Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1914-04-21

days in the week. But help came
SO that there were now six in the
family, three men and their wives
On April 1st Rev. Skinner was en-
gagged to preach for one year.
During this year there were four
additions to the church, two OF
whom were Joseph Fisher and wife
After the close of Rev. SINNERS
services, there was no regular
preaching until September LIST,
1862, when Rev. William H, Osborn
was engaged for one year, but was
retained for two years.
His is the first salary mentioned,
being $500, of which the home mis-
sion paid $3.50.
February Z, 1868, George Shipp
and wife and S. B. Rosenkrans unit
ed with the church. With these
recent additions, renewed life and
strength was given.
A new school house having been
built, the church on April 18th vot-
ed to buy the old one and fit it up
for place of worship.
On the 9th of April 1863, twenty
new members were received, among
whom were Sarah A. Arthur, John
Frank and wife, Martha A. Frank,
Francis Hillock, and John D. Howe
and wife. On the 4th of May,
David Eyer and wife became men,
bers.
May 30th the first election of Of
ficers was held. Those elected were:
Deacons-John R. Clark and John
D. Howe. Clerks. B. Rosenkrans.
Treasurer-John Frank.
1t is reported that George D.
Wheeler was elected deacon at the
time the church was organized.
On July 5th, John R. Clark was
installed deacon by the pastor. This
is the only installation of deacon
given.
December 1, 1873, John Frank,
Geo. Ship, J. D. Maxwell and 9TH
ers not named associated themselves
together for the purpose of organic
ing a corporation for church pur-
poses, and for establishing a church
society, and the erection of a house
of worship in Webster City, and
adopted articles of association. It
assumed as it's corporate name that
of "The First Congregational church
of Webster CITY," It's business was
to be managed by three trustees,
who should at all times be governed
by the instructions of the associa-
tion and was to be of perpetual ex-
istence. ~
The articles were signed by the
three named incorporators, who
were also the three trustees.
The acknowledgement was taken
before julius M. Jones, clerk of the
district court.
There is no mention made in the
church record of these articles of in
corporation, and it can only be as
sumed that the church membership
was the other incorporators not
named and that the present board
of trustees are the successors of the
named incorporators.
In after years the corporate name
of First church has been used. J.
D. Maxwell, one of the incorpora-
tors, did not become a member of
the church until 1874, eleven years
after.
The new meeting house, as it was
called, was ready for use and SER
vices held in it in January, 1864. 1t
was situated on the lot, where was
afterward built the residence of
Deacon George Shipp.
OSptSluOCl l., 1OOf, q tdll w do GA
tended to Rev. William F. Harvey,
who began his services as pastor in
October, and remained for six years.
During his pastorate many changes
were made in the rules for church
government, among which were the
adoption of new articles of faith and
covenant.
February 2, 1867, the quarterly
communion was established, to be
held on the first Sabbath in jan
uary, April, July and October.
At a meeting held December %,
1868, was elected the first board of
trustees by the church, five years
after the corporate trustees were
named. At the meeting the first
move was made toward building a
new church. January 5, 1869, a
building committee was appointed
composed of the following persons:
Henry Mckee, Hiram Zelie, Jess R..