HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY (1878) - ICONIUM - CHARITON TWP.

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Posted By: Alice & Wayne Daniels (email)
Date: 3/30/2003 at 18:45:01

HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY - ICONIUM - CHARITON TOWNSHIP, PG 460-461
1878 APPANOOSE COUNTY HISTORY BOOK
1989 REPRINT

ICONIUM

The plat of Iconium is situated around the center of Section 5, Township 70, Range 18, and was surveyed March 24 and 25, 1857, by H. Myers. Twelve blocks lie east of the center stone, the three remaining blocks lying west. South, Main and North streets run east and west, and are intersected by Lost, Washington, State and West streets. The grantor’s name does not appear on the record.

It is said that the town was first laid out in 1854, and that the platting noted above was a
resurvey.

There is but little to glean in this vicinity, in the way of history. The Mormon trail of 1846 and subsequent years passed here, but the most of the fugitives had passed before this part of the county was settled.

A saw and corn mill was built by Joseph Steward, south of the town, in 1852.

The first schoolhouse was built at Iconium, in 1853. This was a log structure, and, two years afterward, was removed south of the town.

One of the preliminary surveys of the Burlington & Missouri Railroad passed through Iconium, and the people were considerably elated for a time; but the road gave them the go-by, at last, since which time this place has had no special hope of a railroad.

A newspaper was started here in 1869, but did not long remain.

The public school is still under the management of the township district.

The business interest is represented by a large general store, a drug store, two blacksmith-shops, a wagon-shop and a steam flouring-mill, the latter built in 1876.

RELIGIOUS

Methodist Episcopal - This Church organized a class here as early as 1854, and the outfield was known as Chariton Mission. Some of the members of the class in 1855, were Thomas and Rebecca Cuppy, Timothy and Sarah Allison, John T. Brown and wife, W. H. and Sarah Argo, and Mrs. Mary Argo.

Some of the Pastors have been David Swem, Benjamin Williams, Jacob Delay, Jesse Sherwood, Abner Orr, Samuel Tolbert, Boyles, Britton, Cardington, Smith, Thorn, Hodges, R. P. Morrison, Swanson, Yengling, John Armisted, Jones, David Monroe and W. A. Nye.

The charge became Melrose Circuit, about the time that Rev. Mr. Sherwood was sent here.

The house of worship was built in 1870, and dedicated by Rev. James Allender, Presiding
Edler. Its cost was about $1,400.

There are about sixty members. Horatio Vosburg, Hugh Thompson and W. H. Argo are the Stewards; Robert Turner, Miles Thompson and W. H. Argo, Trustees: Lindsey Gilliland, Class-Leader.

Christian - The organization of this faith took place January 25, 1862, under the ministration of Elder J. C. Sevey. The first Elders were C. C. Trim and Jacob Fees; the first Deacons, J. R. Clough and William Davenport. The other members were Joseph Brees, Benjamin Brees, Margaret Brees, Sr., Margaret Brees, Jr., Louisa Clough, Nancy Ann Fees, Lydia A. Bridges, Parthenia Ruddle, Mary Brees, Julia Davenport and Margaret
Anderson.

The church was built in 1870, and was dedicated by Elder Walden, in June, 1871. It is 40 x 48 feet in size, and cost $1,500.

The Pastors have been Elders Sevey, Wharton, Boyer and Carr.

There are now about fifty members. H. R. Burns and B. F. Younker are the Elders; Samuel Rhinehart and Frank M. Main, Deacons; Samuel Rhinehart, Alexander McCloud and James Hilliard, Trustees.

Union Sabbath School - As now organized, B. F. Younker is Superintendent; James W. Argo, Assistant; Robert Turner, librarian; Hugh Thompson, Secretary; H. R. Burns, Treasurer. The teachers re Horatio Vosburg, H. R. Burns, James Elswick, W. H. Argo, Mrs. Jane Moyers and Mary Palmer. The average attendance is about fifty.

THE TOWNSHIP

A small Church of the United Brethren faith, was organized along the border, between Walnut and Chariton, over twenty years ago, by Rev. Mr. Shafer, who built and presented a small building to the society. This was afterward sold to the school district, and is now used for a schoolhouse.

In 1857, a considerable society of the same faith was formed in the northern part of the township, known as Salem Church. The organizing members were Joshua Funkhouser and wife, David Funkhouser and wife, Jacob Funkhouser and wife, Daniel Funkhouser and wife, Aaron McCoy and wife, James Johnson and wife, Seth Johnson and wife, Eli
Johnson and wife, John W. Main and wife, John Hiner and wife.

The first Pastor was Rev. Mr. Kellogg.

A church was built in 1860, which is 30 x 40 feet in dimensions, and cost $600. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. E. B. Kephart, of Western College, Linn County.

The membership is now quite small. Seth Johnson is Class-Leader; Eli Johnson, Steward; William Eads, William Howard and Seth Johnson, Trustees.

A Union Sabbath School is maintained here. F.M. Main is Superintendent; Della Tissue, Librarian; Sadie Musgrave, Secretary. The teachers are Mrs. Putnam, Mrs. Musgrave, Sarah Tissue, Margaret Musgrave, Frank M. Main and J. W. Finley. There are about sixty pupils.