USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 11
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The Rev. George H. Williamson was pastor of this church from 1882 to 1885. During this period of pastorate the main building of the present edifice was constructed under his charge. Mr. Williamson is well known in nearly every section of the Southwest. He is a strong, forceful pulpit man, and during his real working days he never knew when to stop. He had built many monuments to his memory in the Southwest.
One reason this church has become so well established is that it has had several long pastorates. One of these
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was that of John R. Gass, who was with the church from 1891 to 1898, seven years. On account of Mrs. Gass's health he resigned and went to New Mexico for a change of cli- mate. He is now Synodical Superintendent of Missions for that State. Mr. Gass is one of the deepest and most pro- found thinkers in his church, and his sermons and lectures are gems of rich thought supported by a devotion to truth and a desire to reach the highest ideals. His character is strong, his knowledge of matters and things keen, and ever ready for use. He is devout, sincere-just all man.
Other ministers who have been with this church for over a year are Benjamin F. Powellson, 1879 to 1882; Willis G. Banker, 1887 to 1890; William G. Moore, a most excellent and devoted man, 1889 to 1902; Rev. J. E. John- son, 1905 to 1909. The latter took charge of the joint con- gregations of the Ebenezer and Cumberland Presbyterian churenes, a relation that was terminated by his death. The present pastor, Rev. Edmund S. Brownlee, has been in the field since the first of September, 1909. Mr. Brownlee is a man of strong character and fitness for all his work. He is a man who knows how to meet other men and to give each man that which is justly due him; he is a great strength to his church and a strong, active citizen. Since its organiza- tion, the church has given eight of its sons to the ministry. W. M. Mitchell, S. W. Mitchell, J. N. Rankin, Joseph W. Seroggs, L. M. Seroggs, W. A. McMinn, Joseph Johnson and Samuel F. Wilson.
In this historic church the Presbytery of Ozark and the Women's Presbyterial Society have had their birth, the former September 29, 1870, the latter 1876. Here, too, at the reunion of the Presbyterian and Cumberland Presby- terian churches, the new Presbytery of Ozark was organized June 18, 1907.
GREENFIELD CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
by Aaron D. States.
In the beginning of the eighties, Elder Morgan Mor- gans, an evangelist of the Christian Church, came to Green-
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field and held a religious debate with Rev. George W. Brown of the Cumberland Presbyterian faith. The debate was held in the Cook Pool Hall, and some of the preaching was held there, too. The Presbyterian people tendered their church to the new faith members, for a part of the time.
Elder Morgans was considered one of the strong men of the ministry in his day, and he was a very forceful speak- er There were but few people in Greenfield and adjacent country at that time who were of that faith, and religious prejudice was rife. The organization of the church was completed on January 1st, 1882. It was perfected by the late Elder W. B. Cochran, who did much evangelistie work in this section prior to and after the organization was com- pleted. Elder Cochran deserves much credit for what he accomplished during the early years of the church in this section of Missouri. His effective work at Greenfield, Cave Spring and Dadeville will live with time.
The present church building was erected in 1884. Too much credit cannot be given to William Mayes, who at that time was one of the most active and effectual workers for the church. His ability to advise ways and means, and his ability to raise funds, enabled the young congregation to accomplish much. He is still living. He lives at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Lawrence, at Sarcoxie. Though pretty feeble, he still retains a good memory, and he de- lights in the fact that he had an integral part in the early history of the church in Greenfield. The late Joel T. Hem- bree, Sarah J. Hembree, his wife, J. F. Ackers and wife, J. R. Grider, Lovis Depee and wife, Mrs. Mary Pyle, Miss Syra Pyle, Mary E. Bailey, E. D. Hammer, W. T. Hamner and Mrs. N. N. Higgins were the charter members.
The memory of the Hammers still lingers in the minds of all who were connected with the church up to the time of their death. Mr. Hamner was a long-time elder in this congregation and he was a great, good and grand old man. Mother Hamner was considered one of the noble women of the community. Her memory will never wane in this con- gregation of the church. They are now sleeping in the
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silent, yet talkative, city a few paces to the east of the church they helped to found and the church they loved. Their son, Prof. Thomas Hamner, a bright educator and one of the strongest in character the town ever produced, sleeps beside his parents. His death occurred only recently, in another country, and his body was brought here for burial. The life of Prof. Thomas Hamner was one of true devotion to principle and to high ideals. His educational worth, both in Greenfield and in Texas, as well as in other districts, will stand for a long time as a monument to his splendid abilities.
It was expedient for the young congregation to send for Morgan Morgans to dedicate their new church building. It was dedicated in June, 1884. That was a great day for the new church, which, at that time, had a promising future. It has passed through many changes, yet it has become stronger and better each year. On April 1st, 1891, the edi- tor of this history was called to this church, from his home at Fort Scott, Kansas, to hold a short meeting. The meet- ing began that night and continued three weeks, resulting in several additions to the church. The next year Mr. States was called to the pastorate, to hold the place until a suitable pastor could be obtained. During that year many more took membership with the congregation. He was followed by Elder MeQueary, a very able man, a man who thoroughly understood the plea of the church, and he did a great deal of good. He was followed by Elder Adcock, who held the place a little over a year. After him came Elders MeLaugh- lin, George Williams and Cochran. The present pastor is Rov. E. O. Sweaney. He is a capable minister, strong in- tellectually, broad in scope and true at heart. The church never had a better young minister than Rev. E. O. Sweaney.
Elder Warren was the pastor during the first year of the ninties. His work was very effectual for good. His congregations were always large. The people love to hear him. Then there was Rev. Sam I. Smith, perhaps the most brilliant young minister who ever delighted a Greenfield audience. He did a good work. The very first ministers
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were N. R. Davis, T. E. Shepherd and J. C. Davis. Elder Cochran was called the second time during the early his- tory of the congregation.
This church has been unfortunate in not having very long pastorates. It is a conceded fact that where there are long pastorates more and greater good can be accomplished, but the church is gradually growing up to that standard of churches that recognize merit, and is willing to sacrifice, if necessary, to support the church in all of its work. The present membership is one hundred thirty-three. The pres- ent Board of Elders and Deacons is as follows :
Elders-I. J. Martin, J. C. Shouse, A. O. Litchfield, J. H. Bell.
Deacons-Prof. E. H. Carender, P. R. Montgomery, Tim Gillaspie, Clyde Hartfield, Don LaFoon, Giles Holman, Linville Higgins, M. C. Ritchey.
DADEVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
by Aaron D. States.
The first congregation of the church in the Dadeville district was at what is still known as Pisgah. There is an old cemetery near where the old church stood, in which rest many of the first settlers of Dade County. Some of the headstones are dim with age. The second congregation was at Cave Springs.
The oldest Christian Church is the one at Dadeville. It was organized in 1839, three years before there was a Dade County. James Hembree and wife, and Nancy Hem- bree, were among the charter members. Matilda Hembree was also one of the first members. The congregation was organized by Elder Hazelton, an old-fashioned, old-time minister, who sowed seed that is still bearing fruit.
The new membership did not believe in any kind of a musical instrument in the house of worship, and no instru- ment was allowed in that building, or in the building suc- ceeding the first one, until recent years, when many of the
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younger portion of the church sought to be a little more modern. The organ is now used in both church and Sun- day School services. This church, despite its various strug- gles, has accomplished much good. One of the chief char- acteristics connected with this church was a strong desire for public debate. Many of the strongest intellects in the church have met the strong of other churches in debate at Dadeville. The early fathers of that congregation believed strongly that the best way to get the plea of their church before the people was through the channels of controversy. That idea is still manifest among many of the present mem- bership.
There is no question but what these friendly conten- tions accomplished much in those early days in the forma- tion of the various congregations of this church in Dade County, and, at one time, no congregation of this church thought a minister really orthodox unless he was ready to affirm or deny at any moment, and unless he was willing to meet a minister of another church in public convention. Happily that age is fast passing, and ere long the matter of religious debate will only be a matter of history.
This old mother church has had some of the best min- isterial talent the church could supply. Many of the old fathers have stood in that pulpit and proclaimed the gos- pel of truth. It has been a power for good in all relation- ships that have entered into the religious and social makeup of the community.
After the year 1853 the congregation at Dadeville de- cided to build a house of worship. It was a frame struc- ture. In 1866 they built a log meeting house at Cave Springs, and in 1886 they built the present structure, in which they have worshiped all these years. The present pastor is J. R. Crank. The early pastors of the church were Elders Hazelton, McBride, Harlam, Mulkey, Nathanial Fisk, W. B. Cochran, Davis and Randall.
OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES-THE CHURCH AT ANTIOCH.
The next oldest church of this faith in Dade County is over at Antioch. It was organized on the second Lord's
REV. W. E. SHAW, FATHER AND MOTHER.
---------
BRIG. GEN. LEWIS RENFRO, U. C. V.
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day in May, 1884, and has never closed its doors from the first opening until now, except, perhaps, a few times during the Civil War.
The first meeting house was constructed out of logs, and it had a huge fireplace on one side of the room that gave it the necessary heat in winter for the comfort of the people. Elder Harland Mulkey was one of the pioneer min- isters of this congregation. He was a most lovable disciple of the Christian faith. His voice was one of the sweetest ever heard in song, and his life was filled with precious acts and noble deeds. Elder Allen Scott was another pio- neer minister, and there are a few still living in that vicin- ity who remember his good work and his splendid charac- ter. Elder Willis was also one of their early ministers. In this community is where the Stampers, Saters, the Wil- lises, the Gambles, the Mallorys and the Funks lived. All these families have much to do in the making of the early history of that portion of Dade County.
Uncle Bud Scott, the man whose death, a little over a year ago, was mourned by all the people, was a member of this congregation. He was a great good man. The Greenfield Advocate published an extended account of his life history, a few weeks before his death. The Antioch church has been a builder of history. In a very early day, about the time of the inception of the church, the Antiochi people decided that they would hold a home coming meet- ing during the month of August of every year. This they did until recent years, and, it was very much re- gretted when the church decided to discontinue these an- nual functions. Their yearly affairs used to bring people from other states and the people of the entire southern part of Dade and the northern part of Lawrence, counties, attended to almost the entire of the population. Usually a good and efficient minister was employed to conduct these services. A huge brush shed was built near the church building in which the daily meetings were held. Every member and citizen of that entire country would bring a basket well filled at every session during the week. They, indeed, observed a real feast, hungry for something to
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eat, and hungry for the preaching and practice of the Gospel. After the old log meeting house there came a very commodious frame church building a little after the Civil War, which stood until recent years, when it was remodeled and improved, making it one of the most sightly and most modern country buildings in all the country. This church was also rather opposed to any sort of mus- ical instrument for a great number of years, but, at the present time they have an organ in their church and it is used at every service. The late (Uncle) Charlie Sater, and Perry Farris deserve a special mention in connection with the Antioch Church. The former was always ready to lend a hand and the latter took great interest in the music. His family were nearly all musicians. The widow still lives in Greenfield.
Woodward was one of the sweet singers of Israel and he took great interest in the yearly meetings. One of the sweetest singers ever heard, one whose voice was full of sweet melody without a single discord, was the late David D. Pottenger of Ash Grove. He often went to Antioch and lead the song service. He was known all over the south- west as the leader of song, and though dead for many years, still lives in the memories of hundreds of people.
Antioch Church Record .- Mrs. Josie Scott at Penns- boro found an old Antioch Church record which she loaned to the editor of this history from which we quote:
"A list of the membership names of the people, who comprise the membership of the Church of Christ at Antioch Meeting House, Dade County, Missouri. This church was organized the second Lord's Day in May, 1884. Given under my hand and seal this, the 7th day of Novem- ber, 1868.
R. T. WILLIS, Elder."
This congregation proceeded at once to build a church honse, the day it was organized and the church appointed Charles Cox and John Adams to receive and hold the deed
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to one acre of ground where the church now stands. These commissioners having removed from the vicinity of the church John Gamble and Charles Sater were appointed successors of Cox and Adams.
Signed, R. T. WILLIS, Elder.
During the late war the original membership list was partly destroyed and a complete roll of membership from the beginning until the present is not obtainable. The record was the property of the late Unele Bud Scott, one of the early members, and it was found in his belongings soon after his death a year ago. Elder Willis was one of the first pastors of this congregation.
The Church at Arcola .- The late Rev. W B. Cochran organized a church at Arcola of January 1, 1882. S. H. Bales and wife, W. P. Whitley and wife, William Lewis and wife, Eber E. White and wife were listed among the first members. The late John G. Sloan was an early mem- ber of this congregation as was his wife. Mrs. Bales is now a member of the Greenfield congregation.
The present church building was erected and dedi- cated during the year of 1885 Rev. W. B. Cochran preached the dedication sermon. Some of the early min- isters: Elder W H. Watson, who now lives at Everton; Elder John W. Randall, one of the true saints of his time; Elder W. H. Bryan. This church holds regular services most of the time.
Dr. R. M. Crutcher, one of the leading citizens and physicians of Dade county, has been a member of this congregation for a long time, and he has devoted his time and means to its upbuild much to the credit of the church. He is still very active in church work, his good wife has been a support to the church in an unpretentious way. There are no better women than Mrs. Crutcher.
There is great need of church federation in Arcola. When once this is accomplished they can be in position to employ a good minister and have preaching service every Sunday, with their minister living in their midst. The Arcola District is peopled with the right sort of folks
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and when once they are convinced that church federation is for their good, it will not be very long until that very thing will be accomplished. Some of the very best citi- zens, in other Dade county districts used to live in the Arcola country. Many of them still remain there ready to adopt any good measure that comes their way. Elder W. H. Watson deserves much credit for the upbuild of the Arcola church. He is one of the oldest ministers in south Missouri.
The Church at White Oak .- One of the strongest mem- berships of the church was at one time over at White Oak School House some three miles north and a little east of Seybert. The membership as high as one hundred and eighty.
This congregation was organized in 1871 by Elders E. Goodnight and William Pyle. Elder Goodnight was the father of the late James Goodnight who is well remem- bered in both Dadeville and Greenfield districts. Elder Goodnight and William Pyle were pioneer ministers of this faith, and they accomplished much for the cause they represented. The White Oak congregation worshipped in the school house until recent years when there was erected a beautiful little church building at Seybert. This gives the congregation a permanent home.
The elders of the church were William Pyle, John Wilkson, F. M. Wilson, D. W. Duncan, J. A. Fox, F. M. Montgomery and William L. Grisham.
Back in the early nineties Elder Aaron D. States held a revival meeting for the White Oak congregation that re- sulted in adding many new members to their church roll. It is said to be one of the best and most effectual meetings that congregation ever enjoyed. At that time Ed. Mont- gomery, P. H. Montgomery, Cal. Wilson, W. L. Grisham, James A. Fox, and many others devoted their time and energy to the success of the church. P. H. Montgomery has been a citizen of Greenfield many years and Ed. Mont- gomery has been a citizen of Canada for the past ten years. Elder William Watson had much to do in building the White Oak congregation.
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The Church at Bona .- In May, 1868 a congregation of the Christian Church was organized at Bona some six miles north of Dadeville, by Elder W. L. George, S. H. Per- kins, J. Cyrus Lindley, Samuel Baker, J. A. Freeze, John Long and W. R. Allen as charter members.
Mr. Allen was one of the pioneer settlers of that sec- tion of Dade county and one of the most devoted men of the church. He lived in the Cane Hill district.and in after years there was a church organized at Flint Hill, near the Allen home. He became identified with the new congre- gation soon after its organization. Mr. Allen was truly a great, good old man, one of the strongest and most be- loved of that entire community, both at Bona and Flint Hill. He is remembered by a multitude of people until this day though he has been dead a number of years.
The name of J. Cyrus Lindley will never fade from the history of the Bona Church and district. His life was too full of good deeds and acts to ever be forgotten. A man of large affairs, a tender heart and a devotion to both church and to his fellow man made him an ideal citi- zen. The Bona churchi is sometimes called the Lindley church in his memory. It is true he had much to do in the organization and the uplift of that congregation from the day of its inception until the day of his death. When he died an entire district, irrespective of party or creed, went into mourning and many of them are still sad on account of his going. (See biographical note.)
In 1887 a church building was erected and it still stands. The early pastors were: W. L. George, H. Dren- non, J. W. Randall and Peter Shick. Elder Drennan is still living though very old at his home in Seymour. Web- ster county, Dade, as well as other counties in the south- west will never appreciate fully the great good this man accomplished during the active part of his life. Peter W. Shick was a unique character, rather of the "racoon" John Smith order. He was unique in his preaching as well as in his common association with the people. He was exceed- ingly conscientious and deeply in earnest and he did a great good. The old timers at Dadeville, among theni
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Sheridan Pyle, delight to quote Mr. Shick even to this day.
In the fall of 1894, Elder States was employed to hold a meeting for Bona congregation. In some respects that meeting was one of the most effectual. It is there where J. C. Shouse, at that time one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of the Cane Hill-Bona district united with the church along with a score of others who are still faith- ful. The music at that meeting was purely congregational and it was led by former Judge Rook, now of Ernest township. Former Judge King, Mrs. King and a hundred others, were the sweet singers of Israel. Their singing filled the church to overflowing at every service and at times there were more people on the outside of the church building than there were inside, they came from a distance of fifteen and twenty miles.
This congregation is known throughout the country on account of its good deeds and its splendid services to humanity. It is a humanity church, filled with brother- hood and true Christian service.
0
ORIGIN OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH LOCKWOOD, DADE COUNTY, MISSOURI.
by
M. A. Wilkerson.
The first services of Baptist people were held at Tabernacle School House, a brush arbor being built in the grove about one and one half miles west of where Lock- wood is now located. This was about the year 1880. These meetings were held by Rev. Hine, who was leader of the organization. About two years later this organiza- tion was moved to Lockwood, and was greatly streng- thened by the addition of a number of new members. Services were held for some time in different church buildings of other denominations, the Baptists having no place of their own in which to worship. These services were conducted by Rev. Young, Collins, Smith and Crab- tree. About 1893, Rev. Greer was called as pastor, which
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position he held for about three years. Sometime later Rev. Z. T. Eaton was called to take charge as pastor. Not having a building of their own, Brother Eaton began to lay plans for the erection of a church and by the assistance of the few brethern and taking upon himself a great por- tion of the responsibility, they soon had the present build- ing under good headway. It was completed and dedicated January 9, 1898. Rev. L. E. Martin, of Mayview, this state delivered the Dedicatory address, followed in solemn prayer by Brother Eaton, who held the pastorate for two years. Rev. W. F. Parker, W. C. Armstrong, Taylor and Rev. Helm, each of these holding pastorates for one year. We were without a pastor for a short time until Dr. R. K. Maiden of Kansas City, was called. He served as pastor over two years and did some good sound preaching. He resigned as it was too far to come. Rev. E. J. Barb of Lamar, Missouri, held the pastorate nearly two years, and did a great deal in getting out people in working order. During his stay, we had with us Evangelist W. F. Frazier, of Van Buren, Missouri. He did some great work. Our membership gained in a short time from thirty to one hundred and fifty members. During the year 1916 we had Rev. Tom Proctor of Miller, Missouri. At present we have no pastor but will soon call one. We have a live wire prayer meeting on Wednesday nights. The average at- tendance is sixty and we are proud of this as we believe much good is accomplished by prayer.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. by,
J. B. Lindsey.
By the efforts of Rev. George H. Williamson, the First Presbyterian church of Lockwood, Missouri, was or- ganized in December, 1883 with nineteen members who were:
Howard Pierce Mary C. Pierce Bell Pierce Mary F. Pierce
Keyes Lindsey Almira Lindsey Darius Lindsey Joseph Lindsey
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