USA > Missouri > History of Platte Presbytery; or, Presbyterianism in northwest Missouri > Part 6
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To R. S. Moore, more than any other one person, this church owes a debt of gratitude. An attorney by profession, he was once elected Representative from this District. A man of deep spirituality, he left his own opinion in the background, and did the thing that was best for the church. He was S. S. Superintendent j'or eight years, missing only one Sunday in all that time. In his death the church suffered a loss it has never been able to fill.
Geo. S. Reed, still one of the elders of the church, has served it faithfully. For a long time he was the most liberal contributor the church had.
Hiram F. Woodford, though greatly afflicted by disease, was always at praver meeting, Sabbath school and church services, setting a splendid example. He gave a noble posterity to the church which is still reap- ing the fruits of his labor. Mrs. Chas. H. Bierkemper, now missionary to the Navajo Indians in Arizona, is one of his daughters.
J. W. Elliott, who still serves as elder, a man of -5
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good judgment and a liberal giver, has been a great. help to the church in every way.
G. A. Gordon, who came into the church on profes- sion of his faith in 1893, and was elected elder the same year, was proud of his church and wanted to see it progress. His death was a great loss to it.
E. O. Smiley, first a deacon and then an elder, a young man who ever had the good of the church at heart, followed Mr. Moore as Sunday School Superin- tendent, missing scarcely a Sunday for eight years, and until his removal to Oklahoma, in 1902.
James W. Samuel, who came into the church at the age of twelve years and was elected deacon when quite a young man, sang in the choir for twenty years, taught the Bible Class for two years, and was clerk of Session till his death in 1904.
Since the above was written, Messrs. F. E. Riley and Gilladette have been added to the Session.
The Graham Church was organized July 26, 1860, by Revs. J. G. Fackler and W. D. Symington. A Coun- ty History, in the Kansas City Library, says the church was organized "in a handsome union church built in 1856, and that the charter members were Aaron Cole, Mary Cole, John Cowen, Mary E. Cowen, Eliz. Gres- ham, Eliz. McCoy, A. E. Rea, Sarah Vinsonhaler, Henry Walker, Martha Walker and Mary Waterman."
The first pastor of whom we have any record was W. M. Stryker, who came in 1864. Since then are N. H. Smith, M. L. Anderson, W. G. Thomas, A. D. Work- man, B. D. Luther, A. W. Benson, D. C. Smith, J. N. Young, E. W. Symonds, W. Weaver, C. P. Blayney, W. E. Caldwell, H. P. Alexander and Jer. Moore.
The roll of elders, so far as known, is Peter Maurer, J. H. Bohart, Wm. Eshelman, John L. Taylor, Harlan Bohart, Amos C. Hutchinson and Edward R. Taylor. A church costing $2,200 was built in 1872.
That no fuller account of this ever reliable church and its worthies can be given, is a great disappoint- ment.
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1861-1866.
This period contributed but little to the upbuilding of Christ's kingdom in this section and much to its tearing down. The terrible desolations and the fearful wrecking of that sad reign of disorder appear in the fact that of the twenty-one churches reported in 1859 by Lexington Presbytery, only four, Clear Creek (Bethel), Mt. Zion, Savannah and Weston, ever ap- peared again on the roll. The Presbytery of Upper Missouri did not suffer quite as severely, ten of the twenty-four churches reported in 1859 being in exist- ence in 1869.
The history of the Sampson Creek Church gives a glimpse of the lamentable conditions prevalent. This church appears in the O. S. General Assembly Minutes for 1853, as having eleven members and being vacant. Rev. John N. Young began his labors there in 1855, or later, but no exact dates can be given about anything. Tradition gives James and Samuel Edmiston, Allen Mc- Conkey, Daniel Walker, and Jeremiah Young and their vives as among the early members. The people built a nice church about eleven miles southeast of Albany, near White Oak Creek. They were a colony from North Carolina, and when that state seceded, the trouble began. Mr. Young says: "I went there to hold a Communion service. Instead of doing so, I found myself detained by my own parishioners. I told them I would go to the church and there tell them what I thought of their conduct. My speech melted some of them to tears, and they pressed around me asking my forgiveness. I directed them to ask forgiveness of God. Thinking it would turn out at last for good, I called for my horse and went home. It was my last interview. In a few days their beautiful church was in ashes. The congregation scattered and never rallied again. One family, that of Jeremiah Young, remained true to their country and their church, and transferred their membership to Albany."
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The following account of the Plattsburg Church was furnished in August, 1906, by the pastor, Rev. H. P. McClintic.
"Our records show that a petition was presented, April 5, 1861, to Upper Missouri Presbytery, in session at the Crooked River Church, for the organization of a church here, signed by the following: James Burr, Mrs. Jane L. Burr, Ira Dunham, Matilda Edgar, Mrs. C. M. Hooper, Mrs. S. L. Hooper, Wm. P. Hooper, Mrs. M. E. Hughurt, Mrs. A. O. Morgan, R. S. Morgan, Cynthia Smawley, H. C. Smawley, J. J. Smawley, Mrs. M. E. Smawley, Mrs. M. Smith, Mrs. H. E. Snowden, Esther J. Trimble, James W. Trimble, Mrs. Amelia Turner, R. R. Turner and N. H. Whitehead. The pe- tition was granted and Revs. J. C. Barnes, C. A. Wiley, and R. S. Shackelford were appointed a committee to meet in Plattsburg, Saturday, April 26, and to organ- ize a church if the way be clear. This Committee met here on the day appointed, using the Methodist Church. Dr. Barnes preached from Hebrews 12:28. The church was duly organized, Dr. J. Burr and W. P. Hooper be- ing elected ruling elders, and N. H. Whitehead, deacon. These were ordained and installed on the 27th, and W. P. Hooper made Clerk of Session. C. A. Wiley was 'solicited' to be their stated supply till the fall meeting of presbytery, for one-fourth of his time, and he be- came their first pastor.
"During the year 1863, Rev. John Scott was Moder- ator of the Session. We have no further record till 1866, at which time Rev. J. P. Fox is moderator. In 1867, Rev. Wm. Dickson is moderator; in 1869, Dr. A. P. Forman; in 1870, Rev. C. W. Price, and he con- tinued so till 1875. Their next pastor was John P. Foreman, from 1875 to 1882; Rev. J. A. D. Hughes, 1882 to 1887.
"Mrs. A. O. Morgan is the only charter member left. Her husband, R. S. Morgan, died recently. He was truly a godly man."
The Mt. Olive congregation was organized April 28, 1861, by Rev. Robert E. Speer, in the McCollum school
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house, with Jane Buzzard, John Buzzard, Eliz. J. Hef- ner, Eliza Kelly, Geo. W. Kelly, Alexander McCollum, Martin Rhea, Thos. Smith and Susan Whidbee, as mem- bers. A. McCollum and T. Smith were chosen elders. . The former served as Clerk of Session from the organ- ization till his death, December 17, 1898. He was al- ways faithful to the cause of Christ, and there were times when this church would have been a thing of the past had it not been for the faithful work of Bro. Mc- Collum in holding up and keeping the church together.
The roll of elders, including the above, is John Bar- rick, Edward Hutchinson, Wm. Mockbee, Wyly Milli- gan, W. L. Hefner, Thos. Alexander, Wm. Hendren, M. Y. Hillyard, Lewis Hendren, Frank Coffman, Alex. Murray, John A. Stone, S. H. Hefner, Walter Murray and Geo. Hendren. The deacons, from the organiza- tion till now are Lewis Hendren, Wm. Kemp, Henry Buzzard, S. H. Hefner, John McCollum and C. T. Mor- ris.
The ministers who have served the church. are R. E. Speer, -. Scoggins, Amos Coen, W. N. Nickell, W. D. Wood, M. E. Gaston, Levi Henshaw, J. H. Tharp, H. C. Shook, J. W. McGee, H. B. Dearing, E. J. Adams, S. S. Hardin, J. R. Adkins, Walter Bradley, E. L. Upte- grove and Henry A. Brown. 1
The church, a frame building, is six miles north of Bethany.
For the above we are indebted to Elder Lewis Hen- dren, Clerk of Session.
According to Dr. E. B. Sherwood's History of Platte Presbytery, published in 1888, the Union, since called Empire Prairie Church, was organized June 18, 1861. This date is doubtless correct, as the early records were not destroyed (by fire, with Elder Manley's house) till in October, 1895.
Elder Sylvester S. Manley, who came from Canton, Pa. in 1861, who has been an elder for thirty-three
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years and has probably attended more meetings of Platte Presbytery than any other elder in it, gives the following: "This church was organized by Rev. J. N. Young, in a Cumberland Presbyterian church one mile south of Flag Springs, and was named Union as every man present was a 'Union' man. It is really the suc- cessor of a Presbyterian church which existed and held services near Flag Springs a number of years before this date. The charter members were George and Mar- tha Boyles, Martin and Martha Boyles, Richard W. Shepard and wife and Mrs. T. C. Simpson. Martin Boyles was the first elder. The roll of elders is Martin Boyles, R. W. Shepard, James Howitt, Matthew Mc- Kinney, S. S. Manley, Elisha Coleman, E. Johnson, · Robert Bonham, Roderick Bonham, L. P. Munson and A. B. Wray.
"Among the pastors are J. N. Young, M. L. Ander- son, James B. Akey, James M. Morrison, F. G. Strange, F. E. Thompson, W. Weaver, John B. Rice (deposed later for immorality), S. W. Richards, James Reed, F. W. Grossman, U. G. Schell and D. M. Boyer. The church was erected in 1873, at a cost of $1400.
"Among the faithful workers in the early days were J. Howitt and wife, R. Bonham and wife, Sophia Bonham, Jane Brown and Mrs. E. Johnson; later Rod- erick Bonham and wife, A. B. Wray and wife, Wm. Vanatta and wife and C. A. Manley and wife."
Rev. J. M. Morrison, pastor in 1876, writes : "J. Howitt, M. Mckinney, R. W. Shepard, S. S. Manley and R. Bonham, all elders then or later, of Union Church, are worthy of the highest praise. They were all staunch Christian men, honoring their profession by their godly lives and their activity in the services of God whom they loved and delighted to honor. Their hearts went out to the unsaved. Earnest-often agon- izing-were their prayers in behalf of the impenitent and God honored their efforts and gave them 'souls for their hire.' Taking delight in communing with God and in associating with His people, they were al-
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ways in their places, whether in the public services of the sanctuary, the prayer-meeting or the Sabbath school. And with their means they liberally supported the church and her various agencies.
"No less praise is due to a few devoted, earnest, faithful women of Union Church. Mrs. Peter Fleming, Mrs. R. W. Shepard, Mrs. M. Mckinney, Mrs. S. S. Manley and Mrs. John and Mrs. Robert Bonham took an active part in the work of the church. They did what they could, and to them is owing in great meas- ure, the success of the prayer meeting and the Sabbath school. They were regular in attendance and took part in the exercises, and their testimonies and prayers were 'a power.' "
The Westminster Church of St. Joseph, was organ- ized by Dr. George I. King, of Quincy, Ill., November 9, 1863, "to furnish a church home for those who were loyal to the United States Government during those dark days, and brave enough to let it be known amid the prevailing disloyalty." The charter members were Guy C. Barton, Dr. and Mrs. Harvey Bradley, Mrs. Joseph Craig, G. F. Dexter, Mr. and Mrs. John De Clue, Allen L. Gilkison, Elbridge Gurney, Mrs. S. P. Hyde, Henry Lambrite, Jerome C. Lambrite, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lambrite, Mr. and Mrs. George Lyon, Thomas McFarland, Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Maxwell, Mr. and Mrs. Willis M. Sherwood and Mrs. Mary Thompson, fourteen of whom had withdrawn from the Sixth Street Church. E. Gurney and Joseph Lambrite were chosen elders and Geo. Lyon and R. F. Maxwell, deacons.
Rev. Benj. B. Parsons, the first pastor, was called in February, 1864, at a salary of $1,200, paya- ble quarterly, in advance. In April, 1865, a lot at the corner of Seventh and Felix streets was bought for $3,000, and the erection of a chapel begun. "We held our weekly prayer meeting in a one-story house on the same lot on which we were building, and during one of these meetings, a pistol ball entered a window,
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passed over our heads and lodged in the opposite wall." The first report of the church to Presbytery was : "Thirty members; $6180 collected and paid out." The chapel was finished in 1866, at a cost of $21,000, in- cluding the lot. In October, 1872, by what was prac- tically an exchange, Westminster Church came into possession of the building at the corner of Sixth and Faraon streets (see sketch of Sixth Street Church), which it occupied till it removed in 1895, to the new brick church at the corner of Twenty-first and Jule streets, built at a cost of about $13,000, of which $5,000 came from the sale of the old building and the rest was raised by the church.
Dr. Parsons resigned in January, 1868, and March 11, 1868, Rev. Henry Bullard, who began his labors on the third of May and is still the beloved pastor, was called. Rev. Joel Kennedy supplied the church during the interval.
Westminster was a missionary church from the first, and the coming and life service, later, of a pastor so remarkably in sympathy with the "common people,'' has deepened and intensified the missionary spirit. Most wisely it worked among the young. Its first mis- sion Sunday school was in a colored Baptist church on Francis street, and was turned over to the First Baptist Church in 1869, in a very satisfactory and promising condition. Meanwhile, Westminster Chapel, costing (with the land) $1600, was built at the corner of Third and Isabelle streets, and a Sunday school opened in it in September, 1869. Mr. S. M. Markle, superintendent of the first mission Sunday school, was appointed to superintend this one, which was also a gratifying suc- cess from the first. The North, now the Third Street Church, grew out of this. The same summer a Sun- day school, which resulted in the organization of the Oak Grove Church, was reorganized at the Maxwell school house, at the request of Mr. Logan Maxwell. Mr. Bullard preached several years alternately, either in the afternoon or evening, at these two points until supplied, and when they were vacant.
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The next mission enterprise was undertaken in an unsupplied neighborhood north and west of Mt. Mora. A Sunday school was organized in May 1889, in Hope Chapel at the corner of Thirteenth and Highly streets, and Mr. Frank J. Behne was appointed superintendent. This developed, in 1893, into the now flourishing Hope Church. "During nearly four years, though living most of the time twenty-seven blocks away from Hope Chapel, Mr. Behne has been absent only three times, twice because of sickness, and once when absent from the city."
The elders who have served the church are Joseph Lambrite, Elbridge Gurney, Willis M. Sherwood, John De Clue, Robert F. Maxwell, James A. Nye, Hans Niel- son, Wm. A. Baker, Geo. B. Armstrong, Wm. K. Adams, Henry M. Butler, Samuel P. Huston, Herschel Bartlett, Frank J. Behne, James A. Plotner, James R. Martin, Walter J. Sanders, Geo. D. Crothers, Frank L. Schrei- ber, Fred H. Reynolds, John W. Gaver, Edward T. Markle, Geo. M. Johnson, C. C. Russell and Chas. D. Bell.
Rev. Chas. H. Derr, Chenchow, Hunan, China, is the Foreign Missionary pastor. Silas F. Johnson, M. D., connected with our Africa Mission for the last fif- teen years, was a member of the Westminster Church.
The following tribute to Elder John De Clue, who died October 23, 1899, is from his long-time pastor :
John De Clue was born of Huguenot stock, in the city of New York, January 6, 1821. He served three years in the navy as carpenter's mate, in the early forties. Admiral Foote was then Lieutenant and Ex- ecutive Officer of the ship.
Mr. De Clue came to St. Joseph in the summer of 1859. His name appears among those who withdrew from the only Presbyterian church then existing in the city to organize the Westminster Church in November, 1863. Two years later, December 13, 1865, he was
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elected elder and held the office until his death. None of the elders won a higher place in the confidence of the Presbytery, to which he was often sent by his brethren. He was Commissioner to the General As- sembly four or five times. In ecclesiastical affairs as elsewhere, his rare ability, quickness to see, wisdom to plan and promptness and courage to execute, placed him in the forefront.
A stranger -- with a wife and baby to support, and only his trade to depend upon; a Northerner-intense- ly loyal and outspoken in St. Joseph, Mo., in the bitter times of war, he accepted his discharge from a railroad bridge gang, rather than work on Sunday. Years af- ter, when he had become the most prominent leader in political councils, the President of the Public Library Board, and one of the heaviest and best trusted con- tractors and builders in the city, he said his prosperity began from that date, for when men forsook him, the Lord took him up. What better indication could be given of the esteem in which he was held by those who knew him best, than this ? He was authorized by West- minster Church and Society to build their present house of worship upon his own estimate of the cost, and noth- ing but a floor plan to show what it would be like. The last four years of his life were brightened by fre- quent assurances from the people that they were pleased with the job.
For thirty years he was his pastor's trusted coun- selor and most intimate friend.
The Session Book of the Dawn Presbyterian Church says : "Being desirous of obtaining the organization of a Presbyterian church in Dawn, Livingston Co., Mo., a number of Presbyterians and others petitioned the Presbytery of Des Moines to appoint a committee for this purpose. In answer to this request, Presbytery,
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at its meeting in April, 1865, appointed Rev. Wm. Reed said Committee .. "'
On the second Saturday of June, 1865, Rev. Wm. Reed organized, in the school house in Dawn, a church. with the following members: Abraham and Mary Brown, Miss Melissa Brown, Wyley and Nancy J. El- liott and Robert and Elizabeth Reed. (A history of Livingston county gives also Mary M. and Minerva Brown, John Reed and wife, Dr. Rice (Dice) and wife, and Dr. Shields and wife. Probably these were early members.) A. Brown was unanimously elected elder and installed the next day, when Mrs. Hannah Mc- Clanathan was received on certificate. In November, 1865, R. M. and Ellinor McLawry and Thomas H. and Margaret Trussell were received. In 1870, a frame house of worship, costing about $1800, was erected. The first trustees, elected in 1873, were Wyley Elliott, Dr. T. R. Dice and Henry Bushnell.
The following ministers have served this church : Wm. Reed, J. D. Beard, J. Hood, James Reed, Geo. Case, John Hawkes, E. M. Palmer and J. T. Boyer. The roll of elders is: Abraham Brown, James J. Nellis, James D. Graham, Wyley Elliott, E. J. James, Frank B. Elliott, Dr. R. W. Murray, C. S. Bush and Thomas Griffiths.
"The Welsh Calvinistic Church had no connection with this church and was disbanded years ago, when Mr. Thomas Griffiths transferred his membership to this church."
For the above we are indebted to Rev. James Reed, twice the pastor, and Elder Evan J. James, Clerk of Session for many years. The disorder, disintegration and destitution of those days is illustrated by the above call for help on a Presbytery of another state.
Mr. W. F. Bradley, a student of Missouri Valley College, who supplied the Bethany Church in the sum-
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mer of 1907, furnished the following, having found the early records after a long and persevering search :
The Bethany Church was organized September 10, 1865, by Rev. Robert E. Speer, with the following mem- bers : Bethuel Buck, Mary Buck, John Holland, Mar- garet Holland, Margaret Speer, Nancy D. Speer, Robert Speer, and Samuel P. Speer. Bethuel Buck was elected elder. The following year Wm. G. Lewis was chosen elder, a position which he filled with great acceptance for several years. The roll of Ruling Elders, including the above, is : J. A. Brewer, Marquis Gunn, M. K. How- ell, H. L. Schnatterly, James Berry, Thomas M. Alexan- der, M. McCollum, Amos Morgan, Campbell Crossan, J. S. Pile, Thomas Linthacum, C. W. Gillidett, J. R. Cunningham, I. J. Wiedner, A. J. Fuller, W. S. Walker, S. E. Farmer and T. E. Stone.
The church has been served by Robert E. Speer, J. W. French, J. M. Ragan, J. H. Tharp, Amos Coen, Levi Henshaw, J. F. Rodgers, J. W. McGee, E. J. Adams, J. W. Duvall, W. J. Willis and J. T. Hood. (Edward D. Barnes came in 1908.)
The court house was used by the congregation till 1868, when a handsome brick church, forty by fifty, seating 350 and costing $2,000, was erected. This was used for more than a quarter of a century, being im- proved from time to time. Then, through the labors of Rev. J. W. McGee, a modern frame edifice was built. This was dedicated by Dr. H. W. Sears. During the ministry of Rev. E. J. Adams a beautiful manse was built, and in 1903, the church was enlarged by an ad- dition, thirty by thirty-five. Various improvements and furnishings, then and since, have put the church in excellent condition; also it is free from debt.
Through the kindness of Elder James W. Watson, Clerk of Session since 1892, who was elected elder September 16, 1877, we are able to give the follow- ing :
The Stewartsville congregation was organized on
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the fourth Sabbath of September, 1865, in the Method- ist church, by Rev. W. O. H. Perry, with J. W. Bras- ington, Mary C. Brasington, Elizabeth Finch, Milton Finch, Margaret Hayter, Eliz. Perry, E. B. Perry, G. B. Perry, H. A. Perry, L. T. Perry, S. H. Perry, W. C. Perry, Eliz. Stagg and W. E. Stagg as members.
J. W. Brasington, L. T. Perry and W. E. Stagg were elected ruling elders and ordained by Rev. W. O. H. Perry. M. Finch and W. C. Perry, having been pre- viously ordained ruling elders, were requested by the congregation to form a part of the Session. Since then the following have been elected elders: Wm. C. Stagg, Jacob B. Shewey, Ambrose D. Capps, James W. Wat- son, W. C. Hamilton, Daniel H. Capps, Jacob Hanson, E. T. Hoggett and Abraham Gregory.
An incomplete list of the ministers who have served the church is: F. M. Miller, R. D. Miller, O. D. Allen, W. O. H. Perry, W. C. Carter, James Froman, Arthur E. Perry, Matthew Patton and S. T. Divinia. The con- gregation has a fourth interest in the church, built in 1869.
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1867-1874.
Dr. F. B. Sherwood, who organized the Brecken- ridge Church, puts the time in February, 1867, though others set it earlier. Doubtless it was organized in the winter of 1866-7. The records were burned in 1890, hence no complete lists can be given.
Among the ministers are: Joel Kennedy, John C. Young, T. C. Armstrong, C. P. Blayney, W. A. Cravens, L. H. Shock, E. H. Bull, C. G. Russell, W. E. Caldwell and James H. Weaver; among the elders, J. Morton, Geo. S. Will, A. C. Burbank, Frank Ward, James Er- win, Anson Salsbury, W. O. Hart, A. L. Roughmont and H. H. Denlon.
The first church built in 1867, was burned in 1882, and a new one, costing about $1800, was erected in 1887.
The following sketches were furnished by one wlio knew whereof he wrote :
"In the Church of Breckenridge no one has wrought more faithfully, nor done more to maintain and ad- vance the organization than Mrs. Elizabeth M. Rus- sel. Grandma Russel, as she is known to everyone, is from that true Kentucky stock which adheres to what it espouses with a faith and purpose that does not flag. She was a charter member of the church, is now in her ninetieth year, and has been at the head of every women's organization in the church, first or last. A woman who was always at the services, unless stress of weather or sickness prevented; a veritable inspiration to her pastors and one who would sacrifice to the last for the cause of her blessed Master and the beloved church. God has made very few like Grandma Russel ; her presence has ever been a benediction and a blessing, in both the home and the church."
"Mrs. Rebecca Salsbury was of that Scotch ances- try of which martyrs are made, and her sixty-two
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years of life exemplified the spirit of her progenitors. She belonged to everybody who had a need. She had been bought with the precious blood of Jesus, and her little sacrifices she deemed small compared with His. She was a charter member of the church at New York Settlement, and for years was one of the leading work- ers in that country church. In 1890 she removed to Breckenridge, and ever after was considered as an essential to the progress of the work. Together with Grandma Russel, you might see her coming and going to the Missionary or Aid Society, and the prayer service was her soul's delight. She did not hesitate to rebuke sin wherever found and in whatever guise it appeared, but she was one of those rare characters who could speak reproachfully and leave no sting in the heart of the one concerned most deeply. She finished her work here August 7, 1907, but her influence is felt, and her work is being carried on by others and younger ones who remember her most kindly."
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