USA > Iowa > Madison County > History of Madison County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 12
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After 1850 out-door meetings holding "over Sunday" and for longer periods, began to increase in number and continued the fashion many years. By 1805 they began to go out of vogue and since have been almost abandoned.
METHODIST
The first Methodist minister who preached in Winterset was George W. Teas, who was appointed to the Three Rivers Mission, a circuit formed at a session of the lowa conference held at Fort Madison, in August. 1849. Andrew Coleman, who was the presiding elder of the Des Moines District at that time, visited the county during the year and preached at the various appointments in the county. It was during this year. 1849, that the first church organization at Winterset was formed. It consisted of ten members, as follows: Claiborne Pitzer, who was appointed class leader ; E. R. Guiberson, wife and mother ; Israel Guiberson, Thomas Ainsley, Esther Ainsley. James Folwell and wife and Martin Ruby.
Parson Teas appears to have had reasonable success, as he reported one hun- dred and fifty-four members, nineteen probationers and one local preacher at the end of one year. This, of course, included the members on the whole Three Rivers circuit. This man, Teas, seems, however, to have had some trouble with his presiding elder later on and withdrew from the church, announcing his with- drawal by the following poetic couplet, which was published in one of the Des Moines papers :
"Let it be known from shore to shore. G. W. Teas is a Methodist no more."
In the course of a few years the trouble was adjusted and Mr. Teas returned to the fold, when he announced the fact in a like poetic effusion :
"Let it be known among all men. G. W. Teas is a Methodist again."
The next session of the lowa conference was held at Fairfield, August 7, 1850, when D. Worthington was appointed presiding elder of the district and Rev. G. Case was sent to the Madison County work. In 1851 John Hayden be- came presiding elder and David T. Sweem was sent to this county. That year there were reported 329 members, twenty-nine probationers and five local preachers.
Until September, 1852, the Three Rivers circuit was in existence and this included a greater part of Warren County, as well as Madison County. Sep- tember 29th the Three Rivers circuit was divided. the cast part becoming the Indianola circuit and the west part the Winterset mission. Robert G. Hawn was sent to Madison County. R. Swearingen was the next minister and he served two
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WINTERSET
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
years. Ile was unusually successful, the membership more than doubling during his pastorate. The next conference was held in Keokuk, September 26, 1855. J. B. Hardy was appointed presiding elder of the district and Winterset was left without a minister. The presiding ekler then appointed Leonard Parker to the place. There were the following appointments at this time: Winterset, Paytons, Worthington and Darnalls, Brooklyn and other appointments in the county having been detached and made a part of another mission. Samuel Weeks was the next pastor and he was succeeded by James Haines in 1857, whose salary was $320. S. M. Goodfellow was appointed to the charge in 1858, and his health failing, he resigned and was succeeded by C. C. Mabec. The next preacher was W. S. Peter- son. In 1859 the lowa conference was divided and Winterset became a part of the new Des Moines conference. The first session of the Des Moines conference was held at Indianola, August 28, 1860. Sanford Haines was elected presiding elder and U. P. Golliday was sent to Winterset. In 1861 J. F. Goolman was sent to Winterset but soon after he resigned to enter the army as captain of Company H. Twenty-third Iowa Infantry. lle was succeeded by Dugald Thompson ; then came R. S. Robinson, C. J. Nixon and C. C. Mabee again in 1864-5.
It was not until 1865 that Winterset became a station. Up till this time it had been a part of a circuit and the time of the pastor was divided between this and other appointments. The different appointments as classes of the church in the county at that time were as follows: Lindens, Lavertys, Allcocks, Smiths, Flem- ings and Linn Grove. The appointments in the south part of the county were formed into a circuit in 1858, called Brooklyn circuit and J. B. Rawls became the pastor. Both Rawls and one of his successors, Charles Woolsey, died on the circuit and their remains were buried in the old Ebenezer cemetery. There are now twenty Methodist Church buildings in the county and several preaching appointments where they do not own a church building. They are located as follows: Jefferson Township, one; Webster, three; Madison, two; Penn, one ; Douglas, one; Crawford, two; Scott. two; Grand River, two; Monroe, two; Walnut, one; Ohio, one; South, two; Winterset, one. The pastors in Winterset in more recent years have been : H. H. O'Neal, J. F. Goolman, B. F. W. Koser. J. A. Smith, E. M. H. Fleming, J. W. Todd, W. F. Laidley, C. H. Newell, W. D. Bennett, W. C. Martin, Artemus Brown, J. R. Horswell, C. L. Nye, Fred Harris, WV. G. Riheldaffer, C. J. English, R. W. Matheny, Eugene W. F. Requa, Walburn and W. G. Hohanshelt, the present pastor.
PRESBYTERIAN
In 1854 Rev. J. C. Ewing, of the New School branch of the Presbyterian Church, came to Winterset and gathered what people he could find of like religious faith and organized a church. The organization was completed October 10, 1854, and it was taken into the care of the Presbytery of Des Moines, with Mr. Ewing as pastor. The first members were: John S. Gaff, Margaret , Gaff, Dr. J. II. Gaff, David Lamb, Polly Ann Hawkins, Martha K. Karns, Emily Hornback, Mary Dorrence. Dr. J. H. Gaff and David Lamb were elected elders.
In 1855 a new church building was begun and completed. It stood on the corner where is now the Church of Christ. In 1864 Mr. Ewing resigned and
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was succeeded by Rev. A. M. Heiser. This gentleman was a man of much ability and great religious zeal, many of his sermons by request having been published in the local press of that time.
In 1857 the Old School Presbyterian Church was organized by a committee of which Rev. Mr. Jacobs, of Knoxville, was chairman. The organization at first consisted of eleven members, of which J. R. MeCall and J. D. Jencks were elected elders. Walter L. Lyons was the first pastor and served during the buik- ing of the church edifice, which was in 1859. This building was situated where the electric light plant is now located. It was used for church purposes till the completion of the new Presbyterian Church, when it was used for school purposes till the North Ward school building was erected, when it was abandoned and became the property of the city and was used as a home for the fire engine. When the powerhouse was erected it was moved to the land owned by B. L. Sprinkle and reconstructed into a barn where it still stands. Rev. T. J. Taylor was the second pastor of this church and he resigned in 1862 to become chaplain in the army.
As before stated, the New School Church was in charge of Rev. D. M. Heiser in 1864. The pulpit of the Old School Church had been vacant for two years and through the efforts of Reverend Heiser there was a union formed of the two branches. This occurred December 15, 1867. Rev. E. Dickinson succeeded Mr. Heiser and served till April. 1870. He was succeeded by J. 11. Potter, who came September 1, 1870. Mr. Potter was remarkably successful and served the church with great acceptability for thirteen years. It was under his pastorate that the present substantial church edifice was built. It was completed and dedi- cated in 1876, at a cost of $14,000.
Reverend Potter was succeeded by Dr. Il. M. Robertson, October 29, 1883. who was followed by Rev. H. C. Herring, January 1. 1800. The ministers since that time have been Reverends Ely, McDonald. Marquis and Rev. James Corkey, who has served this congregation for the past eight years.
During the year 1885 an addition was built to the church and in 1890 an elegant parsonage was erected.
TRINITY EPISCOPAL
The Episcopalians have never been strong in numbers in Winterset. A few families have lived here for many years. Some thirty or more years ago an ยท organization was formed and a small chapel was erected. Services have been held from time to time by clergymen who have visited the city for that purpose. In 1881 and 1882 Rev. R. W. Estabrook was the regularly installed pastor, and it is believed he is the only resident pastor the church has ever had. Services are now only occasionally held. Among some of the leading members of the church in the past have been C. W. Hale and family, Mrs. C. B. Welch, Mrs. Winchester and Mrs. A. Crawford.
CATHOLIC
There are many people of the Catholic faith in and around Winterset. They have two church buildings in the county, the oklest and largest being located in
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OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHERCH, WINTERSET
Built in 1\59. Has served as church, schoolhouse and fire engine station, and is now used as a stable
OLD CATHOLR CHERCH, WINTERSET
Replaced by a magnificent new church
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WINTERSET
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BAPTIST CHURCH, WINTERSET Burned February, 1905. Rebuilt on same foundation
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Lee Township. For many years after an organization was formed in Winterset, services were held in leased rooms. More than thirty years ago a church building was erected in the west part of town and furnished in an elaborate manner. The Misses Horan, James Swift and John Fox were largely instrumental in securing the erection of the church building. This building was replaced by a modern structure, of pleasing architectural design, in 1911. Among its more recent active members in Winterset may be mentioned Dr. Jessie V. Smith, Mrs. B. F. Min- turn and Mrs. F. D. Davenport. Among the pastors who have served this people may be mentioned Revs. Fathers J. M. Dunnion, M. V. Rice, J. W. Murphy and Patrick Feeley, James A. Troy, William J. Churchill, and the present pastor, Rev. J. C. White, who took charge of the parish in October, 1914.
FIRST CHRISTIAN
It is well authenticated that the Elder Thomas Cason of this church was one of the first preachers in Madison County. Aside from the fact, nothing is known about his efforts to establish a religious organization. In 1853 Rev. A. D. Kellison and wife organized the First Christian Church at Winterset. A substantial church building was erected in 1855 and met the requirements of the organization until 1896, when it was torn down and a commodious and modern church was erected. Mr. and Mrs. Kellison preached for the church until 1858. Other early pastors were Rev. A. Bradfield, Elders Storr and Bishop. Reverends Fuller and Jellison were later pastors. In 1891 Rev. W. B. Golden was the pastor and he was followed by Reverend Howard, who remained several years. Under the efforts of the latter the congregation was materially built up and it was largely through his untiring efforts that the church building was erected. The next pastor was Rev. L. E. Follensbee, who has since achieved quite a reputation on the lecture platform. His successor was Rev. E. E. Bennett, who was followed by Rev. Grafton. The church is now without a pastor.
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Among the prominent members in early times were the families of John Rogers, William Compton, Doctor Philbrick, David Bishop, John Brinson, A. J. Adkinson and Mrs. Ogden.
This denomination had an organization and church building at Peru in carly times. More recently the building has been removed to the new town.
BAPTIST
This society was organized by Dr. J. A. Nash in January, 1856, with a mem- bership of twelve. Services were held wherever a room could be secured until 1859. In 1857 Rev. A. W. Russell became the pastor, giving this charge half of his time. In 1858 a lot was secured and work was begun on the erection of a stone church. The work was slow. The completion of the stone walls exhausted all the available funds, when Deacon Read sold a farm and used the proceeds in finishing the building. Judge Leonard seated the house and built the pulpit. From the time the church was dedicated until the new church was built there was scarcely a Sunday that some kind of religious services were not held within its walls. The new church building was commenced in 1886. It was completed
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
and dedicated February 20, 1887. On the morning of February 12, 1905, from some unknown cause the building caught fire and was burned out, leaving the walls standing in such condition that they could not be used in rebuilding the edifice. Work was immediately begun on another building and funds were soon secured which, supplemented by the amount received for insurance, enabled the congregation to complete the work. The new building was dedicated December 31. 1905, at which time enough money was pledged to pay the entire indebtedness. This is now the largest and most beautiful church in the county. The following have been some of the pastors of this church: \. W. Russell served the church at the time the first building was erected. He was succeeded by W. . \. Eggles- ton, who served for several years. He resigned on account of poor health and died soon afterwards. Next came O. T. Conger, who was succeeded by Reverends Garton, Delano, John Gulton. W. A. Welsher. W. A. Weaver and G. C. Peck. the latter being the pastor at the time the second church building was dedicated. lle served the church for several years, during which time the membership was greatly increased. Then followed Revs. C. Holmes, Anthony Jacobs, P. II. McDowell, and Fred Berry. During the pastorate of the latter the church flour- ished as never before. Before coming to Winterset he had been engaged in , evangelistie work and this characterized his labors while pastor here. He finally resigned to again enter the evangelistic work in the state. For a time thereafter the pulpit was vacant and then came Rev. Fred Berry, whose successor was Reverend Atwood, who died within a short time after leaving the charge. Hc was followed by Reverend Stewart, whose successor was Reverend Moon.
There was formerly a Baptist Church in Patterson but in later years the or- ganization has gone down. There was a Baptist Church in Ohio Township. which was burned in 1912. A few years ago the Old School Baptists erected a church building in the cemetery north of Winterset.
UNITED PRESBYTERIANS .
In August. 1855, the Associate Reform Congregation of Winterset was or- ganized with fifteen members, and afterward the Associate Congregation or- ganized with six members. In 1858 after the general union of the Associate and Associate Reform Churches under the name of United Presbyterian, these two congregations united and became the United Presbyterian Church of Win- terset, having forty members. The first United Presbyterian minister coming to Winterset was Rev. David Lindsay. He was followed by James Green. Among the members of pioneer times were Reverends Patterson, Christy, Vance, Stur- geon, Steel and Sawhill. In May. 1856, Rev. John Graham located on a farm near Winterset and frequently preached to the people. Rev. C. T. McCaughan was the first regularly installed pastor of the church. He remained six years. during which time the congregations at Patterson, North Branch, Union and Peru were organized. The two fatter still exist and have commodious church buildings, the one from P'itzer having been moved from its former location a few years ago. For about three years Rev. J. U. McClinahan was pastor of the church at Winterset, then the pulpit was supplied for a time by Henry Wallace. A. M. Campbell then served several years. Then came Rev. J. H. White, who was followed by Reverend Dugan. The present pastor is Reverend Stewart.
REV. C. T. McCAUGHAN
Came to Madison County in 1865 and was pastor of the United Presbyterian Church in Winterset for many years. As- sisted in organizing and building up five other churches in the county. Born in Trigg County, Kentucky, in 1814, and died in Winterset, October 13, 1909, at the age of ninety-five years. Grand- father of Charles Trumbull White, editor of "Everybody's."
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
SEVENTII-DAY ADVENTISTS
This church is appropriately named, from its two prominent tenets of faith ; seventh-day meaning the Sabbath, which they observe as a day of rest; Ad- ventist, meaning a belief in the speedy coming, a second time, of Christ. The church building where they worship was erected in 1882. They have no stated pastor, but hold regular services, at which some one of the members officiates. A. J. Stiffler was for many years a prominent member, but he removed to Oregon some years ago, where his death occurred.
CHURCH OF C11R1ST
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The first meetings of this denomination were held in a log schoolhouse about a mile and a half east of Winterset. The church was first organized in Winterset in 1856, occupying rooms upstairs on the north side of the square. Peter Russell was among the first pastors. In 1857 a frame building, where now stands the residence of Ben Bare, was used for church services and at the close of the Civil war the congregation purchased the building owned by the Old School Presbyterians and this served as their house of worship till the new church was erected in 1899. The pastors who have served this congregation are: Revs. J. P. Roach, J. K. Cornell, D. R. Dungan, O. H. Derry, J. M. Lowe, Hodkinson, Major, Veach, J. H. Ragan, O. M. Pennock, S. D. Harlan, and the present pastor, Rev. L. F. Davis.
There are four other churches of this denomination in the county-Early Chapel in Jackson Township, one in Barney, one at Patterson and one at St. Charles. The Patterson church met with an irreparable loss in the death of Butler Bird. The church at Barney is a comparatively new organization and is in a prosperous condition. Early Chapel was named in honor of the Early family which has resided in that vicinity for many years. It is a beautiful and well kept building on a commanding site in one of the best farming communities of the county.
CHURCH OF CHRIST IN CIIRISTIAN UNION
Some fifteen years ago Reverend Quick came to Winterset and after preaching in a tent for some time, organized a church and soon afterward secured funds from the people of the town to build a church. Reverend Quick was followed by Rev. Joseph Griffin.
This denomination has another organization and building in Lincoln Township.
UNITED BRETHREN
This denomination has five church buildings and organizations in Madison County, and all are in a flourishing condition. The strongest and probably the oldest organization is the Shambaugh Chapel, in the northeastern part of Jeffer- son Township. There are two other churches in this township-Jefferson in the Vol. 1- 7
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
southeast part and North River in the Brittain neighborhood. Rev. E. W. Curtis, who was largely instrumental in forming the organization at Jefferson and North River, served as pastor a number of years.
Providence Chapel is located near Middle River, in Scott Township. The members of the organization worshipped for many years in the schoolhouse near by. For several years past they have worshipped in a neat church building which bears the name of Providence. In 1860 Rev. John Blair came from Ken- tucky with twelve yoke of oxen, several horses, one carriage and numerous rela- tives. They left their native state on account of their hostility to slavery. They settled in Scott and South townships principally, and Blair Chapel was the out- growth of this immigration. It is located in South Township, near the Craw- ford Township line. A number of years ago the building burned and it was replaced by a neat and substantial edifice.
THE FRIENDS
There are two localities in Madison County where there are quite a number belonging to this church. Earlham and vicinity was largely settled by them and that unusually fine body of land extending from the west part of Madison Town- ship eastward is called "Quaker Divide" because so many of the early farmers belonged to that church. The Town of Earlham from the start has had a large number of this faith and among its adherents may be found some of the most prominent citizens. The town itself was named in honor of Earlham College in Indiana, a school maintained by the Friends. In Ohio Township is another settle- ment largely made up of Friends. Oak Run is the name of the home of the organi- zation.
CHAPTER XI
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION
The pioneers of the healing art in Madison County were the guardians of a widely dispersed population. Aside from their professional duties, they con- tributed their full share to the material development of a newly opened country. Some were men of culture, who had gained their medical education in college. Others were of limited educational attainments, whose professional knowledge had been acquired in the offices of established practitioners of more or less ability in the sections from which they emigrated. Of either class almost without excep- tion, they were practical men of great force of character who gave cheerful and efficacious assistance to the suffering, daily journeying on horseback scores of miles, over a country almost destitute of roads and encountering swollen, unbridged streams, without waterproof garments or other now common protection against the elements. Out of necessity the pioneer physician developed rare quick- ness of perception and self-reliance. A specialist was then unknown, and the physician was called upon to treat every phase of bodily ailment, serving as physician, surgeon, oculist and dentist. His books were few and there were no practitioners of more ability than himself with whom he might consult. His medicines were simple and carried on his person and every preparation of pill or solution was the work of his own hands.
PIONEER PHYSICIANS
Dr. J. H. Gaff was the pioneer doctor of Madison County and the first one to commence the practice in Winterset, setting up his office in the spring of 1850 in the recorder's office, which necessarily occupied a small space in the primitive log cabin built as the first courthouse. He put up one of the first log houses in the county seat and in this humble dwelling he lived and boarded the young single men until they were able to set up an establishment of their own. Doctor Gaff was a "regular" and his kindly face was known throughout the county during its infancy.
Dr. L. M. Tidrick studied medicine while living in Ohio and graduated from the St. Louis College of Medicine. For a short time in 1850 he practiced in Des Moines and in the spring of 1851 located in Winterset, opening an office in the log courthouse. He was a man of acknowledged ability in his chosen profession and his kind and sympathetic nature made him a welcome visitor in the sick room. Doctor Tidrick was a member of the State Medical Association, also the Madison County Medical Association, and one of its organizers. He married Martha Bell in 1854 and in 1855 was elected county treasurer.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Dr. William Leonard was one of Madison County's leading physicians and surgeons and also an Ohioan. He turned his eyes westward in 1859 and located in Winterset, then a village of a few houses. Ile read medicine in his native state ; graduated from the Ohio Medical College in 1852 and from Jefferson Medical College ( Philadelphia) in 1854. He began practice in his native state and coming here, soon became a leader and a success in the profession of medi- cine. In 1862, Doctor Leonard was appointed assistant surgeon of the Thirty- ninth Iowa Infantry, which position he filled until April, 1863. when he received the appointment of post surgeon at Corinth, Mississippi, and was assigned to the staff of Gen. Grenville M. Dodge. In October of that year he became surgeon, by commission, of the Seventh Illinois Infantry, which office he retained until the close of the Civil war. Doctor Leonard was a member of the State Medical Association and of the Madison County Medical Association; he also held the office of county treasurer one term.
Dr. J. 11. Mack was a good physician, but a better business man. He was from the "Buckeye" state and located at Macksburg in 1857. Ile walked from Des Moines to Grand River Township and settling there, soon acquired several hundred acres of choice land. Doctor Mack was patriotic and enlisted for the Civil war in the Forty-seventh Jowa Infantry. Returning to Macksburg he resumed the practice of his profession and ministered to a large and paying clientele. Ile served in the Legislature, as representative in the 22d and 23d sessions.
Dr. J. A. Rawls was considered an intelligent physician and skilled surgeon. lle graduated from the Ohio Medical College in 1876, but was a resident of the county as early as 1850. Macksburg was his chosen headquarters, and here, and in the surrounding country, he enjoyed a good practice.
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