Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-22

was eSCaDlSnedt IN this city over nalf
century ago. Scores of ministers
served in this charge during the early
days when Ottumwa was but strug-
Cling village, holding services in Indi-
an wigwams, rude huts and log houses.
The church prospered from year
to year, and many changes have been
made to secure better quarters. To-
day the church has one of the most
magnificent houses of worship in the
state, and enjoys larger member
chip than any other Protestant church
IN the city. In recent years there
have been comparatively few changes
in the pastorate.a and in these few
years the church has made great
strides; a church parsonage has been
erected at a cost of over $4,000, a
large addition has been built to the
edifice, at cost OF over $4,000, "a
new pipe organ has heen installed, and
the entire structure has been remodel
ed along modern lines. j.
First Sermon in County. e If
Methodism dates in Ottumwa from
.1S43. The second Sabbath in June of
that year, Rev, M. Jamison crossed the
.Des Moines river near Ottumwa in an
Indian canoe, and preached in Chief
Wapello's wigwam. the first sermon
ever preached in the new purchase.
During this month he built house in
Ottumwa, and before the roof was on
he called a congregation together and
preached in it, the first sermon that
was ever preached in Ottumwa.
The Des Mones Mission.
In the fall of that year (1S43), the
Des Moines Mission was constituted.
Q pioneer field, covering the scattered
settlements in Wapello and Mahaska
counties, and Rev. T. NJ. Kirkpatrick
was sent to it as the first appointed
preacher from the conference. Du-
ring the year he preached but few ser
mons in Ottumwa. as there was no or
gained society in the town. The first
service was held in the tavern of Da-
vid Hall. This was in log cabin on
Main street (north side), about mid
way between Court and Market
streets. From that time preaching
was kept UP regularly, part of the
time at the residence of Peter Bar
net, and afterward in the old frame
court house (situated where the j. w.
Eagerly & Co. wholesale drug store
] now stands)
The First Class.
The first class formed in the town
was organized by Brother kirkpatrick
soon after he commenced preaching
here, and consisted of: Heeman p.
Graves, leader, Mrs. Harriet Graves,
Mrs. Lydia Brandenburg, Mr.. and Mrs.
Washington Williams, Martha Will
Hams, Mr.. and Mrs. Paul G. Jeffries,
Mrs. Sarah Lewis, Mr.. and Mrs. H. B.
Hendershott, Mr.. and Mrs. Peter Bar
net, Mrs. JOS. Hayne, Miss Sarah
Burge, and Mr.. and Mrs. John 9. Ev-
ans. ,9
The Iowa Conference.
In 1874 the Iowa conference was or
ganized. The country above Ottumwa
was formed into the Eddyville district
while the Des Moines Mission was
! confined to the country below and
around Ottumwa. At this conference
Rev. M. Jamison was sent as presid
ing elder, and served from 1874 to
1847. Under his administration thu
: following pastors were sent:
1S45--B. H. Russell and A. G.
Pierce, pastors.
1846-Jos Ockerman, pastor.
1847 to 1851. l. Stewart. presid
/. Ing elder.
1847-J. B. Hardy, pastor.
IS 1848--Joel Harrington, pastor.
1870 ohm Hayden, pastor.
1 u .1S49 to 1852--Andrew Coleman, pre-
siding elder.
1s5O-John Hayden, pastor.
1851-Laban Case, pastor.
1852 to 1851. T. Rowley, pastor
III 1852 to 1854--M. H. Hare, presid
ing elder.
ottumwa District Formed.
I'm the year 1854 an Ottumwa dis
trict was formed with Joseph Brook
as elder. He was for several years al
forwards editor of the Central Advo
cate at st. Louis, and figured largel.
both in the army and in the recon
struction history Of Arkansas, wher
he died. In 1856 the Ottumwa dis
trict was divided into the Abba an
n Oskaloosa districts. Ottumwa fel
to the latter with Rev. w. Simpson a
presiding elder. Under his admins
tration a supply was sent, but hi
name is not known. He reported /
membership of 107.
The Pastors and Elders.
In this year Ottuwmwa was forme
4 into a station. In 1855 Ottumwa wa
changed to the Abba district and wa
served by the following:
1859 ). L. Hammond, presiding e
der.
1a56-- A. G. Mcdonald, pastor.
: l857-Anthony Robinson, pastor.
1857. w. Evans, pastor.
1859 to 1S62-M. H. Hare presiding e
4 der.
Soon after the conference of 1856
Mr.. Hare went to the army as chal
lain ard his place was filled by Re
James Haynes. Following Mr.. Hayne
the church was served by the follow
h ing:
1851. A. Broderick, pastor.
1Se0-David Worthington, pastor.
1861--W. J. Spaulding, pastor.
1863 to 1855 - James Haynes, pr
siding elder.
8. 62--George H. Clark, pastor.
1863-4-E - w. F. Cowles, pastor.
1366-E. H. Waring, pastor.
1S66-W. c. Shipper, presiding {
der.
1867 to 1869 - Anthony Robinso
nresidfnp elder M III