USA > Indiana > Boone County > History of Boone County, Indiana : With biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of old families, Volume I > Part 30
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
The Bible was made a standard text book.
There were one hundred and eighty pupils in the school that first year which began in April, 1861, one hundred were males and eighty were fe- males. Outside of Lebanon there were pupils from Dover, Northfield, James- town, Whitestown, Frankfort, Plainville, Berlin, Desoto, Wisconsin; Winter- sett, Iowa; North Salem, Reed's Mill, Columbus; Downingsville, Kentucky ; Elizaville, Thorntown.
The school continued but a few years but the many who received in- struction from its teachers are glad to be noticed as members of the old Lebanon Presbyterian Academy.
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CHAPTER XII.
CHURCHES.
A little in advance as a forerunner of civilization, as a kind of vidette or scout, we find the man with a gun and sword. As an advance picket on the skirmish line we find the man with an ax, a mattock, a prairie schooner, a shovel and a plow. Following closely in his wake and in the front rank of the main army of civilization, we find the man with the saddle bags, a Bible and a hymn book. The pioneer history of Boone county was no exception to the rule.
In writing a sketch or history of the different churches of Lebanon, care has been taken to obtain all material facts concerning the organization of each, and while some of the statements may be disputed, no facts are cited that were not given by what was deemed competent authority. The churches are spoken of independently and not in the order of their organization.
As to which of the Protestant denominations was the first to organize in the city of Lebanon, it is somewhat difficult to determine, as both the Meth- odist and the Christian or Disciples were fighting the sons of Belial as early as 1835, but from the best information it is thought that the Methodists were the first.
LEBANON-THE M. E. CHURCH.
In 1835, Rev. Benjamin Griffin, an itinerant Methodist preacher, first began his work and on December 19th and 20th of that year the first quar- terly meeting was held and a class organized. Rev. J. L. Thompson was the presiding elder. The class was composed of the following named persons : Josiah C. Lane, Minerva Lane, Addison Lane and wife, Judge Sims and wife and Amelia Zion, none of whom are now living. Josiah C. Lane was for many years a prominent business man of this place and doubtless served as the administrator of more estates and the guardian of more minor children than any other man who has ever lived in this county, and his fidelity to his
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-LEBANON.
-Patriot.
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trusts was never questioned. He was the father of Wes Lane, a former cashier of the First National Bank. Amelia Zion, the last survivor of the class, was the wife of William Zion, after whom the neighboring town of Zionsville was named. She died a number of years ago full of honors and years, and her death was regretted by all who knew her. For some reason the mission did not flourish and there was no more preaching by ordained min- isters until October, 1836, when Rev. Ancil Beach happened to discover the vacancy on the skirmish line while on his way to conference and stopped off to open fire on the cohorts of Satan. The conference appointed Rev. John Miller to fill the vacancy but for some reason he refused to accept. It may be that he was needed more at some other post, at least he didn't come here. be the reasons what they may.
In 1837 Rev. Jonas Beloct was assigned and accepted the position with all its difficulties. However he divided his time with other stations and only preached once a month. This, however, was sufficient to keep the church alive and growing, and in 1841 they began the erection of a church building south of the railroad near where the residence of Samuel Rodifer now stands. The frame work was erected and withstood the storms of winter, but suc- cumbed to the gentle breezes of the spring-time. Soon afterward the ma- terial was gathered up and used in the erection of a frame building on the site of the present structure. This frame building was dedicated in 1843 during the time that Rev. Koontz had charge of the flock. Previous to this time the faithful had been holding services in the upper story of a log business house owned by J. C. Lane, and located on the south side of the public square. The lot was donated by William Smith.
In 1865-6 the old frame building was torn down and a brick structure erected at a cost of about five thousand dollars and called the "Centenary M. E. Church." This building was dedicated January 28. 1866, by Bishop Bowman, assisted by Revs. J. H. Hull and Griffith Morgan.
The trustees under whose auspices the church was built were Francis Apgar, J. C. Lane, A. J. Crose, S. S. Durbin, and John A. Craig, all of whom are now dead except Mr. Craig who lives at North Vernon, Indiana.
In 1886 the congregation had grown to such proportions that the build- ing was considered too small to accommodate all who desired to attend and was remodeled at a cost of four thousand seven hundred dollars and rededi- cated as a place of worship by Rev. J. P. D. John of DePauw University. In
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addition to the lot on which the church building stands the society owns a neat little parsonage on South East street; also residence property on the southeast corner of Meridian and South streets.
A full list of the pastors in charge of the church is as follows: 1837, Jonas Beloct ; 1843, Rev. - Koontz; 1853, J. F. McDaniel; 1854, A. J. Sheridan ; 1855, Jesse Hill and A. Gurney ; 1856, John R. Edely ; 1857, Will- iam Campbell; 1858, C. B. Heath; 1859, H. S. Shaw; 1860, H. Woodard; 1861, H. Smith; 1862, L. S. Buckles ; 1863, J. L. Boyd; 1864-66, C. B. Mock; 1866-68, M. L. Green; 1868-70, F. Cox; 1870-71, P. S. Cook; 1871-72, J. Foxworthy ; 1872-73, E. W. Lawhon; 1873-75, C. B. Mock; 1875-77, T. S. Webb; 1877-78, S. P. Colvin ; 1878-79, H. A. Merrill; 1879-80, F. M. Pavey ; 1880-81, J. L. Smith; 1881-82, H. C. Neal; 1882-86, A. Lewis; 1886-89, F. M. Pavey ; 1889-92, W. P. Mckinsey; 1892-96, H. L. Kindig; 1896-97, H. A. Tucker; 1897-98, D. M. Wood: 1898-1908, Demetrius Tillotson ; 1908- 1912, M. H. Appleby ; 1912-1914, K. W. Robbins.
Rev. William Campbell was the first station preacher, Drs. Godfrey, Mc- Mullen and others have often filled the pulpit.
THE CHRISTIAN OR DISCIPLES CHURCH.
In 1835 some ten or twelve persons of this faith began meeting in pri- vate houses for the purpose of worship, but had no regular organization as a church until some time in 1838 when the Rev. Gilbert T. Harney, of La- doga, discovered their needs and set the congregation in order. They had no building of their own in which to meet, so they worshipped in the old log temple of justice, and promulgated their particular doctrine as best they could. In a few years they were enabled to erect a- frame church house on West Washington street on the lot now occupied by the commodious residence of J. C. Brown. About 1867, this building was sold to the Catholic congrega- tion of St. Joachim and afterward removed to a lot on the east end of South street and was used by the congregation of St. Joachim as a place of worship until they built their present church.
In 1867 the congregation erected a brick church on the southeast corner of the crossing of East and Pearl streets, at a cost of about five thousand dollars, where it has since held its meetings. The house has been remodeled
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and reseated and is now a neat, commodious and comfortable place of wor- ship. They also own a parsonage, situated on East Main street which they have recently purchased at a cost of about three thousand dollars. The con- gregation is at present under the pastoral care of Elder A. J. Frank, who is eloquent and logical and highly appreciated by his congregation.
Among others who have ministered to the spiritual wants of the church are Elders John Shulse, M. B. Hopkins, Thomas Lockhart, H. St. John Van- dyke, John O. Kane, O. P. Badger, O. A. Burgess, J. A. Roberts, R. Ed- munson, B. F. Franklin, H. R. Pritchhard, John A. Johnston and E. T. Lane. These were, as a rule, able men and ornaments to their profession.
The Sunday school connected with this church is under the superintend- ency of W. O. Darnall and has an average attendance of about two hundred and twenty-five. There is also connected with this church a branch of the society of Christian Endeavor, also a Ladies' Aid Society. During its ex- istence, this church has passed through many trials and tribulations but at present "Peace reigns within its walls and prosperity within its palaces." It it filling its mission and promises great prosperity in the future. They have a church membership of about five hundred and seventy-five.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Previous to any organization of a church society, quite a number of persons of Presbyterian belief were living in Lebanon and vicinity and realiz- ing that wandering sheep without a shepherd were liable to be devoured by wolves in the shape of the world, the flesh and the devil, they concluded as a matter of safety to form a church organization.
In January, 1840, the Rev. W. F. Ferguson, of Thorntown, called a meeting of the faithful and organized a church society with the following membership: James Richey, Jane Richey, Henry McAuley, Henry Hamil- ton, Elvira Jameson, Debora Sheaf, Poly Anne Stephenson, Auley McAuley and Rebecca McConaughy. All of these persons have passed to their re- ward, the last survivor being Elvira Jameson. She was the wife of Dr. Jame- son, long a prominent personage in this county and the sister of James Richey who was a charter member of the church. While rich in spirit they were not so bountifully supplied with worldly goods and for several years had no per-
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manent abiding place as a church home, but held services in the court house, the M. E. church, the county seminary building and other places until about 1853, when having prospered somewhat financially as well as spiritually they were enabled to purchase a lot on North East street and erect thereon a very comfortable church building at a cost of about one thousand eight hundred dollars. The contractor and builder of this church was John Busby, grand- father of John H. Busby, mayor elect.
In 1872 their wants having outgrown the accommodations of their build- ing, the society disposed of it by sale to the members of the Baptist denomi- nation and began the erection of a neat and elegant church building on a lot on the northwest corner at the crossing of Main and East street. The corner- stone of the new building was laid September Ist, 1873, and the building partially completed but on account of the financial panic which at that time prevailed, was not entirely finished. However, it served as a place of wor- ship until September, 1878, when the roof and the upper story were torn off by a terrific cyclone which swept over the city. The cost of the building up to this time had been about thirteen thousand dollars. A little discouraged but not entirely cast down by this catastrophe, like true soldiers, they rallied around their colors, gathered up the debris, cleaned away the wreck of their dismanteled fortress, and repaired their entrenchments at a cost of about five thousand dollars and have at present a magnificent structure in which to hold their meetings.
The following persons have been in charge of the church as pastors since its organization : W. F. Ferguson, J. C. Eastman, N. P. Charlot, Samuel N. Evans, H. W. Briggs, Joseph Platt, P. K. VanWalter, John L. Hawkins, J. B. Logan, Charles K. Thompson, Francis M. Sims, John M. Bishop, D. B. Banta. S. S. Aikman, J. P. Engstrom, J. A. Pollock, and the present pastor, D. E. Williamson. The present membership of the church numbers about three hundred and fifty. . The Rev. Williamson is a very quiet and pliable sort of man of more than ordinary ability and is very satisfactory to his con- gregation. There is a prosperous Sunday school connected with this church; also a branch of the Y. P. S. C. E., a missionary society, and a ladies indus- trial society. They hold their meetings regularly and are accomplishing their mission. They are doing much good.
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THE ST. JOACHIM CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The next church to be organized in Lebanon was the Roman Catholic church, St. Charles, now known as St. Joachim or St. Joseph. Previous to 1862 the persons professing this faith had been compelled to seek spiritual consolation at other places, but in that year they got together and organized a society and purchased a small house and lot on the corner of Lebanon and North streets. For several years they had no regular pastor but were supplied by priests from LaFayette, Indianapolis and other places. The congregation was small and mostly farmers living in Perry and Harrison townships. About 1869 Father Winters was assigned to the charge and having by this time prospered somewhat, they sold their property and purchased the old Christian church that stood on the lot now occupied by the residence of J. C. Brown. In 1875-6, under the energetic pastorate of Father T. Ryan, they purchased the old "Nunn homestead" on Indianapolis avenue and removed the church building to that location. The church property comprises five lots and a new church was built in 1898 and 1899. Certainly a more faithful and earnest people can not be found. They are always on hand in works of charity, the care of the afflicted and the relief of the distressed. The following are the names of the priests in charge since 1874: 1874-75, Thomas M. Cahill; 1875-78, Timothy Ryan; for a short time P. J. Crosson; 1878-82, L. A. Moench; 1883-84, John Dempsey; 1884-85, D. J. Mulcahy, 1885-93, M. F. Kelly, 1893 to 1898, H. A. Hellhake; 1898-99, Wm. S. Hogan; 1899-1905, P. J. Crawley; 1905-1914, J. F. Connelly. The missions attached to St. Joachim or St. Joseph's Church include that of St. Rose of Lima, at Clark's Hill, Tippecanoe county, which was organized by the clergy of St. Mary's of LaFayette, and attended by them until 1875, when it was transferred to the charge of St. Joachim; the church building of this mission is of frame, is 20 by 50 feet and the membership numbers fifteen families, chiefly English farming people; St. George's mission at Colfax, which has about the same history as that of Clark's Hill, has also an edifice 20 by 50 feet and is at- tended by eight families.
They have a membership of about seventy families and as nearly every member of each family is a member of the church, it is fair to presume they have a membership of nearly two hundred.
Father Connelly, who has been pastor now ten years, is well and most
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favorably known in Boone county. He is an earnest worker and deserves the confidence of the people.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The First Baptist church was organized in Lebanon on December 12, 1872, with only fourteen members, they being Peter Morris, Esther Morris, William DeVol, Rebecca DeVol, John R. Creigler, Martha Creigler, A. J. Adams, Julia Adams, John A. Abbott, Laura Abbott, George W. Baird, J. F. Cline, Mattie Bruce and Elizabeth Lane. The first officers were Peter Morris, deacon; George W. Baird, treasurer ; John A. Abbott, clerk.
At the time of the organization, they had no regular place of worship and they met from place to place until they became strong enough to buy the old Presbyterian church which stood on the present site of the new church now to be dedicated. In 1877, the Presbyterian congregation concluded to build a new church and they sold the old frame building and lot to the Bap- tist congregation. Soon after the purchase and during the construction of the new Presbyterian church, a severe cyclone struck the city and both the new Presbyterian structure and the Baptist church were damaged by the storm. The cupola of the Baptist church was blown off the building and inverted through the roof, doing considerable damage.
During the first two years of the history of the church, they had no pas- tor nor any regular place of worship but, whenever a minister could be se- cured services would be held in the old central school building, the court house or at some private residence. During the forty years of the existence of the church, there have been eight pastors, all of whom are living except one, the Rev. J. F. Beaman. During the forty years of the existence of the church, the following pastors have filled the pulpit : Rev. C. B. Allen, from 1874 to 1880, a period of six years; from 1881 to 1882, the Rev. S. K. Fuson; from 1883 to 1891, Rev. J. F. Beaman; 1891 to 1896, Rev. J. A. Knowlton; from 1896 to 1907, Rev. O. A. Cook; from 1907 to 1909, Rev. George B. McKee; from 1909 to 1911, Rev. F. H. Adams and from 1911 up to the present time, Rev. F. L. Hardy.
Very soon after the organization of the church, more than forty years ago, it began to increase in membership and, during the pastorate of each of the ministers, the membership and the influence of the church has very ma-
4-570
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH-LEBANON.
-Daily Reporter.
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terially increased. With a beginning of only fourteen members, they now have a membership of four hundred and eighty-five. In addition to the mem- bership, the church has materially increased in wealth.
The congregation continued to worship in the old frame church, which had become an old landmark in Lebanon, it having been built more than fifty- five years ago, until on the morning of December 12, 1912, while at worship, some one discovered smoke in the building. Upon an investigation, it was discovered that the building was on fire. The pastor pronounced the bene- diction and the congregation got out of the building in good order when at- tention was turned toward saving the surrounding property, it being certain that the church structure was doomed with no possible hope of saving it.
Before the burning embers of the old church had died away and before the smoke ceased to curl in the air, steps were taken toward the construc- tion of a new church. The people were in sympathy with the congregation and many, who are not members of the Baptist church, subscribed freely toward the construction of the new and splendid edifice.
It was but a few weeks until the required amount of money was sub- scribed and guaranteed and committees were appointed to carry on the work and their faithfulness to their several trusts is attested by the completion of the new church, which was dedicated May 11, 1913. There is connected with this church a flourishing Sunday school. The average attendance at Sunday school is about one hundred and fifty. They have also a Baptist Young People's Union ; also a Junior B. Y. P. U. They have a Ladies' Aid Society and a Ladies' Missionary society. The church is active in all charitable work and is ever ready to aid the needy and raise the fallen.
THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, LEBANON.
On the 10th day of September, 1895, in response to a call published in the Lebanon papers, a few members and friends of the Christian church met at the Baptist church, at which meeting it was decided to build a church, a lot having previously been purchased. A. D. Beck, J. J. Kern, C. O. Trib- bett, L. W. Fuller and S. Stackhouse were appointed as building committee. Subsequently Mr. Kern and Rev. Stackhouse resigned and Rev. C. A. Brown and David Abernathy were appointed in their places. This committee was
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given full power to solicit and collect funds and contract for the building. The lot on which the building was subsequently erected is on North Lebanon street.
The committee at once proceeded to solicit funds and subscriptions and on October 7, 1895, awarded the contract for the construction of the church to G. W. Busby for two thousand one hundred dollars. Bad weather inter- ferred somewhat with the completion of the building and it was not ready for dedication until May, 1896.
On May 27, 1896, a goodly number of persons met at the church and proceeded to the organization of a church society "to promote the cause of Christ in this city and to satisfy a longing desire in the hearts of many whose names appear together in a church covenant."
The following named were the charter members of the church: C. A. Brown, Augusta Brown, Alfred D. Beck, Margaret J. Beck, Jacob Harlan, Sarah A. Harlan, Margaret F. B. Young, Wilder D. Rinehart, Laura L. Rinehart, Hanna McCann, Mary E. Tracey, L. W. Fuller, Jesse S. Reagan, Orinda Reagan, Montez Staton, O. H. P. Staton, Nancy Rader, C. O. Trib- bett, Dellie Tribbett, Amanda Witt, R. M. Powell, Betsy J. Powell, Daniel Abernathy, Samuel Stackhouse, Elizabeth Stackhouse, Ellen Stackhouse, Isaac McClaine, Nancy McClaine, John C. Rader, Emma Rader, Maggie Pounds, Laura Rader, Richard M. McCoy, Nancy J. McCoy, Catharine Over- lease, E. M. Danewood and Cynthia Rice. After the adoption of the cove- nant the above named were admitted to fellowship in the church by Rev. C. A. Brown. They then adopted rules for the government of the church, after which they proceeded to elect the following officers: Pastor, Rev. C. A. Brown; clerk, W. D. Rinehart; treasurer, A. D. Beck; official board, Jesse Reagan, Margaret F. B. Young, Nancy Rader and L. W. Fuller. A. D. Beck and Jacob Harlan were the first deacons of the church.
In 1897 Rev. C. A. Brown was again chosen pastor for the ensuing year but was superseded by Elder F. P. Trotter in September.
There is in connection with this church a flourishing Sunday school, which meets every Sunday and is well attended. There are also other auxil- iary societies connected with the church. They are filling their mission and are what their names imply.
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BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA.
LEBANON UNITED BRETHREN.
At an evening meeting in April, 1888, Rev. Stackhouse, Jacob Byerly, Nathan Haller, Jesse Arbogast, John L. Pierce and others who were present, decided that an effort should be made to erect a church building in their ward to be under the care and control of the United Brethren. Every one went to work with a will to carry out the enterprise. Before two weeks were up the money had been secured to buy a lot at a cost of $175.00. The founda- tion of the building was begun in May, 1888, Rev. Stackhouse throwing the first shovel full of dirt from the excavation. John W. Lewis was employed as a carpenter, and Jacob Byerly devoted almost the entire summer to the superintendency of the work. The house was finished and dedicated Febru- ary, 1889. Rev. Stackhouse preached the first sermon in the house on the evening before the dedication. On February 23, 1889, Rev. Garrigus and Elder T. M. Hamilton organized the first class composed of the following members : Nathan Haller, Martha Haller, Nettie Haller, Pearl Haller, John E. Friel, J. F. Emery and Laura Emery. Rev. Garrigus served as pastor un- til the following September, at which time there was a membership of sixty- three. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Meredith who served until Septem- ber -, who increased the membership to eighty-three. Rcv. J. T. Shag- ley was the next pastor in charge. He served for one year, and at the end of his term the membership had reached one hundred and thirty-six. Rev. W. H. Miller was his successor and served for two years. He was followed by Rev. W. H. Jones who for two years successfully labored and increased the membership. During all these years a flourishing Sunday school has been maintained. They have also a Ladies' Aid Society, a Woman's Mis- sionary Society and branch of the Y. P. C. U. In 1898 a convention of the Upper Wabash Conference of the Y. P. C. U. was held at this church in May and was well attended, the pastor in charge at this time was Rev. R. D. Van Allen, who was serving in his second year.
LEBANON SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
During the summer of 1890, Elders Victor and Luzern Thompson held a series of tent meetings in Lebanon, and in the fall of that year purchased
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a lot on South Lebanon street, and erected thereon during the next summer a church building. After a series of meetings held during the winter of 1892, on February 20th of that year, they organized a church and Sabbath school of the denomination of the Seventh Day Adventists. The first quar- terly meeting was held by Elder Hadley in this building on the 2d day of April, 1892. The building was dedicated May 28, 1893, by Elder Victor Thompson, assisted by Elders Stevens, Bennett and Luzern Thompson. The members of the church at the time of its organization were Rose Mckinsey, Thomas Mckinsey, Francis Hanna, Minnie Hanna, David Hanna, Mary Lanpher, Layton Lanpher, Wade Harrison, Rachel Dill, John Hanna, Ora Stephenson, William Campbell, Fannie Campbell, Mary Huston, Lou Camp- bell, John N. Campbell, A. G. Tucker and Mary A. Tucker. Those admitted to membership since the organization are Justin C. Long, Della M. Brown, Jennie Grape, Mary E. Hanna, Harvey Ludington, Otto Hanna, Edith Lan- pher, Lucy Buntin, Oril Buntin, Dora Ludington, Minnie Hanna, Herbert W. Purdy, Richard Ford and Edna Sunderland. The church is still flourish- ing, holding services on Saturday instead of the Sabbath day, as they believe in observing the seventh day rather than the first day of the week.
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