USA > Missouri > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County Missouri, early and recent history and genealogical records of many of the representative citizens, Volume I > Part 62
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The names which appear on the first membership roll of this club are as follows: Mesdames A. B. Grier, Arch Weaver, J. J. Foster, L. C. Ricketts. C. W. McGinty, Geo. Dalzell, W. R. Brooks, W. C. Summers, Arch Belcher. F. M. Grantham and James Gillespie.
In the little village of Galloway another group of women are meeting weekly. their Tuesday Club serving as a means of bringing sociability to a somewhat widely scattered circle of friends, while uniting their interests in the improvement of various aspects of life in that rural district. The church, the school and the community are objects of helpfulness on their part, and sewing for some worthy purpose occupies a portion of almost every meet- ing. A marked characteristic of these women seems to be a sympathetic attitude toward the young people of the neighborhood whom they encourage in such social gatherings as tend to make for greater contentment with rural life.
The women who compose this club are the Mesdames Baker, Galloway, Lyman. Williams, Johnson. Rose, Fielder, Hubble, Wirt, Burke, Smith and others. all busy house-mothers who, nevertheless, find time to visit the sick, cheer the lonely and try to make out of the abundant resources of country life the conditions that shall minister to the highest welfare of all con- cerned.
With these all too brief sketches of the activities carried on by the club women of Greene county the writer hopes that some true light has been shed upon the part that they are taking in doing for womanhood and child- hood some of the things which men have not found time or inclination to do; that their interest in civic progress is demonstrated by a public-spirited par- ticipation in many movements inaugurated for the general welfare: that the recognition of the full nature of their power and responsibility in social,
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educational and industrial affairs is intelligent; and that they are ready to take their rightful share of the burden that must be assumed by those who are committed to a vigorous campaign for a great humanitarian uplift.
This chapter on women's organizations is not intended to cover such as have their relations solely with church, fraternal and purely social insti- tutions, since these will naturally be considered in other connections.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
The Rachel Donelson Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized in Springfield, June 21, 1910, through the efforts of Mrs. Leonora McGregor Barbour, who was appointed chapter regent by the national board of Washington, D. C., with instructions to organize a local chapter, and she was given opportunity to name the chapter. She is a lineal descendant of Col. John Donelson, who served in the Revolutionary war from Virginia and for whom Fort Donelson, of Civil war fame, was named. The local chapter was named in honor of his wife. Mrs. Barbour has been active in the work of this society in Missouri for a number of years, and for two years she held the office of state secretary.
The Rachel Donelson Chapter is one of the largest and most active in Missouri, or, in fact, the middle west. It has had a rapid growth and new members are constantly coming in. There are about seventy-five members at this writing, although it began only five years ago with twenty-one charter members, named as follows: Mrs. Mary Bell Parrish Adams, Mrs. Leonora McGregor Barbour, Mrs. Nellie Porter Blain, Mrs. Hattie Leach Chalfant, Mrs. Mamie Campbell Cope, Mrs. Louise Hubble Dickerson, Mrs. Lulu Brunt Dawson, Mrs. Tryposia B. Eaton, Mrs. Ethel Eaton Fellows, Mrs. Hattie Hubbell Frazier, Mrs. Henrietta Geiger, Mrs. Mina Hubbell, Miss Agnes Hubbell, Miss Ruth Hubbell, Miss Helen McGregor, Mrs. Glades McGregor. Miss Elizabeth Parrish, Miss Margaret Sheppard, Mrs. Elizabeth Jones Sebree, and Miss Virginia Williams.
It is a fact worthy of note that the Missouri Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution ranks third in point of membership in the United States, being surpassed only by New York and Massachusetts. This is a remark- able showing in view of the fact that the territory now known as Missouri was unknown during the war of the Revolution. Very few men who took part in that conflict ever lived within the borders of this state, and the dust of a still less number rest in her bosom.
The local chapter entertained the state meeting of this society in Octo- ber, 1914, which was a notable event.
Meetings of the Rachel Donelson Chapter are held the first Tuesday in (37)
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each month. A prize of ten dollars in gold is offered for the best examina- tion in United States history in the Springfield high school and five dollars in the rural schools. Each to be awarded at the close of the school year. A copy of the Ten Commandments has been placed in the rooms of every public school in Greene county. Members of the chapter are requested to honor the following days by displaying the flag from their homes and in assisting in proper celebrations on the same : Washington's birthday, Febru- ary 22nd: Memorial Day. May 30th : Flag Day, June 14th ; Independence Day, July 4th.
The object of the chapter is supposed to be purely patriotic, and any efforts to inject politics or gain social prestige are discouraged. Members assist in collecting and preserving manuscripts, records and relics of all kinds pertaining to the Revolutionary war; also in marking and caring for graves of soldiers of that war. Two scholarships are given by this chapter in the Ozark College, which has recently been removed from Forsyth to Hollister, Missouri. A great deal of charity work is also done, poor students in other schools besides the above named college being aided from time to time.
Officers of the executive board of the local chapter at this writing are as follows: Mrs. Hattie McGregor, regent; Mrs. May Dickerson, vice- regent : Mrs. Emma Bissett, secretary : Mrs. E. A. Mckay. corresponding secretary : Mrs. Daisy Eaton, treasurer ; Mrs. Laura Blain, registrar ; Miss Janie Hubble, historian ; Mrs. W. D. Sheppard, chaplain. The above officers and the following members compose the board of management: Mrs. E. A. Barbour, Mrs. C. C. Clements, Mrs. L. W. Hubbell, Mrs. J. Bateman. Stand- ing committees: Program, Mrs. W. O. Allen and Miss Ada Evans ; music, Mrs. U. G. Dawson and Miss Agnes Hubbell; entertainment, Miss Ruth Hubbell. Miss Helen McGregor and Miss Wilma Bugbee ; press, Mrs. Bert Lee and Mrs. McCammon : patriotic education. Mrs. E. A. Barbour, Mrs. H. Bissett, and Mrs. Howell; historic research and preservation of Revolu- tionary records, Miss Janie Hubble and Mrs. E. E. Adamis : conservation, Miss Sarah Hubble : reciprocity bureau, Mrs. W. F. Geiger : magazine, Mrs. J. Bateman ; desecration of flag. Dr. Lou Tway Noland ; old trails road. Mrs. William Schweider : year book, Mrs. E. E. Adams and Mrs. H. F. Fellows : ex-regent, Mrs. E. A. Barbour.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHURCH DENOMINATIONAL HISTORY.
By Rev. Fayette Hurd.
The preface to a book is commonly the last part written. So is the preface to the chapter that follows. Its preparation has been made possible through the co-operation of many persons to whom thanks are due, though it is hardly possible to name them here. In very few cases have requests for information failed to secure a kind and helpful response. Let those who have rendered this assistance be assured that it is gratefully appreciated, since a work with many shortcomings would, but for their help, have had many more.
It has been the purpose to make the arrangement of denominational names and of individual churches as near as possible in chronological order.
Prepared at no small cost of time and labor, this chapter has been to the writer in no small degree a labor of love, impressing him, as he hopes it may the readers, with a sense of the vigorous life that inheres in the Church of Christ, of the wide range of possible service to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, social and political life of humanity, and how vastly, vastly the range of that service might be multiplied if, instead of the spirit of sectarian strife and opposition; the many believers of many names, might under one or many names, be actuated by that unselfish spirit of mutual helpfulness and cooperation for the service of God and men that was contemplated by our Savior when he prayed "that they all may be one."
CHURCHES IN SPRINGFIELD.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH.
Saint Paul .- As is often the case elsewhere in the newer portions of our country, the history of churches in Greene county and Springfield begins. with the travels and activities of "the man on horseback." A truly mili- tant character he, carrying on in the name of his exalted Master an aggres- sive warfare on the hosts of sin and satan. Not indeed so spectacular as the bedizened leader in carnal warfare, aiming rather to save men than to destroy them, he has brought to his task as heroic bravery and self-sacrifice as any leader of destroying hosts, achieving results widely beneficent and
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far-reaching in time and eternity. All honor to the humble, faithful soklier of the Cross, pioneer knight errant of salvation, armed with Bible and hymn book, the Methodist itinerant! No proud conqueror with mailed hand has done a tithe of what he has done in shaping the destinies of the great South- west of our republic.
.A tradition, well authenticated and many times repeated, tells of the coming to the infant settlement at Springfield of Rev. James 11. Slavens, who preached October 10, 1831. the first gospel sermon ever delivered here, three weeks later organizing, in the house of William Fulbright, near the site of the present Gulf shops, a class composed of Ruth Fulbright, Isaac Woods and wife. Jane Woods. Bennett and Elvira Robberson, S. S. and Sarah Macky. Polly Alsup was the first one who united on confession of faith. A year later forty-seven members were reported.
At a conference of the Methodist Episcopal church hekl in McKendree chapel. Cape Girardeau county, September 15, 1831, was assigned to James 11. Slavens a region described as "Springfield and White River, St. Francis and Saline," a circuit extending over a strip of country one hundred miles north and south and two hundred miles east and west. At this time the little village of Springfield was an important point, its first settlers having come here in the spring of the previous year. On his way to Springfield, Slavens fell in with the family of Joseph Rountree and was welcomed by them as a sharer of their noonday meal. They liked him, one of them so well that in the following June Rev. Justinian Williams rode from Boonville to Springfield to unite her with Slavens in marriage.
The first church edifice erected in Springfield was a modest building eighteen by twenty feet in size, located on land owned by the United States government. near the Richardson or Fairbanks Spring. It was floored and seated with puncheon logs. the entire cost being eighteen dollars. It was also used as a school house. In this primitive structure was entertained the first quarterly conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1833. whereof Slavens, who soon after became a practicing physician, was secretary. In 1842 the church had grown to proportions which seemed to require a larger, better and more centrally located building, which was erected nearly opposite the present site of Grace church. Its dimensions were thirty by forty feet, and with glass windows and plastered walls it was an object of much pride and admiration, and was considered the finest church edifice in southwest Missouri. When no longer used as a house of worship it was moved a little to the southwest, where it stands yet in a very good state of preservation, being in a humble way still habitable. Possibly it is not yet too late to act on the suggestion that this relic of early Methodism, now nearly seventy-five years old shall be preserved as a historic landmark and a fitting center for objects of like historic interest. Let imagination dwell on the eloquent,
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tender and pleading words to which those walls have echoed, and to the "contrite sinner's voice, returning from his ways" in response to the procla- mation of words of eternal life.
In 1844 came the division of the Methodist Episcopal church into two branches. Bishop Soule presided over the Missouri Conference that year, and all but a small minority of the ministry followed him into the southern branch.
In 1848, Springfield, then grown to be a place of considerable size, was made a station of the church and undertook the support of a minister. In 1849 eighty members were reported, eighty-seven the next year, after which time statistics are lacking till ISCo, when two hundred and seven members were reported.
In 1858, Springfield then having some one thousand two hundred in- habitants, prominent members of the church began to lay plans for the erec- tion of a more commodious house of worship than that in which they had gathered for sixteen years, on a site a little north of that thus far occupied. The structure was to be of brick, at an estimated cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. Measured by their ability, it was a heroic undertaking and the work progressed so slowly that in the spring of 1861 only the basement had been finished and occupied for worship. Events in that and subsequent years delayed still further the realization of their plans.
On August 11, 1861, the day after the battle of Wilson's Creek, the Federal authorities took possession of the building as a hospital, using it thereafter for a variety of military purposes until 1864. For this use and interest the sixty-third Congress, before its adjournment, March 4, 1915, voted a payment of three thousand one hundred and fifty dollars. When General Marmaduke attacked the city, January 8. 1863, some cannon balls fired by his command struck the walls, leaving marks visible as long as the house remained standing.
INFLUENCE OF THE WAR.
During the progress of the Civil war the church became disorganized to such an extent that many thought it dead, past resurrection. A church of Northern affinities was naturally more agreeable to the Federal author- ities in control of the city and one of that order was organized in 1864, and the church property was conveyed to that organization by deed from "parties signing themselves as surviving trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church, South." The uncompleted house was occupied by the new organiza- tion, and the register of members was taken by that body and lost past re- covery.
At the meeting of St. Louis Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
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church. South held at Jefferson City in 1868, Rev. W. M. Prottsman was appointed in charge of the Springfield station, with instructions to revive the supposably defunct organization. It was found that a number of the former members had died, others had removed from the city, others still had united with the later Methodist body or some other church in the city A few had remained faithful to the Southern church, among whom were John 1 .. Holland, strong Unionist yet living at an extreme age. Samuel Jopes, and James M. Wilhoit, lately deceased. The work of resuscitation was by no means easy, but the man was equal to his task. The church prop- erty was bought back for a little over two thousand dollars and another two thousand dollars was raised to repair and 'fit it for occupancy. On February 7. r869. a new society of twenty-seven members was formed, repairs were begun and the building was dedicated on the first Sunday of May following. The next year a parsonage was placed on the west end of the church building. During Mr. Prottsman's two years of ministry more than one hundred names were added to the church roll.
Then followed years of steady growth and prosperity. Needed repairs were made on church and parsonage, the congregations increasing to such an extent that at the beginning of the present century lots were purchased at the northeast corner of Walnut and Jefferson streets at a cost of seven thou- sand five hundred dollars and preparations were made for the erection thereon of a fourth house of worship. The cornerstone of the new house was laid in June. 1903. by Bishop Hendrix, who on June 29. 1904 conducted the dedication services. A house on the lot was used for a parsonage, but was later replaced by a brick edifice, costing seven thousand five hundred dollars.
Among the early members of the church may be mentioned the names of Majors D. D. Berry and R. J. McElhaney, "Uncle Jimmy" Danforth, Judge John G. Waddell, R. B. Faulkner and Warren S. Graves. Later we find mention of L. H. and T. J. Murray, J. M. Doling, Joseph Jarrett, Bert S. Lee. superintendent W. W. Thomas, J. B. Jewell and George M. Jones, on whose historical sketch, together with personal statements freely made, this account is almost entirely dependent.
Among early pastors of this church may be named McMahan, Joplin. Ashby. Robberson, Winton, McCord Roberts, A. H. Mathis, D. Ross, J. Dines, A. H. Powell and D. M. Proctor. After Prottsman came among others G. W. Horne, Warren Wharton, Thomas M. Cobb, C. H. Briggs, who had a second pastorate in the new church building. In 1884 came W. B. Palmore, lately deceased, who left at the end of a two years' pastorate on the first of his many round-the-world tours. While abroad he purchased the site of the present Campbell street church. In his pastorate the name St. Paul was given to the church. Later came Dr. C. C. Woods, called from his pastorate here to assist Doctor Palmore in the editorship of the St. Louis
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Christian Advocate, succeeding to full control on the death of the latter. Then came John S. Jenkins, W. T. McClure in whose pastorate the new house was erected; J. E. McDonald and W. A. McClanahan, the present pastor.
The last minutes report the present membership of St. Paul as six hun- dred and ten, with ninety-eight members in the Senior and Junior Epworth League : four hundred and twenty-five members in the Sunday school, in- cluding thirty-two officers and teachers, with one hundred and ninety-six members of Women's societies. The estimated value of church property is sixty-seven thousand five hundred dollars.
Campbell Street .- As already stated, Rev. W. B. Palmore negotiated while in China the purchase of a lot in North Springfield at the southwest corner of Campbell and Division streets, with a view to its use by a church to be formed in that newer and rapidly growing region. In the same year, 1886, a class of twelve persons was organized by Rev. W. W. Jared. At first the little company worshiped in Grand Army hall on Commercial street. remaining there until a new home was ready for occupancy. In October, 1887, ground was broken for the new edifice with appropriate exercises conducted by Bishop E. R. Hendrix, and six months later Bishop John C. Granberry conducted the dedication services. A parsonage was afterwards erected on the same lot directly south of the church building.
Among the original members may be named W. A. Reed. J. W. Long. J. H. McClure and wives. Among pastors following Mr. Jared were W. H. Winton, T. M. Cobb, W. P. Buckner. J. C. Givens, who died soon after clos- ing his second year's pastorate, and J. L. Sullens, killed in a tragical acci- dent early in the second year of his pastorate. He was succeeded by a son, W. E. Sullens, after whom came C. Ruyle, M. M. Hawkins and W. G. Beasley, the present pastor.
Nothing striking or spectacular has marked the life of this church for a little more than a quarter of a century. Intimations are beginning to be heard that this Zion is complaining that. "The place is too strait for me." and that a larger home may be demanded in the not distant future.
The membership reported in the last minutes was four hundred and sixty-four with one hundred and twenty-four members in Senior and Junior Epworth Leagues. The Sunday school has twenty-two officers and teach- ers and two hundred pupils. There are flourishing Women's Missionary Societies, home and foreign. The church building is valued at seven thou- sand five hundred dollars; the parsonage at two thousand dollars.
Dale Street .- Not very long after the organization of the Campbell street church steps were taken for the formation of another class in the northeast part of the city, north of the Frisco tracks. The organization was effected under the leadership of Rev. Lafayette McClure, and embraced
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several of the members of the Campbell street church, who for greater con- venience or some other reasons were led to enter the new body. While a number of the original members yet survive it has been found difficult, or even impossible to ascertain the exact date, or even the year of organization. It is recorded that in 1880 a deed was secured to a lot at the southeast corner of Dale and Ramsey streets and a house of worship was erected thereon. It was a wooden structure, to which an addition was made later on the east side. A frame parsonage was erected on a lot immediately south of the church building, to which a considerable addition has been made recently.
In the last conference minutes this church reports four hundred and sixty-four members, with two hundred in Sunday school, besides twenty-two officers and teachers and in two Epworth Leagues one hundred and twenty- four members, and a Women's Society of eighty-five members. The house- of worship is valued at seven thousand five hundred dollars and the parson- age at two thousand dollars, in each case including grounds. The present pastor is Rev. Lawrence Orr. Some of the previous pastors were J. R. Hargis, C. B. Day. W. G. Pike, R. L. Pyle, J. I. Swanson, J. B. Ellis, J. G. Haynes.
St. Luke .- The erection of the new Frisco shops to the northwest of the city, and the consequent removal to that section of a considerable num- ber of families of workmen there demanded the formation of new church organizations in that vicinity. Hence in 1909 a class of the Methodist Epis- copal church. South was organized by Rev. Creed B. Day, with twelve mem- bers. The same year a lot was purchased at the corner of Nettleton and Atlantic streets and the basement of a house of worship was built and occu- pied in February, 1910. On this foundation was erected a brick veneered house of worship which was dedicated in 1913. Rev. C. L. Boehm was pastor in 1910-11, and was succeeded by Rev. W. G. Pike, who served the church for two years, being pastor when the house was dedicated. He was succeeded by Rev. J. R. Hargis, the present pastor, who serves this church every two weeks, alternating with the church at Ozark.
The present membership is reported at eighty, with a Sunday school having an average attendance of seventy and a flourishing Epworth League of twenty-six members. There is also a Ladies' Aid Society and a Woman's Home Missionary Society. The estimated value of the church building is four thousand dollars. No parsonage has yet been erected.
METHODIST PROTESTANT.
First .- Organized some thirty years ago, this church has a frame build- ing as its house of worship, located at the corner of Guy and Phillips streets, valued at one thousand five hundred dollars, and reports a membership of
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seventy-five, with a Sunday school having an enrollment of fifty-one and ten officers, with an average attendance of fifty. On the cradle roll seventeen are reported. The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor reports twenty members. There is a weekly prayer meeting and divine service is held every Sunday.
Previous to last fall Rev. L. A. Smith ministered to this church, residing in Springfield. The present pastor. Rev. E. B. Stribling, resides on a rural route from Monett.
CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.
First Christian .-- It is practically certain that the second church organ- ization in Springfield was one of the Disciples of Christ, now more com- monly designated as Christians. But unfortunately no historic documents are known to exist enabling us to state definitely and fully the facts con- nected with that organization. After careful inquiry no evidence has been found that enables one to state the year of organization. When Francis M. Shockley, now residing at the corner of Lynn and Spring streets, came here as a boy in 1841 this church was in existence and worshiped in the old court house at the center of the Public Square.
On September 1, 1835, a United States land office was opened in Spring- field, with Joel H. Hayden, a Disciple preacher, as register. To him by gen- eral consent is ascribed the founding of the First Christian church in Spring- field. He is also credited with the formation of a number of churches of that faith and order in southwest Missouri. It is reasonable to conclude that the organization here antedates the others: hence we may presume that it was effected in 1835 or 1836.
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