Dunklin County, Missouri - Chapter 6: Churches, Etc, 1896

Chapter 6: Churches, Etc

In 1846, the first church house ever erected in Dunklin County was built by the small neighborhood around it and stood about one mile south of the present site of the town of Maiden. The building was composed of hewed gum logs. Thomas Warren, a Freewill Baptist minister, organized a church of that sect, which occupied this house. The organization lived and flourished until the winter of 1849-50, when an epidemic of what was l^nown as black tongue broke out among the inhabitants, and nearly depopulated the sparsely settled neighborhood. December 29, 1849, Mrs. Jordan Lacy and seven other persons were buried at the old burying ground south of Maiden. This church organization was soon lost sight of, and so far as can be ascertained there has never been another Freewill Baptist organization in the county up to the present time.

Rev. Miller next organized a General Baptist Church which worshiped in this house. He preached here about one year and then died at his home in Gainsville. Ark. Soon after this a missionary Baptist minister effected an organization whose members worshiped in this house.

The Beechwell General Baptist Church and the Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church are properly outgrowths of these early organizations. The second church house built in the county was the Old Liberty near Caruth, which was erected about 1853. The members of the M. E. C. S. worshiped in this house. They now have a good frame building on the site of the old log church.

In 1853 or 1854 a large log church with a Masonic lodge above was built in the town of Clarkton. Although other denominations worshiped here, this house was looked upon as belonging to the Cumberland Presbyterians; it stood on the site of the present Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Clarkton.

Perhaps the next church building erected in the county was the old Harkey's Chapel. At first this was a small log building used for school, church and other public meetings (as were also all the other church houses in the county up to twenty years ago), and it stood on the Daniel Harkey Place, now the William Ray Old Place, near Nesbit. The principiU organization which worshiped in this house was that of'the M. E. C. S. Later this church built a house on the corner of the William Herman farm. A few years ao-o they built the new Harkey Chapel at Nesbit. Before'anv of these houses were built the people worshiped under bush arbors or clapboard shanties. One of these shanties stood near the Scaggs Place north ot Clarkton. The preacher's stand was ** two blackjack poles driven in the dirt tioor, with a cypress board pinned to their tops." In this same place of worship the lights were, in one instance, when tallow candles grew scarce, made in egg shells.

these lights : *' A small hole was made in the little end of an egg and the shell emptied of its contents, it was then filled with bear's oil or coon grease, a twisted cotton wick put in it and the shell set in a saucer of salt." One of the pioneer ladies says the egg-shell lamps gave a very good light and that they were plentiful.

One of the pioneer preachers who often stood behind the board-stands, and read his text by the light of the egg-shell lamps, had his attire made from homespun cloth. In color his trousers were usually of copperas and black, his shirt of copperas and white, with suspenders of the same; in summer he wore no coat and his tall '* beegum " hat was the only piece of clerical looking apparel which he possessed.

He was, however, a good, conscientious man, who did all in his power to bring his congregations to understand their spiritual needs and duty to their Creator, and although the gentlemen of his congregations carried their oruns with them to church, even on the Sabbath, they listened earnestl}^ to what he said and were no doubt benefited. The wolves, bears, panthers, wild cats and other wild animals were so numerous in those days that it was considered best not to go away from the house without some means of protection, hence the gun was a constant companion of the pioneer. The clapboard shanty was not only the church of the pioneer but school house of his children, where they attended the two or three months ** pay " school each summer.

of the pioneer, etc., but one may from the above realize something of what those pioneer days were like. It is only when one looks back on those days and then compares them with the present that one can realize the height to which we have climbed during the period of fifty years which comprise the time of the organization of Dunklin County. At present there are about forty-five church edifices in the county, representing a value of $50,000.

Of the 20,000 inhabitants in this county fully 5,000 are members of some one of the eight different religious sects planted within its limits. Thirty-nine Sunday-schools are carried on most of the year, and in them religious instructions are given to 4,000 children. The co-operative Sunday-school movement has done much to awaken an interest in Sunday-school work. H. A. Applegate, president of the Dunklin County Sunday-school Association, certainly deserves great credit for his work along this line, and it is earnestly hoped that every Sunday-school in the county will be represented at its next annual meeting, which will take place at Halcomb in July of 1896. At Halcomb, Campbell, Clarkton and Cotton Plant are strong union Sunday-schools.

Baptist

first ministers, the first convert, the first baptism, the first church, the first Baptist Association, were established west of the Mississippi river; and these were the first Christians other than Roman Catholics to set foot on the land of Missouri.

The second Baptist Church formed in Missouri was Bethel, organized in 1806. The first house of worship erected, save those built by Catholics, was built by this church not long after its organization. It was constructed mainly of large yellow poplar logs well hewn, and was about 20x30 feet, and located about one and one-half miles south of Jackson, Mo.

This was the first permanent organization in the State ; and from this church directly or indirectly sprang all the churches that composed the first Association organized west of the ** Great River.'*

Black River Association, the fourth in Southeast Missouri, was organized at Greenville, Wayne County, Missouri, November, 1835, with six churches - Black River, Cherokee Bay, Bear Creek and Greenville, being four of them. The membership consisted of about 180 names. The ministers connected with its organization were Elders William Mason, S. Winnington and Henry McElmurry, who was chosen moderator, and Sam L. J. McKnight, clerk. This Association was located, at the time of its organization, in one of the largest, and, doubtless, one of the most'destitute fields of Southeast Missouri, extending from the southeast part of Madison County southward through Wayne, Stoddard, Dunklin, and westward into Butler County.

different churches of this Association, we have not the means of knowing, neither have anything but meager accounts of its first ministers and their works been preserved.

Elder John W. Brown of the Black River Association lived in Dunklin County, in quite early times. He was a man of great faithfulness and deep piety. He died August 13th, 1868.

Elder James H. Floyd, a native of Clark County, Mo., was born in 1832, and came with his father's family, when comparatively young, to Dunklin County. In 1854 he united with the Baptist Church, and in 1854 began preaching. With the exception of one year in Texas, he spent the remainder of his life in this field. He died June 8th, 1874.

Elder L. L. Stephens was another of this ministerial band. He died in the year of 1872. Elder Sanders Walker was also one of the early workers among the Baptists in this county, and baptized many of the oldest citizens now living who belong to that faith. Elders M. V. Baird and M. G. Whitaker are two other ministers who should be classed among the pioneer workers of Black River Association in the county. The following appeared in 1870 in a number of the Tennessee Baptist edited by J. R. Graves: -

<* Martin V. Baird was ordained a minister of the Gospel in the usual missionary Baptist form by Elders David Butler, Pasley, and L. L. Stephens on the 9th of January, 1870, in compliance with a request of

Elder M. J. Whitaker was ordained a minister of the Baptist Church July 12, 1874. The ministers represented in the Black River Association in 1881, were, besides the two just above mentioned, David Lewis, J. F. Bibb, W. H. Dial, T. B. Turnbough, R. H. Douglass, T. Hogan, W. G. Henderson, L. D. Cagle, J. J. Wester, H. D. Carlin, J. H. D. Carlin and Elder Stringer. From this association as the country has settled up other associations have been organized, and the territory of Black River Association diminished until it is now confined to the limits of Dunklin County.

This Association held its Sixtieth Annual Meeting with the First Baptist Church at Halcomb, September 13, 1895, with M. V. Baird, moderator, and S. F. Hale, clerk. Delegates were present representing the following churches: Bible Grove, Caruth, Campbell, Friendship, Halcomb, Holly Grove, Kennett, Maiden, New Hope, Octa, Oak Grove, Prairie Grove, Salem, Shady Grove, Varner River and Zion.

This association owns ten church houses valued at about $8,000. In membership they are about 900 strong. There are ten Sabbath Schools in the county under the care of the Baptists; besides, they take part in several of the Union schools.

one or more churches, are M. V. Baird, M. J. Whitaker, B. C. Bohanaii, J. M. Blaylock, L. T.Eagle, W. H. Dial, R. H. Douglass and R. H. Mount. Of these ministers Rev. M. V. Baird is the oldest in the ministry, and is looked upon as the best informed and widest read man of this denomination in the county. He is also a favorite with the ministers and people. Judge R. P. Owens was for many years clerk of Black River Association. Many other faithful and devoted ministers have served in this ministerial band, whose names for want of space must be omitted.

Methodist

The first Methodist Society west of the Mississippi was organized about three miles west of Jackson, some time between 1806 and 1809. Among the members were William Williams and wife, John Randal and wife, Thomas Blair, Simon and Isaiah Poe, Charnal Glasscock and the Seeleys. Soon after a house of worship was built of large hewed poplar logs from two to two and one-half feet thick. This belonged to the Western Conference, which included all of the territory west of the Alleghany Mountains. Several circuits were established in the bounds of this Conference, the first bein the Missouri and the Meramec. About 1808, Z. Macldox, a local preacher, partly organized the Cape Girardeau Circuit. In 1810 New Madrid Circuit was organized by Rev. Jesse Walker.

As early as 1830 Uriel Haw was presiding elder of this district and Christian Eaker pastor of West Prairie, Missouri. West Prairie, Missouri, extended into Dunklin County, but it is not probable that any preaching was done within its limits for many years after this date. In fact, it is certain that but little preaching was done in the county until after the division of the Northern and Southern churches in 1844- 45, when the Southern Conference was declared to be a distinct church under the name of *' The Methodist Episcopal Church South." The Missouri Conference met in Columbia, Mo., on September 24, 1845; Bishop Soule presided, and made an elaborate address in favor of the Southern Church. A vote was finally taken upon the question of a union with the Methodist Episcopal Church South and with a few exceptions the members were found in favor of uniting with the new church. Cape Girardeau District, which belonged to the Missouri Conference, took in this county.

In 1847, the St. Louis Conference was organized and a new district called Greenville District was formed from the western part of Cape Girardeau District. This county was still, however, left within the limits of Cape Girardeau District.

In 1852, J. M. Kelley was presiding elder of this district and Grand Prairie was " to be supplied." Jonas Davidson is said to have organized the first Methodist class in the county about this year, at the old Gravel Hill church site. In 1853, J. H. Headlee was presiding elder and T. H. Smith pastor of Grand

Rev. Jonas Davidson appears to have been the *' supply " in many instances in those early days when preachers were scarce, and not too willing to go into barren localities. Among the first preachers who *' rode " the Grand Prairie Circuit were Ed. H. White, Pickney L. Turner and S. C. Stratton. There were also a few local preachers. During the war, preaching was nearly suspended and James Copeland was the first circuit preacher after the hostilities ceased in 1865. In 1873, Poplar Bluff District was formed, and since that time the growth of the M. E. C. S. in this county has been steady and marked.

This church has twelve church houses and one-fourth share in a union church in the county, and two parsonages - one in Kennett and one in Nesbit. Their property is worth approximately $13,000. The number of members is 1,600.

Perhaps none of the circuit preachers of early days were so great favorites among the masses of the people in this county as was Rev. Cox, commonly called ** Uncle Jake." Rev. J. H. Headlee was also a great favorite, and worked in this county when the circuits were 200 miles lonof, and when the circuit

*«I went to Dunklin County as circuit preacher in the fall of 1842. My circuit embraced most all of Stoddard and Dunklin Counties; extending from a little north of where Allen ville now is to Grand Prairie. There were twenty-one appointments to be filled in three weeks, and over two hundred miles to travel on horseback to reach them. The population was so scarce that a great deal of travel was necessary to find many people.

** By far the greater portion of your county was in a primitive condition, Clarkton and Kennett were not yet built and all the country between, where they now stand, was a wilderness. Dunklin County was included in the Old Cape Girardeau District. Nelson Henry was appointed to the district in the fall of 1871, and continued there four years. I think he was followed by J. K. Lacy, and I was made Presiding Elder there in 1853. My recollections of that county are that what few people it contained were very quiet and inoffensive, and very kind and hospitable to the preachers, and every one else so far as I know. I well remember the name of Jonas Dancer, a local preacher, a man of limited attainments, but strong and vigorous mind. He subsequently went to the border of Texas and was killed by the Indians. Also Dr. Thomas Bancroft, one of the grandest men I ever knew. He died many years after at New Madrid.

*' Edwin Langdon was there then, a young man recently from Vermont. He was a good man and true. I am spending the evening of my life pleasantly here, waiting for the sun to go down."

I should have said that Rev. Headlee is in the Methodist Home for superannuated preachers at Caledonia, Missouri. The number of Sunday-schools under the care of this church are twelve, they having an enrollment of 1,000 scholars, and one hundred officers and teachers. Mention of the present pastors will be found in the Biographical Sketches.

General Baptist

In 1878 the Liberty Association of General Baptists had become so large that it was deemed advisable to divide it. Accordingly seventeen churches, nine of which were in Stoddard County, five in Dunklin County, one in Butler County, and two in Clark County, Ark., with seven ordained ministers, and a membership of 887, were set off and organi'zed into New Liberty Association. The organization was effected by forming themselves into a circle, joining hands, typical of God's eternal love, singing and prayer, extending the right hand of fellowship to each other, and electing J. F. Patterson, moderator, and C. B. Hyson, clerk. The ministers at that time were, T. J. Davis, J. W. Bolin, R. M. Hatley, W. E. Bray, W. E. Almon, L. McFarlin, D. W. Farris.

The Fifteenth Annual Session of New Liberty Asso-^ elation of General Baptists, met with Pleasant Grove Church, in Stoddard County, Missouri, on Thursday before the second Sunday in October, 1893. At 10 o'clock A. M. the introductory sermon was preached by Elder T. J. Davis, followed by Elder J. W. Bolin. Three new church organizations, under the names of Beech Grove, near Kennett; Maiden, in Maiden, and Poplar Grove, were at this meeting, added to the association from Dunklin County.

The associations met with Beech well Church, five miles west of Maiden, on Thursday before the second Sunday in October, 1894. They have in this county the following organizations: Bethany, Friendship, Beechwell, Mount GileadjLone Oak, Free Union, Pleasant Valley, Maiden, Campbell, Liberty, Cold Water, Salem and Beech Grove, with a membership of about 800. They own about eight church buildings in the county, representing an approximate value of $6,000. This church takes part in several of the union Sabbath schools in the county and has about four in its own churches with an enrollment of 200 scholars and twenty officers and teachers. Beechwell Church was the first General Baptist Church in the county which lived any considerable length of time. It was organized by Kev. Elonzo Fowler in September, 1869, with twenty members. Its membership now reaches about 275. Rev. T. J. Davis was pastor of this church about twenty years. Rev. Davis has been one of the leading lights of this church for years and still resides in Maiden.

Of the other old ministers we have no means of obtaining accurate information. Rev. L. McFarlin, recentlv deceased, was one of the best loved ministers in the county among his own denomination, and universally respected by all who knew him. He came to this county in 1872. Other ministers of this denomination in the county are: H. H. Noble, W. E. Bray and R. M. Hatley.

Cumberland Presbyterians

One of the oldest churches in the county is the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Clarkton. They commenced to build their first house in 1853, and finished it in 1855. It was constructed of hewed logs and was two stories in height, the second story being used for a Masonic hall. There were several glass windows above and below in the house. The lumber for the doors, flooring and finishing was all sawed by hand with a rip saw, and the work mostly done by Billy O. Davidson. The seats were long benches of a better grade than the ordinary church seat of pioneer days. When J. H. McKnight was pastor in 1868 this church was 175 strong. Their present church building was erected in 1883 at a cost of $1,600. Rev. T. S. Love preached for this church during the war, and it was here, while the congregation was worshiping on a Sunday, in the time of hostilities, that a band of guerrilhis surrounded the house and calmly told the worshipers that they did not wish to disturb them but would like to chano^e clothes with the s^entlemen.. The men were called out, the doors closed on the women and the desired change soon effected. One young man, who seemed to be more thoughtful than the rest, saved his boots by slyly poking them in the

Stove, in which, fortunately, there was no fire, before leaving the room. The rest of the men were left barefo^'ot, their only consolation being a choice of the very dilapidated footwear discarded by the guerrillas. As the men had little show for resistance with their women and children with them, they mildly acquiesced in the arrangement and after the " boys " left, laughingly sang a hymn and then went home. Many of the old citizens yet living well remember this incident. Maj. W. C. Rayburn was for many years prominent among the leaders of this church. We regret that a list of the original' members cannot be obtained.

Canaan Church at Gibson was organized in 1862, and is another old and well-known church. E. J. Stockton was its first pastor. Among its elders have been M. J. Benson, W. R. Weathers, John C. Agnew and S. T. Weathers. They have 110 members, a good Sunday-school of eighty-five scholars with five officers and teachers. This denomination has an organization at Kennett which has bought a lot on which they expect to build a house of worship. Mrs. Melinda Hogue in her will set apart certain property for the puqoose of building a Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Halcomb. The members of this denomination at Halcomb think they will get about $1,000 from this source, and will build a house of worship as soon as

Their church property is perhaps worth $4,000, and have a total membership of 210. The following are ministers who have pastorated the churches of this denomination in this county : - Elder Robert Jones, F.

Keller, D. A. Knox, Roberts, J. D. C. Cobb, C. M. Eaton and W. W. Spence. Rev. Grable is at present pastor of Canaan Church. A union Sunday-school is carried on in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Clarkton.

Presbyterian Churches

"At a regular fall meeting of the Presbytery of Potosi (U. S.), commencing its session at Irondale, Washington County, Mo., on the 3d of October, 1872, a committee consisting of Rev. W. B. Y. Wilkie and W. McCarty and Elder W. A. Pouder was appointed to visit Clarkton, Dunklin County, Mo., and should the way be clear, organize a church in connection with said Presbytery.

'* In accordance with this action the committee, on the 30th of November, 1872, after divine service, proceeded to enroll the names of the following persons (constituting the original members of an organization to be known as the Old School Presbyterian Church of Clarkton, Mo.), viz.: Mr. Z. B. Penney, Dr. V. H. Harrison, Judge John H. Stokes, Mr. Charles E. Stokes, Clement McDaniel, Mrs. E. B. Austin and Mrs. Lucretia Stokes. Of these. Dr. V. H. Harrison, Messrs. Charles E. Stokes and Clement McDaniel were received on profession of their faith in Christ, the others by letters of dismission from other churches.

*' At the same time Mr. Z. B. Penney and Dr. V. H. Harrison were elected to serve as ruling Elders, and on the 1st of December, 1872, after sermon, were regularly ordained to office. Rev. W. B. Y. Wilkie proposing the constitutional questions, offering the ordaining prayer and delivering the charge to the Elders, and W. McCarty delivering the charge to the congregation.

The Old School Presbyterians have a church at Maiden and one in Kennett. The church at Kennett was organized in June, 1887, by Kev. J. W. Roseborough, Synodical Evangelist, and W. Beale, pastor, of the churches of New Madrid and Clarkton. Through the influence of Rev. W. Beale a house of worship was erected during that year, which was the second church house of this denomination in the county, and the first one of any kind erected in Kennett. This church denomination owns some of the nicest church edifices in the county, being worth about $4,500. They have three Sabbath-schools with about 175 s-cholars enrolled and about ten oflScers and teachers. The Sunday-school at Kennett, under the care of this church, is said to have failed to meet at the regular hour, 3 o'clock p. m., less than a half dozen times since its organization in 1887. Rev. William McCarty was the first Presbyterian preacher at Clarkton, and in the county. Beside those ministers already mentioned J. E. L. Winecoif , Robert Morrison and L. F. Linn, and several others, have from time to

The Old School Presbyterian Church of colored people at Chirkton was organized with ten members on September 29, 1890. They are now about twenty-

Christian Church

The first Christian Church was organized in this county at Maiden in 1885, by Rev. John Sewell, from near Pophir Bluff, and Rev. Martin. The organiza- tion, as first effected, had twenty-two members. Prominent among these first members was Dr. F. M. Wilkins and wife, R. C. Vincent and wife, and other leading citizens of Maiden. The church grew rapidly until it numbered about the greatest in the town.

In eJune, 1889, a Christian Church was organized at Kennett by Elder S. M. Martin, with 168 members. This congregation now has one of the prettiest church buildings in the county, of which its members are justly proud. Besides the two just mentioned above they have organizations at the following places: Campbell, Halcomb, Bethel Church, Bark Camp, Lulu Church, and Bible Grove. They own four houses of worship and one-fourth in a union house, which they value at $5,900. Their houses are among the neatest and best churches in the county. They have a membership in the county of 550, and four Sunday-schools with an enrollment of 200 scholars, and about ten officers and teachers.

In 1876, a Christian minister held a series of meetings in Kennett, but nothing definite can be learned of the organization. But little can be learned of the ministers of this denomination who first visited this county, although there have been quite a number from time to time. Elder H. C. West of Kennett (recently deceased) has for several years looked after and preached to most of the Christian churches in the southern part of this county. He was not considered a brilliant talker, but was earnest, zealous and universally respected. Other elders in the county are K. H. Stanley, Maiden; and M. Marcum, Wrightville.

Catholic Church

St. Patrick Catholic Church was dedicated by Father Furlong, July 15, 1894. This church is situated in the town of Maiden, and is a neat little house of worship worth about $1,000. It is the only Catholic Church in the county, and as the Catholics who reside in the county do not, perhaps, exceed fifty in number, they are pardonably proud of their first home within its borders. Among its first members were

Mrs. Crawsbaw, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Casey, Mrs. Keene and Mr. and Mrs. Joe Arnes of Kennett. Father Furlong, who resides at New Madrid, administers to their spiritual needs on the fourth Sabbath of each month.