USA > Missouri > Shelby County > General history of Shelby County, Missouri > Part 23
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THE MACON DISTRICT ACADEMY AT CLARENCE.
The Maeon Distriet division of the Missouri conference decided to place be- fore the people of their distriet a prop- osition to build an academy and asked for the towns to make sealed bids for same, the town to stand good for the amount bid. Bids were submitted from Clarence, Macon, Shelbina. Clarence be- ing the highest bidder, $13,000. W. A. Irwin (deceased), W. A. Dimmitt, Christ Hunolt (deceased), O. C. Perry and others being active co-operators in the enterprise.
The work was well under headway and the corner stone was laid in the year 1888, June 13th, under the auspices of the Masonic order, assisted by the Knight Templars.
The city was an array of decoration, the Cameron band furnishing most ex- cellent music for the visitors, which num-
The school opened in full blast with Rev. P. D. Shultz at the head, and his wife principal of the primary depart- ment. At her best the school had some 200 pupils. Others who were at its head from time to time and labored faithfully for its success were J. J. Pritchett, E. C. Crabb, Prof. Demaree, but it was hard to keep it up. In the year 1898, Rev. Sol Milam made the town the proposition to build a boarding house thinking it was a great draw back not to have such a place. He was to put into it the same amount as the town, the individual to receive scholarships for the amount they put up. A $6,000 boarding house was built. It was heated by hot air and had water throughout the house. It was an excellent, modern building. He had the house full the first year, but pat- ronage began to lag and he held the school just five years. H. J. Simmons bought the boarding house. In 1906, Prof. Fred L. Thompson, of Macon county, bonght the college building at $2.750 and immediately sold it to the In- dependent Holiness ehnreh for $3,000. The fall of 1909, Simmons sold the board- ing house to the Holiness people for $5,500.
COLLEGE AT LEONARD.
In the year of 1890, Rev. John T. Welsh originated the idea of a college at Leonard. The people were rurally lo-
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cated in the best of farming conntry to be found in the county, but this re- splendent fact was depressed by the real- ization of its good people that their chil- dren only had the advantage of a distriet school. Rev. John T. Welsh, seeing the splendid values of farming in that dis- triet, thought that a superior advantage could be obtained by establishing a col- lege at Leonard on the scholarship plan and went forth to sound the popularity of the plan. In a few hours he raised $1,000 within the radius of the hamlet itself. The building was a good, sub- stantial frame building, two stories, a large auditorium on the second floor and five class rooms on the first floor.
The first school, under the presidency of Rev. Welsh, assisted by W. L. Shouse, received a goodly patronage, and satis- factory work and higher education re- ceived a new impetus thereabouts. The school continued some six years, during which time Rev. O. P. Shrout, a popular man in the Christian church, had a turn at the work, but the scholarships taken in the building were running out and in- terest lagged, until finally, for lack of sufficient patronage, as is the tendency of all such schools that have dotted our county, it was a hardship to make neces- sary funds to sustain the school and the building was sold to T. P. Manuel, who in turn sold it, and finally it was torn down and the Inmber was converted into the house in which Henry Stuart now lives.
SHELBYVILLE SCHOOLS.
Shelbyville has always been to the front in her schools. There is not a town anywhere that ranks with Shelbyville in her schools compared with population.
Possessing the capitol of Shelby county, she has a special civic pride in all public enterprises, and she has always taken a specially keen pride in her schools. As early as the fall of 1857 Hezekiah Ellis opened a select school in the old Metho- dist church building. He had as his able assistants R. C. Arendt and Miss Parme- lia White.
In 1858 Mr. Ellis opened school in the Shelbyville Seminary. His assistants were Prof. Dodd, R. C. Arendt and Miss Draper. At the death of his father, six months later, Mr. Ellis resigned, his as- sistants finishing the term. In 1860 Mr. Ellis opened a school of his own in the Carothers block. Rev. Joseph Dines was an assistant in a seminary in 1859; Prof. Leonard in 1860. The early settlers at Shelbyville bitterly opposed publie schools and fought bitterly every propo- sition to institute suel a school in their midst. Such a school building was erected, however, just after the war. It was a frame building and contained four rooms. Mrs. Manville was principal for four years and she was followed by Miss Minta Foster, eight years, then a new building of brick was erected of four nice rooms, and later this building was remodeled with an addition of four rooms and the Shelbyville publie school developed into a high school. This build- ing stood three blocks east of the court house. W. L. Shouse had charge of the school during its days that it was on up- ward grade, and Shelbyville today feels indebted to him for the early develop- ment of her school. Professors Richard- son and Alexander also did faithful work later on. Now Shelbyville possesses one of the best, most modern and up-to-date buildings in this part of the country. She
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has a ten-room, steam-heated building, and her course of study is simply first- class in every respect. Professor Brown, superintendent the first four years in the new school home, and this year Professor Stanley is making good to her people the reputation that city has always shared. Shelbyville maintains a wide-awake and "push" board of education. Some of the prominent lights that have done much for Shelbyville in school lines are : Judge Perry, Messrs. John Gooch, J. J. Hewitt and Walt Dimmitt.
THE CLARENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The Clarence schools were moved from pillar to post for a term of years. The first public school in Clarence district was built in 1866. It was a brick, con- taining three rooms, only two being used for school purposes. This school was the brick house later occupied by James A. Watkins, now the lot on which Mrs. El- vira Durham lives. A Mr. Strong started the term, but resigned and was succeeded by Dr. D. H. Matthews. The town soon found it had made a mistake in building so far from town, with no walk, and it was decided to locate a room uptown, and so the school house was shifted from place to place, as a vacant room could be obtained. For a term it held forth in a room on the first floor on the north side, then it journeyed over to a room on first floor, that was later destroyed by fire, on the lot where now stands Garrison's jew- elry store. Clarence holds one distinc- tion regarding schools that perhaps no other town on which the sun ever shown holds-that of having had at one time a saloon on the first floor and school room above. Clarence once taught the three
R's in a second story with a saloon on the first floor on the lot now occupied by the "Courier" building. Clarence has had her ups and downs, but in the year 1873 the present school building was erected, with three rooms on first and three in the second story, built by J. H. Martin. The first teacher was Rev. Steed, who, in 1874-75, was paid $100 per month. He was followed by Professor Johnson, and later followed Miss Julia Jacobs, Mrs. Annette Merriman, then later follows Miss Brunner, Professors Marr and Highfill. Under the present management the school last year was raised from third to second grade and from second to first this year. It is on an upward grade and has an enterprising, wide- awake board of education. It might be mentioned here that a few years since, when Citizen Hoyt, who had a special in- terest in our school, bequeathed the school in trust what is known as the Hoyt fund, from which the school has been a beneficiary since. In appreciation, the board erected a monument to his memory on his grave in the city cemetery.
FIRST PRIVATE SCHOOL.
The first private school in Clarence was in the year '69-'70, and this school was taught in the Higbee & Brown build- ing, which was located about where the North Missouri Lumber Company now stands. It was taught by Prof. C. F. Benjamin.
THIE INDEPENDENT HOLINESS SCHOOL AT CLARENCE.
In the summer of 1906 the Independ- ent Holiness people, representing several states, bought the property formerly
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known as the Macon District Academy for $3,000 of Prof. Fred L. Thompson, Macon county, the same to be used as a school house and place of worship. Rev. Sam Johnson was placed at the head. Rev. Johnson had a good patronage the first year. Various teachers have labored faithfully for the good of the school. In the year 1909, after a camp-meeting of ten days' duration, a committee was ap- pointed and bought of H. J. Simmons what was known as the Boarding House, consideration $5,500, and they are labor- ing faithfully to maintain a religious school for the young people.
CHURCHES OF SHELBY.
It has been impossible to secure data of all the churches of Shelby county. We have labored hard to secure the history of the most important strongholds, but the inactivity of those who should be in- terested in preserving the history of their church has curtailed the work to some extent. At the very dawn of the settlement of our great county, following the wake of the earliest pioneers, came the missionary to the frontier, laboring without money and without price in his work of love. "Preachin' day" was the event of the month, and on that day whole families turned ont en masse as a social and spiritual event. At that early day the distributer of the word of God was a manual laborer, preaching when and where he may, as the opportunity of- fered, laboring as did his fellowman dur- ing the week to supply his temporal needs. The Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians were represented at the earliest day and the Christian Church followed but a little later.
BAPTISTS.
As early as 1835 the Baptists held ser- vices in Shelby county. Among the "earlies" came Revs. William Fuqua, Jeremiah Taylor and M. Hurley. Though the opportunity for advanced work and attending success were meager, yet these men were just as earnest, fervent in spirit as the latter day saints. They la- bored without murmur for such volun- tary pay as was offered them.
Shiloh Church, section 10-59-10, Bethel township, was organized the sec- ond Sunday in May, 1869, with thirty- eight members. The church has had a steady growth, its membership varying from 100 to 150 from time to time. As carly as 1870, this church built a splendid $1,200 church, which has been improved from that time to date. The church was organized by Revs. C. S. Taylor, John Easton, Nathan Ayers, George W. Eaton and R. Kaylor.
MOUNT ZION CHURCH.
This church, located in Tiger Fork township, on section 6-58-9, was or- ganized the fourth Sabbath in August, 1838, by Revs. Jeremiah Taylor and M. Hurley, with fourteen white members and two colored members, and has al- ways been a loyal, consistent body of Christians. While not a strong church in numbers, varying from a half hundred to one hundred from time to time. The early day ministers were : Jeremiah Tay- lor, John Keach, Nathan Ayers, Frank Smith, P. N. Haycraft, R. Kaylor, San- ford Smith, George C. Brown, C. S. Tay- lor, William Pulliam, J. P. Griffith, J. H. Rubenson. A frame church was erected
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in 1856, costing $600. W. Moffett was for years clerk of the church, being elected at the organization of that body.
NORTH RIVER CHURCH
Is situated in section 17, Taylor town- ship, and was organized in 1844. The early records disclose the following mem- bership: Shelton Dodd and wife, John H. Garnett and wife, James Singleton and wife, Mosco Garnett and wife, C. L. Harris and wife and J. T. Garnett. In the year 1882 the church rebuilt a nice frame building, costing $1,000. Some of the officiating pastors were: John Sweeney, William Pulliam, S. C. Good- rich, John A. Clark, James Holt and John Raton.
LORNEY'S CREEK O. S. BAPTIST CHURCH.
Located in section 33-59-9, Tiger Fork township, was organized in 1835. The records disclose as its original mem- bership the names of Edmund Rutter. Elizabeth Rutter, Edward Wilson, Mary Wilson, William Moffett, Evalina Elgin, Manly Elgin, Mary Louthan, Henry Lon- than, William and Nancy Randolph. This is what is known as the Henry Louthan Church, the man for whom it was named, because of his untiring energy and in- terest in its welfare and who preached for the congregation withont charge. His love for his Master was his pay. He was succeeded after his long term of service by F. M. Turner. Their early church was a brick, valued at $1,200. This church was organized before the division of the Baptist church into the old and new school. (Further facts turn to his- tory of Tiger Fork township.)
OAK RIDGE CHURCH.
Situate in Jefferson township, some six miles southwest of Shelbina. The or- ganization was formed February 16, 1867, the following family names being found on their earliest records : The Kid- wells, Kimble, Webdells, Thrasher, Dun- gan, Clark, Perry Wrights, Smith and Thomas. In the year 1881-82 a frame building, 36x34 feet, was constructed at a cost of $1,200. Revs. Tolle, J. G. Swin- ney, W. B. Craig, A. G. Goodrich, Wil- ford Powers and other pastors have min- istered to the spiritual need of this flock.
PRAIRIE VIEW.
Situate in Jackson township, 15-57- 9, and was organized February 5, 1876. The church was a consolidation of the Oak Dale, Friendship and Hunnewell churches, and its original membership numbered some fifty or sixty members. It soon grew into a strong church, and has effected much good. A building erected in 1876 cost $1,200. The Revs. Green, Terrill, Lile and Smoot have served this people.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLARENCE.
The early records of the First Baptist Church of Clarence bears record it was organized October 27, 1877, with fifteen members, by J. S. Dingle, a missionary of the Bethel Association. The following officers were elected to steer its welfare: Deacons, J. W. Veal and Washington Lostutter, and James Pollard, clerk. From the date of birth, 1877, to the year 1890, they worshipped in the Presbyte- rian church, with Rev. Dingle as their first pastor. In the year 1890 the Bap-
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tists built a new home for their congre- gation, which was dedicated October 26, 1890, by Dr. William H. Williams, one of the editors of the Central Baptist, St. Louis. The church has recently been im- proved. This membership, though num- bering only seventy-five members at the present date, is one of the most loyal churches in the county. At times it has been up-hill work, but they never waver. Untiring in their efforts, they have ac- complished much good. Rev. J. A. Johns, their recent pastor, was a great worker for his Master. He has just resigned and at this writing they are without a shepherd.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHI OF SHELBINA.
The very early data of the Shelbina church was destroyed, but D. G. Minter states that the church was organized about 1863, with about a dozen members.
For some years they worshipped in an old frame school building, Rev. Powers being their first pastor. He preached once a month and perhaps received about $50 salary per annum. In 1865 they moved their place of worship to Miller Hall, the present site of Minter & Smith dry goods store, they numbering about fifty. In 1866-67 the Baptists and Meth- odists built conjointly a brick house, where the Pictorium now stands. Here the church flourished. They called Rev. George Roby to preach twice a month, with a salary of $300, the Missouri board paying half. Then followed Revs. Busby, Chambliss, Dingle. During the thirteen or fourteen years of joint occupaney there was no frietion, each worshipping independently, a board of trustees of three from each church having charge all those years. Only D. G. Minter remains
to tell their struggles and their victorics. In 1881 the Baptists bought a lot and erected a beautiful $6,000 house, which was dedicated in the fall of 1881 by Dr. Pope Ycaman, and Rev. J. S. Dingle was recalled for part time at $100. In 1884 came Rev. O. L. Brownson, called for all time at $700. Since that date the church has been improved from time to time and several splendid ministers have served the congregation, among them Revs. J. R. Pentaff, J. M. P. Martin, Hunt and Scott, who served them faithfully sev- eral years. On Christmas day, 1910, Rev. Scott, beloved by all who knew him, preached his farewell sermon, and the church has called Rev. Volman, who comes highly recommended to this charge. This church at present has 250 members.
PRESBYTERIAN.
This church in Shelby county is at low ebb. We have many good people-the very best of this denomination-but the following is scattered here and there, and but little public ministry is held in this county. In the earlier history of the county they were more prominent. No trace can be found of records which bear evidence of this division till the year 1859, when a Presbyterian church was organized at Shelbyville. Previous to this date, even as early as 1836, came one Dr. David Nelson, of Marion College, a man of eminence and imperishable mem- ory, also the prominent divine, Rev. W. P. Cochrane, preaching the word of life to the early settlers and trying to estab- lish their doctrines on the frontier of the new country. Services were held from date to date and protracted or revival services succeeded from year to year, and
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finally an organization was effected at Shelbyville.
PRESBYTERIANS AT SHELBYVILLE.
This church was organized by Rev. W. P. Cochrane, July 30, 1859. The origi- nals were: Joseph M. Irwin, Esther Vaughn, Mary Vanghn, Elizabeth Ca- rotliers, Dr. Darius Day, Peter B. Light- ner and Rachel Lightner. Some of the early day pastors were: Revs. George C. Crow, A. Steed, Duncan Brown, James Lafferty, J. C. Robinson, Edward Vincent and Blaney. The church build- ing, erected in 1860 at a cost of $3,000, is in a good state of preservation.
PLEASANT PRAIRIE CHURCH.
Situate in section 18-50-10 and was organized in 1866. Its records bear fact of the originals as J. A. Ewing, Rebecca Ewing, Sallie Cardwell, Eva Cardwell, Martha Cardwell, James Cardwell, Su- san Cardwell, Joseph Blackwood, Ella Finley, Nancy Finley, Israel Cannon, Mary Cannon, Mary Cardwell, Susan Bostian and W. N. Bohon. In the year 1869 a church was erected at a cost of $1,500. This was a loyal band of work- ers from the earliest date.
CLARENCE PRESBYTERIAN.
This church was organized July 17, 1859, by J. P. Winters, with a member- ship composed of James S. Martin, Mrs. Mary Martin, J. E. Martin, Susan M. Hollyman, James B. Ryland, Mary Ry- land and R. A. Newcomb. The pastors having served this church are J. P. Win- ters, A. Steed, 1862-1872; James Laffer- ty, Duncan Brown, Carson, Robinson, E. Vineent. Rev. DeBolt was a late pastor who did much in building up this church.
At present the church has no services. A lot was donated by a land company and at a cost of $1,200 the church build- ing was erected in 1860, and in 1883 the church was remodeled at an expenditure of $750.
CUMBERLANDS.
New Providence Church, situate in the southeastern corner of Taylor township, was organized on November 10, 1859, by Rev. S. C. Davidson, with the following original membership: Nathan Byars, J. P. Killinger, Huglı Kirkwood, S. F. Dunn and wife, Jacob Killinger and wife, Glenn Killinger, Margaret Kirkwood, Mary Evans and James G. Byars. Revs. Robert H. Mills, John Winn, Nicholas Langston, J. R. Lowrance and T. G. Pool. A church was erected in 1874 at a cost of $1,000, and has been improved from time to time.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.
The first organization of this church effected in Shelby county was at the liome of I. B. Lewis, in Salt River town- ship, in the fall of 1837, when services were held for some. In 1838 a Sunday school in the Bacon school house; in 1850 a frame church was built on land donated by George Bacon, of Hannibal, and the church was named Bacon Chapel.
Bacon Chapel .- The present building was erected in 1870. Among the minis- ters who have served this historic church are : Revs. William Pryor, Conley, Smith, T. Ashby, Tyson Dines, Martin L. Eads, James M. Green, Jacob Sigler, James Wainwright, James B. Callaway, E. K. Miller, James Monroe, T. DeMoss, L. Bush, W. W. McMurry, G. Tanquary,
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A. C. Browning, T. A. Allison, M. L. Shemwell. The present pastor is H. W. Buckner. The Sunday school superin- tendent is Nathan Taylor.
Shelbyville .- This church was organ- ized about 1839 and reorganized in 1844. The present building was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Holliday and val- ued at $7,500. The present pastor is Rev. T. E. Moseley. J. J. Hewitt has been Sunday school superintendent for many years. The membership numbers 296.
Shelbina .- The church was organized in 1858. The first meeting was held in the Thomas hotel, where the Waverly now stands. The congregation first wor- shipped in the school house, later build- ing a church with the Baptists. In 1867 a brick church was erected, and in 1882 this was superseded by another brick structure, which in its turn has been su- perseded by the present handsome church building, which was erected in 1907, during the pastorate of Rev. W. A. Hanna, at a cost of $22,000. The present pastor is Rev. J. N. Boyd and the Sun- day school superintendent is Dr. Lyell. The church has a membership of 600 and the Sunday school 400. Among the former pastors were: Revs. W. W. Me- Murry, W. Bell, L. Rush, B. H. Spencer, George Warren, A. B. Culbertson, Rob- ert White. J. A. Snarr and T. H. B. Anderson.
Clarence .- The first preacher to hold services in the town was Rev. D. C. Blackwell. In 1872 a class was organized by Rev. W. W. McMurry, presiding elder, the first preacher being Rev. L. Rush. Of the charter members Mrs. Mary A. Jacobs alone remains a member of this church. In 1877, during the pas-
torate of the Rev. W. M. Wainwright, a church building was erected, of which building committee the sole survivor is C. M. Shackelford. This church was altered and repaired during the pastor- ate of Rev. R. M. Dameron. The present splendid building was erected at a cost of $16,500 during the pastorate of Rev. H. H. Johnson, the building committee being H. J. Simmons, A. R. Tucker, E. E. Casler and O. C. Perry. Among the other pastors who have served this church have been Revs. A. P. Linn, W. A. Tarwater, John Holland, C. T. Mc- Anally, W. O. Medley and John W. Kim- brell. The present membership is 240. The Sunday school superintendent is H. J. Simmons and the membership is 200.
Bethany .- In the eastern portion of Black Creek township and was organized March 4, 1882. The charter members were: R. J. Taylor and wife, George Carmichael and wife, Lula Z. Taylor. C. E. Scott, Angie Foreman, Thomas Tin- gle and wife, Eliza Smith, J. II. Car- michael and wife, Levena Foreman, Sarah Smith, Sallie Raine, Lucia Car- michael. A frame house, costing $1,200, was completed in 1881 and dedicated in July, 1884. Among the pastors have been W. A. Toole, J. M. O'Brien, O. B. Holliday, J. J. Reed, E. J. Speer and B. F. Leake.
The other churches forming the Shel- byville circuit, which has a membership of 182, are Morris Chapel, O'Brien Chapel and Duncan Chapel.
Oak Dale .- This church was organized soon after Bacon Chapel. The present church was erected in 1908, during the pastorate of Rev. Smith, and is valued at about $3,500. The present pastor is Rev. O. Blackburn. Among the other churches
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY
in Shelby county are Wesley chapel, ops James and Morris, at the request of four miles northeast of Clarence, which the general conference in 1848. is served by the Clarence pastor.
Lowman chapel, part of the Shelbina cirenit.
The total membership in the county is 2,250.
FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Clarence First Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1866 by Rev. John Gillis and Dr. N. Shumate. In the year 1881 the present briek structure was built at a cost of $3,250. Among its pastors we find Revs. John Gillis, Com- fort Ransom, G. W. Walker, A. Chester, S. Knupp, R. Carlyon, O. Beistle and J. five. A. Westerman, the present pastor. The present membership numbers 150 loyal, faithful workers.
The Berean M. E. church, at Shelby- ville, was organized January 13, 1850, by Christopher J. Honts, presiding elder Hannibal district, and J. M. Chivington. The original members were Leonard Dobbin and wife, James W. Ganby and wife, Joseph Hitch and wife, Daniel Wood and wife, E. B. Stover and wife and John Short and wife.
The first church building was erected in 1860 at a cost of $2,500. It was re- moved from the original location to its present site in 1874, repaired at consider- able cost and dedicated by Rev. N. P. Heath, of St. Louis, and rededicated by Dr. William Taylor, of India. After the organization of the M. E. Church, South, in 1846, the M. E. church had no organ- ized church in Shelby county until 1850. The most of its members were taken into the M. E. Church, South, where they re- mained until the Mission Conference of the M. E. church was organized by Bish-
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