USA > Indiana > History of the Eel River Christian Conference, from its organization to the present time--August 15, 1902-- ; also History of all the churches of the Conference from their organization to the present time, together with biographical sketches of ministers and laymen, and much other important matter > Part 10
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LAY MEMBERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
JONATHAN WHITELOCK
One of the most enthusiastic and influential members of the Huntington Christian church was born in Fayette county, Ind., July 8, 1830. He, with his parents, moved to Franklin county when he was a small boy, there he lived until manhood when he went to Wells county where he owned a tract of land. After partly clearing this he traded it for Huntington county land, which he still owns. He was married in Feb- ruary, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth A. Souers, and immediately moved into a log cabin upon his land where he lived for some time. He added to his original piece of land. tract after tract, until he became the owner of one of the largest and best improved farms in Rock Creek township. He with his wife lived on this farm until January, 1894, when they moved to a new residence he had built in the city of Huntington.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitelock were the parents of but one child, a son, O. W. White- lock, president of this Conference. Mr. and Mrs. Whitelock joined the Plum Tree Christian church in 1875 and at once became leading members of the church, Mr. Whitelock being one of the principal supporters of the church. Mrs. Whitelock was a quiet, kind hearted christian woman, who read her Bible a great deal and lived out the Christ teachings in her every day life. Her home was the stopping place of the pastors of the Plum Tree church and many of them can testify to the christian hospitality of Mrs. Whitelock. She died July 3, 1900, at the age of 65 years, 1 month and eleven days, and was loved by all who knew her.
Mr. Whitelock was selected Sunday School superintendent before he became a member of church and after he united with the church he was continued as Sunday School superintendent and served altogether about ten years. He took great inter- est in the children during all these years, giving them many treats to gladden their young hearts. Although Mr. Whitelock is now 72 years old he still takes great in-
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terest in the success of children and young people. He has been during these years of church membership a most earnest advocate of the principles of his church and a strong supporter of her interests. He was appointed by Conference at its session in 1890 on a committee to decide on a field or location for the establishing of a Christian church as a missionary work of the Conference. This committee met in the City of Huntington, and largely through the influence of Mr. Whitelock, decid- ed upon Huntington as the most inviting point. The report of this committee was approved and was the beginning of the establishment of the Huntington Christian church.
Mr. Whitelock's second marriage was with Mrs. Sarah Jane Rittenhouse, widow of Joseph Rittenhouse, deceased. They reside in the family residence at Hunting- ton. Although Mr. Whitelock is not able to attend all the services of the church he is almost always present at the preaching services and has not lost any of his zeal for the church. He hopes to live to see a beautiful house of worship erected for the Huntington Christian church. Much of his means and the strength of his declining years will be given to his beloved Zion. May he be permitted to live to realize the fulfillment of his cherished church plans and have the pleasure of enjoying the crowning success of his ideals before the Master says, "It is enough, come up higher."
JENNIE MAUD WHITELOCK
Was born April 17, 1862, in Syracuse, N. Y. Her parents were Philo Sperry and Ester Neal Nottingham. Her father was a soldier in the rebellion. and died in the army of typhoid fever, May 3, 1863. Her mother died May,
1872. She was thus left an orphan at an early age. She made her home with her mother's sister, Jennie Rob- bins, in Mercer county, Ohio, until her marriage with O. W Whitelock in 1882. Her education was obtained at the district school until the age of six- teen. Afterward she attended normal at Lebanon, O., and Valparaiso, Ind., where she graduated in the scientific class of 1880. She is a charter mem- ber of the Huntington Christian church and an active worker in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.
ORLANDO W. WHITELOCK
Spent the first fifteen years of his life on his father's farm at Plum Tree, Ind., where the writer has often been pleasantly entertained during six years of ministerial life as pastor of the Plum Tree church. It was there I first met the young attorney and formed an acquaintance that has always been pleasant and agreeable.
Brother Whitelock, at the age of
REV. D. B. ATKINSON, Professor of Latin in U. C. College, Merom, Indiana.
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LAY MEMBERS OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
15, entered the public schools of Bluff- ton which he attended during the fall and winter terms of 1872-73 and 1873-74. In the
winter of 1874-75 he taught school in Rock Creek township and with the money earned was enabled to take two terms at the Lebanon, Ohio, Normal. Thus he could more fully appreciate the valne of money, by earning it himself, which at the same time taught him the lesson of self-reliance.
During the winters of 1876 and 1877 he taught school in Salamonie township and during the following winter he was likewise engaged in Montgomery coun- ty, Ohio. In the spring of 1878 he en- tered the Northern Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso, Ind., graduating from the scientific department the fol- lowing year. He then entered the freshmen's law class and continued for one year, when he returned home and entered the law office of Colonel Milli- gan and Alfred Moore at Huntington. Here he read one year and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1880. He then en- tered the law department of the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor and graduated in 1882.
This same year he formed a part- nership with Colonel Milligan and at once begun a prosperous career as all attorney. The firm afterward was that of Milligan, Whitelock & Cook, which continued until Colonel Milligan re- tired from the practice. The junior member of the firm, Mr. Samuel E. Cook, is still associated with Mr. Whitelock in the practice of law. Re- cently Mr. Whitelock has given his at- tention largely to the newspaper busi- ness, being president and manager of the News Publishing Company and editor of the Huntington News-Dewo- crat.
He served as city attorney of Hunt- ington for three years and was ap-
pointed by Governor Matthews as Judge of the Huntington circuit court, which position he filled with respect and dignity.
The law firm of which he is the head, has been the legal adviser for the county commissioners for a num- ber of years.
When a young man he united with the Plum Tree Christian church under the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Hetlin, on the evening of New Years Day, 1876. He is one of the leading charter mem- bers of the Christian church of Hunt- ington which was organized in 1881. He is one of the main supporters of the church and his example as an active church member is one worthy of note, for so often a business man gives but little time to the detail of the affairs of the church, especially to attend prayer meeting. But Brother Whitelock finds time, and scarcely a meeting of any kind is held at his church but that he is present, proving the old adage, "Where there is a will, there is a way." Brother Young, our pastor. fully agrees with me, that he encourages by his presence and means, every enter- prise of the church.
He has served as president of Eel River Christian Conference for eleven years, having been elected at the an- nual session at Collamer in 1891. At the meeting of the American Christian Convention at New Market, Canada, in 1898, he was unanimously elected a trustee of the Christian Publishing Association. And upon the resignation of Rev. W. D. Samuel as president in 1900, Mr. Whitelock was chosen to fill the office, in which capacity he is still ser- ving. In 1901 he was elected a trustee of Union Christian College.
Brother Whitelock was married to Jennie M. Nottingham, of Mercer county, Ohio, June 1, 1882. Four chil- dren have come to bless their home.
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Wilfred Jonathan, who is now a stu- dent in Union Christian College; Mary Etta, now a student in the Huntington high school and from which she will graduate in a short time; Clarence, also a pupil in the city schools, and Charles Nottingham.
Brother Whitelock and wife are careful and economical in raising their family, giving the children a good education. They have a pleasant home and have accumulated some property and expect in the near future to erect
a beautiful, substantial, new residence.
Brother Whitelock is a liberal con- tributor to the church and he looks forth with pleasure to the time when a new church building, now in contem- plation, shall be erected in Hunting- ton, to which he will contribute liber- ally. He is still in the prime of life and bids fair to live a number of years of usefulness. Such is the wish of all who know him.
C. V. Strickland.
AUXILIARIES.
The Eel River Christian Conference has three auxiliary organiza- tions, each carrying on its special work and greatly augment- ing the work of the churches. They are: (1) The Women's Home and Foreign Mission Board: (2) The Sunday School Association of the Eel River Christian Conference; and (3) The Eel River Christian Endeavor Union,
THE WOMEN'S HOME AND FOREIGN MISSION BOARD
Was organized, August, 19, 1891. Its object, as expressed in its con- stitution, is to aid the home and foreign mission interests of the church "by raising money through subscriptions, donations and contri- butions." The organization, as the name signifies, is composed of loyal women of the churches throughout the Conference. The officers con- sist of a president, vice president, secretary and a treasurer. It began its existence with fifty charter members. The first officers were: Mrs. Mary E. Cook, of Bluffton, President; Mattie Vandevere, of Murray, Vice President; Nettie Bowser, of Collamer, Secretary and Mrs. Etta Ross, of Collamer, Treasurer ..
Usually one evening during the annual Conference session is given over to this society, when a missionary program is rendered, reports are read and officers are elected. This board has raised quite a large sum of money during the past eleven years of its organization, which has been judiciously given to our various missionary enterprises. The present officers are as follows: President, Mrs. M. A. Tompkins, Elk- hart; Vice President, Mrs. Hannah Doliner, Collamer; Secretary, Mrs. Nettie Young, Huntington; Treasurer, Mrs. Mina Young, Merriam.
THE EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Was organized at the annual session of Conference at the Paw Paw church, August, 1897.
J. M. Brown, of Bluffton, suggested the organization of such an
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association for the promotion of our Sunday school interests. After the matter was quite thoroughly discussed in open conference, the president appointed a Sunday school board or committee to have this matter in charge. Each county in the Conference in which schools are maintained was represented on this committee which was as follows: Wells county, J. M. Brown, of Bluffton, who was made President; Hunt- ington county, J. F. Barnes, of Huntington, who was made Secretary and Treasurer; Adams county, Alice Runyon, Lynn Grove; Elkhart county, F. T. Atkinson, Wakarusa; Noble county, Wm. B. Knappe, Cromwell; Wabash county, E. W. Brown, North Manchester; Whitley county, Alfred Ross, Collamer; Madison county, Ora Cripe, Lynnwood; Grant county, Brother Marshall, Swayzee.
Six districts were formed, each one of which has a corps of officers and holds a convention each year. For convenience the schools are grouped into districts as follows:
No. 1. Bluffton, Murray, Six Mile, Marion, Beuna Vista, Olivet and Swayzee.
No. 2. Huntington, Warren, Kelso, Bellville, Plum Tree, Sala- monie, Clearcreek and Rock Creek Center.
No. 3. North Manchester, Paw Paw, Antioch, New Madison and Pleasant Grove.
No. 4. Collamer, Union, Eel River, Sidney and Dunfee.
No. 5. Broadway, Sparta, Merriam, Spring Hill, Pleasant Hill North Webster and Thorn Creek.
No. 6. Wakarusa, Goshen, Elkhart, Waterford, Leesburg, Mil- lersburg and Millwood.
Since the organization of the association annual conventions have been held with the following churches: Collamer, fall of 1897; Hunt- ington, May 1898; Merriam, 1899; Collamer, May, 1900; Broadway, June, 1901; Antioch, June, 1902. Each of the conventions has been well attended by our ministers and Sunday school workers, they have re- sulted in much good to our schools.
The present officers are: President, W. B. Knappe, Cromwell; Vice President, Ed Kitterman, North Manchester; Secretary and Treasurer, J. N. Ohlwine, Cromwell.
THE EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR UNION
At the annual session of Conference with the Sparta Christian church, in 1899, resolutions were adopted to the effect that the Chris-
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tian Endeavor work of the Conference would be greatly augmented by organizing the Christian Endeavor societies of the Conference into an organization to be known as the Eel River Christian Endeavor Union. A committee composed of F. T. Atkinson, W. J. Young and Miss Ocie Karns was appointed to perfect such an organization.
Accordingly a convention was called which met at Collamer, May, 24-25, 1900, when a constitution and by-laws were adopted and the or- ganization perfected. The object of the Union, as expressed by the con- stitution, is "to promote the Christian Endeavor interests of the Eel River Christian Conference and to bind into closer fellowship the mem- bers of the various societies, all for the glory of God and the advance- ment of His kingdom."
The following resolutions were passed at Paw Paw session of Con- ference, August, 1897:
1. That our ministers ought to inform themselves concerning the work of the Endeavor Society, and aid the societies in their churches by their presence and counsel.
2. That the societies of this Conference be required to report an- nually to this body, and that these reports be treated the same as those of the churches and Sunday School.
3. That the Endeavor societies of our churches be granted repre- sentation in this body as follows: Each Young People's society may be represented by two delegates, and each Junior society by one dele- gate, preference given to the Junior Superintendent.
4. That each society make an annual contribution to the Confer- ence Fund and the Conference Mission Fund.
The union is at present composed of fourteen societies, located in the following named churches: Elkhart, Goshen, Huntington, Kelso. Marion, Merriam, Millersburg, Paw Paw, Pleasant Hill, Sparta, Sway- zee, Thorn Creek, Warren and Wakarusa. Societies are also soon to be reorganized at Antioch and North Manchester. An annual convention is held each year in the first week in June, jointly with the Sunday school association. A portion of a day's session is also given over to the interests of the Union during each annual session of Conference.
The present officers of the union are as follows: President. Rev. W. J. Young, Huntington; Vice President, F. T. Atkinson, Wakarusa; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. F. O. Jellison, South Whitley; Evangel- ist, Calvin Perdue, Warren; Member of Executive committee, Rev. Hiley Baker, Kimmell.
INCORPORATION.
Eel River Christian Conference was organized as an association of Christian ministers and churches on the 26th day of August, 1844. Elder A. Baldwin was chosen chairman and W. B. Wade, Secretary. The Conference was not organized as a corporate body until in 1875, but existed simply as an association. During the years from 1844 to 1875 resolutions were passed and business transacted in the interests of the churches and ministers of the Conference in substantially the same manner as has been done since the incorporation of the body. At the annual session of Conference in 1873 a committee on incorporation was appointed. At the annual session in August, 1875, the committee on incorporation reported that what had been done to organize the body had not been done legally and recommended that steps be at once taken to incorporate in accordance with the statutes of Indiana then in force. Thereupon the president appointed as the committee on incorporation, Peter Winebrenner, John P. Kitt and Samuel Ohlwine.
A public notice was given of a called session of Conference to be held on Wednesday, October 13, 1875, at 2 o'clock p. m., at the Chris- tian church near Wolf Lake, for the incorporation of Eel River Chris- tian Conference, to embrace the counties of Steuben, DeKalb, Allen, Wells, Adams, Huntington, Whitley, Noble, Lagrange, Elkhart, Kos- ciusco and Wabash.
The called session met pursuant to notice. Committee on incor- poration reported what had been done. The Conference then proceed- ed to the election of Trustees. Those elected were as follows, for one year term, Abraham Studabaker, Aaron Simpson and Christian Myer; two years, Miller Morgan, Samuel Ohlwine and J. P. Kitt; three years, Robert Gill, David P. Studabaker and Benjamin Benner. Certificate of election of said Trustees was issued and duly recorded in Albion, Noble county, October 20, 1875, in miscellaneous record No. 2, page 45.
The corporate existence of Conference therefore dates from Octo- ber 20, 1875.
Conference was incorporated under the act of the legislature in force March 8, 1873, R. S. 1881, sections 3614 to 3623 inclusive, which are as follows:
3614. Election of Trustees. 1. The members of any church or religious socie-
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ty of any denomination whatever may, after giving ten days' notice by posting up written or printed notices in three public places in the vicinity of the place where such church or society usually meets for worship, specifying the time and place of such election or appointment, at any regular or called meeting of such church or society, elect or appoint, according to the usages or customs of such society, not less than three nor more than nine trustees, who shall be a body politic and corpor- ate, by such name as such society may elect and designate, for any educational, benevolent, or charitable purpose.
3615. Certificate of Election. 2. The clerk of such society shall issue to such trustees a certificate, setting forth that they have been elected or appointed for such purpose; which certificate shall, within twenty days from its date, be recorded among the miscellaneous records of the county in which such election or appoint- ment is made; and from the date of such recording said trustees shall be deemed a body politic and corporate, by such name as may have been designated by such so- ciety, and, as such, may sue and be sued, contract and be contracted with, and shall have authority to receive conveyances of lands, not exceeding twenty acres, by pur- chase, devise, or gift, and hold the same to them and their successors in perpetuity, for the sole and exclusive nses and purposes of carrying out the objects of such cor- porate body.
3616. Power to Acquire Property. 3. Such corporation shall have power and authority to acquire and possess, for the uses and purposes and furtherance of the objects of the same, moneys and personal property, by bequest, donation, or other- wise, to any amount not exceeding one hundred thousand dollars, and may appro- priate the same and the income or interest thereof, and all other funds in their hands, for the purposes designated by such society, not inconsistent with their trust. nor inconsistent with the conditions of any devise, bequest, or donation made to them.
3617. Power to Sell or Loan. 4. Such trustees are empowered to sell, loan, or otherwise dipose of their corporate property, but not in any manner inconsistent with the duties or objects of their trust.
3618. Seal. 5. Such trustees shall procure a corporate seal.
3619. Officers-Minute Book. 6. Such trustees shall, at their first meeting, elect one of their number president, another secretary, and another treasurer, and shall procure a well-bound book, of not less than three hundred pages, in which shall be kept accurate minutes of their proceedings.
3620. Term of Trustees-Vacancies. 7. Such church or religious society shall, at the time of election or appointment of such trustees, elect or appoint one of them to serve one year, one of them for two years, and the other for three years from the date of their appointment. And said society shall, each year, elect or appoint a trustee to succeed the one whose term expires, and may also, at any regular meet- ing of such society, elect or appoint a trustee to fill any vacancy that may occur in said board of trustees. by death, resignation, or otherwise.
3621. Holding Over. 8. Should there be, from any cause, a failure to elect or appoint a new trustee as required, those in office shall continue to hold until succes- sors are properly elected or appointed.
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INCORPORATION OF EEL RIVER CHRISTIAN CONFERENCE
3622. Treasurer's Bond-Who May Sue. 9. The treasurer of such board of trustees shall give bond, with freehold surety to be approved by the president of the board, payable to the State of Indiana in a sum not less than double the amount of moneys at any time in his hands, conditioned for the faithful and honest dis- charge of the duties of his trust; and in case of breach of said bond any member of the society electing or appointing such trustees may maintain an action upon said bond as relator, the money recovered thereon to be paid to said corporate body.
3623. By-Laws and Rules. 10. Such board of trustees is empowered to make such by-laws and ritles as are necessary to carry ont the objects of the trust.
Constitution and By-Laws.
On the incorporation of the Conference a Constitution and By-Laws were adopted as follows, to:wit:
PREAMBLE.
The Eel River Christian Conference in order to become a body cor- porate and politic, have taken steps in accordance with the act of the Legislature of the State of Indiana, passed March 3, 1873, and adopted the following Constitution and By-Laws.
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I.
This incorporation shall be known by the name of "Eel River Christian Conference."
OBJECT. ARTICLE II.
The object of this incorporation is that we may have a legal right to take charge of the property, both real and personal. of said Eel River Christian Conference, whether obtained by purchase, donation. bequest or otherwise.
ARTICLE III.
Section 1. The financial affairs shall be placed in the hands of nine Trustees, whose terms of office shall be three years; three Trus- tees to be elected annually at the sittings of the Conference.
ARTICLE IV.
Section 2. Vacancies that may occur may be filled by appoint- ment by the President until the annual election or until his successor is elected.
ARTICLE V.
Section 3. The Trustees shall at their first meeting, elect one of their number President, one Secretary and one Treasurer, and shall have power to adopt such by-laws, rules and regulations for their own government, not inconsistent with the object and purpose of the incor- poration.
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ARTICLE VI.
Section 2. These articles may be amended at any annual meeting of the corporation, provided that due notice shall be given that such amendment will be proposed at next meeting and the nature of such amendment be stated.
BY-LAWS. ARTICLE I.
Section 1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees and sign the minutes of the proceedings of each meeting when properly entered and approved. The President, how- ever, may call any member of the Board to the chair temporarily, and the Board may also appoint a chairman pro tem in the absence of the President.
Section 2. The President shall sign all orders drawn on the Treas- urer, and shall have all privileges of Trustee and shall not participate in debate while occupying the chair. Upon each vote his name shall be called last.
ARTICLE II.
Section 1. The Secretary shall have the care, custody and keep- ing of all the books and papers of the Incorporation, except such as shall be required to be kept by other officers of the Incorporation or agents thereof.
Section 2. Books and papers in the Secretary's office shall be open at all times to the inspection of any member of the Board of Trustees.
Section 3. The Secretary shall keep a book or books and record therein the proceedings, as correctly as possible, of all business trans- acted by the Trustees, and sign all orders drawn on the Treasurer and discharge all duties usually devolving upon such Secretary.
Section 4. The Secretary shall deliver over all books and papers in his hands, pertaining to his office, to his successor in office.
ARTICLE III.
Section 1. The Treasurer shall give a bond to the Trustees, as prescribed by law.
Section 2. He shall keep all moneys paid to him, and shall only pay it out on orders signed by the President and Secretary, and shall keep a book showing all the money received and paid out by him, with
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