USA > Missouri > Lincoln County > History of Lincoln County, Missouri, from the earliest time to the present > Part 43
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" Resolutions of thanks to the people of Troy for hospitalities extended, and to the members of the Christian Church for the use of their place of worship Sunday, were passed. Conference then adjourned, to meet at St. Charles on the call of the presid- ing elder.
" Every one in attendance seemed to enjoy the session of con- ference and his stay in Troy, and pronounced it one of the most useful meetings ever held in the history of the district confer- ence. One of the veterans of the cross expressed his apprecia-
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tion by saying that the only drawback he witnessed was the fact that he could not accept all the hospitable invitations extended to him.
" Saturday evening Rev. J. M. O'Brien, of Shelbina, preached to a large audience at the Methodist Church, taking for his theme the missionary interests of the church. Dr. John D. Vincil's sermon on the crucifixion was heard by a delighted audience at the Methodist Church Sunday forenoon, as was the discourse of Rev. H. M. Meyers at the Christian Church, and Rev. H. H. Craig at the Colored Church. The Methodist Church was filled Sunday evening by listeners to the last discourse of the confer- ence, that of Prof. J. M. Gibson, of St. Charles."
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
The First Presbyterian Church of Troy was organized No- vember 26, 1831, by Revs. William S. Lacy and John S. Ball, the former the father of Rev. B. F. Lacy, and the latter the father-in-law of Gov. Frederick Bates. There were ten constit- uent members, and Francis Parker and Horatio S. Linn were elected and ordained ruling elders. Occasional services were held, with Rev. William Ball as minister, up till 1834; from that time till 1846, by Rev. James Gallaher; from 1848 to 1850 Rev. David Dimond had charge of the church; from 1850 to 1864, Rev. E. P. Noel; from 1864 to 1868, Rev. J. V. Parks; during part of the time from 1860 to 1870, Revs. C. P. B. Mar- tin and James Rosamond; 1871-73, Rev. O. C. Thompson; from 1873 to 1888, Revs. W. B. Y. Wilkie, A. A. Pfansteihl and the present minister, C. Van Oostenbrugg, in the order here named. After the organization, until 1848, the congregation worshiped in the courthouse. On the 16th of September, 1847, the corner- stone of a brick building, on Court Street, was laid, and on the 23d of January, 1848, it was dedicated as a church. It cost $1,600. In 1868 the new and handsome edifice on Boone Street was taken in hand, and was finally completed in 1874, but not being wholly out of debt the dedication was deferred until after the debt was provided for. It was dedicated on a Sunday in July, 1875, by Rev. Dr. Brookes, of St. Louis, his text being the second verse of the first chapter of Joshua. The building cost
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nearly $17,000. This society has received many members from time to time, and has lost many by dismissals and deaths, and now has a membership of seventy-five. It belongs to the St. Louis Presbytery. A session of this body was held in Troy in the first week of May, 1888, and the following is the Troy Her- ald's account of its proceedings:
"The presbytery met at the Presbyterian Church in Troy, Wednesday, and organized with J. G. Carr, of St. Louis, mod- erator, and J. A. Smith, of St. Louis, clerk. Rev. T. Payton Walton was received from the Palmyra Presbytery. Grand Avenue Presbyterian Church, in St. Louis, was allowed permis- sion to call Rev. Dr. Strickler, of Atlanta, Ga., as pastor. J. Addison Smith and Rev. Dr. William N. McPheeters were chosen commissioners to the general assembly, with Dr. R. G. Brank and Thomas M. Barrow as alternates. Rev. Claggett, Palmyra, was allowed to work outside the bounds of the presbytery. Re- port of Rev. Oostenbrugg, from committee on bills and overtures, recommending no change in the book of church order, concern- ing union with other bodies, adopted. Interesting talk by Rev. Wright, agent of the American Bible Society, who leaves the employ of the society in July, after a service of twenty-five years. Rev. T. P. Walton substituted for Dr. Hollifield on education committee. Resignation of Rev. Thomas Watson as pastor of Dardenne Church accepted, and Dr. R. P. Farris appointed in his place. Report of J. J. Johns and George Penn, Jr., com- mittee to audit treasurer's report, accepted. Dr. Farris and J. H. Wear appointed standing committee on the report of the treasurer. Statement of Mr. Boyd, of Hickory Grove Congre- gational Church, heard. He will put his letter in a Presbyterian church, and be taken under care of St. Louis Presbytery.
" Decided to ask presbyterial committee of the home mis- sions committee for $200 to finish the church at South Dar- denne.
"Joseph Alexander, of St. Charles, was chosen superintend- ent of Sunday-schools of the presbytery.
"Rev. J. Addison Smith preached an able sermon at 8 o'clock in the evening on the Christian evidences.
" The committee on Sunday-schools reported in favor of the
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use of lesson leaves and books of the church in the Sunday- schools.
"Dr. R. P. Farris reported that the state of religion among the churches was healthy, and the attendance on worship is very encouraging; also that there has been a gratifying growth in the membership of the churches. He condemned the purchase and reading of Sunday newspapers, as encouragement of the worst use of money and the most potent instrument of vice.
"The request of Rev. John W. Stagg, to be relieved from this presbytery and allowed to put himself under the care of the Nashville Presbytery, was granted.
" An interesting free conversation on the state of the churches was held, and showed an encouraging condition of affairs.
" The following resolution by Rev.J.A. Smith was unanimously adopted :
" Resolved, That this body tender its manifold thanks to the good people of Troy for their elegant hospitality and for the sweet communion around their firesides. Judging the past by the present, we wonder not at the siege of Troy as told in classic story: Troy was worth the siege. We invoke upon the pastor, his family and his people the enriching tokens of the Divine favor."
"Presbytery adjourned to Thursday, September 20, at 11 A. M., at Joachim Church, Jefferson County."
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Olney was organ- ized in the fifties at Mount Vernon schoolhouse, and was afterward moved to Olney. The first members were Charles Hudson, Hiram Hendrix, John H. Downing, Thomas Hammett and their wives. The present frame edifice, 34x54 feet, was erected in 1879, and cost $1,400. It was dedicated in 1880 by Rev. Ephraim Pharr, assisted by Rev. Taylor Bernard, who held a revival at Olney, resulting in the acquisition of thirty new mem- bers, and through whose efforts, mainly, the church building was erected. Capt. John H. Downing was the leader in building it, and was the principal contributor in furnishing the funds for that purpose. The pastors, since the organization moved to Olney, have been Revs. Taylor Bernard, Ephraim Pharr, J. W. Duval, Henson McGee and H. P. Ingram. The present pastor
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is W. H. Jones. The membership is sixty-five. There is another church of this denomination located at Auburn, and preaching by its ministers is had at some other points.
There is an organization some miles northeast of Troy, called the "Reformed Presbyterian Church."
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The oldest organizations of the Christian Church in Lincoln County are located at Louisville and Auburn. The Troy Chris- tian Church was organized in July, 1856. The following is a copy of the proceedings pertaining to its organization, viz. : "On the 6th ( Lord's Day) of July, A. D. 1856, M. A. Crump, Ann E. Wing, Joannah Null, Elizabeth Hunter, persons who, under the preaching of Elders J. J. Errett and Timothy Ford, have confessed their faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and by baptism put Him on, and Benedict Crump, John S. Null, Mary Wing, Sarah Sheets and Elizabeth Shipp (by Mary Wing, proxy ), and Eliza Null and Frederick Wing, persons known to each other as former members of the Church of Christ, met at the Univers- alist Church in Troy, Mo., and resolved to live together in the capacity of a church, to be known as the Church of Christ in Troy, Mo., taking the Scriptures of truth in their own statements and communications as their only rule of faith and practice. And, in accordance with said resolution, F. Wing was chosen a clerk of said body, for the purpose of keeping a strict and impar- tial record of their proceedings. James Ellis, Fidelia Ellis and Harrott Fisher, persons known to all of the above mentioned individuals as former members in good standing in the Church of Christ, and who were unable to attend the meeting mentioned, did, at the next meeting of said body, join in the same resolutions and purposes. F. WING, Clerk."
This organization continued to worship in the Universalist Church, known now as the Masonic Building, until the present commodious brick church edifice was erected in the year 1859. The pastors of this church have been Elders J. J. Errett, from the organization to 1859; then the church was supplied with preaching by different elders until 1866, when Elders William Frazier and E. V. Rice were chosen. The pulpit was then filled
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by Elder Rice until 1868. In July, 1869, James A. Wing took charge of the church as pastor, but soon resigned on account of financial difficulties. Since 1874 the pastors have been Elders W. A. Meloan, to 1876; W. B. Gallagher, 1876-78; William Errett, 1878-79; Robert L. McHatton, 1880-81; D. M. Grand- field, 1881-84; S. W. Martin, 1884-86; J. M. Bovee, present pastor, since June, 1888. The membership at this writing is seventy-seven.
Lynn Knoll Christian Church on Survey 1743, Hurricane Township, was organized in July, 1885, by Elders Jeptha Jeans and D. M. Grandfield, with forty members. Elder Jeans has been pastor from its organization to the present time (July, 1888). The building in which they worship is a frame 32x40 feet in size, and was erected in the winter of 1885-86. It was dedicated the first Sunday of May, 1886, by Elder D. M. Grand- field. It cost about $1,000. Sunday-school, consisting of forty to fifty pupils, is taught in this house during the summer months. A. R. Barton, Sunday-school superintendent, has served since the spring of 1887.
The Corinth Christian Church, situated about one and a half miles north of the village of Foley, was organized in 1848, at the house of Frank Riffles, and in 1871 the frame church building, in which the society now worships, was built.
Elm Grove Christian Church, near Mackville, was organized in 1860, under the ministry of Elder T. Ford. The present church edifice used by this society was dedicated August 25, 1875, by Elder J. J. Errett, assisted by Elder J. H. Thomas. The text used by Elder Errett consisted of the first six verses of the sixth chapter of Second Chronicles. Following the sermon, $262.60 were collected to pay off all the indebtedness of the new church. It was built by Pendleton, of Clarksville, at a cost of $2,000.
Other organizations of the Christian Church exist in Lincoln County at the following places: New Hope, Highland Prairie, near Chain of Rocks; Old Alexandria, Wilson's schoolhouse, four miles east of Troy; Winfield, Sulphur Lick, Louisville and Hawk Point. The present brick church at Louisville was erected in 1847. Christian ministers also preach at some other points.
31
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Considering the many points covered, it is clear that this is one of the strongest churches in Lincoln County.
CATHOLIC CHURCHES.
Saint Alphonsus' Church .- Judge Henry T. Mudd, who settled at Millwood in 1839, was the first Roman Cath- olic to enter the lands in the northwest part of Lincoln County. During the years 1840 and 1841 services of his church were occasionally held at his house by Father Wal- ters. In 1842 a log church, costing about $300, was erected and fitted up for services, and continued to be used until about the year 1850, when a brick edifice, costing $6,000, was erected in its stead. This fine church, together with its $800 organ, was caught in a cyclone in 1876, and completely destroyed. Soon thereafter the present frame church building, 34x76 feet in size, and 20 feet in height, with organ and side galleries, was erected at a cost of $4,000. It was dedicated, when completed, by Peter Richard Kenrick, archbishop of St. Louis. In the ministry of this church Father Walters was followed by Father Murphy, of Monroe County, who held services twice a month during the years of 1842 and 1843. He was followed by Father Robert Wheeler, of St. Louis, who located at Millwood and took entire charge of the church for two or three years. Following him, and up to 1849, one or two others officiated temporarily. In 1849 Father Daniel Lyne located at Millwood, and officiated until 1858, when he left. He built the brick church in 1850. He was suc- ceeded by Fathers Healey, O'Reagan, O'Hanlon and Cummings,* who filled the remaining space of time up to 1863, and since that time Father Thomas Cleary, the present priest, has officiated, having been a resident of Millwood all the while. This church has about 130 familes in membership, and averages about fifty baptisms and twelve weddings a year. In connection with this church a fine two-story frame building 18x60 feet in size, with a one-story wing 18x30 feet attached, has just been completed for a convent school. It stands on a beautiful lot, adjoining the church on the north. Father Daniel Lyne is said to have been as tal- ented a minister as ever filled a country pulpit. He once preached
*Perhaps these four are not named in exact order.
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a sermon in Washington, with Daniel Webster as an attentive listener, and was one of the two delegates who represented Mis- souri in the Buffalo Immigration Convention early in the fifties. He died in Ireland about the year 1870.
After leaving Millwood Father Cummings located at Louis- iana in Pike County, Mo. The Drake Constitution provided that every priest, preacher and teacher, as well as every officer or voter, should take the "iron-clad oath." This Archbishop Kenrick forbade his clergy to do, as such an interference with church matters was contrary to the constitution of the United States. In obedience to the Archbishop's commands, and, no doubt, in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience, Father Cummings refused, as generally did the Catholic priest- hood in Missouri, to take the "test oath of loyalty," as it was called, but continued to perform his ministerial duties. Accord- ingly, he was arrested, and, refusing to give bond for his appear- ance at court, he was placed in jail. About the same time other Catholic priests in Missouri were arrested, but their cases were continued with the understanding that Father Cummings' should be made a test case. This case was taken to the supreme court of the United States, where a decision was rendered in favor of the defendant, and against the validity of the so-called test oath, and thus ended all such cases in Missouri.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception, parsonage and schoolhouse, are situated on an eminence midway between Chain of Rocks and Old Monroe. Holy services were held in the parsonage as early as 1860, and were first celebrated by Father C. Tintrup, of St. Paul, Mo. The present frame and log church edifice was erected in 1867, at a cost of $4,000, and was dedicated by Father P. Gerard. The pastors have been Fathers C. Tintrup, of St. Paul, Mo .; Nicholas Standinger, of St. Peters, Mo. ; George Fuersterberg and J. G. Sudeik. The latter, the present pastor, has served ever since August 19, 1875. The membership of this church consists of seventy-two families.
The corner-stone of the schoolhouse was laid August 22, 1879, and the blessings of the school were given in December of that year by Rev. Father H. Muehlsiejun, vicar-general of the Most Rev. Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick, D. D., of St.
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Louis. This building is of brick, and is 28x40 feet in size, the upper part being the dwelling of the Sisters having charge of the school.
EVANGELICAL CHURCHES.
St. Paul's German Erangelical Church stands on an eminence midway between Chain of Rocks and Winfield. It was erected on its present site in 1859 of logs, and was replaced in 1881 by the present fine brick edifice, which was built by subscription at a cost of $3,400. Forty-five families, numbering about 225 souls included in the church, have services every Sunday. They have about twelve baptisms per year. Rev. Philip Albert is now, and for many years has been, pastor of this church. The school in .connection with the church was organized about sixteen years ago, and for the last six or seven years has been under the imme- diate control of Rev. Albert.
Evangelical Zion Church at Troy, was organized July 24, 1887. by Rev. Philip Albert, with sixteen constituent members. The fine brick church edifice, standing prominently on a mound- like hill in the northeastern part of the town, was erected in 1887, and was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day of that year. It cost $2.000. This society, as yet, has not increased its membership. There are two other organizations of this denomination in the county, located at Moscow and Big Creek.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
Nearly all the churches situ ted in the towns and villages of Lincoln County support and maintain Sunday-schools in their respective edifices, and in some of the country churches, but not in all, Sunday-schools are taught, except during that portion of the year when the roads are almost impassable. In April, 1880, a Union Sunday-school organization was formed at the Methodist Episcopal Church South, in Troy, and the following officers were selected: W. J. Knott, president; S. R. Woolfolk, P. G. Shelton and W. A. Woodson, vice-presidents; T. J. Nally, treasurer; and O. H. Avery, secretary. In July, 1888, a Sunday-school conven- tion was held in the Christian Church at Troy, for the purpose of encouraging more thorough organization in Sunday-school
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work, and, if possible, to provide Sunday-school facilities for the many children in the county that are deprived of such priv- ileges.
CHAPTER XVI.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The following, from the Troy Free Press of July 20, 1888, will be read with interest:
"ART LOAN EXHIBITION. - A GRANDLY SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE.
"One of the most interesting and deservedly successful church affairs ever given in Troy was the Art Loan Exhibition, held this week by the ladies of the Presbyterian Church. The rooms in the basement of the church were just full of beautiful things, costly things, unique things, things ancient, modern, rare and quaint. Space would not permit a full list of even the arti- cles that are more than ordinarily interesting, so the chronicler will have to content himself with a recital of the ancient articles, and those that attract by reason of their association.
"Beginning in the pastor's study, the visitor sees a little blue salt stand, one hundred and fifty years old, the property of Mrs. Geiger. Mrs. P. G. Shelton's contribution to the exhibition em- braces many ancient articles. Among them are hand made tapes- tries that were in existence during the Revolutionary War, a silver cup used by Augustine Claiborne during the same period, and Masonic regalia worn by Mr. Shelton's ancestors before the voice of Patrick Henry incited the colonists to fight for the rights of independent States.
"Mrs. D. C. Russell exhibits a specimen of taxidermy in the shape of a squirrel mounted in England one hundred years ago, and a decorated powder horn upon which a prisoner whiled away many hours during the late war.
" Mrs. A. S. Buchanan exhibits a strongly made chair of plan- tation manufacture that saw the stirring events of the dawn of the century, and a piece of continental money bearing a date
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about that of Washington's commission as general of the Ameri- can armies.
" A pitcher one hundred years old is another antiquity in this room ; also a silver spoon one hundred and fifty years old, now the property of Mrs. Anna Farmer.
"Mrs. S. R. Woolfolk has on display a china tea set one hun- dred years old, and oil portraits of her grandfather, Henry Bragg, and her great uncle, Allen Bragg, that were painted before the Revolution.
"Among the really historic relics on exhibition are several displayed by Mrs. Blennerhassett, being the property of the once famous Blennerhassett of the Island. They are a pistol case, spectacles, snuff box and match box.
" In the same case was a small gold seal ring from the finger of a man who fell at the battle of Waterloo.
" Mrs. Jane Wheeler contributed a pin and needle case one hundred and fifty years old, the epaulettes worn by Capt. Wheeler in the Black Hawk war, a stiletto made from the ship 'St. Law- rence.'
"J. W. Pilcher exhibits a fox and geese board that was once the property of the Duke of Wellington, and a brass hammer and scales two hundred years old.
" Table linen made in Germany long years ago is contributed by Mrs. Rosa Hart.
"In other parts of the rooms the visitor saw Indian hatchets, wooden shoes, a razor used in 1788, and an elegant old clock more than a half century old. A large show case full of geolog- ical specimens, and containing a small bundle of wheat bound by the first self-binder, was the property of T. C. Wilson. In another corner was a flower grotto made in very artistic style by Mes- dames Tice and Carter. There were several beautiful displays by merchants of town, and a number of samples of needle work and painting that would do great credit to any exposition.
"The exposition was open Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and Wednesday afternoon."
LOCAL OPTION.
Prior to the August term, 1887, of the county court, in Lin-
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coln County, a petition on behalf of the cause of temperance was circulated throughout the county, and the several sheets of legal cap paper on which it was circulated, and on which the names of the petitioners were written, when pasted together, making one continuous petition, measured twenty-five feet in length. This enormously large petition was presented to the county court on August 10, 1887, and the following is a copy of the record of the proceedings relating thereto:
" In the matter of Local Option in and for Lincoln County, Missouri :
" And now at this day comes Thomas H. Harris, A. H. Cheno- weth and 837 others, and file their petition with this court, which said petition is in words and figures as follows, to wit:
" To the Honorable the County Court of Lincoln County, Mo. : We, the undersigned, qualified voters of said county of Lincoln, hereby petition and ask that an order be made causing an elec- tion to be held in said county, to determine whether or not spirit- uous and intoxicating liquors, including wine and beer, shall be sold within the limits of said county, in pursuance of and in all respects as provided in and by what is known as the local option law, enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, approved April 5, A. D. 1887, and, it appearing to the satisfac- tion of the Court that said petition contains the names of more than one-tenth of the qualified voters of said county of Lincoln, and is in conformity with Section 1 of said act, it is therefore ordered by the Court, that a special election be held in said county of Lincoln, at the usual voting precincts thereof, on Saturday, the 17th day of September, 1887, so that the question of whether or not spirituous and intoxicating liquors, including wine and beer, shall be sold within the limits of Lincoln County, may be submitted to the qualified voters of said county. Said election shall be conducted, the returns thereof made, and the result thereof ascertained and determined, in accordance in all respects with the laws of this State governing general elections for county officers. It being deemed expedient, it is ordered by the Court that there shall be written or printed on each ballot voted at said election the following sentences:
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"'Against the sale of intoxicating liquors.' 'For the sale of intoxicating liquors,' with the further instruction printed on such ticket or ballot: 'Erase the clause you do not want.' And it is further ordered by the Court that a copy of this order be inserted in some public newspaper published in the county for four consecutive weeks, and the last insertion shall be within ten days next before said election."
In accordance with the foregoing order of the court Jesse J. Shaw, the county court clerk, published a certified copy thereof as required, in the Troy Herald, the last publication of the order being on the 7th day of September. No active canvass was entered into by and between those opposed to and those in favor of the sale of intoxicating liquors. The election was accordingly held, and the following table shows the result in each election precinct :
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