USA > Nebraska > Dodge County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume I > Part 41
USA > Nebraska > Washington County > History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and their people, Volume I > Part 41
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Julia A. Whitney .Associate Matron Jennie Glover
W. D. Badger. . Secretary Florence Planck
Barbara Hammang . Treasurer. . Mary Gilfrey
Minnie Jewett.
. Conductress Anna Glover
Associate Conductress Harriet Lawson Jennie Glover.
NAOMI CHAPTER No. 121, ORDER EASTERN STAR
This chapter was organized at Fort Calhoun February 17, 1898, and now enjoys a total membership of forty.
It is stated upon the best of authority that the first Eastern Star Chapter in Nebraska was organized at Fort Calhoun, about 1868, became defunct after two years or so, and its records and money were all turned over to the Grand Chapter of Nebraska. It is thought this pioneer chap-
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ter was formed under the Grand Chapter of the State of Iowa. Many of the old settlers were members of the chapter
Returning to the present chapter at Fort Calhoun, let it be said that its charter membership was as follows:
Mrs. Hannah M. Beals, worthy matron; George R. Whitney, worthy patron ; Mrs. Caroline M. Tresler, associate matron; Hugh A. Stevenson, secretary ; Fred H. Frahm, treasurer; Catherine C. Beales, conductress ; Mrs. Jessie M. Foster, associate conductress; Sadie C. Beals, Myrtle Whitney, Elizabeth Bradley, Wm. R. Duncan, Edwin N. Grenell, Mrs. Sarah Coffman, N. Sheridan Craig, Mrs. Maud Craig, Dr. Thomas A. Reed, Edward G. Grenell, Mayme Duncan, Edith H. Grenell, Mrs. Johanna Schmidt, Mrs. Rhoda Craig, Mrs. Carrie Jipp, Camille Saltzman, Mrs. Jessie Foster, Miss Anna A. Carter, Emma C. Craig, Austin W. Beals.
The 1920 officers of this chapter are as follows: Mrs. Ella C. Beales, worthy matron; Fred H. Frahm, worthy patron, Clara H. Coffman, associate matron ; Catherine C. Beals, secretary ; Elsie R. Cook, treasurer ; Sadie C. Frahm, conductress ; Mary E. Rowley, associate conductress.
MCKINLEY CHAPTER No. 161
Mckinley Chapter Order of Eastern Star at Blair was organized May 7, 1902, by J. D. Hawthorne, grand patron. The present total mem- bership is 160. Other chapters in Washington County are at Fort Cal- houn, Arlington and Herman.
The charter members of this chapter (Mckinley No. 161) were as follows : Eugene S. Beaty, Mrs. Alice J. Foley, Mrs. Nellie Smith, Miss Maud L. Carter, Mrs. Fanny Kelly, Mrs. Lulu Hahn, Mrs. Lou Beaty, Miss A. C. Kenny, George W. Sellers, Mrs. Belle Davis, Mrs. Addie E. Sellers, Will H. H. Davis, John C. Johnson, William Kelly, Miss Laura M. Lantry, Miss Bertha Crouch, Miss Sue M. Kenny, Mrs. Sarah A. Haller, Mrs. Sophie Arndt, Frederick Arndt, Frederick W. Kenny, Mrs. Minnie Williams, Mrs. Nanny A. Crouch, Mrs. Matilda A. Bross, Miss Bertha Taylor, Miss Stella Taylor, Mrs. Margaret C. Pal- mer, Mrs. Florence Carter, George Carter, Lyman A. Williams, Mrs. Anna McKeen, Miss June Fletcher, Miss Louise Kline, Miss Genevieve Davis, Miss Nellie Haller, Miss Cora Hester, Mrs. Nettie Carter, Miss Mittie Foley, G. S. Haller, Henry H. Hahn, Mrs. Annie J. Kenny.
First Officers 1920 Officers
Mrs. Alice J. Foley. ... Worthy Matron Mrs. Gussie Lippincott
Frederick W. Kenny ... Worthy Patron. Oliver M. Ireland
Mrs. Sophie Arndt. .... Associate Matron . Ethel Mead
Mrs. Minnie Williams. . Secretary Mrs. Minnie Williams
Mrs. Lou Beaty . Treasurer. Miss Fanny Langtry Mrs. Lulu Hahn. . Conductress. Mrs. Sadie Higley Mrs. Nellie Smith. Associate Conductress. . Mrs. Blanche Rhoades
HERMAN CHAPTER No. 216
Herman Chapter Order of Eastern Star, at Herman, was organized March 3, 1908. The present membership of this chapter is 138.
The charter members in this chapter were as follows: Clara Bailey, worthy matron; Allen J. Cameron, worthy patron; Cora Burdic, asso- ciate matron ; Axylphia Hungate, secretary ; Dora Rose, treasurer ; Lena Russell, conductress; Josephine Hart, associate conductress; Eugene
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Burdic, Miss Birdie Fletcher, Carl Hansen, Mrs. Josephine Hansen, Floyd Van Valin, Charles Gray, George Hart, John Bailey, Minnie Ackerman, Maimie Cameron, Bessie Meador, Estella Gray, Thomas Hungate, Louie Fitch, Iredale Van Valin, Emma Spoore, Miss Alma Fletcher, Mrs. Elizabeth Gray, George Rose.
This chapter assemble in Masonic Hall, erected soon after the great cyclone in Herman, June 13, 1899.
The present (1920) elective officers are: Estella Gray, worthy matron ; Hiram B. Cameron, worthy patron; Mrs. Mae Johnson, asso- ciate matron; Mrs. Effie M. Godsey, secretary; Miss Caroline Wachter, treasurer.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWSHIP
This ranks next in the age of its organization to Free Masonry and is now over a century old in this country.
Probably the first lodge of this fraternity, representing Friendship, Love and Truth, in Washington County, was Blair Lodge No. 14, organ- ized in 1869 and now has a membership of 165. Its charter members were as follows: J. W. Hewell, Sr., S. B. Taylor, M. C. Huyett, James Denny, B. F. Hilton, Niles Noyes, J. H. Van Horn, James S. Stewart.
The original Noble Grand was S. B. Taylor and the vice grand was J. W. Hewell.
The officers today (1920) are: George Kuhr, noble grand; A. W. Rose, vice grand; J. L. Pounds, treasurer; T. H. Wright, secretary.
WASHINGTON LODGE No. 41
Washington Lodge No. 41, Independent Order of Odd Fellows was organized at the Town of Arlington, October 11, 1873, with charter members as follows: William J. Crane, William Unthank, William H. Kingdon, William Shulze and Haman Chapman.
This lodge owns a handsome lodge room property consisting of the lower floor of the opera house. It is a two and one-half story building constructed of brick. It was erected in 1892 and is worth $10,000. Prior to this the lodge owned another building which was burned in 1891; the first was a frame building.
The first and present officers were as follows :
First Officers 1920 Officers
William Unthank .Noble Grand M. W. Winset
William J. Crane . Vice Grand. . Frank Wolf
H. Chapman Secretary .G. I. Pfeiffer
William H. Kingdon .Treasurer F. W. Pfeiffer
KENNARD LODGE No. 266
Kennard Lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 266, was organized at the Village of Kennard, July 23, 1902. The charter mem- bers were as follows: William E. Swihart, L. A. Green, John Nissen, W. H. Menking, Henry Drevsen, B. Widener, Andrew D. Andersen, Mark I. Swihart, W. H. Harrison, Willis E. Anderson, Rasmus Larson, Nils P. Hansen, H. C. Blaco, Charles E. Edmondson.
This lodge now has a membership of 121 in good standing.
The first elective officers were: W. H. Menking, noble grand ; W. E. Swihart, vice grand; L. A. Green, secretary ; John Nissen, treasurer.
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The present (1920) officers are: Carl A. Monson, noble grand; Peter Cook, vice grand; E. E. Cashman, secretary; C. E. Kronberg, treasurer ; H. C. Blaco, C. B. Hansen and O. W. Marshal, trustees.
This lodge owns its own hall, costing $2,000, purchased in 1914.
REBEKAH DEGREE OF ODD FELLOWSHIP
This auxiliary to Odd Fellowship is represented at several points in Washington County including the following places :
REBEKAH LODGE No. 42-ARLINGTON
This lodge was organized December 3, 1888, with charter members as follows: J. Blessing, H. Chapman, O. Unthank, R. E. Roberts, John Hammang, Nellie Blessing, R. C. Smith, Mrs. L. B. Wilson, John Close, A. Masters, C. Saffenfield, D. C. Kennecutt, James Hitchcock, Fred Menking, W. J. Crane, P. Z. Wilson, Mrs. W. J. Crane, Mrs. R. C. Smith, Mrs. D. C. Kennecutt, Mrs. E. Fuller, Miss Lottie Fuller.
The original and present-day elective officers of this lodge are:
First Officers Titles 1920 Officers
O. N. Unthank. .Noble Grand. Miss Carrie Cowles
Mrs. E. Fuller Vice Grand. Mrs. Euphemia Osterman
Miss Lizzie M. Wilson .. Secretary. Mrs. Bessie Gaines
Mrs. R. E. Roberts. Treasurer Miss Inez Wages
Chaplain. Miss Gertrude Gaines
Mrs. J. G. Blessing. Ward. Mrs. Maymie Winset
Mrs. Letta A. Fuller. . Conductor. Mrs. Sophia Conley
Mrs. W. J. Crane. Inside Guard .Helen Menking
H. C. Saffenfield. Outer Guard. Addie Mckibbon
"FAITHFUL" REBEKAH LODGE No. 332
This lodge was organized at Kennard April 16, 1918, with charter members as follows: Merie Blaco, Mamie Wright, Mae Jones, Tillie Nelson, Belle Bouch, Nathan Bouch, Ernest Nelson, Emma Nelson, Edna Anderson, Helen Berry, Elna Nissen, Charlotte Berry, Cleo Ander- son, Christina Hansen, Anna Rosenbaum, Elizabeth Kronberg, Anna Kempche, W. B. Rosenbaum, Taylor Meadows, Chris Hansen, H. C. Blaco, Gus Kempcke, G. E. Kronberg, Adolph Kroigard, Homer Ward, J. B. Anderson, Burr R. Jones.
The present total membership of this lodge is seventy-one.
Other lodges in Washington County of this order are at Blair and Arlington. The 1920 officers are: Tillie Nelson, noble grand; Nena Meadows, vice grand; Edna Anderson, secretary; Leona Nelson, treas- urer ; Mae Jones, warden ; Angie Hall, conductor ; Merie Blaco, chaplain.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS ORDER
This is one of the more modern secret societies in this country. It was established with Lodge No. 1, at the City of Washington, soon after the close of the Civil war in 1866, and has become quite popular in many portions of the country, not as strong, however, in this county as elsewhere.
GARFIELD LODGE No. 6
This lodge was instituted at Blair April 7, 1883 by Deputy Grand Chancellor of Nebraska. The charter members were as follows: J. Alt-
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schuler, E. S. Noble, J. R. Bryan, Perry Selden, Fred Noble, Douglass Smith, O. W. Cook, J. H. Sheen, Chris Boyer, Harry Higley, Thomas Finnell, H. Noble, T. P. Noble, W. G. Higley, Henry Hunter, E. S. Hewett, Charles McClatchie, Dr. H. Noble, C. A. Buffoon, J. Keppel, J. L. Conant, Jr., J. Brookwalter, E. Perry.
Only one of the original charter members are still with this lodge -.- Thomas Finnell.
This lodge was formed in the Masonic Hall, and has used various halls to the present date.
The present or 1920 elective officers are: Thomas T. Osterman, chancellor commander; J. H. Stewart, vice chancellor; C. R. Mead, prelate; Ed Matthiesen, master of exchequer; J. E. Carver. master of finance; H. N. Thone, keeper of records and seals; L. A. Farnberg, master at arms ; A. J. Croudy, outside guard ; Henry Grimm, inside guard.
ANCIENT ORDER OF UNITED WORKMEN
On account of the charter of this lodge at Herman, Washington County, having been destroyed in the great cyclone of 1899. the date of its organization cannot be here given, but it was a number of years previous to that never-to-be-forgotten wind storm.
It is, however, known that the following were first elective officers : Charles A. Marshall, past master workman; John H. Cameron, master workman; Elsworth Z. Russell, foreman; Carlton Saunders, overseer ; Walter G. Cleuver, recorder; Silas Harris, Financier; John H. Cham- bers, receiver ; James E. Dorsey, guide.
The present total membership of this Workman lodge is fifty.
The lodge does not own its hall but leases one.
The 1920 elective officers are as follows: Fred Robertson, master workman; J. P. Lowe, foreman; Charles Nelson, financier.
THE DANISH BROTHERHOOD
In Washington County among the beneficiary lodges is what is well known among the Danish people-the Danish Brotherhood of America. Lodge No. 173 of such an order was organized at Herman, this county, September 5, 1903. It now enjoys a total membership of forty-eight. Its charter members were as follows: C. A. Beck, N. P. Iversen, H. P. Hansen, John P. Ericksen, Hans A. Nelson, James Jacobsen, R. N. Rasmussen, Peter Knudsen, L. P. Ericksen, Fred D. Christensen, Peter N. Petersen, L. P. Skov, Lars Jacobsen, H. P. Christensen, Thorwald Hansen, C. M. Hansen, W. H. Christensen, Hans Petersen, H. F. Enges, C. H. Kruse.
The present elective officers are as follows: W. H. Christensen, president ; R. P. Rasmussen, vice president; R. H. Rasmussen, secre- tary ; Anton Rasmussen, treasurer ; J. M. Jensen, H. P. Christensen and one more, are the trustees.
Blair and Kennard in this county also have lodges of this order.
KENNARD LODGE DANISH BROTHERHOOD No. 159
This lodge was organized February 5, 1903, and now has forty-six members-three more than the original charter members.
The first officers were as follows: John Niessen, C. B. Hamen, Hans Andersen, A. P. Andersen, Nick Cook, Jens P. Sorensen, Hans
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P. Christensen, John C. Jensen, Jens P. Hansen, Mogens Petersen, D. Hall.
The 1920 officers in charge are: C. B. Hansen, Ben Haaselstiam, L. Buck, Nick Cook, Nels E. Clovertemen, Nels O. Hansen, Peter Jor- gensen, and Nels Andersen.
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
Blair, Fort Calhoun, Arlington and Kennard, all have lodges of this fraternity which is really one of the leading beneficiary orders in which many people are insured on the mutual plan.
Kennard Camp No. 1347 of Modern Woodmen of America was organized March 6, 1891, at the Village of Kennard and now has a total membership of 156.
The first charter members were: G. A. Compton, David Demaree, W. H. Epling, Frank McCracken, W. J. McCann, Christian F. Nelsen, W. H. Pruner, John Rosenbaum, W. H. Rosenbaum, H. J. Rosenbaum, S. M. Wright and F. P. Vannicle.
The first elective officers included these: H. J. Rosenbaum, worthy advisor; Chris S. Neilsen, banker; G. A. Compton, clerk; F. P. Van- nicle, Escort; W. H. Rosenbaum, watchman; S. M. Wright, sentinel ; Dr. W. H. Pruner, physician. The present elective officers are: George Nelson, venerable consul ; A. E. Wright, advisor ; E. E. Cashman, banker ; C. M. Weed, clerk; I. C. Lantrup, escort; E. R. Cunningham, watch; Harold. Bates, sentinel; Dr. J. B. Anderson, physician.
Trapbois Camp No. 1295 of Modern Woodmen of America was organized January 5, 1890, by J. C. Root. The charter members were as follows: John G. Power, John A. Schmahling, A. M. Schumaker, B. F. Monroe, W. C. Vaughn, M. M. Tomlinson, D. McMurtrie, W. E. Marsh.
The original officers were: John G. Power, counsel; W. C. Vaughn, adviser ; J. A. Schmahling, clerk; W. E. Marsh, banker.
The present (1920) elective officers are as follows: N. W. Cole, counsel; E. F. David, adviser; T. H. Wright, clerk; J. E. Carver, banker; the trustees are Lou Vaughan, W. J. Koopman, W. H. Underwood.
CHAPTER XIII CHURCHES OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES-THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES-THE BAPTIST CHURCHES-THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES- THE LUTHERAN CHURCHES - DANISH LUTHERAN CHURCHES - EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES
The first church of this denomination to be formed in what is now Washington County was the one organized by Rev. Reuben Gaylord, of Omaha, at Fontanelle, the date being in the month of May, 1856. Its charter members were as follows: Samuel Strickland, Mrs. Emily K. Strickland, Thomas Gibson, Mrs. Sarah Gibson, James H. Peters, Mrs. Jane Peters, Rev. Thomas Waller, Lucien Kennedy, Rufus Brown, Mrs. Nancy Brown, James A. Bell, Miss Mary Bell, Edward Corless, Miss Mary Corless, John Francis, Mrs. Maria Francis, Silas J. Francis, Mrs. Celestia Francis, Cyrus Howell, Edward Holmes, Mrs. Elvina Holmes, William G. Brigham, and Mrs. Lucy C. Brigham.
Thomas Gibson and James A. Bell were appointed deacons; Rev. Thomas Waller was appointed the first pastor ; the new church was pre- sented with a fine silver communion set by the parent church at Quincy, Illinois. Among the pastors serving the Fontanelle Congregational Church may be recalled: Revs. E. B. Hurlbut, William McCandlish, L. H. Jones, C. G. Bisbee, Isaiah Smith, Thomas Douglas, Reuben Gaylord.
With the building up of other towns, the construction of railways and the almost abandonment of Fontanelle this church went down.
BLAIR CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
The Congregational Church of Blair was organized February 10, 1870, by Rev. M. Tingley, and charter members were as follows: Rev. Marshall Tingley, Mrs. Cornelia Tingley, Niles Noyes, Mrs. Catherine Noyes, Mrs. Fanny Lantry, Mrs. Amy Kenny, Charles G. Maynard, Charles H. Eggleston.
The present (1920) total membership of this church is 115. The present Sunday school has a membership of forty-nine and its super- intendent is R. J. Murdoch.
A Gothic type of church building was dedicated for this church November 22, 1874, the cost of which was $2,070. At one date there was a parsonage, but that has been sold some years ago.
The only other Congregational Church in Washington County is the one at Arlington.
The pastors who have served faithfully and well at Blair are as follows: Revs. Marshall Tingley, Randolph Campbell, George W. Wainwright, Henry M. Goodell, Albert M. Case, Alonzo Rogers, John Power, Thomas D. McLean, George G. Perkins, Frank W. Gardner, J. Wallace Larkin, Arcline G. Axtell, Jesse B. Burkhardt, A. M. Abbott,
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Royal C. Moodie, George R. McKeith, Charles A. Gleason, Jordan M. Kokjer, Abram R. Jones.
Arlington Congregational Church was organized in 1883 by C. W. Merrill, superintendent of Congregational Home Missionary Society for Nebraska. The charter members were these: Messrs. and Mmes. W. Hatton, J. E. Dole, J. B. Chapman, W. J. Crane; Mrs. O. K. Lewis and Mrs. S. Delo.
The present total membership of this church is eighty-five. The Sunday school has a membership of about fifty and has for its super- intendent Miss Leta Marshall.
The following pastors have served the church at Arlington: Revs. B. F. Diffenbacher, W. P. Clancy, J. B. Bidwell, A. W. Ayers, John Kidder, T. E. Horton, G. T. Nichols, James Valier, L. S. Hand, Guy H. Rice, Gilbert Rindell, Jacob Flook, E. Lehman, Reverend Barnett, A. T. Davies, Wm. Kline and A. E. Bashford. W. H. Buss of Fremont has served recently as a supply.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES
The first Methodist Episcopal Church at Arlington, was organized in 1869 when the place was known as Bell Creek. Rev. Jacob Adriance was the organizer of this as well as most churches in the county for this denomination. The names of charter members are not now available. The present total membership is 202. Total Sunday school attendance, 183. The 1920 superintendent is E. W. Elsner.
This church owns its own frame church edifice and parsonage, valued at about $6,500. The present pastor is Rev. Joseph Stopford, whose salary is now $1,625.
Other points in Washington County where Methodist Episcopal churches are established at this date are: Herman, Kennard, Rose Hill, Blair, Colby.
The subjoined is a list of the pastors for the Arlington church from date of formation until now: Revs. J. Van Anda, Jacob Adriance, William Peck, George W. De La Matyr, Peter Van Fleet, S. A. Baer, Jacob Charles, Alfred Hedgette, R. B. Wilson, W. J. Pyle, H. K. Bald- win, Oscar Eggelston, H. Trazona, J. Q. Fleharty, T. W. Mathews, R. J. Cocking, William Van Buren, W. D. Strambaugh, W. H. Under- wood, Reverend Frazee, G. M. Couffer, Amos Fetzer, G. M. Couffer. H. A. Chappel, William Esplin, T. A. Truscott, J. D. Hummel, Joseph Stopford.
Herman Methodist Episcopal Church has a membership of 141; property valued at $6,000; the pastor in 1920 is Rev. A. C. Rice.
Kennard Methodist Episcopal Church has a property worth $3,000; pays a salary of $1,400.
The Blair Methodist Episcopal Church, according to the last con- ference reports, has property valued at $14,500; pays a salary of $1,640; has a membership of 191.
LUTHERAN CHURCHES
St. Paul's Lutheran Church, situated four miles north of Arlington, was organized in 1860 by A. W. Frese and now has a total membership of 665. Its parochial school has a membership of eighty.
A brick church edifice was erected by this congregation in 1890, costing $15,000.
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The following is a list of pastors serving this congregation since its organization : Revs. A. W. Frese, E. J. Frese, J. Hilgendorf, H. Haller- berg, G. W. Wolter.
This denomination also has a church at Blair, and one north of Fontanelle.
EMMANUS LUTHERAN CHURCH-KENNARD
This Lutheran Church is located at the Village of Kennard and was organized in 1895. The early records are not to be had now, says the pastor, hence all that can be recorded in this connection is that the church today has a total of fifty-four souls, and thirty-six confirmed members.
The present worth of church property is $2,500 for the church and $4,000 for the parsonage property.
DANISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
A branch of this denomination is situated at Blair, Washington County. It was organized January 22, 1884, by Rev. A. M. Andersen. Charter members were-Morten Rasmussen, Lawritz Nyboe, Hans Smith, Mads Hensen, Peter Therkelsen and Christen Pedersen.
The present (1920) total membership is 273 men, women and children. The congregation owns a good brick church edifice estimated to be worth $12,000; it is a handsome brick structure. The parsonage is estimated to be worth $7,000.
A Sunday school in connection with this church has an attendance of 130. The present superintendent is Mrs. Ove T. Anderson.
The pastors who have faithfully served this congregation are: Revs. A. M. Andersen, G. B. Christiansen, A. Rasmussen, H. Jensen, K. Anker, A. H. Schultz, H. L. Kjoller and present pastor, Rev. A. H. Schultz.
BAPTIST CHURCHES
The First Baptist Church of Blair, Nebraska, was organized September 18, 1869, by Rev. E. G. O. Groat and these as charter mem- bers-Rev. E. G. O. Groat, Mrs. Groat, Nathan Carter, Mrs. Nathan Carter, Burtis Rosa, J. S. Stewart and wife.
The 1920 total membership of this church is 235. The average Sun- day school attendance is seventy-five, under Superintendent H. B. Taylor,
The first building occupied by this society was the one donated by the Baptist Church at Cuming City where the work was organized Feb- ruary 20, 1858, and later erected a church building at a cost of $3,500, completed in the autumn of 1867. When the railroad was built and a town site made at present City of Blair in 1869, Cuming City was deserted and many moved to Blair. The Cuming City church was moved to Blair in the summer of 1872. This served until 1893, when the present church was erected at a cost of $5,800. A parsonage was erected in 1879 and an addition made in 1884. When the new church was built the parsonage was moved from the church lot to its present location. It was remodeled at a cost of $538.
Other Baptist churches are located at Herman and at Fletcher (New England Church) about seven miles west of Herman.
The following is a complete list of pastors who have served this Baptist congregation since its formation : Revs. E. G. O. Groat, J. F.
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Taggart, I. Elkin, J. D. P. Hungate, A. Hitchcock, W. H. Eller, John Young, G. W. Taylor, J. C. H. Read, Amos Weaver, O. A. Holmes, Thomas Anderson, W. A. Brown, John V. Whiting, James Sheppard, S. C. Green, C. E. Tingley, S. W. Richards, George L. Conley, J. W. Cabeen, F. M. Sturderant, F. E. Volck and Rev. C. M. Foreman, the present pastor.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH-HERMAN
The Baptist Church at Herman was organized December 20, 1879. The charter members were these: Turner Bailey, Lucy Bailey, John Bradford, Henrietta Bradford, John C. Bailey, Clara Bailey, James Fitch, Charlotte Fitch, James Allen.
There are now eighty-seven members in this church. Mrs. O. H. Godley is Sunday school superintendent and the school has an average of 125 scholars.
The first church building of this society was destroyed in the great cyclone of 1899 and rebuilt in 1900. The present church is valued at $3,500.
The following have been the pastors of this church: Revs. John Patrick, 1880-85; W. M. Allen, 1885-86; J. M. Bay, 1887-88; P. A. Tinkham, 1888-91; C. B. Cary, 1892-93; A. M. McFarland, 1893-96; T. L. Kimball, student, 1897-99; G. A. Smith, 1901-02; T. C. Shaffer, 1903; C. T. Duholm, 1904-06; S. E. Bishop, 1907-09; Charles I. Naston, 1910-11; Edmond Clark, 1912-13; G. A. Smith, 1915-18; M. W. Bal- langer, 1918-19; Rev. Kesterson, 1920.
CATHOLIC CHURCH
St. Francis Catholic Church at Blair was organized in 1871 by Father Burns. There are now fifty families connected with this Catholic congregation.
The original church edifice was erected in 1871 costing $1,000; the second and present edifice was erected in 1889 at an expense of $4,000.
In 1900 a good parsonage was built under the pastorate of Father Barrett.
The only other Catholic Church in Washington County is the one situated at Fort Calhoun.
The present pastor is Rev. C. O. Beyersdorfer, appointed here Thanksgiving Day, November, 1918. Other pastors, in order given, have preceded the present pastor ; Rev. Fathers Burns, Flanigan, Daxae- her, Emblem, Killion, Aherne, C. Schmidt, Barry, N. J. Barrett, M. Brophy, T. O'Driscoll.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
St. Mary's Episcopal Church is situated at Blair, and was organized June 5, 1882, by the Rev. Robert Doherty. The charter members included the following persons :
John Wilbur, warden; Harry Higley, warden; Edward C. Jackson, E. H. Clarke, E. A. Stearns, Jessie S. Hoke, I. M. Castetter, treasurer, the same constituting the vestry. Other members included these: Helen M. Castetter, Flora Castetter, Eva Phelps, E. C. Jackson, William Jack- son, Ada Jackson, Joseph Jackson, Mrs. John Wilbur, E. H. Clarke, William Clarke, Harry Higley, Miriam Castetter.
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