USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 25
USA > Iowa > Audubon County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 25
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Sir Joseph Irving Myerly, W .; Sir Ephraim Douglas, S. W.
The officers serving December 1, 1888, were: Sir William Fiske Cleveland, E. C .; Sir David Madison Wyland, G .; Sir Joseph Irving Myerly, C. G .; Sir Cyrus Beard, P .; Sir William Henry Axline, S. W .; Sir George Sabin Gibbs, J. W .; Sir William John Davis, Treas .; Sir Lorenze H. LaSall, Sta. B .; Sir Asher Sage Riley. S. B .; Sir Wesley Sentt, Warden; Sir Edward D. Bergstresser, S. W .; Sir Herman John Garland, 1 G .; Sir Frank- lin Moore Bowtin, 2 G .; Sir David Byron Sheller, 3 G. Present total membership, sixty-seven.
Lebanon Chapter, No. 8, of Eastern Star Order, was instituted at Harlan in March, 1887, with thirty-seven charter members. The first officers were: Mrs. II. G. Garland, Matron; D. B. Sheller, Patron; Mrs. F. M. Bowlin, Treas .; Mrs. D. B. Sheller, See. The present membership is some in advance of the charter number. The officers for 1888 were: Mrs. H. J. Garland, Matron; D. B. Sheller, Patron; Mrs. F. M. Bowlin, Treas .; Mamie Fritz, Sec.
The various degrees of the Masonie order meet at Masonic Hall, on the north side of the publie square. Their place of meeting is indeed an elegant one. Both the lodge room proper and the banquet hall are furnished in an excellent style. No expense has been spared to provide these rooms with everything for the convenience of the frater- nity, and all of the furnishings have been selected with the best taste. They have rich and costly regalia, each suit having its proper place within a finely finished wood and glass- faced case. The carpets and seats are of an attractive pattern, and the charts, emblems and pictures add much to the appearance of the rooms. The unusual amount of interest that each individual member manifests for
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
the order, the large and increasing member- ship, and the class of men who are so closely identified with these several bodies, speak highly for the intense zeal that permeates the entire Masonie fraternity, and has marked the eity of Harlan as one of the leading Masonie eities in the State.
The Knights of Pythias, Carthage Lodge, No. 65, was instituted June 30, 1885, with thirty-four charter members, the present membership being sixty-one. The first offi- eers were: Joseph Stiles, P. C .; H. M. Neu- meyer, C. C .; C. II. Evaůs, V. C .; E. B. Ward, P .; B. F. Eshelnan, M. of F .; J. W. Harrod, M. of V .; D. B. Sheller, K. R. S .; J. F. Huntzinger, M. at A .; J. H. Ramsey, I. G .; J. Walton, O. G. The present officers are: H. L. Scofield, P. C .; J. F. Broek, C. C .; J. S. Miller, D. C .; G. K. Patterson, P .; M. Headley, M. at A .; J. K. Ramsey, K. of R. and S .; J. F. Pexton, M. of F .; II. L. Sco- field, M. of V .; Gus Dasbach, I. G .; T. U. Hathaway, O. G. They have an excellent lodge room in Wheeler's Block, which they have leased for permanent quarters. The same is well carpeted and furnished, and the members work in a harmonious manner, so that it may be said the " K. of P." at Harlan is in a growing, prosperous condition, fully carrying into practical effeet the object of its order.
The Odd Fellows Order .- Harlan Lodge, No. 267, was instituted December 26, 1873, with a charter membership of fifteen. The first officers of this brotherhood were: Samuel Potter, N. G .; N. Booth, V. G .; D. M. Wyland, See .; W. S. Stutsman, Treas. In 1888 the officers were: W. T. Shepherd, N. G .; D. Z. Ganzer, V. G .; J. W. Jonės, R. S .; L. R. Hertert, P. S .; E. D. Bergstresser, Treas. The total membership at this date is forty-six. The lodge is in good working condition, and has among its members the best business men in Harlan.
Other societies have sprung up and existed for a time and then gone down. Among such defunet societies may be mentioned the Ancient Order of United Workmen, which flourished for a time, but at present most of the members have severed their connection with the order, while a few still pay their assessments to the Grand Lodge, but do not meet in a body.
The Legion of Honor at one time was represented here, but finally merged into other mutual benevolent societies.
HARLAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.
This concern was organized May 28, 1888, by the leading business men of the town, for the purpose of " protecting and fostering the commercial interests of Harlan." By-laws and constitution were adopted, to which twenty-six names were signed as charter members, each paying $1 as a membership fee. The following are the officers of the association: W. J. Davis, President; D. M. Wyland and W. W. Wheeler, Vice-Presi- dents; D. B. Sheller, Secretary, and John T. Jack, Treasurer. Committees were appointed on Improvements, Railways, Manufactories, etc. The business men who formed this as- sociation saw the need of organized effort in order to accomplish anything of much value in way of publie enterprises.
HARLAN GRAND ARMY POST, NO. 197.
This is one of Harlan's flourishing socie ties, and comes to be more highly appreciated as the years roll away and the frosts of age begin to whiten the heads of the comrades brave who stood side by side in the great civil war. This post was mustered June 29, 1883, by Comrade Henry Fry, of " Sam Rice Post," Atlantic, Iowa. The charter members and first officers were as follows:
T. J. Robinson, Commander; J. Il. Louis, Viee-Commander; M. K. Campbell, Quarter-
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
master; George E. Bennett, M. Headley, George D. Ross, Senior Vice-Commander; H. D. Lacy, Officer of the Day; Samuel Pot- ter, Thomas A. Long, Quartermaster-Ser- geant; B. I. Kinsey, Officer of the Gnard; F. Dunham, Sergeant-Major; J. H. Weeks, John M. Rodgers, C. L. Drake, Surgeon; D. F. Panl, Adjutant; George Chase, R. L. Tompkins, C. L. Wilder, Thomas Ledwich, Chaplain; T. E. Somers, G. HI. Shoemaker.
At the time this post was minstered, twenty-two comrades joined. At one time eighty-six were enrolled. At this writing there are about forty in good standing.
The present officers are: J. H. Reynolds, Commander; M. White, Senior Vice-Com- mander; A. J. Corbin, Junior Vice-Com- mander; J. H. Weeks, Surgeon; S. W. Swarts, Chaplain; T. J. Robinson, Officer of the Day; M. Headley, Officer of the Guard; G. D. Ross, Adjutant and Quartermaster; W. Il. Erret, Sergeant-Major; John Mead, Quartermaster-Sergeant. In January, 1885, a hall on the west side of the public square was fitted up, which provides a fine head- quarters. The post is out of debt and owns forty stands of regulation arms, and a beauti- ful silk flag costing upward of $70, the finest in Shelby County. Upon Decoration day the post forget not the graves of fallen comrades, but conduct memorial services in an impressive and appropriate manner. Per- haps no man is more entitled to credit for the success of this post than Comrade George D. Ross, who has been an ardent, persistent worker.
SONS OF VETERANS.
This order, a branch of the Grand Army of the Republie, was organized November 17, 1888, as "Gen. Schofield Camp, No. 162," with a charter membership of thirteen. Its officers are: H. L. Scofield, Captain; B. B.
Griffith, Jr., First Lientenant; Colfax Smith, Second Lieutenant. They meet at the G. A. R. Hall.
AVOCA, HARLAN & NORTHERN RAILWAY.
In 1878 a company was organized at Har- lan for the purpose of grading and bridging a road bed from Avoca to Harlan, a distance of about thirteen miles. This company sne- ceeded in getting a tax voted in the following townships : Harlan, Lincoln, Westphalia, Douglas and Greeley, at different precinets, owing to the advantage to be derived from the building and operation of such a line of railroad, the per cent. in Harlan Township being four cents on a dollar of taxable prop- erty, while in Greeley it was only one per cent.
The officers of such company (formed really for the work of construction) were as follows: Thomas McDonald, President; Platt Wieks, Secretary; C. J. Wyland, Treasurer; J. M. Long and D. M. Wyland, Directors. The road was to be completed to Harlan on or before December 1, 1878, and by hurrying the work of track-laying the work was aecom- plished in time to insure the collection of the taxes voted in its aid. There had been an agreement between this home company and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific company to the effect that the latter named would iron and tie the road bed, providing the former company would do the other work of con. strnetion. When finally finished the Rock Island company leased the same for a term of ninety-nine years. It was in this manner that the towns of Harlan and Avoea were united by a line of railway, which gives Harlan an outlet, east and west, over the " great Rock Island route," giving the people nearly all the advantages to be derived from living on the main line. Too much cannot be said in praise of the farsighted men who organized and carried on this plan for seenring
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
a railroad outlet to markets. Upon the ad- vent of the first regular train which ran to Harlan, there was great rejoieing among the people in general, as it virtually opened up a highway to the great commercial center of the country, and marked a new era in the history of Shelby County.
From both Harlan and the midway station of Corley there are large shipments of grain and live stock out, as well as vast amounts of merchandise shipped in. It has proven not only a benefit to the people of Harlan, but also to all the surrounding farming com- munity which hitherto had been obliged to go a long distance to market.
INCORPORATION.
May 2, 1879, Harlan was incorporated in answer to a petition signed by 123 voters. The first mayor elected was William Wyland, who was succeeded by mayors eleeted at the April annual eleetion of each year, as follows: William Closson, 1881; R. M. Jameson, 1882-'83-'84; O. F. Graves, 1885; E. J. Smith, 1886; P. H. IIunt, 1887; B. F. Eshel- man, 1888. The latter named, owing to other business calling him away, resigned, and F. M. Bowlan was elected in his place October 1, 1888.
The incorporation has always had the best of government; the expenditures for the mnost part have been only such as the property and safety of the place demanded. Among the city improvements made may be men- tioned
THE WATERWORKS,
which surpass those of any other town of its population in Iowa. A contraet was let and carried out in the spring of 1880 to sink a well for the purpose of supplying water for fire and other purposes, the same being fifty feet deep and six feet (in the clear) in diam- eter. The price paid was $880. The supply
is inexhaustible, never yet having been pumped lower than its average water mark, which has always left thirty feet of water in the well. Pipes have been laid to the pub- lie square, where six eisterns or reservoirs were construeted beneath the ground, with two additional ones in the south and eastern part of the plaec. The total capacity of these several cisterns amounts to 4,000 barrels. A stationary engine within the eity building, fired up once a month, pumps the water into these reservoirs at a nominal expense. At first a hand fire engine was employed, but in June, 1885, a fine, large steamer was pur- chased in New York, valued at $4,500. The same weighs over three tons, without its coal and water, and has a capacity of throw- ing 700 gallons of water per minute, it being the second largest fire engine in Iowa. It was named "James M. Long," in honor of one of the proprictors of Harlan. It is what is known as the Silshy, the best now man- ufactured. There are three distinet fire companies-all combined in one-the en- gine company, the hose company and the hook and ladder company. The city owns 1,000 feet of hose and abont 100 feet of the most improved ladders. These three companies number sixty men, in whose hands the town has always felt perfectly safe. No disastrous fires have ever occurred sinee the organization of the fire company. With the inexhaustible flow of water at hand it only remains for the incorporation to lay pipes or purchase more hose in order to pro- teet the entire place from the ravages of flames.
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
No better index to the character of a people can possibly be had than is afforded by the support given the numerons church soeieties. Each church spire tells of an
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
advanced Christian refinement which any community should gladly support, and in which it should take a just pride. Iowa is fast coming to be noted for her many excel- lent schools, colleges and churchies. The re- ligious element most certainly predominates at Harlan now as in the early history, be- cause it nobly supports the following church organizations: Baptist, Danish Baptist, Con- gregational, Christian, Latter Day Saints, Methodist Episcopal, Adventists and Roman Catholic.
The Baptist Society was formed in Jan- nary, 1868, with the following member- ship: A. Blankenship, T. J. Colwell, James Lambert, J. Lambert, Mrs. M. Blankenship, Mary Blankenship, Angeline Blake, Lucinthy Colwell and Caroline Lambert. The differ- ent pastors are as follows: Rev. James Lambert, front October to November, 1869; Rev. Joshua Conrier, from November, 1869, to December, 1871; Rev. James Lambert, the second time, from March until Decem- ber, 1872; Rev. Joshua Courier, the second time, from January, 1873, to August, 1873; Rev. E. G. O. Groat, from September, 1873, to March, 1874; Rev. J. E. Rockwood, front May, 1874, to Angust, 1874; Rev. W. A. Darward, from December, 1874, to Novem- ber, 1875; Rev. Gilman Parker, from Jan- uary, 1876, to 1879; Rev. W. A. Welsher, from May, 1880, to May, 1881; Rev. An- thony Jacobs, from December, 1881; Rev. A. II. Post, from 1883 to 1886; Rev. N. A. Reed, from January 1, 1887, to 1888; Rev. J. F. Bryant, present pastor, came from Logan, Iowa, November 1, 1888.
At first religious services were held in the conrt-house, but in 1871 a chapel was fin- ished, which served until 1886, when James M. Long, of Harlan, donated $6,000 toward the erection of their present beautiful brick church, which cost altogether about $7,000.
Its donor also gave his time as superintendent of construction on the same. It is a good sized structure, seating 450 people. It is heated by an improved hot air furnace. Its dedication took place August 22, 1886. Rev. M. D. Bevan, of Atlantic, preached the ser- mon. At one time the membership of this ehureli numbered 130, but at present only enrolls ninety; the deerease is owing to re- movals and deaths.
The Congregational Church was organized originally in 1871 by a minister from Avoca. The first members, seven in number, were: James Harvey, Luey A. Ilarvey, Sarah E. Davis, Miss Cornelia Holcomb, Mrs. Mary A. Wood, Mrs. Anna E. Closson, Mrs. Sarah Redfield. This first church held occasional serviees until 1874, when others were added, and in the fall of 1878 the believers in the Presbyterian church who lived at Harlan, together with the Congregational people, by agreement, formed a reorganized Congrega- tional church, there not being a sufficient number to organize into two distinct socie- ties. For several years this young church drew sufficient support from the Ilome Mis- sionary Society, but later was unaided. So really the date of the present church at Har- lan was November 10, 1878, when Rev. E. Adams came and organized the new society, which adopted their articles of faith and covenanted together. Twenty-three united at that time. The services have been unbroken ever since. The early place of meeting was at Long's Hall and in the court-house, but in 1881 they built a commodious house of worship in one of the finest locations of the town, opposite the public school building. Its cost was $2,800. It was dedicated Sab- bath morning, Jaly 23, 1882, at which time all the churchies in town omitted services to be in attendance, except the Methodist peo- ple. The sermon was preached by Rev. E.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
S. Hill, of Atlantic, Iowa. The property was freed from debt before that day. E. W. Davis, of Avoca, had given the ground upon which the church stands. The trustees of the society then were C. C. Redfield, T. J. Robin- son and M. K. Campbell. The varions pas- tors having served this church, are: Rev. J. G. Sabin, from 1879 to 1881; Rev. E. S. Sherman, from 1881 to 1884; Rev. C. N. Sinnett, from 1884 to 1886; Rev. J. W. Geiger, July 6, 1887, who is still the pastor. He came from Des Moines, Iowa, and is doing nınch toward the upbuilding of the elinreh at Harlan.
The history of the Methodist Episcopal Church of this place dates back to pionecr days. In this eounty, as in nearly all new countries, the Methodists were the first to herald the truths of the gospel. To Judge Tarkington belongs the honor of first pro- elaiming the Methodist faith in this seetion of Iowa, having preached the first sermon ever heard at Harlan, December 3, 1859, at the first quarterly meeting of Harlan Mis- sion, which was within the limits of the Western Iowa Conference. The first preacher who regularly attended this charge was Rev. Kirkland Card, who came in 1860, and re- ceived $100 for his services. Following him eame Rev. N. L. Phillips, in 1861; Rev. James Leslie, in 1863-'64, at which date the Des Moines Annual Conference was estab- lished, making Harlan a regular station, from which time it has been constantly supplied. Those having served as pastors from the" above date to the present are as follows: Rev. E. R. Latta, 1865; Rev. T. MeK. Stew- art, 1866; Rev. W. T. Smith, 1867; Rev. A. W. Taylor, 1868; Rev. W. E. Hamilton, 1869-'70; Rev. Levi Park and Rev. Hanke, 1871; Rev. William Armstrong, 1872; Rev. A. C. Smith, 1873-'74; Rev. C. Ashton, 1875-'76; Rev. G. H. Detwiler, 1878; Rev.
D. C. Franklin, 1879-'80-'81; Rev. W. E. Hamilton, 1882; Rev. P. S. V. Vetter, 1883-'84; Rev. W. W. Ramsey, 1885; Rev. J. H. Senseney, 1887, and Rev. W. H. Ship- man, the present (1888) pastor.
The first class-leader was P. Springer, who aeted in 1859. A ehnreh building (part of the present one) was ereeted in 1874, and dedicated September 27 of that year, Rev. Alexander Burns, D. D., of Indianola, Iowa, preaching the sermon on the occasion, using "Stand fast in the faith" as his text. In connection with these services the amount of $851 was pledged, all of which was paid within one year. In 1882 an addition was built to the original church, giving the present edifice a seating capacity of 350. The society, which now numbers 170, is in a prosperous condition and owns a good-sized parsonage near the church building.
Latter- Day Saints Church, of Harlan, is within the Galland's Grove Conference, a branch society of the Grove Township ehureh. It was organized May 23, 1869, with Jonas Wellington Chatburn as presiding elder; Frank Wellington, teaeher, and John B. Swain as priest.
In 1882 the society erected a neat edifiee in which to worship. It is a frame building with seating eapacity of about 500. It is provided with pews, is finely earpeted and otherwise furnished. The walls are of hard finish, presenting an even and substantial ap- pearanee. The church, exclusive of lots and interior furniture, eost $1,700.
At one time the society numbered seventy- five, but owing to removals and other eauses it has been reduced to forty-five members. It should here be stated that this seet de- nounce in the strongest terms the doctrine of polygamny as tanght and praetieed by Brig- ham Young and his devotees.
The present offieers of the church are: J.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
W. Chatburn, Presiding Elder; J. W. Salter, Priest; Nathaniel Boothe, Teacher.
The Christian Church was formed Febru- ary 18, 1876, by Elder C. W. Sherwood, with T. V. Berry as first pastor. At one time the church had an enrollment of 125 members; at present it has 110.
In 1880 a finely situated house of worship was erected, at a cost of $2,000, the same being dedicated June 27, 1880. It seats comfortably about 275 persons. The first church officials (trustees) were E. Douglas, W. P. Chance and J. P. Wyland. Those serving at this time are John Ramsey, G. W. Fall and George Holdefer. The following named have served as pastors: Rev. G. B. Mullis, Rev. J. L. - Felter, Rev. D. J. Howe, Rev. D. C. Morris, Rev. J. P. Lucas, Rev. O. H. Truman and Rev. J. R. Cornell. At present there is no pastor, but the church is about to employ one. This society owns ouc of the best pieces of church property in Har- lan, and its members are a thorough-going class of Christian workers.
The Danish Baptist Church of Ilarlan was organized as a distinct society, independent of the American church, October 30, 1886, with a membership of seventeen. The first minister was F. C. Nelson, who came once in two weeks, until the spring of 1887, when arrangements were made with C. Carlson, of Atlantic, who still serves this people every other week. The society now numbers twenty-nine, inost of whom reside in Harlan. Their people had worshiped with the Ameri- can church for many years, but preferring to listen to and teach the gospel in their own tongue, they finally organized. Their church building was formerly occupied by the Ameri- can Baptist, who conveyed it to James M. Long, founder of the town, in lien of the handsome church edifice he erected for them, and he then donated the old frame church to
the Danish branch. It is a house which was built in 1867-the first church in Harlan; it is 24 x48 feet, and seats between one and two hundred.
The Roman Catholic society, consisting of about twelve families, is under the charge of the church at Westphalia. A chapel was built and dedicated the past season-1888. In addition to the religious societies already named, may be mentioned the Seventh Day Adventist church, which is about perfected, making in all more church organizations than one seldom finds in a town the size of Har- lan, which fact is a good index of the moral character of her people.
SHELBY.
This is a thriving place of about 600 population, situated on section 33 of Shelby Township. It is near the beautiful stream known as Silver Creek, and is on the main line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, thirty-two miles from Council Bluffs, in an easterly direction. Its his- tory now covers a period of an even score of year's, as it dates from 1868, in which year the railroad passed through to the Missouri River. The only settler, prior to 1868, was James Hawkins, who sold the land on which the town now stands to B. F. Allen, banker of Des Moines, who platted the same in 1868. Hawkins was an old soldier of a very eventful life, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He obtained this tract of land, with others, for services rendered in the Mexican war, the date of his original entry being in 1855. He settled on the banks of Silver Creek in 1866, where he erected a log cabin, in which he lived for many years. The first house built in Shelby proper was the section house of the railroad company. The next was erected by Alexander Thompson, and is still used as a dwelling. The third house
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY.
was built by James W. Linn in 1869. Soon after this J. M. Wood came and erected the Shelby House, and opened a general store. In 1874 the property fell into the hands of L. Benham. The same year Dr. J. W. Camp- bell, now of Old Mexico, started a general store. Other early comers were Harrod Bros., who engaged in general merchandis- ing, but are now in trade at Harlan, Iowa. In 1872 J. D. Cord came from Lucas County, Iowa, and engaged in grain, lumber and stock business, taking Jolın Davis in com- pany with him, in 1873. They continued seven years, when Mr. Cord removed to Ta- coma, Washington Territory. In the fall of 1874, E. C. Clapp came from Iowa City, Iowa, and operated a general store until 1884; he is now one of the banking firm of Davis & Clapp, of the Citizens' Bank. J. D. Cord and John Davis were proprietors of the Shelby County Bank for three years, dissolving May, 1887, when Davis & Clapp formed their co-partnership as bankers and real-estate dealers. Another man who came to the village at an early day was J. P. McEwen, from Davenport, Iowa. He was one of the prominent men of the place, and was noted for activity in all works of public character. He died in 1881, leaving a family, who still reside in Harlan.
The railroad depot was built in the fall of 1869. Harrod Bros. came in 1877, and built the store building now used by W. F. Cleveland & Co. The village was incorpo- rated in the fall of 1877, the first mayor being John W. Harrod. The place is made up of wide-awake business men of high moral and religious standing. The following socie- ties have been organized and still flourish: A Methodist, Presbyterian and German Lu- theran church; Masonic, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, Legion of Honor, and Grand Army Post.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Shelby had its beginning by a service held in the half finished railroad depot, July 3, 1870. Those present were: C. J. Mclaughlin and wife, J. W. Linn and wife, Dr. Campbell and wife, Mr. Wood and wife, J. P. McEwen and wife, John Edwards, the railroad agent, and several children. The preacher was a local minister named A. Johnson. The first " class" was duly organized that day, consist- ing of four members-C. J. Mclaughlin and wife and J. W. Linn with his wife. The class thus formed was soon attached to Har- lan circuit. The first pastor was W. E. Ham- ilton, now president of Simpson College. The first leader was J. W. Linn; the first steward was C. J. Mclaughlin.
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