USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 35
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This order was established at Bloomfield, Davis county, in 1871. with the fol- lowing charter members: William J. Law, William C. Johnson, J. K. Sheaffer. Samuel Cowen, Thomas B. Myers, Harvey B. Kettleman. Charles L. Penning- ton, Charles M. Burgess, Samuel S. Carruthers. On October 23. 1878, the com- mandery was transferred to Centerville, and on that evening the following officers were installed: S. H. Sawyers, E. C .; Nelson Rogers, G .: J. K. Boyles. C. G .; W. S. Johnson, Prelate; J. 1 .. Berch. S. W .; F. M. Drake, J. W. ; L. Mellenry. W .; J. N. Riggs, S. B .; A. Hicks, Sword B .; Levi Clemmens, treasurer ; B. . 1. Ogle, recorder. The first candidate knighted at Centerville was HI. C. Bowen.
The present officers are: J. C. llenaman. E. C .: C. A. Farrington. G. : W. J. Phillips. Jr .. C. G .: M. E. Chatley, Prelate : L. 1. Whitsell. S. W. : B. F. Sturdi- vant, J. W .: W. S. Fox, recorder : G. M. Barnett, treasurer. The lodge has a membership of 135.
CENTERVILLE CHAPTER, NO. 239, ORDER OF EASTERN STAR
was organized several years ago, and has for its present officers: Mrs. Clara Ilanson. W. M .; 11. E. Link, W. P .; Mrs. Chloe Miller. A. W. M. : Mrs. Claud Henaman, conductress: Mrs. William Ballenger, acting conductress : Mrs. Ada Peavey, secretary ; Miss Martha Halden, treasurer.
LILET.
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Glen Hagan Park Lincoln School Garfield School Catholic Church
Baptist Church St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital Elk- Home Country Club
CENTERVILLE SCENES
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
CENTER LODGE, NO 76, 1. 0. 0. F.
This body dates from July 19, 1855, when it was constituted by J. C. Dunn, of Bloomfield. The first officers were: Amos Harris, N. G .; J. G. Brown, V. G .: J. L. Armstrong, secretary : P. Allen, treasurer. The other charter members were: E. H. Robley and J. Lankford. On the evening of the organization !I. Tannehill, William Clark, John K. Allen and Joseph McGowan were initiated.
The first meetings were held at the old schoolhouse and later on in Judge Harvey Tannehill's office. \ room was then secured over Wittenmeyer's store where it remained until 1800 and then a two-story brick building at the northeast corner of the square was purchased and the upper story of this was used until 1876. In this year the Odd Fellows joined with the First National Bank in erect- ing a building, the third story being apportioned to the lodge, which it owns, and y "pre beautiful lodge rooms and other apartments are used by the members, of which there are now about 200.
The present officers are: G. C. Kinion, N. G .: F. M. Hamilton, V. G .: G. A. Ellis, F. S. : Jacob Martin, I. S. : E. S. Stites, treasurer ; G. S. Dotson, C. E. Camp- bell and Harry Simmons, trustees.
CENTERVILLE LODGE, NO. 64. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
was organized October 20, 1882. by Il. D. Walker, with the following charter members: John Henderson, A. C. Baker. W. F. Dickey. T. G. Manson, C. J. Brown, G. D. Barnthouse, E. C. Haynes, S. A. Pennington, D. Spaulding. . \. 11. Eells. J. T. Trigg. I. C. Simms, L. Roth, Joseph Payton, W. H. Lee. Joe Gray, 11. Loude, Levi Clemens, J. L. Harvey, D. C. Bradley, E. Savage, J. Lari- mer. C. Barlow. W. E. Selby, Crail Wiley, W. H. Boggs, G. B. Shinogle, E. Park- erson. Sam Gates and G. W. Needels.
The membership of the lodge is 35. Meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesday evenings in the Odd Fellows hall. The present officers are : C. C., John Morris : V. C., D. C. O'Neil ; prelate, I .. Patterson ; M. of W .. E. C. Haynes: K. of R. S., Il. C. Haynes ; M. of F., George Duckworth ; M. of E., W. M. Evans: M. of A. John Painter ; 1. G., G. B. Shinogle.
BENEVOLENT PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS
The Elks lodge of Centerville, bearing the number 940, was organized Decem- ber 20, 1004, by several men of the order, whose homes were at Centerville and member- in other lodges, nearly all of them belonging to Lodge No. 347. The charter members were: Alexander Weller, J. B. Gaylor, W. R. C. Kendrick, S. M. Brown, Robert A. Mckee, E. D. Heaton. C. C. Stephenson. R. L. Robertson, Henry S. Moore, W. 1 .. Halden, IT. V. Brown, T. 11. Dillon, M. 11. Beer, H. C. Adams, J. I .. Mechem, C. J. Lane. J. C. Huggins, E. E. Heaton, W. S. Hays. J. 2. Adams, T. G. Fee.
The first officials were: Exalted ruler. G. C. Haynes; esteemed leading knight. Robert A. Mckee; esteemed loyal knight, D. C. Bradley; esteemed lecturing knight, F. B. McCreary ; secretary, J. Q. Adams; treasurer. J. A. Bradley ; tyler. Claude A. Baker : trustees, C. P. Bowen, E. E. Bamford, Alexander Weller.
: ol. 1-22
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
The present officers are : H. C. Haynes, exalted ruler; W. M. Evans, leading knight ; Pierce Wilson, loyal knight ; J. Q. Adams, lecturing knight; F. C. Mor- gan, secretary; D. Boyd Brann, librarian; C. Ward Howell, tyler; . A. W. Bar- low, J. C. Huggins, J. L. Mechem, trustees. There have been 295 members taken into the lodge by initiation and at this time ( 1912) the membership numbers 248.
In March, 1905, the lodge purchased the C. W. Lewis home, on South Main street, which it used as a club house. On March 16, 1909, the present club house, on East State street, was dedicated. The cost of this building was $22,000. The lodge room is on the second floor. On the first floor is a billiard room, reception room, ladies' parlor, one large general room. The basement is divided into a dining room, kitchen, swimming pool, 20 x 50 feet, shower and tub baths, fur- nace, coal and storage rooms.
LOCAL UNION 553, UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA
This society was organized November 15, 1898. with thirteen charter mem- bers, as follows: A. W. Faris, A. W. Halden, O. P. Barton, S. J. Crase, John Garrison, Peter Sibert, T. T. Prough, James E. Blake, E. Larsen, John F. Mur- phy, C. J. Bowers and W. O. Hurst. The first president was A. W. Faris and the first secretary, S. J. Crase.
The present membership is 1,200, and this society is the second largest order in the state. The present officials are : President, Roy Hardman ; vice president, Richard Good ; recording secretary, John Bailey ; financial secretary, George Duck- worth ; treasurer, Frank Herbert ; trustees, C. F. Myers, F. W. Easton and Alex- ander Hoag.
MINERS' HIALL
The members of Centerville Union purchased the new Lewis business build- ing on North Thirteenth street about the year 1903. paying in full $4,200. The second story was at once remodeled, to suit the needs and convenience of the fraternity, which cost an additional outlay of money. The lodge hall is very commodious and the decorations meet the approval of those having an eye to beauty and the harmony of colors. In a room facing the street the secretary has an office and an outer, or lounging room for the members.
MISCELLANEOUS SOCIETIES
Anna Rebekah Lodge, No. 95. Loyalty Lodge, No. 246, Ancient Order of United Workmen. Centerville Homestead, No. 27, Brotherhood of American Yeomen. Centerville Court, No. 298, Court of Honor. Court Appanoose, No. 15, Foresters of America. Troy Lodge, No. 246, Jowa Legion of Honor.
Tent No. 60, Knights of the Maccabees.
Hive No. 39, Ladies of the Maccabees. Centerville Lodge, No. 15 (colored) Knights of Pythias. Centerville Council, No. 1238, Knights and Ladies of Security. Centerville Nest, No. 1275, Order of Owls.
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
Appanoose Camp. No. 3553. Modern Woodmen of America.
Golden Rod Camp, No. 571. Royal Neighbors of America.
Appanoose Camp. No. 340, Woodmen of the World.
Appanoose County Editorial Association.
Centerville Commercial Club.
Merchants Association.
UNIONS
Barbers Local, No. 369.
Bricklayers International, No. 15. Centerville Plasterers, No. 445.
International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Stablemen and Helpers Local No. 321.
Centerville Local, No. 597. United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
Keokuk Division, No. 56. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
Patrick Walsh Lodge, No. 531, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers.
J. W. Phillips Lodge, No. 104. Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.
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CHAPTER XXII
CENTERVILLE A CITY OF CHURCHES-THE METHODIST THE FIRST TO BE ORGANIZED -- MANY HANDSOME CHURCH EDIFICES-HISTORY OF THE MOST PROMINENT.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The First Methodist Episcopal church was organized by the Rev. Hugh Gibson at the home of William S. Manson, about a mile and a half south of Centerville, in the year 1846. It consisted of six members, as follows: William S. Manson, Isabel Manson, Jesse Wood. Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Rebecca Hopkins and Mrs. Caugh- ran. This was the first religious society organized in Appanoose county.
.At that time the town of Centerville was just platted but no buildings were erected until in 1847. William S. Manson preached the first sermon in the town of Centerville. It is said that he used the head of a whiskey barrel for a pulpit. The society grew in numbers and strength so that in the year 1852 a lot was purchased on the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets and a church 30x40 feet was built at a cost of about $800. Previous to this time meetings were held in private houses and at a log schoolhouse in the southeast part of town. After moving into the new church, a Sunday school was organized, with Frank Spooner as superintendent. In these early times society was in a very crude state ; the people were poor and lived in primitive style; the church was lighted by candles around the walls; no carpet was on any part of the floor or pulpit; there was but one heating stove and it was placed in the center of the room and a wagon load of coal would be piled around it. There were but few clocks among the people, so they guessed at the church time. The congregation was very irregular in gathering. It was the custom of those coming early to gather in groups in the church and talk loudly about their crops, cattle, etc. In the warm weather the men came to church without coats, and the women wore sunbonnets which they would remove from their heads and use as fans. The church was the best audience room in the town. Political meetings and other public gatherings were held there. At one time court was held in the church. About the year 1858 William S. Manson was elected justice of the peace and had his office in the church.
From the organization of the church up to 1868 the society belonged to the Centerville circuit, which at that time comprised most of Appanoose county which lies west of the Chariton river. The pastors who served the circuit from the beginning up to 1855, as nearly as can be ascertained, were: Thompson, Rowley, Winings, Darrah, Gibson, Dennis, Prather and Dixon. In the fall of 1855 R. B. Allender came on the circuit and remained two years. While he was here
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IHISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
a parsonage was bought, which was located on the corner of Washington and School streets. There was an indebtedness hanging on the parsonage which for several years was a thorn in the side of the official board. Rev. Allender's successors were: E. L. Briggs, assisted by J. B. Hill, one year, 1857-58; George S. Clark, 1858-60; Cyrus Morey, 1860-62; Rev. Crellin, 1862-63; George W. Byrkit, 1863-65; John Welsh, three months; R. Stephens, who filled out the year 1865-66; J. H. Hopkins, 1866-68.
In 1868 Centerville was made a station, with Miltiades Miller as preacher in charge. For years there had been trouble on the music quesion. The opposi- tion to the introduction of books with music or the use of a tuning fork was so great that some withdrew on that account. In 1870 a new parsonage was built on the corner of Jefferson and Van Buren streets, at a cost of about $1,200. It contained six rooms and was good for that day. The church buikling was now growing old-it had served its day. To those who were associated with it in early days it was indeed a hallowed spot. Here many a hard battle had been fought with the Powers of Darkness and many a glorious victory won. Here many who are now safe in the "Land beyond the river," were born into the kingdom. Here we had looked for the last time into the pale faces of our loved ones. We give the names of a few of those who loved to worship in the old church and who have entered into the Church Triumphant : Perry Stewart, Benjamin Spooner, Rebecca Alexander, Frank Spooner. W. S. Manson and wife. Sister Mansfield, Samuel Dickey, Lucian Briant, Sarah J. Rummel, Elizabeth Hinkle, Henry Afferbaugh, John Pullman and wife. Marcia L. Green. Jacob Williams, Joshua Miller and wife, Mary A. Mashon and others.
In the fall of 1876 the foundation for a new.church was laid on the corner of Washington and Main streets. The building committee consisted of D. N. Steel. J. R. Wooden and J. W. Williams. The corner stone was laid ceremonially by Rev. T. E. Corkhill in August, 1877. The articles deposited in the corner stone were a bible, a hymn book, discipline of the Methodist Episcopal church, church almanac for the year 1877. the Christian Advocate, the Western Christian Advo- cate, Central Christian Advocate, the Citizen, Tribune and Journal ( papers pub- lished in Centerville), a register of the names of the presiding elder of the dis- trict, pastor of the society, the building committee, trustees, stewards, local preachers, class leaders, superintendent of the Sunday school, the names of all the members of the society, and of all persons contributing to the erection of the church and the amount contributed by each, the names of the mechanics who erected the house, the names of the pastors of the several churches in the town, an Iowa Official and Statistical Table for 1876, also a list of the city officers of Centerville and the valuation of the taxable property of Appanoose county for 1876. The church building was completed, and dedicated in the fall of 1878 by Bishop E. G. Andrews. The building was of brick, with furnace room in the basement, a gallery in front, with a class room underneath, and a chapel in the rear of the auditorium. The size of the building was 45x80 feet, the windows were memorial, and the cost of the building was about $7.000, with a bell that cost $400.
The society was incorporated conformably to the laws of the state of Iowa, January 10, 1878, and the names of M. M. Walden, J. A. Calvert. J. B. Maring, B. A. Ogle and J. W. Williams are in the articles of incorporation as trustees.
IHISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
The names of the pastors in charge of the society since it became a station, are as follows :
Miltiades Miller, 1868-69: R. S. Robinson, 1808-70; C. S. Jennis, 1870-71; J. A. Wilson. 1871-74; D. B. Smith died in 1874 and William Thatcher filled the unexpired term. 1874-75; T. E. Corkhill. 1875-77: 11. E. Wing. 1877-80; 1. P. Teater, 1880-83; W. G. Thorne, 1883-86: E. L. Schreiner, 1886-80; Dennis Murphy. 1880-90: T. J. Myers, 1800-91; C. V. Cowan, 1891-95: 1. O. Kemble, 1805-08: E. C. Brooks, 1898-1000; A. V. Kendrick, 1900-1903; W. P. Stoddard, 1003-00; W. H. Purdue, 1906-og; J. R. Hanley. 1909.
The New Church
The present building, a magnificent structure, was erected on the opposite corner from the old one, in 1905. The style of architecture is old English Gothic. The building is 100x200 feet. This includes the parsonage, which is attached to and is part of the south end of the edifice. The main auditorium will seat five hundred people and the main galleries two hundred. The chapel, which is a continuation of the auditorium and separated from it by folding doors, has a seating capacity, with the galleries, of four hundred, making in all eleven hundred. The cost was $40.000. The present membership of the church is 750.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Christian church at Centerville, like every other church which has attained to something of success, had its struggle for existence. Conditions forty years ago were quite different from those which attend our work now. Many of the difficulties of those earlier years have almost entirely disappeared. Our people at that time were not well known, and for the most part misunderstood. The truth we proclaimed was sure of final victory. However, the natural inertia of humanity is never more apparent than in the way in which it clings to the old, and the slowness with which it takes hold of the new. The first few years of the church in Centerville were years of struggle against prejudice with poor material equipment to impress the people with the thought of permanency. The financial problem was difficult, though the members were liberal with their means. But what loyalty there was in those days! These carly disciples knew whom they had believed.
The Christian church in Centerville was organized. August 10, 1867, with twenty-nine members as follows: Rebecca Stewart, Clarissa Chesman, Hannah Lee, Sarah Warheim, Julia A. Bennett, Joanna Root, L. C. Mechem, James S. Hamilton, Maria C. Mexander, William Morret, Ichabod Stewart, Silas D. Har- ris, J. C. Reynolds, Nancy Reynolds, Elizabeth Brough, L. J. Bennett, Jennie Har- ris, Lucy Che-man, Elizabeth Conger, Lois R. Morret. George W. Stewart, William Wilkes, Mary Wilkes, Lydia M. Parker, Margaret Breazeale, Ellen Hamilton. David 11. Stewart, M. Chastain, Eliza Chastain.
Centerville at that time was a town of less than one thousand inhabitants and Appanonse county contained a little over thirteen thousand people I. C. Sevey, who is now dead, preached for this little band of people occasionally for about a year and nine months. Their meetings were held in the court house. J.
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
A. Wilson served the church from May 1, 1869, to May 1, 1870, and was really the first pastor, though he preached but once a month. F. Walden, who held a meeting the previous year, succeeded him and preached one-half time. These pastorates just named cover what might be called the period of struggle for exist- ence. In October, 1872, F. M. Kirkham, later editor of The Christian Oracle for a number of years, became pastor. At the beginning of his pastorate the actual number of members was fifty-three: hence, in five years there had been a gain of twenty-four members. More had come into the church during that time but the actual gain was as above stated. F. M. Kirkham was the first minister to devote all of his time to the church. The foundations had been laid in the preceding years, and he built thereon most wisely. The congregation had been meeting in the Baptist church. Plans were laid for a building of their own. They secured a more permanent and prominent place in the community. During this pastorate, which lasted seven years, a very commodious, substantial and well equipped (for those times) brick building was constructed. Their build- ing committee, consisting of F. M. Drake, L. C. Mechem, Ab. Owens. F. M. Kirkham and M. H. Kirkham, was appointed January 5. 1873. The building was dedicated February 14, 1875. Its cost was $7.000. The dedicatory sermon was preached by George T. Carpenter, afterwards chancellor of Drake University. This building was occupied until April. 1903.
It was during the pastorate of F. M. Kirkham that our lamented brother, General F. M. Drake, came into vital touch with this church. His first gift of $500 to the church building, which was being erected, was the beginning of that remarkable benevolence of which the whole brotherhood came to know, and from which the church in every land has received great blessing. At the close of this pastorate in 1879, the membership was 234-a gain during the seven years of 181. H. U. Dale. now employed by the Benevolent Association, was the next pastor, serving from 1880 to 1885. Following him was D. W. Misener. now of California, who remained with the church about two years. J. P. Lucas served as pastor from 1887 to 1890. R. A. Gilcrest served from 1890 to 1804. H. H. Abrams succeeded him, and remained until October, 1896. The church had a steady growth during all these pastorates and the success of the recent years is largely due to the faithful sowing in former years. F. L. Moffett became pastor October 1, 1896, and remained with this charge for the extended period of ten years. It was Mr. Moffett, with the assistance of L. C. Mechem, who prepared this article for publication, which appeared in a booklet, entitled Historical Surveys of Prominent Churches, published by the Christian Century Company. Chicago, Illinois, in 1905.
In 1901 the present building was begun. Two who served on the building committee for the old church served on the building committee for the new one-F. M. Drake and L. C. Mechem. The foundation for the present building was laid in the fall of the year above named. It was dedicated Easter Sunday, April 12, 1903. There was no money to raise on dedication day ; all had been provided before. Its cost was $40,000. The pipe organ, costing $3.000. was presented by John A. Drake and Mrs. T. P. Shontz, wife of the chairman of the Panama Canal Commission. The building is constructed of granite brick and is thoroughly modern in all its appointments. It has a gallery in both the main auditorium and Sunday school room and seats 1,200 people. The building and
CHRISTIAN CHURCH, CENTERVILLE
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
equipment is a fit expression of the loyal lives who have labored through the years to build up the Kingdom of God in Centerville.
It is very largely in plan and structure the ideal of General Drake and his family. It is quite natural that the life of General Drake should make the Center- ville church known far and wide. Ilis name was always associated with this church and the church associated with him. But one who writes but briefly of the growth of the Christian church in Centerville must mention at least a few of the other faithful ones whose wisdom has guided and whose liberal contributions have supported the work of the Kingdom in this city. I. C. Mechem has been with the church as a wise counselor almost from its very beginning. Though a busy attorney, he has always found time to devote to the church; it is his chief joy. Joseph Goss, who has served as president of the official board and as elder, has been a strong support with wisdom and means for years. W. W. Oliver has given largely of time and means. A. Dargavel, for more than twenty years super- intendent of the Sunday school, has devoted time and means. C. W. Lane, who served as superintendent of the Sunday school for five years and also as an elder of the church, must be placed on this list. Senator L. L. Taylor, also an elder, has added much strength to the church. J. N. Dunbar, who has also served as an elder, has watched its growth with supreme delight. Dr. J. L. Sawyers, son-in-law of General Drake, has in recent years been a bulwark of strength. Although a busy man, he has never been so busy in his large practice that he could not attend all the important meetings of the church.
The church in Centerville has always been at peace : no friction in all of its history has ever disturbed it. Level-headed, successful business men have man- aged it. It has been a church with few short pastorates. Its first regular located pastor served the church seven years. It realizes that nothing mechanical or æesthetic can take the place of the old Gospel, yet it believes there is wisdom in making all things contribute to the Kingdom; hence for several years Professor C. R. Travis, formerly in charge of the Conservatory of Music at Cotner Uni- versity, had charge of the music, to the great delight of the congregation. * * *
The church in Centerville has had a natural and steady growth. Its progress has been quite gratifying. Its life has expressed itself in renewed missionary activity. It supports its own evangelist in the state, being the first state-living- link-church in lowa. Its possibilities are great.
"Not that we have already attained, but we are pressing forward."
At the close of the pastorate of F. 1 .. Moffett. October 1. 1900, John Sher- man Hill became pastor, serving until April 1, 1908. His successor was John H. Booth, who remained until October 1, 1910. The present pastor, M. E. Chatley, began his services with the church February 15. 1911.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The carly records being lost it is quite difficult to secure a full history during the formative period of the church. What is herein stated is based on the best available authority and is regarded correct. The initiative of the church is sub- stantially credited to C. H. Howell, who organized and conducted a Sunday school some time prior to 1848. Rev. James Harvey Shields moved to Unionville in 1848, supplying the church there and making Centerville a preaching point. In
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1HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY
the spring of 1849 he moved to Centerville. The Sunday school and church ser- vices were conducted in the old log court house until the completion of Mr. How- ell's store building in 1852, from which time services were held in the room over the store until the completion of the first church building. The church was formally organized in October, 1849, under Rev. Shields as supply. The funda- mental organization consisted of nine members. A number of other persons united with the new organization on the following Sunday, thus giving strength and courage. The first building, about 30 x 40 feet in size, was erected on the site of the present one. The brick was burned by Joseph Goss, and the building was erected mainly under the supervision of C. H. Ilowell. The seating was not secured until the following year. The first building served the church and community until 1870, when a new and larger building was erected on the same site. This was about 40 x 80 feet in size and was constructed of brick, at a cost of $5.000. This was then regarded as rather a pretentious effort for that day. In the summer of 1892 the following building committee was appointed to erect the third building : William Bradley, chairman; H. A. Russell, secretary; 11. Tanne- hill. D. N. Steele, A. J. McCoy. Some of the contracts were let in the fall of 1892. It was completed during the year 1893, at a cost of about $18,000, and was dedicated December 31st of that year, Dr. Willis Craig preaching the dedi- catory sermon.
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