Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-07-23
BRIEF HISTORY
OF the Methodist Episcopal
Chrrch in Mineral Point.

VIM. Kendall and wife were the
first Methodists of whom we have
any authentic records. VIM. Ball
found them out and attended social
meetings with them at their home in
1884. In June, 1885, the class had
increased and comprised VIM. Ken.
dali and wife, John Wallis and wife,
Andrew Remfrey, VIM. Ball and
James Nan Carrow. With these
Elizabeth Thomas united in July,
1885.
ln the Autumn of 1855 James
Mitchell began preaching here occa-
sionally-not oftener than once in
three weeks In 1886 came Richard
Raney, who remained one year. Mr..
Haney was also public school teach
er as well as preacher. His salary
was 500 per year and travelling ex-
penses.
In 1887 II. w. Reed was appoint
ed to the mission, after having spent
two years in Dubuque. Mr.. Reed re.
mained only one year, but in little
while was made p. +. He became a
very useful and honored minister in
Iowa anG is now a ID. d. residing
near Baldwin, Kansas.
In 1888 Thomas c. Topaz was cir
cult preacher. In 1890 John Crum-
mer and John Hodges were the cir.
cult preachers. The circuit en-
braced what is now Dodgeville, and
Linden circuits and Lost Grove as
well as Mineral Point. In 1910 and
Al j. g. Whitford was circuit preach
er for two years. Under his labors
the church was built up greatly and
he was very popular
In l642 Washington Wilcox was
assigned to the charge. He imme-
diately prepared list of the mem
bers, which then numbered 90.
There was a powerful revival under
his pastorate. Simon Lanyon and
wife of this society were brought
into the church. Then are found
names since northumberland and
John Baker and Thos. Batten, of
Linden circuit, Philip Allen, Sr., and
! William Lanyon, now of the Prim-
tive Methodist church, VIM. Ben
nett and John Hoskin, of Dodge
vile, George Goldthorp, Nicholas,
Coad, James James, l'hos. Kinsmau,
James Briestley and William 4.
Phillips, who for years were earnest
workers in this society. OF the
ladies, Maria Priestley, Elizabeth
Thomas and Elizabeth Goldthorp
remain among us venerable in years.
The earliest preaching place was
log school house, which was badly
out of repair even in Haney's time.
Services were held in the old Court
House and in Mr.. Stevens house,
which now stands behind the GRADER
building. Early as possible steps
were taken to secure lot and build
a church, which was done between
1888 and l842. In l842 the church
was being used in an unfinished
condition. In 1916 the congregation
had outgrown the house and it was
enlarged. The sides of the old was
changed into the ends of the repair
ed church. A basement was built
under the south end, in which social
meetings and reyivals were held un-
til 1869 when the society moved in
to its present Sunday School rooms.
After Wilcox came T. M. Fuller
ton, remaining one year. Mr.. Full
lerton was very many years a very
prominent member of this confer
ence but is now an invalid.
In ls45 Rev. Elihu Springer be-
came pastor for one year. Mr..
Springer organized a Leaders Meet.
ing in which the affairs of the
charge were looked after In 1887 |
and later there was a Sunday School
when convenient place could be
had-oyer which Mr.. Kendall and |
others presided. But in 1912 the
school was permanently organized |
with Thos. Dayey as superintendent,
Geo. Goldthorp assistant supt., John
Wasley as secretary. 1t had full
corps of teachers and so scholars.
The superintendents in these 43
years were Dayy, Geo. Goldthorp-
VINO drove in every Sunday morning
from his farm in Lost Grove, seven
miles, to superintend the school and |
lead his class. 1t took heroism and |
devotion to drive IA miles every
Sunday, hot.or cold, wet or dry, over
such roads as they had, but he did !
it. Other superintendents have been |
Whitney Smith, James T. Pryor,
Charles Mitchell, VIM. Humbert and |
James Spcnsley for Q years or one
third of his life. During his super
intendency the school rose to the
font rank Of Methodist schools in
the state, position which it has
held since under the able superin-
tendency of VIM. II. Cnrry for four
years and DIR. Wingender for three
years. The school has member