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CHURCHES
Cumberland Presbyterian.--When Revs. A. A. Young and T. M. Johnston arrived in the Southwest, in May, 1836, they found Revs. Greenfield Buchanan, John W. McCord and Jonathan Blair in possession of the ministerial field. In the fall of that year the Ozark Presbytery, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was held at Alford Moore’s house, on Spring River, in Barry County. In the spring of 1837 Mr. Young moved to a point near Verona, with Ann Steel, whom he married in February, and resided there until his death, March 13, 1880. Rev. Abel Burton came about the same time, and also settled in the valley of Spring River. The Centre Creek Church, in Jasper County, was the nearest church building, and this, with New Providence Church, near Springfield, were the first Cumberland Churches in Southwest Missouri. Out of Centre Creek Church have grown the societies of Clear Creek, Peirce City, Ritchey, Mount Comfort, Newtonia, Sarcoxie, Bethel and Spring River; the latter organized October 9, 1838, with A. A. Young, pastor. Out of this grew the societies of Mount Vernon, Big Spring, Verona, Aurora, Mars Hill, Marionville, Ozark Prairie and smaller organizations.
The Cumberland Church, of Marionville, dates back to 1860, when thirty-two citizens of that neighborhood petitioned the Ozark Presbytery to establish a congregation here. The petitioners were Jared Ryker, Bythinia Ryker, Mary Ryker, Henry P. Gill, Sarah A. Gill, Martha Haun, Jane Gillispie, Susan D. Gillispie, Nancy Amos, W. K. Shook, Elizabeth and Nannie F. Shook, Margaret and Martha M. Jarrett, Mary, Mary B. and
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Sarah Adams, Margaret Torbit, Eliza Fonville, Delila Smith, James N. Ford, N. W. Haun, Olive Wilson, Eliza A. Hight, Sarah A. Haile, Andrew Baine, Matilda Alexander, Marcina Torbit, Martha Torbit, Sarah J. Williams, Sarah Hix and Margaret Baine. Revs. D. W. Amos and Robert Waters were the organizers. April 4, 1860, N. W. Haun and James N. Ford were elected ruling elders; W. K. Shook, deacon; Jared Ryker and H. P. Gill, ruling elders in older societies, were chosen elders here, and Robert Waters was selected to fill the pulpit. Before the storm of war broke over Missouri this young congregation had a house of worship completed. On July 22, 1860, the church session was held in the old Baptist Church near Marionville.
The Cumberland Church, of Aurora, dates to May 12, 1877, when Rev. A. A. Young organized a society here. The names of original members are David Wheat, Rachel Wheat, George W. Rinker, Mary L. Rinker, George W. Wheat, Sarah Wheat, Rache V. Hughey, Charles Wheat, Jared Ryker, Bythinia Ryker, Maria White, P. E. Ryker, W. P. Hemphill, M. C. Parker, P. E. Sullivan and Louisa Wright. Rev. James D. Springer was the first pastor. Rev. W. H. Wilson is the present incumbent. George W. Rinker has served as recording steward since the establishment of the church. There are now 129 members, owning a house of worship valued at $1,500. Of original members only one is dead. Seven were dismissed by letter and eight are still in communion; but one case of expulsion is known, and only two members have been suspended. The growth has been gradual and the work pleasant. The Sunday-school numbers 120.
In the fall of 1864 Preachers C. C. Williamson and R. J. Simms advertised a revival meeting at Mount Vernon, but owing to Price’s raid they failed to appear, when Mr. Young took charge and conducted the services (the male members of his congregation being all armed), and won 100 converts, together with raising $1,000 to pay a debt then due on the church at Mount Vernon. At the close of the war he was the only Cumberland Presbyterian preacher in the Neosho Presbytery. In October, 1867, J. B. Woods, J. W. Moore, J. H. Woods and William A. McCanse called a meeting of the Cumberland Church to consider the question of organization. On November 9 F. M. Lebow, R. H. Lan-
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drum and S. E. Roberts, with the other incorporators, organized. In later years Rev. W. M. Freeze and J. A. Dunlap presided over this church.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of Peirce city, one of the oldest churches in the city, has for eighteen years kept up its organization, in spite of the fact that a number of its principal members have either passed to the “great beyond” or have moved from the city. The Rev. S. R. Shull is now pastor.
The Cumberland Church, of Verona, was organized in 1872, with Elders J. M. White, Elijah Browning, R. C. Lewis and John F. Marbut, members. The pastors, in the order of service, were H. D. Kennedy, W. C. McBride, James F. Gracy, H. L. Dickey, N. T. Marlow, F. A. Dunlap, J. J. Henry, J. D. Springer. John F. Marbut is secretary. The membership is fifty-three. Their church building, erected in 1872, is valued at $2,500.
The question of building a Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Peirce City was decided affirmatively in August, 1870. Mount Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church building, five miles southeast of Mount Vernon, was completed in 1868. The contract for building the Presbyterian Church and Academy, at Mount Vernon, was awarded to Benjamin & Russel, of Marionville, for $3,840, in April, 1888.
Methodist Churches.--The Methodist Episcopal Church South, of Sarcoxie, may be said to have been founded in 1837, by Rev. Sam Colburn. In 1838 it was made a circuit station, with H. K. Armitage in charge. He was followed by C. F. Dryden. In 1847 this circuit was divided into Mount Vernon and Carthage, with Rev. Charles Boles in charge of the latter, and from that date the name does not appear on the records until the division of the Carthage circuit into Carthage and Peirce City. The latter changed to Sarcoxie prior to 1877, over which W. M. McAllister presided that year as preacher. In 1877 a church was built at Red Oak, also a parsonage, while preparations for buildings were made at Peirce City and Dry Valley. In 1877 this circuit embraced the churches of Joplin, Webb city, Orongo and Harmony Grove. At Carthage there was no organization of Southern Methodists in 1877. Webb City, then two years old, was without a church. Rev. H. G.
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Joplin was one of the first Protestant ministers in Southwest Missouri. In his honor Joplin Creek was named, and from this creek the town takes its name.
In July, 1881, the colored Methodists took measures to rebuild their church on the site of their first building, which was destroyed by the storm. F. H. Small was then presiding elder.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Peirce City is modern. Although the preacher was here in the days of the old Mount Pleasant, his work only materialized a few years ago, when seventeen members joined together to build the present brick house of worship, and completed it at a cost of $4,500. The membership at present is about 100, sixty-three of whom were added during the pastorate of Rev. R. T. Smith.
Concerning Wesley Chapel it is known that the first regularly appointed preacher at Peirce City was J. H. McGehee, in 1871. The organization of the society was perfected under the pastorate of J. A. Swift, in 1872. The present house of worship, an elegant frame, with a seating capacity of 250, was built in 1881, while G. H. Williamson was pastor. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Dr. C. C. Woods in May, 1881. The present pastor, D. B. Price, was appointed to this station October 1, 1886, and re-appointed October 1, 1887. Harmony and peace characterize all of the operations of the church. Since the present pastor entered the work a cozy parsonage has been erected, at a cost of $750. The present membership is 105.
Methodist Episcopal Church of Marionville was organized in 1870, by Rev. R. W. McMaster. David T. Bruck was received December, 21, 1870; in 1871 W. A. Hubbard, D. N. Netherton, W. L. Cowden, J. D., S. J., Eliza, E. J., F. P., Charles B. and Dorcas Williams, of Crane Creek; in 1872 J. W. Kennedy, W. W. Prichard, Eliza Kimberlin, Cal. Stewart, George Wallace (colored), Eliza Grummet, Harriet Maples, Emily Swadley, Eliza Frazier, Martha C. Johnson, H. Wallace, Susan E. Weise, Isabell Lill and Rosetta Craft. In September, 1872, Rev. A. J. Stewart was pastor, who served until April, 1874, when Rev. J. A. Smith took charge. On the record of pastors are the names of J. W. D. Ensey, 1869; John Garner, 1868; James M. Jones,
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1866-67. After Mr. Smith’s term, George W. Murray was pastor, in 1876; A. N. Fields, 1877; A. N. Odell, 1878; B. F. Pool, 1879; G. W. Murray, 1881; Jacob Miller, 1883; J. J. Martin, 1886-88. In 1886 the society worshiped in the college chapel, and continue so to do. Some time after Mr. Martin’s appointment steps were taken to build a house of worship. Rev. T. H. Haggerty (who subscribed $250), J. H. Dameron, John H. Jarrett and others responded so liberally to Mr. Martin’s appeal for aid, so that he was enabled to begin work October 28, 1887, and push the building forward to its completion in July, 1888, free of debt.
In January, 1870, work on the new Methodist Episcopal Church at Mount Vernon was begun, and the building dedicated December 25, that year.
The new Methodist Episcopal Church on Rock Prairie, near Judge Harshbarger’s, was dedicated March 14, 1875.
The corner stone of the Methodist Episcopal Church building at Peirce City was placed October 6, 1881.
The German Methodist Church on Spring River, six miles southwest of Mount Vernon, was dedicated August 16, 1885.
The Methodist Episcopal Church building at Phelps was dedicated June 7, 1887, by Rev. W. V. Hamel, P. E. , and T. H. Knease, pastor.
In September, 1887, the church at Lawrenceburg was dedicated.
The foundation of the new Methodist Episcopal Church at Marionville was placed in November, 1887.
Mount Vernon Circuit comprises New Liberty, Shilo, Munsey, Mount Vernon, Oak Grove, Northfield, Onward, Verona, St. Elmo, McNeal. The official members are: Trustees--B. K. Turk, W. R. Harley, Gleaves Turk, H. L. W. Hill, Dr. W. C. Wilkerson, I. J. West, I. J. Brown, Giles Collier, William McNeal, M. J. Faris, William Lowe, James E. Grant. Stewards--B. K. Turk, district steward; Dr. W. C. Wilkerson, recording steward; M. J. Faris, William Lowe, I. J. Brown, Wash Williams, James Nickle, William Mc-
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Neal, J. Arnheart, Robert Friar, W. Irby, B. Tatum, J. M. Hagard, A. Turn and James Beck. Class Leaders--Mark Cochran, D. W. Mason, Grant Ruark, Charles Collier, Ira McIntosh, H. Hope and M. Gillilan. Sunday-school Superintendents--M. J. Morgan, Frank Smith, Fate Paris, William McNeal and Glanvil West. Church Secretaries--Wood Paris, Robert Box, H. L. W. Hill, Charles Collin, B. K. Turk, William Turk, Frank Smith and John Cavner. Committee on Sick and Poor--Sister M. J. Faris, Giles Collier and wife, Brother I. J. West and wife, John Yingst and wife, Ira McIntosh, Miss Mary Smith and A. Turk and wife. The present pastor is W. H. Morehead, formerly of Ash Grove, succeeding J. A. Matthews.
Mountain Home Church, one-half mile from Lawrenceburg, held a revival in October, 1887, during which fourteen members were added. Elder, B. M. Neil.
The Big Spring Church is four miles west of Mount Vernon.
The Methodist Church of Phelps was organized in May, 1875. The names of original members are Levi H. Tarter, Nancy Tarter, Betsy Ruby, William T. Robinson, Mary E. Robinson, Emma Robinson, William Hinshaw, Elizabeth Smith, John R. Elmore, Catharine Elmore, H. Wooten, Mary J. Wooten. The names of Pastors: T. B. Tennall, James Barber, J. M. Darby, H. H. Ashbaw, Thomas H. Knease, Rev. Smith. Names of Secretaries: J. M. Pennington and William T. Robinson. The present number of members is forty, owning property valued at $1,000.
In 1886-87 Neosho District comprised the following circuits and preachers: Neosho Station, W. C. Bewley; Newtonia Circuit, J. W. Ezell; Exeter Circuit, J. J. Kellar; Pineville Circuit, W. A. Derrick; Sarcoxie Circuit, T. M. Shirron; Peirce City Station, D. B. Price; Red Oak Circuit, J. M. Kennett; Webb City Station, J. D. Wood; Carterville Station, R. W. Reynolds; Carthage Station, J. N. Huggins; Jasper Circuit, R. G. Flummer; Sheldon Circuit, C. A. Emmons; Nevada Station, C. C. Woods; Nevada Circuit, V. J. Sevier; Hume Circuit, L. H. Vandiver; Sprague Circuit, A. B. Donaldson; Rich Hill Station, H. S. Shangle.
Neosho District, with Joseph King, P. E., comprised the following circuits and preachers in 1877-78: Neosho Station, J. D. Wood; Newtonia Circuit, L. H. Davis; Exeter Circuit, J. R. Har-
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gis, supply; Pineville and Southwest Circuit, B. M. and W. P. Barrett; Seneca Circuit, B. H. Gragg; Peirce City Station, D. B. Price; Red Oak Circuit, J. J. Kellar; Webb City Station, W. 0. Bewley; Carterville and Sarcoxie, R. W. Reynolds; Carthage Station, J. H. Todd; Jasper Circuit, R. G. Flummer; Sheldon Circuit, C. A. Emmons; Nevada Station, C. C. Woods, M. Duren, supply; Nevada Circuit, V. J. Sevier; Hume Circuit, I. A. Thomas; Sprague Circuit, A. B. Donaldson; Rich Hill Station, H. S. Shangle; Montevallo Circuit, Ben. V. Alton.
Baptist Churches.--The old Baptist Church (Regular Baptist) was established on Spring River prior to 1838. Some time later the association was organized, and for the last ten years Col. Allen has been clerk. The first log building, about four miles below Verona, gave place to the present building, erected in 1868.
The society furnished the Christian Church at Verona with seats, and, in consideration thereof, claim certain days on which to worship therein. W. B. Allen is clerk. Elder W. R. Davis has been preacher here continuously since 1842 or 1843.
The forty-third annual meeting of the Clear Creek Regular Baptist Association was held in September, 1887. Spring River Church was represented by messengers Elder William R. Davis and brethren John D. Allen, John Ogle and William B. Allen. The statistics of the church show a total number of twentv-six. William B. Allen is church clerk.
Clear Creek Church was represented by messengers Henry Alberty, Jorday Snider, William Pryor and D. P. Williams. Statistics of the church are as follows: Died, one; total membership, twenty-one. D. P. Williams is church clerk.
The Baptist Church (Clear Creek) of Peirce City was established May 11, 1840. The names of the original members are Samuel Hulett, Alberty Brite, John Jackson, Harold Hammons, David Guthrie, Abigail Hulett, Polly Brite, Elender Jackson and Elizabeth Hammons. Elders Abel Lee, Greenville Spencer and A. May composed the presbytery that constituted the church.
The names of the pastors are Rev. A. May, ten years, first pastor, 1842; second pastor, C. C. Riley, one year, 1850; third pastor, William B. Taliaferro, ten years, from 1851 to 1861;
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fourth pastor, F. J. Oliver, one year, 1866; fifth pastor, Israel Harris, one year, 1867; sixth pastor, D. P. Morris, five years, 1868 to 1870; seventh pastor, J. K. Northcut, four years, 1873 to 1877; eighth pastor, F. M. Bowman, 1877 to 1880; L. E. Martin, 1880 to 1883; C. R. Stephens, 1883 to 1886; F. Menebee, 1886 to 1888; T. G. Hendrix is supplying, subject to call.
The names of the secretaries are David Guthrie, 1840; Cary Boucher, 1844; Festus Stark, 1844 to 1872; G. W. Stark, 1872 to 1877; J. W. Brite, 1877 to 1881; S. P. Brite, 1881 to 1885; A. G. Brite, 1885 to 1888; J. C. Pike, five months, 1888; A. D. Key, present clerk.
The old building was erected in 1855, and used until 1884, when the present house of worship was erected. The value of this property is $4,000, while the membership is 160.
Round Grove Baptist Church was organized in September, 1865, with the following original members: Jonathan Hunt, Joseph Poland, Atlanta Crouch, Martha S. Poland, Daniel Hunt, John Hunt, Indianda Poland, Elizabeth Poland, Sarah E. Poland, Mary Hunt, Malinda S. Hunt, Joseph Alison, Sarah J. Higgins, John H. Higgins, Reuben Poland.
The pastors have been H. C, Lollar, Elder Barns, L. S. Collins, William Jones, Elder Land, Z. T. Eaton, L. E. Cannady, L. Jordan, J. B. Horn, A. J. Alexander.
The names of the secretaries are Reuben Poland, J. M. Hunt, D. J. Hunt, J. W. Hunt, U. H. Glasscock, J. Hogland. The present membership is 160, and the value of the property $600.
The Baptist Church of Aurora was founded in November, 1870, the membership being taken principally from the old Baptist Society of Buck Prairie. The first members were G. W. Morris, J. W. Parker, Eppy Sullivan, C. Seburn,. David Seburni, Preston Sullivan, Claburn Sullivan, Ellis Neece, Elisha Landers, Amon Carr, S. P. McKinley, A. M. Qualls, James Askins, Harrison Neece, Mary Neece, Sarah Sullivan, Salemma I)errick, Elizabeth Sullivan, M. J. Seburn, Mary Sullivan, Esther Sullivan, Sarah Mills, Jane Alexander, S. W. Sullivan, Mary Neece, Sr., Rebecca Carr, Sarah Askins, Elizabeth Qualls. The present membership is 100, owning property valued at $800. The pastors in order of service are named as follows: Ellis Neece, Isaac Stanley,
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J. G. Moss, C. W. Keelin, W. J. Linsey and W. H. C. Lollar. The clerks have been J. W. Parker, B. Wheeler, I. Irby, L. G. Mattingly, and the first named now serving.
The Marionville Baptist Church dates its foundation from February 22, 1879. The names of original members are S. R. Stafford and wife, W. R. Mahurin and wife, Nancy Elsey, T. J. Tyler and wife, Nancy A. Gardner, E. B. Robinson and wife, Theodosia Robinson, Mary Perryman and Mary Casey; J. G. Lemmon, clerk. Names of pastors: F. M. Bowman, H. C. Lollar and H. G. Youngblood; and the names of secretaries: J. G. Lemmon, E. B. Robinson, C. D. Turner, William Logan, Rufus Newman, R. H. Fite. The membership is 100, owning property valued at $2,000.
In April, 1875, Rev. McCord Roberts located at Verona as pastor of the Baptist Churches at Billings, Verona, Newtonia, Granby and Neosho. Mr. Sills was here for seven years. Rev. H. C. Lollar, who succeeded Mr. Sills in 1887, is now taking steps to build a house of worship at Verona. There are three Baptist societies at Verona--one Swedish one Regular and one Missionary. In the fall of 1868 the new meeting-house of the old Baptists on Spring River was begun. The Baptists at Mount Vernon began work on their church building in July, 1869, Ira Creech being contractor. The Missionary Baptist Church of Mount Pisgah is three miles north of Mount Vernon. The Baptist Sunday-school at Mount Vernon was organized in April, 1874, with Elder Powell, W. M. Peak, John Cecil, W. N. Davis and William Decker, officers. At this time the Methodist Sunday-school was re-organized, with E. H. Hinshaw, president.
The stations, preachers, clerks and number of members represented at the eighth annual meeting of the Lawrence County Association of Baptists, held in 1878, are given as follows: Aurora, Rev. Isaac Standlee; H. Neece, clerk; sixty members. Bethel, Rev. L. Allen; J. W. Lee, clerk; forty. Big Spring, Rev. James K. Pruitt; J. P. Johnson, clerk; --. Charity, Rev. Isaac Standlee; Thomas Newman, clerk; ninety-eight. Center Creek, Rev. J. K. Northcut; --, clerk; --. Fellowship, Rev. L. E. Cannady; R. P. Colley, clerk; sixty-nine. Marionville, Rev. Isaac Standlee; E. B. Robinson, clerk; forty-seven. Mount Olivet,
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Rev. J. K. Pruitt; Lamon Pruitt, clerk; eighty-four. Mount Vernon, Rev. H. C. Lollar; J. W. Davis, clerk; fifty. Mount Pisgah, Rev. H. C. Lollar; A. N. Bridges, clerk; ninety-five. Macedonia (no letter or messenger). Pleasant Ridge, Rev. F. Haddock; S. B. Arms, clerk; sixty-seven. Pleasant Grove (no letter or messenger). Prosperity, Rev. R. C. Gilmore; J. W. Smart, clerk; seventy-one. Round Grove, Rev. Z. T. Eaton; D. J. Hunt, clerk; 111. Spring River, Rev. James Spain; Daniel Lee, clerk; seventy-five. Sycamore, Rev. J. H. Glasscock; J. F. Hopper, clerk; forty-six. Smyrna, Rev. J. H. Glasscock; H. Edington, clerk; thirty-six. Verona, Rev. J. C. Sills; G. C. Kelley, clerk; forty.
Congregational Church.-- The Congregational Church of Peirce City was founded May 12,1872, with the following named members: C. H. Halstead, Mrs. C. H. Halstead, L. L. L. Allen, Mrs. L. L. L. Allen, E. Skewes, Mrs. E. Skewes and Mrs. A. L. White; first deacon, C. H. Halstead. The names of pastors are T. A. Wickes, M. Smith, O. Brown, James McLean, James Deighton, S. Stone and George S. Ricker. (Since November, 1885.) The clerks of the church since Major Skewes' time are given in the following list: Mrs. A. L. White, B. H. Ager, L. L. L. Allen, C. O. Brooks, H. C. Shoemaker and C. E. Allen. The membership of the society is 140, and of the Sunday-school, of which L. L. L. Allen is superintendent, 200. The church building, erected in 1875, is valued at $5,000, and the parsonage, built subsequently, $3,300.
Catholic Church.--The first Catholic mission established in this district is known as the old church of Sarcoxie Prairie. Early in the seventies Revs. Fathers Noon, H. H. O'Rielly, M. Mackin, James O'Rielly and William McCormick were priests of the mission.
The church at Peirce City is contemporary with the beginnings of the town; but not until thirteen years ago were there regular services held, when Father Graham, now of St. Joseph, and Father Kussman, of Booneville, visited this missionary district. As a parish it was first presided over by Father --, next by Rev. A. M. J. Hynes, succeeded by Rev. Daniel
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Healy, the present pastor. The old church building, known as St. John's, is now St. Patrick's school-house. The new church building, begun May 2, 1887, is l00x50 feet, outside measurement; the basement cost over $5,000, and the completion of the building is estimated to cost $15,000 or $18,000 more. The number of families forming the congregation is 150, and the number of members 1,000. In the spring of 1888 the large bell for the new church was received. The members of the bell committee were Miss B. Woulfe, Elizabeth Banahan, Little Mary Larkin, Mary Randall, Mary Cass, Anna Larkin, Mary Murphy, Catherine Murphy, Angeline Stuckey, Dorothy Stuckey, Veronica Stuckey, May Stuckey, Mary McCurry, Mary Holland, Ellen Holland, Margaret O'Brien, Anna O'Brien, Stasia O'Brien, Elizabeth O'Brien, Mary Kiley, Honora Kiley, Mary Noonan, Caroline Schwartz, Louisa Schwartz, Nora Burke, Mary Fitzgerald, Teresa Anthoney, Ellen O'Brien, Mary N. O'Brian (C. D.), Mary Tole, Sarah Kane, Nettie Allen, Mary Cotton, Mary E. Murray (H. D.), Mary Murray (Monett), Sarah Crowell, Anna Connolly, Catherine O'Keefe, Josephine Zerboni, Anna Kane, Mary Woulfe, Anna Driscoll, Elizabeth Woulfe, Catherine Woulfe, Lusan Woulfe, Sarah Tole, Lilly Banahan, Julia Martin, Catherine Lannigan, Catherine Murphy, Rev. D. Healy, Anna Lyons, Catherine Kelly and Elizabeth Winn.
The other contributors, including Catholics and non-Catholics, were G. A. Purdy, L. L. Allen, I. P. Linzee, Joseph Smith, A. L. White, Mrs. John Cass;, Mrs. James Ryan, Francis Quinn, B. Guinney, James Murphy (Monett), Michael Murphy, (Monett), John McGrath (Monett), John Murray (Monett), Thomas Murphy, Mrs. Thomas Murphy, Mrs. Wentworth, Mrs. James Mansfield, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. John Martin, Mrs. A. Clark, Dr. Quigley, O. H. George, B. Mulrenin, C. Cowan, F. Pfaff, J. Thielen, Heisserer, Alice Stuckey, A. Newman, J. B. Wright, J. P. Stollenwerk, W. Thielen, Z. Pratt, Miss Julia Barry, Miss Maria Barry, Miss Margaret Carey, Frederick Alberts, Mrs. O'Daniel, Mrs. C. Cary, Mrs. E. Fagan, Spilman & Schoen, H. C. Mills, Mrs. P. Martin, Mrs. Michael O'Brien, Mrs. McNamara, Cummings, Mrs. Sharpey, G. Lopp, Dr. H. V. Worley, B. H. McNamaro, R. W. Jones, Brite & Wicks, Saunders & Biddlecome, Mrs. Madden,
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Mrs. John Casey, Mrs. Powers, Velton (Arizona), James Baker, Joseph Beaumont, F. R. Fay, A. LeGrand, Callaway, Mrs. Seufert (Talmage), J. P., (Talmage), C. Featherstone (Talmage), Mrs. John Breman (Talmage), Mrs. McGalligan, Mrs. E. Sweeney, E. Sweeney, F. D. Cunningham, John Higgins, O'Connor, Williams, H. Byrne, Miss A. O'Brien, J. C. Prickett, Dann Brothers, C. A. Funk, Tarpey, P. Ryan.
The Catholic Church of Verona may be said to have been established by Father.Kausman in 1873. In 1876 St. John's Parish was founded. Rev. John Henness was the second priest here. He was succeeded by Father Heinz, or Hynes, of Peirce City. In February, 1883, Rev. Joseph Beck took charge of the parish, and served until the coming of Rev. Francis Becker, in 1886. He was succeeded by Rev. Basil Odermatt, 0. S. B., in February, 1888. The congregation is made up of 400 families. Among the first members were A. Lommer, M. Francka, I. Pfitzner, John Koehler, Sr., Paul Probstfield, I. Schembera, I. Schweda, Frederick Odekoven, S. Irick, J. Seitnater, F. Riedle, Joseph Irick, Joseph Greener, F. Oprawill, Michael Bembridge and John Kendrigan, and their wives. The church at Monett dates back to the winter of 1887-88, when Rev. Daniel Healy, of Peirce City, visited the Catholics of this new town. Early in 1888 the Town Company donated a lot and Mr. Callinan another lot, upon which it is intended to erect a large church building.
Christian Church.--The Christian Church of Aurora was founded in 1871, with the following named original membership: John C. McNatt, Judy McNatt, Frank Clayton, J. R. Woodfill, William McNatt, John Stuart and others. The names of pastors are Revs. Joe Roberts, Kirk Baxter, Clark Smith, W. B. Cochran for the last ten years. The present membership is 150, with property valued at $1,000.
The church at Verona is a strong organization. At Peirce City there is another large society, while scattered throughout the county many smaller organizations of this denomination are to be found.
At a meeting to consider the question of building a Christian house of worship at Mount Vernon, held August 1, 1876, at Mrs.
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J. P. Porter's house, Elder E. P. Cake presided, with John T. Teel, secretary. Mrs. S. Boothe reported that subscriptions in cash and labor amounted to $1,014.80. A building committee was appointed, comprising R. H. Landrum, John T. Teel, Porter Jones, J. F. Hargrove and A. Erickson. Later, Mrs. Boothe, Mrs. Millie Porter, Mrs. Clay Wear, Miss Fannie Catts and Thomas H. Jones were instructed to collect all the promised moneys.
Among the first preachers of the church here were Elder E. B. Cake, 1875-76, succeeded in 1879 by Elder W. B. Cochran. Kirk Baxter and N. B. McGee were here successively.
The foundation of the church building was laid in November, 1876, and the building completed in 1878. John Ryan preceded J. D. Whaley as clerk, The membership today comprises twenty-eight males and fifty-seven females, with property valued at $2,000.
Lutheran Church.--The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Freistatt, near Peirce City, was organized September 8, 1874, with the following named original members: Aug. Friz, David Friz, John Friz, William Schoen, Ernst Schoen, Ferd Malzahn, Louis and Gottlib Kruger, William Zempke. The names of pastors are Rev. H. Grupe from April, 1875, to June, 1878; J. E. Roschke from August, 1878, up to this day. The clerks who have served the church are Aug. Friz, J. Janzon and W. Voskamp. The membership is eighty-three, with property valued at $6,000.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church House, on Spring River Prairie, was dedicated July 1, 1883. This building cost $4,000. The old church house was converted into a schoolhouse for denominational purposes.
Holiness Association.--The Southwest Missouri Holiness Association commenced the organization of classes in Lawrence and Newton Counties in the fall of 1881.
Sunday-schools.--The first Sunday-school in the four southwest counties, or west of Springfield, was started in 1840 by Mr. Corley, of Philadelphia. He advertised a $10 library for the first school, and this one at James M. White's got the prize.
The statistical report presented to the twelfth annual conven-
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tion of Sunday-school workers credited the county with seventy schools, 576 teachers and 3,726 scholars in 1881.
In June, 1876, the following Sunday-schools were established by W. J. Haydon, missionary of the American Sunday School Union: At Heaton, with H. H. Neece, superintendent; Phelps, H. Cockrum; Centre schoolhouse, D. Cassitty; Colley schoolhouse, T. C. Hooten; Cherry Grove, G. Messick; Fairview, N. B. Withrow; Sycamore, J. F. Hopper; Felter, P. H. Simmons; Hall, Peter Runyan; Lawrenceburg, W. P. Booker, and Salem, C. W. Garrutte.
There were in Jasper County, in June, 1879, ninety-three Sunday-schools and 5,195 Sunday-school pupils, while the children of school age numbered 11,457. In Lawrence County, in June, 1879, there were twenty-one Sunday-schools, attended by 1,336 scholars, while the common school enumeration wa |
