USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 15
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The Methodist church at Hazelton now has a membership of one hun- dred and one members, and has preaching services every other Sunday, being supplied by Rev. Shake, of Patoka.
In Washington township there is what is styled Shiloh church, or- ganized in 1815. and has forty members; the building was erected in 1893, costing one thousand five hundred dollars. It is said by some that this was the first Methodist church regularly organized within the state of Indiana- it was early in the field, of course, if it was formed as early as 1815.
The church known as Steelman, in this county, has eighteen members at this writing.
The Methodist Episcopal church was organized in Oakland in the early fifties. There are at present three hundred and fifty members here, in charge of Rev. Elmer St. Clair. The church was built in 1906, and cost twenty thousand dollars, including an up-to-date pipe organ.
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THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY.
The Salem presbytery held its first session at Princeton, May 9, 1828, and at that session the first Presbyterian church was organized. This was the first perfected society of this denomination, but there had been another partly perfected previous to this date. The first ruling elders elected and ordained were William French and James R. E. Goodlet. The first stated supply was Calvin E. Butler, who, in the spring of 1832, was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Martin. Among other pastors recalled, and whose names should never be forgotten, was Rev. John D. Paxton, of rare attainments and many beautiful traits of character. In 1860 he accepted the presidency of Highland University, Kansas; served two years and resigned to return to Princeton, Indiana, and served as pastor until his death, aged about eighty- five years. The church here had, by that date, attained considerable strength and has ever since been one of the county's best church societies.
On January 12, 1910, was consummated a union between the Broad- way Presbyterian church and the Presbyterian church of Princeton. The Broadway Presbyterian church was formerly the Cumberland Presbyterian church until the union between the Presbyterian church in the United States of America and the Cumberland Presbyterian. Ernest G. Hildner was the first and present pastor of the new church, the First Presbyterian.
The present church building was dedicated on April 29, 1894, and cost eighteen thousand dollars. The present membership is about three hun- dred. The church is complete in every respect. and contains a pipe organ of the latest model, installed by the Welborn family in memory of Dr. W. P. Welborn.
The list of pastors is as follows: Calvin Butler, 1828; William W. Martin, 1832-5; H. H. Patten, 1835-8; John M. McCord, 1838-43; Robert Lillie, 1844; R. V. Dodge, 1844-45; A. T. Hendricks; Henry W. Biggs, 1853; J. D. Paxton, D. D., 1855; H. B. Scott, 1860; John H. Aughey, 1863; J. D. Paxton, 1864; Martin Van Buren Van Arsdale, 1867-8; John Montgomery, 1868; Benjamin Mills, 1879-80; John Stuart, 1880-6; W. D. Ward, 1887-92; Alexander J. Kerr, 1892-5; J. H. Cone, 1896-9; Douglas P. Putnam, D. D., 1899-1904; F. H. Shedd, 1905-8; Ernest G. Hildner, D. D., 1908-1910. At this time the union of the two churches was formed and Rev. Hildner became the first pastor.
The Presbyterian church in Oakland City was organized in 1850, the Cumberland Presbyterian in 1850, and the Presbyterian in 1872. The two
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were united in the year 1905, and at present have a membership of one hun- dred and fifty-six. The church was built in 1906, and cost about fifteen thousand dollars, including an excellent pipe organ.
FAIRVIEW CHURCH.
The cause leading up to the organization of Fairview church was a Sabbath school organized at the Page school house in 1890 by Rev. J. Beveridge Lee and Gil. R. Stormont, of the United Presbyterian church of Princeton. Mr. Stormont, as superintendent, with the assistance of Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Morton, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Townsend, W. H. Stormont and other workers, carried on this school for several months. When the Page school house was burned, the school was transferred to the Lawrence school house and continued with Amos Legier as superintendent. Another step towards the organization of the church was a protracted meeting con- ducted by Rev. W. D. Landis, pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Princeton.
On March 21, 1897, the church was organized by Rev. W. D. Landis at the Lawrence school house with sixty-three charter members. The elders elected at that time were John C. Clark and E. L. Townsend, and John Boal, A. N. Sturges and Samuel Binkley as trustees. It was decided that the name of the church should be the Fairview Cumberland Presbyterian church.
In August of the same year the work of building a regular house of worship was begun on a tract of land donated by Mrs. Josiah E. Carithers. This house was completed and dedicated November 21, 1867. with Rev. A. H. Kelso officiating, Rev. J. E. Jenkins assisting. The first pastor called was Rev. G. W. May, who began his work in the following May.
Since that time the following pastors have served the congregation : Rev. John Welch, Rev. William Carhart, Rev. G. F. McMican, Rev. J. O. Ashburn, Rev. J. H. Kiracafe and Rev. J. G. House.
On the consummation of the union between the Cumberland Presby- terian church and the Presbyterian church this congregation became identi- fied with the Presbyterian church. At a later time some of the members withdrew from the church, thereby reducing the membership. But, by the help of the Lord, and the work of a faithful few, the good work continues.
About the year 1904 the manse enterprise was started which resulted in the building of a five-room house, situated on a four-acre lot adjoining the church building. The little church has been without a pastor during a part of its history, but the Sunday school from which it had its beginning has
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continued. The present superintendent has served the school since 1898, with the exception of six months.
There is also a Presbyterian church at Fort Branch, but the proper parties failed to furnish data in time for insertion in this chapter.
THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
The first church of this branch of Presbyterianism in Gibson county was organized by Rev. William Barnett in August, 1817, at the place of worship of the Methodists at Shiloh, Washington township. By many it is contended that this was the first Cumberland Presbyterian church formed in Indiana. Trouble arose between the Methodists and this sect over camp meeting ground dates, and the Cumberland Presbyterians withdrew and made grounds of their own in the township, a half mile distant, and this was known as Mt. Zion. Rev. Alexander Downey served this people six years. In September, 1839, the society divided and Mt. Pleasant was the name of the new church, with Elder Aaron Lewis in charge. Later this church was dissolved and many of the members returned to Mt. Zion. The Bethel church was formed in 1832 and Rev. William Lynn was pastor until 1841, and was succeeded by Rev. T. B. McCormick. Members living in and near Owensville became members of Bethel church in 1876, and later Bethel erected a church at Owensville. Mt. Moriah church was organized at the residence of David Robb, near Fort Branch, in 1828. The first minister in charge was Rev. Downey. In 1839 a church was built near Mr. Robb's. This was used until the erection of a church at the town of Fort Branch in 1866. The Princeton church was the outgrowth of the Patoka church. The Princeton congregation was organized by Rev. Hiram A. Hunter in Decem- ber, 1832. Subsequently, the Patoka congregation was dissolved and added to Princeton church. Rev. J. E. Jenkins began his labors at Princeton in 1857 and for more than thirty years was the faithful pastor at Princeton. During the last half of the nineteenth century, beyond any question, Mr. Jenkins was the best known minister in Gibson county. The Patoka con- gregation was again separated from Princeton in 1870. In 1850, near Oakland City, a congregation was formed and called Montgomery, but, owing to internal strife, it never succeeded well. At Princeton, for many years, the church was much stronger than those outside in this county. In January, 1910, the union of the regular Presbyterians and the Broadway or Cumberland Presbyterian churches was effected. The old Cumberland church was sold to the Christian denomination society.
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The Cumberland Presbyterian church of Owensville has a membership of one hundred. It was organized about sixty years ago. The Rev. T. A. Devore took charge of the church on October 3. 1913. He also preaches to the Bethel and Antioch congregations, of forty members each.
UNITED PRESBYTERIANS AND REFORMED PRESBYTERIANS.
During the first decade of the last century Samuel Hogue came from Tennessee and Thomas Archer from South Carolina and both were devout men and wanted religious services in their settlements. In 1820 Mr. Hogue went on horseback to his old home in Tennessee to seek permission of his old church. the Seceders, to preach the Gospel. He was denied the right on account of his not having been educated for the ministry. On his return to Indiana he chanced to fall in with a missionary of the Reformed Presby- terian church. His name was John Kell, of near Knoxville, Tennessee. Hogue begged the young minister to visit the little settlement at Princeton, not yet named as such, however. It was in the ripe harvest time in 1810 that Kell arrived, and from his coming came the birth of the congregation so well known in the county today. He continued to visit Princeton for six years and then settled here, but still continued his circuit work. The society at Princeton used the old Hardshell Baptist church until 1820, when they erected a frame building on Prince street between Broadway and Water streets. This served until 1836, when a brick church was erected at the corner of what is now Broadway and Prince streets, the site of the Christian church.
From the start the congregation had been of the Reformed Presby- terian creed, descendants of the old Scotch Covenanters. About 1832 there arose trouble over the question of a ruling of the synod forbidding members taking part in governmental affairs, generally construed to include jury service and voting at the polls. This did not meet with the approval of the Princeton church and it was left to a committee, and a majority of such committee voted in favor of members being permitted to serve as jurors. This caused a bad break and the anti-faction, headed by Robert Stormont, withdrew and formed a new congregation, which came to be styled the "Old Side." while the majority body was known as the "New Side."
The Old Side Reformed Presbyterians formed an organization and in 1851 built a frame church on what is now State street, and secured Rev. John Stott as pastor. Rev. Stott was also a physician and had a considerable practice, in addition to his pastoral labors. He came from Ireland and
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through his influence a large number of his former parishioners emigrated to this county and identified themselves with his church here. Dr. Stott was a man of fine intellectual attainments and was an able preacher. Owing to some internal dissensions his congregation was divided in the later sixties, and the dissenting members withdrew and erected another church on east Broadway. Dr. Stott, however, continued preaching at the old church to the members who adhered to his side in the separation until the infirmities of age compelled him to give up the work. After this the congregation was disbanded and the building sold to L. H. Wheeler, who converted it into a business house. This house, in its remodeled form, still stands in the old location on east State street, and is used as a grocery store.
The Old Side organization, located on east Broadway, has been fairly prosperous in all the years since the separation, and has had the ministration of some able men as pastors, among them Rev. D. C. Martin, Rev. Mathews and others. Their present pastor is Rev. M. S. McMilian. They have re- cently remodeled their old church and now have one of the neatest and most conveniently arranged churches in the town. The present membership is sixty-five.
While all this was going on, in 1832, was formed the first Sunday school in Gibson county, the same having been organized by James Hogue and William Orr for the study of the Bible. The first United Presbyterian church in Princeton was founded in 1858. It was during that year that the union of the Associate Reformed and Associate or Seceder churches was brought about under the title of United Presbyterian church.
In 1870 a union was effected between the Reformed Presbyterian ( New Side) and the United Presbyterian churches, by which the name of the former was dropped and the united body became known as the United Pres- byterian church. A remnant of the Reformed Presbyterians who could not see their way clear to change their church allegiance continued with the old organization and built another church on the corner of Gibson and Water streets. Here they continued to worship for several years, with Rev. Robert Blair as their pastor. Finally this organization was abandoned, the pastor departed to other fields and the members found a place in their former church home.
When the Reformed Presbyterians had grown beyond the capacity of their brick church, located on what is now the corner of Prince and Broad- way; they secured a lot and erected a building thereon, on what is now the corner of State and Prince streets. This building was completed in 1858
REV. GILBERT McMASTER, D. D., Pastor Reformed Presbyterian Church, Princeton, 1840-1846.
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and it has been the church home of this denomination, and the denomination that has succeeded by virtue of the union; ever since. This old church was wrecked by the tornado that passed through Princeton in 1876, and has been subjected to various attempts to improve the architecture by remodel- ing the structure, with more or less success. In 1897, largely through the beneficence of Mrs. Ann Eliza Woods Hudelson, a life-time member of the church, the old church was practically rebuilt and it is now thoroughly modern.
Those who have served as pastors of this church since its organization are the following: Rev. John Kell, 1820 to 1838; Rev. Gilbert McMaster. D. D., 1840 to 1846; Rev. John McMaster. D. D., 1846 to the time of his death in 1874; Rev. W. H. McMaster, 1874 to 1881 ; Rev. John .A. Gordon, D. D., 1883 to 1888; Rev. J. Beveridge Lee, 1889 to 1891; Rev. A. M. Campbell, D. D., 1892 to 1901; Rev. W. H. Patterson, D. D., 1901 to 1910; Rev. Morris Watson, D. D., 1911, the present pastor.
A PROUD WAR RECORD.
In 1910 the United Presbyterian church celebrated its one hundredth anniversary. At that time a number of historical addresses were given, and one pertaining to the attitude of this church on questions that agitated the public prior to the Civil war, and the record of that congregation in that war, will be of interest in this connection. This is a record that represents the spirit of patriotism and loyalty that prevailed at that time and is a part of the history of Gibson county. Quoting from the address referred to:
"In this congregation, if there was any lack of loyalty or patriotism inherited from the fathers this lack was more than supplied by the precept and example of the pastor. No man of his time was more loyal to his country, or more devoted to his country's honor and integrity than was Rev. John McMaster. * He was fearless in denouncing slavery * as an evil, which he, with others, believed to be a menace to the national life. * * *
"In this community, as in many others, there was a divided sentiment as to the right of slavery, and there were many who advocated the right of this institution. Indeed, it required courage and boldness for one to take a stand. in opposition to slavery, and there were not many who cared to take that unpopular stand.
"Among those who had the courage of their convictions on that ques-
(II)
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tion were the Covenanters, most of whom had left their homes in the South because of slavery's blighting influence. The man who was in the forefront and the leader of those in opposition was the pastor, Rev. John McMaster.
"With prophetic eye, Doctor McMaster could see the impending judg- ment that must come upon a nation because of the evil of slavery, and most earnestly did he pray in his pulpit that threatened war might be averted. In public addresses he pleaded for righteousness and peace, and hesitated not to denounce the wrong. Because of his boldness he was bitterly denounced by the apologists for slavery, and on one occasion he and Dr. Andrew Lewis, another prominent citizen of Princeton, of like sentiment, were assaulted with rotten eggs while making what was called an abolition speech in Owens- ville, this county.
"While Doctor McMaster prayed earnestly that the war might be averted, yet, when war came, by the rebellious acts of those who would perpetuate slavery, he himself became a man for war. He gave his voice and strong influence on the side of those who would suppress rebellion by force of arms. He encouraged the young men of his congregation, and of the community, to enlist, and expressed a willingness himself to enlist.
"How vividly we call to mind (says the writer of this sketch) that day when the news came that Fort Sumter had been fired upon, and later when the lightning flashed the news of surrender and the lowering of the flag. The people of this community, as all over the nation, were thrilled as by an electric shock. How well do I remember, as a boy, that first Sabbath after the fall of Sumter. We all came to church as usual, but there was more than usual in the impressive solemnity of the congregation that day. Doctor McMaster began his service as he always did, without variation. This in- troduction to the service always seemed solemn and impressive, but, it ap- peared to me, was more than usually impressive that day, when he said 'Let us, with reverence, compose our minds for the public worship of the Lord our God. Let us unite in seeking His presence and blessing by prayer.' Was there ever greater need to 'compose ourselves'? Was there ever greater need to seek 'His presence and blessing ?'
"I do not remember his text on that occasion. I only remember that it was appropriate and that his sermon was deeply impressive, and how earnestly he prayed for his country, now trembling in the balance.
"In the midst of the afternoon service that day a sound of the fife and drum was heard. The sound came froin the courthouse yard, where a con- pany of men were being enlisted in response to Governor Morton's first call for volunteers. Will anyone who heard that fife and drum ever forget its
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thrilling effect? It was an unusual sound for Princeton, on a quiet Sabbath afternoon. It brought to that worshiping congregation a realization of the serious condition threatening our nation-a foretaste of the tragedy of war that was to follow. To me, as a country boy, the sound of martial music was somewhat of a novelty at that time, but I had abundant opportunity to become familiar with it a short time afterward.
"The first man in Gibson county to enlist for the defense of his coun- try's flag was from this congregation, Dr. Samuel E. Munford. He en- listed as a private in a company that was afterward known as Company H, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers. On the organization of the regiment he was made assistant surgeon and later promoted to surgeon, and later medical director of the Wilder Brigade."
In an historical address by Doctor McMaster, on the occasion of his twenty-fifth anniversary as pastor of the congregation, in June, 1871, he gave an account of the war record of his congregation, of which the follow- ing is an extract :
"At the call of their country sixty-four persons in full communion, or baptized members belonging to this congregation, volunteered in her armies and fought, and some of them died, for their country. In some instances two, three and four went from one family. In one case, a father and his . two sons enlisted. Two sons of the pastor went out, one of them in his seventeenth year. These, with many others, re-enlisted as veterans and were with Sherman on his march to the sea.
"There were no skulkers, no deserters among them. There were none who, being armed, turned back in the day of battle. As they rallied around and fought for the 'Red, White and Blue flag' of their country, they proved themselves the true successors of those who fought and died so bravely under the blue flag of the Covenanters in the hills and valleys of Scotland.
"Of the sixty-four who went forth, at the close of their service, two held the position of medical director, two were captains, two were quartermas- ters, two were first lieutenants, two second lieutenants, one hospital steward. one sergeant major, three sergeants, eight corporals and the remainder served their country as privates and all served it well. Of the number en- listed, sixteen died in the service, one-fourth of the whole number. Eight died on the battle field or of wounds received in battle. The others died of various diseases contracted in the service.
"These sixteen included some of our best men, men whose Christian. character was established and also some of the most promising youths of the congregation."
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In the annals of this congregation during the century of its existence, there is no more creditable record than its war history. Of those who gave up their lives for their country, it may be said no better soldiers ever girded on the armor, no truer patriots ever lived.
BAPTIST CHURCHES.
Different branches of this denomination have long existed in Gibson county. The Regular Baptists date back to 1808, when Rev. Stephen Strickland came from Kentucky to Indiana, settling near Princeton. He was the pioneer Baptist preacher of this county and, like John the Baptist, went ahead and paved the way for those who should come after him in preaching baptism.
The Patoka Baptist church was organized about 1810 by Rev. William Hanks. Pigeon church, near Princeton, was organized in 1811, by Rev. Strickland, but later was dissolved. The next congregation was the Salem church, at Owensville, constituted by Elders William Hanks and James Mootry. A church was soon built near Owensville, and in 1840 the society was moved into Owensville, where a frame church was erected, Providence church, eleven miles southeast of Princeton, was formed in 1822. New Salem church was organized twelve miles north of Princeton in 1838. Other Baptist churches, here and there over the county, were soon organized.
What is known as the General Baptist church had its origin in Gibson county in 1829, when Elder Jacob Speer came to Princeton from Tennessee. He organized the church of Baptists in 1830. Later, in 1831, this united with the Liberty Association of General Baptists, and Elder Speer con- tinued to preach to his chosen flock. The other flourishing Baptist churches in the county, of this faction, were formed at Owensville, Columbia, Fort Branch, Hazelton, New Liberty, at Francisco, and one at Oakland City.
The First General Baptist church was organized in Oakland in 1853. The church building was built in 1894, and cost fifteen thousand dollars. This amount includes the recent additions, among them the pipe organ, which cost one thousand two hundred dollars. There are one hundred and sixty-four members at present, and Rev. Frank S. Hartley has charge.
There is a Primitive Baptist church at Fort Branch; also a General church.
The Primitive Baptist church of Owensville was organized in the early sixties, and has had a steady growth since. There are at present one hun- dred and thirty members. Rev. Clayton has charge of the church. The present church building was erected in 1906, and cost ten thousand dollars.
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The Missionary Baptists have an organization and a fine church at Princeton, and up to two years ago had a society at Oakland City, but this has been dissolved. At Princeton the church was formed in 1894 and now has a membership of one hundred and thirty. The church property is valued at eight thousand dollars. The church building is located on the corner of Prince and Water streets and was dedicated in 1902.
THE FRANCISCO CHURCH OF GENERAL BAPTISTS.
This was first organized at Old Bethesda church, two and one-half miles northwest of Francisco, Indiana. Bethesda, one of the oldest churches in the eastern part of the county, was built in the year 1834. The timbers for the frame work were split and hewn from the trees of the forest, and the work was done by the labor of the surrounding neighborhood. After completion, the house was used by the different church organizations for preaching services, and the Methodist Episcopal congregation of Francisco was first located there, and later removed to Francisco about 1856 or 1857.
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