Iowa
Old Press
THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
June 5, 1902
Imogene News
A beautiful service to the dead heroes of the Civil War occurred
Friday, Lew Genung of Glenwood delivered the address. The
following are the dead soldiers who lie in our cemetery:
ELI BOATMAN, Ohio
WESLEY CROSTHWAITS
CHRIS HARDY -Nothing is known of Comrade Hardy. He came here in
an early day when the town was founded and was taken sick and
died at the home of William Hayes, when the latter kept a
restaurant. He left no record of his regiment or his relatives.
There is somthing said that this poor soldier died among
strangers, away from home and all unknown and friendless, save
the soldierly tie that brings his living comrades to his grave.
LEVI LABER, Illinois
ALFRED LISTON -Enlisted as a drummer boy at the age of 17 years
and served three years with credit.
ADAM LONG, 27th Wisconsin
ROBERT OTIS, 52d Illinois -Was drowned in Walnut Creek, May 31st,
1890. He had served over three years and was in nineteen hard
fought battles besides skirmishes and received not a wound. But
when he attacked a rushing stream to save a bridge, the flood of
water took him down. WILLIAM VOSS, Illinois regiment
[submitted by W.F., Jan. 2004]
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THE FREMONT COUNTY HERALD
June 19, 1902
HISTORY. B.C. Bobbitt
Fifty years ago today the First Baptist church of Sidney, Iowa,
was organized at the residence of the late James Bobbitt, about
two miles southwest of Sidney. This farm is now owned and
occupied by brother Thad Hatten.
The church was organized by Rev. J. C. Renfro, with the following
members: James Bobbitt, Margaret Bobbitt, Martha Bobbitt, Jacob
Thomas, Melinda Thomas, Elizabeth Thomas, Hannah Thomas, Isaac
Catlett, Lucretia Catlett, Benton Williams, Mary Williams, Noah
Lebo, Eunice Lebo, Francis Bourn and Judge A. A. Bradford. Of the
members of the organization not one is living, today, but all
have been called from their labors to their reward in heaven,
"And their works do follow them."
We thought it would not be out of place to go back of this date
to 1849, and give a little of the history of the early settling
of this county.
At that time the red men were here in large numbers and the smoke
could be seen curling heavenward from their tepees.
Nothwithstanding they had forfeited all rights to Iowa territory,
they were loth to leave the place where they had reared their
families and enjoyed the chase. Large game was yet here in great
abundance. The hardy and ambitious men and women who first came
to Fremont county had not been accustomed to luxury and ease.
Those who have been, never dare the perils of frontier life. They
had been used to hard work and therefore were not afraid to push
out on the frontier, there to build new homes for themselves and
families. Having selected their location they began preparations
for the future. The log cabin with its thatched or split shingle
roof, was erected. The men soon cleared a patch of ground in
which they planted corn and wheat. The latter they cut with the
old fashioned reaphook. They beat it out with flails and carted
to far down into Missouri to be ground, for there was no grist
mill nearer. There was genuine contentment in these homes after
the hard day's work was over and the family had gathered in the
cabin. The cheerful fire of logs burned in the fireplace. The
housewife lifts from the oven the lid covered with glowing coals
and the sweet odor of corn pone pervades every nook and
corner.When the family gathered around the board spread with the
frugal meal, they returned thanks to Almighty God. They were
truly thankful for what they had. The stillness of the night was
often broken by the howling of the wolves on the prairie or the
hooting of the owls in the forest. "Be not fortgetful to
entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels
unawares." In those days should a stranger seeking lodging,
knock at the door of the cabin, it was not necessary for him to
inquire if it would be convenient for them to entertain him, for
he met with a cordial welcome and was invited to tarry for the
night. It was a source of great pleasure to the family because of
the news he brought from the outside world. There was no other
way of receiving news, except an occasional letter from those
left behind. This letter had not the small greeen or red stamp in
the corner, but was generally marked "due 15 cents". If
this stranger should chance to be a minister he was invited to
preach. As many of the other settlers as heard the news would be
present, for they were anxious to hear the gospel preached. Since
there was but one small store in the county, and that some ten
miles from here, down on the Nishnabotna, you may wonder from
where the supplies for the house and family came. They did not
depend upon the purse to furnish the family with supplies. The
flocks and fields were drawn upon for material and the abundance
of game added much to the food supply. The women carded the wool,
spun the yarn, wove the cloth and made it into garments to clothe
family and furnish the beds. They spun and wove the flax, out of
which they made the linen. It was people like these that formed
this church fifty years ago today.
There are three people with us today who were not charter members
of the church but came in soon after, and we think are justly
entitled to be counted among the pioneers. They are Sister
Elizabeth Estes, who came into the church in 1855, Sister Nancy
J. Collier, in 1853, and Brother P. K. Kimsey, joined soon after.
The church was organized at the home of my childhood and youth. I
see but one other here today who was present at the
oraganization, Sister Mary Hatten, nee Mary Bobbitt.
The Nishnabotna church was organized in Holt county, Missouri,
Jan. 12, 1845. In 1852 letters were granted to all members living
north of the Nishnabotna river to organize this church.
The Sidney church joined the West Union association and at that
time was the only church in Iowa holding membership in that body.
The church continued to hold meeting on the fourth Saturday and
Sunday of each month at the place where it was organized. In the
summer, the meetings were often held in the grove nearby. What
would the good sisters of today think of having services held at
their homes commencing on Saturday and continuing over Sunday,
and at least half and sometimes all of the congregation remain
during the entire meetings? They came in lumber wagons, on
horseback, or on foot, for there was not a vehicle on springs
within the confines of the county at that time,and even ox teams
were often used to carry the people to and from church. The house
was small, but there seemed to be ample room for all, and I am
proud of the fact that my father's house was a place noted for
holding religious worship, not only by the Baptists but by other
denominations as well. After three years the place of meeting was
changed to the court house, and continued to be held there until
the brick church was built which was in 1858. "No man liveth
to himself alone." so reasoned those God fearing men of old
when they first came to Fremont county. For the first ten years
after the organization of the church, Revs. Findley and Renfro
were pastors, alternately, with salaries so small they could
scarecely be called salaries at all. They farmed during the week,
and preached on Sunday.
Then came I. M. Seay, who had charge of the church during the
trying times of the civil war. At the end of the year 1855 the
church contained forty-six members. The West Union associaton met
here in September, 1856. The introductory sermon was preached by
that grand good man, James M. Smith, of Bedford, Iowa. He came to
be pastor of this church several years later. Jonas Wilson, of
St. Joe, was Moderator and Robert Hatten of Oregon, Mo., was
clerk. There was an arbor erected near where the brick church was
built and the meetings were held in it. After the association
adjourned a series of meetings were held by Rev. J. Renfro, Elias
Findley and Jonas Wilson, resulting in several additions to the
church. The church now realized the need of a church building,
and feeling it was strong enough to build, a movement was begun
in that direction. Brother Voss donated the lots. The ground was
broken and the erection of the building begun in the fall of
1856. There was not a church building within this county. Monday
was scarce but "the people had a mind to work." and
they did work, for there was no letting of the contract to some
builder, but machanics were hired and the brethren of the church
worked with their own hands. Brethren Thomas Lusby and Reuben
Simons did the brick work and Brother Job Throckmorton, of the M.
E. church did most of the wood work. The building was of brick
and about 36 x 44 feet. In August 1858 the church commenced to
use it, although it was not completed until 1862. I am unable to
give the exact date or by whom it was dedicated.
Right here I wish to mention an incident that occurred during the
building: Dr. Penn visited the place and discovering that there
were to be but three windows on each side, stated there should be
four. But the building committee imformed him that windows were
expensive. They knew more windows were needed but could not
afford to have them. Thereupon the doctor said: "Let there
be two more windows and will pay for them." This was done.
Dr. Penn was not a member of the church then, but afterwards
became one and was a deacon of the church and an active worker in
it. In 1867 the building was remodeled and reseated. The work was
planned and mostly done by Brother C. B. Hatten, and was used by
all the denominations for religious services. School was held
there, also court and political conventions. There the troops
were quartered during the Civil war, also. In 1863 this church
withdrew from the West Union association to join the Southwestern
Iowa association, which was organized at this place this year.
The introductory sermons was preached by R. Alexander, I. M. Seay
was Moderator and C. C. Baird, clerk. The association met again
in Sidney in the years 1867, 1872 , 1884 and 1899. In the years
'64 and '65 there came into this county a large number of
excellent people. They had come from Missouri on account of the
war. Many of them were Baptists, who joined this church, making
it very strong, for many were highly educated, among them being
Prof. Thompson, D. D. In December, 1864, the church felt the need
of a Baptist Institution of higher education than the coommon
school. After negotiating with the churches of the association,
it was decided to open a school to be held in the Sidney church,
to be called the Baptist Institute, and Prof. Thompson was made
president. The school began with very promising prospects, but it
only continued a short time, for the president was taken sick and
died a few weeks afterwards. This caused the school to be closed.
I was not personally acquainted with Brother Thompson, but from
what I have been able to learn of him from others, who were
competent judges, he was certainly the ablest man that
southwestern Iowa has ever had the honor of calling a citizen. At
this time, the war having closed, quite a number called for
letters from this church and returned to their former homes in
Missouri. In 1869 and 1870, meetings were held at Lacy Grove and
Pleasant Grove, by a Baptist brother named Howard, whose initials
I have forgotten, resulting in large numbers turning to the Lord
and causing Baptist churches to be organized at each place. Many
left this church to join those, depleting our numbers greatly. In
fact, this church has lost members every time a Baptist church
has been organized in this county. At the present time we have a
membershp of eighty. In 1891 the old brick church was considered
unsafe and the church was compelled to vacate it, and it was soon
afterwards sold. The good brethren of the Christian church
tendered the use of their church which was accepted. In June
1891, the church decided to erect a new building. The first funds
were rasied by Mrs. Turner, assisted by Charlie Searles, by a
concert given in the Presbyterian Church. The new church was
first used in 1893 and cost about $3,000. It was completed and
dedicated in 1895. Rev. Wm. Randall, of Boone, preached the
dedicatory sermon, and was assisted by Rev. C. L. Parson, of
Villisca. Rev. O. D. Lighthizer was pastor at the time. The
church then was free from debt and the sum of $430 was raised for
furnishing purposes.
The following have served as pastors during these fifty years:
Elias Findley, J. C. Renfro, I. M. Seay, J. C. Otis, W. Rogers,
Prof. W. Thompson, Reuben Alexander, M. F. Williams, C. L. Butts,
Jonas Wilson, A. Cake, J. W. Roe, S. J. McCormick, Thomas Muxlow,
James M. Smith, T. J. Arnold, Amos Pratt, George Scaggs, John
Davies, F. M. Best, T. C. Townsend, R. R. Hawley, A. H. Rhodes,
F. M. Wadley, E. N. Pierce, A. Jacobs, Robert Smith, who died
here after short service as pastor, Aaron Good, W. H. Curtis, W.
J. Howard, O. D. Lighthizer, George Yule, C. W. Riches, andJ. W.
Fulkrod.
James Bobbitt served as clerk the first four years after the
church was organized, then resigned and Asa Fall was elected and
served six years. Then followed Henry C. Reed, M. K. Skidmore,
Eli Parkison, C. L. Butts, Robert Simons, James R.Hatten, James
Wilson, B. C. Bobbitt, Charles S.Hatten. This good brother was a
faithful servant of the church, having served as clerk for
twenty-three years. He only gave up the work when he became too
feeble to longer discharge the duties thereof. Then followed L.
D. Schafer, Chas. B. Hatten, R. L. Bentley, B. C. Bobbitt, Mrs.
Lucy Scanland, and Miss Effie Crandal.
There were two protracted meetings which deserve especial
mention. One was held byh Rev. J. W. Roe, in 1871, resulting in
ninety-nine additions to the church, and the other by Rev. W. J.
Howard, in 1892, resulting in a large in gathering. The meeting
closed with eleven anxious souls at the altar.
"Amid the daily toil and care,
..With thankful hearts our feet we stay.
The memories of the past to share
..On this our anniversary day.
"We see again the cabins rude,
..So lonely on the prairie vast;
Close by, the wild-fowl hid her brood,
..And the fleet deer went bounding past.
"We reared no stately house of prayer,
..Our offerings were scant, though free;
Still He, whose love is everywhere, ..Abode with us: the two or
three.
"When heaven and earth are passed away,
..And even their places are forgot,
God grant we stand in that great day,
..A glorious church, without a spot."
Music
Mrs. Fanny VanEaton: I feel like this subject assigned me should
be handled by one endowed with a better memory than it is my good
fortune to possess, however after giving it some thought, we have
at least a few of the main statistics, and if you find some names
are omitted, please pardon my forgetfulness, and do no consider
it a lack of appreciation for the aid they have given us. In all
christian organizations including churches, Sunday schools, young
peoples societies, etc., it would be a sad mistake not to give
the feature of music much consideration; for it always has been
and always will be an indispensible essential to be a successful
organization of this character. I think it is a conceded fact
that good music is as much of a drawing factor as good preaching.
In fact, a church cannot well survive without it; hence the great
importance of raising it to the highest standard possible. We
sometimes do not consider the importance of it as we should. My
first knowledge of the music of this church dates back to the
time Rev. J. W. Roe came to our field, not many years after we
first found our existence as a organization. It was under his
faithful and earnest expounding of the work of God, that I first
gave my heart to Christ, and became a member of the church. Rev.
Roe was an excellent singer, and he performed the double duty of
occupying the pulpit and leading the singing, during his sojourn
with us, which we deemed of altogether too short a duration. His
voice in song reached the hearts of many unconverted hearers, and
no doubt some soul found the truth of the divine light through
this instrumentality. Following Bro. Roe's good work, came Mr.
Chas. Sampson and his wife, who used their talents as signers
much to our advantage; they labored with us for a few years, and
were much missed when they left us for some other perhaps as
needy field. It was not long however, before Mrs. Hammond, a fine
organist and leader came to our rescue; and I feel like her
excellent services should be remembered and receive our renewed
appreciation. About this time we began to have regular choir
practices, conducted by Mr. Thad Hatten, whom we still have with
us, and I am sure we all appreciate his interest in our music
which has extended through so many years of our christian
history. For the period of a few years following, our music was
managed by so many different parties that it is impossible for me
to trace it with even a fair degree of exactness. I remember that
Miss Mary Lingenfelter, (now Mrs. Glen of Michigan,) and Miss
Bettie Cromwell (now Mrs. Geisler,) gave it considerable
attention, each one at differtnt times presiding as the organ,
and they were both good and faithful helpers. Then came your
humble servant, and although I realize in a weak manner, led the
music for about fifteen years. And all this time, and up to the
present time it has indeed been a labor of love with me, and my
only regret is my feeling of incompetency to help advance in this
line as we should. During Bro. Rhodes pastorate, his daughter
Miss Minnie Rhodes assumed the duties as organist, and aroused
considerable enthusiasm among the singers. About this time Bro.
McIntyre came to our assistance, and I do not fear contradiction
when I say that he was by far the most competent and faithful
leader that it has been our good fortune to have. I am sure the
church shall always feel that we owe him a debt of gratitude for
the time and talent he so generously gave us. We sincerely hope
that his labors with us are not yet ended. A few years ago, and
the time seems so short, we had with us a dear young lady who did
much toward the elevation of our church music, both by her
playing and by the aid of her sweet voice, which we will hear no
more, until we are permitted to listen to the choir in heaven.
You perhaps know I speak of May Penn-Bently: we can almost
imagine we can hear her voice among those who are singing above.
After serving us a few years, she married and went far away; but
returned again and gave us another two years of valuable
assistance, then left us to return no more. Our present faithful
and efficient organist is Mrs. Minnie Pierce. She has been a
stand by for a number of years, and I know I speak for all the
church when I assert appreciation for her valuable services. We
would like to mention many, yes all of those who have ever
rendered assistance to the singing, and although it si impossible
to do so, we will mention two men who have recently been called
to their heavenly mansions, and whos e voices were for a long
time heard in the choir: they are Mr. Charles Hatten and Mr.
Charles Havens. Now, christian friends of this church, let us be
friends to our music, be helpers, and try to build up our
interest in this line, and I feel sure we will thereby prosper.
Hoping that we will endeavor to stride upward and not downward, I
remain Yours in Christ.
ROLL OF HONOR
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me 'Write,
blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea,
saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and
their works do follow them.' "
Ephraim Bane, Sarah Baylor, Mrs. May Penn BentleyJames Bobbitt,
Margaret Bobbitt, Martha Bobbitt, E. M. Bowlen, W. L. Butts
Melissa Cartmill, Amanda Catlett, Lucretia Catlett, Lydia
Catlett, William Clintman, Shadrack Collier, Margaret Cook, Bro.
Cooper, James Curran
James B. Ellege
Asa Fall
H. F. Gagnebin, Aaron Good,. Mrs. Aaron Good, Nellie Gray
Charles S. Hatten, Eliza C. Hatten, Josie Hatten, Nancy J.
Hatten, William D. Hatten, Charles Havens, Floretta Hiatt, Martha
Hiatt, Mary Hill, Elizabeth Howard
Elizabeth Latty, O. D. Lighthizer, L. Lingenfelter, Susan
Lingenfelter
Minerva McClusky, Elizabeth Moomaw, Mary Ann Morrison, Josie
Murphy
Dora Neese, Mrs. Nicholson, Sister Nicholson
Dr. J. N. Penn, Charlie Pickens, Mrs. Daniel Pickens, Jennie
Pickens
Sister Ray, Stephen Ray
Amanda Smith, Jane Smith, Levi Smith, Drusie Spittler, Nancy
Spratlen
Mary Taylor, Emily Throckmorton, Malinda Thompson, W. Thompson,
Nellie Townsend, T.C. Townsend
Mary J. Venable, George Voss
Dora Wade, B. Williams, Levi Wilson
Ladies Missionary Society. By Mrs. A. V. Penn
I shall certainly not read this little sketch, very imperfectly
written, of the work of the Women's Missionary Society of the
Sidney Baptist church, with any degree of pride in what we have
done in this line of work, but rather with humiliation and shame
than so many opportunites have been lost to advance the cause of
our matter, that our ears have been so often and much of the time
closed to the Macedonean's cry, "Come over and help
us." I presume our church, as a missionary Baptist
organization during the first twenty-nine years of its existence,
did not wholly disregard its obligations, but upon examining
associational minutes and back records so far as I have been able
to find them, I do not learn that the missionary work was taken
up by the sisters or that there had ever been such an
organization as "The Women's Missionary Circle" until
the year of 1881, the year that Bro. Best was settled as our
pastor. Sometime in the summer of that year Sister Hanley called
a meeting of the Sisters of the church at her home and as a
result of that meeting there was organized the first Women's
Missionary Society of our Sidney Baptist church, with Sister
Hanley as president and Miss Nettie Townsend, who has since died
in a far off island of the Pacific ocean, whither she had gone in
a fond hope of regaining her heath, as secretary. Only a few of
the Sisters were brought to feel an interest in the foreign
missions the first year. However, a few of us held regular
meetings and at the close of the year sent $18.00 to the foreign
fields. Our society grew in interest and number and in 1883, $35
was raised. In 1884 we fell back to $19.50. What caused this
falling off in our contirubutions I have been unable to find a
record. In 1885 our collections were $19.75. Sister Hanley
continued our president until l886. During the five years of her
leadership we held regular meetings most of the time, studying
the different countries where our missionaries were working.
These meetings were very pleasant, as well as profitable to those
who attended and we had sent at the close of five years $121.75
to the foreign mission board. At this time, deprived of our
devoted and patient leader we for two years alllowed our work to
stand still, or perhaps I had better say die and I find no record
of any meetings held or any money raised for that length of time.
Sister Wadley then took up the work with a few of us, and during
the year she was with us we made a contribution of $6.50 to
foreign missions. In the year 1889 Sister Jacobs became our
president, with Sister Emma Thompson, succeeded by Sister Flora
Penn as secretary, and during the years of '89 - '90 and '91, our
society although not many in members , held meetings quite
regularly at the home of president, taking up a regular course of
missionary study, and collected $54.00 for missions. The removal
of Bro. and Sister Jacobs from among us again left us without a
leader and I was very much surprised on examining the records to
find that I myself had tried in my weakness to fill the ofice of
president with my Sister Flora Penn continuing as secretary. I
realize what it would mean to a society to change from such a
consecrated and competent leadership as Sister Jacobs could give,
to one undertaken by myself. However in spite of all
discouragements there was collected during the years '92 and '93
to be divided between home and foreign misions $41.42. I have not
been able to find any record of anything accomplished by our
circle in the year 1894. On 1895, our dear Sister Lighthizer
became our president and one more spiritual or humble cound not
have been found to do the work at that time. She with the
assistance of Sister Scanland as secretary, again brought order
out of chaos and very interesting meetings were held with
tolerable regularity, for three years, with the exception of a
time during Bro. Lighthizer's sickness and death when she was
called upon to be away from Sidney. During these three years, our
colledtions amounted to $36.38. In the latter part of the year
1898, the Lord sent us our dear Sister Riches, always so faithful
and self-sacrificing, abounding in humility and patience. Through
her faithful efforts we were enabled to send for home and foreign
missions from the time she came among us to March 1901, $83.00.
At this time Sister Riches, on account of failing health was
obliged to give up the work as president and was succeeded by
Sister Hills who, with all other responsibilities heaped upon
her, and amid all discouragements has collected and sent to the
board for home and foreign missions $13.50. During the 21 years
since the organization of our society we have had seven different
presidents and nine secretaries, and have collected for missions
$206.80, an average of $14.60 a year. This summary is of course
not perfect owing to the fact that the records were not to be
found, for the years ;of 1886, 1887 and 1894. I feel that we
should have accomplished much more than we have, and pray that in
fifty years to come not one may be lost in doing something toward
spreading the glad tidings of salvation and that the one who
shall write a reminiscence to be read at the celebration of the
centennial anniversary of this church shall be able to swell the
contributions into the "thousands".
[submitted by W.F., Dec. 2003]