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LECTURE COURSE
In October, 1876, O. L. Hackett,
Esq., a son of Providence, R. I., inaugurated
measures that resulted in the establishment of a regular
lecture and amusement course. The enterprise has been
well sustained by the Fairfield public, who by this means
are afforded a series of amusing and instructive entertainments
that could not have been otherwise secured. Among the
lecturers and readers that have been induced to visit
Fairfield through Mr. Hackett's agency,
are Wendell Phillips, Rev. David Swing, Rev.
Robert Collyer, Gen. Kirkpatrick, Helen Potter, Laura
Dainty and others. The great secret of Mr.
Hackett's success is the fact that previous
to his coming West he was for ten years a member of different
lecture committees, and not only enjoys a personal acquaintance
with many of the prominent lecturers in the country,
but also knows what kind of talent will suit the people.
THE PRESS
"But mightiest of the mighty means,
On which the arm of progress leans,
Man's noblest mission to advance,
His woes assuage, his weal enhance,
His rights enforce, his wrongs redress—
MIGHTIEST OF MIGHTY IS THE PRESS."
The principal facts embodied in this chapter
are compiled from an article entitled "Silver Paper Anniversary—a
Retrospect of Newspaper Life in Fairfield," prepared by W.
W. Junkin, Esq., (the oldest continuous editor
in the State), and published in the Fairfield Ledger on
the 22d of May, 1878.
"The editor of the Ledger first
set type at the age of ten years in the office of the Wheeling
(Va.) Argus. His parents removed to Iowa in 1844.
In the fall of 1847, he commenced again an apprenticeship
in the office of the

481
Iowa Sentinel, which had been established
in Fairfield, Ia. by A. R. Sparks, that
year. In the summer of 1848, Mr. Sparks sold the Sentinel to Ezra
Brown and R. B. Pope. This threw
the Ledger boy out of employment, but Mr. Sparks
kindly procured him a situation at Des Moines, with Barlow
Granger, and he aided in issuing the first number
of the Star in June, 1848, being the first paper
printed in that city. He remained at Des Moines several
months, and shortly after his return to Fairfield secured
a situation on the Ottumwa Courier, published
by Street& Warden, where he stayed during the winter
of 1848-49.
"In November, 1849, Orlando
McCraney established the Ledger, and
was anxious that its present editor should enter into
partnership with him; but a situation as a compositor
was all he desired, and this he secured. In the spring
of 1851, he left Fairfield, going as directly as the
state of his finances would permit, to Richmond, Va.,
where he remained in the State printing office for nearly
two years.
"May 16, 1853, he returned to his home
at Fairfield, and found A. R. Fulton in
possession of the Ledger, or the Ledger in
possession of Fulton. On the 26th of May following, he
purchased a half-interest of Fulton for $450, and commenced
the newspaper business and the battle of life in earnest.
This partnership continued very pleasantly until August
14, 1854. The business was not profitable for two persons,
and, after a little preliminary arrangement, Mr. Fulton
retired, receiving $450 for his interest in the office.
With kindly aid and encouragement, Mr. Junkin took hold
of the business with the intention of making an influential
local and paying newspaper. In the latter direction, he
succeeded much better than in the former, believing at
this time that there never was a year that he did not
make more money than he spent.
"The life of the Ledger and
its editor has been uneventful. He stuck to business and
improved his paper as his means and ability gave him opportunity.
He found warm friends who aided him by their wise counsel,
and can now number over one hundred names on the subscription-books
which were placed there twenty-five years ago. These friends
will stick to him while life lasts. Thousands of other
friends have continued to aid and encourage him, and at
this time there are about one thousand on the books whom
the editor regards as his personal friends.
"On the 8th of August, 1868, Mr. Junkin
formed a partnership with Ralph Robinson, receiving
$2,500 for one-half interest in the office. This partnership
continued pleasantly and profitably until January, 1875,
when Mr. Robinson retired, receiving $4,500 for the interest
that he had previously purchased for $2,500. Power-presses
and other improvements had enhanced the value of the office."
When Mr. Robinson retired, Mr. Charles
M. Junkin, a son of the "oldest continuous editor
in Iowa," succeeded him as co-manager, bringing with
him not only the experience he acquired under the careful
direction of his father, but in the Government printing
office at Washington City.
The 25th of May last completed the silver
anniversary of Mr. Junkin's connection with the Ledger, and
as he had married in 1854, and raised a son (and seven
other children—four girls and three boys) and schooled
him in the "art preservative," he admitted that son (Charles
M.) to an interest in the business. The Ledger is
now conducted under the firm name of W. W. & C.
M. Junkin.

482
Mr. Junkin continues:
"This article is longer than was intended,
but it would not be completed did it not give a brief history
of the newspaper business in Fairfield. This will necessarily
be imperfect, as files of the newspapers published here
cannot be procured.
"The Iowa Sentinel (Democratic)
was started in June, 1847, by A. R. Sparks. In
1848, it was sold to Brown & Pope.
Mr. Pope died, and the paper was then sold to D.
Sherward, who continued its publication until
1854, when his brother W. H. Sherward took
possession and run it until 1855, when it died the death.
The material was purchased by D. N. Smith,
and the editor of the Ledger very complacently
packed up the material for shipment to Corning.
"The Fairfield Jeffersonian was
started September 18, 1857, by T. Buckey Taylor. In
two weeks, Mr. Taylor tired of a Democratic paper, and
sold to H. N. Moore and I. J.
Tolan. This partnership did not continue long,
Mr. Moore retired, and the paper was published
by Tolan
& Hanna. In a short time, Mr. Moore connected
himself with the paper again. Then Tolan & Hanna went
out, and Samuel
Jacobs became Mr. Moore's partner.
Sometime in 1860, Mr. Jacobs retired,
and in the fall of that year,
Mr. Moore closed the publication of the Jeffersonian, and
shortly afterward, Mr. Junkin bought the
material.
"The Constitution and Union was
started by D. Sherward on the 8th of August,
1861, and was discontinued in the fall of 1863.
"In the fall of 1864, Rev. A.
Axline started the Home Visitor, and
educational journal. He formed a partnership with R.
H. Moore, and, in 1866, we believe, A.
R. Fulton became connected with it. In the fall
of 1867, W. B. Murray bought Mr. Fulton's interest.
In December, 1867, the editor of the Ledger concluded
that the Visitor had run long enough, and made
a proposition to purchase it, which was gladly accepted
by Mr. Axline. The material was merged
in the Ledger. In 1865, the Iowa Democrat was
started, and continued until the grange excitement culminated
in a desire for a county organ. The Iowa Democrat ceased
to live, and on the 10th of January, 1874, the Industrial
Era made its appearance with I. T. Flint and J.
B. Kent, proprietors. Mr. Kent soon
dropped out, as it was much work and no pay. Mr.
Flint struggled on until September, 1875, when
it gave up the ghost. The restarting of the Iowa
Democrat early in 1875, by M. M. Bleakmore, had
something to do with the demise of the Era. The Iowa
Democrat was continued until August, 1877, when
it was purchased by Woodward & Edwards, who
changed the name to Fairfield Democrat."
In April, 1878, Frank Green purchased
the Democrat material and changed the name of
the paper to the Fairfield Tribune, under which
name the paper is continued. On the 20th of April, O.
L. Hackett became associate editor with Mr.
Green, and, under their joint management, the Tribune promises
to master the vicissitudes and trials that crippled and
destroyed so many of its party predecessors.
RELIGIOUS INTERESTS—METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH
The first sermon preached in Fairfield,
by a Methodist, was by Rev. Jesse Herbert,* who
was appointed to the Richland (Iowa) Mission, from the
Illinois
____________
*The writer is of the opinion that this
name should be Hobart. There were twin
brothers of the name of Hobart, who were
both Methodist preachers and members of the Illinois Conference
in those days. They were appointed
to the work in Iowa in early times. Chauncey Hobart was
assigned to duty in Cedar and adjoining counties in 1836,
and remained there some two years. When Minnesota began
to be settled up, he was sent up there as a missionary,
where he has ever since remained in the harness. He is
now an old man and a resident of Red Wing, Goodhue County,
where the writer met him in August of this year (1878).
Incapacitated by old age from active work, he is held in
reserve for urgent calls. He was elected Chaplain to the
House of Representatives during the last session of the
Minnesota Legislature. During the writer's interview with
him in
August, he spoke of a brother Jesse, which
inclines the writer to the opinion that it was Jesse
Hobart, and not Jesse Herbert that
preached the first Methodist sermon to Fairfield. These
twin brothers were pioneer missionaries of Methodism in
Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.—B.

483
Annual Conference, which met at Bloomington,
in that State, September 11, 1839. His first visit to Fairfield
was in March, 1840, and, on the 16th of that month, he
organized a class, with David Bowman and wife, Mrs. Nancy
Shields, "Old Father Harrington," Mrs. Elizabeth
Dickey and Mrs. Elizabeth
A. Culbertson as members; David Bowman,
Leader.
The place of preaching at the time of founding
the society was at Thomas Dickey's tavern,
but succeeding meetings were held at the Court House. The
first quarterly meeting was held in the winter of 1840-41,
at which the Presiding Elder, Rev. Henry Summers, was
present. "This sinewy and self-sacrificing itenerant
traversed nearly all the settled portions of Iowa Territory,
and
many a thrilling and startling incident can he tell of
pioneer life." He was peculiarly fitted for the work
in which he was engaged, and his memory is clear to the
early
settlers with whom he came in contact, without regard
to sect or creed.
At this first quarterly meeting were added
to the Church: Charles Negus, Mrs. Elizabeth De
Puy and an unmarried sister of her husband, Job
C. Sweet and wife, Capt. T. D. Evans and wife,
and Alexander Fulton and wife.†
Mr. Herbert (as the name
was given to the writer) did not return to the work after
his visit in March, but was succeeded in the fall of that
year by Rev. Moses F. Shinn.
In the spring of 1844, the membership of
the Church had increased to twenty-eight. In April, Captain
Evans presented the Church with Lot No. 4, Block No. 21,
old plat of the town of Fairfield, and an effort was made
to erect a house of worship, considerable material for
which was gathered; but it was four years later before
work was actually begun on a brick church, 45x60 feet,
which was completed in 1850, at a cost of about $2,200.
In 1852, a comfortable parsonage was completed, the building
of which was superintended by Rev. D. N. Smith.
The first Sunday school was organized in
January, 1852, with T. D. Evans Superintendent.
In 1869, a division occurred in the Church,
a minority withdrawing under the leadership of Rev. W.
C. Shippen. This division built what was known
as "Harmony Church," now occupied as the court-room
of the county. In 1876, the two churches re-united, and
the
present beautiful and commodious church was erected, at
a cost, including the two lots occupied, of about $18,000.
The laying of the corner-stone of this church was a feature
of the Fourth of July exercises, at Fairfield, in 1877.
We quote the Ledger:
"This was very interesting and pleasing.
Prof. Fellows, of Iowa City, conducted the exercises, assisted
by Rev. Carson Reed, and delivered an
address very appropriate and comprehensive. After the memorials
were deposited in the beautiful white sandstone, Capt. W.
T. Burgess made an address, which, for eloquence
and beautiful arrangement, could not be excelled."
The following-named ministers, in succession,
have been in charge of this Church: Jesse Herbert, 1839-40;
Moses F. Shinn, 1840-41; William
B. Cooley, 1841-42; Robert
Hawk,1842-43; Joel Arrington, 1843-44; Hugh
Gibson, 1844-45;
Micajah Reeder, 1845-46, with Alvin
Rucker, Assistant;
Joseph Brooks, 1846-47; John Hayden, 1847 (two years) with
James C. Smith, Assistant; David
N. Smith, 1849 (two years;
Joseph McDowell, 1851-52;
__________
†An incident of this
meeting is worthy of insertion: Capt. Evans had arrived
in Fairfield but a few days previous, and having come from
an older country, his clothing was of a finer texture than
the homespun of the earlier settlers and attracted attention.
The Captain, rising to speak in love-fest, Father
Harrington,
whose piety was unquestioned, asked, "Who is that getting
up with broadcloth on?" and seemed to feel that the new-comer
needed abuking. However, after hearing the Captain's experience,
he expressed his approval of man and manner.

484
David N. Smith, 1852-53; L.
B. Dennis, 1853-54;
John Harris, 1854-55; Joseph
Gasner, 1855 (two years);
Peter F. Haltzinger, 1857-58; Sanford
Haines, 1858-59;
Joshua B. Hardy, 1859-60; John
Burgess, 1860-61; Elias
S. Briggs, 1861 (two years); David Worthington, 1863-64;
S. Hestwood, 1864 (two years); John
Haynes, 1866-67; W.
C. Shippen, 1867 (two years); resigned in April of his
second year, and vacancy supplied by John Hayden; O.
C. Shelton, 1869-70; E. H. Coddington, 1870 (three years);
J. H. Miller, 1873-74; H. E. Uling, 1874 (three years);
James Haynes, the present Pastor, 1877, and now entering
his second year.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Presbyterian Church was organized October
2, 1841, at a meeting held for that purpose composed of
the following-named persons: Solomon Montgomery and Elizabeth, his
wife; John Montgomery, Sulavan Ross and
wife, John Hopkirk, Jonathan Young and
wife; and James Young, Nine in all. Of
this nine, the first six had previously been connected
with the Church in the States; the last three were received
on examination.
Solomon Montgomery was
elected the first Ruling Elder November 13, 1841. In May,
1842, John Snook and wife and Walker
Finley were added to the Church. Rev. L.
G. Bell, familiarly called "Father Bell," was
the first Pastor formally called to assume charge of the
Church in October, 1842. He remained with the Church until
1849, on a salary of $150 per year. There is no record
of his installment. The first church edifice was a frame,
24x34 feet, built in 1842, by Father Bell, in whom the
title remained, and there is no record of its dedication.
This building, with a half-story added and otherwise altered,
still stands on the corner of Second East and Second North
streets, and is occupied by Thomas Cole as
a dwelling.
In the fall of 1849, Rev. Robert
McGuigan was employed as Pastor half of his
time.
The first brick church built by this organization
was completed, and the first sermon preached by Rev. McGuigan, on
the last Sabbath in December, 1849. Rev. S. C.
McCune was Pastor from June, 1851, to January
1, 1865. Rev. W. Maynard began his ministrations
May 1, 1865, and continued three years. The last Pastor,
Rev. Carson Reed, was in charge from the
first Sabbath in December, 1868, until the second Sabbath
in October, 1878, when he severed his connection. During
Father Bell's pastorate, the accessions to the Church were
34 on examination, and 111 on certificate; McGuigan, 1
on examination, 5 on certificate; McCune, 105 on examination,
and 182 on certificate; Maynard, 22 on examination, 58
by certificate; Reed, 86 on examination, and 132 by certificate.
During the thirty-seven years of its existence
248 members have been added to the Church on examination,
of which number one (Bernard Slagle,
now preaching in Indiana) has entered the ministry.
The churches of Libertyville and North
Fairfield are offshoots of this Church.
The present beautiful edifice of brick,
50x70 feet, erected at a cost, to date, of $14,000, is
not completed in its interior arrangements, but has been
occupied since the first Sabbath in November, 1877. The
Church debt, amounting to $8,500, remained a cause of anxiety
to the congregation, and it was determined to make a united
effort to remove it. The Church being without a regular
Pastor, the services of Dr. W. G. Craig,
of Westminster Church, Keokuk, were secured for Sunday,
November 17, 1878. So well was the work con-

485
ducted, that the whole amount of indebtedness,
and over $500 in excess, was pledged on that day, and the
Monday following, to the infinite satisfaction of the members
of the congregation and the community generally.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Fairfield, was visited in 1839 by Rev. Reuben
Gaylord, a Congregational minister, from Des
Moines County, who is entitled to the honor of preaching
the first sermon in the new town. In December, of that
year, under his direction, a church was organized at
the Court House, with twelve members: E. S. Gage,
James and Harriet Cole, C. S. and Deborah Waugh, W. P.
Charles, R. James, B. Sarah, Louisa, Caroline and David
Hitchcock. E. S. Gage was chosen clerk and Treasurer
of the Church. Through the influence of Rev. Asa
Turner, of Denmark, Lee County, the father of
Congregationalism in the West, the new Church secured
the services of Rev. Julius A. Reed, who
commenced his labors November 28, 1840, under the patronage
of the Home Missionary Society, the Church, in aid of
his support, raising $100 per annum. Mr. J. S.
Waugh having presented the Church with a half-lot
in Block 16, at a meeting held February 5, 1842, it was
decided to erect a temporary house of worship, which
was completed the same year at a cost some $300, subscribed
by members of the Church and citizens generally. Rev.
Mr. Reed continued his labors until August, 1845, when,
having been appointed Missionary of the Society in Iowa,
he resigned his charge. During the ministry of Rev. Mr.
Reed, the Church was presented with a library by Phillips
Academy, Andover, Mass. Rev. Mr. Reed was succeeded,
November 1, 1845, by Rev. W. A. Thompson, of
Massachusetts. In December, 1849, the Church purchased
Lots 5 and 6, Block 15, for $120, but a new church building
was not erected until 1852.
Rev. Mr. Thompson having accepted a call from the Church
at Port Byron, Ill., his connection with the Church was
dissolved in the summer of 1850, and in October of that
year, a call was extended to Rev. George G. Rice, of
Vermont, who officiated as Pastor one year, and was succeeded
by Rev. Charles H. Gates, of Massachusetts,
who began his labors December 7, 1851. The Church regretfully
accepted his resignation June 1, 1856.
Rev. R. Wilkinson presided over the Church
from July, 1856, until June 1, 1863, when he resigned his
charge, and Rev. J. M. Williams was employed,
temporarily, as Pastor. At a meeting of the Trustees, March
29, 1864, a call was extended him to become permanent Pastor,
and accepted December 2, 1864. Mr. Williams was installed
on the 28th of the same month, the Council consisting of
Rev. Asa Turner, of Denmark; Rev. Daniel
Lane, of Eddyville; Rev. Simon Brown, of
Ottumwa; Rev. James Kennedy, of Clay;
and Rev. J. W. Picket, of Mount Pleasant.
Rev. Mr. Williams continued as Pastor until
the fall of 1866, when his connection with the Church was
dissolved at his own request. In the fall of 1866, a call
was extended to Rev. E. T. Merrill, of
Newton, Jasper County, and accepted.
Mr. Merrill remained with the Church until
May 20, 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. C. Compton
Burnett, who resigned May 21, 1877. The Church
was without a Pastor until May 27, 1878, when Rev. R.
M. Thompson assumed charge, but resigned November
6, 1878.
The present membership of the Church is
150, and the average attendance at Sabbath school, of which
Mrs. Juliet H. Stever is Superintendent,
is 104.

486
Rev. W. A. Thompson, who
removed to Port Byron, Ill., in 1850, was some two years
afterward, drowned while crossing a slough near the Mississippi
River, and not far from his home. Some weeks afterward,
a convention of Congregational ministers was in session
in Fort Madison, during which time the body of Mr. Thompson,
which could not be found at the time of his death, was
discovered floating in the river, brought ashore and identified
by his brother ministers, many of whom knew him intimately.
The circumstance cast a gloom over the convention, which
was perceptible during the remainder of the session.
ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Bishop Jackson Kemper, first
missionary Bishop of the Northwest, having jurisdiction
over what are now six States, visited Fairfield and held
service as early as 1850.
The first regular missionary clergyman
was Rev. William Adderly, of Burlington,
who held monthly service in the third story of the brick
building
on the east side of the square, owned by Charles
Negus.
The first Vestry was elected March 24,
1856, and consisted of the following-named persons: P.
L. Huyett, William Dunwoody, Hiram Foster, Henry B. Mitchell
and Charles Negus.
On the 26th of March, 1856, the Vestry
passed a motion to erect a brick church according to the
design of William Bassett.
Rev. P. A. Johnson acted
as Rector from 1857 to 1858. Rev. J. Hochaly became
Rector in August, 1858, and held that position until March,
1864. The church was just inclosed when he took charge,
and had an indebtedness of $600. In the winter of 1858,
he went East to solicit funds, and collected about $2,200,
of which $2,000 went to pay off the indebtedness and finish
the building. The Church being out of debt, it was consecrated
June 3, 1860, by the Right Rev. Bishop Henry W.
Lee.
Rev. P. I. Labagh became
Rector in July, 1865, and continued for two years. He was
succeeded by Rev. M. Kemp, who remained
until the next year (1868). Rev. W. Y. Johnson became
Rector in 1870, and remained until his death. He was succeeded
by Rev. F. B. Nash April 2, 1876, for
one year. The present Rector in charge is Rev. C.
C. Burnett, and the Vestry are George
D. Temple, P. I. Labagh, P. H. Howlett, H. B. Mitchell
and J. S. Lowell.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Christian Church of Fairfield was organized
September 19, 1858. At the same meeting, John Van
Nostrand, L. Murphy and Thomas Parkinson were
appointed Elders; John W. DuBois, Sr., and John
M. Grafton, Deacons. At a subsequent meeting,
in 1859, Robert Hastings and Clark Van Nostrand were
appointed additional Deacons, and I. D. Jones appointed
Clerk.
From the original records we append the
rule of faith, as defined by the Church:
"We, the undersigned, members of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Fairfield, do hereby agree to take the
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as our rule of
faith and practice."
The first preaching after the organization
of the Church was by Elder Aaron Chatterton, (now
deceased) of Oskaloosa. Meetings of the Church were held
in the Court House until 1864, when the brick schoolhouse
in the northeast district of the city was purchased for
$300 by John C. McLelland, Clark Van Nostrand and
John W. DuBois, Sr., from their own private funds.
This was their place of meeting for several years, when,
through the efforts of I. D.

Jones, Esq., the property
was sold to Mr. Neiswanger, and the proceeds
applied to the purchase from George H. Case, of
the present church site. Thereupon, Articles of Incorporation
under the laws of the State were entered upon the records
April 24, 1858. The Trustees appointed were Clark
Van Nostrand, George W. Flagg, I. D. Jones, John W. DuBois
and J. J. Bell.
March 8, 1871, a Building Committee was
appointed, consisting of J. W. DuBois,
Chairman; Clark Van Nostrand, B. F. Crail, Joseph
Ball and I. D. Jones; and on
the 13th of April following, a contract was made with David
P. Lynn for the erection of a church-building,
the cost of which should be $3,180. The edifice was completed
according to contract, and on Sunday, November 5, 1872,
was dedicated by Elder Allen Hickey—the
Trustees announcing, at the close of the meeting, to an
overflowing house that the Church was free from debt. The
present building is a neat, plain and unostentatious, 36x55
feet, located in a retired part of the city, with pleasant
surroundings.
The present Trustees are John W.
Du Bois, Clark Van Nostrand, Charles L. Cox, S. C. Hollister and I.
D. Jones.
BAPTIST CHURCH
The first Baptist minister who preached
in Fairfield was Elder William Elliott, who
made his home in Washington County, and had been preaching
occasionally to a small congregation formed in the "Rich
Woods" neighborhood. Hearing of some Baptist families who
had recently settled in and near Fairfield, he visited
the place in December, 1844. "Father Bell" kindly tendered
the Presbyterian Church for his use, and, in the same month,
he organized a church with the following persons as the
original members:
A. H. Brown and wife,
their son Isaac H., and daughter, Ella;
Mr. Smith and wife, who had settled beyond Cedar
Creek, in Liberty Township; George W. Vance and
wife; William McKay, a single man, and William
Bunnell and wife; eleven in all. A. H.
Brown, still living in Fairfield, and William
Bunnell, were the first Deacons. At that time,
there were but two associations of the Baptist Church in
the Territory of Iowa, and were known as the Des Moines
and Davenport Associations. For a year after its organization,
the Church held meetings at irregular intervals, as ministers
from other localities visited them; but in the fall of
1845, Elder Post was employed as Pastor,
the Church securing a part of his time. The next summer,
however, he removed to Pella, and, a year afterward, died
at that place. He was succeeded by Elder Ormsby, who
had settled in Liberty Township, and divided his time between
Fairfield and a new church organized in his own neighborhood.
Elder Ormsby preached about one year,
and removed back East. The next Pastor was Elder John
Williams, who continued with the Church for several
years. Rev. Isaac Leonard, of Burlington,
succeeded Elder Williams, but supplied the Church about
eighteen months only; when, owing to a throat infection,
he was compelled to abandon the work.
There are no records of the Church history
up to this date, and the foregoing facts have been furnished
by Deacon Brown, from memory.
In the year 1865, Elder Chauncy
C. Derby assumed charge of the Church.
In 1866, the Church experienced a revival,
and many revivals, and completed a brick chapel. Elder
Derby's health failed, and he was obliged to quit preaching.
He has been succeeded by Elders Robinson, Shonafelt,
Frey and H. W. Thiele, present
supply. A new and beautiful church and parsonage were completed
in 1877, costing about $8,000. The Church suffered some
loss in consequence of the failure of the contractor, and
fraudulent claims, but it is

now free from debt. In 1878, by an extraordinary
effort and signal blessing of God, the total amount was
amply provided for by subscription. The future prosperity
of the Church is assured by its many advantages and past
victories.
LUTHERAN CHURCH
The Lutheran Church of Fairfield was organized
with eight members, in 1856. It assumed the name of "The
first Evangelical Lutheran Church of Fairfield." It was
received into the Synod of Iowa, and has always been in
connection with the General Synod. Rev. A. Axline became
its first Pastor, and served the Church for seventeen years.
Rev. W. M. Sparr, its present Pastor,
took charge of the Church in August, 1873.
In 1858, the congregation erected a church-building,
38x50 feet, which was dedicated August 21, of the same
year. In 1870, the congregation purchased the lot adjoining
the church, and, in the early part of 1874, erected a comfortable
parsonage, 28x30 feet.
The present membership of the Church is
117.
The Old Cemetery
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