USA > Iowa > Clinton County > Wolfe's history of Clinton County, Iowa, Volume 1 > Part 17
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the tornado, and thus raised money with which to rebuild the church, the one which is still used. It was erected the same fall on the site of the old one.
The Ladies' Aid Society, by their needle work, etc., in the summer of 1895, raised money and built the parlors of the church and on November 30th, the church met in this spacious room for their monthly covenant meeting.
For a number of years the pastors have preached at two outside stations, Low Moor and Follets.
The following is a list of the pastors who have served this church since it was organized in 1851 as above stated : Rev. D. H. Paul, Rev. William Parkhurst, Rev. John Edminster, Rev. L. W. Lackey, Rev. E. M. Miles, Mr. Johns and Mr. Thoms, who were students in Chicago University, supplied for the summer months, during one year, then Rev. L. L. Lansing, Rev. Carlos Swift, Rev. Edward Jones, Rev. Whitelaw, Rev. George Houghton, Rev. H. D. Weaver, Rev. W. E. Mooney, Rev. H. L. Steele, Rev. Delos Bancroft, Rev. Thomas Radcliffe, Rev. W. D. James, Rev. R. S. Sargent, Rev. C. N. Manchester, and Rev. William Edwards, who became pastor November 15, 1908, and is the present pastor.
The deacons are now Rev. H. L. Steele, W. R. Anthony and Dr. A. Chenoweth. The membership in September, 1910, was one hundred and thirty-two.
DE WITT BAPTISTS.
The First Baptist church of De Witt was organized June 3, 1852, by Newbon Hays, Salome Hays, T. W. Clark, Ann Clark, Elizabeth Wallace and Adaline Dennis. In 1858 a church edifice was erected at a cost of four thousand dollars. They also have a mission church at Malone, costing one thousand dollars. This church building was erected in 1876.
The present membership of the De Witt church is sixty-four. The fol- lowing have served as pastors : Revs. Thomas W. Clark, 1852-54; J. P. Cook, 1854-55; T. W. Clark, 1855-57; William. Wood, 1857-58; D. D. Gregory, 1858-61 ; T. W. Clark, 1861-63; D. H. Paul, 1863-65; J. M. Lackey, 1865- 66; J. Edminister, 1867-69; S. H. D. Vaughn, 1869-73; W. H. Irwin, 1875- 76; J. C. Douglas, 1876-79; H. W. Wilson, 1880-82; L. L. Cloyd, 1882-84; vacant in years from 1884 to 1887; Elder Bicknell, three months in 1887; Elder Pease, 1887; M. T. Lamb, 1889; William C. Learned, few months; W. P. Pearce, 1894-96; G. W. Pearce, 1896-98; J. B. Edmonson, 1898-1903; S. O. Christian, 1906-1909.
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CLINTON BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist church at Clinton was organized after some preliminary meetings held by Rev. Addison A. Swain, then of Fulton, Illinois, under the auspices of the Baptist Home Missionary Association, December 31, 1856, the perfection of the society being dated May 19, 1857. Among its original members may be recalled C. H. Toll, Leslie G. Patterson, John Dyer and wife, William and Susan Phillips, O. T. Bowen, Mrs. Charles Dixon and a few more, possibly. For some time the church was without a stated pastor. The first edifice was a temporary structure, on the corner of Fourth street and Seventh avenue. Crandall hall was used while their first real church building was being erected. The basement of the new church was dedicated May 13, 1870, and the upper auditorium March 8, 1874, four thousand five hundred dollars being raised on that occasion to pay off the debt. In 1878 the church property was estimated to be worth twenty thousand dollars and the member- ship was one hundred and forty. The present membership is three hundred.
The following is a list of the pastors who have had charge in the years included in the church's history : Revs. John Scott, 1860-61 ; A. H. Stark- weather, 1861-65; W. G. Moore, 1865-66; A. D. Freeman, 1866-67; William Roney, 1867-69; H. A. Guild, 1870, a few months only; C. H. Remington, 1870-71; M. T. Lamb, 1872-74; J. A. Atchison, 1874-76; C. C. Smith, 1877; E. P. Savage, W. B. Mattison, O. C. Kirkham, George H. Bower, J. F. Sand- ers, W. J. Peacock, George D. Rogers, the last named still pastor.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
The First Presbyterian church of Lyons was organized November II, 1855, in the old brick school house, by Rev. Daniel Clark, Jr. Its first officers were: Ruling elders, P. T. Roe, Allen Slack and William B. Goodly. The charter members were: W. Goodley, Susan Goodley, Anna E. Goodley, Phillip T. Roe, Anna M. Roe, Allen Slack, Mrs. Anna Gaylord, Mrs. Ellen E. Jerome, Anna Hulbert, Amanda Hulbert and Charles Hulbert.
The first place of meeting was in the Concert hall on Pearl street. The first pastor earnestly labored to found this church, surrounded by frontier worldliness. He worked against dancing and card parties, billiards and ten pins, as well as against the use of intoxicating liquors. He increased the membership to fifty-eight. The present membership is one hundred and forty.
The first building was erected in 1858, a brick structure on North Seventh street, now used by the German Catholics. The second building was erected
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in 1862, a frame building which served its purpose for forty-four years. It stood on Exchange and Seventh streets. The third, and present, edifice was erected in 1906, on the corner of Seventh and Exchange streets. This is. a brick building, costing twelve thousand dollars. The society also owns a commodious parsonage at No. 708 Exchange street.
The faithful pastors who have been in charge of this church are: Revs. Daniel Clark, Jr., 1855-62; H. L. Stanley, 1862-68; A. N. Keigwin, 1868-69; Thomas Lawrence, 1869-71 ; R. E. Mills, 1873-79; C. M. Lombard, 1879-82; S. T. McClure, 1882-86; M. E. Todd, 1886-91 ; A. R. Brickenbach, 1891-95; James R. Kaye, 1895-98; John P. Hutchinson, 1898-99; Edgar E. Mathers, 1899-03; D. W. McMillan, 1903-07; N. A. McAulay, D. D., 1907 to the present.
The First Presbyterian church of Clinton, the only other one of this de- nomination in Clinton county, was formed October 26, 1856, in the west room of what was then known as Price's block, Fourth avenue.
CLINTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian church of Clinton was formed October 26, 1856, in the west room of what was known as Price's block, on Fourth avenue. Rev. George R. Moore and A. W. Platt officiated. The first members were: Zara W. Arnold, Mrs. Sophia (Z. W.) Arnold, John Brown, Mrs. Jemima (John) Brown, Alfred Cobb, Frederick R. Driscoll, Horace B. Gates, Mrs. Hannah (H. B.) Gates, Seymour A. Godly, Mrs. Mary A. (S. A.) Godly, Henry McCormick, M. D., Mrs. Sara Platt, Miss Sara Louisa Platt, Hall Stull, Mrs. Elizabeth Webb. Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Irwin and William F. Coan were pres- ent, but did not unite at this time.
In April, 1857, a small church building was commenced and soon ready for use. A larger church edifice was needed, but the times were hard and the panic of 1873 made things still worse, but finally in 1875 Murray church (built in 1871 by the Universalist society) was temporarily used and the work of building a new church went on. The corner stone was laid July 29, 1875, with imposing ceremonies. The corner stone contained a box with many rare articles deposited therein, including Centennial medals from the Phila- delphia Exposition, histories, sermons, newspapers, etc. The church was com- pleted in December, 1877. It still serves the increasing congregation. It is built of red brick, home made, seats seven hundred, has many side rooms, par- lors, etc., with an excellent basement which is used for mid-week meetings and Sunday school. The cost of this Presbyterian church was twenty-five
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thousand dollars. In 1880 it was valued at thirty thousand dollars and then the church enjoyed a membership of two hundred.
Among the pastors called to serve this congregation may be recalled the names of the following : Revs. Obed Miner, G. A. D. Hebard, John McLeish, J. Knox, O. D. W. White, J. R. Morse, J. G. Cowden (first formally installed pastor), who served until 1881. The next pastor was Rev. S. H. Weller, D. D., who came in 1884. He was succeeded in September, 1884, by Rev. Joseph Dunn, D. D., who remained until January 20, 1892, and was followed by Rev. Frank D. Carson, D. D., in 1897. Following him came Rev. J. K. Fowler, D. D., in 1897, remaining until August 31, 1903. He was succeeded by Rev. William Hiram Foulkes, D. D., in January, 1904, he being followed by Rev. Elmer Allen Bess, D. D., the present pastor, who commenced his labors in this church in March, 1907.
A good parsonage was purchased in the spring of 1906. The church is in excellent condition and enjoys a membership of five hundred and fifty. The estimated value of the church property is fifty thousand dollars.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In the fall of 1854, William Campbell and family, who were connected with the Associate Reformed church of Guernsey county, Ohio, removed to Iowa, settling near De Witt. During that winter they were joined by the families of John Barrett, R. J. Jamison, John B. Cranston and others of the same religious faith.
Early in the summer of 1855, Rev. John B. Clark, pastor of the congre- gations at Le Claire, Port Byron and what is now Elvira (then Pleasant Prairie), made an attempt to preach in De Witt, but failed and his place was filled by Rev. S. V. Van Atta, who held the first services and preached the first sermon of the Associate Reform church in De Witt. Services were later held by Rev. Henry Allen, Rev. John Chambers, Rev. Mr. Miller and Rev. R. S. Campbell, of that church. An Associate Reformed church was organ- ized at De Witt in September, 1855, the same having sixteen members.
In 1859 they erected a small frame building in which to worship. It was, however, blown down by a wind storm. The congregation at once set about building again and completed a church in 1860.
In May, 1858, the Associate Reform church by an edict at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, assumed the name of United Presbyterian, as known today. In 1861, the first year of the Civil war, nine of the men from this congrega- tion went forth in defense of their country, viz: John Barrett, Alexander P.
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Meikleman, John Henderson, Wm. H. Hyde, James Barnes, John F. Baird, James S. Patterson, D. J. Cranston and John A. Hyde. Of these only one survived to the close of the war, and he returned a cripple for life, having lost a limb at Chattanooga in 1863. John F. Baird lost his life in the horrible Andersonville prison pen.
William Campbell, the true founder of this church, was stricken with paralysis while speaking at a revival service in January, 1871, and died the following day.
In October, 1875, the church building was much improved, and the mem- bership was then ninety-five. The present (1910) membership is about sixty. The following pastors have served : R. S. Campbell, David Nicoll, J. P. Gib- son, J. A. Sannon, J. C. White, W. E. Dunlap, H. D. Garrett and C. H. Mitchell.
ELVIRA UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The history of this church is coupled with that of the original Associated Reformed church, known as Pleasant Prairie church. On December 26, 1853, Rev. Alexander Pattison organized the last named society at the house of Jacob Bohart, in Center township. It was under the charge of the Keokuk presbytery. Those present at the formation of the church were W. W. Beatty, Adam Kelly, Peter and Jacob Bohart. During the winter of 1854-55 a call was extended to Rev. John B. Clark, who was intalled pastor over the work at this point, Le Claire Prairie and Port Byron. He was killed by lightning ·in 1856. In 1856 a house of worship was built in the village of Elvira, on ground donated by R. A. Lyons. In 1857 the union was effected between the Associated Reformed and United Presbyterian people. In 1856 Rev. R. S. Campbell was made pastor and continued under the new relation until August, 1865. In 1866, Rev. Thomas Calohan became pastor, remaining until 1868 and was then deposed from the ministry. During his stay the church had been named the Elvira United Presbyterian church. During the summer of 1869, Rev. D. Nicoll became pastor, having also the work at De Witt to attend to. He moved to Ida county and became a member of the Legislature. Following him came Rev. G. W. Hamilton in 1876. Under his pastorate the church building was greatly improved and was then considered the best country church in Clinton county. Other pastors have been : Revs. G. W. Hamilton, G. W. M. Hayes, S. R. Mclaughlin, W. F. Cochran, R. H. Barr, W. C. Davidson, W. N. Leeper, H. E. Whitmyer. The membership is about seventy at this time-1910.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.
The First Congregational church of Lyons was organized at an early date. It has a building home on the corner of Sixth and Main streets. It was originally organized at the house of Henry Ustick, Union Grove, Illinois, December 21, 1839. Rev. John H. Prentiss officiated. Henry and Abigail Ustick, Joseph and Hannah Town, Elizabeth Town and Mrs. Eliza Prentiss, of Fulton, were constituent members of what was the First Congregational church of Union Grove. The record of December 13, 1845, shows, "Whereas the members of this church residing at Union Grove have been organized as a separate church; and whereas a portion of its members reside near Lyons and its vicinity; therefore, resolved, that this church be called the First Church of Lyons and Fulton."
"Whereas Henry Ustick, Abigail Ustick, Hannah Town and Grosvenor Rice have united in forming a church at Union Grove, resolved, that their special connection with this church be considered as dissolved."
In 1846 the church was received into the Northern Iowa Association. In May, 1854, it was legally incorporated under the laws of Iowa.
Services were held in the school house until in the fifties, going from that to other buildings until finally the church decided to build an edifice, which was accomplished in 1857. As funds were needed the money was subscribed. Finally a lot-the one still used-was purchased for one thousand six hundred dollars and a neat edifice erected at a cost of one thousand seven hundred dollars. January 16, 1860, this building was burned and the following June a new church was dedicated. The present membership of this church is two hundred and fifty-seven.
The following have served as pastors at Lyons and their names will bring back many a memory of other days in church life and work in Lyons: Revs. John H. Prentiss, 1839-41 ; O'Emerson, 1841-44; Silas J. Francis, 1849- 51; J. T. Morey, 1851-53; J. C. Sliong, 1854-56; Ovid Miner, 1856, six months; Lorenzo J. White, 1857-60; George F. Magoon, 1860-64; M. W. Fairfield, 1864-65; Thomas N. Bass, 1866-70; Rev. Curtis, 1871-75; Sidney Crawford, 1875-85; H. A. Shorey, 1885-87; T. S. Adams, 1887-88; E. S. Car, 1888-90; E. B. Chase, 1890-92 ; Clinton W. Wilson, 1892-95; Frank B. Hucks, 1895-96; Addison D. Kinzer, 1897-1900; Charles E. Tower, 1900-02; John Foster, 1902-04; Charles A. Riley, 1904-10; Thomas Campbell, 1910, and who is the present pastor.
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CLINTON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The first preliminary meeting looking toward the formation of a Congre- gational church at Clinton was held at the residence of Royce Jones, May 7, 1866. At a subsequent meeting articles of faith were adopted by a council that was called for that special purpose. Those who assented to such articles were : A. P. Hosford, W. H. Browning and wife, Royce Jones and wife, Mrs. Helen M. Hall, J. Matthews and wife, Mrs. Van Kuran, Mrs. E. Steinhouse, Miss McGregor and Mrs. O. Smith.
Until 1867 the church held its meetings in the high school room. In September of that year the new church building was dedicated, the sermon being preached by President G. F. Magoun, of Iowa College. The church was later supplied with one of the finest toned pipe organs in the West. The present membership of this church is two hundred.
The list of ministers who have served as pastors is as follows: Revs. J. W. White, who served four years; J. L. Ewell, four years; A. J. Chittendon, nine months ; William L. Bray, from August, 1875, to 1884; C. A. Marshall, 1884-86; Wilson Denny, 1886-89; T. L. Kenyon, 1890-91; Edwin Moore, 1891-95 ; J. M. Hulbert, 1895-99; E. B. Dean, 1899-05 ; C. T. Fiser, 1905-08; R. T. Jones, 1908, and still serving as pastor.
DE WITT CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.
The First Congregational church of De Witt was formed July 10, 1842, and the charter members were: Charles Dutton, Oliver Emerson, Jr., David Bedford, Polly Evans, James M. Oakes, Ambrose Betts and Eliza F. Bedford. Rev. A. B. Hitchcock was the presiding minister at the organization services.
A house of worship was erected in 1853, one block east of Main street, fronting on Dodge street, the lot being donated by Newell S. Bedford. The second church was erected in 1865, on the same lot, and was destroyed by fire December 16, 1887. The third edifice was erected in 1888, at a cost of three thousand one hundred and fifteen dollars.
The present membership of the church at De Witt is about sixty-six. The various pastors who have served this society are as follows : Oliver Emer- son, April 16, 1843; S. J. Francis, March 31, 1850; J. S. Mowry, April 16, 1853; J. Van Antwerp, July 1, 1857; Rufus Apthorp, August 15, 1871; E. P. Whiting, April 18, 1875; J. W. Hubbard, July 8, 1877; J. F. Taintor, March 20, 1880; C. H. Cook, November 1, 1884; D. S. Jenkins, March 4, 1886; William Chapple, May 2, 1887; F. H. York, November 11, 1888; E. P. (12)
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Crane, October 26, 1890; C. E. Sinclair, November 1, 1893; A. W. Depew, December 8, 1895; T. Robt. Elwell, June 5, 1898; Frederic A. Dean, January 3, 1901 ; J. J. Mitchell, August, 1902; William Gardner, September 15, 1907.
EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
There are, at this date, two churches of the Episcopal denomination in Clinton county, one at Lyons and one at Clinton.
St. John's Episcopal church of Clinton, corner of Fourth avenue and Third streets, is the home of the organization that was formed in 1855 by the following members : Samuel A. Stinson, John H. Sullivan, Henry H. Sanger, Robert H. Knowlton, A. B. Furgeson, Eliza A. Williams, P. I. Shoecraft, Caroline F. Shoecraft, Fannie G. Davis and Mary A. NowIton. The present membership of this church is one hundred and seventy-three.
Rev. Henry W. Lee, bishop of Iowa, organized St. John's parish, hold- ing the services in a log house belonging to Noble Perrin, near the levee. A small frame building was erected in the spring following and used as a private school, as well as for church purposes. In the winter of 1864 the members made an heroic effort, notwithstanding it was in the darkest days of the Civil war, to erect a suitable church. April 15th, that year, they dedicated their new edifice, with really thankful hearts. Its size was thirty by seventy feet, built of buff-colored limestone after the old English style of church architec- ture. The cost of this church was seven thousand dollars and it served well its purpose until the present edifice, costing some twenty thousand dollars, was built in 1898, the same standing on the site of the old house of worship.
The pastor, or rectors who have been placed in charge of this church at Clinton are as follows : Revs. James Trimble, 1857; Dudley Chase, 1859 to 1861 ; Charles B. Stout, 1861-62; G. W. Watson. 1862-66; F. Humphrey, 1866-68; James Trimble, 1869-88; E. Jay Cooke, 1888-92; G. F. Patter- son, 1893-95; Henry H. Morrell, 1896-1900; J. E. Reilly, 1901-02; T. W. C. Chessman, 1902-04; Allen Judd, 1904-08; Frederick H. Burrell, December, 1908, to the present.
LYONS EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The church of this denomination known as Grace Episcopal church of Lyons, Iowa, was founded in 1855, by Rev. Hiram W. Beers, of whom later the world knew much of his excellence and ability. Services were held in Metropolitan hall, in the third story of a business block. The records show that the Protestant Episcopal church of Lyons held its first meeting in the town hall
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December 22, 1855. The Right Rev. Bishop Lee of Iowa acted as chairman and at this meeting was organized Grace Episcopal church parish. T. S. Bris- coe was secretary of the first meeting. The next step was to secure a church in which to have a home. The records further say (July, 1856), "Resolved, that we proceed to build a church edifice. Resolved, that we choose three per- sons to act as the building committee. Resolved, that Rev. W. H. Beers, Benjamin Lake and R. W. Rand act as a committee." The location selected was the present site, corner of Sixth and Franklin streets. The structure was for the most part stone of a pleasing style of church architecture. Its cost was four thousand five hundred dollars, of which three thousand eight hundred and fifty was given locally. The seats were sold at prices ranging from thirty-five dollars to five hundred dollars, but aggregated about one thousand dollars. After 1872, pews were all free in this church. The rec- tory was erected in 1885. Many changes in the interior of the building have been made from time to time. In the autumn of 1895 the Guild room was provided, next west from the church proper. In 1898, soon after Clinton and Lyons were consolidated, the old church was completely rebuilt and made about as seen today. In 1879 a vested choir obtained first. The church has grown and prospered with the passing of these more than fifty years. Its golden jubilee celebration took place December 22, 1905, and was a great oc- casion for the church. The present membership is about two hundred and fifty communicants. The following have served as rectors: Revs. W. H. Beers, 1855-60; George W. Watson, 1860-66; Henry Adams, 1866-68; Lyman N. Freeman, 1868-70; A. P. Crouch, 1870-73; Samuel Currie, 1875-80; William T. Currie, 1880-85 ; T. J. Brookes, 1885-88; R. B. Whipple, 1888-89; H. L. Gamble, 1888-90; George T. Griffith, 1891-92; C. H. Weaver, 1892-94; C. W. Tyler, 1894-1901 ; T. W. Jones, 1901, and still serving as rector. Rev. Jones attends to a newly started work at Almont.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES.
The First Evangelical Lutheran church of Lyons was organized as St. John's Congregation, Unaltered Asbury Confession, at Lyons, Clinton county, Iowa. The date was 1858 and the charter members numbered about ten, all of whom are now deecased.
The church buildings have been situated at various places. Its permanent home is now No. 118 Prospect street. The building has recently been im- proved and remodeled, at an expense of three thousand dollars. The congre- gation owns a fine parsonage and a modern school building. The present
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active membership of the church is three hundred and thirty-five. Number in attendance at the parochial school, from fifty to sixty. The total value of all property belonging to this congregation amounts to about twenty-five thou- sand dollars. Since the coming of Rev. Hugo Grimm, the church has greatly increased. He was installed January 21, 1905. The names of the pastors before him are as follows: Rev. R. Aswald, from November 1, 1861, to November, 1865. On December 3, 1865, came Rev. A. F. Lutz, who served two years. From`January 1, 1868, to September, 1874, Rev. C. Seuel was pastor ; he belonging to the Missouri synod. From October, 1874, to October, 1875, Rev. Frederick Lussky was pastor. He was followed by Rev. Johannes Fackler, serving from November 14, 1875, to December 3, 1882, seven years. Then came Rev. H. W. Grumm, from March 11, 1883, to July, 1899. From 1899 to July, 1902, Rev. H. A. Meyer served; from then to June, 1905, Rev. P. Meinecke; from September 15, 1905, to January, 1905, A. C. Theo Steege was pastor, the present pastor, Rev. Grimm, coming January 21, 1905.
.ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This is the only English-speaking Lutheran church in Clinton county. It was organized May 5, 1907, by Rev. J. S. Leamer, the present pastor. In 1910 there is being erected a handsome edifice on the corner of Eighth avenue and Third street, costing six thousand dollars. The present membership of the society is one hundred.
The founder, Rev. Leamer, was sent to Clinton by the Home Missionary Society of the general synod of the Lutheran church in March, 1907, and the formal organization took place May 5th of the same year. The charter was kept open for signatures until May 14th, when there were enrolled forty mem- bers and they voted to adopt the constitution already prepared.
THE CHURCH AT BUENA VISTA.
The Buena Vista Evangelical Lutheran church-Immanuel's congregation -was organized in Olive township, April 16, 1871, by Rev. C. Suel, pastor at Lyons. Following him came a teacher, Edmond Lutz, now of Cleveland, Ohio. Then came Rev. H. E. Gelbrecht, in 1872-74. During his service here the church was built and dedicated March 23, 1873. It cost six hun- dred and six dollars and was entirely built by the church members. Only one of the charter or first members still survives, George Dralle, Sr. The next pastor was Rev. J. H. Brammer, now at Lowdon, Iowa, who served in 1874.
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