USA > Iowa > Clinton County > The history of Clinton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns &c., biographical sketches of citizens > Part 67
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107
A. G. Harrison, having never married, made it his home with his brother- in-law, at whose residence he died on the 26th day of November, 1879. He died seized of a large property. which reverted to his heirs by will-Miss Melissa Harrison and Mrs. Col. Wheeler, sisters receiving the greater portion.
Hon. D. McNeil came here with his family in 1853. He was for two terms County Judge of the County, and was for fifty years a Mason, and was a
557
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
member of the M. E. Church. He died on the 28th day of February, 1869. He was for a long time Justice of the Peace for De Witt Township, and was an upright Judge, a good citizen, a faithful Mason and an earnest Christian.
CHURCHES.
Congregational Church .- At a meeting held at the Court House, in De Witt, convened by public notice July 10, 1842, for the purpose of organizing a Church of the Congregational faith, the Rev. A. B. Hitchcock was chosen Chairman, and Rev. O. Emerson, Jr., was appointed Secretary.
At the meeting the following resolution was adopted, viz. :
Resolved, That it is expedient to proceed immediately to organize a church of Christ to be known and designated as the First Congregational Church of De Witt ..
Articles of Faith and Form of Covenant, previously prepared, were read and assented to by those present. Certificates of good standing in Christian Churches in other parts of the country were presented by the following per- sons, viz. : Charles Dutton, Jonas M. Oaks, Rev. O. Emerson, Jr., Ambrose Betts, David Bedford, Eliza F. Bedford and Polly Evans. These certificates being mutually satisfactory, these persons at once agreed to enter publicly into church covenant with each other.
Mrs. Betsy Hatfield related her Christian experience, and was requested to unite with the proposed organization.
David Bedford was requested to serve as Deacon until further action was taken. Jonas M. Oaks was appointed Clerk.
On the following Sabbath, July 11, 1842, in accordance with the resolution, adopted the day previous, the Articles of Faith and Covenant were publicly assented to, and the communion administered to the following-named persons, viz. : Charles Dutton, Jonas M. Oaks, Rev. Oliver Emerson, Jr., Ambrose Betts, Eliza F. Bedford, Polly Evans and Betsy Hatfield, who were evid- ently the original members of this Church at its organization. Robert R. Bedford, Clarinda Betts, Rufus Percival, Sarahette Percival, David W. Shinn united with the Church ; Bedford by letter, the rest by profession of faith, in the year 1843 ; Rachel Oaks, by profession, in 1844; Francis Work, John P. Soliss and Sarah Goff, in the year 1845; George Goudie, Mrs. J. Goudie and Mrs. Dearborn, in 1847. Nancy Oaks, Betsy Warren, Elnathan Bassett, Mrs. Bassett and James Bassett, in 1848.
Rev. A. B. Hitchcock acted as ministerial supply during the first year of the Church's existence. Rev. O. Emerson, Jr., who was undoubtedly the father of this organization, served as its regular Pastor from the year 1843 up to 1853 and also during the year 1856, but, being in charge of a large circuit, his services being required in other places, he was assisted in the year 1849 in his ministrations to this church by Rev. S. J. Francis. Rev. J. S. Mowry was Pastor during the year 1854 and occasionally until June, 1857, when Rev. J. Van Antwerp, of New York, was called to the pastorate, which position he filled with much success until April, 1871, a period of fourteen years, except one year, during which he was Chaplain of the Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry Regiment in the war of the rebellion ; in his absence there was no Pastor. Mr. Van Antwerp was greatly beloved by all classes. During his pastorate he was elected as the first County Superintendent of Common Schools for Clinton County and filled the office acceptably for one term. The number of members added while Mr. Van Antwerp was Pastor was 114. The new church building was erected in 1864-65 and dedicated in June, 1865, through his exertions on the northeast corner of Dodge and Washington streets, size 34
558
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
by 52 feet, exclusive of towers, and is a neat frame structure, well furnished inside.
Rev. Rufus Apthorp was called to the pastorate August 18, 1871, and continued as such Pastor until April 18, 1875, at which time, by a vote of the membership, a call was extended to Rev. E. P. Whiting, of Durant, Iowa, which position he accepted and filled until the date of his decease in January, 1877.
By a vote of the Trustees of the Church, May 7, 1877, a call was extended to Rev. J. W. Hubbard, President of the Northern Illinois College, Fulton, Ill., to the pastorate, which was accepted, and Mr. H. removed to De Witt and occupied the pulpit until the 6th day of April, 1879, at which time he accepted a similar position in the Presbyterian Church at Wilton, Iowa. Negotiations are now pending with Rev. E. Kent, of Michigan City, Ind., at this date (July 9), looking to his settlement as Pastor for the ensuing year. The present number of resident members of the Church is 107.
St. Simon's Catholic Church .- The good Bishop Loras, of Dubuque, as he was called by the old settlers, passed through the town of De Witt some time during the year 1848, at which time, he purchased a lot where is now the Stevens Block, on which was a log house, built by William Horan, for the use of the Catholic Church. It seems that, prior to this time, the good Bishop had held services in the old log Court House, for it is reported of him that after- ward, when on a visit to his native France, in addressing some theological students at the Sorbonne, as an inducement to return with him and engage in missionary labor that, as an evidence of the liberality of the people in this region, he told them that he had been invited to hold services in the Court House of the seat of justice of a prominent county in this State, by the officials of the county. It was no doubt this county to which he referred.
In September, 1850, at the request of Patrick Lawler, then a resident of this township, Thomas Reed, Francis Brogan and others, the Bishop came down from Dubuque and celebrated mass in the log building heretofore men- tioned as having been purchased by him. After this, during the next year, Rev. Father Dougherty and Rev. Father Travis, Rev. Father McEvoy and Rev. Father Jean officiated as celebrants of mass at various times. In the year 1852, Father Francis McKenna was established as Priest in charge, the parish then including the present parishes of Center Grove, Deep Creek, Walnut Grove, Grand Mound, Spring Rock and Toronto. The families connected with the Church here at the time were those of Patrick Lawler, M. Gillooley, M. Desmond, Thomas Reed, John Lucy, William Horan, J. Cassidy, C. Boyle, P. Burke, the Brophys, Dr. John Kelley, P. Pendergast, Patrick Neelan, James Harrington, John Brogan, Francis Brogan and Henry Winters. The present church building was erected in 1853.
Rev. Thomas McDermott was Pastor during the year 1856, and part of the year 1857, and was succeeded by Father O'Byrne, who remained until the summer of 1859. November 1, 1859, Rev. J. W. Scallan took charge of the parish as resident Priest, and remained as such until 1876, a period of seven- teen years. During Father Scallan's administration of the affairs of the parish, it enjoyed great prosperity. About the year 1866, Father Scallan established a parochial school, and placed it in charge of the Sisters of Charity, a number , of that Order being brought here for that purpose. A two-story building was removed to the grounds adjoining the Catholic Church, additions were made and the building fitted up. The Sisters of Charity remained until 1868, when Father Scallan procured the services of Sister Borromeo, of Chicago, a relative,
559
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
who came to De Witt with four others of the Order of Mercy, and founded the Mother House of that Order here, and took charge of the school, which pros- pered greatly under their care. They also purchased a part of the Morgan farm-forty acres-with the intention of erecting a large building thereon for educational purposes. Mother Borromeo was afterward induced by leading citizens of Davenport to found at that city a hospital for insane persons and others afflicted with chronic diseases, which she did. A branch of the Order was also established at Independence; and also a hospital at Iowa City in con- nection with the Medical Department of the State University.
The constant labors of Mother Borromeo in the supervision of these insti- tutions, with her untiring labors in behalf of the cholera patients at Davenport, in 1873, no doubt hastened her demise, which occurred September 2, 1874, at the hospital in Davenport. The Seminary about this time at De Witt was closed.
During Father Scallan's pastorate, the priest's house near the church was also erected. Father Scallan, owing to continued ill-health, was assisted by a coadjutor priest, Father O'Reilly, for some time, and was finally succeeded by Father Brady as Pastor, who continued in charge until September, 1878, when he was succeeded by Father Thomas McCormick, who is now (1879) the Parish Priest. Father McCormick, soon after his accession to the pastorate, made an addition to the church, and opened a parochial school, which is now in a flourishing condition. He has quite recently purchased the south half of the Wright Block, and has secured plans for an excellent school-building, where he intends immediately to establish a first-class school, to be placed in charge of competent instructors, and where all the higher branches and accomplishments will be taught. It is also his intention to purchase the north half of the same block, and to erect thereon a magnificent church commensurate with the wants of the parish, which at present consists of 155 families.
Henry Bairley, who came to this town about 1853, has been an active mem- ber of this Church, and has done much to promote its interests.
Baptist Church-The Baptist Church of De Witt was organized January 3, 1852, with the following members : Newton Hays and wife, T. W. Clark and wife, Amy Clark, Elizabeth Wallace, Adaline Dennis; joined the Daven- port Association in September, 1852, five having joined in the meantime, mak- ing twelve in number belonging. Rev. T. W. Clark was licensed to preach August 28, 1852; preached to this church two years. Elder J. P. Cook preached one year, to June, 1855. Elder Clark preached two years, to 1857. Elder William Wood took pastoral charge in May, 1857, and preached one year. During the year 1858, the present large brick church building was erected. This, year seventeen were baptized and thirteen united by letter, making a total membership of forty-two. Elder T. W. Clark was ordained March 17, 1858, and was Pastor for one year thereafter. Rev. D. D. Gregory was called to the pastorate in 1859, and served the Church until June, 1861; membership fifty-eight. Elder , Gregory studied law while Pastor of the Church, and subsequently removed to Afton, Union Co., Iowa, where he engaged in practice, and now (1879) is Circuit Judge of the Third Judicial District of Iowa. The pastorate was vacant from June to August, 1861. Elder T. W. Clark was Pastor one year to October, 1862. Another vacancy until May, 1863, when Elder D. H. Paul was called and remained until Novem- ber, 1865. The new house of worship, built in 1855, was dedicated August 10, 1865. Elder J. M. Lackey was Pastor for one year from October 15, 1865 ; membership seventy-seven. April 1, 1867, Elder J. Edminster became
560
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Pastor and remained about two years. Elder S. H. D. Vaughn was chosen Pastor and remained four years. Elder W. H. Irwin succeeded and remained one year. Elder J. C. Douglas was chosen Pastor in May, 1876, and remained two years. At the present time, the Church is supplied by Elder Asa Rand- lett, of Groton, Mass., with a view to settlement as Pastor. Elder T. W. Clark was Stated Clerk from the organization until his ordination, a period of about six years. Charles E. Webb followed as Clerk ; W. A. Ten Eyck suc- ceeded ; Albert Needham followed, and at present William Saltmarsh is Stated Clerk. The present membership is 130.
De Witt Methodist Episcopal Church .- For some time before any Methodist society was organized in De Witt, Methodist missionaries visited the place and preached the Gospel. Prominent among these was Barton H. Cartright, of Rock River Conference, whose pastoral labors, in the years 1840 and 1841. extended over the country from Maquoketa to Davenport. Late in the year" 1843 or early in 1844, the first society was organized by John Roberts, an Englishman, a local preacher, and consisted of S. P. Burton and wife, David H. Brown and wife, and Moses Gear and wife. For some time, Brother Rob- erts acted as Pastor of the society, but in the summer of 1844 it was taken into the Bellevue Circuit : Revs. Howard and Bushnell, Pastors.
The Circuit at that time embraced Bellevue Circuit, Maquoketa and De Witt. At the Conference in 1844, it was joined to the Delaware Circuit and Maquoketa Mission, with Revs. J. B. Taylor and George Larkin as Pastors. In 1845 Revs. Farlow and Dennis were Pastors. From this time to 1850, there is no record of the pastors to be found.
In 1850, Rev. Hurlburt succeeded in erecting a small church for the use of the society, on the site of the present church. In 1851, we find the charge known as De Witt Mission, embracing De Witt, 'Lyons and Camanche, and other places in the vicinity of each, such as Center Grove, Buena Vista, War- ren's Settlement, etc.
The officers of the Church at this time were Alcinious Young, Presiding Elder : John Walker, Preacher-in-charge. Leader and Stewards - William Dunbar, Maj. Nottingham, George Macomber. David Hess, S. P. Burton, A. Robb, J. Kimble, - Sweeny, James Shaw, C. L. Dutcher, Z. Allen and O. W. Denham. Camanche at this time was the residence of the preacher in charge.
This arrangement of the work continued the next two years, with Ira Black- ford as Pastor in 1852-53 and George Larkin in 1854. In the fall of 1854, Rev. A. N. Odell was appointed to the work.
At the first Quarterly Meeting, at the suggestion of Judge McNeil, it was determined to divide the work, making De Witt and vicinity one work, and Lyons and Camanche and places in their vicinity another ; and Rev. Thomas Thompson was employed for the De Witt work.
In the following year, the work was regularly organized as De Witt Circuit, the appropriation from the Missionary Society being discontinued. The Circuit included the following appointments : De Witt, Center Grove, Deep Creek, Welton, and other adjacent points.
The officers' roll was as follows: J. G. Dimmitt, Presiding Elder; F. Amos, who afterward abandoned the ministry for the law, Preacher-in-charge. Exhorters-Willis Rowland and William Traver. Stewards-Daniel McNeil, H. Weston, - Harrington, James Rossiter and D. H. Brown. Leaders- Norman Evans, I. W. Jones, David Goff. Jesse Rowland, William H. Bennett, John Stone and - Dotey. Sabbath-school Superintendents-Alexander
561
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Mummey and John Pierce. In 1856-57, John R. Balser was appointed to the work, with J. C. Ayers as Presiding Elder.
At the Conference of 1857, De Witt was first made a station, and Joseph Ridlington was appointed Pastor. During this year, De Witt charge was duly incorporated, and the present parsonage secured for the use of its Pastors. During the next two years, Rev. W. W. Easterbrook, now a minister in the Pro- testant Episcopal Church, was Pastor. They were years of prosperity, as indi- cated by the following resolution passed at a meeting held November 8, 1859 : Resolved, that in view of the absolute want of a larger church in which to wor- ship, we proceed to build.
Thereupon, the following building committee was appointed: W. W. East- erbrook, J. B. Bishop, J. Collom, S. P. Burton. D. H. Brown, S. Shoecraft and C. M. West.
In 1860, Rev. Andrew Coleman, already known as Father Coleman, though still living at this date, was appointed Pastor. He is remembered for his genial spirit and faithfulness in all his works, and especially for the zeal with which he labored for the erection of the new church.
He was followed, in 1862, by Rev. Elias Skinner, Rev. A. J. Kynett being Presiding Elder. During the two years of his pastorate. valuable additions were made to the parsonage property. During a temporary absence of Brother Skin- ner, as Chaplain in the army, his place was supplied by Rev. F. W. Vinson.
In 1864, Rev. Joel B. Taylor returned to the charge, Rev. R. W. Keeler being Presiding Elder. During the two years of his ministry, the church build- ing was remodeled and completed, and dedicated by Rev. A. J. Kynett. The next three years, Rev. W. Frank Paxton, now Presiding Elder of Davenport District, was Pastor. They were years of prosperity, marked by a great increase in the membership of the Church.
In 1869-70, Rev. J. S. Anderson was Pastor ; in 1870-71, Rev. L. Catlin ; in 1871-72, Rev. Jeremiah S. Eberhart ; in 1872-73-74, Rev. I. K. Fuller. From 1874 to 1877, Rev. M. H. Smith. During part of these years, Rev. Emory Miller and Rev. J. S. Anderson were Presiding Elders.
The events of these years are so recent as to be in the memory of those most interested in the Church. The past two years, the present Pastor. Rev. J. H. Rigby, has been in charge of the work. The Church membership at present, September, 1879, numbers 116 members, in full connection, and eight probationers.
The following is its official roll : Presiding Elder, Rev. W. Frank Paxton ; Preacher-in-charge, Rev. J. H. Rigby. Leaders-J. E. Gould, Robert M. Smith. Stewards-J. N. Arthur, J. E. Gould, J. B. Rose, G. H. Dickenson, Robert M. Smith, Mrs. C. M. West, Mrs. Frances Webb, Mrs. Marv Cotton, Mrs. Edith Thorn. Trustees-J. N. Arthur, S. P. Burton, D. H. Brown, Isaac Jones, S. H. Shoemaker, J. B. Webb and John Layton.
United Presbyterian Church .- In the autumn of 1854, William Campbell and family, who were connected with the Associate Reformed Church of Guern- sey County, Ohio, removed to Iowa, and settled near De Witt. During the winter and following spring, they were joined by the families of John Barrett, R. J. Jamison, John B. Cranston, and others of the same faith.
Early in the summer of 1855, Rev. John B. Clark, Pastor of the congre- gations of Le Claire, Port Byron and Pleasant Prairie (now Elvira) made an appointment to preach in De Witt, being, however, unable to fill it, his place was supplied by Rev. S. F. Van Atta, who held the first service and preached the first sermon of the Associate Reformed Church in De Witt. Services were
562
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
afterward held by Rev. Henry Allen, Rev. John Chambers, Rev. Mr. Miller and Rev. R. S. Campbell, ministers of the Associate Reformed Church.
Application having been made to the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Iowa for an organization, a committee was appointed by that body consisting of Rev. Henry Allen and Elders W. W. Beatty and John McConnell, who met at De Witt, September 8, 1855, and organized the Associated Reformed Presbyterian congregation of De Witt, of sixteen members, as follows :
William Campbell. Mrs. Ann Campbell, John B. Cranston, Mrs. Margaret Cranston, John Barrett, Mrs. S. A. Barrett, R. J. Jamison, Mrs. Jane Jam- ison, James A. Cranston. Mrs. Caroline Cranston, Susana Halliday, Mrs. Mary White, Robert Bartlett, James Bartlett, William Campbell and Mrs. Rebecca Campbell. At this meeting, John Barrett and James Bartlett were ordained and installed Ruling Elders.
Rev. R. S. Campbell, who was then preaching at Bloomington, Ill., on invitation, preached to this congregation for a few Sabbaths in December, 1855. Rev. R. S. Campbell having received a call to the pastorate of this congrega- tion in connection with the one at Pleasant Prairie (now Elvira), began his labors as Pastor elect March 13, 1856 : was ordained and installed by the Iowa Associate Reformed Presbytery, at De Witt, June 12, following.
During the first year of Mr. Campbell's pastorate, eleven persons were received into membership in the congregation. March 17, 1857, William Camp- bell was ordained by the Presbytery as a Ruling Elder.
In the year 1859, the congregation being without a church building, erected and partially inclosed the frame for a house of worship, which was blown down by a storm and totally demolished. They were not, however, discouraged by this accident, and again went to work with a will and completed and occupied their house of worship in 1860.
After the consummation of the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed Churches, at Pittsburgh, Penn., in May, 1858, which assumed the name of the United Presbyserian Church, this congregation assumed and still retains the name of the United Presbyterian Congregation of De Witt, and, after the organ- ization of the Le Claire Presbytery has been ever since connected with that body.
At the commencement of the war of the rebellion in 1861, nine members of this congregation took their lives in their hands and enlisted in defense of their country, viz., John Barrett, Alexander P. Meikleham, John Henderson, William H. Hyde, James Barnes, John F. Baird, Lieut. James S. Patterson, D. J. Cranston and John A. Hyde. Of these, only one, D. J. Cranston, survived to the close of the war, and he returned a cripple for life, having lost a limb at the battle of Chattanooga in 1863.
Lieut. Patterson lost his life while leading his company in that terrible charge made by the Twenty-sixth Iowa Regiment at the battle of Arkansas Post ; John F. Baird died amid the horrors of Andersonville Prison.
Rev. R. S. Campbell, having continued to labor with the congregations at De Witt and Elvira, dissolved his relations with the Elvira Church, on account of the labor having become too great for one man, August 16, 1865. He, however, devoted his whole time to the De Witt congregation until the spring of 1868, when he resigned his pastoral relations, which, after great hesitation on the part of the Presbytery, was accepted, having served them for a period of nearly twelve years.
One hundred and fifty-nine persons were received into membership in the congregation during Mr. Campbell's pastorate, 117 by certificate, and 42 by profession.
563
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Messrs. M. R. Buchanan and W. J. Hannum had been elected Ruling Elders. In May, 1869, three members, viz., Messrs. Robert McClenahan. John McConnell and N. T. Baird were elected Ruling Elders.
Rev. D. Nicoll, the present Pastor (1879), having just completed his the- ological course at Monmouth, Ill., was called to the pastorate of this Church and the one at Elvira, September 19, 1869, and was ordained thereto November 17, 1869. Membership at this time, eighty.
Mr. William Campbell, who may be said to have been the founder of the Church, while in his usual health and while speaking at a service held at the Christian Chapel in De Witt, during a revival meeting, on the evening of Jan- uary 4, 1871, was stricken with paralysis, and died the next day, esteemed by all.
During the present pastorate, 100 members have been received, 53 by pro- fession and 47 by certificate. The whole number received into membership. is 281.
M. R. Buchanan. a Ruling Elder, died July 23, 1876. John McConnell, also Ruling Elder, died August 19, 1878.
On the 30th day of May, 1879, James S. Mayes and J. O. Buchanan were ordained Ruling Elders, which, in addition to the names of James Bartlett, N. T. Baird and Robert McClenahan, constitute the members of Session.
October 1, 1875, the church-building was repaired and much improved, at a cost of $900. The present membership is ninety-five.
Christian, or Disciple Church .- The first sermon preached in this town- ship by a preacher of this denomination, was at the court-room at the north- east corner of the public square, in 1848, by Elder Le Van. Father John Cotton, D. P. Meredith and a few others, moved in the matter of a church organization, and in the winter of 1852-53 an organization was effected, at which meeting Elders N. A. McConnell, of Marion, Iowa, and James Gaston, of Illinois, were present, with the following membership: Father John Cotton and wife, D. P. Meredith and wife, Monroe Warren and wife, a Mr. Miller, wife and three sons, a Mr. Chapman and wife. John Cotton and Miller were elected Elders ; D. P. Meredith and Chapman were chosen Deacons. Miller and family afterward moved to California.
Father Cotton, prior to this time, in 1850, had united with Rev. T. W. Clark, and had built a small church on Harrison street, which was called the Union Church, and was occupied by this Church and the Baptists jointly, until 1857, when it was purchased of the Baptists by this Church.
Elder E. Phillips was Pastor of this Church for a year or two, commencing in 1854; then followed Rev. George Rich, who remained about two years. The Church was then without a regular Pastor until 1865, when the Rev. G. W. Sweeny, of Kentucky, was called to the pastorate and remained until 1868. In the year 1869, the old Union Church was removed, and an elegant new chapel, through the untiring zeal of Father Cotton, aided by the members and others, was built at a cost of $3,000, and was dedicated April 10, 1870, by Rev. G. W. Sweeny. Rev. James Stover, of Indiana, preached for three months in 1873, and was followed by Elder E. A. Pardee, who remained for about one year ; then Elder William Martin was in charge for a few months, when Elder W. H. Benton, of Chicago, preached for about eight months in 1878. Elder William Sweeny, the present Pastor, took charge in 1878. The present membership of the Church numbers about fifty.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.