USA > Ohio > Logan County > Bellefontaine > History of the First Presbyterian Church of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and addresses delivered at the celebration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the pastorate of the Reverend George L. Kalb, D.D > Part 7
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He was a good man and faithful and a help to this church in every way in his power.
98
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
R. H. ST. JOHN.
Mr. R. H. St. John came to Bellefontaine about 1850.
He united with this church September 5, 1868, and was elected Superintend- ent of the Sabbath-school.
He subsequently remov- ed to Springfield, but his pres- ent residence is Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr St. John is a me- chanical engineer, and is en- gaged in manufacturing.
He married Rebecca J. Toland. Mrs. St. John united with this church Jan- uary 2, 1857.
Children :- Charles, res- idence Chicago; Ida, mar- ried Mr. Schaeffer, residence Cleveland; Sallie, died at Toledo; Edward, also died at Toledo.
R. H. ST. JOHN.
PHILO DORWIN.
Philo Dorwin was born in New Haven, Vermont, and remain- ed in his native state 'till he was grown. He enlisted in the war of 1812, and was a part of the army that defeated the British in the battle of Plattsburg, on Lake Champlain. Leaving Vermont, he went into business at Syracuse, New York, and afterwards at Philadel- phia and Chicago. He was in business at the latter place when it was but a small village. He moved to Logan county from Troy, Ohio, and came to Bellefontaine in 1852. He united with the Congrega- tional church in 1823, and became a member of the First Presby- terian church, of Bellefontaine, and Superintendent of our Sab- bath-school soon after coming to our city. He was a member of the choir for many years, having a fine voice and being a gentle- man of good musical education and much talent.
He died at his home in Bellefontaine October 6, 1870, aged 73
99
OFFICERS OF THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
years, 2 months and 21 days. He was a man of kindly disposition, a good neighbor, an indulgent parent and an excellent citizen.
Mrs. Urania Dorwin, his wife, died in Gettysburg, Ohio, about 1874, aged 80.
EBEN DURKEE.
Eben Durkee, son of Mason and Mary ( Warner) Durkee, was born October 10, 1809, in Pittsfield, Vermont.
Mr. Durkee moved to Stokes township, Logar county, in 1850 or 1851, where he purchased and cultivated a farm.
He was a member and a deacon of the Richland Presbyterian church, of Stokes township.
In 1857, the Lewistown Reservoir having rendered that sec- tion very unhealthy, he moved to Bellefontaine and engaged in . the insurance business.
He united with this church June 25, 1857, and was elected a deacon November 26, 1857, and later Superintendent of the Sun- day-school.
Mr. Durkee married Nancy, daughter of Alba Durkee, of Pottsdam, New York, who died here October 31, 1886, aged 75.
Mr. Durkee died here April 8, 1889, aged 79. '
Children :- Celia, died, aged 16; Mary, died in Appleton, Wisconsin, 1899, aged 59; Nettie, died in infancy; Elizabeth, died at Dayton, Ohio; Alma J., residence Columbus, Ohio; Persis E., residence Bellefontaine, Ohio.
DAVID J. MILLER.
David J. Miller, son of Rev. Jacob and Elizabeth (Marslı) Mil- ler, was born in May, 1830, in Starke county, Ohio.
At the age of 23 he moved to Bellefontaine and engaged in the manufacture of carriages, in connection with which he lias been employed ever since.
He united with this church March 21, 1857, by profession, and was ordained a deacon November 25, of the same year. He served in that capacity until his removal to Muncie, Indiana, Sep- tember 30, 1871.
Mr. Miller was Superintendent of the Sunday-school from 1862 to 1866, and in 1876 and 1877, and Assistant Superintendent
100
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
DAVID J. MILLER.
many years.
Returning from Muncie, he re-united with this church and was elected trustee in 1875-76-77.
Deacon Miller has been a very faithful and efficient member of this church and Sunday-school.
He married in 1854, Hannah, daughter of Sam- uel Huffman, of Columbiana county, Ohio.
Mrs. Miller united with · this church March 21, 1857. She died here June 8, 1897,
Children :- Eva Dorn, died, aged 14; Charles, resi- dence, Bellefontaine, Ohio.
GEORGE P. STEVENSON.
George P. Stevenson, son of Joseph and Margaret Ann Stev- enson, was born December 5, 1840. He united with this church in January, 1857. He was Superintendent of the Sunday-school prior to 1874.
His first marriage was to Jeanette L. Graham, nee Thompson, March 22, 1864, who died in February 1865, leaving one son. His second marriage was to Wilhelmina E. Carr, October 22, 1870. To them three sons and four daughters were born, and all are now living. He was ordained a ruling elder in Cambridge City, In- diana.
He was an elder and Clerk of the Session in Zanesfield, Ohio, from June 15, 1879, to March 21, 1880.
IOI
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETIES.
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SO- CIETIES.
"For Christ and the church we stand, United heart and hand; Our lives we give, henceforth to live 'For Christ and the church.' "
THE YOUNG PEOPLES' SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
HE Young Peoples' Society of Christian Endeavor was first organized in 1885 under the influence of the "continued meetings" of that year; first by the young ladies holding prayer-meetings, followed by the young men holding similar meetings, and the two uniting and forming an association under the name of "The Young Peoples' Society." Messrs. T. S. Brown and J. E. West were very active in its organization.
It was reorganized and formed into a Young Peoples' Society of Christian Endeavor about 1887.
In 1889 the society joined the Ohio C. E. Union and United Society of C. E. Was represented at a state con- vention and the members took the regular C. E. pledge. The same year it engaged to support and educate an orphan girl of North Carolina, nam- ed Elizabeth Tucker,* which it has
ELIZABETH TUCKER.
*Elizabeth Tucker, daughter of Frank and Mary Tucker, was born in 1880 in Stanley county, North Carolina, near Albemarle.
Her parents both dying in 1890, she was placed with her sister in White Hall School. From there they went to "Sunderland," she entering the Nor- 111al and Collegiate Institute in Asheville, where she hopes to graduate in 1900. After that her plans are to teach; one year's service will be given to "Sun- derland." Her last four vacations have been spent in teaching. She calls her uncle's house in Concord, North Carolina, "Homie."
Writing to the members of the Christian Endeavor Society here, who have paid her schooling expenses during the last ten years, she says: "I would be delighted to visit you, and am in hopes of doing so, for I am anxious to see those who have done so much for me."
102
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
OFFICERS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLES' SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SO FAR AS KNOWN.
Years.
Presidents.
Vice Presidents.
Rec. Secretaries.
· Treasurers.
Cor. Secretaries.
Pianists.
1885
T. S. Brown
1886
T. S. Brown
1886
John E. West
1887
John E. West
1887
R. P. M'Colloch
1888
1888 1889
Carrie Beelman Marg't M'Colloch Anna Kerr Anna Kerr
1889
1890
1890 1891
S. A. Buchanan . Elizabeth Allmon Elizabeth Allmon Jos. W. Weaver
Elizabeth Defrees Carrie Beelman Georgia Coulter Georgia Coulter Clara Jordan
Mary Kennedy May Lenie1 Elizabeth Defrees C. A. Mclaughlin Minnie M'Crack'n Edward Earsome Effie Allm1011 Jessie Dow
Arthur Ridgeway Arthur Ridgeway LeRoy Blessing Dade Kennedy Dade Kennedy Sarah Knight Sarah Knight Tempa M'Crack'n Grace Blessing May Marquis Gail Stevenson Nan Wallace Bess Coulter Miss M'Laughlin
Bertie Rife Alice Weaver Clara Jordan Anna Freer Harry S. Kerr Harry S. Kerr Harry S. Kerr Harry S. Kerr Harry S. Kerr Harry S. Kerr Arthur Ridgeway Ralph Dodds Ralph Dodds Bess Riddle Bess Riddle Sutton Buchanan Sutton Buchanan Herman Keller Herman Keller Will Wallace Fred Wood
Mary Kennedy Mary Kennedy Mary Kennedy Mary Kennedy Mary Kennedy Mary Kennedy
Mary Kennedy
Mary Kennedy
1893 1893 1894 1894 1895
Mame Kalb Mame Kalb Gorton Riddle Anna Hawthorne Gorton Riddle LeRoy Blessing
Elizabeth Allmon May Lemen Dade Kemedy May Lemen Edward Campbell B. Howenstine B. Howenstine Lee Traul
Dade Kennedy Myrpha Collins Effie M'Millen Effie M'Milleit Will Wallace
1898
Grace Blessing
1899
Herman Keller .
Pearl Stevenson Myrpha Collins Ida Odor
1899
Pearl Stevenson
John E. West
Carrie Beelman
Mary Kennedy Mary Kennedy Mary Kennedy Gertie Anderson Gertie Anderson Gertie Anderson Gertie Anderson Gertie Anderson1 Gertie Anderson Gertie Anderson Gertie Anderson ·Gertie Anderson Gertie Anderson
Elizabeth Defrees Elizabeth Defrees Elizabeth Defrees Sallie Dow Sallie Dow Elizabeth Defrees Mrs Nelson Elizabeth Defrees Elizabeth Defrees Printa M'Millen Prima M'Millent Ola Kautzman Ola Kautzman Ola Kautzmian
1895 1896 1896 1897 1897 1898
LeRoy Blessing Le Roy Blessing Albert M'Millen Edward Campbell Tempa M'Crack'11 Tempa M'Crack'11 Eva Byers
1891
1892
1892
103
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETIES.
-
GEORGE CURTIS DOOLITTLE.
continued to do up to the present time. Her college course will be completed next spring.
During the winter of 1892-93, a piano was bought for the lecture room. The Sunday-school contributed $23 toward this, and the Ladies' Aid So- ciety gave much encouragement and substantial aid in raising money. The Junior Society of C. E. was organized in 1892. The Fulton Pledge was adopted by a number of C. E. members about 1891. This has been kept up until the present. During the past year the society has contributed $50 to the support of Rev. Mr. Doolittle, t a missionary in Syria.
+George Curtis Doolittle, son of Charles C. and Emily H. Doolittle, was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1867. He was brought up in the Sabbath-school and Mission Bands of Westminster church in that city, and from that church was ordained to the ministry and to the work of Foreign Missions, to which he had pledged himself while a student at Oberlin College. Graduating from Mc- Cormick Theological Seminary in April 1893, ordained and married, he and his wife sailed for Syria May 20th of that year, being first located at Sidon. Three years were spent here in the language study, assisting the work as far as pos- sible, Since then he has been at Abeih, associated with the Veteran Mission- ary, Rev. Wm. Bird.
Great activity characterizes his life. Very much time is spent on horse- back going from village to village of the twenty-four that forni Abeih's out- stations. He preaches in the native churches, visits the poor and sick, bring- ing Christ to the people.
THE JUNIOR SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
The Junior Society of Christian Endeavor was organized in 1892. The Superintendents have been :- Miss Georgia Coulter, Miss Mary Kennedy, Miss Bertie Rife, Mr. W. R. Niven, Mrs. A. C. Elliott, Miss Minnie McCracken, Miss Bess Riddle, Miss Mar- garet Wallace, Miss Maud Coulter, Mr. LeRoy Blessing, Miss Florence Dodds, Mr. J. A. Bradfute.
104
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
HISTORY OF THE MISSION- ARY SOCIETIES OF THIS CHURCH.
Though few and small and weak your bands, Strong in your Captain's strength,
Go to the conquest of all lands; All must be His at length.
THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
SOCIETY was formed among the women of the Presby- terian families living north, north-east and north-west of Bellefontaine about or prior to 1845, which was called "The Missionary Society," but commonly known as the "Sewing So- ciety." The meetings were held ever alternate Thursday after- noon, either at "Father" Stevenson's residence or at the residence of some of the members.
The women of the following families, as well as others, were probably all members :- Stevensons, Kerrs, Faris, Byers, McCoys, Lambs.
Each member contributed in money, clothing, etc., what she felt able at each meeting. Boxes of goods were made up and sent to missionaries and their families in Asia and other parts of the world. The pastors, "Father" Stevenson and Rev. Mr. Gregg, would very frequently give them a missionary talk or story.
The prayer-meeting held every other Thursday afternoon at "Father" Stevenson's for forty-five years was an important factor in the establishment and sustaining of this Missionary Society.
This society continued until about the time the "Woman's Missionary Society" started.
Undoubtedly a great many others were members besides those mentioned, among them Mrs. Gregg, Mrs. McCormick, Mrs. Pol- lock and Mrs. Wilson.
THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
This society, whose object is "To secure systematic contribu- tions for Home and Foreign Missions, and to disseminate mission-
105
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
ary intelligence and encourage missionary effort in our church," was organized at the home of Mrs. Robert McCracken, south east corner of Mad River street and Chillicothe avenue, on November 4th, 1871, with 17 charter members During the year the men- bership increased to 40. For several years we met weekly for sew- ing, taking orders for our work and replenishing our treasury with the proceeds of our labor in addition to our voluntary contribu- tions.
After five years of work and secret prayer, we gained courage to undertake the monthly devotional meeting, which is held on the last Friday of each month at 2:30 p. m. It has proven to be an hour, not only of intellectual and spiritual enjoyment, but also of chris- tian training and special blessing to many women. We also have a social meeting on the second Friday after- noon of each month at the home of one of the members. The contribu- tions have been divided as nearly equally as possible between the Home Missions, including the Freedmen Mission, and Foreign Missions, any deficit in money sent to Home Mis- sions being more than made up in value of boxes of clothing sent to home missionaries. We supported a scholarship in Salt Lake Collegiate Institute for about 20 years, and have contributed our proportion to the ALICE MITCHELL, M. D .*
*Miss Alice Mitchell, M. D., is the daughter of Rev Arthur and Mrs. Harriet Post Mitchell. Dr. Mitchell was an honored and talented Presbyter- ian minister, whose death in the prime of manhood, while serving the church as Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, was sincerely lamented. Mrs. Mitchell's brother, Rev. George E. Post, M. D., is resident physician in charge of St. John's Hospital at Beirut, Syria.
It is not surprising that their daughter should, in early girlhood, have a desire to become a Foreign Missionary, and being encouraged by her father she began to prepare for this work, adding the study of medicine to her regu- lar college course. In 1888 she was appointed by the Ecard to go to China, 1 ut a severe and protracted illness prevented her acceptance. I11 1895, having re- covered her health, she again offered herself for the work, and was sent by the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, of the Presbyterian church, to Woodstock School, India, where she has since March Ist, 1896, been a faithful and successful teacher and resident physician, and is the Foreign Missionary supported by the Woman's Presbyterial Missionary Society, of the Presbytery of Bellefontaine.
106
OFFICERS OF WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
Years.
Presidents.
Vice Presidents.
Secretaries.
Treasurers.
1871
Mrs. Margaret J. Riddle
Miss Sue Stevenson
Mrs. Mary (T. L.) Kerr
1872
Mrs. Margaret Goe
Mrs. Calvina McLaughlin
Miss Jennie Kerr
1873
Mrs. Sarah C. McCracken
Mrs. Maria E. Smith
Mrs. A. G. Wright
Mrs Mary E. Kalb
1874
Mrs. Margaret J. Riddle
Miss Jennie Kerr
Mrs. Margaret Goe
1875
Mary (Morrison) Kerr
Mrs. Maria E. Smith
Mrs. Elizabeth P. Patterson
1876
Mary (Morrison) Kerr
Mrs. Maria E. Smith Mrs. Maria E. Smith
Mrs Elizabeth P. Patterson
1878
Mrs. Margaret J. Riddle
Mrs May D. Howenstine
1879
Mrs. Margaret J. Riddle
Mrs. Sarah C. McCracken
Mrs. May D. Howenstine
1880
Mrs. Margaret J. Riddle
Mrs. Sarah C. McCracken
Mrs. Ellen Dickinson
1881
Mrs. Sarah C. McCracken Mrs. Sarah C. McCracken Mrs. Livy Buchanan Mrs. Livy Buchanan
Miss Eninia Byers
Mrs. Mary N. Kerr
1884
Miss Emma Byers
Mrs. Mary E McCormick
1885
Mrs. Sarah C. McCracken
1886
Mrs. Marie Defrees
1887
Mrs. Margaret J. Riddle
Miss Emma Byers
Miss Edith G. Niven
1888
Mrs. Alberta Bartram
Miss Edith G. Niven
1889
Mrs. Ella Miller
Mrs. Mary E. Emerson
1890
Mrs. Mary E. Emerson
1891
Mrs Laura V. Emerson
1892
Mrs. Effie Howenstine
Mrs. Rebecca K. Nichols
1893
Mrs. Effie Howenstine Mrs. Margaret Chalfant Mrs. Margaret Chalfant
Mrs. Jennie E. Elliott Mrs. Jennie E. Elliott
Mrs. Livy Buchanan
1896
Mrs. Margaret Chalfant
Mrs Inez Frazer
Miss Edith G. Niven
1897
Mrs Libbie Armer
Mrs. Inez Frazer
Miss Edith G. Niven
1898
Mrs. Libbie Armer
Mrs. Inez Frazer
Mrs Martha A. Stevenson
1899
Mrs. Margaret Chalfant Mrs. Margaret Chalfant Mrs. Mary E. McCormick
Mrs. Calvina Mclaughlin
Mrs. Georgiana Turner
Mrs. Martha A. Stevenson
Mrs. Mary Corry, Secretary of Literature. Mrs. Laura E. Wallace, Pianist. Owing to the loss of a part of the records, this roll is not complete, and may not be exact in some dates.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
Mrs. Elizabeth P. Patterson
1877
Mary (Morrison) Kerr
Mrs. Sarah C. McCracken
Miss Ennina Byers Miss Enima Byers Miss Enima Byers
Mrs. Mary E. McCormick
1882
Mrs. Mary N. Kerr
1883
Mrs. Margaret J. Riddle Mrs. Margaret J. Riddle
Miss Emma Byers
Miss Effie Armstrong Miss Effie Armstrong Mrs. Alberta Bartram
Mrs Calvina Mclaughlin Mrs Mary P. Brandon Mrs. Mary P Brandon
Mrs. Rebecca K. Nichols
1894
Mrs. Livy Buchanan
1895
Mrs. Calvina Mclaughlin1 Mrs. Calvina Mclaughlin Mrs. Calvina Mclaughlin Mrs. Calvina McLauglılin Mrs. Martha A. Stevenson Mrs. Martha A. Stevenson Mrs. Libbie Armer
Mrs. Ella Miller
Mrs. Sarah J. Alexander Mrs. Sarah J. Alexander Mrs. Alberta Bartrani Mrs. Alberta Bartramı
Miss Emma Byers
Mrs. A. G. Wright Mrs. A. G. Wright Mrs. A. G. Wright Miss Emma Byers
Mrs. Mary E. Kalb Mrs. Elizabeth Hutchins
IO7
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
teachers supported by our Presbyterial Society. Miss Mary Hart- well and Mrs. Dora Martin Taylor were our representatives for many years in Siam. At present we contribute to the support of Miss Alice Mitchell, M. D., at Woodstock, India, and Miss S. M. Williams, at Talequah, Indian Territory, also to a medical dispen- sary at Lahore, India, and for work among the Freedmen in the South.
Two of our members have been workers in the Home Mission field :- Mrs. Mattie Byers-Fehl, for several years a teacher in Utah, and Mrs. Alice Irwin Ghormley, of Moscow, Idaho.
We were instrumental in organizing and sustaining for ten years a Mission Band which encouraged and educated a mission- ary spirit in the children of the church, which work has since been under the care of the Christian Endeavor Society.
The amount of money sent to Foreign Missions is $3,049.39, to Honie Missions $2,295.88. The membership at present is 104.
YOUNG LADIES' MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
The Young Ladies' Missionary Society was organized in 1888 for the purpose of assisting in the missionary work of the church. There were few business or devotional meetings, but many for sewing, quilting, etc. Mite socials and praise meetings were held. About $20 per year was raised and paid to the Presbyterial Mis- sionary Society. This society joined the Woman's Missionary Society February 22, 1891.
Among the officers were Presidents Carrie Beelman and Maine Kalb; Vice President, Mame Kalb; Treasurers, Anna Kerr and Mabel Thompson; Secretary, Carrie Beelman. The following were also probably officers :- Bertie Rife, May Lemen and Eva Byers.
The members were :- Cora Allen, Beth Defrees, Eva Byers, Mary Kennedy, Minnie McCracken, Ada Tarbutton, Hattie Pettit, Clara Jordan, Anna Kerr, Bertha Thompson, Georgia Coulter, Lola Brown, Mame Kalb, Bertha Campbell, May McCracken, Laura McCormick, Alice Weaver, Mattie Loofborrow, May Lemen, Sarah Knight, Mame Emery, Lou Boyd, Carrie Beelinan, Bertie Rife, Mabel Thompson, Tempa McCracken, Carlotta Price, Mertie Arni- strong, Maggie McColloch, Enima Shaw, Edith Niven, Bess Rid- dle and Jennie Howenstine.
108
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
THE MISSION BAND.
The Mission Band was organized by Mrs. Margaret Riddle and Miss Alice Irwin among the Sabbath-school children in 1877.
The membership was large and enthusiastic, and the spirit of helping was well taught
It continued its regular meetings and work until the members largely became engaged in the mission work of the Christian En- deavor Society, and until the Sunday-school began taking collec- tions for mission work.
Between three and four hundred dollars are known to have been sent to the Mission Board by this children's society between 1877 and 1888. It was discontinued in 1890.
In 1879 the children in this society also raised about one hun- dred dollars for the furnishing of the church by an operetta. In- teresting exercises were held every three months in the church.
Dr. Kalb's presence added dignity and interest.
Mrs. Alice Irwin-Ghormly writes: "In 1883, under the lead of Miss Emma Byers, the society sent to the Third Presbyterian church, of Portland, Oregon, the communion service of silver, beautifully engraved, that still gives good service in that church and which constantly bears strong testimony for the Master. My early experience in preparing programs for the Band meetings gave me some points that have been helpful to me in later years."
No records of the Band have been found. Among the very active officers and managers were Mrs. Margaret Riddle, Miss Alice Irwin, Miss Carrie Beelman, Miss Emma Byers, Mrs. Margaret Chalfant and Miss Edith Niven.
IC9
LADIES' AID SOCIETIES.
HISTORY OF THE LADIES AID SOCIETIES.
Like incense sweet, the perfume rare Rose through the house and sought the skies, And thou didst own with blessings there, A woman's loving sacrifice.
THE FEMALE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION.
C HE Female Benevolent Association was organized in Decem- ber, 1846, to raise funds for the finishing and furnishing of the Presbyterian church, the building now occupied by the Reformed Presbyterian church.
There is no list of the members, but the following were prob- ably some of them :- Mrs. Mary E. Kennedy, Mrs. Ann M. McCrack- en, Miss Mary Stanton, Mrs. Walter Slicer, Mrs. Hannah Steven- son, Mrs. Rhoda Campbell, Mrs. Mary Ann Bennett, Mrs. Wm. Kerr, Mrs. Eliza S. Patterson, Mrs. Jane Taylor, Miss Jane Wal- ker, Mrs. Sarah Bell Chambers, Mrs. Margaret Stevenson, Miss Elizabeth Slicer, Mrs. Rebecca Moore, Mrs. Margaret Pollock, Mrs. Rachel Cobain, Mrs. Mary Byers, Mrs. Sarah Stevenson, Mrs. Martha Kerr, Mrs. Nancy Wilson, Mrs. Phoebe Ann Dawson, Mrs. Harriett Gregg, Mrs. Mary Miller, Mrs. Margaret Henderson, Mrs. Susannah Marquis.
Fairs were held at the old church building on South Main street and at the new warehouse of Robert Patterson, Sr., and much work and sewing was done by the ladies. Several hundred dollars were raised. Mrs. Mary E. Kennedy was treasurer, probab- ly Mrs. Margaret Pollock president, and Miss Mary Stanton secre- tary at first. Other members who were especially active were :- Mrs. Ann McCracken, Mrs. Rhoda Campbell, Mrs. Martha Kerr, Mrs. Elizabeth Slicer Mrs. Hannah Stevenson, Mrs. Eliza S. Pat- terson, Miss Jane Walker.
THE MITE SOCIETY.
In 1867 the church purchased the present church site and de- cided to erect the present edifice. The ladies, as usual, wanted to
IIO
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
do all they could to help and organized, probably July 2, 1867, this society. It continued in active existence for eight or ten years, helping to finish and furnish the basement room of the church, and continuing meetings irregularly until about 1875. A large amount of money was raised during that time, and the mem- bers of the church were brought into intimate and pleasing acquaintance with each other. A similar organization may have been in existence during the period of the Civil War.
The following were probably members :- Mrs. Margaret Pol- lock, Mrs. Nancy Wilson, Mrs. Sarah McCracken, Mrs. Mary Emery, Mrs. Mary E. Kennedy, Miss Alice McColloch (Brown, ) Mrs. Hepsie Parker and daughters, Mrs. Jane Defrees, Mrs. Han- nah Miller, Mrs. Emily Frey, Mrs. Naomi Shaw, Mrs. John Mc- Ilvaine, Mrs. Rebecca Nichols, Miss Anna Stover, Mrs. Elizabeth W. West, Miss Jennie Kerr, Mrs. Charlotte Knox, Mrs. Saralı Davis, Miss Maggie Wallace (Riddle, ) Mrs. Sarah Emery, Mrs. Elizabeth Patterson, Mrs. Berry Smith, Miss Jane Walker, Mrs. Mary Kalb, Miss Mattie Bigham (Steen,) Mrs. Nancy McColloch, Miss Calvina McColloch, Mrs. Rebecca St. John, Mrs. Davis Faris, Miss Alice Stover, Mrs. Nancy Wright, Mrs. Robert Kerr.
The following were probably some of the officers :- Mrs. Mar- garet Pollock, president; Mrs. Nancy Wilson, treasurer; Mrs. Charlotte Knox, president; Miss Maggie Riddle, president and secretary; Mrs. Elizabeth Patterson, president; Mrs. Mary E. Ken- nedy, treasurer; Mrs. Rebecca St. John, treasurer; Mrs. Sarah Davis, vice president; Mrs. Sarah McCracken, treasurer; Mrs. Elizabeth W. West, president; Mrs. Mary Emery, vice president. In 1868 Robert Lamb was permanent trustee. Miss Alice McCol- loch, treasurer; Mrs. E. Patterson and Messrs. E. Bennett and Edward Patterson, auditing committee.
The constitution of the Mite Society of the Presbyterian church of Bellefontaine stated that the object was "raising funds for furn- ishing and finishing the new Presbyterian church yet to be built.
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