The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-06-26

has been voted out by large majority
for the last thirty years. When in 1902
Eagle Lake village concluded to incorpor-
ate its village officers Immediately put
in a saloon. LeRay has been noted for
its large number of temperance men
such as the Rev. c. d. Cook, H. Cumnfins,
A. H. Presnall, NJ. C. Pressnall, P. H..
Kelly and Chas. Wagner In the town
ship NJ. Y. Hoagland, Ira B. Reynolds, A.
Douglas, c. c. Long and others. LeRay
has been well represented in the many
county and state offices. Horace
held in April, 1860, and the same officers
Cummins, 0. Harvey, Chas Bennett, and
Nels Nyquist have represented it in the
legislature and James Ewing as county
treasurer p X. Johnson, the founder of
the city of Mankato, represented this
part of the county i'll the Legislature in
1857, forty eight years ago.
Religious History.
The following history of the formation
and work of the Methodist Episcopal
church is copied from the Historical His
tory as recorded by Rev. n. Foot in the
church records of Eagle Lake circuit,
October 6, 1885,
The first information that | have been
able to procure in reference to this work
dates back to the fall of 1864. At that
, time Miss Hattie Britt conducted pray
Ell meeting each week. In the year 1865
Ira B. Reynolds moved to LeRay town
ship, Blue Earth county. Soon after his
arrival Miss Britt turned over the pray
er meeting to him. Bro. Reynolds from
that time until the fall of 1867, held
meetings for prayer and experience,
without any regular organization. There
being quite number of Methodists
among those who took part in the meet
ings, and being anxious to have regular
preaching Bro Reynolds was requested
to call upon the Rev. David Tice, pastor
in charge of Mankato circuit Brother
Reynolds presented his letter to Brother
Tice stating the case and was appointed
leader and licensed to exhort. A class
was formed consisting of Ira B. Rey-
nolds, leader, Susan \. Reynolds, Martha
Reynolds, Geo Reynolds, Mrs. Turner,
Miss Hattie Britt, and Miss Carrie Britt.
Nothing further was heard from Brother
Tice. Brother Reynolds continued doing
the best possible until the fall of 1867,
when the Rev. J. w. Powell called upon
Brother Reynolds and informed him that
he had been appointed to this work and
decided to organize a new circuit. Rev.
Powell entered Immediately upon the
work and on the 2Sth day of December,
1867, the first quarterly conference was
held at Winnebago Agency, Rev. Norris
Hobart, p. E. There were present Rev.
y. W. Powell, Clark Dickerson and L.
Taber local preachers, Ira B. Reynolds,
exhorter, d. C. Weston and w. Casper
The circuit was organized as the Agency
circuit The classes reported were as
follows; Eagle Lake, Agency, Baldwin,
Cob River, Reeder's School house, Rey-
nolds School house, and Beddle's Grove.
Preachers salary as per estimating COM
mittee, 5000. Presiding Elders claim,
$50 Brother Powell was followed by
Rev. j. R. Andrews, L. p Smith, John
Kerns and ]. N. Henry. In 1874, the
name of the circuit was changed to Man.
kato circuit In 1875, Rev. j. w. Powell
returned to this work. That winter
there was quite an extended revival at
Eagle Lake, Reynolds school house and
Smiths Mill. Brother Powell was ably
assisted by Brother John Crimson and
l. B. Reynolds. A large number was
added to the church. In the summer and
fall of 1873 the parsonage was built at
Eagle Lake. In the fall of 1878, Rev. c.
ID. Cook was appointed to this circuit.
During the pastorate of Brother Cook
the church at Eagle Lake was built. The
people were anxious for a place to wor-
ship God and were willing to sacrifice to
procure it. Brother Cook went to work
nobly assisted by the people. To ac
complish their desire they did sacrifice,
some selling COW, others mortgaging
their horses, etc., to meet their demands
The church was inclosed, painted, seated
and occupied until $780, The cost of the
church to date, foundation $3.50, lum-
Der, ETC., $l265, total $l,349.50. In the
fall of 1880, Rev. R. ID. Price was APP
pointed to this work. Brother Price i'm.
mediately had the church plastered hard
finish. This with some repairs and other
improvements amounted to about 1915.
In the fall of 1881, the Rev. j. S. Bean
was appointed by the conference to this
circuit. During the pastorate of Brother
Bean some repairs were made, church
wainscoted and indebtedness reduced
$4,000, leaving a mortgage on the church
OF Sl70 at ten per cent with one years
interest unpaid. In October, 1888, Rev.
n. B. Foot was sent to this work
The first child born in the town of
LeRay was George L. Burgess, son of
j. J.. Burgess and Marandy Burgess, born