USA > Kansas > Labette County > History of Labette County, Kansas, and representative citizens > Part 39
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Schaub: 1892-93. Agnes Baty; 1893-94. Dr. L. T. Strother ; 1895-96, F. P. Miller; 1896- 98. B. F. Briggs ; 1899-1901, M. E. Carringer. Secretaries to date of publication: 1872, C. S. Montague: 1872-73, Rev. J. H. Metier; 1873-77, C. Humble : 1877, Nelson Case : 1878, L. J. Van Landingham; 1879. G. K. Sipple; 1880-85. Charles T. Carpenter : 1885-87. Will- iam Paramore : 1887-88, Hattie Beggs: 1889- 92. Agnes Baty: 1892-93, Nellie Harrison ; 1894-95. Nellie Lough: 1896. Mrs. Rosa Meador: 1897-98, C. D. Lynd: 1899. Mrs. Agnes Crawford: 1900. Minnie Shone : 1901. Margaret Cellars.
TOWNSHIP ASSOCIATIONS.
Before even the county association had been formed, the Sunday-school workers in Oswego met on September 26. 1869. and formed a local organization, of which Nelson Case was elected president. This was the first association organized in the county. After the formation of the county association, the cities organized or reorganized their associa- tions on a basis uniform with the township as- sociations. At the annual convention of the county association in October. 1875. it was resolved to try and secure the organization of the several townships as fast as possible, and within the next two years an organization was effected in each township and city in the county. Many of these associations, however, were short-lived. Their original organization was the result of visits and work by one or more of the officers of the county association. and when these visits ceased most of the township associations ceased to hold meetings. Two or three townships have maintained their or- ganizations, and have regularly held conven- tions, among them North and Osage: and in
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all of the townships quite an amount of local work has been done.
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
Dennis .- The church organized at this place a number of years ago was abandoned early in the "nineties," as the members had nearly all moved away. Those left joined with those about Parsons for worship.
Parsons .- The Adventists have been hold- ing services in Parsons since 1893. Not hav- ing any house of worship of their own, they rent a hall where services are held. Elder D. H. Oberholtzer has been one of their principal evangelists in late years.
Chetopa .- A church was organized at this point as early as 1887. and services were held in various places for several years. In 1893 they commenced the erection of a church, which was completed and dedicated April 22, 1894. Not being strong enough to maintain their or- ganization, they sold their church building to the city to be used for school purposes, and have practically abandoned this place since 1896.
Oswego .- The Church at Oswego was or- „ ganized in 1898, but its membership was large- ly made up of those who had previously joined the organization at Stover. The latter was probably the oldest organization of this de- nomination in the county, commencing in 1869: services have been held quite regularly since. Elders John Madison, H. C. Blanchard, L. D. Santee and others have been efficient evan- gelists. Soon after organizing in Oswego, steps were taken to secure a church building. The erection of this building, on the northeast corner of Second avenue and Merchant street,
was commenced in 1899 and completed the following spring; it was dedicated July 1, 1900. Elders J. W. Westphal and D. H. Oberholtzer have done evangelistic service here.
CHURCHI OF GOD.
Zion Hill .- This church was organized in the fall of 1883, by Mrs. Clara Utsey, with 15 members. Services were conducted by her in the Stover school-house until the completion of their church building. The church was erected in the fall of 1884, on the northwest corner of section 10, in Fairview township. Besides Mrs. Utsey, Rev. Mr. Barterbaugh and Rev. Mr. Cross haye preached for this con- gregation. It has for some time been without a pastor.
Center Bethel was organized about the same time as Zion Hill. A church house was erect- ed in the spring of 1884, on the northwest corner of section 21. in Liberty township. The same ministers who have supplied Zion Hill have also preached for this congregation.
Janes .- An organization of this church was effected at the Janes school-house, in Dis- trict No. 95. in the fall of 1884. It has had the same ministers as Zion Hill church.
MORMONS, OR LATTER DAY SAINTS.
Quite a number of this persuasion were among the first settlers along Pumpkin Creek. in the southern part of Mound Valley and Can- ada townships. Among those who were prom- inent were the families of Hart, Richard and Benjamin Davis, Phineas and Charles Fultz. There were several among them who were recognized as preachers. Services were held from house to house quite regularly. When the school-house was built, in 1877, in District No.
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94. they organized, and removed their services to that place, where they have since been regu- larly continued.
UNIVERSALISTS.
In January, 1883, an organization of this denomination was effected at the home of Rev. J. Davis, in Oswego. Meetings were conduct- ed in the court-house, and part of the time in Liggett's Hall. Rev. J. Davis was elected pastor, and continued to serve as such till about the middle of April, 1885, when the or- ganization was practically disbanded. Serv- ices were not maintained regularly, however. during all of that time.
BROTHERHOOD OF HUMANITARIANS.
January 13, 1884, an organization taking this title was formed in Liggett's Hall, in Os- wego, as follows: Mrs. E. Smith, president ; Mrs. I. C. Pierce, vice-president ; Mrs. M. A. Hurlbut, secretary; Dr. R. W. Wright, treas- urer. I do not know to what extent they maintained meetings.
THE SALVATION CHURCH OF CHRIST
Was formed by Thomas D. Bickham as a new religious organization, in Chautauqua county, in 1880, and the following year a class was organized at Rose Hill school-house, in Dis- trict No. 91, which has been maintained since then. This is the only class in the county be- longing to this organization. Since the death of Thomas D. Bickham, in 1889, his son, Ezra E. Bickham, has been the leading spirit in this church.
NEOSHO VALLEY CHURCH.
The southwest corner of section 33, town- ship 32, range 21, was deeded to F. Swanwick and Randall Bagby, for the use of all religious
denominations. The neighbors contributed work and logs, and in January, 1870, a log church was erected upon this ground, and a cemetery was also started thereon. Nearly all denominations at one time or another hield services here : possibly the preachers of the Methodist Church South used it as much as any other. The building was used for both school and church purposes until the new school-house was built in District No. 24, after which the building was torn down. The burying-ground is still used.
CHURCH OF WILSONTON.
This church professed to be organized on the plan of the old apostles, of having one church in a place. The first meeting looking toward its organization was held October 27, 1889, in the hall at Wilsonton. Rev. George E. Thrall was elected chairman and Mrs. Ella B. Wilson, secretary. A constitution was adopted and officers elected.
CATHOLIC.
Chetopa .- Father Schoenmaker and other priests had visited along the Neosho as soon as settlers had commenced to arrive, and had done considerable religious work; but no church was organized by then till 1871. On July 16, 1871, Father Dougherty took charge of the work, and began holding services in Drake's Hall. A building was erected, and on May 31, 1874, dedicated by Rev. E. Bononcini, pastor, and Rev. F. Swemberg, of Emporia. Father Bononcini had charge of the work for some time prior to December, 1880, when he was succeeded by C. Haspenthal. Since 1880, the following have been pastors : 1881-83, Father Laelire; 1883-85, Father Weiner : 1886- 87. T. J. Butler; 1887-88, J. J. O'Connor ; 1888-90, John McNamara; 1891-93, B. M.
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Pizos; 1893-95, Father Pottgeiser; 1896, Fa- ther Manz; 1897, Father Hildebrand; 1898, Father Barniger; 1899. Father Eugene; 1900, Father Kealy. In 1888 James Dunn contrib- uted ground for a cemetery. In 1900 the old frame church was torn down and a new brick edifice, costing about $2.500, was erected.
Oswego .- Priests from neighboring par- ishes visited Oswego from time to time and held services. In 1878, largely through the in- strumentality of F. Beyle, a building was erect- ed, which was dedicated October 13th of that year, by Rev. Paul M. Ponziglioni. A priest has supplied this in connection with other points.
Parsons .- St. Patrick's congregation was organized by Father Philip G. Calloten, in the summer of 1872, and lots 1 and 2 in block 122 were secured on which to commence the erec- tion of a frame church. In December, 1876, he was succeeded by Father Joseph Dreason, who served till August, 1881, when Father Rose took charge. Under his direction the property at the head of Central avenue was se- cured and converted into a convent. Five sis- ters from St. Agnes convent at Osage Mission were secured to conduct the school. Changes were also made in the church building and grounds. Fathers Hodgden, Reil and Ward succeeded Father Rose. Father John Ward served until 1895, when he was succeeded by Father Nichola Neusius, who is now in charge. Work was commenced on the new church un- der Father Ward in 1891. The basement was completed, and services were held therein un- til 1900, when the church was pushed to com- pletion. It is a fine structure, 58 by 145 feet, with a 78-foot transept ; a tower 165 feet high contains a 2,900-pound bell. The church is decorated in Roman style, and has stained glass windows. It is furnished with a pipe organ
costing over $2,000. The entire cost of the church and furnishings is said to be $32,000. It has a seating capacity of 800. The Sacred Heart Academy was started in 1890 under the direction of the Sisters of Loretto; since 1896 it has been directed by the Sisters of Charity.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.
Qswego .- In 1870, and for a year or two thereafter, Episcopal services were held now and then at Oswego, and some steps were taken towards organizing a parish. If it was ac- complished at all, it did not live long nor show many signs of life.
Chetopa .- During 1871 the Episcopalians held occasional services in some of the churches in Chetopa, and gathered together some strength that naturally tended to that body. In May, 1872, St. Paul's parish was formed, with Rev. Thomas L. Smith as rector. Services were held seldom and irregularly for several years. In July, 1888, Rev. Richard Elerby commenced holding services, first in private residences and later in one of the churches of the other denominations. In Au- gust, 1893, they laid the foundation of their own church, and on March 21, 1898, it was formally consecrated by Rt. Rev. Frank Mills- paugh. When they commenced building, they had seven communicants; now they have over 30.
Parsons .- St. John's Memorial church was organized in June, 1874, as a memorial to Ezra Williams Howard, of Providence, R. I., whose widow, through Bishop Vail, gave $2,000 towards its erection. The first board of trustees consisted of Angell Matthewson, WV. C. Holmes, J. R. Brown, James Barton, George Thornton, S. O. Fletcher, and William Horsefall. Dr. J. B. Lamb was the first senior
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warden. Rev. Benjamin Mower was at once secured as the first rector, and he continued to act as such for something over a year. He immediately commenced raising money for the erection of a church. On Sunday, September 27, 1874, the corner-stone was laid, under the direction of the Masons and Odd Fellows, and on April 4, 1875, the church was opened by Bishop Vail. Prior to the completion of their own church they had held services in the Meth- odist tabernacle. Mr. Gay, D. W. Cox, Mr. Talbot, W. T. Bowen, C. W. Harris and J. J. Purcell are among those who have served as rectors. Rev J. J. Purcell, the last-named, has been the rector since 1894, and has con- tributed by his efficient labors in keeping the church abreast of the growth of the city.
CHRISTIAN.
[It is probable that some of the organiza- tions which I have grouped under this head might be more properly designated, according to their own claim, by some other name, but I have no information by which I can make any better classification than this .- N. C.]
Concord .- Soon after the completion of Concord school-house, in District No. 16, in the fall of 1868, Rev. Jackson Statton com- menced holding services in it. He and other ministers frequently preached there during the next year. In 1874 Rev. J. S. Masters began preaching here, and organized a church, which was maintained for some five years.
Franklin was organized at Center school- house, District No. 14, in 1869, by Peterson Cherry and William McIntosh. Some two years later it was moved to the Liberty school- house, in District No. 17, and some three or four years later to the Franklin school-house, in District No. 55, where it has since been
maintained. It has had for its pastors Elders Berry, Randall, Murray, and Cole.
Pleasant Hill .- A church was organized in the log school-house in District No. 38, in April, 1871, by Rev. J. S. Masters, who preached for them a number of years. In 1878 they built a frame church on the northeast quarter of section 26, township 31, range 18. After Mr. Masters moved away the organiza- tion ceased, and the church building was sold to the Seventh Day Adventists.
Lockard .- An organization was formed at the Lockard school-house, in District No. 28, by Rev. J. N. Allison, who has preached there for some time.
Star .- Rev. J. S. Masters organized a church in the Star schoolhouse, in District No. 50, in 1874, and preached there several years. It was then consolidated with the South Hack- berry church.
South Hackberry ( now Elm City) .- This church was organized at the Valley school- house, District No. 72, by Rev. J. S. Masters and Rev. G. W. Goodman, April 6, 1873, and has maintained services ever since. Rev. J. S. Masters and his brother, Rev. J. L. Masters, have preached for the church the greater part of the time, but it has also had other preach- ers. The services were changed in 1887 from the Valley school-house to Rose Hill school- house, in District No. 109. The church in the summer of 1892 erected a house of worship at . Elm City, which was dedicated Oct. 9, 1892, by Rev. J. S. Masters. Philander Davis, A. Humphries, J. Allison, F. Folie, J. P. Coats, James Allison, Jr., besides the Masters broth- ers, have been pastors.
Emmons District, No. 84 .- In 1877 Rev. Skelton Riley, a preacher in the Christian de- nomination, commenced preaching in this school-house, and as there were several in the
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neighborhood who wanted to have a church connection, he soon succeeded in forming quite an organization of those who had belonged to various denominations. The understanding was that no particular denominational creed should be preached. Everything went off smoothily for about a year, but finally the preacher mixed in his sermons quite a large amount of his peculiar denominational views, which was distasteful to a large proportion of his members. The membership gradually de- creased, and after an existence of something like two years the organization became entirely disbanded.
Bell Mound District, No. 99 .- A Christian church was organized at this point several years ago, which has since been maintained. A. D. Skaggs and Job Padget have done con- siderable preaching for them.
Chetopa .- On September 11, 1870, Rev. Allen Crocker, of Burlington, preached at Spaulding's Hall. This was the first service held by this denomination in Chetopa. This church was organized with 36 members, in January, 1876, by Benjamin H. Smith, who served it as pastor for about eighteen months, preaching for them once a month. In 1878 Elder M. J. Jenkins held a series of meetings, the use of the Baptist church being secured for that purpose. For the next three years the church was occasionally served by Prof. Robert Hay. The church then became disbanded, par- tially for want of a place to meet. In 1883 a room in the California House was secured as a place for meeting, and F. S. Young and P. A. Millard were secured to hold a series of meetings in April. These resulted in a reor- ganization of the church, with 24 members. A Sunday-school had been organized by them a few weeks before. P. A. Millard served them as pastor for a year or more, after which 20
they had preaching occasionally till the spring of 1886, when M. J. Jenkins became pastor, giving them half of his time for some six months. In 1884 a frame church 32 by 44. feet was erected, at a cost of about $1,400, and. dedicated December 14, 1884, by W. C. Pool. On April 30, 1889, the church traded this. house of worship with the Baptist denomina- tion for its building, and thereupon the two denominations exchanged places of meeting. In 1888 Elder M. Ingles preached one-half the time, and G. W. Leonard once a month in 1891. A. J. Garrison was pastor in 1892,. preaching two Sundays each month, until No -. vember, when he resigned. Since 1892, the: pastors have been : A. L. Taylor, R. G. White and W. F. Guy. The membership of the church is about 90. In 1893 an addition was made to the church, a baptistry put in, and some repairs made.
Labette .- This church was first organized at Liberty school-house, District No. 17, in 1871, by William McIntosh, who preached to them most of the time for several years. In September, 1877, the organization was re- moved to the town of Labette, where it has since been maintained. They have not had regular pastors much of the time, but have had occasional preaching by Peter Shick, Frank Harman, Elder Jenkins, A. D. Skaggs, Thomas Cole, and others.
Montana .- This church was organized at the residence of Dr. R. M. Taylor, December 2, 1886, at which time J. J. Freeman, Crowell Cook and R. H. Gaston were elected trustees. Lots 7 and 8 in block 14 were secured, and a church building was erected thereon in 1887, at a cost of about $600. The church has been supplied with regular preaching but a small portion of the time. Rev. A. D. Skaggs preached for them some time in connection
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with his work at other points in the county. In 1892 negotiations for a sale of their church building to the Methodists were had, but did not result in anything. Since then no pastor has been employed and no services have been conducted.
Parsons .- The First Christian church of Parsons was first organized in 1873, with 12 members, and was reorganized in 1875, with 35 members. A brick building was completed in 1879. Its first elders were Phineas Davis and John Leonard ; its first deacons, J. F. Van Meter and W. L. Daily. The first pastor was J. B. Graves, who was followed by C. C. Cline, C. O. Mckinney, O. E. Ebert, Thomas, J. P. Witt, J. T. Tucker and J. H. Love. In May, 1890, J. P. Witt, who had been preaching for the First church, organized the Central Christian church, with a member- ship of about 40, and became its first pastor. He was succeeded by D. M. Harris, and he by - Brown. In 1894, the First and the Central Christian churches, who had main- tained separate organizations since their separa- tion in 1890, concluded to unite, and to be there- after known as the Central Christian church. This union took place under the leadership of W. E. Harlow, who had a very successful pastorate, extending from January 1, 1894. to June, 1897, during which time the member- ship of the church was very largely increased. W. W. Burks held the position of pastor from July 1. 1897, to November, 1900, since which time C. E. Pile has served.
Altamont .- This church was organized in March, 1877, by Elder Frank Harmon, with thirteen members. James Perry and William P. Daniel were its first elders, and F. L. Ham- ilton and James Daniel its deacons. It has been served by the following ministers: Frank
Harmon, J. Padget, P. W. Shick, John Owen, B. F. Lucas. In 1892 this church purchased the frame building which had previously been the public school building, which they have re- moved and repaired for use as a church.
Oswego .- The Oswego Christian church was organized in May, 1875, by Rev. J. W. Randall, with a membership of about 20 soon after completing the organization. For a time they held services in the Baptist church, and afterwards in the court-house. In 1879 they erected a house of worship, which was dedicat- ed January 25, 1880, by Rev. Kirk Baxter. The pastors have been as follows: J. W. Ran- dall, M. J. Jenkins, Kirk Baxter, H. S. Kline, Thomas E. Shepherd, D. R. De Schullie, A. H. Mulkey, R. A. Thompson, J. W. Ferrell, M. Ingels, J. H. Blake, E. N. Tucker, S. J. Vance, O. C. Atwater, G. W. Leonard, J. A. Longston and H. J. Aldrich. 'An organiza- tion of the Y. P. S. C. E. was effected Octo- ber 12, 1890, and has done a good line of work in Bible study. David Jennings was presi- dent for several years, and for a number of years past there have been different persons in that position. The ladies have an organized and active missionary society. The numerical strength of the church is about 130.
Mound Valley .- An organization was ef- fected at the residence of E. Stapleton, in May, 1871, by Rev. J. W. Randall. This organization, however, only lasted for a short time. In March, 1882. Rev. J. Padget con- ducted a series of meetings in a school-house, and a reorganization was formed. A house of worship was erected that summer. P. W. Shick was pastor for several years prior to 1895. In July, 1895, Rev. Joel Brown, an evangelist, conducted a successful protracted meeting, at the conclusion of which Elder H.
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G. White was employed for the ensuing year. Following him were Benjamin F. Martin, - Lahr, and J. P. Hauer.
CONGREGATIONAL.
Oswego .- The Congregational church of Oswego was the first church to be organized in the county. The meeting at which it was organized was held in the building at the north- east corner of block 33, then used for school and church purposes, Jan. 9, 1868. There were present Rev. T. H. Canfield, Dr. W. S. New- lon, Mrs. M. W. Newlon, Mrs. Lucinda New- lon, William Herbaugh, Augusta Herbaugh, and A. L. Austin. W. S. Newion was elected clerk, A. L. Austin and William Herbaugh, deacons. On the following Sunday, January 12th, the public organization of the church took place. Rev. Thomas H. Canfield was sent out by the Board of Home Missions in the fall of 1867, and soon commenced preaching. He was the first regular preacher on the ground who came more as a preacher than as a set- tler, although the Methodists had several local preachers here before he came. Early in 1869 they commenced the erection of a stone church, which was inclosed about the last of the year, and cost some $2,000. The church was first occupied on January 23, 1870, although it was not yet completed. Mr. Canfield resigned in 1870, and was succeeded for a few months by Rev. J. F. Morgan, who was followed by Rev. F. A. Armstrong-a man with a large amount of wisdom and goodness, but with less prac- tical sense. As a consequence, he and his mem- bers did not see things alike, and he was finally left as pastor of a church almost without a membership. The church remained closed for a number of months, but finally A. Bixby was employed, and preached most of the time for some two or three years-from 1876 to 1879.
John F. Flint served a few months in 1880. E. F. Smith was called in the spring of 1881, and served until the summer of 1882. J. N. Branch preached for them the last half of 1883. O. M. Van Swearingen came in the spring of 1884, and stayed a little more than a year. From the fall of 1886 to the spring of 1887 Wm. T. Blenkarn supplied the pulpit; it then remained vacant till the spring of 1891, when Park A. Bradford was employed, and remained most of that year. In the summer of 1892 Charles H. Currans filled the pulpit. Since 1892 Rev. I. D. Barnard and Rev. H. A. Brundage each served the church for sev- eral months regularly. Two. or three other parties have also preached occasionally ; but the church has not attempted to keep up reg- ular services or to employ a pastor at all regu- larly during several years past; indeed, the church work has been practically suspended for years.
Parsons .- Early in 1872 several citizens of Parsons who leaned toward Congregation- alism, after consulting some of the officers of the Home Missionary Society, decided to or- ganize, and secured the incorporation of "The First Congregational Church Society of Par- sons," with E. C. Ward, E. S. Stevens and C. L. Whitney as trustees. Hewes' Hall was rented, and Rev. Mr. Storrs and other ministers promised to preach until the arrival of the Rev. P. M. Griffin, who was to be sent out by the Home Missionary Society as soon as he finished his course at Andover. As the Meth- odists and Presbyterians were already occupy- ing this hall on alternate Sabbaths, the Con- gregationalists could only hold services oc- casionially. This hastened their action in build- ing a church. The town company donated lots I and 2 in block 49, and the church purchased lots 3 and 4 adjoining. Mr. Griffin arrived
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