Howell, Hand 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 46 - 47 Information transcribed by Joy Fisher, sdgenweb@yahoo.com Howell Rev. D. Barker, a local preacher from Canada, having settled in Melbourne Township, Hand county, and finding no church organization, di the very proper thing - organized one, in the spring of 1884, with 21 members. Mrs. Rev. D. Barker was the first white woman to live in Melbourne Township. At present the charge has 49 members, and 5 probationers. Rev. J. R. Gowdy is pastor. There are six appointments. Local Preacher - Rev. D. Barker. Stewards - John Trenhaile, Mrs. Effie Roberts, Mrs. H. L. Rymal, Miss Carrie Shuster, Mrs. Anna Alexander, W. T. Clapp, Jas. E. Beck, L. E. Robinson, A. J. Patterson, Jesse Roberts, Benj. Rice. Class Leaders - A. Albright, W. T. Clapp, L. E. Robinson. S. S. Superintendent - Rev. D. Barker. Names of Members Last Name First Name Membership Status Albright A. A. member Albright E. (Mrs.) member Albright Mary (Miss) member Alexander Anna (Mrs.) member Arthur R. H. member Barker Anna (Mrs.) member Barker D. (Rev.) member Barker Nellie (Miss) member Beck James member Beck Leroy probationer Bowles (Mrs.) member Clapp Angie (Mrs.) probationer Clapp Anna (Mrs.) member Clapp W. T. member Croll H. J. (Mrs.) member Ferrell C. S. (Mrs.) member Fountain Mary (Mrs.) member Gowdy J. R. (Mrs.) member Grosjean Rose (Mrs.) member Grosjean W. B. member Jenson S. P. probationer Johnson (Mrs.) member Johnson Ella (Miss) member Kitts N. (Mrs.) member Kitts W. H. member McCune Mary (Mrs.) member McDonald M. E. (Mrs.) member McKinsey D. member Odell Greenleaf member Patterson A. J. (Mrs.) member Rice M. E. (Mrs.) member Roberts Effie (Mrs.) member Roberts Jesse member Roberts Maggie (Mrs.) member Robinson L. E. member Robinson Roella (Mrs.) member Rymal H. L. (Mrs.) member Shuster Carrie member Shuster J. H. (Mrs.) member Shuster John member Shuster Lewis member Shuster M. A. member Shuster M. A. (Mrs.) member Smith Mary C. probationer Stevens E. M. member Stevens E. M. (Mrs.) member Trenhaile Elizabeth member Trenhaile Ella (Mrs.) member Trenhaile John member Trenhaile R. H. member Wilcox Edwin probationer Wingfield A. J. (Mrs.) member Wingfield S. S. member