The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches, Part 60

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald
Publication date: 1882]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 1154

USA > Missouri > Pettis County > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches > Part 60

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The above facts with regard to the various pastors of the Ohio Street Church are given not only because of their bearing on the history of the

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charge, but also as an interesting illustration of the vicissitudes to which the lives of the ministers of the M. E. Church are subjected.

The present Trustees of the church are C. G. Taylor, President; F. A. Sampson, Secretary; Geo. E. Dugan, J. W. Mills, E. J. Smith, J. C. McLaughlin and Mat. Zenor.

The church is at present in a flourishing condition, and bids fair to con- tinue its career of usefulness in the years to come.

The Sedalia Democrat of April 9, 1882, speaking of the present pastor has the following: "Rev. H. G. Jackson, D. D., the new pastor of the Ohio Street M. E. Church, is a native of Indiana. He graduated at Asbury University, Greencastle, of which Bishop Bowman was president, in 1862. Immediately after graduating he was elected Principal of Stock- well Collegiate Institute, an institution under the supervision of the North- west Indiana Conference of the M. E. Church. While here engaged Bishop Clark and Bishop Janes selected him as a missionary to South America, and he was assigned to Buenos Ayres. In this field a special fitness for the service was so rapidly developed that after one year he was appointed Superintendent of the Missions of the M. E. Church in South America. Ten years of active service were given to this work. During this period Asbury University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. During his stay in South America a most terrible scourge of yellow fever swept away 25,000 people of the city of Buenos Ayres where Dr. Jackson resided. In testimony of his untiring faithfulness among all classes during the great affliction the citizens afterward pre- sented him with $1,000 in gold. Upon the rumor that the Dr. was carried away in the fierceness of the scourge the notice of his death was published, as in a former instance, in a large portion of the church papers.

After his return from mission fields he was appointed pastor of Grand Avenue Church in Kansas City where he has just closed a successful pas- torate of three years. During the first and second years the church was relieved of a debt of $9,000. During the third year Dr. Jackson's con- gregation assisted in building new churches for weak and struggling charges in Kansas City to the extent of $5,500. Dr. Jackson leaves his former charge entirely free from debt and in a most promising condition. He leaves the largest Sunday School west of the Mississippi River. Dur- ing the recent session of the St. Louis Conference in the city of St. Louis a special effort was made to appoint Dr. Jackson to the Central M. E. Church of that city, but through the persistent effort of those friendly to Sedalia, he was, in harmony with his own preference, assigned to duty in this city."

THE EAST SEDALIA BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was organized under the direction of Rev. E. T. Brown, at 3 P. M., Friday, March 19, 1875, and according to the best authorities

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the following persons constituted its first members: Rev. E. T. Brown, Mrs. E. T. Brown, Elder J. B. Hopps, Mrs. J. B. Hopps, Miss M. Hopps, S. H. Olmsted and wife, J. L. Thomas, sister Emma Hubbard, sister L. Pickard, sister Retta Titus.

S. H. Olmsted was the first church clerk, and Rev. E. T. Brown the first pastor.

THE EAST SEDALIA BAPTIST CHURCH.

Elder Geo. Balcom, an Evangelist, held meetings in East Sedalia, immediately after the organization of the church, at which about seventy- five persons were converted, and received into membership.

It is an interesting fact that Elders Geo. Balcom and E. T. Brown died in the same year; the former, Dec. 20, 1879, and the latter, June 9, 1879. They were associated in their labors for Christ here, and then soon joined one another in their reward in the better world.

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April 17, 1875, the little church called Elder Brown to its pastorate, and with the exception of one year, in which Rev. John Letts was pastor, Elder Brown continued to minister to the church till three months before his death. Elder Brown, whose biographical sketch appears in another portion of this volume, was a zealous worker in the Baptist cause, was the prime mover in the establishment and building of the Baptist Church in East Sedalia. He built the church at a cost of $3,000, with his individual means, except about $200 in work and lumber contributed by other parties.

Rev. S. D. Fulton was the second pastor, commencing his labors, March 15, 1879.

Rev. J. M. Plannett, a young man of marked ability and flattering prospects, now occupies the pulpit, having accepted the call of the church in the summer of 1881. He is a diligent worker and an able expounder of the word.

The church edifice, neat and convenient, is situated on the corner of Fifth and Summit streets. It is provided with baptistry, bell, organ, infant class room, and other conveniences. A memorial tablet is hand- somely set in the wall on the left side of the pulpit with this inscription:

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF REV. E. T. BROWN,

Born, November 22, 1818. Suddenly called to his rest, June 9, 1879.

In grateful recognition of the efficient labors of this worker of God in various fields, but especially in this place, as the founder of the church, the donor of its first house of worship, and until his death its friend and supporter ; this tribute is inscribed by East Sedalia Baptist Church.

The church now numbers one hundred communicants, and though young is considered one of the most prosperous and promising churches in the growing city. James Bryson is present Church Clerk; Rev. J. M. Plannett, Supt. of the Sunday School; and Mrs. Plannett, Sec'y of the Sunday School.

THE MONTGOMERY STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

situated on the northeast corner of Fourth and Montgomery streets, in the city of Sedalia. The Church Society was organized in the private house of the first pastor, Rev. Frank Oechsli, situated on the corner of Fourth and Summit streets, on Wednesday evening of May 21, 1877. The following named persons united with the church at this time, and constituted its original membership, viz: David D. Wright, Benjamin F. Abbott, Cornelia Mathews, Rosa Demeal, Sarah E. Oechsli, William B. Hukill, Emily Gleason, and Laura B. Hukill. The society thus organ- ized at once set about securing a place for meetings. In the absence of

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any other place to worship in, the pastor announced preaching in his own house, and accordingly here was preached the first sermon by the first pastor from the text, Luke .xviii, 27, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." The next public service was held in Mur- ray's carpenter shop, on Engineer Street. Next, the hall over the engine house, on the northwest corner of Fourth and Montgomery streets, was rented, and the society moved their worship into it, and organized their first Sunday School, known as the East Sedalia Sunday School of the Methodist Episcopal Church, on the 24th day of June, 1877, with Dr Ira T. Bronson for Superintendent.

Here, with many discouragements and some prosperity, this young society struggled on till the session of the St. Louis Annual Conference, held in Kansas City, March 20, 1878. The lot upon which the church now stands was purchased by Rev. J. K. Tuttle for $315, and $500 was secured for the erection of a church building before the above conference met.

Rev. Frank Oechsli was appointed by the above conference to this church, which had been included and was continued in the Sedalia Cir- cuit, with Rev. R. H. Hanson, as assistant preacher.

At the first quarterly meeting, held in East Sedalia about the 10th of April, 1878, a board of trustees was appointed for the Montgomery Street Methodist Episcopal Church, consisting of Dr. Ira T. Bronson, Benjamin F. Abbott, Charles Gordon, Albert E. McClure and William Irwin. Of this number a building committee was appointed by the Quarterly Con- ference, composed of Dr. Bronson, President, B. F. Abbott, Secretary, and A. E. McClure, Treasurer. The trustees met, April 15th, and adopted plans and specifications for a frame church, which was to be in size thirty by fifty feet, and excavation for the foundation began, April 25, 1878; and the carpenter work was commenced, May 22, following, in charge of B. F. Abbott. About this time the society gave up the hall and moved into a tent erected on the rear of the church lot, and worshiped here till the church building was inclosed.

The work of building proceeded rapidly, so that it was inclosed, and suitable for service, though in an unfinished condition. Accordingly the society transferred from the tent to the church building, and the Rev. S. Alexander preached the first sermon here the first Sunday in July, 1878. During this year, up to March, 1879, the Sunday School, under the faith- ful superintendency of Dr. I. T. Bronson, grew rapidly till the average attendance was above 135. Revival meetings for five or six weeks were had, which resulted in a great spiritual improvement in the membership, and nineteen persons were converted, eighteen of whom united with the church, making now a membership of fifty persons, including the proba- tioners. A ladies' aid society was formed, which greatly aided the church, financially; socially and religiously.

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One thousand dollars was raised by the pastor and paid on the building and lots. The building was completed all but the pews and the belfry, leaving an indebtedness of $200 on the lots. Thus a year of prosperity, both financially, spiritually and numerically, ended.

The St. Louis Annual Conference met in Springfield, Mo., March, 1879, at which session, Rev. A. P. Salaway was appointed pastor. He makes the following minute in the church record:

Preached my first sermon, April 5th; found the Church in an unfinished condition; completed the house, and it was dedicated by Rev. J. N. Pierce, Presiding Elder of Sedalia District, Nov. 23, 1879. A suf- ficient amount was subscribed on the day of dedication to pay the debt, but as is almost always the case some failed to pay. However, $25, or perhaps a little more, will pay all, except what is due the Church Exten- sion Society, which is $150, payable in three years from Jan. 1, 1880, at six per cent. interest, to be paid semi-annually in advance.

The total number of full members who have had a membership in this church since its organization is 160. Of these, six have died, three with- drawn from the church, seventy-three have removed, and seventy-eight remain connected with the church.

The total number of persons who have joined this church, on probation, is 103. Of these, forty-three have been received into the church, twenty have removed, two have joined other churches, two have died, sixteen have been discontinued, and twenty have been continued on probation. The total cost of this church building and lots has been. $1,555 00 Repairs and improvements since 187 65

Total amount paid by this church for the support of the min- istry is about. 1,333 00

Incidental expenses of the church. 500 00

Benevolences of the church. 180 0Q

Support of Sunday Schools. 500 00

The above figures, save those of the cost of the church, are not exactly but approximately correct.

The following pastors have been appointed and served this church for the terms indicated: Rev. Frank Oechsli, 1877; Revs. F. Oechsli and R. H. Hanson, 1878; Rev. A. P. Salaway, 1879; Rev. S . Alexander, 1880- 1881; Rev. H. R. Miller is the present pastor. .

The present condition of the church is most encouraging, and the con- gregation may well consider itself fortunate in securing the services of such an experienced pastor as they now have. The congregations are good and improving, and the finances of the church are such that no embarrassment could be brought upon them, and the Sunday School is flourishing. The church has been a station on a circuit, but at present a distinct pastoral charge and will soon be self-supporting.

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HISTORY OF SEDALIA.

The Sunday School meets every Sabbath, with an average attendance of ninety, Rev. H. R. Miller, Superintendent, and J. W. Wyman, Secre- tary.

The following persons constitute the present official board of the church: Rev. H. R. Miller, pastor; Rev. H. Hammond and Rev. A. Parker, local preachers; W. C. Gold, B. F. Abbot, J. F. Starr, Wm. W. Hendrix, J. W. Wyman, trustees; B. F. Abbot, E. Gleason, C. Mathews, W. C. Gold, stewards.

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

This church is located on the corner of Massachusetts and 6th streets. It was organized by Elder George W. Longan, the third Lord's day in May, 1861. Gen. G. R. Smith and daughters, J. W. Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Logan Clark, Mr. and Mrs. H. R. Dobyns, Mr. and Mrs. Jno. A. Read were among the charter members. Elder George W. Longan, then a citi- zen of Benton County, preached the first sermon ever delivered in Sedalia, and organized the first congregation. He preached in the store house built by A. T. Hodge, adjoining the old "Sedalia House" on the west, the last Sunday in April, 1861, and on the third Lord's day in May, fol- lowing, organized the first congregation.

A house of worship was not built till 1866, when the present brick structure was erected under the superintendence of John Dejarnett, Henry Cotton, Dr. Logan Clark and G. R. Smith. Henry Cotton was the treas- urer. By some mismanagement, a debt was incurred in the building of the house, which hung over the congregation, and at times gave it serious trouble, and even threatened the loss of the house till the spring of 1880, when it was under the pastorate of J. H. Duncan paid off; being at the time of its liquidation fourteen hundred dollars.

The original building was remodeled and repaired by Elder S. K. Hal- lam, at a cost of four or five hundred dollars, and since the debt was paid off it has been still further improved by the addition of an infant class room, a preacher's study, etc., at a cost of about eight hundred dollars. The property is now worth at least seven thousand dollars.

The following preachers have been employed as pastors: Elder T. M. Gaines, now dead; O. M. Spencer, now located at Rich Hill, Missouri; J. W. Mountjoy, now at Paris, Missouri; G. W. Surber, now at Monroe City, Missouri; S. K. Hallam, now living on a farm near Windsor or Greenridge; N. M. Ragland, now at Clinton, Mo .; and J. H. Duncan, the present pastor of the church. Elder J. W. Mountjoy was only employed a short time, but he infused new life into the church, and it has been grad- ually improving ever since till the church now numbers over two hundred and fifty members. Since Elder J. H. Duncan was called, in January, 1880, there has been only one month in which he has not reported addi-

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tions. The attendance also is constantly increasing and the congregation mainly peaceful and harmonious. T. J. Porter, W. W. Herold, and W. L. Felix constitute the present board of Elders. They hold regular monthly meetings at which the pastor is present. J. N. Dalby, J. H. Looney, G. W. Barnett, A. Farnham, and Mentor Thomson are the deacons of the church, who hold a joint business meeting with the elders and preacher the first Sunday in every month. The Sunday School has an average attendance of one hundred and fifty, with W. L. Felix as superintendent and Miss Maud Gent as secretary. One of the most inter- esting features of the Sunday School is the infant class of J. N. Dalby, which has a room to itself, with a hundred red chairs for the little ones. The weekly teachers' meeting is well attended and full of interest. The prayer meeting is one of the best meetings of this church, and has an average attendance of seventy-five members. Mr. Phelix died May 3, 18 82.

The church organized in Cotton's addition at the beginning of 1882 a Mission Sunday School, which has an attendance of seventy-five persons. W. H. Stotts is Superintendent, and John R. Clopton is Assistant.

The ladies of the church have a flourishing Christian Aid Society, which meets every week, and does much to assist in the work of pushing for- ward the enterprises of the church. The young ladies also have a Mis- sionary Society, and the children are organized into a Children's Heathen Mission Society.

The congregation is at present preparing to build a handsome parson- age, which will no doubt be completed this year. The church has lost the last few years by death some of its most useful members, among them was Gen. G. R. Smith, who died in the fall of 1879, Mrs. Wm. Bard, and Mrs. R. T. Miller, in 1880, W. L. Felix in 1882.

The congregation entertained in 1873 the State Convention of the Christian Church in a royal manner, and since then the State Sunday School Convention of the Christian Church, and will entertain in July, 1882, "The Missouri Christian Lectureship." The church is alive to both home and foreign missionary work, and is contributing liberally to each. It has in its membership some of the best and most influential citizens of Sedalia and Pettis County.

THE M. E. CHURCH, SOUTH.

The services under the auspices of this denomination in Sedalia until 1871 were under the Sedalia circuit, hence the history of this church as a distinct pastoral charge, begins on the aforesaid date. During that year, (1871) under the direction of Rev. Preston Philips, a former resident of this city, the church building on the corner of Third and Massachu- setts streets was completed at a cost of about $3,500. In August of the . same year it was dedicated by the late Bishop Marvin, and the first quar-

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terly conference convened, Nov. 20, 1871, with Rev. Dr. W. M. Protts- man, president, and C. H. Riggs, pastor. J. R. Bennett, C. C. Woods, Milton Adkisson, M. M. Pugh and C. L. D. Blevens respectively have officiated as presiding elder. Among the first members of this charge occur the names of J. S. Lingle, Preston Philips and wife, A. G. Hudson and wife, Mrs. D. D. Fear, James Dickerson, George L. Bell, Henry Franklin and wife. Meetings were first held in a private room on the second floor of a Main street store, and it is here that probably the church was organized. The names of the pastors are respectively, C. H. Briggs, Rev. W. Stephens, A. Bailey, Thomas Wallace, J. F. Hogan, E. G. Frazier, R. H. Shaffer, R. A. Halloway and J. C. Shackleford, the pres- ent pastor.

The present membership is about seventy-five, and the following per- sons are the acting stewards: J. S. Lingle, William Scott, O. M. Harris and E. W. McIlhaney. The Sunday School has an average attendance of about forty, with G. M. Baker, superintendent.

THE CALVARY PARISH,

of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of Sedalia, Mo., was organized in the year 1867 by Rev. Thomas Green. The records and data necessary for an authentic and complete early history of this church, as in the case of many others, are unattainable. Among the early and prominent mem- bers of this congregation occur the names of A. H. Thompson, J. C. Thompson, A. C. Orrich, moved away, Norman Maltby, deceased, Mrs. S. S. Vinton, moved away, O. A. Crandall, Mrs. A. H. Thompson, died, July 31, 1879, Mrs. A. C. Orrick, moved away, Mrs. C. A. Myer, deceased, Mrs. R. E. Harris, Mrs. E. M. Anderson, deceased, John M. Shook, Mrs. Norman Maltby, Miss Lucy Maltby, moved away, Seth Stoughton and wife, moved away, Mrs. Speddin, deceased, E. W. Brown, deceased, Mrs. E. W. Brown, deceased, Mrs. L. L. Bridges, deceased, R. D. Coles, moved away, Mrs. Mary Demuth, Mrs. Lottie Hutchinson, L. B. Jackson and wife, moved away, Willard Parker, moved away, Edward James, deceased, Mrs. E. James, moved away.

The first services under the auspices of this church were held in a school house which stood just north of the present site of the Garrison House. After this the church, not yet having a permanent place, meet- ings were held in the court house, and in other places as they could find conveniences. Rev. F. R. Holeman, of Boonville, came, and regular monthly services were held, for about two years, during which the "Chapel" was built on the corner of Massachusetts and Fourth streets. Through the efforts of the ladies of the parish, three lots were purchased here, and after the Chapel was erected it became the regular place of worship till the building and lots were sold to M. E. Wann, in the spring

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of 1882. The deed of the three lots was given by George R. Smith, Sarah E. Smith and Martha E. Martin, to the "trustees of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of Sedalia, Mo.," viz: To Samuel S. Vinton, A. H. Thompson and O. A. Crandall, and bears date of August 17, 1867, the consideration being $700. The property was lots ten, eleven and twelve, of block number eight, in the Sarah E. Smith and Martha E. Martin addi- tion to Sedalia. The first building, which was originally intended for a private parish school, cost about $1,300, but subsequent additions and improvements increased this sum to over $2,000. In 1869 Mr. Holeman was assisted in conducting the services by I. Mac D. Demuth, who was then a student for the ministry. And during the summer of 1879, Mr. Demuth, having a license as Lay Reader, conducted the church service by himself.

In reference to the purchase of the first lots and building, Mr. A. H. Thompson, who was the first to make an effort towards an organization, gives the following:

Most of the credit of raising the money to puchase the lots and build the Chapel is due to the untiring efforts of Mrs. Vinton, Mrs. Myers and Mrs. Thompson, who were the first and most earnest workers in this behalf, and also in raising sufficient salary to pay Rev. F. R. Holeman for regular services once a month. These services were held first in an old school house and afterwards in a building, used at the time for a court house. Mr. Holeman was rector of Christ Church, Boonville, when the engagement with him was made for monthly services, and it was during his administration that the Chapel was built and the first regular organiza- tion of the church had.

Among the names of rectors who have served this parish are: Rev. Thos. J. Taylor, Rev. Dr. S. C. Thrall, Rev. Abiel Leonard, Rev. J. Wood Dunn, Rev. William D. Sartwell and Rev. A. T. Sharpe, the pres- ent rector. Mr. Sharpe commenced his labors as rector of this parish, Dec. 1st, 1881, and has zealously performed his ministerial duties.

This religious organization now owns an ample building lot on the north- east corner of Broadway and Ohio streets, where they intend erecting a substantial and commodious church. Considerable money has already been subscribed to the contemplated house of worship, and at no very dis- tant day another beautiful stone structure will contribute to Sedalia's attractiveness. The private residence purchased with the lot, and stand- ing on the east part thereof, is used as the rectory, in which the present rector and family reside. As a place of regular worship the parish now use the hall in the Kruse & Fredrick block, on the southeast corner of Ohio and Seventh streets.

. The present officers who manage the temporal concerns of this church are: J. C. Thompson, Senior Warden; A. P. Morey, Junior Warden; W. H. Thorpe, Secretary of the vestry, and Charles W. Bullen, Treasurer.

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There are two guilds working in unison with the church, both in success- ful operation, the ladies' parish guild, and the St. Agnes guild.

A prosperous Sabbath School of about eighty members meets every Lord's day at 9:30 with Rev. A. T. Sharpe, the Rector, as Superintendent ; Homer E. Byler, Assistant Superintendent; and the following teachers: Miss M. Josie Keating, Miss Hattie Marvin, Miss Bettie Rosse, Miss Mamie Demuth, Miss Ida Sharpe, Mrs. Richard Woods, Mr. J. C. Thompson and Rev. A. T. Sharpe.

THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

In the population of Sedalia, the German element is quite extensively represented. As the city developed from the humble dimensions of the town, each year augmented the number of immigrants, who had turned their backs upon the old home beyond the sea and sought a new and bet- ter one in the new world, the land of promise and plenty, of which so many tidings had been sent across the ocean. They prospered well, and as house after house went up on the fair spot where Sedalia had been founded, and one piece of sod after the other was broken for new founda- tions and walls, German perseverance, German diligence and German muscle were not despised, but eagerly called upon to lend a helping hand in converting the rolling prairie land into a blooming city.

Early in the existence of Sedalia the church tower was seen to rise among the new roofs, and while the prairie grass was yet waving in the summer breeze the church bell called upon the people to follow the nar- row pathway which wound itself up to the church door, from which echoed hymns of praise and thanksgiving to the merciful Father above.

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The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches, Part 60

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald Publication date: 1882] Publisher: [n.p. Number of Pages: 1154

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald
Publication date: 1882]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 1154