Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/522

 446 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY He was sent out as a student missionary for the American Sunday School Union, in Wisconsin, during the summer of 1897. Shortly after leaving college he became lessee and managing editor of the Whiting (Ind.) "News," leaving this to take up the active ministry in 1901, his first charge being at Shipshewana, Ind. Since then he has been pastor of the Congregational churches at Andrews. Ind.; Brightwood (Indianapolis), Ind.; Doon, Iowa, and his present charge. Ordination was conferred upon him October 23, 1903, while pastor at Andrews. Ind. His theological training, aside from five months at the Moody Institute, was secured by home study, as was the preparatory work for college. He is an active member of Typographical Union No. 1, of Indian- apolis* and while pastor in that city was honored by the State Association of Churches and Ministers by being elected a member and secretary of the State Association industrial committee. The Federated Ministers' Association of the Congregational, United Brethren and Methodist Protestant churches, of that city, sent him as a fraternal delegate to the Indianapolis Central Labor Union, to study its methods and carry fraternal greetings. He commenced his labors at Zumbrota July 15, 1908. He was married July 2. 1899, at South Bend, Ind., to Nora M. Welbaum. by whom he has one daughter, Laura, born in Laporte county, Indiana, April 8. 1900. The First Congregational Church of Cannon Falls was or- ganized July 31, 1856. at the school house. Kev. R. Hall, of the American Missionary Society, conducted the first service and was assisted by J. R. Barnes. The'firsl members were J. R. Barnes, Caroline M. Barnes. Julia Barnes. Jos. Peckham. Mark H. Peck- ham, Charles V. Gellett, Jane R. Gellett, Sherman Hale, Jonathan L. Clifford. Mrs. J. L. Clifford, Sidney Munson, Mrs. H. G. Mun- son, Joseph E. Chapman, Hannah A. Chapman, Levi Hillman. Mary Hillman and .Mrs. Paxton. J. L. Clifford and Sherman Hale were deacons, Luther Scofield, treasurer, and H. Peckham, clerk. At a meeting held in January. 1857, S. Munson was chosen treas- ured in place of Luther Scofield. resigned. At a meeting held for that purpose. January 31, 1857, Sherman Hale, J. E. Chapman and Eli Ellsworth were elected trustees. April, 1862, Rev. John X. Williams was called as regular pastor, but resigned in 1864 and Rev. J. R. Barnes was elected in his place. March 28, 1866. the church was re-organized under the state law and entitled the First Congregational Church of Cannon Falls. The trustees were S. L. Chapman, W. H. Scofield and Sherman Hale. Under the ad- ministration of these trustees a church edifice was erected and completed in 1868, in size 35x48. at a cost of $3,000. It was dedi- cated by the Rev. E. S. Williams, of Northfield. January 2, 1868. September 23. 1867. Rev. E. AY. Merrill was called, and chosen