Sheridan Township Churches and Organizations
Christian Church
The Prairie Ridge Christian Church was organized in the year 1867,
by the Rev. W. H. Williams, of Gallatin, with ten members, their
names being, Samuel Kindig and wife, Amos Faw and wife, Sarah
Johnston, Leah Grove, Mrs. Clive Cole and Mrs. Olive Myers. The
organization continued to grow in membership from year to year, and
in 1878 they put up a church on section six in the northwestern
corner of the township township, and it is the first and only church
building in the township. Quite a number of its members live in
Colfax and Liberty townships. It is a frame building of good size,
plainly finished and furnished, and cost $1,000. It is entirely out
of debt, in a flourishing condition, and is surrounded by a
beautiful country. The church was dedicated in 1879 by the Rev.
Alexander Newby and his sermon was delivered to one of the largest
congregations which. ever assembled in the neighborhood. The pastors
have been: Rev. Alexander Newby, Rev. Benjamin Matchett, Jr., Rev.
J. D. Jordan and Rev. John Pudner. At the present time it has one
hundred and sixty members,. most of whom are earnest workers in the
church. Since the dedication of the church in 1879 a Sunday-school
has been formed and has been eminently successful. With but few
exceptions, and that has been on account of bad weather, the
Sunday-school has been regularly kept up the past two years, and has
an average attendance of some forty scholars. Superintendent Simon
Grove has given earnest attention to the good work. The present
officers of the church are Benjamin Matchett, Jr., and Simon Grove,
elders; Samuel Kindig, Josephus Pastor and J B. Johnston, deacons.
Mount Nebo Baptist Church
The members of this church, as early as 1858, organized, the Rev. B.
F. Kenney and the Rev. Mr. Black assisting in the work. It was in
July of that year. The first members of Mount Nebo Baptist Church,
of Sheridan township, were: John Barnes and wife, Philip Place and
wife, Lewis Mullins and wife, Daniel Leobo and wife, Nancy Payne and
Henry H. Payne, ten members in all. The first minister was the Rev.
R. C. Hill. The church has now a membership of sixty-five and there
is reason to believe that ere long they will erect for themselves a
neat and pleasant place of worship. Services are now held in a
school-house.
Church Of The United Brethren
The Church of the United Brethren was organized in 1872, by the Rev.
A. D. Thomas and ten members. Mr. Thomas was the first pastor, and
was succeeded by the Revs. T. B. France, John B. Daviess, R. Zumbro,
J. H. Brundige, O. S. Murray, J. Berryman and John White, in the
order named. The church has continued to grow and now has thirty
members.
They have no church property and service is held in a school-house
in the district.
Methodist service was held in the township as early as 1856 by the
Rev. Griffin, now stationed at Pattonsburg. The reverend gentleman
had charge of what was called the Albany Circuit, and Sheridan,
Liberty, Marion and Jefferson townships were a part of his circuit.
Organizations
Good Templars
The Silver Fount Lodge No. 229, I. 0. G. T., was organized February
10, 1871. It was in successful operation for many years, holding its
weekly meetings at the Hopkins school-house. The following officers
are given, who were elected for the year commencing May 1, 1875, and
ending May 1, ,1876. The officers were installed by B. B. Worden,
lodge deputy, and are as follows: H. P. Burnham, W. C. T.; Miss
Lauretta Surface, W. V. T.; W. P. Griffin, W. S.; T. W. Hopkins, W.
F. S.; H. Kindig, W. M.; L. Reed, W. C.; D. Burnham, W. T.; Miss
Laura Surface, I. G.; A. B. Hopkins, W. 0. G.; Miss M. Wolfinbarger,
W. A. S.; Miss L. Grove, W. R. S.; Miss Lottie Hopkins, W. L. S.;
Miss J. Surface, W. D. M.
In February, 1877, the above lodge, on Saturday, February 10th,
celebrated its sixth anniversary by a pleasant reunion and an
elegant supper. The affair passed off most pleasantly.
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