USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > Past and present of Nodaway County, Missouri Volume I > Part 14
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It is not easy to express the condition of public opinion and affairs dur- ing the next few years. The town was new ; the people had come from many different states and from England. Germany and the Isle of Man; there was a diversity of opinion; there were jealousies, clashes and bickerings over town and school matters. One school election was very exciting and hinged upon which of the two banks had most friends in the district, as each bank wished to have custody of the school funds. Times were close and taxes high ; available funds for the teachers' wages were small ; but the bonds were paid as they came due and better times for the school seemed imminent.
In the meantime the walls of the school house showed signs of weaken- ing. Rods were put through the house from wall to wall. During high winds the school would be dismissed. The board forbade the assembling of the school in the second story : and finally, in 1899, the building was con- demned as being unsafe. There was still a small indebtedness on it.
Bonds were voted for a new building and the old indebtedness covered by them. The building was erected, which is now occupied by the school, a structure whose foundation and walls seemingly will withstand an earth- quake. The rooms were ready for occupancy late in the fall of 1899. Since then the sixth room has been furnished and also a room in the basement fitted up for a laboratory, minus a good deal of apparatus hoped to be obtained in the near future.
The library is furnished with books suitable for the use of all grades of the school. Each year additions are made to it. the latest being a set of fine encyclopedias.
The bonds for the building will be finally paid in 1911, only two more payments being due and these being lower than the former payments. More room and a larger number of teachers are needed to bring the school to a higher plane of efficiency.
In 1899, a two-years high school course was arranged, and in 1900 the
(10)
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first class of four graduates finished the school. A third year of high school work has been added.
A flourishing Alumni Association has been formed.
The commencement exercises each year and the annual alumni banquet add a pleasing feature to the life of the school.
CHAPTER XII.
THE CHURCHES OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
The settlement of the county and the organization of the churches were almost at one and the same time. The virgin soil had scarcely been disturbed by the plow, when the pioneer began to plant the good seed of Christianity. From the earliest days of the church as conceived of and brought into the world by the advent of the Man of Galilee, it has been noticed that the church and true civilization have ever gone hand in hand-both Catholic and Protestant denominations have filled a useful mission in all new countries on the globe. In the rude huts of the pioneers was proclaimed the gospel. the same Word of Life that is taught in the costly tabernacles and cathedrals of the older settled countries. It is true, that in time's march the church has attained greater wealth and practices a wider benevolence. It has possibly gained a firmer discipline and wields a more general influence, but for all this, we find by reading the records of the pioneer days in Nodaway county that the religion as then taught was the one taught and practiced by the Christ nineteen centuries before the sound of a church-going bell was ever heard in the pretty valleys of the territory named Nodaway county.
The Methodists, representing the Protestant faith, and the Roman Cath- olic church were the first to bear aloft the banner of the Christian religion in Nodaway county. The first church was organized in Hughes township, in 1840, with the following members: Mr. and Mrs. James Finch, Mrs. Joel Hedgepeth and Ruth Hedgepeth. The first two ministers in charge of this Methodist church were Rev. Reuben Aldridge, in 1840, and Rev. Benjamin R. Baxter, in 1842. They were succeeded by Rev. Alexander Spencer in 1844. He who became Bishop Marvin was one of the pioneer ministers in this sec- tion of Missouri. Among the early ministers whose names should never be lost with the lapse of time were Revs. W. G. Caples and Shyves, of the Meth- odist denomination, and Rev. E. A. Carson, the first Presbyterian minister to preach within this county. He held meetings at what was known as the Saunders school house, located three miles west of present Arkoe, in White Cloud township. About the same time of the Methodists' work, came Father Powers of the Catholic church, who planted the church of his choice here.
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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES.
Methodism was one of the pioneer religious societies in Nodaway county. as it has usually been in all new countries. Before entering into the history of these churches, the reader will have his attention called to some facts con- cerning the strength of this denomination in the county today (1910). The subjoined is from the 1909 conference reports and shows the points at which churches are now located, the number of members, value of property, etc. :
Barnard charge-199 members; number of churches, four ; valuation of church property. $6.000.
Burlington Junction charge-245 members : churches, three : valuation of church property, $7.500.
Clearmont charge-151 members; churches, one: valuation of church property. $6,000.
Elmo charge-134 members: number of churches, three: valuation of property, $4.100.
Graham charge-165 members; three churches; valuation of church property. $10.000.
Hopkins charge-254 members : one church : valuation of property. $14 .- 500.
Maryville-614 members : churches, one : value of church property. $35 .- 000.
Pickering charge-190 members: number of churches, three: valua- tion. $5.500.
Quitman charge-144 members : number of churches, three; valuation. $5.000.
Rosendale charge-44 members; churches, two: valuation, $1.900.
Skidmore charge-189 members: number of churches, two: valuation. $II.200.
The total membership, as per the last conference minutes, for Nodaway county, is 2,339 in good standing and full connection.
The total number of churches in the county is twenty-six.
Total value of church property in county for this denomination in 1909 was placed at $106.700.
According to the conference reports of 1909 the Methodist Episcopal church South in Nodaway county had the following :
Barnard circuit-220 members: four houses of worship: valuation of property, $13,000.
Elmo circuit-205 members : two houses of worship. valued at $7.000.
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Skidmore circuit-174 members: three houses of worship, valued at $5,000.
Maryville station-163 members; one house of worship, valued at $12,- 000.
Total number of members in county, 762 : total number of church edifices, ten, and total value of same. $37,000.
The first Methodist Episcopal church organized within Nodaway county (and it is also placed as the first religious organization of any church faith in the county ) was the Methodist church, formed in Hughes township in 1840. The charter members have already been given. The earliest pastors were: Revs. Aldrich, Baxter and Alexander Spencer, who had charge up to 1844-45.
About the date last given, the church was divided over the slavery ques- tion and other political differences. Rev. Aldrich went with the Northern wing of the church, while Rev. Baxter espoused the cause of the Methodist church South, as it is still known, each branch of Methodism working under its own church government and having its separate conferences and bishops. even to this day, despite the frequent attempts at bringing about a union of the two factions. It was in 1846 when the first Methodist Episcopal church South was organized in Nodaway county, and of which a history is given at another place in this volume.
What was styled the "Burr Oak" Methodist Episcopal church was organ- ized about 1860. in Monroe township, and had a membership of seventy in 1882. It had a church edifice at that date valued at one thousand five hundred dollars.
The German Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1869, by Nicholas Dilk. L. Geyes, George Hartman and Dr. Eberlin. A church edifice was dedicated in 1875 at Graham village, the cost of the structure being one thousand eight hundred dollars.
Several years prior to 1864 there had been organized a class at the house of Robert Rea in section 18. township 62, range 36. of Hughes town- ship, which consisted of Robert Rea. Eliza Rea. Jane M. Rea and a colored lady. Celia Vance. This class was re-organized in 1864 at Graham with the following membership: Robert Rea, Eliza A. Rea, Jane M. Rea. Mary Ben- der. Aaron Cole, Sr., and George W. Osea Cole. A church was erected in 1869. a frame structure costing two thousand dollars, and which was ded- icated in 1869 by W. H. Flowers. A parsonage was also built at a cost of five hundred dollars. Among the earlier pastors at this point may be named :
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Revs. L. V. Morton, W. H. Turner, W. Cowden, William Hanley, J. G. Thompson, J. G. Breed, B. T. Stanber. Robert Deviling, S. H. Enyart and J. A. Shewalter. The Graham charge now has three churches, one hundred and sixty-five members, and the valuation of its church property is ten thousand dollars.
It may be added that at Graham, the present Methodist Episcopal con- gregation erected its new church in 1903, the old one having burned.
The Ohio Methodist Episcopal church, located in Nodaway township. was organized in the spring of 1861, the first year of the Civil war. Its original members were C. H. Lavis and family. Thomas Casken and family, Miss Helten Westfall, who later married Samuel Casken, and Mrs. Hopsinger. Services were held in a log school house in section 10, one mile northeast of Burlington Junction, until the completion of a frame church erected in 1876. Before the organization of this church, services were frequently held at different houses by Revs. John R. Chamberlain and Buren. The church cost two thousand five hundred dollars and was dedicated by Rev. Benjamin St. James Frey, of St. Louis, and in 1882 the membership of the society had reached one hundred and eight.
The Methodist Episcopal circuit was organized about 1870, in the neigh- borhood of present Hopkins. The first membership included Samuel Mc- Farland and wife, Speidel and family, T. M. Cole and wife, John Townsand and wife, Rev. Jesse Herbert and family, J. B. Townsand and wife, E. V. Willard and family, John Lyttle and family, Robert Hook and wife, N. H. Herbert and wife and Margaret Boatman.
At a cost of two thousand dollars, a neat church edifice was erected in 1872 and ten years later the record shows the membership to have been sixty. What is known as the S. K. Wray Memorial Methodist Episcopal church at Hopkins was dedicated in 1901 ; it is a fine, modern, frame structure.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Quitman was organized in 1871, with the following original membership: G. E. Basom, Jane Basom, W. T. Rad- ford, C. A. Radford, Thomas Bond and Mrs. E. O. Manning. The record shows that in 1881 this church possessed a good building, valued at one thou- sand five hundred dollars, and had a membership of thirty. At first the mem- bership had a hard struggle, but, with faith and plenty of courage, finally suc- ceeded in building up a worthy Christian community. The Quitman charge now has a membership of one hundred and forty-four and three church edi- fices. the property being valued at five thousand dollars.
In 1873 there was organized a Methodist Episcopal church in Hughes township in section 34, township 37, range 62. There the first members were
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Daniel Dodge, Amelia Dodge. John Ashford. John Aldridge, Fanny Aldridge, Stephen Davis, Susan Davis, Edwin Davis, Wilson McMurray, Rev. A. K. Miller and George Ingman. Church services were held in a farme school house. Ten years later the membership was only fourteen.
Sometime between 1870 and 1877 a Methodist Episcopal church was formed in Washington township, near the present village of Guilford. In 1881 it appears from the conference minutes that eighteen members wor- shipped at Guilford and thirty-five at Pleasant View school house. The orig- inal church edifice at Guilford cost eight hundred dollars.
The church of this denomination at Pickering belongs to the Pickering circuit and was detached from Hopkins circuit in 1871, when Rev. W. Cow- ley was pastor. A church building was provided in 1874, at an expense of two thousand dollars. There were also five other appointments on this circuit and another building at Sweet Home. At Pickering a parsonage was erected, at a cost of six hundred and fifty dollars.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Barnard was formed in 1871, the following being the charter membership: John R. Phipps and wife, Martin Baker and wife, Amos Baker and wife, Mr. Bartlett and wife, Mrs. David Wilson and Miss Martha Wilson. During the first year services were held at the depot by Rev. Cowden and subsequently in the school house by Rev. A. K. Miller. Under Rev. Isaac Chivington a church was erected at a cost of one thousand five hundred dollars. During the earlier years of this society there were several great revivals. The Barnard charge now has a member- ship of one hundred and ninety-nine, and four churches, valued at six thou- sand dollars.
In 1880 there was organized a Methodist Episcopal church at Skidmore, with original members as follows: Wesley Clark, Mrs. Lucy Clark, Mrs. Catherine Clark, Joseph Van Ausdall, James Parshall, Thomas Clark, Strat- ford Saunders and wife, Marshall Lyle, A. B. Hull, James Day, John Pickett, William Barber, W. R. Hays and wife, W. J. Berry and wife. William Ken- nada, Mrs. Julia Clark, Mrs. Polly Lyle, Mrs. Ruthilla Parshall, Matilda A. Pickett, Mrs. William Barber, Mrs. Martha Kennada and Miss Mary Ken- neda. The Skidmore circuit now has a membership of one hundred and eighty-nine, two church buildings and property value at eleven thousand two hundred dollars.
METHODISM IN MARYVILLE.
The Methodist Episcopal church at Maryville is an old religious institu- tion, but the earliest historical items have, with the passing of the years, been neglected as a matter of record and now even tradition seems silent as to
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many things concerning the early church at this point and many things con- nected with the early class here organized by the pioneers. At the division of the church-the formation of the Church South-in 1844, Benjamin Baxter and Reuben Aldrich were pastors; the former went with the Southern side. while the latter remained loyal to the parent church in the North. Mr. Aldrich continued to preach for two years, and was succeeded by Rev. I. M. Burns, who continued on the circuit two years. About this time, 1847. the political agitation became so great that the appointment of ministers was interrupted somewhat.
In 1855 Rev. Bowman was pastor, his circuit including Maryville, Baker's school house, Saunder's school house, Honey Creek, Ball's school house, one- half mile from where Pickering now .stands, Samuel Wiseman's residence, and at Sturgil's Grove. Other points at which meetings were held and preach- ing kept up were: Seven miles northwest of Maryville, at the house of Colonel Davis : fifteen miles northwest, at the residence of Mr. Houston, near the Iowa line: at the residence of Samuel Nash, east of Pickering. and at Father Markee's, about eleven miles east of town. This circuit was traveled every four weeks. Rev. Bowman was followed by Father Clemens.
In October. 1856. Rev. J. K. Chamberlain was appointed to the Mary- ville charge and on April 15. 1857. he wrote to the Central Christian Advocate as follows :
"This morning, the middle of April, finds us in the enjoyment of good health, inhaling the strong, bracing wind from the northwest. Last night we had quite a smell of Jack frost, who has been so faithful all winter and thus far in the spring. This morning the sloughs are frozen sufficient to bear up a horse and his rider: the ice is frozen to the depth of two inches. Last October, at the session of our conference, I received my appointment from the Bishop, which was to take charge of the Maryville circuit, which embraces Nodaway county, but on account of a spell of sickness immediately after the conference I did not reach my appointment untl the middle of November. When I arrived I found a parsonage in the town of Maryville, which had been erected some years before under the labor of Brother Bowman. We soon collected sufficient material and had the parsonage completed, since which time I have endeavored to fulfill my appointment. I feel thankful to the good Lord for the manifestations of His presence at our meetings."
Rev. Chamberlain was succeeded by D. W. David, John Morehead and Mr. Beggs, who was appointed at the conference at Hannibal in March. 1863. At that date the Methodists had three districts and only forty-three preachers in Missouri. Here is given an extract from a letter by Rev. Beggs at that clate :
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"Then Savannah, in Andrew county, was the nearest railroad station. My second year I preached in a small frame school house fronting on a street running east and west, one block north of the court house. The old parsonage stood on the same street. The soldiers of the government were using the parsonage for a stable, and we rented a house to live in the first year. The next year we re-plastered and fitted up the old parsonage, and moved into it the next day after the plasterers were done with their work. We put up with Bro. William Davis, who kept the old tavern. Brother Davis has gone to his reward in heaven. My appointments were Maryville, Pleasant View, eight miles north. Highland Grove, Xenia, Colonel Davis', on the Nodaway river, Manley's, still west of Colonel Davis, Moreland's school house, Quit- man, Hanna's, Bradyville, in lowa, Huberts, also in Taylor county, Iowa; also one more west of Bradyville, in Iowa, and Baker's school house, about ten or fifteen miles south of Maryville."
When Rev. Beggs was on the circuit there was a Sunday school held in the court house, and William H. Davis was its superintendent. The first year Rev. Beggs received for his salary four hundred dollars and for his second year four hundred and fifty dollars.
Following Rev. Beggs came Rev. Daniel Hockett, and it was during his pastorate that the first church building was erected in Maryville-at least com- menced. It was also the first Protestant church edifice in the town, and every- one rendered all possible assistance. Brick sold at twelve dollars per thousand, and lumber at seventy-five dollars per thousand feet. Rev. Hockett left before the second year was finished. His colleague, a local preacher, was left on the circuit. He came to town one Sunday and gave out his hymn, but before the choir could sing. the minister, who did not like choirs and organs, started and sang the hymn. The result was that Maryville was without regular preaching for several months, being supplied by local preachers.
Rev. Charles Stocking preached his first sermon in Maryville January 22, 1869. He wrote as follows :
"The membership, as I remember, numbered forty-one. The Sunday school numbered some thirty during the month of February and until con- ference in March, when a gracious revival, resulting in the addition of about thirty-five, was made to the society. At this conference, held at Chillicothe, Bishop E. E. Janes presiding, Maryville was made a station, and I was re- turned to it, and it was my first regular appointment. Rev. L. V. Morton was appointed to the circuit. At once we counseled together as to how the debt of six thousand five hundred dollars could be raised. The circuit still felt a
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great interest in the church at the county seat, and grandly offered to stand with us in our effort to save the property, which was threatened with sale. During that year we raised and paid four thousand five hundred dollars, leaving two thousand dollars."
Rev. Stocking was succeeded by J. S. Barwick, J. T. Boyle and S. W. Thornton, through whose efforts the church was finally freed from debt.
Next came Rev. J. W. Caughlin, and during his pastorate arose a debate between him, representing the Methodist church, and Professor Bush, rep- resenting the Christian church. Rev. S. W. Thornton was returned in 1877, but for the benefit of the health of his wife he took a transfer to the mountains, and Rev. D. B. Lake was appointed. He left the church with a membership of two hundred and seventeen-probationers, seventeen ; members in Sunday school, one hundred and fifty.
Rev. Lake was pastor of the church from September, 1877, to March, 1880, and was succeeded by Rev. J. R. Sassen, who remained until March, 1881. During his pastorate there was a marked improvement in church repairs, the society expending about five hundred dollars. Following him came Rev. J. M. Parker, and during the first part of his labors a par- sonage was purchased, at a cost of one thousand seven hundred dollars, and the church showed a membership (in 1882) of one hundred and fifty.
Ira K. Alderman was elected delegate to the lay electoral conference, held at Trenton, Missouri, in March, 1880. At this conference, Judge Alder- man was elected delegate to the general conference. held in Cincinnati, Ohio. in May, 1880.
Other pastors of this church have been: Revs. Reuben Aldridge, I. M. Burns, Bowman, J. C. Chamberlain, Beggs, Daniel Hockett, Charles Stock- ing. J. S. Barwick, J. T. Boyle, S. W. Thornton, J. W. Coughlin, D. B. Lake. J. R. Sassen, J. M. Parker, J. A. Canady. John Gilles. J. H. Cox, D. M. Yetter. J. R. Payne, George L. Haight, E. B. Lytle, R. L. Thompson, Grant A. Robbins, S. S. Martin.
The present magnificent edifice was commenced in the summer of 1893 and dedicated May 19, 1894, by Revs. Moore and Cranston, who later be- came bishops. The society is now free from debt. This church cost, includ- ing the organ, thirty thousand dollars. It stands on lots cornerwise from the old church and fronts on Main street. It is a brick structure. built on strictly modern church building plans.
The present membership is about six hundred and seventy-five. more than forty-five having been taken into the church during the last revival per- iod-1909-10-under Rev. S. S. Martin's ministry.
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In addition to the regular First Methodist Episcopal church of Mary- ville, there is a mission church in the east end of the city, which is supplied by various preachers, including the pastor of the First church and Rev. Johns.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH.
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The Methodist Episcopal church South was organized about the year 1846 in Nodaway county. In the early history of the church, services were held in the court house, which building was torn down in 1881. The original members of this organization had, by 1882, all died or removed from the county. The first church edifice of this society was erected in 1867, during the pastorate of Rev. James Hyder, at a cost of about three thousand dollars. In 1876 a parsonage was provided on the same lot on which the first church building stood, and its cost, was five hundred dollars. During the Civil war the church was almost broken up and services were necessarily suspended for a period of more than three years. Among the preachers who have served this church are the following: Revs. William Ketron, Larkin Adamson. James S. Shive, William Shaw, William Bradford, William F. Bell, John D. Turner, Alexander Spencer, B. R. Baxter, S. C. Littlepage, H. H. Craig, R. A. Austin, D. C. Blackwell. W. H. Albright, G. H. Newton, J. McEwen, H. A. Davis, James Hyder, C. Grimes, A. P. Parker, William Barnett, C. A. Sherman, John Anderson, L. F. Linn. D. C. O'Howell. H. C. Bolen, Robert White. R. H. Cooper, D. F. Bone, C. Grimes, A. V. Bayley, John H. Shelton. T. E. Sharp, Frank Siler, S. P. Cresap, H. C. Bolen, C. W. Webdell ( 1900-02). Paul H. Linn (1902-04). A. C. Johnson ( 1904-07). S. H. Bab- cock (1907-08). W. J. Parvin.
The present fine church edifice was erected in 1890-91. is of brick and is situated on the corner of Second and Buchanan streets. Its cost, exclusive of the grounds, was ten thousand dollars. The lots also have a good frame par- sonage, erected in 1892, and also there is a fine brick row of "flats" on the block. which rents easily and helps support the church.
The present membership of the Maryville church is about one hundred and sixty-three.
In 1858 a church organization of this branch of Methodism was per- fected at Guilford, this county, with the following named members: Amos Daniel and wife. Sidney Smith and wife, J. Hugh McClanahan and wife. Elisha Carigo and wife, Isaac Sharp and wife and Mrs. Catherine Edwards. During the Civil war period this church was virtually put out of commission
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by reason of many of its members being absent in the war. In 1882 the estimated value of the property of this society was one thousand five hundred dollars.
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