USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 35
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ing persons united with the church, viz .: Susan Vise, Elizabeth Mann, Margaret Bobbett, Elizabeth Crain and Mary Joyce. At this meeting Rev. T. C. Townsend called as pastor. For the first year's service the church paid him $10.121/2. Among other min- isters who served the church as pastors may be mentioned Lewis Morgan, D. J. Huston, J. R. Philips, E. B. Smith and J. M. Johnson. The church has been depleted very much by removals. It has sent out three colonies to form other churches. Among the per- sons who deserve to be mentioned are Lewis Morgan, H. Keeler, the Meanes and the Joyces, with many others.
Brookfield Baptist Church is located in Moral Township, Shelby County, on the C., I., St. L. & C. R. R. It was organized in March 24, 1866. Neither the names nor number of members in the organization are given. Rev. J. M. Smith was chosen pastor of the church, who served as such for a number of years, when he was succeeded by F. M. Buchannan in July, 1869, serving to June, 1871, when the church called Rev. A. J. Martin, who served until July, 1874. Rev. H. McCalip called August, 1872, serving un- til 1874. Rev. T. J. Murphy called September, 1874, serving until April, 1876, when Rev. F. M. Buchannan was called May, 1876. The church maintains a good Sabbath School. The present mem- bership is 56. The church has a good brick house, worth about $2,000.
It will be seen from the above, that there have been seventeen Baptist churches organized in the county, with the following, which are now extinct, ( viz .: ) Hopwell, Sugar Creek, Waldron, Forks of Blue River, and Marietta.
The Disciples of Christ, or Christians .- The years following the first settlement of this county, were made memorable by the religious awakening in the west. The strong battlements of de- nominational exclusiveness were being attacked and carried by storm. People would not accept the dogma of any denomination without the authority for such dogma could be found in the Bible. Anything else was human innovation and unworthy of belief. As a result new doctrines were evolved and old ones modified. The reformation started by Alexander Campbell, Barton Stone, and Walter Scott grew in magnitude and extended far beyond the limits contemplated by the originators. The teachings of Alexander Campbell were considered heterodox by the Baptists with whom he had hitherto been associated, and in 1827 they severed all`con- nection with the reformers, who then organized a new church which was called by them the Church of the Disciples of Christ or Christian Church, but by their opposers the Campbellite Church. The cardinal principle of their organization was the rejection of
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all creeds or confessions of faith and the adoption of the Bible as their only rule of faith and practice.
Shelbyville Christian Church .-- Among the first to be converted by the teaching of Alexander Campbell was Father Obediah Butler. He at once became an apostle of the new religion, and soon had a sufficient following to organize a church class, which was ef- fected in the spring of 1834. The meeting for that purpose was held at the house of Ovid Butler, that stood on the southeast cor- ner of the public square, the present site of Teal's block. The lit- tle band that met Father Butler on that occasion and who constituted the charter membership of the church, was composed of: James M. Smith, Sallie Smith, John Weakley, Nancy Weakley, Silas Jaen and wife, George Bates and wife, E. Knowlton and wife, Ovid Butler and wife, and Spencer Thayer and wife. Of the history of this church for many years following its organization but little is known. Whatever of historic value there was has passed into oblivion with the death of those early members. It is known, however, that the organization was kept up, and at the time of the coming of Mrs. Martin Ray and her mother, Mrs. Nancy Cross, both devout Chris- tians, meetings were occasionally held, although of unfrequent oc- currence, and often without the assistance of a minister. The members were few and poor, and could not afford to pay for the services of a preacher nor build a house in which they might meet to worship. But hungry for religious associations they met in the dwellings, which for the time they would transform into the temple of God. They came not to mock, but to pray and worship, and no doubt from that little band of believers, arose the pure incense of unsullied faith and conscious and unwavering consecration. It is believed that God looked down with the same, if not deeper and more perfect approval than he does now upon the piles of stone and brick, covered and burdened with the elaborateness of ornament till the human eve is wearied to behold. Meetings are remembered to have been held in the second story of the building now occupied by Ziegler's restaurant. Here it was that Rev. New, the father of Hon. John C. New, preached. He was a man of great earnest- ness, plain and practical, very pronounced in his likes and dislikes. Revs. O'Kane and Prichard may be classed among the pioneer preachers of the Christian Church of Shelby County. They were both men of rare ability, forcible speakers and conscientious workers. It is probable that the best type of a pioneer preacher was found in Rev. Decatur Davis, who occasionally preached at this place. He was illiterate, and it is said by one who knew him intimately that he read no book but the Bible, and that he had
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committed it to memory, having at his command the whole of it, when it became necessary to sustain a position taken.
In the early part of the fifties the old organization was revived, and meetings for a time held in Concert Hall. The lot upon which the church now stands was bought and the foundation for a build- ing laid. Sufficient money could not be obtained to erect a build- ing and the lot was in a few years sold at sheriff's sale. It was redeemed. however, and in 1867 the present frame building was erected thereon. The church is 40x60 feet, and with its improve- ments, costing $2.500, made during the present year (1887), the property will be worth $6,000. A few of the older members who worked hard to sustain the church during its struggle for existence, were: Bailes Coats, Jacob Wagoner, Isaac Woods, E. M. Wilson, Mrs. Nancy Cross, Susan Ray, Mother Davisson, Mr. and Mrs. Wingate and the Weakleys.
The present officers are: A. P. Bone, Dr. Clayton, J. L. Hay- mond, and Charles Culbertson, Elders: John Toner, senior and junior, Dr. E. W. Leech, T. J. Claycraft. John Whitehead and John Dobbins, Deacons: A. P. Bone and William A. Moore, Trustees. . The following are those who have more recently served the church in the capacity of pastor: Revs. Goodwin, Davis, Hughes, Wilson, Burroughs. Hopkins, Roberts, Stanley Ackman, Samuel Tamlemon, J. H. Edwards, at present a missionary to Australia, and the present pastor, H. H. Nesslage. Rev. Nesslage is a native of the Empire State, where he was born August 22, 1854. He received his ele- mentary training in the schools of New York City, and at the age of twenty entered Bethany College, West Virginia, where he re- mained for four years, completing both the literary and theological courses. His first work was at Bellefontaine, Ohio. Rev. Nesslage is a young man of both natural and acquired ability, and is an . earnest and consciencious worker.
One of the greatest auxiliaries of the church is the Sunday School, which is now under the management of Mr. Charles Culbertson, Superintendent. The attendance is large and much interest mani- fested.
Mt. Auburn Christian Church. - Through the efforts of Joseph Fasset, the following little band of Christians were organized into a church at Mt. Auburn in the summer of 1837: William Record and wife, M. J. Nelson and wife, Giles Holmes and wife, Isaac Rodgers and wife. Joshua Nolton and wife, and Elisha Townsend and wife. Of this number, Mr. and Mrs. Record are the only sur- vivors who still retain their membership in the church. C. M. Allen and wife, William Cutsinger and wife, and Abner Conner,
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although not members at the time of organization, joined soon after, and are now among the oldest and most respected members. After Fasset, William Irwin and T. J. Edmondson served the church for many years in the capacity of pastor. Rev. John Brazleton, of North Vernon, Ind., the present pastor, has served the church in a most acceptable manner for many years. The first building was of logs and was probably completed as early as 1840. In 1854, the present frame house, costing about $800, was com- pleted and dedicated, and with the additions and recent improve- ments, it is in fairly good condition. The present officers are: Elders-C. M. Allen, Thomas Clarke and Henry Lisk. Deacons- John Clarke and Cutsinger.
The Morristown Christian Church is the outgrowth of the old Hanover Class, which was organized in the latter part of the thirties in a school-house which stood in Section 23. Hanover Township. Many of the early members and ministers were formerly Baptists, having been constituent members of a society of that denomination, which was established at the same place as early as 1824. Rev. Isaac Benjamin having renounced the creeds and doctrines of the Baptist Church became one of the most earnest supporters of the doctrines of the Church of Christ, and many of the members left the old church and with him as their pastor, organized the new. Among the most prominent early members were the Coles, Stones, Bloods, Dyers and Caulkins. Elder Butler was probably the first regular pastor after Benjamin.
Revs. Hollingsworth, Hurst, Hobb, Smith, Dabbinspike, Frankhn, Land, Rayens, Conner, Mc- Duffey and Campbell, all served the church in an early day. In 1843. a large frame church house was erected, and although it has stood for almost a half century, it is still in good condition, and is an evidence of the character of work done in those days. Within the last twenty years the membership of the church has been com- posed largely of citizens of Morristown and vicinity, and the con- venience of having the church located in or near the town was universally conceded. The present brick edifice costing $3,800, was completed and dedicated in 1880. The officers of the church are: H. B. Cole, Trustee; John Keaton and William Carney, Deacons, and Jesse Robinson, Elder. The membership is 125. Rev. Prichard, of Indianapolis, is the pastor in charge.
Cave Mill Christian Church is located on Flat Rock River, in Washington Township. Meetings anterior to the organization were held at the private residences, and in one of the rooms of the old mill, as early as 1855. It is probable that no permanent organiza- tion was effected before 1859 or 1860. While the organization was yet in its infancy, the tocsin of war was sounded, and so universally
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did the male members respond to the call of their country, that the church was almost deserted, and suspension became necessary. Prominent among the members of this first organization were: Dr. Norris and wife. J. C. Deacon and wife, Elder Higgins and wife, Sarah Bone. Stephen Knowlton and wife and Mrs. Harvey. Rev. John A. Williams was the first pastor. After the war had ceased and the survivors had returned. steps were at once taken to reorganize, but this was not effected, however, until early in the seventies. A frame church house was erected near the old water mill, and the church is now in a prosperous condition. The minis- ters who have served the church are: John Williams, Revs. Mc- Gowan, Huff, Finley. Howe and Brazleton.
Fountaintown Christian Church .- It is probable that more than a half century ago the members of this denomination held services in the vicinity of Fountaintown. The birth place of this church was two miles east of the present site of Fountaintown in what was known as the Pope neighborhood. The organization was effected in the old Methodist Church with the Popes, Davises, Dobbles, Duncans, Roans and Robinsons as active members. Meetings were, for several years, held at the residence of Peter Pope, and later at a church house built in the Pope neighborhood, which was destroyed by fire about ten years after its erection. Early in the sixties the present church was erected. It is a frame structure and cost $1,8oo. The members who were active in building and sustaining this church and who deserve special men- tion in this connection, were: James Conner, D. Holt, James Smith, John O'Kane and Rev. Walker.
Christian Center is located near Gwynnville in Hanover Town- ship. This society was first organized at Beach Grove, probably as early as 1850, by the Rev. James Conner. Active in the or- ganization were the Darmers, Swains, Pollitts, McConnels, Wests, Bogues, Webbs, Alexanders and Rigbees. The pioneer ministers of this church were: James Conner, Decatur Davis, Thomas Lock- hart, Rev. Blackman, Aaron Walker and Noah Walker. After the lapse of a few years the place of meeting was changed, and the school-house of District No. 6, was used as a place of worship. In 1870 a frame church costing $1.500 was erected on a lot donated by Mr. Gwynne. This is located three-fourths of a mile east of the town. The present membership is about forty. The officers are: John Alexander, Benjamin Duncan, Alfred Pollitt, George Haves and J. R. Harris, Trustees; J. W. Alexander and Hamilton Watson, Deacons.
United Brethren .- Many of the early and important facts con- nected with the establishment of this church in Shelby County have
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not been preserved, and consequently a complete history of this de- nomination is impossible. From the best information obtainable, the first meeting held by a United Brethren minister was at a school-house which stood near where Michael Billman now lives? in Marion Township. It is probable, however, that no perma- nent organization was effected at this place. The next meeting place was on a tributary of the Big Blue River, near where old Kingdom Church was afterward built. The first religious exer- cises of this neighborhood were held in the barn of a man by the name of Thornberry. Other meetings were held in the woods and at private residences. Early in the forties what was known as Kingdom Church was organized. and a hewed log house 30x36 feet was built in Section 30, Hanover Township, near the line sep- arating said township from Union. This house was used only for a short time after the erection of the Blue River Chapel house, which was probably completed in 1855, at a cost of $1,600. The house is a frame structure 35×45 feet in size, and having recently undergone some needed repairs is now in good condition. Among the early members, the following deserve special mention: Bow- erses, Copples, Billmans, Frenches, Boohers, Bolibaughs. Car- monys, Montgomerys, Talberls, Nighs, Youngs, Andersons, Work- mans, Sleeths, Myers and McCombses. Among the early ministers Rev. George Mooth (probably the organizer), Jacob and Daniel Storer, J. T. Vardeman, Amos Hanway and T. G. Conner were the most active. The church is now in a prosperous condition, and has a membership aggregating 155. A well regulated Sunday School, under the supervision of Miss E. Meyer, is sustained.
Winfall United Brethren Church is located in Section 27, Van Buren Township. and was organized more than forty years ago by Rev. Mooth. The meetings were for many years held in the school-house which stood near where the church has since been erected. Many of the members who participated in the organiza- tion came from the old abandoned church of Fairview. A neat frame church house was erected in the latter part of the sixties, and probably cost $1,200 The dedicating exercises were con- ducted by Bishop Edwards. Of the early members, the names of Joseph Dungan and wife, George Boss and wife, Noah Miller and wife, and Hardy Wray and wife, deserve special mention. There are probably not to exceed seventy active members at present.
The third church of the Blue River Circuit, as to time of or- ganization, is situated in the northeast corner of Hanover Town- ship, and was organized in 1877. A house was not completed, however, until ISSo, when the present frame building was dedicated by Bishop Weaver. To Rev. Felix De Munbrum, a Frenchman
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of both energy and ability, is due the credit of organizing this church. The active members of the church are: W. S. Robbins and wife, Mrs. Rutherford, Miss Ball, Mrs. Van Scyoc, George Ball and wife, James Arnold and wife, Riley Wagoner and wife, and William Mver.
Liberty United Brethren Church .- The house in which this society now worship was built more than twenty years ago by the Baptists and Christians, but has for several years been abandoned by them, and is now controlled by the United Brethren. This class was organized in 1881. by Rev. McNew, with a charter member- ship of about fifteen.' Prominent among the members are: Leander Fox and wife, William Farris and wife, John Unger and wife, and Richard Roan and wife.
Methodist Protestant Church .* - Revs. Peter Clinger and Haw- ley, came as missionaries to this county as early as 1832 or 1833, and established preaching at Joseph Hewitt's, in Hanover Town- ship: at Caleb Reeves', in Moral Township: at John Carson's, in Sugar Creek Township. and perhaps at Tandy Brockman's, in Hendricks Township. Churches were organized at the above named places sometime in I833 or 1834: At Hewitt's, by Joseph Hewitt and wife. Thomas Gadd and wife, Rev. Samuel Morrison and wife: at Reeves'. by Caleb Reeves and wife. Rev. Ditto Amos, wife and daughter. Phineas Woodberry and wife, Daniel Zumalt and wife. Frank Amos and wife, Hiram Banks and wife: at Car- son's. by John Carson and wife. James Johnson, Sen., and wife. William Carson and wife, Joseph Johnson, Sen., and wife. Thomas Hacker. The names of the chartered members at Brockman's are not given because their house of worship is just across the line in Johnson County. In 1840. the Rev. Thomas Shipp was called to the pas- torate of these churches and organized a church at the Kern school- house in Van Buren Township sometime within the year. Shipp was continued. and the ensuing year he organized at William C. Davis's in same township, with the following: William C. Davis and wife, Samuel and Hugh Hamilton and wives, Finley Bud and wife.
In 1850, Rev. Harvey Collings, organized the church at Morris- town with the following: Rev. Henry Fletcher Levis and family, Cyrus Johnson, Samuel Boretz and wife, Belinda Johnson, Martha Morriston, Mariah Hewitt. William Judd. Dr. William W. Riedon assisted by others organized a church in Freeport, in 1866, of some twenty members, amongst whom were Archibald Millis and family, Harriett Kinsley and others. In 1843, James Johnson, Sr., donated a lot to the church, and a house was erected thereon cost-
*Written by Rev. Louden.
Shaman Davison
PARY
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ing some $1.200, at Boggstown. In 1850, Samuel Hamilton gave a lot to the church, and a log house was built immediately. This was used until it was superseded by a good frame structure in 1871, costing $1,800. About 1852, a site was secured and a frame house built costing some $1,500. About the same time a lot was secured near the Kern school-house and a house built worth $1,300, which has been taken down and that lot disposed of and another secured; house not yet built. A lot was obtained in Morristown, and a good commodious frame building erected in 1858, costing some $1,600. In 1886, a lot was donated to the church at Free- port and a neat substantial frame house erected valued at some $1,500.
It may be said of Peter Clinger and associates, that they were "John the Baptist" of the Methodist Protestant churches in this county. They prepared the way, blazed the paths, marked the stations, started the camp-fires. They often had to swim swollen and angry streams. It was a maxim with all pioneers never to miss an appointment. Succeeding these were: Thomas Shipp and Sam- uel Morrison, residents of the county. Later, but who passed away ere they did, was Dr. William W. Rigdon, whose labors were more local, nevertheless owned of God and abundantly blessed. Rev. John Bogle was another who most nobly and faith- fully performed his part. But perhaps none did more in gathering in and reviving than Rev. Harvey Collings, who labored for some seven years, mostly in this county. The early reformers who stood by and sustained the church, deserve perhaps as much credit as the ministers. They did a great deal of private work, and at camp and quarterly meetings were side by side with the minister. At alter service many of them were a mighty power for good. Some of them would do anything for the church of their choice. As in the case of Thomas Hacker who walked to an annual conference held in Cincinnati and secured a preacher and brought him home with him rejoicing. Names of churches: Boggstown, Old Union, Marietta-pastor, Samuel J. Jones; Sugar Creek, Fairview, Free- port - pastor, John M. Heim: Morristown-James G. Smith, pastor. Membership, some 800 or 900. Valuation of property, $8,500. Old Union was organized soon after the doctrine was first preached in the county. They for several years met in the old log church of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later built a good, substantial frame which is still in good condition. The church is strong and in a good condition. The last class of said denomination was or- ganized at Marietta, about the year 1876. Its membership was made up largely of a faction who withdrew from the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. A large, frame building was erected in
IO
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ISS2, at a cost of about $1,600. The membership is at present about 175.
The German Evangelical Protestant .- Zion Church, which is located in the southern part of Union Township, was. organized in 1836, and incorporated ten years later. The meetings were held in the residences of members and in the neighborhood school- house, until 1845, when a small log church house was erected near the site of the present building. Among the early members and these who were prominent in the organization, the following may be especially mentioned: George M. Haehl, John J. Haehl, Con- rad Haehl, Peter Neeb, Henry Naegle, Jabob Gegenheimer, Val- entine Freitag, John Fuchs, Adam Smith, George Burk, George Cowein, John Ohmer, George Keppel. John Keppel, George Zeisz, and G. M. Becker. The old log building served for the church for more than twenty years, a new building having been erected in 1868. This frame structure is large and commodious, and was built at a total cost of $4,000. The first pastor was Rev. Rice, who during his pastorate served the church most faithfully. The following pastors have served in the order named: Revs. Huhn- holg, Miller, Caltenhaeuser, Teichmann, Flick, Brandstettner, Baumann, Sachs, Auker, Wetterstroem. Richler, Kissel, and the present pastor, Dr. G. G. Winter. The church has a steady growth, and now numbers in the aggregate about 198 members. The present officers of the church are Michael Gegenheimer, Con- rad Kuhn, George Haehl, Valentine Posz and Michael Kuhn. The fact that Dr. Winter, the present pastor, has served the church for seventeen years speaks for his acceptability.
Shelbyville Evangelical Protestant .- The organization of the Shelbyville congregation was perfected June II, ISSo. The organ- ization of this church was the outgrowth of a division in the Ger- man Presbyterian Church. One faction of said church, about seventy in number, becoming dissatisfied with the minister and his teachings withdrew, and applied to Dr. Winter for the organization of an Evangelical Protestant Class, which was effected as above. The meetings are held in the Christian Church building, the church as yet having no building of its own. The building fund which at present amounts to $700 is rapidly increasing, and the erection of a new building is now in contemplation. The officers of the church are: Henry Burkher, Chris Abel, Conrad Schroeder, John Schoelch, Lewis Koch, Rudolph Hilpert and George Schaepfel. Dr. G. G. Winter (a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work ) who has served as pastor since its organization, is a native of Germany, where he completed both a literary and theological course. He was ordained to preach in IS6S.
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The Southern Methodist Episcopal Church, of Shelby County, had its origin in the consolidation of said denomination and the Evangelical United Brethren (Republican United Brethren). The first move with this general object in view, was in conference, held the third Friday in August, 1869. It was unanimously agreed that the proposition should be submitted to a vote of the members of the Evangelical United Brethren Organization, and the result was.the ratification of the action of the conference and the union was accordingly effected in November, 1869. The only organiza- tions of this sect in that time which are still in existence were Eng- lish Chapel and Pleasant Valley, both in Noble Township. (The records of the church having been recently destroyed, no authentic information can be obtained.) A few years later, New Bethel and Center, in Washington Township, and Geneva Mission, near the town of Geneva, in Noble Township, were established, which makes in all, five organizations in the county. Those who have served in the capacity of pastor for this circuit are: Revs. Caldwell, Murrell, B. F. Rogers, John Branoteller, T. C. Hawkins, J. P. Glass, V. P. Thomas, Leonard Aimes, John Gilliam, Enoch Crow, J. T. Walers, R. J. Watts, and S. H. Gregory, who has been a regular traveling minister since ISSO. The buildings of the church are: English Chapel, brick, Pleasant Valley, Geneva and New Bethel, each has a comfortable frame building, while Center owns no property.
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