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 16
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Rev. Squire Glascock, S. S., from December, 1873, to summer of 1876.
Rev. Donald K. Campbell, P., from November, 1876, to fall of 1879.
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Rev. II. W. Woods, P., from fall 1879 to February, 1881. Dr. J. J. Marks, S. S., April, 1881, to October, 1881. Rev. G. H. Williamson, P., October, 1881, to October. 1883. Rev. F. R. Farrand, P., October, 1883, to October, 1885 .*
*The records of Presbytery date this pastorate from May, 1883, to April, 1884. The above was furnished by one of the elders.
Rev. A. S. Miller, S. S., April, 1885, to November, 1885. Dr. Henry B. Fry, P., November, 1885, to November, 1889. Rev. J. A. Gerhard. P., February, 1890, to February, 1696. Rev. J. B. Welty, P., May, 1896, to September. 1902. Rev. L. H. Shane, P., January, 1903, to June, 1904. Dr. B. M. Shive, P., January, 1905, ,to June, 1908.
Dr. W. S. Knight served the churches as supply during the interims following the resignations of Dr. Welty and Mr. Shane. This church gave to the Presbyterian ministry one of her bright- est sons, E. W. Clippinger, and her elders, notably John H. Tay- lor, G. B. Young and A. B. McConnell, have been numbered among the most faithful and efficient Presbyters. From time to time the church has maintained successful missions, and from two of these the Bethany and the North Heights churches have been erected. When it became evident that the Presbyterian and Cumberland Presbyterian churches would unite the Cumberland Church of Joplin transferred its property to this church (1904), and its entire membership was added to the roll of the First Church. For at least fifteen years this church received aid from the Board of Home Missions. Under the pastorate of Mr. Ger- hard it became easily self-sustaining, and during the pastorate of Mr. Welty it took rank with the strongest churches in the Pres- bytery.
(LINN CREEK) (CAMDEN COUNTY).
"Linn Creek Church was ordered to be entered on the roll." -Minutes September 25th, 1874.
"It appearing that no communication has been received from Linn Crek for a number of years, although written to, and that no cider is there, the name was ordereil to be stricken from the roll of Presbytery, and the stated clerk was instructed to give -letters of dismissal to such members as may be there."-Minutes April 3rd. 1884.
This is the Alpha and Omega of this church. To this lumi- nous record may be added the facts that it was grouped with Her- mitage, and that at one time Presbytery appointed a committee consisting of Rev. E. M. Halbert and Elder Lee to counsel with the church. If it was located in Camden County, as I infer. its
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chief historie interest centers in the fact that the Presbytery has had at least one organization in that county.
(MOUNT BETHEL) (POLK COUNTY).
"Rev. J. M. Brown reported the organization of a Presby- terian Church in August, 1874, in Polk County, consisting of twelve members, with two ruling elders. Report accepted and the church entered on the roll."-Minutes September 24th, 1874.
I infer this was the Mount Bethel Choreh an offshoot from the Mount Zion Church, and located near Orleans. It was inin- isteredi to by Rev. E. M. Halbert and later by Rev. G. F. Davis. After reprated efforts to disband the church the members were dismissed to the churches of Bolivar and Mount Zion, and the name was dropped from the roll April 11th, 1889.
(HERMITAGE) (HICKORY COUNTY).
"The first platted town in the county (Hickory), Hermitage was made a town site in 1845 ." That its growth was not phe- nomenal is seen in the statement: "In 1858 W. E. Dorman built his large two-story frame hotel on the east side of the square, and put up a dimmer bell on the top of a poie in the ward. This was a noted advance in the town."
Before the Civil War Presbyterian minsters made Hickory County a regular rendezvous. While North Prairie Institute was flourishing and when Weaubleau listened to the preaching of the Calvinistic faith Hermitage was not passed by. Among others, Rev. W. H. Smith preached there. With the coming con- fliet services become more desultory, and when the carnage had died away more or less abortive efforts at revival were made.
"Rev. J. 1 :. Vawter reported the organization of a church at Hermitage consisting of twenty members. Messrs. J. B. and E. F. Halbert were elected and installed elders. Church was en- rolled."-Minutes April 10th, 1875.
PLEASANT VALLEY-LOCKWOOD (DADE COUNTY).
The Pleasant Valley Church was organized by Rev. W. R. Fulton February, 1876, with twelve members. Grouped with Ash Grove, it was here this worthy herald of the cross termi. nated his earthly labors. On the 19th of December, 1880, Mr. Fulton preached his last sermon in this church. Text, "The King's business requireth haste." The preceding April the church had been recommended to the Board of Church Erection
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for $600 to assist in the erection of a house of worship. From this church Fountain R. Farrand was received by the Presby- tery as a candidate for the ministry May 4th of this same year. On the 3rd of April, 1884, the name of the church was changed to Lockwood by consent of Presbytery. According to local sources of information, the Lockwood Church was organized in December, 1883. The minutes of Presbytery agree with the pre- vious statement and take no notice of this as a new organization. Under the ministry of Rev. G. H. Williamson, December. 1983, to December, 1884, a house of worship was erected. Mr. William- son has since served the church as follows: May, 1887, to March, 1888,, June, 1890, to June, 1891, occasionally, November. 1893, to January, 1895, occasionally. Other ministers who have served the church are: G. T. Thompson, January, 1884. to January, 1885; D. R. Crockett, February, 1887, to March, 1887; f. C. Shep- herd, September, 1888, for three months; J. I. Hughes, December, 1891, to March, 1893; J. R. Gass, March, 1895, occasionally for three or four years; Robert E. L. Jarvis, 1900, occasionally; W. . G. Moore, December, 1901-1902; E. E. Mathes, September. 1903, to 1905; H. A. Tucker, 1906, six months; Samuel Wiley, Decem- ber, 1907.
WALDENSIAN (BARRY COUNTY).
This French-speaking church. the only church of foreign tongue in the Presbytery, was received September 29th. 1876, when this entry was made: "By unanimous vote of the Presby- tery the Waldensian Church, in Stoner Prairie, in Barry County, was added to our roll of churches. On motion of Presbytery a committee of three be* appointed to write to the Waldensian *Evidently was .- Ed.
Table and the minister of the French Protestant churches, from which M. Arnant (the elder) comes, in relation to the Walden- sian colony in Barry County, now taken under our care, and to give assurances to the brethren of our purpose to watch over and care for the colony as far as our circumstances will admit, and the desire of the Presbytery that the Waldensian Table and the churches of Bourdean may encourage those of their members mov- ing to America to join the colony already established in Barry County, Missouri. Revs. Miller and Dunlap and Elder C. Shep- pard were appointed said committee."
Just before this the records show that the minister in charge, Rev. J. P. Solomon, had been received by the Presbytery. It has been very hard for the Presbytery to keep this church supplied with stated preaching by reason of the fact that to be acceptable the minister must be able to speak in French. In addition to
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Mr. Solomon, the following ministers have served the church for a longer or shorter time : Revs. C. A. Buffa, J. G. Knotter, Thomas Charbonnell, P. P. Briol and E. A. Curdy.
(CENTER) (JASPER COUNTY).
This church was organized March 25th, 1877, with ten mem- bers and one ruling elder, C. C. Ball. It was reported to Presby- tery by Dr. Knight, but one record intimates that it was organ- ized by Rev. T. H. Allin. The church left but few traces on the annals of Presbytery. It was dissolved April 12th, 1883.
WEBB CITY (JASPER COUNTY).
Presbyterians were commendably precocious in entering "the town that Jack built." Webb City was laid out in May, 1876, and the following November Rev. Donald K. Campbell held the first Presbyterian service in a hall to which he had enticed thirty- three people by singing at the open window. At that time Mr. Campbell was supplying the church at Joplin. On the 27th of March. 1877, Mr. Campbell and Rev. W. S. Knight, of Carthage, organized the first Presbyterian Church of Webb City. Those entering the organization were: William A. Wheatley and wife, Mary S .; Joseph King and wife, Mary S .; W. J. Muskimins and wife, Eunice J. ; Mrs. Sarah Cass, M. Boatman and Dr. C. P. Mil- ler. W. A. Wheatley was elected and ordained ruling elder. Rev. D. K. Campbell supplied the church for three years "In the spring of 1879 a store room (really a saloon) on the Main street was purchased and fitted up for use by the congregation, and in April the Presbytery of Ozark held its session there." At this time the membership of the church was twenty-six. After Mr. Campbell's departure the church was vacant for some time, and for the next nine years such was its condition for more than half of the time. The membership fluctuated between twenty- five and less than half that number. In 1880 Rev. Clark Salmon was employed as stated supply, and served the church for two or three years. After a lengthy interregnum Rev. T. R. Easter- day preached for the little flock a part of the year 1884. He was followed by Rev. E. P. Keaeh in 1885, and by Student Arthur Hall in 1886. In 1889 Rev. J. G. Reaser, D. D., began to supply the church from Carthage, where he was in charge of Carthage Col- legiate Intitute.
"At that time the little flock was greatly discouraged and sadly demoralized. Only ten members could be found; the rec- ords of the session were lost, and so remain to this day. - There
WEBB CITY CHURCH
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was but one elder. and he superannnated and infirm. But the prospect of securing stated preaching once more was inspiring. The property was sold and a neat little house of worship erected with aid from the Board of Church Erection. The membership in 1889 increased to twenty-five. In 1890 Rev. J. G. Reaser moved from Carthage to Webb City, and since that date has given all his time to the church. It has had the usual vicissitudes of West- ern churches, gaining and losing from year to year."-From sketch written by Rev. Reaser in 1898.
The historical sketch prepared by Dr. J. F. Shephard places the beginning of Dr. Reaser's labors a year earlier and states that at that time there were eleven members. Dr. S. continues: " Here began the pastorate of this faithful servant of Christ and the church which was destined to give the church a permanent hope and standing in the city. Of this ministry of eleven years. Dr. Reaser # says. 'Of my several fields in an unbroken ministry of fifty-five years, Webb City holds a high place in my affections.' During his pastorate 146 were added to the church, and on his retiring, because of advanced years, and against the earnest request of the people, he left a membership of 98." The scholarly attainment, genial optimism, ready wit and deep pirty of this man of God, who brought forth fruit in old age, greatly endeared him to this flock. which virtually had its second birth with his coming. The first eleven years had closed with a net gain of one! When he took the church no one wanted it. When he left it its prospects for development were such that many ap- plicants were found. The mantle of the aged prophet fell upon a sweet singer of Israel of tenderer years. Rev. Charles B. Bov- ing entered upon his services for this church in May, 1899. The following December he was installed pastor-a pastorate that was dissolved in February, 1905. During this pastorate the pres- ent elegant and commodious house of worship was erected. One hundred and twenty-seven were added to the membership and 140 were supposed to answer aye at roll call when Mr Boving left. By this time the town has assumed the proportions of a city of nearly ten thousand inhabitants, or, including Carterville and sub- urbs, nearer twenty thousand. In the May time Mr. Boving had come to them. His ministry had been fragrant like the breath of spring, and hence they waited until the May time (1905) to find a snecessor in the person of the versatile. virile and vigorous Rev. J. F. Shepherd, Ph. D. Dr. Shepherd is an able preacher and a thorough organizer. He came "into the kingdom" at the pyehological moment. During his pastorate the church has added to its equipment a $4.000 manse, a pipe organ, janitor's home, ete. Aside from the regulation auxiliaries, the boys are organized into a "Holy Grail" Club-the men into a brotherhood and into a
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large Baraca class, taught by the pastor. The first annual re- port of the church after Dr. Shepherd's coming showed an en- rollment of 175. A year later, 1907, the membership was in- creased to 325. The increase is traceable in part to the union consummated with the Cumberland Church, which reported the previous year a membership of 101. This union was ratified by Presbytery September 12th, 1906. The building formerly ocon- pied by the Cumberland Church was given to the prospective church of Carterville. At the beginning of this sketch I have de- nominated Webb City "the town that Jack built." Other places that might be mentioned may claim that by way of eminence the title should be otherwise conferred. Yet it is said that the largest lead and zinc mine in the world is just outside the cor- porate limits of Webb City. The enterprising high school stu- dents of Webb City have denominated their highly creditable annual "King Jack," and in defending their title say, "No name is more appropriate for the Webb City High School than King, and well she deserves that name, having won three successive years in the Inter-High School contest. * * Nothing need
be said of the specimens of 'Jack' found in the High School, but our High School is a representative of the best Jack (zinc ore) district in the world. More lead and zinc is mined in the Webb City district than any district of the world of the same area. Why should we not be proud to have the name 'Jack' placed by the side of our well earned title? It is our mines that put Webb City on the map."
(TRINITY) (JASPER COUNTY).
Organized at Medoc March 8th, 1878, by Rev. Thomas H. Allin, with twenty-two members-three ruling elders. Dissolved April, 1894.
(SUMMIT) (BARTON COUNTY).
Organized January 6th, 1878, by Rev. Balsar Hoffman with fourteen members. For two years Mr. Hoffman supplied the church. After his departure it appears to have been without the stated means of grace until its membership was reduced to one- Elder S. Cadwallader. By order of Presbytery the church was dissolved April 12th, 1882.
MOUNT MORIAH-MADISON (JASPER COUNTY).
The Mount Moriah Church was organized by Rev. T. H. Allin
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and was enrolled by Presbytery April 30th, 1878. Fifteen char- ter members entered the organization. The name of the church was changed to Madison April 12th, 1882. Under this name it remains to this day. Revs. T. H. Allin and W. h. Miller did good service here in the early eighties-the flowering time of the conn- try churches of Jasper County. Later the church was almost as desolate as Goldsmith's deserted village, but again the work has been partially revived.
GRAND PRAIRIE-WILLARD (GREENE COUNTY).
Rev. Enos M. Hlalbert organized this church in September, 1879. The church consisted of eleven charter members, with Charles Hughes and Oscar Farmer as ruling elders. Mr. Halbert supplied the church for one year. Services were held in the dis- triet school honse at Walnut Spring. Rev. George F. Davis began his ministry with the church in the fall of 1880. From 1883 to 1885 the church was without a minister. During this time both elders died and the church became nearly extinct. In the spring of 1885 Mr. Davis returned. A house of worship was erected in the new railroad station, Willard, and Gilbert Hughes was elected elder. This honse was dedicated the first Sabbath of November, 1887. By permission of Presbytery the name was sub- seqnently changed to Willard. The present elders of the church are Gilbert and James Hughes and Fred Farmer, sons of the first elders of the church-Charles Hughes and Oscar Farmer.
EUREKA SPRINGS, ARK.
The Presbytery of Ozark seems to have entered Arkansas by common consent rather than by an authoritative extension of her domain .* The birth of the Eureka Springs Church was a prophecy and a prototype of reunited Presbyterianism that has since been realized in part. In the spring of 1882 Presbyterial Missionary J. J. Marks. D. D., visited the little city nestled among the hills from which flow the pure waters that have made it known far and wide. Here he found three types of "the split Ps."-Northern, Southern and Cumberland. After a series of meetings, in which Dr. Marks was assisted by the C. P. minister, Rev. W. B. MeElwee, a church of thirty members was organized March 1st, 1882. W. F. Daugherty, J. L. Baker and W. W. John- son were elected ruling elders. Whether it was due to the pre- ponderance of the Northern element, the cosmopolitan eharaeter of that church, the commanding generalship of the organizer or the better prospect for aid deponent sayeth not, but the new
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organization made overtures for membership in the sisterhood of Ozark Presbytery's churches, and, better still, antedated the re- cent reunion, brought with them the C. P. minister, Rev. W. B. MeElwee, and employed him as minister-a relation that contin- ued five and a half years. The Home Board was remarkably gen- erous to this church. For five years it received an annual rec- ommendation for $500 per annum, and this was reduced to $400, $350, $200 and so on until in 1901 the recommendation was for $75.
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In the spring of 1883 the ladies organized an Extra Cent Society, through which the first money was raised for a church building. General Powell Clayton donated the lot. Services were held in various places until the basement of the church was completed in the fall of 1886. In November, 1886, Rev. Thomas - Marshall, D. D., dedicated the handsome uncut stone edifice free of debt. Funds for building were secured as follows:
Ladies Extra Cent Society $1,400
W. M. Lee, Sr., elder 3,000
Board of Church Erection 1,000
Small subscriptions 1,600
Total
$7,000
A revival meeting conducted by Rev. W. H. Clagett and Mr. Chester Birch the following spring added seventy-eight names to the roll of the church.
Some time after the organization of the church Mrs. Emily McKinnon, of Ashland, Wis., presented the church a valuable manse just across the street from where the church stands. Mr. MeElwee was followed in the ministry by short time services by Revs. Mr. Hunter and Dr. Marks, until the coming of Rev. W. S. Lowry, who remained with the church nearly two years. Rev. R. S. Stevenson served the church from February, 1890. to April, 1893. Other ministers who have served the church are Rev. O. E. Hart, six months : Rev. D. N. Allen, April 1st, 1894, to Sep- tember, 1897; Rev. J. T. Curtis, November, 1897, to July, 1900; Rev. John W. Eltzholtz, 1900-1903; Amos H. Dean, D. D., 1903; Rév. T. A. Clagett, 1903-1904 : Nathaniel Chestnut, 1905.
HERMON-LEHIGH (JASPER COUNTY).
"Dr. Marks made report of the organization of Hermon Church at Carl Junction and of the Presbyterian Church of Boli- var, and these churches were added to the roll of Presbytery, and Elder Thomas Walden was enrolled from Hermon Church as a member of this Presbytery."-Minutes September 20th. 1883.
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"We recommend that Rev. W. S. Knight, Dr. J. J. Marks and Elder William MeMinn be appointed a committee to visit Lehigh and Hermon Church to transfer the - -
(Here Her- mon and Lehigh are both written in such a way I cannot tell which is meant), or to reorganize at Lehigh. as may seem to them advisable after consultation with the people. Also that they be authorized to accept for the Presbytery the offer of Mr. Knight of St. Louis, to give lots and assist in the erection of a church edifice at Lehigh."-Minutes October 1st, 1884.
"The following churches were reported as organized : * Lehigh, by Rev. W. S. Knight and William McMillan, November 11th, 1885."-Minutes April 28th, 1885.
The church finally settled down at Carl Junction under the name Lehigh. It has had a checquered career and is still on the roll of Presbytery.
(GOLDEN CITY) (BARTON COUNTY).
The church of Golden City was organized September 30th, 1883. by Revs. J. J. Marks, D. D., G. H. Williamson and W. L. Mil- ler, with twenty-four members. William P. Scott and Robert C. McMinn were elected ruling elders. Revs. Hezekiah Lewis, J. C. Shepherd, H. B. Johnson and J. I. IInghes served the church in turn as stated supplies. A honse of worship was secured and the earlier years of the life of the church seem to have been prom- ising. but removals depleted the organization, and the church was dissolved by order of Presbytery September 13th, 1898.
This is one of the very few disbanded churches whose ree- ords have fallen into the hands of the stated clerk of the Presby- tery. And it is the only one whose obituary is formally recorded therein. By reason of this unique distinction I record it in full : Sessional Records, pp. 51-52: "The committee appointed by the Ozark Presbytery at its regular meeting at Joplin in April, 1898, and empowered with anthority to take definite and final aetion in the disposition of church property, and with reference to the dissolution of the church, met in Golden City September 13th, 1898. Present: Rev. J. R. Gass and Mr. J. B, Lindsey. Absent: Elder W. B. Skinner. The committee agreed to the sale of the church property to Albert Hunt for the consideration of $400. By the unanimous request of the members of the church the church was dissolved and letters granted to the following persons, being the whole number of members of said church, viz: Mr. and Mrs. Amos Kentner, Mrs. Nancy Glass. Mr. and Mrs. James Faught, Mrs. A. N. Barker, Miss Mary E. Casey. To non-
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residents members: Mrs. Kate Trent, Kansas City, Mo .; Miss Mary E. McMinn, St. Louis, Mo.
"Done by authority of Presbytery of Ozark.
"JOHN R. GASS, Chairman Committee."
In striking incongruity with this solemn record the last half of the book reveals the fact that some clerk of session or other profane ( ?) person has used it as a groceryman's day book !
(HOME) (BARTON COUNTY).
Organized by Rev. W. L. Miller November 18th, 1883, with seventeen members. Supplied for a time by the pastor of the Presbyterian Church, U. S., at Lamar. Dissolved September 13th, 1892. The committee could find "neither records nor mem- bers."
EL DORADO SPRINGS (CEDAR COUNTY).
"The church at El Dorado Springs was organized July 3d, 1884, by Synodical Missionary Thomas Marshall, assisted by Rev. J. H. Allin and Elder Lensenderfer, of Warrensburg. None of these brethren were members of the Presbytery of Ozark, within whose bounds the new church was formed. At the next meeting of that Presbytery, however, this action was approved and the church was enrolled, with the recommendation that 'for the present it be grouped with contiguous fields in the Presbytery of Osage.' As this was its logical grouping, the Presbyterial boun- daries were soon so adjusted as to throw it within our bounds."- Hill's K. C. Presbytery.
IRWIN (BARTON COUNTY).
The Irwin Church was organized by Rev. G. H. Williamson March 28th, 1885, with twenty-one charter members. A house of worship was erected in 1888 at a cost of $1,600, of which the Board of Church Erection contributed $500. For about four years the church was supplied by Rev. J. Heagan, Presbyterian Church, U. S., pastor at Lamar. Other ministers who have served the church are: R. T. McMahan, September, 1889-1890; Dwight C. Hanna, February, 1891, to September, 1891; F. M. Hickok, November, 1891, to October, 1894; J. T. Curtis, October, 1894, to March, 1897; A. M. Mann. April, 1898, to March, 1901; W. S. Knight. D. D., April, 1901, to November, 1905 (except March. 1903, to September, 1903. when Student F. W. Bible supplied
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SECOND CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD
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the church: G. W. Jurey (Presbyterian Ch. U. S.), May, 1904, to September, 1904; A. E. Faust, May, 1906.
SPRINGFIELD SECOND (GREENE COUNTY).
Rev. Thomas Marshall, D. D., assisted by Rev. Gilbert Thom- son and Licentiate W. J. Hayden, organiztd the Second Church of Springfield February 17th, 1885. The question of the advisa- bility of such an organization had been discussed at length by the Presbytery at its fall session, 1884, and was finally referred to the Calvary session. In a letter to Dr. Marshall, dated February 5th, 1885, the Calvary session stated that inasmuch as the Presby- tery seemed favorable to the organization, Presbyterians in the vicinity desired it, and Dr. Marshall deemed it expedient the said session would waive their judgment and consent to the organ- ization. Dr. Marshall began evangelistic services on the 12th and the eburch was formally organized on the 17th with the fol- lowing members: From Calvary Church-S. Cadwallader, Mrs. Mary Isabella Cadwallader, Rawlins Cadwallader, Ethel Cadwal- lader. D. E. Morrow, Mrs. Sadie Morrow, William M. Geiger, Mrs. Rebeca Geiger. Mrs. Martha L. Hall, Robert Hall. Adam Rice, Mrs. Kate Richardson. From, other Presbyterian Churches -Charlts M. Geiger, Mrs. Eliza J. Switzer, Carrie Switzer, Mrs. Josephine Thompson, Allison Thompson, Ernest Thompson, Eph- raim Chalfant, Mrs. Susan H. Chalfant, James L. Johnson. Mary Catherine Maher, a member of the Roman Catholic Church, was received on profession and baptized. William M. Geiger, S. Cad- wallader and Robert Hall were elected ruling elders. A sub- scription was circulated for a church building in the summer, and in 1886 the present house of worship was erected. though it was not completely furnished for some years. Rev. Arthur Hall served the church as stated supply for a few months, and Rev. Gilbert Thompson was engaged as stated supply for one year, but subsequently declined on account of the organization of the Westminster Church, U. S. Rev. E. A. Hamilton began serving the church in October. 1885, and remained with the church until March, 1893. Mr. Hamilton's labors in the church were greatly blessed, and the church was rapidly attaining strength to be self- supporting, when unfortunate dissensions arose that erippled it long after those connected with the unpleasantedness had re- moved. The church next secured the services of Mr. W. F. Van- der Lippe, who came direct from McCormick Seminary, and re- mained about a year. Desultory supplies were secured for the next year. when. in April. 1895, the present pastor, Rev. E. E. Stringfield, entered upon his lahors with the church. This church gave a son to the cause of foreign missions in Chili for seven
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