USA > Iowa > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 31
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Unfortunately for Methodism in Crawford county, the Northwest Iowa conference was cut out of the territory of the Des Moines conference and the dividing line instead of following county boundaries, cuts through Crawford county along the north line of Hayes, East Boyer and Denison townships, put- ting West Side, Vail, Deloit and Charter Oak in a different conference with different relations and different conference institutions. This has been detri- mental so far as the county has been concerned, as there has of necessity been less cohesion and fewer interests in common and consequently less acquaintance and smaller opportunity for mutual helpfulness. The church at West Side has prospered these years and now is exerting a most helpful influence in the town and community.
No record is at hand of the beginnings at Vail. The church seems to have been organized there and a pastor appointed in 1872. The charter members were Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Bennett, J. E. Palmer and H. Baker. The church as it now is was built in 1881. The first pastor was Rev. Solomon Terrill, 1872 to 1874. After him in the following order came H. D. Bailey, 1874; R. W. Thorn-
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burg, 1875; J. W. Spangler, 1877, T. M. Anderson, 1879; D. L. Thompson, 1881 ; also A. A. Shessler, 1881; W. J. Gardner, 1882; J. N. Mills, 1884; G. E. Stump, 1886; H. W. L. Mahood, 1887; O. K. Maynard, 1888; S. M. Davis, 1889; S. L. Eddy, 1890; D. P. Day, 1893; Thomas Martindale, 1894; I. A. Bartholomew, 1896; Thomas Maxwell, 1897; G. L. Eaton, 1899; H. E. Bowman, 1900; Al- brook, 1901. From this date Vail and West Side became one charge and as was noted in the sketch of West Side, Rev. W. J. Todd was the first pastor of the charge combining the two appointments and their subsequent history is as one charge.
In its earlier history West Side was blessed with a very able and eloquent local preacher in the person of John Pendray, whose influence is no doubt still an active factor in the church there.
At the time Denison was made a station Deloit and Vail seem to have joined hands and for a number of years belonged to the same charge. Seven pastors in all served during this union, which included also Milford center. Rev. Baker was the first pastor for one year, then follow Terrill, Thornburg, Spangler, Shessler, Anderson and Gordon. In 1883 the Deloit church was built, and in 1884 Deloit with Boyer became the charge. The first pastor was Rev. G. Young, then Rev. Thompson, each one year, then Rev. J. M. Dudley for three years, the then time limit. He was succeeded by W. R. Martin, who served two years as did also Rev. E. R. Mahood and O. M. Howell. Rev. Griggs served but one year. In 1896 Rev. George C. Clift came and served four years and perfected the plans for the church at Boyer, which was built in 1900. Following Rev. Clift, are P. H. Weston, Thomas Maxwell, a Crawford county boy, and S. C. Olds, each one year; then F. P. Morgan, T. S. Stone and G. W. Bruce, each two years. The next pastor was Rev. A. A. Howe, who served one year, and he was succeeded by Rev. J. R. Crombie and he by the present pastor, Rev. Wahl.
This is briefly an outline of the history of Deloit and Boyer and in part of Vail Methodist churches. The record must remain silent concerning the labor and struggle which make the interesting story and which are as the meat of the sandwich.
The names of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bennett of Vail, the Gables and Inghrams at Milford Center, Snells, Morrises, McKims, Newtons and others at Deloit, and B. F. Ells, Flemings, Smith and others at Boyer are the pledge of faithful and consecrated service and also of the prosperous condition of the charge.
The Charter Oak Methodist Church is the only one in Crawford county that did not spring directly or indirectly from the original planting in Mason's Grove. The church was first organized there in 1886. Services had been held previously for some time in a schoolhouse by the Rev. J. M. Dudley, who was then living at Mapleton. In the spring of 1887 the services were moved to the Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul Railway depot and later in the same year the church was built. Among the organizers of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Charter Oak were Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Criswell, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Shumaker, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Duesler and others. The first regular pastor after the church was organized was Rev. M. H. Montgomery. He was followed by Rev. J. H. Ray and he by Rev. W. M. Edgar. E. T. Fegtly succeeded him and was followed
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by W. W. Brown. Rev. Brown held a very successful revival meeting. He suc- ceeded in securing the help of George D. Elderkin, the noted singer, composer and hymn writer, who with his wife literally sang people into the kingdom of heaven. This was a most noted revival and helpful to the church and com- munity as well. This occurred during the winter of 1895 and 1896. The pros- perity of the church required more room and it was enlarged and improved dur- ing this pastorate. Rev. Brown was followed by Thomas Carson, J. L. Gillies, J. J. Bushnell, E. Robbins, S. D. Johnson, A. J. Barkley and E. M. Cathcart, the present pastor, catalogues the names of the pastors and the order of their service.
In 1891 the parsonage was also enlarged, making with the church a fine property valued at about five thousand dollars. A list of the pastors covering a period of sixteen or eighteen years is the merest outline of the actual history of the Charter Oak church. Something of its inner life may be understood from the things accomplished. Denison, Sioux City and other places have been en- riched by the Christian families, which have gone out of the Charter Oak Church and Miss Mamie Glassburner, a missionary to China, is a product of Charter Oak Methodism. The church is still there and who knows what the further harvest may be.
The Ladies' Aid Society which has been an important adjunct of the Meth- odist church was founded in 1889, with Mrs. Edgar, wife of the pastor as president, Mrs. O. M. Criswell, vice-president, Mrs. George Knight, secretary. The society has been a great help to the church, both socially and financially, and its members have always been found ready and willing in every depart- ment of the church. The membership has steadily increased until there are now thirty-four names enrolled, nearly all active members. The officers are: Mrs. William Wilson, president; Mrs. A. Leeper, vice-president ; Mrs. D. A. Waterhouse, secretary ; Mrs. S. Lyon, treasurer. The president is very ably assisted in all social affairs by a committee of three ladies : Mrs. H. H. Sturges, Mrs. B. Weed and Mrs. E. H. Weed. At present the society is busily engaged in rounding money to help free the church from debt, and it is hoped that the property will be clear of indebtedness during this year.
A helpmeet indeed has been the ladies' organizations of the church. Every church society named in this chapter has a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. Sometime early in the seventies a foreign missionary society was formed in Denison, but for some reason was not maintained; but in May, 1882, Miss Eliza- beth Pearson of Des Moines reorganized the society in Denison and at the same time organized one in Dow City, and both have continued active and strong until this time. Very early in the history of the church at Charter Oak the foreign society was organized, as it was also at Manilla and West Side.
Home missionary societies have been organized at Charter Oak, Dow City and Denison, and West Side, Denison, Charter Oak and Manilla have ladies' aid societies, and this society is the one particularly organized to meet the needs of the local situation. In Charter Oak and West Side, the ladies' aid societies have been an important factor in church finance for the expenses of the home church.
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The presidents of this society in Denison have been Mrs. R. A. Romans, Mrs. U. G. Johnson, Mrs. Hannah Scriver. Charter Oak has been practically under two presidents, viz., Mrs. O. M. Criswell and Mrs. Charles Robertson.
The missionary societies are particularly effective in reaching the utmost limit of church membership by the character of their organization. In the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, the young ladies are organized into Stand- ard Bearers, the youth into Kings Heralds, and the Juveniles into Little Light Bearers. In the Home Society, after the ladies themselves, are the Queen Es- thers, Home Guards and Mothers Jewels.
An essential department of the Methodist church has been the Sunday school. Soon after the organization of this church in Crawford county, that is in June, 1857, a Sunday school was organized at Mason's Grove with George C. King superintendent, and in the winter of 1858 a school was started in Denison. Morris McHenry was elected superintendent and served with the exception of a year by Mr. Hugh McWilliams, till his removal to the farm in 1877. The school at Mason's Grove moved with the church to Deloit, and is still in com- mission and also a very successful school at Boyer. The school at Denison has continued and is probably the largest school of any denomination in Crawford county. The Denison Methodist Sunday school has been fortunate in its chief officers and continued them long in office. Morris McHenry served almost con- tinually for nearly twenty years and L. M. Shaw, who succeeded him, served for nearly the same length of time with an interregnum of perhaps a year and a half by Prof. Dukes, and resigned when leaving for Des Moines to be inaugu- rated governor of the state. His successor, Prof. W. C. Van Ness, is now in the harness and bids fair to equal in length of service either of his predecessors.
At Dow City the Sunday school was started as soon as preaching services. Mrs. Susan Comfort was the first superintendent and held Sunday school in her own home, later moving to the schoolhouse and still later to Dow City. It began as a union school, but about 1879 became distinctively Methodist, which was eminently proper, as it had been maintained by the Methodist church and for several years after this was the only Sunday school in Dow City. To Mr. George Rae the Dow City school owes a great debt. During the years of its existence until his death he probably served as many or more years as its su- perintendent than all others who held that great office, and was a most excellent counsellor and supporter of them all.
At Charter Oak the Sunday school was coincident with preaching, coming sometimes before, sometimes after preaching services. Manilla Methodist church has a fine Sunday school as has also West Side and Vail. At West Side Melvin Smith in the earlier days and later Christine Anderson have been leaders of the Sunday school work.
Soon after the young peoples movement started in the various churches, the Methodist Episcopal church organized for its young people the Epworth League. Chapters were organized almost at once by the young people of Denison, Dow City, Charter Oak, Manilla and West Side and have been successfully main- tained. Vail and Deloit churches have also organized and have very enthusias- tic chapters at the present time.
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Trinity Lutheran Church
Methodist Episcopal Church
Presbyterian Church
Sacred Heart Church
GROUP OF MANILLA CHURCHES
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Aside from the visible evidences, the growth of Methodism in Crawford county is authenticated by statistics which follow and which are taken from the conference minutes of the Des Moines and Northwest Iowa conferences for 1910.
Total value of church and parsonage property is $63,300.
Number of church members is 985.
Number of Sunday school scholars is 1,291.
Members of Epworth League, 208.
Total amount paid 1910 for salaries of pastors and incidental expenses, $9,175.
Benevolent collections 1910, $3,286.
The contrast between these figures and the small society of seven people at Mason's Grove in 1857 served by a pastor supported in part by the Missionary Society, tells an eloquent story of patient, self-denying labor and of faith that brings victory.
The writer of this chapter is under obligation to Morris McHenry, who can justly be called the father of Methodism in Crawford county, Thomas Rae, O. M. Criswell, Mr. Browkaw, Mr. Sowles, Mrs. S. D. Newton, Rev. Water- house and Rev. Koser for data which could not otherwise have been secured.
THE GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH.
In the early eighties there was in Denison a small band of faithful members of the Methodist church who felt that they would be more at home in their worship if the services were conducted in the German tongue. Through their efforts the services of a German clergyman were secured and services were held every two weeks in the English church. Rev. August Westphal was the first pastor, coming here in 1881, and continuing his ministrations for two years. He lived in Denison but had charge also of a congregation at Ida Grove. He was succeeded by Rev. John A. Lemke, who resided at Ida Grove. His pas- torate extended from 1883 to 1885. During the next few years the church was supplied by Rev. Heinrich Schuldt who resided at Odebolt. He removed to Denison in 1888 and remained until September, 1893.
When the English Methodists decided to build a new church their old church edifice was sold to the German Methodists for the nominal sum of $250.00. Several of the wealthier members of the English church donated this amount and the German Methodists, in May 1890, purchased lots nearly opposite the present high school building and moved the church to that location. Here they remained until 1900, when on March 19, their church edifice on the corner of Main and Church streets was dedicated. The old building and lots were sold to Mr. Ernst Riepan. The lots for the new church were purchased in Sep- tember, 1899, and the work of building was rapidly pushed. The first con- tract called for $4,500, but, later, changes and improvements made the building cost approximately $1,000 more. In the raising of funds for the building of this church the German congregation was largely aided by their American brethren and by the citizens of the town generally. Later a parsonage costing $1,400 was erected so that the organization has property valued at about $8,500.
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Among the earlier members of the church were the families of John Peters, Arnold Bachman, F. Heiden, M. Hugg, J. Weiss, and John Helsley. Among the first trustees were L. M. Shaw, J. B. Romans, Fritz Heiden, E. Gulick, and M. Hugg. To-day this is one of the most devout and faithful of the Denison congregations. A Sunday School is maintained over which Mr. John Schnoor is superintendent and its members feel that the church serves a double purpose, that of administering to their spiritual needs and that of perpetuating their mother tongue. Since 1893, the list of pastors is as follows: Rev. H. F. Loem- ker, 1893-1895; Rev. G. C. Claussen, 1895-1902; Rev. A. W. Gauger, 1902-1906; Rev. Gottlob E. Kienle, 1906-1908; Rev. Otto E. Johnson, 1908-1909; Rev. C. E. Schoenleber, 1909-19II.
PRESBYTERIANISM IN CRAWFORD COUNTY.
The Presbyterian Church has four churches in Crawford county, viz. : at Den- ison, Vail, Manilla and Charter Oak. The first organization was formed at Denison. On March 14, 1871, Rev. R. Burgess, a missionary of the Presbytery of Missouri River organized the First Presbyterian Church of Denison with the following as Charter Members: Thomas Luney, Samuel Luney, William Luney, James Luney, James Smyth and Samuel B. Smyth. The first meeting was held in the Court House. Rev. Burgess supplied the field although the church did not have a settled pastor. In the spring of 1872 Rev. W. H. Mc- Closkey became the first pastor. During his ministry the little church grew in numbers and a beginning was made towards securing a suitable building. A site was procured and the first building erected on the corner of S. Main and E. Vine St. at a cost of about $2,500. In the summer of 1874 Rev. McCloskey resigned and was followed by Rev. Henry Carroll who began his work in the fall of that year. October 29, 1874, the first church building was dedicated. Rev. W. J. Moffat became the pastor in the autumn of 1876, continuing as such until the spring of 1878 when Rev. W. A. Ward became pastor. During all these years the church enjoyed a healthy growth and the efforts of the faithful pas- tors were graciously rewarded. The members by sacrifice and personal work nobly supported the work. Rev. Ward removed from Denison to South Dakota in 1879 and was followed in 1880 by Rev. Thos. C. Potter during whose min- istry the church enjoyed a season of unprecedented growth and progress. All too soon, in August of 1881, Rev. Potter on account of ill health, was forced to resign the pastorate and now came a period of discouragement and hardship. Temporary supplies were had in the persons of Revs. J. Jas. Rankin, J. T. Hop- kins and W. O. Thompson. With the coming of Rev. Henry McMeekin in 1883 the church revived and during his pastorate discouragement gave way to hope and the church again began to grow and flourish. Rev. McMeekin closed his pastorate in 1885 and was followed by the Rev. Willis G. Banker. His min- istry was very fruitful and under his splendid leadership all the departments of the church were reorganized and enlarged. In March of 1888 Rev. Eugene Hamilton became the pastor and continued the work until the spring of 1890 when on account of failing health he was forced to resign. Rev. Nathaniel Clark was the next pastor coming in May of 1890 and continuing until January of 1896. Rev. Clark was a man of exemplary piety and strong character and
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CHARTER OAK
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his influence left an impress upon the whole community which is felt until this day. In April of 1896 Rev. Ashbel G. Martyn came to the church and under his faithful and efficient labors the church grew so that the little church became too small and plans were made to enlarge. The old site, being undesirable, was sold and a new location procured on the corner of S. Sweet and E. Chest- nut St. Here the present commodious building was erected in 1897 and dedi- cated January 2, 1898, at a cost of about $12,000. In September of 1903 Rev. Martyn left Denison and Rev. J. H. Sharpe became stated Supply for one year. Rev. W. E. Bryce became the pastor in 1904 and remained until July, 1907. Rev. Bryce was one of the strongest men to fill the pulpit. He was a faithful pastor, an earnest preacher of the Word, a sincere Christian man and with deep regret the church relinquished him that he might accept a call to larger work in Ashland, O. In November of 1907 Rev. J. Jas. DePree was called to the pastorate of this church and has since filled the pulpit. In October of 1910 a new and modern manse was finished at a cost of $6,000 and the church now has one of the best properties in Crawford county. During all the years of its life the church has enjoyed the blessing of God's Grace and Spirit and has grown from very small beginnings to a strong well organized body, having at the present time a membership of 217. All the work is well supported and the untiring effort of the faithful pastors, especially those of the early days, has borne fruit. There were periods of discouragement and difficulty but steady progress was made. The church today has the following departments : Sabbath School, Prof. E. W. Fellows, Supt .; Ladies' Home and Foreign Missionary Society, Mrs. Jacob Sims, Pres .; Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Jennie Armstrong Pres .; Christian Society, Miss Helen Trexel, Pres .; Prof. E. W. Fellows, W. D. Luney, Chas. McWilliams, Sears McHenry, Dr. R. O. McConnaughey and W. E. Terry are the present elders. Mr. Jacob Sims, W. E. Terry, R. O. McConnaughey, Geo. Davis, John Mount, G. Fred North and Geo. R. Richardson compose the board of trustees. The present pastor Rev. J. J. DePree is a man of ability and elo- quence and of great force of character. He is doing much towards making the Presbyterian church a strong and vital influence in the community.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CHARTER OAK.
The first Presbyterian church of Charter Oak was organized in January, 1895. On invitation of Mr. F. L. Shoemaker, Mr. L. W. Steele, a Lay Evange- list, visited the field and reported that prospects were good. On January 15, 1895, a petition was circulated asking for the organization of the church. This was granted and in September of the same year Rev. H. Hostettler, Rev. A. H. Campbell, Rev. N. Clark and Elder Samuel Luney of Denison, were appointed by the Presbytery as a committee to organize the new church. They visited Charter Oak, October 8, 1895, holding the first meeting in the Odd Fellows hall. The church was organized with the following charter members: Mrs. Priscilla Snyder, Mrs. Alice Cooper, L. R. McGee, W. H. Bates and wife, Miss Bates, Alice Bates, Frank Bates, Stella Adams, Jessie Adams, Mrs. Routzoug, W. F. Miller and wife, C. F. Garrett, J. J. McWilliams, Ada McWilliams, D. H. Mc- Williams, Mary McWilliams. The church was called the First Presbyterian in Charter Oak and J. J. McWilliams was elected the first ruling elder. The first
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pastor was Rev. Steele and services were held in various halls and homes until 1898 when a handsome church building was erected at an expense of $3,200. This church was dedicated by Rev. Dr. Bailey, Dec. 11, 1898.
The history of the church has been one of many hardships and tribulations. For many years a cloud of indebtedness hung over the congregation and it was difficult to obtain and support regular pastors. At one time the proposition was seriously considered of selling the church to the Lutheran congregation, but this plan was not adopted and the members rallied to the support of the church and all indebtedness was paid.
The list of pastors is as follows: Reverends Steele, McEwen, Lind, Thom, Hienk, Turner, then followed several years when the pulpit was occupied by supplies sent from Omaha. In 1910, Rev. Baker took charge and the present pastor is Rev. A. E. Lehmann. The membership of the church is but 16. A Ladies' Club is a valuable auxilliary. The present trustees are G. S. Water- house, A. F. Barber, D. H. McWilliams, B. L. Wright, Albert Snyder. These men are working together for the upbuilding of their favorite church. The pastor is proving indefatigable in his efforts and as the load of debt has been removed, the members have reason to believe that a new era has dawned for them and that the church will now proceed to a period of spiritual and material growth.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
Manilla.
The First Presbyterian church of Manilla which is one of the strongest and best housed churches of that city is a direct descendant of the Fairview Union Sabbath School, organized May 2, 1880, at the Barber school house, three miles north of the present town of Manilla. Mr. S. M. Neely, T. J. Campbell, and R. Barber were the leading spirits in this organization. The Sunday school con- tinued for 5 years with preaching services at rare intervals. July 27, 1885, Rev. W. G. Banker, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Denison, visited this field and established regular preaching services. A church was organized February 21, 1886, with the following charter members: Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Neely, Eliz- abeth Wallace, Mr. and Mrs. W .H. Andree, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Alfred, Mrs. Lewis Alfred, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Mills, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Campbell, Mrs. G. Flint, Lizzie Nealy, Chas. Nealy, Mary Barber, Catherine Brown and Mary Wallace.
S. M. Neely and W. H. Andree were the first elders of the church. Rev. W. J. Banker was succeeded by Rev. A. W. Thomson, and Fairview was grouped with the Manning church. The rapid growth of Manilla during the year 1886, urged the advisability of establishing the church in that city. The members favored this arrangement, and the first services were held in February, 1886, in the furniture store of Thew Bros. Improvised seats, arranged by placing boards across boxes and barrels, were provided. The first sermon was preached by Rev. W. J. Banker. The need for a church building was at once felt, and Mr. Neely was appointed as solicitor, collector and building committee. As a school building was also needed, it was agreed that the church should allow the schools to use the building free for one year. The Milwaukee railroad land
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company presented the lot upon which the church was built. Much of the labor was also donated, and the first services were held in April, 1887. The first trustees of the Manilla church were, S. M. Neely, Lee Alfred, and T. J. Camp- bell. Mr. A. S. Avary was secretary and treasurer. The list of pastors is as follows: Rev. W. G. Banker, Rev. A. W. Thompson, Rev. W. C. Paden, Rev. A. J. Burnett, Rev. M. E. Krotzer. In 1894 the Manilla church was made an independent organization. Rev. John R. Jones was the first pastor of the in- dependent church. He was followed by Rev. J. H. Carpenter, Rev. Robt. Tweed, Rev. T. W. Malcolm, Rev. A. J. McMurtry. The old church served its pur- poses until 1896, when a new building was erected at a cost of $5,000, and was dedicated free of debt Jan. 12, 1896. The church has a seating capacity of 700, is fitted with modern heating and lighting apparatus. The handsome manse is located south of the church and is also free from debt. The pastors succeeding Rev. McMurtry were Rev. U. S. Lacey, Rev. James Sweeney, who died after but a short pastorage, Rev. A. McD. McIntosh, who is the present pastor. The present officers are: Trustees, R. C. Jackson, Frank Brown, John Calvin, Geo. Naseworth, Chas. Sykes, John McLaren, Clayton Baker, Wm. Theobald.
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