USA > Iowa > Henry County > The history of Henry county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 63
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" The official record of the Mount Pleasant Church are here taken up: September 30, 1843, the first Quarterly Meeting for the Mount Pleasant cir- cuit, Burlington district, in the Rock River Conference, was held in connection with a camp-meeting, near the residence of Robert Monroe (a local preacher), three and a half miles southeast of the village. Bartholomew Weed was Pre- siding Elder, and Isaac I. Stewart, Preacher in Charge. The official members who held over from the Burlington circuit, were Ezra Rathbun, local Deacon ; Robert Cock and John Jay, Exhorters ; John P. Grantham, Steward ; Joseph Echard, Henry M. Snyder and Samuel Nelson, Leaders. The latter was elected Secretary. The new Board was composed of John P. Grantham, Rob- ert Cock, George W. Kesler, Henry Payne and John Jay. Mr. Grantham was chosen Recording Steward. The amount of quarterage paid in at the time was $14.68. Of this amount, Elder Weed received $2.75, as compensation for his time and ride from Dubuque, to hold the meeting, and Mr. Stewart received $11.93.
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
" The second quarterly meeting for this year was held at Mount Pleasant December 9, 1843. The Elder and preacher were both present. Dr. George W. Teas and John Jay were licensed to preach. In this connection, the follow- ing anecdote is apropos : Dr. Teas had formerly been in the traveling con- nection and held license as an Elder. In the spring of 1836, he settled near Burlington. The fall of that year found the Doctor fully launched on the sea of politics, as a candidate for a seat in the lower branch of the Territory of Wis- consin, from Des Moines County. He was successful, and served in the Legis- lature which convened at Belmont in the fall of 1836. But, alas, his success in politics, as is too often the case, proved his downfall in spiritual matters. During that session, some brother in the church criticised, with some severity, his political course, which called forth from the Doctor a publication in one of the newspapers, stating in substance that he had been wounded in the house of his friends, and closing with the following lines :
" ' Be it known from shore to shore That I'm a Methodist no more.'
" In the year 1837, the Doctor became a resident of Mount Pleasant and engaged in the practice of law. Finally, in 1843, he recovered his former bear- ing and joined the Church on probation. In December, he was licensed to preach. When the Doctor united a second time with the Church, some enemy of his noticed the fact in the papers and closed by saying :
"' Know ye from Florida to Maine That I'm a Methodist again.'
" The Doctor ever afterward maintained his Christian integrity, joining the traveling connection and filling several important churches. He died at Wash- ington, Iowa, early in the sixties.
" The total sum paid Elder Weed during the year was $12.75. The amount paid Preacher Stewart for the same time was $105.
" Up to 1844, there had been no church accommodations in Mount Pleasant. As early as 1836, a rough log schoolhouse was erected in the western part of the village, and though its dimensions were only 16x20 feet, it furnished the only place of worship for the different denominations, who occupied it by turns until the erection of the old Court House, in 1839. The latter building was used by the several societies from the time of its completion. Prayer-meetings and class-meetings were held in private houses.
" On the 11th of July, 1842, while Daniel G. Cartwright was preacher in charge, an abstract of organization was made out and duly recorded as the initial step toward church-building. The following-named persons composed the first Board of Trustees : Ephraim Kilpatrick, John P. Grantham, Nelson J. Smith, Daniel Stanton, Samuel Nelson and Joseph Echard. On the 11th day of March, 1843, Samuel Dickey and wife deeded to the Trustees Lot 8, in Block 9, the site of the Asbury Church, for a consideration of $100. A substantial frame building, 35x45 feet in size was in process of erection at that date on the west end of the lot. The church was completed and dedicated by Elder Weed, at the Quarterly Meeting held in December, 1843, under the pastorate of Isaac J. Stewart. The building cost about $1,200, and was believed to be at the time the best church in the State, with the single exception of Old Zion at Burlington. The society worshiped in this edifice until the building of the Asbury Church, when it was removed."
What is spoken of as the Main Street Church was an outgrowth of the Uni- versity. It was regarded as a chapel until about 1865, when a separate society
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
was deemed advisable, and for several years thereafter an interchange of minis- terial duties was observed between the Pastor of Asbury and the University.
In the year 1867, at the session of the Iowa Annual Conference of the M. E. Church, W. Dennett and C. A. Holmes were appointed Pastors, respect- ively, of the Asbury and Main Street charges at Mount Pleasant. During the year, it was thought best by them and the members of their charges to start a Sabbath school in the northeast part of the city. Finding it impossible to pro- cure a room suitable for that purpose, it was determined to build a house of worship. Messrs. Snyder, Whiting and Snell were appointed a committee to secure friends and build the church
And it was from that start that arose the society known as the Henry Street Church.
The cost of the building was about $1,500. The society was regularly organized in 1867, and, in 1868, the church was completed, while the Rev. James H. Hopkins was Pastor. Since that date, the records are not complete, and a list of the ministers could not be procured.
The growth of the Church has been encouraging. The society still support the Sunday school, out of which grew the Church proper.
Since 1845, the Pastors connected with the work in Mount Pleasant have been as follows ; Elder Weed was still Presiding Elder, and William Simpson was Pastor. Total receipts, $179.61.
1846-Andrew Coleman, Presiding Elder ; William Simpson, Pastor, and Landon Taylor, Assistant. Total receipts, $149.96.
1847-No change in Presiding Elder. Alcinous Young, Pastor ; J. W. B. Hewett, Assistant.
1848-Joel Arrington in charge.
1849-L. B. Dennis in charge.
1850-Isaac J. Stewart was this year appointed Presiding Elder, and Erastus Lathrop was in charge.
1851-John Harris in charge.
1852-M. H. Hare in charge.
1853-54-J. McDowell in charge.
1355-J. H. White in charge.
1856-57-M. H. Hare, Asbury Chapel ; and W. Dennett, University Chapel.
1858-P. P. Ingalls, Asbury Chapel; and M. H. Hare, University Chapel. 1859-P. P. Ingalls, Asbury ; J. Q. Hammond, University.
1860-I. A. Bradrick, Asbury; T, Audas, University.
The foregoing list may not be exactly correct, but it is as nearly so as we are able to make it, from the newspaper files and the minutes of the Conference from 1855. There were no minutes issued for the year 1857. The following list is full :
1861-T. E. Corkhill, Presiding Elder ; I. A. Bradrick, Pastor.
1862-63-G. B. Jocelyn, Pastor.
1863-65-D. Worthington, Presiding Elder ; H. W. Thomas, Pastor. During the last of the term, A. C. Williams acted as Assistant Pastor.
1866-A. Robinson, Presiding Elder ; M. H. Hare and H. W. Thomas, Pastors.
1867-68-W. Dennett, Pastor of Asbury Church, and C. A. Holmes, of Main Street.
1869-W. Dennett, Pastor of Asbury, and T. E. Corkhill, of Main Street. E. H. Wearing was appointed Presiding Elder this year.
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
1870-John Haynes, Asbury ; W. F. Cowles, Main Street.
1871-John Haynes, Asbury ; A. P. Morrison, Main Street; O. C. Shel- ton, Henry Street.
1872-L. N. Power, Asbury ; A. P. Morrison, Main Street ; W. C. Ship- pen, Henry Street.
1873-W. F. Cowles, Presiding Elder; L. N. Power, Asbury ; A. P. Morrison, Main Street ; John Hayden, Henry Street.
1874-J. A. Wilson, Asbury ; D. Murphy, Main Street ; J. L. King, Henry Street.
1875-J. A. Wilson, afterward transferred to Des Moines Conference, and F. W. Evans placed in charge here ; D. Murphy, Main Street; Henry Street was connected with Richwoods circuit, and supplied by J. L. King.
1876-F. W. Evans, Asbury. This year the Asbury and Main Street charges were consolidated, and named the First M. E. Church of Mount Pleasant.
1877-John Wheeler, Presiding Elder ; F. W. Evans, Pastor.
1878-J. T. Simmons, the Pastor now in charge.
The society is worshiping in one congregation, in the Asbury building. The Main Street property is still retained. The latter consists of a comfort- able frame structure, and two fine lots. Henry Street society also exists and holds its property, and is trying to resuscitate its former life. The present membership of the entire charge is about six hundred. There is a large Sun- day school maintained, having 1,500 volumes in its library.
Herein has been traced only the center stem of Methodism in the county. From official statements it is learned that during or about the year 1850, there were churches formed at Brighton, Salem, Marshall and New London. These were the germs from which grew up in the adjacent country, in all directions, societies and Sunday schools. No less than twelve such organizations can be traced, which sustain regular worship, and contribute about $1,000 annually to the missionary cause. At the present time there are nineteen church edifices belonging to the Methodists in Henry County, worth in the aggregate $58,000. There is a total membership of 1,815. There are 20 Sunday schools, with 244 officers and teachers, and 1,500 children in attendance.
Thus from the small seed planted in the early days has grown up a powerful organization for the diffusion of Gospel truth.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian Church of Mount Pleasant, was organized April 28, 1840, by the Rev. L. G. Bell, " the apostle of Presbyterianism in Southern Iowa." The meeting at which the organization was effected was held in the Court House, then standing in the public square. The original record of the organization is still preserved among the archives of the Church, and reads as follows :
" MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa Territory, April 25, 1840.
" Several individuals having expressed, at a meeting formally held, a wish that a Presbyterian Church should be organized in this place, and to be con- nected with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, and the time having arrived when said organization, by previous appointment, should, by the good providence of God, take place ;
"Therefore, after a sermon had been preached by the Rev. Mr. Leonard, the following individuals handed in certificates of membership in the Presbyte- rian Church, to give other satisfactory evidence of it, to wit: John McCoy,
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Dr. Tom C. Stephenson, Sullivan S. Ross, Francis Myers, Ann McMurrin, and the following individual was received on examination, to wit: Huldah Cheney. The individuals above named were then declared members of the Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant, and the Church is to be known by the name of the Mount Pleasant Church."
After this, follows an account of the election and ordination of Elders, John McCoy and Dr. Tom C. Stephenson being chosen and set apart to that office. The whole being signed by the Rev. L. G. Bell, Missionary of the Board of Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, to the Territory of Iowa.
Of the six members originally composing this Church, John McCoy is, probably, the only one still living.
The first supply of the Church was the Rev. Mr. Leonard, who preached the sermon at the time of the organization.
In 1844, the Rev. C. P. Cummins, of Philadelphia, began to labor with encouraging prospects, and was soon after elected to the pastorate.
In 1845, the membership of the Church had increased to fifty-six. For a period of three years, there is no record of any meeting or session, and the date in which Mr. Cummins ceased his labors is not certain, although it was probably prior to 1848.
The spread of denominationalism, and other causes, had reduced the mem- bership, by this time, to a mere nothing. It was evident that there could be no assurance of permanency until a church-building was erected, and measures were thereupon taken to build a house of worship, the Rev. F. B. Dinsmore agreeing to become permanent supply if the building of the church be guaran- teed. The few remaining members, ten in number, were called together for mutual consultation at the house of Mrs. Patterson.
A subscription was begun at the suggestion of Father Bell, he starting the paper with $150, which he afterward increased to $200. The step was a suc- cessful one, and a house was soon erected. There was some struggling with poverty, but, by building a kiln, the Rev. Mr. Dinsmore attended to the curing of the lumber, and studied his sermons at the same time. The church was erected upon the site on which now stands the present Presbyterian edifice. The old building, at the erection of the existing edifice, was sold to the colored Methodists.
In 1851, the Church was left devoid of session, and a meeting of the con- gregation was called, at which John Sype and John Gray were chosen to that office. In 1852, Rev. Mr. Dinsmore removed to West Point. He was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Bloomfield Wall,, who remained three years. In 1855, the Rev. Timothy Stearns was called to the pastorate. His ministry was a success- ful one. Taking the Church when its membership was but 45, he had only labored three years (1858) when the number increased to 166; and which number being too great for the dimensions of the church, a new edifice was erected, at a cost of $12,000, the same being that now used by the congrega- tion. The Rev. Mr. Stearns afterward removed to Fort Madison, where he died, and is buried here.
The next two years, the Church had the service of Rev. A. C. Mc Clelland, present Secretary of the Freedmen's Committee at Pittsburg. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. W. Larrimore, who left in 1863, and entered the army as Chaplain. He had increased the membership to 204. The Rev. G. Bergen then filled the pulpit for a period of six months. The next year, the Rev. E. L. Belden occupied the pulpit. On September 18, 1865, the Rev.
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Eshelman
MT. PLEASANT
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
J. C. McClintock was chosen Pastor, and served until January, 1871, and since then has been pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Burlington; 150 scholars in the Sunday school; John Whiting has been Superintendent for fifteen years. In February of that year, the Rev. D. S. Tappan was called to the pastorate, and has remained in the pulpit since.
A parsonage was purchased in 1872, at a cost of $2,000.
In 1873, a Woman's Missionary Society was organized, and in the spring of 1874, in co-operation with the Church, a Ladies' Society for Home Work was established.
There is a Sabbath school in connection with the Church, and the denom- ination is in a state of prosperity.
The Baptist Church .- The organization of this society dates back to Feb- ruary 8, 1843 .. Submitted is a history of the society given by the Journal in May, 1878 :
"Thirty-five years ago, the first germs of the religious organization were planted in this city, then a village, by the advent of Elder H. Burnett and wife. Alternately with others of differing creeds and practices, Elder Burnett preached sometimes in the Court House and sometimes in a house built by Mr. Viney, where now stands the house of Dr. Bird, there being no house of worship in the place. Surely the strongest faith, or the most vivid imagination might well be blameless if it failed to foresee the time when, fronting and overlooking that very spot and that humble house of worship, lent by the generosity of a private citi- zen, there would stand to-day the beautiful house which, dedicated wholly to worship and service of God, is at once a blessing and an ornament to our beau- tiful city. Within a few months, under the earnest preaching of Elder Bur- nett, six persons had embraced the truth he set forth and banded themselves together as a church of Christ, after the simple manner of the primitive disciples.
" For years, the little company of disciples, gradually increasing in numbers by the accession of willing converts brought in during the frequent revivals with which God blessed them, worshiped here and there, as they found opportu- nity, sometimes in Brother Burnett's house, where he now lives, and sometimes elsewhere. Other organizations had built houses of worship, and this band of believers was the last to build then, as now. They struggled on, amid opposi- tion, to maintain the truth and to commend it to others, and after a very weary effort they completed the house now transformed into the home of Mrs. Wool- son. This building they occupied for many years. Revival after revival added new converts to their ranks, till the place became too strait for them, and they cast about for larger accommodation.
" Finally it was determined to sell the old house to the United Presbyterians and build a new one.
" Retaining the right to use the old house for one service each Sabbath, the Church met there till the summer of 1869, when Mr. Saunders offered the use of his hall, rent free, which was accepted, and the Church met there till Octo- ber of that year, when they entered the finished basement of the new edifice.
" The enterprise was first talked of in 1866, the foundation was laid in 1867, the walls were erected and covered in 1868, and the State Convention of the denomination met with the Church and dedicated the basement in 1869. At that time, the liabilities of the Church were nominally met and provided for ; but it was found, on attempting to make collections, that owing to the shrinkage of subscriptions and values there was a deficiency of about $2,500. This was provided for. It was further determined, as the policy
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
of the Church, that the enterprise of completing the house should be carried forward piecemeal. During several years, the church wrestled with the indebtedness already incurred; but, in 1875, a forward move was made in taking down the unsightly board coverings, and putting in their place the stained window-glass which now adorns the building. The vestibule above and below was also finished, with exception of the stairways. In the mean time, the Church determined to ask aid from brethren at the East, and Miss Hannah Beard, of Salem, undertook and accomplished that mission so successfully that the funds thus obtained, together with those raised by the efforts of the Church, the entire liabilities have been paid, and the house completed and dedicated free of debt."
The house is 50x80 feet, built with solid 13-inch wall, supported by heavy buttresses. The intention is to continue the spire until its top shall have reached 180 feet from the ground.
The cost of the new church was between $22,000 and $24,000.
The edifice was dedicated on Sunday, April 28, 1878. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. E. Gunn, of Fort Scott, Kan., and former Pastor of the congregation at Mount Pleasant.
In that sermon, he spoke of the blessings attending the public worship of God, and why desirable and precious ; not on account of the building, however beautiful, but on account of God's presence.
The edifice, as it now stands, is one of the finest churches in Mount Pleas- ant. The membership is large.
There is a Sabbath school connected with the Church. Attending upon this are nearly two hundred scholars. There is also a fine library.
Congregational Church .- This society was organized June 27, 1841. Seven years later, the church edifice, now standing, was built. At an early date, the society was exceedingly prosperous, but circumstances have conspired to render the present condition somewhat less so. Still, the leading members have always been characterized by a degree of firmness and determination to hold the society together, which is highly commendable.
Taking the ministers in rotation, the following is the list from the begin- ning, the first being in 1847 :
Simeon Waters, three years ; Rev. Mr. Sands, one year ; Rev. Theopholus Packard, two years ; Rev. Mr. Hurlbut, six months; Rev. Mr. Haskell, six months; Rev. A. J. Drake, three years ; Rev. Joseph Pickett, six years ; Rev. James Barnard, two years ; Rev. Mr. Marts, six months ; Rev. Robert Nourse, one year ; Rev. Mr. Cakebake, two years : Rev. Mr. Jones, one and one-half year; Rev. Mr. Sharp, present Pastor.
Seventh-Day Adventists .- The doctrines of the Seventh-Day Adventists were first preached in Henry County at Mount Pleasant, in 1860, by Elder M. Hull. A very few embraced their views. In the following spring, he preached at Liberty Schoolhouse, in Center Township, and several families were made believers. In March, 1863, Elder B. F. Snook organized a Church of about sixteen members, which met for worship regularly at Liberty Schoolhouse, until 1865, when they changed their place of meeting to Center Schoolhouse, which they continued to occupy until June, 1867. At that time, they purchased their present house of worship, from the United Presbyterians, for the sum of $875, and in this they have held regular Sabbath services until the present time.
This property consists of one and one-half lots, one block and a half south of the southeast corner of the square, and a building, containing, above, a hall, which is used for Church purposes, and below, a room used for several years.
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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
past by the city as a primary schoolroom. This hall was the old Masonic Hall of Mount Pleasant, and is one of the oldest public buildings in the city. After the Masons had removed to another locality, it was used by the United Presbyterians as a church for several years, until purchased from them, as here- tofore stated, by the Adventists.
The Adventists have no Pastors located among them, as is usually the case with other denominations, since the ministers among this people labor much in new fields as evangelists, and visit a large number of churches occasionally. Local Elders are elected and ordained to lead in the meetings, administer the ordinances and look after the spiritual interests of the Church during the absence of their minister.
A. A. Fairfield served most of the time, as local Elder, from the organiza- tion of the Church, in 1863, until 1871, when he removed to Battle Creek, Mich. Jacob Hare succeeded him in this position, until February, 1873, at which time he died. B. F. Choulder was next chosen, and holds that position at the present time.
Several ministers of the denomination have resided here, and labored in the Church when not laboring elsewhere. Elder George I. Butler has made his home here since 1869; Elder Stephen Pierce, most of the time since 1875, and Elder C. A. Washburn, since 1877.
The growth of the Church has been gradual. The present membership is between fifty and sixty. It has not varied greatly from this for several years, the additions but little more than making up for deaths and removals, of which there have been quite a number. The Church has a flourishing Sabbath school, with a small library. There is also a Tract and Missionary Society, for the distribution of reading-matter and denominational literature.
Christian Church .- The Christian Church society was formed in 1845, and just ten years later built a church. At that time the Rev. Arthur Miller was Pastor. He remained until two or three years later, when he died. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Topliff, who continued one year, followed by the Rev. Samuel Lowe, whose term lasted two years. A great deal of the time since that the Church has been without a Pastor, the last one being the Rev. N. E. Corey. The pulpit at present is not filled. The membership of the Church is 150. There is a Sabbath school in connection.
Universalist Church .- The Universalist Church society was organized on the 5th day of August, 1848. The society was incorporated on July 11, 1850. During the years 1856-57, a fine church edifice was erected at a cost of $4,000. The church is standing and in use by the society at present. The building was dedicated in September, 1857, the Rev. O. A. Skinner preaching the dedicatory sermon. On the 10th day of January, 1858, the society was permanently organized as the First Universalist Church of Mount Pleasant. The Church has been without a Pastor for a portion of the time. There is a Sabbath school and a library of a generous number of books in connection with the church.
Protestant Episcopal Church .- The Protestant Episcopal Church of Mount Pleasant was organized on September 12, 1856, under the name of St. Mi- chael's Parish. The names of those composing the first Vestry were Philo Burr, George Josselyn, James Goolden, S. S. Worthy and Thomas Heath. In addition to these, there took part in the organization, Dr. Burrows, Col. Kitt- ridge and Robert F. G. Page. The first Rector of the parish was the Rev. F. Emerson Judd, who entered upon his actual duties in April, 1858, having, for six months prior to that served as Minister of the parish. In November,
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