Grundy County, Missouri - Chapter 17: Churches, Lodges, Etc, 1881

Chapter 17: Churches, Lodges, Etc

Presbi/terian - Methodist - Catholic - Christian - Baptist - Colored Baptist - Colored Methodist - Wheti Organized - When Built - Names of Pastors - Membership - General History - Trenton Post-office - The First Postmaster - Names of all the Postmasters - Quarterly Returns - Money Order Department - Its Receipts - Secret Orders and Societies , - Odd Fellows - Knights of Pythias - Order of United Workmen - Knights of Honor - Golden Spray Tabernacle.

Presbyterian Church

In the summer of 1873 at a meeting held at the residence of Mr. William Donaldson, a Presbyterian church organization was perfected under the direction of Rev. Mr. Kennedy, of Hamilton, Mo., and the following persons became members: Mr. and Mrs. William Donaldson, Mrs. Randolph, Mrs. S. Smith, and Mr. John A. Reid. With this small beginning, the organization grew until there was a membership of about forty, when the old clmrcli building of the M. E. Cliurcli, South, was rented and the Rev. Mr. Chadienne, of Cameron was called. He officiated about one year, when he was succeeded by the E.ev. J. M. Crawford who continued in charge until January 1, 1879. In the meantime a new and commodious church building was erected, and on Sunday, December 19th, of the year last mentioned, on tlie morning it was to be dedicated, the sacred edifice burned to the ground, involving a loss uf $6,800 on the members with an insurance of only $3,000. The organization which was styled the " First Presbyterian Church," was young and vigorous, and at once went to work to rebuild. The present elegant structure at the corner of Elm and Prospect streets was finished in 1876, and on the 18th of June, the Rev. J. A. Pinkerton, of Chillicothe, preached an impressive dedication sermon to a large and attentive congregation. The new church was a fine building, 36x56, or 40x64 including the recess and tower. The spire reached a little over a hundred feet high. The ceiling was handsomely frescoed, while the windows were neatly fitted with stained glass. The organization became involved in a lawsuit through indebtedness occasioned by the loss of their first building. The case came up and resulted in favor of the defendants, but at this time the Presbytery appointed a committee to compromise the case, and as a result of the arbitration the church was turned over to the mortgagees, in the fall of 1879, who still hold the propertj'', and rent it as a school building. The First Presbyterian organization was disbanded, and on the 19th of May, 1880, the " Hodge Presbyterian Church" was organized with the following members: Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Donaldson, Mr. and Mrs. I. M. White, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Dobson, Mr. and Mrs. John Flannigan, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Zinsien, Miss Jennie Lafferty, Miss Helen Babcock, Miss Tillie McGuire, Miss Flora Tinsman, Mrs. George F. Walker, Mrs. Ed. Benson, Mrs. S. Smith and Mrs. Randolph. The new organization purchased the old South Methodist church building and had it refitted throughout, at an expense of $2,300 for the whole. After the Rev. Mr. Crawford ceased to officiate, the Rev. Joseph Thompson was called, and accepted the charge in June, 1879, continuing as pastor under the new organization until the spring of 1880. On the 11th of Septemter, 1881, the Rev. John Miller, of Oregon, Mo., assumed the pastorate, having been called in the previous August. The church is in a flourishing condition and steadily growing.

Methodist Episcopal Church

In the early days of Trenton, when the town was small, while there were quite a number of Protestant denominations, they were not strong enough in number or in wealth to erect separate places of worship, and year after year they formed a union church, and each took their turn in using it as a place of worship.

an organization of their own, at least as a nncleus for, as it was hoped, a large and more influential one in the near future. To that end a few worthy people met together and organized in March, 1865, and called their church as above named.

The church record of that early day is not now to be found, and the names of all the original members of this church organization cannot be given. The following are a portion of those active members who showed their faith by their works: Samuel D. Luke and wife (now of Fort Collins, Colorado), George W. Schlotterback and wife, William Songer (now deceased) and wife, Giles Songer (now deceased) and wife, Peter Colley (now deceased) and wife, Mrs. A. Gilbeant, J. F. Price, and others whose names, as above stated, cannot be fonnd.

After the organization the chnrch steadily grew and prospered, not rapidly, but as the town grew, and by the spring of 1869 felt strong enough to commence the erection of a house of worship. Heretofore they had several temjiorary places of worship. The church first held service in the Baptist church and continued its use until the fall of 1867. They then made arrangements for the use of the court-house, and held regular service at that place until the spring of 1869.

That spring the work of building a Methodist Episcopal church was commenced and by fall the building was completed. In the meantime, during the summer and fall the members used the Christian church to hold service in, instead of the court-house, the congregation of the latter church kindly granting them its use.

The church built was a neat frame building and when completed cost $2,500. It was afterwards enlarged (in 1879) at a further cost of |950. The house was originally erected on the south part of block four, in Merrill's First Addition to the town of Trenton. It stood on the spot where now stands Mr. J. B. Carnes's building, now occupied by J. W. Cherry as a dry goods store, at the junction known as "Five Corners." It was removed from there in 1872 to the pleasant location where it now stands.

From the small beginning of a score of members in 1865, the church has grown, and strengthened with its growth and it now holds a membership of

275. Thus has the earnest work and faith of a few disciples of the lowly Jesus brought forth great fruit, and as the years fade may they ever gather strength and prosper.

Roman Catholic Church

The earliest written record of the Catholic Chnrch in Missouri shows that Father Watrin performed ministerial services in Ste. Genevieve, in 1760, and in St. Louis in 1766. In 1770 Father Meurin erected a small log church in St. Louis. In 1818, there were in the State four chapels, and for upper Louisiana, seven priests. A college and seminary was opened in Perry county about this period, for the education of the young, being the first college west of the Mississippi River. In 1826, Father Rosatti was appointed bishop of St. Louis, and, through his instrumentality, the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. Joseph and of the Yisitation were founded, besides other benevolent and charitable institutions. In 1834 he completed the Cathedral Chnrch, at St. Louis. Churches were built in different portions of the State. In 1847 St. Louis was created an arch-diocese, with Bishop Kenrick, archbishop.

St. Joseph Catholic Church

This church was first organized in the city of Trenton in the autumn of 1872. Services were held at the residence of Mr. Jose])h McMullen, on Prospect Street, and where tht members gathered occasionally to hear instruction and assist at the holy sacrifice of the mass. Among the first members of the church, and who did much to advance its interests, were Joseph McMullen, John Buckley, James Fitzsimmons and family, George Fischer and sons, Chris. O'Brien and wife, and a few others, numbering ten families in all. Father Kennedy was the first priest who visited Trenton, and organized the church. Father Murphy attended at Trenton and other out missions a few months at the beginning of the year 1873, and Father Kennedy returned to Trenton and the Trenton mission, and took up his residence in July, 1873. Steps were taken immediately to secure a plat of ground for a church edifice; this was purchased, and arrangements also effected for the building of a church. The building is of Gothic style of architecture, of wood, and in size thirty-three by sixty-eight, and cost about $4,000. The organ, sacred vestments, furniture, etc., cost $1,000 more. The church was named the St. Joseph Church, and was dedicated to the service of Almighty God on the first Sunday in September, 1874, by Rt. Rev. John J. Hogan, bishop of the diocese. The Rev. J. J. Kennedy is the pastor in charge. The present membership numbers nearly 200. Some two years ago, by the united eftbrts of pastor and people, a beautiful sloping hill, adjacent to the city, was purchased, containing six acres, and laid out for a cemetery. It was blessed as a " city of the dead " by the Rt. Rev.

Christian Church

The Christian Church of Trenton is one of the oldest established churches in the city, and although it has not been one of rapid progress, its growth has been steady, and strength gained from year to year. Those who adopted its creed as their faith were few in number at the start, but faith and work will build up both church and State, and they who have the God-like inheritance of the one, and the earnest and persevering will to do the other, can accomplish all things that man is capable of doing.

In the year IS-iT a band of earnest workers, and possessed of an abiding faith, united together and founded the first organization of the Christian Church at Trenton and the heart's love they gave to it caused it to prosper and find favor with God and man. The names of those who formed this first organization and were the first members of the church, are as follows, and though not all the names were given us, those that were are here entered: Wm. Collier, Sr., Susan Collier, Adam Murray, David T. Wright and wife, Mrs. George W. Moberly, and about twenty others whose names have been lost. The trouble with most of the churches of the early times was a want of properly keeping or preserving the minutes of their churches. In this important point too much carelessness has existed in nearly all of them for the first few years of their organization, and many important and very interesting facts have been lost not only to the church, but history itself loses much in being unable to chronicle the early trials and tho earnest work of those who have laid the foundation for the magnificent church edifices of the present day, and given character and strength to the growing organizations.

It was in the year 1856 that the members of the Christian Church united together to build a house of worship for themselves. To plan was to work, and so before the year last above mentioned was chronicled with the dead eternity of the past, a handsome and tastefully arranged church was built of brick, of medium size, and at a cost of $2,000. It was dedicated the same year, by an eloquent and very impressive sermon from Rev. Benj. H. Smith, now of Canton, Missouri, who was called to conduct the dedication ceremonies. He was asked to become their pastor, which he accepted. He was succeeded by the following eminent divines in the order named: Rev. D. T. Wright, Rev. Benjamin Lockhart, Rev. D. M. Turney, Rev. E. Y. Rice, Rev. H. W. Dale, Rev. J. R. Gafi", Rev. Martin Peterson and Rev. W. H. Blanks. The church is in a favorable condition, and its membership numbers one hundred and fifty.

First Baptist Church Of Trenton

This church was first organized in the spring of 1838, under a large elm tree, just south of the bridge across Grand River, on the road leading to Edinburg, and was first known as the " Washington United Baptist Church." After Trenton was laid out the name was changed to Trenton Baptist Church. Elder Elijah Merrill was the first pastor. It was organized with ten members, as follows:

Elder Elijah Merrill, Nancy Merrill, James R. Merrill, Elizabeth Merrill, Samuel Benson, Matilda Benson, Cornelius Darnaby and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Oxford. Mr. Oxford was elected as the first clerk. The records of the church were supposed to have been in the possession of Deacon James Benson, until his death, a few years since, but a search for them among his effects has been unavailing to bring them to light, and they have not yet been found.

While, therefore, a full and perfect list of the pastors who have presided over the cliurch cannot be given, the following, however, are known to hav^e held such connection, and in the order named: Elijah Merrill, Henry M. Henderson, A. F. Martin, Terry Bradley, Geo. W. Warmoth, P. McCoUum, H. H. Turner, A. Jones, P. McCoUum again, Robert Livingston, J. R. M. Beeson, R. L. Jamison and F. J. Leavitt, the present pastor.

Where They Met

For several years after the organization, the country being new and the members living some distance apart, the meetings were held from place to place, taking their turns at the houses of the members and of the citizens, and for a while in a school-house near the old graveyard south of town, which was known as the old Baptist Church at tlie time that Trenton was located as the county seat in 1841, the first session of the Circuit Court having been held at this log church. In 1844, at the completion of the court-house, service was held there. D. T. Wright then built the house now occupied by A. K. Sykes, which was rented to the Baptists and other denominations, to hold service in.

The first house of worship erected and belonging to the church was in 1852, on the lot in front of where W. H. Yerian now lives. It was about twenty-six by forty feet, and was then in the central part of the town. The church proved too small, and ten feet were added to it soon after. It was in the sprinii^ of 1850 that a very remarkable revival took place, resulting in over one hundred additions to tlie church.

New Organization

It still continued to be known as the Trenton Baptist Church as late as 1875, when, in the month of March of that year, it was duly incorporated under the laws of the State and under the name of the First Baptist Church of Trenton, at Trenton, Missouri, with the following named gentlemen as trustees: A. H. Burkeliokler, W. C. Benson, James Austin, W. B. Rogers, W. H. Yerian, James G. Benson and J. M. Bobertson. C. A. Hoffman has since been elected in place of Wm. C. Benson, resigned, and J. G. Hemley in place of James G. Benson, deceased. In 1876 the church completed the handsome edifice now occupied by them, on Ehn Street, which cost, including tlie lot, the sum of $5,600.

What It Joined

The church sent messengers soon after its organization to what was known as the Fishing River Association of Baptist Churches - an old school or hard-shell association, but there is no evidence of record that it was ever a member or received as a member of that association. In the organization of the North Grand River Association of Missionary Baptist Churches the Trenton Church was one of the constitutional members, and has remained a member ever since. At its organization, or at the time it entered the North Grand River Association, it was supposed to have adopted the articles of faith and covenant as published in the encyclopedia of religious knowledge, but in 1879, the articles of faith having been lost, with the records of the church, the articles of faith and covenant known as the Philadelphia Articles of Faith, and published by the American Baptist Publication Society at Philadelphia were adopted, and remain the faith of the church. While the church has always been known as a missionary church, and has cooperated in the missionary work, there has always been more or less of the predestination or anti-missionary sentiment in the church, holding to the Calvanistic doctrine of election. There is less, liowever, of that sentiment of late years than formerly.

Colored Baptist Church

The Second Baptist Church, colored, of the city of Trenton, was organized a few years ago, by a few persevering brethren, and resulted in continued success. In 1880 the members of the church united in a determined effort to build a place of worship and the corner-stone was laid that year under the auspices of the Knights of Tabor and Daughters of the Tabernacle, the Rev. Mr. Smith, of Chillicothe, and the liev. Amos Johnson, of Macon, Missouri, conducting the ceremonies, assisted by the Rev. M. S. Brjant. Tlie cliurch buikling is now completed. It is a neat frame building, and the church under its pleasant and able pastor, the Rev. Harvey Morton, with a membership of thirty-five, is in a flourishing condition.

African M. E. Church

This church was organized about the year 1875, and its progress M-as of such a character that in 1877 the members united and built a neat house of worship. It was dedicated the same year, the Rev*. S. Love preaching the dedication sermon. Its pastors have been the Rev. J. R. Loving, and the Rev. H. H. Triplette up to 1879, wdien in September of that year the Rev. M. S. Byrant was called, who accepted, and he is the present pastor of the church. It has grown steadil}^ under his administration and now numbei-s forty members, with every prospect of a prosperous future.

Cemetery

"I walk these silent haunts with reverend tread, And seem to gaze upon the mighty dead ; Imagination calls the noble ti-ain, From dust and darkness back to life again."

The cemeteries of Trenton are numerous enough, being five in number The Odd Fellow's and the Mason's burial-grounds lie in the west part of the city on a gentle slope. A handsome roadway separates the grounds, and the}'^ are kept in excellent order. The Catholic cemetery is on high ground sloping to the west. The old cemetery, with some twelve acres of ground, lies just east of the Catholic cemetery, and the grounds of the Ancient Order of United Workman containing seven acres are handsomely laid out, but have not yet received an occupant. They lie west of the ground of the Masonic and Odd Fellows.

Secret Orders And Societies

Trenton has quite a number of secret orders and societies all of which are in a flourishing condition and seem to grow with her growth for as she gains in population, so do these societies and orders increase in number and membership. It would be impossible for the author of this work, with the space at his command, to give a fnll and succinct history of each and all of these lodges, but has given to each the date of their organization, with their officers and membership, and also the officers and the number of members at the date of this history They are nearly one and all in a flourishing condition, and have done much to cement the ties of brotherhood and fraternal feeling among our people.

Knights Of Pythias

Adeljyhia Lodge iVo. 38. - This lodge was instituted January 2Gth, 1876, b)'^ Grand Chancellor Chas, D. Lucas, and Grand Keeper of R. and S. John T. Swjgard, assisted by Past Grand Chancellor J. L. Nichols of the State of Peruisylvania, and the founder of this lodge, who still lives in Trenton.

Masonic

Trenton E. A. C. No. 66, was organized November 16, 1870. At the time of its organization the following were chosen officers: Marshall Fulton, H. P.; J. E. Harris, E. K.; N. A. Winters, scribe; W. H. Eoberts,

Knights Of Honor

America Lodge No. 2Q73, was instituted August 6th, 1880, and charter received from the Supreme Lodge August 19th, 1881, as follows: " To all whom it may concern, greeting: Know ye that by virtue of the power vested in Supreme Lodge, Knights of Honor, as a corporate body, this charter is granted to A. Morris, M. L. Boyles, J. H. Braidwood, J. B. Berr}^, F. J. Leavitt, H. C. Lanius, W. I. George, J. H. Patton, D. F. Trunkey, F. H. Storts, J. W. Cherry, Fred. Day, D. C. Pugh, A. Walker, IS". Shanklin, J. M. Bailey, E. F. Horton, O. J. Eockwell and J. H. George, their associates and successors, constituting them a subordinate lodge of the order to be hailed by the title of America Lodge No. 2273 ' Knights of Honor.'" W. B. Hoke, supreme dictator; J. C. Plumer, supreme R. Instituted by W. A. Halstead, dictator. The officers elect were: A. Morris, past dictator; M. L. Boyles, dictator; Thos. F. Dean, vice-dictator; Geo.

The order is in a flourishing condition and the present membership in the United States numbers over 125,000. Tlic object of the organization is benevolent and fraternal. Over one million dollars were paid to widows and orphans for the year 1880, and the order is increasing in membership at the rate of twenty-five hundred per month.

The last semi-annual report to the grand encampment shows a membership of thirty-four. Amount received during term, $103; amount of cash on hand, $254.93.

Since its organization, and up to date, there were two hundred and fiftyseven names enrolled and admitted; present membership one hundred and thirteen, in good standing. During the last fourteen years there was paid out for benevolent purposes and sick benefits the sum of $1,529.61.

The last semi-annual report to the grand lodge of Missouri, of March 31, 1881, shows the following condition of the lodge: total receipts during the term, ^313.55; amount paid for relief during term, $180; amount in the treasury, $264.14; amount of notes secured by real estate, $950; meraberfehip, one hundred and nine.

The lodge meets weekly - every Tuesday night - in the Odd Fellows' Hall, opposite court-house. Their hall is nicely furnished, and the lodge owns a cemetery west of town, well taken care of.

Daughters Of The Tabernacle

Golden Sijray No. 1^.1. - This is a colored ladies' organization, which has been formed but a few months, and, besides their officers, numbers fourteen members. They hold monthly meetings, the first Monday evening of each month being the time set.

The present officers are as follows: Mrs. Mollie Hutchinson, C. P.; Mrs. Calvin Rucker, V. P.; Mrs. Phillis Carter, I. S.; Miss Annie Asby, P. C; Miss Jane Bineson, C. K R. ; Mrs. Laura White, recorder; Mrs. Kittie Steel, treasurer. Tribunes, Mr. H. Steel, Mr. A. Hutchinson, Mr. Wra. Henderson.

Knights Of Tabor

Wm. Paul Quinn Teinjyle No. 1^.1^. - This order of colored men was organized December, 1877, and has been very regular in its meetings. There are but few colored people in Trenton, and, of course, the order cannot be very large, but those who are members keep up its spirit and organization with great fervor. They number fifteen in membership, besides officers, and they hold regular monthly meetings. The present officers are as follows: James Benton, C. M.; Harrison Steel, Y. M.; Alex. Hutchinson, C. S.; Elbert White, C.T.; Hugh Penison, C. D. M.; Nathaniel Cook, C. S. B.; Logan Hutchison, C. S. T.

Trenton Post-Office

While Trenton was first settled in 1831: and quite a thriving town, its post-office facilities were of the most primitive order until the year 1839. Spring Hill, in Livingston county, and Millport, in Daviess county or Ray county, up to 1837, were the nearest post-offices, and Lomax Store the general place of delivery. Tlie person who went to either of the above named places brought up all the letters and ])apers for tlie neighborhood and left them at Lomax Store to be called for. This continued until the year 1839, when the United States post-office department established a post-office at Lomax Store, and the name was "Blufl" Grove," and James S. Lomax was duly installed as postmaster thereof. Mr. Lomax continued to perform the arduous duties of the office until the year 1842, when he was succeeded by George W. Moberly, then in the prime of early and vigorous manhood, and now the president of the Union Bank of Trenton. Mr. Moberly held the responsible office for nearly eight years, during part of the administra- tions of John Tyler and of James K. Polk. After the election of Taylor and Fillmore and the death of President Taylor, Mr. James Austin assumed the important position, Mr. Moberly retiring under the popular and well deserved cry of " Well done good and faithful servant." It was during the administration of Mr. Moberly the post-office name was changed from Bluff Grove to that of Trenton.

The administration of Mr. Austin and the management of the de])artment was somewhat a peculiar one during his term of office. And to a "strictly confidential ear" the years of 1851, '52, '53 and '54 may be said to have been the amusement years in the history of the Trenton post-office. At the end of Mr. Austin's term, which ex]Mred in 1854, Mr. Geo. M. Cooper, now a resident of Oregon, succeeded Mr. Austin as postmaster, but retained it only two years, when he was succeeded by Joseph Winters. Mr. Winters, however, enjoyed the highly honorable and lucrative position scarcely a year when that popular and reliable citizen and druggist of Trenton, Mr. Robert IST. Featherstone, took possession of the office and held it during the remainder of the administration of James Buchanan.

The Change

It was in 1861 when the alarm was sounded that the Union was in danger and young men were called to the front and at the post of danger that Mr. William Collier, one of the old pioneers and one of Trenton's best and most enterprising citizens was called to take charge of the office. During the dark days of civil strife he was at his post and all went well. When peace came and the light of liberty shone with a bright refulgence over all this broad land of ours, the old pioneer, this upright man and citizen, stood at his post and no one asked to take his place. And in the year 1869, after he had lived to see peace and prosperity overspread the land with its mantle of white and gold, and when his years numbered more than three score, the angel of death came and called him home. Tiiere was sorrow in Trenton then, for not only were they bereft of their postmaster but a good citizen had gone. On the death of Mr. Collier, Mr. David Crooks became postmaster, and held it until the year 1878. The post-office had been moved several times and quite a feeling had sprung up in regard to its location. From Water Street it had been taken to Elm, and from the latter street back to Water, and for a few years it was kept in a building opposite the court-house, now called the "West End," and on the outskirts of the business part of the city. Rival parties had sprung up, one to retain and the other to bring it nearer the center of business.

The Present Incumbent

In 1878 the present popular and efficient postmaster. Dr. E. F. Horton, received his commission, and being "chuck full'' of pride as well as energy went to work to make the post-ofBce of Trenton an institution worthy of the town, and tlie department itself a convenience to the people. He admirably succeeded, and tiie Trenton post-office basnet its eqnal north of the Missouri River, or in the State for the size of the town, for beauty, convenience, excellent management and a courteous desire on the part of the officials to see the people well and promptly served.

The post-office removal light had been prett}' fierce for the past year. It was one the postmaster. Dr. Horton, did not feel like deciding, and the matter was left to the post-office department at Washington. An agent was sent out, and the new building, then in the course of erection near the Elmore House, and what is known as the "Five Corners," was selected by the agent of the department, and accordingly on the 19th of August, 1881, the office was removed and Dr. Horton took possession of his new quarters and fixed it up in splendid style. The location by the agent was in a measure influenced by the fact that it would be near enough to the Rock Island Railroad depot to cause the delivery to be made at the expense of the railroad company, and second, it was the central business point of the city. The " West End" felt sadly over the move, and for a few days tried to assuage their grief by offering ''West End" property at remarkably low rates^ either for cash or "Central City" property. Just how much comfort they experienced in their laudable effort was not reported, but it was believed that it was not a grand success.

The full statement of the receipts and expenditures of the office has not been secured, but through the courtesy of Dr. Horton, the present efficient incumbent, the last quarter is presented.

The report is ver}' flattering to a town of onlj' 4,000 inhabitants, and will undoubtedly compare favorably with anj'^ city of corresponding size in the State.

The rapid growth of Trenton and its increasing population will cause this showing to be handsomely added to, and it will soou become one of the important inland offices of the State.