UNITED BRETHEREN SOCIETY

 

The United Brethren society in Keithsburg, now dissolved, was formed in the winter of 1849-50, and was the first of this denomination in the county.

The original members were St. Clair Ross and wife, James Goldsberry and wife, a Mr. Mapes and wife, and a few others. The pastors were : J. L. Condon, 1819-51; 0. F. Smith, 1851-3 ; B. Wagner, 1853-1; P. W. Knowles, 1854-6 ; G. W. Keller, 1856-7 ; Rev. Weaver, 1857-8 ; D. F. Bear, 1858-9 ; W. C. Toll and P. Watts, 1859-60 ; D. Stanley, 1860-62 ; J. B. Speaks, 1862-3 ; St. Clair Ross, 1863-5; Rev. Bugby, 1865-6; E. Godfrey, 1866-7; B. Wagner, 1867-9 ; 0. F. Smith, from 1869 to the spring of 1872, A. Shesler finishing the conference year ; B. Wagner, 1872-4; A. G. Smith, 1874-5 ; S. P. Davis and A. A. Wolf, 1875-6 ; Z. Pease, 1876-8 ; Percival Spurlock, 1878-9 ; 0. 0. Smith, 1879-81; and A. Worman, the present pastor on the charge, who occasionally preaches to the few unorganized members of the old society.

About 1857 the erection of a church was begun, but the house was not completed until four years afterward. It is a low brick, 36 x 50 feet, now beginning to show signs of decay.

 

History of Mercer & Henderson Counties

 

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