USA > Kansas > Jewell County > History of Jewell County, Kansas : with a full account of its early settlements and the Indian atrocities committed within its borders. > Part 5
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The Township is a little inclined to be rolling, but as its name indicates, the land is rich and productive. It is well watered by John's and White Rock creeks, and good timber is abundant. It is thickly settled by an industrious and thrifty class of farm- ers, and the society is good.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are four school districts in the township, all of which have good school houses, in which regular terms of school are taught. We have . no report of churches.
RUBENS
is a thriving little town, containing one general store, a card of which will be found in our advertising pages, a post office, in which confectioneries and notions are kept, and a black- smith and wagon-maker's shop.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, elected November 6, 1877, are Thomas E. West, trustee; Samuel J. Sweet, clerk; S. M. Wright, treasurer; W. G. King and W. Wilde, justices of the peace, and W. S. Wright and W. J. Bowles, Constables.
CALVIN TOWNSHIP
was the last township organized in the county-December 7, 1875. It was originally a portion of Buffalo. It is well watered by Middle and West Buffalo, and is a splendid township of land. It was named in honor of J. Calvin Postlethwaite, who was mainly instrumental in its organization. Thiekly settled; society good.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
were Henry Sorick, Geo. A. Sorick, James A. Scarbrough and William
ITS FIRST OFFICERS were: Andrew Green, Trustee; C. P. | Queen, all of whom settled here-in
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April 1870. The next settlers were | Col. E. Barker, F. T. Gandy, Lewis Gandy, Orville L. MeClung, and W. C. McClung, who settled in May and June 1870. William M. Runyan was the first settler of West Prairie in this township, settling here in August 1870.
THE FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS
were: F. T. Gandy, trustee; John Delong, clerk; A. Wyland, treasurer; A. Jackson and T. J. Casson, justices of the peace, and Oliver Majers and J. F. Schoonover, constables.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are two school districts in the township, both of which have good school houses and regular terms of school. Having for a long time been attached to Buffa' ind Centre townships, nearly all the School Dis- tricts had been formed before it was organized as an independent town- ship. Hence the best portion of its territory is thrown into these town- ships for school purposes. There are two church organizations-the Meth- odists and Evangelicals, both of which have regular preaching and Sunday Schools.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, elected November 6, 1877, are: A. |French. constables.
Harbour, trustee; H. S. Cox, clerk; R. R. McClung, treasurer; A. Jackson and G. W. MeGehee, justices of the peace, and H. Pitkin and James Bar- ton, constables. Judge Jackson has since removed to Missouri Valley, Iowa.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
was originally a portion of Big Tim- ber township, and was organized April 16, 1872.
THE FIRST ELECTION
took place May 14, 1872, at which A. W. Vale was clected trustee; Milton Ringland, clerk; M. Jennings, treas- urer; G. W. Byers and A. B. Marsh, justices of the peace, and R. A. Bad- ley and John Maudlin, constables.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
were Frank Bregren, S. E. Wilson and Walker Vale, who came in 1870, and G. W. Byers, M. Jennings, A. B. French, H. A. French and Androw
Eisenmann, who settled in the spring of 1871.
Jackson township is situated in the extreme northeast corner of the county, and consists of Township 1, south, Range 6, west. Itcontains six miles square of fine rolling land, the north half sloping towards the Re- publican river, and the south half to- wards White Rock creek. That por- tion lying immediately along the Re- publican embraces a beautiful tract of rich bottom land. The people as a class will compare favorable with any other community in the county, in point of intelligence, industry, so- ciability and morals.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are four school districts in the township, all of which have com- fortable school houses, in which reg- war terms of school are taught. There are two church organizations -- the Baptists and United Brethren -- each of which have regular preach- ing and Sabbath Schools.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, elected November 6, 1877, are M. Jen- nings, trustee; W. G. Whiting, clerk; John Hobson, treasurer; R. M. Clark and G. W. Higgins, justices of the peace, and A. L. Skeels and H. A.
IONIA TOWNSHIP
was originally a portion of Limestone township, and nearly all the "first township officers" mentioned in Lime- stone township are now residents of Ionia. As it now stands it consists of Township 4, south, Ranges 9 and 10, west, and was organized August 10, 1879, and is the largest township in the county.
THE FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS,
elected August 28, 1872, were Wil- liam Roney, trustee; S. O. Carman, clerk, and J. Webster, justice of the peace, cach of whom received 6 votes. As they were loyal, law-abiding poo- ple they elected no treasurer or con- stable.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
were O. S. Baxter, Thomas Grimos, Erving Wooster, O. H. P. Cook, M. V. Smith, E. S. Wright, B. M. Cur- tis, L. E. Ransom and James W.
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Moses, all of whom took claims in the months of August and September 1870, the first six in August and the others in September. Frank L. Pound came in in November, 1870.
settled near where they now live. Mr. R., had been out the previous spring and homesteaded his claim March 1, 1870.
The east half of Ionia township is thickly settled and one of the best sections of land in the west. The land is rich and productive, and is well watered and timbered-Ash creek and the four main branches of Lime- stone creek traversingit from north to south. The west half is rather hilly and thinly settled. However there is some good land on the east branch of
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are four school districts in the township, all of which have good substantial school houses, in which regular terms of school are taught. There are three church organizations -- the Methodists, Presbyterians and Dunkards-all of which have regular preaching and Sunday Schools.
IONIA
is a flourishing little town, located in the southern part of the town- ship, containing two general stores, one boot and shoe shop and one blacksmith shop. It is beauti- fully located near the middle forks of Limestone creek, and is a place of considerable trade. Being surround- ed by a rich and fertile country its future is bright and promising.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, elected November 6, 1877, are James V. Davis, trustee; E. H. Colson, clerk ; Geo. Barnett, treasurer; H. C. Davis and Stephen Hoffhines, justices of the peace, and F. F. Finch and C. Rin- dom, constables.
BURR OAK TOWNSHIP
is the legitimate successor of White Rock township, all the first officers of the latter being now residents of the former. As before mentioned in this work White Rock township was or- ganized August 22, 1870.
ITS FIRST OFFICERS.
A. N. Cole homesteaded the first claim in the township, September, 29, 1869, but left it and never returned for nearly a year afterwards-Sep- elected April, 3, 1871, were Jabe Wins- low, Trustee ; Frank Gilbert, treasurer; tember 20, 1870. Adam Riemenschni- der and wife came in with Cole and ; James McCormick, clerk; Thomas Moor and A. W. Mann, justices of the peace, and J. K. Moor and Zack Mormon, constables. THE FIRST SETTLERS
were A. W. Mann, A. J. Godfrey, D. H. Godfrey, Frank Gilbert, James Gilbert, George Beanblossom, Sr., Mike Hackenberg, John St. John, and Thomas Francis, who settled near the present town site of Burr Oak, August 28, 1870. A. W. Mann had been out in June previous and had taken his claim. Of the nine per- sons above named all remain, with Oak creek, and the thick settleinent the exception of Thomas.Francis and of the entire township is only a ques- tion of time. The people are intelli- gent, industrious and sociable, and the society is good.
John St. John, who have moved away, and Mike Hackenberg who was killed on his claim by the falling of a tree in the fall of 1874. Zack Mor- mon and Thomas R. Comstock came in September, 1870.
Thomas Moor and J. K. Moor, and Henry Sprague came in about the 1st of October, 1870, and took claims on Burr Oak creek, about five miles northwest of Burr Oak, where they still reside.
John E. Faidley and Allen Ives came out and took a look at the coun- try in October, 1870, but did not take claims. They came back in January, 1871, to find the nice claims they had selected on their first visit taken by other parties.
BURR OAK.
The beautiful town site of Burr Oak was located and laid out by A. J. Godfrey, on the NW { of the NW } of Section 23, Township 2, south, Range 9, west, in May 1872. John E. Faidley built the first house and opened the first store in this place. in the same month, which was the be- ginning of the present town of Burr Oak, which now contains two good general stores, one drug store, one
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harness shop, one water saw and grist as fine as any in the county, but the inill, one sewing and reaping machine establishment and two good hotels.
On the 23rd day of May, 1873, Mr. Faidley took Francis Gilbert into partnership with him and the firm was known as Faidley & Gilbert un- til March 18th, 1878, when they went into partnership with A. W. Mann, and the firm is now known as Mann, Faidiey & Co.
Burr Oak township is one of the best in the county, and is thiekly set- tled by as good a class of Atizens .as ever came west. Population 630.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are six school districts in the township, all of which have good school houses and regular terms of school. There are three Sunday Schools. The religie denomina- tions are quite mmerous, and are represented as follows: Methodists, !
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, elected November 6, 1877, are W. G. Slaughter, Trustre; Jacob Jacobs, Clerk; J. L. Allen. Weasmer; J. M. Adams and Geo. . Keyes. Justices Friends, United Brethren, Dunkards, !of the Peace, and L. R. Jordan and J.
Saturday , and - Sunday Advents, Christians, Presbyterians and Spirit- nalists, all of whom have regular preaching.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, clected November 6, 1877, are J. W. Green, trustee; A. J. Godfrey, clerk; B. F. Royer, treasurer; James McCormick and J. M. Quigley, justices of the peace, and David H. Godfrey, and A. Morris, constables.
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WASHINGTON TOWNSEIP
was originally a portion of Buffalo Township. It was organized August 10, 1872, and
THE FIRST ELECTION
took place at the house of Captain Pierce, August 28, 1872, at which C. regarded as the first seller. The
Stinson was elected Trustee; W. G. Slaughter, Treasurer; A. P. Huling, Clerk; S. Briggs, Justice of the Peace, and A. Walker and J. L. Allen, Con- stables.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
were J. M. Pantier, B. M. Gould, J. L. Allen, Seth Rogers and W. G Slaughter, who settled on West Marsh creek the first of May, 1871. The first child born was to Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Allen, November 10, 1871.
western portion is rather broken and hilly, but all susceptable of success- ful cultivation. The Township is thiekly settled by industrious, intel- ligent and successful farmers, and the society is excellent.
.SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are four school districts, in all of which there are regular terms of school. There are five church er- ganisations -- Presbyterians, Metho- disis, Christians, United Brethren and Fice Will Baptists, all of whom have regular preaching. J. M. Pantier is Pastor of the Presbyterian church, and J. L. Allen, class leader of the Methodists.
Jacobs, Constables.
GRANT TOWNSHIP
was originally a portion of Vicksburg Township. It is a splendid Township of lend and is well watered by East and Middle Marsh creeks, on whose banks is found an abundance of ex- collent timber. The land is all taken up, and is settled by a moral, indus- trious and intelligent class of citizens. THE FIRST SETTLERS
were James Fogle, Jr., J. Sturdevant, D. Nickerson, Mr. Brashell and James Fogle, Sr., all of whom came in in April, 1871, with the exception of James Fogle, Jr., who arrived in March, 1571, and who may be justly Township was organized April 8, 1873. THE FIRST ELECTION
took place April 22, 1573, at the house of E. Bullock, at which C. Stinson was elected Trustee; B. Hobson, Clerk; W. Orton, Treasurer, and S. MeCay, Justice of the Peace.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
"There are six school districts in the Township, in all of which thero are good substantial school houses, in which regular terms of school are The eastern portion of the Town- taught. The church organizations ship contains some beautiful country, | number six, as follows: Methodists,
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Advents, Christians, Presbyterians, Baptists and United Brethren, all of whom have regular preaching.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS held over from last year, there being no election in the township last fall. Captain A. B. Balch is Trustee and Justice of the Peace. The names of the other officers. we were unable to obtain.
SINCLAIR TOWNSHIP
was originally a portion of Big Tim- ber Township. It is situated on White Rock creek, on the eastern line of the county, immediately west of White Rock City. Much. of its early history will be found in the opening chapters of this work .. Itis a splendid Township of land and is thickly settled by a good class of citi- zens. It was organized February 12,, 1874, and its
FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS
were John Dixon, Trustee; R. A. Badley, Clerk; H. C. Vestal, Treas- urer; Jobn Renshaw, Justice of the Peace, and R. A. Badley and T. Hun- ter, Constables.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
were C. G. Smith, Allen D. Woodruff and Mrs. Mary Frazier and her two sons Frank and William-who set- tled here in 1868; Thomas Shuler, Willard Woodruff, William Nixon, James Clelland, Hugh Clelland, Ed. Hamner, Jod Friend, H. Lapier, James McCraith, Eli Thomas and E. Maudlin, who settled in 1870.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are four school districts in (.son, trustee; W. L. Ross, treasurer; J. the township, in all of which there are good subtantial school houses, in which regular terms of school are taught. There are three church or- ganizations-the United Brethren, HARRISON TOWNSHIP Presbyterians and Methodists, all of whom have regular preaching and Sunday Schools.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS,
elected November 6, 1877, are A. H. Poole, Trustee; A. L. Milligan, Clerk; H. C. Vestal, Treasurer; Ed. Hamner and F. M. Poole, justiees of the peace, and R. A. Clelland and T. J. Hutebi- son, constables.
MONTANA TOWNSHIP
was originally a portion of Big Tim- ber. It is rather high and rolling, but the north half, sloping graecfully to- wards the Republican river, contains some heantiful bottom land. A trib- utary of White Rock ereek drains the south haif of the township, on which there is also some splendid land. It is all rich and productive, even the upland, being very desirable. It is thick!y settled by an industrious and intelligent class of citizens, and the society is good.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
Adam Rosenberg, the Indian fighter of former chapters of this little book, was the first settler of Montana. Ed. Davis, Frank Wilson and MeCracken are 1870 settlers, but the great rush of immigration to this township was in 1871. Wm. O. Ebersole, Geo. Lowe, Taylor Davis and Joseph Blair were among the early settlers of this town- ship. February 12, 1874, the township was organized, and
THỊT FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS were M. D. Ross, trustee; A. G. Nun- nally, clerk; John Lane, treasurer; S. M. Wright, justice of the peace. and John Gatewood and John Blair, constables.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
Montana township contains three school districts, all of which have good comfortable school houses, in which regular terms of school are taught. We have no report of churches ..
THIE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, elected November 6, 1877, are D. C. Wil- K. Pratt, elerk; II. C. Boder and W. H, Hlaskinson, justiees of the peace, and F. W. Broeaw and S. T. Mcbride, constables.
lays on the divide between the Re- publican river and White Rock creek. The surface of the country is rolling, sloping to the north and south. It is well watered by Ash, Oak, Angur and Crooked ereeks, running north, and Hoag, Knob, Norway and Taylor ereeks, running south, on nearly all of which there is considerable timber. The township is thiekly settled by a
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good class of citizens and the society is excellent.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
were George Harrison, James Marion, Isaac Donahoo, John MeClure, Geo. S. Hill, Morris Morrison and Martin Morrison, the first two coming in February and the remainder in April, 1871. The township was originally one-half in White Rock and the oth- er half in Big Timber. It was organ- ized as an independent township April 13, 1874.
THE FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS were Peter Van Ornam, trustee; G. M. Jacobs, treasurer and A. O. Bacon, elerk.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are six school districts, in five of which there are school houses, in which regular terms of school are taught. There are three church or- ganizations-the Bible Christians, Methodists and German Methodists, all of whom have regular preaching. There are three Union Sunday Schools, all in a flourishing condi- tion.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS elected November 6, 1877, are J. M. Armagost, trustee; James Essex, clerk, H. B. Forrey, teasurer; J. C. Armagost and D. S. Kenney. justices of the peace, and D. A. Rogers and A. Buttler, constables.
WALNUT TOWNSHIP
lays on the divide between the Re- 'upland, but is rich and productive. publican river and White Rock creek; it is principally upland and ereeks, along whose banks considera- considerably broken, but is neverthe- ble timber is found. Every quarter. less, rich and productive. There is section of land in the township is considerable timber on the different taken and nearly all contain actual streams, the principal of which is' settlers. The people are highly in- - Walnut, from which the township telligent, and the society good. takes its name. It is thickly settled THE FIRST SETTLERS by intelligent, industrious farmers, and the society is good.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
were J. G. Moon and A. J. Sprague, who settled here in the spring of 1870. The next were J. T. Hollenbeck, John Green, A. B. George, Abel Carter, Enoch Scott and Job Williams, who settled in 1871.
Walnut was originally a portion of White Rock township. It was organ-
ized as an independent township Feb- ruary 12, 1874.
THE FIRST ELECTION
was held April 7, 1874, at which H. C. Huntington was elected trustee; O. F. Roberts, (now County Commis- sioner) clerk ; J. T. Hollenbeck, treas- urer; D. Richmond and J. P. Cole, Ijustices of the peace, and A. C. Cox and O. B. Ford, constables.
SONIDOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are five school districts in the township, three of which have good school houses. The other two hold school in houses creeted for meeting houses. Regular terms of school are taught in all the districts. There are two church organizations -- the United Brethren, and Quakers or Friends, both of which have regular preaching. There are three Union Sunday Schools, all in a flourishing condition.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS elected November 6, 1877, are A. A. Davis, trustee; E. Gardner, clerk ; D). H. Dillon, treasurer; E. B. Ensign and J. T. Hollenbeck, justices of the peace, and G. Flynn and O. P. Ma- ¡ honey, constables.
HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP
is situated in the extreme northwest corner of the county. It was origin- ally a portion of White Mound, but was created into an independent township February 12, 1874. The most of the township is high rolling It is well watered by Ash and Amity
were William Gettys, J. R. Lyman, James Mitchell, R. W. Bullock and Harrison Davis, all of whom settled here in 1871. William Gettys was the first settler, coming in April 1871, the others during the summer and fall of that year.
THE FIRST ELECTION
was held April 7, 1874, at which W. M. Wright was elected trustee; J. F. Webb, clerk; G. W. S. Micheals, treas- -
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urer; Joseph Blair and Elbridge Hill, justices of the peace, and P. N. Hogue and A. D. Brown, constables.
There are six - school districts in the township, all of which have good school houses and regular terms of school. There are three church or- ganizations-the United Presbyteri- ans, United Brethren, and Methodists, all of which have regular preaching and Sunday schools. The United Presbyterians have a nice stone church building 24x36.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, elected November 6, 1877, are Elbridge Hill, trustee; E. E. Shute, clerk; E. C. Smith, treasurer; Sylvester Hill and Joseph Blair, justices of the peace, and A. N .- Patmore and G. H. Simpson, constables.
HOLMWOOD TOWNSHIP
lays immediately on White Rock creek, and is one of the best Town- ships in the county. There is plenty of good timber and good water. It is thiekly settled by a good class of citizens, and the society is unsur- passed. It was organized January 7, 1873.
THE FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS
were: John A. Robertson, Trustee; M. Farnham, Clerk; J. B. Scripture, Treasurer; John A. Gates and Wm. Ireland, Justices of the Peace, and William Hess and David Korb, Con- stables.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are four school districts in the Township, in all of which there are good substantial school houses, in which regular terms of school are taught. We have no report of churches, or first settlers.
HOLMWOOD
is a thriving little town on White Rock creek, and is a place of con- siderable trade.
THE PRESENT TOWNSHIP OFFICERS,
elected November 6, 1877, are: D. M. Callender, Trustee; John A. Robert- son, Clerk; Geo. W. Sterling, Treas- urer; John A. Gates and W. B. Will- iams, Justices of the Peace, and W. G. Hunter and William Robertson, Constables.
CENTRE TOWNSHIP
is located in the geographical centre of Jewell county, and is composed of Township 3 south, Range 8 west. Al- though rather rough and broken, the soil is excellent, and the land is all taken up, The Township is drained by the Middle Branch of Buffalo ereek, on which there is an abundance of good timber and fino building stone. It is thickly settled by a good class of citizens, and the society is equal to any in the west.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
H. C. Ussher, now of Grand Round Valley, Oregon, was the first settler of Center Township, taking his claim on Middle Buffalo in July, 1870. The next settler was Jack Vingo, who took the claim now owned by David S. Blank, in August, 1870. S. R. Worick took the claim which he now owns, in May 1870, but made no permanent settle- ment until 1871. January 19, 1871, Ruben Worick came out and took the claim on which he now lives. He came back with his family in June, 1871, and has remained here ever since. David S. Blank came out in June, 1872, and bought out Jack Vingo. About this time the
JEWELL CENTRE TOWN COMPANY was organized, and the present town site of Jewell Centre was filed on and the town laid out. The officers of the company were: M. W. Whitney, Presi- dent; P. S. Mccutchen, Secretary, and Geo. S. Bishop, Treasurer.
THE FIRST BUILDING
erected on the town site was a black- smith shop, put up by David S. Blank. The next was the present court house, erected by the Town Company and afterwards presented to the county for a court house.
THE FIRST STORE
was opened in Jewell Centre by Chas. W. Pettigrew, November 20, 1872. Other buildings followed in rapid suc- cession, and immigration was unpre- cedented. By April 1, 1873, the town had grown to such dimensions that the residents concluded they would give Jewell City a tussle for
THE COUNTY SEAT.
Consequently a petition to that effect was presented to the County Com.
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missioners, April 7, 1873, and an eler- tion was ordered to come off May 13, 1873. The result of that election was that the county seat was moved to Jewell Centre by a vote of 861 to 626 for Jewell City, being a majority of 235 in favor of Jewell Centre. After this county seat matters remained quiet until June 28, 1875. when another election took place for the re-location of the county seat. The result was 971 for Jewell Centre; 756 for Jewell City, and 9 for Midway, another "imaginary town," on Middle Buffalo. The ma- jority this time in favor of Jowell Centre was 206. Since the last county seat election the town has improved wonderfully, and is now second to none in the countv. Our space for- bids a more lengthy police In this place. The long list of cards in our advertising columns will give our readers a very fair idea of the popula- tion and business.
Centre Township was organized August 10, 1872, and
THE FIRST ELECTION
took place August 28, 1872, at which S. F. Scripture was elected Clerk; A. M. Brinkerhoff, Treasurer: D. J. Vance and Geo. A. Sorick, Justices of- the Peace, and R. F. Hudsonpeller and Richard Chileott, Constables.
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SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
There are four school districts in the Township, all of which have good comfortable school houses and rego- lar terms of school. There are three church organizations -Methodists, Baptists and Presbyterians, . all of ! whom have regular preaching and The first publie prayer ever made in Jewell county was by J. C. Postleth- waite, at Fort Jewell, July 4th, 1870, Sunday Schools. The Presbyterian church was organized February 18, 1877, and now numbers 22 members. ! on the occasion of the first celebra- They also have a church building in tion of our Nation's birthday in this Jewell Centre nearly completed, 30x40. [ county.
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