USA > North Dakota > Early history of North Dakota: essential outlines of American history > Part 69
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Hebron, First ..
H. R. Lyou ..
.. J. H. Watts.
238.449
25.000
8,000
1,415
121,590
82,443
Hettinger, First.
.C. E. Batcheller.
. A. G. Newman
208.480
25.000
8,000
1,223
75,572
73,685
Hillsboro, First.
E. Y. Sarles.
E. R. Sarles.
550,378
50,000
10.000
7,973
149,112
280,016
Hillsboro, Hillsboro.
J. H. Hansoo.
. Ole Arnegard
551.465
50,000
13,000
7,489
125,320
308,656
Hope, First
J. D. Brown.
. F. W. Ehred ...
353,792
50,000
10,000
70,743
158,218
Hope. Hope
. Ole Arnegard.
Geo. A. Warner
50.000
10,000
2.508
34,693
91.014
Jamestown, Citizens ......
J. J. Nierling.
C. R. Hodge.
342,501
50,000
12,500
7.782
166,168
33,509
Jamestown, Farmera sod Merchants
Michael Murphy
R. R. Wolfer.
363,917
50.000
2.500
192,751
103,991
Jamestown, James River. . H. T. Graves.
A. B. De Nault.
851,20G
100,000
80,000
7.883
365,341
227,354
Keomare, First
. Charles J. Weiser
David Clark, Jr.
284,483
25,000
15,000
97,552
139,797
Keomare, Kenmare
.. J. N. Fox. .
H. P. Thronson
299.272
25,000
25,000
124,597
92.529
Kramer, First.
H. Thorson ..
H. O. Lyngstad.
173,134
25,000
5,000
1.914
35.737
90,983
Lakota, National
. G. W. C. Ross.
R. D. Swengel.
150.499
25,000
5,000
723
51,527
34,162
La Moure, First.
David Lloyd.
Paul Adams
347,619
25,000
15,000
1.580
117,810
159,893
La Moure, Farmers
H. Neverman.
T. N. Hunt
276,243
50,000
10,000
24,262
80,879
Langdon, First
C. B. McMillan.
J. H. Bain.
377,196
50,000
20,000
3,321
57.554
203,335
Langdon, Cavalier County. W. F .. Winter.
.John Sbeehan
324.539
25,000
5,000
838
79.424
179,278
Lansford, First ..
. John S. Tucker.
A. G. Adams
178,911
25,000
5,000
1.095
46,869
94,447
Larimore, National.
. F. E. Kenastoa.
.O. A. Hazen ..
152,437
25,000
5.000
1,393
43,436
68,679
Lidgerwood, First.
E. A. Movius.
.M. O. Movius. .
544,521
50,000
20,000
156
160.485
249,764
Lidgerwood, Farmers.
. M. Lynch ..
J. W. Stiteler ..
419.491
50,000
9.000
108,665
194,414
Lintoo, First ...
. Frank Chesrown ..
F. J. Pietz ..
328.865
25,000
10.000
105,418
182,197
Lisboa, First .. .
. R. S. Adams ..
W. S. Adams.
GS1.786
50,000
25.000
1,456
260,059
275.271
Litchville, First.
A. P. Hanson.
S. J. Sundet.
225,099
25.000
5,000
63.600
96,499
Mandan, First
H. R. Lyon ....
.J. B. Racek.
1,277,445
50,000
85,000
414,267
548,470
Mandan, Merchants
. F. S. Graham ..
L. S. Royer. ..
241.663
50,000
10,000
2.775
70,644
135,778
Marmarth, First.
J. E. Phelan.
P. J. Hackl. .
193.155
25.000
19.000
4.128
46,998
64,651
Mayville, First
K. G. Springeo.
Geo. O. Stomner
324,429
50,000
10,000
73,912
164,953
McClusky, First.
J. A. Beck ..
. A. Espeseth
141.178
25,000
2.150
1.542
37.735
67,751
McHenry, First.
H. S. Halvorsoo.
.. G. P. Cross. Jr.
97,656
25,000
272
17,000
10,423
McVille, First
C. H. Simpson. .
A. O. Moen ..
164,969
25.000
. . ....
71,057
100,999
Milnor, First
E. B. Johnson,
. A. W. Eastman.
147,348
23.000
5.000
299
34,745
71,440
Milnor, Milnor
F. W. Vail ..
. H. J. Edmon.
251,271
30.000
6.000
759
74,823
113,891
Milton, First
John Wild ...
H. G. Halverson.
137,740
25.000
5,000
20,503
78,887
Minnewaukan. First
O. I. Hegge.
. C. F. Pierson. .
253.250
25.000
5,000
2.695
83.694
103,034
Miaot, Second
R. E. Barron.
. H. E. Byorum.
1.239,849
100.000
50.000
51.641
455,778
407.705
Minot, Union.
E. S. Person ..
. Jas. S. Flatland.
560.745
50,000
30,000
1,546
193.656
113,457
Mohall. First
H. H. Steele ..
.. P. A. Benson. .
164,595
25.000
5.000
384
77.115
27,506
Mott. First ..
R. E. Trousdale.
.. E. H. Trousdale.
275.616
25,000
12,500
1.048
92.711
138.097
Munich, First ..
David H. Reecher.
.. O. A. Drews.
156,113
25,000
5,000
1.180
12.406
106,027
New England. First.
Ang. Peterson.
Schroeder.
219.806
25,000
5,000
9,572
56,410
85,824
New Rockford. First.
W'm. Roberts.
H. F. Rivedan.
261,259
25.000
6.000
73,432
131,442
New Salem, First
Chas. F. Kellogg.
233,339
25,000
4,650
962
106,517
190,392
Northwood. Citizens
K. G. Springen
A. S. Ell:ogsoo.
199,210
25,000
5,000
84,286
54,924
Oskes, Firat
T. F. Marshall.
J. E. Bunday.
409,223
25,000
15,000
1,136
147.532
135,881
Oakea. Oakes
Chas. S Brown.
. Hans Lee
153,509
25,000
10,000
3.543
28,271
79,696
Oanabrock, First
John Trotter.
T. L. Tillisch.
229.086
25,000
7.500
4,051
108,239
59,996
Park River. First
Karl J. Farup
. K. D. Bennett.
355,156
25,000
30,000
2.670
70.482
213,325
Plaza, First. .
Roht. W. Akin.
. L. E. Linder.
224,216
25.000
10,000
8,879
80.797
80.240
Portland. First
.G. A. White.
P. M. Paulson.
173,364
25.000
5,000
83
34.031
30.082
Rock Lake, First.
W. J. Lichty
. H. R. Gray
143,416
25,000
6.000
.......
52.675
39,500
Rolla, First.
.W. N. Steele.
Robt. Fraser
220,633
25.000
25,000
4.213
41,944
100,076
Ryder, First.
Ang. Peterson.
C. H. Christiansen.
186,399
25,000
5,000
10.844
62,764
50,262
St. Thomas, First.
E. T. Thompson. .
. H. L. Barnes.
150.018
25,000
10,000
7,544
49,330
83,218
Scranton, First.
W. A. Shaw.
R. J. List. .
171,922
25,000
7.500
1,680
80,783
41.819
Sentinel Butte, First ..... E. J. Curtin.
170,997
25.000
2.500
1.290
41,042
79,805
Sharon, First ..
Alexander Curry.
200.343
25,000
6.000
1.876
33,746
105,676
Sheldon, First.
Gus O. Erstt ..
155.952
25,000
5.000
3,589
41,989
42,874
Sheyenne. First.
D. N. Taliman.
213.889
25,000
8.000
46,557
85,956
Starkweather, First.
T. J. Dougherty. .
173.090
25,000
5.000
9.791
49,720
52,079
Steele, First.
.Ino. F. Robinson . .
. F. D. Jones. .
232.420
25,000
15,000
2.559
110,891
47,195
Streeter, First.
F. S. Graham ..
139,880
25,000
5.000
465
42.345
77,349
Tower Citv. First
A. M. Voorhees.
338.657
50,000
15,000
4.572
87,852
92,733
Towner. First ..
J. R. Carley.
.J. N. Kuhl.
181,552
25,000
3.200
2.635
128.188
197,422
Wahpeton, National
.Joseph Patterson
.W. F. Eckes.
135.18$
25.000
2.500
63
26,772
28,542
Washburn. First.
Geo. L. Robinson.
. Aug. E. Johnson
370,565
25,000
15.000
193
127.312
167.462
Williston, First.
.O. I Hegge.
W. S. Davidson.
937,102
75,000
25,000
720
253.662
344.619
Willow City, First. .F. M. Rich
. C. W. Wilkins.
214.529
25,000
10,000
2,448
53,980
99.906
Wimbledon. First
.F. C. Lovell.
H M Stroud.
225,391
25,000
9,000
93
67.301
88.907
Wimbledon, Merchants
J F. Fox.
C. C. Beers.
C. B. Paulson,
125,935
25,000
5.000
.....
42.006
29,929
. . E.
. . H.
A. Merrifield
216.106
30.000
6.000
60,154
$9,952
Hannaford, First.
.O. E. Thoresoo.
.. R. L. Jones. ..
172,730
25,000
10.000
50,046
78.476
Hunter, Fırat.
J. H. Gale.
Peter MeLachlin.
184,215
30,000
6.000
.......
24.760
39,839
Wyndmere, First
H H. Bug.
... John Tracy
977,330
100.000
100,000
2.023
334,978
406,445
Valley City. American. .
.James Grady. .
. H. C. Aamoth
505,682
55,000
20.000
9,449
150.423
165,188
Wahpeton, Citizens
E. R. Gamble ..
. J. P. Reeder.
411,000
50.000
10,000
...
105.778
128,914
Walhalla, First ...
.C. W. Andrews
1. F. Lepage
137,355
25.000
3.000
22,327
57,007
Valley City, First ..
. Hermen Winterer ..
497.948
50.000
50.000
1.326
28,114
65,578
Sanborn, First ..
. E. A. Engebretsoa.
.. . Louis Malm
. B. W. Taylor
146.463
25.000
3.000
.....
48.416
45.733
Tolley, First ..
J. I. Mathews ..
. W. E. Hynes.
166.409
25,000
2.979
45,240
160,038
Page, Firat. ..
L. B. Hanna ..
M. N. Mallory.
250,079
25,000
10,000
80,501
128,319
Reeder, First ..
. Aug. Peterson
. A.
S. N. Thompson.
. Wm. F. Huck.
85.673
25,000
2.750
34,597
48,419
Rolette. First.
A. Eyeland
C. O. Myhre ..
166,349
25,000
5,000
78
41,217
143,172
Northwood, First
A. R. Landt ...
. W. E. Johnson.
368,363
25,000
25,000
5,000
....
86.032
83,826
Omemee. First.
D. Mckinnon ..
A. R. Batie ..
262.557
25,000
5.000
115
69,434
46.726
Medina, First.
Michsel Murphy.
. Wm. F. Stege.
218,531
25,000
4.000
63,570
78,289
Marion, First.
Wesley C. McDowell. . Lewis Baertsch
256,297
25,000
60,831
40,106
Lecds, First.
.0. I. Hegge.
N. H. Story.
168.008
25,000
4.500
Undi- vided Surplus. profita.
Demand
Time
Total resources and liabilities.
Capital.
25,000
5,000
43.188
98.841
Willow City, Merchants .. J. S. Odland.
· Geo. B. Werdel
197.090
114.163
25.000
5.000
54,814
73,195
Turtle Inke, First.
Wm. Llerhoe ...
. R. T. Lierboe.
25.000
5,000
37,986
117,903
Stanley, Firat.
T. 1. Beiseker.
. R. E. Kratt.
. S. G. Severtson
... Chss. A. Potter.
223.272
.. W. C. Stuhr ..
. O. H. Olson.
. R. J. Hneschen
. S. F. Sherman.
E. Johnston
13.316
56,482
Reynolds, First.
H.
. J. Henry Kling.
244.736
10.000
Hankinson, First ...
.. E. L. Kinney ..
61,693
118.400
Hatton, Farmers and
. S. S. Titus. .
294.492
CHAPTER XXXV HISTORY OF METHODISM IN NORTH DAKOTA
BY WILLIAM H. WHITE
The history of the first Methodist Episcopal Church of Fargo is, largely, the history of early Methodism, in that part of the great Northwest north of the forty-sixth parallel of latitude and west of the Red River of the North. Long before the Indian title to the lands in the Red River Valley was extinguished, the pioneer Methodist preacher took up his work of laying the foundation of our great church in this country.
In the omniscient mind of the Master nothing is left to chance.
As we witness the unfolding of His plans, we realize how for generations unborn His loving thoughtfulness provides.
In the early history of Methodism in the little town of Adiz, Ohio, over seventy years ago, our sainted Bishop Simpson grew up with, and by his pure life was the means of the conversion of, a young man by the name of Gurley. While subse- quently associated with him in Allegheny College, he was instrumental, through divine direction, in young Gurley's entrance into the ministry, who, later, became the father of Methodism in this portion of the Northwest.
Rev. James Gurley, better known by the affectionate title of Father Gurley, took up his residence at Brainerd, Minn., as a missionary of the Methodist Church, in the fall of 1871, his mission extending from Duluth, on Lake Superior, to the entire then inhabited portions of Northern Minnesota, and what is now known as North Dakota.
The beginnings of Methodism in Northern Dakota, under the direction of Father Gurley (like that movement under the direction of Wesley), had its origin in the prayer and exhortation meetings held in the shanties of the pioneers. Through the years of 1871 and 1872 no church organization was effected in all of Northern Minnesota and Dakota, except at Duluth and Brainerd. Fargo being but one of the many appointments upon a circuit of 150 miles, could claim only a portion of Father Gurley's time, and great were the sacrifices he made to reach it. He, however, laid the foundations of the church in this state, strong and deep, and upon this foundation, since 1872, Methodism has been building.
No official local organization was effected in Northern Dakota during the year 1873, but Methodism assumed more permanency and a nucleus was definitely formed at Fargo, of which the legal existence of the Fargo church was the out- growth in 1874.
During 1873 Northern Dakota was joined to the Northwest Iowa conference and was known as the Northern Pacific Mission. The Rev. John Webb was
554
555
EARLY HISTORY OF NORTH DAKOTA
regularly appointed by that conference as general missionary west of the Red River, Rev. Gurley retaining the work in Northern Minnesota. Mr. Webb's residence was at Fargo and his circuit comprised the district in which now are situated the towns of Jamestown, Caledonia, Grand Forks and Abercrombie, but no churches were officially organized at any of these points at this date.
Church services during 1873 were regularly held at Fargo in what was known as Pinkham's Hall, located on the corner of Front and Fifth streets. Rev. Mr. Webb officiated when in Fargo, his place being supplied during his absence by Father Gurley or by services conducted by some of the laity.
While no official membership existed, the church affairs were generally looked after by Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Plummer, Miss Emma Plummer and William H. White. A Sunday school of about twenty scholars was formed with Wm. H. White as superintendent and with Mrs. Plummer and Miss Plummer as teachers. These informal organizations existed in Fargo throughout this year, Rev. Mr. Webb fostering them and giving them the larger portion of his time in connection with his duties at other points on his circuit.
A church building was talked of and some funds raised, but nothing further done except to select and solicit from the railroad company a donation of two of the lots upon which our present church stands.
Early in the year 1874 energetic steps were taken toward collecting money and laying plans for the erection of the first Methodist Church in North Dakota.
Through the kindness of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company in giving free rates for freight on building material, and the generosity of merchants and business men generally, irrespective of denomination, a subscription sufficient for the commencement of a small church was raised and active operations toward its erection were begun early in the spring.
The church building (the dimensions of which were about 30 by 50 feet) was completed and ready for occupancy by the Ist of July.
On the 20th of July the legal existence of the First Methodist Church and Sunday school of Fargo may be said to have begun, although for nearly a year prior to this date an organized Sunday school and services under the auspices of the Methodist Church had been held with such regularity as the opportunities and circumstances of the time would permit.
The meeting was held in the church building, the Rev. H. J. Christ of Brainerd, Minn., presiding. Those present were Rev. John Webb, missionary to the Northern Pacific mission, James Douglas of Moorhead, Minn., Alonzo Plummer, Mrs. Alonzo Plummer, Miss Emma Plummer and Wm. H. White. A board of trustees was elected consisting of N. K. Hubbard, Geo. I. Foster, Alonzo Plum- mer, secretary, and Wm. H. White, president.
There was no board of stewards formed at this time, as the membership consisted of but one person (Wm. H. White), who was continued as Sunday school superintendent, the school at that time consisting of about twenty mem- bers. After determining the cost of the new building to be $1,200, upon which had been paid about $800, a canvass of subscriptions showing a deficit of $200, and after devising plans for the support of Rev. Mr. Webb as missionary, the meeting adjourned.
While the church was started practically without a membership, according to the church records, its membership comprised the entire town as far as
556
EARLY HISTORY OF NORTH DAKOTA
sympathy, interest and aid were concerned, and the interest manifested by the congregation insured success from the beginning; and for several years after it was the church home for all denominations until, with the incoming of new people, these organizations were of themselves sufficiently strong to build their own houses of worship. The first loss of this nature occurred December 30, 1877, when the Presbyterians, who had worshipped with us, went off to form a society of their own denomination. These were followed September 22, 1878, by the Baptists, who had erected for themselves a church building. Later, November 2, 1881, the Congregationalists likewise erected their own church edifice. These repeated drains upon our working membership were felt, but those of our own, with renewed energy and added zeal, taking up the work, no serious drawbacks attended these repeated withdrawals. In the fall of the year mentioned (1874) our church was dedicated. At this time a subscription was taken sufficiently ample to free it from debt. During this year Missionary Webb had also formed a nucleus for a church at Grand Forks fostered by the Fargo church by dona- tions of books, etc. In the fall of 1874 the Northwestern Iowa Conference returned the Rev. John Webb to the Northern Pacific Mission, with headquarters at Fargo, and, as an assistant, the Rev. Mr. Curl was appointed, with headquarters at Grand Forks.
During the spring and summer of 1875 the Fargo charge was one of a circuit as in former years, the Rev. Mr. Webb giving most of his time to this part of the work, but also laying such foundations throughout the territory as were afterward developed, largely through the instrumentality of the Fargo church.
In the fall of 1875 the Northwestern Iowa Conference established a district of Northern Dakota, calling it the Northern Pacific District. Rev. Mr. Webb was appointed presiding elder and Rev. J. T. Walker pastor at Fargo. This was the first appointment made directly to Fargo. On account of ill health Mr. Walker was unable to take the appointment and the Rev. J. B. Starkey was transferred from Onawa, Iowa, and appointed to Fargo in Mr. Walker's place. Brother Starkey arrived in Fargo on November 13th.
On Sunday, November 14th, he preached his first sermon in Fargo, being the first sermon preached by a regularly appointed pastor at Fargo.
The congregation numbered twenty-three people. The membership at this date, according to records now in Rev. Starkey's possession, consisted of five persons, namely : Miss Alvira Pinkham (now Mrs. Geo. Cooper), Mrs. E. A. Grant, Mrs. Geo. I. Foster, Mrs. E. A. Atkinson and Wm. H. White. The Sunday school at this date was reorganized under the Sunday School Union with the same officers and teachers. The first prayer meeting held by the new pastor was in the church on the evening of November 18th, four persons being present. Revival meetings were planned by Reverend Starkey shortly after his arrival and continued for two weeks. While no additions were made to the church, the influence for good on the town was marked, and the church as an institution was strengthened thereby.
During the spring and summer of 1876 Rev. Mr. Starkey, in connection with his pastoral work, was very energetic in his efforts to advance the cause of temperance in the town, lecturing and organizing a temperance band which had a marked influence on its temperance principles.
In the fall of 1876 North Dakota was placed in the Sioux City district, with
557
EARLY HISTORY OF NORTH DAKOTA
Rev. T. M. Williams presiding elder. He visited Fargo but once during the conference year, having to travel by the way of St. Paul, Northern Pacific Junc- tion and Brainerd, a distance of-600 miles, to reach the district. Rev. Mr. Starkey acted in the double capacity of pastor at Fargo and presiding elder, rendering faithful service in enlarging the plans started by the Rev. Mr. Webb throughout North Dakota, and in addition to his faithful service at Fargo he completed a church at Grand Forks.
Mr. Starkey's pastorate in Fargo terminated in the fall of 1878.
As a pastor he was a man of influence in Fargo, not only in the church, but throughout the town and at adjacent points. His untiring efforts and fervent zeal placed the church upon a permanent foundation with opportunities for rapid advancement under subsequent leadership.
On September 28, 1878, at a meeting held at Cherokee, Iowa, by a joint com- mission from the Northwest Iowa Conference and the Minnesota Conference, it was decided to attach to the Minnesota Conference all the territory north of the forty-sixth parallel of latitude, and the presiding bishops of each conference, con- curring in this decision, completed the transfer, thus making North Dakota and Fargo charge at this date in the Minnesota Conference, and designated as the Red River district. Later, in the fall of 1878, the Minnesota Conference appointed the Rev. Mr. Starkey presiding elder of this district, and Rev. Mr. Barnett, a transfer from Kentucky, as pastor at Fargo. Rev. Mr. Barnett failing to meet the appointment, Presiding Elder Starkey appointed the Rev. H. B. Crandall, from Alexandria, to Fargo. Mr. Crandall served this charge as pastor during the conference year of 1878 and 1879, enlarging the membership of the church, organizing its societies and rendering efficient service during his pastorate.
On October 6, 1879, Rev. C. F. Bradley was transferred from Duluth to serve the Fargo charge, Rev. Mr. Starkey being reappointed presiding elder. Mr. Bradley's pastorate was of only a year's duration, but it was a year crowded with improved opportunities and rapid strides in the development and extension of the interests of the church, and through the Fargo church to the entire district. During this year Mrs. S. M. Stiles, of Hartford, Conn., solicited in Eastern cities and shipped to the Fargo church nearly a ton of Sunday school books and church literature, which in turn, through the wise management of Rev. Mr .. Bradley and officers of the Sunday school, were reshipped to the various new towns springing up about Fargo, and were an incentive to the beginning of new Sunday schools, which have developed into what are now our neighboring Meth- odist churches.
The gift also formed the basis of our present Sunday school library. Mr. Bradley's pastorate was also characterized by an unprecedented religious growth in the church. The membership numbered about one hundred.
A literary society of unusual interest was formed. The class meeting was well attended and every department of the church showed the favorable results of sympathetic interest and effort between pastor and people. His ripe scholar- ship, judgment and dignified christian bearing drew many outside of any church relationship and, by enlarging our congregations, benefited those who came and contributed to the material interests of the church From these conditions our church soon proved inadequate to our needs, necessitating action with reference to a new church building. Late in the summer of 1880 Mr. Bradley received a
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EARLY HISTORY OF NORTH DAKOTA
call to a professorship in Hamline University, which he accepted, after a vacation, at the end of the conference year; the church being supplied by Rev. C. N. Stowers, of the Wisconsin Conference. On October 11, 1880, Rev. C. N. Stowers was regularly appointed to the Fargo charge and served as its pastor until the summer of 1881, at which time he was obliged to resign on account of ill health occasioned by overwork, and the Rev. S. B. Warner was transferred from the Upper Iowa Conference to finish the year. The fall of 1880 and the winter of 1881 under the pastorate of Brother Stowers were busy seasons for Methodism in Fargo. The little church which had accommodated the society for six years became entirely inadequate to the needs of the growing congregation, and it was sold to the Catholics. It was not without great regret that the members saw the building which had so long been their church home, mounted on rollers and slowly moved from the location upon which it had been of so much influence. In its place was erected a building better adapted to the convenience and comfort of the growing society, at a cost of $5,000. Subscriptions had been taken but the funds realized were insufficient to free it from debt, and most heroically did the membership at repeated times respond to the call for financial aid and, for the reason that we prize those things which cost the greatest struggle to acquire, the new church soon began to be recognized and appreciated as the church home in the same sense as was the little old church which had been so deeply seated in the affections of the people. By Christmas, 1880, the new church was finished, and pastor and people devoutly returned thanks for the divine aid which had enabled them to construct, for His worship, a building so commodious. At this time was placed in the tower the first bell that proclaimed protestant christianity to the people of North Dakota, and, being the first member of any protestant church in North Dakota, Wm. H. White was called upon to first send its tones vibrating through the air.
About this time the membership numbered 125 and the Sunday school 150.
On September 29, 1881, the Minnesota Conference convened and was enter- tained at Fargo, its sessions being held in the Fargo church. At this time the Rev. J. B. Starkey, who since November 30, 1875, had served the people so faithfully, closed his relations with the district to take work in another field. Largely through his self-sacrificing and energetic labors the Fargo membership had grown from 5 to 125, and the district from two churches to over two dozen churches, nearly all of which owe their start and success to him.
At this conference (September 29, 1881) the Rev. S. B. Warner was appointed pastor and Rev. G. R. Hair presiding elder of the Fargo district.
On December 31, 1881, Wm. H. White resigned the superintendency of the Sunday school, after a service of eight years dating from its beginning. He was succeeded by T. S. Quincy, who served until September 1, 1882, and who was in turn followed by Smith Stimmel, who acted in the capacity of superintendent until May 1, 1883.
The church under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Warner, during the conference year of 1881 and 1882, rapidly increased in numbers. Being at a period of great influx of people to Fargo, the interests of the church were stimulated by the acquisition of new members, and under the careful and painstaking supervision of Rev. Mr. Warner the spiritual, social and financial interests of the church received a great impetus. The pastorate of Rev. Mr. Warner closed October
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