USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > The history of Appanoose County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 52
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The compiler has not been able to see the record from 1867 to 1877.
Grave doubts having arisen as to the legality of the charter passed by the Legislature, it was abandoned February 22, 1870, and in the following month, the town incorporated under the general law. Some of the details of the change having been irregular, as well as some acts of the Council, a curative act was passed by the Sixteenth General Assembly to rectify the mistakes.
The present town officers are as follows: J. W. Farley, Mayor; D. S. McKeehan, Recorder ; F. M. Veach, A. Dargable, Thomas Wentworth, William Evans, M. H. Kirkham, Councilmen ; Joseph Payton, Marshal ; J. I. Ong, Assessor ; William Evans, Treasurer ; William Payton, Street Commissioner.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Centerville Hook and Ladder Company .- This is a re-organization of a com- pany which formed in 1872 and disbanded. The present Company, organized October 16, 1876, and succeeded to the outfit managed by its predecessor. Robert McGregor was elected Captain ; P. F. Cunningham, First Lieutenant ; J. C. Barrows, Second Lieutenant ; George W. Bell, Third Lieutenant; O. H. Sharp, Secretary ; W. T. Swearingen, Treasurer. These gentlemen still hold the positions noted above. There are about forty-five members.
The Company are anxious to procure fire apparatus corresponding with the times and with the growing needs of the town; but, so far, the boys have not succeeded. It is stated that a hand-engine will probably be purchased ; but this would seem to be doubtful economy at a time when prices of steam fire-machin- ery are so low. Centerville can well afford such an investment, and the spirit of the Fire Department would be thereby raise a hundred per cent.
EDUCATIONAL.
From 1848 forward, the people of Centerville have always been progressive in school matters. The first building, though built of logs, was a first-rate one in its day.
In 1854, the growth of the town required more space for school work, and it was cheerfully supplied by the erection of a two-story frame building, about 22x36 feet in size, which cost perhaps $1,500. C. H. Howell, G. W. Swear- ingen and D. P. Sparks constituted the School Board at the time, and John Lankford was one of the carpenters employed to build it. The building now stands a little distance from the southeast angle of the square.
In 1868, a large and shapely structure was built in the southeast part of the old town plat. This was of brick, three stories high and was to cost about $12,000. The plan was drafted by C. A. Dunham, of Burlington.
This building was almost completed, but before the carpenters' tools had been taken out, it was set on fire, and all the wood work destroyed. As stated by citizens of the town, a Mr. Holt, who had taught the school with great success,
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
and who had been engaged as Principal in the new building, had begun to man- ifest symptoms of insanity of so peculiar a character that the Board felt them- selves compelled to annul the contract. At the same time, Holt had been ignored as an instructor in a Teachers' Institute. Holt was known to have been in the building the night of the fire, but tolerably early. Two or three hours after, the roof was in flames, so certain were the people that Holt had lighted the fire, he was informed the next day that he must leave the town in an hour, which he was sane enough to do.
This was a heavy loss to the town, but the building was rebuilt in 1869, according to the former plan, and at about the same cost. The heavy debt caused by this double expense is now nearly paid, there being now about $1,400 yet oustanding.
The present Board is composed of Joseph Goss, S. W. Wright, T. M. Fee, C. W. Bowen, William Evans and Thomas Wentworth. J. C. Burrows is Sec- retary and D. C. Campbell, Treasurer.
C. W. Guthrie is Principal of the school ; Ella Smith, Grammar Depart- ment. The remaining teachers are J. W. Carey, Kate Elliott, Rosa Richard- son, Lou McLoughlin and Mr. Whitmer.
RELIGIOUS.
Methodist Episcopal .- The " Atlas of Iowa " says that William S. Manson had the honor of preaching the first sermon in the county west of Chariton River, and the place of preaching was at the first store started in the county. The Atlas adds that the first religious society organized in the county was at the house of W. S. Manson, by Rev. Hugh Gibson. It consisted of six mem- bers, to wit : Jesse Wood and wife, W. S. Manson and wife, Mrs. Rebecca Hopkins and Mrs. Caughran. This was the beginning of the present large and flourishing Methodist society of Centerville. Mr. Stratton says that this class was organized in 1848, but Mrs. Dr. Worthington, of Caldwell Township, says that she attended Baptist services west of Centerville in 1846, or the year fol- lowing ; hence it is probable that the society now known as Concord Church, a few miles northwest of Centerville, was formed about the same time.
The society grew rapidly during the first seven years of its existence, and, in 1852, had about seventy-five members. In that year, the church in the northeast part of the town was built. This is a frame building, about 30x40 feet in size, and cost $600 or $700. F. Spooner was Superintendent of the Sabbath school.
The Pastors who have ministered here, as nearly as can be ascertained, have been Rev. Messrs. Thompson, Manson, Rowley, Winings, Darrah, Gibson, Dennis, Prather, Dixon, N. B. Allender, Briggs, Hill, George Clark, Cyrus Mosey, Crellin, George W. Byrket, Hopkins, Welch, Stephenson, Thatcher,s Miltade Miller, Robinson, Jennis, Wilson, Smith, T. E. Corkhill and H. E. Wing.
The society has now about one hundred and fifty members. The Trustees are M. M. Walden, W. S. Johnson, J. W. Calvert, J. B. Maring, J. W. Will- iams ; and the Stewards are B. M. Steele, B. A. Ogle, Lee Johnson, E. T. Mowbray, Mrs. Ada Wright, T. M. Fee, H. B. Williams.
J. W. Calvert is Superintendent of the Sabbath school ; G. W. Guthrie, Assistant ; Lily Selby, Secretary ; H. B. Williams, Treasurer ; C. S. Williams, Librarian ; Elmer Stephenson, Assistant ; Miss Ella Williams, Organist. The teachers : G. W. Guthrie, Mrs. Rhoda Wentworth, Mrs. E. J. Holt, S. W. Stanton, Mrs. R. Bird, Lee Johnson, H. B. Williams, J. W. Williams, R.
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
Stevenson, Jr., C. S. Byrket, W. S. Johnson, Rosa Shipman. The average attendance of pupils is 125.
There is also a Ladies' Society, which has contributed about $650 to the building fund.
The Church society began the erection of a new house of worship in 1877, under the direction of J. W. Williams, D. M. Steele and J. R. Wooden, as Building Committee, and the corner-stone was laid in the fall of the same year with appropriate observances. The house is of brick, with basement, and is furnished with a gallery. Its size is 45x84 feet, and cost about $10,000. Sev- eral memorial windows have been furnished by members. The lot was pur- chased from the heirs of Rev. W. S. Manson, so long identified with the society as a zealous, usefut member.
The building was entirely completed in November last, and the first services held in it was, to give the date accurately, November 10, 1878.
The new church is truly an elegant piece of architecture, to which its mem- bers can point with pride as marking the progress of Christian effort in thirty years, whose annual rounds have marked the growth of a little band holding meetings in log cabins, to a strong and numerous society, meeting in one of the finest buildings west of the river towns.
Baptist .- This society dates from August, 1851, in which month Daniel P. and Mary A. Spark, John and Eurydice Overstreet, Isaac Fuller, E. A. Packard, J. Brower A. Thompson, Amanda Thompson, B. L. Packard, Elizabeth Packard, Hannah Packard, Jane Wright, S. F. Wadlington, Harvey Campbell, Parney Campbell, Louise Campbell, Harriet Robertson, C. Brower, J. T. Gunter, Jane Gunter, James Thompson, Calvin Smith and Alarilla Smith were constituted the regular body of the Church, William T. Barnes being Moderator, and A. Thompson, Clerk. The Deacons chosen were E. A. Packard and B. L. Pack- ard ; John Overstreet, Clerk.
The Pastors have served as follows : Albert Thompson, three years and eight months ; John W. Osborn, one year; James L. Cole, two years ; J. C. Burkholder, nine months (dying with harness on); John Redburn, four years ; J. W. Bolster, seven months (stricken with paralysis); A Stott, one year ; F. Edwards, now in charge, five years.
A house of worship was built in 1856, D. P. Sparks bearing the principal share of its cost. This was a frame structure and stands just west of Stephen- son's drug store. The parsonage was built in 1874, at a cost of about $700. The new church was erected in 1875, and the dedicatory sermon preached by Rev. J. M. Smith, of Osceola, in November of that year. This is a frame building, 30x45, and cost $1,500. The bell was the gift of S. F. Wadlington, and bears his name, together with the date of its casting-June, 1858. The principal promoters of the effort to build the second church were William Evans and F. M. Veach.
The society have now about one hundred and fifty members. The Deacons are : B. L. Packard, F. M. Veach, C. H. Richardson, William Evans and James McClard. The Trustees are : William Evans and F. M. Veach. The latter is Clerk.
William Evans is Superintendent of the Sabbath school ; F. M. Veach, Assistant ; Sarah Cole, Secretary and Treasurer ; Miss Lucy Evans, Organist. The teachers are, F. M. Veach, J. C. Bevington, Mrs. F. M. Veach, Daniel Veach, Rev. F. Edwards, Allie Cole. The attendance is about fifty-five.
Presbyterian .- This society was probably formed in the winter of 1855-56, the officiating clergyman and first Pastor being Rev. Matthew Smith.
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
The Church became a body corporate March 10, 1866, the subscribing members being C. H. Howell, Solomon Silknitter, Samuel Brown, J. F. Strat- ton and Thomas Wentworth.
Up to this time, the meetings had been held in the upper story of C. HI. Howell's house, and it was decided to build a house for worship. This was accomplished during 1856 and the following year. This building was of con- siderable pretension for the time, it being, perhaps, 28x42 feet. It was built of brick made by Mr. Goss, and the walls were laid by Thomas Wentworth.
This building was used by the society till 1867, when a new building took its place. This was begun in 1866, and completed the next year, being ded- icated by Rev. John Fisher. The building is of brick, 40x80 feet in size and cost about $5,000. It is situated one block south of the public square. The society also owns a parsonage.
The Pastors have been : Rev. Messrs. Matthew Smith, John Fisher, E. L. Dodeler, J. D. Jenks, - Claggett, and L. M. Belden.
There are about one hundred and thirty members, and the Trustees are as follows: Dr. William Scott, President; H. A. Russell, Secretary ; Robert Evans, Treasurer ; H. Tannehill and A. J. Baker. The Elders are: Jacob Elliott, H. H. Dewey, William Bradley, C. H. Howell, Samuel Brown, Phineas Porter.
The Sabbath school is claimed to be the lineal successor of the first little school established by C. H. Howell, at his store in 1848. H. H. Dewey is Superintendent; C. H. Howell, Assistant ; H. A. Russell, Librarian ; Henry Liddie, Assistant; Miss Josie Clark, Secretary ; Alda Holt, Treasurer; C. B. Taylor, Organist. The teachers are: W. T. Russell, Miss A. J. Baker, Mrs. J. W. Lane, Dr. W. W. Hale, Miss Maggie Jones, Miss Mary Howell, Miss Kate Elliott, C. H. Howell, Miss Kate B. Russell, William Evans, Samuel Brown. The average attendance of pupils is about one hundred and twenty- five.
United Presbyterian .- This Church was first formed in 1862, but who the constituent members were cannot be ascertained. October 15, 1863, Rev. J. D. Beard was installed Pastor. The membership was small, and Mr. Beard, by improper statements to the Presbytery, affected a consolidation of this body with the Church at Cincinnati without the knowledge of the members. What followed cannot be stated, for the records of the old society cannot be found.
The society was dormant for several years, but a re-organization was effected March 18, 1872, at the house of J. B. Jenks, the sermon being preached by Rev. John Haddon. The subscribing members at this meeting were D. C. Campbell, A. J. and Mrs. B. W. Campbell, J. W. and Mrs. S. A. Houston, S. P. and Mrs. Mina Hayes, H. D. and Mrs. M. Shoutz, Mrs. Martha M. Campbell, Mrs. Martha M. Jenks and Miss Kitty Campbell.
A. J. Campbell and S. P. Hayes were chosen Elders, and D. C. Campbell, Clerk.
Rev. G. R. Murray, the present Pastor, was called in 1875, and was installed June 26, 1875, Rev. R. A. McAyeal being present.
The church was built in 1873, is about 40x60 feet in size, and cost $3,000. The society had thirty-nine members in 1877, but the number is now some- what reduced, owing to the removal of several members to other localities.
S. P. Hale is Trustee, and D. C. Campbell is Clerk. A. J. Campbell is Superintendent of the Sabbath school ; J. D. Jenks, Assistant ; T. P. Shoutz, Secretary ; Samuel Hays, Treasurer. The teachers are Rev. Mr. Murray, D. C. Campbell, S. P. Hayes, Mrs. B. W. Campbell, Mrs. M. Shoutz, Mrs. Agnes
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
Campbell, Miss May Cunningham. The average number of pupils attending is about fifty-five.
Christian .- The Church in Centerville was organized August 10, 1867, by electing J. L. Chessman, Silas D. Harris and Ichabod Stewart Elders, and John Willmington and - - Bennett Deacons, and W. P. Morret Clerk. Eld. J. C. Sevey, of the Walnut City congregation, officiated in the ordination services. The number of members at the time of organizing was twenty- nine.
W. P. Morret and James W. Baker were chosen Elders about November, 1869, Elder Chessman having removed. Elder I. Stewart deceased June 17, 1871.
Elder J. C. Sevey preached for the Church occasionally from the time of its organization to May, 1869, when Elder J. A. Wilson was called to the pas- torate, continuing something over a year. After Elder Wilson resigned, Elder F. Walden, of Albia, preached for the Church monthly until October 1, 1872, when the present Pastor, Elder F. M. Kirkham was called to serve. At the time the present Pastor began his labors, the number of members was fifty- three. The present number is two hundred and thirty-four.
The house of worship now owned by the Church was dedicated Lord's Day, February 14, 1875, Prof. G. T. Carpenter, of Oskaloosa, preaching the dedi- catory sermon, and Elder J. B. Vawter, State Evangelist, assisting in the service. The building, with its furnishings, cost, in round numbers, $7,000. The Building Committee was composed of Gen. F. M. Drake, Chairman; L. C. Mechem, Ab. Owings, M. H. Kirkham and F. M. Kirkham.
The Trustees are L. C. Mechem, H. S. Gilliam, M. H. Kirkham, W. W. Oliver and S. D. Harris. The present Official Board are F. M. Kirkham, Pastor and Chairman of the Board; S. D. Harris, J. W. Baker and N. M. Scott, Elders ; L. C. Mechem, W. W. Oliver and A. Dargavell, Deacons.
The Sunday school has had an average attendance, this year, of about sev- enty-five. N. M. Scott, Superintendent; L. C. Mechem, Assistant Superin- tendent ; Miss Emma Goss, Secretary ; A. Dargavell, Treasurer and Librarian ; Teachers : Mrs. F. M. Kirkham, Miss Sallie Wright, Miss Milla Drake, Mrs. Lena Cope, Joseph Goss, F. M. Drake and F. M. Kirkham.
The Church, at this time, is enjoying peace and prosperity. There have been added to the Church, since April 1, 1878, to November 1, forty-eight.
Regular meetings are as follows: Sunday school, 9:30 A. M .; regular Church services at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M .; prayer-meeting, Wednesday even- ing at 7 P. M. Regular meeting of the Official Board, the first Monday even- ing of each month.
One characteristic of the Church, and of all the churches of the denomina- tion, is the observance of the Lord's Supper every Lord's Day.
MASONIC.
Jackson Lodge, No. 42, A., F. ยง A. M .- This body was established by dispensation from Ansel Humphreys, Grand Master, and held its first meeting late in 1853.
The following were reported as the officers and members in June, 1854 : -, W. M .; Thomas G. Manson, S. W .; J. Hargrave, J. W. ; J. H. Shields, Treasurer ; Dennis F. Robley, Secretary ; John W. Robley, S. D .; J. V. Criswell, J. D .; Tiler. The others were: Alfred Slayter, Jeremiah Brower, D. A. Spooner, Daniel P. Sparks, A. L. H. Martin, John Wilmington, George W. Swearingen, Hugh McCoy.
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
At the session of the Grand Lodge in 1844, the Committee on Lodges Under Dispensation, reported the work of Jackson Lodge to be correct. "They have adopted the By-Laws of Franklin Lodge, No. 14, and your committee are pleased with their work, and would recommend that a charter be granted to said Lodge."
On the 9th of July, 1876, the corner-stone of the present Masonic Hall was laid by H. W. Rothert, of Keokuk, then Grand Master, in the presence of a large crowd, and with ample ceremonies. Visitors were in attendance from Keokuk, Memphis, Lancaster, Bloomfield, Pulaski, Seymour, Moulton, Union- ville, Cincinnati and Numa. Prayer was offered by Rev. T. E. Corkhill, after which a jar containing lists of members of the various secret societies and churches, town newspapers, officers of the banks, coins, etc., was placed in the stone, and left for "future ages to find." A poem was then recited by Grand Master Rothert, and a festival in the evening ended the ceremonies. This was the most important event in the history of Masonry in Centerville. The hall is in the third story of the Bank Block, on the west side of the square. There are three anterooms and a long side-room. The main hall is one of the largest in the State.
The Lodge has now about one hundred and fifteen members, and meets on Friday evening, on or before full moon.
T. O. Wilson is W. M .; W. O. Crosby, S. W .; H. C. Bowen, J. W .; W. B. McDonald, Treasurer; L. C. Lamb, Secretary; J. J. Pratt, S. D .; B. A. Joiner, J. D .; P. F. Cunningham, Tiler.
Euclid Chapter, No. 43, R. A. M .- The preliminary meeting to organize this body of Masonry was held January 21, 1868. The first meeting under the dispensation was on February 11. W. E. Sargent was the first M. E. H. P .; W. C. Darnell, E. K .; Wm. Reahard, E. S .; J. Harper, C. H .; T. E. Sargent, P. S .; T. O. Wilson, R. A. C .; R. Stephenson, G. M. 3d V. ; D. A. Spooner, G. M. 2d V .; S. D. Harris, G. M. 1st V .; W. A. Sargent, G. The remaining members were O. W. Barden, J. W. Hough, J. Clark, S. H. Sawyers, J. R. Riggs.
The Chapter has now about fifty members.
J. K. Boyles is the present M. E. H. P .; H. C. Bowen, E. K .; Levi Clem- mens, E. S .; L. McHenry, Treasurer; W. G. Clark, Secretary; W. O. Crosby, C. H.
St. John's Commandery, No. 21, K. T .- This Order was established at Bloomfield, Davis County, in 1871, with the following charter members: Will- iam J. Law, William C. Johnson, J. R. Sheaffer, Samuel Cowan, Thomas B. Myers, Harvey B. Kettleman, Charles L. Pennington, Charles M. Burgess, Samuel S. Carruthers.
Two or three years ago the Commandery began to grow weak, and by an order of the Grand Commandery, it was transferred to Centerville, the change being effected on the 23d of October, 1878.
The officers installed on that night were: S. H. Sawyers, E. C .; Nelson Rogers, Gen .; J. K. Boyles, C. G .; W. S. Johnson, Prel. ; J. L. Berch, S. W .; F. M. Drake, J. W .; L. McHenry, W .; J. N. Rigg, Standard B .; A. Hicks, Sword B .; Levi Clemmens, Treasurer ; B. A. Ogle, Recorder.
The first candidate knighted at Centerville, was H. C. Bowen.
The Commandery has about forty members.
ODD FELLOWSHIP.
Centerville Lodge, No. 76, I. O. O. F .- This body dates from July 19. 1855, and was constituted by J. C. Dunn, Esq., of Bloomfield. Amos Harris
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
was the first 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. The same evening were initiated H. Tannehill, William Clark, John K. Allen and Joseph McGowen.
The Lodge has been fortunate in its mortuary record, for only five or six deaths have occurred ; among the list, J. W. McCreery, J. K. Morey, R. N. Glenn and Mr. Thomas.
The first meetings were held at the old schoolhouse, after which the Lodge inet a few evenings in Judge Tannehill's office. The society then obtained a room over Wittenmeyer's store, where it remained till 1860, when the two- story brick building at the northeast corner of the square was purchased, and the upper story used till 1876. This building is still owned by the fraternity.
In 1875, the Lodge built a third story over the First National Bank and Williams' hardware store, which was completed the next spring, and the room was formally dedicated in June, 1876. The whole space is 45x80 feet, and cost $6,000. There are three anterooms, a coal-room, kitchen, library and committee-room, at the rear and side of the hall, which is about 32x60 feet in size, and very lofty. The coal-room is reached by an elevator, and a sink in the kitchen connects with a drain in the basement. The library contains about a thousand volumes, the use of which is confined to the members and their fam- ilies. The committee-room is a great convenience in the dispatch of Lodge business. The main hall contains two windows with stained glass, bearing em- blems of the Order, and these, with the side windows give the rooms a very pleasing appearance by daylight. There are four raised platforms for the offi- cers, and the hall is suitably carpeted. It is indeed a suit of rooms of which any fraternity might be proud, and the members of Centerville Lodge need not fear to expose their hall to the critical inspection of strangers, come from where they may.
The Lodge has had in all 258 members since its organization, and there are now about 110 in good standing. A. Dargavell is N. G. ; O. H. Sharpe, V. G .; George Whitsel, Secretary ; J. W. Williams, Treasurer ; J. C. Barrows, Permanent Secretary.
The Lodge meets on Tuesday evening of each week. The officers were : J. Lankford, C. P. ; D. L. Strickler, H. P. The others were C. W. Bowen, W. E. Allen, R. N. Glenn, J. G. Thornburg and F. M. Kirkham.
Hope Lodge, No. 338, I. O. O. F .- This Lodge was constituted by J. B. Glenn, Acting D. G. M., January 27, 1876, who was assisted by E. T. Mow- bray, A. J. Baker, J. B. Maring, T. D. Miller and E. C. Haynes. The fol- lowing charter members answered to their names: John Lankford, M. B. Pennington, E. C. Pyle, John C. Martin, Louis Herman, James S. Ellis, B. F. Kindig, J. F. Conrad, Isaac Meredith and John W. Hurless.
John Lankford was elected and installed N. G. ; Louis Herman, V. G .; M. B. Pennington, Secretary ; John C. Martin, Treasurer.
The Lodge has now about sixty members. Two deaths have occurred- that of J. G. Hall and that of Robert G. Clark, the latter killed by a moving train near Julesburg, Colo.
J. H. Udell is the present N. G. ; D. N. Steele, V. G. ; J. S. Ellis, Secre- tary ; J. B. Stier, Treasurer; W. T. Clark, Permanent Secretary ; M. B. Pennington, O. S.
The Lodge meets on Thursday evening of each week at Odd Fellows' hall. A lodge of the Rebekah Degree was formed here several years ago, but dis- banded a year or two since.
-
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
Centerville Encampment, No. 24, I. O. O. F .- This interior Order was established at Centerville in January, 1865, by J. B. Glenn, as D. G. C. P. The Encampment has now about fifty members, and meets on the first and third Saturday evenings of each month at Odd Fellows' hall.
J. H. Udell is C. P .; J. W. Baker, H. P .; J. B. Maring, Secretary ; J. Lankford, Treasurer.
RED RIBBON REFORM CLUB.
This society was formed in the spring of 1878, through the labors of Mr. Bontecue, the well-known temperance agitator, aud has a membership of about nine hundred. H. H. Wright is President, and Dr. McKeehan is Secretary.
The organization started out well after its formation. Frequent meetings were held, a club-room rented and fitted up. A small library was obtained, and, for a time, various kinds of games were allowed to be played. Card-play- ing, however, was found to be an objectionable feature, and was abandoned.
The society suspended during the summer months, but is being revived as the evenings grow long.
There is now no licensed saloon in Centerville, and none in the county, and it is believed that this wholesome condition of affairs can be maintained. This will be a great advantage to all classes during the period of financial change now going on, for men who practice sobriety can and do pay their debts better than those whose energy and thrift are impaired through appetite for drink.
This is not the place for a discussion of the temperance question, and this one proposition only is advanced for the consideration of the friends of temper- ance here. The genuine American is never lazy, but loves action and excite- ment, and hence his fondness for spirits. The problem is to occupy his mind with wholesome ideas while reforming him, to keep him contented socially while weaning him from the companionship of those among whom he has acquired his wrong habits.
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