USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 102
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The village continued to increase in a substantial way. In the year 1857, and for the three following years, a census was taken.
In 1857 there were io7 families, with 165 males
and 126 females over 2r; and 124 males and 137 fe- males under 21, a total of 552.
In 1858 there were 145 families, with 213 males and 159 females over 21, and 182 males and 178 females under 21, a total of 732.
In 1859 there were 179 families, with 262 males and 193 females over 2r, and 237 males and 205 females under 21; a total of 897.
In 1860 there were 203 families, with 282 males and 265 females over 21, and 226 males and 242 fe- males under 21, a total of 1,015.
POSTOFFICE.
Some years prior to the advent of the railroad steps were taken to secure the location here of a postoffice. A petition was circulated, largely signed, and for- warded to Hon. John Wentworth to present to the Postoffice Department. In order to secure the active co-operation of Mr. Wentworth, it was proposed to give the office the name of Sandwich, in honor of his native town in New Hampshire. . The Department acceded to the request, and established the office, with Dr. Merriam as postmaster. While he remained in the country he managed the office. Dr. Renton, his successor in medical practice, was the next post- master. He remained here but a short time. When he left the Department ordered C. B. Rhodes, of Buck Branch postoffice, to take charge of the prop- erty of the office. When the railroad was completed, and the Carrs had begun business here, Dr. Griswold was appointed postmaster. The office was kept for a time in the store of J. H. & L. H. Carr. Dr. Gris- wold did not long retain the office, and was succeeded by Robert Patten. The office was removed to Pat- ten & Culver's store, where it remained for some years. George Hollenbach was Mr. Patten's suc- cessor, and was, in turn, succeeded by F. W. Part- ridge. On the first call for 300,000 men to aid in suppressing the Rebellion, Mr. Partridge sent in his resignation, and raised a company, of which he was made captain, and which became a part of the 13th Infantry. Jonathan Able was his successor, and served until Grant's first term, when Frank A. Munson received the appointment, and served twelve years. He was succeeded by G. H. Robertson, the present postmaster. The office is of the third class, the postmaster receiving a salary of $1,700 per year. The receipts of the office amount to $450 per month.
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INCORPORATION.
On the 18th of February, 1860, an election was held for the purpose of voting on the question of in- - corporation. There were cast at that election for in- corporation 83 votes ; against incorporation, 63 votes. A majority being in favor of incorporation, an election was held March 5 for town officers. The following were elected : Augustus Adams, Almaron Gage, George W. Culver, W. Walker, Wm. G. Morris, Trus- tees ; S. B. Stinson, Clerk, W. W. Sedgwick, J. P .; H. F. Winchester, Assessor; James B. Burt, Police Constable.
The Board met and elected Augustus Adams Pres- ident .. From that time until its incorporation as a city, annual elections were held. The following named comprise a complete list of trustees :
1861-W. G. Morris, J. H. Carr, Almaron Gage, James Woodward, G. W. Culver.
1862-G. W. Culver, W. G. Morris, Almaron Gage, Washington Walker, H. A. Adams.
1873-W. L. Simmons, P. Stone, J. H. Culver, O. O. Wormwood, H. L .. Winchester.
1864-A. Adams, W. L. Simmons, O. S. Hendee, Almaron Gage, P. Stone .*
1865-J. H. Carr, W. L. Simmons, H. A. Adams, James Woodward, E. A. Kennedy.
1866-G. W. Culver, Amos Shepard, J. P. Adams, M. Carpenter, R. B. Jackson.
1867-Henry F. Winchester, Valentine Vermilye, James Lewis, L. S. Humiston, J. H. Culver.
1 868-M. W. Sedgwick, Elijah Banta, Gus Brecher, J. H. Culver, F. S. Mosher.
1 869-W. W. Sedgwick, George Kleinsmid, J. H. Culver, F. S. Mosher, H. A. Adams.
1870-L. R. Hills, Augustus Hammond, John Woodward, Francis M. Fox, S. P. Bushnell.
1871-J. P. Adams, W. G. Morris, George Klein- smid, John Woodward, A. A. Marcy.
1872-J. P. Adams, W. G. Morris, A. A. Marcy, Geo. Kleinsmid, G. R. Wallace.
A petition was presented to the Board of Trustees on the 7th day of October, 1872, praying the Board to submit to a vote of the people whether the town should be incorporated as a city under the general act of the Legislature. Acting upon the petition, the Board submitted the question to a vote on Tues- day, November 19, 1872; they also submitted to a
vote the question of minority representation in the Council. At the election there were 287 votes cast on incorporation, of which 177 were for and 110 against. For minority representation, 1 ; against, 285.
The first election for city officers was held in De- cember, 1872, and the first meeting of the council was held Jan. 2, 1873. The first officers were as fol- lows: W. W. Sedgwick, Mayor; H. A. Adams, A. A. Marcy, Henry C. and M. R. Jones, John Woodward, O. S. Hendee.
The Mayors and Aldermen are each elected to serve two years. The following is the list :
1873-Mayor, W. W. Sedgwick; Aldermen-Ist ward, H. C. Jones, A. A. Marcy; 2d ward, J. C. Taylor, O. S. Hendee; 3d ward, M. R. Jones, R. M. Brigham.
1874-Aldermen-Ist ward, H. C. Jones ; 2d ward, J. C. Taylor; 3d ward, Paul W. Wallace.
1875 -- Mayor, R. M. Brigham; Aldermen-Ist ward, Enos Doan; 2d ward, H. Packer; 3d ward, M. V. Eames, George Kleinsmid.
1876-Aldermen-Ist ward, James H. Culver; 2d ward, John Woodward; 3d ward, H. F. Winchester, John Armstrong, to fill vacancy.
1877-Mayor, J. M. Hummel; Aldermen-Ist ward, E. Doan; 2d ward, R. D. Crofoot ; 3d ward, F. A. Howe.
1878-Aldermen-Ist ward, Thomas Wright; 2d ward, Samuel Mitten; 3d ward, A. B. Palmer.
1879-Mayor, J. M. Hummel; Aldermen-Ist ward, D. K. Crofoot; 2d ward, M. V. Eames; 3d ward, J. Ives.
1880-Aldermen- Ist ward, Thomas Wright; 2d ward, H. A. Adams ; 3d ward, P. W. Wallace.
1881-Mayor, F. S. Mosher; Aldermen-Ist ward, E. I. Barker; 2d ward, Amos Shepard; 3d ward, F. Timberlake.
1882-Aldermen-Ist ward, Thomas Wright; 2d ward, ri. A. Adams; 3d ward, A. B. Palmer; L. D. Woodruff, to fill vacancy.
1883-Mayor, W. I .. Simmons; Aldermen-Ist ward, A. L. Gilchrist; 2d ward, J. Ledoyt; 3d ward, L. D. Woodruff.
1884-The following is a list of all the officers : Mayor-W. L. Simmons; Aldermen-Ist ward, A. L. Gilchrist, H. N. Woodward; 2d ward, J. Ledoyt,
*Resigned, and G. D. Cochran elected to fill vacancy.
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George Kleinsmid; 3d ward, L. D. Woodruff. C. A. Reed resigned and M. Dickinson elected to fill va- cancy; City Clerk, S. P. Sedgwick; City Att'y, W. W. Sedgwick ; City Treas., W. C. Phelps; City Marshal, .J. N. Shafter; City Supt. of Streets, W. Leacock ; Police Magistrate, W. R. Low; Board of Health, N. E. Ballou, Theron Potter, Jacob Burkhart, Jr.
The issue presented to the voters has usually been that of licensing saloons for the sale of alcoholic liquors. The license party has generally been suc- cessful, and there have usually been from two to four licensed saloons in the place. For a number of years the license fee has been $500 per year.
In 1878 the city erected a fine building on Rail- road Street, to be used for city offices and as an opera house. On the evening of Jan. 2, r879, the hall was duly dedicated.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The pioneer merchants of Sandwich are J. H. & L. H. Carr, who commenced business here in the fall of r853, purchasing from A. Gage an old building used by him as a granary and fitting it up for the purpose. As stated, the railroad company refused to locate a station here, so the Carrs were compelled to haul their first stock from Somonauk. The stock was of a miscellaneous kind, suitable to the wants of a farming community.
In the summer of 1854 A. R. Patten commenced the erection of a store building, in which Patten & Culver opened a stock of general merchandise.
James Clark, on the completion of his building, opened a stock of general merchandise.
Other dealers came in from time to time, and vari- ous changes were made. In the spring of r 885 there were six firms engaged in the trade of general mer- chandise-C. Corlinskey, Goodman & Weir, Pratt Bros., Crofoot & Manchester, J. N. Culver, E. I. Barker.
The first grocery store was established in the win- ter of r853-4 by James Kennard. His stock con- sisted of "eatables and drinkables," the latter, it is said, being the greater part of the stock. Perley Stone came soon after. In connection with Benjamin Latham he continued in the business for some time. Burt & Treat commenced in the spring of 1857. There are now six firms engaged in this line of trade -S. Abbey, Van Fleet & Smith, E. Thompson, N. Maginnis, E. F. West, R. G. Kirtland.
George W. Culver and Robert Patten were the first lumber dealers. They commenced business in the summer of 1854. Within the next three years H. F. Winchester, White & Potter, and M. B. Castle en- gaged in the same line, though not all at one time. In the spring of r857 Alexander White sold out to Hoagland & Shepard. The present dealers are E. Doan, Castle & Mosher.
The pioneer tailor was George P. Hay. He came from Bristol in the fall of 1854. In the summer of r855 he erected a building and opened a regular clothing store. Frederick Tummell was the next tailor and dealer in ready - made clothing. He opened his shop in r856. D. B. Stewart com- menced in the summer, and John W. Dobbin in the fall, of r857. In the spring of r885 the following named firms were in the business : M. Nathan, H. Fox & Co., James Warner, C. Blomquist, M. Dick- inson.
S. J. Smith, in the summer of r855, erected a build- ing, and in November following opened the first drug and bookstore. J. H. Miller & Co., A. H. Ramey, T. Potter monopolized the trade in the spring of r 885. Mr. Ramey was also a news dealer. E. Ledoyt was also in the latter business.
Alanson Fairbanks, in the fall of 1854, sold his farm in Little Rock and established the first livery stable in Sandwich. I. M. Arnold, Ed. Bark, S. Dickson were in the business in the spring of r885.
David Nixon opened the first furniture store in the spring of r856. He soon after received into partner- ship Jacob Burkhart, and the firm continued until the fall of r856, when they sold to John W. Dobbin, who, in the spring of 1857, sold to Burkhart & Col- lett. The former, in connection with his son, yet en- gages in the trade. In the spring of r857 Winans & Stratton commenced in the same line of trade. In the spring of r885, in addition to Burkhart & Son, the trade was represented by C. F. Walters.
E. S. Johnson was the first jeweler, beginning busi- ness here in the spring of r857. In r885 there were in the trade, in addition to Mr. Johnson, B. Wilsey, Charles Tiede.
In the fall of r855 Henry Roberts opened the first permanent meat-market. There are three shops at present-P. W. Wallace, Stockholm & Jones, Aug. West.
Buob & Streich, in the spring of r857, opened the
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first bakery. D. Hughes and Ed. Young are now en- gaged in the business.
In the spring of 1856 Richard Bassett established the first tinshop. G. L. Ismon & Co. next opened a shop in connection with their hardware store, with J. M. Sanders as foreman. R. S. Laird was the third tinsmith.
G. L. Ismon & Co. opened the first store for the. exclusive sale of hardware in the spring of 1856. George Kleinsmid and Winchell & Abbott are the only dealers at present.
The first permanent daguerrean artist in Sand- wich was M. F. Howard, in 1856. Miss A. B. Bas- sett was the second, in 1857. The daguerrean picture is now a thing of the past. C. E. Orr and A. Satterlee are photographers, doing business here at present.
J. H. & L. H. Carr bought and shipped the first grain from this station in the fall of 1853. Robert Patten and George W. Culver were also engaged for a time in the business. In the spring of 1855 S. Fuller located here and engaged in the same line. Follansbee & Wormwood were next, and in the fall of 1855 commenced the erection of a warehouse and elevator, which they completed in the spring of 1856. M. F. Howard commenced in the winter of 1856-7, and W. L. Simmons in the summer of 1857. The latter is still in the trade, and is the sole representa- tive.
Shortly after J. H. & L. H. Carr started in busi- ness, James Clark commenced the erection of a low, rambling building, one part of which he used for a store and the other for hotel purposes, it being the first hotel in the place. He ran it for a time and was succeeded by Mr. Van Olinda. It usually went by the name of the Donegana House, after the latter became the proprietor, and very soon ceased to exist.
In the fall of 1855 William H. Eddy erected the Sandwich House, and on New Year's eve of that year it was formally opened by Moses Cook, lessee. Mr. Cook continued to run the house until October, 1857, when Jonathan Able took charge of it. Vari- ous changes have been made, but in 1866 Joseph Dyas purchased the house, and has since continued . its management. The house has a good reputation, well deserved.
The Park House, by F. M. Bell, and the City Ho- tel, by Mrs. Josephine Wilsey, also afford entertain- ment to many guests.
Early in 1856 a company was organized for the erection of a steam grist-mill. Almaron Gage do- nated the ground and work was soon commenced. In the fall of the year the mill was complete, and set in motion by Mr. Bennett, who secured the posi- tion of miller, receiving a share of the proceeds for his labor. It was furnished with three run of buhrs. Mackie & Bell are the present proprietors. The mill is a stone structure, four-stories in height and has a capacity of 100 barrels of flour per day. Patent rollers have been introduced within the past two years, and the mill is now said to be one of the best in the State.
Myrlin Carpenter is the pioneer blacksmith, com- mencing in the spring of 1854. He soon associated with himself, Chester Wilcox, the firm of Carpenter & Wilcox continuing in existence some years. The representatives of this trade are now John White and Erwin Bros. The wagon and carriage manufacturers also do general blacksmithing.
Lansing & Williams were the first wagon-makers to locate here permanently. They were here within two years after the village was laid ont. G. Walter and Kehl Bros. are now engaged in the trade, the former doing quite an extensive business, employing in busy seasons about 30 hands .. The latter does a good business also.
Jacob Hoff was the first to engage in the trade of shoemaking, commencing business in January, 1856. Mr. Hainas came next in the spring of 1856, and in the spring of 1857 G. Brecher opened a shop. The present representatives of this trade are Haupt Bros. and Mr. Olsen.
Thomas & Emmons established the first coal yard in January, 1856. In the spring following H. F. Winchester commenced the business. Cole & Treat opened a yard soon after. Geo. Whitcomb, Castle & Mosher, Thos. Hickey and E. Doan are the present dealers.
Daniel Bishop was the first drayman. He com- menced in the spring of 1856.
Among the first carpenters were A. L. Ismon, John Boyd, James Byers, John W. Dobbin, John Bentz, Robert Dixon, Thomas Orr, James Orr, Samuel Orr, Andrew Cole, Joseph Cole, Henry Stone, John H. Jones, S. L. Allen, Henry W. Amer- man, Riley Handy, Jerome Handy, Benjamin Mills, Frederick Carr, Charles Welch, Jacob Blitz. The
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carpenters who are likewise contractors at present are E, Doan, William Beattys, F. E. Griffith.
The pioneer masons were John R. Brown, Al- pheus Rood, Stephen Westover, Marcus Doolittle, Charles Tracy, Elijah Lester, Lorin Tracy, James Gifford, Geo. Mitten, Cornelius Scouton, A. Munson. F. Webber is the only contractor at present.
Hiram Severy, Walter Scott, Chas. Kinney, John Sibley, Daniel Boyd and William S. Platt were among the first painters. Vermilye & Clark, Mr. Champlin, Norman Butterfield, John Hough, Frank Finch now represent the trade.
Mrs. Jacob Hoff opened the first millinery shop in the spring of 1856. Shortly after, Miss Jane Hicks opened a shop. Mrs. Gillett, Mrs. J. F. Douglas, Mrs. Atkins, Mrs. Butterfield, Mrs. Fonda, each have shops in the spring of 1885.
The first representative of the legal profession was S, B. Stinson, who opened an office in the summer of 1856. Mr. Stinson continues to reside here and is in active practice. W. W. Sedgwick, J. I. Montgom- ery and C. G. Faxon are also attorneys in active practice.
The first representative of the. medical profession here was Dr. Griswold, who was here in 1854. Dr. S. C. Gillett canie soon after, and continued until the spring of 1857, when he removed to Aurora. In the summer of 1855 Dr. Charles Winslow was associated with Dr. Gillett, and continued with him until the spring of 1856, when he removed to Sugar Grove. Dr. E. H. Lowe was next in the fall of 1855 In the spring of 1856, Dr. N. E. Ballou commenced practicing here. In the summer following, Dr. A. L. Merriam, who previously had practiced in the neighborhood, returned and opened an office in the village. Dr. John Lowe came in the fall of 1857. V. Vermilye, N. E. Ballou, C. S. Dickson, J. C. David, F. P. Stiles, Thos. Armstrong, C. L. Misick, are the physicians here at present.
The dental profession is well represented by Dr. V. R. David and Dr. Pomeroy. Dr. A. Hale was the first dentist. He is now in Minnessota.
As the town increased in population, other branches of business were opened, and in addition to what has already been given as being in business here in the spring of 1885, there were the following lines represented by those named in connection :
W. G. Adams, elevator and warehouse supplies,
doing a very extensive business, many articles in his line being the product of the Sandwich Man- ufacturing Co.
Hall & Gilchrist, marble works. A very large business is done by this firm.
J. M. Hummel, and Henning & Ross, agricultural implements.
A. W. Orr, Pearl Street Green-house.
M. M. Jones, representative of the Board of Trade, Chicago.
E .. Latham, boots and shoes.
William Hueske and Thos. A. Dean, harness- makers.
C. Munch, tobacco store.
E. B. Marrs, restaurant.
H. C. Graves & Sons, nursery stock.
Frank Robinson, Will Dean, Ball & Co., barbers. H. A. Prentice, billiard hall.
Sedgwick, Wallace & Dean, skating rink.
G. H. Robertson, M. B. Castle & Son, Barnes & Douglas, printers.
BANKS.
M. B. Castle commenced the first banking business in Sandwich in 1856. His exchange business that year was small indeed. About 1859 Amos Shepard was admitted to a partnership in the business, and under the firm name of Castle & Shepard the busi- ness was conducted for three years. . Mr. Castle then continued the business alone until 1866, when he formed a partnership with Capt. F. S. Mosher. The bank has always been known as the Sandwich Bank, having its president and cashier. In 1863 J. B. Castle was assistant cashier. At present M. B. Castle is President and F. S. Mosher, Cashier. In the 29 years in which the Sandwich Bank has been in existence it can boast that its doors have never been closed and the check of a depositor never refused. It must be remembered that the bank has passed through the hard times of '57, the war period and the hard times of 1873, and therefore its record is one of which any man might be proud. Mr. Castle is now one of the oldest bankers of the State in point of continuous service.
Culver Bros. have also been engaged in the bank- ing business some years.
EDUCATIONAL.
The old red school-house is well remembered by the older citizens of Sandwich. It stood upon North
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Main Street, between the present stores of Van Fleet & Smith and J. M. Hummel. It was erected before the village was surveyed or even contemplated, and used until 1856, when it was sold at auction and bought by Mr. Saunders.
In the winter of 1854-5 a company was organized for the purpose of erecting a building and maintain- ing a high school to be known as the Sandwich Academy.
The school was opened in the spring of 1855 by Prof. J. L. Hendrick, who 'continued it as a high school until the spring of 1856, when the directors of the public schools of this district purchased the building of the share-holders and continued Prof. Hendrick as teacher until the spring of 1857. In the fall of 1857 the- directors graded them and placed Prof. H. F. Needham in charge as principal, with Miss H. D. Beardsley and Miss P. Morey as assistants. During that fall Prof. Hendrick and Miss A. M. Carpenter each taught a select school.
The present system of grading, which consists of eight grades below the high school, was adopted in 1877. The schools are now in fine condition, under the superintendency of Prof. C. I. Gruey, assisted by James P. Houston, Fannie Schuebly, Ethel Gregory, Annie Cox, Mary McKindley, Anna Brown, Anna Paine, Dottie Winnie, Frances J. Stinson and Loe Hall. The school property is valued at $10,000. The principals since 1857 have been as follows: J. L. Hendrick, H. F. Needham, Delos Williams, Mr. Johnson, L. V. Wilmot, A. J. Sawyer, Harry Moore, A. E. Bourne, C. I. Gruey.
RELIGIOUS.
There are now nine religious denominations repre- sented in Sandwich-the Baptists, Methodist Epis- copals, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, German Baptists, Lutheran Reformed, Latter-Day Saints and Catholics.
Methodist Episcopal .- As already stated, in 1836, Rev. William Royal organized a Methodist Episco- pal class at the house of Simon Price, composed of some half dozen sisters. This class met in private houses until the winter of 1837-8, when it assembled in the log school-house on section 22. At this house and at the Eddy school-house a little further north, it continued to meet until 1846, when the old red school-house. in the present limits of Sandwich, was erected. On meeting at this house the class was re-
inforced by a number living in the neighborhood. J. M. Hall was class-leader at this time. When the future of Sandwich was secured, steps were taken to build a church edifice. Almon Gage donated a lot for the purpose, and a neat frame church was erected, and some time in 1856 duly set apart to the service of Almighty God. J. M. Hall donated a lot for the parsonage, which was erected the year previous. The Church has had a prosperous career, though at times dark clouds hovered over it and the faith of some weakened. To-day it has a membership of 200, with about 50 probationers, the result of a re- vival in the winter of 1884-5.
Baptist Church .- On the 26th day of November, 1842, a few members of the Baptist Church con- vened at the house of George Shannon, on the Som- onauk, to take into consideration the organization of a Church. The following named covenanted to- gether for the maintenance of the worship and ordi- nances of the gospel, with a view of being recognized as a regular Baptist Church : Almus Pratt, George Shannon, Alonzo Tolman, Joseph Oakley and Mary Buckingham, the two last relating their experience and receiving baptism. The next meeting was held Dec. 17, when David and Betsey Matlock united. On the 21st of May, 1843, it was voted to call a council to fellowship them as a Baptist Church. On the 3d of June the council was held and the Church was recognized as the Upper Somnonauk Baptist Church. In December following the name was changed to Somonauk and Little Rock Baptist Church. Elder Norman Warriner was called to minister to the Church in June, 1843, and served it till 1846, when he was succeeded by Rev. Stephen G. Hunt, who remained four years. In 1851 a pro- tracted meeting was held by Rev. John Higby, and 18 were baptized. This was the first protracted meeting held by the Church. Mr. Higby remained with the Church about one year, when Rev. John Young was called. He was followed by Rev. Bela Hicks, Rev. Higby again and Rev. Nelson Alvord, all short pastorates.
In 1852 it was decided to build a house of worship, if sufficient encouragement was given, and to locate near Deacon Pratt's. But little was done until the railroad was built and a station had been determined on at what is now Sandwich. Two lots were obtained from Jacob M. Hall, the original deed of which
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specifies lots 1 and 2, in block 3, of the village of Almon, the name Sandwich not having been adopted at the time, March 1, 1854. A neat frame edifice was completed in December of the same year, at a cost of $2,100, and on the 23d day of January, 1855, it was dedicated, Rev. William Haigh preaching the sermon. An addition was made to this house in 1874 at a cost of $600. With other improvements, the property is now worth $3,500.
In 1857, the Pastor, Rev. William M. Bassett, was assisted by Rev. C. E. Tinker, of Annawan, in a most extensive revival. Fifty were baptized and became members of the Baptist Church. In 1859, Rev. Robert A. Clapp became pastor. He was followed after two years by Rev. E. L. Hunt, who served three years. Part of the time he was Chaplain in the army, and the pulpit was supplied by Rev. George A. Bishop. The Church grew steadily, 27 being added by baptism in one year, under Rev. Hunt. After a short pastorate by Rev. C. E. Bailey, Rev. D. B. Gunn became Pastor, in 1865, and the following year 30 were baptized. He was succeeded by Rev. War- ren Mason, who remained two years, and was fol- lowed, in 1870, by Rev. W. H. Card. During his second year 32 were baptized. He remained four years. The succeeding pastors have been Rev. A. L. Farr, six years; Rev. W. A. Bronson, one year; Rev. N. A. Reed, two years. The present pastor, Rev. E. W. Hicks, was called in April, 1883, and began April 15.
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