USA > Indiana > Allen County > Harlan > History of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Harlan, Indiana > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 03019 0125
Gc 977.202 H22me History of the First Methodist Episcopal Church
HISTORY
OF THE
First Methodist Episcopal Church
HARLAN INDIANA
1915
Allen County Public LIDI 900 Webster Street BO: 2270 26801-2270
Harlan State Bank
Capital Stock $25,000
Began Business June 15,1911
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
G. A. Reeder
President
Thomas Hood
Vice President
John J. Goldsmith
Cashier
Noah Amstutz,. Henry Kurtz, Samuel Mills,
Henry Hutker," James Nusbaum
Win. Decker, E.D. Murphy
Total-Resources $147:777.04
Harlan, Indiana,. September 2, 1915
"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."
HISTORY
OF THE
First Methodist Episcopal Church
Of HARLAN, INDIANA
1854 1881 1915
NOVEMBER 28, 1915
REV. S. I. ZECHIEL, Pastor REV. J. A. BEATTY, District Superintendent
DR. J. A. BEATTY Former Pastor, now District Superintendent
A BRIEF HISTORY
Methodism had its beginning in Allen county as early as 1824. James Holman, one of the famous Holman family of Wayne county. Indiana, and a local preacher in the Methodist church, moved to Allen county during the said year, locating on a farm on the north side of St. Mary's river, just opposite of Fort Wayne, which was then just a small village. Mr. Holman preached the Gospel to as many as would gather in his own home to hear him. Later he met anxious hearers of the Word in other homes when arrangements had been made for such services and preached to them. This continued until the year 1830, when Alexander Wiley, a presiding older in the Ohio conference. came to Fort Wayne and established a mission. Thus Methodism in Fort Wayne was begun under the direction of the Ohio conference in 1832 the class consisted of six members. In 1833 or 1834, the Indiana conference having heen organized, took charge of this work. and sent Rev. James S. Harrison to take charge of the work, and the name was changed from "'Maumee Mission" to "Fort Wayne Cir- enit." Ont of this meager beginning have grown the five strong churches which Methodism has in Fort Wayne.
Outside of Fort Wayne, classes were organized in Wayne town- ship, 1838; in Aboit township, 1834; at Huntertown, in 1834, and several other Methodist societies were organized in various parts of the county prior to the beginning of the work in this vicinity.
The first religious service ever held in Springfield township was held at the home of Ezra May in Maysville in 1838. The service was conducted by Rev. Truc Pattec, one of the first settlers in St. Joseph township. These services, without doubt, were continued from time to time with more or less regularity until 1843, when the first class was organized with fifteen members. The organization was effected and the meetings were regularly held at the school house on Section 28. In 1854 the first church building was erected, just outside the town of Maysville near the old cemetery. This was a frame structure, 2i by 40 feet, and when its use was discontinued in 1882, it was soll io the Lutheran people, who afterwards sold it to private parties. This building is still in use as a storage room for C. C. Dichl & Son, grocery merchants.
In 1881 was begin the construction of the second house of wor- ship by the society. The house was, however, not dedicated until 1882. The location for the church from near the cemetery to a loca- tion in town, where the old Corner house had stood for a number of years. This now structure was of brick, 34 by 54 feet, with two class rooms 10 by 14 feet cach at one end of the structure, and a gallery above them. This was, for its time, a very commodious and up-to-date church for the community in which it was located. The membership of the church at this time was 117. This beautiful house of worship was made possible through the energetic labors of H. C. Myers, who was then pastor, and the self-sacrificing efforts of a loyal membership.
During the year 1910 or 1911 it was becoming apparent to some
3
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH HARLAN, INDIANA
SERVICES
Sunday School every Sunday at 9:30 A. M.
Preaching every alternate Sunday at 10:30 A. M. and 7:30 P. M., and every alternate Sunday at 7:30 P. M.
Prayer meeting Thursday, 7:30 P. M.
Epworth League devotional meeting cach Sunday at 7:00 P. M. Epworth League cabinet meeting first Wednesday of each month. W. F. M. S. first Friday of each month.
L. A. S. last Friday of each month.
4
of the membership of the church that this building needed enlarging to make it a more modern plant, in keeping with the times and re- quirements of modern, efficient Sunday school work. The Ladies' Aid Society, which had been doing excellent work, accordingly begun to save their earnings for a remodeling enterprise, and when in the year 1913 their cash on hand amounted to nearly $700, there was much talk of undertaking a project that would make the church a modern plant for efficient work. An attempt to launch such a move- ment, however, failed for the preent. This attempt, however, was renewed early in the year 1914, and succeeded. Plans were drawn to put. a modern basement under the entire building, except only a small corner about 12x17 feet, and also to build an annex 15x32 feet on the west side of the auditorium and south of the tower. The pulpit to be changed to the east side of the auditorium, and the adui- :orium to be seated with circular pews. The gallery and class rooms at the north end of the building also to be rebuilt and the top of the tower made modern in its appearance.
The circulation of a subscription list met with a hearty response, and the work was undertaken and begun on June 21st 1915.
The farewell service was held on June 20, consisting of short ad- dresses by the following persons :
1-A brief history of the church by E. C. Carrington.
2-Our Sunday School and Its Work, by F. L. Smith.
3-The Beginning and Development of the Epworth League, by Bessie Stopher.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, by Mrs. Sane Reichel- derfer.
5-Our Ladies' Aid Society and Its Work, by Mrs. Blanche Reichelderfer.
6 -- A testimonial service of church reminiscences brought out. the fact that the most successful and far-reaching revival meeting experienced in the old church was the meeting conducted by Local Preacher William J. JJames, who supplied the charge for six months in 1883-4.
The building thus remodeled at an expense of about $5,000 con- tains complete basement, with kitchen 10x32 feet ; banqueting room, 23x45 feet ; and cloak room and furnace room; eight separate Sun- day school class rooms, apart from the auditorium, all of which can be easily thrown to the auditorium, giving good view to the pulpit. from any part, and furnishing a total seating capacity of about 450 people. May great spiritual victory and prosperity mark the growth ol the society and its new church home.
5
S. I. ZECHIEL. Pastor
-
MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS
St. Joseph Mission
Pastor . Presiding Elder
1843-J. C. Medsker
G. M. Boyd
1844-B. Winens .
G. M. Boyd
1845-Wm. Forbes
G. M. Boyd
1846-C. Dand
G. M. Boyd
Auburn Circuit
1847-A. Bradley
S. Brenton
1848-S. Lamb
J. C. Cooper
E. Maynard J. C. Cooper
1849-Wm. Palmer J. C. Cooper
1850-R. S. Latta
J. C. Cooper
1851-A. Douglas
J. C. Cooper
- Hollopeter J. C. Cooper
Maumee Mission 1852 -- Wm. H. Metts H. M. Barnes
Harlan Circuit
1853-Wm. H. Metts H. M. Barnes
1854-Thomas Comstock D. L. Stright
1855-Wm. F. Smith D. L. Stright
1856-B. F. Armstrong D. L. Stright
Conference Changed from Spring to Fall
1857 -- B. F. Armstrong
D. L. Stright
1858-C. W. Lynch
G. C. Beeks
1859-C. W. Lynch
G. C. Beeks
1860-E. L. McNeal G. C. Beeks
1861 -- J. S. Sellers
G. C. Beeks
1862 -- J. S. Sellers
S. N. Campbell
1863-T. Colelazer
'S. N. Campbell
1864-C. W. Timmons
S. N. Campbell
1865-C. W. Timmons
S. N. Campbell
1866 -- J. H. Slade
L. W. Manson
1867 -- 1. 11. Slade
I. W. Manson
1. W. Manson
1868-1. Cooper 1869-1. Cooper
1. W. Manson
1870-J. T. Newman W. S. Birch
1871-J. M. Brown
W. S. Birch
1872-J. M. Brown W. S. Birch
1873-J. M. Brown
W. S. Birch
1874 -- Wm. Lash
H. N. Meck
1875-Wm. Lash
Thomas Stabler
1876-J. S. McElwee
1877-J. S. MeElwee 1878-D. M. Brown
Thomas Stabler Thomas Stabler Thomas Stabler
7
E. C. CARRINGTON
Funeral Director
W E carry an up-to-date line of Furni- ture for your Kitchen, Dining Room, Bed Room or Parlor. Can supply you with anything you may require in room- size or small Rugs, and Carpets.
Will show you a fine assortment of Linoleum patterns and adorn your walls with Wall Paper to your taste.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATRONAGE of the Past and Solicit FUTURE ORDERS
HARLAN,
- INDIANA
8
1879-D. M. Brown
1880-J. H. McMahan 1881-II. C. Myers 1882-11. C. Myer
A. Marine Y. B. Meredith Y. B. Meredith
Y. B. Meedith
Y. B. Meredith
1883-11. C. Myers (6 mo.) Wm. J. James
Y. B. Meredith
1884-1. W. Singer
C. W. Lynch
1885-1. W. Singer
C. W. Lynch -
1886-J. A. Beaty
C. W. Lynch
1887-J. A. Beaty
C. W. Lynch
1888-T. F. Frech
A. E. Mahin
1889-T. F. Frech
A. E. Mahin
1890-A. Il. Currie
A. E. Mahin
1891-A. C. Gerard
A. E. Mahin
1892-Lewis Reeves
A. E. Mahin
1893 -- Lewis Reeves
F. T. Simpson
1895-Lewis Reeves
F. T. Simpson
1896-Lewis Reeves
F. T. Simpson
1897 -- L. C. Zimmerman
F. T. Simpson
1898-L. C. Zimmerman
1899 -- L. C. Zimmerman
F. T. Simpson
1900 -- I. C. Zimmerman
W. A. Daniels
1901-1. C. Zimmerman
W. A. Daniels
1902 -- C. A. Luse
W. A. Daniels
1903-W. E. Ingalls
C. U. Wade
1004-W. E. Ingalls
C. U. Wade
1905 -- W. E. Ingalls
C. U. Wade
1906-1. L. Hutchins
C. U. Wade
1908-Preston Polhemns
C. U. Wade
1909-J. B. Cook
C. U. Wade_
1910-JJ. B. Cook
.J. A. Beaty
1911-F. V. Westhafer
J. A. Beaty
1912-F. V. Westhafer J. A. Beaty
1913 -- F. V. Westhafer (6 mo.) .J. A. Beaty S. I. Zechel J. A. Beaty
1914-S. I. Zechiel .J. A. Beaty
1915- S. I. Zechiel
J. A. Beaty
,
9
A. E. Mahin
1894-Lewis Reeves
F. T. Simpson
WV. A. Daniels
1907 -- Preston Polhemus
United States Postoffice
HARLAN, INDIANA
JOHN G. MACK, Postmaster
Is still doing business at the old stand. Money Orders issued with an absolute guarantee against loss in any amount from one cent to one hundred dollars, drawn on any office in the United States or its possessions, but payable at any Money Order office.
When mailing valuable papers or documents the registry system offers a safe and reliable mode of sending them.
Extensions in the Parcel Post system, both in size of parcel and weight, as well as a change in its insurance feature, gives the public a cheap and safe mode of transportation for smaller parcels. Parcels will now be accepted whose combined girth and length may measure 84 inches and the weight of which does not exceed 50 pounds for the first and second zone, or 20 pounds beyond that.
A fee of 3 cents will insure a parcel up to 5 dollars in value; 5 cents will insure same to 25 dollars; a 10 cent fee insures up to 50 dollars, and a 25 cent fee up to 100 dollars.
Always place your return card on your letter or parcel, thus preventing its being sent to the dead letter office, and insuring their return to yon in case of nondelivery.
Respectfully,
JOHN G. MACK, Postmaster, Harlan, Ind.
Stationery and School Supplies at our Stationery Counter
Am still pegging away at my old trade of saving soles. Repairing done right, as it should be.
The preacher will help yon to save the soul you have, but , I am prepared to furnish a new sole for your shoes in case you have worn out the old one. Same old place, rear of Postoffice.
JOHN G. MACK
10
A
CHARTER MEMBERS
Richard Anderson, leader. lestella Anderson.
Barsha Alderman.
Marcus C. Brown. Rosannah Brown. Elijah Bennett. Elizah Bennett.
Lydia Bennett.
Malinda Johnson.
1
Caroline Lake.
Ahisah Pattic.
Lucinda Pattie.
Alfonso Pattic. Horace Skinner. Wm. Sweet.
Elizabeth Sweet.
The following of the present present membership were men- bers when the church was built in 1881 :
Joseph Cummins. Robert Cummins. E. C. Carrington. Jennie Enninger-James.
Marinda Farner. Isabel Furney-Mitchell. Mary A. James. Mary Holt. George James.
Retta James. John A. Peters. W. A. Reichelderfer. Jane Reichelderfor. Edward Roberts. George Roberts. Elizabeth Roberts. Maria Shoup. Hannah Starr. Susan Shirley. Elizabeth Swartz. .
Abbie Starr-Cummins.
Sylvester Stopher.
Mary Stopher.
G. W. Timbrook. ITattic Widdifield.
Henry Bolton's name was also reported to the last conference, but died August, 1915, while church was being rebuilt.
Henry G. Beach, who was a member when the church was built, but has since moved away, has been worshiping with us all summer.
Miranda Farner, whose name appears in this list, joined church in 1882, after the church was built.
V. S. DINGMAN HARLAN,. INDIANA.
Dry Goods, Groceries, Dishes
-:- 5 and 10 cent Goods
Patterson - Fle
Fine Clothing
724 CALHOUN STREET
Office phone 631. Residence phone 7556
Jesse McBetta
Attorney at Law
Rooms 301-302 Bass Block FORT WAYNE, IND.
WHEN YOU SAY
Give us this Day Our Daily Bread
REMEMBER
That we receive daily Mrs. Sherlock's Home Made Bread and other baked goods.
We serve Furnas Ice Cream and make a specialty of Lunches and Short Orders. A full line of Groceries and the finest line of Confectionery in Harlan. Oysters in season.
S. V. James Restaurant
Near M. E. Church - Harlan, Indiana
12
ler Company
Men and Boys
FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
HAZEL MILLER Millinery
HARLAN, INDIANA
D. D. Boston Trustee Springfield Twp., Allen County.
Also Proprietor of the 1
City Barber Shop
WHERE YOU CAN GET AN EZ SHAVE OR A FIRST CLASS HAIR CUT.
Clean Towels. Sanitary Tools. Up to Date.
Come in, You are Next
13
MILLINERY
That Meets the Requirements of Good Taste AT REASONABLE PRICES
Helfer's Millinery Harlan, Indiana
P. H. HELFER
Horseshoeing General Repairing
CARRIAGE AND WAGON Woodwork
General Blacksmithing
HARLAN, INDIANA
14
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY
Trustees
J. F. Kurtz, president; £. C. Car- rington, secretary and treasur- cer; G. W. Timbrook; D. N. Her- rick; S. Stopher.
Harlan Parsonage Trustees
E. C. Carrington; J. F. Kurtz; G. W. Timbrook.
Stewards
Dist. Steward -- W. A. Reichelder- fer.
Rec. Steward-E. C. Carrington; J. F. Kurtz; D. D. Bosten; G. W. Timbrook and R. A. Frye.
Sunday School
F. L. Smith, Supt .; Norris Zechiel, Asst. Supt.
Burl Gildsmith, Sec.
J. G. Mack, Treas.
Bessie Stopher, Pianist.
Janet Reichelderfer, Assistant ..
C. C. Goldsmith, Chorister.
Edna Brown. Assistant.
S. Stopher, Pres. S. S. Missionary Society.
Lilly Mack, Misionary Treas.
Anna Furney, Supt. H. D.
Mary Gruber, Supt. Cradle Roll. Teachers in the Sunday School Class No. 1- Jane Reichelderfer. Class No. 2-J. D. Cummins. Class No. 3-Mae Reichelderfer. Class No. 4 E. C. Carrington. Class No. 5-Ella Boston.
Class No. 6-F. L. Smith.
Class No. 7-Norris Zechiel.
Class No. 8 -Blanche Reichelder- fer.
Class No. 9-Lela James.
Class No. 10-Bessie Stopher.
Class No. 11-Ransom Zechiel.
Organized Classes Giass Names
Class No. 1
Loyal Women
Class No. 2
Berean
Class No. 3 Volunteers
Class No. 4 Brotherhood
Class No. 5 G. R. O. W.
Class No. 6
Golden Rule
Epworth League
Bessie Stopher, President.
Mary Gruber, First Vice Pres.
Beryl Swartz, Second. Vice Pres.
Edna Brown, Third Vice Pres.
Norris Zechiel, Fourth Vice Pres.
F. L. Smith, Sec. and Treas.
Mildred Miller, Pianist. Edna Brown, Chorister.
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
Jane Reichelderfer, President.
Mary Kurtz, First Vice Pres.
Maggie Carrington, Second Vice Pres.
Beryl Swartz, Rec. Sec.
Ella Boston, Cor. Sec.
Blanche Reichelderfer, Treas.
Ladies' Aid Society
Blanche Reichelderfer, Pres. Ora Frye, Vice Pres. Leona Peters, Sec. Ella Boston, Treas.
15
Follow Your Pastor
The Rev. S. I. Zechiel wears nothing but Tod Hats, altho I sell nothing but Hats at $2.00. They are hats that cannot be bought elsewhere for less than $3.50. When you come to Fort Wayne by sure to accept nothing but a
TOD HAT
If you want a Fur Cap I have them at from $1.50 to $4.00. Regular Caps are 50c to $1.00. I will save you money on every purchase.
$ Tod
Two 814 CALHOUN
2
1009
Stores
CALHOUN
16
PRESENT MEMBERSHIP
Name
When Received | James, George 1872
Adams, Elnora 1913
James, Luretta 1872
Boston, D. D). 1900
James, Lola 1904
Johnson, W. F.
1911
Johnson, Ida 1911
Johnson, Alice 1913
Kurtz, J. F. 1887
Kurtz, Mary
1887
Kurtz, Gaylord 1904
Kinsey, Clint
1907
Kinsey, Eva
1899
Kinsey, Wallace
1907
Kinsey, Matilda 1907
Lake, Ilazel 1907
Leighner, Maria
1900
Mack, J. G.
1874
Mack, Lilly
1884
Cummins, Robert 1882
Miller, Malissa 1899
Cummins, Nettie
1911
Miller, Franees
1899
Cummins, byle
1913
Miller, Wilma
1913
Miller, Doris
1913
Cummins, Abbie
1865
Miller, Mildred
1899
Dix, Ed S. 1907
Dix, Elizabeth
1907
Dix, Melville
1907
Dix, Florence
1899
Poters, John A.
1872
Furney, Anna
1907
Poince, Lydia
1899
Roberts, Court
1912
Roberts, Emma
1912
Roberts, George
1872
Roberts, Elizabeth
1872
Roberts, Ethel
1904
Roberts, Frank
1903
Roberts, Kate
1903
Roberts, Edward
1872
Roberts, Hazel
1904
Roberts, Samuel
1898
Roberts, Flora
1895
Roberts, Beatrice
1913
Raynor, John
1898
Reichelderfer, W. A.
1872
Reichelderfer, Jane
1872
Reichelderfer, Lola 1907
Reichelderfer, E. C. 1904
James, Mary
1868
Reichelderfer, Blanche
1903
James, Jennie 1878
Nelson, Carrie
1914
Deveaux, Lucretia
1909
Peters, Leona
1892
Frederickson, Elizabeth 1907
Farner, Marinda
1882
Frye, R. A. 1901
Frye, Ora 1901
Frye, Virgil
1913
Goldsmith, C. C.
1910
Goldsmith, Lydia
1910
Goldsmith, J. J.
1907
Godlsmith, Pearl 1910
Goldsmith, Mildred 1904
Gruber, Mary 1904
Holt, Mary 1872
ITerriek, D. N. 1913
Herrick, Jennie
1913
Hoffman. Anna 1914 Hamilton, Julia 1911
Helfer, Ida 1914
Boston, Donald 1904
Boulton, Henry 1854
Boulton, Ida 1892
1911
Boulton, Isa
1907
Blackburn, Ora
Blackburn, Dora
1907
Beams, Berdino
1904
Brown, Edna 1904
Carrington, E. C.
1864
Carrington, Maggie
1872
Carrington, S. W.
1902
Carrington, Ella
1902
Carrington, James
1912
Cummins, JJ. D. 1868
Mitchell, Isabel
1872
Minniek, F. E. 1907
Reichelderfer, Zolla
1903
17
Boston, Ella . 1873
ART GLASS
SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVEN TO MEMORIAL WORK FOR CHURCHIES AND LODGES.
Beveled and Art Glass in all its Branches Ornamental Glass for Residences
The Art Glass Windows in this Church were Furnished and Manufactured by Us.
Enterprise Art Glass Co. 1217 Lafayette St. FORT WAYNE, IND.
C. C. Diehl & Son
Dealers in
General Merchandise
Highest Prices Paid for Country Produce
HARLAN, INDIANA
18
Reichelderfer, George 1903
Reichelderfer, Mae 1914 Thimler, Lura 1909
Reichelderfer, Wylton 1914
Reichelderfer, Janet 1914
Shoup, Maria 1874
Starr, Hanna 1874
Starr, Arthur 1901
Swartz, Clinton
1892
Swartz, Elizabeth 1872
Swartz, Beryl
1904
Swift, Edw. 1910
Swift, Myrtle 1910
Stopher, Sylvester 1874
Stopher, Mary 1881
Stopher, Bessie 1904
Stopher, Charles 1904
Shirley, Susan
Stooky, Daisy 1899
Smith, F. L.
1909
Smith, Ethel
1909
Stephan, Mary
1909
Timbrook, G. W.
1874
Timbrook, Carrie
1900
Timbrook, Edith
1899
Thimlar, W. A. 1907
Thompson, Maggie 1914
Thompson, Louise 1914
Thompson. Frances 1914
Umstead, Anna 1874
Vallieu, Wm. 1907
Vallicu, Blanche 1907
Widdifield, Eugene 1892
Widdifield, Hattie 1875
Widdifield, George 1907
Zimmerman, Benj. 1904
Zimmerman, Mary 1904
Zeis, Anna 1907
Zeis, Bonnie 1913
Zechiel, Anna 1913
Zechiel, Norris 1913
Zechiel, Ransom 1913
Probationers
John Gruber 1914
IIarold Kinsey 1914
Dale Kinsey 1914
Ermal Miller 1914
19
Henry Goldsmith
Elmer Goldsmith
GOLDSMITH BROS.
Overland DEALERS HARLAN, INDIANA
The Most Value for the Price that is Offered this Season
Have Your Repairing Done and Buy Your Tires and Accessories of
GOLDSMITH BROS., HARLAN, INDIANA
GEORGE T. JAMES
For Groceries Candies, Chewing Gum, Tobacco, Cigars
.
SHORT ORDER LUNCH
ICE CREAM AND SODA WATER AT ALL TIMES OF THE YEAR
GEORGE T. JAMES
-
Harlan, Indiana
20
NOTES OF INTEREST
The Harlan Epwoth League, chapter No. 6,382, was organized in 1892. F. A. Reichelderfer was its first president. He afterwards en- tered the ministry, and for a number of years did very acceptable and successful work. He served as conference statistician from 1910 to October, 1915, when he was called home.
Rev. P. H. Walters of Jolietsville also acknowledges the influence of the Epworth League upon his life. Ile became a member of the League very early in its history, and the influence of the League helped bim decide to obey the call to preach. The Epworth League, through its institutes, is helping scores of young people to a life decision.
The Epworth League conducted its first study class in 1913-14, through its department of mission study. Mrs. Mary Gruber was the energetic second vice president who had charge of this depart- ment, and organized the class. "The New Era in Asia" was the text. book studied.
In the fall of 1914 the League entered upon a three-years' Bible study course as outlined by the central office. The text book for the first year's work was, "Studies in the Old Testament."
Of course the Sunday school began its work about as early as the church did. The time was when people organized churches and then the churches sooner or later started a Sunday school. So it may be that here the people were organized into a church first. Now-a- days, however, Sunday schools are started in neglected neighborhoods, and they soon grow into churches.
More than any other one man, E. C. Carrington has been in- strumental in making the school what it is. He was for many years its superintendent. When he was first elected it was not an evergreen school, nor did they use the International lessons, and of course there were objections when the changes were made, but they were made, and for the best interests of the school.
Maria Shoup was for twenty-four years teacher of the primary class. Bishop Wm. F. McDowell was in her Sunday school class back in Millersburg, Ohio, when he was but a lad. So Mrs. Shoup came to this church in 1874 with a splendid record as a primary teacher.
Two of the pastors who served here, afterwards became district superintendent, viz: C. W. Lynch and J. A. Beaty. Brother Lynch returned as district superintendent after being away twenty-five years and Dr. Beaty after an absence of twenty-two years.
The records show a change from a spring conference to a fall conference, but we have not been able to learn when it was changed back to a spring conference.
The Ladies' Aid society has worked hard under adverse circum- stances for a mimber of years. But as a result they had a nest egg of $1,000 cash on hand when the remodeling begun. Three hundred dollars was raised during the year 1914.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary society have an active auxil-
21
The Home HOTEL HARLAN, IND.
Open for Transient Trade. Meals and Rooms $ 1.50 per day.
Furnace Heat, Gas Light, Bath.
Parties wishing Special Meals and Entertainment will make arrangements before hand with Mrs. G. A. Reeder.
Home and Rell Phones Nos. 29 - 20
From 1893
To 1915
G. A. REEDER Your Druggist
Has Enjoyed and Appreciated Your Trade
22
liary here. The result of their work is tol d in the following figures : They reported in 1915 $99; in 1914, $116; in 1913, $75. They conduct an interesting study in missions each year. Their contributions in- clude the support of a Bible woman in India and a scholarship for a student, besides the offerings that flow into the regular channel.
We have not been able to determine when the Harlan charge was changed from a four-point circuit to a two-point charge. Other changes are noted in list of appointments.
The North Seipio church, the other point on this charge, has a membership of 112, reported at the last conference. It is the sec- ond largest country church in the Fort Wayne district.
The church at Black Creek, which took a new lease on life under the labors of Rev. E. G. Carrington, was made a part of this charge by action of the quarterly conference, May 31, 1915. The prospects of building up here are fairly encouraging. This com- munity was abandoned by the United Brethren people because they had no other points near to which it could be attached.
Ilere are a few items from the statistical report that may be of interest .:
The Sunday school raised $65 missionary money last year, and promise even better for this year. The literary or missionary pro- programs given on each missionary Sunday were not begun until the latter part of last conference year, and they have had a salutary effeet on the collection.
The total amount of money raised for all benevolences last year was $543, as compared to $385 the preceding year. This of course in- cludes the contributions from Scipio, from which we received the first Sunday school missionary offering, having organized the school into a misionary society during last year. This year we need to do better, for the conference has taken advanced steps for the support of the superannuates.
The Epworth League for the first time gave a contribution to- wards the Ernsberger fund last year, the amount being $15.00. Dr. D. O. Ernsberger, district superintendent of Belgaum district, India, is supported by the Epworth League of Fort Wayne district.
The following inscription is moulded into the bell that swings in the tower :
"Harlan M. E. Church II. C. Myers, pastor. R. Anderson, F. Roberts, S. Enninger, Wm. Shoup, trustees. "
The bell was moulded in 1882 by the Clinton HI. Meneely Bell Co. of Troy, N. Y. No one seems to know its weight, but it is estimated at about 800 pounds.
23
Telephone-Office 26 - 20. Residence, 26 - 30
Office Hours-8 to 9 A. M., 12 to 1 P. M., and 6 to 8 P. M. except Sunday. Other hours by appointment.
Dr. W. H. Thompson General Practice
HARLAN
. INDIANA
-
W. A. Reichelderfer
Dealer in General Merchandise
Dry Goods, Notions, Shoes, Rubber Goods and Groceries.
Highest cash price paid for produce
HARLAN
INDIANA
24
DREIER
Is the line Fest of
Chedmness
wholesalers
A
Dreier Drug Company FORT HAIN
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