CHAPTER XV.

SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND CHURCHES-SHELBINA COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE-SHELBINA PUBLIC SCHOOL-THE MACON DISTRICT ACADEMY AT CLARENCE-COLLEGE AT LEONARD-THE INDEPENDENT HOLINE ss SCHOOL AT CLARENCE-THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN SHELBY COUNTY-THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCUTION.

SHELBINA COLLEUIATE INSTITUTE. at a meeting of her citizens in May, 1892, without a dissenting voice, the college The Shelbina Collegiate Institute was merged into a public school. established May 16, 1887, at a cost of $6,000. It was a fine and commodious building for the day and well built. Dr. SHELBINA PUBLIC SCHOOL. Leo Baeir was the first president. Dur- The first school house was built in ing the two years he was head of the Shelbina in the year 1859, which build- school he gave them a good start, but its ing remodeled and modernized stood till prestige was increased when Prof. E. L. the year 1884. Among the early teachers Ripley and wife took charge of the work. was Charles M. King, later a prominent They were both intelligent, broad and attorney of the city till the nineties, cultured and two of the greatest educa- the time of his death. It was in the nine- tors of the day, Prof. Fredus Peters, re- ties that Shelbina begun to look to her ceived the greater part of his education public school as a chief asset for her at this seat of learning, graduating un- future prominence. The year 1892, a , der Prof. Ripley. Prof. Ripley’s motto number of her prominent citizens met in school work was, “The mind, like the with the board of education to consider body, becomes strong by exercise.” He the advisability of leasing the college never did for a pupil what that pupil building and establishing a high school. could do for himself. The last faculty Everyone present, in brief talks, heartily in the old college building, as a college, endorsed the idea of a first-class high was president T. E. Peters; vice-presi- school. dent, Rev. W. W. Carhart; preparatory It was shown that the town had wholly department, E. R. Edwards ; primary, outgrown the accommodations of the old .Miss Annie McMurry; music, Miss Kate building. The board of education then Crawford; art, Miss Orrington Jewett. sought the best teachers, placing Prof. There was a falling off in attendance, J. T. Vaughn as superintendent. The numbering 140 the previous year. The curriculum was overhauled to correlate

faculty was a strong one, but the patron- with the State University. Thus estab- I age was not sufficient and the town be- lislied, the people had only reached the gun talking a thorough high school and beginning. In the year 1890-91 the old 178 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 179 building was passed upon as unsafe and bered several thousand. Mayor Irwin was rodded. Then every windy day half delivered the welcome address, followed the children were absent and the other by other state speakers. Rev. J. D. Vin- half wanted to go home and was restive, cil conducted the exercises and a dinner until the November monthly meeting of was served to the visitors. The building the board of education, they voted to put was of brick, well built, containing nine it up to the people to bond the city for rooms which included a large auditorium $10,000 to erect a new building. The pro- on the first floor. position carried and Shelbina now boasts The school opened in iull blast with of one of the most modern and up-to-date Rev. P. D. Shultz at the head, and his buildings. Her stride of improvement wife principal of the primary depart- has been unceasing. Her building, com- ment. At her best the school had some pleted in September, 1894, speaks vol- 200 pupils. Others who were at its head umes for the enterprise of her people and from time to time and labored faithfully stands as a monument to her intelligence. for its success were J. J. Pritchett, E. C. The town sees to it that they have ever a Crabb, Prof. Demaree, but it was hard wide-awake board and that board in turn to keep it up. In the year 1898, Rev. Sol puts up the teachers, and she is ever on Milam made the town the proposition to the alert for ne% and modern equipment. build a boarding house thinking it was a “As a seat of learning may she abide.’’ great draw back not to have such a place. He was to put into it the same amount THE MACON DISTRICT ACADEMY AT CLARENCE. as the town, the individual to receive The Macon District division of the scholarships for the amount they put up. Missouri conference decided to place be- A $6,000 boarding house was built. It fore the people of their district a prop- was heated by hot air and had water osition to build an academy and asked throughout, the house. It was an for the towns to make sealed bids for excellent, modern building. He had same, the town to stand good for the the house full the first year, but pat- amount bid. Bids were submitted from ronage began to lag and he held the Clarence, Macon, Shelbina. Clarence be- school just five years. H. J. Simmons ing the highest bidder, $13,000. W. A. bought the boarding house. In 1906, Irwin (deceased), W. A. Dimmitt, Christ Prof. Fred L. Thomp s o n, of Macon Runolt (deceased), 0. C. Perry and county, bought the college building at others being active co-operators in the $2,750 and immediately sold it to the In- enterprise. dependent H o 1in e s s church for $3,000. The work was well under headway and The fall of 1909, Simmons sold the board- the corner stone was laid in the year ing house to the Holiness people for 1888, June 13th, under the auspices of $5,500. the Masonic order, assisted by the Knight COLLEGE AT LEONARD. n Templars. The city was an array of decoration, In the year of 1890, Rev. John T. the Cameron band furnishing most ex- Welsh originated the idea of a college at cellent music for the visitors, which num- Leonard. The people were rurally lo- 180 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY cated in the best of farming country to Possessing the capitol of Shelby county, be found in the county, but this re- she has a special civic pride in all public splendent fact was depressed by the real- enterprises, and she has always taken a ization of its good people that their chil- specially keen pride in her schools. As dren only had the advantage of a district early as the fall of 1857 Hezekiah Ellis school. Rev. John T. Welsh, seeing the opened a select school in the old Metho- splendid values of farming in that dis- dist church building. He had as his able trict, thought that a superior advantage assistants R. C. Arendt and Miss Parme- could be obtained by establishing a col- lia White. lege at Leonard on the scholarship plan In 1858 Mr. Ellis opened school in the and went forth to sound the popularity Shelbyville Seminary. His assistants of the plan. In a few hours he raised were Prof. Dodd, R. C. Arendt and’Miss .$1,000 within the radius of the hamlet Draper. At the death of his father, six itself. The building was a good, sub- months later, Mr. Ellis resigned, his as- stantial frame building, two stories, a sistants finishing the term. In 1860 Mr. large auditorium on the second floor and Ellis opened a school of his own in the five class rooms on the first floor. Carothers block. Rev. Joseph Dines was The first school, under the presidency an assistant in a seminary in 1859 ; Prof. of Rev. Welsh, assisted by W. L. Shouse, Leonard in 1860. The early settlers at received a goodly patronage, and satis- Shelbyville bitterly opposed public factory work and higher education re- schools and fought bitterly every propo- ceived a new impetus thereabouts. The sition to institute such a school in their school continued some six years, during midst. Such a school building was which time Rev. 0. P. Shrout, a popular erected, however, just after the war. It man in the Christian church, had a turn was a frame building and contained four at the work, but the scholarships taken rooms. Mrs. Manville was principal for in the building were running out and in- four years and she was followed by Miss terest lagged, until finally, for lack of Minta Foster, eight years, then a new sufficient patronage, as is the tendency of building of brick was erected of four all such schools that have dotted our nice rooms, and later this building was county, it was a hardship to make neces- remodeled with an addition of four sary funds to sustain the school and the rooms and the Shelbyville public school building was sold to T. P. Manuel, who developed into a high school. This build- in turn sold it, and finally it was torn ing stood three blocks east of the court down and the lumber was converted into house. W. L. Shouse had charge of the the house in which Henry Stuart now school during its days that it was on up- lives, ward grade, and Shelbyville today feels indebted to him for the early develop- SHELBYVILLE SCHOOLS. ment of her school. Professors Richard- Shelbyville has always been to the son and Alexander also did faithful work front in her schools. There is not a town later on. Now Shelbyville possesses one anywhere that ranks with Shelbyville in of the best, most modern and up-to-date her schools compared with population. buildings in this part of the country. She HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 181 has a ten-room, steam-heated building, R’s in a second story with a saloon on the and her course of study is simply first- first floor on the lot now occupied by the class in every respect. Professor Brown, “ Courier” building. Clarence has had superintendent the first four years in the her ups and downs, but in the year 1873 new school home, and this year Professor the present school building was erected,

Stanley is making good to her people the with three rooms on first and three in the 3.

reputation that city has always shared. second story, built by J. H. Martin. The I Shelbyville maintains a wide-awake and first teacher was Rev. Steed, who, in “push” board of education. Some of the 1874-75, was paid $100 per month. He prominent lights that have done much was followed by Professor Johnson, and forShelbyville in school lines are :Judge later followed Miss Julia Jacobs, Mrs. Perry, Messrs. John Gooch, J. J. Hewitt Annette Merriman, then later follows and Walt Dimmitt. Miss Brunner, Professors Marr and Highfill. Under the present management THE CLARENCE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. the school last year was raised from The Clarence schools were moved from third to second grade and from second pillar to post for a term of years. The to first this year. It is on an upward first public school in Clarence district grade and has an enterprising, wide- was built in 1866. It was a brick, con- awake board of education. It might be taining three rooms, only two being used mentioned here that a few years since, for school purposes. This school was the when Citizen Hoyt, who had a special in- brick house later occupied by James A. terest in our school, bequeathed the Watkins, now the lot on which Mrs. El- school in trust what is known as the Hoyt vira Durham lives. A Mr. Strong started fund, from which the school has been a the term, but resigned and was succeeded beneficiary since. In appreciation, the by Dr. D. H. Matthews. The town soon board erected a monument to his memory found it had made a mistake in building on his grave in the city cemetery. so far from town, with no walk, and it was decided to locate a room uptown, and FIRST PRIVATE SCHOOL. so the school house was ehifted from The first private school in Clarence place to place, as a vacant room could be was in the year ’69-’70, and this school obtained. For a term it held forth in a was taught in the Higbee & Brown build- \ room on the first floor on the north side, ing, which was located about where the then it journeyed over to a room on first North Missouri Lumber Company now

floor, that was later destroyed by fire, on stands. It was taught by Prof. C. F. 1 I the lot where now stands Garrison’s jew- Ben jamin. I elry store. Clarence holds one distinc- I THE INDEPENDENT HOLINESS SCHOOL AT

tion regarding schools that perhaps no / other town on which the sun evek shown CLARENCE. “ holds-that of having had at one time a In the summer of 1906 the Independ- saloon on the first floor and school room ent Holiness people, representing several above. Clarence once taught the three states, bought the property formerly

I 182 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY known as the Macon District Academy BAPTISTS. for $3,000 of Prof. Fred L. Thompson, As early as 1835 the Baptists held ser- Macon county; the same to be used as a vices in Shelby county. Among the school house and place of worship. Rev. “earlies” came Revs. William Fuqua, Sam Johnson was placed at the head. Jeremiah Taylor and M. Hurley. Though Rev. Johnson had a good patronage the the opportunity for advanced work and first year. Various teachers have labored attending success were meager, yet these faithfully for the good of the school. In men were just as earnest, fervent in the year 1909, after a camp-meeting of spirit as the latter day saints. They la- ten days’ duration, a committee was ap- bored without murmur for such volun- pointed and bought of H. J. Simmons tary pay as was offered them. what was known as the Boarding House, Shiloh Church, section 10-59-10, consideration $5,500, and they are labor- Bethel township, was organized the sec- ing faithfully to maintain a religious ond Sunday in May, 1869, with thirty- school for the young people. eight members. The church has had a CHURCHES OF SHELBY. steady growth, its membership varying from 100 to 150 from time to time. As It has been impossible to secure data early as 1870, this church built a splendid of all the churches’of Shelby county. We $1,200 church, which has been improved have labored hard to secure the history from that time to date. The church was of the most important strongholds, but organized by Revs. C. S. Taylor, John the inactivity of those who should be in- Easton, Nathan Ayers, George W. Eaton terested in preserving the history of and R. Kaylor. their church has curtailed the work to some extent. At the very dawn of the MOUNT ZION CHURCH. settlement of our great county, following the wake of the earliest pioneers, came This church, located in Tiger Fork the missionary to the frontier, laboring township, on section 6-58-9, was or- without money and without price in his ganized the fourth Sabbath in August, work of love. “Preachin’ day” was the 1838, by Revs. Jeremiah Taylor and 11. event of the month, and on that day Hurley, with fourteen white members whole families turned out en masse as a and two colored members, and has al- social and spiritual event. At that early ways been a loyal, consistent body of day the distributer of the word of God Christians. While not a strong church was a manual laborer, preaching when in numbers, varying from a half hundred and where he may, as the opportunity of- to one hundred from time to time. The fered, laboring as did his fellowman dur- early day ministers were : Jeremiah Tay- ing the week to supply his temporal lor, John Keach, Nathan Ayers, Frank needs. The Baptists, Methodists and Smith, P. N. Haycraft, R. Kaylor, San- Presbyterians were represented at the ford Smith, George C. Brown, C. S. Tay- earliest day and the Christian Church lor, William Pulliam, J. P. Griffith, J. H. followed but a little later. Rubenson. A frame church was erected HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 183

in 1856, costing $600. W. Moffett was OAK RIDGE CHURCH. for years clerk of the church, being Situate in Jefferson township, some elected at the organization of that body. six miles southwest of Shelbina. The or- ganization was formed February 16, NORTH RIVER CHURCH 1867, the following family names being Is situated in section 17, Taylor town- found on their earliest records : The Kid- ship, and was organized in 1844. The wells, Kimble, Webdells, Thrasher, Dun- early records disclose the following mem- gan, Clark, Perry Wrights, Smith and bership: Shelton Dodd and wife, John Thomas. In the year 1881-82 a frame H. Garnett and wife, James Singleton building, 36x34 feet, was constructed at a and wife, Mosco Garnett and wife, C. L. cost of $1,200. Revs. Tolle, J. G. Swin- Harris and wife and J. T. Garnett. In ney, W. B. Craig, A. G. Goodrich, Wil- . the year 1882 the church rebuilt a nice ford P0wer.s and other pastors have min- frame building, costing $1,000. Some bf istered to the spiritual need of this flock. the officiating pastors were: John Sweeney, William Pulliam, S. C. Good- PRAIRIE VIEW. rich, John A. Clark, James Holt and Situate in Jackson township, 15-57- John Raton. 9: and was organized February 5, 1876. The church was a consolidation of the LORNEY'S CREEK 0. S. BAPTIST CHURCH. Oak Dale, Friendship and Hunnewell Located in section 33-59-9, Tiger churches, and its original membership Fork township, was organized in 1835. numbered some fifty or sixty members. The records disclose as its original mem- It soon grew into a strong church, and bership the names of Edmund Rutter, has effected much 'good. A building Elizabeth Rutter, Edward Wilgon, Mary erected in 1876 cost $1,200. The Revs. Wilson, William Moffett, Evalina Elgin, Green, Terrill, Ljle and Smoot have \ Manly Elgin, Mary Louthan, Henry Lou- served this people. than, William and Nancy Randolph. This FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CLARENCE. is what is known as the Henry Louthan Church, the man for whom it was named, The early records of the First Baptist because of his untiring energy and in- Cliurch of Clarence bears record it was terest in its welfare and who preached organized October 27, 1877, with fifteen for the congregation without charge. His members, by J. S. Dingle, a missionary love for his Master was his pay. He was of the Bethel Association. The following succeeded after his long term of service officers were elected to steer its welfare: by F. M. Turner. Their early church Deacons, J. W. Veal and Washington was a brick, valued at $1,200. This Lostutter, and James Pollard, clerk. church was organized before the division From the date of birth, 1877, to the year of the Baptist church into the old and 1890, they worshipped in the Presbyte- new school. (Further facts turn to his- rian church, with Rev. Dingle as their tory of Tiger Fork township.) first pastor. In the year 1890 the Bap- 184 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY tists built a new home for their congre- to tell their struggles and their victories. gation, which was dedicated October 26, In 1881 the Baptists bought a lot and 1890, by Dr. William H. Williams, one of erected a beautiful $6,000 house, which the editors of the Central Baptist, St. was dedicated in the fall of 1881 by Dr. Louis. The church has recently been im- Pope Yeaman, and Rev. J. S. Dingle was proved. This membership, though num- recalled for part time at $100. In 1884 I bering only seventy-five members at the came Rev. 0. L. Brownson, called for all present date, is one of the most loyal time at $700. Since that date the church churches in the county. At times it has has been improved from time to time and been up-hill work, but they never waver. several splendid ministers have served Untiring in their efforts, they have ac- the congregation, among them Revs. J. complished much good. Rev. J. A. Johns, R. Pentaff, J. M. P. Martin, Hunt and . their recent pastor, was a great worker Scott, who served them faithfully sev- for his Master. He has just resigned eral years. On Christmas day, 1910, and at this writing they are without a Rev. Scott, beloved by all who knew him, shepherd. preached his farewell sermon, and the church has called Rev. Volman, who FIRST BAPTIST CHURCE OF SHELBINA. comes highly recommended to this The very early,data of the Shelbina charge. This church at present has 250 church was destroyed, but D. G. Minter members. states that the church was organized about 1863, with about a dozen members. PRESBYTERIAN. For some years they worshipped in an This church in Shelby county is at low old frame school building, Rev. Powers ebb. We have many good people-the being their first pastor. He preached very best of this denomination-but the once a month and perhaps received about following is scattered here and there, and $50 salary per annum. In 1865 they but little public ministry is held in this moved their place of worship to Miller county. In the earlier history of the Hall, the present site of Minter & Smith county they were more prominent. No dry goods store, they numbering about trace can be found of records which bear fifty. In 1866-67 the Baptists and Meth- evidence of this division till the year odists built conjointly a brick house, 1859, when a Presbyterian church was where the Pictorium now stands. Here organized at Shelbyville. Previous to the church flourished. They called Rev. this date, even as early as 1836, came one George Roby to preach twice a month, Dr. David Nelson, of Marion college, a with a salary of $300, the Missouri board man of eminence and imperishable mem- paying half. Then followed Revs. Busby, ory, also the prominent divine, Rev. W. Chambliss, Dingle. During the thirteen P. Cochrane, preaching the word of life or fourteen years of joint occupancy to the early settlers and trying to estab- there was no friction, each worshipping lish their doctrines on the frontier of the independently, a board of trustees of new country. Services were held from three from each church having charge all date to date and protracted or revival those years. Only D. G.’Minter remains services succeeded from year to year, and HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 185 finally an organization was effected at At present the church has no services. Shelbyville. A lot was donated by a land company and at a cost of $1,200 the church build- PRESBYTERIANS AT SHELBYVILLE. ing was erected in 1860, and in 1883 the This church was organized by Rev. W. church was remodeled at an expenditure P. Cochrane, July 30, 1859. The origi- of $750. nals were: Joseph M. Irwin, Esther Vaughn, Mary Vaughn, Elizabeth Ca- CUMBERLANDS. rothers, Dr. Darius Day, Peter B. Light- New Providence Church, situate in the ner and Rachel Lightner; Some of the southeastern corner of Taylor township, early day pastors were: Revs. George was organized on November 10,1859, by. C. Crow, A. Steed, Duncan Brown, Rev. S. C. Davidson, with the following . James LaiYerty, J. C. Robinson, Edward original membership : Nathan Byars, J. Vincent and Blaney. The church build- P. Killinger, Hugh Kirkwood, S. F. ing, erected in 1860 at a cost of $3,000, is Dunn and wife, Jacob Killinger and wife, in a good state of preservation. Glenn Killinger, Margaret Kirkwood, Mary Evans and James G. Byars. Revs. PLEASANT PRAIRIE CHURCH. Robert H. Mills, John Winn, Nicholas Situate in section 18-50-10 and was Langston, J. R. Lowrance and T. G. Pool. organized in 1866. Its records bear fact A church was erected in 1874 at a cost of of the originals as J. A. Ewing, Rebecca $1,000, and has been improved from time Ewing, Sallie Cardwell, Eva Cardwell, to time. Martha Cardwell, James Cardwell, Su- san Cardwell, Joseph Blackwood, Ella METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH. Finley, Nancy Finley, Israel Cannon, The first organization of this church Mary Cannon,. Mary Cardwell, Susan effected in Shelby county was at the Bostian and W. N. Bohon. In the year home of I. B. Lewis, in Salt River town- 1869 a church was erected at a cost of ship, in the fall of 1837, when services $1,500. This was a loyal band of work- were held for some. In 1838 a Sunday ers from the earliest date. school in the Bacon school house; in 1850 a frame church was built on land , CLARENCE PRESBYTERIAN. donated by George Bacon, of Hannibal, This church was organized July 17, and the church was named Bacon 1859, by J. P. Winters, with a member- Chapel. ship composed of James Martin, Mrs. Bacon Chapel.-The present building . s. Mary Martin, J. E. Martin, Susan M. was erected in 1870. Among the minis- Hollyman, James B. Ryland, Mary Ry- ters who have served this historic church land and R. A. Newcomb. The pastors are: Revs. William Pryor, Conley, having served this church are J. P. Win- Smith, T. Ashby, Tyson Dines, Martin ters, A. Steed, 1862-1872; James Laffer- L. Eads, James M. Green, Jacob Sigler, ty, Duncan Brown, Carson, Robinson, E. James Wainwright, James B. Callaway, Vincent. Rev. DeBolt was a late pastor E. K. Miller, James Monroe, T. DeMoss, who did much in building up this church. L. Bush, W. W. McMurry, G. Tanquary,

? 186 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY A. C. Browning, T. A. Allison, M. L. torate of the Rev. W. M. Wainwright, a Shemwell. The present pastor is H. W. ohurch building was erected, of which Buckner. The Sunday school superin- building committee the sole survivor is I tendent is Nathan Taylor. C. M. Shackelford. This church was I Shelbyville.-This church was organ- altered and repaired during the pastor- ized about 1839 and reorganized in 1844. ate of Rev. R. M. Dameron. The present The present building was erected during splendid building was erected at a cost

the pastorate of Rev. Holliday and Val- of $16,500 during the pastorate of Rev. I ued at $7,500. The present pastor is H. H. Johnson, the building committee I Rev. T. E. Moseley. J. J. Hewitt has being H. J. Simmons, A. R. Tucker, E. been Sunday school superintendent for E. Casler and 0. C. Perry. Among the many years. The membership numbers other pastors who have served this 296. church have been Revs. A. P. Linn, W. 8heZbimu.-The church was organized A. Tarwater, John Holland, C. T. Me- in 1858. The first meeting was held in Anally, w. 0. Medley and John W. Kim- the Thomas hotel, where the Waverly brell. The present membership is 240. now stands. The congregation first wor- The Sunday school superintendent is H. shipped in the school house, later build- J. Simmons and the membership is 200. I ing a church with the Baptists. In 1867 Bethamny.-In the eastern portion of a brick church was erected, and in 1882 Black Creek township and was organized I this was superseded by another brick March 4, 1882. The charter members 1 structure, which in its turn has been su- were: R. J. Taylor and wife, George I perseded by the present handsome Carmichael and wife, Lula Z. Taylor, (1. church building, which was erected in E. Scott, Angie Foreman, Thomas Tin- 1907, during the pastorate of Rev. W. A. gle and wife, Eliza Smith, J. H. Car- Hanna, at a cost of $22,000. The present michael and wife, Levena Foreman, pastor is Rev. J. N. Boyd and the Sun- Sarah Smith, Sallie Raine, Lucia Car- day school superintendent is Dr. Lyell. michael. A frame house, costing $1,200, The church has a membership of 600 and was completed in 1881 and dedicated in the Sunday school 400. Among the July, 1884. Among the pastors have former pastors were: Revs. W. W. Mc- been W. A. Toole, J. M. O’Brien, 0. B. ’ Murry, W. Bell, L. Rush, B. H. Spencer, Holliday, J. J. Reed, E. J. Speer and B. George Warren, A. B. Culbertson, Rob- F. Leake. ert White, J. A. Snarr and T. H. B. The other churches forming the Shel- I Anderson. byville circuit, which has a membership CZare9zce.-The first preacher to hold of 182, are Morris Chapel, O’Brien I services in the town was Rev. D. C. Chapel and Duncan Chapel. Blackwell. In 1872 a class was organized Oak Dale.-This church was organized by Rev. W. W. McMurry, presiding soon after Bacon Chapel. The present . elder, the first preacher being Rev. L. church was erected in 1908, during the Rush. Of the charter members Mrs. pastorate of Rev. Smith, and is valued at Mary A. Jacobs alone remains a member about $3,500. The present pastor is Rev. I of this church. In 1877, during the pas- 0. Blackburn. Among the other churches HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 187 in Shelby county are Wesley chapel, ops James and Morris, at the request of four miles northeast of Clarence, which the general conference in 1848. is served by the Clarence pastor. Shelbina M. E. church was built in Lowman chapel, part of the Shelbina 1889-90. The membership was small, and circuit . in 1905 a federation took place and the The total membership in the county is membership of this congregation for the 2.350. most part united with the M. E. Church, South. FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Union Grove church, where a, Clarence First Methodist Episcopal Methodist Episcopal class is maintained, church was organized in 1866 by Rev. was built in 1873. The present member- John Gillis and Dr. N. Shumate. In the ship is forty. year 1881 the present brick structure Mt. Pleasant M. E. church was built in was built at a cost of $3,250. Among its 1887. Present membership is thirty-five. pastors we find Revs. John Gillis, Com- Evans Chapel M. E. church was built fort Ransom, G. W. Walker, A. Chester, in 1881. Present membership is forty- S. Knupp, R. Carlyon, 0. Beistle and . five. A. Westerman, the present pastor. T de Forest Grove M. E. church was built present membership numbers 150 loyal, about 1887. Present membership is faithful workers. thirty-five. The Berean M. E. church, at Shelby- Epworth M. E. church was built about ville, was organized January 13,1850, by 1884. Present membership is thirty. Christopher J. Honts, presiding elder Bethel M. E. church was built in 1890. Hannibal district, and J. M. Chivington. Present membership is 100. The original members were Leonard Dobbin and wife, James W. Ganby and CATHOLIC CHURCH. wife, Joseph Hitch and wife, Daniel St. Rose’s Catholic church, located at Wood and wife, E. B. Stover and wife Lakenan, is the stronghold of this church and John Short and wife. in the county. It was erected by Rev. E. The first church building was erected A. Casey in 1887. The number of Cath- in 1860 at a cost of $2,500. It was re- olics at present attending this church is moved from the original location to its about 250. Father Collins is the present present site in 1874, repaired at consider- officiating priest. able cost and dedicated by Rev. N. P. St. Mary’s Catholic church, situated Heath, of St. Louis, and rededicated by at Shelbina, was built by Rev. James Dr. William Taylor, of India. After the O’Reilly in the year 1879. Previous to organization of the M. E. Church, South, this date quite a strong membership held in 1846, the M. E. church had no organ- services at Miller’s hall. The present ized church in Shelby county until 1850. membership is about 160. Father Col- The most of its members were taken into lins is the present pastor. the M. E. Church, South, where they re- St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic church mained until the Mission Conference of at Clarence was built in 1883. It is a the M. E. church was organized by Bish- frame building and was erected at a cost I

188 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY of $2,000 and has been well preserved. Services begin at sunrise and close any Its membership varies from 100 to 150. time at night. There is great enthusiasm Father Collins is the present pastor of and many are converted.. The church is the church. making a rapid growth. As to the Holi- ness church inception in these parts, one HAGER’S GROVE CATHOLIC CHURCH. closely connected with its growth gives The building is located about two miles the following history i north and east of Hager’s Grove and “The Holiness movement from the was erected in 1866, but was destroyed by west was inaugurated by Elder W. B. fire in 1867. The church was rebuilt in Colt, of Illinois, in the spring of 1875. 1871. There are at present about sixty The first meetings were held in Hanhibal, members who worship here, and the pas- It was not the original intention to estab: tor’s name is Rev. Father Adjudus lish another church, but simply to lift Budde. church members and others up to a higher plane of worship. When Mr. Colt ’ HUNNEWELL CATHOLIC CHURCH. left Hannibal his work in Missouri was There is also a Catholic church at this continued by Rev.’A. M. Kiergan, then place which was.erected at an early date pastor of the Arch Street M. E. Church, in the history of Shelby county. The‘ South, at Hannibal. While yet a member building, however, became old and inad- of the conference Mr. Kiergan conducted equate to serve the purpose for which it Holiness meetings. These were attended was built, and in 1905 it was torn down by members of all denominations as well and a nice, new building erected in the as the non-elect. Complaints were poured place of the old one. The membership is into the conference that there was a about 100, who are under the pastorate fanatical preacher over at Hannibal who of Rev. Father Connelly, whose home is was disintegrating the churches by tell- in Monroe City. ing the members that they were not good ’ enough and needed finishing touches put HOLINESS CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY. on their religion. Since the year 1908 Clarence has had “Mr. Kiergan pursued the even tenor Holiness camp meetings. It is the inde- of his way, all the while striving to in- pendent branch of the Holiness church crease the interest in the Holiness move. and was moved from Stebhen’s Park, He was ably assisted by his wife, who Macon, at the above date. It was lo- was almost as good a talker and fully as cated here on the Independent Holiness earnest as himself., They conducted the school grounds until 1910, and next year first Holiness camp meeting west of the it win be held at Macon. Mississippi river in 1877. The site of the It is a large gathering and ministers camp was a picturesque grove west of come here from all over the United Hannibal. The daily attendance was tre- States. There is a large tabernacle tent mendous. Mr. Kiergan estimates there for the services, one large tent for dining were frequently as many as 5,000 people quarters and some fifty or sixty are scat- on the grounds. No adequate tent could ‘ tered about the grounds’for the campers. be secured, and the trees formed the only .’ HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 189 canopy. This meeting served to put the The question of salary never worries a Holiness move in the west on a firm Holiness preacher, because he rarely gets foundation. The congregations were one. If he goes to a community where made up of people from various remote the membership is fairly strong, he may parts of the state, as well as the neigh- get irregular donations of money and boring counties. When they returned things to eat. If he doesn’t, he goes to home they began talking up the new faith work at something to make a living and and did an earnest missionary work. preaches on Sunday just as hard as if he “It was not a great while before Mr. were a high-salaried prelate.’’ Eiergan found more Holiness people on his hand than he knew what to do with. CLARENCE INDEPENDENT HOLINESS CHURCH. Many of his converts had not united with We have not been able to get data con- any church and seemed disinclined to do cerning the Holiness church of Shelby so. The reason was they felt it would be county, but there is located at Clarence retrogression to unite with anybody hold- the Independent Holiness church, whose ing less advanced religous ideas than membership worship in the college lo- those taught at the pioneer camp meet- cated at this place. The church is of re- ing. So Holiness churches, strictly inde- cent birth and the growth has been rapid. pendent, were established in those com- UNION INDEPENDENT HOLINESS CHURCH. munities where there were sufficient There is also an Independent Holiness members of the sect. Where there were church located near Otter Creek, south no churches the meetings were held at of Clarence. The congregation built a residences. Anyone who had a mind to nice frame church house in the 80’s. It could do the preaching. A characteristic has a strong membership for a rural lo- of the Holiness people is that nearly cation, numbering about forty members. every man, woman and child among them can get up at a moment’s notice and de- SHELBYVILLE MISSOURI HOLINESS ASSOCIA- liver a good talk on the faith that is in TION. them. All of them are in the habit of re- In Shelbyville is located a membership lating their experiences before large con- of‘ the Missouri Holiness Association. gregations. And they enjoy to the ut- This branch has a goodly following at most this part of the services. When a this point. It was organized by Rev. man feels called upon to enter the min- O’Brien, the father of that branch. They istry they let him go in without objection bought the M. E. Church house there and if he is sound in the doctrine and of good have an earnest, loyal church. reputation. No examining committee LENTNER INDEPENDENT HOLINESS CHURCH. worries him with fine points of ecclesias- tical law. The people among whom he The Lentner Independent Holiness has lived art! supposed to know whether Church is the newest one in the county. he is a fit subject or not, and if they rec- They have a neat little church house and n ommend him for the ministry there is no a good membership for a young cliurch. red tape between that and his ordination. It has only been organized a few ye‘ars. 190 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY

THE MENNONITES. other churches have been aided and helped in times of discouragement. J. H. There is but one church of this denomi- Wood, of Shelbina, has been president of nation in the county. It is located near the county board for eleven years. T. P. Cherry Box and has been an established Manuel, of Clarence, is secretary, and church there for many years. This sect George B. Bedwell, of Shelbina, treas- of Christian people have some very urer. Besides there are seventeen vice- strong convictions on certain things. One presidents, one from each congregation, is they believe a Christian should not I as follows : W. M. Hanly, A. Cooper, Dr. take an oath, hold office or enter military Ellis Roy, Carleton Smith, T. S. Baldwin, service. They also believe the New Tes- Hugo Bowling, J. P. Smith, J. H. Tarbet, tament is the only rule of faith and that Henry Kilb, Enoch Turner, Mintie Dal infants should not be baptized. Their vis, T. S. Damrell, John Chapman, Wil- local preachers are chosen by casting lots liam Cadwell, Kenton Brown, Mr. Alex- by the male members of the congrega- ander, of Hager's Grove, and Mr. tion. The women distinguish themselves Turner, of Cherry Box. by wearing sunbonnets and the men by The first preaching in Shelby county ' wearing smooth upper lips. Some of the by a minister of the Christian church families who hold to this faith are the was by Elder Jacob Creath, who held a Detwilers, Bisseys, Hersheys and John- meeting on Black Creek in 1888, and a sons. They are among the best people church was organized in Shelbyville soon of the county. I after. HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH, SHELBY CO. Shelbina. By J. H. Wood, Pastor Christian Church, The Shelbina Christian Church was or- Shelbina, Mo. ganized in 1866 or 1867 by Elder T. M. The Christian church in Shelby coun- Allen, of Columbiq, Missouri. There had ty, Missouri, numbers a membership of been occasional preaching before this in about 1,700, and has seventeen organized residences and in the public school build- ' churches as follows : Shelbyville, Shelbina, ing. In 1868 the old brick church, which Clarence, Enterprise (Union), Maud, has served to this day, was built. Some Lentner, Hager's Grove, Cherry Box, of the early members were Thomas Leonard, Berea, Bethel, Concord, Emden, Mitchell, Leroy Dye, Sarah Walker, C. Fairview, Mt. Era, Lakenan and Hunne- H. True and wife, W. R. Stemmons and well. There has for many years been a wife, Mrs. Sue E. Hanly, Daniel Givan county organization of the Christian and wife and many others. The Shel- churches with a president and secretary bina church has been served by many and treasurer who eo-operate with the splendid pastors in its history-William . churches in any work for the mutual Featherstone, W. G. Surber, H. I?. Davis, good and establish churches at new E. C. Browning, C. B. Newnan, 0. P. points. The churches at Maud, Emden, Shrout, L. J. Marshall, William Roe and Cherry Box, Fairview and Bethel were J. H. Wood, who has been pastor of the started by the county work, and many church since 1898. HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 191 The church has had its ups and downs, schools in the county, with W. W. Mitch- but has made a steady and substantial ell as Superintendent. Some of the offi- growth, now numbering 325 members, cers at present are: L. G. Scofield, W. 275 of whom are local resident members C. Chick, Magruder Pickett, John Gooch, and include many of the best Shelby A. Cooper, T. B. Damrell, Claud Ander- county families. This congregation is son, George Miller, Aubrey Davis and just completing a beautiful new church Reason Baker. building on Center street, at the cost, complete, including furnishings and the Leonard. lot on which it is built, of $20,000. The The first Christian church organized present officers of this church are: Eld- in Taylor township was in the house of ’ eis, W. M. Hanly, W. L. Shouse, W. S. Lewis H. Gillaspy, who moved to the Wood, W. S. Orr; deacons, George B. township in 1838 from Shelbyville, built Bedwell, Charles White, James E. Rags- a log house for his family, and his home dale, Lee Francis, D. H. Tillett, Dr. E. became the center of the first small band M. Mills, E. T. Givan, Harry J. Libby of disciples in that community. Here in and Oliver J. Lloyd. this home Jacob Creath and other pio- W. L. Shouse is superintendent of the neer preachers proclaimed the simple Bible school ; Bess Dickerson, organist ; gospel. In 1866, after the war times, Mrs. Mary Lyell, leader of the choir; Elder John P. Tandy held a meeting Corinne Bragg, organist; Mrs. Kittie three and one-half miles northwest of Francis, president of the Ladies’ Aid So- the present town of Leonard and organ- ciety; E. T. Hockaday, president of the ized a Christian church. Among the first Y. P. S. C. E. members were: Lewis H. Gillaspy, John M. Alexander, William Baker, Preston Shelb yville. Manuel, Andrew P. McWilliams, Jasper The Shelbyville Christian Church was N. McWilliams and others. November organized in 1839. Some of the first 7, 1867, a large hewn log church house members were : William Gooch, Tandy mas raised and was known as Antioch Gooch, William S. Chinn, Joseph Chick, Church. In August, 1873, E. C. Brown- Hiram Rookwood, Warren Hall and Ze- ing held a meeting of far-reaching re- rellda Hill. The church was reorganized sults, the whole community was aroused I in 1874, with Catherine Collier, Jane E. and enlisted in the church. J. M. Chev- I Black, Eliza J. West, Sallie Oaks, Sarah ront, Alexander Lorentz, Benjamin F. I J. Hiter, Sarah Carley, Jane Brauner, Smith, Dr. G. L. Smith, Samuel A. Ma- Lucy S. Chinn, J. M. Collier, Maria L. gruder, John T. Tuggle, William Gaines Sullivan, Cordelia P. Dobyns and others. and many others were converted. In 1882 i Their first church building was erected John T. Welch held a meeting in a hall in in 1844. They now have a commodious Leonard which was very successful and b , church building with modern equipment, resulted in steps being taken at once for valued at $7,000. This church is a pros- the erection of a substantial frame build- perous organization, and has a member- ing in the town of Leonard. This church I

ship of 270 and one of the best Bible was dedicated in 1885. The Leonard I 192 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY Christian Church has probably 175 mem- shipped and had services alternately and bers and has been the mother of the are doing so at this time. Among the church at Cherry Box and Berea. first officers of the Christian churbh con- gregation were William Carver, Donald- Clarence Christian Church. son, John Sage, James E. Burns ,and A few members of the Christian Thomas Hagan. Rev. James Wright, of church in Clarence had o c c a s i o n a 1 Macon, was the first pastor. This con- preaching in the early ~O’S,but there was gregation numbers about seventy-five no church house or regular worship. In members and has regular services. Many the year 1882 Rev. John T. Welch reor- substantial farmers are among the mem- ganized the little band into a congrega- bership. This church has furnished large

tion and gave them regular ministerial re-inforcements to the other congreka- ’ * service. For several years their’services tions, in the towns especially. were held either in the Methodist or Christian Church at Lakenam. I Presbyterian church. Some of the early officers of this church were: George W. The Lakenan Christian church was or- Chinn, A. W. MeWilliams, A1 Chinn, L. ganized in 1887.011 Christmas day by H. S. Wright, Rufus Farrell, Sr., E. Blakey, F. Davis. S. D. Proffitt, B. E. Washburn John E. Palmer ‘and Jacob Melson. J. and W. S. Orr were selected as elders, T. Welch, W. G. Surber and W. P. Dor- J. A. Irwine and Joseph Washburn as sey were among the earliest preachers. deacons ; W. S. Orr, clerk and treasurer. In 1884 a new frame church was erected This little church has been one of the which supplied the wants of the congre- most plucky and active little churches in gation until 1908, when a new modern the county for its numbers. It has given brick building was erected at the cost of many good members by removal to other $10,000. This church now has a member- churches in the county and even in other ship of about 200, with R. B. Havener as states. pastor. E. C. Shain, J. T. Garnett, T. P. J. M. Vawter, J. C. Davis, C. R. Daniel Manuel and T. H. Phillips are elders. and others have been pastors of this William NcQuary, J. R. Snodgrass, C. church. The membership at present is W. Adams, T. M. Byland, G. B. Elliso about thirty-five. and J:W. Stark are deacons. This Emden Christian Church. church, equipped as it now is, should do a great work. This church was organized by W. M. Roe about 1896. It has some choice peo- , Union Christian Church. ple in its membership and does as much I In the early 60’s Rev. John P. Tandy, for the number of members as any an old pioneer Christian preacher, fre- church in Shelby county. R. H. Havener -I quently held services at a school house is the present pastor and is much be- southwest of Clarence. In 1873 a Union loved by this people for his splendid ser- church house was built by the members vice. Their present membership is about of the Christian, Baptist and Methodist fifty and they have a good Bible school. churches and these organizations all wor- A. Martin, Richard Wood, James Green, HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 193 J. M. Davis, Lee Turner, Lesley Robb which was built before there was an or- and Bro. McGlothlin are the officers of ganization. The church was dedicated this church. October 25,1896, by Rev. G. W. Buckner, who followed with a meeting and organ- Hunnewell Christiam Church. ized this congregation with seventy-six The Christian chuich had a small or- members. J. S. Daniel, Will Naylor, Ed . ganization, but no place of worship, as Smock and T. H. Phillips were selected early as 1870. This was disbanded some- as elders and F. G. Blakey, F. M. Dale, time in the go’s, the members going to Robert Hanger and James B. Bryan as 1 Mountjoy and a church north of Hunne- deacons. Since that time the following well. About 1890 there was a reorgani- have been leaders and officers: Joe zation and a church house was built. Stewart, Harve Doctor, Fred Heathman, This organization prospered. Dr. L. W. 0. C. Davis, Charles Naylor, Ed Smock, Dallas was a tower of strength in this Jr., Ed Daniel and Thomas Baldwin. church for years and was ably assisted This church has had as pastors and by many good workers. This congrega- evangelists C. J. Lockhart, Simpson Ely, tion has a membership of nearly 100 and A. B. Elliott, J. W. Davis, C. J. Weldon, a splendid Bible school, and is an active, J. H. T. Stewart, J. H. Bryan, C. V. aggressive body of splendid people. The Pierce, Allen Hitch, J. H. Harris and present officers are: Mr. Baldrich, Jo- C. W. Worden. seph Hickman, George McClure, Dr. The present membership of the church Furgeson, Charles Hickman, Ollie Howe is eighty to 100. and Frank Reed. Cherry Box; Christian Church. Hager’s Grove Christian. Church. The church at Cherry Box was built The Christian church at Hager’s in 1897. Dr. Luther Turner was the Grove was organized by Rev. John P. moving spirit and gave liberally for the Tandy in 1867. Among its first officers building. The organization drew quite and active members were J. M. Chinno- a number from the Leonard Christian worth, Jonathan Peoples, John Patton church. This church has had a prosper- and Samuel S. Patton. This old church ous history and numbers probably 150 has sent many substantial members to members at the present time. Many in- many other churches and has done an fluential and substantial people are iden- abiding work in Shelby county. The tified with the work and progress of this present membership is eighty or more. splendid church. Maud Christian Church. Berea Christian Church. The Christian church was built during This church was a daughter of the the summer of 1896, with W. P. Miller, Leonard Christian church and is sit- J. S. Daniel and P. I?. Daniel as a build- uated in a splendid community, and has - ing committee and F. G. Blakey and Ed had a splendid record for good. It has Smock as collectors. This is the only suffered by removals as much as any church in the couoty so far as we know church in the county perhaps and this 194 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY fact has discouraged them at times. Mt. Era Christian Church. They have a membership of about eighty. This church has had a checkered his- tory. The building was first erected at Bethel Christian Church. Walkersville, afterwards moved to the present site north of Salt river, near the This church was organized in 1906 by Shelby County Railroad. It once had a. Rev. Carr, following a tent meeting of good membership, but removals and several weeks. This meeting was held death has discouraged them and they under the auspices of the county board. now number only about twenty-five. They have a good organization and a They have no regular preaching, but good Bible school. The church numbers have a Union Bible School during the about forty members. Rev. Byron In- summer. gold preaches for them. Henry Kelb, P. D. Shouse and others are the leaders here. They have no church house of Concord Christian Church. their own, but plan to build very soon. The Concord Christian church was or- Fairview Christian Church. ganized December 1, 1883, in Tiger Fork township. A frame building was erected This church was the result of a tent the year of the organization at a cost of meeting held by J. H. Bryan in the sum- $1,200. The organization was effected mer of 1898. The church was built and by Rev. J. P. Tandy. Some of the char- dedicated in 1899 by J. H. Wood, who ter members were: L. Hunter, William was pastor for several years. T. S. Daniels, S. I. Bragg, William ,Peak, Damrell, James Baker, A. E. Jordon, James DeMoss, Levi Plight, Millie Tom Stone, B. G. Blackford, Frank Plight, Mary Bragg, Martha W. Triplett, Sherwood, Virgil Alexander, Chester M. Peak, Alice Browning, Caroline Bethards and others have been officers D o ugh e r t y , Ida Dougherty, Mary E. during the years since organization. Wolf, Susan Melburn, E. P. Allen, Amer- This church has about seventy-five mem- ica Allen, Mahala Siminon, A. S. Rife, bers, but is now without a pastor. G. A. Rife, John McGraw,. Eliza J. Bragg, Benjamin Talbott, Mary J. Lerttner Christian. Church. P i e r c e, Walker Pue, Ellen Siminon, This church of 100 members was or- Mary E. Jones, Charles Siminon, Eliza- ganized sometime in the go’s, and a sub- beth Poor and F. M. Poor. stantial frame building was erected. Rev. This church has served splendidly in Alfred Munyon ‘has preached for them its community and today has an aggres- for a number of years, and they have en- sive organization of about 100 members joyed quite a measure of prosperity un- and a good Bible School. Oscar Ingold, der his ministry. They have a good of Canton, is pastor. Concord can be Bible school and take pride in keeping a counted on in every good work in the church up in good shape. county.

__ HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 195 A Brief History of the Evangelical Asso- 33, township 58, range 11. These three ciation irv Shelby County, Missouri. churches, with a fourth church in Bloom- ington, Macon county, Missouri, consti- The Evangelical Association o r i g i - tute what is known as “The Shelby Mis- nated through the labors of Jacob Al- sion Field” of the Evangelical church. bright, who was born near Pottstown, In the year 1866, Rev. J. G. Pfeifer, a Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, May minister of the newly organized Kansas 1, 1759. In his thirty-second year he Conference of the Evangelical Associ- was soundly converted through the la- ation, who was living at Bloomington, bors of Adam Riegel, an earnest minis- Macon county, Missouri, and preaching ter, who was not connected with any to the Evangelical congregation of that church. place, commenced to preach in the home After his conversion he became inter- of Rev. C. Stauffer, east of Bethel, Shel- ested in the salvation of his neighbors, by county, Missouri, and also at the and five years later he tried to preach Messner school house, south of Bethel. among the Germans; in barns, private These services were conducted in the residences, school houses, groves, or any German language, and all of the pioneer place where he was able to gather a few preachers of the Evangelical church in of the people together to listen to the Shelby county were Germans. In a year gospel. Those that were converted he or so these services were moved to the organized into classes for spiritual over- Short ‘school house, two miles west of sight. In the early history of our church Bethel, where the first class of the Evan- it was named “The So-called Albright gelical church in Shelby county was or- People.’’ In the year 1816 the name of ganized by Rev. J. G. Pfeifer, February, “Evangelical Association’ ’ was adopted. 1868, with the following charter mem- It was customary from the beginning of bers : the organization among the preachers Rev. C. Stauffer, Susanna Stauffer, and members to call themselves “This Phillip Christman, Mrs. P. Christman, Association,” or “Our Association” Charles Christman, Fred Christman, (Gemeinschaft), hence the adoption of Caroline Christman, Michael Fye, Mrs. the name Evangelical Association. M. Fye, Jacob Wise, John Stader, This association is Methodistic in its Mrs. J. Stauffer, John C. Bower, Fred- doctrine and polity. It has a large pub- erika Schnaufer, Henry Schnaufer, Fer- lishing house in Cleveland, Ohio, and a dinand Wester, Mrs. F. Wester. splendid college at Naperville, Ill. This class worshiped in the Short The work of the Evangelical Associ- school house until the year 1870, when ation in Shelby county, Missouri, consists they hired a hall in Bethel, Missouri, and of three churches, namely : Zion church, in this year our first church Sunday situated on section 36, township 59, range school in Shelby county was organized 11, west; Ebenezer church, situated on and it has been an evergreen Sunday v section 8, township 58, range 11, west, school for forty years. ,.and Leslie church, situated on section In the summer of 1879 the class moved

, 196 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY their place of worship back to the Short today it is reduced in numbers. Is its school house and under th'e able leader- mission about finished? We hope not, ship of Rev. C. Linge they laid the but trust that it may stand for thirty foundation for a church building on sec- years more, telling to the traveler the tion 36, township 59, range 11 west. faith of man in an Omnipotent God. This building was finished that year and The Ebenexer Class. formally dedicated to the worship of God in April of the following year by Rev. J. G. Pfeifer on his trips from Rev. J. G. Pfeifer, who was at this time Bloomington to Bethel, in the years of a presiding elder in the Kansas Confer- 1866 to 1868, often stopped in the com-, ence. C munity about seven miles north of where For thirty years this church has been Clarence, Mo., is now situated. He was the center of religious activity in that asked by the people of this neigbbor- community. In the Sunday school, hood to christen their children and to Young People's Alliance and preaching perform other duties pertaining to his services this church has advocated a calling. The majority of the people in genuine experience in the forgiveness of this community were English and Rev. sins; this to be manifested always by J. G. Pfeifer usually preached in Ger- a righteous life: man. There was little preaching done From this congregation have come by him in this neighborhood. four noted workers in our church,'name- The Rev. C. Timmer, Rev. B. Hoffman, ly, Rev. W. A. Schuttee, a former pre- Rev. Koepsal, Rev. Ferdinand Harder, siding elder in the Illinois Conference also visited among the people in this of the Evangelical Association, now the neighborhood as they went from their pastor of the First Evangelical church home in Bloomington to preach to the at Naperville, Ill., and Rev. Wesley Evangelical congregation at Bethel, &Io. Stauffer, who died April 12, 1900, at In the years 1874 and 1875 the Rev. Holton, Kan., in the fourth year of his M. Alsbalch, who had charge of the pastorate of the Evangelical church in Evangelical congregations at Blooming- that city. These two noted, brethren, ton and Bethel, preached,occasionally in with their wives, are a quartette of work- this neighborhood. ers that any church would be glad to In the year 1875 Rev. C. Stauffer had

" honor. They were converted through charge of the work at Bloomington and the labors of our ministers, trained in Bethel, commenced regular preaching our Sunday Schools, educated in our col- services in the Rawson school house and lege, and went out into the Lord's har- organized a class with the following vest field with the endorsement of the charter members : Zion class, and under the blessing of God John Schwada, Clara Schwada, Henry became workmen that needeth not to be L e ut c h e r d ing , Lydia Leutcherding, ashamed rightly dividing the word of Richard Dove, Henry Wilkie, Sophia truth. Wilkie, S. Rawson, Mrs. R. Rawson, This church was one of the strong George Farber, Louise Farber, Rosa country churches of Shelby county, but Farber. HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY 197 Some time in the year 1878.the people When it was destroyed by fire De- living in the neighborhood of the Raw- cember 25, 1910, the members and son school house concluded to build a friends gathered around its smoking union church building. This church was embers with tears in their eyes and sad- dedicated as the “Rawson Chapel” by ness in their hearts, for it had been a Rudolph Dubbs, a bishop of the Evan- veritable Bethel to many of them. They gelical churcho This chapel was used by said with one accord: We must rebuild the various religious societies in that this church; we cannot let our children community, the Evangelical society hav- grow up without the influence of God’s ing a stated time each month that the word and ministry. May God bless the preacher in charge of their work was new church edifice and the future con- expected to preach. This building was gregations that gather within her walls 3) destroyed by fire in the beginning of the as He did the old church and her con- year 1894. gregations. God grant that the glory The Evangelical congregation having of the latter house shall be greater than no place to worship, determined to build that of the former house. a church building of their own. Under the leadership of Rev: M. Walter the Leslie Church. building was finished in the fall of 1894, Rev. J. S. Stamm, an assistant pastor and on November 11 of the same year under Rev. J. B. Gresser, commenced it was dedicated as “The Ebenezer preaching services in the Brewington Church” of. the Shelby Mission Field school house in the spring of 1900. by John J. Esher, a bishop in the Evan- These services were continued that year gelical church. wfth some success. The following year A church Sunday School was organ- Rev. J. B. Gresser took charge of work ized and is one of the evergreen Sunday and as there was no assistant pastor Schools in the rural districts of Shelby that year Rev. Gresser could not devote county. as much time to this new appointment A glance over the list of members be- as it ought to have received. longing to this church during the last In 1902 Rev. W. H. Manshardt was sixteen years reveals the names of many appointed to the Shelby mission field as an earnest, quiet worker in the Lord’s preacher in charge, but was not able to vineyard who received their early re- give this appointment any preaching ligious training in its Sunday School, service. However, he secured pledges the Young People’s Alliance, Women’s from men living in that neighborhood to Missionary Society and prayer meetings the amount of nearly eight hundred dol- held by this Evangelical congreg a t‘ion. lars for a church building in that neigh- This plain chapel has been the birtli- borhood. place of many a soul; here they found In the spring of 1903 Rev. I. H. the Pearl of Great Price and commenced Hauptfuehrer took charge of the Shelby a life of service for God and humanity in mission field and after a successful arbor the cliurch militant which finally ended meeting held near Mrs. Eliza Van Hou- in the church triumphant. ten’s farm in August of that year or- 198 HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY ganized a class with the following char- Whitby, Theodore Dove, Maria Craw- ter members : ford, Rosa Hopper. George Crawford, Mary Crawford, A church building was started in the Charles Crawford, J. F. Webb, Cather- fall of 1903 and dedicated by Rev. C. F. ine Webb, Relda Webb, Rosa Shepherd, Errfmeyer, presiding elder of the Kan- Clarence Messick, Ruby Messick, L. L. sas City district, in May, 1904. Wheeler, Cora E. Wheeler, Nora Beu- The Shelby mission field built a good, lah Wheeler, E. Agnes Wheeler, Vincil substantial parsonage in the year of Wheeler, J. B. Dehner, Katie Dehner, 1910 in the Culver addition to the city Mary E. Heathman, Mary Oneal, Nathan of Clarence, Mo., and is well prepared Gibson, Mollie Thresher, Ada Thresher, to take good care of her future pastors. Bertha Copenhaver, Maudie Hall, Mary

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