HISTORY: Jefferson, Greene County, Iowa ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES PROJECT NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ ************************************************************************ The USGenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. All submissions become part of the permanent collection. Submitted by Deb December 2002 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Greene County, Iowa Please visit the Greene County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/greene/ ________________________________________________________ This is from the book "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa" by E. B. Stillman, 1907 JEFFERSON. Historically speaking, the birth of this city, pre-destined to be the shire town of one of Iowa's best counties, was very like that of other provincial towns of the commonwealth. It was not founded with a vision anywhere in the future that it would be or could be a metropolis; but, on the contrary, its promoters saw that here might be gathered an aggregation of merchants, tradesmen, mechanics and professional men whose happy union under best social, religious, commercial and municipal conditions, would make a city in which it would be a pleasure to dwell; a city whose relations with the rest of the county would be so pleasant and pacific that, measured by the good law of "give and take," both districts would be helped in the matter of good fellowship and increasing prosperity. And for the past thirty-five years the fond anticipations of the men who had faith in the future of Jefferson have borne splendid fruit, and while a host of the best workers have fallen by the way in the midst of best service, yet their labors abide; they are gratefully remembered not only by the co-workers who remain, but by those who come after them and who are earnestly entering into the spirit of their labors. Many of these pioneers began more than fifty years ago with the newly incorporated town and remained loyally by its interests through all the changes that mark the transition from the log house period to the day of the well appointed modern residence with the comforts and conveniences the early settlers ever dreamed were possible. But through all the years the record holds of an united people, loving law and order, loving music and education and the nobility of labor, loving neighborliness at its best estate, and loving God, as attested by the temples of worship built in His name and dedicated to His service. In an unusual degree --and this bit of history is simply just praise--good fellowship has been the written and unwritten law of the city, and the newcomer caught the spirit of the people, whose note of welcome was the latch string always on the outside, and a greeting at the portals of the homes that made even the stranger smile in absolute content. Whatever Jefferson has or has not achieved in the way of commercial, political or professional success, it has taken front rank as a municipality of home-like homes, in which the apple of discord could find no place to take root. The best wishes of her people have generously followed those who have left her borders--and they are legion--and a cordial, generous greeting has been accorded those who have come here to establish homes of their own. Now and again a man or woman has made this a place of residence for a brief time to all intents that they might voice their discontent and indulge in harsh sayings against the town and its business and its future. But, these aside, the language of the average Jeffersonian has been, and is, "Our lines have fallen in pleasant places." It is a matter of history that Jefferson has suffered much from removals. The actuating spirit of so many people who come west is unrest. They hear wondrously roseate stories about this prairie land and because their expectations--which are way off--are not realized, straightway they are desirous of getting on wheels again that they may come up against new disappointments with a bump. Some fail in the line of expected social recognition; now and again one finds church relations not agreeable, and so on to the end. All towns suffer from similiar causes. It is estimated that in the last twenty-five years more than three hundred people have moved from this city to Des Moines. For a time they maintained a Jefferson Association in that city and it was an easy proposition to get a hundred people who had lived here at a social gathering in Des Moines, and if the conclave could be dubbed a picnic, and the promoter was anyways swift, he could rally two hundred to his call. But we have received as freely as we have given, hence for the past fifteen years there has been no marked change in the voting or social strength, numerically considered, of the city. Judging by the prices at which the auctioned lots were bid in at the sale in 1856, the faith of the investors in the future city was abnormally weak, for at the first sale lots about the square were struck off at $10 each, while those less centrally located were slow of sale at $3 and $5. The largest amount paid was $60, for a lot on the southeast corner of the square, where McCully Bros.' store now stands. It is credibly reported that after the survey of the lots there was a bit of strife as to who should have first choice, and Judge Phillips and B. F. Robinson agreed to settle the matter by a good natured wrestle. This struggle for physical supremacy awakened much public interest, and resulted in the downfall of Robinson, hence "his honor" enjoyed the privilege of purchasing the first lot in Jefferson. The selection of the site, as made by the commissioners, seemed to give general satisfaction, and the same is true of the name given the then embryotic city. The town was named after Thomas Jefferson, but on account of there being an old town of that name in Dubuque county, the postoffice authorities refused to grant another office of the same name in the state, and suggested that the name must be changed. Captain Rippey then gave it the name of "New Jefferson," and the department granted a postoffice under that name. But the prefix "New" was never popular, although it was used for nearly thirty years. Along in the early 80's it was cut out, and since that time the town has been known as Jefferson, as was at first intended. The town is beautifully located on high table land, between Coon river and Hardin creek, about a mile east of the former and the same distance west of the latter, on the divide between the two streams. It is on an elevation about seventy-five feet above the river level, affording admirable drainage facilities. For a quarter of a century or more after the laying out of the town sewerage conditions were bad, and surface water--shallow wells-- was the only supply for household purposes. The result was an epidemic of malarial and typhoid fevers, especially during wet seasons, from which many died, and there was much sickness. The establishing of an excellent drainage system and the introduction of pure water--artesian in its nature--from a well 2,000 feet deep, has changed sanitary conditions to the extent that the fevers mentioned are very rare inflictions in the homes of residents. The topography of the city is a level plain, but the west end takes in the 'Coon bluffs, a quite broken section. The original town plat included only eighty acres of land, but there have since been added Manning's, Blair's, Gallaher's (two), Joseph F. Head's, Albert Head's, and John Gray's additions, so that the area subdivided into lots is fully three times as great as it was thirty years ago. The incorporation of Jefferson is a square, two miles and one-half miles on a side, or six and one-fourth square miles, taken out of the northern part of Grant township, which is No. 83 north, range 30 west. The streets running east and west are Fair, Stanford, Central, Head, Lincoln, Perry, Wall, Adams, Clark, Reed, Adams (two streets by this name), Washington, State, Main, Harrison, Monroe, Madison and South. The north and south streets are: Willow, Pine, Maple, Oak, Elm, Vine, Cherry, Chestnut, Locust, Olive, Pine and Mulberry. The square is bounded on the west by Cherry street, south by Main, east by Chestnut, and north by State street. The city is regularly laid out in blocks 340 feet square, streets 66 feet wide. The original surveys planned for alleys in both directions, but more than half of them have alleys running only one way and some no alleys at all. The incorporation of Jefferson as a city was effected in January, 1872, and the first meeting of the council was held on the 29th of that month. Mahlon Head was the first mayor and the council was as follows: William P. Henderson, George McCulley, James Stanford and H. B. Wynkoop. The recorder-elect having failed to qualify, H. C. Rippey was chosen to fill that office. Samuel Beard was chosen marshal, D. Northway treasurer, and Wright Gray street commissioner. These officers held only till the regular election the March following. The officers chosen for that and subsequent years have been: 1872.--Mayor, Mahlon Head; recorder, H. C. Rippey; trustees, William P. Henderson, James Stanford, H. B. Wynkoop, George McCulley and G. B. Dean; assessor, George G. Lawrence; marshal, F. N. Cooper; treasurer, I. F. Anderson; street commissioner, Wright Gray. 1873.--Mayor, S. S. Wilkinson; recorder, J. M. Rhoads; trustees, George G. Eagleson, John M. Culley, John Inbody, James L. Perry and Abijah Anderson; assessor, I. L. Hammer; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; street commissioner, Wright Gray; marshal, A. Child. 1874.--Mayor, O. W. Negus; recorder, J. L. Perry; trustees, J. F. Anderson, W. B. Mayes, E. M. Troxell, D. Northway and W. A. Holtsclaw; assessor, T. B. Reece; street commissioner, T. L. Chambers; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; marshal, John Inbody. 1875.--Mayor, W. D. Chandler; recorder, James L. Perry; trustees, John D. Hall, George G. Lawrence, G. S. Toliver, David Milligan and John A. Hassett; assessor, B. F. Robinson; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; street commissioner, John McNeil; marshal, Lewis Ehrhardt. 1876.--Mayor, W. D. Chandler; recorder, James L. Perry; trustees, G. S. Toliver, Andrew Watts, L. B. Remick, David Milligan and D. B. McCulley; assessor, J. Dick; treasurer, A. Watts; marshal, Clinton De Witt; street commissioner, John McNeil. 1877.--Mayor, Albert Head; recorder, James L. Perry; trustees, L. B. Remick, D. Milligan, D. B. McCulley, Samuel Jay and W. D. Chandler; assessor, G. B. Dean; street commissioner, Clinton De Witt; treasurer, A. Watts; attorney, James A. Henderson. 1878.--Mayor, M. B. McDuffie; recorder, C. H. Crawford; trustees, D. M. Bossart, John Skirving, J. M. Rhoads, John Inbody and W. D. Chandler; assessor, E. L. Shircliff; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; street commissioner, A. King; marshal, A. Lindell. 1879.--Mayor, M. B. McDuffie; recorder, William S. Livingston; trustees, S. H. Mathews, James L. Perry, Ed. M. Troxell, J. F. Anderson, Henry Fluke and B. F. Robinson; assessor, J. W. Fitz; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; street commissioner, A. King; marshal, S. B. Cooper. 1880.--Mayor, J. H. Gallaher; trustees, M. B. McDuffie, Charles Bofink, Henry Fluke, E. M. Troxell, J. A. Hassett and E. L. Shircliff; recorder, C. H. Crawford; assessor, George G. Lawrence; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; marshal, A. Lindell. 1881.--Mayor, J. M. Rhoads; recorder, C. H. Crawford; trustees, H. B. Wynkoop, E. M. Troxell, J. A. Hassett, E. L. Shircliff, Charles Bofink and M. B. McDuffie; assessor, Samuel Beard; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; street commissioner, A. King; marshal, Samuel Wise. 1882.--Mayor, J. M. Rhoads; recorder, C. H. Crawford; trustees, A. S. Gilliland, D. M. Bossert, A. Moorehouse, H. B. Wynkoop, E. M. Troxell and M. B. McDuffie; assessor, John Dick; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; street commissioner and marshal, Samuel Wise. 1883.--Mayor, I. D. Howard; recorder, O. R. Gray; trustees, M. B. McDuffie, A. Moorhouse, D. M. Bossert, E. M. Troxell, H. B. Wynkoop and A. S. Gilliland; assessor, Samuel Beard; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; street commissioner and marshal, Samuel Wise. 1884.--Mayor, Z. A. Church; recorder, W. E. Whitney; trustees, J. W. Fitz, H. B. Wynkoop, A. S. Gilliland, A. Moorehouse, D. M. Bossert and E. M. Troxell; assessor, Samuel Beard; street commissioner and marshal, Samuel Wise; treasurer, George G. Lawrence. 1885.--Mayor, Mahlon Head; recorder, E. C. Freeman; trustees, F. L. Witt, P. M. Vest, J. W. Fitz, H. B. Wynkoop, A. Moorhouse and M. B. McDuffie; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; street commissioner and marshal, Abijah Anderson. 1886.--Mayor, John McCarthy; recorder, E. C. Freeman; trustees, J. H. Gallaher, J. M. Rhoads, J. W. Fitz, P. M. Vest, F. L. Witt and H. B. Wynkoop; assessor, Samuel Bears; treasurer, George G. Lawrence; street commissioner and marshal, Samuel Wise. 1887.--Mayor, Mahlon Head; recorder, E. S. Young; trustees, J. W. Fitz, J. H. Gallaher, J. M. Rhoads, P. M. Vest, F. L. Witt, W. H. B. Wynkoop; assessor, Samuel Beard; street commissioner, B. F. Stevenson. 1888.--Mayor, Mahlon Head; recorder, E. S. Young; treasurer, Henry Haag; trustees, W. D. Chandler, W. H. Brown, J. H. Gallaher, George G. Lawrence, J. J. Russell, J. M. Rhoads; street commissioner, B. F. Stevenson; assessor, Samuel Jay; marshal, Samuel Wise. 1889.--Mayor, Mahlon Head; recorder, E. S. Young; treasurer, J. W. Fitz; trustees, J. A. Henderson, John Gray, Perry D. Rose, W. D. Chandler, George G. Lawrence, J. J. Russell; street commissioner; B. F. Stevenson; marshal, Samuel Wise. 1890.--Mayor, Mahlon Head; recorder, O. L. Dick; treasurer, J. W. Fitz; trustees, C. F. McCarty, Thomas Fowler, P. D. Rose, W. D. Chandler, John Gray, J. A. Henderson; assessor, Samuel Jay; street commissioner and marshal, W. H. Lyon. 1891.--Mayor, I. D. Howard; recorder, O. L. Dick; treasurer, O. G. Wynkoop; trustees, L. J. Grisier, Joseph Le Gore, Thomas Fowler, John Gray, J. A. Henderson, C. F. McCarty; assessor, Samuel Jay; street commissioner, W. H. Lyon; marshal, Samuel Wise. 1892.--Mayor, A. M. Head; recorder, M. E. Hall; treasurer, O. G. Wynkoop; trustees, A. S. Gilliland, F. R. McCarthy, Joseph Le Gore, Thomas Fowler, L. J. Grisier, C. F. McCarty; street commissioner and marshal, Samuel Wise. 1893.--Mayor, Henry Haag; city clerk, M. E. Hall; treasurer, J. W. Huntington; councilmen, O. L. Dick, J. E. Smith, J. P. Downing, F. E. Fuller, C. H. Warington, S. C. Lee; street commissioner, C. C. Shellhart; marshal, C. A. Miner. 1894.--Mayor, Henry Haag; clerk, M. E. Hall; treasurer, J. W. Huntington; solicitor, James A. Henderson; councilmen, A. M. Head, O. L. Dick, F. E. Fuller, J. P. Downing, P. D. Rose, S. C. Lee; assessor, G. B. Dean; street commissioner, C. C. Shellhart; marshal, C. A. Miner. 1895.--Mayor, Henry Haag; clerk, M. E. Hall; treasurer, J. W. Huntington; solicitor, James A. Henderson; councilmen, E. P. French, A. M. Head, A. N. Williams, F. E. Fuller, G. B. McCully, P. D. Rose; street commissioner, C. C. Shellhart; marshal, C. A. Miner. 1896.--Mayor, Henry Haag; clerk, M. E. Hall; treasurer, J. W. Huntington; solicitor, James A. Henderson; councilmen, A. D. Keller, W. R. Adrian, A. N. Williams, P. D. Rose, E. P. French, George B. McCulley; assessor, G. B. Dean; street commissioner, O. A. Tyrrell; marshal, C. A. Miner. 1897.--Mayor, John McCarthy; clerk, M. E. Hall; treasurer, J. W. Huntington; solictor, James A. Henderson; councilmen, A. D. Keller, E. P. French, W. R. Adrian, A. N. Williams, George B. McCulley, P. D. Rose; assessor, G. B. Dean; street commissioner, O. A. Tyrrell; marshal, John Wilkinson. 1898.--Mayor, John McCarthy; clerk, M. E. Hall; treasurer, J. W. Huntington; solicitor, J. A. Gallaher; councilmen, S. C. Culbertson, E. P. French, W. R. Adrian, A. N. Williams, George B. McCulley, L. S. Lyon; assessor, G. B. Dean; street commissioner, O. A. Tyrrell; marshal, John Wilkinson. 1899.--Mayor, W. R. Adrian; clerk, M. E. Hall; treasurer, J. W. Huntington; solicitor, E. B. Wilson; councilmen, R. E. Witt, C. D. Lower, Henry Haag, A. N. Williams, Mahlon Head, J. J. Russell; assessor, G. B. Dean; street commissioner, O. A. Tyrrell; marshal, John Swearingen. 1900.--Mayor, W. R. Adrian; clerk, P. O. Brown; treasurer, J. W. Huntington; solicitor, E. B. Wilson; councilmen, J. M. Munsinger, J. F. Head, A. N. Williams, Henry Haag, Thomas Fowler, Mahlon Head; assessor, G. B. Dean; street commissioner, R. E. Witt; marshal, John Swearingen. 1901.--Mayor, M. M. Head; clerk, P. O. Brown; solicitor, E. B. Wilson; treasurer, Charles Bofink; councilmen, V. H. Lovejoy, J. M. Munsinger, A. N. Williams, Henry Haag, Thomas Fowler, Mahlon Head; street commissioner, R. E. Witt; marshal, John Swearingen; assessor, L. S. Lyon. 1902.--Mayor, M. M. Head; clerk, P. O. Brown; treasurer, Charles Bofink; solicitor, E. B. Wilson; councilmen, V. H. Lovejoy, J. M. Munsinger, D. W. Mugan, Henry Haag, Thos. Fowler, Mahlon Head; street commissioner, R. E. Witt; marshal, John Swearingen; assessor, L. S. Lyon. 1903.--Mayor, G. W. Mattingly; clerk, P. O. Brown; treasurer, Charles Bofink; solicitor, S. J. Sayers; councilmen, J. M. Munsinger, O. G. Wynkoop, J. I. Potter, D. W. Mugan, B. S. McCulley, Thomas Fowler; street commissioner, R. E. Witt; marshal, H. H. Kreger; assessor, L. S. Lyon. 1904.--Mayor, G. W. Mattingly; clerk, P. O. Brown; treasurer, Charles Bofink; solicitor, S. J. Sayers; councilmen, Allen Cook, O. G. Wynkoop, J. I. Potter, D. W. Mugan, P. J. Lawton, B. S. McCulley; street commissioner, R. E. Witt; marshal, H. H. Kreger; assessor, L. S. Lyon. 1905.--Mayor, John McCarthy; clerk, P. O. Brown; treasurer, Charles Bofink; solicitor, S. J. Sayers; councilmen, J. N. Dunlop, W. A. Legg, J. I. Potter, D. W. Mugan, P. J. Lawton, John Stevenson; street commissioner, R. E. Witt; marshal, H. H. Kreger; assessor, L. S. Lyon. 1906.--Mayor, John McCarthy; clerk, P. O. Brown; treasurer, Charles Bofink; solicitor, S. J. Sayers; councilmen, J. N. Dunlop, W. A. Legg, J. I. Potter, W. G. Bradley, P. J. Lawton, John Stevenson; street commissioner, R. E. Witt; marshall, H. H. Kreger; assessor, L. S. Lyon. 1907.--Mayor, Charles E. Marquis; clerk, P. O. Brown; treasurer, C. E. White; solicitor, S. J. Sayers; councilmen, W. C. Grisier, W. A. Legg, J. I. Potter, W. G. Bradley, J. E. McClurg, P. J. Lawton; street commissioner, R. E. Witt; marshal, J. H. Wright; assessor, L. S. Lyon. FIRE DEPARTMENT To the fact that Jefferson was exceedingly fortunate in the matter of fires during the first decade of its history is due the further fact that no successful effort was made to effect the organization of a fire department until the year 1882, when the city bought a hook and ladder truck, and in February, 1884, the Jefferson fire department was formally organized, with Mahlon Head as chief, a position he held until about the year 1893, something over nine years. However lethargic the earlier settlers may have been in putting life into a fire department here, the fact remains that it has been a very spry factor ever since in showing up wherever needed and has won a fair name and fame as being one of the best organized volunteer fire departments in central Iowa. It has distinguished itself by being ready and efficient, and its phenomenal promptness in getting to and mastering blazes, either by night or day, is the only true answer to the query why Jefferson has not suffered more from destructive fires. But four serious fires have occurred during thirty-five years: The Marshall McDuffie residence, on Harrison street, in 1888; the big public school house, in 1889, the Revere house, in 1892, and the burning of the Harrington & Milligan office and elevator in 1894. The first went to ashes for lack of water supply; the second was past hope when discovered by reason of the mountain of coal on fire in the basement that could not be extinguished; the Revere house was a great tinder box and was doomed before the fire was discovered. A better water supply would have saved the Harrington & Milligan property, but the blaze was too far from the source of supply. That was a fierce fire in the Will Dick clothing store, where the savings bank now is, in the late '80s. The building was on fire from basement to roof and flames were leaping out in every direction. With shrewd vision the chief saw that to deluge the basement, where much inflammable stuff was stored, would generate steam that would help smother the fire on first and second floors. The rabble shouted, "Put the water on the roof," but the other plan won out and even the floors were saved. When the building known as the old Bee office, on the northeast corner of the square, burned, the general thought that all the east side up to Carter's store must go, but as a matter of fact the fire was so quickly subdued that even the joists of the building were saved and the frame buildings adjoining were saved intact. Instances might be multiplied to prove the "get there" qualities of the young men who took pride that their service should be as nearly perfect as it could be made. Soon after the organization of the department the city bought a hand engine and hose cart, the whole outfit costing about $4,000. The hook and ladder company was organized with twenty-nine members ( a goodly number of whom still maintain their allegiance to the organization) and it was called the "W. D. Chandler Hook and Ladder Company," after its captain. He retained the position until he went west, in 1890, when John Wagner assumed charge for a time. He was succeeded by Will McCulley, and later E. C. Freeman become foreman, a position he held until December, 1894, when he was appointed fire chief by the city council. Prior to that, Zala A. Church, who had been Mahlon Head's assistant, controlled the department for a year. Robert Noyes was assistant to E. C. Freeman until the time of his death, when Will McCulley was appointed to the place and still fights fire--when there is one--from that vantage ground. For years during the Mahlon Head regime, Hilary Mahoney was assistant fire chief, John Inbody succeeding him. M. J. Covell was foreman of the engine company for some time. Quite a delegation of the charter members of the fire department are still living in Jefferson and agree in saying that their connection with this branch of city service, although of the volunteer sort, was worth all it cost. In the list are found the names of Mahlon Head, Charles Bofink, E. C. Freeman, Will McCulley. The present foremen of the hook and ladder company and the hose company are Wesley Flack and Dr. J. K. Johnson, respectively, and they seem as keenly alive to the responsible service they are called upon to render and stand high in the confidence and estimation of our people as the splendid representatives of the department who have shifted the burden. The service has been greatly simplified by the introduction of wateworks, the big tank and a direct pressure system, where needed, having sent the cumbersome old hand engine to the rear. The city has been phenomenally fortunate in the number and destructiveness of its fires, due to the care of the residents, in part, but the fact remains that but for the promptness, efficiency and well directed efforts of the fire department the city would have been sadly cut down in buildings and population. The headquarters of the company are in the lower part of a building called for twenty-five years the City Hall. Later it was sold to the Odd Fellows, who greatly improved the structure and use the second floor for lodge purposes. The city council holds its sessions in the rear of the fire department room. In 1885 a fine bell weighing 1,600 pounds and costing $425 was put in the cupola of the court house after a rather spirited opposition, and it renders excellent service to the city as fire alarm and in giving signal calls for fire and other meetings, and also to the county during sessions of court. Before the big water tank was erected, the city put in large cisterns on three corners of the square, which were supplied with water that fell on the court house roof. It was not dependable, however, and the council set apart $5,000 for the boring of a well. This well is the source of the present inexhaustible supply. CHURCHES PRESBYTERIAN. The Presbyterian church of Jefferson was organized February 16, 1867, with eight charter members: William Potter and wife, Amanda, William R. McNeil and wife, Sarah Ann, Daniel Leasure and wife, Rebecca, Samuel D. Potter and wife, Eliza. Of these named, the last two are still living in the city and are members of the church they helped organize, more than two score years ago. The society did not hold regular worship until 1870. For a year or two meetings were held in the school house and in 1872 the building was purchased and remodeled. About this time a Congregational society was organized and they built a neat and commodious church for the times, but they were not strong in members, and noting that the Presbyterians were not strong, numerically, a proposition was made that they unite their forces, thus making one strong, vigorous church. Strange to say, the union was soon effected. Just how it was done was not whispered in the ear of the general public, but it is reported that they cast lots with the understanding that if the Congregationalists won, it was to bear that name, otherwise to be Presbyterian. The last named denomination won, and so far as known the consolidation has been attended with the happiest results. In conformity with their agreement the Congre- gationalists sold their edifice to the Catholics, and joined heartily in building up the new society with which they had been so peculiarly allied. During the forty years of its existence, it has had seven pastors: J. S. Dunning, W. G. Hillman and A. R. Mathes filled the pulpit from 1870 to 1880, when H. G. Rice began his labors, which continued until 1888. He was succeeded by A. Cato Kaye, who remained with the church eleven years. He was followed by A. L. Sarchet, who remained two years, when James S. Corkey took the vacant pulpit, resigning in April, 1907. At this time the church is seeking for a man whom they may ask to take the pastorate. Rev. J. J. Ehrstein has been called and will probably accept, beginning his labors October 1. The membership is about three hundred and fifty. The organization maintains a large and vigorous Sunday school, under the leadership of George N. Hayslip. The Young People's society is doing good work and a Ladies' Aid society and Missionary society are working earnestly in their particular realms. In 1889 the society built a new and handsome church edifice near the site where the old one stood, at a cost of $7,000, with a seating capacity of three hundred and fifty. The main auditorium will seat two hundred. Six years ago the society bought a pipe organ which has rendered excellent service since introduced. Four years ago it sold its old manse on Main street, and a year later built a new and handsome manse on the lot adjoining the church, at an expense of $2,750. The society has suffered much by deaths and removals but is in good financial condition. The following are the names of men who have served as elders of the church and superintendents of the Sunday school as far as it has been possible to obtain them: Elders--George McBurney, Levi Stockwell, W. B. Mayes, Jacob M. Cline, A. G. Riley, W. S. Schermerhorn, John Staring, H. W. Kellogg, Amos Johnson, E. B. Stillman, John Gray, Joseph Thompson, C. H. Warrington, F. Hutchinson, E. B. Wilson, R. M. Stubblefield, J. Hutcheon, F. Lornce. Superintendents--W. B. Mayes, John Staring, H. W. Kellogg, E. B. Stillman, F. M. Riley, C. E. Moore, E. E. Johnston, Owen Lovejoy, Mrs. F. E. Fuller, C. E. Laird, E. B. Wilson and George N. Hayslip.