I 
 
Division 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/historyofupperioOOfell 
 
HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Upper Iowa Conference 
 
 OF THE 
 
 Metkodist Episcopal Ckurck 
 
 1856-1906 
 
 STEPHEN NORRIS FELLOWS. D. D. 
 
COPYRIGHT, 1907, 
 BY 
 
 vS. N. FELLOWS, D. 
 
FOREWORD 
 
 The ability to write history is a divine "gift" though not 
 enumerated by St. Paul among the gifts of the spirit. It requires 
 patient perseverance in gathering material, discriminating judg- 
 ment in sifting and selecting facts, power of condensed and lucid 
 expression in an interesting literary style. While the historian 
 must be a man with a larger vision than his theme, he must have 
 an intimate knowledge both of the men and the times about which 
 he writes and of those for whom he writes. But even more neces- 
 sary is a sympathetic candor and fairness in both the narration 
 of the past and the appeal to the present. For want of such a 
 man many an interesting chapter in human history must ever 
 remain a blank, or be sadly unappreciated. 
 
 The Upper Iowa Conference is signally fortunate in having 
 such a man in the person of Rev. S. N. Fellows. When, in 1904 
 it was decided to celebrate the Semi-Centennial of its organiza- 
 tion the Conference turned as one man to him as the person most 
 eminently fitted to place in permanent form the story of the 
 labors and struggles of those who planted Methodism in North- 
 eastern Iowa. He has been in the "effective" ranks since the 
 organization of the Conference. He has known personally, well 
 nigh every member, and he has been known and honored by all. 
 A minister of Christ devoted to his Church, a Methodist who loves 
 Methodist history and traditions; an educator who, in twenty- 
 six years in the colleges, has been a moulder of manhood' and a 
 maker of history; a man of wisdom, gladly looked to as a counselor 
 by young and old ; a scholar with the gifts and spirit of a real his- 
 torian, — to Dr. S. N. FeUows the Conference felt that it could 
 commit this historfcal task with perfect confidence that it would 
 be well done. 
 
 The Semi-Centennial Commission, appointed by the Confer- 
 ence to co-operate in the publication of the book, have done their 
 work, and now, in the hope that it wUl meet with a hearty and 
 appreciative reception, the "History of the Upper Iowa Confer- 
 ence" is presented to the Conference and the public. 
 
 'E. J. LocKWOOD, Chairman. 
 L. C. Clahk, Secretary. 
 Commission <^ Wm. Lease. 
 
 B. C. Barnes. 
 W. W. Carlton. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 The preparation of the following pages has been one of diffi- 
 culty and of delicacy. Early circuits were hundreds of miles in 
 extent and were named from groves, prairies, creeks and rivers, 
 where earliest settlements were made. Names of circuits were 
 frequently changed as settlements changed in size and impor- 
 tance. The first preaching places were cabins and school houses, 
 that have long since disappeared. The subsequent building of 
 railroads completely changed the centers of population and caused 
 a removal of primitive country churches to railroad towns. Be- 
 sides, there is an almost entire absence of written records of the 
 earliest times. All these conditions add greatly to the difficulty 
 of the study of that early history. 
 
 So far as is known to him, the writer has availed himself of 
 all reliable sources of true history. He would acknowledge his 
 indebtedness to the records and papers of the Conference Histori- 
 cal Society, the journals of the Conference, the "Battle Field 
 Reviewed" by Landon Taylor, "The Makers of Early Iowa 
 Methodism " by A. W. Haines of the Iowa Conference, and the 
 addresses of E. H. Waring of the Iowa Conference, and R. W. 
 Keeler of the Upper Iowa Conference. The work has been one of 
 collection, selection, and condensation. The writer has freely ap- 
 propriated language where it seemed fitting, and sought only 
 to give the largest amount of true history within the limits of the 
 small volume desired. He would prefer that instead of a history 
 it should be called an historical sketch, or a contribution to the 
 history of Methodism within the Upper Iowa Conference. He 
 does not hope or expect the volume to be without errors ; but he 
 does hope and believe that these errors will neither be many nor 
 serious. 
 
The preparation of this history has been a labor of love. 
 Nearly all whose names appear on its pages were personally known 
 by the writer, and many, very many, he counted as his personal 
 friends. The writing has recalled many incidents, both pleasing 
 and sad. 
 
 It is hoped that this writing will serve to rescue some worthy 
 names from unmerited oblivion, to give the present and future 
 generations a more just appreciation of the great leaders of the 
 Conference in the formative period of its history, to increase the 
 "esprit de corps" of the Conference, and to inspire the preach- 
 ers of to-day to seek the spirit and emulate the zeal of the fathers. 
 
 The writer trusts that this volume, written by request of the 
 Conference, and probably his last work for the Conference, will 
 be as charitably received as have been his former labors. 
 
 With a prayer for the blessing of God upon all who may 
 peruse its pages and upon the Conference in whose interest it has 
 been written, this volume is affectionately submitted by 
 
 The Author. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 FOREWORD 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 The Planting of Methodism in Iowa, 1833 to 1839 9-20 
 
 Dubuque — Burlington— Rockingham — Davenport 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 The Iowa District, 1839 to 1844 21-28 
 
 Henry Summers, the first Presiding Elder — Extent of Dis- 
 trict—Old Time Quarterly Meetings 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 
 Thb Iowa Conference, 1844 to 1856 29-39 
 
 First Appointments — Rapid Extension of the Churches— Re- 
 quest for Division — Pioneer Travels and Hardships 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 
 The First Year of the Upper Iowa Conference 40-52 - 
 
 First Appointments — Leaders in the Conference— Typical 
 Experiences 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 Higher Education 53-64 
 
 Policy of the Conference — Founding and Growth of Cornell 
 College, Upper Iowa University and Epworth Seminary 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 
 Church Extension 65-71 
 
 Origin of this Movement, both in the Conference and the 
 General Church— A. J. Kynett. 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 
 Boundaries 72-80 
 
 Establishment of Boundaries of the Conference — Efforts to 
 Change Boundaries 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 
 Patriotism and Moral Reform 81-89 
 
 Loyalty of the Conference in the Civil War— Resolutions on 
 Slavery, Temperance, the Sabbath and Tobacco 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 
 Bbnevolences and the Superannuates 90-96 
 
 Aggregate of Collections in Fifty Years— Superannuates' 
 Claims — Mutual Aid Society — Claimant Fund 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 
 Organizations of the Church 97-101 
 
 Woman's Foreign Missionary Society — Woman's Home Mis- 
 sionary Society — Epworth League 
 
 CHAPTER XI 
 
 Biographical Sketches 102-152 
 
 Ministers and Laj-men 
 
 CHAPTER XII 
 
 Statistical Tables 153-159 
 
 Date of Organization of Churches— A Half-Century's Mem- 
 bership — Sessions of the Conference 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 
 Record of Officials 160-166 
 
 List of Presiding Elders— Delegates to the General Confer- 
 ence — Delegates to the Aecumenical Conference 
 
 CHAPTER XIV 
 
 Roll of the Dead and Widows of Deceased Members -..167-173 
 
 CHAPTER XV 
 
 Historical Register 174-183 
 
 An Alphabetical List of Former Members of the Conference 
 Who Severed Their Connection with the Confer- 
 ence Other-w4se Than by Death 
 
 CHAPTER XVI 
 
 Ministerial Record 184-217 
 
 A Complete record of the name of charges served and years 
 of service of every living member of the Conference 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 
 Methodism in Iowa 218-221 
 
 A comparative view of all the Conferences in the state, in re- 
 spect to ministers, members, chm-ches and institu- 
 tions of learning, including a summary showing 
 the strength of Methodism in Iowa 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII 
 
 Semi-Centennial Celebration 222-260 
 
 A brief account of the celebration and the addresses of S. N. 
 Fellows and T. E. Fleming 
 
EARLV IOWA METHODISIM 
 
 9 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE PLANTING OF METHODISM IN IOWA 
 
 Prior to 1833, the Indians roamed in undisputed possession 
 of all territory north of the State of Missouri and west of the Missis- 
 sippi River. For centuries these beautiful prairies had lain in vir- 
 gin loveliness untouched by the hand of civilized man. These 
 prairies and small native groves that skirted the water courses had 
 been the home of the buffalo and the deer. 
 
 In February, 1833, at the close of the "Black Hawk War", 
 a treaty was formed with the Indians by which was acquired the 
 "Black Hawk Purchase. " This consisted of a strip of land about 
 fifty miles wide along the west shore of the Mississippi River and 
 extending fi:om the Turkey River on the north to the Missouri line 
 on the south. The new territory thus acquired was not yet named 
 Iowa, but was known as the "Black Hawk Purchase." 
 
 For many years the fame of the beautiful valleys, groves and 
 rivers, the fertile prairies covered with nutritious grass and bril- 
 liant with wild flowers, had reached the distant east. Thousaiids 
 of people were waiting impatiently for the removal of the red man 
 from such a fair land. When on June 1, 1833, "Black Hawk 
 Purchase" was opened to settlement by the whites, almost im- 
 mediately the white top emigrant wagons lined the roads leading 
 to this land of promise. On account of scarcity of fuel, building 
 material and water, it was generally believed that the vast prairies 
 were practically uninhabitable. Hence the first settlements were 
 made along the Mississippi River and in the valleys of tributaries 
 wliose banks were usually skirted with native groves. The home 
 seekers sought not only for the best springs, timber, and farm 
 locations but also for minerals, town sites, and water power. 
 Before the close of 1833, there was a population of four or five 
 
lO 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 hundred in the vicinity of the "Spanish lead mines", a town site 
 was selected and this first village of Iowa was called Dubuque. A 
 pioneer thus describes the village during the winter of 1833 and 1834 : 
 
 "The valley resounded to the woodman's axe; the sturdy 
 oak fell before them on every side. The branches were used for 
 fuel, and of the trunks were constructed rude log cabins without 
 doors or windows. Three openings served for the entrance of 
 light and the settlers, and the egress of the smoke. The winter 
 of that year (1833-34) shut us in from all communication with 
 the outside world, with a short supply of provisions, and not a 
 woman in the settlement. There was plenty of whiskey, and the 
 demon intemperance stalked everywhere during the long winter 
 evenings and short bleak days. The cholera claimed many vic- 
 tim?, and the sick lay down and died with no gentle hand to nurse 
 them, no medical aid to relieve, and no kindred or friends to mourn 
 their untimely fate. We had no mails, no government, and were 
 subject to no restraint of law or society. Drinking and gambling 
 were universal amusements, and criminals were only amenable 
 to the penalties inflicted by Judge I^ynch, from whose summary 
 decrees there was no appeal. In the spring of 1834 a transient 
 steamer came up from Saint Louis bringing provisions, groceries, 
 goods and newspapers. A few women also came to join their 
 husbands, and from that time on we began to exhibit some ele- 
 ments of civilization. " 
 
 The writer of the above failed to note that wnthin the village 
 he described was a pioneer Methodist itinerant preacher, a brave 
 heroic man, who, regularly on the Sabbath day, preached Christ 
 and Him crucified to the rough miners of that primitive village 
 and vicinity. 
 
 At the session of the Illiniois Conference, held September 25, 
 1833, Barton H. Randall and John T. Mitchell were appointed to 
 the "Galena and Dubuque Mission." John Sinclair as presiding 
 
EARLY IOWA METHODISM 
 
 II 
 
 elder of the Chicago District, superintended a vast field, extend- 
 ing from Chicago, then a village of about five hundred inhabi- 
 tants, south to Peoria and west to Galena and Dubuque. Elder 
 Sinclair visited Galena, but he did not that year extend his visit 
 to Dubuque. 
 
 Randall and Mitchell arrived in the village of Dubuque on 
 November 6. 1S33. and on the evening of the same day, Randall 
 preached in the tavern of Mr. J. M. Harrison, situated on the pres- 
 ent site of Hotel Julien. This sermon is believed to be the first 
 preached on loAva soil. On the following evening, Mitchell preach- 
 ed the second sermon in the same place. On account of diffi- 
 culty in crossing the Mississippi River, the mission was soon prac- 
 tically divided, Mitchell remaining at Galena and Randall taking 
 charge of the new work in Dubuque. For awhile Randall remain- 
 ed at the tavern; but finding his surroundings unpleasant, he 
 sought "a more quiet place to read, think, pray, write, sleep and 
 eat; and procured an upper room in an unfurnished warehouse 
 for a preaching place. " He fitted up a shanty for his house where 
 he coidd enjoy his own '" boughtenfeed ". During the winter of 
 1833-34, he preached regularly to the rough miners of Dubuque, 
 and established several appointments near by. At Peru, four 
 miles above Dubuque, he preached in a billiard hall which was 
 prepared as described by a witness: "The table was shoved to 
 the wall, the trapezium neatly covered by a cloth, the balls rolled 
 into the sockets, and the mace rods carefully concealed. The 
 people gathered in to see and to hear what the preacher woidd do 
 in a billiard room. " The table resembled a coffin and Mr. Ran- 
 dall proceeded to preach the funeral sermon of the place, and had 
 the satisfaction to learn "that the devil never returned to remove 
 his traps." The place was sold and the proceeds applied to re- 
 ligious uses. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1834, "being urged thereto by certain 
 
12 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 friendly sinners," Randall undertook the erection of a meeting 
 house in Dubuque, the first of its kind in Iowa. The subscrip- 
 tion paper describes it as, "a hewn log house, 20 by 26 feet in 
 the clear, one story ten feet high, upper and lower floors; to be 
 pointed with lime and sand; and batten door; four twenty light 
 and one twelve light windows. Cost estimated for completing 
 in good style, $255.00. " (The original subscription paper, with 
 signatures, is preserved in a neat frame covered with glass, in the 
 Historical Library of the State University at Iowa City, a 
 facsimile of which, reduced in size, and also a view of the log 
 church itself, is herewith inserted.) 
 
 Work on this building was commenced June 23, 1834, and 
 under date of July 25, following, it is recorded : " Raised the meet- 
 ing house with a few hands and without any spirits of any kind. " 
 This was doubtless a notable exception to the common usage of 
 the place and time. A "two days meeting" was held in it as 
 soon as completed. Over his success, Randall, the Iowa Pioneer, 
 was jubilant. "Well done!" he exclaimed, "to collect money, 
 build a splendid meeting house and pay for it, hold a two days 
 meeting and receive twelve members, all in four weeks! Oh! it 
 was the Lord's doing, let Him have the glory. Amen. " 
 
 The first Methodist society in Dubuque (and it is believed 
 the first in Iowa) was organized by Barton Randall, May 18, 1834; 
 and the first class meeting occurred June 1, 1834. The names 
 of the twelve original members of this first society were: John 
 Johnston, Leader, Susan Johnston, Woodbury Massie, Susan 
 Massie, Robert Bell, Wm. Hillery, Mrs. Susan A. Dean, Abigail 
 Wilder, Mary Ann Jordan, Patrick Smith, Frances Anderson, and 
 Mrs. Charlotte Morgan (colored). 
 
 Randall preached his last sermon in Dubuque, August 10, 
 1834; and for his year's labor received less than one lunich-ed 
 
EARLY IOWA METHODISM 
 
 13 
 
 dollars, ten of which was the donation of a noted gambler of the 
 town. 
 
 Barton H. Randall was born in Georgia in 1796 and converted 
 in 1812. In 1831 he entered the Illinois Conference and contin- 
 ued in the active ministry until 1845, when he was injured by a 
 shock he received from a stroke of lightning from which he never 
 fully recovered. He lived, however, until nearly ninety years of 
 age, an honored superannuated member of the Illinois Conference. 
 He well deserves to be called the Father of Iowa Methodism. 
 
 John T. Mitchell, who was Randall's colleague on the Galena 
 Mission and who preached the second sermon in Iowa, was a man 
 whose name was to become well known to the church, being elect- 
 ed by the General Conference of 1844, Assistant Publishing Agent 
 of the Western Methodist Book Concern. "He was possessed 
 with great and growing powers, combining in a marked degree 
 social, intellectual, and moral qualities. " He died in 1863. 
 
 In October, 1834, N. S. Bastion was sent to the Dubuque 
 Mission where he preached one year. He is represented as "a 
 man with good scholarship, considerable business talent, fair 
 preaching ability and some eccentricity. " Later he was appoint- 
 ed to Burlington and had much to do with building "Old Zion 
 Church. " He afterwards went as a missionary to Africa and at 
 one time, in the absence of a bishop, he presided over the Liberia 
 Conference. He finally returned to Illinois where he spent his 
 remaining days. 
 
 At the conference session held in Springfield, Illinois, in 1835, 
 Henry W. Reed, a recent transfer from the New York Conference, 
 was appointed to Dubuque. Randall and Bastion had been ap- 
 pointed missionaries to the "Dubuque Mission." As Dubuque 
 at this time (1835) ceased to be called a mission and became a 
 circuit, the preacher in charge, H. W. Reed, was the first regularly 
 appointed Methodist preacher in Iowa. Here Reed began his 
 
14 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 labors in Iowa, and for many years he was closely identified with 
 the interests of both church and state. 
 
 The first regular quarterly conference of the "Dubuque Cir- 
 cuit " was held in the log meeting house in Dubuque on the 14th 
 day of November, 1835, Alfred Brunson, Presiding Elder. Brun- 
 son's District included all of northern Illinois and the northern 
 portion of the work in Iowa. In his Journal he writes: "All my 
 quarterly meetings are held in private cabins except in the log 
 church of Dubuque. " Elder Brunson was a recent transfer from 
 the Pittsburg Conference and was one of the strong men of his 
 generation. In July, 1836, he removed to Prairie Du Chien, 
 Wisconsin, to labor among the Indians. During the civil war he 
 was army chaplain for one year. He was four times elected to 
 the General Conference, and was a frequent contributor to the 
 religious and secular journals of the times. He died at Prairie 
 Du Chien in 1882. 
 
 At the close of the conference year 1836, Dubuque is reported 
 as having "fifty-six members, one Sabbath School in town, one 
 superintendent, six teachers and fifty volumes of books. " 
 
 While Randall and Reed were thus engaged in establishing 
 Methodism in northern Iowa, a separate and similar movement 
 resulted in planting the Church in southern Iowa. On March 
 23, 1834, Peter Cartwright, Presiding Elder of Quincy District, 
 Illinois Conference, commissioned Barton H. Cartwright "to 
 preach and form societies in the Flint Hills settlement (now 
 Burlington), if practicable and to make report thereof to the 
 Church. " In compliance with these orders, Barton H. Cartwright 
 proceeded at once to his work. That he miglit be independent, 
 he preferred to rely upon his own labor for support, and refused 
 any compensation for his ministerial work. With heroic ^elf- 
 sacrifice and unconquerable faith and zeal, he started for his mis- 
 sion "with four yoke of oxen, a breaking plow and a load of pro- 
 
410- L, j63c^ A. <?^^j 
 
 {l^i?u~c ^-crvc^ 0(f ^txJ^ /o^ Jhu 
 
 <f^ f^UA/fiit^uJ, tS^U^Ai^a/, ^/uLA^i,^ a/£x<.,n(!^ 
 
 75 
 
 _ 1 
 
 The accoiupaii\ iiiK fac simile plates are from the original paper preserved i 
 while the ink has faile.l in some degree, it is yet quite plain. The rej: 
 
EARLY IOWA METHODISM 
 
 •5 
 
 vender. " His time was divided between breaking prairie for 
 the settlers in the day time, and holding meetings at night and on 
 the Sabbath. To get money for necessaries, at times he also car- 
 ried wood on the steamboats that landed for a supply. But his 
 preaching, if thus humble in its surroundings, was not the less 
 successful. The service in Burlington was held in the cabin of 
 Dr. W. R. Ross, a log building of one room, which served as kitchen, 
 parlor, chamber, and meeting house. Here Cartwright organ- 
 ized the first class of six persons with Dr. Ross as class leader. 
 This was probably in June, 1834. 
 
 Mr. Cartwright, then twenty-four years of age, is thus de- 
 scribed as he appeared on that occasion: "He was a young man, 
 in vigorous health, and of good proportions, dressed in plain 
 linen pants, homemade cotton vest, common shoes, without socks, 
 with no coat, and a common chip hat." Another calls him, "a 
 man with a big head and a good one, of a broad breast and heavy 
 shoulders, having a mouth plentifully wide, with lungs capable of 
 the highest degree of intonation, who could make bass enoug^i for 
 any congregation, and sustain a prayer meeting to the end, with- 
 out fear, favor or affectation, and as honest as old Abe Lincoln 
 himself. " 
 
 The greatest event of the year was the. visit to Burlington of 
 the renowned ecclesiastical chieftain and presiding elder, Peter 
 Cartwright. An eye witness says of him : " His eye was unblench- 
 ed, his body firm, his step elastic and his stature erect. Al! his 
 social powers were in full and lively play, and his mental forces 
 retained the strength and character of earlier years. " Ther^' -.vore 
 but few cabins in the place and only a scattered population. As 
 the cabins were small and not one could hold the people, they met 
 in a grove on Xorth Hill and there, standing on a bent tree with 
 a board for a stan.d, Cartwriglit declared the unsearchable riches 
 of Christ. 
 
i6 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Barton H. Cartwriglit established preaching not only in 
 Burlington, but at other settlements in the neighborhood, and 
 gathered quite a number into the societies he had formed. At 
 the close of the year he was sent to another field, and after labor- 
 ing several years in Iowa he returned to the Illinois and then to 
 the Rock River Conference, of which he continued a member 
 until his death. John H. Ruble succeeded Cartwright at Burling- 
 ton. When the needs of the settlers in Iowa were presented in 
 his conference and a call made for volunteers, young Ruble, then 
 twenty-four years of age, responded, "Here am I, send me." 
 He entered upon his work with zeal and earnest heroism, but the 
 following spring he was taken suddenly ill and died. His d.eath 
 occurred, April 14, 1836, the first itinerant in Iowa to pass from 
 the church militant to the church triumphant. 
 
 In the minutes of the Illinois Conference session held at 
 Union Grove, Illinois, September 25, 1833, Rock Island, Illinois, is 
 named as a mission of the Quincy District, Peter Cartwright, 
 Presiding Elder, and Asa McMurtry, preacher for Rock Island Mis- 
 sion. It is related that McMurtry preached a few times in Rock- 
 ingham, Iowa, a small village four miles below the present city of 
 Davenport. At that time it was expected that Rockingham, 
 being opposite the mouth of the Rock River, a stream regarded as 
 navigable, would become a great city. In 1834 C. D. James was 
 sent to Rock Island Mission. He preached quite often in Rock- 
 ino'ham. A Methodist class was organized in Rockingham with 
 Oihneil Davenport, leader, in 1836, and at the session of the 
 Illinois Conference held in October of the same year, Rockingham 
 Circuit was formed, believed to be the third circuit formed in Iowa, 
 and Chauncey Hobart was appointed to the circuit. It was a 
 circuit of about two hundred miles, extending from the mouth of the 
 Iowa River on the south to the Wapsipinicon River on the north, 
 and as far into the interior as any white settlers were to be found. 
 
EARLY IOWA METHODISM 
 
 17 
 
 Rockingham was the center of missionary operations for several 
 years, and was the parent charge from which were formed the 
 multiplying appointments of the southeastern portion of tlie Upper 
 Iowa Conference. To its brave missionaries, Chauncey Hobart, 
 B. H. Cartwright, and their associates belongs the honor of plant- 
 ing Methodism in all that part of Iowa. 
 
 Chauncey Hobart had been a soldier in the Black Hawk war 
 and was well fitted by experience to endure all the hardships of 
 such a field of labor, to travel a country whose road-ways were 
 iily defined, its streams unbridged, and its inhabitants scattered. 
 He could, at need, swim rivers and, when night overtook him, 
 sleep by the side of a log with his faithful horse for company, and 
 the contents of his saddle-bags his only reliance for creature com- 
 forts. Nay, that was not all; for "the Angel of the Lord encamp- 
 eth around about them that fear him," and "they that seek the 
 Lord shall not want any good thing. " Chauncey Hobart soon 
 afterwards went to Minnesota and for many years was a leading 
 member of that conference. 
 
 In 1838 Chauncey Hobart was succeeded by his brother, 
 Norris Hobart. B. H. CartwTight and H. J. Bruce were appointed 
 to this circuit in 1839, both being married men. The total quar- 
 terage reported for a quarter was a silver dime, which the pre- 
 siding elder and two preachers found difficulty in dividing equit- 
 ably between them. H. J. Bruce was compelled to borrow a coat 
 in which to make himself presentable at conference. 
 
 In 1839 William L. Cook, leader of the class in Rockingham, 
 was requested to sever his connection with that class and, if he 
 could succeed in finding members enough, to form a class in Daven- 
 port. He found five others besides himself and wife; a class was 
 formed and W. L. Cook appointed leader. For more than forty 
 years thereafter Cook filled the offices of class leader and steward. 
 
 In 1841 Da\enport having grown to be a village of three 
 
i8 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 hundred inhabitants, it was determined to build a church. The 
 preacher, David Worthington, being a carpenter by trade, like 
 Paul labored with his own hands in the erection and building of 
 the church. As soon as it was finished a quarterly meeting was 
 held and the meeting protracted for five or six weeks, and about 
 fifty members were added to the church. Hiram Price, after- 
 wards Member of Congress from Iowa, thus describes the early 
 condition of the church in Davenport: 
 
 "Our little brick church as it stood alone on Perry Street 
 below Fifth, no fence, no shutters, was rather a lonesome object. 
 There was no pulpit except a big pine box— the seats were made 
 partly of slabs, flat side up, supported by legs inserted in two- 
 inch auger holes. The chandelier was a block of wood, suspended 
 by a rope from the ceiling. In this block three-quarter inch holes 
 were bored into which holes tallow candles were inserted. In 
 those days we had no pavements, but we did have plenty of mud. 
 The collections were emphatically i)enny collections, and so small 
 that I was ashamed to cfiileet them. The fact is we were all 
 pretty close to the foot of fortune's financial ladder. I finally 
 agreed to (in all the sextnii's work for one year, on condition that 
 no collection should he taken for inciilental expenses. The propo- 
 sition was accepted, aiid for one year I did all tlie sexton's work. 
 I did the best I could but riever graduated as sexton. I confess 
 to an affection for the little old building and its associations. 
 During my fifty-seven years as mem.ber of this church I have been 
 from time to time recording steward, trustee, classleader, Sunday 
 School sunerinteiident, lay delegate to two General Conferences, 
 and sexton, and am just as proud of having been sexton as of any 
 of the other positions. " 
 
 At the session of the Illinois Conference held in Mount Carmel, 
 Illinois, October 1, 1836, Maquoketa Mission was established, 
 including the scattered settlements of Jackson County, with 
 
EARLY IOWA METHODISM 
 
 19 
 
 George Smith, preacher in charge. The name was changed to the 
 Bellevue Mission in 1837, Bellevue being the county seat at that 
 time, and John Crummer was appointed to it. In 1838 William 
 Simpson was sent to the Mission and in March of the following year 
 he organized a class of five members with Thomas Wright, leader, 
 in what was afterwards the town of Maquoketa. 
 
 George Smith preached the first sermon and organized a 
 class in Bellevue in 1836. 
 
 During the year 1837. Chauncey Hobart of the Iowa River 
 Mission extended his travels into Cedar County, and in the house 
 of Colonel Henry Hardman preached the first sermon and organized 
 the first class in that county. From that time this was a regular 
 appointment for preaching, and quarterly meetings were often 
 held there. 
 
 In 1838 the Illinois Conference assembled at Alton. The 
 reports from Iowa were regarded as very encouraging, and em- 
 braced about seven hundred and forty members distributed as 
 follows: Dubuque Mission, forty-four; Bellevue, one hundred; 
 Rockingham, one hundred and thirty-one; Burlington, forty-five; 
 Mount Pleasant, one hundred and ninety-two; and Fort Madison, 
 two hundred and twenty-six. 
 
 This conference made the following apiiointnients for Iowa: 
 Dubuque Mission, G. G. Worthingtun; 
 Bellevue, Wm. Simpson. 
 These were in the Galena District, Bartholomew Weed, 
 Presiding Elder. 
 
 Rockingham, Henry J. Bruce; 
 Burlington, Joel Arrington, Moses McMurtry; 
 Fort Madison, Joseph C. Kirkpatrick. 
 These constituted a part of Rock Island District, Henry Sum- 
 mers, Presiding Elder. 
 
 The circuits in northern Iowa from 1833 to 1838 were in- 
 
20 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 eluded first in Cliicago District and later in Galena District, Illi- 
 nois Conference. John Sinclair, Alfred Branson, Hooper Crews 
 and Bartholomew Weed, all men of mark and ability, were suc- 
 cessively presiding elders. The circuits of southern Iowa were 
 embraced successively within Quincy and Rock Island Districts 
 of the same conference, Peter Cartwright and Henry Summers be- 
 ing presiding elders. 
 
 In 1838 Iowa Territory was organized with a population of 
 22,859 scattered along the eastern and southern portion of the 
 Territory. 
 
 The returns from the Iowa circuits, in the fall of 1839, showed 
 a total membership in the Territory of 1,081. 
 
THE IOWA DISTRICT 
 
 21 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE IOWA DISTRICT 
 
 At the session of the Illinois Conference held in Bloomington in 
 1839, the presiding Bishop, Thomas A. Morris, announced to his 
 objecting cabinet his purpose to form a presiding elder's district 
 in Iowa. The presiding elders protested earnestly but the Bishop 
 adhered to his purpose and arranged the circuits and missions as 
 follows : 
 
 Iowa District, Henry Summers, Presiding Elder. 
 Fort Madison, W. H. Taylor; 
 Burlington, Joel Arrington; 
 Rockingham, B. H. Cartwright, H. J. Bruce; 
 Fox River Mission, M. H. McMurtry; 
 Manchester Mission, James F. Flanders; 
 Bellevue Mission, Thomas W. Pope; 
 Dubuque, I. I. Stewart; 
 Richland Mission, Jesse Herbert; 
 Iowa Mission, Joseph L. Kirkpatrick. 
 
 Manchester was an ephemeral town somewhere by the Missis- 
 sippi River, and the Mission covered the territory along the Wap- 
 sipinicon River. Dubuque, Rockingham, and Bellevue Mission 
 were the only other circuits within the present limits of the Upper 
 Iowa Conference. 
 
 It will be perceived that the Iowa District as above outlined, 
 extended from the Turkey River on the north to the Missouri line 
 on the south, and embraced nine circuits and missions. Over 
 this vast field, then an almost bridgeless and roadless wilderness, 
 the indomitable Summers constantly traveled, holding meetings 
 in new settlements, looking up new fields of labor, attending quar- 
 
22 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERKNCE 
 
 terly meetings, and performing all that the superintendency re- 
 quired. 
 
 Under his supervision were the preachers of the district, each 
 traveling a circuit several hundred miles around. The people 
 among whom the)' labored had lately come to this new country. 
 The endearments of the old home in another land, the home of 
 childhood and the scenes of youth, and all that was dear and hal- 
 lowed on earth had been severed. No splendid cottage was now 
 their home. The rude cabin was their shelter and ofttimes they 
 were scarcely protected from the rains of summer or snows of 
 winter. These cabins were scattered along the water courses and 
 near or in the native groves. Each little settlement was separa- 
 ted from the others by vast intervening prairies sometimes thirty 
 and forty miles in width. Having no regular communication 
 with the home and friends they had left, they were practically 
 exiled in this wild wilderness land. From almost every state and 
 across the sea, immigrants were ever coming in steady march to 
 this garden spot of America. The pioneer itinerant preacher fol- 
 lowed hard after the immigrant train and, as it halted for the night, 
 broke the bread of life to the newly arrived homeseekers. He 
 entered their rude cabins and consecrated them with prayer and 
 song and sermon, and leaving an appointment, went on his way 
 for new openings. He returned to find a congregation of eager 
 and attentive listeners and to form "a class," and make it a part of 
 his circuit. Thus they "broke ground," and not only "broke the 
 ground," but held and cultivated it in the name of the Master. 
 
 Under these conditions of isolation and loneliness the quar- 
 terly meeting became an occasion of great interest. These meet- 
 ings were held in school houses and private cabins. The presid- 
 ing elder, never having more than twelve circuits in his district, 
 was present at every quarterly meeting through all the services. 
 The members and friends at the appointment where the meeting 
 
THE IOWA DISTRICT 
 
 23 
 
 was held, with characteristic pioneer hospitalit}-, invited all com- 
 ers to their homes and their tables. A daughter of Colonel Henry 
 Hardman, of Cedar County, where quarterly meetings were often 
 held, informed the writer that she had often cooked a barrel full 
 of doughnuts and other kinds of food in proportion, preparatory 
 to a quarterly meeting; and at one meeting, by a careful count, 
 seventy-six persons outside of their own family sat down at her 
 father's table. Usually the class leaders, stewards, trustees, and 
 local preachers with their families, not having seen each other for 
 three months, came from the remote parts of the circuit to attend 
 the meeting, which was of social interest and of spiritual life and 
 fire unknown to-day. 
 
 The services usually began at two o'clock on Saturday after- 
 noon with a sermoii by the presiding elder. As the congregation 
 was chiefly the official members and their families, the sermon 
 was adapted to the irneeds and to fit them for the coming Sabbath. 
 Immediately after this service came the quarterly conference. 
 Saturday evening the circuit preacher or some neighboring preach- 
 er would preach a sermon full of unction and of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Sunday was the "great day" of the feast. Many came on 
 foot, on horseback and in wagons from far and near. Love feast 
 at nine o'clock was anticipated with great interest. Testimonies 
 were given with weeping and confession, thanksgiving and praise, 
 and the shouting could sometimes be heard far away. Then 
 followed the great sermon by the presiding elder. With such a 
 prepared congregation and his own soul fired with love and the 
 Holy Ghost, it was not strange that the sermon was v.-ith power. 
 This was followed by the holy sacrament, which Avas usually of 
 tender and touching interest. Sunday evening was the time for 
 victory and the ingathering of souls. No preacher or exhorter 
 was allowed to speak unless he had ability to stir the people. 
 
 A sermon to the unsaved was usually preached, followed by 
 
24 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 an exhortation and an api)eal to sinners to yield and be saved. 
 The terrors of tlie law, the glories of heaven, the horrors of hell, 
 the future judgment, the infinite love of God, the dying love of 
 Jesus on Calvary, \yere portrayed in tender and sometimes in ter- 
 rible imagery, and many were gloriously saved. It is recorded 
 of Henry Summers, the first presiding elder in Iowa, that "over 
 one hu!idred conversions have been known to follow his preaching 
 at a single quarterly meeting." 
 
 Henry Summers was born in Virginia in 1801, converted in 
 1820, licensed to preach in Indiana in 1822, entered the Illinois 
 Conference in 1832, and was trained under the distinguished Peter 
 Cartwright. His work was divided in 1840 and he was assigned 
 to the newly formed Burlington District. In 1843 he was appoint- 
 ed to the newer Des Moines District. He returned to Illinois the 
 following year and for many years he lived, loved and honored, in 
 the Central Illinois Conference. Summers superintended as pre- 
 siding elder, for eight years, the planting of the church in Iowa. 
 In his work he emulated the zeal, labors, and triumph of the fathers 
 of western Methodism, and he has won for himself an abiding place 
 in the affections of Iowa Methodists. He is described as "a man 
 of average height, over the medium size, and of strong and sinewy 
 frame. In appearance he was prepossessing; in disposition social; 
 in intellectual ability good; his emotions were easily aroused, and 
 his pulpit addresses were full of unction." 
 
 At the General Conference of 1840, the Illinois Conference 
 was so divided as to constitute the Wisconsin, Rock River, and 
 Illinois Conferences. The Iowa District was included in the Rock 
 River Conference. At the first session of this conference, held 
 near Mount Morris, Illinois, August 26, 1840, Bishop Beverly 
 Waugh presided. The preachers met in a little tent, for the Con- 
 ference was held in connection with a camp meeting and the preach- 
 ers were entertained in tents. They had no carpets on the floor. 
 
THE IOWA DISTRICT 
 
 25 
 
 for they had no floor but the ground was covered with straw; and 
 as fast as one speaker after another arose to speak, the Bishop 
 would announce: "The brother has the straw." 
 
 At this conference the Iowa District was divided into the 
 Dubuque and Burlington Districts, and Henry Summers placed 
 upon the Burlington District. The appointments for northern 
 Iowa were as follows: 
 
 Dubuque District, Bartholomew Weed, Presiiling Elder. 
 
 Rockingham, Chester Campbell; 
 
 Camanche, Barton H. Cartwright; 
 
 Marion Mission, John Hodges; 
 
 Bellevue, P. S. Richardson; 
 
 Dubuque, Washington Wilcox: 
 
 Clarksville, Henry Hubbard. 
 J. L. Kirkpatrick was appointed in 1839 to the Iowa River 
 Mission, which extended along the Iowa River from its mouth 
 to the vicinity of Iowa City, and in the fall of 1839, he held the 
 first religious services in Iowa City, the newly selected capitol of 
 the Territory. Tlie church was organized by Bartholomew Weed, 
 Presiding Elder, in 1840, and the first church edifice was erected 
 through the labors of George B. Bowman, who had been trans- 
 ferred from the Missouri Conference for that purpose. Of this 
 transfer Bishop Morris writes : "We greatly needed an efficient 
 young man to form a charge in Iowa City, and to have a house of 
 worship erected there. I found such a one at the Missouri Con- 
 ference. His name was George B. Bowman. In a personal in- 
 terview with him he consented to be transferred. Subsequent- 
 ly his seniors, presiding elders and others put mischief in hLs 
 head, and he proposed to be excused; but the interests of the 
 work required it, and I held him to the transfer. The Missouri 
 Conference held a night session to close their business and hear 
 the appointments, when two leading members rose up and re- 
 
26 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 monstrated against his transfer from that conference. I 
 waited to hear their strong reasons, but none were offered. 
 After a pause of a few minutes I demanded to know by 
 what authority the movers of the resolution claimed the right 
 to interfere with the appointing prerogative. The only response 
 was, 'We withdraw the resolution.' Brother Bowman went 
 to his new mission, gathered a large congregation, formed a society, 
 erected a church and found the means between that and Boston to 
 pay for it. In 1844 I organized the Iowa Conference in that same 
 church erected by Brother Bowman in Iowa City." 
 
 The second session of the Rock River Conference was held in 
 Platteville, Wisconsin, August 25, 1841. Turkey River Mission, 
 Iowa City and Davenport Missions were added this year to the list 
 of appointments in northern Iowa, which were announced as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 Dubuque District, Bartholomew Weed, Presiding Elder. 
 Iowa City Mission, To be supplied; 
 Marion Mission, Solomon W. Ingham; 
 Dubuque, Washington Wilcox; 
 
 Turkey River Mission, Sidney Wood and Barney White; 
 
 Bellevue, Barton H. Cartwright; 
 
 Davenport Mission, F. A. Cheneworth; 
 
 Charlestown Mission, Joseph H. McMurtry; 
 
 Spring Rock Mission, To be supplied. 
 The following extract from the journal of S. W. Ingham 
 illustrates the work of an itinerant pioneer preacher in Iowa: 
 
 " I was sent to Marion circuit in 1841 and continued there two 
 years. Brother Hodges had been there six months of the preced- 
 ing year and had left six appointments. I increased the number 
 to thirty-two in the first three months, and before the first year 
 was out I had over forty, with a travel of over four hundred miles, 
 which I performed every four weeks on horse back, there being 
 
THE IOWA DISTRICT 
 
 27 
 
 but little travel where there was any road or track. I had in- 
 variably to swim streams on horseback from three to six times 
 each round. My work included all of Linn County, and a part of 
 Johnson, Cedar, Benton, Buchanan and Delaware Counties. I 
 preached where Quasqueton now is when there were but four fam- 
 ilies in the vicinity and no otliers within sixteen miles. That was 
 the extreme frontier there. I always followed up the frontier to 
 the last house." 
 
 The third session of the Rock River Conference was held in 
 Chicago, August 24, 1842. The appointments for northern Iowa 
 were as follows: 
 
 Dubuque District, Bartholomew Weed, Presiding Elder. 
 
 Charlestown (Sabula) Mission, To be supplied; 
 
 Pleasant Valley, To be supplied; 
 
 Davenport, David Worthington ; 
 
 Bloomington (Muscatine), To be supplied; 
 
 Grandview, J. L. Karkpatrick; 
 
 Cedar Mission, Uriah Ferree; 
 
 Iowa City, George B. Bowman; 
 
 Marion, Solomon W. Ingham; 
 
 Dubuque, Andrew Coleman; 
 
 Maquoketa, M. H. McMurtry, R. Greenly; 
 
 Turkey River Mission, Sidney Wood. 
 In the spring of 1843, the country, newly purchased of the 
 Indians and covering the southwestern portion of Iowa Territory, 
 was opened for settlement ; and thousands who were waiting for 
 the time swept up the vallej^ of the Des Moines River and spread 
 themselves out over the region embraced in the "new purchase." 
 It was clearly seen by the men who laid the foundations of Iowa 
 Methodism, that something more must be done to provide for the 
 religious wants of these new settlers and the thousands yet to 
 come. 
 
28 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 At the Rock River Conference held in Dubuque, Iowa Ter- 
 ritory, in 1843, the Burlington District was divided and the Des 
 Moines District formed. Bartholomew Weed was assigned to 
 the Burlington District. The appointments for northern Iowa 
 were as follows: 
 
 Dubuque District, Henry W. Reed, Presiding Elder. 
 
 Dubuque, George B. Bowman; 
 
 Dubuque Circuit, Richard Greenly; 
 
 Bellevue, John Walker; 
 
 Charlestown, To be supplied; 
 
 Pleasant Valley, Joel B. Taylor; 
 
 Davenport, David Wortliington; 
 
 Cedar, S. W. Ingham; 
 
 Marion, John Hayden, Joseph Maxon; 
 
 Turkey River, Sidney Wood; 
 
 Cedar Rapids Mission, Isaac Searles. 
 At this conference a resolution was adopted requesting the 
 General Conference to separate and organize the work in Iowa in- 
 to the Iowa Conference. This request was granted, and the his- 
 toric General Conference of 1844 ordained that the "Iowa Con- 
 ference shall include all of the Iowa Territory." 
 
THE IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 29 
 
 CPIAPTER III. 
 
 THE IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 We now come to a most interesting event in our history, the 
 organization of the Iowa Conference. This took place at Iowa 
 City, August 14, 1844, Bishop Thomas A. Morris presiding. It 
 was fitting that the organizing hand of Bishop Morris that had 
 formed the first Iowa District in 1839, should now, five years later, 
 give shape and form to the Iowa Conference. Henry W. Reed 
 was elected secretary. 
 
 The statistics showed a total membership of five thousand 
 four hundred and thirty-one white and twelve colored members, 
 and the appointments or circuits twenty-nine in number, with 
 thirty-six effective preachers including probationers. These were 
 arranged into three districts as follows : 
 
 Dubuque District, H. W. Reed, Presiding Elder. 
 Dubuque, G. B. Bowman; 
 
 Dubuque Circuit and Delaware Mission, Joel B. Tay- 
 lor and W. W. Knight; 
 Bellevue, E. Howard, one to be supplied; 
 Charlestown Mission, (Sabula), John Walker; 
 Cedar, S. W. Ingham; 
 Marion, John Hayden, R. H. Harrison; 
 Cedar Rapids Mission, D. P. Nichols; 
 Iowa City, David Worthington; 
 Iowa Circuit, L. McVey; 
 Turkey River, C. D. Farnsworth. 
 Burlington District, B. Weed, Presiding Elder. 
 Burlington, Andrew Coleman; 
 New London, Uriah Ferree; 
 Mount Pleasant, Wm. Simpson; 
 
30 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Crawfordsville and English River, M. Reeder and 
 
 M. S. Roberts; 
 Yellow Springs, J. L. Kirkpatrick; 
 Bloomington (now Muscatine), E. S. Norris; 
 Pleasant Valley, S. Wood and J. W. Maxon; 
 Davenport, J. T. Lewis ; 
 Grand view, Laban Case; 
 Clear Creek Mission, Wm. Hurlbiirt. 
 
 Des Moines District, Milton Jamison, Presiding Elder. 
 Farmington, J. B. Hardy; 
 Pittsburg, S. Clark; 
 
 Bloomfield Mission, J. L. Bennett and J. F. New; 
 
 Eddyville Mission, A. W. Johnson; 
 
 Des Moines Mission (including Ottumwa), T. M, 
 
 Kirkpatrick ; 
 Fairfield, Hugh Gibson; 
 Birmingham, Robert Rice; 
 Fort Madison, 1. 1. Stewart; 
 West Point, Moses F. Shinn. 
 
 It will be perceived that the charges of Dubuque District 
 with Davenport and Pleasant Valley added, were within the pres- 
 ent limits of the Upper Iowa Conference; and that all the other 
 charges of the Burlington and Des Moines Districts were in the 
 southern part of the Iowa Territory. 
 
 Bartholomew Weed was for some time presiding elder of the 
 Galena District, Illinois, which included the work in Iowa north of 
 the Iowa River. When the Iowa District was divided in 1840, 
 Weed became presiding elder of Dubuque District which he trav- 
 eled for three years. He then, in 1843, became presiding elder of 
 Burlington District, over which he presided four years. He was 
 born in Danbury, Connecticut, March 6, 1793, joined the Metho- 
 
THE IOWA conferp:n'ce 
 
 3' 
 
 dists in the eighteenth year of his age, and was received into the 
 Philadelphia Conference in 1817. While a member of the Rock 
 River Conference and presiding elder of Burlington District, he 
 was elected delegate to the General Conference of 1844. "He was 
 a man of simple tastes and manners, of strong convictions and at- 
 tachments, and of heroic and magnanimous spirit, " a wise master- 
 builder in the Church of Jesus Christ, and made a deep impression 
 on the Methodism of the west. He died in Newark, X. J., in 1879. 
 
 The aim of the Conference was to carry the gospel to every 
 newly formed frontier settlement, however remote, and thus to 
 establish Methodism in the forefront of advancing civilization. 
 For this purpose they crossed vast intervening prairies without a 
 road, a tree, or an inhabitant. 
 
 Landon Taylor, who joined the Iowa Conference in 1845, 
 relates this incident: 
 
 "In the latter part of August, hearing of a newly arrived 
 colony about thirty miles distant, Brother Jay and myself, with 
 horses and saddle-bags, started for the new settlement. There be- 
 ing no traveled road, we struck out into the open prairie in the 
 direction of our destined place. It was a long and tedious ride, 
 but toward evening w-e arrived at Brother Rodman's, our stopping 
 place, tired and hungrj\ Sister Rodman welcomed us to their 
 cabin home with all the warmth of a pioneer. 'But,' she said, 
 'as glad as I am to see you, we have not a mouthful of anything 
 to eat in the house. My husband has gone to mill twenty-five 
 miles distant and will not return until tomorrow. ' Rather 
 hard fare I thought, having fasted all day; but not ili-couraged 
 I said: 'Sister Rodman, you have corn in the field?' She replied, 
 'Yes.' 'And an old milk pan tliat I can obtain?' 'Yes, one 
 out yonder in the yard.' 'And cows nearby?' 'Yes.' 'Well, 
 now for business. Brother Jay, you go and bring the corn. Sister 
 Rodman, send your boy after the cows, and hang on the kettle 
 
32 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 and boil the water, and we will have a feast of fat things after all.' " 
 " Having secured a hammer and nail I went to work and made 
 a mill (grater) of the old pan and when the corn came the mill 
 was ready for grinding. Within a few minutes we had four or 
 five quarts of as nice meal as we ever saw. The pudding was soon 
 made, the table set and milk ready. But now there was another 
 difficulty. Said the good sister, 'We have but one bowl and one 
 spoon, having broken our dishes moving to Iowa. ' 'Never mind,' 
 said I, 'we can manage that.' So, being the preacher in charge, I 
 ate at the first table. Afterwards Brother Jay and then the whole 
 family ate, for there was an abundance for all. And now the 
 neighbors were called in for .service. My text was, 'The Lord is 
 my shepherd, I shall not want. ' We had an old fashioned Metho- 
 dist meeting, for our success in the unseen was equal to that'of the 
 visible and temporal. The next morning when all was in readi- 
 ness, we started for home, exulting like St. Paul: 'Poor, yet mak- 
 ing many rich; having nothing yet possessing all things.' You 
 may call these hardships, but permit me to say, these are the rich 
 spots in the history of my life that ease and luxury could not pur- 
 chase, and gold co\ild not buy, and I doubt not, in the rewards of 
 the better land, the Master will crown these with the highest 
 honor. " 
 
 R. G. Hawn thus writes: "In 1850 I was appointed assistant 
 preacher on the Marion Circuit, and was assigned to that part 
 now known as Center Point charge. There were five appoint- 
 ments and fifteen members. A series of meetings was held in a 
 school house which doubled the membership of the charge. Great 
 opposition was encountered from the Campbellites, led by their 
 pastor. Among others who bowed at the rude altar pleading for 
 mercy were the daughters of a Campbellite elder. He was greatly 
 enraged and threatened to take tliem away. As he was forcing 
 his way through the crowd to carry out his purpose, a neighbor 
 
THE IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 33 
 
 laid his hand on liis shoulder and with a big oath he said : ' You will 
 do no such thing. If you don't shut up and behave yourself I'll 
 smash j'^our mouth, 'and immediately squared himself to put his 
 threat into execution. Both were tall and well built men, and it 
 seemed for a time that there would be a big fight. The emphatic 
 language and determined attitude of the preacher's cb.ampion 
 prevailed, the father subsided and the girls were not molested, 
 but were not permitted to come to the meetings again. 
 Finances were low. One calico dress for my wife, six or 
 eight bushels of corn for my horse, and about two dollars and a 
 half in money were the aggregate of my receipts for the year. 
 But we were young and hopeful, and lived in the affections of the 
 people, and sowed seed, the fruitage of which will be gathered in 
 eternity. " 
 
 James F. Hestwood writes as follows: "In 1854 I was re- 
 ceived on trial in the Iowa Conference and sent to Millersburg, 
 which took part of Johnson, Iowa, Keokuk and Washington 
 Counties. With the help of a few friends, I built a log cabin in 
 which to live. In 1855 I was sent to Story Mission, a move of 
 eighty miles. This charge as I traveled it was fifty-three miles 
 north and south and over thirty miles east and west, and I cannot 
 remember that there was a bridge over any stream, and many 
 points to which I went I had no road but an Indian trail. There 
 was no house for my use and I waited for the fulfillment of good 
 promises until I got warm, then by permission went into the tim- 
 ber and built a log cabin sixteen feet square. During the year I 
 was at home only two nights and one day each week. I 
 was returned for the second year and lived in the town of 
 Nevada. The room in which we lived that winter was ten feet 
 wide and sixteen in length. In 1857 I was sent to Boonesborough, 
 where I spent two years which were years of revival power, there 
 being something over three hundred gathered into the church. " 
 
34 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Elias Skinner gives some of his early experiences in the itin- 
 erancy as follows: 
 
 "When I received my first appointment in 1851, our little 
 daughter was less than four weeks old. I hired a team of two 
 horses and wagon to take our household goods across the country 
 a distance of 125 miles. Mrs. Skinner, with our child in her 
 arms, rode upon the wagon and I upon horseback * * * * x 
 found true friends whose names are worthy of a place in the annals 
 of Methodism of any age or country * * * * The year wound to 
 a close, and in the financial balancing of accounts, it appeared 
 that my receipts amounted to the sum of one hundred and fifty 
 dollars * * * * j j^ad to drive over two hundred miles to reach 
 the seat of conference. My second appointment was a new field 
 requiring us to move ninety miles by wagon. No railroads in 
 Iowa then. Two small rooms in the rear of a store served as a 
 home for us during the year. This circuit had six regular preach- 
 ing places and occasionally I preached in a few other places. That 
 year we held a camp meeting and some twenty were converted and 
 received into the church. My quarterage receipts for that year 
 were two hundred and thirteen dollars. " 
 
 Richard Swearingen thus writes: "I was received into the 
 Iowa Conference in 1846. My first charge was Canton in Jackson 
 County and extended up the Maquoketa and Turkey Rivers as far 
 as civilization extended. I received $66.00 for my services that 
 year. The second year I travelled the Wapsipinicon Mission and 
 went up to Pine Creek near to Independence. Independence was 
 not large enough for an appointment at that time, and yet we made 
 appointments out of very small things in those days. The third 
 year, living four miles from Iowa City, I traveled up the Iowa 
 River as far as civilization extended, organizing the first class at 
 Janesville. My first charge had twenty-eight appointments, 
 one every day in the week. " 
 
The IOWA CONFERHNCE 
 
 35 
 
 The growth and extension of Methodism in this new country- 
 is graphically shown in the following incidents. 
 
 Nelson Rathburn, a local preacher, preached in 1839 at Linn 
 Grove, a few miles north of where Mount Vernon now stands. 
 This is believed to be the first sermon delivered in Linn County. 
 
 In 1840 John Hodges was sent to Marion Mission which in- 
 cluded all of Linn County, all of Jones County south of the Wapsi- 
 pinicon River and the region round about. He was succeeded in 1 841 
 by S. W. Ingham, previously mentioned, who organized the first 
 class in Cedar Rapids in the home of Mr. John Listebarger. The 
 Cedar Rapids Mission was formed in 1843 with Isaac Searles 
 preacher in charge. 
 
 In 1846 Allen W. Johnson was sent to this mission. He 
 writes: "The population having now extended quite a distance 
 up both the Iowa and Cedar Rivers, arrangements were made to 
 embrace those settlements in the Cedar Rapids Mission, and about 
 the last of October I went up to the falls of the Cedar River and 
 preached the first sermon in Blackhawk County, and also estab- 
 lished a preaching place in Benton County on the river near the 
 county seat. During the winter and spring many were converted 
 and added to the church, and classes were formed in Benton 
 County and where Cedar Falls now stands." 
 
 The first class in Vinton was formed in 1853 by H. J. Bur- 
 leigh. Other settlements were being formed up the Cedar River 
 and its tributaries. 
 
 It is claimed that Richard Swearingen preached the first ser- 
 mon in Janesville in 1850. The first quarterly conference in Janes- 
 ville w'as held in December, 1852, Alcinous Young, Presiding Elder, 
 and S. W. Ingham, preacher in charge. 
 
 In 1853 S. W. Ingham visited and preached in the vicinity of 
 Floyd. The following year, W. P. Holbrook came from Clarks- 
 ville and organized the first class in Floyd. 
 
36 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 S. W. Ingham first introduced Methodism into Mitchell 
 County in 1853. 
 
 In Osage the first class was formed in 1856, and W. P. Hol- 
 brook was the first preacher in charge. 
 
 S. W. Ingham preached the first sermon in Waverly in 1854. 
 In 1843 a class was formed in the Upper Cedar Valley, "supposed 
 to be somewhere between Waterloo and Cedar Falls. " Probably 
 this class was organized by S. W. Ingham. A. Collins formed a 
 class near Waterloo in 1851. 
 
 The same year, Joel B. Taylor preached the first sermon in 
 Epworth and organized a class. 
 
 A circuit was organized embracing Tama County in 1853 by 
 David H. Peterfish and one of his appointments was near the 
 place where Toledo was afterwards located. A class was organ- 
 ized in Toledo in 1855. 
 
 The first sermon in the vicinity of Fayette was preached in 
 1850, in the house of James E. Robertson, by John Hindman, 
 preacher in charge of Otter Creek Mission. At the same time he 
 organized a class with J. E. Robertson, leader, who continued a 
 class leader for over fifty years. 
 
 Harvey Taylor preached the first sermon in Independence in 
 1850, and organized a class. 
 
 In Manchester, Simeon Alger began preaching in 1855 in the 
 house of D. K. Fox. In 1856 F. X. Miller was appointed preacher 
 in charge. 
 
 S. W. Ingham thus writes: "In the spring of 1852, I re- 
 moved into Bremer County and in the fall I was employed on Big 
 Woods Mission. There were five appointments on the Mission; 
 one at Cedar Falls, one where the depot in Waterloo now stands, 
 one where Janesville stands, one on the eastern border of the big 
 woods and one about a mile from the present site of Waverly. 
 
THE IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 37 
 
 Within six inouths I increased the number of appointments to 
 over thirty and to forty-two before the close of the year. My work 
 took Vinton and Buckingham (near Traer) on the south, (being 
 the first preaching that either of them ever had), and extended 
 north to the Minnesota line, on all the waters of the Cedar River, 
 and extending westward to Clear Lake. " 
 
 The Marshalltown Mission was organized in 1852 by Solomon 
 Dunton, a local preacher appointed by Alcinous Young of Iowa 
 City District. This Mission included Marshalltown, Albion, Mari- 
 etta, Le Grand, and Indiantown and other settlements. 
 
 The first sermon was preached and the first class formed in 
 Iowa Falls in 1856, by Ethan C. Crippen, a local preacher, who 
 was a noble man and very efficient in service. He died in 1865. 
 
 Tradition says that the first public religious service was held 
 in Lansing in the winter of 1848-49. In 1851 Lansing was in- 
 cluded in the Yellow River Mission and Alfred Bishop was appoint- 
 ed preacher in charge. He remained two years. In 1n.52 it was 
 called Lansing Mission. It had nine appointments and othc-ro \'. cre 
 soon added until there were thirty-three, including Monona, Post- 
 ville, Freeport, Burr Oak, Waukon and Decorah, and "all 
 northeastern Iowa. " It required three hundred miles of travel 
 and three weeks of time to go around the circuit. The preacher 
 was permitted to be at home but two nights in the three weeks. 
 Services were held in private houses, over store buildings, and in 
 school houses wherever they were built. 
 
 In 1852 the first sermon was preached in McGregor by Elisha 
 Warner, a local preacher of Prairie Du Chein. J. L. Kelly became 
 pastor at McGregor in the fall of the same year. 
 
 Bishop H. W. Lee, an early Protestant Episcopal Bishop of 
 Iowa, relates this experience which illustrates the activity of the 
 early itinerants: 
 
 "I had long wanted to preach the Gospel in some far remote 
 
38 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 settlement where none had preached before. I supposed there 
 were many such places in my diocese. One day with a friend I 
 started from Cedar Rapids in a buggy across the state for Sioux 
 City. On the second day toward evening we stopped at a farm 
 house and asked for entertainment for the night, which was grant- 
 ed. After going into the house, I said to the host, 'My friend, 
 I am a minister of the gospel, and if agreeable to you, I would 
 like to preach in your house this evening. If you will call in your 
 neighbors, we will have a little service. ' 
 
 " ' All right, ' said the man, 'we will be glad to have you preach 
 for us. ' 
 
 "'By the way,' said the good Bishop, 'I suppose you never 
 had preaching in this place, so far distant from settlements. ' 
 
 '"Oh! yes,' said the man, 'my house is a regular preaching 
 place for the itinerant Methodists. They preach and hold class here 
 every three weeks." 
 
 And the Bishop said, "I give it up. These Methodists are 
 everywhere. " 
 
 At the organization of the Iowa Conference in 1844, the whole 
 Iowa Territory had a population of 75,152; only twenty-one 
 counties were organized and these were in the eastern and south- 
 eastern part of the Territory. Five-sixths of the Territory in the 
 north and west was a boundless expanse of grove and prairie, 
 still uninhabited by the white man. During the twelve years that 
 followed, immigrants came in large numbers; they came from 
 every state in the east and south and from across the sea. They 
 came singly and in companies, many in wagons drawn by horses 
 or oxen, camping by the road-side at night and journeying by day. 
 Many came in boats down the Ohio and up the Mississippi River, 
 landing at the towns along the river and spreading out over the 
 state along its streams and near its groves, and in 1856 the popu- 
 ation of the state had become 517,875. Over seventy counties of 
 
THE IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 39 
 
 the state were organized and settlements extended along the whole 
 southern border to the Missouri River, leaving the northwest one- 
 fourth of the state still unsettled. The membership of the Con- 
 ference during the years 1844 to 1855 increased from thirty-six 
 to one hundred and fifty; the church membership increased from 
 5,431 to 22,690; presiding elders' districts increased from three to 
 thirteen; and circuits and pastoral charges from twenty-nine to 
 one hundred and forty-two. As the Conference extended over 
 three-fourths of the state, and the only mode of travel was by 
 private conveyance, the work was too unwieldy for effective ser- 
 vice, and a division imperatively needed. 
 
 Accordingly, at the session of the Iowa Conference held in 
 Keokuk in 1855, a resolution was unanimously adopted asking 
 the General Conference to divide the Iowa Conference on a line 
 beginning at Davenport, thence along the railroad to Iowa City, 
 thence up the Iowa River to the south line of Benton and Marshall 
 counties, thence due west to the Missouri river, leaving Davenport 
 and Iowa City in the north conference. The General Conference 
 at its session in May, 1856, granted this request and formed the 
 Upper Iowa Conference. 
 
40 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE FIRST YEAR OF THE UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Tlie first session of tlie Upper Iowa Conference was held in 
 Maquoketa, Iowa, August 27 to September 1, 1856, Bishop Ed- 
 mund S. Janes presiding. Landon Taylor was elected secretary 
 with Elias Skinner as assistant. The present south boundary line 
 of the conference extended due west from the south line of Mar- 
 shall County to the Missouri River, thus giving to the Upper Iowa 
 Conference about four-sevenths of the state. It also included ter- 
 ritory west of the Missouri River as far as white settlements ex- 
 tended. The western one-half of the conference territory was prac- 
 tically an unsettled wilderness. There were two German districts 
 within the Conference, but their work was mostly in Wisconsin 
 and Minnesota and in a few years they were separated and united 
 into a German Conference. They are therefore omitted in this 
 history. 
 
 While the Upper Iowa Conference had the larger territory, 
 the Iowa Conference had the greater membership. In the Iowa 
 Conference were 18,715 members and 109 traveling preachers; 
 while in the Upper Iowa Conference there were of English speak- 
 ing members 8,320, and 58 traveling preachers — of these, twenty- 
 two were on probation. At this first session of the Conference, 
 nine were received into full connection and twelve were received 
 on trial. The following is a list of the appointments: 
 Davenport District, J. C. Ayers, Presiding Elder. 
 
 Davenport, First Church, R. W. Keeler; 
 
 Wesley Chapel, To be supplied ; 
 
 Mineral Creek, F. Amos; 
 
 LeClaire, To be supplied; 
 
 Pleasant Valley, W. R. Blake; 
 
FIRST APPOINTMENTS 
 
 41 
 
 Spring Rock, J. H. Stephenson; 
 
 Camanche, C. B. Lawton; 
 
 Lyons, J. B. Taylor; 
 
 DeWitt, J. R. Baker; 
 
 Sabula, A. N. OdeU; 
 
 Maquoketa, J. G. Dimmitt; 
 
 Maquoketa Circuit, J. RidcUington, T. Moore. 
 
 Dubuque District, H. W. Reed, Presiding Elder. 
 Dubuque, Main Street, Philo E. Brown; 
 Dubuque Centenary, To be supplied; 
 Rockdale, D. N. Holmes; 
 
 Dubuque Circuit, J. R. Cameron, T. Thompson; 
 
 Dyersville, To be supplied; 
 
 Andrew, C. Babcock; 
 
 Belle vue, To be supplied; 
 
 Cascade, L. S. Ashbaugh; 
 
 Delhi, Isaac Ne-n-ton; 
 
 Colesburg, Harvey Taylor; 
 
 Anamosa, Wm. Young. 
 
 Upper Iowa District, H. S. Bronson, Presiding Elder. 
 Fayette, To be supplied; 
 West Union, George Clifford; 
 Eldorado, F. Mather; 
 Elkader, To be supplied; 
 Garnavillo, John Webb; 
 Hardin, To be supplied; 
 Waukon, To be supplied; 
 Freeport and Decorah, George Larkins; 
 Greeley's Grove, J. A. Stoddard; 
 Burr Oak, To be supplied; 
 Delaware, To be supplied; 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Elkport, To be supplied; 
 
 E. C. Byam, Agent of Fayette Seminary, and 
 member of Fayette Quarterly Conference. 
 
 Iowa City District, Andrew Coleman, Presiding Elder. 
 
 Iowa Cit}' Station, A. J. Kynett; 
 Iowa City Circuit, Wm. N. Brown; 
 "West Liberty, S. K. Young; 
 Cedar Rapids Mission, J. Montgomery; 
 Marion, J. Watts; 
 
 Cedar Rai>i(ls Station, J. P. Linderman; 
 
 Tipto!!. Rul'uri Ricker; 
 
 ?,I<)Ui:t \'oriion, A. B. Kendig; 
 
 lie! Toll, To be supplied; 
 
 Cellar, To be supplied; 
 
 Pioneer, To be supplied; 
 
 Springville, A. Critchfield; 
 
 Iowa Conference Seminary, Samuel M. Fellows, Prin- 
 cipal, G. B. Bowman and E. Skinner, Agents, 
 Stephen N. Fellows and B. Wilson Smith, Professors, 
 — all members of Mount Vernon Quarterly Conference. 
 
 Marshall District, J. M. Rankin, Presiding Elder. 
 Vinton, B. F. Taylor; 
 Iowa River, D. Donaldson; 
 Toledo, To be supplied; 
 Marshall, A. T. Shinn; 
 Nevada, J. F. Hestwfiod; 
 Boone, J. W. Stewart ; 
 Green, Joseph Cadwalader; 
 Webster, To be supplied; 
 Eldora, B. Holcomb; 
 Marysville, Watson Bell. 
 
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS 
 
 43 
 
 Janesville District, James T. Coleman, Presiding Elder. 
 Janesville, E. D. Lamb; 
 Cedar Falls, Simeon Alger; 
 Waterloo, J. G. Witted; 
 Waterloo Circuit, To be supplied; 
 Waverly, C. M. Sessions; 
 Bradford, To be supplied; 
 St. Charles, W. P. Holbrook; 
 Cerro Gordo, C. M. Webster; 
 Claries ville, Richard Swearingen; 
 Franklin, H. J. Burle)^; 
 Independence, J. L. Kelley; 
 Quasqueton, To be supplied. 
 
 Sioux City District, Landon Taylor, Presiding Elder. 
 
 Sioux City and Sargeant's Bluff, Landon Taylor; 
 Smithlantl, Ashland and Belvidere, D. J. Havens; 
 Sac, Carroll and Cra^\•ford, Wni. Black. 
 
 The division of the Iowa Conference was anticipated and 
 planned for. Henry W. Reed and Andrew Coleman were presid- 
 ing elders in the northern part of the Conference and sought to 
 have men in these districts who were adapted to this newer, colder, 
 and less developed territory. And so naturally most of the older 
 preachers were gathered into the southern part of the Conference 
 where the climate was milder, the support more generous, and 
 comforts greater; and more of the younger men in the prime and 
 vigor of life were placed in the northern districts. So when the 
 Conference was divided, this body of picked men became the 
 "original members" of the Upper Iowa Conference. 
 
 They were a band of organized evangelists. From the days of 
 Wesley the spirit of soul saving has been central to the life of 
 Methodism. This has been the special and divine vocation of 
 
44 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 the Methodist preacher. To be a Methodist was to be an evan- 
 gelist. If any minister of a sister church preached an earnest 
 evangelistic sermon, it was said of him, "He preached just like a 
 Methodist." The Methodist preacher had a conviction, an ex- 
 perience and a "divine call." He had a conviction that God is 
 just and merciful, that man is a sinner under condemnation of a 
 just God, that Jesus Christ by his sacrificial death made pro- 
 visional atonement for all men, and that all may be saved who 
 repent of their sins and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He had 
 a definite, personal experience of this salvation through faith in 
 Christ, and a direct "witness of the Spirit" that he himself was 
 a child of God. Added to this was a "divine call" to go and preach 
 to lost men this blessed Gospel of salvation. He had a message 
 and he felt with the Apostle, "Woe is me if I preach not the 
 Gospel." Thus the Methodist preacher had but one thing to do, 
 to save lost souls. To this work he gave all his energies. In 
 this work he had a consuming zeal. For this work he was bap- 
 tized of the Holy Ghost. Hence the Methodist itinerancy, which 
 was only an organized form of evangelism. A conference was an 
 organized band of evangelists, each with an assigned field of 
 labor called a circuit, superintended by a district evangelist called 
 a presiding elder. They were pre-eminently preachers, not pastors. 
 Indeed for more than a century of American Methodism, the word 
 pastor was not known in the Methodist vocabulary. This word, 
 pastor, was first authorized in the Discipline of 1892. The reason 
 is obvious. Church machinery was simple, few organizations 
 within the church existed; pastoral visiting, care of societies, 
 raising of benevolences, answering a thousand calls that now 
 burden the pastor and the preparation of many sermons, were un- 
 known in the early days of Methodism. These itinerant preachers, 
 though without scholastic training, were well qualified for the 
 work to which they were called. They knew how to preach Christ, 
 
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS 
 
 45 
 
 the Savior of men; they comprehended the great subject of their 
 message. No class of men were better students of the plain mean- 
 ing of the Bible, or had greater ability in applying its truths to 
 the needs of men. They did not profess to have a knowledge of 
 many books ; they were men of one hook. Mingling freely with all 
 classes of people, they became well versed in human nature, were 
 quick in repartee, fviU of anecdote and story of thrilling adventure, 
 and ready for any emergency. They had tact, they could utilize 
 strange environments, they knew the people in pioneer conditions 
 and privations, they had sympathy with them and they could 
 see things as the people saw them. They had a passion for souls 
 and a supreme loyalty to God and the Church. The "esprit de 
 corps" of the Conference was intense. The Conference was em- 
 phaticall}^ a brotherhood. Self-seeking was unknown and obe- 
 dience to church authority was well nigh absolute and unquestion- 
 ing. Appointments from the bishop were received as from God. 
 It is not known that any young man ever asked for promotion 
 or for a better appointment, but had one done so he would have 
 been regarded as unworthy of any place in the Conference. Of- 
 ten they did ask for hard places, and no place could be found so 
 remote, so wild and desolate, requiring so much hardship and sac- 
 rifice, but that some one or more would volunteer for the service. 
 There was no grading of preachers or charges by the salaries 
 paid. They sought for stars in their heavenly crown, and not for 
 large salaries and earthly honors. There was no distinction be- 
 tween country and city appointments. Preachers were sent from 
 the city station to the circuit, and from the circuit to the city, 
 and there was no humiliation in the one case or promotion in 
 the other. Indeed the man most in honor among his brethren 
 was the one who traveled the hardest circuit. 
 
 The men who were the leaders of the Upper Iowa Confer- 
 ence in its formative period were trained in the school of the itiner- 
 
46 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 ant evangelist. Andrew Coleman hael l)een tiiirty years a pio- 
 neer in the Pittsburg and Iowa Conferences; H. W. Reed, twentj-- 
 three years a pioneer preacher in Wisconsin and Iowa; and J. C. 
 Ayres, for twenty-eight years a pioneer in the Pittsburg and Ohio 
 Conferences. To these may be added Alcinous Young, J. G. 
 Dimmitt, Landon Taylor, Joel B. Taylor, and others, who were 
 filled with the spirit and faith of Asbury, his co-laborers and his 
 immediate successors, by whom they had been trained and v.ith 
 whom they had lived and labored. Under the leadership of these 
 men and their associates, the Upper Iowa Conference was an 
 earnest evangelistic conference. Revivals were frequent and 
 conversions were numerous. At the first session of the Confer- 
 ence in 1856, James T. Coleman was appointed presiding elder of 
 Janesville, now Cedar Falls District. The following is an account 
 of his first year as written by himself: 
 
 "It was nearly one hundred miles from Marion, where I had 
 been stationed, to the nearest point on my district. On the last 
 day of November we reached a friend's house, two miles from 
 Waterloo, one of my appointments. Here we were entertained 
 in a small cabin, with the floor wet all the time from melting snow, 
 which blew through a clapboard roof. At the end of the time 
 the snow was three feet deep on the level, and six feet on the 
 low places. We extemporized a sleigh, tied the carriage to it, 
 and started. One hundred yards from the house we got into a 
 drift, and had to struggle back with the children, and wait for 
 repairs on the sleigh. We were then a full day in reaching Cedar 
 Falls only eleven miles away. After a few days the roads be- 
 came broken down and we reached Janesville. * * * * ]\jy 
 appointments lay mostly up the Red Cedar antl its tributaries. 
 One, however, was forty miles without a tree and only one house. 
 I crossed that prairie twice when the thermometer was twenty, 
 degrees below zero. All that winter, up to the middle of March, 
 
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS 
 
 47 
 
 the snow lay three feet in the woods, and up to the tops of the 
 fences on the prau-ies; but I filled my appointments. I carried a 
 shovel, and when I came to a drift too deep to get through, I got 
 out and shoveled a track for my ponies to follow. One day, 
 about ten miles from any house, I found myself in a drift cru-ted 
 over, thermometer about thirty degrees below zero, and I began 
 to think that I should freeze; but prayer, exercise, and persever- 
 ance overcame, and I got there. During the year twelve hundred 
 souls were converted, and that was good paj- for the hardest 
 work any man ever went through." 
 
 At the first session of the Upper Iowa Conference, Bishop 
 Janes sent for Landon Taylor to come to his room. The Bishop 
 asked him if he would be willing to take charge of the work in 
 the Missouri valley. Mr. Taylor replied, "Bishop, if this Ls your 
 only hope, put me down." In reading the appointments, when 
 he came to Sioux City District, Landon Taylor; Sioux City Sta- 
 tion, Landon Taylor, he paused, then, with the emphasis which he 
 only coidd impart, he exclaimed, "Glory enough for one man!" 
 
 Landon Taylor writes: "So far as territory was concerned 
 the northwest one-fourth of the state was placed under my super- 
 vision." To reach Sioux City, he had to travel a distance of over 
 three hundred miles across an unsettled country and when he 
 reached his destination he found no society and but few of the 
 comforts and conveniences of life. The first winter (1856-7) 
 was one of unusual severity. Storms and blizzards were frequent, 
 snow was four feet deep on the level, no one could travel for weeks, 
 provisions were exhausted, many suffered severely, ami some 
 perished with hunger and cold. In some instances it was danger- 
 ous to venture far from home in view of the hungry wolves. A 
 man, where Mr. Taylor stopped for the night, had been out to his 
 grove, about one mile from his home, after a load of wood, when 
 his large dog was encountered by several wolves which within five 
 
48 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 minutes left nothing but his bones; and the owner had to leave 
 his wood behind and flee for his life. In another instance, a negro 
 had been chopping at a little distance from home, and on his re- 
 turn he was driven by a pack of wolves into a fence corner, where 
 his remains and his axe were found, with six dead wolves by his 
 side. 
 
 During the same year and within the Sioux City District, 
 occurred the Spirit Lake Indian Massacre, one of the most brutal 
 and atrocious massacres in American history. A white man 
 named Henry Lott, a desperado, murdered a Sioux Indian chief 
 and then made his escape. A brother of the murdered chief 
 brooded sullenly over the terrible deed and vowed revenge. The 
 time for retaliation came in the winter of 1856-7. Gathering to- 
 gether about thirty of his warriors, he started up the Little 
 Sioux Valley and continued on to Lake Okoboji and along the 
 shore of Spirit Lake. They went from cabin to cabin, shot the 
 men and then turned upon the women and children and beat their 
 brains out with clubs. Near one cabin eleven mutilated bodies 
 were left to mark the spot of the bloody massacre. At another 
 place were found the mangled bodies of five men, two women and 
 children lying about the burning cabin, while the shrieks of other 
 children roasting in the flames, made a scene of horrors too hid- 
 eous to be described. It is estimated that in all there were forty- 
 one killed, twelve missing, three badly wounded, and four women 
 carried away prisoners. After weeks of terrible suffering and un- 
 speakable horrors, three of the women were killed. One only 
 was finally rescued. As soon as possible an expedition of armed 
 men was organized that drove the Indians from the state. 
 
 Through all the excitement caused by this bloody massacre 
 and its attendant dangers, Landon Taylor and his preachers 
 remained at their posts. Landon Taylor relates this incident 
 which occurred on his district: 
 
 "In passing around our work, we had to pass through Ida 
 
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS 
 
 49 
 
 Grove, where I always received a hearty welcome from a gentle- 
 man who was the first settler and principal man of the place. At 
 that time there were but a few families and no church organiza- 
 tion; but he had been raised a Methodist, and was what might be 
 called a pretty good orthodox sinner. I always enjoyed put- 
 ting up with him and his kind family, and he was as well satisfied 
 as myself. My bill of fare was alway adjusted by his generosity, 
 without reckoning up my debt or credit. My successor, however, 
 did not fare so well. 
 
 "When leaving the circuit he inquired how much he was in 
 debt. The answer was that he could not tell without looking over 
 the account. So here the settlement commenced : 
 
 Rev. , Dr. 
 
 "To so many nights' lodging and meals. .$20.00 
 "To horse feed in addition 10.00 
 
 " Total indebtedness $30.00 
 
 "At this point my ministerial brother was non-plussed, fear- 
 ing lest after this bill was paid he would not have money enough 
 to pay his way to conference. After enjoying his embarrassment 
 a few moments, the man said to the minister, 'See here, your 
 credits are to come in before we strike a balance.' 
 
 " 'Credits,' said the preacher; 'I have no credits to offset 
 that indebtedness.' 
 
 " 'Yes you have, and here they are: 
 
 "By so many sermons preached $10.00 
 
 By so many prayers in the family 15.00 
 
 By so many blessings at table 5.00 
 
 By one prayer on one knee — half price . . .25 
 
 Total $30.25 
 
 I owe you twenty-five cents and here is your money.' " 
 
50 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 At the close of his second year on the Sioux City District, 
 Landon Tayhir writes as foUows: 
 
 "Two years have passed since I entered upon this work; and 
 though I have encountered many hardships, braved dangers, 
 and suffered the loss of many social pleasures, yet I have been 
 honored with the privilege of preaching the gospel where its 
 joyful sound had never been heard, organizing new societies, estab- 
 lishing new Sunday Schools, witnessing the conversion of many 
 souls, and laying the foundation for the further growth and pros- 
 perity of the church of Christ." 
 
 The experiences above related are typical experiences of the 
 pioneer Methodist preacher in Iowa. Add to all these the meagre 
 and utterly inadequate support, and we have a true view of the 
 life of the early itinerant. The greatest hardships and sufferings, 
 however, were endured by the family. They ofttimes lived in 
 shanties and cabins unprotected from the rains of summer and 
 snows of winter, with scant supply of fuel and food, and thinly 
 clad, — sometimes a half mile distant from the nearest neighbor 
 with husband and father away on the circuit three-fourths of the 
 time ; and with no trained nurse or medical service in case of sick- 
 ness. The preachers could endure privations, perils and hardships 
 themselves, but to have wife and children thus exposed was some- 
 times more than they could bear. It is a sad commentary on the 
 above conditions, that during the first twenty-five years of the 
 history of the Upper Iowa Conference, in proportion to the mem- 
 bership, five times as many ministers retired from the Conference 
 by location as in the last twenty-five years. Doubtless other 
 reasons can be found for this strange historical fact, but the chief 
 reason was the exposures were so great, the labor so excessive and 
 the support so inadequate as to seem unendurable; and so for the 
 sake of wife and children, they turned to secular pursuits. 
 
THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS 
 
 51 
 
 Oh, ye preachers and pastors of today, who live in nicely 
 furnished parsonages, preach in elegant and spacious churches, 
 ride in palace cars, seek for better appointments, and think you 
 are making great sacrifices for the Master, remember the fathers, 
 how they toiled and suffered and died to make possible the privi- 
 leges and luxuries you now enjoy. 
 
 We must not imagine that these early itinerants counted it 
 a hardship to go from place to place and travel these extensive 
 circuits. They accepted their appointments as from the Lord, 
 and went forth joyfully, esteeming it a privilege to help lay the 
 foundations of the church in a new country. Besides, there were 
 many bright scenes connected with these pioneer times. The 
 hospitality of the people was beautiful. One can hardly im- 
 agine how pioneer itinerants could have achieved their success 
 in laying the foundations of Methodism in Iowa without this form 
 of Christian liberality. The meeting of dear familiar faces, the 
 hearty welcome such as only pioneers can give, the good cheer, 
 the delightful converse, the gratitude of multitudes led to Christ, 
 all formed a picture which the weary itinerant carefully hung 
 in memory. 
 
 The northeast one-fourth of Iowa, which since 1864 has con- 
 stituted the territory of the Upper Iowa Conference, was prac- 
 tically included in its circuits and districts at the time of organ- 
 ization. The growth of the Conference since 1856 has not been 
 by extending her borders into new territory, but by developing 
 the unoccupied fields within her boundaries. This development 
 has resulted largely from the great influx of population and 
 the building of railroads. The population of the state since 1856 
 has grown from 517,000 to over 2,000,000. Railroads have been 
 built across the Conference from east to west and from north to 
 south. Instead of being almost entirely a rural people, we have 
 
52 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 become largely an urban people living in towns and cities. Instead 
 of little or no communication with the outside world and rarely 
 a newspaper to read, we have a daily mail and rural and free deliv- 
 ery bringing the great metropolitan papers to our doors, and also 
 the telegraph and telephone by which we are brought into speaking 
 distance with other states and with lands beyond the sea. From 
 living in shanty and cabin we have come to live in cozy cottages 
 and elegant mansions. The vast unsettled prairies have become 
 covered with immense fields of grain and are the abode of civiliza- 
 tion. We no longer have preaching places in barn, cabin, grove and 
 school house, but in spacious churches containing cushioned pews 
 and sweet toned organs, heated with furnaces and lighted with 
 electricity. These changes have gone rapidly forward and are so 
 familiar to the reader that we need not trace them in detail in 
 this brief history. We shall therefore show only the growth and 
 work of the Conference in the lines of its activities and achieve- 
 ments. 
 
HIGHER EDUCATION 
 
 53 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 HIGHER EDUCATION 
 
 It may be truthfully affirmed that Iowa Methodists have a 
 passion for education. In 1842, when the Iowa Territory was but 
 four years old, a movement was set on foot, led by G. B. Bowman, 
 then pastor at Iowa City, to secure the establishment of "The 
 Iowa City College. " A charter was obtained from the Territorial 
 Legislative Assembly providing that said "College should be under 
 the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with power to 
 confer all degrees in the arts and learned professions. " This col- 
 lege was adopted by the Iowa Conference at its first session in 1844. 
 Among its trustees were G. B. Bowman, Bartholomew Weed, 
 Ex-Governor Robert Lucas, Anson Hart and J. P. Farley. The 
 school was opened in 1845, James Harlan from Indiana, who was 
 afterwards United States Senator, being the president. In 1847, 
 ]VIr. Harlan resigned to accept of the state superintendency of 
 schools, the school was closed and the Iowa Citj- College move- 
 ment was abandoned. About the same time, viz., in 1842, the 
 Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute was projected, which after- 
 wards developed into the Iowa Wesleyan University. 
 
 In 1852 a movement was inaugurated by G. B. Bowman to 
 found and build an institution of learning at Mount Vernon. A 
 building was erected and the school opened November 14, 1853, 
 and was called the Iowa Conference Seminary. In 1855 the 
 articles of incorporation were amended, the powers of the insti- 
 tution enlarged and its name changed to Cornell College.. 
 
 The Upper Iowa Conference at its first session in 1856 adopted 
 the following resolution: "Resolved, that the Upper Iowa 
 Conference adopt Cornell College, located at Mount Vernon and 
 
54 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 formerly known as Iowa Conference Seminary, as their college, 
 and they hereby pledge themselves to its patronage and support. " 
 
 At the same session of the Conference, the committee on ed- 
 ucation reported that "Fayette Seminary in Fayette, Iowa, is 
 rapidly approaching completion, and the Trustees purpose to 
 open the school for the reception of students by the middle of 
 January, 1S57. " The committee also reported "that prelimi- 
 nary arrangements had been made for the erection of a seminary 
 at Epworth in Dubuque County ; " all of which was approved by 
 the Conference. 
 
 The committee further recommended, "To meet the increas- 
 ing demands of the church in this department of her work and to 
 provide more generally and efficiently for its accomplishment 
 the appointment of a commission, to whom during the interim of 
 conference propositions may be submitted of institutions of learn- 
 ing to be secured by the Conference, which commission shall report 
 in detail all such propositions at its next session. " 
 
 Signed, 
 
 Philo E. Brown, 
 Alpha J. Kynett, 
 J. C. Ayres, 
 J. T. Coleman. 
 
 In 1857 the Conference declared, "We are fully convinced, 
 that to render the work of evangelization permanent and emi- 
 nently successful, the educational enterprises of the day must be 
 mainly under the direction of evangelical denominations. The 
 fact cannot be questioned nor overlooked, that here in the Missis- 
 sippi valley is to be fought the great battle of human rights and 
 pure Christianity. Leave the education of our youth to be con- 
 ducted imder the influence of a corrupt Christianity, or even 
 without any religious influence, and the future of our land is dark 
 and gloomy. The Upper Iowa Conference, occupying as it does. 
 
HIGHER EDUCATION 
 
 55 
 
 a central position in the fiekl, ought to feel that vast responsibili- 
 ties rest upon it in this matter, and ought to rejoice that so ex- 
 cellent an opportunity is given of engaging in this magnificent 
 enterprise. " In 1858 the Conference resolved that, "Intellectual 
 culture has an importance too little regarded. Our Church is be- 
 coming thoroughly aroused to this great work and is taking hold 
 of it manfully and resolutely. The Upper Iowa Conference has 
 three institutions of learning already commenced. It becomes vis 
 as a church to foster and encourage by our prayers, our influence 
 and our means, these noble bulwarks of our Conference and State." 
 After recognizing the reports of continued prosperity of the three 
 schools already named, the Conference appointed a committee of 
 correspondence in regard to the selection of sites for additional 
 literary institutions, with instructions to report at the next ses- 
 sion of the Conference. 
 
 To properly appreciate the above policA' to secure more 
 schools of higher grade, it should be remembered that at that time 
 there was no provision in law for high schools or colleges to be 
 supported by the state. It was generally believed that education 
 by the state would and should be limited to elementary or common 
 schools, and that all educational institutions of higher and highest 
 grade should be under private and denominational control. Such 
 had been the policy of the eastern states and it was expected that 
 such would be the policy of the new western states. Besides, it 
 was further believed that seminaries or schools of secondary grade 
 would be easily and forever self-supporting, and even remunera- 
 tive, after suitable buildings and grounds were provided. 
 
 The above policy was abandoned in 1860, and the following 
 was adopted, viz., "Resolved that we already have a sufficient 
 number of institutions, and we deem it the true policy to rally 
 around and place upon a permanent basis those now under our 
 patronage, rather than to multiply their number. " 
 
56 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 It is well known that very few conferences in Methodism have 
 attempted to build and equip more than a single college, and 
 usually several conferences have united in the support of one col- 
 lege. The wisdom or unwisdom of the Upper Iowa Conference 
 policy of establishing several schools of high grade may now be 
 considered in the light of fifty years experience. That the burden 
 laid upon the promoters of each school has been increased is freely 
 granted. Their task has been greater and has required more 
 heroic courage, greater self-denial and personal sacrifice than 
 would have been needed if there had been but one school. The 
 results achieved in material equipment, num^ber of students 
 educated, teachers employed, and quality of education given, 
 will appear in the following historical sketch of these schools. 
 Cornell College 
 
 Cornell College is situated in Mount Vernon, Iowa, a town 
 celebrated for its beautiful location and its high moral and liter- 
 ary influences. It was first incorporated under the name of Iowa 
 Conference Seminary and the school was formally opened Novem- 
 ber 14, 1853. The first faculty consisted of Samuel M. Fellows, 
 A. M., Principal, assisted by Professor David H. Wheeler, A.M., 
 and Miss Catherine A. Fortner, Preceptress. 
 
 In 1855 the institution was re-incorporated with enlarged 
 powers and the name changed to Cornell College. 
 
 The history of the College has been phenomenal, its growth 
 rapid and constant. It has been the policy from the beginning 
 to place upon its board of Trustees men zealous for Christian 
 education, loyal to Methodism, of financial ability and business 
 sagacity, of broad and liberal spirit, conservative yet aggressive, 
 who were ready to give their thought and means to build up a 
 great Christian institution of learning. Among the earliest trus- 
 tees were the Honorable Hiram Price of Davenport, Honorable 
 J. P. Farley and Senator D. N. Cooley of Dubuque, Honorable 
 
1. W. A. Gibbens 5. I. C. Lusk 9. H. D. Atchison 13. R. D. Parsons 
 
 2. C. A. Hawn 6. H. H. Fairall 10. S, C Bretnall 14. W.F.King 
 
 3. M.N.Smith 7. \Vm. A. Shanklin 11. F.M.Coleman 15. C.L.Gould 
 
 4. J. H. Hoskyn 8. T. M. Evans 12. E. G. Cattermole 16. W. S. Skinner 
 
HIGHER EDUCATION 
 
 57 
 
 W. J. Young of Clinton and Henry A. Collin, Esquire, of Mount 
 Vernon, and others, both ministers and laymen, who through all 
 its history carried the College on their hearts and freely gave their 
 best efforts in promoting the great work committed to their 
 care. The wisdom of the trustees has been shown not only in 
 the successful management of the finances of the school, but also 
 in the selection and retention of an able faculty. 
 
 The members of the faculty have the unique distinction of a 
 longer term of service than any other college faculty in I^Iethodism. 
 The College has had but three presidents in its history of fifty- 
 three years. R. W. Keeler, D. D., served as president for two 
 years; Samuel M. Fellows, A. M., stood at the head for eight years; 
 William Fletcher King, L. L. D., has been the president forty- 
 three years. In years of service, President King outnumbers 
 every other college president in Methodism, if not in America. 
 Not only has he devoted to the College his life, his best thought 
 and effort, but his means as well. He gave fifty tliousand dollars 
 to endow the Lucy King Professorship, in memory of an only daugh- 
 ter of unusual beauty and promise whose early translation filled 
 many hearts with sorrow. At the semi-centennial jubilee of the Col- 
 lege, he gave, in memory of his sainted wife, one hundred thousand 
 dollars to endow one hundred free scholarships in the College, 
 one for every county in the state and two for Kossuth County, the 
 largest county in Iowa. 
 
 President King has been ably supported by a strong faculty. 
 Those most worthy of mention by reason of long service are Vice- 
 President, James E. Harlan, w^ho by his wise administration of 
 the internal affairs of the College, has made possible the work of 
 President King; also Professors Alonzo Collin, Hugh Boyd, Ham- 
 lin H. Freer, Sylvester N. Williams, and Harriette J. Cooke, 
 each of whom has served the College over thirty years. These 
 and their associates have worked together with singular harmony, 
 zeal, and ability for the upbuilding of the College. 
 
58 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Around this faculty has grown a band of alumni, twelve 
 hundred strong, unexcelled in loyalty to their alma mater, an 
 alumnal body that has contributed two hundred thousand dollars 
 to the funds of the College, whose members have risen to positions 
 of honor and trust in church and state, and whose influence is 
 recognized in the state and nation and across the sea. 
 
 From the beginning, women were admitted to equal privi- 
 leges with men, both as students and teachers. 
 
 The favor of God has rested continuously on the College. 
 Thousands of students have been converted in its halls, many of 
 whom are now laboring in the Christian ministry. 
 
 The College provides four courses of study: Classical, philo- 
 sophical, scientific, and civil engineering, leading to the bacca- 
 laiu-eate degree. There are also under the supervision of the Col- 
 lege an academy, normal and commercial courses, and special 
 advantages are given in the schools of art and oratory and in the 
 conservatory of music. 
 
 The catalogue of 1906 shows three hundred and eighty-two 
 students in the regular college classes, an average of ninety-five in 
 each class. 
 
 Eleven hundred and eighty-five have graduated from the four 
 regular courses of study, and about an equal number from the 
 special courses. 
 
 Forty-one professors and instructors compose the faculty. 
 The College campus, including atliletic grounds, is seventy- 
 five acres. 
 
 The work of the College is carried on in seven commodious 
 buildings which are well equipped with apparatus, museum, 
 studios and laboratories. 
 
 The library contains twenty-six thousand eight hundred and 
 fifty-seven volumes, besides pamphlets, and is kept and preserved 
 
HIGHER EDUCATION 
 
 59 
 
 in a convenient and commodious fire-proof building, the gift of 
 Mr. Andrew Carnegie. 
 
 The value of buildings, grounds and equipment is 
 $326,667.00. The total endowment, productive and unproduc- 
 tive, is $450,000 . 00. The annual income is S56,S63 . 00. 
 
 Upper Iowa University. 
 
 In the autumn of 1854, when Mrs. Elizabeth Alexander was 
 urged to send her daughters away to school, she replied, "No, but 
 let us establish a school here for our young people. " The propo- 
 sition was received with favor. Her husband. Colonel Robert Alex- 
 ander, and her sons-in-law, Samuel and James E. Robertson, 
 united in offering generous contributions of land and money. 
 An organization was effected under the name of Fayette Seminary, 
 and in the summer of 1855 the first building was commenced. 
 In 1856 the waUs of the second and third stories were laid, the 
 building covered and sufficiently completed for use, and Fayette 
 Seminary was first opened for students January 7, 1857, with 
 Wm. H. Poor, A. M., Principal, and Miss Louisa Rice, preceptress. 
 
 In August, 1857, Lucius H. Bugbee, A. M., was elected prin- 
 cipal, and Miss Ellen A. Dayton, preceptress, and the first academ- 
 ic year commenced September 17, 1857. During the first school 
 year the plan and scope of the school were enlarged and the name 
 changed to Upper Iowa University, which was formally accepted 
 by the Conference in 1858. 
 
 President Bugbee was a man of rare qualities, an inspirer 
 of youth and an excellent disciplinarian. April 21, 1860, he re- 
 signed and William Brush, D. D., was placed in charge, and in 
 July following was elected president, which position he held until 
 1869. President Brush was a fine scholar and an able educator. 
 His plans were broad and far-reaching, and prosecuted with an 
 energy that seemed well nigh unlimited. 
 
 C. N. Stowers, A. M., succeeded Dr. Brush as president and 
 
6o 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 remained one year. Byron W. McLain, A. M., was made acting 
 president and served two years. In 1872 R. Norton, A. M., 
 then pastor at Fayette, was elected president, and for one year 
 performed the duties of both positions. Under his administra- 
 tion the number of students increased and public confidence re- 
 vived. 
 
 In 1873 John William Bissell, D. D., was placed in charge and 
 in 1874 he was elected president. His administration of twenty- 
 seven years was one of marked success. His Christ-like life and 
 character inspired and molded the moral and intellectual lives 
 of thousands of young men and women. He ever held be- 
 fore the students the highest ideals, both of scholarship and 
 character. His self-sacrificing labors aided by a strong faculty 
 and the co-operation of the board of trustees, resulted in a great 
 increase, not only in material resources but in the number both of 
 professors and .students, in the number and scope of its courses 
 of study, in its library and apparatus and in its relative position 
 among the colleges of the land. 
 
 Dr. Bissell was succeeded in 1899 by Guy P. Benton, A. M., 
 an enthusiastic and talented young educator, who served the 
 institution with vigor and energy until 1902, when he resigned and 
 Thomas J. Bassett, Ph. D., w^as elected his successor. Dr. Bas- 
 sett brought to the institution many years of experience as an 
 educator and gave the full measure of his strength to the growth 
 of the school. 
 
 In 1905 Dr. Bassett resigned and was succeeded by William 
 Arnold Shanklin, LL. D. Dr. Shanklin has assumed the labors 
 of his office with all the virility and enthusiasm belonging to a 
 cultured, consecrated, matured manhoo4, with large faith and a 
 firm determination to provide the best educational advantages 
 possible. 
 
 The University now has a faculty of thirty-three teachers 
 
HIGHER EDUCATION 
 
 6l 
 
 who combine in their qualifications, Christian influence, scholarly 
 attainments, and teaching ability. It also has a growing patron- 
 izing territory and an enthusiastic student body. It has a library 
 of ten thousand volumes, and well equipped laboratories. 
 
 Among its ardent friends and supporters may be named Ex- 
 Governor William Larrabee, who for many years as trustee has 
 given the aid of his wise counsels, w^ho also gave a donation of 
 $26,000.00; and the late Honorable David B. Henderson, who 
 when a student of the University left its halls to enter the union 
 army and after the war rose to distinction in the American Con- 
 gress and became Speaker of the House of 'Representatives. His 
 abiding friendship was shown in securing by his personal influence 
 the gift from Mr. Andrew Carnegie of $26,550.00 for the build- 
 ing known as the David B. Henderson Library. Honorable 
 Quintus C. Babcock, president of the board of trustees, recently 
 gave $25,000.00. 
 
 The first graduate of the University, John E. Clough, has 
 become eminent as a Baptist missionary in foreign fields. A 
 former student, Mr. John R. Mott, is the recognized leader of 
 young people in Christian and mission work. Others of the 
 students and alumni have won distinction at the bar, in the 
 pulpit, in business, in Congress and in the United States Senate. 
 
 The University buildings, seven in number, are located on a 
 beautiful campus of twelve acres and situated in the town of Fay- 
 ette, a town of about twelve hundred population, and noted for 
 its beauty of location, its romantic surroundings, its healthful 
 climate, and its freedom from saloons and gaming resorts of any 
 kind. 
 
 In the catalogue of 1906, the net enrollment of students 
 was 568. Total number in the college of liberal arts 161. Total 
 number of graduates 538. 
 
62 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 The present assets of the University are estimated as follows : 
 
 Value of buildings, grounds and equipment $150,000.00 
 
 Value of endowment, productive and unproductive .136,000.00 
 
 Total resources $286,000 . 00 
 
 Epworth Seminary 
 
 This institution, located at Epworth, Dubuque County, Iowa, 
 was founded in 1857 by a company of devout Methodists, whose 
 liberal Christian spirit has ever been a benediction to the school 
 and to the community. First among these was Henry W. Reed, 
 D. D., who for many years was a leader in the Upper Iowa Confer- 
 ence. With him were associated Hezekiah Young, Otis Briggs, 
 Zephaniah Kidder, and Philip Keagy. All of these have passed 
 to their reward. 
 
 At first a single brick building was erected, and here in the 
 faU of 1857, John Pollock opened the school. For two years 
 Professor Pollock and his esteemed wife labored faithfully and 
 successfully. He was succeeded in 1859 by Richard W. Keeler, 
 D. D., who rendered excellent service to the institution during the 
 dark days of the rebellion. 
 
 Principal Keeler retired in the spring of 1865, and in 1866 
 J. W. Jewett became the owner of the school, which he conducted 
 as a private enterprise until 1870. At this time, through the 
 earnest efforts of H. W. Houghton, then pastor of the church 
 at Epworth, the school was re-purchased by the Methodists and 
 Joshua H. Rigby, A. M., became the principal. Principal Rigby 
 conducted the school successfully for three years and was succeeded 
 by Adam Holm. During the five years of Principal Holm's ad- 
 ministration, much good work was done, and he was succeeded 
 in 1878 by J. B. Albrook, A. M. 
 
 The five years of service rendered by Principal Albrook were 
 marked by the erection of a new chapel, a valuable addition to the 
 Seminary buildings, the thorough grading of the school, and a large 
 
HIGHER EDUCATION 
 
 63 
 
 increase in the enrollment of students. Confidence was revived 
 and a new life given to the institution. 
 
 Professor G. W. Jones was elected principal in 1883. During 
 his three successful years, Husted Hall was purchased for the 
 accomodation of young women. 
 
 Professor G. Trowbridge became principal in 1886, but re- 
 tired in a few months and R. F. Hurlburt completed the year. 
 B. D. Smith served as principal for one year and was succeeded in 
 1889 by W. S. Lewis, who gave to the Seminary a tireless service 
 of nine years. During this period there was a constant increase 
 in the enrollment of students and in the members of the faculty, 
 and there was added better equipment for school work. Three 
 objective points were kept constantly in \'iew, viz. — 
 
 1. Thorough classical and academic work preparatory for the 
 freshman and sophomore years in our colleges; 
 
 2. A normal course such as is required for a teacher's state 
 certificate; 
 
 3. A special course in the English Bible. 
 
 The Taylor Home, the Lewis Hall, and a cottage for the 
 principal were also secured. 
 
 In 1897 Frank G. Barnes, A. M., was elected to the principal- 
 ship and gave four years of valuable service to the school . He c om- 
 pleted the raising of $10,000.00, which had been begun by Princi- 
 pal Lewis, to endow the chair of the English Bible. 
 
 H. R. DeBra, A. M., was elected principal in 1901. The 
 policy of his administration is to maintain the religious prestige 
 of the institution, and at the same time keep abreast of the best 
 schools of its class. The aim is a higher standard of scholarship, 
 better equipped laboratories, new buildings, a larger library fund, 
 increased number of teachers, a closer affiliation with the two 
 colleges of the conference, and an increase of the permanent en- 
 dowment fund. 
 
64 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 While liberal in spirit, the Seminary is thoroughly loyal to 
 the standards of our church. Situated in the midst of an increas- 
 ingly Roman Catholic population, it is a powerful safeguard of 
 Methodist interests. 
 
 The following is a summary of its assets: 
 Value of buildings, grounds and equipments ....$50,000.00 
 Endowment, productive and unproductive 17,000.00 
 
 Total resources 
 
 1167,000.00 
 
1. \V. H. Smith 5, F. G. Young 9. S. GoodscU 13. S. C. Bronson 
 
 2. J. R. A. Manner 6. C. S. Burnard 10. H. E. Wilcox 14. F. T. Heatly 
 
 3. J. B. Albrook 7. G. E. Shear 11. J. B. Wyatt 15. A. A. Hallett 
 
 4. E. G. Waite 8. N. A. Mershon 12. Elias Skinner 16. Reese Wolfe 
 
CHURCH EXTENSION 
 
 65 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 CHURCH EXTENSION 
 
 In the first years of the Conference, chvirch-ljuilding was an 
 exceedingly important part of church work. As railway lines 
 were not then surveyed, future centers of population could not 
 be foreseen. The introduction of railroads caused some towns of 
 large promise to dwindle and finally disappear, and other little 
 towns to grow to large proportions. To know when, where and 
 how large a church should be built, required foresight and sagacity. 
 After exercising all possible care mistakes were made, and some 
 churches were badly located, or planned on too large a scale for 
 the subsequent needs of the localit}-. This subject early engaged 
 the attention of the Conference, as appears from the following 
 action. 
 
 In 185S the committee on church extension reported as fol- 
 lows, and the report was adopted: "In the judgment of the com- 
 mittee, the acquisition of church property has been too much 
 neglected by us. In most, if not all, our new towns and villages, 
 lots for churches and parsonages might be secured by donation, 
 if the proper efforts were made. But as far as your committee is 
 apprised, in but few instances has this been done. This subject 
 should receive the attention of the brethren without further de- 
 lay, therefore 
 
 "Resolved, that the presiding elder of each district and the 
 preacher in charge of each circuit or station be appointed a com- 
 mittee to examine the title to all our church property in each of 
 the circuits and stations, and to procure additional church prop- 
 erty, and that each presiding elder be required to report in refer- 
 ence to this subject at the next session of this Conference. 
 
 A. J. Kynett, Chairman. " 
 
66 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 In 1860 the committee on church extension made the fol- 
 lowing recommendations : 
 
 1. Select the site most convenient for the entire congrega- 
 tion. It is very bad policy to build out of town, or make a bad 
 location to save a few doUars or to gratify the wishes of a few at 
 the expense of the many. 
 
 2. Secure good titles before you build, and if not prepared 
 to build, get all the property you can so as to aid you in build- 
 ing when you are able. 
 
 3. In building, avoid as much as possible, debt, for it is 
 easier to raise one thousand dollars to complete a building, than 
 one hundred to pay off an old debt; patj as you go. 
 
 4. Especially when the place of worship gets too small for 
 comfort, and the number of inhabitants increasing, make immedi- 
 ate arrangements for the erection of another place of worship. 
 The want of proper attention to this has been a great loss to the 
 church. 
 
 A. Coleman, Chairman. " 
 
 The financial crisis of 1857 caused great business depression 
 throughout the country. Many banks suspended specie pay- 
 ment, thousands of citizens were unable to get money to pay 
 their taxes or save their property from sale under process of law, 
 and hundreds were reduced from prosperous farmers, mechanics 
 and merchants to poverty and destitution. Before the country 
 coiild rally from this overwhelming financial distress, the civil 
 war of 1861 was begun, which still further paralyzed business and 
 depressed the people. Not only people but churches were brought 
 into great financal distress. 
 
 At the Conference session of 1864, the committee on church 
 extension reported as follows : 
 
 "Whereas, Many of our churches are embarrassed with debt 
 and unless prompt aid be furnished, some of them will be lost to 
 
CHURCH EXTENSION 
 
 67 
 
 us; and whereas, it has been the custom for churches in such cases 
 to ask for special agents to travel and beg for monej^ which has 
 often deprived churches of their pastors for a large portion of the 
 year and has resulted in but comparatively little profit to the 
 church; therefore, 
 
 "Resolved, that we proceed to organize a church extension 
 societ3\ 
 
 " Resolved, that we respectfully request the bishop to appoint 
 as corresponding secretary and general agent, either A. J. Kynett 
 or C. G. Truesdell. " A. J. Kynett was appointed. 
 
 In 1865 the corresponding secretary reported as follows : 
 
 "The first and principal work to which we were called dm-ing 
 the past year was, as indicated in the action of the Conference 
 organizing our society, 'The removal of old church debts. ' 
 
 "Of these quite a number were of several years standing and 
 had been the occasion of much anxiety and trouble to the Confer- 
 ence as well as the churches involved. Several attempts had been 
 made by efforts at home and appeals abroad to relieve them; 
 but all proved ineffectual, and at the time our society was organ- 
 ized, properties to the value of thousands of dollars were under 
 mortgages past maturity, and in great and immediate danger of 
 being lost. We are most happy to report to this, our first annual 
 meeting, that during the past year, by the favor of God and the 
 liberality of the people, all the old debts have been removed." 
 
 Among the cliurches thus saved were those of Bellevue, Le- 
 Claire, Pleasant Valley, Decorah, Waterloo and Clinton. 
 
 Previous to this time, churches and parsonages had been built 
 without the plans and specifications of an architect, and were 
 destitute of beauty and convenience. The society claimed that 
 this was bad economy and worse policy. Accordingly Mr. W. W. 
 Sanborn of Lyons, Iowa, was appointed church and parsonage 
 architect. The importance of using his carefully prepared plans 
 
68 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 and specifications was strongly urged upon both pastors and people, 
 architectural designs were furnished at small cost, and thus the 
 first steps were taken toward beautifying and improving our 
 church architecture. This improvement has gone steadily for- 
 ward as shown in the beautiful and imposing edifices erected in 
 the last few j^ears. 
 
 In 1866 the committee on church extension reported: 
 "There have been completed and dedicated during the year, 
 within the bounds of our Conference, nineteen churches at an ag- 
 gregate cost of $65,695.00, all provided for at dedications, to be 
 paid at once or in notes bearing same rate of interest as the 
 trustees had to pay, with a surplus of $3,000.00. There are no 
 church debts within the Conference. Twenty churches are in 
 process of erection. There are at least forty-three other places 
 where churches worth in the aggregate $145,000.00 could be se- 
 cured within a year or two, by pledging aid to the amount of 
 $15,000.00. " 
 
 The plans of our society provide for the creation in its treas- 
 ury of a "Church Extension Fund that shall be perpetual, to be 
 loaned in aid of church building, without interest, in sums not 
 exceeding one thousand dollars, or with interest, as occasion may 
 require, and the Board shall from time to time determine. " The 
 year 1866 was the centennial year of Methodism in America and 
 the Upper Iowa Conference devoted its centennial offerings largely 
 to the raising of this "Church Extension Loan Fund, " to be used 
 exclusively for the benefit of churches within the Conference. 
 
 In July, 1867 Dr. A. J. Kynett was appointed by the Board 
 of Bishops, Corresponding Secretary of the General Board of 
 Church Extension, with headquarters at Philadelphia. He 
 therefore tendered his resignation as Corresponding Secretary of 
 the Upper Iowa Conference Board, which was accepted and C. G. 
 Truesdell was elected his successor. 
 
CHURCH EXTENSION 
 
 69 
 
 Dr. Kj'nett's promotion to the general office was a fitting 
 recognition of his superior financial ability and of his excellent 
 service in originating and successfully managing the Conference 
 movement for church extension and the great plan of the loan 
 fund. Besides, he had been the originator and chief promoter 
 in the organization by the General Conference of 1864 of the 
 General Board of Church Extension. To this great office Dr. 
 Kynett was elected and re-elected eight times by as many suc- 
 cessive General Conferences, and continued in office until his 
 death in 1899. 
 
 Bishop C. D. Foss, at the memorial services of Dr. Kynett, 
 remarked: "If our church lasts a thousand years, the time will 
 never come when any faithful student of Methodism can fail to 
 note that one of the greatest movements of our church, the move- 
 ment for church extension, was born in the brain, and was de- 
 veloped by the skill, and was saved many times in hours of peril 
 by the firmness and strength of this good man whose mind can 
 never cease to think, and whose heart can never cease to love. " 
 
 The Upper Iowa Conference deems it an honor to have given 
 to the church the founder and for thirty-two years the builder of 
 Church Extension in Methodism. 
 
 In 1871 the Conference Board of Church Extension, by the 
 authority of the Upper Iowa Conference, tendered its assets to the 
 parent society on conditions which were accepted. One of these 
 conditions was that the loan fund of the Conference should be 
 administered by the parent board as the "Upper Iowa Conference 
 Loan Fund, " for the sole use and benefit of churches within said 
 Upper Iowa Conference. The Conference therefore declared that 
 the above action dispensed with the necessity of continumg the 
 separate corporate existence of the Conference society and it was 
 formally dissolved. This action brought the Conference into full 
 co-operation with sister conferences under the parent society ac- 
 
70 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 cording to the provisions of the discipline. The Upper Iowa Con- 
 ference thus agreed to share equitably the burdens and benefits 
 of the general society. 
 
 From the Methodist Year Book for 1906 we obtain the follow- 
 ing summary of receipts of the parent board from the beginning 
 to October 31, 1905:. 
 
 Number of churches aided from the beginning until Octo- 
 ber 31, 1905, 14,305. 
 
 From the Upper Iowa Conference Official Records of 1906, 
 we gather the following: 
 
 Number of churches in the Conference, 329. 
 
 Value of churches in the Conference, $1,731,000. 
 
 Number of parsonages, 174. 
 
 Value of parsonages, $343,525. 
 
 Total value of church property, $2,074,525. 
 
 The following is a list of churches within the Conference whose 
 estimated value exceeds $20,000.00. Value of parsonages is also 
 given. 
 
 City V alue of Value of 
 
 On General Fund 
 On Loan Fund 
 On Annuity Fund 
 On loans returned 
 
 $5,372,725.26 
 . . 309,333.13 
 , . 963,322.67 
 . .2,042,962.15 
 
 $8,688,343.21 
 
 Church 
 
 Parsonage 
 $12,000.00 
 12,000.00 
 8,000.00 
 4,500.00 
 4,000.00 
 
 Dubuque, Saint Luke's . . . .$150,000.00 
 Davenport, Saint John's. . . . 112,000.00 
 
 Iowa City, 75,000.00 
 
 Clinton, 60,700.00 
 
 Mason City, 42,000.00 
 
CHURCH 
 
 EXTENSION 
 
 71 
 
 Toledo, 
 
 40,000.00 
 
 4,000.00 
 
 Hampton, 
 
 37,000.00 
 
 3,000.00 
 
 Marshalltown, 
 
 35,000.00 
 
 5,000.00 
 
 Cedar Falls, 
 
 35,000.00 
 
 5,000.00 
 
 
 35,000.00 
 
 5,000.00 
 
 Mount ^^ernon, 
 
 35,000.00 
 
 5,000.00 
 
 Cedar Rapids, Saint Paul's, . . 
 
 30,000.00 
 
 4,000.00 
 
 Waterloo, Grace, 
 
 30,000.00 
 
 4,000.00 
 
 Parkersburg, 
 
 25,000.00 
 
 3,000.00 
 
 Tipton, 
 
 25,000.00 
 
 2,500.00 
 
 Traer, 
 
 25,000.00 
 
 5,000.00 
 
 Osage, 
 
 20,000.00 
 
 2,000.00 
 
 Vinton, 
 
 20,000.00 
 
 4,000.00 
 
 There are also eighteen c 
 
 ■hurches whose values 
 
 are between 
 
 810,000 and $20,000. 
 
 We are told that Methodism brings to completion every week 
 more than forty houses of worship. The Methodist Episcopal 
 Church contributes her part toward this achievement. The Upper 
 Iowa Conference gives hearty support to the work of church ex- 
 tension. During the fifty years of her history, this Conference has 
 given over three millions of dollars for building churches and 
 parsonages within her own territory, and contributed seA-enty 
 thousand dollars to aid the general work outside of the Conference^ 
 At the same time one hundred and sixty churches within the Con- 
 ference have received aid from the General Board to the amount 
 of $25,000 in donations, and over $70,000 in loans. 
 
72 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 BOUNDARIES 
 
 The Iowa Conference was organized in 1844 and included 
 within its boundaries all of Iowa Territory. 
 
 In 1855 the Iowa Conference at its session held in Keokuk, 
 resolved to secure at the approaching General Conference a division 
 of its territory and the formation of a new Conference. It appoint- 
 ed a committee of ten on "Conference Division", seven of whom 
 were from the southern portion of the Conference, viz., L. J. Rowley, 
 W. F. Cowles, J. B. Hardy, T. H. Peterfish, D. Dickenson, E. W. 
 Twining, and M. F. Shinn; and three from the northern part of the 
 Conference, viz., H. W. Reed, G. B. Bowman, and Joel B. Taylor. 
 This committee unanimously reported the following division line 
 which was adopted: "Beginning at Davenport on the Mississippi 
 River, thence by railroad to Iowa City, thence up the Iowa River to 
 the corner of Iowa, Benton, Tama, and Poweshiek Counties, 
 thence west to the Missouri River, leaving Iowa City and Davenport 
 in the northern Conference. " 
 
 Examining committees were appointed, one for the Iowa 
 Conference and one for the "Upper Iowa Conference," the Iowa 
 Conference thus naming the new Conference. 
 
 In accordance with the above action and request of the Iowa 
 Conference, the General Conference of 1856 authorized and es- 
 tablished the Upper Iowa Conference with a south boundary line 
 as fixed by the unanimous vote of the Iowa Conference. 
 
 In this division the Iowa Conference retained three-sevenths 
 of the most thickly settled portion of the state; and to the Upper 
 Iowa Conference was given about four-sevenths of the state, the 
 western half of which was practically an unsettled wilderness. 
 The Upper Iowa Conference was virtually a mission conference. 
 It had abundance of territory, but it had few people. 
 
BOUNDARIES 
 
 73 
 
 The Iowa Conference at its own request was again divided in 
 1S60 and tlie western portion comprising the southwest one-fourth 
 of the state was called the Western Iowa Conference. 
 
 The Upper Iowa Conference was divided in 1864 and its 
 western portion was united with the Western Iowa Conference, 
 the whole including the western one-half of the state, and its name 
 was changed to the Des Moines Conference. 
 
 In 1872 the Des Moines Conference was divided and its north- 
 ern part was called the Northwest Iowa Conference. 
 
 It wUl be seen that since 1864 the Upper Iowa Conference has 
 embraced the northeast one-fourth of the state. 
 
 The first note of dissatisfaction with the boundary line be- 
 tween the Iowa and the Upper Iowa Conferences was heard about 
 the year 1870. In 1872 the Iowa Conference filed a memorial 
 with the General Conference requesting that a change be made in 
 said boundary line whereby a portion of the territory of the Upper 
 Iowa Conference be given to the low^a Conference. In that Gen- 
 eral Conference, the Honorable Hiram Price, Member of Congress 
 from Iowa, represented the Upper Iowa Conference in its Com- 
 mittee on Boundaries ; the question as to the right and expediency 
 of any change was thoroughly considered; and the General Con- 
 ference, after such consideration, refused to change the boundary 
 line as requested. In 1879 the Iowa Conference served notice 
 upon the Upper Iowa Conference that another effort would be 
 made to change the boundary line between the conferences. 
 This notice was referred to a committee which reported as follows : 
 
 "Your committee to whom was referred the communication 
 from the Iowa Conference, giving notice that an effort will be made 
 by that Conference through their delegates to the next General 
 Conference to change the boundary line between the Upper Iowa 
 and the Iowa Conferences on a line running due east from the south 
 line of Marshall County, respectfully report, that we sincerely 
 
74 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 deprecate the re-opening of this question so often settled by the 
 General Conference in obvious harmony with all the interests con- 
 cerned. 
 
 "We find nothing of record in the journal of the General 
 Conference, or in that of either of the annual conferences, to 
 show that any agreement existed that any such change of boundary 
 should ever be made, nor can we find any among us who has any 
 knowledge of any such agreement, expressed or implied. H. W. 
 Reed, a charter member both of the Iowa and Upper Iowa Con- 
 ferences, who was a member of the Committee of Ten on Conference 
 Division, and a delegate to the General Conference when ours 
 was set off from the Iowa Conference, writes in a letter just re- 
 ceived by a member of your committee: 'As to any such bargain 
 as they (the Iowa Conference) refer to, I would like to see any man 
 of the other contracting party, living or dead, who knows, or ever 
 did know of any such contract. If the bargain was made (which 
 I deny) let them produce the' papers. ' 
 
 "We are persuaded that conference boundaries should be 
 adjusted with reference to the various interests involved, and with 
 due regard to the wishes of the people immediately concerned, 
 rather than to secure an equal division of territory, or of church 
 members among our ecclesiastical jurisdictions. AH these higher 
 considerations are obviously against any change whatever. First, 
 the change proposed would detach a part of the patronizing ter- 
 ritory of Cornell College with no corresponding advantage to any 
 interest of education in the Iowa Conference. Second, the people 
 within the territory to be transferred are unanimously and earn- 
 estly opposed to it, as are also those with whom they have been 
 associated in conference relations for twenty-three years. 
 
 "In view of these and other similar considerations, we re- 
 spectfully appeal to our brethren of the Iowa Conference to desist 
 from any further agitation of this question, as calculated only to 
 
BOUNDARIES 
 
 75 
 
 awaken needless anxiety and alarm among the people of a part of 
 our territor}' and to disquiet the peaceful relations which have 
 so happil}' existed between us. The question was long ago settled 
 by the harmonious decrees of Pro\'idence and the Church. 'Let 
 us have peace', and to this end, Resolved, That we do most 
 earnestly protest against the proposed change, or any change of 
 our Conference boundaries, as tending to produce disquiet and 
 anxiety among a contented people, and to seriovisly injxire import- 
 ant interests of the Ch\irch, which all should desire to conserve. " 
 
 A. J. Kyxett, 
 R. St^'eaeixgex, 
 Wm. Fawcett, 
 Emory Miller, 
 Wm. F. Ivixg. 
 
 Notwithstanding the above protest, the memorial was duly 
 filed in the General Conference. Richard Swearingen repre- 
 sented the Upper Iowa Conference in the Committee on Bound- 
 aries. The question was ably discussed and after full considera- 
 tion, the General Conference, by a decisive vote, again refused 
 to make any change in the boundary line. 
 
 Immediately after the General Conference of 18S0, the Iowa 
 Conference sent a commiinication to the Upper Iowa Conference 
 requesting the appointment of a joint commission on boundaries. 
 This commimication was referred to a committee consisting of the 
 recent delegates to the General Conference, which reported as 
 follows : 
 
 "Whereas, Part 5, Chapter 4 and Paragraph 390 of the Dis- 
 cipline provides that 'Any two or more conferences which may 
 be mutually interested in the re-adjastment of their common 
 boimdaries may at any time raise a joint commission: and 
 
 " WHEREASjthe Upper Iowa Conference is satisfied with present 
 
76 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 boundaries, and is not mutually interested with any other confer- 
 ence in a re-adjustment of boundaries, therefore 
 
 " Resolved, that the Upper Iowa Conference declines to com- 
 ply with the request made by the Iowa Conference in said com- 
 munication. " 
 
 Signed, 
 
 Emory IMiller, 
 A. J. Kynett, 
 R. SwearinGen, 
 F. C. Wolfe. 
 
 In 1900 the Iowa Conference filed a third memorial in the 
 General Conference requesting as before that the boundary line 
 be changed. At this Conference, A. E. Swisher, Esquire, of Iowa 
 City and Homer C. Stuntz represented the Upper Iowa Conference 
 on the Boundary Committee, and again after careful consideration, 
 the boundary line was unchanged. 
 
 Immediately after the General Conference of 1900, the Iowa 
 Conference sent to the Upper Iowa Conference a second request 
 for a mutual joint commission on boundaries. This request was 
 referred to a committee which reported as follows : 
 
 " Your committee to whom was referred the request from the 
 Iowa Conference for the appointment of a commission for re- 
 adjustment of conference boundaries, according to paragraph 436 
 of the Discipline, beg leave to recommend that we do not concur 
 in the appointment of such commission. " 
 
 R. D. Parsons, Chairman, 
 F. M. Coleman, Secretary. 
 
 In 1904 the Iowa Conference filed its fourth memorial with 
 the General Conference asking the same change of the boundary 
 line as follows, viz., "Beginning at the northwest corner of Jasper 
 County, Iowa, the line shall run due east on the north line of Jas- 
 per, Poweshiek, Iowa and Johnson Counties, due east through 
 
BOUNDARIES 
 
 77 
 
 Cedar and Clinton Counties to the Mississippi River, leaving the 
 city of Clinton in the Iowa Conference. " By this change it was 
 proposed to remove eighteen important charges from the Upper 
 Iowa Conference and unite them with the Iowa Conference. A. E. 
 Swisher, Esquire, and W. F. King at this time represented the Upper 
 Iowa Conference in its committee on boundaries. Mr. Swisher 
 prepared and printed in a pamphlet of over sixty pages, an able 
 and exhaustive argument, which is of such historic value that a 
 synopsis is here presented. 
 
 1. There is no real grievance, no pretense by the Iowa Con- 
 ference that the territory in controversy has not been thoroughly 
 cultivated spiritually by the Upper Iowa Conference, nor that the 
 Methodists in that territory are not doing faithfvil work and are 
 not loyal to their own Conference. There is no claim that the 
 interests of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Iowa would be 
 made any stronger in case the boundary line should be changed. 
 It is claimed by the Iowa Conference that the territory in square 
 miles and the total population are less in the Iowa than in the 
 Upper Iowa Conference. But it is patent to everj'- thoughtful 
 person who has any knowledge of Methodist conferences, that 
 neither the number of square miles nor the number of population 
 do to any extent in itself show the strength of a conference. The 
 census shows that there is twice the percent of foreign population 
 in the Upper Iowa Conference. This foreign population is scarcely 
 accessible in building up the Methodist Church. Deduct this 
 foreign population and the Upper Iowa Conference as now organ- 
 ized has an accessible English speaking population of only 27,397 
 greater than that of the Iowa Conference. In case the boundary 
 line is changed as proposed, it would give to the Iowa Conference 
 an accessible English speaking population of 46,597 more than the 
 Upper Iowa Conference would contain. 
 
 The strength of a conference is rightly measured by the 
 
78 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 strength of the church in the conference. As the boundary line 
 now exists, the Iowa Conference has a membership of 32,557; 
 the Upper Iowa Conference has 37,092. If the boundary line 
 is changed as petitioned for, the Iowa Conference would have 
 36,192; the Upper Iowa Conference but 33,457. 
 
 Again one of the conditions by which the strength of a con- 
 ference is shown is the number of large cities it contains. As the 
 conferences are now organized, the Iowa Conference has six cities 
 (Census of 1900) the population of which is 8,000 or greater; 
 the Upper Iowa Conference has seven cities of 8,000 or more. But 
 if the boundary line is changed as proposed, the Iowa Conference 
 would have nine of these large cities. This would leave in the 
 Upper Iowa Conference but four of these larger cities, less than 
 one half the number there would be in the Iowa Conference. 
 Would this be fair or just to the Upper Iowa Conference? 
 
 2. Another and very great injustice which would be ac- 
 complished by the proposed change of boundary is the injury 
 to the great educational institutions of the church. As shown by 
 the statement of facts filed herewith, the Iowa Conference has but 
 one school, that located at Mount Pleasant, Iowa, with an attend- 
 ance of 480 students. The Upper Iowa Conference has two col- 
 leges and one seminary : Cornell College at Mount'Vernon, with 
 an attendance of 743, the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, with 
 413 students, and the Epworth Seminary at Epworth, with 170 
 students. The Upper Iowa Conference has so cultivated its ter- 
 ritory along the line of educational work that it supports three 
 schools with an attendance of 1326 students in comparison with 
 480 in the Iowa Conference. Now if the proposed change of 
 boundary is made, the Iowa Conference, for the support of its 
 one school, woiild have an accessible English speaking population 
 of over 46,000 more than the Upper Iowa Conference would have 
 to support its three schools. Such change would also give the 
 
BOUNDARIES 
 
 79 
 
 Iowa Conference, for the support of its one school a membership 
 of 2,735 more than the Upper Iowa Conference would have for 
 the support of its three schools. Add to this the fact that by 
 the proposed change the new boundary line would run within 
 three miles of Cornell College, tluis giving to the Iowa Conference 
 eighteen charges that haxc given Cornell a large patronage and 
 support, which would inevitably be a serious blow to the college. 
 
 3. The individual members of the quarterly conferences, 
 the official boards, and the officers of all the charges within the 
 territory in controversy, have personally signed a protest and 
 statement, urging that they be allov/ed to remain in their home 
 conference and expressing the belief that tlie interests of the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church will be best served thereby. Besides, the 
 Upper Iowa Conference and its six district conferences have 
 formally and strongly expressed their protest against this change. 
 Do our good brethren of the Iowa Conference think it will be of any 
 very great advantage to their Conference for these unwilling 
 charges to be placed arbitrarily in their territory? 
 
 4. If this controversy was being made in any court of 
 record, the petition of the Iowa Conference would be promptly 
 rejected. Three times has the Iowa Conference brought this con- 
 troversy before the General Conference and each time after full 
 and thorough investigation the case has been determined in favor 
 of the Upper Iowa Conference. And now for the fourth time, the 
 Upper Iowa Conference is compelled to spend a large amount 
 of time and money in preparation for this controversy, and for 
 the fourth time has the General Conference been compelled to 
 spend a large amount of valuable time in hearing and deciding the 
 same question, based upon the same facts, between the same 
 parties. Surely this woiild not be permitted in any court of 
 jvistice, and why should it be permitted in the General Conference? 
 
 After a full and careful hearing, the General Conference, 
 
8o 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 through its Boundary Committee, for the fourth time decided by 
 a vote of three to one that the boundary line should remain as 
 originally determined by the Iowa Conference. 
 
 To the above history it may be added, that there are in the 
 Iowa Conference two churches whose estimated value is over 
 $50,000.00. In the Upper Iowa Conference there are four 
 churches estimated above $50,000.00 each, three of which are 
 situated within the territory in controversy. If the change of 
 boundary line sought for should be made and these three large 
 churches be transferred from the Upper Iowa to the Iowa Confer- 
 ence, the latter Conference would boast of having five churches, 
 each of whose estimated value would be over $50,000.00, and only 
 one such church would remain in the Upper Iowa Conference. 
 
 It will be seen from the above brief history, that the division 
 line was originally adopted and recommended by the Iowa Con- 
 ference itself, and was established by the General Conference of 
 1856. Four times, the General Conference by a decisive vote, viz., 
 in 1872, 1880, 1900 and 1904, has re-affirmed the division line by 
 refusing to grant the memorials of the Iowa Conference. 
 
 The Upper Iowa Conference unanimously protests against 
 said change in the boundary line, as it would rob the Conference 
 of some of its strongest churches, seriously detract from the sup- 
 port of Cornell College, disturb and retard the interests of the 
 local churches without any corresponding benefit to the general 
 church. The eighteen charges in the territory involved unani- 
 mously and strongly desire to remain in the Upper Iowa Confer- 
 ence, with which they have been united in the associations and 
 fellowships of fifty years. Surely such relations so long and so 
 happily enjoyed, should not and will not be ruthlessly disturbed. 
 
MORAL REFORM 
 
 8i 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 PATRIOTISM AND MORAL REFORM 
 
 1. Patriotism 
 
 The Upper Iowa Conference was only four years old, the peo- 
 ple still living in their pioneer cabins with farms unpaid for and 
 undeveloped, congregations still worshiping in school houses and 
 primitive churches, when in 1861 the country was plunged into 
 civil war. It was a fearful fratricidal war and continued four long 
 j'ears. Iowa, with less than 700,000 population (less than one- 
 third of its population to-day, 1906) sent over 80,000 soldiers into 
 the field. Business was well nigh paralyzed, farms were worked 
 and conducted largely by the women, schools were greatly de- 
 pleted and in some cases closed, churches were torn and dis- 
 tracted and congregations scattered. 
 
 So keenly sensitive was the public mind, that in some places 
 it was not considered safe for people to gather in large crowds. At 
 Mount Vernon, on commencement day of 1863, a woman came 
 upon the ground wearing a "butternut pin," a badge of southern 
 sympathy. Another young woman snatched the pin and a woman 
 fight followed. The excitement was intense. Exercises were sus- 
 pended for a few minutes until the parties were separated and order 
 restored. 
 
 Amid these dLstracting influences the burdens upon the pas- 
 tors were greatly increased. Theirs was not only the ordinary 
 work of the pastor, but in the anxieties and distresses of the 
 war they were called upon to carry cheer and hope to those whose 
 sons, husbands and brothers were absent in the army, to preach 
 the funeral sermons of soldiers slain, to comfort bereaved wives 
 and mothers, to wTite letters of hope and cheer to the brave boys 
 
82 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 at the front, to address and encourage newly recruited companies 
 on their departure, and in every way possible to support the state 
 and nation in the awful struggle with rebellion. 
 
 When Fort Sumpter fell and President Lincoln issued his 
 first call for 75,000 volunteers, there was great excitement. There 
 were southern sympathizers in almost every community who se- 
 verely criticised the President and opposed the war. To stand 
 boldly for the Union was in some places at the risk of life. None 
 were more bold to defend the government than the Methodist 
 preachers. At the first call for troops a recruiting station was 
 opened in Dyersville, Dubuque County, Iowa, where there were 
 numerous southern sympathizers. A crowd of men assembled 
 near the recruiting station and the pastor of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church was called on for a speech. After paying a fitting 
 tribute to the flag and uttering strong words in support of Abraham 
 Lincoln in his call for troops, he said : 
 
 "Gentlemen, ours is a righteous cause, and should I go to the 
 war I would go to kill. Every time I lifted the rifle to my eye, 
 I would raise a silent prayer to God to guide the ball to the heart 
 of some one of my country's foes, and to have mercy on his soul." 
 
 S. A. Lee relates this experience: "The second year I was 
 on the Bellevue work I recall preaching twenty-two funeral ser- 
 mons of soldiers, also in participating in a Fourth of July celebra- 
 tion in one end of the town while a disloyal one was being held in 
 the other end, where beer flowed freely and cheers were given 
 for Jeff Davis. Our company was the largest and contained near- 
 ly all the intelligent and well-behaved people, Dr. A. J. Kynett, 
 then presiding elder of Davenport District, being one of our ora- 
 tors; also Chaplain Moxam of Illinois, who had to rest on crutches, 
 was just recovering from wounds received at the battle of ShUoh. 
 The enthusiasm of the occasion was wonderfully increased late in 
 the day by hearing that General Grant had taken Vicksburg the 
 
MORAL REFORM 
 
 83 
 
 day before. We bareh^ escaped open war that day in Bellevue, 
 and for months following, the Knights of the Golden Circle (an 
 organization of southern sympathizers) and the Loyal Legion 
 watched each other night and day." 
 
 The preachers suffered financially with others on account of 
 the war. The cost of living was greatly advanced; the green- 
 back dollar in which their salary was estimated became depre- 
 ciated until worth only forty cents in gold, and the aggregate def- 
 icit in preachers' salaries for a single 3'ear was over eighteen 
 thousand dollars. 
 
 It is not known that any member of the Conference wavered 
 in his devotion to the flag. The people were so intensely loyal 
 that they would not receive the Gospel from the lips of any one 
 who s}'Tnpathized with the rebellion. 
 
 At its session in 1861, the first year of the war, the Con- 
 ference unanimously adopted the following: 
 
 "Whereas we, as ministers of the Gospel of Christ, have been 
 taught from our childhood to regard civil government as a great 
 blessing, and our support of it our solemn duty, therefore 
 
 "Resolved, that we, the members of the Upper Iowa Con- 
 ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, cherishing the most 
 unwavering loyalty to our country, her constitution and laws, do 
 deeply sympathize with His Excellency, the President of the 
 United States, his constitutional advisers, together with the com- 
 manding generals and aU subordinate officers and men, in their 
 effort to sustain and perpetuate the integrity of the Union. 
 
 "Resolved, that we will pray in our closets, our families and 
 our pulpits, that Almighty God may vouchsafe to them His aid 
 and support in putting down this most unrighteous rebellion. 
 
 "Resolved, that we will aid in the suppression of this wicked 
 rebellion in every practicable way consistent with our obliga- 
 
84 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 tions as ministers of the Gospel, and in the event the extremity 
 should force itself ujDon us, even to the use of fire-lock and steel." 
 
 J. G. DiMMiTT, Chairman. 
 In 1863 the Conference adopted the following: 
 "Resolved further, that those brethren of our Conference 
 who have jeopardized their lives to aid by personal effort in the 
 success of our cause, should have and we hereby tender them our 
 kindest regards, and they may be assured that we will not only 
 allow them a name among us, but give them our active sjan- 
 pathy and earnest prayers." 
 
 H. W. Reed, Chairman. 
 
 In 1866 the following was also unanimously adopted: 
 
 "As the fountain of political corruption is in the primary meet- 
 ings of the people, we shovild attend caucuses and conventions 
 and insist always and everywhere that every department of the 
 government shall be filled with men of honesty, of private and 
 public virtue ***** believe that 'Treason should 
 be made odious,' that all men irrespective of race or color should 
 be 'equal before the law,' that loyalty should rule the nation, and 
 that states lately in rebellion should not be allowed representation 
 in Congress, without the guarantees required by Congress." 
 
 S. N. Fellow^s, Chairman. 
 
 It is interesting and proper to note the patriotic loyalty of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, as exhibited in an "Address of 
 the General Conference of 1864 to President Lincoln," as follows: 
 "To His Excellency, Abraham Lincoln, 
 
 President of the United States. 
 
 The General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
 now in session in the city of Philadelphia, representing nearly 
 seven thousand ministers and nearly a million of members, mind- 
 ful of their duty as Christian citizens, takes the earliest opportun- 
 ity to express to you the assurance of the loyalty of the church. 
 
MORAL REFORM 
 
 85 
 
 her earnest devotion to the interests of the countr}-, and her sj-m- 
 pathy with you in the great responsibilities of your high position 
 in this trying hour. Ours was the first of the churches to express 
 by a deputation of her most distinguished ministers, viz., Bishops 
 Coke and Asbury, the promise of support to the government in 
 the da3^s of Washington. In this present struggle for the nation's 
 life, many thousands of her members have rushed to arms to main- 
 tain the cause of God and humanity. They have sealed their de- 
 votion to their country with their blood on every battlefield of 
 this terrible war. The prayers of millions of Christians, with an 
 earnestness never manifested for riilers before, daily ascend to 
 lieaven, that j^ou may be endued with all needed wisdom and 
 power. Actuated by sentiments of loftiest and purest patriot- 
 ism, our prayer shall be continually for the preservation of our 
 country undivided, for the triumph of our cause, and for a per- 
 manent peace, gained by the sacrifice of no moral principles, but 
 founded on the word of God, and securing in righteousness, 
 liberty and equal rights to all." 
 
 Signed in behalf of the General Conference of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, 
 
 William L. Harris, Secretary. 
 
 President Lincoln's reply: 
 
 "Gentlemen: In response to your address allow me to at- 
 test the accuracy of its historical statements, endorse the senti- 
 ments it expresses, and thank you, in the nation's name, for the 
 sure promise it gives. Nobly sustained as the government has 
 been by all the churches, I would utter nothing which might in 
 the least appear invidious to any. Yet without this, it ma}'- fair- 
 ly be said that the Methodist Episcopal Church, not less devoted 
 than the best, is, by its greater numbers the most important of all. 
 It is no fault in others that the Methodist Church sends more sol- 
 diers to the field, more nurses to the hospitals, and more prayers 
 
86 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 to heaven than any. God bless the Methodist Church! Bless 
 all the churches ! and blessed be God, who in this our great trial, 
 giveth us the churches." 
 
 A. Lincoln. 
 
 2. Slavery 
 
 The Upper Iowa Conference has from the beginning main- 
 tained an advanced position on all questions of moral reform. 
 When burning issues were pending, and the public mind was un- 
 settled, the Conference has not hesitated to express its convictions 
 without fear. The Conference was organized in the midst of the 
 great anti-slavery movement. Political parties were being re- 
 organized, the north and the south were being arrayed against 
 eacii other and mutterings of war were already heard. 
 
 At its first session in 1856 the Upper Iowa Conference adopt- 
 ed the following: "Resolved 1st, That slavery is opposed to the 
 spirit of Christianity and the promulgation of the Gospel, as well 
 as an aggravating sin against God. 
 
 "Resolved 2nd, That as ministers of Christ we will make 
 every reasonable and consistent effort to maintain a healthy 
 anti-slavery sentiment in our several congregations, in order to 
 prevent the extension of slavery in our country, and to effect the 
 extirpation of this great evil." 
 
 During the year 1856, the United States Supreme Court, 
 through Chief Justice Taney, rendered a decision in the famous 
 Dred Scott case, in which the court declared that, "They (the 
 Africans) had for more than a century before been regarded as 
 beings of an inferior order, and altogether unfit to associate with 
 the white race, either in social or political relations, and so far 
 inferior that they had no rights which the white man is bound to 
 respect." 
 
 At its next session, in 1857, the Upper Iowa Conference 
 adopted the following: 
 
 "Resolved, That while as an ecclesiastical body we claim no 
 
MORAL REFORM 
 
 87 
 
 authorit}' over the courts of our land, and, that while we inculcate 
 respect for our judicial authorities, yet we deeply deplore the 
 recent decision made by a majority of the United States Supreme 
 Court in the Dred Scott case, as being contrary to historical 
 truth, subversive of the most common principles of justice, de- 
 structive of natural rights, as was clearly shown by Justices McLean 
 and Curtis, and is therefore calculated to destroy public confidence 
 in that high tribunal. 
 
 "Resolved, That we look with mingled sorrow and abhor- 
 rence on all attempts, by whomsoever made, to pervert Scripture 
 to the sanction of American slavery." 
 
 In 1858 the Conference adopted the following: 
 
 "Resolved, While we see with surprise and sorrow the 
 efforts made by selfish and unprincipled men to revive the slave 
 trade, we do believe that God in His providence, is so directing 
 events as to seciu-e at no very distant day the overthrow of this 
 deplorable evil." 
 
 Five years later, on Januar}^ 1, 1863, President Lincoln 
 issued the emancipation proclamation declaring African slavery 
 in the United States to be abolished. 
 
 3. Temperance 
 
 From the beginning, the Conference has taken strong position 
 in favor of total abstinence and prohibition of the liquor traffic. 
 Thus in 1856 it declared intemperance to be a great and serious 
 evil, destructive alike of social happiness and religious pros- 
 perity, and dangerous to our civil institutions; and that the Con- 
 ference would labor to secure a prohibitory law that would ac- 
 complish the entire overthrow of the liquor traffic. 
 
 In 1859 it resolved that, "We will use our influence and 
 our votes to secure the election of members of the Legislature, 
 who have appetites that will favor and backbone that will enable 
 them to enact a prohibitory law that will include lager beer." 
 
88 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Again and again has the Conference declared in favor of 
 using only unfermented wine at the sacrament of the Lord's 
 supper, organizing young people into temperance societies, co- 
 operating with all temperance organizations in carrying on this 
 reform, assisting in the great campaign for a constitutional 
 prohibitory amendment, adopting as our own the motto of the 
 General Conference of 1884, viz., "Voluntary total abstinence 
 from all intoxicants as the true ground of personal temperance; 
 and complete legal prohibition of the traffic in intoxicating 
 liquors as the duty of the civil government." 
 
 In 1897 through its committee on temperance, the Confer- 
 ence resolved, "That the time had come for the most hearty and 
 united work. A divided attack never can and never will overcome 
 a united defense. The liquor interest is united and therein is its 
 power. Let temperance forces be equally united in aim and effort 
 and victory is certain." 
 
 While the Conference is broad in its charity and fraternal in 
 its spirit, it is single in its aim and uncompromising in its princi- 
 ples. It proclaims total abstinence by the individual and pro- 
 hibition by the state. 
 
 4. The Sabbath 
 The Sabbath question has not been passed by in silence. 
 The Conference has lifted up its voice in clear, concise and ringing 
 utterances in vindication of God's holy day. By practice and 
 preaching, the Conference has sought to educate the people against 
 all Sunday excursion trains, ball games, picnics, newspapers, 
 visiting, or social amusements of any kind, that tend to cause 
 neglect of keeping holy the first day of the week. 
 
 5. Tobacco 
 
 In 1857 the Conference passed the following resolutions: 
 "1. That this Conference is opposed to the use of to- 
 bacco by its members. 
 
MORAL REFORM 
 
 89 
 
 "2. That we will admit no man into our Conference, 
 either on probation or into fiiU connection, who is in the habit- 
 ual use of tobacco, unless he wiU promise its discontinuance." 
 
 The uncompromising position of the Conference in aU its 
 history is, that no man is fit for the pastorate in any charge who 
 uses tobacco in any form. 
 
90 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 BENEVOLENCES AND THE SUPERANNUATES 
 
 1. Benevolences. 
 
 In the following table is exhibited the aggregate amount 
 given by the churches of the Upper Iowa Conference, during a 
 period of fifty years, for ministerial support, the erection of 
 churches and parsonages, and for the official benevolences. No 
 attempt is made to estimate the donations for building and endow- 
 ing colleges, nor the sums given privately for church work in home 
 and in foreign fields. We present only what has been reported an- 
 nually by the pastors to the Conference and published in the Con- 
 ference minutes. The average membership of the churches dur- 
 ing the period named has been about 24,000. It should not be 
 forgotten that these members in the beginning were immigrants 
 in a new, unsettled and undeveloped state. Most of them, 
 though poor, were compelled to build and pay for their own homes, 
 develop their farms, establish industrial plants, pay taxes to 
 county and state for building court and school houses and other 
 public improvements. In addition to all this they voluntarily 
 contributed for the upbuilding and extension of Methodism the 
 sums set forth in the table. If all had contributed as liberally as 
 some have done, the aggregate would have been doubled, pos- 
 sibly quadrupled. 
 
 I. Ministerial Support, 
 
 1. For Bishops 
 
 2. For Presiding Elders, 
 
 3. For Pastors, 
 
 4. For Superannuates, 
 
 $ 52,335.00 
 404,288.00 
 
 . 5,526,488.00 
 126,381.00 
 
 Total for Ministerial Support, $6,109,492.00 
 
BENEVOLENCES 9I 
 
 II. Churches and Parsonages, etc., 
 
 1. Building churches and parsonages . .$2,377,416 .00 
 
 2. Church debts, 229,026.00 
 
 3. Current expenses, 739,026.00 
 
 Total 13,345,468.00 
 
 III. Official Benevolences, 
 
 1. Missions, $597,253.00 
 
 2. Church Extension, 72,582.00 
 
 3. Freedmen's Aid and Southern Education 77,736.00 
 
 4. Sunday School Union, 17,147.00 
 
 5. Tract, 14,644.00 
 
 6. Education, 119,794.00 
 
 7. Bible cause, 30,259.00 
 
 8. Woman's Foreign Missionary Society,.. 137,639.00 
 
 9. Woman's Home Missionary Society, 80,000.00 
 
 10. Other coUections, 47,285.00 
 
 11. Domestic Missions, 27,837.00 
 
 Total, $1,222,176.00 
 
 SUIIAIARY. 
 
 I. Total Ministerial Support $6,109,492.00 
 
 II. Total Church Building, etc 3,345,468.00 
 
 III. Total Official Benevolences, 1,222,176.00 
 
 Grand Total, $10,677,136.00 
 
 2. Superannuates 
 
 A superannuated minister is one who by reason of permanent- 
 ly impaired health or old age is disabled for, and therefore dis- 
 charged from active service of the ministry, but who still retains 
 his membership in the Conference. Conference claimants are 
 
92 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 superannuated ministers who have given the strength of their 
 lives to the church, not to make money, but to save souls and 
 build up the church, and are in financial need because of such 
 service. They now have a just claim upon the church for support, 
 not in luxury but in comfort 
 
 The Methodist minister has little chance to lay up mone3^ It 
 requires as a rule, the most skillful and rigid economy to dress 
 suitably, make the family comfortable, educate the children, buy 
 important books and periodicals, heed the calls of philanthropy 
 even in a small way, and keep out of debt on the salaries the 
 churches pay. When health fails or old age calls a halt, the itin- 
 erant's poverty is not the result of extravagance, but the outcome 
 of a life consecrated to things spiritual rather than things 
 temporal. And the great denomination that has prospered by 
 his consuming zeal should hold him in high honor and never per- 
 mit him to want. Indeed it would be basest ingratitude for that 
 body which has profited so abundantly from the labors of these 
 loyal men of God to let them come to want when the years weigh 
 heavily upon them. 
 
 Our Board of Bishops declared that " No church can command 
 men for its ministry that forgets its obligations to the faithful 
 servants who after giving to it the best of their years, are dis- 
 charged from active duty having, because of the very fidelity of 
 their service, become helpless and unfitted for self-support. " 
 
 An annual collection has been taken in the churches for this 
 worthy class, which though inadequate, has brought great relief. 
 The first concerted movement in this caiise was made in the organi- 
 zation of The Mutual Aid Society. The object of this society was 
 to provide for needy members thereof, and especially for the fami- 
 lies of deceased members, from time to time as occasion required. 
 All effective members of the Conference, under fifty years of age, 
 were eligible for membership. The work accomplished by this 
 
THE SUPERANNUATES 
 
 93 
 
 society is briefly presented in the following final report to the 
 conference : 
 
 "The Mutual Aid Society of the Upper Iowa Conference begs 
 leave to present a final report. 
 
 "This society was organized in 1862 and incorporated in 1863. 
 In the year 1888 the society was re-incorporated and arrange- 
 ments made to secure a permanent endowment fund. There were 
 thirty-three deaths in the society during the thirty-eight years of its 
 history. The aggregate amount paid to families of deceased 
 members was $22,305.34, being an average of $675.92 to each 
 family. 
 
 "The assets of the society, October, 1900, were as follows: 
 
 Endowment Fund $7,600.00 
 
 Reserve Fund, 4,562.81 
 
 "At the annual meeting of the society, held in Osage, Iowa, 
 October 5, 1900, after due notice had been given to its members, it 
 was voted by a nine-tenths majority to dissolve the incorporation 
 and to dispose of its assets as follows, viz., 
 
 "1. Divide the reserve fund of $4,562.81 among the 
 present members pro rata according to amount each had paid into 
 the treasury, and six per cent thereon to October, 1900. 
 
 "2. Assign the endowment fund of $7,600.00 to the 
 Board of Trustees of the Upper Iowa Conference, to become a part 
 of the Conference Claimant Fund, provided the Conference would 
 itself raise $10,000 .00 for said claimant fund. 
 
 "The Conference having complied with the required condi- 
 tion, the above assignment is hereby made. 
 
 "It is believed that the donors of this endowment fund will 
 be pleased to know that said endowment was sacredly preserved 
 and transferred to the Conference Claimant Fund, where in years 
 to come, and in a wider field it will continue its beneficent work. 
 
 "We are pleased to report that the Mutual Aid Society closes 
 its affairs with the assurance that it has successfully carried the 
 
94 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 insurance of its members for thirty-eight years; that it has paid 
 every dollar of its indebtedness; that the famihes of deceased 
 members have received $22,305.34; that a fund of $7,600 has 
 been created and presented to the Conference Claimant Fund, 
 and that in the final settlement the members who stood by and 
 supported the society to the end received forty per cent of the 
 money (not including interest) they had paid into the treasury. 
 " Respectfully submitted on behalf of the society, 
 
 J. T. Crippen, President. 
 B. D. Alden, Secretary, 
 S. N. Fellows, Treasurer, 
 
 Commission. 
 
 Marshalltown, Iowa, 
 
 September 24, 1902. 
 
 As the number of conference claimants increased more rapidly 
 than the annual collections for them, the amount paid to each 
 claimant necessarily became less. And as the cost of living was 
 also constantly increasing, it is evident that the needs of this 
 worthy class were becoming greater year by year. Because of this 
 there was a growing conviction that some concerted action to re- 
 lieve them should be taken by the entire Conference. Accordingly 
 the Twentieth Century Commission of the Conference at its session 
 held in Waterloo, December 19, 1899, adopted the following: 
 
 " Resolved, that a committee be appointed by this Commission 
 of one member from each presiding elder's district to raise $10,000 
 as a permanent fund for the superannuates of this Conference. " 
 
 The succeeding conference of 1900 voted to approve the move- 
 ment and requested the Bishop to appoint S. N. Fellows, Agent for 
 the Conference Claimant Fund. Various methods were devised 
 and used to raise this fund. 
 
 The effective members of the Conference were requested to 
 give notes agreeing to pay one per cent of their salaries, exclusive 
 
THE SUPERANNUATES 
 
 95 
 
 of house rent, for three consecutive years. Over eighty per cent 
 of the pastors responded to this request. 
 
 Collections were taken in the churches, and larger sums in 
 cash and notes were secured from laymen. 
 
 Provision was made to secure bequests for this fund, according 
 to the following 
 
 Form of Bequest. 
 
 "I give, devise and bequeath to the Board of Trustees of the 
 Upper Iowa Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Ch\irch, the 
 sum of dollars." 
 
 All money or property thus devised to said Board of Trustees 
 becomes a part of the permanent "Claimant Fund, " the interest 
 of which is annually distributed among the conference claimants. 
 
 Also in the form of 
 
 Annuities. 
 
 The Conference Board of Trustees wiU receive money for this 
 fund and pay annually to the donors, the following annuity or in- 
 terest: To those fifty years of age five per cent, to those sixty 
 years of age six per cent, to those seventy years of age, seven per 
 cent, and to those eighty years of age eight per cent, and guaran- 
 tee said annuity during their natural lives. On this annuity, the 
 annuitant pays no tax. 
 
 It was also provided to receive non-interest bearing notes 
 payable at the death of the maker of the note. 
 
 Arrangement was made by which money given in any of the 
 above forms might constitute 
 
 A Memorial Fund. 
 
 A donation or bequest of $1,000.00 or more, may constitute 
 a "Memorial Fund," bearing any name designated by the donor. 
 The interest or income of each memorial fund will be annually 
 
96 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 paid and reported to the Conference Board of Stewards for pub- 
 lication in the Conference minutes. 
 
 The aggregate amount raised by the above methods for the 
 Conference Claimant Fund is nearly $40,000.00. Over one- 
 half of this sum is productive. 
 
ORGANIZATIONS 
 
 97 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 ORGAXIZATIOXS OF THE CHUECH 
 
 1. Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. 
 
 This society was first organized in Boston, Massachusetts, in 
 1869, and branches were soon established in different parts of the 
 United States. The St. Louis branch was organized early in 1870. 
 In the fall of the same year, Miss Isabel Leonard presented this 
 cause before the Upper Iowa Conference at its annual session. 
 The members of the Conference recognized the importance and 
 imperative need of the work thus undertaken by the women, and 
 adopted resolutions commending the society to the sympathy of 
 the church. Since that time the work has gone steadily forward 
 in the bounds of the Conference. 
 
 For several years, the affairs of the society were managed 
 by an assistant secretary for each state within the branch. In 
 1874 conference secretaries were first appointed. The following 
 have been the conference secretaries of the Upper Iowa Conference: 
 Mrs. Dr. Wetmore, Miss Mary Spearman, Mrs. Dr. M. W. Porter, 
 Mrs. Frances Earhart, Mrs. E. P. Fritz, Miss Janet Barnes, and 
 Mrs. Alice Fellows Rigby. 
 
 The society owes much to the zealous labors of these faith- 
 ful officers. A thorough organization of the districts was effected 
 in 1891 by the personal efforts of the president of the Branch, 
 Miss Elizabeth Pearson. This strengthened and extended the 
 influence of the society. 
 
 This year, 1906, there are within the Conference more than 
 143 organizations, including auxiliaries, Standard Bearers and 
 King's Heralds, with a total membership of nearly 4,000, and 
 the money raised during the present year reached the sum of 
 
98 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 $12,127 . 71. In the past twenty-two years the total amount given 
 to missions by the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society in the 
 Conference is $137,639.39. 
 
 Among the larger givers in this society may be named the 
 following: 
 
 Mrs. Cornelia A. Miller, who became the first life patron by 
 the payment of $300 .00; Miss Mary Spearman, who left $800 .00 in 
 her will; Mrs. J. H. Stevens, who besides other munificent dona- 
 tions gave $1600.00 to Miss Lydia Trimble for her work in Hai 
 Tang, China; and Mrs. EUa C. Phillips of Toledo, who for many 
 years has given annually $150.00. 
 
 Far more precious than silver and gold has been the offering 
 of consecrated womanhood to this cause. The roll of mis- 
 sionaries who have gone from the Upper Iowa Conference is led 
 by that noble worker whose praise is in all the churches, Mrs. 
 Mary Porter Gamewell of Pekin, China. She has been followed 
 by Mrs. Ruth Collins Thoburn of India, Miss Nell Dan- 
 iels of Japan, Miss Luella Rigby of Burma, Miss Rose M. Pyne, 
 late of Cawnpore, India, Miss Joanna Davis of Bombay, India, 
 and Miss Mildred Simonds of Vikasabad, India. 
 
 Each year's experience serves only to widen the knowledge 
 of the work, arouse interest, and deepen zeal for this form of Christ- 
 ian service. 
 
 2. The Woman's Home Missionary Society. 
 
 This society was organized in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1880. Its 
 field of operations, as designed by its founders, was to be among 
 our people in the south, on our western frontier, among the crowd- 
 ed populations in the great cities, and especially among Mormons 
 and Roman Catholics. The work of the general society has en- 
 larged in scope as the great needs of the field have appeared. In 
 the twenty-six years of its existence, it has accumulated nearly 
 
ORGANIZATION'S 
 
 99 
 
 one million dollars in property, consisting of industrial homes and 
 schools for girls, children's homes, training schools for deacon- 
 esses and deaconess homes. 
 
 The Woman's Home Missionan,- Society of the Upper Iowa 
 Conference was organized in Cedar Rapids at the conference 
 session held September 23, 1SS2. 
 
 Its presidents from the beginning have been Mesdames 
 Brush, Crippen, Manwell, Eighmey, Carhart, Xellie S. Brush, 
 Gould, and Pratt. The recording secretaries have been Mes- 
 dames Van Xess, Porter, Brush, Yoran, Bull, Springer, Peck, 
 Rule, Holbrook, Chambers and Cannon. 
 
 Mrs. Charles F. Springer ser\'ed as corresponding secret arj^ 
 vmtU 1S90. She was succeeded by Mrs. Margaret Alspaugh who 
 has served since that date. 
 
 Mrs. J. G. Yan Xess was elected treasurer in 1SS4 and still 
 holds that oflBce. 
 
 The society has contributed funds for industrial homes and 
 schools for girls, for moimtain whites in the south, for frontier 
 work, for work among Spanish Americans and orientals on the 
 Pacific coast, for orphanages, for work among the Indians, for 
 work in Alaska, for deaconess work, for Japanese women in 
 Hawaii, and for work in Porto Rico. 
 
 In our own Conference the society has aided in supporting 
 work among the Bohemians, and has recently pledged to aid 
 evangelistic work among the deaf mutes within the conference. 
 
 The society now has 108 organizations, including auxiliaries, 
 Queen Esther Circles, Home Guards, Mothers Jewels Bands, and 
 a total membership of 3,010. Since the beginning, the society 
 has collected in cash and supplies, S80,000 .00. The supplies were 
 sent to needy ministers on the frontier, and in the south, and to 
 the industrial schools and deaconess homes. 
 
lOO 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 3. The Epworth League. 
 
 The Epworth League is the young people's society of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. It was organized in Cleveland, 
 Ohio, in 1889, by the union of five societies. Its motto is "Look 
 up; lift up. " It adopted as a sentiment of the league, a sentence 
 from John Wesley: "I desire to form a league, offensive and de- 
 fensive, with every soldier of Jesus Christ, " also this from Bishop 
 Matthew Simpson: "We live to make our own church a power in 
 the land, while we live to love every other church that exalts our 
 Christ." The founders of the league believed that greater good 
 can be accomplished when the young people of each denomination 
 are organized into a society of their own, this society being an 
 organic part of the denomination itself, and that the cause of 
 religion can be more effectively promoted by each chiu-ch working 
 in its own sphere and with its own machinery. The attitude of 
 the league towards all other young people's societies is one of 
 cordial fraternity and practical co-operation. It is believed that 
 loyalty to one's own church need not and does not detract sym- 
 pathy from sincere workers in aU other churches. 
 
 The Epworth League thus organized was cordially and 
 enthusiastically welcomed by the entire church. The bishops 
 unanimously bade it "God-speed." College authorities gladly 
 gave it endorsement. Presiding elders heartUy welcomed it. 
 The editors of our church papers gave it encouragement and in- 
 spiration. Pastors gave their prayers and enthusiastic advocacy 
 to the plans and work of the league. '- From the beginning, the 
 league enjoyed 'a" most rapid growth.'^^;^ Within four years it re- 
 ported ten thousand senior chapters, two thousand junior chapters 
 and a total membership of over six hundred thousand. 
 
 In 1890 the Upper Iowa Conference adopted resolutions 
 recognizing the Epworth League as one of the most important 
 organizations of Methodism, believing that a society controlled 
 
ORGANIZATIONS 
 
 lOI 
 
 by the Methodist Episcopal Church is the best for our own j'oung 
 people, and pledging help in organizing chapters, increasing the 
 enrollment of members, and adding to the efficiency of its work 
 in all our charges. 
 
 The Epworth Herald is the official organ of the Epworth 
 League. This paper has had a phenomenal growi;h in the list of 
 subscribers, having secured over one hundred and twenty-five 
 thousand. 
 
 Mission study classes and Bible study classes have been formed 
 in many of the chapters, and the personal ideal before the 
 members is "the highest type of a New Testament experience." 
 
 District conventions are held annually which serve to widen 
 the knowledge, quicken the interest and intensify the zeal of the 
 yoimg people. Chapters are organized in nearly all of the charges 
 of the conference, and the league enjoys the increasing confidence 
 of pastors and churches. Its special mission is to secure the 
 salvation and training for service of the young men and the young 
 women of Methodism. 
 
I02 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 In this chapter are the biographical sketches of some of the 
 representative men, both ministers and laymen, who have been 
 foremost in planting and building Methodism in this beautiful state. 
 In the ministry we have had many of the truest type of Metho- 
 dist itinerants, worthy successors of Asbury and his co-laborers 
 in the early days of American Methodism. Among the laity there 
 have been multitudes of men and women of spirituality and self- 
 sacrificing devotion, who gave the preachers a most hearty wel- 
 come to their cabin homes, shared with them a most generous 
 hospitality, and like Aaron and Hur upheld the hands of God's 
 servants as they toiled and preached and prayed. It is believed 
 that generations to come will desire to know more of the lives of 
 the leaders in the work of founding and building the church and 
 conference. 
 
 Realizing the importance of making a wise selection, the 
 writer requested six of the older members of the Conference to 
 assist in the delicate task. The limits of this volume do not per- 
 mit us to write of many others whom we knew and loved, "of 
 whom the world was not worthy;" many of whom traveled large 
 circuits with small pay and severe hardships, but possessing great 
 courage and a dauntless faith they won many souls for Jesus 
 Christ. 
 
 1. Ministers 
 John C. Ayres. 
 John C. Ayres was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 
 1804, converted in 1823 and admitted to the Pittsburg Confer- 
 ence in 1827. His relation as an effective Methodist minister, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 fii'st in Pittsburg, then in the Erie Conference from its organi- 
 zation, then in the Iowa Conference in 1854, and then in the Upper 
 Iowa Conference from its organization, continued undisturbed 
 for thirty-nine years. He was a delegate to the General Confer- 
 ence in 1840, 1848 and in 1860. The work of his life was largely 
 pioneer work, commencing in the Pittsburg Conference in the 
 earlier development of the work there. He participated in the 
 organization of two conferences, and removed after his super- 
 annuation to Bristow, Kansas. His ministry was marked by 
 gracious revivals. One of the most noted revivals in the history 
 of Cornell College was during his pastorate at Mount Ver- 
 non in 1854-55. From 1855-59 he served as presiding elder of 
 Davenport District, and from 1859-63 as presiding elder of Vinton 
 District. 
 
 During the first twelve years of the Conference, from 1856 
 to 1868, Ayres was the ecclesiastic lawyer of the Conference. To 
 him the book of Discipline was next to the Bible. None knew the 
 Discipline better than he and none obeyed it more implicitly. 
 The steadfastness and singleness of purpose which the apostle in- 
 dicated when he said, "This one thing I do, " was one of his marked 
 characteristics. Possessed of a wonderful memory, his store of 
 information was large and varied. His faith in God was the im- 
 plicit faith of a little child, and he constantly grew in favor with 
 God and man. 
 
 In 1868 he requested to be placed on the superannuate list, 
 and the Conference adopted the following resolution : 
 
 " Resolved that the request of Brother J. C. Ayres for a super- 
 annuate relation be granted, and that we hold in grateful remem- 
 brance his long continued and undivided and valuable service, 
 and assure him of our most cordial sympathy, and earnest prayers 
 that the Lord whom he serves will abundantly sustain and com- 
 fort him and grant him restored health that he may again be 
 identified with us in the effective work of the ministry. " 
 
I04 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 After residing as a superannuate for nine years in Kansas, 
 he returned to visit this Conference in 1876, at its session in Maquo- 
 keta. On entering the church at Maquoketa he b\irst into tears 
 and exclaimed "For nine years I have preached in the 'dug-outs' 
 of Kansas, and have not been permitted to enter a church until 
 this morning. " For over ten years he was totally blind, and yet 
 he retained his mental faculties in full vigor to the last. In the 
 last years of his life, when his strength would permit, the people 
 waited on his ministry with gladness and profit, and the annoimce- 
 ment that the blind old man would preach would gather a con- 
 gregation from far and near. His last illness was painful but 
 brief and his triumph in the final struggle unquestionable. It is 
 believed that at his death, which occurred at Bristow, Kansas, 
 July 13, 1899, he was the oldest preacher in the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church, being in his ninety-sixth year of age. 
 
 William Forney Barclay, D. D. 
 
 For thirty years Dr. Barclay was an active and useful member 
 of the Conference. He was born in Ohio, grew to youth and man- 
 hood in Cedar County, Iowa, graduated from Cornell CoUege in 
 1874 and was admitted into the Conference the same year. He 
 was a faithful preacher, a helpful pastor, and a successful evangel- 
 ist. He loved to preach the Word and his highest joy was found 
 in leading men to the Savior whom he loved. To whatever church 
 he was appointed he went with the zeal of a true evangelist. 
 Without neglecting the other interests of the church he made the 
 evangelistic work the supreme thing. He had a rich religious 
 experience. His heart answered to the truth, and the truth 
 gave him the freedom of a son of God. 
 
 His greatest success so far as men can judge was in his pastor- 
 ate at Mason City. Soon after his going there a revival began 
 and continued for thirteen weeks. Night after night for all those 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 weeks he worked on, though every one thought his strength must 
 yield to the strain. From this series of meetings he received into 
 the church over three hundred members, many of them the most 
 promising business men of that vigorous city. Then came the 
 task of building the splendid edifice that will long stand as a 
 monument to the zeal and leadership of W. F. Barclay. 
 
 After serving many of the leading charges of the Conference 
 for twenty-seven years, he became conference evangelist and for 
 three years did excellent work and was employed all the time. 
 
 The first sermon and the last sermon that he preached were 
 at MechanicsvUle. 
 
 During his last brief illness he was almost constantly preaching 
 and praying and exliorting men to come to the Savior. The ruling 
 passion was strong in death. 
 
 He died December 3, 1904, at his home in Cedar Rapids. 
 George B. Bowman, D. D. 
 
 George B. Bowman was born May 1, 1812, in North Carolina, 
 began his ministry in Missouri in 1834 and was transferred from 
 the Missouri Conference and stationed at Iowa City in 1841. Here 
 he labored two years in the young capital city and built an excel- 
 lent church. Then he was appointed to Dubuque for two years. 
 From 1845 to 1847, he was presiding elder of Bloomington (Mus- 
 catine) District, and from 1847 to 1851 presiding elder of Dubuque 
 District. In 1851 he was appointed pastor at Linn Grove Cir- 
 cuit, which included the present site of Mount Vernon. He was 
 a delegate to the General Conference in 1848. 
 
 In the spring of 1852, he formed his plans for building an 
 institution of learning at Mount Vernon. The movement was 
 publicly inaug\irated July 4, of that year. A site was secured , 
 a building begun, and the institution was presented to and ac- 
 cepted by the Iowa Conference at its session in Burlington, 
 
io6 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 September 30, 1852. The building was completed and the school 
 formally opened November 14, 1853. 
 
 In 1855 the Board of Trustees declared of him, "He has se- 
 cured donations and made all the purchases of real estate and 
 building material, made all contracts with the workmen, super- 
 intended the erection of the buildings, collected all the funds and 
 paid all demands in person, from the commencement to the com- 
 pletion of the buildings. " In 1858, when Dr. Bowman was com- 
 pelled through ill health to resign the agency of the college, he re- 
 ports the total value of resources of the college above indebted- 
 ness at $98,000.00. 
 
 In accepting his resignation, the trustees expressed "their 
 profound gratitude for his untiring industry and disinterested 
 devotion to the upbuilding of Cornell College, and declared that 
 he would be held in grateful remembrance by the friends of the 
 school as long as the records of Cornell College shall endure. " 
 
 Dr. George B. Bowman was a born leader of men. Without 
 the culture of the schools, he was yet possessed of wide information, 
 broad sympathies and magnetic personality. He was a man of 
 profound convictions, unconquerable purpose, and strong 
 imperious will. He knew men and was a man of affairs. He 
 knew Jesus Christ and was well versed in the Bible. He was a 
 tireless worker — he brought things to pass. Difficulties only 
 stimulated him to greater effort. Defeat to him meant subse- 
 quent victory. Such was George B. Bowman who well deserves 
 to be called the Father and Founder of Cornell College. 
 
 He was transferred to California in 1867 and died in San Jose, 
 in 1888. 
 
 John Bowman, D. D. 
 In 1862 after twenty-two years of service in the Genesee 
 Conference, John Bowman was transferred to the Upper Iowa 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Conference. He had filled some of the best charges in his old con- 
 ference, in all of which many souls were converted and large 
 accessions made to the church. He at once took high rank in the 
 Upper Iowa Conference, and after serving full terms at Cedar 
 Falls, Waterloo and Iowa City, he was two terms presiding elder 
 on the Fayette and Cedar Falls Districts. One of the largest 
 revivals in the history of Iowa City was during his pastorate. 
 In 1872 he was a delegate to the General Conference. 
 
 He was superannuated in 1887 and died in 1903 at his home 
 in Cedar Falls. 
 
 Dr. Bowman possessed a noble physical form, a warm and 
 generous heart and a mind weU stored with useful knowledge. 
 He was always a genial, affable Christian gentleman. He under- 
 stood and loved the doctrines of his church, and wa^ both willing 
 and able to defend them against the assaults of any opponent as 
 occasion required. He made it a rule not to challenge to public 
 debate on disputed doctrinal matters, but being challenged in the 
 matter of design, mode and subjects of baptism and other theo- 
 logical questions, he engaged, according to his own account, in 
 not less than eighteen public oral discussions. 
 
 Y/hile fraternal to all other Christian churches, he v\-as \^-ith- 
 out affectation devotedly in love with his own church. 
 
 His great energy of character, untiring perseverance, pleasing 
 address, fine conversational powers, and a voice of great oratorical 
 melody and compass, rendered him exceedingly popular as a 
 preacher and b}^ Divine blessing, made him eminently useful in 
 the church. 
 
 As a superannuated and retired minister, he was a model in 
 his local church home; until at last, full of years, respected, honor- 
 ed, and loved, he was, as a sheaf fully ripe, gathered into the 
 garner of his Lord. 
 
io8 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 George W. Brindell. 
 George W. Brindell was born in Philadelphia in 1831, received 
 into the Philadelphia Conference in 1850, and transferred to the 
 Upper Iowa Conference in 1857. He was for many years one of 
 the most useful and successful members of the conference. His 
 appointments were Maquoketa, Clinton, Lyons, Dubuque, Vin- 
 ton, Grace Church Waterloo, Fayette, Osage, Manchester, Iowa 
 City, Toledo, Anam^osa, Shell Rock and Eldora. He was a dele- 
 gate to the General Conference of 1888. 
 
 Intellectually he was but an average preacher; and yet such 
 was his heart power that he held excellent congregations. He 
 laid especial emphasis upon the doctrine and experience of holi- 
 ness. He excelled as a leader of social meetings. His emotions 
 were easily stirred and his preaching and exhortations were, under 
 the blessing of God, fruitful of blessed results. His health was 
 always delicate, and yet was sufficient for the ordinary duties of 
 the pastorate. To the last, even in waning health, he continued 
 to work up to the full measure of his strength. On the last Sab- 
 bath of his life he was in his pulpit and read the hymns but did 
 not preach, intending to preach in the evening. Evening came 
 and he was not able to do so. The following Wednesday he was 
 worse, and selected as the text for his funeral, "For ye are dead 
 and your life is hid with Christ in God. " About ten o'clock he 
 repeated these lines: 
 
 "Happy if with my latest breath 
 
 I may but gasp His name, " 
 and a little past noon, April 14, 1897, his spirit ascended to be 
 forever with the Lord. 
 
 Harvey S. Bronson. 
 H. S. Bronson was a native of Ohio, converted in Illinois and 
 received into the Rock River Conference in 1842. After preach- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 109 
 
 ing several years in that conference he served two years as mis- 
 sionary to the Indians on Lake Winnebago. In 1850 he came to 
 Iowa and settled in Fayette County. He was one of the original 
 members of the Upper Iowa Conference and at its first session was 
 appointed presiding elder of Upper Iowa District. 
 
 He was a leader in the founding of Upper Iowa University 
 and was for many years president of its board of trustees. 
 
 In 1861 he located and settled on a farm near Fayette. He 
 was active in all public affairs, filled many local offices and served 
 one term in the state Senate. 
 
 H. S. Bronson was one of the most widely known men in the 
 region and held the esteem and love of all. During the later 
 years he was accustomed to preach on his anniversary in the 
 church at Fayette. His mental facidties were apparently un- 
 diminished up to the last. He died December 2, 1905, in the 
 ninety-second year of his age, honored, loved and revered by all 
 who knew him. 
 
 William Brush, D. D. 
 For fifteen years Dr. Brush was a leading spirit in the Con- 
 ference. For nine years he was president of the Upper Iowa 
 University and for four years presiding elder of Charles City Dis- 
 trict. He was a member of five sessions of the General Conference, 
 namely, 1868, 1872, 1S76, 1880 and 1888. Of the forty-four years of 
 his ministry, thirteen were spent in the pastorate, eleven as pre- 
 siding elder, eighteen as college president, one as United States 
 Consul at Messina, Italy, and one year with broken health waiting 
 his discharge. 
 
 Dr Brush was a man of great power. He was quick and clear 
 in his intellectual perceptions, accurate in his statements and 
 logical in his conclusions, broad and generous in his sympathies, 
 magnetic in temperament, his language simple yet cultured and 
 elegant, his appeals intensely earnest and spiritual ; he was indeed 
 
no 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 a power in the piilpit, his eloquence at times rising to heights that 
 seemed to sweep everything before it. As a debater, he was clear, 
 forceful and courageous, fearing not to face any antagonist. 
 His magnificent voice and splendid physique secured complete at- 
 tention in any a^iscnibly however large or excited. As a pastor 
 he was faithful and industrious, his friendships were sincere and 
 unvarying and the humblest man could approach him as readily 
 as the most distinguished. 
 
 He died April 29, 1895. 
 
 J. B. Casebeer, D. D. 
 
 J. B. Casebeer was received on trial into the Iowa Conference 
 in 1859 and was transferred to the Upper Iowa Conference in 1864. 
 He was Captain of Company D, Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry 
 during the years 1862 to 1864, and shared in the hardships and 
 privations of that heroic band until, wounded by the explosion 
 of a shell, he was compelled to resign. 
 
 From 1864 to 1888 he served some of the leading charges of 
 the Conference. He was a faithful soldier of the cross, as he had 
 been a faithful soldier in the service of his country. As a min- 
 ister he excelled in revival work, and great numbers were con- 
 verted and brought into the church through his efficient labors. 
 As a preacher he was sound in doctrine, persuasive in manner, 
 earnest in spirit, delivering his message from a warm heart of deep 
 sympathy and Christian love. He possessed rare genius in con- 
 ducting the social services of the church, and manifested great 
 power in the field of evangelistic effort. As a platform speaker 
 he was bright and entertaining, and in demand for public addresses 
 in the temperance reform and at the gatherings of grand army 
 men. His continued years of labor in the ministry in connection 
 with the wounds received while in the army, finally shattered his 
 once vigorous and strong constitution. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 III 
 
 Though unable to converse during his last illness, his friends 
 have the assurance that the Savior whom he had so long and so 
 often recommended to others was with him to the end, and in the 
 triumph of faith he went to the great company " who stand with- 
 out fault before the throne. " 
 
 He died December 18, 1889, at Cedar Rapids. 
 
 Lyman Catlin. 
 
 Lyman Catlin was a model man, a successful teacher and a 
 useful minister. He was born at Phelps, New York, in 1814 and at 
 eighteen years of age was converted and united with the church. 
 He was educated at Genesee Wc^lcyau Seminary, removed to 
 Illinois and became a professor in Punk River Seminary at Mount 
 Morris. Later he removed to Maquoketa, Iowa, and entered 
 into business. In 1865 he was admitted into the L'pper Iowa 
 Conference and for twenty-three years he served faithfidly the 
 charges assigned him. As a citizen he was alert, intelligent and 
 conscientious ; in the social circle he was charming and attractive ; 
 as a business man he was the soul of honor; and as a pastor he was 
 faithful and true. He died in Waterloo in 1S92, aged seventy- 
 eight. The memory of his life is an inspiration to all who knew 
 him. 
 
 John W. Clinton, D. D. 
 John W. Clinton was born in Ontario, Canada, February 10, 
 1831, and graduated with honor from the Toronto Normal School. 
 After teaching fifteen years, he was admitted into the Upper Iowa 
 Conference in 1866. He very soon rose to a leading position in 
 the Conference, was appointed to the largest churches and usually 
 served the full pastoral term. He was an able preacher and ex- 
 celled as an expounder of the Bible. He was a ready platform 
 orator and was in demand for lectures and addresses on civic, 
 educational and political topics, in which he never voiced an 
 
112 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 uncertain sound on the moral issues of the day. His genial, 
 kindly disposition, coupled with an accurate knowledge of human 
 nature, tact and energy, rendered him an excellent pastor. 
 Whether as business man, teacher, pastor or preacher he most ex- 
 celled, is hard to tell. He served one term as presiding elder of 
 Decorah District, was conference secretary from 1873 to 1879, 
 and delegate to the General Conference in 1884. As a church 
 dedicator he had few peers in western Methodism, having offi- 
 ciated at the dedication of seventy-five churches, in which he 
 raised more than S300,000.00. He never failed to secure the 
 amount asked for. 
 
 For twentj'-five years he was a trustee of Cornell College, and 
 for many years a trustee of Upper Iowa University. 
 
 His last sermon was preached less than two weeks before his 
 call from labor to reward. Even on his death bed his heart and 
 mind were full of plans for the advancement of the cause he so 
 much loved. When at last he knew he must go, he said, "It is 
 all right. The workman falls but the work goes on. " He died 
 at Vinton, Iowa, January 20, 1894 and was buried in Hampton. 
 Andrew Coleman. 
 
 In the list of appointments of the Upper Iowa Conference 
 in 1856, appears, "Andrew Coleman, Presiding Elder of Iowa 
 City District." 
 
 He was born in West Virginia, April 5, 1799, and died in 
 Oskaloosa, Iowa, May 4, 1881. He entered the ministry of the 
 Pittsburg Conference in 1825. After seventeen years of success- 
 ful labor in that conference, he was in 1842 transferred to the Rock 
 River Conference, which then included Iowa as a mission field' 
 and stationed in Dubuque. After that time his interests and la" 
 bors were constantly identified with this state. He was an 
 original member both of the Iowa Conference in 1844, and of the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Upper Iowa Conference in 1856. He continued in the active 
 work of the ministry until 1871, filling some of the most respon- 
 sible positions in the Conference and served eleven years as presid- 
 ing elder, always with fidelity and success. 
 
 He was a devoted minister of Christ and preached with great 
 fervor and effect. He communed much with God in secret prayer, 
 and was very conscientious in reading and treasuring up the Word 
 of Life. His sermons and prayers all gave evidence that he had 
 been with Jesus on the mount of blessing and learned of Him. 
 
 On the occasion of his superannuation, the Conference adopt- 
 ed the following: 
 
 "Whereas, Our revered and greatly beloved brother, 
 Andrew Coleman, who has labored in the itinerancy for 
 fifty-six years, with great usefiilness, cheerfulness and self-sac- 
 rifice, is about to retire from the active work, therefore 
 
 "Resolved, That we view his retirement in tenderness and 
 in tears, and while he may not share the toils of our heads and 
 hands he shall ever hold a dear place in our hearts. 
 
 "Resolved, That whUe we revere the hoary head as a 
 crown of glory, even more do we appreciate the sweetness of feeling 
 with which in his advanced years he has ever encouraged the 
 younger members of the Conference, and though his voice calls 
 for further toils and conflicts, that voice is drowned by our unan- 
 imous acclaim: 'Well done, good and faithful servant.' Soon 
 the Master will add, 'Enter into the joy of thy Lord.' " 
 
 For ten years Father Coleman resided in Oskaloosa, Iowa, 
 loved and honored by a large circle of friends. He was one of the 
 fathers who "grew old gracefuUy, gratefully and lovingly." His 
 words of flame and tears of joy at the sessions of our Conference 
 were long remembered. Of him, his last pastor. Reverend Dr. 
 Coxe, of Iowa Conference, writes : 
 
 "His piety was sincere and unaffected, his Christian sym- 
 
114 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 pathies were broad and active, his zeal ardent to the very last. 
 Cherishing a warm love for the Church of his life-long service, his 
 catholicity of spirit yet made him eagerly interested in every 
 movement and enterprise of the church at large. He was in labors 
 abundant, visiting from house to house, and occasionally preach- 
 ing as opportunity offered, and carried 'a sweet attractive kind of 
 grace' into every circle he entered. He was eminently a godly 
 man, of prayerful spirit, a devoted student of God's word, and a 
 constant and interested attendant upon the public services of 
 the church. He died as he had lived, 'in the Lord,' and his works 
 follow him." 
 
 Jacob G. Dimmitt, D.D. 
 
 Jacob G. Dimmitt was born at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, 
 March 1, 1806. He went when a child with his parents to Ohio. 
 He was converted when fourteen. In 1839 he was admitted to 
 the Ohio Conference, and traveled Georgetown circuit. One of 
 his fu'st and most pleasant resting places was the home of Jesse 
 R. Grant, the father of Ulysses S. Grant, afterwards President of 
 the United States. Ulysses, then a boy, was always delighted 
 to see him. 
 
 In 1850 Brother Dimmitt came to Iowa. From 1852 to 1855 
 he was presiding elder of the Dubuque District, which then in- 
 cluded Davenport and Muscatine and intervening territory. 
 From 1862 to 1864 he was presiding elder of the Iowa City District. 
 In 1852 and in 1856 he was a delegate to the General Conference. 
 In 1869 he was transferred to the Des Moines Conference and 
 appointed presiding elder of the Des Moines District. Brother 
 Dimmitt was a man of commanding presence and of unusual nat- 
 ural endowments. To these were added the culture and cour- 
 tesies of the Christian gentleman. His nervous organism was of 
 the finest texture, well suited to his soul. He excelled as a pulpit 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 orator and his quarterly meetings were of unusual interest. When 
 serving as presiding elder, he was always remarkably considerate 
 of young men. His wise counsels and steadfast support in their 
 peculiar difficulties never failed. In later years, one of his favor- 
 ite texts was: "Here we have no continuing city, but we seek 
 one to come." Visions of the heavenly city rose before him and 
 his hearers as he preached from these words, and then with 
 tremulous voice he would sing, 
 
 "How can it be, thou Heavenly King, 
 That Thou shouldst me to glory bring?" 
 His favorite hymn was: "There is a fountain filled with blood," 
 and in singing it his soul woukl exult. His faith and experi- 
 ence shone forth most brightly in the closing hours of his life. 
 
 He died in the city of Des Moines, November 20, 1872. 
 Sa:\iui:l M. Fellows, A. M. 
 
 S. M. Fellows was principal of Iowa Conference Seminary 
 and president of Cornell College from 1853 to 1863, thus giving to 
 this institution ten years of service. 
 
 Previous to coming to Mount Vernon, he had been for thir- 
 teen years student, professor and principal of Rock River Sem- 
 inary at Mount Morris, Illinois. Honorable R. R. Hitt, Con- 
 gressman from Illinois, and former student at Mount Morris, 
 thus writes of him: 
 
 "He was a diligent, acute, accurate student and his personal 
 character was admirable. For many years he filled the position 
 of professor in the Rock River Seminary with singular success 
 and usefulness. In nothing did he hold aloof from any good 
 work or influence among the students. It is the fortune of few 
 men in this world to exercise so wide and prominent an influence." 
 
 United States Senator, S. M. Cullom, another of his students, 
 thus WTites: 
 
 "I regard Professor Fellows as one of the best men I ever 
 
ir6 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 knew. I said it when I was under him at school, and now that 
 I am over seventy years of age, I say it now. He was strong, 
 honest hearted, full of kindness and a splendid teacher. I fol- 
 lowed him to the end of his days and mourned when he died." 
 
 The Reverend Dr. D. H. Wheeler, a student and associate 
 both in Mount Morris and Mount Vernon, thus writes : 
 
 "I have through all these years a clear vision of a man sweet- 
 spirited, pure-minded, of fine executive abUity, a rarely qualified 
 teacher, a patient sufferer, a tireless worker, a model friend, and 
 I revere his memory. If we erected altars to our dead, I wo\ild 
 say my prayers often before one inscribed 'Samuel M. Fellows.' " 
 
 Of his work in Cornell College, Colonel H. H. Rood, a former 
 student, writes: 
 
 "President Fellows seemed selected by Providence to give to 
 Cornell the spirit which has actuated her during her entire career. 
 He was a man of high personal character, modest, firm, just and 
 far-seeing. Overwhelmed at all times with the details of the great 
 work he had undertaken, he still found time to read and study, 
 and ever brought into the class room, the lecture room and the 
 college chapel, fresh thought clothed in simple but beautiful lan- 
 guage. Fortunate indeed is it that the spirit he planted has never 
 changed ; and he who would understand what the Cornell of to-day 
 is, must carefully study what the Cornell of that day was." 
 
 President Fellows was an almost constant sufferer from asth- 
 ma for over twenty years, but he never uttered a word of com- 
 plaint. Always patient, cheerful and happy, he contributed 
 largely to the happiness of those around him. 
 
 On Friday evening, the day after commencement, June 26, 
 1863, after bidding farewell to his family, he sank quietly and peace- 
 fully to rest. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 117 
 
 Sweeney C. Freer. 
 
 One of the original members of the Conference was S. C. 
 Freer. He was born in New York in 1818, came to Iowa in 1856 
 and became at once an active member of the Conference, serving 
 in LeClaire, Camanche, Tipton, Vinton, and Independence. He 
 was presiding elder of Vinton District from 1864 to 1868, when 
 the country was new, settlements scattered, rides long, 
 streams unbridged. It became necessary sometimes to take his 
 buggy apart and -convey it and harness across streams in skiffs 
 and to swim his horses to the opposite bank. In all his relations 
 and work, he was discreet in judgment, correct in practice and 
 conscientious in motive. On all occasions he exemplified the dig- 
 nity of his calling and the sweetness of the spirit of his Master. 
 
 After his superannuation, during all the years of release 
 from direct ministerial responsibility, he was loyal to the church 
 and her ministers, regular in his attendance at her services, lib- 
 eral to all her benevolences, and ready to share in revival work. 
 
 He left many bright and hallowed influences which have 
 continued to bless the living for many years. Truly he was "dil- 
 igent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord," and the 
 hundreds of precious souls that were guided by him to the fold 
 of Christ shall at last with him "return and come to Zion with 
 songs and everlasting joy." 
 
 He died at his home in Vinton, November 15, 1883. 
 I. K. Fuller. 
 
 Dr. Fuller was a native of Massachusetts. In early life he 
 removed to New York, then to Indiana, and in 1855 came to 
 MechanicsviUe, Iowa. He was received into the Conference in 
 1857 and for twenty years he was a faithul and useful member. 
 His standing in the Conference is indicated by the charges he served, 
 viz., Springville, Sioux City, Dubuque, Marshalltowri, McGregor, 
 
ii8 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Iowa Cit}', Davenport, Iowa City District, DeWitt and Waterloo. 
 He was an able preacher, a sympathetic pastor, and a good man. 
 He was not permitted to give any last testimony respecting the 
 value of faith in Christ; but the patient cheerfulness with which 
 he bore the pain and weakness of his last sickness, was a better 
 testimony than any last words of ecstacy could have been. 
 
 He had learned to suffer as well as to do the will of his 
 Father in heaven. He declared, shortly before his death, that 
 "The last year has been the best of my life." ^ 
 
 He died June 17, 1878, at his home in DeWitt. 
 
 James Gilruth. 
 
 James Gilruth was one of the most remarkable characters in 
 early Methodism. He was a son of Scotch parents and was born 
 on the Virginia side of the Ohio River in 1793, and was taken 
 with his father's family to Scioto County, Ohio, in 1797. There 
 he was trained in all the experience of backwoods life. For years 
 their meal came from the hominy block or handmill, the forest 
 affording an abundance of meat, and the river a never failing sup- 
 ply of fish. For music, they were often serenaded by the hoot- 
 ing of owls and the howling of wolves through the night and the 
 gobbling of turkeys in the morning. For years they had no schools, 
 no preaching, no religious meeting of any kind; and James was ten 
 years old before he heard a sermon or saw an ear of growing wheat. 
 
 In 1819 he was converted and received into the Ohio Confer- 
 ence and for thirty years he travclcil in tliat conference, some- 
 times on circuits or stations, then on cxten^dve di.-tricts as pre- 
 siding elder. He faithfully served the church through storms, 
 mud and ice, swimming streams, f)ften preaching in dripping 
 clothes, never missing an appointment in fourteen years. He 
 had a most powerful physical frame, and in his prime he hardly 
 knew what sickness was. As to his strength, during many years 
 it was doubted whether his eciual could be found in Ohio, and 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 119 
 
 woe be to that intruder at camp meeting who was fastened with- 
 in his clutches. Repentance or submission was the only remedy 
 and the poor victim knew it, for Gilruth's courage was equal to 
 his strength. 
 
 As a Bible student he had few equals, as indicated 1)y the char- 
 acter of his sermons and by the correctness of liis quotations. 
 For many 5'ears in his old age he was a member of the Upper Iowa 
 Conference, but lived on his farm near Davenport. He was a 
 man of rough exterior, but possessed of a manly, honest heart. 
 It can be truthfully said of him that in early life he chose God as 
 his portion, devoted the best part of that life to His service, re- 
 ceived His approval in death, and went to his home and reward 
 in heaven. He died June 2, 1S73. 
 
 Samuel Y. Harmer. 
 
 In size and appearance, "Father Harmer" resembled a patri- 
 arch of old. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1809. After four- 
 teen years of service as a local preacher, he came to Iowa and 
 was admitted into the Conference in 1857. He was pre-eminently 
 a revivalist. The pentecostal fire seemed to fall on the people 
 as he gave utterance to words from the Scripture. He was always 
 in demand for revival services and camp meetings. During his 
 active ministry, his beaming countenance was always wreathed 
 in smiles and his kindly voice freighted with good words. Hun- 
 dreds were led to Christ through his instrumentality. 
 
 It is said that the famous hymn, "In the Christian's Home 
 in Glory," was composed by him in twenty minutes, in 1856. 
 
 He was superannuated in 1880. His mental powers failed 
 rapidly, but when he did not know wife or children, he was asked 
 if he knew Jesus, and quickly responded: "I have known Him 
 well for lo, these many years, and he has never forsaken me." 
 
 On March 26, 1884, he fell asleep in Jesus. 
 
I20 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Samuel Woodward Heald. 
 
 Dr. Heald was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, born in 
 1842. He was received on trial into the Upper Iowa Conference 
 in 1867, and continued his ministry without interruption for 
 thirty-six years. During this time he served the following charges : 
 Blairstown, Janesville, Nashua, Mason City, McGregor, Mar- 
 shalltown, Davenport 14th Street, Cedar Falls, Mount Vernon, 
 Fayette, Maquoketa, Anamosa, Tipton, Cresco and Osage. 
 
 For twenty-three years he was secretary of the Upper Iowa 
 Conference, without competitor and usually elected by accla- 
 mation. 
 
 He was a delegate to the memorable Cleveland convention 
 which founded the Epworth League. Not only in his own thought 
 but in that of others, it was both a privilege and an honor to par- 
 ticipate in the deliberations of this convention, and to aid in 
 launching so great an enterprise. He was a delegate to the 
 General Conference in 1892. 
 
 Dr. Heald was a devoted pastor, a zealous seeker after souls 
 and a gifted preacher. In deportment he was always a gentle- 
 man, cheerful, generous and kind, the life of any social circle he 
 chanced to come into. He was kind and considerate in deed and 
 manner and delightfully courteous. He was a lover of humanity. 
 Childhood always caught sunshine from his face. He adapted 
 himself to every age and class in the true spirit of a representa- 
 tive from the Court of Heaven. 
 
 He was a Methodist by intuition, loving the doctrines, dis- 
 cipline and usages of his chosen church; and yet so broad in his 
 charity that he was loved by all Christian people wherever he 
 served as pastor. 
 
 In personal appearance and manner. Dr. Heald was unusu- 
 ally prepossessing. He had a finely molded head, always grace- 
 ful in poise, expressive features well nigh classic in outline, in- 
 
DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CONFERENCE 
 
 1. T. C. Golden 3. A. J. Kvnett 5. Landon Tavlor 7. Andrew Coleman 
 
 2. Isaac Newton 4. Jacob Havmond 6. J. G. Dimmitt 8. O. D. Bowles 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 121 
 
 dicating a mentality fine and strong, and a well built, symmetri- 
 cal body. His voice was clear and musical and under complete 
 control. All these qualities were consecrated to the work of 
 God and the service of men. 
 
 He believed in, possessed and quietly advocated the ad- 
 vanced views and experiences of Methodism. 
 
 In the home he was intense in feeling and affection, render- 
 ing his domestic relations most charming. 
 
 His last illness was brief and his death sudden. One of his 
 last utterances was, "I am so glad I have spent my life trying to 
 make men better." 
 
 He died at Osage, September 7, 1903. 
 
 Horatio W. Houghton. 
 
 H. W. Houghton was born at Springfield, Vermont, in 1812 
 and was admitted into the Providence Conference in 1844, where 
 he labored thirteen years. In 1857 he became a member of the 
 Upper Iowa Conference and rendered excellent service for eight- 
 een years, eight of those years serving as presiding elder. In 
 1879 he received the relation of superannuation. 
 
 He was a good preacher, safe administrator, and the warm 
 friend and wise counselor of the young preachers who came under 
 his influence. 
 
 He died at Lansing, October 1, 1904. 
 
 D. Nelson Holmes. 
 
 D. N. Holmes was transferred from the Genesee Conference 
 to the Iowa Conference in 1852. He was an original member of 
 the Upper Iowa Conference and continued in service until his 
 superannuation in 1874. From 1858 to 1862, he was presiding 
 elder of the Fort Dodge District, and in 1868 was a delegate to 
 the General Conference. He w^as a genial yet devoted man, wel- 
 come in every home, especially fond of children, and an able min- 
 
122 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 ister of the word. He gave thirty-two years of earnest toil, much 
 of the time on the frontier, to the cause of Christ. The thirteen 
 years of superannuation were usefully spent in the communities 
 where he lived. He loved the house of God and took delight in 
 the services of the sanctuary. 
 
 He was ready for the final change, and passed away like a 
 weary one dropping off into a refreshing sleep. He lived right and 
 therefore he died right. He died August 2, 1887. 
 
 Solom6n W. Ingham, Sr. 
 S. W. Ingham was born in Dryden, New York, in 1812. In 
 his early boyhood his family removed to Indiana. He was li- 
 censed to preach in 1838, and in 1840, with his young wife, he came 
 to Columbus City, Iowa. In 1841 he was admitted to the Rock 
 River Conference, which then included Iowa, and was appointed 
 to Marion Circuit. The next faU he drove from Marion to Chica- 
 go in his buggy to attend the Conference and was retvu-ned to Mar- 
 ion. As a pioneer itinerant preacher his work was chiefly along 
 the Cedar River from its mouth to the Minnesota state line. 
 
 S. W. Ingham was a quiet but persistent worker, never fail- 
 ing to witness gracious revivals on the work of which he had 
 charge. He was held in universal esteem wherever known. For 
 several years preceding his death, he was an invalid, but never 
 did he lose his strong faith in God, or his interest in and zeal for 
 the work of the church in which for sixty-three years he had been 
 a faithful minister, a devout and earnest worker. His end was 
 peaceful and triumphant. He found the Christ whose gospel 
 he so long had preached, faithful to the end. As a weary child 
 he gave himself to the everlasting arms and went to sleep. He 
 entered into rest, February 15, 1901. 
 
 Richard W. Keeler, D.D. 
 One of the strong men of the early Conference was R. W. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 123 
 
 Keeler. He was born in New York in 1824, converted at thirteen, 
 and in 1845 was received into the New York Conference. In 185G 
 he was transferred to Iowa, becoming an original member of the 
 Upper low-a Conference and was stationed at First Church, Dav- 
 enport. In 1857 he was elected president of Cornell College 
 w'here he served two years. In 1859 he became principal of Ep- 
 worth Seminary where he labored five years. For eleven years 
 he served as presiding elder, and for nine years was secretary of 
 the Conference. In 1884 he became Dean of Theology in Central 
 Tennessee College, which position he occupied for six years, and 
 for three years he was lecturer on the English Bible in the Upper 
 Iowa University. He was a delegate to the General Conferences 
 of 1860, 1864 and 1872. 
 
 In all respects Dr. Keeler was a large man. Commanding 
 and impressive in his personal appearance, he was possessed of 
 intellectual gifts that were equally commanding and impressive. 
 He was a man of large thoughts, large conceptions and large sym- 
 pathies. In the days of his strength he was a preacher of great 
 power. His breadth and reach of thought were a great intellect- 
 ual stimvilus to his hearers. Added to this was the deep spiritual 
 and evangelical character of his preaching. He was a close and 
 devout student of the Bible. His mind was saturated with Bib- 
 lical truth and thought, which pervaded all his pulpit utterances. 
 In all his work as pastor, presiding elder, and teacher, he prayer- 
 fully solight for himself and his beloved church the illumination 
 and guidance of the Spirit of God. And to the service and work 
 of the church, he gave the fuU measure of his love and the best 
 qualities of body and mind. At his own request he was granted 
 a superannuation in 1895, and took up his residence in Des 
 Moines where he continued to reside until his death in 1899. 
 
 In his last sickness he was patient and uncomplaining. He 
 looked forward to his approaching dissolution as the coming of 
 
124 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 a great deliverance, and was often heard to pray, "Lord Jesus, 
 come quickly." At length the change came and the redeemed 
 and released spirit entered into its eternal victory. 
 
 Alpha J. Kynett, LL.D. 
 
 Dr. Kynett was born in 1829 at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 
 and came with his father's family to Iowa in 1842. In 1851 he 
 was admitted into the Iowa Conference and became an original 
 member of the Upper Iowa Cortference in 1856. In the early 
 sixties, prompted by the financial embarrassment that had over- 
 taken many of the churches, he began to work out the problem 
 of the church extension society, first in his own Conference and 
 later in the general church. In the General Conference of 1864, 
 by his energy and skill, though a new member in that body, he 
 so set forth the merits of this cause as to secure its adoption. 
 
 In 1867 Dr. Kynett was appointed by the Board of Bishops, 
 Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Church Extension, and 
 for nearly thirty-two years, as an executive officer, he conducted 
 its affairs with pre-eminent ability. He had the unique distinc- 
 tion of creating a great benevolent society which grew and pros- 
 pered under his own supervision through all these years until it 
 had aided nearly 11,000 churches with donations and loans, ag- 
 gregating almost six and one-half millions of dollars. To pre- 
 serve sacred the Loan Fund, the creature of his own brain, and 
 to guard all the funds of the Board of Church Extension was the 
 life work of Dr. Kynett. It was often his painfiil duty to stand 
 up against the popular demand that he should disregard the laws 
 of administration or the sacredness of trusts, in order to help 
 needy and distressed cases, and sometimes, alas, he stood almost 
 alone. But his unflinching fidelity inspired the confidence of mul- 
 titudes of the givers of Methodism, who intrusted money liberally 
 to so careful a management. He stood as a sentinel, in sunshine 
 and storm, one of the most heroic figures in Methodism. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Dr. Kj-nett was an active and potent factor in every great 
 question that stirred the church. A tower of strengtli for lay 
 representation in the General Conference, he carried the principle 
 to its logical conclusion in strongly advocating equal lay and min- 
 isterial representation, with women as equal participants with 
 men. 
 
 He was also in the forefront of the great spiritual movements 
 of the time. Nothing of great moment to the church or society 
 escaped him. He was an ecclesiastical statesman. 
 
 Among the great reforms of the day, Dr. Kynett was es- 
 pecially interested in that of temperance. For many years he 
 was the chairman of the committee on temperance, appointed 
 by the General Conference. He was also one of the founders of 
 the American Anti-Saloon League. In his last great speech at 
 Harrisburg he was still rallj'ing the church for her great mission 
 for temperance and humanity. 
 
 Dr. Kynett's leadership in our Conference, which was won 
 in early manhood, remained potent and useful to the last. He 
 never assvmaed leadership ; but it was always spontaneously accord- 
 ed to him. He never lost his keen personal interest in the mem- 
 bers and work of the Upper Iowa Conference ; and the Conference 
 never waned in its love and admiration for him, as shown by its 
 electing him to nine successive General Conferences, almost always 
 at the head of the delegation. This was simply an expression of 
 their appreciation of his noble character and magnetic leadership, 
 and of what they believed best for the Conference and the church. 
 
 God made Dr. Kynett on a large pattern. A large head set 
 upon broad shoidders, a full face, a clear eye, and a manly bear- 
 ing, made him a very distinguished figure in any company. 
 
 At the time of his death, he seemed to be at the zenith of 
 his full-orbed usefulness, and there were sincere mourners in every 
 state and territory, and in the obscure places beyond the moun- 
 
126 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 tains and beyond the seas. But there was joy in heaven, -for a 
 great hero had received his crown. He died February 23, 1899. 
 Edwin D. Lamb. 
 
 Edwin D. Lamb was a native of New York. He was admit- 
 ted into the Genesee Conference in 1852, came to Iowa in 1855, 
 and was received into the Iowa Conference and appointed to 
 JanesvUle. In 1856, by request, he was returned to the same 
 circuit. He died August 19, 1857, at the early age of twenty- 
 seven, in the morning of his usefulness. Of his sickness and death 
 his wife writes: 
 
 "All through his sickness he manifested a strong trust in 
 the Savior and said he was ready to go; but still he wanted to 
 live for the sake of his family, and to labor for the church of 
 Christ. As the end drew near he became exultant — every breath 
 was spent in praise. He died with glory, hallelujah upon his lips." 
 
 This was the first death in the Upper Iowa Conference. More 
 than one hundred have since joined him in the better land. 
 Simon A. Lee. 
 
 S. A. Lee was a native of Ohio, born in 1829. He was re- 
 ceived into the North Ohio Conference in 1851 and labored there 
 five years. In 1856 he came to Iowa, attended the first session 
 of the Upper Iowa Conference and arranged to be transferred 
 and stationed at Dyersville. He afterwards served at Rock 
 Dale, Fayette, Andrew, Bellevue, Vinton, West Waterloo, Toledo, 
 Independence, Cedar Falls District (three years), Waterloo, 
 Marshalltown, Marion, Tipton, Belle Plaine, Tama, Clarence 
 and Montour. 
 
 He was a successful pastor : revivals were frequent and exten- 
 sive, churches and parsonages were built and improved, and the 
 churches uniformly prospered under his labors. As a preacher, 
 he was clear, sound and practical; he aimed not at display, but 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 127 
 
 only to win souls for Christ and build them up in Him. In all his 
 work he was conscientious and painstaking. He was a lover of 
 learning, and his motto as he himself wrote was, "to learn some- 
 thing every day." He was a warm supporter of the public schools 
 and higher literary institutions, and uniformly urged young 
 people to secure their advantages. 
 
 As a pastor he was kind and sympathetic and was a wel- 
 come guest in every family; as a man he was genial and pleasant; 
 as a Christian, faithful and true. Thousands have thanked God 
 for the good he did them by his private and public ministrations. 
 His religious experience was always bright, never more bright 
 than during his last brief Ulness. Not a cloud or doubt or fear 
 troubled him. His unfaltering trust was in Christ and he fre- 
 quently said, "It is aU right." He died in Toledo, January 6, 1895. 
 
 Joseph Smith McCord, D.D. 
 
 Dr. McCord was born in "Washington County, Illinois, in 1849. 
 He graduated from McKendree College in 1869, was admitted in- 
 to the Central Illinois Conference in 1876, transferred to the Upper 
 Iowa Conference and stationed at Davenport in 1884. In 1888 
 he was stationed in Dubuque; in 1892 returned to Davenport; 
 and in 1895 appointed to Iowa City where he served five years. 
 
 Dr. McCord was a manly man, of unquestioned integrity, 
 sincere to the bottom of his nature. No one who grasped his 
 hand and looked into his eyes ever feared to trust him implicitly, 
 and no man's trust was ever betrayed. It was the man beneath 
 the minister which commanded the universal respect, knowing 
 no church lines, which was accorded him in the communities 
 where he lived. 
 
 As a preacher. Dr. McCord was simplicity itself. He had 
 a passion for clearness, and a rare faculty of attaining it, what- 
 ever his thought might be. He once said: "The real labor of 
 
128 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 my preparation is that I may make it so plain a child cannot miss 
 it." His delivery was full of persuasiveness, and when preaching 
 he often seemed just a friend pouring into the heart his deepest 
 meditations about the "deep things of God." 
 
 As a pastor he possessed the rarest insight into human nature, 
 coupled with the most exquisite tact in dealing with men. His 
 was peculiarly a personal ministry, and these were among the 
 qualities which made it so successful. He touched and influenced 
 the lives and hearts of men in a very unusual way. And yet his 
 work did not rest on his own personality; it was founded on the 
 Rock, Christ Jesus. 
 
 Though a sufferer for years, he wrought as a pastor continu- 
 ously and successfully, resolutely combating the counsel of those 
 who felt it would be better for him to seek rest. What this must 
 have cost him, no one knew from his lips, until delirium came; 
 then through the long hours of the night, the watchers at his side 
 heard the weary heart give out its cry, and he would plead for 
 rest. At last it came, March 30, 1901, and in its slumbrous arms 
 he was lifted into the presence of God. 
 
 John S. McIntyre. 
 J. S. McIntyre was born in Ireland in 1847 and came with 
 his parents to America in 1848. He graduated from Cornell 
 College and Garrett Biblical Institute, and was received into the 
 Upper Iowa Conference in 1878. After his ordination he studied 
 law and was admitted to the bar in 1882, and to practice before 
 the Supreme Court of the state in 1883. He possessed rare ele- 
 ments of character. His heart was as tender as a mother's. He 
 was reluctant to believe evil of any and always discovered some- 
 thing commendable in every one. Not only was he a man of 
 strong convictions, but he possessed the courage to assert them. 
 He was fearless in the fight against all manner of evil, but espec- 
 
DECEASED MEMBERS OF THE CONFERENCE 
 
 1. Alonzo Camp 5. A. H. M. Edwards 9. C. H. Taylor 13. P. W. Gould 
 
 2. W. R. Howe 6. H. Warner 10. W. H. Miller 14. S. A. Lee 
 
 3. Nathaniel Jones 7. T. S. Metcalf 11. U. Eberhart 15. L. S. Cooler 
 
 4. R. Norton 8. J. F. Wilcox li!. W. F. Bacon 16. A. A. Mason 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 129 
 
 ially against intemperance. His entire life was devoted to God. 
 He was a strong preacher, a faithful pastor, and an untiring 
 worker in every position to which the church called him. No 
 one can study his life without being impressed that for him "to 
 live was Christ." 
 
 For several daj^s before his death, he talked with his wife 
 concerning the interests of the charge, directed her as to the future 
 care of the children, selected the hymns for his funeral. He closed 
 his eyes and fell asleep in Jesus, January 30, 1892. 
 
 Sydney T. McKim. 
 
 S. T. McKim was born in Hockingport, Ohio, in 1850, con- 
 verted while a student in the Ohio University at Athens, and was 
 received on trial in the Upper Iowa Conference in 1876. As a 
 preacher he was instructive and Biblical. No home was too re- 
 mote or too humble for him to enter if he coidd comfort a burdened 
 heart, wipe away a tear of sorrow, or help a struggling soul to 
 Jesus. He was a careful and tireless worker, looking to all the 
 details of his work as a Methodist minister. As a man and a 
 citizen, he was honest, loyal, and true. In the home he was best 
 loved, for there he was best known. It was written of him after 
 his death, that he was "one of the most tender hearted, thoroughly 
 honest, most conscientious and godly men that ever occupied 
 a pulpit in Traer." He died in Traer, July 9, 1905. 
 
 Isaac Newton. 
 
 Isaac Ne^\'ton was born in Bristol, England, in 1816. He 
 was trained and confirmed in the Church of England. Not being 
 satisfied as to his salvation, he at one time took a whole candle 
 and went into his bedroom, lighted it and said he would stay upon 
 his knees until it was burned up, seeking salvation at the hand of 
 the Lord. Soon the blessing came as a flash of light from the 
 throne. After his conversion he joined the Wesleyan Methodist 
 
130 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Church. He came to America in 1849, and was received into the 
 Iowa Conference in 1851, and was therefore an original member 
 of the Upper Iowa Conference. For twenty-seven years he labored 
 efficiently, two years as the presiding elder of Anamosa District- 
 He was a good preacher and many were converted through 
 his preaching. During the twenty-one years of his superannua- 
 tion, to the limit of his ability, he lovingly worked and prayed 
 for the building up of the. church. He was always cordial in 
 receiving the pastor, was never a hindrance to him. His influence 
 in the home and community was a constant benediction. He 
 was conscious and triumphant in his last iUness. At the very 
 last he said to loved ones: "I am glad to see you. This is my 
 last day. I am dying, good-bye." 
 
 He died in Farley, September 3, 1904, in his 89th year of age. 
 
 Roderick Norton. 
 Roderick Norton came to the Upper Iowa Conference by 
 transfer in 1860 from Erie Conference and for twenty-two years 
 filled some of the best charges, including Clinton, Marion, Cedar 
 Falls, Mount Vernon, Manchester, Osage and Fayette. His minis- 
 try was always accompanied with great revivals. This was especial- 
 ly true at Fayette and Mount Vernon. Indeed the conversion 
 of souls bore constant witness to the genuineness of his mission 
 and to the uninterrupted divine blessing upon it. He believed 
 implicitly in God and in his word, in Christ and His salvation, in 
 the resurrection and in the life after death. By this faith he con- 
 quered, not only in death but in life. In all his ministry he pre- 
 sented the scheme of salvation, not as a theory to be proved, but 
 as a fact to be accepted. He saw right and duty so clearly that 
 motives of expediency had no power. 
 
 While pastor at Fayette he served also as president of the 
 Upper Iowa University. During his presidency, public confi- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 deuce was restored, the financial status greatly improved, the 
 number of students quadrupled and the school placed on a firmer 
 basis. 
 
 In his relations as pastor, teacher, friend, he was generous 
 of time and service. He was in the world not to be ministered 
 unto but to minister. His qualities of heart drew men's affec- 
 tions. His intellectual power drew their admiration. He 
 preached with the eloquence of great thoughts and strong emo- 
 tions. He loved books and read the best authors. For twenty- 
 years he was an influential trustee of Cornell College. His life 
 indeed was filled with usefulness. When death came, it had no 
 terrors. On September 30, 1883, he "fell asleep," painlessly and 
 quietly as a little child. When near his end he said: "Whether 
 I live or die, aU is weU." 
 
 W. Frank Paxton, D.D. 
 
 Dr. Paxton was born in 1835 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 
 graduated from Pennsylvania College in 1856, was professor in 
 Baltimore Female College for two years, then came to Iowa and, 
 in 1858, was received into the Upper Iowa Conference. He served 
 the following charges: Cedar Rapids, Cedar FaUs, Osage, Floyd, 
 Bellevue, Maquoketa, 14th street Davenport, and Mason City. 
 For twelve years he was presiding elder, serving the Fayette, Daven- 
 port and Decorah Districts, each a full term of four years. In 
 1889 his health suddenly and permanently failed. He super- 
 annuated and removed to San Francisco where he died in 1894. 
 
 As a preacher he was clear in his thought, neat in rhetorical 
 style, tender in his manner and frequently deeply sympathetic. 
 He was never boisterous, but was deeply in earnest. He was a 
 man of affairs and made a very efficient executive when entrusted 
 with that responsibility. His ministry was highly useful to the 
 church and to his fellow men. In his last days he said: "It is 
 
132 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 glorious to preach the gospel, and I had hoped to live a few years 
 longer to work for Jesus." To his wife he said: "Oh, I wish 
 you could see what I do. Heaven is opened, I see the throne of 
 God, and there is a place for me." 
 
 He was a valuable and successful worker, a loyal and true 
 Christian minister, useful in life and triumphant in death. 
 Robert W. Peebles. 
 
 R. W. Peebles was a native of New York, and in 1862 was 
 received into the Oneida Conference. In 1871 he came to Iowa 
 and was admitted into the Upper Iowa Conference. His charges 
 were, Ackley, Vinton, Mount Vernon, Fayette, Mason City, Dubuque 
 District, and Marion. After retiring from active work he re- 
 moved to Vancouver, Washington, where he died May 4, 1900. 
 
 R. W. Peebles was a Christian gentleman, a student, an able 
 minister, and an honest, upright citizen. He was endowed with 
 large social qualities, which made him a coveted guest in the social 
 circle. His genial, gentle Christian spirit made him a great favor- 
 ite among his people and upon his charges, while his pulpit utter- 
 ances "fed the flock of God." 
 
 His pastor at Vancouver wrote: "His occasional sermons 
 preached in his church were earnest, thoughtful and spiritual, 
 and two weeks before he died, while he was leading the congre- 
 gation in morning prayers, a most gracious and wonderful bap- 
 tism of Divine power descended upon the people." 
 
 He was a good man full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, and 
 having finished his course with joy, he rests from his labors. 
 Henry W. Reed, D.D. 
 
 H. W. Reed was born in New York in 1813, admitted into 
 the New York Conference in 1833, transferred to the Illinois Con- 
 ference in 1835 and stationed at Dubuque, Iowa. Here he found 
 the log meeting-house erected a year before, but no parsonage. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 With his own hands he prepared a rude cabin which became a 
 home for himself and young wife. During the first winter a babe 
 was born to them which in consequence of exposure sickened and 
 died. Brother Reed himself made a little coffin and dug a small 
 grave in the hillside and laid the precious babe away, with no 
 service save his own prayer to God for comfort and strength. 
 
 After preaching two years in Dubuque, he labored one year 
 at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, one year as missionary to the Oneida 
 Indians at Green Bay, Wisconsin, one year on Platteville Circuit, 
 a four weeks circuit with twenty-six appointments. From 1840 
 to 1842 he traveled Platteville District which extended from 
 Prairie Du Chein to Green Bay and included twelve to fifteen 
 thousand square miles of almost unsettled wilderness. In 1843 
 after preaching one year in Galena, Illinois, he became presiding 
 elder of Dubuque District, which embraced all the settled portion 
 of northern Iowa. From this time until 1872, his work was within 
 the bounds of the Upper Iowa Conference; twenty years of that 
 time he was a presiding elder. He was a delegate to the General 
 Conferences of 1844, 1848, 1852, 1856, 1860 and 1868. He was 
 an original member both of the Iowa and the Upper Iowa 
 Conferences. 
 
 He was a strongly built man, a little above medium size, 
 with a broad, deep chest, massive brow and sunken eyes. He 
 was a fine specimen of the preachers of the olden time; frank, 
 genial, honest, unselfish and true. He was an able presiding 
 elder, clear-headed and far-seeing. In the pulpit he was deliberate 
 and instructive, in counsel wise and discriminative, in athninis- 
 tration of discipline mild, firm and judicious. In his judgment 
 and influence, his fidelity and wisdom in guiding the affairs of the 
 church, he did more than any other man to give shape and per- 
 manence to Methodism in Iowa. Altogether he was one of the few 
 
134 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 men fitted to lay the foundations of a great church in a new 
 country, or to guide the affairs of state in perilous times. 
 
 In 1872 he was appointed by the President of the United 
 States, Agent for the Blackfeet Indians, a dangerous tribe on 
 the upper Missouri River. Here he served four years, sometimes 
 in great personal danger. He also twice visited the Chippewas, 
 three hundred and fifty miles north of Saint Paul. He was after- 
 wards one of the United States Commissioners with Generals 
 Curtis and Sibley to treat with all the Indians on the Missouri 
 River from Sioux City to the Yellowstone. 
 
 Thus the ministry of this man extended through a period 
 ot fifty-six years. In his Conference he took a deep and earnest 
 interest in the entire work of the church. In all the relations held, 
 his counsel and work were of great value. He died in Baldwin, 
 Kansas, August 26, 1889. One who was with him at the close 
 of his life, wrote: 
 
 "This charming light has gone out; this man of God is taken; 
 and the vacancy reminds us that there is another redeemed one in 
 heaven. His death was as beautiful as his life. The shadow of 
 death seemed not to be there, for he entered the city of God with 
 the light of eternity upon him." 
 
 James Harris Rhea, D.D. 
 Dr. Rhea was a native of Tennessee. He was admitted into 
 the Central Illinois Conference in 1862 and was transferred to the 
 Upper Iowa Conference in 1871. He served Clinton, Dubuque, 
 Cedar Falls, Davenport, Mount Vernon, Grace Church Waterloo, 
 Toledo, Marshalltown, Iowa Falls, and again at Clinton where he 
 died May 27, 1896. 
 
 On the Sabbath previous to his departure he preached in 
 the morning and took part in the evening service. Only the day 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 before his death he preached a funeral sermon and participated 
 in a union prayer meeting. 
 
 He was a man of wonderful energy and an indefatigable 
 worker. The charges he served indicate the quality of his work. 
 
 Dr. Rhea was a man of commanding presence and positive 
 convictions, and exercised an influence and power in his life that 
 were far-reaching. As a preacher he was profound, instructive 
 and earnest. He was generous, sympathetic and always hopeful. 
 He was a true friend, in whose friendship there was genuine unself- 
 ishness and candor. He went from a life of busy toil and care 
 to render an account of his stewardship, to meet and greet many 
 to whom he pointed out the way of life. The Conference lost in 
 him a most efficient pastor, a faithful worker, a successful minister 
 of Jesus Christ. 
 
 RUFUS RiCKER. 
 
 Rufus Ricker was born in Illinois in 1S21 and came with 
 his parents to Iowa in 1836, settling near Davenport. In 1848 
 he definitely sought and consciously received the grace of heart- 
 purity. In 1851 he was admitted on trial into the Iowa Confer- 
 ence, and was in continuous service for thirty-eight years. He 
 became a supernumerary in 1889, and from that time labored and 
 preached as an evangelist. After three j^ears of such service he 
 thus wrote: "Forty-one years in the ministry does not in the 
 least take away my desire to preach the blessed Gospel ; but only 
 gives me a great longing to spend and be spent in the glory of 
 God's cause in the earth. I had rather be poor and go forth to 
 win souls to Christ than to have all the treasures and pleasures 
 of this world. Now, blessed Lord, my earnest prayer is, open 
 my way to accomplish thy will for time to come." 
 
 In less than six weeks that prayer was answered by his trans- 
 lation to heaven, where all God's servants "serve Him," doing 
 His will perfectly. 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Without the learning of the schools, though a most liberal 
 patron, and for many years a trustee of Cornell College, without 
 drill in elocution or grace of manner, or tact in ordinary address, 
 Rufus Ricker was a good and useful man. There was a simplicity 
 and godly sincerity in him that commanded the confidence of 
 nearly every one who knew him, if not for the man himself, cer- 
 tainly for the grace of God so manifestly in him. The Holy Spirit 
 reigned in his heart, and directed and empowered him to lead 
 hundreds of souls into the kingdom of God and to the richest pos- 
 sessions of grace. Surely this venerable servant of Christ is now 
 invested with a crown and honors that shall never fade away. He 
 died at Saint Ansgar, November 22, 1892. 
 
 Joshua H. Rigby, D.D. 
 Dr. Rigby was a native of Iowa. He was born in Cedar 
 County in 1844, graduated from Cornell College with highest hon- 
 ors in 1867, graduated from Garrett Biblical Institute in 1869, 
 and was received the same year into the Upper Iowa Conference. 
 He was three years principal of Epworth Seminary, seventeen 
 years in the pastorate, and nearly two years presiding elder of 
 Dubuque District. 
 
 As a pastor Dr. Rigby was tender and faithful, carrying his 
 personal ministrations where they were most needed as well as 
 most welcome. His preaching was instructive, spiritual and edi- 
 fying. He deemed it his highest privilege and honor to be a 
 minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 As a presiding elder, he secured in a marked degree the con- 
 fidence and affection of his preachers and people by his wise coun- 
 sels and fidelity to their interests. His preachers confided in 
 him their wants and trials as in a personal friend. 
 
 His home life was beautiful. In that charmed circle he loved 
 and was loved with all the intensity of domestic affection. The 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 foundation of all his excellencies was his deep, abiding, and joy- 
 ful Christian experience. When he surrendered to Christ, the 
 surrender was complete. Henceforth the Bible was his guide 
 and his life wholly given to the service of God. As a friend, hus- 
 band, father, minister, he held himself to the highest standard 
 of conscientious service, and he never turned aside from his holy 
 calling. 
 
 Dr. Rigby was joyous, yet grave. He loved laughter but 
 not lightness. He could neither flatter nor be flattered. No one 
 could question his motives. He was one of the most unselfish of 
 men; forgetful of self and mindful only of others, he lived to do 
 good and to bless the world, fruly he was one of God's noble- 
 men. His death seemed to be premature. Why should he be 
 taken at the early age of forty-eight? 
 
 Well has the poet said: 
 
 "Who falls for God and man, he never dies — 
 But deathless, liveth forever in the skies; 
 A king among the saints in Paradise." 
 
 Daniel Sheffer. 
 Daniel Sheffer was born in Liberty, Pennsylvania, in 1835. 
 He was converted in 1852, and in 1856 was admitted into the Balti- 
 more Conference, and in 1869 was transferred to the Upper Iowa 
 Conference. During his pastorate, east and west, he was given 
 leading appointments. He was indeed faithful and earnest in 
 the work of the ministry. As a preacher he was strong, clear and 
 evangelical. In his appointments, he brought things to pass. 
 He was presiding elder of Cedar Falls District from 1882 to 1886. 
 In no position did he shun to declare "the whole counsel of God." 
 His sermons showed carefvd preparation. With the greatest de- 
 light he visited the homes of the people, neglecting none in his. 
 ministry from house to house. 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 He died in Cedar Falls in 1905, in perfect resignation to the 
 will of God. 
 
 Richard Swearingen, D.D. 
 Richard Swearingen was born in West Virginia in 1825, and 
 came with his father's family to Iowa in 1837, In 1846 he was 
 received on trial into the Iowa Conference and became an orig- 
 inal member of the Upper Iowa Conference. 
 
 In spite of all embarrassments and barriers to study in the 
 way of a pioneer preacher, he gained a large fund of knowledge. 
 He had a tenacious memory, and knowledge once gained remained 
 with him. His reading was intensive rather than extensive; he 
 mastered the thought in any book that he read. He knew the 
 Bible as every preacher ought to know it. He knew the doc- 
 trines of the Bible and got them at first hand. Great familiarity 
 with the whole Bible, together with a keen critical faculty enabled 
 him to get as much of the deeper hidden meaning of Scripture as is 
 usual to the best of minds of scholastic training. 
 
 Dr. Swearingen had a religious experience in which uncer- 
 tainty had no place. There was a time in the early part of his 
 ministry when, according to his own oft-repeated statements, he 
 "weighed anchor, cut the cable, hoisted sails and launched out 
 into the fathomless, boundless ocean of God's love." To him 
 ever afterwards the sailing was better, less tumult of waves, winds 
 more favorable, skies clearer, and the sun's shining an ineffable 
 bliss. 
 
 He served about thirty different charges, from one to five 
 years each. He traveled some of the largest circuits on the very 
 frontier of advancing civilization, and worked faithfully and effi- 
 ciently in laying the foundations of Methodism in Iowa. His earli- 
 est labors bore fruit, and many were led to Christ, and his useful- 
 ness increased with his years. His was a stalwart, rugged frame 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 and powerful voice, and with his commanding presence, clear 
 and forcible style, he was an impressive preacher. 
 
 Twice he was a delegate to the General Conference, in 1872 
 and in 1880. 
 
 At the session of the Conference held at Osage in 1901, two 
 weeks before his death, he preached by request of the Conference, 
 what was known as his great doctrinal sermon, from the text, 
 "What think ye of Christ? Whose son is He?" and for two hours, 
 he held his audience deeply interested. 
 
 After a few days illness, he died in Marshalltown, October 21, 
 1901. 
 
 Charles Henry Taylor. 
 C. H. Taylor was a native of Devonshire, England. He came 
 to America in 1855 and was admitted into the Upper Iowa Con- 
 ference in 1871. His ministry was eminently successful. As 
 pastor and presiding elder, he was beloved by all. Association 
 wdth him was a benediction. He was a plain every day Methodist 
 preacher, who, feeling himself called of God to preach the Gospel 
 of Jesus Christ, went about his work, without display, but with a 
 singleness of heart and a nobility of purpose that ga^'e him suc- 
 cess in the winning of souls and the building up of the church. 
 He possessed in a marked degree that ciuality of common sense 
 which is so essential to a minister of the gospel. As a pastor, 
 he had perhaps no superior and few equals in the Conference. 
 All doors were open to his coming, and j^oung and old alike gave 
 him welcome. He was an illustration of a beautiful Christian 
 manhood. At his death he left the heritage of a stainless name, 
 the memory of a devoted husband and father, and an example of 
 what a man may become and do as a minister of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He died at Burbank, 
 California, October 12, 1905. 
 
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 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Joel B. Taylor. • 
 One of the most successful pioneer preachers of the Confer- 
 ence was Joel B. Taylor. He was born in east Tennessee in 1817, 
 came to Iowa in 1836, was converted in 1842, and admitted into 
 the Rock River Conference and stationed at Pleasant Valley, 
 Scott County, Iowa, in 1843. He labored until 1881, when he died 
 while pastor at Epworth. The societies of Epworth, Camanche 
 and Clinton acknowledge him as founder. He built six churches 
 and three parsonages, besides repairing much church property and 
 raising several grievous church debts. He was elected delegate to 
 the General Conference in 1876. 
 
 He was of average weight, stoutly built, had a fine voice and 
 possessed great powers of endurance. 
 
 J. B. Taylor was an able preacher. His style was peculiar, 
 sharp, clear, and direct, and though somewhat disconnected, 
 was singularly effective. He was a man "full of faith and the 
 Holy Ghost," and especially gifted in prayer. During the thirty- 
 eight years of his ministry he saw no less than two thousand con- 
 versions. He preached his last sermon four weeks before his death. 
 It was full of fire and spirituality. He retained consciousness to 
 the hour of dissolution, expressing unbounded confidence in his 
 blessed Master. He died as he lived, and many will arise and call 
 him blessed. 
 
 Landon Taylor. 
 In the early days of Iowa Methodism, few names were more 
 familiar or more redolent of pleasant memories than that of Lan- 
 don Taylor. To multitudes in Iowa he was a familiar friend, 
 beloved as one of their own family. None knew him but to love 
 him, and those who knew him best loved him most. His ministry 
 was a perpetual benediction where he served, and his memory 
 will long be cherished in the household of faith. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 141 
 
 Landon Taylor was born near Elmira, New York. Attaining 
 his majority in 1834, he went to Ohio, and in 1845 came to Iowa 
 and was received into the Iowa Conference. In 1856 he became 
 an original member of the Upper Iowa Conference and the secre- 
 tary at its first session. Revivals attended his ministry where- 
 ever he labored. While pastor at " Old Zion," Burlington, in a most 
 gracious revival, he who was afterwards known as Chaplain and 
 Bishop McCabe was among the number of his converts. At the first 
 session of the Upper Iowa Conference, at solicitation of Bishop 
 Janes, who presided, he cheerfully accepted the extreme outpost 
 of the Conference, as presiding elder of Sioux City District and pas- 
 tor at Sioux City, A wide expanse of unsettled prairie separated 
 this new region and the principal territory of the Conference. For 
 two consecutive years, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, he endured 
 hardship and peril from snow storm and Indians. In 1860 his 
 health became impaired from the exposures and hardships of the 
 itinerancy, but he did not finally receive superannuation until 
 1874. 
 
 In natural endowment, social accomplishments, general 
 scholarship and forensic power, Landon Taylor was a good ex- 
 ample of the average Methodist preacher; but in simplicity and 
 power of faith, devoutness of spirit, singleness of purpose, and a 
 constancy of devotion to his work he was rarely equaled. So his 
 ministry was a glorious success. For more than thirty years he 
 modestly made profession of perfect love, and rejoiced in it, and 
 lived under its dominion. He never forgot that his divine com- 
 mission was to "preach the gospel to every creature ," and so 
 his preaching was adapted to all classes. He preached a whole 
 gospel, repentance and faith, and forgiveness, and sanctification 
 and full redemption. But his chief excellence was as a pastor. 
 "Feed my sheep," "Feed my lambs," seemed ever sounding in 
 his soul. He fed the flock of God. He led them into "green pas- 
 
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 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 tures," and by the "still waters," where his own soul found refresh- 
 ment and rest. His prudence and purity of speech and character 
 secured him a welcome into every family, and he was a great favor- 
 ite with the children. 
 
 Near the close of his life Landon Taylor wrote as follows: 
 "When I united with the Iowa Conference in 1845, it was 
 truly the day of log cabins, corn bread and crust coffee; but now, 
 the cabin has become a mansion, and wealth and luxury have suc- 
 ceeded poverty and simplicity. I have traveled on from our first 
 history through all the stages of its privations, its growth and its 
 history. My way has been marked by God's pillar of cloud by 
 day and fire by night, and especially His presence has been with 
 me to impart victory in every trying hour; and shall I say too 
 much when I add that the joy and satisfaction now felt in view 
 of past successes, present honors and future glories, repay me well 
 for all trials endured. As for privations, exposures, and trying 
 experiences — these are the minister's diamonds which wiU cause 
 his crown to shine when the rewards of ease are forgotten. I 
 doubt not that in the awards of our heavenly inheritance these 
 offerings of personal suffering and endurance for 'Christ's sake,' 
 will secure the highest honor and the greatest bliss." 
 He received his crown April 19, 1885. 
 
 Frederick C. Wolfe. 
 F. C. Wolfe was born in Ohio in 1824, joined the Cincinnati 
 Conference in 1854 and transferred to the Upper Iowa Conference 
 in 1857. 
 
 In 1884 he superannuated, after thirty-four consecutive 
 years of labor in the itinerancy. Eight years of that time he served 
 as presiding elder and twenty-six in the pastorate. He was a 
 delegate to the General Conference in 1880. He was a man of 
 fine ability and noble character. He loved the Bible and was an 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 intelligent and able preacher of the word. After superannuation 
 and until the death of his companion he made his home in Belle 
 Plaine, where he was highly respected and loved. His last sick- 
 ness was very brief and he retained his consciousness to the end. 
 He entered into rest January 15, 1900. 
 
 Alcixous Young. 
 One of the original members of the Upper Iowa Conference 
 was Alcinous Young. He was born in New Hampshire in 1796, 
 converted in 1827 and admitted into the Pittsburg Conference in 
 1828. In every charge he had most gracious revivals and it is 
 estimated that during the thirty years of his active ministry 
 thousands were Ijrought to Christ. 
 
 In 1846 he was tranf erred to the Iowa Conference and was 
 appointed successively to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa City, Burlington, 
 Dubuque District and Iowa City District. The latter district 
 when traveled by Elder Young extended fi'om the mouth of the 
 Cedar River to the Minnesota line and included settlements on 
 both sides of the Iowa and Cedar Rivers. So great was the toil 
 and exposure that his health became impaired and he rendered 
 but little service after leaving the district. 
 
 Alcinous Young was a man to be trusted. Perhaps few men 
 in the ministry applied themselves more diligently to the work 
 in hand than he. In the earlier part of his life, he secured a 
 thorough knowledge of God's word. The Greek testament became 
 his constant companion. He was a good thinker, a sound preacher 
 and a successfid debater. At times his discourses were accom- 
 panied with great spiritual power. Always and everywhere in 
 each responsible place in the church, his work was well done. For 
 nineteen years he was on the superannuate list of the Upper Iowa 
 Conference, and was loved and revered by the entire Conference. 
 In his last brief illness his mind was clear and he talked freely of 
 
144 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 going to meet loved ones on the other shore. When nearing the 
 end he said exultingly: "I do not think this is dying, I am just 
 beginning to live. Christians do not die." And thus in holy 
 triumph his spirit passed away. 
 
 He died in Marion, March 30, 1876. 
 
 Emerson K. Young, D.D. 
 
 Among the notable young men raised up within the Confer- 
 ence, none were superior to Dr. E. K. Young. He was born in 
 Syracuse, New York, early came to Iowa, graduated from Cor- 
 nell College in 1861, and was admitted into the Conference in 
 1863. He rapidly rose to prominence in the Conference and dur- 
 ing twenty-one years he served the best charges, including Marion, 
 Iowa City, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and two terms 
 at Dubuque. He afterwards preached three years at First 
 Church, Des Moines, three years at First Church, Akron, Ohio, three 
 years at Grace Church, Philadelphia, and at New Britain, Connec- 
 ticut, until failing health compelled him to resign. 
 
 Dr. Young was a man of more than ordinary mental powers, 
 and cultivated his intellect by familiarity with the best books 
 and his style by much writing. He was an easy, graceful and elo- 
 quent speaker in the pulpit and on the platform. His career of 
 thirty-three years shows a speedy ascent to and permanence at a 
 high altitude under circumstances which required the character- 
 istics, attainments and achievements which inspire and perpet- 
 uate confidence. He was genial in manner, versatile and delight- 
 ful in conversation, magnetic in personality, and won love and 
 gained respect in every church he served. These qualities of 
 spirit, so attractive in earlier life, were chastened and developed 
 by deeper experiences, and shone more brightly in the later 
 years of his life. He died in 1895. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 Laymen. 
 Albert Boomer. 
 
 Dr. Albert Boomer was born in New York in 1824. He came 
 to Delhi in 1854, where he lived till his death in 1899. 
 
 Dr. Boomer served as assistant surgeon in the 27th Regiment 
 Iowa Infantry for two years but resigned on account of sickness. 
 He served in the Iowa House of Representatives in 1866-67 and in 
 the State Senate 1872-74. His was a life of energy and activity 
 in behalf of humanity. He had a high ideal of public and social 
 life and sought to realize this even at the expense of popularity 
 among certain classes. He was identified with every object and 
 every enterprise that had the welfare of the community in view. 
 In the Legislature and Senate he earnestly sought the prohibition 
 of the liquor traffic. As a member of the General Conference he 
 was a valued member of some of the most important committees. 
 As a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church he was unwearied 
 in his devotion, and left behind a noble and unblemished record 
 of a well-spent life. 
 
 Dennis N. Cooley. 
 
 Among the noble laymen of the Conference was Honorable 
 Dennis N. Cooley, of Dubuque. He was born in New England, and 
 in 1854 he came with his young and estimable wife to Dubuque and 
 entered upon the practice of law. They at once united with the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church in Dubuque and from the first were 
 among the most active workers. 
 
 Mr. Cooley soon rose to eminence in his profession, won pop- 
 ular favor, acquired property, attained political distinction and 
 made the church of his fellowship full partner in all his prosper- 
 ity. He filled with ability and fidelity positions of responsibil- 
 ity in the state, in the nation, in private business relations and in 
 the church. He was a lay delegate in the General Conference in 
 
146 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 1872 and 1876, was elected state Senator for a term, was also 
 United States Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and for twenty-one 
 years president of the First National Bank of Dubuque. He en- 
 dowed the chair of Civil Engineering in Cornell College. Hisbouy- 
 ant spirit and cheerful face were a perennial source of blessing in 
 his home, his church, his business and social relations. 
 
 Alexander Crossan. 
 Alexander Crossan was born in Ireland of Scotch parents, and 
 was married in 1835 to Miss Fanny Long, with whom he lived 
 fifty-seven years. He died near-Eldora, Iowa, in 1899, being past 
 ninety-two years of age. He was gloriously converted in early 
 life and united with the Wesleyan Church. On coming to Amer- 
 ica he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and until his 
 death he was a firm defender and an ardent supporter of the church. 
 He loved her doctrines, her experience, her discipline and her min- 
 isters, and yet he had charity for all who differed from him in be- 
 lief. His criticisms were many times most severe and cutting, 
 but back of all was a heart full of love. He was quick in repartee, 
 keen in wit, and unexcelled in debate. He was a great lover of 
 his country. 
 
 Three sons joined the army in 1861, two of whom were killed 
 on the battlefield and one died from wounds. Though a great 
 lover of books, his greatest delight was in the Holy Bible, very 
 much of which he committed to memory. He wrote in his auto- 
 biography, "I have read the Bible through a hundred times and 
 every time I found it a satisfying portion to my soul." 
 
 He condemned all display in giving, but was known to be 
 liberal to the church, while the widow, the orphan and the afflicted 
 knew the blessing of his charity to them. His dying experiences 
 and his farewell words will never be forgotten by the many who 
 received his parting blessings. His work was well done and his 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 147 
 
 triumphant death most glorious. For him it was beautiful to live 
 and glorious to die. 
 
 Among his many beautiful expressions were these: "Here I 
 have around me all my friends and children who try to make me 
 comfortable. Kind friends to call and see me and try to make my 
 pillow and rest comfortable, but the Son of Man had not where 
 to lay his head and more than that thej^ placed a cruel crown of 
 thorns on his head; and while you give me cooling water with 
 kindly hands, they gave him gall and vinegar." Again: "Paul 
 was caught up into the third heaven, but God has brought the third 
 heaven down into my soul." " Not the least shadow comes across 
 my vision." "It is so beautiful to die." His funeral text, select- 
 ed by himself, was, "Return unto thy rest, O, my soul, for the 
 Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." As he wished, the funeral 
 occasion was one of rejoicing rather than mourning, and at his 
 request all signs of gloom were absent and only shouts of victory 
 heard over the joyful fact that another redeemed one had answered 
 the call, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 
 
 John P. Farley. 
 
 John P. Farley came to Dubuque in 1837 and united with the 
 church, worshipping in the log church, the first built in Iowa. He 
 was engaged in merchandising for twenty years and was one of 
 the most active and honored business men in upper Iowa. He 
 was at the head of several commerical enterprises and yet he al- 
 ways found time to attend the mid-week prayer meeting. He 
 was an earnest, loyal Methodist. As a testimonial of the high 
 esteem in which he was held by the brethren of the church, he 
 was chosen without effort on his part to represent them in the 
 General Conference of 1888. He was faithful in his stewardship, 
 and for many years was one of the most substantial pillars of 
 the church in Dubuque. 
 
148 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 For fifty years he was in the forefront of everything that was 
 for the advantage of the city, the glory of God, or the best inter- 
 ests of his fellow men. Large of capacity, strict in integrity, 
 simple, honest and true, his life was full of usefulness. He was 
 a class leader in the early church, and was Sunday School super- 
 intendent. He was a steward, looking after the details of daily 
 expenses. He was a trustee, ever anxious to do the greatest and 
 best thing for the largest development of church life. 
 
 Hiram Price. 
 
 Hiram Price was born in Pennsylvania in 1810. He came 
 to Iowa in 1844 and located in Davenport where he opened a store. 
 He was a radical advocate of temperance, and was one of the 
 founders of the Order of The Sons of Temperance. For some 
 years he edited the "Temperance Organ," a state paper devoted 
 to prohibition. When the war of the rebellion began he gave the 
 heartiest support to the government. From the beginning he 
 was an ardent supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
 at Davenport. Liberally he gave his time and money for 
 its support. His beautiful home and family were ever 
 ready to receive the ministers of the gospel. He was twice 
 elected as lay member of the General Conference and five 
 times elected to Congress. Afterwards he served for four years as 
 Commissioner of Indian Affairs at Washington. A better ex- 
 ample of true Christian manhood does not adorn the pages of 
 American History than that of the Honorable Hiram Price. 
 
 The loan fund originated in the Upper Iowa Conference in 
 1866, with a single gift of $1,000 from the Honorable Hiram Price, 
 who was Dr. Kynett's life-long friend. Mr. Price gave the first $1,000 
 towards the permanent endowment fund of the Mutual Aid Soci- 
 ety, now a part of the permanent conference claimant fund. 
 
 James E. Robertson. 
 
 J. E. Robertson was born in Kentucky in 1821 and came to 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 149 
 
 Fayette County, Iowa, in 1849. In his home the first Methodist 
 sermon in the vicinity of Fayette was preached on the ninth of 
 January, 1850. At this meeting a class was formed and J. E. 
 Robertson was appointed leader. In this office he continued until 
 his death in 1904. For years he was a leading merchant of Fay- 
 ette. He was a prominent factor in the founding of Upper Iowa 
 University, giving thousands of dollars thereto. He was a mem- 
 ber of the board of trustees of the university from 1855, the time 
 of its building, until 1895 when he gracefully committed that 
 charge to younger hands. During a considerable time he was 
 the treasurer both of the church and university. 
 
 Mr. Robertson was quiet and undemonstrative, modest and 
 unassuming, but faithful, earnest and true. He was loved and 
 revered by aU who knew him. 
 
 W. W. Sanborn. 
 Among the truly noble, efiicient men in whom the state has 
 been honored, was W. W. Sanborn, of Lyons, for years the archi- 
 tect of the Upper Iowa Conference Chm-ch Extension Society. He 
 was born in 1827 in the state of Maine and was possessed of the 
 sturdy New England character. He came to Lyons in 1854. 
 There he lost his property in 1857, but came out of the ordeal with 
 honor untarnished. For many years he was teacher and super- 
 intendent of the Sunday School and an earnest worker in the 
 church. His solid judgment, common sense, and large business 
 capacity, together with a warm and willing heart made him a 
 pillar of support. He was a worthy representative of the noble, 
 liberal, and large hearted class of men that constitute the laymen 
 of the church. 
 
 Mrs. Reverend J. H. Stevens. 
 Among ministers and laymen, none are more worthy of men- 
 tion in this history than Mrs. Stevens. Pedee Cooley Stevens, sister 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 of Honorable D. N. Cooley, was born in Nev/ Hampshire in 1811, 
 married to J. H. Stevens in 1837, and after thirty years in 
 the itinerant ministry, came to Iowa in 1867 and settled near Man- 
 chester. After 1883 they lived in tlie town of Manchester until 
 their death. Here they celebrated their golden wedding in 1887, 
 and here Mr. Stevens died in 1888. He was a good man and won 
 many souls to Christ. Mrs. Stevens lived a widow for eighteen 
 years, and died in 1906 at the age of ninety-five years. 
 
 The life of Mrs. Stevens was devoted to one object, the spread- 
 ing of the gospel of Christ in home and foreign fields. To this 
 end she denied herself all but the bare necessities of life, and 
 her benefactions aggregated thousands of dollars. Nothing in the 
 church was foreign to her thought and beneficence. She gave 
 liberally to the cause of Christian education, to home and 
 foreign missions, to the freedmen, to church extension, to the 
 work of reform and to the poor and destitute. 
 
 Mrs. Stevens was a joyful and triumphant Christian, thor- 
 oughly consistent in her life. The good she did, eternity alone can 
 reveal. She was converted when thirteen years of age and a few 
 years afterward sought and obtained the blessing of perfect love, 
 to which she humbly testified with tongue and life for over sixty 
 years. She walked in the bright light of an unwavering faith, 
 and none who knew her can forget her abounding zeal, her triumph- 
 ant faith and her joyful experience. She was a Bible Christian, 
 in the truest sense of that word. She went to receive her crown 
 March 20, 1906. 
 
 Richard Waller. 
 One of the most striking and unique characters of early Meth- 
 odism in Iowa was Richard Waller. He was born in Yorkshire, 
 England, in 1796, and came to America in 1834. It required five 
 weeks to cross the ocean to New York, and five weeks more to 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 journey to Dubuque by way of New Orleans. He was drawn to 
 that region b)^ the lead mines as he himself was accvistomed to 
 both mining and smelting. In this business he was very success- 
 ful. He was also a devout Christian, having for many years 
 served as class leader and local preacher in England. In 1835 
 "Uncle Dickie," as he was called, chopped the logs and helped 
 in building the first church in Rockdale. He was a firm believer 
 in total abstinence at a time when such belief had few followers. 
 
 He was a revivalist of the old school, and assisted in many a 
 campaign at the "mourner's bench," and pointed many souls to 
 the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world. He was 
 a singer of no mean ability, and often conducted church music. 
 Up to the very day of his death, song was upon his lips. 
 
 For sixty-eight years he was a local preacher and a great 
 student of the Bible. He was a most liberal giver and never al- 
 lowed a deficit in his pastor's salary. He endowed the church at 
 Rockdale with one thousand dollars. 
 
 On December 31, 1888, with a song of Zion on his lips, he 
 passed peacefully to the better country. 
 
 Sheppard Wilson. 
 
 Sheppard Wilson was born in Barnesville, Ohio, in 1826, 
 came to Cedar Falls in 1857, and died in 1902. For over fifty 
 years he was a most active and devoted member of the church. 
 His word and dail}'- living were an exemplification of faith and 
 obedience to the Master he so gladly and cheerfully served. No 
 service seemed too great, no work for the church was ever neglected. 
 It had right of way when personal interests needed attention. 
 To his church, he was always a liberal contributor and most faith- 
 ful attendant. Every public enterprise received his active support. 
 He was an active business man in Cedar Falls for over thirty- 
 
152 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 five years, and was ever regarded as a man of strictest integrity. 
 He was a lay delegate to the General Conference in 1884. 
 
 During the last five years of his life he was a great sufferer, 
 but he endured patiently and even cheerfully, "as seeing Him 
 who is invisible." As he neared death, his face lighted up with 
 radiance of victory and seemed transformed as by a heavenly 
 vision. Thus Joyfully he entered the pearly^gates and received 
 the welcome, "Well done, good and faithful servant." 
 
STATISTICAL TABLES 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 STATISTICAL TABLES. 
 
 I. Date of Organization of Churches. 
 It is recorded that Bishop Morris in arranging the first Iowa 
 District in 1839, "called for the names of creeks, groves, jprairies, 
 rivers or anything to designate the localities of new-comers " and 
 then proceeded to fix the appointments. The names and bound- 
 aries of these large circuits thus formed were so frequently changed 
 and the early records so imperfectly kept, and in many cases not 
 made at all, that it is impossible now to secure reliable facts concern- 
 ing the first Methodist services in many of the charges. The first 
 preaching places often having been in cabin and schoolhouse which 
 have long since disappeared, no reference is made to them. Ef- 
 fort has been made to secure from the best available sources, the 
 date of forming the first class in existing charges, and the name 
 of the preacher in charge at the time. The table, therefore, as 
 far as completed, shows the earliest date or beginning of organ- 
 ized Methodism throughout the Conference. 
 
 Charge 
 
 Date 
 
 Preacher 
 
 Dubuque 
 
 1834 
 
 Barton H. Randall 
 
 Bellevue 
 
 1836 
 
 George Smith 
 
 Rockingham 
 
 1836 
 
 C. D. James 
 
 Davenport 
 
 1839 
 
 B. H. Cart^Tight 
 
 Maquoketa 
 
 1839 
 
 Wm. Simpson 
 
 Iowa City 
 
 1840 
 
 Bartholomew Weed 
 
 Lyons 
 
 1840 
 
 B. H. Cart^\Tight 
 
 Marion 
 
 1840 
 
 John Hodges 
 
 Cedar Rapids 
 
 1841 
 
 S. W. Ingham 
 
 Tipton 
 
 1841 
 
 Uriah Ferree 
 
 Colesburg 
 
 1842 
 
 Barney White 
 
154 
 
 UPPER IOWA 
 
 CONFERENCE 
 
 Charge 
 
 Date 
 
 Preacher 
 
 Mount Vernon 
 
 1848 
 
 L. C. Woodford 
 
 Volga City- 
 
 1849 
 
 J. W. Brier 
 
 Dyers ville 
 
 1850 
 
 William Trick 
 
 Independence 
 
 1850 
 
 Harvey Taylor 
 
 Louden 
 
 1850 
 
 L. C. Woodford 
 
 Fayette 
 
 1850 
 
 John Hindman 
 
 Center Point 
 
 1850 
 
 Robert G. Hawn 
 
 Janes ville 
 
 1850 
 
 R. Swearingen 
 
 Decorah 
 
 1851 
 
 Alfred Bishop 
 
 Waterloo 
 
 1851 
 
 A. Collins 
 
 Epworth 
 
 1851 
 
 Joel B. Taylor 
 
 Anamosa 
 
 1851 
 
 Harvey Taylor 
 
 Marshalltown 
 
 1852 
 
 S. Dunton 
 
 Lansing 
 
 1852 
 
 Alfred Bishop 
 
 Quasqueton 
 
 1852 
 
 W. N. Brown 
 
 McGregor 
 
 1852 
 
 J. L. Kelley 
 
 Rockford 
 
 1853 
 
 J. Ball 
 
 Vinton 
 
 1853 
 
 H. J. Burleigh 
 
 Cedar Falls 
 
 1853 
 
 S. W. Ingham 
 
 Clarksville 
 
 1853 
 
 S. W. Ingham 
 
 West Union 
 
 1853 
 
 E. Howard 
 
 Strawberry Point 
 
 1854 
 
 D. M. Stevens 
 
 Eldora 
 
 1854 
 
 J. W. Stewart 
 
 Floyd 
 
 1854 
 
 W. P. Holbrook 
 
 Waukon 
 
 1854 
 
 John Webb 
 
 Lime Springs 
 
 1854 
 
 A. G. Woods 
 
 Waverly 
 
 1854 
 
 S. W. Ingham 
 
 Blairstown 
 
 1855 
 
 W. N. Brown 
 
 Manchester 
 
 1855 
 
 Simeon Alger 
 
 Toledo 
 
 1855 
 
 D. H. Peterfish 
 
 Mitchell 
 
 1855 
 
 W. P. Holbrook 
 
 Charles City 
 
 1855 
 
 W. P. Holbrook 
 
STATISTICAL TABLES 
 
 Charge 
 
 Date 
 
 Preacher 
 
 Iowa Falls 
 
 1856 
 
 Ethan C. Crippen 
 
 Frcclcricksbiirg 
 
 1856 
 
 C. M. Webster 
 
 Clinton 
 
 1856 
 
 J, B. Taylor 
 
 Staceyville 
 
 1856 
 
 Daniel Wallis 
 
 Slicllsburg 
 
 1856 
 
 B. F. Taylor 
 
 Osage 
 
 1856 
 
 W. P. Holbrook 
 
 Riceville 
 
 1856 
 
 W. P. Holbrook 
 
 St. Ansgar 
 
 1856 
 
 W. P. Holbrook 
 
 Northwood 
 
 1862 
 
 Garner 
 
 Hopkinton 
 
 1862 
 
 C. M. Sessions 
 
 Clarence 
 
 1863 
 
 John Scoles 
 
 Monticello 
 
 1863 
 
 George Stanley 
 
 Farley 
 
 
 XV. vv . iveeier 
 
 Hampton 
 
 loDO 
 
 J . yj. VV liKmson 
 
 Edgewood 
 
 1865 
 
 J. L. Kelley 
 
 Cresco 
 
 1866 
 
 J. E. Fitch 
 
 Masonville 
 
 1869 
 
 H. C. Wells 
 
 Nora Springs 
 
 1869 
 
 J. W. Gould 
 
 Center Junction 
 
 1872 
 
 Z. R. Ward 
 
 New Albin 
 
 1873 
 
 H. W. Houghton 
 
 Sumner 
 
 1875 
 
 Edwin Hoskyn 
 
 Hazelton 
 
 1876 
 
 Joseph Cook 
 
 Walker 
 
 1876 
 
 L. S. Keagle 
 
 Arlington 
 
 1877 
 
 J. F. Hestwood 
 
 Reinbeck 
 
 1878 
 
 H. Bailey 
 
 Conrad 
 
 1891 
 
 W. H. Clement 
 
 II. 
 
 A Half Century's 
 
 Membership. 
 
 The following table, giving the total number of full members 
 and probationers in the churches of the Conference for every year 
 of its history, is fuU of interest and suggestion. The serious de- 
 crease of membership from 1861 to 1863 is doubtless chiefly due 
 to the terrible civil war which then prevailed. It should be re- 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 membered also that during the earlier years of the Conference 
 there was a large immigration into Iowa, and especially into the 
 Upper Iowa territory which greatly strengthened the churches 
 and added to their increasing membership. During the later 
 years of the Conference, there has been a large emigration from 
 the Conference territory, particularly of the English speaking 
 population, into northwestern counties of Iowa and into states 
 west and north, which has greatly depleted the membership of 
 the churches and so retarded their growth. And yet it will be 
 noted that with some variations, there has been an almost steady 
 growth during the half century. 
 
 Year 
 
 Full 
 Members 
 
 Loss 
 
 Probationers 
 
 1856 
 
 7,687 
 
 
 1,633 
 
 1857 
 
 8,330 
 
 + 643 
 
 1,547 
 
 1858 
 
 10,089 
 
 + 1,759 
 
 3,607 
 
 1859 
 
 10,507 
 
 + 418 
 
 2,073 
 
 1860 
 
 11,438 
 
 + 931 
 
 2,269 
 
 1861 
 
 12,455 
 
 + 1,017 
 
 1,497 
 
 1862 
 
 11,721 
 
 — 734 
 
 1,180 
 
 1863 
 
 10,137 
 
 —1,584 
 
 1,656 
 
 1864 
 
 11,053 
 
 + 916 
 
 1,362 
 
 1865 
 
 12,010 
 
 + 967 
 
 1,486 
 
 1866 
 
 13,104 
 
 + 1,094 
 
 1,967 
 
 1867 
 
 14,540 
 
 + 1,436 
 
 2,129 
 
 1868 
 
 16,014 
 
 + 1,474 
 
 2,056 
 
 1869 
 
 16,067 
 
 + 53 
 
 1,198 
 
 1870 
 
 17,602 
 
 + 1,535 
 
 2,179 
 
 1871 
 
 18,374 
 
 + 772 
 
 1,864 
 
 1872 
 
 18,679 
 
 + 296 
 
 1,992 
 
 1873 
 
 17,657 
 
 —1,013 
 
 1,840 
 
 1874 
 
 17,427 
 
 — 230 
 
 1,874 
 

 A T^TCT^Tr^ A T 
 
 OiAilbliCAL, 
 
 
 T C*7 
 
 
 Full 
 
 Gain or 
 
 
 Year 
 
 Members 
 
 Loss 
 
 Probationers 
 
 1875 
 
 18,362 
 
 + 935 
 
 1,559 
 
 1876 
 
 18,679 
 
 + 317 
 
 1,705 
 
 1877 
 
 20,562 
 
 + 1 ,883 
 
 2,271 
 
 1878 
 
 21,405 
 
 + 843 
 
 1,943 
 
 1879 
 
 21,177 
 
 — 228 
 
 1,469 
 
 1880 
 
 20,690 
 
 — 487 
 
 1,349 
 
 1881 
 
 19,892 
 
 — 798 
 
 1,159 
 
 1882 
 
 19,364 
 
 — 528 
 
 1,005 
 
 1883 
 
 19,192 
 
 — 202 
 
 1,068 
 
 1884 
 
 18,381 
 
 — 781 
 
 1,128 
 
 1885 
 
 19,770 
 
 + 1,389 
 
 1,210 
 
 1886 
 
 21,250 
 
 + 1,480 
 
 1,618 
 
 1887 
 
 21,509 
 
 + 259 
 
 1,761 
 
 1888 
 
 23,271 
 
 + 1,762 
 
 1,756 
 
 1889 
 
 24,673 
 
 + 1,402 
 
 2,216 
 
 1890 
 
 25,364 
 
 + 691 
 
 1,728 
 
 1891 
 
 26,626 
 
 + 1,262 
 
 2,158 
 
 1892 
 
 27,486 
 
 + 860 
 
 2,045 
 
 1893 
 
 28,697 
 
 + 1,211 
 
 2,332 
 
 1894 
 
 30,766 
 
 + 2,069 
 
 2,995 
 
 1895 
 
 32,467 
 
 + 1,701 
 
 3,009 
 
 1896 
 
 34,091 
 
 + 1,624 
 
 2,768 
 
 1897 
 
 35,069 
 
 + 978 
 
 2,636 
 
 1898 
 
 36,208 
 
 + 1,139 
 
 2,005 
 
 1899 
 
 35,900 
 
 — 308 
 
 1,738 
 
 1900 
 
 36,070 
 
 + 170 
 
 1,754 
 
 1901 
 
 35,622 
 
 — 448 
 
 1,798 
 
 1902 
 
 35,484 
 
 — 138 
 
 1,725 
 
 1903 
 
 35,460 
 
 — 24 
 
 1,632 
 
 1904 
 
 34,914 
 
 — 546 
 
 1,547 
 
 1905 
 
 35,144 
 
 + 230 
 
 1,695 
 
 1906 
 
 35,590 
 
 + 446 
 
 1,801 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 III. Sessions of the Upper Iowa Conference. 
 
 Time 
 
 Place 
 
 President 
 
 Secretary 
 
 Aug. 
 
 27, 
 
 1856 Maquoketa 
 
 E. S. Janes 
 
 L. Taylor. 
 
 Sep. 
 
 9, 
 
 1857 Marion 
 
 E. R. Ames 
 
 E. Skinner 
 
 Aug. 
 
 25, 
 
 1858 Lyons 
 
 T. A. Morris 
 
 S. P. Crawford 
 
 Aug. 
 
 24, 
 
 1859 Iowa City 
 
 E. S. Janes 
 
 L. Taylor 
 
 Aug. 
 
 29, 
 
 1860 Dubuque 
 
 0. C. Baker 
 
 R. W. Keeler 
 
 Sep. 
 
 18, 
 
 1861 Marshalltown 
 
 L. Scott 
 
 R. W. Keeler 
 
 Sep. 
 
 10, 
 
 1862 McGregor 
 
 E. S. Janes 
 
 R. W. Keeler 
 
 Sep. 
 
 16, 
 
 1863 Davenport 
 
 E. R. Ames 
 
 R. W. Keeler 
 
 Sep. 
 
 21, 
 
 1864 Waterloo 
 
 L. Scott 
 
 R. W. Keeler 
 
 Sep. 
 
 13, 
 
 1865 Tipton 
 
 M. Simpson 
 
 C. G. Truesdell 
 
 Sep. 
 
 12, 
 
 1866 Decorah 
 
 E. R. Ames 
 
 C. G. Truesdell 
 
 Sep. 
 
 18, 
 
 1867 Iowa City 
 
 E. S. Janes 
 
 C. G. Truesdell 
 
 Sep. 
 
 3, 
 
 1868 Anamosa 
 
 M. Simpson 
 
 C. G. Truesdell 
 
 Sep. 
 
 22, 
 
 1869 Independence 
 
 D. W. Clark 
 
 R. W. Keeler 
 
 Sep. 
 
 7, 
 
 1870 Cedar Falls 
 
 E. S. Janes 
 
 R. W. Keeler 
 
 Sep. 
 
 27, 
 
 1871 Clinton 
 
 E. R. Ames 
 
 R. W. Keeler 
 
 Sep. 
 
 25, 
 
 1872 Vinton 
 
 I. W. WUey 
 
 R. W. Keeler 
 
 Oct. 
 
 1, 
 
 1873 Cedar Rapids 
 
 E. G. Andrews 
 
 J. W. Clinton 
 
 Sep. 
 
 30, 
 
 1874 Charles City 
 
 G. Haven 
 
 J. W. Clinton 
 
 Sep. 
 
 22, 
 
 1875 Dubuque 
 
 S. M. Merrill 
 
 J. W. Clinton 
 
 Sep. 
 
 21, 
 
 1876 Maquoketa 
 
 R. S. Foster 
 
 J. W. Clinton 
 
 Oct. 
 
 3, 
 
 1877 McGregor 
 
 E. R. Ames 
 
 J. W. Clinton 
 
 Oct. 
 
 2, 
 
 1878 Marshalltown 
 
 J. T. Peck 
 
 J. W. Clinton 
 
 Sep. 
 
 24, 
 
 1879 Davenport 
 
 W. L. Harris 
 
 J. W. Clinton 
 
 Oct. 
 
 1, 
 
 1880 Osage 
 
 E. G. Andrews 
 
 S. W. Heald 
 
 Sept. 21, 
 
 1881 Waterloo 
 
 J. F. Hurst 
 
 S. W. Heald 
 
 Sept. 20, 
 
 1882 Cedar Rapids 
 
 I. W. Wiley 
 
 S. W. Heald 
 
 Sept. 19, 
 
 1883 Marion 
 
 M. Simpson 
 
 S. W. Heald 
 
 Oct. 
 
 1, 
 
 1884 Mason City 
 
 T. Bowman 
 
 S. W. Heald 
 
 Oct. 
 
 1, 
 
 1885 Toledo 
 
 H. W. Warren 
 
 S. W. Heald 
 
STATISTICAL TABLES 
 
 Time Place 
 
 Sept. 30, 1886 Cedar Falls 
 
 Sep. 30, 1886 Cedar Falls 
 
 Oct. 3, 1887 Clinton 
 
 Oct. 3, 1888 Vinton 
 
 Oct. 2, 1889 Iowa City 
 
 Oct. 8, 1890 Decorah 
 
 Sep. 30, 1891 Davenport 
 
 Oct. 5, 1892 Hampton 
 
 Oct. 4, 1893 Maquoketa 
 
 Oct. 3, 1894 Charles City 
 
 Oct. 9, 1895 Mason City 
 
 Oct. 7, 1896 Independence 
 
 Oct. 6, 1897 Dubuque 
 
 Oct. 6, 1898 Marion 
 
 Oct. 4, 1899 Waterloo 
 
 Oct. 3, 1900 Osage 
 
 Oct. 2, 1901 Vinton 
 
 Sep. 24, 1902 Marshalltown 
 
 Sep. 23, 1903 Cedar Rapids 
 
 Oct. 5, 1904 Davenport 
 
 Sep. 27, 1905 Hampton 
 
 Oct. 3, 1906 Maquoketa 
 
 
 President 
 
 
 Secretary 
 
 R. 
 
 
 S. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 R. 
 
 S. Foster 
 
 S. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 C. 
 
 F. IMallalieu 
 
 S. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 C. 
 
 D. Foss 
 
 S. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 W 
 
 . X. Ninde 
 
 S. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 S. 
 
 M. Merrill 
 
 S. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 J. 
 
 I'. Xewman 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 E. 
 
 G. Andrews 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 J. 
 
 M. Walden 
 
 s. 
 
 ^Y. Heald 
 
 T. 
 
 Bowman 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 C. 
 
 H. Fowler 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 J. 
 
 X. Fitz<;erald 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 H. 
 
 , W. Warren 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 J. 
 
 H. Vincent 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 C. 
 
 C. McCabe 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 John F. Hurst 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 S. 
 
 M. MerrUl 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 D. 
 
 A. Goodsell 
 
 s. 
 
 W. Heald 
 
 C. 
 
 H. Fowler 
 
 W.H.Slingerland 
 
 Isaac W. Joyce W.H.Slingerland 
 L. B. Wilson W.H.Slingerland 
 Earl Cranston W.H.Slingerland 
 
l6o UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 RECORD OF OFFICIALS. 
 
 I. Presiding Elders' Record. 
 
 Reed, Henry ^W. 
 
 Young, Alcinous 
 
 Bowman, Geo. B. 
 
 Ay res, J. C. 
 
 Bronson, Harvey S. 
 Coleman, Andrew 
 
 Rankin, John M. 
 
 Coleman, James T. 
 
 Date District 
 
 1840-42 Platteville (Rock River 
 
 Conference) 
 
 1843-47 Dubuque 
 
 1847-50 Bloomington (Muscatine) 
 
 1850-54 Upper Iowa 
 
 1856-60 Dubuque 
 
 1861-62 Iowa City 
 
 1808-72 Dubuque 
 
 1850-52 Davenport 
 
 1852-54 Iowa City 
 
 1845-47 Bloomington (Muscatine) 
 
 1847-51 Dubuque 
 
 1856-60 Davenport 
 
 1860-63 Vinton 
 
 1855- 57 Upper Iowa 
 
 1845-49 Burlington 
 
 1849-52 Des Moines 
 
 1854-58 Iowa City 
 
 1856- 58 Marshalltown 
 1858-60 Vinton 
 1869-72 Iowa City 
 
 1856- 57 Janesville 
 
 1857- 58 Cedar Falls 
 
 Taylor, Landon 
 
 1856-58 Sioux City 
 
1 H. Bailev 5. E. A. Knight 
 
 2. W. F. Pitner 6. W. E. Ross 
 
 3. L. C. Clark 7. W. F. Spry 
 
 4. W. H. Clement 8. J. C. Magee 
 
 9. W. Ward Smith 13. Will Kerwin 
 
 10. Henry AUshouse 14. John Dawson 
 
 11. T. P. Potter is. A. G. Ward 
 
 12. F. M. Robertson 16. DeWitt Clinton 
 
Name 
 
 Skinner, Elias 
 
 Pancoast, Samuel 
 Brown, Philo E. 
 
 Holmes, D. N. 
 
 Clifford, George 
 Gould, John 
 
 Houghton, H. W. 
 
 Kynett, Alpha J. 
 Dimmitt, Jacob G. 
 
 Taylor, Joel B. 
 Lamont, Daniel 
 Keeler, Richard W. 
 
 Freer, S. C. 
 Fuller, I. K. 
 Miller, Emory 
 
 Truesdell, Charles G. 
 
 D OF OFFICIALS 
 
 Date District 
 
 1857-59 Upper Iowa 
 
 1867- 68 Cedar Falls 
 
 1868- 72 Anamosa 
 
 1872- 76 Dubuque 
 
 1857- 61 Iowa City 
 
 1858- 59 Cedar Falls 
 1860-64 Dubuque 
 
 1858-62 Fort Dodge 
 
 1863-67 Cedar Falls 
 
 1858- 62 Sioux City 
 
 1859- 63 Cedar Falls 
 
 1863- 67 Upper Iowa 
 
 1859- 63 Upper Iowa 
 
 1864- 68 Dubuque 
 
 1860- 64 Davenport 
 
 1852-55 Dubuque 
 
 1862-64 Iowa City 
 
 1862-64 Fort Dodge 
 
 1862-64 Sioux City 
 
 1864-68 Davenport 
 
 1873- 76 Charles City 
 1876-80 Dubuque 
 
 1864-68 Vinton 
 
 1866-68 Iowa City 
 
 1868-71 Davenport 
 
 1875- 76 Cedar Falls 
 
 1876- 80 Cedar Rapids 
 
 1868-69 Iowa City 
 
l62 UPPER 
 Name 
 
 Henderson,'^Stephen H. 
 
 Bowman, John 
 
 Wolfe, F. C. 
 
 Lee, Simon A. 
 Brush, William 
 Smith, William 
 Anderson, John S. 
 
 Paxton, W. Frank 
 
 Newton, Isaac 
 Golden, T. C. 
 Lease, William 
 
 Swearingen, Richard 
 Ligham, S. W. Jr., 
 
 Crippen, John T. 
 
 Clinton, John W. 
 Hammond, B. C. 
 Peebles, R. W. 
 Sheffer, Daniel 
 Manwell, A. C. 
 
 IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Date 
 
 
 District 
 
 loDo- 
 
 79 
 
 Vinton 
 
 1872- 
 
 -75 
 
 Mount Vernon 
 
 1875- 
 
 -76 
 
 Cedar Rapids 
 
 1867- 
 
 -71 
 
 Fayette 
 
 1871- 
 
 -75 
 
 Cedar Falls 
 
 1867- 
 
 -69 
 
 Upper Iowa 
 
 1869-71 
 
 McGregor 
 
 1868-71 
 
 KjQu&V r alls 
 
 1869- 
 
 -73 
 
 Charles City- 
 
 1871- 
 
 -75 
 
 McGregor 
 
 1871- 
 
 -75 
 
 Davenport 
 
 1875- 
 
 -76 
 
 Independence 
 
 1871- 
 
 -75 
 
 Fayette 
 
 1875- 
 
 -79 
 
 Davenport 
 
 1883- 
 
 -87 
 
 Decorah 
 
 1873- 
 
 -75 
 
 Anamosa 
 
 1873- 
 
 -75 
 
 Vinton 
 
 1874- 
 
 -77 
 
 Marshalltown 
 
 1879- 
 
 -83 
 
 Davenport 
 
 1875- 
 
 -79 
 
 Decorah 
 
 1876- 
 
 -78 
 
 Cedar Falls 
 
 1878- 
 
 -82 
 
 Cedar Falls 
 
 1884-90 
 
 Cedar Rapids 
 
 1891- 
 
 -97 
 
 Marshalltown 
 
 1881- 
 
 -83 
 
 Decorah 
 
 1880-84 
 
 Cedar Rapids 
 
 1880- 
 
 -84 
 
 Dubuque 
 
 1882- 
 
 -86 
 
 Cedar Falls 
 
 1884- 
 
 -87 
 
 Davenport 
 
RECORD OF OFFICIALS 
 
 Name 
 
 Green, Harrv H. 
 
 Magee, John C. 
 
 Church, Hampden S. 
 Fleming, Thomas E. 
 
 Mabrj^, W. D. 
 Rigby, Joshua H. 
 Taylor, Charles H. 
 Albrook, J. Burleigh 
 
 Miller, E. L. 
 
 Coleman, Frank, M. 
 
 Carlton, W. W. 
 
 Robertson, Frank M. 
 Gould, Charles L. 
 Van Ness, John G. 
 Pitner, WHliam F. 
 Bissell, John W. 
 
 Date District 
 
 1884- 90 Dubuque 
 1890-96 Decorah 
 1898-1904 Dubuque 
 
 1885- 91 Marshalltown 
 1898-1904 Cedar FaUs 
 
 1904- 
 
 Decorah 
 
 1886-92 Cedar Falls 
 
 1887-92 
 1900-04 
 1904- 
 
 Davenport 
 
 Decorah 
 
 Dubuque 
 
 1887-90 Decorah 
 
 1890-92 Dubuque 
 
 1892-98 
 
 Dubuque 
 Cedar Rapids 
 
 1890-96 
 
 1897- 1903 Marshalltown 
 1904- Davenport 
 
 1881-85 Marshalltown 
 1892-98 Davenport 
 
 1892-98 Cedar Falls 
 
 1896-1902 Cedar Rapids 
 
 1896-1900 Decorah 
 
 1898- 1904 Davenport 
 
 1902- Cedar Rapids 
 
 1903- Marshalltown 
 
 1904- Cedar Falls 
 
 II. Delegates to the General Conference. 
 1860 
 
 Philo E. Brown, J. C. Ayres, H. W. Reed, R. W. Keeler. 
 
164 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 1864 
 
 R. W. Keeler, H. W. Houghton, George Clifford, A. J. Kynett. 
 1868 
 
 A. J. Kynett, William Brush, H. W. Reed, D. N. Holmes. 
 1872 
 
 A. J. Kynett, William Brush, John Bowman, Richard Swear- 
 ingen, R. W. Keeler, Elias Skinner. 
 
 Reserves: H. W. Reed, Emory Miller. 
 Lay: Hiram Price, D. N. Cooley. 
 
 1876 
 
 A. J. Kynett, Emory MiUer, W. F. King, J. B. Taylor. 
 Reserves: Elias Skinner, W. F. Paxton. 
 Lay: D. N. Cooley, Hiram Price. 
 
 1880 
 
 Emory Miller, A. J. Kynett, R. Swearingen, F. C. Wolfe. 
 Reserves: E. K. Young, W. F. Paxton. 
 Lay: W. F. Johnston, W. S. Scott. 
 
 1884 
 
 A. J. Kynett, William Lease, J. W. Bissell, J. W. Clinton. 
 Reserves: B. C. Hammond, J. T. Crippen. 
 Lay: Sheppard Wilson, A. Boomer. 
 
 1888 
 
 A. J. Kynett, W. F. King, H. H. Green, J. T. Crippen, G. W. 
 Brindell. 
 
 Reserves: W. F. Paxton, J. H. Rhea. 
 Lay: J. P. Farley, E. A. Snyder. 
 
 1892 
 
 J. C. Magee, A. J. Kynett, T. E. Fleming, S. W. Heald, J. 
 H. Rhea. 
 
 Reserves: J. W. Bissell, Hugh Boyd. 
 Lay: Henry Egbert, Calvin Yoran. 
 
 1896 
 
 A. J. Kynett, J. B. Albrook, W. F. Barclay, W. F. King, S. 
 N. Fellows. 
 
RECORD OF OFFICIALS 
 
 165 
 
 Reserves: J. A. AVard, F. M. Coleman. 
 Lay: T. B. Taylor, A. C. Ross. 
 
 1900 
 
 J. C. Magee, J. B. Albrook, H. C. Stuntz, H. 0. Pratt, H. H. 
 Green, S. C. Bronson. 
 
 Reserves: W. F. King, C. L. Gould, E. J. Lockwood. 
 
 Lay: A. E. Swisher, J. F. Merry, J. J. Clark, W. F. John- 
 ston, T. B. Taylor, D. B. Snyder, 
 
 1904 
 
 T. E. Fleming, W. F. King, E. J. Lockwood, J. T. Crippen, 
 C. L. Gould, J. C. Magee. 
 
 Reserves: J. B. Albrook, H. H. Green, J. G. VanNess. 
 
 Lay: A. E. Swisher, D. A. Porterfield, W. H. Hand, J. D. 
 Blue, C. E. Drummond, W. W. Wyant. 
 
 III. Delegates to the Aecumenical Conference. 
 
 Li 1876 the General Conference, at it session in the city of 
 Baltimore, declared that "it appeared desirable that a conference 
 should be called together, representing all the diversified bodies 
 of Methodists which had sprung up throughout the world." A 
 committee was appointed to take the initiatory steps towards the 
 assembling of the proposed conference. After much correspond- 
 ence, it was arranged to hold the conference in the year 1881 in 
 London, England, the birthplace of Methodism. It was to be 
 composed of 400 delegates, one-half to be chosen by churches in 
 Europe and their missions, and one-half by churches in America 
 and their missions. 
 
 On Wednesday, the 7th of September, 1881, the delegated 
 ministers met in City Road Chapel, in London. They represented 
 twenty-eight different denominations, coming from England, 
 Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, 
 Switzerland, Africa, India, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, 
 Polynesia, and from all sections of the United States, from Can- 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 ada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, South America and the West 
 Indies. It was indeed a notable body of men, the highest repre- 
 sentative men of Methodism in all these countries, and for ten 
 days they discussed with rare eloquence the great problems then 
 confronting the church. A. J. Kynett represented the Upper 
 Iowa Conference in this first Aecumenical Methodist Conference. 
 
 On all sides the feeling existed that this first Aecumenical 
 Conference must be followed by succeeding ones, and that the 
 second conference should be held in America. Arrangements 
 were made that the second conference should be composed of 
 500 delegates, 300 from churches in America and 200 from churches 
 across the sea. Accordingly on October 7, 1891, in the Metro- 
 politan Methodist Episcopal Church, Washington, D. C, the dele- 
 gates from all countries met, and continued their sessions for 
 twelve days. S. N. Fellows was the representative of the Upper 
 Iowa Conference in the second Aecumenical Methodist Conference. 
 
 In 1901 the third Aecumenical Methodist Conference was 
 held in London, England, to which W. F. King was the appointed 
 delegate. 
 
 It is expected that in 1911, the fourth Aecumenical Methodist 
 Conference will be held in the United States, probably at Wash- 
 ington, D. C. 
 
ROLL OF THE DEAD 
 
 167 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 ROLL OF THE DEAD AXD WIDOWS OF DECEASED MEMBERS. 
 
 1. Roll of the Honored Dead. 
 
 Entered the 
 
 Ministry Name 
 
 1894 Alderson, Charles R. 
 
 1827 Ayres, John C. 
 
 1886 Bacon, William F. 
 
 1859 Ballon, George W. 
 
 1874 Barclay, William F. 
 
 1867 Bargelt, Edmund S. 
 
 1858 Beach, Henry W. 
 1879 Bean, Alban S. 
 1844 Bowen, G. Dixon 
 1861 Bowles, Orlyn D. 
 1840 Bowman, John 
 1879 Bradford, Smith S. 
 1850 Brindell, George W. 
 1833 Bradshaw, Harvey 
 1836 Bronson, Asahel 
 1853 Brown, William N. 
 1890 Brown, Wm. Nelson 
 1886 Camp, .\lonzo 
 
 1859 Casebeer, J. B. 
 
 1865 Catlin, Lyman 
 1825 Coleman, Andrew 
 
 1866 Clmton, John W. 
 1864 Cooley, Lewis S. 
 1885 Cook, Thomas X. 
 
 
 
 Years in 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Aie 
 
 Ministry. 
 
 Apr. 16, 1897 
 
 28 
 
 3 
 
 Jill. 13, 1899 
 
 98 
 
 68 
 
 Mar. 27, 1902 
 
 45 
 
 16 
 
 Oct. 13, 1893 
 
 56 
 
 34 
 
 Dec. 4, 1904 
 
 
 30 
 
 Mar. 1, 1892 
 
 68 
 
 25 
 
 Tipr 1 Q 1 878 
 
 48 
 
 20 
 
 Jlar. 61, Ibbl 
 
 24 
 
 2 
 
 May 26, 1858 
 
 35 
 
 14 
 
 Mar. 13, 1879 
 
 48 
 
 20 
 
 Jan. 26, 1903 
 
 86 
 
 63 
 
 Dec. 8, 1892 
 
 44 
 
 13 
 
 Apr. 14, 1897 
 
 66 
 
 47 
 
 Xov. 7, 1861 
 
 51 
 
 28 
 
 Aug. 8, 1905 
 
 98 
 
 69 
 
 1870 
 
 45 
 
 17 
 
 Apr. 9, 1905 
 
 40 
 
 15 
 
 Apr. 20, 1905 
 
 66 
 
 19 
 
 Dec. 18, 1889 
 
 52 
 
 30 
 
 Oct. 16, 1892 
 
 78 
 
 27 
 
 May 4, 1881 
 
 82 
 
 56 
 
 Jan. 26, 1894 
 
 63 
 
 28 
 
 Oct. 10, 1898 
 
 67 
 
 34 
 
 Aug. 19, 1895 
 
 38 
 
 10 
 
UPPER IOWA conference; 
 
 Entered 
 
 the 
 
 Ministry 
 
 
 1884 
 
 Craft, William F. 
 
 1870 
 
 Cressey, Charles 
 
 1852 
 
 Critchfield, Asa W. 
 
 1865 
 
 
 1863 
 
 DovB Willi^irn. F, 
 
 
 Edwards A. H. Marsh 
 
 1843 
 
 Ebcrhart Uriah 
 
 1856 
 
 Fellows Samuel M. 
 
 1852 
 
 Ferris J. M. 
 
 1841 
 
 
 1857 
 
 Fuller Ingoldsby Iv, 
 
 1850 
 
 Gage^ Dennison 
 
 1819 
 
 Gilruth James 
 
 1850 
 
 Golden, Thomas C. 
 
 1860 
 
 Gossardj Samuel J. 
 
 1830 
 
 Gould John 
 
 1854 
 
 Gould, Philip W. 
 
 1882 
 
 Green, Levi N. 
 
 1852 
 
 Havens David J. 
 
 1857 
 
 Harmer Samuel Y. 
 
 1882 
 
 XX<XWXi.j -I-JLlWlil Ji. 
 
 1866 
 
 Haymond Jacob 
 
 1867 
 
 Heald, Samuel W. 
 
 1889 
 
 Herrington, Orian L, 
 
 1879 
 
 Hindman, Lorenzo S. 
 
 1853 
 
 Holcomb, Bethuel 
 
 1843 
 
 Holmes, D. Nelson 
 
 1844 
 
 Houghton, Horatio W. 
 
 1853 
 
 Howe, W. R. 
 
 1841 
 
 Ingham, Solomon W. 
 
 1846 
 
 Jennison, George H. 
 
 
 
 Years in 
 
 
 
 
 May 25, 1900 
 
 36 
 
 16 
 
 Dec. 21, 1881 
 
 40 
 
 11 
 
 July 18, 1901 
 
 86 
 
 49 
 
 June ly, lyuu 
 
 OD 
 
 35 
 
 j-^'ec. ^o, loou 
 
 48 
 
 25 
 
 Mnr 94. 1 8Q9 
 
 OO 
 
 
 *«ipr> 1 7 1 SQQ 
 
 78 
 
 56 
 
 Tun 9fi Ikfi^ 
 
 44 
 
 7 
 
 Vph 1 Q 1 SQQ 
 
 66 
 
 47 
 
 Nov. 15 1883 
 
 65 
 
 42 
 
 Tun 17 1S78 
 o nil. 1 / , xo t o 
 
 53 
 
 21 
 
 Tnn 9^ 1 8fi9 
 
 oo 
 
 12 
 
 Tnn 9 187'? 
 
 J un. z, lo/ o 
 
 80 
 
 54 
 
 Mmr 9Q 1S7Q 
 
 61 
 
 29 
 
 Tnn "^n iQon 
 
 78 
 
 40 
 
 Nn^r 1 1 1 Q79 
 IN OV. 11, 1 o < 
 
 66 
 
 42 
 
 Dpf> 11 1 QDO 
 
 lycL. 11, 1 .700 
 
 68 
 
 46 
 
 Tnl 7 IQO^ 
 
 62 
 
 23 
 
 Jun. 15 1861 
 
 30 
 
 8 
 
 Mar 26 1 SS4 
 
 74 
 
 27 
 
 J? cU. O, looU 
 
 28 
 
 4 
 
 Ano- 91 100*^ 
 
 77 
 
 37 
 
 Spn 7 1 Qn3 
 
 61 
 
 36 
 
 
 23 
 
 
 Jul. zz, 190z 
 
 53 
 
 
 Oct. 13, 1897 
 
 85 
 
 44 
 
 Jul. 21, 1887 
 
 82 
 
 44 
 
 Oct. 1, 1904 
 
 92 
 
 60 
 
 Jun. 17, 1875 
 
 51 
 
 22 
 
 Feb. 8, 1901 
 
 89 
 
 60 
 
 Jul. 9, 1879 
 
 58 
 
 33 
 
ROLL OF THE DEAD 169 
 
 Entered the 
 
 Ministry Name 
 
 1854 Jones, Nathaniel 
 
 1893 Joy, Sherman W. 
 
 1860 Keagle, Levi S. 
 1845 Keeler, Richard W. 
 
 1838 Kelley, John L. 
 1858 Knickerbocker, Smith 
 
 1851 Kynett, Alpha J. 
 
 1852 Lamb, Edwin D. 
 1851 Lee, Simon A. 
 
 1861 Leslie, James M. 
 1891 Mason, Albert A. 
 1872 Mather, Charles P. 
 1876 McCord, Joseph S. 
 
 1858 McCormac, William E. 
 1878 Mclntyre, John S. 
 
 1876 McKim, Sidney T. 
 
 1859 McLean, Cornelius F. 
 
 1894 Meyers, J. G. S. 
 1844 Miller, Wesley H. 
 1865 Milner, R. W. 
 1894 Metcalf, Thomas S. 
 1881 Montgomery, William 
 1854 Moore, Thomas 
 1870 Miller, Philip E. 
 
 1877 Newell, Oliver R. 
 1851 Newton, Isaac 
 1848 Norton, Roderick 
 1842 Parks, J. M. 
 
 1839 Pilbeam, Henry 
 1858 Paxton, W. Frank 
 
 1862 Peebles, Robert W. 
 1883 Pratt, Lyndon M. 
 
 Deceased 
 
 
 Years in 
 Ministry. 
 
 Jun. 1, 1884 
 
 62 
 
 30 
 
 ioep. ZO, loyO 
 
 9fi 
 
 Q 
 
 
 00 
 
 41 
 
 Alio- 7 1899 
 
 75 
 
 54 
 
 
 77 
 
 55 
 
 Octli. J-v7j J. £7 WO 
 
 69 
 
 45 
 
 Feb. 23 1899 
 
 70 
 
 48 
 
 -T-U^. Ic/, 100 i 
 
 27 
 
 5 
 
 Jan. 0, loyo 
 
 DO 
 
 4: '4 
 
 Mm^ 17 1 Q?*? 
 
 iviay 1/, La to 
 
 00 
 
 12 
 
 Mmr 1 100*^ 
 
 iviay 1, lyuo 
 
 42 
 
 12 
 
 Aiitr IS issn 
 
 38 
 
 g 
 
 Mor "^o loni 
 
 (^1 
 
 zo 
 
 JuL 17, 1905 
 
 81 
 
 47 
 
 Jan. 30, 1892 
 
 44 
 
 14 
 
 Jul. 9, 1905 
 
 55 
 
 29 
 
 Jul. 15, 1902 
 
 72 
 
 43 
 
 Dec. 23, 1898 
 
 39 
 
 4 
 
 Apr. 25, 1887 
 
 68 
 
 43 
 
 Feb. 16, 1898 
 
 71 
 
 33 
 
 Sep. 18, 1896 
 
 29 
 
 2 
 
 Aug. 1, 1892 
 
 37 
 
 11 
 
 Sep. 9, 1877 
 
 45 
 
 23 
 
 Sep. 19, 1903 
 
 63 
 
 33 
 
 May 10, 1904 
 
 52 
 
 27 
 
 Sep. 3, 1904 
 
 88 
 
 53 
 
 Sep. 30, 1883 
 
 64 
 
 35 
 
 Jan. 15, 1893 
 
 77 
 
 51 
 
 Nov. 7, 1887 
 
 72 
 
 48 
 
 Oct. 21, 1894 
 
 59 
 
 36 
 
 May 4, 1900 
 
 71 
 
 38 
 
 Oct. 4, 1889 
 
 43 
 
 6 
 
lyo 
 
 UPPER IOWA 
 
 CONFERENCE 
 
 
 
 Entered the 
 
 
 
 Years in 
 
 Ministry 
 
 Name 
 
 Deceased 
 
 Age 
 
 Ministry. 
 
 1862 
 
 Rhea, James H. 
 
 May 27, 1896 
 
 69 
 
 34 
 
 1851 
 
 Ricker, Rufus 
 
 Nov. 22, 1892 
 
 71 
 
 41 
 
 1869 
 
 Rigby, Joshua H. 
 
 Jun. 18, 1892 
 
 48 
 
 23 
 
 1886 
 
 Sanford, John R. 
 
 Feb. 1, 1906 
 
 48 
 
 20 
 
 1838 
 
 Scoles, John 
 
 Dec. 11, 1882 
 
 72 
 
 44 
 
 1857 
 
 Sheffer, Daniel 
 
 Apr. 24, 1905 
 
 69 
 
 48 
 
 1852 
 
 Shinn, A. T. 
 
 Nov. 1857 
 
 40 
 
 5 
 
 1892 
 
 Smedley, Willis E. 
 
 Jan. 30, 1902 
 
 36 
 
 10 
 
 1829 
 
 Smith, Albin M. 
 
 Dec. 25, 1891 
 
 83 
 
 62 
 
 1887 
 
 Smith, Bourland D. 
 
 Aug. 20, 1900 
 
 40 
 
 13 
 
 1858 
 
 Smith, William 
 
 Jul. 3, 1875 
 
 49 
 
 17 
 
 1872 
 
 Spry, Jonathan T. 
 
 Oct. 25, 1904 
 
 60 
 
 32 
 
 1846 
 
 Swearingen, Richard 
 
 Oct. 21, 1900 
 
 75 
 
 54 
 
 1853 
 
 Symes, Charles C. 
 
 Nov. 10, 1870 
 
 43 
 
 17 
 
 1892 
 
 Tauchen, John H. 
 
 Apr. 3, 1895 
 
 24 
 
 3 
 
 1871 
 
 Taylor, Charles H. 
 
 Oct. 12, 1905 
 
 69 
 
 34 
 
 1850 
 
 Taylor, Harvey 
 
 Mar. 26, 1903 
 
 82 
 
 53 
 
 1843 
 
 Taylor, Joel B. 
 
 Mar. 15, 1881 
 
 64 
 
 38 
 
 1842 
 
 Taylor, Landon 
 
 Apr. 19, 1885 
 
 72 
 
 43 
 
 1871 
 
 Tull, John D. 
 
 Sep. 23, 1901 
 
 65 
 
 30 
 
 1866 
 
 Ward Zelotes R. 
 
 Jul. 10, 1894 
 
 64 
 
 28 
 
 1844 
 
 Warner, Horace 
 
 Oct. 5, 1892 
 
 79 
 
 48 
 
 1845 
 
 Waterbury, J. W. 
 
 Apr. 29, 1870 
 
 55 
 
 25 
 
 1850 
 
 Watkins, Wiley P. 
 
 k5cp. i£, lO/O 
 
 45 
 
 23 
 
 1869 
 
 Wilcox, John F. 
 
 Nov. 10, 1893 
 
 48 
 
 24 
 
 1866 
 
 Winsett, Laban 
 
 Aug. 15, 1881 
 
 43 
 
 15 
 
 1859 
 
 Wilson, James A. 
 
 Apr. zo, looo 
 
 Oo 
 
 
 1854 
 
 Wolfe, Frederick C. 
 
 Jan. 15, 1900 
 
 75 
 
 46 
 
 1858 
 
 Woods, Albert G. 
 
 July 7, 1890 
 
 84 
 
 32 
 
 1828 
 
 Young, Alcinous 
 
 Mar. 30, 1876 
 
 80 
 
 52 
 
 II. Widows of Deceased Members. 
 
 The history of pastors' wives has never been written. Bishop 
 Foster is said to have remarked that, "Most Methodist preachers 
 
WIDOWS OF MEMBERS 
 
 171 
 
 seem to meet with surprising success in the choice of their wives — 
 these ladies quite invariably proving to be the very best of their 
 sex." Usually diffident and retiring in their character and dis- 
 position, few outside the home know the beauty of their lives, 
 the wealth of their affection, or the depth of their devotion. They 
 enter with their whole soul into the work of the ministry, and are 
 a constant encouragement and support to their husbands in all the 
 toilsome and trying experiences of the Methodist itinerant. In 
 the early days of the Conference, having meagre salaries and living 
 in cabins, and on large circuits compelling long and frequent 
 absence of the husband from home, they had peculiarly severe 
 hardships and privations. With far less to cheer and encourage 
 her, the burdens and trials of the wife are often harder to bear 
 than those of the husband. If success attends their ministry, 
 the husband receives the praise, though the wife, by the blessed 
 influence of her character and life in the social circle, in the homes 
 of the people and in the class and prayer meetings as weU as in 
 her owTi home, has contributed largely to that success. 
 
 With a noble husband by her side, the pastor's wife is ready 
 to accept joyfully and patiently endure for his sake and the Mas- 
 ter's sake whatever comes to her through the circumstances of 
 her husband's ministry. But when that husband is called away 
 by death, and she is forever separated from the work and the hal- 
 lowed relations and associations of a pastor's wife, and caused 
 to go out into the loneliness of widowhood, sometimes among 
 strangers, and ofttimes in poverty, and with little children to care 
 for and nurture, then indeed is her lot hard to endure. Such an 
 experience can be overcome only by the heroic courage, the 
 sublime faith and undying love of a consecrated Christian woman. 
 If there is any class who are deserving of sympathy, of honor and 
 of high appreciation, it is that class who have been thus bereaved. 
 While they may be denied the honors of this life, their record is 
 on high, and a crown awaits them in heaven. 
 
172 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 The following is a list of these worthy Christian women, our 
 sisters in Christ and co-workers in His Kingdom, whose husbands, 
 once members of the Upper Iowa Conference, have finished their 
 work on earth and received their coronation in heaven : 
 
 Mrs. C K. Alderson, 
 
 Fayette. 
 
 Mrs. W. r. ±>acon, 
 
 Leuar r alls. 
 
 Mrs. VV. Jb. ±5arclaj% 
 
 Cedar Rapids. 
 
 Mrs. E. S. Bargelt, 
 
 JNoriolk, JNeb. 
 
 Mrs. ti. W. xJeaen, 
 
 Lnenalis, Wash. 
 
 Mrs. John Bowman, 
 
 Cedar Falls. 
 
 Mrs. W. JN. rJrown, 
 
 Waucoma. 
 
 Mrs. William Brush, 
 
 Chicago, 111. 
 
 Mrs. Alonzo Camp, 
 
 Cedar Falls. 
 
 Mrs. J. B. Casebeer, 
 
 Cedar Rapids. 
 
 Mrs. J. W. Clinton, 
 
 Hampton. 
 
 Mrs. T. N. Cook, 
 
 Mount Vernon. 
 
 Mrs. L. S. Cooley, 
 
 Fredericsburg. 
 
 Mrs. W. r . Crait, 
 
 Mount Vernon. 
 
 Mrs. William Cummings, 
 
 Lake City. 
 
 Mrs. W. F. Dove, 
 
 Parkston, S. D. 
 
 Mrs. U. Eberhart, 
 
 Chicago Jjawn, No. 3604, 64 Pi. 
 
 Mrs. b. M. l^ellows, 
 
 San Francisco, Cal. 
 
 Mrs. J. M. Ferris, 
 
 Clinton. 
 
 Mrs. S. C. Freer, 
 
 Mount Vernon. 
 
 Mrs. P. W. Gould, 
 
 Northville, N. Y. 
 
 Mrs. L. N. Green, 
 
 Fayette. 
 
 Mrs. E. A. Hawn, 
 
 Vinton. 
 
 Mrs. S. W. Heald, 
 
 Mount Vernon. 
 
 Mrs. L. S. Hindman, 
 
 Osborne, Kan. 
 
 Mrs. H. W. Houghton, 
 
 Dubuque. 
 
 Mrs. B. Holcomb, 
 
 Decorah. 
 
 Mrs. W. R. Howe, 
 
 Olin. 
 
WIDOWS OF MEMBERS 
 
 Mrs. L. S. Keagle, 
 Mrs. R. W. Keeler, 
 Mrs. A. J. Kynett, 
 Mrs. S. A. Lee, 
 Mrs. A. A. Mason, 
 Mrs. C. F. Mather, 
 Mrs. J. S. McCord, 
 Mrs. J. S. Mclntyre, 
 Mrs. S. T. McKim, 
 Mrs. C. F. McLean, 
 Mrs. P. E. Miller, 
 Mrs. 0. R. Newell, 
 Mrs. I. Newton, 
 Mrs. R. Norton, 
 Mrs. W. F. Paxton, 
 Mrs. R. W. Peebles, 
 Mrs. H. Pilbeam, 
 Mrs. L. M. Pratt, 
 Mrs. J. H. Rigby, 
 Mrs. D. Sheffer, 
 Mrs. W. E. Smedley, 
 Mrs. B. D. Smith, 
 Mrs. William Smith, 
 Mrs. J. T. Spry, 
 Mrs. C. H. Taylor, 
 Mrs. J. F. WUcox, 
 Mrs. A. G. Woods, 
 
 Vinton. 
 Des Moines. 
 Philadelphia, Pa. 
 Toledo. 
 Hawarden. 
 Winona, Minn. 
 Mount Vernon. 
 Mount Vernon. 
 Marshalltown. 
 Eldora. 
 
 Wealthy, Minn. 
 Marshalltown. 
 Farley. 
 Windham. 
 Missoula, Mont. 
 Vancouver, Wash. 
 Belle Plaine. 
 Des Moines. 
 Mount Vernon. 
 Cedar Falls. 
 Geneva. 
 Mount Vernon 
 Saint Paul, Minn. 
 Mount Vernon. 
 Independence. 
 Davenport. 
 Maynard. 
 
174 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 HISTORICAL REGISTER. 
 
 There is given below, as nearly as can be ascertained, a com- 
 plete list of all who have at any time severed their connection 
 with the Upper Iowa Conference, otherwise than by death. The 
 abbreviations used are : 
 
 L, for located, 
 W, for withdrawn, 
 Ex., for expelled, 
 Tr., for transferred. 
 Only the time and manner of final severance is given. The 
 whole number of names here recorded is two hundred and ninety- 
 four. That there are some errors or omissions is quite probable, 
 but it is believed they are few. 
 
 Tr. to N. Dakota 
 
 Ackerman, R. M. 
 Adron, W. A. 
 Albrook, M. G. 
 Aldrich, Smith 
 Alger, Simeon 
 Allen, W. A. 
 Ames, A. H. 
 Anderson, J. S. 
 Ashbaugh, L. S. 
 Barclay, Wade C. 
 Baylies, Henry, 
 Babcock, Charles 
 Bachellor, C. W. 
 Bagnell, Robert 
 Baldwin, J. 
 Barber, A 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 L 
 
 L 
 
 Tr. to W. Nebraska 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 L 
 L 
 
 Tr. to Rock River 
 
 L 
 
 L 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 W 
 L 
 
 1902 
 1873 
 1899 
 1883 
 1858 
 1894 
 1887 
 1878 
 1861 
 1906 
 1869 
 1860 
 1865 
 1891 
 1880 
 1867 
 
Bassett, H. A. 
 Bassett, T. J. 
 Battin, Daniel 
 Beall, J. M. 
 Beatty, J. L. 
 Bell, Watson 
 Bennett, H. W. 
 Bennett, W. D. 
 Berry, J. R. 
 Bickford, I. B. 
 Black, Wm. 
 Black, R. D. 
 Blake, C. H. 
 Boteler, J. W. 
 Bowman, Geo. B. 
 Bretnall, F. W. 
 Brewer, C. W. 
 Brown, Philo E. 
 Brush, William 
 Brush, E. T. 
 Brush, Frank E. 
 Bugbee, L. H. 
 Bronson, H. S. 
 Brown, H. C. 
 Brocksome, W. H. 
 Burley, H. J. 
 Burris, F. H. 
 Byam, E. C. 
 Brooks, A. A. 
 Cattermole, E. G. 
 Cadwalader, J. 
 Calder, A. B. 
 
 HISTORICAL REGISTER 1 75 
 
 Tr. to Mexico 1899 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Indiana 1905 
 
 L 1901 
 
 W 1896 
 
 Tr. to N. Dakota 1897 
 
 L 1861 
 
 Tr. to Illinois 1884 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 1874 
 
 Tr. to Minnesota 1880 
 
 L 1900 
 
 L 1879 
 
 Tr. to Oklahoma 1902 
 
 Tr. to N. Minnesota 1903 
 
 L 1860 
 
 Tr. to California 1867 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 1905 
 
 L 1862 
 
 Tr. to Wisconsin 1869 
 
 Tr. to Texas 1873 
 
 Tr. to Vermont 1898 
 
 Tr. to Iowa 1896 
 
 L 1860 
 
 L 1861 
 
 L 1881 
 
 L 1876 
 
 L 1862 
 
 Tr. to Kansas 1871 
 
 W. from the ministry 1865 
 
 Tr. to Nebraska 1906 
 
 Tr. to Rock River 1906 
 
 L 1859 
 
 Tr. to N. Minnesota 1903 
 
176 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Campbell, H. G. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1897 
 
 Carhart, L. H. 
 
 Tr. to Holston 
 
 1874 
 
 Carlton, John H. 
 
 L 
 
 1867 
 
 Carey, A. 
 
 L 
 
 1860 
 
 Chambers, W. A. 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 
 1875 
 
 Chambers, H. M. 
 
 Tr. to Oklahoma 
 
 1904 
 
 Cherrington, F. B. 
 
 Tr. to S. California 
 
 1886 
 
 Chase, A. L. 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 
 
 1887 
 
 \_>llabc, XV. rv. 
 
 Tr +n "XT W Town 
 1 1 . to IN . VV . lUWa 
 
 looo 
 
 L/nasseu, \j. 15. 
 
 T 
 
 -Li 
 
 1 nni 
 
 pi iff „_ J Han 
 
 ir. to L/aiiiornia 
 
 loDD 
 
 Liaypool, Hi. V. 
 
 Tr. to Kansas 
 
 1905 
 
 L/iUlOW, J. 
 
 T 
 
 Li 
 
 1895 
 
 i^oggesnaii, u. hi. 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 
 1 nr»/i 
 
 iyu4 
 
 Cochran, A. S. 
 
 1 r. TjO i\ . VV . iowa 
 
 1 880 
 
 P/^llioT T?r.Kor+ T 
 
 i_^oiiier, xvoueri. 
 
 il. LO JCLOCK XVlVcr 
 
 1 8R9 
 
 Coleman, J. 1. 
 
 Ir. to iowa 
 
 1863 
 
 Coleman, Austin 
 
 T 
 
 JL 
 
 lo/D 
 
 Lowgiil, J. Hi. 
 
 T 
 
 1 OOf\ 
 
 looU 
 
 Copeland, C. W . 
 
 Ex. 
 
 1871 
 
 Crawford, S. P. 
 
 L 
 
 1860 
 
 Cromack, J. C. 
 
 W. under charges 
 
 1871 
 
 Dimmitt, J. G. 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 
 1869 
 
 Dart, T. M. 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 
 
 1873 
 
 Davis, J. A. 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 
 
 1900 
 
 Dalrymple, H. A. 
 
 Tr. to Kansas 
 
 1899 
 
 Day, Frank E. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1888 
 
 De Lamatter, C. E. 
 
 Tr. to India 
 
 1887 
 
 Dolon, C. 
 
 L 
 
 1900 
 
 Donaldson, D. 
 
 Tr. to Iowa 
 
 1865 
 
 Dorwin, W. S. 
 
 W 
 
 1906 
 
 Dosh, L. P. 
 
 L 
 
 1874 
 
DuBois, F. E. 
 Downs, E. B. 
 Eberhart, J. G. 
 Eldridge, J. M. 
 Elliott, Geo. 
 Ensign, J. E. 
 Esterbrook, W. W 
 Elliott, A. C. 
 Falkner, A. 
 Farmer, Harry 
 Fawcett, John 
 Fawcett, Wm. 
 Fawcett, J. N. 
 Fisher, S. 
 Fitch, J. E. 
 Fleming, W. T. S. 
 Franklin, F. 
 Frazelle, W. B. 
 Fisher, 0. L. 
 Foster, A. D. 
 Gifford, W. H. 
 GUmer, U. Z. 
 Gilruth, J. H. 
 Gleason, W. 0. 
 Goodell, W. A. 
 Goodrich, J. C. 
 Gramley, C. H. 
 Guiberson, S. B. 
 Gray, J. B. 
 Hale, A. S. 
 Hall, C. 
 
 Hammond, H. H. 
 
 HISTORICAL REGISTER 1 77 
 
 Tr. to X. W. Iowa 1899 
 
 W 1905 
 
 Tr. to Central Illinois 1905 
 
 Tr. to Kansas 1 905 
 
 Tr. to Baltimore 1884 
 
 L 1901 
 
 W 1861 
 
 L 1869 
 
 Tr. to Erie 1865 
 
 Tr. to Philippines 1905 
 
 L 1872 
 
 Tr. to Rock River 1881 
 
 Tr. to Central Illinois 1890 
 
 L 1887 
 
 L 1874 
 
 Tr. to Rock River 1900 
 
 Tr. to X. W. Iowa 1872 
 
 L 1883 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 1874 
 
 Tr. to X. Ohio 1906 
 
 Tr. to S. Dakota 1892 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 1891 
 
 L 1878 
 
 Tr. to X. W. Iowa 1885 
 
 Tr. to Malaysia 1901 
 
 Tr. to Xewark 1899 
 
 L 1885 
 
 L 1863 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Indiana 1866 
 
 Tr. to Minnesota 1904 
 
 L 1861 
 
 W. under charges 1881 
 
178 UPPER 
 
 IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 
 Harmon, N. E. 
 
 Tr. to S. Illinois 
 
 1884 
 
 Harper, W. G. 
 
 Tr. to E. Ohio 
 
 1887 
 
 Harrington, F. M. 
 
 Tr. to S. America 
 
 1900 
 
 Hawn, R. G. 
 
 Tr. to Columbia River 
 
 1876 
 
 Hazelton, J. 0. 
 
 Tr. to Wisconsin 
 
 1878 
 
 Hawn, C. H. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1891 
 
 Heatly, F. T. 
 
 Tr. to Arkansas 
 
 1906 
 
 Hedges, J. M. 
 
 W. under charges 
 
 1889 
 
 Heiserman, G. L. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1899 
 
 Henderson, S. H. 
 
 Tr. to Nebraska 
 
 1877 
 
 Hill, E. A. 
 
 L 
 
 1860 
 
 Hill, J. G. 
 
 Tr. to S. California 
 
 1906 
 
 Holland, E. 
 
 Tr. to Nebraska 
 
 1882 
 
 HoUen, B. W. 
 
 L 
 
 1872 
 
 Hood, H. 
 
 L 
 
 1859 
 
 Howard, S. N. 
 
 L 
 
 1879 
 
 Hudson, J. M. 
 
 L 
 
 1872 
 
 Hurlburt, R. F. 
 
 Tr. to Iowa 
 
 1896 
 
 Hodges, C. E. 
 
 L 
 
 1905 
 
 Iliff, W. H. 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 
 
 1893 
 
 Ingalls, Pearl P. 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 
 1876 
 
 Ingham, S. W., Jr. 
 
 Tr. to Nebraska 
 
 1887 
 
 Isham, C. 
 
 L 
 
 1861 
 
 Jenkins, G. W. 
 
 Tr. to Montana 
 
 1889 
 
 Johnson, A. K. 
 
 L. 
 
 1868 
 
 Keisler, Mott 
 
 Tr. to N. India 
 
 1901 
 
 Keith, H. H. 
 
 L 
 
 1859 
 
 Kendall, E. 
 
 L 
 
 1865 
 
 Kendig, A. B. 
 
 Tr. to New England 
 
 1875 
 
 Keniston, G. N. 
 
 W. under charges 
 
 1891 
 
 Kerr, J. A. 
 
 Tr. to Rock River 
 
 1883 
 
 Larkins, Geo. 
 
 Tr. to California 
 
 1868 
 

 HISTORICAL REGISTER 
 
 179 
 
 Lawrence, H. N. 
 
 L 
 
 1889 
 
 Lawton, C. H. 
 
 Tr. to California 
 
 1859 
 
 Leiser, W. M. 
 
 Tr. to Missouri 
 
 1902 
 
 Leonard, J. M. 
 
 Tr. to New England 
 
 1882 
 
 Lewis, W. S. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1897 
 
 Linderman, J. P. 
 
 L 
 
 1857 
 
 Linn, B. F. 
 
 Tr. to Erie 
 
 1883 
 
 Livesee, J. 
 
 Tr. to Providence 
 
 1865 
 
 Lodsdon, C. E. 
 
 Tr. to Dakota 
 
 1899 
 
 Long, H. B. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1887 
 
 Loveland, F. L. 
 
 Tr. to Nebraska 
 
 1906 
 
 Luce, 0. A. 
 
 Tr. to Wisconsin 
 
 1898 
 
 Luce, A. A. 
 
 Tr. to Arkansas 
 
 1899 
 
 Luce, F. W. 
 
 Tr. to Saint Louis 
 
 1902 
 
 Mabry, W. D. 
 
 W. under charges 
 
 1895 
 
 Macurdy, W. C. 
 
 Tr. to Montana 
 
 1901 
 
 Madison, W. C. 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 
 
 1885 
 
 Magaw, J. E. 
 
 Ex. 
 
 1870 
 
 MaUory, D. M. 
 
 L 
 
 1872 
 
 Maltbie, S. B. 
 
 L 
 
 1898 
 
 Manley, S. H. 
 
 Tr. to Nebraska 
 
 1871 
 
 Marsh, C. H. 
 
 W 
 
 1895 
 
 Masters, Mark 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1906 
 
 Mather, F. C. 
 
 L 
 
 1865 
 
 May, Eugene 
 
 Tr. to North Dakota 
 
 1891 
 
 Maynard, 0. K. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1888 
 
 McClintock, A. 
 
 L 
 
 1868 
 
 McElfresh, A. B. 
 
 W. under charges 
 
 1860 
 
 McDonald, Nial 
 
 W 
 
 1879 
 
 McGurk, D. 
 
 Tr. to Saint Louis 
 
 1905 
 
 McKee, L. U. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1897 
 
 McKown, J. L. G. 
 
 Tr. to Cincinnati 
 
 1868 
 
l8o UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 McLary, T. 
 
 Tr. to Minnesota 
 
 1875 
 
 McLRUghlirij J, L. 
 
 Tr. to Malaysia 
 
 1901 
 
 MiUpr W A 
 
 L 
 
 1 Rfi9 
 
 ivici^orci, u. w . 
 
 W 
 
 1905 
 
 Miller, Emory 
 
 ir. to Des Moines 
 
 1882 
 
 Miller, i . A. 
 
 T 
 
 Li 
 
 1897 
 
 iviitcneil, w . ,', 
 
 Tr. to Kansas 
 
 1874 
 
 MODDS, rl. M. 
 
 ir. to JN. W. Iowa 
 
 1890 
 
 Moore, W . Kj. 
 
 T 
 
 1881 
 
 Moore, David 
 
 T 
 
 1895 
 
 Money, Kenneth 
 
 rp J /"11 1 
 
 ir. to Colorado 
 
 1899 
 
 Mossman, G. E. 
 
 Tr. to New England Southern 
 
 1906 
 
 iNeiison, i. M. 
 
 i r. to IN . iJakota 
 
 1 nn9 
 
 iMcnois, i. M. 
 
 T 
 
 Li 
 
 1 CQ1 
 
 iooi 
 
 Nicholson, Thomas 
 
 ir. to iJakota 
 
 1903 
 
 iNorion, r . J . 
 
 ir. xo o. L/aKota 
 
 ioyo 
 
 Uciei, A. IN. 
 
 T 
 
 Li 
 
 ioDi 
 
 Uliver, J. xl. 
 
 ir. to b. ivansas 
 
 1899 
 
 (Jliver, i nomas 
 
 AIT' 
 W 
 
 1901 
 
 Pancoast, Samuel 
 
 ir. to f nuaueipnia 
 
 1 sf;7 
 
 Jr^ame, \j. r . 
 
 T 
 
 Li 
 
 1 SQfi 
 lovO 
 
 r^earce, Wm. 
 
 ir. to Colorado 
 
 1 con 
 
 r^eterson, u. r. 
 
 ir. to iNew lorK 
 
 1 otco 
 
 Pilbeam, Henry 
 
 T 
 Li 
 
 
 Pomeroy, C. R. 
 
 ir. to 0. Aansas 
 
 
 Jr^ottle, W. A. 
 
 ir. to i\. w. iowa 
 
 1 Q01 
 ioyi 
 
 1 latt, J. JN. 
 
 T 
 
 Li 
 
 1 8QQ 
 loyy 
 
 r^ratt, (jt. W. 
 
 i r. to IN . w . iowa 
 
 1 884 
 
 Raines, Geo. 
 
 L 
 
 1873 
 
 Reed, Henry W. 
 
 Tr. to Kansas 
 
 1876 
 
 Reeder, G. A. 
 
 Tr. to California 
 
 1903 
 
 Richardson, I. 
 
 L 
 
 1896 
 

 HISTORICAL REGISTER 
 
 i8i 
 
 Rice, M. S. 
 
 Tr. to Minnesota 
 
 1904 
 
 Rigby, A. E. 
 
 Tr. to Dakota 
 
 1899 
 
 Risher, D. W. 
 
 L 
 
 1863 
 
 Rogers, C. R. 
 
 Tr. to Minnesota 
 
 1879 
 
 Rosa, E. D. 
 
 L 
 
 1868 
 
 Rose, 0. W. 
 
 W 
 
 1901 
 
 Rowen, J. 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 
 1871 
 
 Reader, Ralph 
 
 W. under charges 
 
 1906 
 
 Sanford, H. 
 
 L 
 
 1877 
 
 Sanford, A. M. 
 
 Tr. to Wisconsin 
 
 1895 
 
 Schram, G. A. 
 
 L 
 
 1893 
 
 Scott, G. E. 
 
 W 
 
 1906 
 
 Seaton, J. L. 
 
 Tr. to Dakota 
 
 1906 
 
 Sedgwick, H. G. 
 
 L 
 
 1896 
 
 Sheldon, C. E. 
 
 L 
 
 1904 
 
 Sherin, S. 
 
 L 
 
 1883 
 
 Sherman, E. L. 
 
 L 
 
 1874 
 
 Simpson, Wm. 
 
 Tr. to Erie 
 
 1866 
 
 Skinner, D. E. 
 
 L 
 
 1881 
 
 Smith, S. G. 
 
 Tr. to Minnesota 
 
 1879 
 
 Smith, J. B. 
 
 Tr. to New York East 
 
 1895 
 
 Smith, J. A. 
 
 Tr. to Central Ohio 
 
 1902 
 
 Snyder, S. E. 
 
 Tr. to Montana 
 
 1887 
 
 Shaffer, N. 
 
 L 
 
 1866 
 
 Sparks, R. H. 
 
 Tr. to N. Indiana 
 
 1875 
 
 Sparling, W. H. 
 
 L 
 
 1872 
 
 Sparling, E. H. 
 
 Tr. to Michigan 
 
 1873 
 
 Stanley, George 
 
 L 
 
 1863 
 
 Starker, J. B. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1874 
 
 Stevens, Julius 
 
 L 
 
 1871 
 
 Souders, J. A. 
 
 Tr. to Nebraska 
 
 1894 
 
 Stevens, F. I. 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 
 
 1905 
 
l82 
 
 UPPER 
 
 IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Stewart, J. W. 
 Stuntz, Homer C. 
 Stout, J. 
 Smith, E. 
 Spencer, O. M. 
 Staebler, D. S. 
 Stimson, C. E. 
 Tauchen, F. H. 
 Taylor, B. F. 
 Thompson, T. 
 Thompson, J. H. 
 Thompson, F. L. 
 Thompson, C. A. 
 Triem, C. J. W. 
 Truesdell, C. G. 
 Thurston, T. W. 
 Trevethick, T. H. 
 Thorpe, W. L. 
 Thorpe, E. L. 
 Tunstall, W. V. 
 Tuttle, F. I. K. 
 Tooke, M. M. 
 Townsend, H. L. 
 Van Anda, J. A. 
 Van Arsdale, I. N. 
 Vinell, S. E. 
 Vinson, F. W. 
 Wade, R. M. 
 Waite, Oren B. 
 Ward, J. A. 
 Waters, N. M. 
 Watts, J. 
 
 L 1857 
 
 Tr. to Malaysia 1901 
 
 W under charges 1865 
 
 Tr. to California • 1874 
 
 L 1876 
 
 W under charges 1906 
 
 Tr. N. Dakota 1906 
 
 W 1895 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 1874 
 
 Tr. to Nebraska 1878 
 
 W 1903 
 
 Tr. to N. Minnesota 1904 
 
 Tr. to N. Dakota 1905 
 
 W 1901 
 
 Tr. to Rock River 1869 
 
 L 1862 
 
 Tr. to Dakota 1905 
 
 Tr. to Wyoming 1872 
 
 Tr. to New York East 1888 
 
 Tr. to Missouri 1865 
 
 Tr. to Missouri 1870 
 
 L 1861 
 
 Tr. to Puget Sound 1906 
 
 W under charges 1865 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Indiana 1873 
 
 Tr. to Iowa 1882 
 
 L 1869 
 
 L 1872 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 1905 
 
 L 1902 
 
 Tr. to Rock River 1895 
 
 L 1858 
 

 HISTORICAL REGISTER 
 
 0 
 
 Warner, H. E. 
 
 Tr. to Colorado 
 
 1891 
 
 Webb, John 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1872 
 
 Warner, S. B. 
 
 Tr. to Minnesota 
 
 1881 
 
 Webber, E. E. 
 
 W 
 
 1873 
 
 Weeks, 0. W. 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 
 1893 
 
 Webster, B. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1872 
 
 Webster, J. F. 
 
 Tr. to W. Nebraska 
 
 1896 
 
 Wheeler, David H. 
 
 L 
 
 1870 
 
 White, J. B. 
 
 L 
 
 1859 
 
 White, S. 
 
 Tr. to Minnesota 
 
 1883 
 
 White, G. W. 
 
 Tr. to S. California 
 
 1884 
 
 Whitfield, Wilmot 
 
 Tr. to X. W. Iowa 
 
 1882 
 
 Worts, D. C. 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 
 1874 
 
 Wilkinson, J. M. 
 
 Tr. to Minnesota 
 
 1897 
 
 WUkinson, H. S. 
 
 Tr. to Dakota 
 
 1900 
 
 Wilkinson, W. A. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1903 
 
 Wilson, A. B. 
 
 L 
 
 1880 
 
 Woodford, L. C. 
 
 Tr. to N. W. Iowa 
 
 1884 
 
 Wyckoff, H. E. 
 
 W under complaints 
 
 1899 
 
 Witted, J. G. 
 
 L 
 
 1858 
 
 White, James H. 
 
 Ex. 
 
 1869 
 
 Young, Emerson K. 
 
 Tr. to Des Moines 
 
 1881 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 MINISTERIAL RECORD. 
 
 Albright, W. F. 1885-86, East Dubuque ; 1886-87, Student 
 in Garrett Biblical Institute ; 1887-89, Burr Oak ; 1889-90, Monona ; 
 1890, Missionary in South America; 1903-04, Dumont; 1904-05, 
 Rudd; 1905-06, Beaman; 1906— Plainfield. 
 
 Albrook, J. Burleigh. 1870-73, Central City; 1873-74, 
 Earlville; 1874-77, Dyersville; 1877-78, Maquoketa; 1878-79, Ep- 
 worth; 1878-83, Principal of Epworth Seminary; 1883-86, Finan- 
 cial Agent of Cornell College; 1886-89, Waverly; 1889-90, Mason 
 City; 1890-96, Cedar Rapids District; 1896-97, Marshalltown ; 
 1897-1903, Marshalltown District; 1903-04, Financial Agent of 
 Cornell College; 1904 — Davenport District. 
 
 Alden, B. D. 1862-64, Dubuque, Centenary; 1864-65, Lan- 
 sing; 1865-67, Waukon; 1867-69, Elkader; 1869-71, Mitchell; 
 1871-73, Burr Oak; 1873-76, Edgewood; 1876-79, Raymond; 
 1879-80, Staceyville; 1880-83, Fredericksburg; 1883-84, Monona; 
 1884-86, Lowden and Grand Mound; 1886-88, Norway; 1888-90, 
 Walker; 1890-92, Silver Creek; 1892-94, Editor of Inland Chris- 
 tian Advocate; 1894-95, Assistant Editor of Omaha Christian 
 Advocate; 1895-97, Colesburg; 1897-98, Palo; 1898-99, Sup- 
 ernumerary ; 1899 — Superannuate. 
 
 Atchison, Hugh Darling. 1890-93, Normal Park, Chicago; 
 1893-94, Fowler, Chicago; 1894-99, Wilmette, Illinois; 1899-1900, 
 Grace, Portland, Oregon; 1900 — St. Lukes, Dubuque. 
 
 Bailey, Hiram. 1875-76, Traer; 1876-77, Rock Creek; 
 1877-78, Frederika; 1878-80, Fairbank; 1880-82, Otterville; 1882- 
 84, Toledo Circuit; 1884-85, Union; 1885-86, Le Claire; 1886-88, 
 Oxford Mills; 1888-90 Maynard; 1890-92, Solon; 1892-94, Lisbon; 
 
1. F. X. Miller 5. J. W. Gould 9. W. W. Robinson 13. F. P. Fisher 
 
 2. John Gammons 6. C.K.Hudson 10. A. D. foster 14. F. P, Shatter 
 
 3. G. M. Bing 7. B. S. Bailcv U. L. D. Stubbs 15. E. G. Copeland 
 
 4. R. A. Miller .s. J. A. Dearing 12. T. J. Elwick 16. K. C. Lusk 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 1894-96, Stanwood; 1896-97, Fairfax; 1897-98, Beaman; 1898- 
 1900, Steamboat Rock; 1900-04, Superannuate; 1904-05, Albion; 
 1905 — Calamus and Grand Mound. 
 
 Baker, John E. 1854-55, served in Newark Conference; 
 1857-66, Member of Wisconsin Conference; 1866-68, Buckingham 
 (near Traer): 1868-69, LeGrand; 1869-70, Shellsburg; 1870-71, 
 Geneva; 1871-73, Grundy Center; 1873-90, Supernumerary; 1890- 
 92, Walker; 1892-93, Oasis; 1893-96, St. Ansgar; 1896— Super- 
 annuate. 
 
 Baker, J. F. 1866-67, Center Point; 1867-68, Marion Cir- 
 cuit; 1868-69, Otterville; 1869-70, LeGrand; 1870-71, Toledo Cir- 
 cmt; 1871-72, Lowden; 1872-75, LeClaire; 1875-77, Camanche; 
 1877-79, Eldora; 1879-80, Tama ; 1880-82, Mechanics viUe; 1882-84, 
 Sabula; 1884-86, Preston; 1886-89, Farley; 1889-92, Gilman; 
 1892-93, Reinbeck; 1893-94, Reinbeck; 1894-1900, Supernumer- 
 ary; 1900 — Superannuate. 
 
 Ballz, James. 1901-02, Member of X. W. Iowa Conference; 
 1902-04, GUman; 1904-06, Steamboat Rock; 1906— Viola. 
 
 Bargelt, H. S. 1871-72, Aplington; 1872-73, Parkersburg; 
 1873-74, MaysviUe and Geneva; 1874-76, Xew Hartford; 1876-77, 
 Dysart; 1877-80, Marion Circuit; 1880-81, West Branch; 1881-93, 
 Member of the Michigan Conference ; 1893-95, Staceyville; 1895-97, 
 PostvUle; 1897-99, Delmar; 1899-1901, Clarence; 1901-02, Miles; 
 1902-04, Calamus and Grand Mound; 1904-06, Low Moor; 1906— 
 Supernumerary. 
 
 Barnes, B. C. 1856-57, A supply, Greeley's Grove; 1857-58, 
 Cedar Circuit; 1858-59, Sac and Calhoun; 1859-61, Linnwood; 
 1861-63, Spring Creek; 1863-65, PostvUle and Frankvillc; 1865-66, 
 Burr Oak; 1866-68, Hopkinton; 1868-71, Andrew; 1871-72, Wy- 
 oming; 1872-74, SpringviUe; 1874-77, Stanwood; 1877-78, West 
 Irving; 1878-79, Tama City; 1879-81, Eldora; 1881-82, Grundy 
 Center; 1882-84, Dysart; 1884-86, Fairfax; 1886-89, Lisbon; 
 
i86 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 1889-91, Mt. Auborn; 1891-93, Nora Springs; 1893-95, Clarksville; 
 1895-96, Plymouth; 1896-99, Luana; 1899-1901, New Albin; 1901- 
 02, Oilman; 1902-Superannuate. 
 
 Bartlett, E. C. 1902-05, Guttenburg; 1905— Student in 
 Garrett Biblical Institute. 
 
 Bartle, S. D. 1894-95, North Chicago; 1895-96, Irving St., 
 Joliet; 1896-97, Serena; 1897-99, Oasis; 1899-1903, Solon; 1903— 
 Mechanicsville. 
 
 Barton, H. H. 1885-86, Deerfield; 1886-87, National; 
 1887-89, Elberon; 1889-91, Ackley ; 1891-95, Geneva; 1895-97, New 
 Hampton; 1897-1900, Postville; 1900-01, Reinbeck; 1901-03, 
 West Branch; 1903-05, Delmar; 1905— Clarksville. 
 
 Barton, H. A. 1902-03, Owasa; 1903-04, Pleasant Ridge, 
 1904-05, Elberon; 1905— Albion. 
 
 BiLLiNGSLEY, A. M. 1887-99, Member of East Ohio Confer- 
 ence; 1899-1902, Member of the St. Louis Conference; 1902-03, 
 Cedar Falls; 1903-06, Clinton; 1906, Mount Vernon. 
 
 BiNDENBERGER, J. Fred. 1900-03, Student at Drew; 1903- 
 04, Geneseo; 1904-05, Greene; 1905— Hopkinton. 
 
 BiNG, Geo. M. 1897-99, Chelsea; 1899-1900, Oasis; 1900-01, 
 Ryan; 1901-03, Norway; 1903-06, Fairfax; 1906— Walker. 
 
 Bird, James Beet. 1897-98, Geneseo; 1898-1901, Student 
 in Theological School; 1901-06, Frederika; 1906— Waucoma. 
 
 Birney, Geo. Hugh. 1902-03, Steamboat Rock; 1903-05, 
 Lisbon; 1905— Cedar Falls. 
 
 Bishop, Alfred T. 1897-1900, North Dakota Conference; 
 1900-02, Calamus; 1902-04, Miles; 1904-06, Sheffield; 1906— 
 Tama. 
 
 Bissell, John William. 1871-72, New Hampton; 1872-73, 
 Professor of Science in Upper Iowa University; 1873-74, Acting 
 President, and 1874-99, President of Upper Iowa University; 
 1899-1900, traveled abroad; 1900-02, Charles City; 1902-04, Grace 
 Church, Waterloo; 1904,— Cedar Falls District. 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 187 
 
 Black, J. F. 1882-97, in N.W.Iowa Conference; 1897-1901, 
 Anamosa; 1901-03, Eldora; 1903-05, Maquoketa; 1905— Grundy 
 Center. 
 
 Blodgett, John N. 1877-78, Iowa Falls Circuit; 1878-79, 
 Plainfield; 1879-80, Bristow and Dumont; 1880-82, Grand Mound; 
 1882-83, Davenport Circuit; 1883-85, Bellevue; 1885-86, Lamont; 
 1886-88, Chelsea; 1888-90, Whitten; 1890-91, LeGrand; 1891-93, 
 Viola; 1893-96, Langworthy; 1896-99, Maynard: 1899— Super- 
 annuate. 
 
 BowDER, H. J. 1886-87, Luana; 1887-90, Lansing and New 
 Albin; 1890-95, Center Grove; 1895-98, Lime Springs; 1898-1900, 
 Tama; 1900-04, Sheffield; 1904-05, Miles; 1905— Lisbon. 
 
 Boyd, Hugh. 1868-71, Member of the Ohio Conference; 
 1871-1906, Professor of Latin in Cornell College. 
 
 Bretnall, G. H. 1897-98, Student in Garrett Biblical In- 
 stitute; 1898-99, Preston; 1899-1901, Instructor in Epworth 
 Seminary; 1901-02, Student in Garrett Biblical Institute; 1902-03, 
 Principal of Port Byron Academy, 111. 1903 — Professor of Biol- 
 ogy, Monmouth (111.) College. 
 
 Bretnall, S. C. 1886-87, Frankville; 1887-88, Ionia; 1888- 
 89, New Haven and Elma; 1889-92, Lowden and Grand Mound; 
 1892-93, Coggon; 1893-96, Blairstown; 1896-1900, Montour; 
 1900-02, Fairfax; 1902-05, New Hartford; 1905— Center Point. 
 
 Bretnall, John. 1883-84, Allison; 1884-85, New Hartford; 
 1885-87, Mitchell and St, Ansgar; 1887-90, Quasqueton; 1890-91, 
 Stanwood; 1891-92, Olin; 1892-94, Monmouth; 1894-96, Steam- 
 boat Rock; 1896-97, Toledo Circuit ;1 897-99, Fredrika; 1899-1900, 
 Geneseo; 1900-02, Clermont; 1902-04, Oxford Junction; 1904— 
 Andrew. 
 
 Brown, Frank Q. 1899 — East Dubuque. 
 Bronson, Solon C. 1878-81, Hopkinton; 1881-84, First 
 Church, Waterloo; 1884-87, Toledo; 1887-92, Clinton; 1892-96, 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Member of Iowa Conference; 1896 — Professor of Practical Theol- 
 ogy in Garrett Biblical Institute. 
 
 Burgess, Charles W. 1870-72, Farley; 1872-74, Hopkinton; 
 1874-76, Colesburg; 1876-78, Maynard; 1878-79, Center Point; 
 1879-80, Walker; 1880-81, Cedar Rapids Circuit; 1881-82, Marion 
 Circuit; 1882-84, Langworthy; 1884-1901, Superannuate; 1901-02, 
 Frankville; 1902-03, Melbourn and Vancleve; 1903— Superannu- 
 ate. 
 
 Burnett, W. S. R. 1869-70, Quasqueton; 1870-72, Ray- 
 mond; 1872-75, Vinton Circuit; 1875-76, Monmouth; 1876-78, 
 Preston; 1878-80, Delmar; 1880-82, Miles; 1882-83, Supernumerary; 
 1883-84, Camanche; 1884-87, Superannuate; 1887-93, Supernum- 
 erary; 1893-94, Assistant Superintendent Children's Home Find- 
 ing Society; 1894-99, Superintendent Children's Home Finding 
 Society; 1899 — Superannuate. 
 
 Cameron, J. R. 1856-57, Dubuque Circuit; 1857-58, Ash- 
 land and Smithland; 1856-60, Hardin; 1860-62, Burr Oak; 1862-65, 
 Elkader; 1865-68, Hardin; 1868-69, Lime Springs; 1869-72, 
 Waukon; 1872-74, Frankville; 1874-77, National; 1877-79, Fred- 
 ericksburg; 1879-81, Maynard; 1881-83, Nora Springs; 1883-85, 
 Luana; 1885-87, New Hartford; 1887-89, Clarksville; 1889-91, 
 Beaman; 1891-92, Supernumerary; 1892-93, RockweU; 1893-94, 
 Supernumerary; 1894 — Superannuate. 
 
 Carlton, W. W. 1884-85, Cottage Hill; 1885-87, Student 
 in Garrett Biblical Institute; 1887-89, Fairbanks; 1889-92, Straw- 
 berry Point; 1892-95, McGregor; 1895-96, Independence; 1896- 
 1902, Cedar Rapids District; 1902— Mason City. 
 
 Carson, Thomas. 1886-1902, In South Dakota Conference; 
 1902-04, Monmouth; 1904-06, Shellsburg; 1906— Central City. 
 
 Casper, C. C. 1894-1903, In Wisconsin Conference; 1903-05, 
 Bassett; 1905— New Albin. 
 
MINISTERIAL REGISTER 189 
 
 Cassidy, F. p. 1881-84, Ionia; 1884-87, Burr Oak; 1887-91, 
 Riceville; 1891-92, Hawkeye; 1892-95, Lime Springs; 1895-96, 
 Luana; 1896-97, Waucoma; 1897-99, Janesville- 1899-1901, Ply- 
 mouth; 1901-03, Winthrop; 1903-05, Raymond; 1905— Maynard. 
 
 Cattermole, Edward G. 1882-96, Member of Central Illi- 
 nois Conference; 1896-1901, Member of Montana Conference; 1901- 
 04, Fayette; 1904-06, Grace Chm-ch, Waterloo. 
 
 Caffyn, Jesse Roland. 1899-1900, Field Secretary for 
 Upper Iowa University; 1900-02, Student in Gai-rett Biblical In- 
 stitute; 1902-05, Lime Springs; 1905— Waukon. 
 
 Chaffee, W. N. 1869-70, Maquoketa Circuit; 1870-72, 
 Wapsie Valley Circuit; 1872-74, Supernumerary; 1874-76, Center 
 Junction; 1876-78, Miles; 1878-81, Inland; 1881-84, Clarence; 1884- 
 85, Conference Evangelist; 1885-88, Mechanics ville; 1888-89, West 
 Union; 1889-92, Dysart; 1892-94, Springville; 1894-96, Field 
 Agent for Cornell College; 1896-97, Kenwood Park; 1897-98, 
 Center Point; 1898-1900, Urbana; 1900-03, Geneseo; 1903-04, 
 Supernumerary; 1904-06, Geneseo; 1906 — Dumont. 
 
 Church, Hampden S. 1859-60, Colcsburg; 1860-61, Sioux 
 City; 1861-63, Fort Dodge; 1863-65, Waverly; 1865-66, West 
 Union; 1866-67, Charles City; 1867-68, Mechanicsville ; 1868-69, 
 Marion; 1869-70, Marshalltown ; 1870-72, Grace Church, Water- 
 loo; 1872-75, Independence; 1875-77, Anamosa; 1877-80, 14th 
 Street, Davenport; 1880-82, Mason City; 1882-83, Decorah; 
 1883-84, McGregor; 1884-86, Vinton; 1886-92, Cedar Falls District; 
 1892-94, Grundy Center; 1894-95, Postville; 1895— Superannuate. 
 
 Clark, Lucius C. 1893-94, City Mission Work; 1894-95, 
 Beaman; 1895-97, Student in Boston University; 1897-98, Tama; 
 1898-1901, Eldora; 1901-03, Belle Plaine; 1903-05, Osage; 
 1905— Iowa City. 
 
 Clement, William H. 1887-90, Member of South Dakota 
 
190 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Conference; 1890-93, Whitten; 1893-96, Coggon; 1896-99, Gar- 
 rison; 1899-1902, Conrad; 1902-04, Union; 1904— State Center. 
 
 Cleveland, C. W. 1894-95, LeGrand; 1895-96, Melbourne; 
 1896-99, Conrad; 1899-1900, Laurel; 1900-03, RockweU; 1903-04, 
 Steamboat Rock; 1904 — Urbana. 
 
 Clinton, DeWitt. 1880-82, East JanesviUe; 1882-84, Stu- 
 dent in Garrett Biblical Institute; 1884-85, Student in Cornell 
 College; 1885-88, Center Grove; 1888-91, Northwood; 1891-94, 
 First Church, Waterloo; 1894-98, Waverly; 1898-1900, Mason 
 City; 1900-03, Iowa City; 1903— Vinton. 
 
 CoATES, Richard W. 1874-75, Albany; 1875-78, Davenport 
 Circuit; 1878-80, Miles; 1880-83, Le Claire; 1883-86, Wyoming; 
 1886-88, Charles City; 1888-93, Supernumerary; 1893-95, La 
 Porte City; 1895-97, Epworth; 1897-1901, West Branch; 1901-03, 
 Mechanicsville; 1903-06, Central City; 1906 — Supernumerary. 
 
 Cobb, William. 1860-62, New Oregon; 1862-65, Burr Oak; 
 1865-67, Elkader; 1867-69, National; 1869-71, Hardin; 1871-72, 
 Frankville; 1 872-74, Waukon; 1874-75, Ossian; (3 months McGregor 
 District); 1875-77, Rockford; 1877-79, Edgewood; 1879-82, Earl- 
 ville; 1882-84, Lisbon; 1884-87, Stanwood; 1887-90, Center Point; 
 1890-92, Shellsburg; 1892-1900, Supernumerary; 1900— Super- 
 annuate. 
 
 Coleman, Frank M. 1878-80, Rockwell Circuit; 1880-81, 
 Union; 1881-83, State Center; 1883-86, Hampton; 1886-88, Fay- 
 ette; 1888-92, Cresco; 1892-98, Cedar Falls District; 1898-1900, 
 Hampton; 1900-03, Marshalltown ; 1903-05, Toledo; 1905— Super- 
 numerary. 
 
 Cook, Joseph. 1854-68, In Philadelphia Conference; 1868-74, 
 In Wilmington Conference; 1874-75, Raymond; 1875-77, Otter- 
 ville; 1877-78, Rockford; 1878-84, Supernumerary; 1884-85, 
 Prairieburg; 1885-86, Bellevue; 1886-87, Plainfield; 1887-88, 
 Frankville; 1888-89, Ionia; 1889— Superannuate. 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 191 
 
 Cole, Frank. 1897-99, Fort Smith, Arkansas; 1899-1902, 
 Northwood; 1902-06, Waverly; 1906— First Church, Waterloo; 
 
 Cole, Charles S. 1897-98, Elberon; 1898-1900, Blairstown; 
 1900-04, Greene; 1904 — Supernumerary. 
 
 CoPELAND, Edwin G. 1898-99, Norway; 1899-1902, Student 
 in Boston Theological School; 1902-05, Kenwood Park; 1905- 
 Ackley. 
 
 Crawford, Hilles T. 1898-1900, Coldwater; 1900-01, 
 Marble Rock; 1901-02, Cedar Bluffs; 1902-04, Van Horne; 1904-05, 
 Oasis; 1905— Greeley. 
 
 Crinklaw, George B. 1873-75, Preston ; 1875-77, Rockwell ; 
 1877-79, Geneva; 1879-81, Beaman; 1881-83, Monmouth; 1883-84, 
 Olin; 1884-86, Dubuque Circuit; 1886-88, Center Junction; 1888- 
 89, Marion Circuit; 1889-91, Andrew; 1891-93, Ridgeway; 1893-95, 
 Quasqueton; 1895-98, Dolhi; 1898-99, Mitchell; 1899-1900, Brown- 
 ville; 1900-01, Camanche; 1901-02, Bennett; 1902-03, Clermont; 
 1903-04, Rudd; 1904-05, Plainfield; 1905— Bassett. 
 
 Crippen, John T. 1853-73, Member of Oneida Conference; 
 1862-64, Chaplain 117 Regiment N. Y. Volunteers; 1873-75, First 
 Church, Waterloo; 1875-77, Financial Agent of Cornell College; 
 1877-78, Iowa City; 1878-82, Cedar Falls District; 1882-84, Mason 
 City; 1884-90, Cedar Rapids District; 1890-91, Marion Circuit (his 
 own request); 1891-97, Marshalltown District; 1897— Field Secre- 
 tary for Cornell College. 
 
 Croavder, William G. 1894-95, Plymouth; 1895-96, Stacey- 
 ville; 1896-97, Student in School; 1897-98, New Albin; 1898-99, 
 Lansing; 1899-1900, Grandview Avenue, Dubuque; 1900-03, 
 Waukon; 1903-06, West Union; 1906— Waverly. 
 
 Curran, Allen B. 1895-97, Cascade; 1897-1900, Quas- 
 queton; 1900-02, Hopkinton; 1902-03, Clarksville; 1903-06, North- 
 wood; 1906— West Union. 
 
192 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Davis, B. A. 1902-04, Chelsea; 1904-06, Whitten; 1906— 
 Monmouth. 
 
 Davis, William B. 1879-80, Quasqueton; 1880-82, Du- 
 buque Circuit; 1882-84, DyersvUIe; 1884-86, West Union; 1886-90, 
 Wyoming; 1890-93, Clarence; 1893-96, Rockford; 1896-1900, 
 Nashua; 1900-02, State Center; 1902-03, Delmar; 1903-06, West 
 Branch; 1906— Farley. 
 
 Dawson, John. 1894-96, Kensett; 1896-97, Brandon; 1897- 
 1900, Student in Garrett Biblical Institute; 1900-02, Randalia; 
 1902-04, Greeley; 1904— Hazelton. 
 
 Dearing, John A. 1890-99, Salvation Army; 1901-02, 
 Prairieburg; 1902-03, Ryan; 1903-04, Cedar Bluff; 1904-05, 
 Palo; 1905-06, Allison; 1906— Frederika. 
 
 Debra, Harvey R. 1897-1901, Member of West Nebraska 
 and Rock River Conferences; 1901 — Principal of Epworth Sem- 
 inary. 
 
 DePuy, Orin C. 1891-94, Asbury, Dubuque; 1894-98, 
 Farley; 1898-1900, Hopkinton; 1900-01, Grand View Avenue, 
 Dubuque; 1901-05, Strawberry Point; 1905 — Edgewood. 
 
 DoLPH, John. 1874-76, Cresco; 1876-78, PostvUle; 1878-79, 
 Dryden Circuit; 1879-80, Ackley; 1880-82, Albion; 1882-84, Eldora; 
 1884-91, Supernumerary; 1891 — Superannuate. 
 
 Doner, William H. 1885-87, Nora Springs; 1887-90, 
 Parkersburg; 1890-91, Janesville; 1891-92, Coggon; 1892-95, 
 LeClaire; 1895-97, Olin; 1897-1901, Miles; 1901-04, Clarence; 1904- 
 Springville. 
 
 Dorcas, Harvey F. 1897-98, Urbana; 1898-99, Alburnett; 
 1899-1901, Bassett; 1901-04, Burr Oak; 1904-05, Randalia; 1905- 
 Oasis. 
 
 Dunham, George W. 1897-98, Colesburg; 1898-1902, Stu- 
 dent in Upper Iowa University; 1902-03, Le Grand; 1903-05, 
 
1. C. W. Cleveland 5. G. W, Rogers 9. L. C. Lemon 13. G. B. Crinklaw 
 
 2. A. D. Welch 6. J. J. Littler 10. R. T. Westren 14. S. C. Platts 
 
 3. G.F.Sutherland 7. H.O.Pratt 11. H. R. DeBra IS. M.J.Locke 
 
 4. G. H. Kennedy 8. J. T. Crippen 12. M. T. Smedlev 16. W. G. Crowder 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 Student in Madison, N. J.; 1905-06, Volga City and Elkader; 
 1906 — Center Junction. 
 
 Button, Dean C. 1901-04, McGregor; 1904-05, Field Sec- 
 retary of Upper Iowa University; 1905 — Anamosa. 
 
 DwELLO, Plimmon N. 1889-92, Elma and New Haven; 1892- 
 94, Hawkeye; 1894-98, Riceville; 1898-1900, Monona; 1900-04, 
 Center Grove; 1904 — Arlington. 
 
 Dyre, W. Rankin. 1856-88, Minister in the Methodist 
 Church of Canada; 1888-90, Lime Springs; 1890-94, Inland; 1894- 
 98, Sabula; 1898-1904, DeWitt; 1904— Superannuate. 
 
 Earhart, Robert N. 1860-61, Maquoketa Circuit; 1861-62, 
 Camanche; 1862-63, Clinton; 1863-64, Asbury; 1864-65, Inde- 
 pendence; 1865-67, Grace Church, Waterloo; 1867-70, West Union; 
 1870-73, Toledo; 1873-75, Osage; 1875-77, Charles City; 1877-79, 
 Manchester; 1879-81, Tipton; 1881-82, Supplied Webster City; 
 1882-84, Ackley; 1884-86, Grundy Center; 1886-89, Hopkinton; 
 1889-90, Jessup; 1890-95, Monticello; 1895-97, Wyoming; 1897- 
 1900, Olin; 1900-01, Montour; 1901— Superannuate. 
 
 Eberhart, Jeremi.ih S. 1863-64, Monticello; 1864-65, Junior 
 Preacher Iowa City Circuit; 1865-66, Osage; 1866-67, Albion; 1867- 
 70, Toledo; 1870-71, Jesup; 1871-72, DeWitt; 1872-75, Lyons; 1875- 
 78, Monticello; 1878-79, Nashua; 1879-82, Traer; 1882-1900, 
 Supernumerary; 1900 — Superannuate. 
 
 Ellis, Farnum. 1891-95, Member of North Nebraska Con- 
 ference; 1895-96, Morrison; 1896-97, Elkader; 1897-99, Tipton 
 Circuit; 1899-1901, LeClaire; 1901-03, Center Junction; 1903-05, 
 Elwood; 1905— Delmar. 
 
 Elavick, Thomas J. 1894-95, Melbourne andVanCleve; 
 1895-97, East Janesville; 1897-99, Plainfield; 1899-1903, Rudd; 
 1903-05, Volga and Elkader; 1905— Masonville. 
 
 Evans, Thomas M. 1876-82, Member of West Wisconsin 
 Conference; 1882-85, Central City; 1885-90, Springville; 1890-95, 
 
194 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Charles City 1895-97, Vinton; 1897-1902, Grace Church, Water- 
 loo; 1902-06, Marion; 1906— Clinton. 
 
 Fairall, H. H. 1861-65, Member of Pittsburg Confer- 
 ence; 1865-66, Independence; 1866-67, First Church, Waterloo; 
 1867-69, Monticello; 1869-71, Decorah; 1871-72, Supernumerary; 
 1872-77, Secretary of American and Foreign Christian Union; 
 1877-78, Supernumerary; 1878-81, Agent of the Am'erican and 
 Foreign Christian Union; 1881-85, General Secretary of the Amer- 
 ican and Foreign Christian Union; 1885-87, Secretary of the Pro- 
 testant Evangelical Association; 1887- Editor of the Iowa Method- 
 ist. 
 
 Fellows, Stephen N. 1854-60, Professor of Mathematics 
 and Natural Science in Cornell College; 1860-61, Dyersville; 1861- 
 63, Tipton; 1863-66, Lyons; 1866-67, Marshalltown; 1867-87, 
 Professor of Psychology and Didactics in State University of 
 Iowa; 1887-88, First Church, Waterloo; 1888-93, Manchester; 
 1893-95, Toledo; 1895-98, Fayette; 1898-1900, Grundy Center; 
 1900- Agent for Conference Claimant Fund. 
 
 Felt, Carl A. 1901-03, Dike; 1903-06, Student in Drew 
 Theological Seminary; 1906- Assistant Secretary in Young Peo- 
 ples Department of Missionary Society. 
 
 Ferguson, Stephen R. 1872-74, Member of Des Moines 
 Conference; 1874-87, Member of Iowa Conference; 1887-89, Mem- 
 ber of N. W. Kansas Conference; 1889-92, Gladbrook; 1892-94, 
 West Union; 1894-97, Waukon; 1897-99, McGregor; 1899-1902, 
 Parkersburg; 1902-03, Sumner; 1903-05, Conference Evangelist; 
 1905- Supernumerary. 
 
 Fickle, Albert B. 1894-97, Fredericksburg; 1897-99, El- 
 kader; 1899-1901, Maynard; 1901-03, Quasqueton; 1903- Ply- 
 mouth. 
 
 Fisher, Fred P. 1895-97, Alburnett; 1897-1900, Central 
 City; 1900-02, Student in Garrett Biblical Institute; 1902-04, 
 Geneva; 1904-06, Stanwood; 1906- Supernumerary. 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 Fleming, Thomas E. 1873-74, Ridgeway; 1874-75, Lansing; 
 
 1875- 77, Northwood; 1877-78, Nora Springs; 1878-79, MitcheU; 
 1879-81, Elkader; 1881-83, Waukon, 1883-86, Fayette; 1886-87, 
 Fourteenth Street, Davenport; 1887-92, Davenport District; 1892- 
 96, St. Paul's, Cedar Rapids; 1897-98, Eldora; 1898-1900, Maquo- 
 keta; 1900-04, Decorah District; 1904— Dubuque District. 
 
 FooTE, Horace. 1887-90, Hansell and Dumont; 1890-93, 
 New Hartford; 1893-97, Winthrop; 1897-1900, Earlville; 1900-04, 
 Hazelton; 1904- Superannuate. 
 
 Foster Albert T. 1880-87, Member of Minnesota Confer- 
 ence; 1887-99, Member of N. Dakota Conference; 1899-1904, Mem- 
 ber of Minnesota Conference; 1904-05, Rhodes; 1905- Union. 
 
 Gammons, John. 1884-86, National; 1886-90, Ridgeway; 
 1890-93, Edgewood; 1893-94, El wood; 1894-98, West Union; 1898- 
 1901, Fayette; 1901- Cresco. 
 
 Garrison, George L. 1862-64, Cottage Hill; 1864-65, 
 Colesburg; 1865-66, Superannuate; 1866-68, Yankee Settlement; 
 1868-70, Earlville; 1870-73, PostviUe; 1873-74, Luana; 1874-76, 
 MitcheU; 1876-77, Nora Springs; 1877-78, Mt. Auburn; 1878-80, 
 Brandon; 1880-82, SheU Rock; 1882-85, Quasqueton; 1885-87, 
 Masonville; 1887-89, MitcheU and St. Ansgar; 1889-92, Oasis; 
 1892-94, Solon; 1894-98, DyersviUe; 1898-1901, Cascade; 1901-02, 
 OtterviUe; 1902- Superannuate. 
 
 Gibbens, William A. 1880-87, Member of Iowa Conference ; 
 1887-89, Gilman, 1889-92, Union; 1892-94, Montour; 1894-95, 
 Central City; 1895-97, Oasis; 1897-99, Greeley; 1899-1901, Straw- 
 berry Point; 1901-02, Maynard and Westgate; 1902-04, Luana; 
 1904-06, Mt. Auburn; 1906- Geneseo. 
 
 Goodell, Merritt a. 1871-73, Olin; 1873-76, Dryden; 
 
 1876- 77, State Center; 1877-80, Union; 1880-82, Northwood; 
 1882-85, Oasis; 1885-87, Monmouth; 1887-91, Supernumerary; 
 
196 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 1891-96, Fairfax; 1896-1901, Lisbon; 1901-04, Albion; 1904-06, 
 Dumont; 1906- Mt. Auburn. 
 
 GooDSELL, Samuel. 1875-76, Solon; 1876-77, Colesburg; 
 
 1877- 78, Cottage HiU; 1878-80, Andrew and Lamont; 1880-82, 
 Olin; 1882-85, Center Junction; 1885-87, Quasqueton; 1887-88, 
 Dyersville; 1888-89, Staceyville; 1889-90, Mitchell and St. Ansgar; 
 
 1890- 92, Fairbank; 1892-96, Maynard; 1896-98, Lamont; 1898- 
 1901, Farley; 1901-03, Morrison; 1903-04, Dougherty and Aredale; 
 1904-05, Preston; 1905- Supernumerary. 
 
 Gould, Charles L. 1881-83, Center Point; 1883-85, Student 
 in Boston University; 1885-89, La Porte City; 1889-91, Nashua; 
 
 1891- 95, Tipton; 1895-98, Charles City; 1898-1904, Davenport 
 District; 1904-1905, Marshalltown ; 1905- Supernumerary. 
 
 Gould, J. W. 1869-71, Shell Rock; 1871-73, Northwood; 
 1873-75, Union Ridge; 1875-76, Monona; 1876-78, FrankviUe; 
 
 1878- Superannuate. 
 
 Green, Harry H. 1866-69, Summer Hill; 1869-70, Mill 
 Rock; 1870-72, Maquoketa Circuit; 1872-73, Delmar; 1873-76, 
 Wyoming; 1876-79, Toledo; 1879-80, Nashua; 1880-83, JanesvUle; 
 1883-84, Plainfield; 1884-90, Dubuque District; 1890-96, Decorah 
 District; 1896-98, Iowa Falls; 1898-1904, Dubuque District; 1904- 
 Supernumerary. 
 
 Gruwell, Elmer T. 1892-96, Mt. Vernon Circuit; 1896-99, 
 Coggon; 1899-1901, Oelwein; 1901-03, Field Agent for Cornell 
 College; 1903, First Church, Waterloo (3 months); 1903-Hampton. 
 
 Hall, Elbert D. 1885-86, FrankviUe; 1886-87, Union; 
 1887-88, Le Grand; 1888-91, Student in Garrett Biblical Institute; 
 1891-93, Staceyville; 1893-96, Lansing; 1896-97, Mitchell; 1897- 
 1900, Supernumerary; 1900-01, Otterville; 1901- Supernumerary. 
 
 Hall, Vernon E. 1899-1901, Elma; 1901-04, Ridgeway; 
 1904- McGregor. 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 197 
 
 Hallett, Albert A. 1898-99, New Albin; 1899-1900, 
 BrownvUle; 1900-01, Student in School; 1901-03, Cresco Circuit; 
 1903-05, Mitchell; 1905- Burr Oak. 
 
 Hammond, B. C. 1859-71, Member of West Wisconsin Con- 
 ference; 1871-74, Member of Northwest Iowa Conference; 1874-77, 
 Waukon; 1877-80, Waverly; 1880-84, Cedar Rapids District; 
 1884-85, Supernumerary; 1885-1906, Chaplain in U. S. Army. 
 
 Hanner, J. R. A. 1883-84, Hansell; 1884-85, Sumner; 1885- 
 87, Student in Cornell CoUege; 1886-87, Supply at Lowden and 
 Grand Moimd; 1887-90, Monmouth; 1890-92, Preston; 1892-97, 
 Delmar; 1897-1900, Sheffield; 1900-04, Tama; 1904-05, Oehvein; 
 
 1905- Epworth. 
 
 Hawn, Charles A. 1859-65, Member of Iowa Conference; 
 1865-67, Montour; 1867-69, Camanche; 1869-70, Clarence; 1870-71, 
 Mechanicsville; 1871-73, Center Grove; 1873-75, Langworthy; 
 1875-77, Eldora; 1877-78, Garrison; 1878-79, Lisbon; 1879-81, 
 Sabula; 1881-83, Elwood; 1883-85, Superannuate; 1885-87, Center 
 Point; 1887-90, Inland; 1890-92, Camanche; 1892-95, Sheffield; 
 
 1895- 97, Tama; 1897-1903, Superannuate; 1903-05, Solon; 1905- 
 Superannuate. 
 
 Hayward, John H. 1870-71, Fayette Circuit; 1871-72, 
 Frederika; 1872-74, Hebron; 1874-75, Supernumerary; 1875-78, 
 Mechanicsville; 1878-80, Riceville; 1880-81, Raymond; 1881-83, 
 Rockford; 1883-84, Beaman; 1884-86, Gilman; 1886-88, Rockwell; 
 1888-91, Sheffield; 1891-92, DeWitt; 1892-93, Strawberry Point; 
 1893-94, West Branch; 1894-96, Dubuque, Grand View Avenue; 
 
 1896- 97, Conference Evangelist; 1897-98, Jessup; 1898-99, Bran- 
 don; 1899-1902, New Hartford; 1902-03, Fairfax; 1903-06, Floyd; 
 
 1906- Montour. 
 
 Heatly, Francis T. 1886-87, Lansing; 1887-88, Clermont; 
 1888-90, Luana; 1890-92, Frankville; 1892-95, Lowden and Grand 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Mound; 1895-96, Elwood; 1896-98, Camanche; 1898-1900, Du- 
 mont; 1900-02, ClarksvUle; 1902-05, Edgewood; 1905-06, Quas- 
 queton. 
 
 Hendricks, T. H. 1888-94, Member of Dakota Conference; 
 1894-95, Bassett; 1895-98, Paris and Bonair; 1898-1901, Ridge- 
 way; 1901- Supernvimerary. 
 
 Hestwood, James F. 1854-55, Millersburg; 1855-57, Story 
 Mission; 1857-59, Boonesborough; 1859-60, Eldora; 1860-62, Man- 
 chester; 1862-64, Waukon; 1864-67, North McGregor; 1867-69, 
 Strawberry Point; 1869-71, Superannuate; 1871-74, Elkader; 
 
 1874- 77, Strawberry Point; 1877-80, Dubuque Circuit; 1880-82, 
 Center Grove; 1882-84, Masonville; 1884-86, Farley; 1886-88, 
 Lamont; 1888-93, Tipton Circuit; 1893-94, Sabula; 1894- Super- 
 annuate. 
 
 HiLBURN, Joel. 1894-98, Burr Oak; 1898-1901, Mitchell; 
 1901-03, Bassett; 1903-04, Marble Rock; 1904-Center Junction. 
 
 HiLMER, William C. 1893-1900, Member of Chicago Ger- 
 man Conference; 1900- Professor of Modern Languages, Upper Iowa 
 University. 
 
 HiRSCH, Arthur H. 1901-04, Dysart; 1904-05, Janesville; 
 1905- Student at School. 
 
 Holm, Adam. 1873-78, Principal of Epworth Seminary; 
 1878-79, Dodge City; 1879-82, Professor of Latin in Upper Iowa 
 University; 1882-85, Delhi; 1885-88, Staceyville; 1888-91, Blairs- 
 town; 1891-92, Sheffield; 1892-95, Camanche; 1895-97, Miles; 
 1897-1900, Fairfax; 1900-01, Dysart; 1901- Superannuate. 
 
 HosKYN, John H. 1871-73, West Irving; 1873-75, Solon; 
 
 1875- 76, Bradford; 1876-78, Central City; 1878-79, Fairfax; 1879- 
 81, West Irving; 1881-83, Beaman; 1883-86, Rockford; 1886-90, 
 Janesville; 1890-91, Parkersburg; 1891-94, Nashua; 1894-97, 
 Edgewood; 1897-1901, Winthrop; 1901-03, Arlington; 1903- Super- 
 annuate. 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 199 
 
 Howe, Delbert N. 1890-93, Calmar; 1893-96, Waucoma; 
 1896-98, LeClaire; 1898-1900, Marble Rock; 1900-01, Walker; 
 1901- Supernumerary. 
 
 Hudson, Carl K. 1897-98, Alburnett ; 1898-1900, Stanwood ; 
 1900-04, Student in Boston University; 1904- Gladbrook. 
 
 Hunt, Emmett G. 1885-90, Hawkeye; 1891-92, Assistant 
 Pastor, First Church Salt Lake City; 1892-94, Liberty Park, Salt 
 Lake City; 1894-96, Iliff Church, Salt Lake City; 1896-98, Park 
 City; 1898-1900, Heath Church, Salt Lake City; 1900-02, Liberty 
 Park, Salt Lake City; 1902-03, St. Ansgar; 1903-06, Decorah; 
 1906- Parkersburg. 
 
 HuRREL, Jacob. 1866-67, Spring Creek; 1867-69, Central 
 City; 1869-70, Strawberry Point; 18*/ 0-72, Center Point; 1872-75, 
 Fairbanks; 1875-76, Quasqueton; 1876-78, Brandon; 1878-79, 
 Grand Mound; 1879-80, Olin; 1880-81, Abbott; 1881-82, Supernum- 
 erary; 1882- Superannuate. 
 
 Jeffries, Edward W. 1858-59, Delhi; 1859-61, Dubuque 
 Circuit; 1861-62, Andrew; 1862-65, Manchester; 1865-67, Ana- 
 mosa; 1867-68, Mount Vernon; 1868-69, Agent of CorneU College 
 and Pastor St. Pauls, Cedar Rapids; 1869-70, Waverly; 1870-71, 
 Supernumerary; 1871-72, Located; 1872-73, New Hartford; 1873- 
 75, Eldora; 1875-77, Nashua; 1877-78, Center Grove; 1878-79, 
 Dyersville; 1879-81, Lyons; 1881-83, Wyoming; 1883-88, Super- 
 intendent of Church and Sunday School Library Work; 1888-1900, 
 Supernumerary; 1900- Superannuate. 
 
 Johnson, John E. 1895-1900, Member of New England 
 Southern Conference; 1900-03, First Church, Waterloo; 1903-06, 
 Supernumerary; 1906- Conference Evangelist. 
 
 Jones, John B. 1876-78, Lisbon; 1878-81, Central City; 
 1881-82, Supernumerary; 1882-83, New Hampton; 1883-85, Sta- 
 ceyville; 1885-87, Floyd; 1887-89, Union; 1889-93, Tama; 1893-95, 
 Clarence; 1895-1900, Traer; 1900-02, Grundy Center; 1902-03, 
 Northwood; 1903-05, Epworth; 1905- Conrad. 
 
200 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Keeler, Wilfred C. 1897-1901, Member of the Iowa Con- 
 ference; 1901-03, Dumont; 1903-05, Staceyville; 1905-06, With- 
 out appointment to attend school; 1906- Grandview Avenue, 
 Dubuque. 
 
 Keister, Benjamin B. 1892-1901, Member of North Ne- 
 braska and Arkansas Conferences; 1901-03, Marble Rock; 1903-04, 
 Supernumerary; 1904-05, Albion; 1905-06, Supernumerary; 1906- 
 Garrison. 
 
 Kennedy, George H. 1891-1900, Member of Northwest 
 Iowa Conference; 1900-02, Ackley; 1902-03, Iowa FaUs; 1903-05, 
 Grundy Center; 1905- Oelwein. 
 
 Keppel, J. H. 1863-1882, Member of the Canada Conference ; 
 1882-83, Albion; 1883-84, Colesburg; 1884-85, New Haven; 
 1885-88, Lime Springs; 1888-90, Clermont; 1890-92, Floyd; 
 1892-97, Geneseo; 1897-98, Marble Rock; 1898-99, Sabula; 
 1899-1900, Calamus; 1900-02, Lowden; 1902- Supernumerary. 
 
 Ketchum, Eugene. 1874-76, Manchester Circuit; 1876-79, 
 Earlville; 1879-80, Strawberry Point; 1880-83, Luana; 1883-85, 
 Floyd; 1885-87, Solon; 1887-88, Stanwood; 1888-90, Central City; 
 1890-93, Mitchell; 1893-94, Riceville; 1894-95, Hawkeye; 1895-96, 
 Geneva; 1896-98, El wood; 1898- Superannuate. 
 
 Kidder, James J. 1889-92, Lament; 1892-95, Fairbank; 
 1895-1900, Center Grove; 1900-01, Arlington; 1901-03, Ply- 
 mouth; 1903-05, Sabula; 1905- Elwood. 
 
 King, William, F. 1862-63, Professor of Latin and Greek in 
 Cornell College; 1863-65, Acting President of Cornell College; 
 1865-President of Cornell College. 
 
 KiRWiN, Will. 1898-99, Mount Vernon Circuit; 1899-1901, 
 Palo; 1901-04, Urbana; 1904-06, Walker; 1906- Riceville. 
 
 Knight, Ernest A. 1900-05, Member of West Nebraska 
 Conference; 1905-06, Sumner; 1906- Shell Rock. 
 
1. M. A. Goodell 5. N. F. Norton 9. J. B. Bird 13. F. H. Linn 
 
 2. F. N. Willis 6. W. N.Chaffee 10. G. W. B. Snell 14. D. N. Howe 
 
 3. Mark Masters 7. \V. W. Carlton 11. B. C. Barnes 15. G. L. Garrison 
 
 4. R. H. Puckett 8. C. A. Peddicord 12. T. H. Hendricks 16. C. M. Wheat 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 201 
 
 Kyxett, John W. 1865-66, Oxford Mills; 1866-67, Daven- 
 port Circuit; 1867-68, Langworthy; 1868-69, Hebron; 1869-70, 
 Bethel and Red Oak; 1870-71, Solon; 1871-72, Big Grove; 1872-75, 
 Supernumerary. 1875-76, Maynard; 1876-77, Ridgeway; 1877-78, 
 Grand Mound; 1878-79, Garrison; 1879-96, Supernumerary; 1896- 
 Superannuate. 
 
 Lang, Edward A. 1900-02, Allison; 1902-03, Kensett; 
 1903-05, Dike; 1905- Lime Springs. 
 
 Leaman, Ernest R. 1884-85, Masonville; 1885-86, Sumner; 
 1886-87, Plymouth; 1887-89, New Hartford; 1889-90, Clarksville; 
 1890-91, Brandon; 1891-94, Stanwood; 1894-96, Lisbon; 1896-97, 
 Dysart; 1897-99, Delhi; 1899-1900, Greeley; 1900-01, Floyd; 1901- 
 02, Monona; 1902-04, Calmar; 1904-06, LeClaire; 1906- Delaware. 
 
 Lease, William. 1857-59, Strawberry Point; 1859-61, 
 Frankville; 1861-62, Garnavillo; 1862-64, Sabula; 1864-66, Ma- 
 quoketa Circuit; 1866-68, Maquoketa; 1868-71, Independence; 
 1871-73, Anamosa; 1873-77, Marshalltown District; 1877-79, 
 Lyons; 1879-83, Davenport District; 1883-86, 14th Street, Daven- 
 port; 1886-88, West Union; 1888-90, PostviUe; 1890-92, McGregor; 
 1892-97, DeWitt; 1897-1900, New Hampton; 1900-01, Mt. Auburn; 
 1901-03, Floyd; 1903-05, New Albin; 1905- Rhodes. 
 
 Lee, Edward. 1884-85, Urbana; 1885-86, Prairieburg; 
 1886-87, HanseU; 1887-88, Montour; 1888-90, Chelsea; 1890-92, 
 Andrew; 1892-95, Olin; 1895-96, LeClaire; 1896-98, Whitten; 
 1898-1901, Toledo Circuit; 1901-02, Beaman; 1902-03, LeGrand 
 and Elberon; 1903-04, Marion Circuit; 1904-05, Supernumerary; 
 1905-06, Norway and Walford; 1906- Ryan. 
 
 Lemen, W. Minor. 1879-84, Member of Austin Conference; 
 1884-86, Lisbon; 1886-89, Fairfax; 1889-90, Albion; 1890-92, 
 Central City; 1892-96, Parkersburg; 1896-1900, Rockford; 1900-02, 
 Monticello; 1902-04, Conrad; 1904-06, Jesup; 1906- Northwood. 
 
202 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Lemon, L. C 1884-1904, Member of Nebraska Conference; 
 1904- St. John's Church, Davenport. 
 
 Leonard, P. J. 1877-80, Oxford Mills; 1880-81, Preston; 
 1881-83, Colesbiirg; 1883-85, Montour; 1885-86, V/hitten; 1886-88, 
 Allison; 1888-90, Greene; 1890-92, Raymond; 1892-94, Earlville; 
 1894-99, Hazelton; 1899-1901, Fredericksburg; 1901- Superannu- 
 ate. 
 
 Linn, Fred H. 1887-88, Cascade; 1888-91, Delhi; 1891-93, 
 Guttenburg and Clayton; 1893-95 Janesville; 1895-98, Hawkeye; 
 1898-1901, Lime Springs; 1901-03, Fredericksburg; 1903-06, Rice- 
 ville; 1906- West Branch. 
 
 Littler, J. J. 1855-58, Member of Illinois Conference; 
 1870-71, Maysville; 1871-72, Riceville; 1872-73, Rockford; 1873- 
 74 Clarksviile; 1874-77, Cascade; 1877-78, Nora Springs; 1878-79, 
 Lamoille; 1879-80, Beaman; 1880-82, West Irving; 1882-84, 
 Brandon; 1884-86, Monona; 1886-88, Fredericksburg; 1888-91, 
 Luana; 1891- Superannuate. 
 
 LocKARD, Luther L. 1880-81, Andrew; 1881-83, Bellevue; 
 1883-86, Edgewood; 1886-88, Earlville, 1888-89, Epworth; 1889- 
 93, Hopkinton; 1893-96, McGregor; 1896-99, Decorah; 1899-1901, 
 Wyoming; 1901-05, Anamosa; 1905- Maquoketa. 
 
 LocKwooD, Edmond J. 1884-86, Maynard; 1886-90, Edge- 
 wood and Greeley; 1890-92, Postville; 1892-96, Osage; 1896-99, 
 Cedar Falls; 1899- St. Paul's, Cedar Rapids. 
 
 Locke, Melvin J. 1897-99, Laurel; 1899-1901, Marion 
 Circuit; 1901-04, Springville; 1904-06, Clarence; 1906- Tipton. 
 
 LovELAND, Frank L. 1889-91, Coggon; 1891-95, Bowman 
 Church, Clinton; 1895-98, Trinity, Cedar Rapids; 1898-1903, 
 Vinton; 1903-06, First Church, Waterloo. 
 
 LusK, Robert C. 1892-94, Elkader; 1894-97, Elma; 1897-99, 
 Strawberry Point; 1899-1900, Hazelton; 1900-02, Greeley; 1902-04, 
 Randalia; 1904-06, Center Grove; 1906- Delhi. 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 203 
 
 LusK, I. C. 1872-73, Vernon Prairie; 1873-75, Bellevue; 
 1875-76, Preston; 1876-78, Dclmar; 1878-79, LaMoille; 1879-81, 
 Springville; 1881-82, Langworthy; 1882-84, West Branch; 1884-86, 
 Dyersville; 1886-87, Elkader; 1887-88, Floyd; 1888-90, Marion 
 Circuit; 1890-92, Jesup; 1892-93, La Porte City; 1893-94, Center 
 Point; 1894-95, Tipton Circuit; 1895- Superannuate. 
 
 Lusted, W. H. 1883-84, Sumner; 1884-86, Plymouth; 1886- 
 89, Field's Chapel; 1889-91, Nora Springs; 1891-92, Rudd; 1892-96, 
 Brandon; 1896-1901, Raymond; 1901-04, Cedar Falls Circuit; 
 1904-05, Supernumerary; 1905-06, Raymond; 1906- Superannuate. 
 
 Magee, John C. 1870-71, Rockford; 1871-72, New Hartford; 
 1872-73, Fayette (Assistant); 1873-75, La Porte City; 1875-78, 
 Grundy Center; 1878-80, Maquoketa; 1880-83, Waverly; 1883-85, 
 Waukon; 1885-91, Marshallto^\li District; 1891-94, Cedar Falls; 
 1894-95, Vinton; 1895-98, Hampton; 1898-1904, Cedar Falls Dis- 
 trict; 1904- Decorah District. 
 
 Manley, Wilson E. 1893- Missionary to China. 
 
 Manning. George R. 1866-68, Inland; 1868-70, Wyoming; 
 1870-72, Bellevue; 1872-75, Sabula; 1875-78, Maquoketa; 1878-80, 
 Agent of Cornell College; 1880-82, Supernumerary; 1882-84, De 
 Witt; 1884-86, Epworth; 1886-88, Waukon; 1888-91, Clarence; 
 1891-92, Wyoming; 1892-96, Lyons; 1896-1900, Supernumerary; 
 1900- Superannuate. 
 
 Manwell, a. C. 1853-56, Member of North Indiana Con- 
 ferece; 1856-73, Member of Wisconsin Conference; 1873-75, Charles 
 City; 1875-78, First Church, Davenport; 1878-81, Grace, Waterloo; 
 1881-83, First Church, Clinton; 1883-87, Davenport District; 1887 
 89, Anamosa; 1889-91, Waverly; 1891-95, Supernumerary; 1895- 
 Superannuate. 
 
 Masters, Mark. 1898-99, Minerva; 1899-1900, Melbourne; 
 1900-03, Laurel; 1903-06, Montour. 
 
204 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Maxfield, Glenmore E. 1900-04, Minerva; 1904— Student 
 in Garrett Biblical Institute. 
 
 McCoRD, J. W. 1876-93, Member of Central Illinois Confer- 
 ence; 1893-95, Miles; 1895-96, Reinbeck; 1896-97, McGregor; 
 1897-1900, Waukon; 1900-01, Monona; 1901— Superannuate. 
 
 McIntosh, Alex.\nder M. 1881-84, Riceville; 1884-86, 
 Calmar; 1886-87, Neligh, Nebraska; 1887-88, Delhi; 1888-90, 
 Earlville; 1890-92, Springville; 1892-95, Epworth; 1895-99, 
 Clarence; 1899-1903, Epworth; 1903-05, Lyons Church, Clinton; 
 1905— Wyoming. 
 
 Mellott, William R. 1881-1904, Member of Wisconsin 
 Conference; 1904-05, Morrison; 1905 — Sabula. 
 
 Mershon, Nelson A. 1886-90, Shellsburg; 1890-93, Center 
 Point; 1893-96, Kenwood Park; 1896-1900, State Center; 1900-05, 
 Trinity, Cedar Rapids; 1905— Toledo. 
 
 Metcalf, Jacob B. 1883-84, Urbana; 1884-86, Garrison; 
 1886-88, Tipton Circuit; 1888-89, Toledo Circuit; 1889-90; Fair- 
 banks; 1890-92, Quasqueton; 1892-94, Plainfield; 1894-95, 
 Oxford Junction; 1895-98, Silver Creek; 1898-1901, Dyersville; 
 1901-04, Farley; 1904-05, Greeley; 1905— Brandon. 
 
 Miller, E. L. 1867-69, Inland; 1869-70, Grace, Waterloo; 
 
 1870- 72, Lyons; 1872-73, Clarence; 1873-76, Decorah; 1876-78, 
 Vinton; 1878-80, Iowa City; 1880-81, Marshalltown ; 1881-85, 
 Marshall town District; 1885-88, Manchester; 1888-92, Marion; 
 1892-98, Davenport District; 1898-1903, Toledo; 1903-04, Iowa 
 Falls; 1904-05, Nora Springs; 1905— Agent for Cornell College. 
 
 Miller, F. X. 1857-58, Delaware Circuit (which included 
 Manchester, Earlville, Edgewood and other points); 1858-59, 
 Frankville and Postvillc; 1859-60, Lansing; 1860-61, Junior Preach- 
 er, Vinton; 1861-63, Colesburg;! 863-65, Cascade; 1865-66, Waverly 
 andJanesville; 1866-67, Waverly; 1867-69, Sabula; 1869-71, Marion; 
 
 1871- 74, Monticello; 1874-6, Manchester; 1876-79, Hampton; 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 205 
 
 1879-81, Charles City; 1881-84, Lyons; 1884-86, Tama City; 
 1886-87, Iowa Falls; 1887-88, Decorah; 1888-90, Dyers ville; 
 
 1890- 95, Traer; 1895-97, Bowman Church, Clinton; 1897-1901, 
 Mt. Auburn; 1901-03, Conference Evangelist; 1903-04, Agent of 
 Upper Iowa University; 1904 — Supernumerary. 
 
 Miller, Robert A. 1882-84, Ridgeway; 1884-85, Monona; 
 1885-86, Oxford MiUs; 1886-88, Preston; 1888-91, Elwood; 
 
 1891- 92, Monmouth; 1892-93, Blairstown; 1893-94, Whitten; 
 1894-97, Sumner; 1897-99, Andrew; 1899-1901, Low Moor; 1901- 
 06, Bo-rtTiian Church, Clinton; 1906 — City Missionary, Clinton. 
 
 Mitchell, Miles E. 1899-1901, Morrison; 1901-02, Steam- 
 boat Rock; 1902 — Supernmnerary. 
 
 Montgomery, John. 1856-57, Cedar Rapids Mission; 1857" 
 58, Marion Circuit; 1858-60, Marietta and Albion; 1860-61 Webster 
 City; 1861-62, Fulton; 1862-63', Pleasant Hill; 1863-64, Andrew; 
 1864-67, Superannuate; 1867-68, Albion; 1868-69, Union; 1869- 
 70, Toledo Circuit; 1870-71, Prairieville; 1871-73, Union; 1873- 
 74, Steamboat Rock; 1874-75, Marshalltown Circuit; 1875— Su- 
 perannuate. 
 
 MossMAN, G. Elmer. 1900-03, Coggon; 1903-06, Student in 
 Boston University. 
 
 Norton, Niram F. 1882-83, Windsor; 1883-84, New Haven; 
 1884-87, Student in Garrett Biblical Institute; 1887-92, In Arizona 
 Mission; 1892-93, Shellsburg; 1893-94, Sumner; 1894-96, Whitten; 
 1896-1900, Geneva; 1900-02, New Hampton; 1902-06, Parkcrs- 
 burg; 1906 — Field Secretary of Upper Iowa University. 
 
 Paine, Jason L. 1866-67, Supplied Dakota Territory, "a 
 circuit 150 miles long up and down the Missouri River' '; 1864-66 
 Lowden; 1866-67, Davenport Circuit; 1867-68, Fayette Circuit; 
 1868-73, Located; 1873-76, Postville; 1876-78, Cresco; 1878-80, 
 Monticello; 1880 — Superannuate. 
 
2o6 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Parker, Daniel M. 1880-83, Lansing; 1883-84, Student in 
 Garrett Biblical Institute; 1884-87, New Hampton; 1887-88, 
 North Nebraska Conference; 1888-89, Grafton, Dakota; 1889-90, 
 Hawkeye; 1890-93, Waucoma; 1893-97, Nora Springs; 1897-98, 
 Supernumerary; 1898-99, Hawkeye; 1899-1900, Waucoma; 1900- 
 02, Postville; 1902-06, New Hampton; 1906— Lecturer on Bibli- 
 cal Literature in Upper Iowa University. 
 
 Parkin, Charles A. 1891-93, Clermont; 1893-95, Gutten- 
 burg; 1895-1900, Calmar; 1900-01, Field Representative of Upper 
 Iowa University; 1901-04, Jesup; 1904-05, Conrad; 1905— 
 Reinbeck. 
 
 Parsons, Rufus D. 1867-70, Lyons; 1870-72, Waverly; 1873- 
 75, Clinton and West Las Ammas, Colorado; 1875-76, Cedar Falls; 
 1876-79, Mount Vernon; 1879-80, Marion; 1880-82, Vinton; 
 1882-85, Iowa City; 1885-88, Osage; 1888-90, Fayette; 1890-93, 
 Mason City; 1893-97, Manchester; 1897-98, Vinton; 1898-1900, 
 Waverly; 1900-02, Maquoketa; 1902-06, Tipton; 1906— Clarence. 
 
 Peddicord, Charles A. 1896-98, Plainfield; 1898-1900, 
 Student in Garrett Biblical Institute; 1900-01, Tipton Circuit; 
 1901-04, Camanche; 1904— De Witt. 
 
 Perry, DeWitt C. 1893-94, Jackson Avenue, Dubuque; 
 1894-95, Greeley; 1895-97, Strawberry Point; 1897-99, Elma; 1899- 
 
 1900, Lansing; 1900-02, Volga; 1902-06, Bennett; 1906- Stanwood. 
 Perry, James D. 1889-90, Silver Creek; 1890-92, Elkader; 
 
 1892-96, Floyd; 1896-98, Walker; 1898-99, New Hartford; 1899- 
 
 1901, Janesville; 1901-02, Raymond; 1902-04, Shellsburg; 1904-06, 
 Monmouth; 1906 — Allison. 
 
 Perry, M. W. S. 1891-96, Member of Wisconsin Conference; 
 1896-97, Frankville; 1897-1900, Clermont; 1900-01, Whitten; 
 1901-02, Chelsea; 1902— Supernumerary. 
 
 Piper, Walter. 1893-96, Prairie Chapel and Wesley; 
 1896-99, Parkersburg; 1899-1904, SheU Rock; 1904-06, Nashua; 
 1906— Rockford. 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 207 
 
 PiTNER, William F. 1883-84, Center Point; 1884-86, 
 Dysart; 1886-88, Shellsburg; 1888-93, Decorah; 1893-97, Grace, 
 Waterloo; 1897-99, Manchester; 1899-1000, Marion; 1900-03, 
 First Church, Clinton; 1903— Marshalltown District. 
 
 Platts, S. C. 1880-86, Member of N. W. Iowa Conference; 
 1886-87, Ackley; 1887-89, State Center; 1889-91, Fairfax; 1891-94, 
 Hazelton; 1894-97, Earlville; 1897-98, DeWitt; 1898-1900, Ken- 
 wood Park; 1900-02, Calmar; 1902-04, Waiicoma; 1904-05, 
 Supernumerary; 1905 — Superannuate. 
 
 Pr.\tt, Henry O. 1877-80, Fii-^t C hiircli. Wr.tc rloo ; 1880-82, 
 Toledo; 1882-85, St. Paul's, Cedar Rapi'.ls; 1SS5-SS, Mar..halltown; 
 1888-93, Iowa City; 1893-97, Mount Vernon; 1897-99, First 
 Church Davenport; 1899-1904, Manchester; 1904— Iowa Falls. 
 
 PucKETT, Rutherford H. 1898-1905, Pastor in Friends' 
 Church; 1905— Oilman. 1 
 
 Pye, Nathaniel. 1872-73, Ridgeway; 1873-75, Monona; 
 1875-77, New Hampton; 1877-79, Staceyville; 1879-81, Mitchell 
 and St. Ansgar; 1881-84, Springville; 1884-87, Lyons; 1887-88, 
 McGregor; 1888-91, Independence; 1891-94, Waverly; 1894-96, 
 Iowa Falls; 1896-1900, Belle Plaine; 1900-02, Marion; 1902-03, 
 Grundy Center; 1903-04, Marshalltown; 1904-05, Iowa City; 
 1905— Charles City. 
 
 Rankin, John M. 1846-55, Member of Pittsbm-g Conference; 
 1855-56, West Union; 1856-58, Marshalltown District; 1858-60, 
 Vinton District; 1860-61, Vinton; 1861-62, Dubuque Circuit; 
 1862-63, Rockdale; 1863-65, MarshaUtowTi ; 1865-66, Superannuate ; 
 1866-67, Mechanicsville; 1867-69, Tipton: 1869-72, Iowa City Dis- 
 trict; 1872-74, Mechanicsville; 1874-77, Springville; 1877-8, Stan- 
 wood; 1880-81, Lowden; 1881 — Superannuate. 
 
 RiDDLiNGTON, JosEPH. 1856-58, Maquoketa Circuit ; 1858-59, 
 DeWitt; 1859-61, Vinton; 1861-63, Waterloo; 1863-65, Camanche; 
 1865-67, BcUevue; 1867-69, Lansmg; 1869-71, Cresco; 1871-74, 
 
208 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Floyd; 1874-76, New Hampton; 1876-93, Supernumerary; 1893- 
 Superannuate. 
 
 RoBBiNS, Kirk Waldo. 1901-03, Decorah; 1903-05, Wau- 
 kon; 1905 — Professor of Philosophy and Biblical Literature, in 
 Cornell College. 
 
 Robertson, Frank M. 1867-68, Nashua; 1868-69, Eldora; 
 1869-71, Hampton; 1871-72, Manchester; 1872-73, Iowa Falls; 
 1873-75, Toledo; 1875-77, Waverly; 1877-80, Independence; 
 
 1880- 81, Monticello; 1881-82, Decorah; 1882-83, Supernumerary; 
 1883-87, Member of Puget Si^aud Conference; 1887-90, Member 
 of South Dakota Conference; 1890-94, Oelwein; 1894-96, Arling- 
 ton; 1896-1900, Decorah District; 1900-06, Conference Evangelist; 
 1906 — Supernumerary. 
 
 Robinson, John Q. 1894-95, Tabernacle Circuit; 1895-99, 
 Calamus and Grand Mound; 1899-1903, Lyons; 1903— Belle Plaine. 
 
 Robinson, William W. 1873-75, Northwood; 1875-76, 
 Frederika; 1876-77, Rockwell; 1877-78, Butler Center; 1878-80, 
 Bradford; 1880-81, Brandon; 1881-93, Located; 1893-95, Hansell; 
 1895-97, Marble Rock; 1897-1902, Sumner; 1902-06, PostvUle; 
 1906— New Hampton. 
 
 RoDGERS, Charles W. 1900-03, Colesburg; 1903-05, Mason- 
 ville; 1905 — Strawberry Point. 
 
 Rogers, George W. 1870-71, Grand Mound; 1871-72, Oxford 
 Mills; 1872-75, Inland; 1875-76, Raymond; 1876-77, Edgewood; 
 1877-79, Monmouth; 1879-80, Farley; 1880-81, Center Junction; 
 
 1881- 86, Supernumerary; 1886-89, Le Claire; 1889-90, Solon; 
 1890-91, Supernumerary; 1891-93, Elwood; 1893— Superannuate. 
 
 Ross, William E. 1881-82, Ward's Corners; 1882-84, Burr 
 Oak; 1884-85, Lime Springs; 1885-86, Hansell; 1886-87, Geneva; 
 1887-89, Plymouth; 1889-90, Brandon; 1890-95, Frederika; 
 1895-98, New Hartford; 1898-1900, Walker; 1900-02, Waucoma; 
 1902-04, Hopkinton; 1904— Lamont. 
 
1. G. H. Bretnall 5. J. 0- Robinson 9, F. C. Witzigman 13. J. M. Rankin 
 
 2. B. A. Davis 6. B, W. Soper 10. Milton Swisher 14. A. T. Bishop 
 
 3. A. B. Curran T N. Fve 11 Rov V. Porter 15. H. T Crawlord 
 
 4. Wm. Cobb 8 W. H. Slinscrland 12. J. N. Blodgett 16. K. W. Kobbins 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 Salisbury, Herbert R. 1892-93, Cresco Circuit ; 1893-97, 
 Clermont; 1897-99, Fredericksburg; 1899-1903, Delhi; 1903-05, 
 Winthrop; 1905— Staceyville. 
 
 Sanford, Osbert M. 1902-04, Pleasant Ridge; 1904— 
 Rockwell. 
 
 Sanderson, F. H. 1905 — Fayette. 
 
 Seaton, John L. 1895-97, Guttenburg; 1897-1900, Student 
 in Boston University; 1901-04, Grandview Avenue, Dubuque; 
 1904^06, Professor of Greek and Psychology in Dakota Wesleyan 
 University. 
 
 Sessions, C. M. 1853-55, Elkader; 1855-56, Waukon; 
 1856-57, Waverly; 1857-58, Waterloo; 1858-60, Waterloo Circuit; 
 1860-61, Waverly; 1861-62, RockviUe; 1862-64, Hopkinton; 
 1864-66, Groton, New York; 1866-68, Located; 1868-71, Center 
 Grove; 1871-72, Cottage Hill; 1872— Superannuate. 
 
 Shaffer, Frank P. 1883-85, Vinton Circuit; 1885-87, 
 Walker; 1887-90, Trinity, Cedar Rapids; 1890-93, Belle Plaine; 
 
 1893- 96, Decorah; 1896-99, Cresco; 1899-1902, Tipton; 1902-05, 
 Charles City; 1905— Osage. 
 
 Shanklin, William Aknold. 1889-91, Student in Garrett 
 Biblical Institute; 1891-96, Member of Puget Sound Conference; 
 1896-1900, St. Luke's, Dubuque; 1900-05, Member of Philadel- 
 phia Conference; 1905 — President of Upper Iowa University. 
 
 Shear, George E. 1886-87, Whitten; 1887-89, Ackley; 
 1889-92, Reinbeck; 1892-93, Supernumerary; 1893-94, Albion; 
 
 1894- 95, Oelwein; 1895-98, La Porte City; 1898-1900, Greene; 
 1900-03, Rockford; 1903-04, Nashua; 1904-06, Tama; 1906— 
 Supernumerary. 
 
 Sheckler, T. H. 1875-85, Member of Erie Conference; 1885- 
 94, Member of North Dakota Conference; 1894-97, Member of 
 Minnesota Conference; 1897-1900, Nora Springs; 1900-03, Sabula; 
 1903-04, Center Junction; 1904— Marble Rock. 
 
2IO 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Shiffer, James K. 1879-80, Charlotte; 1880-81, Oxford Mills ; 
 1881-82, Eldora; 1882-84, Earlville; 1884-85, Hopkinton; 1885-87, 
 Supernumerary; 1887-88, Raymond; 1888-90, Center Grove; 
 1890-91, Clarksville; 1891-93, North wood; 1893-97, Supernumer- 
 ary; 1897-1900, Camanche; 1900-03, Tipton Circuit; 1903— 
 Supernumerary. 
 
 Shoemaker, George B. 1877-78, New Hartford; 1878-80, 
 Greene; 1880-82, Clarksville; 1882-85, Traer; 1885-86, Janesville; 
 1886-89, Jesup; 1889-92, Grundy Center; 1892-95, Fayette; 
 1895-98, Toledo; 1898-1902, Iowa Falls; 1902-03, Maquoketa; 
 1903-06, Eldora; 1906— Geneva. 
 
 Skinner, Elias. 1851-52, Otter Creek Mission; 1852-53, 
 Sigourney; 1853-55, Cedar Rapids; 1855-57, Agent of Cornell 
 College; 1857-59, Upper Iowa District; 1859-61, Mount Vernon; 
 1861-62, Superannuate; 1862-63, DeWitt; 1863-64, Chaplain 
 24th Iowa Infantry; 1864-65, Marion; 1865-67, Tipton; 1867-68, 
 Cedar Falls District; 1868-72, Anamosa District; 1872-76, Dubuque 
 District; 1876-77, 14th Street, Davenport; 1877-78, Dyersville; 
 1878-89, Superannuate; 1889-90, Raymond; 1890, Superannuate. 
 
 Skinner, William S. 1872-73, Steamboat Rock; 1873-75, 
 Grundy Center; 1875-77, Shell Rock; 1877-80, Janesville; 1880-81, 
 Nashua; 1881-88, Supernumerary; 1888-91, Mechanicsville; 1891- 
 92, LaPorte City; 1892-94, Jesup; 1894-96, Dysart; 1896-97, Volga 
 City; 1897-99, Supernumerary; 1899-1905, Superannuate; 1905-06, 
 Luana; 1906~Centre Grove, Dubuque. 
 
 Slingerland, William H. 1879-83, Member of Central 
 Illinois Conference; 1883-84, Albion; 1884-85, State Center; 
 1885-87, Eldora; 1887-88, Postville; 1888-90, Traer; 1890-91, 
 Agent of Cornell College; 1891-93, Marion Circuit; 1893-94, \^'au- 
 kon; 1894-97, Shell Rock; 1897-99, Epworth; 1899— Superintend- 
 ent of the Iowa Childrens' Home Society. 
 
 Slocum, Perkins S. 1896-98, First Church, Clinton; 1898- 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 211 
 
 1903, Member of Northwest Iowa Conference; 1903-04, Asbury, 
 Dubuque; 1904-06, Farley; 1906— Monticello. 
 
 S-MEDLEY, Merlin T. 1859-71, Member of Black River 
 Conference; 1871-72, Tama; 1872-73, La Porte; 1873-74, Clarks- 
 ville; 1874-76, Hopkinton; 1876-77, Farley; 1877-78, Center Junc- 
 tion; 1878-80, MechanicsvUle; 1880-81, Iowa FaUs; 1881-82, 
 Dyersville; 1882-83, Dubuque Qrcuit; 1883-85, Mt. Auburn; 
 
 1885- 91, Supernumerary; 1891- Superannuate. 
 
 Smith, Albert W. 1889-91, Viola; 1891-92, Norway; 
 1892-97, Center Junction; 1897-99, Wyoming; 1899-1901, Deeorah; 
 1901-03, Wyoming; 1903-06, Rockford; 1906- Nashua. 
 
 Smith, Charles E. 1897-98, BrownvUle; 1898-1902, St. 
 Ansgar; 1902-03, Hawkeye; 1903-06, Fredericksburg; 1906- 
 Postville. 
 
 Smith, Dilman. 1894-95, Alburnett; 1895-97, Central City; 
 1897-1901, Springville; 1901-04, Oelwein; 1904- Traer. 
 
 Smith, Jesse W. 1892-95, Member of South Dakota Confer- 
 ence; 1895-97, Greeley: 1897-98, Supernumerary; 1898-1900, 
 Lamont; 1900-01, Quasqueton; 1901-02, Lime Springs;. 1902-05, 
 Brandon; 1905-06, New Hartford; 1906- Fredericksburg. 
 
 Smith, Matthew^ Henry. 1870-71, Strawberry Point; 1871- 
 72, Lansing; 1872-74, West Union; 1874-77, DeWitt; 1877-79, 
 Traer; 1879-81, Mount Vernon; 1881-83, Jesup; 1883-86, Waverly; 
 
 1886- 89, Vinton; 1889-91, Toledo; 1891-93, Independence; 1893- 
 94, SheU Rock; 1894-96, Nashua; 1896-99, Lyons; 1899-1901, 
 McGregor; 1901-03, Prairie and Wesley Chapel; 1903-05, Coggon; 
 1905- JanesvUle. 
 
 Smith, Merle N. 1899-1902, Member of Newark Confer- 
 ence; 1902-05, Ackley; 1905- Marshalltown. 
 
 Smith, Samuel S. 1891-96, Monona; 1896-1901, Mechanics- 
 ville; 1900-05, Reinbeck; 1905- Nora Springs. 
 
 Smith, W. H. 1888-97, Member of Northwest German Con- 
 
212 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 ference; 1897-99, Rudd; 1899-1901, Plainfield; 1901-04, Mount 
 Auburn; 1904- Calmar. 
 
 Smith, W. Ward. 1863-71, Member of West Wisconsin 
 Conference; 1871-74, Plainfield; 1874-77, Clarksville; 1877-80, 
 Rockford; 1880-81, Mount Auburn; 1881-83, New Hartford; 
 1883-85, Supernumerary; 1885-90, Frederika; 1890-91, Supernum- 
 erary; 1891-93, Allison; 1893-1900, Supernumerary; 1900- Super- 
 annuate. 
 
 Snell, George W. B. 1900-04, Member of N. Minnesota 
 Conference; 1904-05, Center Point; 1905-06, Garrison; 1906- 
 Sumner. 
 
 SoPER, Benjamin W. 1894-96, Palo; 1896-99, Viola; 1899- 
 05, Earlville; 1905- Greene. 
 
 Spry, Will F. 1893-95, Tama Circuit; 1895-97, Rhodes; 
 1897-99, Shellsburg; 1899-1901, Norway; 1901-04, Stanwood; 
 
 1904- 06, Geneva; 1906- Eldora. 
 
 Stevens, Albert D. 1888-89, Oxford Mills; 1889-92, Le 
 Claire; 1892-93, Sabula; 1893-94, Conrad; 1894-95, Northwood; 
 
 1895- 97, West Branch; 1897-1900, Edgewood; 1900-03, Nashua; 
 
 1903- 05, Wyoming; 1905- Lyons. 
 
 Stowers, Wilbur J. 1897-1900, Member of North Dakota 
 Conference; 1900-01, Elkader; 1901-04, Elma; 1904-05, Ridgeway; 
 
 1905- Rudd. 
 
 Stubbs, Lerton D. 1893-94, Allison; 1894-96, Raymond; 
 
 1896- 99, Student in Garrett Biblical Institute; 1899-1900, Garrison; 
 1900-02, Shellsburg; 1902-04, Walker; 1904-05, Union; 1905- Olin. 
 
 Sutherland, George F. 1899-1900, Oxford Junction; 
 1900-03, Student in Drew Theological Seminary; 1903-04, Assist- 
 ant in Open Door Emergency Commission of Missionary Society; 
 
 1904- Assistant Secretary of the Young People's Department of the 
 Missionary Society. 
 
 Swisher, Leonard A. 1898-99, Jackson Avenue, Dubuque; 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 213 
 
 1899- 1904, Member of Northwest Iowa Conference; 1904-05, 
 Hopkinton; 1905- Trinity, Cedar Rapids. 
 
 Taylor, Thomas E. 1887-88, East JanesvUle; 1888-90 , 
 Marble Rock; 1890-95, Greene; 1895-96, Cresco; 1896-99, Inde- 
 pendence; 1899-1901, Osage; 1901- Independence. 
 
 Temple, Thomas H. 1903-05, Clermont; 1905-06, Randalia; 
 1906- Quasqueton. 
 
 Townsend, Herman L. 1893-94, Frankville; 1894-95, 
 Bassett; 1895-97, Center Point; 1897-99, Solon; 1899-1901, Cedar 
 Bluff; 1901-04, Janesville; 1904-05, Member of St. Johns River 
 Conference; 1905-06, Waucoma. 
 
 Trimble, Thomas A. 1884-85, Chelsea; 1885-86, Waterloo 
 Circuit; 1886-87, Montour; 1887-91, Geneva; 1891-92, Blairstown; 
 1892-94, Gilman and Laurel; 1894-96, Conrad; 1896-1900, Rein- 
 beck; 1900-03, Riceville; 1903-05, Clarksville; 1905- Dike. 
 
 Troy, Horace W. 1881-83, Member of Minnesota Confer- 
 ence; 1883-87, Member of North Dakota Conference; 1887-98, 
 Member of West Wisconsin Conference; 1898-1900, Charles City; 
 
 1900- 03, Hampton; 1903-06, Mount Vernon; 1906- Marion. 
 
 Van Buren, Walter E. 1893-97, Elberon; 1897-1900, 
 Center Junction; 1900-02, Delmar; 1902-06, Monticello; 1906- 
 Decorah. 
 
 Van Horn, James P. 1902-04, Oasis; 1904- Marion Circuit. 
 
 Van Marter, C. N. 1890-1903, Member of South Dakota 
 Conference; 1903-05, Member of Northwest Iowa Conference; 
 1905- Conference Evangelist, Marslialltown District. 
 
 Van Ness, John G. 1877-79, Strawberry Point; 1879-81, 
 Wyoming; 1881-84, Anamosa; 1884-87, First Church, Waterloo; 
 1887-88, First Church, Davenport; 1888-92, Maquoketa; 1892-97, 
 Marion; 1897-1900, MarshaUtown; 1900-02, Mason City; 1902- 
 Cedar Rapids District. 
 
214 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Wagner, James E. 1890-98, Minister in Cumberland Pres- 
 byterian Church; 1898-1902, Member of OUahoma Conference; 
 1902-04, Nora Springs; 1904- Manchester. 
 
 Waite, Elon G. 1864-70, Member of Ontario Conference, 
 Canada; 1870-72, Davenport Circuit; 1872-73, Lowden; 1873-75, 
 Camanche; 1875-77, Le Claire; 1877-78, Vinton Circuit; 1878-81, 
 Grundy Center; 1881-84, Supernumerary; 1884-85, Springville; 
 1885-88, Central City; 1888-91, Miles; 1891-92, Delmar; 1892-95, 
 Wyoming; 1895-98, Monticello; 1898-1901, Jesup; 1901- Superan- 
 nuate. 
 
 Ward, A. G. 1888-1904, Member of Northwest Iowa Confer- 
 ence; 1904- Hawkeye. 
 
 Welch, Arthur D. 1899-1901, Asbury and Jackson Streets, 
 Dubuque; 1901-04, Dyersville; 1904-06, Student in Garrett Bibli- 
 cal Institute; 1906- Missionary in Montana. 
 
 Wheat, Charles M. 1869-71, Frankville; 1871-73, Mitchell; 
 1873-75, Belle Plaine; 1875-77, La Porte City; 1877-79, Shell Rock; 
 1879-80, Monmouth; 1880-81, Farley; 1881-84, Calmar; 1884-85, 
 Albion; 1885-88, Toledo Circuit; 1888-90, Montour; 1890-91, 
 Dubuque Circuit; 1891-92, Grandview Avenue, Dubuque; 1892-95; 
 Silver Creek; 1895-99, Otterville; 1899-1900, Langworthy; 1900-05, 
 Supernumerary; 1905- Superannuate. 
 
 Westren, Richard T. 1903-04, Norway; 1904-06, Albur- 
 nette 1906- Faulkner. 
 
 Wilcox, Henry E. 1890-91, Montour; 1891-93, Conrad; 
 1893-95, Reinbeck; 1895-97, Sheffield; 1897-99, Bowman Church, 
 Clinton; 1899-1900, Coggon; 1900-05, Olin; 19d5- Miles. 
 
 Wilkinson, Joseph G. 1861-62, Center Point; 1862-63, 
 West Irving; 1863-64, Spring Creek; 1864-66, Mays ville; 1866-67, 
 New Hartford; 1867-69, Shellsburg; 1869-70, Buckingham; 1870-72, 
 Tama; 1872-73, Belle Plaine; 1873-74, Ackley; 1874-75, Rockford; 
 1875-76, Belle Plaine; 1876-78, Parkersburg and Applington; 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 215 
 
 1878-79, Mt. Auburn; 1879-81, Superannuate; 1881-83, Chelsea; 
 1883- Superannuate. 
 
 Williams, Hadwin. 1889-90, New Hampton; 1890-92, 
 Volga City; 1892-97, Ridgeway; 1897-98, Kenwood Park; 1898- 
 1901, Elwood; 1901-04, Le Claire; 1904- Monona. 
 
 Willis, Fred N. 1896-1905, Member of Northwest Kansas 
 Conference; 1905- La Porte City. 
 
 WiTziGMAN, Frederick C. 1899-1900, Owasa, Gifford 
 and Robertson; 1900-01, Rhodes; 1901-04, Student in Drew Theo- 
 logical Seminary, and New York University; 1904-06, Fairbank 
 and Dunkerton; 1906- Sheffield. 
 
 WoLCOTT, William A. 1894-95, Andrew; 1895-97, Lowden; 
 1897-1900, Ackley; 1900-02, Edgewood; 1902-04, Lamont; 1904- 
 Supe^nume^ar3^ 
 
 Wolfe, Reese. 1865-66, Lansing Circuit; 1866-68, New 
 Hampton; 1868-69, Fredericksburg; 1869-71, National; 1871-72, 
 LaMotte; 1872-75, Center Point; 1875-78, Fairbank; 1878-80, 
 Clarksville; 1880-81, Vinton Circuit; 1881-84, Preston; 1884-87, 
 West Branch; 1887-89, Silver Creek; 1889- Superannuate. 
 
 Wright, B. A. 1882-83, Northwood; 1883-85, Greene; 
 1885-87, Mt. Auburn ; 1887-90, Dubuque Circuit ; 1890-92, Maynard ; 
 1892-94, Andrew; 1894-97, Monmouth; 1897-1900, Cottage Hill; 
 1900- Superannuate. 
 
 Wyant, Richard U. 1902-05, Lansing; 1905- Student in 
 Theological School. 
 
 Wyatt, John B. 1886-87, Member of Northwest Iowa Con- 
 ference; 1887-88, Luana; 1888-90, Calmar; 1890-92, Lansing; 
 
 1892- 96, Lamont; 1896-1900, Arlington; 1900-02, Central City; 
 1902-05, Garrison; 1905- Kenwood Park and Marion Circuit. 
 
 Wyatt, Harry F. 1887-89, Monona; 1889-90, Student in 
 Garrett Biblical Institute; 1890-92, Cresco Circuit; 1892-93, Elma; 
 
 1893- 95, Strawberry Point; 1895-97, Andrew; 1897-1900, Bennett; 
 
2l6 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 1900- 01, Center Junction; 1901-03, Elwood; 1903-06, St. Ansgar; 
 1906- Luana. 
 
 Wyrick, Francis H. 1884-86, Hazelton; 1886-87, Bellevue; 
 1887-88, Andrew; 1888-89, Monona; 1889-93, Winthrop; 1893-95, 
 Hopkinton; 1895-1900, Fairbank; 1900-02, Lamont; 1902-03, 
 Central City; 1903-05, Viola; 1905- Supernumerary. 
 
 Yaggy, Samuel E. 1895-96, Cold Water; 1896-98, Allison; 
 
 1898- 99, Waterloo Circuit; 1899-1900, Elkader; 1900-01, Urbana; 
 
 1901- 06, Student in Boston University; 1906- St. Paul's, Waterloo. 
 Young, Frederick G. 1891-92, Le Grand; 1892-95, Chelsea; 
 
 1895-97, Rockwell; 1897-99, Supernumerary; 1899-1900, East 
 Janes ville; 1900-02, Brandon; 1902-05, Maynard; 1905- Earlville. 
 
 Young, William. 1856-57, Rockville and Cascade; 
 1857-58, Mineral Creek; 1858-59, Burr Oak; 1859-60, New Oregon; 
 1860-61, Garnavillo; 1861-62, Rossville and Ion; 1862-64, Hardin; 
 1864-65, Postville; 1865-67, Burr Oak; 1867-69, Fort Atkinson; 
 1869-70, Colesburg; 1870-72, Yankee Settlement; 1872-73, Straw- 
 berry Point; 1873-76, Hebron; 1876- Superannuate. 
 
 Zavodsky, Frank J. 1894-99, John Huss Church, Chicago; 
 
 1899- John Huss Church, Cedar Rapids. 
 
 Probationers. 
 
 Allshouse, Henry. 1905-06, Alburnett; 1906- Coggon. 
 
 Bailey, Bert S. 1905- Tipton Circuit. 
 
 Brackett, Alonzo C. 1902-04, Rhodes; 1904-06, Toledo 
 Circuit; 1906- Steamboat Rock. 
 
 Brooks, Arthur A. 1902-03, Blairstown; 1903-06, Student 
 in school. 
 
 Burnard, Cuthbert S. 1905-06, Melbourne; 1906- Whitten. 
 Culver, Harry C. 1904- Ryan. 
 
 Ensign, Charles T. 1902-03, Garwin; 1903-04, Faulkner; 
 1904- Student in school. 
 
1. L. L. Lockard 5. W. B. Davis 9. S. R. Ferguson 13. J, F. Baker 
 
 2. H.H.Barton 6. L.A.Swisher 10. W. M. Lemen 14. Walter Piper 
 
 3. B. B. Keister 7. T. E. Taylor II. J. F. Bindenberger 15. G. E. Maxfield 
 
 4. John Bretnall 8. T. A. Trimble 12. A. C. Brackett 16. Frank Cole 
 
MINISTERIAL RECORD 
 
 217 
 
 Erb, Jacob C. 1905-06, Colesburg; 1906- District Missionary. 
 Johnson, Samuel C. 1905- Lansing. 
 
 Gallagher, Le Roy E. 1903-04, Owasa, Gifford and Rob- 
 ertson; 1904- Laurel. 
 
 Kuhlman, Henry W. 1903-05, Beaman; 1906- Student in 
 Drew Theological School. 
 
 Marshall, Ernest H. 1905- Pleasant Ridge. 
 
 McBride, H. p. 1899-05, Member of Oklahoma Conference; 
 
 1905- 06, Delhi; 1906- Colesburg. 
 
 McCabe, Michael J. 1905-06, Owasa and Robertson; 
 
 1906- Luana. 
 
 McCarl, Fred A. 1906- Secretary International Y. M. C. 
 A., Army and Navy Department. 
 
 Porter, Roy V. 1905- Clermont. 
 
 Potter, Thomas P. 1899-1905, Member of Northwest Iowa 
 Conference; 1905- Preston. 
 
 Shoemaker, George M. 1904-05, Gifford; 1905-06, Aredale 
 and Dougherty; 1906- Volga. 
 
 Swisher, Milton S. 1905-06, Coggon; 1906- Fairfax. 
 
 Williams, Sylvester V. 1904-06, Van Home; 1906- 
 Student in Theological School. 
 
2l8 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 METHODISM IN IOWA 
 
 According to the Methodist Year Book for 1906, the six 
 states, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, 
 contain over one-half of the aggregate membership of the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church in the United States. These States may 
 properly be regarded as the garden of American Methodism. 
 Only two of the above states, viz., Indiana and Ohio, outrank Iov\'a 
 in the proportion of Methodist membership to the entire popula- 
 tion of the state. 
 
 English spealdng Methodism in Iowa is divided into four an- 
 nual conferences, each covering approximately one-fourth of the 
 state. 
 
 Tlie loica Conference in the southeast fourth of the state 
 was the original c()iifercnc(>, and when organized in 1844 and for 
 twelve years thereafter embraced the entire state. In this Con- 
 ference there are now (1006) 5 presiding elders' districts, 174 
 traveling preachers, 58 local preachers, 33,077 church members, 
 322 Sunday Schools, 3,788 officers and teachers, 28,221 scholars, 
 340 churches, valued at $1,074,373.00, 127 parsonages, valued at 
 $201,150.00. 
 
 This Conference maintains the Iowa Wesleyan University at 
 Mount Pleasant, which was founded in 1842. The value of its 
 buildings and grounds is estimated to be $157,000.00; the total 
 endowment, $60,268.00; professors and teachers 29; total students 
 enrolled 408. 
 
 The Upper loiva Conference in the northeast fourth of the 
 state was formed by a division of the Iowa Conference in 1856. 
 In this Conference there are (1906) 6 presiding elders' districts, 
 275 traveling preachers, 72 local preachers, 36,714 members. 
 
METHODISM IN IOWA 
 
 219 
 
 319 Sunday Schools, 3,927 officers and teachers, 29,965 scholars, 
 329 churches, valued at $1,731,000.00, and 174 parsonages, 
 valued at $343,525.00. 
 
 This Conference sustains three institutions of learning: 
 
 First. CornellCoUegeatMount Vernon, situated in a campus 
 of seventy-five acres. 1150 students have graduated from the 
 college. The total enrollment of students in 1906 was 775. 
 It was founded in 1853. The value of buildings and grounds is 
 $326,667.00; the total endo^Tnent, $450,000.00. 
 
 Second. Upper Iowa University at Fayette, founded in 
 1857. The value of buildings and grounds is $150,000.00; 
 the total endowment $136,000.00; professors and teachers 29; 
 students enrolled 568. 
 
 Third. Epworth Seminary, founded in 1857 and located at 
 Epworth. The value of its buildings and grounds is $50,000.00; 
 the total endowonent, $17,000.00; the students enrolled 165. 
 
 The Des Moines Conference, called at first Western Iowa 
 Conference, was formed in 1860 by a division of the Iowa Confer- 
 ence and embraces the southwest fourth of the state. From 
 1864 to 1872 this Conference included the western half of Iowa. 
 This Conference contains 6 presiding elders' districts, 284 travel- 
 ing preachers, 137 local preachers, 52,569 members, 454 Sundaj^ 
 Schools, 5,967 officers and teachers, 44,727 scholars, 459 churches, 
 valued at $1,623,150.00, 201 parsonages, valued at $343,500.00. 
 
 The Des Moines Conference supports Simpson College, 
 located at Indianola and founded in 1867. The value of its build- 
 ings and grounds is $123,000.00; the total endowment $90,211.00; 
 professors and teachers 42; students enrolled 914. 
 
 The Northwest Iowa Conference was organized in 1872 and 
 embraces the northwest fourth of the state. In this Conference 
 are 5 presiding elders' districts, 223 traveling preachers, 61 local 
 preachers, 24,181 church members, 282 Sunday Schools, 3319 
 
220 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 officers and teachers, 25,534 scholars, 280 churches, valued at 
 $903,050.00, 163 parsonages, valued at $234,400.00. 
 
 This Conference sustains Morningside College, located at 
 Sioux City and established in 1894. The value of its buildings 
 and grounds is $210,000.00; the total endowment $220,000.00; 
 professors and teachers 28; students enrolled 648. 
 
 German Methodism in Iowa is divided by a line running due 
 west from the city of Clinton; all north of said line is included in 
 the Northvv-est German Conference, and all south of that line be- 
 longs to the St. Louis German Conference. 
 
 In the Northwest German Conference there are in Iowa 1 
 presiding elder's district, 32 traveling preachers, 3,175 members, 
 43 churches valued at $123,350.00, 25 parsonages valued at 
 $51,950.00, 46 Sunday Schools, 564 officers and teachers, 2,710 
 scholars. 
 
 This Conference supports Charles City College at Charles 
 City. It was founded in 1891. The value of buildings and grounds 
 is $65,000.00; endowment $55,000.00; total enrollment of students 
 240. 
 
 In the St. Louis German Conference, there are in Iowa 1 pre- 
 siding elder's district, 13 traveling preachers, 1,215 church mem- 
 bers, 17 Sunday schools, 162 officers and teachers, 944 scholars, 
 20 churches valued at $66,600.00, 13 parsonages valued at 
 $21,500.00. 
 
 This Conference supports the German College at Mount Pleas- 
 ant, Iowa. It was founded in 1873. The value of buildings and 
 grounds is $20,000.00; the total endowment $30,000.00; profes- 
 sors and teachers 5; students enrolled 80. 
 
 SUMMAEY 
 
 Uniting the above statistics, we have the following: 
 
 Presiding Elders' Districts in Iowa 24 
 
 Members of Conferences 1,001 
 
METHODISM IN IOWA 221 
 
 Local Preachers 328 
 
 Members of Churches 150,931 
 
 Number of Sunday Schools 1,440 
 
 Officers and Teachers 17,799 
 
 Scholars 132,101 
 
 Number of Churches 1,474 
 
 Estimated value of Churches $5,521,523 
 
 Number of Parsonages 700 
 
 Value of Parsonages $1,196,025 
 
 Institutions of Learning 8 
 
 Value of Buildings and Grounds $1,101,067 
 
 Total Endowment $1,058,479 
 
 Students Enrolled ; 3,798 
 
222 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION 
 
 The Semi-Centennial Celebration was held during the fifty- 
 first session of the Upper Iowa Conference in Maquoketa, October 
 3, 1906. A commission consisting of E.J. Lockwood, L.C.Clark, 
 William Lease, B. C. Barnes and W. W. Carlton had prepared a 
 program for the occasion as follows : 
 
 Saturday, October 6. 
 
 10-00 A.M. The story of the First Conferenc e. . . .Elias Skinner 
 
 10-30 A.M. Semi-Centennial Address S. N. Fellows 
 
 2-00 P.M. Reception to Pioneers of Iowa 
 Methodism, followed by addresses 
 
 by Bishop Cranston 
 
 and Rev. Dr. T. S. Henderson 
 8-00 P.M. The Past and Present of Iowa 
 
 Methodism, William Lease 
 
 A Tribute to the Pioneer Preacher. . .T. E. Fleming 
 The story of the first Conference by Elias Skinner was a 
 graphic description of the men composing this Conference, the 
 conditions under which they lived and labored, the difficulties they 
 encountered and the victories they won. He said that the Sunday 
 services were held in a grove near town and that a lumber wagon 
 was the pulpit. Standing in this wagon. Bishop E. S. Janes, the 
 presiding Bishop, preached a wonderful discourse from the text, 
 "But this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable 
 priesthood. " 
 
 At this time there were no railroads in the state except a 
 line from Davenport to Iowa City, which had been completed a 
 few months before. The preachers came to Conference on horse- 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 223 
 
 back, in carriages or covered wagons and several of them swam 
 rivers; for the rivers were unbridged and the prairies were nearly 
 roadless. The motto was "anj^'way to get there." In making 
 the appointments of the first Conference, not one in twenty of the 
 preachers knew where he was to go prior to the reading of the ap- 
 pointments, and yet all went cheerfully to the field assigned. 
 
 Altogether the "Story of the First Conference" was full of 
 reminiscence, combined with wit and wisdom, and was told in 
 Elias Skinner's inimitable manner, and was listened to with great 
 interest. Elias Skinner was himself a pioneer preacher and pre- 
 siding elder, loved and honored by his brethren, and since his 
 superannuation has been a sympathetic and keen observer of the 
 work of the Conference. He is now eighty years of age, and 
 though trembling with age and physically feeble, his mind is clear, 
 his heart is warm and young, and he retains a deep interest in the 
 young men who are taking up the burdens the fathers have laid 
 down. 
 
 At 1 :30 P. M., S. N. Fellows delivered the semi-centennial 
 address to a large and deeply interested audience. His address 
 appears in this book. 
 
 The addresses of Bishop Cranston and Dr. T. S. Henderson 
 were appropriate and strong, full of good thoughts and eloquently 
 expressed. A noble tribute was given to the fathers, and an in- 
 spiring exhortation was given to the young men to carry forward 
 the work now committed to them. 
 
 In the evening a very large audience assembled to listen to 
 the closing addresses. William Lease was the first speaker. His 
 was an excellent address in which he compared the past and pres- 
 ent in respect to type of piety, difiiculties encountered, sacrifices 
 required and victories won. He spoke from his own observation 
 and experience, having been forty-nine years an active and efficient 
 member of the Upper Iowa Conference. 
 
224 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 He was followed by T. E. Fleming, Presiding Elder of the 
 Dubuque District, wlio paid a glowing tribute to the pioneer 
 preacher. His address appears in the closing pages of this 
 volume. 
 
 THE UPPER lOV/A CONFERENCE 
 
 ITS RISE, GROWTH AND ACHIEVEMENTS 
 BY STEPHEN N. FELLOWS, D. D. 
 
 The conditions under which Methodism was introduced 
 into Iowa were very different from those that prevailed 
 in the older eastern states. In the eastern states when 
 Methodism began, towns and cities had been built, civiliz- 
 ation established, and other denominations had long held 
 the field and obtained the influence in society which time 
 and position secure. Methodism had to struggle for recognition. 
 It was ofttimes difficult to get a hearing, for Methodists were 
 considered an irregular sect, sometimes disorderly, and hence 
 were unwelcomed by the older orthodox churches. Her com- 
 municants were for the most part of the common people, ofttimes 
 uneducated, and were regarded as socially inferior. And thus 
 in those states Methodism grew up and lived overshadowed by 
 the older and more wealthy churches. Even to this day Method- 
 ism does not rank with other denominations in average wealth and 
 average social position. The wealthy aristocratic people, the multi- 
 millionaires, are not members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 Her chief membership is found among the middle and poorer classes. 
 Many years ago, an editor of one of those older churches boldly 
 claimed that his church, more than any other, contained the 
 wealth and the brains of the country. Dr. T. M. Eddy, then our 
 editor at Chicago, replied that if this claim be true, said church 
 more than any other was doing the least business on a large capital. 
 
 In Iowa, Methodism was the first in the field and found here 
 a virgin soil. During the same -year and within five months of 
 the day that by public proclamation white men were permitted 
 to enter and settle in this new territory, the itinerant circuit- 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 225 
 
 rider sent by the Church, crossed the Mississippi River and began 
 his labors in the cabins of the newly arrived people. Nowhere 
 else has the wisdom of our itinerant system of ministry been more 
 manifest than in its adaptation to the needs of a new and undevel- 
 oped country. The territory was so vast, population so widely 
 scattered as to present peculiar difficulties to all attempts to supply 
 spiritual needs. A so-called "settled ministry" was helpless to 
 meet these conditions. But the Methodist itinerant preachers 
 sent by the authorities of the Church, traversed this wide extent 
 of territory and kept pace with advancing popiilation. They 
 preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ, before primitive school houses 
 were built, in cabin and barn and grove, wherever a few might be 
 gathered together. 
 
 Let me give you a few examples of the early circuits and dis- 
 tricts. Marion was at one time a four weeks circuit, with forty- 
 three appointments, and included all of Linn and parts of John- 
 son, Cedar, Jones, Buchanan and Benton Counties. The preacher, 
 S. W. Ingham, was required on each time round the circuit 
 to swim rivers with his horse from three to six times. Lansing 
 Circuit extended from Lansing to Decorah and West Union and 
 was traveled every three weeks. 
 
 In 1839 Bishop T. A. Morris united the nine circuits in Iowa 
 into the Iowa District with Henry Summers as presiding elder. 
 This district covered aU the settlements west of the Mississippi 
 River and extended from the mouth of the Turkey River on the 
 north to the state of Missouri on the south, and contained a total 
 population of less than thirty thousand, — about the present 
 population of Cedar Rapids. Over this vast district the heroic 
 and apostolic Summers traveled, swimming rivers, crossing vast 
 roadless and uninhabited prairies, through wijiter's cold and sum- 
 mer's heat; sleeping ofttimes by night in the open prairie with the 
 sky for a covering, his saddle bags for a pillow, and his faithful 
 
226 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 horse tethered near by for a companion. It is written of Elder 
 Summers that he was filled with the Holy Ghost, his preaching 
 was with power, his passion for souls was intense and many were 
 converted at his quarterly meetings. 
 
 The itinerant system of ministry, which united classes into cir- 
 cuits, circuits into districts, and districts into a conference, covered 
 the whole territory so that no part was neglected ; the most remote 
 cabin on the frontier was reached, and all so arranged that every class 
 had a preacher in charge, and every preacher had a definitely assigned 
 field of labor. Thus unity and efficiency were secured to the united 
 labors of the church. By these means, Methodism in advance of 
 other churches, planted her standards in every village, hamlet 
 and settlement and pre-empted this fair domain for the religion 
 of Jesus Christ. 
 
 The circuit system allowed a great variety of talent to be em- 
 ployed in the ministry. The preacher in charge was usually a 
 man of experience, and with him was associated a young and 
 inexperienced minister for trial and training. It was believed that 
 a young man entering the ministry "should be trained in the work 
 for the work." In this way young men from farm, shop and store, 
 with a limited education, but with a bright and clear religious 
 experience and a passion for the salvation of men, were caUed 
 into the service and practically trained and developed into efficient 
 ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 The preaching of that early day was pre-eminently evan- 
 gelistic. One of these early pioneer preachers said to the writer: 
 "I did not preach prepared sermons as you do. I simply told the 
 story of the undying love of Jesus and related my own experience 
 of salvation through Christ, and as I did so I cried and other men 
 cried and were converted." 
 
 The epochs that mark the rapid growth of Methodism in 
 Iowa are these: 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 227 
 
 The First ]\Iethodist Sermon in Dubuque in 1833 
 
 The First Class formed in Dubuque in 1834 
 
 The First Presiding Elder's District formed in 1839 
 
 The First Iowa Annual Conference organized in . . .1844 
 
 The Upper Iowa Conference Organized in 1856 
 
 At its organization our Conference embraced about four- 
 sevenths of the state. The present south boundary line ex- 
 tended due west to the Missouri River. All of the state north of 
 that line and all settlements west of the Missouri River, were in- 
 cluded in the original Conference. Excepting a few settlements 
 on the Missouri River in and near Sioux City, the western half 
 of the Conference territory was still practically an uninhabited 
 prairie wilderness. In 1864 the Conference territory was divided 
 and the present western boundary line of the Conference was estab- 
 lished. 
 
 THE FATHERS. 
 
 It is said to be "a good thing for a man to be well born." 
 It is equally true of a Conference. Who, then, were the fathers, 
 the moulders of thought, who determined the spirit and grade and 
 work, in the early years of our Conference? 
 
 The Bishops who presided over the first sixteen sessions of 
 the Upper Iowa Conference, viz: Bishops Janes, Ames, Morris, 
 Baker, Scott, Simpson and Clark, were all the cotemporaries 
 of Bishops Coke and Asbury. 
 
 Five of the Presiding Elders of our Conference at its organiz- 
 ation, viz. ; John C. Ayres, H. W. Reed, Andrew Coleman, Harvey 
 S. Bronson and Landon Taylor were also the cotemporaries of 
 Bishop Asbury. 
 
 To these may be added the names of Jacob G. Dimmitt, 
 James Gilruth, Alcinous Young, John Scoles, D. N. Holmes, John 
 Gould, S. Y. Harmer, H. W. Houghton, Asahel Bronson and G. B. 
 
228 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Bowman, all of whom lived in the days of Asbury; and five of 
 whom became presiding elders in the early years of the Conference. 
 
 A little younger than these were Joel B. Taylor, Richard W. 
 Keeler, Philo E. Brown, Richard Swearingen, Alpha J. Kynett, 
 J. M. Rankin and Elias Skinner. These men and others that might 
 be named of the original Conference were trained in the school 
 of the fathers, — bronzed by exposures, hardened by toil, skilled 
 by experience and baptized for their work, — many of them were 
 of the truest types of devoted pioneer itinerant preachers. They 
 believed, taught and practiced that "a Methodist preacher should 
 be a man of one work," that "he should be wholly devoted to the 
 saving of souls," and that "he should obey the Discipline." These 
 were the men who under God gave form and shape and spirit to 
 the work of the Conference and were the leaders in the Conference 
 during its earliest and formative period. 
 
 It is impossible to compare these men with the preachers of 
 to-day. As stationed preachers in cities preaching twice each 
 Sunday to the same congregation for a series of years with all the 
 other demands upon a present pastor, those early men might and 
 probably some would have failed. Nor, it may be, would the pres- 
 ent popular and successful pastor have the nerye, the faith, the 
 courage and zeal to withstand the buffetings of the fathers, endure 
 their hardships, brave their dangers and win their victories. Every 
 man should be judged by the demands of his day and the manner 
 in which he meets them. Applying this rule to the early itiner- 
 ant leaders and their times, we declare that their loyalty to the doc- 
 trines of Christ and the Church, their untiring zeal in the work of 
 the Lord, their sound judgment and practical common sense, 
 their modest and Christian bearing as ministers of high qualifi- 
 cations, place them among the great and worthy men of our de- 
 nomination whose history is an honor to the Church and to Chris- 
 tianity. They preached the word plainly and honestly. They 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 229 
 
 were faithful to their conscience, to the truth and to the people. 
 They showed indomitable zeal that may well be called enthusiasm. 
 They possessed the integrity and courage of the earlier Methodist 
 preachers, who in peril, in weariness and want, were true and stead- 
 fast to their high commission, and in every place declared the 
 whole counsel of God. Well is it for the Conference to have puch 
 fathers who lay its foundations, and well for the Conference when 
 her sons build wisely on the foundations the fathers have laid. 
 
 Truthfully does President Roosevelt say : " The pioneer preach- 
 er did more than all other forces combined to shape the character 
 and create the standards of the growing western civilization." 
 
 GROWTH IN CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 Let it be remembered that during the early yeai-s of the Con- 
 ference there was a large immigration into our territory from 
 other states and across the sea. Many of these were members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church and our societies were greatly 
 increased and strengthened hy their coming. During the later 
 years there has been a large emigration from us into counties and 
 states west and northwest, which has caused a depletion in miany 
 of our churches, and the abandonment of ground held by some 
 societies. 
 
 From 18^6 to 1872 there was a constant and rapid increase 
 in membership, except in the years 1861 to 1863. In these two 
 yeai-s there was an alarming decrease in membership of twenty 
 per cent. These were the days of the terrible civil war when Iowa 
 sent over ten per cent, of her population into the Union Army. 
 Over eighty thousand men in the prime and vigor of their man- 
 hood left their Iowa homes and imperiled their lives in the war 
 to save our country. Every pastor of that period remembers 
 those awful years. Business was well nigh paralyzed, many 
 schools were closed, churches were distracted and torn, and fam- 
 
230 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 ilies disrupted by the absence of husbands, sons and fathers in 
 the army. In addition to his ordinary duties, the pastor was 
 called upon to address and encourage companies of soldiers when 
 leaving for the battlefield, to cheer and comfort soldiers' families 
 left behind, to write letters of hope and inspiration to the brave 
 boys in the army, to carry the sad news of loss in battle to the 
 bereaved wives and mothers, and to preach the funeral sermons 
 of soldiers slain. 
 
 As soon as the war was over prosperity returned to the church- 
 es and in three years all losses were restored and membership rap- 
 idly increased. Again there was a slight decrease in 1873 to 1874, 
 also from 1878 to 1884, then a constant increase for twelve years 
 until 1898. From 1898 to 1905, with the exception of the year 
 1900, there was a constant and steady decrease. 
 
 It will be remembered that in 1898, at the beginning of the 
 Twentieth Century movement, our Bishops issued an official call 
 upon the church to signalize that event by contributing to church 
 purposes twenty millions of dollars and the securing of the con- 
 version of two millions of souls. The twenty millions of dollars 
 were secured, but the two millions of souls were not received. It 
 may be doul^ted whether two great campaigns, one for money and 
 the other for the conversion of men can be carried forward success- 
 fully at the same time. 
 
 We are glad to record that in 1905 the tide turned, and the 
 churches are heeding the trumpet call to evangelism. They are 
 coming with keener and clearer vision and stronger conviction 
 than before to understand the Divine call to evangelize the world 
 at the earliest possible date. The pulpit and religious press, 
 Sunday Schools and Epworth Leagues, are all with one heart and 
 aim seeking by prayer and faith the induement of the Holy Ghost 
 and of power. Already extensive awakenings and revivals have 
 appeared, and with the blessing of God a large ingathering of 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 231 
 
 souls is fully expected. We are greatly encouraged by the fact 
 that sister churches are vieing with us in the great movement 
 for evangelization of the world. 
 
 WhUe we accord a due meed of praise to the ministry, we 
 should not forget our noble laity. Their hospitality has been 
 generous and beautiful. Their cabin homes were to the weary 
 itinerant what the home of Lazarus in Bethany w^as to the 
 Master. And in these humble homes there were hundreds of 
 Marys and Marthas, who both sat at the feet of Christ and served 
 his ministers. Their history is unrecorded on earth, but their 
 names are written in the Book of Life. These laymen ha\ang 
 sought a frontier state, most of them with extreme limited means, 
 had to open and improve farms, buUd houses and towns, 
 pay heavy subsidies to buUd railroads to convey their produce to 
 market, and pay taxes for all public improvements. Yet with aU 
 these disadvantages they gave voluntarily and liberally to 
 buUd churches and parsonages, erect and endow colleges, support 
 the ministry and send the Gospel to other lands. 
 
 Let me remind you that the average aggregate membership 
 of the churches in this Conference during fifty years has been less 
 than twenty-four thousand. 
 
 The aggregate amount given during fifty yeai-s by these 
 churches of our Conference is as follows: 
 
 1. For Ministerial Support (including Bish- 
 
 2. For Building Churches and Parsonages . . . 3,345,468 
 
 CHUHCH BENEVOLENCES. 
 
 hops, Presiding Elders, Pastors, and Su- 
 perannuates), 
 
 S 6,119,492 
 
 3. For Official Benevolences 
 
 1,222,576 
 
 Total $10,687,536 
 
 Remember this includes only what was reported in the Con- 
 
232 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 ference minutes. Gifts made through private and unofficial chan- 
 nels, and for the building and endowment of schools would greatly 
 increase the amount above recorded. Truly among our laity have 
 been many men and women of deep spirituality, large liberality 
 and self-sacrificing devotion. 
 
 CHURCH EXTENSION. 
 
 "Great movements are born out of great emergencies." 
 "Necessity is the mother of invention." 
 
 This is shown in the origin of the Church Extension Society. 
 It was during the civil war, when financial interests were prostrated 
 and financial enterprises were bankrupted. At one session of the 
 Conference, it appeared from official reports that twelve churches 
 in the Upper Iowa Conference were hopelessly in debt, members 
 scattered and discouraged, mortgages past due would soon be fore- 
 closed and the churches lost to Methodism. In this emergency the 
 Upper Iowa Conference Church Extension Society was organized, 
 and Alpha J. Kynett taken from the Presiding Eldership and ap- 
 pointed Corresponding Secretary and General Agent, with instruc- 
 tions to save these churches if possible. With characteristic zeal 
 and skill he visited, inspired and directed each of these churches 
 to make another heroic effort to remove the debt. In a few cases 
 he secured a little help from outside sources. 
 
 At the following session of the Conference, Dr. Kynett re- 
 ported "That during the past year by the favor of God and liber- 
 ality of our people, all the old debts have been removed." He added, 
 "But for our timely organization, and the earnest efforts of all 
 concerned, that which was a year ago an impending danger would 
 have been to-day actual calamity." 
 
 But this was not all. Dr. Kynett took a wider vision of the 
 needs of the church in Iowa and the middle west. He saw that 
 evangelism was not the sole need of the new communities that 
 were springing up like magic, for the new comers were already 
 
1. A. T. Foster 5. D. C. Dutton 'i. T. H. Sheckler 13. G. B. Shoemaker 
 
 2. A. M. BilUngslev 6. J.G. Van Ness 10. Adam Holm 14. B. D. Alden 
 
 3. J.E.Johnson 7. E.G.Hunt 11. C. A. Parkm 15. J H. Keppel 
 
 4. Wm. Young 8. A. D. Stevens 12. A. W. Smith 16. F. J. Zavodsky 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 nominally Christian and many of them genuinely so. For them 
 the erection of a visible and suitable house of worship was the 
 chief need in order to permanently establish Christianity in this 
 new land. 
 
 Accordingly he evolved the plan for a chiirch-wide move- 
 ment for church extension, and secured the adoption of his plan 
 and measure by the General Conference of 1864. On July 1, 
 1867, on the death of Dr. Monroe, Dr. Kynett was selected by the 
 Board of Bishops as Corresponding Secretary of the Board of 
 Church Extension, with headquarters at Philadelphia. He was 
 elected and re-elected by eight successive General Conferences 
 and so for thirty-three years and until his death, he stood at the 
 helm and guided that great interest of the church. Six and one- 
 half millions of dollars were collected and disbursed under his ad- 
 ministration and over twelve thousand churches received aid there- 
 from. 
 
 It is therefore a matter of history that the great Church Ex- 
 tension movement in Methodism had its origin in the Upper Iowa 
 Conference and that this Conference gave to the church its founder 
 and builder. 
 
 "our boys." 
 
 It Ls a great thing to grow men, not only for our own pulpits, 
 but for the pulpits of the church. As a mother rejoices over the 
 successes of her children, so the Conference rejoices and praises God 
 for the work and success of her sons wherever they may be called 
 to labor. We wish here, for the benefit especially of the younger 
 brethren, to recall the names of men received on trial in the Upper 
 Iowa Conference, who were therefore "our boys," who did their 
 first work, received their first training and inspiration from this 
 Conference, and then went out to important places in other con- 
 ferences. It is believed that few, if any, other conferences in the 
 
234 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 middle west, have raised up and sent forth a larger number of 
 men who have filled prominent places in the church. 
 We will mention some of the men : 
 
 Amos B. Kendig was received on trial in 1852 and was there- 
 fore an original member of the Conference. He served with us for 
 twenty-three years, and was stationed at Cedar Falls, Marshall- 
 town, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport and Dubuque. In 1875 
 he was transferred to the New England Conference and stationed 
 at Bromfield Street, Boston. For five years he was pastor of 
 Hanson Place Church, Brooklyn, then the largest church numeric- 
 ally in American Methodism. 
 
 George Clifford, also an original member of the Conference, 
 was pastor and presiding elder ten years, then transferred to Cal- 
 ifornia and served some of the best churches in San Francisco and 
 one term as presiding elder of San Francisco District. 
 
 Charles G. Truesdell, received on trial in 1858, was pastor, 
 chaplain in the army and presiding elder until 1869, when he trans- 
 ferred to the Rock River Conference, became presiding elder of 
 Chicago District, and for many years was superintendent of the 
 Chicago Relief Fund, and in that position distributed millions of 
 dollars to the sufferers in the great Chicago fire. 
 
 William Fawcett, received on trial in 1861, for twenty years 
 served as pastor in some of our best pulpits, then transferred to the 
 Rock River Conference and was stationed in First Church, Chicago, 
 and afterwards served other leading churches in that city. 
 
 David H. Wheeler, received on trial in 1856, served as pro- 
 fessor in Cornell College for several years, then became successively 
 consul at Genoa, Italy, professor in the Northwestern University, 
 editor of the New York Methodist, president of Allegheny CoUege 
 at Meadville, Pa., and filled all these positions with marked ability 
 and success. 
 
 Emerson K. Young, received on trial in 1863, rose rapidly to 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 best positions in the Conference, served five years in First Cliurch, 
 Des Moines, Akron, Ohio, Grace Church, Philadelpliia, and died 
 while pastor at New Britian, Conn., one of the leading churches in 
 the New York East Conference. 
 
 A. H. Ames, received on trial in 1859, after serving Lansing, 
 Lyons and Dubuque, was transferred to the Des ^loines Conference 
 and stationed at First Church, Des Moines, then in 1892, was trans- 
 ferred to Baltimore Conference and stationed in Washington, D. 
 C. For many years he was Superintendent of the Deaconess 
 Home and Training School in the City of Washington. 
 
 George Elliott, received on trial in 1874, after ten years of 
 excellent service, was transferred to the Baltimore Conference, 
 served Foundry Church, Washington, Spring Garden, Philadel- 
 phia, and is now pastor of First Church, Detroit. 
 
 Sylvanus B. Warner, received on trial in 1874, transferred to 
 Minnesota in 1881, became presiding Elder of the Minneapolis 
 District, afterwards transferred to Missouri and became presiding 
 elder of St. Louis District. 
 
 R. F. Hurlburt, received on trial in 1882, after fourteen years 
 of excellent service, transferred to Iowa Conference, served First 
 Church in Burlington eight years and is now pastor of Delaware 
 Avenue Church in Buffalo, New York. 
 
 Horace E. Warner, received on trial in 1878, transferred to 
 Colorado in 1891, was pastor of one of the best churches in Denver 
 and is now presiding elder of Denver District. 
 
 Besides these I will mention H. W. Bennett, presiding elder 
 in the North Indiana Conference; Robert Bagnell, pastor of 
 Metropolitan Temple, New York City; W. S. Lewis, president of 
 Morning Side College, Sioux City; H. C. Stunt z, superintendent of 
 Missions in the Philippine Islands. 
 
 These and others that might be named are a part of the con- 
 tribution this Conference has made to the general work of the 
 church. 
 
236 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 HIGHER EDUCATION. 
 
 The policy of the Conference in regard to higher education 
 may now be considered in the light of a half century's history. 
 It should be recorded that this educational policy was not the re- 
 sult of forecast or plan; but like nearly all the provisions of 
 Methodism was the result of providential needs and an attempt 
 to supply them. The policy is a growth rather than a carefully 
 devised plan. 
 
 Cornell College was projected in 1852, opened as a Seminary 
 in 1853, re-incorporated as Cornell College in 1855, and adopted 
 by the Upper Iowa Conference as the Conference College in 1856. 
 
 Upper Iowa University was projected as a Seminary in 1855; 
 school opened in 1857, was re-incorporated and accepted by the 
 Conference as the Upper Iowa University in 1858. 
 
 Ep worth Seminary was founded in 1857 and recognized by 
 the Conference the same year. 
 
 It should be remembered that at this time the policy of the 
 state to establish and maintain universities had not appeared; that 
 even high schools were not a feature of public education; and 
 many believed that the state should and would limit its educa- 
 tional work to the common or district schools. They believed 
 also that higher education in the western states, as had been in 
 the eastern states, should forever be under private and denom- 
 inational control. They also believed that such institutions 
 would be easily self-supporting after buildings and grounds were 
 once secured. The need of great libraries, costly and extensive 
 apparatus and museums, and vast endowments, were not then 
 foreseen. In these conditions and without any supervision of the 
 higher authorities of the church, our three conference institutions 
 were locally founded and then adopted by the Conference. 
 
 A few years later the General Conference advised that not 
 less than four conferences should unite in the support of a college 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 and that the church should not multiply schools beyond the wants 
 of the people and their ability to sustain them. 
 
 Another fact should be stated and that Ls, that the Upper 
 Iowa Conference is almost the only conference in world-wide Meth- 
 odism that has endeavored to build and maintain more than a single 
 college. It should be stated also, that in addition to the three 
 Conference institutions, our German brethren have established a 
 German Methodist College at Charles City, a flourishing city with- 
 in our Conference. 
 
 Besides these within our Conference, we have in Iowa the 
 Iowa Wesleyan University at Mount Pleasant, Simpson College 
 at Indianola, and Morning Side College at Sioux City. 
 
 Such then has been and is the situation. 
 
 A few months ago a member of the North Indiana Conference 
 called upon me and in our conversation he said: "We in Indiana 
 are endeavoring to concentrate all our educational forces upon 
 DePauw University and make that the college for Indiana and pro- 
 vide that the other schools be of lower grade and tributary thereto. 
 Have you not made a mistake in Iowa in attempting to build and 
 maintain so many colleges? Would it not be wise even now to 
 re-organize your educational work and arrange for one strong cen- 
 tral college for the state, and make all the others of lower grade 
 and feeders of the one central college?" 
 
 In reply, I turned to the Methodist Year Book and gave him 
 statistics, comparing Indiana with Iowa. They are both known 
 as great Methodist states. They lead all the states in the propor- 
 tion of Methodist church membership to the entire population 
 of the state. 
 
 Total number of church members in Indiana is 201,203 
 Total value of her Methodist educational 
 
 buildings, grounds and endowments . . . S750,000 
 
238 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Total number of students in her Methodist 
 
 schools 962 
 
 In Iowa, total number of church members is 152,214 
 
 Total value of her Methodist educational 
 
 buildings, grounds and endowments .... $1,760,000 
 
 Total number of students in her schools 3,405 
 
 It will be seen that with 50,000 less of church membership, 
 Iowa Methodism has nearly two and one-half times value in school 
 property and endowments, and nearly four times as many college 
 students as has the state of Indiana. 
 
 Let us now compare the Upper Iowa Conference, which 
 covers the northeast one-fourth of the state, with the whole 
 state of Indiana. 
 
 In Upper Iowa Conference we have, according to the Year 
 Book, 36,714 church members; the total value of our educational 
 buildings, grounds and endowments is $1,117,000. Total number 
 of students in our schools is 1,635. 
 
 It will be seen that we have in Upper Iowa Conference a 
 little more than one-sixth of the church membership of Indiana, 
 and that we have over fifty per cent more of school property and 
 endowments, and seventy per cent more students in college than 
 in all the Methodist colleges of that great state. 
 
 May it not be truthfully affirmed that Upper Iowa Confer- 
 ence has done and is doing more for the Christian education of her 
 people than any other conference in world-wide Methodism? 
 
 Allow me a few words in regard to public or state schools. 
 By some, these are declared to be Godless, and by many they are 
 believed to be at least non-Christian. What are the facts? After 
 a careful estimate by those best informed, it appears that at least 
 four-fifths of the teachers in the public schools of all grades 
 from the elementary schools up to and including the State Normal 
 School, the State College at Ames and the State University at 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 Iowa City, are members of Christian churches, and the remaining 
 one-fifth with a very few exceptions are adherents of the church. 
 Besides, the text books used contain practically only Christian 
 truths. Not a line of infidel or anti-Christian sentiment can be 
 found in any text book of any public educational institution. 
 Thus, for thirty hours each school week, the children and youth of 
 our state peruse text books full of Christian thought and sentiment 
 and are under the personal supervision and training almost ex- 
 clusively of Christian teachers. Does it not follow that there is 
 potentially more moral and Christian influence and power in pub- 
 lic schools than in all the Sunday Schools where children are 
 taught only one hour in each week? 
 
 A few years ago a superintendent of one of our city schools in- 
 stituted an inquiry to ascertain what per cent of his pupils came 
 from Christian homes. Said he, "I called that a Christian home 
 where one parent was a member of a Christian church. I first 
 ascertained that on this basis about twenty-five per cent of the 
 families in the city were Christian families. A careful examination 
 revealed the fact that twenty-five per cent of pupils in the primary 
 grade, fifty per cent of grammar grade pupils, and one hundred 
 per cent of high school pupils came from Christian homes." He 
 added, "I had one hundred and ninety pupils in my high school." 
 
 On receiving this report from the above superintendent, 
 I instituted a similar inquiry in other schools, and while I did not 
 find so large a per cent of increase in the higher grades, I did find 
 it to be a truth in every school examined that the higher the grade 
 of school the larger the per cent of pupils that came from Chris- 
 tian families. 
 
 This truth is confirmed by the report of the National Young 
 Men's Christian Association, which is, "That fifty-two per cent 
 of students enrolled in all American colleges are members of Chris- 
 tian churches." It appears also that from seventy-five to ninety 
 
240 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 per cent of college students are of Christian parentage; while the 
 census tells us only about twenty-five per cent of the population 
 of the United States are members of Christian churches. 
 
 It follows therefore that the educational forces of the state 
 and nation are almost exclusively in the hands of Christian teachers 
 and the benefits of public education flow chiefly into the lives of 
 Christian families. 
 
 It also follows that future writers, editors, legislators, jurists, 
 governors, presidents, future leaders of thought in every depart- 
 ment of human inquiry and activity, will come chiefly from Chris- 
 tian families and receive training from Christian teachers. 
 
 State schools of all grades in the United States are not "God- 
 less," but should be considered rather as the aflies of the church 
 in moral and Christian education. In this every Christian and 
 patriot must rejoice. 
 
 Do you ask for an explanation of these remarkable truths? 
 I answer, they are the direct result of Christian instruction. Fam- 
 ilies allied to the Church and under the teaching of the pulpit ob- 
 tain a larger view of life, a deeper conception of its meaning and 
 worth, and are inspired to seek through the schools the highest and 
 best that this life afTords; while those families entirely outside 
 of church influence and Bible instruction are usually satisfied to 
 live the animal life and seek not higher things. 
 
 CHANGES AND NEEDS. 
 
 Many have been the changes in the Conference during its 
 history, changes in its environment, changes in its difficulties and 
 work, and changes in its methods and spirit. 
 
 Notice, if you please, the changes in the work and duties of 
 the presiding eldership. When population was widely scattered, 
 circuits large and travel was only by private conveyance, twelve 
 circuits composed a district. The presiding elder each year at- 
 tended four quarterly meetings on each circuit, and gave his full 
 
1. John E. Baker 4. H. Trov 7. J. R. Caffyn 10. F. P. Cassidv 
 
 2. S. D. Bartle 5. G. R. Manning 8. M. W. S. Perry 11. F. 0 Brown 
 
 3. H. H. Green 6. W. R. Dyre 9. J. H. Hayward 12. J. W. Kynett 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 241 
 
 time Saturday and Sunday to each meeting. It usually began at 
 2:30 p. m. on Saturday with preaching by the presiding elder and 
 was followed by the quarterly conference. Then came preaching 
 "at early candle light" Saturday evening. Love feast at 9 
 o'clock on Sunday morning was asually a time of spiritual inter- 
 est and power. At 10:30 there was preaching by the presiding 
 elder. At this service there was a great crowd from far and near 
 of eager listeners, great spiritual fervor in the congregation, great 
 expectancy by the people, and the presiding elder was inspired to 
 do his best. He was not limited to thirt)' minutes but could 
 preach an hour or an hour and a half without wearying the people. 
 Then followed the holy sacrament. In the evening there was an 
 earnest, evangelistic" sermon, followed by a soul-stirring exhorta- 
 tion and a call for seekers to come to the altar. A quarterly 
 meeting without conversions was not regarded as successful. 
 
 Such a quarterly meeting was practicall)' a two days' revival 
 meeting conducted by the presiding elder and pastor, aided by 
 the class leaders, local preachers and exhort ers from all parts of 
 the circuit. And this was repeated every week in the year by 
 the presiding elder, and four times each yeav on each circuit. 
 The presiding elder was a potent, evangelistic factor on every circuit 
 within his district. Besides to the presiding elder, every Sunday 
 morning was a season of special interest in the community; the 
 "amens" were numerous and hearty, the singing was soul-stirring 
 and uplifting, and the spiritual enthusiasm was intense. It was 
 easy to preach, and out of these conditions great preachers were 
 developed. 
 
 To-day a district embraces thirty six to forty charges and the 
 presiding elder is compelled to hold three quarterly meetings each 
 week. The quarterly meeting is less evangelistic and more of a 
 business meeting. Administrative duties demand the time and 
 strength of the presiding elder. He is expected to take the in- 
 
242 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 itiative and give direction to all new forward movements, and 
 to counsel and advise regarding everything pertaining to the 
 churches' welfare in his district. The work of a presiding elder 
 was never more important than it is to-day, but it is a different 
 work from that of former years — it is more administrative and 
 less evangelistic ; indeed his evangelistic influence is scarcely recog- 
 nized in many of the charges. 
 
 Among other changes we note that the poor have become rich, 
 the vast open prairies have become thickly populated, railroads 
 have been built, towns and cities have grown up; and we no longer 
 worship in cabins and school houses, but in fine churches with 
 cushioned pews and sweet toned organs. The hardships and sac- 
 rifices of the early ministry are no longer required. As a result of 
 temporal prosperity and social elevation, the connectional spirit 
 seems less intense, and selfish individualism is more manifest. 
 This is apparent both in churches and ministry. 
 
 In the early days, transfers into and out of the Conference were 
 not so easily made, nor so common as now. Young men joined the 
 Conference expecting to do their life-work within the Conference. 
 Conference lines were more rigidly drawn, conference ties were 
 stronger and conference fellowship was sweeter. It was the fel- 
 lowship of the pioneer, a fellowship of common sacrifices, common 
 privations, common hardships, common sympathies, and a com- 
 mon love; and it was the only fraternal association they enjoyed. 
 Preachers were not graded by their salaries. There was no dis- 
 tinction between the city preacher and the circuit rider. As 
 among soldiers, he is the most honored who is the most brave and 
 daring, most willing to risk life to take a battery or support the 
 flag; so in the early Conference, he was most in love and honor 
 among his brethren who traveled the hardest circuit on the poorest 
 salary. 
 
 Young preachers coming as they did, from farm and store 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 243 
 
 and shop, were of the common people among whom they labored ; 
 they were in closest touch and sympathy with their lives and felt 
 it to be a great privilege and honor to be received into the so-called 
 "traveling connection." They looked up with profound respect 
 and veneration to the older ministers. They did not seek to sac- 
 rifice themselves for the Master by demanding at once the leading 
 pulpits of the Conference, nor did they peer over conference lines 
 to see if they could not find in the regions beyond a pulpit afford- 
 ing a larger salary and therefore more suited to their talents. But 
 they regarded any place, however lowly, among such godly men 
 as good enough for them, and they went to the work assigned 
 intent only on preaching Christ and saving souls. Nor did they 
 try to fill both the lecture field and the pulpit. The most humble 
 pulpit afforded ample field and opportunity for their God-given 
 powers. The preacher found no time for vacation. To him there 
 were not Sabbaths enought to meet the demands. 
 
 The doctrines emphasized in the early day preaching were: 
 the universal sinfulness of man, salvation by repentance and 
 faith in Jesus Christ, the new birth, adoption as children of God, 
 the witness of the spirit and the experience of perfect love. A 
 knowable salvation from sin through Christ was openly professed 
 and proclaimed by Methodists everywhere. The class meeting and 
 love feast were deemed vital and were the training schools of 
 the Church. The Church was intensely aggressive in spirit and mis- 
 sionary zeal, but its field of activity was at home and its hands 
 and heart were filled with the work of establishing Methodism in 
 every unoccupied community. 
 
 As the Church has grown in numbers, wealth and culture, 
 it has increased its organizations and its activities, and changed 
 its methods to meet the changed conditions of the people. It has 
 become more liberal in spirit towards sister churches, it is far more 
 humanitarian in its plan and work, it is grounded on a more pro- 
 
244 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 found and thorough knowledge of the Bible as the word of God, it 
 has a deeper and more comprehensive conception of the person of 
 Jesus Christ and His mission to a lost world. While the creed 
 of the church is unchanged, emphasis is laid on different doctrines, 
 such as the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood in Christ of all 
 men, more on the love and less on the wrath of God, more on points 
 of agreement with other churches and less on points of difference. 
 Preaching is less polemic and doctrinal, the Sabbath is differently 
 observed, and as organized labor seems to compel Sabbath dese- 
 cration, it must be said the Sabbath is less observed. The dis- 
 cipline of the church, like that of the family, is relaxed and its ob- 
 servance is less regarded. External life consumes our energies, 
 and so there is loss in the family life, the church life and the personal 
 life of believers. There seems to be little time for daily reading of 
 the Bible, little time for private and family prayer, little time to 
 develop the spiritual life of the soul, very little time to be holy. 
 
 What we need is a vision as was given to the old prophets 
 and apostles. Abram had a vision and the Lord commanded him 
 to go out of his country into a strange land, saying, "I will bless 
 thee and make thy name great and in thee shall all the families 
 of the earth be blessed." And Abram obeyed and "went out not 
 knowing whither he went." 
 
 Moses had a vision and saw "the burning bush that was 
 not consumed," and heard the voice of God commanding him to 
 lead His people out of Egypt. And he obeyed. 
 
 Isaiah had a vision and "saw the Lord sitting upon his throne, 
 high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. And one of the 
 seraphim with a live coal from off the altar, touched the prophet's 
 lips and said: "Lo, thine iniquity is taken away and thy sin purged." 
 And the Lord said, "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?" 
 And Isaiah cried, "Here am I, send me!" 
 
 Peter, James and John had a vision on the mount of trans- 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 245 
 
 figuration and saw Jesus in his glory, "the glory as of the only 
 begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth;" and heard a 
 voice saying, "this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, 
 hear ye him." "And when the cloud was passed, they saw no 
 man save Jesus only." 
 
 Saul of Tarsus had a vision on his way to Damascus and saw 
 a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, and heard a 
 voice saying, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." And Saul 
 cried out, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" 
 
 The apostle John, on the isle of Patmos had a vision, and saw 
 "one like unto the Son of man, standing in the midst of the golden 
 candlesticks, and his countenance was as the sun shining in his 
 strength and he said, ' Fear not, I am He that was dead and behold 
 I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of 
 death.'" John looked again and saw the great white robed throng 
 who had gone up out of great tribulation and had washed their 
 robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
 
 These visions made known to God's ancient servants that 
 the world of spirits is real, that heaven is real, hell is real, God is 
 real and sits on His throne, Jesus Christ is real and walks among 
 the churches, the Holy Ghost is real as on the day of pentecost, 
 and ready to endue His ministers with cloven tongues of fire. 
 And these visions of spiritual realities inspired in them a mighty 
 faith and consuming zeal and transformed prophets and apostles 
 from common men into conquering heroes ! 
 
 Great God, give us to-day, a vision of spiritual and eternal 
 realities ! Then would our souls be quickened and inflamed with 
 a clear sense of God's infinite love, man's awful guilt, the eternal 
 peril of sin and the power of Jesus Christ to save the most wicked 
 with an uttermost salvation. Then would we realize the stu- 
 pendous responsibilities laid upon us, and be fired with such a burn- 
 ing zeal and consuming passion for lost men, that we would gladly 
 
246 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 respond with our best powers and fullest devotion to the Lord's 
 command, "Go preach my gospel to every creature." 
 
 And now, brethren, a word as to myself. For fifty years I 
 have been a member of the Upper Iowa Conference and have at- 
 tended every session save one. Five times the opportunity came 
 to me to accept of educational positions and pastorates in other 
 conferences, but I chose to remain. I joined a good Conference 
 in a good state and I have stayed. I chose to be a star in a bright 
 constellation rather than to be a wandering star among the con- 
 stellations. Of the original Conference organized in this city 
 fifty years ago I alone remain in the effective ranks. Seven others 
 are on the superannuate list, viz. : J. R. Cameron, J. F. Hestwood, 
 John Montgomery, J. M. Rankin, J. Riddlington, C. M. Sessions 
 and Elias Skinner. These with Dr. A. B. Kendig, now of the New 
 England Conference, are all that remain. We are now in the even- 
 ing time of life, the sun is declining and shadows are lengthening. 
 But we can and do testify to the truth of the promise, that "at 
 evening time it shall be light." The gorgeous sunset is before us, 
 and beyond that are the sunrise, the coronation and the everlast- 
 ing day. And so in humble faith and joyful hope, we await 
 our crowns! 
 
 God bless the Upper Iowa Conference. 
 
 A TRIBUTE TO THE PIONEER PREACHER 
 by 
 
 Thomas E. Fleming, D. D. 
 
 We are the heirs of all the centuries. Well might Emerson 
 say, "Every ship that comes to America got its chart from Colum- 
 bus. Every carpenter who shaves with a fore-plane borrows the 
 genius of a forgotten inventor. Life is girt around with a zodiac 
 of sciences, the contributions of men who have perished to add 
 their point of light to our skies. " 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 247 
 
 Everywhere this is in evidence. The race is forever debtor 
 to the pioneer. Not merely by felling forests, breaking the 
 prairie's sod, and making the wilderness and solitary place to 
 blossom like the rose, do pioneers place obligation upon succeed- 
 ing generations. Pioneers in philosophy, sociology, and theology 
 have had to blaze the w^ay, through densest ignorance, and stiffest 
 opposition to the goodly land we hold to-day. 
 
 When old England was chilled to the spiritual marrow by the 
 lifeless, sceptical utterances of its ministers, and further frozen by 
 the formalism of churchly services, four young university stu- 
 dents pioneered the way to methods of holier living, earning for 
 themselves the contemptuous nickname, Methodists. Later, 
 like true pioneers, they preached anywhere, everywhere that 
 opportunity offered. If no church presented a friendly pulpit, 
 a tombstone in the church yard sufficed as a platform from which 
 to preach Christ. 
 
 When New England was chilled by a theology that made the 
 heavens contain a fiend, rather than a friend, — one who saved 
 men, and damned men, out of his mere good pleasure, and when 
 this chill was reaching the freezing point of Unitarianism, again 
 Methodism pioneered the way to a religion of warmth and a 
 Christ who is human-sweet. 
 
 In this western world, opened for settlement bit by bit, the 
 government surveyor could not go far enough, or fast enough, 
 to outstrip the circuit-rider. The clank of the measuring chain 
 beat time to the song of the preacher. In the rush westward the 
 "sooners" found the itinerant as soon as the soonest. In the 
 process of making new homes in a new country, men and women 
 could not be permitted to forget the abiding home in the country 
 beyond the great Divide. Without the meeting-hovise and the 
 preacher, gravitation would be earth-ward. Hence came the 
 
248 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 pioneer to the infant communities, teaching them to walk toward, 
 and not away from God. 
 
 We preachers of to-day have a line of things made ready to our 
 hand. Other men labored for this. They have entered into rest, 
 and we build on the foundations laid by them. They gathered 
 congregations from the world — the conference introduces us to 
 organized societies. They traveled large circuits, being prac- 
 tically homeless — we occupy parsonages made possible by the 
 development of their work. They preached in settler's cabins, 
 in halls, and in school-houses. In contrast, I note that of the 
 sixty-five preaching places now in Dubuque District, all but four 
 have churches. Into this district came the first Upper Iowa 
 itinerants. Whatmanner of men were they? Usually men of fine 
 physique. They had to endure hardness. "Many nights in early 
 times", we are told, it was theirs "to camp out without fire or 
 food for man or beast. " The Black Hawk purchase, or as some- 
 times called, the new purchase, had only a little while before opened 
 the country for settlement, — a country without roads unless 
 Indian trails may be so termed, whose streams must be crossed 
 by swimming the horse, and whose bottomless sloughs re- 
 quired detours that greatly prolonged the distances. Lacking 
 section-lines, and square turned roads, guidance at night was by 
 the stars. Without assured salary, in the sweat of their brow 
 they earned bread. With hands hardened by toil of earth they 
 beckoned men heavenward. 
 
 The apostle Paul made tents ; the Iowa apostle, B. H. Cart- 
 wright, turned the soil with his breaking plow, drawn by four 
 yoke of oxen; or occasionally he earned a dollar as a roust-about 
 at Mississippi steamboat landings, by carrying on board the wood 
 used for firing. He must preach Christ, and he had to stay alive 
 some way to do it. None the less were they men of fine form. 
 I heard one of them declare publicly that they never had any 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 249 
 
 difficulty iji telling the difTerence between aches and marking 
 location in pain. They were men of muscle too, as occasion 
 showed. At times they sang the psalm of David, "Blessed be 
 the Lord my strength, who teacheth my hands to war, and my 
 fingers to fight. " We are thinking of the early days, when society 
 was not so well policed as now. Keeping order at a camp meeting 
 required something of the church militant. More than one of the 
 sons of Belial who went to make trouble, found it, and could have 
 testified that there were giants among the preachers in those daj'S. 
 Nor were they finical in the matter of dress. It is related of a 
 certain former Upper-Iowan, in quite recent years, that when he 
 arrived at the town to which he had been appointed pastor, two 
 boys looked him over, and accosted him thus, "Say, mister, we'll 
 distribute the bills, if you'll let us in. " That mistake could 
 not have been made with a pioneer. 
 
 Let me give you a picture of B. H. Cartwright's attire. I 
 found it in an old book. Plain linen trousers, home-made cotton 
 vest, common shoes, no socks, no coat, and a common chip hat. 
 This was the man who received the first Methodist license to 
 preach in Iowa. What came ye out for to see? A man clothed 
 in soft raiment? Nay, his prototype was dressed in garment of 
 coarsest camel 's-hair. The pioneer was again the voice of one cry- 
 ing in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord; make his 
 paths straight. " He was a man sent from God. He endured 
 as seeing him who is invisible. Heaven and hell, salvation and 
 damnation, were very real to him. His message had fire in it — 
 fire from heaven, nor was he hesitant in speaking of the fires of 
 hell. Carlyle could not possibly have had him in mind, when he 
 wrote thus: 
 
 "There is not a hamlet where poor peasants congregate, but 
 by one means and another a Church-Apparatus has been got to- 
 gether — roofed edifice, with revenues and belfries; pulpit reading 
 
250 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 desk, with Books and Methods; possibility in short, and strict 
 prescription. That a man stand there and speak of spiritual things 
 to men. It is beautifiul, even in its greatest obscuration and de- 
 cadence, it is among the beautifiilest, most touching objects one 
 sees on the earth. This Speaking Man has indeed, in these times, 
 wandered terribly from the point; has, alas, as it were totally 
 lost sight of the point ; yet at bottom whom have we to compare 
 with him? Of aU public functionaries, boarded and lodged on the 
 Industry of Modern Europe, is there one worthier of the board 
 he has? A man, even professing, and never so languidly, making 
 still some endeavor to save the souls of men : contrast him with a 
 man professing to do little but shoot the partridges often. I wish 
 he could find the point again, this Speaking One, and stick to it 
 with tenacity, with deadly energy for there is need of him yet. 
 The Speaking Function, this of Truth, coming to us with a living 
 voice, nay, in a living shape, and as a concrete, practical exemplar, 
 this with all our Writing and Printing Functions, has a perennial 
 place. Could he but find the point again. " 
 
 So Carlyle. You and I must defend ourselves, as best we 
 may, against his repeated statement that we have lost the point. 
 But no need of defense on behalf of the pioneer. He saw the 
 point and kept at it. Long and loud and often unhampered by 
 grammar, he talked and pressed to the hearts of his hearers, tiU 
 they cried, " Men and brethren, what shall we do to be saved?" 
 
 Father Taylor was not the only one, when he paused in the 
 midst of burning oratory, to say, "I have lost my nominative case, 
 but I'm on the way to glory." Of another Taylor, Joel B., of 
 Upper Iowa Conference, it is said that preaching one day on the 
 bank of the Mississippi, where the river is two miles wide, he 
 happened to look across and saw about as large a congregation 
 gathered on the Illinois side. One of Brother Swearingen's con- 
 verts is reported as coming under conviction while he listened 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 to the preaching at a camp-meeting three miles distant. Exag- 
 gerations? Very likely, but do not even hyperboles teach some- 
 thing? 
 
 Quite surely preacher's sore throat Is a disease of recent origin. 
 A layman, describing to me the power of an honored pioneer, 
 the author of a hymn that has gone around the world, declared 
 that he could make a sermon out of "two stomps and a holler." 
 I am quoting his language. That very preacher brought scores 
 into the joys of salvation. If I am asked to explain this, I can 
 only reply, intensity. Apparently their motto was, "This one thing 
 I do" and they did it well. Uncultured Methodist preachers 
 might ramble in their talks, but they rambled beautifiilly, as one 
 critical and learned listener declared. I heard Uncle 'Lisha 
 Warner say that in his preaching no matter what spot in the hedge 
 he M^ent in at, he always came out at the same place. He did. 
 It was Calvary. 
 
 One Upper lowan, still with us, in an early day is reported 
 as saying, after announcing his text, "I could teU you all I know 
 about this Scripture in ten minutes, but I guess I'll branch out a 
 little. " I have no doubt he succeeded after the fashion of that 
 noted Methodist, Rowland Hill, when he was preaching in Scot- 
 land. He began by saying, "I am told you Scotch people wiU 
 not listen to a sermon, unless it is divided up into sections, so, in 
 the first place I shall walk up to my text and look at it. Secondly, 
 I shall walk straight through my text. Thirdly, I shall walk all 
 around my text. And, lastly, I shaU turn, my back on my text 
 and walk straight away from it." They say he did best under 
 the last head. 
 
 The pioneer was not homiletically trained. His sermons 
 gave the devil a rough and tumble fight, the shouts of victory 
 from saved miiltitudes was the sign that the sermons were from 
 heaven. Sermons hortatory, from a man with a burden like the 
 
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 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 prophets of old, from a man with a woe upon him, like Paul's, if 
 he preached not the gospel. Sermons experiential, from a man 
 with a joy in his soul, that he had been lifted from the mire of sin, 
 his feet placed on the rock, and a new song put in his mouth. Ser- 
 mons full of faith and the Holy Ghost — these things together with 
 their perfect adaptation to the times and conditions in which they 
 were uttered, go far in explanation of the early successes. The 
 sermon grew, and the form of growth was according to the preach- 
 er's individuality. Certainly it was without the rules of the sem- 
 inary. Neither the smell of scholastic fire, nor the odor of mid- 
 night oil passed upon it. 
 
 Doubtless there were men of learning among them, but is was 
 a day when for the most part God was calling the modern Amos 
 from the plow and the like occupations. Amos was not a prophet, 
 and had not attended the school of the prophets. Quite like unto 
 him was the Iowa Amos whom God then called. As for libraries 
 and books, Peter Cartwright is my authority for the statement, 
 "Our pocket Bible, hymn book, and Discipline constituted our li- 
 brary." Said of Illinois, this described pioneer conditions in 
 Iowa. Decidedly limited as a library, but limitless expansiveness in 
 the pages. The Bible! Who has climbed the summit of its peaks, 
 who has reached the rim of its horizon, whose mental grasp has 
 taken hold of it all so that there is no more beyond for him, no 
 further development in the study of its pages? The hymn book! 
 That shall lift a man from the sordid and earthly into the realm 
 of poesy and song, — that shall cause him to see with a new vision — 
 that shall help him to find books in the running brooks, sermons in 
 stone, and good in everything. The Discipline ! That shall teach 
 him Heaven's first law, order that shall show him the greatest 
 generalship, ruling his own spirit; that shall teach him how to 
 have power with men. Pocket Bible — Hymn-Book — Disci- 
 pline. A limited library surely. 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 Apparently, however, these three are the essential things in 
 a working library, for curiously enough, Stanley, the explorer, 
 and Cartwright, the pioneer, at opposite sides of the world, and 
 much apart otherwise, seem here to agree. When Stanley began 
 to penetrate the Dark Continent, he had books galore. One after 
 another, to lighten the load, these were tossed into the jungle till 
 only four remained : the Bible, Shakespeare, a Nautical Almanac to 
 direct their course as they journeyed, and one other. So here again 
 we have the Bible, poetry, and a guide-book, as the essentials. 
 
 Milton tells us in his Areogapitica, that when Julian, the 
 apostate, forbade heathen learning to the Christians they were put 
 to the shift of coining "all the seven liberal sciences out of the 
 Bible, reducing it into diverse forms of orations, poems, dialogues, 
 even to the calculating of a new Christian grammar." If the prim- 
 itive Christians could do so much with the Bible, we may be alto- 
 gether assured that the Iowa pioneers found it a full college cur- 
 riculum, and an encyclopedia complete enough for their need. 
 It is beyond question that it broadened their views, for where else 
 in a territory the size of Upper Iowa did the fathers plan so much 
 on educational lines — founding two colleges and two seminaries, 
 all flourishing to-day, except Albion Seminary, that went out of 
 commission some years since. 
 
 Next to the Bible in the circuit rider's saddle-bags lay the 
 hymn book. What a part song has had in the affairs of this world ! 
 An absurd song, " Lillibulero," drove James II from the throne 
 of England. "Tippecanoe and Tyler too," and the like ditties 
 have helped men into the presidency. The ballad-maker has 
 overshadowed the law-maker. This is true alike in political creed 
 and religiovis thinking. If John Brown's body has been resur- 
 rected by song for political purposes, no less surely have the doc- 
 trines of grace been embodied in the songs of the pioneers. "John 
 
254 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Brown's Body," could make men march to war, and "I'm glad 
 Salvation's free," set the prairies on fire with religious enthusiasm. 
 
 Did you ever attend an old time camp-meeting? What sing- 
 ing. None of the Campbells-are-coming-aha-aha provocatives 
 of flippancy that we hear in church occasionally, but the stately 
 old hymns that went floating through the woods inspiring solem- 
 nity and reverence. Listen ! There come wafted over the decades 
 the echoes of penitence, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, 
 that saved a wretch like me," or echoes of triumph, "When I can 
 read my title clear," or echoes of delightful memory, "There is 
 a spot to me more dear, than native vale or mountain," or echoes of 
 weariness, "How tedious and tasteless the hours," or echoes of 
 longing, "0 Thou, in whose presence my soul takes delight." Hear 
 the woods ring again with the heartiness of the song, and we feel 
 again, that heaven comes down our souls to greet, while glory 
 crowns the mercy seat. 
 
 The camp-meeting sermon also. Think of one of these Boan- 
 erges with a manuscript, the sheets paper-weighted to hold them 
 in the breeze, while the preacher handled stale thunder and burnt- 
 out lightning. I can imagine with what amusement a pioneer 
 would listen to me tonight, reading this eulogy. It will be as well 
 that I keep my eyes fastened on the page while I read this para- 
 graph, lest my imagination should play me tricks, and I fancy 
 myself face to face with an embodied frown. In his Yale lectures 
 on preaching. Dr. Dale reaches a conclusion thus, "And yet — not- 
 withstanding my own habits — I am compelled to admit, that if 
 we can preach without reading, we are likely to preach more effec- 
 tively." The early Methodist preacher would have considered 
 that Dr. Dale had wasted a good deal of time and argument over 
 a self-evident proposition, and all his hearers would have said, 
 amen. 
 
 I have paid tribute to the hortatory and experiential preach- 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 ing of the fathers. There is yet another line on which we must 
 follow them, and here again they were victors. This time it is 
 the region of polemics, and thfe sermons here are combative and 
 argumentative. We, who live in a time of irenics no longer hear 
 the clash of arms as some doctrinal spear rings on the shield of an 
 adversary. The fathers had to contend earnestly for the faith 
 that was in them. Here, again we are in possession of their vic- 
 tories. The principal were with Calvinism. Arminianism and 
 Calvinism were irreconcilables, and the battle was fierce. One 
 Arminian stated the position of his adversaries thus: Religion, if 
 you have it, you won't know it; if you get it you can't lose it; 
 if you lose it, you never had it. Or this way : You can, and you 
 can't; you will and you won't; you'll be lost if you do, and you'll 
 be lost if you don't; get down on your knees and cry for mercy. 
 Or as Uncle 'Lisha Warner put it: "The Calvinist goes down into 
 the woods and picks out the gnarliest log he can find. He hitches 
 his oxen to it, and snakes it up out of the timber, and when he has 
 got it to the top of the hill, he says, 'Well done, good and faithfvil 
 log, you've got up here because you couldn't help yourself, I 
 dragged ye up.' " 
 
 We may not care now-a-days to adopt this style of argu- 
 mentation, but could any of lis put more in so small a package, 
 wrap it up more deftly, and tie it in hard knots more quickly? All 
 this sort of thing has disappeared, because the fathers did their 
 work so well that the Calvinism of to-day is mild-mannered, un- 
 obtrusive, and shrinking in more ways than one. These and other 
 theological wars, are they not written in the Chronicles of Method- 
 ism, by Abel Stevens? The spirit of the age is upon us. While 
 we glory in the controversial victories, necessary for the freedom 
 of faith, and for the establishment of the doctrines of grace, the 
 pioneer as we look back at him looms the largest in the record of 
 his power to turn many to righteousness. Some preacher's son. 
 
256 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 quoted by Professor Curtis of Drew Seminary, has thrown a sprig 
 of green acacia to the memory of his father: 
 "How oft have I 
 
 A little child, hearkened my father's voice 
 
 Preaching the word. 
 
 Again I see those, circling, eager faces; 
 
 I hear once more the solemn, urging words, 
 
 That tell the things of God in simple phrase ; 
 
 Again the deep-voiced, reverent prayer, ascends. 
 
 Bringing to the still summer afternoon 
 
 A sense of the eternal. As he preached 
 
 He lived; unselfish, fearlessly heroic." 
 Heroic! Yes, with a heroism, needing stiff er courage than 
 in handling camp-meeting roughs, this kind of man moulded 
 sentiment for right things, for righteousness in the new communi- 
 ties, whose very newness had cut them loose from the religious tra- 
 ditions and restrictions of the regions from which they had emi- 
 grated toward the setting sun. 
 
 Given a region, with settlers miles apart; the gaps between 
 only slowly filled with other settlers, for so it was here, at first; 
 how long before the trend shall be altogether worldly? In this 
 formative period, the pioneer preacher put upon Iowa the 
 stamp of his stalwart godliness. They were men of spinal 
 columns. Senator Mahone, being asked how much he weighed, 
 replied : " One hundred pounds, but ninety of them are backbone." 
 The like proportion was manifest, in multiplied instances, among 
 the pioneers, or the religious history of Iowa would have been 
 somewhat other than it is. 
 
 When Uncle 'Lisha Warner's host at Thanksgiving dinner 
 uncermoniously rose to carve the turkey, that fearless local pioneer 
 preacher caught his arm, saying: "Sit down, Mao, I am in the 
 habit of asking God's blessing on that sort of thing." Uncouth? 
 
SEMI-CENTENNIAL 
 
 Oh, yes, but so thoroughly genuine as to demand and command 
 respect from the company, host included. A simple sample this, 
 but it serves to illustrate the type of men whose insistence on seek- 
 ing first the Kingdom of God, made the Iowa settler turn his 
 thoughts to getting a deed on a quarter-section of heaven. A 
 change in phrase makes a familiar poem fit the case : 
 
 "A man the preacher was to all the country dear, 
 
 And passing rich on nothing much a year; 
 
 Remote from towns, he ran his godly race. 
 
 Nor e'er had changed, nor wished to change his place. 
 
 Unskillful he to fawn, or seek for power 
 
 By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour; 
 
 For other aims his heart had learned to prize. 
 
 More bent to raise the sinner, than to rise." 
 
 It was my high privilege in my early ministry to have as 
 parishioner, a man whose services and sacrifices had endeared him 
 to a whole county. Without reference to compensation he had 
 gone, on foot, hither and yon preaching the gospel, to the saving 
 of their souls, building them up in the faith, joining their lives in 
 matrimony, consecrating their children in baptism, comforting 
 their sick, cheering their dying, and burying their dead out of their 
 sight. 
 
 " Beside the bed where parting life was laid, 
 And sorrow, guilt, and pain by turns dismayed. 
 The reverent champion stood. At his control 
 Despair and anguish fled the struggling soul. 
 Comfort came down the trembling one to raise, 
 And his last fluttering accents whispered praise." 
 After touching so many lives at so many points, the remem- 
 brance of the early preachers shall not perLsh from the earth. 
 The fathers, where are they, and the prophets, do they live forever? 
 
258 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 Aye, they do. They live again in this day's celebration. Being 
 dead, they yet speak, and will continue to speak. 
 
 By the memory of their unselfish lives, unstinted services, 
 heroic sacrifices; by their summer-time and winter-time victories; 
 by the echoes of their camps in the woods and from their bench- 
 altars in prairie school-houses; by the great company who, through 
 their preaching washed their robes, and made them white in the 
 blood of the Lamb; — and what more shall I say? Yes, by, their 
 simple faith in God they speak to us, they call to us from within 
 the vail. The Heavens have received them out of our sight. May 
 their mantle fall on us! May the spirit of Elijah rest on Elisha! 
 We shall not, we must not, be degenerate sons of such illustrious 
 sires. 
 
 God forbid that we should simply garnish the tombs of the 
 prophets, without emulating their virtues and striving after their 
 successes. 
 
 Faith of our fathers, we will preach Thee still as love knows 
 how ! Faith of our fathers, we will be true to thee till death. 
 
UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 PRESIDENT WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON'S TRIBUTE TO 
 THE METHODIST PREACHER. 
 
 The following lines were written by his Excellency WiUiam 
 Henry Harrison, President of the United States in 1841, and ad- 
 dressed to a committee appointed to investigate spiritual destitu- 
 tion in the West. It is a truthful description of the early 
 "Circuit Riders" of Iowa as well as of states east of the Missis- 
 sippi river. It forms a fitting close to this book. 
 
 "Who and what are they? I answer, entirely composed of 
 ministers who are technically called 'Circuit Riders,' a body of 
 men who, for zeal and fidelity in the discharge of the duties they 
 undertake, are not exceeded by any others in the whole world. 
 I have been a witness of their conduct in the Western country 
 for nearly forty years. They are men whom no labor tires, no 
 scenes disgust, no danger frightens in the discharge of their duty. 
 To gain recruits for their Master's service they sedvdously seek out 
 the victims of vice in the abodes of misery and wretchedness. 
 The vow of poverty is not taken by these men, but their conduct 
 is precisely such as it would have been had they taken one. Their 
 stipulated pay is barely sufficient to perform the services assigned 
 to them. With much the larger portion, the horse which carries 
 them is the only animated thing they can call their own, and the 
 contents of their saddle-bags the sum total of their earthly pos- 
 sessions. 
 
 "If,' within the period I have mentioned, a traveler on the 
 western frontier had met a stranger in some obscure way, or as- 
 siduously urging his course through the intricacies of a tangled 
 forest, his appearance staid and sober and a countenance indicat- 
 ing that he was in search of some object in which his feelings were 
 deeply interested, his apparel plain but entirely neat, and his 
 
26o 
 
 UPPER IOWA CONFERENCE 
 
 little baggage adjusted with peculiar compactness, he might be 
 almost certain that stranger was a Methodist Preacher, hurry- 
 ing on to perform his daily task of preaching to separate and 
 distant congregations: and, should the same traveler, upon ap- 
 proaching some solitary, unfinished and scarcely habitable cabin, 
 hear the praises of the Creator chanted with peculiar melody, or 
 the doctrines of the Saviour urged upon the attention of some 
 six or eight individuals with the same zeal and energy that he had 
 seen displayed to a crowded audience of a populous city, he 
 might be certain, without inquiry, that it was the voice of a 
 Methodist Preacher. " 
 
INDEX 
 
 Page 
 
 Aecumenical Conference, dele- 
 gates to, 165 
 
 Aid Society, Mutual 93 
 
 Albrook, J. B 62, 163, 164 
 
 Alexander, Mrs. Elizabeth 59 
 
 Ames, Bishop E. R. 227 
 
 Ames, A. H 235 
 
 Anderson, John S 162 
 
 Appointments: 
 
 First Iowa District 21 
 
 First Iowa Conference 29 
 
 First Upper Iowa Conference 40 
 
 Asburv, Bishop Francis 227 
 
 Ayres,' J. C 46, 102, 160, 163 
 
 Babcock, Q. C 61 
 
 Baker, Bishop O. C. 227 
 
 Barclay, \V. F 104, 164 
 
 Barnes, Frank G 63 
 
 Bassett, T. J 60 
 
 Bastion, N. S 13 
 
 Benevolences, aggregate of 90, 231 
 
 Benevolences and the Super- 
 annuates 90 
 
 Benton, Guy P 60 
 
 Biographical Sketches 102 
 
 Bissell, J. W 60, 163, 165 
 
 Black Hawk Purchase 9 
 
 Blue, J. D. 165 
 
 Board of Church Extension 68 
 
 Boomer, Albert '___145, 164 
 
 Boundaries of the Conference: 
 
 Established 72 
 
 Efforts to change 73 
 
 Bowman, George B.-.25, 53, 105, 160 
 
 Bowman, John 106, 162, 164 
 
 Boyd, Hugh 57 
 
 Brindell, G. W 108, 164 
 
 Bronson, H. S. 108, 160 
 
 Bronson, S. C 165 
 
 Brown, Philo E 161, 163 
 
 Bruce, H. J 17 
 
 Brunson, Alfred 14 
 
 Brush, William 59, 109, 162, 164 
 
 Bugbee, Lucius H 59 
 
 Burlington; 
 
 First class in 15 
 
 First preaching in 14 
 
 Cameron, J. R 246 
 
 Carlyle, Thomas 250 
 
 Carlton, W. W 163 
 
 Carnegie, Andrew 59, 61 
 
 Cart wTight, Peter .15, 16 
 
 CartAATight, B. H 14, 248 
 
 Casebeer, J. B 110 
 
 Catlin, Lyman 111 
 
 Celebration, Semi-Centennial 222 
 
 Charles Qty College 220 
 
 Church, H. S 163 
 
 Page 
 
 Church Extension: 
 
 In the Conference 65, 232 
 
 General Board of 68 
 
 Chtu-ch, first in Iowa 11 
 
 Church Membership, gro-wth of.. 229 
 Circuit Riders, Harrison's tribute 
 
 to 259 
 
 Claimant Fund, Conference 94 
 
 Clark, Bishop D. W 227 
 
 Clark, J. J 165 
 
 Clifford, George 161, 164, 234 
 
 Clinton, J. W. 111, 162, 164 
 
 Coke, Bishop Thomas 227 
 
 Coleman, Andrew, 46, 112, 160 
 
 Coleman, F. M. 163 
 
 Coleman, J. T 46, 160 
 
 Colleges: 
 
 Charles City 220 
 
 Cornell 53, 56, 219, 236 
 
 German 220 
 
 Iowa City 53 
 
 Morningside 220 
 
 Simpson 219 
 
 Conferences: 
 
 Des Moines 73, 219 
 
 Iowa 29, 73, 218 
 
 North Indiana 237 
 
 Northwest Iowa 219 
 
 Northwest German 220 
 
 Saint Louis German 220 
 
 Upper Iowa 40, 72, 218 
 
 Collin, Alonzo 57 
 
 Cook, W. L 17 
 
 Cooke, HarrietteJ 57 
 
 Cooley, D. N 56, 145, 164 
 
 Cornell College 53, 56, 219, 236 
 
 Cranston, Bishop Earl 223 
 
 Crippen, J. T 162, 164 
 
 Crossan, Alexander 146 
 
 Cullom, U. S. Senator S. M 115 
 
 Curtis, Professor O. A 256 
 
 Davenport : 
 
 First Church in 18 
 
 First Class in 17 
 
 Dead, Roll of the 167 
 
 DeBra, H. R 63 
 
 Deceased Members 167 
 
 Delegates to: 
 
 Aecumenical Conference 165 
 
 General Conference 163 
 
 Des Moines Conference 73, 219 
 
 District, First Iowa 21 
 
 Dimmitt, J. G 84, 114, 161 
 
 Dred Scott Decision, resolutions 
 
 on the 86 
 
 Drummond, C. E 165 
 
 Dubuque: 
 
 First village 10 
 
 First preaching in 11 
 
Dubuque : Page 
 
 First class in 12 
 
 First church in 12 
 
 First quarterly meeting in._ 14 
 
 Egbert, Henry 164 
 
 Elliott, George 235 
 
 Emerson, Ralph Waldo 246 
 
 Epworth L,eagTae 100 
 
 Epworth Seminary 62, 219, 236 
 
 Farley, J. P 56, 147, 164 
 
 Fathers of the Conference 227 
 
 Fawcett, William 234 
 
 Fellows, S. N 164, 166, 223, 224 
 
 Fellows, Samuel M 56, 57, 115 
 
 First Year of the Upper Iowa 
 
 Conference 40 
 
 Fleming, T. E 163, 164, 246 
 
 Fobs, Bishop CD., tribute to 
 
 Kynett 69 
 
 Freer, S. C 117, 161 
 
 Freer, H. H 57 
 
 Fuller, I. K 117, 161 
 
 General Conference: 
 
 Address to Abraham Lincoln 84 
 
 Delegates to 163 
 
 German College 220 
 
 German Conference: 
 
 Northwest 220 
 
 Saint Louis 220 
 
 Gilruth, James 118 
 
 Golden, T. C 162 
 
 Gould, C. L 163, 165 
 
 Gould, John 161 
 
 Green, H. H 163, 164 
 
 Half Century's Membership 155 
 
 Hammond, B. C 162 
 
 Hand, W. H 165 
 
 Hardman, Henry 19 
 
 Harlan, James 53 
 
 Harlan, James E 57 
 
 Harmer, S. Y 119 
 
 Hawn, R. G 32 
 
 Heald, S. W 120, 164 
 
 Henderson, D. B 61 
 
 Henderson, S. H 162 
 
 Henderson, T. S 223 
 
 Hestwood, J. F 33, 246 
 
 Higher Education 53, 236 
 
 Historical Register 174 
 
 Hitt, Honorable R. R 115 
 
 Hobart, Chauncy 17 
 
 Hobart, Norris 17 
 
 Holm, Adam 62 
 
 Holmes, D. N. 121, 161, 164 
 
 Houghton, H. W 121, 161, 164 
 
 Hurlburt, R. F 63, 235 
 
 Indian Massacre, Spirit Lake 48 
 
 Ingham, S. W. Jr 162 
 
 Ingham, S. W. Sr 26, 36, 122 
 
 Iowa: 
 
 District 21, 225, 227 
 
 Conference 29, 73, 218 
 
 Methodism in.. 218 
 
 Iowa : Page 
 Opened to settlement by the 
 
 whites 9 
 
 Iowa City College 53 
 
 Iowa Wesleyan University 218 
 
 Janes, Bishop E. S - 40, 227 
 
 Johnson, A. W 35 
 
 Johnston, W. F 164 
 
 Jones, G. W 63 
 
 Keeler, R. W. _.57, 62, 122, 161, 163 
 
 Kendig, A. B 234 
 
 King, W. F 57. 164, 166 
 
 Kynett, A. J 
 
 -___65, 68, 124, 161, 164, 166, 232 
 
 Lamb, E. D 126 
 
 Lamont, Daniel 161 
 
 Larrabee, Governor William 61 
 
 Leaders in the Conference 45 
 
 Lease, William 162, 164, 223 
 
 Lee, Bishop H. W., tribute to the 
 
 Methodists 37 
 
 Lee, S. A 82, 126, 162 
 
 Lewis, W. S 63, 235 
 
 Lincoln, Abraham, Reply to the 
 
 General Conference 85 
 
 Lockwood, E. J 165 
 
 Log Church, in Dubuque 12 
 
 Loyalty of the Conference 81 
 
 Mabrv, W. D 163 
 
 Magee, J. C 163, 164 
 
 Manwell, A. C 162 
 
 McCord, J. S 127 
 
 Mclntyre, J. S 128 
 
 McKim, S. T 129 
 
 McLean, Byron 60 
 
 Members of the Conference: 
 
 Deceased 167 
 
 Former 174 
 
 Living 184 
 
 Original 40 
 
 Membership of the Church, 
 
 growth of 229 
 
 Merry, J. F 165 
 
 Methodism in Iowa 218 
 
 Miller, E. L 163 
 
 Miller, Emory 161, 164 
 
 Milton, John 253 
 
 Ministerial Record 184 
 
 Mitchell, J. T 10 
 
 Montgomery, John 246 
 
 Morningside College 220 
 
 Morris, Bishop T. A. 21, 29, 225 
 
 Mutual Aid vSociety 93 
 
 Newton, Isaac 129, 162 
 
 Northwest Iowa Conference 219 
 
 Northwest German Conference. . 220 
 
 Norton, Roderick 60, 130 
 
 Organization of Churches, date of 153 
 
 Organizations of the Church 97 
 
 Original Members of the Confer- 
 ence r 43 
 
 "Our Boys" 233 
 
 Pancoast, Samuel 161 
 
Page 
 
 Pastor's Wife, tribute to 170 
 
 Patriotism and Moral Reform 81 
 
 Paxton, W. F 131, 162 
 
 Peebles, R. W. 132, 162 
 
 Pioneer Preacher, Fleming's, tri- 
 bute to 246 
 
 Pitner, W. F 163 
 
 Planting of Methodism in Iowa__ 9 
 
 Pollock, John 62 
 
 Poor, W. H 59 
 
 Porterfield, D. A 165 
 
 Pratt, H. O 165 
 
 Presiding Elders, list of 160 
 
 Price, Hiram 18, 56, 73, 148, 164 
 
 Quarterly Meetings: 
 
 Old time 22 
 
 Changes in 241 
 
 Randall, B. H 10 
 
 Rankin, J. M 160 
 
 Record : 
 
 Ministerial 184 
 
 Of Officials 160 
 
 Reed, H. W.13, 28, 62, 84, 132, 160, 163 
 
 Register, Historical 174 
 
 Rhea, J. H 134, 164 
 
 Ricker, Rufus 135 
 
 Ridlington, Joseph 246 
 
 Rigby, J. H 62, 136, 163 
 
 Robertson, J. E 36, 59, 148 
 
 •Robertson, F. M 163 
 
 Rockingham, first class in 16 
 
 Roll of the dead 167 
 
 Ross, A. C 165 
 
 Ruble, J. H 16 
 
 Sabbath, Resolutions on the 88 
 
 Saint Louis German Conference, 220 
 
 Sanborn, W. W 67, 149 
 
 Scott, Bishop Levi 227 
 
 Scott, W. S 164 
 
 Semi-Centennial Celebration 222 
 
 Sessions of the Upper Iowa Con- 
 ference 158 
 
 Sessions, C. M 246 
 
 Shanklin, W. A 60 
 
 Sheffer, Daniel 137, 162 
 
 Simpson, Bishop Matthew 227 
 
 Simpson College 219 
 
 Sioux Citv District 47 
 
 Sketches,' Biographical 102 
 
 Skinner, Flias. -34, 161, 164, 222, 246 
 
 Page 
 
 Slavery, Resolutions on 86 
 
 Smith," B. D 63 
 
 Snyder, D. B 165 
 
 Snyder, E. A i64 
 
 State Schools, the allies of the 
 
 church in christian education 238 
 
 Statistical Tables 153 
 
 vStevens, Mrs. J. H 149 
 
 vStowers, C. N 59 
 
 Stuntz, Homer C 165, 235 
 
 Summers, Henry 19, 21, 24, 225 
 
 Superannuates-. 91 
 
 Swearingen, Richard 
 
 34, 75, 138, 162, 164, 250 
 
 Swisher, A. E 76, 77, 165 
 
 Taylor, C. H 139, 163 
 
 Taylor, Joel B. 140, 161, 164, 250 
 
 Taylor, Landon 31, 47, 140, 160 
 
 Taylor, T. B . 165 
 
 Temperance, Resolutions on 87 
 
 Tobacco, Resolutions on 88 
 
 Trowbridge, G 63 
 
 Truesdell, C. G 161, 234 
 
 Universities: 
 
 De Pauw 237 
 
 Iowa Wesleyan 218 
 
 Upper Iowa 59, 219, 236 
 
 Upper Iowa Conference. __40, 72, 218 
 Upper Iowa University _.59, 219, 236 
 
 Van Ness, J. G 163 
 
 Waller, Richard 150 
 
 Warner, H. E 235 
 
 Warner, S. B 235 
 
 Warner, Uncle 'Lisha 251, 256 
 
 '\^^augh, Bishop Beverly 24 
 
 Weed, Bartholomew 19, 25, 30 
 
 Wheeler, D. H 56, 234 
 
 Widows of Deceased Members 170 
 
 Williams, S. N 57 
 
 Wilson, Sheppard 151, 164 
 
 Wolfe, F. C. 142, 162, 164 
 
 Woman's Foreign Missionary So- 
 ciety 97 
 
 Woman's Home Missionary Soci- 
 ety 98 
 
 Wyant, W. W 165 
 
 Yoran, Calvin 164 
 
 Young, Alcinous 143, 160 
 
 Young, E. K 144, 234 
 
 INDEX OF PORTRAITS 
 
 Page 
 
 Alden, B. D 
 
 Atchison, H. D..., 
 AUshouse, Henry. 
 
 Bailey, H 
 
 Baker, J. E 
 
 Baker, J. F 
 
 Ballz, James — - . 
 
 Bargelt, H. S 
 
 Bame», B. C 
 
 232 Barton, H. H 
 
 56 BiUingsly, A. M. ... 
 
 160 Bin^, G. M 
 
 160 Bird, J. B 
 
 240 Bimey, G. H. 
 
 216 Bishop, A. T 
 
 80 Bindenber^er, J. F. 
 
 152 Bissell, J. W 
 
 200 Black, J. F 
 
 Page 
 
 240 Blodgett, J. N. 208 
 
 .. 216 Bowder, H. J 224 
 
 .. 232 Boyd, Hugh 224 
 
 ... 184 Bretnall, G. H... 208 
 
 .. 200 Bretnall, John _ 216 
 
 .. 80 BrctnaU, S. C 56 
 
 .-_ 208 Brown, F. Q 240 
 
 ..216 Bronson, S. C 64 
 
 ... 80 Brackett, A. C 216 
 
 ... 80 Bailey, B. S 184 
 
Page 
 
 Burnard, C. S 64 
 
 Carlton, W. W 200 
 
 Casper, C. C 224 
 
 Cassidy, F. P 240 
 
 Cattcrmole, E. G __. 56 
 
 Chaffee, W. N 200 
 
 Caffyn, J. R ._ 240 
 
 Clark, L. C 160 
 
 Clement, W. H 160 
 
 Clinton, D. W 160 
 
 Cobb, Wm 208 
 
 Coleman, F. M 56 
 
 Cleveland, C. W 192 
 
 Cole, Frank 216 
 
 Copeland. E G 184 
 
 Crinklaw, G. B 192 
 
 Crippen, J. T 192 
 
 Crowder, W. G..-. 192 
 
 Curran, A. B 208 
 
 Crawford, H. T 208 
 
 Davis, B. A.... 208 
 
 Davis, W, B.... 216 
 
 Dawson, John 160 
 
 Dearini, J. A 184 
 
 DeBra, H. R 192 
 
 Dolph, John 152 
 
 Dorcas, H. F 224 
 
 Dutton, D. C 232 
 
 Dwello, P. N 224 
 
 Dyre, W. R 240 
 
 DePuy, O. C 224 
 
 Eberhart, J. S 80 
 
 ElUs, F 152 
 
 Elwick, T. J 184 
 
 Evans, T. M. 56 
 
 FairaU, H.H 56 
 
 FeUows, S. N 1 
 
 Felt, C. A 224 
 
 Ferguson, S, R 216 
 
 Fisher, F. P 184 
 
 Fleming, T. E 152 
 
 Foote, Horace 224 
 
 Foster, A. D 184 
 
 Foster, A. T - 232 
 
 Goodsell, S.- 64 
 
 Gammons, John 184 
 
 Gibbens, W. A. 56 
 
 GoodeU, M. A 200 
 
 Garrison, G. L 200 
 
 Gould, C. L 56 
 
 Gould, J. W 184 
 
 Green, H. H 240 
 
 GruweU, E. T 80 
 
 HaUett, A. A 64 
 
 Hammond, B. C 80 
 
 Hanner, J. R. A 64 
 
 Hawn, C. A.. 56 
 
 Hayward, J. H - 240 
 
 HeaUy. F. T.. 64 
 
 Bacon, W, F 128 
 
 Barclay, W. F. 141 
 
 Bargelt, E. S ._ 105 
 
 Bowles, O. D...- 120 
 
 Bowman, Geo. B... 105 
 
 Bowman, John 144 
 
 Brindell, G. W 105 
 
 Bronson, H, S 112 
 
 Brown, W. N 105 
 
 Camp, Alonzo 128 
 
 Clinton, J. W 105 
 
 Coleman, Andrew 120 
 
 Cook, T. N 144 
 
 Cooley, L. S - 128 
 
 Craft, W. S 112 
 
 Cummings, Wm. 144 
 
 Dimmitt, J. G .120 
 
 Eberhart, U 128 
 
 Edwards, A. H. Marsh. __. 128 
 
 FeUows, S. M. 112 
 
 Ferris, J. M 112 
 
 Freer, S. C 105 
 
 Gilruth, James 144 
 
 Golden, T. C... 120 
 
 Page 
 
 Hendricks, T. H. 200 
 
 Hestwood, J. F 152 
 
 Hilburn, Joel 152 
 
 HiEmer, W. C 224 
 
 Holm, Adam 232 
 
 Hoskyn, J. H 56 
 
 Howe, D. N 200 
 
 Hudson, C. K 184 
 
 Hunt, E. G 232 
 
 Jeffries, E. W 80 
 
 Johnson, J. E 232 
 
 Jones, J. B 152 
 
 Keister, B. B 216 
 
 Kennedy, G. H 192 
 
 Keppel, J. H 232 
 
 Kirwin, Will 160 
 
 King, W. F 56 
 
 Knight, E. A 160 
 
 Kynett, J. W 240 
 
 Lang, E. A 80 
 
 Leaman, E. R 152 
 
 Lease, Wm 152 
 
 Lemen, W. M 216 
 
 Lemon, L. C 192 
 
 Linn, F. H 200 
 
 Littler, J. J 192 
 
 Lockard, L. L 216 
 
 Locke, M.J 192 
 
 Lockwood, E. J 80 
 
 Lusk, I. C. 56 
 
 Lusk, R. C 184 
 
 Magee, J. C 160 
 
 Manning, G. R 240 
 
 Manwell, A. C 80 
 
 Masters, Mark 200 
 
 Maxfield, G. E, 216 
 
 McCord, J. W 224 
 
 Mcintosh, A. M 152 
 
 Mellott, W. R 152 
 
 Mershon, N. A.... 64 
 
 Metcalf, J. B 80 
 
 Miller, E. L 80 
 
 Miller, F. X.. 184 
 
 MUler, R. A 184 
 
 Norton, N. F ...200 
 
 Parker, D. M 152 
 
 Parkin, C. A 232 
 
 Parsons, R. D 56 
 
 Peddicord, C. A ..200 
 
 Perry, D. C - 152 
 
 Perry, M. W. S 240 
 
 Pitner, W. F 160 
 
 Piper, Walter ... 216 
 
 Platts, S. C 192 
 
 Puckett, R. H 200 
 
 Pye, Nathaniel 208 
 
 Potter, T. P 160 
 
 Porter, R. V 208 
 
 Pratt, H. O 192 
 
 DECEASED MEMBERS 
 
 Gould, P. W 128 
 
 Green, L. N 105 
 
 Harmer, S. Y 112 
 
 Haymond, Jacob 120 
 
 Heald, S. W 112 
 
 Howe, W. R 128 
 
 Keagle, L. S 105 
 
 Keeler, R. W 112 
 
 KeUev, J. L 105 
 
 Ketchum, E 144 
 
 Kynett, A. J 120 
 
 Ingham, S. W., Sr. 112 
 
 Jones, Nathaniel.- 128 
 
 Lamb, E. D 105 
 
 Lee, S. A 128 
 
 Mason, A. A 128 
 
 McCord, J. S... 112 
 
 McCormac, W. E 105 
 
 Mclntyre, J. S.. 144 
 
 McKim, S. T 112 
 
 McLean, C. F 112 
 
 MiUer, W. H.... 128 
 
 Metcalf, T. S _ .128 
 
 Montgomery, W 105 
 
 PAGfi 
 
 Rankin, L M 208 
 
 Robbins, K. W 208 
 
 Robertson, F. M 160 
 
 Robinson, J. Q 208 
 
 Robinson, W. W 184 
 
 Rodgers, C. W 152 
 
 Rogers. G. W 192 
 
 Ross, W. E 160 
 
 Salisbury, H. R.._. 152 
 
 Sessions, C. M 224 
 
 Shaffer, F, P.... 184 
 
 Shanklin, W. A 56 
 
 Shear, G. E 64 
 
 Sheckler,T. H 232 
 
 Shoemaker, G. B 232 
 
 Skinner, Elias 64 
 
 Skinner, W. S 56 
 
 Slingerland, W. H 208 
 
 Slocum, P. S 224 
 
 Smedley, M. T 192 
 
 Smith, A. W 232 
 
 Smith, C. E 224 
 
 Smith, M. H 80 
 
 Smith, M.N 56 
 
 Smith, S. S 80 
 
 Smith, W. H 64 
 
 Smith, W. W 160 
 
 Snell, G. W 200 
 
 Soper, B. W 208 
 
 Spry,W. F 160 
 
 Stevens, A. D.. 232 
 
 Stubbs, L. D 184 
 
 Sutherland, G. F 192 
 
 Swisher. L. A 216 
 
 Swisher, M. S 208 
 
 Taylor, T. E ..216 
 
 Trimble, T. A 216 
 
 Troy, H. W ...240 
 
 Van Buren, W. E 224 
 
 Van Home, J. P 224 
 
 Van Ness, J. G. 232 
 
 Wagner, J. E 80 
 
 Waite, E. G. 64 
 
 Ward, A. G 160 
 
 Welch, A. D 192 
 
 Wheat, CM. - 200 
 
 Westren, R. T... 192 
 
 Wilcox, H, E 64 
 
 Williams, H 152 
 
 Willis, F. N .... 200 
 
 Witzigman, F. C 208 
 
 Wolfe, Reese 64 
 
 Wyatt. J. B 64 
 
 Williams, S. V 224 
 
 Young, F. G.... 64 
 
 Young, Wm 232 
 
 Zavodsky, F. J 232 
 
 Newton, Isaac 120 
 
 NeweU, O. R 144 
 
 Norton, R 128 
 
 Peebles, R. W... 112 
 
 Pilbeam, Henry 144 
 
 Pratt, L. M 105 
 
 Reed, H. W 112 
 
 Ricker, Rufus.. ...112 
 
 Rigby, J. H 105 
 
 Shefter, Daniel 105 
 
 Smedley, W. E 105 
 
 Smith, B. D 112 
 
 Swearingen, R 144 
 
 Spry, J. T 144 
 
 Taylor, C. H 128 
 
 Taylor, Joel B 144 
 
 Taylor, Landon 120 
 
 Ward, Z. R 144 
 
 Warner, Horace 128 
 
 WUcox, J. F 128 
 
 Wolfe, F. C 144 
 
 Woods, A. G. 144 
 
 Young, E. K... 112