USA > Missouri > Presbyterianism in the Ozarks : a history of the work of the various branches of the Presbyterian Church in Southwest Missouri, 1834-1907 > Part 14
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"LO! I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS."
So far as we know the result of this action has come up to their most sanguine expectations. The evening services were at once well attended, the pastor was greatly encouraged. * * * The people were delighted by the new tokens of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and with increased hopefulness the work began to go forward in their midst.
The ministers who have served this church are: John Cowan, pastor-elect, fall of 1860; Rev. F. H. Wines, S. S., spring of 1861
"FORSAKE NOT THE ASSEMBLING OF YOURSELVES TOGETHER."
"WHATSOEVER THY HAND FINDETH TO DO, DO IT WITH THY MIGHT."
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and fall of 1864 in connection with post chaplaincy ; Rev. W. R. Fulton, S. S., spring of 1865; Rev. John Giffen, fall of 65; Rev. James A. Paige, pastor, November, 1866, to November, 1871; Rev. C. H. Dunlap, pastor-elect, April, '72 -- November. '79; Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D., S. S., November, '79,-April, '81; Rev. D. P. Putnam, D. D., pastor, April, 81, to October, '87: Rev. T. H. Cle- land, D. D., pastor, January, '88,-June, '94; Rev. J. E. Sentz, pastor, October, '84,-May, '97; Rev. Asa Leard, D. D., pastor, September, 97,-November, 1900; Rev. Henry Little, pastor, April. 1901.
The church has sent out three colonies to form other churches -- thirteen to form the Central Congregational Church in 1883, twenty-one to form the Second Presbyterian Church in February, 1885, and thirty-one to form the Westminster Presbyterian U. S. Church in July of the same year.
For many years the church has maintained an enviable rec- ord for benevolence. As far back as 1874, with a membership of 185, it reported $121.15 for home missions and $112.90 for foreign missions. For a number of years it has maintained the mission known as Fairmount Chapel. To this, under the pas- torate of the lamented Dr. Leard, was added the mission which since his death has borne his name. Then, under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Little, the church assumed the support of Rev. Charles Magill as its missionary pastor in the Philippines. Mrs. Henry Sheppard, the sole surviving member of the original or- ganization, whose name is still on the roll, has been a tower of strength to the church. Her husband was its chief financial sup- port in the early years of the church. Their hospitable home held "the prophet's chamber" and frequently housed "the whole Presbytery." Since his death her benefactions have blessed many worthy causes beyond the bounds of the church. The ses- sion has had but two clerks. At the death of Charles Sheppard in 1886 he was succeeded in that position by the present clerk, William R. Gorton. A few months before the organization of the Ozark Presbytery in 1870 Mr. Gorton was elected to the elder- ship-a position he retains to this day. Probably no other man has served the Presbytery as temporary clerk as frequently as W. R. Gorton.
BOLIVAR (POLK COUNTY).
In the list of the churches of Osage Presbytery furnished Dr. Timothy Hill by Rev. Levi Morrison in 1861 is this entry : "7, Bolivar, never existed, I think."
In early days Bolivar seems to have been a rendezvous for both New School and Old School ministers. Some of them lived
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here, and it seems probable that considerable preaching was done prior to an organization. Near by was the Hermon Church, and Bolivar could not have been far off of the line of travel between the flourishing churches of North Prairie, in Hickory County, and Mount Zion, in Greene County. At the organization of the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri June, 1865, Bolivar is found on the roll According to the ministers of Lafayette Presbytery, it was organized by Rev. D. A. Murdock, and was enrolled April 13, 1861, but this may have been a resuscitation of the New School work at the same place. When the Presbytery of South- west Missouri was organized this church was practically extinct. The records of Ozark Presbytery indicate that it was subse- quently organized in 1871, and again it was enrolled September 20, 1883. This entry states that it was organized by Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D., Presbyterian missionary. Since this date the church has had a continuous existence with the usual vicissitudes of a home mission church, accentuated by the fact that its mem- bers have cherished intellectual ideals that have called for pas- tors of more ability than they have been able to secure regularly. Hence the growth of the church has been retarded by frequent and protracted vacancies in the pulpit. Elders Abbe, Drake, Lyman and White have been familiar figures on the floor of Presbytery. Of these White alone remains. Within a few years the membership has been sadly depleted by the death or removal of a number of those regarded as the backbone of the church. If the means of grace had been sustained regularly in this church I doubt not that today Bolivar would be one of the self-sustain- ing churches in the Presbytery, giving its pastor an adequate support for full time. The church has a commodious house of worship and a good parsonagae.
(BRECKENRIDGE).
(NORTH SPRING RIVER) (JASPER COUNTY).
In the roll of churches presented to the Presbytery of South- west Missouri September 30, 1865, these names occur. In the minutes of September 13. 1867, is this entry: "Breckenridge Church being reported extinct, was on motion ordered to be stricken from the roll." I find no further mention of North Spring River. It either disappeared or else, as is often the case, appears hy another name. It was organized by Rev. John McFar- land, and was enrolled by the Presbytery of Lafayette April 13, 1861.
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CARTHAGE (JASPER COUNTY).
Prior to the Civil War Revs. John McFarland and W. R. Fulton did considerable pioneer work in Jasper County. But while permanent centers of Presbyterian activities were estab- lished in Dade, Lawrence and Greene counties. if any organiza- tions were effected in Jasper, with the exception of North Spring River, they are so deeply buried in oblivion that I have not dis- covered their remains.
Shortly after the Civil War the church seized a strategic point in the county seat and from this center radiated in nearly all directions. The country districts in this county were destined to be the field of most effective operations during the seventies. whilst the infant organizations planted in the embryo mining centers during this same decade were destined to attain wealth, power and influence a quarter of a century later. Meanwhile the center had by no means yielded to the circumference in these directions. The first Presbyterian Church of Carthage was or- ganized Angust 4th, 1867. For the next eleven years the Presby- tery devoted unusual attention to the planting and establishing its. work in Jasper County. Ten churches were organized, in- cluding the Carthage Church, and five of these erected honses of worship. To aid in the erection of these churches the Board of Church Erection spent $3,500, and the Home Board probably spent as much as $1,200. Not one of these churches attained self- support during this period. The Carthage Church was recom- mended for $400 home mission aid as late as 1877. and was rec- ommended again in 1879, the amount not stated. Thus of all parts of the Presbytery may it be said: "Freely ye have re- ceived," and it is certainly doing violence to the spirit of the Mas- ter to omit in practice the rest of his words, "Freely give." This church has had one asset that makes it unique among the churches of Southwest Missouri Presbyterianism. In the days of my youth and for a number of years the news columns of the re- ligious papers teemed with items of interest from the Carthage Church-always signed "Sadie P. Kellogg." Whether the said Sadie was blushing maiden, matured maid or silvered matron I never knew, but I have often thought that a church with such an efficient reporter in its laity is certainly blessed. And if this item suggests a new sphere of usefulness to some dominant "Sadie" in my own or other churches it will have answered its purpose.
Mr. D. M. Knight, an elder in the church and the son of Rev. W. S. Knight, D. D., furnished the following sketch :
(N. B .- This is the completest sketch and practically the only one I have received fully written out from any church in the
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Presbytery, and I insert it as it was written, though it carries the history to a later date than that of the other churches.)
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CARTHAGE, MO.
The history of Carthage and of the First Presbyterian Church are so closely related that a little regarding the early days of the town must necessarily interest the reader.
The site of Carthage, the county seat of Jasper County, was chosen by two commissioners, Abel Landers and George Barker, who were appointed by the County Court in 1842 for that pur- pose. A plat of the city was furnished to the court on May 15th of that year.
The population was estimated at from 400 to 500 inhabitants in 1861, at the time of the breaking out of the war, when the region became the scene of active conflict, the Battle of Carthage, being fought July 5th, 1861. After the fight the few citizens who remained were ordered to leave the town, some going to Fort Scott, Kan., others to Springfield and elsewhere. The place, de- serted, became at different times a rendezvous for the armies of both sides, and during the years of 1862 and 1863 almost every building in the town was reduced to ruins, including residences, store buildings, the court house, jail and academy. Only the stone fireplaces and chimneys, standing here and there, marked the places were many of the houses had stood.
As soon as peace was restored, however, people again began coming to settle in Carthage, attracted by the wonderful beauty of the country, its resources and the fine natural location for the town. At that time could be seen a land which was generally a high rolling prairie, crossed by small rivers; fine orchards and grazing lands met great stretches of forests. The railroads ex- tended as far as Springfield on the east, Sedalia on the north and Fort Scott on the west. Everything was in readiness to become . permanently settled and develop rapidly and extensively, as has been shown to have been inevitable. Men who had passed over the region during the war were so attracted to it that they soon returned to make it their home, and people were drawn to it from almost every part of the country.
Two pioneer Presbyterian ministers, Rev. John McFarland and Rev. William R. Fulton, looked after the interests of Pres- byterianism in this part of Missouri. And with their aid, on August 4, 1867. the First Presbyterian Church of Carthage was organized in what was known as Dunlap's Hall, on the south side of the public square.
Eleven members constituted the church, as follows: Almon Foster and Mrs. Sarah R. Foster, of Crown Point, Ind .; Benja-
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min Beard and Mrs. M. O. Beard, from Franklin. Iowa: Mrs Sarah Lamb, from Thornton, Ind .: Alfred C. Baldwin and Mrs. Isabel Mitchell, from Hebron. Ind .: W. B. List, from Illinois; Mrs. L. L. Dunlap, from Texas: W. P. Davis and Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, from Fort Scott, Kan.
Mr. Benjamin Beard. a certified elder, was elected and in- stalled as ruling elder. The young church held their services in various halls in the city for the first three years. After leaving Dunlap's Hall, in which the church was organized, the congre- gation worshiped in a building on the northeast corner of the square. In the meantime active measures were taken to ereet a permanent house of worship on two well located lots on Grant street, three blocks south of the public square. From January. 1870, to November services were held in Regan's Hall. from which they were transferred to the new church building. then completed and costing in the aggregate. for lots and building. $6.500.
By invitation of the church Rev. John W. Pinkerton entered on his labors as stated supply for one-half of his time on the last Sabbath of September, 1867. He was a man concerning whom the uniform testimony is given that he was loved and respected by all who knew him. His ministry extended over a period of nearly five years. up to the time of his resignation. August 15. 1872. During his pastorate he had as his assistants in the ses- sion Messrs. Benjamin Beard, Dr. A. C. Schell, Richard S. Stuckey. Richard Bulgin, George W. Lemley and J. D. Young. There were connected with the church in all during his ministry ninety- eight members. eighty by letter and eighteen by examination. From the pastorate of this church Mr. Pinkerton went to Iola, Kan., where he died February 12, 1875, aged forty-two.
Rev. Hiram Hill succeeded him as stated supply October 27, 1872. He labored faithfully for nearly a year. but owing to con- tinued ill health was compelled to relinquish his work and seek the climate of California, where he was able to resume the min- istry. During his ministry eleven were received by letter and one on examination.
Rev. O. T. Rice, of Des Moines, Iowa, began his ministry with the church on the last Sabbath of October. 1873, and per- formed it with earnestness and ability. His labors continued until May 11. 1875, when, on account of diseased ^yes. he felt compelled to resign. During his ministry there were installed into office of the eldership Messrs. O. S. Pitcher. William MeMil- lan. C. Rivers and J. S. McLees. There were received into the membership of the church fourteen by letter and four on exami- nation, leaving. after removals and deaths, a total membership of sixty-six.
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By invitation of the church, Rev. W. S. Knight, D. D., then pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Augusta, Ill., visited the church May 11, 1875, and after spending two Sabbaths with them was called to the pastorate, on which he entered July 1Stlı following. He found, besides about seventy enrolled members, quite a company of newcomers, young families who were loyal Presbyterians and earnest workers. From time to time there were valuable additions to the church and a goodly number of young people became enthusiastic helpers and a source of in- spiration to the pastor. As in most new churches, there remained a debt on the building, but by October, 1879, the whole amount, something over $3,000, was paid, and the notes were burned with great rejoicing. As the membership was small, made up largely of new people, and money not plentiful, the spirit of devotion and systematic work of the whole congregation was evident in the accomplishment of this step forward. It was decided that self-support must come next. In the spring of 1878 the help of the Home Mission Board was relinquished. Mr. Knight was then installed pastor and the church felt it had taken ou new life. In the accomplishment of these things all honor must be given to Col. Pitcher and his wife, who gave liberally. and were always a source of strength and help. Col. Pitcher as a member of the session was wise and judicious in helping to guide its affairs.in this formative period. So, also, was William McMillan, who continued to serve in the eldership for over fifteen years.
Meantime the church was realizing its duty in helping to spread the gospel in the world. While yet a mission church a Woman's Missionary Society had been formed and some of the members of the church had adopted tithing. Steady growth and harmony characterized these years. Many were the seasons of refreshing which blessed the church, often in union services with sister churches of the community. The Sabbath school was large and well organized, the Young People's, Endeavor Societies And Mission Bands were well sustained. Many missionaries from the foreign field came bringing information regarding the work of the kingdom and inspiring the workers to "attempt greater things for God."
After eighteen years of earnest work, Dr. Knight was called to the Presidency of Lindenwood College, St. Charles, and on June 16, 1893, a congregational meeting was held for the purpose of asking Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation, which had been blessed to pastor and people, and during which the mnem- bership had grown from seventy to three hundred and fifty, well organized and doing good work.
In the early years of his pastorate Dr. Knight had gathered about him a few men who were interested and planned for the
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starting of an educational institution-Carthage Collegiate In- stitute. For this institution Dr. Knight worked through all the rest of his life, and many of the members of the church gave largely to it: In 1900 Dr. Knight returned to Carthage and un- dertook to place Carthage Collegiate Institue upon a good basis, and as its President he labored hard against heavy obstacles. He succeeded in freeing it from debt, improving the property and raising the standard of its work. But the strain was too great and he was called from his labors to his heavenly home Novem- her 15, 1905. His death was keenly felt, not only by the church, but by the entire community, for whose interests the best years of his life had been given, and which he loved.
Rev. G. H. Hemmingway, of Tipton, Iowa, was invited to supply the church for six months by an action of the session on September 17, 1893, and on March 28, 1894, the congregation extended to him a unanimous call to the pastorate, which he ac- cepted. His pastorate was one of continued helpfulness and blessing to the people. The missionary and other general inter- ests of the church were well sustained, and many additions were made to the membership of the church. Dr. Hemmingway de- voted himself closely to the welfare of his people, and particu- larly good results were evidenced in connection with the Oak Grove Chapel, in the west part of Carthage, where Sunday school and midweek services had been conducted, under the care of the church, since about 1880. Dr. Hemmingway resigned January 31, 1897, to accept the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church of Bloomsburg, Pa.
On March 10, 1897, Rev. Harry Omar Scott, D. D., of Hast- ings, Neb., was called to the pastorate and began his work with the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the organization of the church. This was a delightful occasion. During Dr. Scott's ministry, on July 12, 1903, at 12 m., what was known as the Westmister Presbyterian Church was consolidated with the First Presbyterian Church. Dr. Scott devoted himself untiringly to the strengthening of the work of the church and to the inter- ests of the community. The budget plan was adopted for the benevolences of the church, and by systematic work the offerings to the boards were greatly increased on the part of the general membership. There were a large number of additions to the church and the roll was much increased. On May 31, 1905, Dr. Scott resigned to accept a call to the Presbyterian Church of Guthrie, Okla.
Rev. Huston Taylor, of Waterville, N. Y., succeeded Dr. Scott, accepting the call of the congregation, voted at its meet- ing July 30, 1905, and began his work on the first Sabbath of September. The membership at this time numbered over 500.
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The membership of the session was increased to twelve members and the work of the church was so systematized that the benevo- lences were greatly enlarged. Besides increased gifts to mis- sionary work from the membership at large, the Woman's Mis- sionary Society, the Mary Morrison Moore Missionary Society, a band of the younger women, which took its name from its first leader and founder, Mrs. J. L. Moore ; the Deo Data Band, in which the children had been trained in missionary work for nearly twenty-five years, and the Endeavor Society were all doing good work. An effort was made to begin a new building such as the congregation desired, and by action on November 28, 1906, the trustees were instructed to purchase what was known as the Bronsill property, on Main and Chestnut streets, for the location of the new church. The effort to start the building was not suc- cessful, and as the old First Church building was no longer fit for use, the congregation changed its place of worship to the former Westminster property in January, 1908. Mr. Taylor resigned from the pastorate on December 13, 1908, to accept the call of the King's Highway Presbyterian Church of St. Louis, to become their supply.
Rev. Samuel R. Gordon, D. D., of Henry Kendall College, was secured as regular supply of the church until a pastor should be called, and won the love and esteem of the people, bringing great blessing through his preaching of the Word.
Rev. James D. McCaughtry, Ph. D., of Streator, Ill., was ten- dered a call to the pastorate on March 31, 1909, and having ac- cepted, was installed June 8th. Under his leadership the church is moving forward, strengthened in all of its departments, grow- ing in membership and pressing on to do its full share of the Master's work in His kingdom on earth.
NEOSHO (NEWTON COUNTY).
Nestled among the foothills of the Ozarks and near the gate- way from imperial Missouri to the land for many years known as Indian Territory is the quaint and beautiful little city of Neosho. Here in bygone days the Southern Confederacy estab- lished its last seat of government for the State of Missouri. Oft- times those old hills reverberated with the sound of artillery. The stains of carnage have washed away, but the eternal hills still feed the mammoth spring which unceasingly sends out a vast volume of purest water, enough to satisfy the cattle upon a thou- sand hills.
Shortly after the gentler days of peace had dawned a little company of those who held to the Presbyterian faith and order were wont to assemble for the worship of God in that old court
1
MT. ZION CHURCH, 1845
NEOSHO CHURCHI
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house where but a few years ago were discussed the perplexing problems of state. And this faithful band continued to worship in court house and Masonic Hall until they were able to erect a house of worship.
On the 29th day of October, 1867, Rev. J. W. Pinkerton and John McFarland organized seven women and two men into the Presbyterian Church of Neosho. The following April the church was enrolled by the Presbytery of Southwest Missouri.
A historian of the church, writing some twenty-nine years after its organization, said: "There have been 349 members. As there were seven ladies to two men in the beginning, so the record has been pretty generally maintained."
The two men-J. H. Miller and Dr. A. C. Schell-were made ruling elders. Mr. Miller was subsequently recommended by Presbytery to the Foreign Board as a suitable man for a mission- ary to the Indians, and after a short time Dr. Schell was induced by Rev. J. W. Pinkerton to move to Carthage to help to keep alive the struggling church in that place. As the Doctor prac- ticed dentistry in the two towns and the need of an efficient elder seemed to be greater in Carthage than in Neosho, he lis- tened to this call of the church and took up residence in Carthage. To such straits were our churches reduced forty years ago! But the good elder returned to Neosho, went away again, and re- turned to remain until this day. For nearly two years Rev. J. W. Pinkerton rode across the country from Carthage and preached for the Neosho Church once a month. He was followed by Rev. J. M. Brown, under whose ministry the first house of worship was erected and dedicated November, 1871. Rev. Dr. Worth preached the dedicatory sermon. For twenty-five years the congregation continued to worship in this building, and on the morning of the 31st of January, 1897, it was destroyed by fire (originated from a defective flue). The first installed pastor of the church was Rev. B. F. Powelson, whose pastorate embraced the brief period of less than two years. The church was then ministered to in turn by two of her own sons who were licensed by the Presbytery-Squire Glasscock and D. L. Lander. Mr. Lander remained with the church for four years. From a his- torical sketch of the church prepared by Rev. R. W. Ely I glean : "On February 18, 1880, the Rev. J. N. Young was called to fill the pulpit. March 12th, 1882, Rev. F. M. Baldwin entered upon his labors with the church, and upon January 28, 1883, a call was extended for the services of Rev. J. M. Hunter. In the fall of 1884 Rev. T. R. Easterday took charge of the church and re- mained on the field until October 1, 1888, when the present in- cumbent (Mr. Ely) entered upon the duties of the field. During this period of twenty years some four students labored upon the
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field during their summer vacations.". Mr. Easterday secured an addition to the church of a lecture room and study, and he and his wife placed in the church a fine pipe organ, which was destroyed in the fire of 1897.
But every mention of Neosho brings to the mind's eye the tall form of that manly man and stalwart pioneer of Jesus Christ- Rev. R. W. Ely. As a seminary student Mr. Ely spent his sum- mer vacations of 1883 and 1884 preaching to the churches of Neosho, Granby and Locust Grove (Westminster). His labors were abundantly blest and an urgent invitation was extended him to return to the church upon his graduation the next spring. But the call of the frontier was stronger and Mr. Ely went to North Dakota. Neosho was not to be thwarted in her designs upon his services. Repeated and importunate calls finally brought him back to the scene of his student labors in October, 1888. By this time the work at Granby was abandoned and he preached twice every Sabbath to the Neosho Church, which con- sisted of about forty members. In addition to this, the third Sab- bath of each month he preached at Locust Grove. In 1892 the Neosho session allowed their pastor two Sabbath evenings a month for six months of the year for the work at Seneca. For eleven years this was kept up. It involved a drive of seventeen miles, yet the pastor never missed his appointment more than two times in eleven years. Mr. Ely gave to Neosho fifteen years and two months' service-fourteen years as installed pastor. In this time he missed only one Sunday on account of inability, re- ceived 147 on profession and 91 by letter. That the church might become self-supporting he took it off the Board the first year and for several years lived on a salary of $500. In 1889 the church erected a parsonage. Perhaps I ought to have said Mr. Ely erected it, for he it was who hauled lumber from six miles in the country and whose own hands helped to put it together, and for two years he paid the monthly dues to the building and loan fund, at which time the Ladies' Aid came to his relief.
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