Morgan Township Churches and Organizations
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Civil Bend was organized early in
1865. The minister in charge at the time was Rev. David M. Heath.
The number of original members was about fifteen. In 1868 a frame
church 30x40 in size, was built, at a cost of about $1,500; it was
dedicated in the fall of the same year by Rev. Mr. Heath, of St.
Louis. A parsonage costing about $250 has also been erected. Since
the building of the house of worship the church has continued to
prosper, and the present membership is fifty-six. The present pastor
in charge is Rev. J. G. Thompson. In connection with the church
there is a flourishing Sabbath-school with an average attendance of
sixty.
Christian Church
The Christian Church of Civil Bend was organized on the second
Sabbath in February, 1868, with the following members: J. L. Powell,
Elijah Otterman, Mary E. Otterman, Lewis Swaney, David E. Youtsey,
Lydia M. Youtsey, Henry L. and Mary J. Powell, F. M. Otterman, Jacob
E. and Jane Youtsey, Hester A. Swaney, Malsina Reed, William L. and
Eliza A. Clark, Sarah C. Smith, Catherine Bristow, Barbara Brown,
Emily Young, Sarah F. Nance, Margaret Reed, Sarah A. Smith, Lydia
Marshall and George M. Youtsey. The church building, a frame, 30x40
feet in size, was built in 1872, at a cost of $1,500; it has not yet
been dedicated. The pastors have been Revs. B. G. Waller, J. O.
Ensel, Benjamin Franklin, editor of the American. Christian Review,
and Peter Slick, of Kansas. It has had good home talent, besides
many eminent ministers from abroad. James L. Powell and Samuel Smith
both perform valuable labor for the church. The elders have been E.
J. Otterman, H. S. Rulon, and W. L. Clark. The deacons are A. J.
Hathaway and D. E. Youtsey. The present membership is about 160.
More than 210 members have been united by letter and immersion. The
church has always been in a prosperous condition.
Organizations
Masonic
Civil Bend Lodge No. 409, A. F. & A. M. has a membership of
thirty-four and owns a good hall in which it meets the first Monday
on or before the full moon and every two weeks thereafter. The
present officers are Philip Shaw, M.; L. F. Hetrick, S. W.; A. J.
Stephenson, J. W.; W. T. Miller, Treas.; O. F. S. Shumway, Sec'y; W.
L. Clark, S. D.; Daniel Gentis, J. D.; A. D. Harmon, Tyler.
Odd Fellows
Civil Bend Lodge No. 203, I. O. O. F., was first instituted under a
dispensation granted February 15, 1869. The charter was granted May
20th following, and the lodge set to work by District Deputy Grand
Master W. H. Folmsbee. So far as has been learned the charter
members were the. first officers; viz., A. M. Swaney, N. G.; W. S.
Mallory, V. G.; J. H. Frost, R. S.; John Easter, P. S.; T. J. Swaney,
P. S. The present membership is thirty-three, and the officers are:
N. G., W. H. Hines; V. G., Martin Sinnett; R. S., J. W. Wilson; P.
S., W. 0. Martin; Treasurer, C. C. Bareholdt
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