Mexico weekly ledger., 1915-03-11

This church had its beginning
on the 18th Of November, 1868,
in what was known as the St
Clair, or Prairie, school house,
later as the Kerr school house,
and finally as the Bolts school
house, from its being situated on
the farm of T. A. Bolts, which
is three miles due east of Moline.
Here the congregation continued
to worship until the erection Of
the present church building, sit
uated about a mile west of the
school house. The latter, no
longer used for school purposes,
is still standing although erect
ed prior to 1860.
Rev. W. W. Robertson by sp-
pointment of Missouri Presby-
terry organized the church, the
following being the charter
members:
Alvin Powell, Julia Powell,
Eliza p. Logan, Mary A. Grips,
Eliza r. Azdell, Jacob Barnes,
Ellen A. Barnes, R. G. Galbraith,
W. S. Hayes, Mamie Hagan W.
C. Drake, Mary j. Drake, II. E.
Drake, r. B. Kerr, Bette E.
Kerr, J. j. Beagles, D.
". Sumner, T. A. Bolts, Virginia
Bolts, j. f. Bolts, Susan J. Bolts,
j. c. Heller, Mary Heller, Isaac
Miller, Bette Miller, Mary Spots
wood, Elizabeth Beam, Rebeccs
Heller, VIM. Kerr. Sarilda
Kerr, Vienna Kerr, Vindia Bridg-
ford, Elvira Kerr, Mary Elliott,
Sallie Hubbard, Mary NJ. Bolts,
John Wallace, B. Turpin, Mary
f. Turpin, Minerva Turpin, Is
of whom are still living.
At the organization R. B. Kerr
and Isaac Miller were chosen
ruling elders, and Alvin Powell,
deacon. In 1869 Jos. Stewart
was chosen elder. In 1871 J. j.
Beagles, deacon. About 1876 j.
F. Bolts, elder. Some time prior
to 1880 Jacob Barnes, elder.
About same date G. A. Wilson
and Scott Hays, deacons. W. NJ.
Steffins also served as deacon in
the early eighties.
Oct. 81, 1891, during a meet
ing held by DR.. Thos. Drew, the
following officers were elected,
ordained and installed: G. A.
Wilson, Ruling Elder; T. C. Hen
derson, d.. D. Gray, NJ. H. Ne
Cue, Robt. B. Kerr, J. A. Bolts,
Deacons. Nov. 18th, 1897, 7. c.
Henderson, NJ. H. McCue and G.
A Beamer were elected, ordain-
ed and installed ruling elders,
and j. Frank Beam, deacon.
The present session is composed
of the following: G. A. Wilson,
n. C. Henderson, Thos. c. Bolts
and W, II. McCue. The board of
deacons, R. B. Kerr, sMarston
Beamer, j. A. Bolts and Jos. B.
Wilson,
The first minister to serve the
church was Rev. j.. NJ. Travis.
who was followed by Revs. W.
W. Robertson, J. V. Banks, C. Il.
Paxson, II. p. S. Willis, c. ].
Heiskell, r. NJ. Carson, i. f.
Lynn, H.. NJ. Sydenstricker. S. B.
Ervine, G. A. McPheeters. W.
Beal, 0. l.. Byrns, r.. L. Moser.
ii. B. Banks, and students from
Westminster College have
preached from time to time dur.
ing their vacations. Drs. Jno
+. Cowan and A. A. Wallace also
have been more or less identified
with the life of Bethel and are
gratefully remembered for then
frequent visits. DR.. Cowan hav.
ing often instructed the church
In doctrinal matters and held
protracte7 meetings, and DR.
Wallace, both in the home Of sor
row and in the pulpit, lending
his sympathetic services to those
who were bereft of their friends
To the original 43 member,
PA have been added, SO by let
ter and 179 on confession. max
ing a total of 275 who at on,
time or another have cast in theil
lot with Bethel church.
The money contributed lasf
year for all purposes amounts t.
$626, as follows: Missions, $1O7
education, $50; Sunday schoo
extension, S.; orphans, $40; 10
cal, $474, all of which is a fan
average of what is given yearly
The following are the names o,
all who have been received sine,
the organization. They are giver
IN the order Of their reception:
Annie hurry, Mrs. H. Galbraitb
Lizzie Shoultry, Carrie Galbraith. Liz
ne Hays, Sarah Cripps, Mar,
GrlDps, }. ID. Judy, T. c.. Henderson
LA Hubbard, Ollie Hagan. JenniI
Beagles' Leonia Kerr, Lizzie Bolts
REUBEN CANTERBURY DEAD
Reuben N. Canterbury died at hi,