Plankinton, Aurora Co, SD - Methodist Episcopal Church Records, 1888 This information is from "Palmer's Directory of the Methodist Episcopal Church for Dakota Conference - 1888" by Rev. John G. Palmer. Page 87 - 88 Information transcribed by Joy Fisher, sdgenweb@yahoo.com Plankinton In the spring of 1882 a few persons who were settled in Plankinton, having in their possessions certificates of membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, obtained a class book, and entering their names began to hold meetings. The following names were first enrolled: Henry Clark, Perry C. Hagerty, Sarah E. Hagerty, Edward M. Cramer, Annie Cramer, Prudence Maxwell. Rev. A. B. Smart then preached here two or three times. In the month of June following Rev. R. W. Keeler, D. D., of Upper Iowa Conference, spending a Sabbath in Plankinton, preached, and on the following morning at a meeting called for that purpose, organized a class and appointed Henry Clark, father of Rev. C. B. Clark, leader. In the autumn following, and in a short time before the annual meeting of the Dakota Mission, Rev. O. E. Murray was appointed pastor by Rev. W. Whitfield, Sup't of the Mission. At the expiration of the first year in the fall of 1883, there were enrolled in the church 59 members and 4 probationers. A church edifice was commenced during Rev. Murray's administration, and was dedicated by Rev. I. N. Pardee January 31, 1885, during the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Vivian. At the session of 1885 a portion of the membership was set off to the newly constituted Plankinton circuit, which was under the care of the following pastors: Rev. C. A. Smith and Rev. G. J. Corwin. The circuit was rejoined to the Plankinton charge in 1887. The value of the church property is $6,000. At present there are 100 members and 52 probationers. Rev. S. Washburn is pastor. Trustees - Frank H. Clark, C. J. Anderson, S. B. Clark, P. C. Hagerty, I. Newton Auld, Homer C. Holmes, Wm. Platts, Geo. Dodson. Stewards - Wm. Platts, Samuel Whittaker, E. C. Loverin, H. J. Comfort, Isaac Reynolds, Rev. C. R. Waters, Oliver P. Auld, Mattie R. Platts, Wm. C. Harris. S. S. Superintendents - M. Hoon, Albert Davis. Class Leaders - Samuel Whittaker, Thos. Robeson. Societies - Willing Workers - Pres., Mrs. Prudence Maxwell; Sec'y, Mrs. C. R. Waters. Joyful Gleaners - Pres., Mrs. Alice Bishop; Sec'y, Miss Nettie M. Platts. Names of members Last Name First Name Membership Status Adamson Eli probationer Adamson Mary member Aldrich Anna member Aldrich Joel member Anderson Elizabeth member Anthers Sarah E. member Auld I. Newton member Auld Nellie H. member Auld Oliver P. member Bemink -- member Bemink -- member Bemink Herman member Bemink Mary member Bennett Edwin S. member Bishop Adells member Burt Nancy C. member Carmichael -- member Carmichael Sylvia member Carmichael Wm. member Chase Emma member Clark Frank H. member Comfort Sarah G. member Comfort Wm. J. member Cramer Annie member Cramer Edward W. member Davis Albert member Davis Charlie probationer Davis Margaret E. member Decker Carrie member Decker Emily J. member Decker Julia R. member Decker Nellie A. member Decker Perry A. member Dodson Charles W. probationer Dodson Della May probationer Dodson Edward E. probationer Dodson George member Dodson Henry G. probationer Dodson Josephine member Dodson Mary F. probationer Ellison Annie E. member Evans John member Freeman Della member Freeman Stewart probationer Fuller Holsey C. probationer Fuller Joel member Fuller Rachel member Garton O. P. member Gibbs Amanda probationer Gibbs Geo. (Jr.) probationer Gibbs Geo. T. member Gibbs Lizzie probationer Gibbs Rachel R. member Gilkinson Eva J. member Hagerty Charles probationer Hagerty P. C. member Hagerty Sarah E. member Harris Elmer E. probationer Harris Mary member Harris Wm. C. probationer Hartman John member Hartman Minnie A. member Holmes Homer C. member Holmes Sara E. member Irons Jennie member Johnson Addie member Johnson Wm. H. member Kerr Amanda probationer Loverin E. C. member Loverin E. C. (Mrs.) member Lowe Emma member Martin Harvey probationer McPherson Jessie probationer McPherson L. D. probationer Myers Fannie probationer Nelson Laura member Nichols Eva member Nichols Luther member Palmer Jessie member Palmer O. E. member Peck Anna M. member Peck John P. member Peck Laura E. probationer Platts Mattie R. member Platts Nettie May member Platts Wm. member Porter Fannie L. probationer Porter Flora B. probationer Porter Lucy probationer Prutzman John member Prutzman Sarah member Rathbun Emma E. probationer Rathbun Martha A. probationer Rathbun Mary C. member Rathbun O. F. probationer Reynolds Isaac T. member Robeson Charles H. probationer Robeson Laura E. probationer Robeson Minnie member Robeson Sarah member Robeson Thomas member Robeson Thomas M. probationer Rodgers Elva member Rodgers Joseph probationer Ross Columbus member Runkle Abbie M. member Runkle Henry P. probationer Saville John member Saville Lulu member Scales John probationer Sheldon Charles member Sheldon Hannah member Sheldon John member Sheldon Maud H. probationer Sheldon Melissa member Sheldon Samuel H. member Sheldon Willie probationer Shepherd Amy May probationer Shepherd Mary probationer Shepherd Theron probationer Starks Florida A. member Starks Hattie member Starks Mary C. probationer Starks Milo member Starks Milton R. member Strong Samuel F. probationer Tillman Albert O. member Tillman Mary member Townsend Carrie probationer Townsend David member Townsend Dora member Underwood Wm. H. member Waters C. R. (Rev.) member Waters Geo. D. probationer Waters Lydia A. member Waters Mina A. member Webster Lina F. probationer Whittaker Bertha probationer Whittaker Birdie probationer Whittaker Minnie probationer Whittaker Mont. member Whittaker Samuel member Whittaker Sarah member Wiley C. H. member Wiley Gay probationer Wiley Hugh L. probationer Wiley Ralph S. probationer Wiley Robert Ray probationer