Addenda

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Chapter 30:  Addenda

Notwithstanding the efforts made to secure the history of the following churches that they might be inserted in their proper place, our endeavors proved unsuccessful. Hence we give them here. The reader is referred to the chapter on Ecclesiastical History, pp. 278-291, for other church history.

CHURCHES.

The Congregation of Disciples at Paris. - This congregation was organized March 10, 1832, with seven members, only one of whom survives (Abernathy) to-day. They now occupy their third house of  worship, which is a structure of modern design, built -of brick with  four rooms, viz.: class-room, dressing-room, pastor's study and  experience-room. The latter has a seating capacity of 450. The class-room can be used in conjunction with the audience department, which enables the church to seat comfortably about 600. The baptistry is just to the left of the pulpit and under the platform, but entered from the study in a very convenient way. The building is gothic in design throughout, with windows of beautiful stained cathedral glass, and was built at a cost of about $11,000. The congregation has had seven regular pastors, three of whom survive: Alexander Proctor, J. W. Mountjoy and H. B. Davis, the last named being the present incumbent. The present membership is about 250. The names of Alfred Wilson, Henry Thomas, A. H. Rice and Thos. Allen are revered by those who survive them, as ministers who labored faithfully and successfully among them. Also Peter Donan did noble service for the Master in their community. The following are the names of the charter members: J. C. Fox and wife, Jno. Forman and wife, J. R. Abernathy, John Shoot and wife. Marcus Wills is remembered as an efficient minister among this people.

First Baptist Church of Monroe City.- The organization of this  church was effected January 23, 1869, the original members being as follows: J. M. Proctor and wife, Ellen; T. J. Canterbury and Jennie, his wife; Geo. W. Swan and wife, Eliza; Wm. B. White and his daughters, Callie M., Anna and Nellie White, and Mrs. J. H. Brown, Mrs. Mary Fuqua, Wm. Ashley and wife, Deborah I.; David Minor and Esther A., his wife; J. A. Peirsol and wife, Susan E.; and Mr. Eaton K. Clark. The erection of a frame church edifice was commenced in the fall of 1869, and was completed and dedicated in the summer of 1870. Its cost was about $1,100. This building has become too small for the congregation and a new brick structure will be put up this year. The estimated cost of this new building is from $5,000 to $6,000. Wm. C. Busby was the first pastor of the church, serving from February, 1869, to February, 1872; he was followed by Pierre R. Ridgely, from February, 1872, to June, 1875, the latter being succeeded by James S. Green, from September, 1875, to the present time. The church now has a membership of 78--35 male and 43 female members. A Sunday-school has been sustained since the organization of the church. The superintendent is Thomas Proctor. The church officers have been: Clerks, G. W. Swan (at organization), R. B. Bristow, J. W. Paul and J.A. Peirsol; Treasurers: P. A. Pendleton and J. M. Proctor. The present officers are: Clerk, J. A. Peirsol; treasurer, J. M. Proctor; deacons, J. M. Proctor, J. A. Peirsol, L. C. Burdil, George Lee and R. D. Woods. This church, while not having had such an extensive career, has been uniformly progressive and is now in a good spiritual condition. The only ordination which has occurred here was that of Pierre R. Ridgely, February 24, 1872.

Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church -Is located at Holliday, and was organized between 1830 and 1840. Rev. Jas. Sharp is pastor  at this time. The church house is a frame structure about 32x40 feet in size. A Sabbath-school of from 50 to 75 scholars is maintained here.

Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church -Is situated about four  miles west of Paris. It was organized about 1878 or 1879, and now has some 70 members. Rev. T. W. Baker has been pastor ever since its organization. A Sunday school is held regularly.

Bluff Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church- Is situated about seven miles south-east of Paris. The congregation are removing and rebuilding a church at this date, August, 1884.

The A. M. E. Church (Methodist)--Was organized by I. N. Triplitt in the year 1870. Those who have served as pastors are as follows: J. W. Shropshire, six months; D. Bell and H. H. Triplitt, each one year; W. Martin, two years; F. M. Dale, J. Thomas and H. H. Triplitt, each one year; J. R. Loving, two years,; J. P. Watson, three years, and R. H. Congdon, two years, and now the pastor. The membership at present is 75. Their house was built in the year 1880 by J. P. Watson, and in size is 34x48, and 14 feet high, costing about $1,200.

Colored Baptist Church.- The Second Baptist Church of Paris (colored) was organized in 1867. The pastors here have been James Hawkins, Clay Vaughn, Wm. P. Brooks and James Hawkins, who is now the pastor. The brick church edifice which they occupy is 36x60 feet in dimensions and is valued at $1,200. It was built in 1864 by the Old School Baptists (white) and purchased by the colored church in 1880.

LODGES.

Granville Lodge No. 240, A. F. and A. M. -Organized May 26, 1865, had as its charter members William S. Streeter, W. M.; J. A. Sparks, S. W.; T. Saunders, J. W. Other original members were C. Hanger, J. C. Kipper, S. Houchens and T. Burton. There are at present 30 members, the officers being George W. Webb, W. M.; George S. Jones, S. W.; William G. Smiser, J. W.; T. O. Bailey, treasurer; N. M. Read, secretary; George M. Curry, S. D.; John W. Adams, J. D., and W. T. Delaney, tyler.

Monroe Council No. 43, of Missouri, Order of Chosen Friends- Was organized August 12, 1884. The officers and charter members were George L. Turner, past chief councilor; George A. Hawkins, chief councilor; William A. Bird, vice-councilor; George W. Tompkins, secretary; Noah A. Sidener, treasurer; Henry G. Johnson, prelate; John W. Strean, marshal; John R. Griffith, warden; Harry E. Schofield, guard; William S. Whitehead, sentry; George L. Tur'ner, John Hanley and Nicholas Lasson, trustees. Charter members Noah A. Sidener, Mrs. Zer. L. Lively, Henry G. Johnson, William S. Whitehead, Mrs. Teresa M. Simpson, John W. Strean, Harry E. Schofield, Samuel H. Ryan, George W. Tompkins, Albert R. Wheeler, Eugene L. Anderson, Samuel F. Henderson, George A. Hawkins, John Hanley, George L. Turner, John R. Griffith, Horace J. Kent, William A. Bird, Thomas E. Garrett, Mrs. Mary S. Torrell, Felix Wunsch, Andrew Grimm, Nicholas Lasson, Mrs. Roxanna Johnson and Mrs. Harriet E. Kent.

MONROE TOWNSHIP.

PROF. R. D. WOODS

(Principal of the Public School, Monroe City).  Prof. Woods is a native of Kentucky, born in Nelson county, February 11, 1832. His parents were John A. and Nancy G. (Davis) Woods, and his father was a son of Michael and Esther Woods, also of that county. His father was born April 9, 1800, and had four brothers: James, Michael, Samuel and William; and three sisters: Susan, who became the wife of Mr. Massev; Mary, who married a Mr. Barclay; and Jane, afterwards Mrs. Hardy. John A. Woods was reared a farmer, and received a good common school education. In March, 1827, he was married to Miss Nancy G. Davis, a daughter of Richard G. and Frances Davis, of Goochland county, Virginia. Subsequently he followed farming in Nelson county until 1839 when he removed to Ralls county, Missouri. In a short time he bought a farm in Pike county, where he resided until his death in 1849. He left his wife with nine children, of whom seven are living: Michael, the eldest, died en route to California in 1850; Mary, died at the family homestead in Pike county; Elizabeth became the wife of John H. Davis, and now resides at Waxahachie, Tex., her husband being dead; Jane is now the widow of Arthur Maupin; Julia is the wife of N. B. Langsford; Louisa is the wife of William Kelly, of Audrain county; William is married and a resident of Jackson county; J. Thomas is a resident of Texas; and Prof. R. D. Woods, the subject of this sketch. Prof. Woods was reared to a farm life, but being disabled for farm work by an affliction of the erysipelas, he prepared himself for the profession of teaching. He took a course at Bethel College and began teaching in the fall of 1854. He has been engaged in his chosen calling continuously ever since that time. Prof. Woods has achieved a wide and enviable reputation as a teacher and has held the position of principal of some of the best public schools of the State, including those of Mexico, Liberty and Kearney. He is now principal of the public schools at Monroe City and has given unqualified satisfaction in this position. April 2, 1863, he was married to Miss Margaret Bodine, a daughter of Richard and Margaret (Gore) Bodine, of this  county. Her mother is still living at the advanced age of 80 years. Mrs. W. has two brothers living: Martin, and Massey G., of Paris, and two sisters: Mrs. Amanda Birkit, wife of S. P. Birkit, and Ella, both of Paris. Mr. and Mrs. Woods have three children: Archie B., a telegraph operator on the Missouri Pacific Railway, Bessie and Ella. Prof. W. is a member of the Baptist Church, and also of the A. F. and A. M. Mrs. Woods and her daughters are members of the Christian Church.