USA > Iowa > Audubon County > History of Audubon county, Iowa; its people, industries, and institutions > Part 17
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On October 25, 1907, the Danish Savings Bank was incorporated at Kimballton, with S. C. Pedersen, president, and Peter Lykke, cashier. The present cashier is Math Nissager.
The Farmer's Savings Bank was incorporated at Hamlin Station in 1913. L. C. Christoffersen is cashier.
CHAPTER XV.
CHURCHES AND RELIGION.
THE COUNTRY CHURCH.
By Jeannie Pendleton Ewing.
Clear-eyed and prim, with walls of white Among the leaves of birch That tinged but did not stem the light, Nestled the little church,
"All summer open to the air And all that green a-quiver there.
About were tender, dreamy sounds : The stamp of horses' feet,
The mumbling bees upon their rounds Where clover nodded sweet, A piping quail-the grain low-bent
Showed where her furtive flutterings went.
Next father in the pew's long row Came urchins sternly shod ;
Next mother-for she planned it so- The child who first would nod,
Laying, when sermon-time oppressed,
His poppy cheek upon her breast.
Bare stretched your aisle and long your hour To many a childish wight,
Wee church ! yet, rich in holy power, You blessed as angels might. Long years have gone-our faith is true : Long years we've prayed, because of you !
By Alexander Holt Roberts.
Justinian, the Roman lawyer, in defining the highest duty of man to man, said, "The perfection of human duty is, to do good to all men; injure none; and to render to every man his just dues." Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, expressed a similar thought in a different form, when he enjoined upon his followers the following negative rule, "Whatsoever ye would not that others should do unto you, that do ye not unto them." These are both good in so far as they go, but it remained for a young Hebrew,
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whose spotless life, teachings and character gained for him, among his fol- lowers, the name "Divine Lawgiver," and who was the original of the Chris- tian religion, to give affirmative expression to the great law of human action in a form now called by all men, the Golden Rule, "Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye even so to them," and then that other great commandment, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart" and "thy neighbor as thyself." Each has his adherents, and fortunate indeed were the American people to have such ancestors as the Pilgrim Fathers, who, upon Plymouth Rock, acknowledged their thankfulness, and allegiance to Almighty God.
As civilization marched westward, in the front ranks of the pioneers have always been found the followers of the "Man of Galilee," and it is not surpassing strange that so early in the life of our county we find, assembled in a log cabin, those who were desirous of clearing the way, and casting up a highway for the Master's army to pass over in coming years.
The presence, or absence, of churches in a community is of great signifi- cance, and reveals at once to the observer the general character and makeup of its people, for the highest civilization is only to be found where church spires abound.
To those pioneer men and women of God, those first sowers, preachers and teachers of the Word, we acknowledge our obligation and cherish their memory. We regret that, after the lapse of sixty years, one who endeavors to record their deeds finds himself handicapped for want of records.
Our state has such a complete system of records, that the writer of civil history has little difficulty in ascertaining and establishing certain facts, whereas, the records of the average church are so meager, and so little effort is made to preserve what they do have, that the historian is compelld to search for oral testimony where he may find it. And so, in this way, we find that in 1855 Rev. Moses F. Shinn, presiding elder of Council Bluffs district in the Methodist Episcopal church, delegated Rev. James S. Rand, a Meth- odist, to organize the work in Audubon county. Hence we find Reverend Rand, in the first week in June, 1855, preaching in the first public religious service held in the county, in the pioneer cabin of Walter J. Jardine, on section 28, now Exira township. After the service he organized a Methodist class, with Walter J. Jardine, as class leader and William H. H. Bowen as steward. The following were enrolled as members: W. H. H. Bowen and wife, Eliza ; Walter J. Jardine and wife, Jane: Isaac V. D. Lewis and wife, Mary J. ; Thomas S. Lewis and wife, Josephine B .; Richard M. Lewis and wife, Elizabeth ; Mrs. Sarah G. Lewis; Mrs. Miles Beers ; Emily J. Beers.
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Isaac V. D. Lewis, to whom we are indebted, and to whom we extend thanks, for this information, is the only living member (1915) of that first class, the others having all been "gathered to their fathers."
At variance with this, is "A History of Audubon County," published by W. S. Dunbar & Company, Chicago, in 1889, its editor being anonymous, which says: "A Rev. Mr. Mann came to the county as early as 1854 and first sowed the seeds of Methodism. He gathered a few of that faith together at the home of William H. H. Bowen, one mile southwest of Hamlin's Grove. Later on, quite a number of Methodists settled about Exira and a class was duly organized at the home of Levi Montgomery, near the present plat. Rev. James Rand was the first preacher, coming in 1856-57. The names of those forming this first class, which was also the first in Audubon county, are as follows : Levi Montgomery and wife," etc.
This "history" is undoubtedly in error, as Isaac V. D. Lewis, who still lives on the old place south of Exira (his postoffice is Brayton), insists that Rev. Mr. Rand was the first preacher, and it appears reasonable that a mis- take may have been made, as the sound of the names "Mann" and "Rand" are so similar, that evidently the party who gave the information as to Mr. "Mann," had forgotten the real name, or the reporter to whom the informa- tion was given misunderstood the name.
This view of the case is further supported by the fact that the records of the lowa conference, which had jurisdiction over all Iowa at that time, did not contain the name "Mann" at that time.
This, without reasonable doubt, establishes the fact that the minister referred to was Rand, as he had charge of the Cass mission at that time.
The first quarterly meeting was convened in the first week in September, 1855, in the grove at Mr. Jardine's place (section 28), and was presided over by Reverend Shinn, I. V. D. Lewis being elected recording steward. The residence of Peter Sylvester now stands upon the very ground on which those meetings were held.
Later, a class was formed at Exira, and one at Oakfield, with Richard M. Lewis as leader. This class became obsolete many years ago.
The work continued, under direction of those in charge, taking up new points and forming new classes as opportunities presented, until about 1870, when the Exira circuit was formed, which continued to cover the whole field of the county until the annual conference of 1875, when Exira circuit was divided into two separate works in regard to preaching, but left united with regard to quarterly meetings. Rev. E. M. H. Fleming was presiding elder ; Rev. W. T. Reed, pastor for Exira circuit, and Rev. J. M. Bay, pastor for Hamlin circuit.
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At the first quarterly meeting held at Luccock's Grove, November 13, 1875, Joseph McFadden, H. K. Emory, D. E. Rich, W. C. Luccock and F. A. Cobb represented Hamlin circuit, Exira circuit not being represented. The pastor's salary for Exira circuit was fixed at $240, apportioned as follows : Exira, $110; Louisville, $45 : Grove, $40; Oakfield, $25, and Thomas Grove, $20. The salary for Hamlin circuit was placed at $200 and apportioned, Hamlin, $65; Luccock's Grove, $65; Sanborn, $40, and Graham, $30.
The next quarterly conference met at Exira, January 22: 1876, with T. A. Lampman, presiding elder. A class of ten was reported organized at the Green school house.
At the next quarterly conference, held April 28, 1876, at Hamlin, E. Weaver was elected steward and two new points were added, Earhart's and Diggs'. Charles Walker was recommended for license to preach.
In 1877 we find Rev. John Histwod as presiding elder, Rev. G. H. Det- wiler, pastor, and the following classes represented : Hamlin, Miller's, San- born's, Diggs', Graham's, Earhart's, Viola and Baker's. The following official members were in attendance: Charles Walker, P. Mckinley, E. S. Weaver, F. A. Cobb, C. H. Earhart. J. C. Bonwell, L. Miller, William Wilde, S. D. Conrod, H. C. Diggs, W. S. Smyth, A. Dixon, J. W. Brackney, Auntie Meek, C. H. Sampson, Aaron Eby, George Eby, C. H. Cross, J. T. Bell, A. Hollenbeck, William McAfee, D. C. Bartshe.
Up to this time, aside from the Methodists, these were but two other denominations holding services in the county, the Congregationalists and Christians, both at Exira. Up to 1877 there had been but two church buildings in the county, to wit, the Congregational church, in Exira, and the Methodist church, in Exira, the religious services at all other points having been held in school houses or in the homes of some of the members.
About this time, with a large influx of settlers and immigrants, the various preaching points took on new life and pretensions, and this was especially true in 1878 with the incoming of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific railroad, and for some years following, so that we will now take up the individual churches of the various denominations. But, before doing so, we wish to record two especial events affecting the religious life of the county. These were the revival meetings held by Rev. W. A. Sunday in Exira and Audubon.
SUNDAY MEETINGS.
The meetings at Exira were held in September, 1901, and the following comments upon these meetings appeared in the Audubon County Journal, published at Exira :
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"BIG CROWDS AT THE TABERNACLE.
"Never in the history of Exira has the attendance and interest been so great as in the union meetings now in progress at the tabernacle in the park, conducted by Rev. W. A. Sunday. Each evening the large crowd begins to assemble early, and by the time the song service ends every seat is taken. * *
"The principal and, we might say, the only subject among all classes of people is the meetings now being held in the tabernacle in the park, and the marvelous results that have been achieved and the potent influences for good that have been accomplished. The men's meeting, Sunday after- noon, presented a scene that words cannot express and the seed sown at the meeting will, in years to come, show itself in the lives of those present. Twenty-nine men, in the prime of youth and noble manhood, went forward and turned their backs upon sin and worldly amusements.
"Sunday evening closed the meetings that have been in progress for the past three weeks in the tabernacle in the park, and Rev. W. A. Sunday departed for his home in Chicago on the Monday noon train.
"As a result of the meetings, two hundred and sixty people were con- verted and will at once unite with the church of their choice. The greater part of the work has been accomplished during the past week. No one pre- dicted such a complete and overwhelming victory for the united efforts of the various churches of the town.
"At the closing service. Sunday night, over one thousand people were present to listen with marked attention to the matchless eloquence, and his fearless and forceful, logical and consistent argument. At the close of the last service, when the invitation to come forward was given, forty-eight people went forward.
"A free will offering was taken at the Sunday service. to remunerate Mr. Sunday for his tireless efforts, which amounted to eight hundred and seventy-three dollars, being one of the largest collections ever taken to sup- port him in his laudable and commendable work.
"No one who has listened to his burning words of truth has any fault to find with his methods, and heartily endorse his work; and no one can tell the appreciation as expressed by the general public for the valuable services he has rendered this community by teaching the higher and noble virtues in the various walks of life's duties.
"At least two hundred were at the depot, Monday noon, to bid Mr. Sunday and his singer, Mr. Fisher, goodbye. A chorus of voices sang song after song, and as the train pulled out the crowd sang. 'God be With You
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Till We Meet Again.' Mr. Sunday will ever be held dear to the people of Exira and the many warm friends here will fondly cherish the memory of him who worked so hard for their joy and comfort, and for the eternal peace and happiness of their homes."
While the meetings were in progress in Exira, a committee went from Audubon to Exira and arranged with Mr. Sunday for a series of meetings in Audubon.
Satisfactory arrangements having been made, on January 21, 1902, Mr. Sunday and helpers arrived and began what proved to be the greatest meet- ing ever held in the town, four churches, the Methodist, Presbyterian, Chris- tian and Evangelical, uniting and becoming responsible for the financial part of the meetings.
The following quotations from The Audubon Advocate express the sentiment of the community with reference to the meetings.
"THE REVIVAL.
"When we say revival, we have no fear of contradiction, for it is really and truly a revival. Evangelist Sunday has been at work in our midst a little over two weeks, and the old town is not what it used to be. We have seen some pretty warm political campaigns in Audubon, but the present religious campaign makes all those very tame indeed. Sunday's meetings are talked on the streets and in every place of business. It is the main, and almost the only, topic of conversation. Snow drifts and cold weather are no obstacles when people are headed toward the great revival. The interest is daily increasing. Many who but seldom if every are seen at church, are now regular attendants and many have gone forward. Many who bitterly opposed Evangelist Sunday, or scoffed at his work, are now his most ardent supporters, and are seen on the streets, as well as in the meetings, urging others to attend and unite with the many who have gone forward.
"The Union gospel meetings, which have interested the people of Audu- bon for the past two months, are now closed, and a matter of history. They began on January 21 and closed on February 16. From the very start, they were largely attended, filling the large Methodist Episcopal church, and later, when they were removed, the larger Presbyterian church was crowded. The men's meetings were the marvel of the series. There were three of them, and the attendance was about seven hundred at the first to nine hun- dred at the last. Such a concourse of men was something new to Audubon. A sight such as many a person never saw before. All this is evidence of the power of the subject of religion on the hearts and minds of men.
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"There is no other subject that the greatest men might discuss, with the best skill of modern learning and oratory, that would have drawn and held one-tenth of the people one-half so long as the subject of re- ligion. * X
"The last Sabbath services were interesting throughout, when one thou- sand five hundred and forty-one dollars were given as a free-will offering to Mr. Sunday. Also a purse of thirty-four dollars to Fred Fisher, his singer, from the choir.
"The total number of conversions was four hundred and thirty-four. The attendance Sabbath evening was fully one thousand three hundred and many were turned away for want of room."
Thus, by these meetings were all of the churches strengthened, their membership increased, the moral tone of the whole county elevated, and among the strong and active workers and supporters of the churches today, many date their interest and consecration to the work from the time of the Sunday meetings.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EXIRA.
About the year 1858, Deacon Lyman Bush came to Exira from North Brookfield, Massachusetts. On April 9, 1859, the First Congregational church of Exira was organized, and at about the same time a Sunday school was organized at Exira by Deacon Bush. The remainder of Deacon Bush's life was principally devoted to the advancement of this church, holding Sunday meetings and preaching when obtainable, prayer meetings, Sunday schools, funerals, looking after the employment of preachers and raising subscriptions to pay them.
Preaching and Sunday schools were usually held in the old school house, and prayer meetings often in private houses. About 1870 the dea- con visited his old home in Massachusetts and, while there, collected from his old neighbors and friends more than one thousand dollars for a church building at Exira. The building, thirty-two by forty feet, was erected in 1870-71, John W. Dodge and H. U. Hansen being the principal carpenters and builders. The church was reorganized on May 10, 1871. The church edifice was dedicated on July 16, 1871, Revs. J. W. Pickett, C. D. Wright and John F. Taft being the officiating clergymen.
This was the first church edifice in the county and is still occupied by the church. The first resident pastor was Oren Cummings.
At the death of Deacon Bush he left one thousand dollars as a perma-
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nent fund, the interest of which, only, was to be devoted perpetually to sup- port the ministry, and this fund is now intact. The present membership is about seventy-four.
· The deacons have been Lyman Bush, Boynton G. Dodge, Enoch Croy, David Sewell, William C. Sturgeon, John D. Bush, Henry Seibert, Louis E. Borne, William Wissler and Frank Heath. The church has been faith- fully served by the following pastors: Oren Cummings, E. S. Hill, C. D. Wright, John S. Taft, A. J. R. Smith, R. W. Burgess, J. M. Cummings, J. A. Hallock, A. W. Thompson, D. M. Hartsough, Q. C. Todd, A. M. Beman, Joseph F. Roberts, M. D. Reed, H. L. Wissler, E. H. Votard, W. W. Hartsough, J. L. Fisher, F. H. Richardson, W. L. Holly, James H. Mintier, Noah A. Hollingshead, and Rev. Jessie Gettys, who is the pres- ent pastor.
Today this is the only Congregational church in the county.
OAKFIELD CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
About 1866-8 a Congregational church was organized at Oakfield, Exira township. The following were members of this church: E. W. Pearl and wife, William C. Norton, James M. Jones and wife, Herman G. Smith, Marianne Smith, Joe Barham and wife, John C. Norton.
This church was supplied by Rev. Edwin S. Hill, from Grove City, and Rev. C. D. Wright, from Exira. This church is now extinct.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, EXIRA.
The birth of the Methodist church in Exira properly dates from the organization of the Levi B. Montgomery class in 1855. The members of that class were Levi B. Montgomery and wife, George W. Sharp and wife, Nathaniel Wiggins and wife, Mrs. Mary Anderson, Mrs. Ann Crane, with Rev. J. S. Rand as first pastor.
At the twelfth annual session of the Iowa Methodist Episcopal Con- ference, in September, 1855, Exira was included in the Cass mission, Coun- cil Bluffs district, and Rev. Rand was again appointed pastor and seventy- five dollars appropriated from the missionary funds of the conference toward his support.
At the conference in September, 1856, Audubon and Shelby counties were united, under the name of Audubon and Shelby mission, and Rev.
(13)
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J. M. Baker appointed pastor, with seventy dollars from the conference missionary funds toward his salary.
In 1857 Audubon mission stood alone, with Rev. J. M. Baker again as pastor, who, at the end of the year, reported sixty members and thirteen probationers. Also one Sunday school, with five officers and teachers and twenty scholars. This was the first Sunday school in the county.
At the conference in September, 1858, Audubon and Lewis were united, under the name of Lewis and Audubon mission, and fifty dollars appro- priated from the mission funds to apply on the salary of Rev. J. M. Rust, who was appointed pastor, with residence at Exira. At the end of the year Rev. Rust reported sixty members and ten probationers, one church build- ing, four Sunday schools, twenty-four officers and teachers and one hun- dred and fifty scholars.
At this time the development of the country had become so rapid, the trail of the Indian having given place to the steel rails of the railroad now pointing to the Missouri river; the hunting grounds having become fields of waving grain; the tepee and Indian village being supplanted by com- fortable homes and thriving towns; the population becoming more dense, and the territory of the conference being so great, consisting of all of Iowa, all settled portions of Nebraska and part of Missouri; that at the sixteenth session of the Iowa, annual conference at Muscatine, held in September, 1859, it was deemed the wise thing to divide the conference, and the West- ern Iowa conference was organized. Audubon county was included in the Audubon and Lewis mission, Council Bluffs district, and Rev. D. B. Clary was appointed pastor, with residence at Exira. At the end of the year Rev. Clary reported eighty-seven members and fourteen probationers, five Sun- day schools, with two hundred and two members.
In September, 1860, at the first session of the Western Iowa confer- ence, Rev. C. F. Spooner was appointed to the Lewis and Audubon mission, and, at the end of the year reported ninety-eight members, forty probationers and four Sunday schools, with one hundred and sixty members.
At the annual conference in September. 1861, a new district was formed, called the Lewis district. Lewis was detached from Audubon and made a station. Audubon was called Audubon mission, Lewis district, and Rev. C. F. Spooner was appointed as pastor, with sixty-two dollars and fifty cents appropriated from the mission funds to apply to his support. At the end of the year, Reverend Spooner reported seventy-six members and seven probationers, two Sunday schools, with seventy-nine members.
In September, 1862, Rev. S. W. Milligan was appointed pastor to
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AUDUBON COUNTY, IOWA.
Audubon mission, with sixty-five dollars appropriated from the Mission funds. He reported sixty-seven members and nine probationers, three Sun- day schools, with ninety-eight members.
In September, 1863, Audubon and Lewis were again joined as Audu- bon and Lewis circuit, and Rev. S. W. Milligan was appointed pastor. The circuit was then composed of the following classes: Lewis, Grove City, Middle Grove, Audubon (city), Exira, Oakfield and Buck Creek, including one hundred and three members, thirteen probationers and four Sunday schools, with one hundred and eighty-two members.
In September, 1864, the name Western Iowa annual conference was changed to Des Moines annual conference, and a new district formed, called Wintust district, of which the Lewis and Audubon circuit was a part, with Rev. N. L. Phillips as pastor. At the end of the year, Rev. Phillips reported one hundred and five members, twenty-one probationers and four Sunday schools, with one hundred and forty-four members.
In September, 1865, Rev. John G. Gates was appointed pastor and reported one hundred and thirty-one members, fifty probationers and seven Sunday schools with two hundred and thirty members.
In September, 1866, M. Sheets was appointed pastor and reported two hundred and eight members, fifty-one probationers and eight Sunday schools with three hundred and fifteen members.
During the years 1867-8-9 the circuit was known as the Grove City circuit and was composed of the following classes: Grove City, Audubon City, Exira and Oakfield, with the following pastors: Rev. William Abra- ham, in 1867; Rev. W. H. Records, in 1868, and Rev. Jacob Levan, in 1869.
In 1870 the name of the circuit was changed to Exira, Atlantic dis- trict, and included all of Audubon county and some points in Cass. Prior to this time, services had been held in private homes or the school house. From 1870 to 1873 they were kindly permitted to use the new Congrega- tional church at Exira. The pastors were Rev. J. G. Gates, 1870-71, and Rev. George W. Saint, 1872.
Reverend Saint died just after the fourth quarterly meeting and just before the annual conference. Then came Rev. George W. Cauffer in 1873. During this year a church edifice twenty-four by thirty-two was erected on the site where Squire James P. Lair now resides. This was the second church building in the county, the other being the Congregational church · in Exira. Rev. B. L. Jackson (supplied) in 1874, and Rev. W. T. Reid served in 1875.
In 1875 Exira circuit was divided and a new circuit, called Hamlin,
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formed, embracing the north nine townships of Audubon county. Rev. John W. Hardin came in 1876; Rev. W. R. Douglas, in 1877; Rev. O. E. Moore, in 1878; Rev. C. H. McIntosh supplied in 1879; Rev. D. C. Adams supplied in 1880; Rev. J. W. Bott was pastor in 1881 and 1882.
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