The United Presbyterians

    The United Presbyterian organization in Monroe County, while formed by a union of the Associate Reform and Associate Presbyterian bodies, also contained a few recruits from other Presbyterian societies throughout the county.

    Rev. J. N. Pressley was the first pastor of the new organization, and began in 1858, the year the two churches united.

    At present there are two United Presbyterian organizations in Monroe County; one at Albia, and the other four

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miles north of Albia, known as the Service United Presbyterian congregation.

    From the register of this congregation we copy an historical sketch, which , while a part of it may be but a repetition of statements already recorded concerning the Associate Reform Presbyterian Church, is a reliable record:

Historical Sketch of Service United Presbyterian
Congregation.

    "The exact date of organization is lost. With a view to organization, a meting [meeting] was held at the house of Mr. Simeon Wycoff, March 10, 1856. There were present at that meeting Messrs. Wm. Robb, Samuel Elder, John Henderson, Thos. Wilson, Andrew Robb, Samuel Henderson, Samuel Thompson, Wm. B. Kendall, and Wm. Richard. Thos. Wilson was chairman and Samuel Conley was secretary of that meeting. The meeting made arrangements to secure five acres of land from Wm. Robb, as a church site; and also decided that the church building should be of stone.

    "This meeting adjourned to meet at Wm. Robb's March 24, 1856. The same persons were present, and in addition Mr. Thos. Bell. At this meeting, on motion of Wm. Robb, it was decided that the new organization should be called Service. Wm. Robb and Sam'l Conley were appointed to draft a petition to the Associate Presbytery for a new organization.

    "This meeting adjourned to meet April 7, 1856, at the house of Samuel Conely. Here the records fail. According to some who took part in these proceedings, Wm. Robb carried the petition for a new organization to the Associate Presbytery, but did not secure a favorable response until a subsequent meeting.

    "The congregation was organized at the Half-Way Prairie school-house by the Rev. Samuel Hindman, probably in the month of June, 1856. The elders in the new organization were Wm. Robb and Samuel Conley.

    "At the meeting for organization Simeon Wycoff was elected an elder. Soon after he was ordained and installed and Joseph Robb installed as elders in the congregation.

    "There are no records or register showing the growth of the congregation from the time of its organization to the union of the Associate Reform and Associate churches, May, 1858.

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    "An Associate Reform congregation had been formed at the Half-way Prairie school-house in September, 1854, by the Rev. Fee. In this congregation were John Fullerton, Geo. Griffin, R. K. Nelson, and David Forcythe, including their families and others, making in all eleven members. Geo. Griffin and R. K. Nelson were the elders. The congregation was supplied by Rev. Fee, Rev. Miller, Rev. White, Rev. R. A. McAyeal, and Ref. J. N. Pressley.

    "Soon after the union of the Associate Reform and Reformed churches, the congregation at Service received considerable accessions from Half-Way Prairie Associate Reform congregation. There are no records to show that there was a formal union. There is, however, a record of a united communion meeting held in the Campbellites' church, Albia, September 3, 1858, by the Rev. J. N. Pressley.

    "At that time the record states that the session of Albia consisted of Dr. A. A. Ramsay, Dr. Stewart, J. C. Acheson, and David Forcythe; the sesion [session] of Service, of Joseph Robb, Wm. Robb, Samuel Conley, Geo. Griffin, and Simeon Wycoff; the session of Pleasant Divide, of Matthew Elder, Samuel Wallace, R. K. Nelson, and Wm. McBride. These sessions, it is carefully noted, were each represented in the united communion service. In each of these, it will be noticed, there is an elder of the Associate Reform congregation. It would seem then that immediately after the union the Associate Reform congregation was absorbed by the three surounding [surrounding] Associate congregations, Service getting the largest share.

    "The joint communion seems to have been a very happy one. Afterwards, if not before, the Associate Reform and Associate people, except those who still hold the Pleasant Divide Associate organization, were completely united.

    "Returning now to Service alone, the congregation was without a settled pastor from the time of its organization until November 13, 1858, when a call for half time was made for the Rev. J. N. Pressley; Albia taking the other half. Mr. Pressley was duly installed some time between May 4 and July 13, 1859.

    "On August 25, 1859, a paper was handed into the Presbytery of Pleasant Divide—being a part of Service congregation—asking the privilege of calling Rev. J. N. Pressley a part of his time. This privilege was granted. This request probably meant a division of Mr. Pressley's

time between Service and Pleasant Divide, as two places of preaching in one congregation, as there is no subsequent account of a call.

    "There is no definite information left concerning Mr. Pressley's work in the congregation—its accessions, its membership, all unknown. He was a man of marked ability in the pulpit—a champion defender of the truth. He was called on several occasions to take part in public discussions, in which his great intellectual ability was strikingly exhibited. At a meeting of the Presbytery at Knoxville, June 18, 1862, a mutual request was handed in from the Rev. J. N. Pressley and the Albia and Service congregations for a dissolution of the relation between them—the pastor having been called to what was adjudged a more important field of labor. On motion, it was resolved that said relation be dissolved, but Pressley would not be understood as conniving at or encouraging irregularities in the dissolution of such relations.

    "The work in which Mr. Pressley engaged in after leaving this charge was the financial agency of Washington College. He returned, however, to the pastoral work at Grandview and Harrison, in the Presbytery of Keokuk. He has now gone to his reward. He died at Grandview, Iowa, August 22, 1866, aged 56 years.

    " The church building was raised and enclosed during Mr. Pressley's pastorate. This was done during the summer of 1860. Temporary seats were secured and the church remained unfinished and unfurnished until after the war. It was a period of hard struggling. The county was new and many were hard-pressed for means to make their necessary or much needed improvements. Some who could not contribute money proffered gratuitous labor. This present church, pleasant, though not grand, was the result.

    "The congregation was vacant until April 13, 1864, when a call, in connection with Albia, was sent to the presbytery, addressed to Mr. J. P. Black, a licentiate under the Presbytery of Mansfield. At this meeting Mr. Black was present, and was received under the care of the presbyterial certificate from the Presbytery of Mansfield. The call from Albia and Service was presented: Mr. Black asked a day. On the next day, April 14, 1864, he signified his acceptance, and trials were assigned for ordination. At a

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meeting of the presbytery June 15, 1864, Mr. Black, having delivered satisfactory trial discourses, was ordained and installed as pastor.

    "There are no records giving special information concerning Mr. Black's work in this congregation. Upon the general testimony of the people, it may be said that Mr. Black was a faithful pastor. As a preacher, though retiring, perhaps to a fault, he was a man of considerable ability. His backward, retiring disposition probably hindered somewhat in his work.

    "At a meeting of the presbytery August 31, 1865, he offered his resignation of the pastorate of Service and Albia, assigning as his reasons: 'Lack of interest in the cause and a failure on the part of prominent elders and members to perform their duties.' At a meeting of the presbytery at Service Church October 5, 1865, Dr. A. A. Ramsay, Joseph Robb, and Wm. Rambo appeared as commissioners of the congregations and reported 'that it had been decided to acquiesce in the pastor's request.' On motion, Mr. Black was released. Mr. Black is still engaged in ministerial work, but has not since been pastor of a congregation.

    "Again the congregation was vacant, until April 11, 1866, when a united call from Service and Albia, addressed to Mr. John Hadden, a licentiate under the inspection of the Presbytery of Muskingum, was handed in to the presbytery at a meeting at Somerset. Mr. Hadden, being present, was received with the understanding 'that he should procure and hand in a certificate, in due time.' The call, being put into his hands, was by him accepted.

    "At a meeting of the presbytery at Service Church, June 19, 1866, Mr. Hadden presented satisfactory trial discourses and was ordained and installed as pastor. During Mr. Hadden's pastorate no church register showing details of his church work was kept.

    At a meeting of the prebytery [presbytery] at Somerset, April 21, 1869, the union of Albia and Service was dissolved and the whole of Mr. Haddens time given to Albia. He continued his labors in Albia until his death, which occurred August 25, 1872. His age was 34 years. He graduated at Muskingum College in June, 1862, and at Alleghany Theological Seminary in the spring of 1865. He was a successful pastor, both at Service and Albia. His social qualities contributed largely to his success. He maintained the most agreeable

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relations with all his brethren in the ministry—was on good terms with all, and intimate with many. His qualities of heart endured him to his brethren, not only of his own, but also of other denominations. He had a happy combination of social and moral powers, which made him a most excellent, agreeable, and useful man.

    "Your present pastor came here as supply in the early part of 1869. Since he came to the congregation, the register shows 111 persons that have been taken into membership, 59 on profession and 52 on certificate, though the membership before was probably about 100. With all these apparently encouraging accessions, the decrease by removal, death and discipline has been so large that the membership of the congregation is only about 113."

    The foregoing sketch was written by Rev. S. C. Marshall. The next to succeed him was Rev. John Pattison, who assumed the pastorate in the '70s. Rev. Boyd assumed charge about the year 1883 or 1884, and was succeeded by Rev. McKernon, who had charge of the congregation until 1895, when he resigned his pastorate.

    The Service pulpit, at present, is filled by Rev. Knipe.

    At the present time, the Albia congregation is without a preacher.

The Cumberland Presbyterians.

    This variety of the Presbyterian Church is at present without and organization in Monroe County. In about the year 1870 there was an organization in Monroe Township of 30 or 40 members. The first minister in charge was Rev. Wheelis, with whom was associated Rev. Wallace.

    In 1872 Rev. Smith McCall preached for a year, and was succeeded in 1874 by Rev. Hewitt.

    The organization then died out; the members going into other churches.

    Among the members were Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Enix, Mr. and Mrs. Blakely Dinwiddie, and Elias Combs and wife.

The Christian Church.

    In the year 1847 Isaac Watson and old "Uncle Johnnie" Mock, two of the pioneers of this county, drove up to

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Marion County, where Rev. Aaron Chatterton, a Christian or Campbellite minister, was holding a revival meeting, and on their return, brought the minister with them. He began a series of meetings in the old school-house in Albia, and also preached occasionally at the home of "Old Jimmie" Robinson, four miles south of Albia.

    A church was soon organized, containing among its charter members: John Mock, Mrs. Margaret Mock, his mother, Mrs. Zerelda Watson, Mrs. Margaret Hollingshead, "Old Jimmie" Robinson and wife, Miss Angeline Robinson, Miss Cornelia Robinson, Miss Zerelda Robinson, Miss Martha Robinson, and Miss Helen Robinson.

    Chatterton did not confine his labors to Monroe County exclusively, but the next year Elder Joseph Caldwell assumed the pastorate of the newly organized church. He resided a few miles southeast of Albia, and drove in every Sunday to preach.

    In 1851 Elder Mott took charge of the church, and remained about a year; and in 1856 he was succeeded by Elder Reuben Garriott, the father of Mrs. David Ireland, of Albia.

    In about the year 1863 Elder Amos Buchanan assumed the pastorate and preached until 1867.

    In 1868 a young infidel or Universalist school-teacher named Free Waldron, hearing the quite noted theological debate between Elder Chatterton, of the Christian Church, and Rev. Frank Evans, the little oratorical giant of the Methodist persuasion, became converted to the church represented by Mr. Chatterton, and in the same year began to preach. He preached for seven years, and built up the organization into a church of considerable influence and popularity. He was a fine singer, an da gentleman of more than ordinary clerical ability. He had the faculty of infusing spiritual life into his church, and while his popularity was at its zenith the church enjoyed a phenomenal growth.

    At this time an episode occurred in which completely crushed the minister in the locality, and for a disrupted the church. A Miss Fanny Arnold, a young lady of one of the best families in the county, who made her home in the family of Mr. Waldron, made public certain allegations against the minister which gravely impugned his Christian character. A church trial was conducted at the residence

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of Isaac Watson, and the charges investigated. The allegations made by the young lady did not accuse the elder with the commission of acts of immorality, but with conduct frivolous and unbecoming a minister of the gospel. Among the charges was one that the minister insisted on her sitting on his lap while milking the cow, and other festive manifestations. Most of the members of the flock did not believe the charge, but some of those who did withdrew from the church, and Mr. Vincent Reed, who had been one of the most active members, went so far in his denunciation of his pastor as to publish a pamphlet setting for the alleged sins of the elder. It is said this pamphlet was mailed to every locality where Mr. Waldron was retained in ministerial work. Mr. Waldron is now in Missouri, and is still an efficient and zealous minister of the gospel.

    In 1875 Elder J. B. Vaughter came to Albia and set to work earnestly to get the organization on its feet again. Two years previous Elder Waldron had entered negotiations with the Baptist brethren for a swap of church buildings, and with the coöperation of Elder Vaughter the trade was completed. The Baptists owned the edifice from which the present Christian Church was remodeled. The Christians owned the building in the Fourth Ward now owned by the United Presbyterians. It was rather small for them. The Baptist organization was meager, and there was an incumbrance of four or five hundred dollars on the church. The two churches traded edifices, and the Christians assumed and paid off the indebtedness. The church then made some extensive improvements in the building; towers were added, and a wing built on, under Brokaw's pastorate.

    When the first edifice was erected, in the early '60's, Willis Arnold donated the lot, and also donated the lumber in erecting the building. The carpenter work was mostly donated free, by members of the church.

    Vaughter preached a year, and was succeeded by Elder Allan Hickey, in 1876. He preached three years.

    Elder E. J. Stanley then had charge for one year, and the next year Elder Orange Higgins filled the Albia pulpit.

    In 1881 Elder J. K. Cornell was employed, and in 1883 was succeeded by elder Edward O. Sharp, who preached for one year.

    In 1884 Elder J. H. Ragan assumed the pastorate, and held it for three years.

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    G. L. Brokaw came in in 1889, and remained two years.

    Elder R. A. Martin succeeded him in 1891, and preached one year. In 1892 Elder Harold Monser took charge, and preached for one and one-half years.

    In 1893 Elder W. J. Hastie, the present incumbent, was employed.

    Nearly all of the gentlemen named possessed a high standard of pulpit eloquence. Buchanan, it is said, was a remarkably eloquent divine, and was greatly loved by his flock. Edward O. Sharpe was known as "the boy preacher." He was still under age when he occupied the Albia pulpit, yet was a youth of remarkable eloquence. Rev. Monser was also a fine orator and logician, and perhaps outranked all others in elegance of delivery.

    Besides the foregoing list of preachers in charge, there were several evangelists, who preached throughout the county from time to time, conducting revival meetings. The first revival meeting was conducted by Chatterton; then in March, 1868, Elder Hobbs of Des Moines, held a meeting of remarkable success in Albia. Elder N. E. Cory and Prof. G. T. Carpenter also preached in Albia at intervals.

    There is also an organization near Avery under the pastorate of Elder Aaron Pearson, who holds several other appointments throughout the county in addition.

    For many years the Christian Church has maintained an organization both in Monroe and Urbana townships. At Selection some members of the Christian Church contributed towards the erection of the United Brethren church of that place, in 1888 or 1890, hoping to hear an occasional sermon by preachers of their own denomination. It was agreed that the Christian denomination should have access whenever the pulpit was not occupied by the United Brethren minister, a small rental being levied on them by the United Brethren organization for the purpose of keeping up repairs, providing illumination, fuel, and other incidental expenses.

    In about the year 1890 the Christian organization in Urbana Township erected a neat frame church building, near the Center school-house, at a cost of $1,075. The organization has no preacher at present, but Rev. Pearson preached for them until about the year 1895. Among those who were active in the building of the church at that place, and who are members of the organization, are Mrs. Elizabeth Forster, Mrs. Braden and daughter Alta, Mr. Wheatley Forster and

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wife, William Smith, Irvin Smith and wife, Wm. Robinson, Jepththa Robinson, Geo. R. Robinson and wife, Mrs. Hiram Long, David Mahon and wife, Mrs. Chas. Miller, Nimrod Martin, Geo. Shaw and wife, Warner Shaw and wife, Dr. C. N. Udell, of Blakesburg, David Jay, Daniel William and wife, H. D. Carroll and wife, and Mrs. Fannie Carpenter.

    There is also a small following of the church on Soap Creek, under the pastoral care of Rev. Moses Lockman.

    Besides the regular elders in charge at Albia, there have been several ministers engaged in the outlying appointments. Among these were Rev. Ades, who preached at various places within the county from 1887 to 1890. Also Rev. McCray, a young student of Drake University, who filled the country pulpits a short time after Ades.

    In 1889 an organization was made in Bluff Creek Township, east of Lovilia, known as the Osburn appointment.They have a church edifice, and the membership is about 35.

    In the early '70s a union chapel was built in Urbana Township, near the Wapello county line and south of Blakesburg, in the Jay neighborhood. Elder Pearson preached three years, beginning in 1891, at which time he organized the church with a membership of about 45. The organization contained the following officers: Herman Snow and Noah Smith, deacons; David Jay and E. E. Thayer, deacons; and Mrs. Candace Jay, clerk. A handsome church has lately been built on the site of the old "Jay Chapel" at a cost of about $1,300. It is 28x40 feet in dimensions.

    In 1895 Elder C. L. Walker, of Batavia, preached at the union chapel.

    The present membership of the Albia church reaches nearly 500, and they pay their minister a liberal salary. They have lately purchased a lot on Main Street, with a view to erecting a more commodious church edifice.

The United Brethren Church