselves in prepa- ration for deadly conflict. We intend to act strictly on the defensive. We shall molest no man. We have understood that you expected a riot ; but you may be sure that you can have no conflict, without be- ing the aggressors. Should you assail us, then Heaven defend the right.
" With proper respect, " PEACEABLE CITIZENS."
Later in the day, a committee from Osce- ola consisting of Judge Rice, 'Squire Knotts and Major Johnson, held a conference with the besieged. under a flag of truce, which resulted in the unconditional surrender of every man in the house. A few pistol shots were fired during the siege, but no one was injured. The prisoners were marched down to Osceola, and guarded over night. On the following day they were taken to Indianolo, and the next day they returned and were tried before 'Squire Proudfoot, of Liberty Township, and dis- charged. Thus ended the memorable siege of " Fort Goble."
In the meantime, more fatal deeds were enacted in a distant part of the county. growing out of the same transaction. Two men, John Conner and Andrew Delong. who were among the hist in the house of Goble, escaped in the night through the lines of the besieging party. As soon as this fact was know parties were sent out in search of them, the rumor being that they had gone for reinforcements. They were tracked to the house of John Conner, in Washington Township. Late in the night a soldier on furlough by the name of Barker, approached the door of the house and demanded to see John Conner. He was answered by a musket being run
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through a port-hole in the door. Seizing the gun he ren round the house sal it through a window, which was sh led by a number of quilts and comforts. Here the matter ended.
Upon examination, Delong was found killed outright and Conner mortally wounded-the gun being heavily charged with buckshot. Besides these two men, there were also in the house an old man by the name of Shippey, the wife of Con- ner, and several children. They were all in bed at the time the gun wasfired, except the old man, Shippey, who ran the gun through the door. Barker escaped to his regiment, and is reported to have died in the service.
OLD SETTLERS' MEETINGS.
For several years past the old settlers have been holding annual social meetings at the square in Osceola. They are largely attended, and are very enjoyable. No attempts have yet been made to make his- torical collections.
POPULATION IN 1856.
Doyle, 584: Franklin, 317; Fremont, 213 : Green Bay. 328 ; Jackson, 232 ; Knox, 427; Liberty, 399 : Madison, 206; Osceola, 864; Troy, 122; Ward, --; Washington, 256. Total, 3,978.
POPULATION IN 186O.
Dovle, Sos: Franklin. 453; Fremont, 358; Green Bay, 40p: Jackson, 391 ; Know, 546; Liberty, 511 ; Madison. 158 ; O). ceol .. 950; Troy. 146; Ward, 28): Washington, 373. Total, 5.127.
POPULATION IN 1865.
Doyle, 816: Frankbo, 51 ; Frasont, 366; Green Bay, 13: Jackson, 195; Knox, 554: Liberty, 50%: Madkomt, 105 : Osceola, 000; Troy, 131; Ward, 226; Washington, 4.17: Total, 5 .; 16.
POPULATION IN 1870.
Doyle, ons; Franklin, 6;7: Freme., ;S1: Green Bay, 507 ; Jackson, 708; Kne .. 77; : Liberty . 778 ; Madison, 419; Osccola, 1,880; Trov. 426; Ward, 421: Washington. 504. Total. S .; 35.
POICIATION IN 1875.
Doyle, 1,048; Franklin, 663 ; Fremont, 572; Green Bay, 630; Jackson, 917 ; Knox. 851 ; Liberty. 925 ; Madison, 5St ; Osceola. 2.1.47 : Trov. 626; Ward. 467; Washington, Go !. Total, 10,118.
POPULATION IN 1880.
Doyle, 1,064; Franklin. 671; Fremont, 670; Green Bay, 650; Jackson, 1,150; Knox, 903; Liberty. 791 : Madison, 715; Osceola, 2,401 ; Troy, 1, OS3; Ward, 647; Washing- ton, 768. Total, 31,513.
POPULATION IN 1885.
Doyle, 930; Franklin, 631 ; Fremont, 681; Green Bay, 565 : Jackson, gSS; Knox, 746; Liberty, 790 ; Madison, 736 ; Osceola, 2,738; Troy, 1,200; Ward, 557; Washing- ton, Soy. Total, 11,369.
MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS,
Number of dwellings ( 1885), 2,209 ; num- ber of families (1885), 2,319 : white males, 5.515 ; white females. 5 478 ; colored males, 42 : colored females, 34, native-born, 10 .- 945: foreign-bin, 422 : German-born, 124; Irish-bom. 87; English-born, 77; Cano- dian-born, 59: Swedish-bort, 21; born in other countries. 54; married population, 4.18; : single. 6,820; widowed, 330; di- vorced, 31: born in INN4. 244; subject to military duty, 2,016; entitled to vote, 2,715. illiterates, 45: aliens, 24.
NATIVITY BY STATES, 1885.
Alabama, 3 : Arkonto, 3; California, 12, Colorado, 1: Connecticut, 21; Delaware,
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HISTOR .
col YTh.
2: Vermont. 28; Virghidia. 178; West Vi- gini, 161 : Wisconsin, 19: Dakota, I.
9: Georgia, 2. Illinois, 886 ; India a. 1800 Iowa, 6,004; Kansas, 54 : Kentucky. toy- Louisiana, 4: Maine, 64: Marylatil. 30: Massachusetts. 35; Michigan, 11: Min- ASSESSMENT FOR IS85. nesota, 7; Mississippi, I: Missouri, 198; Nebraska, 4! : Nevada. 2: New Jamp- shire, 4: New Jersey, 48 ; New York, 196; North Carolina, 58; Ohio, 1,255 : Oregon, 1; Pennsylvania, 424: Rhode Island, 5 ; South Carolina, 9; Tennessee, 57; Texas, ! $3SS,871. Total valuation, 83.335,029.
Acres of land, 274,270; value per acre, SAYI : value of land, $1.900, 112 : value of town lots. 8313,242 ; value of town person- ality, 732,804 ; value of railroad property,
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OSCEOLA CITY.
OSCEOLA CITY.
ENTION has already been made of the se- lection of a site for a county scat, by commissioners appointed for that purpose, in 1851. In the autumn following, John Shearer hauled a quantity of rails, built two " pens " and covered them over, and in these kept boarders until he had completed a two-story hewed-log building, where now stands the Arlington House. This was the first building on the site of Osccola, and is yet standing, an interesting relic, in the east- ern part of town, whither it was moved after being used about four years as a hotel.
About the same time that this building was erected. George W. Howe put up a hewed-log structure at the northeast corner of the square, and opened up a stock of dry goods and general merchandise. Hc sold goods and speculated here until his death, in September, 1864. His was rather an unusual career. He began as a poor
boy at first, but before coming to Osccola he had made a little start by carrying on a mercantile business in partnership with Seth Richards, of Van Buren County. Richards advanced money to love af- ter the latter located in Clarke County, and Howe made it pay big interest by lending to settlers locating land war- rants. Ile is said to have realized forty per cent. per annum in this way. He was uniformly successful in his transactions. He was married during the war, but died soon after, in September, 1864, at the age of fifty-four. An inventory of his property footed up $150,000. This was the largest estate ever belonging to one family in Clarke County, before or since. His brother Charles came here to take posses- sion of his share of the property, and is yet a resident of Osceola, engaged in the dry- goods trade.
Messrs. Goss & Cowling put up a small general store in the latter part of 1852, and a year later were sof lout by the sheriff. Ja- col, Butcher & Co. started a general store in 1853. The " Co." included David Brewer and John Butcher. In 1854 Robert Beckett bought Brewer out, and in r$5; he pur- chased the interests of the others. John
516
HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
Butcher afterward was in partnership for a year, and then Mi. Beckett was alone again. When he was elected treasurer and recorder of Clarke County, he sold to James Polly, who, two years later, sold to Brown & Harlan. This firm failed.
The third house in Osceola was a resi- denec, built of hewed logs, on the east side of the square, by M. R. Lamson, who was soon after elected clerk of the courts Israel Miller built a frame residence in the autumn of IS52, a block from the northeast corner of the square. William W. Hurst built a frame residence in the autumn of 1852, just at the northeast corner.
FIRST MARRIAGE, BIRTH AND DEATH.
The first marriage in the town of Osccola was at the residence of Jobn Shearer, be- tween David A. Waynich and Martha E. Shearer, September 2, 1852. The first birth in the town was that of Florence A. Lam son, daughter of M. R. Lamson, and the first death that of Mary Ilurst.
SURVEY AND SALE OF LOTS.
The village moved along slowly for two years more. Then came three years of unhealthy excitement and speculation, fol- lowed by the severe crisis of 1857. The town had been laid out by the county in March, 1851, 165 acres of land being purchased from
Among the first pmich isers of lots were Bernard Arnold, Beverly Searcy, W. Bu- chanan, G. W. Conger, George W. Howe. J. Lewis, J. C. Smith, A. Williams. L. Gard. ner, Dickinson Webster, Ivison Ellis and Howe & Richards.
COURT-HOUSE.
The court-house was built in 1854, the contract being awarded to P. J. Goss. Ilc hired John Gebhart, of Agency City, to build it, and the latter boarded with Goss. It is related that Thomas Morehouse, an immigrant, had camped on the square, and had a dozen chickens in a coop behind his wagon. Goss had a fat dog, which was coveted by some Indians near town. Geb- hart here saw his opportunity to play the middleman, and, accordingly, offered the Indians Goss' dog if they would steal More- house's chickens for him (Gebhart). This sinister bargain was made and executed, and the next day the Indians bad a tooth- some feast of boiled " dorg," while Gebhart refreshed his tired system on " chicken fix- ings.".
PLAN OF THE CITY.
The business houses of Osceola are ranged round a large square, which makes a pretty park of five acres. It is neatly sodded, and plante l with a grove of trees Howe & Richards, and is located on the ; in symmetrical lines. Within it is a stand. southwest quarter of section 17, township Ferected by the city and county together. re north, range 25 west. The county paid " for public speaking. The park is sur- Sioo for the tract. The town was surveyed "rounded by an iron feree, put up in 15:3. inside of which runs a board walk. Out- side of the whole is a line of heavy posts. connected by a chain, for bitching horses. The park is well cared for, and is a decided ornament to Osceola, though many thh.h it is not in the best location for park jur- poses. A majority of the people favor building the new court-house in the square. The streets run due north and south and! in August and September, 1851, and Octo- ber 13, the first lots were sold, eighty -five being disposed of at an average price of $22 each. They were all sold very cheap, the out-lots & tching only from $5 to $15. Dickinson Webster traded a yok of oxen for ten lots that afterward brought about Stop each. Money atx plenty, and trades were made with a recklessness that was certain to bring trouble, as it did, in 1857. ; east and west. The east and west streets
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arc, north of the square, Washington, Weh- ster. Clay and Avres: south of the square, Jefferson Cass. McLane. Vine and Pear !. 18,8 .-- Mayor & P. Arres; Trustees, The north and south streets are, cast of the I John Chaney, G. C. Ialt. William feuer, square, Main, Park, Adams and Ressuth : ' D. Sutherland and J. Goldsmith; Recorder, west of the square. Fillmore, Jackson. Tem- | F. M. Watts ; Marshal, Joseph Harper; ple, Lincoln, Delaware, Exchange, Lake and Treasurer, J. O. MeAuley. Gustin.
ADDITIONS.
An addition of sixty-six acres was laid out on the west side of the original town plat in August, 1856, by Dickinson Web- ster, which is known as West Osceola. The addition known as North Osceola was platted July 28, 1856, by Messis. Howe & Richards, and comprises twenty acres. Several other alditions have been made since. The entire plat of the town lies on a broad, high tract of fine prairie. Its streets are wide and handsome. The rows of trees with which they are lined lend them a very pleasant appearance. In 1883 Jefferson street was macadamized from Fillmore to Jackson, and it is intended to improve similarly all the principal streets when the city is financially able.
MUNICIPAL ..
Osceola was incorporated as a city of the second class December 24, 1866. The first mayor was Lyman Wilson. In the spring of 1886 re-incorporation made it a city of the first class.
The first record book of the town of Osceola is lost, and, accordingly, the off- cers can be given for only the past ten years.
monson; Treasurer. W. S. Richards : Marshal, J. M. Harrison.
1879. - Mayor, i. Q. Dague: Trustees, T. A. Trent. D. R. Raymond, John F. Reed. N. McGrew. D. H. Johnson and N. W. Deering ; Recorder, F. M Kvie; Mar thal, A. J. Patten (succeeded by J. M. Har rison); Street Commissioner. J. Rothrock; Treasurer, J. O. McAuley.
ISSO .- Mayor, D. H. Clark: Trustees, D. R. Raymond. N. MeGrew, D. H. John son. John F. Reed. J. H. Reeves and MI Sheridan : Recorder, F. M. Kyte ; Treas- urer. Johu H. Jamison ; Assessor, J. A Woodbury. Mr. Reed resigned as trustee and John M. Ball was chosen to fill out his term.
1881 .- Mayor. T. A. Trent ; Trustees. George C. Holt, D. Il. Johnson, J. H Reeves, M. Sheridan, T. W. Armstrong and John M. Bail : Recorder, F. M. Kyte Assessor, Nathan McGrew : Treasurer. John H. Jamison.
1882 .- Mayor, T. A. Trent : Trustees, J. JI. Reeves, M. Sheridan, T. W. Armstrong, John M. Ball, S. B. Gafford and George C. Holt ; Recorder, F. M. Kyte ; Treasurer, John H. Jamison; Assessor. W. M. Graves: Street Commissioner, Joseph Morchouse. 1883 .- Mayo, James Harrison; Trustees T. W. Armstrong. John M. Ball. S. B Gafford. George C. Ilolt. B. Pritchett and T. J. Morrow; Recorder, P. M. Kite; Asses- sor. P. L. Fowler ; Treasurer, E. T. Riley ; Street Commissioner. B. H. Comer.
1976 .- Mayor. O. P. Anderson: Trustees, I. Q. Dague, D. II. Johnson, W. E. Hor- per, John F. Reed, W. JI. Hall and F. M. Kyte; Recorder. F. M. Kvte ; Marshal, 1SB4 .- Mayor. W. B. H. Hutsispiller Trustees. P. L. Fowles, A. B. Williams, B. Pritchett, D. Webster, Haac Whaling and E. O. Wall ; Recorder, R. L. Jennings; J. M. Harrison : Treasurer. W. S. Richards. 1877-Mayor, 1. O. Daque; Trustees, D. IN. Johnston, J. F. Reed, W. II. Hall, W. E. Harper. E. F. Riley : Recorder, F. : Treasurer, Henry Stivers; Assessor. J. M. M. Kyte; Street Commissioner, D. G. Ed. ; Estes : Street Commissioner, Asa Fleming.
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HISTORY OF CLARKE COUNTY.
1895 .- Mavor. T. A. Trent ; Trustees, , are about $10.005. The district is in debt B. Pritchett, D. Webster, Isaac Whaling, E. O. Wally, Ml. Sheridan and J. M. Moore ; Recorder, F. M. Kyte ; Treasurer, John 11. Jamison ; Strect Commissioner, Asa Fleming.
1886 .-- Mayor, John M. Ball ; Aldermen, John W. Hall and D. H. Sheaer (First Wards, M. Sheridan and J. H. Reeves (Sec- ond Ward), M. T. Johnsonand C. W. White (Third Ward): Recorder, F. M. Kyte; Treasurer, Jolin H. Jamison ; Assessor, W. J. Estes : Solicitor, J. J. MeIntire; Street Commissioner, Asa Fleming.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The city possesses a volunteer fire de- partinent, organized in 1882. N. W. Deer- ing was the first chief. and there were then about thirty members. The city bought a hook-and-ladder outfit, a number of buck- ets and a fire bell, and at an expense of some $250 put up a frame building for a mayor's office and a tower for the bell. At present, Levi Taylor is chicf and W. E. Harper, secretary. The membership is small, no meetings are held, and nothing short of a big fire will arouse its dormant enthusiasm.
SCHOOLS.
815.000, bearing ; per cent. interest. Six teachers are employed in the cast build- ing, including the principal, O. A. Shotts. and seven in the west building. The total annual enrollment is over 605, about equally divided between the two schools. The high-school course of four years pre- pares pupils for any Western college, ex- cellent work being done throughout.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal society was or- ganized in 1854, by Rev. Mr. Davis, with twelve or fifteen members. Among the prominent ones were Dickinson Webster and wife, L. D. Fowler and wife, E. A. Lanham and wife, Mrs. Gardner and Mrs. Winkler. Two years later steps were taken to build a house of worship, and the present church waserected in 1857 and 'ss, at a cost of $5,050. It was not entirely completed until 1860. It is a frame, paint- ed white, very substantially built, and is situated on Main street, one block south of the square. TI. C. Sigler, who became connected with the church in 1856. Jerome Bartlett and Dickinson Webster, were the building committee. The pastors who have been stationed here are : Revs. Jesse Sherwood, A. Lawback, J. R. Carey, E. IL. Winans. Conrad. J. W Todd. C. C. Mabyc, Daniel Melntire, J. C. R. Layton, J. A. Wilson, F. W. Evans, A. P. Hull. P. V. D. Vedder, J. R. Horswell and D. C. Frank- lin. The present membership is not far Ir maco. P. L. Lowler is superintendent of the Sunday-school. which has from 150 to 175 atten lants.
Osceola was under the district-school system until after the war, when it was made an independent district. Different buildings were rented and occupied until 1863, when the west school building was erected, at a cost of $23.000. It is a two- story and basement brick, surrounded by over an acre of ground. The cast building was constructed in 18to, at a cost of $15 .- The Methodist Protestants were organized in 1855. through the efforts of F. W. John- sou. The original memberslap was but nine -F. W. johnson, wife and daughters, A. C. Jolmson and wife, and A. Blanchard, mit and daughter. The Hutle congress- ono. It is about the same size as the west building, but is in a five-acre lot, allerdings a splendid play ground. Both buildings are soon to be heated by steam. They were planned with that intention. The annual expenditures for school purpose : tion was supplied from what was called
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OSCHOLA CITT.
the Osceola Circuit, then extending as fir | from 115. J. V. Banta is superintendent of as Winterset. A carpenter shop was fixed the Sunday-school, whose attendance is abont too. James Rice and W. B. Il. Hut- sinpiller are ellers at this writing. up and painted blue for holding services. This was known as the "Blue Church," and was used by other churches in turn. It is accordingly well remembered by the pio- neers. In 1870 this congregation built a brick church of its own, and a parsonage, one block north of the northeast corner of the square, on Main street. The total cost was $5,000. Osceola was made a station in 1872, since when the pastors have been Reys. E. S. Brown, Asa Elliott, G. M. Scott, Harry Workman, Wesley Sparks, E. C. Boyles, W. M. Van Vliet, J. B. Hiles, Storrs, S. J. Geddes and Josiah Selby. The membership is now about 120. The Sunday-school has over 100 attendants. Mrs. Carrie McCullongh is superintend- ont, and Miss Lillie Kerns, assistant.
The Baptist Church was constituted De- cember 21, 1862, by a ministerial council composed of D. T. MeNeil, of the Mi. Olive Church: Stephen Messenger, of West Union: A. P. Mintonye, of Hope- ville; W. G. Otis, of Vernal, and Rev. J. M. Smith, of Bedford. This council chose Mr. Smith as moderator, and Mr. McNeil as clerk. The constituent members of the church were -- Thomas Miller, Joseph Cline, J. M. Duncan, Mary J. Duncan, H. E. Mintonye, Albert A. Mintonve, Asenath Mintonye. Clara Lyons and Mary, S. J., Margaret and Ella Miller. Of these but four are now living. The pastors of the church have been, in regular order, Rovs. The Presbyterian Church was organized in June, 1858, with eight members-James Rice and wife; Silas Burt and wife : Isaac Buit and wife; Mrs. Jane Thompson and Mrs. Robinson. Judge Rice was the prime mover in the organization. He and Silas Burt were chosen elders. Services were held but once a month for the first three or four years, Rev. James Bringle, of Corydon, conducting the first. Afterward Thomas Miller, Albert A. Mintonye, Eu! lock, Pool, James Messenger, A. Robbins, J. M. Smith, 1. Pratt, B. F. Mace, R. H. Shaftoe and A. A. Watson. The church, which is on Jefferson street, near the south- cast corner of the square, was built in 1869, and. with lot, cost about $6.000. A parsonage was buih at the same time, but has since been sold. The present member. ship is fifty-six. The Sunday-school has they were held every two weeks. The : about fifty pupils, in charge of Dr. E. H.I. first settled pastor was Rev. R. G. Burt, Wilson.
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