|
Mills County, Iowa Churches
-- Waubonsie Church --
THE WAUBONSIE CHURCH was the first Religious Organization in Mills County; Historical
Sketch by Rev. Peter Jacobs, the Pastor.
That Methodism was the pioneer among the Protestant churches to organize their societies in Mills county is evident
by its history. The church of today is a continuation of that splendid beginning. Ours has been a continued existence
for 57 years. There was no Glenwood in that early day; the little village of that vicinity was then known as Coonville.
The first Gentile preachers in Mills county were Cannon and Witten, missionaries of the Methodist Church. They
came from Missouri. Services were held in a log cabin at the head of a hollow about half way between Glenwood and
Hillsdale on the old Abe Thomas farm, now owned by Newton Reasoner. They delivered the first Protestant sermon
given in the county. A two weeks meeting was held in December, 1849. The probabilities are they organized a class,
but nothing very definite relative to its history is known. Mr. Cannon took a claim where J.P. King now lives;
he gave it to James Folden, but James was too slow and another jumped it. Among those who were regular attendants
at the log cabin services were: J.L. and Nancy Burger, Abraham and Sarah Burger, Wilson and Adeline Bomar.
The history of the Waubonsie church naturally divides itself into four periods as follows: Log cabin, log school
house, old church, present church. The next period to consider is the Log school house period.
In the latter part of 1850 a definite organization was effected under the leadership of William Simpson, a cousin
of the famous Bishop Mathew Simpson. Services were held about every two weeks in a log school house situated on
what is now the Manford Linville farm. Those who attended services here well remember the large old fashioned fire
place. Mr and Mrs. George Folden of the present membership is the only one now who hold a like relation in that
early organization. Mr. Folden still has two books which he purchased of Bro. Simpson, they were, "The Memory
of Galilee" and "The Ohio Penitentiary".
Mr. Folden also has a class book which dates back to 1851, the same year in which the county was organized. The
work was then known as a part of the Council Bluffs Mission. The first record of preaching was made Dec. 13, 1851.
The Organization at that time had a membership of 42. Solomon T. Kesterson joined the society Jan. 30, 1852. Several
transfers to Coonville are noted. By Sept. 5, 1852, the membership had increased until it numbered 101. Among those
who died in 1852 were Henrietta Troth, Hannah Wolfe, Hannath Troth, Isaac Troth and Hannah Rains. In January of
1854 the following record is found; " George Anthony died in the faith.". On April 3, 1853, a quarterly
meeting was held but no particulars are given. Nov. 27, 1853, a quarterly meeting was held at Sidney.
Other transfers noted during this period were to Prairie Hollow.
Those were pioneer days when travel was by stage and by wagon drawn by oxen. The territory was at first called
the "New purchase from the Indians". Deer, Antelope and wild turkey were plentiful and kept the winter
larder well supplied. The Indians inhabiting this region were the Otoes and Pottawattamies who were of a rather
peaceful disposition.
The organization at the school house preceded the first issue of a newspaper in the county by about six years.
It was 17 years before train service was enjoyed.
The Class Leaders, a very prominent feature of Methodism in that day, were as follows:
1852, William Kesterson
1852-3, Dr. John Scott
1853, Nicholas Anthony
1854, James Folden
1855, William Mc Pherron
Other prominent characters still remembered, were the exhorters and head preachers. Elder Peter Cooper had the
distinction of conducting the first funeral service in Anderson township, that of Augustus Richards, who was buried
in the Farm Creek graveyard. In 1852 Rev. Abraham Towner officiated at the marriage of John Wolfe and Julia Kesterson.
Rev. Townder lived on what is now the Homer Kier farm. He rendered valuable service to the church as a local preacher.
Two more names whos lives and services were interwoven in the history of that age were "Father" Mann
and Uncle Billy Rector.
The Old Church - In 1854 the first church building was erected on the present site. The land was given by Wm. Wolf.
The church never was dedicated. Rev. Isaac Kelly was the pastor.
Prominent among its builders were William. Wolf, Thomas Burns, Greenbury Jones, James. Folden, Eli Withrow and
Robert Withrow.
The lumber was sawed at the Wm. Wolfe mill. Part of the first church is now a portion of the residence of Grandma
Eliza Wolf.
At one time smallpox broke out in the community and this building was used as a pest house.
The first funeral service in this building was held in April, 1857, and Arthur Boyd, the son of S. and N. Boyd
was the first burial in the present cemetery.
Waubonsie responded nobly to our country's need during 1861-5, and many of our church offered themselves upon the
altars of service. Some are sleeping beneath the southern sod while not a few returned to find their last resting
place amid the scenes of childhood and youth.
The present church was built in 1886 after the big revival of the fall of 1884. Amos Dean was the architect and
builder. It was dedicated by presiding elder W.T. Smith. Rev. Morrow was pastor.
In 1905-6, under Rev. Peter Jacobs' pastorate the church was painted and plastered, the old seats were replaced
by better ones, and other small improvements were made involving a total expenditure of nearly $325.00
Waubonsie has had no small part in supplying material for the ministry.
This is her record:
Methodist- Andy Folden, William Folden, Joe Newell, Simpson Withrow, Eli Withrow, Henry Hubbard, and Lafe Wolf.
United Brethern- James Hurst, S.S. Commonds, Ileve Lemmonds and Robert Kesterson
Baptists- John Newell.
Christian, John Plumer
Waubonsie church has experienced three big revivals. The first was in the Log school house under WIlliam Simpson.
The second was in the Old church under Rev. Hughes. "Little Hughes" they called him. The last great meeting
was during the winter of 1884. It lasted eleven weeks and stirred the country for miles around, resulting in several
emarkable conversions.
Besides Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Folden already mentioned, Mrs. W.E. Utterback of Fairview and Mrs. Nancy Merrit of Glenwood
were members of the Log school house society.
This was the end of Rev. Peter Jacobs writing. Later Mr Amos Jensen wrote something similar, using the nearly the
exact words but much was changed and in error so I won't present his writings.
He added the following at the end of his writings:
The last funeral in the old church was Mrs. Hannah Kesterson, Oct. 13, 1886, by M.L. Wolf. The first funeral in
the new church was Daisy Lambert, Dec. 13, 1886, by Robert Kesterson.
Footnote: During recent years the church was not used and appeared for sale on county tax rolls. It was purchased
by Dr. Joe and Dr. Marianne Giangreco and legally donated to Lyons Township, Mills County, Iowa in 1996. Restoration
of the church is progressing while being used as a community center. Waubonsie Church is available for appropriate
activities, such as weddings, funerals, family reunions, clubs, special services and programs.
|