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 69
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Here is possibly the fittest place for saying some things one would gladly leave entirely unsaid. Missouri was a border slave state, and as such was likely the scene of more local disorders during the Civil war and before and after it than other states further north or south. From it went the "border ruffians" into Kansas, then a territory, to meet there the "free state" men, armed with Sharp's rifles, not brought nor used merely for squirrel hunting. There were doubtless atrocities on both sides. John Brown's hands had a crimson stain before he went to Harper's Ferry.
We read in the Apocalypse and "Paradise Lost" of war in heaven. At the present writing European Christendom is engaged in the greatest war ever known in the world's history. Our great war that was the death of slavery is barely half a century behind. Before and during that war the churches on either side were in close sympathy with their respective govern-
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ments. Methodism in Missouri went generally into the southern church. No church opposed to slavery could thrive in the south prior to 1860. A few ministers and churches did not go with the majority. It was next to impossible that they should escape persecution that stopped not even at the shedding of blood. Rev. R. R. Witten's little book of reminiscences tells of experiences and knowledge of facts along this line, while Dr. Charles Elliott's History of Southwestern Methodism, written near the close of the Civil war, is lurid with statements of the same general sort.
Springfield and Greene county were, during most of the war, under Federal control. Brutal murders on both sides are recorded, in several cases by Federal militia.
We are here specially concerned with the murder, on July 28, 1866, of Samuel S. Headlee, a presiding elder of the Springfield district, converted at Ebenezer and studying in the school there, shot, we are told, in Woodard's Annals, in the western edge of Webster county by an assassin abetted and protected by "Northern" Methodists. The fact, without particulars, is all that need be stated here.
Mention is made in Woodard's history of the building of a meeting house at Salem, six miles east of Ebenezer, and later at Bethsada, six miles further east. The two organizations housed in these buildings are said to have united in the Elm Spring church. The two seem to have been located in the present Franklin and Jackson townships, in which are now New Salem and Fair Grove organizations.
YEAKLEY CHAPEL.
This church is said to have been organized in 1865, some of the original member being Yeakleys, Lawsons and Joneses. A house of worship was built in 1870 and dedicated the same year. It was burned January 29, 1883. Another house of worship was erected soon after, in connection with which is a cemetery. This church is yoked with Oakland, Bois D' Arc and Elwood, with a parsonage at the last named place.
ELWOOD.
This church, formerly Center church, was organized in 1875 from mem- bers of the Yeakley chapel organization, who found attendance at that house of worship inconvenient. They worshiped for several years in a school house before erecting a church building. In 1902 it was removed to Elwood and a parsonage was built. Wilson, Lawson, Richardson, Wiley, are among the names in the original organization.
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In the 1883 history mention is made of John's chapel of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, organized in 1875 and worshiping for three years in the Stony Point school house, which was reorganized in 1878, erecting in that year a house of worship near John's mill at a cost of one thousand dol- lars, of which R. T. John gave one-fourth and the church was named after him. 1 find no church corresponding to this description existing at present.
Mention is also made of the Kelley chapel congregation, in the west part of Washington township, organized in 1847, and building a log church that year which was succeeded by a frame house in 1872.
OAKLAND.
This church now a part of the Elwood circuit was organized in 1870 by Lafayette McClure. After worshiping for many years in a school house, they erected a house of worship about 1890, which is valued at one thousand two hundred dollars. They have preaching services once a month, Rev. J. N. Looney being the present pastor. The membership is reported at sixty, and there is a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. A prayer meeting is maintained, but "not regularly."
PHENIX.
This church in Walnut Grove township, was organized in 1889 by Rev. Jacob Shook. The same year a house of worship was built, which is now valued at six hundred dollars. A membership of fifty is reported, with a Sunday school enrollment of the same number. The pastor is Rev. J. J. Keller of Morrisville and they have two preaching services a month and a weekly prayer meeting.
FAIR GROVE.
This church was organized by Rev. W. L. McGuire in 1890, in which year a house of worship was erected of wood and later a parsonage. There is a membership of one hundred and twenty-eight with sixty-four enrolled in Sunday school and thirty-four in an Epworth League. Preaching services are held twice a month, but no prayer meeting is reported. A Woman's Missionary Society has fourteen members. The church property is valued at about three thousand five hundred dollars. The pastor, O. S. Firestone, resides here, supplying also at New Salem.
NEW SALEM.
The church at New Salem was organized June 20, 1909, by Rev. R. J. Kyle, and building the same year a house of worship, this church reports eighty-three members, with an enrollment of forty in Sunday school. Divid-
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ing his time between this church and the one at Fair Grove, the pastor is here twice a month. The house of worship is a frame building valued at three thousand five hundred dollars. These churches have had as pastors in pre- vious years, J. W. Cox, John Klinger, W. P. Buckner, Jacob Shook, and J. T. Swanson, deceased.
WALNUT GROVE. i
Organized about 1870 by Rev. George Winton, this church erected a frame house of worship about 1875, Rev. Jesse Mitchell 'being then pastor and Rev. T. M. Cobb, the presiding elder when the house was dedicated. This church reports a membership of sixty-five, with thirty in Sunday school. Preaching services are held twice a month and a weekly prayer meeting is maintained. Rev. Jacob Shook is pastor, residing at Morrisville. The church property is valued at two thousand five hundred dollars.
METHODIST PROTESTANT. :
BLADES CHAPEL.
The history of this church dates back to 1844. when the division took place in the Methodist Episcopal church. But it cannot be definitely stated whether it was organized at that time, or at a later period, as a Methodist Protestant church. Among the early members occur the names Garoutte, Laney and Blades. After worshiping for a time in the home of Anthony Garoutte they erected a house of worship known as Old Bethel church. During the Civil war the congregation was broken up, but was reorganized in 1867, the names Brittain and McDaniels also appearing in the member- ship at this time. In May, 1872, the house of worship was destroyed by fire and worship was held thereafter for some years in the Grandview school house in Pond Creek township. A recent statement dates the organization of this church in 1889, by Rev. James Turrentine, in which year a frame house of worship was erected, valued at two thousand dollars. This house is located four miles north of Billings, being part of the Billings circuit, having services half the time, conducting also a weekly prayer meeting. They report a membership of fifty and a Sunday school of seventy-five, but no other auxiliary organizations. Among early pastors are named J. J. Bentley, H. Gardner, James M. Darby, S. Warner, A. A. Lawson, Rev. G. W. Qualls, now of Monett is named as a recent pastor, while W. M. Hartin of Aurora serves in that capacity at present.
MOUNT PISGAH.
In 1867 the Missouri Conference of the Methodist Protestant church was organized in the house of worship of the Mount Pisgah church, on Pier-
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son creek, in the east part of Campbell township, and in September, 1914, that conference held with the same church its forty-eighth annual session. The church itself is thought to have been organized about sixty years ago, but by whom cannot now be stated, nor the date at which the house of wor- ship was built. The present membership is reported at one hundred, with seventy-five in Sunday school and eighty in the Young People's Society of Endeavor. There is also a good Ladies' Aid Society of twenty-eight mem- bers. The property is valued at one thousand five hundred dollars. Rev. J. W. Fogle of Springfield is pastor.
GALLOWAY.
The date of this church organization in Clay township is thought to have been about forty years ago. The present pastor is J. W. Fogle, and a membership of sixty-six is reported, with seventy-eight in Sunday school and seventy in Endeavor Society. There is a Ladies' Aid Society of twenty-five members. The church property is valued at one thousand two hundred dollars.
PLEASANT SPRINGS.
This church, with the two named above, is on the Springfield circuit, with the same pastoral supply. There are thirty-three members, with sixty- five in Sunday school. It is in Wilson township. The property is valued at one thousand two hundred dollars.
CRESCENT.
This church in Taylor township was organized in 1893 by Rev. James Ellis, and a frame house of worship was built in 1904. This is valued at one thousand dollars. A membership of fifty is reported, W. J. Johnson being the present pastor. Sunday school membership not reported.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
STRAFFORD.
This church was organized April 9. 1888, by W. C. McGinty, and erected their house of worship in 1892, to which a small addition was made in 1914, the property being valued at one thousand dollars. Services are held twice each month and a prayer meeting is maintained. The church re- ports forty-two members with fifty enrolled in Sunday school.
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REPUBLIC.
This church reported in the last fall's minutes, a membership of 150 with 49 non-residents, with 225 in Sunday school under 28 officers and teachers, and 30 members each in Senior and Junior Epworth League. The estimated value of the church building is $4,500 and of the parsonage, $900. The pastor resigned last fall, having been unable to serve on account of ill health, Rev. H. W. Ormsby, recently from Iowa, has recently been assigned to the pastorate.
PLEASANT VALLEY.
This church, organized in Franklin township by Rev. F. P. Leckliter, in 1905, is united with Battlefield and Strafford in the Springfield circuit. Its house of worship was built as a Union church in 1890 and was bought in 1912 by the Methodist church. It is an exceptional organization in that no Sunday school is reported, nor any prayer meeting. All these three organ- izations last named are served by Loren C. Rapier of Marionville. The church building is valued at five hundred dollars.
COATES.
This church at Ash Grove, in Boone township, reports nearly fifty mem- bers, with a church building valued at one thousand dollars and a parsonage at eight hundred dollars. The enrollment in Sunday school is twenty-six; Epworth League membership, twenty. They conduct a prayer meeting and have preaching services once a month, being supplied, as are the two churches that follow, by Ralph McK. Brewer, of Marionville.
NEW SITE.
Situated also in Boone township, this church reports twenty members and the same number in Sunday school, with twenty-five in the Epworth League. The church building is valued at eight hundred dollars.
CENTER GROVE.
As the name might indicate, this church is situated in Center township, seven miles west of Springfield, has about sixty members with forty-five enrolled in Sunday school, and there is a Ladies' Aid Society of thirty mem- bers. The value of the church property is estimated at eight hundred dol- lars. Services are held here twice a month, once each at the other two appointments.
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LUCK.
Organized in Cass township about ten years ago by Rev. John H. Hurley, this church occupies a house built at about the same time, now valued at one thousand five hundred dollars. It is on the Dadeville circuit and is supplied by Rev. J. F. King, reporting fifty or sixty members and a Ladies' Aid Society. Numbers in Sunday school not stated. District superintendent Sidman and D. Kitton, now of Granby, Missouri, are named among former pastors.
District Superintendent W. D. Sidman has devoted considerable time during the past winter to an endeavor to introduce the Every Member Can- vass to the attention of country churches under his charge. In this effort he made much use of a set of charts and diagrams prepared by leaders of the Methodist Episcopal church, setting forth very clearly the methods and ad- vantages of this method of raising funds for the local expenses and benevol- ent contributions of the church. This work has had results quite satisfactory both to the superintendent and the churches.
PRESBYTERIAN.
The history of the Presbyterian churches in Greene county has been told with a fullness that leaves to the present writer, as his most difficult task that of condensation, with the suggested wish that a like good fortune had fallen to the lot of the First Christian and Grace Methodist Episcopal churches.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES (OLD ORDER).
While several of the original Cumberland churches have entered the larger fellowship, others have not seen fit so to do. In this number is in- cluded the first church of the Presbyterian faith organized in Greene county.
MOUNT COMFORT.
On July 27, 1835 was organized by Rev. Andrew Buchanan, a Cumber- land Presbyterian church to which was given the name Kickapoo, from a tribe of Indians for some years settled in the country in and about what is now Springfield. Later the name Mount Comfort was given to the church, which it still retains. Among the twenty members uniting in this organiza- tion appear the names Dysart, Whitlock and Allen. Among early pastors are named Buchanan, T. M. Johnston, A. A. Young, C. C. Williamson, W. J. Garrett, D. W. Amos. A log house of worship was erected in 1837, and a frame structure, costing eight hundred dollars in 1859. Other churches were "stricken off" from this, the New Providence ("Danforth") church a
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little over two years from its organization. At present this church, under the pastorate of Rev. S. D. Belt, Springfield, R. R. 6, has preaching services once a month, reporting about sixty-five members, a Sunday school number- ing forty-five, a wood and tool house aside from the church, as also a ceme- tery. The value of the property is estimated at one thousand five hundred dollars.
PLEASANT GROVE.
Another of the four churches supplied by Rev. S. D. Belt, this church has a house of worship of wood, neither the date of its erection nor of the formation of the church being stated. The reported membership is thirty- five, the enrollment in Sunday school, thirty; the value of church property being estimated at one thousand two hundred dollars.
WALNUT SPRINGS.
This church, to which Mr. Belt ministers, reports a building of wood, valued at one thousand dollars, a membership of about forty and a Sunday school of the same size, reporting also a Ladies' Missionary Society of twenty- six. But neither date of organization nor of building of the house of wor- ship is reported.
ROSS CHAPEL.
The organization of this church, supplied also by Mr. Belt, is dated February 20, 1896. A frame building used for worship, is valued at five hundred dollars, having been rebuilt in 1903. Thirty-three members are reported with a missionary society of ten, "not meeting at present," the Endeavor Society, however, meeting every Sunday night.
"NORTHERN" PRESBYTERIAN.
Mount Comfort church, originally known as Kickapoo, has already re- ceived attention in its proper place. From that church by vote of Neosho Presbytery, September 27, 1837, was "stricken off another congregation, and on the same day, in the house of Josiah F. Danforth, where they were as- sembled, was organized the New Providence church, more commonly known ever since as the Danforth church. "While the Danforths and the earlier Dillards lived the old church was the scene of precious spiritual manifesta- tions : but for years a feeble remnant has sighed at the mention of former glory."
A frame house of worship of wood was built in 1890, its value estimated at eight hundred dollars. The church reports a present membership of
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twenty-six, with forty in the Sunday school. Rev. W. G. Pike, residing in Springfield, is pastor.
Although the 1883 history reports that there were no churches in Wil- son township, the residents being "so moral and upright that they can dis- pense with churches," the church at Battlefield is reported as organized "about 1875," by A. A. Lawson. But the building of the house of worship. did not come till 1907. It is united in Springfield circuit with Pleasant Valley and Strafford.
CAVE SPRING-MOUNT ZION.
On the 19th of October, 1839, a number of families from East Tennes- see, residing north of Cave Spring were organized into a New School Presby- terian church, bearing the name of Mount Zion. Rev. Ephraim P. Noel was organizer and first pastor. The church was organized in Mrs. Jane- Renshaw's house, six of the original members being related to her, Dillards and Applebys being also represented here. After holding services for some time in private houses, a brush arbor was erected in the spring of 1841, and a shed in the summer which was used extensively for camp meeting services. A son of Jane Renshaw succeeded Mr. Noel in 1842, remaining in the pas- torate till his death in 1857. A large church building of huge logs with an ample fireplace, was erected in 1845. In 1849 this church dismissed eight members to aid in organizing the New School Presbyterian church of Spring- field, as elsewhere related. Later others went to the far West, some to return. others to aid in newer Christian enterprises. The frame structure at present occupied was built at a cost of three thousand five hundred dollars and was dedicated August 22, 1869, with a sermon by Dr. Timothy Hill. Depleted by the Civil war, the church was gathered by Rev. John M. Brown, who found twenty-five members out of an earlier eighty-nine. In 1866 the presbytery of Osage was reorganized in Mount Zion church. In 1899 this church celebrated its sixtieth anniversary. The latest report accessible gives it a membership of eighty-two, with sixty-five in Sunday school and sixty- seven in Endeavor Society. A Ladies' Aid Society reports twenty-three- members. The minister, W. R. Russell, lives at Everton.
BROOKLINE.
Organized March 10, 1841 as Cumberland Union church, out of mem- bers of the New Providence church, by Rev. C. C. Porter, this church erected a house of worship in 1867 a mile or two from the present town of Brook- line. Later a church building was erected at Brookline and the name of the village given the church. During the eighties it was quite prosperous,
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employing a minister for his full time. It now reports seventy-four mem- bers, with one hundred and thirty-eight in Sunday school with preaching twice a month by Rev. H. Pinkston of Verona. A missionary society is. reported.
BELLVIEW.
It is recorded that on April 23, 1849, "at the brick school house in Springfield," Dr. Artemas Bullard of St. Louis and Rev. G. A. M. Renshaw of Cave Spring assisted in the organization of a New School Presbyterian church, made up of eight members from the Mt. Zion church and seven: others, David Appleby being the leading member and one of the ruling elders. This was the original Presbyterian church of Springfield, out of whose mem- bership was organized eleven years later the Old School Calvary church. After holding services in school house, court house and various other places, this church built the house on Jefferson street occupied later for many years by Calvary church. The present house of worship of Bellview church was erected in 1876 at a cost of eight hundred and sixty dollars, and is kept in good repair with the cemetery grounds in the rear. A membership of thir- teen is reported in the last minutes. Rev. U. G. Schell is stated supply of this and three other churches, and A. B. Appleby, grandson of David, is a ruling elder.
PLEASANT DIVIDE.
A church of this name is reported in the minutes of the synod of Mis- souri as organized in 1850, having a frame house of worship and a ceme- tery in connection with it. Ten members are reported, but the number of members in the Sunday school is not stated, nor any ministerial supply and W. D. Ferrell is named as the only elder and superintendent.
WALNUT GROVE.
On July 7, 1853, nineteen members were dismissed from the Cave Spring church to organize the Walnut Grove church. After a brief exist- ence this church was dissolved and the members returned to their former home. The synodical minutes do not indicate the time when the present Walnut Grove church was organized, but give at last report thirty-eight members, supplied once a month by Rev. W. C. Hicks of Bolivar. Numbers. of the Sunday school and of the Endeavor Society are not recorded.
OAK GROVE.
In the synodical minutes a church is reported at Oak Grove, organized® in 1866 and 1907, with sixteen members and thirty-eight in a union Sunday-
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school, a frame house of worship and a cemetery in connection with the church building. Rev. W. A. Denby of Walnut Grove is named as stated supply.
ASHI GROVE.
The Cumberland church of Ash Grove was organized March 22, 1868, the names of Appleby, Clinton, Brown and others appearing in the original membership. A frame building was erected at a cost of two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. April 16, 1873, a Presbyterian church was organized by Rev. J. M. Brown. During the ministry of Rev. W. L. Hackett, 1903-04. their house of worship was destroyed by fire and they began wor- shiping with the Cumberland church in their edifice. Rev. S. V. Syden- strecker, coming the next year, was employed by the two congregations, which remained virtually one, until their formal consolidation in 1907. The house of worship was repaired and a fine manse was erected, both heated by furnace. Junior Endeavor and missionary societies are reported, and a very helpful Ladies' Aid Society. Services are held every Sabbath and the Sunday school reports one hundred and ten members, Rev. David N. Good being pastor. The church property is valued at six thousand dollars.
WILLARD.
In September, 1879, Rev. Enos M. Halbert organized the church of Grand Prairie and was its first pastor. Next came George F. Davis, min- istering for the next three years, and again in 1885, the church having. be- come nearly extinct in the interim. A house of worship was erected and dedicated in 1887, and the church took the name it now bears, of Willard. Rev. W. C. Hicks of Bolivar is stated supply. The membership is re- ported as thirty-one : number in Sunday school not stated.
EVANS.
Organized in 1897, the church at Evans reports fifteen members, with thirty in Sunday school. worshiping in a frame house of worship, Rev. W. G. Pike, of Springfield, being pastor.
BAPTIST.
The Greene County Baptist Association was organized at Friendship church in Robberson township, October 23, 1873, with Rev. J. S. Buckner as moderator and W. D. Sheppard as scribe. Six churches were represented in the organization, including one in Polk county, with an aggregate of three hundred and ninety members. The minutes of 1914 report forty-one
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churches, including three outside of Greene county, with an aggregate mem- bership of five thousand seven hundred and sixty-two, or if we deduct the membership outside of Greene county, five thousand four hundred and eighty- three. J. S. Buckner served as moderator for thirty years; C. F. Corum was treasurer for twenty years and E. T. Sloan was clerk fifteen years. These offices are now held by W. O. Anderson, H. E. Richmond and D. P. Brockus, Jr. The last meeting was held with the Walnut Grove church.
MOUNT PLEASANT.
This church, in Murray township, was the first organized in Greene county. This was in 1838 with thirteen charter members. The first pastor was William Tatum, followed, among others, by D. R. Murphy, G. W. White, J. E. B. Justice and C. F. Corum. Tatum, Simmons and Johnson are names mentioned in the original membership.
Their first house of worship was erected in 1842. A second in process of erection was wrecked by a storm, December 4, 1880; a third was dedi- cated January 8, 1882. The present membership is reported as one hundred and fifty-seven, with thirty-eight in Sunday school. Rev. Edward T. Sloan is pastor, succeeding M. A. Crocker of Pearl.
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